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China, Not Russia, Still Tops List of Threats to US
WASHINGTON - Russia's war in Ukraine - portrayed by top U.S. officials as posing a danger to the United States itself - still trails China when it comes to long-term threats to America's security, according to a top Pentagon official.The warning from Ely Ratner, the Defense Department's assistant secretary for Indo-Pacific security affairs, comes in testimony prepared for a hearing Wednesday by the House Armed S.....»»
US Officials Warn of New Axis of Evil With China at the Fore
WASHINGTON - U.S. military and defense officials are increasingly concerned that as China and Russia forge ever stronger ties, they might attempt to challenge Western unity and eventually alter the balance of power on the world stage.The commander of U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific told lawmakers on the House Armed Services Committee that the evolving relationship between Beijing and Moscow is a "big portion" of.....»»
Treñas daughter to run for congressional seat in 2025; ends alliance with Rep. Baronda
Treñas daughter to run for congressional seat in 2025; ends alliance with Rep. Baronda.....»»
Nation-builders cited for sustainability efforts
For their contributions to nation-building and their love for the country, a new batch of extraordinary Filipinos was recognized in the recently concluded Nation Builders and Mosliv Awards last 30 June at the Okada Manila Grand Ballroom. Leaders from both the government and private sectors, businesses, youth groups, philanthropists and sustainability leaders, who have pitched in to nation-building through their programs, advocacies and projects, were praised by the country’s leading Sustainability Awards Festival as it steers towards sustainable and inclusive progress in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. “The Nation Builders and Mosliv Awards celebrates the people and groups who accomplish great things in the name of sustainability. And as we recognize what they have done, this is also a reminder that we are all stewards of the planet and it is our responsibility to ensure that we leave it in better condition than we found it,” said Nation Builders and Mosliv Awards president and chief executive officer Kenneth Rocete. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte echoed NBMA’s initiatives in working together as one for the future not only of the nation, but the planet as a whole. “I urge the Most Sustainable and Liveable Communities to actively innovate and develop networking and communication platforms to enhance the effectiveness of our entrepreneurs, organization leaders and government officials. We need nation builders to respond to the global trend of sustainability and the urgent need for climate action and compassing climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, land use planning, reducing carbon emissions and disaster risk reduction and response. Let us collaborate to build sustainable and climate-resilient communities and cities across the Philippines and around the world,” VP Duterte said in a statement. Guest of honors Senators Francis Tolentino and Win Gatchalian graced the event as guest of honors while Public Attorneys Office chief Dr. Persida Acosta, Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Serafin P. Baretto Jr. and MMDA Task Force Special Operations chief Edison Nebrija as guest speakers. Philippine National Police Chief PGen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., together with Dr. Acosta and Nebrija, headlined this year’s roster of awardees as winners of “Public Servants of the Year - Excellence in Government” award. For elected officials, Rep. Michael Romero of 1-PACMAN Party-List, Rep. Jolo Revilla of 1st District of Cavite, Rep. Ernix Dionisio of Manila 1st District, Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Wilter Palma of Zamboanga Sibugay 1st District, Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Jam Baronda of Iloilo City Lone District, Rep. Rida Robes of City of San Jose Del Monte Lone District, Rep. Maan Teodoro of Marikina City 1st District and Rep. Shernee Tan Tambut of Kusug Tausug Party List topbilled the “Awarded Congressmen and Congresswomen of the Year.” Meanwhile, governors of Davao del Norte and Capiz Edwin Jubahib and Fredenil Castro, respectively, also received recognition while city and municipal Mayors Arturo Robes (San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan), Michael Marcos Keon (Laoag City), Marjorie Perales (Toledo City), John Dalipe (Zamboanga City), and Agatha Cruz (Guiguinto, Bulacan), likewise took home awards for their competence and leadership. Davao Del Norte is this year’s “Most Sustainable and Liveable Province in the Philippines” as the cities of Tayabas, Kidapawan, Toledo and Calapan were recognized as “Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Cities in the Philippines.” Miss World Philippines Organization was recognized as “Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Organization” as IAM Worldwide was recognized as “Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Company in the Philippines.” Also part of the gathering was the launching and presentation of the Nation Builders and Mosliv Awards Volume IV publication which features this year’s awardees and their accomplishments and programs towards nation-building and sustainable and inclusive development. Visit www.sustainability-standards.org or facebook.com/NationBuildersAndMoslivAwards. The post Nation-builders cited for sustainability efforts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bill gifting P1M to 101-year-old Pinoys passed
The House of Representatives has approved on the third and final reading the bill gifting Filipinos who reach the age of 101 a cool P1 million in cash. Garnering 257 votes, the bill improved on the previous law giving P100,000 incentives to those 100 years of age. House Bill 7535 will also grant Filipino citizens P25,000 upon reaching 80, 85, 90, and 95 whether they are living here or abroad. Those 101 years old will likewise get greetings from the president of the Philippines. Through the legislation, the House “would like to honor our countrymen for their years of service to the country and for their discipline in ensuring that they live a long, healthy, and fruitful life,” said Speaker Martin Romualdez. “Of course, we also want our octogenarians and nonagenarians to enjoy this benefit while they still can without having to wait until 101 years old, so we also provided a cash gift for them,” he added. National Commission of Senior Citizens is set to implement the measure when it formally becomes law. Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes said the new grant will not only help the centenarians’ families financially but also bolster the morale of the elderly. There are an estimated 662 Filipino centenarians, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Aside from Ordanes, the other principal authors of the bill are Representatives Jude Acidre, Sonny Lagon, Daphne Lagon, Brian Yamsuan, PM Vargas, Toby Tiangco, Salvador Pleyto, Roy Loyola, LRay Villafuerte, Loreto Amante, Jam Baronda, Eric Yap, Edvic Yap, Paolo Duterte, Migs Nograles, Lani Mercado-Revilla, and Gus Tambunting. The post Bill gifting P1M to 101-year-old Pinoys passed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Iloilo solon pushes for ADAC institutionalization
ILOILO CITY - Iloilo City Lone District Representative Julienne Baronda is looking forward to the inclusion of her proposed legislation to institutionalize the anti-drug abuse council (ADAC) in the priority agenda of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos.Baronda said on Saturday that she ref.....»»
House panel eyeing legalization of motorcycle taxis
UP-NIH says use of helmets, face shields protect riders The chairman of the House Committee on Transportation has given the green light to its technical working group (TWG) to convene and jumpstart the deliberation on the proposed resumption of the operations of motorcycle taxis, and the measures seeking to legalize the operations of the two-wheel vehicles. (JANSEN ROMERO / MANILA BULLETIN) This was the guidance given by Samar 1st District Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento to Navotas lone District Rep. John Reynald Tiangco during his panel’s recent virtual motu proprio probe on land transportation policies concerning the back-riding and motorcycle taxi operations.Tiangco heads the TWG, which was created by the House panel last January to thresh out the issues concerning the motorcycle taxi operations. Sarmiento approved the motion made by Manila 5th District Rep. Cristal Bagatsing for Congress to “spearhead the evaluation of the pilot study of motorcycle taxis”, along with other government agencies sitting at the TWG that earlier conducted pilot tests on motorcycle taxis. Bagatsing laments that the TWG’s report on pilot testing “is lacking and seems to be rushed.”LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante admitted that the report is “somewhat lacking”, explaining that some activities that were supposed to have been conducted have not been conducted at all because of the pandemic.The LTO official said the TWG focuses on the aspect of “safety evaluation” and not on the economic viability of the motorcycle. The Sarmiento panel called on Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and National Task Force (NTF) Against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to allow ride sharing or motorcycle taxis to operate, provided that the riders and drivers strictly follow heath protocols as sought by Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo. Castelo said by allowing the operation of the motorcycle taxis, the government will be able to augment its public transport system and respond to the transportation needs of the commuting public.The Sarmiento panel also decided to adopt the motion made by Iloilo City lone District Rep. Julienne “Jam” Baronda calling on the DOTr’s TWG to extend its pilot tests for motorcycle taxis, which lapsed on March 23.During the hearing, Dr. Vicente “Jun” Belizario of the the University of the Philippines College of Public Health (UP-CPH) said they have been asked by motorcycle ride-hailing service Angkas to provide technical support to develop guidelines promoting health and safety in motorcycle taxi operations during the time of COVID-19 and the new normal. “The guidelines that we have drafted are consistent with policies and protocols coming from international organisations— WHO (World Health Organisation), US Center for Disease Control and Prevention,” he said, citing that they also strongly considered the recommendations made by the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the DOTr.Citing the study published in The Lancet, he said the chance of COVID-19 transmission is reduced if masks or respirators are worn, and the helmets may also function as face shields, thus not only reducing the risk of injuries, but importantly, increasing protection also from possible air droplet transmission. He said while, the use of the so-called barriers or shields provides an additional layer of protection, there should be “additional studies” on the potential role of barriers or the shield in preventing COVID-19 transmission in motorcycle back-riding. Citing the study published in The Lancet, Belizario also stressed that that with poor ventilation, you have increased the risk of respiratory infection, including COVID-19.He said for the control and prevention COVID-19, it is important to impose “diligent use” of a combination of proven measures or layers of protection. There must be heightened awareness among the public, internal and external monitoring by private company and government officials, and collaboration is needed more than ever to promote health and safety in the transport sector, Belizario stressed.During the hearing, George Royeca, Angkas Chief Transport Advocate, noted that they engaged the services of the Total Control, a motorcycle safety firm in the United States for the last 30 years, to design the shield “to make it very light weight and aerodynamic” and ensure its roadworthiness. “The weight of this shield is less than 1 kg so it does not hamper the operations of the motorcycle. Dito po nakalagay (It was indicated here), (the speed was) up to 30 to 40 kph na meron po syang sakay sa likod (and there was a backrider) , she felt almost no wind drag and she was able to manage it well with the driver leaning in to the turns because wala pong metal barrier na nakasagabal (there was no metal barrier) in between them, and then he brought it out to C-5, all the way up to 90 kph and based from his testimony, there was turbulence but not enough be able to throw them off balance, it still maintain the stability,” he said, as he presented the specifications of the Angkas shield, which was approved by the IATF, apart from the prototype of Bohol Governor Arthur Yap.He told the lawmakers that their designed shield “doesn’t break and (is) malleable.”.....»»