Philmetal, Habitat for Humanity’s Terwilliger Center Team Up to Address Housing Woes
As part of its commitment to address the 5.9 million unserved housing needs in the Philippines, Philmetal Products, Inc. entered into an agreement with Habitat for Humanity’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter to increase the availability of quality housing materials to low-income households. The partnership, which will be rolled out in Cebu, will focus […].....»»
2023 Provincial Report by Gov. Cua Focuses on Health
Virac, Catanduanes – “Great leaders create and leave a legacy.” These were the opening words of Catanduanes Governor Joseph C. Cua during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) at the Convention Center, Capitol Compound on October 26, 2023. The governor’s speech emphasized the importance of valuing the health of the people, especially in light […].....»»
More training, education mulled for Filipino soldiers
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Thursday met with Rear Admiral Peter Gumataotao (Ret), Director of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, to discuss more training and education opportunities for Filipino soldiers. Following the courtesy call of Gumataotao to Brawner at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, the two officials exchanged perspectives on present and emerging security issues in the Asia Pacific region. AFP Public Affairs Office chief Lt.Col. Enrico Gil Ileto said both officials also tackled ongoing threats and agreed on positions on how to address these security challenges. “The CSAFP, being an alumnus of the APCSS, also expressed his appreciation of such advanced studies on defense and security strategy in developing military officers,” Ileto said. The Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies is an institute of the United States Department of Defense based in Hawaii that provides a comprehensive program of executive education, professional exchanges and outreach events, both in Hawaii and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The post More training, education mulled for Filipino soldiers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Russian strike on Ukraine mail depot kills six
Kyiv, Ukraine (AFP) — At least six postal workers were killed while 17 were wounded after Russian missile strikes hit a mail depot in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, officials said. The strike in the northeastern Kharkiv region on Saturday came as Kyiv declared its positions in the embattled city of Avdiivka were “protected” despite Russian attacks, while Moscow said it had downed Ukrainian missiles targeting the Crimean Peninsula. The six killed in the depot attack were all workers at the Ukrainian postal operator Nova Poshta in Korotych, a village on the outskirts of Kharkiv city, regional governor Oleg Sinegubov said. “The victims, aged between 19 and 42, received shrapnel wounds and blast injuries,” he said. Of the injured being treated in hospital, seven were in a serious condition, according to Sinegubov, who said “doctors are fighting for their lives.” The regional prosecutor’s office later updated the number of injured to 17. President Volodymyr Zelensky shared a video on social media of what appeared to be a heavily damaged warehouse surrounded by rubble and a container with the Nova Poshta logo. Sergiy Nozhka, who works for Nova Poshta, described the condition of some his colleagues as “mild to moderate severity,” adding that “there are some people in a very serious condition.” He said that a rocket “flew into the neighboring depot, but at ours too — the windows and shutters flew out. This is not the first time.” According to the prosecutor’s office, Russian forces in the Belgorod region north of Kharkiv fired S-300 missiles, two of which hit the warehouse. “Debris analysis continues at the site in order to establish the exact number of injured and dead,” office spokesperson Dmytro Chubenko told Ukraine’s state broadcaster Suspilne. Separate Russian attacks on villages near the war-battered Ukrainian city of Bakhmut killed at least two people on Sunday, officials said. Both Kyiv and Moscow are preparing for a grueling winter ahead, as Ukraine warns of renewed strikes on its energy infrastructure and Russia contends with a Ukrainian counteroffensive to regain territory. In the eastern Donetsk region, Ukraine’s positions around the frontline city of Avdiivka were “protected”, Zelensky said in his evening address Sunday. The city has been the center of intense fighting in recent weeks as each side struggles to make advances. Ukraine’s general staff said on Friday that Russia had stepped up its military assault on Avdiivka in an ongoing bid to encircle and capture it. “The Avdiivka and Maryinka directions are particularly tough”, Zelensky said. “Numerous attacks by Russians. But our positions are protected.” Avdiivka has been a symbol of Ukrainian resistance since 2014, after it briefly fell to Russian-backed separatists. It lies just 15 kilometers (nine miles) from the Moscow-held city of Donetsk, capital of the Donetsk region that Russia said last September it was annexing. Ukrainian soldiers had been bracing for a new assault after a failed Russian offensive earlier this month using columns of armored vehicles and tanks from three sides. Built around a huge coke plant, Avdiivka had a pre-war population of around 30,000 people. Around 1,600 remain, according to local authorities, living in basements converted into bomb shelters. The city center has been all but destroyed through daily Russian artillery shelling and a months-long aerial bombing campaign. Also on Sunday Russian forces shot down three missiles targeting the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014, a Russian official said. The peninsula is crucial to Russia’s offensive, both for supplying troops in southern Ukraine and for carrying out missile strikes from the sea. The post Russian strike on Ukraine mail depot kills six appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Belarusian exiles lose hope
When police in Belarus began knocking on doors and interrogating citizens suspected to have taken part in pro-democracy rallies three years ago, Maxim Isayev knew he could never go back. Like thousands of others, the 32-year-old engineer and father of two peacefully protested against the disputed re-election of strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko in 2020 and is currently wanted by the country’s authorities. “I know that they came to my address in Belarus and searched for me,” Maxim told AFP in Warsaw, where he now lives with his wife and children. More than 100,000 people are thought to have left Belarus since security forces began violently cracking down on dissidents, many of whom fled to neighboring Poland and the Baltic states. Lukashenko now wants to shut them out for good. In January, he signed a law allowing courts to strip “extremist” dissidents living abroad of their citizenship, and in September he blocked Belarusian embassies from issuing passports. The decision effectively deprives thousands of Belarusian dissidents of the ability to renew their passports unless they return, making it difficult for them to travel internationally, access public services, open bank accounts or obtain employment. “If people are forced to return to Belarus, many of them will be exposed to rights violations, like arbitrary arrest, and torture,” UN rights expert Anais Marin told AFP after the decision. Describing Lukashenko’s decree as “outrageous,” she called on all governments to refrain from sending Belarusians back to their country over invalidated or expired passports. For Maxim, who fears he faces multiple criminal charges including terrorism, returning is not an option. “I took part in the protests. Rallies, marches, calls for sanctions,” he said. “There are more than ten counts I could be charged with.” Since 1994, Lukashenko has ruled Belarus with an iron fist, in what critics have called Europe’s last dictatorship. Elections held in August 2020 resulted in another landslide victory for the long-time leader, a result which the opposition decried as blatantly falsified. The fallout from the vote led to the biggest protests in Belarus’ modern history, which were soon followed by a record number of arrests. “There are situations where people were travelling to the funeral of their relatives. They were detained and put in jail,” said Helena Niedzwiecka, founder of the Belarusian Solidarity Center that supports exiles in Poland. “You can be imprisoned for liking a post in 2020.” Maxim, whose families’ passports expire in 2024, debated with his wife whether it was safe for her to go back, given she had made fewer political posts. “I said okay, if you want to go, you are an adult... Take one of the children.” “You will get a few years for your political views,” Maxim said. “And they will put the child into an orphanage.” They decided against the idea. Lukashenko has criticized those who have sought refuge abroad as disloyal, casting them as “criminals” who do not deserve citizenship. “Are these people worthy to remain citizens of Belarus if they have fled their native country and actually severed ties with it?” he asked at a government meeting last year. Most dissidents say it is the state that severed ties with them. “My contract with my country was terminated in 2020,” said Inga Okava, a 49-year-old former volunteer who was jailed for trying to independently monitor the 2020 elections. “They falsified everything that everybody wanted,” she sighed. WITH AFP The post Belarusian exiles lose hope appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
High expectations from winners (4)
Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio took very seriously the job given to her by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to prepare a curriculum relevant to producing competent, job-ready, active, and responsible citizens. In her report on basic education in the Philippines, she revealed in detail the problems confronting it, the teachers, and learners; and crafted means to overcome them, guided by the Constitution and the convention on the rights of the child, reaffirming our country’s commitment to improving the quality of basic education in the Philippines. “The four learners at home — one in kindergarten, one in Grade 4, one in Grade 7, and one in Grade 9 — enable me to see different kinds of problems being experienced by learners every day.” “In my work as Secretary of Education, I am in the company of 28 million Filipino learners throughout the country. I can see numerous problems faced by them every day.” “Four learners at home, plus 28 million more throughout the land, these, my countrymen, make my interest in the future of Philippine education a very personal matter.” “Filipino learners are not academically proficient. In time, Filipino learners experience emotional abuse and exhaustion. Some of them suffer from psychological fatigue. And being academically insecure, many of them may fail to meet the standards of a demanding and competitive world. These are caused and triggered by conditions present at home, in our communities, and even in our schools as a result of problems ingrained in our system. This is the truth. This is our future. But this is a future that we can change. That is why we are here.” “We have to take good care of our teachers. They are the lifeblood of the Department of Education. Without our teachers, our mission to carve a better future for our children will fail.” “And to empower our learners with the relevant skills and knowledge, we shall focus on upscaling their knowledge and capacities as public servants. The assessment of the K-12 curriculum revealed the weak teaching methods of our teachers in addressing 21st-century skills. Studies done by the Research Center of Teacher Quality, the World Bank, and UNICEF showed that our teachers need further support, particularly in explicitly and strategically teaching critical thinking and problem-solving skills.” “While critical thinking was the most evident in the curriculum, it was also the least taught to students by the teachers. Instead, lessons leaned towards conceptual or content-based teaching. And lessons lacked in-depth processing to cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving. Finally, there appears to be insufficient knowledge on developing 21st-century skills, including higher-order thinking skills among learners. This is not the fault of our teachers—whose dedication, integrity, and commitment to serving Filipino children and the country strengthen our collective effort to achieve our shared dreams for our learners. The sad reality is that the system has failed them.” “This is the system that burdens them with backbreaking and time-consuming administrative tasks, a system that provides no adequate support and robs them of the opportunity to professionally grow and professionally teach, assist and guide our learners.” “Our teachers must return to our classrooms and they must teach.” Studies and tests were conducted to measure the literacy of the learners. It was discovered that the issue of literacy is alarming in our basic education. We must address it appropriately and effectively. The 2018 study results showed that 81 percent of Filipino learners could not deal with basic math problems, 81 percent had trouble understanding texts of moderate length, and 78 percent could not recognize correct explanations for scientific phenomena or draw valid conclusions from given data. “We can do better than this,” Sara said. “We are better than this. Studies like these are opportunities for us to thoroughly examine our system and defects that hurt our children’s abilities.” (To be continued) The post High expectations from winners (4) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ukraine’s positions at Avdiivka still ‘protected’: Zelensky
Ukraine's positions around the frontline city of Avdiivka, in the eastern Donetsk region, are "protected", President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address Sunday. The city has been the center of intense fighting in recent weeks as each side struggles to advance along the frontlines. Ukraine's general staff said on Friday that Russia had stepped up its military assault on Avdiivka in an ongoing bid to encircle and capture it. "The Avdiivka and Maryinka directions are particularly tough," Zelensky said. "Numerous attacks by Russians. But our positions are protected." Avdiivka has been a symbol of Ukrainian resistance since 2014 after it briefly fell to Russian-backed separatists. It lies just 15 kilometers (nine miles) from the Moscow-held city of Donetsk, the capital of the Donetsk region that Russia said last September it was annexing. Ukrainian soldiers had been bracing for a new assault after a failed Russian offensive earlier this month using columns of armored vehicles and tanks from three sides. Built around a huge coke plant, Avdiivka had a pre-war population of around 30,000 people. Around 1,600 remain, according to local authorities, living in basements converted into bomb shelters. The city center has been all but destroyed through daily Russian artillery shelling and a months-long aerial bombing campaign. The post Ukraine’s positions at Avdiivka still ‘protected’: Zelensky appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Advancing OFWs’ welfare, protecting Filipinos abroad
Overseas Filipino Workers, or OFWs, are indeed modern-day heroes. They help boost our economy, but more importantly, they help uplift the lives of their families to give them a better future and also showcase Filipinos' talents, skills, and work ethic to the world. I was in London, United Kingdom last week for an official trip upon the invitation of the British Group Inter-Parliament Union. Led by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and co-head of delegation Senator Grace Poe, we embarked on several meetings aimed at strengthening relations of the Philippine Senate with our counterparts in the UK parliament to exchange best practices in policymaking while enhancing bilateral relations, fostering economic security, exploring areas of cooperation between the two countries, and promoting the welfare of Filipinos working there. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, I also expressed my gratitude to the UK for donating vaccines during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, we thanked them for other development assistance extended by the UK to the Philippines and for their help in strengthening the Bangsamoro Region. As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, I also maximized the visit to highlight efforts in promoting the welfare of more than 200,000 OFWs in the UK, particularly the more or less 40,000 Filipino nurses working there. We were able to raise to the UK policymakers the concerns of Filipino nurses regarding their rights to proper benefits, just compensation, and a safe working environment. We should be proud of Filipino medical frontliners in the UK, particularly nurses who are among the world’s finest. Take, for example, May Parsons, a Filipina-British nurse who became known globally for administering the first COVID-19 vaccine outside of a clinical trial and receiving the UK's George Cross Award. I have co-sponsored a Senate resolution earlier recognizing and commending her achievement. After our official meetings, I met with a group of OFWs, some of them were fellow Dabawenyos, Filipino Muslims, Ilonggos, and Ilocanos, among others. The stories they shared were proof of how resilient our OFWs are. Despite their sacrifices, homesickness, and worries about their families in their hometowns, they maintain their cheerfulness and positive outlook. I brought some good news to our OFWs by informing them about the establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) through Republic Act No. 11641, a legislation for which I am proud to be one of the authors and co-sponsors in the Senate. This measure streamlines the organization and functions of all government agencies related to overseas employment and migration to better address the needs and concerns of migrant workers. I have also filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2297 to institutionalize the OFW Hospital and ensure its continuous operation in San Fernando City, Pampanga, primarily intended for OFWs and eligible dependents. More importantly, a Malasakit Center is operational there to help reduce their out-of-pocket expenses. The establishment of the DMW, the OFW Hospital, and its own Malasakit Center are just a few of our dreams that are now realities for Filipinos to benefit from. These are testaments of our commitment to promote the welfare of migrant workers and their dependents. However, we acknowledge that there is more work to be done. That is why we continue to listen to their concerns, serve them to the best of our abilities, and pursue initiatives to further their cause. I have also filed SBN 2414, which seeks to establish OFW wards in Department of Health (DOH) hospitals if enacted into law. While our efforts continue to safeguard the welfare of Filipinos abroad, our commitment to serve Filipinos facing challenges in their communities remains unwavering. This week, we had groundbreaking ceremonies for Super Health Centers in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte; Brgy. Labangon in Cebu City; Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur; and in Tigbauan, Iloilo. Through the collective efforts of DOH, LGUs, and fellow lawmakers, we continue to advocate for establishing more community health facilities to help bring public health services closer to those needing medical attention. We have also assisted 1,000 indigents in Llanera, Nueva Ecija, with the office of Cong. Jose Padiernos; 500 members from various sectors in Barangay Mintal, Davao City; 1,900 in Caloocan City, with the office of Congresswoman Mitch Cajayon-Uy. In Cebu City, we also distributed aid to 1,700 residents of the South District with Congressman Edu Rama; 450 in Nagcarlan, Laguna, with Mayor Elmor Vita and Councilor Rey Comendador; and 333 in Pulupandan, Negros Occidental, in collaboration with the Malasakit@Bayanihan group. We also aided 1,000 United Senior Citizens Association members of Quezon City, with Congresswoman Mila Magsaysay, Senator Robin Padilla, and private sector volunteer organizations. My office also extended additional aid to 93 displaced workers in Lumban, Laguna; 210 in Pilar; 217 in Carmen and Batuan in Bohol. DOLE also gave qualified beneficiaries temporary employment. We also supported 200 scholars during their TESDA Orientation in Daet, Camarines Norte. There are also 43 residents of Davao City and nine in La Paz, Agusan del Sur, who were victims of fires and 32 victims of flooding in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat. They were provided separate assistance and the livelihood kits they received through the DTI program, which we advocated for before and continue to support. We also supported 283 victims of past fires in Cagayan de Oro City by giving separate aid in addition to the emergency housing assistance received from the NHA through a program we pushed for so that they could buy materials like nails, roofing, and other necessities for home repairs. My office also provided immediate help to victims of recent fires, such as 50 families in Baseco, Manila City, and 11 families in Brgy. Alabang, Muntinlupa City. No one is exempt from facing life’s hardships. However, our OFWs have shown us how resilient Filipinos can be. Let us learn from them and, more importantly, do our part in uplifting their lives by advocating for their welfare, promoting their rights, protecting their families, and providing the genuine public service they deserve. The post Advancing OFWs’ welfare, protecting Filipinos abroad appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go extends assistance to Caloocan indigents
The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, in coordination with Congresswoman Mitzi Cajayon-Uy, assisted impoverished residents of Caloocan City, through a relief operation held at the Congressional District Office on 16 and 17 October. During the event, 1,900 residents received masks, vitamins, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball from the senator. Additionally, there were select recipients of shoes, mobile phones, and watches. In a video message, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, took the opportunity to address the residents and reminded them to prioritize their health. “Huwag nating kalimutan na ang kalusugan ay kayamanan, kaya the more we should invest in our healthcare system,” Go said. “Ang kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino ay katumbas ng mas maayos at maginhawang buhay para sa buong komunidad,” he added. He encouraged them to make use of the 31 Malasakit Centers in Metro Manila, including the one located at Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in the city. These Malasakit Centers serve as convenient, one-stop shops that offer medical assistance programs to poor patients. Go, who principally authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, said there are currently 159 such centers nationwide. According to the Department of Health (DOH), these centers have benefitted more than seven million Filipinos. “One-stop shop, nasa loob ng hospital ang Malasakit Center. Lapitan n’yo lang po iyan, para sa inyo ‘yan, para sa Pilipino ‘yan, para sa mga poor and indigent patients, tutulungan kayo n'yan,” he added. Moreover, Go championed the establishment of Super Health Centers, which aim to strengthen the healthcare system by providing access to basic medical services in strategic locations across the country. He consistently advocated for these facilities and emphasized their role in ensuring that more Filipinos have access to affordable healthcare at the grassroots level. "I will continue to support the expansion of Super Health Centers in our country to the best of my ability," Go said. "We have seen the tremendous impact of Super Health Centers in our communities, especially in rural areas. That is the goal of Super Health Centers – to bring government medical services closer to the people," he added. Sufficient funds have been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed. In Caloocan, three Super Health Centers will be established through the collective efforts of the local government and fellow lawmakers. Moreover, Go highlighted the recent passage of Republic Act No. 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. The said law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals. As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also extended his support to several infrastructure initiatives in Caloocan City to help boost its economic growth, such as the construction of multipurpose buildings. Last 11 October, more indigents received assistance from the senator. The post Bong Go extends assistance to Caloocan indigents appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tourism, agribusiness need prioritization — PCCI
The country’s biggest congregation of business owners in the country, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the Marcos Jr. administration must focus on the industries of tourism and agribusiness as they provide opportunities to Filipinos. Apart from the two, PCCI president George Barcelon said other industries that need further push and support are IT-BPO and creative industries, manufacturing, mining, and mineral resources, considered to be ideal and attractive for local and foreign investments and could amplify the economic growth and competitiveness of the country. “Some of our neighboring countries in ASEAN have really moved fast over the past 10 years. We had been lagging them in terms of exports, investments, and trade and we could not afford to be in this situation, so we really need to review our policies for us to be attractive to local and foreign investors,” Barcelon said. He said this will be the center of discussions at the upcoming 49th Philippine Business Conference & Expo set this month, which will gather industry leaders and practitioners to provide insights and share some prospects in what an interesting discussion on policies and regulations could be to attract investors and stimulate investments in these sectors. He said tourism and agribusiness are low-hanging fruits that the government should seriously prioritize and develop as it provides many opportunities for Filipinos. In 2022, the tourism and travel industry only contributed 6.2 percent to the country’s GDP lower than 12.7 percent in 2019 prior to the pandemic. The latest data from the Department of Tourism said that from 1 January to 29 September 2023, a total of 4,005,465 visitors arrived in the country, bringing in a total of P316 billion in revenue into the government coffers and hiring 5.35 million Filipinos in tourism-related jobs. The Philippine agribusiness, on the other hand, contributed only around 8.9 percent to GDP in 2022 where in fact its contribution could actually reach 35 percent. The mining and mineral sector, meanwhile, was able to boost the country’s growth by P102B in 2020 during the pandemic while the manufacturing sector contributed 17.2 percent in 2022. “As the private sector takes the lead in mapping out plans for Vision 2050, we hope our government will focus its attention on harnessing these sectors and address the challenges that hinder the country’s economic growth. We have the competitive advantage to become a first world economy by 2050, we just have to do extra work to achieve it,” said Architect Felino Palafox Jr., who chairs the 49th PBC&E happening on 25-26 October at The Manila Hotel. This year’s conference carries the theme Vision 2050: The Philippines A First-World Economy. It will initiate discussions and gather insights from visionary leaders and policymakers on how the country, given its strategic location, natural and human capital resources, and the many advantages it has, can become one of the industrialized and developed economies by 2050. The two-day event will interestingly gather prominent business personalities, national and local executives, and international leaders. The post Tourism, agribusiness need prioritization — PCCI appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teacher who slapped student probed
The Schools Division Office of Antipolo City on Tuesday said it is taking “appropriate actions” to address the alleged child abuse incident at an elementary school in Antipolo City. “We have forwarded the required intake sheet, incident report, and narrative report to the Office of the Regional Director, DepEd Region IV-A, for information and appropriate action,” DepEd Antipolo said in a statement. DepEd Antipolo added that the Office of the Regional Director had issued an order designating a fact-finding team. Last 20 September at about 9 a.m., 14-year-old Francis Jay Minggoy Gumikib, a Grade 5 student at the Peñafrancia Spring Valley Elementary School in Barangay Cupang, Antipolo City, was allegedly slapped by his teacher, Mirasol Sison. Gumikib reportedly developed a severe headache after the incident and was brought to the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina City for treatment only on 26 September. He died at the hospital on Monday, 2 October. A complaint of homicide in relation to the Anti-Child Abuse Law would be filed against the teacher. An autopsy of the student’s remains was requested to determine the cause of death. “Currently, the school principal has assigned an alternate teacher to handle the classes of the teacher concerned who is on official leave,” it added. DepEd Antipolo has formed a team of selected registered guidance counselors, school health nutrition unit representatives, and youth formation development coordinators to help avert a repeat of the incident. The post Teacher who slapped student probed 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......»»
Think tank: SMGPH faces liquidity crunch
The declining profitability of San Miguel Corporation’s energy unit San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp. has affected the capability of the company to meet near-term financial obligations, according to a report of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, or IEEFA. Local groups held a forum on Wednesday ahead of the 133rd anniversary of the Adian conglomerate that focused on the “losing strategy” of maintaining its dependence imported fossil fuel with its planned shift from traditional coal to liquefied natural gas, or LNG. Think tank Center for Energy, Ecology and Development indicated during the event that SMGPH is implementing “a losing strategy that is having devastating consequences on shareholders and investors, energy consumers, and the environment.” “While SMC is pursuing the country’s further dependence on fossil fuel, it is also losing on the actual energy transition development. SMC had lost in the race to secure new permits for renewable energy capacity, which will be built in the next two to three years,” Gerry Arances, CEED executive director, said. Sam Reynolds, author of an Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, or IEEFA, report titled San Miguel Global Power: Fossil fuel-oriented growth strategy raises financial red flags, said the article detailed the financial issues SMC faces because of its reliance on coal and gas. IEEFA is a Detroit-based advisory group for energy industry strategies. He warned the company’s overexposure to volatile fossil fuel prices could sink its financial health and that “SMGPH’s overreliance on fossil fuels has weakened its financial health — moving from coal to LNG is not going to solve the fundamental problem of overexposure to fossil fuel prices.” SMGPH debts are falling due between 2024 and 2026, according to the study. The company’s financial position would likely remain inadequate to address the callable perpetual securities, amounting to $3.4 billion (P193 billion). “SMGPH could face a double-edged sword. On one hand, the need to redeem perpetual securities demands additional capital or funding. On the other, opting not to exercise the call option subjects the company to additional financial costs, further straining its financial position,” according to IEEFA. No contract to back up projects “This is especially true when you consider the company’s lack of contracts for its existing and proposed LNG facilities,” he added. SMC’s status as one of the country’s biggest conglomerates entails that the company should be among those leading the transition away from fossil fuels, Reynolds added. Reynolds also doubts the company will be able to fulfill the 2050 net zero commitment it unveiled earlier this year. “Unless there is a major, material pivot within the company to transition to renewables and phase out its fossil fuel expansion plans, the company is going to have very little chance of achieving its 2050 net zero target. Without a strategic, material, immediate pivot, that goal is simply unrealistic,” he said. Liquidity crunch possible As a result of SMGPH’s declining profitability, IEEFA’s analysis indicated that its ability to cover near-term financial commitments in the form of debt, interest and capital distribution for perpetual securities may have worsened considerably. This points to an overall liquidity crunch, which could translate to a longer-term funding shortfall if not carefully managed. IEEFA indicated that its view “aligns with conclusions from Bloomberg Intelligence, which stated that the company may need $900 million (P51 billion) by the end of this year to meet its financial commitments. “SMGPH’s funding constraints also depend on its ability to extend P21 billion worth of short-term loans. There is also a possibility of obtaining local funding due to its connection to parent company SMC,” IEEFA indicated. Its financial SMGPH’s perpetual securities come with a notable feature: a step-up interest mechanism. If the call option on the security is not exercised, the interest rate increases by a certain percentage each year. SMGPH has strategically tapped into the issuance of bonds and loans to fund its expansion plans, increasing its total debt. Total equity has also grown, driven largely by the company’s issuance of perpetual securities. The paper added that a broader assessment, beyond operating cash flows, reveals a rising liquidity risk for SMGPH. It measured the SMGPH’s cash flow from operations (CFO)-to-current liabilities ratio, the results of which pointed a “concerning trend.” The ratio has been on a downward trajectory since 2019. In 2022, the CFO-to-current liabilities ratio plummeted to an all-time low of -0.12, indicating insufficient cash flow to cover short-term liabilities. The same ratio remained weak in the first half. Its ratio in 2022 was 1.00, down from 1.43 in 2021, meaning the company has exactly one dollar of current assets for every dollar of current liabilities. “In essence, the company holds a relatively tight margin of assets available to cover its immediate financial obligations. Meanwhile, the accounts receivable turnover ratio stood at 3.15, marking its lowest value since 2016.” The post Think tank: SMGPH faces liquidity crunch appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hontiveros comes to aid of Alpha 400
The more or less 400 Filipinos duped into shelling out large sums of money in exchange for employment opportunities in Italy, found an ally in Senator Risa Hontiveros who filed a resolution Wednesday calling for an investigation into the alleged recruitment scam. Less than a week into a series ran by the DAILY TRIBUNE on the reported scam of Alpha Assistenza SRL, an Italy-based immigration consultancy firm, Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution 814 detailing the alleged fraudulent scheme of the immigration consultancy firm that preyed on Filipinos who dream of working in the European country. “It is alleged that Alpha Assistenza SRL provided over 400 Filipino “victims” with falsified Nulla Osta, a document issued by Italian immigration authorities authorizing a non-European Union national to apply for a work visa at an Italian embassy or consulate,” the resolution read. “The falsified Nulla Osta resulted in the rejection of the victims’ applications when the said documents were presented to the Italy Visa Application Center (VIA PIASI Center),” it added. According to Hontiveros, the Filipino applicants were met at the VIA PIASI Center located in Makati City by a Philippine agent designated in electronic messages by Krizelle Respicio, Alpha Assistenza SRL’s Chief Executive Officer and Immigration Consultant. “The State is mandated by the Constitution to afford full protection to laborers, both local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and to promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all,” she said. She added: “Because of the principle of territoriality, our statutes are generally only effective within Philippine territory; and there is thus an urgent need to protect Filipinos from possible recruitment perpetuated by companies based overseas.” ‘Aware’ Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday said it is aware of the alleged recruitment scam that victimized at least 400 Filipinos from the Philippines and Italy. In an interview, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said the number of victims of the alleged recruitment scam may be higher or lower than the previously reported 400 Filipinos. “The numbers are still being verified,” she said, denying alleged non-action against the supposed scam. For the hundreds of victims it does not help to hear the same tune and prompt action is the only way to address their hopelessness. It was the snail-paced efforts of the Philippine Consulate in Milan, Italy, that they sought Italian police assistance after the Consulate’s inaction to their complaints submitted in May 2023. Several victims, who reached out to the Daily Tribune’s digital program, “Usapang OFW,” accused Consul General Elmer Cato of sitting on their complaints against Alpha Assistenza SRL, an Italy-based immigration consultancy firm that allegedly preyed on Filipinos who are dreaming of working in Italy. In an interview over the Usapang OFW last week, several complainants, namely, Vanessa Antonio, Enrique Catilo, and Apple Cabasis, said the Alpha Assistenza SRL, headed by Filipino co-CEOs Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro, may have duped more than 400 Filipinos. They accused Consul General Elmer Cato of neglecting their grievances against Alpha Assistenza SRL. And Allan Hernandez The post Hontiveros comes to aid of Alpha 400 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
OPAPRU backs ex-rebels’ case expedite
DAVAO CITY — Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Eastern Mindanao director Atty. Elisa D. Evangelista-Lapiña said that they support the proposal of Agusan del Norte Governor Angel Amante to speed up cases of the former rebels or Friends Rescued — a move seen by OPAPRU that would ramp up efforts in helping the FRs’ eventual reintegration in mainstream society. “We certainly back this proposal by the Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte. We commend this effort and are ready to offer our full support to make sure that this will be operationalized,” Lapiña said. She added that the OPAPRU will be assisting the provincial government of Agusan del Norte in implementing the mechanism “to lure more New People’s Army members to lay down their weapons and embrace the path to peace.” Lapiña also disclosed that the remaining armed combatants are apprehensive about returning to the folds of the law due to their pending cases in court. “Our goal is to provide a clear and swift path for our FRs. We want to assure them that by choosing peace, the whole-of-nation approach of the government will be of help to them to address both root causes of conflict, social inequality, and historical injustice, among others,” Lapiña said. To date, there are 122 former rebels in Agusan del Norte who have pending cases in court and Lapiña stressed the need to strengthen the coordination between other government agencies, such as the Public Attorney’s Office, the Agusan del Norte government and volunteer legal partners that would actively monitor the progress of the former rebels’ cases, “ensuring that they are treated with the urgency they deserve.” “By closely following legal proceedings, they can identify and address any potential delays or obstacles,” Lapiña said. For his part, Oliver Binancilan, head of OPAPRU’s Davao Area Management Unit, also briefed the group about the Amnesty Program, which he described as a significant stride forward in the government’s efforts to help FRs reintegrate into society. In his presentation, Bancillan stressed the role of Kagawasan 143 Peace Center in actively collaborating with the government to facilitate the amnesty process, ensuring that eligible FRs can benefit from this opportunity for a fresh start. The post OPAPRU backs ex-rebels’ case expedite appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Agusan Norte welcomes first peace center
DAVAO CITY — The provincial government of Agusan del Norte and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Eastern Mindanao has inaugurated last 20 September 2023 the “Kagawasan 143” Peace Center — the first of its kind in the country. The facility is seen to build bridges of understanding and support for former rebels who have chosen the path of peace and reconciliation, while also providing them with the necessary resources and opportunities to reintegrate into society successfully. OPAPRU Eastern Mindanao director Atty. Elisa Evangelista-Lapiña revealed that the peace center would serve as a hub for community engagement, where FRS can come together to discuss and address local issues, share ideas, and build a stronger, more cohesive community. She added that OPAPRU would closely collaborate with the “Kagawasan 143” Peace Center that would actively support and engage in peacebuilding initiatives within the city, and the province of Agusan del Norte working closely with grassroots organizations, local organizations, the academe and other government agencies to promote conflict resolution and social harmony. “This endeavor is part of the OPAPRU’s Localized Peace Engagements Cluster’s Transformation Program for FRs in close collaboration with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC,” said Lapiña. The OPAPRU official also vowed to transfer P5 million to initially fund the operations of the 143 Peace Center that would strengthen the implementation of the OPAPRU’s Localized Peace Engagements Cluster’s Transformation Program in the province. The post Agusan Norte welcomes first peace center appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Defeated’ Armenians turn ire on leader
Armenia’s government faces new woes after losing Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan forces as citizens vented their ire on their leader. Anti-government demonstration erupted in Yerevan and the protest on the mishandling of the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis continued Friday. Opposition parties are taking part in the rallies, accusing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of too many concessions to Baku and demanding his resignation. Protesters were blocking streets across the Armenian capital to prevent Pashinyan’s cabinet meeting as opposition leaders announced plans to impeach him in parliament. On Wednesday and Thursday, dozens of protesters were detained outside Pashinyan’s offices for throwing bottles and stones, and attempting to break into the building. Opposition politician Andranik Tevanyan was among those detained. Riot police have used stun grenades against the demonstrators. Pashinyan appealed for calm in a televised address. On Tuesday, Azerbaijan launched a military operation to retake the Armenian-populated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh which had been under Armenian separatists’ control since the 1990s war between the Caucasus arch foes. Armenian separatists agreed to lay down their arms on Wednesday as part of a Russian-brokered ceasefire plan that halted Azerbaijan’s 24-hour offensive to retake land at the center of decades of conflict. A ceasefire was agreed upon by the two sides with Russian peacekeepers as monitors, while Azerbaijan and the separatists held their first direct peace talks Thursday. WITH AFP The post ‘Defeated’ Armenians turn ire on leader appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Only 30% passes PNP entrance exams
A total of 11,363 or 30.01 percent of the 37,859 examinees hurdled the police examinations conducted by the National Police Commission last 17 to 18 June in 30 designated testing centers nationwide. The announcement came after the Napolcom En Banc issued Resolution No. 2023-1056, dated 18 September 2023, approving and authorizing the release of the results of the PNP Entrance and Promotional Examinations. The total number of passers is distributed, as follows: 5,641 passers of the PNPE Examination representing 20.21 percent of the 27,908 PNPE examinees, and the combined 5,722 passers constituting 57.50 percent of the 9,951 in-service police officers who took the PNP Promotional Examinations. The 5,722 police officers who successfully passed the promotional examinations per category are broken down, as follows: Police Officer 1st Class Examination for Police Major and Police Lieutenant Colonel (60 passers); Police Officer 2nd Class Examination for Police Lieutenant and Police Captain (231 passers); Police Officer 3rd Class Examination for Police Master Sergeant, Police Senior Master Sergeant, Police Chief Master Sergeant and Police Executive Master Sergeant (3,099 passers); and Police Officer 4th Class Examination for Police Corporal and Police Staff Sergeant (2,332 passers). The eligibility conferred upon passing the PNPE Examination is one of the requirements for appointment in the PNP as a Patrolman/Patrolwoman, while passing the corresponding promotional examination is a requirement for promotion to a higher rank. The Napolcom assures the public of its readiness, through its Police Examination System, to detect and address examination anomalies using answer pattern analysis, and thereby warns examinees to refrain from committing any form of irregularity, such as cheating, impersonation, perjury, or violation of examination rules, otherwise, they shall be sanctioned with perpetual disqualification from taking future Napolcom examinations. The list of successful examinees will be posted at the Napolcom One-Stop Shop, 7th Floor, Napolcom Central Office located at DILG-Napolcom Center, Napolcom Building, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City and can be viewed at the Napolcom website at www.napolcom.gov.ph. Individual Certificate of Eligibility or Report of Rating will be sent by mail to all examinees. Certification of successful examinees may be issued upon request by the Napolcom Central and Regional Offices. The post Only 30% passes PNP entrance exams appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NAPOLCOM: Only 30% pass the PNP Entrance Exam
A total of 11,363 or 30.01 percent of the 37,859 examinees hurdled the police examinations conducted by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) last 17-18 June 2023 in 30 designated testing centers nationwide. The announcement came after the NAPOLCOM En Banc issued Resolution No. 2023-1056, dated September 18, 2023, approving and authorizing the release of the results of the PNP Entrance (PNPE) and Promotional Examinations. The total number of passers is distributed, as follows: 5,641 passers of the PNPE Examination representing 20.21% of the 27,908 PNPE examinees, and the combined 5,722 passers constituting 57.50% of the 9,951 in-service police officers who took the PNP Promotional Examinations. The 5,722 police officers who successfully passed the promotional examinations per category are broken down, as follows: Police Officer 1st Class Examination for Police Major and Police Lieutenant Colonel (60 passers); Police Officer 2nd Class Examination for Police Lieutenant and Police Captain (231 passers); Police Officer 3rd Class Examination for Police Master Sergeant, Police Senior Master Sergeant, Police Chief Master Sergeant and Police Executive Master Sergeant (3,099 passers); and Police Officer 4th Class Examination for Police Corporal and Police Staff Sergeant (2,332 passers). The eligibility conferred upon passing the PNPE Examination is one of the requirements for appointment in the PNP as a Patrolman/Patrolwoman, while passing the corresponding promotional examination is a requirement for promotion to a higher rank. The NAPOLCOM assures the public of its readiness, through its Police Examination System, to detect and address examination anomalies using answer pattern analysis, and thereby warns examinees to refrain from committing any form of irregularity, such as cheating, impersonation, perjury, or violation of examination rules, otherwise, they shall be sanctioned with perpetual disqualification from taking future NAPOLCOM examinations. The list of successful examinees will be posted at the NAPOLCOM One-Stop Shop (NOSS), 7th Floor, NAPOLCOM Central Office located at DILG-NAPOLCOM Center, NAPOLCOM Building, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City and can be viewed at the NAPOLCOM website at www.napolcom.gov.ph. Individual Certificate of Eligibility or Report of Rating will be sent by mail to all examinees. Certification of successful examinees may be issued upon request by the NAPOLCOM Central and Regional Offices. The post NAPOLCOM: Only 30% pass the PNP Entrance Exam appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden to host Pacific Island leaders next week
US President Joe Biden will host the leaders of Pacific Island nations at the White House on Monday, his spokeswoman said, as Washington tries to counter Chinese influence in the region. Biden will "reaffirm the US commitment to our shared regional priorities," including climate change, economic growth and countering illegal fishing, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement Tuesday. The meeting comes four months after Biden was forced to scrap a historic visit to a summit of the Pacific Island Forum in Papua New Guinea, due to talks to avoid a US debt default. Biden hosted his first summit with the forum -- an 18-member bloc of mostly small states scattered across a huge swath of ocean -- last year at the White House. The South Pacific was seen as a relative diplomatic backwater after World War II, but it is an increasingly important arena for powers to compete for commercial, political and military influence. The Biden administration has particularly been pushing to boost its presence there against a rising China, which is itself keen to get a strategic toe-hold in the South Pacific. During this year's meeting, Biden will hear from leaders on "how we can increase cooperation to address the mounting challenges of our time," Jean-Pierre said. As well as being at the center of a superpower tussle, the region is also badly affected by rising sea levels due to climate change. Biden told the UN General Assembly earlier Tuesday that he wanted to "responsibly manage the competition" between the United States and China "so it does not tip into conflict." The post Biden to host Pacific Island leaders next week appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rewards, innovations, sustainability
Globe, the mobile leader and top digital solutions provider in the Philippines, is redefining customer appreciation with its annual G Day celebration, which brings together life-enabling tools and rewards in line with its mission to uplift the lives of Filipinos. Stretching beyond the date of 17 September (09/17) or 0917, which represents Globe’s mobile number prefix, this month-long celebration offers Globe customers digital innovations and next-gen tech experiences. Globe is also committed to using the G Day platform to reiterate its message of environmental sustainability. Throughout its G Day events and activities, Globe is championing sustainability by encouraging customers to observe eco-friendly and socially-conscious practices through small acts, from proper waste disposal and avoidance of single-use plastics to using sustainable transport through the use of Globe’s electric vehicle shuttles to and from event venues, or via carpooling. Customers are also encouraged to support advocacies such as the Hapag Movement, the Globe-led initia-tive that aims to address involuntary hunger through supplemental feeding and livelihood training. G Chance The Raffle. Globe customers can use their Rewards points to redeem raffle entries via the GlobeOne App. G Chance The Raffle can also kick-start online businesses and equip aspiring vloggers, giving them a chance to learn the ropes from industry leaders such as YouTube, Meta and TikTok. Winners will get access to premium subscriptions such as the RUSH Spark Lite e-Store Platform and Canva Pro, along with the tools they would need in their creator or business owner journey. Techies can win the latest intelligent gadgets, and for shopaholics, Globe is giving away a shopping spree at Puregold, plus GCash prizes and more. Customers can redeem entries until 30 September 2023. G Music Fest. G Music Fest, now on its fourth year, is making an even bigger comeback as a music and creator Festival. With a focus on celebrating local talent, this year will feature an all-Pinoy lineup: Urbandub, December Avenue, Lola Amour, Dilaw, PLAYERTWO, Paul Pablo, Sugarcane, The Itchyworms, Mayonnaise, Ace Ban-zuelo, Nobita, Munimuni and Syd Hartha at Circuit Grounds in Makati on 16 September. Beyond inspiration through music, the festival’s Creator Hub will encourage self-expression, learning and creativity through various art and community building activities such as live murals and painting with Drip Splash and Paint It Fun. G Creator Con. On 17 September, G Creator Con aims to unlock the creative potential of each Filipino in the music, content design and technology space. The event, to be held simultaneously at The Globe Tower, BGC Amphitheater and Globe Creator House, transforms BGC into an art and tech city powered by Globe and serves as a springboard for Globe’s Creator Culture, a long-term program combining thought-leadership, creative tech experiences and rewarding opportunities through creator project grants. Creator Talks will feature speakers from Meta, YouTube, DTI Design Center, Myx, Social Media Marketing PH, Bitskwela, and creative thought-leaders Nadine Lustre, Mela Habijan, Pat Tinguy, Eva Le Queen, Pio Dumayas of Lola Amour as panelists. G Fair. To be held on 23 to 24 September the following weekend also at the BGC Amphitheater, the art and tech pop-up market G Fair will showcase Filipino entrepreneurs and artists. With curated micro, small and medium-size enterprises and artists from MoCAF (Modern and Contemporary Art Festival), the bazaar will offer a blend of homegrown businesses and art. G Battle Zone: G Legends Cup and REV Major. Gaming enthusiasts can participate in an online nationwide Mobile Legends tournament, the G Legends Cup, on 23 to 30 September. Winners will receive cash prizes and a chance to meet, greet and even scrim with Globe’s main gaming ambassador Blacklist International. Gamers may also join the Philippines’ largest fighting game tournament, REV Major 2023, to be held at the SMX Convention Center on 30 September and 1 October. Here, the best of Pinoy gamers will play against international fighting game esports athletes. Attendees will also enjoy exclusive giveaways from Globe’s partners such as GrabCar, Move It and Foodpanda. For more information on the G Day events, download and explore the GlobeOne app or visit glbe.co/GDayEveryday. The post Rewards, innovations, sustainability appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»