Philippine News

Representatives from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR),  the Local Government of Odiongan, Romblon State University, and AGRA Progreso Multi-Purpose Cooperative signed a memorandum of agreement on Tuesday to launch DAR's LinkSFarMM program in Odiongan. (Paul Jaysent Fos/PIA-Romblon)ODIONGAN, Romblon, Oct 16 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in partnership with the local government of Odiongan launches a program that will link farms, smallholder farmers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) to the market last October 15.A signing of memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the DAR-Romblon, Local Government of Odiongan, Romblon State University, and AGRA Progreso Multi-Purpose Cooperative was the highlight of the said event.According to Camilo Claro Pacquing, OIC-PARPO of DAR-Romblon, the program called 'Linking Smallholder Farmers to Markets with Microfinance (LinkSFarMM)' aims to uplift the lives of the farmers from the eight barangays of Odiongan by l…

UNESCO representative Dr. Shahbaz Khan (center) sharing the benefits of being a Creative City during the press conference at the sidelines of the two-day International Conference on Cultural Statistics and Creative Economy on Oct. 15, 2019 in Ceb City. Photo also shows NCCA Executive Director Al Ryan Alejandre (L) and NCCA Deputy Executive Director Marichu Tellano (R). (PIA7) CEBU CITY, Oct. 14 (PIA) -- The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) brought to Cebu the two-day International Conference on Cultural Statistics and Creative Economy which highlights the importance of culture and the arts to the development of national economy. The conference is an avenue to provide an opportunity for local researchers to showcase how their research contributes to policy-making and planning relative to their subjects.Seven sessions on topics such as cultural education, creative economy, books and press, and creative social enterprises were conducted during the two-day international…

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct 16 (PIA) – The Social Security System (SSS) will be filing appropriate charges in court against delinquent employers and business establishments in the city, as the SSS condonation program for penalties has already lapsed, said an SSS senior official.“The condonation (program) has already lapsed last September 6. We are now in the process of checking delinquent employers who have not availed of the condonation to settle their remittances. We will then file cases against them in court,” said SSS Mindanao West Division Vice President Atty. Rodrigo Filoteo.Prior to the September 6 deadline, Filoteo has been constantly appealing to the delinquent employers to settle their accounts through the condonation program. Under this, penalties for delinquent contributions were waived.In addition, the SSS will implement its Run Against Contribution Evaders (RACE) program in Zamboanga City, a drive to go after delinquent employers. Filoteo said this will probably be held before t…

MANILA -- The Philippine Army (PA) continues to beef up its cyber-defense capabilities.This was emphasized during the conduct of the 2nd Gat Andres Bonifacio Colloquium on Monday, with the theme, “Building Resilience in the Age of Disruption: Strengthening the Army’s Cyber Defense Capabilities”.Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, in a statement Tuesday, said the activity aims to broaden the PA’s knowledge and strategies in addressing the challenges of hybrid threats.“The problem is more on the [human] attacker side because the malware is just a tool. You cannot invest in technology alone, you need people. Security is a process and not a product,” said subject matter expert speaker and Army reservist. Lt. Col. Roland J. Ong, who is a territory manager and solutions consultant in a cybersecurity firm that responds to cyber breaches worldwide.Zagala said the forum provided Army leaders and other participating units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines an in-depth discussion on the…

MANILA -- The Philippine Air Force (PAF), through its Bids and Awards Committee, is allocating PHP32.98 million for the acquisition of spare parts needed for the repair and maintenance of the electrical instrument systems of one of its Rockwell OV-10 "Bronco" attack aircraft.The submission and opening of bids will be on October 28, 9:15 a.m. at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City, the bid bulletin posted at the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System said Tuesday."The Philippine Air Force reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders," said PAF Bids and Awards Committee chairperson Brig. Gen. Carlo Bueno N. Buena in the bid bulletin.The PAF is known to operate between six to eight OV-10 units for pa…

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Oct. 14 (PIA) - A new version of the Disaster Preparedness Manual were provided to Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) teams from Misamis Occidental through the Enhanced Operation LISTO Provincial Convergence and Disaster Resilience Dialogue on October 08.The teams, coming from all local government units (LGUs) in the province, were provided with the new Disaster Preparedness Manuals for reference in institutionalizing Operation LISTO in their localities and to enhance their disaster management functions.The Disaster Preparedness Manual provides guidance to LGUs, DILG field officers, chiefs of police, and fire marshals on the protocols and standards in disaster preparedness. Its end goal is to institutionalize the protocols in cities and municipalities.The key participants of the dialogue were City and Municipal Mayors, Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers, Local Chiefs of Police, Local Fire Marshals, and City and Municipa…

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Oct. 15 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-X released P500,000 worth of financial assistance to two associations here through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP).DOLE Misamis Occidental Provincial Office turned over checks worth P250,000 each to Upper Langcangan Senior Citizen Association and Grupo ng Kababaihan sa Lower Loboc Association on September 24, 2019.DOLE-X Mis. Occ. PFO leads the ceremonial turnover of the DILEEP Livelihood Project worth P250,000.00 to Grupo ng Kababaihan sa Lower Loboc Association for their Mini Grocery Store on the 24th of September 2019 at Lower Loboc, Oroquieta City, Mis. Occ. (DOLE-X Mis. Occ. PFO) With the assistance, DOLE Provincial Office Chief Leonardo G. Rodrigo said 141 members of Upper Langcangan Senior Citizen Association and 50 members of Grupo ng Kababaihan sa Lower Loboc Association are set to benefit from their Rice Trading Livelihood project and Min…

BANGUED, Abra -- A 16-year-old high school student from Abra has made use of functional artificial intelligence and developed a robot that can pick and sort trash gathered from canals and waterways. “I want to do something that is useful. I am worried with the state of our environment that is why I improved what had been developed in the past,” said Meljon Reyes Viste, a Grade 10 student at Abra High School here.As a child, Meljon started to show interest in putting together robots and Lego toys. His talent in assembling robots developed on his own without actual education on robotics.YOUNG ROBOTICS WIZ. Meljon Reyes Viste, 16, shows the prototype robot made up of recycled Lego parts that he developed and entered in the national science fair this year. Also in the photo is his father, Engr. John Viste. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)He said he used to question why the robots do not move, which prompted him to educate and train himself to make one that actually performs worthwhile activit…

PAGADIAN CITY, Oct 16 (PIA)— Members of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) can now start their own small businesses and livelihood after they received toolkits from the Technical Education, Skills and Development Authority (TESDA-9) in simple ceremony held at Maguindanao Hall in barangay Dao recently.At least 275 members of Indigenous Peoples from the municipalities of Dimataling, Dumalinao, Lapuyan, and Tabina have availed of the toolkits distributed by TESDA 9 under the “Special Skills Training Program” (SSTP) of the agency.Regional Director Vincent Cifra said under the SSTP program, the government would like to show to the IPs and cultural communities that the government is just here to assist and help them to acquire skills so that they can use for their future employment and livelihood after the skills training.The SSTP  is associated with toolkits for the IPs to use for their livelihood and for their work.“The objective of SSTP is to develop the IPs’ specific skills and competencies a…

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Oct. 15 (PIA) -- Seven displaced workers in Lantapan town received their salaries for a 30-day work rendered under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa mgaDisplaced/Disadvantaged Workers Program (TUPAD) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).The workers received their MLhuillier transaction number representing payment of P10,950 on 17 September 2019 at the Alanib Barangay Hall in Lantapan, Bukidnon.DOLE-X Bukidnon Provincial Field Office Chief Raul L. Valmores said TUPAD provides temporary employment to displaced workers to sustain their needs while they are looking for regular wage employment or other sources of income such as self-employment through livelihood undertakings.Displaced worker Arvin O. Melencion of Barangay Alanib was grateful for the program. “We applied for the emergency employment since our main source of income was cut-off. TUPAD salary was received in time for the enrollment of our children,” he said.Upon receipt, Melencion venture…

CEBU CITY – Amid dissatisfaction from water utility consumers, Mayor Edgardo Labella on Tuesday fired five officials of the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD).Labella sent notices of termination of service to current MCWD chairman Joel Mari Yu, board members Augustus Pe Jr., Ralph Sevilla, Procopio Fernandez, and lawyer Cecile Adlawan, the water district’s board secretary.In a letter dated Oct. 15, Labella said the termination came after the city government learned that the “consumers of MCWD have been greatly dissatisfied with its present service”.“This has prompted local government units, such as Cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Talisay and the Municipalities of Consolacion, Lilo-an, Compostela, and Cordova, and the Province of Cebu through their respective Sanggunians, to issue Resolutions expressing their dissatisfactions and calls for action on the matter,” Labella said.“It is for this widespread dissatisfaction over the services of MCWD that I am constrained to terminate your services…

COTABATO CITY -- A fire gutted more than 30 stalls at the temporary site of the public market in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao shortly before midnight Tuesday.Engulfed by the fire were fish and vegetable stalls and small eateries, mostly made of light materials in the area. No one was reported hurt in the incident."The fire came after an explosion,” Fire Insp. Ysrael Kamid, town fire department chief, said of the incident that happened around 11:28 p.m. at Barangay Dalican.He said the site of the blaze is about 400 meters away from the town police department, enabling them to quickly respond to the incident.“We declared a ‘fire-out’ some 30 minutes after,” the fire official said.He said fire probers are still in the area determining what caused the explosion that led to the blaze. Damage to structures was initially pegged at PHP150,000. (PNA)
News Feed:

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1083298
Latest News | Philippine News Agency

MANILA -- Cloudy skies with light rains will prevail over parts of Luzon due to the northeasterly surface windflow on Wednesday.In its 4 a.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Batanes and Babuyan Group of Islands will have cloudy skies with light rains caused by the weather system.At 3 a.m. a low pressure area (LPA) was spotted at 1,335 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
Mindanao and eastern Visayas will have scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms due to the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ).Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers caused by localized thunderstorms.Temperature in Metro Manila ranges from 24- 33 degrees Celsius; Tuguegarao City 23-32 degrees Celsius; Baguio City 16-24 degrees Celsius; SBMA 24- 32 degrees Celsius; Lipa City 23-34 degrees Celsius; Metro Cebu 25-32 degrees Celsius; and Met…

LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Okt. 16 (PIA) -- Inilunsad ng Pilipinas Shell Foundation (PSFI) ang Building, Organizing and Operating Libraries and Knowledge-Based System (BOOKS) Program sa Ambulong Elementary School Library kamakailan.

Sinabi ni PSFI Program manager Olivia Sorio, na layunin nito na mahikayat ang mga kabataan na magbasa, mapaganda at mapunuan ang kakulangan sa gamit ng mga aklatan sa host community ng Shell Refinery."Sa loob ng 37 taon ng PSFI, malaking bahagi ng underpriviledged at disadvantaged ng populasyon sa mga host barangays ang natulungan kung kaya’t inaasahan namin na mas maraming kabataan pa ang makikinabang at matutulungan nito," mensahe ni PSFI Executive Director Sebastian Quinones.Ilan sa mga naging kabahagi ng pagsasakatuparan ng naturang programa ang Department of Science and Technology (DOST) para sa STAR books project at Project Aklat ng National Bookstore Foundation Inc. (NBSFI).

Inilahad ni Dr. Felina Malabanan, DOST Provincial Director, na ang Scie…

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, Oct. 16 (PIA) – All pork and pork products in the Cagayan Valley Region are still safe from African Swine Fever (ASF), an official of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) said yesterday.Dr. Elnora Ramones (center), assistant director of NMIS 2, assures public that Cagayan Valley is still ASF free. (by PIA) Dr. Elnora Ramones, assistant regional director, said as of writing, there are no confirmed cases yet of ASF in the region that is why the inter-agency task force created is strictly implementing the total ban of pork and pork-based products in the region to ensure that no virus can enter the region. She also said that with the collaboration of various agencies and the local government units, all possible conveyors of pork and pork-based products are strictly inspected upon entry in the region.“We are glad that everyone becomes conscious now of the pork or meat they eat and there are various agencies helping us in inspecting all possible sources of m…

Photo by Atog PhotographyCABARROGUIS, Quirino, Oct. 16 (PIA)--The province’s Motorismo Festival was adjudged as Best Tourism Event (Sports/Adventure) in the recently concluded 14th Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines – Department of Tourism (ATOP-DOT) Pearl Awards at San Agustin Church Compound,  Paoay, Ilocos Norte.Loida Acacio, planning officer of the Provincial Tourism Office said it is a big leap  for the tourism industry of Quirino for besting two entries such as Compostela Valley and Bulacan considering that it’s the first time for the province to join such competition.The five-year old Motorismo Festival was among the three entries that were shortlisted for the Best Tourism Event (Sports/Adventure) category after  hurdling  the first screening -verification, recommendation and preliminary judging  of a panel of experts convened by ATOP.  During the final review of the documents and final judging, Motorismo festival got the nod from the judges and it was declared …

LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Okt. 16 (PIA)- Isinagawa ng Public Private Partnership Center ang Regional Orientation Workshop on Joint Venture sa NDN Grand Hotel sa lungsod ng Sto. Tomas kamakailan.

Ang joint venture workshops ay bahagi ng pagpapatupad ng PPP Center ng Local PPP Strategy na isang pamamaraan upang hikayatin ang iba’t-ibang local implementing agencies na isulong ang proyektong pang-imprastraktura sa pamamagitan ng public-private partnerships.

Isang ahensya na sangay ng National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), ang PPP Center ay siyang namamahala sa mga Public-Private Partnership program at PPP projects sa buong bansa.

Ang naturang ahensya din ang nagbibigay ng technical assistance sa lahat ng pamahalaang nasyunal, Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations(GOCC’s), Government Financial Institutions (GFI’s), lokal na pamahalaan at State Universities and colleges (SUC’s) upang makabuo at makapagpatupad ng critical infrastructure at iba pang development projects sa pamamagi…

LUNGSOD NG LUCENA, Okt.  16 (PIA)--Iginawad ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ang Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance 2019 regional level sa lalawigan ng Quezon sa seremonyang idinaos kamakailan sa Ynares Event Center, Antipolo City.Tinanggap ni Bondoc Peninsula Congresswoman Aleta Suarez ang parangal bilang kinatawan ni Gobernor Danilo Suarez kasama si Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Sonia Leyson.Pinagkalooban din nang katulad na parangal ang dalawang siyudad at 38 na bayan sa Quezon maliban sa Jomalig.Ang nasabing karangalan ay resulta ng mandatory Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) na ginagawa taon-taon bilang bahagi ng Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance, isang programa ng Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) na magkatuwang na ipinatutupad ng DSWD at ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) na sinasaklaw ang lahat ng mga lungsod at munisipyo sa buong bansa.

Samantala, ang Child-Friendly Philippines nam…

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, October 15 (PIA)-- The Land Transportation District Office in Northern through its Senior Transportation and Regulations Officer Mr. Roger Leaño assures the public of its fast and prompt delivery of frontline services as expected of a government agency.This he said during the radio program “Huruhimangraw sa Panginudto,” hosted by PIA at radio station DYSM.“We have three primary functions, first is issuance of licenses, second is the registration of motor vehicles and third is law enforcement,” informed Leaño.The only cause of delay, he said, is the slow internet connection and power interruptions.Leaño explained further the speedy process of acquiring driver’s license and renewal of motor vehicles.He sternly warned those holding students permit, to be cautious and make sure they are accompanied by a person with a professional or non-professional driver’s license when driving, hence, after few months they can easily acquire  a non-professional driver’s license…

MANILA -- Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Jose Alan Dialogo to head the Diocese of Sorsogon.According to an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news website, outgoing Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes made the announcement during the ordination of three men to the priesthood at the Sorsogon Cathedral on Tuesday morning.The bishop reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 last April. He served the diocese for 16 years.The appointment was supposed to be announced in Rome at noon Tuesday (6 p.m., Manila time) but Bastes sought permission from Papal Nuncio Archbishop Gabriele Caccia to announce it earlier.Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle also announced the appointment during a clergy meeting at the San Carlos Seminary in Makati City on Tuesday.On the other hand, the Holy Father has appointed Bastes as Apostolic Administrator “sede vacante” of the diocese until his successor formally assumes his new post.The bishop-elect is currently direct…

MANILA — Young Filipino golfers will get a chance to showcase their skills right in America's top college division. DreamBig Events, described as "a sports events company dedicated to providing a positive, motivating and challenging platform for young athletes living in Asia to improve their sporting skills," will organize a two-day golf camp known as Gold Series Golf Camp at the Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmariñas, Cavite on Dec. 17-18.Junior golfers aged 12-18 will get a chance to be trained by coaches from the likes of the University of California's Los Angeles and Berkeley campuses.The coaches will scout from the young golfers, who will take part in a golf tournament during the camp.“This is an exceptional opportunity for young golfers to interact with world-class coaches and glimpse the future of how their game can evolve and take them to places they’ve never been before. Learning under these top-caliber coaches is a privilege that only a few can experie…

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Oct. 16 (PIA) – The Philippine Statistics Authority Region 4A (PSA 4A) promotes importance of gender-based statistics through conducting Women and Men (WAM) Statistics Dissemination Forum during the 30thNational Statistics Month (NSM) opening ceremony for Calabarzon.

With the theme, “Data Innovation: Key to a Better Nation,” the NSM 2019 Opening Ceremony enjoined national government agencies and provincial and local government units at Hotel Marciano, Brgy. Real, Calamba City last October 7.

PSA 4A Statistical Specialist Silver Quiatchon who served as Master of Ceremony explained, “Relevant sex-disaggregated information can serve as guide in advocacy work geared towards women’s welfare and advancement in the various sectors of society.”

He also emphasized that information on women related to areas of violence, migration, peace and human rights which have not been given focus in various statistical publications are now being made available through the WAM Statisti…

INQUIRER – ‘ninja cops’ may end up dead--MagalongPHILIPPINE STAR – SC defers decision on VP poll protestMANILA BULLETIN – Trial run for Dalian train beginsMANILA TIMES – Poll fraud case vs Robredo hangsMANILA STANDARD – VP recount results outMALAYA – Magalong: Albayalde resignation a ‘deception’DAILY TRIBUNE – Pendulous betwixt BBM, LeniBUSINESS MIRROR – 7-yr sunset period for ecozone perks likely
News Feed:

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1083297
Latest News | Philippine News Agency

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, Oct. 15 (PIA) –  Law enforcement officers are now on look-out in all identified Ludong hotspots in the entire region after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Administrative Circular 247 is now in effect for the whole month of October to November 15.BFAR has high hopes that with the Oplan Sagip Ludong and the implementation of BFAR Administratice Circular 247, the remaining stocks of Ludong, known as the President's Fish, in the Cagayan River and its tributaries will be given the chance to regenerate. “This is the season where Ludong are expected to go down from theupstream down to the estuary of Aparri to spawn,” Atty. Arsenio Bañares, chief of the  Fisheries Management, Regulatory and Enforcement Division (FMRED) said.While waiting for the ‘Ludong run’ which coincides with the swelling of the Cagayan River, usually brought about by heavy rainfall, the team is conducting IEC field campaigns in identified areas.Bañares said prior to the c…

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, Oct. 15 (PIA) - - The Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) region 2 has developed new curriculum composed of 12 diploma programs which aid opportunity to graduates to pursue their bachelor’s degree and acquire multiple skills at multiple levels to enhance their employability.   Officials from SUCs, HEIs and TESDA participate in the development of new diploma programs. (by TEDSA)The new diploma programs include Diploma in Hotel, Resort, Restaurant, and Tour Management; Diploma in Food and Beverage Service Management; Diploma in Information and Communications Technology; Diploma in Agriculture Science; Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology; Diploma in Civil Engineering Technology; Diploma in Mechanical Engineering; Diploma in Health and Nutrition Science; Diploma in Garments, Fashion and Design Technology; Diploma in Beauty Culture, Health and Wellness Technology; Diploma in Heavy Equipment Operations Technology; an…

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, Oct. 15 (PIA) - - The Regional Development Council (RDC) region 2 has endorsed major infrastructure development projects and passed resolutions geared towards Cagayan Valley peoples’ development in the recently concluded full council meeting.RDC 2 officials discuss proposed infrastructure projects and resolutions during the Full Council meeting held in Cauayan City. (by NEDA) National Economic Develeopment Authority (NEDA) chief and RDC acting Chair Dionisio C. Ledres said among the infrastructure projects endorsed include the proposed Tumauini River Multipurpose Project (TRMP), one among the 75 infrastructure flagship projects of the present administration, which involves the construction of a high dam that will improve the target service area to 8,200 hectares covering 5,860 farmer beneficiaries, and provide flood mitigation measures along the Tumauini River.The council, he said, has also endorsed to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) the pr…

PALO, Leyte, Oct. 15 (PIA) -- The Provincial Government of Leyte is all set for the forthcoming commemoration of the 75th Leyte Gulf Landings Anniversary come October 20, 2019.This includes all the venues and the activities being highlighted for this year’s celebration.In a press conference held on Sunday, Oct. 13, Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla said all systems go for the commemoration knowing the preparations made by the different agencies and other stakeholders.After the press conference, Governor Petilla, together with the Department of Tourism and other government agencies led the inauguration and switching on of lights at the newly-renovated Macarthur Shrine and Park in Candahug, Palo, Leyte.The MacArthur Shrine at the MAcArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Palo, Leyte.The Department of Tourism has reported that the project cost for the rehabilitation of the Macarthur Shrine and Park totaled to P69 million under the DOT Yolanda Comprehensive Rehabilitation and …

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct. 11 (PIA) -- From the country’s premier technical skills education authority, there are a lot of good news worth telling. The challenge is how to tell these to the communities.Knowing this and the need to tell the good news, Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Bohol Provincial Director Grace Corazon Castillo directed the office for its key personnel to attend a Training on News Writing and Photojournalism through Office Order 32 series of 2019.T’IS THE DAY. TESDA news writing and photojournalism training participants from the government’s training centers all over Bohol intend to help the government spread the good news, this time giving a face to the government training for work scholarships. (PIABohol)The move is also in support of TESDA's quest for continuous improvement of its Quality Management Systems especially in the field of reporting.Fourteen TESDA staff attended the training handled by Philippine Information Agency (PIA) …

MANILA -- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday expressed appreciation to the unequivocal support of the UP Vanguard, Inc., Pasig Chapter for the reinstatement of basic mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program for senior high school students.In a meeting with representatives of the group at the DND Building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Lorenzana highlighted the importance of instilling the love of country in the hearts and minds of the Filipino youth.Also, members of the association expressed optimism for the implementation of the program when the law is passed and the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) are crafted.They also presented to the DND chief their manifesto of support for the implementation of mandatory basic ROTC in Grades 11 and 12 particularly on the development of IRR, plan, and budget, and the training of human resources.The UP Vanguard Inc. is the alumni association of graduates of the University of the Phil…

QUEZON CITY, Oct. 15 (PIA)--To raise public awareness on the state of Pasig River, the Makati City Government and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will hold a series of workshops and other activities on October 16, 2019 at the University of Makati Main Theater, from 9AM to 5PM. The one-day event will feature activities such as Manila Water: Toka-Toka, Dramahon Theater Performance by Unibersidad de Manila, and Pocket Workshops and Discussions. A film showing of the Wisik Short Film Making Competition of 2018 will be also presented.The Municipality of Pateros is also set to hold same activities on Friday, October 18, at the Pateros Elementary School, from 8AM to 5PM, featuring the Dramahon Theater Performance by the SIPAG Cultural Group. The Taga-Alog 2019 aims to involve more people in the rehabilitation of the 25-km river by holding educational workshops and sessions, theatrical performances, and symposia.  Taga-Alog envisions an Ilog Pasig that is alive with a …

Ang Irrigation System Project sa Malatgao, Narra, Palawan. (Larawan mula sa Palawan Provincial Irrigation Management Office)PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan, Okt 15 (PIA) -- Matatapos na sa Nobyembre ang National Irrigation Sector Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (NISRIP) sa Barangay Malatgao, bayan ng Narra, Palawan na pinondohan ng P189-Milyon ng Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).Ito ang kinumpirma ni Silvino Navarro, tagapamahala ng proyekto sa panayam ng Philippine Information Agency (PIA).Sinimulang ipatupad ang proyekto noong Agosto 26, 2015, habang nasa 98 porsiyento na itong tapos sa kasalukuyan, at planong ilipat sa pamamahala ng Provincial Irrigation Management Office (PIMO) sa Palawan, at pagmamantine ng mga benepisyaryong asosasyon ng mga magsasaka.Sinabi ni Navarro na ang NISRIP ay binubuo ng dalawang bahagi, partikular na ang hard component o ang pisikal na rehabilitasyon ng kasalukuyang sistema ng irigasyon, at ang soft component na kinabibilangan naman ng pag…

BOHOL ARTISTS OFF TO K-POP LAND. Dagon sa Hoyohoy, a musical play that retells the life and exploits of Francisco Sendrijas who led the longest revolt against the Spanish friars, would be the country’s attraction for South Koreans as the play puts up stage performances by invitation in Seoul, and several cities in South Korea. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct. 12 (PIA) -- Bohol’s collaborative theater companies which advance theater and arts in helping earthquake victims recover from trauma packed its props and costumes for a series of stage shows in South Korea.Kasing Sining Foundation, or "art with a heart," is a collaborative theater company of Teatro Bol-anon, Teatro Abatan and the Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School Special Program for the Arts which roamed around Bohol giving earthquake stress debriefing sessions through the arts in 2013 and onwards.Organized by Bohol’s premier theater and movie director and cultural impresario, Lutgardo Labad, Kasing …

MANILA -- Newly appointed National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas will be able to continue the intensified internal cleansing of ranks, as well as the government's campaign against illegal drugs, his predecessor said Tuesday.“General Sinas is disciplinarian, may kahigpitan din kaya ako’y naniniwala na internal cleansing, buhay na buhay sa kanyang pamunuan. Iyan ang kailangan natin maipakita sa taumbayan (He is also a bit strict so I believe that internal cleansing will be active under his watch and we need to show the people) that we deserve their trust and confidence,” former NCRPO chief and now PNP Chief of the Directorial Staff, Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, said in a radio interview.Before his new assignment, Sinas served as chief of the Central Visayas Regional Police Office.Eleazar, who is now PNP's fourth top official also expressed confidence that Sinas will be able to continue what he and resigned PNP chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde star…

MANILA -- The Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) ordered the Makati City government to refund over PHP4 million in local business taxes (LBT) paid by the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) to Makati City.In its 21-page decision dated October 9, the tax court's Third Division through Associate Justice Ma. Belen M. Ringpis-Liban ordered then-City Treasurer Jesusa Cuneta to refund or issue a tax credit certificate in favor of MPTC the amount of PHP4.128 million representing erroneously or illegally paid LBT for the years 2014 and 2015.Associate Justice Maria Rowena Modesto-San Pedro concurred while Associate Justice Erlinda P. Uy filed a concurring and dissenting opinion.The tax court reversed and set aside the decision of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 145 which dismissed MPTC's complaint about a refund for lack of merit. A subsequent order by the Makati court on April 23, 2018, denied MPTC's motion for reconsideration prompting them to bring the case to the tax court.The c…

TUBIGON, Bohol, Oct. 11 (PIA) -- As the government allowed the use of its resources and funds under the Sariling Sikap program, it welcomes back its certified skills graduates to practice their entrepreneurial skills here.One with the government in implementing programs to uplift the economic conditions of the communities, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) through its Provincial Training Center here embraced anew its graduates who came back to train for a cause.Graduates in Dressmaking and Tailoring NC II said that while they are thankful to the government for their skills training, they admit their next challenge is practicing their entrepreneurial skills.TAILORING FOR CAUSE. TESDA PSTC Tubigon graduates return to the center for entrepreneurship training to raise funds for the center and the alumni association’s priority projects. The graduates recycled rags and scissored fabrics into usable household items for sale. (JoahnnaZMangyao/PTC Tubigon)The gra…

DAVAO CITY--This city is eyeing a budget of PHP10.3 billion for 2020, an increase of over 15 percent from this year's PHP8.9-billion allocation.

This was bared on Monday by City Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, chairperson of the Finance Committee, who added that part of the increase will come from the city's PHP4-billion international revenue allotment as well as from savings.

Dayanghirang said they expect the budget to be forwarded to the legislative body by October 15 so that they can start the marathon hearings.

"By the second week of November, we expect to go on second reading and on the third week, for the 3rd and final reading," he said.

Dayanghirang said they expect a surplus from the 2019 budget although they still are awaiting a supplemental budget to comply with the requirements for the bonuses of city government employees.

He said all funds for the year must be disbursed and all projects must be paid, noting that Mayor Sara Z. Duterte does not allow realign…

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct. 5 (PIA) -- From a handful of individuals with different backgrounds and functionalities, but one in their mission to be there for people who are on the edge due to depression, stress and schizophrenia, a group has been formed and committed to bring information, education and communication as well as psycho-physical interventions to help people struggling with depression. Now already a large group of volunteers that include househelps, Paghatag og Pagtagad sa Kabililhon sa Kinabuhi (PAGPAKABUHI) firmed up its beginnings on Sept. 8, "when we sat down informally to get to the alarming issue of depression and how it has caused people’s lives," said Dr. Fruserma Mary Uy, Bohol Provincial Health Office (PHO) Mental health focal person.UNDERSTANDING DEPRESSION. It is helpful to know what is mental health, a certain sense of disciplining the mind, regaining trust and faith in God, getting other preoccupations as escape and drawing strength from family me…

Dalian train set to hit the tracks of MRT-3 mainline later today. (Photo courtesy of MRT-3)QUEZON CITY, Oct. 15 (PIA)--Starting today, 15 October 2019, one Dalian train set (equivalent to three train coaches) will hit the tracks of MRT-3 mainline during evening off-peak hours, from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM.This is after MRT-3's Japanese maintenance provider, Sumitomo Corporation-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - TES Philippines, signed yesterday, 14 October 2019, a consent for the limited deployment of one Dalian train set.In a statement, the DOTr said the consent indicates that the train set will be deployed for an initial trial period lasting up to when the maintenance provider begins its rail replacement works in November 2019.Discussions are ongoing between officials from the DOTr MRT-3, Sumitomo Corporation, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries regarding the technical considerations, especially when rail replacement works ramp up in the next few months.The Japan International Cooperation A…

MANILA -- Marikina City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro on Monday has ordered a thorough probe into the death of a 23-year-old construction worker who was shot and killed by a police officer in the city last week.The victim was identified as Kim Lester Ramos, 23, while his friend Lauro Lagarde, an administrative staff, was shot in the belly during an alleged scuffle with Cpl. Herjonner Soller, a member of the Marikina Police Intelligence Unit last October 5.Teodoro visited Lagarde at the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center (ARMMC) to get his side about the incident involving the cop and checked his condition.“We will not stop until we find out the truth. We will make sure that we will seek justice for his death. If it is proven that there has been an irregularity in the incident, I will make sure that somebody will be held liable and there will be no cover-up,” the mayor told Lagarde.Teodoro said he has already coordinated with the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) to seek an impar…