“I know your time here is very productive. Our relation with your country is as strong as ever been and I think we will continue. We keep going and we have begun many things as well just during my time here as President,” Marcos Jr. said during a recent farewell call by Saudi Arabia Ambassador Hisham Sultan Abdullah Alqahtani.

“So we would like to continue and make even deeper and more involved together with the kingdom and hopefully we can expand on all of the things that we’re already doing. This is all happened under your watch,” he also said.

The President highlighted productive discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and other officials, emphasizing the “very good partnership” between the two nations.

Marcos Jr. acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s role in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which has been instrumental in advancing peace efforts in Mindanao.

“We are now getting closer and closer to actually having an autonomous region with elective parliament members. And (we’re) working very hard to make sure that it will be a successful effort. It’s so important now that we do that. But again, not just the OIC but also Saudi Arabia has been so supportive of everything that we have been trying to do,” he noted.

Alqahtani, in turn, thanked Marcos Jr. for their collaboration, highlighting his successful three-and-a-half-year tenure in strengthening bilateral ties. 

He praised Filipinos for their significant contributions to Saudi Arabia’s development over the past 40 years.

“We will not forget them. The development there in Saudi Arabia came with the Philippines also. It’s a common relation, common interest together with the Philippines. And we want to thank you His Excellency, the government, the DFA about the full support in our work especially in support at the international organization,” the ambassador said.IMT

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Under Administrative Order (AO) No. 28, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, COS and JO employees with at least four months of satisfactory service as of December 15 are entitled to gratuity pay ranging from P5,000 to P7,000.

““Granting a year-end gratuity pay to COS and JO workers is a well-deserved recognition of their hard work and valuable participation in the implementation of various PAPs of the government, and their pivotal role in the delivery of government services amidst the present socio-economic challenges,” said Marcos.

Workers with active contracts as of December 15 are also eligible, while those with less than four months of service may receive a pro-rata amount:

-3 to <4 months: up to P6,000

-2 to <3 months: up to P5,000

-<2 months: up to P4,000

The last gratuity pay adjustment was in 2021, when the rate increased from P3,000 to P5,000.

AO 28 takes effect immediately upon full publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.IMT

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Starting today, Dec. 23, the controversial Ungka flyover, which straddles Iloilo City and the town of Pavia, will be fully reopened to the public.

The full reopening of the four-lane, 453.7 lineal meters long flyover was announced by City Mayor Jerry Treñas yesterday, Dec. 22.

“While the flyover will be accessible starting tomorrow (Dec. 23), the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) will continue the installation of steel railings on the parapet,” Treñas said in a statement.

“I appeal to motorists and pedestrians to remain cautious and follow all traffic guidelines for everyone’s safety,” he added.

Treñas currently serves as chairman of the Infrastructure Development Committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC-6).

In an advisory, the city government’s Traffic and Transport Management Unit said the flyover will remain off-limits to dump trucks, transit mixers, wingvans, trailer trucks, motorcycles, tricycles, and bicycles.

The flyover, which costs nearly P1 billion, was initially opened to traffic in September 2022, but it was closed two weeks later due to vertical displacement.IMT

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The city’s chief executive said they are studying the possibility of crafting a measure that will mandate security agencies to make drug testing a requirement for employment.

Treñas added that the city government is willing to provide drug test kits to security agency operators as well as to bar owners in the city.

The mayor issued the statement after the Iloilo City Police Office’s (ICPO) Drug Enforcement Unit called on bar owners to subject their workers to mandatory drug tests.

Treñas said he also received reports that some security guards, especially those assigned at bars and other drinking establishments, are involved in illegal drug activities.

According to the mayor, the proposed mandatory drug test policy will help ensure that security personnel in the city will perform well.IMT

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“The DOH reminds the community to remain vigilant about potential health hazards while enjoying the festivities. Ligtas Christmas aims to educate and empower the public to prioritize well-being during this joyous time,” said Dr. Ma. Femie P. Japitana, Medical Coordinator for the Food and Waterborne Diseases Program, during a press conference.

The campaign promotes a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition, exercise, and discipline.

It also emphasizes road safety and encourages safer alternatives to fireworks, such as organized displays and noisemakers like “torotot” (blow horns) drums, and light sticks.

Iloilo City Health Office Nurse II Dariane Joy Papa presented data showing 294 firecracker-related injuries in Western Visayas last year, with 33 percent involving children aged 1 to 10 years.

Most injuries occurred from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1, with blast or burn injuries without amputation and eye injuries being the most common. The leading causes included kwitis (rocket)s, luces (sparklers), and improvised firecrackers.

“Children are often injured collecting unexploded firecrackers. We remind the public not to touch them,” Papa said.
Japitana also emphasized safe food preparation, especially for perishable dishes like spaghetti and pasta, which can cause food poisoning if not properly stored.

“Food should be left out for no more than two hours and refrigerated at below five degrees Celsius,” she said.

The DOH WV CHD continues to advocate for safety and health practices to ensure a festive yet safe holiday season for all.Perla Lena/PNA

The post DOH reminds public to make holidays revelry safe, healthy first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

According to Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center deputy executive director Jeffrey Manalo, the negotiation between the government and Prime Asset Ventures Inc. (PAVI) was “successful.”

PAVI is the holding company of the group of business magnate Manuel Villar.

“So the next step is they will have to submit it to the appropriate approving body,” said Manalo.

The P21-billion project needs to be submitted to NEDA ICC first before it could be endorsed and recommended for final NEDA Board approval.

“The project cost is above P15 billion, so it will have to be submitted to ICC before it can be endorsed and recommended for final NEDA approval. Then after that, a minimum 90-day comparative challenge (to one year),” Manalo explained.

Under a comparative challenge, the original proponent has the right to match offers submitted by other firms.

“The final timeline will be determined as part of the approved parameters, terms and conditions of the project,” Manalo said.

PAVI secured the original proponent status for the upgrade, as well as operations and maintenance of the Iloilo International Airport.

The project aims to “improve the management and operational capability of the Iloilo International Airport through an operate-add-transfer agreement.”IMT

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According to Marcos Jr., the expenditure program, particularly some insertions not part of the original budget request, need to be carefully scrutinized.

In a media interview after an event at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, the President confirmed that both houses of Congress had approved the proposed 2025 national expenditure program. It is now up to the executive branch to review the details.

“It’s finished in Congress. Tapos na. So, it’s up to us now to look at the items and to see what are appropriate, what are relevant, and what are the priorities,” he said.

“I think we’ll be able to do it before the year ends,” he added, noting the original schedule was to sign the budget on December 20.

Marcos Jr. emphasized the importance of ensuring the 2025 budget is directed to priority projects and includes stronger safeguards, particularly concerning budget insertions.

He explained that some proposed projects lacked proper documentation, including a program of work or clear details on where the funds would be spent.

“Hindi naman tayo nagkaroon ng napakalaking budget na savings. Hindi nga. Kulang-kulang. Kaya’t kailangang maingat na maingat tayo kasi ‘yung ginagastos diyan ay, hindi naman karamihan pero meron diyan, utang,” the Chief Executive said.

“Kaya’t kailangan mapunta sa tama para mabayaran natin ‘yung utang. May bawi naman tayo doon sa ginastos natin, doon sa inutang natin. That’s what we are trying to clarify,” he added.IMT

The post Marcos to sign nat’l budget before year-end first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, Cayetano led a public hearing on measures to strengthen tertiary education in provinces like Tawi-Tawi, Sultan Kudarat, and Bukidnon.

Proposals included establishing new state colleges, upgrading existing ones to universities, and converting satellite campuses into full-fledged campuses.

“We’ll try na talagang maipasa ito by our next session ng late January to early February. We’re just going through the requirements,” the lawmaker said, referring to the session resuming on January 13, 2025.

He explained that expanding SUCs would make education more accessible, reduce travel and living costs for students, and improve their chances of graduating. 

Cayetano also highlighted the positive impact of campuses on local economies and their role in national development.

“I’d really like to see the day na ang advisors ng mayors, governors, President are people from the academe. So the more the academe grows, the more the community grows,” he said.IMT

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PhilHealth allotted nearly P138 million for its anniversary celebration next year. Of the amount,  P18.3 million will be spent for gala nights, P32.7 million for a sports fest, P13 million for jackets and  P7.9 million for umbrella tokens and giveaways, among others.

Drilon urged Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to “disallow this kind of budget.”

“Maybe it is about time for the President to review and change the leadership in PhilHealth,” he added.

In a statement, PhilHealth explained that the proposed budget was for its whole year, nationwide celebration of its anniversary.

The state health insurer also said that its spending proposal follows government guidelines and that the activities planned for 2025 will benefit staff, stakeholders “and more importantly our members.”IMT

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He made the appeal during the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship’s hearing on Dec. 17, addressing the rise of scams, fake products, and unfair trade practices.

As chair of the committee reviewing proposed amendments to the Consumer Act of the Philippines and Price Act, Cayetano emphasized the need for more effective measures to restore consumer confidence.

“More than 30 years na rin pala [since the Consumer Act and Price Act were enacted into law]. [Outdated na kasi] noong 1992, halos wala pa ring e-commerce noon,” the lawmaker from Taguig said.

Discussing the prevalence of counterfeit goods and scams, Cayetano outlined steps the DTI and DA could take to combat modern deceptive practices.

He suggested involving the media in enforcement raids to set an example for violators and show that no one is exempt from the law, as well as amending the law to impose appropriate penalties and ensure swift convictions.

“The science behind criminology is the certainty of being caught; that’s key. So for example, kapag may death penalty tayo pero wala namang nahuhuli, kumpara sa isang linggong kulong pero nahuhuli lahat, mas takot ang tao sa isang linggong kulong,” according to him.

Under the current Consumer Act, penalties for deceptive or unfair sales practices range from P5,000 to P10,000 in fines and/or five months to one year in prison.

Cayetano also called for better coordination between agencies to prevent the spread of unscrupulous activities.

“Sa Singapore at Hong Kong, kapag complain mo, hindi ka lang agad pupuntahan ng pulis, isa-stop din agad ang payment. It’s done in a few hours,” he said.

“They also got the banks, police, and telcos in one room, at sila na nag-uusap kung ano pwede o hindi. I don’t know ano ang version natin, but I do know na napakagagaling ng barangay officials, LGUs, and police natin when they coordinate as one.”IMT

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