Bagama’t unti-unti nang nababayaran ang ilan sa mga nawalan ng trabahong overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) sa Saudi Arabia, dapat ipagpatuloy pa rin ng gobyerno ang pagkuha ng claim para sa mga natitirang Pilipino, kasama ang iba pang nasa ibang bansa, ayon kay Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva.

“This is a welcome development, but we need to ensure that all of our displaced Saudi OFWs are paid 100 percent of their back wages,” sabi ni Villanueva, principal sponsor at author ng batas na nagtatag ng Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Ipinunto ni Villanueva na ang pagbigay ng claim, na inabot ng halos sampung taon, ay nabigyan ng agarang aksiyon matapos magkita sina Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at Saudi Crown Prince Prince Mohammed bin Salman noong Nobyembre 2022.

“This does not include the period when some of our OFWs had to languish in makeshift tents for months, unable to come home because they did not have the financial means or did not have exit visas,” ani Villanueva.

Hiniling din ng Majority Leader sa DMW at iba pang kaukulang ahensiya na ipagpatuloy ang pagkakaroon ng kinatawan sa Saudi government para maasikaso ang agarang pag-release ng back wages at iba pang benepisyo sa mga naapektuhang OFWs.

Sabi pa niya, dapat ipagpatuloy ng DMW ang pagtulong sa OFWs sa pagkumpleto ng mga dokumento at iba pang requirement na nagiging pahirap pa sa ilan Pinoy workers.

Sa liham kay Villanueva, sinabi ni DMW officer-in-charge Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac na naipadala na ang tseke mula Nobyembre hanggang Disyembre 2023 para sa unang batch ng 1,506 Pinoy na nagtatrabaho sa Saudi Oger firm.

Nagsumite rin ang DMW sa Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development ng pangalan ng 14,007 pang mga claimants.

Mula dito, may kabuuang 10,543 OFWs ang nakapagsumite na ng kanilang Iqmas o Saudi residence permits for foreign hires.

Sinabi pa ng DMW na kasalukuyan nilang inaayos ang memorandum of agreement kasama ang Land Bank of the Philippines para matulungan ang mga claimant sa pagkuha ng kanilang tseke.

Samantala, sinabi ni Villanueva na ngayon pa lamang ay dapat patuloy na nakikipag-usap ang DMW sa gobyerno ng New Zealand kaugnay ng pagkawala ng trabaho ng mahigit 700 OFWs noong Disyembre. Ang mga Pinoy ay nawalan ng trabaho sa ELE, na kabilang sa construction at manufacturing sector, matapos magsara ang kumpanya bago mag-Pasko.

“We hope things are moving right now as we speak.  We don’t want our OFWs from New Zealand to suffer the same fate of our Saudi workers who waited for 10 years,” diin pa ni Villanueva.

Time to reward yourself and start anew with great discounts awaiting at SM City Baliwag’s first leg of 3-DAY SALE this 2024.

As you plan the year ahead, SM City Baliwag keeps you company, as bigger savings are up for grabs on this year’s first 3-DAY SALE happening on February 16-18. Check out the latest finds from The SM Store, SM Hypermarket, Ace Hardware, Watson’s, SM Appliance Center, Surplus and Miniso.

Shop all you want as delightful fare, festive selling and great discounts of up to 70% awaits on countless items mall wide. Whatever your plans are for the start of the year, February 16-18 is definitely the best time to fill up those carts at SM City Baliwag.

Purchases could even bring you heap of chances to bring home a brand-new SUZUKI DZIRE GL MT! To join, shoppers may avail P1000 worth of purchase to earn 1 e-raffle entry. Increase your chances of winning by getting additional coupons on Saturday (February 17) and Sunday (February 18) to double the entries. Shoppers may also get 5 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. Get your calendars and mark February 16-18 all the way from 10am-10pm. Dig the best deals only at SM City Baliwag’s 3 Day Sale blowout! For mall events and updates, follow SM City Baliwag on Facebook and Instagram.

SAN MIGUEL, Bulacan–Inatasan kahapon lokal na pamahalaan ang kapulisan ng bayang ito na resolbahin ang magkasunod na pamamaril sa dalawang barangay tanod at panunutok ng baril at pang-aagaw ng motorsiklo na naganap sa dalawang magkaibang barangay noong Miyerkules.

Binigyan ng direktiba ni Mayor Roderick Tiongson si San Miguel Chief of Police Lt.Col. Avelino Protacio II na resolbahin sa loob ng 48-oras ang insidente ng pamamaril sa dalawang barangay tanod ng Sta. Ines na sina Noli Ramos, 40 at Pascual Aquino, 62, bandang 6:30 ng gabi habang sila ay sakay ng isang kolong-kolong na tricycle at nagsasagawa ng pagpapatrolya sa kanilang lugar sa Sitio Balucok. Isa sa riding in  tandem suspects ang bigla na lamang bumaba sa kanilang motorsiklo at pinagbabaril ang dalawa.

Ang mga ito ay kasalukuyan pa ring nasa pagamutan habang ang mga salarin ay agad na tumakas.

Ilang oras matapos ito ay dalawang tauhan naman ni Mayor Tiongson ang tinutukan ng baril at inagawan ng motorsiklo habang tinatahak ang barangay ng Biak na Bato.

Natangay mula sa mga biktimang sina Ranier Ramirez 17-anyos at Ariel Dumapig ang isang Yamaha Aerox motorcycle.

Ayon kay Tiongson, nais niya na agad matukoy at madakip ang mga nasa likod ng nasabing mga insidente.

Sa isang updated report na ipinadala ng Bulacan Provincial Police Information Office kahapon, iniulat dito na ang biktimang si Ramos ay napabalitang may mga kinaharap na reklamo ng larceny o pagtangay ng mga personal na ari-arian ng ibang tao at iba pa umanong uri ng illegal na gawain. Ayon sa report, nagtamo ito ng mga tama ng baril sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng katawan habang si Aquino ay may tama ng baril sa may bandang ibaba ng kaliwang hita.

Ayon naman kay Col. Protacio, nagsasagawa na sila ng malalim na imbestigasyon hinggil sa mga nabanggit na insidente at mag-uulat siya ng mga developments sa nasabing mga krimen sa tanggapan ng alkalde sa loob ng itinakdang 48-oras.

In the city of Davao, a skilled embroiderer from Sta. Rosa, Laguna, started her journey that would not only shape her destiny but also enrich the local tapestry. Driven by her vision and armed with skills, Josephine Mañaga noticed an untapped market for Laguna embroidery in Davao, which encouraged her to take a bold leap of faith.

“I noticed the lack of embroiderers in Davao City, and I believed that bringing embroidery closer to them could be mutually beneficial. The competition is minimal, plus I can provide Davao people with accessibility,” Mañaga said.

Upon arriving in the city, she introduced herself to local seamstresses, gradually earning recognition in the field. Starting with a single machine and manual stitching, Josephine has now evolved to five machines, embracing computerized embroidery for precision and efficiency.

While in the business, she joined CARD Bank. Her clientship with the institution proved to be a crucial step in her entrepreneurial journey. The bank provided her the support to obtain essential equipment she needed for operating her business. She recalled her first CARD Bank loan was used as a supplement to purchase an embroidery machine.

The fruits of her persistence and dedication showed in more than just intricate designs. The earnings from her expanding business empowered Josephine to invest in land and build a home.

The pandemic that occurred in 2020 also did not impede her progress because it served as a bridge for her to gain clients who purchased personal protective equipment (PPE) and facemasks for frontliners. She survived the pandemic while also providing a job for her staff. Currently, she has three operators and six tailors under her supervision. Looking ahead, her vision extends beyond embroidery hoops and needles. In the next five years, Josephine Mañaga envisions expanding her business, offering livelihood opportunities to even more individuals and leaving a mark on the fabric of Davao City’s success.

Good afternoon, Mr. President, and distinguished colleagues.

I rise today before this august chamber to co-sponsor Senate Bill No. 2534 under Committee Report No. 190, entitled “Wage Increase Act of 2023”, which aims to increase the minimum wage rate of all workers in the private sector, whether agricultural or non-agricultural, by P100.00 a day.

It gives me great honor and pride to take part in furthering this noble cause of directly aiding our countrymen’s life through a legislated wage increase. This undertaking will somehow ease the financial burden of several of our people who continue to make ends meet. Hopefully, may this measure also give even a little amount of comfort to some.

We very well know that even before the pandemic, workers in the private sector have struggled in their everyday lives to put food on their plate. Inflation is a reality that needs to be addressed by the government with urgency.

I am very fortunate to belong to an institution that has always been sensitive to the plight of the ordinary Filipino. The Senate, through this legislation, has committed itself to not only decrease the suffering of our people but also end it.

Magkano po ba ang dignidad ng isang Pilipinong manggagawa? Ito po ay kailanman hindi masusukat ng ano mang halaga ng salapi. Buong-buo po ang aking pagsuporta sa dagdag na isandaang piso sa sahod ng ating mga manggagawa. Ngunit wala rin naman po sigurong masama kung gusto pa natin itong dagdagan pa.

Bagamat maituturing po na pampaampat ng pagdurugo o panandaliang lunas ang ating panukala na ito, nawa po ay kahit papaano ay makapagbigay ito ng kahit kaunting kaluwagan at espasyo para makahinga ang ating mga kababayan.

To reiterate, there is no monetary amount that can ever measure the dignity of the Filipino worker. However, Mr. President, I hope the workers will consider this legislative measure as a first tranche of efforts that the Senate will do to requite the unmeasurable contribution of minimum wage workers to our economy.

Malayo-layo pa po ang ating lalakbayin bilang isang bansa para makamit ang ating minimithing pag-unlad at ganap na pagwawagi laban sa kahirapan. Pero ituring po natin ang panukalang ito na isa sa marami pa nating mga hakbang patungo sa pagbibigay ng kaginhawaan sa buhay ng ating mga manggagawa. Ika nga po ng mga kabataan ngayon: “Malayo pa, pero malayo na.” Pasasaan pa’t makararating din.

Thank you, Mr. President.

LUNGSOD NG BALIWAG—Nasa P6-milyong halaga ng cash na ayuda o Assistance to Individuals In Crisis Situation (AICS) sa ilalim ng programa ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ang ipinamahagi ni Senadora Imee Marcos sa 2,000 displaced public market vendors at force multipliers sa lungsod na ito nitong Miyerkules, Pebrero 7. 

Bawat isa ay nabiyayaan ng tig P3,000 bilang tulong matapos na ma-displaced ang nasabing mga vendors sa palengke dahil sa kasalukuyang  gumagawa ng bago at modernong palengke ang Baliwag, mahigit isang taon matapos na ito ay maging isang lungsod noong Disyembre 2022. 

Pansamantalang pinagamit sa kanila ang kalsada sa may palengke upang kanilang mapuwestuhan habang ang mga force multipliers ay nananatiling matatag na katuwang ng pamahalaang lungsod sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan at kapayapaan sa buong lungsod. 

Ayon kay Marcos, bunsod ng pag-unlad ng Baliwag bilang isa ng siyudad, ay kaakibat nito ang pagbabago katulad ng pagpapagawa ng modernong palengke kung kaya’t pansamantalang na-displaced ang mga vendors. 

“Mahirap magtinda sa kalsada at kung saan-saan. Sana makatulong kahit kaunti ang ating AICS. Ang mga force multipliers ay katuwang ng mga pulis at sana ay makatulong din sa inyo ang AICS. Tuloy tuloy ang ating pagbibigay ng tulong. Maaasahan po ninyo ako sa tulong na ito,” pahayag ng senadora. 

Dagdag niya na marami pa ang inaasahang mga pag-unlad at proyektong gagawin sa lungsod. 

Aniya, siya ay isang Baliwagenya sapagkat ang kanyang lola, ang nanay ni dating First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos na si Dona Remedios Trinidad (DRT) ay mula sa Bayan ng Baliwag. 

Nagbiro pa ang senadora na pakyaw niya o sakop niya at sa kanya ang 30 bahagi ng lalawigan ng Bulacan dahil iyon ang sakop ng bayan ng DRT na pangalan ng kanyang lola habang ang pangalan din naman niya ay Remedios.

Ayon naman kay Mayor Ferdie Estrella, sadyang mabilis na tumutulong ang senadora sa Bayan ng Baliwag sa maraming pagkakataon katulad nga ng pangangailangan para sa ayuda sa mga displaced public market vendors, sa mga force multipliers at iba pang sektor sa lungsod. 

Noon umanong Disyembre 2022 ay naghatid din ang senadora ng ayuda sa Lungsod ng Baliwag, ani ng punongbayan. 

Sinabi rin ng alkalde na ang kasalukuyang gusali ng pamahalaang panglungsod na ipinatayo mahigit 50 taon na ang nakakaraan ay mula sa tulong at pondo sa ilalim ng panunungkulan ng ama ng senadora, dating Pangulong Ferdinand Edralin Marcos. 

Sa huli, pinaalala niya sa kanyang mga kababayang Bulakenyo na may solusyon sa bawat problema gamit ang kataga ng kanyang pangalang “Imee”. Sa anomang problema “Imee” (ay may) solusyon.

With Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day swiftly approaching, it’s time to ignite your spirit with the vibrant hue of red. In celebration of these joyous occasions, SM City Grand Central, SM Center Sangandaan, and SM City Valenzuela invite shoppers to celebrate Luck in Love month by exploring a curated collection of red merchandise that promises to add flair and excitement to your wardrobe and lifestyle.

From fashion-forward pieces to chic home decor and must-have gadgets as well as health essentials, our selection promises something for everyone looking to add a pop of color to their lives. Here’s a guide to some of the must-have red products available at SM City Grand Central, SM Center Sangandaan, and SM City Valenzuela:

Fashion:

• Rubber Shoes from The SM Store: Step out in style with these trendy red rubber shoes, perfect for adding a pop of color to any outfit.
• Red Scrunchie from The SM Store: Elevate your hair game with this adorable red scrunchie, adding a playful touch to your everyday look.
• Maybellline’s Super Stay Red Lippie from Watsons: Make a bold statement with this long-lasting red lipstick, guaranteed to turn heads wherever you go.

Home Decor:

• Accent Chair from Our Home: Add a touch of sophistication to your living space with this stylish red accent chair, sure to become the centerpiece of any room.
• Red Picture Frame from SM Home: Display your cherished memories in style with this vibrant red picture frame, a perfect addition to your home decor.

Gadgets & Electronics:

• Headphones from Miniso: Immerse yourself in your favorite tunes with these sleek red headphones from Miniso, offering both style and superior sound quality.
• JBL Speaker from Cyberzone: Take your music anywhere with this portable red JBL speaker, delivering powerful sound in a compact package.

Health:

• Hydrofresh Flask from Surplus: Stay hydrated on the go with this durable red Hydro fresh flask, perfect for keeping your drinks cold or hot wherever your adventures take you.

Discover these and more Everything Red merchandise at SM City Grand Central, SM Center Sangandaan, and SM City Valenzuela. Don’t miss this opportunity to embrace the festive spirit of Luck in Love Month with SM, your ultimate shopping destination.

As the lively and festive spirit of Chinese New Year approaches, it’s time to usher in good fortune and prosperity with the symbolic colors of red available at SM malls in Marilao, Baliwag, and Pulilan.

In Chinese culture, red is considered the color of luck, joy, and prosperity and is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune. SM Bulacan malls’ anchors and other retailers have curated a collection of amazing items to enhance your celebrations, featuring everything red. The SM Store, Miniso, Surplus, and SM Home offer a diverse array of red-themed items, ranging from outfits, accessories, novelty items, home essentials, and a lot more.

Additionally, Toy Kingdom and The SM Store’s Toy Express carry fun and huggable red dragon plushies that are symbols of good fortune and prosperity in 2024. Lucky toy dragons are more than playthings; they’re a meaningful way to embrace the spirit of the Chinese New Year. Whether displayed as festive decor or enjoyed in playful moments, these dragons carry positive energy and are believed to bring blessings into your home. Aim for positive energy and abundance. Attract good fortune and get everything red at SM City Marilao, SM City Baliwag, and SM Center Pulilan.

CAMP OLIVAS, CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA—Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 Ditector PBGen Jose Hidalgo Jr.  on Monday led the celebration of the 33rd Philippine National Police (PNP) Foundation Day Anniversary which coincided with the Traditional first working day of the week flag raising ceremony followed by a wreath laying ceremony held at the Heroes monument in this camp.

City of San Fernando Vice Mayor Hon. Benedict Jasper Lagman graced the event as the Guest of Honor and Speaker, joined by the families of the fallen PRO3 personnel. In a poignant address, Hon. Lagman conveyed his deepest appreciation to the dedicated officers of Central Luzon for their tireless efforts in maintaining peace and order throughout the region. He reassured the police force that his office remains open and committed to providing additional support for the betterment of the organization in the region.

Reflecting on the journey since its establishment in 1991, the PNP has evolved into a key member of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The force has played a pivotal role in upholding peace and order, contributing significantly to the region’s overall tranquility.

“Beyond law enforcement, the PNP has actively engaged in initiatives aimed at professionalizing its personnel, aligning with principles of good governance for the betterment of society. The ceremony served as a moment of reflection and celebration, acknowledging the PNP’s enduring commitment to public service and its role in shaping a safer and more secure community,” Hidalgo said.