Bilang bahagi at pakikisa sa pagdiriwang ng 35th National Statistics Month ngayong taon, ginawaran bilang Best Statistical Activity (Forum) by a Government Organization, ang “2nd Provincial Multi-Sectoral Statistics Symposium: The Statistics of Healing” ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Quezon.
Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, took three consecutive deliveries of aircraft in October to support the growing demand for air travel and ongoing network expansion efforts. The new aircraft deliveries included two (2) A321neos, which arrived on October 23 and 30, and an A320ceo, which arrived on October 28. This raises the total number of aircraft delivered to CEB this year to 15 so far. “We’re excited to expand our fleet with these additional aircraft ahead of the peak travel season in December. These deliveries are a key part of our continuous efforts to expand routes and enhance our service, allowing us to better serve the increasing number of travelers,” said Xander Lao, CEB President and Chief Commercial Officer. Airbus NEOs are the latest-generation aircraft that burn 15 percent less fuel per flight and produce less noise compared to the previous generation. The reduction in fuel consumption leads to a corresponding reduction in aircraft carbon emissions. On October 2, CEB announced that it has signed a landmark purchase agreement with Airbus and Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, for up to 152 A321neo aircraft, equipped with Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines. The acquisition is the largest in Philippine aviation history, valued at approximately USD $24 billion (PHP 1.4 trillion) based on list prices. CEB operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, with its diversified commercial fleet mix of nine (9) Airbus 330s, 40 Airbus 320s, 24 Airbus 321s, and 15 ATR turboprop aircraft enabling the widest network coverage in the Philippines.
Ambassador Junever Mahilum-West of the Philippine Embassy of France congratulated and thanked the 25 Filipino artists who participated in the successful Paris Art Week, last October 18-20. Among the Filipino artists, International Self-taught Artist Mylene ‘Myse’ Salonga was invited to the historic art week, which was also attended by international artists from different countries Aside from Salonga, the group of Filipino artists also displayed their various concepts that depict the daily culture of Filipino life in the Philippines. This group is Viaje4 namely Joseph Albao, Nino Cris Odasis, Windsor Magnaye and Ian Maigan who are from the Philippines. There were also artists from Davao, Butuan City, Iloilo, Batangas, Pangasinan and Belgium who also exhibited their works . This year, Salonga brought seven art paintings, one of which was exhibited at Espace Nesle, 6th District of Paris, which is one of the districts with many art galleries and called the Business Art Fair 16th Edition’. The art exhibit title is ” La Mode En Moi” “( The Fashion Me )”. The organizer of this exhibit are Ms. Cheloney Mercado- Lelieveld and Ms Lovelie Albarracin of L.M.E.M Europe and Filipino Artist’ Guild Europe and Mr George Levy , Director of Espace Nesle. While Salonga’s six works called “Interconnectedness of Life” were exhibited at Salon International d’Art Contemporain, Art Shopping Carrousel Du Louvre, an iconic art shopping in Paris. According to Salonga, all her paintings are sold-out and she is very grateful, especially to Filipinos living in Paris who enjoy the creations of Filipino artists. The organizer of the historic art week is the ACCES Organization (Art and Cross-Cultural Exchange Society) headed by President Margo Babilonia-Calderero. The advocacy of the ACCES organization in the art exhibit is to raise funds to help the education of children in the Philippines, Uganda and Tanzania. (By Rose Frejane Cruz)
BAGUIO CITY — The 74th edition of the annual Januarius Fil-Am golf tournament is slated on November 26–December 14, 2024 at the Camp John Hay (CJH) and Baguio Country Club (BCC) fairways. The seniors division of the longest running amateur golf tournament in the world will be from November 26 to December 4, 2024 while the regular division will be scheduled on December 5-14, 2024. Jude Eustaquio, co-chairman of the Fil-Am Golf Executive Committee and general manager of the CJH Golf Club, said that more than 1,400 golfers from the Asia-Pacific region will be in the city during the 19-day competition to have fun playing their favorite sport while spending their well-deserved break in the country’s undisputed Summer Capital in time for the Yuletide season. Further, the golfers comprise the 260 participating teams in the said tournament which is five teams more than the 255 teams that joined the previous staging of the competition last year. He assured that both the CJH and BCC golf courses are ready in time for the conduct of the annual golf tournament after undergoing various refurbishments to ensure that the participating golfers will really have fun playing golf. One hundred twenty-nine teams will be joining the seniors division while 131 teams will be participating in the regular division of the golf tournament. For his part, Anthony de Leon, co-chairman of the Fil-Am Golf Executive Committee and BCC general manager, claimed there are still 110 teams in the waiting list of the organizers providing some options to be considered in the staging of the 75th edition of the tournament next year to ensure that more teams can participate in the prestigious competition. He added that two cars are up for grabs for the hole-in-one in both golf courses while another two cars will be raffled to the golfers during the separate awarding ceremonies of the seniors and regular divisions. (Baguio-PIO)
Isang makasaysayang okasyon sa buhay ni Nanay Ignacia Surop Tamayo, ang maabot niya ang edad na 100 o’ ang pagiging centenarian at kilallanin ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Pangasinan sa pamumuno ni Governor Ramon Guico III, sa kanyang tatag at kahanga-hangang lakas. Ang Sertipiko at cash incentives ay personal na iniabot ni Maan Guico, asawa ng Gobernador, na kilalang may serbisyong may puso para sa mga kababayan nito sa Urdaneta City. Labis ang tuwa ni Nanay Ignacia, ng San Vicente,Urdaneta City, na personal niyang makita at mahawakan si Maan Guico. Bukod sa cash incentives, ipinagkaloob din ang food packs at hygiene kits kay Nanay Ignacia bilang tulong ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan. Ayon kay Maan, ang tuwa at ngiti ng ating mga kababayan ang nagbibigay-inspirasyon sa atin upang patuloy na maghatid ng serbisyong may puso para sa mga ka-siyudad natin sa Urdaneta! Nakasama natin sa pagbisita sina 5th District BM Nicholi Jan Louie Sison, BM Chinky Perez-Tababa, Political Consultant Jesus Isong Basco, at Brgy. Captain Toning Perez ng Barangay San Vicente.
The Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO-CAR) has intensified its security measures to ensure a peaceful and orderly observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days (Undas) 2024. To bolster security, PRO-CAR will deploy 1,196 police officers to strategic locations, including cemeteries, memorial parks, columbaria, and churches. These officers will conduct foot and mobile patrols, maintain police visibility, and provide assistance to the public. Additionally, 197 Police Assistance Desks (PADs) will be established at various locations, such as cemeteries, bus terminals, malls, and recreational areas, to serve as assistance hubs for the public. To manage the expected influx of passengers and motorists, additional police personnel will be deployed to major thoroughfares and routes to implement traffic management and checkpoint operations. PRO-CAR has also organized Quick Response Teams and Reactionary Standby Support Forces to respond to emergencies promptly. To further enhance security efforts, PRO-CAR will be supported by 774 personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Bureau of Fire Protection, as well as 807 volunteers from various community organizations. Brig.Gen.David Peredo,Jr., regional director, urged the public to remain vigilant and follow implemented protocols inside the cemeteries. He emphasized the importance of travel safety, home security, and cemetery safety, particularly avoiding crowded areas, and encouraged the public to report any untoward incidents to the nearest PAD for immediate assistance. PRO-CAR assured the public that all police officers deployed are equipped and prepared to provide necessary assistance to ensure a safe and peaceful observance of Undas 2024.
Illegal logging blames for destructive flooding,landslides While Tropical Typhoon Kristine was moving out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), another typhoon is coming in, and was named Leon. In the latest update provided by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), as of Tuesday, October 29, Kristine and Leon have affected nearly two million families, or more than seven million individuals all over the country, of which 950,000 people were temporarily sheltered in evacuation centers or schools. The Council reported at least 125 people died, and hundreds more are missing. The damage to agriculture was estimated to P2.8 billion, and to infrastructure was P1.5 billion. The damage to crops and fisheries sectors has climbed to P3.40 billion. Meanwhile, in a statement released by the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department will need at least P3.6 billion to reconstruct and repair schools and other learning assets damaged by Kristine and Leon. The loss of learning equipment and materials were not yet included. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) reported that 888 schools were flooded or affected by landslides, while 1,127 schools were used as evacuation centers during the onslaught of Kristine, which brought havoc in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The damaged to lives and properties was enormous, and all are pointing to rampant illegal logging and quarrying in most areas that were severely affected by flooding and landslides. The disaster did not surprise the local government units, because it was expected. It was warned to happen. The people were crying for actions. But many did not listen. In May 2018, Catanduanes Rep. Cesar V. Sarmiento has filed House Resolution No. 1798 seeking to probe on the proliferation of illegal logging activities in Catandanuanes and in other provinces nationwide. In November 23, 2020, DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said all LGUs and PNP units across the country must stop illegal logging and illegal quarrying in their respective areas The widespread flooding in many areas in the country, which some of them experienced such destructive flooding for the first time, should be a wake-up call for all. He also reminded the DENR Memorandum 2011, the LGUs were compelled to reactivate their local Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force and must ensure that no illegal logging, kaingin and other forms of forest destruction” take place in their jurisdiction. In July 2024, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Bicol (DENR-5) planted a total of 5.6 million seedlings in two years in Bicolandia, and strengthened the cooperation with various law enforcement agencies in the suppression of illegal logging and the cutting of trees, to secure the province from super flooding and landslides. Hear’s To Watch Despite all exerted efforts of the government to eradicate illegal logging and the rampant cutting of trees in the mountains, many communities in the country where the recent typhoon poured their rains severely suffered due to sudden flash of flood and landslides. And the evidences of neglect, disregard of the law, and possible corruption to disregard the well-being of the community, were brought to our eyes! Mother Nature brought down from the mountains the remains of dead trees and logs. The trees that should have hold the soil from breaking. The roots that should have serve as foundations to keep the mountains strong. But instead, they were flashed down and destroyed the houses, the schools, the bridges; killing the love ones, the crops, the animals; and many more. How many more should suffer? How can we protect our environment? When shall the leaders be brave enough to fight for the protection of our Mother Nature? We only can do ask. And surprisingly, the communities never learn from their mistakes and will vote again these people to power.
By LJLorejo – Albay PIO LEGAZPI CITY, Albay — Mahigpit na binabantayan ngayon ng Provincial Health Office (PHO) ang posibleng paglabas ng mga kaso ng water-borne at respiratory diseases matapos ang matinding pag-ulan at pagbahang dulot ng nagdaang bagyong ‘Kristine’. Ayon sa initial findings ng Rapid Health Assessment (RHA) Teams ng PHO, bagaman walang kumpirmadong kaso ng leptospirosis, subalit marami ang nakitaan ng sintomas ng mga upper respiratory infections. Matatandaang idineploy ang nasabing mga RHA Teams sa mga lugar na higit na apektado ng naturang sama ng panahon, kung saan layunin nitong magsagawa ng mga health assessments upang ma-aydentipika ang mga pangunahing pangangailangang pangkalusugan at mapigilan ang potensyal na paglaganap ng mga sakit. Kaugnay nito, nagsagawa rin ng Health Teaching and Information Dissemination ang PHO, katuwang ang mga local health units tungkol sa Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), leptospirosis prevention, prevention and management ng diarrhea at prevention of upper respiratory infections. Pinangunahan rin ng PHO ang pinamimigay ng mga gamot na antibiotic gaya ng Doxycycline, mga jerry cans at hygiene kits sa mga apektadong munisipalidad at siyudad na matinding tinamaan ng bagyo sa lalawigan.
The United States government is providing Php84 million ($1.5 million) to support the Philippine government’s response to Tropical Storm Kristine, known internationally as Trami. This funding will augment the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) ongoing efforts to deliver lifesaving assistance that will help individuals severely affected by the storm in the Bicol region and Batangas recover safely and with dignity. Through this funding, USAID will provide access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, emergency shelter, and cash assistance. USAID will also provide logistical support in the management of evacuation centers. On October 27, USAID supported the Philippines’ Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in dispatching 1,500 shelter-grade tarpaulins and 1,500 household relief kits to the Bicol region through a C-130 provided by the Singaporean government. These disaster relief items were prepositioned in the OCD humanitarian relief depot at Fort Magsaysay, an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) site in Nueva Ecija. U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. launched this critical joint humanitarian prepositioning effort in September. “My heart goes out to all those suffering the devastating effects of Tropical Storm Kristine,” Ambassador Carlson said. “We are working side by side with the Philippine government to bring relief to communities in need.” Since October 25, the United States has worked with humanitarian partners to deliver lifesaving humanitarian relief material prepositioned across the country. With USAID funding, the World Food Programme mobilized 33 trucks to support the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development in delivering more than 53,000 family food packs and other relief items to the Bicol region. This assistance builds on the U.S. government’s previous support to Philippine government’s disaster response efforts, such as during the massive flooding in Mindanao in February, Super Typhoon Carina in July, and Super Typhoon Julian earlier in October. Since 2010, the U.S. government has provided more than Php21.85 billion ($390.2 million) in disaster relief, preparedness, and early recovery in the Philippines. USAID works year-round to help communities build resilience in preparing for, and responding to, the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters.
