MANILA: The Archdiocese of Manila encourages the faithful to follow health and safety protocols when attending Christmas and Church gatherings as there are still cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and other respiratory illnesses.

In Circular No. 2023-106 addressed to all the clergy, the consecrated men and women and the lay faithful in the archdiocese, issued on Friday, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula reminded them to be cautious when attending holiday parties and Eucharistic celebrations.

‘Heeding the recommendations of the Ministry on Health Care of the Archdiocese of Manila, we request our communities to observe the health and safety protocols,’ he said.

‘Let us practice voluntary wearing of face masks and hand hygiene. Those who are ill must be reminded to stay at home so as not to spread infection,’ the cardinal added.

He urged the people to heed the call as ‘our gesture of charity and compassion for others, especially those who are vulnerable.’

‘Our communities will once again g
ather for the traditional Simbang Gabi or Misa de Aguinaldo. Children and young people will visit homes to offer Christmas carols. Our ministries and organizations in our parishes and communities will have their Christmas parties and gatherings,’ he said.

‘The next days will again show us how vibrant, festive, and faith-filled Filipino Christmas is,’ Advincula added.

He noted that the issuance of the circular is just a reminder.

‘We continue to receive reports about incidences of Covid-19 and other respiratory illnesses,’ the head of the Archdiocese of Manila said.

‘But we will not allow them to deprive us of Christmas joy,’ he added.

The Simbang Gabi or Dawn Mass begins on Dec. 16. It is being held for nine days.
Source: Philippines News Agency

LAOAG: Ilocos Norte small-scale businesses received a stimulus program package from the provincial government to help them overcome operational struggles, some dating back to the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

On Friday, 265 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) received PHP5,000 cash assistance.

Four loan applications were also granted, or a total of PHP97,000 financing payable in one year with minimum interest.

Last year, the provincial government also provided about PHP3 million worth of assistance to sari-sari (retail) store owners.

Elma Gabriel, head of the provincial government’s MSME Office, said they continue to provide various assistance to eligible enterprises.

“The program gives priority to our small-scale businesses that are engaged in manufacturing, handicrafts, retailers and services, particularly those who are owned by women, poverty-stricken individuals who are struggling to meet basic needs, elderly, and physically challenged individuals,’ she said in an interview.

Part of the s
timulus package are free training and capacity-building activities to enhance the entrepreneurs’ skills and productivity.

Rodalyn Macalma, a lemonade drink stall owner in San Nicolas town, is thankful for the financing aid that helps her provide daily wage to her two staff who take turns daily tending to a rented space near the town hall.

‘This will inspire us further to continue so that we can be of help to others, too,’ she said on the sidelines of the distribution ceremony held at Laoag Central Terminal here
Source: Philippines News Agency

BAGUIO: Health authorities in the Cordillera region are calling on the public to wear masks when in public places to reduce the chances of virus transmission, as the weather gets colder.

‘It is not mandatory but we encourage the public, especially if you have flu or is not feeling well, to wear a mask to avoid transmission of any illness to loved ones and the public when going out of your residence,’ Dr. Rio Magpantay, director of the Department of Health – Cordillera, said in a media interview on Friday.

He said people should always remember the experience during the pandemic when the use of masks was mandatory to avoid being infected or infecting others.

‘We all know what masks do to protect us, let us not forget that,’ he said.

Marie Ruby Magsino, a nurse at the city health office, in a phone interview, said Acting City Health Officer Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes encouraged residents and visitors to wear face masks as respiratory and influenza-like illnesses are expected, especially when temperatures drop
during the “ber” months until February of the following year.

The Baguio station of the weather bureau recorded 13°C, the lowest temperature in this city so far this year, on Nov. 20 and again on Friday.

The daily average temperature in this city is at 17°C.
Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday said he will immediately sign into law the 2024 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), once it reaches his table.

In a media interview on the sidelines of an event in Muntinlupa City, Marcos said he is just waiting for the final bicameral conference committee report on the proposed PHP5.768-trillion national budget for 2024.

‘Wala pa ‘yatang report ang bicam (There is no bicam report yet). We’re waiting for that. So, they’re putting the finishing touches on it. Baka (Perhaps, [the final version of the bill]) will be submitted today or in the coming days,’ Marcos said.

‘But certainly, the minute it is finalized, we will immediately, of course, pass [the 2024 GAB into law],’ he added.

Marcos, who is scheduled to fly to Japan on Friday afternoon for the 50th Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Commemorative Summit, said he expects the 2024 GAB to be signed into law before Christmas.

This, as he stressed that he sees no probl
em with the proposed budget spending for next year.

‘You should really ask the bicam to see what their schedule is. But yes, I think we will do it before Christmas,’ Marcos said.

‘We have been going through consultations through the whole of the year for that matter and I would be very surprised if there are other issues that will suddenly arise that we had not anticipated or hadn’t resolved. So, I don’t see any problem to that,’ he added.

The bicameral conference committee approved the reconciled provisions of the GAB on Monday morning.

The proposed 2024 budget is equivalent to 21.7 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and 9.5 percent higher than the PHP5.268 trillion 2023 budget.

Anchored on the theme, ‘Agenda for Prosperity: Securing a Future-Proof and Sustainable Economy,’ the proposed national budget for 2025 is framed based on the 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda and will continue to support the goals of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 of securing a future proof and sustainable vibrant eco
nomy.
Source: Philippines News Agency

ASINGAN: Groundbreaking for the construction of the first township project under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program (4PH) in the Ilocos Region was held Friday and construction is set in the first quarter of 2024.

The vertical-style housing project will have 10 buildings within the 21,351 square meters of land in Barangay Carosucan Norte this town. Each of the four-story buildings will have 96 units of 27 sq.m. condo-type units.

Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) 4PH regional focal person engineer Sherwin Patanao, in an interview Friday, said the project is expected to be finished within five years, with the target to finish two buildings every year.

‘This is just the first phase of the project and we hope to build more,’ he said.

DHSUD Undersecretary Emmanuel Pineda, in his speech during the ground-breaking ceremony, said the township project will have amenities such as a swimming pool and playground.

‘We wanted it to be breathable and liveable so instead of the 30
percent minimum open space, we made it to 40 percent for the quality of life of the occupants,’ he said.

Pineda said the housing project is open to all Filipinos and vowed that it will be affordable for everybody, especially the informal sectors.

He said the housing unit is payable within 30 years, at PHP2,600 per month amortization on the first year and PHP3,600 per month in the following years.

He said they are also preparing for the guidelines on the interest subsidy including the graduated amortization, wherein only a percent of the usual six percent interest on each housing unit will be shouldered by the buyer while the five percent will be subsidized by the government.

Asingan town Mayor Carlos Lopez Jr., in an interview, said the local government unit is grateful for the project as they have been working on availing a housing project for their town since 2016.

‘We have over 3,000 backlogs in housing, although only more than 1,000 are living under a bridge or within the irrigation line. But most fa
milies are living together under one roof as what most Filipinos do,’ he said, citing as a factor to this the inability to pay for the mortgage.

Lopez said they have already approved 300 applicants, some of whom are overseas Filipino workers, tricycle drivers, teachers, and local and national government employees.
Source: Philippines News Agency

ZÜRICH: Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi have been announced as the three finalists for The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award 2023.

Meanwhile, Aitana Bonmati, Linda Caicedo and Jennifer Hermoso have been chosen as the three finalists for The Best FIFA Women’s Player Award 2023.

The accolade recognizes the most outstanding performers in the men’s game from the period of December 19, 2022 to August 20, 2023; and women’s game from August 1, 2022 to August 20, 2023.

Winners of the illustrious prize will be revealed at a London ceremony on January 15, 2024.

A total of 12 players in men and 16 from women were initially nominated, having been chosen by a panel of experts. From this shortlist, the three finalists for each category, have been selected by an international jury comprising: men’s and women’s national team coaches, men’s and women’s national team captains, football journalists, and fans who voted on FIFA’s official website.
Source: Philippines News Agency