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Politics

FAST-TRACK WASH FACILITIES BEFORE PHYSICAL CLASSES RESUME – GATCHALIAN

Though the Department of Education (DepEd) is postponing face-to-face classes until a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine becomes available, Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the department to fast-track the installation of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities (WASH) in public elementary and secondary schools where they are not yet available. According to Gatchalian, adequate WASH facilities are […]

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Politics

HOUSE URGED TO PROBE SAP KINKS—VILLAFUERTE

Nine House leaders led by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano have flagged four kinks in the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s implementation of the  Social Amelioration Program (SAP) that were believed responsible for the inordinate delay in the release of emergency cash to the targeted 18 million household-beneficiaries of the country’s biggest social protection […]

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Politics

EXPAND APPLICATION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND TO OTHER NEEDS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION – GO

A public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Local Government tackled a bill which seeks to expand the application of the proceeds of the Special Education Fund (SEF) tax to other needs of the public education system.Filed by Senator Bong Go, Senate Bill No. 396, or “Expanding the purposes and application of the Special […]

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Politics

ALLOW MOTORCYCLE TAXIS WITH RIDER SHIELDS – REP. CASTELO

Quezon City Rep. Precious Castelo is urging the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to allow motorcycle taxis to operate provided they install plastic shields to separate the driver and the pillion passenger. “They have already permitted motorbike taxis to resume operations in Indonesia. If they can do it, we can do it to […]

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Politics

3 MINDANAO RESETTLEMENT SITES TO BE ‘TEMPLATES’ FOR FUTURE BALIK PROBINSYA COMMUNITIES – GO

Senator Bong Go lauded the ongoing preparations of various local government units (LGUs) in Mindanao for the beneficiaries of the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Program. Go stressed the importance of proper coordination with LGUs and providing economic opportunities for BP2 beneficiaries to the long-term success of the program. “In order to successfully implement the […]

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Politics

PRC GIVES CASH AID TO MANDALUYONG, SAN JUAN RESIDENTS – GORDON

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has extended financial assistance to the most vulnerable families that are being affected by the general community quarantine (GCQ) in the cities of Mandaluyong and San Juan in Metro Manila. Led by PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Senator Dick Gordon, the multi-purpose cash aid were given to families […]

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Politics

HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS SHOULD DEFER TUITION HIKE PETITIONS – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian urged private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to defer their tuition hike petitions while most families have been struggling with financial woes since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic hit the country. Some HEIs have submitted their tuition hike applications even prior to the enforcement of lockdown measures, according to the Commission on Higher […]

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Politics

AUSTRALIAN GOV’T PARTNERS WITH PRC TO ENSURE VICTORY OVER COVID-19 – GORDON

Senator Dick Gordon, chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), lauded the Australian government for its large contribution to the humanitarian organization’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response operations. “We thank the Australian government for partnering with the Philippine Red Cross in our operations aimed at ensuring victory over the virus. It was among the […]

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Politics

TEENAGE PREGNANCY MAY SPIKE AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC – GATCHALIAN

While the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) is projecting a spike in unplanned pregnancies amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Senator Win Gatchalian is warning that a spike in teenage pregnancies could be part of this population surge, citing similar trends in the Philippines and other countries when emergencies and natural calamities occur. Gatchalian […]

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Politics

GOV’T MUST HELP ONLINE SELLERS – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva has appealed to the government to give more leeway for online sellers, instead of cracking the whip on them, especially since they come mostly from the ranks of the unemployed and are on survival mode. In a statement, Villanueva explained that most online sellers are focused on earning enough to provide for […]