MECO says OFWs in Taiwan are secured

MANJILA Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairman and resident representative Silvestre Bello III on Saturday allayed concerns about the safety of Filipinos in Taiwan amid brewing tensions with mainland China.

Bello said the Philippine government, through MECO, was looking after the welfare and well-being of the Filipino expatriates in Taiwan.

“So we would like to assure you, everyone. I’ll take this opportunity to inform you… in Taiwan everything is normal and, if in the remote possibility na magkaroon ng emergency situation, for example earthquake, mga lindol o even war, preparado po ang Taiwan government not only in protecting their own people but even the Filipinos, especially our workers,” Bello said in a media forum in Quezon City.

According to Bello, the National Police Agency of Taiwan has assured him of the protection and security of the Filipinos in the island nation.

“I met with the Director General together with the head of the Home Civilian Defense of Taiwan and they assured us na iyong ating mga kababayan ay protektado nila,” Bello said.

Quoting Taiwanese security officials, Bello said there were 89,000 shelters that can accommodate more than the total population of Taiwan.

“Ganoon kapreparado iyong ating mga kasama sa Taiwan and they really treasure our OFWs kasi sila, according to them, are the best in their manufacturing industry,” he said.

Bello also noted that 90 percent of the factories in Taiwan have Filipino workers.

Tingog party-list extends financial aid to 300 impoverished Pasigueños

TINGOG party-list, in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has undertaken another offsite payout event in Pasig City.

Tingog Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre presided at the distribution of the financial aid to needy residents held at the Youth Development Center in Rave Park, Pasig City on Thursday.

The political group said it considered the event as a “significant achievement that aligns with their advocacy in continuing to provide aid to different communities across the country in need of social services.”

Tingog and the DSWD gave away P3,000 to each of the 300 beneficiaries. Pasig City councilor Paul Roman San-

Panel set up to manage Malacañang Heritage Mansions

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday issued Executive Order No. 26 to promote and conserve Philippine historical and cultural heritage sites under the management of the Malacañang Heritage Mansions.

The order also provided for the creation of advisory and management bodies for the cultural and heritage sites.

EO 26 was entitled “Promoting Filipino History and Culture Through the Efficient Management of Malacañang Heritage Mansions, and Cre- ating an Advisory Board and Management Center for the Purpose.”

“An Advisory Board for the efficient management of the Malacañang Heritage Mansions is hereby created,” the President stated.

The advisory board shall be composed of three representatives from the Office of the President (OP), who will serve in ex officio capacity, and three representatives from the private sector to be appointed by the Chief Executive. The President tasked the board to formulate policies, projects and tiago expressed gratitude to the Tingog lawmakers, as well as Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for assuring the people, especially the indigents that they can depend on their political leaders. programs for the efficient management of the Malacañang Heritage Mansions subject to existing laws and regulations.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Tingog Party-list dahil sa walang sawang pagbibigay ng tulong … tumutulong lang po kami (local officials) para mapaabot yung tulong mula sa kanila,” Santiago said.

Councilor Marion Rosalio Martires was also present at the payout to give hope to the people that despite the arduous, yet necessary requirements and process, their requested help is guaranteed. He also expressed his appreciation with Tingog Party-list and Speaker Romualdez for their unfailing help in the community.

“For this purpose, the Malacañang Heritage Mansions shall include the Kalayaan Museum, and such other properties as may be identified by the Advisory Board,” the EO stated.

The supervision of the Kalayaan Museum was transferred from the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for General Administration to the Social Secretary’s Office (SoSec).

Winners must write their names and signature on the back of the winning tickets and present two government-issued identification cards or documents. Lotto winnings of more than PHP10,000 are subject to 20 percent tax under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.

Meanwhile, 75 others won PHP32,000 each for guessing five out of the six winning digits, while 4,002 will get PHP1,000 each for four correct digits, and 73,108 will settle for PHP30 each for three correct digits.

The 6/45 Mega Lotto is drawn every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This is the third time this month that a lone bettor won the jackpot.

Fuel prices expected rise anew next week

MOTORISTS may anticipate an increase in fuel prices next week, Unioil Petroleum Philippines, Inc. said on Saturday. According to the oil company’s forecast, the per-liter prices of diesel will go up by P1.30 to P1.50 starting May 16. Pump prices of gasoline are seen to rise by P0.30 to P0.50 per liter. This is another turnaround as the oil firms himplemented price rollbacks over the past three weeks.

As of May 9, the Department of Energy locally monitored year-to-date net decrease for diesel and kerosene at P7.05/liter and P7.50/liter, respectively, while gasoline has a net increase of P3.85/liter.

The oil price hike will put an end to three consecutive weeks of price cuts, triggered by concerns of a recession in the US.

On May 9, the oil companies implemented a per liter decrease of P2.20 for gasoline, P2.70 for diesel, and P2.55 for Kerosene.

These resulted in a year-to-date net decrease for diesel at P7.05 per liter and kerosene at P7.50 per liter. Gasoline, on the other hand, has a net increase of P3.85 per liter.

WHERE THE PRICE IS RIGHT. Budget-conscious shoppers simply know where to find adorable ready-to-wear dresses at affordable prices—in a flea market in Quiapo, Manila.

Pakistan ex-PM Khan back home after arrest, riots

PAKISTAN’S former prime minister Imran Khan arrived at his Lahore residence on Saturday after being freed on bail following days of legal drama and nationwide riots over his arrest on corruption charges.

Khan was swooped on by dozens of paramilitary troops and arrested during a routine court appearance on Tuesday, triggering violent clashes in several cities between his supporters and security forces.

His detention came just hours after he was rebuked by the powerful military, whom he once again accused of being involved in an assassination attempt against him last year.

The arrest on court premises as he prepared to file a bail application was declared unlawful on Thursday by the Supreme Court, which kept Khan in custody until Friday –when he was granted two weeks’ bail in the corruption case.

Islamabad High Court also ordered Khan could not be arrested before Monday in any case.

Khan has become entangled in a slew of legal allegations – a frequent hazard for opposition figures in Pakistan – since he was ousted from power in April last year.

“The head of the country’s largest party was abducted, kidnapped from the high court, and in front of the entire nation,” Khan told AFP from the court building.

“They treated me like a terrorist, this had to have a reaction,” he said of the protests that followed.