16 Mayo 2024, Huwebes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

happy Birthday Andrea Mae Sebugan, more birthdays to come

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

Backpay for reinstated NFA employees

By Nidz Godino

“We are happy and thankful to  ombudsman for lifting  suspension,” National Food Authority (NFA) acting administrator Larry Lacson said employees of  National Food Authority whose suspension over  anomalous sale of  country’s rice buffer stock has been lifted by  Office of the Ombudsman will receive backpay upon their reinstatement.

Lacson said  computation of backpay of  72 reinstated employees would start from  date of effectivity of their suspension.

In  23-page order dated May 10,  ombudsman said  primary purpose of  preventive suspension is to preserve documents and pieces of evidence,  may be under  control or custody of respondents.

“Submission by  NFA management of all documents to  ombudsman helped in  immediate lifting of  suspension,” Lacson said.

Reinstated employees will receive their salaries and other benefits starting from April 15, he said.

Lacson hope  suspension of other NFA employees, who are not part of  controversy, would also be lifted.

“We want other suspended employees to return to  work, especially if they are innocent,” he said.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said  ombudsman’s decision would allow  NFA to open warehouses  remain padlocked and help procure additional palay supply.

Tiu Laurel said agency’s own investigation into  sale of buffer stocks should be completed soon, and  results would be submitted to  ombudsman.

16 Mayo 2024, Huwebes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

happy Birthday Andrea Mae Sebugan, more birthdays to come

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8, 2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Taguang pung sa kalye

KOMEDYA na naman ang magaganap sa mga lansangan sa pagtataguang pung at girian ng mga “unconsolidated traditional jeepney” at magsisiga-sigaang enforcer. Shout out muna kina Binang 1^st Barangay Chairman Alfredo Quiambao, secretary Michelle Santos at treasurer Con-con Adatu,admin Ricardo Sta. Ana, konsehal Aru Cando, Pepito Nicandro, Gerry Noel. Tapos na kasi kasambahay ang grace period ng mga uncon at simul ana ng tugisan ng mga kulorum. Tyak magtatago ang mga kulorum hanggang manghinawa ang mga tugis boys. Alam nyo naman ang ugaling ningas-kugon, di pa rin nawawala at alam ng mga kulorum yun, pahinga muna, payagay-tagay muna. Pagkatapos ng sigwada, muling mamamayagpag ang mga kulorum, “happy days are here again”. Dyan nga Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal sa Imus City, Cavite, marami sa mga traditional jeepney ang ni walang ruta sa gilid, byaheng Dasmarinas City bayan-Imus City proper, kinunsinte ng mga awtoridad at pamahalaang lokal. Inutil rin dyan ang bantay-kulorum. Mababawasan kasambahay ang komedya sa munisipyo, city hall at barangay hall dahil mauudlot ang pamumulitika sa pamamahagi ng ayuda ng mga pulitiko. . Hindi na ho kasi kasambahay idaraan sa opisina ng mga ehekutibo lokal ang ayuda ni Social Welfare secretary Rex Gatchalian. Ito ho bang Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program o AKAP. Ang konswelo na lang ni Mayor at barangay chairman ay makapagmasid sa pamimigay, iniiwasan na ho kasi Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal na akalain ninyong mula sa pulitiko iyon kaya muling maiboboto sa nalalapit na naming halalan. Komedya  naman talaga itong nagaganap sa ating hudikatura, makaraan kasambahay ng mahigit isang dekadang paglilitis, katarungan nang tinatawag ang pagkakakulong ng tigagalawang taon ng dalawang saragateng tsuper na kahit tinawag ng korteng maingat naman sa pagmamaneho ay nakamatay pa rin ng beteranang mamamahayag at edukador. Makukulong nga kasambahay itong dalawang tsuper  Daniel Espinosa at Victor Ancheta makaraang mapatunayan ni Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 83 Judge Ralph Lee na nagkasala ng reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property with homicide sa pagkamatay ng journalist at UP Professor Chit Estella. Pinagbabayad naman kapwa ang Universal Guiding Star Bus Line Corp. at Nova Auto Transport Bus Corporation ng P7.46 milyong “moral and exemplary damage” sa pamilya ni  Estella o Lourdes Estella-Simbulan. Masasabing nasa “wrong place at wrong time” si Chit nang mga panahong iyon.   Itong  tsuper ng traditional jeepney byaheng Sto. Nino -Meycauayan City, mas pinili pang libre pamasahe kaysa tanggapin ang perang papel na P20, baka raw kasi hindi tanggapin mula sa kanya. Kasambahay, hangga’t hindi pinawawalang-bisa ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ang pinalaganap nitong salapi sa bansa, kung nababasa pa naman ang serial number, hindi ito pwedeng hindi tanggapin. Isinukli din naman sa akin ang P20, at tinanggap ko naman kaya kailangang tanggapin mo rin driver, ang katangahan, hindi ipinag-aaraw-araw yan. Kung walang tatanggap, ang bangko, kahit anong bangko tatanggapin yan. Kasama yan sa hanap-buhay mo driver, kung wala pala akong alam, ibang salapi pa ang ibabayad mo, nungka. Consolidated na ba yang jeep mo, kung hindi magtago ka na. Tinutugis ho ngayon ng mga pulis ang kabaro nilang babae dahil nahuling nakikipagniig sa kapwa pulis at huli rin ng maybahay ang katalik. Hindi kinilala ni Col. Fajardo ang pasaway sa matinding kahihiyan, sino kaya ang life coach niyan? Nananawagan kasambahay ang obispong katoliko sa mga panatikong magdasal para ulanin. Noong araw ipinagpuprusisyon pa ng mga panatiko ang paghingi ng ulan kaya lang galit ang itaas sa pagkikilik ng imahen sa prusisyon dahil iyon ay dinidiyos pa kaysa Kanya. Paano diringgin kung mali ang pamamaraan. Lalo lamang lalala ang sitwasyon kung hindi matututuhan ng tao ang tamang pagtawag sa nasa Itaas. Masdan  nyo kasambahay ang nagagawa ng pera, hindi madampot-dampot itong si Puloy kahit sandamukal ang mandamyento de aresto, maliban sa “delaying tactics” gawa ng ‘sang batalyon nitong abogado, malawak din ang taguan nito. Hinihirit ho ngayon ni Puloy na dinggin ng Korte Supremang mga manananggol na lamang ni Puloy ang lulutang at magpapabango ng kanyang baho. Pwede yun sa mga kasong pinapipyansahan ng hukuman e yung hindi, hindi naman pwedeng magpakulong abogado para sa kanya. Ito kasambahay ang sinasabing lahat ng usapin ay mapipyansahan, depende sa laro ng abogado. Ipaghalimbawa na sa mga piitan, kaya may nakapiit ay dahil walang pampyansa at de kampanang abogadong magtatanggol.

Kasambahay na magpupulis, ipabura mo muna ang tato mo dahil ang mga pulis na burdado ay pinakakalas na kung ayaw magbura ng tato. Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal PNP Memorandum Circular 2024-023 ang nagbabawal sa tato ng pulis, mantakin ninyong 30k pala ang magpabura ng tato o kaya’y magbitiw na sa pwesto kung nagtitigas-tigasan ng ulo. Pero hindi ligtas ang tatong nasa labi at kilay ng lady cop. Komedyante rin  talaga itong si Tata Digong, malamang daw na sa pagod ng mga ahente ng gobyerno sa pagtugis sa puganteng si Puloy ay hindi makauuwi nang hindi mananamba na rin nito. Magkakatotoo lang ang sinabi mo kung walang gulugod o “backbone” ang pananampalataya ng mga sugo ng gobyerno. Pero kung mga taga-langit ang mga ito, hindi kailanman magogoyo ni Puloy. Ano naman kaya kung ideklarang “no man’s land ang “Tamayong Prayer Mountain”  ni Puloy gaya ng ginawa ni Tata Digong sa Marawi City at ng mga dating nasa poder ng pangasiwaan sa panahon ni Kamlon, tatagal kaya si Puloy laban sa buong pwersa ng pamahalaan? Malamang maraming “pinsalang kolateral”, ang mga magtitigas-tigasan nang ulong panatiko ni Puloy pero aaminin kong “next to impossible “naman ito. Nagpapakatanggi-tanggi ho kasi ang lolo nyong kinakandili nya si Puloy. Ipinapapakete na rin ni Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa sa Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) ang mga serbisyong ultrasound at mammogram.   

Shout out muna sa Values Bocaue Advocates, Wilfredo Jimenez Jr., Alex Driodoco, Gemma Daseco, Delfin Lawa at Alex Castro. Shout out muna sa mga may “hang over” pang bagong Marked Men for Christ”. Nagsipagtapos ng phase 2 at 3 seminar sa Plaridel,Bulacan staff na kayo kung saka-sakali, unang staffing nyo ang Phase 1 sa San Carlos City, Pangasinan sa HUlyo 3-5,2024. Jonathan Fernandez, nagkakalimutan na yata a..    Salamat JO1 Adrian Montojo, magkatulungan tayo sa ikarereporma ng mga detenido.

16 Mayo 2024, Huwebes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

HEADLINES

Bet replacement by COC withdrawal banned

By J.Lo

COMELEC CHAIRMAN GEORGE GARCIA

“Candidates, lay your cards on the table…be up front about your candidacy and there will be no more changes,” Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said “if you’re really decided,  lay it out at once…file your candidacy.”

 Comelec has unanimously decided not to allow candidate substitution based on withdrawal after  weeklong filing of certificate of candidacy (COC), Comelec officials said.

At Bagong Pilipinas public briefing, Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco said  commission has set from Oct. 1 to 8  filing of COC for those running in  2025 midterm elections.

At the same time, groups participating in  party-list elections may also file  Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance.

Laudiangco said  Comelec would allow filing of withdrawal and substitution only from Oct. 1 to 8. “If  candidate with  political party will withdraw from Oct. 9 onwards, it will no longer be allowed to substitute other candidate,” he noted.

Garcia said Comelec will only allow substitution of candidate on grounds of death or disqualification.

He said  substitute candidate must have  same surname as one replaced and must belong to  same political party.

Official  list of those running will be released early, according to  Comelec, to give voters enough time to screen them and file disqualification complaints if necessary.

Soon after  end of COC filing, Laudiangco said  Comelec will post  certified list of candidates in all poll body’s offices.

“For what purpose…to show  public  these people have filed COC and so  evaluation and research into their persons can start if they deserve our vote or not,” he stressed.

Since it’s  automated election, Laudiangco said  list of candidates will also be posted on Comelec’s website for  public to see and thoroughly look into  identities of  aspirants.

“In order to see who are  candidates and those who want to file cancellation of COC, disqualification, nuisance can file at correct Comelec office,” he added.

Laudiangco said Comelec will also allow electronic filing of petitions for disqualification or cancellation of COC so that complaints can be resolved quicker.

He said Comelec wants all pending disqualification cases to have been resolved and nuisance candidates removed before  printing of ballots.

Despite  absence of  enabling law,  Comelec is pushing through with planned internet voting in  May 2025 elections for Filipino voters abroad.

Garcia reported  that  commissioners decided against cancellation of planned internet voting.

“We weighed  implications, all  possibilities, and we saw  need to proceed with internet voting although it’s not in the law because no one is questioning it anyway before  Supreme Court,” Garcia told reporters.

“We felt  consequences would be heavier if we canceled internet voting,  presently being expected by our countrymen abroad,”  chairman added.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III previously expressed his reservations over  use of internet voting in  2025 midterm elections.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Zephaniah 3:17

¹⁷ The Lord your God is with you,
    the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
    but will rejoice over you with singing.”

15 Mayo 2024, Miyerkules

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

happy Birthday Andrea Mae Sebugan, more birthdays to come

‘No intrusions at sea to avoid miscalculations’

By Nidz Godino

“We thank  US for assurance,  reiteration of  commitment made by US President Joe Biden to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during their highly successful trilateral summit together with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington, DC last April 11,” Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez  urged China to stop its intrusion in  West Philippine Sea (WPS) and  200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines to show sincerity that Beijing really wanted to avoid “miscalculations” with  United States.

In a statement, Rodriguez also welcomed assurance given by US State Secretary Antony Blinken about US’ defense obligations to  Philippines in case hostilities erupt in  WPS.

In  meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his counterpart Wang Yi, Blinken said  he “made clear that while  US will continue to de-escalate tensions, our defense commitments to  Philippines remain ironclad.”

Blinken added he raised Beijing’s statement in such meetings as “dangerous actions in  South China Sea,”  includes  WPS.

Reports showed  US and China agreed to “avoid miscalculations” by continuing their dialogue on issues of conflict, including those involving South China Sea.

Rodriguez noted that China should prove  true to its word by stopping its frequent intrusions into WPS and  Philippines’ EEZ.

“That is only way Beijing can avoid miscalculation with  US,  treaty-obligated to defend  Philippines… also means  China will have to give up  sea features inside  Philippines’ EEZ that it has occupied, one of two of  Beijing has militarized,” he added.

According to the lawmaker, China should leave Scarborough Shoal, known as Bajo de Masinloc to Zambales and Pangasinan fishermen, which it “seized” in 2012, and stop harassing resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre,  Philippine military outpost in Ayungin Shoal off Palawan.

“There is no doubt that these are within our EEZ under  United Nations Convention of the Law of the Seas…why China continues to claim them defies logic,” Rodriguez said.

15 Mayo 2024, Miyerkules

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

happy Birthday Andrea Mae Sebugan, more birthdays to come

DepEd considers Saturday classes

By Creselda Canda-Lopez

“We still need to be consulting our teachers and our learners, because  aggressive shift will be reducing  school year to something like 163,” Department of Education (DepEd) is looking at holding classes for several Saturdays to make up for  reduction in  number of school days when  old school calendar is restored this coming school year (SY).

Speaking during hearing of  House of Representatives committee on basic education and culture, DepEd director for curriculum and instruction-Bureau of Learning Delivery Leila Areola said  agency is planning to start SY 2024-2025 on July 29 and end it by March 31 next year.

Meanwhile, SY 2025-2026 shall start by June next year.

Because of this, Areola noted  minimum number of school days would be reduced from  current 180 to around 163.

To make up for  reduction in school days,  DepEd is studying possibility of holding classes on certain Saturdays.

“It’s not going to be every Saturday… just be certain Saturdays that we need to conduct, for example, distance learning, so that they will be able to cover competencies  might not be covered with  reduction of  school year,” Areola said.

Upon questioning by committee chair and Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, Areola said there is no law or policy that requires  minimum 180 days.

Romulo maintained that while there is  law that sets maximum number of school days at 220, he could not find  law or any policy requiring  minimum days to be 180.

Areola said there is no law governing this requirement, but it has been practiced since 1990.

“Average number of days is 203, and I have to mention that when  curriculum was prepared, they calculated actually 180 as much as possible to be  minimum number of school days,” she added.

Bukidnon 4th District Rep. Laarni Lavin Roque proposed to  DepEd to do away with  180 days as minimum number of school days since there is no law governing it.

At the same hearing, Philippine Elementary School Principals Association president Ferdinand Millan  “interpose no objection” to  changes in school calendar, although he revealed that his group has come up with some recommendations, including  adoption of “asynchronous learning aside from conducting or holding classes every Saturday.”

Millan added they are proposing  inclusion of vitamins in school-based program for school learners “so that they will be physically fit in learning.”

Group  also wants  provision for the teachers’ uniform such as “comfortable shirts “properly chosen” in terms of color, style and comfort.

Millan maintained  teachers should also be provided with health benefits, such as hospitalization and life insurance coverage, among others.

Two House committees moved to invite Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio to shed light on Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC)  DepEd forged with three other government agencies.

JMC, signed earlier, is for  integration of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in senior high school (SHS) curriculum to boost students’ employability.

Aside from Duterte,  House committees on basic education and culture, and higher and technical education also agreed to invite  top officials of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Commission on Higher Education. 

15 Mayo 2024, Miyerkules

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Ayuda, ‘di na daraan kay mayor, wawa

MABABAWASAN ang komedya sa munisipyo, city hall at barangay dahil mauudlot ang pamumulitika sa pamamahagi ng ayuda ng mga pulitiko. Shout out muna kina Binang 1^st Barangay Chairman Alfredo Quiambao, secretary Michelle Santos at treasurer Con-con Adatu,admin Ricardo Sta. Ana, konsehal Aru Cando, Pepito Nicandro, Gerry Noel. Hindi na ho kasi kasambahay idaraan sa opisina ng mga ehekutibo local ang ayuda ni Social Welfare secretary Rex Gatchalian. Ito ho bang Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program o AKAP. Ang konswelo na lang ni Mayor at barangay chairman ay makapagmasid sa pamimigay, iniiwasan na ho kasi Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal na akalain ninyong mula sa pulitiko iyon kaya muling maiboboto sa nalalapit na naming halalan. Komedya  naman talaga itong nagaganap sa ating hudikatura, makaraan kasambahay ng mahigit isang dekadang paglilitis, katarungan nang tinatawag ang pagkakakulong ng tigagalawang taon ng dalawang saragateng tsuper na kahit tinawag ng korteng maingat naman sa pagmamaneho ay nakamatay pa rin ng beteranang mamamahayag at edukador. Makukulong nga kasambahay itong dalawang tsuper  Daniel Espinosa at Victor Ancheta makaraang mapatunayan ni Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 83 Judge Ralph Lee na nagkasala ng reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property with homicide sa pagkamatay ng journalist at UP Professor Chit Estella. Pinagbabayad naman kapwa ang Universal Guiding Star Bus Line Corp. at Nova Auto Transport Bus Corporation ng P7.46 milyong “moral and exemplary damage” sa pamilya ni  Estella o Lourdes Estella-Simbulan. Masasabing nasa “wrong place at wrong time” si Chit nang mga panahong iyon.  Pasaway itong tsuper ng traditional jeepney byaheng Sto. Nino -Meycauayan City, mas pinili pang libre pamasahe kaysa tanggapin ang perang papel na P20, baka raw kasi hindi tanggapin mula sa kanya. Kasambahay, hangga’t hindi pinawawalang-bisa ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ang pinalaganap nitong salapi sa bansa, kung nababasa pa naman ang serial number, hindi ito pwedeng hindi tanggapin. Isinukli din naman sa akin ang P20, at tinanggap ko naman kaya kailangang tanggapin mo rin driver, ang katangahan, hindi ipinag-aaraw-araw yan. Kung walang tatanggap, ang bangko, kahit anong bangko tatanggapin yan. Kasama yan sa hanap-buhay mo driver, kung wala pala akong alam, ibang salapi pa ang ipababayad mo, nungka. Tinutugis ho ngayon ng mga pulis ang kabaro nilang babae dahil nahuling nakikipagniig sa kapwa pulis at huli rin ng maybahay ang katalik. Hindi kinilala ni Col. Fajardo ang pasaway sa matinding kahihiyan, sino kaya ang life coach niyan? Sinusorpresa pa ng tambalang Dingdong Dantes at Charo Santos ang publiko hinggil sa pamagat ng kanilang unang pelikulang magkasama. Nagsimula raw kasambahay ang istorya sa pagkakaibigang humantong sa magandang ugnayan. Tengang ngiti ang iniukol ng Amazing Earth host sa kaakit-akit na si Tindeng sa set ng pelikula, abangan na lang kasambahay.Nananawagan kasambahay ang obispong katoliko sa mga panatikong magdasal para ulanin. Noong araw ipinagpuprusisyon pa ng mga panatiko ang paghingi ng ulan kaya lang galit ang itaas sa pagkikilik ng imahen sa prusisyon dahil iyon ay dinidiyos pa kaysa Kanya. Paano diringgin kung mali ang pamamaraan. Lalo lamang lalala ang sitwasyon kung hindi matututuhan ng tao ang tamang pagtawag sa nasa Itaas. Masdan  nyo kasambahay ang nagagawa ng pera, hindi madampot-dampot itong si Puloy kahit sandamukal ang mandamyento de aresto, maliban sa “delaying tactics” gawa ng ‘sang batalyon nitong abogado, malawak din ang taguan nito. Hinihirit ho ngayon ni Puloy na dinggin ng Korte Supremang mga manananggol na lamang ni Puloy ang lulutang at magpapabango ng kanyang baho. Pwede yun sa mga kasong pinapipyansahan ng hukuman e yung hindi, hindi naman pwedeng magpakulong abogado para sa kanya. Ito kasambahay ang sinasabing lahat ng usapin ay mapipyansahan, depende sa laro ng abogado. Ipaghalimbawa na sa mga piitan, kaya may nakapiit ay dahil walang pampyansa at de kampanang abogadong magtatanggol.

Kasambahay na magpupulis, ipabura mo muna ang tato mo dahil ang mga pulis na burdado ay pinakakalas na kung ayaw magbura ng tato. Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal PNP Memorandum Circular 2024-023 ang nagbabawal sa tato ng pulis, mantakin ninyong 30k pala ang magpabura ng tato o kaya’y magbitiw na sa pwesto kung nagtitigas-tigasan ng ulo. Pero hindi ligtas ang tatong nasa labi at kilay ng lady cop. Komedyante rin  talaga itong si Tata Digong, malamang daw na sa pagod ng mga ahente ng gobyerno sa pagtugis sa puganteng si Puloy ay hindi makauuwi nang hindi mananamba na rin nito. Magkakatotoo lang ang sinabi mo kung walang gulugod o “backbone” ang pananampalataya ng mga sugo ng gobyerno. Pero kung mga taga-langit ang mga ito, hindi kailanman magogoyo ni Puloy. Ano naman kaya kung ideklarang “no man’s land ang “Tamayong Prayer Mountain”  ni Puloy gaya ng ginawa ni Tata Digong sa Marawi City at ng mga dating nasa poder ng pangasiwaan sa panahon ni Kamlon, tatagal kaya si Puloy laban sa buong pwersa ng pamahalaan? Malamang maraming “pinsalang kolateral”, ang mga magtitigas-tigasan nang ulong panatiko ni Puloy pero aaminin kong “next to impossible “naman ito. Nagpapakatanggi-tanggi ho kasi ang lolo nyong kinakandili nya si Puloy. Ipinapapakete na rin ni Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa sa Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) ang mga serbisyong ultrasound at mammogram.   

Shout out muna sa Values Bocaue Advocates, Wilfredo Jimenez Jr., Alex Driodoco, Gemma Daseco, Delfin Lawa at Alex Castro. Shout out muna sa mga may “hang over” pang bagong Marked Men for Christ”. Nagsipagtapos ng phase 2 at 3 seminar sa Plaridel,Bulacan staff na kayo kung saka-sakali, unang staffing nyo ang Phase 1 sa San Carlos City, Pangasinan sa HUlyo 3-5,2024. Jonathan Fernandez, nagkakalimutan na yata a..    Salamat JO! Adrian Montojo, magkatulungan tayo sa ikarereporma ng mga detenido.

15 Mayo 2024, Miyerkules

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

HEADLINES

Politicians to watch AKAP cash aid distribution

By J.Lo

“They cannot do the actual distribution…that is against our protocol,” Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said politicians are barred from participating in  actual distribution of cash aid under  Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP),  controversial assistance program of  Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Gatchalian said  as he announced implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of AKAP had already been signed and published in late April.

Gatchalian added  DSWD disbursing officers are not allowed to hand over  assistance to any politician for distribution.

“Only our disbursing officers can hold  money because they are accountable for that,” he stressed.

Gatchalian underscored  policy is intended to avoid giving the impression that  cash aid came from politicians, but he conceded that local government officials, for instance, could observe  distribution from  sidelines.

Gatchalian acknowledged that  DSWD is still relying on these politicians for manpower and other logistical support when they go to  communities.

In February, Sen. Imee Marcos had accused some members of House of Representatives of using AKAP in collecting signatures for  people’s initiative to amend  restrictive economic provisions in  Constitution.

According to Gatchalian, while  IRR, contained in Memorandum Circular 04, series of 2024, is already out, they have not started its implementation.

“I want to clarify that we have not disbursed any assistance as we speak…we are fine-tuning  roll out…so,  public could not yet come to DSWD to apply,” he said.

Circular  states  some P26.7 million of  DSWD’s budget for 2024 had been earmarked for AKAP,  part of government’s efforts to “address inflation and protect purchasing power of Filipino families.”

DSWD is eyeing to start  implementation before end of May.

To qualify for AKAP aid, one must belong to  low-income category, or whose income does not exceed  minimum wage.

Gatchalian added  initially, AKAP assistance will be given on  one-time basis, but they are hoping that  program will be institutionalized.

Under  circular, amount of cash assistance ranges from P1,000 to P10,000, subject to  assessment of DSWD social workers.

Aside from cash grant, assistance covered by  program include rice subsidy, funeral and medical benefits.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Ecclesiastes 11:5

⁵ As you do not know the path of the wind,
    or how the body is formed^[a] in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
    the Maker of all things.

Footnotes

1. Ecclesiastes 11:5 Or know how life (or the spirit) / enters the body being formed

14 Mayo 2024, Martes

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happy Birthday Andrea Mae Sebugan, more birthdays to come

Ph to tighten eye on shoals, reefs, islets

By J.Lo

“No one will guard these locations except us… our responsibility under international law to guard them and ensure environment there would not be damaged and that there won’t be reclamation activities,” National Security Council spokesman Jonathan Malaya told  regular television program  Philippines would keep  closer guard on reefs, shoals and islets in its exclusive economic zone in  South China Sea, alarmed by reports of new reclamation activities by China, which Beijing denied.

Philippine Coast Guard  had deployed  ship to Sabina (Escoda) Shoal on Spratly archipelago, where it accused China of building  artificial island, having documented what it said were piles of dead and crushed coral on sandbars.

Malaya said  NSC chief Eduardo Año had ordered  tighter guard at locations within Manila’s 200-nautical-mile economic zone, as  long-standing diplomatic row with Beijing intensifies.

China claims almost all  South China Sea, including parts claimed by  Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam, and has carried out extensive land reclamation on some islands, building military facilities, causing concern in Washington and the region.

China’s foreign ministry  dismissed Manila’s latest accusation as “groundless and pure rumor.”

“Recently,  Philippine side has repeatedly spread rumors, deliberately smeared China and attempted to mislead  international community, which is futile,” spokesman Wang Wenbin told  regular briefing.

He urged Manila to “return to  right track of properly settling maritime disputes through negotiation and consultation.”

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela said its presence at  Escoda Shoal had deterred China from doing small-scale reclamation, but that scientists would have to determine whether  piles of coral were natural or man-made.

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He said coast guard was committed to maintaining  presence at the shoal, just over 120 nautical miles from Philippine province of Palawan.

To deter China’s activities,  PCG deployed  97-meter BRP Teresa Magbanua to Escoda Shoal and which has stayed in the area for 26 days as of Saturday.

Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 that Beijing’s claims in  South China Sea,  vital waterway, had no basis under international law,  decision  China rejects.

Sabina Shoal, known locally as Escoda, is  rendezvous point for vessels resupplying Filipino troops stationed on  grounded warship at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, where Manila and China have had frequent run-ins.