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Politics

PUT FIREWALLS, DEFENSE MECHANISMS IN TRANSCO’S DARK FIBER – GORDON

Concerned about national interest, Senator Dick Gordon pointed to the possibility of China tapping into the dark fiber assets owned by the National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) and managed by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) to tap into conversations in the country. Gordon noted that the NGCP now appears to be run by […]

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INCREASE BED CAPACITY OF EAST AVENUE MEDICAL CENTER – ANGARA

Senator Sonny Angara has filed a bill to increase the bed capacity of the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City from the current 600 to 1,000. A tertiary hospital under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health (DOH), the EAMC is constantly operating at overcapacity so in order to accommodate more patients in need of […]

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DOH HOTLINE SHOULD BE MANNED 24-7 FOR NCOV CONCERNS – PANGILINAN

Lack of leadership and the fear of infection by Filipinos were seen as factors in the failure to contain the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the country, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan said. Pangilinan took Health Secretary Francisco Duque to task for being unprepared to handle the situation, and for not knowing the basic […]

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STOCKPILE MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO SURVIVE EPIDEMICS, PANDEMICS – GORDON

To survive epidemics or pandemics caused by emerging and re-emerging diseases such as the novel Coronavirus or 2019-nCoV, Senator Dick Gordon has proposed the stockpiling of strategic medical supplies to ensure adequate supply in the country. Gordon, chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), said the government could also encourage local investors to […]

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ROTC TO BOOST YOUTH’S CAPACITY AS DISASTER RESPONDERS – GATCHALIAN

The proposed institutionalization of the basic Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) in the senior high school level will boost the youth’s capacity as responders in times of disasters. This is the view of Senator Win Gatchalian as he underscored the need to build on the skills of the youth in responding to disasters such as […]

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NOVEL CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR NATIONAL HOSPITAL FOR ELDERLY — ABANTE

The vulnerability of the elderly to the 2019 novel corona virus (2019 nCoV) highlights the need for a national health center that specializes in the care of senior citizens. Minority Leader Benny Abante Jr. stressed this on Wednesday in light of the rising death toll as a result of the 2019 nCoV outbreak in China. […]

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REVERSE COURSE ON DIVORCE — ABANTE

With a House panel approving a measure that will allow divorce in the country, House Minority Leader Benny Abante Jr. on Wednesday lamented how Congress was “further weakening the ties that bind our nation’s families together” and called on his colleagues in Congress “to reverse course on this disturbing path that threatens this sacred institution.” […]

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ACT QUICKLY ON PASSAGE OF BILLS ON PAO MODERNIZATION, LEGAL AID CLINICS – REP. NOGRALES

As the House of Representatives’ Justice Committee convened to deliberate on proposed measures on Tuesday, a Harvard-trained lawyer and neophyte lawmaker stressed the need to quickly act on two bills that “would ensure that marginalized sectors have access to justice in the country.” Rizal 2nd District Rep. Fidel Nograles is pushing for the immediate passage […]

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TOURISM SECTOR MUST BRACE FOR ECONOMIC IMPACT OF NOVEL CORONAVIRUS – REP. ARAGONES

The Philippine tourism sector will have to work together with government to cushion the impact of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) on foreign tourist arrivals given travel restrictions adopted in China, one of the country’s biggest foreign markets. This according to House Tourism Committee Chairperson and Laguna 3rd District Rep. Sol Aragones, who on Tuesday […]

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CONDUCT TAAL VOLCANO ERUPTION DAMAGE ASSESSMENT – ANGARA

Now that the alert level for Taal Volcano has been lowered from four to three, Senator Sonny Angara is urging all concerned government agencies to immediately conduct a damage assessment in the wake of the volcanic eruption. Angara, who is chairman of the Finance Committee that went over the P4.1 trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA) […]