MANILA—The Philippine Press Institute (PPI) also known as the national association of newspapers and online publications in the country, comes stronger than ever as it celebrates a milestone of trailblazing initiatives for its print members, riding high on its overarching mantra, “building better communities”. On its 60th year, PPI organizes three assemblies and hosts two major awards from April 24 to 26 at Century Park in Manila: General Membership Meeting, Outstanding Stories on Breast Cancer, National Press Forum, Community Press Awards, and Learning Exchange Forum. 

“It’s bigger this year owing to PPI’s diamond year, being the oldest media organization in the country for print since 1964,” PPI executive director Ariel Sebellino said. He added that PPI has come a long way since its comeback in 1987 having been declared moribund during Martial Law years. This year’s overarching theme, “The Future of Newsrooms: The Viability of Print in an AI Era”, puts emphasis on print innovations and sustaining newspaper operations against the backdrop of overwhelming technologies, rowdy social media platforms, dwindling readership and diminishing revenues. Chong Ardivilla from Texas Tech University will discuss via Zoom the need to innovate the layout and design of community newspapers while Dominic Ligot, founder and chief technology officer of CirroLytix will zero in on artificial intelligence in the newsrooms. Danny Yong, business adviser from the International Media Support (IMS) will share sustainability models for newsrooms. The shift to digital media in how information is produced, consumed and distributed, according to PPI chairman-president Rolando Estabillo, has posed significant threats to the traditional press.

“At present, our advocacy group finds itself confronting new challenges and opportunities in the ever-evolving media landscape. As it continues to evolve as a media organization dedicated to championing it members’ welfare and interests, the PPI has welcomed news partners such as Novartis Philippines and Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) to boost plans in expanding journalism initiatives and public discourse on health via trainings for journalists, journalism fellowship programs and recognition for outstanding reportage. For its part, NOVARTIS acknowledges the role of media in raising awareness on breast cancer that “it is not a death sentence”. 

The first Think Pink Awards will recognize newspapers and journalists for their outstanding stories on breast cancer. Training the spotlight on the creation of Media-Citizen Councils, the PPI has also partnered with the International Media Support (IMS) to stress the importance of media accountability and self-regulation under the framework of the Philippine Plan of Action for the Safety of Journalists (PPASJ). To date, there are nine Media-Citizen Councils which will be given focus in the forum. 

Central to a contemporary Council is the presence of mediation via Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) which will be explained by Atty. Irene De Torres Alogoc, undersecretary and executive director of the Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution which is under the Department of Justice (DOJ). Atty. Richard Paat Palpal-latoc, chairman of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will talk about a rights-based approach on the Media-Citizen Council. 

The 2023 Community Press Awards is the highlight of PPI’s 60th year. It will recognize journalism excellence of community publications in various categories: Best in Reporting on Migration Issues, Best in Photojournalism, Best in Environmental Reporting, Best in Business and Economic Reporting, Best Editorial Page, Best Edited Community Newspaper, and Best News Website, a new category in the 27th edition. In addition, PHAP will award newspapers and journalists for their outstanding stories on Health Innovation and Collaboration. The ceremony will also honor its long-time institutional partner Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC) “for its exceptional commitment and unparalleled support to Philippine press, especially to the PPI member-publications across the archipelago”. 

The special citation also recognizes NAC’S contribution to building better communities through responsible mining. The PPI 60th anniversary is also being supported by: International Labour Organization (ILO), SM Prime, SM Investments, JTI, San Miguel Corporation (SMC), PHINMA, SM Foundation, Ayala Corporation, BAYAD (a subsidiary of MERALCO), UNILAB and Neitiviti Studios. 

MANILA—Philippine Daily Inquirer Correspondent for Mindoro Madonna Virola was hailed finalist in the “Think Pink” best breast cancer story search given during the 60th year anniversary celebration of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) held at Century Park Hotel here on Wednesday. 

Virola received a Certificate of Merit from PPI Chairman Rolando Estabillo, Kara Magsanoc-Alipala, founding president of iCanServe Foundation Inc., Joel Chong, Country President of Novartis Healthcare Philippines, Inc, Senator Pia Cayetano, Department of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and other key officials for her Inquirerdotnet article “Breast cancer patients turn warriors” published on October 17, 2023. 

The “Think Pink” search is a collaboration of PPI and Novartis in search for the outstanding stories in breast cancer among journalists,particularly published in the member newspapers of PPI in the whole of the country. 

PPI Executive Director Ariel Sebellino and Training Director Joyce Panares had initially led the conduct of a series of breast cancer awareness forum and press conferences where the search for the best cancer story was conceptualized. 

Other reporters of PPI-member newspapers including national dailies were also awarded for their similarly significant and notable breast cancer stories.  

PPI, the organization of newspapers in the country was founded in 1964 to hone, support and help protect community newspapers and journalists. 

Wilbert Lamarca

Isinagawa noong 15–18 Abril 2024 sa Brgy. Villa Espina, Lopez, Quezon at Brgy. Bacong, Alabat, Quezon ang balidasyon hinggil sa wika ng mga katutubong Agta. Iniharap ng mga kawani ng Sangay ng Lingguwistika at Aplikadong Lingguwistika ng KWF sa pinuno at mga kasapi ng pamayanan at mga kawani ng NCIP Catanauan Community Service Center ang resulta ng isinagawang pangangalap ng datos noong Oktubre 2023.

Layunin ng proyektong balidasyon na maiwasto at maisapanahon ang mga impormasyon hinggil sa tinatayang 135 katutubong wika ng Pilipinas. 

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS—Tinanggap kahapon ng 3,392 pamilyang Bulakenyo ang tig P5,175 na halaga ng cash assistance bilang ilan sa mga natitirang huling batches ng mga benepisyaryo ng kabuuang P500 milyong halaga ng Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) mula sa national government para sa halos 100,000 pamilyang Bulakenyo na naapektuhan ng bagyong Egay at Falcon noong Hulyo at Agosto 2023.

Sa pangunguna ni Gob. Daniel Fernando, tatapusin hanggang sa Biyernes ang pamimigay sa mga last batches ng inutos ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na pamamahagi ng ECT para sa mga Bulakenyo na kasamang hinagupit ng nasabing kalamidad noong isang taon.

Ayon kay Fernando, mapalad pa rin ang mga kalalawigan sa kabila ng dinanas na pagbaha sapagkat inalalayan sila ng pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng ayudang iniutos na ipagkaloob ng Pangulo sa pamamagitan ni Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian. 

Inamuki ng gobernador na gamitin ng mahusay ang natanggap na cash at ito ay maaari ng gamiting puhunan kahit sa isang maliit na negosyo tulad ng pagtitinda ng fishball, banana que o mga pampalamig lalo na ngayong tag-init. 

Ayon kay Rowena Tiongson, hepe ng Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) ng Bulacan, nasa P17 milyon ang kabuuang halaga ang ipinamahagi sa 3,392 benepistaryo. Kabilang sa mga benepisyaryo nitong Martes ay mga residente ng Bayan ng Angat. 

Sinabi ni Fernando na ang susunod namang ipapamahagi ay P20 milyon halagang Assistance for Individual in Crisis Situation (AICS) at partikular na tig P5,000 para sa mahigit 1,400 magsasaka na naapektuhan ng El Nino. 

Aabot sa P15 milyong kabuuang pondo ang nasabing halaga para sa mga magsasaka kung saan mahigit 1,000 hektaryang kanilang sinasaka ang naapektuhan ng tagtuyot, ayon sa gobernador. 

Ani pa ng gonernador, mamimigay naman ang Kapitolyo ng binhi ng palay sa mga magsasaka upang makapagtanim na sila sa Hunyo at Hulyo. 

Ibinalita rin ng punong lalawigan na sisimulan ng malawakang paghuhukay at pagpapalalim ng mga ilog at dike sa bilang bahagi ng coastal defense ng lalawigan laban sa mga pagbaha. 

Sa huli, tinagubilinan ni Fernando ang mga kababayan na huwag maniniwala sa mga negatibong balitang kumakalat laban sa kanya na siya raw umano ay nakangiwi na at pilay. 

“Huwag po kayong maniniwala sa mga paninira at balitang kumakalat na ako daw po ay ngiwi na at pilay at hindi na tatakbo. Ngiwi po ba ako at pilay,” pananalita ng gobernador. 

Matatandaang isinugod sa ospital ang gobernador Setyembre noong isang taon at pinagpahinga ng 3 linggo ng doctor matapos na ito ay samaan ng pakiramdam habang nagtatalumpati sa loob ng Capitol Gymasium dahil sa over fatigue and exhaustion bunsod ng halos walang pahingang pagtatrabaho kabilang ang pamimigay ng mga ayuda sa mga binahang residente dulot ng bagyong Egay at Falcon. 

Oktubre o isang buwan ang nakalipas ay agad naman itong aktibo muling bumalik sa kanyang regular na mga tungkulin at gawain ng pamumuno sa lalawigan at paglilingkod sa mga kababayan. 

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
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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.