Calamba lone district created, Aklan province divided into 2

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law two bills creating the lone legislative district of Calamba City in Laguna and dividing Aklan into two legislative districts.

Republic Act 11078, which Duterte signed on September 24, separated Calamba City from the second legislative district of Laguna.

Under the law, the incumbent representative of the second district of Laguna will continue to represent the new district until the new representative have been duly elected and qualified.

The Commission on Elections was tasked to issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the measure within 30 days from the effectivity of the two laws.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said the creation of the new legislative district of Calamba City would “focus on the needs of its constituents and bring them to the national government’s attention.”

“In consideration of the size and continued progress of the city, it is only right that we give them proper representation in the national government,” added Angara, who heads the Senate Committee on Local Government.

He pointed out that under the 1987 Constitution, “each city with a population of at least 250,000 shall have at least one representative” in Congress.

A 2015 census data showed the second legislative district of Laguna has 937,282 residents, almost half or 454,486 come from Calamba City, according to Angara.

Duterte also signed Republic Act 11077 on the same day creating the first district of Aklan composed of the towns of Altavas, Balete, Banga, Batan, Kalibo, New Washington, Libecao and Madalag.

The second district will complete the rest of Aklan towns–Buruanga, Ibajay, Lezo, Makato, Malay, Malinao, Nabas, Numancia and Tangalan.

Aklan Rep. Carlito Marquez will continue to represent the legislative district until new representatives will be elected.

The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading House Bill 7522 last May 28 authored by Marquez and passed by the Senate on August 28, 2018.

With a report from Ralph U. Villanueva

https://www.manilatimes.net/calamba-lone-district-created-aklan-province-divided-into-2/445197/

3 tulak patay sa drug ops

Patay ang tatlong pinaghihinalaang notoryus na drug pushers matapos kumasa sa mga otoridad sa magkakahiwalay na shootout sa isinagawang buy bust operation sa lalawigan ng Laguna at Bulacan kamakalawa ng gabi at kahapon ng madaling araw.

Sa ulat ng Laguna Provincial Office, dakong alas-11:55 ng gabi nang mapatay ang drug pusher na si Raymund Maquidato alyas Emon; nasa drug watchlist ng pulisya sa drug bust operation sa Purok 2, Brgy. Bayog, Los Baños, Laguna.

Narekober sa operasyon ang isang sachet ng shabu, isang scooter motorcycle na gamit nito sa transaksyon ng droga.

Napatay naman bandang alas-2:00 ng hapon ang drug pusher na si Apolinario Dimaano sa buy bust operation sa Brgy. Pansol, Calamba City, Laguna.

Habang naaresto ang mga kasama nitong sina Luis Marcelo, 51; Cherry Tarazona, 38; Cherry Ann Tarazona; Restituto Capucino, 39 at Rodelio de Leon, 42.

Nasamsam sa mga suspek ang siyam na piraso ng plastic sachet ng shabu, cal 38 revolver, tatlong mga bala at mga drug paraphernalia.

Dakong alas-12:50 ng madaling araw naman ng mapaslang ang drug suspek na kinilalang si alyas Apat sa operasyon sa Brgy. Tibag, Pulilan, Bulacan.

Nakumpiska ng mga otoridad sa crime scene ang isang cal. 38 revolver, dalawang plastic sachet ng shabu at mga bala.

Habang ang mga nasakoteng kasama ay sina Albert Deguia, 26; Jerry Trillana, 28; Noel Tayao, 21; Wilson Policarpip, 49; Evangeline Cruz, 38; Ian Fernandez at Jonathan Canoy.

https://www.philstar.com/pang-masa/police-metro/2018/09/26/1854726/3-tulak-patay-sa-drug-ops

Aklan split into two congressional districts

President Duterte signs Republic Act 11077 reapportioning Aklan into two legislative districts. Their representatives will be elected in May 2019.

Aklan will soon have two legislators in the House of Representatives.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, September 24, signed Republic Act 11077 reapportioning the province into two congressional districts.

The first legislative district is composed of the towns of Altavas, Balete, Banga, Batan, Kalibo, Libacao, Madalag, and New Washington. These towns have a combined population of 297,318, based on the 2015 census.

The second legislative district is made up of the towns of Buruanga, Ibajay, Lezo, Makato, Malay (where Boracay Island is located), Malinao, Nabas, Numancia, and Tangalan. This new district has a population of 277,505.

RA 11077 - New Aklan District by on Scribd

The first ones to represent these reapportioned districts will be elected in the May 2019 midterm elections. Until then, incumbent Representative Carlito Marquez of Aklan's lone district will continue representing the entire province.

RA 11077 also ordered the Commission on Elections to come up with implementing rules and regulations within 30 days after the law's effectivity.

Aklan has a total population of 574,823, according to the 2015 census. It had 345,359 registered voters in 2016.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/212809-aklan-split-two-congressional-districts

Calamba City gets own congressional district

Republic Act 11078 carves the city out of the 2nd District of Laguna

Calamba City will have its own congressional district starting 2019.

Republic Act 11078, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, September 24, carved the city out of the 1st District of Laguna.

Cabuyao City and the towns of Los Baños and Bay will remain in the 2nd District of Laguna.

After the 2019 midterm elections, Laguna will have 6 representatives – one for each of the province's 4 districts, plus one each for the cities of Biñan and Calamba.

RA 11078 - New Calamba Dist... by on Scribd

Incumbent Laguna 2nd District Representative Joaquin Chipeco Jr will continue representing his district and Calamba City until the election of the new legislator for the city.

Calamba City has a population of 454,486 according to the 2015 census, while the remainder of the current 2nd District has 482,896 residents.

Meanwhile, in the 2016 polls, Calamba City had 268,283 registered voters. The rest of the current 2nd District had 268,628 voters.

RA 11078 also instructed the Commission on Elections to issue implementing rules and regulations within 30 days after the law's effectivity. 

Aklan split into two legislative districts, Calamba City becomes lone

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed two laws that split Aklan into two legislative districts and make Calamba City in Laguna a lone district.

Duterte signed Republic Act 11077 reapportioning Aklan into two legislative districts, which are divided as follows:

First Legislative District

• Altavas
• Balete
• Banga
• Batan
• Kalibo
• New Washington
• Libacao
• Madalag

Second Legislative District

• Buruanga
• Ibajay
• Lezo
• Makato
• Malay
• Malinao
• Nabas
• Numancia
• Tangalan

Meanwhile, under RA 11078, the City of Calamba in Laguna has been separated from the province’s second legislative district to form its own.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/25/18/aklan-split-into-two-legislative-districts-calamba-city-becomes-lone

Enchong Dee throws shade at politicians ‘entertaining’ instead of leading

For Enchong Dee, a country is condemned to destruction when its leaders are entertaining the nation instead of doing what’s supposed to be stated their job description.

“When our entertainers lead the nation and the leaders of our nation entertain… we are doomed,” Dee wrote in a post he shared via Twitter yesterday, Sept. 22. Apparently, he made his remark after comedian Vice Ganda stated his opinion on the subject of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s suggestion to change the last line of the national anthem, during the “Tawag ng Tanghalan” segment of “It’s Showtime” on the same day.

Vice Ganda found it problematic that out of all the problems the country is currently facing — traffic, soaring prices of basic goods and National Food Authority’s “bukbok” (weevil-infested) rice — the politician chose to focus on the last line of “Lupang Hinirang” instead. He then poked fun at Sotto’s suggestion, saying the Senate may then want to change the ending of “Leron Leron Sinta” which is “humanap ng iba (find another one)” to “bigyan ng (give a) second chance.”

He suggested that Senators change the ending of two of the verses of the song “Sitsiritsit Alibangbang”. He also said that instead of changing the lyrics of the song “May Pulis sa Ilalim ng Tulay”, the government should fire the police officer who did nothing in the song.

While Dee’s reaction was spurred by Vice Ganda’s remarks, this was not the first time that the actor expressed his opinion about politicians. On Sept. 21, which is the anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in 1972, the actor threw a jab at those who have positions in the government.

“Daming oras mag diskusyon sa pwesto di nalang atupagin yung lipunan… daming naghihirap oh,” he stated.

([They] have a lot of time to discuss while they hold their posts, when they should be focusing instead on the nation… so many are suffering.)

Daming oras mag diskusyon sa pwesto di nalang atupagin yung lipunan... daming naghihirap oh. #AkoLangTo

— Enchong Dee (@enchongdee777) September 21, 2018

Yesterday, he also shared a photo of him holding old P1 and P2 coins.

Hanggang kelan ba tayo “Resilient” mga kababayan?? pic.twitter.com/IKTWZWXXMJ

— Enchong Dee (@enchongdee777) September 22, 2018

“Hanggang kelan ba tayo ‘resilient’ mga kababayan? (For how long are we going to be resilient my countrymen?)” he asked. JB

‘Lupang Hinirang’ changes just a suggestion, insists Sotto; celebs air mixed reactions

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III recently made the suggestion that the last two lines of “Lupang Hinirang” be changed. Sotto referred last Sept. 18 to the lines “Aming ligaya na ‘pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay nang dahil sa’yo” as having a defeatist attitude.

Sotto then offered an alternative to the last lines: “‘Aming ligaya na ‘pag may nang-aapi, ang ipaglaban kalayaan mo.'”

Sotto might be channeling his musician’s past. Before embarking on his political career, he rose to fame as a member of the ’70s Manila Sound disco group “VST & Co.” He also composed the song “Magkaisa” with Homer Flores and Ernie de la Peña back in the ’80s  in honor of the People Power Revolution that toppled the Marcos regime.

Reaction to Sotto’s suggestion may be mixed, but for comedian-talent manager Ogie Diaz, he didn’t seem to see the point of such. Diaz took to his Facebook last Sept. 19 to give his own take on the matter.

“Pag pinalitan na po ba ang linyang yon sa ‘Lupang Hinirang’, bababa na po ang inflation?” Diaz wrote. “Mababawasan na ba ang lumalagong bilang ng corrupt officials? Magkakaisa na ba ang DDS, Dilawan at yung mga worried at concerned lang naman?”

For Diaz, it seems that there are just other things to worry about. He, however, suggested that “Ama Namin” and “Hail Mary” be changed as well if the things he mentioned above would happen.

“Kung mangyayari po ito, nako, kahit po ‘Ama Namin’ at ‘Hail Mary’ palitan nyo na rin po ang mga linya.”

But while Diaz wasn’t so keen on Sotto’s suggestion, composer-conductor Chino Toledo suggested something else entirely.

Toledo took to Facebook on Sept. 20 to share the sheet music he worked on. The sheet music changed the last line of “Lupang Hinirang” with the last line of “Eat Bulaga’s” theme song.

“Ang mama-tay ng da-hil sa Eat Bu-la-ga! Pwede nga!” wrote Toledo in jest.

Changing of our flag and national anthem ill-timed

Amid all the problems our country is currently confronted with and at a time when we are grieving over the loss of so many lives -- even as many are still missing, believed to have been buried alive during the mudslide in Itogon, Benguet -- as a result of the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong, some lawmakers are bringing up issues like changing the lyrics of our national anthem or the design of our flag.

Senate President Tito Sotto III had suggested to change the last line of the ‘Lupang Hinirang’ from ‘ang mamatay nang dahil sa ’yo (to die for you)’ to ‘ang ipaglaban ang kalayaan mo (to fight for your freedom).’
On the other hand, Senator Richard Gordon wants to incorporate into the national anthem the line made famous by the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. or ‘Ninoy’ Aquino: ‘The Filipino is worth dying for.’

He also proposes that from eight, the number of sun rays in the Philippine flag must be nine. While the eight rays represent the first provinces which revolted against Spain in the late 19th century, the ninth, according to him, will represent the Muslims who also fought against foreign invasion.

The last two lines of our national anthem goes, ‘aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay nang dahil sa ’yo.’ This means that as Filipinos, it would be our joy to give up our lives in defense of our country’s freedom. It is an expression of how far we are willing to go to defend our country and its sovereignty. That the ultimate sacrifice of death would give us joy if it would mean freedom for our country.

The last line was apparently meant to strike a patriotic note among us, Filipinos. Just like in a speech or a joke, it is the so-called ‘punch line’ so it has got to come on strong.

Using Ninoy’s famous line, as suggested by Sen. Gordon, has the same effect as the original lyrics. It is maybe worth pondering on why this line even became famous.

It’s simply because nothing is more patriotic than dying for one’s country.

Our elders of the past have put their heads together to come up with our national anthem and the design of our Philippine flag, taking into consideration the very events that led to our freedom and the conditions of the times then. We should maybe show the respect they deserve by leaving the national anthem and our flag alone.

Touching on the matter may even open the floodgates to a host of weird suggestions such as changing the tempo of the national anthem to pop or rap, just to make ‘Lupang Hinirang’ in keeping with the times.

As it is, several artists have come under fire for changing the tempo of our national anthem and for alerting or ‘playing’ with its tune. Some artists think that the national anthem is just like any other song that they can interpret the way they want.

Not because this is allowed in other countries like the United States, it means that the same can be done here, too. There are countless other songs to play around with, so why dwell on the national anthem which is expected to strike certain sensitive chords with many, if not majority, of Filipinos?

I don’t think this is gonna sit well with most of our countrymen, along with the proposals to change the lyrics of the national anthem and the design of the Philippine flag, specially during these times when the country is facing a host of other more pressing issues like inflation, surging prices of basic commodities and the ‘Ompong’ aftermath.

There is a time for everything. Simply put, the proposals just come at a ‘wrong timing.’

***

Beauty tip -- A mixture of lettuce and spinach juice is good to drink to induce hair growth.  (Source: Dr. Rosary May Canay-Diaz of Californian Bloom Aesthetic Institute and Medical Spa/4108424/4669596/09178038240/ 025053987)

***

Jokjok (from Maryann Crisologo of Sta. Rosa, Laguna) --PEDRO: Oy miss, iso-soli ko na ’tong DVD na nirentahan ko sa shop n’yo! Walang kwenta!/MISS: Baket po sir?/PEDRO: Walang picture, walang sound anu ba naman ’yan! Kala ko pa naman suspense thriller ’tong kinuha ko /MISS: Walang problema sir, palitan natin. Eh ano ho ba ang pamagat ng napili ninyong palabas?/PEDRO: Ayan oh, ‘HEAD CLEANER!’

***

Direct Hit entertains comments, suggestions or complaints. Please have them emailed to itchiecabayan@yahoo.com or text 0927-7169778.

http://www.journal.com.ph/editorial/opinion/changing-our-flag-and-national-anthem-ill-timed

Sotto suggests changing some lines in national anthem

Senate President Vicente Sotto III has raised the possibility of changing the last two lines of the national anthem, which he said sounds like a “defeatist attitude.”

Sotto was referring to the lines: “Aming ligaya na ‘pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay nang dahil sa’yo [It is our joy to die because of you when oppressors come].”

“Patay na agad eh [It’s about death already]. I have thought of a line that could replace this: ‘Aming ligaya na ‘pag may nang-aapi, ang ipaglaban kalayaan mo [It is our joy to fight for your freedom when oppressors come],’” he said on Tuesday while interpellating on a bill seeking to add a ninth ray in the sun on the design of the Philippine flag.

The Senate leader said he has also been hearing sentiments from composers and writers about the last two lines of the national anthem.

According to Sotto, the Senate could also look into this possibility as they discuss the bill on the flag authored and co-sponsored by Senator Richard Gordon.

Historical records reveal that first President of the Philippine Republic General Emilio Aguinaldo commissioned Juan Felipe in 1898 to compose a “more stirring and majestic” march to inspire Filipinos to fight the enemy, according to the Official Gazette.

Jose Palma wrote the lyrics of the Philippine national anthem a year after. /jpv

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1034391/sotto-suggests-changing-some-lines-in-national-anthem

Quezon Ave., Cebu BRT get DoTr nod

The Department of Transportation on Wednesday said it would be proceeding with the implementation of two out of three Bus Rapid Transit systems—the Cebu BRT system and the Quezon Avenue BRT system.

DoTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark de Leon bared this following a recent inspection of both BRT systems’ routes with representatives from the DoTr, the National Economic and Development Authority, and the World Bank— which funds the project.

“The Bus Rapid Transit project of DoTr for Cebu and Quezon Avenue will push through,” De Leon told a press briefing in Malacañang.

“We conducted an inspection with World Bank team and also joined by NEDA, and evaluated conditions of the corridor of Cebu and also Quezon Avenue and we found it is possible to run the BRT in these corridors,” he added.

However, De Leon said the EDSA BRT system was “still undergoing evaluation “after its supposed funder backed out of the project.

“We’re undergoing evaluation of the BRT in EDSA,” De Leon said.

“The other two will push through because they have a different funder, it’s under World Bank,” he added.

De Leon said the DoTr had signed the contract for the technical service consultants for the Cebu BRT and had written the Department of Finance about its intention to proceed with the Quezon Avenue BRT.

“We just signed the contract for the TSC in Cebu so we’re already pushing for the BRT to push through. For Manila, we have signed a letter to DoF that we will push through with the program,” De Leon said.

Meanwhile, the agency is now working on the detailed engineering design of both BRT systems.

Last July, DoTr Secretary Arthur Tugade bared that only the implementation of the Cebu BRT would push through, considering Metro Cebu’s road profile and the need for efficient mass transport systems in interconnected cities.
The Cebu BRT is a 23-kilometer system, which will run through Bulacao, Ayala, and Talamban.

Two Metro Manila BTRs—Quezon Avenue and EDSA—were earlier scrapped since the DoTr considered it unfeasible on narrow and congested roads in urban areas.

The Quezon Avenue BRT will run 12.3 km from the Quezon Memorial Circle to Manila City Hall via Elliptical Road, Quezon Avenue and España Boulevard.

Meanwhile, the EDSA BRT will run 48.6 km and will have four main corridors—a main line along Edsa and corridors along Ayala Avenue to World Trade Center, Ortigas to Bonifacio Global City, and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The BRT systems are part of the DoTr’s integrated transportation system, one of the solutions to ease traffic. It dedicates lanes for specialized buses and stations.

It is estimated to cost P53 billion.

http://www.manilastandard.net/news/national/275947/quezon-ave-cebu-brt-get-dotr-nod.html

Kupit sa kapamilya: Duterte accuses ABS-CBN employees of stealing donated goods

President Rodrigo Duterte has accused employees of ABS-CBN Network of stealing goods donated for calamity victims.

Duterte said he was a “living witness” to the pilferage allegedly committed by the network’s employees at its Davao City station when he was mayor.

“Ako na mismo nagsasabi sa inyo. Nakikita ko eh. Kasi may program ako noon every Sunday. So ‘yung lahat ng donations nandoon. Nandoon yung mga matatandang empleyado na sorting out. Mga basta ‘yung ganoon na pilferage,” he said during the situation briefing on Typhoon Ompong in Isabela Tuesday (September 17).

While Duterte did not name the network, his weekly show, “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” aired on ABS-CBN Davao.

The President harbors a grudge against ABS-CBN over its alleged failure to air the commercials he paid for during the campaign period for the 2016 elections. He has hinted that the network may have a hard time renewing its franchise, which is set to expire on March 30, 2020.

http://politics.com.ph/kupit-sa-kapamilya-duterte-accuses-abs-cbn-employees-of-stealing-donated-goods/

Should the PH flag have a 9th ray?

Senators on Tuesday discussed the possibility of adding a ninth ray in the Philippine flag’s sun.

Senator Richard Gordon, sponsor of Senate Bill 102 which seeks to add a ninth ray in the flag's sun, argued that there is a need to increase the rays of the sun to represent Filipino Muslims who fought against the Spaniards.

“I think inclusion should be the policy. To include our brother Muslims,” Gordon said during the interpellation period.

Senator Franklin Drilon asked Gordon if a 10th ray should also be added for the people of the Cordilleras. Gordon replied that the ninth ray could represent all groups excluded in the eight rays.

“The more important thing is when we replace the rays of the sun there will be discussions in our country’s schools…reminding our people that we have a rich past,” Gordon said.

However, hostorian Xiao Chua earlier said adding a ninth ray in the Philippine flag would "destroy" the historical context behind the symbolism.

Most Filipinos think of the rays as a representation of the first eight provinces - Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Tarlac - that joined the revolt for the country's independence during the Spanish occupation.

But Chua said this was not so.

"These were just the 8 provinces in which the Spaniards suspected that there are members of the Katipunan," he told ANC's "Beyond Politics" in reference to the revolutionary movement.

"To add the ninth ray to it would destroy the historical context. It is something that is not correct should we say it," he added.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

Before suspending the consideration of the bill, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III commented that they might also consider changing the lyrics of the National Anthem by amending the same law.

"Some people mostly composers have told me the last two lines of the Philippine anthem sounds...defeatist,” he said during the interpellation.

Sotto suggests using, "Aming ligaya na pag may nang-aapi, ang ipaglaban kalayaan mo” as the last line of the song instead of “Aming ligaya, na pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo.”

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/19/18/should-the-ph-flag-have-a-9th-ray

Lawmaker bats for passage of bill creating DDR after ‘Ompong’

A pro-administration legislator on Tuesday pushed for the enactment of the measure creating a Cabinet-level department that will deal with the year-round onslaught of natural disasters which have been worse by climate change.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte was referring to the bill creating a Department of Disaster Resilience that was principally authored by Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez.

The consolidated House Bill 8165 is now in the period of sponsorship and debate in the House of Representatives. In the Senate, several bills are pending seeking to create a similar department.

Villafuerte said creating a Cabinet-level department would enable the government to institutionalize disaster preparation, risk reduction and relief and rehabilitation efforts, rather than tackling these on an adhoc basis, which has now become untenable with climate change.

“In relation to this, I am supporting the President’s directive to build permanent evacuation centers to replace the usual practice of converting public schools as temporary shelters for calamity victims. This should be the first order of business for the would-be department,” Villafuerte, vice chairman of the House committee on appropriations, and local government, said.

Villafuerte said with permanent evacuation centers, “the government can better achieve its zero-casualty goals as the would-be department could go full-blast on preemptive evacuation, especially of people in coastal and mountainous villages.”

Typhoon Ompong, the strongest typhoon to strike the country so far this year, has killed at least 65 people, triggered landslides and power outages, and caused over P14.2 billion-worth of agricultural damage in over 500,000 hectares of cropland. As of last weekend, over 133,000 people were still in evacuation centers and another 100 people were believed buried in a mining shelter in Benguet.

A co-author of this measure, Villafuerte has proposed the consolidation of five government agencies concerned with disaster risk reduction efforts under one roof to oversee all programs and activities to reduce the country’s vulnerability to natural calamities and climate change.

These five state agencies are the Climate Change Commission (CCC), National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, People’s Survival Fund (PSF), Yolanda Recovery and Rehabilitation Efforts, and the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR).

Under HB 6131, Villafuerte has proposed a single specialized government agency that would function not only after the occurrence of disaster, but would work all-year-round to build the country’s capacity and management of climate change; strengthen the planning, execution and financing framework for climate change; enhance leadership and accountability through monitoring, evaluation and review of climate change policies and activities; and ensure effective mechanisms even before disaster strikes.

Villafuerte noted that climate change is now considered a national security risk because it endangers public safety and threatens the sustainability of the country’s food supply and economic stability.

http://manilastandard.net/news/national/275870/lawmaker-bats-for-passage-of-bill-creating-ddr-after-ompong-.html

House passes bill creating Dep’t of Disaster Resilience on 2nd reading

By Philippine News Agency

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on second reading a measure creating the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR), a legislative priority of the Duterte administration.

The lower chamber passed via voice vote House Bill 8165 titled the “Department of Disaster Resilience Act.”

Under the bill, the DDR will be the national government agency primarily responsible for disaster preparedness, prevention, mitigation, response, recovery, and rehabilitation.
“The Department shall be the primary government agency responsible for leading, organizing and managing the national effort to reduce disaster risk, prepare for, and respond to disasters, recover and rehabilitate, and build forward better after the occurrence of disasters,” the bill read.

The bill also seeks to create a National Disaster Resilience Council (NDRC), which shall serve as the policy advisory body to the Department on disaster risk reduction and management and climate change adaptation.

Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, a principal author of the bill, said its passage could prevent a repeat of the tragedy in Leyte in 2013 as a result of the ill-preparedness in dealing with super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan).

Romualdez said it is high time to create a Department of Disaster Resilience that will effectively reduce the country’s vulnerability to natural hazards and bolster the country’s resilience to the impact of national disasters and climate change.

“With the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience, we can look forward to the future with hope, knowing that the government is ready, better equipped and committed to exert its best effort to reduce the risks that come with natural disasters, to empower local communities to rise above the different vulnerabilities that surround them and to ensure that in the years to come, such a tragedy will never happen again,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez described Yolanda as an “unspeakable tragedy that we do not want to happen again.”

“Until now, five years after Haiyan had passed, the pain caused by the strongest typhoon in recent history remains fresh in the hearts and minds of our constituents. Haiyan not only took our properties, our livelihood and local businesses, but also the lives of our brothers and sisters, our mothers, fathers, grandparents, and even our friends,” Romualdez said.

“We all lost something on that day. Some lost someone they loved,” she added.

Camiguin Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo, sponsor of the measure, stressed the need to create an “able, fully equipped and responsive department” that will prepare and lead the nation to cope with both rapid- and slow-onset catastrophic events.

“The bill at hand is a concrete step towards transforming what was once an ad hoc, coordinative, and reactive response to disaster risk management, to one that anchors climate and disaster resilience to the very foundations of sustainable development,” Romualdo said.

“The bill creates a Cabinet-level agency that builds a culture of resilience, organizes and strengthens the nation to face catastrophic events, and reduces the complexity of responding to the threats of current and future climate and disaster risks,” Romualdo added.

Romualdo said the bill highlights the “whole-of-government, whole-of-nation, and whole-of-society approach” to disaster resiliency efforts through convergence of efforts by the government and stakeholders.

“The holistic approach to disasters ought not to be the sole responsibility of government. It needs a multi-stakeholder approach and strong partnership so we can achieve a disaster-resilient culture,” Romualdo said.

The proposed department shall ensure seamless synergy and coordination with stakeholders – including civil society organizations (CSOs), academe, and the private sector – in relation to disaster resilience programs and projects and the development and promotion of research, education, and training mechanisms with relevant stakeholders.

A multi-stakeholders convergence unit shall also be established to align the disaster resilience efforts of the private sector, CSOs, academe, and other stakeholders with the department, by assisting, coordinating or providing services that strengthen public-private cooperation and coordination in disaster resilience.

The bill also seeks the establishment of a Climate and Disaster Research, Education and Training Institute, which shall serve as a world-class center of excellence for learning and research in the field of disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management and climate change adaptation.

House approves bill creating Department of Disaster Resilience on second reading

The House of Representatives, through viva voce voting, approved on second reading on Tuesday House Bill 8165, seeking to create the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) which shall be the primary government agency responsible for leading, organizing and managing the national effort to reduce disaster risk, and prepare for and respond to disasters, recover and rehabilitate.

Principally authored by Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez (1st District, Leyte), the bill also provides that the DDR shall oversee and coordinate the preparation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation of disaster and climate resilience plans, programs, and activities.

The DDR shall also provide leadership in the continuous development of strategic and systematic approaches to disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation, and anticipatory adaptation strategies, measures, techniques and options.

It shall also augment the capacity of local government units (LGUs) in collaboration with relevant national agencies and other stakeholders to implement disaster risk reduction and management and climate change action plans, programs, projects and activities.

The bill declares it is the duty of the State to carry out and harmonize the policies on disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management, and climate change adaptation, and sustainable development to uphold the welfare of the people particularly the vulnerable sectors of society.

The DDR shall be composed of the following: 1) Secretary to be appointed by the President; 2) five Undersecretaries. Each of the four Undersecretaries shall be responsible for resilience, policy and governance, operations, administration and finance, respectively, while the fifth one shall be the Senior Undersecretary; 3) 10 Assistant Secretaries; 4) 11 Service Directors who shall head the following services: administrative and financial management, logistics and resource management, operations, responders management, policy development and planning, capacity-development and training, legal affairs and compliance, disaster risk reduction, climate change, rehabilitation and recovery management, and strategic communications; 5) divisions, units and offices; 6) The National Climate and Disaster Resilience, Research, Education, and Training Institute ; 7) regional and other offices; 8) bureaus; 9) seconded personnel from relevant agencies; and 10) grievance desks in every region.

The DDR shall also have the power to receive donations and grants from any person, government institution, corporation, international organization, and other similar entities, and the power to recommend the procurement of developmental assistance for the purpose of disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management, and climate change adaptation.

It shall be mandatory for the department to acknowledge and certify the receipt of all DDR grants and donated funds and ensure their judicious management, including their proper and accurate audit reporting to constituents.

The bill also provides for the creation of the National Disaster Resilience Council (NDRC) which shall be the policy advisory to the DDR on disaster risk reduction and management, and climate change adaptation. It shall be headed by the Secretary of Disaster Resilience and composed of the heads of the different government agencies.

The Council shall be organized into five clusters namely, Disaster Prevention and Management to be led by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST); Disaster Preparedness to be led by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); Disaster response to be led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); Logistics to be led by the Department of National Defense (DND); and Recovery and Sustainable Development to be led by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The DDR shall also issue comprehensive guidelines on the initiation, entry, facilitation, transit and regulation of international relief goods and personnel, as well as eligibility guidelines to utilize the legal facilities for assisting international actors.

The bill also provides for penalties for prohibited acts of public officials, and private persons or institutions.

The amount needed for the initial implementation of the Act shall be taken from the current fiscal year’s unexpended appropriation of all agencies absorbed, transferred, and attached to the DDR. Thereafter, the amount needed for the operation and maintenance of the DDR shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

The bill was sponsored and defended on the floor by Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo (Lone District, Camiguin). | Rowena B. Bundang

House OKs Department of Disaster Resilience bill on 2nd reading

The House bill seeks to transfer to the proposed department the 'applicable' powers and funds of existing agencies and offices in charge of disaster risk reduction and management

The House of Representatives approved on 2nd reading the bill that would create the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR).

Lawmakers gave their nod to House Bill (HB) No. 8165 through viva voce voting or a vote of ayes and nays on Tuesday, September 18.

If passed into law, HB 8165 would mandate the DDR to be primarily responsible for overseeing and coordinating the preparation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of disaster and climate change resilience plans and programs.

The bill would also establish the National Disaster Resilience Council, which shall serve as the department's policy advisory body on disaster risk and vulnerability reduction, emergency management, and climate change adaptation.

HB 8165 would also order the creation of the Prevention, Mitigation, and Preparedness Fund, which shall be used to support programs for climate change adaptation, disaster risk prevention and mitigation, disaster risk transfer, and disaster preparedness of 3rd to 6th class provinces and municipalities.

Lawmakers approved the bill on 2nd reading after Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut) devastated parts of Luzon over the weekend, killing at least 74 people and affecting over 800,000 others. (READ: In Itogon, sister volunteers to dig beneath the soil to look for brother)

What happens to existing disaster-related agencies and bureaus? Under the bill, the "applicable" powers, functions, and funds of the following agencies would be transferred to the DDR:

• Office of Civil Defense
• Climate Change Office
• Geo-Hazard Assessment and Engineering Geology Section of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau
• Health and Emergency Management Bureau of the Department of Health
• Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau of the Department of Social Welfare and Development
• Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)

The BFP, however, would remain a "distinct entity" within the proposed department, including BFP employees and officials' uniformed personnel status and benefits.

The Climate Change Office of the Climate Change Commission would also continue to serve its functions, but would be an office under the DDR.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration as well as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology would become attached agencies to the proposed department.

Separation pay and other benefits would be given to officials and employees who would be affected by the transfer of agencies and bureaus.

Why push for a new department? No less than President Rodrigo Duterte asked Congress to pass a bill creating the DDR.

He said the proposed department, which would have more powers than the current National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, would help the country respond to natural and man-made calamities faster.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/212275-house-2nd-reading-bill-department-of-disaster-resilience

Duterte signs law creating 8th district for vote-rich Cavite

The new district is composed of Tagaytay City, Alfonso, General Aguinaldo, Magalles, Maragondon, Mendez, Naic, and Ternate

Eight months before the 2019 elections, President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law creating an 8th legislative district for the vote-rich province of Cavite.

Republic Act Number 11069 was signed by Duterte on Friday, September 14. The new arrangement will take effect in the next national and local elections.

The new district is comprised of the following cities and towns:

• Tagaytay City
• Alfonso
• General Aguinaldo
• Magallanes
• Maragondon
• Mendez
• Naic
• Ternate

The 7 other districts are as follows:

1st District

• Cavite City
• Kawit
• Noveleta
• Rosario

2nd District

• Bacoor City

3rd District

• Imus City

4th District

• Dasmariñas City

5th District

• Carmona
• General Mariano Alvarez
• Silang

6th District

• General Trias City

7th District

• Trece Martires City
• Indang
• Tanza
• Amadeo

Those cities and towns now under the 8th district but which were part of the 6th and 7th districts will be represented by the incumbent representatives of those districts until a new representative is elected.

The Commission on Elections is ordered to come up with rules and regulations within 30 days after the law's approval.

Cavite has a population of 3.78 million, based on 2015 census. It had 1.84 million registered voters in 2016.

BREAKING NEWS: Miss Earth is Now A Kapuso?

This 2018, marks the 17th year of Miss Earth since the Organization aired their first ever pageant in 2002. In 2001, the pageant debuted in now-defunct RPN 9. Seems like the Miss Earth Foundation is embracing so much changes after they have changed how they run their pageants.

From the selection of the finalists, the pre-judging, the production and the yearly theme. For 17 years, ABS-CBN acquired the rights to air the show in both Miss Earth Philippines and the Miss Earth. Since the organization is really serious in transforming their pageant, looks like a big switch is likely to happen and this could be a network switch.

According to a reliable source, the Miss Earth Foundation are going to meet with the people behind one of the biggest TV networks. One of the staff of Miss Earth even posted a hint through emoji which if you read between the lines, it would say, from Kapamilya to Kapuso. Will the major switch of network push through or will the major switch continue the streak of success in the international stage? We’ll find out soon. Tune in to the page for more upcoming news regarding this.

Senate OKs bills on provincial holidays

The Senate approved on Monday on its third and final reading 15 house bills seeking to declare special non-working holidays in several provinces to commemorate locally significant events.

Senator Sonny Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government and sponsor of the bills, said in a statement that these holidays would be opportunities for communities to honor historical events.

Among the approved bills is House Bill No. 5172, which declares June 19 as a special non-working holiday in Laguna to honor the birth of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

House Bill No. 5551 proposes to declare a special non-working holiday on September 2 to honor the birth of Simeon Ola has also been approved.

Ola is the last general from the Philippines to surrender to the American forces after the Philippine-American War.

Meanwhile, the Senate has also approved House Bill No. 5640, which seeks to declare September 3 as a holiday in Baguio to commemorate the surrender of the Japanese troops led by General Tomoyuki Yamashita.

House Bill No. 2483 aiming to declare July 4 as a holiday in Cadiz, Negros Occidental, in commemoration of its charter day anniversary has also been passed.

Other bills approved are House Bill Nos. 6178, 5563, 2484, 2132, 3710, 2129, 2131, 2130, 6418, 5641, and 2097, the declaration of special non-working holidays on January 11 in Bataan; April 21 in Orani, Bataan; June 11 in Sagay, Negros Occidental; June 15 in Oplo, Misamis Oriental; June 27 in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental; July 1 in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental; July 22 in Claveria, Misamis Oriental; September 1 in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental; October 26 in Catanduanes; December 1 in Padre Garcia, Batangas; and December 2 in Pasay City, to commemorate their respective founding anniversaries. /ee

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1033380/senate-oks-bills-on-provincial-holidays

UST law school to host mass for Atio’s death anniversary

The University of Santo Tomas is set to hold a rosary praying and mass as it marks the first death anniversary of law student Horacio “Atio” Castillo III.

On a social media post, the UST Civil Law Student Council said it would be hosting the Eucharistic Celebration in remembrance of Castillo’s year of passing at the Santissimo Rosario Parish around 5 p.m.

The rosary praying will be held an hour before the mass, also at the same venue.

“We continue to pray for the peaceful rest of Mr. Castillo III, and the honest and swift service of justice,” the council said.

Last March, 10 members of the  Aegis Juris Fraternity surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation over the death of the student.

They are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law.

The testimony of state witness Mark Ventura claimed Castillo was punched and paddled for hours as part of the fraternity's rites.

By dawn on Sept. 17, 2017, Castillo was dead.

The Department of Justice earlier cleared from anti-hazing and obstruction of justice raps UST law school dean Nilo Divina and other alumni of the fraternity. — Rosette Adel with a report from Kristine Joy Patag

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/09/17/1852283/ust-law-school-host-mass-atios-death-anniversary

Duterte signs law creating 8th legislative district for vote-rich Cavite

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law reapportioning vote-rich Cavite province into eight legislative districts months before the 2019 midterm polls. 

Republic Act 11069 signed by Duterte last September 14, would make General Trias City a separate legislative district and would reorganize two other districts.

General Trias City would become the province's sixth district. Trece Martires City, Indang, Tanza and Amadeo, areas that used to be part of the sixth district, would constitute the seventh district.  

The 8th district would consist of Tagaytay City, Alfonso, General Aguinaldo, Magallanes, Maragondon, Mendez, Naic and Ternate, areas that used to belong to the 7th district. 

The incumbent representatives of the 6th and 7th districts would continue to represent their districts until new representatives are elected.

The composition of the five other districts was unchanged. The first district is composed of Cavite City, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario while Bacoor City constitutes the second district. 

Imus City constitutes the third district while Dasmariñas City constitutes the fourth. The fifth district consists of Carmona, General Mariano Alvarez and Silang.

There are about 1.8 million registered voters in Cavite.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/09/17/1852282/duterte-signs-law-creating-8th-legislative-district-vote-rich-cavite

Duterte signs law dividing Cavite into 8 legislative districts

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law reapportioning Cavite into 8 legislative districts, ahead of the 2019 national and local elections.

According to Republic Act 11069, signed by Duterte on Sept. 14, the 8 legislative districts are as follows:

First District

• Cavite City
• Kawit
• Noveleta
• Rosario

Second District

• Bacoor City

Third District

• Imus City

Fourth Distric​t

• ​Dasmariñas City

Fifth District

• Carmona
• General Mariano Alvarez
• Silang

Sixth District

• General Trias City

Seventh District

• Trece Martires City
• Indang
• Tanza
• Amadeo

Eighth District

• Tagaytay City
• Alfonso
• General Aguinaldo
• Magallanes
• Maragondon
• Mendez
• Naic
• Ternate

The law, which repeals RA 9727 signed by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, makes General Trias City into a legislative district on its own. The composition of the first five districts, meanwhile, were left untouched.

The law states that the incumbent representatives of the 6th and 7th legislative districts shall continue to represent their districts until new representatives are elected.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/17/18/duterte-signs-law-dividing-cavite-into-8-legislative-districts

Former Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino general manager Marco Protacio

Chowking founder passes away

Roberto Fung Kuan, the businessman who founded Chinese style fast-food restaurant chain Chowking, passed away on Saturday at the age of 70.

His son Robert Kelvin announced his passing in a Facebook post.

“Today I bid goodbye to my father... Roberto Fung Kuan, born Aug. 6, 1948. He joined the Lord today, 12:18 p.m. Sept. 15 at the age of 70,” the younger Kuan said.

“Daddy accomplished much in his lifetime as a servant of God, being an exceptional leader and role model in the various fields he has devoted his life to – church ministry, business, medicine, education, sports, philanthropy and so much more. A passionate entrepreneur with a visionary mindset, tempered with humility and a thirst for life, people know Dad as a warm soul – strong, principled with a big heart. He led an extraordinarily remarkable life, filled with much love and great food, and had been a gifted mentor, loyal friend, devoted husband, brother, father and grandfather,” he also said.

Kuan founded Chowking Food Corp. in 1985 and served as its president until 2000 when the Jollibee Group acquired the fast-food chain.

He also served as the chairman of the board of trustees of St. Luke’s Medical Center.

According to his profile on Bloomberg, he also served as an independent director at China Bank Securities Corp. and chairman of Creative Dining Inc., Goodview Seafood Restaurant and Hot Café.

He served as trustee of Far Eastern College-Silang Inc. and Brent International School of Manila since 1989.

He was also a recipient of several awards and citations in the field of business, such as Business Leadership Award (Pillar Category) from Aurelio Periquet Jr. Foundation, TOFIL Awardee in the field of Business and Entrepreneurship for the year 2003, Agora Awardee for entrepreneurship, Triple-A Awardee of AIM, Outstanding Alumnus of the University of the Philippines (UP) in the field of Business, 1999 Franchise Excellence Awardee from the Philippine Franchise Association, 1999 Most Outstanding Professional Awardee in the field of Business Administration from UP Alumni Association, among others.

A graduate of the College of Business Administration at the University of the Philippines in 1970, Kuan also obtained an MBA from the Asian Institute of Management.

His son said Kuan is survived by “our loving mom Yvonne; siblings Joseph, Helen and Choleng; children Robert Kelvin and Reah, Natalie Cherubim and Randy, Jeremy Giancarlo and Dennis Ann and Sherwin Spencer and Kathleen Joan; and grandchildren Raphael Karlos, Louis Yñigo, Kenzo Nicolai, Kara Ysabelle, Yale Quinzel and Venice Skye.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2018/09/17/1852060/chowking-founder-passes-away

Officials elated by Cavite redistricting

By Anthony Giron

IMUS, Cavite — Officials were elated by President Duterte’s early signing of a Congress measure that moved for the creation of the eighth district in the Province of Cavite.

The President signed into law on Friday Republic Act 11069 or the Act amending Section I of R.A. 9727, reapportioning the historical province into eight legislative districts.

Cavite, Luzon’s most densely populated area, currently has seven districts comprising seven ities and 16 municipalities.

With the approved redistricting law, the province’s 6th and 7th Districts would be reapportioned, make General Trias City as a lone district and create the 8th District.

Under the law, General Trias will solely be the 6th District, the 7th District will be composed of Trece Martires City. Amadeo, Tanza and Indang and the 8th District will comprise Tagaytay City and the municipalities of Alfonso, General Emilio Aguinaldo (also called Bailen), Magallanes, Maragondon, Mendez-Nuñez, Naic and Ternate.

The 6th District is currently composed of the cities of General Trias, Trece Martires and municipalities of Tanza and Amadeo while the 7th District comprises Tagaytay City and the municipalities of Alfonso, General Emilio Aguinaldo, Indang, Magallanes, Maragondon, Mendez-Nunez, Naic and Ternate.

The 7th District Representative and the administration’s PDP-Laban-Cavite head Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and his brother, Francis, former mayor of Tagaytay, now Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs, said that the signed law was a welcome development as it would boost further developments and progress particularly in the three concerned districts (6th, 7th and the new 8th Districts).

The law was well supported by all the other six Cavite House legislators namely 1st District Rep. Francis Gerald A. Abaya, 2nd District (Bacoor) Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla, 3rd District (Imus) Rep. Alex L. Advincula, 4th District (Dasmarinas) Rep. Jennifer A. Barzaga, 5th District Rep. Roy M. Loyola and 6th District Rep. Luis A. Ferrer.

The law, earlier approved by Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III and House of Representatives Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was also backed by the provincial and local officials.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/15/officials-elated-by-cavite-redistricting/

Dureza committed to pursuing autonomy for Cordillera Region

By Aaron Recuenco

While all the discussions are currently focused on the autonomous region for the Bangsamoro in Mindanao, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza has committed to pursuing the autonomy for the Cordillera Region.

“I think the next priority for this government is to install the Autonomous Region for the Cordillera,” Jesus Dureza said.

The official made the statement during the 32nd anniversary of “Sipat” or the Mount Data Peace Accord which was the first culture-based peace agreement made in the history of the peace process in the Philippines.

It was done on September 13, 1986 between the Philippine government under President Corazon Aquino and the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) led by Fr. Conrado Balweg.

In a statement, Dureza commended the local leaders of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) for working as one to attain autonomy.

Those who were fragmented before are now united. And I saw convergence of your political leaders. We should not squander this opportunity,” Dureza said.

It’s not just the Bangsamoro that should have an autonomous region. The Constitution provides both for the Bangsamoro and the Cordillera,” he added.

Part of the move for autonomy in the Cordillera, according to Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) Secretary Adelino Sitoy, are bills filed in Congress that seek to establish the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera (ARC).

“The PLLO will pledge to exert all efforts in lobbying for the inclusion of Cordillera Autonomy Bill in the President’s legislative agenda and common legislative agenda,” Sitoy said.

Four identical versions of the proposed measure are now pending before the Senate and the House of Representatives.

House Bill 5343, which was authored by Cordilleran legislators, is now set to undergo deliberations in the House committee on local government. Serving as the counterpart of the House legislation, three Senate Bills — tagged as SB 1678, SB 1923, and SB 1930 — were filed by Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, JV Ejercito, and Bam Aquino, respectively.

In his message of support, former President Fidel V. Ramos, who was present in the 1986 signing of the Mount Data Peace Accord, urged everyone to help the present administration to attain peace and justice, relating it to the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.

“Let us help him (President Rodrigo Duterte) finish the transformation of the Philippines,” Ramos said.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/15/dureza-committed-to-pursuing-autonomy-for-cordillera-region/

SGMA pushes for establishment of Disaster Management Department

Former President and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today pushed for the establishment of a Disaster Management Department that would be instrumental in improving the country’s preparedness before, during, and after the strike of natural calamities.

Speaker Arroyo reiterated her call for the creation of the Disaster Management Department in an interview prior to her distribution of relief goods to some 1,000 families in Marilao, Bulacan, who were affected by previous typhoons.

The relief operations were done by Speaker Arroyo despite the expected onslaught of supertyphoon Ompong.

Speaker Arroyo disclosed that there are difficulties encountered with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in terms of determining where the relief operations should be held.

She said that while residents of Bulacan were definitely victimized by the calamities, people living in the East of Aurora apparently experienced it worse. She explained that they were almost clueless as to where the typhoon really hit.

“So because it’s a coordinating council, we just based it on where they announced ‘no classes.’ It turns out it’s East of Aurora. We should have gone to Aurora, but we didn’t know. If there is a Disaster Management Department, they would have better information, and they can prepare better,” Speaker Arroyo said.

She also bared that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also had logistical issues, which posed delay on the day of the relief operations.

“We asked (the) DSWD to bring relief goods. I brought mine. Good that it’s here. But DSWD, they have the goods, but do not have the truck. A Disaster Management Department would have everything. 

So what happened was that the DSWD had to borrow a truck from Meycauayan Mayor Henry Villarica, the husband of Congresswoman Villarica. "But then, the truck broke down. It just arrived now,” she said.

Speaker Arroyo then noted that it is important to already have a Disaster Management Secretary who can focus on concerns of risk reduction and management.

“We need to have a permanent and full-time Secretary of Disaster. Who’s the head of the Council? Secretary Lorenzana. Well, he’s busy fighting insurgency. He’s busy fighting terrorism. So how can he be there full-time? So now, what happened is since the typhoon is going to hit the North, four Secretaries are there. If there was a full-time Secretary, then you don’t need four Secretaries to be there,” Speaker Arroyo explained.

The Speaker mentioned how these matters have only proven that there is absolutely a need for a Disaster Management Department. She said that “They’re doing the best that they can. I’m satisfied with what they’re doing within the limitations of a coordinating council, but this really proves we should have a Disaster [Management] Department. Otherwise, we would have been in Aurora today, if we had known better,” she said.

Relatedly, House Bill 8165, seeking the creation of the Department of Disaster Resiliency (DDR), is now in the period of sponsorship and debate at the House of Representatives. 

Also present during the relief operations were Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado (1st District, Bulacan), Marilao Mayor Juanito Santiago, Marilao Vice Mayor Henry Lutao, Meycauayan Mayor Henry Villarica, some local officials of Marilao and representatives from the DSWD. | Monel Gonzales

Arroyo admits her experience justified creation of disaster management dep’t

Confused and bewildered about details on typhoon ‘”Ompong”s, former president and now Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo admitted her experience on Friday provided a strong justification for the creation of a new government department solely in charge of the country’s disaster preparedness and resilience program.

“We were clueless where the typhoon was going to hit so because it is a coordinating council so we based it where there are no classes, where it has been announced no classes. Marilao, Obando in Bulacan. It turns out it’s east of Aurora,” Arroyo told news reporters.

Arroyo distributed relief goods to more than 1,000 Marilao families who were affected by the “habagat” (west monsoon rains) and to prepare them for the approaching supertyphoon Ompong yesterday.

The House leader underscored the need to create the Department of Disaster Resilience which is currently debated in the Lower House plenary, saying that addressing national disaster preparedness and response concerns.

“We should have gone to Aurora but we did not know,” said Arroyo, adding that they were not aware of Ompong’s directiion when they prepared the relief goods the other day.

“If there is a disaster management department, they would have better information and they can prepare better,” she added.

Further, the former chief executive stressed that the proposed department can be expected to acquire better equipment, apparently in terms of communications, transportation and heavy-duty disaster control tools and gear.

She pointed out that while the Department of Social Welfare Development has enough relief goods and food to distribute, it lacks transportation to ensure delivery.

“A disaster management department would have everything so what happened? The DSWD had to borrow the truck from the mayor of Meycauayan, the husband of Cong. Villarica,“ she explained, referring to Deputy Speaker Linabelle Villarica and her husband, Mayor Henry Villarica.

Unfortunatley, the truck bogged down and belatedly arrived at the distribution venue.

“I mean these are the logistical problems when you have only a coordinating council and disasters happen to us all the time especially with climate change,” she said.

House bill 8165 seeking to create a Department of Disaster Resilience is up for second reading approval in the Lower House.

A consolidation of 42 bills and five resolutions, HB 8165 proposes the DDR to be the primary government agency responsible for managing the national effort to reduce disaster risk, manage preparations for natural calamities and lead the response, recovery and rehabilitation efforts for victims.

Principal authors included Reps. Winston Castelo (PDP-Laban, Quezon City); Isidro Rodriguez Jr. (NPC, Rizal); Bellaflor Angara-Castillo (LDP, Aurora); Alfred Vargas (PDP-Laban, Quezon City); Michael Romero and Enrico Pineda (1Pacman Party-list); Carlos Isagani Zarate (Bayan Muna); Yedda Marie Romualdez (Lakas-CMD, Leyte) ; Victoria Isabel Noel (An Waray Party-list) and Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Bagong Henerasyon Party-list).

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/14/arroyo-admits-her-experience-justified-creation-of-disaster-management-dept/

4,000 Bicolanos to be hired with opening of big mall in Legazpi City

LEGAZPI CITY – About 4,000 Bicolanos would be employed with the opening of SM City Legazpi on Friday.

“With the operation of SM, it is a big investment for Legazpi City,” said Mayor Noel Rosal.

With more than 150 stores and six cinemas, Rosal said the mall has generated more than 4,000 jobs. It would surely contribute to the city’s economy, he said.

The SM City Legazpi is the 71st mall of SM Prime Holdings Inc. in the country and the second in Bicol region, with SM City Naga in Camarines Sur as the first.

The three-level mall is located along Imelda Roces Avenue in Barangay Bitano.

“The newest SM City will awe mall goers because a lot of things can be explored,” said Lilbeth Azores, SM senior relations manager.

She said shoppers could also have their pictures taken at the exterior balcony of the mall, with Mayon Volcano as the backdrop. MICHAEL B. JAUCIAN

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1031211/4000-bicolanos-to-be-hired-with-opening-of-big-mall-in-legazpi-city

Senate OKs June 18 Bacolod Charter Day

The Senate approved the bill that seeks to change the Bacolod City Charter Day from Oct. 19 to June 18 of every year.

House Bill (HB) 7044 was passed in its third and final reading on Monday.

If signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte, it will amend Republic Act (RA) 7724, which declares Oct. 19 of every year as the Bacolod City Charter Day.

Aside from declaring June 18 as the annual Charter Day, making it a special nonworking holiday in Negros Occidental’s capital city, the bill also recognizes Oct. 19 as Bacolod City’s annual commemoration of its inauguration.

Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, chairman of the Senate committee on revision of laws, sponsored HB 7044 in February after the House of Representatives approved its version (HB 5875), which Rep. Greg Gasataya authored.

Gasataya filed the bill early this year upon the request of Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

Leonardia said RA 7724 “created the legally unfounded belief that the Bacolod City Charter Day is on Oct. 19.”

He added that then president Manuel Quezon signed Commonwealth Act 326 – which officially turned Bacolod into a city – on June 18, 1938.

Gasataya said RA 7724 “bears with it the misconception that the city was created on the day of its formal inauguration and the first assembly of the city council on Oct. 19, 1938” thus “causing several problems.”

Councilor Caesar Distrito – chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on laws, ordinances and good government – welcomed Senate’s approval of HB 7044.

“Finally, the rightful celebration had been put in place by the passage of this law that recognizes the correct Charter Day of Bacolod which is June 18,” said Dsitrito.

In 2012, Distrito authored an ordinance that acknowledged June 18 of every year as the Bacolod City Charter Day.

“We appreciate the efforts of Gasataya, being the author of the House version,” said Distrito. “We also recognize our congressmen and senators for finally approving the bill in its third and final reading.”

Former mayor Monico Puentevella and son Councilor Claudio Jesus and Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. have opposed the June 18 Bacolod City Charter Day.

Monico and Gamboa cited records from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines showing that Bacolod came into “corporate existence” when Quezon inaugurated the city on Oct. 19, 1938./PN

House renews CBCP broadcast franchise for 25 years

By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN

The House of Representatives has finally approved on third reading the overdue congressional franchise renewal of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines.

Voting 216 without opposition, the House plenary approved House Bill 4820 which seeks to extends the congressional franchise granted to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)

Under the measure, the CBCP (formerly the Catholic Welfare Organization) is allowed “to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain radio and or television broadcasting stations in the Philippines” under Republic Act 7530 for another 25 years.

The bill, authored by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, hurdled the committee level last August 15, more than a year after the CBCP’s congressional franchise lapsed.

It was rumored that both President Rodrigo Duterte and former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez were allegeldy blocking the franchise renewal of CBCP since the Catholic Church has been critical of the government’s policies including the war on drugs.

http://politics.com.ph/house-renews-cbcp-broadcast-franchise-for-25-years/

SM Prime opens SM City Legazpi in Albay

 SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, is set to open its newest mall, SM City Legazpi in Albay Province, this Friday, September 14. Dubbed as Bicol Region’s newest lifestyle destination, SM City Legazpi spans to almost 88,000 square meters (sqm) of gross floor area (GFA).

"SM Prime joins the City of Legazpi in bringing fun and adventure to the picturesque province of Albay with the opening of SM City Legazpi. To date, this is the company’s biggest mall in the Bicol Region. Together with SM City Naga in Camarines Sur, this new lifestyle destination in Bicolandia will elevate the malling experience of both the locals and tourists with offerings from top local and global brands,” SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said.

Legazpi, The City of Fun and Adventure

Home to the majestic Mayon Volcano, Legazpi City is Bicol Region’s center for tourism, education, health services, commerce and transportation. The progress of this city is evident in the great number of hotels, restaurants, health and educational facilities, as well as banks and other financial institutions that serve this community of 200,000 residents.

Legazpi City is also among the top provincial cities with valuable OFW remittances in the Philippines, contributing significantly to national developme

Bicolandia’s Newest Lifestyle Hub

SM City Legazpi, which will open with 85% of space lease-awarded, has three levels of well-curated mix of shopping, dining and entertainment concepts led by The SM Store, SM Supermarket, SM Appliance Center, Ace Hardware, Our Home, Watsons, Surplus, Sports Central, Bata Shoes, Miniso, The Body Shop, Uniqlo and Banco de Oro.

The mall will feature  green architecture, accentuated by a vast glass-walled SM Food Hall that overlooks the splendor of Mayon Volcano, where mall goers get to enjoy crave-worthy food choices.  The mall will also have SM Cyberzone and six SM Cinemas.

Standing in a prime location along Imelda Roces Avenue (formerly known as Tahao Road), the mall offers convenience to its shoppers through its customer-centric facilities such as Breastfeeding Station, PWD-access ramps, customer service hub and an ample 922-slot carpark.

SM Prime has opened three new malls in the first half of 2018 - SM Center Imus in Cavite, SM City Urdaneta Central in Pangasinan and SM City Telabastagan in Pampanga. The Company is scheduled to open SM Center Ormoc in Leyte in the last quarter of the year.

SM Prime remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities, thereby enriching the quality of life of millions of people.