DepEd awaits IATF, DOH call on school kids’ vaccination
The Department of Education has deferred the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Department of Health on the vaccination of school children against COVID-19......»»
PISTON awaits PBBM’s decision on modernization; regularization of workers
As President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. delivers his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 24 July, major transport groups like PISTON converged early in Quezon City to voice out their concerns in relation to the PUV phaseout and PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP). Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) National President Rody Floranda called for jeepney rehabilitation and not modernization. “Hindi kailangan na tayo ay bumili ng mamahaling mga minibus na kung saan hindi naman ang ating bansa yung pinapaunlad nito, kundi ang mga malalaking negosyante at dayuhan,” Floranda told Daily Tribune in an exclusive interview, stressing that jeepney modernization will burden jeepney drivers and operators. Floranda is also firm on his stance regarding proper compensation for PUV drivers, operators, and workers in general. “Ang panawagan natin ay ang pagbasura sa kontraktwalisasyon. Karapatan ng mga manggagawa na maging ganap na regular sa loob ng mga kumpanya at mga pagawaan,” Floranda said, noting that workers should not be underpaid and be taken care of by the government. “Kaya itong SONA ay bahagi ng ating panawagan, hindi lamang sa hanay ng sektor ng transportasyon. Floranda added, “Syempre, ang pinakamahalaga diyan ay itigil ang mga malawakang demolisyon [sa aming hanapbuhay].” Major transport groups held a nationwide transport strike in March to protest against the PUVMP. However, the week-long nationwide strike concluded early when the palace held a private meeting with transport groups to air their grievances: review the Department Order No. 2017-11, known as Omnibus Franchising Guidelines, which was issued by the DOTr, to bring back a five-year franchise to public vehicles nationwide, and jeepneys would no longer be phased out. Afterward, Marcos Jr. vowed that he will review the jeepney modernization program. Transport and labor groups are waiting for the President to address this concern in his SONA. PISTON and MANIBELA are a few of the several labor groups that will hold their protests around Quezon City as they continue to heed their call to alleviate the transportation crisis in the country. The post PISTON awaits PBBM’s decision on modernization; regularization of workers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mercenary attitude
Easily the most head-spinning item of international news the past week was the thwarted armed rebellion by Russia-based mercenaries against Russian leader Vladimir Putin. At this writing, we don’t know how the Russian domestic security crisis will eventually pan out. But the unexpected 24-hour crisis — triggered after mercenary tycoon Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner Group fighters seized critical facilities in Southern Russia before pushing on to Moscow but then abruptly standing down — grievously wounded Mr. Putin politically and put into question his more than 20 years in power. Significant, too is the fact the rebellion nakedly dramatized the return of mercenary armies in modern warfare and the political risks associated with its return. A case of what’s old is new again. The mercenary — simply understood nowadays as an armed civilian paid to conduct military operations in a foreign conflict zone — is not a new thing. Soldiers of fortune throughout history are as old as war itself, earning the colloquial sobriquet “second oldest profession” after prostitution. Only later were mercenaries stigmatized, tabooed, and outlawed when States, wanting a monopoly on the use of force, began to invest in standing national armies. Mercenaries, however, didn’t become extinct but went underground. But after 150 years underground, the private forces were regurgitated in just a few decades of the 20th and 21st centuries and are now growing at an alarming rate in all the domains of war — land, sea, air, and cyber. In fact, as war studies professor Sean McFate says, “In less than 20 years, the private force has proliferated among every (war) domain except space, but that too may change.” It is also big business. “No one truly knows how many billions of dollars slosh around this illicit market. All we know is that business is booming. Recent years have seen major mercenary activity in Yemen, Nigeria, Ukraine, Syria, and Iraq. Many of these for-profit warriors outclass local militaries, and a few can even stand up to America’s most elite forces,” says McFate. The modern mercenaries also frown on their old moniker. Private sector fighters and their employers instead sport euphemistic labels like private military contractors, private security companies, private military companies, private security/military companies, private military firms, military service providers, operational contractors, and contingency contractors. The proliferation of this new warrior class only proves, says McFate, the commodification of modern armed conflict. But other than the marketization of war, mercenaries also informally act as a proxy force fighting on behalf of the geopolitical agendas of the world’s great powers that refuse to let their own troops bleed in unconventional war zones. In fact, the Wagner Group — named after the German composer Richard Wagner — had for years followed “Mr. Putin’s shadowy geopolitical bidding in nations abroad and suffered profound losses on the battlefield in Ukraine before turning its sights on Russia itself.” Filipinos, meanwhile, aren’t strangers to mercenary lucre either. McFate, who once worked in the industry, says, “I worked alongside ex–special forces troops from places like the Philippines, Colombia, and South Africa. We did the same missions, but they got developing world wages and I did not. Mercenaries are just like T-shirts — they are cheaper in developing countries. Call it the globalization of private force.” In my personal knowledge, too, scores of former members of the elite Presidential Security Group or PSG took jobs as “embarked security” on international ships plying pirate waters in the Gulf of Aden, Strait of Malacca, and the Gulf of Guinea. As expected, the former PSG guys were reticent about their “privateer” contracts with London-based private security firms. But McFate explains: “Here’s how it works. Armed contractors sit on ‘arsenal ships’ in pirate waters and chopper to a client freighter or tanker when called. Once aboard, they act as ‘embarked security,’ hardening the ship with razor wire and protecting it with high-caliber firepower. After the ship gets through pirate waters, the team returns to its arsenal ship and awaits the next client.” Email: nevqjr@yahoo.com.ph The post Mercenary attitude appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Balik-Tanaw | God will carry us on eagle’s wings
It is a daunting task if we think of it without God in the equation. This call of God to discipleship today is not far more or far less formidable than in the time of the apostles. The contexts are very different but there is one constant: it is God who calls us to be laborers for his harvest. When the going gets tough, God will carry us on eagle’s wings. When faced with death, we know that it is life in God that awaits us. The post Balik-Tanaw | God will carry us on eagle’s wings appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
DepEd awaits IATF, DOH call on school kids’ vaccination
The Department of Education has deferred the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Department of Health on the vaccination of school children against COVID-19......»»
CLB: Anti-Terror Bill creates ‘climate of fear, paranoia’
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Another progressive group has joined the call against the passage of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill, which now awaits President Duterte’s signature, calling the proposed law “patently unconstitutional and repressive of the participation rights of children.” While the ATB, which was passed in the Senate and the Lower House, is aimed at […] The post CLB: Anti-Terror Bill creates ‘climate of fear, paranoia’ appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
ONE champ Joshua Pacio making sound investments during pandemic
Joshua “The Passion” Pacio is making good use of his time while he awaits his next defense of his ONE Strawweight World Title. The 24-year-old from Baguio City has partnered up with FlexBox, an on-demand personal training service that provides custom workouts accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime. The reigning World Champion from Team Lakay will function as a “Celebrity Trainer” and is slated to provide virtual training for fans and fitness enthusiasts alike. “This is good, it’s added income for us while we’re waiting for our next fight,” Pacio said. “It’s also a good opportunity to interact with fans, help them stay fit and healthy to boost their immune system during the pandemic.” The young phenom from Team Lakay is set to do his online one-on-one and group classes during his rest days. Even at his age, “The Passion” knows the value of good financing. But make no mistake about it, he is not letting up on his training while waiting for a call from ONE Championship. “I promise I’ll be ready to defend my belt anytime,” Pacio said. “Even though I am already at the top, I know that there are many quality opponents out there waiting for me. I always have to find ways to improve.” In his most recent outing, Pacio defeated former ONE Strawweight World Champion Alex “Little Rock” Silva by split decision in the main event of ONE: FIRE & FURY last January at the Mall Of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. He is the first mixed martial artist in the talented weight class to defeat all previous World Champions, gaining a reputation as one of the greatest athletes in ONE’s history. But Pacio is not letting up, nor is he allowing the praises to go to his head, as he works to improve all the weapons in his arsenal before his next trip inside the Circle. “If they give me a date, I know I can quickly catch up,” he said. “I am ready to return any time this year.”.....»»
June 12 ‘mañanita’ protest: Only 10 allowed
Groups opposing the Anti-Terrorism Act, which now awaits President Duterte’s signature, are planning protests they call “mañanita” to mark Independence Day on June 12......»»
Akbayan to Sara: You don’t have to be president to speak vs China
MANILA, Philippines — Party-list group Akbayan said on Thursday that Vice President Sara Duterte does not have to be a president of the country for her to call out China’s intrusive actions over the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Empathy and a moral backbone is just what it takes to stand up with fisherfolk and frontline.....»»
CCLEX safety enhancements pushed after US bridge tragedy
Cebu City, Philippines — In light of recent events, a call for increased CCLEX safety measures has been made to the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC) by a Cebu City legislator. Councilor Rey Gealon penned a resolution urging CCLEC to implement precautionary measures at the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway to prevent disasters, considering the high.....»»
Ashley Tisdale buntis sa 2nd baby: ‘We can’t wait to meet you!’
MAY exciting news ang Hollywood actress at “High School Musical” star na si Ashley Tisdale sa madlang pipol! Ayon sa kanya, ipinagbubuntis niya ang second baby nila ng mister na si Christopher French. Sa Instagram, ibinandera ni Ashley ang kanyang baby bump at ang caption niya: “We can’t wait to meet you [emoji].” Baka Bet.....»»
Belmonte, Binay call for climate action funding from development banks
The C40 coalition of cities, a network of nearly 100 mayors, asked MDBs to increase urban climate investment, integrate urban climate action into their strategies, and implement tailored programs to support city projects. .....»»
Pentagon chief reaffirms support after latest China aggression in WPS
Austin emphasized US support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in a phone call with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Wednesday. .....»»
Catch-up Fridays eased for teachers
JENIELITO "Dodong" Atillo, spokesperson of the Department of Education (DepEd-Davao), clarified during the AFP-PNP press conference held on Wednesday morning, March 27, 2024, at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, that the implementation of “Catch-up Fridays” has been streamlined to alleviate any perceived burden on teachers......»»
Get kids jabbed versus pertussis, parents urged
Get kids jabbed versus pertussis, parents urged.....»»
EAM Jaishankar visits Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Paheredar in Manila
Manila [Philippines], March 27 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Paheredar on Tuesday during its port call to Manila and said that India's Act East policy and Indo-Pacific vision will continue to give it a more contemporary form. He presented his remarks at the Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Paheredar on Tuesday and said that his visit and the ship's presence signify th.....»»
P1.1 billion released to restore heritage school buildings
The Department of Budget and Management has released P1.1 billion to conserve and restore heritage school buildings in the country......»»
Jaishankar calls on Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong, values his perspective on current state of world
Singapore, March 25 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday and conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Jaishankar valued Lee Hsien Loong's perspectives on the current state of the world. In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "Honoured to call on Prime Minister @leehsienloongat The Istana. Conveyed the personal greetings of PM @narendramodi. V.....»»
EAM Jaishankar conveys PM Modi s greetings as he calls on Philippine President Marcos
Manila [Philippines], March 26 (ANI): External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar on Tuesday called on Philippine President Bongbong Marcos and conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister NarendraModi to President Marcos. "Honoured to call-on President @bongbongmarcos of the Philippines. Conveyed the personal greetings of President @rashtrapatibhvn and PM @narendramodi. Valued his warm sentiments tow.....»»
TikTok Shop Launches TikTok Shop Business School to Help Digitize Filipino Entrepreneurs
TikTok Shop launched TikTok Shop Business School, a comprehensive one-day program for Filipino entrepreneurs that aims to equip them with the skills to grow their businesses in the digital sphere. The full-day program, which 50 TikTok Shop entrepreneurs attended, was comprised of master classes on Corporate Strategy and Business Model with Kim Lato, Founder and […].....»»
Big 4 Volleyball tilt marks successful inaugural season, eyes bigger tourneys soon
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Big Four Volleyball Tournament wrapped up last weekend successfully at the Warehouse Sports Lab in Mandaue City. This grassroots volleyball tournament saw inaugural champions being crowned. The Subangdaku Trojans emerged as champions in the 13-under and the girls 14-17 divisions, while Cabancalan National High School ruled the 14-17 boys division. .....»»