The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) is issuing a fresh warning to the public regarding the heightened risk of leptospirosis as heavy rainfall continues to trigger flooding across various regions in the country.
Ariel I. Valencia, the Regional Director, emphasized the importance of avoiding contact with floodwaters especially people with open wounds. He advises against wading, swimming, or playing in flooded areas.
For those who must work in or around dirty water, using protective gear such as gloves and a sealed container is crucial. Valencia further recommends proper waste disposal, thorough cleansing with clean water and soap after exposure to contaminated water, maintaining clean drinking water sources, and upholding household and environmental hygiene.
The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) has reported a total of 95 leptospirosis cases, including 14 fatalities, from January 1 to July 29, 2023. This marks a worrisome increase of 76% compared to the same period last year, during which 54 cases were recorded.
Among the provinces, Quezon has seen the most significant surge with 35 cases (218% increase), followed by Rizal with 22 cases (83% increase), Laguna with 16 cases (100% increase), and Batangas with 13 cases (44% increase). Cavite, however, has seen a slight decrease from last year, recording 9 cases (36% decrease) compared to the previous 14 cases.
Leptospirosis is a severe illness that can be transmitted through direct contact with moist soil, vegetation (such as rice fields and sugarcane plantations), and water contaminated by the urine of infected animals.
This includes activities like swimming, wading in floodwaters, accidental immersion, occupational exposure, or handling infected animals. The disease can also spread through consuming food and water tainted by the urine of infected animals, particularly rats.
“Individuals experiencing high fever, headache, shivering, muscle pain, vomiting, yellowing of the skin (jaundice), eye redness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rashes should promptly seek medical attention at the nearest hospital for immediate treatment,” added Valencia.
Valencia assures the public of an ample supply of doxycycline, stating, “For those who have been exposed to floodwater, seek consultation at the nearest health centers to receive necessary medication. If cases continue to rise, we want to assure the public that we possess an adequate supply of medications.”
DOH CHD Calabarzon has prepositioned a total of 142,000 doxycycline capsules, prepared for swift distribution. (ai/mnm)
By Benjamin Cuaresma
August 2, 2023
PASAY CITY — A swift and coordinated operation led by the Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine National Police culminated in a surprise raid at the SKK Building in Pasay City. The building was suspected to be a hub for orchestrating love scams and cryptocurrency frauds.
In a meticulously planned operation on Tuesday, August 2, 2023, law enforcement agents apprehended a total of 640 individuals. Among them, 400 were Filipino citizens, while the remaining detainees consisted of foreign nationals hailing from China and India.
The raid resulted in the confiscation of an array of incriminating items, including hundreds of mobile phones, computers, SIM cards, and various other electronic devices. Acting under the authority of search warrants, the authorities thoroughly combed through the five-story SKK Building, uncovering the extent of the illicit activities taking place within its walls.
Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty revealed that the company responsible for the operation had acquired legal recognition and licensing as a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO), concealing their illicit pursuits behind this façade.
Investigations point to the involvement of Chinese nationals as the masterminds behind these cybercrime love scams, underscoring the transnational nature of the illegal operations. (ai/mnm)
The Department of Agriculture (DA) reassured the public on Wednesday that the country’s rice supply remains sufficient, despite the challenges faced by the agricultural sector in the wake of recent typhoons.
Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian stated this during a press briefing, “We have an ample supply for the upcoming months. We are currently in the midst of the planting season, with anticipated harvests in August and September.”
Sebastian emphasized that the Philippines’ rice inventory is well-stocked, thanks to the 5.7 million metric tons (MT) of “palay” harvested during the dry season, coupled with an additional 1.9 million MT of imported rice.
Earlier, Agriculture Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla had mentioned that the country’s rice reserves were projected to last for 39 days, which falls short of the mandated 60-day supply.
Contrary Views
However, Raul Montemayor, the national manager of the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF), expressed skepticism about the sufficiency claim. He noted that the current stocks are projected to last only until September, and the next local harvest won’t be until October.
Montemayor cautioned, “While imports can help bolster the rice stocks, it carries some risk due to the elevated international prices and decreasing import availability.”
Sombilla announced on Tuesday the scheduled importation of 1.3 million MT of rice to supplement the country’s reserves.
She highlighted the withdrawal of Russia from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, India’s ban on non-basmati white rice exports, and the El Niño phenomenon as potential threats to rice supply stability in the Philippines.
Senator Mary Grace Poe lamented the timing of the export ban amid flood-ravaged fields caused by typhoons and monsoons.
Global Ramifications
In 2022, the Philippines imported 3.79 million MT of rice, primarily from Vietnam, which contributed 3.16 million MT. Other significant sources included Myanmar, Pakistan, and Thailand.
Although the Philippines only procured 10,045 MT from India, the world’s largest rice exporter, Senator Poe noted that the export ban’s ripple effects are felt worldwide.
Senator Poe elaborated, “The global rice market is likely to see an increase in prices due to speculation caused by the decline in supply from the largest rice exporter.”
Data indicated that India’s ban primarily affected non-basmati rice, constituting around 81.2 percent of its total rice exports.
Senator Poe highlighted the impact on Vietnam, which supplies over 90 percent of the Philippines’ rice imports. The country has already raised its price from $500 to $600 per MT.
Future Prospects
Senator Poe mentioned President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s intention to establish a rice import agreement with India. She remarked, “We wish him success, considering the expected high demand. Other countries, such as Bangladesh and Nepal, will likely be among the first to seek rice from India.”
Senator Poe, the author of the “Masustansyang Pagkain sa Batang Pilipino Act,” which provides nutritious meals to public school students, acknowledged that rice consumption remains high among Filipinos due to cultural influences.
Statistics from the Philippine Statistics Authority revealed that the country is 81.5 percent self-sufficient in rice, necessitating significant imports.
Senator Poe concluded by expressing her anticipation for reviewing the Department of Agriculture’s proposed 2024 budget. She stressed the need for effective allocation to support rice farmers and enhance the agricultural sector’s performance. (ai/mnm)
Eldrew Yulo (Manila Times photo courtesy)
Drawing upon the extraordinary abilities displayed by his world-renowned Olympic gymnast sibling Carlos, Eldrew Yulo showcased his brilliance in the men’s artistic gymnastics event at the Palarong Pambansa.
Yulo unequivocally demonstrated his superiority over the field in the secondary-level individual all-around competition held at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, where he clinched the illustrious gold medal on Wednesday, August 2.
At the age of 15, Yulo garnered an impressive score of 46.25, firmly establishing his dominance and capturing his fourth individual all-around gold medal, thereby adding to his impressive collection of 16 Palaro gold medals overall. (AI/MNM)
Rep. Arnie Teves (left) and counsel Atty. Ferdinand Topacio
The legal representative of suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves said Thursday he is preparing to lodge an appeal against the classification of his client as a “terrorist.”
In an interview, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio conveyed his determination to contest the government’s characterization of Teves, which was attributed to the Department of Justice (DoJ).
Topacio argued that the government has been unduly focused on Teves ever since the murder of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and several others in March.
“Our commitment lies in pursuing all available legal avenues, as it is my professional responsibility and heartfelt conviction that my client [Teves] is untainted by these allegations,” Topacio emphasized.
He continued, “A grave offense cannot be mitigated by prosecuting an innocent individual. It appears that from the outset, the government’s attention has been singularly fixated on Rep. Teves.”
Topacio brought attention to a witness who asserted the existence of another mastermind behind Degamo’s murder, alleging that Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla had dismissed this testimony without due consideration.
“Some time ago, a different individual came forward, indicating the presence of an alternate mastermind. How did the Secretary of Justice respond? The testimony was promptly disregarded without any form of inquiry,” Topacio remarked.
“The prospects for justice within the Department of Justice seem bleak, given that the Secretary of Justice, who holds oversight and administrative authority over all prosecutors, hastily concluded that Teves was the mastermind. Under these circumstances, how can the prosecutors arrive at a contrary conclusion? To exonerate Teves, they would essentially need to challenge the Secretary of Justice’s stance. However, which prosecutor would willingly take that risk at the potential expense of their career?” Topacio questioned.
Teves stands accused of allegedly orchestrating the murder of Degamo in March.
He has been absent from the House of Representatives since departing for the United States earlier this year.
Although the House suspended him, the suspension’s effectiveness has since elapsed. (AI/MNM)
Naina Dominique Tagle from Region 7 readies herself to take her shot during the 70-meter distance team archery event at the 2023 Palarong Pambansa. (Photo courtesy of The Manila Times)
A new Palarong Pambansa secondary girls’ 60m archery record was established by Naina Dominique Tagle from Central Visayas (Region 7) during the 2023 edition of the games.
The remarkable feat occurred at the STI Gold Toe Archery Center in Barangay Barangka, Marikina City on Thursday, August 3.
Tagle demonstrated exceptional skill, accumulating 327 points, and securing the gold medal in this category. In a closely contested competition, Venice Garcia of the National Capital Region (NCR) secured the silver medal with 313 points, while Faith Novesteras clinched the bronze medal with a score of 312 points.
Tagle and Garcia swapped positions in the newly introduced 70m archery event at the Palarong Pambansa in an interesting turn of events.
This time, it was Garcia who emerged triumphant, setting a high standard with 310 points to claim the gold medal, leaving Garcia in second place with 306 points, securing the silver.
Denelyn Villagracia from Bicol Region (Region 5) showcased her prowess, earning the bronze medal with a score of 301 points.
(ai/mnm)
The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) has reported inundation in the following road sections:
Southbound lane of United Nations (UN) Avenue, water level above gutter
-Taft NBI Parking/Exit, water level above gutter
- Padre Faura to UN Station, water level at gutter depth
- Padre Faura to Intersection, water level at gutter depth
Additionally, the Manila Public Information Office (MPIO) has announced that the city has been providing complimentary transportation services to commuters since 4 a.m.
(Benjie Cuaresma/AI/MNM)
MANILA – National Capital Region topped the elementary girls’ 7-12 200-meter freestyle relay on Wednesday in the Palarong Pambansa swimming competition at the Marikina Sports Center.
The team of Isabella Beatrice Gestuvo, Jamie Aica Summer Sy, Gabrielle Gayle Ocampo and Adrienne Reese Tacuboy clocked 2:04.04 to win the race over Region 4A’s Eryza Renoa Buison, Rhyanna Marie Aguila, Elisa Janna De Kam and Alliah Lei Obregon (2:08.92) and Region 10’s April Erica Morgia, Cathlene Hengania, Mariz Arianne Tañan and Ckryztyn Leonardo (2:09.04).
“I’m happy for the team because we were able to recover from our bronze medal performance yesterday,” Sy, a 12-year-old incoming Grade 7 student at the University of Santo Tomas, said
NCR, composed of Sy, Tacuboy, Castro and Xyris Solaine Nahe, finished third (2:24.53) behind Region 3’s Maria Felisha Celso, Azula Elise Villanueva, Eunice De Guzman and Caelyn Dane Salac (2:16.92) and Region 4A’s Aguila, Ashleyezza Palermo, Buison and Obregon (2:21.91) in the 200m medley relay on Tuesday.
“I was actually nervous before the competition but my determination to win prevailed,” added Sy, a member of the Flash Swim Club headed by coach Ada Diaz.
Sy, who failed to get a medal at the 2023 Batang Pinoy National Championships hosted by Vigan City in Ilocos Sur province, is hoping to do well in the 50m backstroke and in favorite 50m freestyle event.
In athletics, John Kerby Dianito (Region 11) ruled the secondary boys javelin throw in 57.01m at the PhilSports in Pasig City. He beat NCR’s Zoilo Reyes Jr. (55.68) and Region 2’s Jerome Lee Balangit (50.01).
Winnie John Paclibar of Region 6 dominated the elementary boys javelin in 53.06 meters. Marjun Castaño (Region 10) placed second in 48.39m followed by John Joshua Carbayar (Region 4A), who registered 44.35m.
Rhain Baladjay (Region 6) ruled the elementary boys triple jump in 11.37 meters, while Region 6 bets Kenneth Pancho (11.29m) and Kris Louie Dela Peña (11.17m) finished second and third, respectively.
As of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Region 4A leads the overall medal tally with 18 golds, 16 silvers and 12 bronzes followed by NCR (16-17-13), Region 6 (11-13-10), Region 11 (9-1-5), Region 3 (8-7-12), Region 10 (8-5-11), CAR (7-6-2), Region 1 (6-5-4), Region 7 (5-4-7), Region 5 (4-7-4), Region 12 (4-7-3), Region 8 (1-4-2), Region 2 (1-3-6), Region 4B (1-2-8), Region 9 (1-1-0), CARAGA (0-0-1) and BARM (0-0-0). (PNA)
De La Salle University and the University of Santo Tomas have set the stage for an eagerly awaited semifinal showdown after securing divergent victories in the knockout quarterfinals of the 2023 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals.
The exhilarating clashes took place on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Lady Spikers breezed past their opponents from Mindanao, Jose Maria College Foundation (JMCF), with a dominant performance resulting in a 25-18, 25-14, 25-19 victory.
Meanwhile, the Golden Tigresses had to overcome a challenge from Luzon contender and NAASCU champion Enderun Colleges, triumphing in four sets with scores of 25-13, 25-16, 21-25, 25-14.
On Friday, La Salle and UST will collide in the first match of the highly anticipated Final Four, a rematch occurring three months after their enthralling semifinal battle during UAAP Season 85, which was ultimately claimed by the spikers from Taft.
Demonstrating their undeniable prowess as reigning UAAP champions, the Lady Spikers showcased an unstoppable performance even amidst the gathering of SSL champions from NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
They secured yet another sweeping victory in just 67 minutes.
The dynamic duo of Shevana Laput and Thea Gagate once again asserted their dominance on both offensive and defensive fronts, leading La Salle to their third consecutive comfortable win without relinquishing a single set in the 12-team SSL.
The tournament is proudly presented by Eurotel as the official hotel and Victory Liner as the office transport provider, in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). (ai/mnm)
Chito Victolero, the coach of Magnolia Chicken Timplados, expressed optimism about the recovery of seasoned center Ian Sangalang from his thyroid ailment, which kept him sidelined for a significant portion of the previous PBA Governors’ Cup season.
Despite his participation in three games during the recently concluded PBA On Tour, where the 6-foot-7 Sangalang showcased his skills, Victolero clarified that this decision was part of a “trial phase” to gauge his response to competitive basketball.
“Actually, during the midpoint of the preseason, we allowed Ian to play in order to assess his performance on the court. Subsequently, we decided to gradually integrate him into play,” Victolero said.
After just three games, in which the 31-year-old big man from Pampanga averaged 1.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in 14.3 minutes, the team management opted to withdraw him from the exhibition series to ensure a complete recovery.
“We want to avoid hurrying his recuperation process. The medical team’s recommendation is for a gradual recovery, and fortunately, he has over two months to prepare,” elucidated the 2018 PBA Coach of the Year. (ai/mnm)
Jeremiah Gray, the Filipino-American guard for Barangay Ginebra, has been released from the hospital after three days of confinement since a distressing incident that led to a dislocated right knee during the recent PBA On Tour match against NLEX on Sunday.
Richard del Rosario, the assistant coach of Ginebra, shared with the press on Wednesday, “Gray has already been discharged. We are currently awaiting the reduction of swelling before scheduling a follow-up examination with the medical team.”
Standing at 6 feet 5 inches, Gray was swiftly taken to Medical City right after the unfortunate tumble in the waning 22 seconds of the third quarter. He managed to steal the ball and was in full throttle for a layup, attempting to maneuver past NLEX forward Tony Semerad, which ultimately led to the awkward landing.
Del Rosario, the orchestrator of the Gin Kings’ On Tour campaign, revealed that there isn’t a definitive diagnosis at this juncture, as they anticipate the medical team’s analysis of Gray’s MRI results. (ai/mnm)
WASHINGTON – Former US President Donald Trump was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury in the Justice Department’s investigation into efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
The 45-page indictment charges Trump with conspiracy to defraud the US, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights.
Six others are listed as co-conspirators, but are not named.
The indictment marks the third criminal case against Trump since he left office following another federal case in Florida related to his alleged unlawful retention of classified government documents and efforts to thwart investigators, and a case in New York related to hush money payments to an adult film star.
But the latest indictment is the most significant case against the ex-president. Special counsel Jack Smith had been leading a long-standing investigation into Trump and his political allies, and efforts to prevent President Joe Biden from assuming power after he won the November 2020 polls by seven million votes.
The grand jury’s indictment repeatedly said Trump “knowingly” sought to mislead the American public to ensure that the peaceful transfer of power to Biden would not occur, and “pursued unlawful means of discounting legitimate votes and subverting the election.”
“Despite having lost, the Defendant was determined to remain in power. So for more than two months following election day on November 3, 2020, the Defendant spread lies that there had been outcome-determinative fraud in the election and that he had actually won,” it said.
“These claims were false and the Defendant knew that they were false. But the Defendant repeated and widely disseminated them anyway–to make his knowingly false claims appear legitimate, create an intense national atmosphere of mistrust and anger, and erode public faith in the administration of the election,” it added.
The conspiracy to defraud the US charge is related to Trump’s and his allies’ alleged efforts to convince state elections officials to subvert election results in seven states — Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
That included the use of fake electors to submit false election results suggesting Trump won state polls, and the use of the Justice Department “to conduct sham election crime investigations and to send a letter to the targeted states that falsely claimed that the Justice Department had identified significant concerns that may have impacted the election outcome.”
Other efforts included attempting to convince former Vice President Mike Pence not to carry out his constitutionally-mandated role of certifying election results, and exploitation of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, said the indictment.
The second and third charges — conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, and obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding — are related to efforts to prevent the certification of Electoral College votes.
The conspiracy against rights charge is tied to Trump’s and his co-conspirators’ alleged efforts “to injure, oppress, threaten, and intimidate one or more persons in the free exercise and enjoyment of a right and privilege secured to them by the Constitution and laws of the United States — that is, the right to vote, and to have one’s vote counted.”
Trump quickly issued a statement in which he alleged the case represents “nothing more than the latest corrupt chapter in the continued pathetic attempt by the Biden Crime Family and their weaponized Department of Justice to interfere with the 2024 Presidential Election, in which President Trump is the undisputed frontrunner.”
Smith encouraged Americans to read the indictments for themselves, as he had in the classified documents case, maintaining the integrity of his probe. He vowed to pursue “a speedy trial so that our evidence can be tested in court and judged by a jury of citizens.”
“Since the attack on our Capitol, the Department of Justice has remained committed to ensuring accountability for those criminally responsible for what happened that day. This case is consistent with that commitment and our investigation of other individuals continues,” he said. (Anadolu)
MANILA – The total value of revenue loss due to ghost receipts amounted to PHP370 billion, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said.
“Because with the ghost receipts, when we calculated the total purchases… we totaled it and then we calculated the VAT (value added tax) and the income tax that [PHP370 billion] came out as revenue loss,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said on the sidelines of the BIR’s 119th anniversary celebration at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on Tuesday.
Ghost receipts are issued by ghost corporations to falsify transactions.
Lumagui said the ghost corporations are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
“These corporations are registered but they don’t have real products or services for their customers. They sell their receipts to legitimate businessmen,” he said. “Now these receipts are used by buyers to fabricate expenses and use as supporting evidence and their input VAT.”
Earlier this year, the BIR filed criminal cases against identified buyers or clients of the ghost receipts syndicate.
The BIR also filed criminal cases against the sellers and their accountants last March 2023.
Data from the BIR showed that the total amount of ghost receipts issued already reached PHP1.3 trillion. (PNA)
MANILA — The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Wednesday welcomed United Airlines’ upcoming non-stop flights between Manila and San Francisco starting October 2023, noting the growing inbound flights into the country.
“At present, United flies to Manila from Guam and Palau. Once the flights between Manila and San Francisco become operational, the airline will be the first American carrier to fly direct to Manila from continental US in a long while,” the DOT said in a statement.
The agency said the Philippines continues to record more inbound flights as tourism recovers from the pandemic.
Based on the DOT’s Routes Development report for June 2023, eight of the country’s international gateways saw a significant growth in terms of incoming frequencies and seats per week.
Between June and July 2023, the country welcomed 58 new incoming weekly frequencies or flights from various origin cities into the country’s international gateways.
The DOT reports the following incoming weekly frequencies in June and July:
Manila (seven Zip Air from Tokyo, and two Air China flights from Chengdu)
Cebu (seven China Eastern Airlines flights from Shanghai, four Philippine Air Asia flights from Tokyo, two Cebu Pacific from Taipei, and an increase from five to seven Asiana Airlines flights from Incheon)
Bohol (two Asiana Airlines and seven Air Busan flights from Seoul)
Kalibo (three flights from Hangzhou, three flights from Ningbo, and three flights from Wenzhou via Loong Air, four Ok Airways from Chengdu, and two TigerAir Taiwan from Taipei)
Clark (seven Asiana Airlines flights from Seoul)
Caticlan (three Royal Airways flights from Hong Kong)
Cagayan North (two Royal Airway flights from Macau).
In addition to commercial flights, the DOT also welcomed various charter flights that support the country’s destinations.
Increase in domestic air seats
In domestic tourism, the DOT also noted a significant jump in domestic connectivity in the country’s tourism gateways.
The industry gained from at least 17 city pairs, with about 83 incoming weekly frequencies that were launched between July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
This includes new domestic air routes that were instituted during this period, including flights between Cebu-Baguio (four frequencies per week), Cebu-Borongan (two frequencies per week), and Cebu-Naga (four frequencies per week).
Among the domestic flights that resumed in the same period include Clark to Bacolod, Busuanga, Cagayan de Oro, Caticlan, Davao, Iloilo, General Santos, and Puerto Princesa and vice versa; Manila to Tablas, and Lal-o (vice versa); Davao to Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, and Siargao, and vice versa; and Zamboanga to Cotabato (v.v.).
“With the DOT’s Philippine Experience Program and regional travel expos, we are optimistic that our stakeholders, particularly from the aviation industry will see the need to improve connectivity around the country to cater to the growing demands of our travelers,” Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said. (PNA)
MANILA – ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin T. Tulfo on Tuesday filed a resolution urging the House of Representatives to conduct an inquiry into the status of the implementation of Republic Act 11861, otherwise known as the “Expanded Solo Parents Act.”
In filing House Resolution 1150, Tulfo said he is receiving numerous reports that due to lack of allocated funding to the local government units (LGUs), particularly in some poor municipalities, the timely receipt of benefits by solo parents has been adversely affected.
“It has come to my attention that the implementation of the Expanded Solo Parent Act should be and must be revisited due to non-compliance of several of its provisions, ironically by several local government units, and business establishments,” he said in a privilege speech before the House plenary.
Under RA 11861, additional benefits must be given to solo parents, such as a PHP1,000 allowance per month, 10 percent discount and exemption from the value added tax (VAT) on specified items, automatic coverage under the National Health Insurance Program, prioritization in re-entering the workforce, and prioritization and allocation in housing projects, subject to meeting the necessary requirements to avail of the said benefits.
“This beautiful law was crafted to help solo parents from the burden of raising their children by themselves. However, what good will it be if our solo parents do not fully benefit from this that was intended solely to help them raise their children?” he said
“Kaya tinatawagan ko ang aking mga kasamahan na muling silipin ang batas na ito, partikular ang hindi pagbibigay ng PHP1,000 allowance kada buwan ng maraming LGUs sa mga kwalipikadong (That’s why I’m calling on my colleagues to revisit this law, particularly the non-distribution of the PHP1,000 allowance per month by many LGUs to qualified) solo parents,” Tulfo said.
The lawmaker also called the attention of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to make sure that discounts for solo parents are given by business establishments nationwide.
He also urged private corporations and government institutions to hire solo parents, not only because it is stated in the law, “but as Filipinos helping a Filipino solo parent in raising his or her child or children singlehandedly.” (PNA)
MANILA – The death toll from the effects of Typhoon Egay and the southwest monsoon has climbed to 27, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Wednesday.
In its latest bulletin, the agency said two of these fatalities have been confirmed — one each in Calabarzon and Western Visayas — while the remaining 25 are undergoing validation.
The deaths under validation include 12 in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), eight in Ilocos Region, three in Calabarzon and one each in Western Visayas and Davao regions.
Meanwhile, the NDRRMC said 52 were reported injured — 39 of which have been confirmed while 13 are still undergoing validation.
These include eight in Davao Region, two each in Western Visayas and Calabarzon and one in Ilocos Region.
Still undergoing confirmation are reports of 13 missing individuals — eight in CAR, four in Cagayan Valley and one in Ilocos.
These numbers are still subject to change pending confirmation.
As of this time, the number of affected families is 765,024 which is equivalent to 2,856,962 individuals residing in 4,646 barangays in 13 regions in the country.
Of this number, 15,604 families or 57,740 individuals are being served in 677 evacuation centers while 57,609 families or 231,973 are being helped outside.
The Office of Civil Defense earlier said that the affected families are a combination of those displaced and those not needing transfer or removal from their residence.
Meanwhile, some 50,371 houses were reported damaged in 12 regions. (PNA)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to work with satellite operator Kacific Broadband Satellites to improve digital connectivity in the Philippines.
Marcos issued the directive to Secretaries Ivan John Uy (DICT) and Renato Solidum (DOST) during a meeting with Kacific executives at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday.
In a statement on Wednesday, Communications Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil said Uy and Solidum have been instructed to continue the negotiations with Kacific to determine the specific terms to beef up the country’s digital capability.
Marcos, during the meeting, was briefed by Kacific officials led by founder and chief executive officer Christian Patouraux about the Singapore-based company’s plan to launch its second satellite project.
While he recognized Kacific’s contributions to the Philippines, Marcos stressed the importance of expanding the satellite services to enable the country to catch up with its Asian neighbors in terms of connectivity in the long run.
“It’s just an improvement on what we have now. Make it more permanent. But this is not, this is on [the] long term. We have to keep up. We are always looking for additional capability when it comes to all this communications especially with the problems of cyber security,” Marcos said.
“It’s really the capability that the Philippines really need… So yes, let’s set it up and let’s see what’s the specifics… so that we can see how this can fit us, this new system,” he added.
Also present during the meeting at Malacañan were Broadband Satellites Business Development Officer Brandon Seir and Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual.
Kacific targets to launch the Kacific2 to add capacity to its existing satellite, the Kacific1. The project aims to provide affordable and reliable internet service to the public.
According to the National Development Co. (NDC), it is studying to invest in the project through the acquisition of frequency block, including the naming rights of the broadband satellite; partnership with a local company on the rollout of the broadband satellite from the Kacific2 to rural areas; and purchase of Kacific Broadband Satellites equity.
Founded in 2013, Kacific is a next-generation broadband satellite operator currently involved in telecommunications-related services. It is operating in 25 countries in the Pacific and Southeast Asian region, including the Philippines.
Kacific provides reliable, fast and low-cost satellite internet in Asia Pacific and gives the government an opportunity to own its satellite.
In December 2019, Kacific launched Kacific1, a next-generation geostationary satellite which provide low-cost, high-speed and reliable broadband to rural and suburban areas in over 25 countries in Asia Pacific.
Uy said the Kacific’s satellite project could benefit the Philippines with additional bandwidth provided by the Kacific2 satellite to help the economy through the propagation of the digital economy.
The share of the value added of the digital economy to the gross domestic product (GDP), in constant prices, grew from 7 percent in 2012 to over 10 percent in 2018, according to the 2020 report by the World Bank.
Garafil said the increase in internet coverage entails significant opportunities for remote areas for online classes and work-from-home individuals.
She added that it could also provide better access to digital services such as e-health initiatives and disaster management and control.
“At the same time, the broadband services offered by Kacific2 could enable government-to-government communications from specific central offices to remote constituents and also support the existing government initiatives that promote better Internet connectivity such as Free WiFi For all Program, the National Broadband Program, and the eGOV PH super app,” Garafil said.
Based on a report released by Speedtest Global Index in June 2023, the Philippines’ internet speech has a median download speed of 92.84 Megabits per second (Mbps) for fixed broadband and 26.98 Mbps for mobile broadband.
The Philippines also ranks 47th out of 180 countries for fixed broadband, and 83rd among 140 countries for mobile broadband.
Compared to other countries in Southeast Asia, the Philippines ranks 5th in fixed broadband and 7th in mobile broadband. (PNA)
MANILA – Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, said Wednesday the “Tara, Basa! (Come, let’s read)” Tutoring Program is part of her promise to modernize the agency and make it better under her leadership.
In her message during the launch of the program held at the Rizal High School in Pasig City, Duterte said the “Tara, Basa!” Tutoring Program also shows the Marcos administration’s aggressiveness, determination and capability in working hard to improve the quality of education in the country.
“Ang araw na ito ay hindi lamang isang selebrasyon ng ceremonial signing ng memorandum of agreement sa pagitan ng Department of Education at ng Department of Social Welfare and Development sa pagpapatupad ng ‘Tara, Basa!’ Tutoring Program. Ang ‘Tara, Basa!’ Tutoring Program ay isang demonstrasyon ng pangako na iyon (This day is not only a celebration of the ceremonial signing of the MOA between the DepEd and DSWD for the implementation of the ’Tara, Basa!’ Tutoring Program. This program is a demonstration of that promise),” she said.
Duterte expressed hope that the program would become a model of collaboration of agencies sharing the same mission.
“Sana ang ‘Tara, Basa!’ Tutoring Program ay maghatid ng positibong pagbabago sa ating mga mag-aaral (I hope the program would bring positive change to our learners). Humbly, I urge every Filipino, every family, every community, all sectors, government and non-government institutions, to join us in the fight for our children and our future,” she said.
In an ambush interview, the Vice President said the program would start on Aug. 15 covering the National Capital Region.
She said she is looking forward to its expansion to other regions next year.
With Duterte during the program’s launch were Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Pasig City Lone District Rep. Roman Romulo, and other DSWD officials.
According to Gatchalian, the “Tara, Basa!” Tutoring Program is a reformatted educational assistance of the DSWD that aims to help and provide assistance to college students from low-income families who are in difficult situations and assist the struggling or non-reader grade school learners who are vulnerable, at risk, or affected by the effects brought by the pandemic.
“Through ‘Tara, Basa!’ Tutoring Program, it is our goal to increase the involvement of college students from low-income families in nation-building while helping them in completing their tertiary education,” Gatchalian said.
Through the program, college students, who will be capacitated by DSWD to become Tutors and Youth Development Workers (TYDW), will receive a Cash-for-Work incentive amounting to PHP570 per day for 20 days in exchange for their rendered service.
As tutors, the college student beneficiaries will conduct reading tutorial sessions to help Grade 1 students in public schools coming from low-income families who are either struggling or non-readers.
The TYDWs will also conduct the Nanay-Tatay (mother-father) Teacher sessions for parents and guardians on effective parenting, with such topics as understanding the self as a parent, dynamics of the Filipino family, challenges in parenting, child development, and children’s rights. (PNA)
MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will go on a state visit to Vietnam in January 2024 as the two nations seek to reinvigorate their strategic partnership formed in 2015.
In his opening remarks for the 10th Philippine-Vietnam Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation meeting on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said the visit would provide an opportunity for both Marcos and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong “to discuss how to raise our bilateral ties to even greater heights”.
“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently finished his first year in office, and we have seen a remarkable display of trust and confidence between our two countries,” he said.
During a meeting on the sidelines of the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Indonesia, Marcos and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh agreed to strengthen the strategic partnership by expanding engagement on various areas of cooperation, including defense and security.
The Chief Executive also sought to craft an agreement to avoid any untoward incident in the South China Sea.
“And that’s why, I have asked our foreign ministers, ating (our) Foreign Secretary and then the Foreign Minister of Vietnam to begin, develop the talks so that we can have an agreement na hindi na siguro magkaproblema ng mga ganyang klase (to avoid any problem),” he told reporters in a May 11 interview on board PR001.
The upcoming state visit will come as Manila and Hanoi cap its five-year Plan of Action in 2024.
“[O]ur Plan of Action will end its five-year course in 2024 so we would need to negotiate a new plan and reinvigorate it, and this will guide our strategic partnership for another five years,” Manalo said.
Among the areas Manila hope to further strengthen with Hanoi are maritime cooperation, trade and investment promotion, people-to-people exchanges, and cooperation in ASEAN and other multilateral fora, among others. (PNA)
MANILA – The United States Embassy in Manila raised concerns over the possible environmental impact and the “ties” of a Chinese firm to the ongoing Manila Bay reclamation projects in the capital.
In a statement sent to reporters Wednesday, the US Embassy in Manila said they are concerned that the projects have ties to the China Communications Construction Co. (CCCC) “which has been added to the US Department of Commerce’s Entity List for its role in helping the Chinese military construct and militarize artificial islands in the South China Sea”.
US Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay said the company “has also been cited by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for engaging in fraudulent business practices”.
He said the US Embassy is in regular discussions with the Philippine government regarding the reclamation, including how it could potentially bring “negative long-term and irreversible impacts to the environment, the resilience to natural hazards of Manila and nearby areas, and to commerce”.
“We continue to support high quality, sustainable, and transparent investments to benefit the Filipino people and will continue to engage with the appropriate authorities on this matter,” he said.
In its official website, CCCC said its subsidiary China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. is currently undertaking the reclamation development project at Manila Bay in Pasay City, about five kilometers from downtown Manila and Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The main construction of the project includes backfilling to form three artificial islands and related supporting revetment structures, and foundation treatment.
The amount of backfilling is about 97.11 million cubic meters, and the amount of the dredging is about 15 million cubic meters. (PNA)