Cagayan gov backs probe on Magat management
Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba is backing calls for an investigation of the Magat Dam management, which he blames for the massive flooding that left 13 people dead in his province......»»
Senate inquiry on Afghans wasteful exercise
There is an obvious attempt at grandstanding and self-projection when a lawmaker proposed a Senate investigation on the issue of Afghans coming over for a temporary stay owing to their being persecuted in their country as former employees or allies of the United States government. It is being made to appear that the US has demanded from our country the acceptance of these Afghan refugees. It is being floated as well that their stay is a threat to national security with the implied innuendo that they could be terrorists or that they are being sent here to spy on us. The proponent of the senate inquiry is a re-electionist in the 2025 senatorial elections, hence like those who would seek re-election of their present positions, and those aspiring to be in the upper chamber of Congress, this senator is jumping at every opportunity to be in the news for the much-needed media mileage. In the first place, the US government is not demanding or compelling our country to give them shelter. This writer is no fan of the former colonialmasters but common sense will tell us that the US government will not dare compel us to do something against our will. It knows better than to employ such a crude and outrageous move which is tantamount to an assault on our territorial integrity and sovereignty. As officially and clearly explained by the Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Babes Romualdez, the matter of the Afghan refugees coming to the Philippines was a “ request that was made by the United States in October last year via a ‘concept note’ outlining the proposal for the Philippines to temporarily host Afghan nationals — especially those who were formerly employed by the US government and their qualified dependents — while they wait for the SIV application to be processed by the US Embassy in Manila.“ Contrary to what the initiator would like the public to believe, the proposal was not kept from the public. It was coursed thru the usual bureaucratic process. The request was made to the PMS (Presidential Management Staff), and the latter referred it to the Department of Foreign Affairs which, acting as the lead agency, in turn, endorsed the US proposal to various government agencies, e.g. Department of National Defense, Department of Justice, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The National Bureau of Investigation and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency were invited to assess the security implications of the proposal as well as to evaluate the background of the Afghan nationals. In other words, it was not a cloak and dagger thing. There was transparency at the very inception. In its request, the US government made it clear that the Afghan nationals applying for the SIV will only stay temporarily and at its expense. Perhaps it is important to consider the fact that these Afghans were formerly employed with the US government before the Taliban seized power, and for that reason their continued stay in Afghanistan put their lives and their families in peril. Our country has a history of giving succor to refugees and those displaced because of war and armed atrocities in their countries. It will be recalled that in 1934 President Manuel L. Quezon for humanitarian reasons gave haven to Jewish refugees fleeing from the Nazis. At the height of the Vietnam War, thousands of Vietnamese fled their country riding in boats. They found sanctuary in our country because our race cannot turn our backs on fellow human beings in dire need of refuge. Even without the request of the US government to house the Afghan nationals temporarily, by reason of their endangered situation, the Filipinos given their compassionate and generous hearts would welcome them if the Afghans themselves so request. And even if they don’t ask us, should other countries shut their doors to them, it is an absolute certainty that our country would invite them here for their shelter and safety. So what is the Senate investigation for, but a waste of time and the people’s money? It is also a venue for publicity and self-aggrandizement. We already have enough of that nauseous exercise. Instead of a useless legislative probe, legislation should take top priority. The post Senate inquiry on Afghans wasteful exercise appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DENR, JICA reaffirm partnership on forestland management
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced Tuesday that the agency and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have reaffirmed continued partnership to strengthen forestland management in the Philippines for improved livelihoods and economic development. In a statement, Environment Secretary Antonia Loyzaga said she received a courtesy visit from JICA Chief Representative to the Philippines Sakamoto Takema at the DENR Central Office in Quezon City on May 29. Loyzaga said she and Takema discussed the Forestland Management Project (FMP), a joint DENR-JICA undertaking that aimed to strengthen forestland management in three critical river basins in the country—Upper Magat and Cagayan, Pampanga, and Jalaur on Panay Island. A 10-year project that started in 2012, the FMP focused on rehabilitating degraded forestlands and improving the socioeconomic conditions of affected communities surrounding the three river basins. FMP employed collaborative and comprehensive community-based management strategies, such as empowering people’s organizations; securing land tenure rights; enterprise development for food security and income; and development, conservation, protection, and sustainable use of forestland resources. Loyzaga and Takema also talked about other possible areas of cooperation for environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and disaster risk reduction. At the same time, Takema introduced JICA’s other environment-related projects and activities, such as the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project, Flood Risk Management Project in various cities, and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management-Capacity Enhancement Project, among others. DENR and JICA have been working closely for the protection and conservation of the environment and natural resources for six decades. Most recently, JICA sponsored DENR’s training program on Sustainable Forestry Management with Community Participation in 2019. It also provided technical assistance in establishing ecological solid waste management programs in the cities of Calbayog, Sagay, and Davao in 2022. JICA is the sole Japanese government agency that implements Official Development Assistance, providing technical cooperation, loans, and grants, to overcome challenges common in developing nations. It operates in more than 150 countries and regions worldwide. The post DENR, JICA reaffirm partnership on forestland management appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
House sets probe into Cagayan, Isabela floods next week
The House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture and Food will be conducting next Tuesday its first hearing on the massive flooding in Cagayan and Isabela largely blamed by local government officials on the release of water from the Magat Dam......»»
House sets probe on Cagayan, Isabela floods next week
The House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture and Food will be conducting next Tuesday its first hearing on the massive flooding in Cagayan and Isabela largely blamed by local government officials on the release of water from the Magat Dam......»»
Magat Dam not to be blamed in flooding — Isabela governor
Isabela Governor Rodito Albano is not blaming the management of Magat Dam for the massive flooding that submerged the province and Cagayan. In an interview over DZMM on Sunday, Albano defended the actions of Magat Dam officials to open the spillway gates as the dam already reached its spilling level. The huge volume of water […] The post Magat Dam not to be blamed in flooding — Isabela governor appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
FARMGATE PRICES LOW | Lacson backs DA probe on possible pork price manipulation
FARMGATE PRICES LOW | Lacson backs DA probe on possible pork price manipulation.....»»
MMDA proposal allowing 5-vehicle convoys in EDSA busway for VIPs met with criticism
The Management Association of the Philippines backs the Department of Transportation's decision to limit EDSA busway use to public transport and emergency vehicles, a privilege now to be given to top government officials......»»
Cagayan on alert for rocket debris from China
The Cagayan Valley Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has issued a warning to all town offices and residents in Cagayan about the potential impact of debris from China's rocket entering Philippine territory......»»
The crucial role of watershed management
Watersheds provide a range of ecosystem services and support plants, animals, and humans. Despite its crucial significance, watersheds face multiple threats, such as rapidly increasing population, disruption of hydrologic conditions, and biodiversity loss. Because of its importance, the sustainability and stability of the watersheds are at serious risk in the absence of appropriate interventions. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau, with co-sponsorship from the Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions held a Congress on Sustainable and Climate Resilient Watershed Management through ecosystem-based approaches in the Asia-Pacific Region in Muntinlupa City. This was the reason why the DENR-ERDB organized the congress to cover the dearth of information on how to sustain and develop climate-resilient watersheds. The event featured more than 50 oral and poster presentations on innovative solutions that merge sustainable practices with climate resilience based on the experiences of delegates from different countries like the Philippines, Bangladesh, Fiji, Nepal, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. In her message, ERDB Director Maria Lourdes G. Ferrer emphasized the need to address critical issues on watersheds, forge partnerships, and work collectively to attain a more sustainable and resilient future. She called the participants to engage in fruitful collaborations to exchange valuable information. To help achieve its objectives, the congress has four themes: Climate resilience and sustainable watershed management; Rehabilitation and restoration of degraded watersheds; Nature-based approach in watershed management; and Policies, legislations, and institutional arrangements. The three-day event revolved around watershed management. Six plenary speakers who are experts on various topics on watershed management shared informative talks and experiences in the field. Dr. Rex Victor Cruz of the University of the Philippines talked about climate resilience and sustainable watershed management while Dr. Shanker Kumar Sinnakaudan of the Universiti Teknologi MARA Pulao Pinang shared the rehabilitation and restoration of degraded watershed in the context of Malaysia. A plenary talk was also given by the former ERDB Assistant Director and former Director of the River Basin Control, Dr. Antonio M. Dano which focused on the policies, legislations, and institutional arrangements that are critical to watershed management. Two talks centered on experiences and best practices in terms of watershed management in the Philippines. Forester Percival Cardona of the DENR-Forest Management Bureau shared insights on the Enhanced National Greening Program, one of the initiatives that is substantial in sustaining watershed management in the Philippines. DENR Region 10 Executive Director Henry Adornado discussed the strategies and best practices for sustainable watershed management for the Cagayan de Oro River Basin. The congress ended with a tour of the Upper Marikina watershed in Rizal province. The post The crucial role of watershed management appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Top China beermaker opens probe after worker urination video
One of China's biggest beermakers said it had opened an investigation after a video appearing to show a factory employee urinating on raw ingredients went viral this week. The clip, published online on Thursday, purportedly shows a male worker at a Tsingtao Brewery Co. warehouse clambering into a high-walled container and relieving himself onto its contents. The footage circulated widely on Chinese social media, racking up tens of millions of views on the popular platform Weibo. Tsingtao said on Friday that it had contacted the police over the incident and an investigation was ongoing. "Our company attaches high importance to the relevant video that emerged from Tsingtao Brewery No. 3 on October 19," the beermaker said in a statement. "We reported the incident to the police at the earliest opportunity, and public security organs are involved in the investigation," it added. "At present, the batch of malt in question has been completely sealed. The company continues to strengthen its management procedures and ensure product quality." Many social media users reacted to the video with anger and voiced support for one of China's best-known beverage brands. "I suggest the company takes this man to court and gets him to pay compensation for the damages," read one popular Weibo response to the company's statement. "Investigate this thoroughly! Always stand up for our national champion brands!" wrote another user. Hong Kong-listed Tsingtao is China's second-largest brewer, and its tall bottles of crisp lager are perennial fridge-fillers in bars across East Asia. In recent years, the company has sought to capitalise on the changing tastes of younger Chinese drinkers by diversifying into craft ales and other products. Some web users were not about to pass up the chance to make a wry quip about the country's famously light and fizzy mass-market brews. "I've always said the beer here is like horse pee. Turns out I was wrong," one of them commented. "Thanks, I think I'll have wine instead," quipped another. The post Top China beermaker opens probe after worker urination video appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
HCPTI to ‘make Subic port push NorthPhil economy to new highs’
The development and digitalization of the Subic port can help the economy of North Philippines (NorthPhil) and the rest of the country reach new highs. This projection came from economist and teacher Ronilo Balbieran of the University of Asia and the Pacific, citing the vast expanse and strategic location of NorthPhil’s constituent regions north of Metro Manila. Balbieran said Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, Ilocandia and the Cordilleras could gain unprecedented economic growth from the Subic Port’s development into a truly world-class international gateway vis-a-vis a similarly ongoing modernization of the Clark Freeport Zone, creating a logistical superhighway and growth corridor, whose benefits would spill over to the rest of the archipelago. Poised to modernize the Subic Port is Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI), making its operation fully digitalized and serve as the centerpiece and crowning jewel of the entire Freeport zone. The HCPTI’s development plan envisions the Subic Port as the main draw in the marketing of Subic as an investment destination, the facility being a supposedly world-class international gateway and a catalyst of global trade and commerce. Underscoring the significance of distance in logistics, particularly involving marine freight, Balbieran said the Subic port would highlight the strategic location of NorthPhil in relation to six of the countries in the ASEAN and most of those in the Pacific Rim, including Central America. Balbieran also echoed the “sales pitch” of the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board hailing NorthPhil as an undisrupted land mass of diverse nature, culture and adventure, featuring a wealth of resources of four large regions between the West Philippine Sea and the Pacific, or from ridge to reef and from coast to coast. “Those regions account for 18 percent of the country’s total GDP (Gross Domestic Product), adding P3.9 trillion to the national economy just for 2022. And in the last two years, these (regional economies) have grown faster than Metro Manila and the entire nation,” Balbieran explained. “With larger investments in expansion and digitalization, the Subic port can further ignite domestic and international trade to and from Luzon, which will expand the economy of NorthPhil even faster.” NorthPhil comprises 84,526 square kilometers, accounting for 28.2 percent of the country’s entire 300,000 sqkm. NorthPhil’s total land mass alone is equivalent to 76.9 percent of Luzon’s 109,965 square kilometers and 87 percent of Mindanao’s 97,530 sqkm. At the same time, the HCPTI’s modernization of the Subic port is also “consistent and fully aligned” with the PBBM administration’s infrastructure and logistics development policy thrust. Balbieran said the National Logistics Strategy of the Department of Trade and Industry included both public and private investments in Logistics 1 of the 6 pillars of improving the country’s logistics efficiency. “The Strategy emphasizes massive investments in ports nationwide, as more than 90 percent of goods pass through the ports,” Balbieran said of what was revealed by the DTI at the recent conference of the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines. The DTI’s National Logistics Strategy is also expected to incorporate or be seamlessly integrated with those of the departments of Agriculture, Transportation, Public Works and Highways, and Interior and Local Government as part of another plan to develop a food logistics chain, a cold chain industry, port infrastructure, and farm-to-market roads, thus ensuring affordable availability of food to consumers in real time by reducing logistics cost through investments in appropriate infrastructure and digital technologies. “Thus, the ‘expansion and digitalization of the Subic Port’ by the HCPTI is consistent with the National Logistics Strategy and Food Logistics Plan of the DTI, both getting the nod of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' R. Marcos Jr. recently,” Balbieran said. “Specifically, though, HCPTI’s modernization of the Subic port will help bring down logistics costs, not just for the businessmen in Northern Luzon, but also for (those in) the rest of the Philippines who will use such facility to trade internationally.” Balbieran said both the DTI and the World Bank had described the Philippines’ logistics cost as “one of the highest” in Southeast Asia at more than 20 percent of sales, compared with Thailand’s only 11 percent. The post HCPTI to ‘make Subic port push NorthPhil economy to new highs’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DBM declares Cagayan’s 2023 budget inoperative
BAGUIO CITY — Local officials of the provincial government of Cagayan disclosed that the Department of Budget and Management has suspended the province’s programs and projects after it deemed the provincial government’s budget inoperative in its entirety. Cagayan Provincial Board Member Rodrigo de Asis said that the DBM declared inoperative the 2023 Annual Budget of Cagayan after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan cut a large chunk of it this year, adding that the DBM has seen violations committed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. He added that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan slashed Cagayan’s budget with P21 million from the 20 percent development fund of Cagayan contrary to the provisions of the Local Government code. The post DBM declares Cagayan’s 2023 budget inoperative appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sara Duterte’s P2.7B confidential expenses as Davao mayor should be probed—Castro
Davao City’s confidential expenses that ballooned to P2.697 billion during Vice President Sara Duterte’s stint as mayor should be probed by the Commission on Audit, a lawmaker said Monday. The call for investigation was prompted by the 2022 report of the CoA, which found that Davao City spent P2.697 billion on confidential expenses between 2016 to 2022, or an average of PP385.3 million per year over the preceding six years. Duterte served as the Davao City mayor from 2016 to 2022 before she assumed the VP post in July of last year. Based on CoA findings, Davao City incurred P144 million of confidential expenses in 2016, which was more than doubled to P293 million in 2017 and further climbed to P420 million in 2018. The city’s confidential fund expenses further grew to P460 million in 2019 and were maintained consistently for the subsequent years of 2020, 2021, and 2022. In an interview on Monday, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro, who sought the CoA probe, stressed that the P2.697 billion totality of confidential expenses of Davao City in the previous six years “could have been utilized more effectively to benefit the education sector, specifically by providing much-needed support to teachers.” “We were shocked also [by] the report of the CoA. With this controversy of confidential funds, we are thinking of asking the CoA to investigate,” she said. “The CoA should file an audit observation memo and then ask them to explain maybe the misuse of funds and then file necessary legal action.” She added, “Imagine more than a million a day spent for the confidential funds in a city. I just wonder how it was spent and where it was spent. So, we want the CoA to review if the city government of Davao City led by Vice President Sara Duterte by then really followed the guidelines or the joint circular 2015-01.” The said joint circular outlined by CoA with the Departments of Budget and Management, National Defense, and of the Interior and Local Government, and Governance Commission for GOCCs, contains guidelines on the entitlement, release, use, reporting, and audit of confidential and intelligence funds that are in the General Appropriations Act. Daily Tribune has been asking for Duterte’s comment, but she remained mum on the issue. While Castro admitted that the local government units are entitled to confidential funds for peace and order maintenance, it was “ironic” that Duterte sought allocation of such funds given that she claimed Davao City was “very peaceful, disciplined, and well” during her tenure. "So why is it necessary to have an increasingly confidential fund?" the lawmaker stressed, noting such a fund should be used for other fruitful endeavors. "I remember the time the teachers of Davao City were asking for city allowance, but she did not grant it. Instead, she refused and even got mad with ACT (Alliance of Concerned Teachers) during that time," Castro pointed out. While none in the law limits the amount of confidential funds, the militant lawmaker pointed out that it should be rationalized. A proposed law aimed at imposing a cap and limit on confidential funds, streamlining the allocation of such that would promote transparency and accountability, is currently being crafted, according to Castro. It will be filed in Congress when the session resumes in November. The post Sara Duterte’s P2.7B confidential expenses as Davao mayor should be probed—Castro appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SSS extends deadline of contribution remittance in distressed areas
The Social Security System extended in selected areas the payment deadline for the June 2023 contribution of business employers and the second quarter contributions of household employers, coverage and collection partners, and individual members from 31 July 2023 to 2 October 2023. According to SSS Circular No. 2023-005 signed by SSS President and CEO Rolando Ledesma Macasaet, the said applicable month and quarter were extended until 30 September 2023, but since it falls on a Saturday, the deadline was further extended to the next working day, which is 2 October 2023. “We understand that these calamities have affected the ability of some of our members, covered employers, and CCPs in selected areas to pay their contributions on or before their original schedule. For consideration, we are giving them more time to pay their SSS contributions so that payment gaps or late payments can be avoided,” Macasaet said. The extension applies to employers, CCPs, and members in areas declared under State of Calamity by various local government offices due to the Southwest Monsoon enhanced by Tropical Cyclones Egay and Falcon, such as the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Cavite, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao and Mountain Province. The said extension also covers other areas that may be declared under a state of alamity by local government units, local disaster risk reduction management offices, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council or the national government. Likewise, employers with approved installment proposals must deposit their post-dated checks that fall due in June and July 2023 on or before 2 October 2023. However, no contribution paid retroactively by individual members will be used in determining their eligibility to any benefit arising from a contingency wherein the date of payment is within or after the semester of contingency. The original contribution payment deadlines and guidelines in the said areas will resume starting with the applicable month of July 2023. # The post SSS extends deadline of contribution remittance in distressed areas appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
OPAPRU backs ex-rebels’ case expedite
DAVAO CITY — Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Eastern Mindanao director Atty. Elisa D. Evangelista-Lapiña said that they support the proposal of Agusan del Norte Governor Angel Amante to speed up cases of the former rebels or Friends Rescued — a move seen by OPAPRU that would ramp up efforts in helping the FRs’ eventual reintegration in mainstream society. “We certainly back this proposal by the Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte. We commend this effort and are ready to offer our full support to make sure that this will be operationalized,” Lapiña said. She added that the OPAPRU will be assisting the provincial government of Agusan del Norte in implementing the mechanism “to lure more New People’s Army members to lay down their weapons and embrace the path to peace.” Lapiña also disclosed that the remaining armed combatants are apprehensive about returning to the folds of the law due to their pending cases in court. “Our goal is to provide a clear and swift path for our FRs. We want to assure them that by choosing peace, the whole-of-nation approach of the government will be of help to them to address both root causes of conflict, social inequality, and historical injustice, among others,” Lapiña said. To date, there are 122 former rebels in Agusan del Norte who have pending cases in court and Lapiña stressed the need to strengthen the coordination between other government agencies, such as the Public Attorney’s Office, the Agusan del Norte government and volunteer legal partners that would actively monitor the progress of the former rebels’ cases, “ensuring that they are treated with the urgency they deserve.” “By closely following legal proceedings, they can identify and address any potential delays or obstacles,” Lapiña said. For his part, Oliver Binancilan, head of OPAPRU’s Davao Area Management Unit, also briefed the group about the Amnesty Program, which he described as a significant stride forward in the government’s efforts to help FRs reintegrate into society. In his presentation, Bancillan stressed the role of Kagawasan 143 Peace Center in actively collaborating with the government to facilitate the amnesty process, ensuring that eligible FRs can benefit from this opportunity for a fresh start. The post OPAPRU backs ex-rebels’ case expedite appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Libya prosecutor orders arrest of 8 over dam disaster
Libya’s prosecutor general on Monday ordered the arrest of eight officials suspected of negligence that resulted in two dam breaks that killed nearly 4,000 people in Derna city. The officials are suspected of “bad management” and negligence, a statement from Al-Seddik al-Sur’s office said, adding that they served currently or previously in offices responsible for water resources and dam management. The flash flood, which witnesses likened to a tsunami, broke through two ageing dams on 10 September after a hurricane-strength storm lashed the area around Derna, a port city in Libya’s east, causing the reservoirs to overflow and break. On Saturday, the official death toll passed 3,800, and international aid groups have said 10,000 or more people may be missing. After opening a probe, Libya’s prosecutor general said more than a week ago that the two dams upstream from Derna dad been cracked since 1998. But repairs begun by a Turkish company in 2010 were suspended after a few months when Libya’s 2011 revolution flared, and the work never resumed, the prosecutor said on 16 September, vowing to deal firmly with those responsible. Wall of water The first dam to collapse in the disaster was the Abu Mansur dam, 13 kilometers from Derna, whose reservoir held 22.5 million cubic meters of water. The deluge then broke Al Bilad, the second dam, which had a capacity of 1.5 million cubic meters and is just a kilometer from the coastal city. The wall of water and debris swept through the normally dry riverbed or wadi that cuts through the city center. Both dams were constructed by a Yugoslav company in the 1970s, “not to collect water but to protect Derna from floods,” Sour said earlier. Since Libya’s 2011 revolution, a budget has been allocated every year to repair the two dams, but none of the successive governments has undertaken the work, according to an official. In a 2021 report from the Libyan audit bureau, officials criticized “procrastination” on resuming repair work at the two dams. In November 2022, engineer and academic Abdel Wanis Ashour warned in a study that a “catastrophe” threatened Derna if the authorities did not carry out maintenance on the dams. WITH AFP The post Libya prosecutor orders arrest of 8 over dam disaster appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kuya Bong backs medical specialty agencies’ establishment
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has recently expressed his full support for the establishment of the National Disease Prevention Management Authority, Medical Reserve Corps, and the Virology Institute of the Philippines. The measures were discussed during the Third Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council meeting after the senator attended the groundbreaking for the Super Health Center in San Mateo, Rizal. When asked about the progress of these initiatives, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health stressed his full support and is optimistic that these will be approved this year. Go clarified that the NDPMA is essentially the same as the previously named Center for Disease Control and Prevention bill as he reiterated the importance of being prepared for possible future pandemics, citing the country’s experience with Covid-19. He recalled how the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine became a crucial office for Covid-19 testing, despite almost losing its funding during the 2019 budget deliberations. “In 2019, before the pandemic came, the budget for the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine was almost cut. We did not agree. In fact, we increased them during the budget deliberations,” Go said. “My hunch was right, who would have thought that RITM would be one of the most important offices during the pandemic? RITM is also capable of testing other infectious diseases besides Covid-19,” he added. He concluded by saying that he supports these initiatives that will benefit Filipinos, the healthcare system, and the less fortunate. To recall, the senator has filed his own versions of these measures in the Senate — Senate Bill 195 or the creation of a Center for Disease Control and if passed, the CDC will serve as the country’s central hub for disease prevention, surveillance and control, focusing on both infectious and non-communicable diseases. The post Kuya Bong backs medical specialty agencies’ establishment appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
U.S. backs probe on Sikh’s slay
An American official has supported a call by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for India to cooperate in the investigation of a Sikh leader’s assassination in Vancouver in June. “We want to see accountability. And it’s important that the investigation run its course and lead to that result,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in New York, where he was taking part in the United Nations General Assembly. “We would hope that our Indian friends would cooperate with that investigation as well,” Blinken said, referring to Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, who was wanted in India for alleged terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder, was shot dead by two masked assailants. Blinken’s statement came four days after Trudeau linked Indian intelligence agents to the murder of the activist campaigning for the creation of a Sikh homeland called Khalistan. New Delhi insisted it had nothing to do with the killing, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “completely rejected” the accusation when earlier raised privately by Trudeau. Following Trudeau’s bombshell, Sikh leaders in Canada demanded justice for Nijjar’s killing. “We want a full investigation that brings to justice the people involved in this assassination, including those who pulled the trigger and the ones who plotted this assassination,” Harkirt Singh Dhadda, a lawyer and prominent member of the Sikh community in the Toronto area, said. Nijjar’s son also demanded the arrest of his father’s killers. “Hopefully, you can take this a step further and get specific individuals,” Balraj Singh Nijjar told reporters. Jaskaran Sandhu, co-founder of Baaz News, a website for the Sikh community, warned that “if the government doesn’t take a strong stance and send a strong message, all it declares to the world is that it’s open season on our citizens.” Jagmett Singh, the leader of the left-wing New Democratic Party and a Trudeau ally said Trudeau’s announcement confirms suspicions that India was interfering in the democratic rights of Canadians. Canada must also put an end to intelligence sharing with New Delhi, Sikh officials said. Since 2018, the two countries have established cooperation on counter-terrorism activities which commits them to financial, judicial and police cooperation — an agreement eyed warily by 770,000 Canadian Sikhs today. WITH AFP The post U.S. backs probe on Sikh’s slay appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Dapat maging mas handa tayo’ — Bong Go backs healthcare-related bills
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed in an interview on Thursday, September 21, after attending the groundbreaking for the Super Health Center in San Mateo, Rizal, his full support for the establishment of the National Disease Prevention Management Authority, Medical Reserve Corps, and the Virology Institute of the Philippines. The measures were discussed during the third Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting. When asked about the progress of these initiatives, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, responded, "As chair po ng Senate Committee on Health, full support po ako dito." “Nasa subcommittee ang mga bills na ito na pinangungunahan ni Senator Pia Cayetano. Nakapag-hearing na ito at isa ako sa mga nagfile ng bills. Hopefully, maipasa ito ngayong taon,” said Go. "Priority rin ang mga ito ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, nabanggit din ito sa LEDAC, so suportado ko ito," he added. Go clarified that the NDPMA is essentially the same as the previously named Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) bill. “Unang-una, napaloob po ito sa Philippine Development Plan po ng ating Pangulong Marcos. Itong paggagawa ng Center for Disease Control and Prevention, or ibahin man po, maging National Disease Management Prevention Authority ay suportado ko po ito," added Go. The senator emphasized the importance of being prepared for possible future pandemics, citing the country's experience with COVID-19. "Mas mabuti pong lagi tayong handa; meron tayong opisina na nakatutok po kung saka-sakaling may dumating na pandemya po sa buhay natin," he said. He recalled how the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) became a crucial office for COVID-19 testing, despite almost losing its funding during the 2019 budget deliberations. “Noong 2019 naman bago dumating ang pandemya ay muntik ding binawasan ang budget para sa Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. Hindi po tayo pumayag. In fact, dinagdagan pa natin sila noong budget deliberations. Tama nga ang kutob ko, sino ba ang mag-aakala na ang RITM ang magiging isa sa pinakaimportanteng opisina sa panahon ng pandemya? Ang RITM din ang may kakayahan na mag-test ng iba pang nakahahawang sakit bukod sa COVID-19,” Go shared. He concluded by saying that he supports these initiatives that will benefit Filipinos, the healthcare system, and the less fortunate. "Bagama't isang boto lang po ako, ay suportado ko po ang mga ito." The senator has filed his own versions of these measures in the Senate. Go has filed Senate Bill No. 195 or the creation of a Center for Disease Control (CDC). If passed into law, CDC will serve as the country's central hub for disease prevention, surveillance, and control, focusing on both infectious and non-communicable diseases. Another key legislative measure from Go is SBN 196, which seeks to establish a Virology Science and Technology Institute. The institute is envisioned as a center for virology that will enhance the country's capacity to study, detect, and combat emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. He also filed SBN 1180 which seeks to establish a Medical Reserve Corps composed of individuals who have degrees in health-related fields but have yet to obtain professional licenses. The Medical Reserve Corps may be called upon to assist the national government and the local government units in their functions related to addressing the medical needs of the public in times of national emergencies. The post ‘Dapat maging mas handa tayo’ — Bong Go backs healthcare-related bills appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sovereign shame
The government should recognize the possibility that Chinese workers in the country are committing espionage amid the escalating territorial friction in the West Philippine Sea. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro raised the alarm, saying employees of mainly Chinese state firms may be engaged in potential “covert economic and information activities,” including propaganda operations, to sway public opinion in favor of the mainland. Among the workers on the watchlist are “the ones hired by Beijing’s state-run enterprises involved in public infrastructure projects,” according to Teodoro. The Department of National Defense said it is looking into clandestine dealings “happening in the background.” “It’s the activities that we cannot see… that’s what alarms us,” the defense chief said. “The best way to weaken a country, rather than by an overt warlike function or disruption of [its] facilities, is really to take control of [its] internal economy, internal processes, and the like,” Teodoro pointed out. The records of Chinese migrants in the country are inadequate based on previous Senate hearings. No government agency was able to provide the Senate, for instance, with an accurate number of illegal Chinese workers, indicating that they are not being monitored. Labor agencies have also failed to keep track of how many foreign workers are in jobs that, by mandate of the Constitution, should be for Filipinos only. Under the law, foreigners are only allowed to work in jobs that require highly specialized skills and where no Filipinos are deemed competent to do them. During the Senate probe, it was also discovered that as many as 119,000 Chinese nationals who came to the country as tourists are now residents and have jobs in violation of labor regulations. Chinese tourists, through some “gainful” means, were able to obtain special work permits from the Bureau of Immigration. They now work in very diverse areas such as Metro Manila, Clark, Subic, Cagayan and Cagayan de Oro. In one of the inquiries, a Department of Labor and Employment official explained that the special permits were issued without the need for an Alien Employment Permit, or AEP, because the nature of the employment was temporary, lasting from three to six months. The loose process, thus, has allowed foreign workers to enter the country practically unbridled. Senators questioned the discrepancy between the AEPs issued and the number of Chinese workers in the country. Independent sources said that as many as 200,000 to 400,000 Chinese workers are in the country. Four different agencies issue different permits that make the situation worse. The biggest insult by China is that its propaganda work against the Philippines and other opponents in the territorial conflicts is done in this country. Facebook recently removed two networks of fake accounts that were spreading government propaganda, one originating in China and the other in the Philippines. Taken down were 155 Facebook accounts, 11 pages, nine groups and seven Instagram accounts traced to China, and 57 accounts, 31 pages and 20 Instagram accounts based in the Philippines. Such operations breach Facebook’s rules against “coordinated inauthentic behavior on behalf of a foreign or government entity.” The Chinese network used faces created through an AI technique known as GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks). Facebook was able to trace the origins of the accounts because of their visual signatures. “This form of AI is readily available online, and its use (or abuse) by covert operations has exploded in the last year,” according to a report on the social media platform. Identified were a dozen GAN-generated images from the Chinese propaganda operation. Teodoro, who has access to a wealth of information, in revealing the supposed operations being conducted by the Chinese in the country’s backyard, virtually confirmed the problem has reached alarming proportions. It would be easy for the government to keep track of foreign workers if only the appropriate agencies would resist the seduction of human smuggling. In accepting bribes to let the aliens skirt the law, these officials and functionaries have placed our national security at risk. The post Sovereign shame appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»