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Vol. I No. 68
MANILA, PHILIPPINES |
To diffuse the tensions in the South China Sea (SCS), the spokesman for the National Task Force on West Philippine Sea )NTF-WPS), toned down on its earlier pronouncement as he clarified the Philippine government was not looking for armed aggression during the latest incident on Ayungin Shoal in the contested area.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tariella said the mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during the resupply mission was to provide supply to the troops aboard the BRP Sierra Madre and to ferry the personnel for rotation.
He however insisted the intention of the People's Republic of China might be to prevent the resupply operation from being successful, he added.
The PCG official was referring to the June 17 incident which saw China Coast Guard (CCG) officers using tear gas, brandishing bladed weapons, tugging at and damaging the Philippine Navy’s rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), and throwing rocks at soldiers moored beside the BRP Sierra Madre.
“Walang intensiyon ang kahit na sino mang bansa na magkaroon ng malawakang armed aggression sa insidente na ‘to,” Tarriela said in a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday.
PH not looking for armed aggression in Ayungin Shoal fracas-government
To diffuse the tensions in the South China Sea (SCS), the spokesman for the National Task Force on West Philippine Sea )NTF-WPS), toned down on its earlier pronouncement as he clarified the Philippine government was not looking for armed aggression during the latest incident on Ayungin Shoal in the contested area.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tariella said the mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during the resupply mission was to provide supply to the troops aboard the BRP Sierra Madre and to ferry the personnel for rotation.
He however insisted the intention of the People's Republic of China might be to prevent the resupply operation from being successful, he added.
The PCG official was referring to the June 17 incident which saw China Coast Guard (CCG) officers using tear gas, brandishing bladed weapons, tugging at and damaging the Philippine Navy’s rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), and throwing rocks at soldiers moored beside the BRP Sierra Madre.
“Walang intensiyon ang kahit na sino mang bansa na magkaroon ng malawakang armed aggression sa insidente na ‘to,” Tarriela said in a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday. PAGE 2
As part of the administration’s commitment to promote and uplift the lives of every Filipino under a “Bagong Pilipinas" (New Philippines)President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. yesterday declared October 30 of every year as “National Day of Charity."
“Bagong Pilipinas, as the overarching theme of the Administration’s brand of governance and leadership, calls for deep and fundamental transformations in all sectors of society and government, and visions to emphasize compassion, solidarity, and social responsibility among Filipinos,” Marcos said in Proclamation 598.
The President tasked the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) with leading the planning, coordination, and supervision of the annual observance of the National Day of Charity, as well as identifying the programs, activities, and projects for the celebration.
The proclamation highlighted the PCSO's dedication to fulfillng its mandate through the provision of medical services, the conduct of free medical and dental services, the establishment of an outpatient clinic, and its partnerships with qualified government and non-government welfare institutions/agencies that promote the well-being of the marginalized sectors of society.
All government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, financial institutions, and state universities and colleges are directed and encouraged to participate in the observance of the “National Day of Charity.”
Likewise, all local government units, non-government organizations, and the private sector are directed to do the same.
Marcos cited Section 9, Article II of the Constitution, which mandates the promotion of a just and dynamic social order to ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation, and free the people from poverty through policies that provide social services, promote full employment, and improve the standard of living and quality of life for all.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Proclamation 598 on June 13. (PNA) PAGE 2
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday said the newly opened Grand Westside Hotel in Paranaque City, tagged the biggest hotel development in the country yet, would be a major economic and tourism boost.
During the inauguration of Megaworld's Grand Westside Hotel, Marcos said the 19-story establishment with over 1,500 rooms would not only strengthen the government’s tourism campaign but would also generate more jobs and business opportunities for Filipinos.
Marcos said the hotel's addition to Philippine tourism is particularly noteworthy in light of the sector's "remarkable" growth, which contributed 8.6 percent to the country's gross domestic product in 2023.
"Thanks to this hotel, we can do more. Not only can we accommodate the resurging number of local and international tourists coming to this side of Metro Manila, but we can also expect our Entertainment City to become better known and even more distinguished, elevating its status to more potential visitors in the coming years," the President said in his speech.
Marcos disclosed that other developments from the real property giant are underway, including the 1,500-seater Grand Opera House also in Paranaque, more theaters and a gaming complex, among other things.
"With all these, we foresee not only the entry of more tourists but also the generation of more jobs, of new businesses and greater opportunity. In fact, [while] many have benefitted from the actual construction of these [properties], around 20,000 direct and indirect jobs will still be created throughout the operation of this hotel in the years to come," he said.
The President said he is looking forward to Megaworld’s triumphs that will “undoubtedly contribute to the new Philippines, ang Bagong Pilipinas.” PAGE 2
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Saturday all livestock afflicted with the Query or Q fever have been depopulated and condemned, with surveillance and contact-tracing efforts underway in affected areas.
In the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa said the government made this decisive action after samples from imported goats from the United States tested positive for Q fever.
“Noong na-confirm ng series of laboratory tests itong Q fever, doon sa 94 na kambing na naiangkat at nakarating ng Marinduque, iniutos po agad ng ating Kalihim iyong kagyat na depopulation or condemnation noong mga nasabing kambing magmula pa doon sa quarantine areas sa Pampanga (When it was confirmed that the goats that were imported and brought to Marinduque were positive for Q fever, our Secretary immediately ordered depopulation and condemnation, even for the quarantine areas in Pampanga),” De Mesa said.
He said depopulation was also conducted for all goats and cows in areas falling within the 500-meter radius of the infected site.
“Natapos po iyon kahapon o noong isang araw iyong depopulation noong mga kambing at baka na nandoon sa surveillance area at tuluy-tuloy din naman iyong contact tracing na ginagawa (We finished the depopulation of goats and cows in the surveillance area yesterday or the other day, and contact tracing is continuing),” he added.
The DA is also coordinating with the Department of Health to monitor the health of the people residing in the affected area, especially the farmworkers.
Q fever is a disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii, which naturally infects goats, sheep, and cows.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people can also get infected by breathing in dust contaminated with infected animal feces, urine, milk, and birth products.
Some of its symptoms in humans are fever, chills, fatigue, and muscle pain.
De Mesa said the DA would place a temporary ban on the import of goats from the US until the disease’s source has been traced.
“Tuluy-tuloy iyong imbestigasyon nitong nangyari para masigurado na hindi mauulit itong paglabas ng Q fever, kasi ito iyong kauna-unahang pagkakataon na na-confirm natin na may Q fever tayo (We will continue our investigation to ensure that this will not happen again because this is the first time that we are confirming a case of Q-fever here),” he said. PAGE 2
Contrary to claims of the administration’s critics that the Executive Order No. 62 of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will further marginalize local farmers, an official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Saturday said it is aimed to set aside local production of Filipino farmers, but to ensure affordable prices of imported commodities.
In a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday, Agriculture Undersecretary Arnel de Mesa stressed the priority of the administration is still local production.
“Again, ang priority pa rin ay local production,” de Mesa told reporters.
De Mesa debunked impressions that EO 62 aims to provide more income to foreign farmers instead of the Filipinos.
The government is looking for ways to reduce rice tariff and eventually reduce rice prices in the Philippines. Prices of rice in the country are also affected by the movement of prices in the international market, he said.
“Kasi ngayon, mahal pa rin iyong presyo sa international market kaya nag introduce actually si Secretary Tiu Laurel doon sa EO 62, nag-introduce siya ng provision na kailangan magkaroon ng review every four months,” he added.
The review, De Mesa said, aims to determine if there are significant changes of prices of commodities in the international market, particularly on rice that has to be determined by the Tariff Commission, or by the government.
President Marcos issued EO 62 on June 29, 2024. The EO ordered the modification of nomenclature and tariff rates on various products to ensure continuous supply of goods and to protect the purchasing power of the Filipino people. PAGE 2
The Department of Agriculture (DA) bared it will employ contingency plans as part of its interventions for the La Niña phenomenon.
This while President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has ordered the release of P9 billion in aid for the areas severely affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
According to DA Undersecretary Arnel de Mesa, the interventions include water management and distribution of flood-tolerant rice varieties.
“Ngayon naman ay naghahanda na kami para sa La Niña, ngayon ay La Niña watch pa lang wala pang, hindi pa officially na pumapasok ang La Niña, inaasahan ito last quarter,” DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday.
Earlier this month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declared the end of El Niño.
De Mesa said a major intervention for La Niña, where above normal rainfall is expected, is water management.
“So it’s more on water management intervention ng ating kagawaran, iyong mga irrigation canal ‘pag daluyan iyan ng tubig papunta sa bukirin at the same time, daluyan din iyan palabas,” he said.
The DA will also distribute flood-tolerant varieties of rice.
The agency through the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) will also ensure irrigation systems are up and running. PAGE 2
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By Paula Bien Valero
By: Joseph Anthony A. Damgo
Hotel dev't
to boost eco,
tourism - PBBM
Q fever-infected goats
depopulated, condemned
EO 62 pro-poor,
not anti- farmers, DA
By: Joseph Anthony A. Damgo
By: Lyn Y. Tallio
P9B for El Niño hit-areas
DA maps
intervention plans
for looming La Niña
PCSO tasked as lead agency
Marcos declares Oct. 30
as National Day of Charity
By: Joseph Anthony A. Damgo