PBBM appoints new ARTA Undersecretary to lead Operations Group

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed Dr. Lea-Grace B. Salcedo as the new Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Deputy Director General for Operations on 06 October 2025, and she was officially sworn into office on 09 October 2025.

Before her appointment as Deputy Director General for Operations, Undersecretary Salcedo held two significant positions within ARTA. She previously served as the Director IV for the Finance and Administration Office (FAO) starting in September 2024, and earlier, she was the Regional Chief of the ARTA Northern Luzon Regional Field Office, beginning in January 2024.

Undersecretary Salcedo also brings experience from other government and academic roles, having previously worked at the National Security Council and served as a civilian professor at the Philippine Military Academy.

The new operations' team head holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Management from the University of the Cordilleras, a Bachelor of Laws and Letters from the University of Baguio, a Master of Science in Public Management, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Saint Louis University. She is also currently taking her Master in Public Administration major in Regulatory Management Systems at Pampanga State University.

She has continuously pursued specialized training, completing programs such as Security Studies and Security Sector Governance and Reform at the Folke Bernadotte Academy, Project Management at the Ateneo School of Government, and Monitoring and Evaluation Program at the Asian Institute of Management and the Development Academy of the Philippines.

Furthermore, her commitment to research was recognized in 2019 when she was granted a Marshall Alumni Scholarship to study women at the George C. Marshall European Center for Strategic Studies.

Leveraging her extensive government service record and deep familiarity with ARTA processes, Undersecretary Salcedo will now supervise the Operations Group, which consists of two offices—namely, the Compliance, Monitoring and Evaluation Office (CMEO) and the Better Regulations Office (BRO). The Office of the Deputy Director General for Operations (ODDGO) is responsible for advancing ARTA's empowerment initiatives and is pivotal to the effective implementation of regulatory reforms and the promotion of efficient government processes.

With her assumption of office, the ARTA family brings high optimism about pushing its empowerment mandate beyond expectations. This directly responds to the Bagong Pilipinas directive to improve bureaucratic efficiency and ultimately better the lives of Filipinos.

Valorant Weapon Guide! Here are The Best Guns For Advanced Players

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Valorant is a game that demands precision, quick thinking, and the right choice of weapons. As you progress and refine your skills, understanding which guns provide the best balance of power, accuracy, and versatility becomes crucial. Before diving into advanced strategies, remember that effective gameplay also requires resource management. If you want to maximize your experience and maintain a competitive edge, consider a Valorant top up through trusted platforms like Joytify PH, where you can enhance your in-game capabilities seamlessly.

In this guide, you will learn about the top five guns that advanced players rely on to stay consistent in competitive matches.

Phantom

When consistency and control matter the most, the Phantom is your best ally. The Phantom is favored by advanced players because of its reliable accuracy and silenced shots. Its low recoil and high fire rate allow you to take down opponents effectively at medium to close ranges. Additionally, the silencer helps mask your position, giving you a tactical advantage when engaging enemies.

This rifle is best used in maps with narrow corridors or areas where close combat occurs frequently. Advanced players appreciate how forgiving it is, especially in situations where quick bursts are necessary. If your playstyle revolves around adaptability and precision, the Phantom should be a primary weapon of choice.

Vandal

If you value raw power and precision, the Vandal offers unmatched performance. Unlike the Phantom, the Vandal guarantees consistent headshot kills at all ranges. This makes it the weapon of choice for players who have strong mechanical skills and can control recoil efficiently. It rewards accuracy, punishing even the smallest mistakes from opponents.

However, the Vandal requires discipline. Its higher recoil means you must master burst fire and avoid spraying at long ranges. Advanced players gravitate toward the Vandal because it turns every round into an opportunity for one-tap eliminations, making it one of the most lethal rifles in Valorant.

Operator

For players who thrive under high-pressure scenarios, the Operator is a game-changer. This sniper rifle delivers instant kills with a single well-placed shot. Advanced players use it to control angles, force rotations, and deny opponents access to key areas of the map. Its heavy cost and slower fire rate mean you must commit to every shot with precision and confidence.

The Operator is not suitable for every player, but in the hands of an experienced user, it can dictate the pace of the game. Advanced strategies with this weapon include holding long sightlines, controlling chokepoints, and creating space for your team. If you trust your aim, the Operator is a weapon worth mastering.

Spectre

When it comes to close-range dominance, the Spectre stands out as an efficient choice. This SMG combines speed and stability, making it ideal during eco rounds or when pushing aggressively. Advanced players rely on the Spectre for its manageable recoil, high fire rate, and effectiveness when strafing. It excels in tight spaces, allowing you to overwhelm opponents quickly before they can react.

Although it lacks long-range stopping power, the Spectre is unmatched in situations where rapid movement and quick reflexes are required. Mastering this gun ensures you remain effective even when you cannot afford rifles, proving that every round counts.

Sheriff

The Sheriff is a pistol that rewards accuracy with immense stopping power. Advanced players often choose the Sheriff for eco rounds or as a backup weapon because of its ability to deliver one-tap headshots. Despite being inexpensive, its performance rivals rifles when used skillfully. The Sheriff’s precision encourages careful shot placement, making it a weapon that refines and tests your aim consistently.

What makes the Sheriff so valuable is its ability to turn a low-budget round into a winning opportunity. For advanced players who are confident in their aim, this pistol serves as both a training tool and a deadly equalizer in competitive play.

Mastering Valorant is not just about strategy and mechanics, but also about choosing the right weapons to complement your playstyle. The Phantom and Vandal dominate rifle play, while the Operator sets the standard for sniping. The Spectre provides value in high-pressure close encounters, and the Sheriff elevates pistol rounds into deadly opportunities.

As an advanced player, your success will depend on your ability to use these weapons effectively in different scenarios. Each choice comes with trade-offs, but with enough discipline and practice, you can maximize their potential.

If you want to push your gameplay further, don’t forget that preparation also matters. Enhance your in-game resources with a Valorant top up through Joytify, ensuring you stay ready for every battle. The right investment, paired with the right weapons, will help you maintain an edge over the competition.

DepEd to expedite school repairs as 139.4M released for Masbate; Cebu and Davao underway

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DAVAO ORIENTAL, 11 October 2025 – Following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order for an immediate response, Education Secretary Sonny Angara joined national government officials in Davao Oriental on Saturday to assess the impact of the 7.6-magnitude earthquake and to oversee the Department of Education’s (DepEd) rapid response operations for affected schools.

Angara said DepEd has frontloaded and accelerated the release of the agency’s Quick Response Funds (QRF)—a process that previously took up to two years—to provide faster assistance to schools hit by recent calamities in Masbate, Cebu, and most recent quake-hit Davao Oriental

To date, ₱139.4 million in aid has been released for typhoon-hit schools in Masbate, while validation and damage assessments are ongoing in Cebu and Davao Oriental.

“Hindi na puwedeng maghintay pa ng dalawang taon bago dumating ang tulong,” Angara said. “Kapag nasira ang paaralan, dapat mabilis ang aksyon, dahil bawat araw na nasasayang ay isang araw na hindi nakakapag-aral ang mga bata.”

As of 9:00 a.m. on October 11, DepEd reports that 1,006 schools have been affected by the magnitude 7.4 that struck offshore near Manay, Davao Oriental on Friday, impacting around 100,000 learners and 10,000 teachers in different regions. Among those affected, 139 learners and 50 teachers sustained injuries. To ensure safety, 97% of the affected schools suspended classes on Friday to allow structural inspections.

Initial visual assessments found 575 schools with varying degrees of damage, with estimated repair costs reaching ₱2.23 billion. DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), engineers, and DRR coordinators are conducting rapid site inspections in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local governments.

Angara emphasized DepEd’s commitment to strengthen its internal engineering capacity to complement national and local efforts for quicker recovery.

“Mayroon tayong 472 engineers sa buong bansa, at kailangan pa nating palawakin ang bilang at kakayahan nila,” Angara added. “Kasama ang DPWH at mga lokal na pamahalaan, gusto nating bumuo ng isang mas mabilis, mas matatag, at mas maaasahang sistema ng pagtugon.”

Angara reaffirmed that DepEd’s priority is ensuring the safety of learners and teachers while keeping education going, even in times of disaster.

“Our goal is simple: when disaster strikes, help should already be on the way,” he said.