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PBBM vows roads built to connect, protect Pinoys

7 November 2024


President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pledged on Thursday to making the country’s roads safer for all Filipinos, announcing that the Philippines will participate in the upcoming Ministerial Conference for Road Safety in Morocco.

“We welcomed UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Mr. Jean Todt, back to Manila to discuss the progress we’ve made and the steps ahead to enhance road safety across the Philippines, aligning with the 2021-2030 Decade of Action for Road Safety Goals,” President Marcos said in a statement.

“In a Bagong Pilipinas, our roads are built to connect and protect, bringing people together safely. We are committed to making our roads safer for all Filipinos, and the Philippines will proudly join the global dialogue at the upcoming Ministerial Conference in Morocco,” he added.

The President earlier received Todt at a Palace courtesy call, following the April 2023 visit to discuss the Philippines’ progress on road safety and future actions needed to achieve the 2021-2030 Decade of Action for Road Safety Goals.

He appreciated meeting Todt in the Philippines, highlighting the urgency of reducing road crashes in the country, particularly those involving motorcycles.

The UN envoy, who has been traveling to advocate for road safety, could guide the Philippines on making its roads safer, he noted.

“I’m happy to meet you because I have been watching you over the years… and because we have safety concerns especially for motorbikes. We have approximately 15 million Filipino riders in the country,” the President told Todt.

“They have the highest percentage of accidents both fatal and non-fatal. It’s really on the two wheels. So, it’s really that we are very concerned about,” he said.

The President agreed to Todt’s proposal to establish a task force – members to be drawn from the sectors of education, health, and both public and private entities — to work alongside the UN on road safety initiatives.

Regarding Todt’s recommendation for producing more durable helmets to ensure riders’ safety, the President said collaboration with the private sector would be essential, with government support in place to ensure a stable market.

This initiative could potentially involve government subsidies to reduce costs, encouraging riders to use helmets that meet safety standards, he added.

The Philippines’ cooperation with the United Nations Development System is outlined in the Philippines’ 2024-2028 UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

The UNSDCF serves as a strategic framework for UN’s collaboration with the Philippines, aimed at supporting national development priorities, including the country’s transition to upper middle-income economy status and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. | PND

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PBBM assures modernization of PH Marine Corps

7 November 2024


President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the mandate of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) as he graced its 74th anniversary celebration on Thursday.

“We are committed to building a stronger and more comprehensive defense posture by investing in modern infrastructure, upgrading facilities — facilities that will boost your operations,” President Marcos said in his speech.

The President further emphasized the administration will continue prioritizing PMC modernization to ensure its defense capabilities align with the nation’s strategic needs.

President Marcos served as the guest of honor and keynote speaker at the celebration of PMC’s 74th birthday, held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. He witnessed the awarding of PMC units and personnel.

The PMC, which serves as the naval infantry force of the Philippine Navy, provides fire and combined arms support and undertakes coastal defense and amphibious operations.

Originally known as Alpha Company, the PMC was established on November 2, 1950, through Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Order No. 319 in response to increasing threats from insurgents and lawless elements.

It expanded and officially became PMC on November 7, 1995. From 1996 to present, Marine operations have focused on supporting land-based irregular warfare and marine security operations, particularly in Southern Philippines.

In recent years, Marine operations have included humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts.

President Marcos acknowledged PMC’s efforts in protecting Filipinos, promoting peace and development, and asserting the nation’s sovereignty.

“Your unwavering commitment to duty—whether on land or on sea—has been instrumental in shaping the security landscape that we continue to build on today,” President Marcos said.

The President also reflected on PMC’s history and honored the sacrifices made by its members for the Philippines.

“Your contributions not only ensure our safety, but have also reinforced the very foundation of our shared future,” he said.

“What started as a volunteer group has grown into a capable force under the Philippine Navy, entrusted with a critical mission—to safeguard our maritime sovereignty, counter insurgency, and stabilize areas of conflict,” he added.

The President urged the men and women of PMC “to embody the dedication and excellence that have long characterized” its legacy.

He wants them to pass on these values to the next generation to strengthen communities, reinforce citizens, and build a brighter, more prosperous future for all Filipinos. | PND

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Pinoys much more disaster ready now — Harvard survey

7 November 2024


Under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Philippines has made significant strides in disaster preparedness.

This was revealed by a recent survey from the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) showing Filipinos are more prepared for disasters now than they were several years ago.

According to the survey, the self-reported disaster preparedness levels of Filipinos have increased by an average of 42 percent over the past seven years.

Data were collected from 4,608 Filipinos across all regions between February and March 2024, showing an average score of 19.2 across five objective measures of disaster preparedness: planning, training, material investment, information, and social support.

This is higher than the 13.5 result in a pioneering study conducted by HHI in 2017, which used the same methodology and instruments.

However, as the Philippines remains one of the countries most at risk for natural disasters, HHI still highlighted the need to intensify the country’s disaster preparedness efforts.

Support and investment remain essential, especially in areas like local leadership, leveraging technology to improve early warning systems, community engagement, building resilient infrastructures, and enhancing anticipatory actions.

In October, President Marcos led the opening ceremony of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) in Pasay City.

In his speech, the President emphasized the importance of the private sector in “advancing investments and practices in environmental, social, and governance areas.”

“Through collaborative research, information sharing, and innovative financing, we continue to strengthen and deepen our partnerships with these key stakeholders,” he said.

“On our side, we remain steadfast in empowering our local authorities and working closely with our youth to implement nature-based and ecosystem-centered solutions that not only address their unique challenges, but also honor their local traditions and practices.”

During the event, President Marcos also called for a safer, more adaptive, inclusive, and disaster-resilient future where the need for recovery becomes less frequent. | PND

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PBBM okays purchase of 40 fast patrol crafts for PCG

7 November 2024


The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is set to receive 40 fast patrol crafts (FPCs) from France, following the purchase approval of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the board meeting of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Tuesday.

“The acquisition of 40 units of fast patrol boats, as an ODA [Official Development Assistance] project is approved,” said President Marcos, chairman of the NEDA Board, during the meeting at the Malacañan Palace.

Of the 40 units, 20 will be assembled in the Philippines, aligning with Bagong Pilipinas initiative to enhance maritime security by upgrading the PCG’s capabilities.

The project, funded through a P25.8-billion ODA from the French government, marks a significant investment in strengthening the country’s maritime defense.

During a press briefing on Thursday, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan said the acquisition of the 40 fast patrol crafts is the largest single-purchase for the modernization of the Coast Guard, calling it a “game-changer.”

“It is the largest, so far, single-purchase in the modernization of the Philippine Coast Guard. It is a game-changer for us. It will enable the Philippine Coast Guard to have at least two patrol boats in every district, fast enough to reach edges of our socio-economic zone forms to enforce the laws,” he said.

Some of the vessels will be deployed to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as part of the PCG’s “mix of capabilities” to address security threats in Philippine waters, Gavan said.

The vessels are expected to enhance the drive against smuggling, drug trafficking, piracy, illegal fishing, and other forms of maritime crime.

“All forms of maritime crimes because enforcement of laws require us to be there. So, we need boats. This will also be engaged in search and rescue, and environmental protection and surveillance operations,” Gavan said.

“Giving protection to our fishermen is a fundamental duty of the coast guard. That can be part of the task of the coast guard through these boats. But not only securing our fishermen, ginagawa naman natin ‘yan kahit wala pa itong 35-meter patrol boats,” he added.

The patrol crafts are also expected to support socio-economic development by aiding in the transport of goods and personnel during calamities and disasters, benefitting both national and local governments. | PND

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PH still among Asia’s fastest-growing economies — NEDA

7 November 2024


Under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Philippine economy remained one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, according to National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

In a press briefing on Thursday, Secretary Balisacan said the Philippine economy’s growth rate of 5.2 percent follows Vietnam, which leads with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 7.4 percent and Malaysia with 5.3 percent.

The Philippines is ahead of Indonesia at 4.95 percent, China at 4.6 percent, and Singapore at 4.1 percent.

The Philippines’ GDP growth figure demonstrates consistent economic expansion, following growth rates of 5.8 percent and 6.4 percent in first and second quarters of the year, respectively.

“We follow Vietnam which posted a 7.4% growth rate, and are ahead of Indonesia (with 4.9%), China (4.6%), and Singapore (4.1%),” Sec. Balisacan said.

The Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) attributed the expansion in the third quarter of 2024 to the stronger performance of the Industry and Services sectors, which saw year-on-year growth rates of 5.0 percent and 6.3 percent, respectively.

The services sector contributed the highest share to GDP growth at 4.1 percent, while the industry sector, affected by recent calamities, contributed 1.3 percent. The Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing (AFF) sector recorded a decline, contributing -0.2 percent.

Key contributors to the third quarter 2024 growth included wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles at 5.2 percent, financial and insurance activities at 8.8 percent, and construction at 9.0 percent, according to the PSA report.

“Among the major economic sectors, Industry and Services posted year-on-year growths in the third quarter of 2024 with 5.0 percent and 6.3 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, the Agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector posted a year-on-year decline of 2.8 percent,” PSA added. | PND

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Phase 1 of LRT-1 Cavite Extension to open this month– DOTr

7 November 2024


As an early Christmas gift of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration to train commuters, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Thursday that Phase 1 of the Light Rail Transit-1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension will open this month.

“We are here to announce the partial opening of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 Extension — this is the Cavite Extension. We will open this line within the next maybe two to three weeks, this is within November,” DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said.

Bautista made the announcement during a press briefing at the Malacañan Palace. He said the Cavite Extension will be the first railway project to be completed under President Marcos’ administration.

Developed through a Public-Private Partnership, the first phase will connect Baclaran Station in Pasay City to Dr. Santos Station in Parañaque City. It’s expected to reduce travel time by 30 minutes.

The extension is also projected to serve an additional 80,000 passengers daily.

“We hope that this opening of the extension of Line 1 will help alleviate traffic as it will be able to support thousands of passengers, additional passengers taking LRT Line 1. And this will be our early Christmas gift to the residents of the area,” Bautista said.

Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) General Manager Enrico Benipayo said Phase 1 will include five new stations.

“We are also very much excited to open the line. Again within this month, surely within the month of November we will be able to serve an extended area of the metropolis. Five additional stations, six kilometers, and this will allow people to traverse the alignment within a span of less than an hour,” Benipayo said.

“The total alignment of LRT 1 will be extended from 20 kilometers to 26 kilometers for Phase 1 of the Cavite Extension,” he added. | PND

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PBBM thanks Singapore for helping calamity-hit PH

7 November 2024


President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed the government’s gratitude to Singapore on Thursday for helping the Philippines during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

“The Philippines sends our heartfelt gratitude and we look forward to deepening our ties and creating even more ways to support each other across the region,” President Marcos said.

The President talked via phone with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

He said Singapore’s prompt assistance made a significant difference for many Filipinos in hardest-hit areas.

“We discussed sustaining this partnership—from humanitarian aid to tackling climate challenges—all within the framework of ASEAN cooperation,” the President added.

Singapore was one of four Southeast Asian countries that aided the Philippines following the devastation of Kristine.

It sent a military aircraft to the Philippines on October 26.

The aircraft was used to transport non-food relief items from the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to Naga City.

In June 2023, the Philippines and Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, which took effect in the same year.

The Philippines and Singapore established diplomatic relations on May 16, 1969.

Aside from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam helped the Philippines.

Indonesia provided an H225M Caracal and an MI-17-V5 Helicopter. Malaysia sent a Eurocapter EC-725 and Brunei Darussalam dispatched a C-295 aircraft and two S-70i helicopters. |PND

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PBBM: EBET Framework Act to align workforce with evolving, tech-driven job market

7 November 2024


President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized on Thursday the enactment of the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act will help align the current workforce with today’s rapidly evolving, technology-driven job market.

In his speech during the signing of the EBET law at the Malacañan Palace, President Marcos said that while many local livelihood programs provide training, trainees often struggle to find jobs that match their skills.

To address this issue, President Marcos emphasized the EBET Framework Act will align training programs with industry and labor market needs through public-private partnerships.

“That is why it is very important to synchronize our training and our skills training with the actual requirements of industry and the labor market. And that’s why the partnership between private and public is critical,” President Marcos said.

“Because if we are successful in doing this, before a student or a trainee is finished with their training, there already is an available space in the labor market waiting for them, specifically defined by industry and saying what we need are workers with these specific skills,” he added.

The President assured trainees of the government’s continued support for upskilling efforts until they secure the jobs that match their skills.

He said by working closely with specific industries, training can be tailored to meet specific skill demands, ensuring job placements are available as soon as trainees complete their programs.

“And that is – that will address what we have all seen in all our efforts to increase labor – to increase employment, [what] we have seen is the mismatch in terms of skills training and the labor market,” the President said.

“This becomes particularly important in this day and age when after the pandemic everything has become different. And technology has advanced at a meteoric pace and we have to keep up,” he added.

The President said the EBET Framework Act will better prepare Filipino workers for rapid changes, thereby increasing employment opportunities and reducing skills mismatches.

Aside from enhancing the skills of the workforce in partnership with the private sector, the newly signed law will strengthen, rationalize, and harmonize the various EBET training modalities under one framework. | PND

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PBBM reaffirms vow to build more adaptable, future-ready workforce

7 November 2024


President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday reaffirmed his commitment to address the skills gap in the country’s labor force and create a more adaptable, and future-ready workforce in an increasingly fast-changing world.

The President made the remark during the Ceremonial Signing of the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act at the Malacañan Palace.

“In signing the EBET Framework Act into law, we lay a stronger foundation for a workforce that is agile, skilled, and ready to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving world,” President Marcos said.

“By establishing a framework on career advancement and industry-relevant skills, this law directly addresses the issues on the lack of formal training and skill mismatches, ensuring that every Filipino can contribute and benefit from our nation’s growth,” he added.

The EBET Framework Act is designed to provide Filipino workers with accessible and relevant skills training to support their professional development.

President Marcos said EBET will also strengthen partnerships with the private sector to align training programs with real-world industry needs.

The General EBET Programs will focus on fundamental and mid-level skills, offering participants practical training that prepares them for immediate employment opportunities within six months.

For those seeking further advancement, the EBET’s Apprenticeship Programs offer specialized training to build higher-level competencies.

Our collaboration with technical-vocational institutions, agencies will ensure that these standards remain relevant and consistently updated, preparing trainees for future roles in sectors experiencing rapid technological advancement, the President said. | PND

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PBBM inks law to address jobs mismatch, boost career dev’t

7 November 2024


President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act into law on Thursday to tackle persistent issues of jobs mismatches and build a highly skilled, globally-competitive Filipino workforce.

“By establishing a framework on career advancement and industry-relevant skills, this law directly addresses the issues on the lack of formal training and skill mismatches, ensuring that every Filipino can contribute and benefit from our nation’s growth,” President Marcos said during the ceremonial signing of the law at the Malacañan Palace.

The President said the EBET will provide Filipino workers with accessible, relevant skills training that bridges individuals’ capabilities with industry demands.

“By opening pathways to professional growth, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurship, we are answering the call for quality employment and fostering a globally competitive workforce,” the President said.

The President said the law will strengthen partnerships with the private sector “to align our training programs with real-world industry needs.”

“The private sector will play a crucial role in ensuring that our workforce is properly equipped with the right skills to meet the demands of the industry,” he said.

President Marcos is optimistic the new law will help further improve the country’s employment and unemployment rates as he noted that the numbers already improved in the past three months.

The Chief Executive explained the EBET Framework Act harmonizes various approaches, including apprenticeship, leadership, and dual training system under one cohesive structure designed with inclusivity.

He added the EBET will target foundational and mid-level skills, providing participants with practical training that prepares them for immediate employment and preparing workers for opportunities within just six months.

President Marcos said the signing of the EBET Framework Act into law would lay a stronger foundation for a workforce that is agile, skilled and ready to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving world. | PND