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Unity, cooperation key to climate crisis – Mayor Abby
Makati City Mayor Abby Binay batted for unity and cooperation among world leaders to further understand the urgency to mitigate climate crisis. This is what the city mayor said as she advocated for creating a cleaner and more sustainable world, when she went to Melbourne, Australia to attend one of the world’s premiere forums on climate change and promoting the use of clean energy in other cities and countries around the globe. The lady mayor was the speaker at the Cities Power Partnership’s Climate Summit for Local Government which started on 6 September and lasted for three days. The mayor delivered a keynote address to the session supported by the Global Covenant of Mayors where she is also a board member and a representative of Southeast Asia. “Makati is not a perfect city, but we have a lot of studies that we could share to other cities. I will continue to do my part for other leaders like me to further understand the urgency to mitigate climate crisis and remind everyone of the importance of unity and cooperation,” Binay said. Spearheaded by Australia’s top officials and leaders, the Cities Power Partnership’s Climate Summit for Local Government has been regarded as one of the most important events in the country as all its mayors and members of their council attend the momentous event. “This means key decision makers and thought leaders were given the chance to exchange ideas and suggestions for the conceptualization of stronger and more effective programs for climate action,” Binay explained. The local chief executive said she spoke about “COP28 and the Opportunities for Cities” as part of her preparations for the upcoming 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties to be held from November to December in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She stressed the significance of such conferences to countries committed to a sustainable, resilient, and climate-responsive future. The post Unity, cooperation key to climate crisis – Mayor Abby appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
OVP permanent office ‘still in the pipeline’
The Office of the Vice President is still looking to build a permanent office, OVP chief of staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez said Monday. During the budget deliberation for the proposed P2.385 billion budget of the Office of the Vice President, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian asked the OVP whether it has plans to construct a permanent office. “There is a plan. We are still under negotiations for land acquisition for the construction of our OVP permanent office," Lopez told the Senate Committee on Finance. Asked if the budget for the construction of the permanent office of the OVP is included in the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, Lopez reiterated that the OVP is still under negotiations for land acquisition. “It's still in the pipeline because it's still undergoing negotiations as to the matter of land acquisition. We are considering sites for the said OVP building,” she said. “It is a planned project for the term of the Vice President,” she added. Vice President Sara Duterte, who physically attended the budget deliberation, previously vowed to erect a permanent office for the succeeding vice presidents of the country. Last year, OVP spokesperson Reynold Munsayac said the move aims to “reduce cost in office operations.” Currently, the OVP, headed by Duterte, is leasing an office in Mandaluyong City. The previous vice presidents of the country such as lawyers Leni Robredo and Jejomar Binay held office at the Quezon City Reception House and Coconut Palace, respectively. The post OVP permanent office ‘still in the pipeline’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Makati City scores anew
Six days after taking over the management and supervision of the 14 schools affected by the dragging boundary dispute between Makati and Taguig City, the Department of Education gave Makati City the go-signal to distribute school supplies to the affected students in 10 EMBO barangays the Supreme Court had ordered transferred to Taguig City. In a letter to Makati City Mayor Abby Binay dated 22 August, DepEd Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Michael Wesley Poa said Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte had approved the former’s request to distribute the school supplies, including the use of the school facilities. Binay earlier wrote to Vice President Duterte seeking permission to distribute school supplies in the 14 public schools to alleviate the financial burden on parents who would otherwise have to purchase new school supplies. “On behalf of the city government and all the intended beneficiaries in the 14 public schools, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte. We are thankful that she has the best interest of the students at heart in making a prudent and just decision,” Binay said, adding that the distribution would go on until 29 August when classes start. The 14 public schools are Fort Bonifacio Elementary School, Cembo Elementary School, South Cembo Elementary School, Pitogo Elementary School, East Rembo Elementary School, Rizal Elementary School, Comembo Elementary School, West Rembo Elementary School, Pembo Elementary School, Makati Science High School, Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino High School, Tibagan High School, Fort Bonifacio High School and Pitogo High School. Parents, school kids cheer Mayor Binay, accompanied by her husband, Makati 2nd District Rep. Luis Campos, distributed school supplies at Pembo Elementary School and Pitogo High School yesterday. School supplies will be given to all 45,000 students in the 14 public schools in 10 former barangays within Fort Bonifacio — Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo, Pitogo, Rizal, Northside and Southside. Upon arriving at the Pembo Elementary School, Binay and her entourage were cheered by the parents and students who had been waiting for her since 10 a.m. Her arrival at 2 p.m. elicited applause and shouts of “Abby, Abby” from the crowd, many of whom were crying, including the children who rushed to hug the mayor. The parents were particularly ecstatic because they said the school supplies they received from Taguig were not comparable to what they received from Makati. Package contents Under the expanded Project FREE (Free Relevant and Excellent Education) of Makati, public school students from kindergarten to senior high school, including Special Education students in elementary and high school, receive school uniforms and supplies. Students in all levels each receive school uniforms, PE T-shirts and jogging pants. School bags, caps and anti-dengue kits are also given to kindergarten pupils. Elementary students each receive a pair of black leather shoes, three pairs of white socks, Randoseru bags (Grades 1 and 4), dengue kits, and school supplies consisting of 10 notebooks, five intermediate pads, and five ballpoint pens and pencils. Junior and senior high school students receive black shoes and socks, and the same school supplies package given to elementary students, with a Math graphing notebook added. Grades 11 and 12 students also get a jacket with hoodie. For SPED students in elementary and high school, the city provides a school supplies package, uniforms, leather shoes and three pairs of socks, and anti-dengue kits for elementary SPED. Schools to be rented out Asked what would happen to the 14 schools formerly under Makati City, Binay said they would be rented out to Taguig as the former held the titles to them. In a Facebook post, Binay said there was a “last-minute attempt” by the Taguig City government to halt the distribution even if Makati had written authorization to carry it out. Taguig City has also started distributing school packages to the students of the city, including those at the EMBO schools. Duterte issued DepEd Order No. 023 last week, titled “Assumption of authority of the Department of Education over the 14 public schools affected by the Supreme Court decision in G.R. No. 235316.” According to the order, DepEd is mandated to promote every Filipino’s right to accessible, equitable, and quality education which is consistent with its mandate to provide a safe and enabling environment for learners, teachers, and personnel. Duterte, in her order, said that relative to the SC’s final and executory decision in the case titled Municipality of Makati vs Municipality of Taguig (G.R. No. 235316), the Department of is cognizant of the increasing tension present in the 14 schools affected by the ruling, that caused uncertainty as to the peaceful and orderly reopening of schools on 29 August 2023. It further stated that in the pursuit of protecting the best interest and welfare of the learners, teachers, and non-teaching personnel, “the Office of the Secretary shall directly supervise the management and administration of all 14 schools, pending a transition plan, effective immediately.” Duterte created a transition committee composed of the regional director (assigned outside of the National Capital Region); DepEd Schools Division Superintendent of Taguig-Pateros; the DepEd Schools Superintendent of Makati City; City Legal Officer of Makati and City Legal Officer of Taguig. Binay has since stood her ground that all 14 public schools are titled to Makati City and therefore Taguig City has no jurisdiction over it, though Mayor Lani Cayetano refuted the claim saying it was included in the SC order that is final and executory. The post Makati City scores anew appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DoT firing of DDB backed
Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. on Tuesday said the Department of Tourism’s termination of its advertising contract with DDB Philippines was the “correct” move. In a Viber message to reporters, Revilla lamented that DDB Philippines’ shortcomings in the launch of the new tourism slogan, “Love the Philippines,” had brought humiliation to the country. “The Department of Tourism is more than justified in terminating its agreement with DDB Philippines. DDB’s admitted ‘oversight’ has caused the country embarrassment,” he said. “We are one with the Filipino people in the indignation expressed towards the shortcomings of DDB.” The DoT canceled DDB Philippines’ contract said to be worth P49 million — or P250 million according to other reports — after it was discovered it had used stock videos shot in other countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Thailand and Switzerland that were made to appear that these were Philippine scenes. DDB apologized Sunday for the blunder it blamed on an “oversight.” Senator Nancy Binay said Tuesday the country should have learned from its previous mistakes on the originality of its logo, slogan, design and video clips. “We are supposed to show authenticity. These kinds of promotional anomalies directly affect travelers’ decisions and, at the same time, portray a negative image of how we promote our destinations,” Binay said. “The paramount task is to ensure that there will be no pause in promoting our destinations despite the snag. Maybe we can bring back ‘Fun’ because ‘Love’ seems to have a problem now,” she added, referring to the DoT’s previous “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” drive. Amid the criticism over the “Love the Philippines” campaign, One Cebu lawmakers, city and municipal mayors, and councilors expressed “full and unwavering” support for the DoT and its chief, Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco. The post DoT firing of DDB backed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
JV debunks rumored Senate coup
Senate Deputy Majority Floor Leader Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Monday belied claims that there will be a change in leadership in the Senate once the session opens next month. In a statement, Ejercito denied such claims, reiterating his fellow lawmakers’ support for Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri. “No truth to that,” he said. “Senators are very much satisfied with the leadership of Senate President Migz Zubiri.” “In all honesty, SP Migz, shoes will be too big to fill, that’s why I don’t think anyone will even attempt to wrest the Senate’s leadership from him,” he added. He also noted that the performance of the upper chamber under the leadership of Zubiri speaks for itself. This is not the first time that Zubiri has been rumored as on the way to being replaced as leader of the upper chamber. Last March, a news report claimed that Malacañang had hinted about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s seeming dissatisfaction with the Senate's output. The news report alleged that Zubiri nearly lost his post due to his lack of productivity and failure to prioritize key legislative initiatives of the administration, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Zubiri belied such claims and described the article as “a figment of someone’s boredom and in their between lucid intervals.” He also said that the article was “nothing but tabloid gossip rubbish.” Echoing Ejercito's sentiments, Senator Nancy Binay also denied that there are ongoing talks to replace Zubiri as the leader of the Senate. “No, there is no such thing,” Binay said in a separate statement. “We should not entertain these kinds of intrigues since it does not help in Senate,” she added. The lady lawmaker also vouched for her fellow lawmakers’ support for the incumbent Senate chief. “All I can say is that we are all happy and pleased with the current leadership, and we all attest that SP Migz has the trust and confidence of the members of the Senate,” she said. Zubiri, who has been a majority floor leader several times, was installed as the leader of the Senate after garnering at least 20 votes from his colleagues in July last year. The post JV debunks rumored Senate coup appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate tackles airlines’ booking glitches, offloading mess
Growing complaints from various passengers against budget carrier, Cebu Pacific’s overbooking, offloading, and booking glitches have reached the Senate inquiry on Wednesday. This came after Senate committee chairperson, Senator Nancy Binay, filed Senate Resolution No. 575 pushing for an investigation on the customers’ complaints against Cebu Pacific due to recent flight cancellations. During the hearing, Binay said her office was able to compile at least 3,000 complaints from the passengers, which have been aired through social media platforms. “We have since seen it fit to invite our other airlines to this hearing because these problems, it seemed, have only grown in number. Our passengers face inconveniences on multiple fronts on account of flight delays, cancelations, offloading, and overbooking,” Binay stressed. Overseas worker, James Bartolome, said he has yet to receive his refund from Cebu Pacific after his flight going to Qatar was canceled. After knowing that his original flight was canceled, Bartolome opted to book another airline as the budget carrier won’t be able to give him an earlier flight. Senator JV Ejercito said the airport and airline operations will provide the “first and last impressions” to the tourists and potential investors entering the country. “We need to systematize this for our tourism and business climate,” he said, sharing that he was not even spared from experiencing flight delays. Binay emphasized the need to identify problems and immediately craft strategies to prevent similar complaints in the future. Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said that Cebu Pacific and other similar airline companies should acknowledge the impacts of flight cancellations and other airline mess. “Incidents like these could discourage tourists so this hearing should serve as a platform to air the grievances of the frustrated and helpless passengers,” Go said, citing that these may affect the country’s tourism industry and the economy. “Remember that we are still reviving from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added. Go said the airlines must immediately act and rectify these issues by imposing proper mechanisms for compensating affected passengers—which includes food provisions during flight cancellation and alternative flight schedules. During the hearing, several Cebu Pacific passengers also complained about apparent website errors that resulted in them being charged multiple times for transactions yet it appeared to be unsuccessful. Cebu Pacific chief marketing and customer experience officer, Candice Iyog, explained that there is a part of the flow where if a passenger clicks proceed, it commits the changes even before the passenger pays. “We recognize that and we are taking that feedback as well,” Iyog said. The Cebu Pacific, she added, is already working on “a fix or an enhancement” to the interface of the website, which will likely be ready at the end of this month. “Depending on when it's ready, we're looking at possibly, end of July that we will be able to implement this change in the user experience,” she said. Senator Risa Hontiveros lamented that in several instances when passengers’ original flights were canceled, Cebu Pacific offered flight rebooking and passengers were immediately made to pay before they could confirm their purchase of travel tickets. Citing a passenger’s experience, the airline’s website technical issue made them pay a bill of P16,000-worth of add-ons after availing of Cebu Pacific’s free rebooking option, following the cancellation of flights. Iyog said they recently reminded their customer service agents to allow passengers to get back to their original flight or to remove add-ons that were “accidentally added.” “We don’t want to cancel flights for our passengers. It’s bad business and we don’t want to disrupt our passengers—that’s why we give options,” Iyog noted. Tougher passengers’ rights Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe slammed the budget carrier for lacking customer service agents directly responding to these complaints. Poe called on for a tougher policy on air passengers' rights to address the cancellations and delays in flights by local airlines besetting travelers. "This pressing public service issue calls for urgent effective solutions as it involves not only the air passengers' rights but also the overall impact on the country's tourism and economy,” she added. While overbooking is a globally accepted practice, Poe said "systematic delays and cancellations are not." Also, Hontiveros pressed that the government agencies should step in to prevent more passengers from being disrupted in their travels due to canceled, rescheduled, and delayed flights in Cebu Pacific and other airline companies. “These kinds of inconveniences disrupt the travel experiences also of tourists, and as the chair said, could negatively affect the tourism sector,” she added. Aside from the reported overbooking, offloading, booking, and flight cancellations, Senator Raffy Tulfo said that adding extra flights daily amid lacking proper airplane maintenance can be called “abuses of the airline companies.” He lamented that it could pose danger and compromise the safety of all airline passengers, “There were safety issues surrounding the uploading, overbooking, and flight cancellations of airlines. If these airlines don’t care about fulfilling their obligations to provide air transport for their passengers, I will not be surprised that they are cutting corners when it comes to safety as well,” Tulfo pressed on. Tulfo said extra flights can also cause fatigue in pilots and flight attendants. For his part, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa wants the Civil Aeronautics Board to become proactive in resolving the massive airline mess in the country. Dela Rosa asked CAB if it is amenable to institutionalize the Air Passenger Bill of Rights in order to protect the public from erring airline companies. "What is your position? Do you agree with the proposal to create a law that will institutionalize the Air Passenger Bill of Rights?" asked Dela Rosa. In response, CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla, said they have been very supportive of the proposal. “But it seems it is not among the priorities of Congress,” he said. Dela Rosa said he is mulling to proposed the bill in the Senate “not to discourage the airline industry but to protect the public interest. The post Senate tackles airlines’ booking glitches, offloading mess appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go: Food, hotel stay, reimbursement for inconvenienced flyers
Senator Christopher “Bong" Go on Wednesday called on airlines to provide passengers affected by canceled or delayed flights with food and water, alternative flights, accommodation in nearby hotels, and prompt reimbursement of expenses they incurred from disrupted trips. The senator made the call during the Senate inquiry on passenger complaints against Cebu Pacific, including the airline's overbooking, offloading, and online booking glitches. Senator Nancy Binay chaired the hearing of her Committee on Tourism. Earlier, she filed Senate Resolution 575 that called for the investigation after her office compiled at least 3,000 complaints from passengers from social media platforms. Binay emphasized the need to identify problems and immediately craft strategies to prevent similar complaints in the future. Go told the Committee that even former president Rodrigo Duterte experienced a flight scheduled at five o'clock but changed to 9:30 last Saturday. The senator also cited his own experience that caused him to celebrate his birthday on an airplane at midnight of 14 June. "Last Saturday, I have an 11:25 p.m. flight. I received the boarding time on my cellphone at 10:40 p.m. It means you have to get ready. Then all of a sudden, when you are in the door, you will be told that the airplane has not yet arrived?" he said in another instance of delayed flight. "Why is that? What the online advisory said was different, that the plane was already there when the truth was that it was not there. Passengers should be given proper information to have a comfortable travel." Go added, "The situation is also difficult for our OFWs who are working tirelessly abroad to support their families. Delayed or canceled flights may jeopardize their employment and livelihood." He also lamented the practice of selling more airline tickets than available seats, which has led to situations where passengers with confirmed reservations have been denied boarding, disrupting their plans and causing immense inconvenience. "The airline should compensate affected passengers for their inconvenience," Go said. During the hearing, several Cebu Pacific passengers complained about apparent website errors that resulted in them being charged multiple times for transactions, yet it appeared to be unsuccessful. Cebu Pacific chief marketing and customer experience officer, Candice Iyog, told the committee that the airline is already working on “a fix or an enhancement” to the interface of the website, which will likely be ready at the end of this month. Iyog said they recently reminded their customer service agents to allow passengers to get back to their original flight or to remove add-ons that were “accidentally added.” The post Bong Go: Food, hotel stay, reimbursement for inconvenienced flyers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Binay brings Makati gains to London
Makati City Mayor Abby Binay shared the results of her recent visit to the European country where she participated in a week-long summit that gathered global leaders and innovators who are at the forefront of technology and sustainability. The 2023 London Tech Week, which is already in its 10th year, was held from 12 to 16 June at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre. She was chosen as one of the panelists at the event. Binay during the summit met numerous individuals and influencers, including some Filipinos, who are leading in the field of technology, startups, Artificial Intelligence or AI, green innovation and digital transformation. She said the summit is an eye-opener and an immersive experience for her because a lot of well-respected and renowned speakers in these fields came together and participated in the event. Locsin’s guest The mayor also met with Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teddy Locsin Jr. to celebrate the 125th Independence Day of the Philippines. Binay had a dialogue with Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch who shared some of her country’s programs and initiatives to promote and nurture their tech companies and startups which may also be replicated in Makati City. The Mayor also visited the home of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street which she described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The local chief also did not miss the opportunity to visit some of London’s tourist attractions and landmarks such as Parliament Square. As a staunch promoter of sustainability and technology, Binay’s administration launched several pioneering initiatives aimed at giving quality and efficient service to not just its residents but also the environment. The post Binay brings Makati gains to London appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
No state pension funds in MIF
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday assured the public the national government will not use state pension funds Social Security System and Government Service Insurance System as “seed funds” to finance the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund. The Chief Executive made the assurance in an interview with reporters at the 86th-anniversary celebration of GSIS, hours after the Senate passed Senate Bill 2020 creating the MIF. The Senate approved the controversial sovereign fund bill, voting 19-1-1 at around 2:30 in the morning of Wednesday following 12 hours of deliberations. Marcos explained, however, that the pension funds themselves could invest in the proposed sovereign wealth fund if they believe it is a “good investment.” “We will not use it as a seed fund. However, if a pension fund decides the Maharlika Fund is a good investment, it’s up to them if they want to invest in it, not only pension funds but corporations,” Marcos said. “Those funds, that’s all they do, they grow their money so they have something to give,” Marcos added. Marcos said this is what GSIS has been doing. He said GSIS makes sure that “they are very solid (and) that they are very stable” so that they could give out all the payments (to its members). “We have to differentiate those two things,” he added. In a separate interview, GSIS president Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso said they would abide by the lawmakers’ decision regarding the MIF. “I don’t have any idea about what other discussions are happening about those things. We will only do one thing, whatever the decision of the lawmakers is because they listen to our people, whatever they want, that’s what we will follow,” Veloso told reporters. “So we are just guided by the direction that is given to us,” he added. Unanimous approval During Tuesday’s plenary session which ran until early Wednesday, senators unanimously approved the fund measure shortly after it was approved on second reading. A total of 19 senators voted in favor of the passage of the Maharlika bill, while only one senator voted against it and one abstained. Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros objected to the measure while Senator Nancy Binay abstained from voting. Senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Imee Marcos, who also opposed the measure, were not present. During the period of individual amendments, senators introduced several changes to the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund, including a ban on government financial institutions such as the SSS, GSIS, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, OWWA Fund, Philippine Veterans Affairs Pension Fund, Office Pension Fund, and other government social welfare entities investing in the sovereign wealth fund. The amendment, which was introduced by Senator Raffy Tulfo, was accepted by Senator Mark Villar, the principal author, and sponsor of the measure. With the approval of the measure in the Upper Chamber, the Maharlika bill is now closer to enrollment for the President’s signature. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri designated Senators Villar, Pia Cayetano, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Francis Tolentino and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III as the Senate contingent to the bicameral conference committee. Contingents from both the House of Representatives and Senate are to convene at 11 a.m. today to reconcile the disagreeing provisions in their respective versions of the Maharlika bill. Economic team lauds Senate Meanwhile, Marcos’ economic team lauded the Senate for passing the Maharlika Investment Fund. “The economic team commends Senate President Miguel Zubiri and Senator Mark Villar for their thorough deliberation and prioritization of the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund Act,” Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said. “The Senate leadership pulled out all the stops to ensure that the bill we bring to the President reflects the administration’s objective of creating a profitable and secure investment fund,” he added. The bill’s speedy approval was backed by Diokno, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe M. Medalla, who were all present during the prolonged Senate session. Budget Secretary Pangandaman, for her part, said the Senate’s version of the MIF has “multiple” safeguards against potential misuse. “This is a great stride towards our long-term progress and will boost our efforts for economic growth,” Pangandaman said. “This includes multiple safeguards — we have an audit committee, there’s an advisory board, and there’s a congressional oversight committee. It adheres to the internationally known Santiago principles, there’s the (Commission on Audit), and it has (a) procurement law, so I think we have enough safeguards,” she added. She highlighted potential financial resources from the Land Bank of the Philippines, the Development Bank of the Philippines, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, central bank dividends, and income from privatization. @tribunephl_tiz @tribunephl_jom The post No state pension funds in MIF appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DoT to ‘enhance’ new tourism tagline
After Senator Nancy Binay raised concerns about the “disconnected messaging” of the Marcos administration’s tourism advertising campaign, “We give the world the best—Philippines,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the tagline will be further enhanced. "The DOT will subsequently come out with a tourism brand for the Philippines aligned with the country brand, and enhancing the present tagline,” said Frasco. During the Department of Tourism lunch reception for tourism frontliners on Thursday, Frasco talked about the country branding "We Give the World our Best" which was introduced by the Office of the Presidential Advisor on Creative Communications. The campaign, launched in the United Kingdom, highlighted the work of Filipino nurses. "There is a sea of opinions about this. But I would like to remind our fellow Filipinos that the statement 'We give the world our best' is a statement of fact. Do you not agree? Is it not true that our Filipino workers all over the world have shown nothing less than a devotion to duty, commitment to responsibility, and a willingness to go the extra mile, to serve with love and compassion? We are Filipinos. We give the world our best," Frasco said. As a former local chief executive and former President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, the DOT chief recalled how she would go from town to town to attend festivals. On those festivals, she said, she always saw how communities and local government units gave their best preparations for their guests, "because that is the nature of being a Filipino". "And that is why we fully support the campaign of our President to put forth to the world that the Philippines has no intention of putting out nothing less than the best. And that idea is translated further into what we have to offer in the Philippines. We have the best beaches, the best sites, the best nature destinations. And we have the best tour guides," she stressed. Further, she said, "That translates to everything that permeates our sense of hospitality and service as a tourism industry. 'We give the world our best' is a statement of fact. It is a rallying call. And it is aspirational for those who may still face a host of challenges and through government intervention will finally have the opportunity to be developed and fully maximized." Binay on Wednesday said that although she appreciates the initiative and the effort to give the Philippines the needed boost in the global market, there seems to be a disconnect in messaging. “Is the ad intended to encourage tourists to visit the country? Is it aimed to encourage more foreign investments? Or is it meant for hospitals abroad to hire our nurses? This is really vague,” Binay, who chairs the Senate Committee on Tourism, said in a statement on Wednesday. The lawmaker highlighted the need to emphasize who is the intended audience of the released advertising campaign. The post DoT to ‘enhance’ new tourism tagline appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Full F2F classes to bring educ sector back on its feet: solons
MANILA - Senators Joel Villanueva and Nancy Binay welcomed on Wednesday the plan of education chief, Vice President Sara Duterte, to resume full face-to-face classes by November with a few reminders to assure proper health protocols are strictly implemented in schools.Citing the National Eco.....»»
In wishing Sinas’ recovery, Binay also prays PNP chief will have ‘deeper respect for life’
MANILA, Philippines — While wishing for the recovery of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Debold Sinas from his bout with COVID-19, former Vice President Jejomar Binay on Friday also expressed his wish that the national police chief will also have a “deeper respect” for the value of life. In a post on Twitter, Binay said […] The post In wishing Sinas’ recovery, Binay also prays PNP chief will have ‘deeper respect for life’ appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
PRA to review policy on retirees’ age requirement
The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), an attached agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT), is set to reassess the age requirement for foreign nationals seeking retirement in the country after senators raised concerns over national security on Monday. The issue stemmed during the Senate budget hearing for the DOT when the senators were caught by surprise after PRA general manager Atty. Bienvenido Chy revealed that the agency has been accepting foreign immigrants as retirees who are as young as 35 years old. Sen. Richard Gordon and Sen. Nancy Binay were alarmed as Chinese topped the list of foreign retirees, at a time when the country faces the threat of the growing number of illegal Chinese workers from the Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs). But Chy cited that he had already inherited the policy and did not attempt to change it, to which Gordon expressed dismay. In a message to reporters, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, who also chairs the agency, said the Board of Trustees will meet to reassess the policy, stressing that they will move for its immediate repeal. “I have directed GM Bienvenido Chy of the PRA to review and change this long-standing policy,” she said. Based on the Cumulative Gross Enrollment of foreign retirees in the Philippines as of Dec. 31, 2019, there are 26, 969 Chinese nationals from China who decided to retire in the country, followed by Korea (13, 912), India (5,971), Taiwan (4, 801), Japan (3, 950), United States of America (3, 615), Hong Kong (1, 836), Great Britain (1, 571), Germany (778), and Australia (743). An additional 4, 069 foreign nationals also chose to enroll as retirees in the Philippines. According to PRA, the Cumulative Gross Enrollment also includes all active retirees or active Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) holders. These are retirees who continue to keep their retirement visa as their status of stay in the Philippines. Aside from the principal retiree, SRRV holders were also joined by their spouses and dependents to stay in the Philippines. The PRA data also revealed that Chinese top the list of foreign principal retirees belonging to the 35 to 49 years old age bracket, which prodded the senators to grill the PRA chief for job sufficiency issue. The data said that the greater majority of foreign retirees reside in the National Capital Region with 36,862 immigrants or 52.63 percent. Others were scattered in Region 1, Cordillera Administrative Region, Region 2, among others. .....»»
Belmonte, Binay call for climate action funding from development banks
The C40 coalition of cities, a network of nearly 100 mayors, asked MDBs to increase urban climate investment, integrate urban climate action into their strategies, and implement tailored programs to support city projects. .....»»
Catapang tightens security after ambush
Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. yesterday said security measures were doubled following the recent shooting incident involving his vehicle along the Skyway on Tuesday......»»
Abra village chief survives ambush
A barangay captain in Tayum, Abra was unhurt in an ambush in Bangued yesterday......»»
P500K reward offered for arrest Cotabato City disaster unit chief s killers
The mayor here has offered a P500,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the killers of the operations chief of the Cotabato City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, who died in an ambush along a busy thoroughfare here last week......»»
Cotabato City LGU disaster response official dies in ambush
Gunmen killed the operations chief of the Cotabato City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in an ambush here on Friday night, an incident that saddened the personnel of different government and private volunteer emergency response contingents he was closely associated with......»»
Padilla reminded of proper decorum
Sen. Nancy Binay reminded her colleague, Sen. Robinhood Padilla, of proper decorum yesterday after the latter’s wife Mariel Padilla received backlash for doing a glutathione drip in Senate premises......»»
Nancy Binay kay Mariel: May kasamang kapanagutan ang pagiging artista
NAGBIGAY pahayag si Senate Ethics and Privileges Committee Chair Sen. Nancy Binay kaugnay ng viral Instagram post ni Mariel Padilla matapos itong magsagawa ng IV drip session sa loob ng opisina ng kanyang mister sa Senado. Aniya, naba-bother daw siya na baka marami ang mahikayat ng dating TV host sa pagpapa-IV drip. “I’m not sure.....»»