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Balamban site is for road project, not Capitol bldg – Gwen
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The cleared site in Barangay Cambuhawe, Balamban, in western Cebu, is not for the new Capitol building, but for nationally funded road projects. Cebu Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia made this clarification after photos of a deforested mountain in Balamban, initially thought to be the site development of the new Capitol building,.....»»
Advancing OFWs’ welfare, protecting Filipinos abroad
Overseas Filipino Workers, or OFWs, are indeed modern-day heroes. They help boost our economy, but more importantly, they help uplift the lives of their families to give them a better future and also showcase Filipinos' talents, skills, and work ethic to the world. I was in London, United Kingdom last week for an official trip upon the invitation of the British Group Inter-Parliament Union. Led by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and co-head of delegation Senator Grace Poe, we embarked on several meetings aimed at strengthening relations of the Philippine Senate with our counterparts in the UK parliament to exchange best practices in policymaking while enhancing bilateral relations, fostering economic security, exploring areas of cooperation between the two countries, and promoting the welfare of Filipinos working there. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, I also expressed my gratitude to the UK for donating vaccines during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, we thanked them for other development assistance extended by the UK to the Philippines and for their help in strengthening the Bangsamoro Region. As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, I also maximized the visit to highlight efforts in promoting the welfare of more than 200,000 OFWs in the UK, particularly the more or less 40,000 Filipino nurses working there. We were able to raise to the UK policymakers the concerns of Filipino nurses regarding their rights to proper benefits, just compensation, and a safe working environment. We should be proud of Filipino medical frontliners in the UK, particularly nurses who are among the world’s finest. Take, for example, May Parsons, a Filipina-British nurse who became known globally for administering the first COVID-19 vaccine outside of a clinical trial and receiving the UK's George Cross Award. I have co-sponsored a Senate resolution earlier recognizing and commending her achievement. After our official meetings, I met with a group of OFWs, some of them were fellow Dabawenyos, Filipino Muslims, Ilonggos, and Ilocanos, among others. The stories they shared were proof of how resilient our OFWs are. Despite their sacrifices, homesickness, and worries about their families in their hometowns, they maintain their cheerfulness and positive outlook. I brought some good news to our OFWs by informing them about the establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) through Republic Act No. 11641, a legislation for which I am proud to be one of the authors and co-sponsors in the Senate. This measure streamlines the organization and functions of all government agencies related to overseas employment and migration to better address the needs and concerns of migrant workers. I have also filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2297 to institutionalize the OFW Hospital and ensure its continuous operation in San Fernando City, Pampanga, primarily intended for OFWs and eligible dependents. More importantly, a Malasakit Center is operational there to help reduce their out-of-pocket expenses. The establishment of the DMW, the OFW Hospital, and its own Malasakit Center are just a few of our dreams that are now realities for Filipinos to benefit from. These are testaments of our commitment to promote the welfare of migrant workers and their dependents. However, we acknowledge that there is more work to be done. That is why we continue to listen to their concerns, serve them to the best of our abilities, and pursue initiatives to further their cause. I have also filed SBN 2414, which seeks to establish OFW wards in Department of Health (DOH) hospitals if enacted into law. While our efforts continue to safeguard the welfare of Filipinos abroad, our commitment to serve Filipinos facing challenges in their communities remains unwavering. This week, we had groundbreaking ceremonies for Super Health Centers in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte; Brgy. Labangon in Cebu City; Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur; and in Tigbauan, Iloilo. Through the collective efforts of DOH, LGUs, and fellow lawmakers, we continue to advocate for establishing more community health facilities to help bring public health services closer to those needing medical attention. We have also assisted 1,000 indigents in Llanera, Nueva Ecija, with the office of Cong. Jose Padiernos; 500 members from various sectors in Barangay Mintal, Davao City; 1,900 in Caloocan City, with the office of Congresswoman Mitch Cajayon-Uy. In Cebu City, we also distributed aid to 1,700 residents of the South District with Congressman Edu Rama; 450 in Nagcarlan, Laguna, with Mayor Elmor Vita and Councilor Rey Comendador; and 333 in Pulupandan, Negros Occidental, in collaboration with the Malasakit@Bayanihan group. We also aided 1,000 United Senior Citizens Association members of Quezon City, with Congresswoman Mila Magsaysay, Senator Robin Padilla, and private sector volunteer organizations. My office also extended additional aid to 93 displaced workers in Lumban, Laguna; 210 in Pilar; 217 in Carmen and Batuan in Bohol. DOLE also gave qualified beneficiaries temporary employment. We also supported 200 scholars during their TESDA Orientation in Daet, Camarines Norte. There are also 43 residents of Davao City and nine in La Paz, Agusan del Sur, who were victims of fires and 32 victims of flooding in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat. They were provided separate assistance and the livelihood kits they received through the DTI program, which we advocated for before and continue to support. We also supported 283 victims of past fires in Cagayan de Oro City by giving separate aid in addition to the emergency housing assistance received from the NHA through a program we pushed for so that they could buy materials like nails, roofing, and other necessities for home repairs. My office also provided immediate help to victims of recent fires, such as 50 families in Baseco, Manila City, and 11 families in Brgy. Alabang, Muntinlupa City. No one is exempt from facing life’s hardships. However, our OFWs have shown us how resilient Filipinos can be. Let us learn from them and, more importantly, do our part in uplifting their lives by advocating for their welfare, promoting their rights, protecting their families, and providing the genuine public service they deserve. The post Advancing OFWs’ welfare, protecting Filipinos abroad appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go extends assistance to Davao City PWDs
On Wednesday, 12 July, the office of Senator Christopher "Bong" Go provided assistance to persons with disabilities in Barangay Cabantian, Davao City, as part of his ongoing commitment to serving and supporting Filipinos, particularly those belonging to vulnerable sectors such as the PWD community. In his message, Go emphasized the importance of inclusivity, stating that no one should be left behind in the journey toward progress. He asserted the need for all citizens, including PWDs, to have equitable access to government services. “Huwag po kayong magpasalamat sa amin dahil sa totoo lang, kami po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan niyo po kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo. Mahal na mahal ko po kayong lahat,” he said. The senator’s outreach team conducted the relief activity at Brgy. Cabantian covered the court, where they handed out vitamins, masks, shirts, snacks, caps, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 75 beneficiaries. The assistance is in line with Go's broader initiative aimed at enhancing the quality of life of Filipinos, including PWDs. In the 19th Congress, he championed proposed measures to bolster the public health system and expand access to healthcare services. These include Senate Bill No. 198, which aims to provide free annual medical check-ups to all Filipinos, and SBN 190, designed to provide a comprehensive dialysis benefit package for all Philippine Health Insurance Corporation members. Further evidencing his commitment to inclusive education, Go co-authored Republic Act No. 11650 during the 18th Congress. The law seeks to augment the quality of education in the formal learning sector by providing free support services and programs that are specially tailored to the needs of learners with disabilities. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go also advised those with health issues to get assistance from the Malasakit Center at Southern Philippines Medical Center in the city. Principally authored and sponsored by Go, the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 provides for the establishment of one-stop shops where indigent patients may conveniently avail medical assistance from various agencies including DSWD, the Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. There are now 158 Malasakit Centers that have assisted over seven million Filipinos, according to the DOH. Go also continues to support the construction of additional Super Health Centers nationwide. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, enough funds have been allocated for the DOH's Health Facilities Enhancement Program to build 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. The DOH, which is the lead agency in implementing the program, identifies the strategic locations for the construction of these centers. To help improve the quality of public service delivered to his fellow Davaoeños, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, likewise supported the construction of various multipurpose buildings and local roads, rehabilitation of water systems, drainage systems, and flood control structures in different barangays throughout the city, the construction of a 300-bed capacity infectious diseases building for the SPMC and the acquisition of ambulances. “Mga kapwa kong Davaoeños, andirito lang po ako para makapagserbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot nang aking makakaya. Andirito lang po ang inyong Kuya Bong Go na handa pong tumulong sa inyo,” Go reaffirmed. The post Bong Go extends assistance to Davao City PWDs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go assists indigent residents in Davao del Norte
Senator Bong Go reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing economic opportunities for poor Filipinos as his team aided residents facing difficulties in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), Davao del Norte, on Wednesday, 28 June. Go’s team distributed vitamins and snacks to a total of 1,100 Samaleños at Brgy. Tagbaobo gymnasium. Additionally, they gave away bicycles, cellular phones, umbrellas, watches, shoes, as well as volleyballs and basketballs to select individuals. In a video message, Go acknowledged the persistent need for more accessible healthcare facilities and stressed the significance of Super Health Centers in meeting this demand. He emphasized that these centers, which he initiated during the time of former president Rodrigo Duterte, are designed to bridge the gap between the government's health services and the general population, ensuring that a larger number of Filipinos can benefit from affordable medical care. Super Health Centers are anticipated to complement existing healthcare facilities, helping to relieve the strain on overcrowded hospitals and clinics, particularly in rural areas. “Sa tulong ng mga kasamahan ko sa Kongreso, LGUs, at DOH, naisakatuparan po itong Super Health Center para ilapit po natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan. Buntis, pwede na pong manganak dito. Hindi na po nila kailangang magbyahe pa sa napakalayong mga ospital,” explained Go. “Minsan, nanganganak na lang po sa tricycle, sa jeepney, ang mga buntis dahil malayo ang ospital. And it will help decongest the hospital po. Dahil ‘pag buntis, pwede na po dito, hindi na kailangang pumunta pa sa mga ospital,” he added. In Samal Island, Go personally attended the groundbreaking of its Super Health Center in December last year. Through the efforts of fellow lawmakers, 307 Super Health Centers were funded in 2022 and another 322 in 2023. Go then mentioned that there are Malasakit Centers at Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City and at Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City should the beneficiaries need medical assistance from the government. Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. To date, 158 operational centers have helped more than seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to the DOH. “Sa mga pasyente, lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center dahil para ‘to sa inyo. Kung may hospital bill kayo, nandiyan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para mabayaran ito,” said Go. As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go also stressed the importance of continuing infrastructure development to uplift lives in communities given the critical role it plays in the local economy. It is for this reason that he has supported the construction of several roads, including the road from Crossing Toril, Babak to Brgy. Sto. Niño, Babak District; the road from San Agustin Elementary School to Maximo Arellano Elementary School, Brgy. Sto. Niño, Babak District; and the road at the Port of Brgy. Sta. Cruz to Brgy. Linosutan, Talicud Island, Kaputian District. The post Bong Go assists indigent residents in Davao del Norte appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go checks on evacuees affected by Mayon’s unrest
Sen. Bong Go went to Albay on Thursday, 22 June to provide support to evacuees affected by Mt. Mayon’s unrest, aid indigents, and conduct an inspection of the Super Health Center in Tabaco City. Emphasizing the significance of investing in local health facilities, Go underscored the role of Super Health Centers in enhancing the accessibility of vital healthcare services for the local residents. “Ito pong Super Health Center, isa po ito sa pamamaraan para ilapit natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan at madi-decongest ang mga ospital dahil hindi na kailangan ng mga buntis na pumunta ng ospital, pwede na po diyan ‘yung mga primary care,” he underscored. The Super Health Center that Go inspected is located in the National Housing Authority resettlement area in Brgy. San Vicente. The housing project was part of the Duterte administration’s efforts to provide housing for Typhoon Rolly victims in 2020. The project was approved in 2021 and started construction in 2022. There are 2361 housing units, built on a 20 hectare LGU property. This strategic location for the Super Health Center was made to provide essential medical services to recovering typhoon victims and their community. It will benefit the more than 2000 housing beneficiaries residing in the area. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. The Department of Health, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed. Aside from Tabaco City, the DOH has identified the cities of Legazpi and Ligao; and the town of Camalig, Malilipot, and Pio Duran as locations for the Super Health Centers in Albay. Super Health Centers shall offer basic medical services under one roof, such as database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services in Super Health Centers are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation center; and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done. Go also took the lead in organizing a relief operation at the Barangay San Antonio covered court in the city. The operation assisted 151 evacuees and 250 indigent residents. Go personally oversaw the distribution of essential aid from his office such as grocery packs, snacks, masks, and vitamins to the beneficiaries. Select individuals were also given additional items, including shirts, shoes, mobile phones, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball. Furthermore, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial assistance to all qualified beneficiaries. More indigents will also be provided aid in the coming days through the initiative of the Office of Sen. Go, the LGU, and DSWD. Go, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also offered to assist those with medical concerns as he encouraged them to seek the services of the Malasakit Center at Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Legazpi City. Currently, there are 158 operational Malasakit Centers that have assisted more than seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to the DOH. “Ang Malasakit Center po ay one-stop shop, nasa loob na ho ng hospital ‘yung apat na ahensya ng gobyerno — ‘yung DOH, DSWD, PhilHealth, at PCSO. Tutulungan po kayo na mabayaran ang inyong billing,” said Go, who principally authored and sponsored Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. Meanwhile, to help boost development in Albay and as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Ligao City, Oas and Polangui; rehabilitation of several roads in Camalig, Daraga, Jovellar, Legazpi City, Ligao City, Pio Duran and Rapu-Rapu; and rehabilitation of flood control systems in Malilipot, Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Malinao, Manito, Oas and Polangui. On the same day, Go likewise extended his assistance to evacuees in the town of Malilipot. Amid the continued state of unrest of the Mayon Volcano, Go reiterated his call for the passage of his proposed measures that will establish the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR), as well as mandatory evacuation centers throughout the country. Go stressed that his proposed Senate Bill No. 188, which will establish the DDR, would centralize efforts, streamline coordination, and ensure more swift and effective response to emergencies. “It should be a cabinet-level dahil tuwing mayro'ng sakuna, dapat may point person talaga with clear authority and mandate,” added Go. The creation of the said department, if enacted into law, shall concentrate on three key result areas, namely: disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery and building forward better. The Office of Civil Defense has recently voiced its support for the establishment of the DDR. "Nabanggit nga kanina, paano natin pagbabawalan doon ‘eh coordination lang naman tayo, hindi ho ba? So kailangan po ng mas malakas na kapangyarihan ang Office of Civil Defense, maaaring maging departamento o authority; but it needs legislation," OCD Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno said in a recent interview when asked about evacuation efforts in permanent danger zones near active volcanoes. "Things can be better if there will be an independent authority or department, but it’s not that simple – tanggap po namin iyon… We leave it to Congress and we leave it to the Palace, to Malacañang. Meanwhile, kami naman, we are doing our best given the limitations, makakaasa po kayo," the OCD chief said. Meanwhile, Go also highlighted his proposed SBN 193 which seeks to mandate the establishment of permanent, secure, and well-equipped evacuation centers in every municipality, city, and province throughout the Philippines. “Sa pamamagitan ng panukalang ito, hindi rin maaantala ang pag-aaral ng mga bata tuwing ginagamit na pansamantalang tuluyan ang mga eskuwelahan. Mas madali ring makakabangon ang ating mga kababayan kung protektado at komportable sila sa mga dedicated evacuation centers lalo na sa Albay at sa mga malalapit sa aktibong bulkan, pati na rin sa coastlines o ibang danger zones kapag may bagyo o iba pang kalamidad na dumarating,” he said. “Hindi man natin masasabi kung kailan darating ang sakuna, mas mabuti nang laging handa tayo,” he ended. The post Bong Go checks on evacuees affected by Mayon’s unrest appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Capitol mulls putting ‘integrated south bus’ terminal in Talisay instead of at SRP
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Instead of at the South Road Properties (SRP), the new location of a new south bus terminal in Cebu might be in Talisay City. Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on Wednesday, Mar. 27, said that they had received an unsolicited proposal of developing a brand new, south bus terminal. READ: Mayor Rama.....»»
Cebu City buy-bust: Over P12M ‘shabu’ seized from 2 HVIs
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Police confiscated over P12 million worth of suspected shabu from the possession of two men during a bust-bust operation in Brgy. Bulacao, Cebu City on Tuesday evening, March 26. The buy-bust operation was conducted at around 10 p.m. in Lower Sario in Brgy. Bulacao. One of the suspects was identified as.....»»
Mandaue drug bust: P476,000 ‘shabu’ seized from HVI
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Authorities seized suspected shabu worth at least P476,000 from a 45-year-old man described as a high-value individual during an anti-illegal drugs operation in Mandaue City early on Wednesday morning, March 27, 2024. The operation took place along Realty Road in the North Reclamation Area in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City, Cebu. The.....»»
2 hurt in another gun attack in Cotabato City
Two local residents were wounded in another ambush incident in this city at about 11:00 p.m. Monday......»»
CARD MRI plants 750 mangrove trees in Oriental Mindoro
CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI) planted 750 mangrove trees in Brgy. Baruyan, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro on October 7, 2023......»»
Davao Metro Shuttle declines offer to manage bus system
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 24 March) — The Davao Metro Shuttle Corporation has declined the offer of the City Government of Davao to operate the Davao City Public Transport Modernization Project (DCPTMP), a public mass transportation project that will replace the jeepneys with buses, an executive of the bus company said. In an interview at […].....»»
Davao City Council moves hearing on traffic-causing road construction works
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews – 26 March) – The Davao City Council rescheduled to Tuesday, April 2, the second hearing on the suspended road construction works in the locality after key officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Davao region failed to show up Friday. The DPWH-Davao key officials are reportedly in […].....»»
DPWH-Davao: Coastal Road lights inactive due to stolen wires
THE Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao Region (DPWH-Davao) confirmed that a portion of lights along the Davao City Coastal Road are inactive due to wire theft......»»
Illegal road works?: Alarm raised over road development within watershed areas in Barangay Carmen
A DAVAO City Councilor has raised concerns regarding road construction within the watershed areas of Barangay Carmen, Baguio District......»»
Zamboanga City residents warned against bushfires
Zamboanga City residents warned against bushfires.....»»
Samal residents rally vs power woes
Electricity consumers in the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte province joined an interfaith prayer rally over the weekend to protest the continued power woes in their area......»»
Nursing student killed after SUV flips over in Balamban road accident
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A nursing student died after the sport utility vehicle she was driving with 10 of her classmates onboard, flipped over while she tried to evade another vehicle in Barangay Gaas, Balamban town in western Cebu on Thursday afternoon, March 21, 2024. The road accident happened at around 5:30 p.m. along the.....»»
Drug den in Brgy. Apas: Couple nabbed, P108,800 ‘shabu’ seized
CEBU CITY, Philippine — A couple was arrested for allegedly running a drug den in Barangay Apas, Cebu City on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, with call center agents and habal-habal drivers as their usual clients. A buy-bust operation at around 5:30 p.m. led to the arrest of Jonathan Roca, 44, and his common law partner,.....»»
Rapper-singer arrested, foreigner injured in Cebu City hotel shooting
CEBU CITY, Philippines – A rapper-singer was arrested while a foreigner got injured in a nearly fatal shooting that took place inside a hotel compound in the uptown area here on early Sunday morning, March 17. Police in Mabolo confirmed a shooting alarm in front of a popular bar inside a hotel compound in Brgy. Lahug,.....»»
Call center agent injured in attempt to snatch her bag in Brgy. Mabolo
CEBU CITY, Philippines – A female call center agent sustained a small abrasion on her wrist after she resisted an attempted to snatch her bag by two men who were on a motorcycle. The incident happened early on Saturday morning as she was walking along S. Cabahug Street in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, Mabolo police.....»»