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Politics

MANDATE TANDEM VOTE FOR PRESIDENT, VP – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian is mulling to file a bill mandating a “tandem vote” for presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Gatchalian cited the need to have the election for president and vice president patterned after a similar practice in the United States to ensure that the selection of the two highest officials of the country will come […]

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Politics

GATCHALIAN CALLS FOR COMPROMISE IN BENECO ISSUE

Worried that the leadership impasse will disrupt the operations of Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO), Senator Win Gatchalian urged the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to undertake efforts to reach a middle ground with the employees and officers of the utility company. “My worry is the stability of the operations of BENECO. Baguio is a highly urbanized […]

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Politics

PROTECT CONSUMERS VS SIM SWAP SCAMS – GATCHALIAN

As he renewed his call to institutionalize the needed measures ensuring consumer protection, Senator Win Gatchalian pressed for enhanced redress mechanisms and information security measures of telecommunications companies and banking institutions in the light of recent cyber heists through subscriber identity module (SIM) swap scam. With the holiday season just a few weeks away, Gatchalian […]

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MAKE PH GRADUATES WORLD COMPETITIVE – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian is set to file the substitute bill on the proposed Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) which will undertake a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of the entire education sector’s performance and boost global competitiveness. EDCOM 2 will review the observance of the mandates of the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission […]

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Politics

COVID TESTING FOR ‘FACE-TO-FACE’ TEACHERS URGED

Senator Win Gatchalian is pushing for regular COVID-19 tests for teachers after having witnessed the start of the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes. Two schools in Zambales postponed the opening of in-person classes because seven teachers from both schools tested positive for the coronavirus disease after taking rapid antigen tests. “Dapat mapondohan ang testing […]

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Politics

STRICT PROTOCOLS IN FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES URGED

While Senator Win Gatchalian hailed the start of the pilot run for limited face-to-face classes in basic education, he emphasized the need to ensure that mitigation measures are strictly enforced to prevent COVID-19 transmission in schools. Gatchalian cited the importance of maintaining well-ventilated spaces and adequate facilities for water, sanitation, and hygiene. “Local government units […]

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Politics

‘DOKTOR PARA SA BAYAN’ GETS P2.6B IN 2022 BUDGET

Funding for medical scholarships will be boosted to about P2.6 billion in 2022, as the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act, which aims to produce thousands of physicians, goes on full blast, the law’s principal sponsor, Senator Joel Villanueva, said. Villanueva said the P2.6 billion will be distributed to state universities offering a doctor of medicine […]

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Politics

DEVOLVE SCHOOL BOARDS TO LOCAL GOV’TS – GATCHALIAN

With the national government set to fully devolve basic services and facilities to local government units (LGUs) in 2022, Senator Win Gatchalian says local school boards should be strengthened in their capacity to deliver educational programs and services. Executive Order No. 138, which was signed earlier this year, called for the full devolution of certain […]

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Politics

SENATE TO PROBE BENECO-NEA STANDOFF – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian has filed a resolution calling for a full-blown inquiry into the management standoff between Benguet Electric Cooperative Inc. (BENECO) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA). Gatchalian noted that while reports showed that regular services of the electric cooperatives, which had been interrupted by the forcible takeover by NEA-appointed officials last October 18 […]

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Politics

MORE EMERGENCY FUNDS FOR ELECTRIC COOPS URGED

From the P200 million allocation in next year’s emergency response funds for electric cooperatives, Senator Win Gatchalian expressed his support to increase the appropriation for the Electric Cooperatives Emergency and Resiliency Fund (ECERF). The ECERF was institutionalized as a ready fund that can be tapped by ECs for faster restoration of electricity and power facilities […]