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MMDA muling nanawagan sa NCR LGUs: Magtalaga ng fireworks display zones
MULING nananwagan ang Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) sa local government units (LGUs) sa Metro Manila ngayong malapit na ang pagdiriwang ng Bagong Taon. Ang nais ng ahensya, magkaroon ng designated fireworks display zones sa oras ng putukan. Ayon kay MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes, ito ay para mas maging ligtas ang naturang holiday.....»»
Piolo, Dingdong, Enchong, Derek, at Mayor Vico nakiisa sa pasinaya ng MMDA Auditorium
SHOWBIZ KONEKni Maricris Valdez Nicasio NAGLALAKIHANG-ARTISTA ang nakiisa sa pasinaya ng auditorium ng Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) kahapon ng umaga sa bago nilang tanggapan sa Julia Vargas extension Pasig City. Pinangunahan ni Mayor Vico Sotto ng Pasig ang ribbon cutting kasama sina Piolo Pascual, Derek Ramsay, Enchong Dee, at Dingdong Dantes kasama si MMDA acting chairman at concurrent Metro Manila Film Festival over-all ….....»»
MMDA: Revilla namedroppers no VIPs
Two drivers who dropped the name of Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. to avoid apprehension along the EDSA Bus Carousel two weeks ago are not VIPs, acting Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes said on Friday......»»
MMDA may scrap number coding scheme’s window hours
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has yet to decide on removing the window period in the current number coding scheme, acting MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said on Thursday......»»
MMDA: Nebrija went ‘overboard’
Suspended Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Task Force Special Operations Unit chief Bong Nebrija “went overboard” when he named Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. and a former lawmaker as violators of the EDSA Carousel policy, according to acting MMDA Chairman Romando Artes......»»
EDITORIAL - Wang-wang returns
The acting chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday suspended Bong Nebrija, head of the MMDA’s Task Force Special Operations Unit. Nebrija’s offense?.....»»
Matibag quits PDP-Laban post
Lawyer and former acting Cabinet secretary Melvin Matibag quit his post as secretary general of PDP-Laban, which former President Rodrigo Duterte chairs. In his resignation letter dated 19 October, Matibag told Duterte he was “forever grateful for the trust and confidence you have bestowed on me as the party’s secretary general.” “I believe I have shown my loyalty to you as chairman by helping steer the party in the direction you have taken, especially during the national elections of 2019 and 2022,” his resignation letter read. Matibag did not give a reason for resigning, but he apologized for its “apparent inopportuneness.” He said he will “always be available to give assistance to ensure a smooth and seamless transfer of my duties and responsibilities.” Matibag’s resignation came as the PDP-Laban is reportedly facing internal divisions. In March 2022, Duterte appointed Matibag as interim Cabinet secretary. He replaced Karlo Nograles, who had been serving as chair of the Civil Service Commission. Matibag is affiliated with Alfonso Cusi’s faction of PDP-Laban, which had differences with the faction led by Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel. Cusi, then-Energy secretary during Duterte’s term, supported President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the 2022 elections, while Pimentel supported boxer and ex-senator Manny Pacquiao. The post Matibag quits PDP-Laban post appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Matibag quits post in Digong’s PDP-Laban
Lawyer and former acting Cabinet secretary Melvin Matibag has quit his post as the secretary general of PDP-Laban chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte. In his resignation letter dated 19 October, Matibag said that he is "forever grateful for the trust and confidence you have bestowed to me as the party's secretary-general." He added that he believes he has "shown my loyalty to you as the Chairman by helping to steer the party in the direction you have taken, especially during the national elections of 2019 and 2022." Matibag did not give any reason for his resignation, apologizing instead for its "apparent inopportuneness." He said that he will "always be available to give assistance to ensure smooth and seamless transfer of my duties and responsibilities." Matibag's resignation comes at a time when the PDP-Laban is facing internal divisions. In March 2022, Duterte appointed Matibag as the interim cabinet secretary. He replaced Karlo Nograles, who had been serving as the chairperson of the Civil Service Commission. Matibag was affiliated with Alfonso Cusi's PDP-Laban faction, which had differences with the group led by Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel. Cusi, who was the Department of Energy secretary during Duterte’s term, supported President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the 2022 elections, while Pimentel supported ex-senator Manny Pacquiao. The post Matibag quits post in Digong’s PDP-Laban appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Creative Industries Month to witness ‘the grandest battle of creativity’
The buzzwords this month and until November are "creativity" and "creative industries." September has been declared the "Creative Industries Month" by the Philippine government, and one reason for such declaration is the activation of the law known as Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, or Republic Act 11904. Pangasinan 4th District Representative Toff de Venecia is the principal author of the law, the chairman of the House Special Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts. De Venecia's clan on his mother's side used to be entrenched in film production. He is a son of Gina Vera-Perez De Venecia, daughter of Dr. Jose Vera Perez, the patriarch of pioneering film companies Sampaguita Pictures and Vera Perez Productions. Before he joined Pangasinan politics as son of former senator Jose De Venecia, Toff was active in theater, all the way back to his schooldays at the Ateneo de Manila. Sen. Loren Legarda, aside from being Senate President Pro-Tempore, is chair of the Senate committee on culture and the arts. For years a top broadcast journalist at ABS-CBN, Legarda is the principal author of Republic Act 11961, also known as the Cultural Mapping Law. [caption id="attachment_186378" align="aligncenter" width="511"] ODANG Putik Pottery held workshops on basic pottery. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF IG/ ODANGPUTIKPOTTERY[/caption] National competition DTI has announced that it will launch on 24 September a national competition, Young Creatives Challenge (YC2) "through the support of Sen. Imee Marcos." The competition -- described as "the grandest battle of creativity" in the country with a grand prize of P1 million per category -- "aspires to ignite, acknowledge, and spotlight the brilliance of creative minds... in the fields of Songwriting, Screenwriting, Playwriting, Graphic Novel, Animation, Game Development, and Online Content Creation." The semi-finals are set for October 2023, when the Top 30 creators and the Top 10 Grand Finalists will be revealed. At the grand finals on November 2023, cash prizes will be awarded along with millions’ worth of promotions, incentives, registration of intellectual property and possible production or commercialization of creative works. The competition has an Online Content Challenge with distinct mechanics and a separate prize pool. It offers a platform for content creators to showcase their talents and make a significant impact by raising awareness about the vibrant and dynamic Philippine creative industries. The special category will have TikTok as its main channel for entry submission. The DTI invites all natural-born Filipino citizens aged 18-35, regardless of their level of experience, to participate as either individuals or teams. Entrants are required to submit "entirely original creations." The competition theme is deliberately broad, embracing an "open" and "free subject" approach to allow the participants the creative freedom to delve into any topic or subject matter of their choosing. For more information about the competition, visit www.youngcreativeschallenge.com. Capsule workshops On 17 September, the NCCA launched the Creative Industries Month at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium in Manila with creative capsule workshops in the afternoon and a grand concert of songs, dances and puppetry in the evening. The festivities had the full support of the National Parks Development Committee and Concert at the Park. The workshops were anchored on various creative industries in the country. For instance, for the audiovisual media domain, the Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. conducted an introductory workshop on Learning Filipino through Wikaharian. For the digital interactive media domain, Dr. Albert Mulles of METATOKYO tackled “How to Start Your Own Blockchain Game Project” while the Department of Science and Technology presented “Learning Through Minecraft Exhibit.” Under the Design domain, there were workshops on shoemaking, parol and jewelry-making and T-shirt printing Workshop. Under publishing and printed media, Rustico Limosinero offered a basic comics workshop, while the Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, Inc. discussed book- selling and exhibits. Composer-singer Joey Ayala, meanwhile, held a Songwriting Workshop under the Performing Arts domain and later, at the concert, performed the finale solo vocal numbers. Nanding Josef, artistic director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Pilipino, conducted a capsule workshop on Theater Acting. Also within the Performing Arts domain were the dance and puppetry workshops facilitated by the Samahan ng mga Papetir ng Pilipinas. The other domains that presented workshops included the visual arts, traditional cultural expression and cultural sites. Aside from Ayala, the evening concert featured Noel Cabangon, the revived band Color It Red with Cookie Chua still its lead vocalist, Bayang Barrios and her band, the Sindaw Philippines dance troupe, Halili Cruz Dance Company, Teatro ni Juan and a puppetry group. [caption id="attachment_186377" align="aligncenter" width="1440"] HALILI Cruz Dance Company at the evening concert. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF FB.COM/ HALILI CRUZ DANCE COMPANY[/caption] In his remarks, De Venecia pointed out that there are more than 7 million people in the Philippines employed in the creative industries, and the industries' contribution to Gross Domestic Product in 2022 was 7.3 percent percent or P1. 6 trillion, representing an increase of 12.1 percent from P1. 43 trillion in 2021. "This is a sector that has managed to survive and even thrive on its own, but with institutionalized support from the state, it will really help the creative industry sector grow and accelerate to the point where we want it to be — which is by 2030, the Philippines will be the number one creative economy in all of Asia,” said De Venecia. May we be really number 1 just seven years from today! The post Creative Industries Month to witness ‘the grandest battle of creativity’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PAGCOR taps DAP amid reorganization
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, or PAGCOR, will let the Development Academy of the Philippines, or DAP, to facilitate its reorganization including coming up with a program for the privatization of its casinos. PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said DAP’s technical assistance will allow the gaming agency to comply with the requirements of the Governance Commission for GOCCs, or GCG, in the implementation of its Compensation and Position Classification System or CPCS which is needed prior to privatization. “We thank the Development Academy of the Philippines for being a prime mover of competency building in government,” Tengco said. “We need their help to comply with the (documentary) requirements of the GCG and in our efforts to eventually implement the CPCS that our employees have been eagerly waiting for,” he said. MoA signed Tengco made the remarks after he and DAP president and CEO Engelbert Caronan Jr. signed the memorandum of agreement for PAGCOR’s reorganization at the New Coast Hotel in Manila last 12 September. PAGCOR vice president for Human Resource and Development Group Angelito Domingo and DAP vice president for Mindanao Dr. Mark Lemuel Garcia also signed the agreement. Tengco said he also wants to engage DAP in the facilitation and conduct of trainings for PAGCOR officers and employees to enhance their skills and competencies. Caronan for his part expressed gratitude to PAGCOR for believing in DAP’s capability to help implement organizational changes that would be beneficial to the state gaming firm’s workforce. “We would like to thank PAGCOR for their trust and confidence in this partnership; we are ready to provide the necessary technical services to make the agency GCG-compliant and help it carry out its reorganization efforts,” he said. The DAP is a government-owned and controlled corporation mandated to assist agencies and local government units in their development efforts by acting as a change catalyst and as capacity builder. It helps facilitate the shaping of new government policies, crafting development programs and modernizing the management structure of government agencies and private enterprises alike. The post PAGCOR taps DAP amid reorganization appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PAGCOR taps Development Academy of the Philippines for reorganization push
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) today, 19 September, announced another major move towards the privatization of its casinos by partnering with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) in facilitating its reorganization process. PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said they tapped DAP’s technical assistance to comply with the requirements of the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) in the implementation of its Compensation and Position Classification System or CPCS which is needed prior to privatization. “We thank the Development Academy of the Philippines for being a prime mover of competency building in government,” Mr. Tengco said. “We need their help to comply with the (documentary) requirements of the GCG and in our efforts to eventually implement the CPCS that our employees have been eagerly waiting for,” he said. Tengco made the remarks after he and DAP president and CEO Atty. Engelbert Caronan Jr. signed the memorandum of agreement for PAGCOR’s reorganization at the New Coast Hotel in Manila last 12 September. PAGCOR Vice President for Human Resource and Development Group Angelito Domingo and DAP Vice President for Mindanao Dr. Mark Lemuel Garcia also signed the agreement. Tengco said he also wants to engage DAP in the facilitation and conduct of training for PAGCOR officers and employees to enhance their skills and competencies. Caronan, for his part, expressed gratitude to PAGCOR for believing in DAP’s capability to help implement organizational changes that would be beneficial to the state gaming firm’s workforce. “We would like to thank PAGCOR for their trust and confidence in this partnership; we are ready to provide the necessary technical services to make the agency GCG-compliant and help it carry out its reorganization efforts,” he said. The DAP is a government-owned and controlled corporation mandated to assist agencies and local government units in their development efforts by acting as a change catalyst and capacity builder. It helps facilitate the shaping of new government policies, crafting development programs, and modernizing the management structure of government agencies and private enterprises alike. The post PAGCOR taps Development Academy of the Philippines for reorganization push appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fortun files case at QC PLEB vs QCPD, re gun-toting incident
Atty. Raymond Fortun, acting as a concerned citizen, has filed a case with the Quezon City People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) over the weekend, against personnel of QCPD Traffic Sector 4 of Kamuning in relation to the viral gun-toting incident that happened last August 8. Fortun filed the charges against P/Staff Sergeant Darwin Peralta, P/SSg. Joel Aviso, and P/Executive Master Sergeant Armando Carr, all from the QCPD Traffic Sector 4 of Kamuning. The lawyer charged them with Oppression, Irregularities in the Performance of Duties and Incompetence, under Rule 21 of NAPOLCOM Memorandum Circular 2016 – 002. Fortun said that it appears the cyclist and ex-policeman Wilfredo Gonzales were first brought to the QCPD Kamuning Police Station 11, since the incident was first considered as a mere traffic incident by the first responders of QCPD Galas Police Station. Eventually, no charges were filed in Kamuning, and the parties were instead referred to the Galas Police Station late in the evening. “Despite the clear and imbalanced status of the parties, the same police officers failed to protect the rights of the cyclist when they failed to provide a legal counsel for him so that the latter would be duly appraised of his rights. Further, they failed to secure the CCTV footages in the area in order to ferret out the real facts in the conflicting statements made by the parties. Finally, and for reasons known only to them, and despite there being sufficient basis to do so, the same police officers failed to file the appropriate charges,” Fortun explained. On the other end, Mayor Joy Belmonte lauded this act of Atty. Fortun. “What we need now are little acts of heroism from ordinary Filipinos to stand up for what is right to exact accountability from those in power. This move of Atty. Fortun in filing a case with our PLEB is a vote of confidence that here in Quezon City, we will get things done. The proper process in the proper forum, which is the PLEB, will now take its course,” Belmonte said. “This incident also highlights the need to institutionalize the presence of PLEB in other cities and municipalities to hear and decide the complaints filed against erring policemen. I am confident that the case filed in the PLEB will be handled without fear or favor,” she added. Meanwhile, PLEB Chairman and Executive Officer Atty. Rafael Vicente Calinisan said, “The institutions, particularly the PLEB, are in place so that the community will feel safe and secure in their homes. We commit to serve as an effective watchdog against abusive cops, and at the same time serve as partners to our men in uniform towards nation-building.” “As far as the case filed by Atty. Fortun is concerned, we promise to act on this case with absolute dispatch,” Calinisan added. The PLEB is the check and balance mechanism created by Republic Act 6975 or An Act Establishing the PNP Under A Reorganized Department of the Interior and Local Government and For Other Purposes as amended by R.A. 8551 (The PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998) where ordinary citizens are empowered against erring policemen. PLEB can summarily dismiss, demote, suspend and reprimand abusive policemen. The post Fortun files case at QC PLEB vs QCPD, re gun-toting incident appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DA wants new agrarian law IRR hastened
Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III, over the weekend, ordered the committee tasked with the formulation of the Implementing Rules and Regulations, of Republic Act 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, to proceed with dispatch in the crafting of the IRR. In his remarks at the first joint meeting of the committee, Estrella reiterated the need for a comprehensive IRR for the law’s smooth implementation and within the 60-day deadline provided for, after its effectivity on 23 July 2023. The secretary also directed the committee and the technical working group to conduct public consultations in key agrarian reform communities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, for their input with regard to the IRR. The condonation of the debt burden of agrarian reform beneficiaries will cost P57.57 billion and benefit 610,054 agrarian reform beneficiaries, covering 1,173,101.57 hectares of agrarian reform lands. The government will also shoulder the balance of the obligations of 10,201 ARBS, tilling 11,531.24 hectares of agrarian reform lands, under the voluntary land transfer/direct payment scheme, amounting to P206,776.41. The seven-man committee is headed by Napoleon U. Galit, DAR Undersecretary for Legal Affairs as chairman; Engr. Alex Lorayes, LandBank Executive Vice President as Vice Chairman and Atty. Marilyn B. Barua-Yap, DAR Undersecretary for Special Concerns and External Affairs and Community Operations, Engr. Eduardo G. Guillen, NIA Acting Administrator, Atty. Gerardo P. Sirios, LRA Administrator, Atty. Marife O. Pascua, LandBank vice-president and Atty. Luis Meinrado C. Pangulayan, DAR Undersecretary for Policy Planning and Research, as members. The technical working group is composed of Dr. Fermin D. Adriano of the Kapatid Angat Lahat Program and Foundation for Economic Freedom, Atty. Christian S. Monsod, former Comelec Chair and Legal Counsel for various farmers groups, Leonardo Q. Montemayor, president of the Federation of Free Farmers Cooperatives, Margarito B. Teves, former Finance Secretary and board member, Foundation for Economic Freedom, Engr. Rosendo So of Samahang Industriya sa Agrikultura, Atty. Kazel G. Celeste, DAR Undersecretary for Field Operations, Marjorie P. Ayson, DAR Assistant Secretary for Field Operations, Atty. Rolando S. Cua, board member III, DAR Adjudication Board, Atty. Sheila B. Enciso, DAR Region 6 Director, Jamil P. Amatonding, Director, DAR Policy and Research Service, and Lilibeth G. Lee, Director, DAR Bureau of Land Tenure Improvement. The committee was created by virtue of a memorandum from the Office of the President issued by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, on August 3, 2023, and DAR Special Order 508, pursuant to Section 12 of Republic Act 11953, on 7 August 2023. The post DA wants new agrarian law IRR hastened appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Estrella accelerates formulation of IRR of New Agrarian Emancipation Act
Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III over the weekend ordered the committee tasked with the formulation of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, to proceed with dispatch in the crafting of the IRR. In his remarks at the first joint meeting of the committee, Estrella reiterated the need for a comprehensive IRR for the law’s smooth implementation within the 60-day deadline provided for, after its effectivity on 23 July 2023. The Secretary also directed the committee and the technical working group to conduct public consultations in key agrarian reform communities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao for their input with regard to the IRR. The condonation of the debt burden of agrarian reform beneficiaries will cost P57.57-billion and benefit 610,054 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), covering 1,173,101.57 hectares of agrarian reform lands. The government will also shoulder the balance of the obligations of 10,201 ARBS, tilling 11,531.24 hectares of agrarian reform lands, under the voluntary land transfer/direct payment scheme (VLT/DPS), amounting to P206,776.41. The seven-man committee is headed by Napoleon U. Galit, DAR undersecretary for legal affairs as chairman; Engr. Alex Lorayes, LandBank executive vice-president as vice-chairman; and Atty. Marilyn B. Barua-Yap, DAR undersecretary for special concerns and external affairs and community operations; Engr. Eduardo G. Guillen, NIA acting administrator; Atty. Gerardo P. Sirios, LRA administrator; Atty. Marife O. Pascua, LandBank vice-president; and Atty. Luis Meinrado C. Pangulayan, DAR undersecretary for policy planning and research, as members. The technical working group is composed of Dr. Fermin D. Adriano of the Kapatid Angat Lahat Program and Foundation for Economic Freedom; Atty. Christian S. Monsod, former Comelec chair and legal counsel for various farmers groups; Leonardo Q. Montemayor, president of the Federation of Free Farmers Cooperatives; Margarito B. Teves, former Finance secretary and board member of Foundation for Economic Freedom; Engr. Rosendo So of Samahang Industriya sa Agrikultura; Atty. Kazel G. Celeste, DAR undersecretary for field operations; Marjorie P. Ayson, DAR assistant secretary for field operations; Atty. Rolando S. Cua, board member III, DAR adjudication board; Atty. Sheila B. Enciso, DAR Region 6 director; Jamil P. Amatonding, director, DAR policy and research service; and Lilibeth G. Lee, director, DAR Bureau of Land Tenure Improvement. The committee was created by virtue of a memorandum from the Office of the President issued by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin on 3 August 2023, and DAR Special Order No. 508, pursuant to Section 12 of Republic Act No. 11953, on 7 August 2023. The post Estrella accelerates formulation of IRR of New Agrarian Emancipation Act appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MMDA, DepEd-Makati ink deal
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Department of Education Division of Makati City forged an agreement to partner in providing students in select schools in the city with lectures on anti-smoking and anti-vaping. The memorandum of understanding, signed during the Brigada Eskwela 2023 Division Kick-Off held in Makati High School, seeks to implement a smoke-free and healthy environment among public schools. MMDA acting chairman Atty. Don Artes said one of the keys towards a smoke-free and healthy environment in the school is to educate and capacitate the learners. “We will teach the students the importance of health and the dangers of smoking, vaping, as well as second-hand smoke, to our wellbeing through social media and/or video conferencing platforms,” said Artes during the MoU signing rites. The MMDA Health, Public Safety and Environmental Protection Office will facilitate the anti-smoking lectures on the dangers of smoking and vaping to one’s health. An orientation on anti-littering will also be provided aimed at informing students on the effects of throwing small litters that may cause clogging of waterways leading to flooding. Likewise, the students will undergo a course on Basic First Aid and Disaster Management for incidents of fire, flooding and earthquake. The agency will capacitate the students on training that will enhance their skills in using the website as a platform for educating young people on the effects of smoking and vaping to a person’s health. “The MMDA believes that one of the keys to a successful implementation and sustainability of an integrated health program is the active involvement and participation of partner organizations and school communities in identifying problems brought about by smoking and vaping, seeking for feasible solutions and tapping into existing resources,” Artes added. DepEd Makati, for its part, is responsible for securing the health and wellness of students, thus enjoining the MMDA to serve as a major partner in its campaign for a healthy and smoke-free environment. Schools to be given lectures are: Makati High School, San Isidro National High School, San Antonio National High School, Gen. Pio del Pilar National High School, Bangkal High School, Maximo Estrella Senior High School, Fort Bonifacio High School, Benigno Ninoy S. Aquino High School, Makati Science High School, Pitogo High School, Tibagan High School and Nemesio I. Yabut Senior High School. The discussions, which will be done either online or face-to-face, will have a maximum of 50 students per session, per school. It will be a mix of junior and senior high school students. The project will be a continuing program and is set to end in June 2025. Also present in the MOU signing are Makati Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, officials from DepEd Makati, and their private partners such as China Bank Savings, and Young Men’s Christian Association. The post MMDA, DepEd-Makati ink deal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MMDA lauds LGUs, SK for smoke-free parks in the metropolis
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) commended the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and their respective local government units (LGUs) for declaring the parks under the Adopt-A-Park program as smoke- and vape-free areas. The agency, in collaboration with the Department of Interior and Local Government, National Youth Commission, The Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Vital Strategies, and Action on Smoking and Health, recently conducted two rounds of communications planning with the SK Federation of the 17 Metro Manila LGUs. Various activities will be conducted at the Adopt-A-Park locations to promote a healthier and safer environment as a result of the said planning activity. MMDA acting chairman Atty. Romando Artes said the youth must be provided with healthy surroundings and public parks must be conducive for activities that would strengthen children’s bodies and protect them against any danger. Starting this week, dubbed as the “Linggo ng Kabataan”, LGUs and their respective SKs will conduct several activities aimed at increasing the awareness of the youth on health and safety. Dr. Madeleine Valera, senior technical adviser of the Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease said that “tobacco use remains a significant public health concern, causing more than 87,000 Filipinos [to lose] their lives to tobacco-related diseases.” She added that “involving the youth in the campaign can make a lot of difference.” “The MMDA and SKs Smoke-Free Parks initiative marks a pivotal stride in creating healthier public spaces where citizens can truly flourish. Vital Strategies is proud to support this endeavor, one that safeguards the public’s health and wellness by hindering the use of cigarettes, vapes, and other deadly tobacco products," said Kaloi Garcia, senior communications manager of Vital Strategies, an international health nonprofit organization. Seminars, a song-making contest, book trade, clean-up drive, focus group discussions, Pinoy games, planting, and social media party, are among the advocacy activities identified by the Sangguniang Kabataan to be conducted this month. The post MMDA lauds LGUs, SK for smoke-free parks in the metropolis appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EDSA repairs near completion
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday said the ongoing emergency repairs along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, or EDSA, will be finished by tomorrow. The asphalt overlay and reblocking at 15 areas in EDSA was started last 4 August by the Department of Public Works and Highways. MMDA acting chairman Romando Artes said that as of yesterday, the work at EDSA is more than 50 percent finished, but that the cement overlay should be given time to cure. Artes said the sunny weather in the past couple of days, from Friday to Sunday, helped speed up the repair work. However, it was a rain-drenched Monday that greeted DPWH workers. As of Monday, repair work on the southbound lane of EDSA, including asphalt overlay on Guadalupe, has been finished. Motorists were still advised by the MMDA to use alternate routes, including the Skyway to avoid traffic. The post EDSA repairs near completion appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Expect EDSA road repair gridlock — MMDA
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority warned motorists that repair work on roads damaged by continuous downpour will cause traffic congestion along EDSA next week. The asphalt overlay and reblocking will be conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways in 15 EDSA sites from 10 p.m. of 4 August, Friday, until 5 a.m. of 9 August Wednesday. MMDA acting Chairman Romando Artes said they decided that instead of conducting asphalt overlay and reblocking every weekend that sometimes left unfinished, they will instead conduct one-time, big-time repairs. “Fifteen sites will be repaired simultaneously. The road works will run for the whole day. If it will be limited to nighttime, the repairs will take 15 days, there will be heavy traffic,” said Artes, thus he urged commuters to use alternate routes, avoid EDSA during the repairs, or take the MRT. Also, Artes told motorists to plan their commute and if they finish the activities that would entail passing through EDSA this Thursday and Friday, for them to enable reducing the volume of vehicles. The MMDA said the repairs are also part of government efforts to prepare for hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Quezon City to be held later this month. The roads that will be affected will be along these areas: Both directions of the EDSA Busway in Caloocan; Road along SM North Edsa to MRT Quezon Avenue station; in front of Corinthian Gardens past Camp Aguinaldo; In front of the BBM headquarters and near Ricoa in Mandaluyong City; four other areas are in Makati City, and from the Guadalupe Bridge to Rockwell Kalayaan Footbridge. Motorists traveling from North-to-South in Metro Manila are advised to use the Skyway as an alternative route while the repairs are ongoing. There are also 11 other alternative routes along the Mabuhay lanes which are posted on the MMDA website. Artes said the agency will deploy additional enforcers to guide motorists during the repairs. The post Expect EDSA road repair gridlock — MMDA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DILG recognizes town mayor’s suspension
The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Thursday recognized the suspension order on Bonifacio town mayor Samson Dumanjug in Misamis Occidental. In a statement, the DILG commented on the suspension of Dumanjug which was discussed during the Senate Committee on Public Order hearing last 1 August 2023. Under Administrative Order 22 s. 2011, the suspension order of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan should be appealed to the Office of the President within 15 days from notice of the order., the DILG said. “However, Mayor Dumanjug did not file an appeal. The 2023 Suspension Order against Mayor Dumanjug thus became final and executory. Further, there was no stay of execution issued by any proper office or court. In recognizing the Suspension Order, the DILG complied with and followed the law,” read the statement. Last Tuesday, Occidental Gov. Henry Oaminal appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs for the hearing called by chairman Senator Ronald dela Rosa. Dela Rosa, in calling for the probe, has cited the letter complaint of the Dumanjug couple that local police officers and local government executives subjected them to alleged inhumane and violent treatment when they were evicted from the municipal hall building last 16 June. Oaminal said law enforcement agents were pressed to use force in enforcing the suspension order on Dumanjug and his wife, Vice Mayor Evelyn Dumajug to resume the delivery of basic services to their constituents. Oaminal told senators that the Dumanjugs have locked themselves in the mayor’s office since 30 May after he directed the service of the preventive suspension order issued by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Misamis Occidental in relation to Administrative Case 01-23 or a case of betrayal of public trust against the couple. On 7 June, Oaminal said the DILG Region 10 issued a memorandum recognizing Ricky Bulahan as the acting municipal mayor of Bonifacio town. This was supported with a letter dated 9 June 2023 coming from the DILG Central Office in Quezon City. The case stemmed from an administrative complaint filed against the Dumanjug couple last September 2022 for abuse of authority, dishonesty, and grave misconduct for the procurement of excavators and garbage compactor trucks which were allegedly overpriced. The post DILG recognizes town mayor’s suspension appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kadiwa starts sale of smuggled sugar
Some 4,000 metric tons of refined sugar smuggled from Thailand will soon be sold at various Kadiwa markets and stalls, the Department of Agriculture, or DA, said yesterday. The DA said it has received from the Bureau of Customs the shipment that was seized at the Port of Batangas last April for lack of proper documents, specifically a Notice of Arrival. The sugar was later cleared for donation and consumption based on the guidelines of Sugar Regulatory Administration Memorandum Circular 4, Series of 2023-2024, as well as provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the sale of seized smuggled sugar at Kadiwa centers last March, according to a statement from the Presidential Communications Office at the time. The PCO said the recommended selling price at Kadiwa stores was P70 per kilo, which was equivalent to the prevailing actual mill gate prices. The PCO statement said the President had tasked the DA and SRA to ensure that the sugar for sale passed the Food Safety Act and other regulations. When the President gave the order in March, the price of refined sugar in the market was between P86 and P110 per kilo. August shortage The PCO explained that under the Customs Modernization Tariff Act, confiscated smuggled agricultural products could be donated by the BoC to other government agencies. This week, the SRA said the current sugar supply is more than enough to meet demand. It noted a physical stock of 262,328 metric tons of raw sugar, 448,106.45 MT of refined sugar, and 148,264.29 MT of molasses as of 16 July. However, the SRA, in mid-July, approved the importation of 150,000 metric tons of sugar as it projected a shortage in August. Also on 15 July, shipping containers found to be full of smuggled refined sugar were seized by the BoC at the Manila International Container Port after they were declared as silica sand. ‘Smuggling encouraged’ The smuggled sugar seized at the MICP may also be donated by the BoC to Kadiwa stores, through the DA, according to BoC sources. A month prior, in June, the Department of Finance floated the idea of allowing industrial users to directly import their sugar needs if they would accept the government’s new tax scheme on sweetened beverages. Following the seizure of the smuggled sugar at the MICP, former BoC Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz scored the government’s excessive importation and the worsening smuggling of agricultural products. “The remedy in previous administrations was that we imported. With that, we encouraged smuggling,” Ruiz said. “If smugglers can smuggle through our ports, they do not pay duties and taxes, and they have an edge already. Once they sell it to the market, they gain an edge in the pricing of their goods.” According to Ruiz, smuggling costs the nation hundreds of billions of pesos every year. The DA, citing a report of its monitoring and enforcement group, said that as of 31 July, the retail price of refined sugar in Metro Manila markets ranged from P86 to P110 per kilo, washed sugar from P82 to P90, and brown sugar from P78 to P90. “We firmly believe that, through DA, this donation will reach various local communities and enable our fellow Filipinos to conveniently access sugar,” BoC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said. The DA, through Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban and Assistant Secretary for Consumer Affairs and spokesperson Kristine Evangelista, received the donation from the BoC. Importation not ok’d In August 2022, the SRA issued an order to import 300,000 metric tons of sugar, a move that local producers said would undercut domestic sugar prices and benefit local importers. The order was signed by then Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian, who was acting chairman of the SRA at the time. However, Marcos, who chairs the SRA board as concurrent DA secretary, had not approved the order. The scandal led to the resignation of Sebastian and other SRA officials. It also prompted an investigation by the Department of Justice and Congress. Since then, the DA has been under the microscope about the importation of other agricultural products like onions and rice. The post Kadiwa starts sale of smuggled sugar appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»