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99 workers who lost jobs due to COVID-19 receive cash aid
By Brix A. Merlin
A total of 99 construction workers who were adversely affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) received recently cash assistance amounting to P8,000.00 each from CTB Construction and Development Corporation.
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The CTB management was constrained to terminate the services of the more than 90 construction workers in compliance to the safety protocols strictly implemented by the province of Surigao del Norte brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The provision of the said assistance emanated from an agreement made between the parties at the DOLE Provincial Office of Surigao del Norte, when a group of at least 30 workers sought DOLE’s assistance after having been allegedly terminated from work in the projects undertaken by the contractor.
The DOLE provincial office through the SEna (Single Entry Approach), threshed out immediatey the concern of the workers. A total of P792,000 cash assistance was released to the 99 worker-beneficiaries at the DOLE provincial office in three batches.
The workers expressed gratitude to their employer and to the DOLE for the assistance they received that will help them defray their daily family needs in this trying time.
Aside from the cash assistance, the employer had likewise given an assurance to the workers for a special preference in the hiring of workers for its future projects in the event the restrictions would be lifted.
SEnA is a DOLE administrative approach for a speedy, inexpensive and accessible settlement procedure for all issues/complaints arising from employer and employee relationship. (DOLE-SDN/ PIA-Surigao del Norte)
MINDANAO NEWS
Mindanao leaders ask congress review massive rice importation
Mindanao leaders, including the Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Congressmen and Governors, yesterday called on the country’s legislators to review the law which allows unimpeded rice importation as farm gate prices of paddy rice dropped from P22 two years ago to P11 per kilo in many areas of the region this harvest season.
In the 12th virtual meeting yesterday of the Governing Board of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) which includes Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Murad Ebrahim, Congressmen, Governors and Mayors who head the Regional Development Councils and Private Sector Representatives, a resolution was passed unanimously urging both
Congress and the Senate to review and make amendments to Republic Act 11203 which allows the unimpeded entry of imported rice into the country.
The resolution was presented during the MinDA Governing Board meeting as among the issues and problems which could affect Mindanao’s economic recovery following the COVID 19 Pandemic.
Submitted by private sector representative Engr. Sherwin Begyan and seconded by Agusan del Norte Governor Dale Corvera without any opposition, the resolution called for the “review of the Rice Tariffication Law in the face of irrefutable evidence that the unimpeded rice importation has caused injury to the local rice industry and the rice farmers of Mindanao.”
During the discussions, it was pointed out that the very low farm gate prices of paddy rice, some at P11 per kilo which is below the production cost of P12, is causing economic hardships for Mindanao’s rice farmers and could adversely affect the economic recovery efforts of Mindanao.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, whose home province of Bukidnon is one of the biggest rice production areas in Mindanao, said after the MinDA Governing Board meeting that he too has received appeals from rice farmers for a review of the RTL.
“If it is really causing injury to the rice industry and hardships to our farmers, then it is only fair that we review 30
the law,” Zubiri, who was among the Senators who approved the passage of the RTL, said. Sen. Zubiri, a member of the MinDA Governing Board was not able to participate in the meeting because the Senate was in session.
Passed last year by the Senate which discarded the Lower House version of the bill, RA 11203 or the Rice Tariffication law (RTL) aims “ to provide affordable rice prices for consumers, coupled with the goal of raising the income of palay/rice farmers.”
In the process, the law allows importers to bring in as much imported rice provided they pay the tariffs which in turn will be placed under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) which assures the rice industry of a P10-B annual support for the next six years.
Studies conducted by the Federation of Free Farmers showed that while rice consumers benefited from the lower rice prices at an estimated value of P6-B, rice farmers lost about P80-B because of reduced income as a result of very low farm gate prices.
Additional losses which have yet to be quantified were also reported in ancillary activities to rice production, including land preparation equipment utilization, milling and processing and by products like rice bran and rice hulls.
A copy of the MinDA Board Resolution will be formally endorsed to both Congress and the Senate for their review and action. (MinDA)
MinDA to craft program for Lake Mainit’s ‘Pijanga’ sustainability
By Prexx Marnie Kate Trozo
The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said it is looking into crafting of a comprehensive program that would ensure the sustainability of “Pijanga” fishing in Lake Mainit, which borders Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Sur provinces.
In a statement Monday, MinDA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the plan is to strengthen the alliance of the lake-side towns so that environmental programs could be crafted to ensure a sustainable livelihood for families who depend on the lake.
Under the Mindanao Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MINFAD) Program of MinDA, he said, the existing “Pijanga” hatchery will be improved to
ensure the availability of fingerlings to be seeded in the lake every year.
“The establishment of post-harvest facilities for the “Pijanga” will also be included in the proposed program for Lake Mainit to enable fishermen to get a higher value for their produce,” Piñol added.
Lake Mainit, one of Mindanao’s major inland body of water at 17,430-hectares, teems with “Pijanga,” which has provided a livelihood for poor fishing families living along the 64-kilometer coastal line of the country’s fourth-largest lake.
“Pijanga,” which belongs to the white goby family, is the dominant fish species in the lake.
Fishermen in the towns of Jabonga and Kitcharao in Agusan del Norte and Alegria and Mainit in Surigao del Norte have been fishing “Pijanga” from the lake, along with the occasional catch of “Bingaw,” a red fish that swims up to Lake Mainit from the sea.
However, Piñol acknowledged the “concerns about the sustainability of the “Pijanga” raised by several sectors because of overfishing.
Agusan del Norte Gov. Dale Corvera and Jabonga town Mayor Napoleon Montero said the fish breeds whole year-round.
Corvera, according to the MinDA chief, said that for as long as illegal fishing practices are checked, such as 32
the use of fine mesh nets which catch the young “Pijanga” called “Saguyon,” there will always be a fish to catch from the Lake.
Dried “Pijanga” has become a popular product of the towns surrounding the Lake, making it the iconic symbol of Lake Mainit.
“Mayor Montero on the other hand said post-harvest facilities needed in Lake Mainit include icemaking equipment and mechanical drying facilities, along with packaging machines,” Piñol said. (PNA)
NATIONAL NEWS
SEC. MARTIN ANDANAR
PCOO
NEWS CORNER
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Sunday attributed the rendered “unqualified opinion” by the Commission on Audit (COA) to PCOO attached agencies for the fiscal year 2019 to the collective commitment of the agency to provide transparency and accountability.
In his statement, Secretary Andanar lauded the News and Information Bureau (NIB), Bureau of Communication Services (BCS), and the Presidential Broadcast Staff-Radio Television Malacañang (PBS-RTVM) for receiving the highest audit rating from COA.
“With our constant bid to fight all forms of corruption in any government transaction, especially those that involve the PCOO, we laud our attached agencies—the News and Information Bureau (NIB), Bureau of Communication Services (BCS), and the Presidential Broadcast Staff-Radio Television Malacañang (PBS-RTVM)— for receiving the highest audit rating 34
from the Commission on Audit (COA) for the calendar year of 2019,” he said.
An unqualified audit opinion is considered the best citation a government agency can receive from COA on matters of appropriately presenting their respective financial statements during an audit.
The NIB received the highest audit rating for the third straight year, while the BCS received its highest audit rating for the fourth straight year.
Meanwhile, the last time the PBSRTVM received the highest audit rating was in 2016.
“The collective commitment of the PCOO and its attached agencies to provide full accountability and transparency on how our expenditure of public funds, reflects highly the Duterte administration’s fight against corruption,” Secretary Andanar said.
“We will continue to ensure that no taxpayer’s money is wasted on unnecessary or anomalous transactions or end up lining the pockets of unscrupulous government officials,” he added. (PCOO)
PCOO extends sympathies to Cebu governor on death of 2 brothers By Azer Parrocha
The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Sunday extended condolences to Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and the rest of her family after learning of the death of former Dumanjog Mayor Nelson Garcia and Barili Mayor Marlon Garcia.
PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar remembered the two mayors, brothers of Gwen, for the development they made in their respective municipalities.
“Throughout the years as former chief executives of their respective local government units, they were instrumental towards the development Barili and that of its citizens,” he said in a statement. He also extended prayers to their families and friends.
“We pray for the eternal repose of their souls and that their families find strength in this time of grief,” he added. of the municipalities of Dumanjog and
Last Sept. 1, former Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) chief Winston Garcia confirmed that his brother Nelson died.
“To my dearly beloved brother, words cannot express the deep sense
of loss and grief for your untimely departure,” he said on Facebook, without giving details on his sibling’s cause of death. “To lose one brother is painful By Azer Parrocha fighting for his life for the last few weeks,” Winston said. “This morning, he joins my brother, Nelson, and my mother in heaven.”
Marlon’s death on Sept. 6 was also The matriarch of the Garcia confirmed by Winston without stating political clan, retired Judge Esperanza the cause of death. “Inday” Fiel Garcia died due to kidney enough, but to lose another brother in At least six Cebu mayors had the same week, my heart just cannot announced they tested positive for take any further. The true fighter that coronavirus disease 2019 since the he was, my brother, Marlon has been pandemic began in March. (PNA) PRRD grateful for Abe’s push to boost PH-Japan ties
failure in 2016.
BEST WISHES.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe pose for posterity prior to the start of their bilateral meeting at the Impact Exhibition and Convention Center in Nonthaburi, Thailand on November 4, 2019. Duterte conveyed his best wishes for Abe’s speedy and full recovery during their 25-minute phone conversation on Monday (Sept. 7, 2020). (Presidential photo)
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday expressed gratitude to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his “valuable contribution” in strengthening ties between the Philippines and Japan.
In a statement from the Office of and cooperation. the President, Duterte conveyed his best wishes for Abe’s speedy and full Duterte is hopeful that the two recovery during a 25-minute phone countries would sustain its robust conversation between the two leaders. economic through the immediate Abe announced his intention to resign completion of the Philippines-Japan from office due to health reasons on Economic Partnership Agreement August 28. He is suffering from ulcerative General Review. colitis. Duterte also lauded Abe for his for Japan’s support for the Philippines’ leadership that paved the way for Covid-19 response, including the two Japan’s proactive contribution to loan agreements meant to boost peace in the Asia Pacific, advancing the country’s capacity to restart the regional security and the rule of law economy. especially in the maritime commons. Japan significantly contributed to that Japan will continue to strengthen the enhancement of the Philippines’ its Strategic Partnership with the capabilities in defense and security, Philippines. particularly in maritime domain awareness and law enforcement, he He recalled warm memories of his added. visits to the Philippines, including being He also thanked Abe for Japan’s residence in January 2017. pledge of one trillion yen from 2017 till 2022 for the government’s flagship The value of the Philippines-Japan projects, notably those under the “Build, Strategic Partnership and relations of Build, Build” program, the necessary “friends closer than brothers” was also support and momentum. recognized by both leaders.
Filipinos, he said, are looking forward to the completion of the Metro Manila Subway project, the country’s first mass underground transport system.
He described the subway project as one that would serve as an “enduring symbol” of Philippine-Japan friendship He also expressed appreciation Abe, meanwhile, assured Duterte welcomed to the President’s private
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Earlier, Abe said he would stay in office until his successor is chosen through a poll of selected members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
The four-year term of Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, would have ended in 2021. (PNA)
PH-US ties marked milestones under envoy Sung Kim’s stint
By Azer Parrocha
ORDER OF SIKATUNA. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte confers the Order of Sikatuna on US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim who paid a farewell call on the President at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on September 7, 2020. Duterte expressed appreciation for Kim’s vital contributions in strengthening the alliance and partnership between the Philippines and US. (Presidential photo by Ace Morandante)
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday congratulated outgoing US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim on his successful tour of duty, saying the Philippines and US marked “important milestones” during his almost four-year stint.
In a statement from the Office of the President, Duterte extended his best wishes to Kim during the farewell call at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on Monday. Duterte expressed appreciation for Kim’s vital contributions in strengthening the alliance and partnership between the two countries.
During Kim’s stint, the Philippines-US relations marked important milestones, particularly the historic return of the Balangiga Bells to the Diocese of Borongan, Eastern Samar in December 2018.
In 2017, the US was also able to work with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in ending the terror siege in Marawi.
The Philippines, in the same year, chaired the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit where US President Donald Trump visited Manila for the first time.
Cooperation in various areas of By Filane Mikee Cervantes shared interest, especially in defense and security, trade and investments, and people-to-people exchanges likewise expanded.
Duterte conferred on Kim the Order of Sikatuna, with the rank of Datu (Grand Cross), Gold Distinction.
Kim thanked Duterte for a productive bilateral engagement with the Philippines.
The US remains committed to the alliance and partnership with the Philippines that are based on shared values and meaningful history, he
P106-B subsidy to be distributed to 4.3M 4Ps families next year
added. (PNA)
The government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will receive an allocation of some PHP106 billion next year to provide cash grants to around 4.3 million poor families for their children’s health and education needs, a House leader said on Monday.
40 | September 5-11, 2020
Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero, one of the authors of the law institutionalizing 4Ps, said the funding for the financial aid comprises the bulk of the proposed PHP169.3-billion 2021 budget for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The 4Ps funding for next year represents an increase of PHP5 billion over this year’s allocation of PHP101 billion.
“The increase means that more poor families will receive financial assistance from the government,” he said.
The program grants a monthly subsidy of up to PHP1,500 to qualified families, provided they comply with certain conditions, including keeping children in school and attending family development sessions.
Romero noted that the total appropriation for 4Ps for 2021 actually amounts to PHP113.8 billion, including PHP7.8 billion for administrative cost and other expenses.
Of the PHP7.8 billion, he said PHP4.7 billion will go to salaries, PHP1.6 billion to “cost of service,” PHP289 million to “bank service fees,” PHP432 million to “monitoring and evaluation/ spot checks,” PHP393 million to administrative expenses, PHP111 million to training, and PHP27 million to information, education, and printing of manuals and booklets.
Contributed photo owned Land Bank of the Philippines, which is the principal conduit of 4Ps cash grants, as well as other participating banks to reduce their service fees.
“A 50-percent reduction will mean an additional P1 billion that could go to beneficiaries or more poor families benefiting from the program,” he said.
Aside from the 4Ps allocation, Romero said DSWD’s PHP169.3-billion budget for 2021 also includes PHP41 billion for social protection programs like medical, transportation and burial assistance, and PHP4.3 billion for disaster response such as the provision of relief goods. (PNA)
