Brunei News Gazette

DEL CARMEN, Siargao - A new ferry route linking Dinagat Islands with Siargao Island was inaugurated on Monday, marking a significant step expected to increase tourism flows and economic exchanges between the two islands. The route commenced with a maiden voyage from Del Carmen on Siargao Island to Cagdianao on Dinagat Islands.

According to Philippines News Agency, the mayor of Del Carmen, the event was attended by local officials and stakeholders, emphasizing the route's potential to facilitate the transportation of agricultural products and bolster local tourism. The ferry journey, taking approximately one hour, was completed with the arrival of the passengers at Cagdianao port, where they were greeted by Dinagat Island Governor Nilo Demerey Jr. and Mayor Marc Adelson Longos.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to integrate the economic activities of the islands, with Coro highlighting the establishment of a food hub in Del Carmen by the provincial government of Dinagat. This hub aims to streamline the supply chain for essential goods, including vegetables, fruits, poultry, and meat, responding to the growing demand in tourist hotspots like General Luna on Siargao.

Governor Demerey underscored the strategic importance of the new ferry service, which allows for direct shipment of goods between the islands without transiting through mainland Surigao del Norte. He expressed optimism about the new route's role in opening up various opportunities for both tourism and agricultural sectors.

The maiden voyage was not just a ceremonial trip but also a functional one, carrying 47 passengers that included local officials, media personnel, and both local and international tourists. Governor Demerey also announced plans to evaluate the impact of this new connection on the islands' tourism and economy after a year.

LANAO DEL NORTE – Lanao del Norte province is enacting new legislative measures to bolster its reproductive health programs and strengthen environmental protection, as announced by local officials this Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the proposed legislation focuses on conserving natural assets including watersheds and mountain ranges. Buandang, who chairs the Committee on Environmental Protection, noted that these measures are critical for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring a sustainable water supply. He emphasized the importance of legal safeguards for coastal wetlands and the management of prominent green spaces such as Mt. Torong Torong, the San Antonio Eco Park, and the Provincial Capitol Children's Park.

In parallel, provincial population officer Annete Daniel highlighted the Service Delivery Network for Adolescents Health and Development (ISDN4AHD). This network, integral to the province’s implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law, facilitates the pooling and sharing of resources to optimize service delivery and impact. Daniel explained that ISDN4AHD includes a referral system connecting various stakeholders to maintain a continuum of information and services mandated by the law.

MANILA — The Supreme Court has overturned a decision by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which had rejected a disqualification petition against Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba filed before the 2022 elections. The court found that the Comelec committed a "grave abuse of discretion" and has remanded the case back to the Comelec en banc for proper review as of April 16.

According to Philippines News Agency, the case was elevated to its attention after the Comelec en banc overturned an initial decision by its Second Division, which had disqualified Governor Mamba based on substantial evidence that he violated Section 261(v) of the Omnibus Election Code. This section prohibits the unauthorized release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds during the campaign period. The petitioner, Ma. Zarah Rose Lara, who also ran for governor, filed the petition on May 10, 2022, at 6:21 p.m., more than 24 hours after the elections had concluded.

The controversy arose when the Comelec en banc deemed Lara's petition filed the next business day, May 11, at 8 a.m., after Mamba was proclaimed the winner at 1:39 a.m. that day. However, the Supreme Court ruled that the petition was validly filed within the day of the proclamation, noting that disqualification petitions could be submitted at any time during the 24-hour period of the proclamation day, as per Article 13 of the Civil Code.

The court also emphasized the need for Comelec procedures to adapt to modern technological realities, recognizing that email submissions are not constrained by traditional office hours. The Supreme Court stated that the Comelec, with its significant resources, should be capable of accessing and processing filings made via email outside of regular office hours. This decision underscores the court's directive that procedural rules should align with substantive laws and adapt to technological advancements to ensure fairness and accessibility in electoral processes.

CEBU CITY - On Labor Day, a job fair featuring approximately 3,000 vacant positions will take place in Cebu City, aiming to provide numerous employment opportunities for local residents.

According to Philippines News Agency, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Central Visayas, the event marks the 199th Labor Day celebration and will be held at the SM Seaside City's wing atrium.

The job fair, themed "Sa Bagong Pilipinas: Manggagawang Pilipino, Kabalikat at Kasama sa Pag-asenso," will include a wide variety of positions. Among the highlighted opportunities are 600 vacancies for instructors of English as a second language, targeting different employers. Additionally, 100 positions for online instructors are available for those seeking either part-time or full-time teaching roles.

Further job openings at the fair include 200 vacancies for service crew members, 100 for customer service associates, 100 for customer service advisors, and 100 for sales associates. Estillore also noted that the fair would feature 30 openings for counter-service professionals and 10 for business center operations officers, with a prominent chain of malls among the employers.

This substantial offering underscores the region's commitment to fostering employment and supporting the local workforce in their career advancement.

MAKATI CITY — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has introduced a proposal to maintain up to 10 days of buffer stock of key agricultural products to prevent illegal price manipulation. This proposal was presented during a meeting with the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) held at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) office on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DA's plan aims to stabilize commodity prices by increasing the available supply, thereby reducing market prices. Nograles noted that this stockpiling would include essential items such as rice, corn, sugar, onion, pork, and fertilizers. The implementation of this strategy is pending as the DA is currently developing the necessary implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

Nograles added that while immediate implementation is not confirmed, the IRR will outline specific circumstances under which the government may activate this buffer stocking. She emphasized that the availability of such stocks would serve as a deterrent to hoarders and those engaged in price manipulation by allowing government intervention at any moment.

DTI Undersecretary Jose Edgardo Sunico highlighted that this would mark the first utilization of the Price Act's provision on buffer stocking by the DA. Republic Act 7581, or the Price Act, permits the procurement and distribution of basic necessities or prime commodities to regulate prices in regions experiencing shortages or needing price adjustments.

DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual has expressed support for the DA's initiative, viewing it as a vital tool to help manage inflation pressures. This proposal represents one of several measures the government is considering to address economic challenges.

ALBAY - The "Hapag ng Pamana" Food Festival kicked off on Monday at the Albay Astrodome, featuring an array of famous local delicacies as part of the province's Filipino Food Month celebrations.

According to Philippines News Agency, chief of the Albay Provincial Tourism Culture and Arts Office, the festival, themed "Kalutong Filipino, Lakas ng Kabataang Makabago," aims to bolster food tourism and celebrate the culinary identity of Albay.

The festival is a collaborative effort with the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) to engage the youth in appreciating and sustaining slow food traditions. Over the two-day event, at least 200 culinary students from local schools participated in a symposium on Albay's culinary heritage and a series of cooking demonstrations. These sessions highlighted local dishes and delicacies such as Bicol express, tinuktok, kaloko, tagbakon langka, and sinangkutsa na manok.

Colle emphasized the event's goal to integrate Albay’s unique culinary culture with its tourist attractions, enhancing the educational experience for local culinary students about the importance of preserving regional cuisines. Rhea Lyn Dela Cruz, an NCCA project officer, also noted the festival's role in safeguarding the rich gastronomic heritage of Albay, a province celebrated for its diverse culinary offerings.

MANILA — The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) has declared a PHP2.5 billion offer by Cavitex Infrastructure Co. (CIC) to buy out the government's stake in the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) as "unfair" and harmful to government interests. This statement was issued on Monday following scrutiny of the proposal submitted by CIC, which is managed by the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., led by Manny Pangilinan.

According to Philippines News Agency, the offer, made prior to the expiration of the operating and maintenance agreement on August 25, 2021, was found to be "egregiously unfair, unreasonable, and morally objectionable" upon initial review. Accepting this offer could potentially expose the PRA Board of Directors to legal challenges, including charges of corruption and actions detrimental to state interests.

The PRA highlighted that the acceptance of CIC's proposal would also lead to the dissolution of the Public Estates Authority Tollways Corp. (PEATC), a government-owned corporation established for the operation, maintenance, and toll collection of Cavitex. The PRA has advised CIC to thoroughly review legal and regulatory frameworks, considering the special obligations and constraints in transactions involving government-owned corporations.

The dispute centers on the revised revenue sharing terms that were supposed to take effect following the expiration of CIC's operating agreement. Since January 1, 2022, operations should have transitioned to PEATC with a new revenue sharing agreement, favoring the government 60-40 instead of the previous 90-10 in favor of CIC. The PRA Board has repeatedly called for this change, which CIC has resisted, claiming it has yet to recoup its PHP11 billion investment in the project.

The PRA argued that CIC's failure to recover its investment does not affect the revised revenue sharing terms of Cavitex. According to the terms of the Joint Venture Agreement, the transition to a more equitable 60-40 revenue share is conditioned solely on the completion of Phase 1 of the project, which includes segments that were opened in 1998 and 2019, with another segment due to complete by 2025.

Recently, PEATC demanded the turnover of Cavitex from CIC, asserting that the expressway is government property, and the operation and maintenance agreement with CIC had expired in 2021. A writ of mandamus was filed in February before the Court of Appeals to assist in the turnover of the expressway to the government.

TACLOBAN - In the city of Tacloban, solo parents are facing the daunting task of raising children alone, which often leads to stress and mental health issues. However, many have developed their own methods to cope with the pressures of solo parenting, ranging from active socialization to physical activities.

According to Philippines News Agency, Jocelyn Igaña, a 52-year-old single mother of two, described feeling overwhelmed and anxious due to the pressures of parenting without support. She finds relief by engaging in housework and seeking emotional support from close friends. Babing Ronda, another solo parent, focuses on his work and plays basketball to manage his stress after the death of his wife left him to raise four children on a modest income.

Desiree Dollar, managing a small community store, handles her stress privately through prayer and social activities, wary of sharing her struggles openly due to fear of judgment. Gloria Fabrigas, the city government's head of special projects, who is also a psychologist and a solo parent, emphasized the impact of financial strain, family problems, and social isolation on mental health. She noted that solo parents often feel alone in their responsibilities, highlighting the importance of mental health awareness.

Fabrigas stressed the necessity of proper coping mechanisms, advising solo parents to focus on rest, sleep, connection with others, physical activity, and diet while avoiding substances like alcohol and cigarettes. Additionally, Francis Bernadeth Lerion, a counselor with Dream Quest International, urged those experiencing early signs of mental distress to seek support from friends, family, or groups.

The city's Social Welfare and Development Office recently organized mental health awareness discussions during Solo Parents Week, providing a platform for solo parents to receive advice and encouragement to maintain their mental health.

ROSALES, Pangasinan — The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) inaugurated a new civil registration system (CRS) outlet on Monday in Rosales, aimed at serving residents from the fifth and sixth districts of Pangasinan, as well as nearby areas in Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.

According to Philippines News Agency, the establishment of the new outlet is intended to alleviate the heavy client load at the existing CRS in Calasiao, which handles an average of 1,572 transactions and 607 clients each day. Norberte noted that the new facility was opened in response to persistent requests from the public for additional service capacity since 2021.

The Rosales outlet offers a variety of services including the issuance of copies of civil registry documents, authentication of documents issued by Local Civil Registry Offices when no copy is available in the CRS database, and issuance of certificates such as Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR), Certificate of Marriage (CEMAR), Certificate of No Death (CENODEATH), and Certificate of Deaths (CEDEATH). It also provides electronic endorsement of civil registry documents from the PSA CRS located at the Government Center in Barangay Carmay.

PSA-Ilocos Region stated that the new outlet, which operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday, is also expected to boost the local economy of Rosales by attracting clients from various districts, thereby increasing foot traffic in the area.

BAGUIO CITY - The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) successfully registered 5,490 individuals in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Baguio City in 2023 through its PhilSys Birth Registration Assistance Project.

According to Philippines News Agency, PSA-CAR registration officer IV, the project reached residents across all six provinces, with Apayao recording the highest number at 1,442 registrants.

Tolito further detailed that Kalinga and Ifugao followed with 1,339 and 1,055 registrations respectively. Other provinces such as Mountain Province, Abra, and Benguet also saw significant numbers of residents registered, contributing to the overall success of the initiative in the region.

PSA-CAR Regional Director Villafe Alibuyog explained that the continuation of the free birth registration program was motivated by the discovery of many unregistered Filipinos during various government censuses. These efforts included reaching remote areas and single households in the mountains. "It is essential for individuals to have documentation that proves their identity, which is why our government is committed to extending assistance to ensure everyone is registered," Alibuyog stated.

The program also assists people from other regions, reflecting its wide scope and inclusivity. An example of the program's impact is Alex Gabilno from Kapangan, Benguet, who, for 57 years, had never possessed a birth certificate nor understood its significance until recently. Gabilno received his first birth certificate during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair held at the Benguet State University. He expressed his newfound appreciation for the document, recognizing its importance in establishing one's identity.

LAGUNA CITY - A new medical hub in Laguna City is set to offer free dialysis, diagnostic, and laboratory services to kidney patients, with its doors expected to open in approximately six months.

According to Philippines News Agency, who made the announcement on Monday, the facility is targeted to begin operations by October if there are no construction delays.

The state-of-the-art medical center, located along Bacnotan Road near the Main City Hall Building in Barangay Real, is designed to improve access to essential healthcare services for local residents. The ground floor of the facility will house the dialysis center, while the diagnostic and laboratory services will be located on the second floor. The entire building spans a total area of 1,624 square meters.

Mayor Rizal expressed the city government's commitment to the health of its citizens, noting that PHP100 million has been allocated for the construction of the building. He also extended gratitude to the Sanggunian Panlalawigan (City Council) for its plans to provide additional funding for the necessary equipment and fixtures to ensure the centers operate smoothly upon completion.

The mayor further encouraged support from national agencies and philanthropic organizations, highlighting the collaborative efforts needed to fulfill the city's healthcare objectives. A representative from M.T. Maliuanag Construction Services, the contractor for the project, emphasized the careful planning and design of the facility, which is aimed at providing spacious and efficient service areas to meet the healthcare needs of the community.

CORDILLERA - The Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PROCor) reported a significant drug haul over the past weekend, confiscating approximately PHP4.1 million worth of marijuana and suspected shabu.

According to Philippines News Agency, regional director of PROCor, the operations conducted on April 19 and 20 resulted in the arrest of five suspects across multiple locations including Abra, Kalinga, and Baguio City.

On April 19, operations in Abra, Kalinga, and Baguio City led to the seizure of drugs valued at PHP3.314 million. Notably, a 22-year-old male, identified as a high-value individual, and an 18-year-old male student were apprehended after selling suspected shabu valued at PHP5,440 to an undercover officer. An additional 11.11 grams of illegal drugs were recovered from their possession during the arrest.

The same day, two other male suspects, ages 35 and 47, were arrested in Barangay Irisan, Baguio City, for selling 15 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP102,000. Additionally, a 38-year-old female was detained in Middle Quirino Hill with 0.55 grams of suspected shabu, estimated at PHP3,740.

The operations also extended to marijuana eradication efforts in Kalinga province, where police destroyed 16,000 pieces of fully-grown marijuana plants, collectively valued at PHP3.2 million. A subsequent operation on April 20 in Barangay Loccong, Tinglayan, resulted in the destruction of 4,000 pieces of marijuana plants worth PHP800,000.

In the previous year, PROCor had confiscated illegal drugs worth approximately PHP4.62 billion, underscoring ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.