More rains likely across PH 'til May 2021 as La Niña strengthens

 

The country may expect more rain until early next year due to the further strengthening of La Niña, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) climate monitoring chief, Analiza Solis on Friday.

The further strengthening of La Niña from December 2020 to January 2021 may likely continue until May, she said, adding that the eastern part of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are most likely to experience rains.

"There is an increased likelihood of above-normal rainfall conditions that could lead to adverse impacts such as heavy rainfall, floods, landslides in highly vulnerable areas," Solis noted.

The weather bureau forecast a few tropical cyclones that may hit or develop in the country in the next months.

"There may be no typhoons, but the northeast monsoon will also trigger rains," she said.

Based on Solis' presentation, PAGASA is expecting one or two tropical cyclones in December 2020, and zero or at least one tropical cyclone each month from January to May 2021.

Chief of PAGASA's weather division, Esperanza Cayanan, said PAGASA has forecast two low pressure areas (LPA) to form near or within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) from November 26 to December 2.

These LPAs, Cayanan said, have a low chance to develop into a tropical cyclone.

"The first LPA will directly exit PAR after formation, while the second LPA will likely move towards the Philippine landmass. So there is no active tropical cyclone threat during this forecast period," she said.

From December 3 to December 9, Cayanan said the LPA is still unlikely to develop into a tropical cyclone and is forecast to traverse the Visayas - southern Luzon area.

"Another LPA may form in the Western Pacific. It may enter PAR, but less likely to develop into a tropical cyclone," she said.

The third LPA may make landfall in Samar - southern Luzon area and may traverse the Visayas while moving towards the West Philippine Sea.

While there is no tropical cyclone threat in the forecast period, Cayanan noted that changes in the forecast will be closely monitored

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Anti-corruption task force to evaluate all complaints next week

 

 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday said it would start sorting complaints received by the task force on corruption next week.

"All complaints so far received by the task force against corruption secretariat are now being screened and evaluated. I will call a meeting of the main task force next week to identify which of these complaints will be the subject of special investigating teams," Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra told reporters when asked on the status of the complaints including those involving government officials and employees who are not part of the executive department.

The DOJ chief said a "general" update on the cases will be released next week on the cases.

"I do not wish to give special attention to any particular class of potential respondents," Guevarra said.

On Wednesday, Guevarra said he received instructions on going after public officials, who do not belong to the executive department, in the course of the investigations into corruption allegations.

"The President (Rodrigo Duterte) stated that if the involvement of a member of Congress, for instance, is germane to the anomalous transaction, then the latter’s inclusion in criminal charges will have to be endorsed to the Office of the Ombudsman through the Secretary of Justice," Guevarra said in a message to reporters.

Guevarra added that "when it comes to criminal investigation and prosecution, no one is exempt, except those enjoying immunity from suit during their tenure".

"The rule is different in administrative cases. the President has neither supervision nor control over other branches of the government and therefore may not investigate them for misconduct, dishonesty, and the like, as he (Duterte) correctly pointed out," he added.

In a public address on Monday night, President Rodrigo Duterte said he would refer to the Office of the Ombudsman information he received about some members of the House of Representatives who allegedly received kickbacks from project contractors.

Duterte bared that he received a list of lawmakers who were allegedly involved in corruption in projects in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

He said the list was given to him by Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner Greco Belgica.

However, he refused to investigate and name these lawmakers saying he has no jurisdiction over members of a co-equal branch of government. 

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PNP to tightly watch churches, shopping hubs for holiday season

 

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will strictly implement minimum health protocols in public places and other areas of convergence for the holiday season, to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana, said people would usually visit shopping centers and churches during the season as quarantine restrictions were eased.

"We really are expecting that there is a rise in public convergence especially during the Misa de Gallo (or Simbang Gabi). But the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) guidelines must be complied with. There is a need for us to communicate time and again with our people for them to avoid crowded areas (like) churches, malls, and some tiangges (mini markets)," Usana said in a Laging Handa press briefing.

He added that police officers would have to be more visible in requiring people to observe minimum health protocols.

Usana said the management of the churches should also ensure that health standards are being followed during their activities this Christmas season.

For his part, PNP deputy chief for operations, Lt. Gen. Cesar Hawthorne Binag said they support the local government units (LGUs) in the implementation of the measure.

"Whatever safety and security protocols are being enforced in their (LGUs) areas, the Joint Task Force Covid Shield and the PNP would support them," he said in a separate TV interview.

Earlier, Davao City has implemented a granular lockdown after it was placed under general community quarantine due to rising Covid-19 cases.

Binag said that they were now monitoring the areas of convergence, as physical distancing must be implemented in shopping hubs and markets such as Divisoria.

With more relaxed restrictions in some areas, the number of personnel was doubled to add more visibility. These personnel have two duties, which are the enforcement and information drive, Binag pointed out.

Earlier, PNP chief, Gen. Debold Sinas, said the number of people attending the Misa De Gallo, including those in Camp Crame, should be controlled.

Under rules of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), religious gatherings are allowed at 30-percent capacity in areas under the general community quarantine (GCQ).

Sinas said the PNP will strictly enforce the “no-caroling” and “no Christmas party” policy to avoid mass gatherings. 

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Lose weight or face sanctions, PNP warns

 

 

Police officers who fail to comply with the required body mass index (BMI) would face sanctions, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Friday. 

Their BMI would be monitored every month, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana said.

"Kung sino man po ang hindi nakaka-comply sa ganitong panuntunan, meron pong epekto ito sa kanilang schooling, promotion, and even placement sa iba't ibang mga units, assignments (Those who fail to comply with the policy would see the effects on their schooling, promotion, and even placement in different units or assignments}," Usana said in a Laging Handa briefing.

He noted that there is a standing policy on the physical fitness of police officers, saying they should be fit to fulfill their duties.

"We do not want our police officers to be affected or afflicted with diseases as a result of non-compliance with exercise requirements," Usana said.

PNP Chief, Gen. Debold Sinas, recently announced the resumption of BMI monitoring among police personnel as a preventive measure against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Sinas said they are imposing a four-minute exercise for all PNP personnel in the morning and again in the afternoon.

“It (monitoring of BMI) was suspended before I became the Chief PNP because of Covid-19. Now, I talked with the new DHRDD (Directorate for Human Resource Doctrine Development) chief because obesity causes diabetes, heart disease, which are comorbidities for Covid-19,” he said.

The BMI depends on a person’s height. A high BMI can indicate high body fatness, which may lead to health problems, although studies show it is not diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an individual.

For most adults, an ideal BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9. A range of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight while those having 30 and above are considered obese. 

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Balikbayans, families allowed to enter PH starting Dec. 7

Balikbayans or former Filipino citizens including their spouses and children who are travelling with them, may enter the Philippines starting December 7, Malacañang announced Friday.

Also permitted is the entry of Filipino citizens’ foreign spouses and children who are also with them regardless of age.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Resolution No. 85, signed on November 26, states that starting Dec. 7, they are allowed to enter the country provided they pre-booked a quarantine facility and undergo Covid-19 testing at a laboratory operating at the airport.

"They, too, must be subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry," it said.

The Bureau of Immigration is directed to formulate guidelines to ensure the policy's smooth implementation.

The Department of Tourism (DOT), meanwhile, was tasked to issue separate guidelines to provide sufficient accommodation for these foreign nationals taking into account the release of test results.

For the DOT, the IATF's move was a welcome development for the travel industry, which was among the industries hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic following suspensions in international flights.

“This not only bodes well for our ailing industry but is good tidings for our kababayans who have been clamoring to be reunited with their loved ones from abroad, especially this yuletide season,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

The tourism chief said balikbayans or former Filipino citizens are considered as a viable source market to the country's tourism sector, particularly the second and third generation dependents who have yet to discover their parents’ roots.

"The Filipino diaspora to date, has reached about 10 million. That is why we deem important the Filipino communities abroad as staunch partners in driving visitors to the Philippines,” she said in a statement

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AFP leadership dev't hub adapts to changes, crises

 

The officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Leadership Development Center (AFPLDC) have adapted quickly to changes and crises.

"Despite being only on its second year, the men and women behind the AFPLDC have adapted swiftly to the drastic changes in this time of rampant crises,” AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay said in his speech at the second founding anniversary of the AFPLDC in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Thursday.

Gapay said this is a great achievement as the AFPLDC is tasked to support the security sector in "reporting the efforts of the defense establishment in developing professional, moral, and ethical AFP leaders."

With the theme “Leading The Way Towards Filipino Military Leadership”, the AFPLDC, which is under the AFP Education, Training and Doctrine Command (AFPETDC), aims to continue with the mandate of nurturing military leaders whose attributes represent the best of the Filipino.

The AFPLDC is led by Navy Capt. Andro Val Abayon while the AFPETDC is commanded by Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, who is also AFP spokesperson.

“Your anniversary theme not only underscores your exemplary performance and stellar achievements in the past year but also sets the tone for the jumpstart for this center to grab opportunities to further refine your method of operations in the coming years,” Gapay said.

He also congratulated the entire leadership and staff of the AFPETDC and AFPLDC and urged them to put their best foot forward. 

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Texts to 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center free to Smart, Sun users

Subscribers of both Smart and Sun networks can now submit their complaints or grievances to the government for free by texting the Citizens’ Complaint Center (CCC) at 8888.

In a statement on Thursday, PLDT, together with its mobile subsidiary Smart and PLDT Enterprise, announced its partnership with the Office of the President-Broadcast Messaging Division for the relaunch of the 8888 Short Messaging System (SMS) service platform.

The 8888 SMS system serves as an additional communication channel for the public to send their complaints or grievances on red tape or corruption in any government agency.

"We at PLDT and Smart fully support the government's efforts in addressing the concerns of our countrymen through this initiative and we would like to thank the Office of the President for their trust," said Al Panlilio, PLDT chief revenue officer and Smart president and CEO.

PLDT and Smart provided the SMS platform of the 8888 hotline, available 24/7.

Earlier, Globe Telecom announced its support for the 8888 SMS service platform and ensured that its users will be able to access the new complaint channel. (PNA)

 

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Rice sector get biggest chunk of DA’s budget

 

 

Rice sector will remain the priority of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) modernization and industrialization programs next year.

This, after the Senate voted 22-0 to approve the proposed PHP4.5 trillion national budget for 2021 on successive second and third readings on Thursday.

Under the proposed general appropriations law or House Bill No. 7727, the DA will get PHP85.6 billion, including PHP60.9 billion allocated to the Office of the Secretary which manages seven commodity banner programs, bureaus, central and regional field offices, as well as locally-funded and foreign-assisted projects.

Among the DA’s seven banner programs, rice sector has the highest allotted budget of PHP15.5 billion followed by fisheries sector with PHP3.12 billion; corn farming (PHP1.5 billion); high-value crops (PHP1.6 billion); livestock (PHP1.17 billion); organic agriculture (PHP665 million); and Halal industry (PHP23.9 million).

"Majority of the agriculture players are rice producers," DA field operations director Roy Abaya said on Thursday when asked why DA maintains its focus on the rice sector.

According to the 2021National Expenditure Program for Rice presentation, DA envisions to “maximize income opportunities in the global market while promoting inclusive growth”.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar thanked the legislators for their hard work in reviewing and deliberating on the DA’S 2021 budget proposal.

“On behalf of the DA family, I sincerely thank our Senators, especially our main sponsor, Senator (Cynthia) Villar, for this favorable action on our proposed 2021 budget that will sustain the implementation of our umbrella Plant, Plant, Plant program and continued modernization and industrialization of Philippine agriculture,” Dar said in a news release on Thursday.

Dar said he is hoping for continued guidance and budget support from the lawmakers “to boost the productivity of our farm and fishery resources, increase the incomes of farmers and fisherfolk, achieve global competitiveness, and ensure greater sustainability and resilience from natural disasters, climate change impacts, and global pandemics.” (PNA)

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Informants vs. corruption need name themselves to get reward

 

Those with information about officials involved in corrupt practices in government may have to identify themselves if they want to be rewarded, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the remark after the Office of the President partnered with telecommunications companies to launch the short message service (SMS) or text message of the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center (CCC).

The 8888 CCC hotline, first launched in 2016, receives complaints and grievances from the public and in turn endorses these to relevant government departments or agencies for immediate action.

Roque noted that while the launch of the SMS/text message format would allow informants to stay anonymous, those who want to receive a reward would have to make themselves easy to trace.

“Kung mayroon naman talagang basehan at napatunayan nga na dahil sa tip ay nakahuli tayo ng kurakot, iyan po ang importante. Kinakailangan magpadala kayo ng inyong pangalan (If there is basis and it was proven that the tip helped catch a corrupt official, that’s important. You should give your name),” he said in a Palace press briefing.

Roque also assured that the government would not publicize the informants’ names.

“Hindi naman po iri-release iyan ng 8888 – just in case gusto ninyong makolekta ang reward. Eh kung wala po kasing trace kung sino kayo, hindi ninyo makukolekta iyong reward (Your name won’t be released. It’s just in case you want to collect your reward. Without a trace of who you are, you won’t be able to collect your reward),” he added.

Roque said all complaints and grievances aired through the 8888 CCC would be given utmost importance.

“Ang in-charge po sa (The person in charge of) 8888 is no less than the Office of the Executive Secretary. And because the Executive Secretary is primus inter pares in the Cabinet, inaasahan po natin na lahat ng mga complaints na ibabato sa iba’t ibang ahensiya at departamento will be given the highest priority (we expect all complaints that will be sent to different agencies and departments will be given the highest priority),” he said.

On Monday night, President Rodrigo Duterte urged the public to report corruption activities and other anomalies within the government.

Duterte said informants do not need to give out their names.

He previously offered a reward of PHP50,000 or PHP100,000 to anyone who could give him information on government officials engaged in corruption.

The President has vowed to spend the last two years of his term fighting corruption.

He has also formed a mega task force to probe government-wide corruption, particularly the Department of Public Works and Highways. (PNA)

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Duterte appoints ex-president GMA as adviser for Clark

 

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as Presidential Adviser on Clark Programs and Projects.

Duterte's former aide, Senator Christopher Lawrence"Bong" Go confirmed Arroyo's appointment to reporters on Thursday.

The Clark Freeport Zone is located in Pampanga, Arroyo's home province.

After her 10-year term as president, she served as Pampanga’s 2nd District representative from 2010 to 2019.

In October 2017, Arroyo took oath as a member of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino - Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), the political party chaired by Duterte.

She previously acknowledged that Duterte has asked her for advice on various matters in his presidency.

Malacañang has yet to release Arroyo's appointment papers.

In a separate statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Arroyo would receive a compensation rate of PHP1 per annum.

Roque also wished Arroyo well in her new undertaking.

“PA Arroyo's wisdom and her vast experience as a former head of state and head of government, coupled with her great concern in her native Pampanga, would be valuable as she would assist the administration in the planning and execution of programs and projects to turn Clark as the next premier metropolis of Asia,” he said. (PNA)

 

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