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Government

NEA: POWER RESTORATION IN ALBAY ALMOST COMPLETE

Electricity has been restored to 98 percent of consumers affected by the recent typhoons in Albay, while restoration work continues to the remaining households still without power in the province, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) said. Based on the monitoring of the NEA Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department as of Thursday (January 21), the […]

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Politics

LGUS SHOULD TAKE LEAD IN DIGITAL SERVICES – ANGARA

To bolster the country’s efforts in developing and implementing e-government services, Senator Sonny Angara said that local government units (LGUs) should take the lead in digital transformation for the public sector. Angara noted how the shift to digital or online services has accelerated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and “government cannot afford to […]

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Politics

CONDUCT ‘PRACTICE RUNS’ FOR COVID VACCINE – VILLANUEVA

While waiting for the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines, the government should conduct “practice runs” that will test the readiness of the country’s health infrastructure to vaccinate millions of people, according to Senator Joel Villanueva. Villanueva, chair of the Senate labor committee explained that “test runs” would also allow the government to “fix kinks, plug manpower […]

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Politics

GATCHALIAN TO DEPED: RELEASE B2HELP FOR LEARNERS

Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the Department of Education (DepEd) to accelerate the release and distribution of financial aid allotted by the extended Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2 (Republic Act 11494) to qualified basic education learners who are facing financial difficulties because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gatchalian made this call following […]

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Politics

USE ‘3M RULE’ IN COVID VACCINE CHOICE – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva defended the Senate hearings on the national vaccine plan, saying their ongoing probe will “save lives and money” in a country that is among the hardest hit in the region but last in securing vaccines. “When we finetune the plan, then we are not competing but we are collaborating with the executive. […]

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Politics

LIFELINE ELECTRICITY RATES BILL GETS SENATE OK

Senator Win Gatchalian said low-income households can look forward to a continued subsidy in their electricity consumption bills in the next 10 years. Senate Bill No. 1877, the measure extending the implementation of subsidized electricity rate to marginalized end-users, particularly those households consuming not more than 100 kilowatt hour (kWh) or less per month, was […]

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Politics

REFUND UNJUSTIFIED VECO CHARGES – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian said a refund should be in order if it will be proven that a violation has been committed by the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) because of its high electricity charges. Gatchalian took note of the January 4, 2021 directive issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to VECO demanding an explanation on […]

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Politics

RED CROSS OPENS 1ST COVID LAB IN SURIGAO – GORDON

Senator Dick Gordon led recently the opening of the province’s first molecular testing laboratory (MTL) for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The laboratory to be operated by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is seen to boost the testing and tracing capabilities of Surigao del Norte and neighboring areas.“This is the 12th molecular testing laboratory run […]

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Politics

VILLANUEVA : DRAW UP VACCINE PRIORITY LIST RULES

While negotiations are ongoing between the government and pharmaceutical firms who intend to supply COVID-19 vaccine for the country’s inoculation program, Senator Joel Villanueva called on the Inter-Agency Task Force to begin drawing up a clear-cut master list of beneficiaries to ensure no overlaps in the selection given the limited resources. Villanueva, chair of the […]

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Politics

GOV’T ADDS ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN VACCINE PROGRAM

The government has expanded its priority list in its COVID-19 vaccination program to include essential workers, heeding the call of Senator Joel Villanueva who sought their inclusion as early as December last year given their vital role in ensuring basic services are provided to the people. Villanueva likewise asked officials of the Inter-Agency Task Force […]