CITY OF MALOLOS – In an aim to augment national and local laws such as Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and Provincial Ordinance No. C-005 or the Revised Environmental Code of the Province of Bulacan, the Provincial Government of Bulacan through the Sanggunian Panlalawigan has passed Provincial Ordinance No. 102-2023, an ordinance that sets new guidelines on the issuance of special permits on land development concerning the extraction and disposal of non-metallic  minerals within the province of Bulacan that are not covered by a mining or quarrying permit.

The said ordinance establishes specific guidelines and policies in the extraction, utilization and disposition of incidental earth minerals as a component of private land development projects.

Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office Head Atty. Julius Victor Degala said their office issues two types of permits: Quarrying Permit which is granted to a qualified person or entity for the extraction and utilization of quarry resources on public and/or private land or water system; and Special Permit that is issued by the Provincial Governor to any landowners who wish to develop his/her idle land into productive and beneficial use , wherein the course of development, there is a need to extract or remove and transport specific volume of earth and/or unconsolidated terrace sand and gravel materials from his/her property to another place/s.

Effective on April 18, 2024, individuals can apply as a permittee and be granted with the Special Permit provided that he/she has met the mandatory requirements including the following: Letter of Application addressed to the Provincial Governor, duly filled out application form (BENRO Form 01-1 signed by the applicant and notarized, sketch plan of the area applied, clearances from concerned  LGUs, proof of ownership of the land, Site Development Plan, Provincial Environmental Compliance Certificate, Certification from the Provincial Agrarian Reform Office or Municipal Agrarian Reform Office, and Governor’s Accreditation of heavy equipment.

Furthermore, the effectivity of the special permit is limited to 60 days upon issuance and can be extended by the Governor to up to 30 days as recommended by BENRO, provided that the permittee has a valid justification as to why the land development was not finished within the 60-day period.

Any person involved in the commission of any of prohibited acts under Section 16 such as “Kabit System; Disposing and/or transporting of earth materials without a Special Permit issued by the Governor; Disposing and/or transporting of earth materials without a valid Delivery Receipt and Transport Slip; Disposing and/or transporting of earth materials without paying the corresponding quarry tax; and Disposing and/or transporting of earth materials that exceeds 10,000 cubic meters will pay a fine of P5,000 for every violation, or an imprisonment of one month for the first offense; P5,000 for every violation or an imprisonment of two months and impoundment of trucks/vehicles/equipment used in committing any of the prohibited acts for the second offense; and P5,000 for every violation or imprisonment of three months, impoundment of trucks/vehicles/equipment used in committing any of the prohibited acts and the permittee shall also be banned from securing any form of mining/quarry permits from the PGB for three years for the third offense. To be released, the fine should be settled and an impounding fee of P1,000 per truck/vehicle/equipment should be paid.

“Ang pagpapatupad natin ng angkop na regulasyon sa paggamit ng lupa ay mahalagang bahagi ng ating gampanin bilang mga lingkod bayan at mamamayan. Ang kalupaan ay biyayang nagtataglay ng nag uumapaw na potensyal at bilang tagapangalaga ng likas na yaman, sa atin nakaatas ang tungkuling pakaingatan ang ating teritoryo at siguraduhing nakikinabang ang lahat sa biyayang dulot nito,” Gov. Daniel R. Fernando said.

External Affairs Division PPAO

CITY OF MALOLOS – President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. spearheaded the launch of the National Fiber Backbone-Phase 1 (NFB-P1) through the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) last Friday at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila-Harbor Garden Tent, located at the South Parking CCP Complex on Roxas Blvd., Pasay City where the initiative aims to enhance the internet connectivity service capacity of government offices, ensuring high-speed internet access nationwide.

During its initial phase, the NFB project boasts a 600 Gbps optical spectrum capacity that extends across a minimum of 14 provinces in Northern and Central Luzon. This expansive network includes two National Government Data Centers and four BCDA ecozones which upon completion, will provide connectivity to a total of 346 national and local government offices linked to GovNet.

The President emphasized that the National Fiber Backbone is the first and only government-owned infrastructure of its kind in the country that will offer digital connectivity to more than 3,000 Free Wi-Fi Sites, enabling approximately 750,000 beneficiaries in Regions I, III, and NCR to access the internet directly.

“Even this early, we are assured that the NFB Phase 1 will already make a significant impact on our internet connectivity as well as in the day-to-day activities of ordinary Filipinos,” the President said.

As one of the beneficiaries of the project, Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando said that this project will open doors for a better economy through expanded connectivity and improved public services.

“On behalf of the people of our province and indeed the entire nation, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. Through this project, we are we are increasing internet accessibility for citizens, businesses, and government institutions across the country, thereby reducing the digital divide. Magpapadali ito ng paghahatid ng mga serbisyong pampamahalaan gamit ang mga digital platform na abot-kamay ng mga mamamayan,” the People’s Governor said.

Further, the event was graced by the representative of US Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson, , DICT Secretary Ivan John E. Uy, Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin while Fernando was joined by Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro, Provincial Information Technology Officer Engr. Rhea Liza R. Valero and Provincial Information Officer Katrina Anne S. Bernardo-Balingit.

Summer sizzles with exciting deals as SM Center Pulilan rolls out the biggest 3-Day Sale happening on
April 19–21.
Score the best deals at unbelievably great discounts of up to 70% off that apply to countless items mall-
wide. Check out the latest finds from SM Hypermarket, Surplus, Ace Hardware, Watsons, SM Appliance
Center, Sports Central, and Miniso.
Purchases could even bring you heaps of chances to bring home a brand-new Suzuki DZIRE GL MT! To
join, shoppers may avail of P1000 worth of purchases to earn one e-raffle entry. Increase your chances of
winning by getting additional coupons on Saturday (April 20) and Sunday (April 21) to double the entries.
Shoppers may also get five additional entries through their SM Malls Online Account.
While shopping, also check out awesome dining deals at affordable prices from selected food tenants at
the mall.
Snip hunt only at SM Center Pulilan on its first 3-DAY SALE hurrah for 2024 and mark April 19-21 all the
way from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For mall events and updates, follow SM Bulacan malls on Facebook and
Instagram.

CARD MRI Property Management, Inc. (CMPMI), the property development arm of CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), marked the construction of the CARD MRI building through a groundbreaking ceremony held at City Subdivision, San Pablo City, Laguna, on April 3, 2024.

CMPMI President Maida Decano stated, “This groundbreaking ceremony is a celebratory moment not only for CMPMI but also for the whole CARD MRI. It’s a symbol of progress in what we do as a social development organization. It will stand as a symbol of boundless opportunities for the people we serve while still holding on to the institution’s goals and values.”

Present at the event were Vicente Briones Jr., Executive Director of CARD, Inc. (A Microfinance NGO); Edgar Cauyan, President and CEO of CARD MRI Information Technology, Inc. (CMIT); and Ma. Sharon Roxas, Senior Director for Support Services. Also in attendance were various staff from CARD MRI. Completion of the new CMPMI Building is expected around August of this year.

Established on November 10, 2016, CMPMI was born out of the dream to contribute to the development of the country through property investments and forming a large development project. Since 2016, the institution has offered a good partnership, opened doors for wise investment, ensured the security and maintenance of properties, and valued staff’s and clients’ privacy.

To learn more about CMPMI, please visit https://www.cardmri.com/property/.

External Affairs Division PPAO

CITY OF MALOLOS – “I want to praise and thank our Lord God for the fulfillment of this meaningful day. Alongside the progress of our province, we are given the opportunity to provide many opportunities for our fellow citizens, such as the gathering we are having now, which promotes the importance of sports, shaping, awareness, and good behavior of our youth. The support we receive from BUCAA warms our hearts. Now, we have a sports competition at the collegiate level to be proud of.”

This was the opening message of Governor Daniel R. Fernando as he spearheaded the opening ceremony of the first season of Bulacan University and Collegiate Athletic Association (BUCAA) alongside Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro and the Provincial Youth, Sports and Development Office that was held at the Baliwag Star Arena, City of Baliwag, Bulacan yesterday.

Grateful for the warm and enthusiastic start of BUCAA, Fernando also reminded the 32 collegiate and university participants to approach sports with passion and sincerity and to give their best effort in the upcoming games.

“Maglaro kayo nang may puso. Ipakita ninyo ang pagmamahal ninyo sa sports. Tandaan niyo, ang tagumpay ay hindi lamang nakikita sa medalya, sa maiuuwing premyo o sa tropeyo na inyong nakamit. Sinasalamin din natin ang masasayang alaala at mga kaibigang mabubuo ninyo sa kumpetisyong ito. Enjoy every game, give it all—win or lose,” Fernando said.

Meanwhile, for the BUCAA opening cheerdance competition, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Maria Campus clinched the champion title, securing a grand prize of P200,000, a trophy, and individual medals. Other notable teams included Bulacan State University – Meneses Campus in 1st place with P150,000 and a trophy, Dalubhasang Politekniko ng Lungsod ng Baliwag in 2nd place with P100,000 and a trophy, and Academia de San Lorenzo Dema-Ala, Inc. in 3rd place with P60,000 and a trophy.

Special awards were also given to Richwell Colleges who won Best Uniform for Basketball Team and Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Maria Campus who won Best Uniform for Cheerdance Team, each receiving P20,000; while Charmaine Alexis Cruz of Bulacan State University – Meneses Campus won 1st Place for Best Muse along with P20,000 cash prize, Jolina Andan of Marian College of Baliwag in 2nd place and got P10,000, and Ma. Christina Dreu of Dalubhasang Politekniko ng Lungsod ng Baliwag in 3rd Place and took home P5,000.

Also present in the opening event were Baliwag City Mayor Ferdinand V. Estrella, Board Members Casey Tryone E. Howard, Romina D. Fermin, Lee Edward V. Nicolas, Romeo V. Castro, Jr., and Cezar L. Mendoza, Governor’s Office Chief of Staff, PYSDO OIC and Tournament Director Atty. Nikki Manuel Coronel, Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office Head Atty. Jayric L. Amil and Provincial Public Affairs Office Head Katrina Ann Bernardo-Balingit.

OPENING STATEMENT

Committee on Foreign Relations Hearing on Various Treaties and Agreements Tuesday, 16 April 2024

Chairperson Marcos, my esteemed colleagues, our resource persons: Good afternoon.

We thank Chairperson Marcos for leading the Senate in ensuring that we perform our Constitutional mandate in the concurrence to the ratification of treaties and international agreements.

We acknowledge the importance of the following treaties and agreements that we are about to tackle and we give our full support for the concurrence to their ratification:

1. 1)  The Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, which will expand our exchange-of-information network, serve as a valuable tool for fighting tax evasion, and improve international tax compliance thereby increasing government revenues;
2. 2)  The Host Country Agreement between our government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, which shall allow the latter to establish an office in Manila, thereby improving the delivery and effectiveness of their services to Filipino farmers and paving the way for more opportunities through their various projects; and
3. 3)  The Treaty between the Philippine and Canada on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons and on Cooperation in the Enforcement of Penal Sentences, which shall return a foreign prisoner to his or her home country where he or she may serve the remainder of the sentence.

But this afternoon, of particular interest to this representation is the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 81 on Labor Inspection in Industry and Commerce. As the Principal Author and Sponsor of Republic Act No. 11058 or An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards, we could not be more happy that, finally, the Philippines is about to ratify ILO Convention No. 81 – the international standard for labor inspection in industrial and commercial establishments.

As I have mentioned during my sponsorship speech on the OSH Standards Act in 2017, much of my career has been devoted to our fight for humane conditions of work for all Filipinos. When we started the deliberations on the OSH bill, there were only 574 labor inspectors. Now, this figure has increased two-fold with 1,210 labor inspectors.1

From January to December 2023, our labor inspectors were able to cover 29,221 establishments with a total of 2.83 million workers. They observed that

1 DOLE. Submitted Inputs to OS Villanueva. 15 April 2024.

the top General Labor Standards violation was the non-maintenance of employment records, while the top Occupational Safety and Health Standard violation was the non-provision of occupational health personnel.

The current landscape of labor inspection in the country is governed by the Labor Code. Article 128 underscores the visitorial and enforcement power of the Secretary of Labor and Employment and his/her duly authorized representative to access the premises and records and establishments to ensure compliance with labor laws. Labor inspection, as emphasized by the ILO, is the primary mechanism to carry out the fundamental function of labor law enforcement and effective compliance. The Institute of Labor Studies says that since labor inspection is either enforcing or developing in nature, it is “the best tool for monitoring the realization of basic principles of decent work for all while also educating workers and employers on their duties towards sustainable compliance and maintaining harmonious employee-employer relations.”2

Madam Chairperson, it is this representation’s hope that the ratification of ILO C81 will resolve the existing gaps in our current policies, to ensure that we are compliant with international labor standards. The provisions of ILO C81 require member states to organize labor inspection as a system; provide strict qualifications of labor inspectors; ensure that the number of inspectors is sufficient to secure the effective discharge of their duties; and require specific set of actions and remedies in the conduct of inspections, among others. The stringent requirements of the Convention that we will adhere to will deepen and expand our efforts.

Once ratified, there may be a need to evaluate our existing laws and policies. When this happens, our office will be open to discuss how we can recalibrate our policies, harmonize it with ILO C81, and align it with the government’s obligation to providing just and human working conditions. Until then, we commit to support the Chairperson once the measure is discussed in plenary and until the Senate give its concurrence.

Thank you, Chairperson Marcos, and may God bless us all.

Get ready to be captivated! HORI7ON, the newest South Korean-based, Filipino boyband, sets sail on their comeback tour across the Philippines.

In collaboration with MLD Entertain PH, SM Malls Online presents an exclusive partnership with HORI7ON, offering fans the chance to treat themselves to special HORI7ON merchandise like never before.

In SM City Baliwag, HORI7ON’s Day Tour promises an electrifying lineup of events at 4PM on April 21, Sunday, at Mall Atrium.

But that’s not all! HORI7ON’s exclusive photos from their new digital single “LUCKY” and Friend-SHIP album all packed with other special merchandise will be available for purchase exclusively through SM Malls Online. Secure the exclusive HORI7ON suitcase box set, offered solely through SM Malls Online and on-ground selling. Purchasing this special product not only grants you access to the Manila showcase event in SM malls but also enters you into a draw to join the exclusive VIP Fan Meet, where 30 lucky winners will get up close and personal with their idols.

To know more about SM Supermalls’ exciting events, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media.