ILANG araw na lang ang nalalabi ay matatanggap na ng mga kwalipikadong empleyado ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Batangas ang kanilang bonus!
Inihayag ni Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas na pinoproseso na ang paghahanda ng pag-release ng naturang bonus sa ilalim ng Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA). Aabot sa tig-P30,000 ang kabuuang CNA-bonus na matatanggap, depende sa estado ng pag-eempleyo.
Kabilang sa mga makatatanggap nito ang lahat ng mga regular o permanente, mga casual at mga co-terminus employees.
Hindi naman kabilang sa mga makatatanggap ng CNA-Bonus ang mga “job order” workers sapagkat hindi sila miyembro ng unyon ng mga kawani.
Samantala, inaasahan namang isusunod na rin ang pagproseso ng Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) sa susunod na linggo.
Ang pagbibigay ng PEI ay naglalayong maisulong ang pagtataas ng antas ng paglilingkod ng mga kawani ng pamahalaan.
Bagaman at karaniwang ang ibinibigay ay P5,000 bawat empleyado, maaaring mabawasan o mapababa ito kung walang sapat na pondo ang isang ahensya o yunit ng pamahalaan para ibigay ang naturang PEI bonus.|
Extreme damage running along the length of a road in Marilao, Bulacan is visible. (Photo credit: Sulapas et. al., 2024)
Land subsidence, or the gradual sinking of the ground, threatens not only Metro Manila but also other cities.
Excessive groundwater extraction, rapid urbanization, tectonic motion, and the natural compaction of sediments contribute to land subsidence worldwide. This issue is worsened by rising sea levels due to climate change, leading to frequent and severe flooding especially during high tides or typhoons, as well as local contexts of hazard management regulations.
Jolly Joyce Sulapas, Audrei Anne Ybañez, and Dr. Alfredo Mahar Francisco Lagmay of the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS), along with Kayla Milcah Marasigan and Julian Marie Bernice Grageda of the UP Resilience Institute Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (UPRI-NOAH) analyzed land subsidence in major Philippine cities from 2014 to 2020.
Their land subsidence analysis showed that Bulacan, which is located in Greater Manila, has the highest sinking rate at 109 millimeters (mm) per year. This was also the first study to examine land subsidence in other cities, with rates of 11 mm per year in Metro Cebu, 38 mm per year in Metro Davao, 9 mm per year in Metro Iloilo, and 29 mm per year in Legazpi City.
“The high population density of cities makes the information more relevant to the public, as its impact on people is greater,” Sulapas said. “Cities are also more vulnerable to land subsidence because the subsurface strata, or the rocks beneath the cities, are relatively younger.”
These sinking areas are mostly found in industrial and commercial zones, where large and expansive man-made structures intensify subsidence. Monitoring these areas is crucial, as subsidence increases flood risks, damages buildings and infrastructure, and causes economic losses. This hazard also increases the vulnerability of residents in coastal communities to high tides and storm surges aggravated by climate change.
“It seems like industrial complexes require a lot of water to keep their operations running. The same can be said for residential areas,” Sulapas noted.
A reconnaissance fieldwork near the trace of the West Valley Fault showing cracks on the road with vertical displacements of 5-7 cm and an aperture of 12 cm (Photo credit: Sulapas et. al., 2024)
The study recommends sustainable groundwater use and improved water management practices. Sulapas mentioned that previous studies on land subsidence were recognized by the National Water Resources Board (NWRB). “The Board then identified zones where groundwater usage would be restricted,” she said.
“My co-authors were part of a previous study on subsidence in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces. This was during the year 2010,” Sulapas added. “So more than a decade later, what we wanted to do is to update the deformation data. In the case of the Greater Manila area, what happened after more than a decade?”
Moving forward, the team of researchers plans to incorporate additional data, such as groundwater extraction in the major Philippine metropolitan cities covered in their study, and correlate it with existing information. They also intend to continuously update their data to include the years 2021 to the present, collaborating with other researchers interested in contributing to the study over the next decade and beyond.
The research, titled “Ground subsidence in major Philippine metropolitan cities from 2014 to 2020,” was published in the International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, which publishes original papers that apply earth observation data to the inventory and management of natural resources and the environment.|
RESEARCHERS from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) are recipients of the University’s first-ever recognition for its Research, Extension, and Professional Staff (REPS).
The UP Diliman REPS Chair and REPS Awards aims to recognize the achievements of the REPS in the fields of research and creative work, extension services, and professional public service. These awards also aim to encourage REPS to advance knowledge and learning in their respective fields, establish scientific and thought laboratories, and develop collaborative programs that support UP’s mandate as the nation’s leading research university.
Three researchers from the UPD-CS Natural Sciences Research Institute (NSRI) earned the REPS Chair Awards. Meanwhile, one researcher each from NSRI, UPD-CS Marine Science Institute (MSI) and the UPD-CS National Institute of Physics (NIP), along with two from the UPD-CS Institute of Biology (IB), received the REPS Awards.
REPS Chair Awards Recipients
Dr. Charita S. Kwan is the head of NSRI’s Research and Analytical Services Laboratory. She has over 20 years of experience in projects related to environmental and analytical chemistry, with a focus on the distribution, fate, and transport of organic micropollutants.
Dr. Pierangeli G. Vital is the head of NSRI’s Biological Research and Services Laboratory. She has over a decade of experience in research and teaching within the field of environmental microbiology and food safety, publishing multiple articles in international peer-reviewed journals and papers.
Dr. Maria Corazon A. De Ungria is the head of NSRI’s DNA Analysis Laboratory. Her research focuses on human genetic diversity and leveraging DNA as a tool for human identification in criminal investigations, prosecuting sexual offenders and preventing wrongful convictions.
REPS Awards Recipients
Mary Ann Cielo R. San Diego is a registered microbiologist of NSRI’s Microbiological Research and Services Laboratory. Her research centers on wastewater microbiology, specifically the community and functional profiling of microorganisms in wastewater treatment plants.
John Michael L. Lastimoso is an Assistant Herbarium Curator of the Gregorio T. Velasquez Phycological Herbarium and a member of the Marine Phycology Laboratory at MSI, where he conducts biodiversity and systematics research on Indo-West Pacific macroalgae.
Dr. Hannah R. Bartolaza assists with the operation and maintenance of equipment in NIP’s Femtosecond Laser Laboratory. Her research focuses on materials science, specifically materials and devices for terahertz science and technology applications.
Melizar V. Duya is a university researcher in IB’s Biodiversity Research Laboratory. She has authored and co-authored publications on Philippine wildlife, including new species descriptions, and contributed to developing and identifying Key Biodiversity Areas in the country.
Mae Ashley G. Nacario is a university researcher in IB’s Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory. Her focus is on Environmental Microbiology, with a specialization in Microbial Source Tracking. She has already published 7 manuscripts in various Scopus-indexed journals.
The REPS Chair and REPS Awards ceremony will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 9:00 AM, at the GT Toyota Auditorium, Asian Center, as part of the REPS Colloquium and General Assembly program. The recipients will be awarded with a plaque of recognition and a cash prize.|
Shopping is more fun with BDO Pay. Avoid the Holiday rush with the convenience of shopping totally cashless and cardless through BDO Pay.
‘Tis the season to be shopping to avoid the Christmas rush! Thanks to the convenience of shopping totally cashless and cardless through the BDO Pay app, shopping for Christmas gifts will have a different kind of rush, not the frenetic kind.
BDO Pay, through its Scan to Pay feature, minimizes the hassle in paying for transactions by linking the shopper’s BDO Savings Account, Checking Account or Credit Card with the mobile app. This eliminates the need for ‘loading up’ their e-wallet account and spending for transfer fees, making purchases faster, easier, and more secure.
Mixing and matching to get the latest deals
Aside from the convenience of cashless and cardless shopping, BDO Pay lets shoppers enjoy BDO Deals on the app, allowing them to take advantage of exclusive promos, rewards, and rebates available for their cards and accounts.
For example, shoppers can use BDO Pay to charge their groceries to their bank account; and then charge to their credit card to treat their friends to brunch at the newest restaurant to enjoy a 50% discount or use another credit card or account to book flights and accommodations and enjoy the 0% installment plan.
To mix and match which account to charge for their purchases, shoppers simply need to choose via the BDO Pay app, then Scan or Show the QR code to the partner merchant when paying.
The BDO Pay app enhances your purchasing power by combining the perks of your credit cards and bank accounts with the convenience of digital transactions. To stay up to date on the latest deals, simply browse through the BDO Deals portion on the app.|
THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has allocated more than P514 million for its emergency loan program to benefit 23,469 active members and old-age/disability pensioners residing or working in the provinces of Quirino, Apayao, and Aurora; and Santiago City and Cabagan town in Isabela. These areas were declared in state of calamity after being hit by typhoons Nika, Marce, Ofel and Pepito.
Deadline for application in the provinces of Quirino, Apayao, and Santiago City in Isabela is on December 20. For Aurora province and Cabagan town in Isabela, the deadline is December 24.
Qualified members without an existing emergency loan can borrow ₱20,000, while those with existing loan balance may apply up to ₱40,000, provided the net proceeds do not exceed P20,000. The loan has a 6% interest rate, a three-year payment term, and redemption insurance coverage, which settles the loan balance in the event of the borrower’s death during the loan term, provided payments are up to date.
Eligible active member-applicants for the emergency loan must be residing or working in the areas declared as calamity zones, not be on leave of absence without pay, have paid premiums for at least six months prior to application, have no pending administrative or criminal case, and have a net take-home pay of at least P5,000 after all the required obligations have been deducted.
Pensioners may also apply, provided they are residing in the calamity areas and their net basic monthly pension is at least 25% after loan deductions.
Members and pensioners may apply for the loan through the GSIS Touch mobile application, which can be downloaded from the Google Play and Apple App Stores.
For more information, visit the GSIS website at www.gsis.gov.ph or the official Facebook page @gsis.ph; or email gsiscares@gsis.gov.ph; or call the hotline at 8847-4747 (Metro Manila), 1-800-8-847-4747 (for Globe and TM users), or 1-800-10-847-4747 (for Smart, Sun, and Talk ’N Text subscribers).|
THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will release P3.7 billion in Christmas cash gifts to 358,310 eligible pensioners starting December 5. To help pensioners prepare for the holidays, GSIS will also credit December pensions two days earlier on December 6, instead of the regular schedule on the 8th of the month.
The Christmas cash gift, equivalent to one-month pension but capped at P10,000, will be credited directly to the GSIS eCards of qualified old-age and disability pensioners.
“The Christmas cash gift is our way of expressing gratitude to our pensioners who dedicated their lives to serving the Filipino people. We hope this benefit will make their Christmas celebrations more meaningful,” GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said, stressing that the early release of the said benefits aims to bring added joy to pensioners this holiday season.
Entitled to receive the cash gift are old-age and disability pensioners under RA 8291, RA 660, and PD 1146 who are in active status and have been receiving their monthly pension for at least five years as of November 30, 2024. Those with suspended pensions due to non-compliance with APIR may still claim the cash gift after reactivating their accounts.
Meanwhile, the following are ineligible to receive the cash gift: pensioners who availed of a five-year lump sum and will resume their regular monthly pension after December 31, 2024; survivorship and dependent pensioners; pensioners who retired under RA 7699 (Portability Law); and those receiving pro-rata pension.
GSIS has introduced facial recognition technology in its GSIS Touch mobile app, making it easier for pensioners to complete the Annual Pensioners’ Information Revalidation (APIR) process, the annual proof-of-life requirement, without visiting GSIS offices.|
CITY OF STO. TOMAS, Batangas — IN a bold step towards eliminating cervical cancer, the local government unit (LGU) of Sto. Tomas in Batangas is launching a crucial three-year catch-up vaccination program to protect adolescent girls against the deadly human papillomavirus (HPV).
The LGU kicks off the program on December 3, specifically targeting 14-year-old girls who missed their HPV vaccination possibly due to supply shortages among other reasons.
Sto. Tomas government has procured 1,763 doses of the HPV vaccine on top of the allocation from the Department of Health, demonstrating a strong commitment to safeguarding the health of its youth and closing vaccination gaps.
Mayor Art Jhun Marasigan is taking decisive steps to protect its young population and address vaccination gaps as aligned with the World Health Organization’s 2030 goal to fully vaccinate 90% of girls with the HPV vaccine by age 15.
The local initiative called Student Health Education Program “SHEProgram-SHEmpre Ligtas” is under the town’s Health Education and Promotion Unit (HEPU) led by Dr. Arnieleyn Aguirre.
A Targeted Strategy for Cancer Prevention
This vaccination program aligns with the Department of Health’s and Department of Education’s school-based immunization program (SBI) while also filling critical gaps. The nationwide relaunch of the SBI in October renewed the focus on providing Grade 4 female students with two doses of the HPV vaccine, six months apart, a proven strategy to maximize protection.
HPV, the leading cause of cervical cancer, can be prevented through vaccination, making this program a critical intervention in reducing the incidence of this disease.’
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women aged 15 to 44 in the Philippines, claiming the lives of 12 women daily.? Yet, it remains one of the most preventable cancers, thanks to effective vaccines, regular screening, and timely treatment.
A Comprehensive Approach to WHO Targets
Sto. Tomas City’s initiative actively supports the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, built on three key pillars’:
1. Vaccination
Target: 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by age 15.
Local Action: The city is ensuring that 14-year-old girls are vaccinated annually, steadily moving toward meeting the WHO target and safeguarding future generations.
2. Screening
• Target: 70% of women screened with a high-performance test by age 35 and again by age 45.
• Local Programs: Regular screening has already started at the barangay level, supported by an established referral network to detect and treat cervical cancer early.
3. Treatment
Target: 90% of women identified with cervical disease receive treatment.
Future Plans: Sto. Tomas is preparing to expand its treatment centers and train more healthcare workers, ensuring timely and effective care for diagnosed women.
Leadership Through Local Action
The Sto. Tomas LGU is setting an example for other communities by taking proactive steps to eliminate cervical cancer. With local funding, it has bridged the gap in vaccine allocations and passed an ordinance establishing the Integrated Cancer Control Program, providing a stable framework for future prevention and care initiatives.
Community engagement is a key pillar of this program. Through the SHEProgram-SHEmpre Ligtas, the LGU is running awareness campaigns to educate residents about the importance of HPV vaccination and regular screening, fostering collective responsibility in the fight against cervical cancer.
A Beacon of Hope for the Future
This program represents Sto. Tomas LGU’s unwavering commitment to global health goals and serves as a model for other local governments. Small investments in vaccination and education today will yield significant health benefits and cost savings in the future.
As Sto. Tomas pushes forward with its vision of becoming cervical cancer-free by 2030, it offers a powerful reminder that eliminating this preventable disease is not just a possibility-it is an achievable reality. Together, through education, vaccination, and treatment, the city and its partners are paving the way for a healthier future for all.| – BNN
A STUDY by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) reveals alarming trends in early childhood development (ECD) in the Philippines, with high mortality rates, chronic malnutrition, and low vaccination rates underscoring the need for immediate action.
According to the PIDS paper, infant mortality rates in the Philippines stand at 21 per 1,000 live births, and 1 in 3 children suffers from chronic malnutrition. Low vaccination rates—only 75 percent of Filipino children are fully immunized—further highlight the pressing need for systemic reforms in health, nutrition, and education. These findings emphasize the necessity for a comprehensive approach to address persistent gaps in the country’s ECD programs.
The study titled “Behind the Slow Start: An Assessment of Early Childhood Care and Development in the Philippines”, was presented by PIDS Senior Research Fellow Valerie Gilbert Ulep during a recent webinar. It identifies fragmented governance, underfunded programs, and limited access to essential services as major obstacles to effective ECD delivery. Ulep stressed that these systemic issues are compounded by inconsistent training and disparities in local government spending on ECD programs, many of which rely on volunteer-driven efforts that often lack continuity.
Furthermore, the study highlights that only 20 percent of children meet recommended energy intake levels, reflecting inadequate nutrition interventions. Feeding programs during the critical first 1,000 days of life show minimal impact, while educational disparities remain stark, with only 20 percent of children aged 3 to 4 attending preschool in 2022. These gaps raise serious concerns about the ability of current programs to expand effectively without significant public investment.
The severity of these issues is further compounded by stark socioeconomic disparities. “If you examine the disparity across socioeconomic statuses, the variation is striking—the poorest households experience outcomes that are five times worse than their wealthiest counterparts. This kind of disparity is not commonly observed in neighboring countries like Thailand, Malaysia, or even Viet Nam.” Ulep stated. This highlights the urgent need to address inequities in access to essential services and resources.
To address these challenges, Ulep emphasized the need for a life-course approach to ECD, with interventions targeting the period from pregnancy through early childhood. Critical steps include improving maternal nutrition, expanding prenatal and postnatal care, and ensuring comprehensive vaccination coverage. “There is no single intervention that can address the health and nutrition challenges in the Philippines; there are no shortcuts. A range of interventions must be delivered at critical periods, from pregnancy to childhood, and what we are observing is that there are challenges at every stage,” Ulep explained.
Systemic governance, financing, and infrastructure reforms are essential to enhance service delivery. Ulep also suggested innovative financing models, such as vouchers and block grants, to bridge gaps and increase demand for early education. Additionally, leveraging national resources, such as those under the Universal Health Care Act, was highlighted as a strategy to improve ECD services.
Echoing these calls for reform, Early Childhood Care and Development Council (ECCDC) Planning Officer Karl Jeffrey Sabalza underscored the importance of optimizing both local and national ECD investments. According to him, a key part of the strategic action is to integrate ECCD programs into the Department of Budget and Management’s Program Convergence Budgeting. This will allow for proper analysis of how the budget will be allocated and utilized, and which sectors should be responsible for providing the necessary services.
“Additionally, part of the advocacy involves launching a comprehensive campaign, particularly targeting local government units (LGUs) and engaging with the LGU leagues and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines,” Sabalza added.
To strengthen the implementation of ECD initiatives, Sabalza said ECCDC focuses on building the capacities of LGUs, improving interagency coordination, incentivizing best practices, and leveraging the Mandanas ruling for resource allocation. He also recommended tapping alternative funding sources, such as the Special Education Fund (SEF) and Gender and Development Fund. For instance, he noted that increasing SEF allocation could bolster local ECD resources.
Ulep and Sabalza stressed the need for evidence-based programs, equitable resource allocation, and continuous assessment to ensure impactful ECD initiatives. Both speakers agreed that the Philippines needs better investment in programs, more consistent policies, and fair distribution of resources to ensure every child has a better start in life.|
PHILIPPINE Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) President and CEO Roberto B. Tan was elected as member of the Executive Council of the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) during its 23rd IADI Annual General Meeting in Tokyo, Japan on November 15, 2024.
Established in May 2002, IADI is a non-profit organization based in Basel, Switzerland that aims to set standards for deposit insurance systems and serves as the principal forum where deposit insurers from around the world meet to share knowledge and expertise.
The Association promotes international cooperation and guidance in the field of deposit insurance. It also provides training and technical assistance; and produces research and guidance on matters related to deposit insurance.
The Executive Council is IADI’s policy making body and is ably supported by five Council Committees and regional committees which serve as fora in which members of the IADI regions discuss topics of special interest to the region. The regional committees are for Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, Eurasia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa, and North America.
“The representation of the PDIC in the 25-member IADI Executive Council will considerably advance our efforts to strengthen mutual cooperation and assistance among our deposit insurance peers globally. This is also timely as we propose reforms to the Philippine deposit insurance system through legislation. Our institutional partnership with IADI has greatly provided resources and contributed to enhancing PDIC’s operational efficiency to ensure that our processes adhere to the Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance Systems formulated by IADI,” said President Tan.
Prior to the election of President Tan to the Executive Council, he served as IADI Treasurer for the past six years. IADI is current being led by its President and Executive Council Chairperson Alejandro López who is CEO of Seguro de Depósitos Sociedad Anónima (SEDESA, Argentina). It is a 99-member strong organization. It also has 11 associates which represent entities that do not fulfill the criteria to be members but are part of a financial safety net and have a direct interest in the effectiveness of a deposit insurance system.|
If You Fail to Plan, You Are Planning to Fail” — Benjamin Franklin
Transitioning from the 2-3 years of Self-learning modules (SLMs) to a face to face set up is a huge turn around for many of our learners. This transition presents new challenges and strain for them – adjustment to the school environment and learning modality. One essential word to describe the situation we have these days in the field of academe would be “INTEREST”.
The 21st century learners that we have today have shorter interest span. Their focus is easily redirected to something once the setup of learning process becomes uninteresting. Adopting to the trends and new techniques of delivering lessons through modern procedure is one of the processes applied by most educators to entice the learners. In consideration to the fast-changing world and the type of learners we have these days, transitioning to advanced methods and strategies is a must, and this transition would be imperative in the learners’ academic performance and socio emotional well-being.
In order to make the learning fun, exciting and memorable, gadgets and devices are needed to facilitate learning. In the world of today, educators incorporate the use of technology in delivering lessons because it engages learners to the lesson proper.
Educators make it a habit to use modern devices such as television, laptop, ipad / tablet, not to avoid the traditional method of lesson proper but to help learners rebuild their focus and interest to the current modality set up, and to become computer literate or technology inclined.
Planning is very essential in the education system. It serves as guide of educators in delivering a well-organized and thought-provoking lessons – allowing learners to challenge themselves and to think outside the box.
-Ar Jay Ron M. De Gala, Teacher II at Dagatan Integrated National High School, Division of Batangas
