Category: General

MANILA: The International Labor Organization (ILO) on Tuesday cautioned workers against the effects of intense heat in the workplace on their mental health.

In a statement, it said aside from the threat of heat stroke and heat stress, sweltering heat index levels may trigger “stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and suicide”.

“Indeed, experiences from a number of regions across the world, including the Philippines, demonstrate how extreme climate events are linked with an increased burden of PTSD, depression, anxiety, stress, and suicide in people of all ages,” it added.

The ILO also noted that the extreme heat felt by the employees could cause tension among them.

“In the workplace, this can lead to increased job tension, higher turnover intentions, workplace hostility, and stress about extreme weather, which could impede the ability to make essential work-related decisions,” it said.

The ILO issued the advisory amid the extreme heat being felt in different
parts of the globe amid the El Niño phenomenon.

It estimates that more than half of the 3.4 billion global workforce or 2.4 billion workers are possibly exposed to excessive heat at some point while at work.

Earlier, the Department of Labor and Employment advised employers to come up with policies that will help lessen the adverse effects of hot weather in their workplaces.

Among them are the provision of adequate ventilation and heat insulation in workplaces, adjusting rest breaks or work locations, and the use of temperature-appropriate uniforms and personal protective equipment.

Consider PDL conditions

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines – Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (CBCP-ECPPC) urged the government to do more in decongesting prison facilities as extreme heat takes a toll on the health of persons deprived of liberty.

‘While we appreciate the efforts of the current administration in alleviating their plight, we believe that the best and long-lasting solution
to this problem is to work towards decongesting the jails and prisons through the immediate and proper implementation of the laws on bail and release on recognizance, the pretrial release program, as well as the recent Supreme Court decision on extending the good conduct time allowance privilege even to those who have committed heinous crimes,’ ECPPC chairperson Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio said in a statement.

Florencio, meanwhile, said volunteers from the prison service units of Catholic dioceses across the country have been extending assistance to jail facilities by providing basic needs such as electric and exhaust fans in some jails.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration reported that a high heat index of 42 °C to 46 °C is expected in 24 areas in the country on Tuesday.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Lithuania’s foreign minister is set to visit the Philippines to promote trade and investments, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday.

Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said Gabrielius Landsbergis is the first Lithuanian foreign minister to undertake an official visit to the country.

He will be in the Philippines April 23 to 25.

It is also Lithuania’s first high-level visit to the Philippines since Prime Minister Adolfas Slezevicius in 1995.

The Philippines and Lithuania has a three-decade long diplomatic relations, Daza added.

Landsbergis will meet with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.

‘(The meeting) will focus on enhancing cooperation in various areas such as trade and investments, clean energy, science and technology including health and laser technology, and people-to-people links,’ she said.

Both officials will also discuss regional and international issues of mutual concern, underscoring the shared commitment of the Philippines and Lithuania to peace, stabili
ty, and the rules-based international order.

Source: Philippines News Agency

LAOAG: The province of Ilocos Norte distributed PHP16 million worth of cattle to 261 farmer-beneficiaries on Tuesday.

The recipients were chosen based on individual or group request addressed to the ‘Agri Ka Dito’ hotline of the provincial government.

The cattle distribution program is funded by the province’s share in tobacco excise tax.

‘Cattle raising is a good livelihood. For those who wish to have one, please request whatever you need in agriculture, livestock, fisheries and livelihood, and we will do our best to help you,’ Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc said during the distribution ceremony in Bacarra town.

Launched in 2022, the ‘Agri Ka Dito’ program is a flagship program of the provincial government aimed to help farmers and fisherfolk amidst the skyrocketing cost of agriculture inputs.

Prior to the distribution, the Provincial Veterinary Office conducted basic livestock raising skills training for the beneficiaries.

‘This is a big help to our farmers to increase their income,’ provincial veter
inarian Dr. Loida Valenzuela said, saying cattle-raising serves as an alternative livelihood for livestock raisers previously affected by the African swine fever.

Once the cattle produces offsprings, the beneficiaries are required to return some to the province to be given to the next beneficiary.

Philippine Statistics Authority data show that Ilocos Norte posted a 6.21 percent annual increase in total cattle inventory from 71,947 heads to 76,413 heads in the first quarter of 2023.

The increase was reflected both in commercial farms and backyard cattle inventory.

Source: Philippines News Agency

LEGAZPI: The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) in Bicol is urging parents and seniors to let their family members get vaccinated against preventable diseases.

In his message during the celebration of World Immunization Day at La Piazza Hotel in this city on Tuesday, DOH-Bicol Regional Director Rodolfo Antonio Albornoz said: ‘The LGUs (local government units), health workers, health facilities and other stakeholders have a big role to encourage parents and their children to avail and have a complete dose of vaccines needed according to their age requirements.’

He said availing vaccines has a big impact on protecting people’s bodies from all preventable diseases.

‘We are happy that we are part of the celebration of World Immunization Day. Nais natin bigyan diing at mapalawak ang pag unawa ng mga nakakarami tungkol sa mga benipisyo ng mga bakuna sa atin katawan (We want to give emphasis and widen the understanding of the public about the benefits of vaccines to our body),’ Albornoz
said.

DOH-Bicol said vaccines for preventable diseases such as pneumonia and flu are free of charge in different health centers.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The country has logged 1,817 cases of measles from Jan. 1 to April 13, which is five times higher compared to those reported in the same period last year, a health official said Tuesday.

Data from the Department of Health (DOH) Epidemiology Bureau showed that 374 cases of measles-rubella were logged from Jan. 1 to April 15 last year.

‘Hindi siya dahil sa init, dahil siya sa (It is not due to hot weather, it is caused by) measles virus and it can happen any time of the year,’ DOH Spokesperson Albert Domingo said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview over PTV4.

‘Cases increase when there is increase in number of gatherings among children especially during summer,’ he explained.

Earlier, the World Health Organization said rising measles cases is a global concern and not exclusive to the Philippines since unvaccinated children in many countries increased because of lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has recorded 48 percent of the total number of
measles cases nationwide, resulting in a declaration of an outbreak of the disease in the area.

The DOH has implemented the measles response outbreak immunization in the BARMM since April 1.

The department aims to vaccinate 1.3 million eligible children against measles nationwide.

Since measles is caused by a virus and not by bacteria, Domingo said it calls for symptomatic treatment or cure for the symptoms which include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes.

Rashes appear about three to five days after the first symptoms, he added.

‘What’s alarming, among kids, measles can become pneumonia which is fatal, and another case encephalitis which is a medical term for swelling of the brain or problem in the brain structure. We don’t want these to happen because the survival rate of these among children is very low,’ he said.

Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine may be given subcutaneously to children with a minimum age of 12 months.

Two doses of MMR vaccine are recommended with the second dose usu
ally being given when the child reaches four to six years old. However, it may be given at an earlier age with at least a four-week interval after the first dose.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Philippines is eyeing to host the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) Board which will allow the country to access more climate financing.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of Finance (DOF) said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. created an interagency technical working group to lead the Philippines in its bid to host the LDF Board.

The LDF is a global financial mechanism designed to provide support to countries that are mostly impacted by climate change.

President Marcos earlier expressed the Philippines’ intent to host the LDF Board and called for the LDF’s immediate operationalization to assist developing countries.

By hosting the LDF Board, the Philippines will gain significant traction from developed countries and development partners that can pledge voluntary contributions to finance the fund.

The Philippines’ active engagement in the LDF will also allow countries all over the world to collaborate with the Philippine government in tackling climate-related challenges.

It can also serve as
an avenue for the Philippines to showcase its game-changing initiatives in the adaptation and mitigation front.

Under the Marcos administration, the Philippine government pushed forward strategic investment and financing frameworks for climate and development positive actions.

It also enabled policies and measures to make the Philippines a destination for sustainable investments such as the initiatives under the National Adaptation Plan and Nationally Determined Contributions Implementation Plan and its Financial Strategy.

‘The DOF will lead the country’s bid to host the Loss and Damage Fund. We have already begun thorough preparations on this matter, and we believe that the Philippines is more than ready to take on this important role,’ Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said.

The DOF convened member agencies in a series of meetings of the newly created LDF Technical Working Group (TWG) which include the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Budg
et and Management, and the Climate Change Commission to discuss the strategies to be undertaken for the country’s hosting bid.

The DOF also led the discussion on the proposed roles and responsibilities of each TWG member, highlighting the members’ expected contributions to developing the country’s hosting bid.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The House of Representatives would focus on strengthening national security and enhancing economic development in the remaining sessions of the 19th Congress until June 6, 2025.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Tuesday that the initiatives are critical in maintaining sovereignty and stability, enabling the country to pursue development goals without the shadow of external threats.

‘As we embark on another session this April 29th, our legislative focus sharpens on the dual imperatives of national security and robust development. Recognizing that peace is the cornerstone of prosperity, we aim to enact laws that fortify our national defense and enhance our international security posture,’ he said during the 2nd Foreign Policy Address (FPA) forum attended by diplomats and government officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Pasay City.

He added that by strengthening peace and security, Congress could create an environment conducive to economic activities and development initiati
ves.

‘These, in turn, contribute to further stabilizing our nation by reducing poverty, creating jobs, and improving living standards, which in turn diminishes the likelihood of social unrest. This virtuous cycle is fundamental to sustainable development and is a cornerstone of our legislative agenda,’ he said.

At the same time, Romualdez said the House development agenda is expansive, targeting pivotal areas such as healthcare, education, and digital infrastructure.

In healthcare, he said the House is committed to expanding access and improving the quality of services, making healthcare ‘affordable and accessible to every Filipino.’

Initiatives in education, meanwhile, aim to create a more liberalized system that not only meets global standards but also equips the Filipino youth with the necessary skills to thrive in a globalized economy.

Additionally, he said the House is also doing its part in enhancing the country’s digital infrastructure to ensure that every Filipino can benefit from the digital rev
olution, bridging digital divides and fostering economic inclusivity.

Romualdez said the House is not just continuing its current path, but is accelerating efforts in exploring ‘innovative legislative measures’ that promote technological advancement and environmental sustainability to ensure that the Philippines not only keeps pace with global trends but also sets a benchmark for innovation and responsible governance.

He invited all sectors ‘to engage with us’ towards a peaceful and prosperous Philippines.

‘Your insights, expertise, and participation are invaluable as we forge a path forward. Through collaborative efforts, we can build a future that reflects our highest aspirations and fulfills the promise of prosperity and peace for all Filipinos,’ he said.

Economic ‘Cha-cha’

Romualdez took advantage of the occasion to push for another economic development advocacy — removing restrictions on foreign investments in the constitution.

‘We also recognize the need for more dynamic economic policies. Thus,
we are advocating for amendments to specific sections of Articles XII, XIV, and XVI of the Philippine Constitution,’ he said.

‘Our extensive hearings on this matter have illuminated the broad benefits these amendments would bring, enabling more flexible, responsive governance. By enabling these adjustments, we can significantly enhance the Philippines’ stature as an attractive destination for investments. More investments mean more resources, which support sustained economic growth,’ he said.

He added that the changes, if effected, would also translate into more job opportunities, helping ensure that ‘Filipino families can thrive in an increasingly competitive world.’

Economic, social reforms

Romualdez told forum participants that the House of Representatives has put in place ‘significant reforms that have reshaped the economic and social landscape of the Philippines.’

‘We enacted pivotal tax reforms designed to invigorate our economy by simplifying the tax code, encouraging investment, and ensuring a fa
irer system for all. These measures have laid the groundwork for a more robust economic framework, attracting foreign investments and stimulating local entrepreneurship,’ he said.

The House commitment to infrastructural development is exemplified by the continuation of the “Build, Build, Build” program, he said.

International collaboration

On international relations, Romualdez cited the foreign policy mantra of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. — ‘the Philippines is a friend to all, enemy to none’ — and advocated collaboration among nations in solving the world’s problems.

‘It is through collaborative efforts that we can address our common problems more swiftly and effectively. In the volatile, uncertain, and complex environment of today, a thoughtful response, rather than a hasty reaction, and extending a helping hand rather than retreating, are what wisdom dictates,’ he said.

He also noted that under President Marcos’ leadership, the Philippines has taken significant steps to ‘rejuvenate and deepen’
its international ties.

‘Our diplomatic efforts were pivotal during the historic trilateral meeting between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines at the outset of April. This meeting underscored our strategic role in regional politics and security,’ Romualdez said.

The FPA is a platform where lawmakers share their views with DFA personnel, members of the diplomatic corps, other government agencies, representatives from the academe and the business community, as well as think tanks, on any policy issue with foreign policy implications.

This year’s FPA focuses on ‘New Initiatives to Grow Business in the Philippines.’

Source: Philippines News Agency