Revenue bills pokus ng Kamara pero ikokonsidera ang ABS-CBN franchise renewal

Ikokonsidera ng House of Representatives ang iminumungkahing pagpapalawig ng legislative franchise ng ABS-CBN.

Ito’y sa kabila ng pagpopokus ng Kamara sa pagsasabatas ng mga importanteng revenue measure.

Ayon kay Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, may kalayaan umano ang House Committee on Legislative Franchise na magsagawa ng mga pagdinig hinggil sa ilang panukalang magbibigay-buhay sa ABS-CBN franchise sandaling mag-expire ito sa March 30, 2020.

Sa kabila din aniya ng isyu kaugnay ng journalistic fairness ng naturang network, tiniyak ni Cayetano na magiging patas ang mababang kapulungan sa pag-aksyon sa sinasabing franchise extension.

Gayunpaman, sinabi ni Cayetano na mananatiling pokus pa rin ang Kongreso sa kanilang mga prayoridad lalo na’t na-dispose na ang panukalang General Appropriations Act para sa taong 2020.

“Pero iyong priority at focus natin ay iyong revenue bills para mabayaran ang magagandang programa ng gobyerno at iyong budget. That’s the reality there but we will get to it,” aniya.

The House of Representatives will consider the proposed extension of the ABS-CBN legislative franchise.

This is despite the chamber's focus on enacting important revenue measures.

According to Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, the House Committee on Legislative Franchise has the freedom to hold hearings on some proposals that will revive the ABS-CBN franchise once it expires on March 20, 2020.

Despite the issue regarding the journalistic fairness of the network, Cayetano assured that the lower council would be fair in acting on the alleged franchise extension.

However, Cayetano said Congress will continue to focus on their priorities, especially after the General Appropriations Act for the year 2020 has been passed.

“But our priority and focus is your revenue bills to pay for good government programs and your budget. That's the reality there but we will get to it,” he said.

https://tnt.abante.com.ph/revenue-bills-pokus-ng-kamara-pero-ikokonsidera-ang-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal/

Duterte to ABS-CBN: Sorry, don't expect franchise renewal

‘I will see to it that you're out,' says President Rodrigo Duterte, claiming he is still angry at ABS-CBN for supposedly not airing his political ads in 2016

The Philippines’ biggest television network will lose its franchise next year, vowed President Rodrigo Duterte in a fresh rant against “oligarchs” on Tuesday, December 3.

"Ang iyong franchise mag-end next year. If you expect ma-renew 'yan, I'm sorry. I will see to it that you’re out," said Duterte during a speech in front of new government officials at Malacañang.

(Your franchise will end next year. If you expect it to be renewed, I'm sorry. I will see to it that you're out.)

This is his 3rd time to make the threat.

ABS-CBN's current franchise, approved through Republic Act No. 7966 on March 30, 1995, is set to expire on March 30, 2020.

If the bill renewing the franchise does not get signed into law, ABS-CBN would have to close down its radio and television operations.

Duterte repeated his threat to ABS-CBN as part of a larger diatribe against powerful corporations he accused of "screwing over" the government, like Ayala Corporation and Manny Pangilinan's Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.

In April 2017, Duterte accused the network of "swindling" him for not airing his paid political advertisements during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Duterte first publicly threatened ABS-CBN days after he signed into law the franchise renewal of its rival, GMA Network. Duterte then repeated his threat to block the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise in August 2018.

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Duterte's running mate in 2016, said he too has a "personal complaint" against the network.

But he promised the House of Representatives would give ABS-CBN's franchise renewal "due process." The House committee on legislative franchises was to tackle the franchise renewal bill before the end of 2019.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/246358-duterte-tells-abs-cbn-sorry-do-not-expect-franchise-renewal

Duterte to ABS-CBN: Next year, you're out

President Rodrigo Duterte said he is not softening his stance against the franchise renewal of major television network ABS-CBN.

Duterte said Tuesday, the franchise — whose contract is set to end by March 2020  will definitely be "out" next year. Its contract is set to end by March 2020 unless Congress and the President approves its extension.

"Ang inyong franchise mag-end next year [Your franchise will end next year]. If you are expecting na ma-renew 'yan [a renewal], I'm sorry. You're out. I will see to it that you're out," said Duterte during the oath-taking of newly appointed government officials in Malacañang.

Five bills have been filed to extend the franchise for another 25 years.

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said in October a panel from the lower chamber is set to tackle the renewal by yearend.

Duterte has repeatedly slammed the network in previous tirades. Last year, he stood firm against the renewal of the franchise, citing its failure to air his presidential campaign ads in 2016, even though the network was paid to do so. He repeated this claim.

"Ang ABS-CBN, 'yung bunganga ng inyong interes, they protect you...Kayo ngayon, mag-renew kayo ng contract? Ilan kayong mga senador ngayon na nagbayad sa inyo na hindi ninyo pinalabas yung kanila?," Duterte added.

[Translation: ABS-CBN, your interest protects you...Now you want to renew your contract? How many senators have paid you yet you failed to air theirs (ads)?]

He reiterated his allegation saying ABS-CBN showed preference in broadcasting the political ads of former Senator Antonio Trillanes over others.

"Unang nilabas ninyo 'yung kay Trillanes 'yung using the children of a propaganda.... Tinanggap ninyo ang ₱2 million ko, ni wala...Hindi lang ako 'yung na-ganoon, Chiz Escudero, marami. Lahat sa Congress," he said. "And you want us to bow down to your wealth and money and influence? Well, not with this administration. I am for the people and I will kill for the people."

[Translation: You aired Trillanes first who was using children for propaganda...You accepted my P2 million but none of my ads were aired...It was not just me but Chiz Escudero and many others. Everyone in Congress.]

https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/12/3/duterte-abs-cbn-franchise-out.html

Duterte postpones 2020 barangay, SK polls

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure postponing the barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) elections scheduled in May 2020.

Duterte inked Republic Act (RA) 11462 or the Postponement of the 2020 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections Act during a ceremonial signing held at Palace's Rizal Hall on Friday afternoon.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Maria Imelda Josefa Marcos, Negros Occidental 4th District Rep. Juliet Ferrer, Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea witnessed the ceremony.

In a keynote speech, the President said the signing of the law is vital in “realizing meaningful and lasting reform for the good of our nation.”

RA effectively moves the twin elections to Dec. 5, 2022.

Incumbent village executives and officials of the youth council will remain in office until their successors have been duly elected or unless they have been removed or suspended.

The new set of barangay and SK officials elected in December 2022 will assume office on Jan. 1, 2023.

Subsequent village and youth council polls will be held on the first Monday of December 2025 and every three years after.

Palace has yet to release a copy of the newly-signed law.

During his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 22, Duterte asked Congress to pass a measure suspending the elections set in May 2020, to give village officials more time to finish their programs and projects.

The Senate and the House of Representatives on November 12 ratified the bicameral conference report of their consolidated measure on the postponement of the twin elections.

This is the third deferment of the village and youth council's elections since 2016.

Duterte postponed twice the village and youth council elections for fear that incumbent village officials who allegedly have ties with drug syndicates might get re-elected.

In October 2016, Duterte inked RA 10923, moving the twin elections from Oct. 31, 2016 to Oct. 23, 2017.

The village and youth council elections were once again rescheduled to May 14, 2018 after the Chief Executive signed RA 10952.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087830

PRRD signs Malasakit Center law

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night signed into law a bill seeking to establish Malasakit Centers in all hospitals run by the Department of Health (DOH) nationwide.

Duterte signed Republic Act 11463 in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace but a copy of the law has yet to be released to reporters.

Earlier, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, main author and sponsor of Senate Bill 1076, said Malasakit Centers are meant to provide quick and quality access to health care to all Filipinos.

He said the Malasakit Center law is meant to complement the Universal Healthcare law (Republic Act 11223).

Under the law, a Malasakit Center serves as one-stop for easy access to medical and financial assistance needed to receive health care services.

However, the Malasakit Centers are not meant to provide additional funds for assistance since concerned government agencies retain and run their own medical and financial assistance programs.

A Malasakit Program shall also be formulated to complement these centers, as well as the implementation of the Universal Health Care law.

The Senate approved Senate Bill 1076 on third and final reading with a vote of 18-0 with no abstentions on November 11.

On the other hand, the House of Representatives passed their version of the bill on third and final reading on November 18 with 185 affirmative votes, one negative vote, and seven abstentions.

Currently, there are over 50 Malasakit Centers nationwide serving over 200,000 patients every month.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087835

Duterte to approve or reject renewal of ABS-CBN franchise: I will see to it that you’re out!

By Prince Golez

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday threatened to block the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, which is set to expire on March 30, 2020.

Duterte made the statement during the oath-taking of newly appointed government officials in Malacañang.

“Ang inyong franchise mag-end next year. If you are expecting na ma-renew ‘yan, I’m sorry. You’re out. I will see to it that you’re out,” the President said.

Duterte accused the broadcasting company of not airing his campaign ad in 2016.

The President also claimed that ABS-CBN aired then Senator Antonio Trillanes’ advertisement that showed child actors calling him a killer.

https://politics.com.ph/duterte-to-reject-renewal-of-abs-cbn-franchise-i-will-see-to-it-that-youre-out/

Duterte to ABS-CBN: ‘I will see to it that you are out’

President Rodrigo Duterte has renewed his threat to block the franchise renewal of television giant ABS-CBN.

Duterte, speaking before newly-appointed officials in Malacañang on Tuesday, said the television network should not expect its franchise to be renewed once it expires in March 2020.

“If you are expecting na ma-renew ‘yan, I am sorry. I will see to it that you are out,” Duterte said.

(If you are expecting that your franchise will be renewed, I am sorry. I will see to it that you are out.)

Duterte has repeatedly said in his public speeches that he would hinder the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise for not airing his 2016 election advertisement and for alleged biased reporting.

Under the law, radio and television broadcasters are required to seek a franchise from Congress, pursuant to Republic Act No. 3846.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1197664/duterte-to-abs-cbn-i-will-see-to-it-that-you-are-out

GMA Network holds TV ratings leadership in Urban Luzon, Mega Manila

GMA Network sustained its lead in the TV ratings game in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, according to the latest data from ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

For November, with November 24 to 30 based on overnight data, GMA posted an average of 33.3% total day people audience share in Urban Luzon, outscoring ABS-CBN’s 29.6%. The viewer-rich area accounts for 72% of all urban TV viewers in the country.

The Kapuso Network continued to win in the afternoon block with 35.6% people audience share while ABS-CBN registered 28.4 percent.

GMA similarly led in the evening block with 35.3% versus ABS-CBN’s 31.9%.

Award-winning magazine program “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” (KMJS) was still unbeatable in the number one spot on Urban Luzon’s list of top-rating programs for the month. It also kept its position as the most viewed program on the nationwide list.

Following KMJS on the list of top programs for November were “24 Oras,” “The Clash,” “The Gift,” “Magpakailanman,” “Studio 7,” “Beautiful Justice,” “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” “Pepito Manaloto,” “Daddy’s Gurl,” “One of the Baes,” “Bubble Gang,” “Saksi,” “Amazing Earth,” “The Boobay and Tekla Show,” “Unang Hirit,” “Mars Pa More,” “Wagas,” “Tadhana,” “Prima Donnas,” “Madrasta,” “Eat Bulaga,” “Wowowin,” “24 Oras Weekend,” and “Magkaagaw.”

In Mega Manila, with official data from November 1 to 23, GMA Network recorded 33.9% average total day people audience share as compared to ABS-CBN which only managed to get 27%. Meanwhile, Kapuso shows took 18 spots out of the top 30 shows in the area, which accounts for 60% of all urban viewers in the country.

Nielsen TV Audience Measurement’s client pool covers a total of 32 clients/subscribers consisting of 6 local TV networks including ABS-CBN, TV5, Aksyon TV, and CNN Philippines, among others; three regional clients; two blocktimers; and 21 agencies—17 media agencies, 3 consulting agencies, and 1 digital agency. —VDS, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/717693/gma-network-holds-tv-ratings-leadership-in-urban-luzon-mega-manila/story/

Full implementation of law creating new housing dep’t sought

A party-list lawmaker on Tuesday pushed for the full implementation of the law creating the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), which has certain mandates on disaster resilience and recovery, particularly those relating to housing concerns.

Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo said it has been 10 months since the DHSUD charter was signed into law, but there is no DHSUD Secretary yet nor any “semblance of the new department taking shape."

“By now, we should have had a DHSUD Secretary involved in ‘Tisoy’ disaster response and recovery particularly on housing concerns,” Salo said.

Salo cited a provision stating that the new department shall formulate a framework for resilient housing and human settlements as a basis for the mechanisms for the post-disaster housing and resiliency planning, research and development, extension, monitoring and evaluation of programs, projects, and activities to protect vulnerable communities from the adverse effects of climate change and disasters.

The law consolidates the functions of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) to the Department.

"The HUDCC chairman should update Congress very soon of the status of the DHSUD and inform the legislators of any and all problems that may be delaying the full implementation of RA (Republic Act) 11201,” Salo said.

"Ten months is more than enough time for the implementing rules and the reorganization of the government housing sector into the new DHSUD. In fact, RA 11201 provides a six-month deadline for the transition,” he added, noting that it has been four months after that deadline.

Salo said Congress and its members have the duty and right to exercise oversight authority on the implementation of laws, noting that he is eyeing a congressional inquiry into the matter.

"Sa ngayon malinaw na paliwanag at detalyadong report muna ang kailangan natin mula sa HUDCC. Kailangan nating malaman ang sitwasyon. Sayang 'yung panahon (For now, what we need is a clear and detailed report from the HUDCC. We need to know the status of the new department. Time should not be wasted),” Salo said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087759

SM Celebrates 60 and Milo 50 years

ABS-CBN franchise renewal pinush ng PDP-Laban sa Kamara

Tatlong matataas na lider ng ruling PDP-Laban sa Kamara de Representante ang sumama na rin sa panawagan para sa renewal ng legislative franchise ng broadcast giant na ABS-CBN.

Naghain ng House Bill No. 5608 sina PDP-Laban executive vice president at Deputy Speaker Aurelio ‘Dong’ Gonzales kasama si Deputy Speakers Johnny Pimentel at Salvador ‘Doy’ Leachon na naglalayong payagan ang Kapamilya network na palawigin ng 25 taon ang congressional franchise nito.

Halos 5 buwan na lang ang natitira sa current congressional franchise ng ABS-CBN sa ilalim ng Republic Act No. 7966 na mapapaso sa Marso 2020.

Ang HB 5608 ay pang-anim na panukalang batas na naisampa sa ilalim ng 18th Congress na may kaugna­yan sa franchise rene­wal na nalalagay sa ala­nganin matapos na sabihin ni House Speaker Alan Cayetano na may mga isyu pa na dapat talakayin ang Kongrego sa nabanggit na isyu.

Inamin ni Cayetano na may personal si­yang galit sa network dahil sa pakikialam nito sa usa­pang politikal noong 2016 national elections kung saan nanalo si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.

Inakusaan din nito na may pinaborang kandidato noon at binig­yan ng VIP treatment na vice presidential candidate ang ABS-CBN.

Ngunit para kina Gonzales, Pimentel at Leachon, “ABS-CBN’s various achievement in the broadcast industry, certainly warrant the renewal of the broadcast franchise to insure the uninterrupted and improved delivery of its service to the Filipino people.”

Nabigo ang broadcast giant na iere noong 2016 ang political ad noon ni Duterte na siyang pa­ngulo ng PDP-Laban sa kabila ng ibinayad na P20 milyon at mas pina­boran umano ang smear campaign commercial ni dating Senador Antonio Trillanes. IV. (JC Cahin­hinan)

Three top leaders of the PDP-Laban ruling in the Chamber of Representatives have also joined in a call for the renewal of the legislative franchise of broadcast giant ABS-CBN.

House Bill No. 5608 PDP-Laban executive vice president and Deputy Speaker Aurelio 'Dong' Gonzales along with Deputy Speakers Johnny Pimentel and Salvador 'Doy' Leachon aimed to allow the Kapamilya network to extend its congressional franchise for 25 years.

ABS-CBN's current congressional franchise remains under 5 months under Republic Act No. 7966 expired in March 2020.

HB 5608 is the sixth bill introduced under the 18th Congress in relation to franchise renewal that is in doubt after House Speaker Alan Cayetano said there are still issues to be addressed by Congress on the issue.

Cayetano admitted that he had personal anger over the network over his involvement in political talks during the 2016 national elections in which President Rodrigo Duterte won.

"I feel that there are certain instances in history and in the 2016 election that have unjustly affected some sectors or some leaders of the ABS, so how do you sort it out," Cayetano said.

It also alleged that there was a favored candidate in the past and offered VIP treatment as vice presidential candidate to ABS-CBN.

But to Gonzales, Pimentel and Leachon, "ABS-CBN's various achievements in the broadcast industry, certainly warrant the renewal of the broadcast franchise to insure the uninterrupted and improved delivery of its service to the Filipino people."

The broadcast giant failed to disclose in 2016 the political ad of Duterte who was president of PDP-Laban despite being paid P20 million and allegedly favoring former Senator Antonio Trillanes' smear campaign commercial. IV. (JC Cahinhinan)

https://tonite.abante.com.ph/abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-pinush-ng-pdp-laban-sa-kamara/

Araneta, Sta. Lucia Land sign joint venture deal to expand Bulacan project

Araneta Properties Inc. announced Friday it signed a joint venture deal with Sta. Lucia Land to expand the 230-hectare Colinas Verdes project in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

Araneta Properties has an existing agreement with Sta. Lucia Land to develop the Colinas Verdes project, of which 57% of the 230-hectare development has been completed and sold.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange, Araneta Properties said that under the new agreement, it will add another 58 hectares to the existing development “to be able to meet strong market demand for residential lots in the area.”

The expansion area is within a kilometer of the proposed MRT-7 station along Quirino Highway in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, the company added.

“This increases our Colinas Project with Sta. Lucia to almost 300 hectares, and will complement the existing Colinas development as well as our soon to be launched country club and the other areas of development of the Araneta Group in the vicinity,” Araneta Properties Chairman Gregorio Ma. Araneta III said.

Aside from this project with Sta. Lucia Land, Araneta Properties has in its inventory an additional 215 hectares of land in Bulacan and in Ilocos Norte.

As of 2:26 p.m. Friday, shares in Araneta Properties were down 4 centavos or 2.52% to P1.55 each. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral

https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/11/29/1972862/araneta-sta-lucia-land-sign-joint-venture-deal-expand-bulacan-project

Palace exec favors NIR revival

BACOLOD City – Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner Manuelito Luna said he is in favor of giving the abrogated Negros Island Region (NIR) a chance.

Luna, who was here for the Balangayan 2019: Constitutional Reform Provincial Roadshow, said that if the President will reconsider his decision in shelving NIR, this will help reduce the problems and burdens of the national government.

President Rodrigo Duterte dissolved the NIR, which was created by the Presidency of Benigno Aquino III, citing lack of funds.

Luna said that there are two kinds of autonomous regions in the country – the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

He said the BARMM operates like a semi-federal state.

Luna added that they hope it will survive because this will serve as a template for their shift later on to a federal form of government if the people want it.

“This is not their decision, but this will be the decision of everybody who will vote during a plebiscite once there is already a proposal.” he further said.

Luna said that the NIR may be considered because of the uniqueness of the two Negros provinces, he said.

A former lawyer of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, Luna said he knows the culture of Negrenses.

He also said that if NIR is revived, it will help reduce the problems of the national government as it will only focus on Bicol, Metro Manila, and other places like Cebu and other federated states.

“The problem will be reduced because the Negrenses want to contribute through being autonomous,” he said.

https://dailyguardian.com.ph/palace-exec-favors-nir-revival/

Malacañang hails Senate approval of 2020 budget bill

Malacañang welcomed on Wednesday the Senate’s unanimous approval on third and final reading of the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020.

Twenty-two of 24 senators voted to approve the  2020 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) with no abstentions or negative votes.

“The Office of the President welcomes this development given that this budget per the Department of Budget and Management, aims to fund programs and projects that will help accelerate investments in public infrastructure, improve anti-poverty measures, and intensify employment generation,” Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

After the approval in the upper chamber, the Senate and the House of Representatives will then convene in a bicameral conference committee to reconcile their versions of the budget bill.

Panelo said the Executive Branch is hoping that the bicameral conference committee “would be able to arrive at a considered decision in reconciling the conflicting provisions found in the two versions of its respective houses without prolonged partisan discussion and undue delay.”

He also assured the public that President Rodrigo Duterte will “carefully scrutinize” the budget bill once it reaches his office to ensure that it would be in “accordance with the imperatives of the Constitution and responsive to the needs of the Filipino people.”

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1195280/malacanang-hails-senate-approval-of-2020-budget-bill

Doomed from the start?

NO, this is not about the flavor of the moment topic that most everyone on social media is talking about. Enough has been said about the first day hiccups and there’s no need to pile on. I think some of the criticisms are valid and some are exaggerated but I also think that how the issues have been handled show a lack of proper incident management preparations.

As we used to say at the beverage company I used to work for: “Incidents are inevitable but crises are not.”

Instead, what I want to write about is something (to me at least) more serious. It’s a matter that will persist long after the SEA Games cauldron has been switched off and the last delegate has arrived home. It’s what I think is of fundamental importance when it comes to Filipinos thinking of themselves in relation to each other and to the country. It’s at the heart of an oft-heard complaint: why don’t we Filipinos have a sense of nationhood?
Why?

My answer is simple: it’s because we are family-oriented. We are so family-oriented that everything comes second to family. Everything, including even the Rule of Law when a mother will do everything to shield a child while exclaiming “hindi po magagawa ng anak ko ‘yan!” (meaning “my child can never do that!”) even when the child-offender is caught red handed.

By the way, even if the “child” is already in his 30s, his mother remains as protective as ever.

At the other extreme, there’s the well-connected parent who will pull any and every string available to help a child get out of trouble or get a leg up on others. Call the brods. Call the classmates. Call tito or tita. Cash in on old favors.

Family first.

But when we put family first at the expense of everything else, how can we expect to have a sense of nationhood?

Think about it: when a child is born, he is born shorn of a sense of nationhood. What he wakes up to is a sense of family. Rich or poor it’s the family that becomes both his shield and his weapon. And as he grows up so does his “family” – the ninongs and ninangs to begin with and then the mentors and friends in a growing network of relationships. The family grows beyond the bloodline but it’s just a wider sense of family. It’s not yet – it’s never – the nation.

And that’s where we are. As we see the system “fail” us, our sense of family is deepened.

Who else do you rely on and who else do you trust? But as we do that we just accelerate the weakness or the failure of the system. And the cycle continues, spiraling downwards.

Forget sense of nationhood. Every day we live, every move we make, every word we utter, it’s all in the name of the family.

And when we can we make the system around us work for the family. Of course, the more powerful and influential are more successful in doing this. The poor fail – pushing them deeper into relying on their (powerless) families.

Which leaves me with only one conclusion: Is our effort to promote a sense of nationhood bound to fail? Is nationhood doomed from the start?

https://malaya.com.ph/index/index.php/news_opinion/doomed-from-the-start/

House panel OKs bill requiring construction of rainwater harvesting facilities in dev’t projects in MM

The House committee on Metro Manila development approved on Tuesday a bill requiring the establishment of rainwater harvesting facilities on all development projects in the metropolis.

The still unnumbered bill is a consolidation of four bills of the same nature filed by various House members.

The House already approved this proposed measure, then House Bill No. 4340, on third and final reading in the previous 17th Congress, however, the Senate failed to act upon it.

The bill seeks to mandate the establishment of rainwater harvesting facilities on all new public and private commercial, institutional, and residential developments in the metropolis.

The facilities are primarily to reduce flooding in the metropolis during heavy rainfalls and encourage the conservation of potable water.

Owners or developers of new development projects with an area of at least 1,500 square meters shall reserve, develop, and maintain at least three percent of the project’s total area as a rainwater harvesting facility.

Under the bill, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and local government units (LGUs) are tasked to monitor the construction of rainwater harvesting facilities.

LGUs also have the power to deny developers of their request for a building permit should their projects fail to incorporate a rainwater harvesting facility.

Developers shall face fines of not less than P500,000 but no more than P2 million for every year they fail to construct a rainwater harvesting facility in their new residential development projects.

Foreign national offenders, meanwhile, face deportation without further proceedings after payment of fine.

Government officials, employees and agents who also violate the law shall be suspended not less than 10 days but no more than 180 days after due notice and hearing in appropriate administrative proceeding.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1194606/house-panel-oks-bill-requiring-construction-of-rainwater-harvesting-facilities-in-devt-projects-in-metro-manila

Prima Residences Manila

A building in 834 Rizal Avenue to be demolished and paving way for Prima Residences Manila branch.

Happy birthday, Enchong!

He’s the main cast member of Katorse, Tanging Yaman, Magkaribal, Maria La del Barrio, Ina, Kapatid, Anak, Muling Buksan Ang Puso, A Love to Last and The Blood SIsters. He’s known in showbiz circles as “Enchong.” Enchong Dee is a multi-awarded actor and champion swimmer who dabbles as a restaurateur (he co-owns Peri-peri Charcoal Chicken) and is a party host par excellence. And every year on his birthday, Nov. 5, he throws a party to celebrate the gift of another year of life.

This year, Enchong outdid himself again. The dinner-turned celebration hosted at the Mind Museum after his dance number in ASAP Natin 'To was for friends who have a low tolerance for loud music and prefer intimate get-togethers. Of course, the floral centerpieces were amazing! Gracing the dinner were Bea Alonzo, Julia Barretto, Iza Calzado, Kim Chiu, Maymay Entrata, Erich Gonzales, Janine Gutierrez, Melissa Ricks, Bianca Manalo, Jessy Mendiola,  Julia Montes, Maja Salvador, Kylie Verzosa, Piolo Pascual, Gerald Anderson, Jake Cuenca, Ejay Falcon, Joshua Garcia, Xian Lim, Arron Villaflor, Zanjoe Marudo, Luke Jickain, Marvin Wijangco, Mauro Lumba, Philippe Magalona, Joseph Marco, David Chua, Carlo Gonzales, Mark Lopez, Miko Raval, Raphael Robes, Randy See, Jerome Tan, Sydney Du, Sky Yang, LA Aguinaldo, Carlo Magdaluyo, Keren Pascual, Korina Sanchez, McDonald's Managing Director Margot Torres, Star Magic heads Johnny Manahan and Mariole Alberto, Star Magic road managers Danilyn Nunga and Edelwiss Abrenica, HOOQ PH Content and Programming Head Jeff Remigio, Pat-P Daza, Noel Ferrer, Enrico Santos, Joel Mercado, Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng, Robina Gokongwei-Pe, PEP editor-in-chief Jo-Ann Maglipon, Girlie Rodis, Eloisa Matias, Leo Katigbak, Shirley Kuan, Law Tan, Dolor Guevarra, Angelica Alita, Bibeth Orteza, Malou Choa-Fagar, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle editor Arnel Patawaran, Liza Ilarde and Elbert Cuenca, Anakalusugan Party List Rep. Mike Defensor, Bong Guerrero, Chef Noel dela Rama, Karen Davila, Anton San Diego, Bev Llorente, Samantha Lopez, Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco, Arnold Vegafria, Perry Lansigan, Carol Garcia, Karen Santos, Cultural Center of the Philippines chairwoman Margie Moran Floirendo, Laurie Westfall, Sharm Hiranand, Marianne Po, Roseanne Belmonte, Agnes Huibonhoa, Jojie Dingcong, Susan Joven, Michelle Tiangco, Melba Solidum, Carol Garcia, Alice Edurado, Veana Fores, Doris Magsaysay Ho, Margarita Forés, Maricel Soriano, Jon Herrera and Patti Grandidge, Bob and Monch Novales, Marivic and former House Secretary-General Atty. Cesar Strait Pareja, Ana de Ocampo, Marissa Tambunting, Leah Puyat, and Angelette Calero was there, too, as were Regal Films matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde and daughter Roselle, Senators Pia Cayetano, Risa Hontiveros and Grace Poe, MTRCB chairperson Rachel Arenas, and fashion designers Michael Cinco, Rajo Laurel, Joey Samson, and Val Taguba.

Also in attendance were guests JB Baylon, Vice President Leni Robredo, House Speaker and Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter and Taguig Rep. Lani Cayetano, Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano, former President Benigno Aquino III, former Vice President Noli de Castro, former Taguig Mayor Freddie and First Lady Kaye Tinga, former Professional Models Association of the Philippines president Phoemela Baranda, Raymond Gutierrez, Liz Uy, Tim Yap, Gretchen Barretto with Tonyboy Cojuangco, Bayambang First Lady Niña José-Quiambao, Leyte 4th District Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, Cesar Montano, Agot Isidro, Albert Martinez, Tessa Alindogan, Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Alphaland Corporation president and executive director Dennis Valdes, Philippine Daily Inquirer president and Inquirer Group of Companies CEO Sandy Romualdez, Philippine Star Lifestyle editor and columnist Millet Mananquil and hubby Robert, daughter Rissa Mananquil and Paolo Trillo, son Robby and wife Maxene Magalona, ANCX Executive Editor Ces Drilon, Inquirer Lifestyle editor Thelma San Juan and son Luis Carlo; Mons Romulo and brother Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo, Management Association of the Philippines president Riza Mantaring, Sun Life Philippines president Benedicto Sison, Jorge and Daisy Carino, Bodyworx Spa and Fitness Club sports director and Mini Car Club of the Philippines president Ken Uy and Ace Seahawks coach Malco Dacanay.

For those who didn’t mind loud music and a livelier vibe, the after-dinner was rocking by 9 p.m. Food and drinks overflowed and guests continued to pour in. By 11 p.m., they started jamming. It was fun seeing everyone singing and dancing the night away. But it was Enchong who clearly looked the happiest. After all, he was celebrating the gift of another precious year with people he works with who have become like family. Happy, happy birthday, Enchong!

Cotabato cedes 63 villages to Bangsamoro

COTABATO CITY—The province of Cotabato formally ceded political and administrative control of 63 villages in six towns to the Bangsamoro region, in keeping with the results of a Feb. 6 plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

Together with officials of the interim Bangsamoro government and Cotabato province, Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, Cotabato vice governor and acting governor and Murad Ebrahim, Bangsamoro chief minister, led a handover ceremony at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center on Wednesday.

In her message, Mendoza expressed optimism that the transfer of the villages to the Bangsamoro region “would further lead to peace and unity in this part of the country.”

Mendoza asked Ebrahim to “please take care of our 63 barangays.”

These villages opted to join the autonomous region in the Feb. 6 plebiscite that sought consent from voters in select areas whether they would like to be governed under the BOL.

Of the 67 villages that exercised the option, the affirmative votes won in 63.

‘Bridge’

In the 2001 plebiscite on the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the yes votes won in those villages, but no became the predominant vote in the rest of the province.

“Today, we see a bridge that reconnects the 63 barangays to its Bangsamoro homeland. Today is all about the people,” Ebrahim said.

Ebrahim, who is still Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief, said the Bangsamoro government “will do everything to ensure that the constituents [in the 63 villages] are not left behind and [will] experience the same amount of service they have enjoyed.”

Bangsamoro Interior Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said the decision of the 63 villages to join the autonomous region “was a reunion for us, more than a separation from the province of North Cotabato.”

“We are not erecting a boundary with our neighbors but are instead creating a connection with them,” Sinarimbo said.

Of the 63 villages, seven are from Carmen town, another seven from Kabacan, 22 from Pikit, two from Aleosan, 13 from Midsayap and 12 from Pigcawayan.

Organized into towns

Of the six towns, Pikit lost the most villages as 22 of its 42 villages are taken from it.

According to Sinarimbo, the 63 villages are to be constituted into eight clusters of geographic units, to be overseen by an administrator.

He added that they will wait for the 2020 population census to determine which of these will qualify to be grouped together and organized into towns.

The Bangsamoro is now composed of the five provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi; the cities of Cotabato, Marawi and Lamitan, and the 63 villages in Cotabato province.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1193467/cotabato-cedes-63-villages-to-bangsamoro

Yesterday

Hindi makukumpleto ang barkada namin: Carlo Magdaluyo, Margot Torres, Korina Sanchez, Leo Katigbak, Joel Mercado, Pat-P Daza, Lisa Gokongwei, Lawrence Tan, Girlie Rodis, Enrico Santos, Johnny Manahan, Mariole Alberto, Keren Pascual, David Chua, Kim Chiu, Chienna Filomeno, Enchong Dee, Xian Lim, Arron Villaflor, Zanjoe Marudo, Enrique Gil, Liza Soberano, Bea Alonzo, Angelica Panganiban, Ruffa Gutierrez, Luke Jickain, Marvin Wijangco, Mauro Lumba, Philippe Magalona, Joseph Marco, LA Aguinaldo, Miko Raval, Raphael Robes, Randy See, Jerome Tan, Sydney Du, Sky Yang

63 Cotabato brgys join BARMM

Cotabato City—All 63 barangays of Cotabato Province that voted favorably to be part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have officially joined the region.

Acting Governor Emilou Taliño-Mendoza led the turnover to top Bangsamoro officials on Wednesday.

“In behalf of the BARMM, the Ministers, the Members of Parliament of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, we hereby officially acknowledge and accept the 63 barangays of North Cotabato that voted to be part of the Bangsamoro Government,” BARMM Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim said.

BARMM Interior Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said the 63 barangays have voted consistently in favor of joining the autonomous region in three past plebiscites. Their previous affirmative votes, however, had been overturned by the negative vote at the municipal and provincial levels.

“We are happy that they are now with us as we transition to the next level of the struggle,” Murad said.

During the plebiscite in February, 63 villages in the municipalities of Midsayap, Aleosan, Pikit and Kabacan voted overwhelmingly to join the BARMM and ratified the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

The turnover was witnessed by top BARMM officials, including Deputy Minister Hatimil Hasan, Public Works Minister Eduard Guerra, Executive Secretary Abdulraof Macacua, Cotabato Provincial Board Member Kelly Antao, and regional information chief Norodin Salam.

Macacua said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is grateful to Mendoza, her fellow local officials, the barangay executives of the 63 villages and their constituents for their efforts in pushing for the inclusion of those areas into the BARMM.

“We are honored to be reunited with our brothers and sisters in Cotabato Province who have been separated from us in the last 46 years by a Presidential Decree (341), issued by then-President Marcos, though it was never subjected to a plebiscite,” Sinarimbo said.

Sinarimbo said the transfer of the local of local government jurisdiction was “not about separation, but is about reuniting our people. It is not about creating boundaries, but is about building a bridge to reconnect them.”

http://www.manilastandard.net/index.php/lgu/mindanao/310660/63-cotabato-brgys-join-barmm.html

Sunday Pinasaya magpapaalam na sa ere bago mag-Pasko

Some good things never last.

Makalipas ang apat na taon na pamamayagpag sa telebisyon tuwing Linggo, magpapaalam na ang Sunday PinaSaya.

Mapapanood ang farewell episode nito sa December 22, 2019.

Ang APT Entertainment ang producer ng Sunday PinaSaya, na nag-umpisa noong August 9, 2015.

Ipinalit ito sa Sunday All Stars, ang station-produced Sunday musical-variety show na nagwakas noong August 2, 2015.

Nalulungkot ang mainstays at production staff ng Sunday PinaSaya dahil sa nalalapit na pagwawakas ng kanilang weekly show.

Nakadagdag sa kalungkutan nilang magpapaalam sila sa kanilang loyal audience tatlong araw bago ang Pasko.

Normal ang nararamdamang lungkot at separation anxiety ng lahat ng mga bumubuo sa programa, pero malaking consolation para sa kanila na hindi kagaya ng ibang mga TV show na pinatay dahil sa poor ratings, magpapaalam ang Sunday PinaSaya na mataas ang rating at maraming commercials.

Tiyak na isang station-produced program ang ipapalit sa Sunday PinaSaya na mapapanood sa unang Linggo ng January 2020.

Ito ang inaabangan ng mga naghihintay ng balita tungkol sa bagong Sunday musical-variety program ng GMA-7.

https://www.pep.ph/pepalerts/cabinet-files/147700/sunday-pinasaya-goes-off-the-air-before-christmas-a734-20191121

National anthem music videos to remastered in 1080p HD Widescreen and 4K UHD

The National Anthem Music Video is part of sign-off and on messages on television stations and first screening and last full show of movies in moviehouses, to remastered in 1080p HD Widescreen and 4K UHD.

For rival television networks ABS-CBN and GMA would stop producing their own version of national anthem music videos, in favor of the Philippine National Anthem 1998 Centennial Version during the Presidency of Joseph Estrada (full, digitally remastered and restored version in 1080p HD widescreen and 4K UHD with end tagline with voiceover saying: “Ang watawat at pambansang awit ay sagisag ng ating pagka-Pilipino. Igalang natin at ipagpitagan ang mga ito” plus Philippine Centennial Logo and special thanks to) aired on the said network and S&A, PTV, TV5, 5 Plus, IBC and BEAM while the digitally remastered version of 1994 Philippine National Anthem produced by BPI full version aired on GMA and GMA News TV.

63 North Cotabato villages officially under Bangsamoro rein

COTABATO CITY – The management of 63 North Cotabato barangays that opted for regional autonomy is now officially under the stewardship of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Hadji Murad” Ebrahim received the symbolic key from the delegation of North Cotabato officials led by Vice Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza, serving as acting governor, in formal ceremony at the Sahriff Kabunsuan Cultural Center here last Wednesday.

The SKCC is the session hall of the 80-member BARMM Parliament, which subsequently concurred with the turnover of responsibility as a matter of procedural protocol.

In her ceremonial speech, Mendoza said the provincial government was “honored to be part of this history, to partake with (the Bangsamoro) common struggle for everlasting peace.” She described the event as “a continuing reminder of our unified cooperation and love for Mindanao.”

In response, Ebrahim reiterated his administration’s commitment for the 63 North Cotabato barangays to receive “utmost care” similar to that of other regular component-local government units in the BARMM.

“Rest assured we shall do our best to serve the people of the 63 barangays in continuance of your provincial slogan for ‘Serbisyong Totoo’ (true service) in conjunction with our avowed policy for regional moral governance,” Ebrahim told Mendoza’s delegation.

Meanwhile, officials of Bayang, Lanao del Sur have yielded 44 loose or undocumented firearms to the military in what they described as gesture of support to the campaign of the Duterte administration for a “shift to peaceful life from traditional propensity for feudalist stance.”

Bayang Mayor Aslani Balt led the turnover of the assorted firearms to the Army 55th Infantry battalion in formal ceremony last Monday, Lt. Col. Ian Ignes, battalion commander, said. (Ali Macabalang)

http://tempo.com.ph/2019/11/21/63-north-cotabato-villages-officially-under-bangsamoro-rein/

PCOO to use 2020 budget for 'more programs, projects'

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Wednesday vowed to use the proposed 2020 budget of his office in implementing more programs and projects aimed at improving its services.

Andanar made this promise following the Senate's swift approval of the PCOO's proposed PHP1.698-billion budget for 2020, which is 12 percent higher than this year's PHP1.4 billion.

He thanked the senators for the immediate approval of the PCOO's proposed budget spending next year.

“Ito po ay gagamitin para mapaigting at lalo pa nating mapaganda ang serbisyo ng Presidential Communications Operations Office (The proposed budget will be used to further improve the services of the Presidential Communications Operations Office),” the PCOO chief said in an interview.

“Tuloy-tuloy lang ang ating ginagawang innovations sa PCOO so that mas lalong gumanda ang information dissemination ng (The PCOO will continue pursuing innovations to further improve the dissemination information of the) executive branch of government to the public, not only in Metro Manila but also to the province and to the rest of the world,” he added.

The Senate on Wednesday immediately approved the proposed PHP1.698-billion budget of the PCOO and its attached agencies.

Around PHP764 million of the PHP1.698-billion budget of the Communications office will be used for personnel services, while the PHP719 million will be allocated for maintenance and other operating expenses and the remaining PHP213 million will be tapped for capital outlay.

'Groundbreaking' projects in 2020

Andanar said the PCOO and its attached agencies will be launching "groundbreaking" projects next year.

He said among the projects that will begin in 2020 is the construction of the "first-ever" Government Strategic Communications Academy in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

The facility is targeted to be completed in the first quarter of 2021.

Andanar said national and local information officers would benefit from the establishment of the communications academy.

"For the first time in the history of Philippine governance ay mayroon pong sariling academy ang ating mga communicators sa buong Pilipinas (our communicators in the Philippines will have their own academy),” he said.

Andanar noted that streamlining of government messages is also underway, as part of the PCOO"s effort to provide a "strategic communications template."

He said he is now coordinating with PCOO Undersecretary Raquel Tobias for the crafting of the communications template.

The PCOO chief said the creation of the office of the Global Media Affairs is one of the institutional initiatives made by his office to reach out to the international community.

Media hub in Visayas eyed

Andanar also renewed the PCOO's plan to establish another media hub in Visayas, once the same facility in Davao City is completed.

The PCOO chief shared that the Mindanao Media Hub in Davao City is expected to be launched by first or second quarter of 2020.

The Mindanao Media Hub will house regional counterparts of the state-run People’s Television; Radyo Pilipinas' News and Information Bureau; Philippine News Agency; the Philippine Information Agency; National Printing Office; APO Production Unit; and other attached agencies in Davao City.

Andanar also ensured that the PCOO, through its attached agency Philippine Broadcasting Service, would continue improving the services of state-owned radio stations nationwide.

IBC privatization fast-tracked

Meanwhile, Andanar received assurance that the process of privatizing the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC)-13 is being rushed.

IBC-13 president and CEO Katherine de Castro said her office is still awaiting the opinion of the Procurement Board but assured Andanar that they are exhausting all efforts to facilitate the privatization of the station, in favor of the welfare of its employees.

“We cannot announce the Terms of Reference yet because kailangan pa naming yung nag-iisang opinion from the procurement board (we need to first get the opinion from the procurement board),” de Castro said.

“Rest assured that the PCOO, under Secretary Martin Andanar, we are doing everything we can para ma fast-track ang privatization ng IBC (to fast-track the privatization of IBC),” she added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1086636

Sotto assures timely passage of 2020 budget bill

Senate President Vicente Sotto III has assured that the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 will be passed on time.

Sotto said the Senate is on track in its calendar for the approval of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) as it resumed plenary deliberations Tuesday following its transmission by the House of Representatives.

“It was submitted on time. We are right on track of our timetable without sacrificing important issues being raised in the different departments,” Sotto said.

He also noted that senators have been given plenty of time to bring up and clarify questionable or ambiguous provisions in the budget bill.

Sotto said plenary discussions on the budget bill, including the period of interpellation, individual and committee amendments are expected to be completed by the last week of November.

The budget bill is also seen to be approved on second and third reading by next week to be followed by the convening of the bicameral conference committee by the first week of December.

“The bicameral debates will be unpredictable. We expect healthy debates among members of the bicameral panel as they thresh out and reconcile the differences in our respective versions of the measure. We hope they will remain level-headed and open-minded during the discussions,” Sotto said.

Congress is eyeing to have the proposed 2020 budget enacted and signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte before it goes on a break for the holidays on December 20.

https://www.untvweb.com/news/sotto-assures-timely-passage-of-2020-budget-bill/

House committee approves DDR substitute bill

The House Committee on Reorganization on Wednesday has approved a Duterte administration measure creating the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR).

In the committee-approved substitute bill, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, principal author of the proposal, the bill adopted a “joint operational supervision” clause over four vital agencies, namely, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and the Philippine Atmospherics Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the Geo-Hazard Assessment and Engineering Geology Section of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in lieu of attaching them.

According to Salceda, only 66 out of 80 provinces have permanent disaster office.

The lower chamber is eyeing to pass the proposed DDR bill before the year ends.

The measure now provides that the “DDR shall exercise joint supervision with: DOST over Pagasa and Phivolcs; the DENR over Geo-Hazard Assessment and Engineering Geology Section of the MGB; and the Department of the Interior and Local Government [DILG] over the BFP.

“The bill also requires that the DDR and these departments shall establish systems and protocols for sustained sharing of knowledge, data, information technology, facilities and other resources critical to DDR at all times.

“The measure added the DDR shall provide DDR training, upgrading of equipment and other logistical requirement that the said agencies will be under the full supervision and direct control of the DDR in anticipation of, during and, as necessary, in the determination of the secretary, in aftermath of emergencies and disasters.”

“Marked as an urgent bill by President Duterte himself, this was the second time the Lower House has passed the DDR proposal after it was overran by the 2019 national elections in the 17th Congress. Public clamor for the measure ensued following a series of earthquake devastation in Mindanao,” Salceda said.

Under the bill, the DDR is envisioned to be the primary government agency that is “responsible, accountable and liable for leading, managing and organizing national efforts to prevent and reduce disaster risks; prepare for and respond to disasters; and recover, rehabilitate and build forward better after the destruction.”

It said the DDR will be a full-blown department headed by a secretary, supported by undersecretaries, assistant secretaries and directors with an initial budget of P10 billion.

It also provides “that Pagasa, Phivolcs and MGB Geohazards unit shall second dedicated staff to the DDR based on the requirement of DDR.”

But the bill said the DDR will still have the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) as its core organization which, in turn, will be integrated to the Climate Change Commission Office, the Health Emergency Management Bureau of the Department of Health (DOH), the Disaster Response Assistance and the Disaster Response Management Bureau of Department of Social Welfare and Development.

As conceived, the DDR will lead in the “continuous development of strategic, holistic and systematic approaches to disaster management, including prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation, and anticipatory adaptation strategies, measures, techniques and options.”

The new department will also promote accelerated capacity building by local government units (LGUs) with relevant national agencies and other stakeholders, for the implementation of disaster and climate-change plans, programs, projects and activities.

“It will also be tasked to formulate comprehensive guidelines on the initiation, entry, facilitation, transit and regulation of international relief goods and personnel, as well as eligibility guidelines on how to legally assist international players, as well as provide sanctions for prohibited acts by public officials and private persons or institutions,” Salceda added.

The DDR will retain the OCD National Council with an expanded membership as the policy advisory board of the proposed department. It also creates a multi-stakeholders’ convergence unit to help align disaster resilience efforts of the private sector, CSOs, academe and other stakeholders with those of the DDR by assisting, coordinating, or providing them services that strengthen public-private cooperation and coordination for disaster resilience.

Salceda said the DDR will also have a distinct National Disaster Resilience Fund scheme that allows fund inputs from both national and local government bodies.

Under its new fund scheme, only 20 percent of resources can be used for quick response or stand-by fund, while the remaining 80 percent is for climate-change adaptation; disaster risk, and vulnerability reduction and mitigation; disaster risk transfer; disaster preparedness; recovery; rehabilitation; and anticipatory adaptation.

Also, the bill said DDR will create a Disaster Resilience Support Fund that will be dedicated exclusively for the use of third to sixth class provinces and towns in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating their programs, projects and activities for climate- change adaptation, disaster risk prevention and mitigation, disaster risk transfer and disaster preparedness.

Based on the 2019 national expenditure program, Salceda said the budget of government agencies absorbed by DDR would amount to P31 billion.

“Together with the NDRRMF budget of P20 billion, the DDR would have a funding base of P50.1 billion. It is estimated that aside from the existing budgets, the DDR would require an initial P10 billion based on the new mandates. OCD would require P1 billion for new offices, especially field offices in the regions, excluding capital outlay,” he added.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/11/21/house-committee-approves-ddr-substitute-bill/

House committee okays ‘disaster resilience’ entity

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Reorganization on Wednesday passed the bill creating the Department of Disaster Resilience. The panel, chaired by Batangas Rep. Mario Vittorio Mariño, approved the bill that carries ‘joint operational supervision’ clause over four agencies vital to DDR, namely Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Pagasa, Phivolcs, Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Environment department and Bureau of Fire Protection in lieu of attaching them.

Marked as an urgent bill by President Rodrigo Duterte himself, this was the second time the Lower House has passed the DDR proposal after it was overran by the 2019 national elections in the 17th Congress. Public clamor for the measure ensued following a series of earthquake devastations in Mindanao, according to the bill’s principal author, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda.

Salceda said the DDR is envisioned to be the primary government agency that is “responsible, accountable, and liable for leading, managing, and organizing national efforts to prevent and reduce disaster risks; prepare for and respond to disasters; and recover, rehabilitate, and build forward better after the destruction.”

He said the DDR will be a full-blown department headed by a Secretary, supported by undersecretaries, assistant secretaries and directors with an initial budget of P10 billion.

The proposal initially required taking under DDR’s wings, from their mother departments, the PHIVOLCS and the PAGASA, the Geo-Hazard Assessment and Engineering Geology Section of the MGB, and the BFP, said Salceda.

But the House-approved version has settled for a new provision that preferred the “joint supervision” of these vital government bureaus, which the DDR needed for unity of command during disasters.

He said that Section 94 of the proposal, on Inter-Departmental Relations, now provides that the “DDR shall exercise joint supervision with: 1) the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) over PAGASA and PHIVOLCS; 2) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), over Geo-Hazard Assessment and Engineering Geology Section of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), and; 3) the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) over the BFP.

The provision also requires “that the DDR and these departments shall establish systems and protocols for sustained sharing of knowledge, data, information technology, facilities and other resources critical to DRR at all times; that the DDR shall provide DRR training, upgrading of equipment and other logistical requirement… that the said agencies will be under the full supervision and direct control of the DDR in anticipation of, during, and as necessary in the determination of the Secretary, in aftermath of emergencies and disasters”.

It also provides “that Pagasa, Phivolcs and MGB Geohazards unit shall second dedicated staff to the DDR based on the requirement of DDR”.

But DDR will still have the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) as its core organization to which will be integrated the Climate Change Commission Office, the Health Emergency Management Bureau of the Department of Health (DOH), the Disaster Response Assistance and the Disaster Response Management Bureau of Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The bill provides that the DDR will lead in the “continuous development of strategic, holistic and systematic approaches to disaster management, including prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation, and anticipatory adaptation strategies, measures, techniques and options.”

The new department will also promote accelerated capacity building by local government units (LGUs) with relevant national agencies and other stakeholders for the implementation of disaster and climate change plans, programs, projects and activities. It will also be tasked to formulate “comprehensive guidelines on the initiation, entry, facilitation, transit and regulation of international relief goods and personnel, as well as eligibility guidelines on how to legally assist international players, as well as provide sanctions for prohibited acts by public officials and private persons or institutions,” Salceda added.

The DDR will retain the OCD National Council with an expanded membership as the policy advisory board of the Department. It also creates a Multi-Stakeholders’ Convergence Unit to help align disaster resilience efforts of the private sector, CSOs, academe, and other stakeholders with those of the DDR by assisting, coordinating, or providing them services that strengthen public-private cooperation and coordination for disaster resilience.

Salceda said the DDR will also have a distinct National Disaster Resilience Fund scheme that allows fund inputs from both national and local government bodies. Under its new fund scheme, only 20 percent of resources can be used for quick response or stand-by fund, while the remaining 80% is for climate change adaptation, disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and mitigation, disaster risk transfer, disaster preparedness, recovery, rehabilitation and anticipatory adaptation.

The DDR will create a Disaster Resilience Support Fund (DRSF) that will be dedicated exclusively for the use of 3rd to 6th class provinces and towns in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating their programs, projects, and activities for climate change adaptation, disaster risk prevention and mitigation, disaster risk transfer, and disaster preparedness.

Based on the 2019 national expenditure program, Salceda said the budget of government agencies absorbed by DDR would amount to P31 billion. Together with the NDRRMF budget of P20 billion, the DRR would have a funding base of P50.1 billion. It is estimated that aside from the existing budgets, the DDR would require an initial P10 billion based on the new mandates. OCD would require P1 billion for new offices, especially field offices in the regions, excluding capital outlay.
As this developed, lawmakers welcomed the House committee on government reorganization’s approval of the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) tasked to create a primary agency responsible for leading the national effort before, during and after disasters.

Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt Romualdez, the chairperson of the House committee on the welfare of children, and House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, was elated over the bill’s approval at the committee level and expressed hope that Congress will soon enact the measure.

“A new Department of Disaster Resilience will effectively improve the institutional capacity of the government for disaster risk reduction and management, reduce the vulnerabilities surrounding the affected local population as well as build the resilience of local communities to both natural disasters and climate change,” the Romualdez couple, principal authors of House Bill (HB) 1151 to create DDR.

“Guaranteeing disaster resiliency through closer coordination and stronger management synchronization at all levels of the country’s disaster risk reduction and management system cannot be delayed any further,” they added.

Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, another principal author, said the DDR “shall oversee and coordinate the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of disaster and climate resilience plans, programs, projects and activities.”

Villafuerte said the DDR is also envisioned to “provide leadership in the continuous development of strategic and systematic approaches to disaster prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation, anticipatory adaption strategies, measures, techniques and options.”

Deputy Speaker Raneo Abu of Batangas joined his fellow legislators’ support for the bill’s enactment.

Abu underscored the need for a coherent government response to disasters under a new agency that would be called the DDR, adding that the country has been visited by an average of 20 tropical cyclones every year which produce floods, landslides and storm surges.

“We have to pass the DDR with dispatch to effectively respond with the disasters without delays,” said Abu.

http://manilastandard.net/news/national/310599/house-committee-okays-disaster-resilience-entity.html

Department of Disaster Resilience Bill approved

The substitute bill seeking to create the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) has been approved, including the amendments discussed, in the joint hearing of the Committee on Government Reorganization chaired by Rep. Mario Vittorio Mariño (5th District, Batangas) and the Committee on Disaster Management chaired by Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez (4th District, Leyte).

A technical working group (TWG) co-chaired by Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez (Party-list, TINGOG SINIRANGAN) and Rep. Romeo Momo, Sr. (Party-list, CWS) consolidated and harmonized the provisions of 32 measures led by House Bill No. (HB) 4 authored by Speaker Alan Peter “Compañero” Cayetano.

Romualdez gave the assurance that, during the TWG meeting, the structure and budget reorganization of key government agencies were exhaustively discussed. She added that manifestations and proposals of valued stakeholders were earnestly considered as the panel drafted the substitute bill.

Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda (Lone District, Antique) lauded the TWG for thoroughly reviewing the various versions of the measure establishing the DDR, which resulted in a substitute bill that promotes science-based and risk-informed development plans and investments.

Torres-Gomez expressed delight that the measure is finally a step closer into becoming a law. “There will still be many ways to fine-tune the bill so we will wait for the amended substitute bill and then this will be deliberated further on the floor. But I think as representatives we are all one in wanting a department that can really function the way it should,” she said.

Being a priority measure of the Duterte administration, Torres-Gomez hopes the bill will be approved on third reading by the end of 2019. “I’m very hopeful. Ganoon naman kapag gusto ng President. And the Speaker, I’m sure, will push for this also,” she said.

Upon the committees’ approval, Mariño directed that the measure  be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda (2nd District, Albay) and the Committee on Appropriations chaired by Rep. Isidro Ungab (3rd District, Davao City). Salceda bared that his committee is set to tackle and approve the tax provisions of the measure next week.

In the explanatory note of his HB 4, Speaker Cayetano said that while the country has very good people in the National Disaster Risk, Reduction Management Council, it is high time that the government provides for a focused, single-minded, specialized  department to upgrade the government's capacity to respond to disasters in an effective and speedy manner.

The unnumbered substitute bill provides for the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) which shall serve as 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.

To be headed by a Secretary who shall be appointed by the incumbent President, the DDR shall (a) oversee and coordinate the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of disaster and climate resilience plans, programs, projects and activities and (b) provide leadership in the continuous development of strategic and systematic approaches to disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation.

There shall be four Undersecretaries under the DDR, who shall be responsible for the following key result areas: (a) disaster risk reduction, (b) disaster preparedness and response, (c) recovery and building forward better, and (d) support to operations.

To properly implement the provisions of the measure, the DDR shall have a Disaster Resilience Fund, which shall consist of the Annual General Appropriations, the Disaster Contingency Fund, and the Rehabilitation and Recovery Fund.

The implementing rules and regulations shall be crafted and promulgated by the DDR, Department of Budget and Management, Department of National Defense, Department of Finance, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Science and Technology, National Economic Development Authority, House and Senate Committees on Government Reorganization, as well as representatives from the academe and business sectors.

http://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=11779

House committees OK creation of Department of Disaster Resilience

The House committees on government reorganization and disaster management on Wednesday approved a bill creating the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR).

The still-unnumbered bill consolidated at least 30 measures filed in the House creating the department.

In the 17th Congress, the House passed on third and final reading a similar measure in October last year. However, the bill’s counterpart version failed to hurdle the Senate.

Under the new House bill, the DRR will be the primary agency “responsible, accountable, and liable for leading, managing, and organizing national efforts to prevent and reduce disaster risks; prepare for and respond to disasters; and recover, rehabilitate and build forward better after the destruction.”

The department will also be headed by a secretary supported by undersecretaries, assistant secretaries and directors.

Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, one of the main proponents of the bill, said that the new department would need an initial budget of P10 billion from the national budget.

The new bill also adopted a “joint operational supervision” provision over four agencies vital to DDR —which are Pagasa, Phivolcs, , the Geo-Hazard Assessment and Engineering Geology Section of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)— instead of making them attached agencies of the department.

Section 94 of the proposed measure provides that DDR shall exercise joint supervision with the following agencies:

- Department of Science and Technology (DOST) over Pagasa and Phivolcs

- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), over MGB

-Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) over the BFP

The bill also provides that DDR will still have the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) as its core organization to which the Climate Change Commission Office, the Health Emergency Management Bureau of the Department of Health (DOH), the Disaster Response Assistance and the Disaster Response Management Bureau of the Department of Social Welfare and Development will be integrated.

Salceda said that the new department would have a distinct National Disaster Resilience Fund scheme that allows fund inputs from both national and local government units.

Under the new fund scheme, only 20% of resources can be used for quick response or stand-by fund, while the remaining 80% is for climate change adaptation, disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and mitigation, disaster risk transfer, disaster preparedness, recovery, rehabilitation and anticipatory adaptation.

The DDR will also create a Disaster Resilience Support Fund that will be allocated solely for the use of third to 6th class provinces and towns in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating their programs, projects, and activities for climate change adaptation, disaster risk prevention and mitigation, disaster risk transfer, and disaster preparedness.

After its approval at the committee level, the bill will be transmitted to the House Committee Rules so that it would be calendared for plenary deliberations.

During President Rodrigo Duterte’s 2019 State of the Nation Address, he called on Congress to fast track the creation of the DDR. #

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1192511/house-panels-ok-creation-of-department-of-disaster-resilience