News Roundup 30 July 2023
Jul 30, 2023 • 4 min Read
Online classes over suspensions during disasters ‘unrealistic, inhumane’ — group | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Conducting online classes instead of suspending classes during disasters is “unrealistic and insensitive” as it may not be feasible for students and educators dealing with the impacts of calamities, a teachers’ group said Sunday.
“In situations like typhoons and calamities, safety is our priority. How do we conduct online classes when your learner and his/her family is currently flooded?” Alliance of Concerned Teachers chairperson Vladimer Quetua said.
Department of Education spokesperson Michael Poa said in a post-State of the Nation Address forum last week that the agency is not suspending classes during calamities “to maximize learning continuity since we are in learning recovery mode.” Poa added that learners are expected to continue their education at home during disasters.
Quetua, however, said this approach is “unjust and inhumane.”
“We understand the need to address the learning crisis, but in times when it’s more necessary to save lives, DepEd should not only focus on learning recovery,” he said in Filipino.
Full Story at: Online classes over suspensions during disasters ‘unrealistic, inhumane’ — group | Philstar.com
No relief orders yet for 13 ‘narco’ cops | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Five days after President Marcos accepted their resignation, 13 of the 18 ranking police official officials with suspected links to the illegal drug trade remain at their posts in the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The officials continue to hold on their positions as the PNP has not yet issued relief orders to them.
“Wala pa po lumalabas na relief orders (No relief orders have been released),” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in a text message on Saturday.
The 13 officials are Colonels Rogarth Campo, Rommel Ochave, Rommel Velasco, Robin King Sarmiento, Fernando Ortega, Rex Derilo, Lawrence Cajipe, Dario Menor, Joel Tampis, Michael David, Igmedio Bernaldez, Rodolfo Albotra Jr. and Marvin Sanchez.
Those on floating status are Brigadier Generals Remus Medina, Randy Peralta and Pablo Labra II and Colonels Julian Olonan and Rolando Portera.
Of the five, Olonan and Portera were relieved due to the alleged irregularities surrounding the seizure of 990 kilos of shabu worth P6.7 billion in Tondo, Manila in October 2022.
Medina and Peralta were relieved from their posts during the term of former PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. while Labra was placed on floating status by PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr.
Acorda earlier sought a meeting with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to clarify whether the 18 police officials should be removed from their posts or from the police organization.
Full Story at: No relief orders yet for 13 ‘narco’ cops | Philstar.com
3 Pampanga towns declare state of calamity due to flood | INQUIRER.NET – MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga — Three towns in Pampanga have declared a state of calamity due to floods caused by Typhoon Egay (international name: Doksuri) and persistent southwest monsoon rains.
On Sunday, July 30, the Sangguinang Pambayan (municipal council) of Sto. Tomas passed a resolution placing the town under a state of calamity. It was approved by Acting Mayor Matias Pineda.
In the resolution, the municipal officials said 2,587 families or 9,339 residents in seven villages of Sto. Tomas have been affected by floods, and some P7.25 million worth of agriculture and fishery products were damaged in the town.
On Saturday, July 29, the municipal councils of Macabebe and San Simon towns passed resolutions declaring their respective towns under a state of calamity.
Macabebe officials cited the P119.3 million worth of damages to the town’s agri-fisheries sector and the 24,561 families or 79,200 individuals affected by floods. They said 612 persons were brought to evacuation facilities.
The resolution was passed and approved by San Simon officials, citing the floodings in the town’s 14 villages that affected “almost all of the families” who are clamoring for government assistance.
Full Story at: 3 Pampanga towns declare state of calamity due to flood | Inquirer News
Ilocos provinces ask help for river dredging as solution to worsening floods | INQUIRER.NET – LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — During a situation briefing with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Ilocos Norte Capitol on Saturday, July 29, the provincial governments of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, both hit hardest by supertyphoon Egay (international name: Doksuri), appealed to the national government for help with river dredging and drainage systems.
Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc said that Egay caused rivers to overflow and forced rescue operations in critical areas in the city of Laoag, where at least 90 individuals were trapped in Sitio Lusong in Barangay 29, Nuestra Sra. De Soledad, Nuestra Sra. De Consolacion, San Francisco, Cavit, Zamboanga, Tangid, Gabu Norte, Camanggaan, and Cabungaan.
Although living in a coastal community, Jessica Lucas, 29, of Gabu Norte village, said during an interview that she and her family have never experienced flood waters suddenly rising to chest-deep levels after two days of non-stop intense rains.
Manotoc said that it was “miraculous” that many lives were spared after an “extremely burdensome” rescue operation on Wednesday night (July 26) when many residents did not expect flood waters to suddenly rise due to spilling rivers and dams.
Full Story at: Ilocos provinces ask help for river dredging as solution to worsening floods | Inquirer News
