AFP, PNP officials pay courtesy call on Governor Dorothy Gonzaga

 

Davao de Oro --- Officials of the 10th Infantry AGILA Division and the Provincial Police Office, headed by MGEN Nolasco A Mempin and Officer-In-Charge PCOL Benedicto F Faco, respectively, paid a courtesy call to Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga on separate dates at the Capitol Building, Activity Hall.

The visit aims to strengthen the cooperation and collaboration between the Provincial Government of Davao de Oro and the government forces in maintaining peace and order in the province. During the visit, MGEN Mempin presented the current security landscape, counterinsurgency campaign, accomplishments, and the 10th ID’s sustainment efforts, especially since the province was recently declared insurgency-free. He also gave input about the status of the people’s organizations and updates on former rebels - who left the communist movement and decided to return to the folds of the law.

Likewise, PCOL Faco also presented the current situation of peace and order in the province and discussed the continuous initiative programs and efforts of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in preventing crimes and maintaining a peaceful atmosphere in Davao de Oro.

In response, Governor Gonzaga and 2nd District Congressman Ruwel Peter Gonzaga expressed their appreciation and gratitude for all the sacrifices and efforts of all the men and women in uniform, which significantly contributed to a peaceful and more progressive province. She also affirmed that under her leadership, the local government will showed full support and unwavering commitment for the implementation of the programs and initiatives of the 10th ID and PNP for the betterment of the people of Davao de Oro. (Rheafe Hortizano –Information Office, Photos by 10th ID and DDOPPO)

Why does the Filipino smile stand out so much compared to other countries?

 

Bisaya

Proud Bisaya Ko

Why does the Filipino smile stand out so much compared to other countries? Aren't the other South East Asian countries also known for their smiles?

Have you ever wondered why the Filipino smile is so famous? There's no doubt that other South East Asian countries are also known for their smiles, but there's something about the Filipino smile that makes it truly unique. For one thing, Filipinos tend to smile genuinely and from the heart. They're not afraid to show their emotions, and their smiles reflect this openness. In addition, Filipinos are quick to laugh and enjoy humor[1] . This light-hearted attitude helps to make everyone around them feel more relaxed and comfortable. Finally, Filipinos are simply friendly and hospitable people, and their warm smiles reflect this generous nature. So the next time you see a Filipino smiling, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this unique Smile. It is usually genuine, diverse, and full of hope.

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AS CONCURRENT DEPED CHIEF VP to produce learners who can achieve their full potential

 

Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio (left) receives the Department of Education official seal as well as a copy of the Basic Education Development Plan 2030 from outgoing Secretary Leonor Briones during the joint farewell and welcoming event at the DepEd headquarters in Pasig City on Monday, July 4, 2022. FACEBOOK PHOTO/VP INDAY SARA DUTERTE

By Kaithreen Cruz, Manila Times

VICE President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio vowed to produce learners who can achieve their full potential when she received the DepEd flag and official seal, as well as a copy of the Basic Education Development Plan (BEDP) 2030 from former Secretary Leonor Briones on July 4 at the DepEd headquarters in Pasig City.

BEDP 2030 is the country's first long-term plan for the education sector, covering formal education from kindergarten, elementary, junior high school to senior high school, as well as non-formal education through the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

Briones said she turned over to Duterte-Carpio a department that had persevered amid the Covid-19 pandemic and developed great initiatives for the Filipino learners.

She highlighted the education gains during her six-year term including the Sulong EduKalidad campaign to improve the quality of education, empowerment of the regions through its regional directors, participation in international assessments such as the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), transformation of the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) to capacitate teachers, and salary adjustment and provision of benefits and allowances to teachers, among others.

She also recognized the collective effort of DepEd employees to provide support to learners and teachers.

Briones agreed to stay with DepEd as a consultant after her term in the department.

In her message, Duterte-Carpio said she will take inspiration from Briones — from her courage, dedication, commitment, integrity, selflessness and grace.

"But I will also take on the task with the reminder that we shall continue to find ways to improve basic education in terms of access, equity, resiliency, and governance," Duterte-Carpio said.

Education stakeholders hope for a bright future

"Secretary [Briones] is a force. And I am humbled and honored to follow in the footsteps of a much-admired academic, public servant, social activist and change-maker. I would also like to acknowledge the equally devoted men and women, our undersecretaries and assistant secretaries who supported Ma'am Liling in the last six years. Daghang salamat kaninyo (Thank you very much to all of you)," she said.

Duterte-Carpio said she aims to produce learners who can achieve their full potential as individuals who are responsible, skilled, knowledgeable, productive and determined to achieve their dreams for themselves and for the country.

DepEd gave tribute to Briones and outgoing Undersecretaries Nepomuceno Malaluan, Diosdado San Antonio and Josephine Maribojoc for their service to the department.

Briones also joined the choir during the video presentation and singing of "When You Believe" by Stephen Schwartz for Duterte-Carpio.

Briones turns over DepEd to VP Sara

In a recent Facebook post, the new DepEd chief said she praised and thanked Briones for her untiring service for six years in the department, making sure education for the youth continued despite the challenges of Covid-19. She is likewise happy that her predecessor agreed to continue as consultant in the Education department.

No more lockdowns'

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

By Catherine S. Valente  and Red Mendoza, Manila Times

THE Covid-19 positivity rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) has jumped to 9.3 percent, almost double the ideal positivity rate of 5 percent set by the World Health Organization (WHO), but the government is unlikely to implement community lockdowns despite the sharp rise in cases.

The country's positivity rate also increased to 6.8 percent in the week of June 28 to July 3.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno on Wednesday said that lockdowns are no longer needed because the majority of Filipinos have been inoculated against Covid-19.

"I think no country now, except China, will go into general lockdowns. I think we have now graduated from being pandemic to endemic," Diokno said when asked if the Marcos economic team will adopt the previous administration's policy of not imposing any wide lockdowns.

"We have to live with the virus. Most of us are vaccinated anyway, some of us even have boosters. In fact, that (vaccination) is also key to the 100 percent opening or face-to-face opening of classes. The plan is, it will start opening up by August and then 100 percent by November," he added.

On Wednesday, the Department of Health (DoH) said that Cordillera, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) and Western Visayas regions also had positivity rates above the 5 percent threshold set by the WHO.

The department, however, said that health care utilization rates remained low, with a 19 percent total bed utilization rate despite an increase in admissions by around 6.7 percent.

The average daily reported cases increased by 55 percent from June 21 to 27 to 1,103 cases per day across the country, as compared to 711 cases reported from June 21 to 27.

In NCR, cases increased by 57 percent to an average of 537 cases per day from June 28 to July 4, while Mindanao provinces have shown a slight uptick.