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Prioritize the poor, bring gov’t services closer to needy
For many of our fellow Filipinos who can barely afford their daily expenses, getting treated in a hospital is oftentimes a burdensome choice that they resort to only if it is a matter of life and death. Usually, our struggling kababayans choose to endure their illness for fear of falling deeper into debt due to huge hospital bills, medicines and other expenses. And by this time, an ordinary disease has already become a serious medical condition. Their plight is what inspired us to initiate the Malasakit Centers program in 2018 which provides one-stop shops where our indigent patients may more conveniently access medical assistance from the government. By bringing together programs of various government agencies under one roof, such as the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the centers streamline the process of availing medical assistance. I have been appealing to officials and workers in the health sector to prioritize the needs of the poor, especially in public health facilities since these patients have nowhere else to turn to but to seek the help of their government. I also appeal to all hospital staff to be patient and compassionate in guiding Filipinos, particularly the poor, so that they can properly have access to the services offered by our public hospitals and from the medical assistance programs available in any of our 158 Malasakit Centers nationwide. That is why as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and as the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, I make time to personally check on the operations of our Malasakit Centers across the country, in addition to attending the groundbreaking of Super Health Centers and leading our usual relief distributions for Filipinos in need. On 16 June, I conducted a monitoring visit to two Malasakit Centers in Leyte, where I was honored to be declared as an adopted son of the province through Resolution 2020-337 passed on 24 April 2020 and formally granted on 16 June by the provincial government. During the visit, I recognized the efforts of Governor Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla, Baybay City Mayor Jose Carlos “Boying” Cari and Vice Mayor Ernesto Butawan, Vice Governor Sandy Javier, Cong. Carl Cari, Cong. Karen Javier, Board Member Carlo Loreto, and other officials for their commitment to bringing government services closer to their constituents. I also visited the Malasakit Center at Baybay City Immaculate Conception Hospital where we assisted 30 out-patients, 140 in-patients, and 192 front liners, while the DSWD extended financial aid to qualified in-patients. We likewise inspected the Super Health Center and the new boardwalk in the city which I supported to help the community. I then checked on the operations of the Malasakit Center at Ormoc District Hospital in Ormoc City. We also assisted 283 patients and 211 front liners in the hospital, while 133 qualified inpatients received additional assistance from the DSWD. Following this, I led a relief operation for 1,065 struggling residents in the city and attended the ribbon-cutting of the newly constructed pentathlon facility with a dedicated fencing hall, among others — a project I supported as Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance and as Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, together with the local government led by Cong. Richard Gomez and Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez. Earlier that week, I was in Davao del Norte to participate in the celebration of the first anniversary of an insurgency-free Davao del Norte led by Gov. Edwin Jubahib, held in Tagum City on 13 June. I also personally spearheaded a relief operation for 1,500 struggling residents in the city. Simultaneously, we provided more support to the community in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment which held an orientation for temporary employment to 721 individuals. Following this, I visited the town of Carmen with Mayor Leony Bahague to witness the groundbreaking of its Super Health Center and provide aid to 1,666 more indigents. On 15 June, I was in Quezon City with my team to witness the inauguration of two multipurpose buildings in Barangays Commonwealth and Payatas which I also supported for funding together with Councilor Mikey Belmonte. We likewise aided a thousand indigents in the city with Mayor Joy Belmonte. We then headed to Marikina City to assist 3,000 more struggling residents from Marikina City and the towns of San Mateo and Rodriguez, Rizal, together with Congresswoman Maan Teodoro and Mayor Marcy Teodoro; as well as the local officials from both towns in Rizal, such as Rodriguez Mayor Ronnie Evangelista and San Mateo Mayor Bartolome “Omie” Rivera Jr., among others. We also visited North Cotabato on 17 June, where we celebrated the 54th Araw ng Alamada led by Mayor Jesus Sacdalan and Cong. Joel Sacdalan and helped 840 farmers and 1,500 struggling residents in the town before going to Matalam to witness aspiring athletes in the Serbisyong Totoo Basketball Sports Clinic and to lead another distribution activity for 1,318 more residents from various sectors together with Gov. Lala Taliño-Mendoza. Across the country, my team aided indigent families and various sectors, including 136 in Samal, 33 in Balanga, and 82 in Limay, Bataan; 990 in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur; 150 in Damulog, Bukidnon; 350 in Iligan City; 100 in Tubod, Lanao del Norte; 550 in Malinao and Sto. Domingo, Albay; and two fire-hit households in Carcar City, Cebu. My team also attended the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Tiguma, Pagadian City. It is the fundamental right of every Filipino to receive proper medical care and social assistance from our government. I hope that with compassion for our struggling kababayans and the persistence to help uplift their lives, we can collectively ensure that the poor and most needy are not neglected as we continue our pursuit for progress and development. The post Prioritize the poor, bring gov’t services closer to needy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bamboo fibers mass production up
The Philippine Textile Research Institute will be building more bamboo textile fiber innovation hubs to further boost the production of local yarns. The new hubs will rise in the provinces of Quezon, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Antique, Pangasinan, Rizal, Abra, Mindoro and Bukidnon in the next three years. Currently, bamboo textile fiber innovation hubs are present in La Union, Isabela and Cavite. “We have very few spindles (a few hundred) devoted to yarn manufacturing. Although garments are up, it is hugely dependent on imported yarns or fabrics,” Dr. Julius Leaño Jr. told the Daily Tribune on Monday. According to global market researcher Statista, the Philippines manufactured garments worth P44.6 billion last year, higher than the P40.8 billion in 2021 and the P32.9 billion in 2020. Major bamboo exporter The Philippines is the world’s sixth largest bamboo exporter, with a planting area of 53,000 hectares, according to the Department of Science and Technology. “The institute will sustain efforts in providing for innovations hubs and capacity building through training, among others,” Leaño said. While bamboo is relatively abundant in the country, Leaño said transforming the raw material into fabrics requires skilled workers and an efficient value supply chain. “The textile industry is a very extensive chain of production from fibers to yarns to fabrics to end uses like garments. Our production is very limited but weaving, knitting and textile finishing has a few more mills operating (less than 20).” In a forum with the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. last week, National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the government is expanding apprenticeship programs and investments in technical and vocational education to revive the local textile industry. Global data show China, the European Union and India were the top textile producers in 2021. Balisacan said efforts to grow the local textile industry are part of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. The post Bamboo fibers mass production up 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......»»
Persons without masks face jail term
The local government of Impasugong, Bukidnon has passed an ordinance imposing stiff fine or prison term to persons caught not wearing masks outside their residences. The Impasugong municipal council approved Ordinance 137 in 2020 which imposes a fine of P2,500 or one-week prison term for the offense. The LGU is expected to intensify the enforcement […] The post Persons without masks face jail term appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mga Pinay sa Mrs. Universe may hiling ngayong Pasko
Papatapos na ang botohan para sa 2020 Mrs. Universe pageant, kaya naman hiling ng mga Pilipinang kalahok sa patimpalak na patuloy silang iboto ng mga kababayan. Ang beteranang si Lina Gabbaoan mula Ilocos Sur, na nasa Netherlands na ngayon, ang Mrs. Universe Continental Asia. Mrs. Universe Western Europe naman ang tubong-Bukidnon na si Decereen Joy […] The post Mga Pinay sa Mrs. Universe may hiling ngayong Pasko appeared first on Bandera......»»
Work suspension at Bukidnon capitol due to confirmed Covid case
MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews / 07 August) – The provincial government of Bukidnon has confirmed that Gov. Jose Maria R. Zubiri Jr. ordered an indefinite suspension of work at the capitol after an employee tested positive of Covid-19 based on a swab or RT-PCR test done on Monday. Zubiri issued memorandum 591-2020 dated Aug. 6 ordering […].....»»
Training on COA compliance for government institutions
To guide government institutions on their compliance with the Commission on Audit Circular 2020-006, the Center for Global Best Practices will be launching a two-session online training titled “COA Guidelines and Procedures for One-Time Cleansing of Property, Plant and Equipment Account Balances” on April 18 and 19, 2024 from 1:30 to 4:45 p.m. via Zoom......»»
Pagasa debunks ‘three days of darkness’ hoax
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) dismissed claims that the Earth will experience three days of darkness due to passing the “Photon Belts” starting April 8 as false. The state weather and astronomy bureau said Friday there is no scientific evidence to support the claim. “DOST-PAGASA would like to.....»»
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......»»
Trump predicts the end of U.S. democracy if he loses 2024 election
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Donald Trump said on Saturday if he does not win November’s presidential election it will mean the likely end of American democracy. The Republican presidential candidate, speaking to supporters in Ohio, made the claim after repeating his baseless assertion that his 2020 election defeat to Democratic President Joe Biden was the result.....»»
Bukidnon cave claims lives of 4 Yamashita treasure hunters
The cave reeks of carbon monoxide, says a member of the local disaster risk reduction management office.....»»
Eagle Statue
Children play at the foot of the giant eagle statue welcoming motorists from Bukidnon to Davao City early Saturday morning (09 March 2024). MindaNews photo by BOBBY TIMONERA.....»»
4 PH medicinal herbs for gout, pain relief pass clinical trials
MANILA, Philippines — Back in the 1970s, the government had a dream of providing cheap medicines for Filipinos, especially the poor, who are often left out of health care. Dr. Cecilia Lazarte, director of the Institute of Herbal Medicine of UP Manila’s National Institutes of Health, stressed in 2020 the importance of research on the.....»»
Abra Mining investors turning up the heat on SEC and PSE to resolve unlisted shares issue
Shareholders of Abra Mining, together with stockbroker Victor Dominquez, are seeking a Congressional inquiry into “the alleged failure of the SEC and PSE to formalize charges against the executives of Abra Mining...” for their role AR’s sale of shares which were unlisted and unregistered during the “basura” (garbage) stock frenzy that heated up in late 2020 and overboiled in early 2021......»»
Philippine Eagle rescued in Bukidnon
A Philippine Eagle has been rescued in Pangantucan, Bukidnon......»»
PAL Interclub golf: Eastridge presses title bid, ties Del Monte at helm
Eastridge boldy signaled its pursuit of a PAL Interclub breakthrough, upstaging Del Monte on its home turf as it assembled 107 points to force a tie with the host in the second round of the Men’s Regular tournament in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon Saturday......»»
Former NBA player Rashid Byrd sentenced to 90 years in prison for sexual assault
LOS ANGELES – Former NBA player Rashid Byrd has been sentenced to 90 years to life in state prison for a series of violent sexual assaults that occurred in Los Angeles and Santa Clara counties from 2015 to 2020, the Los Angeles Police Department has announced. Byrd, who has been in police custody since his arrest by.....»»
PEF decries continued illegal hunting of Philippine Eagles
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 29 February) – The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) expressed alarm over the persistence of illegal hunting activities in the mountains after juvenile Philippine Eagle Kalatungan was rescued, and after examination, was found wounded with two air gun pellets. The raptor was rescued in Sitio Balmar, Barangay Nabaliwa in Pangantucan, Bukidnon last February […].....»»
Owner of loose ostriches indicted
The owner of two ostriches that ran loose in a private subdivision in Quezon City at the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020, one of which later died due to alleged extreme stress, was indicted and is set to undergo trial......»»
Shot Philippine eagle rescued
THE Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) rescued a Philippine eagle at Sitio Balmar, Nabaliwa, Pangantucan, Bukidnon, on February 25, 2024, after it had been shot twice by air guns......»»