Palace suspends government work, classes on Oct. 31

BY BETHEENA UNITE

Oct 22, 2024 09:48 PM

  

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Malacañang has suspended work in government offices and classes at all levels on Oct. 31, starting 12 p.m. for the observance of All Saints' and Souls' Days.

Davao City residents visit their departed loved ones at the Davao Public Cemetery on All Saints Day, November 1. (Keith Bacongco)

Through Memorandum Circular No. 67, the Palace issued a suspension to give government employees the full opportunity to properly observe the All Saints' and Souls' Day activities.

"In order to provide government employees full opportunity to properly observe traditional All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day activities, allow them to travel to and from different regions in the country, and promote domestic tourism, work in government offices and classes at all levels shall be suspended on 31 October 2024 starting 12:00 p.m.," the memorandum read.

However, agencies, whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services, shall continue their operations and render the necessary services, the memorandum added.

The suspension of work for private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads.

The memorandum was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

Teach Philippine history, Marcos tells incoming DepEd chief

BY BETHEENA UNITE

Jul 5, 2024 01:18 PM

  

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President Marcos has asked one important thing from new Education Secretary Sonny Angara—to teach Philippine history in schools.

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. leads the distribution of government assistance in the provinces of Eastern Visayas on July 4, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Malacañang)

Marcos bared that among the several matters he discussed with the incoming chief of the Department of Education (DepEd) is to widen the coverage of teaching Philippine history, citing the limited history topics in workbooks.

"The one thing I asked from him was to: Please teach our children Philippine history. Because I have seen my children's workbooks and there's very little said about the history of the Philippines," Marcos said in an interview at the sidelines of distribution of government assistance in Sulu. 

"And that for me, that is so important for a very simple reason...kaya ganito kami, kaya ganyan ang ugali namin dahil sa aming kasaysayan (the reason we are behaving like this is because of our history). And that's the one thing I asked of him, that's in the curriculum," Marcos added.

The President also disclosed that they are looking to simplify the curriculum to "make sure that everybody understands the basics."

"Because marami pang nasa Grade 5 na, nasa Grade 6 mahina magbasa...  at yung mga simple na mathematics na exam ay hindi nila kayang gawain, so yun ang kailangan talaga (there are many students who are already in 5th, 6th grade, yet they still cannot read properly, they still cannot solve simple mathematics exams, so that is what we need). We have to go back to basics," the Chief Executive said.

Marcos also made a directive to Angara to beef up the agency's feeding program as stunting among learners persists. 

He further told Angara to prioritize the retraining of teachers, considering the fast-pace technology development.

Angara was named to be the next DepEd Secretary, replacing Vice President Sara Duterte who has resigned from the post. Angara will officially take over the DepEd leadership on July 19.

Marcos cites need to invest in women's health

BY BETHEENA UNITE

May 22, 2024 01:44 PM

  

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President Marcos has stressed the need to invest in women's health as it has a "multiplier effect" in the country's healthcare system.

DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa (Photo courtesy of PPA/Ryan Baldemor)

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said Marcos made the statement during a sectoral meeting on Wednesday, May 22. 

The President emphasized the need to invest in women’s health because women are marginalized and they are often the ones who take care of the whole family.

He added that this has a multiplier effect in the healthcare system.

"[W]e talked about the reforms that the President wants implemented in our healthcare system. It focused really on… emphasis on primary care. We talked about how the idea of we’re spending a lot of money on improving a lot of our specialty hospitals but a lot of the diseases that Filipinos die from are actually preventable if we have good primary care services at the local level," Herbosa said in a palace briefing on Wednesday.

"So this was the gist of the presentation where we will focus on: number one, health promotion and disease prevention; number two, acute care; and, number three, women’s health," he added.

During the meeting, the Department of Health presented the National Human Resources Master Plan 2020-2040, which aims to address the gap in human resources for health. This is in keeping with the Philippines’ commitment to meeting the UN sustainable development goals. 

In the discussion, the President highlighted the importance of a few things from the national plan, including the focus on human resources and preventive healthcare, the Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services, the corporatization of tertiary hospitals, investing in women’s health, and the need to include the five gems of tourism in the hospital system beyond first aid.

Marcos wants to see more women in key leadership posts

BY BETHEENA UNITE

Dec 13, 2023 12:32 PM 

President Marcos is hoping to see more women in key leadership positions in the country, including government seats.

 National Executive Board and Regional Presidents of the Lady Local Legislators League of the Philippines, Inc. (Photo courtesy of PCO)

Marcos made the statement in his speech at the oath taking ceremony of the National Executive Board and Regional Presidents of the Lady Local Legislators League of the Philippines, Inc. (Four-L Phil’s), stressing the "steady" work women put in their work.

The President noted that women have been working very hard for the society all throughout the country's history, so he hopes to see more opportunities in facets of the society open for women.

"[C]reate a conducive and nurturing environment for women and for girls to participate freely and equally in our political, social and economic spheres," Marcos said on Tuesday, Dec. 12.

"So, moving forward, I hope to see more women in key leadership positions in the country," he added.

He further said that women, especially girls, must not be excluded from certain sectors of the economy and the society, stressing that "women leaders play an indispensable role in the vital task of nation building."

Marcos encouraged the women leaders to continue to work for the passage of local legislative measures that aim to improve the lives of the people, especially the vulnerable.

He urged them to embrace their commitment to conduct fair and gender-responsive programs in their respective localities and broaden the growth of opportunities and enhance the role of women in the society.

"Let us aim to eradicate prejudice and discrimination against women in every facet of our society," he said.

The Chief Executive also told the women legislators to work with the government in closing the country's gender parity to improve the Philippines' ranking in the global gender gap index in the World Economic Forum.

This year, the Philippines attained a rating of 79.1 percent in gender parity, ranked 16th among 146 countries globally

The administration, he said, remains steadfast in implementing the magna carta of women at all levels of government. 

Meet new Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel

BY BETHEENA UNITE

Nov 3, 2023 01:20 PM

  

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From handling his family's business, fishing tycoon Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. will now lead the country's Agriculture department currently hounded by rising prices, production, and supply issues.

New Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. (Noel Pabalate)

Laurel, Kiko to his friends and colleagues, joined his family’s business— Frabelle Fishing Corporation— in 1985, where he moved from division to division, learning as much as he can about the company’s operations and processes first hand.

He trained in refrigeration, net manufacturing, engine overhauling, electronics, hydraulics, food manufacturing, shipbuilding, and ship repair.

Frabelle Fishing Corporation is the world’s third largest tuna fishing company with a major presence in the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and many other major regions across the globe.

Prior to his appointment to the DA post, Laurel also held the following positions: president of Agusan Power Corporation which operates a 24.9 Megawatt Hydro Electric Power plant in Agusan del Norte and chairman of the World Tuna Purse Seine Organization that advocates sustainable resource management of fishing operations globally and a member of the Private Sector Advisory Council for Agriculture.

Currently, he is a captain and commander in the Naval Affiliated Reserve Force NCR (WESPHIL) of the Philippine Navy.

LONG-TIME PALS—President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. talks with new Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. after the latter's appointment to the post on Nov. 3, 2023. (Noel Pabalate)

Laurel, 56, is President Marcos' long-time friend.

During the announcement of his appointment at the Malacañan Palace, with reporters and Laurel's family in attendance, Marcos said he has known him since they were boys.

According to Marcos, his long-time friendship with Laurel, whom he also calls Kiko, has given him the confidence to appoint him to the post he held on for more than a year.

"I've known him since we were boys. So, malakas ang loob ko na ma-i-appoint siya kasi kilala ko pagkatao niya. Alam kong napakasipag nito, unang-una. Pangalawa, nauunawaan niya nang mabuti ang sistema ng agrikultura dito sa Pilipinas (So, I am confident to appoint him because I know his whole personality. I know that he is hardworking and he understands very well the system of agriculture here in the Philippines)," Marcos vouched for his long-time pal.

"So, I am expecting that he will do a good job," he said.

Germany, Japan are PH's top investors in 2023

BY BETHEENA UNITE

Oct 17, 2023 06:14 PM

  

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Germany and Japan are the top foreign investors in the Philippines from January to September this year, a Cabinet official said.

(Photo courtesy of PCO)

Trade Undersecretary  Ceferino Rodolfo said Germany has the biggest investment pledges with 80 percent of the P427-billion foreign investments in the first nine months of the year.

Japan was the second top investor during the same period, Rodolfo added. 

"I would say 80 percent of the P427 billion have come from Germany. Pero marami pa iyang nasa pipeline ha, marami tayo ngayong nasa pipeline (But there are more projects in the pipeline), particularly for renewable energy projects," the Trade official said.

He added that foreign investors are seeing the Philippines as a good investment hub because of the government’s policy-related reforms and the further removal of the foreign equity restriction on renewable energy.

He further said the Philippines used to not be the "darling of European Union countries due to "some reasons."

"Pero ngayon nakikita natin that when the President has said, ‘we are open for business’ at saka nakikita naman nila iyong mga policy reforms dito sa Pilipinas, pumapasok na sila (But now, when the President said: we are open for business and they are seeing the policy reforms in the Philippines),” Rodolfo said.

PBBM's 20 priority bills on track for passage by December—Palace

BY BETHEENA UNITE

Sep 20, 2023 04:26 PM

  

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Malacañang said the 20 priority bills pushed by President Marcos are on track for passage this year.

President Marcos attends the third Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting on Sept. 20, 2023 in Malacañan Palace. (Photo courtesy of PCO)

Following the third Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 20, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that both houses of Congress are on track for the December passage of the 20 priority measures requested by the President, including the General Appropriations Bill.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said the 20 measures were requested by the President to be passed in December during the last LEDAC meeting. 

“And we are happy to announce na halos kalahati ay natapos na rin namin sa Senado. Magiging batas na po siya and those that are pending na magiging batas within the next few weeks, and hopefully the President will be able to sign it (And we are happy to announce that almost half have been completed in the Senate. Those that are pending will be passed into law within the next few weeks), and hopefully the President will be able to sign it ,” Zubiri said.

"[W]e will pass this as soon as possible time. Pinakamatagal na end of the year, which is this December, kasama po ng kanyang (including the) General Appropriations Act,” Zubiri added.

The 20 bills identified as priority measures for passage by end of December this year include the National Employment Action Plan; LGU Income Classification, Internet Transaction Act, BOT/PPP Act, Salt Development Industry Act, Ease of Paying Taxes, Real Property Evaluation and Assessment Reform Act, Magna Carta for Seafarers, and Anti-Agriculture Smuggling Act.

Other measures are the Waste-to-Energy Bill, National Disease Prevention Management Authority, Amendments to the Banking Act or the Fund Secrecy Law, Medical Reserve Corps, Virology Institute of the Philippines, E-Governance Act, New Philippine Passport Act, the National Government Rightsizing Act, the National Scamming Act, the National Citizens Service Training Program Act and the Military and Uniformed Personnel Pension System Act. 

House Speaker Martin Romualdez, on the other hand, said that 18 out of the 20 legislation to be passed by year-end had already been approved by the House of Representatives.

PH gets P73-B investment leads from Europe --- DTI

BY BETHEENA UNITE

Jul 12, 2023 01:48 PM

  

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The Philippines has received P73-billion in investment leads during a three-week investment roadshow the country participated in across Europe.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual said these investment leads were from the renewable energy and infrastructure development sectors.

"During the three-week investment roadshow that we had in Europe, I had the opportunity to witness first-hand the positive outcomes of our efforts. I am pleased to emphasize the roadshow success which has resulted, as mentioned, in 48 potential investment leads," Pascual said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, July 12.

"Of these, 16 have explicitly indicated investment values totalling more than P73 billion, potentially generating more than 4,300 jobs – these are direct jobs," Pascual added.

The Trade Secretary said they went to five countries —France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

According to Pascual, these countries have expressed interest in investing in the Philippines.

He added that it became "very clear" that their main attraction to the Philippines includes its strategic location; the large population that can translate to a good market for them; and the young, talented and skilled workforce.

The Europe roadshow, Pascual said, has generated 48 project investment leads, with interest in manufacturing and related services such as IC design training, Information Technology and Business Process Management, and renewable and clean tech energy.

Investment pledges from foreign trips

Pascual has also addressed speculations regarding the investment leads garnered during previous foreign trips, assuring the public that DTI has mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the progress of investment leads from its previous foreign trips.

"We ensure transparency and accountability, although we cannot always disclose the names of specific companies that we deal with due to confidentiality demanded by private companies which are subject to competitive pressures," Pascual said.

The DTI chief explained that "some leads may take longer to materialize."

He further said that there is normally a series of steps in investment decisions involving foreign direct investment. These steps that must be followed include expression of the interest; decision to explore the feasibility; feasibility study; among others.

"It is essential for us to understand that investment leads are typically long-term commitments rather than immediate actions. It’s not like, you know, investing in shares listed in the stock exchange where after you show the potential of particular issue that an immediate investment decision can be made, and remittance of the investment follows, you know, the decision right away," Pascual said.
Sustained investments

The Trade official also stressed that the country needs a continuing flow of investments in order to support economic growth and the creation of jobs.

He emphasized that the country produces 800,000 college graduates a year and the government needs to find jobs for them.

"And of course, there is local capital, there is expansion of existing businesses. But these additional job-creating opportunities might not be sufficient with the new businesses and then we need to diversify our economy so that it is more resilient and could withstand shifts in the market and shifts in the global environmental situation," Pascual said.