Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 10

GRANTING CONSENT TO BASES CONVERSION AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY CHAIRMAN DELFIN LORENZANA TO RECEIVE THE UNITED STATES SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND MEDAL FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Mr. President, I rise today with zeal and pride to co-sponsor Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 10, granting consent to my fellow alumnus of the Philippine Military Academy, Hon. Delfin N. Lorenzana, Chairman of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, to receive the United States Special Operations Command Medal from the Government of the United States of America.

“Selfless service to God and country, honor and excellence.” These are the core values inculcated in us by our alma mater. And yes, these are the self-same values embodied by Chairman Lorenzana.

Mr. President, Chairman Lorenzana is no stranger to public service, dedicating thirty-five (35) years in active military service, receiving various awards and commendations for his outstanding contributions to our country, especially in the defense and security sector. After hanging his uniform, Chairman Lorenzana accepted another challenge, this time, as the Head of the Office of Veterans Affairs at the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. where he greatly contributed in lobbying for the passage of legislative measures for the Filipino World War II veterans. As if the selflessness inherent to heroism was not enough, Chairman Lorenzana became the hero of our heroes.

He was thereafter appointed as the 36^th Secretary of National Defense, where he wasted no time in pursuing a modernized Armed Forces, amidst the challenges brought about by COVID-19 pandemic, prior to being appointed as the Chairman of the BCDA.

With his vast years of untarnished public service, it no longer came as a surprise to me that he is being conferred with yet another international recognition, this time, by the Government of the United States of America.

As they say, give credit where credit is due, Mr. President. I join this august chamber in commending our man of the hour, Chairman Lorenzana, for continuously raising our flag of excellent public service high enough to be recognized not only by our neighboring countries, but even those across the globe. May you continue to serve our country beyond the call of duty and be an inspiration to all of us in being of service to our country without reservations.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Paolo Antonio Fernando

Quezon City, Philippines (March 1, 2024). In celebration of International Women’s Day, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Philippines, in collaboration with partners, embarks on a month-long celebration dedicated to empowering women nationwide. The different initiatives include a Condom, Lubes, and Sanitary Pads Distribution Drive, offering essential items and hygiene kits to promote safer sex practices, menstrual hygiene, and reproductive health.

Educational booths will be set up to provide information on women’s health, rights, and well-being, covering topics such as nutrition, mental health, self-care, and empowerment. AHF, along with partners, aims to facilitate engagement through educational games, distributing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to promote awareness and provide references for accessing related services.
The event extends beyond awareness, offering free Health Screening Services like Pap smears, VIA, breast examinations, and HIV screening. Notably, AHF Philippines advocates for cervical cancer screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines for women, emphasizing comprehensive healthcare for women’s empowerment and well-being.

Ms. Nenet L. Ortega, Country Manager of AHF Philippines said “Women’s empowerment knows no bounds. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate women’s strength, resilience, and courage worldwide. Join us in recognizing the vital role women play in healthcare, including HIV prevention, testing, and care. Together, we are breaking barriers, spreading awareness, and ensuring every woman can access lifesaving resources. Let’s continue to uplift, support, and champion women everywhere.”

According to UNAIDS, women and girls make up a disproportionate amount of people living with HIV globally. In 2022, 4,000 girls and young women aged 15 to 24 worldwide acquired HIV every week.

International Women’s Day was founded in 1911 and is observed annually on March 8. The day recognizes the political, cultural, and economic achievements of women to accelerate their rights. AHF created its Girls Act program, which works across nearly 40 AHF country teams, to help young women and girls stay HIV-free (or on treatment if HIV positive), keep them in school, and avoid unplanned pregnancies. Learn more at GirlsAct.org.

TASK FORCE MAPALAD

Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Kazel C. Celeste has ordered DAR Region 6 Director Sheila B. Enciso to proceed with the land acquisition and distribution (LAD) process covering landholdings in Negros Occidental in a memorandum issued on Feb. 21, 2024.

Enciso had refused to proceed with the LAD covering 20 landholdings covering 1,170 hectares with 914 agrarian reform beneficiaries on the basis of what she tagged as erroneous notices of coverage (NOCs) and protests against the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) or the nullification of the NOCs.

In her memo, Celeste, a lawyer like Enciso, said that Memorandum 226, Series 2023, dated May 2023, was clear in mandating that Enciso proceed with the completion of LAD notwithstanding the presence of any protest or pending action.

Celeste issued the new memo after meeting with the leaders of Task Force Mapalad (TFM) from Feb. 19 to 21 to tackle the failure of Enciso to abide by Memo 226, which was issued precisely to expedite LAD and distribute the land to the 914 ARBs, some of whom are holding a protest at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) main office at the Elliptical Road in Quezon City.

Enciso wrote to the DAR on June 6, 2023 to explain that her regional office was faced with a “dilemma” in implementing Memo 226 owing to the protests against the NOCs and CARP itself, which are pending issues that cannot be resolved without the “proper interpretation” of the memo. Celeste responded by telling Enciso that Memo 226 is but a “rehash and reiteration of Administrative Order No. 5, Series of 2017, and Administrative Order No. 2, Series of 2020.”

Celeste counseled Enciso that she was taking a contrary position to the regulation that DAR field offices are duty-bound to implement and stressed that Field Operations Office (FOO) is not budging on the LAD, which Enciso must implement.

The DAR undersecretary told Enciso that she is free to file a position paper against Memo 226 to the DAR Legal Affairs Office and even to the Policy Review and Formulation Committee of the DAR but argued her office is not issuing any instruction contrary to the spirit and letter of Memo 226.

TFM had complained about the inaction of the DAR in Region 6 under Enciso, who had spent years dilly-dallying on LAD due to the complaints filed by landowners to delay the implementation of CARP in Negros Occidental.

TFM also asked the DAR to investigate Enciso for frustrating the implementation of CARP in Region 6 and for blocking the LAD process despite the clear department policy to continue the process despite pending protests from landowners.

Quezon for Environment (QUEEN)

QUEZON – Local stakeholders and environmental advocates on Thursday called for the nullification of a public scoping for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Mauban, Quezon, saying that proponents and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) were amiss in sufficiently informing and engaging stakeholders on impacts and details of the fossil fuel project.

According to Quezon for Environment (QUEEN), a coalition of environmental advocates, communities, and church groups in Quezon Province, the 1,200 MW LNG combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) being proposed by Quezon Power Philippines Ltd. Co. (QPPL) poses many threats to host communities and the environment. Proponents and the DENR, as such, should have exhausted all effort to ensure the meaningful participation of stakeholders – which was not the case for this public scoping.

“We received no formal invitation, even when we are legitimate stakeholders as prescribed by the DENR. There is an abundance of evidence in the Philippines and across the world of the negative impacts of fossil fuels, including LNG, to the health of people and ecological systems. If the proponents and DENR fail in their responsibility of ensuring that all stakeholders are well-informed and involved in compliance processes, how can we be assured that we will not end up suffering worse once the project comes to life?” asked Fr. Warren Puno, lead Convenor of QUEEN and Director of the Ministry on Ecology of the Diocese of Lucena.

Citing a recent report from think-tank Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED), members of QUEEN and their supporters are concerned by findings that selected areas in Quezon and the Philippines where existing or proposed fossil fuel plants are located already exceed national and international standards for what is considered to be healthy ambient air quality. Atimonan town in Quezon, for example, has already exceeded standards even as the gas power plant proposed in it has yet to begin operation. Mauban, just two towns away, is bound to be in a worse situation, as it already hosts two existing coal-fired power plants.

“The people of Quezon have a right to clean air, a clean environment, and clean energy – all of which LNG is not capable of providing. QPPL and DENR-EMB are posing threats to local stakeholders while neglecting their right to be informed about the risks they face. What else can this be but insult added to injury,” said Gerry Arances, Executive Director of CEED.

According to QUEEN, the public scoping should be declared null and void.

“Excluding us from this public scoping is an insensitive move. We and many others have diligently fought for years to protect the cultural, historical, and environmental integrity of our town – all of which a project of this scale will undoubtedly impact. Any compliance process that ignores legitimate stakeholders like us is invalid and cannot be trusted,” said Atty. Bella Putong, member of Mauban Heritage Association.

    Fr. Puno also expressed that the proponent’s decision to name the power plant after San Francisco, the Catholic patron of the environment, is an ironic and repulsive move.

    “This proposed San Francisco LNG plant will hurt our environment, our ailing climate, and vulnerable peoples. It goes against everything St. Francis stood for. We will not let such an offense come to life,” he said.

MPTC is thrilled to announce that the excitement for MPTC Holideals 2024 has reached new heights, with over 100,000 participants now qualified to win extraordinary prizes. In their extended holiday promotion, MPTC gives its motorists another reason to enjoy the drive as they stand to experience the joy of winning a brand-new car or amazing cash prizes.

In partnership with Chevrolet Philippines, two lucky winners will get to drive away with a brand-new Chevrolet Tracker LS. In addition to these sleek rides, MPTC is also giving away more than P3 Million worth of cash prizes, with 10 winners walking away with P100,000 each, while 40 winners take home P50,000 each.

Joining the promo is a breeze, as all the motorists have to do is use the MPT DriveHub app, link their Easytrip RFID account, reload and pass at least four times through any MPTC tollways: CCLEX, NLEX, NLEX Connector, CALAX, SCTEX, CAVITEX, and CAVITEX C5 LINK during the promo period. For each reload of P200 denomination via the MPT DriveHub App, users earn an additional 1 point (non-cumulative). The accumulated points act as golden tickets, increasing the chances of winning in the grand raffle draw.

New users may simply download the MPT DriveHub app and link an Easytrip or CCLEX RFID, to instantly receive 2 points. MPT DriveHub app is available via the App Store (https://apple.co/3mBkwb6) or Google Play Store (https://bit.ly/MPTDriveHubPlayStore).

“We’re gearing up to raffle off cash prizes and two brand-new cars! Don’t miss your shot at winning; simply download the MPT DriveHub app and link your Easytrip RFID or CCLEX RFID account. With DriveHub, you can easily monitor your balance, reload, access the 24/7 hotline, receive advisories, and stay updated with other useful information while using our tollways. Given that most of our motorists use smartphones, having the DriveHub app is our way of enhancing customer support through a digital platform that’s readily available for tollroad users,” stated Mr. Rogelio L. Singson, President, and CEO of MPTC.

Don’t miss out on this longest holiday celebration ever. Promo runs from December 8, 2023, to March 7, 2024. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-179965 Series of 2023.

By Harvey Sapigao

College of Science (CS) Dean Giovanni Tapang held up a little white device as he finished his presentation. “This is a ₱150,000 component,” he described. “Isa lang gumagawa nito sa buong mundo, pero ang hirap pilitin sila na magregister sa PhilGEPS,” he continued, referring to the requirement that foreign companies must first register to the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) before they can sell products to local scientists.

Marine Science Institute (MSI) Deputy Director Dr. Irene Rodriguez explained that the small device is a resin that filters metals in water. “May budget tayo,” she said, “pero ang problema ko ay ‘yung resin na ito.”

This and other bottlenecks brought about by the procurement law, or the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184), slow down research and development in the country. UPD leaders were invited to the Senate hearing to discuss the proposed revision of the procurement law at the House of Representatives on February 21, 2024.

Aside from Dean Tapang and Dr. Rodriguez, among those present were CS Associate Dean Dr. Eizadora Yu, CS Associate Dean Dr. Deo Florence Onda, National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) Dean Dr. Kristoffer Berse, NCPAG Assistant Professor Herisadel Flores, and NCPAG Atty. Lawrence Villanueva.

The procurement law, enacted in 2003, is a set of rules and regulations for using government funds to acquire goods and services. Although meant to deter corruption and promote transparency, the law introduces numerous problems for researchers and scientists.

Among the problems is that products become exorbitantly priced which hinders research progress. Dean Berse said that when a product cannot be locally produced, foreign-sourced products can be bought through local suppliers. But this method increases and even doubles the products’ prices. “In the event that no local suppliers are interested,” he added, “this will result in the loss of access to the target equipment.”

When researchers fail to procure the necessary equipment, they cannot meet project objectives and need to realign budgets. This will “ultimately delay the dissemination of knowledge and information and in providing solutions to our country’s pressing problems,” Dean Berse said.

Moreover, the procurement law impacts the retention of local scientists. “Once frustrated, they leave [the country] for greener pastures,” Dean Tapang said.

The amended procurement law aims to solve these problems. The revised law, for example, would allow for direct sales and direct acquisition of products in certain circumstances, bypassing the slow bidding process. Under the new law, the sole supplier of resin needed for Dr. Rodriguez’s research would not need to undergo bidding.

UPD professors fully support the amendments to the procurement law. They also proposed further improvements and recommendations, such as on how to counteract “abnormally low bids” or bids that offer equipment and services at suspiciously low prices.

One of the authors of the revised law, Senator Sonny Angara,  stated that the law is already in its finalization stage and is expected to be finalized in the next two weeks.

San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) infrastructure arm officially opened the new access ramp of the NAIA Expressway (NAIAx) at Tramo in Pasay City. This is expected to ease traffic in the area and provide seamless access to the country’s main international gateway and other areas.

Speaking at its ceremonial opening on March 1, 2024, SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang explained the importance of the 800-meter access ramp for motorists, particularly for those using EDSA southbound coming from Makati, or northbound, coming from the Entertainment City.

“This Tramo access ramp provides another option for motorists heading to the airport, and other areas in Paranaque City and Cavite province. We believe it can help relieve overall traffic congestion in the area, and improve traffic flow within the vicinity of the airport,” Ang said.

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan led the inauguration of the new access ramp and credited the company for supporting the government’s efforts to build vital infrastructure to sustain the country’s economic growth.

“The Tramo access ramp has been in San Miguel’s drawing board for a long, long time because they knew it would enhance the efficiency of NAIA expressway, and improve the mobility of motorists going to the airport,” Bonoan said.

Bonoan said further improvements on NAIAx are being studied by their agency, as grantor of the concession, in partnership with SMC, to improve the flow of traffic to airport terminals, given growing demand.

“The Department of Public Works and Highways will always be there to support and implement these projects to improve traffic flow especially here in Metro Manila,” he added.

For his part, Ang remained firm in the company’s commitment to work closely with the government, as it pursues infrastructure projects that benefit Filipinos.

“San Miguel will continue to pursue these vital infrastructure projects, in close coordination with our government, because of their benefits to our people and economy. Through these projects, we also create jobs, improve the mobility of goods and services, and make our cities and regions more primed for growth. All these serve to support and sustain our growing economy,” Ang said.

The NAIA expressway is an 11-kilometer elevated toll road that connects the Skyway System to the three passengers terminals of NAIA, the country’s main international gateway, as well as to Pasay’s Entertainment City, Macapagal Boulevard, Sucat Road in Paranaque City, and the road network to Cavite province.

The People’s Coalition on Food Sovereignty (PCFS)

The looming famine in Palestine signals the worsening global crisis in our food systems and agriculture. 

Crisis-level hunger torments over 90% of Gaza’s 2.2 million population, with one out of every four projected to be verging on famine by February this year. Never have we seen in recent history such scale and speed of extreme hunger escalate to an entire population – not until the US-Israel genocidal war was waged.  

Despite the resounding global clamor for a ceasefire, with a UN General Assembly resolution to boot, Israel’s war crimes and massacres in Gaza and the West Bank have only intensified with the shameless and unwavering support from the US and its allies. 85% of Gaza’s population has already been internally displaced, with 1.4 million staying in Rafah in imminent danger of Israel’s offensives. The killings have now reached 28,000, with seven out of every ten being women and children.

The deadly occupation has already destroyed 70% of Gaza’s fishing fleet, more than a quarter of its agricultural land, and 60% of Gaza’s civilian infrastructures including 150 agricultural greenhouses, which will expand as Israel’s buffer zone grabs lands along its borders. The total blockade and funding cuts by Israel’s allies to the UN Palestinian aid agency – Gaza’s largest aid provider that supplied food to 3 out of 4 Palestinians even before Israel launched its war – aggravated food scarcity. Gazans are subsisting on animal feed, grass, and polluted water. Earlier on, Israeli airstrikes deliberately targeted bakeries and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) burned food supplies. Inflation made food highly unaffordable where it is available. Even Palestinian crowds waiting for food aid were struck fire by Israeli military.  

The situation in the West Bank is no different. Because of the war, resident Palestinians are struggling amid raids, drone strikes, and a reeling economy marked by Israel’s financial blockade and mobility restrictions, inflation, and unemployment. Farmlands are burned, bulldozed, or uprooted as Israeli settler attacks and militarization heighten, and about 7,000 farmers have experienced human rights violations in various forms. Olives, the West Bank’s main agricultural produce that also symbolizes the Palestinian national identity, were not reaped during the October-November harvest season – a big loss for the 160,00 Palestinians whose livelihoods depend on it. An estimated 100,000 Palestinian families from both the West Bank and Gaza plant olives as source of income. 

At this point, it is not just Gaza whose food system is destroyed and food weaponized, as UN experts have recently affirmed. US, Israel, and their allies are stoking the flames in West Asia-North Africa (WANA) region. Strikes have been launched in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Iraq – all in the guise of “counterterrorism” to quell the resistance of Iran and local people’s movements that have been suffering from economic and hunger crises because of decades-long US aggression. Yemen and Syria are hunger hotspots of “very high concern,” which means famine in these countries is just around the corner. 

The same also threatens Asia as the US builds its military presence in the region under its Indo-Pacific Strategy to contend against China. The US-Israel genocidal war is setting precedence on how imperialist backed wars are inducing and weaponizing starvation in a world where almost 6 out of every 10 are the hungriest because of wars, occupations, and conflict. There is already an observed trend of increasing state-perpetrated bombings in rural communities especially in Asia, including Burma, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines to name a few. 

The weakening global economy, reinforced by these wars, is crippling local food systems and raising food prices that impact the rest of the world. Yet warmonger states that mainly perpetrate global hunger – US being at the forefront – hypocritically preach to transform food systems toward Zero Hunger. 

But all hope is not lost. Global solidarity never stopped and countries like South Africa have taken action, whose case has resulted in the historic ruling of the International Court of Justice that recognizes Israel’s war as genocide and demands its accountability for its war crimes. Protests have also continued in many countries in support of the Palestinian cause. More importantly, the people of Palestine are standing their ground against the Israeli occupation – an inspiration for many people’s movements that are also resisting imperialist war, aggression, and domination over our food systems and agriculture. 

Likewise, we should also stand our ground and fight back in the face of the worsening food crisis. The People’s Coalition on Food Sovereignty (PCFS) calls to resist these imperialist maneuvers that starve the world and destroy our food systems, including the US-Israel genocidal war. We support the global call for a ceasefire to ease the hunger pangs of the Palestinian people at the immediate. We also reiterate that Israel should be held accountable for all its atrocities. Standing for the freedom of Palestine against the US-Israel occupation is ultimately a stand for people’s food sovereignty! 

The People’s Coalition on Food Sovereignty (PCFS)