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Review: ‘Video City: Be Kind, Please Rewind’, too reel to be real
Writer-director Raynier Brizuela’s time-travel whirlwind romance Video City: Be Kind, Please Rewind (a collaboration between Viva Films and GMA Pictures) is an ambitious project tragically forced within an obviously limited budget, resources and creative restrictions. Brizuela, setting his film mainly in the year 1995, uses tight framing and a shaky cam technique, but not so much as to direct our focus on Ruru Madrid’s frequently teary eyes, but to avoid the movie’s lack of era-specific looks. Knowing that it’s a copyright nightmare for a low-budget movie such as Video City to recreate 1995, we are severely deprived of nostalgia. Then there’s the restriction issue: the 1990s are marked by the Eraserheads, the launch of the Windows 95 operating system, the O.J. Simpson trial, Tiger Woods, Michael Jackson, Jolina Magdangal, Smokey Mountain and some major Philippine news and current events. But the production obviously cannot and will not show anything outside of Viva Entertainment’s world. Hence, the concept itself — a period piece — is already a failure. The inability of the film to recreate the ‘90s in the Philippines is the least of the movie’s problems. The film’s wobbly script from an unfocused story reduces the experience to something of an endurance test. Video City traps the audience within the suffocating four walls of Video City, a popular VHS rental shop in the ‘90s owned by Viva Entertainment, Inc. We watch a love story develop between Han (Ruru Madrid), a student from 2023, and Ningning (Yassi Pressman), a Video City worker from 1995. Suffocating, because of the tight framing combined with hackneyed, cringy dialogue and the severe lack of chemistry between the two leads. Independently, both actors give their best to bring life to their thinly written characters from a largely unremarkable, bizarre storytelling. Yet together, they cannot even produce a mild spark. Pressman’s Ningning, with her permed wig colored with blondie highlights (definitely not a Pinoy ‘90s look), is an energetic actress-wannabe, while Madrid’s Han is a depressive filmmaker-wannabe. Movies are the duo’s mutual passion, yet the script does not allow this passion to take root, further weighed down by the need to promote Viva’s past products, such as the movie Maging Sino Ka Man. There is no build-up in the romance. Ningning, upon realizing that Han comes from the future, is just very surprised for mere minutes. This rip in the space-time continuum does not inspire shock from Ningning, and she bizarrely does not ask questions about this supernatural occurrence. Even Han is just mildly surprised by his ability to time-travel via — get this — a VHS tape rewinder. Han is also inexplicably hired by the Video City branch, clearly the script’s excuse to “build” the bond between him and Ningning. But he never gets a Video City uniform. He is always in civilian clothes. Why? [caption id="attachment_187907" align="aligncenter" width="1356"] RURU Madrid delivers an effortless performance (please give this guy more nuanced roles!) but his talent is wasted here. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF GMA pictures[/caption] In order to provide conflict and threat to the love story, Brizuela set a “limited time” — Han’s daily visit in 1995 gets shortened every day. With this restriction, Han also has to understand the “purpose” of his time travel really fast. But then the movie suddenly loses interest in Han’s initial angst: His uninspired thesis, the pressure to be as creative as his retired filmmaker mother (Suzette Ranillo), whose paralyzing health issues (we never know what her actual health issue is) is also affecting his mental health. Sure, these are mildly tackled and Han gets an “instant cure” for himself and his mother after attending a 1995 movie presscon (was it really open to the public back in the day?). But all of these issues are sidestepped to give way for the unengaging love story. Brizuela, the creative director of the social-media humor page PGAG, also utilizes the tiresome rain effect to “enhance” the romantic thrills. But with the way the rain suddenly appears (alongside Wency Cornejo’s song “Tag-ulan”), you find yourself recoiling instead of falling in love. The old Filipino nursery song “One Day, Isang Araw, I Saw, Nakakita” is also given an unusual prominence in the paper-thin script, making you wince even more. Madrid delivers an effortless performance (please give this guy more nuanced roles!) but his talent is wasted here. Not even his commendable performance can save this movie. Video City is difficult to sit through. The entire time, I was placed in an existential dread — I could neither forward the time to speed up the movie nor rewind back in time and avoid this altogether. 0 out of 5 stars Now showing in cinemas The post Review: ‘Video City: Be Kind, Please Rewind’, too reel to be real appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Too reel to be real
Writer-director Raynier Brizuela’s time-travel whirlwind romance Video City: Be Kind, Please Rewind (a collaboration between Viva Films and GMA Pictures) is an ambitious project tragically forced within an obviously limited budget, resources and creative restrictions. Brizuela, setting his film mainly in the year 1995, uses tight framing and a shaky cam technique, but not so much as to direct our focus on Ruru Madrid’s frequently teary eyes, but to avoid the movie’s lack of era-specific looks. Knowing that it’s a copyright nightmare for a low-budget movie such as Video City to recreate 1995, we are severely deprived of nostalgia. Then there’s the restriction issue: the 1990s are marked by the Eraserheads, the launch of the Windows 95 operating system, the O.J. Simpson trial, Tiger Woods, Michael Jackson, Jolina Magdangal, Smokey Mountain and some major Philippine news and current events. But the production obviously cannot and will not show anything outside of Viva Entertainment’s world. Hence, the concept itself — a period piece — is already a failure. The inability of the film to recreate the ‘90s in the Philippines is the least of the movie’s problems. The film’s wobbly script from an unfocused story reduces the experience to something of an endurance test. Video City traps the audience within the suffocating four walls of Video City, a popular VHS rental shop in the ‘90s owned by Viva Entertainment, Inc. We watch a love story develop between Han (Ruru Madrid), a student from 2023, and Ningning (Yassi Pressman), a Video City worker from 1995. Suffocating, because of the tight framing combined with hackneyed, cringy dialogue and the severe lack of chemistry between the two leads. Independently, both actors give their best to bring life to their thinly written characters from a largely unremarkable, bizarre storytelling. Yet together, they cannot even produce a mild spark. Pressman’s Ningning, with her permed wig colored with blondie highlights (definitely not a Pinoy ‘90s look), is an energetic actress-wannabe, while Madrid’s Han is a depressive filmmaker-wannabe. Movies are the duo’s mutual passion, yet the script does not allow this passion to take root, further weighed down by the need to promote Viva’s past products, such as the movie Maging Sino Ka Man. There is no build-up in the romance. Ningning, upon realizing that Han comes from the future, is just very surprised for mere minutes. This rip in the space-time continuum does not inspire shock from Ningning, and she bizarrely does not ask questions about this supernatural occurrence. Even Han is just mildly surprised by his ability to time-travel via — get this — a VHS tape rewinder. Han is also inexplicably hired by the Video City branch, clearly the script’s excuse to “build” the bond between him and Ningning. But he never gets a Video City uniform. He is always in civilian clothes. Why? [caption id="attachment_187907" align="aligncenter" width="1356"] RURU Madrid delivers an effortless performance (please give this guy more nuanced roles!) but his talent is wasted here. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF GMA pictures[/caption] In order to provide conflict and threat to the love story, Brizuela set a “limited time” — Han’s daily visit in 1995 gets shortened every day. With this restriction, Han also has to understand the “purpose” of his time travel really fast. But then the movie suddenly loses interest in Han’s initial angst: His uninspired thesis, the pressure to be as creative as his retired filmmaker mother (Suzette Ranillo), whose paralyzing health issues (we never know what her actual health issue is) is also affecting his mental health. Sure, these are mildly tackled and Han gets an “instant cure” for himself and his mother after attending a 1995 movie presscon (was it really open to the public back in the day?). But all of these issues are sidestepped to give way for the unengaging love story. Brizuela, the creative director of the social-media humor page PGAG, also utilizes the tiresome rain effect to “enhance” the romantic thrills. But with the way the rain suddenly appears (alongside Wency Cornejo’s song “Tag-ulan”), you find yourself recoiling instead of falling in love. The old Filipino nursery song “One Day, Isang Araw, I Saw, Nakakita” is also given an unusual prominence in the paper-thin script, making you wince even more. Madrid delivers an effortless performance (please give this guy more nuanced roles!) but his talent is wasted here. Not even his commendable performance can save this movie. Video City is difficult to sit through. The entire time, I was placed in an existential dread — I could neither forward the time to speed up the movie nor rewind back in time and avoid this altogether. 0 out of 5 stars Now showing in cinemas The post Too reel to be real appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Up to 2M reservists eyed once ROTC becomes mandatory
There could be about two million reservists who will be able to augment the reserve force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines every year if the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps becomes mandatory again. This was bared by Major General Joel Alejandro Nacnac, Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservists and Retiree Affairs of the AFP, over the weekend during the opening of the National Reservists Week. “Every year, if ROTC becomes mandatory, we expect an additional two million students from all of the universities,” Nacnac told the reporters in an interview. He said projected servicemen from ROTC will be classified as a “standby reserve”—which is mobilized only in times of national emergency or war. The AFP reserve force is currently at 1.2 million as of June 2023, which is composed of over 71,000 “ready reservists,” more than 15,000 affiliated units from other organizations and institutions, and 1.1 million standby reservists—with most of them from the Philippine Army. The ready reservists are called at “any time to add to the regular forces.” The National Reservist Week is the AFP’s annual activity of the “purposely to widen the Reserve Force manpower build-up and for the existing reservists to be accounted.” The event also provides reservists an update on the current AFP policies and directives with regard to the Reserve Force Development Programs as well as establish a robust operational Reserve force by way of checking their individual readiness in order to provide support to the Regular Force to fulfill its mandate. The bill requiring ROTC for students enrolled in at least two years of an undergraduate degree is pending in the Senate plenary. On the other hand, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa the government may allot P4.2 billion for free uniforms yearly if the proposed mandatory ROTC program becomes law. “If it will materialize, every year we’re going to budget P4.2B for uniforms alone for cadets,” he said in a recent hearing on the budget of the Department of Science and Technology and its attached agencies. Dela Rosa also made a recommendation that ROTC uniforms should be locally sourced. The Philippine Textile Research Institute welcomed the senator’s suggestion. The post Up to 2M reservists eyed once ROTC becomes mandatory appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Zubiri: Coral destruction in WPS a global food security threat
The destruction of the marine ecosystem in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in the Escoda (Sabina) and Rozul (Iroquois) Reefs, threatens global food security, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri warned. “This is a wanton destruction of our future food security areas. I am really angry with what they are doing,” Zubiri said in a statement. He made the comment following the report of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command of missing and destroyed corals along Rozul Reef. The discovery of damaged corals came after the sightings of Chinese maritime militia vessels in the area. The report was confirmed by the Philippine Coast Guard, which found similar observations on the seabed of Escoda Reef, also in the West Philippine Sea. According to Zubiri, the destruction of marine ecosystems will have global consequences. “This is not a destruction only on the Philippine side, but for the whole world. It’s for the whole world because the species of fish that breed there are not only being harvested by Filipino fishermen, but also harvested by Malaysian fishermen, Vietnamese fishermen, even Chinese fishermen,” he pointed out. “So it is for the good of the world if our coral reefs are protected. That’s why I’m really very mad,” he added. He also made an appeal to the Chinese Embassy in Manila to “tell their militia vessels to put a stop on this wanton destruction.” ‘Marine ranger stations’ To safeguard the country’s marine resources in the West Philippine Sea, the Senate chief said the upper chamber would propose a P600 million budget to build marine ranger stations across the country. “We agreed to it already. We already spoke to Senator Sonny Angara. The P600 million is to build marine ranger stations in different parts of the Philippines, including the West Philippine Sea,” he said. He noted that the upper chamber is working closely with the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources in setting up marine ranger stations in key coastal areas nationwide. Aside from budget allocations for the establishment of marine ranger stations, Zubiri also vowed to fight for bigger allotments for the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy in the national budget for 2024 to boost their capabilities to protect and monitor the country’s maritime zones. “This budget is a critical budget. This is the time that we have to put our money where our mouth is. This is the time that we need to increase the budget for ships, patrol crafts, and marine research centers,” he said. Under the proposed P5.768-trillion National Expenditure Plan for 2024, the PCG has been allocated with P24.014 billion, an increase of nearly 10 percent from its allotment of P21.92 billion this year. On the other hand, P40.97 billion has been set aside for the Navy, up from its current budget of P34.98 billion. The post Zubiri: Coral destruction in WPS a global food security threat appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DOTr told to prioritize expansion, rehab of Phl airports
Gatchalian to DOTr: Prioritize expansion, rehab of existing Phl airports The Department of Transportation should prioritize the expansion and rehabilitation of existing airports in the country “to enhance air travel and support the tourism industry,” said Senator Win Gatchalian. Among the airports that should be expanded are those located in Camarines Norte, Southern Leyte, and North Cotabato provinces, he said. “We need to expand our existing airports, build new terminals, and fly tourists straight to their destinations," Gatchalian said noting that the rehabilitation efforts would enhance tourism activities in these provinces, create more jobs, and underpin the local economy. "This is a very good phenomenon because it decongested Manila and tourists were able to fly straight to their destination," he added. Gatchalian said the DOTr could carve out a portion of the 2024 budget for right-of-ways under the National Expenditure Program for the expansion of airports, “since the disbursement of the budget for the acquisition of right-of-ways is usually underutilized.” He explained that under the 2022 General Appropriations Act, for instance, utilization of the P1.65 billion budget for right-of-ways is at a very low level. Likewise, a budget of P12.4 billion under the 2023 GAA appropriated for right-of-ways has a very low disbursement rate to date. In a recent budget hearing, Gatchalian noted that the DOTr's budget for the rail sector has increased substantially to P163 billion, despite the perennial problem of underutilization. "Napakalaki ng increase ng rail sector in the budget of DOTr and I support the call to expand the rail sector to different parts of the country including Mindanao. However, the rail sector is perennially underutilized in terms of disbursement," he said. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the DOTr is already coordinating with its contractors to hasten the disbursement of payments. "It's important to emphasize that we need to improve the absorptive capacity of the department and we are happy to hear that you are working closely with your contractors," Gatchalian told DOTr officials. The post DOTr told to prioritize expansion, rehab of Phl airports appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Palace: Confidential funds sent to OVP were used for new satellite offices
Millions worth of confidential funds acquired by the Office of the Vice President through budget adjustments in 2022 was used to build new satellite offices, the Office of the Executive Secretary said......»»
DSWD can give small rice retailers up to P15K financial aid amid ceiling order
The Department of Social Welfare and Development on Tuesday said they are ready to provide cash assistance to small rice retailers who may incur losses due to the Malacanang-mandated price ceiling on rice which became effective yesterday 5 September. DSWD Secretary Gatchalian said he was directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to use the department’s Sustainable Livelihood Program to help small rice retailers recover their would-be losses from the temporary price cap. "We discussed with the President that we will use the DSWD's Sustainable Livelihood Program once again so that our small retailers affected by this temporary price cap on rice can be assisted," Gatchalian said. Under Executive Order No. 39 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on 31 August, the mandated price ceiling for regular milled rice is P41 per kilo while the mandated price cap for well-milled rice is P45 per kilo. The DSWD chief said the SLP currently has a P5.5 billion budget which can be immediately used to help cushion the impact of the price cap on rice particularly among small rice retailers who have a very small inventory. The SLP is a capacity-building program that provides start-up capital for those who wish to start a small business, capital build for cases similar to the effects of the EO 39 to small businesses, and employment grants. Gatchalian said the Department is just waiting for the list of qualified small rice retailers, which will be provided by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture. “Hopefully, by next week, we can conduct a payout for the sustainable livelihood grant to our affected rice retailers," Gatchalian said. To date, the DTI and the DA are currently coming up with a list of affected rice traders and rice retailers who will receive the government’s assistance. Gatchalian pointed out that the DSWD is ready to begin the nationwide payout to the qualified recipients of financial aid amounting to a maximum of Php15,000. “Bagamat kino-compute pa ng DTI at DA ang dapat matanggap ng bawat tatamaang rice retailers, ang maximum na ibinibigay ng programang SLP ay P15,000. One time big time,” the DSWD chief pointed out. Last Monday, the DSWD chief said he had a meeting with Speaker Martin Romualdez who vowed to raise P2 billion to help augment the SLP budget for the benefit of more small rice traders and retailers. “I told Speaker Romualdez that the SLP’s P5.5 billion is enough to help the distressed small rice retailers. But I also welcome the additional budget as this would mean more Filipinos will be given assistance under the SLP,” Gatchalian said. The post DSWD can give small rice retailers up to P15K financial aid amid ceiling order appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DBM allots P822.2B for DPWH
The Department of Budget and Management has allotted P822.2 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways for the proposed 2024 National Expenditure Program to build more public facilities, including roads and bridges, under the Marcos Administration’s “Build, Better, More, Program.” In a statement on Monday, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman underscored the need for the country to bounce back after its economic losses during the pandemic. “As highlighted by the President during his second State of the Nation Address, infrastructure development is one of the key drivers of our continuing economic growth,” Pangandaman said. “As such, we will sustain this momentum through the “Build, Better, More, Program.” This will prioritize physical connectivity infrastructure such as road networks and railway systems,” she added. Flood Management, one of DPWH’s significant programs, gets the largest budget at P215.643 billion for 965 projects to construct or rehabilitate flood mitigation facilities in major river basins and principal rivers. Convergence and Special Support Program followed next with P174.089 billion proposed budget. For Network Development, P148.112 billion will be spent to construct 721.656 kilometers of new roads and widen or improve 647.288 kilometers of existing roads. For Asset Preservation, a budget of P115.588 billion is allotted to implement the preventive maintenance of 1,196.398 kilometers of roads and upgrade of 798.711 kilometers of damaged paved roads. The Bridge Program’s P45.839 billion allocation is for the construction of 15,208.83 lineal meters of bridges and maintenance, retrofitting, repair, and rehabilitation, as well as the widening of 525 existing bridges. A separate budget of P13.968 billion is allocated to the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program which will provide access roads leading to declared tourism destinations. Moreover, an allocation of P10.020 billion will be for the Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade Infrastructure Program; Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad Program for military and police facilities, P3.8 billion; Special Road Fund for the construction, upgrading, repair, and rehabilitation of roads, bridges, and road drainage, P15.232 billion. The post DBM allots P822.2B for DPWH appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
OVP permanent office ‘still in the pipeline’
The Office of the Vice President is still looking to build a permanent office, OVP chief of staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez said Monday. During the budget deliberation for the proposed P2.385 billion budget of the Office of the Vice President, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian asked the OVP whether it has plans to construct a permanent office. “There is a plan. We are still under negotiations for land acquisition for the construction of our OVP permanent office," Lopez told the Senate Committee on Finance. Asked if the budget for the construction of the permanent office of the OVP is included in the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, Lopez reiterated that the OVP is still under negotiations for land acquisition. “It's still in the pipeline because it's still undergoing negotiations as to the matter of land acquisition. We are considering sites for the said OVP building,” she said. “It is a planned project for the term of the Vice President,” she added. Vice President Sara Duterte, who physically attended the budget deliberation, previously vowed to erect a permanent office for the succeeding vice presidents of the country. Last year, OVP spokesperson Reynold Munsayac said the move aims to “reduce cost in office operations.” Currently, the OVP, headed by Duterte, is leasing an office in Mandaluyong City. The previous vice presidents of the country such as lawyers Leni Robredo and Jejomar Binay held office at the Quezon City Reception House and Coconut Palace, respectively. The post OVP permanent office ‘still in the pipeline’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DBM allots P822B to infrastructure development
The Department of Budget and Management has allotted P822.2 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways for the proposed 2024 National Expenditure Program to build more public facilities, including roads and bridges, under the Marcos Administration's Build Better More Program. In a statement on Monday, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman underscored the need for the country to bounce back after its economic losses during the pandemic. “As highlighted by the President during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), infrastructure development is one of the key drivers of our continuing economic growth," Pangandaman said. "As such, we will sustain this momentum through the Build Better More Program. This will prioritize physical connectivity infrastructure such as road networks and railway systems,” she added. Flood Management, one of DPWH's significant programs, gets the largest budget at P215.643 billion for 965 projects to construct or rehabilitate flood mitigation facilities in major river basins and principal rivers. Convergence and Special Support Program followed next with P174.089 billion proposed budget. For Network Development, P148.112 billion will be spent to construct 721.656 kilometers of new roads and widen or improve 647.288 kilometers of existing roads. For Asset Preservation, a budget of P115.588 billion is allotted to implement the preventive maintenance of 1,196.398 kilometers of roads and upgrade of 798.711 kilometers of damaged paved roads. The Bridge Program’s P45.839 billion allocation is for the construction of 15,208.83 lineal meters of bridges and maintenance, retrofitting, repair, and rehabilitation, as well as the widening of 525 existing bridges. A separate budget of P13.968 billion is allocated to the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program which will provide access roads leading to declared tourism destinations. Moreover, an allocation of P10.020 billion will be for the Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade Infrastructure Program; Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (TIKAS) Program for military and police facilities, P3.8 billion; Special Road Fund for the construction, upgrading, repair, and rehabilitation of roads, bridges, and road drainage, P15.232 billion. The post DBM allots P822B to infrastructure development appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Super Health Center breaks ground in Lian; Bong Go lauds DOH, local gov’t
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, commended the Department of Health and the local government of Lian, Batangas for the groundbreaking of its Super Health Center on Thursday, 31 August. The groundbreaking was also supported by local officials, including Gov. Hermilando Mandanas, Vice Governor Mark Leviste, Mayor Joseph Peji, and Vice Mayor Ronin Leviste. In a video message, Go said the groundbreaking marked a significant step towards bringing quality government medical services closer to Filipinos and strengthening the nation's healthcare system. “Ito po ay isang makabuluhang pagkakataon upang ipahayag ang aking lubos na pagpupugay sa inyong lokal na pamahalaan sa pag-usbong ng Super Health Center dito sa inyong bayan,” said Go. “Ito ay isang malaking hakbang para mapalapit ang gobyerno sa mga Pilipino, lalo na sa mga nangangailangan ng serbisyong medikal. Sa pamamagitan ng Super Health Center, magiging accessible sa inyong komunidad ang primary care, free consultation at early detection ng sakit para maiwasang lumubha pa ito,” he continued. Go, an adopted son of CALABARZON with familial roots in Batangas and Davao, also continues to support the construction of more Super Health Centers in the province. Under the 2022 national budget, Super Health Centers in the province were funded in San Pascual, Agoncillo, Calatagan, Lipa City, Malvar, and Taysan, aside from the one in Ibaan. In 2023, more centers were identified to be established in the towns of San Juan, Tingloy, Lian, and San Jose. In addition, two more Super Health Centers were funded in Lipa City. These centers will offer database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation centers; and telemedicine, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, enough funds have been allocated to build 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, which is the lead agency in implementing the program, identifies the strategic locations for the construction of these centers. Go also emphasized the importance of strengthening the nation's healthcare system, highlighting the lessons learned from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. "Napagtanto natin sa mga pagsubok na dala ng pandemyang COVID-19 ang kahalagahan ng malakas at handang healthcare system. Kailangan nating ituloy ang paglalagay ng pondo sa ating healthcare infrastructure upang masiguro na may access ang bawat Pilipino sa dekalidad na serbisyong pangkalusugan." he asserted. The Super Health Center in Lian, Batangas, is just one of many initiatives spearheaded by Go to improve healthcare accessibility in the country as he also remains supportive of the continued operations of Malasakit Centers and the establishment of regional specialty centers nationwide. Go also offered to help those with medical concerns. The senator encouraged the public to visit Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery and Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City where there are Malasakit Centers ready to assist with their medical-related expenses. The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate. The Act aims to provide convenient assistance to indigent patients and help them with their hospital bills and other health-related expenses. To date, there are 158 Malasakit Centers nationwide. Go also proudly cited the enactment of RA 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act. He played a pivotal role in principally sponsoring and authoring this legislation in the Senate, which was recently signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on 24 August. The Regional Specialty Centers Act mandates the establishment of specialized healthcare centers within the existing DOH regional hospitals. On the same day, the Super Health Center in Calatagan was inaugurated. The post Super Health Center breaks ground in Lian; Bong Go lauds DOH, local gov’t appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Budget Usec Tina Canda has passed away
Former Budget Undersecretary and Officer-In-Charge Tina Canda has passed away, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) confirmed on Thursday In a statement, DBM said Canda passed away last Wednesday evening (23 August), coinciding with her 41st anniversary of service in the agency. Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said DBM is deeply saddened and in mourning over the loss of Canda, saying that the undersecretary was the agency’s "tower of strength." The DBM chief described Canda as “a gentle soul with a strong, dependable character” who spent endless hours poring over paperwork to ensure they reached the deadlines. “Her courage and relentless work ethic were most evident when, despite having been diagnosed with stage-4 cancer, she reported for work every day with her usual dogged determination and even diligently attended the Congress hearings in 2022. Despite her trials and tribulations, she bravely soldiered on,” Pangandaman said. “For an unbelievable 40 years of public service, Usec Tina gave it all in pouring out four decades of passion for service, hard work, and loyalty to DBM,” Pangandaman added. Pangandaman said Canda is the "ultimate mentor and coach" of her colleagues who become "better public servants," not just through words and concepts but because of her example. She added that Canda was a brilliant leader, leaving behind a legacy of policies, best practices, and a solid work ethic in the DBM. The secretary also extended her sincerest condolences to the family and close friends of Canda, while expressing gratitude to the departed undersecretary for her lifelong commitment to the agency. “We highly and sincerely appreciate the wisdom you have shared and will vow to build upon your legacy to provide better service for our countrymen, just as you have taught us. May your soul rest in eternal peace, Usec. We love you,” she concluded. The post Budget Usec Tina Canda has passed away appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NFA rice negotiation ‘obviously ultra vires’ — PRISM
The Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement over the weekend said that it has reached to their attention that officials of the National Food Authority were in India to negotiate, on behalf of the government, rice importation. "If this is true, we would like to ask for a clarification regarding this matter, which we believe runs counter to the provisions of the Rice Tariffication law which authorizes only the President to negotiate upon the recommendation of National Economic Development Authority and the Department of Agriculture," the PRISM said in a statement sent to Daily Tribune. "Any discussion about importation initiated by the NFA is obviously ultra vires," they added. PRISM said a closer look at the international rice market situation would reveal "problems beyond the control of our local businesses and the government." Filipino private importers who have booked supplies from Vietnam, as early as the first quarter, are now faced with the dilemma of Vietnamese importers canceling their contracts in favor of other countries affected by India’s rice export ban. Its response to current rice issues is to "reiterate our commitment to the President to ensure the availability of affordable rice. Second is to address the issues and concerns about the rice supply." PRISM boasted that on 7 July 2023, and last Saturday, along Tomas Morato near Scout Borromeo Streets, "we have successfully launched the P38 per kilo Tulong sa Bayan Bigas para sa Mamayan." It added that they have done the same in various areas in NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao "through our Rice Retail networks, Barangay and LGU Caravans, and Kadiwa outlets. Since then until this time, we still continue selling the P38 per kilo rice in the respective channels chosen by our stakeholders." Despite different challenges and turn of events due to typhoons "Egay" and "Falcon" and the unexpected declaration of India’s export ban, PRISM reiterated their commitment to ensuring the availability of the P38 rice per kilo, "to continue our commitment to this advocacy." "Today, we are strengthening our advocacy, we encourage more rice traders to join in this effort to help more of our Kababayan," the movement said. According to PRISM, recent concerns have surfaced regarding the high price and availability of rice, leading to speculations that intend to disturb the confidence of the public and the normal course of the local market. "We acknowledge and stand by the President's assurance of sufficient rice supply and recognize the importance of addressing the affordability of rice amidst the current inflationary pressures," it said. "It is of utmost importance that PRISM stands together with our efforts aligned with the President's vision for prioritizing local rice production and stabilizing the local market supply without having to resort to revenue-draining government-led importation," it added. "We, therefore, urge the National Food Authority (NFA) to rally behind this directive and channel its energy into supporting methods that increase domestic production, as specified by the President," PRISM said. "We acknowledge the problem besetting the local rice industry, but certainly it is not the availability of rice, but its affordability primarily due to inflation." "As farm gate costs (currently at P21 to 25 per kilo of palay-fresh palay) are affected by price fluctuations in the market, we urge the NFA, whose current support price of P19 per kilo (clean and dry) is far below the current farm gate price, to seize the ongoing budget season and approach the Congress for higher budget allocation that will benefit local farmers and strengthen the local industry instead of pushing for importation that will drain government funds in favor of foreign suppliers," they explained. "The NFA should focus on its role as mandated by the Rice Tarrification Law / RA 11203 to build its buffer stock exclusively from local farmers and rice millers instead of imported sources. This move is also more consistent with the President’s objective to support local farmers and strengthen OUR rice industry," it further explained. "We are thus urging that relevant authorities engage in diplomatic discussions with Vietnamese counterparts to find a mutually beneficial resolution and honor the contracts of our importers," PRISM urged. "Complicating our rice situation, careless statement of a certain DA official has maliciously criticized our members’ effort to subsidize a limited supply of P38.00 per kilo rice during lean months that was intended for our indigent kababayan. In one interview this official insinuated that this effort, which was motivated by the President’s directive to provide affordable rice, was meant to be “playing” with the market prices even if it's only offered to the poorest of the poor with a maximum purchase of 5 kilos a day," the group said, preferring not to name the DA official. Prior to the roll-out of this initiative, they added, "our organization sought clearance from the President during several meetings in Malacanang and from the DA’s Undersecretary in charge of the National Rice Program," they said. There were also pronouncements that the DA inspectorate, together with the NBI, intends to inspect warehouses to prevent traders from hoarding. "While we understand and appreciate this initiative, we urge the government to exercise caution due to the ambiguous legal definition of hoarding. Even if the intention is sound, in this current situation, warehouses with limited stocks might come out as a reflection of our dwindling rice supply and be used by those pushing for government importation," PRISM explained further. However, for warehouses that hold stocks as commercial buffers for their regular customers, such may be misinterpreted by the media as hoarding, even without going through the legal process. This can negatively impact the reputation of legitimate traders. "Careless exercise of lawful inspections will only worsen the situation and create a chilling effect that can disturb the normal course of the market," the group said. The group is requesting that the President, who also holds the position of DA secretary, devise a better strategy for communicating the government's "rice policy framework and situational response." This should be done in a way that ensures accountability and prevents any confusion or negative public and industry feedback "We strongly encourage the President to assign just one Usec for all agencies involved in the rice program (NIA, NRP, and NFA)," PRISM said. "Furthermore, we strongly encourage the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to release pertinent data and statistics on rice production and stocking in an up-to-date manner instead of a 3-month delay, to properly guide private and government stakeholders in timely decision making," the group suggested. The post NFA rice negotiation ‘obviously ultra vires’ — PRISM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kalayaan declares Chinese envoy persona non grata
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The municipal council of Kalayaan unanimously approved Wednesday a measure declaring Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian persona non grata, signifying their strong opposition to his presence in their area at any time. Councilor Maurice Philip Alexis Albayda’s resolution will be forwarded to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Senate, and the Chinese Embassy in Manila to convey the sentiments of the island town. Albayda said this will serve to inform high government officials of their feelings and to make Xilian aware of their strong concerns regarding his country’s oppressive actions in the West Philippine Sea, where their hometown Kalayaan is located. The resolution was prompted by the 5 August incident during which China Coast Guard ships attempted to ram and used a water cannon on two supply boats being escorted by the Philippine Coast Guard. Albayda said the aggressive behavior by China not only put the lives of the supply boats’ crew and passengers at risk but also of the crew aboard the escorting PCG’s BRP Cabra who included three Kalayaan residents. “Did you know that we had fellow Kalayaan residents on board the BRP Cabra? Yes, they were there,” he said. “Without a doubt, the actions of our neighboring country are truly infuriating.” The Kalayaan residents were en route to Lawak Island at the time to build a shelter for coastal enforcers, he said. “I want to propose that we declare Ambassador Huang Xilian persona non grata in the town of Kalayaan, the only town in the West Philippine Sea,” Albayda said in his privilege speech shortly before the resolution was passed. Albayda also said he was calling on the DFA to downgrade the Philippines’ diplomatic relationship with China given what it is doing in ignoring the safety of the people in the WPS. Kalayaan Vice Mayor Beltzasar Alindogan supported Albayda’s move declaring Xilian persona non grata. “I’ve personally experienced China’s harassment, like being driven away, but the situation with the two supply boats was much more intense,” Alindogan said, emphasizing that Kalayaan should also communicate to China their strong disapproval of its actions. He said he has volunteered to join the reservists and encouraged the military to conduct training on Pag-asa Island, to allow residents to display their patriotism. Former Kalayaan Mayor Joel Bito-onon, who is now a municipal councilor, also voted to approve the declaration against Xilian, but cautioned that it might jeopardize diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines given what happened in the past when two government officials were denied entry to Hong Kong. “Since way back, I’ve thought that due to China’s deceptive behavior, very deceitful. They say one thing, do another. I’ve seen countless instances on YouTube of them overturning ships, like what they did to Vietnam. I’ve wondered when that will happen in the Philippines. And now, this incident with our supply boats, it’s the worst that I have seen so far,” Bito-onon said. “But I’m thinking, maybe we should add a bit more wisdom, because you might end up like me, being told not to go to any city in China,” he added. Meanwhile, Senator Francis Escudero on Wednesday said he will propose the allocation of at least P100 million in the 2024 national budget to fund the construction of permanent structures at the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea “to strengthen the country’s presence in the contested maritime territory.” “I will propose the allocation of a minimum of P100 million to fund the construction of a pier and lodging structures for our soldiers assigned in the area, and for our fishermen who might seek temporary refuge in times of bad weather,” Escudero told the Senate reporters. The senator said the structures could serve as permanent lodging for military personnel stationed at the old BRP Sierra Madre, a warship intentionally grounded in the shoal in 1999 as a Philippine military outpost. It can also serve as temporary shelter for foreign fishermen “who will be caught in bad weather” in the waters. Lade JEAn Kabagani @tribunephl_Lade The post Kalayaan declares Chinese envoy persona non grata appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate starts scrutinizing next year’s proposed P5.768-T national budget
The Senate Committee on Finance on Tuesday started the deliberations on the proposed P5.768 trillion national budget for 2024, which is 9.5 percent higher than the current P5.2 trillion national budget. During the hearing, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman provided an overview of allocations of the proposed national budget which is equivalent to 21.7 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. According to Pangandaman, the proposed national budget would continue to prioritize expenditures based on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s eight-point socio-economic agenda. The largest bulk of the proposed budget would go to maintenance and other operating expenses amounting to P2.155.8 billion, equivalent to 37.4 percent of the total proposed budget. Pangandaman said the allocations for the MOOEs are composed of operating requirements, particularly the implementation of social programs, as well as allocations for local government units and budgetary support for government corporations. The personnel services will get the second-largest share in the proposed budget with P1.694.9 billion or 29.4 percent of the proposed budget. “It will fund the creation of additional positions in various government agencies… as well as the pension of military uniformed personnel,” she said. The capital outlays will get the third-largest share in the proposed budget with P1.246.4 billion or 21.6 percent of the proposed budget. The budget chief said that the allocations for the capital outlays will support the budgetary requirements of new and ongoing infrastructure projects under the administration’s “Build Better More” program. Meanwhile, a total of P670.5 billion is allocated for financial expenses, which is equivalent to 11.6 percent of the proposed budget. By sector, Pangandaman said a total of P2.183 billion is allocated for social services – the largest portion in the proposed national budget. It is equivalent to 37.9 percent of the proposed national budget. It was followed by economic services, general public services, debt burden, and defense, which will receive P1.709.4 billion; P893.3 billion; P699.2 billion; and P282.7 billion, respectively. The post Senate starts scrutinizing next year’s proposed P5.768-T national budget appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Managers: Phl remains on track
Despite the lackluster 4.3 percent in the second quarter, growth this year is expected to reach the target range of 6 percent to 7 percent gross domestic product expansion, according to Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno. “To do this, we will expedite the implementation of government programs and projects, to provide fiscal stimulus to increase the productive capacity of the public and private sectors and address the adverse recent impacts of typhoons.” Diokno added. Economic managers gathered in Fort Ilocandia in Laoag City to hold the Post-State of the Nation Economic Briefing that discussed the country’s economic situation and plans on 14 August. Diokno said in 2022, GDP increased 7.6 percent from 5.7 a year ago and a 9.5 percent contraction in 2020. Diokno said the economic team is determined to pick up government expenditure in the third and fourth quarters. Revenue collections remain robust from January to June as these totaled P1.9 trillion up 7.7 percent or P132.6 billion year-on-year which is also higher than the mid-year program by 2.7 percent. Hence, Diokno said they have already pipelined 194 infrastructure flagship projects worth P8.3 trillion of which 132 are located in Luzon that will address irrigation, water supply, flood management, agriculture, digital connectivity, physical connectivity, health, and power and energy. Diokno also highlighted some of the projects like the Laoag International Airport Development Project, the EDSA Greenways, the TPLEX Expressway Expansion Project, the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project, the Ilocos Norte-Sur-Abra Irrigation Project, and the Naga Airport Development Project. “The Philippines is determined to be a world leader in the race to net zero and the Ilocos Region will be a strategic partner in this mission. Dubbed to be the renewable energy capital of South East Asia, Ilocos Norte is emerging to be a promising player in the clean energy arena. Being home to the first and largest wind farms in the country,” Diokno stressed. In his address, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr., said from a peak of 8.7 percent in January, headline inflation slowed to 4.7 percent in July due to improving domestic food supply conditions and lower global oil prices. However, he also admitted that core inflation remains high at 6.7 percent although it has already started to decline due to the monetary tightening. The BSP has responded to inflation by aggressively raising its policy rate, as of today, the BSP has raised policy rates by 425 basis points. Prices reined in “The good news is that inflation expectations are still well anchored. The markets continue to believe that we will hit our target range by 2024 and stay there in 2025,” Remolona said. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman also gave an update on the use pf the budget for 2023. Pangandaman said at the end of July, the total amount of the national budget that has been released already is around 93 percent. “And we expect all our government agencies including all the cabinet members present here, to spend your budget so we can help grow the economy,” Pangandaman said. While for next year, the government budget will amount to 5.768 trillion and it is 21.7 percent of the GDP it has already been submitted to Congress last August 2 and the budget is expected to be passed earlier than expected. The National Economic Development Authority said it wanted to lower the poverty level to single digit. For Socioeconomic Planning Undersecretary Carlos Bernardo Abad Santos, the government has effective regional development plans. In the Ilocos Regional Development Plan from 2023-2028, the NEDA expects the Ilocos region to have a 7 percent to 7.5 percent growth while lowering the poverty incidence by 7.3 percent. ‘Build, Better, More’ under BBM;s watch Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the “Build, Better, More” program of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is very much aligned with the medium-term development plan for 2023 to 2028 and is consistent with the 8-point economic agenda of the president. Bonoan said that from July 2022 to May 2023, the DPWH has built, maintained, rehabilitated, widened, and upgraded 4,082 kilometer of roads, 497 bridges, built 2,103 flood control projects, 55 evacuation centers, 216 kms farm to market roads, 8 kilometers of farm to mill roads, 138 kilometers tourism roads, 18 kilometers of roads to seaports, railway stations, and airports, 4,038 classrooms, and 6,002 rainwater collector system. “Because of climate change, we have to address and be building and developing resilient and sustainable communities in the 18 major river basins in the country,” Bonoan said. Some of the major projects that the department would like to continue are converting the Daang Maharlika which is actually now Asian Highway 26 which starts in Laoag City and will go around Cagayan Valley and has extended all the way to Zamboanga City. Bonoan says that they want to convert this backbone of the national highway into seamless travel. “In other words, there should be no major stops along the way, along this Maharlika highway,” Bonoan said. Bonoan said they’re going to build 12 major bridges, and the first bridge is the Cavite-Bataan Interlink bridge with a span of more than 32 km. Should it be completed, this will be the second-longest bay bridge in the world. The department also plans to start the Luzon Spine Expressway which will run from Laoag City to Bicol, Bonoan says that this will be 1,073 kms more. As for Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, major Department of Transportation projects like the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan, Metro Manila Subway, EDSA Greenway Projects, EDSA Busway, MRT-3 Rehabilitation, LRT-1 Cavite, LRT-2 West Extension, MRT-7, and the modernization and capacity expansion of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport are proceeding. For the Department of Information and Communications Technology Ivan John Uy, there is already a cybersecurity plan for 2023 to 2028 which is a consolidated output of all the stakeholders in designing which includes the best practices all over the world. “We’ve ramped up in our cybercrime detection, we are busting cybercrime syndicates all over the country especially those that are dealing with scammers,” Uy said. Uy said agency is also enhancing cybersecurity status by designing courses to upgrade cybersecurity professionals. He admits that worldwide, there is a 3 million job vacancies on cyber security. DICT said by the end of the year, the department will have Two Terabits of capacity from Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan all the way to Manila and we should expect very good Internet connectivity by the start of next year especially on the Luzon area. These structures also open opportunities to data centers and BPOs along the places mentioned which produces employment. DICT expects that foreign investment opportunities and interest in those areas will boom. The post Managers: Phl remains on track appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BCDA starts NAS campus deal bid
The National Academy of Sports campus is now in its second phase as the Bases Conversion and Development Authority starts the bidding process for its construction. According to BCDA president and chief executive officer Joshua Bingcang, the second phase aims to develop more facilities that will help nurture the country’s future athletes. The official called for the submission of bids and eligibility documents for the design and build, as well as the construction management and supervision for NAS Phase 2. Bingcang said that the second phase has an approved budget of P273.74 million, with the first procurement involving the sited development of a 10,000-square meter area, and the design, construction, and fit out works for three additional buildings in NAS, namely the Sports Science and Sports Medicine Building, Sports Center with Multi-Purpose Covered Courts and Staff Housing. “Interested bidders have until 5 September 2023, 12:00 PM to submit their offers,” he added. The second procurement, which has an approved budget of Php14.51 million, covers consultancy services for the management and supervision of the construction of the mentioned facilities. The deadline for submission of eligibility documents is on 22 August 2023, 12 p.m. The post BCDA starts NAS campus deal bid appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Catapang’s problems awe lawmakers
Accepting to head the Bureau of Corrections, or BuCor, at a time when it was embroiled in so many controversies is a challenge that Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said he could not turn down. Catapang said so in answering a question by Rep. Bienvenido Abante on what convinced him to accept the BuCor post under the Department of Justice headed by Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. The BuCor chief appeared in a recent hearing of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety that tackled, among other issues, the entry of contraband into the BuCor’s main penitentiary, the New Bilibid Prison. “I’m not one to turn my back on a challenge,” the former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief said. “I think I’m still good for the service of the country. Give me your trust and confidence, and I will do it.” Abante moved during the hearing for the committee to conduct an ocular inspection of the NBP along with representatives of the Department of Budget and Management. Chaired by Rep. Dan Fernandez, looked into the proposed budget of BuCor, which manages several other penal facilities across the country and which plans to build a super-prison. Rep. Arnie Fuentebella told the committee that the problems at the NBP are not for Bucor or Catapang to solve alone, but for the government as a whole. Among the problems that need drastic solutions, according to Fuentebella, is the congestion at the NBP, for which a moratorium on the acceptance of new detainees was ordered by Remulla. Asked who foots the bill every time a prisoner gets sick, Catapang told the committee that persons deprived of liberty are each allotted P15 for medicine and P70 for food each day. “We shoulder the expenses (for medical care) and get the budget from our maintenance and operating expenses,” Catapang explained. Hearing that, Fuentebella proposed to Catapang for the BuCor to forge a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Health for the latter to help defray the PDLs’ medical expenses. Likewise, BuCor can enter into an agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development to help the NBP and other prison facilities in providing livelihood programs for PDLs. “I don’t envy you,” Rep. Romeo Acop told Catapang. “Had you consulted me before accepting the job, I would have advised you not to accept it. Your people are your problem, and so are the people they are guarding.” The post Catapang’s problems awe lawmakers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
First US nuclear reactor in seven years goes online
A new reactor at a US nuclear power plant entered into operation Monday, a first in seven years in the country where conventional reactors may give way to smaller-scale nuclear facilities. The Vogtle Unit 3 near Waynesboro, in the southeastern state of Georgia, has begun serving some 500,000 homes and businesses, operator Georgia Power said in a statement. "The new unit represents a long-term investment in the state's clean energy future and will provide reliable, emissions-free energy to customers for decades to come," the company said. The project comes online seven years after it was supposed to start producing power. The costs for Unit 3, and a fourth reactor anticipated to enter operation in late 2023 or early 2024, have topped $30 billion, according to an estimate by the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAP). That is more than double the budget of $14 billion announced at the start of the project. Cost overruns pushed original investor Westinghouse, a subsidiary of Japan's Toshiba, to file for bankruptcy in 2017, and it withdrew from the project. Once all four units are in operation, Vogtle will become the largest generator of clean energy in the nation, according to Georgia Power. Vogtle Units 3 and 4 were the first new reactor projects approved by US authorities since 1979 and an incident at Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island, the most serious nuclear accident in US history. The most recent prior commission of a nuclear reactor was Unit 2 at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant in Tennessee, in 2016. Construction for that reactor had begun in 1973. Work was suspended for more than two decades before the project was revived. Low-carbon nuclear power has been hailed as a climate-friendly energy source as the world struggles to combat global warming. Environmentalists, however, worry about safety and warn that disposing of radioactive waste carries huge risks. Since 1990 only three reactors have entered into operation in the United States: the two units at Watts Bar, in 1996 and 2016, and Vogtle Unit 3 on Monday. No other conventional reactor project is underway. Construction of two reactors at the Virgil Summer Nuclear Station in South Carolina was abandoned in 2017, despite $9 billion already invested in the projects. Manufacturers have now reoriented themselves towards smaller, new-generation facilities known as small modular reactors, or SMRs. The newer designs -- none of which have yet to come into operation in the United States -- are expected to be less expensive, take less time to build, and are considered safer than conventional power plants. The post First US nuclear reactor in seven years goes online appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go backs ‘Build, Better, More’
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go is optimistic that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s “Build, Better, More” infrastructure program can further enhance the country’s development towards full and inclusive economic recovery. The president recently laid down his administration’s key priorities and policy directions during his second State of the Nation Address last Monday at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. One of the central pillars of his vision for the nation’s progress is infrastructure development, which seeks to build upon the foundation laid by former president Rodrigo Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program. In an interview after the SoNA, Go expressed his hopes in President Marcos’ commitment to advancing infrastructure development. He emphasized that sustaining and expanding the program would not only drive economic growth but also create more job opportunities for the Filipino workforce. According to Go, the continuation of the BBB program under the Marcos administration now known as the BBM Program, holds great promise for the country’s future, underscoring that the government is paving the way for increased economic efficiency and sustainable development. To finance high-priority projects without incurring additional debt, President Marcos said in his SoNA that the government has established the Maharlika Investment Fund, saying, “In pooling a small fraction of the considerable but underutilized government funds, the Fund shall be used to make high-impact and profitable investments, such as the Build-Better-More program. The gains from the Fund shall be reinvested into the country’s economic well-being.” Go, for his part, emphasized the need to ensure that no public fund is wasted and must be accounted for to benefit the Filipino people. In his second SoNA, President Marcos Jr. assured the Filipino people that infrastructure development would remain a top priority throughout his term. The President mentioned that the heart of the BBM Program lies in its eight-point plan, covering investments in physical connectivity, water resources, agriculture, health, digital connectivity, and energy. A significant portion, 83 percent, of the program’s budget is allocated to physical connectivity infrastructure, including roads, bridges, seaports, airports and mass transport. The post Go backs ‘Build, Better, More’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»