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CALOOCAN CITY, July 31 (PIA) -- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has assured that poorest of the poor Filipinos would be first to benefit from the country’s COVID-19 immunization program once government gets hold of vaccines, probably within this year. In a taped address aired Friday morning, Duterte met with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to announce that his administration would prioritize the beneficiaries of government’s Pantawid or 4Ps program as recipients of the first batch of coronavirus vaccines that may be available by December. “Ito ang i-guarantee ko, ang listahan ng mga tao na nakatanggap ng pera noon na mahirap ang una na bibigyan ng assistance, ‘yun ang category natin [para sa bakuna]. Ang mauna ‘yung walang-wala, at tsaka of course ‘yun sa mga nasa ospital, ‘yung mga sick, and dying,” the President said. He said those receiving government aid and those confined in hospitals who are sick and dying will be prioritize

Bahagi ng mga contact tracers sa Caloocan habang sumasailalim ng training. (Larawan mula sa Caloocan PIO) LUNGSOD CALOOCAN, Hulyo 31 (PIA) --Apat na araw na puspusang training ang isinagawa para sanayin ang may 400 contact tracers sa lungsod ng Caloocan. Ang pagsasanay na ginanap noong July 21, 22, 23 at 27 ay dinaluhan ng mga bagong contact tracers tulad ng psychologists, encoders at volunteers mula sa iba’t-ibang departamento; mga dentista at nurses na nakatalaga sa health centers; at mga BHERTs (Barangay Health Emergency Response Team) na galing sa hanay ng mga barangay. Tinuruan ang 400 na bagong contact tracers kung paano ang tamang pakikipag usap o pag-iinterview sa mga residente ng Caloocan na nag positibo mula sa Covid-19. Pangunahing trabaho ng mga contact tracer ang hanapin ang mga nakasalamuha ng mga positbo saCOVID-19 sa lungsod at alamin ang mga naging aktibidad ng mga ito mula sa araw na siya ay nakaramdam ng sintomas o mula sa araw na siya ay sumailalim sa swab tes

Photo courtesy of PCG. PASIG CITY, July 31 (PIA) – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recently received donations from the Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc. to aid locally stranded individuals (LSIs).  PCG’s chief of Public Affairs Office Commodore Armando Balilo, on behalf of the coast guard, expressed gratitude to the foundation for supporting LSIs amid the pandemic. According to coast guard, the foundation donated food items, drinks and anti-bacterial soaps for use of LSIs. PCG also ensures that LSIs are taken care of before they head back to their provinces. (PCG/PIA-NCR) source https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1049085

MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon, July 30 — Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) continues to be recognized as a constituent company in the FTSE4Good Index Series. AboitizPower is the mother company of Hedcor which has been operating two of its largest run-of-river facilities in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. The FTSE4Good Index Series, created by global index provider FTSE Russell, measures the performance of companies demonstrating strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. The FTSE4Good indices are used by a wide variety of market participants to create and assess responsible investment funds and other products. AboitizPower has been independently assessed according to the FTSE4Good criteria and has satisfied the requirements to become a FTSE4Good Index Series constituent. The company has sustained its rating in the FTSE4Good Index Series since 2018. RESPONSIBILITY. As a Cleanergy company, Hedcor remains proactive with its environmental initiatives. Hedcor has since pl

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 30 (PIA)--Value chain analysis (VCA) is one of the innovations that the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) uses to provide farmer-entrepreneurs relevant inputs. VCA helps in identifying and developing the linkages and interrelationships between activities that create value, profitability, and competitive advantage of a certain commodity along the segments of the value chain. A total of 33 VCA’s have been formulated and packaged by the Mindanao cluster of DA-PRDP. These VCA’s have already obtained a “No Objection” except for BARMM which is currently working to comply with the recommendations set for mangosteen by the National Project Coordination Office. Currently, the Mindanao cluster through its I-PLAN component is updating the VCAs for five commodities which are rubber, abaca, mango, cacao, and cardava banana. Aside from VCA updating, PRDP is also able to update 33 Commodity Investment Plans (CIP) in 27 Provinces and

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jul 30 (PIA)--A total of 1,100 packs of assorted vegetables seeds were given by the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office (DA-RFO)- 10 to stakeholders, July 28 at the agency compound.  DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga handed over the 150 packets of seeds to representatives from Camaman-an National High School, 50 packets to Barangay Nutrition Committee of Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City, and 450 packets each of sinigang and chopsuey seeds to the Municipal Agriculture Office of Lantapan, Bukidnon.  Kelvin Kent E. Giron, Secondary School Teacher I of Camaman-an National High School said, the Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Cagayan de Oro has recently launched the ‘My Pet Plant’ project which aims to encourage children to venture into urban gardening as they continue to learn their usual subjects.  “The school plans to distribute the vegetables during the opening of classes this August to prepare students an

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, July 28 — Usa sa daghang kaugmaran nga gi-istorya ni Presidente Duterte atol ning mi-aging State-of-the-Nation Address kon SONA mao ang pagpauswag sa katawhan labi na ang naa sa layong kabarangayan. Busa iyang gi-ingnan ang nagkalain-laing mga pangulo sa ahensya labi na ang Technical Education and Skills Development Authority kon TESDA paghimog kalihukan sama sa ‘Skills Training’ aron makapanginabuhi ang tawo diha sa gitawag ug ‘Cottage Industries’. ‘Sample sa Cottage Industries’ mao ang pagpamuhat ug banig, rugs kon mga trapo, dressmaking, tailoring, ug uban pang ginagmay nga pangwarta sa mga kababayen-an samtang naa ra sila sa balay. Samtang mao kana ang 'overall program’ sa gobyerno karon nationwide, mao pud nay gabuhaton ni Bukidnon 3rd District Congressman Manuel “Manoy” Zubiri. Kini atong nasayran atol sa Press Conference ni Congressman Manoy Zubiri uban ni Malaybalay Vice-mayor Atty. Jay Warren Pabillaran nga gipahigayon didto sa Loiza’s Pavili

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Hulyo 30 (PIA)—Nisaka na sa 83 ka tawo ang total sa nagpositibo sa Coronavirus Disease 2019 kon COVID-19 sa probinsya sa Bukidnon. Kini sumala sa gipagawas nga pinakaulahing rekord gikan sa Provincial Health Office kon PHO. Base sa PHO COVID-19 Bulletin, dunay total nga 83 ka tawo ang nagpositibo sa COVID-19, diin traynta y tres (33) niini ang naayohan na sa sakit ug walay na-admit sa bisan asa nga hospital sa probinsya. Samtang ang 50 ka mga pasyente nga nagpabiling aktibo sa COVID-19, naa karon gipa-ilawom sa istrikto nga kuwarentina sa nagkalain-laing mga ‘Isolation facility' sa probinsya. Tungod sa padayong pagtaas sa kaso sa mga nag postibo sa maong sakit, gimando-an ni Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri ang tanang Mayor ug kapulisan sa probinsya, lungsod, ug syudad alang sa hugot nga implementasyon ug pagpapatuman sa Ordinance No. 2020-21R kon “Mandatory wearing of face mask.” Padayon ang pagpahimangno ni Gov. Zubiri isip amahan sa probinsya ngadto sa kat

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, July 29 (PIA)—In his 5th State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA), Monday, July 27, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte highlighted the gains of government and laid out development plans, meanwhile, few of the programs were already ongoing in Bukidnon province. The provincial government has implemented cash assistance program for the poor, a monthly activity at the capitol building. In fact, thousands of folks receive cash grants from the provincial social welfare office. For their part, the four congressional representatives here have already launched their local version of the social amelioration services at the first sign of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) since March this year. This includes truckloads of rice, canned goods, sugar, coffee, and noodles to the communities.  Meanwhile, Bukidnon 3rd District Congressman Manuel “Manoy” Zubiri has his own way of reaching out. In addition to the rice and other food items, he also issued sewing machines to women folk

ILIGAN CITY, Jul 30 (PIA) - Several employees of DPWH-Lanao del Norte 2nd District Engineering Office were on hand to witness the inauguration of its own multi-purpose building on July 29 at the DPWH compound, Seminary Road, Brgy. Del Carmen, this city. The inauguration was highlighted by a blessing rite officiated by Reverend Father Ronald Suplaag, Rector of Inahan sa Kinabuhi Seminary. “This multi-purpose building is for you. This special gift from the national government is for everyone to enjoy. After a long, hard day at the office, you can unwind in this facility by playing your favorite sport of basketball, volleyball or badminton," District Engineer Alykhan Ali said. The infrastructure project was constructed by AJJ Strukture Builders, Inc. with a budget of P5-million. For her part, Assistant District Engineer Maria David also encouraged the employees to use the new sporting facility to improve their wellness and fitness as a way of strengthening their immune system aga

PASIG CITY, July 31 (PIA) – The National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) and the Department of Tourism will bring for the first time a virtual ‘Concert at the Park’   Watch and listen as singer-songwriter Nicole Laurel Asensio serenade you in celebration of the Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino. Catch it live via NPDC Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NPDC.PH/ this Friday, July 31 at 6:00PM. The decades-long history of presenting Filipino artists continues online – reaching a wider audience during this challenging time. ‘Concert at the Park’ is the longest running weekly public service project of the National Parks Development Committee and the Department of Tourism which started in 1978 with the aim of bringing music closer to the people. (NPDC/PIA-NCR)     source https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1049076

ILOILO CITY, July 31 (PIA) – The Iloilo Provincial Government has decided to donate the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) extraction machines to the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) Subnational Laboratory (SNL) in Mandurriao district here. In a press conference, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. said that donating these machines to the subnational laboratory can boost their testing capacity for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). “We thought they have sufficient RT-PCR machines, so we gave them the RNA extraction machine, but it turned out that another RT-PCR machine is very useful, so we will donate our RT-PCR machine to WVMC,” he said. It can be recalled that on July 21, 2020, the provincial government turned over to the WVMC-SNL the RNA extraction machine worth P1.950-million, along with 1,008 testing kits. Primarily, the provincial government will only lend the RNA extraction machine, as well as the RT-PCR machine,

MARAWI CITY, Jul 30 (PIA) - The Ministries of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE); Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR); Interior and Local Government (MILG); and the World Food Programme (WFP) inked a memorandum of agreement on Wednesday, July 29, for the establishment of a convergence model to sustain income-generating activities to support integrated rural development in the Bangsamoro region. The model also envisions an increase in agricultural and agro-forestry products in the region. It will be implemented through the MENRE’s ‘Integrated Bangsamoro Greening Program (IBGP) and ‘Kayod ka, Bangsamoro’ (KKB), MAFAR’s Basic Integration of Harmonized Intervention (BINHI) program, and MILG’s Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Change Adaptation (DRR-CCA) program. The MAFAR will cater to the supply of vegetable seeds, training for farmers, and the establishment of market linkages.  On the other hand, the MILG committed to lead the implementation and mainstrea

PASIG CITY, July 31 (PIA) – The City Government of Pasig temporarily closes four (4) health centers in the city. On his Facebook Page, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto announced Thursday that some of the city’s health centers are temporarily closed for the safety of health workers and the public as well. According to Mayor Sotto, the following health centers will be temporarily closed while waiting for test results of its personnel: Maybunga Floodway; Napico; and Manggahan Super Health Center. Meanwhile, personnel at the Caniogan health center are under quarantine and for swabbing. In the meantime, the local chief executive advises Pasig residents to call Pasig’s OpCen for urgent concerns: “ For urgent concerns, please call our OpCen at 86430000.  Sila po ang magti-triage sa inyo at magbibigay ng advice kung ano ang dapat gawin ,” said Sotto. He also urged residents to avoid going directly to the hospital. “ Pakiusap na wag dumiretso sa ospital (lalo na't madalas mapuno ang mga os

MARAWI CITY, July 30 (PIA) - The Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Health (MOH) is conducting a seven-day Rapid Coverage Assessment (RCA) to trace unvaccinated children against polio in the region. The RCA is MOH-BARMM’s evaluation procedure to find unimmunized children below five years old and vaccinate them against polio for its ‘Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio’ campaign. The MOH has started the RCA in the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur on Monday, July 27, and will run until August 5.  Meanwhile, the schedule for the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi is yet to be finalized. The Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio campaign, which kicked off in the region on July 20, is the Department of Health’s program to end polio in the country.  Bangsamoro government targets to immunize at least 839,677 children in the region’s five provinces until August 2. As of July 27, the total coverage in the region is at 74.1% or 622,564 children vaccinated. Several RCA teams of MOH-

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, July 31 (PIA) - - The Department of Health (DOH) region 2 has confirmed two additional positive cases of Corona Virus Disease 2019 in Cagayan Valley region. Llexter Guzman, health education and promotions officer, said both cases who were tested positive yesterday are from the province of Isabela. He said CV 314 is a 55-year-old male from Cauayan City who traveled to Tarlac last July 22 and went back to the city last July 24. The patient, he said, was subjected to swab test last July 27 as he experienced cough as a symptom. He is now at the city's quarantine facility CV 315 is a 60-year-old female from Ramon Isabela. She is a locally stranded individual from Caloocan City. He is asymptomatic and now at the quarantine facility of the Local Government Unit. Guzman said contact tracing is now being undertaken by the concerned officials in the areas were the positive cases reside. With this, there are already 317 total cases confirmed by DOH in which 310

CALOOCAN CITY, July 30 (PIA) -- Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is "in a position and ideal partner" of local government units (LGUs) and other line agencies in the delivery of basic services as highlighted by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's fifth State of the Nation Address on Monday. "In his 5th SONA, the President called on the AFP to play a vital role in a whole-of-government governance. We understand that the President did not mean the AFP would take part in the day-to-day management of the LGUs. Rather, that the AFP with its nationwide deployment is in a position and an ideal partner of the other line agencies and LGUs in the delivery of basic services, and in the implementation of development projects," Lorenzana said. He said, however, that the AFP has long been performing these functions, with some of its officers being active and regular members of local peace and development councils. &

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, July 30 (PIA) - - Six more cases of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged in Cagayan Valley region as confirmed by the Department of Health (DOH) . DOH logo Llexter Guzman, health education and promotions officer, said of the five newly tested individuals came from Isabela province while 1 came from in Cagayan. CV 308 is a 56-year-old female from Naguilian, Isabela, a Locally Stranded Individual (LSI) who had a travel history in Quezon City and arrived in the province last July 19. She experienced fever, cough and colds and now admitted at the Southern Isabela Medical Center (SIMC). CV 309 is a 67-year-old male also from Naguilian, Isabela, also an LSI from Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. He is asymptomatic and now treated at the quarantine facility of the Local Government Unit (LGU) concerned. CV 310 is a 51-year-old female from Echague, Isabela, an LSI from Quezon City. She is also asymptomatic and now at LGU quarantine facility. CV 311 is a 50-y

CALOOCAN CITY, July 30 (PIA) -- State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has signed an agreement with the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to automate the collection and remittance of customs fees and charges that are generated through the 17 customs districts nationwide, a top official said. DBP president and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel G. Herbosa said the joint initiative with BoC, along with the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) and PayMaya Philippines, would utilize DBP’s online banking system and ensure seamless transfer of funds to state coffers. “DBP takes pride in this endeavor which promotes the use of digital finance in ensuring transparency in customs collection,” Herbosa said.  DBP is the eighth largest bank in the country in terms of assets and has a branch network of 129 offices and 11 branch-lite units nationwide. BoC is the second largest revenue earning agency in the National Government next to the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Under the agreement, all collections an

Farmers and rural women in Malilipot and Daraga Albay receive livestock animals from the Department of Agriculture Bicol as assistance to increase income and boost livestock production. (Photo from DA Bicol) LEGAZPI CITY, July 27 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture – Bicol  distributed livestock animals to farmers and rural women in Albay to increase their income and livestock production amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. DA Bicol information officer Jayson Gonzales said the beneficiaries of this program from Malilipot and Daraga Albay undergo training before receiving livestock and poultry animals. In Malilipot, the beneficiaries are farmer and rural women members of the Organic Agriculture Organization of Malilipot (OAOM) and the Rural Improvement Club (RIC). They received 11 native pigs and 180 native chickens respectively through the Albay Breeding Station (ABS) of the Albay Research and Development Center (ARDC). ABS Chief Dr. Elsa Maranan said the distribution of these livest

The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region IV-CALABARZON met with city and municipal veterinarians in Batangas July 16, 2020 at Southern Tagalog Integrated Agricultural Research Center Training Hall, this City to discuss developments and plans for managing and controlling the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the province. (Photo: DA-4A RAFIS) LIPA CITY, Batangas, July 30 (PIA) --With the aim of discussing developments and plans for managing and controlling the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in the province, Department of Agriculture (DA) Region IV-CALABARZON met with city and municipal veterinarians in Batangas July 16, 2020 at Southern Tagalog Integrated Agricultural Research Center Training Hall, this City. “We, in the Department, acknowledge the support given by the local government units in Batangas to our battle against ASF…The faster we can identify an infected area, the faster we can respond to its spread,” Regional Director Arnel V. de Mesa said, emphasizing the n

BUTUAN CITY, July 30 -- Fifteen individuals were arrested in a separate anti-illegal gambling operations conducted in the entire region on July 25, 2020. Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga regional director Brigadier General Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr., said during the conduct of anti-illegal gambling operations, the personnel of Butuan City Police Station at about 4:10 p.m. and Trento Municipal Police Station at 7:30 p.m. arrested six individuals who were caught in the act engaging in “tong-its” game. They are Ahlene Cornelia D. Pilo, Rowena N. Montajes, Virgilio T. Nibalisa, Norma C. Aparre, Meliton R. Ubatay, and Ruben D. Palma. Confiscated were one set of playing cards and P702 bet money. Same operation was conducted by the personnel of Dapa Municipal Police Station at around 7:20 p.m which resulted in the arrest of Pastor C. Ampater, Randy C. Dulguime, Jeser E. Ortaniza, and Jigger B. Orejas who were playing  a “pusoy” game. One set of playing cards and P600 bet money were al

MAASIN CITY, July 29 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Southern Leyte Provincial Office through Provincial Director Engr. Florita Santiago is calling applicants for the Innovations for Filipinos Working Distantly from the Philippines (iFWD PH) program in support to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) affected by COVID-19. In a recent press briefing held at the PIA-Southern Leyte Office, Santiago said the iFWD PH aims to provide support and opportunities for OFWs and their immediate families to establish technology-based enterprises, especially during this time of pandemic. Santiago said the program has two phases. Phase I include the capability building for the development and management of a technology-based enterprise while Phase II will include innovation on funding sources for technology-based enterprise. Santiago added that Phase I entails core business and technical trainings and presentation of package technologies, the business concept and its plan prepar

Philippine Embassy in South Korea Charge D'affaires Christian De Jesus discussing the COVID-19 measures implemented in South Korea during his Laging Handa interview. (Screen grabbed during PTV4's Laging Handa Public Briefiefing)  PARAÑAQUE CITY, July 30 (PIA) -- The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, South Korea on Wednesday reported 78 Filipinos, so far, testing positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) based on the data from the country’s local authorities, along with the Filipino community.    During his Laging Handa Public Briefing interview, Charge D'affaires Christian De Jesus said 34 out of 78 Filipinos who has been diagnosed with the disease has been discharged, with the remaining 44 Filipinos still undergoing treatment.  “Out of 78, 34 ay discharged dahil po sa magandang medical care na libre na binibigay ng pamahalaan. At doon sa nalalabi na 44 na under treatment po ngayon, sila ay nasa government medical facilities and health institutions,” De Jesus said.  Th

PASIG CITY, July 30 (PIA) -- The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines on Monday turned-over medical supplies to aid the country’s COVID-19 response.  Photo courtesy of Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines Facebook page The donation, led by Ambassador Dong-man Han, handed over to the Philippine Government, represented by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., medical supplies from the Korean Government. The medical supplies include 600,000 high-quality KF94 masks (worth US$500,000), seven walk-through COVID-19 testing booths (worth US$150,000) via the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), 1,000 face shields from the Korean Embassy and T&B Company, and COVID-19 diagnostic kits (worth US$100,000 (10,000 tests) from SD Biosensor.    Ambassador Han said the Korean Government, Korean companies, and the Korean Embassy in the Philippines have gathered to put together joint efforts to provide the humanitarian assistance to help the Ph

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, July 30 (PIA) -- Given a short notice, a new PNP Provincial Director was installed on Wednesday morning in a turnover ceremony headed by PNP Regional Director, PBGen Bernabe M. Balba at the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office (NSPPO) Multi-Purpose Hall. PBGen. Balba installed PCol. Arnel J. Apud as the newly NSPPO Provincial Director vice PCol. Reynaldo Dela Cruz. “Ang turnover command ay isang tradisyon sa PNP na ating ipinapanatili at ipinagpapatuloy hindi lamang upang pormal na ipabatid and mga pagbabagong nagaganap sa ating organisasyon, bagkus, ito rin ay isang okasyon ng pagkilala sa mga pagsisikap at didikasyon ng ating mga lider na pamunuan ang kanyang nasasakupan na may katapatan at karangalan,” said Director Balba. “Ganun paman, binibigyan din natin ng pagkakataon ang isang lider na lumawak ang kanyang professional career at mapabuti ang kanyang serbisyo sa bayan,” Balba added. Balba expressed a message of gratitude to the outgoing Provincial

A priest blesses with holy water the 178 privates and 53 snipers during the send-off ceremony presided by Major General Arnulfo Marcelo B Burgos Jr, Commander of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal July 28, 2020. (Photo: PA 2ID DPAO) CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal - "The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle." These were the first words of Major General Arnulfo Marcelo B Burgos Jr, Commander of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, who presided over the send-off ceremony for 178 privates and 53 snipers here on Tuesday. According to the military, the new soldiers completed the 45-day Jungle Warfare and Mountain Operation Course which prepared them for the rigors of military operations, particularly in the treacherous terrains of Sierra Madre mountain range which is a traditional mobility corridor of the NPA terrorists. In his speech, Maj Gen Burgos reminded the new soldiers "to be mindful of your actions

A trafiic enfrocer receives his facemask from the members of the Rotary Club of Tuguegarao Rainbow. (PIA photo) TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, July 30 (PIA) - The Rotary Club of Tuguegarao Rainbow (RCTR) donated at least 1,000 washable facemasks to frontliners here yesterday. President Dr. Jinky Banatao-Banusing and members have distributed facemasks to traffic enforcers, street sweepers, garbage collectors and members of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) operating in the city. Not only that the Rotarians distributed the facemasks to the beneficiaries but also oriented them on how to wear the mask properly and to disinfect them. Banusing said the club identified these beneficiaries as these individuals just like any other frontliner are also vulnerable to exposure to possible carriers of COVID-19. “We should also understand the risk of their jobs as they are also exposed to the deadly virus. Most likely, they will encounter infected individuals just as health practiti

DAVAO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has continued with its efforts to mentor more entrepreneurs toward success amid the current health crisis. Since the launch of the Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) program in October 2016, it has already mentored hundreds of micro entrepreneurs from all over the region. As of December 2019, DTI 11 has already recorded a total of 473 graduates, who are engaged in food processing, manufacturing, among others. For 2020, the program aims to have a total of 84 graduates. The KMME program has been the agency’s platform in helping micro entrepreneurs improve their operation. Thus, 10 modules are being introduced, from developing the entrepreneurial mindset to human resource management and learning more about taxation and business law. The program was designed to include a one-on-one coaching between the mentor (a successful entrepreneur or an expert) and the mentee (entrepreneur). The KMME run in 2020 is also unique as it becomes a “pro

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 29 (PIA) – The 393 persons comprising the second batch of Returning Filipinos from Sabah (REFs) that arrived in Zamboanga City Port tonight (July 29) are COVID-19-free, said Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Secretary Joyce Niwane. They all underwent real time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests and reaped negative results. “The government allotted Php50-million for the swabbing of the REFs using the gold standard for COVID-19 testing to make sure they are all COVID-19 free,” Niwane said. Even government officials and staff that accompanied the REFs have also been swabbed and have negative COVID-19 results. “The Malaysian government also requested the swabbing of the government employees.” As per data released by DSWD-9, of the returning Filipinos, 25 are from Zamboanga City, 4 from Zamboanga del Norte, 7 from Zamboanga del Sur and 13 from Zamboanga Sibugay. Meanwhile, 62 are from Basilan, 59 from Sulu and 1

DAVAO DEL NORTE,  July 28—The local government of Tagum City is one of the first in Davao Region to realign its Special Education Fund allocating Php 27.6 million to support the Learning Continuity Plan of Tagum City Schools Division of the Department of Education (DepEd).  Dr. Josephine L. Fadul, Tagum City Schools’ Division superintendent thanked Tagum LGU for the “overwhelming support since everything that DepEd needs is being taken care of”. “Once you belong to DepEd Tagum City, you feel like you have a strong wind beneath your wings,” described Fadul during the turn-over of supplies from LGU Tagum at DepEd Division Office on July 20. To raise internet connectivity of remote schools, Tagum LGU mounted Point-to-Point towers in Pandapan Intergrated School (IS), Busaon IS, Liboganon IS, Pagsabangan Elementary School (ES), Cabugan ES, New Balamban ES and San Agustin ES, and to further equip teachers, a minimum of 7 laptops per school will also be distributed. In the production of m

SYUDAD SANG ROXAS, Capiz  Hulyo 30 (PIA) – Nakabalik sa probinsya ang 77 ka mga Locally Stranded Individuals nga mga Capiznon sang Hulyo 28 sa bulig sang “Hatid Tulong” nga programa sang nasyonal nga gobyerno sa kooperasyon sang natungdan nga mga lokal nga gobyerno. Ginpahayag ni Judy Grace Pelaez nga hepe sang Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office nga ang mga LSI ang magapaidalum sa 14 ka adlaw nga quarantine pag-abot sa ila mga kabanwahanan kag swab test agud nga mapasiguro nga luwas sila sa COVID-19 nga balati-an sa ti-on nga sila ang makaupod na sang ila tagsa ka mga pamilya. Base sa rekord sang PDRRMO, ang 77 ka mga LSIs ang nagikan sa mga kabanwahanan sang Tapaz nga may 16 ka nagbalik nga pumoluyo; President Roxas, 12; Pilar, 8; Dumarao, 7; Panitan, 7; Pontevedra, 6; Dumalag, 5; Maayon, 5; Dao, 5; kag Cuartero, 2. Kalakip man sa nag-abot nga mga LSI ang 4 ka mga residente sang syudad sang Roxas nga kabahin sang masobra 900 ka mga pasahero sang Hatid Tulong

KALIBO, Aklan, Hulyo 30 (PIA) --  Ginlunsar kurundaya eamang iya sa probinsya it Aklan ro #DisiplinaMuna National Advocacy Campaign it Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) ag Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO). Ginhiwat ro paglunsar sa Aklan PPO Multi-Purpose Hall sa Camp Pastor Martelino, New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan. Tuyo it kampanya nga pahueagon ro minatuod nga konsepto it mayad nga panggobyerno kon siin ro mga pumueuyo hay nakasayud ku andang mga obligasyon ag responsibilidad ag aktibo nga nagapartisipar sa pagpaumwad it nasyon. Suno  kay Engr. Carmelo F. Orbista, DILG-Aklan Provincial Director, ro #DisiplinaMuna Advocacy hay nagabutang it importansya sa mga programa, proyekto ag aktibidades nga magaserbe nga haligi it nasambit nga kampanya nga ginakumpunihan it Road Clearing, Disaster Preparedness and Resilience, Anti-Smoking, Ease of Doing Business, Liquor Ban, Tourist Spots Clean-Up, ag Functional Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council ukon BADAC. Ginakumbinyo man

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, July 29 (PIA) – Seventy – seven locally stranded Capiceños in Metro Manila arrived at the quarantine facilities of their respective localities, July 28, through the “Hatid Tulong” initiative of the national government in close coordination with the concerned local government units. “These LSIs were transferred to the identified quarantine facilities of their LGUs to undergo the mandatory 14-days quarantine in accordance with the health protocols set by Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19,” said Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Judy Grace Pelaez. PDRRMO records showed that these LSIs were from the municipalities of Tapaz, 16; Pres. Roxas, 12; Pilar, 8; Dumarao, 7; Panitan, 7; Pontevedra, 6; Dumalag, 5; Maayon, 5; Dao, 5; and Cuartero, 2. Four city residents were also among those who arrived in the province through the Hatid Tulong voyage via MV St. Michael The Archangel of 2GO Shipping Lines that left Manila July 27 and arrive

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, July 30 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry through the Small Business Corporation (SBC) has already approved as of July 28 the loan application of at least 48 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Capiz. "Approved loan applications of MSMEs in Capiz worth P2,830,000.00 are part of the estimated 23,000 loan applications submitted for approval nationwide," said SBC Pondo Para sa Pagbabago (P3) coordinator Mark Paul Serran, adding that the micro - financing initiative is still part of the government's P3 program and the intensified efforts to help businesses, MSMEs that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic bounceback to business. During his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, President Rodrigo R. Duterte reported that the government has pump-primed the recovery and rehabilitation of MSMEs as he expressed optimism that the initiative will help them stabilize and recover from their losses. “The DTI, through the Small B

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, July 29 (PIA) – The Provincial Government of Northern Samar readied 400 modular tents at the temporary quarantine facility for the returning Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) in the province. According to Provincial Information Officer Jhon Allen Berbon some 60 modular tents are being set-up at the University of Eastern Philippines Gymnatorium to accommodate hundreds of LSIs coming from Manila and those who availed of the Hatid Tulong Program of the government. He said Local Government Units reported that their isolation facilities are now full and requested the Provincial Government to assist them until they can provide space for the arriving individuals. Modular tents are temporarily set up to ensure arriving LSIs have a place to sleep over as isolation facilities are full, the provincial information officer said. The provision of the modular tents is a welcome development of the provincial government’s response due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of thi

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, July 28 (PIA) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Northern Samar Provincial Office donates confiscated forest products to the provincial government for COVID-19 purposes and for LGU’s replacement of government structures devastated by Typhoon Ambo. This was done last Saturday during the signing of Deed of Donation between the DENR represented by Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Jose Elmer Bascos and PENRO Angelito Villanueva with Governor Edwin Marino Ongchuan and First District Representative  Paul Daza represented by Police Col. Reynaldo C. Cabahug at the Provincial Motorpool, Cawayan, Catarman, Northern Samar. The donated forest products consists of 1,410 pieces of Lauan, measuring 27,038 board feet with a market value of P1, 329,220  and 51 pieces boat keel, of 23,149,145 board feet with market value of P 1,152,820.24 were all confiscated during the operation conducted in Brgy. Happy Valley, San Isidro, Northern Sam

BUTUAN CITY, July 29 -- Twelve former rebels (FRs) agreed to become peace and development advocates after undergoing a four-day Deradicalization Training conducted by the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade held at the headquarters in Brgy Bancasi of this city on July 18 to 21, 2020. The 12 FRs who have recently surrendered to the OPCON Battalions (23IB, 26IB and 58IB) of 402nd Brigade were selected to undergo the said training to encourage them to assist the government in its peace and development initiatives and contribute in the capitulation of ideological belief of their comrades that will hopefully transform their outlooks towards peace. Their narratives and testimonies may also enlighten the youths especially the student sector and young professionals to be wary of the recruitment schemes of the CTG. In his message during the opening program, Col. Cerilo C. Balaoro, Jr, deputy brigade commander of the 402nd Brigade, encouraged the FRs in their journey towards transformation and

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, July 29 (PIA) -- More than a hundred Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) benfited from the city's free medical consultations in celebration of the 42nd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) week. The celebration adopts the theme “Kalinga at Malasakit Tugon para sa mga Taong may Kapansanan sa Panahon ng Pandemyang COVID-19” which revolves on understanding the needs and capabilities of PWDs and the provision of medical support amidst the crisis due to COVID-19. According to Architect Ramonito Octaviano, Persons with Disabilities Office (PDAO) Head, the City of Koronadal was among the first to launch a project in this year’s event, which directly served its constituents. Apart from the free consultation, Octaviano added that the activity intends to provide medical certificate—a requirement in securing a PWD ID— to the identified PWDs in the city who have not yet obtained their IDs. Furthermore, Octaviano revealed that their office w

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 29 - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-10 rolled out six Specimen Collection Booths (SCBs) to the Department of Health (DOH)-10 last July 24 in response to the health agency’s request for innovations in fighting COVID-19. The SCBs were turned-over by DOST-10 Director Alfonso P. Alamban, together with the DOST-10 SCB Team Leader Mr. Virgilio M. Fuertes, to DOH-10 Regional Director Adriano P. Subaan. The SCBs will give more protection to healthcare workers in collecting samples from patients, and it can help in mass testing to better combat the pandemic. DOST, through the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERRD) and DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), engaged the Futuristic Aviation and Maritime Enterprise, Inc. (FAME) in the fabrication of the booths. All in all, 132 SCBs are fabricated using the FAME-designed SCB. The design included a thermal sc