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Stray animal adoption urged to lessen abandonment cases
Senator Mark Villar on Thursday expressed concern about the increasing cases of animal abandonment in the country. Villar has filed a proposed measure strengthening the adoption of stray and impounded animals. Senate Bill 2257 seeks the provision of incentives to those who would adopt stray and impounded animals to lessen abandonment cases. Citing data from the Philippine Animal Welfare Society, Villar underscored the need to improve the government’s program for rescuing abandoned animals. According to PAWS, there were around 12 million stray cats and dogs in 2019, which are either logged as former family pets or those who have reproduced in the streets due to lack of proper shelter. Villar said the rising numbers of abandoned animals remain highly disproportionate to the support they ought to receive. “This 12 million number of strays we have in record was back in 2019. Apat na taon na po ang nakalipas. With the pandemic placing a great burden to Filipinos, we can only expect na mas dumami na po ang mga stray animals na walang proper care and shelter,” Villar said. “We must act on this and extend our aid in securing safe animal shelters,” he said. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or PETA said animal homelessness in the Philippines “has reached a crisis point” as stray animals struggle to live unsupervised in the streets and impounded ones are euthanized every month in municipal pounds. The unfortunate fates of strays and impounded animals are due to the limited resources of both public and private shelters, it added. Villar cited the case of a certain local government unit in the National Capital Region which previously reported that its city pound captures an average of 200 stray animals weekly, yet “they do not have sufficient resources to maintain their care.” Villar stressed the need to exhaust all means to ensure that proper aid is given to animals left in shelters. “My heart goes to these animals who are forced to these unfortunate living situations, and some of them to their untimely deaths because they cannot be cared for. Bilang isang animal lover at pet welfare advocate, I will do my best to lessen these rising numbers of strays and euthanized impounded animals,” he said. SB 2257 or the Act Strengthening the Adoption of Stray and Impounded Animals, seeks to encourage the adoption of stray and impounded animals by providing tax incentive benefits to any individual or group that shall adopt stray and impounded animals, to reduce cases of euthanasia for stray and impounded animals. The bill also outlines the provision for adoption, highlighting the role of LGUs in facilitating the implementation of animal adoption programs. “Through this bill, we are hoping that the number of strays and impounded animals will decrease as it will provide guidelines for adoptions in close coordination with LGUs,” Villar said. “We are also looking forward to more Filipinos who will be encouraged to adopt, not just because of the tax incentives this bill provides, but also because of their love and care for animals,” he added. The senator lamented that while there are multiple non-government organizations and private shelters that encourage the adoption of rescued animals, “the pet adoption rate in the country remains at a concerning low rate, less than one percent in particular.” “I hope that the bill will increase the adoption rate of stray pets so as to ensure that animals will be brought up in comfortable homes rather than being forced to survive in the streets,” said Villar. The post Stray animal adoption urged to lessen abandonment cases appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nuke developers call to set competitive playing field
Government regulators are now urged to prioritize the establishment of a level-playing field to entice developers to pour in massive capital for the development and integration of nuclear power into the country's electricity grid. During the second nuclear energy roundtable talks between the Philippines and Canada on Tuesday, Felino Bernardo, chief operating officer of Aboitiz Power Corp.'s Thermal Business Group, emphasized the need for well-coordinated industry policies to help kick off local nuclear adoption. "I think it will start with the amendment or the passing of laws in the Lower House. Once done, it requires setting up the regulatory body, and for that regulatory body to build its capability and come up with regulations, policies, and guidelines for us developers to follow," Bernardo said. "The DoE (Department of Energy) has to come up with the right signal for developers to come up with their plans to make sure that we build accordingly," he added. Coordinated deals Bernardo noted that nuclear power plants, whose operations can last as long as 80 years, require a different set of policies for power deal contracts. "That is quite different from what we have now. The current CSP (Competitive Selection Process) policies are only for 15 years. Now, nuclear power plants can live as long as 40, 60 years, and some probably 80, so you have to match the two," he explained. According to Bernardo, nuclear power, particularly the small modular reactors, "have a place in our economy because we need all of them and we will need a lot of them." He, however, noted that developers need to make sure that they can deliver nuclear power safely. Aboitiz Power Corp., the holding company for energy-related investments of the Aboitiz Group, previously announced its exploratory discussion with Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp., an American firm that can potentially help the company’s local nuclear energy development. The forum yesterday served as a platform for industry experts, policymakers, and leaders to collectively deliberate on the significant questions and concerns related to the transition to nuclear energy. It covered the determining mechanisms for transition financing, assessing the commercial viability of nuclear energy, and exploring the potential for retrofitting and upgrading existing plants to be nuclear-capable. Congress support Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla reiterated that the government would need the support of Congress in ratifying a law that would help jumpstart nuclear development. Pending the law, Lotilla pointed out that the DoE and all other concerned government agencies are actively looking out for possible sites where a nuclear power plant can be built. To recall, the House Nuclear Energy Committee approved a consolidated substitute bill last March that seeks to comprehensive atomic regulatory framework and establish the Philippine Atomic Regulatory Commission. Since the government is prohibited from taking on power generation endeavors, the DoE has also tapped the National Economic and Development Authority to work on the private sector’s participation in nuclear development. The post Nuke developers call to set competitive playing field 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......»»
Net metering catches on among power users
The Manila Electric Co. or Meralco reported a spike in the number of customers joining the net-metering scheme, which empowers them to generate their electricity for consumption and export any excess generation to the distribution grid. In his speech on the second day of the three-day Giga Summit organized by Meralco Power Academy, Meralco senior vice president and chief revenue officer Ferdinand Geluz said the annual number of net-metering customers and its capacity are “increasing rapidly.” “To date, we have 8,544 net-metering customers with 50.3 megawatts of installed capacity. Year-on-year net-metering numbers and capacity are increasing rapidly,” Geluz said. “For the whole of 2022, these customers exported 20.3 GWh, while as of July this year, 16.2 gigawatt-hours in energy export was already generated and can be projected to exceed last year’s aggregate number,” he added. Energy-efficient practice Geluz also noted that the boost in net-metering initiatives complemented Republic Act 11285 or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, which institutionalizes energy efficiency and conservation, enhances the efficient use of energy, and grants incentives to energy efficiency and conservation projects. The net-metering program allows customers to export their excess electricity to the grid in exchange for electricity bill credits. To further encourage the use of cleaner and cheaper energy, the government previously said it will expand the program to more areas — especially in far-flung provinces that are not yet connected to the grid. Last Monday, Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla said the adoption of modern technologies, smart grid systems, and demand-side management to bring down overall energy consumption and cut down greenhouse gas emissions will be included in the 2023-2050 Philippine Energy Plan or PEP supposed to be out this month. Lotilla disclosed that public consultations on the draft PEP are ongoing. The post Net metering catches on among power users appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gatchalian bill seeks to define Philippine maritime zones
A measure that would clearly define the country’s maritime zones and harmonize domestic laws on maritime territory with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea has been filed in the upper chamber. Senator Win Gatchalian authored and filed Senate Bill 2394, or The Philippine Maritime Zones Act, seeking the declaration of maritime zones under the Philippines’ jurisdiction. “The proposed measure seeks not only to update existing Philippine maritime laws but more importantly delineates and emphasizes our maritime zones and boundaries,” he said. Gatchalian also emphasized that by declaring the Philippines’ maritime zone boundaries, the country will be fortifying the geographical extent of its maritime domain. “This, in turn, will provide guidance for Filipinos as well as the country’s armed forces and civilian law enforcers on the rights and entitlements of the country’s different maritime zones and enable the country’s maritime institutions to advance national interests,” he said. Gatchalian noted that when the country signed and ratified UNCLOS in 1982 and 1984, it was intended as a step toward strengthening its legal and institutional framework for maritime governance and claim for maritime zone allocations as an archipelagic state. “However, it does not stop with the country’s adoption of the UNCLOS as there is a need to harmonize existing Philippine laws with the UNCLOS and establish the legal regimes and geographical extent of these maritime zones in accordance with UNCLOS,” he said. As proposed, the country’s maritime zones shall comprise the internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in accordance with international law. SB 2394 defines the extent of the country’s territorial sea at 12 nautical miles, contiguous zone at 24 nautical miles and EEZ at 200 nautical miles. The House of Representatives approved on final reading in May this year its version of a proposed measure creating the country’s maritime zones. The Philippines secured in 2016 a landmark arbitral ruling that China’s so-called nine-dash line claim over the West Philippine Sea had no basis in law and without legal effect. The post Gatchalian bill seeks to define Philippine maritime zones appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t, businesses told to adopt AI boom
The government and private sector need to collaboratively launch a nationwide effort to push for the adoption of science-backed artificial intelligence or AI to help communities and businesses keep up with the rapid technological advancement. In an interview with reporters last Friday, Dr. Sanjay Sarma, CEO, president, and dean of the Asia School of Business or ASB, reiterated that AI is developing at an unprecedented pace and will be everywhere soon. “AI can potentially replace jobs so let’s accept that. The Philippines should become the country that leads the world in how to use AI, in call centers, for instance,” Sarma told reporters. “Here in the Philippines, it has to be a national effort. The government needs to be cognizant that this is an epic moment. It's like, you know, climate change is going to damage the environment, it will hurt a lot of people. This is technology change is just like climate change,” he said. Unlike other technologies such as automated teller machines or ATMs, which took about 15 years to be widely accepted, AI is a development that needs urgent adoption. Like ATMs, which previously raised concerns about replacing the job of bank tellers, AI will help industries develop further. “Bank tellers did not lose their jobs. Bank tellers did something more advanced, which is selling mortgages and things like that. The job changed because of technology,” he explained. Thus, in blending in with the changes brought about by AI, Sarma proposed that local industries like the business process outsourcing sector should upgrade more into becoming a technology space. “At this level, you have to go up because the attack comes from below. It's like a tiger, you know, it's chasing you, You climb a tree, and the tiger learns to climb the first 10 feet, well, you have to climb higher. So you have to go higher up in the cognitive stock to go higher,” he said. To complement the benefits of AI, Sarma noted that the local service industry workers, for instance, have to do the things that technology cannot. “For example, this Chat GPT cannot negotiate with you, can't do any planning, can't do dispute resolution. It can't calm an angry customer. So you have to figure out what the technology can do and what humans can do, that the technology can't. And you're to develop human capital in those directions.” Sarma is a professor of mechanical engineering and the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a leading authority in AI, the Internet of Things, and Education. ASB, established in 2015 by Bank Negara Malaysia in collaboration with MIT Sloan School of Management, aims to be a premier business school that develops transformative and principled leaders who will contribute to the advancement of the emerging world, particularly in Asia. Last July, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers asked the Congress and Palace to consider creating an agency that will oversee responsible AI use in the country. Barbers cited that at least 520,000 employees across different industries may be affected by the integration of AI. In March, he filed a bill eyeing to create the Artificial Intelligence Development Authority, which will serve as an AI monitoring body tasked to supervise the “development and deployment of AI technologies.” Primarily, it will ensure compliance with AI ethics principles and guidelines and protect the “rights and welfare of individuals and communities affected by AI technologies.” The post Gov’t, businesses told to adopt AI boom appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Food as human right
A recent Social Weather Stations survey showed that around 2.7 million Filipino families experienced hunger during the first quarter of 2023. A nationwide survey conducted among 1,200 adults found that 9.8 percent of Filipino families experienced “involuntary hunger” or hunger due to lack of food at least once in the past three months. Worldwide hunger is on the rise, affecting nearly 10 percent of the global population. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates approximately 811 million people worldwide suffered from chronic hunger between 2020 and 2022. In a world where hunger and malnutrition continue to afflict millions — a crisis driven largely by conflict, climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, and most of all, greed — we look back to a UN declaration that catalyzes action urging governments to prioritize policies and allocate resources to eradicate hunger and malnutrition. It emphasizes the need to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, promote equitable food distribution systems, and invest in rural development to enhance food security, which remains a pressing global issue. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948, indirectly addresses the right to food under various articles. However, the explicit articulation of the right by the UN came later. In 1976, the United Nations General Assembly formally recognized the right to adequate food as a human right through the adoption of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights — one of the key international human rights treaties that make up the International Bill of Human Rights. Article 11 of the ICESCR specifically acknowledges “the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food” and underscores the essential nature of the right to food. As of today, the covenant has been signed and ratified by 170 countries, including the Philippines. Hence, the right to food is a legal obligation of all State Parties, anchored on international law. There is more to hunger than just the mere lack of food. Ending the hunger crisis will take understanding its nature and the reasons why it exists in a world abundant in resources like our country, where the rich-poor divide is among the widest in East Asia and the Pacific region. Food as a human right knows no socio-economic status, ethnicity, or geographical location. Therefore, reinforcing the declaration’s principles of dignity, equality, and social justice is a responsibility placed on the governments and organizations to ensure the fulfillment of this right. Policymakers, enablers, and implementors should tackle the root causes of food insecurity. The triggers of food insufficiency — socio-economic disparities, unequal access to resources, and systemic injustices — are not to be left as a PowerPoint presentation file. It calls for comprehensive strategies that will balance economic development with sustainable food systems devoid of self-serving interests. Importantly, the entitlement to nourishment does not suggest that it is the responsibility of the government or any other organization to constantly supply food to every Filipino. Rather, it signifies that governments are obligated to establish circumstances and implement policies that guarantee accessibility to food, foster sustainable farming practices, and tackle concerns such as poverty, inequality, and food insecurity. We cannot feed hungry people with greed, nor break the cycle of poverty and ensure the long-term availability of food resources for future generations. The post Food as human right appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nuke remains on table — DoE
The development of nuclear energy as a viable source of affordable and reliable power remains on the agenda of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. even if he did not mention it in his second State of the Nation Address. However, Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla said a legal and regulatory framework should first be ratified to better prioritize this development. “Congress is still considering the law, right? That’s why even in terms of placing it on the agenda or legislative agenda, normally we will do it when there is one version in the House or the Senate,” Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla said in an interview with reporters at the sidelines of a post-SoNA forum on Tuesday. “Right now, the House is still considering its version of the legal and regulatory framework for nuclear,” he added. Regulatory body in pipeline To recall, the House Nuclear Energy Committee approved a consolidated substitute bill last March that seeks a comprehensive atomic regulatory framework and establishes the Philippine Atomic Regulatory Commission. In his inaugural SoNA, Marcos signified his support for the adoption of nuclear energy as part of the country’s power mix. “I believe it is time to re-examine our strategy towards building nuclear power plants in the Philippines,” Marcos said. To recall, former President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 164 entitled, “Adopting a National Position for a Nuclear Energy Program, and Other Purposes.” Pending the law, Lotilla pointed out that the Department of Energy and all other concerned government agencies are actively looking for possible sites where a nuclear power plant can be built. Since the government is prohibited from taking on any power generation endeavor, the DoE has also tapped the National Economic and Development Authority to work on the private sector’s participation in nuclear development. The post Nuke remains on table — DoE appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nuke dev’t needs the backing of Congress
Filipinos may finally benefit from nuclear energy, touted as a cheaper and more reliable power source, within the decade or by 2030, as authorities rush to augment the country's power supply to match the growing demand. Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla, however, reiterated that the government would need the support of Congress in ratifying a law that would help jumpstart the integration of nuclear power into the country’s energy mix. “The Congress is working on one important requisite, the legal and regulatory framework. It is for Congress to decide on whether or not we should go for nuclear power, and even the timing will be determined by them,” Lotilla said during a forum. “Within the decade, I am sure that we can be on, or we can place ourselves on track for that,” the Energy chief added. Pending the law, Lotilla pointed out that the DoE and all other concerned government agencies are actively looking out for possible sites where a nuclear power plant can be built. “We intend to work with the Congress, so in the meantime, we are making sure that when that decision is made when the Congress gives the green light, we won’t be starting from scratch,” he said. To recall, the House Nuclear Energy Committee approved a consolidated substitute bill last March that seeks to comprehensive atomic regulatory framework and establish the Philippine Atomic Regulatory Commission. Since the government is prohibited from taking on any power generation endeavor, the DoE has also tapped the National Economic and Development Authority to work on the private sector’s participation in nuclear development. “If the private sector can do it, we should support it,” Lotilla added. In his first State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signified his support for the adoption of nuclear energy as part of the country’s power mix. “I believe it is time to re-examine our strategy towards building nuclear power plants in the Philippines,” Marcos said. To recall, former President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order No. 164 entitled, “Adopting a National Position for a Nuclear Energy Program, and Other Purposes. The post Nuke dev’t needs the backing of Congress appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl launches eGov Super App
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday asked government agencies to adopt e-governance to improve the delivery of services to the public as the country launched the eGov Super App, the country's first one-stop-shop platform for national and local government services. In his speech during the launching of the eGov SuperApp at Malacañang Palace in Manila, Marcos said that the government must keep up with the rapid pace of technological adoption and facilitate the development of interconnectivity infrastructure. "Our Government must keep up with that frantic pace, and it is frantic, and facilitate the rapid development of our interconnectivity infrastructure to allow our economy to ride the wave and open up an ocean of opportunities for prosperity," Marcos said. The President also stressed that the country "cannot compete on an even basis unless you are highly digitalized both in the private and public sectors." Marcos reiterated what he said during his first address to the nation last year: "We are in the midst of an age of exponential adoption of technology." He added that the Philippines had fallen behind in e-governance, citing a survey showing that only five percent of Filipinos do their transactions with the government online. "We cannot do (transactions) online with the government. We have to go to the office. We have to collect the birth certificate, documentation, and clearance, then go to the government office. They say: 'You're missing one document,' and the Filipinos must return to that office. And they do all of these things," Marcos added. To address this, Marcos said that the government is pushing for the passage of the E-Governance Act of 2022, which would promote the use of ICT in government operations. The bill –– which House Speaker Martin Romualdez, House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, and Tingog Sinirangan Party-List Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre filed last June 2022 –– would establish a national e-governance framework and create a central agency to oversee its implementation. Marcos said that the E-Governance Act is "essential" to the government's goal of transforming the economy. "This is going to be another building block in the foundation of our economic transformation," Marcos said. He also mentioned the issuance of the national ID is critical or that is important or that's necessary for the conduct of business with the government. Now that the Department of Information and Communications Technology launched the eGovPH "super app," Marcos said the Philippines could compete with neighbors in the global market. "This is a very good step, and we will continue to push this; we will need the partnership, not only of our government agencies but also of the private sector because the private sector also has concerns in this regard, especially when it comes to cybersecurity," Marcos said. The e-GovPH super app, considered a one-stop-shop platform for local and national government services, could be downloaded in the Google Play and Apple application stores. Among transactions that could be done in the application include SIM registration, local government unit services, job application, tourism information, start-up empowerment, healthcare information, and feedback. To use all the application functionalities, one should sign up and undergo identity verification, including submitting a live selfie. Once the initial verification is complete, users will receive an eGov Digital ID and a QR code. However, according to DICT Secretary Ivan Uy, not all government agencies are currently integrated with the application. Still, efforts are underway to establish those connections. The post Phl launches eGov Super App appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go wants safeguards enforced in MIF bill
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has reminded the executive branch of government to follow and enforce safeguards in the Maharlika Investment Fund bill as it gets Senate approval. “To the executive, we will hold you to your commitment that safeguards will be followed and fully enforced. Hindi dapat masasayang ang pondo ng bayan. Pangalagaan at siguruhin na walang mawawala sa korapsyon o misuse of funds,” he said. Senate Bill No. 2020 creating the Maharlika Investment Fund was approved by the Senate on its third and final reading in the early morning of Wednesday, 31 May. In the explanation of his vote which was inserted into the records after the Senate voted on the measure, Go, vice chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, stressed that the legislative branch will sternly monitor the implementation of the measure should it be enacted into law, highlighting Congress’ oversight to ensure that public funds used and the welfare of the people, in general, are protected and upheld. “Babantayan po namin ito. And just a reminder that any law can be amended or repealed when necessary. We will exercise to the fullest extent our oversight to ensure that the welfare and future of Filipinos are upheld and protected,” he said. While recognizing the need to explore investment opportunities for the national government to generate additional resources to fund the post-COVID-19 economic recovery, Go asserts that the government must be prudent and careful in utilizing limited resources. “The intention of the proposed measure, that is to ensure that our country will attain economic transformation, growth, and sustainability, is noble. Lahat naman po tayo gustong tuluyang maka-recover ang ekonomiya,” he said. “However, government resources are limited, lalo na ngayon bawat piso, bawat sentimo ay napakahalaga. That is why I commend the good sponsor for ensuring that safeguards are in place to protect the funds of the Filipino people,” he said, commending Sen. Mark Villar who sponsored the measure. Go gave his support to the measure, cognizant of the capability of the Executive to fully implement the law as intended. He also reminded that Congress is giving its trust to the Executive but will not shy away from its oversight powers just to safeguard the interest of the Filipino people. “Given this, I give my conditional support to this measure knowing that this went through scrutiny by the collective wisdom of the whole legislative body and with utmost trust and respect in the capability of the executive to implement this as intended,” he said. The bill was approved after an 11-hour session a few days after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. certified it as urgent, thereby allowing Senate to pass the same measure on second and third reading at the same day. The House of Representatives passed its own version in December of last year. A bicameral conference was held on Wednesday, 31 May, to reconcile the two versions. Upon adoption, the bill can be transmitted to the President for his approval. In previous interviews, Go asserted the need to have credible, competent, and trustworthy fund managers. “Kailangan competent, trustworthy, at saka talagang maaasahan mo na walang pondong masayang dito… Unahin natin palagi ang interes ng bansa at kung ano makakabuti sa mga Pilipino, lalo na sa mga mahihirap,” he stressed earlier. The post Go wants safeguards enforced in MIF bill appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go helps indigents in his visit to Cagayan De Oro
On Friday, 26 May, Senator Bong Go, together with the local government and concerned agencies, personally spearheaded relief efforts to aid struggling residents in Cagayan de Oro City. Held at the Cagayan de Oro City Hall Quadrangle, the senator and his team distributed food packs, vitamins, masks, snacks, and shirts to 2,000 residents. They also gave away a bicycle, cellular phone, pairs of shoes, caps, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select individuals. In his message, Go, who is an adopted son of the city, took the opportunity to express his gratitude to local government officials. Go likewise acknowledged the barangay officials and their commitment to serving their communities. He assured them of his full support and mentioned his filing of the Magna Carta for Barangays bill in recognition of their hard work and to address the challenges they face. The lawmaker continues to push his proposed measure, Senate Bill No. 197 which, if enacted, would provide a Magna Carta for Barangays. Furthermore, Go expressed his appreciation for the efforts of front liners and uniformed personnel such as the police, military, and firefighters, highlighting the crucial role they play in maintaining peace and order and combating criminal activities. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go then offered additional aid to those with health concerns as he advised them to visit the nearby Malasakit Centers at Northern Mindanao Medical Center and J.R. Borja General Hospital in the city. “Meron na tayong 157 Malasakit Centers sa buong bansa. Ang Malasakit Center ay one-stop shop na kung saan ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno ay nasa loob ng ospital,” explained Go. Signed into law in 2019, the Malasakit Centers Act, which was principally authored and sponsored by Go, institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program to ensure that particularly poor and indigent patients have convenient access to medical assistance programs offered by the DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Go reiterated his commitment to support the establishment of more Super Health Centers across the country, considering how they can significantly help reduce hospital occupancy rates while bringing basic medical services closer to the grassroots. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed. In Misamis Oriental, necessary funds were allocated to construct Super Health Centers in Libertad town and Barangay Balubal in Cagayan de Oro City. Go attended the groundbreaking ceremonies for these centers on the same day. Furthermore, additional Super Health Centers are slated to be built in Gingoog City, Binuangan, Balingasag, Claveria, Initao, and Tagoloan. Cagayan de Oro City will have a total of six Super Health Centers in different barangays. “Sa Cagayan (de Oro City), para manganak, magpagamot, yung basic lang na check-up, pwede na dito… Pwede rin i-expand ito. Pwedeng palakihin ng LGUs. Pwede nilang lagyan ng dialysis machine dahil ituturn over na ito sa LGU,” Go said. On the same day, Go distributed assistance to the poor residents in Libertad town, and another group of 300 individuals in Cagayan de Oro City, which came shortly after his attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Super Health Center in Brgy. Balubal. Last 23 March, Senator Go was hailed by the local government of Cagayan de Oro City as an adopted son, acknowledging his notable contributions, not only to the city but to the nation as a whole. By virtue of Sangguniang Panglungsod Resolution No. 14480 presented by City Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy, the adoption of Go as the son of the city was in recognition of his unwavering efforts in serving the city and its constituents. To help further improve the city’s public service delivery, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported several infrastructure projects, including the construction of a drainage system and flood control structures along the Iponan River, acquisition of several ambulance units and fire and dump trucks, and the construction of a three-story multipurpose building in Barangay 33. He was also instrumental in the funding for flood control projects in Magsaysay, Medina, and Gingoog City; the construction of multipurpose buildings in Initao, Magsaysay, and Gingoog City; rehabilitation of local roads in Baliangao, Balingasag, Balingoan, Initao, Lagonglong, Laguindingan, Libertad, Lugait, Magsaysay, Manticao and El Salvador City; and construction of water systems in Balingasag and Jasaan. The post Bong Go helps indigents in his visit to Cagayan De Oro appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Bato’ seeks death penalty vs political warlords
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is keen on the revival of the death penalty against politicians utilizing private armed groups as well as slapping heavy punishment on highly skilled uniformed personnel dismissed from the service working as private armies. This comes following the conduct of five hearings by the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee on Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and spate of killings in the province. “I think they should be because these politicians are the main masterminds of it. They should be included in death penalty. That’s correct, good suggestion,” said Dela Rosa when asked if the political warlords should get capital punishment. “Former members of security forces should also get heavier penalties especially when they use the training skills they acquired from the government, or particularly, from the Armed Forces, from the Philippine National Police — to victimize civilians. That must be a death penalty for them, we must not talk only about reclusion perpetua,” he added. The senator — who was a former Philippine National Police chief — stressed that he will immediately include these proposals in the soon-to-be-submitted committee report for possible adoption. “I will write the report and include these. I’m just waiting for the remaining affidavits from other resource persons,” said the lawmaker, adding that he will include in the committee report death that penalty recommendation will cover active and former AFP or PNP personnel engaged in private army activities. “You see, these people are very deadly. They will continue doing illegalities if they think they will not get the death punishment. They will accept money from politician x and carry out even criminalities. But if they know they will face the death penalty, then, they will slow down,” said Dela Rosa. The committee chair is also considering amending the Omnibus Election Code, specifically, the provision that will totally prohibit the entry of “nuisance candidates” in every electoral exercise -- which he cited as the root cause of the Degamo murder case. Dela Rosa is also eyeing the removal of authority by the local executives to choose or name the police provincial director and police regional director to be deployed within their jurisdiction as stated under the Local Government Code. He stressed that police provincial directors must be appointed by the PNP’s National Headquarters while choosing chiefs of police must be given to either the provincial or regional director of the PNP. The removal of authority from LCEs, he emphasized, will limit police officials being in debt of any politician so they can fulfill the PNP mandates “more independently.” “They can now snob bordering to illegal requests or illegal orders coming from these politicians. In that case, they can also enforce the law without fear to anyone,” Dela Rosa said. “PNP is a huge organization so they should be the ones to know the merit of the officers so they must call the deployment not politicians in the provinces.” Dela Rosa said it will also contribute to the professionalism among the PNP ranks as he disclosed the drafting of a PNP Reformation Bill giving additional powers to disciplining authorities such as the PNP chief or police regional and provincial directors to punish police personnel doing illegalities. “This is more likely a military law wherein commanders have the power to jail the violators among their ranks. I want to like that for the PNP,” said the senator. Dela Rosa said that the five hearings have initially established that neither the camps of Degamo nor Teves group came innocent in perpetrating violence in Negros Oriental as many testimonies were supported by evidence. However, he assessed that some narratives of resource persons were just character assassination. “Nobody can claim from both camps that they are absolutely clean. They are telling the truth, but sometimes, some testimonies are resulting in character assassination, there are two camps here trying to destroy each other,” said Dela Rosa. The post ‘Bato’ seeks death penalty vs political warlords appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Adoption of digital transactions pushed
Senator Sonny Angara has filed a bill that seeks to hasten the country’s shift to digital and cashless payments. Angara says there is also the need to establish an efficient and faster mode of transactions in the government as well in the private sector. Angara filed Senate Bill 1764 or the proposed Use of Digital […] The post Adoption of digital transactions pushed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
House leaves Quiboloy’s fate to Senate
The House of Representatives will no longer pursue and implement the warrant of arrest it issued against pastor Apollo Quiboloy after it approved on final reading the bill revoking the franchise of the evangelist’s alleged TV network......»»
Sarangani Writers League welcomes 11 new members, all women
ALABEL, Sarangani (MindaNews / 24 March) – The Sarangani Writers League (SWL) recently welcomed its new members, all of them women, for helping develop the literary community in the province of Sarangani. The new members successfully navigated the application process, fulfilled all requirements, and surpassed the evaluation criteria: Catherine R. Discorson, Mariele M. Gallego, and Eva […].....»»
PAWS files animal cruelty raps vs killer of golden retriever Killua
Non-government organization for animal rights Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) on Monday filed criminal complaint against the individual who struck the golden retriever Killua which resulted to its demise......»»
Tolentino to PPA: Hire veterinarians to assist travelers with pets
Senator Francis Tolentino has urged the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to hire veterinarians to vet on-site the pets travelers bring along in their trips and making the boarding process on sea vessels a lot easier......»»
Bill seeks review of rules on reckless imprudence
The country’s road safety laws must be reviewed to address the liability of drivers in cases of traffic violations and accidents, a lawmaker from Bukidnon said yesterday, citing the high number of vehicular crashes in Metro Manila......»»
Medical marijuana bill reaches Senate plenary
The bill seeking to legalize medical marijuana in the Philippines has reached the Senate plenary, the first time in the history of the upper chamber, according to a cannabis lawyer......»»