Category: General

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday expressed confidence that his administration is 'one step closer' to attaining its goal of providing 'safe, efficient, and sustainable' airport services in the Philippines. Marcos made the remark after his meeting with officials of New York-based Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), one of the world's largest infrastructure investors, in London. 'Our vision for safe, efficient, and sustainable airports in the Philippines is one step closer to reality,' he said in a Facebook post. Marcos had the chance to have a tour of London Gatwick Airport, which is co-managed by GIP. His meeting with GIP executives enabled the President to get an idea of how to fulfill his bid for 'world-class' Philippine airports. 'This learning experience has provided us with valuable insights as to how we can develop the truly world-class airports we aspire to build in the Philippines,' the Chief Executive said. 'We had a productive meeting with Global Infrastructure Partners, the company behind Gatwick Airport's exceptional infrastructure, technology, and operations, and were given a tour to explore some of their best practices firsthand.' The GIP, founded in 2006, is a leading global independent infrastructure fund that administers USD87 billion in assets on behalf of its investor base. It seeks to invest in power and utilities, natural resources infrastructure, air transport infrastructure, seaports, freight railroad, water distribution and treatment, and waste management. As the largest owner of private airports, the GIP has particularly cemented its position as the leading British airport operator transforming London's City and Gatwick airports and Scotland's Edinburgh airport into highly profitable and comfortable terminals. The Office of the President, in a separate Facebook post, said the GIP has expressed its commitment to invest in the Philippines to improve its transportation system efficacy, increase renewable energy production, and advance digital transformation. Marcos has pledged to improve the operations of the country's major airports, including the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, to ensure ease of travel and strengthen the country's tourism sector. He made the vow, as he acknowledged certain challenges at the country's major airports, such as space limitations and insufficient technology in processing travel documents. Marcos already ordered the creation of a team that would lead government efforts to improve Manila's airport services.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The city government here, together with private garbage hauler IPM-Construction and Development Corp. (CDC), will soon launch the use of a mobile application (app) that will allow households and business establishments here to book a garbage pick-up. City Administrator Pacifico Maghari III said on Friday the IPM-CDC, whose new contract runs from May to December this year, has already presented the development of the 'My Basurero' app to the city officials. "We are trying to target that within the year, you will just have to make a booking for your garbage pick-up," he told reporters. Maghari said that through the mobile app, the user would know the arrival schedule of the garbage truck and would be able to track the time the garbage is collected. 'For data analytics, all the activities of the garbage pick-up can be tracked. The mayor (Alfredo Abelardo Benitez) also mentioned about installing CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras for monitoring,' he added. The 'My Basurero' app, which also includes several other features, is being developed by IPM-CDC's sister firm, Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies (BEST), Inc. Starting May 1 this year, IPM-CDC was awarded a contract worth almost PHP184 million for the collection, hauling, and disposal of garbage, and PHP64 million for the management and operation of the sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa. Maghari said during the Solid Waste Management Board meeting presided by Benitez earlier this week, there was a discussion on the limitations posed by alleys or narrow roads during garbage collection. 'Garbage trucks cannot pass through these alleys. It was discussed that the barangays instead will gather the trash to be collected and bring it to a pick-up point, where the garbage truck passes by,' he said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The pilot run of the single ticketing system (STS) across several cities in the National Capital Region went well and received positive feedback, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. "The STS's implementation in the five cities where it was launched initially was successful. No major issues, concerns, or complaints have been reported. Our focus now is on some adjustments that must be made in the coming days. So far, we are doing good," said MMDA acting chair Don Artes, who presided over the Metro Manila Council meeting on Friday. The pilot run started on May 2 in the cities of San Juan, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela and Quezon City. The STS enables interconnectivity among government agencies involved in traffic management through a single system of fines and penalties. It also simplifies and digitizes the payment of penalties to help cut red tape and limit opportunities for corruption. Artes said among the adjustments towards its seamless implementation are the training of traffic personnel on the use of new gadgets, distribution of handheld devices, and body cameras. "Digital handheld devices have already been procured and are now being customized for use by LGUs [local government units]. This month, we will begin the distribution to LGUs, initially in the five cities where the STS was rolled out," Artes said. LTO Regional Director Noreen San Luis-Lutey said most of the issues encountered are related to familiarity with the system, which she said was acceptable since this is the first time to be implemented. Other glitches were also encountered in the uploading of information of violations, access to the portal, activation of online payment systems, among others. "We will continue to get feedback and look for ways to improve the system," Lutey said. San Juan Mayor and MMC President Francis Zamora said the pilot run in San Juan City was smooth and received good feedback from the public, attributing this to the changes introduced by the system that benefited motorists. "Driver's licenses are not just confiscated anymore; there is a uniform set of fines imposed for the 20 most common traffic violations in Metro Manila, and there is the option for online payment of fines. We are excited with the development and rolling out of STS to other cities," Zamora said. Meanwhile, with the foreseen onset of El Niño from July to early next year, the MMDA and Metro Manila mayors have agreed to initiate measures that will address the effects of the expected drought. Artes said the local chief executives agreed to create a task force together with the Office of the Civil Defense, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration to discuss strategies on lessening the impact of the El Niño phenomenon on the country's water supply.

Source: Philippines News Agency

A daughter of a solo parent from the municipality of Belison is declared as Antique's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Exemplary Child 2023 to represent the province in the regional search in September. Mikaela Demamay, 12 years old from Barangay Delima, bested six other contenders during the search held at the Robinsons Place Antique on Tuesday. The winner was chosen based on academic grades and extra-curricular activities as presented through documentation and talent and interview during the final search. Antique Provincial Link Jeffrey Gabucay, in an interview on Friday, said the yearly search aimed to show that despite poverty, a child can still excel in their academic and extra-curricular activities. Demamay, a Grade 7 special class learner at the Belison National High School, said she was fortunate to be a recipient of the 4Ps because the income of her mother as a Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) is not enough to provide for her needs. 'The 4Ps cash grant had been a great help because we were able to buy our food and other daily needs,' Demamay said. She added that she wanted to inspire other children, especially those belonging to the poorest of the poor to study hard and do their best in life to get out of poverty. 'I want to become a teacher someday because I want to help other less privileged children like myself learn and improve their lots in life,' she said. DSWD provides educational assistance in the amount of PHP300 to a 4Ps beneficiary at the elementary level, PHP500 for junior high school, and PHP700 for senior high school per month. A household member also receives PHP750 monthly for their health needs and PHP600 as a rice subsidy.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Rose Jean Ramos captured three silver medals in the women's 45kg category at the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Jinju, South Korea on Friday. The 17-year-old Zamboangueña registered 73kgs in snatch and 88kgs in the clean and jerk for a total of 161kgs. Thailand's Sirivimon Pramongkhol, who finished fourth (48kg) at the 2012 London Olympics, pocketed the gold medal with a total lift of 177kgs (77kgs in snatch and 100kgs in the clean and jerk). Indonesian Siti Nafisatul Hariroh, a gold medalist at the 2021 Islamic Solidarity Games, settled for the bronze medal after submitting a total lift of 159kgs (71kgs in snatch and 88kgs in clean and jerk). "She's the youngest in her event and yet she grabs a silver. Much younger than the Thai winner, 11 years difference. Sayang, it's not yet an Olympic weight but who knows, she'll probably go up to 49kgs soon. I'm proud of her. Nowhere to go but up," Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella told the Philippine News Agency (PNA). Puentevella serves as head of the Philippine delegation which includes coaches Nicolas Jaluag (Bohol), Patrick Lee (Pampanga) and Christopher Bureros (Cebu). Last year, Ramos successfully defended the 45kg title at the World Youth Weightlifting Championships in Leon City, Guanajuato, Mexico. She topped the clean and jerk (85kgs), came in second in the snatch (70kgs) and registered the best total of 155kgs. The Asian Weightlifting Championships is the second qualifying event for the 2024 Paris Olympics after the World Championships in Bogota, Colombia last year. Other Filipino lifters in Seoul are Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz of Zamboanga City and Elreen Ann Ando of Cebu (women's 59kg), Rosegie Ramos (women's 49kg) and Kristel Macrohon (women's 71kg) of Zamboanga City, Vanessa Sarno of Bohol (women's 71kg), Lovely Inan of Angono, Rizal (women's 49kg) and John Febuar Ceniza of Cebu City (men's 61kg). Diaz and Rosegie Ramos trained for one and a half months in the United States and stayed in Japan for two weeks before heading to Seoul. The 32-year-old Diaz joined and won the 55kg gold medal in Colombia but the category is not included in Paris, prompting the SEA Games (2022) and Asian Games (2018) champion to move up to 59kg where Ando is also trying the get an Olympic berth. Ando got three medals at the 2020 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan -- a bronze in snatch and two silvers from the clean and jerk, and total lift in the women's 64kg. She placed seventh overall at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, qualifying through the Absolute Continental Ranking. She won the silver medal in Vietnam. Sarno, the reigning Asian champion, won the women's 71kg category in the Vietnam SEAG, setting new records in snatch (104kgs), clean and jerk (124kgs) and total (239kgs). She bagged three gold medals at the 2022 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Rosegie Ramos, a protégé of coach Allen Drayfus Diaz, also competed in Uzbekistan where she took the gold medal in the 49kg event. She secured a bronze medal in the Vietnam SEAG. Ceniza won the silver medal in the 55kg event at the 2019 Manila SEA Games.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The chief of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Friday said fixers and those selling fake licenses and other documents "jeopardize" public safety. In a statement Friday, LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo 'Jay Art' Tugade said the agency would continue to work with law enforcement authorities and the public to 'eradicate the dishonest activities that have tarnished the agency's reputation.' 'Fake licenses result in unqualified and hazardous drivers, while counterfeit vehicle registrations indicate vehicles that are not roadworthy,' he said. Tugade lauded the work of the City Intelligence Unit of the Cagayan de Oro police and the LTO Region 10 in separate operations that led to the arrest of two alleged fixers. "Our agency strives to maintain the integrity of our processes and ultimately safeguard the public," Tugade said. The operations began after an informant notified the police of receiving a counterfeit LTO official receipt for their vehicle from a delivery rider. 'This led to the rider's arrest and the subsequent apprehension of a woman accused of producing false documents,' he said. Authorities confiscated fraudulent ORs, certificates of registration, driver's licenses, and equipment used in creating counterfeit documents during the operations. 'The two detained suspects are in police custody and will face charges for falsifying public documents,' he said. A third suspect remains at-large.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Friday commended the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) for its crucial role in maintaining peace, order, and security on the country's roads. Speaking at the celebration of HPG's 68th founding anniversary in Camp Crame, Quezon City, the PNP chief feted the officers and personnel of the unit for their hard work and unwavering commitment to serve with efficiency and professionalism. Acorda reminded HPG personnel not to be complacent and urged the group to strive for excellence continually. He emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant, continuously enhancing skills and knowledge, and always upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Acorda was joined by HPG chief Brig. Gen. Raul Bargamento in gracing the celebration. The ceremony recognized the contributions of various stakeholder groups, including individual personnel of the PNP HPG, for their exemplary and meritorious performance of duty. The group handed out 10 individual awards and six unit awards. Twenty-three awardees were recognized during the event, emphasizing the impact of people, whether personnel or stakeholder, on the continuing success of the PNP HPG as the Philippines' premier "guardian of the highways". This year's celebration carries the theme "Ang Inyong Patnubay at Kaagapay Tungo sa Paglunsad ng Payapa at Ligtas na Lansangan." The PNP HPG was established in 1955 as the country's first and only traffic control and road safety-focused law enforcement group. The group was the brainchild of former president Ramon Magsaysay after a fatal car crash 68 years ago claimed the lives of two statesmen close to him. Acorda also reiterated his call for "Serbisyong Nagkakaisa" (unity in service) which aims to unite all 228,000 members of the PNP for collaborative efforts in nation-building. He emphasized the five key priorities, which include aggressive and honest law enforcement operations, boosting personnel morale and welfare, enhancing public service, maintaining operational readiness, and intensifying internal cleansing efforts.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Authorities have arrested a Dawlah Islamiya (DI) extremist in a manhunt operation in Zamboanga del Norte, while an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) spy surrendered here, police and military reports said Thursday. In a statement, the Area Police Command - Western Mindanao (APC-WM) identified the arrested suspect as Nordy Alip, who is listed as the third most wanted person in Zamboanga Peninsula. Alip was arrested in Barangay San Vicente, Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte at about 7:15 a.m. on Wednesday. Alip, a resident of Barangay Matiag, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, has a standing warrant of arrest for illegal possession of explosives issued by a court in Siocon on Dec. 28, 2021. Meanwhile, the APC-WM said an ASG spy, identified as Benjamin Husin Alias Sabar, surrendered Wednesday at the Naval Station Romulo Espaldon, which houses the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) headquarters here. Rear Adm. Donn Anthony Miraflor, NFWM commander, said Thursday that Husin surrendered through the coordinated efforts of NFWM and Joint Task Force (JTF) - Zamboanga operatives. Husin joined the ASG as one of the followers of the late Sulu-based bandit leader Alhabsy Misaya in 2010, and served as a spy based in this city since 2017 after he was wounded in a clash with government troops in Sulu, Miraflor said. Misaya was killed in a clash with Philippine Marine troops in the forest between the towns of Indanan and Parang in Sulu on April 28, 2017. Husin was allegedly involved in the kidnapping of three foreigners in the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte on Sept. 21, 2015. Miraflor said Husin decided to surrender to live a normal life in the hope of reuniting with his family. He turned in a Garand rifle with 15 rounds of ammunition.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The Diocese of Dumaguete is ready for the visit of the pilgrim image of the Sto. Niño de Cebu this weekend as part of the commemoration of the 'Kaplag', or the finding of the original icon in Cebu some 450 years ago. The pilgrim image of the Child Jesus will arrive here on Saturday, May 6, and will stay up to May 9. It will be brought to different parishes in the diocese, said Fr. Hendrix Alar, assistant coordinator of the religious activity. Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes will preside over the mass during the arrival of the pilgrim image at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria. Prayer vigils will follow afterward before the visit of the Sto. Niño image to the other parishes, Alar said. According to Alar, the visit of the Sto. Niño pilgrim image here forms part of the 'Kaplag' celebration in Cebu late last month, as it has been a practice for it to be brought to different dioceses in promotion of the deepening of the Catholic faith. The last time the Sto. Niño pilgrim image visited the Diocese of Dumaguete was in 2015.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Alert military and police personnel foiled an attempt by a suspected gunrunner to sneak in high-powered firearms to Cotabato City following the conduct of a checkpoint in Barangay Grebona here Thursday. Lt. Col. Rey Rico, the Army's 34th Infantry Battalion commander, said soldiers and police officers manning a checkpoint intercepted a car loaded with about 10 assault rifles and gun parts neatly hidden in the vehicle's back seat around 9 a.m. 'The driver was acting suspiciously, prompting the soldiers to conduct a further inspection,' Rico said. Police identified the driver as a certain Usop, who claimed he was just asked to drive the car from Manila. The suspect said he drove the car from Manila, passing by the Surigao-Bukidnon route in Mindanao, with Cotabato City as his final destination. Rico said the car yielded 10 M16 rifles, 10 lower receiver groups for R4 rifles, five barrels for 5.56mm rifles, six hand guard covers for M16 rifles and two handheld radio sets. Brig. Gen. Donald Gumiran, the Army's 602nd Infantry Brigade commander, said Usop worked as a courier of a gunrunning syndicate that sells guns to private armed groups in the provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte. 'We are still interrogating the suspect to determine the scope of the group's operation and other information about their illegal activities,' Gumiran said in a statement. Major Gen. Alex Rillera, the Army's 6th Infantry Division commander and head of the Army-led Joint Task Force Central, said they have intensified their campaign against loose firearms as the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections draw near.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The Aboitiz Group has launched its second pilot cold storage unit in a bid to reduce food wastage and enhance the food supply chain in the country. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Thursday, Aboitiz said the cold storage unit, which is located in Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal (NVAL), allows farmers and traders to efficiently store their surplus produce. Aboitiz Group's Fresh Depot also seeks to establish a comprehensive database that the government can leverage to enhance their agricultural initiatives. 'Filipino farmers face so many challenges, it can be hard to know where to start. When we saw that cold storage technology could prevent around half of their crops from spoiling between harvest and consumption, this was an obvious answer," said Aboitiz Equity Ventures chief transformation officer Emilie Sydney-Smith. "Getting paid for most, not half, of their production means that farmers will soon be able to invest in other products that can create a virtuous cycle in their prosperity. Digitally tracking the cold storage usage means we can also help the government understand how they can better support farmers," Sydney-Smith added. NVAT is a major vegetable trading hub for farmers, traders and buyers from different parts of Luzon. NVAT's 85.29 percent shares currently are owned by the private sectors and the remaining 14.71 percent shares are owned by the government. NVAT general manager Gilbert Cumila said the cold storage facility will enable farmers and traders to preserve their fresh produce's quality before they are brought to the market. "This will also open doors to digitize farm data. We are equally committed to make this project a success to help prepare the country's agricultural sector for the future,' Cumila said. Earlier this year, Aboitiz launched its first pilot cold storage unit in Benguet.

Source: Philippines News Agency

At least PHP58.4 million have been set aside to assist poor fishermen in Eastern Visayas in the next six years under the second phase of Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Thursday. BFAR Eastern Visayas regional information officer Christine Gresola said the allocation intended for 25 fisherfolk groups will finance the project's three components - social preparation, food production and livelihood, and program management. Some PHP4M was set aside for social preparation where profiling, needs assessment, group formation, and capacity-building will be established. 'Majority of PHP47.5 million of the budget will be for food production and livelihood, focusing on livelihood packages and specialized training for project beneficiaries. Some PHP6.9 million is allotted to the program management, which focuses on implementing internal activities necessary to carry out the requested goods and services,' Gresola said. Recipient fishermen are from one-third of the poorest town in all six provinces in the region. The list of areas is based on the new income classification by the Finance Department while the list of recipients is based on the 2018 poverty incidence report of the Philippine Statistics Authority. As the three-year project implementation intensifies, BFAR has been conducting meetings with officials of local government units and fisherfolk leaders, program orientation, and information drive. 'BFAR is optimistic that through this project, the region's fisheries industry will be strengthened and our marginalized fisherfolk communities will be empowered and transformed into thriving entrepreneurs,' Gresola added. Fishermen are among the poorest population in Eastern Visayas with a poverty incidence of 22.2 percent in 2021. The program seeks to cut poverty incidence by half. BFAR-SAAD provides services focusing on livelihood intervention in freshwater, brackish water as well as marine and aquaculture. The fisheries bureau implemented SAAD phase 1 from 2017 to 2020 with a budget of PHP185.68 million.

Source: Philippines News Agency