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[ Contents 02-08 February 2019
Volume III, No. 25
P33.9M irrigation project boosts rice production in Agusan Norte REGIONAL NEWS
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Caraga cops deployed for BOL plebiscite in Lanao del Norte Gov’t agencies express support to TESDA-Caraga Caraganons to join simultaneous river clean-up drive
PROVINCIAL NEWS
TESDA trainees sa Agusan del Sur 11 447 nagsipagtapos guv to ink MOA with DILG for halfway 12 AgNor house project 14 Authorities recover anti-tank IED in SurSur town cleanup sa SurSur, dinagsa ng mga 15 River volunteers
MINDANAO NEWS
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CHED cites importance of random drug test for college studes Construction of 1.5K homes in Marawi launched
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NATIONAL NEWS
to Chinese-Filipinos: Usher 23 PRRD greater peace, understanding hopeful PRRD will sign expanded 24 Bello maternity leave bill
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News Briefs The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) oversees the implementation and operationalization of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Program pursuant to Memorandum Order No. 10, s. 2016 issued by the Office of the Executive Secretary. PCOO serves as the coordinator of all government agencies to ensure that the FOI Program is properly implemented.
The National Arts Month celebration in Butuan City is anchored on the theme “DUGTONG: Magkadugtong na Sining Mula Luzon, Visayas, at Mindanao.” This year’s Adoption Consciousness Week Celebration is anchored on the theme, “Pagmamahal Palaganapin, Legal na Pag-aampon Ating Gawin” (Spread Unconditional Love Through Legal Adoption), which reiterates the call to ensure that orphaned, neglected, abandoned, and surrendered children are provided withthe secure, permanent and loving homes which they deserve.
As of January 2019, NCIP Provincial Office revealed a total of 14 LGUs (13 municipalities & 1 city) that have already installed their Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative (IPMR) in Surigao del Sur while 5 other LGUs (4 Muns. & 1 city) have no IPMR. The former IPMR of San Miguel, Hawudon Jimmy Guinsod, occupied the Provincial IPMR post since last Apr. 2018.
Cover Story P33.9M irrigation project boosts rice production in Agusan Norte By Fretcher Magatao
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ASIPIT, Agusan del Norte - The Department of AgriculturePhilippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) led by Deputy Project Director Jodel Tabada turned over the Php33.9 Million completed rehabilitation of Culit Communal Irrigation System (CIS) in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte to the Culit-Kinabjangan Irrigators Association on January 30.
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The improved and expanded CIS covers an influence area of at least 100 hectares mostly planted with rice benefits 140 farming households.
per cropping season so the farmers can maximize cropping intensity.
“The better production of rice farmers also means an increase in income which they can use for their “The members of the association farms and expenses for the family,” said are grateful since all of the rice areas Apatan. they have can now be watered,” said Pausto Empanado, Jr., President Mayor Enrico Corvera said that the of Irrigators’ Association. counterpart of the local government will surely reap better returns. Empanado shared that the service area before can only reach “This project required us a big up to 20 hectares since they were amount as a counterpart, but the local just relying on earth canal. government is confident that this will The potential service area was less result in an increase in local revenue,” utilized and farmers were just growing said Corvera. grass and plants to feed their goats, pigs, and cows. DA-PRDP requires a 10 percent counterpart from the provincial “Now that the irrigation is or municipal local government completed, we want to utilize the where the infrastructure project is potential service area of the project. implemented. We will prohibit the animals to stay and lay down in the irrigation canals. This is The 80 percent of the total budget also our way of preserving the project,” is coming from the World Bank and the said Empanado. other 10 percent is from the government of the Philippines. The municipality hopes that rice farmers’ production will be increased The project has been partnering from 3 metric tons to 4.5 metric tons per with the local government unit of Nasipit hectare through the irrigation project. and the Irrigators’ Association in building the CIS infrastructure and facilities to Lydia Apatan, Municipal Project raise the income, productivity, and Management and Implementation competitiveness of the farmers in the Unit Head, said that the project can countryside. (DA Caraga/PIA Agusan now provide a steady supply of water del Norte)
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REGIONAL NEWS
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Regional News I Empowering Communities
Caraga cops deployed for BOL plebiscite in Lanao del Norte
BUTUAN CITY  – Police Regional Office 13 (PRO13) deployed 384 strong Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel in Lanao del Norte to secure the 2nd Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) Plebiscite held today. The police personnel comes from the Mobile Forces of PRO13 composed of 12 Police Commissioned Officers and 372 Police Non-Commissioned Officers who are deployed in different parts of Lanao del Norte, said PRO13 Regional Director PCSupt Gilberto DC Cruz.
as quick reaction teamsand others will form as personnel at Command Post of PRO13.
The BOL Plebiscite will cover the 39 barangays in the town of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Pigkawayan and Pikit in North Cotabato and towns of Baloi, Munia, Nunungan, Pantar, Most of the troops will secure Tagoloan and Tangkal in Lanao del polling centers, some will be on standby Norte. (PNP Caraga/PIA Caraga)
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Regional News I Empowering Communities
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Gov’t agencies express support to TESDA-Caraga By Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY – Government agencies in Caraga region have expressed their continuous support to the programs of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
During the graduation ceremony of the 477 trainees of the TESDA Skills Training Program held Wednesday in Agusan del Sur, key officials of the different government agencies gave their support to the agency in the presence on TESDA Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña.
TESDA has, we were able to conduct COPD to conflict-affected areas in the region,” she said. Meanwhile, Agusan del Sur Board Member Santiago Cane said that for as long as TESDA will continue to create programs for his constituents, the provincial government thru Gov. Eddiebong Plaza will always support the agency.
Donald Seronay, assistant regional director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)Caraga said that since the inception of TESDA in the region, DILG has been regularly supporting the programs of “While TESDA-Caraga through the the agency. leadership of regional director Florencio “This is because we have F. Sunico, Jr. is implementing programs seen the impact of the trainings to to equip Agusanons with skills, we at the Caraganons, giving them the the provincial government are always opportunity to develop their skills and here to back TESDA up,” he said. be productive society,” Seronay said.
PCInsp Venus Cale of the Philippine National Police underscored that TESDA has been their regular partner in the conduct of Community Operations for Peace and Development (COPD).
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“With the partnership that PNP and
With these developments, Sunico also expressed his thanks and gratitude to the different agencies through the officials present who have inspired TESDA to be the transformational leader in the technical education and skills development of the Filipino workforce. (TESDA Caraga/PIA Caraga)
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Regional News I Empowering Communities
Caraganons to join simultaneous river clean-up drive By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY – Local communities, government employees, students and volunteers from all over Caraga will spur a ‘riverlution’ for cleaner bodies of water through a simultaneous River Clean-Up activity on February 8, 2019. The massive clean-up drive, spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Caraga, is part of the ensuing activities after the launching of the Rivers for Life Advocacy campaign of the agency that calls for action to mobilize and promote citizen participation in its effort to revitalize rivers, noting that pollutants from agricultural, domestic and industrial activities end up contaminating rivers. “As stewards of the environment, everyone is encouraged to join said activity. We should be passionate in taking initiatives that will ensure cleanliness of our water resources. And we can simply start from making it free from trash and other pollutants,” said DENR-Caraga regional director lawyer Felix Alicer.
waters in the city, being a tributary to Masao River,” Alicer said. Other sites include Cabadbaran River in Cabadbaran City and Minabang Creek, San Francisco in the province of Agusan del Norte. For Agusan del Sur province, it will be at the Taglatawan River in Bayugan City, Co-o Creek in Bunawan, Malihaw Creek in Del Monte, Talacogon, and Bacay River in Veruela. Dinagatnons and Surigaonons are also encouraged to proceed with the clean-up activity at the Navarro River, Tubajon, province of Dinagat Islands; Kinabutan and Sabang Dos Rivers in Surigao del Norte province; and at the Cantilan, Lianga and Tabon Rivers in Surigao del Sur province.
Several sites were identified where Participants may wear the activity will be conducted. comfortable clothes and footwear appropriate for the activity. In Butuan City, it will be at Ambangan and Montilla Boulevard It is suggested for the participants Creeks. to bring a garbage bag/rice sack, face mask, hand gloves, rake, shovel, bolo, “This water resource is tied to this long stick with nails (1x2x8), drinking city’s rich history and also plays a major water and personal reusable containers. role in managing and regulating flood (VLG/DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)
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PROVINCIAL NEWS
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Provincial News I Empowering Communities
447 TESDA trainees sa Agusan del Sur nagsipagtapos By Jennifer P. Gaitano
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur - Personal na dinaluhan mismo ni Director General Isidro Lapeña ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) ang graduation ceremony kamakailan ng 447 trainees mula sa Agusan del Sur matapos sumailalim sa iba’t-ibang pagsasanay sa ilalim ng iba’t-ibang scholarship programs ng ahensya. Hinimok ni Lapeña ang mga trainees na ibahagi o ipamalita sa kanilang mga kapamilya’t kakilala ang kanilang karanasan habang ang mga ito ay sumailalim sa iba’t-ibang pagsasanay.
Ayon kay Lapeña, kailangang malaman ng ibang mamamayan na may ginagawa ang pamahalaan upang mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga nais sumailalim sa pagsasanay at makapaghanap ng trabaho
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Provincial News I Empowering Communities
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upang mabigyan ng magandang matulungan naman makapaghanap kinabukasan ang kaniyang sarili at ng trabaho. pamilya. Samantala, kasabay ng Ito rin ay isang paraan na nabanggit na graduation ceremony magbibigay inspirasyon sa iba na ng mga trainees, pinasinayaan din sila’y lumapit rin sa TESDA upang ni Lapeña ang katatapos lang na makapagsanay at mapaunlad ang administration building ng Agusan del sariling kakayahan. Sur School of Arts and Trades (ASSAT) sa Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur Sinabi rin niya na kahit na sino na nagkakahalagang P3.8-million. ay pwedeng sumailalim sa mga pagsasanay na inihahandog ng Ang nasabing building ay nabuo pamahalaan. Hinimok din nito ang dahil sa Training-cum-Production mga nagsipagtapos na lumapit sa Program ng TESDA Caraga. (JPG/ tanggapan ng TESDA upang sila’y TESDA-13/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
AgNor guv to ink MOA with DILG for halfway house project By Aimee B. Sienes
BUTUAN CITY - The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte recently approved the availment of a financial assistance in the amount of Php5-million from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Office XIII for the construction of a halfway house (livelihood center) for former rebels and Militia ng Bayan Members.
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Provincial News I Empowering Communities
Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba was authorized to sign the Memorandum of Agreement with the DILG for the immediate implementation of the program.
peace process to address the internal armed conflict and ensure the safety of former rebels, as well as providing for a community-based assistance in response to their social and psychological rehabilitation needs.
This was approved through Sanggunian Resolution No. 418-2018, authored by Vice Governor Ramon AG. Bungabong during their 113th regular session.
The program aims to improve the socio-economic conditions through focused delivery of services; enhancing capacities of national government agencies and local governments for pursuing conflictsensitive, peace-promoting and gender-sensitive approach to development; and empowering communities and strengthening their capacities to address issues of conflict and peace through activities that promote peace and social involvement towards community development.
The program is under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which is a national government’s peace and development framework, implemented by DILG.
The DILG was tasked to oversee the said program designed to respond and strengthen the needs of the rebel returnees and Militia ng Bayan Local officials believed that the Members. livelihood center will greatly help change the lives of former rebels and This is also in line with Executive ready to return to the community. Order No. 3, series 2001 that calls for a (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del comprehensive, integrated and holistic Norte)
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Authorities recover anti-tank IED in SurSur town By Nida Grace P. Barcena
MARIHATAG, Surigao del Sur – The authorities safely recovered an anti-tank Improvised Explosive Device (IED) along the national highway of Brgy. Amontay, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur on February 1, 2019. Authorities unearth an anti-tank Improvised Explosive Device along the national highway of Brgy. Amontay, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur on February 1, 2019. (Photo credit to: Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office) The IED has a dimension of 8 inches diameter and 1 foot height with wiring and blasting cap and weigh up to seven kilos. Police Provincial Office (PPO) Director PSSupt. Francisco Dungo Jr. accidental detonation. said that the information was given by Based on the report, the a former rebel (FR) who returned to the excavation started on January 28, fold of the law last January. 2019 by the PNP explosive ordnance After knowing the report, Police disposal (EOD) unit/K9 group in Regional Office 13 Regional Director cooperation with the DPWH and the PCSupt. Gilberto Cruz immediately Philippine Army. requested the Department of Public PPO Surigao del Sur turned over Works and Highways (DPWH) to excavate the area considering the anti-tank IED to Philippine Army for the risk to the motorists in case of disposition. (PNP/PIA Surigao del Sur)
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Provincial News I Empowering Communities
River cleanup sa SurSur, dinagsa ng mga volunteers By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
LUNGSOD NG TANDAG, Surigao del Sur - Dinagsa ng mga volunteers ang isinagawang simultaneous river cleanup ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) dito sa probinsya ng Surigao del Sur. Napag-alaman mula sa tanggapan ng Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) na pinamumunuan ni Jose Flavio Concha na tatlong ilog sa probinsya ang nilinis ng mga volunteers.
ng Cantilan na may habang isang kilometro sa hilagang bahagi ng probinsya. Nilahokan ito ng mahigit 700 estudyante mula sa Surigao del Sur State University-Cantilan Campus, pamahalaang lokal ng Cantilan, at iba’t-ibang ahensya ng gobyerno at Ang PENRO-Surigao del Sur iba pang mga stakeholders. at CENRO-Cantilan ang nanguna sa isinasagawang paglilinis sa ilog Sa katimogang bahagi naman
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Provincial News I Empowering Communities ng probinsya, ang aktibidad ay pinangungunahan ng CENRO Bislig sa pamumuno ni Victor Sabornido kung saan nilinis nila ang mahigit dalawang kilometrong haba ng Tabon at Mangagoy Rivers sa lungsod ng Bislig. Dumagsa naman ang mga sumuporta sa nasabing aktibidad na nakilahok mula sa: Bislig City Local Government Unit, Mangagoy at Tabon Barangay Council, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), 75th Infantry Battalion, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management Penology (BJMP), Tabon Maximino Estrella National High School (TMENHS), REACT Kamayo Group and iba pang stakeholders.
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ang nanguna sa pagpatutupad ng nasabing aktibidad sa bayan ng Lianga na isinasagawa sa Ban-as River na sinusuportahan naman ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Lianga, iba’t-ibang ahensya ng gobyerno, non-government organizations at mga stakeholders sa nasabing lugar.
Samantala, hindi lang sa araw na ito isinasagawa ang paglilinis ng ilog sa probinsya. Noong Enero 29 ng taong kasalukuyan, inilunsad ang parehong aktibidad ng CENROCantilan kung saan nilinis nila ang Manlico River sa bayan ng Cortes. Umani naman ito ng suporta mula sa lokal na pamahalan ng Cortes, Barangay ng Manlico at residente ng Ang CENRO-Lianga naman nasabing barangay. (PIA-Surigao del na pinamumunuan ni Cliff Abrahan Sur)
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MINDANAO NEWS
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Mindanao News I Empowering Communities
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CHED cites importance of random drug test for college studes By Christine Cudis
In a January 2019 data released by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, there are 854 children aged 9 to 17 who are involved in drug-related incidents in 2018. Of the number, 452 are 17-year olds. Enforcing drug tests in schools is not new to all as it has been practiced in a lot of universities, especially private institutions, even before President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office.
DAVAO CITY - The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has taken the challenge to combat drug addiction among Filipino youths, as CHED Chair J. Prospero E. de Vera III expressed the need to require mandatory random drug testing for students in all public and private universities in the country.
Under the Duterte administration, CHED has standardized the policies of drug-testing across all public and private universities. Meaning, there is just one system of doing it. All who perform the drug testing are health professionals from the Department of Health and other accredited agencies.
The testing will also follow through with an implementation plan that is duly consulted with students and approved by boards of respective “A drug dependent student is universities. not a functional student in school, he will not be able to finish his studies,� de It also guarantees that all results Vera said during the first Rehabinasyon will be confidential and cannot be used National Anti-Drugs Summit in Davao to discriminate against the students. City on Sunday.
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Mindanao News I Empowering Communities
“The approach is, we need to identify students who are at risk so they can be directed to the proper programs of the government, we want to identify them so they can be directed towards counseling, rehabilitation,” de Vera added. This is also in line with the higher education chair’s directive of “creating safe and healthy campuses nationwide”. “Once they are drug-free, then they go back to the universities,” he said. The higher education chair has also commended Ateneo de Davao University President Fr. Joel Tabora for taking a comprehensive approach in the school’s counseling program.
He said the PNP will coordinate Cagayan State University in first with the faculty and HEI Cagayan Valley Region was also administrators as well as their security acknowledged for being ahead in managers before the conduct of such conducting mandatory testing. operation. Peaceful conduct of operations Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde has previously assured that police officers will follow the rule of law in conducting anti-illegal drugs operations in higher education institutions (HEIs).
“We will operate based on the information we will receive and if walang information of an illegal activity going on in the university, wala tayong dahilan para magoperate doon (If we do not get a tip, there is no reason for us to operate in a university)” he said.
“We want to assure the public The conduct of drug operations that human rights are deeply in universities will not be like the usual embedded in the system of the PNP,” drug bust. he added. (PNA)
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Mindanao News I Empowering Communities
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Construction of 1.5K homes in Marawi launched By Riz Sunio
MARAWI CITY - As part of the efforts to rebuild Marawi, the construction of 1,500 permanent homes for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Marawi began through a groundbreaking and capsule-laying ceremony in Dulay Proper on February 4. The homes are part of the shelter component of the United Nations Human Settlement Program’s (UNHabitat) Rebuilding Marawi Through Community-Driven Shelter and Livelihood Project.
Minister for Economic Affairs of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) also provided PHP248 million for land acquisition of the lots where the homes would be The project is funded by the built. Japanese government with a 1.1 billion yen (or PHP500 million) grant for shelter The homes, targeted to be reconstruction, community mapping, completed by March 2020, will be two and support in the forms of livelihood, storeys high and can accommodate up community and development, to about eight family members each. infrastructure, and cultural and post- It would cost about PHP200,000 each, conflict. according to UN Habitat Architect Orwell Obach. “We hope to empower the IDPs to assert their rights and have a great The lot where the houses will future and provide opportunities for be built costs PHP205,000 each. The a brighter future,” said Makoto Iyori, ground floor is 24 square meters, while
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the second floor is 18 square meters. The house which will stand on a 100 square meter lot has a kitchen and a bathroom, while the other rooms can be partitioned by the future occupant to form multiple rooms.
Mindanao News I Empowering Communities already submitted their titles, but that they are still verifying if the papers are legitimate for the security of land tenure and to avoid conflict in the ownership of the lands. Priority IDPs to move to these houses will be families who could no longer return to their original homes in the most affected area of the city and those who originally lived about three to six meters easement of Lake Lanao and Agus River.
The houses’ septic tanks will have three chambers, which will be connected to a leach bed, a form of infiltration system, where the bedrocks beneath the earth and the roots of plants and trees can filter the fluid from the tanks in order to neutralize possible contamination. Families who did not have any land or house in the Lanao province, Obach also said that 800 houses will IDPs who are willing to return to Marawi be built on Dulay Proper’s 13.3-hectare and be UN Habitat’s partner, residents land, and 100 in Dulay West. Another who have not received any other aid five hectares is reserved to build open for permanent shelter, those who are spaces such as roads and playgrounds. living below the poverty threshold, and those from the vulnerable sectors will SHFC is still looking for the also be accommodated. remaining seven hectares needed to build the remaining 600 houses to meet Task Force Bangon Marawi Field the 1,500 mark, said UN Habitat project Office Manager Assistant Secretary Manager Warren Ubongen. Felix Castro Jr. said in his speech during the ceremony that skilled IDPs who can Annicia Villafuerte, SHFC vice help in the construction of the homes president of management services would be employed as a form of cash department, said in her speech that for work. the IDPs can occupy the lands for 99 years. SHFC Strategic Communications In order to hasten the Manager Lorie Bundoc also said that construction and implementation the occupants can opt to purchase process, UN Habitat has organized 20 the lot where their house will stand in barangays into several homeowners order to acquire the land title of their associations, where one association house. is composed of 40 families, said Jomari Guillermo, UN Habitat Project Ubongen said 21 land owners Knowledge Management Junior interested to sell their lots to SHFC have Officer. (PNA)
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NATIONAL NEWS
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National News I Empowering Communities
PRRD to Chinese-Filipinos: Usher greater peace, understanding By Azer Parrocha
MANILA - President Rodrigo R. Duterte called on the Chinese Filipinos and the entire nation to hold on to values that usher peace and understanding, as the country is set to celebrate the Chinese New Year on Tuesday, February 5. “Together, let us cultivate the values and ideas that fuel our strong resolve to usher in a period of greater peace and understanding as we rise higher above the challenges ahead,” Duterte said in his Chinese New Year message on Monday.
“The friendship and cooperation forged between the Philippines and China have not only led to greater prosperity and economic growth for both our nations, but also gave rise to a unique culture that is nurtured by harmony amidst diversity,” Duterte said.
Duterte also recognized the Meanwhile, the President “unique culture” brought about by expressed hope that the Chinese New the long-time friendship between the Year would bring Chinese Filipinos and Philippines and China. the entire nation “more achievements”.
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National News I Empowering Communities “May this New Year bring hope, inspiration and more achievements for the Chinese-Filipino community and the entire nation,” Duterte said. “A happy Chinese New Year to all of you!” he added. Duterte earlier declared Feb. 5 as special non-working day to allow Chinese-Filipinos to join the festival, which celebrates the beginning of a new year based on the traditional
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Chinese calendar. Although the Philippines and China are facing a maritime dispute over the West Philippine Sea, ties between the two countries improved after Duterte prioritized friendly bilateral talks and temporarily shelved the international arbitration court’s verdict that trashed China’s claim over islands and formations in the contested waters. (PNA)
Bello hopeful PRRD will sign expanded maternity leave bill By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA - Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III is confident that President Rodrigo Duterte will sign into law a proposed measure that will extend the maternity leave for female workers in the country.
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National News I Empowering Communities
Bello noted that the bill is a priority In the government sector, the legislation for the DOLE. proposed law is applicable to all female workers regardless of employment status “We strongly support its passage while in the private sector, a female into law to provide the working women Social Security System (SSS) member with ample maternal care and ensure who has paid at least three monthly their safety and health. We have contributions in the 12-month period actively pushed the passage of this immediately preceding the semester bill,” he said in a statement Saturday. of her childbirth, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy Bello added that concerned shall be paid her daily maternity benefit, government agencies, including the which shall be computed based on her tripartite council have reviewed the bill. average monthly salary credit for 105 days. “We exerted efforts on this and I have high hopes it is signed by the Likewise, women workers in the President very soon,” the labor chief informal economy are entitled to said. maternity leave benefits if they have remitted to the SSS at least three-month He emphasized that the proposed contributions in the 12-month period legislation is consistent with local and immediately preceding the semester international instruments that promote of her childbirth, miscarriage, or the rights of women. emergency termination of pregnancy. “Female workers who avail of the benefits of the expanded maternity benefits shall likewise be assured of the security of tenure,” he added. The bill aims to grant additional maternity leave benefits to all female workers regardless of civil status or the legitimacy of her child.
Female national athletes are also covered by the proposed law upon evaluation of a physician from the Philippine Sports Commission. She shall continue receiving her allowance and be entitled to the same maternity benefits.
From the current 60 days, working women shall enjoy 105 days of maternity leave with full pay and an option to be extended for an additional 30 days without pay.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) Maternity Protection Convention of 2000 sets the maternity leave to 14 weeks, including a period of six weeks compulsory leave after childbirth.
Female workers qualified solo parents, meanwhile, shall be granted an additional 15-day maternity leave with full pay.
Aside from Malaysia, the Philippines is one of the ASEAN countries that have the shortest maternity leave duration. (PNA)
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