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House leaves Quiboloy’s fate to Senate
The House of Representatives will no longer pursue and implement the warrant of arrest it issued against pastor Apollo Quiboloy after it approved on final reading the bill revoking the franchise of the evangelist’s alleged TV network......»»
Lalamove empowers aspiring women entrepreneurs to start their small businesses in PangNegosyo program
Lalamove, a leading on-demand delivery platform, has launched the Panalong PangNegosyo program for its thousands of women partner drivers to give out a business-starter package to three lady riders or drivers......»»
Philippines declares 'strategic defeat' of NPA rebels
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines declared on Tuesday a "strategic defeat" of the New People's Army (NPA) rebels, who have been fighting against the government since the 1960s, saying there is no more active guerilla fronts in the country. Eduardo Ano, National Security Adviser and former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said "thousands" of NPA insurgents have decided to return t.....»»
Thousands celebrate Women s Month in Talisay
Thousands celebrate Women s Month in Talisay.....»»
Philippines declares 'strategic defeat' of NPA rebels
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines declared on Tuesday a "strategic defeat" of the New People's Army (NPA) rebels, who have been fighting against the government since the 1960s, saying there is no more active guerilla fronts in the country. Eduardo Ano, National Security Adviser and former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said "thousands" of NPA insurgents have decided to return t.....»»
Sulaiman leaves with Pinoys in his heart
World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman left Manila yesterday to return home to Mexico with fond memories of his five-day visit where he experienced Filipino hospitality, warmth and friendship. He said there will always be a place in his heart for the Philippines......»»
Billions for commercial tuna industry, crumbs for fisherfolk
Months of investigation by Bulatlat revealed that the booming commercial tuna industry in General Santos City, dubbed the Philippines’ “tuna capital,” favors industrial scale commercial fishing fleets at the expense of the livelihood of thousands of ordinary fisherfolk. The post Billions for commercial tuna industry, crumbs for fisherfolk appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
PPPs eyed for offshore wind farms in ports
The government may consider public-private partnerships (PPPs) in its plan to transform ports into offshore wind projects, as it could take as much as $80 million to redevelop each one of them......»»
Tolentino to PPA: Hire veterinarians to assist travelers with pets
Senator Francis Tolentino has urged the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to hire veterinarians to vet on-site the pets travelers bring along in their trips and making the boarding process on sea vessels a lot easier......»»
Extreme Heat as a ‘New Pandemic’: Thousands in PH Cancel Classes During ‘Hottest Year’
(Part 1 of 2) CEBU CITY, Philippines — The decades-old Gabaldon building of Leyte National High School in Tacloban City has narrow hallways, high and dark ceilings, and overcrowded classrooms. On hot and humid days, the rooms can feel stuffy and suffocating, prompting students like Dwight Lebrea, a 17-year-old Grade 12 student, to find ways.....»»
Nesthy leaves fate to God
Kapit kay Lord” was what Nesthy Petecio said when asked if she felt pressure heading to her make-or-break bid to qualify for the Paris Olympics against Turkey’s Esra Yildiz in Busto Arsizio, Italy, last week......»»
Gatchalian, DTI execs finalize cash aid details for small rice retailers
Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Thursday said he met with the executives of the Department of Trade and Industry at the DSWD Central Office to discuss the finer points in the implementation of the Sustainable Livelihood Program for small rice retailers affected by the imposition of price controls. Gatchalian and DTI representatives led by Undersecretary Carol P. Sanchez discussed how the DSWD’s SLP cash payout will be implemented in line with Executive Order No. 39 which set a price cap on regular milled and well-milled rice effective 5 September. “We are going to use the [SLP] program to make sure that our retailers are taken care of during this unforeseen time,” Gatchalian said during the meeting, which was also attended by the DSWD Operations Group led by Undersecretary Josefina Romualdez. Gatchalian also reminded the DTI to coordinate with the rice retailers’ group following the instructions of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure that all stakeholders are on board during the implementation of the cash aid from DSWD. “In this case, the DTI was tasked to work with the rice retailers association to identify who the small rice retailers are. They'll pass on the list to us and on the ground we do payouts,” the DSWD chief pointed out. The meeting, according to Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez, was held to expedite the completion of the list of qualified small rice retailers across the country who are the target beneficiaries of the cash aid with a maximum of P15,000 per qualified retailer under the SLP. “The completion of the master list of the intended beneficiaries is the meeting's top agenda in order to carry out the actual payouts as soon as possible,” Lopez said. Lopez emphasized that while the DSWD is mandated to facilitate the distribution of cash aid, the DTI will be in charge of the grievance and complaints component of the program. “The DTI will use their current grievance mechanism to address complaints from the ground,” the DSWD spokesperson said. Quezon Province 1st District Rep. Mark Enverga, Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, also attended the meeting to discuss the House initiative to raise P2 billion from un-programmed funds to be used as augmentation for the DSWD’s SLP. Also present at the meeting were DSWD Undersecretary for General Administration and Support Services Group Atty. Justine Orden, Asst. Secretary for Specialized Programs Florentino Loyola Jr., Director Rhodora Alday of the Policy Development and Planning Bureau, and SLP-National Program Management Office Director Edmund Monteverde. For the DTI, present during the meeting were Asst. Secretary Agaton Uvero and Director Fhillip Sawal. “The collaborative effort between DSWD and DTI underscores the government's commitment to provide immediate support to rice retailers affected by the rice ceiling policy,” Lopez said. The post Gatchalian, DTI execs finalize cash aid details for small rice retailers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
25K retailers to benefit from gov’t P15,000 aid
The Department of Trade and Industry on Wednesday clarified that not all rice retailers will get the P15,000 financial aid from the government during the implementation of Executive Order 39 which puts a price cap on regular-milled rice at P41 per kilo and well-milled rice at P45 a kilo. “Our primary mission for now is information dissemination, monitoring, and validation of the list of retailers. Roughly 25,000 retailers in Metro Manila will be eligible for the P15,000 from the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development). That’s our focus at the moment since the EO is relatively new. We understand the contentions of the public and stakeholders to its effect,” said DTI Assistant Secretary Agaton Uvero during yesterday’s Laging Handa Public Briefing. He said the government will ensure that all legitimate retailers will receive the much-needed P15,000 aid. “The list will undergo a verification or validation process by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Those retailers that incur losses will be the target of the financial help. We are targeting the rollout of the financial assistance by next week. The DSWD will establish staging centers,” Uvero said. Just one month In a separate radio interview on Wednesday, Uvero said the price cap might only last one month as the harvest season in the rice-producing regions nears. The post 25K retailers to benefit from gov’t P15,000 aid appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DTI to form task force to help retailers amid rice price cap
Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual has ordered his department' s officials to create a special task force that will ensure the efficient implementation of the Executive Order 39 setting a price cap on regular-milled rice at P41 per kilogram and well-milled rice at P45 per kilo. This was after various traders aired complaints against the EO, saying it would badly affect their businesses and could result in lower farm gate prices to the detriment of farmers. The formation of the task force followed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s' order to immediately distribute financial aid to retailers who might be affected by the EO implementation. The DTI will implement the following forms of assistance to rice retailers/wholesalers, including small supermarkets that will be affected by the price ceiling: (1) financial assistance; (2) loan programs; (3) logistics support; and (4) market linkages and support. The Department of Social Welfare and Development, on the other hand, will provide financial aid or compensation to retailers/wholesalers in wet markets and neighborhood sundry stores to cover the difference between the cost of the current inventory of rice and the price ceiling. The government will likewise provide transportation in delivering rice from traders to retailers to reduce logistical costs. Further, market linkages will be established to link local farmers with supermarket chains and other retailers and promote bulk buying or advance purchase of supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, resorts and other commercial establishments. Members of the DTI Special Task Force will work in coordination with the Agriculture department, local government units and the Local Price Coordinating Councils. DTI will mobilize associations to gather a list of retailers and properly identify potential beneficiaries. "Currently, we are working with other government agencies to facilitate the profiling and validation of retailers, which shall be the basis for the distribution of financial aid by DSWD as early as next week. We are also set to conduct visits in warehouses in various locations to ensure that there is enough supply and discourage hoarding. As instructed by DTI Secretary Fred Pascual, the task force will ensure that consumers are protected and retailers will receive the assistance they need as the E.O. takes effect," DTI Assistant Secretary Agaton Uvero said. The price cap for rice will start tomorrow, 5 September, as the government's temporary solution to the skyrocketing prices of rice in the past weeks. The post DTI to form task force to help retailers amid rice price cap appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
When enough is not enough
In the national media, hoarders are accused of manipulating prices of essential commodities, particularly rice. In response to the perceived manipulation, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order 39, setting a price cap on regular and well-milled rice at P41 and P45 per kilogram, respectively. Despite the outcry and the administration’s response, beyond a handful of anecdotes, there needs to be solid data identifying manipulation opportunities for hoarders and finding evidence consistent with price manipulation. The President’s EO was probably a feeble attempt to stop the seemingly unstoppable price increase of the commodity. But it could also mean Marcos Jr. wanted the problem nipped in the bud. The EO is the first concrete step in eliminating the cartels and hoarders and allowing rice prices to be determined by the law of supply and demand. Marcos means business. Consolidating the agencies’ powers, he issued Executive Order 39, not as another warning, but as his weapon against hoarders and rice cartels. The President had clarified that he would go after rice hoarders and cartels during his second State of the Nation Address. He parroted the same warning, again and again until he issued this EO as a sort of declaration of war against them. Enough is enough — napuno na ang salop. The government must come in and control the runaway prices of rice. Even though the government allowed rice importation, notwithstanding the harvest to stabilize the price, officials noted the prices continue to increase. Trade Assistant Secretary Agaton Uvero explained that rice prices should not increase because of the liberalized rice importation. Uvero pointed the accusing finger to the cartels and hoarders trying to control the flow of the market. Firm on WPS The President also showed his tenacity and was true to his word, “the Philippines will not lose an inch” of its territory when dealing with bullies in the West Philippine Sea. China has become more aggressive in its maritime claims that its actions almost went overboard when its naval assets fired water cannons at our navy ship, trying to resupply a contingent of troops in Ayungin Shoal. Then China released a new version of their maritime claim — from a nine-dash line to a ten-dash line — claiming more of the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea. Our government is now asking what could be next, an 11-dash line and so on and on. And what about the President? How does he deal with the bully? Instead of ignoring the bully, Marcos said he would not change the approach, meaning we will continue defending what is ours and will not cede an inch of our territory. The President said the government stayed true to the rules of international law, particularly the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea that put the country on solid ground regarding its assertions for territorial sovereignty and maritime territory. The post When enough is not enough appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DTI warns criminal charges vs. rice hoarders, profiteers
The Department of Trade and Industry on Saturday warned that individuals engaged in rice hoarding and profiteering will face hefty fines and criminal charges. In a news forum, DTI Assistant Secretary Agaton Uvero said penalties will be charged against those who will be caught illegally stockpiling and jacking up the prices of the staple amid the current increasing prices of rice in the country. In line with the issuance of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of Executive Order 39, putting a cap on rice prices, Uvero said the DTI along with the Department of Agriculture and tapped local government units will start visiting major markets beginning next week to monitor if the order is implemented according. “So, iikot po iyong gobyerno, iyong mga composite teams sa mga bodega at hahanapin itong mga profiteers at hoarders at mayroon pong… pwede po silang ma-penalize sa Price Act for profiteering and the hoarding,” Uvero said. Uvero said the administrative fine will be as high as P2 million and/or seizure of hoarded items. “Mayroon pong administrative fine na can go as high as P2 million o pwede pong ma-seizure itong mga bigas na ito. At mayroon din pong criminal—ano iyan, penalty,” he warned. Marcos on Thursday approved the recommendation of the DA and the DTI, mandating price ceilings on regular milled rice at P41.00 per kilogram while the price cap for well-milled rice is P45.00 per kilogram. Uvero clarified that the price cap for rice remains a temporary solution to the increasing selling price of rice in the markets. “Temporary lang po ito at as soon as mag-stabilize iyong presyo at papasok na rin po iyong harvest season natin eh tatanggalin na rin uli ito,” he said. The post DTI warns criminal charges vs. rice hoarders, profiteers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Sacrifice,’ traders urged over rice cap
Consumers reeling from skyrocketing rice prices felt relieved after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. imposed a cap on prices, but traders said the EO would have a painful effect on them. The Department of Trade and Industry, or DTI, thus asked retailers to sacrifice a little and prioritize the welfare of most Filipinos. Executive Order 39 placed a cap on the price of regular milled rice at P41 per kilo and for well-milled rice at P45 per kilo. “The government is asking retailers to help uplift the welfare of the majority of Filipinos. Based on the DTI’s computation, they can sell within the cap at which they are not expected to lose but profits will not be big,” said DTI Assistant Secretary Agaton Uvero in a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday. The price cap is a temporary solution to the ballooning rice prices which, he said, was caused by hoarders. “The price is excessive and extraordinary. There is apparent hoarding, profiteering, and price manipulation happening right now. This should be investigated, and warehouses should be checked,” he added. Local farmers to get hit Meanwhile, Raul Montemayor, president of the Federation of Free Farmers, aired concerns that Marcos’s EO would cause palay prices to go down. He said farmers from Pampanga and Sultan Kudarat had already reported a P3 per kilo decrease in palay prices. “Prices of palay will fall. So, when we need farmers to increase their output, the EO will be sending them a message to the contrary,” he said, adding that the reduction could be as high as 20 percent in one day. “The government should contemplate the effects of the EO on farmers,” he said. On the other hand, the traders group Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement, or PRISM, has expressed its readiness to continue working with the government to provide consumers with affordable and quality rice after the issuance of the EO. While some industry stakeholders were not receptive to the EO, PRISM lead convenor Rowena Sadicon said her group knows that it is the President’s prerogative to issue such a directive, as she expressed hope PRISM members would understand the position of the Chief Executive. She expressed hope for normalcy in the coming days, particularly with the start of the palay harvest season, which should stabilize rice prices in the country. Price monitors fan out The DTI said it would mobilize its price monitors and work closely with the Department of Agriculture, other national agencies, and the local chief executives. Local Price Coordinating Councils will be activated to effectively implement the mandated price caps. “We recognize the urgency of addressing the escalating rice prices in the market. In parallel, it is imperative to maintain stringent oversight over rice pricing and supply to preclude any potential hoarding and price manipulation by traders and retailers,” Trade Secretary Fred Pascual said. “To fortify our monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, the DTI will mobilize its price monitors and engage with local government units to activate their Local Price Coordinating Councils,” he said, even as he emphasized that the price caps will not apply to special and premium rice. The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura or Sinag lauded the government’s move. “There is no reason for any price increase these past weeks as there is no rice shortage in the country,” Sinag executive director Jayson Cainglet said. Cainglet said traders capitalized on the initial public panic after the National Food Authority on 31 July, disclosed that its buffer stock was only good until the first quarter of 2024. “And we have yet to include the expected 7 million metric tons of rice this harvest season,” he said. “At any given time, our buffer stock is good for 50-60 days, prior to the onset of the harvest season later this month.” No to ‘mislabeling’ Pascual on Friday said government inspectors will make the rounds to guard against the mislabeling of rice varieties in local markets. Penalties await merchants who will try to circumvent the price ceiling using this scheme, he said. Pascual explained that only regular and well-milled rice are covered by the price ceiling, and premium rice is not. “We will make sure that the rice varieties subject to the price ceiling, regular and well-milled rice, are not mislabeled as premium rice,” the trade chief said. “We have monitoring teams who will go around.” “Also, the Department of Agriculture will issue guidelines so that we can distinguish premium varieties from the varieties covered in the price act,” Pascual said. Retailers found violating the price ceiling face imprisonment from under a year to 10 years, or fines ranging from P5,000 to P1 million, or both. As of Friday, locally produced regular milled rice in Metro Manila retailed at from P42 to P55 per kilo, up from P38 last year, according to the DA price monitor. Local well-milled rice was being sold from P47 to P57 per kilo, compared to P40 last year. The post ‘Sacrifice,’ traders urged over rice cap appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Trans fat ban iffy sans DTI-FDA deal
Even if the Food and Drug Administration and Department of Health’s order is already in effect for manufacturers to reformulate their products to remove trans fatty acids or trans fat from their products, the DTI said it cannot mandate the pull-out of existing products in supermarkets nor supervise how traders are heeding the order. Issued in 2021, DoH Administrative Order 2021-0039 and FDA Circular 2021-028 and 2021-028A gave food manufacturers until 18 June 2023 to heed the orders to tweak the formulation of their food products and totally eliminate trans fat from their products. Speaking for DTI Assistant Secretary for Legal Agaton Uvero, Trade Undersecretary for Communications Kim Bernardo-Lokin said the full force of the order and circular should be imposed by the FDA and the DoH which have the power to do so. “The issue is under the jurisdiction of the FDA and the DoH. DTI cannot enforce the DoH and FDA regulations on its own in the absence of an agreement between the two agencies,” Lokin said. Based on the DoH and FDA order, food manufacturers were given two years to reformulate and remove TFAs from their products or face sanctions. Even if products with high trans fat are usually found in supermarkets and grocery stores that are under the jurisdiction of the DTI, Lokin said a memorandum of agreement is needed for them to check if the trans fat content of manufacturers’ products is reformulated, or pull them out from supermarkets and groceries. Products that are traditionally high in iTFA or industrial trans fat, include margarine, coffee creamer, instant noodles, and baked goods such as donuts and cookies, among others. “We cannot easily pull them out since many products in supermarkets have trans fat in them,” Lokin said. iTFA is created by adding hydrogen to oil and, based on medical studies, it has no known health benefits and is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease and stroke worldwide, estimated to cause around 540,000 deaths every year. 564 food products Last week, Michael Pelagio, a science research specialist at the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute chemical laboratory revealed that based on a chemical examination of 564 food products tested, 17 percent had high trans fatty acid or TFA content that was risky for consumers. He said oils and fats such as sesame oil and mayonnaise, unsalted butter, all-purpose cream, and bread and pastry products such as cookies and doughnuts have a TFA content of more than two grams per 100-gram serving. “Based on our results, 17 percent of sample foods contain more than two grams per 100-gram fat. 564 samples were analyzed for TFA content. Average results in the food category showed that fats and oils had the highest TFA content, followed by milk and dairy products,” Pelagio revealed during the DoST-FNRI seminar at the Dusit Thani Manila on Friday. On the other hand, Atty. Mikhail Millan of ImagineLaw urged the public to join in the effort to enforce the DoH and FDA orders and report any manufacturers violating the orders. According to the FDA, if a company violates a provision of the circular, it will be basis for disapproval of the company’s application for a Certificate of Product Registration, or if already issued a CPR, it will be a ground for suspension or revocation of the CPR, Millan said. Late enforcement The Philippines is already late in enforcing the ban given that the World Health Organization said new laws should protect more than 3.2 billion people from TFAs by the end of 2020. Many countries, including Canada, the European Union and South America have implemented bans or restrictions on trans fats in food products. Trans fat, according to medical experts, is the worst type of fat to eat. Unlike other dietary fats, trans fats, which are artificial, raise “bad” cholesterol and lower “good” cholesterol. Cardiologists will always tell you that a diet laden with trans fats increases the risk of heart disease, the top killer of Filipinos, aside from hunger. The post Trans fat ban iffy sans DTI-FDA deal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go personally aids recovering typhoon victims in Banate, Iloilo
Sen. Bong Go continues his unwavering commitment to providing aid and assistance to communities affected by natural disasters. Following his team’s previous visits from 29 May to 1 June, the senator and his team went back to Banate, Iloilo on Wednesday, 7 June, to extend further assistance to the recovering victims of Typhoon Agaton. In his speech, Go expressed his solidarity with the affected residents and assured them of government assistance. The senator, known for his "Malasakit" advocacy, highlighted the importance of unity and cooperation in overcoming challenges. “Alam n'yo, tao lang po ako na napapagod rin. Pero kapag nakikita ko kayong masaya, nawawala po ang aking pagod. Kapag nakikita ko rin kayong masaya at nakatutulong sa inyo at sa inyong mga pasyente, at nakakapag-iwan ng kaunting ngiti sa panahon ng inyong pagdadalamhati, nawawala po ang aking pagod tuwing nakikita ko kayong masaya,” said Go. Meanwhile, Go and his team held the relief activity at the municipal gym of Banate where they assisted a total of 1,897 typhoon victims. The beneficiaries received food packs, masks, vitamins, and snacks. Select individuals were also given cellular phones, shoes, bicycles, watches, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball. The Department of Social Welfare and Development, meanwhile, extended financial assistance to the qualified beneficiaries. On the same day, Go also attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Super Health Center in Barotac Viejo, where he provided assistance to impoverished residents in need and was invited to check the Bureau of Fire Protection’s new building and firetruck in the town. Following this, he made his way to Silay City in Negros Occidental, where he also participated in another groundbreaking event for a Super Health Center, dropped by the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in the city and extended aid to underprivileged residents. Additionally, Go actively joined in the commemoration of Silay City's Charter Anniversary. The post Bong Go personally aids recovering typhoon victims in Banate, Iloilo appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Public service without break
I am proud of the hard work that we have all put into advancing legislative measures with the common goal of providing a safer and better life for Filipinos While we are now on our session break, I believe that there can be no pause in our duties as public servants The Senate adjourned sine die last 31 May 31 its First Regular Session of the 19th Congress. Our first such session under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., I am proud of the hard work that we have all put into advancing legislative measures with the common goal of providing a safer and better life for Filipinos. Six of the proposed measures that hurdled the Senate are now laws, including several of my co-authored and co-sponsored bills, such as the SIM Registration Act, postponement of the December 2022 Barangay and SK Elections, and naturalization of our national basketball team key player, Justin Brownlee. Senate Bill 1849, which I co-sponsored, has also been enacted, amending certain provisions of Republic Act No. 11709 to establish a fixed term and retirement age for some officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that would hopefully better promote their welfare. I likewise co-sponsored RA 11938, converting the municipality of Carmona, Cavite into a city. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, I am also particularly happy that the Bicameral Conference Report on our proposed Regional Specialty Centers Act has already been ratified, marking a significant milestone towards improving access to specialized healthcare across the country. As the principal sponsor of the measure, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of establishing more specialty centers in various regions to ensure that our Filipinos have better access to the specialized medical services they require. This measure is a steadfast commitment, and a collective vision to improve our healthcare system. It is our people’s experiences and stories that have driven us to aim for a healthcare system that is compassionate, accessible, and designed to meet the needs of Filipinos. Likewise approved on third and final reading in the Senate are several bills that I co-authored and co-sponsored, such as: (1) the proposed Walkable and Bikeable Communities Act which seeks to establish safe routes for cyclists, pedestrians, and slow vehicles across the entire country; (2) Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act which aims to institutionalize the grant of a teaching allowance for public school teachers; (3) No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act which seeks to protect students from preventing them in taking exams due to outstanding financial obligations; (4) New Agrarian Emancipation Act which seeks to condone almost P58 billion worth of loans that agrarian reform beneficiaries incurred in owning lands under the government’s agrarian reform programs; (5) Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act which aims to stimulate economic growth for decent job generation; and (6) Senate Bill No. 2021 which aims to improve the competitiveness of MSMEs by granting them access to shared facilities and services, technology, and skills training. The proposed National Day for Awareness on the Hijab and Other Traditional Garments and Attire Act, and the Cultural Mapping Act, which I both co-authored, have also hurdled the Senate. Meanwhile, I likewise filed several other measures in a bid to bring services closer to our people, especially the needy, the hopeless, and the helpless. These include bills establishing Mental Health Offices in higher educational institutions, mandating financial literacy and entrepreneurship as core subjects in the junior and senior high school curricula, and institutionalizing a technical-vocational program specifically for rehabilitated drug dependents. To improve the resilience of the agricultural sector, I also filed a bill seeking to provide immediate financial assistance to ARBs in the event of natural calamities and another measure that proposes to expand the services of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation and encourage private sector participation in agricultural insurance. Among others, I also filed bills seeking to institutionalize the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH), a flagship housing program of President Marcos, Jr.; establish a comprehensive framework to accelerate infrastructure flagship programs; strengthen our coast guard; better protect our kasambahays, freelance and media workers; and provide equitable incentives to our para-athletes. After a hectic yet fruitful legislative year, I continue to personally visit our kababayans in need to provide the necessary aid. On June 1, I was in Samal, Bataan with my team to witness the groundbreaking of the town’s Super Health Center and distribute aid to 500 of its struggling residents. We also visited Balanga City to provide similar assistance to 1,008 indigents. Batangas was our destination the following day where I inspected the Super Health Center and a multipurpose building which will be the new municipal hall in Ibaan. I also led relief operations for 1,000 of my fellow Batanguenos in Ibaan and 1,086 in Sta. Teresita. Meanwhile, I was in Naga City, Camarines Sur on June 3 where I attended the 1st Bicol Social Media Summit and assisted 1,500 indigent residents. I then conducted a monitoring visit to the Malasakit Center at the Bicol Medical Center in the city and likewise aided 824 patients and 2,702 frontliners. The DSWD also committed to providing financial assistance to qualified beneficiaries. Thereafter, I inspected a bypass road in the city, a project I also supported as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance. Across the country, my outreach teams aided 5,102 Typhoon Agaton victims in Banate, Iloilo; 170 fire-hit families in Parañaque City; five fire-hit families in Cotabato City and three more in Catbalogan City, Samar. Indigent families were also aided, including 420 in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; 598 in Socorro, Surigao del Norte; 1,000 in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; 40 in Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte; 520 in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; 180 in Sibalom, Antique; 518 in Kalibo, Aklan; 83 TESDA graduates in Carcar City, Cebu; and 408 barangay health workers in Sariaya, Quezon. My staff likewise attended the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Socorro, Surigao del Norte. While we are now on our session break, I believe that there can be no pause in our duties as public servants. As we have always done and as we are mandated to do, we should continue spending the days ahead trying to help uplift the lives of our Filipino people. The post Public service without break appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»