MIAA remits whopping P13.9B dividends to national government from 2016-2019

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) performed an impressive feat after remitting P13.9 billion in dividends to the National Government (NG) from 2016 to 2019, outshining its total remittances in the last 20 years prior to the Duterte Administration.

Below are the exact comparative figures of MIAA’s remitted dividends:

*1996 - 2015 : P11,149,527,394.99*

*2016 - 2019 : P13,900,904,299.33*

It was in 2018 that MIAA made its record-breaking fiscal performance when it remitted P3.42 billion in dividends to the NG.

The MIAA’s 2018 dividend payment to the national coffers was the highest in MIAA history, exceeding by more than 50% its 2017 remittance of P2.2 billion which was then the highest recorded dividend payment made by the agency in the last two decades.

The MIAA is mandated to remit at least 50% of its annual net income to the NG after it was granted fiscal autonomy two decades ago.

Since the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016, the MIAA dividend payments have significantly increased.

With its continuing strong fiscal performance, the MIAA solidifies its position in the “Billionaire’s Club,” an elite circle of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) that contributing billions of pesos in dividends to the NG.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade commended the MIAA for its stellar fiscal performance.

“MIAA’s performance in four years show consistent good fiscal management. My congratulations to the men and women of the MIAA, with the leadership of GM Ed Monreal, for your sterling numbers. The Filipino people stand to benefit from your good work,” Secretary Tugade said.

For his part, MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal urged the men and women serving the country’s premier gateway to continue striving to further improve fiscal management and allocation of resources to ensure effective and efficient delivery of airport services at the NAIA.

“The MIAA remains committed in bettering its fiscal management, as we also work on improving the infrastructure and operations of the NAIA. Ultimately, our fiscal performance should resonate in our efforts in making each airport passenger satisfied beyond expectations,” GM Monreal said.

The airport chief also thanked Secretary Tugade for instilling in all attached agencies the central directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to the DOTr to make the Filipino life comfortable through better operational management, transformational initiatives, and infrastructure spending.

“Through the guidance of our strong-willed Secretary Tugade, we push ourselves to achieve higher standards of public service. Sec. Art would hammer it on us that as public servants, it is our duty to serve our countrymen with excellence and efficiency. Our people deserve better fiscal management of government operations, so services become better, too, for the comfort of the Filipino,” GM Monreal added.

DOST-SEI holds online Exit Conference for Graduating Scholars

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) hosted its graduating scholars in a half-day online exit conference last March 26 to remind them of the true essence of being national science scholars.

The event was done online for the first time, and was attended by scholars from all over the country. A total of 703 participants composed of graduating undergraduate scholars; guest speakers; university representatives; and DOST officials convened for the activity.

The conference, headlined by the theme “Renewing S&T Scholars Commitment to the Filipino People in the New Normal,” featured talks from government agencies and notable scholar-graduates to prepare attendees on life after graduation.

In her Welcome Remarks, SEI Director Josette T. Biyo expressed hope that the talks will ignite among scholars the desire to serve the country and that the service obligation turn to something they are “willing to do rather than supposed to do.” She likewise congratulated them for their perseverance, consistency and dedication to reach the milestone and gave assurance that SEI shall continue to root for them.

DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, meanwhile, spoke proudly of producing not only experts but also patriotic scholars, noting those who started volunteer initiatives in the COVID-19 relief in their respective regions.

“We’re confident that as DOST Scholars, you are sure to leave imprints in your work wherever you may go,” said the DOST chief.

Succeeding talks from DOST-SEI reminded the scholars of their scholarship obligations as well as introduced local and international Graduate Scholarship opportunities available for those wanting advanced degrees. Department of Education’s (DepEd) Ruby Chanda Crisostomo also briefed attendees on DepEd’s Hiring Arrangements for RA 10612/RA 7687 Scholars, while Department of Labor of Employment–National Capital Region’s Ryan Roberto Delos Reyes described the current labor market and presented insights on job application in the new normal.

Concluding the conference was Dr. Jose Ernie Lope, Batch 1991 DOST-SEI Merit scholar and now Professor at the Institute of Mathematics of the University of the Philippines – Diliman, who shared his inspiring journey from being a DOST scholar to now being one of the country’s pillars in mathematics education

Eva Macapagal Super Terminal Quarantine Facility in Manila South Harbor converted into an isolation facility amid the surge of COVID-19 cases

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Eva Macapagal Super Terminal Quarantine Facility in Manila South Harbor, which was converted into an isolation facility amid the surge of COVID-19 cases in the country, formally opened yesterday, 26 April 2021.

The conversion of the quarantine facility, which is being managed and operated by the DOTr Maritime sector since 2020, was made possible through the initiatives of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

To recall, the PPA and PCG initiated the retrofitting of the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal due to the continuous rise of COVID-19 cases in the country, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR). Initially, the facility was set up to merely accommodate repatriated seafarers and OFWs who are required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine. With the conversion and retrofitting, asymptomatic patients and patients with mild symptoms can now be accommodated and treated in the facility.

According to Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago, patients who are asymptomatic and with mild symptoms will be attended to in an isolated quadrant identified as Section A. This section has a 55-bed capacity. Section A can also serve as a step-down care facility for recovering patients. GM Santiago also has assured that the agency is ready to expand bed capacity should the need arises.

"Makakaasa po kayo na kung kakailanganing magdagdag ng pasilidad po para ma-expand 'yung 55-bed capacity na 'to, handa po ang Philippine Ports Authority at ang Philippine Coast Guard, sa ilalim po ng Department of Transportation, na tayo po ay makipag-kapit-bisig sa Department of Health at iba pa pong ahensya para matugunan po ang pangangailangang ito."

At present, the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal Quarantine Facility has a 211-bed capacity divided into four (4) sections for patients, health staffers, and other essential workers. Aside from Section A, Section B will house the health staff and other essential workers, while Sections C and D will continuously cater to personnel of the PCG and PPA who contracted the virus but are asymptomatic or showing mild symptoms.

"Kung matatandaaan po natin, noong Agosto po ng 2020 o last year, sa direktiba po ni Secretary Arthur Tugade at sa tulong pong pampinansyal ng Lopez Group of Companies, kinonvert po natin ang Eva Macapagal Super Terminal para maging quarantine facility po ng ating mga seafarers, 'yung mga dumadating pong tripulante po na mga Pilipino na pauwi po sa kanilang tour of service from the cruise ships at iba pang cargo vessels," GM Santiago said.

Meanwhile, DOTr Undersecretary for Administrative Affairs Artemio Tuazon Jr., who represented DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade in the walk-through event, stressed the DOTr’s commitment in helping the national government, particularly the health sector, in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Itong conversion po at paggamit ng Eva Macapagal Super Terminal bilang isolation facility ay nagpapakita po ng pagtutulungan ng ating buong gobyerno. Ang DOTr, sa pamumuno po ni Secretary Tugade, ay sumusuporta po at patuloy na susuporta sa lahat 'ho ng inisiyatibo ng IATF at ng DOH, upang mapuksa itong COVID-19," Usec. Tuazon asserted