Day: August 21, 2024

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: Camiguin Governor Xavier Jesus Romualdo said the island’s Quick Response (QR) registration policy is part of the island province’s measure to improve tourism services. In a radio interview on Wednesday, Romualdo said the QR system empowers registered to have streamlined access to different services and accredited accommodations. “We wanted data-driven governance in planning and promotion. How will you promote Camiguin when you don’t know your demographics?” he asked. The QR code registration system started during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic as a tool for contact tracing. In March 2023, it was relaunched to register tourists as

MANILA: The new procurement law is key to stopping corrupt practices in the government, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said Wednesday. During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay, Pangandaman said the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA) or Republic Act (RA) 12009 would enhance government efficiency and ensure high-quality outcomes. Pangandaman also guaranteed that there would be no repeat of the so-called Pharmally scandal or the controversial awarding of the multi-billion-peso contracts to the Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp. by the past administration. ‘While we made it a little flexible in doing the procurement process, there are still safeguards,’ she said, noting that development partners

MANILA: The Department of Agriculture (DA) and hog raisers industry allayed concerns over the safety and quality of retail pork products amid the resurgence of African swine fever (ASF). In a press conference, DA Assistant Secretary for Swine and Poultry Constante Palabrica said the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has increased its checkpoints to 12 areas in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon to prevent the spread of ASF. ‘Napaka-effective nitong checkpoints na ito, ayaw naming magping-pong iyong mga baboy mula sa infected areas sa (These checkpoints are very effective, we don’t want to pass on swine from infected areas

MANILA: The House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved on the third and final reading a bill prohibiting the option to substitute candidates who withdrew from the electoral race. During the plenary session, a total of 195 lawmakers voted in favor of House Bill 10524, which seeks to amend Section 77 of the Omnibus Election Code by removing withdrawal as a ground for substitution of candidates to prevent the mockery of the electoral system. No lawmaker voted in the negative or abstained from voting. The bill also seeks to strengthen the electoral system by including permanent incapacity as an additional

TACLOBAN CITY: At least 1,977 parents in Samar province have received cash incentive for attending learning sessions meant to capacitate them to tutor their children. The Department of Social Welfare and Development completed on Wednesday the payout to all recipients under the Tara, Basa (let us read) Tutoring Program in two cities and 19 towns in Samar. Under the cash-for-work component of the program, each parent received PHP4,700 equivalent to the 20-day parents’ sessions they attended from July 1-26. ‘These learning sessions aim to empower parents and guardians with knowledge and skills to support their children’s education and improve family