Batangas sugar farmers get cash aid

By Maricel V. Cruz

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday led the distribution of aid to some 800 sugar farmers in Batangas whose livelihood were adversely affected by the closure of the largest sugar mill in the province as he also vowed to help find a long-term solution to the plight of all affected sectors.

concerns last February.

It could be recalled that following the closure of Central Azucarera de Don Pedro, Inc.

(CADPI) in Nasugbu, Batangas, the Sugar Folks Unity for Genuine Agricultural Reform together with Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas sought the assistance of Romualdez who listened to their

Acting on this initiative, the House Speaker coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and secured through the department’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program

P10,000 worth of assistance for every affected sugar farmers. Nang makausap ko ang mga magsasakang naapektuhan ng pagsasara ng sugar mill sa Speaker’s Office, nalungkot ako sa dala nilang balita. Alam ko ang epekto ng pagsasara ng sugar mill. Kagutuman at kalituhan ang tiyak na resulta nito,” Romualdez, in his brief message during the AICS distribution held at Balayan, Batangas, said.

He noted that the closure of CADPI, also the largest sugar mill in the whole Region IV and the 2nd largest in Luzon, had stripped 12,000 farm workers of regular jobs; placed the farms of more than 8,772 farmers at risk, and displaced 125 mill workers.

Romualdez stressed that in times of crisis and

FIREARMS

SURRENDER. Anti Organized Crime Commission General (Retired) Gilbertp DC Cruz (second from right) and National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Regional Director PMGen Edgar Alan Okubo present different high-caliber firearms surrendered to the government by former communists. San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora attended the event held at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. Joseph Muego adversity, it is everyone’s duty to stand together and extend a helping hand to those in need.

“That is why I am immensely proud to share with you today the collaborative efforts of the Sugar Folks Unity for Genuine Agricultural Reform, Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas, and the House Speaker’s Office,” the Speaker said.

“Today, as we distribute these much-needed resources, we are not just providing financial support; we are also offering a glimmer of hope, a symbol of solidarity, and a reminder that no one is alone in their struggles. It is my firm belief that by working together and supporting one another, we can overcome any challenge that comes our way,” he added.

By Maricel V. Cruz

FORMER Social Welfare Secretary Erwin

Tulfo will take his oath as the nominee of the Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) party-list group.

But Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe said Tulfo cannot assume office just yet until the House of Representatives receives official notice from the Commission on Elections upholding his nomination.

Tulfo was the fourth nominee in the list submitted to Comelec ahead of last year’s polls, with the first three nominees assuming office on June 30, 2022.

However, the third nominee, Jeffrey Soriano, resigned from the House of Representatives on February 22, 2023.

“To avoid heat stroke and exhaustion, hydrate yourself and drink water always, and refrain from going out during 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” the DOH said. “Wear sunglasses, sunscreen, and light clothes. Bring an umbrella whenever you have to get exposed to the sun.”

To prevent dengue, the DOH reminded the school administrations and the public to observe the 5S strategy of search and destroy mosquito breeding sites; uphold self-protection like using insect repellents; seek early consultation at the nearest health care facility; support fogging, spraying, and misting in hot spot areas; and sustain hydration.

“The implementation of the 5S strategy calls for everyone to become prime movers in controlling mosquito population and avoiding any possible dengue deaths within the community,” the DOH said.

Immigration agents halt Singapore-bound Pinays

TWO female overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were illegally recruited to work as entertainers in Singapore were intercepted by immigration officers at the Clark International Airport.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the two victims attempted to depart as tourists via a Scoot Airlines flight at the Clark International Airport (CIA) last May 27. The two denied knowing each other, and each claimed to be traveling alone for a vacation.

However, upon verification, they were both found to have active work permits in Singapore as entertainers. They eventually admitted that they applied for work online and were instructed to pose as tourists to conceal their actual purpose of travel. They each paid P30,000 and P15,000 for the processing of their documents.

“In many cases, these victims are made to believe that they will be working as entertainers, but many end up forced to work in sex trade,” said Tansingco.

“This is a clear case of human trafficking, wherein the victims areinstructed to pretend to be tourists,” he added. Vito Barcelo

Oil siphoning of Oriental Mindoro spill now on its last phase — PCG

THE last phase of siphoning operations for the remaining oil off the waters of Naujan town in Oriental Mindoro began Sunday, three months after the massive spill from the sunken M/T Princess Empress, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

PCG Incident Management TeamOriental Mindoro head Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla said the operations would last from 20-30 days, depending on the weather conditions and subsea progress.

“Once the oil removal is completed, we hope that the process will pave the way for the rehabilitation of affected areas and

MIME ARTIST. A finally transition to the normalcy of lives of affected Mindoreños,” Tuvilla said.

The Dynamic Support Vessel Fire Opal was chartered by Malayan Towage and Salvage Corporation. It left Singapore on May 19 and arrived at Subic Freeport Zone on May 26 before starting operations in Oriental Mindoro.

M/T Princess Empress was loaded with 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil when it sank off Naujan on Feb. 28.

PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said about 120,000 to 240,000 liters of oil is expected to be extracted by DSV Fire Opal.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said Tulfo is already considered a House member after the poll body dismissed for lack of jurisdiction the disqualification case filed against him.

“The oath of office is a formality, one of the requirements that we need,” Velasco said.

“We (the House leadership) were already assured that the letter is forthcoming and we were furnished a copy of the notice of dismissal of the case against him. So we will go ahead with the oath-taking, but of course for the actual occupation of the office, we will await the formal letter from Comelec,” he added.

The disqualification case against Tulfo has been elevated to the Comelec Second Division en banc after petitioner Atty. Moises Tolentino Jr. filed on May 29 a motion for reconsideration to overturn the dismissal of the case.