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Saturday-Friday | November 7 - 13, 2020
Navy hailed for Covid-19, disaster response efforts MANILA (Mabuhay) — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay has lauded Philippine Navy (PN) efforts in mitigating the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and the series of typhoons that struck the country in the past weeks. "Team Philippine Navy's committed focus and dedication to the fulfillment of the AFP's mission which has not once faltered in support of the government's stance in managing the impact of the prevailing pandemic and recent calamities," he said during his visit Wednesday to PN chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo at the Naval Station Jose Andrada in Roxas Boulevard, Manila. Gapay also lauded the PN's humanitarian and disaster response efforts alongside the rapid delivery of government aid to citizens in dire need of medical attention. The AFP chief also commended PN units that "stood ready and prepared to deploy their respective disaster response and recovery teams in order to render immediate assistance in the midst of a devastating calamity" following the onslaught of Super Typhoon Rolly. Earlier, the PN said that four of its largest ships are on standby for possible relief missions to "Rolly" affected areas. Meanwhile, Bacordo expressed his appreciation of the AFP's unfaltering support to the PN's undertakings toward the fulfillment of its mission. As this developed, the PN on Wednesday night said that the BRP Pangasinan (PS-31) departed Cebu City to transport around 40 tons of relief goods to Legazpi City, Albay, and other parts of the Bicol Region that were devastated by Super Typhoon Rolly's onslaught last November 1. "Said relief initiatives were spearheaded by the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO-7) in close coordination with the AFP Central Command through Naval Forces Central (NFC) and from different local government
Philippine Navy (PN) vessel BRP Pangasinan (PS31) departs Cebu City to transport around 40 tons of relief goods to Legaspi City and other parts of the Bicol Region that were devastated by the recent Super Typhoon 'Rolly'. (MNS photo) agencies and non-government organizations such as the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. Visayas (PMAAA Inc- Visayas Chapter), Anti-Crime and Community Emergency Response Team (ACCERT) and Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV)," PN public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said in a statement. Present during the send-off cer-
emony were NFC deputy commander, Navy Capt. Emmanuel Eugenio Bello, PRO-7 regional director, Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro and OPAV representative, lawyer Lessandro Maraon, who personally inspected and handed-over the consolidated donation of relief goods consisting of 87 sacks of assorted goods, 80 butane gas stoves, and 500 sacks of rice. The BRP Pangasinan is commanded by Commander Roldydin Cris Sergio and currently under the operational control
of Naval Forces Southern Luzon. The ship was sheltering in Cebu due to the effects of "Rolly". "All available assets of the PN will be utilized for relief and rehabilitation efforts intended for the populace who were adversely affected by this calamity. The PN is one with the local government units in bringing prompt, responsive, and effective assistance to the communities affected by this yet another disaster amid the ongoing pandemic," Roxas said. (MNS)
6,723 free Wi-Fi sites now Task force to prioritize COA, media reports in corruption probe installed across PH — DICT MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Thursday said its Free Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) for All program is now available in 6,723 sites nationwide and will continue to increase in the next three years. In a statement, the DICT said the Free Wi-Fi for All sites were installed in 1,021 municipalities and cities in 80 provinces, including Metro Manila. “The DICT is targeting the rollout of a total of 10,069 live sites until the end of 2020, with plans to establish up to 100,000 Wi-Fi access sites by the year 2023 following the deployment of the National Broadband Program,” the DICT said. Due to the challenges brought by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the DICT said the program’s “intensified rollout” presently prioritizes the education sector. “Presently, the program has estab-
lished free Wi-Fi sites in 138 public libraries, 1018 public schools, 967 State Universities/Colleges, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) institutions,” it said. One of the institutions recently granted free Wi-Fi was the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Education, Training, and Doctrine Command (AFPETDC) in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. The AFPETDC, which also houses the AFP Command General Staff College (CGSC), provides professional military education to AFP uniformed personnel for higher command responsibilities and doctrine development. During the virtual launch of the AFPETDC free Wi-Fi hub on October 28, DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan II said the provision of free Wi-Fi hubs in schools nationwide is meant to alleviate the plight of educators and learners amid the pandemic. Major General Edgard Arevalo, commander of the AFPETDC, thanked the DICT and added that through the free Wi-Fi program, the government is “gradually filling” everyone’s right to internet access. “The Free Wi-Fi for All is one of the greatest leaps that the government, through the DICT and the able leadership of the good Secretary Honasan II has made to accelerate the efforts of enhancing accessibility DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan II (left) and Major General Jesus for the Filipinos,” AreB. Sarsagat (right) lead the lighting of the Free Wi-Fi for All access valo said. (MNS) point at the Army General Hospital.
MANILA (Mabuhay) — The mega task force against corruption would prioritize audit reports from the Commission on Audit (COA) and past media reports before launching a government-wide investigation on corruption allegations. In a Laging Handa briefing on Wednesday, Just ice Undersecretar y and spokesperson Emmeline Aglipay-Villar said Secretary Menardo Guevarra has given a directive for the mega task force's secretariat to convene immediately. "We would also prioritize the examination of existing COA reports and look into investigative pieces reported by the media in the past regarding corruption allegations. These are the first things to be looked into by the task force's secretariat and operations center so we would determine what allegations should we prioritize," she said. Aglipay-Villar reiterated that aside from COA, other independent constitutional bodies such as the Office of the Ombudsman and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) are helping the task force. "It is better if all agencies are working against corruption. (Through working together), it would expedite the gathering of evidence and the filing of cases," she said. Aglipay-Villar added that the secretariat of the mega task force against corruption would meet on Wednesday to determine the mechanism on how
to receive tips from the public and the process on how to separate complaints that need to be investigated from those without basis. She also assured that citizens who would turn whistleblowers in the government-wide corruption investigation would be secured under the witness protection program. "The public may submit tips on illegal acts. If they have persona l k nowledge meaning they personally saw or heard they may be Aglipay-Villar witnesses if the cases reach the court. If they are afraid of retribution, the DOJ (Department of Justice) witness protection program will protect them. The DOJ will not let them down," she said. Aglipay-Villar, meanwhile, reiterated that her role would only be limited to being the task force's spokesperson. "I would not be a part of any investigating panel, especially the investigating panel that would handle the Department of Public Works and Highways. But if there would be questions on DPWH, another official would speak for that once the investigation pushes through," said Aglipay-Villar, wife of Public Works Secretary Mark Villar. She added said the task force would investigate corruption in all government offices, including the judiciary and legislative branches. "They are not exempt and cases will be filed when warranted," she said. (MNS)
