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17 Disyembre 2023, Linggo
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“Establishing senior citizen ID application within eGov PH Super App is convenient and accessible means for elderly to obtain senior citizen ID cards that grant them access to various government services and discounts,” bill seeking to integrate senior citizen’s ID in eGov PH Super App has been filed in House of Representatives with aim of bridging digital gap between senior citizens and services across all government agencies, private establishments and local government units (LGUs), among others.
In House Bill 9704, Senior Citizen partylist Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes underscored need for senior IDs to be included in “digitalization and technological advancements” as elderly frequently have trouble utilizing digital interfaces, can lead to their “exclusion from essential government benefits and services.”
Bill is aimed at integrating senior citizen ID application and to accommodate senior citizens’ concerns within eGov PH Super App to “ensure equitable access to government services, irrespective of age or technological proficiency.”
Project of Department of Information and Communication Technology, eGov PH Super App offers “single portal for multi-sectoral government transactions and services” makes it easier for Filipinos worldwide to access government documents, permits, identifications and clearances.
Ordanes recognized many elderly do not have smart phones or access to internet.
He noted, those who do not have access to digital services could go to their respective municipal or city halls to ask for assistance.
“They can also enroll in eLGU system, or any of these options that are more convenient for seniors.”
Ordanes added his proposal will streamline “ application process, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and enabling seniors to quickly verify their identity and eligibility for services through user-friendly digital platform.”
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[a] because he will save his people from their sins.”
Footnotes
Matthew 1:21Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which means the Lord saves.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cited former Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), administrator for planning Sonia Bautista Malaluan’s training and experience in economics, technology, finance, law, management, public utilities and in other aspects of maritime industry.
FMJ appointed Malaluan administrator of MARINA, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.
Malaluan replaced Hernani Fabia, who resigned early this month.
MARINA is attached agency of Department of Transportation. One of its mandates is to integrate development, promotion and regulation of maritime industry in the Philippines.
Malaluan also served as MARINA Director II, maritime attaché to London, chief accountant and chief transportation development officer. Malaluan is a certified public accountant.
She finished Bachelor Science in Commerce from Western Philippine College in 1987 and obtained master’s degree in science in shipping management from World Maritime University in Sweden in 1998.
She also earned her master’s degree in public administration from Singapore’s National University, Lee Kwan Yew School of Public Policy in 2011.
“With El Niño projected to last until second quarter of 2024, we must prioritize repair of water pipes to prevent leakages and completion of ongoing water supply projects to ensure we have adequate supply,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said new water treatment plant designed to process 150 million liters of drinking water per day (MLD) from Laguna Lake has been unveiled in Muntinlupa City.
FMJ led inauguration of Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad)’s P11-billion Poblacion Water Treatment Plant in Muntinlupa City, third in Metro Manila.
Maynilad said project is vital part of its plan to develop alternative sources of water to ensure long-term water security for its customers.
Facility will serve around one million Maynilad customers in Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa and Cavite.
This month, it will initially produce 50 MLD with full operations targeted by first half of 2024.
Maynilad said additional water supply would help minimize service interruptions due to raw water quality shifts in Laguna Lake, have been occurring with more frequency owing to effects of climate change.
Technologically advanced treatment plant uses multi-stage process of dissolved air flotation, cloth filter, biological aerated filter, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis and chlorination to ensure water from Laguna Lake passes Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water of Department of Health.
New facility is part of Maynilad’s P220-billion service enhancement program from 2023 to 2027, aims to promote enhanced water sustainability and climate resiliency.
At present, Maynilad has two treatment plants in Barangay Putatan, Muntinlupa draw water also from Laguna Lake and produce combined 300 MLD of water supply for customers in the south.
Maynilad is largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base.
Maynilad concession areas cover large parts of Manila, Quezon City, Makati City, Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon as well as the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus and towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario.
In his remarks, FMJ directed concerned agencies to fast-track water projects to ensure adequate supply for both urban and agricultural areas, with El Niño-induced dry spell likely to affect parts of the country until second quarter of next year.
“And so, let us call upon pertinent government agencies to intensify their vigilance in overseeing construction of water supply facilities, particularly in regions grappling with water scarcity,” he said.
FMJ hailed Maynilad, led by its chairman Manuel Pangilinan, for completion of what he described as “crucial project,” as country faces challenges posed by El Niño phenomenon.
“Your collective efforts ensure we exceed demands of our people in these trying times,” he said.
PAGBATI’T pagpupugay sa bagong administrador Sonia Malaluan ng Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), ito Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal ang dating admin para planning ng Marina. Malawak ang karanasan nito sa training, economics, technology, finance, law, management, public utilities at iba pang aspetong industriya maritima. Itong si Ate Sonia ay dati ring MARINA Director II, maritime attaché sa London, chief accountant at chief transportation development officer, Ate Mae certified public accountant ito. Tapos ng Bachelor Science in Commerce sa Western Philippine College 1987 , master’s degree sa science in shipping management sa World Maritime University, Sweden 1998. May master’s degree sa public administration sa Singapore’s National University, Lee Kwan Yew School of Public Policy 2011. MARINA pala kasambahay ay “attached agency” ng Department of Transportation, may mandatong “integrate development, promotion and regulation” ng maritime industry sa Pilipinas. Pakikiramay muna sa mga naulila ng yumaong si Danilo Caudio Delos Santos, huling lamay na sa Biyernes nang gabi, luksang parangal ay iginagawad sa kanyang tahanan sa likuran ng Binang Elementary School, Bocaue, Bulacan. Sa mga mahihilig sa exotic food, tikman ninyo ang chichaworm. Values Bocaue, magkita-kita tayo sa tipar sa Sabado. Shout out din muna kay Bea Caalim. Maligayang bati Ginoo at Gng. Aristides Valdez, mabuhay ang bagong kasal. Jonathan Fernandez, muzta na, nagkakalimutan na tayo a. Problema ba, pag-usapan natin, ndgodino@yahoo.com.
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16 Disyembre 2023, Sabado
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“We’re just beginning to study, because we keep talking about economic provisions getting in the way of some of potential investors that we are trying to bring to Philippines,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told reporters after leading event organized by Maynilad Water Services Inc. in Muntinlupa City how much economic provisions of Constitution have gotten in the way of progress is matter still being studied, as lawmakers have again revived idea of amending Charter supposedly to make it more responsive to the times.
“What we are looking at here is opportunity cost for those who would like to invest here, but somehow laws derived from Constitution when it comes to economic provisions do not allow them to or make it non-viable for them,” he said.
FMJ said existing economic provisions of 1987 Constitution are discouraging potential investors from proceeding with their plans in the country.
Study aims to evaluate ways to further boost investments, according to the Chief Executive.
“My primary interest is to try and make our country investment-friendly place, that’s why study is really not about Constitution…it’s about what do we need to do what do we need to change so that these potential investors will in fact come to Philippines” he said.
Earlier, Marcos’ cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez, said lawmakers would make another pitch for constitutional amendments next year, focusing on economic provisions deemed “very prohibitive.”
“I believe 2024 will allow us again to revisit whole issue of Constitution because I think it’s timely that we revisit and I’d say we’d like to focus very much on economic provisions,” Romualdez told reporters earlier this week.
Romualdez has said 1987 Constitution is no longer attuned to digital times.
“In summary, our Constitution, as noble and well-intentioned as it is, has elements that are no longer adaptive to our needs,” he said.
But Sen. Robinhood Padilla wants Charter amendments to focus on political provisions, specifically on term extension for elected officials, including president and vice president.
In Resolution of Both Houses No. 5 he filed, Padilla also wants to amend portions of Article VI or Legislative Department in 1987 Constitution to increase number of senators to 54, of whom 24 would be nationally elected and remaining 30 would be elected from legislative regions.
Actor -turned-politician also proposed extending senators’ term of office from current six years to eight years for nationally elected ones with allowable two terms in office and four years for regional senators three consecutive terms.
Meanwhile, Padilla said terms of office of members of House of Representatives should be extended from current three years to four years, and retaining current allowable three consecutive terms.
In February, FMJ does not consider amending 1987 Constitution priority, saying there are more urgent matters need attention.
Sen. Cynthia Villar opposed Padilla’s Charter change initiative, saying people are against it.
“If people don’t like it, then I don’t like it, too, it has been noted in all research general public does not like Charter change, ” Villar told reporters.
Asked about Padilla’s proposal to extend term limits of elected officials, Villar said senator from PDP-Laban would find it difficult to push for amending political provisions of Constitution.
“I think he will have hard time. ..but we’ll see, he has lot of ideas… I’ve been longtime senator. ..you don’t do something people do not like as policy, ” Villar said
At press briefing Padilla filed Charter change bill as part of his advocacy for shift to federal form of government.
He was emboldened to seek amendment of political provisions of Constitution after Romualdez made his own pitch for Cha-cha.
“Sometime in first week of December 2023, DepEd was in receipt of letter from Transpac suddenly informing DepEd it may now haul goods stored in its warehouses,” therefore, our regional and division offices have immediately started hauling goods… DepEd aims to completely haul and deliver goods to our public schools in next few weeks,” Department of Education’s regional and division offices have started hauling learning resources from its previous logistics provider, Transpac Cargo Logistics, “for distribution to public schools nationwide,” DepEd said in a statement.
DepEd’s statement came as Makabayan bloc in House of Representatives filed House Resolution 1516 seeking investigation on billions of pesos worth of school furniture and science and math equipment remained idle in Transpac warehouses allegedly due to DepEd’s refusal to pay warehouse fees.
In its statement, DepEd said issue on undelivered equipment and learning materials was not merely about unpaid warehouse fees as reported by some media outfits, but mainly due to Transpac’s failure to meet its obligations under contract.
“We would like to emphasize that this is not simple case of unpaid warehouse fees as has been inaccurately framed by some outfits…payment to providers may only be done upon fulfillment of obligations and corresponding submission of complete documentation as required by accounting, auditing and other pertinent rules and regulations for disbursement of funds, DepEd remains committed to safeguarding public interest, so that our learners and stakeholders will not be shortchanged of education services they deserve, ” DepEd said.
DepEd said services of Transpac Logistics were procured by previous DepEd leadership in 2021.
Under contract, Transpac shall provide DepEd with logistics, warehousing and tagging services from Oct. 8, 2021 to June 30, 2022.
However, DepEd said Transpac “failed to deliver goods completely and on time,” prompting several discussions.
“Since present administration assumed office, continuous efforts were made to either compel delivery of goods as required by contract, or for DepEd to be allowed to pull out and haul learning resources from warehouses to no avail… in exercise of diligence and in interest of recovering goods by all means necessary, DepEd was constrained to resort to legal remedies,” DepEd said.
DepEd in accordance with Republic Act 9184 or Government Procurement Reform Act, decided to partially terminate its contract with Transpac last Aug. 30 due to lack of any concrete resolution on issue despite several discussions.
DepEd also instituted legal proceedings against Transpac before regional trial court last Nov. 22, “to recover goods still in Transpac’s possession.”
Following its filing of civil case, DepEd suddenly received letter from Transpac first week of December informing agency it may now haul items stored in its warehouses.
In its 2022 annual audit report on DepEd, released in August, Commission on Audit (COA) said while supplier had already delivered procured science and mathematics equipment (SME) worth P1.188 billion to DepEd-Central Office, items remained sitting in warehouses, “undelivered to recipient schools as at yearend.”
COA said one supplier, identified in the audit report as “Supplier No. 3,” even requested from DepEd reimbursement amounting P11.7 million, composed of P8.9 million for temporarily “warehousing goods” and P2.8 million for “hauling/transfer” of items to rented warehouse.
“Amount being requested for reimbursement is only for period April 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2022 and may possibly increase if DepEd will not address these concerns immediately,” COA report read.
“As such, Philippines exercises sovereign rights and jurisdiction over feature…as low-tide elevation, Ayungin Shoal can neither be subject of sovereignty claim nor is it capable of appropriation under international law,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Philippine government is now “firmly” calling on China to immediately end its harassment and violation of Philippine sovereign rights over country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Summoning Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian through DFA, envoy was told Philippines wants China to “direct its vessels to cease and desist from its illegal actions against Philippines vessels, and to stop interfering in legitimate Philippine government activities or lingering in waters around Ayungin Shoal and doing any action Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone.”
Philippine government also called on China to comply with its obligations under international law, including 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 2016 Award in South China Sea Arbitration and 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea while also adhering to its commitments under 2002 Association of Southeast Asian Nations-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in South China Sea.
Huang was summoned to convey strong protest of Philippine government against back-to-back aggressive and harassing actions by Chinese forces against Philippine vessels in West Philippine Sea.
DFA Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro verbally delivered protest against Chinese’s dangerous maneuvers led to collision, illegal shadowing and undue use of water cannons against rotation and resupply mission undertaken by Philippines in Ayungin Shoal for Philippine government detachment on BRP Sierra Madre.
DFA reiterated to Chinese ambassador Ayungin Shoal is not island, but low-tide elevation within Philippines’ EEZ and continental shelf, in accordance with UNCLOS and as upheld by 2016 Arbitral Award.
Lazaro also emphasized Philippines’ resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre are part of regular operations of Philippine government in line with domestic and international law.
As this developed, governments of Australia and Canada joined other foreign nations in condemning China’s increasing aggressiveness on Philippines in West Philippine Sea. –
“Because we do not have much time… I thought about projects we will undertake…we have four months to finish all of them, to make them operational…because that is deadline I set for departments,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said during inauguration of Balbalungao Small Reservoir Irrigation Project in Lupao town directed state agencies to finish construction of irrigation facilities and similar projects in four months to ensure enough water supply as country braces for El Niño.
In speech delivered in Nueva Ecija, FMJ said rains may not be that frequent in January so everything must be done to prepare for El Niño, seen to persist until second quarter of next year.
“I told them, we have to think of what we can finish by April of next year so that when May comes, when there is dry spell and it is not raining, we have enough water supply,” he added.
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said El Niño increases likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, could bring negative impacts like dry spells and droughts in some areas.
Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said about 65 provinces may be affected by severe drought by first half of 2024.
He added effects of El Niño are currently felt in some areas in the country, and this is characterized by reduction of rainfall up to 80 percent, led to dry conditions.
He has likened prevailing El Niño to 1997-1998 event worst experienced by the country left billions of pesos in damage to agriculture.
Moderate to severe drought conditions may be experienced from February to May next year, the science chief added.
Solidum said majority of global climate model suggests El Niño will likely persist until second quarter of 2024.
Marcos noted low water supply could also cause problems in health and power sectors, describing present situation as “urgent.”
“Many get sick when it is hot so we have to prepare hospitals also, we have to ensure they have enough power supply and water supply, especially in big cities…we have to ensure drinking water…we have to make sure our countrymen will have water source,” he said.
FMJ has created El Niño task force under his office but its structure has to be modified to boost country’s preparedness measures.
As part of efforts to ensure food security, FMJ led inauguration of Balbalungao Small Reservoir Irrigation Project, project expected to benefit 562 farmers and their families in Lupao.
Multi-purpose dam will provide irrigation to about 840 hectares of agricultural land in Barangays San Isidro, Balbalungao, Salvacion and Mapangpang and will also serve as flood control mitigation infrastructure.
It is seen to generate diversified income opportunities through increased crop yields, fish culture, tourism and watershed management for environmental protection and facilitate hydroelectric power generation.
FMJ said project is part of continued efforts of Department of Agriculture (DA) and National Irrigation Administration to boost rice productivity in Nueva Ecija, known as “rice bowl of the Philippines.”
Aside from accelerating building of dams and flood-control projects, FMJ said government is also embarking on new information campaign to make people understand El Niño and encourage them to save water and collect rainwater.
Former agriculture secretary Leonardo Montemayor said many local government units (LGUs) have yet to prepare for possible impact of El Niño on agricultural sector, emphasizing their importance in mitigating effects of phenomenon.
Montemayor cited his experience where local agriculturists from municipality admitted they have yet to start preparing for El Niño.
“One manifestation if we are ready is if LGUs are doing necessary preparations, like if they are coordinating with farmers. ..as of now, DA has no direct contact with farmers…through mayors and technicians under mayors and governors,” Montemayor said.
He added PAGASA should provide accurate and timely information to farmers.
“DA, Department of the Interior and Local Government and other agencies should relay this information to our farmers and planting materials should be made available in case they cannot plant,” Montemayor said.
He added DA should provide small water impounding systems and irrigation systems to lessen impact of the drought, which can be finished in just few weeks.
According to him, first to be affected during drought is palay as it needs big amount of water.
DA should provide farm technicians who should be able to advise farmers if they need to shift to other crops, he said.
“Corn seedlings, root crops and other planting materials should be readied so that LGUs can distribute said planting materials to farmers,” he added.
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