in Cubao due to alleged violations

By Vince Lopez DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

Secretary Rexlon “Rex”

Gatchalian on Tuesday issued a cease-anddesist order against Gentle Hands Incorporated (GHI), an orphanage based in Quezon City.

When asked by Malacañan reporters, Gatchalian confirmed the said order against the orphanage due to alleged violations.

“We are referring to the account of Gentle Hands Incorporated in Quezon City. Yes, we did issue a cease-and-desist order on the following grounds. Number one, as early as last Friday, I personally got complaints about the living situation inside the orphanage. There are 149 children inside, “ Gatchalian said The DSWD chief also said the place is “not ideal” with trash scattered and lying around ventilation was also an issue.

He said the orphanage may have exceeded

Villar praises farming training for future PNP officers

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Cynthia Villar said teaching police cadets farming skills is aligned with the mission of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to provide comprehensive education and training to future policemen.

“Having farming skills truly resonates with the principles and purpose of law enforcement,” Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, said.

“Understanding farming and the unique challenges it presents will help you connect more deeply with these communities. These connections can foster trust and cooperation, which are essential elements for you to carry out your police work more effectively,” she told cadets.

Villar was the Guest Speaker during the flag-raising ceremony of the PNPA in Silang, Cavite. She thanked PNPA Director Police Major General Eric Noble for inviting her to be part of this event.

“I have been informed that my strong advocacy for agriculture aligns with PNPA’s belief that policemen possessing farming skills can significantly enhance the police service within the com-

By Rey E. Requejo

THE US government has provided P240 million ($4.3 million) in grant assistance to help civil society organizations address climate challenges that are being faced by local communities across the Philippines.

In a statement, the US Embassy in the Philippines said at least 11 grants will be provided by the US government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), to support the efforts for biodiversity conservation, wildlife protection, and the implementation of natural climate solutions. The recipient organizations are BaiAni Foundation, CBCP Caritas Filipinas munities they serve,” she said. its capacity. “It’s a privately run orphanage, it’s only rated for 80, but they have at 149 or 150 children.”

“And the worst part of it is we saw the fire exits and they were sealed or with grills and that was not acceptable to us. This is a fire trap,”

Gatchalian also said that there was an adult Caucasian male who went outside the said facility who was also roaming around without any detail or escort.

He questioned the presence of the “unsupervised” Caucasian in the facility and explained that the DSWD team had to be escorted by houseparents and social workers when the team entered the facility.

He also said the DSWD team “questioned” the staff, including the resident child psychologist. Gatchalian assured that the children who will be affected by the said closure will be taken to DSWD facilities.

The senator told the cadets that as future police officers, they are likely to be stationed in places where agriculture plays a critical role.

She also told future police officers that they can actively participate building food security and fostering a safer environment by sharing their farming knowledge, educating local communities, and empowering farmers.

“When communities have consistent access to nutritious food, they tend to be more stable, peaceful, and less inclined to engage in unlawful activities,” noted the senator.

Senators approve chalk allowance for public teachers

WITH a unanimous vote, the Senate on Monday passed on the third and final reading the so-called “chalk allowance” measure authored and sponsored by Senator Ramon Revilla, Jr. Senate Bill No. (SBN) 1964 or the “Kabalikat ng Pagtuturo Act” institutionalizes and increases the teaching allowance granted to public school teachers.

Under SBN 1964, the teaching allowance shall be gradually increased from the current P5,000 to P7,500 for school year 2023-2024 and to P10,000 for school year 2024-2025 onwards. The additional benefit shall also not be subject to tax.

In his sponsorship, Revilla noted that public school teachers are forced to shell out money from their own pockets to procure supplies for the actual conduct of teaching since what is currently being granted to them is just P5,000 annually or just P24 a day.

Foundation, Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, Diliman Science Research Foundation, Impl. Project Philippines, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, Mabuwaya Foundation, Surigao Economic Development and Microfinance Foundation, Tanggol Kalikasan, University of Santo Tomas Research and Endowment Foundation, and Xavier Agricultural Extension Services Foundation. US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson joined the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Gerry Roxas Foundation in the announcement of the grants on Monday, May 22.

“With the passage of ‘Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act’, we are giving our dear teachers an assurance that they will always have the Senate as their ally in advocating, pushing, and fighting for their welfare,” Revilla said.

“The current cash allowance already includes a P500 allocation for medical examination. If we deduct that from the purchase of teaching materials and equipment, it will drop to P22 pesos only per day. A box of chalk costs P68, a ream of bond paper costs P120, not including the internet load,” Revilla, chair of the Senate Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation, said. Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Bob Gabuna

ORAL history passed on by family historians suggests my ascendants fought against domination of European colonizers as early as the 17th century, nearly 100 years after some of these eastern islands had started making the sign of the cross.

Most popular of these ascendants was Teresa Magbanua, who earned the moniker “Joan of Arc” of the Visayas.

Most popular of these ascendants was Teresa Magbanua, who earned the moniker ‘Joan of Arc’ of the Visayas

St. Joan of Arc—byname the Maid of Orléans, French Sainte Jeanne d’Arc or La Pucelle d’Orléans, (born c. 1412—died May 30, 1431, has been revered as a martyr, and viewed as an obedient daughter of the Roman Catholic Church, an early feminist, and a symbol of freedom and independence.

After the French Revolution, she became a national symbol of France.

In the Visayas, ‘Nay Ysa, as she was endearingly addressed, was trained as an educator; but she chose to join her brothers and other kin in armed struggle, rather than enjoy the comforts of classroom teaching.

‘Nay Ysa, was deemed an expert in shooting while riding on horseback.

She was reluctantly given the command of Bolo Batallion, when she was able to persuade the Commanding General of the revolutionary forces in Panay Island, who was also her blood relative, that she could fight and lead the fighting forces.

‘Nay Ysa’s battle plan was unconventional.

She conceived the “agaw armas” tactic by visiting the enemy’s barracks in the middle of the night, to lure the soldiers to imbibe intoxicating drinks.

When the enemies had a drink too many, she signaled her troops hiding