We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
Blueprint for a sustainable tomorrow
Through a combination of cutting-edge technology, data science and a culture of innovation, Aboitiz Land is making innovative strides in the real estate industry, establishing benchmarks for sustainability and community development. This commitment to adaptability and progress was underscored by Aboitiz Land CEO and president David Rafael during his presentation at the CEO Forum of the CREBA Golden Jubilee National Convention & Housing Expo on 28 September 2023, held at Conrad Manila. Aboitiz Land's dedication to environmental sustainability is evident in every facet of its residential real estate developments. The company's sustainable master plan features prioritize harmony with nature, respecting the natural topography of the land and integrating existing water and landforms like lagoons and hilly terrain seamlessly. This human-centric approach extends to the promotion of green open spaces across high-end and mid-market projects, fostering a connection between residents and the environment. A pinnacle of this commitment is its residential enclave, The Villages at Lipa, within the 800-hectare integrated LIMA Estate. LIMA Estate proudly holds a five-star BERDE certification, a testament to its eco-friendly practices including energy and water efficiency, waste management and community well-being. Poised to become a blueprint for smart cities, it leverages digital technologies for enhanced urban operations. Aboitiz Land also embraces innovation in construction technology, utilizing precast concrete panels to reduce greenhouse emissions associated with traditional concrete production. This approach not only contributes to a significant reduction in environmental impact but also translates into tangible benefits for homeowners, including reduced energy consumption. Aboitiz Land understands the urgent demand for accessible and quality housing in the Philippines. The company addresses this by strategically placing its projects near emerging growth centers and infrastructure. This not only eases congestion in central business districts but also creates job opportunities for thousands of Filipinos. Aboitiz Land’s notable developments include The Villages at Lipa in LIMA Estate, Foressa Mountain Town in the West Cebu Estate and Ajoya communities in key areas of Central Luzon, which is at the heart of the current infrastructure development and growth centers. To help address the critical issue of 6.5 million housing backlog and rising property costs, Aboitiz Land has introduced OneVecino, an innovative digital platform. This tool provides digitized solutions for property search, payments, customer support and property management. It's tailored to cater to the needs of overseas Filipino workers, making home buying more accessible and secure. Aboitiz Land's commitment to community well-being is likewise demonstrated through various CSR initiatives. Elevate AIDA, in partnership with Connected Women, provides digital skills training to women near our communities in Luzon, advances gender parity and promotes socio-economic development. Meanwhile, Project Banca, recognized as an Outstanding CSR Project in Disaster Resilience, supported 60 fisherfolks with motorized fishing boats in areas affected by typhoon “Odette,” showcasing Aboitiz Land's dedication to community well-being and resilience. Aboitiz Land's corporate governance framework is rooted in core values of Integrity, Teamwork, Innovation and Responsibility. The developer is the real estate arm of the Aboitiz Group, which has consistently been acknowledged as one of the best managed conglomerates in the ASEAN region, exemplified by the Golden Arrow Recognition awarded to Aboitiz Equity Ventures. The post Blueprint for a sustainable tomorrow appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mandaue City plans to remove fish pens and desilt wetland to prevent flooding
MANDAUE CITY, Philippines – Mandaue City will be distributing notices to vacate to the owners of the fish pens at the city’s wetland in barangays Banilad and Cabancalan to start desilting the wetland to prevent flooding. Lawyer John Eddu Ibañez, City Legal Officer and head of the city’s Task Force APAS (Atoang Problema, Atoang Sulbaron), said that they are currently in communication with the owners. READ: Mandaue launches Task Force APAS to help solve flooding concerns Ibañez said that Mayor Jonas Cortes also asked to prepare the financial assistance to be given to the affected families whose livelihood lies in selling aquarium fish and other kinds of fish, like tilapia. The City Legal Officer said that they are determining the number of beneficiaries. “Paghinabi ta sa fish pens owners atoa sad timbang-timbangon kay panginabuhian man sad nila pero welfare manggud sa kadaghanan atoa gitan-aw,” said Ibañez. The city wants to clear the fish pens to dredge the silted wetland in hopes of helping solve the city’s flooding problem. READ: Cortes, Rama sign pact for rehab of 2 rivers The wetland with an area of 146,270 square meters, functions as a catch basin, that holds rain and run-off water coming from Mandaue City’s neighbors such as Cebu City. But because it was already silted and with the presence of water lilies, the water tended to backflow to Sto. Niño Village which is located at the back of the wetland. The area is being monitored by the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and Housing Urban and Development Office, he said. “Dili mataro’ng og limpyo ang wetland area tungod sa mga fish pens,” said Ibañez. It can be recalled that the village which serves as a boundary between Mandaue and Cebu City experienced massive flooding last September 13 after the retaining wall of the fish pond collapsed. Drainage Clean-Up Aside from clearing the fish pond, other initiatives were also undertaken to address the flooding problem. Currently, the Task Force APAS continues to conduct the desilting and declogging of drainages and manholes choked with garbage. When there is heavy rain, they immediately position submersible pumps, to help drain the flood. READ: Girl, playing in the rain, dies after she fell into a canal, got swept inside a culvert in Mandaue The task force is also monitoring other problem areas such as Lopez Jaena St., A.S Fortuna St., Rolling Hills, and A.C Cortes Avenue.....»»
Cebu quarrying causes floods, says city council
The Cebu City Council has urged various City Hall departments to submit evaluation reports on areas affected by flooding, including infrastructure and drainage systems made as steps to mitigate the impact. This, as a council member disclosed that the alleged “unabated” quarrying in the upland barangays of the city is causing the flooding to low-lying areas in the city. North district City Councilor Mary Ann delos Santos in her resolution, stressed that while she is not against land development especially for the hinterlands, “the use and development of these particular areas should be made in such a manner that it does not adversely affect the natural flow of runoff water from the hinterland to the lowlands.” “Waters as high as five feet came rushing at the pressures that toppled retaining walls and similar structures,” she added. The resolution, which was adopted by the City Council directed the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Department of Engineering and Public Works, Office of the Building Official and Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office to provide evaluation reports. “The deluge not only caused hours of city-wide traffic, damage to property and injury to persons, but worse, it left an insurmountable fear and trauma upon the affected residents,” Delos Santos said. She also asked if developers of housing and quarrying projects in the mountain barangays submitted drainage impact assessment and strategies to the departments concerned, such as the DEPW, OBO and CCENRO. Delos Santos insisted that “an honest-to-goodness” study of the assessment results, as well as inspections were conducted before the projects started. The CCDRRMO had P450,331,161.40 budget allotment for 2023 for preparedness, prevention and mitigation infrastructure works. The post Cebu quarrying causes floods, says city council appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
100 Cebu City structures up for demolition
The local government of Cebu City announced on Wednesday that it is set to demolish around 100 structures along F. Vestil Road in Barangay Mambaling in the south and Barangay Talamban in the north to give way in the construction of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit system. City Administrator Collin Rosell said the government will have to acquire 120 properties on both sides of F. Vestil Road and three properties in Talamban. About 100 families and property owners have to leave their homes but they were assured of compensation. The demolition plan was sent to the City Council as it should be endorsed for implementation. Rosell said the CBRT office will identify who among the property owners will be qualified to receive just compensation or housing relocation. Division for the Welfare of Urban Poor head Atty. Anthony Librando said areas affected are both commercial and residential. He added the affected owners have known that they must vacate their properties since public hearings were already conducted two years ago. Librando said the relocation site lot will be purchased by the city government while the National Housing Authority will build a medium-rise building for qualified affected residents. The proposed relocation site will be along Alviola Street, Barangay Tejero. The post 100 Cebu City structures up for demolition appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
VP Sara visits schools in remote areas of Cebu
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Tuesday visited far-flung schools in Cebu province on the first day of the opening of classes in public schools. Duterte said she chose to attend the opening of classes in Last Mile schools to show its importance and “to make sure education is accessible to far-flung barangays and to our children and learners.” She first went to the Kaluangan 1 Primary School in Asturias town. The school has 63 pupils and four teaching and non-teaching personnel. She later visited the Melecio Tito Elementary School in Oguis, Danao City. The Vice President also led the turnover of a newly constructed four-classroom building for each of the two schools. Undersecretary Epimaco Densing, who is in charge of the School Infrastructure and Facilities Strand of the Department of Education, said 15 other Last Mile school buildings were turned over in time for the opening of classes for the school year 2023-2024. Last Mile schools are usually makeshift and non-standard ones. These have no electricity, no funds for repairs, and are usually located in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged and Conflict Affected Areas or GIDCA. The Last Mile Schools Program was introduced under former Secretary Leonor Briones to address the gaps in resources and facilities of schools that are in GIDCA. The newly turned-over school building has four classrooms. During Duterte’s visit, the classrooms, which were provided with desks and armchairs, were already being used for the first day of classes. Duterte also turned over Philippine flags to the school heads of the two schools. She also brought the PagbaBAGo program of the Office of the Vice President, distributing school bags to the children. The bags contain school supplies and dental kits. The post VP Sara visits schools in remote areas of Cebu appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Artefino: Empowering Women Artisans in the Countryside
All it took to start the trailblazing Artefino were five ladies of passion and commitment, three of whom, joined us in a special episode of PairFect, the online show of the DAILY TRIBUNE. [gallery columns="4" size="full" ids="176285,176284,176283,176282"] These ladies are achievers in their own right and have been at the forefront of causes that have continuously benefited the society. Mita Rufino has been the top honcho of the Filipino Heritage Festival which has been going on for 20 years. Maritess Pineda was president of the number one Zonta chapter in this part of the country and region, Zonta Club of Makati and Environs. For the longest time, she was engaged in the export business and was active with the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, the export promotion arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry. Cedie Vargas heads the Lopez Group Foundation and is the executive director of the Lopez Museum and Library. [caption id="attachment_176287" align="aligncenter" width="789"] Fiesta throw blankets. | Photograph Courtesy of Ig/abel Philippines[/caption] Our interview article with the three ladies, which we started yesterday, continues in this issue. Here follows our interesting exchange. DAILY TRIBUNE (DT): Tell us about your personal passions outside of Artefino. What else keeps you occupied. Mita: I’m with the Filipino Heritage Festival. We work with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. We have our programs and events throughout the Philippines. Our main objective is to bring awareness of our cultural heritage to the whole country if we can. One of our major projects is the Youth Forum participated in by around 60 young students. Last May, we had it in Negros Occidental and we had six cities that joined in. We are trying to make them aware about the different heritage and all forms of cultural heritage, tangible or intangible, in their own areas. We get reports now from them and we discuss how we are going to help them out. This is something which I feel is going to be quite interesting for the youth. We will be 20 years old next year. We’re hoping to go to Ilocos. We would also like to work with Artefino because Artefino is part of our heritage. For next year, another project will focus on our local trees, indigenous hardwood and local. We’re working with the Metropolitan Museum for that one. And, of course, I am active in church and with the Zonta. My time is really full from morning to evening. Sometimes I just ask myself, “Wow, what will I do now? I have to report this, I have to report that.” That’s what’s keeping me quite busy. Maritess: I think what has helped me a lot in doing my share in Artefino is the fact that I was 20 years with CITEM. In the beginning when we were starting in my export business, I would ask the support of CITEM. It gave me a very good perspective of how it is to come up with fairs like this. We used to do it here and abroad. I was 20 years in export and I was part of the board of CITEM for quite a number of years. I was among the pioneers during the time of Mina Gabor, who was the one who trained me. She was the one who trained me how to give a talk to 3,000 women and producers from Bacolod. I refused at first but they said, “No, you will just talk to a few people in a small room.” So, I agree but, at the CCP, I found out there were 3,000 women. Sabi ko doon sa asawa ko, “You stay at the back. Then you will be the only one I will look at and no one else.” I really picked up a lot of things from Mina. She really made our handicraft industry very strong. And because of that, I was able to bring that know-how into this fair. Other than that, I’m very active in the arts. I have been a collector since 1972. That’s my passion. Also, being the granddaughter of Amang Rodriguez, serving the community is really part of my DNA. It is really second nature for us, we in the Artefino, to do anything we could to empower women and their communities so that they could be self-sufficient by putting up their own social enterprises. Something that would inspire their children to follow suit and not leave their parents’ and grandparents’ crafts for another profession or livelihood. Cedie: I think the best way to describe me is just like an arts and culture advocate. And that sort of ties everything that I do whether it’s in the media or the Lopez group foundation including the Lopez Museum and Library and other foundations outside of the Lopez Group. But what excites me is when I can tie all these together into a few projects. One of the bigger advocacies of the Lopez Group is environmentalism. Whether you’re saving the marine reefs or mangroves or saving the trees. They intertwine and it’s exciting when you are able to create a project that will marry all your different advocacies. You know, you have passion, you have commitment in what you are doing. DT: Tell us about your family lives. Are you mothers? Are you grandmothers? Are you single? Mita: I am single now. I just lost my husband two and a half years ago. I have four kids. Three girls, two of them in London, and one boy. My daughter, Maritoni, is a ballerina and she teaches ballet. My son, Chino, anchors a sport show and he promotes motorcycles. Maritess: I have four children. One is abroad working in hotels. And three of them are here. I already have three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Now that they’re all grown up. I have time for all these things. I’m free to do what I want. Cedie: I’m a mother. I’m a grandmother. I have four children and four grandchildren. By the end of the year, I will have six grandchildren. I think what I’m trying to define now is my role as a grandmother. I involve my children and even my grandchildren in this advocacy that I have. Whatever it is that I strongly believe in, I try to expose them to that. Two of my children are with the Lopez group. DT: Can you tell us about someone, a craftswoman, you have empowered? Maritess: We can tell you that we started our first grantee, Sarah Juan, for our Artefino Foundation. Mita: We helped this one designer because she is really good. Cedie: And enterprising. Mita: She works with the community in Davao. Mita: She was our first beneficiary. They were able to come up with a line-up of jackets that were beaded and that sold very well in Artefino. She has two stores now — one in Rockwell and the other in Greenbelt. Cedie: A lot of our brand partners have amazing stories. That’s what interested us in them. That’s why we put up Artefino and the Artefino Foundation because of their amazing stories. DT: It turned out there are a lot of creative Filipinos. Cedie: Yeah. They just need that extra push. Yeah. DT: This year, who will Artefino benefit? Maritess: Well, like we have Anya Lim. She’s from Cebu. Actually, we visited the place. We visited the area, her community and we saw how the ladies, mostly elders, work and help one another. Mita: That particular lady, said to me, “Ma’am, now I can buy a TV because I have already sent my apos to school. Now it’s for me naman to have a television.” Cedie: They are trying to teach us how to weave. We tried. It’s so hard. Mita: It’s a great workout, though. Maritess: Kailangan ng great coordination, eh. Kamay at paa. Mita: You have to move with the rhythm of the loom. Maritess: It was very nice talking with them because they were really telling us their whole stories. Cedie: They were sharing as mothers. They invited us to go back. Maritess: Kasi they were able to send their children and grandchildren to school. So, malaking bagay, 'di ba? Now that the children know that they could earn on weaving, they are willing to learn the trade. Mita: What we’re hearing in different places is that even the men, when they come home in the evening, help out also. Cedie: You know, the men have actually strong hands. The weaves are tighter. DT: What makes this edition of Artefino special? Mita: We are into reused, recycled and repurposed products. Actually, the original person who did all these years ago was Patis Tesoro. She was the epitome of all this without calling it repurpose or recycle. Basta she would pick up any kind of material. Puwedeng kurtina, puwedeng mantel. She would put it together, buburdahan niya. And because of that, we decided to feature her here as the Ms. Patis Tesoro. DT: Thank you very much. It has been our pleasure. We are happy that you have helped a lot of women and at the same time are paying tribute to trailblazing women like Patis Tesoro. With you, ladies, there is indeed hope for our countrymen, especially our creative industry workers in the mountains and seashores of our country. Mabuhay kayong lahat! The post Artefino: Empowering Women Artisans in the Countryside appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bring public health services closer
“Health is the greatest of human blessings,” according to Hippocrates, father of Modern Medicine. That is why we continue to make significant strides in improving our health system. The latest of which is the signing into law of the Regional Specialty Centers Act. As the principal sponsor and one of the authors of this measure, I am grateful to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., for approving and prioritizing this legislation which will help bring specialized medical care closer to Filipinos in various regions, and hopefully to the most vulnerable groups in grassroots communities. As we aim to make public health more accessible, we must continue such efforts to ensure all Filipinos get the healthcare they deserve. In line with this, the Malasakit Centers we initiated in 2018 have already provided financial medical assistance to more than seven million patients so far. There are 158 Malasakit centers established all over the country through the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which I principally authored and sponsored in the Senate. I have also continuously pushed for the establishment of Super Health Centers, which are medium versions of a polyclinic and improved versions of the rural health unit, to make healthcare more accessible to Filipinos even in remote areas. These centers, funded with the help of my fellow legislators and primarily implemented by the Department of Health, shall provide primary health care services in communities that also include consultation, diagnosis, and early detection of diseases. As chair of the Senate Health Committee, I must emphasize the need to bring public health services closer to the people who need them the most. The enactment of the Regional Specialty Centers Act, along with the continuing operations of Malasakit Centers and the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide will hopefully bridge this gap and further promote the health and well-being of Filipinos no matter where they are in the country. As a legislator and public servant, I will continue to help improve public service delivery at the grassroots to the best of my capacity so that no Filipino is neglected when it comes to availing government services they need. That is why aside from the health initiatives mentioned above, I also continue to visit communities to deliver assistance, listen to their concerns, and provide solutions to their daily struggles. We were in Laguna on August 25 to inspect the Siniloan Sports Complex which was funded through our efforts as part of our goal as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports to promote grassroots sports development and divert our youth from harmful vices like illegal drugs. We then inspected the Isolation Facility of the Infirmary Hospital which we supported during the Duterte administration. We also led the distribution of aid to 500 impoverished residents of Siniloan together with Vice Governor Karen Agapay, Mayor Patrick Go, Vice Mayor Carla Valderrama, and other local officials. Last weekend, I also joined fellow officials and basketball enthusiasts alike in supporting Gilas Pilipinas during the 2023 FIBA World Cup. I commend everyone who took part in ensuring the successful hosting of the FIBA World Cup here in the Philippines. We were invited as a guest speaker on 24 August at the Gender and Development Activity organized by the Provincial Council of Occidental Mindoro. We support these kinds of discussions that aim to promote equal and gender-sensitive leadership. On 23 August, I received the prestigious Apostle Arsenio Ferriol Award of Excellence for Public Service and Governance. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch) for this very prestigious recognition. With or without an award, I will continue my mission to serve fellow Filipinos, knowing very well that service to the people is service to God. Aside from the awarding ceremony, I also joined them yesterday for their 50th Golden Church Anniversary celebration in New Clark City, Tarlac. I also visited Navotas City on 22 August, together with Mayor John Rey Tiangco and Vice Mayor Tito Sanchez to help 1,000 senior citizens, PWDs, and indigents. We also provided additional support to 1,328 recovering fire victims who were given aid from the National Housing Authority to buy housing materials through their Emergency Housing Assistance Program that we initiated before and continue to support its implementation now. We were also instrumental in the construction of nine public school buildings in Navotas City, some of which we were able to inspect during our visit. My office also continues to assist Filipinos affected by calamities. Among those assisted were typhoon victims in various towns in Cagayan — 500 in Gonzaga; 500 residents in Aparri; 500 in Allacapan; 500 in Pamplona; 500 in Ballesteros; and 500 more in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur. More support was also provided for 35 indigents from different towns of Cotabato Province plus 110 sectoral members in Libungan town; three fire victims of Brgy. Peñaplata in Samal Island; 1,000 residents of Sibalom and almost 250 in Tobias Fornier in Antique; 1,000 beneficiaries in Polomolok, South Cotabato; 66 residents of Malolos Bulacan; 31 residents of General Tinio and 140 more in Gapan, Nueva Ecija. We also extended livelihood support to 14 indigents in Cauayan, Negros Occidental; three farmers in San Lorenzo, Guimaras; and 52 residents of Brgy. Tisa, Cebu City who were previously victims of a fire incident. They were also provided aid through DTI’s Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) program, which I pushed for before and continue to support now to boost the livelihood of those affected by various crises. Furthermore, I am also thankful to the President for signing the following into law: Republic Act No. 11961, which I co-authored, amending the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, and mandates the creation of a Philippine Registry of Heritage; RA 11958, which I co-authored, that amends RA 6948 to rationalize the disability pension provided to military veterans; and the One Town, One Product Philippines Program, which I authored and co-sponsored, to support the growth of the country’s micro, small, and medium enterprises. While we have accomplished a lot in the past few days in helping those in need and pushing for policies that would uplift the lives of fellow Filipinos, our work must not stop as long as there are more of our kababayans who rely on us for support. As public servants, let us continue to bring the government and its services closer to the people while working together so that no one is left behind toward recovery and progress. The post Bring public health services closer appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CAAP airports in Northwestern Luzon gear up for Typhoon ‘Goring’
In preparation for Typhoon "Goring" (internationally known as "Saoloa"), airports under the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines have implemented preventive measures. CAAP said Signal No. 3 was raised in Cagayan and Isabela provinces as Typhoon "Goring" intensified as reported by PAGASA. CAAP reported that potential airport closures include Tuguegarao, Basco, Itbayat, Cauayan, and Palanan. Airports in Laoag, Vigan, and Baguio are also preparing for harsh weather conditions. In a progress report by Area 2 Manager Mary Sulyn Sagorsor to CAAP Director General, Capt. Manuel Antonio Tamayo, all flights at Tuguegarao, Cauayan, Palanan, and Basco Airports are canceled. Area 1 Manager Ronald Estabillo reported that the Laoag International Airport flight of Cebu Pacific (Mnl-Lao-Mnl) 5j404 had 94 affected passengers, while flight 5j405 had 69 passengers affected due to flight cancellation. Baguio Airport flights of PALEx (Ceb-Bag-Ceb) flight 2p2230/2231 were canceled, with 33 of 38 passengers affected and accommodated on the next available flight. Lingayen Airport experienced power interruptions from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. In Vigan, Rosales, and San Fernando, the airports' ramp was flooded. The areas experienced light to moderate rain. To further assist stranded travelers, Malasakit Help Kits and Malasakit Help Desks were made available at airports to address their needs. CAAP urges the public to stay informed. It also advised to contact their respective airlines for updates on flight schedules and any changes that may arise due to the typhoon. The post CAAP airports in Northwestern Luzon gear up for Typhoon ‘Goring’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go extends more assistance to Cebu City fire victims
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go emphasized his commitment to the Filipino people's well-being by continuing to support recovering families previously affected by fire incidents. He provided additional aid to them during a relief operation in Cebu City on Friday, 25 August. Working alongside Congressman Edu Rama, Mayor Mike Rama, Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, and Tisa Barangay Captain Ringgo Pacaña, Go's team distributed snacks, masks, and shirts to 52 individuals recovering from a fire incident at Neneng compound gymnasium in Brgy. Tisa. Select beneficiaries also received mobile phones, basketball and volleyball balls, and a watch. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) extended livelihood support through its Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa program, aimed at helping those who lost homes and income due to the fire. “Salamat po sa DTI sa programa nilang pangkabuhayan. Ang PPG program ay aking isinulong noon at patuloy na sinusuportahan ang implementasyon ngayon upang matulungang makabangon ang kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayang apektado ng sakuna,” Go explained. “Mas masarap nga naman ang pakiramdam kapag pinaghirapan at pinagpawisan ang pagnenegosyo sa tamang paraan. Dalhin ninyo ang kita sa inyong mga pamilya at gamitin ito nang tama para makaahon po tayo sa paghihirap na pinagdadaanan natin,” Go emphasized. Meanwhile, Go highlighted the modernization of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) as a significant step in improving firefighters' capabilities. His vision for a well-equipped and highly trained firefighting force can be achieved through a law he earlier authored and co-sponsored, Republic Act No. 11589 or the BFP Modernization Act. This law provides the necessary resources to enhance the BFP's infrastructure, technology, and training programs, allowing them to respond more effectively to emergencies and protect communities from fire's devastating effects, Go explained. “Magdasal po tayo at ipagdasal po natin ‘yung mga mahal natin sa buhay. Ang gamit po ay nabibili. Ang pera po ay kikitain rin po natin, magsipag lang tayo. Subalit ‘yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. Ang nawalang buhay po ay wala na. A lost life is a lost life forever,” he said. Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also encouraged those with health concerns to seek assistance at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), Cebu City Medical Center, and St. Anthony Mother & Child Hospital through Malasakit Centers. Currently, 158 Malasakit Centers across the country have aided over seven million underprivileged Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH). The Malasakit Centers Act was principally authored and sponsored by Go to ensure that underprivileged Filipinos have convenient access to medical assistance programs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). Other Malasakit Centers in the province are available at Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City, Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital, Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, and Talisay District Hospital in Talisay City “Kung kailangan niyo po ng tulong sa pagpapaopera sa Maynila, huwag po kayong mahiyang lumapit sa ating mga lokal na opisyal o kaya sa aking opisina. Magsabi lang ho kayo at kami po ay handang tumulong sa abot nang aming makakaya,” Go offered. Still in line with his health advocacy, Go said DOH has identified areas to construct Super Health Centers (SHCs) in the province, particularly in the cities of Bogo, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue; and in the towns of Borbon, Cordova, Moalboal, Samboan, and San Francisco in 2022. This year, more SHCs were funded in the cities of Carcar, Cebu, Talisay, and Toledo; and in the towns of Carmen, Consolacion, Liloan, Medellin, and San Nicolas. An additional SHC will also be established in Danao City. Through the efforts of fellow lawmakers, 307 SHCs were funded in 2022 and another 322 in 2023 nationwide. The centers 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 center; and telemedicine, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, likewise supported the funding of various projects in the province, including the construction of multipurpose buildings in Barili, Cordova, Ginatilan, Pilar, Tabogon, and Talisay City; improvement of existing roads in Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Asturias, Balamban, Boljoon, Borbon, Carmen, Madrilejos, Malabuyoc, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Pinamungajan, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Carcar City and Naga City; improvement of flood mitigation structures in Catmon and Tuburan; installation of street lights in Asturias, Compostela, and Daanbantayan; and acquisition of ambulance units for Madridejos and Naga City. The post Bong Go extends more assistance to Cebu City fire victims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Children football teams from conflict-affected areas in Samar compete in the prestigious Thirsty Cup
The Stormkickers and Palapag Football Club competed in the recently concluded 17th Thirsty Cup on February 12, 2023, held at Abellana Sports Complex, Cebu City......»»
Bong Go boosts fire victims’ recovery in Cebu City
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has remained steadfast in his dedication to assisting disaster victims as shown by his team’s relief operations on Monday, 14 August, to communities affected by fires in Cebu City. Go’s team, in coordination with Mayor Mike Rama, Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), assisted 103 recovering fire victims gathered at the Atillo Gymnasium in Barangay Punta Princesa. DTI provided livelihood assistance through its Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) program which Go pushed for during the Duterte administration and continues to support its implementation in order to boost livelihood recovery of those affected by various crises. In addition to the livelihood support, Go’s team provided shirts and masks to all beneficiaries, and a pair of shoes, a watch, a cellular phone, and balls for basketball to select recipients. “Sa panahon ng kahirapan at pagsubok dulot ng iba't-ibang sakuna, nais namin sa inyo'y magbigay ng pag-asa at tulong na magbibigay daan sa inyong mga pangarap. Ang programa na ito ay hindi lamang simpleng tulong kundi isang oportunidad upang makabangon at makamtan ang mas magandang kinabukasan,” stressed Go. Go underscored the crucial role of DTI’s PPG program in providing opportunities for sustainable income generation and the agency’s dedication to assisting affected communities in their journey toward recovery and rebuilding their lives. “Palaguin niyo ang inyong negosyo. Kapag lumago ang inyong negosyo, dalhin niyo po ang mga kita sa inyong mga pamilya... mas masarap sa pakiramdam kapag pinagpawisan at pinaghirapan niyo po ang inyong pagnenegosyo,” he added. In a video message, Go highlighted his other efforts to enhance disaster preparedness, response, and recovery strategies on a broader scale. He also asked for support for the passage of Senate Bill No. 188, which aims to establish the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR). The proposed legislation envisions a new government department led by a cabinet secretary, focusing on comprehensive approaches to strengthen disaster preparedness across the country. The DDR's core areas of concentration include disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness, response and recovery, and the advancement of resilience. “Mayro’n rin po ako nai-file na Department of Disaster Resilience, ito pong departamento na ito, a cabinet-secretary level na siya po ang makikipag-coordinate bago pa dumating ‘yung bagyo at ilikas po ang mga kababayan natin sa ligtas na lugar at preposition of goods,” Go explained. “Part rin po ito ng trabaho nila ang disaster-related tulad ng sunog. Kapag may lindol, sunog, bagyo at itong pagputok ng bulkan, ilikas na kaagad sa mga ligtas na lugar. Iyan po ang Department of Disaster Resilience at restoration of normalcy kaagad,” he added. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go initiated the Malasakit Centers program in 2018 in Cebu City after he personally witnessed the struggles of financially incapacitated Filipinos in getting medical assistance from the government. It was later institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which he principally sponsored and authored. To date, there are 158 Malasakit Centers, including those at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), Cebu City Medical Center, and St. Anthony Mother & Child Hospital, that have helped over seven million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH). Other Malasakit Centers in the province are located at Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City, Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital, Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, and Talisay District Hospital in Talisay City. Moreover, Go said DOH has identified areas to construct Super Health Centers (SHCs) in the province. SHCs were funded to be established in the cities of Bogo, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue; and in the towns of Borbon, Cordova, Moalboal, Samboan, and San Francisco in 2022. This year, more Super Health Centers were funded in the cities of Carcar, Cebu, Talisay, and Toledo; and in the towns of Carmen, Consolacion, Liloan, Medellin, and San Nicolas. An additional SHC will also be established in Danao City. “Ang isang malaking bagay dito ay ang early detection kung may sakit ang isang pasyente. Dahil nasa kanilang komunidad ang SHC, madali na para sa kanya ang magpakonsulta. At kung malalaman agad ang sakit ng isang pasyente, mabibigyan siya ng primary care, malalapatan ng lunas, at lalaki ang tsansa na maka-recover siya sa kanyang sakit,” he explained. SHCs 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 center; and telemedicine. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the funding of various projects in the province, including the construction of multipurpose buildings in Barili, Cordova, Ginatilan, Pilar, Tabogon, and Talisay City; improvement of existing roads in Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Asturias, Balamban, Boljoon, Borbon, Carmen, Madrilejos, Malabuyoc, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Pinamungajan, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Carcar City and Naga City; improvement of flood mitigation structures in Catmon and Tuburan; installation of street lights in Asturias, Compostela, and Daanbantayan; and acquisition of ambulance units for Madridejos and Naga City. The post Bong Go boosts fire victims’ recovery in Cebu City appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Close business, gov’t collab spur growth — Pascual
Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual is urging private entities to continuously work with the government in addressing issues crucial to economic recovery and growth. At the 3rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council meeting in Cebu City last Friday, Pascual said the partnership between the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the APEC Business Advisory Council is actually regarded by the Philippine government as a cornerstone of its vision for the country’s future. “It exemplifies the power of synergy — when government and business come together and connect, we lay the groundwork for a trade environment that is not just functional, but inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. This dynamic collaboration enables us to stay agile and responsive as we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of business and technology,” he said in a speech. In line with this year’s theme, “Equity, Sustainability, Opportunity,” ABAC Philippines focused on helping communities build back stronger through collective efforts. With critical goals to pursue, Secretary Pascual called for stronger partnership and collaboration among APEC Member Economies in crafting policy reforms that would spur economic growth. Areas of focus For this year’s work program, the ABAC will initially have these areas of focus: (1) Economic Integration Working Group; (2) Sustainable Growth Working Group; (3) Digital and Innovation Working Group; (4) Finance Task Force; and (5) Inclusion Task Force. Secretary Pascual has also commended the efforts of ABAC in shaping a strong, credible, and relevant World Trade Organization even as he recognized ABAC’s strong push toward the eventual realization of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. “The Philippines views the FTAAP as a mechanism to boost economic recovery in the region, especially for medium, small and micro-enterprises most affected by the pandemic. We thus support the immediate implementation of the FTAAP Agenda Work Plan which contributes to APEC’s sustainability and inclusion objectives,” he said. ABAC Philippines is currently focused on several initiatives including the promotion of the availability and accessibility of climate risk scenario information, the exploration of the viability of nuclear energy as a zero-carbon energy source, and other use cases under the Sustainable Growth Working Group. Further, it is working on enhancing cross-border data flow in financial services. For its part, the DTI is prioritizing (1) APEC’s Support for the Safe Passage of Maritime Crew in the Covid-19 Era, (2) Boracay Action Agenda to Globalize MSMEs, and (3) APEC Trade Repository. Aligned with this year’s ABAC meeting theme, the DTI aims to provide equal opportunities for all, promote regulations for environmental stewardship, and commit to fostering a digitally inclusive APEC community. The post Close business, gov’t collab spur growth — Pascual appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go provides aid to fire victims in Cebu
Senator Bong Go highlighted the importance of better and strengthened fire prevention efforts as he provided aid to fire victims in Carcar City, Cebu on Tuesday, 13 June. Go, in his video message, reminded the public to keep their homes safe by following fire safety precautions recommended by the government. He likewise reassured that the Bureau of Fire Protection continues to enhance its capabilities following the enactment of the BFP Modernization Act of 2021. The said law provides for the acquisition of new fire equipment, expansion of fire personnel, and provision of highly specialized training programs. The BFP is likewise mandated to conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in every local government unit, especially in informal settlements, economically depressed areas, and far-flung communities. “Mga kababayan ko, mag-ingat tayo dahil delikado pa ang panahon at nasa gitna tayo ng pandemya. Mahirap masunugan. Gayunpaman, tandaan natin na ang gamit naman ay nabibili at ang pera po’y kikitain natin muli. Pero ang perang kikitain natin ay hindi po mabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Kaya magingat tayo,” said Go. The senator reassured, “Huwag sana kayong mawalan ng pag-asa dahil nandirito ang gobyerno para tulungan kayong makabangon muli. Lapitan niyo lang ako kung may iba pa kaming maitutulong at pagseserbisyuhan ko po kayo sa abot ng aking makakaya.” Go’s outreach team provided grocery packs, masks, snacks, vitamins, and shirts to two affected families at the Perrelos barangay hall. They also provided balls for basketball and volleyball to others. Go, who heads the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also offered to assist those with health concerns. He advised them to obtain medical assistance from the government through any of the Malasakit Centers in the province, including those at Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Cebu City Medical Center, and St. Anthony Mother & Child Hospital, both in Cebu City. The Malasakit Centers program was initiated by Go in 2018 and was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which he primarily authored and sponsored. The center is a one-stop shop that brings together all relevant agencies that offer medical assistance programs to assist poor and indigent patients with their hospital expenses. Other Malasakit Centers in the province are available at Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital, Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, and Talisay District Hospital in Talisay City. There are currently 158 Malasakit Centers throughout the country which have assisted over seven million Filipinos, according to the DOH. Lastly, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the funding for various projects in the province, including the construction of multipurpose buildings in Barili, Cordova, Ginatilan, Pilar, Tabogon and Talisay City; improvement of existing roads in Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Asturias, Balamban, Boljoon, Borbon, Carmen, Madrilejos, Malabuyoc, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Pinamungajan, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Carcar City and Naga City; improvement of flood mitigation structures in Catmon and Tuburan; installation of street lights in Asturias, Compostela and Daanbantayan; and acquisition of ambulance units for Madridejos and Naga City. “Magtulungan po tayo, mga kababayan ko. Importante pong malampasan natin itong krisis na ating kinakaharap bilang nagkakaisang mamamayang Pilipino,” Go said. The post Bong Go provides aid to fire victims in Cebu appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DPWH prioritizes 2 Luzon river basins
The Department of Public Works and Highways and the Japan International Cooperation Agency have regarded two river basins in Luzon were seen as priorities in a joint flood control study to improve flood control management in the concerned areas. DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain named the Pasig-Marikina River Basin and the Cagayan River Basin as infrastructures that will be subjected to a Japan-funded “Project for Enhancement of Flood Control Strategy in Prioritized River Basins.” The inclusion of the Pasig-Marikina River Basin is intended for “an urgent alternative flood control measures” in areas such as the Upper Marikina River, Rosario Weir, Manggahan Floodway and the Upper Wawa Dam, which will be subjected to various river projects. Meanwhile, Sadain said that the masterplan in some Cagayan River Basin works, including slope protection and dredging, must be updated ahead of a pre-feasibility study. “Our flood-control interventions along these river basins can be improved to better protect nearby densely-populated areas due to recurrent and extensive flooding during rainy and typhoon seasons,” Sadain said. DAN NAVARRO The joint study between DPWH and JICA is an 18-month project that would look into existing flood-control master plans ahead of future projects to improve flood control management in the country. JICA has been a known partner in DPWH projects, financially backing the Central Luzon Link Expressway, Davao City Mountain Tunnel and Bypass Construction Project, Cebu-Mactan Bridge and Coastal Road Project, Marawi Transcentral Road and access roads in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao through the Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao. The post DPWH prioritizes 2 Luzon river basins appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go aids fire-hit Cebu communities, stresses fire prevention interventions
On Saturday, May 20, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go had his team mounted a relief activity for Cebuanos whose houses were damaged in a fire incident in Cebu City. In a video call, the senator underscored that he will continue to promote and advocate for better fire prevention measures in the country. “Sa mga nasunugan po dito sa Cebu City, sana nasa mabuti kayong kalagayan. Huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa, ang importante ay buhay kayo. Ang gamit po ay napapalitan, ang pera ay kikitain pero ang pera ay hindi nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Kaya mag-ingat po tayo,” Go expressed. The senator's team mounted the relief activity at Barangay Mambaling gymnasium, where they distributed grocery packs, snacks, vitamins, masks and shirts. They also gave away bicycles, mobile phones, shoes, watches and balls for basketball and volleyball to select beneficiaries. A team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also extended financial support. In total, 171 affected families were aided from Barangays Duljo Poblacion, Pit-os, Mambaling, Kalunasan, Luz, Sinsin, Kamputhaw and Basak San Nicolas. Go has primarily authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11589, otherwise known as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act. "Importante po na mabigyan ng suporta ang modernization ng ating Bureau of Fire Protection dahil napaka-importante ng tungkulin na ginagampanan nila upang makapagligtas ng buhay," Go explained. "Halos linggu-linggo akong bumababa sa mga nasusunugan. Nakikita ko ang hirap ng ating mga kababayan. Kahit isang bahay lang ang masunog, damay pati ang kapitbahay. Maraming pamilya ang apektado kaya dapat na palakasin natin ang kapasidad ng BFP sa pagreresponde sa sunog," he added. Signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2021, the Act provides for the acquisition of modern fire equipment, expansion of the BFP's manpower, and provision of highly-specialized training to firefighters, among others. It also mandates the bureau to implement monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in every local government unit. Go also offered to help those with health issues. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, he encouraged them to seek the services of the Malasakit Centers located at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Cebu City Medical Center and St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital, all located in the city. The Malasakit Center was first established in VSMMC in 2018. To date, there are 157 such centers nationwide that have helped over seven million particularly poor and indigent patients, according to the Department of Health. The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where patients may conveniently apply for medical assistance from concerned agencies such as the DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. In Cebu province, there are also Malasakit Centers at Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, Cebu South Medical Center in Talisay City, Lapu-Lapu District Hospital in Lapu-Lapu City, and Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City. Go then mentioned that DOH has also identified areas to construct Super Health Centers in the province. SHCs were funded to be established in the cities of Bogo, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue; and in the towns of Borbon, Cordova, Moalboal, Samboan and San Francisco in 2022. This year, more Super Health Centers were funded in the cities of Carcar, Cebu, Talisay and Toledo; and in the towns of Carmen, Consolacion, Liloan, Medellin and San Nicolas. An additional Super Health Center will also be established in Danao City. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed. Super Health Centers 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 service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation center; and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done. “Mas malaki ito sa rural health unit (pero) mas maliit sa ospital. Mayroon na siyang laboratory, minor operating, emergency, pharmacy, birth facilities, (at) dental services. Hindi niyo na kailangang bumyahe ng malayo para sa pagpagamot,” explained Go. Meanwhile, Go was also instrumental in the passage of Republic Act No. 11717, which increased the bed capacity of VSMMC from 1,200 to 1,500 beds. As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go likewise continues to help improve the delivery of public service in the city as he supported the rehabilitation and expansion of the Barangay Multi-Purpose Building Area at Barangay Duljo Fatima and the acquisition of a mini dumptruck. “Yan po ang ipinangako ko sa inyo noon, kahit saang sulok kayo ng Pilipinas, basta kaya lang po ng aking katawan at panahon, pupuntahan ko po kayo -- makatulong sa abot ng aking makakaya, makabigay ng konting solusyon sa mga problema, masuportahan ang mga proyekto na makakapagpaunlad sa inyong lugar, at makaiwan po ng konting ngiti sa panahon ng pagdadalamhati,” said Go. On the same day, Go also sent another team in Mandaue City and provided similar relief to more fire victims. ### The post Bong Go aids fire-hit Cebu communities, stresses fire prevention interventions appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bridging healthcare gap
While the government has consistently strived to improve medical access, the reality remains that access to hospitals providing specialized healthcare services is still limited. Almost all specialty hospitals are located in Metro Manila. We have here the Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, among others. As these specialty hospitals are some of the best in our country, many of our Filipinos from the provinces who suffer from serious diseases are constrained to travel to Manila just to ensure that they receive quality, affordable and specialized healthcare services necessary for their conditions. Having to worry over transportation and accommodation expenses on top of the already burdensome medical costs is simply too much, especially for our poor Filipinos who can barely earn enough for their daily needs. As I visited many disadvantaged communities nationwide, scores of our kababayans sought me out not only for medical assistance but also for help with their transportation expenses going to Manila, where the only hospitals that can address their health needs are located. The glaring need to bring these specialized medical services closer to our people in the provinces encourages me to continue advocating for a measure that will mandate the establishment of regional specialty centers nationwide. It is high time that we unburden our fellow Filipinos of unnecessary long travels and additional expenses just to get these services needed to save their lives. On 17 May, I sponsored Senate Bill 2212, which seeks to mandate the Department of Health to establish specialty centers in existing DoH hospitals in different regions within five years, rather than constructing entirely new specialty hospitals — a cost-efficient, faster and practical solution to address the issue. The proposal also aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which includes the establishment of specialty centers as part of the health-related legislative agenda of the administration. Moreover, if enacted into law, the DoH will be required to allocate capital outlay investments and work closely with the Department of Budget and Management to develop staffing patterns and standards for the specialty centers, securing positions for healthcare workers serving in these facilities. Particular emphasis will be placed on establishing heart, lung, and kidney centers that replicate the capabilities of the National Specialty Centers in Metro Manila. This is also a way to decongest our existing specialty hospitals. For instance, the establishment of mental health centers in various DoH hospitals would help decongest the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong City. As chair of the Senate Committee on Health, I believe that physical, emotional, and mental health are all equally important, and I will continue to support measures that would protect and promote the different aspects of health as a whole. Thus, on the same day, I also co-sponsored the proposed Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act filed by Senator Win Gatchalian. If said bill is passed into law, a Care Center in basic education schools will be established. This will not only benefit the students but also the teaching and non-teaching personnel. Previously, I likewise filed SBN 1786 which aims to mandate Public Higher Education Institutions to establish Mental Health Offices in their respective campuses. Meanwhile, together with my team, I was in Cagayan on 18 May to join in the Sarakat Festival, attend the inauguration of the Super Health Center, and provide aid to 1,500 indigents in the town of Santa Praxedes, where I was honored to be its adopted son. We then headed to Lal-lo town where I witnessed the groundbreaking of another Super Health Center and also led another relief operation for 1,500 more struggling residents in the town. The following day, I visited Jordan, Guimaras, where I attended a volleyball tournament as part of the Manggahan Festival of the province and personally checked on the operations of the Malasakit Center at Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava Provincial Hospital. We also aided 217 patients and 512 frontliners in the hospital while the Department of Social Welfare and Development assisted 118 qualified patients. Later that day, we visited Buenavista, Guimaras where I led the groundbreaking of the town’s Super Health Center, spearheaded a relief operation for 1,462 indigents, and visited local infrastructure initiatives we earlier supported during the Duterte administration such as the Buenavista Wharf and seawall. Last week, my outreach teams also helped many of our fellow Filipinos in need, including 50 indigents in Libertad, 50 in Salay, and 1,735 in Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental; 153 in Agusan del Norte; 255 in Belison, Antique; 419 in Laurel, Batangas; 150 in Quezon City; 1,550 in Manila City; 666 in Limay, Bataan; 108 in Malolos City, Bulacan; 233 in Maria Aurora in Aurora; 366 in Kalawit and 333 in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte; and 1,912 families affected by armed conflict in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur. Fire-hit households, including 21 in Lapu-Lapu City, 99 in Mandaue City, and 171 in Cebu City in the province of Cebu; and six in Angeles City, Pampanga were also assisted. Aside from pushing for the establishment of regional specialty centers, I continue to support our Malasakit Centers and Super Health Centers to provide more accessible medical assistance programs and basic health services, respectively, to more of our fellow Filipinos. It is my hope that, with the support of our fellow workers in the government, we can continue bringing medical services closer to the people, particularly the economically disadvantaged and those residing in far-flung areas, to help address the urgent need to bridge the healthcare gap across the country. After all, it is enshrined in our Constitution, as a matter of state policy, that “the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people” and that “the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost.” As elected representatives of the Filipino people, it is our solemn duty to realize these state policies. These programs and measures will not only protect and promote such rights but will make this a living testament to our collective desire to help provide a more comfortable life for Filipinos. The post Bridging healthcare gap appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Power transmission strife probe sought
A lawmaker on Monday is seeking an investigation into the country’s series of power interruptions and electrical disturbances for the past weeks, insisting that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines should be held liable. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian — who is also the vice-chairperson of the committee on Energy — filed Resolution 607 calling for a Senate inquiry into the series of disturbances in the country’s power transmission system “in the hope of ensuring a reliable and continuous electricity supply.” “These successive transmission system disturbances caused inconvenience to communities and losses to businesses,” said Gatchalian. “The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines as the operator of the transmission system in the country should be held to account for the root cause of these disturbances.” The senator made the call after the NGCP placed the Luzon grid under red and yellow alerts after reporting the power plant outages due to the tripping of the Bolo-Masinloc 230kV Line 2 on 8 May. He also cited that it led to the tripping of 2 units of the Masinloc Coal Power Plant which, in turn, caused a power loss of 659 megawatts in the Luzon grid. “Such disturbances brought power interruptions in the franchise areas of various distribution facilities across Luzon island,” said the senator, adding that in the Meralco franchise, in particular, more than 300,000 customers in Paco and Sta. Mesa in Manila, Caloocan, Malabon, Batangas, Antipolo in Rizal, San Pedro and Biñan in Laguna, and San Rafael and Pulilan in Bulacan were affected by the tripping activity. To recall, Meralco on 9 May reported power supply cuts due to a temporary system imbalance caused by a sudden plant outage, saying that the power supply disruption was caused by an automatic load dropping of approximately 290 MW as a result of the tripping of the Duhat-Hermosa 290kV line. On 27 April, the NGCP reported a system disturbance in the Visayas, causing a loss of 322.3 MW and power interruptions that persisted until 30 April. More than 1.5 million households were affected by the power interruptions in the islands of Panay, Guimaras and Negros. The power outages last up to 12 hours. Meanwhile, Senator JV Ejercito is seeking to review the NGCP’s franchise and assessment of its performance after receiving reports that foreign shareholders have more control of the company. “Utilities that are concerned with national security should remain with the national government, controlled by the Philippines,” Ejercito said. As this developed, more senators on Monday expressed their openness to the call to review the Congressional franchise given to the NGCP due to the recent power outages in several parts of the country. Senator Grace Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, said that her panel is open to the review of the congressional franchise of the NGCP “as it concerns a critical need of Filipinos.” “The recurring power outages being experienced by millions of households amid the scorching months should not be the norm,” Poe said. “We must also exercise vigilance when it comes to our power lines, to ensure that electricity running from Luzon to Mindanao remains under the control of Filipinos amid security concerns raised by senators.” Senator Risa Hontiveros echoed the same sentiment, saying there is nothing wrong with the Upper Chamber if it would review the franchise of the privately-owned corporation. “Even during the previous Congress, we have started, in a way, the review of at least some provisions in the franchise because the government is not only one that has an obligation in this contract but the corporation itself,” Hontiveros said. In other developments, the Energy Regulatory Commission is already doing its part by auditing the NGCP on the completion of the transmission projects as part of the ongoing rate reset process of the grid operator, ERC chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta told Daily Tribune. Dimalanta’s remark came in response to Albay Rep. Joey Salceda’s call to ERC to use its powers under Republic Act 9511 or the NGCP franchise to mandate performance improvements in the transmission company following blackouts caused by delays and damage to the company’s transmission lines. “If you recall, NGCP’s allowable revenues are set on a 5-year cycle supposedly, but the last one happened back in 2010, which set NGCP’s allowed revenues and corresponding rates for 2011-2015,” Dimalanta said. She added that the power regulator is already “conducting the review and reset now for the past years (2016-2022) and in parallel the process to set their revenues based on forecasted expenses for 2023-2027.” Salceda tapped the ERC to conduct a performance audit on the NGCP after its supposed deadline for its major three major projects -- the Cebu-Negros-Panay connection and the Mindanao-Visayas interconnection -- that was due by August this year. With Edjen Oliquino The post Power transmission strife probe sought appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Albay, UNDP tackle disaster preparedness
The Provincial Government of Albay and the United Nations Development Programme in the Philippines recently launched a partnership to strengthen the province's disaster and climate resilience. Albay provincial governor Edcel “Grex” Lagman and UNDP Philippines deputy resident representative Edwine Carrié signed a memorandum of understanding for the Strengthening Institutions and Empowering Localities against Disasters and Climate Change Programme, which will accelerate resilience-building efforts at the local level through multi-stakeholder collaboration to unlock financing and implement risk-informed and inclusive resilience actions. Development First Counsellor Paul Harrington of the Australian Embassy and Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office head Cedric Daep witnessed the signing, along with other key province officials. Through SHIELD, the Australian Government has invested Australian $18 million to support the Philippine government in building institutional and community resilience to climate change and natural hazards, by enabling local governments to pursue and invest in resilient development. Albay, which hosts an active volcano, is in one of the most disaster-prone regions in the Philippines. The Bicol region constantly faces compounded hazards yearly because of its geographic properties and location. Chief among these hazardous risks are typhoons, which cause storm surges and extreme flooding. In addition, Albay has mountainous areas prone to landslides and surface run-off. Through the strategic partnership, the Albay provincial government hopes to enhance local governance, improve healthcare delivery, strengthen disaster resilience and rationalize land use allocation. Carrié reaffirmed UNDP's commitment to strengthen Albay's resilience against natural disasters and climate change through the program. "What SHIELD is trying to accomplish is to build more resilient communities, local and provincial governments. UNDP is pleased to continue its long-standing partnership with Albay on disaster risk reduction, climate change and sustainable development," Carrié said. The SHIELD program is being implemented by UNDP Philippines, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the consortium partners comprised of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, National Resilience Council, Philippine Business for Social Progress and UN-Habitat. It will be implemented in 11 of the country's most vulnerable provinces to disaster and climate change impacts. Among the areas covered are Albay, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Cagayan, Cebu, Davao Oriental, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Pampanga, Pangasinan and Quezon. The program will also cover Metro Manila, given its vulnerability to earthquakes and its economic significance, along with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, with the increasing disaster and climate vulnerability of conflict-affected areas. The post Albay, UNDP tackle disaster preparedness appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go’s office aids various sectoral groups Agusan del Sur
The Office of Senator Bong Go spearheaded a relief activity aimed at supporting and uplifting various marginalized sectoral groups in Santa Josefa and Trento towns in Agusan Del Sur on Tuesday, 18 April. Go’s staff held the activity at the municipal gym of Santa Josefa and the evacuation center of Trento where they provided grocery packs, snacks, vitamins, shirts, and masks to 450 beneficiaries. The Department of Social Welfare and Development separately provided financial assistance to the affected residents. In his video message, the senator underscored the need for accessible and comprehensive healthcare services that can cater to the medical needs of Filipinos, particularly those in remote and underserved areas. To address this concern, Go has been advocating for the establishment of Super Health Centers nationwide, saying, “Makatutulong po ito sa mga kababayan natin na ilapit po ang serbisyong medikal sa kanila. Ilalagay po ito sa mga strategic areas sa buong Pilipinas.” Through the concerted efforts of lawmakers, the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the Department of Health has secured adequate funding for the establishment of 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 more in 2023. DOH, as the lead implementing agency, is responsible for identifying the optimal locations for the construction of these health centers. In Agusan del Sur, necessary funds have been allocated by Congress for the construction of Super Health Centers in Esperanza, Bayugan, Sibagat, Santa Josefa, and Trento. Patients can also benefit from telemedicine services, where remote diagnosis and treatment are available to individuals who are unable to visit the center physically. As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go also offered to assist those with health issues as he advised them to visit the Malasakit Center at Democrito O. Plaza Memorial Hospital in Prosperidad. First established in Cebu in 2018, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop through which agencies such as the DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office assist particularly poor and indigent patients by bringing to the lowest amount possible their hospital bill. To date, there are 157 Malasakit Centers nationwide which have assisted over seven million Filipinos, according to the DOH. Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, also supported several projects in the province, such as the construction or concreting of local roads in Bayugan City, Bunawan, Esperanza, La Paz, San Luis, and Veruela; construction of multipurpose buildings in Bayugan City and San Luis; construction of evacuation centers in Loreto and Talacogon; construction of riverbank protection structures for the Ihawan River in Loreto; improvement of the Adlayan Riverbank in San Francisco; installation of reinforced concrete pipe culvert with pavement widening in Trento; and purchase and installation of solar street lights in Esperanza. Other major projects he supported are the construction of a new public market and slaughterhouse in Bunawan, the development of the Sibagat public park, the acquisition of ambulances for the local governments of La Paz and San Luis, and the acquisition of dump trucks for the local governments of San Francisco and San Luis. On 30 March, Go also personally visited Santa Josefa, Agusan del Sur where he spearheaded a similar relief operation for more indigents, graced the groundbreaking of the town's Super Health Center, and witnessed the turnover of a road he supported the funding for. The post Bong Go’s office aids various sectoral groups Agusan del Sur appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DDR creation to bolster disaster response: Go
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go renewed his call for the passage of his proposed Senate Bill 188, or the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience. The DDR is a specialized department that would be solely responsible for managing the country’s disaster response and mitigation efforts. “We should always be one step ahead whenever there is a disaster. We cannot avoid earthquakes or typhoons, but we should be always prepared so that we can avoid greater damage,” Go said. Senate Bill 188, he said, seeks to address the long-standing issues and challenges in disaster management, including the lack of coordination among government agencies and the absence of a clear chain of command during emergencies because essential functions and mandates are currently spread out to various disaster-related agencies. “We really need to scale up preparedness and resiliency against disasters. That’s why as your senator, I will continue to fight for these proposals and I believe that this is for the good of our country,” he said. If enacted into law, Go said the cabinet secretary-level department shall concentrate on three significant areas — disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery and building forward better. He said going around the country to extend aid to Filipinos affected by fire, earthquake, flood, tornado, and volcanic eruption is a fulfillment of a promise. “I’ll go to you as long as I have the time and chance. I help as much as I can, provide a solution to their problems like a sustainable project that would benefit the community, and be able to leave a little smile during your difficulties,” he added. In the wake of the devastation brought by the recent Tropical Depression “Amang,” Go said disaster preparedness must be intensified even more. In support of DDR’s functions and responsibilities, the proposed measure also provides for the creation of an Integrated Disaster Resilience Information System or IDRIS which will serve as a database of all relevant disaster risk reduction and climate change information. Go also filed Senate Bill 1709 aimed at providing hazard pay to disaster response personnel nationwide, considering how dangerous their roles are during disasters. It proposes to amend the provisions of the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010” to mandate the local government units to grant a P3,000 monthly hazard pay to the personnel of their respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices and Barangay Risk Reduction and Management Committees, and all accredited community disaster volunteers during a State of Calamity declared by the President. “Rescuers and volunteers play a huge role during calamities and disasters because they are the ones who risk their lives to keep our countrymen safe,” Go said. He added: “They deserve to be given proper compensation. Give what is due to them.” The post DDR creation to bolster disaster response: Go appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»