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PSE approves listing of GSIS-owned Alternergy preferred shares
Alternergy disclosed that the PSE has approved its application to list the 100 million preferred shares that it sold to the Government Service Insurance System at a price of P14.50/share......»»
TikTok facing ban in America; penalized $384 million in Europe
The US House of Reps has passed a bill to ban TikTok unless it cuts ties to Communist China. Chinese parent ByteDance must sell TikTok to another nationality in six months or be shut down......»»
House approves bill seeking revocation of SMNI’s franchise
House approves bill seeking revocation of SMNI’s franchise.....»»
Senate approves bill on BJMP control of provincial jails
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate passed a bill on Monday aiming to transfer the control and supervision of all provincial and sub-provincial jails from the local government to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). Senate Bill No. 2352 or the Jail Integration Act, was approved on third and final reading, with 19 affirmative,.....»»
Senate maritime committee approves archipelagic sealanes bill
Sen. Francis Tolentino formed a technical working group to fine tune the consolidated bills designating archipelagic sea lanes in the Philippines......»»
Davao Light pushes for paperless billing
The Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. (Davao Light) is advocating for paperless billing, citing its positive impact on the environment. Fermin Edillon, the head of the Reputation Enhancement Department at Davao Light, emphasized the company's large customer base and the significant paper consumption associated with traditional billing. He highlighted the environmental benefits of opting for paperless bills, urging Dabawenyos to consider this eco-friendly alternative. Despite the availability of paperless billing options, Edillon acknowledged that some still prefer traditional paper bills. However, Davao Light has enhanced its paperless bill services, offering options such as the MobileAP app for internet users and the Ebill text option for those without internet access. While promoting paperless billing, Edillon clarified that traditional paper bills will still be available. Residents expressed support for paperless billing, citing its convenience, but also emphasized the need for considerations, especially for those less proficient with technology. The push for paperless billing aligns with efforts to reduce environmental impact and enhance customer convenience......»»
Senate approves bill waiving college entrance exam fees for qualified students
Qualified students applying for admission to private colleges and universities will no longer be required to pay for entrance exam fees under a new Senate bill greenlighted on final reading......»»
Senate approves P5.77-trillion national budget for 2024
The 2024 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) — or House Bill 8980 — received 21 affirmative votes and no negative votes, while one senator abstained......»»
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......»»
House approves MUP pension reform bill
The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading yesterday a consolidated bill providing for a pension system deemed financially draining by some quarters for military and other uniformed personnel......»»
Senate approves expanded coverage of Centenarian law
Senators on Monday approved on the third and final reading a measure seeking the expanded coverage of monetary benefits to 80-year-old and 90-year-old Filipinos under the Centenarian Law. The Senate Bill 2028 or Expanding the Coverage of the Centenarians Act, Filipino senior citizens living in the Philippines or abroad shall be granted P10,000 upon reaching 80 years old, P20,000 upon reaching 90 years old, and P100,000 upon reaching 100 years old. The bill was sponsored by Senator Imee Marcos and introduced by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III. Marcos pegged life expectancy among Filipinos at 79 years for men and 83 years for women. "The rising cost of living and healthcare expenses has made it very difficult for our senior citizens to afford basic necessities...it is hoped that more of our elderly population may be able to benefit from the Centenarians Act and that they may be inspired to further prolong and enjoy their lives even beyond a century," Marcos said. Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority data, Senator Win Gatchalian said there were some 7.5 million senior citizens in the country in 2015, of which, around 10 percent or 790,000 were estimatedly aged 80 to 90 years old. Once the measure is enacted, Gatchalian noted that senior citizens will be able to receive a cash gift, totaling P100,000 in three equal tranches. Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., the bill’s co-author and co-sponsor, said passage of the bill in the Senate serves as a testimony to the special Filipino culture of providing for the elderly. Revilla noted the cash gift should be advanced “so that our elderly can still enjoy it as many beneficiaries are too old to enjoy the cash gift they receive.” Under the present law, only those who reach the age of 100 enjoy the benefit of the P100,000 cash gift. The proposed measure stipulates that beneficiaries are eligible to receive their cash gifts within 1 year of reaching the ages of 80, 90, and 100. The adjustment, to be determined by the National Economic and Development Authority, will be based on the average annual inflation in the preceding three years. NEDA will be tasked to consider inflation when dividing the cash gift into three payments. Gatchalian said the P100,000 cash gift, which will be equally distributed in three tranches to octogenarians, nonagenarians, and centenarians will help pay their living expenses, medicines, healthcare, and other necessities. SB 2028 also mandates the Philippine Statistics Authority, in coordination with the Departments of Interior and Local Government, Information and Communications Technology, and the local government units, to establish a data management system recording relevant information of individuals covered by the Act. The post Senate approves expanded coverage of Centenarian law appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Undergrads with more than 5 years work experience can get a bachelor’s degree
The House of Representatives on late Monday approved on final reading a bill that seeks to allow undergraduates who have been working professionals with more than five years of experience to earn a bachelor's degree. With 251 affirmative votes, the lower chamber passed House Bill 9015, or the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program Act, wherein working professionals who, for some reason, were either unable to finish or completely unable to step into college to obtain a bachelor's degree. The ETEEAP program, operated by virtue of Executive Order 330 signed by the late then-President Fidel Ramos on 10 May 1996, allows working professionals to still earn a bachelor's degree without going through traditional schooling methods. Under the House-approved measure, senior high school graduates, post-secondary technical-vocational graduates, and college undergraduates who have become professionals with an aggregate of five or more years of work experience could obtain a college degree. The legislation requires that undergraduates utilize the knowledge, experiences, achievements, and skills they acquired via their employment to earn academic credits, which would then be deducted from the overall number of units or credits necessary for graduation. Undergraduates are also required to fulfill the requirements of Section 10 of the Alternative Learning System Act (RA 11510), to obtain certification from the Department of Education. Undergraduates of at least 23 years of age and with at least five years of work experience are eligible to apply under the program. Other requirements include a completed ETEEAP Application form, certification of passing the DepEd's accreditation and equivalency assessment, employment certificates, birth certificates, resume, curriculum vitae, service record or employment certificate, and job description signed by the employer and a transcript of records. The Commission on Higher Education, which will spearhead the provisions of the proposed law, will be given additional powers and functions in relation to the ETEEAP. The post Undergrads with more than 5 years work experience can get a bachelor’s degree appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go shares Gibo’s stance against proposed MUP reform
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his alignment with Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr.‘s stance against the proposed military pension reform particularly on the issue of imposing mandatory contributions and removing the automatic indexation for military pensioners. "It was also reported that Secretary Teodoro does not agree with the proposed mandatory contributions and the removal of the automatic indexation of our military personnel," Go stated during the Commission on Appointments committee hearing on Wednesday, 13 September. "Hindi rin po ako sang-ayon dito sa mandatory contributions at pagbago sa automatic indexation," he stressed. Go then elaborated on his stance, emphasizing that there are alternative ways to address financial needs without affecting the pensions of current retirees and those still in active service. “Bagama’t naintindihan po natin ang sitwasyon ng ating mga finance managers at tumataas na budgetary needs ng gobyerno at sa posibleng paglobo ng kakailanganin na pondo po para sa pension, naniniwala ako na may ibang paraan upang matugunan ito nang hindi maapektuhan ang pension ng ating kasalukuyang mga retirees at mga nasa active service," he added. He further suggested some of these alternative methods, "Katulad ng pag-improve sa pagkolekta ng buwis o pag-eliminate po ng corruption sa gobyerno.” Go also took the opportunity to remind his colleagues of the efforts made during the term of former president Rodrigo Duterte to increase the salaries of military and uniformed personnel. "Huwag nating kalimutan na noong panahon ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, nagsikap tayo na mapataas ang sweldo ng ating uniformed personnel," Go began. He then elaborated on the collective efforts made to achieve this salary increase. "Nagpursige din tayo upang maisakatuparan ito noong hindi pa po ako senador at naniniwala po ako na marami pong sumuporta dito sa last Congress," he continued. Go also expressed his concerns about the potential impact of mandatory contributions on the increased salaries. "Naniniwala rin po ako na hindi natin dapat bawiin sa pamamagitan ng contributions ang matagal na nilang inasam na pagtaas ng sahod,” he said. The senator further emphasized the need to consider the long-term impact of the proposed pension reform on the lives of current military personnel. “Huwag naman po sanang bigay-bawi. Tandaan natin na marami sa ating kasundaluhan ay mayroon ng plano sa kanilang mga matatanggap kapag magreretire. Nakaplano na yan, naka-loan, may babayaran na yan at pamilya...nakalaan na yan para sa kanilang mga anak,” he said. “Kung iisipin natin, yung ikakaltas po sa kanila ay halos katumbas ng isang sakong bigas at napakahalaga po nito, lalung-lalo na po sa mga ordinaryong sundalo. Maliit na bagay lamang ito na para sa ating mga sundalo dahil sa sakripisyo po na inalay nila para mapanatili ang ating seguridad,” he added. Go has consistently emphasized the need for fiscal stability while ensuring the welfare of military and uniformed personnel. He has previously suggested that any pension reform should not adversely affect pensioners and those still in active service. “Buhay ang isinasakripisyo nila para mapanatili ang seguridad ng bansa. Iba po ang sakripisyo nila dahil buhay po ang nakataya dito. Kahit isang boto lang ako dito, palagi kong ipaglalaban kung ano pong makakabuti sa mga nagseserbisyo sa bayan,” assured the senator before. On the same day, Go expressed his full support for Teodoro's ad interim appointment as Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND). "As we discuss the welfare of our uniformed personnel, it's crucial that we have a competent and reliable individual leading the DND. I fully support the ad interim appointment of Secretary Gibo Teodoro for this role," Go declared. He praised Teodoro's previous performance as DND secretary under the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, stating, “Sec. Gibo Teodoro Jr. is a man of competence and integrity. Ito po ay napatunayan na nung una siyang manungkulan bilang Kalihim po ng Department of National Defense noong panahon ni pangulong Arroyo." He also mentioned that Teodoro's primary objectives during his previous term were focused on modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and DND personnel, upholding human rights, and taking a proactive approach to disaster risk management. The senator also took the opportunity to discuss his own advocacy for disaster preparedness. "Like Secretary Gibo, I share the same advocacy in strengthening our country’s disaster preparedness and response, which is why I filed for the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience (DND).” Earlier, Go filed Senate Bill No. 188, which aims to establish the DDR to centralize efforts, streamline coordination, and ensure a more swift and effective response to emergencies. “This proposed department will be headed by a cabinet secretary. Napapanahon na po. Sana magkaroon tayo ng isang timon na nakatutok po,” he added. The creation of the said department, if enacted into law, shall concentrate on three key result areas, namely: disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery and building forward better. Towards the end of his speech, Go extended his trust and confidence in Teodoro. "Mr. Secretary, you have my full trust and confidence. Ako po ay naniniwala that under your watch, mas lalo pa ninyong mapapalakas ang ating defense department at mga programang nakapaloob dito," he concluded. The post Bong Go shares Gibo’s stance against proposed MUP reform appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate approves bill on school-based mental health program
The Senate on Monday approved on the third and final reading a bill institutionalizing the promotion of mental health and well-being in basic education. The Senate Bill 2200 or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, was approved with 22 affirmatives, zero negative votes, and zero abstentions during the chamber’s plenary session. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chairperson of the chamber’s committee on basic education, said the school-based mental health program will cover out-of-school children in special cases that include learners with disabilities or conditions, indigenous peoples, children in conflict with the law, learners in emergency situations, and other marginalized sectors. SB 220 mandates the Department of Education to establish and maintain care centers in every public basic education institution. “Care Centers will be mandated to equip learners with skills and information for prevention, identification, and proper response and referral for their own and others’ mental health needs,” said Gatchalian, who also sponsored and authored the bill. Gatchalian said the bill also provides for the creation of the new plantilla positions of Mental Health Associates I to V, and Mental Health Specialists I to V “to address the need for sufficient personnel” running the School-Based Mental Health Program. The bill also seeks the conversion of existing plantilla positions of Guidance Counselors and Psychologists in the DepEd to Mental Health Specialists, he added. There were only 1,192 filled positions for both guidance counselors and coordinators within the DepEd as of July 2022. For School Year 2023-2024, the DepEd said that more than 26 million learners are enrolled, with 404 learners from public schools having died due to suicide for School Year 2021-2022. In a manifestation, Senator Risa Hontiveros said the newly approved bill would further strengthen Republic Act 11036 or the Mental Health Act. Hontiveros said accelerating the mainstreaming of a school-based mental health program would contribute not only to ensuring the physical but also the psychological safety of the learning environment. “I do hope that our education authorities will be up to the challenge of institutionalizing and sustaining mental health programs in our schools,” she said. The post Senate approves bill on school-based mental health program appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Even Indian lenders drawn to SBCorp’s P3
A high-ranking official of a Department of Trade and Industry-attached agency has revealed that even traditional Indian lenders based in the Philippines want to avail of the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-Asenso, or P3, Program of the government. Small Business Corporation or SBCorp president and CEO Robert Bastillo made the revelation when he guested on the second Daily Tribune’s Asian Innovation Forum on Tuesday. He said half of the funds allocated to P3 are meant for cooperatives, micro-finance institutions, and private financing companies that have members that can easily access micro-entrepreneurs, particularly those who own sari-sari or small stores. “P3 was conceptualized to combat loan sharks or informal money lenders. When we visited a cooperative in a municipality in Bicol recently, we discovered that Indian lenders were now lowering their interest rate to 5 percent per month,” Bastillo said. “Surprisingly, some Indian lenders even wanted to avail themselves of our P3 program. If that is the case, it means the program has an impact,” he added. He explained that SBCorp is ready to provide funding to micro and small entrepreneurs to eventually expand operations in the long run or when banking institutions are not yet ready to provide MSE loans to them due to a lack of a banking track record. “That is why we are asking Congress to add more funds to SBCorp. The current fund is not enough to help MSMEs in their entrepreneurial journey,” he said. SBCorp estimated that there is a P300 to P400 billion financing gap in the country, which means that banking institutions, even cooperatives, and microfinancing institutions are not able to respond to the needs of MSE lenders. “We are asking for P50 billion for our total capital, including our current fund. While for the P3, we are aiming to make it a full-fledged law for it to have automatic appropriations. We aim that 10 to 15 percent of the current financing gap will be given to us, enough to serve MSEs and cooperatives, among others,” he said. In March 2023, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading of House Bill 7363, or the proposed P3 Act, with an overwhelming 278 votes. The “P3 Act aims to provide an affordable, accessible, and simple financing program for MSEs, especially those in the poorest populations and underserved areas. HB 7363 mandates the creation of the P3 Fund, which shall be lent out to qualified MSEs under such terms and conditions that will meet the purposes of the Act. The P3 Fund shall be accessible through the SBCorp. and accredited partner financial institutions such as rural banks, thrift banks, development banks, cooperative banks, cooperatives, non-stock savings and loan associations, microfinance non-government organizations and lending companies. Currently, the P3 Program, with an annual allocation of P1.5 billion from the national government, is intended to provide micro-entrepreneurs with an alternative source of financing that is easy to access at a reasonable interest rate, that is in a safe environment away from dubious practices of informal lenders, and that is sustainable as delinquent borrowers are effectively barred from borrowing in the next loan cycle. Under the P3 Program, a microenterprise can borrow between P5,000 and P200,000, depending on its business status and repayment capacity, with no collateral requirement. Interest rates and service fees, all in, do not exceed 2.5 percent monthly. The post Even Indian lenders drawn to SBCorp’s P3 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Legarda: OPM a vital avenue to preserving Filipino heritage
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda praised the vibrant Filipino music scene as an integral part of preserving Filipinos' cultural identity and heritage. Legarda, a staunch defender and promoter of Filipino culture, said that original Pilipino music is another avenue in chronicling history. "OPM is a fun way to reconnect with the Filipinos' psyche – it helps us advance Filipino arts and culture and promote our impressive work to the world," Legarda said in commemoration of the Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino celebrated this week. "Filipinos are known all over the world for their exemplary musical skills. The propagation of OPM is another way of letting everybody else know how we are as a people," she added. The four-term senator sponsored and authored Senate Bill 1841, or the bill amending Republic Act No. 10066, also known as the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, to enhance the preservation of the Philippines' cultural assets. The bill mandates the local government units to conduct a cultural heritage mapping of their areas for both tangible and intangible, and natural and built heritage. Moreover, under the proposed measure, the Department of Education shall formulate the cultural heritage education programs both for local and overseas Filipinos to be incorporated into the formal, alternative, and informal education, with emphasis on the protection, conservation and preservation of cultural heritage property. "With the establishment of the Cultural Education Program, we can help promote not only mainstream OPM but to help preserve the indigenous music various ethnic groups in the Philippines have been creating for hundreds of years," said Legarda. "Recognizing the past and enriching the present are important steps to help safeguard the Philippines' intangible cultural heritage for our future," she added. The Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino was established under Proclamation No. 933, s. 2014 to achieve the long-term goal of revising OPM. It is also seen as a way to advance Filipino art and culture and contribute to the development of the economy through employment and revenue streams to various industries. The post Legarda: OPM a vital avenue to preserving Filipino heritage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SONA should focus on what’s good for the ‘common tao’
Rosalie Medina, is a regular figure at a public market in Quezon City's First District. She obliged to give her observation on the coming 2nd State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to the Daily Tribune, provided that the market where her stall is located should not be named in this article. Popularly known in that market as "Aling Osang", she said her meat stall has been her constant companion in her daily life even when she was still single. Aling Osang inherited the meat stall from her parents who were one of the 'original magbababoy' in that market in the '60s, Now that she has a family of her own, Aling Osang said nothing has changed except the prices of what she sells. "Walang nagbago, kundi yung presyo. Yung paghihirap ko, na gumising ng maaga, magtinda, umuwi at magluto para sa pamilya, then, magtinda uli sa hapon. Yun pa rin ang aking ginagawa ko. (Nothing has changed except the prices of meat. I do the same routine, woke early to vend, go home to cook for the family then vend again)," Medina said. She added, she can no longer live the life they are living before, when their mother and father were able to save money for a house to be their shelter with her six other siblings. "Di ko na magagawa ang nagawa nila. Nagpapasalamat na lang ako at naiwanan nila kami ng matitirahan. Pati itong meat stall. Natulungan ako nito na pag-aralin din ang aking mga anak, gaya nila nanay at tatay (I can't duplicate what they did for us with this small meat stall, but it helps me a lot in sending my kids to school just like my mom and dad,)" Medina said, stressing that no one help them, neither local or national leaders. "SONA, para sa mayayaman lang yan. Di naman namin alam ibig sabihin ng mga pinagsasabi ng mga Presidenteng nagdaan sa buhay natin o namin. Nagdaang lang nang walang nangyari sa amin. Kung di kami magsusumikap, mas mahirap pa ang lagay namin malamang ngayon (SONA are for the rich only. We can't understand what the other presidents' say or have said. They just passed by in our lives. If we don't persevere, we were poorer than what we are now)," she explained, adding that if ever this time, President Marcos would mentioned the lowly people like her, she expects that it must do good to her situation. "Yun may pangako na matutupad. Gaya pag-nagkasakit ako, libre ba ang aking ospital? Yun kapitbahay ko namatay nang nanghihingi ng tulong ang pamilya sa mga pulitikong ito ( I want to hear a promise that can be fulfilled. Like, if I got sicked, will the goverment take care of my hospitalization? I have a neighbor who died asking for help from these politicians)," she said. Mang Danny, an almost 80-year-old scavenger who could no longer remember his surname and age, said he will die without experiencing a good life. His family left him because of his heavy drinking, and he ended up as "nagkakalakal". He said he is now waiting the time of his death. "Inaantay ko na lang ang aking kamatayan para mapahinga na rin (I am just waiting for my death to come, to have an eternal rest)," Danny said. He said he is not interested to hear the President's plan for someone like him. "Isa lang ang gusto ko marinig, bahay sa mga walang bahay. Wala kami nun, kaya napilitan silang palayasin ako (One thing I want to hear is a house for those who do not have one. We don't have a house, that's why they were force to throw me out)," he said. This is what the other poorest of the poor also wanted, who claimed they left out in the 4PH Program. Urban poor groups criticized the administration’s social housing program, Sunday, the eve of the President's SONA, for its being “overly dependent” on private developers and “downright discriminatory” against the poorest of the poor. Declared as the administration’s flagship program, the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) aims to produce one million “affordable” housing each year to address the cumulative housing backlog of some 6.8 million Filipinos. But leaders of urban poor organizations, in a joint statement, stated, “The program is neither affordable nor equitable for the poorest among the homeless Filipinos. Pagkatapos ng anim na taon, maaring nagkabahay ang mga naka-aangat pero ang mahihirap ay hindi." The urban poor network explained that under this private-led housing development program, only the lower- to middle-income families can avail of the P1.1 to P1.5 million housing loan from Pag-IBIG Fund as the poorest of poor, estimated to be 1.7 million of the 6 million beneficiaries, cannot afford a monthly amortization of at least P4,000. Housing loans under 4PH is significantly higher than the current loanable amount of up to P750,000 for socialized housing under Pag-IBIG Fund, with a monthly amortization of P2,445 available for minimum wage earners and low-income families. But informal settler families (ISFs) live under vulnerable conditions of unemployment and underemployment as most of them work in the informal economy with irregular income, the groups said. The P4,000 estimated monthly amortization, the groups said, was based on the one percent interest rate which is the only cost that will be assumed by the government. Pag-IBIG Fund, meanwhile, imposes three percent interest rate for socialized housing loans; but under the 4PH, only one percent shall be paid by the applicant. The rest of the costs in building the units will be assumed by private developers which shall also be charged to household beneficiaries through Pag-IBIG. But since the proposed housing design is high-rise, urban poor leaders said additional costs for the maintenance and operations of said buildings, like elevators and other amenities, shall be borne collectively and may incur additional monthly dues of P2,000 per household. This would mean a family’s total monthly expenditure for housing is at P6,000. “Records would show, however, that even for existing NHA projects, only 22 percent of informal settlers are able to meet the monthly amortization of P300. The P6,000 monthly amortization is 20 times higher than the current NHA cost, making a 4PH's house an impossible dream house for the poorest of the poor. "Hindi pa nagsisimula ang proyekto ay disqualified na ang mahihirap,” said the group. Alternatives Citing a dire need to address the burgeoning housing crisis, urban poor leaders said they are willing to work with the government with an alternative mechanism that they would like to propose. These include a major proposal for the government to make land acquisition and site development for socialized housing a grant to drive down the cost further and make the program more affordable for the poorest of the poor. The groups also want the framework of “People’s Plan” adopted by the government through the enactment of the People’s Plan bill filed in Congress to ensure that ISFs are not merely treated as a “market” in the socialized housing industry but as a major partner and participants for realizing the social objective of eliminating homelessness in the country. It is in the People’s Plan, they said, that a flexible housing program can be formulated democratically which may include, among others, lower cost and mixed-use development of housing estates. Lastly, the groups also opposed to extending the NHA Charter because of the agency’s failure to solve the housing problem for decades and the creation lately of DHSUD. As an alternative, they propose that the housing projects under the NHA be distributed free for the beneficiaries in the same way lands were condoned for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the rural areas. “Kung ang ARBs sa kanayunan ay nabigyan ng Pangulo ng condonation at emancipation sa kanilang mga utang, maari din itong gawin para sa mga ISFs ng kalunsuran,” the group concluded. The post SONA should focus on what’s good for the ‘common tao’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tony Bennett, last of classic American crooners, dead at 96
Tony Bennett, the last in a generation of classic American crooners whose ceaselessly cheery spirit bridged generations to make him a hitmaker across seven decades, died Friday in New York. He was 96. Raised in an era when big bands defined US pop music, Bennett achieved an improbable second act when he started winning over young audiences in the 1990s -- not by reinventing himself but by demonstrating his sheer joy in belting out the standards. And then at age 88, Bennett, in 2014 became the oldest person ever to reach number one on the US album sales chart through a collection of duets with Lady Gaga -- who became his friend and touring companion but only one of a long list of younger stars who rushed to work with the singing great. Bennett's publicist, Sylvia Weiner, announced his death. Likened since the start of his career to Frank Sinatra, Bennett first tried to distance himself but eventually followed much of the same path as other crooners of yore -- singing in nightclubs, on television, and for movies, although his attempts to act ended quickly. His gift proved to be his stage presence. With a welcoming smile and dapper suit, he sang with gusto and a smooth vibrato in a strong, clearly enunciated voice, which he kept in shape through training from the operatic Bel Canto tradition. Starting with his recording of the film song "Because of You" in 1951, Bennett sang dozens of hits including "Rags to Riches," "Stranger in Paradise" and, in what would become his signature tune, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," which landed him two of his career's 19 Grammy Awards. But the British Invasion led by The Beatles initially took a toll on the singer, whose music suddenly sounded quaint and antiquated. He nearly died of a cocaine overdose in 1979 before sobering up and eventually reviving his career. "When rap came along, or disco, whatever the new fashion was at the moment, I didn't try to find something that would fit whatever the style was of the whole music scene," Bennett told the British culture magazine Clash. "I just stayed myself and sang sincerely and tried to just stay honest with myself -- never compromising, just doing the best songs that I could think of for the public. "And luckily it just paid off." Singing as hardscrabble youth Tony Bennett -- his stage name came after advice from showbiz A-lister Bob Hope -- was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in the Astoria neighborhood of New York's Queens borough. His father was a struggling grocer who immigrated from southern Italy's Calabria region, to which his mother also traced her ancestry. He showed early promise as an entertainer, singing at age nine next to legendary New York mayor Fiorello LaGuardia when he ceremonially opened the city's Triborough Bridge, now known as the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge. But his father's death at age 10, at a time when the United States was still struggling to exit the Great Depression, led him to leave school and earn money through jobs including singing at Italian restaurants and caricature painting, which remained a lifelong side career. During World War II, Bennett was drafted into the 63rd Infantry Division and was sent to France and Germany. But he was demoted after cursing out an officer from the South who objected to Bennett dining with an African American friend in the then racially segregated army. As punishment, Bennett spent his tour of duty digging out bodies and shipping them. But after the Allied victory, Bennett found an unexpected break into music as he waited with fellow troops in Wiesbaden, Germany to return home. With the city's opera house still intact, a US Army band performed a weekly show to be broadcast on military radio across Germany. Taken on as the band's librarian, Bennett was quickly impressed with his voice and was made one of four vocalists. "During this period in the army, I enjoyed the most musical freedom I've ever had in my life," Bennett later wrote in his autobiography, "The Good Life." "I could sing whatever I wanted, and there was no one around to tell me any different," he wrote. Outspoken against racism and war When he returned to the United States, he took formal singing lessons through the GI Bill, which covered educational expenses for returning troops. His experiences made Bennett a lifelong liberal. He became especially enraged in the 1950s when he played in Miami with jazz pioneer Duke Ellington, who was not allowed to attend a press party due to segregation at the hotel. In a then risky move for a popular entertainer, he accepted an invitation from singer Harry Belafonte to join civil rights icon Martin Luther King in the 1965 march from Selma, Alabama in support of equal voting rights for African Americans. He later wrote in his memoir that the hostility of the white state troopers reminded him of Nazi Germany. He was also an outspoken opponent of war, at times raising controversy. "The first time I saw a dead German, that's when I became a pacifist," he told popular radio host Howard Stern days after the 11 September 2001 attacks. Late in life, still cool Bennett was married three times and had four children including Antonia Bennett, who has followed his path as a singer of pop and jazz standards. But his son Danny Bennett was most instrumental in his father's career, aggressively courting MTV and other players in the pop world as a manager for his father. By the early 1990s, Bennett -- his style and look little changed from the 1960s, except for more gray hair -- was appearing in music videos on MTV and singing warm-up at concerts by alternative rock giants such as Smashing Pumpkins and Porno for Pyros. Proof that Bennett was back came in 1993 when he presented a prize at the MTV Video Music Awards alongside the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who hailed his cool factor and playfully sang part of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." His career only kept building and a decade later, he released three successful albums of duets. On one of them, "Body and Soul," he sang with Amy Winehouse in her last recording before she died in 2011 at age 27. He marked his 90th birthday with a star-studded concert at New York's Radio City Music Hall, which was turned into a television special and album. The title was taken from a song popularized by Bennett: "The Best Is Yet to Come." Bennett toured the United States and Europe into his final decade, playing his last public performance before the coronavirus pandemic halted touring in New Jersey on 11 March 2020. Soon after, he revealed he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016. He had kept his condition quiet for years. Upon turning 95, Bennett played two more birthday concerts, again at Radio City Music Hall, with Lady Gaga -- shows billed as his farewell to New York. He then canceled the remainder of his 2021 tour dates on "doctors' orders." "And let the music play as long as there's a song to sing / And I will stay younger than spring," he crooned during the first of his farewell shows, in a rendition of his ballad "This Is All I Ask." "You've been a good audience," Bennett said prior to his encore. "I love this audience." The post Tony Bennett, last of classic American crooners, dead at 96 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go provides support to 1,700 indigent students in Antipolo
The Office of Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, provided assistance to 1,700 indigent students in Antipolo City, Rizal on Thursday, 6 July. Go’s team spearheaded the relief efforts at the Ynares Event Center and handed out snacks, masks, and shirts to the students. The team distributed bicycles, shoes, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select beneficiaries. DSWD representatives also provided educational assistance to qualified beneficiaries. An advocate for quality education and welfare of students in the country, Go has co-sponsored 12 school bills aimed at improving several public schools in the country, as part of his vision to create a better learning environment for students, especially in rural areas. Go also co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1359 or the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act.” The proposed measure penalizes the imposition of a "no permit, no exam" policy or any similar policy that prohibits students from taking an examination or other similar educational assessments due to unpaid tuition or other school fees. The lawmaker, likewise, co-authored and co-sponsored SBN 1360, which seeks to expand the coverage of the tertiary education subsidy by amending Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access To Quality Tertiary Education Act. The proposed bill expands the eligibility criteria for availing of the TES to include disadvantaged, yet academically competent students, who are enrolling in their first undergraduate post-secondary tertiary education program in private higher educational institutions (PHEIs) and technical-vocational institutions (TVIs). Go also introduced SBN 1190 to expand the purposes and applications of the Special Education Fund (SEF) if enacted into law, proposing its use for the operation and maintenance of public schools, payment of salaries and benefits for teaching and non-teaching personnel, competency training for teaching personnel, operation of the Alternative Learning System, and educational research, among others. The senator also filed SBN 1786 to help address mental health concerns in higher education institutions. He also co-authored SBN 379, also known as the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which aims to provide mental health services, emotional, developmental, and preventive programs, and other support services at the basic education level if enacted into law. As chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go made a commitment to collaborate closely with the local government in safeguarding the health and welfare of Filipinos by enhancing the availability of affordable healthcare. He encouraged individuals with medical conditions as well as the elderly, to visit the nearest Malasakit Center, where they can conveniently access the government's medical assistance programs. The primary aim of the Malasakit Center is to reduce a patient’s hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering various services and expenses. There are currently 158 centers nationwide that have assisted over seven million Filipinos, according to the DOH, the closest ones are located at the Antipolo City Hospital System Annex IV, Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Memorial Hospital in Rodriguez, Bagong Cainta Municipal Hospital, and Margarito A. Duavit Memorial Hospital in Binangonan. “Sa mga pasyente dito, hindi niyo na po kailangang bumiyahe para pumila sa iba’t ibang opisina para makahingi ng tulong mula sa gobyerno. Kung may hospital bill kayo, ilapit niyo lang ‘to sa Malasakit Center. Wala itong pinipili. Basta poor at indigent patient ka, qualified ka,” assured Go, who primarily authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. Go has also reiterated his appeal to his fellow Filipinos to prioritize their health as he highlighted the services to be offered in Super Health Centers that will be established nationwide. Super Health Centers in the province will be strategically located in Antipolo City, Binangonan, Jala-Jala, Rodriguez, San Mateo, and Taytay. Super Health Centers offer basic services such as database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center, and telemedicine, through which remote diagnosis and treatment of patients are made possible. An adopted son of the CALABARZON region, Go continues to push for more programs, projects, and initiatives that will benefit local communities. He previously supported the improvement of the road and drainage system in Angono, Rodriguez, and Antipolo City; rehabilitation of the flood control structures along the upper Marikina River in Rodriguez; construction of the Batangas Medical Center Annex in Rodriguez; construction of the Justice Building in Antipolo City; construction and improvement of a multipurpose building and new roads in Baras; and purchase and installation of streetlights in San Mateo. ##### The post Bong Go provides support to 1,700 indigent students in Antipolo appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Reliable power seen via nuke
Tapping the potential of nuclear power, despite being a highly politicized issue, will ramp up affordable electricity supply in the country, especially during summer months when demand is historically higher. However, achieving such a great feat would require close coordination between the public and private stakeholders as emphasized by Aboitiz Group president and chief executive officer Sabin Aboitiz in a recent forum. “We are transitioning from an era powered primarily by fossil fuels to one powered by diverse, cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy, Aboitiz said. “The role of nuclear energy will be pivotal in this journey. It calls for shared learning, private-public partnerships, and imaginative exploration of new technologies and what they can do,” he added. As a member of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council or ABAC Philippines and as the Vice Chairperson of the ABAC Sustainable Growth Working Group, Aboitiz is fostering dialogue among industry leaders — enabling them to counsel on policy issues to influence the economic progress of the region. Energy Secretary Raphael Perpertuo Lotilla, during the same forum, assured that his department is closely working with the National Economic and Development Authority, or NEDA on the enabling policy framework for the private sector’s participation in the nuclear power space. “On the part of the Philippines, our Department of Energy is committed to working towards a sustainable future through a technology-agnostic approach to clean alternative energy sources to provide greater energy security, stability, reliability and affordability for the country. This involves diversification of our energy sources to include nuclear power,” Lotilla said. Cheaper bills For his part, AboitizPower President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio reiterated that once nuclear power is integrated into the country’s energy mix, electricity rates will be cheaper and more reliable. “It (nuclear) will be a natural portion of the energy mix in the future. I am quite pleased that there is a bill that is looking to be passed addressing a number of the concerns that the private sector has, particularly in permitting and regulations governing the use and operations of nuclear technology,” Rubio said. The government has long explored nuclear power as a viable energy source in line with the global push to reduce carbon emissions. Engaging in nuclear technology calls for the assistance and mentorship of countries that already have knowledge of nuclear energy such as China, Russia, Korea, and France. Former President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 164 entitled, “Adopting a National Position for a Nuclear Energy Program, and Other Purposes.” The post Reliable power seen via nuke appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»