Angara observes smooth opening of SY 2024-2025 amid rain

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Education Secretary Sonny Angara observed a smooth opening of School Year 2024-2025 during his visit to Carmona National High School and Elementary School despite a rainy Monday morning.

“Nais lang nating magpasalamat sa ating mga guro, estudyante at komunidad, mga principal [at] mga superintendent na tumutulong sa pagaayos ng ating mga paaralan at nagsama-sama para makapasok ang students ngayong araw,” Secretary Angara said in an interview.

“Malaking bagay po iyon. Talagang nag-bayanihan po tayo para makapasok ngayong araw,” he added.

As of July 29, 12:00NN, the Department of Education (DepEd) has recorded 20,598,072 learners for SY 2024-2025, wherein 11,301,108 learners are from Elementary Level; 6,204,006 learners are Junior High; 2,870,891 learners are Senior High School; and 222,067 learners are under the Alternative Learning System.

CALABARZON reported the highest number of enrollees at 3,070,457 followed by Central Luzon with 2,216,637 learners and NCR with 2,207,473 learners. Nationwide, 861,234 public school teachers and 45,565 school heads welcomed millions of learners, according to DepEd data.

In addition to his visits to Carmona National High School and Carmona Elementary School, Sec. Angara also visited Muntinlupa National High School and Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Memorial National High School in Rodriguez, Rizal.

Angara reiterated the support of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s to the education system and ensured that the Php 5,000.00 teaching allowance will be disbursed to eligible public school teachers within the school opening week.



“I-reiterate ko lang ‘yong suporta ng ating Pangulo, President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. sa ating education system. Humihingi rin ako ng suporta sa lahat ng komunidad all over the Philippines para sa ating mga estudyante at eskwelahan,” Sec. Angara emphasized.

Energy Think Tank Urges Swift Action on Comprehensive Plan Following PBBM's SONA

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In light of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Center for Energy Research and Policy (CERP), a think tank in the energy sector, is reiterating its call for the adoption of its Seven-Point Energy Agenda. This comprehensive plan is designed to tackle critical issues essential for building a sustainable and resilient energy future for the Philippines.

Center for Energy Research and Policy (CERP), a pioneering energy sector think tank, is renewing its call for the implementation of its Seven-Point Energy Agenda following President Bongbong Marcos Jr.’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA). CERP previously submitted this plan to the Office of the President, aiming to address critical challenges in the Philippines’ energy sector.


REGULATORY REFORM

In his speech, Marcos proposed amending the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), an initiative also included in CERP’s Seven-Point Agenda, to reduce power costs.

“While EPIRA has laid a crucial foundation for a secure energy sector, it must be amended to improve energy accessibility, affordability, and competition,” stated CERP co-convenor Atty. Noel Baga.

Baga outlined proposed amendments, including subsidizing electricity prices, increasing investment incentives, and operationalizing Retail Access and Open Competition (RCOA) within a decade.

CERP also advocates for amending the EPIRA alongside the National Grid Code and Philippine Distribution Code to strengthen the DOE’s and ERC’s regulatory powers over power generation, distribution, and grid management and operations.


UNIVERSAL ELECTRICITY ACCESS WITHIN THREE YEARS

President Marcos highlighted the completion of interconnection projects such as the newly inaugurated Mariveles-Hermosa-San Jose Transmission Line, the Cebu-Negros-Panay 230-kilovolt Backbone Project, and the Dumanjug-Corella line, which will enhance national energy stability.

"While the President's infrastructure plan will improve power supply, we urge greater ambition: electrify every household by 2028 and hybridize the existing diesel plants with solar PV and batteries. This would reduce costs and subsidies while enhancing reliability," said CERP co-convenor Dr. Joey Ocon.

CERP’s Seven-Point Agenda also addresses other critical issues aimed at building a sustainable energy future, including:

Exploration of indigenous resources to secure a self-sufficient power supply

Deploying renewable energy-powered microgrids and solar home systems

Fostering more collaborative discussions between regulators, academe, and the private sector

Increasing funding for energy research and development

“CERP remains committed to working closely with the administration and continues to advocate for sustainable energy policies that benefit all Filipinos,” Dr. Ocon added.

CERP invites policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the public to review the full Seven-Point Energy Agenda here. The think tank will be hosting a series of forums to discuss these proposals and gather input from various sectors in the coming months.

The Center for Energy Research and Policy is a think tank dedicated to developing a resilient and sustainable energy landscape for the Philippines. Co-convened by Atty. Noel M. Baga and Dr. Joey D. Ocon, CERP brings together experts and advocates to foster participatory governance in the energy sector. Anchored in inclusivity, CERP provides actionable insights on energy development, aiming to ensure efficient, affordable, and sustainable power for all Filipinos.

Januarius Holdings levels up Fighting Maroons training in Korea

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The UP Fighting Maroons are making full use of the pre-season to get ready for UAAP Season 87.

After a 2-week training trip to Novi Sad, Serbia where the Maroons won all their tune-up games against collegiate and pro teams there, the UP Men’s Basketball Team is off again to pursue training in Korea from July 28 to August 9.

Long-time UPMBT supporter, JJ Atencio, CEO of Januarius Holdings Inc. (JHI), has again enabled the Maroons to get better by continuing to sponsor their overseas preparations, in fulfillment of a promise he made the team in 2018 to be their “training buddy”.

Although Atencio hails from Ateneo de Manila University, he has been one of the staunchest supporters of the Fighting Maroons, pledging to take care of their athletic training abroad yearly to prepare them for the upcoming collegiate seasons.

Atencio supports the team in a very focused way - by funding their training in places where they could get better. He has funded the Maroons’ training in Las Vegas, Serbia, Japan and Korea in various years.

“In the beginning, when they were the perennial underdogs and had not yet won a championship, I was attracted to the UP story. I identified with them because they were underdogs and I had a similar experience. Through hard work, persistence, dedication, integrity, sincerity and prayer, you can reach your goal. And I did, they did.”

STATS Technical Sportswear, a subsidiary of JHI, has also outfitted the Maroons and produced their official merchandise since Atencio started supporting the team.

“JHI is one with the UP Men’s Basketball Team as we all strive to be stronger and better in Season 87,” said Atencio. “Since we entered into a partnership with UP, our goal is to be a contender every year, which we have done for several seasons now. But we are not stopping there.”

“The story of the UP Fighting Maroons, who were once an underdog and now is a team to beat, continues to resonate with me and our company. That’s what makes this team special. Some may see them as the top dog now, but deep inside, they still have that underdog mentality. They will keep trying and trying and will stay hungry all the time,” Atencio added.

UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development (UP OASD) Director Bo Perasol expressed the teams’ appreciation for the big impact of Atencio’s initiatives on the Fighting Maroons’ improvement on and off the court.

“JJ is like a father figure to the boys. We are really grateful for his generosity and help in our overseas training camps. More than that, we are extremely blessed to have him as a partner in guiding the players and looking after them beyond the corners of the basketball court,” said Perasol. Coach Bo was UP’s head coach when Atencio first partnered with the team in 2018.