Speaker, Tingog send P287m aid to typhoon ‘Egay’ victims

By Rio N. Araja

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Tingog party-list group have helped more residents of Northern Luzon and even Central Luzon who have been affected by typhoon “Egay.”

As of noon Sunday, a total of P287 million in cash assistance, relief goods, generators and financial aid from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development under Secretary Rex Gatchalian. The Speaker and Tingog solons Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre

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Cup season! The passion and resilience you displayed on the field is truly inspiring,” the Facebook page NordicPinoy wrote.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup also praised the Filipinas for their gritand determination: “Take a bow for a sensational debut #FIFAWWC campaign.”

Unable to score in their first two games, the world no. 12 Norwegians finally lived up to their lofty ranking to maul the hapless Filipinas into submission and eventually secure a seat in the Last 16 knockout phase for the third straight time.

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With their backs literally against the wall, Norway showed why it is a former World Cup, Olympic and European champion with a fluid offense and all-around game to completely dominate the Filipinas in every aspect of the match. More importantly, the team reminded everyone that they are still one of the teams to beat despite a slow start in the tournament.

“We were definitely outclassed tonight, they are such an amazing team.

They moved the ball a lot faster,” Olivia McDaniel, the Filipinas’ goalkeeper said after the game.

Sophie Roman Haug scored a hat trick as she single handedly led Norway in giving the Philippines a harsh reality check.

Haug netted a brace,in the 6th and and

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The rains from typhoon Egay and the enhanced southwest monsoon, meanwhile, have caused the water level at the La Mesa Dam to rise, PAGASA said.

"Excess flood water in La Mesa Dam will overflow in the event that the dam elevation reaches 80.15m,” it added.

Residents living in low lying areas in Quezon City, Valenzuela City and Malabon City are advised to stay alert due to the rising water level at the La Mesa Dam.

The dam’s excess water is expected to affect low-lying areas along the Tullahan River in Quezon City (Fairview, Forest Hills Subdivision, Quirino Highway, Sta. Quiteria, and San Bartolome), Valenzuela (Brgy. Ligon, North Expressway, La Huerta Subdivision) and Malabon.

Egay, which exited the Philippine area of responsibility last week, caused about P5.9 billion in damage, disaster officials said.

Damage to infrastructure was pegged at P4.4 billion, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its latest report, with agricultural damage estimated at P1.5 billion.

The death toll from the combined effects of Egay and the southwest monsoon (habagat) climbed to 16, with 52 hurt and

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Events are targeted at Catholics between the age of 16 and 35, although organizers insist that everyone is welcome to attend, with no registration necessary.

More than 700 bishops and 20 cardinals will attend, alongside 20,000 facilitated the release of the AICS funds, while the cash assistance and relief goods came from the Speaker’s personal funds.

“We hope the relief and financial aid we sent to our kababayan in the typhoon-stricken areas will help them recover from the calamity. It represents our commitment to assist our people in

"They got some very good players. This is a classy team. They are the favorites to win the group. They showed some of their class today with their individual skills. They picked us apart in a couple of battles in the box," said Philippine team coach Alen Stajcic. The Philippines’ woes started when Sofia Roman Haug knocked in a hattrick to lead the Norwegian cause in the sixth and 17th minutes. The 24-year-old Haug sent in the first one from a long volley from a tight angle, after receiving a deep cross from Thea Bjelde. Haug, a forward playing for Italian Serie A club A.S. Roma, then found the net 11 minutes later with a high-angled

17th minutes, before a Caroline Graham Hansen screamer at the 31st minute made it 3-0 with plenty to spare before the halftime whistle. It was also at that point that the Filipinas’ grasp of an extended stay in the second half of the tournament began to loosen.

Three minutes in the final half confirmed the obvious; an own goal by Alicia Barker made it 4-0 for Norway. Four minutes later, it was 5-0 as Guro Reiten joined the scoring fray with a strike from the spot.

Roman Haug scored her third goal of the game in stoppage time for the final score and completed Norway’s massacre of the Filipinas.

The Greeshoppene’s attacking ability was in full show against the Philippines, which was hoping to repeat its shocking win against New Zealand. Instead, the Filipinas ran into a brick wall, literally

20 missing.

The typhoon also left more than 1 million residents affected, equivalent to some 291,262 families, across 13 regions in the country.

More than 30,000 residents fled their homes, with half of them seeking refuge in 330 evacuation centers nationwide.

A total of 17,334 people were also evacuated in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas, the NDRRMC said.

The council reported close to 22,000 houses damaged, with total damage pegged at P344,000.

The government is now conducting an inventory to determine the number of public schools in Northern Luzon that were affected by typhoon Egay, ahead of the opening of classes next month.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said his sister, Senator ImeeMarcos, had suggested the inventory be conducted when she accompanied him to visit typhoon-hit areas in Northern Luzon.

The chief executive presided over on Saturday a series of briefings inBangued, Abra; Laoag City in Ilocos Norte; and Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. The President also conducted aerial inspections of the affected areas in Abra and Ilocos Norte.

Some 40 areas declared a state of calamity due to the devastating effects of Egay and the southwest monsoon, including the town of Sanchez Mira in Cagayan as well as the entire Abra and MountainProvince.

Some local government units (LGUs) in Central Luzon are under a state of calamity due to the massive floods caused volunteers and pilgrims from more than 200 countries, according to the Vatican.

The young people will initially spend time in different dioceses across Portugal, before gathering in the capital, which is preparing with about 16,000 members of law enforcement and emergency services to be deployed.

World Youth Day is spread across several venues in Lisbon, a city of 550,000 inhabitants already busy with distress to the best extent we can,” the Speaker said. In an interview with dzRH, Deputy Secretary General Sofonias Gabonada Jr. of the Office of Speaker said Romualdez and the Tingog party-list will always be partners of the Marcos administration in providing immediate assistance during calamities.

“We have provided help in typhoondevastated provinces, such as Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan Valley, Benguet, Baguio City, Abra, Apayao, and Malolos City, Bulacan. We are glad to announce the offices of the Speaker and Tingog have partnered with the private sector where we could buy goods,” he said.

"He instructed us to repack immedi- header to the left of PH goalie Olivia McDaniel.

Caroline Hansen, who came in for injured star Ada Hederberg, was the next to provide Norway a third goal -- a 25-meter volley sailing past McDaniel’s right, handing the Norwegians a 3-0 edge in the 31st minute.

Hansen’s goal silenced a big Filipino crowd that came to watch the Philippines in its historic match at the world stage.

The Filipinas’ anguish did not end there, as Fil-American Alicia Barker scored an own goal in the 48th minute.

Barker was making an interception play on Guro Reiten at the side of the goal mouth when she accidentally flicked and figuratively.

Despite the huge defeat, the Filipinas still deserve the love and support of the country and Filipinos all over the world.

It was through their grit, determination and faith that they brought so much joy and pride in a tournament that favors those, who rise to the occasion, buoyed by experience and who can exploit every advantage whether in height, speed and class.

“We learned plenty good from the titans of the sport and you know how powerful they are. All we can do is learn from it, grow and keep moving forward,” McDaniel said.

The Filipinas will exit early in the tournament. But not after capturing the hearts and respect of many, not after putting the Philippines in the football map long dominated by almost everyone else but not them. They were a joy to watch, always the underdog, but never letting go of that dream and aspiration of their kababayans by the southwest monsoon and typhoon Egay.

Sto. Tomas is the latest LGU in this province to be placed under such a state following a special session of the municipal board on Sunday morning.

On Saturday, the LGUs of Macabebe, San Simon and Masantol were alsoplaced under a state of calamity, citing the severe flooding in the communities that displaced some residents and the damage to agriculture and fisheries.

Bataan Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia announced Saturday night that the entire province is under a state of calamity due to floods in low-lying areas and the considerable volume of agricultural crops destroyed.

“The continuous rains in the past days caused flooding and damage to properties, houses and livelihood of our residents from the towns of Dinalupihan, Morong, Bagac, Samal and Limay,” Garcia said in Filipino. The Bataan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said damage to agriculture such as palay, corn and high-value crops, as well as fisheries, was initially estimated at P22.38 million.

The Bataan PDRRMO reported that 639 families or 2,357 individuals are temporarily staying in evacuation centers.

In Bulacan province, Pulilan, Paombong, Calumpit towns are also under a state of calamity due to massive destruction to agriculture brought on by continuous moderate to heavy rains the past days.

Gov. Daniel Fernando said a provincewide state of calamity will be declared on Monday as per the recommendation of the summer tourists.

Key moments with the pope include Thursday's welcome ceremony, the Stations of the Cross on Friday, a vigil on Saturday night and large mass on Sunday morning.

The Argentine pontiff is expected to address themes such as climate change, social media and the scandal of clerical sex abuse of children that has caused enormous damage to the reputation of ately and deliver at once the goods,” he added. in the ball towards the net, with McDaniel unable to receive the kick-in. and proving the Philippines knows how to play, compete and even win a game in the biggest soccer event of the year.

On Friday, the Speaker travelled to Baguio City to join officials in distributing aid to residents of the city and Benguet province.

Since then, additional distressed households in Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan, Apayao, Pangasinan, Pampanga, and Malolos City in Bulacan have been helped.

The Speaker told Benguet and Baguio residents that he shared the pain and suffering they were going through because that was what he felt when super typhoon “Yolanda” caused widespread devastation and deaths in Leyte and other parts of Eastern Visayas in 2013.

Reiten came back in the 53rd minute, flicking a penalty kick off Jaclyn Sawicki’s foul, giving Norway a 5-0 spread.

Also contributing to the Philippines' problems, Sofia Harrison, whocame in for Isabella Flannigan, was ejected with a red card, 10 minutes after she came in following a tackle on Thea Bjelde in the 65th minute.

Another sixth goal could have come from Reiten, but a 10-meter long shot from the left was swatted away by McDaniel in the 83rd minute.

Haug then sank her third and final goal in the fifth of the 11 minutes of added time as Norway completed its 6-point massacre.

“We are definitely going to try and get back here in the next four years. This isn’t the end. We have a lot more in us and we got a lot of tournaments going on for the rest of the year. So it’s not the end so we’re excited to keep going,” McDaniel added.

The Filipinas may lack the height, the speed and experience of their opponents, but they never lacked heart and the fighting spirit. They lost, true, to a formidable opponent, but the real victory can not be measured in the stat line.

Victory may come several years later, generations even, by the next wave of Filipinas inspired by the pioneering ones that laid their hearts and soul in the pitch for three unforgettable games in New Zealand.

PDRRMO headed by Manuel Lukban.

Hundreds of Bocaue residents in Bulacan were forced to flee their homes as massive floods triggered by monsoon rains hit the town over the weekend.

At least 400 people or about 100 families sought refuge in the Bocaue Public Market, where some of them have been staying since the rains started pouring on Thursday.

The Bocaue River reached its critical level of 12.5 meters on Sunday. As of 7 a.m., the floodwaters in Barangay Igulot were reported to be chest-deep.

Several vehicles were also stranded along the MacArthur Highway as floods made the road impassable.

Parts of Luzon including Metro Manila have been experiencing continuous rains brought by the southwest monsoon (habagat) enhanced by Falcon.

According to the state weather bureau, the monsoon rains will continue to pour over Luzon and parts of Visayas in the coming days.

Damage to agriculture in Bulacan was initially placed at P12.2 million.

Some 3,727 families or 14,407 individuals were displaced and brought to various evacuation sites.

A declaration of a state of calamity would allow the use of the calamity fund to aid affected residents and would also freeze prices of basic commodities in the affected areas.

As of noon Sunday, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 3 reported that some roads are still impassable to light and heavy vehicles due to floods. (See full story online at manilastandard.net) the worldwide Catholic Church.

The first international World Youth Day was held in Rome in 1986, following two successful gatherings of young people in the Italian capital in 1984 and 1985.

Then came Buenos Aires in Argentina (1987), Santiago de Compostela in Spain (1989), Czestochowa in Poland (1991), Denver in the United States (1993) and Manila in the Philippines (1995).

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"The probe should determine liability and mete out punishment forthose to blame," Poe said.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada said those responsible for the sinking should be held accountable for their actions or inaction, which may have contributed to the tragedy.

"There must be full transparency in their conduct of a comprehensive and impartial inquiry into the incident," Estrada said.

He said the latest sea tragedy should serve as a "wake up call" for authorities to thoroughly look into the safety protocols and enforcement measures to avoid a recurrence of this incident.

"It's unacceptable that somebody has been sleeping on the job. They should be punished," he said.

The MB Aya Express, a motorized outrigger, had a maximum capacity of only 42 persons, but it was allowed to sail in bad weather with about 70 passengers on board, without enough life vests.

Senator Raffy Tulfo said the relevant government authorities, including the PCG and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), which allowed this tragedy to happen, should not get off the hook.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III and Senator Christopher Go earlier called for those responsible for the sinking to be punished.

Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo on Sunday called for the compulsory donning of life jackets on all passenger motorized boats.

“Every traveler on a motorized boat should be wearing a life jacket atall times throughout the voyage as a precaution. This is a simple and practical measure that can help safeguard lives at sea, or in lakes and rivers,” he said.

“If you visit beach resorts nowadays, and you hire a motorized boat for an island-hopping tour, they will require everybody onboard to put on a life jacket for protection. The same rule should be applied to all light watercraft carrying paying passengers,” he added.

The MB Aya Express capsized in Laguna Lake on July 27, shortly after setting out from Barangay Kalinawan in Binangonan, Rizal. It was on its way to Talim Island near the center of the country’s largest lake when it was buffeted by strong waves and rolled over.

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Zubiri said the gist of the resolution is a sense of the Senate to condemn Chinese intrusion into the West Philippine Sea.

He said they will show the dates when the Chinese ships entered the country and harassed Philippine Coast Guard and Navy personnel and fishermen.

"We are urging the government to do something. They should act," Zubiri said.

"We can put in the resolution: Number 1, diplomatic protest. Although we have seen in the past that we have filed over a hundred diplomatic protests yet China disregards all these. So that's number 1 - to continue the diplomatic protests and continue bilateral discussions with China."

"Number 2, to file the appeal to the General Assembly. The executive can also act on that. That will be one of the options."

"We will condemn the incursions and give more options to the government. That is the sense of the Senate," Zubiri added.

He said taking the issue to the UNGA is still an option to emphasizethat China is not following the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, of which it is a signatory.

The resolution will also call on the national government to continue delivering modern equipment to the Navy and the Coast Guard.

Zubiri said that ultimately, it is the President who will decide on how to handle the issue.

Given the misgivings over the original draft by Hontiveros, Zubiri has been saying that the resolution can still be changed.

Last week, he said he is not sure if the original wording of theSenate Resolution 659 on UNGA authored and sponsored by Hontiveros will retain the original wording.

They were followed by Paris, France (1997); Rome again in 2000; Toronto, Canada (2002); Cologne, Germany (2005); Sydney, Australia (2008); Madrid, Spain in 2011; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2013.

The biggest event was Manila, which drew five million pilgrims, followed by Rio de Janeiro with 3.7 million, and Krakow, Poland in 2016 with three million. AFP