31 minute read
Agusan Norte opens halfway house for FRs, MBs
By Robert E. Roperos
Advertisement
The P10-million halfway house in the province of Agusan del Norte which is located within the compound of the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade, Philippine Army at Brgy. Bancasi, this city has been recently inaugurated.
According to Technical “With the establishment of this Education and Skills Development infrastructure, TESDA supports the Authority (TESDA)-Agusan del Norte provincial government of Agusan del Provincial Director Rey M. Cueva, the Norte by providing skills trainings as well halfway house for the Former Rebels as livelihood trainings to FRs and MBs,” (FRs) and Milisya ng Bayan (MBs) is Cueva added. a project of the 2nd Congressional Contributed photo District of Agusan del Norte as well as In a related development, Dir. the provincial government through Cueva said that the establishment of the leadership of Congresswoman Ma. the P5-million Livelihood Training Center Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba and has already been started that is located Gov. Dale B. Corvera, respectively. beside the half-way house that will serve
as a training venue. The project’s fund are among those who attended the source is from the Department of the inauguration ceremony. Interior and Local Government (DILG),
outdoors — under a tree.
As the Camagong barangay gymnasium was turned into a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) facility, Negosyo Center Nasipit Business Counselors looked for an alternative venue to provide existent and potential Cueva added. These projects support the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Further, Dir. Cueva assured that Integration Program (E-CLIP), one of TESDA-Agusan del Norte Provincial the flagship programs of the national Office will facilitate the training center’s government that seeks to address social program registration as well as to healing and national unity towards the provide scholarship slots. higher objective of having just and During the activity, Cong. Amanteequity to former members of the CPPMatba, Gov. Corvera, and 402nd NPA-NDF and the Militia ng Bayan Brigade Commanding Officer BGen to reintegrate them into mainstream Maurito Licudine, and provincial heads society. (TESDA Agusan del Norte/PIA of the different government agencies Agusan del Norte) DTI livelihood seeding program launching pushes through amid venue problem
“Dili available ang gym(the gym isn’t available).” These words would have stopped the launch of the Negosyo Serbisyo sa BarangayLivelihood Seeding Program (LSP-NSB) in Barangay Camagong here, but because of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga’s “Serbisyong higit pa sa inaasahan,” the activity was pushed through
lasting peace. It aims to provide social entrepreneurs with the services of the LSP-NSB.
“Naa man ang mga tao. Sila ang importante, bahalag walay atop ang venue, basta naa ang mga tao nga
among serbisyohan, mupadayon gyud mi, bisag sa ilalom pa na sa kahoy (The beneficiaries here matter the most. So even if the venue is roofless, as long as the people we are serving are here, we would push through with the activity even if it is held under a tree),” said Senior Business Counselor Ruben Paul Timogan.
During said launching, Timogan added, programs and services of DTI that can be possibly availed by the participants were discussed.
These include an orientation on the NSB-LSB, the Shared Service Facility (SSF) that may help the furniture-makers in the area, and the Small Business Corporation’s COVID-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (CARES) Program, a financing program intended for micro and small enterprises affected by the pandemic.
“Situations like this showcase the dedication of our staff in carrying out the mandate of DTI especially in a time where everyone is greatly affected by the circumstances brought about by the pandemic,” said DTI Caraga OIC Regional Director Gay Tidalgo.
Tidalgo added that true public service does not stop when faced a challenge.
“Indeed, with the beneficiaries on mind, the personnel of DTI will always find a way to serve, even more than what is expected of them,” Tidalgo said.
LSP-NSB was crafted to create awareness of the agency’s programs and services, to reach out to existing and potential MSMEs, and to assess and provide needed interventions to spur economic activities, employment opportunities and wealth creation in the barangays.
Despite the unusual circumstance, the participants showed interest on the programs laid down to them. NC Nasipit BCs vouched to assist both the existing and would-be-MSMEs in the area. (DTI Caraga/PIA-Caraga) Sept. 26 - Oct. 02, 2020 | 29
IP community in AgSur town benefit from government’s Serbisyo Caravan By Jennifer P. Gaitano
Different government agencies and the local government unit have reached out to the locals in a remote barangay in the municipality of San Luis, Agusan del Sur thru the conduct of Serbisyo Caravan.
Robin Rocero, one of the beneficiaries, was glad to have received a copy of his marriage contract and birth certificates of his children from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). “Not until these services were brought to our community, many would still encounter and experience and birth certificate, and many children would still be uncircumcised,” said Rocero. “Datu Mandesisyon” Rementiza was also thankful for the interventions and services provided to them by the various government agencies.
“I’m happy for this initiative of the government that reached our place difficulty in securing marriage contract
and provided us the services for the development of Mahayahay,” bared Rementiza.
Every household of said barangay also received hygiene kits and pack of milled rice.
“I’m thankful that barangay Mahayahay was among the chosen areas to have been visited by the local government unit,” added Sergio Manlumabe, punong barangay of Mahayahay. A senior citizen and an IP leader who was known in the area as Leonardo According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Serbisyo Caravan forms part of the implementation plan of the Executive Order No. 70 in addressing the issues and concerns of the communities and to end local communists armed conflict. (JPG/PIAAgusan del Sur)
Youth leaders provide aid to affected sectors in AgSur villages
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials in the province of Agusan del Sur continue to take part in the government’s effort to address the needs of the locals and keep them safe from the spread of the virus.
This was emphasized by Kirkja Fuentes, SK municipal federated president of Rosario, Agusan del Sur during the Network Briefing on Thursday (Oct. 1) hosted by Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO). Fuentes revealed that they have distributed relief goods to the affected sectors in the municipality particularly the senior citizens and the tricycle drivers.
Also, in preparation for the opening of classes, they have distributed school supplies to the pupils/students in different schools in their area. “We are continuously reaching out and helping the different sectors in the barangays who are greatly affected by this pandemic,” he said. “The youth plays a vital role in our society, hence, we feel and take responsibility and contribute to the solutions to the pressing issues of our community especially during this time of the pandemic. We will continue to do this kind of activity to help more people,” underscored Fuentes. Fuentes urged the youths to take courage and be of help to other people who are in need even in their own simple ways. “Let’s remain to be strong and we could all get through this, and in unity, we will heal as one.” (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
DOH exec advises granular lockdown in AgSur town By Jennifer P. Gaitano
This was the statement of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur Mayor Solomon Rufila, as he raised during the Network Briefing hosted by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, that local transmission in the municipality is increasing and these cases mostly involved the private individuals.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire responded that a granular lockdown should be implemented in the target communities, as it will help prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), along with the implementation of a strict quarantine for those affected individuals. “When this happens, we need to implement granular lockdowns. When you have identified that there’s clustering or local transmission in a certain facility, the LGU’s local chief executive has the right to investigate and do very strict contact tracing. If the establishment needs to be closed to contain the transmission, that needs to be done. If it’s a hospital, we can extract the health care workers who are infected, put them in a temporary treatment and monitoring facility, and do strict contact tracing,” said Vergeire.
The health official added that as early as possible, the LGU should be able
to contain the transmission in that area. “The granular lockdown, aside from the coordinated operations to defeat the epidemic, that’s CODE strategy. You need to do a house to house visit, identify those with symptoms, and all with exposure or close contact. Once you identify them, you must quarantine them away from their house,” she said. “With the CODE strategy, you can identify who has symptoms, you can subject them to testing, quarantine and prevent the spread of the virus. By Jennifer P. Gaitano During the Network Briefing on Thursday (Oct. 1) hosted by Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Mayor Rufila announced that the LGU focuses on the implementation of granular lockdown to the barangays with high cases of coronavirus disease You have to strengthen your barangay health emergency response team so they will monitor the community, do contact tracing, and will be a direct link of the local government to the community,” Usec. Vergeire added. Mayor Rufila emphasized that the LGU is continuously conducting contact tracing. “Our frontliners are monitoring those that tested positive so they cannot go out, and the barangay officials provide their needs,” he said.
AgSur town imposes stricter health protocols vs COVID-19
As there has been an increase in the number of the local transmission cases recorded in the municipality of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, Municipal Mayor Solomon Rufila implements strict health protocols for his constituents, while awaiting for the approval on the request of the local government unit for the declaration of a Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in the municipality by the InterAgency Task Force (IATF).
(JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur) 2019 (COVID-19). “This is to monitor the health condition of the affected individuals and provide them the necessary treatment while they are observing the quarantine,” he said. The conduct of contact tracing is also ongoing in the targeted barangays
of the municipality. “The barangay and avert the spread of infection. officials are monitoring the situations in their respective areas and take The mayor called on the locals to care of the concerns of the affected continue to follow the health protocols individuals,” he said. and minimum health standards and It was also learned that the infected individuals. He added that the operation in the public market is LGU does not tolerate violators of the strictly monitored and basic health imposed guidelines and will continue protocols are observed by the vendors to monitor the movement of its people. and consumers such as wearing of “Let’s all unite and work together as face mask and face shield, while only we fight against COVID-19 by simply essential travel going to and from San following the guidelines imposed by Francisco is allowed so far. This he said, is the IATF,” said Mayor Rufila. (JPG/PIAto control the movement of the people Agusan del Sur) Government’s basic services reach locals of Bayugan City
This was the statement of Mayor Kirk D. Asis of Bayugan City and the chair of City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (CTFELCAC) during the recently held mission planning for the implementation of Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) in Barangay Hamogaway, Bayugan City.
The delivery of basic government services in the said barangay which is a conflict-affected area (ConAAs) was help prevent the increasing number of
34
discussed during the mission planning as a response to the needs of the local community.
The RCSP is an inclusive government program to realize the objectives of Executive Order No. 70 “whole-of-nation approach” which was formulated to strengthen the Community Support Program (CSP) of the military and aims to address the issues identified in the said barangay by the previously deployed CSP teams
of the 26th Infantry (Ever Onward) Battalion.
“We need to sit down together first and work with oneness. I am grateful for the entire members of this committee for your support to the City Government initiatives and programs. I, as the chair of the CTF-ELCAC, guarantee to do my hundred percent willingness and commitment to work with you towards the over-all accomplishment of our mission,” underscored Asis, as he expressed his gratitude to the entire committee of CTF-ELCAC.
Lt. Col. Reynald Romel A. Goce, commanding officer of 26IB, emphasized that all the sectors with the government must participate actively in addressing the issues of the community. “Together, we need to resolve the identified issues of the local community. This is only possible if the local government agencies (LGA), local government unit (LGU), civil society and other stakeholders will work jointly toward achieving a common goal,” he said.
“We must ensure the active coordination among us in delivering the basic government services to the community. In that way, we will surely bring hope, peace and development to the home of the people,” Goce added. (26IB/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
MINDANAO NEWS
Mindanao’s organic rice penetrates Manila market
By Prexx Marnie Kate Trozo
Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol. (PNA file photo) The City of Manila’s program to give each of its 150,000 senior citizens a pack of the nutritious black and red organic rice this Christmas has given Mindanao rice farmers a reason to rejoice, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said Sunday.
A month before the actual staging of the “MinDA Tienda sa Manila”, Mindanao’s farmers have already scored big sales after Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso ordered 500 metric tons of colored organic rice for the city’s senior citizens. MinDA pegged the advance sales of one of Mindanao’s popular agricultural products at PHP40 million, a price that Mayor Isko said is worth the health benefits it would give the senior citizens of his city. “Yesterday, Don Bosco MultiPurpose Cooperative, the driving force, and pioneering farmers group in organic
rice farming, said it will consolidate all production of black and red rice to supply the estimated 500-metric tons needed by the City of Manila,” Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said.
Mayor Isko liked the proposal, saying it will be a healthy gift for the seniors while helping Mindanao rice farmers, he added.
Piñol said the area currently planted with organic rice by farmers’ groups belonging to the Mindanao Organic Rice Industry Council (MORICO) is less than 1,000 hectares.
This latest development, MinDA chair said, could spark a glitter of hope for commercial rice farmers reeling from low farm gate prices because of the unimpeded importation of Thai and Vietnam rice.
He added that while the farm gate price of commercial rice ranges from PHP11 to PHP14 per kilo, black and red 38
organic rice commands a price of PHP22 or higher.
“Yesterday, MinDA, which organized MORICO last year with the support of USAID, started working on a loan package for Mindanao’s Organic Rice Industry. The loan package includes capitalization for Don Bosco to buy the produce of MORICO member cooperatives and funding support to purchase flatbed dryers, warehouses, and hauling trucks,” Piñol said.
MinDA will forward the industry loan package proposal to its banking partner, the Development Bank of the Philippines.
“This will be a happy Christmas both for the senior citizens of Manila who will get a taste of healthy organic rice and most especially Mindanao’s rice farmers. For MinDA, this is another proof that even with a measly PHP172-million budget, we still could make things happen with very little government expense,” Piñol further said. (PNA)
MinDA to hold Mindanao leaders forum in October
By Che Palicte
With less than two years before the first Philippine President from Mindanao bows out of office, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) will host a series of face-to face-and virtual meetings starting next month with the island region’s leaders to identify priority projects and programs that still need to be undertaken.
The forum--dubbed as “Mindanao “She said that with less than two Speaks Up”--also seeks too determine years left before the end of the term of whether people’s expectations from the President, there are still many critical President Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency projects in Mindanao which have not were sufficiently addressed, said MinDA been funded or implemented. It was Secretary Emmanuel Piñol. MinDA that came up with the idea of matching people’s expectations from Piñol said the forum was proposed their first President from Mindanao with to MinDA by Philippine Export Processing what has been delivered over the last Zone Chairperson Charito Plaza. four years,” Piñol said.
Projects and other initiatives that may emerge from the “Mindanao Speaks Up” forum will be submitted for inclusion in the 2022 budget, he said. “This will then be referred to ranking officials of the Duterte Administration who are occupying Cabinet portfolios led by Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello, TESDA Secretary-General Isidro Lapena, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Press Secretary Martin Andanar, and Philippine Export Processing Zone Authority Chairperson Charito Plaza,” he added.
Piñol said local officials such as governors and mayors will lead the identification of at least one or two highimpact projects and programs needed to turn their economies around “and touch the lives of people”.
“From there, the governors in each of the six regions of Mindanao, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) which is headed by a Chief Minister, will be asked to present each province’s output to the MinDA,” he said.
The MinDA chief said that right after all of the regional outputs are collated, the agency will invite all Cabinet-level officials from Mindanao to a forum where the Regional Development Council (RDC) chairpersons will each present the critical programs and projects needed in their respective areas. (PNA)
NATIONAL NEWS
SEC. MARTIN ANDANAR
PCOO
NEWS CORNER
On the celebration of the second International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) renews its commitment for transparency and accountability by reiterating pursuit of open-governance.
In his message during the virtual national IDUAI celebration, PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday highlighted the role of having the right information accessible to the people to enable them to participate in creating more informed Filipinos.
He also congratulated the Freedom of Information - Project Management Office (FOI-PMO) for pursuing FOI-linked programs even as the pandemic restricted mass gathering for its workshops and seminars.
“We believe that when people are armed with right information, they are confident in choosing what is best for them and that they keep themselves safe from misinformation and disinformation. That is why, together with our partners, we are motivated 42
to proactively deliver reliable and accurate information to every Filipino through our different communication platforms,” he said. Secretary Andanar urged participants to draw inspiration from this year’s theme ‘Access to Information: Saving Lives, Building Trust, Bringing Hope.’
“We are doing what needs to be done to make sure that the Filipino people can have access to significant information so that our right to access information is exercised, so that we continue to honor our democracy,” he added.
The PCOO chief also reiterated the agency’s call to support for the passage of the FOI bill and the Media Workers’ Welfare Act.
“As we further bolster our efforts to pass a freedom of information law, we would want to enlist your help in promoting this prime advocacy,” he said.
“We also implore you to arm yourselves with the desire to know and to be critical of what you read or hear. Let us work hand in hand to
realize our vision of a transparent and accountable government,” he added.
The IDUAI is celebrated annually on September 28, after it was proclaimed on October 15, 2019 at the 74th UN General Assembly.
As part of our national IDUAI celebration, the FOI-PMO also awarded the contest winners of its 2nd Annual FOI Multi-arts Festival. This contest seeks to unleash the creativity of every Filipino in depicting and advocating the importance of access to information in nation-building through various forms and means of art such as literary work and visual arts, while incorporating our unique Filipino identity and culture. (PCOO)
PCOO docu episode 2 takes viewers inside mega swabbing center
By Azer Parrocha
Contriburted photo
What happens inside a mega swabbing center? For the second episode of its Laging Handa Dokyu series, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), through the Office of the Global Media and Public Affairs (OGMPA), is taking viewers inside one of the largest mega swabbing centers in the country.
Titled “Sa Loob Ng Swabbing Center”, the second episode of the docu-series, which premieres Sunday, will feature real stories that happen every day inside the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena mega swabbing center. 44 | Sept. 26 - Oct. 02, 2020 “The documentary showcases the first-hand perspective of what people have to go through when they undergo swab testing, to better understand its process and how important the role of our healthcare workers is in preventing
the spread of Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019),” the PCOO said in a statement.
It also covers the hard work and sacrifices of front-liners, especially the healthcare workers, and the Philippine National Police (PNP), who put their lives on the line to protect their fellow citizens.
The Laging Handa Dokyu’s second episode will premiere at 9:30 p.m. on PTV-4 and IBC-13. Livestream will also be available on the PCOO social media accounts and other government-affiliated pages.
Currently, the country has more than 130 testing laboratories and four mega swabbing centers, which have already tested over 3.3 million individuals.
PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar described the docu-series as a “fresh addition” to PCOO’s consistent release of informational materials to encourage the public to adapt to the minimum public health standards.
“PCOO holds an important role in informing the public of the government’s responses, actions, and programs against Covid-19. This task of keeping the public informed has proven to be very crucial. Hence, we have been exerting all our efforts and intensifying our role in this endeavor since the beginning of this pandemic,” Andanar said. PCOO Assistant Secretary JV Arcena, the project’s production head and executive producer, stressed the importance of producing content based on the accounts of people in the front-lines against Covid-19. “We aim to recognize our modernday heroes by showing the bravery and sacrifices of our front-liners that they have to deal with every day, and we hope that by showing this, we would be able to inspire all Filipinos to come together, and rise as one to defeat the pandemic,” Arcena said. The Laging Handa Dokyu series’ first episode “Red Zone” provided a glimpse of the operations inside a temporary treatment facility at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Forum. The succeeding episodes will present the stories of OFW repatriation, contact tracing and testing efforts, developments on the country’s participation in clinical trials, best practices of some LGUs, and the experiences of some Covid-19 patients. (PNA)
Go leads virtual launch of 84th Malasakit Center
84th MALASAKIT CENTER. Local government and health officials join Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go (not in photo) during the virtual launch of the 84th Malasakit Center in Iba, Zambales on Sept. 25, 2020. The Malasakit Center is the first in the province and third in Region 3. (Contributed photo)
More people will get easier and convenient access to medical and financial assistance after Senator Christopher “Bong” Go led the virtual launch of the country’s 84th Malasakit Center in Zambales on Friday.
The Malasakit Center, the first in the province and ninth in Region 3, is located at President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital in Iba, Zambales. The hospital is also being used to treat people infected with coronavirus disease 2019. 46
“84th na Malasakit Center na po itong sa inyo sa Zambales at tuluy-tuloy po ito dahil batas na po ito ngayon (This 84th Malasakit Center is for you in Zambales and more will come because this is already a law),” Go said is his live video message.
Expressing his concern for Filipinos who had to spend long hours just to get government assistance, Go explained that the purpose of this one-stop shop center is to ensure that Filipinos gain easier and more convenient access to medical and financial assistance from the government.
“Mahirap magkasakit, ito ang mga panahon na litoug-lito ang mga kababayan natin at hindi nila alam saan sila hihingi ng tulong (It’s hard to be sick. This is the time when people are confused where to get assistance),” he said.
In Malasakit Centers, patients or their representatives will only need to fill up a unified form to request assistance, instead of having to visit government offices scattered in various locations. An express lane for persons with disability and senior citizens is also available.
Concerned agencies extending medical and financial assistance housed in these centers are the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. With the enactment of the Republic Act 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, all hospitals run by the DOH all over the country and in the Philippine General Hospital in Manila are now mandated to establish their own Malasakit Centers. hospitals can also have their own Malasakit Center provided they follow the criteria.
“Sumunod kayo sa criteria kaya meron na kayong Malasakit Center dyan sa Iba, Zambales (You followed criteria, that’s why you have Malasakit Center there in Iba, Zambales),” he added.
Patients who would be admitted to LGU-run and other public hospitals but are eligible for medical and financial assistance could also seek assistance from the Malasakit Centers.
“Sa mga pasyente po sa Zambales, iparating nyo lang sa mga kapitbahay nyo na meron na kayong Malasakit Center. Para po ito sa mga poor and indigent patients. Wala pong pulitika dito, wala pong pinipili dito (For residents of Zambales, spread the news to your neighbors that you have Malasakit Center. This is for poor and indigent patients. No politics, no favoritism),” Go said. In his video message, Go also asked honest Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) employees to continue working for the betterment of the country, help in the fight against corruption, and deliver the best service to citizens.
“Mga taga-PhilHealth, ‘wag po kayo mawalan ng pag-asa. Alam ko pong mas marami pang matitinong empleyado ng PhilHealth na gustong maglingkod ng buong katapatan (For
honest PhilHealth employees, don’t worry, I know you want to serve in all sincerity,” he said. As lawmaker, Go expressed his commitment to find the truth behind the corruption issues in the agency, saying that those involved must be held accountable.
“Ang atin naman dito ay malaman natin ang katotohanan, managot ang dapat managot, makasuhan, masuspinde, ma-dismiss at makulong, ma-audit at ma-lifestyle check ang mga may kagagawan nito. Ilan lang naman po yan (We want to find the truth, involved must be held accountable, file cases, suspend, dismiss, and conduct lifestyle check on those involved),” Go said. Go assured he and President Rodrigo Duterte will do their best 48
to stamp out corruption within the government.
He stressed the need for cooperation from the citizens to help in the campaign to cleanse government and provide the best service to the people.
“Sana po walang masayang na pera at kami po ni Pangulong Duterte ay patuloy naming gagawin ang lahat para malinis po itong PhilHealth... Tulungan nyo lang po kami. Magtulungan po tayo dahil di po namin kayang gawin ‘yan kung kami lang po dito sa taas ang gagawa (I hope no money will be wasted. President Duterte and I will do our best to cleanse this PhilHealth. You have to help us. Let’s help each other because we cannot do it if only us will act),” he ended. (PR)
Pag-IBIG offers special loan restructuring, grants grace period
By Lade Jean Kabagani
The Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) announced on Friday that it has granted a 60-day grace period on all housing loan payments and offered a “special loan restructuring program” for its borrowers amid the pandemic.
Housing czar, Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, said granting member borrowers with a 60-day grace period on their loan payments is part of the agency’s interventions under Republic Act 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2). Pag-IBIG Fund said it would also implement the Special Housing Loan Restructuring Program to help its members update their accounts and keep their homes, particularly in these trying times.
“We heed and support President (Rodrigo) Duterte’s call to help our fellow Filipinos who are experiencing financial hardships brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. We recognize that this pandemic continues to impact jobs and businesses in the country,” del Rosario, also Pag-IBIG Fund board chairperson, said in a statement. Under the Pag-IBIG Fund’s guidelines, he said the granting of the 60-day grace period would be applied automatically to all loan payments on the agency’s Multi-Purpose Loan, Calamity Loan, and Housing Loan, which fall due from September 15 to November 14 this year.
The grace period will give borrowers payment reprieve without incurring any penalty and interest on interest, del Rosario added.
The Pag-IBIG Fund said the program seeks to help borrowers “save their properties from foreclosure.”
The special loan-restructuring program allows borrowers, whose finances have been affected by the pandemic, to renegotiate the terms of their loan and secure a more affordable payment agreement.
Borrowers are urged to apply for the restructuring program online by visiting the “Virtual Pag-IBIG” website.
The deadline for the application is December 15.
Secretary Eduardo del Rosario
Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive officer, said under the Bayanihan 1, the agency has granted a grace period to 4.77 million borrowers and approved nearly 300,000 applications under the agency’s three-month payment moratorium program.
“And now, this added grace period and our Special Housing Restructuring Program will help our member-borrowers – especially those who are currently experiencing financial difficulties – even more,” Moti added. “After our string of ‘best year ever,’ this is the time for Pag-IBIG to show how much we care about our member-borrowers.”
He, however, encouraged those borrowers who are capable of paying to continue paying their loans.
“Better collections will allow us to keep offering loans at low-interest rates to more members. Help us in helping more members because together, we can overcome the challenges we are facing today,” Moti said. (PNA)
Go tells DepEd to ensure quality of blended learning
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday called on the Department of Education (DepEd) and other institutions to ensure the quality and appropriateness of learning modules while implementing blended learning amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Go made this appeal after a learning material with what is perceived as “provocative” and “malicious” content went viral on social media.
“Nakarating na ito kay Pangulong Duterte at gusto niyang ipahuli at panagutin ang mga gumawa ng modules na may lamang kabastusan. Hindi natin ‘yan palalampasin (This information reached President Duterte and he wants those responsible for these malicious modules arrested. We will not let them go unpunished,” Go warned.
Go said that under blended learning, students are required to adjust to new learning techniques through a mix of online classes and prepared modules provided to them as alternatives to a traditional classroom set-up.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go (File photo)
With relatively limited guidance from teachers, he emphasized that the accuracy and appropriateness of learning materials provided through modules must meet quality standards for blended learning to work.
“Dahil walang face-to-face, limitado ang opportunity ng guro na gabayan ang mga estudyante. Kaya naman po mahalaga na masiguro ang kalidad ng mga learning materials at modules na ginagamit nila (Because there is no face-to-face [classes], teachers have limited opportunity to
guide their students. So it is important to ensure the quality of learning materials and modules they are using),” he said. With the recent signing of Republic Act 11476, or Good Manners and Right Conduct and Values Education Act, Go said values formation must be at the core of education and not simply be an additional subject or requirement.
“Learning modules must adhere to set standards. They must be childfriendly, appropriate, and teaches good values,” Go said. The DepEd has already disowned the viral provocative learning materials, saying these did not come from the department.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones assured that they will take action on the matter.
Based on the initial investigation, DepEd found out that a private Catholic school in Zambales, Carmel Academy of Palauig Inc., used the controversial learning module.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that the preparation, review, final printing, and distribution of all learning materials, including the viral module, were all made by the Association of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Iba (ACSDI). In a report of the Zambales Schools Division Superintendent to the regional office of DepEd, the modules were developed by member schools 52
of ACSDI and submitted to the latter for reproduction.
The DepEd-Zambales has issued a memorandum and ACSDI superintendent, Rev. Fr. Reymann Catindig, apologized for the modules on behalf of the association. He promised to strengthen the implementation of their guidelines regarding the writing of the modules.
With the implementation of blended learning, Go said the government must adopt a holistic approach to education which includes reliable internet connectivity for a conducive digital learning environment, trained teachers, and quality learning resources.
“Kaya naman po hinihikayat ko ang DepEd na gawing mas accessible at inclusive ang kanilang mga programa kahit saan mang parte ng bansa sa pamamagitan ng online at offline methods of teaching (That’s why we encouraged the DepEd to make the program more accessible and inclusive in any part of the country through online and offline methods of teaching),” he said. Go earlier recommended to the education sector to maximize the use of available media, such as television and radio, to facilitate distance learning among students.
In a Senate hearing on September 25, Go supported the proposed DepEd budget and urged the internet providers to improve their services. (PR)
