Day: April 15, 2023

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday conducted an aerial inspection to assess the extent of damage caused by the oil spill from the sunken MT Princess Empress in Mindoro. The assessment was followed by a situation briefing with local chief executives in Pola, Oriental Mindoro where he coordinated further response needed between national government agencies and the affected towns in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Calabarzon. Apart from the inspection, Marcos also led the distribution of various government assistance to 1,200 beneficiaries, including fisherfolk and residents of Pola. The Chief Executive turned over 17 fishing boats with engines to Oriental Mindoro, seven of which are for Pola; a unit of post-harvest technology package (fish-smoking technology) worth PHP335,739 to the Maasin Marine Protected Area Association in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro; a unit of 65 HP tractor with implements to the Maralitang Magsasaka ng Mindoro in Bansud, Oriental Mindoro; three units of pump and engine to Maralitang Magsasaka ng Mindoro and Mahabang Parang Farmers Association in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro; and six water pumps for the municipalities of Pola, Naujan, and Pinamalayan in Oriental Mindoro. Aside from machinery, agricultural inputs were also distributed, including 2.5 kg. of assorted vegetable seeds, 10 bags of black rice, two bags of brown rice, 300 bags of certified palay seeds, and 300 corn seeds to the local government of Pola. Marcos has so far distributed PHP98.6 million worth of food packs to the affected residents. To date, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed 140,728 family food packs out of 187,140 kits delivered to the province in tranches. The more than 46,000 other food packs are scheduled for the 7th and 8th distribution schedules. Oriental Mindoro municipalities that received government aid include Baco, Bansud, Bongabong, Bulalacao, Calapan City, Gloria, Naujan, Mansalay, Pinamalayan, Pola, Roxas, San Teodoro, Socorro, and Victoria. The DSWD is also carrying out a cash-for-work program in the government cleanup operations in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). As of posting, more than 25,000 families in 14 towns are engaged in the program, with a total budget allocation of PHP190.1 million, said the DSWD. Among the activities being undertaken are the oil spill cleanup along the coastlines under the guidance of the DENR, land clearing for a communal garden, establishment of barangay and background gardening, hauling and handling family food packs, and cleanup and desilting of canals for flood prevention. ‘Further support’ Data from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) showed more than 26,000 fisherfolk were directly affected by the oil spill. The damage in terms of inputs and produce, fishing gears and paraphernalia, facilities, and equipment amounted to PHP445.3 million. These include fisheries production losses from the Mimaropa Commercial and Municipal Fisheries valued at PHP14.1 million and damage to 119 metric tons (MT) of seaweed production facilities in Western Visayas valued at almost PHP3 million. The BFAR has provided technical support by analyzing water and seafood for contaminants and formulating science-based recommendations on fishing bans. It also initiated livelihood interventions, as well as food and relief assistance to protect the public from hazards caused by the spill. In ongoing cleanup operations, the BFAR has deployed PHP720,945 worth of PPE (personal protective equipment) sets, ropes, and other materials to coastal communities in Oriental Mindoro. Aside from active participation in the inter-agency habitat and rapid assessment initiatives, the BFAR supports the Mindoro spill response through its monitoring, control, and surveillance vessels.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the results of the Philippine Statistics Authority Labor Force Survey (LFS) for February reflects the continuous improvement in the employment situation. In a news release on Saturday, DOLE noted that the survey highlights the increase in the number of Filipinos joining the labor force, with a participation rate of 66.6 percent or 51.27 million. The data reflect 2.67 million more than the labor force participation during the same period last year and 1.548 million above the reported labor force participation in the previous month. ‘The increase in the country’s employment rate by 1.6 percentage points or from 93.6 percent in February 2022 to 95.2 percent in February 2023 translates to 48.8 million employed Filipinos,’ the DOLE said. The increase in employment may be attributed to employment expansion in wholesale and retail trade (repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles at +701,000 or 6.96 percent); accommodation and food service activities (+580,000 or 34.8 percent); agriculture and forestry (+554,000 or 5.76 percent); other service activities (+362,000 or 13.83 percent); and fishing and aquaculture (+340,000 or 27.45 percent), according to DOLE. As for unemployment, the department saw a notable decrease in the number of unemployed on a year-on-year comparison, from 6.4 percent in February 2022 to 4.8 percent in February 2023. ‘The same trend was observed in the youth unemployment rate, which reported a decline of 5.2 percentage points or from 14.3 percent in February 2022 to 9.1 percent in February 2023. Moreover, the underemployment rate eased by 1.1 percentage points, from 14 percent in February 2022 to 12.9 percent this year,’ it added. The youth employment rate in February was estimated at 90.9 percent, higher than the youth employment rate in January (89.2 percent) and February 2022 (85.7 percent). The LFS, released April 11, likewise showed that wage and salary workers contribute the largest share of employed persons with 60.9 percent of the total employed population 15 years and older; followed by self-employed persons without any paid employee at 27.2 percent; and unpaid family workers at 9.8 percent. Employers in family-operated farms or businesses had the lowest share at 2.1 percent. Among wage and salary workers, employed persons in private establishments made up 46.6 percent of the total employed, followed by those employed in government or government-controlled corporations with a 9.4 percent share. The DOLE said it constantly aligns its initiatives, implementation, and policy directions with the national and sectoral plans while recognizing the current and emerging challenges in the labor market. It also prioritizes the upskilling and reskilling of workers, especially the new entrants to the labor force, to increase their competitiveness and employability.

Source: Philippines News Agency

A policeman escaped unharmed in a gun attack by an alleged contract killer who was arrested in a manhunt operation in Lamitan City, Basilan province, a top police official said Saturday. Lt. Col. Arlan Delumpines, Lamitan City Police chief, identified the policeman as Patrolman Faisal Isah Alih and the arrested hired killer as Said Anjalin, alias Robin. Delumpines said Alih was resting at his house in Sitio Patikul, Barangay Matatag, Lamitan City at about 8:55 p.m. Friday when Anjalin appeared and shot the policeman. However, Anjalin missed and Alih managed to return fire prompting the suspect to flee. Delumpines said the manhunt operation launched by soldiers and militiamen resulted in Anjalin’s arrest at the residence of a certain Walid Abyarol in Barangay Malinis, Lamitan City at about 5:30 a.m. Saturday. The suspect yielded a caliber .45 pistol with ammunition and two motorcycles, one of which was stolen. Delumpines said a case of attempted murder and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition are being prepared against the suspect.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Witnesses to the Pamplona massacre and other killings in Negros Oriental departed for Manila on Saturday, two days ahead of a Senate hearing and the Department of Justice (DOJ) preliminary investigation into the gunslay of Governor Roel Degamo and eight others last month. The group of about 40 people, led by Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, the slain governor’s wife, boarded a Philippine Air Force C-130 aircraft at the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport here at about 10:30 a.m. They are scheduled to attend the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs hearing on Monday and the DOJ proceedings, Degamo said in an interview shortly before their departure. She said while the two activities center on the Pamplona massacre, past killings in Negros Oriental would also be investigated as she believes many of them are connected. ‘We can say that the Pamplona massacre is not an isolated case because if you thoroughly study the spate of killings in Negros Oriental, you will really recognize that the Pamplona massacre was in some ways a culmination of the previous killings,’ she said. Spotted at the airport before departure were some massacre survivors and families of slain victims, as well as the next-of-kin of previous shooting incidents, including one related to a murdered media practitioner. Degamo said they are looking at initially 10 days of marathon hearings at the Senate but admitted she still has no idea how long the investigation would run. She reiterated her concern over the attendance of Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. via videoconference, saying that it is unfair for him to be allowed to participate virtually while she and the rest are spending time, money, and effort to drop everything just so they could attend in person. Teves has been tagged as the alleged mastermind in the Pamplona massacre. He has yet to return to the Philippines despite the expiry of his travel authority and his 60-day suspension imposed by Congress. He was quoted by some media reports as saying that he fears for his life. Mayor Degamo expressed hope that the Senate investigation would help bring justice to her slain husband and all other victims of killings in the province. ‘We are hopeful over this because we feel that this is our last recourse. We can only do so much and we will do it, so that by the end of the day, we can say that we did our best to achieve justice for them all,’ she said

Source: Philippines News Agency

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated Saturday after a loud explosion was heard at a venue, national broadcaster NHK reported. The incident took place right before he was scheduled to give a speech in Wakayama. Fumio was uninjured and left the city, said NHK, citing sources. Police said a suspect has been arrested who appears to have thrown a bomb at the port where the prime minister was set to give his speech. The incident comes nine months after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Source: Philippines News Agency

At least 500 participants from various government agencies, uniformed personnel, and cycling enthusiasts joined the first “Pedal para sa Kapayapaan at Kalusugan,” led by the Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 (Bicol) here Saturday. In his message, PRO-5 Director, Brig. Gen. Westrimundo Obinque, thanked the participants for promoting unity and cooperation toward peace and order in the community. The fun cycling event kicked off at Camp Gen. Ola in Legazpi City and proceeded to Daraga town, a 25-km. ride. “This event brings together people from various government agencies, and other sectors, such as the students, and the youth, all of whom are stakeholders in our drive towards peace and order joining hands with the Philippine National Police in our campaign for a safer and more secure community,” Obinque said. He noted that PRO-5 wants to ensure the well-being of the public and recognizes their collective effort. “As we move forward, I would like to assure you that the PNP will remain steadfast in delivering the highest level of service to serve and protect the people of our community. We will continue to uphold our mandate of ensuring public safety, peace, and order, and we will do so with the utmost professionalism, integrity, and dedication,” Obinque said. The activity aims to strengthen partnerships and promote solidarity with the community, public and private sectors, and stakeholders. “This also intends to enhance environmental awareness and promote a culture of health and wellness among the people,” he added. Cash prizes and certificates were given to the youngest and oldest female and male riders, as well as the group with the biggest number of participants.

Source: Philippines News Agency