DAVAO CITY – To improve farmers’ hybrid rice technology adoption, the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) has developed a 500-hectare model Community Hybrid Rice Clustered Demonstration Farm (CHRF) in three Davao de Oro municipalities for the wet cropping season.
In an interview Monday, DA-11 alternate rice focal person Jacinto Macoy Jr. said the demo farm which is located in the towns Nabunturan, Maragusan and Compostela will benefit some 500 farmers in the province.
He said the project intends to generate data that would promote the adoption of recommended hybrid rice varieties, technologies and management practices and showcase the clustering approach for production, harvesting, processing and marketing.
“We already established three demo farms, the other two are in Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur. The three demo farms are expected to help more than 1,000 rice farmers in the three provinces,” he pointed out.
Macoy added that they partnered with private seed companies and the local government units to ensure that the farmers will employ the recommended rice production techniques necessary to boost their “palay” production volume.
With an expected yield of seven metric tons (MT) of rice per hectare, the Davao de Oro demo farm will produce 3,500 MT in the harvest season.
“We push for the hybrid rice production since hybrid rice farmers have reported harvesting 7 to 15 MT per hectare, higher than the average 3.6 MT per hectare for inbred seed,” Macoy said.
Under the CHRF, farmer associations received a total of 1,500 bags of hybrid rice seeds, 10,500 bags of fertilizers and technical and marketing support.
“Seeing the high potential of hybrid rice seeds to increase their yield and income through the project, a lot of farmers then were encouraged to plant hybrid rice seeds in the area,” he said. (PNA)
MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), citing initial investigation, sees no foul play surrounding the case of a Filipino woman found dead in a Hong Kong pier last week.
In a Laging Handa briefing Tuesday, DFA Assistant Secretary Paul Raymund Cortes said local authorities have yet to release the official cause of the overseas Filipino worker’s death but no person of interest has been identified since the start of the probe.
“According to initial investigation wala pong (there is no) foul play being looked at but of course we have to wait for the official report on the cause of death. For now wala naman pong foul play, wala naman pong person of interest thus far (For now there is no foul play and there is no person of interest thus far),” he said.
Cortes said the body was under state of decomposition and was entangled in nets when discovered by the locals on the morning of July 13 in Tsing Yi Public Pier.
He said Hong Kong authorities have mounted a full investigation and the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong is now waiting for the release of the official report and relevant documents to be able to facilitate the repatriation of her remains.
Cortes assured that both the employer and next of kin of the Filipina are also informed of the circumstances behind her death.
“Both the DFA and the Department of Migrant Workers are in touch with the families together with the employers para malaman kung anong kailangan pang makuha na salaries o hindi pa nababayarang suweldo. ‘Yong mga gamit ay iuuwi na rin ng employer para sa pamilya sa Pilipinas (to get her salaries from her employer. Her employer will likewise return her belongings to her family in the Philippines),” he said. (PNA)
MANILA – A wide set of opportunities await education stakeholders joining the Learners’ Convergence (LearnCon) PH 2023 of the Department of Education (DepEd) which will be held simultaneously with the 2023 Palarong Pambansa from July 29 to Aug. 3 in Marikina City.
DepEd on Monday said the conference will gather select high school learners and youth leaders, among others, from the 228 schools division offices (SDOs) of 17 regions in the country.
According to the DepEd’s Bureau of Learner Support Services, the event will give participants the opportunity to “learn not only from the key speakers and activities, but also by engaging with one another, especially understanding different cultures across regions.”
“The LearnCon PH 2023 was developed in response to the DepEd thrust to reassess, realign, and refocus its learner-related initiatives to be more responsive to the needs of the learner,” the LearnCon PH 2023 General Administrative Guidelines read.
During the event, DepEd will communicate to the participants its policy and program priorities and revitalize learners’ participation in achieving quality and inclusive education by spearheading conversations about pressing and relevant issues for the learners as emerging youth leaders.
The LearnCon PH 2023 is also expected to provide learners from across SDOs and regions a face-to-face dialogue and to share and collaborate ideas, insights, lessons learned and best practices in learners’ involvement in public and civic affairs. (PNA)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday signed into law a bill establishing the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), the Philippines’ first-ever sovereign wealth fund.
Marcos signed Republic Act (RA) 11954 in a ceremony at the Kalayaan Hall of Malacañan Palace in Manila.
In a keynote speech, Marcos said the MIF is designed to drive economic development in the country.
“The MIF is a bold step towards our country’s meaningful economic transformation. Just as we are recovering from the adverse effects of the pandemic, we are now ready to enter a new age of sustainable progress, robust stability and broad-based empowerment,” Marcos said.
“We now have an available fund that will provide us the seed money for investments and to attract other foreign investments and for us to be able to participate in those operations, in those investments without additional borrowings,” he added.
Following the signing of RA 11954, Marcos said his administration would “go out to the world and do the changes that are necessary for the Philippines to become an investment-friendly nation.”
“The fund will fail if we do not make money on the fund. It’s that simple… That is why we put up a Maharlika Fund so as to be able to give us the capacity and the ability to join in those investments, be part of that,” he said.
He reiterated that he would make sure that the MIF would be “well-run” by professionals.
He added that the country has the “best” economic managers both in government and the private sector to ensure the proper management of the MIF.
“Let us make sure that the decisions that are being made for the fund are not political decisions, that they are financial decisions because that is what the fund is,” Marcos said.
The MIF is established to optimize national funds by generating returns to support the Marcos administration’s economic goals laid out in the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework, the 8-point Socioeconomic Agenda, and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
In a separate statement, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will continue to provide support and technical assistance in the formulation of the implementing rules and regulations of RA 11954.
“The creation of this development fund is very good news because this means we now have an opportunity to expand our fiscal space for the government’s priority programs,” Pangandaman said. “Of course, we fully support this as it will help expand our fiscal space. So we at the DBM remain committed to helping ensure that this development fund will be a success and implemented with utmost integrity.”
Under RA 11954 , the MIF will be used to invest in a wide range of assets, including foreign currencies, fixed-income instruments, domestic and foreign corporate bonds, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, real estate and high-impact infrastructure projects that contribute to the attainment of sustainable development.
The establishment of the MIF will provide the government with a long-term source of income, as well as ease the burden on the national budget by providing additional funding for other priority projects of the government.
Speaker Martin Romualdez, who was among the officials who witnessed the signing, said the MIF will be an additional vehicle for financing big-ticket infrastructure projects without incurring more foreign debt or having to impose new taxes.
“As an additional vehicle for financing, the MIF is expected to widen the fiscal space in the near- to medium-term as it reduces heavy reliance on local funds and development assistance as the main financing mechanisms for infrastructure projects,” Romualdez said in a statement.
“It is envisioned to enable the government to execute and sustain high-impact and long-term economic development programs and projects without imposing new or higher taxes,” he added.
He said using the MIF as an alternative infrastructure funding source would likewise mean allocating more funds in the annual national budget for other vital social services like education and health.
He added that the MIF is not only beneficial but necessary at this point, describing it as an “ideal vehicle” that is well-positioned to bring in investments.
International investors have already expressed interest in investing in the Fund, such as the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and several US companies, Romualdez said.
“Certainly, there will be more interest once the MIF is officially launched. These investments mean more development projects in various parts of the country, more jobs and livelihood for the Filipinos, and a better future for generations to come,” Romualdez said.
Maximizing assets
Unlike other government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), the MIF will be able to maximize government assets through its investments in projects that generate bigger returns.
The law will establish the Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC), which will act as the “sole vehicle for the purpose of mobilizing and utilizing the MIF for investments in transactions in order to generate optimal returns on investments (ROIs).”
The MIC is expected to have at least PHP75 billion in paid-up capital this year, with PHP50 billion sourced from the Land Bank of the Philippines and PHP25 billion from the Development Bank of the Philippines.
The law prohibits government agencies and GOCCs that provide for social security and public health insurance to contribute to and invest in the Fund.
These include the Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Home Development Mutual Fund, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and Philippine Veterans Affairs Office pension fund.
The law mandates the Commission on Audit to conduct a special audit of the MIC’s books and accounts every five years.
All MIF and MIC documents will also be open, available, and accessible to the public, as may be allowed by law, in both English and Filipino. (PNA)
MANILA – Two more housing projects under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program broke ground in Camarines Norte on Monday, targeting at least 4,000 families, including informal settlers.
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar and Camarines Norte Governor Ricarte Padilla led the groundbreaking ceremony in the towns of Vinzons and Mercedes.
According to a DHSUD news release, the Mercedes housing project, located near Bagasbas Beach, is enrolled with the Social Housing Finance Corporation, one of DHSUD’s key shelter agencies.
The project will construct 34 four-story buildings for about 3,200 families.
Meanwhile, the project in Vinzons is a township development composed of 18 four-story medium-rise buildings targeting more than 800 beneficiaries.
“This is another solid testament to the continuing nationwide roll-out of the President’s Pambansang Pabahay,” Acuzar said. “This signals the start of our close collaboration to help CamNortenos realize their dream of owning decent yet affordable shelters.”
Acuzar highlighted the significant role of the local government units in the implementation of the 4PH – from project conceptualization, processing and identification of beneficiaries up to the sustainability of the projects.
Padilla, meanwhile, expressed gratitude to the President and the national government for looking after the welfare of CamNortenos.
Around 30 local government units have already broken ground for their projects under 4PH since the flagship program’s launch in September last year. (PNA)
In a remarkable achievement, Taylor Swift has surpassed all other female recording artists in history by securing the highest number of No. 1 albums, according to Billboard. The recent release of “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” has propelled her to this groundbreaking feat.
With its debut at the pinnacle of the Billboard charts, the album has become Swift’s 12th No. 1, surpassing the previous record held by Barbra Streisand. This milestone solidifies Swift’s status as the leading female artist in terms of chart-topping albums.
While several male performers such as Jay-Z and the Beatles have amassed over a dozen No. 1 albums, it’s important to note that Billboard’s ranking system has evolved over the years to include anthologies.
Notably, Swift, aged 33, has also achieved a rare distinction as the first living artist in almost six decades to have four albums simultaneously in the top 10. This remarkable feat includes the albums “Midnights,” “Lover,” and “Folklore.”
Billboard further reports that Swift is the first living artist to have 11 albums concurrently in the top 200. These extraordinary accomplishments come at a time when Swift is captivating fans with her highly anticipated “Eras” tour, where she showcases many of her greatest hits. The stadium concert series, comprising 106 dates, commenced in March and is on track to become the first billion-dollar tour in history.
Originally released in 2010, “Speak Now” holds a special significance for Swift. As part of her effort to regain control over her music rights, she has vowed to re-record her first six albums. Starting in November 2020, she embarked on this contractual journey, and her re-recordings of “Fearless” and “Red” have already been unveiled.
Last October, Swift achieved another unprecedented milestone by occupying all ten spots on the top US song chart simultaneously following the release of her tenth studio album, “Midnights.” Her consistent dominance of the music industry is a testament to her unparalleled talent and enduring appeal. (Sourced online/ai/mnm)
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao has a strategic plan to make the most of the Philippines co-hosting the 2023 FIBA World Cup starting on August 25.
He aims to accomplish two goals simultaneously: preparing a shortlist of potential imports for the upcoming Season 48 of the PBA, set to begin on October 15, and utilizing the World Cup as an opportunity to scout for suitable imports.
Guiao acknowledged that the team has already started compiling a list of prospects, but no final decisions have been made yet. He expressed his intention to leverage the World Cup, which is being held in the Philippines, as a platform for scouting potential imports if a decision has not been reached by then.
In addition to his coaching responsibilities, the 64-year-old Guiao anticipates fulfilling a role as a TV commentator during the World Cup. This dual role will afford him the opportunity to interact with elite players from various national teams, further enhancing his scouting efforts.
Acknowledging the challenge of finding an import who fits within the 6-9 height limit, Guiao emphasized the difficulty of securing such players in today’s basketball landscape. He mentioned that while a 6-7 import who fits the team’s requirements would be considered, the ideal scenario would be to find a 6-9 import. Guiao’s coaching expertise has already led Rain or Shine to clinch their second PBA title in franchise history during the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.
Eight out of 10 Filipinos want to bring back the students’ April and May summer break, a Pulse Asia survey revealed.
The survey, commissioned by Senator Win Gatchalian and conducted from June 19-23, 2023, asked respondents whether they agree or disagree with bringing back the students’ April and May summer break.
Results of the survey revealed that 80% of respondents nationwide agree, 11% cannot say if they agree or disagree, and only 8% said they disagree.
Overwhelming majorities of respondents in the National Capital Region (NCR) (81%), Luzon (73%), Visayas (90%), and Mindanao (86%) agree with the proposal to bring back to April and May the summer breaks of students.
Across socioeconomic groups, agreement to bring back summer breaks to April and May is consistently strong among classes ABC (83%), D (81%), and E (75%).
Gatchalian meanwhile seeks a re-evaluation as to whether the school year should be conducted during the summer or revert to the old school calendar.
He filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 672 seeking a Senate inquiry to re-evaluate the critical factors in determining the school opening.
The inquiry will identify policy interventions for the effective intervention of Republic Act No. 11480, which serves as the basis for the school calendar.
“The voice of our citizens is clear that they want to bring back the students’ vacation in the months of April and May. Although it will not be easy to bring back the old school calendar, we will hold a hearing to thoroughly study the steps to promote the welfare of our teachers and students,” said Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
Republic Act No. 11480, which was signed on July 17, 2020, amended Section 3 of Republic No. 7797, which provides that the school year shall start on the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August. Republic Act No. 7797 also lengthened the school calendar from 200 days to no more than 220 days.
Under Republic Act No.11480, the President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Education, may set a different date for the start of the school year in parts of or throughout the whole country in the event of a declaration of a state of emergency or state of calamity.
The enactment of Republic Act No. 11480 allowed the Department of Education (DepEd) to move the opening of School Year 2020-2021 to October 5, 2020. (ai/mnm)
In the midst of intense downpours on Sunday night, a devastating landslide occurred in Antipolo City, resulting in the untimely death of a 41-year-old woman. The victim, identified as Dina Saban, was alone in her residence situated within the Vista Grande Subdivision in Barangay Sta. Cruz when the calamity struck.
Following several consecutive days of relentless rainfall, a section of a nearby hill succumbed to the forces of nature, leading to a landslide, as reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Tragically, Saban’s house was directly impacted by a large stone dislodged during the landslide.
Despite prompt medical attention, the victim had already succumbed to her injuries by the time she reached the hospital.
(ai/mnm)
ANKARA – Türkiye eliminated China 3-1 on Sunday to win the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship.
The Turkish national team won the final clash with sets of 25-22, 22-25, 25-19 and 25-16 in Arlington in Texas, USA.
It is Türkiye’s first win in the history of the FIVB Women’s World Championship.
Meanwhile, Poland got the bronze medal after beating the US team with sets of 25-15, 16-25, 25-19, 18-25 and 17-15. (Anadolu)
MANILA – The Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling) has expressed interest to host the Asian BMX Championships again as well as the International Cycling Union (UCI) BMX World Cup in 2025.
PhilCycling president Abraham Tolentino has made an early bid to host the twin events during a meeting with Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) secretary-general Onkar Singh and UCI management committee member Datuk Amarjit Singh of Malaysia on the final day of the 2023 Asian BMX Championships for Freestyle and Racing at Tagaytay City BMX Park on Sunday.
“With the success of this year’s Asian BMX championships, Tagaytay City is declaring its bid not only for the continental championships but also for the UCI World Cup in 2025,” Tolentino, also Tagaytay City mayor, said in a statement on Monday.
More than 200 athletes and officials from nine countries, including riders as young as six years old who competed in the Challenge events, joined the three-day tournament which was the last qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Tolentino, also Philippine Olympic Committee president, said the current BMX track has to be modified for the World Cup.
“Innovations on the current BMX track would be implemented, especially on raising the start ramp from its present 5-meter height to the world championships and World Cup standard of 8 meters,” he said, adding that plans to build a V-shaped start ramp — 5 meters and 8 meters — would be implemented soon.
“But hosting the Asian Championships and the World Cup would have to be in the first five months of the year when the rains and the Tagaytay fog are scant,” said Tolentino.
The ACC and UCI officials, as well as foreign commissaries, praised the track and the organization of the championships and agreed in principle on Tolentino’s proposal for 2025.
Onkar Singh said he expects more Asian countries to take part in 2025, noting the high standard of the track and efficiency of the local organizing committee.
Japan reigned at the event, winning a total of six gold medals, including three on the final day of the competition. (PNA)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has successfully advertised the Philippines as a conducive business destination for foreign investors, according to Makati Business Club (MBC) chair Edgar Chua.
Chua said envoys whom he had talked to will be fully supportive in bringing investments to the Philippines.
“I think the President has also been able to successfully advertise the country as a place to do business. I’ve been talking to a number of ambassadors and they have been impressed by the President,” Chua told reporters in an MBC event over the weekend.
The MBC senior executive said being able to bring in investments from Marcos’ foreign trips will generate much needed jobs in the country.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said about USD88 million worth of investments from Marcos’ foreign trips may materialize this year.
“It’s not so large as yet, but the potential is as we announced before, we have a pipeline that we were able to build up amounting to around $70 billion,” DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual said in a briefing on Wednesday. “They will contribute to our manufacturing, renewable energy and IT-BPM industries. Collectively, they are expected to generate approximately 17,800 direct employment.”
Among the countries that the Chief Executive visited in his first year of office are Singapore, Indonesia, the United States, Thailand, China, Japan, and European countries.
For the second State of the Nation Address, the business group’s wish list include ease of paying taxes, policies on apprenticeship, and public-private partnership (PPP).
“Given the very limited fiscal space that the government has, then the PPP should really be pushed so that we don’t slow down the country. We need to continue and even expand our growth rate,” Chua said.
The MBC previously said PPP projects will boost the country’s long-term economic growth and play a vital role in developing needed infrastructures. (PNA)
MANILA – The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) on Monday fully awarded bids for the Treasury bills (T-bills).
The 91-, 182-, and 364-day T-bills fetched average rates of 5.884 percent, 6.095 percent and 6.226 percent, all lower than previous auction results.
Last week, the average rates for the 91-,182-, and 364-day T-bills settled at 5.973 percent, 6.266 percent, and 6.339 percent, respectively.
The auction was nearly three times oversubscribed with total bids reaching PHP44.4 billion.
The BTr raised the full program of PHP15.0 billion for the auction.
In a comment, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation chief economist Michael Ricafort said Treasury bill auction yields corrected lower week-on-week.
“This is similar to the week-on-week downward correction in PHP Bloomberg Valuation Service (BVAL) yields after US Treasury yields also corrected lower after better US inflation data at a new 2-year low of 3 percent in June 2023, from 4 percent in the previous month and nearing the Fed’s target of 2 percent,” Ricafort said.
“The lower T-bill auction yields could have also been supported by the strongest peso exchange rate versus the US dollar in more than three months recently, thereby could reduce import prices and overall inflation that could still ease further due to higher base effects,” he added.
On July 13, the peso closed at 54.51 to a US dollar, its best performance since April 5. (PNA)
MANILA – Senators on Monday expressed their support for the adoption of the new governance slogan “Bagong Pillipinas” as it raises awareness and cultivates a new culture of good governance and progressive leadership.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said the new slogan emphasizes the administration’s ultimate objective to serve the people through good governance.
“We are one with President Bongbong Marcos in ensuring that the government puts the welfare and interests of Filipinos first through good governance. It is a strong reminder for every public servant, that again public office is a public trust,” Villanueva said in a text message to reporters.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada believed the slogan serves as a guidepost or vision for a revitalized Philippines – a nation that embraces positive change, innovation, and progressive governance.
“Our country deserves a government that is responsive, accountable, and dedicated to the welfare of its citizens,” Estrada said in a statement.
“I understand that some individuals have expressed reservations about the branding itself. It is essential to note that the Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance and leadership is not simply about superficial image-building. It is about cultivating a culture of good governance and progressive leadership across all levels of government. It entails implementing policies and initiatives that promote transparency, combat corruption, and uplift the lives of our fellow Filipinos.” Estrada added.
Senator Chiz Escudero meanwhile finds the slogan “inspiring” and “motivating” as it signals a new beginning. (PNA)
MANILA – The government is maintaining its position of independence and sovereignty ahead of the ruling of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the Philippines’ appeal to discontinue the investigation on alleged excesses in the country’s war on illegal drugs.
Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said ICC prosecutors “are not welcome” in the Philippines.
“This has become too politicized. The ICC (proceedings) should only be for countries which do not have functioning judicial system, unlike the Philippines,” Remulla told reporters on Monday.
“It is a political process already that happened. We are now no longer members of the ICC. Ayaw po natin na may ibang bansa na nakikialam sa sistema ng hustisya ng Republika ng Pilipinas Hindi tayo kolonya. Hindi po tayo teritoryo ng ibang bansa na nais makialam sa atin (We do not want foreigners meddling in our justice system. We are not a colony and we are not a territory of other countries),” he added.
In case the ICC proceeds with its investigation and summons Philippine nationals, Remulla said the foreign body has no power to compel compliance.
The ICC decision on the appeal is expected within the week.
“There is no further appeal available to the Philippine government. Depending on the evidence we may be able to gather, the ICC prosecutor may seek the issuance of summonses or warrants of arrest against certain individuals,” Solicitor General (SolGen) Menardo Guevarra said in a statement Sunday.
“Regardless of the outcome of our appeal, the Philippine government will continue to focus on its own investigation and prosecution of alleged abuses in connection with the war on drugs. It will defend and assert the sovereignty of the Republic at all times,” Guevarra said. (PNA)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) next week will be a performance report for the Filipino people.
During his SONA set on July 24, his second, Marcos said he would discuss the programs and projects he mentioned in his previous address, show those that have been accomplished, and the things that still need to be done.
“That’s what I want to explain to the people — that we have made significant progress. We can see the difference now not only in terms of how the system works, how the government works,” Marcos said on the sideline of the distribution of government assistance in Pampanga.
“It’s really very simple. It’s just a performance report for Filipinos to see – sa dami ng mga pronouncements, sa dami ng mga salita, kung ito ba ay talagang may kabuluhan o salita lamang [with the many pronouncements, the words, if these make sense or just plain words].”
He added that he wanted to explain to the Filipinos the significant progress in the Philippines, especially on how the international community perceives the country.
“It is also in how we are now seen or judged in the international community. That’s equally important,” he added. (PNA)
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it has yet to detect security threats to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24.
Similarly, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has yet to receive any application from groups that will hold protest actions but it anticipates the presence of various groups on the day of the SONA.
“As of yesterday (Sunday), so far wala pa naman tayong narerereceive (we have not received anything yet) any credible and serious threat,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo told reporters in a press briefing held at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Fajardo said the PNP will conduct simulation exercises, communication exercises, walk through, clearing operations and contingency planning in case there are protest rallies.
The PNP spokesperson urged groups to hold their actions at the Quezon Memorial Circle, the designated freedom park in the city.
In case groups will decide to march from the University of the Philippines-Diliman Campus to the Luzon Avenue flyover along Commonwealth Avenue, Fajardo assured maximum tolerance and will allow them to express themselves.
Meanwhile, QCPD Director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said they have conducted a simulation of what could transpire during the SONA, including a possible face-off with protesters.
“Basically, this is a refresher of our crowd disturbance management technique and tactics. Kasama na dyan ang (including) equipment check, updating the knowledge at batas kung paano i-aaply itong (and laws on how to apply these) techniques and tactics in case may mga (there are) untoward incidents na mangyari (that may happen),” Torre said.
There will be around 5,000 police officers that will be deployed at the House of Representatives and the Batasang Pambansa complex on July 24, half of them from the QCPD.
Torre likewise assured that maximum tolerance will be exercised.
“[It’s] a maximum tolerance. We always hope for the best and prepare the worst. Kung pwede pagbigyan ang ating mga kababayan na mag pahayag ng damdamin (We will allow them to express their sentiments) as long as it does not violate the law and done within [the] bounds of law. We will always exert maximum tolerance,” said Torre.
The PNP earlier said more than 22,000 policemen and augmentation forces will be tapped to secure the President’s SONA. (PNA)
MANILA – At least 5,000 driver’s license cards will be issued before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivers his second State of the Nation Address next week, an official of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) said Monday.
LTO officer-in-charge Assistant Secretary Hector Villacorta said Banner Plasticard Inc., the winning bidder, is expected to produce 15,000 to 30,000 cards daily within 10 days. It committed to deliver 1 million cards in the next two months.
“Just maybe 5,000 copies. The paper will surely be out of date because the production of license cards will start with 15,000 to 30,000 plastic cards a day within 10 days and the promise is within 60 days they can make 1 million plastic cards so the issue of lack of supply for plastic cards will be history,” Villacorta said in a media briefing.
The first batch of license cards will be distributed to overseas Filipino workers and new driver’s license applicants.
“Actually ang nauuna (the initial ones would be for) is OFWs and student driver’s permit that mature into non-pro or professional license,” he said. “I’ve seen the [Banner Plasticard Inc.] factory here in Pasig and they showed me that they can do 15,000 to 30,000 copies everyday,” Villacorta said.
Driver’s license holders can now access the electronic copies of their licenses through the LTMS portal.
“Napa-aga ‘yung launch because the IRR [implementing rules and regulations] takes 15 days to take effect. But we just want to assure the public that things are getting back to normal and we have an additional form that is available, the virtual ID,” he said.
The OFWs may present the virtual ID as proof of identification, he added.
“Pwede rin ipakita ‘yung (They can show the) e-license so we would have a memo to all enforcers that that should be accepted,” he said.
Early in June, the LTO reported a backlog of about 690,000 for the issuance of driver’s licenses, with many LTO offices temporarily issuing paper licenses in place of plastic driver’s licenses. (PNA)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed that the government would ramp up efforts to bring quality healthcare to Filipinos.
Marcos assured that his administration is “determined” to bring quality healthcare services by establishing primary healthcare facilities and specialty centers nationwide.
“I will be reporting to the nation on the progress that we have made in establishing and opening new healthcare centers around the country but that is a product of our relentless push for universal health care, and we will not stop until every Filipino can say they have good access to quality health care,” Marcos said in his speech during the inspection of the Clark Multi-Specialty Medical Center (CMSMC) in Clark, Pampanga.
The CMSMC, which will cater to those who have heart, kidney, cancer, and pediatric ailments, is a fulfillment of one of the President’s promises during his inaugural State of the Nation Address.
Marcos said it is an important component of the administration’s health facility enhancement program (HFEP).
The HFEP, he said, aims to widen the access to quality healthcare services, especially to those from underserved communities.
“I cannot forget, and the reason that healthcare has been such an important part of this administration, not only because of the experience that we have had in the pandemic in the last two to three years, but also with the guiding understanding and idea that any person, no matter how successful they are in whatever field they have been, cannot enjoy that success if they do not also enjoy good health and that is why it is a fundamental part of the services that this government will bring to our people,” he said.
Marcos said the government intends to establish more rural healthcare units, barangay centers, and “botika de barangays” (community pharmacies) to ensure that fundamental healthcare is readily available to Filipinos.
“It is not a privilege to have healthcare, it is a right and that is how we will approach this problem and that is how we will continue to make our healthcare system better for all Filipinos in whatever capacity that we are able to,” Marcos said.
Transform PH healthcare
In a separate statement, the Department of Health (DOH) said the CMSMC is a “pioneering catalyst for transformative change” in establishing specialized medical centers nationwide.
“Equipped with cutting-edge facilities that rival the world’s best, CMSMC aims to provide top-notch medical care to its patients,” the agency said.
“It represents a significant step forward in the Philippines’ healthcare system, promising improved accessibility, advanced medical services, and a brighter future for the nation’s health.”
The facility is a result of collaboration between the DOH, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, the Clark Development Corporation, Pampanga local government units, and in partnership with the private sector like the Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc.
The collaboration, which embodies a whole-of-government approach, ensures access to high-quality health services in Central Luzon and neighboring regions.
Meanwhile, Agnes Devanadera, president and chief executive officer of Clark Development Corporation, said the CMSMC will also boost government efforts to promote the country as a medical tourism destination.
“It will introduce a fresh perspective to our country’s healthcare sector by attracting more visitors from diverse regions, both within the Philippines and outside the country. With this, we enhance our standing as a premier destination for exceptional medical services at par with renowned healthcare destinations, hopefully like Singapore,” she said in her opening remarks during the event.
Aside from boosting medical tourism, Devanadera said the medical center will serve as a beacon of hope and healing to the people with its modern facilities, a testament to the Marcos administration’s strong commitment to improving the nation’s healthcare services.
“With remarkable foresight and unwavering dedication, the government has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advancing our healthcare industry,” Devanadera said.
Governor Dennis Pineda thanked the President for putting up the multi-specialty medical center as it is a big help not only to the residents in Pampanga but also to neighboring Central and Northern Luzon.
“Hindi na po natin kailangan pumunta ng Maynila para magpagamot sa Philippine Heart Center at maging sa kidney and lung centers. Dito sa Pampanga ay mabibigyan na tayo ng lunas (There is no need for us to go to Manila to seek treatment from the Philippine Heart Center and even kidney and lung centers. Here, in Pampanga, we will be treated),” Pineda said. (PNA)
By Benjie Cuaresma
The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) and the Bureau of Fire Protection actively conducted clearing operations, diligently removing large branches from a fallen tree and clearing the streets of scattered debris.
The large tree toppled to the ground, causing the uprooting of electric poles and leaving certain areas without power on Sunday, July 16, 2023. The scattered electric lines posed a hazard as they lay across the ground in Intramuros, Manila.
As a result of the ongoing clearing operations by the MDRRMO and BFP, the Round Table area in Intramuros was temporarily impassable for motorists at the time of this report.
Additionally, the recent heavy rainfall led to severe disruptions in various parts of Metro Manila. Particularly affected were the areas from Espana to Lacson, LagusNilad Underpass, Maria Clara to Maceda, Maceda to Laon-Laan, Maceda to Simoun, Malvar Street, P. Burgos near Manila City Hall, and Pedro Gil Street—known as flood-prone areas in Metro Manila.
Motorists are strongly advised to avoid these streets during periods of heavy downpours.
Furthermore, photographs captured knee-deep water at Taft Ave, near the LRT Station.