27 Hulio 2024, Sabado

Congratulations and more power FMJ!!!

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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

HEADLINES

738 schools to halt start of classes — DepEd

By Nidz Godino

EDUCATION SECT. SONNY ANGARA INSPECTS MASAMBONG HIGH SCHOOL IN QUEZON CITY

“While Brigada Eskwela was initiated last Monday, it has yet to be carried out in most affected areas…training for  new MATATAG Curriculum has also been delayed due to  suspension of classes and government work… there is insufficient time for our schools to adequately prepare for  opening of classes on Monday,” Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) said total of 738 public schools nationwide will have to postpone  scheduled opening of classes on Monday due to damage caused by Typhoon Carina and monsoon-induced rains and floods.

Based on data released by  Department of Education (DepEd), 12,866 schools, located in 10 regions, were affected by  recent onslaught of Carina and  southwest monsoon.  Affected  regions include  Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), National Capital Region (NCR), Regions 1, 2, 3, 4-A, 4-B, 5, 6 and 8.

Of  total affected schools, 246 were flooded while 425 schools are currently being used as evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, 738 public schools, specifically in Central Luzon, NCR, CAR and Soccsksargen, are deemed to be severely affected by typhoon and thus cannot push through with  opening of classes on Monday.

Breakdown  provided by DepEd showed t Central Luzon has  most number of schools that cannot start classes on Monday at 442, followed by NCR with 206 severely affected schools, CAR with 86 schools and Region 12 or SOCCSKSARGEN with four schools.

Bataan was  most affected, with  total of 208 schools deemed unable to open their classes on Monday, followed by Bulacan with 92 schools.

In  NCR, Valenzuela had  most number of affected schools that could not push through with school opening on Monday at 71, followed by Pasig with 44 schools, Malabon with 42 and Marikina with 33.

Speaking to reporters, Education Secretary Sonny Angara initially said  over 90 public schools nationwide had to defer  opening of classes due to damaged classrooms.

However, he was quick to add number is expected to increase later in the day as  DepEd was still waiting for situation reports of several regional directors.

He said DepEd is leaving it to  discretion of school heads in other affected regions whether to push through or to defer  opening of classes based on  situation in their respective areas.

Angara said public schools in Malabon City would open their classes on July 31, while Marikina and Valenzuela would start classes on Aug. 5, according to Mayors Marcelino Teodoro and Wes Gatchalian.

DepEd estimated  total cost of damage at schools at P600 million with  total estimated cost of reconstruction at around P630 million.

TDC called for  postponement of  opening of classes by at least one week in all schools in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and other severely affected areas.

In  separate statement,  Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has slammed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.over his insistence to push through with  opening of classes on Monday, saying his instruction of holding classes even outdoors is “outright shameless and unbecoming of  president of  republic.”

In  interview with reporters  President Marcos said  DepEd and schools must do everything that they can to push through with  opening of classes on Monday.

However, he clarified that it will still be “up to  school to decide” if  school officials want to push through with  school opening date.

At least 33,000 police officers will secure opening of classes to ensure students, teachers and school employees are safe, according to Philippine National Police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo. 

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Hebrews 12:1

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

26 Hulio 2024, Biyernes

Congratulations and more power FMJ!!!

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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

Bb Pilipinas 2024 winners spent ‘6 to 7 digits’ for pageant journey

By Cynthia Montojo

“I contemplated for years, yet my actions were anchored on joining  Binibini pageant… I had to convince my parents that it was  perfect time for me to join this year…this decision also meant that my financial support to the family would be paused in the interim,” winning  Binibini crown was  long time coming for Pampanga representative Jasmin Bungay former secondary school teacher.

It was  childhood dream of hers and so, when she was crowned Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2024, her long journey to the crown was  dream come true.

But the road to  crown was not an easy one… several years of planning, and saving, for her Binibini journey. Unknown to many, joining  national pageant is  very costly endeavor. You need funds to have your national costume, two evening gowns one for prelims, and one for the finals, and several required apparel made for  competition.

Newly-crowned queens estimated  their total expenses reached to six even seven digits. Apart from  national costume and evening gowns, candidates need to have ready dresses to wear to activities and events throughout  entire duration of  pre-pageant calendar.

Jasmine had to think long and hard because she had to leave  lucrative job in the Middle East. And which also meant no income for her, and no support extended to her family for  time being. But she also knew she couldn’t dilly-dally because her biological clock was ticking – and if she postponed her candidacy for another year – she would be quite old fore national pageant, and more so for  international finals should she win  national title.

She dabbled in  teaching profession for a short while but realized it was not for her.

“I see Binibining Pilipinas as community and family… I saw how they take care of  candidates, most especially their queens,” she continued.

During  rehearsals,  candidates, including herself, were giddy looking at all  past queens. And when she won  title, it dawned on her that she can now call past queens, like Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, as her Binibini sisters.

“But it was Venus Raj’s journey I identified with  most…she came from humble beginnings and made  name for herself,” she said.

Binibining Pilipnas – Universe 2010 Ma. Venus Raj was the first, in  long line of queens, that broke  country’s semifinal drought at Miss Universe pageant. Her Top 5 placement in  2010 Miss Universe edition started country’s longest semifinal streak, to date.

26 Hulio 2024, Biyernes

Congratulations and more power FMJ!!!

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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

Isko Moreno neither admit nor denied run as Manila mayor anew

By Cynthia Montojo

“Malayo pa iyan eleksiyon…. basta steady lang tayo sa ged-li…maraming hopia, hoping…malayo pa naman iyan,” former Manila Mayor. Isko Moreno  wanted  next mayor of Manila will protect and make progress in the lives of its residents. 

 Actor Isko Moreno didn’t deny nor confirm if he will run for Manila mayor again next year. 

In an interview with  media during Eng Bee Tin’s National Hopia Day recently,  media told Isko that Manila residents are hoping for his return.

“Siyempre, ang gusto ko, ang tama lang, magtagumpay sa kanyang mga layunin para sa kanyang mamamayan,” he said. 

“Basta ang masasabi ko lamang sa mga lolo at lola ko, nanay at tatay ko, ‘yung mga paborito kong senior citizen, I love you,” he added.

National Hopia Day was attended by Eng Bee Tin President and Chairman Gerie Chua, Diana Zubiri and Cory Quirino. 

“Congratulations sa event na ito…sa mga bumubuo, sa staff, sa organizers congratulations sa inyong lahat, sa lahat ng hopia maker, you have now a day in 365 days of the year we now call National Hopia Day ,” Isko said.

26 Hulio 2024, Biyernes

Congratulations and more power FMJ!!!

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ ,resurrecting Marvel’s past

By Cynthia Montojo

“Deadpool & Wolverine” probably  summer blockbuster of the year, is where Ryan Reynolds teams up with Hugh Jackman to give Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)  much-needed jolt. 

After getting rejected from joining  Avengers, Ryan’s Wade Wilson has retired from being Deadpool and is living  personally dreary life  until the Time Variance Authority show up to reveal his new importance.

But when things go sideways, Wade ends up in  wasteland with  Wolverine he reluctantly picked up, and  heroes must find  way to save  universes they come from.

Future  of “Deadpool” went into limbo following Disney’s acquisition of Fox the same can be said for other Marvel properties Fox owned, leaving many wondering if “Merc with  Mouth” would ever make it to MCU.

Fox’s remaining Marvel projects were disappointing and MCU after “Avengers: Endgame” only saw few major successes, so a lot rested on Ryan’s shoulders after Deadpool’s return was confirmed with  support of Jackman back again as Wolverine.

Like its predecessors, “Deadpool & Wolverine” shouldn’t be taken all that seriously; it’s filled with jokes, gags, and so many cameos that it pokes fun at entire concept of intellectual property being stretched or shoved away.

Ryan and company clearly shelled out money for this, not just for  cameo appearances, but for  really fun soundtrack that includes  NSYNC, Goo Goo Dolls, Stray Kids, and Green Day.

Movie  also benefits from keeping its R-rating  first in MCU  because  gory, bloody action is top-notch, not shying away from how brutal yet awesome fight scenes can be when involving characters who basically recover from any wound.

Heart  of the film, and yes there is  bit of it, comes from two lead characters wanting to matter still in their respective realities, something that might have dwindled when we last saw them in “Deadpool 2” and “Logan.”

Fans will surely enjoy what Ryan, Jackman, and director Shawn Levy have cooked up even by the end it only feels like  glorious mash-up of cameos again, don’t take the film seriously, just enjoy it.

Ryan still nails Wade’s humor and casualness, shoving fingers into Disney’s face because he now can and  movie will still rake in millions, while Jackman shows  grizzled side of Wolverine everyone will still appreciate.

One hopes there’s more to see of “The Crown” star Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova, formidable character in the comics, or even Emmy winner Matthew MacFadyen as Mr. Paradox.

As mentioned, there are cameos galore in this film, but without spoiling those that can be mentioned are Aaron Stanford as Pyro and Jennifer Garner as Elektra, but wait until you see who else Marvel managed to reel in.

Only  mild spoiler this review will have is that “Deadpool & Wolverine” is  sort-of tribute to the Fox string of Marvel films “X-Men,” “Fantastic Four,” etc. which never got their fond farewells despite paving the way to what  MCU has become.

That at the very least will have fans tearing up seeing Marvel’s past was, and what  future will be after Deadpool’s latest maximum effort.

26 Hulio 2024, Biyernes

Congratulations and more power FMJ!!!

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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

Fil film ‘Guardia de Honor’ to premiere at Cinemalaya

By Cynthia Montojo

“It’s  reflection of our reality and  call for justice…through  harrowing story of  family shattered by violence, I wanted to shed light on  systemic abuses and  culture of impunity that plague our society,” Director Jay Altarejos’ “Guardia de Honor,” premiered at the prestigious Moscow International Film Festival, will have its Philippine premiere via Cinemalaya this August. 

Altarejos said  movie is more than just  film. 

“This film is  testament to our collective struggles and  unwavering spirit of those who seek truth and honor… I chose to express it in black and white to strip  story down to its raw, emotional core, emphasizing  stark contrasts between justice and injustice, hope and despair… honor to bring this narrative to life and share it with audiences who understand and resonate with its message,” he stressed. 

According to Altarejos, movie is loosely inspired by  police officer who killed his neighbors,  mother and son, in Tarlac four years ago in cold blood.

For the director, his newest film speculates on  question, “what family breeds  killer?”

“It traces  history of police brutality through  main character’s family and how his traumatic childhood has contributed to his actions as  adult, because of the incident, his mother has to face her own tumultuous past and generational abuse to emancipate herself, her daughter, and her granddaughter from decades-old patriarchal abuses, ” he continued.

26 Hulio 2024, Biyernes

Congratulations and more power FMJ!!!

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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

‘Inside Out 2’ outsmart ‘Frozen 2’ as biggest animated movie

By Cynthia Montojo

 Highest-grossing animated movie of all time, Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” has overtaken fellow Disney sequel “Frozen 2”.

“Inside Out” sequel raked in  total $1.46 billion (P85.5 billion), clearing  $1.45 billion (P85 billion)  2019 “Frozen” sequel took in.

Disney now has seven of the top 10 biggest animated movies ever, five of which are Pixar films.

It should be noted that Disney’s live-action remake of “The Lion King,”  earned $1.65 billion (P96.7 billion), is fully computer-generated but  studio classifies it as live-action.

On overall list, “Inside Out 2” is  13th highest-grossing film of all time after overtaking last year’s “Barbie,”  last movie to hit  billion dollars.  “Inside Out” sequel is just behind yet another sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.”

“Inside Out 2” previously broke record for fastest time for  animated film to hit  billion dollars in 19 days and is  only movie released this year that hit 10 digits as of this writing. 

Disney will now shift its focus to Marvel’s “Deadpool & Wolverine,”  hoping to also hit  billion-dollar mark despite its R-16 rating. 

26 Hulio 2024, Biyernes

Congratulations and more power FMJ!!!

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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

EO enough to enforce POGO ban – SolGen

By Nidz Godino

“Executive order or other administrative issuance is sufficient to implement  policy,” Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said when asked if  law is needed to ban POGOs or if an EO would be enough  executive order is enough to enforce  ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

Guevarra explained  all gaming operations, under the law, fall under  jurisdiction of  Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), which reports directly to  Office of the President.

He stressed  ban on POGOs is  matter of government policy and it is within  President’s prerogative to make such move for the good of the country, after carefully weighing all possibilities.

In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.ordered PAGCOR to have all POGO operations ceased by the end of the year.

He also directed  Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to find jobs for Filipinos who would be displaced by  closure of POGOs in the country.

Ban  came after consecutive raids on POGO hubs revealed their involvement in illegal activities such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, even murder.

According to PAGCOR, some 40,000 Filipino employees of POGO firms would be affected by  ban.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) earlier said foreigners employed in POGOs and internet gambling licensee companies would be given 60 days to leave the country.

BI  would not return  working visa payments of foreign POGO workers even if they were required to leave the country before expiration of their visas.

“There is no refund…application fee is part of the process whether approved, denied or revoked,” BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said. Foreigners have to pay P32,460 for working visa.

There were some 20,000 foreign POGO or internet gaming licensee workers in the country, 70 percent of whom were Chinese nationals, according to BI records.

BI’s 60-day period for POGO and IGL foreign workers to leave the country starts today until Sept. 24.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco earlier warned foreign POGO workers of deportation if they failed to leave before  Sept. 24 deadline.

He  had instructed  bureau’s intelligence division and Fugitive Search Unit to intensify their operations against illegal online gaming hubs.

Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros has urged  BI to give proper treatment to  20,000 foreign POGO workers now being asked to leave the country.

“It looks like there are more workers from illegal POGOs, and this will pose more challenges to  agencies tasked to deport them,” Hontiveros said.

The senator said some of foreign nationals were victims of human trafficking by  big bosses of illegal POGO hubs.

“Nonetheless, we must ensure humanitarian treatment toward foreign workers, especially those who may have been trafficked into these legal or illegal POGOs or IGLs,” Hontiveros said.

The senator also urged authorities to blacklist foreign POGO and IGL workers with criminal backgrounds or have standing arrest warrants in their home countries.

“Our Senate inquiry found that there are POGO or IGL workers who are fugitives from China and other countries…law enforcement should flag these personalities and place them on blacklist,” Hontiveros said. 

26 Hulio 2024, Biyernes

Congratulations and more power FMJ!!!

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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

Hse panel sets probe on MM flooding

By J.Lo

“First of all, Department of Public Works and Highways ,DPWH and  Metro Manila Development Authority ,MMDA should explain what happened to our flood control systems and why was it not able to contain  rains dumped by typhoon Carina,” committee chairman Manila Second District Rep. Rolando Valeriano said House committee on Metro Manila development is set to investigate  massive flooding brought about by Typhoon Carina that submerged  whole metropolis and nearby provinces.

Valeriano said they have to “assess  extensive damage” as typhoon wreaked havoc on homes and trapped thousands of vehicles in floodwaters in National Capital Region and nearby areas.

“It’s true that rains dumped by this typhoon were record-breaking, but we, as government, should be fully prepared for such worst-case scenarios…let’s always expect  worst…our benchmark should always be super typhoons Ondoy and Yolanda,” Valeriano stressed.

In  chance interview, Speaker Martin Romualdez  fully supports House inquiry as he highlights  oversight function of Congress.

He explained  government has  master plan on flood control and there is need to comply and update such plan. There should also be  relocation plan for those living in low-lying areas as heavy rains and climate change are unavoidable.

Meanwhile, Senate President Francis Escudero has called for  Senate investigation on  failure of billion pesos worth of flood control projects to curb  effects of typhoons in  metropolis.

Escudero said he has had enough of  cycle of flooding every typhoon season in Metro Manila that remains unchecked despite flood control projects of  DPWH and MMDA.

26 Hulio 2024, Biyernes

Congratulations and more power FMJ!!!

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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 to DPWH: Fix damaged Navotas gate

By Nidz Godino

“What is our remedy…maybe we can at least block  water or is there something we can do…at least as an emergency measure and then we can go back and repair it properly,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. instructed  Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to immediately come up with  remedy to  damaged navigational gate in Navotas that has been causing severe flooding in the city and nearby areas.

During  briefing  on effects of Typhoon Carina at the Presidential Security Command headquarters, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes said  gate would be repaired within a month.

However, five barangays in Malabon and three barangays in Navotas would continue to experience floods even if there are no typhoons while bridge is undergoing repair, the MMDA chief stressed.

Marcos then asked  DPWH whether something could be done to prevent floods while  repair is ongoing.

“Maybe put sandbags or something… I don’t know…but we have to get  engineer to look at it and to tell us what we can do,” he added.

Gate,  inspected by Marcos was damaged in June after  barge forcefully entered  channel from the sea going to  shipyard.

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said  F. Manalo Bridge,  hit by 13 barges and tugboats because of  strong current in Marikina River, would undergo reconstruction.

According to him,  bridge’s freeboard is too low and is not really designed for barges to pass through.

“We’re going to reconstruct this bridge eventually…we have funds for it, Mr. President… just  matter of going through  design,” he said.

Bridge  is temporarily closed while authorities are checking  damage it sustained.

“So, what we need to do there is to get  assessment as to whether or not we can use the bridge…really  most important thing right now because what we’re trying to do is to… distribute whatever help, whatever assistance is required…but we have to know where that assistance is required,” Marcos said.

Artes said  MMDA has coordinated with coast guard to determine how to remove  barges.

Marcos also directed agencies to address “weaknesses” in informing local governments about  release of excess water from dams.

“If we decide to open dams and if it is about to spill over,  downstream communities should be aware of it,” he said, adding local governments should be given three to four hours to prepare for  release of dam water.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured  local government units (LGUs) affected by Carina that it is ready to “replenish”  supply of family food packs (FFPs) they have given to flood and typhoon victims.

“It’s noteworthy to point out that there’s another 100,000 requests that came in…so, it would bring us to 500,000 family food packs,” Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said.

DSWD chief said they have already released  total of 360,228 FFPs to  various regional offices severely affected by  super typhoon and monsoon.

This is broken down as follows: 39,038 National Capital Region; 171,147 Central Luzon; 90,957 for Calabarzon; 38,766 for Mimaropa; and for Bicol 20,000.

Based on July 25 report of DSWD, there are 101,509 families or 393,962 persons affected by  twin weather disturbance from 1,004 barangays.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has also launched extensive humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations across  affected regions.

AFP has deployed nine search, rescue and retrieval teams from  2nd infantry division and five from  Joint Task Force National Capital Region.

Meanwhile, Philippine Air Force 505th search and rescue group, in collaboration with  Pasay City government, successfully rescued and evacuated approximately 100 residents affected by flooding on July 24.

Emergency employment awaits workers displaced due to Typhoon Carina, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma directed all DOLE offices to provide assistance to typhoon-affected workers through  Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program.

Department of Migrant Workers has also assisted overseas Filipino workers whose flights were canceled due to typhoon.

Department of Health (DOH) sees  possible surge in leptospirosis and other flood-related diseases.

Unless appropriate precautionary measures are immediately taken, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said hospital emergency rooms could be filled with patients a week after massive flooding in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

Herbosa  ordered  immediate release of one million doses of Doxycycline to protect those who have been exposed to flood from leptospirosis.

He stressed Doxycycline is  prescription drug and cannot be taken without consulting  doctor.

At least 11 health facilities, including four DOH-retained hospitals, were partially damaged by Typhoon Carina but Herbosa said all health facilities are operational.

He stressed  Philippine General Hospital is back in full operation after closing its outpatient services for a day due to massive flooding.

Government hospitals and other health facilities in Ilocos region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Metro Manila are now under code blue.

Based on DOH data, 835 evacuation centers are housing over 38,000 families or 277,431 individuals from various parts of the country.

State-run pension funds Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Social Security System (SSS) opened their emergency loan programs to members and pensioners affected by Typhoon Carina.

For GSIS, it has set aside P18.5 billion in emergency loans to assist 864,089 members and pensioners in Metro Manila, Batangas and Rizal that are all under state of calamity.

Members and pensioners may apply for emergency loans starting today until Oct. 28.

GSIS members who have  existing emergency loan balance may borrow up to P40,000 to pay off their previous balance and still receive  maximum net amount of P20,000.

Those without existing emergency obligations, as well as pensioners may apply for  P20,000 loan.

For SSS, members may borrow  loan equivalent to their one monthly salary credit or up to a maximum of P20,000.

Members should have at least 36 monthly contributions and should be below 65 years old to avail themselves of calamity loan.

Meanwhile, government agencies can still tap P11 billion in disaster funds to support disaster rescue and relief operations, according to the Department of Budget and Management.