PH-Aussie military drill kicks off in Tanay

By Charles Dantes

PHILIPPINE Army troopers, still fresh from their rigorous 17-day military exercise with their American counterparts, are back in another intensive training, this time with Australian soldiers.

The Philippine Army and the Australian Defence Force officially kicked off this year’s Philippine-Australia Army-to-Army exercise dubbed “KASANGGA” 23-2 at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal on Monday.

A total of 114 combatants from the Philippine Army’s Second Infantry Division will train side by-side with 43 Australian Armymen during the bilateral exercises which will until June 23.

The joint exercise covers urban operations combat tracking; jungle warfare and survival training; long-range marksmanship; tactical combat casualty care; sensitive site exploitation, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations; and small unit leader’s training through an exchange of tactics, techniques, and procedures.

Col. Paul Joseph Barta, Australian defense attaché to the Philippines, said their troops will learn jungle warfare and survival skills from their Filipino counterparts who were also known as the “Jungle Fighters”.

For his part, 2nd ID commander Brig. Gen. Augusto Villareal said his men would focus on urban operations knowledge and skills from the Australians.

and other officials in attendance. Tan, who was also into public service and business, served as mayor of Pandan, for three consecutive terms.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. appointed Tan to the SBMA last April 28 and was sworn into office by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on May 3.

In his acceptance speech, Tan acknowledged the support he has been receiving as SBMA chief. At the same time, he urged everyone to continue that synergy and cooperation as he cited an African philosophy.

““I am because we are” – an African philosophy of Ubuntu, which reminds us that our sense of self is shaped by our relationship with others. My success is your success, and your failure is my failure. Let’s not just lift ourselves up, but lift our colleagues, as well. And whatever it is that we do individually and collectively, reflects the leadership of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority,” he said.

Pangandaman received a warm welcome from freeport employees upon his arrival at AFAB Auditorium.

The new AFAB chief, In his message, echoed what President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told him about Bataan.

“Hussein, mahal na mahal ko ang lugar na yan. Bata pa lamang ako, pumupunta na ako diyan sa Bataan. I have wonderful memories of that place,” he quoted the President as saying.

Pangandaman said he was very excited to set foot in the province, see its beauty, meet hardworking people, and unravel the great potentials for development of the province.

He said he will sustain AFAB’s successes over the years. Butch Gunio

Taguig seals tie-up with St. Luke’s BGC

THE Taguig City government has signed an agreement with St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City pursuant to the city’s medical assistance and referral program for its residents.

Local city officials and executives of the hospital signed a multi-year memorandum of agreement aimed at helping individuals in crisis situation based on the assessment of the social workers and the Taguig City Health Office.

Qualified beneficiaries endorsed by the City Health Office will be afforded hospital services for medical and surgical cases.

Patients admitted in other hospitals where primary care has been already rendered may also qualify for this program.

The local government and the hospital will also come up with residency training programs for Taguigbased doctors at partner institutions.

Dr. Dennis Serrano, president and chief executive officer of St. Luke’s Medical Center, expressed confidence for the greater collaboration with the local government. Joel E. Zurbano

75 newly trained BI agents posted at NAIA

AT least 75 new immigration officers who recently completed the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) Philippine Immigration Academy (PIA), will be assigned to the country’s premier airport, according to BI commissioner Norman Tansingco Tansingco said the 75 new immigration officers underwent the fast-tracked course that aims to provide “a brief and concise learning experience” to serve as frontliners at the Ninoy Aquino International airport (NAIA).

“All immigration officers undergo training under the BI-PIA on immigration laws, rules, and procedures. The academy is located in Clark, Pampanga, but the new officers were trained in-house at the NAIA to provide a more holistic, on-the-ground training,” he said.

The new officers were trained in the latest and best practicesin the migration industry and are prepared to be deployed immediately after the course.

Vito Barcelo

By Maricel V. Cruz

BUKIDNON Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores on Tuesday joined the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), bringing the party’s strength in the House of Representatives to 71.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Lakas CMD president, welcomed and administered the oath to Flores as the party’s 71st House member at the Speaker’s Office in Quezon City.

“I thank Cong. Flores for joining the right political party whose commitment is to work towards a better future for our nation. We are honored to welcome you today as the 71st House member of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, a dedicated advocate for positive change,” Romualdez said.

Laguna residents get P2k aid via DSWD, solons

THE offices of Speaker Ferdinand Martin

G. Romualdez, Tingog Party-list Reps.

Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, Jude Acidre, and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Tuesday distributed P2,000 in financial assistance to each of the 1,588 residents of Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

The event was held at Villa Remedios Covered Court in Brgy. Bubukal, Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

Local officials from the provincial and municipal governments, including, Mayor Egay San Luis, Board Member Milo San Luis, Municipal Councilors Allan Pamatpat, and Throphy Tolentino, Barangay Captain Allan Damitan, and barangay officials attended the event.

Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) secured the area and safety of the residents during the activity.

The assistance is aimed at providing P2,000 worth of subsidy to the residents of Sta. Cruz who needed support to access essential food items, particularly the indigent members of the community struggling from economic crisis and the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Maricel V. Cruz