Metro Davao Development Authority ikasa na-Duterte
MANILA, Philippines – Nanawagan si Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte na ipatupad na ang batas na nagtatakda ng Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA) kasunud na rin ng patuloy na paglago ng rehiyon. Sa ilalim ng Republic Act (RA) 11708 o MDDA law, ang Metropolitan Davao ay kinabibilangan ng siyudad ng Davao, Panabo, Tagum, Island Garden […] The post Metro Davao Development Authority ikasa na-Duterte appeared first on REMATE ONLINE......»»
Neda, Jica ink pact for Metro Davao s dev’t master plan
The National Economic Development Authority (Neda) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) have signed an agreement to develop a master plan for the development of Metropolitan Davao. The signing ceremony, attended by Neda Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Jica Chief Representative Sakamoto Takema, marks the beginning of the Comprehensive and Sustainable Urban Development Master Plan for Metropolitan Davao. Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her gratitude to the government of Japan and Jica for their assistance in the development projects for Metropolitan Davao. The master plan aims to achieve sustainable and balanced urban planning and development in the region, covering various aspects such as agriculture, commerce, climate resilience, technology, education, transportation, and healthcare. The plan will be formulated by the TCP with the assistance of urban development experts from Japan. The master plan will serve as a roadmap for long-term work and will support the mobilization of resources and the delivery of key services in the region. The plan will ensure sustainable urban development in areas such as land use planning, agri-ecotourism, coastal resource management, and joint service delivery. Jica has been a partner in the development and peace process in Mindanao and will expand its cooperation with the new master plan project for Metropolitan.....»»
Phl cinema in the first year of BBM
Here, we look back at the state of the Philippine film industry since he took the seat of power 13 months ago. When President Marcos Jr. became the 17th leader of the nation, the country was on the brink of the “new normal.” The campaign elections even saw multitudes of crowds in the streets, the Filipinos’ political passion overpowering the fear of a Covid-19 infection. Covid-pandemic viewing By May 2022, the month of the presidential campaigns, the Department of Health said the country was at “minimal-risk case classification” with an average of only 159 cases per day. By June 2022, when the President took his oath, 69.4 million Filipinos had been fully vaccinated. Along with the country, the Philippine film industry started healing. On the same month, the country went under Covid-19 Alert Level 2, with 50-percent allowed capacity in indoor cinemas. Live film festivals The Marcos administration saw the return of Filipino film festivals in theaters. On Marcos’ fifth month as president, the QCinema International Film Festival, with the theme “in10City,” held hybdrid screenings — in-person and online. The Metro Manila Film Festival in December 2022, six months into the new presidency, went full force in cinemas for the second time during the pandemic. Earlier, in 2020, during the Duterte administration, the festival was held online for the first time, and the following year, in December 2021, after level alert measures in the Philippines were relaxed, the MMFF finally went back to the cinemas. However, only around 300 cinemas (down from the usual 900) were allowed to screen the MMFF entries. Meanwhile, the 18th edition of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival was held from 5 August to 31 October 2022 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, in select mall cinemas and online. But what made a mark during the Marcos administration’s first year was the inaugural edition of the 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival. The SMMFF was held in Metro Manila and throughout the Philippines. Organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in partnership with the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines, the first MMFF was supposed to be held in 2020, but was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2023, held from 8 to 18 April 2023 with the theme “Tuloy-tuloy ang Saya,” the summer festival featured eight entries and, like its December counterpart, even held a Parade of Stars. About Us But Not About Us by Jun Lana, produced by The IdeaFirst Company, Octobertrain Films and Quantum Films, emerged as the first Best Picture of the summer festival. [caption id="attachment_161372" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] About Us But Not About Us by Jun Lana[/caption] The Film Development Council of the Philippines’ sixth edition of its own mini-film festival, held during the Marcos administration’s third month, headed back to cinemas, offering free access to award-winning classic films of the new National Artists for Film and Broadcast Arts at TriNoma Cinema in Quezon City and in all Cinematheque centers nationwide (Manila, Iloilo, Negros, Davao and Nabunturan). CCP closes for renovations On 1 September 2022, CCP president Margarita Moran-Floirendo announced during a hearing of the Senate committee on cultural communities, that The Cultural Center of the Philippines — home to the Cinemalaya festival — will close its doors starting January 2023 for renovation and structural retrofitting works, and will reopen in March 2025. This marks the first time that Cinemalaya, on its 19th year, which has the theme “ilumiNasyon,” will be held at various venues inside the adjacent Philippine International Convention Center, from 4 to 13 August 2023. The rise of political films With the country deeply driven by polarized political views, the Marcos administration saw a war between political commercial films. [caption id="attachment_161370" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] ‘MAID in Malacanang’ stars Cristine Reyes, Diego Loyzaga and Ella Cruz. | Photograph courtesy of viva[/caption] On 29 July 2022, Darryl Yap’s period drama Maid in Malacañang, touted as “the most controversial film of the year,” was released to packed cinemas. The movie, about the Marcos family’s last three days in Malacañang Palace before they were forced into exile, premiered at SM North EDSA and was released nationwide on 3 August 2022. Yap, who passionately campaigned for Marcos, became a controversial filmmaker with the release of his Marcos film. Leni Robredo supporters tried to boycott the film, with some Filipino movie critics exposing themselves as heavily political and non-neutral with their reviews, accusing the film of propaganda and historical revisionism. The attempt to quash the movie’s release failed and it became a box-office hit, with producer Viva Films releasing a statement that it earned a whopping P21 million on its opening day and P63 million three days after its release. It was the first time in Philippine cinema history that local theaters nationwide saw a deluge of moviegoers lining up to watch a movie on the big screen, mostly driven by political affiliation. Another unsuccessful political attempt to diminish the film’s release was Vince Tañada’s re-release of his Martial Law film Katips to counter Maid in Malacañang. Tañada’s film eventually won Best Picture at the Famas Awards. MIM actress Ella Cruz’s remark during a press conference, that “history is like tsismis,” further fanned the flames of political debate online. Eight months later, in March 2022, Viva released Yap’s second installment in his Marcos trilogy, Martyr or Murderer, which now focused on Ferdinand Marcos and the assassination of Ninoy Aquino. Two anti-Marcos movies rose to combat the film — Joel Lamangan’s Oras de Peligro, released on the same day, and Tañada’s movie adaptation of his musical play Ako Si Ninoy, released one week earlier. Movie buffs, political analysts, film critics, the press and social media influencers dove into feverish commentaries on the three films, and Philippine cinemas were ignited and, for a while, became alive with social discourse. New FDCP head On 21 July 2022, Tirso S. Cruz III officially assumed his position as the head of the country’s national film agency, the Film Development Council of the Philippines. He replaced Liza Diño, who was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as FDCP chairperson on 12 August 2016. [caption id="attachment_161368" align="aligncenter" width="736"] FDCP chair Tirso Cruz III. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF FDCP[/caption] Cruz, a veteran actor, said that the target of the FDCP under the Marcos administration was to support local films, not just in Metro Manila, but also from regional filmmakers. He also professed support for film students and highlighted archiving as part of the FDCP’s agenda, with 42,000 materials in its archives to be salvaged. MTRCB In September 2022, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board released a statement addressing the controversy about its proposal to expand its jurisdiction to online streaming services like Netflix, Vivamax, Amazon Prime and other streaming platforms. The MTRCB said it was responding to multitudes of complaints from parents and other concerned groups demanding that the agency regulate movie and TV online platforms to protect children from harmful viewing. The Marcos administration has seen a continuous boom in streamers, which began during the pandemic, with Vivamax becoming one of the leading local streamers due to the popularity of Filipino sexploitation films. On 23 February 2023, MTRCB chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio expressed her gratitude to Senators Francis “Tol” Tolentino, Grace Poe and Sherwin Gatchalian for the separate bills they filed that would amend and expand the board’s mandate. “We welcome the move to amend the charter of the MTRCB as it will allow the agency to adequately adapt to changes in technology and the ever-evolving needs of the viewing public and our other stakeholders,” Sotto-Antonio said before the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media chaired by Senator Robinhood C. Padilla. Eddie Garcia Act In January 2023, the chamber passed through voice voting House Bill 1270, or the proposed Eddie Garcia Act, at the House plenary session. [caption id="attachment_161367" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] HOUSE Bill 1270 has been proposed in honor of the late actor Eddie Garcia. | Photograph courtesy of gma-7[/caption] Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte authored the bill, which aims to provide workers in the movie, television and radio entertainment industry opportunities for well-paid employment and protect them from economic exploitation, abuse and harassment, as well as hazardous working conditions. The bill was named after the late veteran actor Eddie Garcia, who died in 2019 after suffering a neck injury while shooting the television series Rosang Agimat, produced by GMA Network. According to Villafuerte, productions would go from 16 to 24 continuous work hours per set and would rush productions to save costs. The proposed law mandates that normal work hours of the worker or talent shall be eight hours a day; overtime work should not exceed more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period; and the total number of work hours shall not exceed 60 hours in a week. Paul Soriano Relatively unknown to most Pinoy moviegoers, filmmaker Paul Soriano was put on the limelight as the man behind the President’s advertisements — way back from campaigns since Marcos started out as vice governor, and then, governor of Ilocos Norte, up until his senatorial campaign, and eventually his campaign for the vice presidency and presidency. [caption id="attachment_161371" align="aligncenter" width="781"] PRESIDENTIAL Adviser on Creative Communications Paul Soriano. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ig/PAUL SORIANO[/caption] Of course, the opposition in the film industry predictably canceled Soriano, the blood nephew of First Lady Liza Cacho Araneta-Marcos. Dolly de Leon It was also during the BBM era that Filipina actress Dolly de Leon gained international fame for her performance in the 2022 Cannes Palme d’Or winner Triangle of Sadness. [caption id="attachment_161366" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Dolly de Leon gained international fame for her performance in the 2022 Cannes Palme d’Or winner ‘Triangle of Sadness.’ | Photograph courtesy ofig/dolly de leon[/caption] The 54-year old film, television and theater actress made history by becoming the first Filipino actor to be nominated at the British Academy Film Awards and Golden Globe Awards. Filipino movie fans and critics, having been exposed to global content since the rise of the streamers, plus the proliferation of self-published movie reviews, are generally still disappointed with the output and system of the Philippine film industry, but filled with hope that, with full support from the government, Philippine cinema will finally become truly internationally competitive, sustainable and recognized. The post Phl cinema in the first year of BBM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Better sports facilities pushed
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, I am saddened by the dilapidated state of the country’s iconic sports facilities. The Philippine Institute of Sports Multi-Purpose Arena, popularly known as PhilSports Arena, has come a long way from the time it was built in 1985 to house the Philippine Basketball Association until the league moved out in 1993 due to the lack of maintenance of the venue. The last time it was renovated was in 2019, when the country hosted the 30th Southeast Asian Games. Among PhilSports Arena’s main facilities are the Multi-purpose Arena, Swimming Center, and Football and Athletic Stadium. While the arena was greatly enjoyed as a sports facility, it also served as a temporary shelter for evacuees after Tropical Storm Ondoy and Typhoon Pepeng struck the Philippines in 2009, adding to the facility's wear and tear. A quick look at the PhilSports Arena and the other sports facilities nationwide should make us realize that we should invest more in rehabilitating our iconic sports facilities. As I have suggested during the budget deliberations in the Senate, prioritizing funding for sports facilities would have been better than putting flood control projects in areas with little to no population. This concern about the support we are providing our athletes has motivated me to author and co-sponsor Republic Act No. 11470, which established the National Academy of Sports at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. In collaboration with the Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of Education, NAS now offers a specialized secondary education program focused on sports where students can study and train simultaneously. I have also filed the Philippine National Games bill, which aims to provide a structure for a more comprehensive national sports program, linking grassroots sports promotion to national sports development by having a mini Olympics regularly. Providing opportunities to our youth will help develop their potential in sports but will also help keep them away from vices such as illegal drugs. I continue to support establishing sports-related programs and infrastructure to divert the youth from the lure of addiction and criminality. This is also part of my three-pronged approach to combat illegal drugs in the Philippines – law enforcement, rehabilitation, and prevention. Yesterday, I witnessed the Philippine ROTC Games 2023 Luzon Qualifying Leg opening ceremony held at Cavite State University – Indang Campus in Indang, Cavite. With Sen. Francis Tolentino, I encouraged our young cadets who participated in various competitions to get into sports and stay away from drugs. I have also remained faithful to my promise to visit and help our fellow Filipinos in most parts of the country. On 16 September, we attended the groundbreaking of a Super Health Center in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. We also visited the town of Damulog, where I inspected projects I have supported, such as a public market, road concreting project, evacuation center, solar street lights, and a multipurpose building. Later that day, we also attended the 25th Anniversary of Public Safety Basic Recruit Course Class 1998-Alpha at Acacia Hotel in Davao City. On 15 September, we attended a meeting of state universities and colleges leaders held in Davao City and hosted by Commission on Higher Education Chair Prospero de Vera. The night before, we also joined leaders from the CHEd, the University of the Philippines System, and various SUCs to honor the appointment of Atty. Angelo Jimenez, a fellow Mindanaoan, as the 22nd President of the University of the Philippines. We took the opportunity to voice our commitment to elevating the standard of education nationwide. This is also the reason why Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access To Quality Tertiary Education Act, was enacted into law during the time of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Today, we continue to pursue this further as I co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1360, which aims to widen the reach of the law further. We visited Bislig City in Surigao del Sur to participate in its 23rd Charter Day festivities. We handed out grocery packages to 32 newlywed couples during a community wedding and inaugurated the country’s 159th Malasakit Center at the Bislig District Hospital. This is the seventh Malasakit Center in the Caraga region and the 40th in Mindanao. Our team also provided direct aid, including grocery packs, to 129 patients and 191 front liners, including security guards, utilities, and hospital staff. On 15 September, my office also attended the groundbreaking of Super Health Centers in New Washington and Malay in the province of Aklan. Meanwhile, we continue to support livelihood programs, especially those that can help people experiencing poverty overcome crises. Through our support, the Department of Trade and Industry provides livelihood kits to qualified beneficiaries affected by calamities and teaches them how to grow their businesses for the benefit of their families. Among those we have helped are 20 from Dipaculao, Aurora; 57 from Sanchez Mira and Abulog, Cagayan; 100 affected by the earthquake in Montevista and New Bataan, and 50 in Nabunturan in Davao de Oro; 196 in Malalag and Sulop, Davao del Sur; 20 in Mangatarem, Pangasinan; 21 victims of Typhoon Egay in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato; 132 shear line victims in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental; and 36 beneficiaries from Lutayan and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, and General Santos City. We also continue to support the National Housing Authority’s distribution of emergency housing assistance to disaster victims so they can purchase roofing, nails, and other home repair materials. We assisted beneficiaries, including 85 fire victims in Imus City, Cavite. Meanwhile, my office helped the 65 fire victims in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. We also provided assistance to 75 TESDA graduates in Victorias City, Negros Occidental. We also distributed additional support to workers who lost their jobs, beneficiaries of the TUPAD program of the Department of Labor and Employment, including 413 in Talibon, Bohol, and 150 in Plaridel, Bulacan. We also aided 333 poor residents in Paluan, Occidental Mindoro; and 234 in Antipolo City, Rizal. Together, let us continue bringing government services closer to Filipinos in need – from better sports facilities more accessible healthcare services, and implementing various programs to help uplift communities affected by crises. 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Political will test
The rice cartel causing the price problems will fall only one way, which is by applying political will, since it has been proven, not once, that the manipulators are well known to the authorities. In the previous administration, former President Rodrigo Duterte even had the phone numbers of the scalawags to periodically warn them. In a National Security Council meeting, for instance, Duterte called up someone who received the worst scolding ever heard from the president. The person on the other end was the supposed head of the Manila rice cartel who dictated the prices and supply of the staple grain. Duterte then directed the National Bureau of Investigation and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to go after the members of the syndicate, but until today neither agency has produced a single arrest. In one of his State of the Nation Addresses, Duterte indicated that it was not a secret who the members of the rice mafia were. “I now ask all the rice hoarders, cartels and their protectors, you know that I know who you are: stop messing with the people,” Duterte said. Other instances that proved the government knew the identities of their supposed prey were the several congressional probes where specific mention was made of the names of the rice gang. The Senate committee on agriculture had established the existence of the cartel and its intrusion into the National Food Authority but nothing happened after the inquiry. Some 13 trading firms were identified as dominating the rice business in Metro Manila. The panel said the firms hoarded rice from the NFA and mixed it with other rice varieties before these were resold. An instance that indicted the government as being in collusion with the cartel was during the tenure of the detained Leila de Lima as justice secretary, in the investigation of ringleader David Tan alias Davidson Bangayan. Bangayan and his cohorts were accused of establishing a scheme to recruit rice farmers and organize them “to acquire substantial importation allocations.” In 2014, the Senate initiated a probe into rice smuggling and the existence of a grains cartel that focused on Bangayan whose operations were based in Mindanao. Before the 2016 polls, De Lima, who was gunning for a Senate seat, returned the smuggling case against Bangayan to the NBI for further case buildup. De Lima’s excuse was that the NBI needed to gather more evidence against Bangayan. “We have to make sure it meets the probable cause threshold. When we evaluated Bangayan’s case, it was still not enough,” she said when asked about her actions. Most officials, businessmen and even rice retailers in Mindanao knew who the rice smuggling king was, yet De Lima said the NBI needed to prove his identity. Bangayan then was very confident about not being charged as he appeared at the Senate hearing, which even resulted in an overnight detention as he was being elusive in responding to the senators’ questions. The National Bureau of Investigation, an agency under the Department of Justice, ordered Bangayan’s arrest only after evidence in a libel case obtained by then Senate minority leader Juan Ponce Enrile was presented before the Senate committee on agriculture. The case was against businessman Jess Arranza in which Bangayan admitted that he was David Tan. Before Bangayan’s appearance in the Senate, he had met with De Lima to deny that he was Tan. His first NBI arrest papers even bore the clarification, “Davidson Bangayan who is not David Tan,” even though many in the business community were willing to testify that Bangayan was David Tan. Duterte, then Davao City mayor, was among those who vouched that Bangayan and Tan were the same person. Still, the NBI released Bangayan on the absurd reason that it could not establish his identity. An infuriated Duterte then demanded the resignation of De Lima as justice secretary for releasing Bangayan. The charade continued as Bangayan was rearrested on the ridiculous charge of electricity pilferage. It was the height of absurdity since it meant that Meralco was able to positively identify Bangayan which the NBI failed to do. The perpetual zarzuela of government vowing to run after the rice cartel when prices kick up will have to stop — which will happen only when the members of the rice mafia are prosecuted. The post Political will test appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go visits Navotas City to aid vulnerable sectors
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, together with Mayor John Rey Tiangco and Vice Mayor Kap Tito Sanchez, led a relief operation on Tuesday, August 22, for 800 Navotas City residents, consisting of persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and indigents at San Roque Elementary School. All beneficiaries received support personally from Go through grocery packs, vitamins, masks, and meals while select recipients were given bicycles, mobile phones, shirts, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) then extended financial assistance to the qualified beneficiaries. “Tuwing may kalamidad, tuwing may sunog, tuwing may problema po tayo, hindi niya tayo nakakalimutan…Talagang inaalala tayo, iniinisip niya tayo, at patuloy na nagmamalasakit sa inyo,” Tiangco said, referring to Go’s efforts. In addition to the 800 beneficiaries from vulnerable sectors, Go’s team is set to return today, August 23, to provide additional assistance to 200 more residents. Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, stressed the importance of prioritizing one's health and said “Mga kababayan ko, palagi tayong mag-iingat at alagaan natin ang mga sarili. Napaka importante po talaga unahin muna natin ang kalusugan natin.” Go principally authored and sponsored Republic Act No. 11463, also known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. This law mandates the establishment of Malasakit Centers in all hospitals under the Department of Health (DOH), including the Philippine General Hospital in Manila City. He encouraged individuals with health concerns to visit any of the 31 hospitals in Metro Manila, including the Navotas City Hospital, that house Malasakit Centers. These centers offer a one-stop shop for assistance from four government agencies – DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Currently, there are 158 Malasakit Centers nationwide and, according to DOH, these centers have helped more than seven million Filipinos nationwide. “Huwag kayong matakot pumunta sa ospital kung wala kayong pera. Nasa loob na ng isang opisina ang mga ahensya na tutulungan kayo sa inyong babayaran,” Go said. Moreover, Go said Congress has allocated the necessary funds for DOH to construct Super Health Centers (SHCs) across Metro Manila, including the one in the city. “Mayroong 307 na itatayo na Super Health Center sa year 2022 sa buong Pilipinas at 322 na Super Health Center sa year 2023 sa buong Pilipinas. Bilang chairman sa Committee on Health sa Senado, sisikapin ko na maimprove ang ating healthcare system at ilapit natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan,” Go said. SHCs are medium versions of polyclinics and are bigger than rural health units. The centers offer basic services such as database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory, x-ray, and ultrasound), pharmacy and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center and telemedicine. In line with his vision for a more progressive urban community, Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported various projects, including the construction of multipurpose buildings in various barangays; construction of floodwall structure along Chungkang River, floodgates along Navoyas Coastal Dike; improvement of drainage canals. He also helped secure funding for the acquisition of ambulance units, trucks, and multicabs. Aside from the said projects, the senator also supported several projects to bolster the city’s education sector, such as the rehabilitation of some facilities in Navotas Polytechnic College and additional buildings in Kaunlaran High School, Daanghari Elementary School, North Bay Boulevard Elementary School, Navotas National High School, Tangos Elementary School, San Roque Elementary School, San Rafael Village Elementary School, Tanza Elementary School, and Dagat-dagatan Elementary School. “Hinding-hindi ko po sasayangin ‘yung pagkakataong ibinigay n’yo po sa akin. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino sa abot ng aking makakaya. Iyan po ang pwede kong ialay sa inyo, ang aking kasipagan. Kung trabaho po ang pag-uusapan sanay po ako sa trabaho,” said Go. “Alam n’yo parati kong naririnig na pinapasalamatan kami ni dating pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte sa mga tulong (at) sa mga programa. Huwag ho kayong magpasalamat sa amin. Sa totoo lang po kami po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil kami po’y mga probinsyano na binigyan n’yo po ng pagkakataon na makapagseribsyo po sa inyong lahat. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat,” he concluded. After the said activity, Go proceeded to lead another distribution effort in the city for recovering fire victims on the same day in coordination with the National Housing Authority which provided emergency housing assistance to qualified beneficiaries. The post Bong Go visits Navotas City to aid vulnerable sectors appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NEDA should be consulted regarding halted Manila Bay projects—Balisacan
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) might need to see how the halted development projects in Manila Bay could affect the economy and society, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said on Wednesday. In a press briefing, Balisacan said NEDA should also be involved in whether or not these reclamation projects in Manila Bay are approved following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s suspension order. He also said that even though Marcos suspended the projects, NEDA's advice "have not been sought for advice or for our perspective." Given the significance and importance of Metro Manila in the country's social and economic landscape, Balisacan said NEDA should be a part of that decision. "As you know, NEDA approves big infrastructure projects, particularly those that will have an impact on the economy and society and… in the case of Metro Manila, the whole of Metro Manila," the NEDA chief said. "We are not a (part of the approval party for) these reclamation projects, but given the significance and importance in our… the economic landscape of Metro Manila, NEDA should be part of that exercise," Balisacan added. Marcos suspended the Manila Bay reclamation projects after different groups raised worries about the environment and flooding in nearby provinces. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said that all 22 reclamation projects in Manila Bay were approved during the previous Duterte government. However, President Marcos put a stop to them all. In light of the recent flooding in Bulacan and Pampanga, the DENR has put together a group of scientists and other experts to look at how the dredging work at Manila Bay affects the environment as a whole. The Philippine Reclamation Authority is the main government agency in charge of regulating reclamation, making recovered land that is good for the environment, promoting coastal resilience, and developing government property to help the country reach its development goals. The post NEDA should be consulted regarding halted Manila Bay projects—Balisacan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Former DILG Usec Diño, 66
Former Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Martin Diño passed away on Tuesday morning due to a lingering illness. He was 66. The information was relayed by her daughter former chair of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Liza Diño-Seguerra through social media. According to Seguerra, her dad “peacefully died at 2:15 a.m. on August 8, 2023, surrounded by his family.” She added that her father had been battling stage 4 cancer for a year. “He suffered from acute respiratory failure and has been battling with stage IV lung cancer for more than a year,” Seguerra said in a statement posted on her social media account. “His contributions to our nation’s progress, particularly on local governance and barangay development, will forever stand as a testament to his commitment to a better society,” she added. To recall, Diño in 2015 filed his candidacy for the presidency for the 2016 national elections but later withdrew before he was declared a nuisance candidate by the Commission on Elections, allowing the PDP Laban Party to have then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to substitute him as the party standard-bearer. Diño first became popular for being the barangay captain of Barangay San Antonio of Quezon City’s First District who took care of Leo Echagaray’s rape victim. Echagaray was the first convict who died of lethal injection. The former DILG undersecretary became an active member of the advocacy group Violence Against Crime and Corruption and later on served as its chairman. Diño also became chairman of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and during his stint in the agency, he filed a complaint before the office of the Ombudsman against 13 SBMA officials for alleged malversation, grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and grave abuse of authority over unaccounted assets. The post Former DILG Usec Diño, 66 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Former DILG Usec. Martin Diño dies at 66
Martin Diño, former Interior and Local Government Undersecretary, who paved the way for then-Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to become a candidate for president as his substitute, died early morning, Tuesday, 8 August 2023, due to a lingering illness. He was 66. In a social media post, his daughter Liza Diño, former chair of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, wrote: [He} peacefully died at 2:15 am on August 8, 2023, surrounded by his family. Lisa Diño said her father, fondly called "Bobot", had been battling lung cancer for over a year. “He suffered from acute respiratory failure and has been battling with stage IV lung cancer for more than a year,” Liza wrote in a statement. “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Martin Diño, former undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)," she added. In 2015 Diño filed his candidacy for the 2016 presidential elections but later withdrew before he was declared a nuisance candidate by the Commission on Elections, allowing PDP-Laban to substitute Duterte in his place. Diño was the barangay captain of Barangay San Antonio, Quezon City's First District, and gained some fame when he took up the cause of the victim (then a minor) of Leo Echagaray, the first convict to be executed (vial lethal injection) after the death penalty had been reinstated in 1993. Diño became an active member of the advocacy group Violence Against Crime and Corruption, and later on served as its chairman. He became chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, a reward for Diño’s last-minute withdrawal from the 2016 elections by President Duterte, who appointed him to the position. During that stint, Diño filed a complaint before the office of the Ombudsman against 13 SBMA officials for alleged malversation, grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and grave abuse of authority over unaccounted assets. Because of his anti-drugs and anti-corruption crusade at SBMA, Duterte appointed him as undersecretary for barangay affairs of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. "Only God knows why, despite all the outpour of love and support, things have to come to an end—but for now, at least no more pain na papa ko (there is no more pain my papa),” his daughter Liza said. The post Former DILG Usec. Martin Diño dies at 66 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Green Economy Program for highly urbanized LGUs underway
Ten government units will participate in the Green Economy Program, which seeks to promote the Philippines' transition to a green economy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said on Wednesday. This is after the DENR signed a joint declaration for the Green Economy Program in the Philippines during the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen earlier this week. Highly urbanized LGUs being considered include Baguio City, Pasig City, Quezon City, Caloocan City, Davao City, as well as Ormoc City, Island Garden City of Samal, Metro Iloilo and the islands of Palawan and Siargao. Although the details of the projects are not yet complete, Yulo-Loyzaga said in a Malacañang Press Briefing that the DENR had identified the potential LGUs because they are the frontliners in solid waste management efforts in the country, particularly in controlling methane releases from solid waste landfills. "We are targeting to have all our submissions ready hopefully for assessment by the (National Economic and Development Authority) Board by November of this year," Yulo-Loyzaga said. Asked by reporters about the primary LGU concern in terms of solid waste management, the DENR chief said that each stage is still a challenge, especially on how to capture what would be part of both the formal and informal economic activities. She mentioned waste collection as one of the challenges because this involves logistics and personnel who will collect and properly process wastes in available materials recovery facilities. “As you know, sanitary landfills are among the main ways that this waste are now disposed of and monitoring the quality of the environment around the sanitary landfills is of course always a challenge ‘no, how the management processes are actually abided by in terms of the ecological soundness of the practices,” she explained. “We are still in need of some institutionalization in terms of the way our solid wastes are handled locally and consequently our national capacity," the DENR chief added. She claimed that the government has started its own initiatives to "green our economy." The Green Economy Program seeks to aid the Philippines' transition to a green economy by promoting circular economies, reducing waste and plastic, and increasing the use of renewable energy sources to aid in the fight against climate change. The post Green Economy Program for highly urbanized LGUs underway appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Investment targets enhancement within reach — PEZA
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address was all about the economy, which primarily discussed how to grow it and how to ramp up investment across all industries to sustain the growth momentum. “Productivity-enhancing investments will be promoted. Our country must become an investment destination, capitalizing on the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises or the CREATE Law and the economic liberalization laws such as the Public Service Act and the Foreign Investments Act,” Marcos said. “Ecozones will be fully supported to bring in strategic industries such as those engaged in high-tech manufacturing, health and medical care, and all emerging technologies. This is also seen to facilitate economic growth outside of Metro Manila,” he added. One year since then, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority or PEZA, a state-run agency that promotes the establishment of economic zones in the Philippines for foreign investments, believes that most of the national targets are at arm’s reach. Growth trajectory sustained “We remain optimistic that we will sustain our positive growth trajectory for the 2nd half of the year, given the notable increase in our KPIs on investments, jobs, and exports from a more aggressive whole-of-government approach in investment promotion,” PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga said. The positive outlook was buoyed by the fact that PEZA is on track to achieve its investment targets for the year. The PEZA Board approved 102 ecozone developer-locator projects with a capital investment of P80.585 billion for the first semester of the year, 2.5x bigger than the investment pledges approved for the same period last year under the Duterte administration. For the first year of the Marcos administration, PEZA has by far generated investments of P198.796 billion worth of investments from 206 projects, actual direct jobs of 1,805,770 (cumulative), and actual direct exports of $ 58.494 billion. Big-ticket projects Among the 206 projects, 11 big-ticket projects with a minimum P1 billion capital investment have also been approved and registered by PEZA during this time. These big-ticket projects with total capital investments of P154.966 billion came from the following sectors: ecozone development with P119.259 billion; export manufacturing with P33.946 billion; and ecozone facilities with P1.761 billion. “We continue to contribute to the overall positive performance of the administration and serve as a tool to constantly attract investments in the country and promote the Philippines as an investment haven in Asia,” Panga said. “With the inclusion of the ecozone development program in the country’s medium-term plan (2023- 2028), we aim to develop more ecozones in rural and new growth areas and introduce new frontiers catering to emerging and niche industries,” explained the PEZA chief. It can be recalled that the PEZA Board has approved Board Resolution No. 23-138 to streamline the ecozone proclamation process, making it easier to do business within the ecozones. The move, according to the agency, effectively makes the Philippines ready to accept more investments from global market players, and ultimately, increase exports, create more job opportunities, and hasten countryside development for the foreseeable future. In 2022, the PEZA Board has approved P140.7 billion worth of investments — more than double the P69.3 billion approved in 2021 The post Investment targets enhancement within reach — PEZA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go provides relief aid to Davao fire victims
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go provided assistance to fire victims in Davao City on Friday, 14 July. The relief activity took place at Barangay 23-C gymnasium, where his team led the distribution of relief goods to 109 affected families. Together with Barangay Captain Alimodin Usman, Go’s team extended grocery packs, masks, shirts, and snacks to all households. They also gave away bicycles, cellular phones, shoes, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select recipients. Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance to help with the damages. “Mga kababayan, gusto kong pasalamatan ang mga kasamahan ko sa gobyerno. Mayroon lang akong sasabihin sa inyo. Palagi kasi akong nakakarinig ng pagpapasalamat. ‘Salamat (dating) presidente (Rodrigo) Duterte, salamat Senador Bong Go' sa mga programa na makakatulong sa mga mahihirap," Go said in a video conference call. “Huwag kayong magpasalamat sa amin. Sa totoo lang kami ang dapat na magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan n’yo kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo. Maraming salamat sa inyo. Sanay ako sa trabaho,” he continued. Go also cited that he primarily authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11589, otherwise known as the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021. Under the law, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) undergoes a ten-year modernization program to help improve the capabilities of the agency. The program includes recruiting more firefighters, acquiring new fire equipment, and developing specialized training, among others. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go likewise urged those with health concerns to visit the Malasakit Center at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in the city, where they can seek assistance for their medical-related expenses. Designed to assist poor and indigent Filipinos, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop, where all relevant agencies are brought together under one roof to ensure the accessibility of medical assistance programs. The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, principally sponsored and authored by Go, has successfully assisted more than three million Filipinos with 158 operational centers nationwide. In addition to the Malasakit Centers, Senator Go maintained that the construction of 11 Super Health Centers across Davao City is underway, in coordination with the Department of Health. Super Health Centers will be strategically built in rural communities to ensure basic health services are accessible to more Filipinos. The centers offer database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation center; and telemedicine, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible. “Higit 600 na Super Health Center ang itatayo sa buong Pilipinas sa tulong ng aking mga kasamahan sa Kongreso at sa DOH. Iyan ang Super Health Center. ‘Yung mga buntis pwede nang manganak diyan, hindi na kailangan (lumayo) pa (at) pumunta ng ospital,” the senator explained further. “Sa pamamagitan nito, mailalapit natin ang pangunahing serbisyo medikal mula sa gobyerno sa mga taong nangangailangan nito lalo na sa mga nasa malalayong lugar,” he added. As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported several initiatives in Davao City, including the construction of various multipurpose buildings and local roads, rehabilitation of water systems, drainage systems, and flood control structures in different barangays throughout the city, the construction of a 300-bed capacity infectious diseases building for SPMC and the acquisition of ambulances. “Lahat ng tao sa mundo ay may bisyo. Ang bisyo ng social worker tulungan ang mga mahihirap. Ang bisyo ng mga pulis hulihin ang mga kriminal. Ang bisyo ng doctor gamutin ang mga pasyente. Ako may bisyo rin. Ang aking bisyo ay magserbisyo sa inyong lahat,” Go reiterated. “Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito. Ako po ang inyong Senador kuya Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat. Dahil ako’y naniniwala na ang serbisyo po sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” he concluded. On the same day, Go personally provided additional support while the National Housing Authority extended emergency housing assistance for recovering fire victims from various barangays in Davao City. The post Bong Go provides relief aid to Davao fire victims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go leads NHA housing turnover to Davao fire victims
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go reiterated his ongoing commitment to improving housing conditions for Filipinos, particularly those displaced by natural and man-made disasters, during the emergency housing assistance turnover conducted by the National Housing Authority (NHA) to fire victims in his hometown Davao City, on Friday, 14 July. Go first underscored the significance of the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) run by the NHA, which provides support to families who have lost their homes. The program extends financial assistance for building materials to expedite their rebuilding and recovery process. “Nitong July 14, nagbigay tayo ng dagdag na tulong sa mga biktima ng sunog noon mula sa iba’t ibang barangay. Personal nating sinaksihan ang ipinamahaging emergency housing assistance ng National Housing Authority sa mga benepisyaryo, sa pakikipagtulungan kasama ang tanggapan nina Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte at NHA Regional Manager ng Davao Region na si Engr. Clemente Dayot,” Go shared. “Itong programang EHAP, (nasimulan) panahon pa ni dating Presidente Duterte. Isa ako sa nagsulong nito noon. Ngayon, ito ay aking pinapondohan para maipagpatuloy, para may maibili ng housing materials ang mga nasunugan,” he explained further. Aside from the assistance provided by NHA to the beneficiaries during the relief activity at Rizal Park, Go and his team also distributed grocery packs, masks, and snacks to 1,272 recovering fire victims. Shoes, bicycles, and cellular phones were also given to several recipients. “Mula sa iba't ibang barangay ito na inikot ng aming opisina noon at kayo ‘yung napili ngayon na bibigyan ng assistance mula sa EHAP program. ‘Yung matatanggap ninyo ngayon, ibili ninyo ng housing materials o ano pa man na makakatulong sa pagbangon ninyo,” he said. Recounting his experiences with fire and disaster victims across the country, Go expressed his commitment to helping address the housing needs of affected households to promote resilience and rebuild communities in the face of adversity. “Sa pag-iikot ko ng bansa, nakita ko po kung gaano kahirap sa ating mga kababayang nasunugan o tinamaan ng bagyo o kaya naman pagputok ng bulkan ang makakuha ulit ng matitirhan,” said Go “Napakaimportante na magkaroon sila ng maayos at ligtas na tirahan upang tuluyang makabangon muli,” he added. As a legislator, Go is actively advocating for the passage of Senate Bill No. 192, which aims to establish the Rental Housing Subsidy Program as a means of institutionalizing housing and social protection initiatives. This program intends to provide disaster victims with improved and affordable access to the formal housing market by offering rental subsidies. Go also cited that the enactment of Republic Act No. 11589 or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act, has enabled the agency to enhance its capabilities in addressing fire-related emergencies. RA 11589, which Go principally authored and co-sponsored in the Senate, mandates a ten-year modernization program for the Bureau of Fire Protection, which includes the acquisition of modern fire equipment, recruitment of more firefighters, and provision of specialized training, among others. “Huwag kayong mag-alala, ang importante buhay tayo at walang nasaktan. Iyan ang importante. Ang gamit mabibili natin ‘yan, ang pera kikitain natin ‘yan. Pero ang pera na ating kikitain ay hindi mabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Ang importante buhay tayo. Kaya pag-ingatan natin ang buhay na ibinigay sa atin ng Panginoon,” Go said. Meanwhile, the senator, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, urged those who have health issues to seek assistance from the Malasakit Center at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City. The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored, brings together various government agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, under one roof to provide a convenient process for availing medical assistance, particularly for poor and indigent patients in public hospitals. According to the DOH, there are currently 158 Malasakit Centers across the country that have benefited over seven million Filipinos so far. Go also continues to support the construction of more Super Health Centers nationwide. DOH has identified 11 strategic locations in Davao City for the centers, which will offer database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation center; and telemedicine, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, enough funds have been allocated for the DOH to build 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. The DOH, which is the lead agency in implementing the program, identifies the strategic locations for the construction of these centers. To help improve the quality of public service delivered to his fellow Davaoeños, Go, vice chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, likewise supported the construction of various multipurpose buildings and local roads, rehabilitation of water systems, drainage systems, and flood control structures in different barangays throughout the city, the construction of a 300-bed capacity infectious diseases building for SPMC and the acquisition of ambulances. Go then recognized the leadership and service of fellow Davaoeño officials, particularly Vice President Sara Duterte, Congressman Paolo Duterte, and Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, as well as city councilors and barangay leaders, present during the activity. He expressed his support for their efforts in bringing government services closer to the people and promoting development in the region. “Huwag po kayong magpasalamat sa amin dahil sa totoo lang, kami po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan niyo po kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo. Mahal na mahal ko po kayong lahat. Salamat po,” he said. On the same day, Go conducted a separate relief activity for 109 fire victims in Barangay 23-C, Davao City. The post Bong Go leads NHA housing turnover to Davao fire victims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Duterte son bares midyear accomplishments
DAVAO CITY — First Congressional District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte bared his accomplishments in the first half of the year as a second termer in the House of Representatives. In a statement from the lawmaker’s office on Saturday, Duterte highlighted the 169 House Bills he had authored, of which five were enacted into law, while others are still pending in the different committees in the HOR. Some were in the Senate for reading. Duterte also cited achievements in various projects, such as medical and burial assistance, emergency response, educational aid, Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers with the Department of Labor and Employment, and infrastructure. His office assisted 22,253 patients and 575 senior citizens at Southern Philippines Medical Center, 1,204 cancer patients, and 24,040 patients in private hospitals. He also aided 26,673 families in burial, as well. Around 5,357 fire victims and 2.607 flood victims per family, and 78,451 identified beneficiaries under the TUPAD program were also given assistance. His office assisted 1,600 college and 344 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority scholars, 40 postgraduates in medicine, and seven postgraduates in law school. His office has also provided three more transporter ambulance vehicles to barangays that do not have one and turned over nine multi-purpose buildings, one fire station, and two evacuation centers-covered courts to their respective beneficiaries. “The lawmaker has led the construction of several infrastructures, such as drainage systems, roads, revetment, water systems, creeks, bypass roads, and seawalls,” the statement added. His office also accommodated 436 solicitations and gave tents, wheelchairs, nebulizers, and hearing aids to beneficiaries. “For the young lawmaker, helping to improve the lives of the public and make positive changes, in general, is an unwritten qualification one must have upon entry to public service and throughout the journey,” it also added. The post Duterte son bares midyear accomplishments appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DoTr expanding bike lanes
To promote active and sustainable transportation, the Department of Transportation said it will complete its planned 2,400-kilometer bike lane expansion by 2028. Patrick Santos, a project management official at the DoTr, on Tuesday reiterated the government’s agenda to mainstream active transport nationwide. “For the past three years, we have established a total of 564 kilometers of bike lanes in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao, and we aim to increase our established bike lanes to 2,400 kilometers by the year 2028,” Santos said. The DoTr, Santos added, will upgrade and expand existing bike lanes and pedestrian walkway networks, and provide better public utility vehicle stops and end-of-trip cycling facilities. The DoTr has ongoing active transport infrastructure developments in nine regions. The agency has been granted about P700 million this year to expand protected bike lanes and ensure that infrastructure projects and protocols are inclusive and sustainable. The DOTr, together with SM Cares, the City Government of Pasay, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Move As One Coalition, Break the Cycle PH, and other groups, celebrated World Bicycle Day 2023 with more than a thousand participants. “Those who have less in wheels must have more on the road. We will always stand by this principle as we continue to rally for active transport until we are confident that our children will be safe on the road through whatever means, including cycling and walking,” Santos said. The post DoTr expanding bike lanes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PPA reports P4.5-B net income
The Philippine Ports Authority recorded more than P4.5 billion in net income for the first four months of the current year, up by 35 percent during the same period last year. January to April net income totaled P4.522 billion against the P3.344 billion in the first four months of 2022, according to PPA data. Broken down by month, the PPA’s net income were P1.4 billion in January, P1.1 billion in February, P749 million in March and P1.3 billion in April. The Port Management Offices of National Capital Region South, Batangas, Davao, Northern Luzon and Bataan/Aurora were the top five revenue earners of PPA. The five PMOs’ income also improved from their earnings in 2022. The PPA said its revenue performance in the first four months of 2023 beat the agency’s pre-pandemic income before tax of P4 billion for the same months in 2019. Meanwhile, PPA reported that 12.83 percent or P1.2 billion of its 2023 capital outlay of P9.7 billion has been released to various operating units as of 30 April, with P884.85 million or 70.83 percent of it disbursed. PPA has been aggressively expanding public port infrastructure. Last year’s 62 projects included the construction of port operational areas and passenger terminal buildings, installation of LED lights, dredging of entrance channels and renovation of port buildings. The top five infra projects completed were the expansion of the Port of Abra De Ilog in Occidental Mindoro; construction of breakwater in the Port of Nasugbu in Batangas; improvement of the Port of Isabela in Isabela City, Basilan; construction of the Passenger Terminal Building at the Port of Calapan in Oriental Mindoro; and construction of a back-up area at the Port of Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental. Some 30 new infrastructure projects aim to greatly help in the country’s ease of doing business, travel and connectivity in the next years, as part of the Marcos administration’s Build, Better, More program, a continuation of the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure development of the Duterte administration. Earlier, the PPA reported that it remitted P4.44 billion in 2022 revenues to the Bureau of Treasury, nine percent higher than the P4.08 billion it remitted in 2021. The post PPA reports P4.5-B net income appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Super typhoon ‘Mawar’ maintains strength
Super typhoon “Mawar” maintained its strength while moving westward after battering Guam, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration. Based on the latest PAGASA weather bulletin on Thursday, the center of the eye of the super typhoon was last tracked over east of southern Luzon, moving westward at 10 kilometers per hour. PAGASA forecasts that “Mawar” will accelerate westward and enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility likely by Friday evening or Saturday evening. It will hence be named “Betty.” It will move west-northwestward throughout the forecast period towards the sea area east of Extreme Northern Luzon. “Mawar” is forecast to continue intensifying in the next three days and may reach a peak intensity of 215 km/h by Sunday. Afterward, the super typhoon is expected to weaken but it will remain a typhoon by the end of the forecast period. PAGASA said the current track scenario shows that the rain bands of the typhoon may bring heavy rains over Cagayan Valley between Sunday and Tuesday next week. The Office of the Civil Defense Cordillera reminds different local government units through their respective disaster risk reduction management formations to gear up for the possible effects of typhoon “Mawar” to the region. Relief items The OCD Cordillera advised the public and the DRRM councils and offices not to let their guard down even if “Mawar” is not expected to make a landfall. The OCD said it has already pre-positioned relief items to areas that will likely be hit by the incoming typhoon so that assistance will be immediately given to affected families. Diego Mariano, OCD Joint Information Center head, said all necessary equipment for clearing operations as well as the rescuers have already been deployed along with personnel and air assets of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council likewise geared up for the possible onslaught of the super typhoon. MMDA acting chairman and concurrent MMDRRMC Chairperson Atty. Don Artes assured close and prompt coordination among concerned government agencies and Metro Manila local government units. “MMDRRMC members shall monitor round-the-clock weather updates and situations, while disaster response units will monitor potential flooding in flood-prone areas and waterways,” Artes said. In Davao City, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office assured that the city has prepared for the possible effect of the super typhoon. In an interview, Alfredo Baloran, head of the CDRRMO, said they have already issued advisories in the barangays to prepare for the howler. “We are still on high alert because the weather disturbance is expected to become a super typhoon that will affect almost all of the country,” he added. Meanwhile, in anticipation of the entry of super typhoon “Betty,” the Philippine Coast Guard said it has already placed all units on a heightened alert status. During the Laging Handa Public Briefing on Thursday, PCG officer-in-charge, Vice Admiral Rogelio Lizor Punzalan Jr. said they have already raised the status after PAGASA has raised Tropical Cyclone Advisory number 2A. “All districts of the PCG are all on heightened alert and we already reach out to the shipping industry, and the shipping lines so that they are aware, and that they could also consider seeking shelter. There is also deployment in advance to flood-prone areas,” he said. The post Super typhoon ‘Mawar’ maintains strength appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nanumpa bilang ex-officio member ng MDA, Bong Go ‘di titigil sa pagpapaunlad sa Mindanao
MANILA, Philippines- Nanumpa si Senator Christopher “Bong” Go bilang ex-officio member ng Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Board of Directors sa pagdiriwang ng ika-13 anibersaryo ng ahensya sa Acacia Hotel sa Davao City. Dinaluhan din ang event ng panauhing pandangal na si Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio na nanguna sa oath-taking ni Go. Naroon din sina MinDA […] The post Nanumpa bilang ex-officio member ng MDA, Bong Go ‘di titigil sa pagpapaunlad sa Mindanao appeared first on REMATE ONLINE......»»
MinDA reliable agency for growth in Mindanao: VP Sara
DAVAO CITY - Vice President Sara Z. Duterte lauded here Thursday the efforts of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), citing it as a reliable agency driving socio-economic growth in Mindanao."Today, we celebrate having a reliable agency responsible for promoting inclusive socio-economi.....»»
MinDA reliable agency for growth in Mindanao: VP Sara
DAVAO CITY - Vice President Sara Z. Duterte lauded here Thursday the efforts of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), citing it as a reliable agency driving socio-economic growth in Mindanao."Today, we celebrate having a reliable agency responsible for promoting inclusive socio-economi.....»»
Senate panel OKs Metro Davao Development Authority bill
The Senate committee on local government has approved a bill seeking the creation of the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority in a bid to spur economic growth and hasten the delivery of services in the area......»»