Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Guy, Vi, Taray tie for Best Actress at 40th PMPC Star Awards
By Cynthia Montojo
Veteran actress Liza Lorena and movie producer Vicente del Rosario Jr. received Lifetime Achievement Awards, former PMPC president Ronald K. Constantino received Ethel Ramos Dean’s Lister Award, and Sen. Bong Revilla received Darling of the Press award.
Stars aligned at 40th Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards as Nora Aunor, Maricel Soriano, and Vilma Santos were joint winners of Movie Actress of the Year award.
Nora was nominated for “Pieta,” Maricel was up for “In His Mother’s Eyes,” and Vilma got nod for “When I Met You In Tokyo.”
PMPC president Rodel Ocampo Fernando previously noted that it was first time “Superstar,” “Diamond Star,” and “Star for All Season” as well as “Megastar” Cuneta who was up for “Family of Two” were nominated in the same category.
Nora and Vilma additionally received Dekada Award along with Christopher de Leon and Piolo Pascual, based on number of PMPC Star Awards for Movies acting they’ve received in the last 40 years.
Two other awards had joint winners as well, Movie Actor of the Year went to Alden Richards for “Five Breakups and a Romance” and Dingdong Dantes for “Rewind,” while Movie Supporting Actor of the Year went to JC Santos for “Mallari” and LA Santos for “In His Mother’s Eyes.”
Alden additionally shared Movie Loveteam of the Year award with his “Five Breakups and a Romance” co-star Julia Montes, while Dingdong received Takilya King and Queen with his wife and “Rewind” co-star Marian Rivera.
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
FMJ eyes LDF for climate change response
By Nidz Godino
“It’s really different kind of thing that we are facing today… not usual monsoon… not usual typhoon… another animal,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said during briefing on effects of Carina and enhanced southwest monsoon in Rizal Philippines is eyeing the Loss and Damage Fund to finance some of its projects aimed mitigating impact of climate change-induced disasters such as recent flooding caused by Typhoon Carina and enhanced southwest monsoon.
Loss and Damage Fund is United Nations-initiated endowment meant to assist developing countries affected by climate change.
“Excessive rain is climate change… that’s why we have to find better solution…fortunately, we got Loss and Damage Board so we can get funding there…,”he said
Several areas, including Metro Manila, have declared state of calamity due to severe flooding brought by days of heavy rains.
As of yesterday, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said 28 people reportedly died, of 10 were already confirmed and 18 were still up for validation.
Marcos earlier pushed for flood control master plan to address perennial flooding in the country.
“It is not only readiness of school that needs to be considered, but also physical, psychological and financial readiness of parents, children and even teachers…many of our citizens were affected, and some of them lost their homes or damaged equipment…others even lost their loved ones,” Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC) chairman Benjo Basas said opening of classes will proceed in most schools across country today even as some areas affected by recent typhoon, monsoon rains and flooding, including Metro Manila, are asking for week’s postponement.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara ordered case-by-case approach upon President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s orders to push through with school opening, except in areas where it is not feasible.
In areas severely affected, local government executives and school officials have authority to postpone classes, Department of Education (DepEd) announced.
Public school teachers are asking mayors in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces to reschedule school opening in their constituencies to allow their residents, students and teachers more time to prepare for school year following massive flooding that hit their areas last week.
TDC made appeal due to need to consider “physical, psychological and financial preparedness” of parents, students and teachers following onslaught of Typhoon Carina.
Latest data from DepEd showed 979 schools across five regions would not be opening classes today due to need to clean and rehabilitate public schools affected by Carina.
Of this number, 452 are in Central Luzon, 231 in Ilocos region, 225 in Metro Manila, 67 in Calabarzon and four are in Central Visayas.
“So now, we are calling on our mayors and governors to use their authority to consider at least one week’s postponement and talk to their respective constituents…and, if possible, parents and teachers would be consulted directly,” Basas said, emphasizing assessments of some school and DepEd field officials may not accurately reflect true situation and sentiments on the ground.
One-week delay will not only give families more time to address their problems, but also provide DepEd with opportunity to thoroughly prepare.
Education department also reported 19,268,747 public school students had already enrolled for school year 2024-2025.
Breakdown showed 16,794,173 students are enrolled in public schools while 2,244,867 students are enrolled in private schools.
Meanwhile, 23,875 students are enrolled in state and local universities and colleges offering basic education and 205,832 students enrolled under Alternative Learning System.
Per education level, elementary schools have most number of enrollees with 10,487,481 students, followed by junior high schools with 5,851,382 and senior high schools with 2,724,052.
In another education-related development, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian vowed to push for more legislation that would institutionalize benefits and protection for teachers after Marcos’ commitment to upholding welfare of teachers.
One of these is Senate Bill 2493 or proposed Revised Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, amends Republic Act 4670 or Magna Carta for Public School Teachers.
Proposed amendments include grant of calamity leave, educational benefits and longevity pay; circumstances and conditions on grant of special hardship allowance; enrichment of criteria for salaries and protection of teachers from out-of-pocket expenses.
Gatchalian, chairs Senate committee on basic education, is eyeing to file bill that would institutionalize career progression system for public school teachers.
The senator hailed Marcos’ commitment to upholding welfare of teachers, priority that Chief Executive emphasized in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“I am grateful to our President because he paid attention to welfare of our teachers in his SONA…success of education system depends on our teachers, which is why we will continue to promote bills to increase their benefits and promote their welfare,” Gatchalian said.
Among achievements he lauded in Marcos’ third SONA is signing of Republic Act 11997 or Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, law that will increase teaching allowance from P5,000 to P10,000 starting SY 2025-2026.
The President also said public school teachers would receive personal accident insurance from Government Service Insurance System and special hardship allowance.
He further said practice of “utang-tagging,” prevents teachers from renewing their licenses, shall end.
Marcos also mentioned in his SONA that funds would be allocated to implement career progression system to promote public school teachers’ professional development and career advancement.
Under expanded system, teachers can choose between teaching and school administration tracks, which would accelerate and offer ample growth opportunities for public school teachers.
FMJ said under this system, no more public school teacher shall retire as Teacher I.
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Drainage cap, overpopulation blamed for MM flooding
By J.Lo
Overpopulation and overcapacity of Metro Manila’s urban drainage systems are to blame for perennial flooding problem in National Capital Region. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Cathy Cabral told news forum that Metro Manila has exceeded its carrying capacity of water largely contributing to recent extreme flooding during onslaught of habagat and tropical cyclones Carina and Butchoy.
She emphasized need to decentralize economic activity to prevent overburdening urban centers, giving Metro Manila and other metropolitan areas as examples of situations where their drainage capacities are already overburdened.
She stressed DPWH is actively assisting relocation of informal settlers to address flooding in Metro Manila, as overpopulation is said to be contributing to clogging of metro’s waterways.
Cabral highlighted DPWH’s 5,500 completed flood control projects from July 2022 to May 2024, most of which have started construction even prior to July 2022.
She added DPWH also has more than 5,000 other flood control projects that are still ongoing nationwide.
As of 2023, Metro Manila has population of 14.9 million.
In separate statement, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Assistant Secretary Noralene Uy said anything related to poor urban planning or development affects flooding in highly urbanized cities.
She added DENR is already working on urban greening projects in Metro Manila, encouraging local government units “to allot some space in their communities for multipurpose use such as recreation and conservation.”
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Review of RBPMS, teachers’ workload ordered
By Creselda Canda-Lopez
“By 2025, as what we have mentioned, there would be total of 140,000 ,available positions, 90,000 will be coming from result of this career progression,” Department of Education (DepEd)Undersecretary for human resource and organizational development Wilfredo Cabral told reporters in press briefing.Education Secretary Sonny Angara has signed memorandum creating task force that will review implementation of DepEd Results-Based Performance Management System (RBPMS) as well as workload and other reportorial requirements for public school teachers.
In his DepEd Memorandum No. 037 dated July 26, Angara directed task force to submit to his office within three months “comprehensive policy recommendation” following review that shall be conducted immediately.
Under memorandum, task force, composed of advisory board and technical working group, shall perform three main tasks , review and study implementation of DepEd’s RBPMS which started in 2015, review and assess teachers’ workload and reportorial requirements and recommend streamlined system for report preparation.
Memorandum further stated streamlining reportorial requirements for teachers is aligned with its earlier Department Order 002 series of 2024 removing administrative tasks of public school teachers and DO 005 series of 2024 rationalizing teachers’ workload and payment of teaching overload.
Following issuance of new memorandum, Angara convened top officials of DepEd in second executive committee meeting at DepEd central office in Pasig City.
Just last week, Angara temporarily suspended teachers’ submission of their Individual Performance Commitment and Review Form (IPCRF) and Office Performance Commitment and Review Forms (OPCRF) for School Year 2023-2024 so as not to add to burden of preparing for opening of classes for SY 2024-2025.
IPCRF/OPCRF is assessment tool used in rating performance of teachers and school personnel for the year. It serves as DepEd’s primary basis in its implementation of RBPMS and Performance-Based Bonus for teachers and education personnel.
Alliance of Concerned Teachers and Teachers Dignity Coalition have earlier called for suspension of the implementation of the RBPMS.
Meanwhile, around 140,000 positions are expected to be available to public school teachers by next year through implementation of expanded career progression system.
Angara led implementing rules and regulations signing of “Expanded Career Progression System for Public School Teachers” last Friday, ensuring public school teachers will have option to pursue either higher teaching positions or leadership roles in school.
He stressed giving career path choices for teachers will help improve quality of education in the country, because of “teachers’ experience and skills.”
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
One of a kind games openingmemorable moments
By Cynthia Montojo
Pulsating energy and unique show that will never be forgotten boundary-breaking, genre-defying and unprecedented opening ceremony for Paris Olympics got 2024 Summer Games.
Opening ceremony mastermind Thomas Jolly, renowned French theater director, had carefully choreographed every minute of festival along banks of River Seine.
But there was one factor he could not plan for, weather. Opening ceremony had misfortune to take place as heavy summer downpours descended on Paris even as forecasts showed days of hot sunny weather ahead.
As national teams paraded down Seine on boats, they sought to make best of situation, likely hoping damp would have no impact on health before events.
Renowned French classical pianist Alexandre Kantorow was drenched as he performed on Paris bridge without any cover, while social media users expressed concern for his equally unprotected instrument.
Ironically, piece he played was “Jeux d’eau” (“Water Game”) by Maurice Ravel.
An image of Britain’s new Prime Minister Keir Starmer meanwhile went viral showing him refusing to wear standard plastic poncho to stay dry showing classic British defiance in the face of poor weather.
Canadian singer Celine Dion, who had been battling rare illness, made spectacular comeback by singing from Eiffel Tower at the climax of the ceremony with rousing version of “Hymn to Love” by Edith Piaf.
Showing pitch-perfect intonation and hitting notes with ease, she serenaded captive Paris as cauldron lit by France’s most-decorated track athlete Marie-Jose Perec and three-time Olympic gold medal-winning judoka Teddy Riner soared into Paris sky in balloon.
Last month she vowed she would fight her way back from debilitating rare neurological condition that has kept her off stage.
Dion first disclosed in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, an incurable autoimmune disorder.
A French classic some 80 artists from celebrated Moulin Rouge cabaret performed iconic cancan dance that dates back to 1820s, in pink costumes specially designed for the occasion.
Famous music however was given new electronic touch that set tone for an evening that sought to put new twist on classic French culture.
As teams began their parade down Seine they were serenaded by accordion player – dressed in the obligatory French outfit of beret and blue-striped T-shirt – precariously perched on bridge.
There had been racist backlash on social media and criticism from extreme right when it emerged that French Malian singer Aya Nakamura was to perform at the opening ceremony.
But with President Emmanuel Macron himself backing her involvement, she and her dance troupe swung their way into medley of her hits and song by great Charles Aznavour.
In eloquent symbol, she received backing from musicians of France’s Republican Guard and performed against backdrop of the Academie Francaise, the austere guardians of the French language.
Sequence of dancing promoting tolerance of sexual and gender identities ended with actor Philippe Katerine appearing as Greek God Dionysus naked and painted pink, with strategically placed flowers covering his modesty.
In possibly Jolly’s greatest coup de theatre of entire ceremony 10 statues of pioneering French women surged up from waters of the Seine in bid to inscribe their achievements in minds forever.
They included French writer and activist Olympe de Gouges who was guillotined in 1793, Simone Veil, Holocaust survivor who spearheaded legalization of abortion in France, and feminist activist Gisele Halimi.
No-one could accuse opening ceremony of being rigid in its choice of music with city pulsating to all styles from classical, to opera, to pop to electro.Ceremony did not stint on star power with Lady Gaga appearing to perform French music hall classic and homegrown stars like rapper Rim’K also performing at the ceremony
“It’s just small volume flowing out, tanks are intact, ”Philippine Coast Guard Spokesman Armand Balilo said oil slick from tanker Terra Nova sank off coast of Bataan has now reached coastline of Bulacan.
This was confirmed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.by Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando during situation briefing on effects of Typhoon Carina in the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan at session hall of Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan in Malolos City.
Fernando said oil slick was sighted in the coastal area of Barangay Pamarawan in Malolos City as confirmed by its barangay chairman.
As this developed, Fernando sought assistance of the President to set up oil slick booms in coastal areas of Bulacan to protect its aquatic resources and fishpond industry of the province.
Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga agreed oil spill should be contained but noted commercial oil booms are too expensive and suggested that organic oil booms should be used because these are cheaper to make.
Loyzaga explained rice straws and coconut husks could be processed to come up with organic oil boom.
The President agreed to Loyzaga’s suggestion and proposed Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program of the Department of Labor and Employment be implemented to provide livelihood project for residents affected by floodwaters caused by Carina and southwest monsoon.
Top officials of Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan were advised by Loyzaga to gather these indigenous materials and technical people will be sent to them to teach their respective residents how to make organic oil boom.
Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum and Health Secretary Ted Herbosa also suggested using “oil-eating bacteria” to help contain oil slick.
Solidum quoted oil pollution expert Hernando Bacosa, saying “Manila Bay has lot of oil-degrading bacteria because area is major shipping and transportation hub.”
The Chief Executive has also advised Department of Social Welfare and Development to be on standby for what assistance it can provide to residents that can be affected by oil slick.
Top officials of Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan are also asking for advisory on early fish harvests on coastal fishponds in their provinces the President said should be done immediately.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources will conduct assessment of impacts of oil spill in Manila Bay together with University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute to assess extent and direction of oil spill, as well as its characteristics and content, according to DENR Assistant Secretary Noralene Uy.
President Marcos formed interagency task force that would immediately act on oil spill threatening to affect nearby provinces.
Some of 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil inside Terra Nova has started to leak into Manila Bay, coast guard said as they raced to avoid environmental catastrophe.
Tanker sank in bad weather off Bataan early Thursday, killing one crewmember and leaving the country potentially facing its worst oil spill disaster.
Oil slick has more than tripled in size and is now estimated to stretch 12-14 kilometers across bay, thousands of fishermen and tourism operators rely on for their livelihoods.
Divers inspected hull of the vessel and saw “minimal leak” from valves, Balilo said, adding it was “not alarming yet.”
“We’re hoping that tomorrow we will be able to start siphoning oil from motor tanker,” he said.
Ship that will carry recovered oil is on its way to the area, he said.
Coast guard has warned if entire cargo leaked would be “environmental catastrophe.”
It has previously said oil leaking from tanker appeared to be diesel fuel used to power the vessel, resting on the sea floor under 34 meters (116 feet) of water.
Coast guard now thinks slick is mixture of diesel and industrial fuel oil.
Oil containment booms have been deployed for what Balilo earlier described as “ worst case scenario” of cargo leaking out.
Three coast guard vessels were also spreading dispersants on oil.
Balilo called for suspension of fishing in Manila Bay to prevent people “eating contaminated fish.”
Vessel sank nearly seven kilometers from its origin in the port of Limay west of Manila. It was attempting to return to port after running into bad weather.
Sixteen of the 17 crewmembers were rescued from tanker, vessel tracking website vesselfinder.com said was 65-meters long and built in 2002.
Incident occurred as heavy rains fuelled by Typhoon Carina and seasonal monsoon lashed Manila and surrounding regions in recent days.
State weather service said monsoon had weakened by late Friday, giving authorities window of relative calm at sea to recover cargo.
Coast guard estimates extraction would take at least seven days.
It met with representatives of MT Terra Nova’s owner and contracted salvage company on Friday to discuss timeline.
Efforts to drain oil from Terra Nova are expected to start today as experts have observed apparently wider extent of oil spill, according to Philippine Coast Guard.
Philippines has struggled to contain serious oil spills in the past.
It took months to clean up after tanker carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil sank off central island of Mindoro last year, contaminating waters and beaches of island and devastating fishing and tourism industries.
Another tanker sank off central island of Guimaras in 2006, spilling tens of thousands of gallons of oil destroyed marine reserve, ruined local fishing grounds and covered stretches of coastline in black sludge.
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Time constraint PCG to prevent spill
By J.Lo
“If there is no prohibition, it’s always the call of the master of the ship,” Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is “racing against time” to prevent massive oil spill from occurring after tanker Terra Nova sank off coast of Bataan.
Based on assessment of PCG marine environmental protection unit, it would take seven days to drain 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel stored inside sunken tanker, according to PCG spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo.
He said crew of the sunken tanker assured PCG that they were able to secure cargo hatch.
Balilo noted that so far, only oil slick was observed by PCG personnel in the area where Terra Nova was believed to have sunk. This is said to be operational oil used by the tanker.
Balilo said preventive measures like placing oil spill boom on affected area and preparation of dispersants are already in place if oil spill worsens.
Balilo said they have met with company they hired to salvage cargo and are awaiting their detailed plan on how will they retrieve capsized vessel.
He said they expect them to start siphoning oil once all necessary equipment arrive this weekend.
Limay, Bataan Mayor Nelson David hope action can already be taken to salvage tanker to prevent further oil spill at the site, which could become worst oil spill incident in the country.
Local chief executive said they have met with various agencies, including PCG and Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
PCG was able to rescue 16 members of the crew and it has already deployed BRP Melchora Aquino to the site.
Three multi-role response vessels will be deployed to augment ongoing oil spill response operations.
Balilo said investigation by PCG and Maritime Industry Authority is already ongoing to determine what really happened.
Based on initial information, he said crew lost control of tanker while it was being towed back to port in Bataan.
He pointed out that there was no public storm warning signal in the area and tanker was not prohibited from sailing.
“Aside from bad weather, we will also look at the decision-making, if ship followed all protocols,” stressed Balilo.
The 10 crewmembers rescued by PCG have been fetched by their families while other six personnel went home after being treated in the hospital, PCG official said.
He added family of crewmember who drowned claimed the body.
Management of motor tanker vowed it would help bereaved family of dead sailor.
Portavaga Ship Management “is now in contact with late marine officer’s bereaved loved ones for proper transport of cadaver to Manila,” it said in a statement.
Meanwhile, fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) called on government to implement contingency plan amid looming ecological disaster.
PAMALAKAYA vice chairman Ronnel Arambulo said fisherfolk across Manila Bay are already enduring numerous environmental crises such as adverse effects of reclamation and dredging and recent onslaught of Typhoon Carina and monsoon.
“We can’t afford another ecological disaster if this oil spill escalates across our fishing grounds… we demand immediate and appropriate measures to contain this looming ecological disaster,” Arambulo said.
Marine protection group Oceana also raised alarm on possible damage and harmful impact of Manila Bay oil spill to municipal waters in Limay and Mariveles in Bataan and Tanza, Rosario, Noveleta and Cavite City in Cavite, heavily dependent on fishing.
Oceana vice president Gloria Estenzo Ramos said concerned government agencies should make sure that laws are strictly enforced and appropriate penalties are implemented.
Group also wants government to increase fines to violators and craft more sanctions “based on damages caused on habitats, wildlife and people’s lives and livelihood.”
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
DOH lists medicines price freeze in ‘Carina’-hit areas
By J.Lo
Medicines covered by government’s price freeze, Department of Health (DOH) notified public hit by Typhoon Carina and southwest monsoon.
Price freeze applies to Metro Manila, Batangas, Cavite, Bataan, Bulacan, Cainta in Rizal and Pinamalayan in Oriental Mindoro, DOH said.
List of medicines price freeze applies can be accessed here includes doxycycline, antibiotic used to treat leptospirosis, bacterial disease acquired from contaminated floodwaters. Each 100-mg capsule of doxycycline can be sold for up to P128 only, based on DOH’s list.
DOH said public can report incidents of overpricing and violations of price freeze through DOH’s hotlines or through its email pddrugpricemonitoring@gmail.com.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also reminds consumers and retailers that Republic Act 7581 or Price Act mandates prices in areas placed under state of calamity or emergency “shall be frozen at their prevailing prices under automatic price control for period of 60 days unless sooner lifted.”
Besides medicines, DTI’s price freeze applies to essential goods such as rice, corn, bread, fresh vegetables, roots crops, pork, beef, poultry and eggs.
Other items that fall under price freeze are milk, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, salt, laundry soap, detergent, firewood, charcoal and candles.
Trade Secretary Alfred Pascual earlier urged businesses to adhere to price freeze and said government will strictly monitor prices of items to ensure compliance.
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