QUEZON CITY — Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar on Monday (Dec. 18) said that it’s the first time that the housing program of the government has become sustainable.
During the first ever Annual DHSUD Media Forum in Eastwood Richmond Hotel, Acuzar said that it’s the first time that the housing program of the incumbent administration has become sustainable in the sense that no public funds were spent for such a program.
Acuzar added that the private stakeholders such as the banks and financial institutions are the ones financing the housing program of the administration’s housing program.
The DHSUD chief cited that it’s really the media who have played a significant role in the dissemination of vital information about the government’s housing program.
It can be noted that there’s a housing backlog of 6.5 million housing units nationwide.
The DHSUD, through its attached agency National Housing Authority (NHA), targets to build one million housing units each year until the end of the six-year term of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. in 2028 for a total of six million housing units.
QUEZON CITY – The launch of the Global Road Safety Status Report (GRSSR) and the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of the National Coalition on Child Road Traffic Injury Prevention (NC-CRTIP) was held on Monday (Dec. 18) at the B Hotel in this city.
The national coalition was convened by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the Philippines.
The MOU was geared to protect Filipino children from road injury aligned with the vision of the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan 2023-2028 (PRSAP).
“To address road safety concerns in the country, we have developed the PRSAP. This plan, together with the WHO global report on road safety, will guide us in implementing and monitoring efforts to reduce road traffic deaths and serious injuries in the Philippines,” DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said.
Road crashes are the top killer of children and youth worldwide, a report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday (Dec. 18) said.
More than half of the fatalities are among pedestrians and motorcyclists, the report added.
“The tragic tally of road crash deaths is heading in the right direction, downwards, but nowhere near fast enough. Road safety is a multisectoral concern. We should continue to work together to keep our road safe,” Dr. Rui Paolo de Jesus, WHO Representative in the Philippines, said.
Based on 2019 data on the age distribution of all-cause mortality, road traffic injury remains the leading cause of death for children and young people aged five to 29 years old and is the 12th leading cause of death when all ages are considered, according to the GRSSR 2023.
In the Philippines, at least 1,670 Filipino children die due to road crashes every year, according to public interest group ImagineLaw citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
“One child lost due to road crashes is one death too many,” Atty. Sophia San Luis, executive director of ImagineLaw, said.
The NC-CRTIP is an inter-agency and multisectoral coalition that will strengthen collaboration among agencies and road safety stakeholders in protecting children from road crashes.
“This coalition is us working together in building a country that protects children from road crashes,” San Luis said.
“Political will is needed to address children’s death because of road crashes – from proper education and awareness among stakeholders to better infrastructure and improved road systems that protect vulnerable road users. Ang kalsadang ligtas sa bata ay ligtas sa lahat (A road safe for children is safe for all),” she added.
Among others, the MOU was signed by the DOTr, Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Public Works and Highways, Council for the Welfare of Children, and the Metro Manila Development Authority.
PASIG CITY — The think tank Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute Inc. (ACPSSI) on Saturday (Dec. 16) said that cutting trade ties with China is an economic suicide.
In a media forum at the ACPSSII in Pasig City, ACPSSII President Herman “Ka Mentong” Tiu Laurel said that “even as China continues to promote Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), by way of the three major rail projects in Mindanao, North and South Luzon, the government continues to unilaterally announce their termination.”
Still, Laurel added that China has also just donated Php3.5-billion Bucana Bridge in Davao, as it continuously contemplates the Cagayan Gateway projects proposed by Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba.
He stressed that inasmuch as the Chico River Dam irrigation project is now enriching the harvest of 10,000 farming families, a delegation from Kalinga province called on the ACPSSII to seek assistance on the commencement of the project’s second phase, as the province, being the upper source of irrigation, still has to benefit from hydroelectricity and irrigation to come from yet-to-be-implemented Phase II.
“Verily, such delays, similar to the ‘suspended’ giant rail projects, are crippling the nation’s economy,” Laurel said.
Likewise, the ACPSSII executive said that the calls to boycott Chinese products and declare the Chinese ambassador as “persona non grata”, resulted in the loss for the country’s tourism industry of potential earnings from two million Chinese tourists even as the country’s largest malls say “China Feud May Hurt Businesses”, which means hurting millions of Filipino consumers.
“Mindanao exporters dread a repeat of the 2012 rotting fruits,” he added.
For her part, Prof. Anna Malindog-Uy said that there’s an US87.23-billion trade between the Philippines and China. Uy cited the China cooperation program in agriculture.
She said that the Chinese investments provide the necessary financial investments.
Uy noted that China is the world’s second largest economy.
Scrapping the trade relations with China would mean a stoppage in foreign direct investments.
Stopping or scrapping the trade relatiions with China should be seriously considered.
China provides the necessary infrastructure investments such as in the digital technology and green technology and infrastructure like the alternative or renewable energy.
Technological transfer is critical in the modernization of Philippine industries in the sense that China is a highly advanced technological country.
According to Uy, it would be an economic suicide if the Philippines would cut its trade ties with China.
This was the reaction of Anna Malindog-Uy on the statement of a maritime expert on Monday (Dec. 11) that the Philippine government should consider stopping and annulling existing Chinese business operations in the country if China’s illegal and aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) continued.
According to Uy, the suggestion of the maritime law expert is akin to telling the Philippines to commit economic suicide.
Uy was amazed by such a “suicidal” suggestion.
She noted that the trade relationship between China and the Philippines is important and crucial, with China as one if not the largest trading partners and a significant source of imports and exports of the Philippines.
She said that any decision to cut and stop business ties and operations with Chinese companies could disrupt this trade dynamic and potentially affect the Philippine economy adversely.
Hence, she added that cutting business, trade, and economic ties with China would not be beneficial for the Philippines.
She cited that Chinese investments provide necessary financial support for large-scale domestic infrastructure projects.
Uy said that China is the Philippines’ largest trading partner, the largest source of imports, and a major export market, adding that, the bilateral trade between the two countries, with substantial imports and exports, contributes significantly to the Philippine economy.
She noted that cutting trade and economic ties could lead to potential economic instability on the side of the Philippines.
Uy stressed that Chinese Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) plays a critical role in various sectors of the Philippine economy, including infrastructure, trade, and investment.
She said that a sudden severance of economic ties could lead to a sharp decline in FDI, affecting these sectors and possibly leading to job losses and economic downturns.
Uy pointed out that abruptly ending economic ties between China and the Philippines could strain diplomatic relations.
She emphasized that the geopolitical dynamics in Southeast Asia mean that maintaining a balanced relationship with China is of strategic interest to the Philippines.
Uy said that the diplomatic and economic engagements are part of this balance, and disrupting them could have wider geopolitical repercussions.
She added that within the Philippines, there’s a potential for domestic repercussions, including the displacement of workers, especially in sectors heavily reliant on Chinese investments.
Uy expounded that the complexities of international trade and diplomacy suggest that any move to cut and stop existing Chinese business operations in the Philippines would have to be carefully considered to avoid adverse effects on the Philippine economy and its global standing.
She said that on the side of the Philippines, any decision to cut or stop existing Chinese business operations would need to weigh the potential economic impact against the geopolitical and national security concerns.
She added that the balance of national interest, economic gains, and sovereign integrity would be the utmost consideration and should be at the center of the debate before a decision could even be reached in this regard.
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PASIG CITY — The National Assembly and National Executive (National Directorate) Meeting of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) was held at the Linden Suites, Pasig City on Thursday (Dec. 14) to fill up the so-called “leadership vacuum”.
The term of office of the executive officers of the PFP has already expired, hence, a leadership vacuum.
Officials and members from the NCR, Region 3, Region 4-B, Region 4-A, Region 6, Region 5, Region 1, Region 2, CAR, Region 12, and Region 13 participated in the gathering.
In his speech, former Capas, Tarlac Mayor Jose Antonio Rodriguez, Jr.. said that the participants from Region 7, and the Mindanao region are also joining the gathering via zoom.
Rodriguez, PFP Regional Chairman for Central Luzon, noted that it was almost perfect attendance for today’s gathering, except those who were hospitalized.
General Mangelen, Sec. Mamondiong and Sec. John Castricciones created the PFP in 2016.
Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was only adopted by PDP-Laban as its presidential standard bearer in the 2016 elections.
Antonio “Tony” Marfori, now National Treasurer of PFP, was instrumental in the registration of the PFP as a political party in 2018.
Now President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. was convinced to join the PFP, through zoom meetings with Gen. Tom Lantion, Kokoy and Dr. Aguila.
PBBM asked for the copy of the By-Laws of the PFP which made him even more convinced to join the PFP.
Nobody from the officials and members of the PFP were receiving salary from the PFP and yet they remained steadfast and loyal to the party.
Some of them were questioning and wondering why only 100 tickets were allotted to the gathering in the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
The PFP, the National Chairman of which is President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr., was allowed to have election watchers, but the expenses for the purpose was shouldered by the PFP itself.
A successful political rally was solely conducted by the only PFP for PBBM from 2 p.m. onwards in Capas, Tarlac with Tony Marfori. Marfori himself foot the bill for the election watchers in 2022.
More supporters of the PFP joined in Capas political rally than in Paniqui, Tarlac.
PBBM won in the May 2022 presidential elections with more than 31 million votes.
During the inaugural of PBBM on June 30, 2022 at 12 high noon, most of the seats were given to the “Balikbayans”.
If PBBM would be asked, he would surely say that he really loves the PFP.
Rodriguez pointed out that after the National Assembly today, PBBM will meet face-to-face the executive officers of the PFP as a proof of his love to the PFP.
In an interview, Rodriguez clarified that they have no hard feelings whatsoever to President Marcos.
He said that the more than 10 million members of the PFP and their respective families have thrown their full support to PBBM in the May 2022 presidential elections.
The PFP executive added that they will meet PBBM in Malacanang Palace at the most opportune time.
The new set of executive officers are PBBM as the National Chairman, National President Leandro B. Verceles, Jr., Antonio Tony Marfori as the National Treasurer, among others.
Verceles is a former three-term governor of Catanduanes and erstwhile congressman of the province.
The new PFP National President vowed that the new leadership of the party will push for the political agenda in line with the socio-economic agenda of PBBM.
Verceles stressed that the PFP membership is open to all Filipinos, irrespective of their economic status in life.
He also urged all of those who are planning to leave the party to reconsider and see for themselves first the plans and programs of the new PFP leadership for their own welfare and benefit.
Meanwhile, Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr.; Tomas Lantion are no longer members of the new PFP due to the expiration of their term of office and the “loss of confidence” as unanimously voted upon by the PFP officers and members.
The PFP officers and members also took their respective oath as members of the Marcoleta for Senator Movement (MSM).
Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta has earned the support of the PFP.
Marfori is also the National Treasurer of the MSM.
QUEZON CITY — The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), PISTON, Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC), Sanlakas, Move as One, Oriang, K4K, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) on Friday (Dec. 15) called for a just transition for the country’s transport sector.
In a press conference in Little Quiapo, Quezon City, Larry Pascua of PMCJ, expressed their support to the two-day transport strike being staged by Piston.
The burden of the so-called PUVMP should not be passed to the ordinary workers and to the transport sector.
They would like a review of the PUVMP as being pushed by Senator Grace Poe.
Flora Santos, of Oriang, said that they would surely be affected by the jeepney modernization program in terms of livelihood.
They are not against the PUVMP for as long as it is for the benefit and welfare of the transport sector.
Mody Floranda, President of Piston, said that the transport strike now is part of the transport strike they staged last March and November this year.
The strike was aimed at showing their opposition to the jeepney modernization program which requires a fund of P2.5 million to acquire a modern jeep.
Floranda cited that Sarao, Francisco Motors and Malaguena can be used to modernize the traditional jeepneys and not to secure the imported vehicles.
If they would not be allowed to ply their routes in January 2024, there will be a massive transport crisis nationwide.
Out of the 55,000 traditional jeepneys in Metro Manila, only 20,000 have been consolidated which is only 35 percent of the total volume of jeepneys in Metro Manila.
The government should promote local transport industry rather than a jeepney modernization program.
The LTFRB has issued memorandum circular 2257 in connection with the PUVMP which for them is not fair.
Jerome Adonis, of KMU, noted that the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines would result to the loss of thousands of jobs.
The P2.8 million under the PUVMP will be taken from the ordinary drivers.
The big companies are using climate justice through transition to renewable energy in promoting the PUVMP which is favorable to foreign companies.
Floranda stressed that they will march from LTFRB in going to the University of Sto. Tomas and then to Mendiola to show their opposition to the modernization program.
If the consolidation will not be extended from Dec. 31, 2023, there will be a nationwide transport crisis, according to Floranda.
Atty. Luke Espiritu, of the BMP, said that the so-called PUVMP is a misnomer such that the country has no manufacturing company for vehicles.
Non-modern, backward and parasitic elite was how Espiritu described the PUVMP.
The energy industry should be the focus in the sense that the coal-fired power plants and fossil fuel should be phased out.
To phase out the coal-fired power plants and the liquefied natural gas should be acted upon by authorities.
The worldwide public consensus is that the just transition should be publicly financed.
The press conference brought together leaders and representatives in the transport, climate justice, youth, and labor sectors to discuss demands to scrap the PUVMP, and to propose alternatives for a just transition that puts the workers first.
The PUVMP has been cited frequently as a bad example of a just transition.
A just transition requires the overall welfare of the environment and society—no one is left behind.
Under the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG), jeepney drivers have been given only until Dec. 31, 2023 to consolidate.
Failure to consolidate means they will not be able to take to the road and will lose their livelihood, directly impacting their well-being and their families.
In Metro Manila alone, more than 31,000 drivers will be unable to operate, which will create a transport crisis that affects the greater Filipino public who relies on cheap public transportation to get to work, school, or other public services.
Espiritu stressed that the transition should be from fossil fuel to renewable energy which should be funded by the government.
Atty. Aaron Pedrosa, of Sanlakas, said that the modernization program started since the time of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in 2016.
The program was just being continued by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. but not a single jeepney driver was involved in the consultation process.
The Marcos administration is continuously supporting the rich capitalists at the expense of the poor Filipinos.
Sanlakas was one with the jeepney drivers that the modernization is not the solution.
Dean Rene Ofreneo, president of the FDC, said that the Freedom from Debt Coalition is also one in calling for the immediate stop and review of the PUVMP.
There should be proper inclusive, comprehensive, humane climate change actions to address the climate crisis.
The big companies who are now involved in coal-fired power plants and other fossil fuels should not be involved in the transition to renewable energy.
In 2016, they pushed for a Green Jobs Law to address the problem on food and agricultural products shortage.
There was no industrial policy. There was no just policy. There was no people policy. The just transition from fossil fuel to alternative or renewable energy should be accompanied with climate justice.
QUEZON CITY – – The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) and a group of parents of victims of Dengvaxia on Friday (Dec. 15) held a press conference in connection with the cases of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide and physical injuries.
During the press conference, the VACC and the Samahan ng mga Magulang Anak at Biktima ng Dengvaxia said that they were hurt with the report that reached them about the Dengvaxia cases.
A motion to quash was filled by Rep. Janet Garin, which for them sought to dismissed all the Dengvaxia cases.
They appealed to the heart and conscience of Garin, who is also a mother herself.
As the president of the group, she tearfully said that it was very disheartening for them to learn about the motion filed by Garin.
They also expressed their dismay on the order of a Quezon City Regional Trial Court for the consolidation of 35 cases into one case of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide and physical injuries.
She could not control her tears in saying that it would take about more than five years for the consideration of the cases.
Another mother of a victim slammed the hearing for each of eight other Dengvaxia cases and yet there’s a court order for the consolidation of 35 cases into one case as ordered by the Quezon City RTC.
She noted that their children victims had different dates of Dengvaxia inoculation, death, and autopsy, and different places where the victims were vaccinated with Dengvaxia.
She slammed that it seems that the order of the Supreme Court was overruled by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, which for them should not be the situation.
They surmised that the respondents seemed to have gained the upper ground such that despite the guidelines of the SC on the Dengvaxia cases, the 35 cases were ordered consolidated into just one case, which for them was disheartening and unjust.
They urged the concerned judge to show mercy on their children.
The justice for their children who died due to Dengvaxia and those who are still living, which for them was very evasive for the longest time.
They asked the handling judge to have a heart of a parent for the child victims of Dengvaxia.
They expressed their willingness to be detained just to be able to fight for justice for their children victims of Dengvaxia even to the point of being cited in contempt in the process by the court.
A father of another victim of Dengvaxia challenged Garin on her moves to fix the Dengvaxia cases such as the consolidation of the 35 Dengvaxia cases into just a single case.
Another father of a Dengvaxia victim cited their disclosure on the struggles and hardship caused by Dengvaxia vaccines.
Another father expounded that his child who died of Dengvaxia and whose internal organs were taken away and they were given a hard time to obtain those internal organs.
As a parent, he asked the judge not to order the consolation of the 35 Dengvaxia into one case and be fair as a Christmas gift for them.
They said that they were misinformed by the Department of Health that the Dengvaxia vaccine would protect their children from acquiring Dengue but it turned out later that Dengvaxia vaccine should be inoculated to children who had been previously infected with Dengue.
Another crying mother of a Dengvaxia vaccine victim narrated that the supposed vaccine against Dengue was the one which caused the death of her child.
They pointed out that QC RTC Acting Presiding Judge Maria Luisa Lesle G. Gonzales-Betic has overruled the SC order on One Dengvaxia Court for the expedient resolution of the Dengvaxia cases.
The parents stressed that they are not dissuaded by the order of Judge Betic but they have become even more persistent in seeking justice for their children who died due to Dengvaxia vaccine and those who are still suffering from the effects of the vaccine.
The VACC had been assisting the victims of Dengvaxia since 2016 who even witnessed the autopsy of victims whose internal organs melted.
The VACC cited the sufferings of the victims whose bones melted and their brains were extracted due to severe bleeding, lungs were bloated and their kidneys were damaged.
The group expressed the fears that the 168 Dengvaxia cases might be consolidated into one case.
They are now set to file a motion for reconsideration before the QC RTC pending their consultation with the panel of prosecutors.
They are also mulling to file a petition for the inhibition of Judge Betic if needed be.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III
By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday (Dec. 12) welcomed the rally staged by various transportation groups in Mendiola, Manila supporting the government’s PUVMP (Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program).
“This only shows that most of our transport groups in the country support the government’s initiative of providing commuters with safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable transport,” LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said in a statement.
The group of jeepney drivers and operators peacefully assembled in Mendiola and in Quezon City, carrying signs “No to Extension ” and “Yes to PUVMP Budget.”
“The modernization program is crucial for uplifting the overall quality of public service, and we look forward to its positive impact on the commuting experience for all,” Guadiz said.
The pro-PUV modernization program group said that they are opposing the extension of the consolidation deadline (Dec. 31), saying that, it would be unfair to those who have complied with the directive.
The group added that at least 120 groups have already consolidated for the program in Metro Manila and 1,700 groups across the country.
Earlier, the LTFRB chief assured that there will be no phaseout of traditional jeepneys in the country after the deadline for consolidation.
Guadiz, however, stressed that the consolidation deadline does not mean traditional jeepneys will no longer be allowed to ply the roads next year.
(L-R): Rex Varona, National Project Coordinator of Safe and Fair Programme, ILO; Asec. Jerome Alcantara, Assistant Secretary for Land-based Services of Department of Migrant Workers; Sally Barrios, President of OFW Negros Occidental Federation; Ellene Sana, Executive Director of Centre for Migrant Advocacy; and Claire Ruzzel Esturas, Senior Gender and Development Specialist of Philippine Commission on Women. – Photo by Perfecto T. Raymundo
By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY – The International Labor Organization on Tuesday (Dec. 12) disclosed the results of the five-year (2018-2023) Safe and Fair (SAF) Program that promotes the Filipino women migrant workers’ rights, welfare, dignity and opportunities in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region.
The SAF is a joint program of the ILO, United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and in collaboration with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), led by the ILO regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.
The five-year SAF program is geared towards creating gender-responsive migration policies, governance and safer labor migration conditions from recruitment, to working abroad and until return and reintegration.
The program is a regional initiative under the multi-year European Union-United Nations Spotlight Initiative which has invested EUR 500 million in projects throughout the world to eliminate violence against women and girls.
It is implemented through the joint efforts of the ILO, UN Women, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC) – dedicated to enhancing the labor migration experience for Filipino women.
The Safe and Fair Philippines Key Results: 2018 to 2023 were presented at the Safe and Fair Culminating Activity with the goal of Labor migration is safe and fair in the ASEAN region.
OFW Reintegration Advisor and Referral Pathways Common operational framework and tool; help OFWs/families systematically access reintegration services; Endorsed, supported by the DMW, Local Government Units Knowledge products for release by SAF such as Multi-lane rapid analysis of Philippine Health Laws and Policies relevant to Overseas Filipinos and their families, Training Toolbox on Safe, fair and gender-, Code of Conduct for Land-based private recruitment agencies and BARMM Code of Conduct, ASEAN version with Filipino translation.
The OFW/family organizations in Quezon City where the 1st Assembly of leaders and representatives of more than 50 OFW/family organizations all over Quezon City in 2022 was mentioned.
In close cooperation with governments and civil society partners to achieve three inter-linking specific objectives:
Women migrant workers are better protected by gender-sensitive labor migration governance frameworks
Women migrant workers are less vulnerable to violence and trafficking and benefit from coordinated responsive quality services Data, knowledge, and attitudes on the rights and contributions of women migrant workers are improved.
During the event, key insights, findings, and the impact of the program to Filipino women migrant workers were presented.
Participating in the International Labor Organization’s SAFE and FAIR Program Philippines culminating event were representatives from International Organization for Migration (IOM), International Labor Organization (ILO), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and Filipino migrant workers who are beneficiaries of the program.
In a press conference, Rex Varona, national project coordinator of the SAF program of the ILO said that in the overall results from August 2018 to April 2023, they intervened in the law and policy reform such as in Republic Act 11641 creating the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) which was enacted in 2021, House Bill 6779 (Mandatory Immunization of OFWs), and the Ratification of ILO C190 on violence and harassment – ratification endorsements, instrument by the Philippines.
Varona added that the Philippine Senate unanimously voted on Dec. 11, 2023 to concur with the ratification of C190, making the Philippines the first to ratify in Asia.
The ILO executive cited the local ordinances and issuances on migration wherein Quezon City draft implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for Ordinance No. SP 2500, S-2016.
Varona cited that the Quezon City Migrant Resource Center (MRC) has assisted more than 1,043 cases as of November 2023.
He also said that 4,330 duty bearers and stakeholders (2,790 women) have improved capacity on women migrant workers’ rights, skills, and coordinated service provision to address violence against women migrant workers.
Varona noted that the overall results from August 2018 to 2023: there were 4,877,211 members of the public reached through public campaigns to change attitudes and behaviors towards women migrant workers, violence against women and their contributions in society.
He stressed that with the Senate ratification of C190, the Philippines can now work with the first international treaty to recognize the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment.
Sally Barrios, president of OFW Negros Occidental Federation, said that the migrant resource centers (MRCs) in Negros Occidental and Tabaco City are also provided with safe migration services to 1,443 Filipino women migrant workers.
Barrios added that out of 31 municipalities and cities in the province of Negros Occidental, 22 have their own respective MRCs.
Nagbibigay ng mensahe bilang Panauhing Pandangal si Kalihim Mina F. Pangandaman ng Department of Budget and Managament o DBM, sa isinagawang National Youth Convention 2023 nitong Disyembre 9 hanggang Disyembre 11 sa Philippine Military Acaemy, Lunsod ng Baguio. – DBM
LUNSOD NG BAGUIO – Hinimok ni Kalihim Mina F. Pangandaman ng Department of Budget and Management ang mga Sangguniang Kabataan officials at cadet officers ng bansa na ibigay ang nararapat na serbisyo sa mga Pilipinong nagtiwala sa kanilang kakayahan na mamuno.
“Bilang mga kabataang lider, kayo ang pinili ng taumbayan. Huwag po nating sayangin ang kumpiyansa at tiwalang ipinagkaloob nila sa inyo,” pahayag ni Kalihim Pangandaman sa ikatlong araw ng National Youth Convention 2023 na idinaos sa Philippine Military Academy, Lunsod ng Baguio.
Ipinahayag din ng Kalihim na buo ang kanyang tiwala at suporta sa mga makabagong kabataang Pilipino na may tapat at prinsipyo ng mga ito na baliin ang ilan sa mga nakagawian.
“Bilang mga bida ng Bagong Pilipinas, you have my 100 percent faith and support,” pagbibigay-diin ni Pangandaman.
Siniguro naman ni Kalihim Pangandaman na kasangga ng mga batang lider ang administrasyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa paglikha ng mga proyektong magpapaunlad sa kakayahan at kapasidad ng mga kabataang Pilipino.
Patunay dito ang inilaang P1.6 bilyon ng DBM para sa Philippine Military Academy sa panukalang 2024 national budget.
Para naman mas palawakin ang kapasidad ng mga youth leaders, naglaan ng P47.9 milyon ang DBM sa Sangguniang Kabataan Mandatory and Continuing Training fund.
Sa huli, hinimok ni Pangandaman ang mga kabataan na makiisa sa adhikain ng pamahalaan na maghatid ng mas magandang buhay para sa mga Pilipino.
“We are counting on all of you. It’s your time to take on the mantle of leadership and help us achieve our Agenda for Prosperity,” dagdag pa ng Kalihim.
Kasamang dumalo ni Kalihim Pangandaman sina DBM Undersecretary Goddes Hope Libiran at DBM Region 1 Director Ria Bansigan. – PR
