CAMP GEN. ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan— A Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) member from Rebolusyonaryong Hukbong Bayan (RHB), voluntarily surrendered to the Bulacan police in the City of Malolos, Bulacan on Monday, Dec. 11.
Bulacan police OIC director Lt. Col. Jacqueline identified the former suspected rebel-terrorist as alias Ka Teme, 42, delivery rider and a member of RHB, formerly operating in the coastal areas of Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, and Zambales. He was convinced to join the aforementioned rebel group for alleged government reform to attain equal rights in pursuit of equality and social injustice.
Puapo said joint elements from different units of the Bulacan provincial police including the 701st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army facilitated the surrender of the subject at about 2 p.m. on Monday in this provincial police headquarters.
Alias Ka Teme turned over one Smith & Wesson cal. .38 revolver without a serial number, and two pieces cal .38 live ammunition.
The surrendered CTG member is presently under the custody of the 1st PMFC for investigation and custodial debriefing.
Bulacan Police is stern in its intensified campaign against insurgency and terrorism to ensure the provision of social services, employment opportunities, and an improved quality of life in communities that have been experiencing or are vulnerable to armed communist conflict.
The Social Security System (SSS) welcomed the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) as its newest partner in implementing the KaSSSangga Collect Program (KCP) during the ceremonial signing held at the QMMC lobby on November 29, 2023.
SSS Executive Vice President for Branch Operations Sector Voltaire P. Agas (4th from left) and QMMC Medical Center Chief Dr. Evelyn Victoria E. Reside (3rd from left) led the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that will benefit 200 job order (JO) and contract of service (COS) workers and 1,500 medical professionals by becoming self-employed members of the SSS.
Under the agreement, QMMC will become an authorized Coverage and Collection Partner of SSS, which will collect and remit the corresponding monthly contributions of its JO/COS workers and medical professionals through a salary-deduction scheme.
Other signatories to the MOA are SSS Vice President for National Capital Region (NCR) North Division Fernando F. Nicolas (5th from left), SSS Cubao Branch Head Edna Q. Aldea (6th from left), QMMC Financial and Management Officer Melanie H. Lomotan (left), and QMMC Chief Administrative Officer Cecilia M. Villamin (2nd from left).
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Mina F. Pangandaman
MANILA–Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Mina F. Pangandaman has approved the creation of additional 673 permanent faculty positions across the 9 campuses of the Mindanao State University (MSU), marking a historical occurrence for the University.
The major development is the very first time in the history of Mindanao State University.
The university has seen an exponential growth in student enrolments and expansion of academic programs for over three decades without receiving funding for new personnel. “I believe that this groundbreaking initiative will significantly boost the education sector’s productivity and effectiveness, delivering immense benefits to the Mindanao State University community,” Pangandaman said.
“Educational opportunities offer every Filipino a chance at a better life. It also enables us to attain real prosperity. This is why the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. believes it is paramount to prioritize and invest in the education sector,” she added.
The approved faculty positions were determined and funded based on the recommended faculty-student ratio, with a total budget of P334.24 million. The initial funding requirements for these new positions will be charged against the Personnel Services (PS) allotment available of each MSU campus. Campuses located in General Santos City, Sulu, and Marawi are set to accommodate most of the positions, with 150, 120, and 108 approved positions respectively in each campus.
Pangandaman further emphasized that additional funds can be requested by the University if existing funds fall short. These funds should be drawn from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund. To expedite this, the University is required to submit complete and accurate documentation in line with the DBM’s Citizen Charter.
Since 2013, in the aftermath of typhoons Sendong and Yolanda, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has been at the forefront of building resilient housing communities nationwide.
SMC Bulacan housing
Partnering with several organizations including Gawad Kalinga and Habitat for Humanity, SMC has invested P3.05 billion in the last decade to build or help provide new homes for families impacted by natural disasters, and various development projects.
SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang, acclaimed as a “Hero of Philanthropy” by Forbes Asia, emphasizes that providing secure housing is the first step in empowering families for nation-building.
SMC Sariaya housing
“Housing is a basic need. To enable Filipinos to participate in nation-building, we must first support the family unit. Providing safe homes for those affected by calamities or without a home has been our first step to transforming their lives,” he said.
SMC has built homes and communities in various areas nationwide, including Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Negros Oriental, Davao, Surigao, and Bohol, among others.
By the time the pandemic happened in 2020, SMC’s program had evolved from simply building houses to advancing holistic community development.
SMC Sendong CDO GK
Its latest housing community in Sariaya, Quezon serves as a model. It features disaster-resilient and eco-friendly homes and amenities that include a multi-purpose center, covered court, livelihood center, e-library, as well as a fishermen’s wharf and a public market ran by the residents themselves.
Training programs on entrepreneurship, personal finance, food processing, farming, and other income-generating activities have also been provided to residents.
In partnership with the Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA), SMC has extended this skills and livelihood training program nationwide, while assisting informal settlers in various locations secure titled properties and build permanent homes in various locations.
SMC Yolanda housing
“Wherever San Miguel operates, progress follows. Our aim is to ensure that those we help are equipped for long-term success,” Ang said.
“But just as important as housing and jobs is having a sense of community. Being part of a supportive network is essential for their long-term success,” Ang said.
This is what brought the company to its current flagship social development program, the SMC Better World Community Centers.
The project utilizes SMC’s unused properties as well as other resources, to scale up the capabilities of partner organizations, to address pressing issues at the community level.
SMC currently has four Better World Community Centers: Better World Tondo, a food bank, feeding, learning, and health center; Better World Diliman, a ready market for excess farm produce to support local farmers; Better World Cubao, a center for women’s health and issues that also has a clinic and livelihood training facilities, and Better World Smokey Mountain, a learning center for adults and children living in the former Smokey Mountain landfill.
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Mina F. Pangandaman
MANILA–Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Mina F. Pangandaman has expressed her gratitude to the leadership and members of the Senate and the House of Representatives for the ratification of the P5.768 trillion General Appropriations Bill for 2024.
Pangandaman is confident that the ratified 2024 General Appropriations Bill will help the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., accomplish its 2022-2028 Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) and 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda. “The swift ratification of our proposed 2024 budget is a testament to the commitment and strong support of our esteemed lawmakers to ensure the enactment of the 2024 national budget on time. We are grateful to the leadership and members of both the Senate and House of Representatives for this development as this will continue to boost our efforts in achieving our development agenda,” she said.
The DBM Secretary highlighted the key MTFF targets that guided the legislative agenda: 6.5% to 7.5% real gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2022; 6.5 to 8% real GDP growth annually between 2023 to 2028; 9% (i.e., single-digit) poverty rate by 2028; at least $4,256 income per capita attainment of upper-middle-income status, among others.
Meanwhile, the 8-point Socioeconomic Agenda has focused on food security, improved transport, affordable and clean energy, healthcare, social services, education, bureaucratic efficiency, and robust fiscal management. The 2024 GAB allocates the largest budget share to the Social Services sector, which encompasses health, education, culture, manpower development, as well as social security, welfare, and employment among other key areas.
Adhering to the provisions in the 1987 Constitution, the budget for education continues to be given utmost prioritization. It represents 21.7 percent of the country’s GDP, and reflects an increase of 9.5 percent compared to the Fiscal Year 2023 national budget.
The Secretary likewise highlighted the huge chunk of budget allocated for infrastructure spending, which is targeted to remain at 5.0 to 6.0 percent of GDP over the medium term. “Aligned with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we shall continue to support and sustain the momentum of the Build-Better-More Program with a proposed allocation of P1.42 trillion, higher by 6.6 percent compared to this year,” the budget chief emphasized.
Following the ratification of the budget, the bill is scheduled for registration, printing, and subsequent transmission to the Office of the President.
Carmela Reyes-Estrope (center), of Philippine Daily Inquirer and NEWS CORE Bulacan awarded as an Outsanding Alumni for Professional Achievements together with Mr. Joseph Ventura, chairman together and other officer of the CEU-Malolos Grand Alumni Homecoming during the CEU-Malolos 45th Founding Anniversry held at CEU-Malolos Centrodome on Dec. 9. Contributed photo
CITY OF MALOLOS-Philippine Daily Inquirer Correspondent and NEWS CORE Bulacan publisher and editor-in-chief (EIC) Carmela Bautista Reyes-Estrope was awarded Outstanding Alumni of Centro Escolar University (CEU) Malolos during its 45th Founding Anniversary celebration and Grand Alumni Homecoming held at its Centrodome in this city on Saturday, Dec. 9. Estrope bags the recognition for Professional Achievements. Estrope has been in the journalism profession for 30 years now. She graduated at CEU-Malolos with AB Journalism in 1990. She has been with the Inquirer for 25 ywars now and publisher/EIC of News Core since its establishment in 2006. Estrope took up masters units in History and Journalism in UP Diliman in 1993-1995 and also took up law at San Sebastian College of Law in 1996-1997. During her early years in the media, she also wrote for Manila Standard and Philippine Tribune and was assigned in Metro Manila. She also had taught journalism in Bulacan State University from 2010-2012 includinh English and journalsim subjects in Marcelo H. Del Pilar National High School. Estrope has attended more than a hundred seminars on different fields in journalism and had been awarded with Gawad Plaridel several times by the Provincial Government of Bulacan including other distinguished awards. On Nov. 13, she received the 16th Brightleaf Agriculture Journalism Awards in Makati City. She is also a member of various media groups in the country and had also served as its presidents. She was elected Bulacan President in 2015 and served for two years until 2017. She is the immediate past president of the Central Luzon Media Association (CLMA) where she
Carmela Reyes-Estrope (sixth from left), with the other Outsanding Alumni awardees during CEU-Malolos 4th Founding Anniversry held at CEU-Malolos Centrodome on Dec. 9. Contributed photo
was awarded with Outstanding Leadership Recognition during its 45th foundation anniversary celebration in Subic Bay Freeport on Sept. 22.
She is the founding president and chairperson of the newly created Central Luzon Media-Citizen Council which aims to help media members facing complaints of libel by aggrieved news sources and also to remind her rank in the region of the needed accountability and responsibility in the profession to maintain a good and harmonious relationship with their news sources.
The officers and members of the Central Luzon Media-Citizen Council with repreentatives from the media headed by its president and vice president respectively Carmela Reyes-Estrope and Vic Vizcocho Jr. and Mel Ciriaco, former President of CLMA and Jason de Jesus ftom TV 5 and Philippine News Agency (PNA) from Aurora and media guests with Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Central Luzon Governor Maria Imelda Quiambao-Tuazon, IBP Pampanga President Alejandro Buan, former IBP Pampanga President Gener Endona and former Philippine Daily Inquirer Correspondent, Atty. Jo Clemente of IBP Tarlac; Benjamin Antonio III, president of Subicbay Freeport Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Ronilo Gines, a vegetable and crop grower in Nueva Ecija after the successful Organizational Workshop on Dec. 9 in Sevilla Paradise Resort in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. Contributed photo
BONGABON, Nueva Ecija— Officers and members of the Central Luzon Media-Citizen Council (CLMCC) raised concerns on the re-strengthening of community papers in the region and the re-empowering of the traditional media over ”social media news reporting” during its Organizational Workshop held on Saturday, Dec. 9 in this town. Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Central Luzon Governor Maria Imelda Quiambao-Tuazon with Pampanga IBP President Alejandro Buan, former IBP Pampanga President Gener Endona and former Philippine Daily Inquirer Correspondent, Atty. Jo Clemente of Tarlac IBP assured Carmela Reyes-Estrope,
The officers and members of the CLMCC including media friends and guests and Philippine Press Institute (PPI) training team headed by its Executive Director Ariel Sebellino during their Organizational Workshop in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija on Dec. 9. Contributed photo
president of the CLMCC and Correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and publisher editor-in-chief of NEWS CORE Bulacan in addressing the re-strenthening of community newspapers in the region particularly in the re-accreditation before the regional trial courts. Estrope had earlier experienced court re-accreditation concerns and problems together with other Bulacan local weeklies. One single fellow publisher opposed all their re-accreditation and were favored by the court to the detriment of all the local newspapers in favor of the single oppositor. The newspapers opposed have already successfully operated earlier after they were approved by the court and were only seeking re-accreditation. Quiambao said the matter can be brought up with the Office of the Court Administratof of the Supreme Court. Philippine Press Institute (PPI) Executive Director Ariel Sebellino also assured publishers of community papers in the region with the same dilemmas of his support in raising the concern to the proper high authority. Vic Vizcocho Jr., vice president of CLMCC and president of Central Luzon Media Association (CLMA) wants a regulation among “social media news reporting”. He said anybody could just make a social media page and post incident reports or events in news writing forms and claim themselves as “journalists” and or as a legitimate “news company” when unlike the genuine reporters or media companies whose business names are registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), secured and paid business permits and taxes with the Bureau of Internal Revenue and loacal government units, they do not have any obligation to the government and have no real identity of their own except the page name in the social media. Vizchoco added that worse, they are not real and actual reporters and journalists. Other than members of the IBP, the CLMCC is also composed of representatives from the academe, semi-media, religious, business group, agriculture or the farmer’s group, Indegenous People (IP) and the student or the youth. The following are the officers and members of the CLMCC:
Estrope and Vizcocho as president and vice president respectively. Rogie Pangilinan, a reproter from Pampanga as secretary, Jason de Asis from TV in Aurora and Philippine News Agency (PNA) as treasurer, Dyan Grace Crespo of Bulacan State University from the acaemde and semi-media and Erick Silverio of Manila Tomez as auditors and Aileen Sanchez of Radyo Bandera in Zambales as PRO.
The Baord of Trustees are Chairman Atty Jo Clemente, Vice Chair Atty. Maria Imelda Quiambao-Tuazon, Secretary Atty. Gener Endona and Atty. Alejandro Buan, Atty. Angelo Lopez, Nenita L. Carlos, Melicia DC Ciriaco, Mark Anthony Miranda
and Ronilo Gines.
The following are the committees and their respective chairman: Grievance and Review Committe, Atty. Maria Imelda Quiambao-Tuazon, Atty. Aljandro Buan, Atty. Gener Endona, Atty. Jo Clemente and Atty. Angelo Lopez III.
For the Membership Committee, Carmela Reyes- Estrope, Melicia DC Ciriaco and Fr. Arvin Ray Jimenez.
For the Ways and Means Committee, Benjanin Antonio III, president of Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Nenita Carlos, Chairman of the Council of Leaders of the CLMA, Ronilo Gines from the agriculture sevtor and Lilibeth Alcaraz of Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).
For the Social Media Engagement Commitee, Aileen Sanchez and Mark Miranda, from Wesleyan University in Nueva Ecija and President of CLMA Nueva Ecija and Clarence May de Guzman, a journalism student from Bulacan State University.
For the Election Committee, Atty. Alejandro Buan and Atty. Angelo Lopez III and Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Councilor Edwin Abuque of Porac, Pampanga.
The PPI through Sebellino and its complete training team in partnership with the International Media Support (IMS) group under its head in the Philippines Che delos Reyes are intensifying the establishments of the Media-Councils in the country both for the protection and accountability of the media members and maintaining their harmonious and good relationship with their sources from the community sectors through responsible journalism.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives conduct an inventory of the seized P2-million worth of shabu from three woman suspects who were arrested in a buy-bust operation at a mall parking area in Cavite on Monday, Dec. 11. Photo by PDEA
DASMARINAS, CAVITE – Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives seized P2-million worth of shabu from three arrested woman peddlers in a buy-bust operation in a mall parking area in this town on Monday, Dec. 11.
PDEA Pampanga Provincial Officer identified the suspects as Catalina Pura, 55; Mayolita Balasabas, 55 and Michelle Villanueva, 26, all from Phase 1, Pabahay Bagtas, Tanza Cavite.
They were arrested in a buy-bust operation at around 5:15 pm inside a mall parking area in Barangay Burol 1.
Recovered from them were 3 pieces of knot-tied transparent plastic containing more or less 300 grams of shabu amounting to P2,040,000.00; one unit cellphone; and the marked money used by the undercover agent.
The operation was jointly conducted by agents of PDEA Pampanga Provincial Office, PDEA Cavite Provincial Office and PDEA RO III RSET.
Arrested suspects are temporarily detained at PDEA RO III Jail Facility in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
A charge for violation of section 5 (sale of dangerous drugs) in relation to section 26B (conspiracy to sell), will be filed against the arrested suspects.
FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — The Olivete Farmers Association, organized by the 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion, Philippine Army, received a rice-harvesting machine worth Php1.8 million from the Department of Agriculture (DA) on December 7 in a simple ceremony held at covered court, PhilMec, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. Led the turnover/awarding of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment to Marcos Flores, President of Olivete Farmers Association, together with 1st Lieutenant Jevie J. Sagragao, Executive Officer of Alpha Company, 91IB.
Said activity was in line with the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization program of the DA.
Lieutenant Colonel Julito B. Recto Jr., Commanding Officer of 91IB, said that with the agricultural machinery the association received, the rice farmers in Barangay Olivete in Bongabon will no longer worry about harvest losses due to the delays in harvesting their crop because of mechanization.
“This will also reduce their harvesting costs and will increase their income. This would also address the labor shortage during harvest season, generate more income, and generate more savings from harvesting costs for the members,” Lt. Col. Recto Jr. said.
Agriculture Secretary Laurel said that Nueva Ecija is considered the leading rice-growing province of the country; thus, it is often referred to as the ‘Rice Granary of the Philippines.’
“I am happy to be with the Nueva Ecija farmers who always give us food, the country’s top producer of palay in our country. With that our government are doing its best to help our farmers to attain high yields. Hindi po matatawaran ang inyong pagsusumikap kung kaya hindi rin kayo nahuhuli pagdating sa pagpapala ng ating gobyerno,” Laurel said.
Meanwhile, Flores expressed his gratitude to the Army, DA, Local Government Units of Nueva Ecija, PHILMECH, and among others for the blessing they received.
“Our gratitude to 91IB for always taking care of us towards the realization of this farm equipment,” Flores said.
Also present during the turnover are other farmer’s associations and cooperatives that also receive the RCEF Mechanization Program.
A sustainability think-tank’s new report forecasts that up to 387 vessel calls will be added annually to shipping traffic in Verde Island Passage (VIP) if all existing and proposed fossil gas plants in Batangas are to come online, raising alarm bells on the potential impacts it poses to what is dubbed as the “Amazon of the oceans.”
The Center of Energy, Ecology, and Development report scopes the potential shipping impacts to the VIP as it is now the epicenter of the fossil gas buildout in the country with eight gas-fired power plants, one commissioned LNG terminal, and eight more LNG terminals being proposed in Batangas.
“The VIP has long been under shipping pressure because of its strategic position in local and international ports. But the Philippine government’s push for gas and its vision of being an LNG Trading and Transshipment Hub of Asia-Pacific has swung open the floodgates for massive plans for gas and LNG in one of the most biodiverse underwater gems in the world. One cannot be alarmed at the VIP potentially buckling under the immense weight of fossil fuel activities on its waters,” said Gerry Arances, Executive Director of CEED.
As of 2022, a total of 76,226 vessel calls were recorded between Batangas, Mindoro, and Marinduque annually. Findings show that the number of vessel calls will increase further due to the forecasted increase of LNG tanker traffic that will deliver the projected LNG demand. Considering only the existing gas plants, up to 85 LNG tankers could be potentially added to annual figures.
By 2024, if the Batangas EERI Combined Cycle Power Plant U1, 2, 3, and 4 comes online as scheduled, up to 128 LNG tankers could be potentially added to annual figures. This figure could grow to 166 by 2027 if VIRES LNG-Fired Power Plant Barge and the ACEN-led BCE Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant come online as scheduled.
“The projections are gloomy: the center of the center of marine shorefish biodiversity in the world will be turned into a conduit of dirty energy. Increased shipping traffic is only a glimpse of the threats from the LNG boom – it is also necessary that we look into the destructive activities attributed to this industry. The VIP and resident coastal communities will suffer from a plethora of potential impacts from pre-construction, construction, and operational phases of the massive gas boom,” said Father Edu Gariguez, Lead Convenor of Protect VIP, a coalition advocating for the protection of the Verde Island Passage.
The strategic position of Verde Island Passage connecting the South China Sea with Tayabas Bay and Sibuyan Sea places its importance on the shipping industry. Gariguez explained that they do not explicitly oppose VIP as a vital shipping route for transportation and trade of goods and resources, rather, emphasize the importance of balancing maritime activities to safeguard marine habitats and resources.
“The Philippines is blessed that we have rich marine resources, such as the VIP. We recognize the need for transportation services provided by the VIP as a vital shipping route. However, there should be a balance in using its waters for maritime activities and protecting its marine biodiversity. Our local and national government should have a thorough review of its shipping routes and ensure that ecologically valuable areas at the VIP should be avoided for maritime industries and no-go zones for LNG developments. Mega-diverse marine areas like the VIP should be under strict monitoring and protection, which is why we are also urging the government to expedite the declaration of VIP as a protected seascape under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System (ENIPAS) act,” added Gariguez.
According to the study by Climate Analytics, the Philippines must urgently phase out coal-fired power by 2035, and gas-fired generation by 2040 to be able to keep up with the 1.5˚C compatible emissions pathway.
“Although the fight for Verde Island Passage is a fight for global marine diversity, we are not merely advocating for the abolition of fossil fuels just for the sake of VIP alone, but for the bigger picture of our climate crisis. Fossil fuels have already been proven to be detrimental to our climate. The rapid development of fossil gas is hindering the pathway to achieving our 1.5˚C climate objectives. As we call on the Philippine government to safeguard the VIP by discontinuing fossil fuel operations, we also urge major financiers of fossil fuels in the country and across Southeast Asia to cease contributing to our worsening climate crisis and divest their funding from fossil gas,” concluded Arances.
