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[ Contents 8-14 June 2019
Volume III, No. 43
23 former rebels get E-CLIP package of assistance REGIONAL NEWS
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LGU-Butuan City eyes several infra projects
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DSWD-Caraga, partner agencies strengthen OFW services
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PROVINCIAL NEWS
wastes turn into bags, benefit 12 Election 200 pupils in AgNor town
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13 80 AgNor youth join leadership summit awards scholarship 14 TESDA commitments to E-CLIP enrolled FRs MINDANAO NEWS
foreign traders to join Davao 17 200 investment conference
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foreign-funded DAR project in 18 P4.4-B Mindanao ends this year
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NATIONAL NEWS
support to EO 70 20 Communities’ strengthens task force ELCAC-PCOO chief asks COA to consider P5-M 22 PRRD Marawi fund used in Muslim Hajj ‘inclined’ to intervene in 23 PRRD PhilHealth issue
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News Briefs President Rodrigo Duterte is the first head of state to create a task force to protect members of the media and look into cases of media killings in the Philippines.
Eighteen MSMEs recently attended the Simulation Exercise on the Microbiz Protek Insurance Product conducted by Deutsche Gesellschaft fĂźr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry Agusan del Norte (DTI-Adn). The simulation is designed to present the Microbiz Protek Insurance Product of GIZ that aims to protect the small businesses from the effects of extreme weather events due to climate change. (DTI Agusan del Norte) The LGU-Bayugan, with the presence of drill evaluators from Phil. Information Agency-Caraga and other government agencies, conducts today, June 14 the mock drill in the four engagement areas as part of the preparation for the National Simultaneous Eearthquake Drill (NSED) on June 20, 2019 in Bayugan City. The Department of Agriculture - Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Caraga region turns over the five (5) units All-Weather Dryer amounting to P4 million to the Municipality of Cortes, Surigao del Sur. Each dryer has a floor area of 120 square meters which directly benefits a total of 1,699 farming and fishing households. These all-weather dryers are strategically located in Barangays Poblacion, Burgos, Tigao, Mabahin, and MadreliĂąo.
Cover Story
23 former rebels get E-CLI
By Nora L. Molde
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UTUAN CITY - Twentythree former rebels (FRs) received financial assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) during a special provincial peace and order council (PPOC) meeting of Agusan del Norte held Monday, here. 4
IP package of assistance Agusan del Norte governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba led the distribution of the E-Clip package of assistance to the FRs together with governor-elect Dale Corvera and members of the PPOC. Governor Matba encouraged the FRs to help the government in the peace efforts in their respective communities. Matba even promise to assist them in the education of their children. Every elementary pupil of the FRs will receive P2,000 while the high school students will also receive P6,000 each. A total of P2,633,000 was distributed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) - Agusan del Norte for E-CLIP assistance and P105,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Financial Assistance for the 23 FRs who decided to abandon the armed struggle.
The 23 beneficiaries can start their lives through the government’s local integration program. A firearms remuneration for the 18 FRs worth P1,353,000 was also given. On June 6, the beneficiaries attended the 3-day financial management seminar –workshop conducted by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and the Philippine Army.
The 23 FRs are composed of four FRs who voluntarily surrendered to 29IB, According to alyas “Jakar,” 13 FRs to 23IB, and six to the Philippine 25 years old and who has been a National Police. former member of the rebel group for three years prior to his return to the Meanwhile, during the PPOC government, life in the hands of the meeting, governor Matba turned rebels has no direction. “We keep on over the PPOC chairmanship to Dale fighting for no cause and are being Corvera, the newly elected governor promised to have a good life. Now that of the province. Outgoing governor I am with the government, being taken Matba who is also the newly elected care of by the loving people of the 23 representative of the 1st District of this Infantry Battalion (23 IB), Philippine Army, province was also given tribute by the I can definitely start a new life and live PPOC members. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del peacefully without fighting,” Jakar said. Norte)
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REGIONAL NEWS
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Regional News I Empowering Communities
LGU-Butuan City eyes several infra projects By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY For this second series of the Stakeholders’ Forum and Workshop on the Master Plan for Sustainable Urban Infrastructure Development (MPSUID) held here, the local government unit of Butuan with various stakeholders convened recently for another discussion on the proposed infra projects and other issues and concerns that need to be addressed. Among the potential infra projects that have been proposed by the concerted efforts of the different sectors in the city, include the Masao International Sea Port, logistical highway that will connect Taguibo going to Nasipit International Port; Iconic Bridge; Butuan Skyway from Baan Riverside going to Robinsons Place (Phase 1); and extension going to Libertad (Phase 2); Twin Magsaysay bridge; Masao Logistic Services Economic Zones; Taguibo Agro-Industrial Park; Banza wood-based Eco-zone; and Butuan Business IT Park.
MPSUID, various sectors are united to achieve one vision, one goal for the city by promoting sustainable development and determining issues and concerns that need to be addressed, especially that several proposed infra projects are included in the plan. Tomeldan added that among the issues in the city that were discussed include the land use and environment, population and social services; and economy and tourism.
Engr. Epimaco Galero Jr., chairperson of the Regional According to Michael Tomeldan, Development Council – Infrastructure urban planner and team leader of Committee revealed that the business
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Regional News I Empowering Communities
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sector is supporting the LGU on this endeavor. He also hopes that more investors would come to Butuan and partner with the city government for more developmental projects.
commander of 402nd Brigade, Philippine Army ensured that security measures are being intensified, in close coordination with other law enforcement agencies, to protect the these infra projects to be established in Meanwhile, Col. Maurito Licudine, the city. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DSWD-Caraga, partner agencies strengthen OFW services By Mike Ariel Plaza
BUTUAN CITY - With the primordial objective to clarify and strengthen the programs and services concerning the migrant workers, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga has gathered recently more than 50 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and representatives from different national government agencies into the Regional Consultation Forum on Overseas Filipinos and Families here.
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Assistant Regional Director for Operations Nerisa T. Murih said that the activity was initiated to give importance to the OFWs’ concerns and issues as these “modern heroes need heroes, too.”
Regional News I Empowering Communities Razon said that most of the problems of the OFWs are inflicted by their employer and it is with these situations that they should seek help to the different government agencies. “These problems are always difficult to handle but they (OFWs) should always be reminded that these agencies and the DSWD are always willing to help them get out of these situations,” Razon said.
“Today, the Philippines is the major source of labor migrants. However, most overseas Filipino workers are returning because of the rampant physical, sexual, mental and financial abuses caused by their employers or even because of illegal recruitments,” The deployment of social welfare Murih said. attaches is pursuant to Executive Murih added that because of Order 287 Series of 2004, “directing the these alarming cases, the government deployment/posting of social welfare and non-government agencies exert attaches in selected diplomatic posts efforts and continue to develop laws, with large concentration of overseas policies, and guidelines to address the Filipino workers” and by Republic Act needs of the migrants and OFWs. 10022 or an Act Amending Republic Act No. 8042, otherwise known as “Each agency has its own the Migrant Workers and Overseas mandates to deliver and programs Filipinos Act of 1995 which provides and services to provide the overseas the mandate to improve the country’s workers. This consultation forum is a standard of protection and promotion way of presenting these programs of the welfare of overseas Filipinos and and shed light on OFW’s issues and their Families. concerns especially those which remain unresolved today,” she said. The social welfare attaches help migrant Filipinos and other Director Priscilla Razon, former overseas Filipino nationals who are in social welfare attache to Jeddah, crisis situation and in need of special Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Director protection especially for irregular and Perlita Panganiban, technical support distressed OFWs, such as victims of sexual division chief of the International and physical abuse, maltreatment, Social Services Office, discussed the mistreatment, trafficking, marital importance of the social welfare conflicts and non-marital relationships attaches to the different countries to and children who were abandoned make sure that Filipino workers are and needing special protection. heard and assisted.
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Regional News I Empowering Communities The participants also presented their personal, family, employer, and agency concerns which were then addressed by representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Immigration, Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA), Technical Education and Skills Development and Authority (TESDA), and Philippine Overseas Employment Association (POEA).
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“Daku dyud akong pasalamat sa POLO (Philippine Overseas Labor Office) sa Kuwait kay sila ang nahimo nakong dangpanan sa akong kalisod didto (I am thankful with the assistance POLO has extended me following my negative experiences there),� she said. POLO acts as the operating arm of DOLE for the administration and enforcement of its policies and programs applicable to the OFWs.
In the performance of its services, Most of the addressed issues the POLOs work in partnership with centered on educational and relevant Philippine government livelihood assistance that many former agencies host government including OFWs need after deciding to come the DSWD, Filipino communities, and back home. NGOs that monitor and assist our overseas workforce. One of the participants has expressed her gratefulness to the The consultation forum ended different agencies after she has been with the distribution of sacks of rice assisted during the physical abuse she and grocery items to the participants. (DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga) had to go through.
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PROVINCIAL NEWS
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Provincial News I Empowering Communities
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Election wastes turn into bags, benefit 200 pupils in AgNor town BUTUAN CITY - A total of 200 pupils in Sitio Macopa, Barangay Poblacion, Carmen, Agusan del Norte received bags made out of dismantled campaign materials (tarpaulins) during the Community Outreach Program of Police Regional Office (PRO) 13, May 30.
Each pupil received a bag filled with notebooks, papers, pencil, eraser, sharpener, plastic envelope, scissors and ballpen which were personally handed over by Police Brigadier General Gilberto DC Cruz, PRO13 Director.
and Protection, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, and the Barangay Peace Action Teams. The election wastes were cut and then sewed by the police to transform into serviceable school bags.
The kids were wearing big smiles “Aside from promoting the as they individually received the gifts. Makakalikasan as Philippine National Police core value by utilizing recyclable Last April 25, 2019, the Commission waste materials, we also promote the on Elections (COMELEC) Caraga Makatao by sharing simple gifts of conducted the “OPLAN BAKLAS” that love to the underprivileged people of was participated in by the PRO13, Caraga,” said PBGen. Cruz. Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Public Works and Another bag-giving activity will Highways, Department of the Interior be conducted in Butuan City during and Local Government, Land the opening of classes on June 3, 2019. Transportation Office, Bureau of Fire (PNP Caraga/PIA Agusan del Norte)
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80 AgNor youth join leadership summit By 1Lt Roel T. Maglalang
BUTUAN CITY - A total of 80 youths from Barangay Lower Olave in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte participated in the threeday Youth Leadership Summit 2019 on May 31 to June 2, 2019 held at Lower Olave Elementary School, Buenavista spearheaded by the Barangay Council of Lower Olave in partnership with the municipality of Buenavista, provincial government of Agusan del Norte and the 23rd Infantry (MASIGASIG) Battalion. The summit, with the theme “Kabatan-onan Hiusahon aron Kaugmaon ug Kahapsay Maangkon” (Unite the Youth for Brighter Future) was aimed to develop the youth to become responsible citizens and advocates of the government’s peace and development initiatives.
“The YLS has a big impact in areas having numerous New Peoples Army (NPA) mass supporters and it is also an activity that contributes much in the development of Brgy Olave,” said Felix Balansag, Municipal Administrator of Buenavista, representing Municipal Mayor Norbert B. Pagaspas.
The activity included a series of lectures coming from different stakeholders, small group discussions, taebo exercise, campfire, Cultural Night and Team-building activities.
“You can create goodwill and unity amongst yourselves, YLS focuses on your holistic development,” Balansag told the youth participants.
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Balansag also thanked the Philippine Army for crafting the framework for the youth and for leaving a legacy to their minds. “Hence, the LGU of Buenavista will always support every youth activity in our area,” Balansag said. Meanwhile, Keefee Blue Leonar, SK Provincial Federated President representing governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba said that “Just like you, I was once a leader during my school days. As a leader, it allows me to hone my leadership skills.”
who will help the country achieve peace and development. “If the youth will be raised, developed and molded properly, then the peace and development that we longed for will “As a youth, this activity is not the be achieved,” Molina said. end, rather, it is the beginning of greater responsibility. May you share and apply “The kind of leaders we will have what you have learned in this activity depends on the kind of upbringing we to other youths,” Leonar added. show to them today. If we will nurture them properly today, we are assured Meanwhile, Ltc Francisco L Molina that they will soon become good Jr, Commanding Officer, 23IB said that citizens of our country,” Molina added. the activity helped to develop the (CMO Officer, 23IB PA/PIA Agusan del youth to become responsible citizens Norte)
TESDA awards scholarship commitments to E-CLIP enrolled FRs By Lee Escobal
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur - A total of 75 former rebels (FRs) were awarded with TESDA Scholarship Commitments on Friday, June 14, 2019, during the Task Force Balik- Loob (TFBL) EnhancedComprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) Awarding of Assistance at the Villa Maria Luisa Hotel, this city.
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The scholarship commitments awarded were Skills Training and Livelihood Program on Heavy Equipment Operation: Rigid On Highway Dump Truck NC II, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC II, Organic Agriculture Production NC II, Animal Production (Swine) NC II and Driving NC II. The identified programs awarded were the result of the recently conducted Profiling and Training-Needs-Analysis (TNA) during the Pre E-CLIP Assistance Program participated by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Surigao del Sur to the FRs on June 12- 13, 2019.
Provincial News I Empowering Communities
Usec. Reynaldo Mapagu of the Department of National Defense said the province of Surigao del Sur has been aggressive in implementing the E-CLIP and has embarked the commitment to obtain a just and lasting peace through this multifaceted development scheme, which is also the flagship government program of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Of the 75 FRs, 45 of them surrendered at the 401st Brigade, 25 at the 402nd Brigade and five at the Police Provincial Office in Surigao del Sur. A total of 53 of the 75 FRs were also members of the indigenous people. In his message, TFBL Chairperson (TESDA/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
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MINDANAO NEWS
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Mindanao News I Empowering Communities
200 foreign traders to join Davao investment conference By Digna Banzon
DAVAO CITY - Around 200 foreign investors have already confirmed their attendance to the 5th Davao Investment Conference (Davao ICon) slated on June 20. John Carlo Tria, executive vice president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) bared this Tuesday, saying the number is increasing and that the total number of domestic and foreign businessmen could reach 500.
them in their investment decisions.
Along with the Davao City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC), he said the local business group has “updated our data to share to them as we are confident to show a Davao economy that is more interesting Among the foreign delegates for these investors.” who confirmed their attendance are from China, Singapore, South Korea, Tony Peralta, president of the Malaysia, and Europe. European Chamber of Commerce, said they are expecting over 20 to 25 new “We noticed also that most of investors attending the conference. the delegates especially that outside Mindanao have booked earlier, “We have been advised also that an indication that they really are there are businesses from Austria and interested,” Tria said. Sweden and the Netherlands that are coming,” Peralta said, adding that According to him, Davao’s robust eight ambassadors from EU membereconomy has raised the interest of countries will also attend. foreign investors, who expected to find out “what sector of the economy is The participation of new investors to growing and they will know why these this event, Tria said, shows that “there sectors are worth investing in.” is growing interest in Davao and in the other areas. It is also correcting the During the convention, Tria said negative perception of Mindanao local groups will share their businesses brought by the declaration of martial to their foreign counterparts to help law.” (PNA)
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Mindanao News I Empowering Communities
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P4.4-B foreign-funded DAR project in Mindanao ends this year By Lilian Mellejor
DAVAO CITY - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is winding up its six-year Mindanao Sustainable Agrarian and Agriculture Development Project (MinSAAD), which is aimed at improving the agricultural production and income of farmers in 12 settlement areas located in three Mindanao regions. The MinSAAD is funded by the government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with a PHP3.34-billion loan, and by the Philippine government, which had a share of PHP1.05 billion. It is one of five foreign-assisted projects of the DAR.
reform beneficiaries.
Suaybaguio said a total of 65 infrastructure projects have been implemented, 71 are ongoing, and two were canceled. Of the 90 completed projects, Suaybaguio said 17 are farmto-market roads, two are bridges, six are Eduardo Suaybaguio, MinSAAD- irrigation, 49 are post-harvest facilities, DAR 11 (Davao Region) project and 16 are rural water supply projects. manager, said Thursday the project got delayed since its inception in 2012 but its At the end of the MinSAAD, major components will hit 100-percent Suaybaguio said DAR and its completion this year. implementing partners hope to see the gains of the projects. The major components of the In Compostela Valley alone, he said, project are the Agricultural, Agribusiness farmers are earning 5 percent more than and Agro-forestry Development (AAD), their previous income. Institutional Development, Rural Water Supply Development, Procurement of “This is just an initial assessment but Equipment and Project Management. the full report will be submitted at the end of the project,� Suaybaguio said. Of the seven provinces, Suaybaguio said Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato On Thursday, the DAR and its partner took a lion share of the projects. agencies, among them the Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine There are 73 projects in Lanao; 66 Coffee Advancement Farm Enterprise in North Cotabato; 42 in Sultan Kudarat; (PhilCAFE), signed a memorandum of 23 in Bukidnon; 23 in South Cotabato; 22 understanding for infrastructure support in Davao del Sur, and 16 in Compostela interventions that agencies can provide Valley. The specific sites are within the ancestral domain, and the beneficiaries for the sustainability of the enterprise are Indigenous Peoples and agrarian projects initiated by MinSAAD. (PNA)
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NATIONAL NEWS
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SEC. MARTIN ANDANAR
(RTF-ELCAC) in region 10, around 300 barangay leaders, mayors, civil society groups, including national and local government heads did their share during “Validation of Needs” workshop within the day of the assembly.
PCOO
NEWS CORNER
Communities’ support to EO 70 strengthens task force ELCAC-PCOO chief MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon -The dynamic involvement of local government unit leaders and civil society groups in the recent assembly at Kaamulan Folk Arts Theater in Malaybalay City in support of the Executive Order 70, strengthened the Task Force ELCAC in carrying out its mission.
The assemblage seeks to round up thoughts, ideas, and detailed outlines that describe the roots of communist insurgency so those various governing bodies would know how to deal with it, considering the scope of setbacks in addressing peace and order issues. In the pre-workshop briefing, Armed Forces of the Philippines 4th Infantry Division commander Major General Franco Nemesio Gacal said a “purely military option in combating terrorism and extremism” is not enough. “Guns and cannons can’t do the job alone. All agencies aboard should do its share in ending communist insurgency across the country. Neither the armed forces nor any law enforcement squad alone can conquer insurgence. We need the support of all the stakeholders, the local government units,” Gacal said.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar conveyed the message via phone emphasizing the government’s resolve to end the local The National Intelligence communist rebellion. Coordinating Agency (NICA), in the “This is in line with President same session, emphasized the value Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. of information and communication 70 which institutionalizes a ‘whole-of- to create healthy and peaceful nation approach’ versus insurgency,” communities. Andanar said.
“We need to inform and let people Led by the Regional Task Force to know what the government has been End Local Communist Armed Conflict doing for them. The people, especially those in geographically isolated
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and conflict-affected areas, must be updated on various projects and programs that will benefit them. We also need to upgrade our communications system. People should know that everyone cares,” Plormelinda Olet, NICA-10 deputy director said.
National News I Empowering Communities battlefields, beating the enemies spin in vain due to the recurrence of stubborn poverty.”
Hence, the government fortifies its counterterror scheme by creating NTFELCAC stipulated in Executive Order No. 70 (EO 7O) signed by President Meanwhile, LGUs and community Rodrigo Duterte in December 2018, she stakeholders’ workshop output showed said. poverty topped in the list on “why insurgency lives on.” Conversely, the “The whole of nation approach list also showed that “the root cause of is not new. We have been working poverty is insurgency.” hard for this in the past, but all weave in a slow marching step due to lack National Economic and of synchronization of some agencies’ Development Authority (NEDA) plans and programs to combat Northern Mindanao regional director insurgency. Now we have EO 70 to Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño said “despite make it happen,” Cariño said. continuing triumphs of security forces in The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) in region 10, leads around 300 barangay leaders, mayors, civil society groups, including national and local government heads in doing their share during the “Validation of Needs” workshop at Kaamulan Folk Arts Theater, Malaybalay City. As directed in Executive Order No. 70, the assemblage seeks to round up thoughts, ideas, and detailed outlines that describe the roots of communist insurgency so those various governing bodies would know how to deal with real issues. (BSGempisao, MCG/ PIA Bukidnon)
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PRRD asks COA to consider P5-M Marawi fund used in Muslim Hajj By Lilian Mellejor
DAVAO CITY President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday asked the Commission on Audit to reconsider its decision disallowing the use of the PHP5 million from the Marawi rehabilitation funds to pay for the 2018 Hajj pilgrimage of Muslims to Mecca. “I am asking COA to reconsider. Ano ba naman ‘yang 5 million (What is 5 million)? Actually that 5 million is worth billions in terms of your kind, I said generosity, to finance the poor people -- Muslim to go for Hajj,” said Duterte, emphasizing the importance of Hajj to Muslims more than anything else.
Active Lifestyle in New Matina, here on Thursday evening. “Ngayon, kung 5 million (Now, if it’s 5 million), it’s just a matter of amount and there is no prohibition,” he added.
When he was Davao City mayor, Duterte sponsors Hajj pilgrimage of Duterte said there is no prohibition Davao Muslims who could not afford for the diversion of the money. to go to Mecca for the annual Hajj – a ritual promoting the bonds of Islamic “Bakit maging illegal (Why is it brotherhood and sisterhood. illegal) when as a matter of fact there is a 15 million annually set aside for the The Hajj is the fifth and final pillar Mecca journey. So kung merong piso, of Islam. The city’s sponsorship for poor dalawang piso, eh ‘di allow na ‘yan (If Muslims to go to Mecca has continued there is one peso, two pesos, you just under Mayor Sara Duterte. allow it),” he said in a speech during the Eid al-Fitr celebration at the Arcadia “Over the years, it’s not financing
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of a religious journey. Do not take it in that sense, that there is a separation of Church and State. Take it as a pacification campaign for after all natives man tayo dito (we are all natives here) and we were subjugated,” Duterte said.
National News I Empowering Communities Mecca for anything else but to fulfill a religious obligation.
In its 2018 report, COA flagged the HUDCC’s transfer of PHP5 million in rehabilitation funds to the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) for the annual Muslim pilgrimage of The President pointed out that for some evacuees of Marawi. Muslims, the Islamic pilgrimage is more important than government housing COA said the money came from efforts. He said it is the lifetime dream of the PHP500 million allocated by the every Muslim. Office of the President to HUDCC for the “recovery, reconstruction and “You can forget the housing there rehabilitation of the City of Marawi and being planned by the government other affected localities”. but to the individual Muslim believer, limang mansyon ibigay ng gobyerno, Del Rosario, who also chairs Task but a simple token of generosity Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), has makapunta siya makapag-Hajj, mas asked COA not to disallow the “vital mahalaga ’yan sa kaniya (government transaction”. He said the PHP5 million could give five mansions, but a simple was properly dispensed by the NCMF. token of generosity, going for Hajj is more important for a Muslim),” Duterte Del Rosario said the Hajj pilgrimage stressed. is part of the social healing process and part of the over-all rehabilitation of Duterte said Muslims do not go to Marawi. (PNA)
PRRD ‘inclined’ to intervene in PhilHealth issue By EJ Roque
MANILA - President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Friday said he is inclined to intervene in addressing the issues that hound the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). “I am inclined to believe that I have probably order a reorganization of to do something about it next week,” PhilHealth. he said during his Give Us This Day television guesting in Davao City. “So when I go back, I’m making the announcement that I am maybe The President said he will reshuffling the PhilHealth,” he said.
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Duterte cited the need for a system which will ensure greater accountability to address the alleged misuse of public funds, referring to the alleged overpayments made in PhilHealth claims amounting to PHP154 billion in the past six years.
were discovered, arrest them. That is my order,” he said.
“For the sheer amount that was lost, I have to reorganize your entity, change maybe all of you and install a more --- systems of accounting and accountability. Bakit umabot nang ganun kalaki (Why did it reach that huge amount) without the necessary checks along the way?,” he said.
“Sila ‘yung unahin ko (Hospitals will be probed first). But I’m looking into any culpability of an employee of government joining or in cahoots or in conspiracy,” he added.
The President said once proven, hospitals and doctors involved may be charged with syndicated estafa, a nonbailable offense.
The President expressed confidence on the integrity of PhilHealth acting president and chief executive officer “When it becomes clear that the Roy Ferrer. amount is getting big, somebody should look somewhere. I really don’t know how “I do not have the slightest doubt to do it. I am not a systems analyst but about the integrity and honesty of Roy what we need are really business people Ferrer, the acting operations officer of because ‘yang mga ganun (that) is PhilHealth. And I do nothing that they purely management,” he added. are part of it. Actually, they are the also ones of those urging or batting The President said he is very strict for the prosecution of itong sa (these) when it comes to the use of public funds. PhilHealth privileges that were abused tremendously,” he said. “What is really worse is it’s public money. So I am very strict. I do not want On Thursday, a news report said to hurt people. At this time, I do not have Edwin Roberto and Liezl Santos, former the evidence or proof so that I am not in employees of the WellMed Dialysis & a position to say that there’s government Laboratory Center Corp. (WellMed) in men involved,” he said. Novaliches, Quezon City, claimed that PhilHealth continued paying for the Duterte ordered the National dialysis of the center’s dead patients Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe without checking the validity of the and summon hospitals and doctors claims. who might be involved in the filing of fraudulent claims. The PhilHealth on Saturday clarified that the alleged overpayments made in “The NBI should take over by its claims amounting to PHP154 billion in tomorrow and start to summon everybody. the past six years are efficiency gains, a And if the owner of that wellness thing feature in the case rates payment system there where these fraudulent claims that the agency is implementing. (PNA)
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