Water board OKs 52cms allocation for

MWSS in June

THE National Water Resources Board (NWRB) approved the request of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to retain a higher water allocation of 52 cubic meters per second (cms) from June 16 to June 30.

NWRB chief Sevillo David confirmed the NWRB decision, although the board was reportedly expected to lower the allocation -- drawn from Angat Dam -- to 50 cms for Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and Manila Water Corporation beginning Friday to conserve water amid a looming El Niño. House Ways and Means chair and Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda meanwhile expressed his gratitude to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla for officially clarifying that “financing of water and sanitation projects in rural communities” qualifies as a project financeable with Agri-Agra Rural Credit funds under the country’s banking system. Maricel V. Cruz (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Bivalent COVID jabs out by June 21, DOH vows

THE Philippines will begin distributing bivalent COVID-19 vaccines to healthcare workers and senior citizens starting June 21, the Department of Health said Friday.

The modified jabs will be launched through a ceremony at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City next week, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will attend, the DOH said.

The Philippines received early this month some 390,000 doses of the adapted version of the original vaccine from Lithuania.

Those eligible for the first phase of the bivalent vaccine rollout include healthcare workers and senior citizens who received their second booster shots at least 4 to 6 months ago.

The DOH urged eligible Filipinos to get inoculated with the bivalent vaccines, which are modified to target both the original and omicron strains of the coronavirus. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

DBM:...

From A1 or 6.23 percent higher than the 2023 shares of LGUs.

In a statement Friday, DBM said it has released the guidelines on the preparation of the 2024 annual budgets of local government units. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman signed on June 9, 2023 the Local Budget Memorandum 87. This spells out the factors in allocating the 2024 NTA shares of the LGUs, consistent with the codal formula provided in the Local Government Code of 1991.

It also complies with the Supreme Court Ruling on the consolidated cases of Congressman Hermilando Mandanas, et al. vs. Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., et al. and Honorable Enrique T. Garcia, Jr. vs. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, et al., the DBM noted.

The LGUs’ total NTA shares for 2024 of P871.38 billion was based on the certifications issued by tax-collecting agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (P688 billion), the Bureau of Customs, (P183.36 billion), and other agencies certified by the Bureau of the Treasury (P19.60 million). (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Chinese...

From A1 completing an aid mission when it encountered the Chinese ship.

An official Department of Agriculture-BFAR statement said the Dagohoy carried P4.95 million worth of fishing and post-harvest equipment to fisherfolk groups in Pag-Asa Island.

Amid rough sea conditions and gloomy skies, a speeding gray ship flying China’s flag with bow number 549 appeared on the horizon.

It caught the crew of the Dagohoy by surprise, as the Chinese ship’s Automatic Identification System was turned off while making its approach from the rear.

The navy vessel revved up its powerful engines and started making a beeline for the much slower BRP ship, GMA News reported. The Chinese ship barreled through the waves with ease, tailing the Philippine ship from a distance of approximately one nautical mile.

The navy ship then maneuvered to the right and shadowed the civilian vessel while still maintaining a safe sailing distance. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)