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Go urges BFP to push modernization efforts
Senator Christopher ‘’Bong’’ Go on Friday urged the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to continue its efforts to modernize and enhance its ranks by acquiring more fire trucks and equipment especially for the remote areas in the country. Sen. Bong Go (Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Go issued the statement after attending yesterday the ceremonial turnover at the Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City of the recently procured equipment of the BFP, including 84 units of 1,000 gallons capacity fire trucks, five units of aerial ladder, and three units of rescue trucks to be distributed by BFP to various local government units around the country. “All over the country po ito ipapamahagi. Natutuwa po ako dahil ang gusto naman po natin ay mabigyan ng sapat na kagamitan laban sa sunog ang mga iba’t ibang lugar — hopefully sa lahat ng sulok po ng bansa ay handa po tayo,” Go said. (These will be distributed all over the country. I am happy because we want to give the appropriate fire-fighting equipment to different parts of the country.) Go said there are many municipalities that have no financial capabilities to buy such an equipment. “Hopefully, patuloy pa ang pag-acquire nila ng mga panibagong equipment. Kinausap ko rin po si Dir. Embang na ikonsidera rin nila ‘yung mga maliliit na fire trucks na puwedeng pumasok sa mga liblib o masisikip na lugar kasi doon po madalas nagkakasunog,” Go said, referring to BFP Chief Jose Embang, Jr. (Hopefully, their acquisition of fire-fighting equipment will continue. I told Director Embang that BFP should consider buying small fire trucks that can enter narrow roads and congested areas where fires usually originate from.) Last February 11, 2020, Go joined President Duterte in witnessing the turnover of 74 fire trucks. The Senator also continues to provide aid to fire victims in different parts of the country. “Mahirap po mawalan ng bahay at kagamitan dahil sa sunog at iba pang sakuna. Kaya po patuloy akong nagbibigay ng tulong sa mga biktima at nag-iiwan ng ngiti sa oras ng kanilang pagdadalamhati,” Go said. (It is hard to lose a house and personal belongings due to fires. That is why I continue to extend help to fire victims and give them a reason to smile during a time of grief.) “Bilang isang Senador at public servant, patuloy po akong magseserbisyo, lalo na sa mga mahihirap at nangangailangan na apektado ng krisis tulad ng sunog. Kasabay nito ay pagsisikapan ko bilang mambabatas na mas palakasin pa ang ating fire prevention and protection measures,” he added. (As a senator and a public servant, I continue to be of service, particularly to victims of crises like fires. As a lawmaker, I continue to help to strengthen our fire prevention and protection measures.) As vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Peace and Order and as a main advocate of fire protection modernization initiatives, one of Go’s priority bills is Senate Bill 204 which is now consolidated under Committee Report No. 111, otherwise known as BFP Modernization Act of 2020. The measure is currently undergoing the period of interpellation in the Senate. The bill aims to ensure the hiring of more personnel, acquisition of modern fire equipment, and the conduct of training for firefighters of the BFP. The bill will also empower local communities in preventing fire incidents by mandating the BFP to conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in all local government units (LGUs), especially in vulnerable areas. Go said President Duterte fully supports the modernization efforts of the BFP. “Ang sabi ng Pangulo, sabihin mo sa kanila huwag na nila ako unahin, ‘yung kagamitan ng mga sundalo at kapulisan at bumbero ang unahin natin,” he said. (The President said the equipment of soldiers, policemen, and firemen should come first.) During the event, Go expressed his and Duterte’s full support for the country’s fire personnel, citing the government’s recent effort to increase the salaries and promote the welfare of the military and uniformed personnel. “Full support po kami sa inyo. Unang-una po, ‘yung pangako niya pagkaupo pa lang niya bilang Pangulo, tinupad niya agad ang pangako niya,” Go said, referring to the increase in salaries provided to uniformed personnel, including firefighters. (We give our full support to you. The President fulfills his promises when he took over the presidency in 2016.) Go also said that he supports the President’s position of arming BFP personnel so they can help in the fight against criminality. “We are currently studying this added measure of arming firefighters. Nabanggit na rin ito ng Pangulo. Makakatulong din sila sa paglaban ng kriminalidad at para rin maproteksyunan ang kanilang mga sarili. Pati sa kampanya laban sa droga, makakatulong din sila,” Go said. (This was mentioned by the President. They can help fight criminality and also protect themselves. They can also help in containing the spread of dangerous drugs.) In addition to fire trucks and other modern equipment, Go also said that he is coordinating with BFP officials, government finance managers, and concerned agencies on how to also provide additional ambulance units to the BFP. He said that providing ambulances will make the BFP more responsive in fulfilling its mandate and will be useful, especially in times of national emergencies given that their personnel are well-trained frontliners. “Kapag mayroon nang vaccine kontra COVID-19, pwede pong tumulong ang BFP para mabakunahan ang mga tao. Nagtutulungan po lahat ng ating uniformed personnel, mula military, pulis, bumbero, at iba pa para maprotektahan ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan,” Go explained. (Our firemen can also help in the vaccination of our countrymen to fight the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Our uniformed personnel, from the military, policemen, firemen and others can help in protecting the interests of Filipinos.) Go thanked officials for their efforts to modernize the BFP and for their continuing service, especially during the pandemic, specifically Department of the Interior and Local Government officials led by Secretary Eduardo Año and BFP officials led by Embang, Jr. Go also acknowledged local officials and district representatives who were present, including Congressman Onyx Crisologo of the 1st District of Quezon City, Congresswoman Angel Amante-Matba of the 2nd District of Agusan del Norte, Mayor Marcy Teodoro of Marikina City, and Mayor Judy Amante of Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte and thanked them for their support to the national government in the bayanihan efforts to overcome the pandemic. “Dahil mahirap ang panahon ngayon, we have to adjust to the new normal pero konting tiis lang po. Alam kong hirap po kayo. Kami ni Pangulong Duterte, hindi kami nawawalan ng pag-asa, magtulungan lang po tayo. Sino pa ba ang magtutulungan kundi tayong kapwa Pilipino,” he said, (Because times are hard, we have to adjust to the new normal. Please bear with us. I know you are suffering. I and President Go have not lost hope. We should help one another.).....»»
Tuazon, Perez champs in HERO Golf Cup
Jingy Tuazon emerged as overall champion while Ma. Theresa Perez won the ladies championship in the recent seventh HERO Golf Cup at the Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club in Quezon City......»»
IP groups commemorate Int’l Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples amidst continuous attacks
IP groups and advocates commemorated IDWIP this year by holding a protest and solidarity event at Camp Aguinaldo to call an end to the attacks against indigenous communities......»»
CJHGC Chairman’s Charity Cup on tomorrow
The Camp John Hay Golf Club is all set for the Chairman’s Charity Cup tomorrow with over 200 golfers to vie for the division titles......»»
OCD welcomes partnership with Canada on disaster risk reduction
The Office of Civil Defense and officials of the Canadian embassy held a dialogue on areas of cooperation, focusing on OCD’s priority programs in civil defense and disaster risk reduction and management on Dec. 21, 2023, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City......»»
COMELEC disqualifies QC SK chairman candidate for ‘vote buying’
A candidate for Sangguniang Kabataan chairmanship in Quezon City was disqualified by the Commission on Elections over 'vote buying' charges. In a seven-page resolution issued on 26 October 2023 and signed by COMELEC's Second Division Presiding Commissioner Marlon Casquejo, concurred by Commissioners Rey Bulay and Nelson Celis, noted that SK candidate Judielyn Bartolome Francisco of Barangay San Bartolome was "disqualified" to run for the upcoming BSKE elections as she violated Section 68 (a) of the Omnibus Elections Code for "vote buying". The case stemmed from a petition filed by Arjay Lacsa on 26 September this year, who claimed that Francisco engaged in vote buying by sponsoring and funding a leadership seminar "cum" team building of some 80 youths of their village at Paradise Adventure Camp in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan held on 16 and 17 September 2023, a few weeks after the filing of candidacies. Pieces of evidence presented by Lacsa included social media posts of the participants themselves tagging Francisco as their " future SK chairman" and three affidavits of witnesses who claimed that Francisco was even present in that event. On 5 October, the COMELEC summoned Francisco to explain her side who gave her reply on 9 October saying she did not have the resources to fund the gathering while she also admitted being there as a host for the opening program "in return for a professional fee." She also informed the commission that she also filed perjury charges against Lacsa's witnesses at the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office. The commission, however, concluded that they "are not convinced" as Francisco's lengthy answer reveals that "they are in the nature of general denials emanating from respondent's self-serving and uncorroborated statements." The affidavits of Lacsa's witnesses, the commission added, are "rich in details" and the evidence is pointing to Francisco as the host of the team building. Francisco's involvement is a deliberate and strategic scheme to influence the voters of Barangay San Bartolome to vote for her, the commission's resolution read. The post COMELEC disqualifies QC SK chairman candidate for ‘vote buying’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
More training, education mulled for Filipino soldiers
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Thursday met with Rear Admiral Peter Gumataotao (Ret), Director of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, to discuss more training and education opportunities for Filipino soldiers. Following the courtesy call of Gumataotao to Brawner at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, the two officials exchanged perspectives on present and emerging security issues in the Asia Pacific region. AFP Public Affairs Office chief Lt.Col. Enrico Gil Ileto said both officials also tackled ongoing threats and agreed on positions on how to address these security challenges. “The CSAFP, being an alumnus of the APCSS, also expressed his appreciation of such advanced studies on defense and security strategy in developing military officers,” Ileto said. The Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies is an institute of the United States Department of Defense based in Hawaii that provides a comprehensive program of executive education, professional exchanges and outreach events, both in Hawaii and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The post More training, education mulled for Filipino soldiers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EU mulls more engagements with Phl
The European Union is mulling to increase its engagements with the Philippines. This was confirmed by EU Ambassador to the Philippines, Luc Véron, during his meeting with Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Romeo Brawner Jr. at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City over the weekend. AFP Public Affairs chief Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto said Véron has reiterated the EU’s desire to remain the country’s partner in cultivating the potentials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, by providing institution-building and socio-economic programs in the area. Ileto said Brawner has expressed his “profound gratitude” to the EU’s plan with the region. “The ambassador relayed their side’s intention to increase engagement with the Philippines due to its geopolitical importance to the EU and significance to the protection of its interests in the region,” Ileto said. “General Brawner Jr. in turn committed its support to EU’s programs in the Philippines and praised their clear positive effects on the development and improved security in Mindanao,” he added. The post EU mulls more engagements with Phl appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl, Canada to deepening bilateral defense cooperation
The Philippines and Canada have committed to an increased bilateral engagement, particularly in bilateral defense cooperation. This came after Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. met with Canadian Ambassador, David Bruce Hartman and Vancouver His Majesty's Canadian Ship commander Meghan Coates earlier this week at the Department of National Defense headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the HMCS Vancouver is set to participate in the humanitarian assistance and disaster response, particularly in the Search and RescueTraining component of Exercise SAMASAMA 2023, an annual joint naval exercise between the Philippines and the United States. During his meeting with the DND officials, Coates conveyed that the Canadian crew “is happy to be in the country, and looks forward to the upcoming activity.” Meanwhile, Hartman highlighted the increase in engagements between the Philippines and Canada since his last meeting with Teodoro last 4 August this year. Hartman said that Canada, as a stalwart of international order, remains committed to supporting the rules-based order of the Indo-Pacific region, and is looking towards broadening the scale of interoperability between the Philippine Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy. Both sides expressed their strong and resolute commitment to enhancing Philippines-Canada bilateral defense relations with the purpose of maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. At the sidelines, Teodoro awarded Col. Stewart Taylor, outgoing Canadian Non-Resident, Defense Attachè to the Philippines, the first-ever SND Plaque of Merit, given to a Foreign Armed Forces Attachè for his extraordinary and outstanding performance. Teodoro said Taylor was highly instrumental in advancing Philippines-Canada defense cooperation. He also recognized Taylor’s active role in accelerating the finalization of the proposed Philippines-Canada Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation. The post Phl, Canada to deepening bilateral defense cooperation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Netherlands eyes anew naval defense industry cooperation with Phl
The Department of National Defense on Thursday said the Netherlands has reiterated its proposal to establish naval defense industry cooperation with the Philippines. This came after Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. met with the Netherlands Ambassador to the Philippines, Marielle Geraedts, earlier this week at the DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said Teodoro and Geraedts’ meeting serves as a “way to advance overall bilateral cooperation” between the Philippines and the Netherlands with the European Union in terms of defense and security. “Secretary Teodoro proposed greenfield opportunities in various industries, particularly in defense and security, with the Netherlands and the EU,” he added. Geraedts noted the Philippines' adoption of the National Security Policy 2023-2028. Hence, he reiterated the proposal of establishing naval defense industry cooperation with the Philippines to further improve the “strategic and economic advantages in the long term.” According to Andolong, Teodoro has agreed to the Dutch ambassador’s proposal. For his part, Teodoro proposed to develop broader defense cooperation between the Philippines and the Netherlands, “taking into consideration the importance of other areas such as cyber and artificial intelligence, as well as the Netherlands’ potential to become a partner in these areas.” During his discussion with the Dutch ambassador, Teodoro shared about the country’s recalibration of its defense strategy, including the shift of the internal operations to territorial and external defense. Andolong added that Teodoro underscored “the development of a credible defense posture that will effectively protect Philippine interests in the country’s exclusive economic zone.” The post Netherlands eyes anew naval defense industry cooperation with Phl appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
LTO monitoring EDSA bus lane violators
Land Transportation Office chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II on Monday said he has ordered the deployment of additional personnel in some areas of the EDSA Bus Carousel amid rampant violations of motorists. Mendoza directed the LTO-National Capital Region to identify the operator and the driver of a taxi that blocked several buses when a 19-inch flood hit the Camp Aguinaldo Gate 3 portion of EDSA on 23 September. Aside from that, Mendoza said they are now conducting investigation into the incident wherein a motorist almost hit a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority traffic enforcer while trying to escape after he was caught using the EDSA Bus Carousel lane last 21 September. “It’s becoming a habit for motorists to use the EDSA Bus Carousel. We recognize the limited manpower of the MMDA to strictly enforce and while the LTO has the same problem, we will tap some of our enforcers to reinforce our brothers in the MMDA in keeping an eye on the EDSA Bus Carousel,” Mendoza said. “We assure immediate action against violators,” he added. Mendoza said the office of Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista was already informed of the request of the MMDA. The MMDA has repeatedly warned motorists that no private vehicles should use the EDSA Bus Carousel lane or the innermost lanes of EDSA that has been reserved for city buses and vehicles being used for emergency response like ambulance, fire trucks and police cars. The post LTO monitoring EDSA bus lane violators appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AFP to redesign reserve force to complement regular force
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said there’s an ongoing redesign of the reserve force paradigm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to “fit in the current security situation” confronted by the country. Teodoro made the statement during the culmination of the National Reservist Week held at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Saturday, 30 September. The defense chief cited the calibration should be based on what the country needs to further improve its credible deterrent posture and the ability to protect its interests, “not only on the ground but particularly in the maritime domain.” “In doing so, this time, we have to rethink our reservists' paradigms. And so we are in the process of redesigning the reserve force based on the leads of the time and not based on an old-dated paradigm…that may not be valid anymore,” he added. Teodoro has ordered the “designing of future reserve force” that should complement the regular force of AFP and ensure service continuity, in which civilian parallels business service continuity “so that there’s a subdivision of functions.” The redesigning, he said, also includes effectively tapping of reserve force’s various human skills and building up land military civil defense units within communities. “This is to secure our communities through the benefits of the laws of war that they may not be combatants’ end-targets for hostile actions,” he added. Teodoro said he already tasked the Office of the Civil Defense to merge and synergize the development of the civil defense units which will be based in the communities, municipalities and provinces. These CDUs will manage local disaster risk reduction systems, provide security, and enhance first responders' capabilities in communities, in cooperation with military forces as well as the inclusion of the reserve forces. “We encourage our reservists to help in formulating plans for our strategic development in the future as this is a collaborative effort,” he added. Meanwhile, AFP Chief Gen Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military organization is open to the redesigning reserve force paradigm. “Well, we welcome that. Because we saw that the problems we are confronting now in our country are really different from the previous problems we faced before—this time, we are facing more challenges that are global in nature,” he said in a media interview. Brawner pointed out that the AFP is not only focusing on improving the reserve force organization but also working on the enhancement of the military’s regular force. “We wanted to develop our total force. That means the reserve force and regular force are not separated from each other. We are one Armed Forces of the Philippines, if ever that emergency or any threat comes to our country…reserve forces, even the citizens of our country should get together, and work together for the defense of our country and for the promotion of our national interest,” he said. This effort would help the entire country in addressing emerging security threats, whether internal or external, he added. Further, Brawner confirmed the AFP still plans to tap fishermen in the West Philippine Sea to become part of the military reserve force. “Yes. In fact, many fisherfolk have already expressed willingness to help us. It doesn’t mean that have to fight because they were in the area. That’s not the concept,” he said. “But they can help us in terms of gathering information and making sure that we have a presence in those areas so we can say that those areas are ours,” he added. Earlier, AFP Western Command Chief Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos the military is exerting key efforts to further improve the country’s presence in its territorial waters. Carlos said AFP is eyeing to increase Filipino boats and fishermen in the country’s exclusive economic zone in WPS. “We have ongoing efforts to convince our Filipino fishermen to fish in the WPS para ma-exercise natin ‘yung atin (so we can exercise our) sovereign rights to fish,” he said. Carlos said among these efforts include the effective control of all islands now occupied by the Philippines in the WPS, establishing a stronger naval presence, and enhancing maritime domain awareness in these areas. The AFP previously reported more than 400 foreign vessels are swarming in the features of WPS, including the massive destruction of corals in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal after the resurgence of foreign ships in the area. The post AFP to redesign reserve force to complement regular force appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NDRRMC targets more durable, resilient evacuation centers
The government is considering the establishment of more durable and resilient evacuation centers nationwide as proposed by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to further enhance the country’s evacuation system. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who also chairs the NDRRMC, convened the council’s member agencies in a third-quarter meeting in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Thursday night. Teodoro said the council should focus on strengthening the disaster risk reduction and management as well as the adoption of “best practices for public interest.” “One of the highlights of the discussion was the status and enhanced design of evacuation centers. It can be recalled that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stressed the importance of building resilient evacuation centers in his last State of the Nation Address to ensure the safety of the public in times of emergency,” the NDRRMC said in a statement released on Friday. The Office of Civil Defense and the Department of Public Works and Highways are looking into the proposal to improve the design of evacuation centers, including the prioritization mechanism through risk-based assessments. During the meeting, the council members also tackled considerations and updates on location and site suitability, structural and building capacity, and minimum standards on design and conceptual sketches. The NDRRMC noted that the proposed improved design of the evacuation center is still subject to finalization by concerned government agencies. The council also tackled and approved amendments to NDRRMC Memorandum Circular No. 64, s. 2021 or the Guidelines on the Accreditation and Protection of Community Disaster Volunteers; Memorandum Circular on the Guidelines on Mainstreaming DRRM in Health in Local Development; and the proposed revision on Memorandum Circular no. 110, s.2021 or the Revised Guidelines on the Administration of the NDRRM Fund. The enhanced guidelines tackled during the meeting will be disseminated to concerned stakeholders for implementation. A report from Climate Change Knowledge Portal for Development Practitioners and Policy Makers showed that some 19 to 20 typhoons enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility yearly, with 7-9 making landfall. Hence, several lawmakers pushed for the legislation of measures that aim to enhance the country’s evacuation system. Senate Bill 1652, or An Act establishing evacuation centers nationwide, filed by Senator Raffy Tulfo, seeks the establishment of evacuation centers in 146 cities and 1,488 municipalities nationwide. Under the proposed measure, these evacuation centers must have basic facilities, accessible locations, and adequate emergency supplies, such as water, medicine, and relief goods considering that the Philippines is one of the most typhoon-prone countries in the world. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian also filed SB 940, or the Evacuation Center Act”, which seeks to establish evacuation centers in all cities nationwide. SB 940 provides that each location for every evacuation center shall be determined by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in close coordination with the local government units concerned, and must be centrally located in the community. It must also be at a safe distance from large trees and structures with hazardous materials, must be near a health facility, must be located on geotechnically stable land, and must not be located near military base camps and camps of insurgent groups. The post NDRRMC targets more durable, resilient evacuation centers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DND, AFP, Comelec sign pact for orderly barangay, SK elections
The Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday signed an agreement with the Commission on Elections to ensure peaceful and orderly barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections nationwide on 30 October. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. signed the pact with Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia at the DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The signing was also witnessed by AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr., who is in charge of the Committee on Kontra Bigay. The Committee on Kontra Bigay aims to combat the “deplorable practice of vote buying”, which Teodoro said continues to pollute the country’s democracy. “Ang tao, naiimpluwensyahan ng mga bagay na hindi kanais-nais. Kaya po ang fault niyan ay nasa namimigay,” he said. On the other hand, Brawner signed a separate memorandum of understanding with Garcia allowing Comelec to deputize AFP personnel to ensure free, orderly and peaceful barangay elections. At the sidelines of the MOA signing, the Comelec handed over a check to AFP amounting to P40 million in support of the military’s administrative, operational and logistical needs "as they perform their functions relative to the upcoming BSK elections." The post DND, AFP, Comelec sign pact for orderly barangay, SK elections appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Garbage caused Saturday floods, says MMDA
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Sunday reported that a significant amount of improperly disposed garbage caused flooding in several areas in the National Capital Region amid the heavy rains on Saturday. MMDA general manager Procopio Lipana disclosed that MMDA personnel recovered garbage — such as plastics and even a plywood plank — that blocked a drain near EDSA-Camp Aguinaldo. “We obtained a huge amount of garbage despite the continuous cleaning of storm gutters,” said Lipana in a radio interview. “Aside from the large amount of garbage blocking the drainage, the heavy rain came down suddenly, and our drainage system has become inadequate,” he added. The MMDA chief reiterated that the agency planned to create a 50-year drainage master plan for Metro Manila to address perennial flooding during the rainy season, adding that drainage systems in the region’s cities need to be aligned and enlarged to accommodate the larger volume of water. Pending this master plan, the MMDA appealed to the public to properly dispose of their garbage to mitigate the flooding in Metro Manila. The post Garbage caused Saturday floods, says MMDA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Exhibit on 125th anniversary of Malolos Congress opens in Senate
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda will lead the unveiling of an exhibit commemorating the 125th anniversary of Malolos Congress at the Senate building in Pasay City on Monday, 18 September. The exhibit, titled "Bakit Malolos?" and organized by Legarda's office in coordination with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, will run 18-21 September 2023. "We hope to remind the Filipino people, including our fellow lawmakers, the importance of our past as our history helps us calculate our next steps in preparing for the future," Legarda said. "The Malolos Congress helped signal to the world that Asians were capable of self-governing; it was a preview of what then-colonized countries could do if given autonomy and independence," she added. Originally an online exhibit during the pandemic, the exhibit features the names of the delegates to the Malolos Congress and the facsimile of the First Constitution. Ariston Rendon Gella, Antique's first pharmacist and the great-grandfather of Legarda, was one of its delegates. The exhibit also features several busts depicting historical figures such as the Republic's first president, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, and cabinet member Apolinario Mabini. The exhibit also shows scale models of the Barasoain Church and the Malolos Congress. NHCP Chairman Emmanuel Calairo and Museum Curator Ruel Paguiligan will grace the exhibit. The Malolos Congress played an important role in Philippine history as it ratified the Declaration of Independence and drafted the country's first Constitution months after the country declared independence from Spain on 12 June 1898, in Kawit, Cavite. It also paved the way for the Philippines to be the first republican democracy in Asia. The post Exhibit on 125th anniversary of Malolos Congress opens in Senate appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Brawner, US envoy, USAF chief to visit EDCA sites in Cagayan, Pampanga
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., United States Ambassador to the Philippines Marykay Carlson and US Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral John Aquilino will be visiting facilities within the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites located in Lal-lo Airport and Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan and in Basa Air Base, Pampanga tomorrow, Wednesday. AFP Public Affairs chief Lt.Col. Enrico Gil Ileto said Brawner, Carlson and Aquilino will conduct an “extensive tour” at the completed EDCA projects in Basa Air Base, along with other high-ranking AFP and U.S. Armed Forces officers. “The tour will also provide an opportunity for the senior military officials to gain firsthand knowledge of the bases' potential for the development of key facilities to support HADR operations and modernization priorities of the AFP,” Ileto told reporters on Tuesday. After the visit, the Philippines and US delegations will attend the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board meeting at the Camp Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Thursday, 14 September. Ileto said: “These underscore the continued partnership and collaboration between the Philippines and United States militaries in enhancing national defense capabilities, as well as the shared commitment to regional security and disaster response efforts,” while Brawner and Aquilino’s visit to EDCA sites “signifies the commitment of both AFP and US Armed Forces to further strengthen its mutual cooperation.” This also ensures that both militaries are “prepared and well-equipped to respond to evolving security challenges and humanitarian crises,” he added. “The AFP looks forward to sharing insights from this visit and the MDB-SEB meeting, which together contribute to the enduring partnership between the two nations,” Ileto said. The post Brawner, US envoy, USAF chief to visit EDCA sites in Cagayan, Pampanga appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AFP chief, Swedish envoy discuss jet acquisition project, WPS issues
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and Sweden Ambassador Annika Thunborg discussed the country’s plans to acquire multi-role fighters under the Revised AFP Modernization Program. AFP Public Affairs chief Lt.Col. Enrico Gil Ileto said Brawner and Thunborg also tackled recent developments in the West Philippine Sea during their meeting on Friday at the AFP general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. "The Ambassador likewise expressed that Sweden stands firmly behind the Philippines in the protection of its territory and territorial integrity as well as the international rules-based order and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” Ileto told the reporters. During the meeting, Ileto said the two officials also discussed the modernization of the AFP and the role of like-minded nations both in building a credible armed force for the Philippines and in pursuing the rules-based international order in the WPS. Ileto said Brawner also expressed his hope that China will cease its illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea as he insists that the “Philippines has a right to maintain the integrity of BRP Sierra Madre” situated in the Ayungin Shoal. “The CSAFP said the AFP will not allow China to dictate on us on what we want to do in that post that has become a symbol of our dedication to our mandate as protector of the people and the state and our commitment to our soldiers who are stationed there,” he added. The post AFP chief, Swedish envoy discuss jet acquisition project, WPS issues appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl, Australia boost partnership, mull more bilateral military exercises
The Armed Forces of the Philippines and Australian Defense Forces are mulling more bilateral military exercises that will further strengthen and boost both of their military forces. This development came after ADF chief Gen. Angus Campbell paid a courtesy call to AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Tuesday at the AFP general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Brawner and Campbell discussed the existing defense partnership between the Philippines and Australia as well as the joint Exercise ALON. "We want to showcase the close ties that we have among our Armed Forces. We would also like to thank you for the recent exercise,” Brawner said. For his part, Campbell emphasized that the ongoing Philippine-Australia bilateral drills serve an “expression of an important message and a demonstration of cooperation among partner nations.” “We want to make sure that the particular form of the military is evolving in ways that the Armed Forces of the Philippines want and that would see mutual benefit and partnership. I want to make sure that we remain a partner that listens and adapts,” Campbell said. Brawner, meanwhile, thanked the Australian Defense Force Chief for the continuous support that they have given to the country. "All have seen how the relationship between both our Armed Forces has grown, from counterterrorism and now shifting to territorial defense. There is a lot of room for us to work together,” Brawner said. [caption id="attachment_176884" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] AFP Chief General Romeo S Brawner Jr. welcomed Chief of Australian Defense Force General Angus Campbell during arrival honors conducted at the general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on 29 August 2023. (Photo by AFP PAO)[/caption] From Comprehensive to Strategic Partnership Department of National Defense Undersecretary Ireneo Espino on Tuesday also announced that the Philippines and Australia are now elevating bilateral relations from a Comprehensive Partnership to a Strategic Partnership following their biggest bilateral Cooperative Amphibious Serial exercise. “Indeed, the importance of our two countries' place on security partnership comes at the crucial junction in our regional security landscape with challenges becoming more complex by the day,” Espino said during the closing ceremony of Philippines-Australia Exercise ALON 2023, which was held at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City. “Our partner can rest assured that DND stands ready to further heighten the Philippines' friendship and cooperation with Australia,” he added. Meanwhile, Bgen, Jimmy Larida, executive director for Exercise ALON-23, described the newly concluded combined amphibious drills between AFP and ADF as a “very resounding success,” noting that the strategic objectives were met throughout the exercises. “We were able to identify what particular procedures where we are already good in dealing with Australia and what particular tactical procedures that we should improve further so we will do everything to improve during the next iteration of this exercise,” Larida said. AFP Public Affairs chief, LtCol. Enrico Gil Ileto, said the largest bilateral exercise conducted between the AFP and ADF included an air assault exercise in Palawan on 21 August and a combined amphibious assault exercise in Zambales on 25 August —which was carried out by launching a combined amphibious landing force from the Navy ships to secure the beach landing sites, followed by parachute insertion to seize the objectives and a simultaneous landing via landing craft and USMC MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The Palawan air assault exercise in Rizal was designed to simulate realistic combat scenarios, enhancing the forces’ preparedness and operational readiness across air, sea and land actions. It featured over 600 soldiers from the AFP, ADF and USMC, and close air support by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A Lightening II and E-7A Wedgetail. Ileto said the assets used in these drills included HMA ships Canberra and Anzac, with the Tarlac-class BRP Davao Del Sur (LD 602), close air support from RAAF F-35A Lightning II aircraft, Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tank and two Philippine Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Vehicles. To mark the final phase of the exercise, the AFP and ADF will hold a live fire training as the final phase in Capas, Tarlac on 31 August. Exercise ALON was designed to enhance both military forces’ capability in conducting combined operations and improved their tactics, techniques and procedures for amphibious operations. Participants were composed of 1,000 personnel from the AFP and 1,200 from the ADF, with support from 150 US Marine Corps. The post Phl, Australia boost partnership, mull more bilateral military exercises appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Private sector, int’l partners tapped to address El Niño impact
The Office of the Civil Defense on Tuesday said the government is tapping the private sector and other international organizations to mitigate the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon in the country. This came after the National El Niño team met with its several private and international partners on Tuesday afternoon at the OCD headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, Civil Defense Administrator and National Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director, said various agencies have already completed the harmonization of their plans, programs and activities related to responding to the El Niño phenomenon. “We have already published the national action plan that outlines the short, medium and long-term interventions that we tackled in our previous meetings. However, this document is now being updated as we consult with our partner organizations and as the respective departments implement their interventions,” he said. During the meeting, the Departments of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Energy, Health and Interior and Local Government presented their various plans and activities in terms of food security, water security, energy security, health and public safety, respectively. “We are in the implementation phase because the situation calls for the immediate execution of the needed interventions. Now, to make the plan more comprehensive and encompassing, we are in discussion with private, local, and international organizations,” said Nepomuceno. The official said there’s a need to implement effective plans to guide all actions and responses that “are inclusive and considerate of the different circumstances of communities affected by El Nino.” Among the tapped groups of the private sector and international organizations were the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Arise Philippines, the United Nations for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The PDRF has committed to implementing interventions in the priority areas or key sectors identified by the government, which includes its ongoing collaboration with the Department of Energy in the implementation of the national energy contingency plan — ensuring energy security in the country. The UN-OCHA and UN-FAO said they will continue the distribution of farming equipment to the agricultural sector as they noted it has been done in past El Niño experiences here in the country. Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said a moderate El Niño will likely be experienced in the tropical Pacific but there's a possibility that it will be further strengthened in the coming months. PAGASA said that El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could bring negative impacts, such as dry spells and droughts, in some areas of the country. However, the above-normal rainfall conditions during the Southwest monsoon or “habagat” season are also expected over the western part of the country. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. previously ordered the creation of a team that will handle the mitigation, preparedness, response and rehabilitation efforts arising from the El Niño phenomenon. The post Private sector, int’l partners tapped to address El Niño impact appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»