BREAKING

Friday, July 26, 2024

Angara Leads Implementation of Career Progression System to Benefit Public School Teachers


Wazzup Pilipinas!?


Public school teachers in the Philippines are set to benefit from the newly signed Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the Expanded Career Progression System, led by Education Secretary Sonny Angara. The signing ceremony took place at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan in the DepEd Central Office on Friday.

Joined by Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Karlo Nograles, and Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) Chair Charito Zamora, Secretary Angara emphasized the importance of this initiative for teachers' professional development and career advancement.

Executive Order 174, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has endorsed, aims to address long-standing concerns about the slow promotion process for public school teachers. In his recent State of the Nation Address, President Marcos Jr. stressed that no public school teacher should retire as Teacher I, highlighting the need for a more dynamic career progression system.

Under the new IRR, the Classroom Teaching Career Line will now include additional teaching positions: Teacher IV (SG 14), Teacher V (SG 15), Teacher VI (SG 16), Teacher VII (SG 17), and Master Teacher V (SG 22). For those pursuing administrative roles, the career path will feature streamlined positions: School Principal I, School Principal II, School Principal III, and School Principal IV.

A significant aspect of this reform is the flexibility it offers teachers. Those who qualify for Master Teacher I can choose between remaining in classroom teaching or moving into school administration. This option ensures that highly skilled teachers can aspire to leadership roles, thereby enhancing the quality of school management.

The Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), will also reinforce reclassification processes. This will allow teachers to progress based on merit and competence rather than waiting for teaching positions to become available.

Furthermore, the DepEd will work closely with the CSC and PRC to standardize qualifications for teaching positions across all levels of basic education, including Senior High School. This alignment aims to create a more cohesive and fair system for teacher advancement.



With these reforms, public school teachers can look forward to a more rewarding career trajectory, ensuring their professional growth and improving the overall quality of education in the Philippines.



Thursday, July 25, 2024

It was SB19 not Bini that opened the doors of P-Pop


Hi, Miss Karen Davila bukas na po ang pinto ng P-Pop before BINI_ph. Ito po refresher, medyo kulang pa po yan. Please take your time to read. 🤙🏻🤙🏻


These SB19 achievements in Local and International deserves to be flexed. 


#SB19 is a hugely popular five-member Filipino boy band that debuted in 2018, consisting of Josh, Pablo, Stell, Ken, and Justin. They were trained for almost 4  years by ShowBT Entertainment.


- Most googled male personalities (2019)

- Most followed P-Pop group on Instagram and Twitter

- Most subscribed P-Pop group on Youtube

- Most viewed PPOP group on Youtube

- Most mentioned P-Pop group

- Most retweeted P-Pop group

- Most Awarded P-Pop group

- Longest consecutive stay at #1 spot on Daily MYX Top 10 Chart (ALAB - 60+ days)

____________________________________________

SB19 AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS


(2019)

— Most Favorite Pop Boy Group of the year (Ppop Awards for young artist)

— Favorite Group of the Year (Rawr Awards)


(2020)

— Favorite Entertainment of the Year

— Favorite Breakthrough Artist

— Best Performance by a Group Recording Artist

— Most Promising Recording/Performing Group

— SOTY

— AOTY

— NAOTY

— New Group Artist of the Year

— Breakthrough Artist of the Year

— Wishers Choice Award

— Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year

— Ppop Group of the Year

— OPM Song of the Year

— Facebook Superstars

— Entertainment Champion

— Performing Group of the Year

— Pop inspirational Song of the Year

— Original Song of the Year

— Breakthrough Artist of the Year

— Favorite Group of the Year

— Favorite Performer of the Year

— Fan Club of the Year

— Song of the Year

— Breakthrough Artist of the Year

— Fastest rising Boygroup

— Group Performer of the Year

— Fandom of the Year


 (2021)

— BBMAs

— Top Social Artist

— Best Southeast Asian Act

— Favorite Group Artist

— Favorite Song

— Best Music Video

— Best Performance by a group recording artist

— Artist of the Year

— Song of the Year

— Music Video of the Year

— Kumu Audience Choice Award

— Top Celebrity Awards

— Duo/Group Artist of the Year

— Wish Group of the Year

— Wishers Choice Award

— Wish Pop Song of the Year

— Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year

— Twitter Superstars

— Entertainment Champion

— Outstanding Group Artistrtist of the Year

— Favorite Ppop Group

— Gen Z approved Hit

— Push Music Personality of the Year

— Favorite Song

— Favorite Performer

— Favorite Group

— Fanclub of the Year

— Group Performer of the Year

— Fandom of the Year

— Fashion influencer of the Year

— PPOP awards

— People's Voice Favorite Song

— Favorite Song Of The Year

— Favorite Group

— Favorite Performer

— Fanclub Of The Year

— Royal Pride

— Best song

— Best group


 (2022)

— Wish Group of the Year

— Wish Pop Song of the Year

— Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year

— Wishclusive Ballad Performance of the Year

—Prêmio tudo grupo do ano

—VPCA fandom of the year

—VPCA group performer of the year

—VPCA grand slam winner

—New hue Best group Artist

—Maharlika Filipino Awards

—Grupo Musical Do Ano

—Favorite P-pop group

—Gen-Z Approved Hit

—BBFA face off

—Tiktok Awards 2022


(2023)

— Golden Underground Record Award (BAZINGA) 

— "Song Of The Year" on LA Music Review (GENTO) 

— P-Pop Song of the Year (WYAT)

— VPCA Music Video of the Year (WYAT)

— VPCA Hall of Fame (SB19)

—  Wish pop of the year (WYT)

— Wishers' choice (SB19)

— Wish group of the year (SB19)

— AAA 2023 Hot trend

— AAA 2023 Best artist award

— Kabataang pinoy record of the year

— Kabataang pinoy best collaboration 

— NYLON song of the year

— NYLON best performance by a group recording artist

—  NYLON best ballad recording 

— NYLON best vocal arrangement

— Favorite breakthrough artist of the year


(2024) 

—  Best Ppop Group by the Golden Laurel Media Awards

—  VPCA PPOP Song of the Year (GENTO) 

— VPCA Music Video of the Year (GENTO)

— SEC AWARDS artista revelacao doano

— Nominated on Nickelodeon KCA 2024 (favorite asian act) 

__________________________________________

SB19 HISTORY AND RECORDS ON BILLBOARD


•First PPOP group to enter "Pandora Prediction Charts" debuting at #6 on (November 11, 2019)


•First PPOP group to enter "Billboard Social 50" debuting at #28 (December 28, 2019)


•First PPOP group to enter "BillboardS Emerging Artists" debuting at #44 (February 29, 2020)


•First PPOP group to have multiple songs to debut at #1 on "Billboards LyricFind Global


▪️Alab(November 28,2020)

▪️Go Up(January 30, 2021)

▪️IKAKO(December 26, 2020) ▪️Tilaluha(December 5, 2020)

▪️Love Goes(December 19, 2020)

▪️Hanggang sa Huli(January 9, 2021)

▪️WMIAIN(January 16, 2021)


•First PPOP group to have multiple songs on "Billboard LyricFind U.S"


▪️Alab(November 28, 2020)#6

▪️Go Up(January 30, 2021)#5

▪️ Tilaluha(December 212, 2020)#5

▪️Love Goes(December 19, 2020)#7

▪️ Hanggang sa Huli(January 9, 2021)#7

▪️WMIAIN(January 16, 2021)#17


•First PPOP group to be listed on Billboard's Year-end Chart "Top Social 50 Artist of 2020" taking the 6th spot-Making them the first Southeast Asian Act to enter the Charts Top 10


•First PPOP group/Southeast Asian Act to be nominated at "Billboard Music Award" along side with the very big artist and they surely made a history in the Philippine Music Industry.

_____________________________________________

•(August 15, 2020) SB19 gets a new peak at "Billboards Social 50" peaking at #2


•(August 22, 2020) SB19 gets a new peak on "Billboard Emerging Artist" Peaking at #5

_____________________________________________

•First ever PPOP group to to take the top spot on "Billboards Weekly Hot trending Song"


•SB19 becomes the first act to replace BTS At #1 on Billboard's Newest Chart and First ever Filipino Boy group to enter on this Chart


•SB19 becomes the first PPOP to have the second longest running streak on BHHTS

___________________________________________

SB19 song MaPa:

-MAPA is the 5th most searched songs globally on Google

-MAPA (Lyric Video) as the 2nd Trending MVs in YouTube Philippines for the year 2021

-SB19 is one of the Top 10 on the Global RADAR Artists at Spotify.

____________________________________________

•On December 16, National Commission for Culture and the Arts named SB19 the new Youth and Sentro Rizal Ambassadors.


•On October 2023, SB19's GENTO and Crimzone became an approved entry for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, according to Sony Music Philippines.


•SB19 is the first and only Filipino act to be awarded Best Artist Award (Singer) at the Asia Artist Awards 2023


•On October 15, 2023 SB19 debuted as a cover stars of Billboard Ph


•GENTO makes it to Apple Music PH’s Top 100 Best Songs of 2023


•On July 15, 2022 SB19 became the only Filipino boy group to be included on Teen Vogue's Favorite Boy Band Of All Time.  


•On May 28, 2023 Sb19 officially announced that they're now under their self managed company which is 1Z Entertainment. 


SB19 as Pride of the Philippines 🇵🇭


They are definitely staying true to their goal of bringing OPM and P-Pop to the global stage.


Due to SB19's amazing talents and dedication to promote OPM or Pinoy Music and make known globally how talented Filipino's are they gained not just local fans but also lots of foreign supporters, keeping on raising Philippines flag in the field of Arts/Music.


Below are some of their international achievements that we can be proud of.


- July 2, 2021, MAPA by SB19 achievement on Spotify Global Charts. Peaked at No.13 on Viral 50 Global.


- MAPA by SB19 was covered by many foreign individuals using their own languages.


- SB19 placed no. 5 in 2021’s Google Top 10 global trending/most search item globally under the songs category with their song “MAPA.”


- First Filipino act to appear on the Billboard Next Big Sound chart. 


- First Filipino act to enter the Billboard Social 50. Debuted on Billboard's chart on the Social 50 tally in December 2019, reaching a No. 2 peak in August 2020.


- First Southeast Asian act to be nominated on the Billboard Music Awards and the first Southeast Asian act to make an appearance in the top 10 of the Billboard Social 50. It marked the first-ever appearance of a Filipino artist in the Billboard Music Awards.


- SB19 was nominated as Best Southeast Asia Act at the 2021 MTV Europe Music Awards in the month of October.


- November 4, 2021, "Bazinga" by SB19 entered the newly launched Billboard Hot Trending Songs at number 14 for the 24-hour and number 20 on the weekly. “SB19 is the first Filipino artist to debut a track on the chart.”


- SB19's song "Bazinga" reached number 1 on the Hot Trending Songs. It later becomes the song with the most weeks at number 1 on the chart surpassing six weeks run of "Butter" by BTS.


- January 9, 2022, SB19 performed for their first international music festival, representing the Philippines at the 2021 ASEAN-Korea Round Festival with the goal of sharing cultures within the ASEAN region.


- SB19 attended the Expo 2020 and performed at Dubai Exhibition Centre, marking SB19's first international live performance.


- SB19 Ken performed his newest solo single, "Bulan", at The Recording Academy Grammy's online series Global Spin, which celebrates global music, international artists, and the world's sounds. He is the first Filipino act to be featured in the said online series.


- SB19 received international awards during Asia Artist Awards (AAA). They were Awarded as Hot Trend and Best Artist Award.


- SB19 are breaking so many firsts for Filipinos and Southeast Asians first Billboard Music Award nomination, breaking the top 10 global charts with "Gento," and many other amazing achievements that are breaking barriers and paving the way for other Pinoy Pop to break through.


- Has International collaborations (collaboration with JVKE for Golden Hour and Apl De Ap for Ready)


- When SB19 released a series of cryptic riddles and videos it led fans to speculate about a world tour (WYAT World Tour). As a result, the hashtag #WhereIsSB19 has been trending on Twitter worldwide daily. 


- Held 2 successful World Tour. (WYAT World Tour and PAGTATAG World Tour).


- After the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in Northern California they declared July 28 as SB19 Day, this marked a new milestone, performing on television in Los Angeles.


- During SB19's stay abroad (WYAT World Tour) they performed on Wish USA and shoot some scenes for their music at Hollywood Boulevard, featuring the historic El Capitan Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.


- November 4, 2022 SB19 made their first live guesting on a United States TV show, on Fox 5’s morning show “Good Day New York.”


- When Gento was released SB19 debuted on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart with "Gento" entering at No. 8, granting the group their inaugural top 10 placement.


- In the year 2021, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, appointed SB19 as its newest Youth and Sentro Rizal ambassadors representing Filipino culture and stories worldwide.


- July 2022, Teen Vogue listed SB19 as one their Favorite Boy Bands Of All Time. They are the only Filipino act on the list.


- In the year 2022 SB19 finished second on Billboard Fan Army Face-Off championship round against "STAY", the fandom of K-pop boyband Stray Kids.


- October 2022, SB19 received an International Chartbursting Award at the 13th PMPC Star Awards for Music by the Philippine Movie and Press Club. 


- Made the list of popular YouTube pop culture channel Ms. Mojo's list of "Best Modern Boy Bands" emerging from the year 2000 onwards at number 20.


- August 8, 2023, SB19 finished as the winner of Billboard's Fan Army Face-Off championship round on social media against the K-pop boyband Seventeen.


- SB19 is set to represent the Philippines at the 2023 ROUND Festival in Jakarta, Indonesia.


- Gento by SB19 became viral internationally and many foreign people/artists are doing the GENTO challenge and some foreign groups did a cover of the song. 


- Gento by SB19 in global charts: 

No. 8 on Billboard World Digital Songs Sales Chart.

No. 17 on Billboard Hits of the World Chart.

No. 51 on Spotify Global Viral Hits Chart.

No. 13 (peak spot) on Tiktok’s Top 2000 Tracks Global Chart.


-  May 5, 2024 "Moonlight" a song collaboration with US-based producer/DJ Ian Asher and Chinese electronic producer Terry Zhong topped “No. 1” in iTunes Global Chart in 9 countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Qatar, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia. 


- In addition, the dance track Moonlight peaked at number 10 in iTunes sales worldwide in May 4, 2024.


- This is SB19, from the Philippines 🇵🇭

Winner of the Favorite Asian Act

2024 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards


To our A'TIN, this recognition is not just for us—it is yours too. Your support fuels our passion every day. Let's continue chasing our dreams together, not just for us, but for P-POP and for the country!


- And MANY MORE


📸 Mega Magazine 

#SB19 #PinoyPride 🇵🇭


SB19 | #SB19

Wazzup Pilipinas Celebrates Milestone with More than a Million Views for July




Wazzup Pilipinas, the acclaimed multi-awarded online platform, is proud to announce that it has achieved a significant milestone, reaching more than a million monthly views on its website. This remarkable achievement underscores the platform's growing influence and popularity among readers worldwide.

Founded by the visionary Ross Flores Del Rosario, Wazzup Pilipinas has consistently delivered high-quality content that engages, informs, and entertains its diverse audience. The platform's success can be attributed to its dedication to providing timely and relevant news, features, and insights across various topics, including lifestyle, travel, technology, and current events.

"We are thrilled to celebrate this momentous achievement," said Ross Del Rosario, Founder and CEO of Wazzup Pilipinas. "Reaching more than a million monthly views is a testament to our team's hard work and the trust our readers place in us. We remain committed to delivering top-notch content that resonates with our audience and continues to drive our growth."

Wazzup Pilipinas' journey from a budding blog to a leading online platform has been marked by numerous accolades and recognitions, highlighting its impact and contribution to the digital media landscape. The platform's innovative approach and dedication to quality have set it apart, making it a go-to source for reliable and engaging content.

As Wazzup Pilipinas continues to expand its reach, it remains focused on its mission to connect with readers and provide valuable insights into the ever-evolving world around us. The platform's success is a reflection of its commitment to excellence and its ability to adapt to the changing needs of its audience.

For more information about Wazzup Pilipinas and to explore its diverse range of content, visit https://www.wazzuppilipinas.com


Contact: 

Ross Del Rosario, Founder 
E-mail: rossdelrosario@gmail.com 
Mobile: 09473820042


About Wazzup Pilipinas: 

Wazzup Pilipinas is a leading online platform founded by Ross Flores Del Rosario, dedicated to delivering high-quality news, features, and insights across various topics. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, Wazzup Pilipinas has garnered numerous awards and recognitions, solidifying its position as a trusted source of information and entertainment for readers worldwide.

Congratulations to Ross Del Rosario and the entire Wazzup Pilipinas team on this outstanding achievement!

Chairman and PMG Mike Planas dispatches mail trucks in rescue and relief effort, allows Post Offices and hubs as temporary shelters


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



The Philippine Postal Corporation (The Post Office) wishes to inform the public that all its Post Offices and hubs as a temporary shelter to those affected by Typhoon Carina.

Chairman and Postmaster General Mike Planas urges all post office employees who need rescue or relief to call their respective Area Directors or comment and send a Message on The Post Office official Facebook page for emergency assistance.

“As per coordination with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Operations Center, the Post Office has prepositioned mail vehicles at Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) to OCD compound, General Headquarter to help in the rescue and relief efforts”, Chairman and Postmaster General/CEO Mike Planas said.


Post Office 6-wheeler trucks are already at OCD headquarters to aid in rescue efforts. There is also a standby 10-wheeler truck for possible dispatch in case the OCD needs it.

Planas directed all Area Directors nationwide to provide a list of their respective mobility assets which can be made available upon request by OCD. He also requested to identify facilities that may serve as hubs or logistics areas in subsequent OCD relief efforts.

Mega Manila Director Alvin Duron has offered its area facilities for OCD Operations in Bulacan which includes the Malolos Post Office, Baliuag Post Office, Bustos Post Office, in Cavite include Imus Post Office and Dasmarinas City Post Office. In the National Capital Region are Post Offices in Makati, Quezon City, Manila Central Post Office, Pasig, Pasay, Paranaque Post Offices.

In the provinces, with regards to possible facilities to be used as government hubs for relief efforts, Northwest Luzon Area Director Jun Malacapo recommends the following locations: Pampanga Mail Distribution Center, San Fernando, Pampanga, San Fernando SubDC, SF La Union, Dagupan SubDC, Tarlac, Laoag SubDC, Ilocos Norte, Vigan SubDC, Ilocos Sur and Olongapo SubDC, Zambales. Available vehicle assets are on standby on these locations for relief and rescue efforts.

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Join the Raffle Giveaway for Kuh Ledesma concert

 


Wazzup Pilipinas!?


Kuh Ledesma Sings 🎶🎵🎶 her ABCs


Since Wazzup Pilipinas is one the media partners of this special concert, with that, we are giving away 2 sets of 2 tickets!


Meaning 2 Winners of 2 Tickets!!! 


Follow these Mechanics on the Wazzup Pilipinas Facebook page 



Wazzup Pilipinas Reaches New Milestone with Nearly a Million Monthly Views


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



In a significant achievement for the digital media landscape, Wazzup Pilipinas, the multi-awarded online platform, has announced that it has reached nearly a million monthly views on its website. This milestone marks a new high in the platform's growing influence and reach within the online community.

Founded and led by the dynamic Ross Del Rosario, Wazzup Pilipinas has consistently delivered engaging and relevant content, covering a wide array of topics from current events and lifestyle to technology and entertainment. Del Rosario's vision and dedication have been instrumental in propelling the platform to its current success.

Since its inception, Wazzup Pilipinas has garnered multiple awards and recognitions, solidifying its reputation as a trusted source of news and information. The platform's ability to attract and retain a diverse readership is a testament to its commitment to quality content and innovation.

The near-million monthly views is a reflection of the hard work and strategic direction spearheaded by Del Rosario. His leadership and the collective effort of the Wazzup Pilipinas team have created a vibrant online community that resonates with readers from all walks of life.

"We are thrilled to see such a tremendous response from our audience," said Del Rosario. "This milestone is not just a number but a testament to the trust and loyalty our readers have shown us. We will continue to strive for excellence and bring the best content to our audience."

As Wazzup Pilipinas continues to grow, the platform remains dedicated to its mission of delivering timely and impactful stories. This latest achievement is just the beginning, as Del Rosario and his team look forward to reaching even greater heights in the future.

Congratulations to Ross Del Rosario and the entire Wazzup Pilipinas team on this remarkable accomplishment!

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Environmental group Joins Brigada Eskwela to Raise Awareness on Protecting Children from Hazardous Chemicals and Wastes


Wazzup Pilipinas!?


As the country prepares for the resumption of school on July 29, environmental NGO BAN Toxics joined today’s Brigada Eskwela kickoff activity at Payatas B Elementary School (PBES) in Quezon City to promote toxic-free and waste-free schools. Carrying broomsticks, mops, paint, brushes, and other cleaning and maintenance materials, teachers, parents, and students gathered at the covered court in front of the school to formally open the weeklong activity.

Brigada Eskwela is an annual school maintenance program by the Department of Education (DepEd) where teachers, parents, and community members contribute their time, efforts, and resources to ensure public schools are ready for the start of classes.









“The annual Brigada Eskwela is a great opportunity for schools and communities to come together to raise awareness about toxic and waste concerns and ensure a safe environment for students and teachers,” said Antonio Miranda, Principal of PBES.

Speaking at the event, BAN Toxics Executive Director Reynaldo San Juan Jr. says it is important to ensure that school premises are not only clean, but are clear of toxic chemicals that may harm children. “Toxic chemicals may be present in paint, disinfectants, and even in the school supplies that our children use, and it is important that our community, especially the teachers and parents, are aware of this.”

The group recommended taking steps to make sure that the paints being used are free of lead, warning that despite being banned, some illegally imported lead-containing paints might still be sold in the market. Old plumbing systems that use lead pipes and fittings are also a source of lead contamination in water. San Juan Jr. added that they recently tested some school bags and water containers being sold in bargain stores that contain lead.

Lead is a potent neurotoxin that causes irreparable harm to children’s brains. It impairs their developing brains before they have the chance to mature fully, resulting in lifelong neurological, cognitive, and physical impairments. Childhood lead exposure is also associated with mental health and behavioral problems.

The group also advised being cautious when using common cleaning materials. For example, bleach can irritate the skin and eyes, and may cause asthma. Children are more vulnerable to breathing bleach vapors because their lungs are still developing. Bleach, when mixed with other chemicals that contain ammonia, vinegar, or other acids can create toxic gas.

Some liquid hand soaps available on the market also contain triclosan and triclocarban, antibacterial chemicals suspected of being endocrine disruptors and considered chemicals of emerging concern. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) interfere with the endocrine system, potentially disrupting hormone activity in the body and posing risks to fertility, reproductive organs, increasing the risk of cancer, suppressing the immune system, and causing skin irritation.

Phthalates, another EDC, are also found in air fresheners and cleaning and sanitizing products.

“An important step to ensuring the products we use are safe for children is to check the label for details about the ingredients. A good rule of thumb is to avoid products with no ingredient information. If you're unsure about a product, check whether it is registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through their website,” San Juan Jr. said.

During the program, BAN Toxics and Traders Industrial Supply Co., Inc. (TRISCO), a private industrial trading firm, conducted chemical testing of school facilities, paint, and cleaning products using a handheld X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer.

The group also discussed the importance of proper waste management in schools and emphasized the need to develop responsible waste habits in our children. “Our kids need to be well-educated on reducing waste, particularly plastic waste, and on proper segregation. They need to understand that plastic pollution poses a growing threat to human health and the environment,” San Juan Jr. said.

A highlight of the event was the signing of a memorandum of agreement between BAN Toxics and PBES administrators for the Toxic-Free and Waste-Free Schools Program (TFSP), which aims to raise awareness about the proper management of chemicals and waste in schools.

The TFSP has been one of the main initiatives of BAN Toxics since 2009. The program was designed to raise awareness on the negative effects of toxic chemicals and wastes found in schools, homes, and communities and promote environmentally sustainable and safe alternatives, as well as educate students and members of the community on sound chemical and waste management.

“We look forward to increased cooperation with our academic institutions, and we hope that the newly appointed DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara will prioritize the health and safety of our teachers and students,” San Juan Jr. said.

The group called on the new DepEd Secretary to initiate new programs that would raise the knowledge of teachers and students on hazardous chemicals and proper waste management and promote a safer and healthier learning environment.

Meet the filmmakers of the Bacolod Film Festival


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



The Bacolod Film Festival will premiere ten short films at SM Bacolod and Ayala Malls Capitol Central cinemas in September.

The recipients of production grants worth 300,000 pesos each from the Bacolod City government are Chelsea Tasic (“A Flower A Day”), Charlene Mead Tupas (“Aninaw”), Juan Carlo Miguel “Jayce” Ferraris (“Blind Date”), Zack Verzosa (“Glub”), Pau Ortaliz Santos (“Laragway sa Karon”), Banjo Hinolan (“Manokan Country”), Willbryan Garcia (“Puli Na, Diche Lesly”), VinJo Entuna (“Sa Pwesto ni Pistong”), Oscar Villanueva (“The Mansion”), and Georgia Elardo (“Those Little Things”).

Chelsea, 20, is a second-year nursing student and filmmaker at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City. She started to pursue her passion in filmmaking during her senior high school at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), where she directed two award-winning short films at the UNO-R SHS DigiFest in 2021 and 2022. She also directed “Dalit sa Sala,” which won both People’s Choice award and special citation for its compelling story, at the Sine Negrense: Negros Island Film Festival in 2023.




Meanwhile, Charlene has honed her craft as an alumna of the Maskara Theatre Ensemble and as a member of The Performance Laboratory, Inc. These institutions trained her in community theatre, deepening her understanding of its role in entertainment, education, and advocacy. As an actor, writer, and director, she has contributed to national art festivals, conferences, and collaborative exchanges with theatre groups and artists across the country, guided by theater director Tanya P. Lopez. She garnered national acclaim in 2020 as the grand prize winner of Nespresso Talents for her short film “Tsinelas.”

Jayce is currently pursuing a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Digital Film at Mapua University Makati. He had his directorial debut in the short film “Please Hold...” in 2023. He also directed and produced the short documentary “Bacolod's Drag Odyssey” this year. In addition, Jayce also edited the Puregold Cinepanalo short film “Saan Ako Pinaglihi?”

Zack recently graduated cum laude with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Communication at USLS. He joined the Bacolod Summer Workshop screenwriting class in 2022. He wrote and directed “Añoranza” and “Ritmo,” Sine Negrense Open Category finalists in 2023 and 2022, respectively. He also wrote and directed “Instrumentum: Garden of Eden,” which won the Best TV Drama in the Bilib Awards in 2021. He also wrote “Yours Truly” which won Best Picture in the Inasal Awards in 2022 and “Anstal” in 2021.

Pau is a filmmaker with a rich background in screenwriting and video journalism. Starting her career as a screenwriter, she worked on short films such as “Sinta” (2022), “Andromeda” (2021), and “Siete Palabras” (2021). Before venturing into the world of filmmaking, Pau honed her skills as a video journalist for Tolentine Star, the official student publication of UNO-R.

Banjo is a Bacolod-born-and-raised filmmaker with a Mass Communication degree from USLS. His background in theater and film production is complemented by his experience as a director, videographer, and video editor for various cable TV stations in Bacolod City. He is also a part-time instructor at his alma mater. He has participated in and conducted numerous workshops in film production, cinematography, film editing, and directing. His talents have taken him to national and international film productions as both actor and production personnel. He was also mentored by Tanya and the late multi-awarded filmmaker Peque Gallaga.

Willbryan studied Psychology at USLS and is also an alumnus of USLS Maskara Theatre Ensemble like Charlene and Banjo. He has done acting jobs both on stage and on TV. He co-directed the short film “Indi Sya Si Jimmy” which had its premiere at CineKasimanwa: The Western Visayas Film Festival in 2023.

VinJo is a filmmaker from Bacolod City and a graduate of the University of the Philippines Film Institute in 2021. His film training includes attending workshops such as Ricky Lee's Scriptwriting Workshop in 2020, Inggo Petzke's Experimental Filmmaking Workshop in 2019, and the Bacollywood Workshops in 2015. His work “Ang Amomonggo sa Aton” won Best Animated Film at both Gawad Alternatibo and Ateneo Video Open (AVO) in 2022. The film also got the Best Student Film award at the SEA x SEA: South East Asia x Seattle Film Festival (2022), first runner-up for Best Animated Film at the second Pinoy Rebyu Awards (2022), Jury's Choice award at Sine Negrense (2021), Best Screenplay and Far Eastern University Center for the Arts (FCA) Award at SinePiyu, and also the Best Sound Design at AVO in 2022.

Born and raised in Bacolod City, Oscar studied cinematography under the Negros Summer Workshops and sound design under the Bacollywood Summer Workshops. Oscar’s love for screenwriting led him to becoming a filmmaker, which materialized when his script was selected in the Bacolod Film Festival.

Georgia is a filmmaker, digital media artist, and a graduate of La Consolacion College Bacolod. Her short film “Si Tinay Kag Ang Tamawo” was part of the 2019 Ngilngig Asian Fantastic Film Festival in Davao.

Catch the BFF filmmakers and their films in Bacolod cinemas this September.

Angara temporarily defers RPMS submission to let teachers focus on SY 2024-2025 opening of classes


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Education Secretary Sonny Angara signed on Monday a memorandum extending the deadline of submission for SY 2023-2024 performance ratings until September 2024, while deferring the implementation of the Results-Based Performance Management System (RPMS) for all school-based personnel for School Year (SY) 2024-2025.

Under the memorandum, the RPMS submission for SY 2023-2024 will be moved to September 15 for performance review and evaluation, and September 30, 2024 for performance rewarding and development planning.

The adjustment was set to avoid consequences and possible grounds for disqualifications from monetary and non-monetary performance-related incentives such as step increments, training opportunities, promotion, and educational support among others.

Meanwhile, for SY 2024-2025, all RPMS-related activities at the school level shall be deferred until further notice, including performance planning and commitment, monitoring, assessment, and evaluation of the school and individual personnel.

Sec. Angara noted that this is in response to the need for teaching and non-teaching personnel to focus on the preparations for the opening of classes for SY 2024-2025.

“Ang reklamo ng mga teachers is nakakasabay siya [RPMS] sa bukasan ng pasukan. So, ang daming kailangang documentation, tapos sabay ‘yong Brigada Eskwela, sabay ‘yong opening of classes,” Angara said.

Angara has likewise instructed the Executive Committee of the DepEd to form a Task Force to review and study the implementation of RPMS at the school level for SY 2024-2025 to streamline, improve, and simplify its processes and requirements.

"Bubuo tayo ng isang task force upang araling simplehan at padaliin ang requirement na ito," Angara said, emphasizing that "klaro ang utos ng ating Civil Service Commission na kailangan ang mga ganitong klaseng evaluation process."



For non-school based personnel in the DepEd Central Office, Regional Offices, and Schools Division Offices, the implementation of RPMS for FY 2024 will proceed as planned.





100K Challenge to Create Climate Change Campaign Videos


Wazzup Pilipinas!?


CALL FOR SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS TO COLLAB FOR CREATING CLIMATE CHANGE CAMPAIGN VIDEO (100K CHALLENGE)


Let's strengthen the quality of actionable climate information on social media platforms—and consequently, deepen public engagement with local, national and regional climate issues. We aim to do so by strengthening the climate knowledge and resources of social media content producers.

The goal of this initiative is to raise public awareness and understanding about climate change-related information and motivate action by improving the quality and quantity of climate and environmental content disseminated on social media.

There are two intermediate objectives associated with the goal:

To increase social media content producers’ knowledge of climate change and their access to credible climate-related data sources and thematic expertise.

And to strengthen the capacity and resources of social media content producers to create engaging climate change information in short-form video content format for social media.

In the past two decades, the shift from traditional to digital media has transformed how news and information are disseminated, accessed and experienced. Recently, new challenges in the information space have emerged: people are increasingly getting news and information from social media amidst growing distrust in mainstream news media and the proliferation of smart phones and applications; climate/environmental news avoidance is growing; and mis/disinformation on climate change and other environmental themes is widespread. These challenges are particularly salient to Asia, which currently accounts for 60% of the world’s social media users.

Information consumers, particularly young people, are turning to social media content producers for information they trust, as they are seen as authentic and relatable information sources. 

As this policy brief notes, social media influencers can shape political decisions, engage their followers on civic issues and motivate action. On the other hand, under pressure from platform algorithms to produce frequent and "clickbaity" content, and often ill-equipped with factchecking skills—particularly relevant when discussing science-based issues such as climate impacts and solutions—they are both vulnerable to and can also be disseminators of mis- and disinformation when engaging with their followers.


CRITERIA:


Relevance: Does the pitch meet the criteria and objectives of the call? Is the main idea, context and overall value to the target audience clearly defined?


Angle: Do your ideas for content bring new insights or offer a fresh angle on climate resilience in the Philippines?


Impact: Does the pitch seem compelling? Is it likely to inform and engage, draw attention, trigger debate and urge action?


Innovative storytelling: The use of creative video editing approaches, narrative styles and/or data will be considered a plus. 


Reach out to us to know more...


https://www.wazzuppilipinas.com

FDCP gears up for first-ever FilmEC in September


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will hold the first-ever Film Education Convention (FilmEC) from September 17 to 18 at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in Manila.

The FilmEC is a two-day convention which brings together film creatives from the academe and in the industry, in line with the FDCP’s continuous efforts to champion film education in the country.

The convention features screenings of selected student short films, panel discussions, plenary talks, film book sales, and networking opportunities for film students and educators.


FDCP Chair and Chief Executive Officer Jose Javier “Direk Joey” Reyes explained that the activity-filled event aims “to gather both teachers and students of film to converge, get to know one another and engage in conversations that will break barriers of language or institutional representation.”

The Academic Film Society has created an organizing committee, composed of nine members from various AFS-registered universities and colleges to assist in preparing for and promoting the event.


They consist of Alec Berame, DLS-CSB; Patrick Campos, University of the Philippines Film Institute; David Corpuz, Mapúa University; Hector Barretto Calma, iACADEMY; Catherine Cequeña, Adamson University; Kareen Gancio, West Visayas State University; Maricon Montajes, UP Mindanao; Stanley Rovira, University of Makati; and Christina Stella Ustaris, Far Eastern University.

FDCP Project Development Officers Korina Dela Cruz, Jen-Lopez Marcos, and Marie Ira, Education Head Rica Arevalo, and Education Consultant Seymour Sanchez also attended the AFS meeting.

The FDCP will also host a series of pocket events, which includes student film screenings, talkback sessions, and film workshops in universities and Cinematheque Centres nationwide, to promote the convention.

AFS has curated a selection of student short films followed by talkback sessions with the filmmakers at Cinematheque Centre Manila last July 19 and at University of Makati on August 27, with more locations to be announced before the convention.

FDCP and the Filipino Screenwriters Guild (FSG) will also continue their regional screenwriting workshop for beginners. Five slots per region are open to AFS members in Iloilo, Negros, and Davao, aged 18 years old and above, with no professional screenwriting experience.

“We're here to learn, immerse, and understand film education in the Philippines, exposing newcomers to real-world filmmaking,” Direk Joey stressed.

AFS member-schools have access to the FDCP’s Student Film Assistance Program (SFAP) and Film School workshops and specialized training programs, references, artifacts, and films available under its media library, mentors and resource persons for film education component, film exhibition platforms including Cinematheque Centres nationwide and JuanFlix: The FDCP Channel, FDCP ratings and permits, school event promotions, and other benefits.

3rd State of the Nation Address of His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.


Wazzup Pilipinas!?


For those who missed the 3rd State of the Nation Address of His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. President of the Philippines to the Congress of the Philippines on July 22, 2024, here is the full speech below:






SPEECH


State of the Nation Address of His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Session Hall of the House of Representatives, Batasang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City


Thank you, allow me to greet the former presidents who are with us here today.

Allow me to greet the former presidents who are with us here today: President Joseph Ejercito Estrada and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; Senate President Chiz Escudero and the honorable members of the Senate; House Speaker Martin Romualdez and the honorable members of the House of Representatives; Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and the honorable justices of the Supreme Court; His Excellency, the Most Reverend Charles John Brown and the esteemed members of the Diplomatic Corps; Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and the members of the Cabinet; of course the First Lady, the First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos [applause]; other distinguished guests; mga minamahal kong kababayan, magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat.

The hard lesson of this last year has made it very clear that whatever current data proudly bannering our country as among the best-performing in Asia, means nothing to a Filipino, who is confronted by the price of rice at 45 to 65 pesos per kilo.

Bagamat maganda ang mga istatistikang ito, wala itong kabuluhan sa ating kababayan na hinaharap ang realidad na mataas ang presyo ng mga bilihin, lalo na ang pagkain — lalo’t higit, ng bigas.

Totoo, puwersa ng merkado — sa ating bansa at maging sa buong daigdig — ang siyang nagdidikta ng presyo. Bunsod ito, halimbawa, ng giyera, problema sa supply, at puwersa ng kalikasan, tulad ng El Niño na naranasan din sa ibang bansa. Subalit hindi na ito mahalagang alalahanin ng ating mga kababayang nabibigatan sa presyo ng bigas.

Mahal kong mga kababayan, alam kong damang-dama ninyo ito. Hindi natin winawalang-bahala ang inyong mga hinaing at hirap na dinaranas.

Sa kabila ng mga hamon na ating kinakaharap, nasaksihan natin ang pinakamataas na ani ng palay sa bansa nitong nakalipas na taon. [applause] Pumalo ito sa lagpas dalawampung milyong tonelada — ang pinakamataas na ani mula pa noong 1987! [applause]

Gayunpaman, ang ani na ito ay katumbas lamang ng labintatlong milyong tonelada ng bigas. Kulang pa rin ito para sa ating pangangailangan na labing anim na milyong tonelada ng bigas, kung kaya’t napipilitan tayong mag-angkat.

Ngunit, lokal na produksyon pa rin ang ating mas bibigyan ng halaga.

Kaya patuloy nating sinusuportahan ang sektor ng agrikultura, upang mapabilis, mapadali, at mapalakas ang produksyon — mula sa pagpunla, pag-ani at paghuli, hanggang sa pagbiyahe at pagbenta — at upang maiwasan din ang pagkasira ng mga produkto.

Nitong nakalipas na taon, higit isandaang milyong kilo ng mga sari-saring binhi, suwi, at pataba na ang ipinamahagi sa mga magsasaka. Namigay rin ang pamahalaan ng mahigit tatlong daang libong inahin upang ito ay maparami.

Para naman sa mga mangingisda, mahigit limandaang milyong fingerlings at tatlong libong mga bangka ang naipamahagi. Nakakatulong din ang mga ginawa at inayos na mga fish ports at cold storage upang masuportahan ang kanilang industriya.

Bukod pa sa mga ito, naroon din ang mga teknikal at pinansyal na tulong para sa dagdag na kaalaman sa mga makabagong pamamaraan, at pagkukunan ng sapat na puhunan.

Handa na rin ang pamahalaan na ilabas ang mga bakuna laban sa [African] Swine Fever na magpapalakas sa mga alagang hayop, at magbibigay ng garantiya sa mga magsasaka laban sa pagkalugi. [applause]

Nagsasagawa rin tayo ng mga kaugnay na hakbang upang pababain ang presyo at madagdagan din ang ating supply ng pagkain.

Because of compelling emergency reasons, such as illegal price manipulations by hoarders and smuggling, we were constrained to temporarily implement mandated price ceilings on rice. We also extended the reduced tariff rates to facilitate the importation of rice, corn, and pork until the end of this year.

Tinitiyak ko sa ating mga magsasaka at sa buong sektor ng agrikultura na ang mga ito ay pawang pang-gipitang solusyon lamang.

Sa repormang sakahan naman, tuloy pa rin ang programa, at ang pamamahagi ng mga titulo sa mga magsasaka. Sa nakalipas na dalawang taon, mahigit isangdaan at tatlumpung libong titulo na ang ating naigawad sa mga benepisyaryo. [applause] Tuloy-tuloy din at pinabibilis pa natin ang paghahati-hati ng collective Certificates of Land Ownership Award o CLOA para sa mga indibidwal na benepisyaryo nito.

Pinamamahagi na rin ang mga Certificates of Condonation, kaugnay ng pagpapawalang-bisa sa mahigit limampu’t pitong bilyong pisong utang ng may anim na raang libong benepisyaryo.

Bukod pa rito, naresolba rin ang mahigit pitumpung libong mga kaso patungkol sa repormang agraryo. Kasama rito ang mahigit dalawang libong kasong matagal nang nakabinbin bago pa man pumasok ang Administrasyon.

Through modernized customs procedures and heightened enforcement efforts, more than 2.7 billion pesos worth of smuggled agri-fisheries products have been seized, preventing them from entering the market and negatively influencing prices. [applause]

Bilang leksyon, ang mga nasabat na kargamento ng bigas ay agad nating ipinamahagi sa ating mga mahihirap na kababayan. Ganoon din ang sasapitin ng lahat ng mga ipupuslit na mga bigas. Ang ibang mga produkto naman ay ating sisirain o susunugin — bukod pa sa pagkaka-kulong sa mga mahuhuling mga salarin.

Soon, we will be implementing the pre-border technical verification and cross-border electronic invoicing of import commodities.

This will send a strong message that we mean serious business.

To reduce unnecessary business costs, local government units no longer collect fees and charges from motorists transporting goods and merchandise while passing through national roads. [applause] On the same principle, LGUs have been strongly urged to refrain from collecting similar fees for the use of local roads. [applause]

Nagsilbing kaagapay ng taumbayan ang KADIWA sa panahon ng mataas ang presyo ng pagkain. Dahil naging epektibo ito, ang mga KADIWA Centers ay magpapatuloy pa.

Katuwang ang mga lokal na pamahalaan, dinadagdagan pa natin ang mga KADIWA sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa. Higit sa lahat, layunin nating gawing permanente rin, at mas madalas pa ang pagdaraos ng mga KADIWA! [applause]

Matatapos ngayong taon ang isanlibo at dalawang daang kilometro ng mga farm-to-market roads sa buong bansa. Mahigit siyam na libo’t tatlong daang makinarya ang maipa-pamahagi, at pasilidad na magagawa ngayong taon.

Patuloy tayong nagbubukas at nagkukumpuni ng mga irigasyon sa buong Pilipinas.

Ngayong taon, bibigyan natin ng patubig ang halos apatnapu’t limang libong ektarya ng bagong lupain. Bubuhayin din nating muli ang irigasyon sa halos tatlumpu’t walong libong ektarya ng lupain sa buong bansa.

Isa sa mga natapos na proyekto ay ang stage two ng Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project. Halos sampung libong ektarya ng lupain sa North Cotabato at Maguindanao del Sur ang maseserbisyuhan ng irigasyon na ito.

Ang ilan sa mga ginagawa nating irigasyon ngayon ay solar. Ibig sabihin, pinapatakbo ang mga ito ng haring araw, hindi nauubos, at hindi nangangailangan ng paggamit ng krudo. Isang halimbawa ay ang kabubukas lamang na Cabaruan Solar-Powered Pump Irrigation Project sa Quirino, Isabela. [applause]

Samantala, dahil sa Jalaur River Multipurpose Project sa Iloilo, halos tatlumpu’t dalawang libong ektarya ng lupain ang mabibigyan ng patubig. [applause]

Patutunayan ng proyekto sa Jalaur River ang pinalalawig na potensyal ng irigasyon. Hindi na lamang patubig sa sakahan ang kaya nitong gawin. Ito na rin ay magagamit sa pagkontrol ng baha, paglikha ng kuryente, at pati na rin para sa turismo.

Moving forward, irrigation dams will supplement all our other bulk water projects to ensure water security for our people, especially in the underserved areas.

Matindi ang naging epekto ng dumaang El Niño, lalo na sa mga sakahan. Sa tinamong pinsala mula sa pagkasira ng mga pananim, nagkaroon ng proteksyon ang ating mga magsasaka sa pamamagitan ng ating binigay na crop insurance.

Sa nakalipas na dalawang taon, mahigit siyam na [bilyong] pisong halaga ang naging bayad-pinsala sa mga apektadong magsasaka at mangingisda.

Ngunit mainam na rin na nailunsad nang maaga ang mga modernong paraan ng pagtatanim, tulad ng low-water- use farming technologies.

Sa ating nasimulan sa proyektong LAWA at BINHI, isinasagawa na ang mga modernong imbakan ng tubig, upang lalong maging handa at protektado ang ating mga magsasaka sa banta ng tagtuyot.

As we can see in all the world, weather events are, as predicted, getting more extreme, such as torrential rains that instantly shift to scorching heat waves — or vice- versa. Our country’s geographical location makes us highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

Precisely because of our inherent vulnerability, we are proactive advocates for heightened climate responsibility and justice on the global stage. To this end, we have secured a seat on the Board of the Loss and Damage Fund. Further, the Philippines has also been selected as host country to that fund. [applause]

This will require an enabling law from Congress to confer the legal personality and capacity to the Board.

This welcome development shall complement all our climate adaptation and mitigation measures, and give us a strong voice to access the needed financial assistance for climate-related initiatives and impacts.

Gayumpaman, ang pinakamahalaga ay ang buong bansa ay matibay at laging handa sa nakaka-pinsalang mga sakuna. Nangunguna ang ating mga DRRM workers upang tiyakin ang ating malawakang paghahanda, at ang ating pagiging mulat, at listo sa anumang oras.

Bilang pangunahing paghahanda, nagtatayo tayo ng mga mahahalagang imprastraktura na magsisilbing proteksyon at sentro ng koordinasyon, lalo na sa aspeto ng paghahatid-tulong.

Within the past two years, almost a hundred evacuation centers have already been built. While in January of this year, we started the operations of our Disaster Response Command Center, which shall serve as the central hub for the government’s disaster response efforts.

Ngayon, sa pag-pihit ng panahon, ang hagupit ng La Niña at mga matinding pag-ulan naman ang ating binabantayan at pinaghahandaan.

Mahigit limang libo at limang daang flood control project ang natapos na, at marami pang iba ang kasalukuyang ginagawa sa buong bansa. [applause]

Isa na rito ay ang Flood Risk Management Project sa Cagayan de Oro River, na magbibigay ng pangmatagalang proteksyon sa mahigit anim na raang ektarya ng lupa at animnapung libo nating mga kababayan. [applause] Isa pa ay ang proyekto sa Pampanga Bay na magsisilbing karagdagang lunas sa mga pagbabaha.

Noong Enero, inilunsad natin ang “KALINISAN sa Bagong Pilipinas”, kung saan pinakilos natin ang ating mga barangay upang maglinis sa kani-kanilang komunidad. Sa limang buwan lamang, mahigit apatnapung libong tonelada ng basura ang nakolekta ng mahigit dalawampu’t dalawang libong mga barangay sa buong bansa. Inaasahan ko ang tuloy-tuloy na suporta ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa paglilinis ng ating pamayanan. [applause]

Bilang halimbawa rin dito sa Maynila, nagsimula na ang malawakang pagtutulungan upang Bigyang Buhay Muli ang Ilog Pasig. [applause]

As we enter the mid-term, our infrastructure development remains sustained, strategic, and on schedule.

Aside from agriculture and disaster risk, our other vital sectors and pillars — such as education, health, energy, low-cost housing, transport, information technology — they all stand to benefit from our aggressive infrastructure development, as befitting our upper middle-income economic target.

With the results that we have seen two years into this Administration, we can claim that despite challenges, we are steadily progressing towards our targets in the medium-term.

Our power and internet services are continuously being upgraded in both capacity and connectivity.

Sa ating Free Wi-Fi Program, halos sampung milyong unique user devices ang nakikinabang sa libreng internet sa mahigit labintatlong libong lugar sa buong Pilipinas. [applause] Nasasagap ito sa marami nating mga paaralan at mga malalayo at liblib na mga pook. Patuloy pa ang ating pinararami ang mga libreng Wi-Fi sa buong bansa.

As part of our internet infrastructure development, phase 1 of the National Fiber Backbone has been completed and operationalized. Phases 2 and 3 have already begun early this year, and shall be completed by 2026. This fiber backbone will give us sufficient capacity in terms of bandwidth.

As of 2022, only seventy-seven percent or 20.6 million households were connected to the Internet.

This is much too low.

Together with our private sector partners, we will efficiently harness the concept of common towers to provide connectivity to Filipinos who are at the far end of the last mile. Expect full government support to ensure the successful completion of this critical project, including policy reforms and streamlined processes. [applause]

Bigger and faster IT infrastructures require stronger and more impervious cyber-defense. Our recently launched National Cybersecurity Plan lays down the blueprint for us to safeguard our systems against cyberattacks.

With this said, I have directed the agencies concerned to ensure that the speed and quality of our IT development always mirrors the pace and trajectory of our economic aspirations.

As energy projects get completed and new investments pour into the sector, we expect our nation’s power supply to increase at a steady pace to meet our growing demand in the next few years. Nonetheless, we are continuously diagnosing and urgently addressing power shortages, as well as the systemic causes of blackouts in unserved and underserved areas.

Nireremedyuhan natin ang pangangailangan ng mga lugar na wala pang kuryente at madalas ma-brownout, sa pamamagitan ng microgrid at off-grid systems, at mga missionary small power utilities na sinusuportahan pa rin ng solar.

Running through Bataan, Pampanga, and Bulacan, the newly inaugurated Mariveles-Hermosa-San Jose transmission line will further strengthen the reliability of the Luzon power grid. [applause]

In the Visayas, all stages of the Cebu-Negros-Panay backbone project have likewise been completed. This project shall serve to stabilize the power situation in Western and Central Visayas, and avert recurrences of power outages experienced in the past.

Dahil sa proyektong ito, naiwasan ang blackouts sa Panay Island noong Abril hanggang Hunyo, sa kabila ng yellow at red alerts sa rehiyon.

And just last week, the Dumanjug-Corella Line of the Cebu-Bohol Interconnection Project was energized, enabling the transfer of power between Cebu and Bohol.

With these systems currently operating at capacity, these major power lines shall contribute to the efficient power exchanges not only between Luzon and the Visayas, but also involving Mindanao. Energy sharing and transfers between, among, and within the three island groups have now been made possible with the energization last January of the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection. [applause]

The energization of the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection is a defining moment not only for the power sector but for the entire country. Finally, we have connected the power grids of all three major island groups.

The “unified Philippine Grid” is a fulfillment of the dream, whose seeds were planted in the 80s, through a vision bolstered by R&D, which we accomplished by applying typical Filipino persistence and dedication.

Batid nating lahat na ang presyo ng kuryente dito sa ating bansa ay mataas. Kaya patuloy tayo sa pagdagdag ng mga imprastraktura ng kuryente na magpapababa ng presyo ng kalaunan.

Sa kabilang banda, tinitiyak din nating makatarungan ang paniningil sa mga konsyumer.

Ilan sa mga hakbang na pinatupad ng pamahalaan ay:

Una, ang mas maayos at patas na Lifeline Rate program para sa mga mahihirap, lalo na sa mga benepisyaryo ng 4Ps; [applause]

Pangalawa, ang naging pansamantalang pagsuspinde ng FIT-All Tariff sa ating electric bill;

Pangatlo, ang Anti-Bill Shock program;

Pang-apat, ang naging pagsuspinde ng Wholesale Electricity Spot Market noong panahon ng red alert sa Luzon at Visayas grids;

At pang-huli, mga refund at pagpapatanggal ng mga sobrang singil sa konsyumer, tulad ng franchise fee. [applause]

Binabalikan at binubusisi nating muli ang EPIRA upang malaman kung angkop pa ba ito sa ating kasalukuyang sitwasyon, o napapanahon na, na ito ay amyendahan. [applause]

Hinihiling ko sa Kongreso na pag-tulungan na natin ito, alang-alang sa kapakanan ng mga Pilipino. Sa taas ng presyo ng kuryente sa bansa, nahihirapan hindi lamang ang mga negosyante — kundi lalo na ang taumbayan. [applause]

As of May this year, twelve thousand kilometers worth of roads and more than one thousand two hundred bridges have been built and upgraded across the country. [applause]

Of note, we have provided the budget to upgrade three hundred sixty-seven bridges and almost one thousand six hundred kilometers of road along our country’s longest thoroughfare — the Maharlika Highway — from Luzon all the way to Mindanao.

Moreover, significant segments of major expressways, which are part of the Luzon Spine Expressway Network, have now been opened to the public.

The C-LEX, NLEX-SLEX Connector, and the Plaridel Bypass will be fully completed by the end of this year. [applause] CALAX and the C5 South Link will be fully operational by next year.

Dahil sa mga mahahalagang daan na ito, ang Norte, Gitnang Luzon, Maynila, at Katimugang Luzon ay lalo pa ngayong magiging mas konektado sa isa’t isa.

Under our Inter-Island Linkage Bridge Program, we expect two major bridges to be opened to motorists this year. One is the Panguil Bay Bridge — touted as the longest water-spanning bridge in Northern Mindanao. [applause] This bridge will connect Lanao del Norte to Misamis Occidental. The other is the Guicam Bridge in Zamboanga Sibugay, which shall connect Olutanga Island to the mainland of Mindanao.

In addition, travel to and from Clark Airport is now much faster and more convenient, with the inauguration of the twenty-kilometer Airport-New Clark City Access Road in Pampanga. [applause]

We are in the midst as well of a “railway renaissance”. The Metro Manila Subway Project has logged significant accomplishments in its tunneling works. Sa puntong ito, katumbas na ng tatlo hanggang anim na palapag ang lalim ng nahukay, at tuloy-tuloy na umuusad sa susunod na istasyon.

Other railway projects, such as the MRT-7 and the North- South Commuter Railway, are likewise progressing.

We will make sure that the right of way issues are resolved in the most equitable, efficient, and expeditious manner, so that these will not get in the way of our infrastructure development.

Bilang bahagi ng LRT 1 Cavite Extension project, ang ruta ng LRT Line 1 sa Metro Manila ay madadagdagan mula Baclaran hanggang Sucat. Bubuksan ito sa publiko sa loob ng taong ito. At sa ilang taon, aabot na ang linyang ito hanggang Bacoor.

Nagdagdag din tayo ng pitumpu’t anim na bago at modernong mga tren sa LRT 1 upang mas dumami, bumilis, at maging mas kumportable ang biyahe ng mga pasahero. [applause]

Kamakailan, binuksan naman nating muli sa publiko ang PNR Bicol Line na may habang isandaang kilometro, mula Naga hanggang sa Legazpi. [applause]

Gayundin, patuloy ang pagpapaganda ng ating mga paliparan at mga daungan, para sa ikakaginhawa ng ating mga manlalakbay.

Unang-una na rito ay ang Paliparan ng Maynila. Sa pangangasiwa ng pribadong sektor, inaasahang gaganda ang hitsura at serbisyo nito sa mga susunod na taon.

Soon, it will be capable of accommodating 48 flights per hour, servicing our ever-increasing local and international flight routes, and catering to more than 62 million passengers per year.

More than seventy airport and seaport development projects across the country have been completed, and another three hundred and fifty ongoing projects are set to be completed by 2028. [applause]

Notably, the capacities of the Passenger Terminal Buildings of the General Santos Airport and the Bicol International Airport have been expanded by three hundred and five hundred percent, now catering to two thousand and one thousand six hundred passengers, respectively. Meanwhile, the Batangas Port PTB, our popular marine gateway to MIMAROPA, the Visayas and to Mindanao, can now accommodate eight thousand travelers at any given time.

Thanks to Congress, the Public-Private Partnership, as a crucial funding mechanism for big-ticket projects, is now institutionalized by force of law. [applause] PPP is seen to facilitate strategic investments and the timely development of projects under our Build Better More program, especially since around one-fourth of our flagship projects have been envisioned to be funded through this modality.

As a perfect example, the NAIA PPP will go down in our history not only as among the largest and fastest approved PPP, but one that has set the bar in terms of openness, transparency, and competitiveness of the process.

Through this partnership, our foremost aerial gateway is now primed for a revitalization. Once considered among the worst and most stressful airports in the world, it will soon be a world-class international airport that we can be proud of. [applause]

Even before that, the UP-PGH Cancer Center is the first PPP to be approved in this Administration.

Together with the Philippine Cancer Center of the DOH, which broke ground last March, these two specialty hospitals will soon join our nation’s fight against cancer. These Centers will be a godsend to the more than four hundred thousand Filipinos who are afflicted with this deadly disease.

Habang ang mga modernong ospital na ito ay ginagawa pa, patuloy tayo sa pagda-dagdag at pagpapataas ng kalidad ng ating mga ospital at mga specialty center.

Binuksan natin sa publiko ang mahigit dalawampung Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service, o mga “BUCAS” Centers, sa iba’t ibang lugar sa bansa. [applause]

Intended to decongest public hospitals, these Centers shall provide competent ambulatory care, most especially to the poor and to the disadvantaged, for health conditions that do not require hospital admission.

Katuwang din natin ang lokal na pamahalaan sa mga tinatayo nating mga tawag na “Super Health Centers”. Sa tulong ng mga LGUs, malalagyan natin ng sapat na mga doktor at nars ang mga ito, at madadagdagan pa natin sa mga susunod na taon. [applause]
Layunin natin na sa lalong madaling panahon, lahat ng lalawigan natin ay may sapat na mga center o pasilidad na may kakayahang makapagbigay ng pangunahing serbisyong-medikal para sa ating mga mamamayan.

Samantala, titiyakin natin na ang bawat isang probinsya ay mabibigyan ng Mobile Clinic, upang ang laboratory exam at ilan pang pangunahing serbisyong-medikal ay mapapalapit natin sa ating mga kababayan. [applause]

Sa PhilHealth naman, dinamihan na ang klase ng generic na gamot na kasama sa benepisyo para sa mga outpatient. Mula sa dalawampu’t isang generic na gamot, ay limampu’t tatlo na. May mga bagong gamot para sa altapresyon, at mayroon na rin para sa nerve pain at sa epileptic seizures. [applause]

Bilang tugon sa dumaraming insidente at tumataas na presyo ng pagpapagamot, itinaas na ng Philhealth nang mahigit doble ang mga benepisyo para sa mga malulubhang karamdaman, tulad ng acute stroke at pulmonya. Ang limit na ngayon para sa mga kundisyon na ito ay itinaas na hanggang pitumpu’t anim na libong piso at siyamnapung libong piso. [applause]
Upang mapa-igting pa ang paglaban natin sa cancer, tinaasan ng PhilHealth nang mahigit isanlibong porsyento ang benepisyo para sa pagpapagamot ng breast cancer. [applause] Ang dating limit na isandaang libong piso, ngayon ay ginawa na nating 1.4 million pesos.

Ang benepisyo naman para sa colon cancer ay pinag-ibayo na rin. At bago matapos ang taon, maisasama na rin sa mga benepisyo ng PhilHealth ang chemotherapy para sa cancer sa baga, atay, ovary, at prostate. [applause]

Naglaan po tayo ng mas mataas na pondo para sa ating medical assistance program, kaya higit na mas marami pang mga Pilipino ang matutulungan nito ngayong taon! [applause]

Aside from our aggressive hiring efforts, we have enhanced medical and allied health programs, allocated seed funds for public medical schools, and launched scholarships, and review and upskilling programs. These are to support the medical and nursing professions, with the goal to strengthen and increase our human resources for health.

As part of our recalibrated health approach towards prevention and healthy habits, we are prioritizing vaccinations, nutrition, mental well-being, and active and healthy lifestyles.

Tuloy-tuloy ang ating paghahabol sa pagbabakuna ng mga sanggol at mga bata — lalo na sa Region 6 at sa BARMM, kung saan kulang pa sa kalahati ang nababakunahan.

At tuloy na tuloy din ang Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition, na ating binibigyang-tuon ngayong Hulyo, Buwan ng Nutrisyon.

Our convergent programs to stamp out hunger and malnutrition were not only successfully launched, but have yielded inspiring results thus far.

One survey confirmed that our expanded School-Based Feeding Program has had a significant impact on the physical and mental well-being of more than half of the learner-beneficiaries. Therefore, we will continue to further enhance these feeding programs in our schools and day-care centers. [applause]

The recently launched “Walang Gutom 2027” will be fully rolled out from the initial two thousand three hundred households, now all the way to three hundred thousand food-poor households across the country by the end of the year. But the program will go on until we feed the one million most food-poor families by 2027. [applause]

An important component of our strategies to address malnutrition shall be the program for the “First One Thousand Days,” or the first two years of a child’s life.

To ensure the health and nutrition of children zero to two years old from the poorest families, we have proposed in the 2025 Budget a new grant under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program for this purpose.

Sa pamamagitan nito, ang isang buntis o ang isang ina na benepisyaryo ng 4Ps ay mabibigyan ng karagdagang tulong-pinansyal na laan para sa kanya at kanyang anak.

Ang tulong na ito ay upang matiyak na siya at ang sanggol na kanyang sina-pupunan, o batang anak, ay ma-aasikaso ng doktor, maba-bakunahan, at mabibigyan ng sapat na nutrisyon. [applause]

Closely related to these, the DOST has been continuously undertaking scientific research to develop nutritious food and drinks, which can be integrated into the government’s feeding program.

Government is aware of the pressing yet delicate social issues of the day, such as the mental well-being of our people.

The DOH has launched its comprehensive mental health plan and ensured sufficient supply of medications. PhilHealth has also released this year its mental health benefit package for all its members.

Grassroots and sports-for-all programs are back in the mainstream again, catering to Filipinos of all ages.

Nailunsad na namang muli ang taunang Palarong Pambansa, matapos ang tatlong taong pagkakatigil nito dahil sa pandemiya. Binabati natin ang Marikina at Cebu, at ang Kagawaran ng Edukasyon sa kanilang matagumpay na pagtatanghal ng mga Palarong ito. [applause]

We will continue to support these health-enhancing sports programs. Through these, we also set forth our youth on the same well-established path that has taken some of our national champions and renowned athletes to sporting greatness. [applause]

To the twenty-eight of our finest athletes are competing in Paris now for the glory of the Philippines. [applause]

Let us wish them well and the best good luck.

Sa larangan naman ng edukasyon, investing in our own people is not only a fundamental moral imperative for us, but an economic one as well.

In its report, the World Bank revealed that our promising economic growth is largely attributable to our people. The great bulk of the country’s wealth is being created by the skill, industry, and resourcefulness of all Filipinos.

Ngunit sadyang marami pang ibubuga ang Pinoy!

We must harness the totality of the Filipino’s potential.

Thus, for consecutive years, we have prioritized an increase in budget for the inclusive development of Filipinos. Not just in food, nutrition and health, but moreso, in their education and training.

Recent assessments have revealed the poor reality that more than half of our grades 6, 10, and 12 students have failed to reach the ideal proficiency levels, faring low in information literacy, problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Therefore, our national learning recovery program must proceed without the slightest disruption, especially in basic education.

Our system of education must be strategically calibrated to make sure that our youth are not only taught to become literate. But, it must also consciously develop them into problem-solvers, and into critical thinkers — hungry for success; ready for the future!

Similarly, as we relentlessly address the classroom gap, the digital gap must also be bridged with equal intensity.

We are working towards the day when all students will be equipped with computers, smart TVs, essential programs, digital books — and once again, access to reliable power and the Internet.

Digitalization and solar-powered electricity must now be standard features in our schools and in our classrooms. Simply put, this is educational reform through technology.

The perennial problem surrounding textbooks shall be resolved.

The production of instructional materials, especially textbooks, which are up-to-date and error-free, must be ensured. The whole process, from approval of manuscript to procurement, all the way to distribution, will be cut short from its present three years to just one year. [applause]

Ito ngayon ang magiging hamon sa ating bagong Kalihim: na tiyakin ang pagbangon at pagtaas ng kalidad ng edukasyon sa bansa, sa lalong madaling panahon. [applause]

Clearly, the quality of our education rests on the quality of our teachers.

Every classroom that we build will be but an empty and lifeless structure without its moving force — the teacher.

But our teachers are not just perfunctory figures in our schools; they are the very foundation of our educational system.

And so, as we build and upgrade schools, so too must we uplift and upskill our teachers, whose competence and trademark Filipino patience, determination, and compassion will be at the core of our national learning recovery.

Dinagdagan natin ang mga empleyado ng hahalili sa mga guro upang magampanan ang mga sari-saring gawain sa paaralan. Sa gayon, ang ating mga guro ay makakatutok nang mabuti sa kanilang propesyon ng pagtuturo.

Katuwang ang Kongreso, naisabatas na ang “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo” Act. Ito’y magbibigay sa mga guro sa pampublikong paaralan ng taunang teaching allowance para pambili ng mga kagamitan sa pagtuturo at mga kaugnay na gastusin. [applause] Matatanggap na nila ito simula sa susunod na taon.

Meron na rin silang Personal Accident Insurance mula sa GSIS. Makakapaghatid din ng dagdag na ginhawa ang Special Hardship Allowance para sa mga karagdagang public school teachers na masasaklaw nito, na nakakaranas ng matinding hirap at panganib sa kanilang araw-araw na pagtatrabaho.

Wala na ring “Utang-Tagging” sa mga teachers. Hindi magiging hadlang ang kanilang pagkaka-utang upang makapag-renew ng kanilang mga lisensya. [applause] Bagkus, marapat lamang na sila ay payagan pa ring makapagturo, nang sila ay makapaghanapbuhay at mayroong kinikita.

Of equal significance, we have allocated funds to finally implement the expanded career progression system for our public school teachers. This will promote professional development and career advancement within their ranks. This expanded system lays out two major career paths for our teachers to pursue: the teaching and the school administration tracks, each of which shall have ample career growth opportunities.

With this system in place, we will accelerate the career growth of teachers. Sa sistemang ito, wala nang public school teacher ang magre-retire na Teacher 1 lamang. [applause]

Sa madaling sabi, kung talagang ninanais natin na maging matagumpay ang hinahangad nating pagbangon sa larangan ng edukasyon, sila — ang ating mga guro — ang dapat nating itaguyod at patatagin.

Last year, we reported that our system of higher education was gaining international recognition for all the right reasons. As further evidence, eighty-seven of our Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) have now made it into various world university rankings. Fifty-one of them are public universities or colleges.

Also, we witnessed this past school year a significant rise in the enrollment rate in higher education, both in public and private institutions. The same upward trend is likewise noted in technical-vocational education and training (TVET).

Statistics do not lie. Eight out of ten graduates of TVET ultimately land decent jobs. So with its high employability rate, TVET will definitely be instrumental in capacitating our people, and in maintaining our employment rate at consistently high levels.

Cognizant of its potential, the DepEd, CHED, DOLE, and TESDA have joined forces now to incorporate TVET in the Senior High School curriculum to further boost the employability of our students. [applause]

The Filipinnovation and Malikhaing Pinoy programs have been launched, both drawing vast interest and inspiring key sectors and the public to generate solutions, to share ideas, and to drive innovation forward across the country.

The IT and creative sectors are burgeoning industries, knowing no territorial bounds, and they hold great promise for our talented and hardworking people.

This is the call of our times, and we are moving to answer that call.

The schools will serve as the preeminent incubators of the innovative and creative energies of all Filipinos.

Advanced learning systems and technologies, in the areas of robotics, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, shall be made available in TVET Innovation Centers nationwide. Highly technical and professional-level training courses will soon be launched, notably in cybersecurity and in the creative industries.

Of our globally ranked HEIs, sixty-three have made it into the WURI Global Top 300 innovative universities. [applause]

In the face of tough global competition, the Mabalacat City College in Pampanga was awarded the Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year. [applause] And for the second straight year, Samar State University topped the rankings for its digitally pioneering R&D project entries. [applause]

Relevant scholarships and R&D grants will continue to be available, aligned with our agenda to foster start-ups. To commercialize and mass produce R&D outputs, crucial support, such as intellectual property rights enforcement, and venture financing, have been put in place.

We are also building essential infrastructure and linkages to support the ethical development of artificial intelligence systems for high-impact practical applications.

Since the nation’s foray into space technology, our satellites in space have generated more than fifty-one thousand maps, images and space-borne data for various purposes. These now provide us with vital information that guides our country’s stratagems and decision-making in agricultural development, urban planning and environmental management, including the strengthening of our maritime domain awareness, to name but a few examples.

Along with these discoveries, we are likewise in awe of our countrymen who have carved out their niche as pioneering space scientists and engineers in this emergent field, in collaboration with local space technology companies that provide an additional impetus.

As we speak, sixteen of our space engineers are in the United Kingdom resuming work on the development of a Multi-Spectral Unit for Land Assessment, or the MULA satellite. Once completed, the MULA satellite will be our largest earth observation satellite to be launched into space so far. [applause]

May they inspire the next generation of Filipino students to follow in their footsteps and reach for the stars! [applause]

Our employment rate has increased to 95.9%. [applause] We also saw a significant increase in high-quality jobs. Underemployment too has decreased from 11.7% in May of 2023 to 9.9% today. [applause] This is our lowest since 2005. [applause]

Notably, we also saw an increase in middle-skilled employment, wage and salaried employment, and full-time jobs.

Magagandang balita pa rin ang mga ito, sa kabila ng nararanasang mataas na presyo ng pagkain.

Bukod sa paglikha ng trabaho, pinalalakas din natin ang kakayahan ng ating mga mamamayan, lalo na sa panahon ng kanilang kagipitan.

Our adaptive and responsive social protection programs assist our countrymen in times of dire need, reaching those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. More importantly, these programs seek to develop their productive potential and bridge their capacities towards self-sufficiency.

With the noble aim of breaking the cycle of poverty across the country, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program has not only consistently accomplished its annual targets- it has also proven its efficacy over the years. [applause]

Mula noong nakaraang SONA, mahigit apat na raan at dalawampung libong pamilya ang naka-graduate sa programa. [applause] Ibig sabihin, sa tulong ng 4Ps, mas gumanda na ang kanilang kalagayan at kakayahang makipagsapalaran sa laban ng buhay. [applause]

Sa katunayan, mahigit apat na libong graduate ng 4Ps ay nasa hanay na ngayon ng mga lisensyadong guro. [applause]

At hindi lamang iyon: tatlumpu’t lima sa mga topnotchers ng sari-saring mga board exam na idinaos nitong nakalipas na dalawang taon ay nagmula sa mga pamilya na benepisyaryo ng 4Ps! [applause]

Ilan sa kanila ay si Teacher Khane Jevie Cervantes ng Davao Oriental, na nakuha ang number one sa Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers nitong nakaraang Marso. [applause] Isa rin ay si Engr. Alexis Alegado na nanguna sa Civil Engineering Board Exams noong Abril ng nakalipas na taon. [applause]

Tomorrow — the birthdate of Apolinario Mabini — we cap off National Disability Rights Week. Our PWDs can rest assured of government’s effective implementation of beneficial policies and programs that will guarantee equitable opportunities, special interventions, and incentives for them.

Mula nang pumasok ang Administrasyong ito, nagsimula na ang mga programang pangkabuhayan na nakalaan para sa ating mga PWD. Sa susunod na taon, ilulunsad naman ng PhilHealth ang benepisyo nito para sa mga batang may kapansanan. [applause]

Halos dinoble na rin ang diskwento na ibinibigay sa mga PWDs, at sa mga senior citizens na tulad ninyo para sa mga basic necessities at prime commodities. [applause] Natuwa kayong lahat doon.

Sa lahat ng mga ginagawa nating ito, katuwang natin palagi ang pribadong sektor, lalo na sa mahalagang bagay ng trabaho at pasahod.

With tripartite consensus, minimum wage levels have been increased in various sectors in all regions, including the BARMM, for workers in private establishments. Makapagdudulot ito ng ginhawa sa mahigit apat na milyong mga kababayan natin at kanilang mga pamilya.

Para naman sa ating mga kawani ng gobyerno, mayroon silang maaasahang medical allowance bilang karagdagang benepisyo sa susunod na taon. [applause]

At hindi lamang iyon. Mayroon ding napipintong omento sa suweldo na makukuha nila sa apat na tranches. Naglaan na tayo ng pondo para rito simula sa taong ito at sa mga susunod na taon. [applause]

Furthermore, we have extended the services of our job order and contract of service personnel working in government. [applause] This will also afford them ample opportunity to work on their civil service eligibilities, while gaining additional relevant experience and training to upgrade their employment qualifications.

Our aggressive infrastructure development, business-friendly policies, investment and export promotions, foreign visits, and economic missions, are all aimed at generating not just jobs, but quality and competitive jobs.

A substantial number of investment pledges have already commenced operations, with many more at various stages of development. Sa bilang natin, bukod sa malaking kita para sa bansa, makakalikha ang mga ito ng mahigit dalawang-daan at dalawang libong trabaho para sa ating mga kababayan. [applause]

The rationalized incentives scheme under the CREATE Act has also made possible the generation of investments amounting to more than one trillion pesos, and more than a hundred thousand new jobs. This promising state of affairs is now beckoning us to create more — through the passage of the CREATE MORE Act. [applause]

Conscious efforts to improve the ease of doing business and delivering government services, through digitalization, integration, and streamlining of processes, have produced their intended multiplier effects. Cost savings from operations have translated to higher revenues and to more speedy transactions.

These have effectively addressed the fragmented, overlapping, and time-consuming procedures that had hindered optimal productivity in government.

Attributable to these transformative reforms, government services are becoming more efficient.

More and more systems are now digital and cashless, assimilating individuals, MSMEs, and even agricultural workers. These have expedited transactions and commercial exchanges and promoted the convenience of all parties concerned.

Ang Palen-QR ay isa sa mga programang unti-unting lumalakas ang hatak sa publiko at dumarami ang gumagamit.

Bolstering our Cybercrime Prevention Act, the recently passed Anti-Financial Accounts Scamming Act will further protect the public by heightening the responsibility and security systems of banks and financial institutions, and imposing high criminal liabilities on social engineering schemes and money mules.

Job placement also has seen significant progress, especially through our Public Employment Service Offices (or PESOs) nationwide. PESOs have harnessed IT capabilities and improved labor-industry coordination. Collectively, they boast a job placement success rate of ninety-eight percent. [applause]

Likewise, due to shortened timelines, we have recorded a significant increase in new business and corporate registrations, including foreign firms, which surpassed last year’s numbers.

The observed chokepoints in our food supply chains and in the logistics sector are now being removed. And, at the same time, the identified gaps are being filled in, to make them efficient, interconnected, and seamless, saving precious time and cost.

The approval of energy projects is moving towards complete virtual integration of its required procedures. The expedited processing of our infrastructure flagship projects under the Build Better More program shall also follow suit.

Our digital infrastructure was substantially strengthened courtesy of common towers that more than tripled in number since last year, owing to streamlining of permitting requirements.

Air transport and tourism have been made more convenient, because of the shift to paperless immigration and customs forms, thanks to the E-Travel system. Soon, the piloted E-Gates will be standard fixtures at airports, to further facilitate ease of mobility during departures and arrivals.

With all these said, the implementation of the Philippine E-Visa will be next in our digital transformation agenda. [applause]

Let us now go to tourism, because we, in the Philippines, have no less than seven thousand six hundred forty-one beautiful reasons to tap the potential of our tourism sector, for which our archipelagic nation is internationally renowned and from which many Filipinos derive their livelihood.

While a resurgence in this all-important sector is being observed, pre-pandemic data present to us a great challenge that we must surpass.

It is a challenge that is well within our grasp.

Our infrastructure and digital reforms, through development of tourism sites and the enhancement of the overall tourist experience, are all calculated to boost the productivity of the tourism sector. While doing so, we shall interpose the wholesome and hospitable Filipino brand in all the key tourism touchpoints — from tourist arrival all the way to departure.

But the tourism challenge has already evolved, and now requires a multi-faceted strategy. The focus is now on “experiential tourism”.

Food, culture, heritage and the arts, education, halal and Islamic traditions, dive, cruise, farm and eco-tourism, even sports, now have become potent subjects and products of a nation’s tourism.

This is an imperative that we elevate and expand our understanding of the “one town, one product”, or OTOP, concept. It must not inhibit, but rather, inspire. We must not rest content to have just “one”. Rather, we must seek the “optimal” number of high-quality products and services, which at the same time showcase our community’s distinctive history, traditions, and talents.

Filipino creativity and ingenuity will enliven and unlock the as yet untapped potential of these new facets of Philippine tourism.

Sa ating mga OFW, ayon sa datos ng Bangko Sentral, mahigit tatlumpu’t pitong bilyong dolyar ang naipasok sa bansa ng ating mga OFWs noong nakalipas na taon. [applause] Sadyang napakalaking tulong nito sa ating bumabangon na ekonomiya!

Kaya hindi lamang pasasalamat, kundi parangal ang ating ipinapaabot sa lahat ng ating mga OFWs. [applause] Sana ay napapanood nila ito. Ramdam na ramdam hanggang dito sa ating bansa ang inyong sakripisyo.

Through vital partnerships with like-minded states, we have been able to promote our mutual interests, resulting not only in investments here and our strengthened national security, but also in quality jobs for our nationals seeking foreign employment.

Through intense Philippine lobbying, the United Nations has adopted the resolution on “Promoting and Protecting the Enjoyment of Human Rights of Seafarers.” This will ensure their safe and decent living and working conditions at sea — a human rights imperative.[applause]

Patuloy ang ating pagtulong sa mga OFWs. Hindi ito natatapos sa kanilang paglisan sa bansa.

Karagdagang mga ispesyal na pasilidad at serbisyo ang ating binuksan para sa kanila, tulad ng OFW Lounge sa NAIA at Seafarer’s Hub sa Maynila.

Ang mga OFWs nating naapektuhan ng sari-saring mga kaguluhan — tulad sa Israel, sa Gaza, Sudan, Lebanon, at Yemen — ay natulungan natin at naiuwi nang ligtas sa bansa. [applause]

Gayundin ang naging pagtulong natin sa mga kababayan nating nasalanta ng kalamidad at krisis, tulad sa Taiwan at sa New Zealand.

Hanggang sa kanilang pag-uwi, buong-puso ang ating pagtanggap at paglingap. Ang nagbabalik-bayang mga OFW, kasama ang kanilang pamilya, ay sinusuportahan nating mabuti upang maging maayos ang kanilang bagong simula dito sa bansa — para makakuha ng magandang trabaho o di-kaya’y makapagtayo ng negosyo.

Kaugnay sa aking naiulat noong isang taon, sinimulan na ng Saudi Arabia ang pamimigay ng cheke sa ating mga trabahanteng nawalan ng trabaho doon. [applause] Unti-unti, ang ating mga naapektuhang OFWs ay nababayaran na.

For this, we convey our sincerest gratitude to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Lessons from history and current events teach us that peace and order is an essential ingredient of genuine prosperity and social development.

This is the path that we choose to take. Despite difficulties, despite our diversity and differences as a people, we are joined together by a unique history, and have constantly invested our energies and resources in strengthening the pillars of peace.

Our police, military, and coast guard undergo continuous capacity-building and asset-upgrading, so that they are better able to preserve the peace and defend our territory.

We have noted an overall decrease in crime rate and an improvement in crime-solution efficiency. [applause] But this is not enough. Our law enforcers need to earn the trust of our people.

The strong pillars of our criminal justice system, especially in light of the new rules on criminal investigation, and our independent Judiciary, function in unison.

In tandem with the justice system, COA’s audit mechanism works in harmony with our transparency, streamlining, and open government initiatives. All in all, these successfully foster a culture of accountability that curbs corruption in government.

With the newly-enacted Republic Act No. 12009 that I signed just last Saturday, government procurement will be modern and innovative, more streamlined and efficient, and truly at par with global best practices. [applause]

We sincerely thank Congress for its timely and decisive action in amending the twenty-year old law.

We have come a long way in our quest for a lasting and inclusive peace.

No guerilla fronts remain active across the country today. Only seven weakened groups remain to be dismantled, and they are the subject of focused operations. But along with the assertion of government might, we also offer peace, community development, and reintegration programs for those who have returned to the fold of the law.

Through a comprehensive and transformative approach, we have rebuilt not only lives, but also conflict-affected communities.

The implementation of peace agreements is now in its concluding phase. Former combatants now live peaceful and productive lives in their respective communities. Some of our former rebels are now absorbed into the AFP, serving in the defense of our Republic; while others are now part of the PNP BARMM.

Government will honor and fully comply with its remaining deliverables and commitments under these agreements. [applause]

In November last year, we signed proclamations granting amnesty to former rebels. A month later, and then in June of this year, the House of Representatives and the Senate issued their respective resolutions concurring with these amnesty proclamations.

That Congress is one with us, is a testament to the whole nation’s sincere desire for peace.

In such a short period, the BARMM has impressively established the strong foundation for its progressive autonomous social development.

Investments continue to pour into the BARMM. Last year, investments in the region increased by one hundred forty percent year-on-year.

The improved peace and order situation, good governance — not to mention high hopes and confidence amongst its people — all contribute to the reasons why BARMM’s poverty index has significantly decreased since 2018. [applause]

In Marawi, the rehabilitation and rebuilding continue — under the supervision now of the Office of the President. [applause] Our focus remains on restoring energy, water, and livable communities.

As of today, all seven inter-governmental mechanisms of the BARMM, as mandated under the Organic Law, have been organized and activated. These will guarantee effective and constant consultation between the Bangsamoro and the National Governments in the fundamental aspects of governance.

Five out of the seven essential laws for the BARMM have already been enacted by the BTA Parliament. Now, it has its own Administrative Code, it has its own Local Government Code, Election Code, and those for Education and the Civil Service as well.

With these inspiring developments, the BARMM appears primed and ready for its first regular elections – the first ones that they will have – in the coming year. [applause]

On the fight against dangerous drugs, our bloodless war on dangerous drugs adheres, and will continue to adhere, to the established “8 Es” of an effective anti-illegal drugs strategy. Extermination was never one of them. [applause]

Yet, in more than seventy-one thousand five hundred operations, it has resulted in the seizure of more than forty-four billion pesos worth of illegal drugs, and the arrest of more than ninety-seven thousand drug personalities.

More than six thousand of those arrested were high-value targets. Four hundred forty of them were government employees, of whom forty-two were uniformed personnel. Seventy-seven were elected officials. [applause]

So to further paralyze their operations, dirty money and assets worth more than five hundred million pesos have been frozen and preserved. With strong case build-up and efficient prosecution, the drug conviction rate is at a high of seventy-nine percent. [applause]

Together with this, we welcome the report that the number of drug-affected barangays in our country has been reduced by thirty-two percent. [applause]

In our international relations we have faced challenges to our territorial sovereignty, we will assert our rights and interests in the same fair and pacific way that we have always done. [applause] Proper diplomatic channels and mechanisms under the rules-based international order remain the only acceptable means of settling disputes.

Peace and community-building will always be our clarion call, especially when the country serves as chair and the host of the ASEAN Summit in 2026.

We continuously try to find ways to de-escalate tensions in contested areas with our counterparts, without compromising our position and our principles. I know that our neighbors too are doing their very best to make this work.

The Philippines cannot yield. The Philippines cannot waver. [applause]

We are now more conscious as a people, and strategic in heightening our aerial and maritime domain awareness. We are continuing to strengthen our defense in posture, both through developing self-reliance and through partnerships with like-minded states.

Ang West Philippine Sea ay hindi kathang-isip natin lamang. Ito ay atin. [applause] At ito ay mananatiling atin, hangga’t nag-aalab ang diwa ng ating minamahal na bansang Pilipinas.

Pagtitibayin at palalaguin natin ang kamalayan at kaalaman ng buong bansa, at titiyakin na maipapasa natin ito sa ating kabataan at ating susunod na mga salinlahi.

Laws on our Maritime Zones and Archipelagic Sea Lanes make sure that this intergenerational mandate — this duty — will firmly take root in the hearts and minds of all our people.

Sa ating buong Sandatahang Lakas, sa Coast Guard, at sa ating mga mangingisda sa West Philippine Sea:

Tanggapin po ninyo ang taos-pusong pasasalamat ng buong bansa, dahil sa inyong ginagawang pagmamatyag at sakripisyo. [applause]

Let us now turn to our Economic Status and Prospects.

In spite of the headwinds that we have faced, we stayed the course.

The country exhibits healthy signs of post-pandemic resilience comparable to strong economies in our region.

Our poverty rate has significantly dropped to 15.5%, down from 18% in 2021. [applause] This present figure is even lower than the pre-pandemic level of 16.7% in 2018. [applause]

Halos dalawa’t kalahating milyong Pilipino ang naiangat natin mula sa kahirapan. [applause]

Kasabay nito, nabawasan nang lagpas isang milyon at pitong daang libo ang bilang ng mga Pilipinong walang sapat na pambili ng pagkain. Patuloy nating pagsisikapan na marami pa tayong ma-i-aahon mula sa kahirapan.

To sustain the country’s economic gains, we are promoting investment-led growth. We have set in motion policies and programs to create an environment conducive for businesses to thrive, like reforms in the capital markets, and implementation of “green lanes”.

As a result, we have “green-lane certified” around a hundred projects with a total investment of about three trillion pesos across the sectors of renewable energy, digital infrastructure, food security, and manufacturing.

The Philippine financial system remains robust and resilient. Tax and non-tax revenue collection was also efficient, in pace with our rejuvenated economy. Notably, for the past two years, our GOCCs have remitted dividends to the National Government with a combined tally exceeding their contributions in 2022. [applause]

To build on these, and guided by strong fiscal discipline, our proposed government budget for this year was crafted with utmost care, diligence, and meticulous attention.

We look to the cooperation of our colleagues in the Legislature, not only that our proposed National Budget be approved in your usual timely manner, but it be adhered to as closely as possible.

We expect all agencies to ensure that every centavo allocated will be judiciously spent for our urgent priorities and socially impactful programs.

Mga kababayan: sa lahat ng ginagawa nating ito at mga gagawin pa, mataas ang aking kumpiyansa na malalampasan din natin ang hamon na ating pinagdaraanan. Dahil ito ang pangunahing hinaing ng taumbayan, hindi tayo titigil sa paglalaban sa kahirapan, at sa paghahanap ng lunas upang maibalik sa normal ang presyo ng bilihin — lalo na ang bigas.

—–

At ngayon po, naririnig po namin ang malakas na sigaw ng taumbayan laban sa mga POGO. Disguising as legitimate entities, their operations have ventured into illicit areas furthest from gaming, such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture– even murder. The grave abuse and disrespect to our system of laws must stop.

Kailangan nang itigil ang panggulo nito sa ating lipunan, at paglalapastangan sa ating bansa. [standing ovation]

Effective today, all POGOs are banned. [continued applause]

I hereby instruct PAGCOR to wind down and cease the operations of POGOs by the end of the year. [applause] The DOLE, in coordination with our economic managers, shall use the time between now and then to find new jobs for our countrymen who will be displaced. [applause]

This will solve many of the problems that we are encountering. It will solve many of the problems that we have been encountering, but it will not solve all of them.

To solve all the problems that we have been suffering under, all officials, law enforcers, workers in government and most of all the citizenry must always be vigilant, principled, and think of the health of the nation.

So, ladies and gentlemen, let me end by recalling the words of a great man:

Let not anyone pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.

He is not a good man- [applause] he is not a good man who without a protest, allows wrong to be committed in his name.

Mga minamahal kong kababayan, lagi nating labanan ang mali at ang masama. Lagi po natin ipaglaban ang tama at ang mabuti. [applause] Lagi po nating mahalin ang Pilipinas. Lagi po nating mahalin ang Pilipino.

Mabuhay po kayo at mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipino.

Maraming, maraming salamat po.




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