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Lapu-Lapu road clearing: Ahong promises relocation to 53 vendors near Plaza Rizal
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu – The Lapu-Lapu City Government is currently looking for an alternative vending site for approximately 53 vendors who will be displaced by a road clearing operation near Plaza Rizal in Barangay Poblacion. The planned road clearing operation was in compliance with the directive of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).....»»
Zero Tailpipe Emission
Electric-powered tricycle operators wait for passengers in Barangay Centro Agdao, Davao City on Wednesday, 28 February 2024, The government is eyeing a mandatory registration for electric bikes since these are now used as an alternative mode of public transportation. MindaNews photo.....»»
Plug and Go
An electric-powered tricycle cruises along the street in Davao City on Monday, 19 February 2024. The Land Transportation Office is eyeing the mandatory registration of electric vehicles (e-vehicles) since they are used as an alternative mode of public and private transportation . MindaNews photo.....»»
DSWD-Davao raises child feeding budget to P21
The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) has increased its budget for the Supplementary Feeding Program to P21 per child, up from the previous P15 allocation. Kyla Denise T. Pamat, a nutritionist dietician at DSWD-Davao, shared in a radio interview on Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on January 26, 2024, that the enhancement is a result of a budget insertion in 2023. The 13th cycle targets 122,400 children in Davao Region, with five local government units (LGUs) already initiating the feeding program, while others are in the procurement process. The program focuses on children aged two to four in child development centers and supervised neighborhood places, providing hot meals (rice and viand) for 80 days and alternative meals (pancake, nutribun, and fruit salad) for 40 days during the 120 feeding days. Additionally, selected LGUs with a prevalent number of underweight children receive milk feeding for the entire duration. The 12th cycle showed an 82.27 percent improvement in the weight of underweight children, reducing their number from 4,567 to 784 after the 120 feeding days. Pamat highlighted its alignment with Republic Act 11037, also known as the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act, and encouraged LGUs, communities, and parents to support the program for continuous improvement......»»
Fire officers urge public to dump firecrackers, use alternative noise-making means instead
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Cebu City Fire Office (CCFO) is advising the public to opt for alternative noise-making methods instead of firecrackers to prevent accidents during holiday celebrations. SFO2 Wendell Villanueva, Information Officer of the CCFO, emphasized the need for caution during the holiday season, especially for the majority of the people who use.....»»
PEZA chief lures potential Rotarian investors with ecozone perks
Members — particularly those in such business enterprises as manufacturing — of the Rotary Club of Manila, Asia’s oldest and biggest Rotary organization, were personally enticed by Philippine Economic Zone Authority director-general Tereso Panga of the benefits, particularly tax perks if they expand operations in the country or poured in investments in the ecozone. Panga, who served as guest speaker at RC Manila’s 14th General Membership Meeting at the Manila Polo Club, Makati City, on 5 October 2023, relayed to the prospective ecozone investors the various fiscal and non-fiscal Incentives offered by PEZA. He said the investment promotion agency offers income tax holidays or ITH of four to seven years depending on the industry tier and location, once onboard PEZA-run ecozones. For the National Capital Region, locators are entitled to four years of ITH for those that are in Tier 1; five years of ITH for Tier 2, and six years for those belonging to Tier 3. For locators in Metropolitan areas or areas contiguous and adjacent to NCR, a five-year ITH is given to Tier 1; six years for Tier 2, and seven years for Tier 3. “A five percent Special Corporate Income Tax holiday is also provided for 10 years for export-oriented projects, while enhanced deductions for five years are given to locators involved in domestic-oriented project activities,” Panga said. Other notable benefits awaiting interested PEZA locators include Customs duty exemption on importation of capital equipment, raw materials, spare parts, or accessories directly and exclusively used in the registered project/activity for a maximum period of 17 years unless otherwise extended under the Strategic Investment Priority Plan of the Philippine government; domestic sales allowance of up to 30 percent of total sales for export-oriented companies; value-added tax exemption on importation and VAT-zero rating on local purchases of goods and services directly and exclusively used in the registered project or activity for a maximum period of 17 years, unless otherwise extended under the SIPP; and exemption from payment of national and local government taxes and fees for the period of availment of the 5 percent special corporate income tax incentive Also, PEZA locators are entitled to employ foreign nationals; can enjoy long-term land leases of up to 75 years, and are entitled to the PEZA 2-year special non-immigrant visa issued to expatriates and their dependents as well as foreign workers. [caption id="attachment_194752" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Tereso O. Panga[/caption] PEZA performance Panga earlier reported that the investment promotion agency had reaped an overwhelming 114 percent increase in investments in the second quarter of the year, following the approval of 61 new and expansion projects for the period of April to June 2022. PEZA records showed that total investments are expected to bring in a total of P14.347 billion, 114.93 percent higher than the P6.675 billion approved investments for the second quarter of 2022. Of the 61 approved new and expansion projects, 16 are for the Information Technology industry, 15 for export/manufacturing, 13 for facilities, 13 for ecozone development, and two for IT Facilities and Logistics. Meanwhile, expected jobs to be created by those projects total 11,186, which is 29.06 percent higher compared to the 8,667 projected jobs in the 2nd quarter of 2022. For the January to June period of 2023, a total of 90 new and expansion projects have been approved and are expected to bring in P22.488 billion in investments, $747.093 million in exports, and 14,354 jobs. Japan remains PEZA’s top country investor in the first half with P8.007 billion in investments followed by Singapore with P2.169 billion. Also, Panga said that Japan topped the countries with the highest approved foreign investments at 27.34 percent, followed by Filipino companies at 23.19 percent, and American companies in the third spot at 14.82 percent. “PEZA accounted for 60.5 percent of the total foreign investment commitments in Q2 2023 with P35.75 billion,” he told the Rotary Club of Manila members. From 1995 to 2022, PEZA’s total dividends turned in to the National Treasury was a total of P26,889,567,738.07. Ecozones on the rise To date, Panga said PEZA hosts 422 ecozones and 4,352 locator companies/projects throughout the country. Of said number of ecozones, 299 are dedicated to IT Parks and Centers, 79 to manufacturing firms, 24 to agro-industrial parks, 17 are to tourism and three are to medical tourism ventures. Based on the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has projected that “the creation of ecozones will…maximize investments and promote industrial dispersion, especially outside metropolitan areas. Further, the ecozones will be integrated into the local economy by relaxing the requirements, facilitating the free flow of parts, components, and other inputs, and increasing open trade between zone locators and firms outside the zones.” In the coming years, various ecozones will be sprouting, while the ecozones that have already been officially proclaimed by the Office of the President include Robinsons Cyberpark Bacolod, Lima Technology Center (Expansion), Hermosa Ecozone Industrial Park (Expansion), Philtai Central Luzon Industrial Park, Felcris Centrale IT Park, ECCO 4 Building, Lopue’s Mandalagan IT Center, Marina Town Dumaguete, Naga City Industrial Park and Kamanga Agro-Industrial Economic Zone (Expansion), altogether with investments totaling P3.418 billion. Ecozones pending approval are MetroCas Industrial Estates-Special Economic Zone, Suyo Economic Zone and the expansions of Kamanga Agro-Industrial Economic Zone and Lima Technology Center, with a total investment amount of P773.962 million. As of September 2023, the governing board of PEZA has approved big-ticket investments with a total committed investment of P193.200 billion, and these are the First Pangasinan Property Development Corp., Raedang International Builders and Development Corp., Green Energy with Torrefaction Technology Inc., Dyson Electronics PTE, Ltd. Philippine Branch, Sunpower Philippines Manufacturing Ltd., Isla Import Terminals Inc., MJ Landtrade Development Corp., YCO Cloud Malvar Inc., Savya Land Development Corporation, RLGB Land Corporation, Robinsons Land Corporation, TDK Philippines, P. Imes Corp., Best-one Ever Luck Realty Corp., Knowles Electronics (Phil) Corporation, WIPRO Phils. Inc., Glensworth Development Inc., ACI Inc., Megaworld Corporation and Kyungshin Pampanga Philippines Inc. Currently, Panga said PEZA is focused on seven priority sectors, that is, advanced manufacturing, extractives (green ores processing), agriculture and blue industries, IT services and frontier technologies, eco-industrial park development (renewable energy and alternative energy, clean water and wastewater treatment, circular economy, sustainable development goals, green buildings, smart systems integration), Science, Technology and Innovation and the integration of small and medium enterprises into the ecozone value chain. Cannot be done alone by PEZA Panga, in conclusion during his speech at the Rotary Club of Manila meeting remarked that attracting foreign direct investments cannot be done by PEZA alone or by any other investment promotion agency left to its own devices. He emphasized that what is needed to make things work is a whole government, industry and society approach to lessen the cost and improve ease of doing business in the country. “Through our collaborations and strategic alliances, PEZA, together with the Rotary Club of Manila, other ecozone industries, and stakeholders, will strive for success in attaining our country’s goals and objectives, and continue to push for eco-zoning the Philippines towards inclusive and sustainable development,” Panga said. The post PEZA chief lures potential Rotarian investors with ecozone perks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CAAP adopts Borongan’s airport-building style
BORONGAN CITY — It was the necessity of getting a direct flight started the soonest that prompted the local government here to build its own airport, albeit in a novel and most cost-effective way given its limited budget. But the novel idea of using a modular construction system in the construction of an airport terminal gave the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines the idea on how it will build airport terminals in the future across the country. Rupert Ambil, Borongan City Information Officer and Flights Operation Chairman of the Borongan City Airport, said the city is the first local government unit in the country to construct its own airport terminal. “Thanks to the innovative design by the engineering team and the remarkable speed at which this project was completed, the CAAP is now adopting the modular design for other airports in the country,” Ambil said. On Thursday, CAAP issued a statement that it will be expanding the use of its modular construction system to more airports across the country, following its completion at Borongan Airport. “CAAP is actively implementing alternative approaches to swiftly address the concerns of passengers such as check-in areas and passenger terminal buildings with limited spaces,” CAAP said. “To address these areas for development, CAAP aims to create more spacious, efficient, and passenger-friendly environments that meet international standards and accommodate the increasing passenger volume of airports,” it added. “The modular construction system, which initially piloted at Borongan Airport, offers a sustainable approach to constructing terminal facilities with passenger amenities, as it minimizes construction waste. It uses pre-fabricated structural steel, a sustainable and cost-effective approach that allows for flexibility in design and rapid construction.” CAAP said it has identified additional airports where the construction system will be implemented. One of them is the Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan de Oro where construction aimed to increase passenger movement is set to start in December 2023 with a total budget of P36 million. The post CAAP adopts Borongan’s airport-building style appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PMFTC levels up no-smoke IQOS
Cigar maker PMFTC Inc. has unveiled the latest IQOS innovation that uses induction to heat tobacco without burning it to provide adult smokers with a better alternative to combustible cigarettes. IQOS ILUMA, the most advanced heated tobacco technology for adult smokers, would be available at the IQOS Store Bonifacio High Street in BGC, Taguig City starting 3 October 2023. It will be available in other IQOS stores nationwide as well as at www.IQOS.com on 11 October 2023, according to PMFTC, the business combination of Philip Morris International and the Lucio Tan Group. The next-level innovation uses SmartCore Induction System to heat the TEREA tobacco stick which was specially developed for IQOS ILUMA, instead of being burned, eliminating the need to clean the device at all. Sealed on both sides The new TEREA tobacco sticks are closed on both sides, which prevents tobacco from falling out of the sticks ensuring that no tobacco residue is left behind, which means there is no need to clean the holder. The previous IQOS devices have a heating blade, where the HEETS tobacco sticks are placed. HEETS tobacco sticks cannot be used with the new IQOS ILUMA device. PMFTC president Denis Gorkun said this makes IQOS ILUMA the most advanced heated tobacco technology for adult smokers so far. “IQOS ILUMA, our most innovative device yet, gives adult smokers a better choice and represents an important leap forward in our efforts to accelerate the end of smoking,” Gorkun said in a statement. Smoke-free products emits 95 percent less toxic chemicals compared to traditional cigarettes which generate smoke that contains numerous harmful substances, according to international studies. IQOS ILUMA unleashes the taste of real tobacco without any smoke, ash and with less smell than cigarettes. It features an auto-start function that detects when the TEREA stick is inserted and automatically turns on the device. The post PMFTC levels up no-smoke IQOS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DepEd-7 to teachers: Look for strategies to draw back students’ attention
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd-7) official urged teachers to look for alternative strategies to bring back their students’ attention instead of resorting to extreme disciplinary action during classes. Dr. Salustiano Jimenez, regional director of DepEd-7 made this comment on Tuesday, October 2, following the slapping incident in Antipolo,.....»»
LAWMAKER ON WHEELS — Ejercito’s love for Phl sports is one of a kind
Senator JV Ejercito’s love for cycling is hard to miss. From interviews to his social media posts, the 53-year-old lawmaker would always find a way to display his love for cycling — and sports in general. That’s why in a recent interview with Daily Tribune, Ejercito took the opportunity to preach the benefits of cycling and how he wants to spearhead the staging of more local and international tournaments that would encourage a lot of enthusiasts to take the sport seriously. “We need to have more competitions like Ronda Pilipinas. I hope somebody picks up the cudgels for it to continue because competition improves the quality of our athletes,” said Ejercito, referring to the annual professional road cycling competition that covers major cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The prestigious bikefest started in 2011 and has drawn the interest of the best local and international riders. It, however, got canceled this year as it prepares to transition from being an annual to a biennial event. “We need competitions,” Ejercito stressed. But batting for the staging of a professional cycling competition is just a mere fraction of Ejercito’s love for the sport. In fact, during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Ejercito took the cudgels for the cyclists when he slammed the Inter-Agency Task Force for raising the proposal of requiring cyclists to wear face shields on the road. Ejercito stressed that this proposal will put the cyclists’ lives at risk as they might suffer hypoxia or lack of oxygen. Having first-hand experience on the challenges of the sport, Ejercito asserted that the proposal might create more harm than good. “I am not in favor of requiring face shields to those who are biking and exercising. This might cause hypoxia or lack of oxygen. While breathing hard, intake of oxygen is already minimized with masks so what more if they will require them to wear face shields? This can be fatal,” Ejercito said. “Cyclists usually are away from each other. Face shields should be required in enclosed and crowded places. There is already a mask that is required anyway.” “Wearing a face shield while cycling is dangerous. The mask is enough.” But that’s not all. Ejercito also fought hard for the rights of cyclists through Senate Bill 393 that pushes for more bicycle lanes in major thoroughfares. He believes that by putting up bicycle lanes, the government would encourage the public to bike to their respective schools or offices instead of riding cars, buses or trains. The public would also get to save a lot on their transportation expenses while helping the government solve the worsening traffic situation. “This legislation is one way to help unburden commuters who are choosing to ride their bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles in order to escape the worsening traffic situation and save money on fares and fuel, especially now that prices of petroleum products have skyrocketed,” the bill’s explanatory note said. Ejercito said the government will also benefit from this proposal. “Though we admire such resilience and innovation, the government should also look into improving road conditions for alternative means of transportation,” Ejercito, the son of former President Joseph Estrada, said. “Until such a time that the government has finished its goal to provide mass transportation that is people-centered and accommodating to every walk of life, there will always be room for alternative forms of travel.” Ejercito admitted that he even considered riding his bicycle to work. “Even I couldn’t bear it each time I load up on gas. I shell out P5,000 every time. It’s hard on my pockets. Hopefully, I can save by biking to work,” Ejercito said. As of May 2023, about 546 kilometers of bike lanes were already established in Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao, according to the Department of Transportation. Aside from cycling, Ejercito also plays golf and boxing. He is also an avid fan of basketball. In fact, he was at the sidelines when Gilas Pilipinas battled China in the FIBA Basketball World Cup together with other senators in Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Joel Villanueva and Juan Miguel Zubiri. Ejercito said if there will be a chance, he will gladly lend a helping hand to Philippine sports. After all, he is no stranger to grassroots sports after serving as chairman of the committee on youth and sports when he was still representing San Juan City in the House of Representatives. With him in charge, he was able to help the Philippine Sports Commission with its funding that led to the rise of promising athletes like Hidilyn Diaz, who went on to become the country’s first Olympic gold medalist. “There’s no specific NSA (national sports association) but if there is an opportunity, I will help. I box, I cycle and I even played basketball before,” the mild-mannered Ejercito said. Truly, sports, especially cycling, occupies a very special place in Ejercito’s heart. And he will keep on helping Filipino athletes — one pedal at a time. The post LAWMAKER ON WHEELS — Ejercito’s love for Phl sports is one of a kind appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Itchyworms may bonggang 3-city tour sa Japan ngayong Oktubre
NASA bansang Japan ang Pinoy pop at alternative rock band na The Itchyworms ngayong darating na Oktubre. Magkakaroon kasi sila roon ng three-city tour na magsisimula sa October 6 sa LIVE HOUSE GATTACA sa Kyoto. Pagkatapos niyan ay magtatanghal din sila sa The Blarney Stone sa October 7, pati na rin sa Sengoku Daitouryou sa.....»»
Now brewing: Cup of Joe ‘serves different blends of music’ from Baguio
The members of the six-piece collective Cup of Joe are proud to represent the city of Baguio in the country’s music scene, joining fellow musicians from The North such as Uhaw hitmaker Dilaw and alternative rock band from early 2000s Session Road......»»
Cebu mayor vetoes bid livestream ordinance
The local government of Cebu City announced on Tuesday that Mayor Michael Rama has vetoed the proposed ordinance to livestream the bidding processes of the Bids and Awards Committee. Rama said the measure violates the Data Privacy Act of 2012, supersedes the implementing rules and regulations of the Government Procurement Reform Act, and compromises the general welfare clause provided under the Local Government Code. He also stressed that the proposed ordinance would have ended up violating the bidders’ right to privacy, as personal and sensitive pieces of information embedded in their technical, financial, and other related documents would be read out loud during the opening of their bids. “The subject ordinance clearly runs counter and anathema to the explicit provisions as well as the spirit, intent, and purposes of the Data Privacy Act of 2012. Consequently, it is also prejudicial to the welfare of the bidders,” Rama said. To recall, South District City Councilor Rey Gealon proposed the ordinance dubbed as the “Live Streaming of the Bidding Process of the Bids and Awards Committee of the City of Cebu” which was passed by the City Council. “I strongly believe that the ‘general welfare clause’ invoked by the good mayor to defeat the ordinance is the same clause I relied upon as author to uphold the primordial right of the people to know how the bidding process is undertaken towards the utilization of public funds,” the councilor said. “Having merely noted the mayor’s veto during the regular session, this ordinance, whose noble intention is the pursuit of transparency and accountability, is killed,” he added. The vetoed ordinance covers all modes of procurement recognized under the Government Procurement Reform Act, including emergency procurement and other alternative modes. It also covers the procurement of goods, infrastructure projects, and even consulting services. The post Cebu mayor vetoes bid livestream ordinance appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hong Kong’s top court to rule on same-sex marriage
Hong Kong's top court will decide Tuesday whether to recognize same-sex marriages, rendering a verdict in one of the most consequential cases on the subject in the city's history. Over the past decade, LGBTQ activists in the former British colony have won piecemeal victories in court, striking down discriminatory government policies on visas, taxes, and housing benefits. But the case brought by jailed pro-democracy activist Jimmy Sham -- set to be decided at 2:30 pm local time (0630 GMT) Tuesday -- will be the first time Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal has directly addressed the issue of same-sex marriage. Since launching his challenge in 2018, Sham, 36, has twice failed to convince the courts that Hong Kong should legally recognize his marriage to a same-sex partner, which was registered in New York nearly a decade ago. In his most recent setback, in August 2022, appeal judges wrote that Hong Kong's constitutional text "only provides access to the institution of marriage to heterosexual couples". Sham has argued the city's ban on same-sex marriage violates his right to equality, while the lack of a policy alternative -- such as civil unions -- does the same, in addition to breaching his right to privacy. British rights lawyer Karon Monaghan, representing Sham, told the court in June the ban disadvantages same-sex couples in areas such as inheritance and housing rentals. A poll this year found that 60 percent of Hong Kongers supported same-sex marriage, compared to just 38 percent a decade ago. Some international businesses in the city have also backed marriage equality campaigns, crediting it as a way to attract talent. But the city's Beijing-approved leadership has shown little appetite for passing laws that advance LGBTQ equality. Rights advocacy has partly gone underground after Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong in 2020, following huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in the finance hub. Sham, a prominent democracy campaigner, is one of dozens of activists behind bars awaiting prosecution under the security law on charges unrelated to LGBTQ rights. In July, a radio show promoting gay rights aired by Hong Kong's public broadcaster was canceled after a 17-year run. The post Hong Kong’s top court to rule on same-sex marriage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Inventions, fresh techs for unveiling
The Department of Science and Technology, or DoST, will be introducing a range of new inventions, including clothing, sea transport and construction materials, in its National Science and Technology Week in November in Iloilo City. DoST Undersecretary Sancho Mabborang on Monday said the Philippine Textile Research Institute will present locally-made yarns and other fibers as part of the two major exhibits during the event which will run from 24 to 26 November. The textile institute told the Daily Tribune it aims to revive the textile industry to satisfy demand for clothes while protecting the environment. “Although garments are up, it is hugely dependent on imported yarns or fabrics,” Julius L. Leaño Jr., the institute’s director, said in June. 3.5% growth for clothing sector The clothing sales in the country can grow by 3.5 percent each year until 2027, while global sales of luxury clothes can reach $278 billion by 2031, more than double the $103 billion this year, according to global market researcher Statista. Mabborang added the other major exhibit will feature maritime vessels. “There will be a lot of inventions and activities,” he teased. Among them, he said, are engineered bamboos aimed at reducing the use of imported construction materials. “Stakeholders have said 80 percent of their wooden construction materials are imported,” Mabborang elaborated. He said another invention is a non-addictive adhesive developed by Mindanao’s Marawi State University in Iligan City. “It is an alternative to rugby which some poor Filipinos sniff like a drug,” Mabborang said. He added the science and technology week will be an opportunity for scientists and entrepreneurs to pitch their innovative solutions to government officials so they can obtain aid for product commercialization under DoST’s Smart and Sustainable Communities program. “This enables local government units to set up community laboratories where the products will be introduced and tested so we can determine their benefits to certain social problems,” Mabborang said. To spur innovations, he said the DoST plans to build planetariums and interactive science museums across the country to encourage the youth to build careers related to science, technology, engineering and math or STEM. The post Inventions, fresh techs for unveiling appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
QC to strengthen bike lanes after ex-cop road-rage incident
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday said the city government will further strengthen the safety of bike lanes and deploy more bike patrols to protect cyclists and maintain safer roads. This was after a cyclist was assaulted by an ex-policeman in an incident that was recorded by a netizen, becoming viral on social media. The ex-cop, who pulled a gun on the cyclist, was driving his vehicle on the bike lane. Belmonte stressed that City Ordinance SP-2988 S-2020 or the Ordinance promoting Safe Cycling and Active Transport penalizes motorists obstructing cycling lanes or walking paths. Section 8.2.2 of City Ordinance SP-2636 S-2017 or QC Road Safety Code states that “no driver shall permit his/her vehicle to block any portion of the bicycle lane. At no time shall any vehicle use, straddle, or obstruct the designated bike lane.” "We would like to reassure the cycling community and all our citizens for that matter that the city is willing to exhaust all means to demonstrate to them that we will act in their interest and in the pursuit of justice," the mayor said. Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo (Dist. IV) said another P500 million in fresh funding in 2024 will be of great help to the mayor in this regard. The funds, according to Rillo, will be used for upgrading bicycle lanes and pedestrian walkways under the national government’s Active Transport Program in metropolitan areas. “To further stimulate human-powered mobility, such as cycling and walking, there is an additional budget of P500 million for the development of active transport infrastructure and facilities in 2024,” Rillo, a member of the House committee on appropriations, said. “We are all for active transport, which lessens harmful motor vehicle emissions, promotes cleaner air and improves individual and community health,” Rillo, also vice chairperson of the House committee on Metro Manila development, said. The solon explained that the P500 million for the ATP in 2024 is lodged in the budget of the Department of Transportation. The amount is on top of the P705 million earmarked for the ATP this year and the P2 billion funding for the program in 2022. Rillo expressed confidence that the additional government spending for the ATP would protect a greater number of Filipinos who use bicycles as an alternative mode of mobility. As of June this year, the ATP has so far built 564 kilometers of bicycle lanes throughout Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao. The DOTr earlier said it expects the country’s bicycle lane network to reach 2,400 kilometers by 2028. “In other countries where governments are spending more to develop bicycle lanes, they’ve actually seen a five-fold increase in the number of people using bicycles,” Rillo said. The ATP bankrolls the construction of protected, hazard-free bicycle lanes, procurement of bike racks, improvement of end-of-trip cycling infrastructure and the upgrading of pop-up bike lanes into permanent bike lanes. The program also funds the development of pedestrian pathways and crossings designed to accommodate persons with disability, senior citizens, pregnant women, parents with children in strollers and tourists with luggage. Rillo said it will also finance the creation of urban shade trees for the benefit of cyclists, commuters and pedestrians. The post QC to strengthen bike lanes after ex-cop road-rage incident appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Northern Samar to build nine school buildings
TACLOBAN CITY — The Northern Samar provincial government will build nine school buildings in five municipalities this year, according to Governor Edwin Ongchuan. Ongchuan said during the provincial school board meeting on Friday that the provincial government had earmarked P38.8 million this year for the construction of two-classroom school buildings in nine schools all over the province. He revealed that calls had been made by various stakeholders in the education sector for additional school buildings due to a significant increase in enrollment. The governor added that schools have to resort to sharing classrooms at multiple grade levels, affecting the children’s learning environment. He said three of the nine school buildings will be built in three different elementary schools, four in national high schools, one for a vocational school, and one for an alternative learning system school. The province is also set to construct a standard handwashing facility with a potable source of water in Allen School, Allen, Northern Samar. Two years ago, the provincial government also constructed nine school buildings worth P27.4 million, funded under the Special Education Fund for 2021–2022. Eight of the school buildings have already been completed, while one is nearing completion. Ongchuan said the provincial government is committed to helping create a conducive learning environment for the growing population of schoolchildren in Northern Samar. He said school officials are welcome to raise their concerns through the Provincial School Board, where education initiatives are discussed and deliberated. The post Northern Samar to build nine school buildings appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ASF invades Cocoro Island
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The Provincial Veterinary Office here disclosed on Friday that the African swine fever has reached the region and caused an outbreak on Cocoro Island, a barangay in the fifth-class municipality of Magsaysay in the easternmost side of the province. Palawan PVO officer-in-charge Dr. Darius Mangcucang, in an interview, revealed that Cocoro has recorded approximately 300 swine mortalities as a result of African swine fever and confirmed that out of the six blood samples collected from the domesticated pigs that survived on Cocoro Island, five of them were positively identified as having ASF. The results were according to laboratory evaluations conducted by the Bureau of Animal Industry. He also stressed that measures have been put in place to isolate the area and prevent the disease from spreading as the PVO is already enacting measures to control the situation. Meantime, community leaders are taking steps to restrict the movement of pigs and pork products from the island, while surveillance is also focused on monitoring the transportation of pork into the town. “We can manage the situation on the island as long as there is cooperation from the community. The barangay officials are monitoring closely as they have received directives from their leaders,” Mangcucang said. As an alternative to culling, given that all domestic pigs on the island have already succumbed to ASF, Mangcucang said they already initiated a disinfection procedure and used lime on the burial sites. The method aims to confine the virus and is anticipated to last for approximately three months, according to his estimation. “The pigs might all be gone, there’s no need for culling anymore. What we’ll do instead is disinfection. We’ll place lime on the sites where the pigs were buried by the farmers and residents, in order to contain the virus,” Mangcucang said. The PVO, in collaboration with the Philippine National Police and local municipal authorities, has also established checkpoints in all entry areas to Magsaysay. He said their endeavors include continuous monitoring, gathering of blood samples, and conducting quarantine assessments. Governor Victorino Dennis Socrates, in a statement issued by the Provincial Information Office, assured the public of swift governmental response as collaborative endeavors with various government agencies are in motion to tackle the crisis while citizens are urged to adhere to guidelines to halt ASF’s progression to other parts of the province. “This incident is being closely monitored, and appropriate measures are being taken in collaboration with other government agencies, while simultaneously urging the public to adhere to the government’s implemented policies to prevent further spread of ASF to other parts of the province,” Socrates said. The PVO also appealed to residents to cooperate by refraining from purchasing meat products online and to avoid feeding pigs with potentially contaminated swill or uncooked food. In case of any suspicious pig deaths or symptoms, residents are urged to promptly inform the veterinary office or the Municipal Agriculture Office. The post ASF invades Cocoro Island appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
220 PDLs earn ASL diplomas
Some 220 persons deprived of liberty earned their elementary and junior high school diplomas through the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System program at the Manila City Jail—Female Dormitory, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology said Friday. In a statement, BJMP chief Jail Director Ruel Rivera assured the jail bureau’s commitment to the national agenda of improving the delivery of basic education to Filipinos by ensuring that those qualified PDLs are enrolled in the ALS Program in all jails. “The BJMP’s care is not limited to securing their safety but more importantly in supporting them to become productive members of our society,” Rivera said. Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara Duterte graced the moving-up ceremony of the 220 PDLs on Wednesday. In her message, Duterte recognized the perseverance of the female PDL in striving to pursue education amid incarceration. “Life is not going to be easy. But even if it’s not easy, especially for you [PDL] it will be full of opportunities if you only know how to look at the positives in the things that are happening in your life,” she said. Duterte thanked officials of the Jail Bureau particularly, the Manila City Jail—Female Dormitory for the successful implementation of the “Bantay Nyo, Guro Nyo” Program. Since 2018, the Jail Bureau has produced 34,244 PDL graduates through the ALS program which opened up opportunities to continue their education while undergoing the rehabilitative process under the care of the BJMP. Currently, 18,883 PDLs are enrolled in the program in 403 out of 479 jails under the BJMP. Pursuant to Republic Act 10592, all PDL enrolled in the ALS are entitled to earn their allotted Time Allowance for Teaching, Studying and Mentoring. The post 220 PDLs earn ASL diplomas appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Orphanage executive faces more raps
A fourth criminal case was filed yesterday against the executive director of the private orphanage Gentle Hands Inc. before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office, this time for violation of Republic Act 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act of 1998......»»