5 March, 2025 Miyerkules

Success Month March in iskup

election campaign period, gun ban in effect

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

Supports Fire Prevention Month March

congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines 565th  batch Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan ,looking forward to next batch July 16,2025, Baguio City

Congratulations to 16.5k views “Komedya O Komida” 6th  edition and  1.7k views “Komedya O Komida” 7th edition of our very own J.Lo

Deepest symphaty to the family of late Ilocos Sur Gov. Efren Rafanan Jr. 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Comelec reaches out to noontime show contestant

By  Cynthia Montojo

“I invited her to go to  Comelec tomorrow after lunch…she will be coming from Pampanga,” Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman George Garcia has invited  contestant from It’s Showtime to  poll body’s office following  viral moment on the show, where  20-year-old admitted her lack of knowledge about  election body.

Garcia told reporters on Monday, March 3, that contestant Heart Aquino, will be visiting  Comelec headquarters after lunch. 

Invitation  comes after Aquino,  contestant on  beauty contest segment of “It’s Showtime” last February 28, was asked to deliver  message to Comelec but admitted she had limited knowledge about  election body despite being of voting age. 

Host Vice Ganda remarked Aquino’s unfamiliarity with Comelec was “bothersome.”

Clips of the episode have since circulated on social media, prompting discussions online on the country’s learning crisis and gaps in the Philippines’ education system.  

Garcia expressed understanding rather than criticism toward Aquino, suggesting her situation might reflect  broader lack of awareness among young Filipinos.

“We fully understand her…there are several other youth like her…  our solemn duty to explain who we are and what we are doing,” Garcia said.

Garcia also acknowledged institutional responsibility in reaching young voters like Aquino. The scheduled conversation with her is “for our full understanding as to why it is our failure, we have to immediately rectify ” Garcia said. 

Garia views upcoming conversation with Aquino as opportunity rather than  reprimand and sees  potential for broader voter education.

“If she is converted as  believer, then we can perhaps do the same for others…voters education is the key,” he said.

Last year, Garcia urged election candidates to incorporate voter education materials in their campaigns to help citizens understand  voting process for upcoming elections. 

5 Marso, 2025 Miyerkules

Success Month March in iskup

election campaign period, gun ban in effect

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

Supports Fire Prevention Month March

congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines 565th  batch Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan ,looking forward to next batch July 16,2025, Baguio City

Congratulations to 17.5k views “Komedya O Komida” 6th  edition and  1.7k views “Komedya O Komida” 7th edition of our very own J.Lo

Deepest symphaty to the family of late Ilocos Sur Gov. Efren Rafanan Jr. 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

SC justice ordered return of excess funds to PhilHealth

By Nidz Godino

“We cannot close our eyes for the past years na hindi nabigay in benefits,” Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Kho said after his interpolation said P60 billion in excess funds transferred from  Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to National Treasury should be returned to  state insurance provider.

During  third round of oral arguments on the petition challenging  transfer of PhilHealth’s excess funds, Kho argued  if PhilHealth cannot utilize its funds,  money should instead be allocated to increase contributors’ benefits.

He also criticized  government’s allocation practices, emphasizing that if taxes collected for PhilHealth are not fully transmitted,  remaining balance should be released.

 “So in that case maybe PhilHealth can already request the president to return the money, P60 billion that was transmitted to  government for unprogrammed funds, return that to PhilHealth…for PhilHealth to expand its benefits, hire more people to answer for  needs of  health of our people,” he added. 

He also questioned whether PhilHealth considers  taxes allocated by Congress for subsidies when making its budget requests.

“So therefore, when you come up with your budget request for subsidy, you don’t actually consider  taxes being collected  Congress passed for purposes of subsidy for indirect contributors?” Kho asked during his interpellation with Health Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo. 

Domingo then responded with: “Your honor, budget principles require that it’s needs-based… if we follow it based on  projected fund ceiling or availability, it might not match certain needs.”

In response, Kho expressed concern that PhilHealth was restricting its funding, suggesting that  state insurer was arbitrarily setting limits without considering  subsidies allocated by Congress through collected taxes.

“Now, when you request money for subsidy, are you saying you won’t take that into account…will you create your own formula… because you have limited understanding, there’s  limited need of our people for health,” Kho asked. 

According to Domingo, despite  transfer of excess funds to  National Treasury, PhilHealth’s ability to provide benefits remains secure.

“Your Honor, if it pleases  court, Section 58, sovereign guarantee, even without this maneuver of  P89.9 billion,  government can and always will increase  benefits,” Domingo said.  

The health assistant secretary cited Section 58 of  National Health Insurance Act,  ensures  financial viability of  National Health Insurance Program administered by PhilHealth.

Domingo also argued ongoing legal proceedings were crucial as they reinforced  “use-it-or-lose-it” principle, commonly applied to national government agencies to encourage fund utilization.

He emphasized that government-owned and controlled corporations such as PhilHealth do not operate under same incentive.

“If case is allowed to proceed, if transfer is allowed to proceed, it is use-it or lose-it signal, all national government agencies have, so that we will use our funds… GOCCs like PhilHealth do not have that signal,” he said.

Supreme Court previously issued  restraining order on Oct. 29, 2024, halting  transfer of  remaining P29.9 billion in unused PhilHealth funds.

Earlier transfers included P20 billion on May 10, P10 billion on August 21, and P30 billion on October 16, prompting several individuals to file petitions challenging  legality of  fund transfers.

 Oral  arguments for petitions will continue on April 29.

5 March, 2025 Miyerkules

Success Month March in iskup

election campaign period, gun ban in effect

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

Supports Fire Prevention Month March

congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines 565th  batch Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan ,looking forward to next batch July 16,2025, Baguio City

Congratulations to 16.4k views “Komedya O Komida” 6th  edition and  1.7k views “Komedya O Komida” 7th edition of our very own J.Lo

Deepest symphaty to the family of late Ilocos Sur Gov. Efren Rafanan Jr. 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

 Army chief impersonator in supplier scam fall

By  J.Lo

” Philippine Army has come  long way in professionalizing our ranks… this successful joint operation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the integrity of  Army,” Army Spokesperson Col. Louie  Dema-ala said Law enforcement authorities have arrested two men in Pampanga for impersonating Army Chief Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido and defrauding government suppliers. 

 Suspects , Antonio Oreño Cerbito and Ariel Oreño, were apprehended during  joint operation by  Philippine Army and  Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in Barangay Mapalad, Arayat, Pampanga. 

The pair allegedly masterminded  scam targeting government suppliers by sending fraudulent messages through fake social media accounts pretending to be Galido, according to  statement by  Army chief’s public affairs office on Tuesday, March 4. They demanded “representation fees” from project holders and suppliers, exploiting  Army’s name for personal gain.

Both suspects now face multiple charges including illegal usurpation, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and possession of illegal drugs. They will remain in PNP-CIDG custody as  investigation continues.

Philippine Army has issued  public reminder that no personnel, regardless of rank, is authorized to request monetary payments for any transaction. PA also does not collect fees from applicants during their recruitment process.

“Arrest of these suspects underscores  Army’s zero tolerance for fraud, especially schemes that gravely undermine  integrity of our organization,” Dema-ala added. 

5 March, 2025 Miyerkules

Success Month March in iskup

election campaign period, gun ban in effect

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

Supports Fire Prevention Month March

congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines 565th  batch Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan ,looking forward to next batch July 16,2025, Baguio City

Congratulations to 17.4k views “Komedya O Komida” 6th  edition and  1.8k views “Komedya O Komida” 7th edition of our very own J.Lo

Deepest symphaty to the family of late Ilocos Sur Gov. Efren Rafanan Jr. 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Headlines

PAF fighter jet w/ 2 pilots goes missing

By J.Lo

“Our primary concern right now is safe return of our aircrew…we are hopeful of locating them and  aircraft soon and ask you to join us in prayer during this critical time…further details will be provided once they are available,” Philippine Air Force (PAF)  spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said in  statement search and possible recovery operations are underway after one of the FA-50 fighter jets of PAF went missing while on mission shortly after midnight.

Military  aircraft had two pilots on board and was on  tactical night operation in support of ground troops when it disappeared and eventually failed to return to  Mactan Air Base in Cebu.

Castillo said FA-50 fighter jet “lost communication with  rest of the flight involved in the mission minutes before reaching  target area.”

According to her,  other aircraft that was also part of  operation repeatedly attempted to reestablish contact with  missing aircraft until its return to Mactan.

Castillo said  PAF is conducting extensive and thorough search operations, utilizing all available resources to locate  missing fighter jet.

Speaking to reporters, she noted PAF cannot divulge any other information for the time being to ensure safety and security of ongoing operations, including ongoing search and possible recovery mission.

She acknowledged that this is first major incident involving military’s FA-50 fighter aircraft, adding that there are no orders yet to ground 11 other jets.

Castillo confirmed pilots have personal locator beams with them, adding that they cannot yet disclose tail number of missing aircraft.

“We are hopeful that we will still be able to recover…we are more concerned about safety of aircrew right now, and we are still very optimistic that they are safe,” Castillo said.

PAF currently has 12 FA-50 fighter jets valued at P18.8 billion that were acquired from South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Industries.

4 March, 2025 Martes

Success Month March in iskup

election campaign period, gun ban in effect

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

Supports Fire Prevention Month March

congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines 565th  batch Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan ,looking forward to next batch July 16,2025, Baguio City

Congratulations to 16.3k views “Komedya O Komida” 6th  edition and  1.6k views “Komedya O Komida” 7th edition of our very own J.Lo

Deepest symphaty to the family of late Ilocos Sur Gov. Efren Rafanan Jr. 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Headlines

‘Alarming’ heat index shuts down schools

By J.Lo

“Suspension of classes is necessary, but it is merely  band-aid solution to  systemic problem,” Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT)chairman Vladimer Quetua said extreme heat leading to unbearable classroom conditions forced schools in Metro Manila to send students home, according to Department of Education (DepEd).

Navotas, however, continued with face-to-face classes in public and private schools.

On-site classes were suspended in cities of Manila, Malabon, Parañaque, Las Piñas and Pasay, DepEd reported.

Students in Marikina were dismissed early in the morning.

Valenzuela and Caloocan shifted to asynchronous or blended learning.

San Juan will enforce today new class schedule to protect students from extreme heat, with classes set from 6 to 10 in the morning and from 3 in the afternoon to 7 in the evening.

In Pampanga, cities of Angeles and San Fernando suspended afternoon classes due to high heat index.

Other areas in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao have yet to report class disruptions due to extreme heat.

Alternative delivery mode mechanisms, such as remote classes, were triggered by DepEd.

After pandemic, various groups and education stakeholders called for return to old school calendar, citing  heat experienced by students in March and April.

Lawmakers also sought to intervene, stressing that urrent school calendar from August to June is inappropriate in the country.

Thousands of schools suspended classes in March and April last year, prompting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.to approve calendar adjustments, with classes opening by June 16 and ending by March 31, 2026.

Malacañang assured public that government is prepared for effects of high heat index.

Agencies are collating action plans to brace for impact of higher temperatures, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

Schools must be equipped by government with proper ventilation and health care services, according to ACT.

 “Situation has become so desperate that students are being asked to forgo their uniforms, bring personal fans and crowd into clinics or canteens just to get drinking water,” he noted.

Funds for maintenance and other operating expenses must be immediately disbursed to schools for emergency cooling measures, he said.

Construction of 15,000 climate-resilient classrooms  as promised last year by DepEd – should be fast-tracked, along with properly equipped clinics in every school, Quetua said.

Budget for school infrastructure must be increased next year, targeting classroom shortage of 250,000, he noted.

Temperatures reaching 42 to 51 degrees Celsius can result in heat cramps and heat exhaustion, Department of Health (DOH) said.

Symptoms include overfatigue, dizziness, headache and vomiting, DOH noted.

Too much sun exposure can increase people’s chances of suffering heat stroke, DOH said.

Drink water and avoid iced tea, soda, coffee and alcoholic drinks, DOH advised public.

“They should limit their outdoor exposure between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon, use protective items such as hats, umbrellas and sunblock and wear loose clothing or those made of light fabric,” DOH said.

People experiencing symptoms should be transferred to cool and shaded areas with proper ventilation and drink cold water slowly.

Patients can have  cold compress placed on their head, face, neck, armpits and wrist.

Some parts of the country may experience  danger-level heat index of 42 to 51 degrees Celsius, according to state weather bureau.

Heat breaks and other measures to prevent heat-related illnesses in the workplace should be implemented amid scorching heat, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines president and House Deputy Speaker Raymond Mendoza said.

Hazard pay for workers exposed to extreme heat must be institutionalized by the government, Federation of Free Workers president and senatorial candidate Sonny Matula said.

“Heat leaves” in collective bargaining agreements should also be adopted, Matula noted.

Mendoza said  Department of Labor and Employment should mandate employers to conduct heat-related health risk assessments and improve workplace ventilation.

4 March, 2025 Martes

Success Month March in iskup

election campaign period, gun ban in effect

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

Supports Fire Prevention Month March

congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines 565th  batch Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan ,looking forward to next batch July 16,2025, Baguio City

Congratulations to 16.3k views “Komedya O Komida” 6th  edition and  1.6k views “Komedya O Komida” 7th edition of our very own J.Lo

Deepest symphaty to the family of late Ilocos Sur Gov. Efren Rafanan Jr. 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Peak of dry season to start in 26 days – PAGASA

By Nidz Godino

“We are in transition period going to dry season or summer…by mid-March, we expect  break of amihan or northeast monsoon,” Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Ana Clauren-Jorda said “danger” heat index of 42 to 51 degrees Celsius is expected in Metro Manila and certain areas as the peak of  dry season will be experienced from end-March until April.

 Heat  index of 46 degrees Celsius is expected at Science Garden in Quezon City on March 3 and 4, based on the two-day forecast of the state weather bureau.

Other areas to experience  danger-level heat index are Clark Airport, Pampanga; Muñoz, Nueva Ecija; Abucay, Bataan and Subic Bay, Olongapo City.

Record-breaking marine heatwaves fueled by climate change and exacerbated by El Niño have caused global devastation in the past two years, based on Nature Climate Change report.

Marine heatwave days increased by 3.5 times in  summers of 2023 and 2024 compared to any other year on record, study found.

Nearly 10 percent of ocean hit record-high temperatures,  study noted.

“In the past two years, marine heatwaves have forced closure of fisheries and aquaculture, increased whale and dolphin strandings and caused  fourth global coral bleaching event,” study said.

“If we keep burning fossil fuels and cutting down forests, marine heatwaves could be 20 to 50 times more frequent and ten times more intense by the end of the century,” it noted.

Oil, coal and gas must be replaced with renewable energy to safeguard ocean life and coastal communities, report said.

3 March,2025, Lunes

Success Month March in iskup

election campaign period, gun ban in effect

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines 565th  batrch Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan, looking forward to next batch July 16,2025, Baguio City

Congratulations to 16.2k views “Komedya O Komida” 6th  edition and  1.6k views “Komedya O Komida” 7th edition of our very own J.Lo

Deepest symphaty to the family of late Ilocos Sur Gov. Efren Rafanan Jr. 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

‘Scrutinize smallest details of Isabela bridge collapse’

By Nidz Godino

“It is alarming that P1.25-billion bridge that was just retrofitted on Feb. 1 has already collapsed… this is not  simple accident or mere negligence…we need to examine possibility of corruption and substandard materials,” Rep. France Castro of party-list ACT Teachers noted investigators looking into collapse of  newly opened P1.22-billion bridge in Isabela should scrutinize tiniest details of project.

The House deputy minority leader had called for  congressional inquiry to determine accountability at all levels, from  contractor RD Interior Jr. Construction to  officials of  Department of Public Works and Highways who approved and supervised  project.

“Flagman should not be  only one blamed here… if corruption and substandard materials are proven, they should be charged with plunder and economic sabotage,if the administration is truly serious that ‘heads will roll,’ not only should small people be held accountable but also high officials who were negligent or benefited from possible anomalies,” Castro stressed.

Bridge ,  took more than 10 years to complete, collapsed on Thursday when  dump truck carrying quarried stones weighing over 100 tons attempted to cross despite  40-ton weight limit.

Incident  resulted in eight injuries and collapse of  critical infrastructure link in the region.

3 March,2025, Lunes

Success Month March in iskup

election campaign period, gun ban in effect

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines 565th  batrch Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, 

Pangasinan ,looking forward to next batch July 16,2025, Baguio City

Congratulations to 16.1k views “Komedya O Komida” 6th  edition and  1.6k views “Komedya O Komida” 7th edition of our very own J.Lo

Deepest symphaty to the family of late Ilocos Sur Gov. Efren Rafanan Jr. 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

MSRP for imported rice may drop further

By J.Lo

 “That max SRP of P49 per kilo can still go down…of course,  cost of imported rice in the international market will have  big effect,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa said maximum suggested retail price on imported rice can go lower than recently implemented SRP of P49 per kilo.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said landed cost of five-percent broken imported rice dropped to $490 per metric ton on Feb. 21, from $550 per metric ton.

Initially set at P58 per kilo on Jan. 20, rice max SRP decreased to P55 per kilo on Feb. 5, P52 per kilo on Feb. 15 before it went down to P49 per kilo last Saturday.

At the same time, De Mesa admitted it will be difficult to bring down retail price of rice to P33 per kilo.

“We were able to bring down price in Kadiwa outlets and National Food Authority (NFA) but with  little subsidy…at present, it is still difficult to reach that level in markets but we think it is possible if we can continue to bring down cost of production of local farmers,” he said.

On the other hand, De Mesa said DA is still pushing for return of regular functions of NFA to sell rice in markets amid difficulty of agency to dispose of its stocks despite declaration of food emergency.

“This is our limitation, if  warehouses are full, NFA cannot procure palay as it cannot store new stocks…we continue to ask LGUs to facilitate procurement of rice as NFA has very limited options in relation to disposal of its stocks…it only has opportunity to release its stocks to participating LGUs because of food emergency,” De Mesa added.

According to De Mesa, more than 70 LGUs vowed to participate in procurement of NFA rice but only  few mayors bought stocks from  NFA.

Philippines  rice imports for first two months have reached 414,137 metric tons (MT), according to Bureau of Plant Industry.

Based on BPI data, 71 percent or 293,084 MT of total rice imports from Jan. 1 to Feb. 20, came from Vietnam.

Other sources of outsourced grains include Pakistan, 55,469 MT; Thailand, 47,965 MT; Myanmar, 10,795 MT: India, 4,823 MT; and South Korea, 2,000 MT.

Last year, total rice imports reached “all-time-high”of 4.8 million MT.

1 March, 2025,Sabado

Success Month March in iskup

election campaign period, gun ban in effect

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines 565th  batrch Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan ,looking forward to next batch July 16,2025, Baguio City

Congratulations to 15.7k views “Komedya O Komida” 6th  edition and  1.5k views “Komedya O Komida” 7th edition of our very own J.Lo

Deepest symphaty to the family of late Ilocos Sur Gov. Efren Rafanan Jr. 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Bulacan traders to sell rice at P35/kilo

By J.Lo

“We do not want to repeat situation where prices of rice had very high increase without proper explanation,” House committee on agriculture and food chairman Rep. Mark Enverga said in statement rice millers in Bulacan have agreed to offer rice at P35 per kilo after meeting with National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago.

Agreement  was reached during meeting between Santiago and representatives of the Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement (PRISM) of Bocaue, Bulacan on Feb. 27 at  NBI headquarters in Pasay.

Orly Manuntag, PRISM co-founder, said recent operations against rice hoarders and agricultural smugglers raised concerns among legitimate rice millers and importers in Bulacan, prompting them to seek NBI’s guidance.

Santiago assured PRISM that NBI adheres to due process and will not exert undue pressure or harassment on legitimate businesses.

He also ordered no operations related to rice or agricultural smuggling should proceed without review and approval from NBI top officials.

Following discussion on pricing, Bulacan rice millers agreed to sell rice at P35 per kilo in support of government’s campaign for rice stability and affordability.

At Santiago’s request, PRISM members also committed to reporting any instances of rice smuggling or illegal activities in their area to NBI.

Philippines reference price for imported rice has been stable in the past two weeks with quotations from key Asian suppliers remaining below $400 per metric ton (MT), according to data from  Bureau of Customs (BOC).

BOC’s latest memorandum showed  its reference value for imported five percent broken Vietnam rice has remained at $385 per MT for the week of Feb. 26 to March 2.

Current  reference value for imported Vietnam rice is third lower than $579 per MT recorded in the same period of last year.

BOC bases its reference prices for imported rice on weekly reports provided by Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights.

S&P Global report earlier pointed out price of five percent broken Vietnam rice in mid-February has fallen to its lowest level in at least 29 months since India, world’s biggest rice exporter, resumed exporting late last year.

Report  attributed  softening of Vietnam rice prices to tepid demand from its major buyers including  Philippines.

Vietnam supplies at least 75 percent of Philippines  imported rice.

United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) pointed out that Philippines

implementation of  maximum suggested retail price and  declaration of  food security emergency impacted Vietnam rice prices to fall.

Some local importers and traders have also canceled their contracts with Vietnamese exporters to take advantage of more affordable prices.

BOC memorandum also showed reference price for imported five percent broken rice from other Asian sources has remained below $400 per MT: Myanmar ($384), India ($391) and Pakistan ($384).

Reference  price for five percent broken rice from Thailand was pegged at $409 per MT, based on BOC document.

Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier announced maximum suggested retail price on imported five percent broken rice, considered premium grade, would be lowered to P49 per kilo beginning March 1 from its current level of P52 per kilo, reflecting easing in global rice prices.

National Food Authority Administrator Larry Lacson appealed to local government units (LGUs) to expedite pullout of NFA rice stocks to free up storage space amid complaints from farmers of agency’s failure to procure palay from them.

Lacson said sale of NFA rice stocks will enable NFA to procure more palay from local farmers.

Food  security emergency declared by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. allows NFA to sell its rice stocks to LGUs. LGUs can resell them at P35 per kilo.

Lacson noted San Juan City has already started pulling out NFA rice stocks, with Navotas, Cotabato and Camarines Sur expected to follow suit. Food Terminal Inc. reports three LGUs have pending orders for over 120,000 sacks of rice.

According to Lacson, clearing out existing rice stocks is crucial to meeting country’s new buffer stock levels, as mandated by Rice Tariffication Law.

This year, NFA needs to procure 545,000 MT of palay to maintain nine-day buffer supply, with total of 880,000 MT needed to meet 15-day target.

Meanwhile Enverga lauded government’s decision to sell NFA rice at P35 per kilo, noting that it marked major step in stabilizing food prices.

On the other hand, Speaker Martin Romualdez

urged candidates in midterm elections to prioritize rice affordability, stressing that while recent government measures have yielded positive results, sustained efforts are necessary to achieve long-term solutions.

“Numbers and reports are not enough… we need to go down to our districts, talk to farmers, vendors and consumers…we need to ask them if there are rice available for cooking for each Filipino family…how can we decrease prices of rice without our farmers losing money,” Romualdez said.

1 March, 2025,Sabado

Success Month March in iskup

election campaign period, gun ban in effect

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay  

No to SOGIE bill

congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines 565th  batch Seminar, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City, Pangasinan ,looking forward to next batch July 16,2025, Baguio City

Congratulations to 15.5k views “Komedya O Komida” 6th  edition and  1.4k views “Komedya O Komida” 7th edition of our very own J.Lo

Deepest symphaty to the family of late Ilocos Sur Gov. Efren Rafanan Jr. 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Headlines

100 ton truck collapsed 45 ton newly opened P1.2 B Isabela bridge

By Nidz Godino

“We all don’t want this to happen, let investigation be launched and whoever is responsible must answer for it”, Isabela Gov. Rodolfo Albano  confirmed bridge in  Isabela built at  cost of P1.225 billion opened only last Feb. 1 collapsed on Thursday night, leaving six people injured and one missing.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will look into possible corruption linked to collapse of  section of  newly completed bridge.

NBI public information office chief Roland Demetria confirmed NBI office in Isabela City, Cagayan, will lead probe. NBI-Ilagan chief Christopher Mesa declined to provide further details, citing  pending investigation.

Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge collapsed on Thursday at around 8 in the evening when third span of the structure, measuring 60 meters, gave way.

According to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office II, dump truck carrying boulders with estimated gross vehicle weight of 102 tons was passing over the bridge at the time of the incident.

Isabela Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that six people, including child, were injured and taken to hospital, while the truck driver remains missing.

The bridge, spans 990 meters and consists of 12 arch bridge spans and nine spans of pre-stressed concrete girders, was constructed by R.D. Interior Jr. Construction.

Construction of the bridge began in November 2014. It was initially slated to be completed in 2019, but it underwent retrofitting and was officially completed on Feb. 1, at total cost of P1.225 billion.

DPWH officials said further analysis is being conducted to determine cause of collapse, with experts from Bureau of Design and the Bureau of Construction assisting in the assessment.

Albano calmed speculations that  project was rigged with corruption and asked for probe that will prove what really caused  bridge’s collapse.

DPWH will assess integrity of entire structure of  newly reopened bridge in Isabela.

“Whole integrity of the structure should be looked into to ensure that this will not happen again, after all assessments… we will come up with findings and recommendations and from there, we will identify reason for collapse… accountability and responsibility of everyone will also be determined,” Mathias Malenab, officer-in-charge of DPWH Cagayan Valley said.

Malenab said bridge was designed to have capacity of 45 tons per vehicle, in compliance with existing policies.

He added  heavy truck’s passage resulted in “concentrated load” that could have led to collapse of section of the bridge.

Malenab said their evaluation and assessment will also look at other factors, including bridge’s design.

Akbayan party-list first nominee Chel Diokno asked DPWH to immediately investigate collapse of newly retrofitted Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge in Isabela.

“I join people of Isabela in calling on DPWH to investigate bridge collapse… I also urge local government to provide necessary assistance especially to passengers of four vehicles that were affected by this incident, in immediate,  DPWH must ensure there are alternate routes that vehicles can use, bridge was constructed for almost  decade and  government spent more than one billion pesos for it…those responsible for this incident must be held accountable,” Diokno said.

 “For his part, returning senator candidate Ping Lacson said there is special place in jail for those behind substandard construction of Cabagan-Santa Maria bridge…this is not first time and won’t be last, unless those responsible get convicted and spend rest of their lives in jail,” Lacson posted on X.