IN BRIEF

Amado Doronila Passes Away In Australia At 95

AMADO E. Doronila, regarded as the Philippines’, if not one of the region’s, most succinct socio-political observers, passed away Friday in Australia. He was 95 years old.

for projects that are considered risky but strategically important and have the potential for long-term returns.

Meanwhile, Edillon said the government is now working on the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the MIF, which will help facilitate its operation and contribute to the country’s future investment and expenditure needs.

“Ginagawa na ‘yung IRR nito. Now, in terms of the impact, like any investment, hindi naman ganoon din kabilis natin ‘to na makikita,” she said.

“Kailangan kasing magawa na siya ngayon. Umpisahan nang i-establish ngayon para ‘pag 2025, upper middle income na tayo, we’ll be given a grace period of two years kunwari… by that time, tamang-tama up and running na itong ating Maharlika Investment Fund. Kumbaga meron na tayong isa pang kabayo para doon sa ating development agenda,” she added.

In terms of specific areas for investment, the NEDA executive said the government has identified several infrastructure flagship projects that can generate income or revenue, including airports, water supply systems, and toll roads, among others.

He died “serenely,” according to his oldest child Agustin, who broke the news to a publication where Doronila wrote an evening column in the 60s until Martial Law was declared.

The cause of death was attributed to pneumonia, which started off as a Respiratory Syncytial Virus earlier in the week.

When his oxygen levels dropped significantly on Thursday, the staff from the Kangara Waters care facility in Canberra asked Doronila’s family if he could be sent to the nearby major medical center, the Calvary Hospital.

“He was a bit stubborn and insisted that he was not sick,” Agustin said even after it was discovered that pneumonia had taken hold of one of his lungs.

While Agustin’s sister Maria, a Canberra resident, kept watch over the multi- awarded journalist-editor, Agustin flew in from Melbourne, and their younger brother Andrew and his wife, who also live in the city, were together with their “Pappy” when he passed on.

Solon Lauds Dot Gains Under Secretary Frasco

AKLAN Rep. Teodorico Haresco, Jr on Saturday rallied behind the Department of Tourism (DOT) under Secretary Cristina Frasco for its “many accomplishments in boosting national tourism despite recent issues.”

“The Department of Tourism has been making the Philippines proud with its multitude of accomplishments ever since Secretary Frasco took the helm and steered the country’s travel and tourism industry to economic recovery and development,” Haresco said.

In 2022, the country surpassed its 1.7 million target by year-end with 2.65 million international visitor arrivals, translating to P208.96 billion or $3.68 billion in tourism revenue, representing a 2465.75percent increase over 2021 figures.

For 2023, the DOT has already recorded 2,029,419 total foreign tourist arrivals as of May 15, 2023. The target for 2023 is 4.8 million foreign visitors. Maricel V. Cruz

Lawmaker Backs Ofw Hospital Improvements

at PRC headquarters in Mandaluyong City. The event, which forms part of the ongoing 50th anniversary celebration of PMCC, is conducted simultaneously in 30 locations across the country in observance of the National Blood Donor’s Month. Manny Palmero