DSWD-Davao raises child feeding budget to P21
The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) has increased its budget for the Supplementary Feeding Program to P21 per child, up from the previous P15 allocation. Kyla Denise T. Pamat, a nutritionist dietician at DSWD-Davao, shared in a radio interview on Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on January 26, 2024, that the enhancement is a result of a budget insertion in 2023. The 13th cycle targets 122,400 children in Davao Region, with five local government units (LGUs) already initiating the feeding program, while others are in the procurement process. The program focuses on children aged two to four in child development centers and supervised neighborhood places, providing hot meals (rice and viand) for 80 days and alternative meals (pancake, nutribun, and fruit salad) for 40 days during the 120 feeding days. Additionally, selected LGUs with a prevalent number of underweight children receive milk feeding for the entire duration. The 12th cycle showed an 82.27 percent improvement in the weight of underweight children, reducing their number from 4,567 to 784 after the 120 feeding days. Pamat highlighted its alignment with Republic Act 11037, also known as the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act, and encouraged LGUs, communities, and parents to support the program for continuous improvement......»»
Pope Francis names Philippines’ first Dominican bishop in decades
Father Napoleon Sipalay Jr., an official of the University of Santo Tomas and former head of Filipino Dominicans, is the new bishop of Alaminos, Pangasinan.....»»
Solo parents to get P1K monthly subsidy
The Local Solo Parents' Ordinance, recently approved by the 20th City Council of Davao City, promises a monthly subsidy of approximately P1,000 for eligible beneficiaries. Councilor Tricia Ann Villafuerte highlighted the ordinance's significance in providing vital support to solo parents and their children, as there are approximately 6,000 solo parents in Davao City. This ordinance is an adaptation of the national law, Republic Act 8972, customized to address the unique needs of solo parents in the city. It aims to meet the essential needs of mothers and their children, including school supplies, consultation, laboratory diagnostics, and financial assistance, such as medical, death, and burial aid. Additionally, solo parents will receive a monthly monetary subsidy of P1,000 and are entitled to a 10 percent discount on select basic commodities, similar to senior citizens and Persons with Disability (PWD). To qualify for the benefits, applicants must submit necessary documents and meet specific criteria, while disqualification grounds include changes in civil status and provision of necessary assistance by the other biological parent as per the Family Code of the Philippines. It's important to note that individuals under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are ineligible for the Local Solo Parents' Ordinance......»»
Plugging loopholes and leakages
Less than two years after it took effect, Republic Act 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, may already need a thorough review in order for our legislators to find out whether indeed there are serious flaws and loopholes in the law and in its implementation and enforcement......»»
Perjury case by retired justice vs Dominican exorcist junked
A perjury case filed by retired Justice Harriet Demetriou against Dominican theologian and exorcist Fr. Winston Cabading has been dismissed for "insufficiency of evidence"......»»
TURNING POINT: One China Bully Principle
NAAWAN, Misamis Oriental (MindaNews / 23 January) – President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. (PBBM) was called out recently by Beijing for congratulating Lai Ching, the newly elected President of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The People’s Republic of China (PRC) was visibly irked by PBBM for expressing closer collaboration with Taiwan to advance mutual interest. The […].....»»
FACT CHECK | Mindanao comprises 28 provinces, not 27 as ‘Kulas’ writes
The Facebook post of famous Canadian vlogger BecomingFilipino that Mindanao has 27 provinces is wrong. Mindanao comprises 28 provinces as of September 2023, after Maguindanao province was divided into Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte with the ratification of Republic Act 11550 (An Act Dividing the Province of Maguindanao Into Two Provinces, namely: Maguindanao […].....»»
Special non-working holiday in Bulacan
The people of Bulacan are enjoying a special non-working day today in observance of the anniversary of the First Philippine Republic......»»
Al Tengco’s gamble
In this gambling republic, Alejandro Tengco, Chairman of gaming regulator Philippine Amusement & Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), isn’t afraid to roll the dice and place bets......»»
Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, Jan. 19
BRAZZAVILLE -- At least 23 people were killed by floods caused by heavy rains across the Republic of the Congo, government spokesperson Thierry Moungalla said Friday. The 23 deaths were recorded in the departments of Likouala, Cuvette and Niari. According to an updated assessment, nine of the country's 12 departments have been affected, especially those bordering the Congo River. (Congo-Flooding-Damage) -.....»»
Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, Jan. 19
BRAZZAVILLE -- At least 23 people were killed by floods caused by heavy rains across the Republic of the Congo, government spokesperson Thierry Moungalla said Friday. The 23 deaths were recorded in the departments of Likouala, Cuvette and Niari. According to an updated assessment, nine of the country's 12 departments have been affected, especially those bordering the Congo River. (Congo-Flooding-Damage) -.....»»
Samal resort gets notice of violation over hawksbill turtle hatchlings
The Department of Natural Resources-Davao Region (DENR-Davao) has issued a notice of violation to Isla Reta Beach Resort in Samal for the illegal possession of hawksbill turtle hatchlings. The resort violated Republic Act 9147, which prohibits the exploitation of wildlife resources and their habitats. The law strictly prohibits collecting, hunting, or possessing wildlife or their by-products, with penalties including imprisonment and fines. In response to the notice, the resort's owner must release the turtle hatchlings within a day, or face legal action. Despite the resort's intention to care for and release the hatchlings after six months, DENR-Davao found 130 hatchlings inside styro boxes and emphasized the critical importance of immediately releasing them to ensure their survival. The Philippines recognizes five sea turtle species, with hawksbill and leatherback classified as critically endangered. DENR-Davao encourages individuals to report wildlife sightings and pledges to conduct public awareness campaigns for wildlife conservation. Isla Reta Beach Resort faced criticism for unauthorized plans to raise the hatchlings......»»
Backgroungder: The Republic of Nauru
HONG KONG, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Republic of Nauru announced Monday that it will recognize the one-China principle and sever "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan. Nauru is an island country in the Central Pacific with a land area of 21.1 square kilometers and a marine exclusive economic zone of 320,000 square kilometers. Nauru's population is about 13,000. Most of them are of Micronesian origin, and the r.....»»
Backgroungder: The Republic of Nauru
HONG KONG, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Republic of Nauru announced Monday that it will recognize the one-China principle and sever "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan. Nauru is an island country in the Central Pacific with a land area of 21.1 square kilometers and a marine exclusive economic zone of 320,000 square kilometers. Nauru's population is about 13,000. Most of them are of Micronesian origin, and the r.....»»
E. Visayas ARBs grateful over signing of new agrarian law
Republic Act 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act freed ARBs from debts incurred from amortization of lands awarded under Presidential Decree 27 and Republic Acts 6657 and 9700......»»
From ‘Banana Republic’ to ‘UK-low’
The writer George Santayana warned us: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it......»»