Asean Tribune

Caraga Region – The Police Regional Office in the Caraga Region (PRO-13) has declared a full alert status in response to the recent magnitude 7.4 earthquake and the bombing in Marawi City. Maj. Jennifer Omiter, PRO-13 Information office chief, emphasized the importance of readiness and response capabilities of police units in the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, police personnel are now deployed to secure airports, seaports, and other vital installations in the Caraga Region to maintain peace and order.

The full alert status, ordered by the Philippine National Police national headquarters, includes preparations of standby equipment and coordination with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office. Additionally, PRO-13 director Brig. Gen. Kirby John Kraft has instructed all unit commanders to intensify checkpoints and police visibility. Kraft stressed that there is no room for complacency following the Marawi City bombing, and all police officers are expected to render an additional 50 percent of duty time to their shifts.

In Davao City, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) also heightened its alert status due to the Mindanao State University-Marawi gymnasium bombing. The DCPO has reinforced checkpoints and security measures through the Davao Defense System (DDS). Oplan DDS involves tighter security within the city and its borders to prevent potential terrorist attacks. The DCPO plans to intensify police presence in churches and conduct paneling operations by the City Explosive and K9 Unit to ensure public safety.

In a related development, 16 students from MSU-Marawi City returned to Davao City on Tuesday. Col. Darren Comia, the TFD commander, mentioned that the Davao City government worked with military units in Marawi for the students’ safe return. The City Social Welfare and Development Office in Davao provided psychosocial services to the students.

Bicol Region – Approximately 4,071 public schools in the Bicol region are set to join the Department of Education’s (DepEd) nationwide tree planting initiative, “DepEd’s 236,000 Trees – A Christmas Gift for the Children.

According to Philippines News Agency, the region aims to plant at least 20,355 trees as part of the project, scheduled for Wednesday. The tree planting will primarily take place on school premises, with alternative sites identified by local barangay and environmental offices if necessary.

Jumamil emphasized that the project seeks to promote environmental preservation and instill a sense of responsibility towards nature among Filipino children. The nationwide initiative involves over 236,000 trees and 47,678 public schools under DepEd. DepEd-Bicol Director Gilbert Sadsad highlighted the educational value of the event, encouraging schools to plant a minimum of five trees, including fruit-bearing, native Philippine species, and mangroves. Seedlings can be sourced from school nurseries or acquired from Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Offices.

Sadsad described the tree planting event as a meaningful Christmas gift from DepEd, contributing to a cleaner and greener environment for current and future generations of Filipino children. He also noted the hands-on experience’s potential to deepen students’ understanding of environmental issues and promote conservation efforts.

Tacloban City – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has announced a PHP17.71 billion budget requirement for the completion of the Tacloban City Bypass Road Extension.

According to Philippines News Agency, this 33-kilometer six-lane road, connecting Tacloban City to Babatngon town, has already received PHP2.33 billion in funding since 2018 and is slated to receive an additional PHP1.56 billion in the upcoming year. Tabacon emphasized the project’s significance in anticipation of increased traffic to the future international port. The funding from 2018 to 2023 facilitated the opening and concreting of a 1.64-kilometer road section. The 2024 allotment of PHP1.56 billion will be used to open and concrete a 3.2-kilometer section. Further funds starting in 2025, sourced from the national government for inclusion in the DPWH annual budget, will be allocated for the remaining 31.36 kilometers. The new highway is expected to reduce travel time from 1.5 hours to 45 minutes, easing congestion along the Tacloban-Babatngon Road. It includes the construction of concrete roads, a drainage system, road slope protection, and three bridges, extending the PHP1.12-billion Tacloban Bypass Road
completed in early 2022.

Cebu City – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is set to host a job fair in Cebu City on Friday, offering over 4,000 overseas job opportunities. Lawyer Karl Frederick Arriola, DMW OIC regional director, announced that the job fair will feature positions including nurses, teachers, accountants, waiters, waitresses, managers, technicians, electricians, painters, caregivers, welders, farmers, and laborers. The event will commence at 9 a.m. at The Atrium of Robinsons Galleria.

According to Philippines News Agency, Ten overseas recruitment agencies will participate, offering 4,362 vacancies for skilled and professional workers in countries like Japan, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, and other European and Asian nations. Arriola urged job seekers to be vigilant against illegal recruiters and advised verifying the legitimacy of recruitment agencies through the Department of Migrant Workers’ website. Applicants are encouraged to come prepared with essential pre-employment documents, including resumes, passports, certificates of employment, training certificates, professional licenses, and educational qualifications.

Manila – The Amit Cup 9-Ball Championship Season 2 is set to see a significant increase in participation for its fourth and final leg in early 2024.

According to Philippines News Agency, the participant count is expected to reach at least 100, a substantial growth from the initial 24 participants. Amit, who also organized the tournament to support female athletes, highlighted the steady growth in participation. Ren De Vera, co-founder of the tournament that started in May 2022, anticipates that the number could rise to 128 by the fourth leg. The announcement came during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex’s conference hall in Malate, Manila. Amit and De Vera, along with champions Charis Santos and Shane Lui Mongcal, discussed the tournament’s growth and future plans. The organizers aim to hold Leg 4 by late January or early February, with ranking points determining the top 16 players for the grand finals. The tournament is designed to simulate international play, offering cash prizes, Predator cue sticks, and a trip to Japan for the top player in the advanced level to represent the country in international compe
tition.

Marawi City – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expressed strong condemnation of the recent bombing at the gymnasium of Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City, which resulted in four fatalities and 50 injuries over the weekend.

According to Philippines News Agency, the incident represents a severe disruption to peacebuilding efforts and contradicts international humanitarian law principles. The bombing occurred during the Mindanao Week of Peace, highlighting the perpetrators’ disregard for human dignity and human rights defense. The CHR in Northern Mindanao has initiated a quick response operation to assist the victims’ families and is committed to monitoring and investigating any allegations of human rights violations by non-state actors and armed groups.

The CHR emphasized the sanctity of educational institutions, citing Article 14, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which recognizes education as a fundamental human right. It stressed that attacks on schools and places of learning undermine the collective aspirations of Filipinos to build a prosperous society. Furthermore, the commission addressed the issue of violence in the name of religious beliefs, stating that such acts not only violate coexistence principles but also tarnish the reputation of faith communities globally. The CHR reaffirmed its commitment to working with the national government to resolve this incident and uphold human rights.