SM City Bataan

Meeting between SM and City of Balanga...pero mas nag-stick sakin yung pangalan... considering na senior management level na yung nagpresent, we may safely assume na SM City "Bataan" nga ang itatawag, and not "Balanga". I like it, for me the former sounds better and more appropriate 

Btw, I heard that Mr. Bondoc is a native of Orani.

Earlier today, Mayor Francis Garcia and key officials of the City Government of Balanga met with representatives of SM Supermalls on the progress of SM City Bataan, headed by Engr. Bien Mateo, Sr. VP for Operations. ⁣

And yesterday, CEIDO gave Ms. Michelle Mallari, Regional Leasing Manager of SM Supermalls, and Cesar Bondoc Jr., Regional Operations Manager of SM Supermalls, a tour of Balanga City’s local businesses like The Beanery & Plaza Brew as well as the products showcased at the Bataan Tourism Center. They sat down with DTI Provincial Director Nelin Cabahug and DTI Division Chief for Business Development Nora Reclosado. It is the intention of SM Supermalls to invite as many local businesses as possible to be their tenants and collaborators in the very near future.

Also, SM City Bataan will copy design the 2011 SM City North EDSA logo.

To date, SM City Bataan is Bataan's first SM Supermall, and using the 1980s SM Mall design.

KAPAMILYA STARS UNITE TO PUSH FOR ABS-CBN’S FRANCHISE RENEWAL

• ABS-CBN stars pushed for immediate action on the network’s franchise renewal.
• Franchise renewal bill of ABS-CBN has been refiled in Congress.
• ABS-CBN franchise is set to expire in March 2020.

With the bill aiming to renew ABS-CBN Corporation’s still pending at the Congress, several Kapamilya stars have united to push for its immediate enactment.

Some of the Kapamilya celebrities who joined the call include comedian Nonong Balilan, Nico Antonio, Baron Geisler, and Lorna Tolentino.

Meanwhile, prior to this latest campaign, almost 1,000 artists and workers of ABS-CBN have already signed a petition urging the House of Representatives to renew the franchise of television giant ABS-CBN last June 14 during the Black Friday protest at the Commission on Human Rights.

Among those who signed were Piolo Pascual, Coco Martin, Lea Salonga, Pinky Amador, Jaime Fabregas, John Arcilla, Butuin Escalante, Angel Aquino, Ricky Lee, Rody Vera, Lav Diaz, Joel Lamangan, Mae Paner and other TV personalities. The petitioners also included writers, music composers, cinematographers, lighting directors, production designers, art directors, producers, staff, and crew from the Kapamilya network and the film industry.

ABS-CBN’s franchise is set to expire in March 2020.

Currently, the bill which seeks to renew the network’s franchise has already refiled in Congress by its original proponent Rep. Micaela Violago of the 2nd District of Nueva Ecija.

ABS-CBN’s franchise has been stalled in Congress since 2016 primarily because of President Rodrigo Duterte’s public pronouncements against its renewal.

Duterte, on several occassions, has threatened to block the ABS-CBN franchise renewal because of alleged swindling and biased reporting against the government.

But two Malacanang officials have already assured that the Kapamilya network’s franchise renewal is already up to the Congress and that the President has no intention of vetoing the bill once it passes the House of Representatives and the Senate.

https://www.lionheartv.net/2019/08/kapamilya-stars-unite-to-push-for-abs-cbns-franchise-renewal/

Solon files tax reform bills outlined in SONA

A leader of the House of Representatives has filed separate measures covering three of the remaining tranches of President Rodrigo Duterte’s comprehensive tax reform program along with a new “sin” tax reform bill that aims to further increase excise taxes on alcoholic drinks and smoking alternatives such as heated tobacco and vapor (vaping) products.

Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur filed  House Bill 1909 that proposes to reduce the corporate income tax rate from 30 to 20 percent by 2029 and rationalize fiscal incentives; HB 1908, which puts in place a just, equitable and impartial real property valuation system for local government units based on international standards; and HB 1907 that encourages the development of the capital market by making the tax system in the financial sector fairer, simpler, more efficient and revenue-neutral.

President Duterte called on the 18th Congress in his fourth State of the Nation Address last week to act on these tax reform bills to enhance growth and raise funds for his priority programs over the final half of his six-year term.

Villafuerte, who is deputy speaker for finance, said these three CTRP packages will broaden the revenue base, simplify and update the country’s complicated tax system, and ensure the country’s long-term fiscal stability, which, in turn, will help the government hit its target of securing an “A” investment-grade credit rating before 2022. 

The Philippines, for the first time ever, recently secured from Standard & Poor’s (SP) Global Ratings a credit rating of “BBB+,” which is just a grade lower than an “A” rating that is generally given to the world’s stable economies.

HB 1909, which represents Package 2 of the President’s CTRP, will “widen the corporate tax base and plug its leakages” and “help alleviate the burden on the business community, especially the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs),” Villafuerte said.

Reforming tax incentives system, which Villafuerte said should be “rationalized and disciplined” is expected to attract investments that will deliver tangible benefits to the people.

In seeking to institute reforms in the real property valuation system, Villafuerte said these will correct inefficiencies that have hindered the growth of the country’s land sector.

The bill, which constitutes Package 3 of the CTRP, seeks to  implement the reforms  in the system through the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), which shall be the lead agency tasked to review and approve the Schedule of Market Values (SMVs) of all LGUs, said Villafuerte, who had served as CamSur governor for three terms. 

“With more than 23 national government agencies and 1,700 LGUs using different systems and methodologies, inefficiencies are sure to arise from the lack of a unified national standard,” said Villafuerte.

He said placing the task of reviewing the SMVs of local governments on the BLGF, which is under the Department of Finance (DOF), will “separate the technical function of real property valuation from the political function of taxation practiced by local elective officials.”

HB 1907, meanwhile, aims to simplify the 80 tax rates and tax bases in the financial sector to reduce costs,  encourage transparent returns on investment, and develop the capital market “by adjusting, if not removing altogether, taxes that deter legitimate movement towards the initial public listing of companies,” Villafuerte said. 

Villafuerte said an updated “sin” tax reform law, as outlined in HB 1906, is necessary to discourage smoking and excessive alcohol drinking, especially among the youth,    while raising revenues to completely fill the funding huge requirement for the Universal Health Care (UHC) program.

“Imposing higher excise taxes is still the most effective policy tool to affect prices to discourage consumption of ‘sin’ products, in particular, among the youth and the poor who are the most sensitive to price changes,” Villafuerte said.

While the previous Congress raised taxes on cigarettes and introduced a new tax on    heated tobacco products (HTPs) and vapor products, Villafuerte said the estimated revenues generated from this law will only amount to P15.7 billion in 2020, and a total of P129.9 billion from 2020 to 2024, which is not enough to close    funding gap of UHC program.

The funding shortfall of the UHC program in 2020, the first year of its implementation, is an estimated P62 billion.

Villafuerte said the additional revenues from his new “sin” tax reform proposal will “help sustain PhilHealth coverage for all Filipino families; improve accessibility and affordability to quality healthcare, and provide better outpatient benefit package, including check-up or consultation and medicines.”

HTPs fall within the definition of cigarettes under Republic Act 9211, and thus should be taxed the same rates as cigarettes, Villafuerte said.

The health impact and safety of vapor products has not yet been conclusively determined, Villafuerte said. “However, because of the established addictive effect of nicotine, we propose to increase the excise tax rates of vapor products to discourage consumption. To prevent children and youth from consuming vapor products, variants with flavoring other than plain tobacco or plain menthol, are proposed to be prohibited,” he added.

Earlier, Villafuerte said the House of Representatives will initiate regular meetings not only with   Cabinet officials but with senators as well to speed up the approval of the Duterte administration’s CTRP packages and other priority legislative measures.

Villafuerte said these planned regular dialogues will be held even ahead of the meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), which might be convened next month to discuss President Duterte’s priority legislative agenda that he had outlined in his latest  SONA.

Villafuerte said among the measures that the House leadership would work on getting passed this year are the remaining bills under the CTRP, which the President endorsed in his latest SONA.

He added that the House leadership would also work on the timely approval of the 2020 General Appropriations Bill (GAB)--to avoid the four-month delay in the passage of the 2019 national budget that forced Malacañang to hold off on the implementation of its priority projects and eventually led to the lower-than-expected growth of 5.6% in the year’s first quarter.

http://www.manilastandard.net/news/national/301905/solon-files-tax-reform-bills-outlined-in-sona.html

Enhancing streetscapes in the premier business capital

The task of developing the country’s cities and infrastructure is an enormous one, and one that both the government and private sector alike continue to prioritize. Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), the Philippines’ leading developer of sustainable estates, continues to contribute to this cause. It supports local government and collaborates with various stakeholders in building new mixed-use developments and revitalizing existing ones – all of which are designed to contribute to growth and to enhance one’s quality of life.

In all its mixed-use developments, ALI is ensuring that communities are designed and built for walkability and accessibility, with high priority on multimodal transportation and public spaces.

ALI continues to invest in the redevelopment of existing areas such as the country’s premier central business district – Makati. The company has so far invested P125 billion for the expansion and revitalization plan of the Makati Central Business District (Makati CBD).

“Keeping a landmark such as the Makati CBD at pace with key cities around the world remains a top priority for Ayala Land. Working together with the Makati Commercial Estates Association or MACEA, we aim to strengthen even further the city’s status as the country’s premier business and lifestyle hub,” said Shiella Aguilar, Project Development Head of the Makati estate.

The redevelopment of Makati has been deliberately planned in a way that all of its property components are brought together by an enhanced streetscape anchored by the longest covered elevated walkway in the country, which spans 1,100 meters from the Ayala MRT Station to Makati Medical Center. At the archway and corner of Ayala Avenue and EDSA is the 2.8-hectare One Ayala Avenue development –an expansive, modern commercial hub with an intermodal transport facility that will be open by 2021. At the other end is Ayala North Exchange, a mixed-use development with offices, an Ayala Malls and the first Seda Residences, all at a highly-accessible location at the northern end of Ayala Avenue.

One Ayala Avenue: a mixed used development with an intermodal transport facility

Also nearing completion at the center of the CBD and within the Ayala Triangle Gardens are Tower Two and the Mandarin Hotel, which will provide Makati with a new premium office, hotel, and retail area.

Tower Two and Mandarin Hotel at Ayala Triangle Gardens. (Artist’s perspective)

Over the past 20 years, walkways either underground, on-ground or above-ground have been designed, planned and executed in accordance with the district’s constantly changing needs. These new developments will add significantly to the CBD’s overall connectivity, accessibility and pedestrian walkability.

Paseo de Roxas Underpass — Making walking easier for the pedestrians

The pedestrian pathway from Legazpi underpass to the elevated walkway going to Greenbelt.

These facilities that encourage walking instead of the use of automobiles are vital for sustainable living. A study conducted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology showed that 100 of the highest-emitting urban areas around the world already account for nearly 20 percent of the global carbon footprint. ALI continues to track and identify metrics in pedestrian-transit connectivity to improve its developments’ impact on all stakeholders.

Aguilar explained that the company’s pedestrian and transit connectivity tenet is focused on three areas, namely pedestrian priority-planning, the building of climate protected walkways, and providing for easy-to-access transit terminals. As a result, other Ayala Land estates in urban areas, such as Circuit Makati, Arca South, and Vertis North, also prioritize pedestrian-friendly streets and incorporate public transit connections in their master plans.

“The goal of sustainable development is building to make people’s lives better. Part of this is simply enabling people or providing them with the means to live sustainably, as more and more of us are aware of how we impact our climate and the environment,” Aguilar added.

Ayala Land’s holistic approach to building sustainable communities has earned for it various citations both here and abroad through the years, and has made it the only Philippine company included in The Sustainability Yearbook 2019 — the world’s most comprehensive publication on corporate sustainability. This is the third consecutive year that ALI has been named one of the most sustainable companies worldwide.

Along with other ALI projects and developments, the revitalization of the country’s premier financial district into a more sustainable, smarter and more liveable city is a prime example of how the private sector can contribute to national development and economic growth — a model that is being replicated in other growth centers around the Philippines.

https://business.inquirer.net/276377/enhancing-streetscapes-in-the-premier-business-capital

Friendster: Demise and fate

On the first week of September, Friendster announced that the company will continue its business with their new mobile app, delivering old photos and videos from the old Friendster (March 2002-June 2011) instead of social gaming.

Solon seeks to split Maguindanao into 2 provinces

COTABATO CITY - Maguindanao (2nd District) Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu has filed a bill that seeks to divide the province into two through the creation of “Maguindanao North province.”

House Bill 3054 seeks to create the new province form the towns that comprise Maguindanao’s first congressional district: Barira, Buldon, Datu Odin Sinuat (Dinaig), Kabuntalan, Matanog, Parang, Sultan Kudarat, Upi, Sultan Mastura, Datu Blah T. Sinsuat and Northern Kabuntalan.

Mangudadatu, the former Maguindanao governor, said he filed his bill on Monday afternoon (August 5).

The current undivided province Maguindanao has 36 towns, with Shariff Aguak municipality in the second district chosen by new Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu as administrative capital.

In his 30-page bill, Mangudadatu proposed that the town of Datu Odin Sinsuat becomes the Maguindanao North province’s capital.

Lawyer Kirby Abdullah, Mangudadatu’s chief of staff, said the lawmaker believes the creation of a new province will provide economic and political empowerment to all Muslims, Christians and indigenous peoples in the 11 towns.

Mangudadatu said creating a new province could also compliment the normalization process following the full implementation of the government peace deal with Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The Philippine News Agency tried to reach Maguindanao (1st District) Rep. Ronne Sinsuat for comments but to no avail.

On September 7, 2006, the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) approved a proposal to create Shariff Kabunsuan province composed of the 11 towns in Maguindanao’s first congressional district.

However, the Supreme Court declared the proposal null and void stating that only Congress can create a province. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1077115

Romualdez: Still ‘premature’ to comment on fate of ABS-CBN franchise

House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez on Tuesday said it is still “premature” to affirm if the lower chamber would commit to process the proposal on the legislated franchise of ABS-CBN Corp.

This is because, according to Romualdez, the House of Representatives is still organizing its committees.

“We have not actually gotten to that point yet… While we’re busy reorganizing we haven’t gotten to the point yet of actually sifting through all the bills that were read out for first reading or for referral,” the Leyte representative said in a press conference when asked if the House leadership has already committed to process the franchise bill of the radio-television network.

“But as time goes by, we shall update you on that pero I believe it’s premature to comment on that at this early stage. Soon enough we will know,” he added.

INQUIRER.net has reached House legislative franchises panel chair, Palawan 1st District Rep. Franz Alvarez, for comment but he has yet to issue a remark as of posting time.

House Bill No. 676, which seeks to renew the network’s franchise for another 25 years, was referred to the legislative franchises committee last July 23. ABS-CBN’s franchise will expire on March 30, 2020.

The 17th Congress’ version of the proposed law remained pending at the committee on legislative franchises since November 16, 2016. The panel did not act on the bill until the previous Congress adjourned sine die.

President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly launched threats against media outfits critical of his administration like the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN, the broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer, and the online news site Rappler. He even threatened to block the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, accusing the network of estafa for allegedly not providing him the airtime he had paid for.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar earlier said he believes the President would approved the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN once it’s approved by Congress.

https://business.inquirer.net/276252/romualdez-still-premature-to-comment-on-fate-of-abs-cbn-franchise

House aspires for zero veto on the 2020 budget

House Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said in a press conference on Tuesday that the House of Representatives is determined to closely coordinate with the Senate and the Executive branch to achieve zero veto in the 18th Congress, especially on the 2020 National Budget.

Deputy Majority Leader Wilter “Sharky” Palma and Senior Deputy Majority Leader Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla were also present during the briefing.

Majority Leader Romualdez underscored that targeting zero veto does not intend to withhold the prerogative of the President on the legislative process, but to promote better coordination between both chambers and between the Legislative and Executive branches.

He shared that this was agreed upon by the House and Senate leaders in their small group Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting on Monday.

“Through the leadership of the Speaker, we joined the small delegation of LEDAC at the Malacañang palace for the furtherance [of] better synergies, better coordination, better efficiencies so that there would be fewer differences and conflicts between the Houses and the Executive,” he said.

Majority Leader Romualdez noted that the chamber will meet regularly with the Senate and the Executive in an effort to avoid copious disagreements on the budget and steer clear from any delays on its approval.

"Maganda yung kasunduan natin, excited din kami na magmi-meet more often. Pag parati kayong nag-uusap, the chances of miscommunication or misunderstanding ay nababawasan,” Majority Leader Romualdez said.

He then maintained that the House is targeting the passage of the 2020 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) before October 5 or prior to their session break.

While the House leaders have not yet scheduled a meeting with Secretary Wendel Avisado of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Romualdez expressed that they are looking forward to seeing him soon on August 16 or a week after that.

August 16 is the set schedule for the submission of the 2020 National Expenditure Program (NEP) to the House.

Meanwhile, the Majority Leader pointed out that “Kung may budget, dapat may pagkukunan din. We’ll [work on] revenue-generating measures, as well, to fund the budget for the much needed programs and projects of this administration.”

He, however, explained that the approval of these bills, which were prioritized by the President in his 2019 State of the Nation Address (SONA), will be accelerated in accordance with Section 48 of the House Rules.

It states that: “In case of bills or resolutions that are identified as priority measures of the House, which were previously filed in the immediately preceding Congress and have been approved on 3rd reading, the same may be disposed of as matters already reported upon the approval of majority of the Members of the committee present, there being a quorum. The committee secretary shall immediately prepare the necessary committee reports on said measures for inclusion in the Calendar of Business.”

“Those [priority measures] may be fast-tracked through the Committees. Definitely, they don’t have to go through the whole process from square one,” said Romualdez.| Molie Gonzales, News and Documentation Section-Press and Public Affairs Bureau/ House of Representatives of the Philippines

http://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=11652

Former governor seeks partition of Maguindanao province

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu (Maguindanao, 2nd District) on Monday filed a bill proposing the creation of "Maguindanao North," a new province comprised of the 11 towns in the first district of Maguindanao.

Under the proposal—which must hurdle Congress, get the president's signature, and be ratified in a plebiscite—Maguindanao province will retain the 25 towns in its second legislative district.

The 30-page draft bill also recommendeds Datu Odin Sinsuat town as the capital of the proposed Maguindanao North province, according to Mangudadatu’s chief of staff, lawyer Kirby Abdullah.

Mangudadatu was governor of Maguindanao for three consecutive terms from June 30, 2010 to June 30, 2019. He now sits as congressman of the second district.

He told reporters in an online exchange that the creation of the proposed province can help boost economic and political development in the first district and also help the ongoing peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed a peace agreement with the government in 2014.

The headquarters of the MILF, whose chairman, Hadji Ahod Ebrahim, is now chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Mindanao, is located in Barangay Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat.

Short-lived Shariff Kabunsuan province

Rep. Bai Sandra Sema (Maguindanao, 1st District) filed a similar but not identical bill to create a Maguindanao North province during the 17th Congress. The capital of the proposed new province could have been Datu Odin Sinsuat, the capital of the former province of Shariff Kabunsuan.

In 2006, the regional assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao created Shariff Kabunsuan province, which was composed of the 11 towns that Mangudadatu proposes to form Maguindanao North, Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 201.

It was ratified in a plebiscite and existed until July 2008, when the Supreme Court ruled that its creation was unconstitutional. The court held that only Congress can create new provinces and cities because it has the constitutional authority to create legislative districts.

In April, President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law splitting Palawan into three distinct and independent provinces to be known as Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental and Palawan del Sur — which will be the mother province.

The split has yet to be ratified in a plebiscite, which is scheduled for 2020.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/08/06/1941078/former-governor-seeks-partition-maguindanao-province

Solon wants Maguindanao divided into two provinces

By Ali Macabalang

COTABATO CITY – Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu (2nd district, Maguindanao) is reviving a proposal for the division of Maguindanao into two provinces in what his supporters described as a bold step to fully turn the province into “MagandaNow.”

Mangudadatu filed on Monday House Bill 3054 grouping all 11 towns in the first district to constitute “Magguindanao North” with Sultan Kudarat town as provincial seat.

Maguindanao presently has 36 towns, 11 of which constitute the province’s first Congressional district. The 11 towns include Parang, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Sultan Kudarat municipalities, which are the most populated and vote-richest in the province. They have a total population of 821,475 as of 2015.

Under Rep. Mangudadatu’s 30-page draft bill, the province’s 25 other towns comprising presently the second district will constitute the mother province – Maguindanao. The 25 towns, including the present Buluan capital town, have a total population of 651,896 as of 2015.

Former 1st District Rep. Bai Sandra Sema, before the lapse last June 30 of her three-elective terms, had filed a bill for the creation of her 11-town turf into a separate province. Her bill, however, did not gain priority deliberation in the 17th Congress.

Former Muslim Mindanao legislative Speaker Ronnie Sinsuat, who succeeded Sema via the 2019 midterm elections, is reportedly supportive of the splitting of Maguindanao into two provinces.

Months before the 2019 midterm polls, then Gov. Mangudadatu, Speaker Sinsuat and former Sultan Kudarat Mayor Tocao Mastura had formed a political alliance, and agreed on common agenda – to create another province out of Maguindanao.

Mangudadadtu earlier told The Manila Bulletin that upon his assumption as lawmaker, he would push for the creation of Maguindanao North to fortify focal efforts in steering “smaller provinces” towards greater heights.

He hinted that dividing Maguindanao can help flesh out the Duterte government’s vision in bringing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) at par with developed regions in the country. Maguindanao is BARMM’s most populated and vote-richest component province.

Political-wise, splitting Maguindanao can also help ease the usual intense political intramurals over provincial and congressional positions among politicians from the 1st and 2nd districts, Mangudadatu’s supporters said.

They said Mangudadatu’s proposal may also put an end finally to the decades-old tug-of-war between politicians in the first and second districts over the legal issue of the “official provincial seat.”

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/08/06/solon-wants-maguindanao-divided-into-two-provinces/

Regions Briefs: Aug. 6, 2019

NFA buys fewer palay in Pampanga

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines — The National Food Authority (NFA) bought only 2 percent of palay (unmilled rice) supplies in Pampanga during the recent cropping season because of lack of warehouses in the province.

The NFA provincial manager, Julieta Aurora Orias, on Monday said the agency was buying palay at P20 per kilogram from cooperatives.

The NFA is buying palay until next year, Orias said, without giving the budget earmarked for that.

Vice Gov. Lilia Pineda asked the provincial board to approve the lending of provincial government-owned facilities in Porac, Floridablanca and San Simon towns, which the NFA could use as warehouses.

She said four grain dryers given by the Department of Agriculture could be stationed in warehouses so farmers could lower the cost of drying palay.
  
UK cautions its citizens against sea travel in PH

“We are looking for ways to help our farmers as the national government implements the rice tariffication law,” she said.

Cheap, imported rice has filled the markets, and traders have lowered farm gate prices to the disadvantage of local growers. —Tonette Orejas

Sto. Tomas cityhood vote set for Sept. 7

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set for Sept. 7 the plebiscite to ratify the conversion of Sto. Tomas town in Batangas province into a component city.

Gerard Laresma, municipal information officer, said the cityhood bid was apt, considering the rapidly growing population of Sto. Tomas.

“Our growth rate is at 4 percent annually. That’s even higher than the national growth rate,” Laresma said, attributing the increase to migration of workers into the town’s industrial zones.

On October 5, 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11086, which converted Sto. Tomas into a component city.

The Comelec was supposed to hold the plebiscite 90 days after the law was enacted but rescheduled it to give way to the May 13 elections. —Maricar Cinco

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1150516/regions-briefs-aug-6-2019

Q Channel 11 Sked (August 5-11, 2019)

• 3:55 am - Guidelines for Living
• 4 am - 
• Monday: Nothing Gold Can Stay
• Tuesday-Thursday: A Place Called Home
• 5 am - News to Go
• 8:30 am - Franklin And Friends
• 9 am - Coconut The Little Dragon
• 9:30 am - Chirp
• 10 am - 
• Monday and Wednesday-Friday: Teddies
• Tuesday: The Presser: Live (up to 11 am)
• 10:30 am - 
• Monday and Wednesday-Friday: Paw Patrol
• 11 am - PCSO Lottery Draw
• 11:15 am - The Sweet Life
• 12 nn - Balitanghali
• 1 pm - On Call
• 2 pm - CBS Evening News
• 2:30 pm - 
• Monday: 
• Tuesday-Friday: Inside Edition
• 3 pm - 
• Tuesday-Friday: Entertainment Tonight

ABS-CBN, GMA claim ratings lead in July

BY LISBET K. ESMAEL

The rivalry between broadcast giants ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network, Inc. raged on last month, with both claiming to lead in their television ratings war.

Citing data from separate ratings service providers last Friday, ABS-CBN claimed leadership in nationwide television ratings, while GMA asserted that it secured the spot in urban areas.

The Lopez-led network said a report from Kantar Media showed that it defeated its rival by 13 points in the nationwide TV ratings, hitting 45 percent against GMA’s 32 percent.


Shows from ABS-CBN also dominated the top 15 list in July with FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano remaining at the top, followed by It’s Showtime, The General’s Daughter, Sino ang May Sala? Mea Culpa, Pinoy Big Brother: Otso, Tonight with Boy Abunda, the recently-concluded Search for Idol Philippines, TV Patrol, Bandila, Maalaala Mo Kaya, Umagang Kay Ganda, Magandang Buhay, Nang Ngumiti ang Langit, Kadenang Ginto, Los Bastardos, Hiwaga ng Kambat, Home Sweetie Home, Rated K and Gandang Gabi Vice.

For its part, GMA said data from Nielsen TV showed that it maintained its lead last month after generating an average total day people audience share of 34 percent in Urban Luzon, slightly higher than ABS-CBN’s 31.4 percent.

In Urban Luzon's list of top-rating programs for the month, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) was still undisputed in the number one spot. The award-winning magazine show also led the list of most watched programs in National Urban Philippines.

Following KMJS were Magpakailanman, 24 Oras, Sahaya, StarStruck, Daddy's Gurl, Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, and the Derek Ramsay-Andrea Torres starrer The Better Woman.

Amazing Earth, The Boobay and Tekla Show, Pepito Manaloto, Eat Bulaga, Love You Two, 24 Oras Weekend, Dragon Lady, Hanggang sa Dulo ng Buhay Ko, Bihag, Wowowin, Bubble Gang, Saksi, Tadhana, Wish Ko Lang, Imbestigador, Dahil sa Pag-Ibig were also among the ratings drivers for July.


SONA 2019: The GMA News Special Coverage was likewise the most watched with 41.2 percent overnight people audience share in NUTAM versus ABS-CBN’s 32.6 percent.

ABS-CBN shares added 36 centavos or 1.97 percent to finish at P18.60 each, while GMA shares lost 1 centavo or 0.19 percent to end at P5.38 apiece last Friday.

https://www.manilatimes.net/abs-cbn-gma-claim-ratings-lead-in-july/595144/

People Power Revolution: Aftermath

"But, the biggest gatherings in the world, a few months after the 1986 revolution, like the anniversary celebration of Catholic Charismatic Renewal group El Shaddai to coincidence with the birthday celebration of it's founder Bro. Mike Velarde in August and the Evangelical Charismatic Christian group Jesus is Lord Church to coincidence with the birthday celebration of televangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva in October at the Quirino Grandstand, a few years before the January 12 to 16, 1995 Manila visit of Pope John Paul II for the 10th World Youth Day in Manila, when the final mass held on January 15, 1995, it is the largest papal crowd in history, the Philippine Centennial celebration on June 12, 1998 attended by more than four million people and the State Visit and Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis to the Philippines 2015 closing mass on January 18, 2015, both are the world's biggest and the largest peaceful religious gatherings in the world, not only in the Philippines."

Legacy

The People Power Revolution has inspired a call for change of government through peaceful protests rather than bloodshed. Many similar revolutions have followed since then, taking the Philippine example of nonviolent regime change, such as that in East Germany and many other former Soviet Bloc countries.

The EDSA Revolution Anniversary is a special public holiday in the Philippines. Since 2010, the holiday has been a special non-working holiday.

Rampant corruption during the term of President Joseph Estrada led to the similar Second EDSA Revolution leading to his resignation from the presidency.

On January 20, 2001, Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was sworn as the second female and the 14th President of the Philippines. Estrada was stepped down as the 13th President of the Philippines from his office in Malacañan Palace.

On September 12, 2007, Estrada was found guilty of plunder beyond reasonable doubt by the Philippine anti-graft court and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was pardoned by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on October 25, 2007.

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/The-Philippines,-1995:-Pope-dreams-of-the-Third-Millennium-of-Asia-2947.html

ABS-CBN keeps nationwide ratings lead in July

ABS-CBN Corp. maintained nationwide ratings lead in the month of July as rival GMA Network, Inc. claimed dominance in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, citing different measurement reports.

The Lopez-led media group said in a statement Friday it recorded a 45% national television ratings last month to beat GMA which had 32%, based on data from Kantar Media.

GMA, on the other hand, said Nielsen TV Audience Measurement found it to record the highest total day people audience share in Urban Luzon at 34% against ABS-CBN’s 31.4%, and in Mega Manila at 35.4% versus its competition’s 28.9%.

In Urban Luzon's list of top-rating programs for the month, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) was still undisputed in the number one spot. The award-winning magazine show also led the list of most watched programs in National Urban Philippines.

Following KMJS were Magpakailanman, Studio 7, 24 Oras, Sahaya, StarStruck, Daddy's Gurl, Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, and the Derek Ramsay-Andrea Torres starrer The Better Woman.


Amazing Earth, The Boobay and Tekla Show, Pepito Manaloto, Eat Bulaga, Love You Two, 24 Oras Weekend, Dragon Lady, Hanggang sa Dulo ng Buhay Ko, Bihag, Wowowin, Bubble Gang, Saksi, Tadhana, Wish Ko Lang, Imbestigador and Dahil sa Pag-Ibig were also among the ratings drivers for July.

ABS-CBN said Kantar surveys 2,610 urban and rural households. GMA said Nielsen is the ratings service provider subscribed to by six local television networks.

In terms of location-based ratings, ABS-CBN challenged GMA using data from Kantar, saying it led Metro Manila with 41% ratings against GMA’s 26%, and Mega Manila with 36% versus GMA’s 32%.

ABS-CBN also claimed the lead in rural areas, saying its ratings in Total Luzon was 40% in July versus GMA’s 34%; in Total Visayas at 53% to beat GMA’s 25% and in Total Mindanao 52% against GMA’s 29%.

For time slot-based ratings, GMA said, citing Nielsen, that it led the afternoon block with 36.3% audience share against ABS-CBN’s 33.3%, and the evening block with 35% share to beat ABS-CBN’s 31.7%.

But ABS-CBN, citing Kantar’s report, said it dominated time slot-based ratings across-the-board, with 39% in the morning block against GMA’s 30%, 44% in the noontime block versus GMA’s 34%, 47% in the afternoon block to beat GMA’s 33% and 47% in the primetime block over GMA’s 31%.

Shows from ABS-CBN also dominated the top 15 list in July with FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano remaining at the top, followed by It’s Showtime, The General’s Daughter, Sino ang May Sala? Mea Culpa, Pinoy Big Brother: Otso, Tonight with Boy Abunda, the recently-concluded Search for Idol Philippines, TV Patrol, Bandila, Maalaala Mo Kaya, Nang Ngumiti ang Langit, Kadenang Ginto, Los Bastardos, Hiwaga ng Kambat, S.O.C.O.: Scene of the Crime Operatives, Kuha Mo and Home Sweetie Home.  — Denise A. Valdez

https://www.bworldonline.com/abs-cbn-keeps-nationwide-ratings-lead-in-july/

TV networks continue fight over viewership ratings

Television broadcast giants ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc. on Friday claimed the No. 1 spot in key urban areas as they released viewer ratings for July 2019.

Hotly contested areas include Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

In a statement, ABS-CBN cited data from Kantar Media that showed that it captured 36 percent of viewers in Mega Manila against GMA’s 32 percent.

GMA, using data from Nielsen Television Audience Measurement, separately claimed a 35.4-percent total day people audience share in Mega Manila versus ABS-CBN’s 28.9 percent.

Mega Manila covers Metro Manila and surrounding provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal. GMA said the area accounted for 72 percent of urban TV viewers across the Philippines.

GMA said it won urban ratings at 34 percent against 31.4 percent for ABS-CBN in Luzon.

In Urban Luzon's list of top-rating programs for the month, “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” (KMJS) was still undisputed in the number one spot. The award-winning magazine show also led the list of most watched programs in National Urban Philippines.

Following “KMJS” were Magpakailanman,” “Studio 7,” “24 Oras,” “Sahaya,” “StarStruck,” “Daddy's Gurl,” “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” “and the Derek Ramsay-Andrea Torres starrer “The Better Woman.”

“Amazing Earth,” “The Boobay and Tekla Show,” “Pepito Manaloto,” “Eat Bulaga,” “Love You Two,” “24 Oras Weekend,” “Dragon Lady,” “Hanggang sa Dulo ng Buhay Ko,” “Bihag,” “Wowowin,” “Bubble Gang,” “Saksi,” “Tadhana,” “Wish Ko Lang,” “Imbestigador” and “Dahil sa Pag-Ibig” were also among the ratings drivers for July.

“SONA 2019: The GMA News Special Coverage” was likewise the most watched with 41.2 percent overnight people audience share in NUTAM versus ABS-CBN’s 32.6 percent.

Overall, ABS-CBN said its nationwide TV ratings hit 45 percent in July compared to GMA’s 32 percent.

Viewer ratings are a closely followed measure by advertisers.

In Total Luzon, ABS-CBN said July 2019 ratings came in at 40 percent compared to GMA’s 34 percent.

In Total Visayas, it claimed it had 53 percent versus GMA’s 25 percent and in Total Mindanao, it ended with 52 percent compared to GMA’s 29 percent.

Shows from ABS-CBN also dominated the top 15 list in July with “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” remaining at the top, followed by “It’s Showtime,” “Pinoy Big Brother: Otso,” “Tonight with Boy Abunda,” “Sino ang Maysala?: Mea Culpa,” “The General’s Daughter,” the recently-concluded “Search for Idol Philippines,” “TV Patrol,” “Bandila,” “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” “Umagang Kay Ganda,” “Magandang Buhay,” “Nang Ngumiti ang Langit,” “Kadenang Ginto,” “Los Bastardos,” “Hiwaga ng Kambat,” “S.O.C.O.: Scene of the Crime Operatives,” “Kuha Mo,” “Home Sweetie Home,” “Rated K” and “Gandang Gabi Vice.”

ABS-CBN won the NUTAM TV ratings race with 7.2%  while GMA Network’s SONA coverage only got 5.7%. The Kapamilya coverage got a rating that is 1.5 points higher than its Kapuso counterpart.

GMA said Nielsen TV Audience Measurement served 32 clients and subscribers consisting of six local TV networks including ABS-CBN, TV5, Aksyon TV and CNN Philippines. It also has three regional clients, two blocktimers and 21 agencies.

Kantar Media, ABS-CBN said, is a multinational market research group that specializes in audience measurement in more than 80 countries. Its clients include 26 TV networks, ad agencies and pan-regional networks.

https://business.inquirer.net/276075/tv-networks-continue-fight-over-viewership-ratings

SM City Tacloban

SM City Tacloban is Leyte's 2nd and Eastern Visayas' 2nd SM Supermall.

It is the largest SM supermall after SM City North EDSA, SM Megamall, SM City Cebu, SM Southmall, SM City Fairview, SM City Manila, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura Premier, SM Seaside City Cebu.

The building design and logo for SM City Tacloban was copied from 1980's box-type SM mall design and the 2011 SM City North EDSA logo.

The operating hours is from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

The mall is having five floors without basement level

It's a BOX-TYPE world class premium retail mall with multiple anchors, including The SM Store, SM Supermarket, a Centerstage theater, a Large Screen cinema, two Director's Club cinemas, and 4 regular cinemas, an 30-lane SM Bowling and Amusement Center, SMX Convention Center, Storyland, and a large food court flanking an Olympic-size ice skating rink!

The SM City Tacloban's design team includes Arquitectonica, design architect; Architect Robert Carag Ong, Architect of Record, GHT Services, project manager, and Hilmarc's Construction Corp. general contractors.

In addition, the mall will feature a grand lobby at the ground floor, Sky Park at the rooftop.

ABS-CBN, GMA both claim higher ratings

ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc. on Friday both claimed higher television ratings for the month of July.

The Lopez-led entertainment and media company said it obtained a national TV rating of 45 percent in July versus GMA’s 32 percent based on Kantar Media.

Urban areas remain a stronghold for the Kapamilya network as it won in Metro Manila with 41 percent compared with GMA’s 26 percent, and in Mega Manila, with 36 percent over GMA’s 32 percent.

Shows from ABS-CBN also dominated the top 15 list in July with FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano remaining at the top, followed by It’s Showtime, The General’s Daughter, Sino ang May Sala? Mea Culpa, Pinoy Big Brother: Otso, Tonight with Boy Abunda, the recently-concluded Search for Idol Philippines, TV Patrol, Bandila, Maalaala Mo Kaya, Nang Ngumiti ang Langit, Kadenang Ginto, Los Bastardos, Hiwaga ng Kambat, Ipaglaban Mo, S.O.C.O.: Scene of the Crime Operatives, Kuha Mo and Home Sweetie Home.

Meanwhile, urban Luzon and Mega Manila remained GMA Network’s bailiwick in July, according to the latest data from ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

For the month of July, GMA recorded an average of 34 percent total day people audience share, beating ABS-CBN’s 31.4 percent, in Urban Luzon. The viewer-rich area accounts for 72 percent of all urban TV viewers in the country.

The Kapuso Network continued to dominate in the afternoon block with 36.3 percent audience share, versus rival network’s 33.3 percent.

In Urban Luzon's list of top-rating programs for the month, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) was still undisputed in the number one spot. The award-winning magazine show also led the list of most watched programs in National Urban Philippines.

Following KMJS were Magpakailanman, Studio 7, 24 Oras, Sahaya, StarStruck, Daddy's Gurl, Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, and the Derek Ramsay-Andrea Torres starrer The Better Woman.

Amazing Earth, The Boobay and Tekla Show, Pepito Manaloto, Eat Bulaga, Love You Two, 24 Oras Weekend, Dragon Lady, Hanggang sa Dulo ng Buhay Ko, Bihag, Wowowin, Bubble Gang, Saksi, Tadhana, Wish Ko Lang, Imbestigador and Dahil sa Pag-Ibig were also among the ratings drivers for July.

More viewers nationwide also preferred GMA’s coverage of Manny Pacquiao’s fight in Las Vegas, Nevada last July 21 as well as President Rodrigo Duterte’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 22.

http://www.manilastandard.net/business/corporate/301371/abs-cbn-gma-both-claim-higher-ratings.html

Eat Bulaga! Silver Special

It was the greatest show on earth — at least, on this side of the world.

Held at the expansive Clark Centennial Expo in Angeles City, Pampanga province on Nov. 18, 2004, the Eat Bulaga! Silver Special was the result of a whole year’s planning and conceptualization, three months of preparation and several weeks of rehearsals involving the biggest cast (by the thousands) ever assembled on Philippine television.

The show’s opening segment alone could rival some of the best production numbers of the annual Academy Awards in Hollywood. It began with 2,000 costumed school children from different public educational institutions singing in unison the Eat Bulaga! theme song — segueing to Tito, Vic & Joey aboard a mock space capsule that brought them on a time travel back to 1979 — the year the show was launched.

Then came a flashback of the various events that coincided with the birth of the program: From global news like Margaret Thatcher’s installation as Britain’s first woman Prime Minister and Saddam Hussein getting elected as Iraqi president, sports triumphs like Bong Coo’s being a bowling world champion, trends in music (John Travolta and Donna Summer’s disco hits) to trivialities — Melanie Marquez getting crowned Miss International.

After that rundown of recent history, the space capsule flew across the audience area, landed on stage and out popped Tito, Vic & Joey who were visibly overwhelmed by the size of the crowd (estimated at more than 60,000) who showed up at the Clark Expo that day to celebrate with them Eat Bulaga!’s 25th year on television.

The succeeding segments proved to be an emotional walk down memory lane as the show paid tribute to the men and women who lent face to this noontime treat through those 25 years: From Tito, Vic & Joey to all the former co-hosts who contributed their time and talent to the program and even those were not necessarily regular emcees then, but helped out pinch-hit for other Eat, Bulaga! family members, among them, Helen Gamboa and Lani Mercado.

Most touching was the in memoriam portion in honor of two ladies who had moved on to a more fun place than the stage of Eat, Bulaga!: Rio Diaz, an official Eat, Bulaga! host for half a decade, and Helen Vela, who was the eternal pinch-hitter for a period almost close to 10 years.

Helen’s stint with Eat, Bulaga! began when she cheered on as part of the audience that day good friend Coney Reyes was launched as the new female co-host in May 1982. Also once part of Student Canteen, where she quit her former show under not very pleasant circumstances, she was later given an Eat, Bulaga! satellite program, the Kilometrico Quiz, that she co-hosted with Tito Sotto. But Helen always made herself available to take over hosting chores from any Eat, Bulaga! member who was ill, abroad or tied up with other showbiz commitments.

With Aiza Seguerra and Pops Fernandez singing The Warrior is a Child, the tribute to Rio and Helen turned out to be more emotional than lachrymal. The concept and execution hit the right formula because the segment, which could have been morbid, blended harmoniously with the rest of the show that overflowed with so much joy and energy comparable to excitement everyone displayed when we welcomed the new millennium.

The other showstoppers were mostly the numbers that traced all the dance hits that became part of the daily contests in Eat, Bulaga! in the past: The Village People’s Macho Man, Lambada, Thriller and other dance crazes that were made popular to the viewing public via this noontime program.

Later in the special, Jopay Paguia and the Sexbomb Dancers whipped up a storm of a performance when they were joined — via VTR — by the now-New York-based Gracia in a terpsichorean showdown that went back to the days when the dance hit was Manila Girl and went all the way to the then still sizzling hot Spaghetti.

An interesting trivia was the Arnold Clavio segment (with puppet Arn-Arn), wherein the award-winning broadcaster revealed that in 1983, he joined along with his gang an Eat, Bulaga! competition where he was a drummer in their Beatles-inspired entry. They lost in that one. Undeterred by their defeat, Arnold returned to audition for the Footloose dance contest, but was booted out as early as the audition round.

The special actually tried to feature everyone who had been part of the program up to that time either via clips or numbers and in the process we were reminded of the celebrities who once graced the show — from major local celebrities like Sharon Cuneta and Maricel Soriano to big foreign artists the likes of John Denver, Brian McKnight, Michael Bublé and the Menudo.

And then there was a throwback to the different periods when Eat, Bulaga! became the launching pad for some of today’s young talents who joined the show’s various contests — from Little Miss Philippines to Mr. Pogi that gave us Jericho Rosales.

Eat Bulaga Silver Special also showed another facet of Tito, Vic & Joey not generally known to the public — as composers and lyricists of Original Pilipino Music (Balat-kayo, Swing, Ipagpatawad Mo, etc.).

The biggest tribute, however, was given to the King of Comedy, Dolphy, who joined Tito, Vic & Joey in a medley of foreign classics that led to the comic geniuses doing on-air banter.

At the finale, the special ended literally with a bang as a series of fireworks enveloped the skies above the venue site. It was one moment that could choke with tears and emotions even those watching at home — as cast, crew and those in the live audience celebrated that important occasion that marked this favorite noontime fare’s turning silver.

https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2010/03/11/556566/coming-soon-eat-bulaga-silver-special-dvd

Duterte lifts lotto suspension

Let the lotto games resume.

President Duterte has ordered the resumption of the popular lotto, four days after operation of all gaming schemes by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) was ordered suspended due to massive corruption.

“The suspension of lotto operations is lifted immediately,” Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said last night in a TV interview.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea relayed the information to Panelo, saying investigators found no anomalies in the conduct of lotto operations.

“The sanctity of lotto remained untainted and all regulatory rules have been followed,” Medialdea said.

Panelo said franchise holders and operators of lotto outlets can now re- sume with their operations.

Howeer, the rest of all gaming with franchises, licenses or permits grant- ed by the PCSO, such as Small-Town Lottery (STL), Keno and Peryahan ng Bayan (PNB), will remain suspended.

These gaming operations are still undergoing investigation, Panelo said.

He added that the Office of the President will be evaluating probe results from the concerned agencies.

New sources

The government earlier said it would look for other sources of funds to continue providing medical assistance to the poor following the closing of all gaming outlets of PCSO.

In an interview with “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News last Monday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the administration’s economic managers must identify funding sources to augment PCSO funds.

“They have to be imaginative on where to get the funds. The PCSO funding is huge and can render anemic the capacity of the Malasakit centers to be able to maximize support to poor patients,” Duque said. “The shortfall must be filled.”

He said revenue collection from sin taxes could be one of the possible fund sources.

According to Duque, revenue from sin taxes may help generate additional funds to realize the objective of the University Health Care (UHC) law.

He said the Department of Health (DOH) could also provide help through its medical assistance programs for the poor.

Without the charity funds from PCSO, Duque said the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) may also be required to boost its income generation to be able to help more indigent patients.

Local government units can also extend medical aid to residents in their areas, Duque said.

The health chief noted that nearly half a million people receive financial support annually from the PCSO for their hospitalization and other medical needs.

Duque said the charity agency also provides P1.5 billion yearly for the implementation of the UHC law.

“The closure of lotto outlets and other PCSO games will affect the beneficiaries of the primary care benefit package of the UHC law, and PhilHealth will be stymied to expand the package,” he said.

Under the UHC law, a family of five should receive P800 worth of primary health package from the PCSO funds.

Pagcor will provide P40 billion for the UHC law implementation.

According to Duque, a majority of the UHC funding will go to preventive healthcare programs such as immunization.

He said the government is far from reaching the required P257-billion fund for the first year of implementation of the UHC law.

The UHC law will be initially implemented on a limited scale covering 33 sites.

Duque said if he had been consulted by Malacañang about the suspension of PCSO gaming outlets, he would inform them of its possible impact on healthcare services. 

He expressed hope that the closure of small town lottery (STL) draw centers would be temporary.

Beneficiaries of the PCSO who are affected by the suspension of its gaming schemes could still get medical assistance from other government agencies such as Pagcor, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Office of the President, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said yesterday.

“They will not lose their life lines for medical subsidies and burial assistance.  The government will continue providing medical assistance,” he said.                           

Panelo said the President wants to stop corruption in the PCSO.

“But it doesn’t mean that the medical assistance to those in need will also end,” added.

In Negros Occidental, the closure of PCSO gaming activities has displaced at least 13,000 STL agents and lotto workers, according to provincial branch acting manager Jose Manuel Villagracia.

Villagracia said the PCSO continues to give financial aid to the needy since they have budget until the end of the year.

He said the agency is extending P504,000 daily to beneficiaries. This is on top of the P245,000 given directly to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Regional Memorial Hospital in Bacolod City.

PCSO services

The PCSO yesterday said it continues to provide services to the public despite the gaming ban imposed by President Duterte.

The agency said it donated P10 million to the Northern Cagayan District Hospital on Monday for the purchase of a mobile X-ray and Doppler ultrasound. 

The PCSO extension office in Quezon City provided services to 426 people who applied for Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP).

Hundreds of medical and dental patients were attended to in PCSO offices in Mandaluyong, Quezon City and Manila.

The agency said a total of 1,300 IMAP clients were able to get financial assistance from PCSO branch offices across the country. 

The PCSO also received requests for medicine donation and conduct of medical mission.           

A total of 167 lottery winners claimed their prizes at the PCSO head office despite the gaming ban. –  With Christina Mendez, Jess Diaz, Janvic Mateo, Gilbert Bayoran

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/07/31/1939423/duterte-lifts-lotto-suspension

Duterte lifts suspension of lotto ops —Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte has lifted the suspension of operations of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes' lotto game "effective immediately," Malacañang said on Tuesday.

Duterte had suspended all of PCSO's gaming operations last Saturday, citing "massive corruption."

The inclusion of lotto in the order has triggered an outcry from lotto franchise operators, saying that lotto was just dragged down by the illegal activities hounding the small time lottery (STL) and Peryahan ng Bayan.

The Philippine Online Lottery Agents Association Inc. (POLAI) urged Duterte to revive the operations of lotto, keno, and other games.

A day after the President's orders, the Philippine National Police reported the closure of some 2,000 lotto and STL outlets nationwide. —JST, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/702933/duterte-lifts-suspension-of-lotto-ops-palace/story/

Immediate approval of proposed DReAM Department for disaster preparedness and resilience pushed

A lawmaker on Monday cited the need for the immediate approval of a bill seeking to create the Disaster Resiliency and Alertness Management (DReAM) Department so the public can sleep soundly and worry less about disasters.

Rep. Alfred Vargas (5th District, Quezon City) said during a press conference at the House of Representatives that the Philippines is the most exposed country in the world to tropical storms, typhoons and other calamities.

“Ang Pilipinas (ay binubuo ng) 7,100 islands, lagi tayong may sakuna, lagi tayong may kaba, so sa tingin ko with the DReAM Department ay makakatulog na tayo ng mahimbing,” Vargas said.

Vargas authored House Bill No. 2001 or the proposed “Disaster Resiliency and Alertness Management (DReAM) Department Act of 2019” which he said will also address the disaster preparedness and disaster resilience concerns regarding transparency and accountability.

When asked to compare the difference between the DReAM Department and the two disaster-related agencies, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), Vargas clarified that there are coordination challenges between NDRRMC which is just a council and the OCD which is under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Both the NDRRMC and the OCD are agencies concerned with the protection and welfare of people during emergencies and disasters.

Vargas further said that at the ground level, the local government units also encounter problems in communication during these calamities and disasters.

He said the DReAM Department shall take care of all disaster-resilience related matters, including before, during and after disasters. It will be headed by a Cabinet Secretary who will be assisted and helped by Undersecretaries.

Vargas said if for example an LGU gets affected by a typhoon, the DReam Department's local disaster component will ensure immediate help from other LGUs nearby or even from other neighboring provinces as well because the agency is headed by a Secretary.

He said it shall be the Secretary of the DReAM Department who will recommend to the President to declare if there is a state of calamity.

As to the timeline regarding the creation of the DReAM Department, Vargas said it should be as soon as possible once the DReAM Department bill becomes a law.

“We would like to invoke Section 48 and Section 52 of the House Rules which states that when the bill passes third reading, by the vote of the majority, pwede na talagang ma fast-track ito, tutal certified as urgent naman ito and if the Majority Leader and the Speaker choose, ay pwedeng-pwede talagang mapabilis itong pag-approve nang department na ito,” he said.

Vargas said there is also a need for a department like DReAM to be able to handle and manage international grants, international funds, international donations with accountability and transparency and quickness.

As to the question of government agencies involved in disaster management and preparation being devolved under a single department, Vargas replied in the affirmative saying that the Secretary of the DReAM Department will be the overall head.

“Per local government, lahat yun under na sa DReAM Department. So this means mas mabilis na yung coordination, tapos hindi na mag-alala sa mga overlaps. Kung ano yung kumpas ng executive, maibababa kaagad sa mga tao. Malinaw lahat,” he said.

Vargas said that based on experience, “ang dami natin na experience - miscommunication, daming spillage, ang daming nasayang, ang daming hindi nagamit, mga relief goods mahati or napupunta sa iba na hindi dapat.” He said the DReAM Department will address all these concerns.

He said that the DReAM Department will have its own funds and its Secretary shall have the access to all the funds, but shall respect the autonomy of the LGUS regarding their funds.

As for foreign donations, Vargas said they will make sure all the rules and practices regarding disaster diplomacy will be followed.

“As we all know very tricky yan. Kailangan talaga mayroon declaration bago tayo makatanggap. Before, nagkaroon ng confusion dahil papano ba talaga. Dapat with DReAM Department, it will be easier to accept foreign aid,” he said.

Vargas cited a provision of the bill which states that the DReAM Department Secretary, whenever necessary, can activate an Ad Hoc interagency committee to orchestrate efforts of concerned entities.

He added that the bill carries an oversight component composed of six senators and six congressmen and a provision on sunset review. /Ma. Victoria Palomar / News and Documentation Section-Press and Public Affairs Bureau/House of Representatives of the Philippines

http://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=11638