TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Romans 12:12

¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

2 Mayo 2024, Huwebes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Dasal para ulanin

NANANAWAGAN kasambahay ang obispong katoliko sa mga panatikong magdasal para ulanin. 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. 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.   Ipinahaharang ho ng mga maka-puloy ang pagpapaaresto rito ng senado dahilan sa pangiisnab nito sa hearing. Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal, kung saka-sakali, mararagdagan ang santang pango. Tumango na ang batikanong simulan ng simbahang katoliko ang proseso sa pagiging santa ni Nina Ruiz-Abad ng Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Nagpamudmod  lang ng kung ano-ano noong nabubuhay pa, santa na. Mas mabuti naman ito kaysa ang sunong sariling bangkong nagtatagong Puloy, anak daw ng dios. 

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.

2 Mayo 2024, Huwebes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

WESM operation suspended on red alert

By J.Lo

“Commission is working hard to alleviate impact of El Niño in our power system…we are looking for ways to mitigate  impact of  extremely high demand resulting from  high heat index as these affect our consumers,” Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)  chairperson and chief executive officer Monalisa Dimalanta said ERC has suspended  Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) due to  series of red alerts in Luzon and Visayas grids since April 16.

ERC cited data from WESM indicating average prices per day amid  high heat index went up by 11 and 53 percent in Luzon and  Visayas, respectively.

Due to this,  ERC will implement  “administered price” during  period of market operation.

However,  dispatch interval between administered price and  secondary price cap will be “subject to price mitigation.”

The lower amount between two prices will be applied in settlement of transactions.

Suspension  of WESM will be lifted once regional available capacity, less  actual regional demand, reaches above zero for 24 consecutive hours.

Suspension  is pursuant to Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, allows ERC to suspend market operations in the wake of  national calamity.

ERC cited increased power demand due to  El Niño phenomenon as  emergency.

Dimalanta urged power distribution utilities to be “proactive in exploring ways” to lessen its exposure to  spot market.

“Impact of high prices can also be alleviated by existing programs, such as  anti-bill shock lending program of  Land Bank of the Philippines, to allow consumers to pay through installment  incremental increases in their electricity bill,” Dimalanta said.

Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines has yet to coordinate with  ERC regarding  suspension of  spot market.

National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP)  announced that  Luzon grid is on yellow alert as  available capacity is only at 15,026 megawatts amid peak demand of 12,899 MW.

NGCP issues red alert when  operating margin is insufficient to meet  transmission grid’s contingency requirement.

Yellow  alert is raised when power supply is not sufficient to meet consumer demand and  transmission grid’s regulating requirement.

Luzon and Visayas grids have been placed on red alert for around 20 hours as of April 25.  Duration  of  alert was significantly longer than in previous years.

Meanwhile,  Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance (PE2) called for  strategic shift in flattening 3,340-MW increase in demand through peak-shaving or load-shifting toward off-peak hours.

PE2 said  permanent peak shaving is possible through “aggressive replacement of energy-intensive systems” in  commercial, industrial, transport and government sectors with more efficient technologies.

2 Mayo 2024, Huwebes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

FMJ mobilizes PFP for 2025 polls

By Nidz Godino

“Reason why we have been trying to put together was that during  last elections, we fought for unity … and that’s what  people seemed to have been looking for,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. mobilized  Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) to forge alliances and prepare for  2025 elections while continuing to push for national unity as Filipinos have been reaping its benefits almost two years into his term.

In his speech during  oath-taking of new members of  PFP,  he chairs, Marcos emphasized  alliances were not meant to “dominate  entire political scenery,” but to bring Filipinos together for  country’s peace and progress.

“Now, if you look at it, we have not yet been in office for two years … but in  short time, we have done a lot,” he added.

Filipinos continue to thirst for unity and “they don’t want bickering anymore because nothing happens when it’s all politicking,” according to Marcos.

He also cited  value of inclusive governance in  country’s development.

The Chief Executive said  as  party’s head, he is directly talking to leaders of other key political parties such as Lakas, Nationalist People’s Coalition, Nacionalista Party and  National Unity Party in House of Representatives, as well as local parties, as much as possible.

He added that  PFP is trying to engage all political factions in its own advocacies, including national development, equality of people and upholding  country’s rights before international community.

“I have spoken to  leaders of other parties, and as far as I can tell, it seems that all are willing to talk about the possible alliances,” he said.

Marcos expressed hope that by October, it will have been clear who will be running under  PFP and who will be part of  alliance.

October is the start of filing of  certificates of candidacy for those running in  May 2025 midterm elections.

Marcos administered  oath of 33 new PFP members.

“To the newly sworn in members of Partido Federal … let us work together, let us continue to keep in mind that  best way for us to serve our people is to come together and to work as one,” he said.

Established in 2018, PFP was one of the members of  UniTeam Alliance of Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio in May 2022 general elections.

2 Mayol 2024, Huwebes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Cloud seeding in El Niño-hit areas readied

By Nidz Godino

“Cloud seeding is our last resort…so far, cloud seeding operations have been done in Quirino, Isabela, specifically in Magat Watershed…they are still on standby for seedable clouds,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa said cloud seeding operations are being readied in areas affected by  El Niño phenomenon.

De  Mesa said  Bureau of Soil and Water Management and concerned DA regional directors are coordinating with  Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Office of Civil Defense and Philippine Air Force on  cloud seeding activities.

He noted  standby fund was also allocated in Region 6 or Western Visayas for possible cloud seeding operations.

“If there will be seedable clouds, in coordination with PAGASA and Philippine Air Force, cloud seeding operations will be done,” De Mesa said.

He stressed  Western Visayas was among El Niño’s hardest-hit regions as  total damage to  agriculture sector there has reached P1.02 billion.

De Mesa pointed out  cloud seeding operations were effective as rains were experienced in watersheds of  reservoir.

“Rains happened in  reservoir as before it was done, concerned officials checked on seedable clouds…cloud seeding is good if rains will come in intended areas…it is  last resource as it is costly, that is why chance of success should be high,” he said.

At least P2.26 billion worth of interventions have been provided to farmers and fisherfolk after  total damage of El Niño in 11 regions has reached P4.39 billion, according to DA official.

“DA has provided P2.16 billion worth of interventions to our farmers and fishers, including P1.065 billion worth of rice farmers’ financial assistance… P5,000 being given to farmers with two hectares, and then we also provided P638 million worth of inputs…these are seeds, fertilizers and the like,” he said.

He added  at least P295 million worth of small-scale irrigation projects were provided by  DA and P77.5 million in survival and recovery loans to affected farmers.

“Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. provided indemnification to about 7,322 farmers, totaling about P68 million…our livestock program provided more than 60,000 animals and our Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has provided about 111 alternative livelihood projects for affected fishers,” he said.

Aside from Western Visayas, affected by El Niño are whole of Luzon, including  Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), 4-A (Calabarzon), 4-B (Mimaropa), 5 (Bicol) and Mindanao, including Regions 9 (Zamboanga peninsula), 11 (Davao) and 12 (Soccsksargen).

2 Mayo 2024, Huwebes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

HEADLINES

Wage boards works on pay hike petitions

By J.Lo

“Review has already started…we don’t need to be ordered…we have  mandate and we are obliged to perform our responsibility,” Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma told reporters different Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) have started  review of existing minimum wage rates in their respective regions.

“Even without  order process has started in all  regions…we are looking into it and gathering information that will lead to public consultation,” Laguesma said.

During  Labor Day celebration in Malacañang, Laguesma said President Ferdinand  Marcos Jr.directed all  RTWPBs to start  review of existing wage rates.

Laguesma explained  RTWPBs are authorized to start  review 60 days before  expiration of  one-year effectivity of  last wage order.

“Sixty days before it lapses, there’s  pending adjustment…as to how much, that will be determined by members of  RTWPBs,” he noted.

Department of Labor and Employment-National Capital Region (DOLE-NCR) director Sara Mirasol said they will start  review and conduct  public consultation within  month and workers can expect  possible pay hike.

Mirasol said  RTWPB in NCR has not received any formal petition for salary hikes, but they will conduct  review and public consultation. “We are discussing it this month…we are not saying there’s something to be expected, but we will seriously consider increasing minimum wage,” Mirasol added.

She noted  effectivity of  last wage order in NCR was July 16, 2023. “It’s nearing  anniversary date so we can already conduct consultation even without  petition,” she said.

Laguesma noted  wage orders issued by RTWPB not only benefit minimum wage earners but also those receiving higher pay due to wage distortion. But those receiving higher than minimum wage can opt to negotiate with their employers for  salary increase.

To commemorate Labor Day, thousands of workers took to streets yesterday and pushed for  immediate passage of pending measures granting  P150 legislated wage increase.

Workers  insisted increase given by RTWPBs is inadequate to enable workers to cope with rising prices of essential commodities.

They also claimed  existing wage rates are discriminatory, since existing daily pay in some regions is lower than others. 

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

1 John 5:14-15

¹⁴ This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

1 Mayo 2024, Miyerkules

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

‘Traders to explain soaring prices of goods in probe’

By Nidz Godino

“We will call  traders, middlemen.. we will ask why there is  huge gap… this is  farmgate and what you’re selling  has  large difference,”  House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said at  press conference with Deputy Majority Leader for Communications and ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Erwin Tulfo and trade panel chairman, Iloilo 4th District Rep. Ferjenel Biron traders and middlemen must give proper responses to congressmen, once House committee on trade and industry continues its inquiry on soaring prices of basic goods despite plunging farmgate prices.

Romualdez vowed  people would be made accountable if  invited traders won’t be able to justify  runaway prices of their products.

“So, we will inquire as to why that is…if there is no adequate explanation, if they’re too greedy for  profits, we need to tell them to moderate … because if not, we’ll all be affected and of course, someone will be held responsible for that, right?” Romualdez said.

Earlier  committee held  briefing on growing disparity between farmgate prices and retail prices, as ordered by  Speaker himself.

Romualdez, Tulfo and Biron all disappointed over  admission of resource persons from  Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that there was no immediate solution to disparity.

So now, it’s  traders and middlemen who will be  resource persons in the next hearing, said Romualdez.

“So, to the profiteers, to  traders, to  middlemen who are too greedy with their profits, pay attention…moderate your greed and try to be more reasonable,” said  leader of  300-plus strong House of Representatives.

Romualdez said  growing disparity between farmgate prices and retail prices must be abated for the sake of Filipino farmers and consumers.

He said  while he has nothing against businessmen who are out to make  profit, they should still be mindful of their countrymen who are struggling to make ends meet.

“We have no problem with traders needing to make  profit, but it must be just enough  not so much that consumers are being overly-affected…life is already hard, especially in this hot weather, right…we need to show  little sympathy to our fellow Filipinos.” Romualdez said.

House leaders have observed  government agencies tasked to ensure  low cost of basic commodities in  market seemed “inutile” or useless in fighting continued skyrocketing of prices.

“During our hearing, it was revealed Department of Agriculture has in fact monitoring, surveillance and adjudication powers, but they’re inutile…was never done by the department, we asked them what did they do to profiteers, wholesalers, middlemen that have been violating for longest time, and it was very unfortunate when they revealed they did nothing,” Biron told reporters.

Panel chairman Biron himself noticed “mark-up” was 200 percent, as reckoned from farmgate prices of these basic commodities at retail outlets in the market, primarily because even “importers have low import cost or landed cost for their commodities.”

“It still ends up with  very high price once it is already in  retail market…it was an eye-opener for  committee to pursue serious actions against all these violators…so, in our subsequent hearings, I’m sure we will be able to know who these people are.”

For one, Biron got  confirmation from  Organization of Supermarkets that their profit margin was only pegged at eight percent, while they have 10 percent for “refrigerated commodities.”

“In other words, profit of  end-user,  supermarket, is very miniscule,” he said.

Tulfo, for his part, declared  profits of these unscrupulous businessmen, along with middlemen, were way above what should be fair. “Their profit is too much…that’s why the Speaker said they should moderate their greed.”

“For now, we are requesting them to please lower their prices, but of course, we also have power to direct DA or  DTI to use their powers of prosecution, as in Congress I believe we can do that,”  former broadcast journalist warned.

1 Mayo 2024, Miyerkules

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

PUJ unconsolidated now culorum

By J.Lo

“TRO petition is currently for deliberation by  Court,” Supreme Court (SC) spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting said in  text message there was no temporary restraining order (TRO) from SC as April 30 deadline lapsed for consolidation under  public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

TRO was sought by transport groups led by Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON).

Without  TRO, government can push through with  implementation of  PUVMP and  consolidation deadline.

SC has so far asked  respondents, Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), to file their respective comments.

Deadline  for consolidation of all passenger jeepneys into cooperatives or corporations had been extended from Dec. 31, 2023 to April 30 this year.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.had said there would no longer be any extension in connection with  franchise consolidation under PUVMP.

Meanwhile, about 10,000 jeepneys nationwide will be deemed “colorum” public utility vehicles for non-compliance with  consolidation deadline yesterday, according to  Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz said due process will be followed for colorum jeepneys, or units that do not have valid franchises,  include around 600-700 jeepneys in Metro Manila alone.

LTFRB chief said that by the second week of May, they will tap the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to apprehend colorum operators.

Guadiz said they could face impoundment of their vehicles as well as around P50,000 in fines.

“Technically by April 30, those who did not join  industry consolidation of jeepney modernization have already lost their franchise…if you are colorum, you are susceptible of being apprehended,” he said at  briefing.

Data from LTFRB showed  total of 150,179 units nationwide  have joined  government program,  comprise about 78.33 percent of total number of jeepney units.

Guadiz  expect  number to increase to  nationwide consolidation rate of 80 or 82 percent once all of  papers are processed.

As for Metro Manila, Guadiz said they anticipate reaching about 60 percent from low 54 percent consolidation rate by end-December.

Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe said DOTr and other concerned agencies should show effective implementation of  PUVMP as drivers and operators of public utility vehicles are bound to lose their livelihood and will add to unemployment numbers.

“Amid obstacles such as  costly capital investment of procuring  modern jeepney, we want to know  real number of drivers who have joined program those who will be left behind are bound to lose their livelihood and will add to our unemployment statistics woeful reality for Labor Day.”

Transport groups said  despite deadline, they will continue to ply  streets.

PISTON secretary general Ruben Baylon said  leeway given by  LTFRB shows  they are not set on fully implementing PUVMP.

Baylon  will continue to press government to renew their franchises even if they have failed to consolidate.

“We have  license and we will fight for our licenses… we have done everything so that our licenses will not be revoked,” he added.

Manibela president Mar Valbuena said they will stage  bigger transport strike if  government fully implements apprehension against jeepneys.

As  consolidation for public utility jeepneys ended, President Marcos ordered government agencies to expedite  implementation of  program that would encourage use of electronic vehicles (EV), especially for public transportation.

Marcos renewed his directive during  sectoral meeting at Malacañang attended by officials of  Departments of Energy (DOE), Trade and Industry and Science and Technology.

FMJ directed  DOE and other agencies to focus on finding ways to lower cost of production, financing and charging infrastructure.

He also instructed agencies to focus on supporting acquisition of EVs by commercial fleets like government, private company cars and public transportation fleets, Malacañang said.

At  Palace press briefing, DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said  three agencies , DOE, DTI and DOST briefed the President on implementation of  Comprehensive Roadmap for  Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI).

As of 2023, there were only 7,000 or .001 percent EVs registered out of 14.3 million registered vehicles in the country, Fuentebella noted.

1 Mayo 2024, Miyerkules

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

CSC strengthens govt workers’ right to organize

By Nidz Godino

“Good employee relations are vital in advancing employee welfare and participatory governance,” Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairman Karlo Nograles said during  ceremonial signing of  2024 Rules and Regulations Governing  Exercise of Right of Government Employees to Organize CSC has strengthened  policy on government workers’ right to organize as it launched  consolidated rules and regulations on conciliation services,  effectivity of collective negotiation agreements and recognition of national employees’ organizations.

Event  was held at Justice Hall of Department of Justice building in Manila.

Among  key features of  2024 Rules and Regulations is inclusion of  latest policies on administration of  public sector employee organization, establishment of employees’ organization transition group, merger and consolidation, as well as change of name and modes of dissolution of employees’ organizations, CSC said.

It also includes  latest policies on determination of sole and exclusive negotiating agent, dispute resolution and automatic accreditation of winner in  certification election,  CSC noted.

The 2024 Rules and Regulations is integration of promulgated and published policy resolutions approved by  Public Sector Labor Management Council (PSLMC) over  years, following  latest amendment in 2004,  CSC said.

Nograles is chair of the PSLMC “recognize that  new rules and regulations may not be absolutely perfect, considering  dynamic environment that they will operate within. However, this acknowledgment should not deter us from actively engaging in shaping  trajectory of employee relations in  public sector.”

PSLMC shall have  authority to promulgate  necessary rules and regulations to implement  exercise of  right to self-organization in  public sector, according to Executive Order No. 180 signed on June 1, 1987.

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PSLMC vice chair and Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, Justice Undersecretary Fredderick Vida, Finance Undersecretary Niño Raymond Alvina and Budget Undersecretary Leo Angelo Larcia attended  event.