Barangay Ginebra superstar Scottie Thompson signs with World Balance
Local sportswear brand World Balance scored a major deal this month after the signing of Barangay Ginebra basketball phenom Mr. Do-it-all Scottie Thompson.....»»
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.....»»
DoE assurance: Barangay, SK elections brownout-free
Despite threats of yellow alerts in Luzon, the Department of Energy or DoE said there will be no power interruptions during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Monday. “Safeguarding the energy needs of the country during the critical electoral process is our foremost concern and we have enlisted the full cooperation of all our stakeholders in the generation, transmission and distribution sectors in this endeavor,” Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said on Thursday. “Preparations have been undertaken to ensure that there would be enough power in days leading up to, during and in the immediate conduct of the elections,” he added. Based on the latest data provided by the DoE, the demand forecast in Luzon during the election week is at 12,257 megawatts or MW. Lotilla said that he has instructed the Energy Task Force Elections to prevent any unscheduled power outages that may disrupt the voting and counting processes. The group is also tasked to coordinate with the generating companies and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines or NGCP to ensure the availability of generating units. The NGCP was likewise directed to utilize the High Voltage Direct Current and the Mindanao Visayas Interconnection Project during peak hours to balance the power supply and demand system of the grid. Additionally, the Energy Task Force Election will also manage the distribution utilities’ deployment of special and emergency line crews to check lines for any obstructions within their franchise areas. On election day proper, the special and emergency line crews will be on standby with the necessary logistical support to immediately respond to emergency cases affecting power supply. DUs were likewise directed to ensure that all substation facilities and distribution lines were in normal operations to prevent any disruptions in the energy supply. Separately, the National Electrification Administration or NEA, along with the 121 electric cooperatives under its watch, said it activated its 24-hour power situation monitoring system to help ensure a smooth conduct of the local elections. Under COMELEC guidelines, the NEA has been deputized and commissioned to "provide and maintain stable and continuous nationwide electric power requirements from the start of voting, until the termination or conclusion of the counting of votes, and the proclamation of the winning candidates." The post DoE assurance: Barangay, SK elections brownout-free appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Prize builder
Aboitiz Land, renowned for its quality and innovation in real estate, achieved success at The Outlook by Lamudi Awards 2023 in September. The prestigious event at Shangri-La Fort witnessed Aboitiz Land securing multiple accolades, underscoring unwavering commitment to creating distinctive living spaces for the community. Seafront Residences takes second consecutive win for Best Premium House (Luzon). It features generously spread amenities including diamond parks fronting Budji+Royal houses, beachfront clubhouse and a town center that will offer well-curated retail and F&B establishments. Offering premier seaside living, Seafront Residences is a unique experience for those seeking the perfect balance between luxury and coastal beauty. Ajoya Cabanatuan, located in Barangay Valle Cruz, Nueva Ecija, has been awarded the Best Affordable House in Luzon for 2023. It offers well-designed homes and carefully planned amenities, providing residents with spacious open areas and a well-maintained environment. Additionally, the homes are designed to suit the local climate, ensuring a comfortable and sustainable living experience. What sets Ajoya Cabanatuan apart is its accessibility for the mid-market segment. While access to generous green open spaces is often associated with high-end projects, Aboitiz Land has extended these amenities to cater to the mid-market segment. This inclusivity ensures that more individuals and families can enjoy the benefits of modern living without compromising quality or comfort. Amoa has garnered recognition as the Bronze Awardee for Affordable House of the Year for Visayas and Mindanao. Amoa boasts carefully designed neighborhoods and a one-hectare central amenity, making it an ideal community for families in search of a comfortable living experience in Compostela, Cebu. By offering urban living amidst a serene natural setting, Amoa reflects Aboitiz Land’s commitment to delivering affordable, quality living spaces. Aboitiz Land recognized as Bronze Awardee for Developer of the Year and Digital Innovator of the Year. Aboitiz Land’s dedication to making strides in real estate development has been acknowledged with the Bronze Award for Developer of the Year for Visayas and Mindanao and Digital Innovator of the Year. This dual recognition reflects the company’s innovative approaches, including the introduction of OneVecino, their digital ecosystem. OneVecino aims to assist home seekers in various aspects such as property search, payments, customer support, and property management. This achievement underscores Aboitiz Land’s commitment to leveraging digital technologies to enhance the overall experience for all stakeholders in the industry. Moreover, Aboitiz Land is a developer known for its premium and exclusive communities in Cebu, including North Town Homes, Mahogany Grove, Pristina North, Priveya Hills and Foressa Mountain Town. These communities continue to be among the most respected in terms of quality and value in the region. The Outlook by Lamudi Awards is an esteemed event that spotlights industry leaders and outstanding projects in the Philippine real estate landscape. The post Prize builder appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Weekend respite in Baler
Famous for surfing is Baler located in Aurora province, about 231 kilometers away from Manila. Baler, however, has other attractions besides surfing, including the rock formation in Diguisit, Barangay Zabali, and the waterfalls in San Luis, Aurora, among other spectacles that visitors will want to see for themselves. Of course, surfer aficionados will always prefer to go there for the big waves rushing from the vast Pacific Ocean to the Baler shoreline. Confortable quarters This, we experienced when we visited this surfing destination in June, a pre-pandemic plan that finally pushed through this year. Our hotel was located near the beach, about 100 meters away from shoreline. We booked the rooms online and paid half for our two-day stay with the balance to be fully paid when we arrived. Each of the four couples in our group shelled out close to P5,000 for the two-day stay with breakfast. Enjoying the beach and swimming at the hotel’s pool were, of course, free, except the use of a surf board at P200 per hour and the hiring of a surfing instructor at P300 per hour. Smooth drive Our six-hour drive from Manila to Baler was a breeze using Google and Waze maps. The trip from Manila to Nueva Ecija was uneventful, our excitement building as we traversed the steep and zigzag road starting near Pantabangan Dam all the way to Baler town. From Manila, travelers may opt to travel by bus at P1,200 fare for one way and P2,400 for a round-trip. Food for the soul Baler’s beach area is safe to explore, with plenty of choices for accommodations and dining. In the morning, you can wake up to a gentle breeze and feel energized by sight of the rushing waves from your window. Adventurous spirits may try surfing and other water activities. For those who don’t know how to swim, it is entertaining to watch the folks using their skills in balancing while the rushing waves hit their surf boards without falling to the water. Don’t forget to shop for souvenirs at Balete before heading home. Our group of four couples — Rick and Angie Galang, Efren and Tina Impreso, Dante and Ofelia Magbanua, yours truly and Lyn Junco — certainly recommend a staycation in Baler’s peaceful environment where the sound of waves crashing on the shoreline can be heard day and night. The post Weekend respite in Baler appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DPWH identifies affected structures on bridge construction
The Department of Public Works and Highways in Central Visayas has identified more than 198 residential, commercial and industrial structures that will be demolished or relocated before the start of the construction of the fourth Mandaue-Mactan bridge project. Engr. Nonato Paylado, head of the DPWH-7 Planning and Design Division, said that the P76.4-billion project is at the Detailed Engineering Design stage and has considered the inclusion of a Resettlement Action Plan to cater to the families and business establishments in the affected structures. Paylado said that the construction will likely start in 2024 and will be completed by 2028. The bridge will start from Barangay Ibo in Lapu-Lapu City, then will cross over the Mactan Circumferential Road, and end near the Cansaga Bay Bridge in Mandaue City Coastal Road. The project design consists of a steel box girder bridge with an orthotropic steel deck. The bridge will have a total length of 3.3 kilometers and a total width of 60 meters, of which 40 meters will be the actual road lanes. “The bridge will have four lanes, two for each direction, but it may be expanded to six lanes,” Paylado said. He stressed that DPWH is complying with aviation and navigation requirements for the bridge in terms of its dimensions because of its proximity to the airport and marine vessels passing through the Mactan channel. It is also considering to add bike lanes and pedestrian sidewalks similar to other bridges. The project is funded by a loan of about 120 billion Yen or roughly P50 billion, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency as an Official Development Assistance project. The remaining balance will be funded by the Philippine national government. “We are still consolidating our data on the affected structures, but we expect that more structures will be affected as the project progresses,” Paylado said. The post DPWH identifies affected structures on bridge construction appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Puerto Princesa coastal dwellers relocation set
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The local government here launched the “Save the Puerto Princesa Bays” project last Saturday which sets in motion a long-term objective of relocating around 5,500 families residing along the coast. According to Mayor Lucilo Bayron, the Barangay Mandaragat coastal-dwelling families bear significant responsibility for the degradation of the aquatic ecosystem in the area, and the situation was worsened by the untreated wastewater from 17 outfalls that directly discharge into the sea. Approximately 25,000 residents in Puerto Princesa Bay — accounting for average family sizes — contribute to daily pollution through improper waste disposal, including waste and urine excretion. Their activities, such as raising pigs, chickens, and dogs, also adversely affect the environment. “It’s critical to understand because human waste from these activities contains dangerous compounds that pollute the water. This pollution depletes oxygen levels and destroys the delicate ecological balance required for marine life to thrive in the bay,” Bayron said. In his address to the residents and barangay officials of Mandaragat during the early hours of the program’s launch on 15 July, Bayron stressed the importance of coastal dwellers refraining from polluting the Puerto Princesa Bay, the primary focus of the major conservation initiative, while they await their relocation. “The city government has already acquired two land properties in Irawan and San Jose barangays for their eventual move. These sizable land plots will be utilized for the construction of affordable and comfortable housing units,” Bayron said. He added that the program is in collaboration with the Pambansang Pabahay Program under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. The expansive Irawan property, covering 21 hectares, will feature residential or apartment buildings capable of accommodating 7,680 families. Additionally, the two-hectare San Jose property will also provide housing for 2,496 families currently residing in informal settlements. “We need two solutions — we need to relocate coastal dwelling families in the bay area and we need to properly address the flow of wastewater towards our ocean,” said Bayron, acknowledging that this will be a lengthy journey that cannot be accomplished within a span of two to three years. “What I see as a way to save that, the long-term solution is to relocate the coastal dwellers. Why? Because they are living in a danger zone. It’s not just a danger zone—it is an area that cannot truly belong to them because it is a salvage zone,” he added. The post Puerto Princesa coastal dwellers relocation set appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tree planting drives intensified
The local government of Iloilo’s City Environment and Natural Resources Office and partner organizations continue to collaborate on a tree planting drive to promote native trees to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Through the Iloilo City Tree Park Network Project in Molo, La Paz and Jaro, planting of native trees has been given a boost in various locations. A total of 20 saplings of native species were planted at the Beach Forest along the coast of Barangay Boulevard, Molo, and in City Hall in partnership with the Zoological Society of Londonand Globe. City ENRO Engr. Neil Ravena said clean-ups are also being conducted every week. “Tree park personnel, or ‘forest guards’ have been placed to ensure cleanliness and maintenance of the area, as there have been reports of improper waste disposal,” Ravena said. He added that at least 200 hectares of arboretum, a botanical garden devoted to trees, have been planted with different native trees in the Mangrove Eco-Park at Hinactacan, La Paz. The tree park area in Lanit, Jaro is currently undergoing filling works by the Department of Public Works and Highways to elevate the site to make it suitable for planting trees and to prevent flooding. The local government has also partnered with the United Architects of the Philippines Bahandi Chapter, which has creatively designed the tree park. This will feature also the Ati Livelihood Center where the indigenous people can present their own products and conduct discussions. The native species of saplings burgeoning in the said areas were carefully selected with the active participation of native tree enthusiasts to create a much greener environment that will preserve ecological balance, enhance biodiversity, and combat the climate crisis. The post Tree planting drives intensified appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
U.S. backs energy-secure Phl
USAID Assistant Administrator for Asia Michael Schiffer awarded more than P65 million ($1.16 million) in grants to support energy security and conservation in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela as part of his recent visit to the Philippines. Recipient organizations are USAID’s Filipino partners Tri-Sky Inc. and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation. Provided under USAID’s P1.6 billion ($34 million) Energy Secure Philippines program, the grants will support local energy planning and the installation of renewable energy technologies, such as solar roofing and nano generators in the province. With greater energy access, Cagayan and Isabela’s remote communities can better prepare for and recover from natural disasters. Communities surrounding the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites in Lal-lo and Santa Ana will also benefit from the grants. “USAID understands that energy is the foundation for systems such as banking, telecommunications, digital platforms, health, education and transport, among other services,” Schiffer said. “We look forward to partnering with the Philippines to provide greater access to sustainable energy in remote communities, increasing prosperity for families across the country.” In partnership with the Mabuwaya Foundation and the Agta Indigenous Peoples community at Sitio Golden Valley in Barangay San Mariano, Schiffer also launched the “From Ridge to River” project, through which USAID will work with local communities, partners and government officials to conserve forests in northern Sierra Madre. “This launch is an important step toward preserving the natural beauty and ecological balance of the region, and we are proud to be part of it,” Schiffer said. During his time in the Philippines, Schiffer also spoke at the Asian Development Bank’s annual Asia Clean Energy Forum in Manila and visited a USAID-supported drug rehabilitation program in Mandaluyong City. Additionally, he traveled to Palawan, where he toured the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park; visited a waste collection and sorting site; sat with civil society organizations to discuss concerns over illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone; and visited the BRP Teresa Magbanua to learn about the Philippine Coast Guard’s protection efforts for marine resources in Philippine waters. The post U.S. backs energy-secure Phl appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go visits new legislative building and aids indigents in Tubod, Lanao del Norte
Sen. Bong Go expressed his unwavering dedication to serving the Filipino people, emphasizing the importance of sacrifice, unity, and inclusivity in society as he personally led a relief activity on Wednesday, 28 June. Prior to the relief activity for various sectoral groups in Tubod, Lanao del Norte in partnership with the Office of Mayor Dionisio Cabahug, Go also conducted a site inspection for the upcoming legislative building project in the town. As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported the construction of the project, aiming to provide a dedicated space for the town's legislative affairs. Go hopes that the initiative will bolster good governance, streamline operations, and enhance the overall efficiency of the local government. Other projects he supported in the province are the construction of farm-to-market roads in Bacolod and Lala; road rehabilitation in Munai; purchase of one ambulance unit in Kapatagan; construction of flood control and drainage structure in Lala; rehabilitation of public markets in Magsaysay; and construction of multipurpose buildings in Kauswagan, Nunungan, Pantao Ragat, Pantar, Salvador, Tangcal and Tubod. In commemoration of Eid al-Adha, Go, in his speech, conveyed his love and respect for the Muslim community. Specifically, he emphasized the inclusive and unbiased treatment they experience in his hometown of Davao City. "Mahal na mahal namin ni former mayor, former president (Rodrigo Duterte) ang mga Muslim sa Davao. Fair talaga doon, walang discrimination doon sa amin, " Go said, sharing an anecdote about the thoughtful selection process established by the Davao City government to assist members of the Muslim community in their journey to Mecca. Go reiterated that all Muslim Filipinos hold an essential place within the shared national identity of the Philippines. Regardless of their religious affiliation, the senator emphasized the unity that binds Filipinos as one people. “Mahal na mahal namin ang mga kapatid nating Muslim dahil para sa amin, tayo po ay Pilipino lahat. Ma-Kristiyano, ma-Muslim, Pilipino tayong lahat,” said Go. Held at the Tubod municipal gymnasium, Go and his team provided grocery packs, shirts, masks, vitamins, and snacks to 1,000 beneficiaries. Select beneficiaries also received bicycles, cellphones, shoes, watch, and balls for basketball and volleyball. In a separate distribution, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance to the beneficiaries. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go also offered to assist those with health concerns. He encouraged them to seek medical assistance from any of the 158 Malasakit Centers nationwide. Signed into law in 2019, the Malasakit Centers Act mandates the establishment of the centers in every Department of Health-run hospital nationwide and in the Philippine General Hospital in Manila where particularly poor and indigent patients can conveniently access medical assistance programs by the government. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the measure. “Ang Malasakit Center po ay one-stop shop, nasa loob na ho ng hospital ‘yung apat na ahensya ng gobyerno – PhilHealth, PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office), DOH, DSWD. Tutulungan ho kayo hanggang maging zero balance po ang inyong billing,” Go explained. Go then expressed gratitude to the local and barangay officials, which included Lanao del Norte Gov. Imelda Dimaporo, 1st District Representative Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo, Mayor Dionisio Cabahug, Vice Mayor Clifford Jumalon, among others, acknowledging their dedicated service to the community. In a speech, Cong. Khalid Dimaporo extended his heartfelt appreciation to Go for his unwavering commitment to the people of Lanao del Norte. “Nagtatrabaho si SAP Bong Go, si Senador Bong Go, nagtatrabaho para sa lalawigan ng Lanao del Norte dahil isang tawag lang, automatic magtatrabaho na si Senador Bong Go,” Dimaporo said. While Duterte's term has come to an end, Dimaporo said that Go continues to work diligently for Lanao del Norte and the entire Philippines, making Mindanaoans proud. He emphasized the significance of having a voice in the Senate, mentioning his active participation in addressing the concerns of their constituents. The congressman further commended Go for his hands-on approach to public service, mentioning his visits to provinces and municipalities to personally witness the needs and challenges faced by the people. He likewise highlighted the senator's commitment to serving the people diligently, regardless of political color. The post Bong Go visits new legislative building and aids indigents in Tubod, Lanao del Norte appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cagayan, Isabela get P65M in new energy grants
On 16 June, United States Agency for International Development Assistant Administrator for Asia Michael Schiffer awarded more than P65 million ($1.16 million) in grants to support energy security and conservation in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela as part of his visit to the Philippines from 15 to 18 June. The recipient organizations are USAID’s Filipino partners Tri-Sky Inc. and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation. Provided under USAID’s P1.6 billion ($34 million) Energy Secure Philippines program, the grants will support local energy planning and the installation of renewable energy technologies, such as solar roofing and nano generators in the province. With greater energy access, Cagayan and Isabela’s remote communities can better prepare for and recover from natural disasters. Communities surrounding the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites in Lal-lo and Santa Ana will also benefit from the grants. “USAID understands that energy is the foundation for systems such as banking, telecommunications, digital platforms, health, education and transport, among other services,” Schiffer said. “We look forward to partnering with the Philippines to provide greater access to sustainable energy in remote communities, increasing prosperity for families across the country.” In partnership with the Mabuwaya Foundation and the Agta Indigenous Peoples community at Sitio Golden Valley in Barangay San Mariano, Schiffer also launched the “From Ridge to River” project, through which USAID will work with local communities, partners and government officials to conserve forests in northern Sierra Madre. “This launch is an important step toward preserving the natural beauty and ecological balance of the region, and we are proud to be part of it,” said Schiffer. During his time in the Philippines, Schiffer also spoke at the Asian Development Bank’s annual Asia Clean Energy Forum in Manila and visited a USAID-supported drug rehabilitation program in Mandaluyong City. Additionally, he traveled to Palawan, where he toured the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park; visited a waste collection and sorting site; sat with civil society organizations to discuss concerns over illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone; and visited the BRP Teresa Magbanua to learn about the Philippine Coast Guard’s protection of marine resources in Philippine waters. The post Cagayan, Isabela get P65M in new energy grants appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Stranded dolphin rescued
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network and personnel from the Ocean Adventure Marine Theme Park rescued a female rough-toothed dolphin in Pangasinan last 5 June. According to a statement by Ocean Adventure, the dolphin named Marshy was seen stranded in Barangay Hermosa in the town of Dasol on 22 May as local fishermen, police and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Field Office I responded to the scene and moved the injured animal to Alaminos. On 5 June, the team from Ocean Adventure and members of the PMMSN went to Alaminos to help assess the health and condition of an adult female rough-toothed dolphin. Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium Inc. president and CEO Robert Gonzaga said that the report from BFAR cited that the mammal was negatively buoyant and had no balance as it also had bruises around her body, as well as a healing wound on her abdomen. “We conducted a test on Marshy and it revealed that Marshy is not echo-locating which may be attributed to dynamite fishing,” Gonzaga said. Marshy was transported to the marine mammal rehabilitation facility of Ocean Adventure in Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Friday where she will continue to receive around-the-clock care from their rehabilitation team. Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium Inc., the parent company of Ocean Adventure, is currently taking care of the injured dolphin. “We have consistently demonstrated our unwavering commitment to the rescue and preservation of animals, providing them with the necessary treatment, care, and assistance,” Gonzaga said. Prior to Marshy’s rescue, a successful rescue and rehabilitation of a stranded young female pygmy killer whale named “Maxene” was also recorded last 5 December 2022. The post Stranded dolphin rescued appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Good audit, good barangay governance
A local government public administration practitioner and a college professor are one in saying that a good audit could lead to good barangay governance. They said the country needs developmental auditors who could promote the general welfare of the public, especially at the grassroots level. A good auditor conducts financial audits and not fraud audits in the agency where he or she is assigned as a resident auditor. A financial audit is constructive, developmental and progressive. A fraud audit is negative in perspective. The financial audit enables. The fraud audit disables. Last week, I came across an audit report on the accounts and financial operations of a barangay in a city of Metro Manila. The audit report was prepared and submitted by a financial auditor with excellent expertise in both communication and local state audits. The audit found, among other things, deficiencies such as a violation of procurement law for resorting to a personal canvass instead of a public bidding; failure to plan and manage effectively the financial resources, as shown by the unreconciled discrepancy in bank reconciliation statements; non-registration with PhilGEPS despite a substantial procurement of goods; non-coordination with the office auditor when there were deliveries of procured items; non-implementation of laws, rules, and regulations governing cash advances; and failure to revert to the unappropriated surplus long outstanding accounts payable that had long remained unclaimed. To overcome the above deficiencies, the Audit Team recommended the following courses of action: Instead of resorting to a personal canvass in procuring goods, the Barangay should utilize the procedure provided under Republic Act 9184 and its implementing rules and regulations; The Punong Barangay should stop the practice of processing claims that are not supported by complete documentation; To avoid a cash deficit, the Barangay should use cash flow analysis in monitoring its cash inflows as against outflows; To resolve the unreconciled discrepancy in the bank reconciliation statement, the office of the city accountant should analyze the discrepancy between the books and bank balances of Cash in Bank-Local Currency Current Account or CIB-LCCA, and make the necessary adjustments in the books of accounts for presentation of account balance, and submit a bank reconciliation statement or BRS indicating the breakdown and nature of the reconciling items, together with the supporting documents; The Barangay should register with PhilGEPS and begin its utilization in accordance with the 2009 RIRR of RA 9184; The Punong Barangay should send written notices of delivery to the City Auditor’s Office within 24 hours of acceptance of deliveries by the Barangay; The Punong Barangay should see to it that the Barangay Treasurer remits the taxes withheld to the BIR in full; To resolve the issue of unliquidated cash advances, the Barangay Treasurer should be required to liquidate immediately long outstanding cash advances granted and implement available remedies under COA Circular 2012-004; and The Barangay Treasurer should revert the long outstanding accounts payable to the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund pursuant to Section 98 of PD 1445. In accordance with the request of the Audit Team for comments, we are respectfully submitting the following: We appreciate the meticulous care that the Audit Team exerted in going over the way the Barangay handled and managed its funds and resources, how things and people were administered within the village, and how fiscal discipline was observed in accordance with the law and rules that we can recall and within the confines of Section 16 and Section 17 of the Local Government Code regarding general welfare and self-reliance. We tried our best, but our best was not enough. We had shortcomings but rest assured such shortcomings were simply procedural. Indeed, your findings in this exercise will prove very useful in our sincere effort to correspond with equivalent zeal to fully comply with the requirements of the Office of the City Auditor. The recommendations are clear, precise, and simple. We shall observe them as required by the law, the rules, and regulations of the Commission on Audit. The post Good audit, good barangay governance appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tereso Panga: PEZA’s homegrown leader
By combining his excellent communication skills, commitment to serving his country, and his long experience as a government executive, Tereso O. Panga, director-general of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, has distinguished himself as a public servant. His recent appointment to this top post in an agency that has contributed significantly to the coffers of the national government affirms the confidence of the current national leadership in his excellent record, high acceptance of his fellow workers in the bureaucracy, and, most importantly, his credibility in the trade and industry sector, the number one partner of PEZA in pushing development forward. Tereso joined the Philippine government armed with an educational background that has proved vital toward his understanding of human nature, whether he is dealing with executives of multinational companies that are locators in economic zones or their workers. At the University of the Philippines, he first graduated with a BA in Comparative Literature and then obtained his master’s degree in Industrial Relations. “Since my father was a judge, I wanted to take up Law. I was told that the best prelaw course was AB English since one needed to be both articulate and proficient in writing. I eventually majored in Comparative Literature.” Among his professors were the legendary masters of language like National Artists Franz Arcellana and Jimmy Abad, Thelma Kintanar and Nieves Epistola. He found UP both challenging and rewarding. He adapted to the rigors of academic life, he said, “owing to my strong educational foundation first at the Naga Parochial School, and then Ateneo de Naga.” Strong-willed in a quiet way The Pangas, he said, “are original families of Bicol, particularly Camarines Sur in Iriga town, where the superstar Nora Aunor grew up. He admitted to singing a little, but not with the same intensity as that of his golden-voiced townsman. Coming from Pili town, he swore by Pili being a favorite of his. The basic trait that stood him in good stead “in UP and in future challenges,” he said, “is my being a Bicolano. Born and raised in Bicol, I am strong-willed, resilient, and yet determined. But in a quiet way.” Asked if it also meant being feared, he said, “Well, just spicy, which can be fierce, but wonderful like laing (taro leaves stewed in coconut oil and garnished with red hot chili).” The fourth among eight children of a judge, six of whom graduated from the University of the Philippines, he recalled being a “playful child, but at a young age, I was already into music. I loved playing the guitar and keyboards, but it was all by ear or ‘oido.’” To balance his artistic inclination, he also engaged in sports — chess and table tennis. Not much of a student politician, he nevertheless became president of one organization. His twin brother and another brother were officers of the student government, “so it would not look good if I became an officer too.” In UP, he joined the Upsilon Sigma Phi in 1986. He also became active in UP Ibalon, an organization of Bicolanos, and the Psychology Society of UP. When it came to campus politics, he supported the Tugon party. While he earned good grades, despite giving more than ample time to his extracurricular activities, he felt he could have done better. “By any standards, I don’t think I did well as a student because I extended my stay for another year.” “My Waterloo was Math,” he confided. “I had no need for Math in my BA English course but I was hoping to shift to Economics. The hardest subject for me was Math 17.” A good writer While he was exposed to creative writing, he learned more about how to do business letters. “Of course, I wrote my thesis,” he emphasized. Fast forward to the future, he joined an Aboitiz- sponsored pilot class at the Development Academy of the Philippines that was attended by undersecretaries and assistant secretaries where he was the most junior. To his credit, his capstone paper on aquamarine and renewable energy, a pioneering venture in ecozone development, was declared the best. It was an achievement that he attributed to his exposure to composition writing at UP. Not much of a student politician, he nevertheless became president of one organization. Later, he would make his own reports and speeches, while reaching out to the various publics of PEZA through Facebook and online media. To recall, he had begun his professional life in the office of then-Congressman Aping Yap of Tarlac. “I stayed for seven years and then moved to the office of his son, Victor, who was then Vice Mayor. We organized and managed social development projects benefitting families of former Hukbalahap commanders and foot soldiers.” It was while inspecting his company’s construction project, a bowling center along Roxas Boulevard, that he came upon the headquarters of the Export Processing Zone Authority. “I had heard already of this government office and its hardworking Director General, Atty. Lilia de Lima. She was the first DG. I walked in and I applied. They called me to take the exams and go through an interview.” In less than a month, he joined PEZA in 1998. Walking the talk He has been with PEZA for 25 years. While he describes his PEZA career as “going up through the ranks,” his rise had been quite swift. He started as a planning officer 3 and went on to become Assistant Division Chief for policy and planning. By then, he had earned units leading to his master’s degree at the University of the Philippines. In time, he passed the qualifications for the Career Executive Service office, one of the youngest of his rank, and soon went up to positions requiring more responsibilities. At age 30, became the zone manager for the Batangas Economic Zone. Next, he became Zone Administrator in Baguio where he stayed for four years. He was 34 years old. “It was the time when Texas Instruments was expanding. Our office facilitated the Big Ticket Project in Clark.” His next assignment was in Cavite where he occupied the concurrent positions of Zone Manager and Administrator. He was 38 and his post required dealing with 350 locator companies. It was not surprising that the Civil Service Commission included him as a finalist in its search for outstanding Civil Service Executives. He ranked second. Soon, he returned to the Manila office, this time as Deputy Director General of Policy and Planning in 2010. It was a post that would prepare him for the highest position in the agency. At first, he served in an OIC capacity until March this year, when he was appointed as Director General by President Ferdinand R. Marcos. Panga had the support of captains of industry, among them the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry bigwigs Sergio Luis Ortiz and George Barcelon, who expressed their belief in his leadership based on his accomplishments. It has indeed been a long way for the young man from Bicol who has preferred to be “low-key” and not one to make a spectacle of his career success. It is an attitude that, he said, “I inherited from my parents, who were both public servants.” His father was a provincial judge and his mother was a public school teacher. “My mother was particular about the discipline of her children.” In keeping with his unassuming attitude, his management style is anchored on “keeping it simple by walking the talk.” I would say it is more of a transformational leadership. Because I can walk the talk I don’t need to direct people. “So, when you want to achieve something, you lead by setting an example. The direction is also clear so there are no misunderstandings or misinterpretation of the goals and objectives of the agency.” “Let’s not get distracted. Let’s just focus on doing our work,” he once told the top officials of PEZA. “Even when I was the OIC, I was presiding over a board meeting composed of 10 full-fledged Undersecretaries. Thankfully, as an insider, and being home-grown, I know how to navigate. My edge is I did not need to have a learning curve.” As part of his job, he has been traveling to promote international investments in the country. “We are always on a trade mission, showing the rest of the world what we can offer. Many of those President Marcos talked to have signed up as locators.” Through it all, he has kept the lines between work and family life. He found a lifetime partner in a lady I met because we were both working in the same building on Quezon Avenue. Happily married He was 26 years old when he married his wife, Edna, a 23-year-old Bulakena who belongs to the politically prominent Pagtalunan family of Guiguinto town. At that time, she was working in an export company. “It was love at first sight,” he recalled. “I was the only suitor not afraid of her father who was a barangay captain. I’d bring a fighting cock for him when I was courting his daughter, even if I was not an enthusiast.” “As I got to know her better, I became more enamored because she was sweet and she knew how to cook. And to this day, she does soups very well, which I love.” All said by a man who has found fulfillment at home and in the office. He is special and has found his mission in life and for his country, which can be said of Panga. And this country, in turn, is fortunate to have such a man serving in an agency that contributes billions to the government coffers. Officials of such caliber, enthusiasm, zeal, and upright moral bearing make this country a better place to live in and a magnet for international investors. The post Tereso Panga: PEZA’s homegrown leader appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cordillera welcomes ‘Pambansang Pabahay’ program
The Cordillera Administrative Region has officially set into motion its first housing project under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing Program last Wednesday. Benguet and Baguio City local executives led the groundbreaking ceremony for a 6,400-unit shelter project in Sitio Topinao, Barangay Poblacion in Tuba town, with Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive officer Marilene Acosta representing Department of Human Settlements Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar. Mayors Benjamin Magalong of Baguio City, Clarita Sal-ongan of Tuba and Bernard Waclin of Itogon, on the other hand, represented the local government units in the area, along with their council members and representatives of government agencies and private partners. Aiming to further expand sustainable communities in the region, the project site — spanning 6.4 hectares — will allocate a solid 5-hectare area for shelter, and the rest for mixed-use development. In his statement, Acuzar expressed high hopes for the project in serving as a model urban development that promotes sustainable and progressive housing communities while protecting cultural heritage and natural resources. “As an advocate of striking a balance between progress and cultural preservation, I see this housing project to hopefully serve as a testament that we can achieve both, particularly in providing shelters for our brothers and sisters in the Cordillera,” Acuzar said. The 4PH program aims to build one million housing units per year until the end of the current administration’s term as a strategy to address the country’s housing backlog pegged at 6.5 million units. It also espouses township development that will provide home dwellers easy access to sources of livelihood and basic services, while transforming urban spaces toward resiliency and sustainability — all aligned with the mandate of DHSUD as the primary government agency responsible for the management of housing, human settlements and urban development. At present, the 4PH has tapped at least 143 local government units around the country to participate in the program. Also present during the groundbreaking ceremony were DHSUD Undersecretary Wilfredo Mallari, Assistant Secretaries Tiburcio Canlas, Daryll Bryan Villanueva and Krsnadasi De Leon and Regional Office-CAR director Maria Amoroso. The post Cordillera welcomes ‘Pambansang Pabahay’ program appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cone catches TNT off-guard
Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone’s genius was in full display when he made key adjustments to win Game 3, 117-103 and open a 2-1 lead over TNT in the best-of-seven PBA Governors’ Cup Finals last Friday. The Tropa tries to even the count in Game 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight with a lot in the balance because another loss will put one foot in the grave......»»
Hofilña feels relieved after settlement with food package seller
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu — Maria Amy Hofilña, the woman in a viral video accused of not paying the balance of a food package she ordered, said she was ‘relieved’ after her amicable settlement with the seller, Marjorie Abastas, during their second barangay-level hearing on Wednesday, August 4, 2021. READ: Maria and Marjorie smoke the […] The post Hofilña feels relieved after settlement with food package seller appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Food package seller turns down Hofilña’s payment
MANDAUE CITY, Philippines — Maria Amy Hofilña, the woman in a viral video accused of not paying the balance of a food package she ordered, said the seller, Marjorie Abastas, refused to receive her payment when they met at a barangay-level hearing on Thursday, July 29, 2021. Hofilña said Abastas refused her payment of P10,200, […] The post Food package seller turns down Hofilña’s payment appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
House of Maria becomes ‘instant’ tourist attraction
CEBU CITY, Philippines—The house of Maria Amy Hofilña, the woman who became controversial after she was accused of not paying the balance of the food package she ordered, is now an “instant” tourist attraction. In an interview with GMA-7, Maria admits that her place in Barangay Babag ll in Cebu City indeed became an instant […] The post House of Maria becomes ‘instant’ tourist attraction appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Barangay Ginebra superstar Scottie Thompson signs with World Balance
Local sportswear brand World Balance scored a major deal this month after the signing of Barangay Ginebra basketball phenom Mr. Do-it-all Scottie Thompson.....»»
Chinese Diplomat Liu Jianchao Meets With Singapore s Leaders
singapore - Liu Jianchao, the senior diplomat widely expected to become China's next foreign minister, said "the world needs connectivity, not decoupling," during a four-day visit to Singapore.Liu, who heads the international department of the Communist Party, was in the city-state to meet with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the country's incoming leader, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.During a s.....»»