The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has allocated P1.7 billion in emergency loans to provide assistance to its members and pensioners affected by rabies and El Niño in 13 areas nationwide. Over 77,000 affected members and old-age and disability pensioners are expected to benefit from the program.

Members and pensioners with an existing emergency loan balance may  borrow up to P40,000 to clear their previous loan and receive a maximum net amount of P20,000. Those without an existing loan may apply for up to P20,000. The loan features a low interest rate of 6% per annum with a repayment period of three years.

Qualified applicants include members who are residing or working in Buenavista, Marinduque, where rising rabies cases have been reported, and several locations affected by El Niño, including Catbalogan City in Western Samar, Cordova, Naga City, and Toledo City in Cebu, Iloilo City, Buenavista in Guimaras, Bayawan City and Sta. Catalina in Negros Oriental, Antique, Basilan, and Datu Piang and Sultan sa Barongis in Maguindanao Del Sur.

To be eligible for the emergency loan, active members must not be on unpaid leave, have no pending administrative or legal cases, and must have made at least six monthly premium payments prior to application. Their net take-home pay should not be less than P5,000 as required by the General Appropriations Act. Meanwhile, old-age and disability pensioners must have a net monthly pension that is at least 25% of their gross pension.

Borrowers may file applications through the GSIS Touch. The deadline for  the submission of applications is on June 7 for Luzon areas, May 31 for Visayas, and June 1 for Mindanao.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) acknowledges the recent directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to form a special committee tasked to further champion human rights protection in the country. The Chief Executive established a “Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination” to carry out Administrative Order (AO) No. 22, which seeks to improve the mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines. This special committee operates under the existing Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC).

It must be reiterated that in 2021, the Philippines and the United Nations Joint Programme (UNJP) on human rights facilitated technical cooperation and capacity-building in support of national initiatives and institutional frameworks in six areas: (a) domestic investigative and accountability mechanisms; (b) data gathering on alleged police violations; (c) National Mechanism for Monitoring and Follow-Up (NMRF); (d) civic space and engagement with civil society; (e) drug control; and (f) counter-terrorism.

The CHR notes the gains that UNJP has provided to further allow the government for a more focused implementation of efforts that actively promote developments on the human rights situation in the Philippines. As the end of the program nears in July 2024, CHR also recommends the prospect of continuing this partnership as a foundational pillar, ensuring that the country stays clear-sighted towards its goal to comply with its international human rights obligations and to implement domestic policies which respond to the needs of the vulnerable and marginalised.

Parallel to this, the Commission recognises the government’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing the goals of the UNJP, as well as ensuring that the Philippines adheres to its obligations as a State Party to various international human rights conventions and treaties.

CHR Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc expressed his high hopes for the establishment and implementation of AO 22. He emphasised the importance of taking a whole-government approach to addressing human rights issues in the country.

“An integrated government approach is essential for effectively addressing human rights concerns, complemented by strong partnerships with CSOs and other relevant stakeholders. Through this coordinating body, we aim to see increased prosecution of cases related to the war on drugs and enforced disappearances, as well as the adoption of a comprehensive human rights-based approach in various government responses, particularly in counter-terrorism efforts, addressing red-tagging, and safeguarding freedom of expression,” Chairperson Palpal-latoc stated.

While awaiting the implementing guidelines of AO 22, the Commission remains optimistic that this initiative is a step in the right direction and will yield concrete and meaningful results while prioritising a whole society approach– from consultation to implementation. We are hopeful that these guidelines will pave the way for actions and policies that genuinely serve the interests of the Filipino people, with a particular focus on protecting and uplifting the vulnerable and marginalised sectors of society.

We also note the concerns raised by various civil society organisations (CSOs). Rest assured that the CHR will remain vigilant and committed to its fundamental role as the intermediary between the government and CSOs. The CHR is also open to participating in this coordinating body to ensure apparent and equal representation among relevant stakeholders.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Faydah Maniri Dumarpa expressed her view that this initiative could lead to increased government support for the Commission’s human rights efforts.

“In line with the current administration’s thrust in promoting and safeguarding human rights principles in the country, we are hopeful that this will gain equal support for passing the CHR Charter bill. This will further strengthen the Commission’s mandate, enabling us to provide essential legal aid services, establish mechanisms for strategic litigation to ensure access to justice for victims of human rights violations, and advocate for vital legislation such as the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM). These efforts are all aimed at upholding the human rights principles enshrined in our Constitution,” Commissioner Dumarpa said.

While we recognise the establishment of this special committee, the CHR, as the country’s national human rights institution, remains fully independent and committed to the fulfillment of its Constitutional mandate. The CHR serves as the primary institution tasked with monitoring, investigating, promoting, and advocating for human rights in the Philippines.

Safeguarding, upholding, and respecting the rights of all remains the State’s primary responsibility, as stated in Article II, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution, which states, “the State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.” The CHR’s role remains fundamental. Its independence ensures that it can contribute to fulfilling its mandate and core duties without bias or interference.

We are hopeful that this special committee presents an opportunity to institutionalise human rights policies through the passage of vital legislation such as the CHR Charter, and to ensure that these policies and practices will have a direct impact on the lives of individuals within communities, particularly the disadvantaged, vulnerable, and groups at the grassroots level.

Kami ang CHR na handang maglingkod– saan man, kailanman, maging sino ka man.

The Social Security System (SSS) on Tuesday signed multiple agreements with barangay officials in Taguig City for the social security coverage of 4,000 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials and members and barangay workers in the city.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said SSS will facilitate the issuance of social security (SS) numbers for 3,800 SK officers and members from the 38 barangays of Taguig City through a formal agreement with the Taguig City SK Federation to initiate their SSS membership.

Macasaet said that once these SK officials and members have their SS numbers, they can start paying their monthly contributions and automatically receive social security coverage from SSS.

“By starting to save for retirement at a young age, these youth leaders are taking control of their financial future. The earlier they begin, the more time they have to grow their retirement fund,” Macasaet said.

Macasaet underscored that these SK officials and members are setting a commendable example for their peers in Taguig City by encouraging them to start building their retirement funds with SSS early.

“When you are in your late teens or in your 20s, you have your whole life ahead of you, and saving for your retirement is the least of your priorities. But why should you put off saving for tomorrow when you can start today? Believe me, the best time to save for your retirement is now while you are young,” he explained.

Macasaet urged the youth to start their SSS contributions today, assuring them that it is the most affordable and accessible pension scheme in the country. “With seven kinds of benefit programs and various loan privileges, it provides a safety net for their future,” Macasaet noted.

Macasaet will also lead the signing of Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of the KaSSSangga Collect Program that will provide social security protection to 70 job order (JO) workers of the Science Education Institute, a service institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and 60 barangay workers of Barangay North Signal Village in Taguig City and Barangay Pinagkaisahan in Makati City.

Moreover, SSS will sign a deal with officials of Barangays South Signal Village, Upper Bicutan, and Napindan in Taguig, Barangay Pinagkaisahan in Makati, and Barangay Don Bosco in Parañaque to establish localized SSS e-center in their barangay offices, as well as agreements to set up SSS e-centers in TCGI Engineers and Medical Doctors, Inc.

SSS Senior Vice President for National Capital Region (NCR) Maria Rita S. Aguja explained SSS E-Center sa Barangay is a partnership between SSS and the LGUs wherein SSS sets up localized E-Center at the barangay level which is manned by barangay personnel trained to assist their kabarangay in using the My.SSS Portal.

Aguja emphasized that the SSS E-Center sa Barangay was a significant step towards empowering barangay officials by enabling them to assist people in their respective communities in accessing SSS’ online services conveniently from the comfort of their barangay halls, thereby reducing the need for physical visits to SSS offices.

In addition, Aguja said SSS will welcome the Makati Development Corporation (MDC) as the newest partner under the Contribution Subsidy Provider Program (CSPP), wherein MDC will subsidize the SSS contributions of spouses of its 10 foremen for six months.

Furthermore, SSS will meet with employers, human resources representatives, cooperatives, and the general public during the Stakeholder’s Forum at the New City Hall Building, Taguig City. The forum will focus on discussing the value of SSS membership and will address various queries on SSS benefits and loan privileges.

EmergeLocal, Inc.

Pampanga, 08 May 2024 — Emerge, the trailblazing digital marketing powerhouse in Central Luzon, with a stellar record of success in elevating various brands’ online presence, proudly announces the appointment of Ms. Carissa Coles Noromor, Certified Professional Marketer (CPM Philippines), as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Ms. Noromor, spanning over a decade (and counting) in the digital and social media marketing arena, has dynamically built an illustrious career. From being a copywriter for an e-commerce company in 2011, she transitioned into an SEO Specialist seamlessly, managing various websites for consumer electronic products, and then became the Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Emerge. Her passion for delivering immediate results paved the way for her to specialize in pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, where she excelled in delivering impactful campaigns and driving long-term growth.

As Ms. Noromor brings forth her plethora of expertise and experiences that will ultimately usher Emerge into the future, she emphasizes the agency’s tenacious commitment to the new marketing rule: omnichannel marketing, along with the 10-year vision plan.

“Our plan revolves around our new manifesto: ‘Omnichannel marketing is the way to go!’” she affirmed.“

Ms. Noromor also discusses the advantages and opportunities that await Emerge’s clients, focusing on delivering game-changing campaigns that yield future-forward outcomes. As she said, “Our goal is to make our clients love us and stay with us forever. The clients will expect campaigns that stand out and deliver results.

She added, “We will help our clients succeed on digital and traditional media as well.”

Under her captaincy, Ms. Noromor envisioned leveraging technology as the solid anchor of Emerge’s success, as she explained, “The future of Emerge is rooted in technology. Over the next decade, we plan to collaborate with brands and agencies to enhance marketing assets through our proprietary tools.”

The decision to set a new CEO on board is rooted in the agency’s strategic and long-term objectives. Emerge’s now Chairman and Founder, Richard Noromor, confidently noted Ms. Noromor’s readiness, capability, and zeal to further cement Emerge’s position in the industry.

“Carissa Noromor is ready to take Emerge to the next level. Our 5-year and 10-year plans align with this new direction. Carissa is in charge of solidifying the agency’s mark in this industry by improving all facets of agency management,” Mr. Noromor said. 

He added, “The role of the new CEO is to scale the agency through a malasakit-driven culture, world-class account management, branding & positioning, and award-winning campaigns.”

Further, Mr. Noromor underscored the significance of Ms. Carissa’s leadership in championing women’s empowerment in the industry, stating, “Women are at the forefront of leadership today — wherever industry one is in. And Carissa’s appointment testifies our commitment to inclusion, equality, and diversity.”

With Ms. Noromor at the helm, Emerge is primed to continue its legacy of excellence in the field of marketing and beyond.

About EmergeLocal, Inc.

We are a battle-tested creative team (and fun to work with too) that’s obsessed with designing, building, automating, and optimizing high-converting and meaningful campaigns for our clients. It’s something that we’ve been awesomely doing in the past decade with only one goal – drive revenues for our clients.

This May, SM malls in Marilao, Baliwag, and Pulilan invite you to indulge in a delightful celebration of the special women in our lives at the “Bake Fair by Mom.”

The Bake Fair by Mom promises a culinary journey like no other, offering a diverse array of sweet treats to honor the special bond between mothers and their loved ones. Whether you’re looking to surprise your mom with a decadent cake, share a box of delectable donuts over coffee, or savor the simple pleasure of freshly baked bread, this event has something to satisfy every craving and create unforgettable memories.

There is delectable selection from mall tenants such as Banapple, Red Hat Donuts, and Pan De Manila at SM City Marilao, as well as Adda’s Confectionery and Brielle’s Cinnamon Roll at SM City Baliwag.

From intricately decorated cakes to melt-in-your-mouth donuts and perfectly crusty loaves of bread, shoppers will be spoiled for choice with the range of toothsome options available at the Bake Fair until May 19.

Additionally, mallgoers can capture their memorable MOMents and snap their unforgettable groupies and selfies at the radiant flower-themed displays at SM City Marilao, SM City Baliwag, and SM Center Pulilan. Located at the ground level of SM Bulacan malls, these flourishing classic beauties set the tone for a memorable moment with moms.

Don’t miss the chance to snap precious moments during your Date with Mom over delightful dining deals or on a pampering treat at SM. Everything is here, so drop by the nearest SM Bulacan mall until May 19 to honor and celebrate our Super Moms.

For more events and updates, visit the SM Supermalls official website or follow SM City Marilao, SM City Baliwag, and SM Center Pulilan on their social media accounts.

Manila, Philippines – May 12, 2024 – The Electric Vehicle Owners Society (EVOS) celebrated a momentous occasion with their 11th meetup, marking the first gathering of the year for the EV community. Held on May 11, 2024, at Caltex Mamplasan and Lakeshore Batangas, the event brought together a remarkable assembly of 30 electric vehicles (EVs) representing various makes and models.

The meetup served as a vibrant platform for EV enthusiasts to connect, share experiences, and discuss the latest developments in the electric vehicle industry. Among the distinguished guests was DOE Director Patrick Aquino, emphasizing the government’s commitment to supporting sustainable transportation initiatives.

Ferdi Raquelsantos, President of EVOS, expressed his excitement about the record-breaking turnout, stating, “We are thrilled to see the EV community come together in such large numbers for our 11th meetup. This event underscores the growing interest and enthusiasm for electric vehicles in the Philippines.”

Representatives from prominent automotive brands, including BYD, MG, Autohub, Ecomax, Evoxterra, Autoaccess, and PESIN, were also in attendance, reaffirming their commitment to advancing electric mobility and engaging with EV owners.

The meetup commenced at Caltex Mamplasan, where participants gathered before embarking on a scenic convoy to Lakeshore Batangas. Rommel Juan, Chairman of EVAP, and Edmund Araga, President of EVAP, co-organized the event, highlighting EVAP’s dedication to promoting sustainable transportation solutions.

Rommel Juan, EVAP Chairman, expressed his gratitude for the collaboration, stating, “We are proud to co-organize this event with EVOS and showcase the collective efforts of our organizations in driving the adoption of electric vehicles. Together, we are working towards a greener and more sustainable future.”

Naer Pizarro, alongside Rommel Juan, served as hosts for the event, ensuring that participants had an enjoyable and enriching experience throughout the meetup.

The 11th EVOS meetup not only celebrated the growing EV community but also served as a testament to the collective efforts of stakeholders in promoting sustainable transportation solutions. Through collaboration and community engagement, EVOS and EVAP are paving the way for a cleaner and more environmentally friendly future.

Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

The intensification of the onslaught by the Israeli forces in Rafah, Gaza, has forced Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to stop providing lifesaving care at Rafah Indonesian Field hospital on 12 May. The 22 patients who remained in the hospital have been referred to other facilities, as we can no longer guarantee their safety. Doctors Without Borders has seen a pattern of systematic attacks against medical facilities and civilian infrastructure since the beginning of the war. In light of this, as well as the advancing offensive, we have made the decision to leave Rafah Indonesian Field hospital.

“We have had to leave 12 different health structures and have endured 26 violent incidents, which include airstrikes damaging hospitals, tanks being fired at agreed deconflicted shelters, ground offensives into medical centres, and convoys fired upon,” says Michel-Olivier Lacharité, Doctors Without Borders Head of Emergency operations.

The health system is being dismantled resulting in devastating consequences for people trapped in Gaza. According to OCHA, 24 out of the 36 hospitals in Gaza are now out of service. Doctors Without Borders is trying to establish field hospitals elsewhere in the Gaza Strip, but these few structures will not be able to cope with a massive influx of wounded civilians, on top of overwhelming medical needs. They can in no way replace a functional health system.

Prior to evacuating the hospital, Doctors Without Borders had been offering post-operative care for war-wounded patients since mid-December 2023. Our teams worked on providing care to people in the 60-bed hospital, where surgeons undertook approximately 35 procedures per week in the operating theatre. Inpatient and outpatient care ran six days a week, with about 130 consultations a day, with teams providing dressing changes, physiotherapy, and counselling. The Ministry of Health has also been forced to move its activities from Rafah Indonesian Field hospital, resulting in the closure of the entire hospital.

Alongside this closure, prolonged blockages of aid are further crippling the humanitarian response and endangering the lives of people trapped in Gaza. Supplies of fuel, needed to run everything from hospitals to bakeries, and other necessities, are running dangerously low while people cannot leave or enter the enclave.

Doctors Without Borders has reopened our activities at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis with outpatient and inpatient departments focusing on orthopaedic surgery, care for burns, and occupational therapy services; maternity services will open in the coming days. Doctors Without Borders staff were forced to flee Nasser hospital in mid-February and leave patients behind after a shell struck the orthopaedic department and Israeli forces ordered the evacuation of the facility before raiding it.

As the people in Gaza again face another onslaught of bombing, missiles, shooting and violence, we again call for an immediate stop to this offensive, which is displacing hundreds of thousands of people and depriving them of essential aid. At least 360,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah, according to the United Nations, since Israeli forces have expanded their offensive and evacuation orders, which make it impossible to provide lifesaving humanitarian and medical assistance amid this campaign of indiscriminate death and destruction.

Protect VIP

Protect VIP — a coalition of fisherfolk and environmentalists advocating for the protection of marine biodiversity hotspot Verde Island Passage (VIP) — and groups promoting renewable energy in the Philippines teamed up with Germany-based nonprofit Urgewald, Netherlands-based BankTrack, and Fossil Free Finance Campaign to call on banks and financial institutions to stop funding fossil gas projects in the Philippines. 

In recent weeks, Filipino advocates, including a fisherman from Batangas,  flew to Europe and joined the annual general meetings of Switzerland’s UBS and United Kingdom’s Standard Chartered, which have been found to be the biggest bondholder and lender, respectively, of Philippine conglomerate San Miguel Corporation (SMC). 

SMC is the biggest expansionist of gas power in the Philippines and Southeast Asia with over 15.4 GW in the pipeline. Its gas business poses major risks to the Verde Island Passage – a marine corridor that hosts the greatest concentration of all the world’s known shorefish species. 

“You know that the Verde Island Passage is the center of the center of marine biodiversity, you know that it is in peril now. We are suffering now and you are continuing funding, financing fossil gas. It’s a big question for me: Why? What is the importance of life? We all have life. What is the life of future generations? What will we promise to them? If we continue financing this kind of peril?” asked Maximo Bayubay of the Bukluran ng Mangingisda ng Batangas (BMB) in front of shareholders and directors of the Swiss bank.

Think-tank Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED), meanwhile, informed stakeholders of Standard Chartered that the gas and coal business of SMC are obstructing the country’s energy transition while placing itself in ill financial and reputational health.

“San Miguel is facing a flood of complaints for violating environmental laws and processes. There is massive opposition from across sectors. And in a renewable energy-rich but also climate-vulnerable country like the Philippines, which was found with more than 1,200 gigawatts of RE potential, San Miguel’s choice to double down on fossil fuels does not make sense,” explained Avril De Torres, Deputy Executive Director of CEED at the AGM.

The renewable energy transition has been accelerating in the Philippines, with 5.5 GW of new renewable energy capacity committed to come in the next few years under the government-led Green Energy Auction Program. None of SMC’s subsidiaries have taken part in this upcoming capacity.

The groups also held separate meetings with fossil financiers in Germany and Austria, urging them to divest from San Miguel Corporation (SMC), the largest coal and gas developer in the Philippines. 

European banks provided financing to San Miguel Corporation (SMC)’s power arm San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp. (SMGPH) through loans and bond holdings primarily to invest in a liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant project by SMGPH subsidiary Excellent Energy Resources, Inc. (EERI) in Batangas City to the detriment of VIP, also known as the “Amazon of the oceans.”

Bayubay is optimistic that Banks would lend their ear and take action to stop the destruction of VIP.

“Through our conversation with financiers, they now understand the problem on the ground – they admitted that they are unaware of the issues. Now that they know, I believe they will listen, as long as we remain united and continue our fight to protect the Verde Island Passage,” said Bayubay.  

Bayubay’s mission will continue as he prepares to leave for Japan in the next two weeks to engage with Japanese financial institutions, which are also financing San Miguel and other gas projects that are destroying the Verde Island Passage. 

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS – Determinado si Gobernador Daniel R. Fernando na tuparin ang kanyang pangako na bawasan ang trapiko sa pamamagitan ng road clearing operation at pagsiguro sa isang ligtas at mapayapang probinsiya sa kanyang pangunguna sa 2nd Quarter Joint Meeting ng Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC), at Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) kahapon sa The Pavilion sa Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center dito.

“Magkaroon tayo ng public hearing tungkol sa mga road clearing operation, mga pagpupulong kasama ang mga alkalde, APCs, mga kapitan, kung paano natin malulutas, at kung paano natin ipatutupad ang mga road clearing operation na ito. Malaking bagay ito para maibsan ang trapiko, lalo na sa Bulacan,” ani Fernando.

Ipinahayag din niya ang pasasalamat para sa patuloy na suporta mula sa bawat miyembro ng konseho at ipinunto ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa upang maabot ang mga layunin ng mga konseho para sa taong ito.

Sa idinaos na joint meeting, ibinahagi ni PDEA Provincial Officer IA V John Jermir Almerino ang mga update sa mga aksyon kontra iligal na droga kabilang ang drug affectation, mga napagtagumpayan mula Abril hanggang Mayo 2024, mga naisagawa ng iba’t ibang ahensya, at mga plano sa hinaharap.

Tinalakay naman ni PCOL Relly Arnedo, Provincial Director ng Bulacan Philippine National Police, ang mga isyu patungkol sa kriminalidad, sitwasyon ng kapayapaan at kaayusan, gayundin ang mga tagumpay sa operasyon, administratibo at mahahalagang tagumpay.

Inilahad din ng 70th Infantry Battalion ng Armed Forces of the Philippines ang mga paksa hinggil sa pag-aaklas o rebelyon kabilang ang kanilang lugar ng operasyon, mga banta sa sitwasyon at disposisyon at lokasyon ng hukbo.

Gayundin, tinalakay ng DILG Bulacan ang mga paksa kabilang ang resulta ng awdit sa mga lokal na pamahalaan (POC at ADAC), clearing operations sa mga kalsada sa barangay, pagsasagawa ng regional BIDA dialogue at ang iminungkahing BDCP leveling session.

Dininig din sa pagpupulong ang pagbabasa at pagsusuri ng mga minuto ng pagpupulong mula sa pulong para sa unang kwarter na pinangunahan ni Dir. Myrvi Apostol-Fabia, CESO V, DILG Bulacan Provincial Director.

Kabilang sa iba pang paksang tinalakay ang batayan para sa pagkilala sa mga mga top performing city at municipal POCs.