Govt urged to create programs for elderly

By Red Mendoza, Manila Ti,es

October 6, 2022

In this file photo thousands of delegates from different cities in Metro Manila participates on DSWD's Filipino elderly week at SM Mall of Asia. File Photo

THE Commission on Population and Development (PopCom) has urged the government to create programs for an increasing aging Filipino population before the end of the decade.

This comes as the country is experiencing an increasing number of aging Filipinos, with the current aging growth rate now hovering at an average of 3.5 percent over the past 10 years, according to the University of the Philippines-Population Institute.

The figures were given by former PopCom executive director Dr. Juan Manuel Perez 3rd, who represented the country in a conference in Bangkok, Thailand during the International Day of Older Persons.

He said in the conference that while older Filipino women outlive their male counterparts, they are the ones who contend with diseases and disabilities.

"More than half (57 percent) struggle with their daily living and have mobility issues. About 56 percent of them are already widowed, while 70 percent of males are either still married or have partners, and are very much physically active," Perez said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said that senior citizens now comprise 8.5 percent of the total Philippine population, or around 9.2 million individuals.

Executive Director Lolito Tacardon, PopCom officer in charge, urged the institutionalization of comprehensive programs on health for seniors, especially those who are living by themselves.

PopCom projects that by 2030, 11 percent of the total population will be 60 years old and above, and will outnumber children ages 0 to 4 years old.

"Preventive programs to avoid diseases leading to disabilities should be in place. Our local health system should likewise be more decentralized," Tacardon said in a statement.

He added that while the government has implemented programs for long-term care for senior citizens, such as the programs by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, it should be brought down to the community level to address disabilities made by senior citizens.

"For those to be effective, local government units should be more active in widening the scope of our health systems' services, or revisit those already operationalized to elevate their effectiveness," Tacardon said.

He said that the commission will work with legislators, local policymakers and government leaders to create socioeconomic and health policies that are targeted for the elderly as a way of "manifesting their care for Filipinos in all stages of their lives."

Heart Evangelista to appear in ‘Bling Empire’

by Neil Ramos, Manila Bulletin

Confirmed.

Heart Evangelista will appear in Season 3 of Netflix’s “Bling Empire.”

The actress took to Twitter recently to tease fans about it.

She wrote, “Bling on Netflix in about 30ish minutes ?:) see you”

In a separate tweet, Heart thanked “Bling Empire” stars Kane Lim and Kelly Mi Li for the opportunity.

She said, “It was a fun cameo. Thank you Bling Empire for the sweetest party  to Kane and Kelly you are angels  “

Rumors about her appearance in the show started August last year.

Boracay tourist arrivals down in September

by Tara Yap, Manila Bulletin

ILOILO CITY – Tourist arrivals at world-famous Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan are down 34,695 as only 122,373 visited last September.

A COUPLE walks on the beach in Boracay Island. (Tara Yap)

September was the second month in a row in the pandemic period that tourist arrivals plunged.

In July, 183, 076 came. A month later, numbers went down to 157, 338, and figures dropped further in September to 122, 373.

Majority of Boracay’s tourists were still domestic.

However, only 106,776 visited last month, down 26,044 from 132,820 in August.

Foreign and OFW visitors also dropped in September.

Only 12,513 foreigners arrived compared to 19,609 in August, a decrease of 7,096.

Only 3,084 OFWs were in Boracay, down 1,825 a month ago with 4,909.

Boracay tourism stakeholders are hoping that the number of arrivals will pick up again to sustain the socio-economy of the resort island.

Novena Masses for Zamboanga City patron saint under way

by Liza Abubakar-Jocson, Manila Bulletin

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Devotees are flocking to Fort Pilar Shrine for novena masses starting Monday, Oct. 3, in honor of Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar, the patron saint of this city.

DEVOTEES of Zamboanga City patron saint Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar hold a procession during the first day of novena Masses on Monday, Oct. 3. (Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar FB page)

Processions are held daily at 5 a.m. while novena Masses are at 6 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 5 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. until Oct. 11.

Novena Masses will culminate in a mañanita (early morning) Mass at 4:30 a.m. on Oct. 12, the feast day of Zamboanga City’s patroness.

Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe has issued an executive order against unauthorized flying of drones in line with religious activities at the Fort Pilar Shrine for the fiesta celebration.

The EO prohibits the unauthorized flying of drones except those from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the City Administrator’s Office.

Devotees and visitors are prohibited from bringing backpacks, wearing bull caps, fedoras, waistcoats, chalecos, and hooded or non-hooded jackets.

These prohibitions are among security measures proposed and implemented by the security sector in line with the fiesta.

Rainy in Palawan, Eastern Visayas, Mindanao due to ITCZ

 Published October 6, 2022, 9:48 AM

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin

(MANILA BULLETIN)

The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)—a region where winds coming from the northeast and southeast hemispheres converge that triggers thunderstorms and rain showers—will continue to be the dominant weather system in the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Thursday, Oct. 6.

In the next 24 hours, the ITCZ will bring cloudy skies, scattered rain showers, and thunderstorms over Palawan, Eastern Visayas, and Mindanao.

PAGASA advised those in these areas to be vigilant against possible flash floods or landslides during moderate to heavy rains.

The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies in the morning, with chances of rain showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.

The public is also advised to stay vigilant against possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms, which are often accompanied by sudden heavy rains, lightning, thunder, gusty winds, and sometimes hail.

No gale warnings were raised on the country’s seaboards on Thursday, as the entire archipelago will have slight to moderate seas.

However, PAGASA still advised seafarers and fisherfolk to remain alert against offshore thunderstorms that could produce gusty winds and strong waves along portions of the coast. 

Alex Eala barges into main draw of US tourney

by Kristel Satumbaga-Villar, Manila Bulletin

Alex Eala advanced to the main draw round of the W80 Rancho Santa Fe International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament Tuesday, Oct. 4 (Wednesday in Manila) after routing her American foe in California.

Alex Eala books a main draw berth in the W80 Rancho Santa Fee tennis tournament. (File Photo from Alex Eala’s Facebook page)

The 17-year-old Eala blanked Alana Smith, 6-0, 6-0, to set up a first round meeting with another American in the 32-player main draw field.

She is slated to battle wildcard bet Dalayna Hewitt where a victory would arrange her a second-round date with Canada’s Katherine Sebov.

Sebov made her title campaign felt by stunning seventh seed and compatriot Carol Zhao, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2.

Eala, who has never met 21-year-old Hewitt in the pro circuit prior to their matchup, holds a better ITF ranking at No. 288 against the American’s No. 401.

Hewitt is searching for her second pro singles title after winning the W15 Monastir crown in Tunisia last year.

Eala, meanwhile, is looking for her third pro title following victories in the W25 Chiang Rai in Thailand last April and in the W15 Manacor in Spain last year.