Marcos looking toward stronger PH-China ties

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Friday said he looks forward to stronger Philippine-China ties as both nations celebrate the 48th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them.

In a social media post, Mr. Marcos recalled the founding of the official diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China under his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

"I am proud to have been part in laying the groundwork as former First First Lady Imelda Marcos and I had the chance to interact with former Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong in 1974, paving the way for my father’s historic visit to China in 1975," he said.

"This momentous occasion 48 years ago served to further deepen our already strong and enduring people-to-people linkages."

The President said his meeting with President Xi Jinping earlier was filled with "a spirit of mutual cooperation and mutual respect".

"As we turn our gaze towards the future, I look forward to the continued strengthening of Philippines-China bilateral relations, especially in the important cooperation areas: tourism, agriculture, trade and investment, and infrastructure," he said. Vince Lopez

Bulacan grad tops April special nurses’ exam

CZARINA Gerard Soriano Gomez, a graduate of Dr. Yanga's Colleges Inc. in Bocaue, Bulacan, has topped the April 2023 Philippine Nurses Special Professional Licensure Examination, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) said Friday.

Gomez became topnotcher with a percentage rating of 86.00, leading 1,917 other passers from across the globe.

The new nurses successfully hurdled the exams administered in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, United Arab Emirates; al Ahmadi, Kuwait; Al-Khobar, Jeddah and Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Doha, Qatar; Manama, Bahrain; and Singapore last April.

Second was Louie Liza Lee Licsi of the University of Perpetual Help SystemLaguna with a score of 85.40%, while Christian Jay Torres Crisostomo of Metropolitan Medical Center College of Arts, Science and Tech was third with 84.20%.

Next were Winston Buenavista Guevarra of Perpetual Help College of Manila, fourth, with 84%; Harlene Jane Poniente Fernandez of St. Dominic College of Asia, fifth, with 83.80%; and Janosky April Bantog Lego of Central Luzon College of Science and Tech-Olongapo, sixth, with 83.60%. Jimbo Gulle (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Number...

From A1 to road closures in connection with the anniversary celebrations at Luneta Park. Meanwhile, the three railway services in Metro Manila are offering free rides to passengers during selected hours on June 12.

The free rides at Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 and 2 and Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) are available from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The free ride is a yearly activity of the rail lines and the Department of Transportation in celebration of Independence Day. Meanwhile, the MMDA is also suspending the operation of the Pasig River Ferry Service (PRFS) on Monday. The Ferry service will return to normal operations on June 13.

The temporary road closures on June 12 will be implemented from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. along Roxas Boulevard from TM Kalaw to P. Burgos, TM Kalaw- from Taft to Roxas Blvd, Maria Orosa St. from TM Kalaw to P. Burgos, including Katigbak Drive, Independence Road, and South Road for the flag raising and wreath laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument and Civic-Military Parade to be held at the Quirino Grandstand. Joel E. Zurbano (See full story online at manilastandard.net) the need for urgent power augmentation while a full electrical audit is ongoing, said Senate Public Service committee chairperson Sen. Grace Poe.

Regardless of the brownout’s duration, Poe said power outages at NAIA are enough to cause a domino effect of flight delays, passenger confusion, and reduced business. (See full story online at manilastandard.net) simplification of the rules.

“We clarified it because even when I sat down to read the land-based rule, what I noticed was, first I couldn't finish it because it made me sleepy. Secondly, I didn't understand it so I had to go back to it several times. Thirdly, I couldn't remember anything even though I’ve read it several times,” she said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

In Brief

ENDLESS QUEST FOR LAND OF THEIR OWN.

GCG

Marks 12th Year With Call For Integrity

THE Governance Commission for Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations (GCG) unveiled its mantra and vision for government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs).

“Pursuant to our mandate, the theme for this year’s celebration is to Aim G.R.E.A.T.” where “G.R.E.A.T stands for: Good governance, Rightsizing, Efficiency, Accountability, and Transparency,” said GCG chairman Justice Alex L. Quiroz (ret.) during the agency’s 12th–anniversary celebration at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Highlighting the initiatives that resonate to the needs of GCG stakeholders, the GCG administration introduced open-door policy, establishment of AntiCorruption and Integrity Program, and the upgrading of the current Integrated Corporate Reporting System (ICRS).

Meanwhile, in a video message, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. challenged the GCG officials and personnel to “take this time to understand and appreciate once again the significance of your mandate and your office”.

PhilHealth now covers cervical cancer tests

ACTING PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma, Jr. said the agency provides coverage for cervical cancer screening through the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) primary care package and cervical cancer treatment through the Z Benefits.

“We are glad that your PhilHealth has been able to extend medical care benefits to those women suffering from this dreaded disease, Ledesma said.

Indeed, the state health insurer is always looking into the welfare of its members and always doing its best to provide financial risk protection whenever and wherever Filipinos need quality health care,” he added.

In response to their call to expand coverage of the Z benefits package for cervical cancer and even include HPV Screening in the soon-to-be introduced Konsulta Plus Package, Ledesma said they are determined to further enhance benefits package to provide responsive coverage for our members and their dependents needing treatment. Macon Ramos-Araneta

DFA extols Canadian

agri office in Manila

FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo believes that the establishment of Canada’s regional agriculture office in the Philippines for the Indo-Pacific will help the country achieve its food security and resiliency goals.

Manalo welcomed Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau’s announcement on the establishment of a regional agricultural office in Manila.

“As a regional base, the Manila office will play a significant role and serve as a staging point for enhancing technical cooperation and fostering increased trade of crucial agriculture and agri-food products between the Philippines and Canada,” Manalo said in a statement. Rey E. Requejo

A policeman tries to stop a farmers’ march toward Mendiola near Malacañang to dramatize their decades-old demand to own the lands they till. The protest action was held in conjunction with the 35th year of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program on June 9, 2023. Norman Cruz