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President Marcos signs laws renaming roads, bridge
President Marcos has signed several laws, including those renaming circumferential and bypass roads, a bridge and a national highway in different parts of the country......»»
Bohol Circumferential Road, Urdaneta Bypass Road, Tambacan Bridge renamed
Aside from renaming the roads and bridge, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also approved a law naming a national highway in Camarines Sur.....»»
Another bridge in Davao Oriental collapsed
A bridge in Caraga, Davao Oriental collapsed due to continuous heavy rains, following the impact of Tropical Depression Kabayan. This is the third main bridge damaged by extreme weather conditions since December 2023. The damaged bridges are still under construction. The collapse has caused isolation for some communities and led to landslides in Barangay Pichon, with at least 64 families sheltered in evacuation centers. The local government, alongside various agencies, is conducting an impact assessment to determine the damage to agriculture and infrastructure. Classes in public and private institutions are suspended until January 20. The community is rallying for strength and optimism amidst the challenges......»»
Hurricane causes 27 deaths, severe damage in Mexico’s Acapulco
Hurricane Otis caused at least 27 deaths and major damage as it lashed Mexico's resort city of Acapulco as a scale-topping category 5 storm, officials said Thursday, in what residents called a "total disaster." Otis crashed into Acapulco with furious winds of 165 miles (270 kilometers) per hour, shattering windows, uprooting trees and largely cutting off communications and road links with the region. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador arrived at the scene late Wednesday, after his convoy found roads blocked by landslides and other debris, forcing officials to abandon their vehicles and walk part of the way. Some residents slogged for hours through mud and debris in an attempt to find food and shelter. "Acapulco is a total disaster. It is not what it was before," said 24-year-old Eric Hernandez, who decided to leave on foot. "The shops had all been looted, people were fighting for things. So we decided to walk as there wasn't anything left there," he said. Others said an overflowing river and collapsed bridges had cut off communities near Acapulco, home to about 780,000 people. "People were left homeless, there's no electricity," said Israel Perez, a 21-year-old baker. Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez told a news conference Thursday that 27 people were dead and four were missing. Three of those unaccounted for were soldiers, Lopez Obrador said after returning to Mexico City. He described the storm as "disastrous" and said that it was only thanks to the actions of people who sought shelter that there were no more deaths. The government would begin an airlift to deliver aid and materials to the region, Lopez Obrador said. Telephone communications began to resume while the main highway from Mexico City to Acapulco was reopened. Like an earthquake Otis rapidly intensified within hours from a tropical storm to the most powerful category of the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale before hitting land, taking authorities by surprise. "It's unprecedented in the country in recent times, not only because of the way it strengthened so quickly but also the magnitude of the hurricane," Lopez Obrador said. People recounted a terrifying ordeal as Otis made landfall overnight Tuesday-Wednesday, causing major structural damage. "The building shook as if there was an earthquake," Citlali Portillo, a tourist accommodation manager, told the television channel Televisa, adding that she had taken shelter in a bathtub. The storm overturned vehicles and even left a car in the lobby of a luxury hotel, surrounded by broken glass and debris. Soldiers worked to clear the streets of mud and fallen trees. Some residents were seen taking food, water, and other goods from looted stores. Hurricanes hit Mexico every year on both its Pacific and Atlantic coasts, usually between May and November, though few make landfall as a Category 5. In October 1997, Hurricane Pauline hit Mexico's Pacific coast as a Category 4 storm, leaving more than 200 people dead, some of them in Acapulco. It was one of the deadliest hurricanes to batter Mexico. In October 2015, Patricia became the most powerful hurricane ever recorded, pummeling Mexico's Pacific coast with sustained winds of 200 miles per hour. But the storm caused only material damage and no deaths as it made landfall in a sparsely populated mountainous area. Scientists have warned that storms are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer with climate change. The post Hurricane causes 27 deaths, severe damage in Mexico’s Acapulco appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cebu City eyes 100 electric vehicles
The local government of Cebu City is planning to acquire at least 100 electric vehicles that will ply major roads in the city by next year as it aims a greener and more sustainable land transportation system in Cebu City. North district City Councilor Joel Garganera, chairman of the committee on environment told DAILY TRIBUNE that the city expects to receive at least 10 e-vehicles from Global Electric Transport by the first quarter of 2024. “This could be the first large-scale electric vehicle deployment by a local government unit in the Philippines,” said Garganera, adding that the local government has allocated P150 million for the purchase of e-vehicles, while P50 million was pledged by businessman Endika Aboitiz and P100 million will come from the Aboitiz Foundation’s donation. About P300 million is needed to purchase 100 units of EVs. The unit cost per EV is pegged at P4.2 million but under the special agreement with GET, each unit can be purchased for only P3 million and the city will pay only P1.5 million for each unit as the remaining P1.5 million will be paid by the private sector. Garganera also disclosed that in the tripartite agreement between the City, GET and Aboitiz Foundation, it will be GET that will operate the e-vehicle units as well as provide the necessary maintenance at no cost to the city. He reiterated that green mobility aims to reduce a diverse set of environmental impacts primarily caused by the transport sector. “The goal is for the transport sector to decarbonize and decrease the current level of emissions to a low-carbon scenario,” Garganera said. Studies revealed that 50 to 70 percent of the air pollution in most cities is attributed to the carbon emissions from fuel-powered vehicles, noting that air pollution kills seven million people per year based on a GET report. In terms of maintenance, EVs have low-cost maintenance compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles since fewer materials are involved. The post Cebu City eyes 100 electric vehicles appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
150 dead as ‘catastrophic’ storm floods hit east Libya
At least 150 people were killed when freak floods hit eastern Libya, officials said Monday, after storm "Daniel" swept the Mediterranean, its torrential rains earlier lashing Turkey, Bulgaria and Greece. Images filmed by residents of the Libyan disaster area showed massive mudslides, collapsed buildings and entire neighborhoods submerged under muddy water. "At least 150 people were killed as a result of flooding and torrential rains left by storm Daniel in Derna, Jabal al-Akhdar region and the suburbs of Al-Marj," said Mohamed Massoud, a spokesman for the Benghazi-based administration in Libya. "This is besides the massive material damage that struck public and private properties," he told AFP. Hundreds of residents were still believed to be trapped in difficult-to-reach areas as rescuers, backed by the army, were trying to come to their aid. East Libyan authorities had "lost contact with nine soldiers during rescue operations", Massoud said. He said the prime minister of the east-based government, Oussama Hamad, and the head of a rescue committee as well as other ministers had travelled to Derna to evaluate the extent of the damage. Hamad's government -- which in war-battered Libya rivals an UN-brokered, internationally recognized transitional administration in Tripoli -- on Monday declared Derna a "disaster area". Libya's western government under Abdelhamid Dbeibah, during an extraordinary ministerial meeting broadcast live on television, announced three days of national mourning and emphasized "the unity of all Libyans" in the face of the disaster. The National Petroleum Company, whose main oilfields and terminals are in eastern Libya, declared "a state of maximum alert" and suspended flights between production sites where activity was drastically reduced. Experts have described storm Daniel -- which killed at least 27 people when it struck parts of Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria in recent days -- as "extreme in terms of the amount of water falling in a space of 24 hours". 'Severe weather' A Derna city council official described the situation in the city as "catastrophic" and in need of "national and international intervention", speaking to the local TV channel Libya al-Ahrar. He reported the collapse of four main bridges and two buildings in Derna, a city of 100,000 people that lies in a river wadi 900 kilometers (560 miles) east of the capital Tripoli. The storm struck eastern Libya on Sunday afternoon, hitting especially the coastal town of Jabal al-Akhdar but also Benghazi, where a curfew was declared and schools closed for several days. The United Nations mission in Libya on Monday said on X, formerly Twitter, that it was "closely following the emergency caused by severe weather conditions in the eastern region of the country". It expressed its condolences over the deaths and said it was "ready to support efforts by local authorities and municipalities to respond to this emergency and provide urgent humanitarian assistance". Libya, sitting on Africa's largest known oil reserves, was plunged into chaos following the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed former dictator Moamer Kadhafi. Two rival governments based in the west and east have been vying for power, with deadly conflict occasionally erupting. The French ambassador to Libya, Mostafa Mihraje, also offered his condolences and expressed his "solidarity with the Libyan people in this ordeal", also in a message on X. In neighboring Egypt, authorities called for caution on the northern coast which borders eastern Libya, and announced they were beginning preparations to minimize the impact of Storm Daniel. The weather forecast predicted more heavy rain in coming days there. As the world warms, the atmosphere contains more water vapor which increases the risk of heavy precipitation in some parts of the world. Combined with other factors such as urbanization and land-use planning, these more intense rainfall events contribute to flooding. The post 150 dead as ‘catastrophic’ storm floods hit east Libya appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DBM allots P822.2B for DPWH
The Department of Budget and Management has allotted P822.2 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways for the proposed 2024 National Expenditure Program to build more public facilities, including roads and bridges, under the Marcos Administration’s “Build, Better, More, Program.” In a statement on Monday, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman underscored the need for the country to bounce back after its economic losses during the pandemic. “As highlighted by the President during his second State of the Nation Address, infrastructure development is one of the key drivers of our continuing economic growth,” Pangandaman said. “As such, we will sustain this momentum through the “Build, Better, More, Program.” This will prioritize physical connectivity infrastructure such as road networks and railway systems,” she added. Flood Management, one of DPWH’s significant programs, gets the largest budget at P215.643 billion for 965 projects to construct or rehabilitate flood mitigation facilities in major river basins and principal rivers. Convergence and Special Support Program followed next with P174.089 billion proposed budget. For Network Development, P148.112 billion will be spent to construct 721.656 kilometers of new roads and widen or improve 647.288 kilometers of existing roads. For Asset Preservation, a budget of P115.588 billion is allotted to implement the preventive maintenance of 1,196.398 kilometers of roads and upgrade of 798.711 kilometers of damaged paved roads. The Bridge Program’s P45.839 billion allocation is for the construction of 15,208.83 lineal meters of bridges and maintenance, retrofitting, repair, and rehabilitation, as well as the widening of 525 existing bridges. A separate budget of P13.968 billion is allocated to the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program which will provide access roads leading to declared tourism destinations. Moreover, an allocation of P10.020 billion will be for the Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade Infrastructure Program; Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad Program for military and police facilities, P3.8 billion; Special Road Fund for the construction, upgrading, repair, and rehabilitation of roads, bridges, and road drainage, P15.232 billion. The post DBM allots P822.2B for DPWH appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DBM allots P822B to infrastructure development
The Department of Budget and Management has allotted P822.2 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways for the proposed 2024 National Expenditure Program to build more public facilities, including roads and bridges, under the Marcos Administration's Build Better More Program. In a statement on Monday, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman underscored the need for the country to bounce back after its economic losses during the pandemic. “As highlighted by the President during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), infrastructure development is one of the key drivers of our continuing economic growth," Pangandaman said. "As such, we will sustain this momentum through the Build Better More Program. This will prioritize physical connectivity infrastructure such as road networks and railway systems,” she added. Flood Management, one of DPWH's significant programs, gets the largest budget at P215.643 billion for 965 projects to construct or rehabilitate flood mitigation facilities in major river basins and principal rivers. Convergence and Special Support Program followed next with P174.089 billion proposed budget. For Network Development, P148.112 billion will be spent to construct 721.656 kilometers of new roads and widen or improve 647.288 kilometers of existing roads. For Asset Preservation, a budget of P115.588 billion is allotted to implement the preventive maintenance of 1,196.398 kilometers of roads and upgrade of 798.711 kilometers of damaged paved roads. The Bridge Program’s P45.839 billion allocation is for the construction of 15,208.83 lineal meters of bridges and maintenance, retrofitting, repair, and rehabilitation, as well as the widening of 525 existing bridges. A separate budget of P13.968 billion is allocated to the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program which will provide access roads leading to declared tourism destinations. Moreover, an allocation of P10.020 billion will be for the Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade Infrastructure Program; Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (TIKAS) Program for military and police facilities, P3.8 billion; Special Road Fund for the construction, upgrading, repair, and rehabilitation of roads, bridges, and road drainage, P15.232 billion. The post DBM allots P822B to infrastructure development appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go inspects Siniloan isolation facility
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, personally inspected the isolation facility at the Siniloan Infirmary Hospital in Siniloan, Laguna on Friday, 25 August. Go, also the vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has supported the said project during the Duterte administration. The senator, an adopted son of CALABARZON, was also joined by Vice Governor Karen Agapay, Mayor Patrick Go, Vice Mayor Carla Valderrama, and Councilors Carl Anthony Puño, Regie De Jesus, and Councilor Ronald Valeroso, among others. "Maraming salamat po Kuya Bong. Ang bayan po ng Siniloan ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa inyong pagdalaw at kami po ay binibigyan niyo ng suporta. Ang sarili naming Infirmary Hospital ay parang Malasakit Center na rin dahil ang mga kapos nating kababayan na lumalapit doon ay nabibigyan natin ng direktang libreng pag-gagamot. Kaya Kuya Bong, maraming maraming salamat po. Talagang 'Go cares'," Mayor Go expressed. Go’s visit not only underscored his dedication to serving the Filipino people but also highlighted the critical need to bolster the nation's health sector, particularly in the wake of the devastating effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the inspection, the senator engaged in conversations with the local officials and even healthcare workers to gain firsthand insights into the challenges faced by the health sector. “Sinusuportahan naman natin ang inyong Infirmary Hospital dito po sa Siniloan at gaya ng sinabi ko kung ano po ang makakatulong sa Siniloan sa pag-unlad ng inyong bayan at makatulong po sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan dito po sa Siniloan ay handa po akong tumulong sa abot ng aking makakaya ay tutulong po ako dito po sa inyong bayan,” said Go in an interview after his visit. Go has consistently stressed the importance of continuous investments in healthcare infrastructure, personnel, and equipment especially in the community level. He pointed out that the pandemic had exposed vulnerabilities in the health sector and underscored the need for proactive measures to ensure that the country is better equipped to handle future health crises. Through a series of innovative initiatives, including Malasakit Centers, Super Health Centers (SHCs), and Regional Specialty Centers (RSCs), Go underscored his unwavering commitment to ensuring that all Filipinos have access to quality medical assistance and services. Malasakit Centers, a brainchild of Senator Go, act as one-stop shops that consolidate the available medical assistance programs of various government agencies, ensuring that poor and indigent patients can readily access the support they need. Since its inception in 2018, Malasakit Centers have provided invaluable assistance to more than seven million patients, alleviating the financial burdens that often accompany medical treatments. There are currently 158 operational centers nationwide, including those at Laguna Medical Center in Sta. Cruz and San Pablo City General Hospital in San Pablo City. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. Meanwhile, Go’s vision of a more improved healthcare sector extends to the establishment of SHCs, which aim to offer comprehensive healthcare services to communities, especially in underserved areas. Such centers are set to be established in cities such as Calamba, Cabuyao, Sta. Rosa, San Pedro, San Pablo, and Biñan, as well as in the towns of Alaminos, Mabitac, Calauan, Los Baños, and Sta. Maria. The SHCs will offer a wide range of services, including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and 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. Through the concerted efforts of the Department of Health (DOH) and lawmakers, adequate funding has been allocated in the national budget for the establishment of 307 SHCs in 2022 and 322 more in 2023. “Ang maganda po diyan early detection, primary care, checkup, konsulta. Diyan ho kayo magpakonsulta sa Super Health Center na itinatayo sa inyong lugar. Early detection (para) hindi lumala ang sakit. It will help decongest sa hospitals, madi-decongest po ang mga hospitals dahil diyan na po gagamutin sa mga Super Health Center,’ Go said. Recognizing the need for specialized care, Go has also championed the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers. These centers focus on specific medical fields, ensuring that patients receive expert care without the need to travel long distances to urban centers. In the Senate, Go principally sponsored and is one of the authors of Senate Bill No. 2212, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which was recently approved and signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. into law. “Pangatlong prayoridad ko po bilang chairman ng Committee on Health ito pong establishing regional specialty center. Maglalagay po ng mga specialty center sa mga DOH regional hospital sa buong Pilipinas. It’s a multiyear plan po. Halimbawa, (kung may problema sa) heart, kidney, lung, neonatal, mental, ito pong mga ortho sa mga may karamdaman sa buto, cancer. Ilalagay na po sa lahat ng DOH regional hospital sa buong Pilipinas para ilapit po natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan,” explained Go. “Ako po ang (isa sa mga) author at (principal) sponsor niyan sa Senado at pasado na ‘yan, napirmahan na po ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos dahil priority po ito ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos. Establishing specialty center in every DOH regional hospital all over the country,” he added. On the same day, Go personally inspected the town’s Sports Complex and provided assistance to 500 struggling residents. The post Bong Go inspects Siniloan isolation facility appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Govt gives cash and aid to flood-ravaged Central Luzon
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the government is prepared to provide relief goods, financial assistance, and other forms of help to those affected by the floods in Luzon. Marcos said this in his speech as he visited flood-affected areas in Central Luzon on Monday, 6 August, to assess the damage and pledge assistance to those in need. "We are here to make sure that those in need are provided assistance and that help is distributed effectively," Marcos said. "Things are being managed well here. DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) is here, and they were prepared even before the floods and storms arrived. They've sent their relief goods, and DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) is ready to assist those who lost their jobs, those needing a little help to bridge the gap," Marcos added. Marcos also urged residents to be prepared for future floods and storms, as climate change is causing the weather to become more unpredictable. "The truth here is that many of those affected by the flooding were not necessarily those in flood-prone areas," Marcos said. "First and foremost, the amount of rain that fell was significant. From the North to Central Luzon region, we need to really prepare for what we call climate change. The weather is changing, not following the patterns of the past. So, we need to be ready." Heavy rains brought by Super Typhoon Egay and Typhoon Falcon caused floods in Central Luzon. The typhoons caused widespread flooding and damage. The government has declared a state of calamity in several provinces in Central Luzon, including Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tarlac. The floods have displaced thousands of people, and have caused millions of pesos in damage. During the distribution of various government assistance to Pampanga, 1,000 beneficiaries received food packs and were provided with P10,000 each through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program by the DSWD. Conversely, the DOLE allocated P2.3 million to assist 500 beneficiaries in Pampanga through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating mga Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program. The DOLE has a reserve fund of Php65 million designated for approximately 14,000 TUPAD beneficiaries. Additionally, on 4 August, they disbursed another Php30 million for the TUPAD program specifically in Pampanga through their regional office. The agency also granted livelihood assistance amounting to Php6.4 million under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) to seven LGUs, specifically: Candaba, Macabebe, Masantol, Arayat, Porac, and Sta. Ana in Pampanga. Participating in the efforts, the DA presented the Province of Pampanga with a certificate worth P21.6 million. This included 13,354 bags of certified seeds valued at P20.2 million distributed to 8,723 farmer-beneficiaries, 186 bags of hybrid yellow corn and 15 bags of open-pollinated variety worth Php1.1 million given to 154 farmer-beneficiaries, as well as assorted vegetable seeds worth P230,000 provided to 162 farmer-beneficiaries. Following the distribution of aid, President Marcos took part in a briefing at Pampanga Capitol to assess the aftermath of recent typhoons and extensive flooding in the province. This evaluation aimed to determine further assistance that could be offered to those affected by the calamities. The post Govt gives cash and aid to flood-ravaged Central Luzon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pag-IBIG offers typhoon victims with quick loans
Shelter financing agency Pag-IBIG Fund reported allocating P3 billion in calamity loan funds to help members affected by typhoons “Egay” and “Falcon.” “Pag-IBIG Fund has allocated calamity loan funds to help affected members in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, the Cordillera Administrative Region or CAR, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, and Cavite, recover from the devastation caused by typhoons ‘Egay’ and ‘Falcon.’ We are also working closely with local government units in these areas, as we heed the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to provide our fellow Filipinos in these calamity-hit areas with all the necessary assistance,” Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and Chairperson of the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees, said. Under the Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan, eligible members may borrow up to 80 percent of their total Pag-IBIG Savings, which consist of monthly contributions, the counterpart employer’s contributions, and accumulated dividends earned. And in consideration of the plight of the members, the loan is offered at a rate of 5.95% per annum, which is the lowest rate in the market. The loan is payable over a period of up to three years, with a grace period of three months so that the initial payment is due only on the fourth month after the loan is released. Qualified borrowers may apply for the calamity loan within 90 days from the date when an area has been declared under a state of calamity. P709-M calamity loans released Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive officer Marilene Acosta, meanwhile, stated that the agency has already released P709 million in calamity loans to help 41,873 members in calamity-hit areas in the country as of June this year. She added that Pag-IBIG branches in these areas remain open and are now coordinating with the local government units which have already declared states of the calamity in their respective jurisdictions, for the deployment of service desks and the agency’s mobile branch, the Lingkod Pag-IBIG On-Wheels, to receive applications for calamity loans from members as well as insurance claims from current Pag-IBIG Housing Loan borrowers whose properties have been damaged due to the typhoon. “When calamities strike, we at Pag-IBIG understand that our members in affected areas need immediate financial assistance. That is why we make sure that all our programs and services remain responsive and accessible to our members. Even while our offices and personnel in calamity-hit areas have also been affected by the typhoon, our branches remain open and are ready to receive loan applications and housing loan insurance claims. Our Lingkod Pag-IBIG on Wheels have also been deployed to typhoon-stricken areas in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union to further bring our services closer to our members who are most in need. And, for members who have internet access, the Virtual Pag-IBIG is ready to accept their calamity loan applications online. Our members can count on Lingkod Pag-IBIG to help them during these trying times,” Acosta said. The post Pag-IBIG offers typhoon victims with quick loans appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Manhattan of Pasay City (1)
If New York City has its Manhattan, Pasay City shall have its own version in Manila Bay within a decade and a half. This fearless prediction is based on what happened 36 years ago. The tremendous growth being experienced by Pasay City today can be attributed to the visionary and bold move of then OIC Mayor Eduardo “Duay” Calixto in 1987 when the city government acquired for P2 billion the 52-hectare reclaimed land then owned by the Construction Development Corporation of the Philippines or CDCP. Looking back, it was the single biggest achievement of Calixto, who envisioned converting the reclaimed area into one of the finest and largest commercial centers in Metro Manila. He said this would “have a multiplier effect once completed. It would create employment for the people of Pasay and additional revenue will be generated from the taxes paid by the businessmen.” Today, one can just marvel at the great transformation of the reclaimed area, now well-known as the home of the SM Mall of Asia. The great success of Mayor Duay’s acquisition in 1987 was expected to be followed by new ventures by his intrepid children, namely, his eldest son, former City Mayor and now Congressman Antonino Calixto, and younger daughter, former Congresswoman and now City Mayor Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano. Following Mayor Duay’s success is Harbor City, a groundbreaking development project involving the reclamation of 265 hectares of offshore area in Manila Bay for a cosmopolitan, eco-friendly, and iconic waterfront city — ”The Manhattan of Manila Bay.” The proposed Pasay Harbor Reclamation Project is broken into two islands, located west of Metro Manila, within the municipal waters of Pasay City. The prophetic vision of Mayor Duay had turned into reality. From the CCP and Mall of Asia complexes in 2015 alone, the Pasay City government earned P3.2 billion in real property taxes and business and work permits. With the proposed project, the city could double, even triple, its earnings, which should translate to more and better services for the people of Pasay. The horizontal development — roads, bridges, power, water, drainage, sewerage, communication, and other facilities — is targeted for completion in 2038. Among the Metro Manila LGUs, Pasay City is one of the smallest in terms of land area. However, it has the potential to expand its land through sea reclamation. The proposed Pasay City land reclamation project along the coast of Manila Bay, near the SM Mall of Asia complex, can produce some 2,650,000 square meters of buildable and developable space. This could translate to about 1,850,000 square meters of building gross floor area, based on the 70% buildable vis-a-vis to 30 percent open space/public area ratio. This new space could be allocated to tourism, office, residential, commercial, and other non-industrial mixed uses in a master-planned community, including an integrated port facility complex for visiting cruise ships. The proposed 2,650,000 square meters of reclaimed land is in line with Pasay City Ordinance No. 5768 (Series of 2016) which calls for the reclamation of the identified area located offshore of the current SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. The project will expand the city’s current land area for economic activities. The 265-hectare reclamation project is an expansion of the original 360-hectare project and is intended to enhance further the vision embodied in the original project which included further promoting the well-being of the people of the City of Pasay in terms of employment and livelihood; stimulating city growth by providing basic infrastructure and land for the investor; help solve congestion; and actualize the vision of the government through the PRA. (To be continued) The post Manhattan of Pasay City (1) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan ready for members affected by Typhoons ‘Egay’, ‘Falcon’
Pag-IBIG Fund announced on 2 August that the agency has allocated P3 billion in calamity loan funds to help members affected by Typhoons Egay and Falcon. “Pag-IBIG Fund has allocated calamity loan funds to help affected members in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, and Cavite, recover from the devastation caused by Typhoons Egay and Falcon. We are also working closely with local government units in these areas, as we heed the call of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to provide our fellow Filipinos in these calamity-hit areas with all the necessary assistance,” said Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and Chairperson of the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees. Under the Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan, eligible members may borrow up to 80 percent of their total Pag-IBIG Savings, which consist of their monthly contributions, the counterpart employer’s contributions, and accumulated dividends earned. And in consideration of the plight of the members, the loan is offered at a rate of 5.95 percent per annum, the lowest rate in the market. The loan is payable over a period of up to three years, with a grace period of three months so that the initial payment is due only on the fourth month after the loan is released. Qualified borrowers may apply for the calamity loan within 90 days from the date when an area has been declared under a state of calamity. Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta said the agency has already released P709 million in calamity loans to help 41,873 members in calamity-hit areas in the country as of June this year. She added that Pag-IBIG branches in these areas remain open and are now coordinating with the local government units that have already declared states of calamity in their respective jurisdictions for the deployment of service desks and the agency’s mobile branch, the Lingkod Pag-IBIG On-Wheels, to receive applications for calamity loans from members as well as insurance claims from current Pag-IBIG Housing Loan borrowers whose properties have been damaged due to the typhoon. “When calamities strike, we at Pag-IBIG understand that our members in affected areas need immediate financial assistance. That is why we make sure that all our programs and services remain responsive and accessible to our members. Even while our offices and personnel in calamity-hit areas have also been affected by the typhoon, our branches remain open and are ready to receive loan applications and housing loan insurance claims. Our Lingkod Pag-IBIG on Wheels have also been deployed to typhoon-stricken areas in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union to further bring our services closer to our members who are most in need. And, for members who have internet access, the Virtual Pag-IBIG is ready to accept their calamity loan applications online. Our members can count on Lingkod Pag-IBIG to help them during these trying times,” said Acosta. The post Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan ready for members affected by Typhoons ‘Egay’, ‘Falcon’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
At least 11 killed, 13 missing in Beijing rainstorms
At least 11 people were killed and 13 were missing after heavy rains lashed Beijing, state media said Tuesday, in downpours that have submerged roads and deluged neighborhoods with mud. Storm Doksuri, a former super typhoon, swept northwards over China after hitting southern Fujian province on Friday, following its battering of the Philippines. Heavy rains began pummeling the capital and surrounding areas on Saturday, with nearly the average rainfall for the entire month of July dumped on Beijing in just 40 hours. Swaths of suburban Beijing remain badly hit by the rains -- some of the city's heaviest in years. On the banks of the Beijing river, one of the worst affected areas, AFP reporters saw muddy debris strewn across the road. One man told AFP he had not seen flooding this bad since July 2012, when 79 people were killed and tens of thousands evacuated. "This time it's much bigger than that," he said, declining to give his name. "It's a natural disaster, there's nothing you can do," a 20-year-old man surnamed Qi waiting for a taxi with his grandmother outside a hospital told AFP. "(We) still have to work hard and rebuild." On Tuesday, state broadcaster CCTV reported that the rains had killed at least 11 people, two of whom were workers "killed on duty during rescue and relief". Thirteen people were missing, but another 14 had been found safe, the broadcaster said. President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for "every effort" to rescue those "lost or trapped" by the rains. More than 100,000 people deemed at risk across the city have been evacuated, according to state-owned Global Times newspaper. Authorities have allocated 110 million yuan ($15.4 million) for disaster relief work in Beijing and surrounding provinces, CCTV said. 'Endure what we can' On Tuesday, around a dozen emergency vehicles, including trucks with water tanks and bulldozers, were spotted on the road between Shijingshan and Mentougou districts. Parts of the road were still closed off and workers in bright orange raincoats were using shovels to clear it. Florist Wang Yongkun, 62, had piled sandbags around the door of his shop, but the floor inside was still coated in mud. He said in 15 years working there he had never experienced anything like the last few days. "We started cleaning up in the afternoon yesterday... and woke up again at seven today to continue," he said. "You just have to deal with it... We will endure what we can." Around 150,000 households in Mentougou were without running water, the local Communist Party newspaper Beijing Daily said, with 45 water tankers dispatched to offer emergency supplies. Cars swept away Further south in Fangshan district, the Dashi River had overflowed, with trees along the riverbank partially submerged, and some sections of the road cordoned off. Roads were caked in mud, foliage and various debris, including an upturned armchair. AFP reporters saw collapsed bridges at two locations, with locals saying the damage had happened during the rains. Earlier social media videos tagged in Fangshan had shown multiple cars being swept along roads turned into fast-flowing streams. Live images from broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday morning showed a row of buses half submerged in floodwater. In the parking lot of a high-rise apartment complex, cars were piled on top of each other, alarms still sounding, while people lined up with buckets and other containers to collect fresh water. Chaotic scenes Local media on Monday published footage of chaotic scenes aboard high-speed rail trains stranded on tracks for as long as 30 hours, with passengers complaining that they had run out of food and water. Authorities "must properly relocate affected people, work quickly to repair damaged transportation, communication, and electricity infrastructure, and restore the order of normal production and life as soon as possible", Xi said on Tuesday. The capital activated a flood control reservoir on Monday for the first time since it was built in 1998, the Beijing Daily said. Parts of neighboring Hebei province remain under red alert for rainstorms, with authorities warning of potential flash floods and landslides. In Handan, Hebei province, rescuers lifted by crane reached a man trapped on his car in floodwaters, lifting him to safety before the car was flipped and washed away by the current. China has been experiencing extreme weather and posting record temperatures this summer, events that scientists say are being exacerbated by climate change. The country is already preparing for the arrival of another typhoon -- Khanun, the sixth such storm of the year -- as it nears China's east coast. The post At least 11 killed, 13 missing in Beijing rainstorms appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go backs ‘Build, Better, More’
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go is optimistic that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s “Build, Better, More” infrastructure program can further enhance the country’s development towards full and inclusive economic recovery. The president recently laid down his administration’s key priorities and policy directions during his second State of the Nation Address last Monday at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. One of the central pillars of his vision for the nation’s progress is infrastructure development, which seeks to build upon the foundation laid by former president Rodrigo Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program. In an interview after the SoNA, Go expressed his hopes in President Marcos’ commitment to advancing infrastructure development. He emphasized that sustaining and expanding the program would not only drive economic growth but also create more job opportunities for the Filipino workforce. According to Go, the continuation of the BBB program under the Marcos administration now known as the BBM Program, holds great promise for the country’s future, underscoring that the government is paving the way for increased economic efficiency and sustainable development. To finance high-priority projects without incurring additional debt, President Marcos said in his SoNA that the government has established the Maharlika Investment Fund, saying, “In pooling a small fraction of the considerable but underutilized government funds, the Fund shall be used to make high-impact and profitable investments, such as the Build-Better-More program. The gains from the Fund shall be reinvested into the country’s economic well-being.” Go, for his part, emphasized the need to ensure that no public fund is wasted and must be accounted for to benefit the Filipino people. In his second SoNA, President Marcos Jr. assured the Filipino people that infrastructure development would remain a top priority throughout his term. The President mentioned that the heart of the BBM Program lies in its eight-point plan, covering investments in physical connectivity, water resources, agriculture, health, digital connectivity, and energy. A significant portion, 83 percent, of the program’s budget is allocated to physical connectivity infrastructure, including roads, bridges, seaports, airports and mass transport. The post Go backs ‘Build, Better, More’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go hopeful for PBBM’s expanded infrastructure development plans
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go is optimistic that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s “Build Better More” infrastructure program can further enhance the country’s development towards full and inclusive economic recovery. President Marcos, Jr. recently laid down his administration's key priorities and policy directions during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, 24 Jul, held at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. One of the central pillars of his vision for the nation's progress is infrastructure development, which seeks to build upon the foundation laid by former president Rodrigo Duterte’s “Build Build Build” program. In an interview after the SONA, Senator Go expressed his hopes in President Marcos' commitment to advancing infrastructure development. He emphasized that sustaining and expanding the program would not only drive economic growth but also create more job opportunities for the Filipino workforce. “After Build, Build, Build noong nakaraang administrasyon, very hopeful tayo dito sa Build Better More ngayon na karagdagang mga infrastructure projects,” Go said. According to Go, the continuation of the BBB program under the Marcos Administration now known as the BBM Program, holds great promise for the country’s future, underscoring that the government is paving the way for increased economic efficiency and sustainable development. “Maraming na accomplish ang Build, Build, Build program noong panahon ni dating pangulong Duterte. Masaya tayo na ipinagpatuloy ito sa ilalim ng Build, Better More. Infra projects create jobs. They generate employment, lalo na sa mga nawalan ng trabaho dahil sa pandemya,” Go highlighted. To finance high-priority projects without incurring additional debt, President Marcos said in his SONA that the government has established the Maharlika Investment Fund, saying, “In pooling a small fraction of the considerable but underutilized government funds, the Fund shall be used to make high-impact and profitable investments, such as the Build-Better-More program. The gains from the Fund shall be reinvested into the country’s economic well-being.” Go, for his part, emphasized the need to ensure that no public fund is wasted and must be accounted for to benefit the Filipino people. “Importante rito sa Maharlika Fund dapat po maimplementa ang safeguards at maayos ‘yung paggamit ng pondo at ‘yung sa kanyang ipinangako, gagamitin sa mga infrastructure yung mga natutulog naman po na pondo,” said Go. “Pero kahit na natutulog itong pondong ito dapat po’y maayos ang paggamit nito, wala pong masayang ni piso na pondo po ng ating mga kababayan, ng ating bayan,” the senator added. In his second SONA, President Marcos Jr. assured the Filipino people that infrastructure development would remain a top priority throughout his term. The President mentioned that the heart of the BBM Program lies in its eight-point plan, covering investments in physical connectivity, water resources, agriculture, health, digital connectivity, and energy. A significant portion, 83 percent, of the program's budget is allocated to physical connectivity infrastructure, including roads, bridges, seaports, airports, and mass transport. The post Bong Go hopeful for PBBM’s expanded infrastructure development plans appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
In the wake of ‘Egay’
Like a little tin roof against a strong gust of wind, our notions of preparedness in times of calamity are often blown away for various reasons. When “Yolanda” (Haiyan) caused so much destruction in 2013, they said it was because nobody really knew what a storm surge was. Meanwhile, Typhoon “Odette” (Rai) in 2021, packing winds of up to 260 kilometers per hour, flattened Siargao. It was later described as the “strongest storm to hit Mindanao in 10 years.” Prone as we are to cyclones, is it fair to say it is still ill-preparedness that worsens the damage and loss during typhoons? July being National Disaster Resilience Month, we may as well examine where we are in the realm of disaster preparedness and rehabilitation. “Yolanda’s” wrath caused the death of 6,300 and damage of about P101 billion, sources say. The government “had to spend some P559.86 billion for rehabilitation and recovery.” “Odette” meanwhile, took the lives of over 400 people and did damage worth P51.8 billion. It was the 15th storm to hit the country that year. At one time or another, parts of the calamity-prone Philippines get hit and suffer damage that takes billions of pesos and a long time to reverse. In the a ftermath, we identify areas for disaster preparedness that may yet be improved. And what came out after the most recent typhoon slammed into the northern Philippines? Super Typhoon “Egay” (Doksuri) hit provinces “with ferocious wind and rain, displacing nearly 16,000 villagers,” reports said. As usual, floods rose and electric posts fell, causing power outages. And, as usual, too, the aid came to the affected families, as temporary as the rains that soaked them and the winds that blew away their homes and livelihood. There are always funds for calamities, after all, and for “Egay,” this was more than P173 million. MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute), a “pioneer in scholarly, open access publishing” based in Basel, Switzerland, defines disaster preparedness as “a set of steps taken to guarantee that the resources needed for a successful response are accessible before a disaster happens or that the resources can be accessed quickly when disaster strikes.” The response, for the most part, is the most obvious sign of improvement. Where it took hours for rescue teams to arrive due to logistical nightmares in decades past, now our teams are ready and able to save more lives. Evacuations are often done in advance following prior warnings from the agencies concerned for local governments to mobilize. What is unfortunate about super typhoons hitting agricultural areas is that farms and crops take months to recover from the extensive damage. The power supply is another matter that, when cut off because of storms, worsens the situation for victims of calamities in affected areas, sometimes for days. Why do we have electric posts all over the country that only get toppled by strong winds barreling in the months of July to September? Impassable roads and bridges, too, cause delays and inconvenience in places razed by typhoons. Public Works and Highways can only manage infrastructure issues, but when it comes to soil erosion that causes landslides, for example, or shrinking mangroves that would have protected coastal towns from floods – well, that is Environment and Natural Resources. Government can keep creating agencies and bodies to handle risk reduction and disaster management, but in the end, what will save more people and lessen the overall impact of harsh calamities is a concerted effort from all sectors, all departments, and agencies, performing their duties consistently even before disasters come rolling in. Sometimes strong winds cannot uproot stronger roots. The post In the wake of ‘Egay’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
2nd State of the Nation Address
Anti-inflation measures Crafting of Medium-Term Fiscal Framework supported by Congress Implementation of strategies to capacitate economic sectors Results (1) 7.6 percent growth in 2022 — highest rate in 46 years. (2) January to March 2023 — 6.4 growth percent (within 6 to 7 percent target) (3) Philippines considered to be among fastest-growing economies in the Asian region and in the world (4) Strong and stable financial system (5) Banks have strong capital and liquidity positions. (6) Digital economy contributed P2 trillion in 2022, the equivalent of 9.4 percent of our GDP. (7) World Bank projects a 6 percent overall growth rate due to strong local demand, consumer spending, strength from the BPO industry, steady flow of remittances, and continuing jobs recovery (8) Inflation rate eased up from 8.7 percent in January to 5.4 percent in June. (9) Bureau of Internal Revenue posted P1.05 trillion collections — an increase of almost 10 percent over the last year (10) Bureau of Customs increased collection by 7.4 percent for the first seven months of 2023, amounting to P476 billion. (11) PAGCOR increased collection by 47.9 percent (12) PCSO increased collection by 20 percent Reduction of prices of commodities like rice, meat, fish, vegetables and sugar Roll out of more than 7,000 KADIWA stores nationwide that link farmers with consumers, benefited 1.8 million families Agriculture Science-based methods toward food security Revision of Fisheries Code Unify 300 farm and fisheries clusters composed of 900 cooperatives Extensive technology training like the use of local bio-fertilizers Distribution of farm machinery, tools and inclement Distribution of more than 5 million rice seedlings and other crops Fuel at fertilizer discount vouchers Geo-Agri map of farm-to-market roads Irrigated 49,000 hectares of farmlands across the country. Constructed 4,000 additional fabrication labs, production at cold storage facilities Built 24 multi-species hatcheries to increase fisheries production Anti-animal pest monitoring, medicines, and vaccines Cloud seeding and buffer stocks in preparation for El Niño 70,000 agrarian land titles distributed Signing of EO No. 4. Or New Agrarian Emancipation Act the condoned P57-billion farmers’ loans Smuggling and hoarding Days of smugglers and hoarders are numbered Water Supply Creation of Water Resources Management Office Working for legislation of Department of Water Resource Management Allocated P14.6 billion for water supply projects Completion of Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project Phase 1 Installed 6,0000 rainwater collection systems across the country Infrastructure 8.3-trillion peso “Build, Better, More” Program in progress 194 flagship projects Continuation of “Build, Build, Build” projects Infrastructure spending stays at 5 to 6 percent of GDP 1,200-kilometer Luzon Spine Expressway Network Program will effectively connect Ilocos to Bicol from 20 hours to just 9 hours of travel Under Mega-Bridge Program, 12 bridges totaling 90 kilometers will be constructed including Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge and the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges, and Samal Island-Davao City Connector Bridge As of June 2023, 4,000 kilometers of roads and 500 bridges have been constructed, maintained and upgraded Completed Cebu’s Pier 88 smart port, new passenger terminal buildings of Clark Airport and Port of Calapan. North-South Commuter Railway System now in full swing Strategic financing Enactment into law of Maharlika Investment Fund Social security Funds for the social security and public health insurance intact and separate Energy and Power Generation Price of crude oil stabilized Since last year, gasoline and diesel prices have gone down by 18 to 29 percent, respectively. Built 8 new additional power plants, bringing to 17 the total number of power generation facilities Energy production increased by 1,174 megawatts. Almost half a million homes given access to electricity; 100 percent household electrification by June 2028 Renewable energy is the way forward Promotion of renewables targets 35 percent share in the power mix by 2030, and 50 percent by 2040 Opened renewable energy projects to foreign investments Since last year, an additional 126 renewable energy contracts with potential capacity of 31,000 megawatts awarded. To date, more than 1,000 active projects all over the country — 299 are solar, 187 are wind, 436 are hydroelectric, 58 are biomass, 36 are geothermal, and 9 are ocean-powered. Malampaya project is boon, energizing 20 percent of Luzon; renewal of the contract guarantees continued revenues and energy production for another 15 years Push for more gas exploration in other parts of the country Partnered with the BARMM in regard to energy exploration and development The Philippines now has a Unified National Grid with the interconnection of the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids “One Grid, One Market” will enable more efficient transfers and more competitive pricing of electricity Performance review of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines to complete all of its deliverables, starting with the vital Mindanao-Visayas and Cebu-Negros-Panay interconnections. Social welfare Enough funds for underprivileged DSWD, DoLE, DepEd, TESDA and CHEd involved in providing assistance Programs like AICS, TUPAD, TVET for Social Equity, Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, Cash-for-Work for PWDs, and Integrated Livelihood Program-Kabuhayan available for indigents Social protection Pension of the military and the uniformed personnel is as important, urgent, and humanitarian as that of all other civilian Filipino employees Working closely with Congress to ease the transition from the old system to the new one, to guarantee that no effects are felt by those in the uniformed services. The post 2nd State of the Nation Address appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tribune, Marcos share good gov’t journey (20)
In the days after the devastating typhoon “Yolanda” struck, killing from 6,000 to 10,000 individuals depending on the source of the figure since the administration of the late former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III directed the casualty count be stopped at 6,000 deaths, Daily Tribune tracked then Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was at Ground Zero several times after the disaster struck on 3 November 2013. BBM arrived in Tacloban City to offer assistance to the “Yolanda” victims on 17 November. The huge swath of devastation caused by the storm surges stunned Marcos, who said the extent of the damage was almost impossible to believe. “They have nothing. They have no homes, they have no water, they have nothing,” he said. Marcos said he came long after the day of devastation so as not to get in the way of the government relief efforts. “We did not want to come because if we had come we would have taken up resources and assets that were sorely needed at the time. You know if you come here, somebody will have to secure you, you will have to have a vehicle, you will have to have a place to stay, they will have to feed you. In the first few days they simply did not have those capabilities so we got out of the way and let people do what they could,” he said. Marcos told Tribune he spent the previous eight days in Manila coordinating the relief sent to donation centers by private donors. The Marcos family brought a ship and their donation of supplies to Surigao since there was congestion in Leyte. Between an Aquino, Romualdez His visit was significant because, among other things, in the heat of the recovery and relief mission, then-Interior Secretary Mar Roxas supposedly uttered to Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez the infamous line, “You have to understand, you’re a Romualdez and the President is an Aquino,” after city officials complained of the snail-paced government response. Marcos refused to comment on the criticism the government had been too slow and uncoordinated in responding to the devastation. The assessment can come later, he said. Eventually, Marcos commented that those in charge would have to admit to shortcomings. “For now, assisting the victims is of primary importance,” he said. “Could we have done better? Sure. Do we need to do more? Certainly. But this is not the time for all of this finger-pointing. This is the time to put our heads down and help the people who are suffering,” the senator said. Much later, Marcos called for a thorough investigation of the government response, primarily the reported dumping of hundreds of sacks of rice in a deep pit in the remote village of Dagami. “Various reports said the sacks of rice found in the pit bore markings of the NFA (National Food Authority) but there were also plastic bags marked DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) in the same pit,” according to Marcos. “Wasting rice is disgusting enough but if it turns out that these were relief goods, then it’s even more appalling. Somebody should answer for this,” Marcos asserted. Marcos lamented the slow pace of the government’s rehabilitation efforts in areas hardest hit by the typhoon despite billions of pesos allocated in the budget and from international donors. “What is disgusting is the government’s refusal to explain how the funds for ‘Yolanda’ victims were spent!” he fumed. “The government does not feel the need to explain itself in any way; never mind the tens of thousands that still live in makeshift homes, never mind that people have no jobs or sources of livelihood,” Marcos said. He said the late Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman could not wash her hands of responsibility for the wastage. “Soliman had admitted the rice and food packs were from the DSWD warehouses but clarified that they were intended to be distributed to those affected by typhoon ‘Ruby’ and typhoon ‘Glenda’ last year and not for the survivors of super-typhoon ‘Yolanda,’” he noted. According to Soliman, the DSWD is investigating why the relief goods were not given out. “Soliman cannot simply toss the responsibility for this mess to her underlings; she is the one ultimately responsible,” Marcos averred. The Commission on Audit tagged the DWSD for the spoilage of an estimated P2.8-million worth of relief goods intended for distribution to “Yolanda” survivors in 2013. “The DSWD claimed it had learned its lesson and even acquired a mechanized repacking system and yet this unconscionable wastage of relief goods continues to happen,” Marcos deplored. “According to Soliman, the buried goods were no longer fit for human consumption. Initial reports estimated that around 500 sacks of spoiled rice were disposed of in a 10-feet wide, 15-feet deep hole dug in Dagami.” “Can you imagine how many typhoon victims the DSWD could have helped with such an amount of relief goods? Surely, those responsible for this are unfit to be public servants. Someone should be held accountable,” Marcos concluded. (To be continued) The post Tribune, Marcos share good gov’t journey (20) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DA, private sector eye advanced salt production plant
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and some private businesses plan to create a national network of advanced salt production plants to support the revival of the salt industry in the Philippines. In a statement on Friday, the DA said agriculture undersecretary Domingo Panganiban and a group of businesspeople discussed last Thursday the proposal for the salt plants to expand local salt production which provides only 7 percent of all salt products in the country. The DA said the salt plants should use technologies and be designed to address climate change, land scarcity, and the highly competitive salt industry worldwide. DA's Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources National Director, Atty. Demosthenes Escoto, also pointed to the Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide as a major crippling factor. This was signed into law by former president Fidel Ramos in 1995 when goiter caused by iodine deficiency was prevalent among Filipinos. Senator Cynthia Villar already filed a bill for the removal of the iodization requirement and the creation of the Philippine Salt Industry Development Council which will craft policies and programs to revive the local salt industry. The National Economic and Development Authority said these are among the priority bills the current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to be passed by the end of the year. DA Undersecretary Esther Bayate also suggested the streamlining of salt projects with infrastructure projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to ensure local salt farmers will have access to the markets, including tourists. “The government has an integrated plan that will match the logistics need, plan of DPWH, the farm-to-market road, and the tourism road. If there is any development plan from a local government to request for budget appropriation, it should be within that big plan.” Villar’s chief-of-staff Rhaegge Tamaña had suggested to local governments and business owners to beautify salt farms for photo-taking activities, build nearby food stalls to sell fish harvests, and conduct salt-making demonstrations for tourists to enjoy. In March, the DA launched Oplan Asin to conduct consultations with salt farmers nationwide and allocated a total of P200 million to fund the purchase of postharvest facilities and materials and training sessions to improve salt quality. The post DA, private sector eye advanced salt production plant appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»