Category: General

MANILA: The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is ready to assist commuters who might be affected by the nationwide protest of some transport groups against the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

In a Palace press briefing on Monday, MMDA acting chair Romando Artes said while the two groups have not announced a “tigil pasada” (transport strike), the situation will be monitored as early as 5 a.m. on Tuesday.

‘And in case there is a disruption in the public transportation system, we will augment; we are ready,’ Artes said.

Local government units (LGU) in the National Capital Region (NCR), he said, have also been notified to be prepared.

‘The MMDA itself is preparing for any eventuality tomorrow,’ he said.

The MMDA, LGUs, and other government agencies in past transport strikes have deployed “libreng sakay” (free ride) vehicles in affected routes as part of the government’s response.

On Sunday, transport group Manibela announced a protest march towards Mendiola near Ma
lacañang to protest the PUVMP.

The group said around 10,000 to 15,000 jeepney drivers and operators will participate in the protest set for Tuesday.

Another transport group PISTON also announced they will hold a marching rally towards the Supreme Court on the same day with the hope of expediting the issuance of a temporary restraining order against the PUVMP.

The Manila City government also said it is ready to provide free rides to affected commuters.

‘The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB), together with Manila Police District (MPD), will be monitoring the various routes and provide ‘Libreng Sakay’ for commuters for the duration of the said protest,’ Princess Abante, spokesperson of Mayor Honey Lacuna said in a statement Monday.

Maximum tolerance

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it would enforce maximum tolerance to those joining the protest.

In a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin
Acorda Jr. said protesters are free to express their grievances as long as they are not sowing violence or disrupting regular activities in their respective places.

Acorda said the PNP is also ready to provide free rides to affected commuters.

He added that the PNP has not monitored any security threats to the nationwide transport protest.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The government is eyeing more link-ups with other countries as part of its approach to resolve issues on transnational crimes, particularly human trafficking, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Monday.

Speaking during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program, Justice Undersecretary Mico Clavano said the previous year has uncovered the nefarious nature of Philippine Overseas Gaming Operations (POGOs) and the transnational nature of human trafficking and its inter-relation with other crimes.

“Itong POGO crimes ay napakalawak and what we realized in 2023 was that talagang may international aspect po ito. ‘Yung POGO may kasamang human trafficking, may kasamang drugs, may kasamang sex trafficking, may kasamang korupsyon at hindi lang lahat nangyayari dito sa Pilipinas (We realized how widespread Pogo crimes are in 2023 and that they have an international aspect to it. It is related to human trafficking, sex trafficking, and corruption. And these crimes do not only happen in the Philippines),” he said.

“Kap
ag binanggit natin ang trafficking, ang ibig sabihin n’yan ‘yung elemento ng krimen nahahanap sa iba’t ibang bansa. Yung mga trabaho at employers nanggaling sa iba’t ibang bansa rin (When we talk about trafficking, the elements of the crime can be found in other countries. Even the jobs and employers come from other countries,” he added.

That is why for 2024, the DOJ said it plans to strengthen ties with international partners and conduct more dialogues, which it said would give the Philippines a variety of perspectives and approaches to face these crimes.

“For 2024, the government’s plan is to improve cooperation and collaboration. We do this by conducting dialogues. We have what we call the Manila International Dialogue on Human Trafficking,” he said.

“Kailangan natin lumabas ng bansa para mahuli ‘yung talagang nasa likod ng mga krimen na ito. So in 2024, ang kailangan natin gawin ay mag-cooperate, collaborate sa iba’t ibang mga bansa kung saan may elemento ng krimen para mahuli talaga ‘yung kabuuan ng s
indikato at hindi lang ‘yung iilan maliliit lang na tao doon sa pinakagrupo nila (We need to get out of the country to catch the people behind these crimes. In 2024, we need to cooperate, collaborate with other countries where the elements of the crime are present, so that we can catch the syndicates behind these, and not only the small fry),” he added.

Clavano stressed the international nature of human trafficking, which he said even affects developed countries like the United States and Australia.

Source: Philippines News Agency

TACLOBAN CITY: The Department of Tourism (DOT) is upbeat about surpassing the 2023 tourist arrival target in Eastern Visayas as it demonstrated better performance during the preceding first three quarters, a top official said on Monday.

DOT Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said that from January to October 2023 alone, there was already a 3 percent increase in arrivals compared to the same period in 2022.

From January to September 2023, the region welcomed 827,505 visitors, higher than the 803,403 overnight guests logged in the same months the previous year.

The tourism department is still waiting for the data from local governments covering the October to December 2023 period.

‘We are confident in hitting the target since, during the later part of 2023, the region welcomed many visitors. We hosted national conventions held in Leyte, surfing events in Eastern Samar, year-end activities, and Christmas lighting events led by different local government units,’ Tiopes told the Philippine Ne
ws Agency on Monday.

The five-year Eastern Visayas tourism roadmap targets 7.5 percent annual growth for domestic visitors and 5 percent for foreign guests. The initial report has no available data on the breakdown of local and foreign tourists.

Meanwhile, Tiopes said gathering of tourism statistics remains a challenge in their bid to see the general picture of tourism arrivals in the region.

These figures include tourist arrivals, day and night tourists, receipts and specific sites they have visited.

‘It’s very challenging to gather data since the submissions from tourism establishments are forwarded to local governments. We rely on them to gather data and submit it to us promptly. We need these statistics to help us understand the general trends and patterns in each data set. It can be used for analyzing data and drawing conclusions from it. It can also be used for making predictions about future events and behaviors,’ Tiopes added.

She said that aside from knowing the demographics of tourists, tourism
statistics could help in designing strategies so local government units could better market their products and how to measure success factors.

The Eastern Visayas region consists of the provinces of Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar and Southern Leyte, as well as the cities of Baybay, Borongan, Calbayog, Catbalogan, Maasin, Ormoc and Tacloban, the regional center.

Among its popular destinations are Kalanggaman Island, San Juanico Bridge, Leyte Landing Memorial in Leyte, Sambawan Island in Biliran, diving sites in Southern Leyte, Calicoan Island in Eastern Samar, Sohoton Cave and Natural Park in Samar, and Biri Rock Formations in Northern Samar.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Philippine National Police (PNP) has acquired some PHP485 million worth of firearms, mobility and protection equipment as part of its modernization efforts.

PNP director for logistics Maj. Gen. Mario Reyes said the new equipment was procured under the force’s capability enhancement programs from 2021 to 2023.

During Monday’s blessing rites, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., presented the new equipment including 3,243 striker-fired 9mm pistols worth PHP61.4 million, 406 units of autogated night vision worth more than PHP121 million, and 2,648 all-purpose tactical vests worth over PHP113 million.

The PNP also acquired a total of 11 light motorcycles 150 cc worth PHP1.57 million and five 650 cc heavy motorcycles and 143 single cab patrol jeepneys worth over PHP175 million.

‘Yung transportation natin halos sa tingin ko 80 percent na yung last report na nababasa ko, 80 to 90 percent yung kumbaga objective natin na nako-comply na natin. Ang pinagpapasalamat ko is the LGUs (local government units)
are also doing their part and malaking bagay yung support nila (As for our transportation, I think the last report I read is almost 80 percent, 80 to 90 percent is our objective that we have already complied with. What I am grateful for is the LGUs (local government units) are also doing their part and their support is a big thing),’ Acorda said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

He said they are planning to procure around 22,000 body-worn cameras for this year.

Acorda said the plan is part of PNP’s ongoing efforts to keep the Philippines’ ranking as the third safest country in Southeast Asia, according to the 2023 Global Law and Order Report of Washington-based think tank Gallup.

“Yes around 22,000 [body-worn cameras] ang balak bilhin this year pero kung makuha natin mas mura mas maganda (Yes, we plan to buy around 22,000 body-worn cameras this year. It would be much better to get it at a lower price),” he said.

Aside from acquiring more devices for their operations, Acorda said they also plan to put up
more police stations to accommodate about 6,000 recruits from last year.

From a 1:500 ratio of cops per person, Acorda said the recruitment lowered the ratio to 1:125.

Source: Philippines News Agency

ROME: Pope Francis said Sunday that retirement remains an option open to all popes, but he is not contemplating it at present.

‘I am still alive,” Francis responded when asked how he was by TV host Fabio Fazio, who interviewed the pontiff for about an hour during his show on the commercial channel Nove.

A possible resignation ‘is not a thought, a concern or a desire, but a possibility open to all popes. But at the moment, it is not at the center of my thoughts,” he said.

“As long as I feel like serving, I will continue to do it,” Francis added, noting that if conditions change, “we will have to rethink about it.”

Pope Francis’ health has been a source of concern recently.

The 87-year-old pontiff was unable to complete a speech on Friday, complaining of “a touch of bronchitis” during a public address at the Vatican.

He also suffered from an acute lung infection in November that forced him to cancel a trip to the COP28 climate summit in Dubai.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: For the second consecutive week, oil prices will increase on Tuesday morning.

In separate advisories, Caltex, Cleanfuel, Jetti, Petro Gazz, Seaoil, Shell, and Unioil announced an increase in diesel by PHP0.90 per liter and PHP0.30 per liter for gasoline.

Caltex, Seaoil, and Shell will, likewise, hike kerosene prices by PHP0.90 per liter.

Other industry players are expected to follow suit.

Even with the price adjustments last week, gasoline prices were still lower by PHP0.15 per liter and diesel prices lower by PHP1.20 per liter compared to their last prices in 2023.

On the other hand, kerosene prices had a net increase of PHP0.10 per liter.

The tensions in the Middle East have sent global oil prices sharply last Friday.

As of writing, West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude prices were trading at USD72.73 and USD78.43,

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday met with Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officials in Muntinlupa City to discuss the possibility of allocating 20 hectares of land inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) to become its permanent headquarters.

BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. met with PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan to link up the two offices and strengthen the possibility of sharing their resources.

Catapang, announced last year plans to decongest the BuCor compound in Muntinlupa by transferring persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to the regions for the next five years. The properties to be vacated would be turned into government centers, he had said.

The PCG is asking the BuCor if it could use at least 20 hectares of that land for its headquarters.

In return, the PCG said the BuCor may use PCG vessels and buses to transport persons deprived of liberty around the country.

The PCG said it could also train BuCor personnel to use PCG aircraft for transport during the inspe
ction of regional prisons and penal facilities.

The BuCor initially said they could only offer 3 hectares of land for the PCG’s use. The bureau also offered the PCG a parcel of land in its Palawan property, close to the West Philippine Sea.

‘Technology conquered time and space. We are now technology driven so we can do business without going to Manila. So there is no need for bigger offices as we can farm out personnel and logistics,’ Catapang said.

Source: Philippines News Agency