Lawmaker tells Meralco: Be extra diligent as NAIA power provider

By Maricel V. Cruz

REP. Brian Raymund Yamsuan of the

Bicol Saro party-list group has reminded the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) that it should exercise “extraordinary diligence” as the power distributor of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Meralco earlier admitted that a “procedural lapse” by one of its personnel led to yet another power outage at the NAIA Terminal 3 last Friday.

Yamsuan said that on top of Meralco’s obligations under the contract with the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to provide electricity to NAIA, the power distribution firm has a greater responsibility to the people it serves because it is a public utility.

“Exercising extreme caution or extraordinary diligence should not be forgotten by Meralco when it comes to providing its services to the public,” Yamsuan said.

Meralco apologized to the public over the weekend after it admitted that a personnel of Meralco Energy Inc. (MServ) accidentally caused the 37-minute power outage at NAIA 3 last June 9. MServ, a wholly owned subsidiary of Meralco, was testing NAIA 3’s electrical facilities when one of its employees accidentally left grounding conductors attached to an electrical equipment, which triggered the outage that started at 12:50 PM and lasted until 1:29 PM.

Villanueva files measure seeking probe into digital lending platforms

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATE Majority Leader Joel Villanueva filed a resolution that seeks to probe the rise of unauthorized and unregistered online lending platforms in the country victimizing hundreds of Filipinos.

With the increase in digital lending platforms, Villanueva said there has also been a rise in abusive collection and debt recovery practices by some companies.

“Our office has been receiving hundreds of complaints from people who were harassed, intimidated, and shamed by the collecting agents of these online lending platforms for being unable to pay their loans on time,” said Villanueva in filing Senate Resolution No. 641. now. It is an ideal vehicle and well-positioned to bring in investments as the Philippine economic outlook remains robust amid the global economic slowdown,” they said.

“We need to put a stop to this inhumane and unethical practice and make sure that our kababayans are truly protected,” he added.

Villanueva also said measures should be in place and properly implemented to guarantee that consumers are only transacting with registered and authorized online lending companies to protect their interests and general welfare.

The group cited international investors who have already expressed interest in investing in it, such as the Japan Bank for International Cooperation as well as several US investors, and more are expected once the MIF is officially launched.

“Let it be clear that the Administration remains focused and committed to the vital and urgent national agenda, with the MIF being one of the strategies towards this overarching goal of national development,” they said. They said the legal framework pro - vided by Senate Bill No. 2020—approved by the Senate and adopted by the House of Representatives—follows fundamental principles of economic policy and financial market participation in favor of and for the ultimate benefit of the Philippine economy and the Filipino people.

They said the Maharlika Investment Corporation and the MIF aim to execute and sustain high-impact infrastructure and development projects, ease fiscal constraints, and maximize expected returns for our country’s investments. The objectives are clear: to invest funds that are available in government instrumentalities and utilize them for investment purposes on the basis of their individual mandates.

However, he said no additional information would be released for the safety and privacy of the refugees.

The plan to host Afghans has reportedly not been approved yet by President Marcos.

Rodriguez said during the time of President Marcos’ father, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the Philippines accepted thousands of Vietnamese “boat people” after South Vietnam fell to North Vietnamese forces in 1975.

“I am sure President Bongbong Marcos would follow the example and good deeds of his father,” he said.

He said during the administration of President Manuel Quezon, the country hosted more than a thousand Jewish refugees who escaped Nazi persecution and the Holocaust.

EDSA HERO. Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon views the remains of his father former Senator Rodolfo Biazon at a public viewing at the Heritage Park in Taguig City on Monday. Biazon was one of the instruments in defending democracy during EDSA 1 and 2. The former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief died after a battle with pneumonia. He was 88.

Danny Pata