Meralco bills rise in April as power demand spikes on warm weather
For a typical household consuming 200 kWh, the increase would mean P17 in additional charges in monthly bills......»»
Final salute to Biazon
Muntinlupa Mayor Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon and his family expressed their heartfelt thanks to the public for the outpouring of support and for honoring their father, former senator, congressman and chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon. The former senator passed away on 12 June at the age of 88. Last Sunday, Biazon’s remains were brought to the Muntinlupa City Hall. As the cortege entered the city, thousands of residents lined the streets, holding up placards and banners lauding and thanking Biazon who served as Muntinlupa’s representative in Congress from 2010 to 2016. The young Biazon said that even if they were in grief, “life goes on. There are things that we need to do. We, including Trina (his wife), are grateful for the outpouring of support from Muntinlupeños.” He added: “My papa, father, general, senator, congressman was loved by Muntinlupenos.” Yesterday, Biazon’s remains were brought to the Senate for a necrological service at 10 a.m. Previous colleagues from the Senate and the Armed Forces of the Philippines had nothing but praises for the late former senator and military chief of staff. Humble beginnings In his eulogy, former Senate President Vicente Sotto III recalled Baizon’s humble beginnings that turned him into a “fearless legislator and well-decorated military officer attributable to his hard work, perseverance and fighting for what is right.” “Adversity did not hinder him from climbing both politically and militarily as a leader, so to speak,” Sotto said. Sotto praised Biazon for advancing his advocacies of low-cost housing and benefits for soldiers, while making sure that all sectors of society benefited from the bills he crafted. “He was a truly dynamic and multi-faceted individual, a family man and excellent soldier, an extraordinary legislator, freedom fighter and defender of democracy who relished his life to the fullest and, above all, his accomplishments. He will be most remembered as a good father, a loving husband and a dear friend,” Sotto said. Former Senator Jose Lina Jr. described Biazon as an excellent and outstanding Filipino, a warrior and a statesman as well as a devoted public servant “whose integrity and compassion for the people are indeed worth emulating.” “All throughout his life, in the service of the Filipino people, Pong was the epitome of humility, simplicity and decorum,” Lina said, adding that Biazon had the “compassion, understanding and pleasing traits of an exemplary public servant to be able to connect more effectively to the people.” Former Senator Gregorio Honasan II paid his respects to Biazon, remembering his unwavering dedication to public service. “Manong Pong walked the talk and showed by living example that an ordinary, imperfect man — together, I underscore the word together — dreamed, prayed, worked hard, and sacrificed to build a strong sovereign nation for the next generation. They all become heroes,” Honasan said. Former Senate President Franklin Drilon bade farewell to his ex-colleague and good friend. Drilon called Biazon’s career an inspiration, saying: “No one can question his capabilities and his dedication to public service and loyalty to the country.” “He was fearless and undaunted even in the face of death,” Drilon said. “Every little thing that could erode his beloved Philippines was worth his time to bring to the Senate floor.” During the necrological service, Senators Robin Padilla, Francis Tolentino, Loren Legarda, Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva also delivered eulogies. This was followed by a public viewing of Biazon’s remains until 1 p.m. Biazon, a native of Batac, Ilocos Norte, entered the Philippine Military Academy as a cadet at 21 and served in the military for three and a half decades. He then became the 21st AFP chief of staff serving from 24 January to 12 April 1991, the only Marine to attain the position. Prior to this, Biazon served as AFP vice chief of staff, commanding general of AFP-NCR Defense Command, and commandant of the Marine Corps. From the Senate, his remains were taken to the Holy Child Chapel at Philippine Marines headquarters in Taguig City. He will be interred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on 20 June. The post Final salute to Biazon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate: Biazon was an outstanding public servant and the ‘epitome of humility’
Senate members and employees held a necrological service for former senator and military chief, Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon, on Monday morning. In his eulogy, former Senate President Vicente Sotto III remembered Baizon’s humble beginnings that made him become a “fearless legislator and well-decorated military official attributable to his hard work, perseverance, and fighting for what is right.” “Adversities did not hinder him from climbing both political and military—as a leader, so to speak,” Sotto said. Sotto also feted Biazon for advancing his advocacies for low-cost housing and benefits for soldiers while making sure that all sectors of society will benefit from the bills he crafted. “He is a truly dynamic and multi-faceted individual, a family man and excellent soldier, an extraordinary legislator, freedom fighter and defender of democracy who relished his life to the fullest, and above all his accomplishments, he will be most remembered as a good father, a loving husband, and a dear friend,” Sotto said. Former Senator Jose Lina Jr. described Biazon as an excellent and outstanding Filipino, a warrior and a statesman as well as a devoted public servant “whose integrity and compassion to the people are indeed worth emulating.” “All throughout his life, in the service of the Filipino people, Pong was an epitome of humility, simplicity, and decorum,” said Lina, adding that Biazon has the “compassion, understanding and pleasing traits of an exemplary public servant to be able to connect more effectively to the people.” Former Senator Gregorio Honasan II paid his last respects to Biazon, remembering Biazon’s unwavering dedication to public service. “Manong Pong walks the talk and showed by living example that an ordinary imperfect man—together, I underscored the word together— dream, pray, worked hard, and sacrificed to build a strong sovereign nation for the next generation. They all become heroes,” Honasan said. Also, former Senate President Franklin Drilon bid farewell to his departed ex-colleague and a good friend in the Upper Chamber. Drilon honors Biazon’s career as an inspiration, saying: “No one can question his capability and his dedication to public service and loyalty to the country.” “He was fearless and undoubted even in the face of death,” Drilon said. “Every little thing that could erode his beloved Philippines was worth his time to be able to bring on the floor of the Senate.” During the necrological service, several incumbent senators likewise delivered their eulogy for Biazon, followed by a public viewing of Biazon's remains in the Senate until 1 p.m. Biazon, a native of Batac, Ilocos Norte, entered the Philippine Military Academy as a cadet at 21, serving the military for three and a half decades. He then became the 21st AFP chief who served from 24 to 12 April 1991—the first and only from the ranks of the Philippine Marines. Prior to this, Biazon also served as the AFP Vice Chief of Staff, Commanding General of AFP-NCR Defense Command and Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps. Biazon is the first PMA alumnus to be elected as a senator and served in the 9th Congress from 1992 up to 1995 and from 1998 until 2010—where he was recognized as an exemplary defender of Philippine democracy and the people’s freedom. From Pasay City, Biazon’s remains will be transferred to the Philippine Marines headquarters in Taguig City later in the afternoon, for the final salute and execution of full military honors to Biazon. Biazon died age of 88 on 12 June 2023 after battling pneumonia. His family earlier confirmed that Biazon was diagnosed with lung cancer in July last year. The Senate issued a resolution honoring Biazon's legacies as well as expressing sincere sympathy and condolences for the passing of the veteran legislator. The post Senate: Biazon was an outstanding public servant and the ‘epitome of humility’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Prioritize the poor, bring gov’t services closer to needy
For many of our fellow Filipinos who can barely afford their daily expenses, getting treated in a hospital is oftentimes a burdensome choice that they resort to only if it is a matter of life and death. Usually, our struggling kababayans choose to endure their illness for fear of falling deeper into debt due to huge hospital bills, medicines and other expenses. And by this time, an ordinary disease has already become a serious medical condition. Their plight is what inspired us to initiate the Malasakit Centers program in 2018 which provides one-stop shops where our indigent patients may more conveniently access medical assistance from the government. By bringing together programs of various government agencies under one roof, such as the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the centers streamline the process of availing medical assistance. I have been appealing to officials and workers in the health sector to prioritize the needs of the poor, especially in public health facilities since these patients have nowhere else to turn to but to seek the help of their government. I also appeal to all hospital staff to be patient and compassionate in guiding Filipinos, particularly the poor, so that they can properly have access to the services offered by our public hospitals and from the medical assistance programs available in any of our 158 Malasakit Centers nationwide. That is why as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and as the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, I make time to personally check on the operations of our Malasakit Centers across the country, in addition to attending the groundbreaking of Super Health Centers and leading our usual relief distributions for Filipinos in need. On 16 June, I conducted a monitoring visit to two Malasakit Centers in Leyte, where I was honored to be declared as an adopted son of the province through Resolution 2020-337 passed on 24 April 2020 and formally granted on 16 June by the provincial government. During the visit, I recognized the efforts of Governor Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla, Baybay City Mayor Jose Carlos “Boying” Cari and Vice Mayor Ernesto Butawan, Vice Governor Sandy Javier, Cong. Carl Cari, Cong. Karen Javier, Board Member Carlo Loreto, and other officials for their commitment to bringing government services closer to their constituents. I also visited the Malasakit Center at Baybay City Immaculate Conception Hospital where we assisted 30 out-patients, 140 in-patients, and 192 front liners, while the DSWD extended financial aid to qualified in-patients. We likewise inspected the Super Health Center and the new boardwalk in the city which I supported to help the community. I then checked on the operations of the Malasakit Center at Ormoc District Hospital in Ormoc City. We also assisted 283 patients and 211 front liners in the hospital, while 133 qualified inpatients received additional assistance from the DSWD. Following this, I led a relief operation for 1,065 struggling residents in the city and attended the ribbon-cutting of the newly constructed pentathlon facility with a dedicated fencing hall, among others — a project I supported as Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance and as Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, together with the local government led by Cong. Richard Gomez and Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez. Earlier that week, I was in Davao del Norte to participate in the celebration of the first anniversary of an insurgency-free Davao del Norte led by Gov. Edwin Jubahib, held in Tagum City on 13 June. I also personally spearheaded a relief operation for 1,500 struggling residents in the city. Simultaneously, we provided more support to the community in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment which held an orientation for temporary employment to 721 individuals. Following this, I visited the town of Carmen with Mayor Leony Bahague to witness the groundbreaking of its Super Health Center and provide aid to 1,666 more indigents. On 15 June, I was in Quezon City with my team to witness the inauguration of two multipurpose buildings in Barangays Commonwealth and Payatas which I also supported for funding together with Councilor Mikey Belmonte. We likewise aided a thousand indigents in the city with Mayor Joy Belmonte. We then headed to Marikina City to assist 3,000 more struggling residents from Marikina City and the towns of San Mateo and Rodriguez, Rizal, together with Congresswoman Maan Teodoro and Mayor Marcy Teodoro; as well as the local officials from both towns in Rizal, such as Rodriguez Mayor Ronnie Evangelista and San Mateo Mayor Bartolome “Omie” Rivera Jr., among others. We also visited North Cotabato on 17 June, where we celebrated the 54th Araw ng Alamada led by Mayor Jesus Sacdalan and Cong. Joel Sacdalan and helped 840 farmers and 1,500 struggling residents in the town before going to Matalam to witness aspiring athletes in the Serbisyong Totoo Basketball Sports Clinic and to lead another distribution activity for 1,318 more residents from various sectors together with Gov. Lala Taliño-Mendoza. Across the country, my team aided indigent families and various sectors, including 136 in Samal, 33 in Balanga, and 82 in Limay, Bataan; 990 in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur; 150 in Damulog, Bukidnon; 350 in Iligan City; 100 in Tubod, Lanao del Norte; 550 in Malinao and Sto. Domingo, Albay; and two fire-hit households in Carcar City, Cebu. My team also attended the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Tiguma, Pagadian City. It is the fundamental right of every Filipino to receive proper medical care and social assistance from our government. I hope that with compassion for our struggling kababayans and the persistence to help uplift their lives, we can collectively ensure that the poor and most needy are not neglected as we continue our pursuit for progress and development. The post Prioritize the poor, bring gov’t services closer to needy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Catholic school students say no to ROTC
More than half of Catholic school students expressed disapproval of the proposed revival of the mandatory Reserved Officers’ Training Corps or ROTC program in schools, according to a survey conducted by the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines. Published in the May 2023 issue of the CEAP Online Gazette, the study showed 53 percent of the 20,461 respondents said they disapprove of the mandatory ROTC program, 32 percent of which said they “strongly disagree.” CEAP said that among the said population of students who said no to mandatory ROTC, 54 percent said that bringing back the program ‘would be an added burden’ to them, while 42 percent of them also cited burden in expenses, saying that the program would bring additional costs. Some 34 percent of students who disapproved of the mandatory ROTC program also said that they have been “alarmed by the threat of violence and corruption.” Other cited issues include the program clashing with their religious beliefs, health and safety concerns and some personal opinions that it needed to be a voluntary measure in schools. The same study also noted 28 percent of the population sample expressed support for mandatory ROTC, with 68 percent of them citing the need for military training, physical activities, disaster preparedness skills and civic engagement through the program. Nearly 50 percent of them also said that the program would instill discipline, patriotism and nationalism, and would be helpful in compensating students. CEAP conducted the survey from 3 to 24 April of this year with 20,461 respondents, 65 percent of which are females, and 35 percent males, and 70 percent of whom are enrolled in senior high school and the remaining in higher education. The return of mandatory ROTC in schools has become a highly-disputed issue among the youth and academic sector, yet President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, expressed their support for reinstating the program in schools. In legislation, mandatory ROTC, through a two-year National Citizens Service Training program, has been approved in the House of Representatives. The Senate has yet to approve their version of the bill, with six bills on the measure currently pending. One thing to note is that the opinion polls on the issue have been different, with Pulse Asia’s March survey saying that eight in 10 Filipinos support ROTC, while the Social Weather Stations’ poll said that only 42 percent support the program as an optional measure. The post Catholic school students say no to ROTC appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Borrowings Spike 31.01%
The National Government's (NG) gross borrowings in April spiked by 31.01 percent year-on-year amid a rise in domestic borrowings, data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed over the weekend. Data from the BTr showed that gross borrowings in April soared to P125.230 billion from P95.588 billion in the same month a year ago. However, month-on-month gross borrowings declined by 45.42 percent from the P229.432 billion recorded in January. In April, domestic debt accounted for 76.66 percent of total gross borrowings. Gross domestic borrowings increased by 0.43 percent to P96,002 billion in April, from P95.588 billion in the same month in 2022. During the month, the BTr raised none from retail Treasury bonds (RTBs), P94.475 billion from fixed-rate Treasury bonds, and P1.652 billion from Treasury bills. Meanwhile, gross external borrowings declined to P33.779 billion in April from P34.883 billion in the same month in 2022. External borrowings consisted of project loans at P6.213 billion and program loans at P27.566 billion. For the first four months of the year, gross borrowings declined by 12.16 percent to P1.026 trillion, from P1.168 trillion in the same period a year ago. Gross domestic debt declined by 13.68 percent to P780.785 billion in the January-to-April period, from P904.494 billion a year ago. Meanwhile, the external gross borrowing increased by 22.76 percent to P328.883 billion in the first four months of the year from P267.905 billion during the same period last year. The post Borrowings Spike 31.01% appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BSP to absorb P360B excess liquidity
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will absorb P360 billion in excess liquidity from its recent cut in the reserve requirement ratio, British bank HSBC said on Friday. In an emailed commentary, HSBC economist Aris Dacanay clarified that the RRR cut by 250 basis points (bps) for major banks would cause "much extra liquidity." He explained that BSP's relief measure would also end on 30 June, coinciding with the reserves ratio reduction. "We estimate the net effect to be P87.7 billion. This will be a net injection of liquidity in the system, but a limited one, given that it represents just 6.3 percent of the excess liquidity currently being absorbed by the BSP," Dacanay said. He explained that the RRR cut "will be slightly larger than the relief provided by the pandemic-era measures on reserves." However, he estimated that the net effect on liquidity would be "positive but limited." According to Dacanay, the market had anticipated a smaller reduction in the RRR of 200 bps, aligning with the expiration of the relief measure that permitted banks to use loans extended to micro, small, and medium enterprises and eligible large enterprises to meet the reserve requirement. As of April, banks had used P302.4 billion in loans as an alternative compliance method for the reserve requirement. Among this total, P236.9 billion were loans to MSMEs, while P65.5 billion were borrowed by large independent enterprises not affiliated with conglomerates. However, Dacanay pointed out that the BSP's securities facility, which now includes additional tenors and the introduction of 56-day BSP bills on 30 June, enables the central bank to effectively absorb the excess money supply. This suggests that the central bank is adequately prepared to address surplus liquidity. "As communicated by the BSP, we don't think the RRR cut will affect monetary policy and the central bank's battle against inflation," Dacanay said. "On the same day as the RRR cut, the BSP will be issuing its new tool to absorb liquidity in the system -- the 56-day BSP bill. The liquidity injected by the RRR cut will likely be absorbed by this new tool on that same day," he added. He added that "the timing (of the RRR cut) is important since without the relief measures expiring, the RRR cut may be interpreted as a dovish signal by the BSP at time when inflation is high." The post BSP to absorb P360B excess liquidity appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Labor group pushes for wage hike despite easing of inflation
Labor group Federation of Free Workers on Tuesday reiterated their calls for a P150 wage increase, even as the country’s inflation rate reduces to 6.1% for the month of May. “The average inflation rate from January to May stands at 7.5%, highlighting the ongoing burden faced by Filipino workers. The easing of inflation alone is not sufficient to address the persistent challenges arising from the rising cost of living,” FFW President Sonny Matula said in a statement. Matula said this in reaction to Tuesday’s report by the Philippine Statistics Authority that the country’s inflation rate reduced to 6.1% for last month, a 0.5% decrease from the 6.6% inflation for the month of April. Since January’s record inflation of 8.7%, PSA noted a steeper decrease in the country’s inflation rate, with May’s 6.1% inflation on par with the inflation rate in June last year. Matula said that despite a rebound in the economy, the government should still address the plight of workers in terms of the rising costs of living which, according to Ibon Foundation’s figures for the previous month’s 6.6% inflation rate, stands at P1,140 a day or P25,226 a month. For context, the current minimum wage in Metro Manila falls at P533 and P570 for agriculture and non-agriculture work, and between P306 to P428 and P341 to P470 for agriculture and non-agriculture work in the provinces. “The easing of inflation alone is not sufficient to address the persistent challenges arising from the rising cost of living,” Matula said. “It is imperative that workers regain their purchasing power and improve their lives. As the economy rebounds, it is crucial that the benefits are shared equitably among all sectors of society,” he added. Two bills on wage hikes are still pending in Congress, including House Bill Number 7871 filed by Trade Union Congress of the Philippines Representative Raymond Mendoza, and Senate Bill Number 2002 filed by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri. Both bills propose a P150 across-the-board wage hike, but are both pending in the respective Houses’ labor and employment committees. The post Labor group pushes for wage hike despite easing of inflation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go lauds medical, dental missions in Pandan, Antique
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his appreciation to the local government of Antique, particularly Vice Governor Edgar “Ed” Denosta, for spearheading medical and dental missions aimed at providing vital healthcare services to various communities in the province. A medical and dental mission in Pandan town, which took place on 23 March, at the municipal gymnasium, brought together a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, dentists, and volunteers who offered their expertise and services to indigent residents. Similar medical and dental missions were also held in the towns of Sibalom last 23 February and in Belison last 17 May, where Go’s team extended additional assistance to indigents. Last April, Go personally attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Super Health Centers in Sibalom and San Jose de Buenavista where he also aided indigent residents in both towns. He also conducted a monitoring visit of the Malasakit Center at the ASMGH. Another medical mission was held that month of April in Sibalom Public Plaza Covered Court. In his video message, Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said, "I am deeply grateful to the local government of Pandan and to Vice Governor Denosta for their initiative in organizing this medical and dental mission. Their commitment to improving the health and well-being of the people is truly commendable. By working together, we can achieve significant positive changes in our healthcare system.” On 26 May, Go’s office coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development which provided additional financial assistance to 150 qualified individuals who also benefitted from the medical mission in Pandan town months ago. Go’s team previously provided masks, snacks, and shirts to the med mission beneficiaries. They also gave away cellular phones, shoes, and basketballs to select recipients. The senator then highlighted the importance of preventative care and encouraged the residents of Pandan to prioritize their health and to seek the services of the Malasakit Center at Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital in San Jose de Buenavista should they need medical assistance from the government. Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital bills to the least possible amount. “Mayroon na ho tayong 157 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas kasama na po ang Antique. Mayroon kayong Malasakit Center dito po sa Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital, lapitan n’yo lang po ang Malasakit Center diyan,” encouraged Go, who is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act. According to the DOH, the Malasakit Centers program has already assisted over seven million Filipinos nationwide. In line with his commitment to boost the development in the province, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, likewise supported several projects, such as the purchase of multicabs in Laua-an, improvement of a public park in Belison, expansion of the water system in Libertad, construction of a bridge in Patnongon, purchase of an ambulance and construction of a flood control structure in San Jose, and construction of a covered court in San Remigio, among others. The post Go lauds medical, dental missions in Pandan, Antique appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fried in own lard
While the National Transmission Corp. or TransCo concessionaire National Grid Corp. of the Philippines has been awash with cash as reflected in its billions of pesos of early dividends, it has not paid the government P3 billion plus interest on transmission fees before 2009 when the private firm took over operations of the power grid. The amount represents collections from power plants to which TransCo is entitled but remains unremitted. Under a privatization program, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo approved a plan to privatize TransCo through a 25-year Operation and Management Concession Agreement. The bidding for the license to run the Philippine power grid was won by the NGCP in 2007, while Congress approved the bicameral resolution granting its franchise in 2008, and PGMA signed RA8511 into law, granting NGCP its franchise. On 15 January 2009, TransCo turned over the management of the country’s power grid to NGCP. TransCo, owner of the electricity network, and energy assets holding firm Power Sector and Liabilities Management Corp. have been demanding the payment of the amount. An energy official said the government can use the money to reduce power rates by deducting this from the monthly bills under the item universal charges. Universal charges include the so-called stranded costs or payables to Independent Power Producers that PSALM assumed from state firm National Power Corp. Instead, the energy official suspects NGCP used the withheld payments for its benefit to consistently pay fat dividends to its shareholders. In the recent Senate inquiry on the power industry, NGCP said of its P20.3 billion net income in 2019, P15 billion, or around 74 percent, went to dividends. In 2017, around 90 percent of its P20.6 billion net income went to dividends. For 2015, the NGCP distributed around 93 percent of its P22.5 billion profit as payouts to shareholders. The company particularly made its investors happy in 2014, when it said dividends exceeded its net income or P24 billion handed to stockholders against P22 billion in profit. Counting the potential interest, an energy source said the receivables from NGCP have now ballooned to more than P6 billion. NGCP’s rampant violation of the provisions of the concession agreement had resulted in a serious financial drain on the government. The provisions of the 2009 deal, which included the settling of all arrears such as the TransCo collectibles, also provided separate audited accounts for each related business and the need for NGCP to hold an initial public offering that it skirted through the back door listing of a holding company. TransCo’s financial claim from NGCP was upheld by an opinion on 18 April 2012 by the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel. “TransCo has already acquired immutable vested rights over the contested revenues,” the OGCC decision indicated. “Public policy considerations and the public nature of the receivables impose upon TransCo the obligation to recover the disputed amount for its benefit,” it added. NGCP holds a renewable 25-year concession contract and a 50-year franchise to operate the power transmission network in the country. Since the agreement was signed in 2009, the contract will run until 2034 and from then, the government has the option to renew it for another 25 years. An audit that has long been blocked by NGCP should happen and from there, the government should muster the will to take the necessary steps if abuse is found in the performance of the provisions of the concession agreement. The post Fried in own lard appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Globe Group, Aklan LGU push for responsible tourism in Boracay
Globe recently partnered with the local government of Malay, Aklan in its move to encourage sustainable tourism with the return of Love Boracay (formerly known as LaBoracay) held on 28 April to 1 May 2023. Globe has been supportive of Boracay’s environmental conservation efforts by conducting offshore clean-up drives, coral reef rehabilitation, community support for prevention of untreated effluents from entering the sea and raising awareness among the youth and the community on how they can contribute to environmental conservation. "Globe fully supports the local government of Malay, Aklan in its efforts to advance responsible tourism in Boracay. At this year’s Love Boracay, we carried out activities to encourage customers to adopt sustainable practices. We hope that this event raises awareness for responsible tourism throughout our country," said Pia Gonzalez-Colby, Globe chief marketing officer. To encourage Boracay visitors to “Go Lang Nang Go” and discover how they can responsibly enjoy the island’s beauty, Globe held various activities at the Globe Eco Station located at the picturesque beachfront of Boracay’s Station one. Plastics for a prize. Tourists got the chance to spin and win prizes by turning over single-use plastic bottles, plastic cups, cans or plastic bags and presenting their GlobeOne app and proof of SIM card registration. They also got a shot at the prize by donating at least P10 to the Save Philippine Seas group via the GlobeOne app or GCash. GForest signup. A GCash booth allowed customers to sign up to GForest, where actual trees are planted through points collected via activities such as walks tracked on health apps or transactions within the e-wallet, from bills payment and bank transfers to buying load. Globe At Home cash giveaway. Globe At Home gave away P5,000 in GCash credits to customers who took a photo at the Globe At Home photo wall and shared it on social media. The photo with the most likes and shares got the prize. Customers also received P50 GCash credits for turning over plastic bottles at the Globe At Home booth. Globe and KonsultaMD essentials. Globe also had booths at D’Mall and Lake Town where customers got the chance to win beach kit essentials by downloading the GlobeOne app, registering their SIM or registering to Go+99 via GCash. KonsultaMD also offered medicine vouchers, vitamin packs and other freebies to those who registered and downloaded the app. At the GCash booth, customers also got a kit with beach essentials for every proof of payment with GCash at partner establishments. For sports fans, the Globe Boracay Sportsfest proved to be a treat. The event held tennis, ultimate frisbee, volleyball and soccer competitions at the Station 1 beachfront from Estacio Uno to Ambassador on 29-30 April. The awarding ceremony was held at the sunset session featuring a local DJ, with Globe and GCash providing cash prizes for the games. Globe also brought top DJs and bands at the Globe Love Boracay Musicfest in Lake Town. [caption id="attachment_135104" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Globe held various activities at the Globe Eco Station located at the picturesque beachfront of Boracay’s Station 1.[/caption] “GCash has been powering the Globe Group's goal of promoting a digital ecosystem in the country. For example in Boracay, you can now pay for your e-trike rides, food trip, activities and other local shopping via the GCash app. This is our way of not only promoting local tourism but also making sure that businesses in Boracay benefit from the growing digital economy," said Neil Trinidad, GCash Chief Marketing Officer. To learn more about Globe’s sustainability initiatives, visit www.globe.com.ph/about-us/sustainability. The post Globe Group, Aklan LGU push for responsible tourism in Boracay appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go aids struggling residents in Misamis Oriental towns
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Thursday, 11 May, dispatched his team to Naawan and Jasaan, Misamis Oriental to provide assistance to residents in need. In a video message, Go called upon his fellow Filipinos to unite and support one another during these difficult times. He emphasized the importance of collective action, stating, "Mga kababayan ko, mayro'n lang po kaming kaunting tulong sa inyo. Magtulungan lang po tayo. Sino ba namang magtutulungan kung 'di tayo lang po, mga kapwa nating Pilipino." Held at the Senior Citizen Building in Naawan and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office in Jasaan, Go’s team handed out vitamins, shirts, masks, and snacks to a total of 100 residents. They also provided shoes, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select individuals. The Department of Social Welfare and Development also extended financial aid to the indigents. Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go encouraged the residents to seek medical assistance from the Malasakit Centers located at Northern Mindanao Medical Center and J.R. Borja General Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City. Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital bills to the least possible amount. The Malasakit Centers program was initiated by Go in 2018 and was later institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which he primarily authored and sponsored. To date, there are 157 Malasakit Centers in the Philippines that have helped over seven million poor and indigent patients nationwide, according to the DOH. Go, who serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, likewise supported the flood control projects in Magsaysay, Medina, and Gingoog City; construction of multipurpose buildings in Initao, Magsaysay, and Gingoog City; rehabilitation of local roads in Balingasag, Initao, Lagonglong, Laguindingan, Libertad, Lugait, Magsaysay, Manticao and El Salvador City; and construction of water systems in Balingasag and Jasaan. He was also instrumental in the construction of a drainage system and flood control structures along the Iponan River, the acquisition of several ambulance units and fire and dump trucks, and the construction of a three-story multipurpose building in Barangay 33 in Cagayan de Oro City. On 10 May, Go’s team also aided residents in Gingoog City where they distributed similar assistance. They, likewise, aided impoverished communities in the town of Gitagum on 29 April. The post Bong Go aids struggling residents in Misamis Oriental towns appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BIR records historic collection for January to April
In line with the agency’s mission to raise government revenues through effective and efficient tax administration, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) achieved a milestone accomplishment by hitting all its collection targets for the first four months of the year. Under the stewardship of Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr., the BIR has implemented new measures that have promoted voluntary compliance, service excellence, and fair regulations. “We reached our goal for January to April of 2023. In the last thirty years, this feat was only done a handful of times. This is a strong and historic start for the Bureau of Internal Revenue, taking into account that we are recovering from the economic repercussion caused by the pandemic,” Commissioner Lumagui stated The House of Representatives Committee of Ways and Means, likewise, took note of the positive changes that Lumagui has implemented in the Bureau, "I am here to congratulate, on his maiden performance, Commissioner Lumagui," expressed Committee Chairman and Albay Second District Representative Joey Salceda, who has sponsored a number of bills relating to tax collection and enforcement, with the most recent one being a measure that seeks to criminalize tax racketeering. Lumagui expressed confidence that the agency could sustain its momentum for the remainder of the year. “For this administration, we need only address four areas of concern: Intensification of Enforcement Activities. Taxpayer’s Service. Integrity and Professionalism. Digitalization. Fixing these areas will bring the BIR to greater heights. I am confident that as long as we address these areas, the BIR will reach its collection goal for 2023,” the Commissioner concluded. The post BIR records historic collection for January to April appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
To extend or not
A lot of credit card users have been getting text and personal messages urging them to register their cards in line with Republic Act 11934, otherwise known as the Subscriber Identity Module or SIM Registration Act. RA 11934 mandates the registration of SIM cards used by smartphone owners with their respective telecommunication service providers in a bid to stop the use of such phones in criminal activities like scams. The 180-day period by which SIM cards may be registered started on 27 December 2022 and would end on 26 April, a period which the Department of Information and Communications Technology may extend for 120 days. How about that? A measure intended to stop the use of SIM cards for criminal activities like scams is now being used as a false story precisely to con credit card users into giving away their card information to scammers. The peg of the scammers who have been sending the phishing messages is that since credit cards have chips like smartphone SIMs, then the credit cards, too, must be registered. This, of course, is not true as the SIM card law covers only SIMs issued by telcos for smart communication devices like phones. RA 11934, contrary to the con artists’ pitch, does not apply to credit cards. For those who fell or would fall for the ruse, they’d be registering their credit cards for sure with scammers who would use the info to bill or charge purchases on the cards of their victims illegally. Their cards would surely be maxed by those criminals to the last centavo of their credit limit. Beware! Con artists are always on the prowl and are constantly looking for ways to dupe people, so the public must always be on guard whenever going online or being prompted to provide personal information. This brings us to the issue of whether the government should extend the SIM card registration past its 26 April 2023 deadline as proposed by telecommunication players and by no less than the Department of Trade and Industry. Certainly, there is merit to extending the deadline that the government, specifically the DICT, should consider. The law itself, RA 11934, provides an extension period of 120 days for the registration of SIMs so there should be no problem if the DICT would use the same. As the saying goes, haste makes waste and what’s 120 days more to register SIMs if only to not leave hanging those who could not register their SIMs on account of not having the required documents like nationally recognized identification, or ID, cards? The National ID system’s rollout has proven to be problematic, and this alone should be considered by decision-makers in considering the SIM registration extension. Or maybe, as DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said the other day, that they’d meet today to decide on the extension (it need not be the maximum 120 days) and the possible use of other IDs, like utility bills and voters’ cards, in registering SIMs. For Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, it’s a “major concern” if not all SIM cards are registered and not validated, thereby their owners’ reliance on e-payments and other e-transactions would be thrown in disarray in a world fast-embracing digitalization. The flip side of the coin for the DICT, if it would decide not to extend the deadline, is the assumption that of the 168 million SIMs in circulation, only 100 million are active. Of the active SIMs, Uy said 78 to 79 million had already been registered, or a nearly 80 percent compliance rate with RA 11934. At that rate, it may already be posited that those who are interested in registering their SIMs have already done so and the remaining 20 percent may be people who really have no intention of registering their SIMs for one reason or another. Maybe because those SIMs are being used to scam people? In all this, it should not be forgotten that past the deadline, anyone who wants to register a SIM may do so. It’s not like past the 26 April 2023 deadline, no new SIMS may be registered. Those who missed registering their old SIMs, for whatever reasons, may just acquire new ones. The post To extend or not appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go inspects Super Health Center in Dipolog City
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go vowed to espouse advocacies that will improve the country's healthcare system and bring public health services closer to those in need. The Senate Committee on Health and Demography head made that statement as he conducted an inspection of the Super Health Center in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte on Saturday, 15 April. Go previously attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Super Health Center on 3 March. “Napansin ko noon, sa napakalayong lugar, walang access sa ospital yung mga buntis at manganganak na lang sa jeep at tricycle… sa layo ng biyahe, hindi na umaabot sa ospital,” said Go. “Kaya ngayon po, magkakaroon na po ng Super Health Center sa kanilang komunidad. Para ito sa mga kababayan natin sa malalayong lugar, makakatulong po ito lalo na sa mga mahihirap,” he added. The Super Health Center in Dipolog City is set to provide basic health services such as database management, out-patient services, birthing facilities, isolation facilities, diagnostic (laboratory, x-ray, and ultrasound) services, pharmacy services, and an ambulatory surgical unit. The center will also offer specialized services such as eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) care, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine services, which allow remote diagnosis and treatment of patients. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the Department of Health for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022, and 322 in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed. In the province of Zamboanga del Norte, necessary funds have been allocated for the DOH to construct other Super Health Centers in Dapitan City, and in the towns of Kalawit, Sindangan, and Sirawai. Additionally, two more centers are planned to be constructed in other areas in Zamboanga del Norte. Apart from the Super Health Center, Go was also present for the turnover of three brand-new ambulance units to Dipolog City, which were a much-needed addition to the city's fleet. Moreover, Go was present for the inspection of the Oval Track Project in the city, which is another groundbreaking initiative aimed at providing Filipinos with a state-of-the-art facility for sports and recreation. Go supported the funding for these projects as the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance. Aside from the aforementioned projects, the senator has likewise supported numerous initiatives to promote the development of the province, such as the construction of multipurpose buildings in Dapitan City, Jose Dalman, Mutia, President Manuel A. Roxas, Salug, Siocon, and Sindangan; acquisition of ambulance units for Mutia and trucks for Katipunan and Mutia; and rehabilitation of roads in Dapitan City, Godod, Jose Dalman, Liloy, Kalawit Labason, La Libertad, Sergio Osmeña and Salug. Meanwhile, Go and his team also distributed assistance to 1,000 indigents the same day. Held at the Dipolog Sports Complex, Go personally led the distribution of grocery packs, vitamins, masks, snacks, and shirts to the residents. Shoes and balls for basketball and volleyball were also provided to select beneficiaries. The Department of Social Welfare and Development then provided financial assistance to the qualified beneficiaries. The senator also advised residents to seek the services of the Malasakit Centers at the Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital in Dapitan City or at the Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center (ZNMC) in Dipolog City which he visited the same day to check on the center’s operations and assist patients and hospital personnel. The DSWD also provided additional assistance to qualified patients in ZNMC during the visit. The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which aims to reduce the hospital bills of particularly poor and indigent patients to the lowest amount possible. It brings together the national agencies which offer medical assistance, namely, the DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, also known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored. The program has assisted more than seven million patients nationwide since its launch in 2018, according to the DOH. “Natutuwa ako na mayroon na tayong 157 na Malasakit Centers sa buong bansa. Hindi pumipili ang Malasakit Center ng tutulungan. Binabalik lang ang pera niyo sa inyo sa pamamagitan ng maayos at maaasahang serbisyo. Kaya sa mga poor at indigent patients diyan, puntahan niyo na lang ang Malasakit Center dahil para talaga sa inyo ito,” reassured Go. Go acknowledged the efforts of local officials in improving public service delivery in their localities, specifically mentioning Dipolog City Mayor Darel Dexter Uy, 2nd District Board Member Michael Documento, and 3rd District Board Member Conkie Bugtuan, among others. On the same day, Go also distributed aid to fire victims in Cebu City before flying to Dipolog City. The post Go inspects Super Health Center in Dipolog City appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teachers group: No permit, no exam policy ‘inhumane and immoral’
The Council of Teachers and Staff of Colleges and Universities in the Philippines or COTESCUP on Monday expressed disapproval over concerns raised by the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines or COCOPEA on the proposed banning of the ‘No Permit, No Exam’ policy in schools. COCOPEA, in a statement on 4 April, argued that the implementation of Senate Bill 1359 and House Bill 7584, both bills prohibiting the ‘No Permit, No Exam’ policy, would affect the collection of tuition and other fees that support the operations of private schools, hence resulting in possible school closures and loss of thousands of jobs. However, COTESCUP argued that such bans would not affect the operations of private schools, but the continuation of the policy will bring burden to many more students, calling it ‘inhumane and immoral.’ “The mental and emotional effects of students’ inability to take their exams without a permit cannot be understated. We firmly believe that students, especially children, should not be exposed to ridiculed and public shame,” COTESCUP said. “As educators, we in COTESCUP cannot agree to be accomplices to such an immoral act,” the council added. Bills on the banning of the “No Permit, No Exam” policy is nearing completion in the legislative floor, with SB 1359 already been approved by the Senate while HB 7584 has been approved on second reading, both occurred last March. The Senate Bill covers both basic and higher educational institutions, while the House Bill explicitly covers elementary and secondary learners. The post Teachers group: No permit, no exam policy ‘inhumane and immoral’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cheaper generation costs pull down Meralco rates in April
Customers of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) can expect lower power bills in April, thanks to a decrease in generation charge......»»
German families face 480-euro annual rise in gas bills under new levy
A levy will be imposed from October 2022 and remain in place until April 2024 in a bid to help Uniper – Germany's largest importer of Russian gas – and other importers cope with soaring prices.....»»
Expensive meat, higher power bills seen keeping inflation beyond target in April
Consumer price growth likely stayed beyond government expectations in April driven by more expensive meat products, particularly pork, and higher power costs......»»
Meralco bills rise in April as power demand spikes on warm weather
For a typical household consuming 200 kWh, the increase would mean P17 in additional charges in monthly bills......»»
Higher electric bills in April
Customers of Manila Electric Co. may see higher electricity bills in April as supply constraints pushed wholesale electricity spot market prices up......»»