13 Abril 2024, Sabado

more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024

7-to-4 work sched takes effect May 2

By J.Lo

“More than two weeks will be enough for  public to know  changes in work hours,” said San Juan Mayor and Metro Manila Council (MMC) president Francis Zamora during  media briefing at the headquarters of  Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in Pasig City  implementation of  modified work schedule of local government offices in Metro Manila will be deferred by two weeks.

Instead of  initial target date of April 15, new work hours for local government offices in Metro Manila will become effective on May 2,2024.

Employees of Metro Manila’s 17 local government units (LGUs) will report for work from 7 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon, instead of the current 8 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon according to MMC Resolution 24-08.

He said  body believed  new work schedule will spare around 112,000 employees of Metro Manila LGUs getting stuck in traffic jams during rush hour, as well as help in decongesting major roads in  metropolis.

Zamora assured  public that while work in Metro Manila LGUs would end at 4 in the afternoon.,  skeletal force will remain to attend to transactions until 5 in the afternoon.

For his part, MMDA acting Chairman Romando Artes said adjusted work schedule for LGU employees of Metro Manila will become advantage for them because they will be able to use their vehicles before  enforcement of  number coding scheme.

At present,  number coding policy that bans vehicles from traversing major roads on certain days depending on assigned plate numbers is effective from 7 in the morning to 10 in the morning and from 5 in the afternoon to 8 in the evening.

Traffic decongestion program in Metro Manila is one of the key strategic infrastructure programs of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), aimed at easing traffic flow and improving transportation efficiency in  metro.

This was revealed  by Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan after attending  Bagong Pilipinas town hall meeting on traffic concerns convened by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in San Juan, where he also discussed some of the infrastructure projects to alleviate bottlenecks and provide alternative routes to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

Bonoan said  program focuses on  improvement and expansion of  national road network by building more by-passes, diversion roads, expressways, flyovers, interchanges and underpasses.

Key highlights of  DPWH decongestion plan include expansion and upgrading of transportation infrastructure as well as construction of new roads and bridges. 

Completion  of  mainline of  18-kilometer Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 has reduced travel time from Buendia to Balintawak from two hours to 15-20 minutes. 

Tomas Claudio-Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa Section is ongoing, and out of  target 28 ramps, 22 are completed, three are ongoing and  other three ramps are in  planning stage.

Another project that will decongest and bypass EDSA is 7.7-kilometer NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, targeted for completion this year. This elevated expressway mostly running parallel to  Philippine National Railways rail track from Caloocan to Plaza Dilao in Manila will reduce travel time from SLEX to NLEX from two hours to 20 minutes.

Project  is 95 percent complete and now has three interchanges located in C3 Road/5th Avenue in Caloocan, and España and Magsaysay Boulevard in Manila.

Another project is  32-kilometer Southeast Metro Manila Expressway (C6 Expressway – Phase I) which will reduce travel time from Bicutan to Batasan from two hours to 30 minutes.

The C5 South Link Expressway will reduce travel time from R-1 Expressway to SLEX/C5 from 40 minutes to 10 minutes. 

Merville to C5/SLEX and E. Rodriguez to Merville Sections are operational.

Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project-Phase I involves construction of  51-kilometer road network along Laguna Lakeshore from Calamba to Bicutan, which will cater to  increasing traffic volume in southern corridor of Metro Manila.

The 44-kilometer Cavite-Laguna Expressway is expected to reduce travel time from CAVITEX in Kawit to SLEX Mamplasan in Laguna from two hours to 35 minutes. 

The 17.4-kilometer SLEX Mamplasan to Silang-Aguinaldo Interchange is already operational, while  remaining sections will be completed next year. 

DPWH is also prioritizing  construction of new bridges crossing  Pasig River and Manggahan Floodway. This will provide alternative linkages between major thoroughfares and increase  number of usable roadways that would decongest traffic in EDSA and other major roads in Metro Manila.

Three bridges have been completed  Binondo-Intramuros Bridge, BGC-Ortigas Center Link Road Project and Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge. 

Design  and build contracts for the other three bridges are ongoing, with civil works to start this year.

Civil works for  North and South Harbor Bridge and Palanca-Villegas Bridge crossing Pasig River are targeted to start by yearend or early part of next year, while construction of Eastbank-Westbank Bridge 2 crossing Manggahan Floodway is set to commence this September.

One of the landmark projects included in Inter-island Linkage Bridge Program is  32-kilometer Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge across Manila Bay, which is set to be the country’s longest bridge once constructed.

Costing P219 billion, it is  biggest and  single most expensive project of DPWH  aims to reduce travel time between Bataan and Cavite from five hours to 45 minutes bypassing Metro Manila.

Transport road and bridge rehabilitation project along EDSA aims to mitigate large economic losses due to traffic in Metro Manila.

Project  is currently proposed for inclusion in  Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) technical cooperation project for large-scale road and bridge replacement and rehabilitation, including  total rehabilitation of EDSA.

Improving structural integrity and seismic resilience of existing bridges remains  top priority for the government.

Among  key projects critical to attaining this objective is  rehabilitation and replacement of Guadalupe and Lambingan bridges, under  JICA-funded Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project, set to commence this year.

This will ensure  safety of about 365,000 motorists who traverse EDSA through  Guadalupe Bridge, and about 30,257 motorists who pass by Lambingan Bridge every day.

Bonoan said DPWH will also continue assisting MMDA in road clearing and removal of obstructions, as well as promote active transport by building more bike lanes and pedestrian infrastructure in coordination with  Department of Transportation.

Seven House members backed Marcos in banning government officials from using sirens and blinkers.

In a joint statement, Reps. Migs Nograles (PBA party-list), Jil Bongalon (Ako Bicol party-list), Pammy Zamora (Taguig), Zia Alonto Adiong (Lanao del Sur), Paolo Ortega (La Union), Jay Khonghun (Zambales) and Cheeno Miguel Almario (Davao Oriental) said  President’s issuance of Administrative Order 18 is a welcome move.

“This administrative order is very laudable, especially since we all know, and we have all not been oblivious to the fact that some of our government officials have indeed been abusing  use of these sirens and blinkers,” said Nograles.

Order  covers all elected and appointed officials, except those authorized to use  devices. 

13 Abril 2024, Sabado

more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024

Distance  learning on April 15, 16

By Creselda Canda-Lopez

“In order to allow learners to complete pending assignments, projects and other requirements as  end of school year is fast approaching, all public schools nationwide shall implement asynchronous classes/distance learning on April 15-16, 2024,”  Department of Education (DepEd) has ordered  implementation of distance learning or asynchronous classes for all 47,678 public schools nationwide on April 15 and 16.

“Likewise, teaching and non-teaching personnel in all public schools shall not be required to report to their respective stations,” it added.

DepEd said private schools are not covered by  advisory though they may opt to implement the same.

DepEd clarified  activities organized by Regional and Schools Division Offices (RDOs and SDOs), such as Regional Athletic Association Meets and other division or school level programs which fall on April 15 and 16 “may push through as scheduled.”

An official memorandum containing the advisory has been sent to all RDOs and SDOs,  DepEd said.

Meanwhile, 7,080 public schools nationwide have suspended onsite classes as of yesterday due to  extreme summer heat aggravated by El Niño phenomenon.

Central Luzon has  highest number of schools that suspended onsite classes at 1,903 followed by Central Visayas, 870; Western Visayas, 862; Ilocos region, 713; Bicol region, 664 and Soccsksargen, 488.

In Metro Manila,  total of 311 schools have suspended their onsite classes and shifted to ADM.

Combined  total of 1,269 schools in Mimaropa, Calabarzon, Zamboanga peninsula, Cordillera Administrative Region, Eastern Visayas, Davao region, Cagayan Valley and Northern Mindanao have also suspended their onsite classes and switched to ADM.

Only Caraga region has no recorded suspension of classes due to extreme heat.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration had earlier warned heat index being felt across the country is expected to increase further and reach  dangerous level in May.

DepEd remains mum on proposal of  Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) and Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) for immediate reversion to  old academic calendar starting this coming school year.

Both teachers’ groups said  immediate reversion to  old school calendar, wherein classes run from June to March and vacation from April to May, is doable as early as SY 2024-2025 without sacrificing  vacation of students and teachers.

Instead of shortening  vacation, TDC and ACT proposed shortened school days of about 170 to 175 days for SY 2024-2025, not far from  adjusted SY 2023-2024 calendar that only consists of 179 school days.

12 Abril 2024, Biyernes

more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024

Solon calls for expediting cyber attack bills

By Nidz Godino

“This measure complements  NCSP and is  good jump-off point in accomplishing one of its primary objectives,  to ensure convergence among all government agencies in protecting our country from cyber attacks,” Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan in light of increased cyber attacks,  called on his colleagues in  House of Representatives to hasten approval of measures that will protect  country’s digital infrastructure and penalize hackers.

Yamsuan said House Bill 8199  he co-authored “provides starting point” for  Department of Information and Communications Technology to “effectively implement” its National Cyber Security Plan or NCSP that was adopted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through Executive Order 58 last week.

He also welcomed reports that Marcos, US President Joe Biden and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will firm up plans to set up joint cyber defense framework when they meet for trilateral summit in Washington today.

Yamsuan, represents  Bicol Saro party-list, said HB 8199 designates  National Computer Emergency Response Team as  government’s centralized reporting mechanism for information security incidents.

He added that while several government agencies already have some mechanism to boost their cybersecurity capabilities,  unified system of setting up minimum security standards, monitoring, detecting and mitigating threats needs to be established.

12 Abril 2024, Biyernes

more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024

FMJ bans ‘wang-wang’ use by govt officials

By Nidz Godino

“All government officials and personnel are prohibited from utilizing sirens, blinkers and other similar gadgets that produce exceptionally loud or startling sound, including dome lights, blinkers, or other similar signaling or flashing devices,” declared President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s’ Administrative Order No. 18,  Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed on March 25,2024.

For road safety and better traffic management, President Marcos has revived  policy prohibiting government officials and personnel from using sirens or wang-wang, blinkers and other similar signaling or flashing devices.

At the same time, Marcos has restricted  use of protocol license plates, with judges losing the privilege.

Exempted from the order on sirens are official vehicles of  Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police (PNP) as well as fire trucks, hospital ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, during his presidential inaugural address in 2010, announced  policy against wang-wang, which he said was  message against VIP entitlements and those who want to jump the line at ordinary people’s expense.

Marcos’ father and namesake had imposed  similar ban during martial law, under Presidential Decree 96 in 1973.

PD 96 allows only  AFP, PNP, NBI, fire trucks and hospital ambulances to use sirens, bells, horns or similar gadgets.

Marcos said  administration is committed to promote  welfare and well-being of  public by ensuring  safe and more organized road and traffic environment.

Marcos said  unauthorized and indiscriminate use of sirens, blinkers and other similar signaling or flashing devices has been rampant, causing traffic disruptions and unsafe road and traffic environments.  
Unauthorized and improper use of signaling or flashing devices by government officials and employees will be dealt with in accordance with  law,  AO said.

“Government officials and personnel are reminded that  use of sirens, dome lights, blinkers and other similar devices would only be allowed under exigent or emergency circumstances or situations, or to ensure  expedient and safe passage of emergency responders,” Marcos said. 
He tasked  Department of Transportation (DOTr) along with other government agencies to review, regulate and evaluate, and update existing policies and guidelines to ensure effective implementation of AO 18 subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

The order will take effect immediately after publication in the Official Gazette, or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Meanwhile, Marcos limited  number of government officials to be issued with low-numbered or protocol plates due to increasing complaints on their proliferation and unauthorized use.

Executive Order 56, issued by Marcos on March 25, reduced  number of officials entitled to use protocol license plates from 16 to 14.

Included in the list are the President with number one designation; Vice President, two; Senate President, three; House Speaker, four; Chief Justice, five; Cabinet secretaries, six; senators, seven; members of the House of Representatives, eight, and Supreme Court associates justices, nine.
The list also included  presiding justices of the court of appeals, tax appeals and Sandiganbayan as well as solicitors general, who were given  number 10; chair of constitutional commission and ombudsman, 11, and AFP and PNP chiefs, 14.

Although the associate justices of  CA, CTA and Sandiganbayan may be allowed to use protocol license plates upon  recommendations of  Land Transportation Office and approval of the DOTr secretary, this should not be “construed to authorize all other officials with equivalent rank as the associate justices and below to use protocol license plates,”  EO said.

It said protocol license plates issued to authorized officials should only be valid during their incumbency, and used for motor vehicles duly registered in their names or officially assigned to them.

Plates  should be surrendered to  LTO upon  official’s retirement, resignation and separation from office, or end of term or tour of duty.

EO 56 amended EO 400 issued in 2005 by then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“All previously issued protocol license plates issued pursuant to EO 400, as amended, except those issued to incumbent authorized officials under Section 1 hereof, are deemed expired,” EO read.

LTO was directed to revoke and/or confiscate all expired protocol license plates.

EO 56 allows officials  maximum of two pairs of protocol plates.

The President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker and Chief Justice may be allowed  maximum of three pairs.

Senators welcomed Marcos’ decision to prohibit  use of sirens and other blaring devices on the road by government officials and personnel.

Sen. Grace Poe said government officials should set  example by not using their positions to get special treatment on roads.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said  time for  government to “reject  wang-wang mentality.”

Sen. JV Ejercito, who bikes to work, expressed support to the policy, saying use of wang-wang on the road to avoid traffic has become  trend for government officials these days.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa advised government officials to leave their houses early to avoid traffic instead of abusing  use of wang-wang.

But Sen. Imee Marcos urged the President to provide exemptions to his directive, like allowing its use for  country’s official guests in state visits.

She said foreign guests should be given “courtesy” of having  convoy that uses wang-wang and avoid traffic and protest actions on the road.

PNP appealed to other concerned agencies and local government units (LGUs) to assist its men in implementing  ban on  use of sirens and blinkers by state officials and personnel on the road.

PNP’s chief information officer Col. Jean. Fajardo said government agencies such as  Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and LGUs, especially in Metro Manila, should extend  working hours of their traffic enforcers.

“Sana ma-extend ‘yung duty hours nung ibang mga ahensya para magkatulong-tulong tayong tuluyang matigil itong illegal at unlawful use ng sirens and blinkers,” Fajardo said in  news briefing at Camp Crame.

The Metro Manila Council adjusted  working hours of LGU employees from 8 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon to 7 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon.

Fajardo said additional manpower, apart from PNP officers on the road, especially during rush hour is needed.

Taking note of  volume of vehicles during  rush hour traffic, Fajardo said  possibility that some motorists may escape  attention of traffic enforcers is high.

Highway Patrol Group (HPG) confiscated 2,546 blinkers, sirens, modified mufflers and other illegal attachments when it implemented PD 96 from January to March this year.

In 2023,  HPG seized up to 7,931 illegal attachments from motor vehicles.

Fajardo warned civilians as well as police officers and other members of  uniformed service who are using blinkers and sirens for their private vehicles, saying no one is exempt from PD 96 regardless of their status in life. 

12 Abril 2024, Biyernes

more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024

2 Navy pilots succumbed in Cavite helicopter crash

By J.Lo

“Philippine Navy aircraft undergo regular inspection and maintenance to ensure airworthiness…nevertheless, no stone will be left unturned as we endeavor to prevent this kind of accident from happening again,” Commander John Percie Alcos, head of the Navy public affairs office stressed two Philippine Navy pilots died when their military training helicopter crashed at  Draga reclamation area,  near  Cavite City public market.

Fatalities  were identified as Lt. John Kyle Borres, 36, and Ensign Izzah Leonah Taccad, 27. They were both assigned at the Naval Air Wing at Sangley Point in Cavite City.

Alcos said the two pilots were on  Robinson R22 training helicopter and executing emergency procedures before the crash at around 6:45 in the morning. According to Alcos, the two navy aviators were rescued and rushed to the hospital by responding teams from  Philippine Fleet and  Naval Air Wing. But Borres,  native of Cebu City, died while on the way to the Cavite Medical Center. Taccad, who was his co-pilot, also died while being treated at the Bautista Hospital.

Because of the incident, all similar aircraft are temporarily grounded while  thorough investigation rolls out to determine  cause of  crash, he added.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the bereaved loved ones. All necessary support will be extended to them,” he said.

Lt. Col. Christopher Guste, Cavite city police chief, said no resident was reported injured in the incident and that there were also no reports of damage to property.

Guste added that they are coordinating with  Philippine Navy and gathering information on the flight plan of  R22 Robinson helicopter.

Crashed  helicopter was the only Robinson R22 in the Navy’s fleet.

It was the latest deadly training accident for the Philippine military.

Two Philippine Air Force pilots were killed in January 2023 when their Marchetti SF260 turboprop plane crashed into  rice field.

In June 2021,  military temporarily grounded its entire Black Hawk fleet after an S-70i helicopter crashed during  night-time training, killing all six on board. 

12 Abril 2024, Biyernes

more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024

HEADLINES

Pasig court ordered arrest of AQ, others

By J.Lo

“This court, after personally examining information and its supporting documents, finds probable cause for  arrest of all  accused…let warrants of arrest be issued against them,” Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 159 Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa said in  three-page order the arrest of fugitive Apollo Quiboloy for  non-bailable offense of qualified human trafficking.

It is the second warrant issued against  Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader, who remains in hiding after  Davao City family court earlier issued  arrest warrant for child and sexual abuse charges.

Also ordered arrested were co-accused Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada and Sylvia Cemanes.

In issuing  order, Montesa ruled to deny  motion of Quiboloy’s lawyers to defer or suspend  proceedings and to hold in abeyance  issuance of  warrant of arrest.

Quiboloy’s camp sought  suspension of criminal proceedings, citing  pending motion for reconsideration before  Office of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

But  prosecution opposed  motion, arguing  Rule 116 of  Rules on Criminal Procedure only allows  suspension of arraignment based on  filing of  petition for review before Department of Justice, and not  motion to reconsider  resolution for  petition for review.

“Court finds  Motion to Defer/Suspend Proceedings and Hold in Abeyance Issuance of Warrant of Arrest to be  prohibited motion and should therefore be denied,” Montesa said in the order.

Under the rules,  suspension of arraignment is only allowed on three grounds:  accused appears to be suffering from  unsound mental condition, there is  prejudicial question, and  petition for review of  resolution of  prosecutor is pending either at the justice department or at the Office of the President.

Pasig court said “there is no basis” to suspend  criminal proceedings against Quiboloy as  filing of  motion for reconsideration on the resolution of petition for review is not among  grounds stated under the rules.

On child abuse and sexual abuse in Davao City, defense lawyer Israelito Torreon  would file  motion to quash arrest warrant, arguing that this violated Quiboloy’s right to speedy resolution after the justice department sat on the cases for “more than four years.”

Filing  of  cases came after Secretary Remulla granted  petition for review filed by  female victim who sought  reversal of  2020 decision of  Davao City Prosecutor’s Office  dismissed her complaint.

Victim , then 17 years old, alleged  series of abuses that started in 2011 and included  rape in September 2014. The minor also alleged emotional and physical mistreatment and forced labor without compensation  all under  guise of religious service to the church Quiboloy founded.

Quiboloy is also facing  arrest order from  Senate over his continued refusal to attend hearings on allegations of human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse and violence filed against him by former sect members.

He is also included in  Federal Bureau of Investigation’s wanted list for his alleged participation in “labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to  US, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced  members to solicit donations for  bogus charity, donations  actually were used to finance church operations and  lavish lifestyles of its leaders.”

In early March,  California judge ordered  unsealing of  arrest warrants against Quiboloy and his co-accused.  Cases  involve conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, coercion; sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and cash smuggling.

Meanwhile, Col. Jean Fajardo, chief information officer of  Philippine National Police, said  police could not immediately revoke Quiboloy’s gun permits and licenses as he has to be first convicted of  crime involving moral turpitude.

She added  cases against Quiboloy do not involve  use of firearms.

Quiboloy has 19 firearms under his name. License   of one of the guns expired last March.

Fajardo said  Firearms and Explosives Office of the police is studying  possibility of canceling  registration for Quiboloy’s other firearms based on his failure to renew  license for one of his guns.

12 Abril 2024, Biyernes

more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024

Land to Ati members

By J.Lo

“We treat people with compassion, but we must uphold the law relative to the issue of Ati in Boracay,” Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)  Secretary Conrado Estrella III was quoted as saying members of the Ati tribe who are facing eviction from Boracay Island will be provided government land.

In  statement on Thursday Estrella said government will “treat the matter with compassion” in upholding the law. 

“Bureau of Soils and Water Management under  Department of Agriculture declared  landholding not suitable for agriculture which should be exempted from DAR coverage under Republic Act 6657, or  Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program,” he added.

In March 2023 DAR said land in Boracay was not suitable for farming.

The DAR also said  there is no basis for awarding Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) to  Ati members. 

Estrella also noted  period of issuing  notice of coverage of private lands had already expired last June 30, 2014, when DAR issued  CLOAs to  Ati members in 2018.

“They cannot invoke Executive Order 75 here because it is not even  government-owned land since there is  legitimate claimant… EO 75 is  Malacanang order directing all government agencies to identify government land that could be distributed to qualified beneficiaries,” he said.

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12 Abril 2024, Biyernes

more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024

PUJ strikes beginning April 15

By J.Lo

“Starting Monday, April 15, we will have transport strike nationwide, not only in Metro Manila,” Manibela president Mar Valbuena said in  briefing jeepney drivers are gearing up for another transport strike on Monday to express their dismay over President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  pronouncement that there will be no further extension of  franchise consolidation deadline on April 30.

Transport groups Manibela and Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) will lead  transport strike,  will be joined by thousands of jeepney and UV Express units all over the country.

“Series of hearings for  PUVMP ,Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program has not even ended in Congress and our petition against this is still pending in  Supreme Court but the administration is in  rush to take away  livelihood of drivers and small operators,” PISTON deputy secretary general Ruben Baylon said.

Valbuena said they initially plan  two-day strike but this could continue indefinitely even after the deadline if  government does not take action on their demands.

“Protests will continue as this will not only be for one day, or two, or three…until we reach this deadline that was given to us, this will continue,” Valbuena added.

Baylon said Marcos administration is not listening to  pleadings of  transport sector and that  government only extended  deadline after transport workers mounted  series of strikes.

PISTON said their demand goes beyond another deadline extension but wants  complete junking of franchise consolidation requirement and PUVMP.

The transport groups are also asking to return  five-year franchises of operators.

PISTON have been battling the controversial PUVMP since 2017 and that they will not concede to the latest deadline set by  Marcos administration.

Transport groups said PUVMP is tantamount to  government-led jeepney phaseout.

Valbuena claimed that about 50 percent of operators who complied with  consolidation requirement since 2019 have actually withdrawn their applications while some operators who complied faced income losses or have already ceased operations.

On the other hand,  Philippine National Police will mobilize its assets to assist commuters who will be stranded as  result of  transport strike, according to PNP’s chief information officer Col. Jean Fajardo.

“Just hail our patrol vehicles and they will assist you to reach your destinations,” she said in a news briefing at Camp Crame.

PNP will also coordinate with  transport groups to determine  areas where they will hold rallies to ensure public safety.

Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe wanted to know if there was progress in the talks between transport groups and government agencies to address issues surrounding PUVMP.

“We want to know how productive  three-month extension has been, have there been fruitful dialogues between  LTFRB ,Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and transport groups…were there substantial efforts to reach out to  drivers and operators to help them get into the program?” Poe said.

Other concerns that should have been addressed by now are  “apprehensions about  loans” for drivers and operators to afford  modern jeepney units, as well as  lack of routes with consolidated jeepneys, she said.

PUV modernization program should go full steam without  glitch and provide enough rides for  public come April 30, Poe said.

“We can’t just leave our commuters scampering for rides, especially under this extreme heat,” Poe said, as she also looked forward to  Supreme Court’s resolution on the pending petitions seeking to stop the program.

Sen. Francis Tolentino has lauded  Metro Manila Council (MMC) for its proposal to adjust government work hours to 7 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon as  way to decongest traffic during rush hour.

“Decision demonstrates  commitment to finding innovative solutions to alleviate  burden on commuters and improve overall transportation efficiency, by aligning government and private sector schedules, we can significantly reduce traffic during peak hours and enhance  commuting experience for all residents” Tolentino said.

But  mere council resolution is not enough, because an executive order from Malacañang is needed to make it  mandatory policy in all government offices, Tolentino said.

The senator urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to issue  executive order to enforce  MMC resolution signed by mayors on early adjusted work hours.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Luke 9:23-24

²³ Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

12 Abril 2024, Biyernes

more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024

China has no reason  to overreact to drills

By Nidz Godino

“I can’t speak for People’s Republic of China reaction, one way or another, except to say there is no reason to overreact to this,” White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby said at  press briefing there is no reason for China to overreact to  joint maritime patrol conducted by Manila, Washington, Tokyo and Canberra in  South China Sea as  activity is in line with freedom of navigation and international law.

“This is about freedom of navigation… about adherence to international law, it’s about proving  simple point that we and our allies will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law permits us to do, and it does in  South China Sea, and we did,” he added.

Kirby explained  quadrilateral exercise was about “reconfirming  simple principle about international maritime law and international waters.”

Philippines, US, Japan and Australia conducted joint drills within  Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in a move widely seen as  response to China’s aggressive actions and incursions in the area.

China,  claims historic rights over virtually  entire South China Sea, responded to the joint exercise by conducting its own maritime drill.

Philippine ambassador to  US Jose Manuel Romualdez said  Philippines is approaching  situation in  South China Sea in  multilateral way, noting that it is talking not just to western countries but also to its partners in  Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Romualdez  hope  Philippines would be able to have  serious dialogue with China on many of these issues surrounding  dispute.

“But we have to start from the fact that we have to accept that there is such a thing as  rule of law and  sovereignty of each nation,” the envoy added.

As concerns mount over China’s assertiveness in  South China Sea, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., US President Joseph Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are set to meet today to tackle ways to boost their security and economic ties in their first ever trilateral summit that is seen to shape  future of  Indo-Pacific region.

Kirby said  leaders of the three leading maritime democracies would take their cooperation to “new heights” but clarified that  historic summit is not just about China’s actions in  strategic sealane.

“You shouldn’t take away from it that these discussions are just all about China or all about how to counter their growing aggressiveness…yes, that’s  piece of it, but I would ask you to look at it from  more strategic perspective…these two countries,  Philippines and Japan, are treaty allies of United States and we take our treaty commitments very, very seriously, but our relationship is bigger than that, I mean, it’s very easy to get hung up on those defense relationships, important as they are, but we shouldn’t get hung up on that… a lot more to discuss here and there’s a lot more purpose to these meetings than just about what we’re doing to react to PRC aggression,” Kirby said.

.Ambassador Romualdez said  trilateral summit would “define  future of  Indo-Pacific region on where it is going,” we can take comfort of the fact that we have so many nations, perhaps, I would say  large majority of countries all over the world, are supporting  freedom of navigation,  rule of law, and of course,  support that we are getting from  arbitration award given to us by  UNCLOS ,United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

Summit  comes as China is reaping fresh criticisms over its harassment of Filipino fishing boats and its use of water cannon on ships conducting resupply missions at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in  South China Sea.

In a speech delivered before his departure for Washington, Marcos said among  goals of  trilateral summit is to keep  peace and  freedom of navigation in  South China Sea. While security and defense form part of  discussion, Marcos said  deal among the three countries is “mainly an agreement to strengthen  cooperation on economic front.”

According to Kirby,  multinational cooperation and deeper alliances would allow countries to “move the ball forward” on so many issues beyond  security element.

Romualdez said  “major change” in terms of relationship among the three countries is more in the area of economic enhancement,  also includes  procurement of defense equipment.

“As you know  United States and Japan have already come to an agreement that Japan will now be producing quite  number of technological enhancements for defense…we most likely will be getting some of that, or… either we would be buying it or we would be given an opportunity to be able to have it as part of our defense modernization,” the envoy said.

“So, that is where  major change is,  cooperation is so strong that we can expect a lot of types of enhancements in  economic sphere but also we can include  defense.”

Before  trilateral summit, Biden is scheduled to meet with Marcos to mark what Kirby described as  “unprecedented” strength of  alliance between their countries.

“President Biden will reinforce  ironclad US alliance commitments to the Philippines. Ttwo leaders will also discuss their shared commitment to democratic values including respect for human rights, and for internationally recognized labor rights,” Kirby said.

Marcos arrived at 7:47 in the morning Philippine time at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland and was welcomed by Philippine embassy and US officials.

Among those who accompanied him in his two-day official visit  are Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Speaker Martin Romualdez, Sen. Francis Tolentino and Ambassador Joey Antonio.

Historic  trilateral meeting between President Marcos, US President Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida sends  strong message for international solidarity to ensure observance of rules-based order, according to Speaker Romualdez.

“This historic gathering serves not only as  powerful symbol of unity but as  clarion call for stronger international solidarity to reaffirm every nation’s unwavering commitment to upholding international law and  rules-based order,  fundamental pillars for ensuring lasting peace, stability, and prosperity,” he said.

The House leader also  hope  growing support of  international community to calls for all parties to adhere to rules-based order and freedom of navigation would eventually help defuse  simmering tension, particularly in  West Philippine Sea.

Ranking members of  House added that  historic trilateral summit serves as  compelling call for international solidarity in upholding  rules-based order.

Deputy Speaker David Suarez said trilateral meeting aimed to strengthen  enduring alliance among  three nations while emphasizing their shared commitment to international law and order.

Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales said  trilateral meeting between three leaders served as  rallying cry for  rules-based order in the world, and  especially important amid  rising tension in  heavily disputed West Philippine Sea.

House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe echoed Gonzales’ statement, saying it is important to focus on  freedom of navigation in  WPS as example of  rules-based world system.

President Marcos’ trip to United States for  trilateral summit with  US and Japan is sellout of Philippine sovereignty,  National Democratic Front (NDF) said.

NDF’s International Office criticized Marcos for offering  Philippines to serve as  “theater of war” by allowing US to position its military arsenal in the country.

“Marcos Jr. must be held accountable for his reprehensible sellout of Philippine sovereignty and his blatant disregard for  lives of  Filipino masses,”  NDF said. “ Philippines’ strategic location allows  US to constrict regional waterways and position readily deployable military air power in close proximity to China.”

Referring to  trilateral summit,  NDF said  alliance is part of  US efforts to escalate war preparations in the region by encouraging Japan,  Philippines and other allies to join military operations in  Asia Pacific and provoking China into firing the first shot.

Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) warned  trilateral summit will lead to  country’s recolonization and participation in  war in the region.

“We refuse to be dragged into  inter-imperialist rivalry and war…our assertion of sovereignty in West Philippine Sea should not lead to  opportunistic meddling of our former colonizers,” Bayan secretary general Raymond Palatino said.