Social Security System (SSS) National Capital Region (NCR) South Legal Department Concurrent Acting Head Atty. Victorina Pardo-Pajarillo (right) listens to the explanation of an employer’s representative regarding the contribution delinquencies incurred by their retail establishment during a recent Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) operation in Parañaque City.

SSS Bicutan-Sun Valley Branch Head Juliet T. Bolinao (at the back), Account Officer Jun-Cel V. Dalusong (middle) and Accounts Management Section Head Aimee A. Abarientos, (partly hidden) also joined in issuing notices of violation to eight business employers in Sun Valley and Merville in Parañaque City.

The said employers incurred a total of P1.70 million unpaid contributions and corresponding penalties, affecting around 82 employees. They were advised to coordinate with SSS Bicutan-Sun Valley Branch within the next 15 days to settle their contribution delinquencies and avoid facing civil and criminal cases for violation of Republic Act No. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018.

By Jason de Asis

BALER, Aurora-Nearly 500 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the province each received a sack of rice as an early Christmas gift from the government.

The Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion and the Aurora office  of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) facilitated the distribution of free government rice to 493 former rebels (FRs) and supporters on Nov. 14-18 as an early Christmas gift.

Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto, Jr., commander of 91st IB said that the distributions were in line with the FRs transformation program which aims to ensure their successful integration into mainstream society and strengthen the resiliency of Communist Terrorist Group (CTG)-cleared communities.

“It’s our commitment to help FRs towards their reintegration into society and providing them with the support they need to rebuild their lives. We are always on their side as part of our commitments to their journey of a new way of life for peace, prosperity and development,” Recto said.

Each officer and member of the 17 Peoples Organizations (POs) organized by 91st IB received 25 kilos of rice with a total of 250 sacks.

“This is our way to bring hope and happiness to our FRs, more assistance will be given by the government as one way of sustaining the gains after winning the peace in the community,” Recto said. Meanwhile, all of the POs Presidents expressed their sincerest thanks to 91st IB and OPAPRU for the early gifts they received.

“We are happy for the gifts, it’s nice to live a normal life and be a partner of the government. We are grateful for the overwhelming support coming from 91st IB and OPAPRU,” they said.

By Jason de Asis

BALER, Aurora-Twenty former rebels (FRs) who are members of the Sambayanan Association, a people’s organization (PO) will certainly welcome the Christmas season happily as they received an advance cash livelihood assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the efforts of Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion on Monday.

 Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto, Jr., commander of 91st IB said that the Sambayanan Association has received P300,000 worth of livelihood cash assistance as part of the government’s effort to help them start new lives.

According to Recto, the amount of money will be used for the piggery business of the group, hoping that they will carefully use the assistance while turning back to the mainstream society. “Our government is sincere in changing the lives of our FRs, it is now in their hands to use it to become more productive. Even though it is a small amount, we know that it can help, we continually tap the different concerned agencies to help them to get more livelihood assistance. We do support you in any way we can to the fullest level,” Recto said, explaining that the local government agencies are continually implementing the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

Recto said that opportunity comes but it is always upon the FRs how they are going to invest wisely the opportunity or the money given to them. He also expressed his congratulations to the beneficiaries and thanked San Luis town Mayor Ariel de Jesus and DSWD for the continuous help to the FRs.

On the other hand, Mayor de Jesus lauded the efforts of 91st IB and other concerned agencies for the continuous livelihood grants to FRs as they continually took steps to rebuild their lives. “We don’t need to fight with others but we could work hand in hand for the betterment of the people living peacefully. Rest assured that the local government unit of San Luis will allot livelihood assistance yearly to FRs,” de Jesus said.

DSWD EO 70 spokesperson Lamberto Elijah C. Villanueva said that the assistance given is through the efforts of 91st IB and LGU. “Because of them, we are gathered here towards a common purpose that is to uplift the FRs livelihood. This is a bonus to our FRs and we are willing to give technical assistance and other matters that they need,” Villanueva said.

Sambayanan Association President Ka Edgar said that the livelihood assistance is a great help to the FRs’ transition to the mainstream society to make the group much stronger.

He also expressed his gratitude as they received the cash assistance to be used as piggery in San Luis, Aurora. “We thanked everyone in the government for giving us this money. This would greatly help us in starting another livelihood,” Ka Edgar said.

TRECE MARTIREZ, CAVITE – A couple involved in bulk distribution of shabu in Metro Manila and nearby towns of Bulacan was arrested  by authorities following a buy-bust operation in Barangay Hugo Perez in this town on Wednesday.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives identified them as Aljune Mangulamnas, 38 and his wife Aida Mangulamnas, 40, both from Barangay Hugo Perez.

Recovered from them were 5 knot tied transparent plastic bags containing more or less 500 grams of shabu amounting to P3.4 million and the marked money used by the undercover agent.

The operation was jointly conducted by PDEA Pampanga and Cavite Provincial Offices.

Charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against them.

Zamboanga City – The local governments of Zamboanga City and Cagayan de Oro City launched on Monday their sister-city partnership that will improve collaboration promoting safer roads for everyone, especially children, during a ceremony led by the former’s Mayor John Dalipe and the latter’s city officials.

The launch, held at Zamboanga City Hall a day after the commemoration of the 2023 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims and Survivors, sets in motion a sisterhood agreement between the local governments that outlines their commitment to protect children from deaths and injury due to road crashes. According to government data, at least 1,600 Filipino children are killed by road crashes every year. 

Representatives from both cities vow strict implementation of traffic rules, better training and equipment for traffic enforcers, and setting up speed limits and protective barriers around schools and playgrounds. The said partnership also provides mechanisms for sharing best practices on road safety between the two cities. 

Public interest law group ImagineLaw welcomed the partnership. “Road safety is a shared responsibility and local governments play a crucial role in creating a safer environment for everyone,” said Atty. Sophia San Luis, the law group’s executive director. 

“Kapag may political will, may paraang proteksyunan ang mga bata mula sa road crashes (If there is political will, there is a way to protect children from road crashes),” she also said.

CITY OF MALOLOS–Bulacan is the next first world province by 2040 parallel with the prospective advancement of the Philippine economy as the Top 16^th in the World by 2050, according to Arch. Felino Palafox Jr., Principal Architect-Urban Planner and Founder, Managing Partner, Palafox Associates and President, Palafox Architecture Group, Inc.

In a recent Invest Bulacan Summit 2023 themed “Bulacan,  a First World Province by 2040. Towards A Plan”,  Palaforx bared that with the “current GDP growth in the country, the Philippines can achieve a high position and can have a leading global economy status by 2050.

China will continue to lead the world economy followed by the US, India, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Indonesia, Japan, UK, Germany, Nigeria, France, Korea, Turkey, Vietnam, Canada, Philippines, Italy, Iran and Egypt as the top 20 leading giant economies, according to Pallafox.

Palafox said the now undergoing P754.60 billion worth New Manila International Airport (NMIA) in Bulakan town project of San Miguel Corporation and several enormous projects will catapult the game changing economy of Bulacan and the rest of the country.

Palafox Architecture Group is behind the designs and innovations of the NMIA including the AeroCity, which is a city and a community within the 2,500 hectares NMIA grounds.

According to the multi-awarded and well-renowned architect, the NMIA and the Aerocity are designed to have an environment-friendly master-planned, well-designed green buildings and sustainable communities and cites based on the concept of San Miguel Corporation’s President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang.

“What we are building is the Philippines’ first  Green City of the Future,” quoting Ang in his presentation. Being Green City of the Future, the NMIA and the Aerocity have the environmental goals of river flow enhancements through flood control channel, ridge-to reef approach water catchment; habitat and biodiversity through marine and bird habitation, forest and biological diversity;  green infrastructure through permeable pavements, green roofs, rainwater harvesting.

Other Bulacan major projects

Bulacan being the gateway to the north links Metro Manila to the resource-rich provinces of Central and Northern Luzon. Today, other than the NMIA and the Aerocity, a number of multi-billion worth national and local infrastructure development including flood control projects are lined up for the province.

According to Arlene Pascual, head of the Provincial Government of Bulacan Planning and Development Office, leading the macro developments are the already constructed Bulacan Bulk Water Supply project by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), Luzon Clean Water Development Corp, the province 24 respective water districts and the PGB worth P24.4 billion.

Roads and highways

Pascual said one of the magnet of industries today in Bulacan is the recently inaugurated Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase III (Plaridel Bypass) project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) worth P5.26 billion including the now under construction MRT-7 Project by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) worth P77 billion and the North Luzon EAST Expressway Parkways also by DPWH worth P7.60 billion.

The North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project of the DOTr from Malolos-Tutuban worth P$1.99 billion is nearing its full completion, according to Pascual.  Its Malolos to New Clark City section which is P23.40 Billion. 37. 50 km railway with 10 stations between Malolos and Tutuban will serve up to 300,000 passengers daily and will reduce travel time between Malolos and Tutuban from 1.50 hours by bus to just 35 minutes.

The DPWH is also set to construct the North Luzon Expressway East (NLEE) Alignment highway project worth P38.94 Billion that will connect and traverse the City of San Jose del Monte, Norzagaray, San Rafael, San Ildefonso, San Miguel in Bulacan and Gapan City, Penaranda, Sta. Rosa Nueva in Nueva Ecija.

Flood control projects

A macro flood control project Manila Bay Integrated Flood Control, Coastal Defense and Expressway project by Coastal Development Consortium consists of San Miguel Holdings Corporation and New San Jose Builders Inc. and the DPWH worth P399.66 billion is also a priority project to solve the massive flooding in the low-lying towns and cities in the province.

The DPWH will also build the Central Luzon –Pampanga River Floodway Control Project worth P115.05 billion while the PGB is now in preparation to conduct a feasibility study for the construction of the Flood Control Mega Dike and Water Containment Facility project that will catch 2.2 billion cubic meter of water, Pascual also said.

President Marcos himself visited and conducted a dialogue with Bulacan and Pampanga officials following the onslaught of typhoon Egay and southwest monsoon in August. The Bayabas Dam Project of the PGB, MWSS including local government units worth P13.19 billion will both serve as flood control project and for farmers irrigation.

Bulacan’s parks, agriculture centers

According to Pascual, the PGB through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and concerned local government units will also construct a Satellite Government Center and Eco-Tourism Hub worth P6.20 billion in Dona Remedios Trinidad (DRT) town. The facility will also hub the Bulacan Farmer’s Productivity Center, Bulacan Livestock Multiplier Farm and Animal Breeding Center.

The PGB in partnership with Robinsons Land Corporation will also build a Bulacan CyberPark and Business District worth P4.577 billion.

The PGB will also construct a Mixed-Use Development Property in Tabang, Guiguinto with P4.80 million.

Provincial Administrator Antonette Constantino said the birth pains in all these macro projects and investments will pay off when the thousands of jobs already landed for the fresh graduates and other qualified residents in the province.

Constantino reminded the nearly 500 business companies and their respective officials and representatives who attended the Bulacan Invest Summit of Gov. Daniel Fernando’s business agenda which is the continued protection of the environment amid the progress and development.

Maintaining the preservation of the national wealth while reaching the economic gain through industries, modern technology hubs and parks are just a few of the challenges these changing times bring.

She also echoed Fernando’s thrust that all the rest of the other leaders in the province must “act and lead economically and not politically”.

In the end, she said, part of the governor’s top agenda is for these macro developments and investments to serve the less privileged people of Bulacan.  

Cristina Tuzon, president of Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) assured all investors that the province is ready to brace the developments these multi-billion worth of projects will cascade even to the micro, small, medium entrepreneurs.

Responding to the president’s call to provide immediate assistance to the victims of the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that jolted Saranggani Davao Occidental and the rest of Regions 11 and 12, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has opened its emergency loan window starting today, November 21, for GSIS members and pensioners adversely affected by the earthquake.

“Binuksan   agad natin ang emergency loan ng GSIS sa mga naapektuhan ng malakas na lindol upang maaga nating matugunan ang kanilang pangangailan.  Ang agarang pagbibigay ng pampinansyal na suporta ay malaking bagay para sa kanilang pangangailangan sa pagkain, gamot o pangkukumpuni ng nasirang tahanan,” Veloso said.

A total of   171,341 members and 27,962 pensioners who are either working or residing in Regions 11 and 12 may apply for the emergency loan. The loan will be available to members and pensioners in the following areas: South Cotabato (including Koronadal City), Sultan Kudarat (including Tacurong City), Sarangani Province, General Santos City (including Kidapawan City); Davao Del Sur, Davao City, Digos City, Davao del Norte, Tagum City, Davao De Oro, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental (including Mati City).

“We have earmarked a total of P6 billion for our emergency loan budget this year.  This is to ensure that we have an adequate amount of funds to assist those who need help after the earthquake,” Veloso said.

Old-age and disability pensioners residing in the calamity areas may also avail of the loan provided their net monthly pension after availing of the loan is at least 25% of their basic monthly pension.

Members with existing emergency loan balance may borrow up to Php40,000 to clear the balance of their previous emergency loan and receive a maximum net amount of Php20,000. Meanwhile, pensioners and those without existing emergency loan may apply for a Php20,000 loan.

The loan offers a low-interest rate of 6% and has a repayment period of three years. It also includes redemption insurance coverage, which will pay off the loan balance in case of the borrower’s death during the loan term, for as long as the payments are updated.

To qualify for the GSIS Emergency Loan Program, active members must be residing or working in the calamity areas. They should not be on unpaid leave, have no pending legal cases, have paid premiums within the last six months and their net take-home pay should not be lower than P5,000, the amount required under the General Appropriations Act after all monthly obligations are deducted.

Members and pensioners may apply for the loan using the GSIS Touch mobile application, which is available for download from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. They may also apply through the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosks, found in all GSIS offices, selected Robinson’s and SM supermalls, and large government offices such as the Department of Education.

For inquiries, visit the GSIS website (www.gsis.gov.ph) or Facebook page (@gsis.ph), email [email protected], or call the GSIS Contact Center at 8847-4747(if in Metro Manila) or 1-800-8-847-4747(for Globe and TM subscribers) or 1-800-10-847-4747 (for Smart, Sun, and Talk ’N Text subscribers).

The Social Security System (SSS) has announced that members who applied for their Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) cards between August 2017 to December 2020 have only until December 29, 2023 to pick up their unclaimed cards.

After the deadline, the unclaimed cards, including those that the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) returned to SSS after two unsuccessful delivery attempts, will be disposed of based on SSS’ retention policy.

To check the status of UMID card application, members are advised to log in to their My.SSS Portal account at www.sss.gov.ph, and click on “UMID/SSS ID Details” under the “MEMBER INFO” tab. If the transaction status is “Card Generated”, members can claim the card at the SSS branch where the UMID application was filed.

SSS members are likewise advised to keep their contact information updated so they will not miss important notifications from the SSS.

Since February 2023, SSS has stopped accepting applications for regular UMID cards, but is currently offering UMID ATM Pay Card exclusively to SSS members who either have existing UMID cards or pending UMID card applications.

SSS has also recently announced its partnership with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to integrate the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) into their processes and services, which include the issuance of a similar ATM-enabled SSS card for initial applicants.