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PROVINCIAL NEWS
LGU-Talacogon supports eco-tourism, livelihood projects for reservists
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The local government unit of Talacogon, this province, expressed support for the establishment of cooperatives and livelihood programs which the reserve force will benefit.
Lieutenant Colonel Ma. Teresa P. Baylon, Battalion Commander of the 1502nd Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion (1502 RRIBn), thanked the LGU-Talacogon for supporting the company’s proposed cooperatives and livelihood programs within the area donated by the municipal government for their Eco-Tourism Project, from which the reservists will greatly benefit. This was learned during the recently conducted mustering of troops held at the Tennis Court of Barangay San Agustin, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, by the Headquarters Company of 1502 RRIBn under
the leadership of its Company Commander, Captain Jesryl E. Masendo, Philippine Army (Reserve), who was ably represented by 1st Lieutenant Marjun P Ursos, Operations Officer, 1502 RRIBn.
According to 1Lt Ursos, this activity was conducted to monitor their readiness, boost their morale, and enhance their knowledge through Troops Information and Education.
The activity started with Basic Drills followed by a lecture on military orientation particularly on Reservist and Retiree Affairs and its Legal Basis, Military Organization, Philippine Military History, AFP Core Values, Military Courtesy and Discipline, Military Justice, and Military Leadership by organic personnel of 1502 Community Defense Center, 15thRegional Community Defense Group (15RCDG), Reserve Command (RESCOM), Philippine Army (PA). (2Lt Adones L. Apilada, Executive Officer, 1502 CDC, 15RCDG/ PIAAgusan del Sur)
The Bravo Company, 1502nd Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion (1502 RRIBn) under the leadership of its Company Commander, Second Lieutenant Joseph Archel B. Otic, Philippine Army (Reserve) with the presence of First Lieutenant Marjun P Ursos, Operations Officer, 1502 RRIBn, conducted mustering of troops held on July 16, 2022 at the Multipurpose Hall, 1502 CDC, Government Center, Patin-ay, Prosperidad, this province. The activity aims to monitor the troops’ readiness, boost their morale and enhance their knowledge through Information and Education.
The activity started with Basic Drills followed by a lecture on weapons particularly on Caliber 5.56mm R4A3, Caliber 5.56mm M16A1 Rifle and Cal. 45 by a guest lecturer from Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) of Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office, Police Senior Master Seargent Jhon Dale P. Ravelo.
Meanwhile, the organic personnel of the 1502nd Community Defense Center led by its Director, Major Jerome G. Waclin (Infantry) Philippine Army, awarded Letter of Commendations to the troops involved during their participation to Community Services for the month of July 2022. (2Lt Adones L. Apilada, Executive Officer, 1502 CDC/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)
DTI AgNor records 20% reduction in consumer complaints in the first semester of 2022
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Norte noted a 20% reduction of consumer complaints resolved through mediation for the first semester of 2022.
There were eight mediated consumer complaints from January to June as against 10 consumer complaints processed for the same period last year. These complaints were mediated within the prescribed timeline of 10 days from receipt of the complaint, achieving 100% complaints resolution rate. Violations involved were mostly in the Breach of Warranty followed by deceptive, unfair and unconscionable sales acts or practices. Aside from consumer complaints resolved through mediation, 33 other consumer complaints and concerns were addressed through facilitation and referrals.
The continuous campaign of DTI to set up more Consumer Welfare Desks in stores has contributed to its reduction. Some complaints no longer reached DTI for assistance but were resolved by Consumer Welfare Desk Officers at the store level.
A slight reduction of 0.86% was observed for consumer complaints received by Consumer Welfare Desk in select business establishments. Consumer Welfare Desk Officers handled a total of 2,862 consumer complaints in the first semester of this year compared to the 2,887 consumer complaints received for the same period last year. The top violation for the complaint involve breach of warranty. As part of broadening the consumer welfare and awareness, DTI continuously capacitates business establishments to become more consumerfriendly and compliant to consumer protection laws. Towards this pursuit, DTI includes setting up of Consumer Welfare Desk in selected retail stores with products and services are under DTI’s jurisdiction.
In addition, engagement with the Bagwis Award Program, participation to relevant training programs, and provision of consumerism information and updates to Consumer Welfare Desk Officers and Bagwis Awardees through digital channels are among the initiatives and the subject of the advocacy campaigns of the agency. (DTI Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)
4 high-powered firearms, IED recovered in Agusan del Norte
Following a tip-off from the residents of Sitio Inayao, Brgy Bangonay, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte, the troops of the 29th Infantry “Matatag” Battalion, under the supervision of the 901st Infantry “Fight ‘Em” Brigade, discovered an arms cache of the Sentro de Grabidad 16 (SDG16), Guerilla Front 16 (GF16), North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) on the evening of July 20, 2022. Col. Jason M. Saldua, Commanding Officer of 29IB, said that a concerned civilian reported the presence of armed men of the communist terrorist group (CTG) who were periodically extorting and demanding all kinds of supplies from the residents of Sitio Inayao, Brgy Bangonay, Jabonga.
After validating the veracity of the report, the troops of 29IB immediately launched a combat operation that upon reaching the area, they were able to discover a newly abandoned encampment of the terrorists. Utilizing the capability of the K9 unit during the conduct of search and clearing operation, the troops were able to discover a CTG’s arms cache containing numerous High Powered Firearms and explosives. Among the materiel that were recovered are one (1) AK47 Rifle ; one (1) M4 Carbine Rifle; one (1) M16 Rifle; one (1) Bushmaster Rifle with two (2) magazines; 30 meters of firing wire gauge # 22; and one (1) Improvised Explosive Device (IED). arms cache will weaken the CTG’s activities to spread conflict, disunion and abolition of peace in the province of Agusan del Norte.
“We would like to extend our gratitude to the peace-loving residents of Sitio Inayao for tipping us the location of the terrorists and the activities that they are doing in the area,” Col Saldua said.
He added that with the residents active support and participation, they were able to immediately respond to the reports and were able to discover the CTGs’ arm cache as the discovery of the said “Rest assured that with your support, we can together put an end to the long-term terroristic activities of the Communist Terrorists Group in the province,” Col Saldua added.
Similarly, Colonel Saldua reiterated the call to the remaining members of the CTG who are still hiding in the hinterlands to return to the mainstream of the society and stop wasting their lives on a misguided ideology that “You still have time to heed the call of reconciliation, return to the folds of the law and go back to the mainstream of society. The 29IB, together with the local government units through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), will assist and help them to start anew. Take the chance to start a peaceful and harmonious life with your family and loved ones,” Col Saldua said. (2Lt. Rose Ann Mae U. Cordova QMS) PA, CMO Officer, 29IB PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
LGU Nasipit giila ang mga topnotchers, achievers
Gi-institutionalize karon sa lokal nga panggamhanan sa Nasipit, Agusan del Norte pinaagi sa Municipal Ordinance No. 11-2022 ang paghatag og recognition ug insentibo sa mga Nasipitnon nga mga topnotchers sa national board o bar examinations, giila nga mga achievers sa nasyonal ug internasyonal nga kompetisyon ug giila sanatad sa tawhanong pagpaningkamot.
Ubos sa maong ordinansa mao ang mga mosunod nga mga insentibo nga madawat: Para sa Bar ug Board Examination Topnotchers
Top 1- P15, 000.00 ug Plaque of Recognition Top (2) up to Five (5) – P10, 000.00 ug Plaque of Recognition Top (3) up to Ten (10) – P5, 000.00 ug Plaque of Recognition Sa mga mananaog sa National Competition ug Outstanding in Fields of Human Endeavor (Solo o Grupo) Gold Medalist/s- P10,000.00 ug Plaque of Recognition Silver Medalist/s – P7,000.00 ug Plaque of Recognition Bronze Medalist/s- P5,000.00 ug Plaque of Recognition International Competition o Outstanding in Fields of Human Endeavor Gold Medalist/s- P15,000.00 ug Plaque of Recognition Silver Medalist/s – P10,000.00 ug Plaque of Recognition Bronze Medalist/s- P5,000.00 ug Plaque of Recognition
Ang pag-ila ug paghatag og insentibo sa mga Nasipitnon usa ka paagi sa pagdasig kanila sa pagpaningkamot alang sa mas taas nga kadaugan.
Gi-aprobahan ang maong ordinansa pinaagi sa pagdeklarang balido kini sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan ubos sa Sanggunian Resolution No. 009-2022 sa pagpangamahan ni Provincial Board Member James T. Reserva, chairman sa Committee on Laws, Ethics and Good Government atoll sa 2nd sesyon regular sa SP. (SVdeligero, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)
AgNor Bise Gob. Corvera gipangunahan ang Inaugural Session sa 19th SP
Corvera
Opisyal nang nangulo ang balikBise Gobernador nga si Enrico R. Corvera sa unang sesyon sa 19th Sangguniang Panlalawigan nga gipahigayon sa SP Session Hall, Capitol, Butuan City sa adlawng Martes, Hulyo 12, 2022.
Aktibo nga mitambong ang mga Provincial Board Members nga sila Nieva C. Famador, Ryan Jade D. Lim, Rodulfo A. Pitogo, Erwin L. Dano, James T. Reserva, Dick Victor B. Carmona, Francisco Y. Chan Jr., Benjamin D. Lim Jr., Larry F. Bautista, IPMR Randy P. Catarman ug SK Federation President Board Member Keefe Blue R. Leonar sa gipahigayon nga Inaugural Session.
Gisugdan sa mga bagong lingkod nga mga opisyales ang gi-adopt niini nga Internal Rules of Procedures uban sa pipila ka mga kausaban gikan sa 18th SP o sa miaging konseho.
Atol sa Inaugural Session, adunay 57 kabuok First Reading ang nakalatid sa Agenda, 1 ka inclusion ug 6 niini ang na aprobahan. Lakip sa agenda sa Inaugural session nga naaprobahan mao ang Adoption of Internal Rules of Procedure ug Election of Officers and Standing committee chairmanships among others.
Sa maong sesyon, gipili nga Majority Floor Leader si Hon. Nieva C. Famador isip hulip kang kanhi Provincial Board Member Elizabeth Marie R. Calo nga sa susamang adlawa gideklara ng Provincial Administrator sa Agusan del Norte. (SVdeligero, LGU Agusan del Norte/ PIA Agusan del Norte)
Bag-ong mga Lideres sa probinsya milingkod na 114 former rebels nakatanggap ng tulong pinansyal at kaalaman para sa pagsisiumla ng bagong buhay
Pormal nang milingkod ang mga bag-ong lideres sa probinsya sa pagpanguna ni Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante, ViceGovernor Enrico R. Corvera, Provincial Board Members ug mitambong sa First Flag Raising gikan sa nasinati nga pandemya kaniadtong Lunes, Hulyo 4, 2022.
Sa iyang mensahe atol sa hamubo nga programa sa capitol lobby, padayong gipaabot ni Gov. Angel sa tanang trabahante sa patas ug saktong pagpanerbisyo sa katawhan aron mahatag niini ang kalidad nga serbisyo sa mga Agusanon.
Gipadayag usab niya ang padayong pagsuporta sa mga programa sa AGUSAN UP pero adunay gamay nga kabag-ohan aron masiguro ang mas hapsay nga implementasyon ug matutukan ang nag unang panginahanglanon ug panginabuhian sa katawhan sa Agusan del Norte.
“Maangkon nato ang kalamboan ug kadaogan sa probinsya kung ipatigbabaw nato ang pagsuporta ug pagtinabangay sa matag usa,” mao kini ang hagit ni Gov. Angel Amante sa atubangan ni Vice-Governor Enrico R. Corvera uban ang mga Provincial Board Members, mga hepe ug mga empleyado sa Kapitolyo.
Dugang pa, makalaom usab ang mga empleyado sa kapitolyo nga maangkon ang saktong mga prebilihiyo ug benipisyo isip pahalipay sa tinuoray nga pagpanerbisyo sa katawhan.
Mahinumduman nga pormal nang gidawat ni Gobernador Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante ang responsibilidad isip bag-ong gobernador ning probinsya kaniadtong Hulyo, 1, 2022 sa Oazis Hotel, Butuan City sa pagtunol ni Congressman Dale B. Corvera.
Gitapos ang maong programa pinaagi sa Closing Remarks ni Provincial ViceGovernor Corvera nga nag unod sa paghatag og dakong suporta sa tanang aktibidades nga ipatuman sa lokal nga panggamhanan. (SVdeligero, LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte) Iba’t ibang assistance mula sa gobyerno sa pamamagitan ng Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program o E-CLIP ang natanggap ng 114 former rebels sa probinsya ng Agusan del Norte na naglalayong magamit sa kanilang pagbabagong buhay kasama ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay.
Si Inday, kasama ang kanyang asawa nang sumuko sa 23rd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army nais gamitin ang kanilang natanggap na financial assistance at kaalaman para sa kanilang kabuhayan.
Nananawagan din siya kay pangulong Bongbong Marcos na sana ay ipagpatuloy ang nasimulan ni pangulong Duterte para sa pagbibigay ng attention sa pagbabagong buhay ng mga former rebels na mapayapa upang hindi na maranasan ang kahirapan noong sila ay myembro pa ng Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPPNPA).
Sa kanyang pagsuko, ayon din kay alyas Maymay, natupad ang matagal na nyang ambisyong maging isang tunay na sundalo ng mga Filipino. Si Maymay ay isa nang myembro ng Philippine Army sa ngayon. Ayon din kay Department of the Interior and Local Governmnet (DILG) Agusan del Norte Provincial Director Ellen Vee Chua, umabot sa mahigit sampung milyon o P10.7 million ang naibigay sa 114 former rebels, sapat na financial upang makapagsimulang muli, dala-dala din ang kaalaman mula sa kanilang mga trainings na handog ng TESDA upang tuluyan ng makapagbagong buhay. (NCLM/PIA Agusan del Norte)
DBM, DILG mosusi sa devolution plan sa LGUs
Ang Department of Budget and Management (DBM) ug ang Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), isip chairperson ug vicechairperson sa Regional Devolution Transition Committee, matinahuron nga modumala ug mosubay sa preparasyon ug implementasyon sa Local Government Units (LGUs) Devolution and Transition Plans (DTP) per Executive Order (EO) 138 ug ang IRR niini.
Ang tanan nga probinsiya, syudad, munisipyo, ug barangay mangandam sa ilang tagsa-tagsa na DTPs subay sa Executive Order (EO) No. 138. Kini mamahimung reperensiya sa pagpatuman na mapalig-on ang organisasyonal nga paningkamot ug mapalambo ang institusyonal na mga kapasidad sa umaabot nga tulo ka tuig ug masubay ang paguswag sa transisyon padulong sa bug-os nga pangagpas sa pagtugyan sa mga responsibilidad. Ang mga LGUs modesinyo sa ilang DTPs basi sa National Government Agencies (NGAs) nga DTP, gisusi ug giaprobahan sa DBM.
Sa karun, adunay duha ka NGAs nga giaprobahan ang DTP sa DBM, usa niini ang POPCOM.
Ang pagpangandam sa LGU DTP pagabuhaton sa suod na koordinasyon uban sa mga hingtundan nga NGAs sama sa Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM).
Ang pagmonitor ug pagtasa sa mga LGUs giyahan sa DBM, DILG ug ang hingtundan na NGAs. Kini moagi og inisyal na ebalwasyon alang sa kinatibukang pagsunod, lawom nga ebalwasyon sa strategic ug functional shifts ug ebalwasyon sa Organization for Energy Planning (OEP) una pa ang pagtugot. (Dian Joy L. Martinez, POPCOM Caraga/PIA Caraga)
POPCOM Caraga isaulog ang Population Day
Ang Commission on Population and Development Caraga ginpasigarbo ang mga Filipino maoy nag-unang bahandi sa nasud alang sa kalambuan atoll sa paghandom sa World Population Day (WPD) karun Hunyo 11, 2022 nga adunay lokal nga tema “100 Milyong Solusyon: Tungo sa pagkamit ng Potensyal ng Bawat Pilipno.”
Ang selebrasyon sa WPD karun tuiga, gitumong ang pagtapok ug i-tap ang potensyal sa mga Filipino nga mamahimong makatabang sa pagkab-ot sa United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal.
Kabahin sa selebrayon sa WPD, ang POPCOM Caraga nga gipangunahan ni Regional Director Alexander A. Makinano, magpahigayon og mga kalihokan sama sa pagkampanya sa komunikasyon sa lainlain na Regional Line Agencies (RLAs) nga e-consider ang pagambit sa ilang official/ personal Facebook account FB posts sa POPCOM Central / Regional Office mahitungod sa WPD na selebrasyon, ug ang pagsab-it og streamers nga adunay logo ug tema sa ilang mga opisina nga nagsunod sa gihatag na template.
Ang POPCOM Caraga naglaum nga pinaagi niining selebrasyon, ang tanan magkahiusa para maaksyonan ug maayo ang hagit sa panahon ug mapadayon ang pagpalambo sa kinabuhi sa kada pamilya sa mga Filipino. (Dian Joy L. Martinez, POPCOM Caraga/PIA Caraga)
Makinano / File photo
SurSur Coop avails P1.5M grants from DA’s Enhanced Kadiwa
The Magsaysay Multipurpose Cooperative in Madrid received the financial assistance worth Php1.5 Million from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) on July 19, 2022, in Butuan City.
Ronald S. Malaque, the chairperson of Magsaysay Multi-Purpose Cooperative, expressed his gratitude. He stated that they will use it as working capital and to purchase a delivery truck so that they can easily consolidate the local produce of their farmers. The financial assistance is part of the Php9.9 Million financial grants in the region to the qualified farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives and associations.
Based on the report, four (4) Local Government Units in the province of Surigao del Norte received the assistance: • LGU-Burgos - P987,000.00; • LGU-Pilar - P1.5 Million; • LGU-Sta. Monica - P4 million; and • LGU-Placer - P300,000.00.
Meanwhile, three Farmer Cooperatives and Associations (FCA) also received their share namely: • Magsaysay MultiPurpose Cooperative in Madrid, Surigao del Sur P1.5 million; • Kangyat Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur got P1 million; and • Nuevo Campo Development Cooperative in San Benito, Surigao del Norte got P612,500.00. The grants given by the DA accordingly were under the DA’s Enhanced Kadiwa Financial Grant Assistance Program through the efforts of Senator Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos.
DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr., thanks Senator Marcos for her support of the Department’s efforts through Kadiwa mainly to assist communitybased organizations in operating their Kadiwa stores sustainably by providing them with additional funding.
“Through Kadiwa initiatives, we are empowering our farmers and fisherfolk groups to become more dependable food commodity suppliers to consumers. Under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., we are doubling our efforts to ensure that the food supply and the food prices are within everyone’s reach, “said Director Oñate.
Since its implementation in 2020, a total of 30 FCAs and 4 LGUs benefited from the Kadiwa financial grant assistance with an equivalent amount of P26.5 million under the Bayanihan Act of 2020 (I & II), General Appropriations Act 2021, and 2021 fund by the office of Senator Marcos. (NGPB/DA-Caraga/PIASurigao del Sur)
MINDANAO NEWS
Solon wants budget for Mindanao hiked by P286 billion
Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez
A lawmaker on Tuesday urged the national government to increase the allocation for Mindanao in next year’s national budget by at least 5 percent or by PHP286 billion to promote growth and development in the island region.
Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said the proposed budget augmentation should be included in the State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday. Rodriguez noted Mindanao was allocated only 13 percent or roughly PHP650 billion in this year’s national budget.
Rodriguez argued that Mindanao is entitled to more funds because based on the 2020 census, it has 26.3 million population, or 24 percent of the country’s population of 109.6 million. He said the region contributes 17 percent of the nation’s yearly total output of products and services.
“If our island receives 5 percent more next year, or 18 percent of a possible PHP5.2-trillion budget, our total allocation would come up to PHP936 billion, or an additional PHP286 billion. That would go a long way in helping our people and developing our region,” he said.
He said Marcos could likewise include in his first SONA the following projects for Mindanao: immediate funding for the PHP83-billion, 102-kilometer first phase (Tagum-Davao City-Digos) of the planned 1st phase of the Mindanao railway; faster implementation of programs for coconut farmers under the Coconut Trust Fund Law; completion of the rehabilitation of Marawi City; and final peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army for lasting peace in Mindanao.
To further speed up the island’s development, he suggested that the President transfer the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to Mindanao, as well as appoint the secretaries of the two departments from qualified Mindanao professionals. “The heads of these agencies will have their hands full in growing and exploring the farming and natural resources sectors, including minerals, in our island. However, the President should ban the highly destructive openpit mining,” he said. (PNA/ Filane Mikee Cervantes)
MinDA to put up 12 more seaweed dryer facilities in Tawi-Tawi
To further improve the state of seaweed farming in Tawi-Tawi, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has vowed to provide 12 more drying facilities in the municipalities of Sibutu and Sitangkai.
On Monday, MinDA announced to have met with Tawi-Tawi provincial government officials and local chief executives of Sibutu and Sitangkai to discuss the additional units of seaweed dryers with funding support from the “Renewable Energy Technologies to Increase the Value-Added of Seaweeds in Tawi-Tawi (RETS) Project.
The RETS project is funded by the European Union under the Access to Sustainable Energy Program.
MinDA said the additional facilities will be shaped after the dome-type solarassisted seaweed dryer developed by the Mindanao State University Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography.
Its developers said the dryers will hasten the drying period by 50 percent which will only take up around 2-3 days.
As a result, the farmers can sell the improved quality raw dried seaweeds as the dryer could continually dry even during rainy or cloudy days.
MinDA Secretary Maria Belen Sunga-Acosta has emphasized
MORE DRYERS. The Mindanao Development Authority says Monday (July 18, 2022) that 12 more solar-assisted dryer units will be put up in the municipalities of Sibutu and Sitangkai to assist the seaweed farming communities in Tawi-Tawi. The dryer units will be based on the design developed by the Mindanao State University based in the island-province. (Photo from MSU-Tawi-Tawi) the need to support the communities of Tawi-Tawi in their seaweed production to help strengthen the economy of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
“This will help the seaweed farmers as they can now sell semi-processed seaweed products instead of raw materials which have a lower value. With the help of the facility, the farmers can produce quality products which can be exported to the European countries and our neighboring Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations),” Sunga-Acosta said.
Earlier this year, Sunga-Acosta also bared that the 600-kilowatt (kW) solar project in Sibutu town is set to operate by November 2022.
The solar power project in the municipality aims to strengthen the economic activity, especially in the seaweed farming communities of the area.
She said the project would lead to the establishment of more processing facilities as it will reduce the expenses of the farmers and improve their income.
According to the Philippine Rural Development Program, seaweeds are now a priority commodity in Tawi-Tawi. Based on the value chain analysis, the province has a total seaweed production of 294,595 metric tons per year. (PNA/Christine Cudis)
NATIONAL NEWS
PBBM: Intensify preps, planning for in-person classes
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday instructed the Department of Education (DepEd) and other relevant agencies to come up with the necessary preparations and planning for the opening of face-to-face classes this year.
The order was designed to address issues that might arise relative to the return to school of millions of students around the country for the coming school year 20222023.
In a Cabinet meeting in Malacañang, Marcos asked Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on plans by DepEd to address several challenges such as the availability of classrooms, teachers, and other concerns.
“Ang gawin na lang natin [ay] i-identify saan ‘yung areas na magbe-blended learning para maka-focus tayo. Ihanda ‘yung mga devices at mga kailangan nila na noong pandemic hindi nasu-supply-an sa mga bata,” Marcos said.
“We continue with blended learning pero in very specific places lamang. As much as possible, face-to-face na talaga,” the chief executive added.
This came after the issue on whether DepEd should do away with blended learning beyond Oct. 31 was raised during the meeting, considering the challenges that the department is facing. Based on the recent DepEd order, blended learning shall no longer be implemented beyond Oct. 31, as the department adopts a policy seeking the full implementation of the five- day in-person classes.
Other issues mentioned by the President include internet connectivity and the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country, which is driven by the emergence of new variants of the coronavirus. those issues might affect the implementation of in-person learning, but was he was nevertheless determined to proceed with the plan.
During the same Cabinet meeting, the President directed concerned agencies to rebuild and repair school buildings destroyed by Typhoon Odette last year.
Marcos said the government will be forced to continue carrying out blended learning if major concerns are not addressed, suggesting, however, that the scheme could be done in some areas. The education secretary told the President that DepEd will prepare a plan on what to do beyond Oct. 31. Citing a recent survey, Duterte said majority of the respondents favored in-person classes for the country’s learners. (PND)
At least 1.3-M beneficiaries under 4Ps no longer considered ‘poor’ – DSWD
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is validating the list of 1.3 million beneficiaries from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who are no longer considered “poor”, Press Secretary Trixie CruzAngeles said on Tuesday.
Angeles said DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo made the report before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the 3rd Cabinet Meeting held in the Aguinaldo Hall in Malacañang Palace.
“Of note is Sec. Erwin Tulfo’s declaration that in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, at least 1.3 million beneficiaries out of 4.4 million are no longer considered ‘poor’ as a qualification for the 4Ps benefits,” Angeles said. “This frees up P15B for other qualified persons to replace them and now be included in the 4Ps program,” the Press Secretary added.
The 4Ps is a human development measure of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor, to improve the health, nutrition, and the education of children aged 0-18. It is patterned after the conditional cash transfer (CCT) schemes in Latin American and African countries, which have lifted millions of people around the world from poverty.
The DSWD is the lead government agency of the 4Ps. gender equality, in reducing child mortality, and in improving maternal health care.
The 4Ps operates in all the 17 regions in the Philippines, covering 79 provinces, 143 cities, and 1,484 municipalities. Beneficiaries are selected through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), which identifies who and where the poor are in the country.
The 4Ps also helps the Philippine government fulfill its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)—specifically in eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, in achieving universal primary education, in promoting During the Cabinet meeting, the Department of Education (DepEd) discussed its Priority Programs and Projects for Basic Education while the DSWD presented its own Programs and Projects for Social Welfare. (OPS)
