500 units of e-modern jeepneys coming from South Korea in March

 

500 units of e-modern jeepneys coming from South Korea in March -- Gov. Chavit Singson

QUEZON CITY -- Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson on Sunday (Feb. 25) urged transport groups to acquire electric jeepneys due to bureaucratic red tape and the funds unavailability.

During the Kapihan sa QC hosted by Angelo Almonte at Mangan-Tila Restaurant, Singson of the LCS Group of Companies, said that at least 500 units of e-modern jeepneys are expected to arrive in March from South Korea, while plans are being finalized for the establishment of charging stations.

He added that there are plans to set up a local factory in the country to bolster domestic production and provide job opportunities for Filipinos.

"We will offer financing for jeepney operators through local government units. This will be funded with no required downpayments, zero percent interest, and manageable amortization," Singson said.

Several transport groups hailed Singson's initiative to provide financing for the acquisition of modern jeepneys.

Singson assured that he will shoulder all the expenses for the jeepney modernization, without any costs to the jeepney drivers and operators. 

He asked for genuine sincerity on the part of jeepney operators and drivers such that there will be no capital, zero interest for the acquisition of modern jeepneys from South Korea. 

Singson just arrived from South Korea yesterday. More than 20 Korean companies agreed to manufacture modern jeepneys for Filipinos. 

He assured that he has no commissions, no downpayment, no guarantee from the jeepney operators and operators and with only minimal amortization for the acquisition of modern jeepneys, saying that, he is not competing with Filipino companies. 

Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) President Orlando “Ka Lando” Marquez said that electric jeep, electric bus and electric pump for agriculture, as well as the solar power will now be utilized. 

Marquez boasted of the modernized jumbo jeep, which is airconditioned, the only one that collects Php13.00 minimum fare.

They are grateful to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. for the extension of the consolidation of the jeepneys until April 30, otherwise, they could not avail of Singson's initiative. 

Marquez said that they all agreed with the initiative of Singson in the sense that they cannot afford to produce 30 percent as required under the jeepney modernization program.

He cited that former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. has declared that the National Transport is the Traditional Jeepney, which he said, under the jeepney modernization program was changed to modern jeep with Chinese characters.

Modern computerized and digitalized 

Likewise, Singson said that he will also put up solar power charging stations in Ilocos Sur at minimal cost to the jeepney operators and drivers who would avail of the charging services.

The former governor even advised his provincemates who own traditional jeepneys and tricycles to sell their units to another province and he will help them acquire modern units.

Singson stressed that he is not in favor of the April 30 deadline for the jeepney modernization, saying that, for as long as there are still no available modern jeepneys, there should be no such a deadline.

""No collateral. Only the face value of the jeepney operators and drivers," Singson said referring to the requirement for the South Korean made modern jeepneys.

He estimated that a unit of a modern jeepney, the parts of which will come from South Korea, and to be assembled in the Philippines would cost more than Php1 million each unit.

Singson also cited what he did during the conduct of the Miss Universe in the country, which is "at cost" such that whether or not it will be profitable, just the same, it has to be held in the Philippines.

He likewise that there's no more money transactions all over the world, but through crypto currency that is a product of digitalization.

Singson stressed that he would consult and seek a clearance from the Philippine government on the possibility of including the taxicabs in the acquisition of modern jeepneys with the utilization of Korean technology.

The technology will be perfected in South Korea and will be brought to the Philippines.

Pinoy inventors Ricky Punzalan, member of Filipino Inventors Society (FIS), and "wonder loop", and Jun De Jesus, inventor of HighMax turbo power simulator, introduced the car engine additives and gadgets to enhance engine performance and reduce fuel costs.

Both the "wonder loop" and "HighMax", which transition to the heating of the air and converted into fuel and zero emission are duly certified by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

According to the two Pinoy Inventors, Euro 1 Euro 2 will be transformed to Euro 4 and Euro 5 will be transformed to Euro 6 for attaining the zero emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. 

Marquez also lambasted that the Oil Deregulation Law was the root cause of the demise of the transport industry because of the expensive gas and petroleum products.

He noted that "wonder loop* and "HighMax" have complied with the standards set under Euro 5.

He expressed his profound gratitude to President Marcos, Jr .for the jeepney modernization program for the public utility vehicles.

Marquez hailed President Marcos, Jr .for promoting the digitalization of jeepneys.

He even cited that when he was the FIS President, his invention was ignored, and it was Department of Sayang Technology, but with President Marcos, Jr., it is now really Department of Science and Technology.

The mineral used to produce steel is sourced from the Philippines and is now turning to fiber glass technology.

According to Singson, fiber glass technology is not expensive now because of its many uses and its abundance in the Philippines.

JTR Reports 022524 -- MHE

PhilHealth benefits in Universal Healthcare Law

While the fourth series of "The Agenda" media forum at Club Filipino on Friday (Feb. 16) hosted by Atty. Siegfred Mison, a video presentation showed about the RA 7875, or the “National Healthcare Act of 1995”, which provides health insurance to both public and private employees.

As of June 2023, there are 66.1 million PhilHealth members, 29.8 million are considered as dependents, including the illegitimate children.

As of January 2024, PhilHealth has a total of Php2.73 trillion in assets, Php762.8 billion income and Php183.3 billion cash inflow.

Agri Party-List Rep. Wilbert Lee and a member of about 20 Committees in the 19th Congress of the House of Representatives, said that in September 2023, he learned from Filipinos when he visited people in the countryside that some Filipinos were not admitted to hospitals because they

PhilHealth has Php466 billion investible funds invested in different 68 billion as of July 2023, Php100-billion subsidy coming from the national government every year coming from indigent Filipinos.

Only Php27 billion was the debt of PhilHealth from hospitals, which were settled by PhilHealth, hence, its members can avail of the benefits under PhilHealth coverage.

8,000 different case rates which can be deducted by PhilHealth. In October 2023, Rep. Lee filed a bill seeking to increase the benefits that can be extended to its members.

Since 13 years ago, the case rates of PhilHealth has not been increased or adjusted such that the Php300.00 monthly contribution has not been increased.

Php150,000.00 to Php600,000.00 PhilHealth coverage on cancer cases has not been increased since 13 years ago. 

PhilHealth is mandated to reserve Php466 billion fund, under its Charter, it’s very clear that the excess money can only be used in the increase of health benefits for its members.

He mentioned that the investments of PhilHealth of Php466 billion earned an interest of Php20.7 billon alone.

Rep. Lee noted that many Filipinos were not able to avail of the maximum benefits from PhilHealth due to lack of ample funding, which in turn, made them to turn to other new doctors who do not provide for PhilHealth coverage for their professional fees.

He mentioned that rich businessmen should have bigger contributions in the Healthcare provisions for the common workers.

Eventually, Rep. Lee, PhilHealth should be an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) where there should be a “zero balance’ in the hospitalization of its members. He cited for an instance the Healthcare benefits in Montreal, Canada; London, United Kingdom and Singapore.

“It is the obligation of the government to protect the health condition of its citizens,” Rep. Lee.

He stressed that many Filipinos in the countryside have not been going to the public hospitals due to lack of necessary health facilities in order to provide them with proper healthcare.

Atty. Luke Espiritu, Labor Lawyer, stressed that the PhilHealth Law is insufficient such that there should be an appropriate law providing for sufficient Healthcare benefits.

Atty. Espiritu cited the minimum wage law is not enough for common workers to avail of proper healthcare and that the workers should have a “just share” of the profit of the business, where the healthcare of the majority of the Filipinos can be extricated.

According to the National Wages and Productivity Commission, there should be proportionate just living contributions of both the employer and the employees in so far as their healthcare is concerned.

Atty. Espiritu noted that the share was even “gambled” to the Maharlika Investment Fund.  

Leodegario ‘’Ka Leody’’ de Guzman, Labor leader, said that the Healthcare should be a “public service”, noting that it’s difficult to have a proper healthcare system which is being controlled by big businesses.

De Guzman added that all the public services are apparently made as “businesses”, stressing that the government should think “out of the box” in the healthcare system in the sense that the government should make Filipinos healthy through providing a “framework” other than “business”, which should not be a “ capitalist framework”.

The government, he said, should not spend trillions in pesos in PhilHealth, which for him, only went to corruption such that the “bidding process” in its programs and projects were not done in compliance with the Procurement Law. 

GLOBAL DAY of ACTION AGAINST GENOCIDE

 

Love, War, Genocide, Repeat.

Philippine groups heed Global Call Against Genocide in Gaza

A hundred thousand broken hearts and broken lives on Valentine’s Day. Since October 7, around 1% of the 2.27 million population of Gaza has been wiped out and the wounded and the dead are disproportionately women (5,300) and children (9,000) . Around one in 120 children in Gaza has been killed or enough to fill 177 buses with 72 kids per bus. 

More worrying is that the attacks are now targeting the last remaining safe areas in Gaza, where more than 1.2 million refugees have evacuated. There is no let-up in attacks of the Israel Defense Force or IDF against the people of Gaza.

Peace advocates, student organizations, women’s organizations, and other civic organizations from the National Capital Region and other areas in the country will announce their position and participation on February 17, Global Day of Action Against Genocide as they heed the Global Call for accountability against the war crimes and apartheid committed by Israel upon the people of Palestine. Initiated by various international groups, this Global Call to Action Against Genocide (GDOA Against Genocide) is coming as the global call to end the hostilities in Gaza and the West Bank gains more steam post-January 26 decision from the International Court of Justice or the World Court on Israel. The decision of the World Court is for Israel to stop all actions that can be construed as genocide.

Quezon City everything is ready for huge Chinese New Year festivity on Feb.

QC all set for biggest Chinese New Year celeb on Feb.

QUEZON CITY -- Quezon City led by Mayor Joy Belmonte is all set for the city's biggest three-day celebration of the Chinese New Year on Feb.  9-11.

Malacanang has declared Feb. 9, 2024, or a day before the Chinese New Year, as a "Special Non-working Day".

In a press conference on Wednesday (Feb. 7) at the 15th floor Executive Lounge of the Quezon City Hall Main Bldg, Mayor Belmonte said that "These festivities signify our commitment to promoting Banawe as a place to enjoy our unique Filipino-Chinese heritage through a variety of cultural attractions. Local and foreign tourists can take part in many delightful activities during the three-day celebration."

"Magkakaroon din ng pagkakataon ang ating mga kababayan na mapalago ang kanilang kaalaman ukol sa mayamang kultura ng mga kapatid nating Chinese (Our countrymen will also have the opportunity to widen their knowledge about the rich culture of our Chinese brothers and sisters)," Belmonte added.

City Ordinance No. 2453-2015 declared Banawe Street and its environs as the city's very own Chinatown district, which is the largest in the world with a total area of 5,919 square kilometers.

Ma. Cristina Tetta A. Tirona, Officer-in-Charge of the Quezon City Tourism Department, said that Quezon City will celebrate its 85th Founding Anniversary this year.

Tirona added that the year-long Founding Anniversary celebration will start with the three-day Chinese New Year celebration on Feb. 9 to 11.

The first day of the celebration on Friday, Feb. 9 will highlight the Chinatown heritage tour of Banawe, the first of three batches, with 41 media practitioners who have confirmed their presence and 33 purveyors in the Chinatown food fair.

There will be a lion and dragon dance and cultural performances by renowned artists and members the Chinese community.

The program proper will be held on Feb. 10 and the Chinatown bike tour will be held on the second day. 

Highllihting the celebration will be the fireworks display.

The Quezon City Tourism Department Chief expressed the hope that around 100,000 foreign and local tourists will be reached or come and join the three-day celebration.

Quezon City Rep. Arjo Atayde said that he and Mayor Belmonte are very supportive of the projects and programs of the Chinese community in the city considering that they have been providing substantial source of income to the city as well as livelihood to the city residents.

Also present during the press conference were Joaquin Co, President of the Quezon City Association of  Filipino-Chinese Businessmen, Inc. (QCAFBI), said that the three-day Chinese New Year celebration will be the biggest in history.

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said that they will deploy 250 uniformed personnel to provide crowd security and area security in a major security framework in order to maintain peace and order during the celebration.

He stressed that as of today, they have not monitored any "security threats" that may compromise the order and safety of the three-day Chinese New Year celebration.

Maranan added that Lt. Col. Avenido, commander of QCPD Station 1, will be the ground commander and he will be supervised by Camp Karingal.

Also present was Charles Chen, Chairman of the Quezon City Chinatown Development Foundation, Inc.:Joseph Lim Bon Huan, Immediate Former President of the QCAFBI, among others.

JTR Reports 02070224 -- MHE

Task Force Kasanag Int'l Elite Group to PROTECT and SERVE for the Welfare of the Filipino

Task Force Kasanag Int'l Elite Group to serve the Filipino people -- Dr. John Chiong 

SAN JUAN CITY -- Task Force Kasanag (TFK) President Dr. John J. Chiong led some VIP guests and government officials who graced the formal launching and induction of TFK International Elite Group on Monday (Jan. 29) in the historic Club Filipino in this city.

Dr. Chiong said that TFK International Elite Group is there and exists primarily to serve the Filipino people.

In his speech, Chiong said that "the advocacy of TFK is focused more on peace and development through community development and for being an instrument of peace and order in the country."

He added that "we have more mission and vision which we are doing right now." 

The TFK President also welcomed the TFK International Elite Group present in the launching and induction ceremonies.

Cristina Chiong, TFK Int'l Elite Group Chairperson, stressed that "our group is a non-profit and non-political organization." 

Ms. Chiong said that "we serve the Filipino. We are protected by God. We are the champion."

Ambassador Arlene Riazon wecomed the Elite Group in her inspirational message. 

Riazon noted that TFK headed by Dr. Chiong will really give support to the government.

"We have to give way to patience and understanding in support of humanitarian causes and the campaign against terrorism," Riazon pointed out.

The ambassador congratulated and wished the members and officers of TFK good luck in their mission and vision of campaign against graft and corruption, and terrorism.

In an earlier ambush interview in Club Filipino, Task Force Kasanag (TFK) International Founder Dr. John Halili Chiong, known as "Berdugo Laban sa Corrupt", said that Task Force Kasanag is a government organization that really fights against graft and corruption.

Chiong said that filing the complaints is the proper procedure, adding that, "we believe in the rule of law."

He noted that they have already filed complaints with the Office of the Ombudsman against the DPWH and NPO, among others, adding that, it's not whether or not the cases prospered or won them, but the important thing is that Task Force Kasanag sued them before the anti-graft court.

Task Force Kasanag was established in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental in 2009 to help the government.

It holds office in the National Capital Region (NCR), particularly in 1501 Arlegui St., Malacanang Compound, Manila with 227 Chapters nationwide and in Japan, United States and Australia.,including Quezon City and Paranaque City. 

Chiong, an Anti-Corruption, Anti-illegal Drugs, Anti-Criminality, and Anti-Terrorism Advocate, added that "Task Force Kasanag is a non-profit and non-political organization, which is also helping rebels who are returning to the folds of the law and the main stream society with the Armed Forces of the Philippines ."

Inducted were TFK International Elite Organization led by Chairperson Cristina Chiong, liaison officer Kim Siongntang and swore that they will fight for the mission and vision of the organization against all odds, whole-heartedly and without reservation.

Member of Board of Directors April Malanque cited Director Boy Osorio, Ben Figura, Sir John Chiong.

She noted that Ambassador Riazon is now the Task Force commander in Luzon.

She stressed that she is honored and proud to be with Task Force Kasanag for more than five years now.

Renato dela Cruz, one of the new members of TFK and consultant of TESDA, boasted that they will create a database for all the members of TFK, whose children will be provided with free scholarship, training and workshop worth PHP40,000 each nationwide.

As a new member of TFK, Dela Cruz also promised to provide scholarship and a sustainable program of TFK for the rebels who are returning to the folds of the law and to the main stream of society.

It was pointed out that the TFK is a non-profit organization, but the TFK International Elite Group is where all kinds of businesses for profit are welcome.

The members and officers of TFK International Elite Group led by Founder John J. Chiong signed in the Commitment of Support.

JTR Reports 01290224 -- MHE