P181.9-B in proposed 2021 budget to address effects of climate change
"The COVID-19 pandemic impacted not only our economy and our people but also our environment. This experience has opened our eyes to the reality that everything has its limit," the president said......»»
EU, Phl eyes creating digital gateway pack
The European Union or EU and the Philippines are crafting a digital development program, set for launch next year to help the boost Internet speed and reach, strengthen cybersecurity, and integrate more women into the digital economy. On Thursday, the Department of Finance said the two partners, along with other countries, are creating the Digital Connectivity Global Gateway Package. “The package has key elements on capacity building, regulatory or policy support, cybersecurity, and enhanced cable connectivity,” a DoF statement said. “The package, which is being considered for launch next year, will also help address the digital gender gap in the country by empowering women in the digital economy,” the DoF added. Connectivity partnership This global partnership on digital connectivity was recently sealed during the first Global Gateway Forum hosted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen from 25 to 25 October in Brussels, Belgium. There were 40 government leaders who attended the forum, with Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno representing the Philippines. Global Gateway is the EU’s largest global investment program, with funding of up to 300 billion euros to be used by partner countries from 2021 to 2027 to improve their digital, energy, and transportation infrastructure, along with health and education systems. During the forum, the EU and the Philippines signed a 60 million euros financing agreement to help the latter realize projects for climate change mitigation and digital transformation. Under its digital program, the European Commission already committed in 2021 to provide all highly populated areas of the EU’s 27 member-states with faster Internet through 5G by 2030. Less than one-third of these areas benefited from that Internet technology two years ago. Expanding use of AI The commission also aims to expand the population of the EU’s small businesses using artificial intelligence and cloud from less than half to 75 percent, and those with basic technology skills from 75 percent to 100 percent over a decade. The Department of Information and Communications Technology, or DICT, on the other hand, is developing 500 to 1,000 digitalization programs. Information and Communications Technology Secretary Mon Gutierrez said the government is doubling its efforts to realize over 10 percent of its total number of digitalization programs through public-private partnerships. Also conducted by the DICT are digital literacy campaigns for government agencies, private firms and the public to spur technological innovations and better digital policies. The post EU, Phl eyes creating digital gateway pack appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Villanueva urges DA to address over 3.5K unfilled positions
The Department of Agriculture should address the lingering problem of unfilled positions in its agencies, Senate Minority Leader Joel Villanueva stressed Thursday. During the Senate’s Finance Subcommittee B hearing on the proposed 2024 budget of the DA and its attached agencies, Villanueva grilled agriculture executives over the increasing number of unfilled positions in the department from 2021 up to 2014. In his presentation, Villanueva said he number of unfilled positions has increased from 3,451 in 2021 to 3,579 a year later, in 2022. Although it went down to 3,566 in 2023 and the number remained until 2024, Villanueva lamented that the number is still higher than in 2021. “Walang diperenseya. Walang nangyari. Baka naman po ‘yung position diyan ay inutil talaga, mahirap i-fill up, mataas 'yung requirement tapos ang baba ng sweldo kaya walang naga-apply. But you let us know,” he said. Villanueva also questioned the department’s 5,765 job orders and contract of service personnel. He asked if these personnel have no chance to fill the vacant permanent positions in the department. “What would you feel if you were one of the 5,765 job order personnel? Would you be able to sleep at night or pray, hoping that the numbers would somehow change in the next two years? Is there a chance to change it?” Villanueva asked. In response, the DA officials said they are in the process of filling up the positions. DA assured the Senate that a substantial number of vacant positions will be occupied by next year. Villanueva then suggested the DA should conduct a “right-sizing” in its agency if it would really be hard for them to fill in the existing positions. The post Villanueva urges DA to address over 3.5K unfilled positions appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NDRRMC targets more durable, resilient evacuation centers
The government is considering the establishment of more durable and resilient evacuation centers nationwide as proposed by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to further enhance the country’s evacuation system. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who also chairs the NDRRMC, convened the council’s member agencies in a third-quarter meeting in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Thursday night. Teodoro said the council should focus on strengthening the disaster risk reduction and management as well as the adoption of “best practices for public interest.” “One of the highlights of the discussion was the status and enhanced design of evacuation centers. It can be recalled that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stressed the importance of building resilient evacuation centers in his last State of the Nation Address to ensure the safety of the public in times of emergency,” the NDRRMC said in a statement released on Friday. The Office of Civil Defense and the Department of Public Works and Highways are looking into the proposal to improve the design of evacuation centers, including the prioritization mechanism through risk-based assessments. During the meeting, the council members also tackled considerations and updates on location and site suitability, structural and building capacity, and minimum standards on design and conceptual sketches. The NDRRMC noted that the proposed improved design of the evacuation center is still subject to finalization by concerned government agencies. The council also tackled and approved amendments to NDRRMC Memorandum Circular No. 64, s. 2021 or the Guidelines on the Accreditation and Protection of Community Disaster Volunteers; Memorandum Circular on the Guidelines on Mainstreaming DRRM in Health in Local Development; and the proposed revision on Memorandum Circular no. 110, s.2021 or the Revised Guidelines on the Administration of the NDRRM Fund. The enhanced guidelines tackled during the meeting will be disseminated to concerned stakeholders for implementation. A report from Climate Change Knowledge Portal for Development Practitioners and Policy Makers showed that some 19 to 20 typhoons enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility yearly, with 7-9 making landfall. Hence, several lawmakers pushed for the legislation of measures that aim to enhance the country’s evacuation system. Senate Bill 1652, or An Act establishing evacuation centers nationwide, filed by Senator Raffy Tulfo, seeks the establishment of evacuation centers in 146 cities and 1,488 municipalities nationwide. Under the proposed measure, these evacuation centers must have basic facilities, accessible locations, and adequate emergency supplies, such as water, medicine, and relief goods considering that the Philippines is one of the most typhoon-prone countries in the world. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian also filed SB 940, or the Evacuation Center Act”, which seeks to establish evacuation centers in all cities nationwide. SB 940 provides that each location for every evacuation center shall be determined by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in close coordination with the local government units concerned, and must be centrally located in the community. It must also be at a safe distance from large trees and structures with hazardous materials, must be near a health facility, must be located on geotechnically stable land, and must not be located near military base camps and camps of insurgent groups. The post NDRRMC targets more durable, resilient evacuation centers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Economy humming under PBBM — AMRO
Despite the challenges of spiraling prices resulting to a 5.3 percent inflation in August from the 4.7 percent recorded in the previous month, economic experts maintained that the economy is on strong footing under the charge of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Growth was supported by resilient domestic demand with a strong recovery in the labor market despite weaker external demand, according to the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office, or AMRO. AMRO held its Annual Consultation Visit to the Philippines from 29 August to 8 September. According to the report, the economy maintained its robust momentum in the first half following a multi-decade high growth rate of 7.6 percent in 2022. It added that notwithstanding a widening current account deficit, the external position remains sound with sufficient international reserve buffer and low external debt. Despite some moderation in 2023, inflation remained high, at a level above the 2 percent to 4 percent target, driven by buoyant demand, the report indicated. Favorable outlook “Economic growth is projected to moderate to 5.9 percent in 2023 due to high base effects and weaker external demand, before edging up to 6.5 percent in 2024 as external demand recovers,” AMRO group head and principal economist Runchana Pongsaparn said. “Meanwhile, domestic demand is expected to remain robust supported by continued improvement in labor market conditions, lower inflation, robust overseas remittances, and higher government infrastructure spending.” Headline inflation is projected to moderate to 5.5 percent in 2023 from 5.8 percent in 2022, and slow further to 3.8 percent in 2024. Despite some moderation, inflationary pressure will likely remain elevated as reflected in the high level of core inflation, due to a positive output gap and the second-round effects induced by increases in the minimum wages and expectations of persistently high inflation. Favorable indicators Other positive factors cited in the report include: On the external front, a widening current account deficit was partly offset by net capital inflows; External debt remained low and international reserve buffer was adequate; The banking sector has improved profitability, ample liquidity, and sufficient capital buffer; and Fiscal position continues to improve in 2023, attributed to robust revenue collection and moderate spending. Scar effects linger AMRO, however, warned that the outlook is clouded by risk factors and challenges. In the short term, the economy could be adversely affected by high inflation, especially due to local supply shocks in the food sector, the report added. An economic slowdown in major trading partners and volatility in the global financial market, along with tighter financial conditions, also pose risks. The long-term growth potential is largely affected by the scarring effects of the pandemic, the pace of infrastructure development, geopolitical risks, and the economic losses from natural disasters, which are being exacerbated by climate change. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, or BSP, tightened monetary policy aggressively to address rising inflation. Policy interest rate was raised by a cumulative 425 basis points, or bps, between May 2022 and March 2023. The 2024 budget aims to continue to reduce the budget shortfall, guided by the medium-term fiscal framework. Complementary tacks Tightened monetary policy and contractionary fiscal stance is an appropriate policy mix amid a positive output gap and persistent inflationary pressure. The “all-of-government approach” against inflation is welcomed as it addresses the supply side problems. Macroprudential tools can be used actively to address potential financial stability issues. The report added in the medium to long term, budget policy should balance between restoring fiscal buffer and supporting sustainable growth and development. Based on the report, fiscal consolidation is supported by strong commitment and well-defined targets and measures, anchored by fiscal rules and discipline. On the financial system side, close coordination between regulators is crucial in identifying, monitoring and mitigating financial stability risks. Meanwhile, the authorities should continue to improve the liquidity management framework, develop the bond and repo markets, and continue to expand financial inclusion, to enhance the system’s resilience to shocks and promote market activities. To do list The report said a comprehensive strategy is warranted to bolster the medium- to long-term economic growth potential. Overcoming the scarring effects of the pandemic mandates a sustained focus on upgrading and upskilling the workforce to embrace a more technology-driven economy, it added. Implementation of policies and measures to attract investments, particularly foreign investments, and promote exports of both goods and services are the underpinnings of long-term economic development, the report added. Furthermore, the government can enhance the country’s competitiveness through infrastructure investment, digitalization, and developing a green economy. The post Economy humming under PBBM — AMRO appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl economic team to woo investors in Middle East
The Philippine economic team will perform a roadshow and briefings throughout the Middle East this week to attract new investors in the country, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Sunday. In a statement, DBM said the economic team will hold the roadshow in Doha, Qatar on 10 September and another Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) in Dubai, UAE on 12 September after successful briefings in Europe, Washington D.C., Singapore, Japan, and Canada this year. Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno will give the keynote address for both programs, followed by Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who will present priority expenditures, including climate change, sustainability, and maintaining infrastructure spending at 5–6% of GDP over the medium term. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. will discuss the monetary, external, and financial sectors. On the other hand, National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan will discuss infrastructure investment and development. Budget Undersecretary Margaux Salcedo and HSBC Head of Communications in Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey Nick Edwards will lead a panel discussion on the Philippine economy and investment possibilities after the presentations. The Economic Team will also meet with banks, financial institutions, and other investors from both nations in small groups. BSP, DOF, Philippine Embassy in Doha and Abu Dhabi, Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, Philippine Trade and Investment Center Dubai, Dubai Islamic Bank, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, MUFG, Standard Chartered Bank, and others co-organize the event. The post Phl economic team to woo investors in Middle East appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ASEAN leaders agree on 5PC to address Myanmar crisis
JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday called for the complete implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) in Myanmar, a set of principles agreed upon by the Association of the Southeast Asian Nation leaders in April 2021 to address the political crisis in the country. Speaking at the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS) here, Marcos said that the Philippines believes that the key to any solution in Myanmar is the inclusive participation of all parties. He also reiterated the Philippines' support for the Special Envoy of ASEAN in pushing the Five-Point Consensus forward. "We maintain that endeavors by other parties to address the crisis should support and complement ASEAN's efforts, and should be done in consultation with the ASEAN Chair," Marcos said. The Five-Point Consensus calls for an immediate cessation of violence, constructive dialogue among all parties, an inclusive political process, the appointment of a Special Envoy of ASEAN, and the provision of humanitarian assistance. Marcos also called for the urgent realization of the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) to help countries address the impacts of climate change. He said that countries with the smallest carbon footprints disproportionately bear the heaviest burden of climate change. "Climate financing, complemented by viable and effective technology transfer and country-specific capacity-building, is needed to expedite a just transition to a climate-resilient economy," Marcos said. He also sought the support of other EAS leaders for the development of the Philippines' strategic minerals supply and value chains. He said that this would boost the Philippines' efforts to ensure a resilient and sustainable future for the region. Marcos concluded his intervention by reaffirming the Philippines' commitment to an open and inclusive regional order where the rule of law and ASEAN Centrality remain the bedrock of an evolving regional architecture. The East Asia Summit is a regional forum held annually by leaders of, initially, 16 countries in the East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, and Oceanian regions, based on the ASEAN Plus Six mechanism. Membership expanded to 18 countries including Russia and the United States at the Sixth EAS in 2011. The post ASEAN leaders agree on 5PC to address Myanmar crisis appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Managers: Phl remains on track
Despite the lackluster 4.3 percent in the second quarter, growth this year is expected to reach the target range of 6 percent to 7 percent gross domestic product expansion, according to Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno. “To do this, we will expedite the implementation of government programs and projects, to provide fiscal stimulus to increase the productive capacity of the public and private sectors and address the adverse recent impacts of typhoons.” Diokno added. Economic managers gathered in Fort Ilocandia in Laoag City to hold the Post-State of the Nation Economic Briefing that discussed the country’s economic situation and plans on 14 August. Diokno said in 2022, GDP increased 7.6 percent from 5.7 a year ago and a 9.5 percent contraction in 2020. Diokno said the economic team is determined to pick up government expenditure in the third and fourth quarters. Revenue collections remain robust from January to June as these totaled P1.9 trillion up 7.7 percent or P132.6 billion year-on-year which is also higher than the mid-year program by 2.7 percent. Hence, Diokno said they have already pipelined 194 infrastructure flagship projects worth P8.3 trillion of which 132 are located in Luzon that will address irrigation, water supply, flood management, agriculture, digital connectivity, physical connectivity, health, and power and energy. Diokno also highlighted some of the projects like the Laoag International Airport Development Project, the EDSA Greenways, the TPLEX Expressway Expansion Project, the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project, the Ilocos Norte-Sur-Abra Irrigation Project, and the Naga Airport Development Project. “The Philippines is determined to be a world leader in the race to net zero and the Ilocos Region will be a strategic partner in this mission. Dubbed to be the renewable energy capital of South East Asia, Ilocos Norte is emerging to be a promising player in the clean energy arena. Being home to the first and largest wind farms in the country,” Diokno stressed. In his address, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr., said from a peak of 8.7 percent in January, headline inflation slowed to 4.7 percent in July due to improving domestic food supply conditions and lower global oil prices. However, he also admitted that core inflation remains high at 6.7 percent although it has already started to decline due to the monetary tightening. The BSP has responded to inflation by aggressively raising its policy rate, as of today, the BSP has raised policy rates by 425 basis points. Prices reined in “The good news is that inflation expectations are still well anchored. The markets continue to believe that we will hit our target range by 2024 and stay there in 2025,” Remolona said. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman also gave an update on the use pf the budget for 2023. Pangandaman said at the end of July, the total amount of the national budget that has been released already is around 93 percent. “And we expect all our government agencies including all the cabinet members present here, to spend your budget so we can help grow the economy,” Pangandaman said. While for next year, the government budget will amount to 5.768 trillion and it is 21.7 percent of the GDP it has already been submitted to Congress last August 2 and the budget is expected to be passed earlier than expected. The National Economic Development Authority said it wanted to lower the poverty level to single digit. For Socioeconomic Planning Undersecretary Carlos Bernardo Abad Santos, the government has effective regional development plans. In the Ilocos Regional Development Plan from 2023-2028, the NEDA expects the Ilocos region to have a 7 percent to 7.5 percent growth while lowering the poverty incidence by 7.3 percent. ‘Build, Better, More’ under BBM;s watch Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the “Build, Better, More” program of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is very much aligned with the medium-term development plan for 2023 to 2028 and is consistent with the 8-point economic agenda of the president. Bonoan said that from July 2022 to May 2023, the DPWH has built, maintained, rehabilitated, widened, and upgraded 4,082 kilometer of roads, 497 bridges, built 2,103 flood control projects, 55 evacuation centers, 216 kms farm to market roads, 8 kilometers of farm to mill roads, 138 kilometers tourism roads, 18 kilometers of roads to seaports, railway stations, and airports, 4,038 classrooms, and 6,002 rainwater collector system. “Because of climate change, we have to address and be building and developing resilient and sustainable communities in the 18 major river basins in the country,” Bonoan said. Some of the major projects that the department would like to continue are converting the Daang Maharlika which is actually now Asian Highway 26 which starts in Laoag City and will go around Cagayan Valley and has extended all the way to Zamboanga City. Bonoan says that they want to convert this backbone of the national highway into seamless travel. “In other words, there should be no major stops along the way, along this Maharlika highway,” Bonoan said. Bonoan said they’re going to build 12 major bridges, and the first bridge is the Cavite-Bataan Interlink bridge with a span of more than 32 km. Should it be completed, this will be the second-longest bay bridge in the world. The department also plans to start the Luzon Spine Expressway which will run from Laoag City to Bicol, Bonoan says that this will be 1,073 kms more. As for Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, major Department of Transportation projects like the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan, Metro Manila Subway, EDSA Greenway Projects, EDSA Busway, MRT-3 Rehabilitation, LRT-1 Cavite, LRT-2 West Extension, MRT-7, and the modernization and capacity expansion of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport are proceeding. For the Department of Information and Communications Technology Ivan John Uy, there is already a cybersecurity plan for 2023 to 2028 which is a consolidated output of all the stakeholders in designing which includes the best practices all over the world. “We’ve ramped up in our cybercrime detection, we are busting cybercrime syndicates all over the country especially those that are dealing with scammers,” Uy said. Uy said agency is also enhancing cybersecurity status by designing courses to upgrade cybersecurity professionals. He admits that worldwide, there is a 3 million job vacancies on cyber security. DICT said by the end of the year, the department will have Two Terabits of capacity from Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan all the way to Manila and we should expect very good Internet connectivity by the start of next year especially on the Luzon area. These structures also open opportunities to data centers and BPOs along the places mentioned which produces employment. DICT expects that foreign investment opportunities and interest in those areas will boom. The post Managers: Phl remains on track appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DA, private sector eye advanced salt production plant
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and some private businesses plan to create a national network of advanced salt production plants to support the revival of the salt industry in the Philippines. In a statement on Friday, the DA said agriculture undersecretary Domingo Panganiban and a group of businesspeople discussed last Thursday the proposal for the salt plants to expand local salt production which provides only 7 percent of all salt products in the country. The DA said the salt plants should use technologies and be designed to address climate change, land scarcity, and the highly competitive salt industry worldwide. DA's Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources National Director, Atty. Demosthenes Escoto, also pointed to the Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide as a major crippling factor. This was signed into law by former president Fidel Ramos in 1995 when goiter caused by iodine deficiency was prevalent among Filipinos. Senator Cynthia Villar already filed a bill for the removal of the iodization requirement and the creation of the Philippine Salt Industry Development Council which will craft policies and programs to revive the local salt industry. The National Economic and Development Authority said these are among the priority bills the current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to be passed by the end of the year. DA Undersecretary Esther Bayate also suggested the streamlining of salt projects with infrastructure projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to ensure local salt farmers will have access to the markets, including tourists. “The government has an integrated plan that will match the logistics need, plan of DPWH, the farm-to-market road, and the tourism road. If there is any development plan from a local government to request for budget appropriation, it should be within that big plan.” Villar’s chief-of-staff Rhaegge Tamaña had suggested to local governments and business owners to beautify salt farms for photo-taking activities, build nearby food stalls to sell fish harvests, and conduct salt-making demonstrations for tourists to enjoy. In March, the DA launched Oplan Asin to conduct consultations with salt farmers nationwide and allocated a total of P200 million to fund the purchase of postharvest facilities and materials and training sessions to improve salt quality. The post DA, private sector eye advanced salt production plant appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DA, private sector eye advanced salt plants
The Department of Agriculture and private businesses plan to create a national network of advanced salt production plants to support the revival of the salt industry in the Philippines. In a statement on Friday, DA said agriculture undersecretary Domingo Panganiban and a group of businesspeople discussed last Thursday the proposal for the salt plants to expand local salt production, which provides only 7 percent of all salt products in the country. DA said the salt plants should use technologies and be designed to address climate change, land scarcity and the highly competitive salt industry worldwide. DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources National Director Atty. Demosthenes Escoto also pointed to the Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide as a major crippling factor. This was signed into law by former president Fidel Ramos in 1995 when goiter caused by iodine deficiency was prevalent among Filipinos. Sen. Cynthia Villar already filed a bill for the removal of the iodization requirement and the creation of the Philippine Salt Industry Development Council which will craft policies and programs to revive the local salt industry. The National Economic and Development Authority said these are among the priority bills the current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to be passed by the end of the year. DA undersecretary Esther Bayate also suggested the streamlining of salt projects with infrastructure projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways to ensure local salt farmers will have access to the markets, including tourists. “The government has an integrated plan that will match the logistics need, plan of DPWH, the farm-to-market road, and tourism road. If there is any development plan from a local government to request for budget appropriation, it should be within that big plan.” Villar’s chief of staff Rhaegge Tamaña had suggested to local governments and business owners to beautify salt farms for photo-taking activities, build nearby food stalls to sell fish harvests and conduct salt-making demonstrations for tourists to enjoy. In March, the DA launched Oplan Asin to conduct consultations with salt farmers nationwide and allocated a total of P200 million to fund purchase of postharvest facilities and materials and training sessions to improve salt quality. The post DA, private sector eye advanced salt plants appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Exec warns vs. alarming risks fueled by climate change
Climate Change Commission Secretary Robert EA Borje warned the public of the alarming impacts of the climate change crisis, noting that some 40 areas across the country were considered as “most vulnerable” to weather extremes phenomenon. In a media interface held Friday night at Malacañan Compound in San Miguel, Manila, Borje emphasized the need to improve the country’s climate action plans to achieve sustainability and resiliency on the continuing risks brought by climate change. “The climate crisis is alarming not just in the Philippines but in the entire world,” he said. Borje cited that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has already identified the climate change phenomenon “as an existential threat.” “When it's an existential threat, that means that lives are already on the line…But it becomes more alarming for countries like the Philippines because we are a developing country, we are an archipelago and we are situated where we are,” he explained. Recognizing these impacts, Borje the government has devoted an entire chapter in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 to climate change and disaster resiliency. In fact, the Philippines has allocated USD 8.2 billion, or 9 percent of its total national budget, for climate change adaptation and mitigation programs this year. Despite being “on the right path” in addressing climate change, Borje said the Philippines “can always do better” to reduce and mitigate the impacts of “historic, global and systemic” phenomenon. “The government is implementing various programs, but it needs to boost and strengthen its efforts because of the shifts in the nature of challenges brought about by climate change),” he said, partly in the vernacular. “We can always do better. Always. I'm not saying that it is not enough. We can always do better. Because I think, whenever we've done something, it is automatic that the benchmark for the government and the people become higher,” he further stressed. Borje bared that the CCC is in close coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government to assist the 40 areas that are at risk of climate disaster. Of the total, 35 of these are “for assessment.” Borje did not identify the 40 highly-vulnerable areas but noted that the DILG was in charge of identifying them and that they are now focusing on the whole-of-government approach to mitigate the risks of the climate change phenomenon. “The CCC and the DILG aim to make sure that 100 percent of the local government units nationwide are implementing their respective Local Climate Change Action Plans,” he said. Based on the CCC data, the LCCAP submissions increased by 95 percent from 715 submissions in 2021 to 1,397 as of 31 December 2022. The Commission targets 100 percent compliance from 1,715 LGUs by Fiscal Year 2024. The LCCAP, which serves as the LGU’s plan for enhancing local climate resilience, includes information on fit-for-purpose climate actions anchored on site-specific risks and vulnerabilities. The post Exec warns vs. alarming risks fueled by climate change appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate tackles airlines’ booking glitches, offloading mess
Growing complaints from various passengers against budget carrier, Cebu Pacific’s overbooking, offloading, and booking glitches have reached the Senate inquiry on Wednesday. This came after Senate committee chairperson, Senator Nancy Binay, filed Senate Resolution No. 575 pushing for an investigation on the customers’ complaints against Cebu Pacific due to recent flight cancellations. During the hearing, Binay said her office was able to compile at least 3,000 complaints from the passengers, which have been aired through social media platforms. “We have since seen it fit to invite our other airlines to this hearing because these problems, it seemed, have only grown in number. Our passengers face inconveniences on multiple fronts on account of flight delays, cancelations, offloading, and overbooking,” Binay stressed. Overseas worker, James Bartolome, said he has yet to receive his refund from Cebu Pacific after his flight going to Qatar was canceled. After knowing that his original flight was canceled, Bartolome opted to book another airline as the budget carrier won’t be able to give him an earlier flight. Senator JV Ejercito said the airport and airline operations will provide the “first and last impressions” to the tourists and potential investors entering the country. “We need to systematize this for our tourism and business climate,” he said, sharing that he was not even spared from experiencing flight delays. Binay emphasized the need to identify problems and immediately craft strategies to prevent similar complaints in the future. Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said that Cebu Pacific and other similar airline companies should acknowledge the impacts of flight cancellations and other airline mess. “Incidents like these could discourage tourists so this hearing should serve as a platform to air the grievances of the frustrated and helpless passengers,” Go said, citing that these may affect the country’s tourism industry and the economy. “Remember that we are still reviving from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added. Go said the airlines must immediately act and rectify these issues by imposing proper mechanisms for compensating affected passengers—which includes food provisions during flight cancellation and alternative flight schedules. During the hearing, several Cebu Pacific passengers also complained about apparent website errors that resulted in them being charged multiple times for transactions yet it appeared to be unsuccessful. Cebu Pacific chief marketing and customer experience officer, Candice Iyog, explained that there is a part of the flow where if a passenger clicks proceed, it commits the changes even before the passenger pays. “We recognize that and we are taking that feedback as well,” Iyog said. The Cebu Pacific, she added, is already working on “a fix or an enhancement” to the interface of the website, which will likely be ready at the end of this month. “Depending on when it's ready, we're looking at possibly, end of July that we will be able to implement this change in the user experience,” she said. Senator Risa Hontiveros lamented that in several instances when passengers’ original flights were canceled, Cebu Pacific offered flight rebooking and passengers were immediately made to pay before they could confirm their purchase of travel tickets. Citing a passenger’s experience, the airline’s website technical issue made them pay a bill of P16,000-worth of add-ons after availing of Cebu Pacific’s free rebooking option, following the cancellation of flights. Iyog said they recently reminded their customer service agents to allow passengers to get back to their original flight or to remove add-ons that were “accidentally added.” “We don’t want to cancel flights for our passengers. It’s bad business and we don’t want to disrupt our passengers—that’s why we give options,” Iyog noted. Tougher passengers’ rights Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe slammed the budget carrier for lacking customer service agents directly responding to these complaints. Poe called on for a tougher policy on air passengers' rights to address the cancellations and delays in flights by local airlines besetting travelers. "This pressing public service issue calls for urgent effective solutions as it involves not only the air passengers' rights but also the overall impact on the country's tourism and economy,” she added. While overbooking is a globally accepted practice, Poe said "systematic delays and cancellations are not." Also, Hontiveros pressed that the government agencies should step in to prevent more passengers from being disrupted in their travels due to canceled, rescheduled, and delayed flights in Cebu Pacific and other airline companies. “These kinds of inconveniences disrupt the travel experiences also of tourists, and as the chair said, could negatively affect the tourism sector,” she added. Aside from the reported overbooking, offloading, booking, and flight cancellations, Senator Raffy Tulfo said that adding extra flights daily amid lacking proper airplane maintenance can be called “abuses of the airline companies.” He lamented that it could pose danger and compromise the safety of all airline passengers, “There were safety issues surrounding the uploading, overbooking, and flight cancellations of airlines. If these airlines don’t care about fulfilling their obligations to provide air transport for their passengers, I will not be surprised that they are cutting corners when it comes to safety as well,” Tulfo pressed on. Tulfo said extra flights can also cause fatigue in pilots and flight attendants. For his part, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa wants the Civil Aeronautics Board to become proactive in resolving the massive airline mess in the country. Dela Rosa asked CAB if it is amenable to institutionalize the Air Passenger Bill of Rights in order to protect the public from erring airline companies. "What is your position? Do you agree with the proposal to create a law that will institutionalize the Air Passenger Bill of Rights?" asked Dela Rosa. In response, CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla, said they have been very supportive of the proposal. “But it seems it is not among the priorities of Congress,” he said. Dela Rosa said he is mulling to proposed the bill in the Senate “not to discourage the airline industry but to protect the public interest. The post Senate tackles airlines’ booking glitches, offloading mess appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
WB help sought amid energy shift
The Department of Energy appealed to the World Bank on Thursday to support the inclusion of the country in the Just Energy Transition Partnership or JETP, which will give the coal-dependent country access to a favorable financing scheme. “My challenge to the World Bank and our other development partners is that the green transition or the climate transition or securing a clean energy future must be a just and fair transition,” Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla said in his remark during the World Bank’s Securing a Clean Energy Future forum on Thursday. “That means that transition financing or climate financing or call it by any other name, such financing should be available to the country… unfortunately, we are not part of any of the Just Energy Transition Partnerships that have already been put in place,” the Energy chief added. 60% coal in energy mix The Philippines relies heavily on coal with the highest contribution to the power generation mix at nearly 60 percent, while renewable energy contributes only over 20 percent to the energy mix. Yet, Lotilla said that the government vies to increase the share of renewable energy in the power mix to 50 percent by 2040. The JETP is a financing cooperation scheme that aims to help coal-dependent countries shift towards clean energy. It was launched in November 2021 during the United Nations Climate Change Conference or COP26. Meanwhile, World Bank senior economist Ralph Van Doorn noted that the Philippines’ transition to low and zero-carbon alternatives will help address energy demand and improve energy security to power long-term growth. “Cleaner energy future has many benefits. It is expected to lead to affordable energy. It is expected to enhance the competitiveness of the economy. The shift will reduce air pollution, an important benefit to public health,” Doorn said. Based on the present World Bank report, the Philippines is “uniquely positioned” to transition toward a renewable energy-dominated power system. It will “not only improve energy security but also enhance affordability through primarily private financing.” “The private sector, which has been driving developments and investments in the energy sector over the past decade, will need to take on more risks and hasten the pace of adoption of new technologies and innovations as the power system pivots to variable renewable energy sources.” The post WB help sought amid energy shift appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
World warming at record 0.2C per decade, scientists warn
Record-high greenhouse gas emissions and diminishing air pollution have caused an unparalleled acceleration in global warming, 50 top scientists warned Thursday in a sweeping climate science update. From 2013 to 2022, "human-induced warming has been increasing at an unprecedented rate of over 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade," they reported in a peer-reviewed study aimed at policymakers. Average annual emissions over the same period hit an all-time high of 54 billion tons of CO2 or its equivalent in other gases -- about 1,700 tons every second. World leaders will be confronted with the new data at the critical COP28 climate summit later this year in Dubai, where a "Global Stocktake" at the UN talks will assess progress toward the 2015 Paris Agreement's temperature goals. The findings would appear to close the door on capping global warming under the Paris treaty's more ambitious 1.5C target, long identified as a guard rail for a relatively climate-safe world, albeit one still roiled by severe impacts. "Even though we are not yet at 1.5C warming, the carbon budget" -- the amount of greenhouse gases humanity can emit without exceeding that limit -- "will likely be exhausted in only a few years," said lead author Piers Forster, a physics professor at the University of Leeds. That budget has shrunk by half since the UN's climate science advisory body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), gathered data for its most recent benchmark report in 2021, according to the Forster and colleagues, many of whom were core IPCC contributors. Unintended consequences To have even a coin-toss chance of staying under the 1.5C threshold, emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other drivers of warming generated mostly by burning fossil fuels must not exceed 250 billion tons (Gt), they reported. Bettering the odds to two-thirds or four-fifths would reduce that carbon allowance to only 150 Gt and 100 Gt, respectively -- a two- or three-year lifeline at the current rate of emissions. Keeping the Paris temperature targets in play would require slashing CO2 pollution at least 40 percent by 2030, and eliminating it entirely by mid-century, the IPCC has calculated. Ironically, one of the big climate success stories of the last decade has inadvertently hastened the pace of global warming, the new data reveal. A gradual drop in the use of coal -- significantly more carbon intensive than oil or gas -- to produce power has slowed the increase in carbon emissions. But it has also reduced the air pollution that shields Earth from the full force of the Sun's rays. Particle pollution from all sources dampens warming by about half-a-degree Celsius, which means -- at least in the short term -- more of that heat will reach the planet's surface as the air becomes cleaner. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Earth System Science Data, the new study is the first in a series of periodic assessments that will help fill the gaps between IPCC reports, released on average every six years since 1988. Deadly heat "An annual update of key indicators of global change is critical in helping the international community and countries to keep the urgency of addressing the climate change crisis at the top of the agenda," said co-author and scientist Maisa Rojas Corradi, who is also the environment minister of Chile. Co-author Valerie Masson-Delmotte, a co-chair of the 2021 IPCC report, said the new data should be a "wake-up call" ahead of the COP28 summit, even if there is evidence that the increase in greenhouse gases has slowed. "The pace and scale of climate action is not sufficient to limit the escalation of climate related risks," she said. Researchers also reported a startling rise in temperature increases over land areas -- excluding oceans -- since 2000. "Land average annual maximum temperatures have warmed by more than half a degree Celsius in the last ten years (1.72C above preindustrial conditions) compared to the first decade of the millennium (1.22C)," the study reported. Longer and more intense heat waves will pose a life-and-death threat in the coming decades across large swathes of South and Southeast Asia, along with areas straddling the equator in Africa and Latin America, recent research has shown. The post World warming at record 0.2C per decade, scientists warn appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
P240-M grant supports biodiversity conservation, local climate actions
In celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May, the United States government, through the US Agency for International Development, awarded P240 million ($4.3 million) in grants to help civil society organizations address the unique climate challenges faced by local communities across the Philippines. US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson joined Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna and Gerry Roxas Foundation Executive Director Glen de Castro to announce the 11 grants that will support efforts to conserve biodiversity, protect wildlife, and implement natural climate solutions. The grants were provided under USAID’s Investing in Sustainability and Partnership for Inclusive Growth and Regenerative Ecosystems Project. The recipient organizations are BaiAni Foundation, CBCP Caritas Filipinas Foundation, Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, Diliman Science Research Foundation, Impl. Project Philippines, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, Mabuwaya Foundation, Surigao Economic Development and Microfinance Foundation, Tanggol Kalikasan, University of Santo Tomas Research and Endowment Foundation and Xavier Agricultural Extension Services Foundation. The Mabuwaya Foundation plans to use its grant to protect the intact forests of the Sierra Madre mountain range in Cagayan by addressing illegal logging and conversion of forest lands for agricultural use. The Xavier Agricultural Extension Service Foundation’s grant will strengthen community-based initiatives to restore and protect the mangrove forests and other marine ecosystems in Zamboanga Sibugay. “Through these grants, we are advancing sustainable local solutions that will help communities address the unique climate challenges they face,” said Carlson. “These grants contribute to our shared goal of a more resilient future where both people and nature thrive.” For more than six decades, USAID has partnered with the Philippine government and local organizations to conserve the country’s rich biodiversity and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Since 2021, USAID has provided more than P620 million ($11.7 million) to civil society organizations to amplify their efforts in achieving environmental sustainability and uplifting the lives of Filipino communities. The post P240-M grant supports biodiversity conservation, local climate actions appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Belmonte one with world leaders vs plastic
“Let us recognize the power of cities, acknowledge our accomplishments, and empower us with the necessary tools to continue championing the call against plastic pollution. Together, we can forge a future where this is but a distant memory and our planet thrives in its full glory." This was the message delivered by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, chosen as the sole representative of local chief executives worldwide, during the high-level event organized by the French Government and the United Nations Environment Programme in Paris, France. Belmonte expressed the cities’ call to national leaders to consider their needs in passing the UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution (Plastic Treaty) and expressed the collective hopes and ambitions of cities across the globe to address the plastic waste crisis. Like Quezon City, other cities are also experiencing the adverse impacts of plastic pollution including flooding from clogged sewers, air quality impacts from burning plastics, and the challenge of managing vast amounts of plastic waste. To address these problems, Quezon City has initiated significant measures such as prohibiting single-use plastic bags and disposable cutleries, straws, and cups in restaurants and fast food chains for dine-in customers; and banning single-use containers and sachets in hotels. In 2021, the city established the Trash to Cashback program to recover plastic waste from the waste stream, especially low-value plastics. Residents will bring their recyclables and single-use plastics to designated areas in exchange for environmental points which they can use to purchase groceries and pay utility bills. However, according to Belmonte, these efforts are still inadequate to fully address the challenges of the plastic waste crisis. “While we as cities are proud of our respective achievements, we recognize that we cannot address the plastic waste crisis alone. We need a truly ambitious global plastics treaty that unifies our efforts and sets a high bar for all nations to follow,” the mayor explained. Belmonte stressed the provisions that world mayors want to be included in the treaty including the total ban on unnecessary plastics and adoption of reusable items; the creation of a financial mechanism to help cities shift harmful consumption patterns into an innovative and sustainable one; and strengthened collaboration with cities in the negotiation process of the treaty to ensure realistic and implementable programs. Aside from Belmonte, other speakers in the event include French Minister for Europe, and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, French Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion of France Christophe Béchu, United Nations Environment Programme Executive Director Inger Andersen, Marine Biology Professor of the University of Plymouth Prof. Richard Thompson, Ellen MacArthur Foundation Executive Head for Plastics and Finance program Rob Opsomer, World Wide Fund for Nature International Correspondent Marc Lambertini, and children and youth representative Zuhair Ahmed Kowshik. Earlier, Belmonte and leaders of local and regional governments issued their detailed vision on the treaty during the Paris International Forum to End Plastic Pollution in Cities. Mayor Belmonte and Quezon City Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department Head Andrea Villaroman are attending the High-Level Event to End Plastic Pollution. They have joined delegates from leading cities in the world and international partners including UNEP, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Ellen McArthur Foundation, World Wide Fund for Nature, World Economic Forum, United Nations Development Programme, and UN-Habitat. The post Belmonte one with world leaders vs plastic appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CCC, Paete LGU partner for climate resiliency, sustainability
The Climate Change Commission continues to work with local government units in a collective effort to address climate change and work toward a more resilient and sustainable future for the Philippines. The CCC welcomed the local government of Paete, Laguna’s submission of the Local Climate Change Action Plan for 2021-2026 and Annual Investment Program for 2023, which were personally handed over by Paete Mayor Ronald B. Cosico. The LCCAP outlines the LGU's strategies and actions to address climate change impacts on their community, infrastructure and economy, while the AIP contains the programs, activities and projects of the LGU, including on climate action. The CCC commended the Paete LGU for submitting its LCCAP and AIP and will further collaborate with the town in enhancing its plans and programs to make them aligned with the national framework and international commitments on climate resilience. “Patuloy na susuportahan ng CCC ang bayan ng Paete sa pagpapatupad ng mga aksyon sa pagbabago ng klima at matiyak ang katatagan, hindi lang ng Paete, kundi ng buong bansa (The CCC will continue to support Paete in the implementation of actions on climate change to ensure the well-being not only of Paete but also of the entire country),” said CCC vice chairperson and executive director Robert E.A. Borje. According to Cosico, the submission of the LCCAP is a significant milestone for the town as it demonstrates the LGU's commitment to protect and enhance the well-being of its constituents. "Ang pagbabago ng klima ay isa sa mga bantang kinakaharap ng aming komunidad. Sa pamamagitan ng LCCAP, makakagawa kami ng mga konkretong hakbang upang makapag-adapt at mabawasan ang mga epekto nito (Climate change is one of the threats our community faces. Through the LCCAP, we can do concrete steps to adapt and mitigate its effects)," he said. Paete is one of the LGUs in the Philippines regularly affected by climate change impacts such as typhoons, flooding and landslides. By submitting its LCCAP to the CCC, the LGU is now eligible for various technical and financial assistance, including access to the People's Survival Fund. The PSF is a domestic funding mechanism that supports the implementation of climate resilience and adaptation programs of local communities in various areas such as agriculture, water resource management and disaster risk reduction and management. Cosico shared the ongoing initiatives and best practices of the town in climate resilience, including reforestation, sustainable agriculture and investment in renewable energy. Paete was among the awardees of the Seal of Good Local Governance in 2019. To further boost its local climate change initiatives, the CCC will connect Paete LGU with relevant development partners. The CCC will work with the local government to create a climate-resilient, climate-smart and sustainable community in Paete, which can serve as a model for other LGUs in the country. The LCCAP is a key deliverable of the LGUs to the CCC, as mandated by Republic Act 9729 or the Climate Change Act, and Department of Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular No. 2021-068. The CCC endeavors to enable all LGUs in the country to develop, implement and enhance LCCAPs that address the specific climate change risks facing their communities. As of 17 April 2023, 82.57 percent or 1,416 out of 1,715 LGUs in the country have already submitted their LCCAPs to the CCC. Visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPHL. The post CCC, Paete LGU partner for climate resiliency, sustainability appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
U.S.-South Korea grant enhances climate resilience of Phl cities
On 22 March, the United States government, through the US Agency for International Development, and the Korea International Cooperation Agency, signed a P111.5 million ($2 million) grant partnership agreement to boost the capacities of Philippine cities to adapt to, mitigate and manage the impacts of climate change and natural disasters. Through this grant funding, KOICA will support the implementation of USAID’s five-year, P836.5 million ($15 million) Climate Resilient Cities Project that benefits the partner cities of Batangas, Borongan, Cotabato, Iloilo, Legazpi and Zamboanga. KOICA’s technical assistance will enhance the capacity of local government units to develop guidelines for and use climate adaptation technology. More than 180 Philippine officials and stakeholders will also be invited to participate in capacity-building programs organized in the Philippines and Korea. USAID and KOICA will also support the six LGUs and other stakeholders to more effectively disseminate climate-related information to local communities; increase access to climate financing for economic and social development; and promote natural climate solutions that strengthen cities’ resilience to climate change. Additionally, the governments of the United States and Korea will soon launch a partnership to prevent and reduce marine pollution in Manila Bay. This partnership also seeks to enhance knowledge and influence social and behavioral changes for marine pollution reduction and prevention. This latest agreement between USAID and KOICA follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding in April 2021 where the two leading development agencies agreed to strategically collaborate on priority programs, including climate change-related initiatives, to advance development in the Philippines. “As the United States and Korea are among the largest bilateral donors in the Philippines, this momentous partnership of USAID, KOICA and the Philippine government will bring together our accumulated experience and technical expertise to build climate change and disaster resilience in the country,” KOICA country director Eunsub Kim said. “For 70 years, the United States and Korea have worked together to pursue mutual goals based on our core values of democracy and human rights,” said USAID Philippines mission director Ryan Washburn. “The United States has pledged to strengthen this alliance and broaden the focus to address issues of critical importance to the Indo-Pacific region and the world. In particular, we will deepen our cooperation in addressing the climate crisis, reducing plastic waste and promoting advanced technologies. We will also enhance our economic cooperation and people-to-people ties,” he added. The Philippines consistently places high in global rankings on climate change risk and vulnerability. With an average of 20 typhoons per year and frequent floods, landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, the Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone nations. According to the 2022 World Risk Index, the Philippines ranked first out of 193 countries with the highest disaster risks. Between 2011 and 2021, the country incurred more than P670 billion worth of damage and losses due to tropical cyclones alone. The negative impacts of climate change and disasters severely impede national economic development and worsen poverty. Thus, one of the top priorities for sustainable development is to strengthen national and local climate resilience systems. The USAID-KOICA partnership supports the Philippine government’s 2023-2028 strategy framework goal to “enhance adaptive capacity and resilience of communities and ecosystems to natural hazards and climate change.” The post U.S.-South Korea grant enhances climate resilience of Phl cities appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
On Earth Day: DBM pushes climate change planning
As the world observed Earth Day, the Department of Budget and Management on Saturday called on its fellow government agencies to intensify climate change planning and programming. “The serious implications that climate change pose are not just a problem for the next generation but also a present danger that is undeniably felt in our time,” DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said. “We need to act now by protecting our planet and its natural resources before it’s too late,” she added. The DBM chief said stakeholders must identify environment-related programs and projects in the preparation of the national budget in line with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. “May we keep in mind that we are doing all these to ensure that our economic progress is moving towards a track that is truly inclusive and sustainable for all,” she pointed out. The DBM allocated P2.39 billion for the National Greening Program, which includes provisions for the Protected Areas Development and Management Program, Manila Bay Rehabilitation, and Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program. It also increased the 2023 budget for climate change initiatives. Earth Day is observed every 22 April to mobilize policymakers and society to address the climate crisis. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlighted in 2018 the scale of the challenge required to keep warming to 1.5 degrees centigrade. This year, it stressed that global greenhouse gas emissions “have continued to increase, with unequal historical and ongoing contributions arising from unsustainable energy use, land use and land-use change, lifestyles, and patterns of consumption and production across regions, between and within countries, and among individuals.” In addition, it warned that the pace and scale of climate action are still insufficient to tackle climate change. The post On Earth Day: DBM pushes climate change planning appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Budget hike urged to address climate change
The Philippine government is being urged to encourage green lending and investments to make funds available to fight climate change, the Asian Development Bank said......»»
Citizens criticize Marcos Jr.’s absence in hardest hit areas, low budget for disaster response
"With the increasing threats of climate change President Marcos Jr. said that this is included in his top priorities. Yet he cuts the budget on departments that address this issue, we are slapped on our face by the inutility of this regime to increase their intelligence and confidential funds," scientists group AGHAM said. The post Citizens criticize Marcos Jr.’s absence in hardest hit areas, low budget for disaster response appeared first on Bulatlat......»»