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Politics

ISSUE SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS DURING GCQ – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the government and its project contractors to ensure the safety and well-being of construction workers as the government eyes to resume the construction of big-ticket projects under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ — the flagship program of the Duterte administration. Gatchalian made the call as the Department of Public Works and […]

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Politics

NTC ORDER TO SHUT DOWN ABS-CBN AMID COVID-19 IS IRREGULAR, IMPROPER – ZUBIRI

Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri said the order of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to shut down media giant ABS-CBN amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis now being faced by the country is “irregular and improper.” “I’m really saddened by the move of NTC. We can cite many instances when the NTC granted provisional authority […]

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Politics

GRANT EXCEPTIONS FOR SENIORS IN GCQ – ANGARA

Senator Sonny Angara is asking that senior citizens in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) be granted some exceptions once the lockdown is lifted and a general community quarantine (GCQ) is enforced. The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has released the guidelines covering the GCQ, which includes allowing certain businesses to resume […]

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Government

P295-M UNRELEASED FUNDS FOR ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAMS REDIRECTED TO COVID-19 RESPONSE — NEA

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has approved the discontinuance of P295-million worth of rural electrification programs this year to augment the funding for the government’s response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.  NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong said these were the P250-million appropriated for the implementation of the Electric Cooperatives Emergency and Resiliency Fund (ECERF) Act […]

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Politics

OWWA SHOULD PROVIDE RETURNING OFWs WITH DECENT QUARANTINE FACILITIES – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to provide returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with decent accommodations to ensure their health and safety as they undergo mandatory quarantine for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country. Gatchalian said a video of the deplorable conditions of repatriated migrant workers who share a […]

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Politics

DUTERTE’S ECQ EXTENSION ORDER GETS SUPPORT OF SENATORS

Some senators have expressed support for the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to extend the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and other high-risk areas in the country until May 15. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the ECQ extension in high-risk areas buys the government time to boost its testing capabilities to […]

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Politics

RED CROSS ACQUIRES MORE COVID-19 TESTING MACHINES – GORDON

More coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing machines, kits, and reagents were acquired by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC). Senator Dick Gordon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PRC said the the organization will be chartering a Philippine Airlines plane or a C-130 aircraft to bring the critical materials from Changsha City in China. “We […]

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Politics

PMA CADETS TO DONATE BLOOD TO RED CROSS – GORDON

Following the appeal made by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for blood donations amid the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis, Senator Dick Gordon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PRC said the Department of National Defense (DND) has pledged to support the organization by conducting a mass blood donation of some 1,200 cadets […]

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Politics

GOVT TO SEND CONFLICTING SIGNALS ON ECQ IF POGOS RESUME OPERATIONS – ABANTE

“Resolve issues first, allow operations later.” This sums up the position of House Minority Leader Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. regarding Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) resuming operations in the Philippines. “Gambling, in all shapes and forms, is not essential. It is a vice.” The lawmaker on Wednesday cautioned government against allowing POGOs to reopen given […]

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Politics

IMMUNIZATION SERVICES SHOULD NOT BE DISRUPTED BY COVID-19 – GATCHALIAN

In the lead up to this year’s World Immunization Week, which takes place from April 24 to 30, Senator Win Gatchalian is calling on Local Government Units (LGUs), especially the barangays, to ensure that immunization services are not disrupted amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Gatchalian said that in planning COVID-19 measures and responses, the government should […]