Tingog, hospitals sign medical aid pact for Reg. 8

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Office of the Speaker and Tingog party-list group represented by Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude Acidre signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with private hospitals from all over Region 8 to allow patients to access the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients in these private institutions.

Romualdez, in her message, emphasized that healthcare is a fundamental right, a cornerstone of a just and equitable society that should be accessible to all.

However, due to the limitations of our public hospitals, she recognized the need to expand the government’s medical assistance to indigent patients beyond the confines of public hospitals.

“We aim to bridge the gap between the privileged and the underprivileged, ensuring that financial constraints no longer hinder access to medical care,” she said.

By extending medical assistance to private hospitals, the lawmaker pointed out that this acknowledges the invaluable role private institutions play in serving our communities and that it can alleviate the burden on our public healthcare system by establishing a symbiotic relationship between public and private institutions.

to one million were salaried and wage workers, meaning they have permanent jobs…,” Mapa said.

The employment rate in May 2023 was estimated at 95.7 percent, which was higher than the reported employment rate in May 2022 at 94.0 percent and in April 2023 at 95.5 percent. In terms of magnitude, the number of employed persons was posted at 48.26 million in May 2023, higher than the reported number of employed persons in the same period last year at 46.08 million.

Given the favorable labor market performance, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the government would continue to push for and implement game-changing reforms to improve the country’s business investment climate, especially for foreign investors, and help in sustaining current labor market gains.

“To achieve our near and mediumterm targets, it is important that the government remains committed to fostering a favorable investment climate to address critical constraints to highquality job creation,” he said.

Moreover, Balisacan added that establishing an enabling regulatory environment to improve the ease of doing business and encourage innovation remained as top priorities to attract investors who have the technology and resources to bring in high-quality jobs.

The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) was registered at 65.3 percent, which was higher than the reported LFPR in May 2022 (64.0 percent) and in April 2023 (65.1 percent). In terms of magnitude, there were 50.43 million individuals aged 15 years old and over who were either employed or unemployed in May 2023.

“It is the obligation and responsibility of all government agencies that are involved so that we can ensure that our POGO industry is not into different activities that we discover upon implementation of these search warrants,” Maranan said.

A total of 781 have been processed out of the 1,239 foreign workers found at the compound during the raid on June 27, he added.

Ex-solon voices support for LPG regulation act

FORMER LPGMA Partylist Congressman Arnel Ty has voiced his support for the strict enforcement of Republic Act 11592, also known as the LPG Industry Regulation Act.

This landmark legislation, which was signed into law in 2021 requires all LPG industry participants and a License to Operate to ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations.

Prior to this law, the Department of Energy (DOE) released a Circular in 2014 outlining the rules and regulations governing the LPG industry, which included the requirement for industry players to to obtain a Standards Compliance Certificate (SCC) before conducting business.

This measure was implemented to safeguard the interests of LPG customers by discouraging illegal LPG sales and promoting supply stability.

NBI agents transfer Dera to Muntinlupa City Jail

JAD DERA , who is facing drug and murder charges, has been transferred to the Muntinlupa City Jail.

Dera was recently arrested after leaving the detention facility of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The Muntinlupa Court ordered his transfer after the Department of Justice (DOJ) made the request. Reports said Dera was officially turned over to the Muntinlupa City Jail at 7:11 p.m. on Thursday.

Dera left the NBI facility past 6 p.m. and was guarded by numerous NBI agents during the transfer. Dera and several NBI security personnel were nabbed in June after he allegedly went out on a date with his escorts in tow.