Day: May 30, 2023

The Japanese government adopted a five-year action plan on Tuesday aimed at halving the number of deaths from heatstroke by 2030 from an annual average of 1,295 over the past five years. The action plan, adopted at a cabinet meeting, was in line with a law revised in April to step up measures to fight heatstroke. Under the plan, the government will call on elderly people to use air conditioners when necessary and take enough water and salt between April and September and consider ways to evacuate the elderly and people with disabilities during extreme heat waves. People aged 65 and older accounted for more than 80 percent of the deaths from heatstroke in the past five years. Some 90 percent of those who died indoors were found not to have used, or had air conditioners. The government will also support the installation of air conditioners at school classrooms and gyms, and promote measures to prevent children from being left in school buses.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The National Food Authority (NFA) in Negros Oriental has started distributing the one-time rice aid to national government employees as mandated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Benilda Fidel, NFA-Negros Oriental branch manager, told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday that each qualified government employee will receive 25 kilos of rice. As of posting time, the agency had already released 8,000 50-kilo rice bags for 16,000 individual beneficiaries from different agencies such as the Department of Education (DepEd and Philippine National Police (PNP), Fidel said. Aside from national government agencies, state universities and colleges are covered by the one-time rice allowance provided that their names are on the master lists furnished by the Department of Budget and Management, she added. She reassured the recipients of good quality rice procured from Mindoro, dispelling the old impression that NFA rice is of “poor quality.” ‘Buying rice from local farmers instead of imported rice from Vietnam, such as in previous years, for purposes such as this, or distribution during calamities, is one way of helping our fellow Filipinos,’ she said. Fidel said there is still no word as to whether the NFA can also give rice assistance to local government units due to a lack of funds. She said national government agencies, especially for larger organizations like the DepEd, that will be availing of the rice assistance on behalf of their employees will have to secure a special power of attorney for the smooth and fast releasing of the rice bags in volumes instead of individually.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Malacañang will open two museums, the Bahay Ugnayan and the Teus Mansion, for heritage tours aimed at showcasing the life and legacies of the Philippine presidents. The public may avail of free admission to Bahay Ugnayan and Teus Mansion from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting June 1, the Presidential Communications Office announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, together with their son, Simon, opened the historical structures inside the Palace complex in Manila. The President invited the public to visit the Malacañang heritage structures and catch a glimpse of the country’s history. Among those opened by the First Family were the Bahay Ugnayan Museum, Goldenberg Mansion and Teus Mansion, the first time the three structures are being opened to the public. ‘It is now open to the public. I invite everyone to come in there. Puntahan ninyo, lalo na ‘yung ating mga estudyante na nais makita ang lahat ng mga pangulo ng ating Republika ay nandiyan lahat. Nandiyan ‘yung kaunting kuwento ng kanilang buhay at ngayon ay officially open na (especially the students so that you can catch a glimpse of all the presidents of our Republic. You will also read their short stories and now these are officially open) and that is why I am inviting everyone to come,’ Marcos said as he met his supporters and members of the Malacañang Press Corps at the Goldenberg Mansion. ‘If you are in this part of the city, come and visit. It’s very educational definitely. It’s free by the way. We don’t charge an entrance fee, so come one and come all and I think that you will find it very, very interesting.’ The President described the Goldenberg Mansion as a ‘very beautiful old house’ bought by his mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos. It was used as a guest house for some formal functions. The Teus Mansion, on the other hand, was bought after the Goldenberg Mansion, and turned into a Presidential Museum. ‘It is a museum of all the presidents of the Philippines, with a short description of the circumstances that brought them to power and some of the achievements that they had during their time as president,’ Marcos said. The First Lady spearheaded the Malacañang Heritage Tours, an initiative that seeks to promote the rich history of Philippine presidents and their indelible contributions to the nation, according to the Presidential News Desk (PND). Bahay Ugnayan features Marcos’ “Road to Malacañang,” focusing on his life from his childhood to his presidency. The museum also highlights Marcos’ childhood days when Malacañan Palace became his home during the presidency of his late father and namesake, Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. Bahay Ugnayan also spotlights Marcos’ presidential win during the May 9, 2022 elections. “At the Bahay Ugnayan Museum, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the life and times of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The experience provides a unique opportunity to explore the formative years of President Marcos, witness the defining moments of his tenure, and marvel at the campaign materials that paved the path to his presidency,” Malacañang said. Visitors may also leave a message to Marcos by using the laptops displayed inside the museum.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 11 (Davao region) granted PHP9 million worth of infrastructure projects to Malalag town in Davao del Sur. Lani Cudino, the regional coordinator for the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program, said Tuesday the intervention would concentrate on the building of infrastructure for early childhood care and development facilities. More than PHP10.7 million worth of infrastructure will be built in Malalag wherein PHP1.7 million will be sourced from the local government unit, Cudino said. ‘The projects range from comfort rooms to water systems,’ she said. Moreover, the DSWD-11, along with the Department of Health (DOH) and the National Nutrition Commission, launched on May 28 the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) in the municipality. The PMNP is a four-year project spearheaded by the DSWD and DOH that supports the adoption of a multisectoral nutrition approach to delivering nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions across various platforms of local government units in the country. It aims to improve the nutritional status of children under the age of five and pregnant and lactating women through health and nutrition services, food security and livelihood, water, sanitation, and hygiene, among others.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Two village councilmen were killed in separate gun attacks in Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao del Sur provinces on Monday, police said Tuesday. In Sultan Kudarat, gunmen shot dead Mahadi Khalipapa, a council member of Barangay Malingon in President Quirino town. Maj. Davis Dulawan, the municipal police chief, said Khalipapa was with his wife aboard a motorcycle when tailed and fired upon by gunmen aboard a separate motorbike in Purok 6 of the same village shortly before noon Monday. The village official was killed on the spot while his wife was injured and has been undergoing medication in an undisclosed hospital. ‘We appeal for your help in ensuring President Quirino remain peaceful,’ Dulawan said in an interview. In Paglat town, Maguindanao del Sur, unidentified gunmen also shot dead a former village councilman in Barangay Damalusay on Monday afternoon, according to town police chief Lt. Amer Hussein Disomangcop. Disomangcop identified the victim as Nasser Mangetog Labay, 54, a resident of Damalusay. ‘He was tilling his farm lot and took a short breather when a still unidentified man arrived and shot him without provocation,’ he said. Police could not yet determine the motive of the attacks and whether they are related to the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections this year.

Source: Philippines News Agency