As the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to fill your home with warmth and joy. The holiday season after all is a time for celebration, gratitude, and creating cherished memories.

Whether you’re looking to revamp your space or surprise your loved ones with thoughtful gifts, here’s a curated list of holiday gift ideas that give warmth, comfort and style for the spaces we cherish most.

• Surprise your loved ones with the gift of cozy moments this Holiday season with recliners available at Our Home.

• Unwrap the joy of comfort this season with Our Home’s collection of cushions that everyone will love to have and hug.

• Share the gift of a welcoming home with candles and scents.

• Give the gift of organized beauty.  Our Home’s jewelry organizers  are designed to keep precious treasures safe and stylish.

• Looking for the perfect gift for those who love to host? Our Home’s serveware and barware make the perfect gifts for them.

• Nespresso machines for coffee enthusiasts that they will definitely love.

This holiday season, whether you’re treating yourself or surprising loved ones, celebrate the joy of giving with these gift ideas.  Fill your space with festive cheer and lasting elegance, making the holiday season even more special and memorable. Visit OUR HOME at SM City Marilao and other branches near you, shop online or call a Personal Shopper.

PH Task Force launched to protect children from road traffic injury

Quezon City – Road crashes are the top killer of children and youth worldwide, according to a report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday. More than half of the fatalities are among pedestrians and motorcyclists, the report furthered. 

Based on 2019 data on the age distribution of all-cause mortality, road traffic injury remains the leading cause of death for children and young people aged 5 to 29 years and is the 12th leading cause of death when all ages are considered, according to the Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023. 

“The tragic tally of road crash deaths is heading in the right direction, downwards, but nowhere near fast enough. Road safety is a multisectoral concern. We should continue to work together to keep our roads safe,” said Dr. Rui Paulo de Jesus, WHO Representative to  the Philippines.

In the Philippines, at least 1,670 Filipino children die due to road crashes every year, according to public interest law group ImagineLaw citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. “One child lost due to road crashes is one death too many,” said Atty. Sophia San Luis, executive director of the law group. 

Task force launched to protect children from road injury

A national coalition convened by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to protect Filipino children from road injury as aligned with the vision of the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan 2023-28 or PRSAP. 

“To address road safety, we have developed the [PRSAP]. This plan, together with the WHO global report on road safety, will guide us in implementing and monitoring efforts to reduce road traffic deaths and serious injuries in the Philippines,” said DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista. 

The MOU, signed by the DOTr, Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), among others formalizes the National Coalition for Child Road Traffic Injury Prevention or NC-CRTIP. 

The NC-CRTIP  is an inter-agency and multisectoral coalition that will strengthen collaboration among agencies and road safety stakeholders in protecting children from road crashes. “This coalition is us working together in building a country that protects children from road crashes,” said San Luis. 

“Political will is needed to address children’s death because of road crashes –  from proper education and awareness among stakeholders to better infrastructure and improved road systems that protect vulnerable road users. Ang kalsadang ligtas sa bata ay ligtas sa lahat,” she added. 

“No one should die or be seriously injured on our roads. Every life is precious. We should continue to work together towards a Philippine society with Zero Deaths on the Road,” said DOH Secretary Dr. Teodoro Herbosa.

Full copy of the report: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/375016/9789240086517-eng.pdf?sequence=1

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS – Bilang patunay ng kanilang pangako na epektibo at matapat na pamamahala, tinanggap ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan sa pamumuno ni Gobernador Daniel R. Fernando ang ikapitong Seal of Local Governance na iginawad ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) sa ginanap na 2023 Seal of Good Local Governance National Awarding Cluster 2 sa The Manila Hotel, Metro Manila kamakailan.

Mula ng inilunsad ang SGLG noong 2014, consistent awardee ang Bulacan at nakakuha ng SGLG seal sa pitong magkakasunod na taon.

Tumanggap din ang Bulacan ng P4,000,000.00 halaga ng SGLG Incentive Fund Subsidy na magagamit sa mga high-impact project sa lalawigan.

Samantala, kinilala naman ni Fernando ang pinagsama-samang pagsisikap ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan na naging dahilan ng pagkakamit ng prestihiyosong parangal.

“Ang pagkilalang ito ay salamin ng ating sama-samang pangako sa epektibong pamamahala, napapanatiling pag-unlad, at kahusayan sa serbisyo. Talagang ikinararangal kong pamunuan ang isang komunidad na patuloy na itinataguyod ang mga prinsipyo ng mabuting pamamahala. Nawa ay maging inspirasyon ang milyahe na ito upang tayo ay patuloy na magtulungan para sa ikabubuti ng ating minamahal na Bulacan,” ani Fernando.

Kinilala rin ng The People’s Governor ang mga pagsisikap ng SGLG sa pag-udyok at paghamon sa mga pamahalaang lokal upang matugunan ang mga pamantayan na nagresulta sa mas produktibo at progresibong administrasyon na pakikinabanangan ng kani-kanilang mga nasasakupan.

Kabilang sa 493 LGUs na nakapasa sa pamantayan para sa 2023 SGLG award ay ang mga Munisipalidad ng Angat, Balagtas, Bulakan, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Guiguinto, Marilao, Pandi, Pulilan, Plaridel, Santa Maria at Lungsod ng Baliwag, kung saan bawat isa ay tumanggap ng SGLG Incentive Fund Subsidy na nagkakahalaga ng P1,800,00.00 habang kabilang naman sa City Government Awardees ang Lungsod ng San Jose Del Monte.

Hinamon naman ni DILG Secretary at Council of Good Local Governance (CGLG) Chair Abgd. Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. ang mga LGU sa buong bansa na magpatupad ng mas epektibong pamamahala.

“Mga kasama, sa gobyerno, mabilis ang improvement sa artificial intelligence, sa telecommunications, technology, medical and natural science. Huwag tayong papahuli rito, kaya nandito ang mga eksperto –  na ang mga batayan natin ay lalo nating kunin ang tama, ibaba natin sa grassroots at i-capacitate natin ang bawat isa. Dahil ang ikatataas ng ating bansa ay tayo rin ang magdadala,” ani Kalihim Abalos.

Upang maging kwalipikado para sa SGL award, kinakailangan ng mga LGU na maipasa ang assessment criteria para sa iba’t ibang governance areas kabilang na ang financial administration; disaster preparedness; social protection and sensitivity; health compliance and responsiveness; sustainable education; business-friendliness and competitiveness; safety, peace, and order; environmental management; tourism, heritage development, culture, and the arts; at youth development.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Monday’s “Isang Gabi ng Musika” serenades Bulacan with its classical music masterpieces including Jose Mari Chan and traditional Tagalog Christmas collections at the grounds of the Barasoain Church in Bulacan’s capital, City of Malolos.

The more than an hour of orchestra music that transcends calmness into the night skies  of the city was through the kindness and generosity of Senator Joel Villanueva. Photo by Anton Luis Catindig

CAMP GEN. ALEJOS SANTOS, Bulacan–Police series of anti-criminality operations on Friday led to the arrest of wanted persons, drug dealers, and illegal manufactures of firecrackers.

OIC Bulacan police director Lt. Col. Jacqueline Puapo said a 33-year-old tattoo artist, known as @Bert was arrested by virtue of warrant of arrest issued by the Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 120 of City of San Jose Del Monte City related to crimes of Illegal Recruitment and Large-Scale Illegal Recruitment.

Similarly, a team of operatives by the 2^nd PMFC, CSJDM, Marilao, Bocaue and Plaridel PS tracked down and served the arrest warrants issued by the court to five (5) individuals, wanted for various crimes and offenses. All the arrested accused are presently in the custody of the arresting unit or station for proper disposition.

Meanwhile, a series of buy-bust operations conducted by the Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) of Angat, Meycauayan City, Marilao, and Baliwag City PS led to the arrest  8 drug peddlers and the seizure of suspected shabu valued at a total of P29,000 – SDP). The operations resulted in the confiscation of 17 sachets of suspected shabu and marked money.

All arrested individuals and confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to the Bulacan Provincial Forensic Unit (PFU) for appropriate examination. Criminal complaints for violations of R.A. 9165 have been prepared against the suspects for filing in court.

Furthermore, 2 individuals were apprehended for illegally manufacturing firecrackers in Brgy. Balasing, Santa. Maria, Bulacan. Police of Sta Maria MPS responded promptly after receiving information about the unauthorized production. The suspects were caught in the act of manufacturing firecrackers without proper permits. Authorities seized two sacks of ‘five star’ firecrackers, totaling about 8,000 pieces valued at P 5,000. A criminal complaint for violation of RA 7183 has been prepared against the arrested suspects.

The mandate of Police Region 3 Director, PBGEN Jose S Hidalgo Jr., is paralleled by the Bulacan PNP’s unwavering anti-illegal drug offensive, relentless pursuit of drug personalities, wanted criminals, and efficient anti-crime solution.

CAMP GEN. ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan–Two drug peddlers, one wanted person, and one law violator were arrested by Bulacan police in different ant-criminality operations conducted on Thursday, Dec. 14.

Bulacan Police OIC Director Lt. Col. Jacqueline Puapo said that a drug buy-bust operation by Plaridel police  resulted in the arrest of @Taba in Barangay. Banga 2^nd in the town. Confiscated were 5 sachets of suspected shabu with a Standard Drug Price (SDP) of P34,000, and marked money, A caliber .38 revolver loaded with (3) live rounds was found in possession of the suspect.

Likewise, a drug peddler was nabbed by operatives of Angat PS during a drug sting operation in Taboc, Angat. Seized from the suspect, @Bugol, were (3) sachets of suspected shabu with a SDP of P1,360.00, mark money, and drug paraphernalia.  

All arrested individuals and confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to the Bulacan Provincial Forensic Unit (PFU) for appropriate examination. Criminal complaints for violations of R.A. 9165 have been prepared against the suspects for filing in court.

Meanwhile, at about 5:00 PM, the tracker team of Pandi Police Station arrested one wanted person identified as Jader James Daadan, 25, a resident of P2 B8 L20 Pandi Residence 2, Brgy. Bagong Barrio, Pandi, Bulacan, for Violation of Municipal Ordinance. The arrested accused is presently under the custody of the arresting unit/station for proper disposition.

Additionally, joint elements of the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) and City of Malolos City Police Station conducted an entrapment operation in Barangay. Caingin led to the arrest of alias Jaz, 33, a resident of Bicutan, Taguig City, whom the latter is caught in the act of selling imported and untaxed cigarettes. Confiscated evidences are 3 boxes of imported cigarettes, 1 caliber 45, 1 magazine with 4 live ammunition, one caliber 45 Hollister, and one unit of Toyota Vios in gray. A criminal complaint for violation of RA 7394, RA 1937, RA 10591, Art. 177, and Art. 179 of the Revised Penal Code is being prepared against the arrested suspect.

The mandate of Police Region 3 Director PBGEN Jose S Hidalgo Jr., is paralleled by the Bulacan PNP’s unwavering anti-illegal drug offensive, relentless pursuit of drug personalities, wanted criminals, and efficient anti-crime solution.

CAMP GEN. ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan–Police series of joint anti-criminality operations led to the arrest of eight illegal drug suspects and Most Wanted Person.

Bulacan OIC Police Director Lt. Col. Jacqueline Puapo said the eight drug suspects were apprehended in different buy-bust operations conducted by the Hagonoy, Guiguinto, Malolos, Baliwag, and City of San Jose del Monte Police Stations were 29 sachets of suspected shabu with amounting to P99,164.00 including marked money were all confiscated.

The arrested suspects and confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to the Bulacan Provincial Forensic Unit (PFU) for appropriate examination, while criminal complaints for violations of R.A. 9165 against the suspects have been prepared for filing in court.

Meanwhile, the tracker team of the City of Meycauayan Police Station arrested one  wanted person for violation of Other Forms of Trespass (RPC Art 281) warrant issued by MTC Rodriguez, Rizal, dated December 1, 2023.The arrested accused is presently under the custody of the arresting unit or station for proper disposition.

The Bulacan PNP, under the mandate of Police Region 3 Director PBGEN Jose S. Hidalgo Jr. . The region 3 police director remains committed to its anti-illegal drug operations and the pursuit of individuals involved in criminal activities, demonstrating efficient solutions to combat crime.

CAMP GEN. ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan–Police have arrested a Most Wanted Person in the province who was involved in numerous charges of rape and sex assaults.  

OIC Bulacan Police Director Lt. COl. Jacqueline Puapo said joint teams from the 1st Platoon – Bulacan 1st PMFC together with Guiguinto MPS, Balagtas MPS, and 301st MC, RMFB3, successfully apprehended a 47-year-old Most Wanted Person in his place in Barangay Panginay, Balagtas town last week.

The operatives arrested him while in hiding in Barangay Tiaong, Guiguinto town. The arrest was based from a warrant of arrest issued by the Presiding Judge of RTC, Third Judicial Region, Branch 9, City of Malolos, Bulacan for multiple cases involving Statutory Rape, Rape through Sexual Assault, and Acts of Lasciviousness (2 counts).

Police also apprehensions six crime wanted suspects for various offenses and crimes in Norzagaray, Calumpit, City of San Jose del Monte and Guiguinto. The arrested individuals are currently held in custody by the respective arresting units/stations pending due process.

Also, a police series of anti-illegal gambling operations resulted in the arrest of two individuals engaged in Cara y Cruz at Sitio Daang Bakal, Brgy. Banga 2nd, Plaridel, Bulacan. Confiscated were three one-peso coins ‘pangara’ and bet money.

Similarly, a team led by the RSOG3-RID3, together with the Intel Section, TSC, RMFB3, and DRT PS apprehended three individuals involved in an anti-illegal gambling operation known as the ‘Drop Ball Game’ in Sito Parang, Brgy. Pulong Sampaloc DRT, Bulacan. Seized items included one set of drop ball game paraphernalia, one color game, and bet money in various denominations.

Bulacan PNP’s relentless pursuit of wanted criminals and the crackdown on illegal gambling reflect our commitment under the thrust of Police Regional Office 3,  “Pulis ng PRO 3, Partner ng Pamayanan”.

In a move to strengthen the resilience of the nation’s educational infrastructure, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) today announced that it will provide fire insurance for more than 132,000 public school buildings under the Department of Education (DepEd) nationwide. 

The total fire insurance for these public school buildings is worth P843.11 billion, and will cover fire, lightning, and natural catastrophes for a one-year period effective from January 1, 2024.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) helped put together the insurance coverage, marking a pivotal step in the nation’s focus on educational infrastructure security under the National Indemnity Insurance Program (NIIP).

The NIIP, an initiative of the BTr,  aims to provide adequate and comprehensive insurance protection to critical government assets such as schools, hospitals, roads, and bridges.

 
“With the rising frequency of natural calamities, protecting public school buildings becomes a priority of the government. Our partnership with DepEd is a step towards ensuring financial resilience in support of its MATATAG agenda,” GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said.

In addition to insuring DepEd’s school buildings, the GSIS has provided a 24/7 personal accident insurance coverage for all DepEd personnel, covering death and medical expenses.

“We are committed to look after the well-being of our DepEd members  by providing them with strong insurance protection,” Veloso said. 

As leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan meet in Tokyo to celebrate 50 years of cooperation, we urge the Japanese government to use this golden opportunity to stop the financing and promotion of fossil fuels and dangerous distractions in Southeast Asia’s path to a clean and renewable energy future.

ASEAN was founded in the spirit of peace, unity, and prosperity by promoting sustainable development to protect its environment, natural resources, cultural heritage, and people’s quality of life. Today, ASEAN members face a critical juncture: the potential of massively advancing renewable energy in the region to benefit its people and the environment or continued and expanded dependence on fossil fuels, especially gas, in the face of an intensifying climate crisis. The Japanese government, despite its supposed commitment to a clean energy transition and the development of this region, is culprit to the latter.

Since the Paris Agreement was signed, Japanese public and private financial institutions have continued to pour funds to fossil gas projects and developers in Southeast Asia. In a report, four Japanese banks (Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Sumitomo Mitsui, Mizuho Financial Group, Mitsubishi UFJ) have combined funding of USD 9.7 billion towards fossil gas projects, and are among the top 10 biggest financiers of gas in SEA. 

During COP28, Japan Prime Minister Kishida pledged to triple renewable energy, alongside over 120 other countries. While this can lead to great strides in the energy transition, a renewable energy transition will serve toward keeping the 1.5 degree C climate goal only if it is pursued in displacement of all fossil fuels – coal, gas, and oil. Japan’s pledge must thus not be viewed in silos from the glaring contradiction of its role in Southeast Asia’s gas buildout. 

While Japan touts carbon capture and storage (CCS), ammonia, and hydrogen as solutions to assist ASEAN in decarbonization, we reject these dangerous distractions as they only, in fact, prolong the use of fossil fuels. SEA is a region ripe with renewable energy potential which Japan must support, not derail. It is self-defeating for Japan to advocate for clean energy domestically while investing in fossil fuels abroad. Japan’s dual narrative is a contradiction to the global urgency for a cohesive climate strategy.

For Japan to genuinely value its friendship with ASEAN, it must support a genuine, just, and rapid 100% renewable energy transition and commit to the phase-out of the use and financing of fossil fuels. The pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and commitments it has signed cannot be achieved as long as fossil fuels continue to be financed and used.