The Filipino Press: September 2-8, 2022

MANILA -- Reviving the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) in the country is one of the administration's top priorities, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured during the MSME Summit 2022 at the Manila Hotel in the City of Manila.

"As your President, I assure you that the revitalization of MSMEs is among the administration's top priorities," he said in his keynote speech, acknowledging the MSMEs' "critical" role in the country's economic regeneration, job creation, and poverty reduction.

MSMEs comprise 99.51 percent of business establishments in the Philippines and employ about 63 percent of the country's workforce.

Marcos expressed optimism about MSMEs' recovery despite the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

He assured that his administration would work with all stakeholders to ensure that MSMEs, being the "backbone" of the Philippine economy, are "protected and provided with ample opportunities."

"Now as we navigate these unchartered waters of a postpandemic world, we take small but firm steps towards recovery and progress," he said.

'Pandemic-proof’ strategies Marcos added that the government would help MSMEs thrive by providing them with an “enabling and sound” environment.

“I once again give my utmost

assurance and commitment that your government is here to help you level up and succeed, especially during these difficult times. We will harness the strengths of various sectors to ensure a more cohesive government approach in creating a more sustainable environment for

our MSMEs and all our important stakeholders,” he said.

This was after he acknowledged that the pandemic hit the Philippine economy and forced businesses to rethink to survive the global health crisis.

Marcos said “pandemic-proof”

strategies would allow MSMEs to move forward to a “more resilient and prosperous future.”

“The past two years have certainly been difficult, but they only show how strong we are as a nation. Now is a time to come up with these pandemic-proof

strategies that will allow our businesses to take wing and serve its consumer base with quality products and services. Indeed, the success of our MSMEs is crucial to fortifying the foundation of our economy,” he said.

The MSME Summit 2022,

attended by Marcos, was organized by Go Negosyo, along with the United States Embassy in Manila and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in celebration of National MSME month.

The summit's theme is "Ensuring an Enabling Recovery Environment for the MSMEs".

Marcos lauded Go Negosyo, the DTI, the US Embassy in Manila, as well as their partners for conducting a summit aimed at reaching a “richer path for collaboration and innovation in the business sector.”

“I know that it will be an avenue for the government and private sector to find ways to work together, ensuring an enabling and sound environment for the recovery of our MSMEs,” he said.

“I am pleased that the focus of the MSMEs Summit are post-pandemic recovery and the promotion of digitalization aligned with the priorities of the administration for we have a common view of our shared future, the future that we as Filipinos will share together.”

The MSME Summit allows people from different industries to exchange ideas and insights in establishing pandemic-proof strategies for the post-Covid 19 business recovery.

The event also aims to cultivate entrepreneurship using the 3Ms (Mentorship, Money, and

“Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday called on Filipinos to “strive” to become heroes in their own right by taking part in building a great nation.

In his National Heroes Day message, Marcos said the occasion pays tribute to the countless men and women of extraordinary courage and valor who fought and sacrificed to establish and preserve the nation.

“We remember and honour each of them for the sacrifices they made in our behalf so that we may live in peace, security, and liberty as

well as realize our full potential as Filipinos,” he said.

He also likened the heroism shown by “medical professionals, civil servants, uniformed personnel, and ordinary citizens who toil daily to keep the Filipino dream alive” to that of heroes of the past.

“Their deeds not only remind us of the nobility of our race, but also invite us to take part in the difficult but rewarding task of nationbuilding,” he added.

Marcos said he believed Filipinos are “destined [for] greatness” because they possess

an “indomitable spirit” required to accomplish incredible feats so long as their will is manifested into action.

“As we celebrate this day dedicated to our nation's heroes, let us strive to fulfill our own promise so that we may also be heroes in our own right and a source of pride and inspiration for the succeeding generation of Filipinos to emulate. Mabuhay ang ating mga bayani at ang nagkakaisang Iahing Pilipino (Long live our heroes and the united Filipino people)!” he said.

Marcos is currently leading the commemoration of the National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani within Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.

This year’s commemoration bears the theme, "Kabayanihan Tungo sa Pagkakaisa at Pag-unlad (Heroism toward unity and progress)."

In her official Facebook page, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles acknowledged the roles played by heroes of the past such as LapuLapu, Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Gabriela Silang, and Melchora Aquino, among others, as crucial to making today’s freedom possible.

“Sila ang naging susi para makawala ang Pilipinas sa ilang daang taong pananakop ng mga dayuhan (They were the key to get the Philippines out of several hundred years of foreign occupation),” she said.

She also recognized the

By Sunita Sohra Bji/EMS

As kids return to school this fall, parents have some homework to do: Helping to keep their kids safe amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

With vaccines now available for children as young as six months, doctors and public health officials encourage parents to get their kids and themselves vaccinated and boosted when eligible. They say those who are unvaccinated are at greater risk for COVID-19.

As back-to-school season commences, vaccines are especially important tools for safely sending children to day care, preschool and school environments.

According to Aug. 11 data from the California Department of Public Health, just about one third of children ages 5-11 are vaccinated and less than 25 percent of Black and Latino children in this age group have received their primary series. In the two months since the vaccine became available for children under 5, only 1.6 percent of children under 5 years old statewide have received their primary series.

Dr. Priya Soni, a Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist at CedarsSinai Medical Center, addresses some common concerns parents have about sending their children back to school.

How confident are you that kids can return to school safely?

Dr. Priya Soni: I am confident that children will be able to return to school safely in the fall. The pandemic is not over but we must acknowledge that we are not in the same place that we

were over two years ago. We not only know more about the transmission in children, but we have the opportunity vaccinate and better protect our youngest children now.

None of us have a crystal ball –but as we head into the later fall and winter, we may be faced with another cycle of high COVID-19 transmission – something we have been seeing now consistently every four to six months. We should anticipate these surges now, but it is reassuring to know that we are better equipped to handle them than any other time in the past.

What kinds of questions do you hear most frequently, and how do you respond?

Dr. Priya Soni: -Does COVID really impact children? What are some symptoms of COVID-19 in children? – Yes it does. Symptoms includes fever, cough, chest pain, new loss of taste or smell. With BA.5, we are seeing a lot of patients start with initial symptoms of sore throat, headache, muscle aches and chills. The threat of long-term

symptoms occurring after infection, known as long COVID, can impact children.

-Which vaccine is preferred for children – Moderna or Pfizer? Speak with your pediatrician about any concerns and the vaccine options for your child to be fully vaccinated.

Moderna is a two-dose series, 4-weeks apart. Whereas, Pfizer is a three-dose series, given at different intervals, which will take longer to complete in full. Both are highly effective in protecting your child against some of the most severe complications of this infection.

The majority of preschool and K-6 children will return to school this fall unvaccinated. Are you concerned about surges at school sites?

Dr. Priya Soni: We hope that this is not the case. But looking at all the vaccination rates, it is concerning to see that as of August 3rd the CDC reported that only 900,000 of children ages 6 months through 4 years have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. This represents only 5 percent of young children –ages 6-months through 4-years old.

About 16.5 million children have yet to receive their first COVID vaccination.

This number of course varies from state to state, however, I hope that by the time all schools re-start in the fall, we see higher numbers of vaccination. I will be concerned about small surges at school sites if these numbers are not improved. We know that vaccinations remain the mainstay

MANILA -- President Ferdinand

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the oath-taking of new appointees to different government offices, including the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO), Government-owned and Controlled Corporation (GOCC), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). "Nagpapasalamat tayo sa pagtanggap nila sa hamong kaakibat ng paglilingkod sa bayan. Inaasahan natin ang kanilang tapat na serbisyo sa sambayanang Pilipino," said Marcos. (MNS photo)

Dr. Priya Soni

SALUTE TO OUR HEROES. Filipinos honor and remember the bravery of the heroes of the revolution who helped establish the country’s independence by visiting the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal in Manila on National Heroes Day, Monday (Aug. 29, 2022). The Philippines gained independence from Spain in 1898 after four centuries under colonial rule. photo)

Fashionable From Desk to Dusk

By Francine Maigue

Our fall schedules are already blowin’ up! We’re dashing from work to weeknight dates, from school to social events! What’s a Pampered Pinay to do? Have no fear, my friends! My tips for looking fabulous from A.M. to P.M. are here!

Metallic Belts

Give any business ensemble a healthy dose of glam by switching out your daytime brown or black leather belt with a metallic one. Have fun letting your waistline shine.

Swap Shoes

Make a serious outfit seriously sexy with some sassy shoes. Come 5pm, trade in those classic pumps for edgier options. I highly recommend colored, suede heels that will stop your onlookers right in their tracks!

(Pssst…Project Runway Winner, Christian Siriano, has just released a super chic, super affordable line for Payless Gold!)

Statement Jewelry

Roll up the sleeves of your business blazer, and slip on a couple of chunky bangles or an oversized, animal-inspired ring… Confidently accentuate your neckline with a necklace complete with a conversation-starter pendant…or clip on a touch of bling, and make any hairdo party ready.

Clutch Party Essentials Only

Put the work away, and call it a day, Honey! Keep your larger, work-filled bag in the car, and make your evening bag mini. BTW, if you can’t go an hour without compulsively checking your phone, leave THAT in the car, too. Social media and actual socializing don’t mix.

Fit in A Quicky Color

…No, I don’t mean a rush to your hair stylist. Quick dry nail polish may be a busy fashionistas best friend…well, next to dry shampoo that is. In a heartbeat, you can be stylish in any color of the rainbow or any color of your mood.

EmphasEYES

Line your inner lids with an

ebony cream liner for a sexy, smokey look…Put the purrrrrr in kitty chic with a sapphire colored liquid lined cat eye…or pump up the volume with emerald or plum colored mascara.

Rev Up Your Red

If you’d prefer to perk up your pout, jazz up your daytime makeup scheme with a simple swipe of deep red lipstick. Every purse can

handle an emergency tube of goto-gorgeous for those spontaneous (and, might I add, well-deserved) evening adventures.

Say, “Yes,” to every invitation that comes your way this season, my pampered friends. A new season calls for new escapades… and with these fashion tips, you’ll be looking chic from sunrise to sunset!

Sycuan Casino Resort Installs Smart Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Battery Energy Storage

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Sycuan Casino Resort today announced the addition of low-carbon technologies at its iconic casino location in San Diego. The project includes 40 Level 2 chargers, 5 DC fast chargers (DCFC), and a 250 kilowatt (kW)/560 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) in progress. This project supports California’s goals of achieving five million zeroemission vehicles on the road by 2030 and 250,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2025. Additionally, a project of this size is estimated to deliver approximately 490,000 electric miles, which is equivalent to saving 22,000 gallons of gas each year and thereby avoiding 431,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually. This project is just another step the organization has taken in an effort to support a sustainable future. In 2008, Sycuan formed a volunteer group of dedicated team members called The Sycuan Green Team, that leads the charge to educate and promote their mission to reduce, reuse and recycle. Over the years, The Sycuan Green Team has hosted Earth Day events, organized E-Waste collection drives and partnered with local nonprofit I Love a Clean San Diego for several cleanup events throughout the San Diego community. Additionally, Sycuan actively works with a recycling company to divert as much

of its waste stream as possible to reduce the impact on the environment.

To complete this project, Sycuan partnered with PowerFlex, a national provider of intelligent onsite clean energy solutions. The EV chargers are integrated into a network that utilizes PowerFlex’s patented Adaptive Load Management (ALM) technology— software that dynamically balances the total system load by controlling the output of individual chargers in real-time to mitigate peak energy spikes. By utilizing ALM, the project can accommodate a greater number of chargers than could otherwise be supported by the existing utility infrastructure. Through this project, Sycuan is helping achieve California’s rapid transition to electric vehicles without overtaxing the grid.

The BESS and EV charging stations are managed and cooptimized by PowerFlex X, software and hardware that provides realtime insights and intelligent control over the onsite energy systems. By integrating the battery energy storage system with the DCFCs, Sycuan can avoid high demand charges from the surge in electricity consumption that fast chargers bring. The BESS can further reduce costs and carbon emissions by powering the chargers with cheaper energy stored in the battery instead of expensive on-peak grid power.

“We are very excited to partner with PowerFlex to provide our guests with additional EV charging options at our casino resort,” said Rob Cinelli, general manager at Sycuan Casino Resort. “As we continue to see more and more people adopt this technology, it was important for us to stay ahead of the curve and provide this free amenity for our guests and team members. We remain committed in finding ways to help reduce our environmental impact and in the future, we have plans to install additional charging stations enterprise-wide.”

“We applaud Sycuan’s continued efforts towards sustainability,” said Steve Morris, Executive Director at I Love A Clean San Diego. “Sycuan’s community support extends beyond their facilities, mobilizing volunteers at cleanup events across the region and by sponsoring this year’s Coastal Cleanup Day.”

“We are proud to work with Sycuan to equip their historic location with technology to make their operations more sustainable,” said Raphael Declercq, CEO of PowerFlex. “The unique ability of our software to cooptimize storage and EV charging will help sustain California’s growing EV charging demand and increase Sycuan’s onsite energy resiliency. They are taking an important step to support the state’s air quality and climate change targets.”

of protecting ourselves. Vaccines continue to prevent against severe complications, including MIS-C and long-COVID, hospitalizations and deaths even in children. Parents need to realize that COVID-19 was a leading cause of death among children ages 0 to 4 years during the pandemic from March 1, 2020 – April 30, 2022 and it is continuing to impact children significantly.

The truth is, we are in a transition period where parts of our country are going to continue experiencing cycles of high COVID-19 transmission as new variants are now associated with higher risk of infection or reinfection in both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. If this continues, I do anticipate that we could have a higher case incidence during the winter season.

At the very same time, it is reassuring that as more of our population has immunity from vaccinations and prior infections, more and more people will be protected against severe infection and hospitalizations and deaths –compared to earlier in the pandemic.

Do you agree with the CDC’s newest recommendations, including ending quarantines for exposures as long as people are asymptomatic?

Dr. Priya Soni: I do agree with their position to focus on the fact that COVID-19 is here to stay and that we should focus on higher yield strategies that keep us all safe – strategies that no longer severely disrupt our daily lives. Some of the guidance that was particularly helpful was to end quarantine recommendations for exposures. We know this virus has taken a significant toll on our children and their ability to attend school without disruption.

One of the other measures they have eased is the weekly screening tests – these are no longer necessary as routine practice in school settings in asymptomatic children. The CDC does mention that these screening tests can be helpful at times of highrisk activities in school including close contact sports, band, choir, and theatre. As well as in certain times of the year when we see increased transmission. Overall, these new recommendations help support optimizing in-person classroom time and minimize

attendance disruptions that were so prevalent over the last few years.

What safety measures would you recommend for parents of schoolaged children?

Dr. Priya Soni: In addition to getting the whole family vaccinated and boosted, I would recommend parents keep one main thing in mind. If a child is ill, they should stay home and get tested. Everyone with COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for at least 5 days. School policies will vary on when a child who has COVID-19 can return to school.

Should kids keep masks on throughout the day, even when they are outside on the playground? What about lunchtime and PE?

Dr. Priya Soni: Wearing a mask reduces the risk of spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Individual school districts may have their own requirements or recommendations on masking, which should be guided by community transmission levels. The CDC recommends universal indoor masking in schools and early childhood education programs during times when community transmission is high. Unless otherwise directed by local health departments or local educational agencies, students and staff should follow the California Department of Public Health masking guidance for the general public. As now much of our country is at a medium COVID-19 community level, it is important for children who are immunocompromised or at higher risk of getting very sick with COVID-19 to wear a mask indoors.

Of course, any parent who encourages their child to wear a mask, and a child who chooses to wear one, should be supported in that decision – regardless of what COVID-19 community level we are experiencing.

If a parent tests positive for COVID-19, should they isolate themselves as well as their children?

How often should parents test their children for infection?

Dr. Priya Soni: If a parent tests positive for COVID-19, they should try to wear a mask and do their best to practice good hygiene measures at home in efforts to prevent spread. At minimum, you should try to use separate bathrooms, if possible, and try to stay at least more than 6 feet apart, as much as possible. It’s wise

to avoid sharing personal items such as eating utensils, drinking cups and pillows.

When a parent who is positive is caring for a younger child who cannot be left alone, I recommend wearing a well-fitted surgical mask and regularly sanitizing surfaces and washing your hands when interacting with your child. If you are breastfeeding, you can continue to do so, just make sure you’re wearing a mask when interacting with your baby.

Quarantine is no longer recommended for children that are exposed to COVID-19. Parents should follow CDPH recommendations to self-isolate and test as soon as possible to determine infection status.

If there is an outbreak at a school site, would you recommend that children stay home for a few days, even if they themselves test negative? If your child is positive, when can they safely return to school?

Dr. Priya Soni: If there is an outbreak in your child’s classroom, but your child is vaccinated and asymptomatic, they may still be able to stay in school and attend with a mask in place. Follow the school’s guidance on this. If your child develops symptoms, while on campus, while wearing a mask, there may be on-site testing available at the school. If the school is unable to provide onsite testing right away, the child should be sent home right away.

If your child does test positive after a school related outbreak or classroom exposure, they should stay at home and be excused from school until at least five days from symptom onset or test positivity.

If your child has no symptoms or symptoms are resolving, they may end isolation after day 5. If they had symptoms including fever and cough, they should return after day 5 when fever-free for at least 24-hours (without the use of fever reducing medication) and their symptoms are improving. Once your child has ended isolation after at least day 5, they should continue to wear their mask at school through day 10. If parents have access to antigen tests, they may consider testing their child towards the end of their illness.

What general recommendations would you offer to keep kids safe and healthy as we go through this

SIMPLE TIPS TO REDUCE ENERGY USE DURING A FLEX ALERT

SAN DIEGO, CA -- In response to a voluntary Flex Alert issued this afternoon by the state grid operator due to high temperatures, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is urging customers to visit its website to learn about simple actions they can take to reduce their energy use while still staying cool.

SDG&E’s one-stop-resource, sdge.com/myenergy, features a series of tried-and-true tips that can make an immediate difference. Energy conservation is particularly important during the peak hours of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. when the grid is typically under the most stress due to waning solar energy and rising energy demand.

No-Cost Energy Savings Tips

* Pre-Cool Your Home. Take advantage of lower priced energy by using your A/C to cool your home before 4 p.m. During on-peak hours of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., adjust your thermostat higher, health permitting.

* Cool Down with a Fan. Use ceiling and/or tabletop fans to cool off and leave the thermostat at a higher temperature, health permitting. Turn off fans when you leave a room as fans cool people, not rooms.

* Block the Sun. During the hottest part of the day, cover windows to block the sun’s heat. If you can, open windows at night and early mornings

next wave of COVID?

Dr. Priya Soni: Overall, it is important for parents to keep an open and honest conversation going with their child’s pediatrician. This includes discussing any hesitancies they may have with return to school or with getting their child vaccinated. Let your pediatrician be home-base for your child as you sift through important decisions to keep your child safe.

Lastly, I would remind parents that while we have made significant strides since the start of the pandemic, we are still going to be faced with evolving threats of the sub-variants of this virus. Children are not exempt from the consequences of this unpredictable virus.

to let the cool air in.

* Use Small Appliances. Instead of the oven, use small appliances such as a microwave, toaster oven or slow cooker. They use less energy and won’t add much heat to your home.

* Power Down. Switch off your electronic devices, such as computers and coffee pots, when not in use. Keep in mind, electronics in standby mode still draw power. Use a power strip to power down devices and appliances at one time.

* Shifting use. Shift some energy use – such as running a dishwasher or clothes washer – outside the onpeak hours of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., when demand on the electric grid is typically highest and the cost of electricity is the highest.

Learn more about Flex Alerts and sign up to receive notifications at Flex Alert: energy conservation tips, save energy on high demand days in California.

SDG&E is an innovative San Diegobased energy company that provides clean, safe and reliable energy to better the lives of the people it serves in San Diego and southern Orange counties.

The company is committed to creating a sustainable future by providing its electricity from renewable sources; modernizing natural gas pipelines; accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles; supporting numerous nonprofit partners; and, investing in innovative technologies to ensure the reliable operation of the region’s infrastructure for generations to come. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE). For more information, visit SDGEnews.com or connect with SDG&E on Twitter (@SDGE), Instagram (@SDGE) and Facebook.

State grid operator asks all Californians to conserve energy to help prevent power outages

PNP logs steady decline in index crimes on PBBM's 1st 56 days

MANILA -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said index crimes in the country have been on a steady downtrend during President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s first 56 days in office.

Speaking at a Palace press briefing, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said the trend has been observed when compared with data from the same period during the start of previous administrations -- 2010 (under former President Benigno Aquino III) and 2016 (under former President Rodrigo Duterte).

He said index crimes refer to offenses considered as serious in nature with sufficient frequency and regularity -- murder, homicide, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping, and physical injury.

From July 1 to Aug. 25 this year, theft cases decreased to 1,896 from 7,514 in 2016 and 12,773 in 2010 while physical injury cases also dropped to 579 from 3,777 in 2016 and 10,208 in 2010.

The same trend was also seen in cases of robbery (793 from 3,028 in 2016 and 6,580 in 2010; murder (649 from 2,332 in 2016 and 1,423 in 2010; carnapping (280 from 1,253 in 2016 and 1,169 in 2010); rape (903 from 1,666 in 2016 and 704 in 2010); and homicide (161 from 345 in 2016 and 614 in 2010).

He said the continuous monitoring and follow-up of cases and strategies by the investigators have contributed to improving crime clearance and solution efficiencies.

“Ang datos ng pagbaba ng krimen ay patunay din na tumataas ang kakayahan ng PNP sa aspeto ng paglutas ng krimen. Makikita ninyo sa datos na tumaas ang crime clearance by 94.65 percent at crime solution efficiency by 82.28 percent mula 2010 hanggang sa 2022 (The data of the decrease in crime is also a proof that the PNP's ability in the aspect of solving crimes is also increasing. You can see from the data that crime clearance increased by 94.65 percent and crime solution efficiency by 82.28 percent from 2010 to 2022),” Azurin said.

Earlier, Azurin said the peace and order situation in the country is stable as he allayed public fear amid the reported abductions and killings in the past few weeks.

Azurin also cautioned the public against an apparent “sensational surge in social media reporting of some crime incidents,” saying many of these are previously reported cases that had been categorized as solved by PNP units.

“Other purported crime incidents posted in social media turned out to be either rehashed or completely false information. The PNP would like to do our part in educating our people to be more discerning of the true situation, particularly on crime matters, and be able to distinguish between crime hike and crime hype,” he noted.

Marcos renews vow to improve living conditions of Filipino nurses President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday said his administration is committed to raising the profile and improving the working conditions of nurses here and abroad.

He made this commitment in a speech during his attendance at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Nurses Association, Inc. at The Manila Hotel.

“As part of our goal to raise the profile and improve the working condition of nurses, we seek to

address the disparity in salaries between government hospitals with those in the private sector,” he said.

“Also, we must address the uneven distribution of nurses in different areas around the country. In order to do that, we have to address issues related to health facilities, benefits, and security of tenure,” he added.

Marcos acknowledged that the current salaries of nurses in the Philippines need to be raised, but noted that the government may not have available funds to cover this yet.

“Medyo hirap tayo sa pondo ngayon, kaya’t sa ngayon ganyan lang muna. Pero palagay ko… binibuhay nyo ang may sakit e, ibang usapan yan. Mahirap lagyan ng balor, ng dolyar, ng piso yung trabahong ginagawa ninyo (We are still short of funds now, that’s why that will have to do for now. But I think…because you are caring for the sick, that’s a different story. It is difficult to put a price tag on the job you do),” he said.

He noted that his office is “always open” to dialogue to address the issues concerning nurses and allied healthcare professionals.

Marcos also promised to open more slots to the deployment of nurses abroad while striving to improve domestic opportunities.

In terms of legislation, Marcos backed the passage of House Bill 9389 or the New Philippine Nursing Practice Act” which was recently approved by the House of Representatives on final reading and will be submitted to the Senate for action.

“I have taken special note of the clamor to address issues in the nursing profession by the passage of the New Philippine Nursing Practice Act. This Executive Department together with Congress will work with you to achieve these goals,” he said.

As of Aug. 19, Marcos said the government has disbursed a total of PHP25.82 billion worth of benefits to healthcare workers, especially nurses.

These include hazard duty pay, Covid-19 sickness and death compensation, meals, accommodation and transportation allowances, life insurance, special risk allowance, and the One Covid-19 allowance.

Programs for nurses Marcos said the government will also continue to pursue programs that support the continuous development of Filipino nurses such as the Nursing Certification program which strengthens and certifies our nurses’ competencies in various specialty areas.

He said the Primary Care Workers Certification program, which provides eligibility requirements, standard competencies, training mechanisms, and certification processes that ensure competent and quality staffing for our healthcare system, will also be offered.

Marcos said they will also support the Leadership Development Courses for Public Health Nurses which aims to capacitate nurses to provide quality health services and become skilled leaders and managers.

The In-Service Post-Graduate Scholarship Program, which will enhance nurses’ competencies through formal education, and the E-learning program, which provides access to free, continuing professional development, and accredited courses in many many disciplines of study, will also continue to be provided.

Filipino nurses’ compassion and kindness

Meanwhile, Marcos praised expressed gratitude for the sacrifices and contributions of all Filipino nurses.

Speaking from his own experience after contracting Covid-19 twice, Marcos said he witnessed how Filipino nurses risked their lives to care for the sick and even opted not to return to their homes to avoid spreading the virus to their families.

“During my fight against Covid-19, I benefited from the able and healing hands of competent Filipino nurses. because of you, and this I cannot stress more, because of you and the sacrifices that you made knowing that there is a risk involved, but because of that sacrifice, because of that compassion, because of that professionalism our nation has survived the most difficult moments of this pandemic,” he said.

He said Filipino nurses stood out from others not just for their competence and dedication, but for their “compassion and kindness.”

“Marami namang magaling diyan ngunit kahit yung mga foreigner hinahanap nila, mas gusto nila na ang nag-aalaga sa kanila mga Pilipino na nurse. At hindi naman kataka-taka dahil kapag alagaan ka ng Pilipino na nurse gagaling ka talaga (There are so many excellent nurses, but even foreigners prefer being taken care of by Filipino nurses. And there is no surprise there because if a Filipino nurse takes care of you, you will surely recover,” he said.

He also said it was a pleasure to attend the PNA’s 100th anniversary because his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., also attended the association’s golden anniversary.

Founded in 1922, the association was established to promote professional growth towards the attainment of the highest standard of nursing.

The anniversary celebration coincides with the 65th Nurses’ Week Celebration and its National Annual Convention 2022.

Marcos admin respects press freedom -- Palace

Press freedom is guaranteed under the watch of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Malacañang said on Tuesday.

Press Secretary Trixie CruzAngeles issued the statement, in celebration of National Press Freedom Day.

"Kinikilala at nirerespeto ng ating pamahalaan, sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., ang press freedom sa bansa na nakabatay sa ating Saligang Batas o Konstitusyon (The administration, under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., recognizes and respects press freedom in the country, as guaranteed by the Constitution)," she said in a Facebook post.

Cruz-Angeles said the Office of the Press Secretary is joining the entire country in commemorating the National Press Freedom Day, which coincides with the birth anniversary of Marcelo H. del Pilar.

On Aug. 25, Cruz-Angeles ensured that the Palace would work closely with media organizations to protect and uphold the rights of journalists.

Republic Act (RA) 11699 inked by former President Rodrigo Duterte declared Aug. 30 of every year as National Press Freedom Day in honor

PH Army commanders told to uphold troops' well-being

MANILA -- Philippine Army (PA) chief, Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., has reiterated to field and unit commanders the need to take good care and provide for the needs of the troops under their command, as they are the service's most important assets.

This took place during the PA's second command conference for 2022 held Wednesday at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila.

"Lt. Gen. Brawner, in his address, set forth his updated comprehensive command guidance encapsulated in 'SERVE': ensure the physical and mental health of soldiers, the Army’s most important resource; enhance individual soldier’s skills and unit capabilities; and push down much-needed resources to all units nationwide," PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement Thursday.

The PA chief said these thrusts will enable the Army to attain victory over the remaining communist and local terrorist groups by the end of the year and pursue operational excellence.

"Lt. Gen. Brawner likewise lauded Army troops for helping the Philippine National Police and other government agencies in ensuring the safe, orderly and peaceful conduct of the May 2022 national and local polls," Trinidad said.

Brawner said the command conference is geared at reminding the 110,000-strong Army of the organization’s operational as well as administrative compliances.

He added that the conference provided a platform where major unit commanders can voice their issues and concerns to Army headquarters.

"I would also like to remind everyone that the Army should be guided by Servant Leadership. As commanders, we are expected to lead and serve them at the same time. This should remain as our driving force in winning wars and serving our people,” Brawner said.

He also called on all Army personnel to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and meritocracy.

“Let us maintain our focus and I expect everyone to do your share in our targeted successes. Let us truly serve to the best of our abilities,” Brawner said.

AFP modernization to continue under Marcos admin -- spox

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (AFPMP) will continue under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

"The President has made sure that the AFP Modernization Program will continue. Now that we are into Horizon 3 already, some procurement have already been processed and we expect the delivery of big items that will modernize and make the AFP more capable of performing its mission," AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said in a Laging Handa briefing on Thursday, when asked for updates about the military's modernization program.

Horizon 3 is slated from 2023 to 2028 while Horizon 1 started in 2013 to 2018 while Horizon 2 is from 2018 to 2022.

Earlier, the Department of National Defense said all major modernization contracts for the

military signed by the previous administration and then Secretary Delfin Lorenzana will proceed.

These included the contracts for the two missile corvettes to be acquired from South Korea, the BrahMos missile system from India, 32 more S-70i "Black Hawk" combat utility helicopters from Poland, and another six offshore patrol vessels also from South Korea.

The funding for these contracts is already assured by the government.

Aguilar said efforts to convince the communist insurgents to peacefully rejoin mainstream society will continue under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

"Since the NTF will continue to function and all of its clusters, of course, we’ll be there to make sure that the issues being confronted by our people are resolved satisfactorily and…continue to implement the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program so that we can entice these rebels to surrender," he added.

Forgers of president's signature face 20 years jail term -- DOJ

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday warned that forgers of bogus appointment papers of public officials bearing the president's signature and presidential seal face jail term of up to 20 years.

At a Laging Handa public briefing, DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano said investigators would leave no stone unturned in going after persons spreading bogus appointment papers.

He issued the warning as the National Bureau of Investigation and the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group have been tasked to probe the incident.

“May lumabas na isang pekeng dokumento. Nakalagay doon sa dokumento ang appointment kunwari ni Rodolfo Espejo Jr. as commissioner ng Bureau of Immigration. Although sa pagtingin ng mga officials natin doon sa Malacañang 'yung orginal ho ng dokumento wala ho sa PMS, sa OES at sa OP, the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Office of the President),” Clavano said.

Citing Article 161 of the Revised Penal Code, Clavano said counterfeiting the president's seal is punishable with reclusion temporal or 12 to 20 years imprisonment.

“Delikado 'yung ganitong dokumento kasi it creates an atmosphere of confusion at dinediscredit 'yung reputasyon ng ating gobyerno (This is a serious offense because this document creates an atmosphere of confusion and discredits the reputation of the government),” Clavano said.

The NBI and the CIDG investigation will point to the source, the persons behind it and their intention, Clavano said.

He assured that media outlets that mistakenly reported the forged appointment as real will not be held liable.

Expand anti-sexual harassment law to cover diplomats abroad -Ople

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople said on Wednesday the antisexual harassment law should be expanded to cover all government personnel assigned overseas.

Ople, a known migrant workers advocate, said she handled in the past cases involving diplomatic officials and other government personnel assigned in various embassies and government offices overseas taking advantage of female domestic workers, especially those who have sought refuge in embassyrun shelters.

"May mga instances po noon na nababalitaan namin na nilalabas ng overseas personnel ang wards para makipag-date kaya sa DMW mahigpit po ang aming policy against sexual harassment (There were instances before when we heard that overseas personnel were taking the wards out to go on dates, so we at the DMW, have a very strict policy against sexual harassment)," she said.

Ople made the appeal before the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers Affairs (COMWA) chaired by Senator Raffy Tulfo during the organizational meeting.

"Sana po palawakin po ang coverage ng anti-sexual harassment law para maisama ang lahat ng government employees assigned sa iba't ibang bansa mula sa ambassador hanggang sa mga drivers at local hires (I hope the coverage of the antisexual harassment law is expanded to include all government employees assigned to different countries from ambassadors to drivers and local hires)," she said.

Ople cited the case of an ambassador who was charged with sexual harassment by a domestic worker 10 years ago before the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

However, she said the ambassador was not criminally charged for the incident and was able to retire from the service.

Ople said she was informed of the DFA decision only last month and that the ambassador was only required to pay a fine.

"Second-year high school lang ang tinapos nung domestic worker at kinuha siya sa shelter para maging kasambahay nung ambassador kaya clearly very vulnerable ang katayuan niya (The domestic worker only finished second-year high school and was taken from the shelter to be the ambassador's maid, so her status is clearly very vulnerable),” Ople told the committee.

During the meeting, Senator Robinhood Padilla said ambassadors and other diplomatic personnel who sexually harass overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) abroad deserve harsher punishments.

Padilla said in committing the crime, these Philippine diplomats have betrayed their oaths to protect their fellow Filipinos abroad.

He vowed to run after a Philippine Ambassador who escaped punishment for sexually harassing an OFW 10 years ago.

Padilla said the government must run after the said Ambassador since it is hard to accept that diplomat is considered the father of OFWs in other countries and yet he abused the OFW.

"Hindi ko lang mapapalampas na ang ambassador -- you have an oath na proteksyunan mo ang Pilipinas at ang mga tao nito sa

FETCHING SCHOOL KIDS. Parents and guardians flock to wait for their children at the gate of the Salawag Elementary School in Dasmarinas City, Cavite on Wednesday (Aug. 31, 2022). They have to endure the heat of the sun while waiting for students to come out of the gate as there are no waiting sheds in the area. (MNS photo)

FINALLY LEGAL. John Robinson Loza and Jennelyn Pacinio, with their two children in tow, legalize their union at a mass civil wedding officiated by Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano at Cuneta Astrodome. Among the 142 pairs were 67-year-old Danilo Vibal and Maria Ester Noblejas 51, who have been partners for 14 years. (MNS photo)

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Greetings!

President Joe Biden’s plan to slash some student loan debt could help millions of borrowers but a decision he spent months wrestling over could have profound and unpredictable electoral consequences.

The cacophony that followed the administration’s Wednesday, August 24th announcement reflects the highstakes issue’s possible impact on the November midterm elections while also helping to explain the political, cultural and economic evolution of both major parties.

The immediate effect of Biden’s executive order, if it survives possible court challenges, will be alleviating some of the burden of debt for graduates who sometimes struggle to make payments or have to delay major life decisions like buying a home.

But no White House decision happens in a vacuum. This debate has been especially charged politically and Biden had been under extreme pressure from more liberal members of his party to take sweeping action ever since winning the election in 2020, during which he campaigned on some loan forgiveness. The proximity of the 2022 midterms, in which Democrats now hope the long-expected Republican red wave, may not crest as high as feared, means the President’s strategy could turn out to be especially significant.

Yes…with the stroke of a pen, President Joe Biden made millions of Americans up to $20,000 richer by excusing them from repayment of money they had borrowed, costing taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars.

As American Compass author Oren Cass argues - the recipients aren’t exactly the poorest Americans, the neediest, the unluckiest, the most indebted or those serving our nation most nobly. They qualify, rather because they borrowed money for college.

Politically, I say it may be savvy to deliver on a key campaign promise to the college-educated base of the Democratic Party. Notably, many of those receiving relief borrowed to finance graduate degrees like JDs and MBAs – a group hardly in need of financial help, but one that will remember this giveaway come November. But from afar, this choice looks absurd. As of June, American households held more than $4.5 trillion in consumer debt (excluding home mortgages), most of which was not student loans.

According to the Federal Reserve, fewer than 1 in 4 households have student loan debt, and it is more common among those with higher incomes. By what argumentation is “borrowed money for college” a sensible standard for selecting

recipients of unprecedented public beneficence?

The logic is uniquely American as one opinion writer suggests, and incredibly harmful, too – if I may add. It is captured well in the familiar Hollywood trope of a teenager, discovering his family’s financial troubles, conceding gloomily that he can abandon his first-choice school and attend the state university nearby, only for a determined parent to insist: “No, we will find a way!”

In America, this meant to be inspiring. But the statistics suggest it’s more likely to be a tragic mistake.

The narrative goes that the college degree is the “sine qua non” (an essential condition; a thing that is absolutely necessary) of economic opportunity, and the college experiences a once-in-a-lifetime inflection point for coming of age and launching into adulthood. On this basis, American culture has made it an implicit parental obligation, and American law has made it an explicit public obligation, to facilitate any students attending any school, regardless of cost. Young Americans and their families are encouraged to save as much as possible and then assume whatever debt necessary –by a culture equating the practice with “investing in your future,” by policymakers offering subsidies to promote indebtedness and by colleges that cash the checks upfront while accepting no accountability down the road.

But the account is wrong. Students who enroll in colleges are more likely to drop out or graduate into jobs that don’t require their degrees than they are to travel the expected college-to-career path. Research also suggests that what school you attend just doesn’t matter all that much: For men, school selectivity has no effect on future earnings; for women, more selective schools lead to more hours worked and lower marriage rates.

Indeed, it’s not quite clear what we’re getting for our money. On average, colleges in America consume more than $25,000 per student per year – second only to Luxembourg among developed economies and more than twice the spending in countries like Denmark, France and Germany. The focus on elite private colleges is especially harmful: While we constantly conflate the cost of the “college experience” with affording an “Ivy League education,” median tuition for an in-state, four-year public university is still only $8,300 per year. Every child in America can pay his or her own way at a perfectly good college for half the income from a part-time, minimum-wage job.

jointly explore energy resources in WPS.

The cognitive dissonance between the unquestioned commitment to extravagant expenditure on college and the questionable value of that spending is what yields America’s bizarre discourse around studentloan debt – and leads to irrational policy moves like Biden’s.

And now for the $64,000 Question: Is there a better way?

There’s a deep contradiction in our national beliefs about college, and it’s perfectly embodied in the thinking that drove Biden’s decision.

On one hand, under the presumption that degrees are precious and consistently produce a high return on investment, American law uniquely excludes student loans from discharge through the traditional bankruptcy process. We are so confident in the wisdom of unconstrained spending on higher education that we create a public guarantee for student loans – a form of credit that would otherwise make little sense to extend – and, to protect the lenders, we eliminate the recourse that borrowers traditionally have when their investments disappoint, or they spend beyond their means.

You can run up tens of thousands of dollars of credit card debt taking vacations and walk out of bankruptcy court owning nothing. But the debt you incurred for the life-changing wonders of time on a college campus? That must stay with you until death.

On the other hand, because we knew full well that the social promise underlying the debt is a foolish and fractured one – in fact, college is often a bad bet with a low return on investment – progressive politicians began demanding that the government wipe it away altogether. At the extreme, they equate its very existence with “violence.” No one ever explains what makes the student-loan borrower more

to all controversies surrounding its procurements.

deserving of government largesse than the family that took on an auto loan for the car that gets dad to work, Rather, the implicit judgement seems to be that the nation must, having satisfied the borrowing, collectively assume responsibility for the result.

The result is a dysfunctional system for financing higher education that has generated more than $1.7 trillion in outstanding student debt, representing many loans that were unwisely offered to and accepted by borrowers who now face untenable burdens and deserve some avenue for relief.

So, what should happen?

Biden’s approach of simply erasing the debt treats the obvious symptom – the debt – in the quickest and easiest (and also the costliest) way, while doing nothing to address the underlying problem.

Instead, as writer Oren Cass opines - America should embrace the banality of the student loan as just one form of debt among many – chosen by some for purposes of investment and by others for what amounts to conspicuous consumption, exploited by sellers of a product with variable quality. As luck would have it, America has a very good legal system for governing regular debt, complete with structures for managing risk on all sides, options for sellers to provide credit themselves if no one else will, and equitable relief for those who make commitments they cannot keep.

The keystone is our uniquely lenient bankruptcy system. Unlike in most other countries, the typical American can go to court, declare himself insolvent, hand over some remaining assets, default on his remaining debts and return home to a house exempted from the proceedings. This choice is by no means an easy one – his credit score plummets and borrowing becomes

purchase of “pricey yet outdated” laptops for teachers.

Jesse T. Potpourri

more difficult and costly; friends and neighbors are likely to notice, along with anyone who runs a background check in the future; feelings of failure and accompanying shame are common. Thus, while Americans file for bankruptcy far more frequently than Europeans, the occurrence is sufficiently rare that consumer credit remains widely available and affordable. The cost of bankruptcy is low enough to encourage risk taking and ensure that someone who truly needs a fresh start can get one, but high enough that most who can avoid it will do what they can to steer clear.

I concur with Cass that this is the right option that should be available to all student-loan holders.

Continuing the desecration of student debt, we should eliminate the labyrinth of government grants, loans, subsidies and guarantees that assert an open-ended public commitment to financing anything a university can think to charge for. Public support should come at the state level through funding of state university systems and at the federal level through a simple, meanstested grant that covers, say, 50 percent of the median state’s fouryear public university tuition. Tying the grant value to the median state would prevent individual schools from extracting more money by raising tuition. Costs of room and board would be excluded. Young adults not registered in college do not expect the public to pay for their housing or food; neither should those enrolled.

Where would students find additional funding for more expensive options? A private loan market would likely exist but, absent the guarantees and subsidies, credit would be scarce and expensive. Borrowers would tend to have limited credit history and few assets. Lenders would be poorly positioned to evaluate the likelihood of successful repayment. The prospect of discharge in bankruptcy would add further risk. These obstacles are features, not bugs. Loaning large amounts of money to teenagers with uncertain prospects and no collateral is a bad idea for lenders because it is a bad idea…Period! Finding ways to make it sufficiently attractive to saddle those teenagers with loans does no one (besides college administrators) any favors.

Fortunately, establishments exist with the capital to finance all the necessary borrowing, the

mandate,” he said.

SC issues TRO stopping nocontact apprehension policy

harapan ng Diyos, sa harapan ng Konstitusyon, tapos gagawa siya ng ganoon. Di pwede yan (I cannot let this ambassador -- you have an oath to protect the country and the Filipino people before God and the Constitution, and yet you abused her. I cannot let this pass)," Padilla said.

Palace to study possible PHChina joint exploration on WPS MANILA -- The Marcos administration will study the proposed joint oil exploration between the Philippines and China in the resource-rich West Philippine Sea (WPS), Malacañang said on Tuesday.

“Pag-aaralan po natin sa ngayon (As of now, we will study it),” Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said in a Palace press briefing.

Cruz-Angeles’ statement was issued after former Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao expressed optimism about the revival of negotiations on China’s possible joint oil and gas exploration with the Philippines in WPS.

Liu, the current minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) Central Committee, hoped Sunday that the Marcos administration will consider joint oil and gas development in the busy waterway.

Cruz-Angeles said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will look into the proposal to

“Ukol sa mga foreign relations natin, lalung-lalo na those involving contracts kailangan pa po ng abiso ng ating Department of Foreign Affairs (With regard to our foreign relations, especially if these involve contracts, the Department of Foreign Affairs needs to be notified),” she said.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on July 27 said China is ready to restart talks on oil and gas exploration with the Philippines.

In November 2018, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on joint oil and gas development in WPS.

The Philippines, under the Duterte administration, terminated the talks before Marcos assumed presidency on June 30 because of constitutional constraints and issues on the country’s sovereignty.

The Philippines on July 12, 2016, won its petition against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, Netherlands after the court invalidated Beijing’s supposedly historic rights over nearly the entire South China Sea, including the WPS.

Despite the Philippines’ historic win, China has repeatedly ignored the 2016 PCA ruling. (MNS)

Palace awaits results of DepEd, House probes on pricey laptops Malacañang is expecting the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) to respond

Press Secretary Trixie CruzAngeles made this remark after the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged more than PHP3 billion worth of high-yield investment in government banks.

The COA said the PS-DBM failed to revert the investment to the general fund of the Bureau of the Treasury in violation of Executive Order 431 dated May 30, 2004.

“Kung observation report po iyan, may pagkakataon pa pong sumagot iyong naturang ahensiya. So, hihintayin natin iyong sagot ng DBM (If it’s just an observation report, the agency still has a chance to respond. So let’s wait for the response of the DBM),” Cruz-Angeles said in a Palace press briefing.

Executive Director Dennis Santiago earlier assured the procurement arm is reviewing COA’s observation and will respond to it accordingly.

He also assured that the funds are currently “intact.”

“We are already reviewing the audit observation on the high-yield savings account and shall revert to COA to address the AOM [audit observation memorandum]. The amount of PHP3 billion is intact, and I am for the return of the money to the national treasury soon as we have properly clarified the nature of the funds with COA,” Santiago said.

Meanwhile, she said Palace will not make comments pending Congress investigation into the procurement arm’s PHP2.4 billion

“Sa ngayon po may imbestigasyon ang ating DepEd [Department of Education] at may imbestiagasyon ang Lehislatura so hindi po nararapat na mag komento until makita natin ang resulta ng mga imbestigasyon na yun (Right now, our DepEd has an investigation and the legislature has an investigation, so it is not appropriate to comment until we see the results of those investigations),” she said.

DepEd is taking steps to address COA recommendations over the laptops procured by the previous administration.

Calls to abolish the PS-DBM started after lawmakers called out the overpricing in the procurement of PHP42 billion worth of medical supplies and equipment for the Department of Health (DOH) at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lawmakers revived these calls following the revelation that PHP2.4 billion worth of teachers’ laptops for the DepEd were overpriced and outdated.

Santiago has appealed to give the Marcos administration the chance to “fix” the PS-DBM, saying reforms are being instituted and dedicated employees have been serving the procurement arm for several years.

“Please allow the new administration to reform and transform the agency and provide efficiency and economy in the acquisition of common-use supplies and equipment (CSE), which we intend to focus on as part of our

The Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) effective immediately against the implementation of the no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP) for traffic violators in Metro Manila.

In a statement on Tuesday, the SC said the TRO stops the implementation of NCAP-related programs and ordinances and any apprehensions through the said policy and ordinances "shall be prohibited until further orders from the Court."

The order also stops the Land Transportation Office (LTO) "and all parties acting on its behalf from giving out motorist information to all government units, cities, and municipalities enforcing NCAP programs and ordinances."

Oral arguments on the case are scheduled starting Jan. 24, 2023.

"I do not know the reason why the case was set for hearing January next year. However, in the meantime, the TRO will be in effect," SC spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka told reporters via text message.

Transport groups Kilusan sa Pagbabago ng Industriya ng Transportasyon Inc., Pasang Masda, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, and Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations filed the petition before the court earlier this month.

Named in the suit were Manila, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Parañaque

information to assess the wisdom of borrowing to enroll, the resources to help students succeed and the incentives to make the system work. Those institutions, of course are the college themselves. Just as sellers provide financing for cars, capital goods and sometimes real estate, colleges should be expected to finance the education they provide. Instead of cashing tuition checks before freshman orientation has begun, and leaving the student to someday pay back a third-party lender, colleges should receive tuition from their students after the fact, when those students have been launched into careers that allow them to afford the payments.

This shift would initially require organizations without large endowments to borrow working capital for providing today an education that would be paid for tomorrow. But most institutions will have sufficient fixed assets to secure the loans, and the federal government could play a role if needed in guaranteeing that financing – with default leading promptly to liquidation.

Meanwhile, students who made the choice to borrow under the old system would continue to repay those debts if they can, and would have the option to declare bankruptcy if they cannot. Such bankruptcies would cost the federal government much less than Biden’s broad-based loan forgiveness, and would help the transition to a better system and mindset rather than Biden’s doubling down on the broken one.

Colleges dependent on their own alumni’s future earnings to fund their operations would face a radically different set of incentives than todays. They would have no choice but to structure their programs to be affordable, relative to the value they deliver. They would have no choice but to make admissions decisions on the basis of likely future success, rather than ability to pay upfront. And they would find it suddenly in their vital interest to ensure their student’s successful connection to the labor market and even to provide subsequent training opportunities.

College administrators who say this model would not work are really just admitting that their mock-ups do not work, absent a nation entranced by their mystical incantations. Let them, not their students, suffer the consequences.

What say you?

City, Muntinlupa City, and LTO.

In the 47-page petition, the groups said the system which uses closecircuit television cameras places motorists “under constant threat of being arbitrarily apprehended remotely and issued notices of violation for alleged traffic offenses committed without any contact whatsoever.”

The cities that have fully implemented NCAP cited decrease in obstructions, choking of traffic from apprehended vehicles, reckless driving, and hazardous motorists’ habits.

Valenzuela said the NCAP promotes road safety and motorist accountability while Parañaque said it is a form of discipline and the answer to major traffic congestions that create safety risks.

Muntinlupa said it has not yet implemented the NCAP.

Cebu City lifts mandatory face mask use outdoors

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama on Wednesday signed an executive order lifting the mandatory face mask policy in outdoor and open spaces amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Based on Executive Order No. 5, the use and wearing of face masks in Cebu City has been declared “nonobligatory.” Instead, face mask use will be taken individually as a measure of “self preservation and protection under the principle of shared responsibility and mutual respect.”

EO 5 also states that it is “high

of del Pilar, the father of Philippine Journalism.

Del Pilar, who wrote under the pen name "Plaridel," was born on Aug. 30, 1890.

Under RA 11699, Aug. 30 of every year is declared a working holiday.

RA mandates all government agencies and instrumentalities, as well as the private sector, to engage and participate in the meaningful observance and celebration of National Press Freedom Day.

The directive covers the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, government-owned and -controlled corporations, and the local government units.

The law also orders the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to lead public and private schools at all levels in organizing activities on the importance of the press and their

rights and social responsibilities.

Senator wants full disclosure of relatives of gov't officials

Senator Francis Tolentino on Tuesday said it may be time to require a full disclosure of relatives of government employees who, in one way or another, are connected with terrorist groups or criminal syndicates.

In his privilege speech on Tuesday, Tolentino said amendments must be introduced to the filing of Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN) to expand queries on relatives and family relations.

“I think it is right that when one enters the government to perhaps declare that you have a relative who is a member of a terrorist organization or criminal syndicate up to the fourth degree of consanguinity,” he said.

The senator's speech was in reaction to the involvement with communists of an elder sister of Prospero de Vera III, chair of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Adora Faye de Vera was arrested by the police in Teacher’s Village East, Quezon City on August 24.

She is wanted for multiple murder (with the use of explosives) and multiple frustrated murder charges filed at the Iloilo City Regional Trial Court Branch 22. She also has a separate criminal case for rebellion.

“I have not seen her and I have not spoken to her for more than 25 years since she decided to rejoin the underground movement. I do not share her views nor support her actions,” the CHED chief said, but added she wished her sister is safe and in good condition while in detention.

The sister, according to Tolentino, is accused of masterminding the killing of military and police personnel in the Visayas and is a ranking officer of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA).

“In the other branches of the government, appointed or elected, there are still some in power who have siblings connected with the CPP-NPA or a kidnap-for-ransom gang, Abu Sayyaf Group or any terrorist organization,” Tolentino said. Senator Ronald Dela Rosa supported Tolentino's proposal not to

pressure government officials but for the law enforcement groups to know how to manage information.

"Like for example, a Cabinet member is given the highest level of security clearance. But then again, ‘pag malaman ng security community na may kapatid pala ito na nasa kabila (if the security community finds out that the Cabinet member has a sibling on the other side), then they know how to treat [the person]," Dela Rosa said in his manifestation of support.

Dela Rosa, who headed the Philippine National Police during the Duterte administration, said a government official may also "unknowingly" share top secret information to a relative belonging to a terror group and which can be used against the government.

He said he knows of a highranking officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines whose sibling is an NPA member.

"It's beyond his control. Pero (But) at least, alam ng security community na meron siyang (the

Help Wanted For Rent / For Sale

states Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

security community knows that he has a) brother na nasa kabila (on the other side)," he said.

Dela Rosa was referring to Brig. Gen. Jim Zumel, who was a superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy during the Marcos Sr. administration, while his journalist brother, Tony, was the first chair of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and later became its senior adviser.

Tony died in Utrecht, the Netherlands in 2001 and Jim in 2019 shortly after coming home from the United States.

SALN contents

A public officer or employee is required by law to submit the SALN upon assumption of office.

In the case of the President, Vice President, Cabinet, Congress, Supreme Court, Constitutional Commissions and other constitutional offices, and officers of the armed forces with general or flag rank, the declaration shall be disclosed to the public, according to the law.

“Public officials and employees have an obligation to accomplish and submit declarations under oath, and the public has the right to know their assets, liabilities, net worth, and financial and business interests, including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households,”

The current SALN requires disclosure of children under 18 years living in the declarant’s household and relatives who are also in government service. (MNS)

PBBM eyes private sector cooperation on infra, water, energy

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday met with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) to explore possible cooperation for the development of infrastructure, water, and energy sectors.

The Office of the President (OP), on its official Facebook page, shared several photos taken during Marcos' meeting with PSAC at Malacañan Palace in Manila.

"President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. meets with members of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) to discuss how Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) can help the Philippines improve its infrastructure, water, and energy services," the OP said.

Malacañang has yet to provide additional details about the meeting.

Marcos, in his first State of the Nation Address, vowed to put a premium on various fields, including infrastructure, health and energy.

Marcos held a series of meetings with the PSAC since he assumed the presidency on June 30.

The PSAC, in its meeting with Marcos in August, sought the

expansion of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country to create more job opportunities fora Filipinos.

Following his meeting with the private sector, Marcos ensured that the revival of MSMEs is one of the administration's priorities.

MSMEs comprise 99.51 percent of business establishments in the Philippines and employ around 63 percent of the country's workforce.

Also in August, Marcos met with the PSAC to express his support for the plan to offer a "ladderized" program for nurses to strengthen the health sector and address the supposed "brain drain," or the departure of professionals from the country for better pay or living conditions.

The proposed ladderized program that will be adopted by the national government is already implemented by the University of the Philippines (UP)-Manila and select local government units (LGUs).

Under the program, UP Manila offers a two-year scholarship for midwives who come back to the community to serve upon course completion. Once they gain experience, they return to UP Manila to study nursing for another two years. In July, Marcos, who concurrently serves as head of the Department of Agriculture, also expressed excitement over the possible partnership with the private sector to improve the agricultural sector. (MNS)

Market) to ensure an enabling environment for the MSMEs' recovery and the entire business community.

It seeks to enhance the programs and policy design capacity of the public sector for MSMEs and feature the best global models of digital innovation.

Formulation of strategic goals

Marcos also expressed support for the MSME Development Council’s formulation and implementation of strategic goals to improve five key business areas – business climate; access to finance; management and labor; access to technology and innovation; and market access.

“This multidimensional approach will allow us to breathe new life into our MSMEs and help them move forward to a more resilient and prosperous future,” he said. “From this end, it is my assurance we will continue to stand by your side, walk down the same road no matter the circumstances. I am excited to see the outcome of the summit as it will open new doors, new strategies and new ideas, and opportunities for our MSMEs to realize their full potential as our nation’s vehicles for growth and for development.” (MNS)

Spiritual Life

Counting our days

After I celebrated my birthday, I found this article written by Professor Claude Mariottini entitled “Counting our days”, thought-provoking and very enlightening. Hence, I decided to share it with you, my readers.

“Teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart” (Psalm 90:12).

There are certain occasions of the year, especially birthdays, that compel us to count our days and realize how fast time passes by, which is in fact, the passing away of our lives. It is at this time of reflection, when we celebrate our birthday, a new year of life, that we realize another year is gone. Each new year of life compels us to number our days and as we do, we realize that the passing away of our days brings us closer to the day we will meet our Maker.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). We cannot change these two fixed days in our lives, but we surely can influence what happens between the time of birth and the time of death.

This is the reason the psalmist said that we must learn to number our days in such a way that we may gain a wiser heart. If the time between life and death is the time of our education for the future, then we must learn not to waste our precious little time and throw away the opportunities the school of life offers to us. Life is a school, the place where we train daily to face the challenges of the future.

As we count our days, we cannot be indifferent and unaffected by the fact that twelve months more of life have passed away. During the passing of those twelve months, most of us have experienced joys and sorrows that will be part of our memories until the end.

Life is ephemeral. Most of us live for seventy years or so. With good health, some of us will live to eighty or even more (Psalm 90:10).

Aurora S. Cudal-Rivera My Personal Testimony

To us who are limited by time, seventy or eighty years appear to be a vast stretch of time, but to God, a thousand years is scarcely any time at all. For a thousand years in God’s sight are but as yesterday. Time has no relation to God; it does not affect him: “ For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night” (Psalm 90:4). The psalmist said that to God a thousand years is like one day, like a watch of the night, a mere four hours. A thousand years or a day is all the same to God.

In God’s time our lives last from morning into evening, the psalmist prayed: “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad as long as we live” (Psalm 90:14).

By learning to rightly count the days of his life, the psalmist was asking God to enable him to take to heart the lessons which the brevity of life should teach him.

Since the school of life teaches us that life is ephemeral, we must then learn how to seek that which is eternal. We do not know whether our days will be few or many. So brief is human life that not everyone will enjoy the blessings of old age, because death can come suddenly and our lives be removed in the middle of our blossoming years, before our flower withers.

Our education in the school of life prepares us to recognize that life is a precious gift of God. So, as you celebrate your birthday today, you must remember that the sun is setting and the evening of

your life is fast approaching.

For those who have faith in their Creator, the setting of the sun will not lead them into a dark and fearful night, but into a glorious morning, into another day that will have no end. But in order for them to rightly number their days that they might become wiser, they must remember the one who created them: “Remember your creator while you are young, before the evil days come, and the years approach when you will say, ‘They no longer give me pleasure’” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

In order to gain a wise heart, we need God’s teaching, for “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). God alone can teach us the real meaning of life and the lasting values that can lead us to abundant living.

When we number our days, we realize the brevity of life, that we must give our attention to matters that last, to eternal things. Life is short and since life is short, it should be wisely spent. We do not have enough time to dissipate our precious life in things that do not last nor are we sure that we have enough days in our lives that we may postpone the times of our decision. When we gain wisdom, we discover what are the most important things in life. The Bible teaches us that the wisdom that leads to abundant living comes from God.

Happy Birthday. Claude Mariottini Professor of Old Testament Northern Baptist Seminary

Every member of the Body of Christ matters

The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need you!' On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. (1 Corinthians 12:21-23)

I watched as the conductor looked over to the violin section, then the percussion, then there was a seemingly insignificant lady standing way back in the corner waiting to play her one or two notes on a chime-looking instrument. "Who would even notice if she didn't play her instrument?" I wondered to myself. "The conductor would," said the still voice in my spirit.

An orchestra is a great picture of the way the Body of Christ should operate. It is made up of different people with different gifts, all being led by the one Great Conductor, telling us when to use our gift in the right time. I am sure the lady in the back of the room who only plays a few notes must think she doesn't measure up to the great violinist who sits right up close to the conductor.

However, imagine if you slowly removed each member

Danny Hernaez From Whom All Blessings Flow

of the orchestra, one at a time. At first you may not notice any difference without a trained ear. But as you remove each member of the orchestra, you will begin to miss the powerful and melodic sound of many instruments playing together. Finally, when all but a few of the instruments are removed, you notice a big difference in the sound and the void left from key instruments.

Imagine if these instruments tried to go out and play songs all by themselves. Imagine if the tuba tried to play a solo. Or the oboe did the same. You get the idea.

Every member of the Body of Christ matters. Every job matters to God and contributes to our great Conductor's grand plan to fulfill His purposes on the earth. Your contribution matters to God and has no hierarchy of

importance.

Play your instrument to the glory of God in unison with the other instruments God has raised up for His purposes.

And now may the Lord bless you, and may the Lord keep you, and may the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and may the Lord be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you walk in the blessed assurance that your steps are being ordered of the Lord and that His angels are going before you to make certain that your life reaches its spiritual destiny. May the prayers that you pray, be reward to you according to your faith, for God is a faithful God, and He will open the windows of heaven and bless you with blessings you cannot contain, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Greetings in the Lord!

I have shared so much about discipleship in the past Sundays, but this theme is one that may be considered inexhaustible in understanding the faith and in the process of faithfully following Jesus, Our Master and Lord. Last Sunday we dwelt on humility, the virtue that every disciple must strive to develop in his life in order to believe in Jesus and eventually follow Him as a faithful disciple. We tried to define humility as the virtue of being able accept oneself as a mere creature of God and acknowledge God himself as the master of our lives and our own destiny. This virtue ties up the steps that we have mentioned in theme on stewardship as a faithful response to the call of Jesus for discipleship and also leads to accept the demands of discipleship which is the focus of our gospel reading this Sunday which dwells on the demands of discipleship.

The words of Jesus that we must consider are as follows: “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” These are stunning words that might have even shocked the crows who heard him and left Jesus to be with those who

Fr. Agustin T. Opalalic

only could fully accept its meaning. Nevertheless, it must be made clear that Jesus does not mean we have to loathe our own families. According to biblical scholars Jesus here is using what is known as Semitic hyperbole to challenge those who want to be his disciples to have undivided love for him. Indeed discipleship is not only a matter of loving Jesus more than anyone or anything else; it also means depending on him with total trust and abandonment. Thus confidence on family support which is very nature for man is expected to be given up in order to develop full dependence on Jesus who is the heart of discipleship.

Furthermore there is another demand of discipleship that requires self-abnegation or even death to self in order to carry one’s cross. When a person decides to become a disciple of Jesus, he must

surrender any other source of life and relinquish every desire for selffulfillment. A disciple must give up his objectives and pursue solely those of Jesus’. This really makes sense when seen in the light of the Gospel this Sunday which shows that true discipleship is not a matter of how much we have to offer, but of renouncing all. To be a disciple, we do not bring anything to the table in order to prove our commitment and worthiness, but we have to leave behind everything, trusting only in him and on his faithful provisions for all that we may need. This is the start of true discipleship that begins by recognizing the high price that is required. Our consolation is that knowing fully of our weaknesses and inability to meet the requirements, we can come to him empty handed, abandoning ourselves to him so that He can do in us what we cannot do by ourselves. Here lies the virtue of humility can help us be open to his divine intervention in our lives.

Let us, therefore, pray humbly so that we may be able to abandon ourselves to Jesus and allow Him to do on us whatever He pleases, confident that having given everything to follow him as faithful disciples He will lead us to what is necessary for our salvation, as individuals and members of the Christian community of disciples.

contribution and sacrifices of modern-day heroes, particularly frontline workers in the Covid-19 pandemic and those responsible for helping the recovery of the economy.

“Sa pagdiriwang na ito, atin ding bigyang-pugay ang modernday heroes ng ating bansa, kilalanin ang kanilang mga sakripisyo at alay para sa ating bansa. Mga kababayan at kapwa ko Pilipino, isang

makabuluhang Araw ng mga Bayani sa ating lahat (In this celebration, we also pay tribute to the 'modern-day heroes' of our country, recognize their sacrifices and offerings for our country. My countrymen and fellow Filipinos, a meaningful Heroes' Day to all of us),” she added.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte declared National Heroes Day a regular holiday under Proclamation 1236.

Republic Act 9492, signed by former President Gloria MacapagalArroyo, declares the last Monday of

August as National Heroes Day in the Philippines.

It was initially celebrated on the 30th of November -- the same day as the remembrance of the birth of revolutionary Gat Andres Bonifacio.

Bonifacio was the founder of Katipunan, a revolutionary group of Filipinos who bravely fought against the Spanish colonizers.

National Heroes Day also commemorates the Cry of Pugad Lawin that gave way to the revolution against the Spanish rule.

(MNS)

Loss of 1.7 Million Immigrants Fuels U.S. Labor Shortages and Inflation

Close to 15% of job openings that employ immigrant or foreign-born workers in the U.S. are still vacant, while the legal immigration system is in dire straits. From meat packing to home building to STEM professionals to nurses, the post-pandemic economy is reeling from a labor force decimated by restrictive immigration policies, which worsened under Donald Trump’s administration.

The Halting of Immigration “From the middle of 2019 until the end of 2021, there has been essentially zero net immigration to the U.S,” said Giovanni Peri, Ph.D. Professor of Economics and Founder and Director of the UC Davis Global Migration Center, citing US Bureau census data.

“Although in late 2021 and early 2022 these numbers started growing again, the fact that the inflow of immigrants stopped made the country lose more than 1.7 million (immigrants),” added Peri, noting that 900,000 of them would have been college educated who work in the STEM sector – doctors, computer scientists, biomedical engineers, bio experts — and 800,000 would have been non-college educated concentrated in sectors such as food, hospitality, elderly and child care. “We are talking about the 1.1% of the US labor force,” Peri added.

Peri spoke during a media briefing on 8/26/22 hosted by Ethnic Media Services that sounded the alarm over how the lack of immigrants is hurting the economy. Meanwhile, public discussion focuses on an estimated 2 million border crossings for the fiscal year.

The halting of immigration coincides with more and more US citizens opting to work from home in online jobs, and people in their 50s and 60s opting for early retirement. When companies are struggling to hire people, wages go up and the rising cost of labor translates into inflation, Peri explained.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in July 2022, there were

10 million unfilled jobs in the US. Before COVID, in a similar period, that figure was 6 million.

Experts agree that there should be a government effort to make the H1B visa program (sponsored by employers) stronger and more inclusive for all sectors, while addressing the monstrous backlog in green cards and asylum claims.

Backlogs and Delays in the Immigration Processes

“In the past six or seven years we have seen tremendous delays in the immigration processes across the country, both in the courts and also through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS),” said Gregory Z. Chen, Senior Director of Government Relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Chen noted that when President Barack Obama left office, there were about 500,000 immigration cases in the backlog compared to 1.4 million cases during the Trump administration.

“As of today we have about 1.6 million cases that are waiting to be heard, (each one) typically takes four to six years now,” Chen said. “Many businesses can’t wait to be operational.”

Meanwhile, the Automated Export System (AES), the agency in charge of processing work permits, has increased its processing times from 180 days to up to seven months.

These backlogs can be fixed through a comprehensive immigration reform. Although almost 70% of Americans are in favor of it, there has been no appetite in a polarized Congress to ease restrictions for even legal immigrants.

Chen highlighted how President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act -recently signed into laworiginally included provisions to legalize unauthorized immigrants, a provision that had to be abandoned to gain bipartisan support.

“The concern about the benefits immigration provides to the country

line with self regulation.

and the economy has been subsumed by the idea that it’s related to border national security issues,” said Chen, who doesn’t see a major immigration reform bill happening even in 2023.

Shortage of Nursing Professionals

For Julie Collins, perfusionist and Program Director Department of Cardiopulmonary Sciences in the College of Health Sciences at Rush University, one field where the absence of immigrants is acutely felt is medical care.

Working on the COVID floor of her hospital for two years, Collins saw firsthand the impact of the critical shortage of nursing professionals.

“I was helping to cover shifts and I saw how burnt out nurses were becoming taking care of patients in COVID units,” she said. “As COVID began slowing down, nurses sought early retirement, some of them changed professions, and some even died of COVID. This left us with fewer nurses to fill the open positions in our units.”

Although COVID floors have been essentially shut down, hospitals are short staffed and oneon-one patient care is over, she said. “Oftentimes nurses are caring for multiple patients, which is increasing their chances of creating errors and causing emotional distress,”

There are close to 194,000 open positions for nurses, and not enough US nurses to fill them. Since the 80s, when hospitals were understaffed, nurses from other countries have filled these roles. But today, annually, H1B visas are limited to 140,000 and family-sponsored visas are limited to 226,000.

“I am seeing how tired and exhausted the nurses are and how frustrated they feel like their voices aren’t being heard,” Collins said.” If hospitals come up with a system so that they could keep bringing in (immigrant) nurses, they wouldn’t have problems filling their open positions,” she concluded.

time” to simplify and declare such policy, citing that the “lethal effect of the pandemic is already wearing off and that vaccination has been proven to be an effective means in containing the spread and the impact” of COVID-19.

“Most people remain uninformed as to the protection offered by the kind of face mask and the proper way of wearing the same, so long as they have complied with the mandatory wearing of face mask and even just for a show while it cost money and offers inconvenience,” the EO reads.

“On the other side, the long and mandatory wearing of face mask had affected the person as a biopsychosocial and spiritual being.”

The EO, however, exempts hospitals, clinics, and other medical or diagnostic facilities, which still mandates the use of face masks in such establishments, subject to the policy of the entity or discretion of the administrator.

Meanwhile, all establishments, businesses, and entities in the city, including administrators of building and facilities, are granted the option whether or not to follow suit within their areas of responsibility.

In doing so, they are mandated to formulate a “reasonable policy” to implement their face mask rule in

The Cebu City government also strongly advised persons who are immunocompromised, sick, and have flu-like symptoms to stay at home and seek immediate medical consultation.

They are likewise still required to wear face masks especially when outside their residence.

The Department of Health (DOH) earlier stressed that minimum public health standards, such as wearing the best fitting face mask, together with vaccination and boosters, help keep the country’s COVID-19 case counts low despite the detection of new subvariants.

The DOH said this was after Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia issued an executive order in June on the optional wearing of face masks in well-ventilated and open spaces in the province.

PBBM to review import plan for 150K MT of sugar

The plan to import around 150,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar will still be subject to review by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Malacañang said on Tuesday.

In a press conference, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said Marcos has yet to receive a copy of the sugar import plan.

“He (Marcos) will review the [proposed sugar] order prior to signing,” Cruz-Angeles said.

Marcos, in his recent vlog,

announced that the government is eyeing to import 150,000 MT of sugar, if the country’s supply dwindles by October:

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is eyeing the issuance of an order allowing the importation of 150,000 MT of sugar by middle of September, the sugar body’s acting administrator John David Alba said on Aug. 25.

The importation order, Alba said, would help stabilize the prices of sugar in the market.

Quizzed if the proposed quantity might be altered, Cruz-Angeles said: “Parati naman po itong nirereview. Kung ano ang naangkop na amount, ‘yun ang gagawing quota ng importation (It is always under review. The proper amount for the import quota will be determined).”

Marcos earlier rejected the proposal to import 300,000 MT of sugar, despite the spike in prices of the basic commodity because of supply constraints.

Despite his disapproval, the SRA earlier issued Sugar Order (SO) 4 allowing the importation of 300,000 MT of sugar.

The issuance of SO 4 was called “illegal” by Malacañang.

Authorities, upon Marcos’ order, have been conducting surprise visits to Customs-bonded sugar warehouses in the country to determine whether the supposed shortage of the commodity’s supply is artificial. (MNS)

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Congratulations to the Officers and Members of the Bay Terraces Filipino American Senior Association (BTFASA) on their 31st Year anniversary celebration which was held jointly with the First Year Anniversary of the Bay Terraces Community Center, nestled at the Tooma Park area in Paradise Hills. Current president is Mr. Art Buangan, (top panel photo, seated front row) For so many years, the Fil-Am Seniors gathered for fellowship and connect with their kababayans, rain or shine. Thanks to the community efforts and advocacies of concerned citizens and community leaders, the seniors achieved their dream of having a community center that they can enjoy, do activities with like dancing, attending community workshops, hosting special events and more. Photo on right shows Max Ellorin and Cynthia Suero Gabler who were recognized during the anniversary celebration, for their advocacies and dedication in making sure the seniors get the dream community center that they aspire for. (Zen Ply photos)

SUMMER PICNIC: University of the Philippines Alumni Association of San Diego (UPAA SD) held a picnic /get together at Balboa Park recently. In attendance are officers and members as well as past presidents and newly recruited members. To find out more about UPAA SD contact Kellie Sabas, president at kelliesabas@gmail.com