CONTENTS
Caraga Volume IV, No. 35 August 22-28, 2020
INFOCUS
ARTICLES
8 10 13 14 15
REGIONAL NEWS
DA distributes P79M worth of agri-machinery in Caraga Region PCA seeks increased domestic use of coco products in Caraga
PROVINCIAL NEWS AgNor allocates additional P11-M for construction of quarantine facilities P3.1 M nga mga infra ug social dev’t projects gihatagag pagtagad LGU Nasipit mohatag Loyalty Award sa mga empleyado
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22 17 20 22 24 25
25 more CNTs surrender to Army in Agusan Norte Pitong tourist spots sa bayan ng Trento, Agusan del Sur nadiskubre ngayong may pandemya Livelihood at technical assistance, ibinigay sa mga taga-Surigao Norte PPA Dinagat gets disinfectants, medical supplies People’s Day Caravan gipahigayon sa Loreto, Dinagat Islands
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46 COVID-19 NEWS
MINDANAO NEWS
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MinDA’s sorghum pilot farm in NoCot earns P120-K
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MinDA, electric coops to review power situation in Mindanao
32 34 36 38 39
NATIONAL NEWS Bayanihan 2 to ensure ‘needed, timely’ Covid-19 response Duterte’s admin supports activists: PCOO SSS expands benefit, loan disbursement channels; urges qualified payees to enroll bank accounts at My.SSS 85% percent of target learners have enrolled: Briones DBM submits proposed P4.5-T 2021 nat’l budget to House
P12-B allotted to aid workers displaced by Covid-19 Gov’t task force on Covid-19 hails Congress’ ‘swift action’ No magic bullet to solve Covid-19 pandemic: PRRD DOH assures safeguards on vaccines sans Phase 4 trials
COVER
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43 44 46 48
DTI’s livelihood se to reach more villa S eventy-eight (78) participants who are members of the Barangay Council and micro enterprise owners of Barangay Azpetia here joined on August 20, 2020 the launching of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Agusan del Sur’s livelihood seeding program – Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay (LSP-NSB). “We are glad that DTI is here with this program Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay to help the business sector in our barangay, especially in this time of pandemic,” said Azpetia punong barangay Ricky Antallan. Antallan added that bringing the service of the government to the countryside “is a testament that DTI is really committed to making business and enterprises accessible to people.”
and services of the agency, and conducted an orientation about entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, Negosyo Center business counselors, Aibel Tolentino, Recs RJ Moreno and Rezel May Goloran conducted business cliniquing, and provided copies of information materials on starting up a business and consumer protection.
DTI-Agusan del Sur’s LSP-NSB More LSP-NSB program launching provincial coordinator Charmaine sessions will be done next month Jonine Nabio presented the programs covering the 38 target barangays
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| August 22-28, 2020
eeding program ages in Caraga program since may and are continuously conducting activities under this program amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. “We are making sure that the program continues to serve its purpose especially that many micro and small entrepreneurs are greatly affected by this pandemic,” Tidalgo said adding that strict observance of health protocols like wearing of facemask, disinfection and proper physical distancing were ensured during the conduct of the activities. around the province.
LSP-NSB is a program of DTI that aims to develop awareness about the “LSP-NSB is designed to provide agency’s programs and services and livelihood opportunities and support expand reach to the business sector. the existing micro-enterprises under the Bayahihan to heal as one act: Provide This is one of the government aide to the MSMEs in order to cope initiatives to bring the government and bounce back from the negative programs and services closer to the effects of pandemic to the economy,” people through partnership with the said DTI Caraga OIC regional director local government units; identify and Gay Tidalgo. provide opportunities to spur the economic activities, employment Tidalgo added that the five opportunities and create wealth in the provincial offices of Caraga have countryside. (DTI-Caraga/DTI-Agusan already started launching the said del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur) August 22-28, 2020 |
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News Briefs The Agusan del Norte Provincial Health Office Emergency Operations Center has tested a total of 15,789 individuals with the Rapid Antibody Test, 681 tested negative while 15,108 tested positive. (Agnor PDRRMC) xx
RDRRMC and RTF COVID-19 chairperson and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga regional director Liza Mazo underscored the importance of the internal capacity and strategies of a government agency or institution that leans toward the continuous delivery of quality public services during an emergency or disaster. She further encouraged the regional/national line agencies and LGUs in Caraga region to develop their respective Public Service Continuity Plan (PSCP).
As of August 27, 2020, there are 11,925 inbound locally stranded individuals (LSIs) in Caraga region while outbound LSIs are 10,022. Also, the returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) reaches to 3,501. According to Rey Cueva, provincial director of TESDA Agusan del Norte, through the Project PEACE, problems on livelihood, peace and food security through organic farming will be addressed. The trainers will be deployed to the different priority barangays of the province to share their learnings and to teach the community on organic farming.
REGIONAL NEWS
DA distributes P79M worth of agri-machinery in Caraga Region By Kent Warren Fugoso
With the aim to raise the rice farmers’ profitability and competitiveness through the use of mechanization technologies in the region, the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMec) through the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Component turned over P79.7 Million worth of agricultural machineries to selected rice-based farmers’ association in the region, held recently at the Taguibo, this city.
The first batch of recipients of the program from the province of Agusan del Norte included Kahugpungan sa mga Mag-uuma Alang sa Lamdag nga Kaugmaon (KAMALAKA) Irrigator’s Association from Barangay Sanghan, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte; Tagbongabong Farmers Association from Tagbongabong, RTR, Agusan
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| August 22-28, 2020
del Norte; Sto. Nino Muti-Purpose Cooperative from Sto. Nino, Butuan City; and Taguibo IPM Irrigators Association from Barangay Taguibo, Butuan City. KAMALAKA Irrigator’s Association received one four-wheeled tractor, one riding-type trans planter, and one combine harvester. Ruenston
Delalamon, President of KAMALAKA Irrigator’s Association, said that the machinery and equipment will be of great benefit for their association in terms of labor and profit.
combine harvester. The Sto. Nino MultiPurpose Cooperative led by Marilyn O. Aranas also received one precision seeder. The province of Agusan del Norte served as the pilot beneficiary from the region, this will be followed “Before, our association just by a turnover ceremony in different visualized having these machineries schedules for the provinces of Agusan that could lessen the burden that we del Sur and Surigao del Sur. are facing every land preparation and harvesting season. We even hire Agusan del Norte Governor Dale laborers from other places for an B. Corvera graced the ceremony additional manpower during both expressing his interest and support seasons. We are very glad that through towards the development of the this, our vision for our farms will not be in agriculture sector in the region. vain anymore,” Delalamon said. “What we can do about it is to Furthermore, Tagbongabong invest more in agriculture, we invest in Farmers Association also received seven our farmers. That is the reason why we floating tillers, one four-wheeled tractor, created a program called “Agusan and one combine harvester. Jimmy Up” which focuses on the development Loreno, Chairman of the association, of the agriculture sector in our region. expressed his gratitude to the DA for I’m glad that the mindset of our farmers being chosen as the beneficiary for the changed through the years. Previously, grant. they go into farming to have some “The months of waiting for the food in the table but now, we go into turnover since the signing of the farming to develop our economy, to memorandum of agreement was create a business,” Gov. Corvera said. worth it since as the only cooperative Governor Corvera also stressed the to be granted by this machineries, this will surely help me and the rest of the importance of agricultural education farmers of my association. We were in the region to further progress the also delighted that the brand of the agri-based region. “I hope that our machine being granted to us is one future generations here in Caraga of the best high-quality machines will eye for a progressive agriculture for farming. We are very eager to sector by studying agriculture-related be the ‘first’ to experience from our education. Especially to the farmers who have experienced technological municipality,” Loreno said. advancements, they should encourage Moreover, Taguibo IPM Irrigators their children to continue what they Association led by Romy Lasco received have started,” he added. (DA 13 RAFIS/ one four-wheeled tractor and one PIA Agusan del Norte) August 22-28, 2020 |
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PCA seeks increased domestic use of coco products in Caraga By Alexander Lopez
PROTECTING COCO FARMERS. Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) 13 (Caraga) Manager Joel B. Oclarit (left) and Department of Agriculture 13 Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo (right) lead the celebration of the 34th National Coconut Month in Butuan City on Monday (Aug. 24, 2020). The PCA is pushing for an increase in the domestic use of coconut products to help coconut farmers hit by the health crisis. (Photo courtesy of PCA-13 Information Office)
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) 13 (Caraga) is pushing for an increase in the domestic use of coconut products to help coconut farmers affected by the health crisis. PCA-13 Manager Joel B. Oclarit told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday that aside from raising the income of the region’s coconut farmers, the production of coconutbased products, such as virgin coconut
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| August 22-28, 2020
oil (VCO) and coco ethyl alcohol, would complement the continuing fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“The push for the increase in the
utilization of coco-based products (is) in line with the directive of the agency, in the celebration of the 34th National Coconut Month, and the continuing support of the PCA to the concerted efforts of all government agencies and private groups in the fight against Covid-19,” Oclarit said. PCA-13 marked the 34th National Coconut Month on Monday, which was graced by Department of Agriculture 13 Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo and officials of other line agencies of the government. Oclarit said they have been working with local government units in conducting home-based training on making VCO among coconut farmers. PCA-13 records show that more than 113,000 coconut farmers tend to 272,093 hectares planted with coconut trees in 1,311 barangays, mostly in Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. He said the proposal to establish two mini coco distillation plants that would produce coco ethyl alcohol in Caraga has already been approved by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
distillation plants has the capacity to process 250 liters of coconut wine per day to manufacture coco ethyl alcohol,” he said.
During Monday’s event, Monteagudo and Department of Trade and Industry 13 Director Gay Tidalgo led the relaunch of the Coco Bazaar and the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita store at Construction is expected to begin the PCA-13 office. this year at the proposed sites in Mat-i, The Kadiwa store features Surigao City, and Sibagat, Agusan del coconut-based products from various Sur, Oclarit said. coconut farmers’ organizations in the “Each of these proposed mini region. (PNA) August 22-28, 2020 |
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PROVINCIAL NEWS
AgNor allocates additional P11-M for construction of quarantine facilities By Jennifer P. Gaitano
The provincial government of Agusan del Norte has allocated one million pesos for its 10 municipalities and one city as additional fund for the construction of their respective quarantine facilities as part of their measures in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The said province has already established three quarantine facilities situated in the municipalities of Nasipit and Jabonga, and in Barangay Bancasi of Butuan City. “We are ready with our quarantine facility. So, all of the municipalities and one city are all set in terms of quarantine facilities,� bared Governor Dale Corvera.
of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the construction of the quarantine facility in every district of Caraga region. While the region is now under a Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ), health protocols are still strictly observed and implemented particularly at the regional boundaries.
The provincial government has The authorities meticulously also partnered with the Department check the requirements from those August 22-28, 2020 |
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individuals crossing the provincial and established to man the regional regional borders in Caraga. boundary control points and are authorized to check the legitimacy of “We see to it that all those who the medical certificates and health enter the region have the necessary declaration presented by travelers requirements and we assist them prior to their allowed entry in the should they lack any of the required region. documents to lessen also their burden,� said PLt. Joseph Arnaiz, Per data from the Department team leader of the regional boundary of Health (DOH) Caraga, there are 63 control point. confirmed COVID-19 cases in Agusan Apart from the police officers, del Norte and six of which are active a medical team has also been cases. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
P3.1 M nga mga infra ug social dev’t projects gihatagag pagtagad
Mokabat sa P 3,150,000.00 ang mga nag-unang prayoridad nga mga proyekto, programa ug aktibidad sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte ang nakatakdang i-implementar basi sa giendorso sa Provincial Development Council ngadto sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan ubos sa PDC Resolution No. 18 series of 2020. Ang maong mga proyekto basi sa 8-point agenda sa probinsya nga nagpahiuyon sa panan-aw, misyon, mga katuyoan niini ug sa AGUSAN UP development frameworks.
nga ma-implementar isip tubag sa panginahanglanon sa katawhan.
Giaprobahan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan bag-ohay pa lamang ang maong rekomendasyon sa PDC tungod sa kamahinungdanon sa mga proyekto nga kinahanglan na
Kasamtangang Proyekto
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| August 22-28, 2020
Gitugotan sa SP ang realignment sa mosunod:
1. Labor, Materials and Permits for Electrical Upgrading, KDH, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte (20% Development
Fund)- P 2,000,000.00
2. Additional Fund for the Purchase of Jetmatic Pumps and Accessories – P 2. Upgrading of Electrical Works, 525,180.73 Labor, Materials and Permits KDH, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte (Non- Ang nasangpit nga realignment Office)- P 300,000.00 nahisubay sa naaprobahan nga 3. Installation of Fire Sprinkler, NDH, Nasipit Agusan del Norte- P 850,000.00
Annual Investment Plan sa probinsya.
Sa pagpangamahan ni Bise Gobernador Ramon AG. Bungabong Bag-ong Proyekto ang maong kantidad giaprobahan 1. Upgrading of Kitcharao District pinaagi sa Provincial Resolution No. Hospital Electrical System, Kitcharao, 349-2020. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte) Agusan del Norte- P2, 624,819.27
LGU Nasipit mohatag Loyalty Award sa mga empleyado
By Jessica O. Mellejor
Gi-aprubahan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan sa Agusan del Norte bag-ohay pa lamang ang Municipal Ordinance No. 007 sa Sangguniang Bayan sa Nasipit, ning lalawigan, “Institutionalizing the Grant of Loyalty Award to Municipal Officials and Employees of the Local Government Unit of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte and Providing Funds Thereof,” atol sa ilang ika 53rd nga sesyon regular. Ubos sa maong ordinansa, nga gipangamahanan ni Sangguniang Bayan Member Vicente M. Cocon, makadawat og cash incentive ang mga empleyado nga nakahatag og napulo (10) ka tuig nga “continuous and satisfactory service” sa LGU sa Nasipit. Alang sa initial nga pagbayad
sa Loyalty Award, ang mga opisyal / empleyado sa munisipyo nga kwalipikado gikan sa Mayo 31, 2020 makadawat sa insentibo sa mosunod:
Ten (10) years - 10,000.00; Fifteen (15) years - 15,000.00; Twenty (20) years - 20,000.00; August 22-28, 2020 |
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Twenty Five (25) years - 25,000.00; ug panahon sa flag raising ceremony or Monday convocation. Ang plaque o Thirty (30) years and above - sertipiko ihatag panahon sa pagsaulog 30,000.00. sa Tourism Month Celebration. Sa laing bahin ang mga empleyado nga nagserbisyo gikan sa ubang ahensya nga nibalhin sa munisipalidad nga adunay padayon nga serbisyo nga napulo ka tuig makadawat usab og loyalty award.
Ang maong lakang gipalabang ug gi-aprobahan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan pinaagi sa Sanggunian Resolution No. 341-2020 sa pagpangamahan ni Provincial Board Member Virgilio R. EscasiĂąas, Jr., tsirman sa Committee on Human Resource Ang mga opisyal sa munisipalidad Development, Labor and Employment. ug mga regular nga empleyado nga nasuspinde mahimong mahatagan Kini nahiuyon sa Provincial gihapon sa giingon nga benepisyo ug Ordinance No. 013-94, “An Ordinance ang pagkwenta kinahanglan ibase Instituting a System of Incentives and sa CSC Resolution No. 021564, nga Awards for Appointive Officials and pinetsahan Disyembre 17, 2002. Employees of the Province of Agusan del Norte, Defining the Implementation Ang paghatag cash incentives of RA 6713, as amended.â€? (LGU Agusan alang sa loyalty award ihatag sa del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)
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| August 22-28, 2020
25 more CNTs surrender to Army in Agusan Norte By 1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang
The number of Communist New People’s Army Terrorist (CNT) members who surrender to the government continues to rise in the province of Agusan del Norte. On Sunday, 25 more CNT members and mass supporters together with members of their allied organization surrendered to the 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB) and pledged loyalty to the government in a CNTs’ mass surrender and withdrawal of support of mass supporter held in Barangay Aclan, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte. The 25 CNTs who surrendered were consist of 15 members of the Militia ng Bayan (MB), 10 mass supporters and three of which are members of the Unyon ng Mag-uuma sa Agusan (UMA), an allied organization of the communist movement in the province.
As they withdrew their support to the communist movement, the former CNT members also vowed to support the different peace and development initiatives of the government that will be implemented in their communities. The surrender of the 25 former rebels (FR) and members of UGMO was the result of the efforts of the Community Support Program (CSP) of the 23rd IB and the Community Action (ComAct) Team of the Philippine National Police (PNP) with the support of the local government unit (LGU) August 22-28, 2020 |
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of Nasipit and the local officials of Barangay Aclan. The CSP and ComAct teams are continuously working to clear and dismantle the remaining members of the Guerrilla Front (GF) 4A and destroy the Sentro de Grabidad (SDG) CAOCAO and Sub-Regional Sentro de Gabidad (SRSDG) SAGAY of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) of the CNT. During the ceremony on Sunday, the 25 CNT members, supporters and allied organization members burned the flag of the CPP-NPA as they formally cut their ties to the said terrorist organization. They also condemned the continuing terroristic activities of the CNTs in communities and swore they would provide the military with information as a support to the over-all efforts to end the local communist armed conflict through the implementation of the Executive Order No. 70 of President Rodrigo Duterte. Barangay Chairman Felipe Vicente of Aclan expressed gratitude to the 23IB and the Philippine National Police for the sacrifices they had made in convincing the former rebels to go back to their families and communities. He also recognized the courage of the former rebels especially on their decision of abandoning the CNT movement and pledged their loyalty to the government. “The burning of CPP-NPA-NDF flag and the taking of pledge of loyalty and allegiance to the government is a symbolic representation that you already cut-off your support from the
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| August 22-28, 2020
CNTs. Let us not just take it for granted. No other individual can help solve this crisis we are facing brought by the CNTs rather than ourselves. I am grateful for your commitment to supporting the government because through this, we can attain lasting peace. Let us prevent their presence from entering our sitios by coordinating with our government forces in order to solve the insurgency problem in our community. Let us stand for what we believe is right so that peace and unity will prevail to be benefited by all the local populace,” Felipe said. Among those who surrendered was Alias Noni who regretted joining the CNTs. Noni said the leaders of the peasant organization, with links to the CNT, failed to give them the promises they made. “Kung nakahibalo lang mi sa una na mao ang tomong sa CPPNPA ug sa UMA, wala mi unta nag-apil ani nga grupo. Nagpasalig sila nga tabangan me ug tagaan mig yuta. Kinsa bay dili ganahag yuta busa niapil mi nila. Pero, nabutang hinuon mi sa kasamok. Paningkamutan namo na mausab among kinabuhi pinaagi sa mga programa sa atong gobyerno,” Noni said. Councilor Felipe Abigan, head of the Committee on Peace and Order of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Nasipit town expressed gladness over the decision of the 25 former rebels and UGMO members to surrender to the government. “As the saying goes, ‘How happy to see the brethren to dwell together in unity.’ If we are united, there will also be peace and development
in our community. Our government is always finding ways to provide programs, projects, and services for the Filipino people. We always look forward to unity in our country in order for us to reach the progress and development, but we cannot do it without your support,” Abisan said. He added that one of the greatest problems the country is facing nowadays is on peace and order. The councilor emphasized that the absence of peace in communities hinders the development programs of the government. Investors, he added, will also shy away, as they will never risk pouring in their resources if the CNTs are present with extortion activities.
“Your presence here signifies that you are no longer happy with the presence of the CNTs in your communities. In the last 52 years of waging their futile ideology, no developments and peace were facilitated by the CNTs in your communities but hardships, hunger, and poverty. That’s a fact. While ordinary members suffer, including their families, the CNT leaders are the ones who benefited from the useless revolution they are waging. Compare your lives with the CNT leaders and you can see a big difference. It only means that this revolution has turned into a milking cow of the CNT leaders, especially those at the national level,” Paulo said.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the acting commander of 23rd IB welcomed the 25 former rebels and UGMO members as he lauded their determination to change their lives for a better and brighter future.
He also expressed appreciation for the continued support of the LGU of Nasipit to the peace and development efforts of the 23rd IB and the PNP in the barangays. (CMO Officer, 23IB PA/PIA Agusan del Norte) August 22-28, 2020 |
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Pitong tourist spots sa bayan ng Trento, Agusan del Sur nadiskubre ngayong may pandemya By Jennifer P. Gaitano
Habang nagsasagawa ng relief operations and lokal na pamahalaan ng Trento, Agusan del Sur sa mga barangay nito, nadiskubre rin nila ang pitong tourist spots sa lugar. Ang mga ito ay ang Pangi Falls sa Barangay Pangyan, Tiwis-Tiwis cascades sa San Isidro, Tigbautohan Twin Falls sa Tudela, at sa Barangay Manat naman matatagpuan ang Osok Falls, Kumawas Falls, Dumagooc Cool Spring at ang Agok-Agok Cave.
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| August 22-28, 2020
Nadiskubre ito sa kasagsagan ng pandemic kung saan nang-iikot ang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan para alamin ang kalagayan ng mga residente sa bawat lugar at mamahagi ng mga relief goods.
Ayon sa Municipal Information
Office at ng Municipal Heritage Council, Ikinatuwa naman ito ng mga nadiskubre ang mga ito makalipas ang Agusanons dahil sa may bago na mahigit 50 taon. namang mapapasyalan sa probinsya, bagamat kailangan pa ring sumonod Kaya ngayon ay dahan-dahan sa minimum health standards upang ng naaayos ang mga kalsada sa lugar maiwasan ang pagkalat ng coronavirus para mas madaling mapuntahan ang mga mala-paraisong lokasyon na tiyak disease 2019 (COVID-19). kagigiliwan ng mga turista.
Pagkatapos ng itinakdang Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) meeting ng lokal na pamahalaan kasama ang Indigenous Cultural Communities at IPs na saklaw ng mga nabanggit na barangay sa bayan ng Trento ay agad na sisimulan ang mga unang hakbang sa pagpapaunlad ng mga destinasyon ayon sa batayan at priority listing.
Para sa lokal na pamahalaan, kung may mga hindi man magandang naidulot ang pandemic sa turismo dahil sa limitadong transportasyon, nagbukas naman ito ng mga panibagong oportunidad para madagdagan ang mga lugar na ibisitahin sa lalawigan dahil tiwala sila na hindi tatagal ay babalik na rin ang sigla ng lokal na turismo. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
August 22-28, 2020 |
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Livelihood at technical assistance, ibinigay sa mga taga-Surigao Norte By Venus L. Garcia
Sinadyang puntahan ng mga myembro ng Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster sa pangunguna ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Surigao del Norte ang mga nakatira sa Barangay Camam-onan. Isa ito sa mga liblib na barangay ng makina para sa paggawa ng coco-fiber. Gigaquit. Inilunsad dito ang agri-preneurial community enterprise. Tuturuan din sila ng meat processing, tilapia fingerlings dispersal, at transplanting Ang mga residente na bumuo ng ng seedlings na bahagi ng livelihood people’s organization ay tumanggap ng program.
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| August 22-28, 2020
Ang mga dating rebelde naman at sa pamamagitan ng alternative learning mga myembro ng indigenous peoples (IP) system. ay sasailalim sa cooperative capability building. Sa kabila ng isyu sa kahirapan, kawalan ng trabaho at insurhensya, pag Mayroon ding pagsasanay sa asa at kaunlaran ang kinikinita ni Evelito carpentry, masonry, at agricultural crop Baradillo, presidente ng Camam-onan production. agrarian reform beneficiaries organization. “Buo ang suporta ng TESDA upang maging sustainable ang mga proyekto at programa na inilusad para sa ikauunlad ng buhay ng bawat miyembro ng mga nasabing peoples organization,” sabi ni TESDA Caraga regional director Ashary Banto.
“Malaki ang aming pasasalamat dahil kami ay napili at nabigyan ng pansin ng pamahalaan lalo na’t malayo ang lugar naming,” pahayag ni Baradillo.
Nagpapasalamat din si Gigaquit mayor Chandru Bonite sa mga programa at proyektong hatid ng iba’t ibang Nagpatala naman ang mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan sa probinsiya kwalipikadong benepisyaryo ng dahil malaking tulong anya ito upang repormang pang-agraryo. mapaunlad ang estado ng buhay ng residente lalo na ng mga liblib na barangay. Balik eskwela rin ang mga kabataan (SDR/VLG/PIA-Surigao del Norte) August 22-28, 2020 |
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PPA Dinagat gets disinfectants, medical supplies By Susil D. Ragas
The Philippine Ports Authority - Terminal Management Office (PPATMO) of Dinagat received much-needed assistance in the fight against the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) from Libjo Mining Corporation (LMC). LMC recently donated containers As part of the company’s Social of disinfectants, face shields and face Development and Management masks. Program (SDMP), LMC representative More than 200 medical masks, 15 Engr. Henry Bete personally turned over face shields and two (2) 5-liter containers the donated items to TMO Dinagat of chlorine bleach for foot baths were Terminal Manager Jerk Comparativo provided by the LMC for the benefit of in simple ceremonies held at the Port port users in the Port of San Jose and other government ports in the province of San Jose, this province. (PMO-PPA of Dinagat Islands. Surigao/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
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| August 22-28, 2020
People’s Day Caravan gipahigayon sa Loreto, Dinagat Islands By Susil D. Ragas
Malampuson nga gipahigayon ang People’s Day Caravan nga gipasiugdahan sa probinsya niadtong Agosto 12, 2020, didto sa Loreto Municipal Gym, Barangay San Juan, Loreto, ning probinsya. Gisugdan ang gihimong kalihukan sa pag-turnover ug mga personal protective equipment (PPE), laboratory equipment, ug medical supplies ngadto sa Loreto District Hospital (LDH) ug Loreto Rural Health Unit (RHU).
Christine Roque ang Municipal Health Officer og Vianney Begino inubanan sa ilang mga personahe.
Tumong niini nga mapadayon ang kahimsog sa panglawas sa matag lumulupyo, mahilikay sa malnutrisyon, Ang nasangpit nga mga PPEs ug dili na kinahanglan pa nga madasigon gidawat ni Dr. Mary motabok sa syudad sa Surigao City August 22-28, 2020 |
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ang mga katawhan alang sa ilang maoy nag-suplay sa pagkaon ingon pagpatambal. man ang mga mangingisda, nga kung wala sila, walay mananom ug walay Sa iyang mensahe subling mangisda. gipasabot ni Gobernador Kaka Bagao ang mga residente nga importante Sa laing bahin, gihatagan nga makabalo ang tanang katawhan ug insentibo nga bugas ang mga sa lungsod sa Loreto nga pwede mananagat nga aktibong nagpartisipar sila mangayo ug tambal labi na sa sa Isda Project ug ng apud-apod ilang mga maintenance aron dili kini usab og mga binhi sa gulay ug abono masayang ug dili maabtan ug ka ngadto sa mga mag-uuma. expire. Gihatagan usab sila og mga Iya usab gibutyag ang plano facemask nga tinahi sa mga kababayensa pagpalambo ug pagpanindot sa an nga gihatagan og pondo sa Loreto District Hospital nga mamahimo pangagamhanan sa probinsya aron na kining level 3 ug confident siya nga maprotektahan ang ilang kaugalingon maabot ana nga level kay nakita niya sa sakit nga coronavirus disease 2019 ang pagtinabangay sa tanan alang sa (COVID-19). kalambuan sa hospital ug dako usab ang iyang kalipay nga dako na ang Dugang pa, nakadawat ug kabag-ohan sa maong hospital. Emergency Livelihood Assistant for Women (ELAW) ang duha ka grupo sa Si Gob. Kaka nagpasalamat sa mga kababayen-an isip dugang kapital mga mangingisda nga niapil sa isda sa pagpanahi og facemask. (Dinagat project ug sa mga mag-uuma nga Islands-PIO/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
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| August 22-28, 2020
MINDANAO NEWS
August 22-28, 2020 |
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MinDA’s sorghum pilot farm in NoCot earns P120-K By Prexx Marnie Kate Trozo
HARVEST. Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Emmanuel Piñol poses at the Sorghum Pilot Farm in New Esperanza, Mlang, Cotabato on Monday (August 24). It yielded outstanding results, he says, with farmers earning an estimated PHP120,000 per hectare from the grains yield and silage materials per harvest. (Photo from Sec. Emmanuel Piñol’s Facebook Page)
The harvest in the Sorghum Pilot Farm in New Esperanza, Mlang, Cotabato yielded “outstanding results” after farmers earned an estimated PHP120,000 per hectare from the grains yield and silage materials per harvest, an official said Tuesday. Using the donated seeds from Scott Seed Company of Hereford, Texas, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, who initiated the Mindanao Sorghum Development Program, conducted a
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data validation during an actual field harvest in a pilot farm in New Esperanza on Monday. Piñol Mindanao
said MinDA pushed the Sorghum Development
Program to provide additional grains ratoon crops to establish the gross income material for livestock and poultry feeds in from a one-hectare plot after three Mindanao. cycles. The farmers earned PHP12/kilo of fresh grains valued at PHP100,800 (roughly USD2,000) per hectare and for every PHP0.50/ kilo of silage they get PHP20,000 (roughly USD500) per hectare, Piñol said.
As to the farmer’s produce, he said that two major feed producing companies--PILMICO of the Aboitiz Group, and CP Foods Philippines, a subsidiary of Thailand’s biggest agroindustrial corporation--have expressed “With these initial data, it is safe to intent to buy the Sorghum production conclude that Scott Seed Co. Sorghum from Mindanao. Seeds could be grown well on the island of Mindanao and this could be a profitable “The crop is also identified as one crop for our farmers,” he said. of the commodities supported by MinDA to address poverty in the region, increase Since sorghum could be ratooned productivity and restart the economy twice, Piñol said data gathering will badly hurt by the coronavirus pandemic,” continue to cover the first and second he added. (PNA)
MinDA, electric coops to review power situation in Mindanao By John Andrew Tabugoc
The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is set to convene heads of all Mindanao electric cooperatives to discuss the energy situation in the island by September this year. The planned assembly would either be held via a Zoom online conference or a strictly-observed safe physical distancing gathering of 29 electric cooperative heads across the island in one huge venue provided that minimum health protocols for the deterrence of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are observed.
MinDA chair Sec. Emmanuel Piñol made the statement on Sunday, after a visit by officials of the Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Cotelco) at the former’s farmhouse at Barangay Paco here. The planned September meeting targets to review the current energy status, performance, and projections August 22-28, 2020 |
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of electric cooperatives (ECs) in consonance with the economic growth and energy requirement in Mindanao. The same conference aims to address peculiar issues with viable to improve electric distribution services concerning the rising number of investors planning to put-up ventures in Mindanao. “The island will soon be the paradigm of investments, the very reason why this sector must be ready to supply the needed electric demand sooner,” Piñol said. MinDA, as the coordinating body of the national government for Mindanao-wide inter-regional development plans, programs, and projects, also joined hands with ECs to upgrade its capacity in providing ample power supply energy to their respective franchise areas in Mindanao. country. “This is a significant stance in partnering MinDA to craft necessary “We will try to tap all necessary initiatives to realize the common goal measures and approach to ensure of attaining the prosperous and wellthat development will commence with developed Mindanao”, said Engr. enough and sufficient energy services Godofredo B. Homez, Cotelco general even in the rural areas potential for manager and concurrent chair of agri-business and trades”, Piñol said. the Central Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperative Association (CEMRECA) Piñol said he remains optimistic in Region 12. that development is reachable with a planned and feasible outlook of Homez vowed to relay the details electricity use as support to drive of the initial meeting with Piñol to industries to a manageable future. officials of the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperative (AMRECO) ECs are service-oriented, non- and the National Electrification profit, and non-political entities that Administration (NEA). AMRECO has 29 have the primary advocacy of providing active EC members in different parts of electrification in far-flung areas of the Mindanao. (PNA)
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NATIONAL NEWS
by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
SEC. MARTIN ANDANAR PCOO
NEWS CORNER
Bayanihan 2 to ensure ‘needed, timely’ Covid-19 response
“Now needing only President Duterte’s signature to become a law, it will ensure that the needed and timely responses and actions undertaken by the government in our fight against Covid-19 will continue and will be further enhanced, through the needed response fund,” he said. The Senate on August 20 ratified the reconciled Bayanihan 2 bill which authorizes Duterte to realign funds for the Covid-19 pandemic. Four days after, the House of Representatives approved a similar measure.
The proposed Bayanihan 2 provides for a stimulus plan worth PHP165.5 billion to help struggling sectors cope with the impacts of the to Covid-19 crisis.
The proposed Bayanihan Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) would allow the government to step up its fight against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said on Tuesday. In a press statement, Andanar said the “needed and timely” Covid-19 response can be further realized, once the proposed Bayanihan 2 is passed into law.
The measure earmarks PHP140 billion for the Covid-19 response with allotments for various government programs to help affected Filipinos and sectors, plus an additional PHP25.5billion standby appropriations. Andanar thanked the senators and congressmen for ratifying the proposed Bayanihan 2. He said the country is now “truly on track to heal and recover as one nation.”
Andanar‘s remarks came amid President Rodrigo Duterte’s anticipated “The implementation of our signing of the proposed Bayanihan 2 stimulus packages and recovery plans following the ratification of the measure for struggling sectors, especially our
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micro, small, and medium enterprises [or] MSMEs, tourism, transport, and agriculture sectors, to help our society cope with the impacts of Covid-19 will now be set in motion,” he said. Call for opposition’s cooperation to fight Covid-19
suggestions have long been undertaken and are continuously being done by Chief Presidential Legal Counsel the government.” Salvador Panelo, in a separate “Given that her suggestions have statement, urged the opposition led by Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo either already been done or are work to help the government in its battle in progress, it is crystal clear that VP against Covid-19 rather than criticize its Robredo is trying to undermine the efforts of the government in managing way of handling the pandemic. the crisis. She appears to have mastered Panelo made the call a day the art of appearing politically relevant exhibiting her pretended after Robredo claimed that country while appears to have “no leader” and the concern, and succeeding to mislead Filipinos seemed to have no choice her supporters and the gullible,” he but “fend for [themselves]” amid the said. health crisis. Panelo also said the Duterte In a public address delivered late government is already monitoring the Monday night but aired on state-run issues Robredo had raised. PTV-4 on Tuesday morning, Duterte told “Where was VP Robredo when Robredo to avoid “adding fuel to the fire” as it would only put the country at these developments were being reported? Doesn’t she read the a disadvantage. newspapers?” he asked. Panelo backed Duterte, saying Panelo expressed dismay that Robredo is either “completely ignorant or just partisan blind to the fact that her Robredo and the rest of the opposition, August 22-28, 2020 |
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as well as the “unthinking“ critics, have failed to make the “important” call and appeal to the people to heed the health and quarantine protocols to ensure the successful fight against Covid-19. He said Robredo should instead enjoin the government’s critics to use their voice to help the country defeat the new coronavirus.
“VP Robredo, if she is so minded
to help in these critical times, should lead the opposition as well as the critics and detractors, to appeal to the nation and to persuade the citizenry to consciously and conscientiously observe the minimum health requirements of wearing face masks, face shields, frequent washing of the hands with soap and maintaining the two-meter social distancing, that we may succeed to contain the spread of the coronavirus,” Panelo said. (PNA / Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos )
Duterte’s admin supports activists: PCOO By Azer Parrocha
The Duterte administration supports the role of activists in society, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) said on Monday amid allegations that state agents are behind the deaths of two activists who were murdered just days apart. PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar assured that the government will run after the perpetrators involved in the killings of human rights activists and defenders in the country.
“It
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the
administration’s interest and policy to support the role of activists in a pluralistic society,” Andanar said in a statement. “The government has leveraged such role in pursuing the inclusive social agenda to promote programs and Duterte services for the welfare of all Filipinos.”
He denied that President Rodrigo Duterte directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to withhold information from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) regarding reports on activists’ murders.
perpetrators “of such repulsive acts on political activists and seeing them brought to justice, for the families of their victims.” On Saturday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said there is no truth to reports that Duterte directed the PNP to deny the CHR access to reports on the killings of human rights activists and defenders.
“Reports that President Rodrigo Duterte has allegedly deterred information-sharing and coordination between the Philippine National Police and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) are baseless, erroneous and Roque said the Duterte misleading,” he said. administration is “equally interested” to know the identities of people behind According to Andanar, authorities the “brazen” killings of the human rights have been directed to exhaust efforts defenders. to bring perpetrators behind bars. He noted that identifying the He said the Department of culprits would absolve state forces who Justice has formed a separate special are being blamed for the deaths of the investigating team on the death of human rights activists. National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant and CHR Commissioner Leah Tanodrapeasant leader Randall Echanis. Armamento earlier claimed that the commission’s investigation into the The body has also recommended deaths of 89 human rights defenders had the inclusion of and the conduct of an been stalled because of government’s inquiry into Negros-based activist Zara supposed intervention. Alvarez’ death, he added.
CHR is conducting a probe into Despite criticisms, Andanar the killings of human rights defenders assured that the administration adheres and members of progressive groups to the rule of law. that happened between 2017 and 2019. “Upholding the due process and rule of law will continue to be observed Earlier, the Office of the High and promoted by this administration,” Commissioner for Human Rights he said. expressed alarm over the deaths of He added the government Echanis and Alvarez as they were is determined to complete the tagged as communists before they investigations and prosecution of the were murdered. (PNA) August 22-28, 2020 |
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SSS expands benefit, loan disbursement channels; urges qualified payees to enroll bank accounts at My.SSS
The Social Security System (SSS) strengthens its partnership with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to expand its benefit and short-term loan disbursement channels. Through the said partnership, SSSqualified employers, members, and pensioners may now receive benefits and short-term loan proceeds through the Philippine Electronic Fund Transfer
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System and Operations Network (PESONet) participating banks. Qualified members and pensioners may now also receive SSS
benefits through e-wallets such as PayMaya or cash pick-up arrangement via DBP Cash Padala Thru M Lhuillier, a Remittance Transfer Company/Cash Payout Outlet.
Bank account numbers must be entered as a continuous string of numbers, while mobile numbers must be in its 11-digit format that starts with 09. Qualified payees and memberborrowers are reminded to ensure SSS President and CEO Aurora C. the correctness of their disbursement Ignacio said the enhanced disbursement account information in the BEM before process is already implemented for enrolling them. Unemployment, Funeral, Sickness, and Maternity Benefits, and Salary, Calamity, “We are continuously transforming and Emergency loans, however, the our services into digital processes for our said short-term loans might only be members and the public to transact disbursed thru PESONet participating with us without having to go to our banks. branches. Aside from its convenience, this also serves as a safety measure Starting in October 2020, monthly given the current pandemic situation,” pensions will also be released through Ignacio said. the said method. The SSS has also implemented the “With our strengthened partnership mandatory online submission via the with DBP on PESONet disbursements, My.SSS portal of Maternity Notification Sickness Notification (for we are hoping to expedite the releases and of benefits and short-term loans. Upon employers); and filing of applications for its full implementation, eliminate Unemployment Benefit, Funeral Benefit disbursements via checks,” Ignacio of SSS-member claimants, Sickness Benefit Reimbursement Claims of said. employers, Salary Loans, and Calamity The SSS urges qualified payees Loans. and member-borrowers to enroll their disbursement accounts through the Bank Enrollment Module (BEM) found under the E-services tab of their respective My.SSS accounts on the SSS website (www.sss.gov.ph). Qualified payees and memberborrowers must select their preferred PESONet participating bank, e-wallet, or RTC/CPO and supply a valid and active bank account number, or mobile number for an e-wallet or RTC/CPO.
The online filing of Retirement Benefit applications through the said portal is also required for all members who are at least 65 years old, and for land-based OFWs and voluntary members who are 60 to 64 years old, upon the filing of retirement claim. For further information, members and employers may call the SSS’ hotline at 1455 and follow the SSS Facebook page at Philippine Social Security System. (SSS) August 22-28, 2020 |
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85% percent of target learners have enrolled: Briones
By Ma. Teresa Montemayor
ONLINE CLASSES. An elementary school student prepares the computer for his online classes. Department of Education Sec. Leonor Briones said 85.07 percent of target learners have enrolled for the incoming school year. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)
Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones reported Monday that 85.07 percent of target learners have enrolled for the incoming school year which opens on October 5. In a virtual press briefing, Briones said 23,643,113 learners have enrolled in private and public schools nationwide out of the targeted 27,770,263 learners who enrolled in the previous academic year.
because our economy starts to pick up especially in NCR and Region 4-A and we see learners who choose private schools for their education are slowly coming back at 41 percent,” she said in a mix of Filipino and English.
“We’ve achieved 96 percent of our previous enrollment in the public sector and now our private schools enrollment is picking up may be
According to data from the DepEd, as of Monday, 21,813,184 have enrolled in public schools and 1,785,323 in private schools.
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Region 4-A (Calabarzon) logged 398,009. the highest number of enrollees with 3,221,518 while the Cordillera region Of the total number of recorded the lowest with 377,587. transferees, some 243,631 are elementary students, 105,845 are “And also, the migration of junior high school students, 41,937 learners from private schools to public are senior high school students, and schools, seems to be calming (down) 6,596 are learners with disabilities. already, because our economy is opening already,” Briones said. The enrollees were from kindergarten to senior high school, as As of Wednesday last week, the well as learners with disabilities and number of private school students who those taking the alternative system. transferred to public schools stood at (PNA)
DBM submits proposed P4.5-T 2021 nat’l budget to House By Filane Mikee Cervantes
2021 BUDGET. Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado (left) submits the proposed PHP4.506 trillion national budget for 2021 to House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Tuesday (Aug. 25, 2020). The 2021 national expenditure program is 9.9 percent higher than the PHP4.1 trillion appropriations for 2020. (Screenshot)
August 22-28, 2020 |
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The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Tuesday submitted to the House of Representatives the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for Fiscal Year 2021 amounting to PHP4.506 trillion. The proposed 2021 national budget is 9.9 percent higher than the PHP4.1-trillion appropriations for 2020 and equivalent to 21.8 percent of the gross domestic Product (GDP).
The economic services sector will receive the second highest allocation with PHP1.347 trillion or 29.9 percent of the proposed budget.
Avisado said the proposed 2021 budget, with the theme of is “Reset, Rebound, and Recover: Investing for Resiliency and Sustainability”, will help sustain government’s efforts against the coronavirus pandemic by improving the country’s healthcare systems, ensuring food security, creating more jobs, enabling a digital government and economy, and building community resilience in these trying times.
The Department of Education (DepEd), including state universities and colleges, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, remains the top agency with the biggest slice from the proposed budget with an allocation of PHP754.4 billion.
Meanwhile, the General Public The formal submission of the 2021 Services sector will be allocated with NEP was led by DBM Secretary Wendel PHP724.2 billion, Debt Burden with Avisado and Speaker Alan Peter PHP560.2 billion, and Defense with PHP210.6 billion. Cayetano.
“We, in government, must be able to effectively respond and with the fiscal year 2021 NEP, we hope to fully address the impact of the health crisis and accelerate our economic recovery,” Avisado said. The bulk of next year’s proposed budget will be provided to the social services sector amounting to PHP1.664 trillion, equivalent to 36.9 percent. This includes funding support for programs related to health, social protection, and education.
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This is followed by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) with a proposed budget of PHP667.3 billion, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) with PHP246.1 billion, the Department of National Defense(DND) with PHP209.1 billion, the Department of Health (DOH) with PHP203.1 billion, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with PHP171.2 billion, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) with PHP143.6 billion, the Department of Agriculture with PHP66.4 billion, the Judiciary with PHP43.5 billion, and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) with PHP27.5 billion.
Contributed photo
Cayetano said the House is aiming to approve the proposed 2021 General Appropriations Act by end of September, and have it signed by President Rodrigo Duterte by November. “We will try to finish the budget before the end of September. [It’s a] very ambitious schedule, to send it right away to the Senate because we hope for the first time, if I’m not mistaken, in history, we can sign the budget maybe late November or mid-November as a sign of unity by our country,” Cayetano
said. Cayetano also transparency during the deliberations.
assured budget
“We will be very transparent and all the members of the opposition here sa House, we will give you first a copy of the budget and listen to you first and give you more time sa budget deliberations para ito pong (during the budget deliberations so that this) budget will be a product of the whole of Congress,” he said. (PNA) August 22-28, 2020 |
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P12-B allotted to aid workers displaced by Covid-19 By Ferdinand Patinio
The government has allotted over PHP12 billion to help Filipino workers here and abroad who were affected by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Tuesday. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the funds were used in three major programs of the Duterte administration to assist formal and informal workers in the country as well as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
PHP5 billion for repatriation expenses,” Bello told President Rodrigo Duterte during an Inter-Agency Task Force meeting in Davao City. He reported that under Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP), they were able to provide financial assistance to a total of 662,213 formal sector workers with a budget of PHP3.3 billion.
“For these programs, we have a total funding of PHP12.4 billion. Sourced from the DOLE 2020 regular budget, PHP4.8 billion; Bayanihan Act 1, PHP2.5 billion, and recently released repatriation funds of PHP5 billion. The OFWs are very thankful, Mr. President Bello added that the funds for because we didn’t ask for this fund but CAMP have been fully utilized in June. we were surprised when you gave us August 22-28, 2020 |
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“First major program of CAMP, it is a safety net that provides one-time financial assistance to the amount of PHP5,000 to workers in the formal sector where there is an employer-employee relationship regardless of course on the status of employment, regular, casual, contractual or even probationary,” he said.
“Close to 1 million workers have not been served, however, Mr. President. All CAMP applications have been shared to the Department of Finance (DOF) and Social Security System (SSS) for their small business wage subsidy program,” he said.
Out of this number, Bello said about 183,000 CAMP applicants have Bello added that applicants for so far benefitted from the small business CAMP have reached 1.6 million from wage subsidy program of the DOF and nearly 60,000 establishments. SSS. (PNA)
Gov’t task force on Covid-19 hails Congress’ ‘swift action’
By Lade Jean Kabagani
Top government officials who are leading the response to the pandemic on Tuesday thanked both houses of Congress for recognizing the urgent measures and programs needed to mitigate the impact of the health crisis, with the ratification of the proposed Bayanihan to Recover As One Act. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who chairs the National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19, said the “swift action” of Congress is a testament to the whole-of-nation approach needed to combat the dreaded coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the country’s National Policy Against Covid-19, said the measure is vital in boosting government plans and strategies to halt the spread of the disease.
The second phase of the National Action Plan (NAP) on Covid-19 is “The Bayanihan to Recover As anchored on the Prevent-DetectOne Act will greatly benefit the nation, Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate strategy of especially sectors severely affected by the government, Galvez said. this health crisis,” Lorenzana added. He said under Bayanihan2, Meanwhile, Secretary Carlito Congress has allotted PHP3 billion
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Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (left) and chief implementer of the country’s National Policy Against Covid-19, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (right)
for the procurement of face masks, “standby fund” amounting to PHP10 personal protective equipment, shoe billion, which would be used for Covid-19 covers, and face shields. testing efforts, as well as to procure various medications and vaccines. Meanwhile, PHP5 billion has been earmarked for the hiring of at least “Congress’ approval of the 50,000 contract tracers, which will be Bayanihan to Recover As One Act carried out by the Department of the will help us further ramp up our testing Interior and Local Government, capacity nationwide,” Dizon, also the country’s testing czar, said. Galvez said, adding that some PHP4.5 billion would be used to finance “The first Bayanihan law allowed the construction and maintenance of us to strengthen our testing efforts, isolation facilities, including the billing of with the Philippines now at the top hotels, food, and transportation, among in conducting the most number of others, for the pandemic response. Covid-19 tests compared to our “The support of Congress will Southeast Asian neighbors.” strengthen the national government’s As of August 22, the government pandemic response efforts in balancing the health of the people and the reported that more than two million individuals have already been tested recovery of our economy,” he said. for Covid-19. On the other hand, deputy chief The government is targeting to test a implementer, Secretary Vince Dizon, total of 10 million Filipinos by June next said the measure has allocated a year. (PNA) August 22-28, 2020 |
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No magic bullet to solve Covid-19 pandemic: PRRD
By Azer Parrocha
NO MAGIC BULLET. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Matina Enclaves in Davao City on August 24, 2020. Duterte said there is no “magic bullet” to solve the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic as he sought for more patience until a vaccine is made available. (Presidential photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)
President Rodrigo Duterte said there is no “magic bullet” to solve the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) health crisis as he sought for more patience until a vaccine is made available. In a taped public address aired Tuesday, Duterte assured the public that the government continues to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic by
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recalibrating its health system strategies. He admitted that the government is “not perfect” in addressing the challenges that arise from the pandemic but noted
that it was also doing its best. “There is no magic wand or if you want a stronger statement a --- the magic bullet, a silver bullet, that will solve our problems. May sinubukan tayo (We are trying) since we are not perfect,” he said.
“Ang mauna sa bakuna, ulitin ko, ay yung mga tao na nasa sa listahan ng gobyerno na tumatanggap ng Pantawid. Ito yung mga mahirap. Ang sunod yun, yung mga tao na hindi nakalista at mahirap (The first to receive vaccine will be those in the Pantawid list. Next will be those not in the list but are also poor),” he said.
Duterte, meanwhile, expressed Law enforcement officers, he hope that either China or Russia would provide the Philippines with their said, will also be among the first to be respective vaccines once clinical trials inoculated with the vaccine. are completed. “Pero mauna sa lahat ang mga “Malapit na ‘yan. Russia, China, I military pati pulis kasi kung walang dunno if anybody, alam ko lang yung pulis pati military, babagsak tayo. Sino dalawa, nag-announce na meron sila guguwardiya sa’tin (But the military at (It’s nearly complete. Russia and and police will be first because without China have both announced that they them, we will fall. Who will guard us)?” have it and they’re) ready and they’re he said. willing to help. Both countries lumabas As for government officials and ng statement na tulungan nila ako (released a statement that they will workers, Duterte said he is still willing to be the first person injected with the help me),” he said. vaccine but doesn’t mind being the last one either. The President said he is willing to borrow money to pay for the vaccines “Yung mga taga gobyerno, kung if they will not be given for free. gusto ninyo ako ang mauna para magkaroon kayo ng or I could be “Kung may bayad, dahil marami the last Filipino to get, unahin kayong masyado, utangin natin. Credit nalang lahat, pahuli kami kumpiyansa (For or hanap tayo ng loan (If we have to government workers, if you want I can pay for it because it’s too much, let’s be the first one to be injected to erase borrow money. Credit or let’s get a all doubts or I could be the last Filipino loan) but if it’s not, I’m sure that they to get, you’ll go first, we’ll be the last),” are willing to give us that privilege of he said. borrowing from them,” he said. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Duterte also reassured that the 20 Roque earlier said the government million poorest of the poor will receive a can allocate PHP20 billion to buy the free Covid-19 vaccine despite the cost. vaccine with the help of the Philippine August 22-28, 2020 |
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International Trading Corp., Land Bank the two countries have developed and of the Philippines, and the Development promise to supply the Philippines with. Bank of the Philippines. He said the government would “We are scheduled to buy for 20 borrow money or sell public properties million people at two doses so that’s 40 to purchase a Covid-19 vaccine once million no. Forty million ang bibilhin natin it is developed. (We will purchase 40 million vaccine doses),� Roque said. Besides China and Russia, the Philippine government is also in talks with Last August 17, Duterte said he will several Covid-19 vaccine developers seek a discount from China and Russia from the United States and the United on the Covid-19 vaccines that each of Kingdom for possible purchases. (PNA)
DOH assures safeguards on vaccines sans Phase 4 trials By Ma. Teresa Montemayor
Safeguards such as surveillance mechanisms and pilot implementations will be in place to ensure the safety of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines even in the absence of Phase 4 clinical trials, a health official said Monday.
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(Anadolu photo)
In a virtual press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the Department of Health “is part of the group which has recommended for the exemption for the Phase 4 clinical trial”. “This is for us to expedite the process so we can use the vaccines as soon as possible once it reaches the country, (and), this accelerated process has been done already in various parts of the world for ebola and meningitis vaccines,” Vergeire said. To expedite the procurement of vaccines, a waiver allowing the government to purchase Covid-19 vaccines even if they have not undergone Phase 4 clinical trials was included by lawmakers in the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. The fourth phase or “postmarketing surveillance trials” delve on the evaluation of a drug’s or vaccine’s long-term safety and effectiveness. Vergeire said the Health Technology Council recommended that the safeguards must include surveillance mechanisms monitoring for effectiveness, safety, and quality according to World Health Organization recommendations. “Secondly, there should be a list of all who will be given the vaccine. We’ll set up a database for those who will receive the vaccine and it will include their primary details like age, demographic characteristics, and contact information,” she said.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire
Citing that the vaccines are new, Vergeire noted that there must also be informed consent from those who will use the vaccine and community engagement. “Magkakaroon ng pilot areas kung saan uumpisahan ang pagbibigay ng bakuna at saka natin palalawigin ang mga pilot areas na ito (There will be pilot areas where [we’ll] start the administration of the vaccine and then we’ll expand these pilot areas),” she added. (PNA) August 22-28, 2020 |
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