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Mandaue to host 7th International Cat Show 2024
CONSOLACION, Cebu – Mandaue City is set to host the 7th International Cat Show 2024 for the second time, supported by the World Cat Federation (WCF) and the Society of Feline Enthusiasts of the Philippines (SFEPI) with the Island Rescue Organization (IRO) as the beneficiary. This two-day cat show will be held on April 13-14.....»»
Never too late for a nonagenarian to be agrarian beneficiary
At 92 years old, Malasaga was the oldest recipient in Region 8 of individual land titles handed by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)......»»
4Ps beneficiary from Argao is Top 3 in LET
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu- A Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiary from Canbantug, Argao, landed as top 3 in the September 2023 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). Marichu Abregana, a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (BEED) graduate from the Cebu Technological University (CTU)-Argao Campus, could not contain her happiness after she received the news that.....»»
Lessons from Mexico
Mexico stands to be the greatest beneficiary as the trade war between the United States and China escalates......»»
Former 4Ps child beneficiary makes it on list of licensure exam top scorers
MANILA, Philippines — One of the topnotchers of the November 2023 Licensure Examination for Midwives is a former “monitored child” under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). DSWD on Friday said Kim Kim Inde of Brooke’s Point, Palawan, placed ninth in the board exam, having reached.....»»
Former 4Ps beneficiary among topnotchers of midwives exam
A child of a former beneficiary-family of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program ranked ninth in the November 2023 licensure examination for midwives......»»
Pia Wurtzbach sa makukuha ng ‘Voice of Change’ beneficiary: 12K USD lang?
KINUWESTIYON ni Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach ang naging mechanics ng “Voice for Change” video contest ng Miss Universe 2023. Tila hindi sang-ayon ang dating reigning queen sa naging desisyon ng organisasyon na na $12,000 lang ang matatanggap ng benipisaryo ng nagwaging kandidata. Sa kanyang Instagram broadcast channel na “LIfe Updates with Pia” inamin ng.....»»
EU: Reports Show Need to Fix GSP Trade Regulation
(Brussels) - The European Commission's assessment reports on the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) trade regulation expose serious abuses by many beneficiary governments, Human Rights Watch said today.The program grants developing countries tariff-free access to the EU market, conditioned o.....»»
EU: Reports Show Need to Fix GSP Trade Regulation
(Brussels) - The European Commission's assessment reports on the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) trade regulation expose serious abuses by many beneficiary governments, Human Rights Watch said today.The program grants developing countries tariff-free access to the EU market, conditioned o.....»»
How will marriage affect my petition?
In a previous article, I discussed some situations where the marriage of a beneficiary could affect their petition......»»
Pilmico on World Bread Day: Bread’s transformative impact on communities
Every year on 16 October, the world celebrates “World Bread Day” to honor all kinds of bread around the world. A dietary staple in people’s lives for centuries, bread plays a much more significant role in the lives of those who bake bread as their primary source of livelihood. Pilmico has been a steadfast partner of bakers since 1962. It has given out 108 bakery kits nationwide since it started distributing livelihood kits in 2016. In honor of the “World Bread Day,” Pilmico reflects on how it has helped change the lives of several people through bread. Feeding the future Pilmico’s “Kutitap Feeding Program” was launched as a sustainable initiative to address malnutrition in public schools while at the same time supporting local bakeries. The program was made possible through the help of its partner bakeries, who went through technical training and received equipment from Pilmico. They provided bread to public schools within their communities. The Kutitap Feeding Program started in Iligan City in 2015 and in Tarlac in 2018. Since then, the program has progressively evolved through the years. Due to pandemic restrictions, it was turned into the “Kutitap Care Package,” where students received baked goods and eggs through its partner bakery, Aguila Bakeshop. Now, the program has also started incorporating meats in the meals served to the daycare students in Bamban, Tarlac. Aside from feeding students with nutritional bread, this initiative also contributed to the success of some partner bakeries such as C&G Bakery from Iligan City. Marlon C. Gecale, owner of C&G Bakery, has devoted his life to baking — from when he was a teen working as a baker to an adult owning his bakery. In between, he worked as an OFW and his passion for baking grew stronger, prompting him to have his own bakery. After buying an oven with his first salary, Gecale and his wife spent the next five years building their small bakery while he worked abroad. In 2017, they applied to become a bakery partner for Pilmico’s “Kutitap Feeding Program.” They were determined to prove that their small bakery could fulfill the demands of the program despite their new and small bakery. By partnering with Pilmico for the Kutitap Feeding Program, C&G Bakery, owned by Marlon Gecale, was able to expand to three more branches in Mindanao. Gecale underwent a month-long training with Pilmico where he earned new technical skills in baking and new recipes, which he still uses in his bakery. Since then, their bakery has grown and has been a reliable partner of Pilmico in various programs including the Iligan Community Pantry. Today, C&G Bakery has expanded to three branches in Iligan City, Misamis Oriental and Zamboanga del Sur. 'Tinapay Ti Uno' program Aside from Pilmico’s own initiatives, it has partnered with local government units such as the Department of Agrarian Reform Tarlac for the “Tinapay Ti Uno” program in partnership with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry and the Office of Congressman Jaime Cojuangco from the 1st District of Tarlac province. This program aims to create healthy buns using locally sourced ingredients from Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations and provide them to public school students in the 1st district of Tarlac. A total of 11 ARBOs participated in a bun and special bread competition where the winners will be responsible for the distribution of buns to the students. In the competition held last 24 2023, three ARBOs were hailed as the grand winners: Cabayaoasan Farmer Agriculture Cooperative from Paniqui, Tarlac; Bacabac Farmers Producers Cooperative from Brgy. Bacabac, Camiling, Tarlac; and Sinulatan 1st Agriculture Cooperative from Brgy. Sinulatan 1st, Camiling, Tarlac. Each winner received a bakery livelihood package from Pilmico that included an oven, stainless steel table, bread rack, bread showcase, proofer with cover, spiral mixer and 10 Pilmico flour sacks. In addition to the equipment, the winners were to receive technical assistance and bakery management training from Pilmico as they set up their bakery business. During the winners’ onsite bakery training in Camiling, Tarlac last 3 October, it was revealed that two out of the three ARBOs have already opened their bakeries within their communities. In celebration of “World Bread Day,” Pilmico emphasizes its unwavering commitment to providing high-quality flour that helps create nutritional bread products. “We believe in the transformative power that a simple loaf of bread can bring to people’s lives, especially those who rely on it as their main source of livelihood. Pilmico is dedicated to delivering the finest flour for the community’s bread making needs,” said Ma. Katrina Bayog, Pilmico Corporate Social Responsibility manager. The post Pilmico on World Bread Day: Bread’s transformative impact on communities appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go wants update of indigent seniors list
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go emphasized the need to update the list of indigent senior citizens, in accordance with Republic Act 11916. The said law also mandates an increase in the pension of indigent senior citizens from P500 to P1,000. RA 11916 or an Act Increasing the Social Pension of Indigent Senior Citizens amended RA 7432, the first Senior Citizens Act. The law was co-authored by Go in the Senate. “This amendment is a step forward in ensuring a better quality of life for our senior citizens. It’s crucial that we provide them with the necessary support to live comfortably,” Go said. Go then cited Section 6 of RA 11916 which mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development, transitioning later to the National Council for Senior Citizens, to annually update and validate the beneficiary list with the aid of the Philippine Statistics Authority and the local government units. He expressed his concern regarding the need to urgently update the list of beneficiaries, as the number of indigent seniors may have increased over time. “It’s imperative that we review and promptly update the list of beneficiaries to ensure that the aid reaches the senior citizens who are truly qualified to benefit from the law,” Go remarked. Go co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill 2028, which was principally sponsored by Senator Imee Marcos. The bill aims to provide additional support to individuals who have reached the age of 80 and 90 years old. This proposal amends the Centenarian Act of 2016, acknowledging that not everyone reaches the milestone of a century. In another development, the senator, upon the invitation of the British group Interparliament Union, joined Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Grace Poe as they represented the Philippine Senate during an official visit to the United Kingdom from October 16 to 18. The post Go wants update of indigent seniors list appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go calls on DSWD, concerned agencies to update list of indigent senior citizens
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go emphasized the need to update the list of indigent senior citizens, in accordance with Republic Act No. 11916. The said law also mandates an increase in the pension of indigent senior citizens -- from PHP500 to PHP1,000. RA 11916 or an Act Increasing the Social Pension of Indigent Senior Citizens amended RA 7432, the first Senior Citizens Act. The law was co-authored by Go in the Senate. “This amendment is a step forward in ensuring a better quality of life for our senior citizens. It's crucial that we provide them with the necessary support to live comfortably,” Go said. “Nandiyan na ang batas. Dapat maimplementa ito ng maayos para mapakinabangan ng taumbayan lalo na ng mga matatanda na sakop ng batas na ito. Ibigay dapat ang nararapat sa kanila at huwag patagalin pa,” he stressed. Go then cited Section 6 of RA 11916 which mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), transitioning later to the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC), to annually update and validate the beneficiary list with the aid of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the local government units. Go expressed his concern regarding the need to urgently update the list of beneficiaries, as the number of indigent seniors may have increased over time. "It's imperative that we review and promptly update the list of beneficiaries to ensure that the aid reaches the senior citizens who are truly qualified to benefit from the law," Go remarked. Go also co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2028, which was principally sponsored by Senator Imee Marcos. The bill aims to provide additional support to individuals who have reached the age of 80 and 90 years old. This proposal amends the Centenarian Act of 2016, acknowledging that not everyone reaches the milestone of a century. He emphasized the cultural significance of caring for the elderly in the country and highlighted the importance of providing them with financial support while they can still benefit from and enjoy it. “Nasa kultura na nating mga Pilipino na alagaan ang ating mga nakakatanda. Dapat natin silang suportahan at bigyan ng pagkilala. Habang kaya pang pakinabangan at ma-enjoy ng senior citizen ang cash gift, ibigay na natin sa kanila,” said Go. Just recently, the Office of Senator Go, together with United Senior Citizens Partylist Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay, the Office of Senator Robin Padilla, and volunteer organizations, spearheaded an activity for senior citizens on Monday, October 16, during the United Senior Citizens Association-Quezon City (USCAQC) General Assembly held at White Twins Court, Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City. Around 1,000 attendees were provided with essential goods from Senator Go such as grocery packs, snacks, and shirts while a select recipient likewise received a cellular phone. The participants were also given various forms of assistance from the participating offices to promote the welfare of the elderly. Meanwhile, Go urged senior citizens to utilize the services of Malasakit Centers for medical assistance they might need. Initiated by Go in 2018, the Malasakit Centers program was institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which he principally authored and sponsored. There are now 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide that have helped more than seven million Filipinos. “Prioritizing the needs of the underprivileged, especially senior citizens, in public service delivery is paramount. Rest assured, I will continue to support programs aimed at improving the lives of the elderly,” concluded Go. The post Bong Go calls on DSWD, concerned agencies to update list of indigent senior citizens appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MPW seeks swift Basilan core shelter project completion
LAMITAN CITY — Contractors of core shelter housing units in Basilan province have started to speed up their works after the suppliers of pre-cast steel materials used in framing the sections of the homes have started to arrive in the province. Ministry of Public Works Basilan District Engineer Kasim Hasanin on Friday said that they are now fast-tracking to complete 300 core shelter housing units by the end of the year. “Materials to be used in the construction of the 1,000 uniformed core shelter housing project have started to arrive and we are fast-tracking the fabrication of precast section frame of the houses,” said Hasanin. “Construction workers have already completed fabricating about 400 section frames of the houses and are ready to install in it in identified areas of the province,” he added. The MPW district engineer also disclosed that they are still waiting for the walling materials as the supplier has not yet shipped it to the province. “We already have about 100 core shelter homes completed and ready to award to the beneficiary of the program,” said Hasanin, adding that the slow delivery of steel materials by the supplier they use in fabricating the sections of the houses was the primary cause of the project’s delay. The post MPW seeks swift Basilan core shelter project completion appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DSWD, HOR to distribute rice, cash aid to 2.5 million poor Filipinos in next 2 weeks
2.5 million poorest of the poor will receive rice and financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and members of the House of Representatives within the next two weeks under the “Malaya Rice Project." The DSWD said the handing out of rice and financial aid will kick off in the National Capital Region in partnership with 33 lawmakers from NCR and the DSWD’s Field Office-National Capital Region, according to DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez. “The DSWD FO-NCR social workers will be the ones to distribute the rice and cash aid through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program of the Department,” Lopez, who is also a DSWD spokesperson, said during the Weekend Report aired live in DSWD’s Facebook account. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez met and agreed that the 33 NCR lawmakers will identify 10,000 indigent residents per congressional district who are eligible to receive rice assistance, which includes senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities. Each beneficiary will receive P1,000 and 15 kilos of rice worth P500 to P600, with the process taking less than a month, according to the Speaker. In a news conference on Thursday (5 October), Speaker Romualdez told House reporters that the rice distribution is in line with the program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to bring affordable and quality rice to the people, particularly those categorized as “poorest of the poor.” “Hindi ito one-shot deal. So this will be part of the program again, hand-in-hand with the DSWD using the AICS. And once it is successful, and I'm confident that it will be… we'll be able to replicate this and do further successive rounds of this,” Romualdez explained. Aside from the NCR, the “Malaya Rice Project” will also be implemented in Metro Cebu, Davao, and other highly urbanized areas where there are poor people in need of assistance. With more than 250 legislative districts in the country, the initial target of 10,000 recipients for each district will benefit at least 2.5 million Filipinos during the first round of the joint DSWD-HOR rice distribution and cash aid project. The post DSWD, HOR to distribute rice, cash aid to 2.5 million poor Filipinos in next 2 weeks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos OKs P12.7-B cash aid to rice farmers
Malacañang on Saturday announced that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the release of P12.7 billion worth of cash aid to farmers under the government's Rice Farmers Financial Assistance program. Marcos also ordered the immediate distribution of assistance to augment the productivity challenges confronting rice farmers in the country. “[This would] help them cope with the increasing cost of production and sustain their productivity even in the face of challenges like the coming El Niño [phenomenon],” P Marcos said. Under the RFFA, the government has identified about 2.3 million small-time rice farmer beneficiaries, who signed up to the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture, on 30 June 30, 2023. Each beneficiary will receive P5,000 in financial assistance, which will sourced through the excess tariff collection from rice importations in 2022, amounting to around P12.7 billion. Among the qualified RFFA beneficiaries include farm cooperatives associations, irrigators associations, agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations, small water impounding systems associations, and other farm groups. RFFA is an unconditional financial assistance for farmers tilling below two hectares of land, as mandated under Republic Act 11598 or the Cash Assistance to Filipino Farmers Act of 2021. Marcos also approved the utilization of P700 million in excess tariff collections for the “Palayamanan Plus” conditional cash transfer under the Household Crop Diversification Program. This targets to ensure "food, nutrition and income security" to be provided to RSBSA-registered farmers, who are also listed in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Around 78,000 beneficiaries are expected to each receive P10,000 from the Palayamanan Plus conditional cash transfer program. Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the two proposed financial assistance packages support the government's Masagana Rice Industry Development Program. Marcos earlier said his administration would be "relentless in finding sustainable solutions to address the agricultural issues in the country gearing toward a New Philippines.” "The President also emphasized that providing financial assistance to affected farmers is just one of the steps of the administration to sustain their source of income," said Garafil. The post Marcos OKs P12.7-B cash aid to rice farmers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Village chiefs no say over 4Ps list removal
General Santos City — The City Social Welfare Development Office on Wednesday clarified that barangay officials and other local leaders have no power or authority to remove any 4Ps member in the official list from the DSWD. Sarah Kate Batilong of the CSWDO disclosed to the city council that barangay officials who are candidates in the upcoming BSKE next month must prohibit themselves in trying to intimidate or threaten beneficiaries with disenfranchisement if they are being found out not supporting a candidate. She added that only the DSWD can remove a beneficiary from the official list once they violate certain guidelines and provisions of the said program after thorough investigation and verification. To recall, the city councilors has invited the CSWDO to air some concerns they have received from the barangays saying that allegedly some barangay officials used the DSWD programs such as TUPAD and AICS to their leverage to solicit votes in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections 2023. When pressed by city councilor Elizabeth Bagonoc if there are any orders or memo addressed to the CSWDO on the event of inviting local officials to serve as witnesses during the releasing of payouts, Batilong said that there was none. However, she disclosed that “social workers should be able to understand the limits of involving candidates in their activities.” The post Village chiefs no say over 4Ps list removal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Solon pushes more ‘Pambansang Pabahay’ subsidies
A lawmaker is urging the national government to fully support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program and lower the monthly amortization for the underprivileged Filipinos. ACT Partylist Representative France Castro — during the plenary deliberations on the Fiscal Year 2024 budget of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development on Thursday — stressed her stance on making public housing accessible and affordable, especially for the underprivileged. She added that an increase in government subsidy to augment beneficiary amortization for housing units is key to achieve this. In response, DHSUD, through its budget sponsor Ako Bicol Partylist Raul Angelo Bongalon, agreed on the manifestation, saying that the goal of the 4PH Program is to address affordability of decent housing for the Filipino people. Bongalon then pleaded for the full support of the Congress to augment the housing and urban development sector’s budget with an additional P13.86 billion. “The country’s ability to address the housing problem and attain its goal is limited by the budget allocated for the housing agencies… Business as usual will not address this housing requirement,” Bongalon said. The DHSUD has initially proposed P116 billion for the fiscal year 2024 but the National Expenditure Program only reflected P5.4 billion for the entire sector. “The Department is once again seeking our support in giving them the appropriate budget. The additional budget will ensure that DHSUD will be able to carry out its mandate of providing decent and affordable shelter to all,” Bongalon said. The post Solon pushes more ‘Pambansang Pabahay’ subsidies appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DSWD chief orders probe of 4Ps cash grants going to ‘Socorro cult’
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Thursday ordered an investigation on reports that a religious cult is collecting the cash grant of its members who are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). The DSWD chief ordered the probe following the privileged speech of Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday, 18 September, which detailed the activities of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc., which the senator alleged to be a religious cult in Surigao del Norte. “We have taken stock of the privilege speech of the good senator, Madame Chair, and we took inventory immediately of how many 4Ps households we have there. But obviously, these are initial numbers because it could not be in just one sitio but in more sitios,” Secretary Gatchalian told senators during the hearing on the DSWD’s proposed P207.37 billion on Wednesday, 20 September. Secretary Gatchalian said that in Sitio Kapihan in the Municipality of Socorro, there are 74 households which are 4Ps beneficiaries. “In that barangay itself, Barangay Siring, we have 503 households,” he said. “We’ve already spoken about getting our city links and our municipal links to pry into the well-being of these 4Ps beneficiaries in that area,” the DSWD chief said as he promised to provide the Senate with an update on the investigation. The 4Ps is a human development measure of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor, to improve the health, nutrition, and education of children aged 0 to 18. Gatchalian maintained that as a matter of practice in the DSWD, “What is for the beneficiary is for the beneficiary.” “It’s against the creed of the Department when may tumabas, no matter kung sino man yan (whoever violates, no matter who it is), no government official, no private individual can take what is given directly to the beneficiary,” Gatchalian told senators during the budget hearing. Gatchalian told the senators that the Department will also look into the beneficiaries of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) in the Caraga Administrative Region (Region 13), with a focus on those barangays and sitios that are within the area of influence of the religious cult. “Whenever we get allegations of AICS misuse, we take it seriously, and even here in the Central Office, in any of our Field Office,” the DSWD chief said, adding that the Department’s Caraga regional director is already looking into the AICS track distribution in the area. “And then we can do backtracking and our standard investigation tracks also… We will immediately copy furnish the office of the committee as well as the office of the good senator on the findings of the 4Ps as well as the AICS clusters,” Gatchalian said. Senators Hontiveros and Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, each filed a resolution calling for a Senate investigation into the activities of the alleged religious cult Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc., which is based in Surigao del Norte. The post DSWD chief orders probe of 4Ps cash grants going to ‘Socorro cult’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
RA 11953 includes non-payment of estate tax — DAR chief
Agrarian reform beneficiaries need not pay estate taxes if the farmers wish to transfer their farmlands to their heirs. Speaking at the new Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program of the Presidential Communication Office, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado Estrella III said that under the Republic Act No. 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, not only ARB's loan, interests, and surcharges are condoned, but it also offers non-payment of estate taxes to farmers who wished to transfer their farmlands to their heirs. "Ang isa pang malaking bagay diyan (RA 11953) ay nakasaad doon sa batas na kapag ikaw ay ang heir noong dati ng magsasaka, dati ng Agrarian Reform Beneficiary hindi ka na sisingilin ng estate tax. Ibig sabihin ay libreng lupa na ibibigay natin sa kanila," Estrella explained. He added that the main objective of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act is to free the farmers from all the burden besetting them, "like the amortization fees they pay periodically." Estrella said this would lead to the farmers' better output and productivity. "Lalo na kung magbuklod-buklod sila at magkaisa-isa sila sa isang komunidad ay makaka-pagsaka sila using scientific and modern method of farming, hence greater production" Estrella farther explained. Streamlining Estrella added that farmers also need not go to Manila or to DAR's main office as he has just signed a Special Order creating the Condonation Quick Response Centers in all the provinces and in the DAR's Central Office coinciding the hiring and appointment of lawyers "to the level of Attorney IV to attend to the farmers needs." "Ito’y inutos din ng ating Pangulo Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang sabi niya 'paspasan ninyo iyan at huwag na iyong maraming kung anu-ano pang hinihingi sa magsasaka'... Iyan and instructions ng ating mahal na Pangulo. At ganoon ginawa namin ini-streamline namin talaga ang proseso," Estrella said. The DAR Chief also revealed that around 600,000 farmers across the country will benefit from the "Condonation Law", and he hoped that this year alone, they could accommodate 200,000 of them. The post RA 11953 includes non-payment of estate tax — DAR chief appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»