LUNSOD NG MALOLOS, Bulacan – Pinangunahan nina Mayor Atty. Christian D. Natividad at Kingdom of the Netherlands Ambassador to the Philippines Marielle Geraedts ang paglulunsad ng North Manila Bay Nature-based Flood Mitigation Solutions kamakailan sa Bahay Pamahalaan ng Lunsod ng Malolos.

Ipatutupad ng lokal na pamahalaan ang nasabing solusyon sa paligid ng isla ng Pamarawan na sakop ng lunsod na nasa gawing Manila Bay.

Layunin ng proyekto na mabawasan hanggang tuluyang mawala ang matagal nang problema nang lubos na paglubog sa tubig ng isla ng Pamarawan.

Sa kanyang mensahe habang inilulunsad ang proyekto, sinabi ni Mayor Natividad na magiging proteksyon din ang ito upang mapangalagaan ang isla sa mga daluyong tuwing may Habagat at malakas na bagyo.

“Naisakatuparan ito bilang pilot project ng Alyansa ng mga Baybaying Bayan ng Bulacan at Pampanga na nagbigkis upang tugunan matagal nang problema sa pagbabaha sa pamamagitan ng agaran at pangmatagalang solusyon,” dagdag pa ng alkalde.

Ayon naman kay Ambassador Geraedts, ang pagsuportang ito ng Kingdom of the Netherlands ay patunay ng malakas na pagtutulungan at alyansa ng diplomatikong relasyon nito sa Pilipinas. Gayundin ang matatag na pagtugon nito sa Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) at sa 2015 Paris Climate Agreement ng United Nations.

Sa inisyal na detalye ng proyekto na ilalagak sa bahagi ng Pamarawan na nakaharap sa Manila Bay, ibabalik ang balanseng ekolohikal kung saan muling magtatanim at pakakapalin ang mga bakawan.

Sa susunod na 15 taon, makakaya na nitong pigilin ang pagpasok ng tubig dagat sa isla at makakalikha pa ng  sangktuwaryo para sa mga Isda, Hipon, Alimango at Alimasag na dadagdag sa kabuhayan ng mga tagarito.

Habang ginagawa ito, maglalagay ng mga sediment trapping unit na gawa sa kawayan na lalamanan ng mga pinagbalatan ng iba’t ibang aquatic product upang hindi malusaw nang matinding high tide. Poproteksiyunan din ito ng mga enhanced breakwater structure upang hindi maging direkta ang hampas ng alon sa isla.

Pinondohan ng pamahalaan ng Kingdom of the Netherlands ang pagbalangkas at pagkukumpleto ng detailed engineering design ng proyekto habang popondohan naman ng pamahalaang lunsod ang mismong pagpapagawa at target tapusin sa susunod na anim na buwan.

Boluntaryong nagpasailalim sa drug testing si Bulacan Gov. Daniel R. Fernando at Vice Gov. Alex Castro ilang araw pa lang ang nakakaraan.

Alinsunod sa kampanya at adbokasiya ng ama ng lalawigan ng isang Drug Free Province na malaki ang kahalagahan sa pag-unlad ng isang bayan.

Hind nga ba’t umiikot rin sa mga bayan at siyudad sa Bulacan ang programang Bola Kontra Droga ng Gobernador at Bise Gobernador, na mga celebrity o artista pa ang kanilang isinama para makipagbasketball sa pambato ng bawat lugar at maenganyo ang mga Bulakenyo na labanan ang iligal na droga na itinuturing na salot ng lipunan?

Pagpapakita rin nang magandang halimbawa ng  dalawang pinakaamataas na lider sa lalawigan,  sa mga nasasakupang lingkod bayan pati na rin sa mga nagnanais na kumandidato sa darating na Halalan, na sa unang lingo ng Oktubre ay  magsusumite na ng kanilang mga kandidatura sa kanilang Municipal at City Comelec.

Boluntaryong pagsunod na lamang ng mga Congressman, Congresswoman, Bokal, Mayor, Councilor, Brgy. Captain, Brgy. Councilor, para ipakita sa kanilang nasasakupan na makapaglilingkod sila ngayon at sa darating pang mga panahon na nasa kalinawan nang pag-iisip at hindi naiimpluwensyahan ng negatibong epekto ng ipinagbabawal na gamot.

Siguro’y random testing na lamang para sa mga kawani na kanilang nasasakupan, kung hindi makakaya ng kani-kanilang pondo ang pagpapa-drug test nang lahatan.

Lalo na sa mga Kapulisan, uliting muli ang ipinatupad ni dating Bulacan PNP Provincial Director PCol. Relly Arnedo na drug testing sa lahat ng mga Hepe sa bawat bayan at lungsod.

Kapag malinis ang mga puno, matinong pamayanan ang maihahandog sa mga mamamayan at kasunod ang kaunlaran na inaasam asam.

Independent at credible na drug testing center na lamang ang kinakailangan, para hindi pagdudahan ang resultang kalalabasan.

Sino kaya ang susunod sa pagpapadrug test ni Gob. Daniel at Vice Gov Alex?

Abangan…

PAGTUGON SA BAHA NG ALYANSA NG MGA BAYBAYING BAYAN NG BULACAN AT PAMPANGA

Nagsanib puwersa ang  Alyansa ng mga Baybaying Bayan ng Bulacan at Pampanga o ABB-BP para makatulong na matugunan ang matagal nang problema sa pagbabaha sa dalawang nasabing lalawigan.

Ang nasabing alyansa ay binubuo 10 baybaying bayan na kinabibilangan ng mga bayan ng Obando, Bulakan, Calumpit, Hagonoy, Malolos, at Paombong sa lalawigan ng Bulacan at mga bayan ng Macabebe, Masantol, Lubao, at Sasmuan sa lalawigan ng Pampanga.

Nito lang nakalipas na linggo ay pinangunahan ni Malolos City Mayor Atty. Christian D. Natividad at ni Kingdom of the Netherlands Ambassador to the Philippines Marielle Geraedts kasama ang mga kasapi ng alyansa, ang paglulunsad ng North Manila Bay Nature-based Flood Mitigation Solutions sa Malolos City Hall.

Agaran at pangamatagalang solusyon laban sa pagbaha ang layunin nang nasabing proyekto na popondohan ng Netherlands ang pagbalangkas at pagkukumpleto ng detailed engineering design ng proyekto habang popondohan naman ng Pamahalaang Lunsod ng Malolos ang mismong pagpapagawa at target tapusin sa susunod na anim na buwan.

Sa inisyal na detalye ng proyekto na ilalagak sa bahagi ng isla ng Pamarawan na nakaharap sa Manila Bay, ibabalik ang balanseng ekolohikal kung saan muling magtatanim at pakakapalin ang mga bakawan.

Sa susunod na 15 taon, makakaya na nitong pigilin ang pagpasok ng tubig dagat sa isla at makakalikha pa ng  sangktuwaryo para sa mga Isda, Hipon, Alimango at Alimasag na dadagdag sa kabuhayan ng mga tagarito.

Habang ginagawa ito, maglalagay ng mga sediment trapping unit na gawa sa kawayan na lalamanan ng mga pinagbalatan ng iba’t ibang aquatic product upang hindi malusaw nang matinding high tide. Poproteksiyunan din ito ng mga enhanced breakwater structure upang hindi maging direkta ang hampas ng alon sa isla.

By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.

PASIG CITY – Secretary Romulo “Leo” V. Arugay, Chairperson of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), on Wednesday (Sept. 18) said that the government is moving closer to the Filipino people. 

He was appointed on Jan. 13, 2022, just more than two years ago. Arugay was asked by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. what was his knowledge about the CFO. 

Arugay is already residing in New Zealand, the land of the Kiwi people, but he has vast knowledge about the Oceania, particularly with the OFWs. He hailed from Talavera, Nueva Ecija. He finished High School in Tuguegarao City. He has been to different places, hence he has knowledge about the “diaspora”.

During the Kapihan sa Metro East Media Forum organized by the PaMaMariSan-Rizal Press Corps and supported by Pinoy Ako advocacy group, Arugay said that the CFO was established in 1980 through Batas Pambansa Blg. 89 during the time of President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr.

President Marcos, Sr. came to know that there were many Filipinos in Hawaii, United States when he had official visit there.

The CFO is mandated to propagate the rights, interests of the Filipinos who went abroad and strengthen their relationship with their families left behind in the Philippines.

Arugay stressed that the CFO has also been the “conduit” of the Filipinos overseas to help them in their problems.

He noted that “dual citizenship” is acquired when a Filipino has gone abroad and through the CFO, they can also re-acquire their rights as Filipinos for their own well-being and benefits.

Arugay distinguished CFO from the DMW and DFA is such that the CFO is helping and addressing the concerns of Filipinos who are about to go abroad as “permanent migrant” and not anymore residents of the Philippines.

Worker is the keyword in such a way that they are not covered by the CFO, but the DMW and the OWWA, as well as the POEA is under the DMW. Before the Filipino workers go abroad, they pass through the DMW.

The contracts of the OFWs, are the guides that ensure their return to the Philippines as “modern heroes”.

Arugay pointed out that there are more “permanent migrants” than OFWs abroad, with diplomatic ties with the Philippines.

However, the DFA has wider coverage such as national sovereignty, territorial integrity and foreign relations.

Permanent migrant falls within the mandate of the CFO, temporary migrant falls under the DMW. 

More than 10.2 million plus migrants are Filipinos, 47 percent of which are permanent migrants, 42 percent are temporary migrants, and with “irregular migrant” in ordinary term the “TNT” with change visa to be regular migrant.

Resiliency of the economy is being supported by the Filipinos overseas, hence, there was no actual recession or “economic depression”.

One of the priority programs of the CFO is the fight against human trafficking with the help of the media. With the community education program, the CFO goes to different areas in the country and provide educational information on human trafficking.

“1343 hotline” is also one of the                   programs of the CFO. Every SONA, President Marcos has been advocating against human trafficking.

The CFO is one with the Inter-Agency Committee against human trafficking and other crimes.

Balikbayan Program for the “modern heroes”, however, the CFO is engaged with “permanent migrants”, but the CFO is donating one computer for the capacity-building of a municipality with the PESO and IT expert, wherein through that portal, the Pasig local government unit and even OFWs can connect to the “Balikbayan Portal” with link through the internet.

Hence, the CFO has conceptualized to partner or forge a tie-up with the town, city or province.

“Diaspora” program for the children who know nothing about the historical background of their family in the Philippines.

“It’s high time for them to connect with their family back home in the Philippines,” Arugay said.

The President of the Philippines is giving awards to Filipinos overseas, and the CFO is going abroad to provide “ugnayan” series with the Filipinos overseas.

Arugay clarified that if a Filipino goes abroad as a tourist, the CFO may not look after them, but if they become “dual citizens”, that’s the time that the CFO takes care of them.

The CFO has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Comelec last year which will expire in September this year, for the Filipinos overseas to register so that when they come to another country, they can exercise their right of suffrage.

The CFO, through the Philippine School Overseas (PSO), is the secretariat, monitoring, visiting yearly those who study abroad who have difficulty in studying abroad and these schools are going through strict processing so that they will have no “cultural shock” and no more need to “adjust” and they are just “acclimatized”.

There are 27,000 plus students in 31 schools overseas, all of which are accredited such as in the Middle East, Italy, Cambodia, among others.

“One team approach” is being done by the CFO, together with the DMW or DFA, or Filipino communities abroad, in order to provide assistance to so-called ‘TNT”.

“Brain drain”, Arugay said, is “their choice and for their own good”, because there are others from 130 million Filipinos, only 7 seven goes abroad, meaning that, “we have a global work”.

If nobody goes abroad, it would be better, but “We have the freedom of travel. By nature, Filipinos have ‘diaspora instinct’,” Arugay said.

Those Filipinos overseas are “well settled” when they go abroad such as in the United States or the Middle East.

Workers are needed. The Filipinos overseas are governed by the host country, even former Filipinos, the CFO is also communicating with them through the various programs of the CFO.

Racial discrimination is common to other country, but there are anti-discrimination laws in other countries. The Philippines, through the embassies, is ready to help Filipinos who are being victimized by racial discrimination abroad.

During his incumbency as CFO Chairperson, Arugay has never had experienced any problem of “grievances” from Filipinos overseas.

“Immigrant is about to leave abroad, emigrant is when one is already abroad,” Arugay said.

Certificate or stamping on visa is no longer existing because of “digitalization” through online transaction such as guidance and counseling program, with 200 to 500 clients per day.

First half of the year, 30,000 Filipinos have already went abroad and by now, it is 40,000 Filipinos as “permanent migrant”, 13-19 years of age need peer counselling program, country familiarization program such as in Denmark as a host country. 

The 1961 Mutual Education and Cultural Exchange Program with the United States is within the mandate of the CFO, as well as those who will marry a foreigner, students going abroad, OFWs would only register once through online with the CFO.

The data is necessary so that the country will have information and links with the Filipinos overseas.

The centennarians who are “dual citizens” abroad are also entitled to P100,000, but the CFO will help them to provide them the cash gift from the Philippine government.

The CFO has its own budget to the tune of about P300 million a year, but with a huge mandate, with 130 personnel with offices in Davao City, Cebu City and requested a budget for an extension office in Baguio City to cater to Regions 1, 2 and 3 to decongest Metro Manila.

“We are asking for an additional budget for an extension office in Cagayan de Oro City, as it will help a lot as there’s a strong migration trend in Mindanao,” Arugay said.

The CFO may also propose an extension office in Tuguegarao City.

“I hope that with the help of President Marcos, we will be able to expand to other areas of the country,” Arugay said.

With P30 billion remittances of “permanent migrants” overseas Filipinos such as doctors, nurses and other professionals as of last year, Arugay noted that the Piso sense program is such that the remittances of the Filipinos overseas are guided by the CFO in order to acquire financial acumen.

Arugay noted that “permanent migrants” overseas Filipinos remain in their respective host countries even if they lost their job or during the event of a war.

Through the proper channels, Arugay was already able to bring home three cadavers of dead Filipinos without cost to the families of the dead.

The DMW, DFA or OWWA are also taking prompt and proper action to the referrals of the CFO in so far as the problems of the families of the overseas Filipinos is concerned.

“Total or complete digitalization or paperless transaction is the best and effective program of President Marcos, Jr. because ‘fixer’ is now a thing of the past,” Arugay said.

The CFO has a “watchlist” or “alert notice” when it comes to divorce cases wherein the CFO issues a “warning” on suspicious cases.

“The 1343 Hotline is for human trafficking and other violations related to it,” Arugay said. He personally made a call on 1343 and it turned out perfectly operational.

The CFO is lobbying and making suggestions to the DMW for purposes of registration of overseas Filipinos, centennarians with “dual citizenships”, among other things.

“Our government, through President Marcos, Jr, is focused, especially those in distressed, rest assured that the CFO will address your concerns. I will expand, add extension offices with high migration trend such as in Cebu City, Davao City and Mindanao. We are moving forward, not backward. The government is moving closer to you. Bagong Pilipino through Bagong Pilipinas,” Arugay said.

The CFO is also set to put up an extension office in Mabini, Batangas in the coming days.

By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr. 

QUEZON CITY –– President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. was asked on Thursday (Sept. 19) to have Law on Teenage Pregnancy Prevention as “Christmas gift” as 396 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and government agencies urged the Senate to pass the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Bill. 

The Philippine Legislator’s Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD) spearheaded the call on the Senate for the passage of the controversial bill.

The period of interpellation of Senate Bill No. 1979 started in August 2024. 

In a press conference at Novotel, the advocates against teen pregnancy said that every day that the passage of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) Bill is delayed is another day young girls remain vulnerable to sexual abuse, infections, high-risk pregnancies, and mental health struggles. 

Rep. Raoul Danniel A. Manuel, author of the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill, called on the Senate to pass its counterpart bill so much so that the comprehensive sexuality education has not yet been fully appreciated.

Manuel noted that the attempts underscore the importance of passing the TPP Bill into law coupled with information dissemination on comprehensive sexuality education for the youth.

It is possible that in the soonest possible time the Senate will pass its counterpart bill and will undergo the Bicameral Conference Committee and later on passed into law during the 19th Congress.

Dr. Dexter Galban, Education Assistant Secretary for Operations, said that Comprehensive Sexuality Education is not only about education to educate the schoolchildren on “What to touch?” and “What not to touch?”

Galban noted that roughly 33 percent of teenage pregnancy is “repeat pregnancy”, saying that, “investing heavily on Alternative Learning mode”.

“One teenage pregnancy is one too many pregnancy. Even one teenage pregnancy is too much,” he said.

“In 2019, the NEDA declared a National Social Emergency on Teenage Pregnancy, which was partly eclipsed by the pandemic,” he added. 

The Covid-19 pandemic hit hard the Philippines from March 15, 2020 until December 2022.

Mylin Mirasol Quiray, Head of the Knowledge Management & Communications Division of the Commission on Population and Development, said that they join the more than 400 civil society organizations and government agencies in calling on the Senate to pass the TPP Bill the soonest possible time.

“The CPD, together with the other stakeholders, are calling to immediately pass the TPP Bill,” Quiray said.

Elizabeth Angsioco, National Chairperson of the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines, said “We, together with the 400 civil society organizations and government agencies are calling on the Senate to immediately pass the Teenage Pregnancy Bill.”

“402 babies were born daily to girls aged 15-19 in 2022. Among girls aged 10-14, the number of pregnancies has been consistently increasing from 2,250 in 2018 to 3,135 in 2022,” Angsioco added.

“The Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill offer these and more. The passage of this bill into law will help protect our girls from abuse, untimely death, and loss of a bright future. No senator should go against this,” she stressed.

Angsioco pointed out that the right information is needed in order to address the “curiosity” of the youth in so far as sexual education is concerned. 

“There is a strong social protection provision in the Bill,” adding that, “There is no regulatory provision in the Bill.”

“We are a secular nation. There is a separation between the Church and the State. Hence, we are only talking about the laws without touching on religious matters,” she added. 

Judy Miranda, Secretary-General of the Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking, cited that teenage pregnancy is not only prevalent in the movies, but is now a “common thing” in the youth today.

“We are 14-million strong workers who are struggling to survive. We are fighting against the teenage pregnancy. We are one in calling for the passage of the Teenage Prevention Bill now,” Miranda said.

Kaith Distor, youth advocate from the Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking, who hails from the biggest barangay – Bagong Silang in Caloocan City – said that the youngest pregnant girl in the area is aged 9 years old.

Distor noted that the figures about teenage pregnancies, included some of the young girls living in Barangay Bagong Silang.

She expressed the hope that the Senate will pass the Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Bill the soonest possible time.

Rom Dongeto, convenor of the Civil Rights Network and Executive Director of the PLCPD, said that the Philippines is one of the countries in the ASEAN with the highest number of teenage pregnancies.

Dongeto noted that there were 2,100 teenage pregnancies in 2020, and 2,299 pregnancies in 2021 based on the data from the Department of Health, adding that, 55.5 percent of which, were fathered by men aged 20 years old.

He said that The Bill will provide an opportunity for easy access to education, out-of-school youth, and other stakeholders.

Dongeto clarified that the Bill has no penalty provisions, adding that, there is a “Romeo & Juliet” provision. 

He cited Republic Act 11648 or “Increasing the Age of Statutory Rape”. 

Dongeto said that some P33 billion is the economic loss due to early childbearing, adding that, pregnant adolescents are forced to stop schooling, noting that, there are high risks of health complications that may lead to deaths of both the adolescent mother and child, stressing that, it brings intergenerational cycle of poverty among families of adolescent mothers. 

Teen pregnancy is the leading cause of school dropouts in the Philippines.  

This severely limits the potential of young boys and girls in teen pregnancies — an outcome that harms both their lives as well as their children’s lives, and costs the country billions in lost opportunity. 

The House of Representatives has already approved its version of the bill, but the Senate’s counterpart bill has been stalled in the Plenary since March 2023. 

“Time is running out, with only a few session days left before Congress breaks for the 2025 mid-term elections. Now, we tell our Senators: This is an issue that is just as important as today’s headlines and should have been prioritized yesterday,” the advocates stressed. 

By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.

MANILA — AGRI Party-List Rep. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee on Friday (Sept. 20) took his oath as a Member of the political party Aksyon Demokratiko.

Rep. Lee took his oath before Aksyon Demokratiko President Isko Moreno. 

According to Moreno, if Doc Wilie Ong finally decides, he will also be fielded by Aksyon Demokratiko as as senatorial bet together with AGRI Party-List Rep. Wilbert Lee in the 2025 senatorial election. 

Moreno expressed the hope that Lee and Ong will be among the 12 senators to be elected in 2025. 

Aksyon Demokratiko was founded by Bicolano Senator Raul Roco.

The oathtaking ceremony was held at the Sheraton Manila Bay Hotel.

Lee is reportedly running for Senator in the May 2025 mid-term elections.

If elected as Senator, Lee said that he will make sure that there will be food for every table of Filipino families, decent housing and affordable education. 

With Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) having more than P504 billion worth of investments, Rep. Lee filed House Resolution No. 2015 urging the Benefits Committee (BenCom) of PhilHealth led by the Department of Health (DOH) to immediately convene for the implementation of benefit increases and that the meeting must be livestreamed for public’s access. 

The legislative measure was filed as soon as the DOH announced the increase in the hemodialysis package rate from P4,000 per session to P6,350—a decision from the recent meeting of BenCom spearheaded by DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa. 

In his Resolution, the Bicolano solon also said that the BenCom meeting must be livestreamed for the public’s real time updates so that more Filipinos have access to the information and can stay informed about what’s transpiring in the deliberation of their entitlements and benefits in PhilHealth.

It can be recalled that during the 2025 DOH budget hearing held last September 4, Lee warned to defer the health agency’s budget if the proposed increase in PhilHealth benefits will remain unaddressed before the House Plenary debates. 

Lee, a staunch health advocate, successfully led the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits which was implemented last February 14.

He is currently pushing for another 50% increase in PhilHealth benefits and if funds would suffice, an eventual decrease in members’ monthly contribution. 

Atty. Kit Nieto to run as Cainta mayor anew in 2025

By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.

CAINTA, Rizal — Municipal Administrator Atty. Kit Nieto on Friday (Sept. 20) divulged that he will run again for Mayor of Cainta during the May 2025 mid-term elections.

The period of filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the national and local posts for the May 2025 elections has been set on Oct. 1-8, 2024.

During the Kapihan sa Cainta organized by the PaMaMariSan-Rizal Press Corps, Atty. Nieto said “I will file my COC for the post of Mayor of Cainta on Oct. 3, 2024 at 9 a.m.”

Nieto admitted that he once lost as municipal mayor of Cainta and he accepted the verdict of the people and he just left quietly and his shadow was never again seen in the municipal grounds.

“If given the chance to serve again, I will continue with my plans and programs for Cainta such as free cremation for the indigents,” he said.

According to Nieto, Cainta is set to have its first National High School and a Museum, considering that Cainta is one of the oldest towns in the Philipines dating back during the time of Spanish colonization (1521-1898).

However, Nieto did not discount the possibility that there would come a time that somebody will fight him in the mayoralty election and he will welcome it.

“Kung ayaw nyo na sa akin, ayaw ko na rin. Magpapahinga na ko,” Nieto said, adding that “Kung gusto nyo pa sa akin, gusto ko pa rin.”

Nieto served as Cainta Mayor from June 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022.

MANILA — Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman emphasized that the Public Financial Management (PFM) Reforms Roadmap 2024-2028 is vital to enhancing the government’s budgetary processes and boosting the country’s credit rating.

She made the statement during the handover of the PFM Reforms Roadmap 2024-2028 to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Malacañan Palace on 17 September 2024.

The Budget Secretary highlighted that while positive economic indicators, including employment rates, GDP growth, inflation, foreign direct investment (FDI), and foreign exchange (FOREX), are showing promising results, these “numbers” alone are not enough to secure an A credit rating. She stressed that bolstering governance frameworks is equally essential in achieving this goal.

“This [roadmap] is part of our governance and bureaucratic efficiency and reform, which is also one of the crucial components of our road to ‘A’ [credit rating]. Andyan na, ang gaganda na ng mga numbers. We just have to solidify that—employment rates, our GDP growth, inflation—everything. FDI, Forex… lahat. We have already put in place how to go about it,” Secretary Mina said.

She further explained that the roadmap addresses this governance aspect by promoting greater efficiency, transparency, and accountability in managing public funds. This, in turn, will help solidify the country’s economic gains and further augment the overall credibility and stability required to attain higher credit rating.

It can be recalled that in August 2024, Japan-based Rating and Information Inc. (R&I) upgraded the Philippines’ credit rating to A-, an improvement from the previous year’s BBB+ rating.

The roadmap outlines key activities that align planning, budgeting, and auditing processes across government agencies, ensuring more efficient public service delivery and fiscal responsibility. Sec. Pangandaman highlighted that 13 activities under the roadmap have already started, covering areas such as Planning and Budget Linkages, Cash Management, Public Asset Management, and Digital PFM.

“We’ve started rolling out ‘Digital PFM’ like the Budget and Treasury Management System (BTMS) in five major departments, including DOH, DSWD, NEDA, DOF, and DBM. This will accelerate budget processing, procurement, and implementation, improving our ability to meet our deficit-to-GDP targets,” Sec. Mina added.

The comprehensive PFM strategy also ensures a streamlined approach in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), procurement, and local government financial management, all major elements in building investor confidence and securing better credit standing for the country.

Another fundamental component is capacity development, with the DBM consistently delivering training to government personnel nationwide. Secretary Pangandaman noted, “[As for] capacity development, we’ve been doing it. We’ve trained from national to local government units, more than 7,000 across the country. And hopefully we’ll have our own PFM institute, which the President mentioned earlier, to make it more coherent.”

The PFM Reforms Roadmap 2024-2028 is aligned with the broader economic reform agenda, reinforcing the country’s macroeconomic stability. — PR

MANILA — Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is pushing for a comprehensive plan to strengthen the capabilities of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), emphasizing the urgent need to upgrade the agency’s resources to better prepare the country for natural disasters.

“We should really give all the effort for this modernization bill. It will help us in the long run,” he said.

Filed on Monday, September 16, 2024, Senate Bill No. 2825 under Committee Report No. 322 proposes the PHIVOLCS Modernization Act. This bill aims to upgrade the agency’s tools and infrastructure, enhance its research and public outreach, and expand its monitoring capabilities.

The measure will help PHIVOLCS “to advance (its) research and development capabilities by adopting a systematic approach and integrating all developed methodologies focused on the improvement of vital operations and specialized functions and services.”

These efforts are designed to strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness and management for events like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis, ultimately making the public safer and better informed.

At a Senate Committee on Science and Technology hearing last February, committee chair Cayetano emphasized the need to equip PHIVOLCS with advanced systems to improve the agency’s operational standards.

“It’s time we modernize and we put the money there. We just stop talking about it and just do it because we are a country that is vulnerable to disasters and calamities,” he said.

The senator also said modernizing PHIVOLCS will assist the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in its infrastructure programs.

“Hazard mapping will aid everyone in construction, including where to build and where not to build new roads,” he said.

“Kung walang guide ang DPWH sa earthquake hazard maps, hindi natin alam kung ang ginagawa nilang brid

ges, covered courts, and buildings are on areas that are dangerous,” he added.

Aside from upgrading PHIVOLCS’ technological capabilities, the bill also prioritizes improving public information on disaster risks and strengthening coordination with other government agencies and stakeholders.

“It shall include continuous sharing of information with LGUs and other stakeholders that will help in disaster planning, preparation, and disaster mitigation, among others,” the bill states.

The bill is set to be further discussed on the Senate floor. — PR

Dangal ng Lipi 2024 awardees (from left) Ernesto O. Cordero from Obando (Bulacan Expatriate); Claro S. Cristobal from Bulakan (Professional); Edgardo B. Santiago from Bulakan (Arts and Culture); Felicidad P. Galang-Perena from Calumpit (Education); Jocelyn D. Reyes from San Ildefonso (Entrepreneur); Alejandro H. Tengco from the City of Malolos (Community Service); Atty. Florentino P. Manalastas, Jr. from San Miguel (Public Service); Mario G. Lipana from San Ildefonso (Professional); Dr. Juanito S. Javier from the City of Malolos (Health); Dr. Nathaniel T. Servando from the City of San Jose Del Monte (Science and Technology); Conrado T. Onglao from the City of Malolos and Bulakan (Trade and Industry); and Dr. Herman Roy C. Cruz, Jr. from the City of Malolos (Agriculture) pose for a group photo with Governor Daniel R. Fernando and Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro during the annual Dangal ng Lipi 2024 that was held at The Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center, City of Malolos, Bulacan last Sunday. Also in the photo are (far left) Board Member Richard A. Roque and (far right) Chairperson of the Selection Committee of Dangal ng Lipi and 2019 Dangal ng Lipi Awardee for Community Service Atty. Antonio A. Ligon. — PPAO

Board Member Romina D. Fermin (fourth from left) and Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office Head Dr. Eliseo Dela Cruz (far left) award the ceremonial check and a trophy to some of the top winners of the Bulacan Cultural Costume Competition namely (L-R) second placer Marie Linoy for her entry about San Rafael with P25,000 reward; first placer Benjie Damasco from Pulilan who took home P35,000; third placer Marlon Fuentes for Bocaue with his companion, who received P15,000; and consolation prize amounting to P8,000 each to Dhomz Alfonso for City of Malolos, (not in photo) Lennard Jaqe Zarih Climaco from the City of San Jose Del Monte and Alvin Ray Gumafelix from Marilao during the awarding ceremony held in front of the Provincial Capitol Building, City of Malolos, Bulacan recently. – PPAO