Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the leading mobility infrastructure and solutions provider in the Philippines, is one with UNICEF Philippines in its unwavering commitment to champion the rights and well-being of children on World Children’s Day 2023, last November 20.

To celebrate World Children’s Day, several prominent structures under MPTC in north, south Luzon, and the Visayas— NLEX Corporation’s headquarters in Balintawak, Caloocan; motorists rest stop NLEX Drive and Dine in Valenzuela; MPT South’s LEED Gold Certified green headquarters South Hub in Imus, Cavite and the iconic Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway in Cebu—were lit in blue to symbolize hope and a promise of safer roads and sustainable business practices that benefit children.

“MPTC and our group of companies have road safety at the core of our construction, maintenance, and operations. We are on a mission to contribute to the country’s economic and social growth to provide a better life to our customers, communities, employees, and of course, their children. This partnership with UNICEF allows us to further live up to our life-long commitment to road safety,” said MPTC President and CEO Rogelio Singson.

“Every child has the right to a safe and healthy environment where they can play, walk, and move, without harm. We hope to further our joint effort and collective action to ensure that more children have access to their basic rights, including having a role and voice for a more sustainable world,” said UNICEF Fundraising Chief Cristina Bertolino.

In a study by UNICEF, on average, more than 600 children and adolescents become casualties of unsafe roads every day — that’s one casualty every two minutes. This fuels the organization to strengthen its ties with different sectors to make efforts that will benefit the next generation.

MPTC and its business units have been at the forefront of integrating child safety into road safety campaigns, as well as “green highways”. Solar-powered toll plazas and rainwater catchment systems also promote energy efficiency and set the gold standard for sustainable expressway operations.

NLEX and Paramount Consumer Products had the ‘Nickelodeon Safety First with PAW Patrol’ campaign showcasing messages of safety for children. A full awareness campaign for motorists of NLEX and SCTEX was launched on NLEX’s extensive road network.

MPT South, which operates and manages CAVITEX and CALAX, has its Bayani ng Kalsada (BayaniKa) program that teaches kids about road signs and familiarizes them with road safety, in and out of expressways. The program has benefitted over 800 school children from host communities since 2022.

Aside from MPTC’s existing road safety efforts for children, it entered into a multi-year agreement with UNICEF to share resources and committed to building sustainable models for safe school zones and child road traffic injury to support 100 schools in high-risk areas that will benefit over 20,000 children. This partnership project on child road safety has been recognized by the Department of Health with a prestigious Healthy Pilipinas Gold Award for advancing health promotion strategies to help shape a healthier future for Filipino children.

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) climbed 131 spots up to number 43 on the annual World’s Best Employers list by Forbes Magazine and research firm Statista, emerging as the runaway leader among the few Filipino firms that made it to the global ranking.

SMC, led by President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang, climbed to 43rd place this year from 174 in last year’s ranking, to become the only Philippine firm to make it to the top 50 of the world’s best.

Other Philippine companies that made it to the elite roster are Security Bank (54th), Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company or Metrobank (162nd), Ayala Corporation (186th), Alliance Global (283rd), Landbank (304th), LT Group (361st), and SM Investments (420th).

According to Forbes.com, rankings were determined through a survey conducted by market research firm Statista, which covered more than 170,000 employees who work for various multinational companies and institutions from over 50 countries worldwide.

“It’s a great honor to make it to this list of the world’s 700 best employers, along with some of the most recognized and most successful Philippine firms. This just goes to show that Filipinos can compete and run proudly with the very best in the world. It also shows that given the right training, motivation, support, and a sense of a higher purpose, the Filipino workforce is highly motivated, effective, dedicated, and therefore fulfilled in their work,” said Ang.

He added: “Specific to us in San Miguel, I believe that our strong emphasis on business for nation-building, our core value of malasakit, coupled with our decisive and impactful actions related to greater sustainability, has really resonated with our employees. We have also always strived to provide our employees an environment where they can learn, realize their potential, build good relationships with colleagues, and feel they are part of not just a great heritage, but also of something bigger. We believe this has greatly contributed to whatever successes we’ve had over the years.”

This is the second time that SMC has ranked high in a global business survey this year. In September, it placed in the top 50% of Time Magazine’s list of the World’s Best Companies for 2023, ranking 347 overall, and making it to the top two of just six Filipino firms that made it to the list.

Ang said these favorable rankings signifies that San Miguel is still one of the companies that many Filipinos admire and want to work for.

This is especially relevant as the company aims to create new employment opportunities through its various major projects, including the New Manila International Airport (NMIA)–said to be the single largest investment by a Filipino company, and in the Philippines by far.

Recently, it renewed a partnership with the Technical Educations and Skills Authority (TESDA), to expand a joint skills training partnership to train more workers for upcoming job opportunities at the NMIA and other major SMC projects nationwide.

Apart from competitive compensation and benefits, SMC has various programs to help employees hone their skills to advance in their careers and maintain their health and well-being.

The company also provides employees with opportunities to give back to the community through volunteerism for its various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability programs.

For the Forbes and Statista survey, companies were rated based on criteria including talent development, remote working options, parental leave benefits, diversity, work-life balance, and pride in the product or services that company offers.

Respondents were also asked if they would recommend their company to family and friends and also rate companies within their own industries and countries.

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Manifestation – Committee on Foreign Relations

November 27, 2023

Madame Chairperson, my esteemed colleagues, and to everyone present in today’s hearing, good afternoon. 

First of all, I would like to thank the Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Relations, Senator Imee Marcos, for including in today’s hearing agenda the International Labour Organization Convention No. 190 or the Convention Concerning the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work (ILO C190). 

Earlier this year, this representation filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 456, urging the Executive Department to ratify ILO C190. Kaya naman po, Madame Chairperson, ikinagalak natin ang ratipikasyon ng Malacañang sa ILO C190 noong nakaraang buwan at ang pagsumite nito sa Senado upang ito’y masang-ayunan, batay sa nakasaad sa Konstitusyon ng Pilipinas. 

ILO C190 offers a vital channel to address the violence and harassment problems faced by our OFWs. Thousands of our migrant workers encounter maltreatment, mistreatment, contract violation, contract substitution, sexual harassment, and rape, among others. In fact, based on DMW data, there were 65,136 labor and welfare cases in Riyadh, 43,225 cases in Kuwait, and 29,049 cases in Malaysia, from January to July 2022. 

Madame Chairperson, concurrence to the ratification of ILO C190 demonstrates our country’s unwavering dedication to fostering work environments free from violence and harassment. This is a step towards aligning our policies with global standards, particularly following the 2023 report of the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations on the Philippines’ compliance with other ratified ILO conventions.

ILO C190 is not just any treaty; it signifies our commitment to enact tangible measures for the welfare and protection of our workers. 

Thank you and may God bless us all. 

Co-Sponsorship Speech – Philippine Maritime Zones Act

November 28, 2023

Ginoong Pangulo at sa ating mga kasamahan sa Senado:

Lubos at buong puso po nating sinusuportahan ang maagap at mabilis na pagpasa sa Senate Bill No. 2492 sa ilalim ng Committee Report No. 172 o ang “Philippine Maritime Zones Act.” Isa pong karangalan at pribilehiyo na tumayo bilang co-sponsor, kasama ang tagapangulo ng Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones na si Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino. 

The enactment of this landmark legislation will serve as a reinforcement of our rights as an archipelagic state, recognized by no less than the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and will be part of the legal, political, and diplomatic strategies of the country to enforce the rule of law in our maritime domain.

Hindi po lingid sa ating kaalaman ang likas na kayamanan ng ating karagatan, kasama po ang mga sumusunod:

·      Coral Reefs: The Coral Reefs in the West Philippine Sea has an estimated area of 4,64 kilometer squared or 464,000 hectares, and the country is believed to have the 3^rd largest reef area and one of the most diverse coral reefs in the world.^[1]

·      Oil and Natural Gas: According to the US Energy Information Administration, there are unexplored hydrocarbon stores at the Reed Bank, located near the Spratlys Islands.^[2] It is estimated that the South China Sea in total contains approximately 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in proved and probable reserves.^[3]

·      Fish Production: It must be noted that the total fisheries production in the West Philippine Sea was noted by the Philippine Statistics Authority at around 304,586 metric tons from 2018 to 2022.^[4]

These are just some of the highlights that prove how important it is to establish and assert our claims. 

Sa gitna ng mga hamon na pinagdadaanan ng ating mga mangingisda sa ating karagatan, at para sa patuloy na pagtataguyod ng ating soberenya, ang “Philippine Maritime Zones Act” ay magsisilbing isang deklarasyon, isang paninindigan sa ating makasaysayang tagumpay sa Permanent Court of Arbitration sa Hague noong taong 2016. Ito ay isang anunsyo na tayo, bilang mga Pilipino, ay hindi natatakot at patuloy na ipaglalaban ang sariling atin. 

We put our full support to the passage of this measure, and we are confident that our colleagues will also do the same. 

Thank you and may God bless us all.

SAN MIGUEL, Bulacan—President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced the national government’s capability and enhancement support to be given to the First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR) unit of the Philippine Army to bolster support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during its 73rd founding anniversary celebration on Saturday held at its headquarters in Camp Tecson, Barangay Tartaro this town. 

The President said the Department of National Defense will review the capability requirement of the FSRR to atrongly support the AFP in safeguarding the country’s national security.

“The Department of National Defense will review the capability requirement of the FSRR to pursue options that will enhance its operational capabilities to achieve the concerns in our defense objective. By providing the necessary resources and support, we will enable the FSRR including the Special Forces with the objective to support the AFP as it transforms to become stronger and more reliable that is capable of defending our country against current and emerging threats,” he said before army, police officials and members and residents including Bulacan Vice Gov. Alex Castro and Third District Rep. Lorna Silverio. 

The AFP Commander-in-Chief paid tribute to the FSRR as he hailed its officers for being in the forefront of the protection and fight to defend the nation.

“The FSSR over the years is driven with one common purpose, which is to defend and uphold our nation. This is not only in celebration of their anniversary but also in recognition of the unit’s role in confronting internal security threats and safeguarding our nation”.  

“From jungle to urban to warfare expertise, our unit evolved to meet the ever changing challenge through their specialized skills in warfare and in counter terrorism, special ops which make it indispensable for our nation’s security,” the President added. 

According to the President, the country faces today a pressing national concern which is the pursuit of lasting peace. He said the amnesty proclamation through Executive Order No. 47 is a significant step towards national healing that reflects reconciliation and unity that directly aligns with the scout ranger mission. The national amnesty program also contributes to the unity and stability in the country, the President added. 

Mr. Marcos pins medals to FSRR awardees. He said he acknowledges and honors the awardees for their exemplary performance of their duties. 

“Their exemplary performance of their duties gives us confidence that we are ready to defend our country,” he also said. 

The President enjoins the FSRR unit to continue to exemplify bravery, dedication, excellence, courage and professionalism in their mission in safeguarding and developing the nation. 

“Your dedication inspires us all that the gun fires will decipitate and be replaced by the laughters of our children through progress and peace”. 

The President through a wreath laying at the FSRR monument also honors four FSRR men–PFC Jerwin Caputol of the 8th Company who was killed during focused military operation against Abu Sayyaf Group Members at Barangay Kaunayan, Patikul, Sulu on Dec. 19, 2022; PFC Jemric Pol Cotingjo  of the 3rd Battalion Company who was killed during sustained focused military operation against Dawlah Islamiyah-Lanao at Barangay Piangolo, Lanao del Sur on May 31, 2023; Cpl. Ernie Bryn Ballera of 17th Scout Ranger who was killed by a riding tandem while waiting for an informant at Little Cebu, Lamitan City, Basilan on July 18, 2023 and TSg Richard de Jesus of the 14th Scout Ranger who was killed by unidentified riding in tandem at Barangay Mebak, Sumisip, Basilan on February 21, 2023. 

FSRR Commander Col. Isagani Criste said the sacrifices made by their men were testament to the spirit of the bravery of the men and women of the FSRR.

He said the FSRR will continue with its role and mission of providing peace and security including territorial defense to defend our state and our mother nation from all threats. 

FSRR specializes in anti-guerrilla jungle warfare, urban warfare, close quarters combat and other special military operations.

MANILA–Naniniwala si Department of Budget and Management Secretary Mina F. Pangandaman sa kahalagahan ng Open Government Partnership (OGP) sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan sa Mindanao at sa pag-abot ng bansa ng inaasam na socio-economic recovery.

Ang OGP ay alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na tiyakin ang pag-iral ng transparency at full digitalization sa gobyerno upang aktibong makalahok ang mga mamamayang Pilipino sa pamamahala at paglikha ng mga pambansang polisiya.

“The call for open government and good governance must be stronger and louder here in Mindanao. Bilang isang taas-noong anak ng Mindanao, alam ko pong marami na tayong pinagdaanan para makamit ang kapayapaang ating tinatamasa ngayon. Ngayon, kailangan natin ang open government upang mapangalagaan at lalong mabigyang halaga ang tinatamasang kapayapaan,” pahayag ni Sec. Mina sa idinaos na final leg ng OGPinas! National Advocacy Campaign sa University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao City.

“Kaakibat po ng peacebuilding process ang pagsiguro na ang ating mga kapatid at kababayan sa Mindanao ay makakaahon sa kahirapang bunga ng ilang taong labanan. As such, I firmly believe that peacebuilding and socioeconomic recovery will be sooner achieved if we invest in inclusive, responsive, and accountable governance systems. We need to establish public trust in our institutions that will strengthen our commitment to carry our people forward into a peaceful future,” dagdag ng kalihim.

Kinilala rin ni Sec. Mina ang mahalagang kontribusyon ng mga Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), People’s Organizations, at ang mga aktibidad sa grassroots level upang isulong ang kapayapaan sa Mindanao.

“OGPinas, is for you—so that we can dialogue and work together towards transforming Mindanao from a land of promise to a land of promises fulfilled. To my fellow Mindanaoans, please please maximize this opportunity. Together, let us achieve our vision for an open government, and let us empower others through this platform to make the changes we all desire for lasting peace and prosperity in Mindanao—tungo po sa Bagong Pilipinas,” paghihikayat pa ni Sec. Mina.

Tinatayang dalawang-daang indibidwal mula sa mga rehiyon sa Mindanao ang nakiisa sa nasabing aktibidad.

There will be more classrooms for teachers and learners nationwide assured by Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman after she has just approved the joint request of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Education (DepEd) for the release of funds amounting to P303.5 million to construct a total of 120 classrooms in 21 sites nationwide.

Secretary Pangandaman highlighted the need to strengthen the education sector as a crucial factor in promoting the country’s social and human development. “Education is a chance for every Filipino to improve his or her quality of life. Education empowers us to achieve genuine prosperity as well. But it is also a shared responsibility to work together for the country to achieve complete economic healing and recovery. Let us continue to invest in education,” the Budget Secretary stressed.

Sec. Pangandaman likewise pointed out that the release of needed funds is in adherence to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to improve education facilities to create a conducive learning environment for all learners, including in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

“Bilin po ng Pangulo na dapat bigyan natin ng disente at secured na lugar ang ating mga estudyante at guro para maayos silang makapag-aral at makapagturo. Dapat equal po ‘yan at walang pinipiling lugar. Nasa Maynila ka man o sa malayong probinsya, dapat maayos ang education facilities para sa ating mga guro at estudyante,” Secreatry Pangandaman added.

The request for the release of funds under the Basic Education Facilities (BEF) Batch 2 for Calendar Year (CY) 2023 was approved after the requirements were completed including the list of schools approved by the DepEd Undersecretaries for School Infrastructure and Facilities, and Finance; Budget Execution Document No. 1-Financial Plan; Physical Plan; and Monthly Disbursement Program.

The total authorized appropriation for Special Provisions in the FY 2023 DepEd budget of P15.7 billion is being implemented by DPWH. This includes P15.6 billion for the construction, replacement, and completion of kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school buildings and technical vocational laboratories, among others.

CAMP GEN. ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan—Police seized nearly P1 million worth of marijuana during buy-bust operations in City of Malolos and Balagtas town dawn on Friday.

Bulacan Police Director Col. Relly Arnedo said City of Malolos operatives seized P963.000 worth of marijuana from one alias Glenn of Barangay Pinagbakahan which yielded P720,000 worth in a buy-bust operation in his place at around 12:25 a.m and P243,600 worth from one alias Reyvin at around 1:45 a.m. in Barangay Santol in Balagtas town.

Glenn yielded 6 kilos while recovered from Reyvin, from Barangay Pinagkuwartelan, Pandi town were 2 kilos of marijuana. Also recovered from Glenn were one unit colored white Honda ADV motorcycle color white registered as 697ROG and marked money.

The arrested suspect and the 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 are being prepared to be filed against them.

LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS– Humigit kumulang 1,500 Bulakenyo ang nakinabang sa iba’t ibang serbisyo ng gobyerno na inilapit sa kanila ng National Housing Authority (NHA) at ng mga katuwang nitong ahensya sa pamamagitan ng People’s Caravan “Serbisyong Dala ay Pag-Asa” na ginanap sa Multi-Purpose Covered Court, Pandi Village 1, Brgy. Siling Bata, Pandi, Bulacan ngayong araw.

Pinasalamatan ni Bise Gobernador Alexis C. Castro ang NHA sa paghahatid ng mga programa nila sa mga Bulakenyo, lalo na sa mga nasa relocation area.

“Hindi na nila kailangang bumiyahe pa. Kumpleto lahat dito. Napakalaking tulong po nito dahil kadalasan po talaga, ang problema nila ay pamasahe at nagta-trabaho para lakarin ang mga concern nila sa kanilang mga bahay,” anang bise gobernador.

Bahagi ng mga serbisyo ng pamahalaan na inihatid sa caravan ang serbisyong medikal mula sa Philippine Red Cross, Philippine National Police, at Bulacan Provincial Medical and Dental Team; oryentasyon ng mga programa at serbisyo ng Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Commission on Population and Development, at Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; hands-on training mula sa Department of Information and Communications Technology; Local Recruitment Activity mula sa Public Employment Service Office; konsultasyon mula sa Public Attorney’s Office; KADIWA Pop-up Store mula sa Department of Agriculture; pagpaparehistro sa mga miyembro ng Philippine Statistics Authority, Social Security System, at PhilHealth; at pamimigay ng gamot ng Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

Bilang pagsuporta sa layunin ng programa, naghatid rin ng iba’t ibang tulong ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan kabilang ang libreng serbisyong medikal at dental sa pamamagitan ng Damayan sa Barangay Movement; konsultasyon sa paggawa ng resume at mga payo sa mga naghahanap ng trabaho mula sa Provincial Youth, Sports, and Public Employment Service Office; at pamamahagi ng 500 punla mula sa Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office.

Pinangunahan rin ng NHA ang pamamahagi ng Transfer Certificate of Title sa awardees na nakabayad na ng buo.

Ayon kay Maricel Magdales, anak ng magsasaka at isang awardee, naging posible para sa kanyang mga magulang na magkaroon ng lupa dahil sa abot-kayang pabahay ng gobyerno.

“Mula pagkabata namin hanggang sa may sarili na akong pamilya, isang malaking bagay ‘yun na mayroon kaming tahanan na inuuwian na masasabi naming sa amin na naging magaan sa mga magulang ko na ma-acquire ito dahil nga mura lang siya. Malaking bagay para sa isang mahirap na tao na sa kanyang pagsisikap ay nagkaroon ng titulo ng lupa sa tulong ng NHA,” ani Magdales.