President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the establishment of a one-stop system for reporting incidents of child rights’ violations.

Executive Order 79, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Dec. 6, establishes the Mahalin at Kalingain ating mga Bata (MAKABATA) Program and institutionalizes the MAKABATA Helpline 1383.

The program will establish a one-stop system for addressing and monitoring all issues and concerns of children in need of special protection (CNSPs), with components including reporting; rescue and relief; rehabilitation; and reintegration.

The EO defines CNSPs as persons below 18 years old or those 18 years old and over but are unable to fully take care of themselves because of physical or mental disability or conditions, and are vulnerable to, or are victims of abuse, neglect, exploitation, cruelty, discrimination, violence, and other similar circumstances, including but not limited to child labor, online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), child sexual abuse or exploitation of materials (CSAEM), child trafficking, and other circumstances which gravely threaten or endanger a child’s survival and normal development.

CNSPs also refer to children in conflict with the law, children living in alternative care, and children living with human immunodeficiency virus.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will lead the implementation of the MAKABATA program. The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) will serve as the overall coordinating and monitoring body for the implementation of the MAKABATA Program.

EO 79 directs the institutionalization of the existing MAKABATA Helpline 1383, a dedicated hotline number for the program operating round the clock.

“All concerns received through any of the communication platforms of the MAKABATA Helpline 1383 shall be immediately acted upon or referred, directly or indirectly, to concerned government agencies and instrumentalities, including LGUs and private sector partners, for appropriate action and/or intervention,” the EO reads. | PND

Citing cancer as the second leading cause of death in the Philippines, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inaugurated the “Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center” of the OFW Hospital in Pampanga on Tuesday.

In his speech, the President highlighted the data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showing that cancer ranked as the second leading cause of death in the country from January to May this year.

He said the data prompted the government to take a more aggressive action.

“Aggressive as this terrible disease is, we need to be as equally aggressive in providing treatment for our patients – to give them hope, to provide them with care, make them feel right at home, at the time when they need it the most,” President Marcos said.

“This is why the hospital’s second floor will be dedicated to the Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center. While the vision is clear, we acknowledge that much work remains to be done to ensure that this facility would be equipped to serve those in need,” he added.

The Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center will address the increasing demand for cancer treatment and the limited capacity of the OFW Hospital. It will function as both an outpatient department and a cancer treatment facility.

Since the inauguration of the OFW Hospital in 2022, President Marcos emphasized its daily outpatient capacity already exceeded 160 patients, with vital areas like the reception and admitting sections repurposed as triage zones.

The new cancer care center is expected to accommodate 64 patients and will provide various treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, diagnostic and staging services, and surgical oncology, among others.

Construction of the facility is set to begin in January 2025 and is expected to be completed by November 2025. It’s targeted to become operational in the first quarter of 2026, following the acquisition of necessary permits and licenses from the Department of Health (DOH).

President Marcos also paid tribute to the late Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople, acknowledging his tireless dedication to the welfare of OFWs.

He said that her legacy continues to guide the Filipinos and reminds the public to approach every patient with compassion and care.

“Sa aming minamahal na OFWs, ang karagdagang pasilidad na ito ay para po sa inyo at sa inyong pamilya. Hindi naman natin hinahangad na magamit ninyo ito, ngunit mas makakahinga tayo nang maluwag kung alam natin na may matatakbuhan na ospital ang ating mga OFWs sa oras ng inyong pangangailangan,” the President said.

“Nawa’y ang Cancer Care [Center] na ito ay maging simbolo ng ating mas magandang kinabukasan—kung saan ang sakripisyo ng ating mga OFWs ay masuklian, ang kanilang pangarap ay mabigyang katuparan, at ang kanilang kalusugan ay pinapahalagahan,” he added.

During his speech, President Marcos expressed his gratitude to the DOH for making the project a reality through its Health Facility Enhancement Program.

The President also noted there are already two existing cancer centers in the Philippines: the UP-PGHl Cancer Center in Manila and the Philippine Cancer Center in Quezon City. | PND

The Philippines will not be deploying Navy warships in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) despite the recent harassment by China, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stressed on Tuesday.

“We are not at war. We don’t need Navy warships,” President Marcos told reporters when asked if the Philippines will deploy Navy warships in the WPS.

Despite China’s harassment, President Marcos underscored the Philippines will continue its resupply mission and protect its territorial rights. He assured the country would continue advocating for peaceful resolutions.

“Again, it (sending of warships) will be provocative and will be seen as an escalation. We don’t do that. The Philippines does not escalate tensions. Quite the opposite, the Philippines always tries to bring down the level of tension,” President Marcos said.

He said the government will continue to perform its mission and will never be part of an escalation of the situation in WPS. He said the Philippines has never played an active role in the increasing tensions.

On Nov. 30, a number of Chinese Navy helicopters hovered over Filipino fishermen in WPS, prompting the Philippine Coast Guard to deploy BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Cape Engaño.

Then on Dec. 4, the China Coast Guard (CCG) water cannoned a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel trying to help out Filipino fishermen in WPS.

The Philippines filed another diplomatic protest stemming from the latest incident. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized on Tuesday the importance of increasing the Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) for public school teachers, describing them as a “special category.”

“Teachers are [a] special category. So we have to handle that individually,” President Marcos told reporters when asked to comment on teachers’ SRI.

President Marcos ordered the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Education (DepEd) to explore budgetary measures to ensure a raise in the SRI for teachers.

The government is targeting an SRI increase to approximately 1,011,800 DepEd personnel from PhP18,000 to PhP20,000. |PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. honored the late Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan V. Ople during the groundbreaking of the OFW Hospital–Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center in San Fernando, Pampanga on Tuesday.

“This endeavor is inspired by the vision of the late Susan Ople, who was our DMW Secretary and who dedicated her entire life to working for the rights of our workers and eventually also our migrant workers.  ‘Til the day she died, I know this for a fact, ‘til the day that she died, she was still working for our OFWs,” President Marcos said.

“And that is why we have to honor her memory and honor her legacy, and we do so today with this hospital. Her legacy reminds us to approach every patient with compassion and care, assuring them that they are not alone in their fight,” he added.

The President said the construction of the facility would not have been possible without the support of the Department of Health (DOH) through its Health Facility Enhancement Program.

He said the realization of this project will require the collective efforts of the DMW, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Health (DOH), other government agencies and private partners.

“I look forward to the completion of this facility and the procurement of the necessary medical equipment. And we once again show, nothing is impossible when we unite together for a shared purpose,” the President said.

President Marcos also honored the OFWs during the event. “It is with great pride and anticipation that I stand before you today to mark the beginning of a new chapter in our nation’s commitment to our modern-day heroes–our Overseas Filipino Workers.”

“When I think about OFWs, I think about their extraordinary strength, their determination, their dedication, the sacrifice and love that they have for their family. They embody what it means to sacrifice and persevere. It is only fitting that we give them the care and support they deserve in return,” he said.

Since its inauguration in 2022, the OFW Hospital in Pampanga stood as a testament of the government’s commitment to care for and support the modern-day heroes and their families, he said.

The hospital’s daily outpatient capacity exceeds 160 patients. Vital areas like reception and admitting sections have been repurposed as triage zones.

The President said the challenges present an opportunity to reaffirm the government’s dedication to the health and dignity of the OFWs and their families.

From January to May of this year, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) ranked cancer as the second leading cause of death in the country.

“Aggressive as this terrible disease is, we need to be equally aggressive in providing treatment for our patients—to give them hope, to provide them with care, make them feel at home, at the time when they need it the most,” President Marcos said.

This is why the hospital’s second floor will be dedicated to the Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center, he said.

During the inauguration, the President mentioned two other cancer hospitals. One is the UP-PGH Cancer Center in Manila and the Philippine Cancer Center in Quezon City.

“Together, we will build a Bagong Pilipinas that is strong, that is prosperous, that is compassionate. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat at mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas!,” the President said. | PND

Citing cancer as the second leading cause of death in the Philippines, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inaugurated the “Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center” of the OFW Hospital in Pampanga on Tuesday.

In his speech, the President highlighted the data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showing that cancer ranked as the second leading cause of death in the country from January to May this year.

He said the data prompted the government to take a more aggressive action.

“Aggressive as this terrible disease is, we need to be as equally aggressive in providing treatment for our patients – giving them hope, providing them with care, making them feel right at home, at the time they needed it most,” President Marcos said.

“This is why the hospital’s second floor will be dedicated to the Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center. While this vision is clear, we acknowledge that much work remains to ensure that this facility would be equipped to serve those in need,” he added.

The Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center will address the increasing demand for cancer treatment and the limited capacity of the OFW Hospital. It will function as both an outpatient department and a cancer treatment facility.

Since the inauguration of the OFW Hospital in 2022, President Marcos emphasized its daily outpatient capacity already exceeded 160 patients, with vital areas like the reception and admitting sections repurposed as triage zones.

The new cancer care center is expected to accommodate 64 patients and will provide various treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, diagnostic and staging services, and surgical oncology, among others.

Construction of the facility is set to begin in January 2025 and is expected to be completed by November 2025. It’s targeted to become operational in the first quarter of 2026, following the acquisition of necessary permits and licenses from the Department of Health (DOH).

President Marcos also paid tribute to the late Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople, acknowledging his tireless dedication to the welfare of OFWs.

He said that her legacy continues to guide the Filipinos and reminds the public to approach every patient with compassion and care.

“Sa aming minamahal na OFWs, ang karagdagang pasilidad na ito ay para po sa inyo, sa inyong pamilya. Hindi naman natin hinahangad na magamit ninyo ito, ngunit mas makakahinga tayo [nang maluwag] kung alam natin na may matatakbuhan na ospital ang ating mga OFWs sa oras ng inyong pangangailangan,” the President said.

“Nawa’y ang Cancer Care [Center] na ito ay maging simbolo ng ating mas magandang kinabukasan—kung saan ang sakripisyo ng ating mga OFW ay masuklian, ang kanilang pangarap ay mabigyang katuparan, at ang kanilang kalusugan ay pinapahalagahan,” he added.

During his speech, President Marcos expressed his gratitude to the DOH for making the project a reality through its Health Facility Enhancement Program. The President also noted there are already two existing cancer centers in the Philippines: the UP-PGHl Cancer Center in Manila and the Philippine Cancer Center in Quezon City. | PND

The government has started distributing food packs and other essential aid to over 80,000 residents affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on Monday, according to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

President Marcos assured the government stands ready to address the needs of affected families, noting that Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian had already traveled to Negros Island to oversee relief efforts following the eruption.

The President also highlighted the assurance of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) that funds are sufficient to provide additional support to families temporarily housed in evacuation centers.

“We are ready to support the families who have been evacuated outside the six-kilometer danger zone,” President Marcos said.

“We’re ready. We know what to do and we have already started to send food packs, and we already started to send all of the things that we [need to] bring to those who are in evacuation centers,” he stressed.

He said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are closely monitoring the air quality in affected communities. This will help determine whether further evacuations are necessary if Kanlaon continues to emit toxic gases, he said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported Kanlaon erupted at around 3:03 p.m. on Monday. The eruption produced a massive plume that rose rapidly to 3,000 meters above the vent and drifted west-southwest.

Phivolcs then raised the level from Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) to Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest), indicating that an eruption has commenced and could escalate into more explosive activity, prompting the evacuation of residents in affected communities. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday assured the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) are implementing all measures to ease congestion and ensure smoother travel in the country’s toll roads during the holiday season.

President Marcos made the assurance as he led the inauguration of the NLEX Candaba 3rd Viaduct in Pulilan, Bulacan.

The President said the viaduct’s opening will boost development of Central Luzon through increased economic and tourism activities.

“The timing of this milestone could not be more opportune. As we enter the holiday season, a period marked by heightened activity and an influx of holiday travelers, this bridge becomes even more crucial,” the President said.

“With all this in mind, I call on all concerned stakeholders — especially the Toll Regulatory Board and the NLEX Corporation—to remain vigilant. Let us prioritize swift response mechanisms and deploy well-coordinated traffic management strategies to address the ever-changing conditions and the increasing demands on our toll roads,” he added.

The Candaba Viaduct is a 5-km bridge built in the 1970s. It connects the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga.

As a crucial link of the NLEX network, the Candaba Viaduct was augmented through the construction of the central infill–the new five-kilometer Candaba 3rd Viaduct–as the existing structures are aging and operating at a reduced capacity.

The PhP7.8 billion viaduct was built between the two existing bridges connecting the towns of Pulilan, Bulacan and Apalit, Pampanga.

It’s expected to ease congestion on existing viaducts especially during peak travel periods, enhance motorists safety, and boost the flow of goods and services between Central Luzon and Metro Manila. | PND

The opening of the P7.8-billion North Luzon Expressway Candaba 3rd Viaduct would spur regional development in Central Luzon through enhanced connectivity and business opportunities and tourism activity.

“As we mark its completion, we show what can be achieved when we work together as one—fueled by our commitment to enriching connectivity, opportunity, and the brighter future that we continue to create together,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said during the inauguration of the viaduct in Pulilan, Bulacan on Tuesday.

“The 3rd Viaduct enhances the capacity of this expressway, reduces congestion, and ensures faster, more efficient travel. Standing as a testament to this Administration’s commitment to the ‘Build Better More’ program, this also shows that we are building the foundation to nurture the development of our countryside,” he said.

The President said the country can steer economic growth, expand opportunities for trade and tourism, and drive regional development by improving the movement of goods, services, and people.

Designed with the latest in engineering innovation, the structure attests to the government’s dedication to safety, durability, and progress, the President said.

The viaduct is built to withstand the challenges of nature, the demands of time, and is poised to serve the people for decades, he added.

The President recognized the efforts of the NLEX Corp. and the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., saying their work mirrors the kind of nation we aspire to become— consistent, synergistic, and forward-looking.

“Let us build infrastructure projects with future challenges in mind. Remain focused on pursuing initiatives that uplift lives, build communities, and most importantly, meet the needs of future that we hope to build for our children and their children,” he said.

The Candaba Viaduct was one of the landmark projects initiated by the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. It remains a vital link between North Luzon and Metro Manila.

Since its opening in 1977, the five-kilometer bridge has been a critical link, connecting the towns of Pulilan, Bulacan and Apalit, Pampanga.

It has evolved to meet the needs of a growing population and economy. From a two-lane design, it expanded to three lanes in each direction by 2017, now accommodating over 80,000 motorists every day.

The NLEX Candaba 3rd Viaduct, which commenced construction last year, is a five-kilometer-long infrastructure built between the two existing bridges connecting Pulilan and Apalit. | PND

PASIG CITY, 9 December 2024 — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Education (DepEd) to work together on providing a higher Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) for public school teachers.

Recognizing the crucial role of teachers in molding the Filipino youth, the government aims to increase the SRI of an estimated 1,011,800 DepEd personnel from the current Php 18,000 to Php 20,000.

The SRI is a yearly financial incentive granted to government employees to recognize their commitment and dedication to quality and responsive public service.

This December 2024, President Marcos Jr. has tasked the DBM and DepEd to explore budgetary measures to ensure the SRI increase for DepEd personnel can be implemented, while remaining mindful of fiscal responsibilities.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara expressed his gratitude for the President’s directive, calling it a morale booster for the nation’s educators.

“This initiative underscores our shared goal of empowering teachers and reinforcing their critical role in shaping the future of Filipino learners,” Angara said.

Further announcements on the implementation and timeline for the increased SRI are expected as the DBM and DepEd finalize the necessary funding mechanisms.