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Senate, House approve reconciled version of 2022 budget

The Senate and the House of Representatives on Wednesday approved the reconciled version of the proposed P5.024-trillion national budget for 2022.

This, after senators and House lawmakers, signed the bicameral conference committee report on the 2022 budget.

According to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Senator Sonny Angara, the reconciled version of the budget not only focuses on the health aspect of the country’s recovery from the pandemic but also on the economic side.

“Nakatutok na rin tayo sa economic recovery natin so hindi lang yung purely health, kasi di natin masabi kung gaano kabilis or gaano kabagal yung recovery natin sa darating na taon so dapat handa tayo either way,” he told reporters.

“Prepare for the worst, prepare for the best case scenario na opened up na tayo,” he added.

Angara said the bicam agreed to increase the budget of the Department of Health (DOH) by around P20 billion to P30 billion from the budget initially proposed by the executive department.

“I think dinagdagan namin yung sa boosters tapos sa testing, meron din doon,” Angara said.

The bicam also agreed to allocate funding for the Department of Labor and Employment for the COVID-19 testing of job seekers.

The bicam report is expected to be ratified by the Senate and the House during their respective plenary sessions later in the day.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1528009/fwd-senate-house-approve-reconciled-version-of-2022-budget

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Proposed creation of OFW department gets Senate’s final nod

The Senate on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a bill proposing the creation of a separate department for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Voting 20-0, senators approved Senate Bill No. Senate Bill No. 2234 or the proposed Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act.

During the period of amendments on the floor, the name of the department was changed into the Department of Migrant Workers.

This amendment was proposed by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon in order to limit the new department’s jurisdiction to overseas employment and labor migration with the Department of Foreign Affairs continuing in its authority over other Filipinos abroad.

Earlier, Senator Joel Villanueva, sponsor of the bill as chairman of the Senate labor committee, said the proposed department would serve as “one home” for migrant workers and Filipinos abroad since agencies mandated to serve them are scattered in different departments.

The passage of the bill was certified as urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte last May.

The creation of a department dedicated to OFWs was among Duterte’s campaign promises during the 2016 presidential race.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1527661/proposed-ofw-department-gets-senates-final-nod

Senate OKs creation of OFW department on 2nd reading

A bill seeking to create a separate department for Filipino migrant workers is now only a step closer to the Senate’s final approval.

This, after senators on Monday, approved on second reading Senate Bill No. 2234 or the proposed Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act.

The passage of the measure is certified as urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte. With the certification, the Senate can immediately proceed with the third reading approval of the bill without waiting for three days after it was approved on the second reading.

But to allow more senators to vote on the passage of the bill in the chamber, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the Senate will set the measure’s final reading approval on Tuesday.

This, to also let senators read a clean copy of the bill which includes adopted amendments.

Among these changes include the amendment proposed by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, who proposed changing the name of the agency from the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos to the Department of Migrant Workers.

This, in order to limit the new department’s jurisdiction to overseas employment and labor migration and let the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) continue its authority over other Filipinos abroad.

Drilon also introduced an amendment that would require written authorization from the Philippine president, through the DFA, before the new department can pursue any international meetings or negotiations on treaties or executive agreements on matters within its mandate.

Senator Joel Villanueva, sponsor of the bill, accepted Drilon’s proposed amendments. Senator Francis Tolentino, meanwhile, said Drilon’s amendment would stress the DFA’s “primordial role” in treaty negotiations.

Drilon also sought to ensure that the DFA would retain its assistance to national and legal assistance funds for the benefit of other Filipinos abroad and for consular services.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1527332/senate-oks-creation-of-ofw-department-on-2nd-reading

Everything is grand at SM’S 78th supermall in historic Caloocan City

Caloocan is known as the Makasaysayang Lungsod, the Historic City. This was the place where the Katipuneros, a secret militant society, was formed during the Spanish colonization in the country. It was here where they held their clandestine meetings, and where the members of the Katipunan, made their historic “Unang Sigaw” which served as the starting point for the Philippine Revolution.

It’s another date with history in Caloocan on November 26, 2021, when SM City Grand Central opens its doors, bringing great shopping, leisure, and entertainment to this storied city. SM City Grand Central is SM Prime Holdings Inc. 78th supermall and second SM mall in Caloocan after SM Center Sangandaan in 2015.

Caloocan today is a first-class and highly urbanized city, the fourth most populous in the Philippines. It is among the top cities in the Philippines with the highest equity ratings due to infrastructure, transportation, communications system, and educational attainment of human resources. The city continues to enjoy rapid economic growth today from new waves of investors coming in including shopping malls.

Strategically located in a 22,901.80 square-meter site along Rizal Avenue Extension corner Bustamante Street in Caloocan City, SM City Grand Central will serve shoppers in Caloocan, as well as those from other parts of the CaMaNaVa sub-region – Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela; Manila, and Quezon City. More than that, it will be a catalyst for employment and business opportunities in the area.

The six-level mall 116,000 square meter mall is a destination to everything grand. A series of dynamic geometric forms create a bold backdrop that emphasizes a strong street presence.  The random, vertical pattern provides a playful touch further enhancing the main elevation with dynamic flair.  Colors are bold and powerful, strategically applied to enhance the grand, impressive building frontage.

The interiors of SM City Grand Central are organized around a large, curved atrium and a perpendicular mall corridor that intersect to create a clear line of sight to all shops on all levels at all times. Carefully placed bridges provide access to all portions of the mall, supplemented by a centrally located glass elevator, dynamic stairs, and elevators for optimal customer convenience.

The main interior features a sophisticated, modern palette of colors and materials with light gray and wood accents. Pops of color are provided through planting and seating. Large skylights above the main atrium and wrap-around clerestory provide glare-free daylight to all areas of the mall.

The SM Store and SM Supermarket are SM City Grand Central’s major anchors along with SM Appliance Center, ACE Hardware, Our Home, Watsons, Surplus Shop, Sports Central, Pet Express, Uniqlo, The Body Shop, Crocs, and Miniso. It will also have fashion boutiques, jewelry stores, bookstores; as well as a Cyberzone and service and wellness centers.

Eating out options include a Food Court, specialty restaurants like Hawker Chan, Mesa, and Nono’s, and international and local food chains like Kenny Rodgers, Classic Savory, Pancake House, Caramia, Café Mary Grace, Breadtalk, and Goldilocks.

SM City Grand Central will also have four state-of-the-art cinemas and two Director’s Clubs that offer a premium movie experience, leather recliners, and a crystal-clear laser projection system.

The top floor of SM City Grand Central features the Skylight Park, an indoor sky garden with open green spaces. Shops and restaurants line the curved, circular paths where customers can shop and dine while enjoying the Skylight Park ambiance. A Chapel and Multi-Purpose space bookend and anchor additional green space. These spaces are designed as complements to the overall concept and further enhance its unique and grand character.

For the customer’s convenience and enhanced malling experience, SM City Grand Central has a total of 700 parking slots including regular car slots, PWD car slots, and motorcycle slots.

SM City Grand Central’s project team includes DSGN & Associates, Design Consultant; WCY Architects, Architect-of-Record; Constech Management Group Inc., Project Management; and Monolith Construction Development Corp., General Contractor.

Sana magkaroon din po sa SM City Grand Central ng: DINE IN TENANTS: Dairy Queen, Potato Corner, Hong Kong Style Noodles, Kuya J Restaurant , Odd Balls, Vikings, Max Restaurant, Dakasi, Siomai King, Shawarma Shack, Quickmelt, Bakers Fair, Eng Bee Tin, Bon Chon, Siomai House, Kettle Korn, Polland, Bowl Master, Lugaw Republic, Waffle Time, Gemki Sushi, Ramen, Zarks Burger, Razons, Baskin Robbins, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, The Lost Bread, Red Ribbon, John Lemon, Wendys, Mang Inasal, Adobo Connection, Boulangerie, Cara Mia, McDonald's, Giligans, Seafood Island, Pizza Hut, Shakeys, Bulalo World, Kabalen, Gong Cha, Mulach Ensaymada, Tropical Hut, Dunkin', Salazars Bakery, Tim Hortons, ChizMozza, Banana Leaf, Blakes; OFFICE AND SCHOOL TENANTS: Copy Trade, Expressions, Merriam Webster, Pandayan, Office Warehouse and Papemelrotti; DRUG STORE: South Star Drug; OTHER: Unisilver, Rusty Lopez, Mother Queen Salon, Karaoke Hub, Toy Kingdom, Tickles, Blue Magic, Inisfree, Saint Paul, G Shock, Urban Smiles, Tom's World, Japan Home, H & M and Moridu Art.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/11/26/everything-is-grand-at-sm-city-grand-central/