Remove the chaff from the grains
Other than the questioned selling of the buffer stock of rice to traders, what’s happening at the National Food Authority (NFA)? With 132 of around 2,000 NFA officials and employees all around the country suspended for six months without pay, this agency attached to the Department of Agriculture (DA) is struggling to stay relevant in the over-all schemes of the government on food security......»»
Cavitex operator files raps vs OIC of PEATC
he Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. has filed a criminal complaint against Dioscoro Esteban Jr., officer-in-charge of the state-owned firm PEA Tollway Corp. over the alleged unauthorized filing of a petition seeking to remove CIC’s right to manage and operate the Manila-Cavite Expressway......»»
Local retailers seek removal of de minimis value in imports
The Philippine Retailers Association has urged policymakers to reevaluate and remove the de minimis value in import goods, particularly concerning online retail purchases......»»
More granular, location-specific heat indexes sought
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) should come up with more granular and location-specific heat indexes to guide schools and local government units to remove the “arbitrariness” in class suspensions because of extreme heat, according to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian......»»
Jeepney drivers in Philippines to go on 3-day strike starting Monday
MANILA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Jeepney drivers in the Philippines will mount a three-day nationwide strike starting Monday to protest the government's plans to remove decades-old jeepneys off the streets. The transport strike, which will run until May 1, has prompted the Department of Education to order all public schools nationwide to resort to online classes on April 29 and 30. The educational directive w.....»»
91 families, commercial establishments ordered to clear Estero de Parian in Cebu City
CEBU CITY, Philippines – At least 91 informal settler families (ISFs), including the four large commercial establishments, located along the Estero de Parian in Cebu City were issued final notices on April 26 to voluntarily remove structures blocking the waterways. Retired General Melquiades Feliciano, the chief implementer of the city’s Task Force Gubat sa Baha,.....»»
SEC Orders Removal of Binance from Apple, Google App Stores
The Philippines’ Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ordered Apple and Google to remove Binance’s app from their app stores, citing concerns about investor protection and Binance’s alleged violation of Philippine securities laws. The SEC said in a news release that Binance was operating as an unregistered broker selling or offering unregistered securities, posing a threat […].....»»
‘AO 20 necessary for food security’
The newly issued administrative order seeking to remove non-tariff barriers on agricultural imports is a necessary measure for food security, the National Economic and Development Authority said yesterday amid concerns raised by stakeholders......»»
Paurong mag-isip : MMDA s proposal to remove EDSA bike lanes draws flak
Mobility advocates scored the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) after proposing the removal of bicycle lanes on EDSA — a move seen by the group as counter to the president's directive on sustainable modes of transportation......»»
SEC asks Google, Apple: Remove Binance from app marketplaces
In SEC’s press release on Tuesday, it said that it sent separate letters to Google and Apple asking them to remove the applications controlled by Binance in their respective application marketplaces in the Philippines......»»
Rama plans to redesign CBRT bus station at Capitol for heritage preservation
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project is facing delays, and the mayor’s new plans might make it take even longer. Mayor Michael Rama wants to remove the planned bus station near the Capitol building because it doesn’t fit with the area’s heritage. He plans to replace it with a new.....»»
HPG-7 to public officials: Detach sirens, blinkers from your vehicles
CEBU CITY, Philippines – An official of the Highway Patrol Group in Central Visayas (HPG-7) has ordered local chief executives to immediately remove sirens and blinkers attached to their vehicles as they are no longer authorized to use them. This is in accordance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administrative order on “prohibiting government officials and.....»»
Delivery drivers urge Mayor Baste for business permit exemption
Title: Delivery Drivers Seek Exemption from Business Permit Requirement A group of delivery drivers in Davao is urging Mayor Sebastian Duterte to exempt them from the mandatory business permits. The drivers, including those from various delivery apps such as Grab and FoodPanda, are concerned about the financial burden imposed by the business permits, which range from P2,000 to P6,000. They argue that this requirement is unique to Davao City among all cities and provinces in the Philippines. Grab rider Rolando Atico emphasized the need for solidarity among all delivery drivers, regardless of the app they work for. He urged fellow drivers to support each other, as the financial impact may extend beyond just Grab and FoodPanda. Atico also requested Mayor Duterte to reconsider the requirement and reinstate the previous occupational permit, which only cost P125. The group is facing a 30-day deadline to obtain the business permits, and they are citing financial constraints as a reason for their request for an extension. Failure to comply could result in their removal from the delivery platforms, jeopardizing their livelihoods. Additionally, they are advocating for changes to Davao City's Revenue Code, proposing a model similar to Cebu City, where only an occupational permit is required. The drivers are also calling for an inquiry into the lack of transparency and unilateral actions of food delivery companies, particularly concerning rider capitalization and financial concerns. They believe that a thorough investigation will help ensure fairness and equity in their financial obligations and working relationship with the delivery companies. Maribel Paguican, the Business Bureau officer-in-charge, stated that non-certified delivery riders categorized as service contractors must obtain a business permit. She mentioned two permits for occupational and business activities, with a discounted structure for delivery riders. However, concerns have been raised about increased taxes, potentially ranging from P3,000 to P6,000, along with an additional tax on top of the declared income of P1,400. The delivery drivers' plea for exemption from the business permit requirement reflects their concerns about the financial impact and the potential threat to their livelihoods. Their call for solidarity and support from fellow drivers highlights the urgency of the situation. This story sheds light on the challenges faced by delivery drivers in Davao and the implications of the business permit requirement on their financial well-being. It also underscores their efforts to seek fairness and equity in their working relationship with the authorities and delivery companies......»»
Philippine landslide death toll almost doubles to 27: official
The death toll from a landslide that hit a gold-mining village in the southern Philippines nearly doubled to 27 on Friday, officials said, as rescuers retrieved more bodies from the mud. The number of people missing from Tuesday's landslide in Masara in the mountainous province of Davao de Oro on Mindanao island fell to 89 from more than 100, while the number of injured rose to 32, the latest figures from.....»»
Philippine landslide death toll almost doubles to 27: official
The death toll from a landslide that hit a gold-mining village in the southern Philippines nearly doubled to 27 on Friday, officials said, as rescuers retrieved more bodies from the mud. The number of people missing from Tuesday's landslide in Masara in the mountainous province of Davao de Oro on Mindanao island fell to 89 from more than 100, while the number of injured rose to 32, the latest figures from.....»»
BSP logs 40K complaints relating to financial consumer protection; only 5% come from Mindanao
SINCE the effectivity of the Financial Consumer Protection Act (Republic Act 11765) in June 2022, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has logged more than 40,000 complaints from customers of different BSP-supervised financial institutions from all over the Philippines. Of this number, only around 5 percent come from Mindanao, implying the Mindanaoans' unawareness of the law......»»
Philippines bans live poultry from Belgium, France
MANILA, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines has indefinitely banned the importation of poultry and other poultry products from Belgium and France due to the outbreak of bird flu in the two European countries, the Philippines' Department of Agriculture said Tuesday. Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the ban will immediately stop domesticated and wild birds from Belgium and France from ente.....»»
Koko to pols: Stay away from ayuda distribution
Politicians should stay away from in-person distribution of ayuda or financial assistance from the government so as not to mislead the public that the aid comes from them, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said yesterday......»»
From Marcos to Marcos: Lawyers murderously attacked
From the Marcos Martial Law period to 2000, one lawyer was killed each year (18 in 18 years). From 2001 to the present, there have been 204 lawyers killed at a yearly rate of about 8.87. The post From Marcos to Marcos: Lawyers murderously attacked appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
VP Sara ready to face ICC charges only before a Filipino court
Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her readiness to confront any allegations against her but insisted that she would only do so in front of a Filipino judge and within the jurisdiction of a Filipino court. In a statement on her Facebook page, she emphasized her refusal to participate in any process that could tarnish the reputation and integrity of the Philippine judiciary system. Duterte adamantly opposed the involvement of foreign entities in the country's legal affairs, citing it as a dishonor to the sacrifices made by Filipino heroes for the nation's freedom. Duterte, who previously served as vice mayor and mayor of Davao City, vehemently denied any involvement in the Davao Death Squad during her terms in office. She expressed dismay over the sudden appearance of a witness against her in the International Criminal Court (ICC) after assuming the vice presidency. Duterte dismissed the accusations and questioned the motives behind the allegations, asserting her capability to accomplish tasks without resorting to unlawful means. In a related development, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. voiced his refusal to acknowledge the ICC's jurisdiction in the Philippines, considering it a threat to the country's sovereignty. He issued a directive for all government agencies to refrain from cooperating with the ICC, emphasizing the nation's non-recognition of the court's authority. Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that ICC investigators had gathered substantial evidence against former President Rodrigo Duterte regarding his administration's war on drugs. He anticipated an imminent issuance of an arrest warrant against the former president. Former President Rodrigo Duterte condemned the ICC's decision to initiate a preliminary investigation into the war on drugs, labeling it an insult to the Philippines and challenging the court's jurisdiction within the country. During his presidency, he initiated the withdrawal of the Philippines' membership from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. The ICC appeals chamber recently granted a request to resume the investigation into alleged crimes against humanity related to the Philippines' controversial drug campaign, spanning from November 2011 to March 2019. The developments surrounding the ICC's probe into the Philippines' internal affairs have sparked a contentious debate, with key political figures and rights groups expressing divergent views on the matter. The ongoing tensions between the Philippines and the ICC underscore the complex intersection of international law, national sovereignty, and human rights issues......»»
10th ID bashes Canadian gov’t for travel advisory vs Mindanao
The 10th Infantry Agila Division (10ID) of the Philippine Army criticized the Canadian government for issuing a travel advisory against all parts of Mindanao, which includes their area of responsibility. Major Mark Anthony Tito, spokesperson for the 10th ID, emphasized that the regions under their jurisdiction are peaceful and free from terrorism and violent threats, contrary to the Canadian embassy's advisory. The division oversees 12 provinces, seven cities, and 72 municipalities in various parts of Mindanao. Tito expressed bewilderment at the basis of the travel advisory, asserting that the Canadian government lacks awareness of the actual situation on the ground. He highlighted the peaceful nature of the entire Davao Region throughout 2023, with no recorded incidents of terrorism or insurgency. Despite the exclusion of Davao City from the advisory, Tito noted that the region would still be impacted. The Canadian embassy's advisory warned its citizens to avoid visiting Mindanao due to ongoing terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, high levels of violence, and encounters between rebel forces and government security authorities. Specific provinces and regions were singled out for caution or non-essential travel, including Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and Eastern Mindanao. Contrary to the advisory, the 10th ID has been actively weakening and eliminating guerilla forces within its jurisdiction as part of the Philippine Army's efforts to establish an insurgency-free zone. In fact, on October 27, 2023, the Davao Region celebrated its first anniversary as an insurgency-free region in the Philippines. This dispute has led to other related stories, including the Chamber's intention to engage in discussions with the Canadian government regarding the travel advisory, as well as refutations from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and celebrations of the Davao Region's insurgency-free status by the Regional Peace and Order Council. In summary, the 10th ID vehemently opposes the Canadian government's travel advisory, citing the peaceful and secure nature of the regions under their jurisdiction, and highlighting the significant strides made in eradicating insurgency in the Davao Region......»»