News Roundup 13 July 2022
Jul 13, 2022 • 5 min Read
MMDA officials, employees barred from using sirens, blinkers – OIC | INQUIRER.NET – Officials and employees of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are not allowed to use sirens and blinkers, colloquially “wang-wang,” its officer-in-charge (OIC) said Wednesday. MMDA Director Baltazar Melgar also said they pulled out their motorcycle escorts for government officials in support of the drive against the illegal use of sirens and blinkers. According to the MMDA OIC, a memorandum was issued for this particular directive. “Sirens and blinkers should be attached to marked MMDA vehicles and used in the actual performance of the duties and functions of the agency. Violators among our ranks will face administrative charges,” Melgar said in a briefing. In the same briefing, Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) Service Legal Officer Bingsky Foncardas emphasized that under Presidential Decree 96 and the Republic 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, “there are specific parameters that should be met to be able to use blinkers and sirens.” “For authorized use of wang-wang and blinkers, the vehicle must be a marked government property which is used only during official functions or performance of duties such as emergency response and law enforcement,” Foncardas said. He added that among government officials, only the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court are allowed to attach and use sirens, blinkers, and other similar devices on their cars.
CHEd to let universities, colleges decide about returning to in-person classes | INQUIRER.NET – The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) is letting higher education institutions (HEIs) decide about returning to in-person classes. CHEd Chairman Prosperao de Vera III on Wednesday cited the difference between basic education and higher education in terms of curriculum and program components which also calls for varying teaching requirements. He likewise noted that CHEd cannot require all HEIs to conduct face-to-face classes as there are colleges and universities that have already introduced distance and flexible learning even before the pandemic. “There is a difference between basic education and higher education, in basic education, there is just one curriculum, in higher ed, there are different programs with different components. Some degree programs really need a lot of face-to-face especially skills-based programs, while other programs can be delivered by flexible learning,” de Vera explained during a briefing. “So we are leaving it to the universities to decide what is the appropriate mix,” he added. Nevertheless, the CHEd official said he is anticipating a “significant shift to face-to-face classes” in universities and colleges nationwide. “That is what I have observed or have learned when I go around the country, but we cannot have face-to-face for all degree programs because the degree programs are constructed differently and also because many schools have gone ahead with online learning or distance learning even before the pandemic,” de Vera said.
Belmonte in US for State Department’s leadership program | PHILSTAR.COM – Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has been selected as one of the participants in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the US Department of State. Belmonte was among the eight local government officials from around the world who were invited to join the program, which is taking place in Washington from July 11 to 21. According to the US State Department’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, the IVLP enables foreign leaders to meet and cultivate relations with their American counterparts. This year’s delegates are expected to engage on various issues, including strengthening democracy, advancing respect for human rights and fighting global corruption. The delegates will also have a chance to share ideas with peers, organizations and technical specialists in US cities as well as raise the public profile of democratic innovation at home and abroad. “It is an honor to be selected as one of the delegates to this prestigious exchange program. I consider this as recognition of the outstanding work that the city government has done to advance the welfare of QCitizens,” Belmonte said. “The learnings that we will gain from this event would certainly be put to good use. We will utilize them for the betterment of Quezon City and our constituents,” she added.
Hontiveros wants Senate probe into alleged abuse at PHSA | PHILSTAR.COM – Sen. Risa Hontiveros filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the alleged cases of abuse of students and alumni at the Laguna-based Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA). This comes around two weeks after an in-depth story by VICE World News on allegations of sexual, verbal and emotional abuse by teachers and staff. The story also reported that school authorities have ignored the complaints of students. “Be it resolved as it is hereby resolved, to direct the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the reported culture of abuse, harassment, and violence at the PHSA with the end in view of creating safer spaces for children in all educational institutions, consistent with the provisions of the Safe Spaces Act,” Hontiveros’ resolution read. She said the Senate should exercise its oversight powers to make sure that PHSA and other schools are safe spaces, especially as in-person classes will resume next month. A copy of the lawmaker’s resolution was made public on Wednesday, two days after it was filed. Hontiveros’ office said they have not yet received the numbered version from the bills and index office.
