News Roundup 29 December 2023
Dec 29, 2023 • 4 min Read
Coast Guard: Professionalism, firm defense of PH amid challenging 2023 | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said that 2023 has been a “challenge” for its personnel, especially when managing people’s expectations in handling the harassment and aggression of China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Despite the threats, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said they remained “undeterred in protecting Filipino fishermen and safeguarding the country’s sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zones (EEZ).”
“This year, we have proven that we are professionals, that we would be more patient but very resolute in the way we manage the security requirements in the WPS,” Gavan said in a statement.
He added that PCG has been more assertive in addressing the attacks by increasing their presence in the WPS, removing the foreign floating barriers allegedly installed by China, placing additional buoys within the area, assisting in the resupply missions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and used “diplomatic and peaceful” approaches on dealing with the threats.
“We will continue to aspire for a more peaceful, more rules-based maritime environment. We would continue to forge partnerships with as many as we can,” Gavan said pertaining to the incoming year.
Full Story at: Coast Guard: Professionalism, firm defense of PH amid challenging 2023 | Inquirer News
Transport groups hit PUV modernization program anew in Manila rally | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is twisting the narrative on the effects of the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program, transport group Piston said on Friday.
Piston criticized the LTFRB’s readiness for the “transport disaster” that will occur if the government were to push through with the modernization program.
“The LTFRB is twisting the true state of consolidation and deceiving the public,” Piston said in a statement.
Piston’s statement comes after around 4,000 drivers, operators, and commuters belonging to different groups marched to Mendiola Street in Manila on Friday – two days before the consolidation deadline.
“They are unprepared for the massive job displacement and the loss of public transportation for thousands of commuters,” the group added.
According to Piston, over 31,000 PUVs are yet to apply for consolidation in Metro Manila alone.
This translates to almost 86,000 transport workers displaced if the PUV modernization program would bar unconsolidated operators.
Full Story at: Transport groups hit PUV modernization program anew in Manila rally | Inquirer News
‘One-time’ cash aid available for drivers affected by modernization — DSWD | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Drivers who will be affected by the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program can avail of the one-time financial assistance offered by the government to persons “in crisis,” the Department of Social Welfare and Development said on Friday.
DSWD Program Management Bureau (PMB) Director Miramel Laxa said that jeepney drivers whose livelihoods will be affected by the government’s December 31 consolidation deadline can apply for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) as they fall under the definition of those “in crisis.”
“Availing of AICS can help them meet their basic needs through different forms of assistance such as food, and cash aid, among others,” Laxa said in a DSWD news release.
DSWD’s AICS is a one-time financial assistance offered to those who are undergoing a “crisis” based on the assessment of DSWD social workers.
The assistance can come in the form of medical assistance, burial, transportation, education, food, or financial assistance for other support services.
Full Story at: ‘One-time’ cash aid available for drivers affected by modernization — DSWD | Philstar.com
More Pinoys support Marcos policies on West Philippine Sea | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — With rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea following aggressive and dangerous maneuvers by the Chinese coast guard and militia vessels, more Filipinos now say that they support the Philippine government’s policies and programs related to the WPS.
A recent survey conducted by the OCTA Research group showed that 58 percent of the respondents either strongly or somewhat agree with the Marcos administration’s response and policies toward the West Philippine Sea.
The results of the survey, conducted from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, were 15 points higher than the 43 percent obtained in a similar survey made in July.
Meanwhile, those who said they were dissatisfied with the government’s policies in the West Philippine decreased from 14 to 11 percent.
Those who are unsure if they agree or disagree with the government policy on the issue dropped from 43 to 30 percent.
Across areas, support for the government policy toward the West Philippine Sea was highest among those in Metro Manila with 66 percent from 46 percent.
It was followed by those in the rest of Luzon with 59 from 39 percent, and the Visayas and Mindanao with 54 percent from 32 and 60 percent, respectively.
It was also highest among those in class D with 60 from 40 percent, followed by those in class E with 54 from 60 percent and ABC with 50 from 44 percent.
Full Story at: More Pinoys support Marcos policies on West Philippine Sea | Philstar.com
