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Women s national volleyball tryouts begin sans other big names
The national women’s volleyball team tryouts were done Wednesday in Subic minus some of the country’s biggest stars headed by Alyssa Valdez......»»
Workout buddies keep Valdez, Lazaro-Revilla motivated to stay in shape
Even athletes like Alyssa Valdez and Denden Lazaro-Revilla find it hard to work out at home and stay in shape with most of the country still under community quarantine. Three months – and still counting – of not being able to train, practice, do their usual routine and compete can take its toll. “For me it’s really hard because probably sabi mo nga this is the longest time (na di nakakalaro),” said Creamline star Alyssa Valdez in an interview on the Crossover podcast Tuesday night. “Usually, the whole year naglalaro [ako] with PVL, national team all throughout the year. Training twice a day sometimes.” All sporting events were halted last March as the government put Luzon under enhanced community quarantine in an effort to curb the contagion. “So, sobrang nu’ng start ng quarantine, medyo okay pa eh. May time tayo for rest. Minsan lang ito. You took it positively na, ‘Okay para ito sa katawan ko’,” added Valdez. “But after a while, nu’ng na-extend na siya nang na-extend, parang nade-demotivate ka na rin to workout kasi we don’t know, ‘yung uncertainty kung kailan babalik ‘yung team trainings and tournament.” The newest member of ChocoMucho Lazaro-Revilla shared that although she had experienced taking a year-long hiatus from volleyball before to attend med school, she couldn’t agree more with Valdez’s sentiments. “I have more time on my hands to stay physically fit but then like what Alyssa said, may times na mawawalan ka ng gana because of the situation,” Lazaro-Revilla said. “So much uncertainty and you don’t know when training’s gonna resume, when the tournament’s gonna resume? So there are times na you’ll feel down, parang may times ako na wala akong gana to do anything actually.” Luckily for these ladies, they have the best workout buddies at home. “I think I’m lucky lang din na I’m surrounded by people na sobrang competitive, athletic so napu-push din ako na to really workout every single day,” said Valdez, who during this lockdown is staying at her boyfriend Kiefer Ravena’s house. The former Queen Eagle also has Kiefer’s siblings Ateneo basketball star Thirdy and Lady Eagles libero Dani to workout with. Lazaro-Revilla, on the other hand, trains with husband NorthPort guard LA. “Luckily, I have LA na sinasabayan kong mag-workout,” she said. Lazaro-Revilla added that the Flying Titans check and encourage each other to stay in shape via online meetings. “Buti na lang I have good teammates, we encourage each other when we have team meetings and all that,” she said. Both players stressed that staying in shape and keeping themselves healthy physically and mentally is essential. Especially with the Premier Volleyball League looking at staging the fourth edition of the Open Conference late this year. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles.....»»
Philippine tryouts for Asian swim tilt slated at Rizal Memorial
Putting premium on quality over quantity, the Philippine Aquatics is looking for a lean number of 44 swimmers to comprise the National Junior Team that will compete against the best of Asia as the country plays host to the 11th Asian Age Group Swimming Championship......»»
PSC leads Asiad sendoff rites
The official sendoff rites for the 500-strong Philippine team to the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou takes place today at the Philippine International Convention Center with the Philippine Sports Commission leading the way. The 11 a.m. event will have as guest speaker Executive Secretary Luis Bersamin, according to PSC chairperson Richard “Dickie” Bachmann. “Our athletes are the heart and soul of the country’s campaign in Hangzhou, both in the Asian Games and Asian Para Games,” chairman Bachmann said. The opening ceremony of the Asian Games will be held at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Expo Center on 23 September. A total of 481 events in 61 disciplines are going to be disputed. Team Philippines previously sent 271 athletes to the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta/Palembang in 2018 and brought home four golds, two silvers and 15 bronzes for 19th place. Golfer Yuka Saso (women’s individual and team events), weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz (53kg) and skateboarder Margielyn Didal were the delegation’s top performers. “With the all-out support from our national government through the PSC, I’m positive that our athletes will deliver,” added the sports agency chief, who is set to be joined by PSC Commissioner Bong Coo, Commissioner Fritz Gaston, Commissioner Edward Hayco, and Commissioner Walter Torres in the event. Sports officials from the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Paralympic Committee, the different National Sports Associations and Team Philippines’ Chef de Mission Richard Gomez are also expected to attend the sendoff rites. The post PSC leads Asiad sendoff rites appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cebu City wushu athlete selection slated on Saturday
CEBU CITY, Philippines — As part of their thrust to promote wushu to the Cebuanos, the Cebu City Wushu Team will conduct an athlete selection on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the Don Carlos A. Gothong Memorial National High School. Wushu, an emerging sport in Cebu, is part of a more extensive sports tryouts that.....»»
Grumbling mounts
There continues to be discontent among certain sectors regarding the proposed policy on military pensions, and now there is another idea floated to scrap the free college education. Just like a low rumbling sound of thunder, affected sectors are grumbling over Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno’s statement that the free access to state university education is “unsustainable” — which is indicative of a potential effort to repeal a landmark legislation enacted during the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who appointed Diokno as Budget and Management secretary and then Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor. For six years as a member of Duterte’s economic team, we were oblivious to Secretary Diokno’s opposition to Republic Act 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017. Straight from the horse’s mouth during a forum organized by the University of the Philippines School of Economics on 19 August, he said the law is anti-poor since “there are more poor people who do not attend college.” To say that subsidizing college education really “consumes a lot of funds” is irresponsible, anti-Filipino and anti-development. RA 10931 was embraced by Filipinos during a period when the financial situation of the government appeared stable. The blame for becoming indebted to finance the efforts to control the pandemic falls neither on the people nor on the national government. Fast forward to post-pandemic, there is no convenient excuse for sacrificing human investment through debt for education to support lavish government expenditures in the wake of the national government pronouncements that the gross national product increased to P5.643 billion in the second quarter of 2023 from P5.592 billion in the first quarter of 2023. Truth be told, 2.46 million students were beneficiaries of a free college education during the academic year 2021-2022. It is not only they who are reaping the rewards of one of the “most long-lasting” legacies of former president Duterte’s administration, but their families, communities, and the country. Jade Baguna, a Tertiary Education Subsidy or TES program graduate in Social Work, cannot help but share the positive impact of the policy on his life and his family. Despite facing challenges like long walks to and from school and a meager weekly allowance during high school, the program enabled him to complete his degree, achieve the eighth position in the board examination, and become a Social Work instructor. The Finance Secretary may have lost his train of thought that investing in free college education has long-term economic benefits. A well-educated workforce is crucial to driving innovation, technological advancements, and economic growth. By providing access to higher education, the country can nurture a pool of skilled professionals who will contribute to various industries, drive entrepreneurship and attract investments. At a time when the need to rejuvenate an economy is paramount, scrapping free college education may limit the availability of qualified workers, hinder economic development and reduce global competitiveness. One of the most compelling arguments for a free college education is that it promotes equal opportunity and social mobility. By removing financial barriers, individuals from all socioeconomic backgrounds can pursue higher education based on merit and potential rather than financial means. This ensures that talented and motivated students, regardless of their background, have a fair chance to improve their lives and contribute to society. Sec. Diokno’s sustainability concerns sparked a debate. Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Prospero de Vera said there is nothing better than for a country to invest in its young people and produce highly skilled manpower. “It’s the best anti-poverty strategy. You educate an individual, you make him employable, and you make sure the poverty stops with him or with her,” he said. For Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez, taking out the scholarship program is synonymous with seeing a decay of education in our country. “Education is the great emancipator of people from the bondage of poverty. With education you are able to move forward with your family,” he said. Senator Francis Tolentino has this to say: “Perhaps the lack of money of the national government should not be the reason why they cannot be given the opportunity to study. Education is a basic human right. We need to provide our youth with the necessary basic tertiary education.” Higher education provides a holistic learning experience and fosters personal growth and critical thinking. It promotes civic engagement, social responsibility, and the development of well-rounded citizens. By scrapping free college education, we risk limiting these benefits and creating a society that is less educated, less informed, and less equipped to tackle complex societal challenges. Time and again, it pays to revisit Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Access to education should not be seen as a privilege but as a fundamental right. In other words, recognizing education as a human right implies that every individual is entitled to receive an education, without any form of discrimination, as it is legally protected. The post Grumbling mounts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NYC activities above board — chairman
National Youth Commission chairman Ronald Cardema defended the agency's annual hosting of Sangguniang Kabataan summits and trainings which were flagged by the Commission on Audit, pointing to Kabataan Partylist Representative Raoul Manuel as the one besmirching his office. In an interview with the Daily Tribune at the NYC office in Quezon City, Cardema said newspaper reports (not in this paper) failed to mention that not a single "disallowance" was made. In its annual audit report on the NYC for 2022, the COA noted the agency’s “excessive payment of hotel room reservations,” as well as the local accounts of NYC showed that its training expenses amounted to P31.4 million while travel expenses reached P5.43 million. The COA said that the NYC’s local travel expenses jumped by 321 percent from P1.29 million in 2021 to P5.43 million in 2022. Training expenses, on the other hand, surged by 575 percent from P4.65 million to P31.4 million during the same period. "Of course, it would jump. From pandemic period which we are barred from holding such, it will surely ballooned because we never hold those trainings during that period," Cardema explained. He added that they are mandated to hold SK trainings, sometimes called "summit", to prepare the young officials for their positions. An annual budget of P50 million is allotted for this purpose, and according to Cardema, there are over 42,000 barangays around the country that have the same number of SK officials composed also of a chairman and seven kagawads (local councilors). "Di nga namin makumpletong bigyan lahat ng training sa dami (We can't even complete their entire number to train)," Cardema said, noting that some SK chairmen are also considered government officials for being the SK Federation president, heading the entire city or province's SK members and sit as a member of the city council or provincial boards. "Local officials na din ang turing sa kanila (They are considered local officials already). Sometimes they brought along with them a team (photographer, staff, and even families) and would not want to be booked at the hotel we contracted because of these factors. So they would instead pay for their own, in a much expensive hotel," the NYC official further explained. For this reason, Cardema added we're acceptable to COA. "That is why we have 'zero' disallowance (in that report)." He blamed Manuel for insinuating the NYC's alleged overspending, as he always hurled some criticism to the Makabayan Bloc in Congress which Kabataan Partylist is a member, for failing to condemn the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People's Army, and National Democratic Front. Training the SK officials, the NYC chairman said, is a hard thing to do, especially for a commission composed of only 150 personnel including him. "My travel allowance is only P500,000, that sometimes requires me to go to regions and provinces. One time I was made to attend an Asian youth forum, half of that travel allowance was spent already. How are the others, which I have to attend?," Cardema asked. The NYC is the government's sole policy-making body on youth affairs but also coordinates and implements programs designed to respond to and raise awareness on youth issues. Its mandate is enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, to wit: "The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism; and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs." The post NYC activities above board — chairman appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sustainable national sports program sought
Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro called for a sustainable national sports program to help young Filipino athletes achieve their full potential as he kicked off the opening ceremony of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa. “We want a sustainable national sports program for the Filipino youth,” Teodoro said. “We want to provide them with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed in sports and in life.” The mayor said that heavy rains in the past few days did not dampen the spirits of the delegates to the Palaro. They even braved the downpour during the grand parade. “Despite the heavy rains in the past few days, like the tests in our country, we are still here full of hope, have strengths, for a prosperous and stable country,” Teodoro said. The Palarong Pambansa is the country’s largest youth sporting event. This year’s games are being held in Marikina City from 1 to 5 August. Along with Teodoro, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte also graced the opening at the Marikina Sports Center. The Palarong Pambansa 2023 is anchored by the theme: “Batang Malakas, Bansang Matatag.” The opening ceremony commenced with a parade of student-athletes, starting from the Marikina River Park to the Marikina Sports Center. During the parade, the delegates were accompanied by marching bands and Marikina students who performed the regional dances of each delegation. Giving additional spectacle to the festive event was the dragon boat exhibition at the Marikina River organized by the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragon boat Federation. After all delegates converged at the MSC, the program proper kicked off with the Oath of Sportsmanship led by volleyball star Alyssa Valdez followed by the Oath of Officiating Officials led by Jonathan Oscar Jimenez, boxing tournament director. Volleyball player Bea de Leon, and basketball player Mark Barroca led the lighting of the Palaro Friendship Cauldron, together with the team captains representing the 17 participating regions in this year’s national games. Some Metro Manila mayors, provincial mayors, governors, members of House Representatives, and other national government officials graced the opening to show their full support to the student-athletes and to the City of Marikina. The post Sustainable national sports program sought appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gatchalian: NGCP’s existing shareholder pact ‘violative’ of Constitution
Senator Win Gatchalian sees there's a violation in the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ shareholder agreement. Gatchalian said on Friday that the existing pact prevents majority shareholders from convening and making emergency decisions “unless minority members are present” and described it as “violative of the Constitution.” “A constitutional provision limiting foreign stake in public utilities to 40 percent is meant to safeguard Filipino interests,” he emphasized. In the case of NGCP, Gatchalian lamented that Filipino board members account for a 60 percent majority stake in the grid public utility. In comparison, he added, the State Grid Corporation of China accounts for a 40 percent minority stake. However, Gatchalian cited that a board meeting—per the shareholder agreement—cannot happen if the minority shareholders do not attend. This can only happen for two consecutive times, after which the majority shareholders can proceed with the board meeting despite the absence of the minority, he added. “This provision effectively tied the hands of the Filipino shareholders. Filipinos should always be in control, management-wise, finance-wise, and in terms of operation,” he further lamented. In a recent Senate hearing by the Committee on Energy on the performance of NGCP, Gatchalian questioned the grid’s ownership. “The Constitution is very clear that 60 percent of the capital of public utilities should be owned by Filipinos. This ownership structure allows Filipinos, and not foreigners, to make decisions on the direction, management, and operations of a crucial business imbued with public use and public service. How can Filipinos make a decision if they cannot convene?,” he said, citing Article 12, Section 11 of the Constitution. Gatchalian was irked that the existing NGCP shareholder agreement won’t really provide Filipino shareholders the power to decide on their own, even during emergencies, including those relating to national security. During the hearing, NGCP Assistant Corporate Secretary, Atty. Dylan Concepcion, said the internal agreement is supported by a Supreme Court decision covering public utility companies. “Concepcion and his team, however, failed to provide the specific general register number of the high court decision he cited,” Gatchalian said. “The constitutional provision that a utility company should always be majority-owned by Filipinos with at least 60% stake is meant to enable control of the utility by Filipinos to ensure public interest and national security are upheld and protected,” he added. Senator Raffy Tulfo, who chairs the Committee on Energy, previously raised concerns over the poor performance of the NGCP and China’s massive control over the Grid’s operations despite the 60-40 investors’ shares. The post Gatchalian: NGCP’s existing shareholder pact ‘violative’ of Constitution appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
4 swimmers make it through national tryouts for SEA tilt
Four young swimmers broke through the qualifying time standard (QTS) and were given “provisional” status for the Philippine team that will compete in the 35th Southeast Asian Age Group Swimming Championship......»»
Monsters in Phl volleyball
Philippine volleyball is again in trouble. The country’s lone professional volleyball league — the Premier Volleyball League — is under fire after the Philippine National Volleyball Federation penalized it for staging a tournament “within the national team period without authorization.” Based on the calendar of the International Volleyball Federation, no commercial tournaments will be held around the world from 16 May to 15 October to give way to the national teams’ participation in various tournaments. The PVL, however, kicked off its Invitational Conference last week to run till 30 July with guest teams from Japan and Australia said to be joining to jack up the level of competition in the semifinals. The biggest casualty is the national squad that competed in the AVC Women’s Challenge Cup in Indonesia recently. With the core of the team that saw action in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games like Alyssa Valdez, Kat Tolentino, Jia de Guzman, and Mylene Paat busy with their respective mother teams in the PVL, the PNVF had no choice but to send young and untested players to the prestigious continental tournament. Bannered by Faith Nisperos, Michelle Cobb, AC Miner, and Roma Doromal with Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Bang Pineda as the only veterans, the national squad had a forgettable seventh-place finish. This didn’t sit well with the PNVF. In a memorandum that Daily Tribune obtained last Thursday, the federation cracked the whip by barring PVL clubs from securing the International Transfer Certificates of foreign players in the reinforced conference. Sideliners see the penalty as a declaration of war by the PNVF leadership as it will prompt the PVL organizers to either alter their format or scrap the season-ending conference altogether. But more than that, the sanction will disrupt PVL operations, hurting the players, coaches, officials, utility, and other personnel who are banking on professional volleyball to make ends meet. But let us remember that the PVL is the federation’s last remaining ally. When the PNVF was formed at the height of the pandemic in 2021, the PVL rallied behind it while other leagues such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association, University Athletic Association of the Philippines, and the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League refused to toe the line. The PVL had also been very cooperative and supportive of the national team program by deploying its players to major international tournaments. In fact, when the PNVF leadership threw a tantrum and fired National University players from the national squad, it was the PVL that cleaned up the mess by sending its players to the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup that the country was set to host. During the buildup to the SEA Games, the PVL made the major sacrifice of halting its operations so its players could go to Japan for a 15-day training. Although it could have easily refused since the Osaka training was scheduled from 13 to 28 April, which was outside the national team window, the PVL still agreed to lend its players to help the federation regain a SEA Games medal. The PVL has also been very gracious, allowing national team head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito of Brazil to coach one of its marquee clubs, Akari, even though there are many local coaches available who can easily do the job. And now this? The PNVF is penalizing the PVL for something that could have been resolved with a mere phone call or a 30-minute meeting. You don’t do that to your partner, especially your most loyal — and last remaining — ally. What if — only what if — PVL team owners fire back and bar their stars from playing for the national team in the 19th Asian Games? Can the PNVF still form a competitive team? The monsters that have been terrorizing Philippine volleyball are again starting to appear. And, sad to say, they are destroying the relationship between the PVL and PNVF, greatly affecting the country’s chances to form a stronger, more competitive national team. Unless local officials slay the monsters — pride, greed, arrogance, and lust for power — Philippine volleyball will forever be a source of punchlines in the international arena. The post Monsters in Phl volleyball appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UN chief arrives in Haiti for ‘solidarity’ visit
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Haiti on Saturday for a lightning visit aimed at showing "solidarity" with the country's people as it navigates a "tragic cycle" of overlapping security, political and economic woes, his spokesperson said. For months, the world body's leader has raised the alarm bell about the situation in the Western Hemisphere's poorest country, which has been wracked by gang violence, a worsening public health situation, and political instability. Guterres -- making his first visit to Haiti as UN secretary-general -- is expected to meet with Prime Minister Ariel Henry as well as other political leaders and members of civil society, his spokesperson said in announcing his arrival. Guterres will "reiterate the UN's support for Haiti, his strong appeal for the international community to continue to support Haiti and its humanitarian needs, as well as his call for the immediate deployment of an international force to assist the Haitian National Police," his office said. The United Nations and Henry have repeatedly made the case for a multinational force to stabilize Haiti, which has not held national elections since 2016. But nine months after Guterres first asked the Security Council for such a force, no country has been willing to step forward to lead one, fearing high risks and uncertain success. Canada and Brazil have both been heavily involved in discussions and several Caribbean nations have backed a multinational force. President Joe Biden has made clear that the United States, which has a long history of intervention in Haiti, will not lead a force and instead wants to focus on bolstering the fledgling national police. The United Nations has meanwhile been clear about the nightmare suffered by many Haitians on a daily basis -- shootings, kidnappings, and rapes are frequent. 'Never been worse' "Haitians and our team there tell me it's never been worse than it is now," UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Catherine Russell said this week after returning from Port-au-Prince. Russell highlighted "unprecedented hunger and malnutrition, grinding poverty, a crippled economy, resurgence of cholera, and a massive insecurity that creates a deadly downward spiral of violence." Compounding the crises, the flooding and earthquakes which ravage the country "continue to remind us all just how vulnerable Haiti is to climate change and natural disasters," she told a briefing. And then Russell recounted the horrific story of an 11-year-old girl who was kidnapped by five men -- and raped by three of them. "She was eight months pregnant when we spoke and gave birth just a few days later," she said, recalling that armed gangs control more than 60 percent of the capital and large swathes of the countryside. Faced with such violence, residents have occasionally taken matters into their own hands. In April, a group of civilians beat to death several suspected gang members who were in police custody and burned their bodies in the street. And in June, Haiti's minister of planning and external cooperation Ricard Pierre warned of the risk that the country could descend into civil war if an international assistance force is not deployed soon. "The risk of civil war is very real," he said. Some 5,2 million Haitians -- nearly half of the country's population -- need humanitarian assistance. Three million of those in need are children. Guterres is also planning to "underscore the need for a Haitian-led, inclusive political pathway towards elections and the return of constitutional order in Haiti," his spokesperson said. Henry, who was named to his post shortly before the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, has faced questions about his own legitimacy. Following his stop in Haiti, Guterres will head to Trinidad and Tobago for a summit of the Caribbean Community, or CARICOM. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will also attend that meeting, where he plans to meet Henry. The post UN chief arrives in Haiti for ‘solidarity’ visit appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos assures SSS, GSIS funds won’t be used as MIF seed fund
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday assured the public that the national government would not use state pension funds Social Security System and Government Service Insurance System as "seed fund" to finance the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund. The Chief Executive said this in an interview with reporters after he attended the 86th-anniversary celebration of GSIS, hours after the Senate passed Senate Bill No. 2020 creating the MIF. The Senate approved the controversial sovereign fund bill, voting 19-1-1 at around 12:30 in the morning following 12 hours of deliberations. However, Marcos explained that the pension funds themselves could invest in the proposed sovereign wealth fund if they believe it is a "good investment." "We will not use it as a seed fund. However, if a pension fund decides the Maharlika Fund is a good investment, it's up to them if they want to invest in it, not only pension funds but corporations," Marcos said. "Those funds - that's all they do, they grow their money so they have something to give," Marcos added. Marcos said this is what GSIS have been doing. He said GSIS is making sure that "they are very solid (and) that they are very stable" so that they would give out all the payments. "We have to differentiate those two things," he added. In a separate media interview, GSIS President Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso said that they would only abide with the lawmakers' decision regarding the MIF. "I don't have any idea about what other discussions are happening about those things. We will only do one thing, whatever the decision of the lawmakers is because they listen to our people, whatever they want, that's what we will follow," Veloso told the reporters. "So we are just guided by the direction that is given to us,” he added. Economic team lauds Senate for passing MIF bill Meanwhile, Marcos' economic team lauded the Senate for passing the Maharlika Investment Fund. "The economic team commends Senate President Senator (Juan Miguel) Migz Zubiri and Senator Mark Villar for their thorough deliberation and prioritization of the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund Act," Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said. "The Senate leadership has pulled out all the stops to ensure that the bill we bring to the President reflects the administration's objective of creating a profitable and secure investment fund," he added. The bill's speedy approval was backed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Finance Secretary Diokno, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe M. Medalla, who were all present and seated during the prolonged session. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, for her part, said the Senate's version of the MIF has "multiple" safeguards against potential misuse. "This is a great stride towards our long-term progress and will boost our efforts for economic growth," Pangandaman said. "This includes multiple safeguards— we have an audit committee, there's an advisory board, and there's a congressional oversight committee. It adheres to the internationally-known Santiago principles, there's (Commission on Audit), and it has (a) procurement law, so I think we have enough safeguards," Pangandaman added. Pangandaman additionally highlighted the Landbank of the Philippines, the Development Bank of the Philippines, income from privatization, funds from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and dividends obtained from the central bank as potential financial resources. The post Marcos assures SSS, GSIS funds won’t be used as MIF seed fund appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bridging healthcare gap
While the government has consistently strived to improve medical access, the reality remains that access to hospitals providing specialized healthcare services is still limited. Almost all specialty hospitals are located in Metro Manila. We have here the Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, among others. As these specialty hospitals are some of the best in our country, many of our Filipinos from the provinces who suffer from serious diseases are constrained to travel to Manila just to ensure that they receive quality, affordable and specialized healthcare services necessary for their conditions. Having to worry over transportation and accommodation expenses on top of the already burdensome medical costs is simply too much, especially for our poor Filipinos who can barely earn enough for their daily needs. As I visited many disadvantaged communities nationwide, scores of our kababayans sought me out not only for medical assistance but also for help with their transportation expenses going to Manila, where the only hospitals that can address their health needs are located. The glaring need to bring these specialized medical services closer to our people in the provinces encourages me to continue advocating for a measure that will mandate the establishment of regional specialty centers nationwide. It is high time that we unburden our fellow Filipinos of unnecessary long travels and additional expenses just to get these services needed to save their lives. On 17 May, I sponsored Senate Bill 2212, which seeks to mandate the Department of Health to establish specialty centers in existing DoH hospitals in different regions within five years, rather than constructing entirely new specialty hospitals — a cost-efficient, faster and practical solution to address the issue. The proposal also aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which includes the establishment of specialty centers as part of the health-related legislative agenda of the administration. Moreover, if enacted into law, the DoH will be required to allocate capital outlay investments and work closely with the Department of Budget and Management to develop staffing patterns and standards for the specialty centers, securing positions for healthcare workers serving in these facilities. Particular emphasis will be placed on establishing heart, lung, and kidney centers that replicate the capabilities of the National Specialty Centers in Metro Manila. This is also a way to decongest our existing specialty hospitals. For instance, the establishment of mental health centers in various DoH hospitals would help decongest the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong City. As chair of the Senate Committee on Health, I believe that physical, emotional, and mental health are all equally important, and I will continue to support measures that would protect and promote the different aspects of health as a whole. Thus, on the same day, I also co-sponsored the proposed Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act filed by Senator Win Gatchalian. If said bill is passed into law, a Care Center in basic education schools will be established. This will not only benefit the students but also the teaching and non-teaching personnel. Previously, I likewise filed SBN 1786 which aims to mandate Public Higher Education Institutions to establish Mental Health Offices in their respective campuses. Meanwhile, together with my team, I was in Cagayan on 18 May to join in the Sarakat Festival, attend the inauguration of the Super Health Center, and provide aid to 1,500 indigents in the town of Santa Praxedes, where I was honored to be its adopted son. We then headed to Lal-lo town where I witnessed the groundbreaking of another Super Health Center and also led another relief operation for 1,500 more struggling residents in the town. The following day, I visited Jordan, Guimaras, where I attended a volleyball tournament as part of the Manggahan Festival of the province and personally checked on the operations of the Malasakit Center at Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava Provincial Hospital. We also aided 217 patients and 512 frontliners in the hospital while the Department of Social Welfare and Development assisted 118 qualified patients. Later that day, we visited Buenavista, Guimaras where I led the groundbreaking of the town’s Super Health Center, spearheaded a relief operation for 1,462 indigents, and visited local infrastructure initiatives we earlier supported during the Duterte administration such as the Buenavista Wharf and seawall. Last week, my outreach teams also helped many of our fellow Filipinos in need, including 50 indigents in Libertad, 50 in Salay, and 1,735 in Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental; 153 in Agusan del Norte; 255 in Belison, Antique; 419 in Laurel, Batangas; 150 in Quezon City; 1,550 in Manila City; 666 in Limay, Bataan; 108 in Malolos City, Bulacan; 233 in Maria Aurora in Aurora; 366 in Kalawit and 333 in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte; and 1,912 families affected by armed conflict in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur. Fire-hit households, including 21 in Lapu-Lapu City, 99 in Mandaue City, and 171 in Cebu City in the province of Cebu; and six in Angeles City, Pampanga were also assisted. Aside from pushing for the establishment of regional specialty centers, I continue to support our Malasakit Centers and Super Health Centers to provide more accessible medical assistance programs and basic health services, respectively, to more of our fellow Filipinos. It is my hope that, with the support of our fellow workers in the government, we can continue bringing medical services closer to the people, particularly the economically disadvantaged and those residing in far-flung areas, to help address the urgent need to bridge the healthcare gap across the country. After all, it is enshrined in our Constitution, as a matter of state policy, that “the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people” and that “the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost.” As elected representatives of the Filipino people, it is our solemn duty to realize these state policies. These programs and measures will not only protect and promote such rights but will make this a living testament to our collective desire to help provide a more comfortable life for Filipinos. The post Bridging healthcare gap appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Filipinas fall short in women’s volleyball
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The bronze medal was within reach but Indonesia just won’t wilt and the Philippines ended up in fourth place in women’s volleyball at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games. “We did our best but it wasn’t enough to beat Indonesia,” said Jorge Edson Souza de Brito the morning after the Indonesians struggled to beat the Filipinas in four sets, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 25-23, in the bronze medal match on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium. Before flag-waving and cheering fans, the Filipinas fought gallantly against their more internationally-experienced foes with Tots Carlos holding fort until the final moment by saving two match points. But the Indonesians, many of them playing in hijabs, were unrelenting and went on to claim bronze while dealing the Philippines its third loss in five matches from the preliminaries. “We need to be more consistent but as a matter of fact, we'd improved a lot — less errors, better receive, more block touches,” De Brito said. “These players had such a hard time reaching their best level and it would be good if we keep a core from these players.” The national women’s team is composed mostly of Creamlime players, including team captain Alyssa Valdez who had to be used sparingly because of a knee injury that almost cost her slot in the team. The Philippines beat Cambodia and Singapore in the preliminaries for its two victories in the games. It lost thrice to regional powerhouse Vietnam, Thailand and finally to Indonesia in the bronze medal match. The post Filipinas fall short in women’s volleyball appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go, go, go for the gold!
We have nothing but admiration and best wishes for our national athletes who are currently competing at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games. Together with my colleagues, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Francis Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission Chair Dickie Bachmann and Commissioner Matthew Gaston, among other officials, we took the time last weekend to personally cheer on our representatives in the regional biennial sports meet in Cambodia. There, we witnessed once again the never-say-die attitude and spirit of all our Filipino athletes. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports and a firm advocate of long-term and grassroots sports development in the country, I was particularly filled with pride after seeing the dedication, discipline and undeniable talent of our athletes. That is why I remain committed to helping strengthen the development of sports in our communities. Sports keep our young people away from vices and criminality. As I always say, “Get into sports, stay away from drugs!” Last year, I sponsored and defended additional funding for the PSC during its 2023 budget deliberation, particularly for grassroots sports development and in support of athletes joining international competitions. What was supposedly just more or less P200 million proposed annual budget for PSC was increased by P1 billion through our efforts and with the support of my colleagues in the Senate. Particularly, the increase in the PSC’s 2023 budget is intended to support the Filipino athletes in international competitions, such as the Asian Games, SEA Games, Summer Olympics in Paris, ASEAN Para Games, Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games, World Combat Games, World Beach Games, and Asian Beach Games, among others. Portions of the funds were also allotted for the country’s hosting of the FIBA World Cup in 2023 as well as for grassroots sports programs, such as Batang Pinoy, the Philippine National Games, and those under the Sports Development Council. Moreover, funding was allocated for the development of sports infrastructure across the country, as well as for advanced research and development in sports sciences and sports technology. The provision of other financial assistance to Filipino athletes was also funded. I have also authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports in 2020 to help ensure that our promising young athletes can further hone their talents while getting quality education. More recently, I filed Senate Bill 423, or the proposed Philippine National Games Act of 2022, with the aim of institutionalizing and providing a structure for a more comprehensive national sports program, linking grassroots sports promotion to national sports development. Meanwhile, together with my team, I was in Batangas province on 8 May where I personally led a series of relief operations for 1,109 indigents in Batangas City and 1,000 more in San Pascual town. As an adopted son of CALABARZON and a fellow Batangueño, I am thankful for being able to serve them to the best of my capacity as a public servant. I likewise visited the newly renovated San Pascual Super Health Center and met with some health workers to listen to their concerns and discuss ways to improve the delivery of healthcare services in their communities. The Super Health Center is an improved version of a polyclinic, which seeks to provide our fellow Filipinos, especially those in remote areas, easier access to basic health services. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers and the Department of Health, 307 SHCs were funded in 2022 and 322 more in 2023. Last Tuesday, we conducted a public hearing by the Senate Committee on Health on mental health. As the committee’s chair, I reiterated that the state of our National Center for Mental Health is in need of utmost attention and improvement to preserve the basic right of all Filipinos to healthcare. Meanwhile, on 10 May, I led a relief effort for 672 fire victims from Pritil Public Market in Tondo, Manila. This was followed by a visit to Nueva Ecija last 11 May, where I personally inspected the Talavera bridge — a project I had earlier supported as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance. I then conducted a monitoring visit to the Malasakit Center at the Talavera General Hospital to personally assess its operations and ensure that indigent patients are given the assistance they need. In line with this, we extended relief to 79 patients and 406 front liners in the hospital while the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial aid to the qualified patients. On the same day, my team and I visited the town of Llanera to inspect its Super Health Center and attend the inauguration of the public wet market there, both of which I had advocated and supported. We then assisted 1,000 indigents in the town. As an adopted son of Nueva Ecija, I continue to support the province and help its people as much as I can. Separately, my outreach teams mounted several relief operations last week that benefitted 100 indigents in Veruela, 100 in Sta. Josefa, 40 in Esperanza, and 40 in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur; 227 in Botolan and 163 in Iba, Zambales; 520 Kibawe, Dangcagan, Cabanglasan and Malitbog, Bukidnon; 141 in General Natividad, Nueva Ecija; 2,199 in Gingoog City, 50 in Naawan, and 50 in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental; 332 in Minalin, Pampanga; 129 in Hamtic, Antique; 233 in Casiguran, and 166 in Dilasag, Aurora; and 44 in Sta. Maria and 45 in Malolos City, Bulacan. Fire victims, including 205 in Taytay, Rizal; 58 in Caloocan City; and 12 families in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan were likewise supported through our efforts. In the same way that our athletes remain unyielding in the face of tough competition, I hope that we can all remain resilient in the face of challenges. Through our support for one another and our unbeatable pusong Pilipino, let us all go for the gold and continue bringing honor to our country and our people. The post Go, go, go for the gold! appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bagunas gushes over men’s progress
Veteran internationalist Bryan Bagunas couldn’t help but get goosebumps at the prospect of seeing more Filipino volleyball players campaigning in club leagues overseas. Four homegrown talents have been invited to the 2023 KOVO men’s Asian Quota Draft tryouts set on 25 April for the coming Korean Volleyball League, hoping to join Bagunas on the list of Filipino spikers showcasing their wares abroad. Bagunas, who is fresh from a successful stint in Taiwan’s Top Volleyball League after leading Lien Zhuang WinStreak to the crown and winning tournament Most Valuable Player in the process, is optimistic about the chances of the likes of Marck Espejo, Jau Umandal, JP Bugaoan and Manuel Sumanguid III getting selected. ‘I’m having goosebumps now.’ The four national team standouts are scheduled to fly to Jeju Island in Korea for the face-to-face tryout where seven slots will be at stake. “I’m having goosebumps now. I’m really proud that slowly the Philippines men’s volleyball is getting recognition from other countries,” Bagunas said in an interview over the weekend. “It’s overwhelming for me to see that other countries are now eyeing Filipinos as imports,” Bagunas, who is currently busy preparing for his wedding in June, added. Just last Friday, Fil-American middle blocker MJ Phillips was picked 5th overall by the Gwangju AI Peppers during the 2023 KOVO Women’s Asian Quota Draft held online. “We really have the skills to compete internationally,” Bagunas, who will return to Taiwan for the next Top League season in October. “Being one of the few Filipinos playing international (volleyball) I’m really proud that we’re getting the recognition we deserve. Hopefully, there will be more of us playing abroad.” The post Bagunas gushes over men’s progress appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bringing people gov’t services
The dry season has brought not only uncomfortably higher temperatures across our country but also a slew of “summer diseases” that range from sore eyes to skin conditions and heat stroke. These health problems are not trivial matters. Heat stroke, in particular, poses a significant threat, especially to our kababayans whose work requires them to stay under the blistering heat of the sun. Most of them are our fellow Filipinos in underserved areas who do not have access to electricity and worse, the health services that they need. Following our state weather bureau’s recent announcement that it may issue an El Niño alert by next month, all the more we must prioritize our health as we brace for warmer days ahead. This is why, we also continue striving to bring public healthcare services closer to our fellow Filipinos, especially the needy, the helpless, and the hopeless who have no one else to turn to but our government. Part of these initiatives are the Malasakit Centers and Super Health Centers which we initiated and continue to provide to communities in need. Each Malasakit Center serves as a one-stop shop for medical assistance from different government agencies. The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which I principally authored and sponsored, institutionalized the program. The program has so far helped over seven million particularly poor and indigent Filipinos through the 157 Malasakit Centers nationwide, according to the Department of Health. We have also been supportive of the establishment of Super Health Centers in areas identified by the DoH as the lead implementing agency. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated for the construction of 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. As chair of the Senate Committee on Health, I took the time last week to visit some of these Malasakit Centers and SHC in various parts of the country to check on their operations or the progress of their construction. On 17 April, we kicked off the week with a monitoring visit to the Malasakit Center at Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital in Roxas City, Capiz where we also checked on the ongoing construction of the new building of the hospital which I supported for funding the previous years as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance. I likewise personally led the distribution of aid to 218 indigent patients and 666 front liners of the hospital while representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance to the qualified patients and 59 utility workers. We attended the groundbreaking of the Super Health Centers in Panay and Panitan towns in Capiz where we also aided indigent residents from each town. We then proceeded to Bacolod City in Negros Occidental to visit another Malasakit Center at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital where we aided 375 patients and 1,877 hospital front liners, including security guards, utilities, and other hospital staff. Indigent patients, 148 qualified security guards, and hospital utility workers also received financial assistance from the DSWD. In Bacolod City, we joined the Panaad Festival celebration and assisted 1,000 struggling residents. The following day in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, we witnessed the groundbreaking of the city’s Super Health Center and provided aid to 1,000 of its residents. A visit to the Malasakit Center at Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center was meant to assess the continuing services to the public and aid 573 patients and 1,550 front liners. A team from the DSWD also extended financial assistance to the patients and 119 qualified hospital workers, including housekeeping and security guards. We witnessed the groundbreaking of the town’s Super Health Center in Umingan, Pangasinan on the same day, and helped 709 persons with disabilities. The inspections of other centers and aid distributions continued for the rest of the week. On 21 April, we flew to Samar where we inspected the SHC in Santa Margarita and assisted 1,000 town residents. In Calbayog, we aided 216 fire victims and 1,000 indigents. During our visit to the Girl Scouts of the Philippines in Camp Alano, Davao City, we expressed support for their endeavors in recognition of their role in women empowerment and nation-building. On 22 April, we conducted a monitoring visit to the Malasakit Center at Quirino Province Medical Center in Cabarroguis where we helped 101 patients and 830 front liners while the DSWD aided the patients and 317 qualified front liners. We joined the town’s 6th Quirino Motorismo. A total of 500 residents in Saguday, Quirino received aid before we inspected the ongoing construction of the SHC. My teams assisted 100 indigent families in Casiguran, 100 in San Luis, and 100 in Dipaculao, Aurora; 100 in La Paz, 200 in Talacogon,100 in Sibagat, 100 in Bayugan, 100 in Esperanza, 100 in Prosperidad, and 550 in Sta. Josefa and Trento, Agusan del Sur; 1,427 in Iba, Zambales; 33 in Sta Rita, Pampanga; 495 households affected by separate fire incidents in Cagayan de Oro City and Tagoloan, and 500 in Binuangan, Misamis Oriental; and 54 fire victims in Maramag, Valencia City, Malaybalay City and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. I was also honored to be able to attend the Philippine Councilors League — Quezon province chapter seminar in Davao City on 20 April, and the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas-National Cluster Barangay Congress in Pasay City yesterday. Our jobs are no different from each other; we have the same mandate to serve our people. Local leaders are our partners in ensuring that their constituents are well supported to effect real positive change from the local to the national level. Amid the challenges we face, let not these trials beat and hinder us from doing our duties and reaching out to more of our struggling Filipinos in their times of need. Let us all strive to bring public services, particularly healthcare, closer to our people. The post Bringing people gov’t services appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bagunas gushes over men’s progress
Veteran internationalist Bryan Bagunas couldn’t help but get goosebumps at the prospect of seeing more Filipino volleyball players campaigning in club leagues overseas. Four homegrown talents have been invited to the 2023 KOVO men’s Asian Quota Draft tryouts set on 25 April for the coming Korean Volleyball League, hoping to join Bagunas on the list of Filipino spikers showcasing their wares abroad. Bagunas, who is fresh from a successful stint in Taiwan’s Top Volleyball League after leading Lien Zhuang WinStreak to the crown and winning tournament Most Valuable Player in the process, is optimistic about the chances of the likes of Marck Espejo, Jau Umandal, JP Bugaoan and Manuel Sumanguid III getting selected. The four national team standouts are scheduled to fly to Jeju Island in Korea for the face-to-face tryout where seven slots will be at stake. “I’m having goosebumps now. I’m really proud that slowly the Philippines men’s volleyball is getting recognition from other countries,” Bagunas said in an interview over the weekend. “It’s overwhelming for me to see that other countries are now eyeing Filipinos as imports,” Bagunas, who is currently busy preparing for his wedding in June, added. Just last Friday, Fil-American middle blocker MJ Phillips was picked 5th overall by the Gwangju AI Peppers during the 2023 KOVO Women’s Asian Quota Draft held online. “We really have the skills to compete internationally,” Bagunas, who will return to Taiwan for the next Top League season in October. “Being one of the few Filipinos playing international (volleyball) I’m really proud that we’re getting the recognition we deserve. Hopefully, there will be more of us playing abroad.” The post Bagunas gushes over men’s progress appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl lady spikers face Cambodians
The Philippines could take advantage of a favorable schedule in Group B to build momentum in its mission to end an 18-year podium drought in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games women’s volleyball competition in Cambodia next month. Pitted against the host team to start the hostilities on 9 May, the seasoned Filipinas are the overwhelming favorites facing the Cambodians who are making a debut in the division since the country joined the biennial meet in 1961. Driven by the success of its men’s team which won bronze in last year’s pandemic-delayed Hanoi SEA Games, Cambodia decided to field a fledgling women’s squad hoping to get a good result on home soil. “We are ambitious, so we want to be well prepared and take the opportunity to enter women’s teams (indoor and beach volleyball) for the first time at the SEA Games. We believe the technical skills of our players will be close to the top teams – and certainly better than some nations in the region,” a confident Volleyball Federation of Cambodia secretary-general Aing Serey Piseth said in an interview with the Phnom Penh Post. But the battle-tested Pinay Spikers are sure to exploit all their advantages in skills, experience, and firepower to give the still wet-behind-the-ears Cambodians a rude welcome to jumpstart their campaign to win a medal for the first time since claiming bronze in the 2005 Manila edition. Game time is set at 7:30 p.m. (Cambodia time) at the Morodok Techo Elephant Hall. The Nationals, who finished fourth in the previous contest, hope to use a win against the home team as springboard when they face last edition’s silver medalist Vietnam on 10 May. The Philippine team, skippered by Alyssa Valdez, will wrap up the group stage against underdog Singapore on 11 May. Bracketed in Group A are defending champion Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar. The top two teams in the group stage will face off in the crossover semifinals. The Nationals are currently in Japan for a two-week training camp which will wrap up on 28 April. Joining Valdez in the 14-woman roster handled by Brazilian head coach Jorge Souza de Brito are her Creamline teammates Tots Carlos, setter Jia Morado-de Guzman, Ced Domingo, Jema Galanza, Michele Gumabo and libero Klya Atienza. Also in the squad are Chery Tiggo’s Mylene Paat, Gel Cayuna and Chai Troncoso of Cignal, Dell Palomata of PLDT, and Choco Mucho’s Cherry Nunag and Kat Tolentino and Akari’s defense specialist Bang Pineda, a last-minute replacement for injured PLDT libero Kath Arado. Meanwhile, the men’s national team opens its campaign on 3 May against defending champion Indonesia in Group A. Inserted in the group of death following a re-draw, the Filipinos will then take on Cambodia on 4 May before squaring off against Singapore on 6 May. The post Phl lady spikers face Cambodians appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»