We laud the decline of our unemployment rate to 3.6% last November 2023 from 4.2% in October, the lowest unemployment rate since 2005. The continuous improvement in our unemployment rate is a clear indication that our economy, particularly our labor sector, has fully recovered and that the policies being implemented are working. But our job’s not done yet.

As our labor market continues to improve and with more job opportunities from foreign investors expected to materialize this year, we need to see a sustained effort to keep our unemployment numbers low and not only during the holiday season. This is why it is very important that we fast track the completion of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Trabaho Para Sa Bayan (TPB) Act, as instructed by no less than President Bongbong Marcos. The full implementation of the TPB Act, a measure which we principally sponsored and authored, will ensure that we will have a comprehensive and synergized employment plan that is aligned with our incentive system giving priority to education and training and employment generation.  Quality laws, like the TPB, are the product of the hard work of the Senate as an institution in crafting laws that would benefit the people.

Jason De Asis

BALER, Aurora-The Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry Battalion (91IB) in collaboration with the local government unit (LGU) of San Luis provided Php50,000 livelihood assistance to Samahan ng Magsasaka ng Sitio Camalatan (SMSC) people’s organization (PO) in the town of San Luis, this province on Wednesday, Jan. 10.  

Lt. Col. Julito Recto Jr., commander of 91IB, said in an interview on Thursday that they personally facilitated the awarding to SMSC President Ka Angel-a former rebel and witnessed by acting civil military operation officer 2nd Lieutenant Jessa Mae Naman, Charlie Company executive officer 1st Lieutenant Stewart A. Cerbo and San Luis town Mayor Ariel A. de Jesus held at Barangay 4, in San Luis, Aurora.

“We are very grateful for the continues help of our Mayor de Jesus to SMSC, former rebels-supporters and other groups of people who are willing to change their lives with peace and harmony. Rest assured that the 91st IB will remain in our commitment to assist and support them in their “Bigasang Bayan project” to become stable and resilient against any influence of the communist terrorist groups (CTGs),” Recto said.

Recto is also hoping that the PO will manage the business correctly in order to become productive members of the society.

“Do your best to grow your business, work harder, focus, take time to study, learn to improve your bigasang bayan so that in the following years you can double your capital and maybe someday all of you will become millionaires,” Recto said.

On the other hand, Mayor de Jesus said that the LGU San Luis and 91st IB are united in providing the necessary livelihood assistance to the SMSC and other group of people who are willing to rebuild their lives.

“Your Bigasang Bayan project was through the efforts of 91st IB. Thank you for the initiatives to help our PO in this town. I am hoping that through sound management, your business will become successful,” de Jesus said. SMSC President Ka Angel who requested his anonymity said he was grateful for the continues assistance coming from the 91st IB and LGU San Luis.

“The generosity and help from the government served as an inspiration to us. The financial assistance is a great help in our association. We thank you for your encouragement and financial support. We will try our best efforts to become successful in this field of endeavor,” Ka Angel said.  

Geraldine A. Herrera, Director of the Film “Kunan” from Brgy. Sto. Rosario, City of Malolos, Bulacan, presents her certificate to Governor Daniel R. Fernando and Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro during the Monday Flag Ceremony at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium yesterday for winning Best Documentary at the recent Celluloid Calcutta International Festival Season 2in Kolkata, India. Also in the photo are Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Officer Dr. Eliseo S. Dela Cruz and Provincial Administrator Antonette V. Constantino.

THIRD PLACER IN MARCHING FIELD SHOW

Governor Daniel R. Fernando and Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro extend their appreciation to the representatives of Banda 85 Santa Maria Bulacan, Inc. during the Monday Flag Ceremony held at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium, City of Malolos, Bulacan after winning 3 rd Place in Marching Field Show at the Piyestang Camaru, Magalang Pampanga #Pasiklaband held last August 2023. Also in the photo are Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Officer Dr. Eliseo S. Dela Cruz and Provincial Administrator Antonnette V. Constantino.

BAYANIHANG BULAKENYO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BENEFICIARY

Members of the Tabing-Ilog Rural Waterworks Cooperative and Allied Services with Governor Daniel R. Fernando, (sixth from right) Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro, Provincial Administrator Antonette V. Constantino, and Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office Head Atty. Jayric L. Amil as they receive their ceremonial cheque amounting to P300,000.00 as part of the Bayanihang Bulakenyo Financial Assistance program of the Provincial Government of Bulacan given during the Monday Flag Ceremony held at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium, City of Malolos, Bulacan yesterday.

Congratulations to Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) President Ms. Cristina C. Tuzon for recently being elected as the Region-III Regional Governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry!

Cheers to more successes and accomplishments this 2024 for BCCI, the PCCI Region-III and the whole PCCI.

From your Central Luzon Media-Citizen Council (CLMCC) family.

MANILA–Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Mina F. Pangandaman approved the release of a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO), amounting to P3.049 billion to cover the funding requirements for the Repair and Rehabilitation of Elementary and Secondary School Buildings.

“It has always been our goal to improve the quality of education that we can provide to every Filipino and empower them with the necessary tools to improve his or her quality of life.

This coming 2024, we will continue investing in education,” Sec. Mina highlighted.

An amount of P1.861 billion was initially released from the total authorized appropriations of P4.911 billion, which will be utilized for the rehabilitation, renovation, repair and improvement of kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school buildings following the Repair All Policy.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expressed his commitment to investing in the country’s education infrastructure and making the Philippine education system on par with other nations.

“Mahigpit na tagubilin po ng ating mahal na Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na bigyan ng disente at komportableng pasilidad ang mga estudyante upang maayos silang makapag-aral. Sa pagdating ng Bagong Pilipinas, hindi po tayo basta mamimili lang ng mga lugar. Nasa Maynila ka man o sa malayong probinsya, gagawin natin ang lahat upang maisaayos ang lahat education facilities sa bansa,” Secretary Pangandaman added.

The SARO, which was requested by the Department of Education, will be released to the Department of Public Works and Highways under the 2023 General Appropriations Act.

Farewell and Rest in Eternal Peace Sir Kit.

His remains lie in state at Santuario Garden and Chapels in Balanga, Bataan. Interment will be at La Pieta Memorial Park in Abucay, Bataan on Jan 12 (time to be announced soon).

𝐌𝐠𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐠-𝐚𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐎 𝐚𝐭 𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲𝐚:

Naglabas ng anunsyo ang University of Makati (UMak) na hindi na itinuturing residente ng Makati ang mga estudiante ng EMBO. Samakatuwid, magbabayad na sila ng P3,000.00 tuition fee bawat semestre bukod pa sa miscellaneous fees. Subalit namagitan di umano si Mayor Abby Binay at ipinagpaliban ang planong ito para sa susunod na school year.

Nais ipaabot ng Lungsod Taguig sa mga residente ng EMBO na wala silang dapat ikabahala sa magiging epekto ng hakbang na ito ng Makati. Bago pa man ang anunsyo ng Makati, gumawa na ng mga hakbang ang Taguig hindi lamang upang maipagpatuloy ang edukasyon ng mga residente ng EMBO kundi maiangat ang kanilang mga benepisyo.

Naniniwala ang pamunuan ng Lungsod Taguig na ang lahat ng tao ay nilikha na kawangis ng Maykapal, at may kakayahang hubugin ang kanilang sarili para sa ikabubuti nila at ng kanilang lipunan. Kapag suportado ng pamahalaan ang mamamayan, magpupursigi sila na mapaghusay ang kanilang buhay.

Pangunahin dito ang oportunidad sa edukasyon. Bilang mamamayan ng Taguig, ang mga residente ng EMBO ay may karapatan sa pantay-pantay na access sa de-kalidad na edukasyon sa iba’t ibang larangan.

Sa ating Lungsod, hindi limitado ang scholarship sa Top 10% ng senior high school graduates. Naniniwala ang ating mga pinuno na may iba’t ibang husay at galing ang bawat indibidwal. Lahat ng high school graduates, kabilang ang mga nasa kolehiyo na, ay may oportunidad na makapag-aral nang hindi hadlang ang mga gastusin. Maging ang mga nagrerebyu para sa board at bar exams, kumukuha ng masteral at doctoral degrees, at nag-aaral ng abogasya o medisina ay may scholarships din. 

Bilang Taguig college scholars, makatatanggap kayo ng P15,000.00 hanggang P50,000. 00 kada taon na maaari ninyong ibayad sa eskwelahang pinili ninyo.  

Kung sakaling kayo ay may nakukuha ng scholarship sa ibang ahensya o institusyon, ibibigay pa rin ng Taguig ang scholarship benefits na angkop sa iyo.

Ang mahigit 83,000 na kasalukuyang Taguig scholars ay nag-aaral sa mahigit 200 unibersidad at kolehiyo sa Metro Manila at Luzon kasama na ang UP, Ateneo, La Salle, at UST.

Sa unang semestre ng academic year 2023-2024, mahigit 5,000 estudiante ng EMBO ang  nag-avail na ng scholarship ng Taguig.

Bisitahin ang taguig.gov.ph upang malaman lahat ng impormasyon ukol sa scholarship program, at sundan ang mga anunsyo sa Taguig Scholarships at I Love Taguig Facebook accounts tungkol sa schedule ng online application at submission ng mga requirements. 

Maaari ring tumawag sa 282888560 o bumisita sa Taguig Scholarship Office, 2F, SRRCMSTHS (Cayetano Science High School), BCDA Compound, Brgy. Ususan, Taguig.

Sa pamamagitan ng Taguig scholarship program, nakapagtapos ang libu-libong estudiante; 1,815 ang nagtapos ng may karangalan. Sa mga kumuha ng board o bar examinations, 3,506 na ang pumasa; 45 sa kanila ay kasama sa Top 10 o Topnotcher sa buong bansa. 

Naging inhenyero, guro, nurses, accountants, arkitekto, psychometricians, criminologists, abogado, doktor, at iba pang propesyonal ang ating mga scholars.

Malinaw ang positibong epekto ng ating scholarship program hindi lamang sa indibidwal na buhay ng mga estudiante kundi sa lipunan. Hindi lamang gumaganda ang buhay ng pamilya ng mga estudiante; umuunlad din ang ating lipunan.    

Patuloy ang Taguig sa pagbalangkas ng mga programa at proyektong tutupad sa adhikain nitong Transformative, Lively and Caring Probinsyudad. Nagbigay na ng tagubilin si Mayor Lani Cayetano sa City Scholarship Office na subaybayan at gabayan ang mga estudyante ng EMBO na gustong ipagpatuloy ang kanilang pag-aaral sa UMak. 

Ang lupang kinatitirikan ng UMak ay iginawad ng Estado para sa layuning pang-edukasyon ng mga residente ng EMBO. Ito rin ang layunin sa pagtatayo ng mga pasilidad at pagbiĺi ng mga kagamitang pang-edukasyon.

Ang UMak ay sakop ng teritoryo ng Taguig. Bagaman ang kapakanan ng mga estudiante ang pangunahing pinagkakaabalahan ng Taguig, nirereserba ng Taguig ang anoman at lahat ng karapatan nito sa pagmamay-ari ng UMak bilang pagpapahalaga sa kapakanan ng mga residente ng EMBO at ng buong Taguig.

Pinasasalamatan at pinupuri ng Lungsod Taguig ang Panginoon dahil binuksan Niya ang isipan ng mga namumuno at ibinalik sa normal na operasyon ang fire stations sa EMBO barangays. 

Matapos ang pagkandado na ginawa ng Makati sa fire stations sa EMBO noong Disyembre 2023, binuksan na uli ang mga ito noong Enero 5, 2024. Ipagpapatuloy ng Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) ang pangangasiwa at pagpapatakbo sa mga estasyong ito.

Ikinadena ng Makati ang naturang fire stations sa katwirang pagmamay-ari nila ito at hindi maaaring ipagamit sa mga residente ng EMBO na hindi na residente ng Makati. Maigting na tinutulan ito ng Taguig at ni Senador Alan Peter Cayetano. Sa isang emosyonal na pahayag, tahasang tinuligsa ni Senador Cayetano ang pagpapabaya ng Kagawaran ng Interyor at Lokál na Pamamahala  (DILG)  dahil hinayaan nitong isará ng Makati ang fire stations at inilagay sa panganib ang mga residente sakaling magkaroon ng sunog.

Ang pagmamay-ari ng anomang bagay, partikular ang pagmamamay-ari ng pamahalaan, ay may panlipunang layunin. Ang pagmamay-ari ay hindi isang absolutong karapapatan, at sa kaso ng mga pampublikong ari-arian ay hindi ito dapat pinaglalaruan para sa politikal na interes. Ang lupang kinatitirikan ng fire stations sa EMBO ay iginawad ng Estado para sa kapakanang pangkaligtasan ng mga residente. Taliwas sa layuning ito ang kapritsong desisyon na ipasara ang fire stations dito, dahil lamang sa di-umano ay pondo ng Makati ang ginamit sa pagpapatayo nito.

Pondo ng taumbayan, hindi ng pamunuan ng Makati, ang ginamit sa pagpapatayo ng mga pasilidad sa EMBO. Kasama sa pondong iyan ang mga buwis na ibinayad nila mula sa kanilang kita, sa kanilang ginastos at binili, sa kanilang negosyo, at sa kanilang ari-arian sa EMBO. May karapatan ang mga residente ng EMBO sa lahat ng lupa at pasilidad sa kanilang barangay na inaangkin ng Makati ang pagmamay-ari. Walang karapatan ang Makati na ipagkait sa mga residente ng EMBO ang mga pampublikong pasilidad at serbisyo na itinatag para sa kanilang karapatan.

Katulad sa health centers at mga pasilidad ng barangay na patuloy na ipinagkakait sa mga residente ng EMBO ang paggamit, hindi isinusuko o tinatalikdan ng Taguig  ang lahat ng karapatan nito sa pagmamay-ari ng mga pasilidad na ito at ng lupang kanilang kinatitirikan.  

Umiiral ang pamahalaan para sa kagalingan ng mamamayan, hindi para sa kanilang kapahamakan. 

Inaasahan ng mga Taguigeño mula sa kanilang mga lider, sa pangunguna ni Mayor Lani Cayetano, kasama sina Senador Alan Peter at Pia Cayetano, ang pinakamataas na pamantayan ng serbisyo publiko. Iyan din ang pamantayang inaasahan ng Taguig sa lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno. Nananalangin ang Taguig na nawa’y tumimo ito lagi sa puso at isipan ng ating mga pinunong bayan.

OUR HOME paves the way for an exciting 2024 in furniture, furnishings and accessories as it releases its top trends for the next year. As the leading authority in setting the trends in the interior design industry, here are OUR HOME’s forecasts for the coming year. Take a look as we list down OUR HOME’s best Bs.

BROWN IS THE NEW BLACK

Brown is making a comeback. Not that it has ever left… but brown has been a staple in interior design for as long as people can say warm and earthy. This year though, brown captures the imagination of interior design as it embraces the luxurious side of brown. For 2024, brown evolves into something sophisticated and elegant as exemplified by plush brown fabrics in furniture upholstery, bed linens and throw pillows. Shades and tones of brown come alive in different gradations as it evokes a neutral appeal. Cinnamon, burnt sienna, chocolate, camel and sand with its tones and shades all give rise to a new look in furniture and furnishings. So why is brown the new black? Because in 2024, brown will go with literally everything. Mix it with subdued and pale hues or go wild with pairing it with vibrant and bright colors and you will never go wrong. And the results will still be comfortable, cozy and warm.

BOUCLE UP

Texture is going to be big by the coming year. Tactile fabrics appeal to a certain sensuality when it comes to interior design, and we are all here for boucle. In furniture fabrics, boucle is now considered a rising star and this star will continue to shine for 2024. There is something to be said for this type of upholstery material that exudes comfort and warmth yet elicits a clean and crisp vibe. Sofas, lounge chairs and accent chairs are given the boucle treatment creating a look that is current and trendy, just what 2024 is all about. So, get ready and buckle up because we’re going to be seeing a lot of boucle.

BRINGING BACK THE CURVE

Angles and straight lines are out, and soft edges and curves are in. For next year, comfort takes on another level as furniture pieces are doing away with harsh corners and hard edges. Biomorphic shapes and forms in furniture bring back a certain vintage and retro vibe to modern furniture design that will undoubtedly revolutionize spaces. Living room, dining room and bedroom furniture pieces receive a softer treatment as rounded edges, delicate curves and smooth corners dominate the interior design landscape resulting in an ambiance that’s cool and calm, relaxed and restorative.

BUTTONED DOWN

The tufting detail of the Victorian Period is given a modern treatment come 2024. Buttons become very evident as a design tool in furniture pieces as dining chairs and sofas give off a plusher and posher appearance through the use of tufting. Even headboards are donning the same trend as it levels up the playing field by giving the bedroom an air of aristocracy. Tufting details on modern and contemporary shapes of furniture pieces speak of quiet luxury and bring forth a certain air of nostalgia without going overboard. It creates an ambiance of 19^th century European flair given a totally trendy and current twist.

THE BRIGHT AND THE BEAUTIFUL

Ironically, brown is making a big comeback except… in wood. For 2024, wood is painted and stained in bold, bright and vibrant colors. Chartreuse, teal, periwinkle, cobalt and magenta are just some of the hues that wood would assume for the coming year. Expect center, side and console tables to be made of wood but rendered in bright palettes to give off an exciting and dynamic feel to the room. Old thrift store finds, and flea market cabinets made from any kind of wood are given a make-over by stripping off the varnish and applying a bevy of color tones and voila – the piece automatically transforms into something that’s current and modish. Paint or stain it? It doesn’t matter because the results speak for itself – a new trend emerging in wood finishing.

Come 2024, watch out for all these top trends unfolding in all OUR HOME branches nationwide. Be inspired as these trends come to life in lifestyle settings especially curated to elicit the best interior design styling ideas to give your home a 2024 vibe. Only at OUR HOME… Great Designs… Great Prices!