IN BRIEF

PBBM OKAYS 10-YR. NIASD TO ENHANCE GOVERNANCE

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who also chairs the National Innovation Council (NIC), has approved the 2022-2023 National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document (NIASD), a 10-year plan to improve the country’s innovation governance, Malacañang said.

Under the NIASD, the government aims to make Filipinos proactive, smart, and innovative by improving the country’s education and healthcare system, the Palace said.

“It also plans to secure proper and affordable nutrition while providing income to local producers, and further improve financial and digital literacy as well as manufacturing and trade.”

The NIC said by 2032, Filipinos will have accessible energy resources; efficient, inclusive and safe land, water and air transportation, as well as reliable government institutions.

“Chapter 8 of the PDP (Philippine Development Plan) elaborates on this strategy by situating it within the continuum of research and development, innovation, technology adoption, then commercialization,” Socio-economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan Balisacan, vice chair of the NIC, said Saturday in a statement.

23 Afp Senior Officers Get Promotions

COTABATO CITY—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has promoted a Philippine Air Force one-star general to Major General, along with 22 senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

On recommendation of AFP chief of staff General Andres Centino and the chairman of the Board of Generals Brig. General Roldan, Philippine Air Force has been promoted to one-star general.

Two Philippine Navy Captains were also promoted to the rank of commodore, and one PN member to brigadier general—Colonel Antonio G Mangoroban Jr.

The rest were senior officers of the Philippine Army. Most of those promoted were alumni of either Master’s Graduate Program in National Security Administration (MNSA) or of the General Staff Course (GSC) or both.

In a letter to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., the President said he has approved the promotion of 18 officers with the rank of full colonel to brigadier general. Among them are 15 members of the Philippine Army (PA), two from the ranks of the Philippine Air Force, a Philippine Navy (Marines) colonel to brigadier general, and two PN (M) captains to the rank of commodore. Nash B.

Maulana

Congress Approves

Pedp Bill

Plume reached as high as 2,000 meters.

It said that based on ground deformation, “the volcano is swelling”.

The volcano spewed hot volcanic particles and gases Friday night, with ash fall reaching Tabaco City. The PDC lasted four minutes and traveled around 3 to 4 kilometers downslope, according to PHIVOLCS.

“Ashfall from the PDCs has been reported by residents of Tabaco City and recorded by the Mayon Resthouse IP camera,” it said.

Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte

Salceda thanked Department of Social

Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian for additional food packs to be distributed in the province.

“It was announced that the DSWD has ordered that more food packs be delivered to Albay to support Mayon evacuation efforts and prepare for likely additional evacuations,” Salceda said.

“I thank Secretary Gatchalian, for once again being very proactive about Albay’s needs, especially as the rainy season could complicate our evacuation efforts and increase the population at risk due to lahar,” Salceda said. Salceda, chair of the House committee on ways and means, said Gatchalian and the DSWD’s proactive efforts help Albayeños keep evacuees in place. “That keeps them safe,” Salceda said.

“Over the past few weeks he has shown himself to be a true friend of Albay. We will always remember his efforts with gratitude,” he said.

The 9th Civil Military Operation Battalion of the Philippine Army 9th Infantry Division, headed by Lt. Col. Genevee Dañas and volunteers from the Alpha Phi Omega Bicol Administrative Region on Saturday helped repack relief goods at the DSWD Regional Office Bogtong Warehouse in Legazpi City.

Maricel V. Cruz