Be proactive when dealing with disasters — Sen Bong Go
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday urged the public to be always more proactive when dealing with natural disasters.
“We should always be prepared in times of accidents,” said Go.
Go urged the government and the public for a change in mindset and approach when dealing with natural disasters and calamities.
In line with this call, he also pushes for the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) and a bill mandating the construction of permanent evacuation centers throughout the country.
Go emphasized the vulnerability of the country to natural calamities, saying “It is high time that we fully recognize that our country is highly vulnerable to ominous disasters given the frequency of natural calamities, like typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, that hit and affect us every year.”
Marcos chides TWG’s ‘equal participation’ of motorcycle taxis
MANILA, Philippines — Equal participation does not necessarily mean fair competition in the government’s extended pilot test for motorcycle taxis, Senator Imee Marcos said.
“There was a dagdag-bawas that happened. A company reduced the number of experienced drivers, hoping they will be forced to join the new inexperienced driver. So why?” Marcos said.
The Department of Transportation – Technical Working Group (DOTR-TWG) allotted an equal number of drivers to ride-hailing companies Angkas, JoyRide and MoveIt for the three-month extended test run that started this month, each to have 10,000 in Metro Manila and 3,000 in Metro Cebu.
A temporary restraining order has put on hold the DOTR-TWG’s rule, but the court order expires at the end of the month and may leave 17,000 of 27,000 Angkas drivers out of work.
On the other hand, Joyride and MoveIt seek to add to the 6,900 and 2,400 drivers they already have, respectively, as of January 6.
Marcos said the DOTR failed in its statement about giving the drivers the freedom of choice on what company to join.
De Lima warns of unscrupulous solicitations for Taal-affected families
MANILA, Philippines — Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has warned on Monday the public against unscrupulous individuals who are using the generosity of others to steal donations and contributions intended for relief and recovery efforts to those affected by Taal volcano’s eruption.
De Lima made the statement after she received reports that certain unscrupulous individuals are capitalizing on the miseries of thousands of families, including farmers and fishermen, who were badly hit by the eruption of Taal Volcano.
“It is very heart-warming to learn that people are volunteering for rescue and relief operations being organized to assist the victims of Taal eruption and help them get back on their feet,” she said.
“But let us also exercise some due diligence in welcoming these solicitations and sending our donations to fly-by-night organizations and shadowy individuals who want to profit from such tragedy,” she added.
Netizens have reported of alleged scams of personalities pretending to be affiliated with charities, religious organizations and celebrities claiming that they are gathering funds for evacuees affected by the Taal volcano eruption last Jan. 12.
Similar scams were also reportedly happening outside the country. In Vancouver, Canada, users of social media website Reddit reported that Filipinos “working in two’s or three’s” have been seen soliciting funds in stores and malls in the area.
Recently, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) warned against a similar scam using the name of several bishops to solicit donations for a gift to be given to Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle who was recently appointed to a Vatican post.
Telcos promise Gatchalian to rollout 1st phase of Mobile Number Portability this year
MANILA, Philippines — After prodding from Senator Win Gatchalian, representatives from telecommunication companies Globe, Smart and new player Dito committed to rollout Mobile Number Portability this year and in phases.
This means subscribers will be able to switch networks or change subscriptions without losing the mobile numbers they currently use.
“They should implement the Mobile Number Portability Act (MNPA), even by phases, as long as it will be done within the first six months this year,” Gatchalian said.
“Telcos may opt to implement mobile porting for postpaid subscribers first within this year and after that, they can focus on the mobile number portability of pre-paid subscribers next,” Gatchalian explained.
Gatchalian, principal author of the MNPA, better known as the Lifetime Cellphone Number Act, has recently met with representatives from telcos and global technology service provider Syniverse and discussed how to expedite the implementation of mobile number portability services in the country.
Telcos earlier estimated that the process of integration, interoperability and other technical preparations would take some time and will make number portability services ready by the second half of 2021. But the lawmaker stressed that stretching the deadline that long is a disservice to Filipino consumers who are already fed up with the underwhelmingly poor and expensive services.
Bill granting 7 addt’l days on parental leave, 20% discount for solo parents pushed by Hontiveros
MANILA, Philippines — If passed into law, the Expanded Solo Parents’ Welfare Act or Senate Bill No. 164 will grant solo parents seven additional days of parental leave annually, on top of leave privileges under existing laws.
“Raising a child is daunting, but raising a child alone constitutes a specific set of challenges and difficulties,” said Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros, principal author of the measure and the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, on Monday said.
A solo mom herself, Hontiveros said that her bill recognizes the difficulties and challenges of being a solo parent. “Sheroes’ ang mga kapwa ko solo moms,” Hontiveros added, combining the words ‘she’ and ‘hero.’
“Ganun din ang mga tatay na mag-isa lang. Solo parents play multiple difficult roles,” she further said.
Aside from the paid parental leave of 7 days annually, Hontiveros’ bill will also entitle solo parents to 20% discount on goods and services in private establishments, costs of childcare, and on tuition fees per child. It also mandates government and private companies with more than 100 employees to create daycare facilities.
P3.22B lost amid Taal volcanic eruption, ashfall
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday revealed that to date, the total damage and losses amounted to P3.22 billion.
In a post made by Anakpawis Party-list, the DA also reported in its Bulletin No. 7 “On Tall Volcano Eruption”, issued at 5 pm of January 19, that the volcanic eruption and ashfall affected 16,150 hectares of farmlands, and caused the death of 55,881 head of various farm animals that include chicken, carabao, cattle, horse, swine and goat.
“The increase in the amount is due to reports of damage on cassava in Batangas, Cavite and Laguna,” said the DA in its report.
Both the DA-RFO (Regional Field Office) 4A and DA-BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources)4A continue to validate the impact of damage.
The DA said they continuously provide support to Taal Volcano eruption-affected farmers and fisherfolk.
Gabriela slams NHA for denying housing units to qualified beneficiaries in Pandi
MANILA, Philippines — Gabriela Women’s Party has on Monday slammed the National Housing Authority for refusing to issue entry pass stubs for qualified housing beneficiaries in Villa Lois, Pandi, Bulacan.
The release of entry passes for qualified beneficiaries in Pandi today is a result of continuous dialogues with the agency, as well as part of the resolution between urban poor group Kadamay and NHA based on last year’s consultation at the House of Representatives.
According to Kadamay, NHA officials declared that they will refuse to issue entry pass stubs to members of the organization unless they quit and join the military-backed ‘pro-government’ organization that has been harassing residents of Pandi.
Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas said that NHA’s move is unconstitutional and that everyone is entitled to have access to decent housing regardless of political affiliation. (Stacy Ang/IAMIGO/Currentph.com)
