BREAKING

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Fire in Manila Central Post Office Building, accidental in nature - BFP


Wazzup Pilipinas!?




The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) ruled that the cause of fire that gutted the historic Manila Central Post Office Building in Liwasang Bonifacio is purely accidental in nature and declared that the investigation is considered closed and solved.

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) already got hold of the fire clearance certificate issued by the BFP saying that the fire originated at the southern part of the basement, more particularly at the Mega Manila Storage Room (GSS) where office supplies, thinners, paint cans where piled in close proximity to the car batteries stored inside the room.

The BFP report stated that the combustibility of the load contents and its enclosed set-up greatly influence heat build-up that explains the explosion and subsequent conflagration. This led to the full development of fire and subsequent damage of the nearby structures.

On the determined cause of fire, it has been established based on the pieces of evidence gathered, that the statement of the witness and the result of the laboratory examinations, that the cause of fire is attributed to sudden self-discharge of car battery (sulfation) resulting to thermal run-away, causing sudden build-up of heat and pressure and eventually cause the explosion.

Moreover, the presence of the internal short circuit, the hydrogen and the volatile gases contained in the battery and the presence of oxygen as the oxidizing agent initiated the ignition. The contributory factors and the combustibility of materials fueled and sustained the ignition sequence.

Arson investigators from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) immediately conducted their investigation on the fire that damaged the 97-year-old structure, which is regarded as National Historical Landmark.

“We welcomed the result of the investigation from the BFP to know exactly what really happened. We will now move on and concentrate primarily on the recovery and rehabilitation of the iconic building”, said Postmaster General Luis Carlos.

Built in 1926, the historic Manila Central Post Office was designed by Filipino architects Juan Arellano and Tomas Mapua. It was damaged during World War II, during the Battle of Manila and was restored in 1946, right after the war.

Monday, June 5, 2023

SSS issues 923 show cause orders to business employers in nationwide RACE Ops


Wazzup Pilipinas!?




The Social Security System (SSS) conducted simultaneous Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) operations in 114 selected areas around the country last April 28, 2023 to call on non-compliant employers to settle their various contribution delinquencies. This is part of the Labor Day activities which SSS facilitated to promote the welfare of more than 13,000 Filipino workers after issuing written notices to their employers for failure to remit their SSS contributions.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said that 923 business employers across the country, including those unregistered, received show cause orders for incurring over P396.9 million worth of unpaid contributions and penalties, affecting the SSS benefits of 13,524 employees.

“We recognize the valuable contributions of Filipino workers to nation-building. They serve as the backbone of our economy and play a vital role as we move toward progress. Unfortunately, some employers overlooked workers' key role in the economy and neglect remitting their social security contributions,” Macasaet explained.




Of the 923 delinquent employers, 318 operate in Luzon with a total delinquency of P109.8 million affecting 3,344 employees. Mindanao came in second with 316 employers with a total delinquency of P69.2 million, affecting 3,669 employees. The National Capital Region (NCR) ranked third with 231 employers amounting a total delinquency of P183.9 million involving 4,844 employees, and Visayas with 58 employers with a total delinquency of P34.0 million affecting 1,667 employees.

Majority of the employers visited by SSS are engaged in the following: 96 in restaurant industry, 45 in retail selling, 31 in construction and supplies, 31 in management consultancy activities, 19 in hotel and resort industry, 18 in school institutions, 17 in hardware industry, 15 in food house industry, 12 in education services, and 12 in printing services.

In the press briefing in Binondo, SSS Vice President for Operations Legal Services Division I Renato Jacinto Cuisia appealed to employers to religiously remit the monthly contributions of their employees.

Under Republic Act No. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018, employers have the legal obligation to report their employees to SSS and remit the corresponding monthly contributions of their workers.

Cuisia explained that employers who received the written notices are given 15 days to coordinate with their respective servicing SSS Branch Office and settle their contribution delinquencies. “If they fail to act on it, we will take legal action against erring employers by filing a criminal case against them for violating RA 11199,” he added.

Under the SS Act, employers who fail to register their employees or have not deducted and remitted their contributions will be penalized with a fine of P5,000 to P20,000 and face imprisonment ranging from six (6) years and one (1) day to 12 years.

Filing cases against delinquent employers follow the SSS mandate of ensuring employers compliance with RA 11199.

Meanwhile, Stanley Sy of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) and Romy Chua of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Manila expressed their support for the RACE campaign and in reminding their fellow employers of their legal obligation to their employees.

Also, several members of PCCI-Manila joined SSS officials and employees as they visited 10 delinquent employers in Binondo, Manila.

The SSS Chief said that 59% of the employers failed to remit monthly contributions, 21.5% have gaps in paying the monthly contributions, and 10.5% are about non-registration. The remaining 13.7% are those employers served with written notice for non-production of records, non-reporting of employees, underpayment of contributions, and under-reporting of their employees.

“If employers neglect their duties to remit the monthly contributions of their workers, they are depriving their employees of the rightful SSS benefits they deserve. “A member’s monthly contributions serve as the basis to qualify for SSS benefits. And if their contribution records are not updated, they will not be entitled to claim SSS benefits or apply for loan programs,” Macasaet elaborated.




Aqua-Agriculture Industry: The Industry that Continues to Grow the Filipino Livelihood


Wazzup Pilipinas!?




With Philippines as an island with land mass perfect for the agriculture industry, it is not surprising that it has played a huge role in aquaculture and agricultural production in the world.

Philippines has previously ranked as 10th and 11th in capture fisheries and aquaculture respectively. The country is also a huge exporter of agricultural product, accounting to an average contribution of 20 percent in Philippines’ GDP

With a favorable climate and vast lands and coastal areas, it is no surprise that 40% of Filipino workers are part of the agriculture sector while the fisheries sector accounts for about 5% of the labor force in the country.

Government initiatives along with the help of private sectors have been a big part of improving the local industries especially in supporting the livelihood to continue the efforts to improve and reinvigorate the industries.







Dept. Undersec. Panganiban mentions “With the current issues of food insecurity in the country, fostering innovative and sustainable urban farming methods with the help of private sectors is a solution to improve food accessibility. The private sector serves as the extending arms of the DA in reaching new heights for the implementation of the program through sustainable and environment-friendly innovations.”

Initiative such as financial assistance, technical training, and infrastructure development for aquaculture farmers have been supported by the government as part of the efforts to improve the industry. Expositions such as MAFBEX also help in supporting the livelihood of farmers and fishermen in the country as it highlights the local and regional products.

This year, the Department of Agriculture, DTI MIMAROPA, and BFAR will be participating in MAFBEX to showcase local and regional products from different regions of the Philippines. As parts of the effort to improve local livelihood and businesses, local goods are in the limelight at the BFAR pavilion, Department of Agriculture pavilion, and the DTI MIMAROPA pavilion.

Some of the local products you can get at MAFBEX from these pavilions, such as fresh and organic produce, organic sauces and condiments, organic snacks, and more!

Explore new flavors and find new local favorites at MAFBEX this year on June 14 to 18 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila!

You can register here at www.mafbex.com

Children’s mural advocating for the safety and protection of children and other vulnerable road users unveiled


Wazzup Pilipinas!?


Students of Gueco Balibago Elementary School in Angeles, Pampanga pose in front of a mural advocating children’s safety on the road.


Angeles City Government joined United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Philippines, Department of Education (DepEd), the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), and public interest law group ImagineLaw at Gueco Balibago Elementary School (GBES) in Angeles City, Pampanga on Monday to unveil a children’s mural advocating for the safety and protection of children and other vulnerable road users.


“This mural is our commitment to road safety and protecting children and all those who use the roads of the city,” said Kiko Pangilinan, head of Angeles City Traffic Development Office.


The mural carried the banner ‘Safe roads save children’s lives’ and celebrated Angeles City’s enactment of a comprehensive Road Safety Code early this year that invests 50 million pesos in road safety programs that include heightened enforcement and training, protected bike lanes, and speed guns, among others.


“We are also working with fellow government agencies, the academe, and organizations from the private sector and civil society to introduce interventions for safe school zones,” Pangilinan also said.


Road safety advocacy group ImagineLaw and UNICEF Philippines lauded Angeles City’s road safety initiatives. “Angeles City serves as a good example to other local government units (LGUs). We admire the political will of this city in protecting children and other vulnerable road users,” said Atty. Daphne Marcelo, road safety project manager of ImagineLaw. “Playing outside or going to school should not be a life-or-death situation for children,” she added.


“UNICEF believes that every child should survive and thrive in a healthy and safe environment. When we protect them against preventable road crashes, we provide them safe journeys to school and help them reach their full potential,” said Dr. Angelito Umali, program focal for the child road traffic injury prevention program of UNICEF Philippines.


Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), which supports road safety programs in the city, also participated in the event and committed to continue working with LGUs like Angeles City in ensuring the protection of children from road crashes.


The United Nations recently celebrated the Week of Action on Road Safety to mobilize broader commitments to road safety, with focus on sustainable transport and safe mobility.

Sunday, June 4, 2023

PHLPost marks 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood with Postage Stamps


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Even during these difficult times, postage stamps continue to be the source of inspiration, courage and patriotism among Filipinos.

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) will issue stamps on June 12, 2023, in support of the commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood.

PHLPost has been at the forefront in the protection, preservation and conservation of history and culture through the issuance of postage stamps that have been widely recognized here and abroad.

“ As we commemorate the sacrifices and triumphs of our forebears, In the face of adversity, our people at PHLPost will rise from the ashes and become resilient and strong”, said Postmaster General Luis D. Carlos.




The historic Manila Central Post Office Building was recently destroyed by fire leaving its documents and equipment burned to the ground.

“We are saddened by this unfortunate incident, but we are lucky to have salvaged some important stamps. We are now in the process of retrieving valuable and historic items placed in our stamp vault which were left unharmed during the fire”, he said.

On June 12, 2023, the country marked 125 years since Philippine Independence was proclaimed in Kawit, Cavite. This year’s Independence Day carries the theme:, “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan at Kasaysayan.” (Freedom, Future and History.)

This stamp issuance intends to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the birth of the Philippine Flag. The se-tenant pair features two important moments in our history: The Sewing of the Philippine Flag by Marcela and Lorenza Agoncillo, and Delfina Herbosa Natividad in Hong Kong, and when Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine Independence with the very same flag proudly raised at the Aguinaldo residence (now the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine) during the Declaration of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite, on June 12, 1898. The official logo for the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood appears on the official first day cover.

The beauty, uniqueness and special significance of commemorative stamps, continue to be a source of fascination and of great value to collectors.

PHLPost has printed 40,000 copies sold at P16 each of the two different designs of the stamps. PHLPost in-house graphic artist Israel Viyo layout the historic stamps.

Stamps and official first-day covers are now available near the 4th Floor of SM City Manila Postal Counter located at Conception Street Corner San Marcelino or visit https://www.facebook.com/PilipinasPhilately/ for updates.

Saturday, June 3, 2023

DepEd joins Philippine Book Festival, promotes access to quality reading materials


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Promoting access to quality reading materials, the Department of Education (DepEd) participated in the Philippine Book Festival held in World Trade Center Manila from June 2 to 4, 2023.

Spearheaded by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), one of the Department’s attached agencies, the Philippine Book Festival aims to highlight Filipino books and features Philippine literature, culture, and other contents.

“We have been considering the need to more effectively streamline our book and educational material purchases for many years. We are joining NBDB and its partner organizations at the first Philippine Book Festival in this spirit, and as a result of the Festival’s creation to specifically highlight the range and depth of our books and the diversity of our national voices,” Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching Gina Gonong said in her opening remarks.

The Philippine Book Festival also serves as a venue for DepEd teaching and non-teaching personnel to conduct market scoping for supplementary learning resources in various grade levels as part of its vision to provide quality materials for learners.




DepEd also featured learning resources, such as storybooks and digital learning materials from its Learning Resource Portal (LRP) developed by teachers and field implementers.

“The National Book Development Board is here with you to ensure that we have access to reading materials for us. It is time to give our voice primacy. It is our time, and we have to do it now,” NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade noted.

The Philippine Book Festival is the largest traveling book festival in the Philippines that features local book publishers and authors. Participants can also join the various workshops and exhibit on reading, book writing, and storytelling, among others.

Interested participants can join and get their free tickets at: philippinebookfest.com.

Relive the Vietnam War as a Vietcong Soldier in TACO




Wazzup Pilipinas!?



ARMA III, a hyper-realistic military first person shooter (FPS) released in 2013, spurred numerous spinoffs, including several excellent mods set during the Vietnam War.

One of the challenges for first-time ARMA Vietnam players however, is the relative lack of singleplayer missions, as the game was designed for people to create their own campaigns and scenarios – something most people might not have the time and skills for.

To address this, game developer Tiger Yan recently launched a readymade singleplayer campaign for ARMA III called ‘Born in the North to Die in the South’ – a popular saying of North Vietnamese soldiers traveling to South Vietnamese battlefields during the 20-year Vietnam War. Tiger Yan formerly developed and launched The Nam: Vietnam Combat Operations (VCO), a freely-downloadable real time strategy (RTS) mod based on the Command and Conquer game engine, in 2020. VCO took almost 20 years of research and work – including several trips to Vietnam – to complete.

The Nam: Arma Combat Operations (TACO) features a seven-mission campaign unveiled through the diary entries of People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) soldier Nguyen Van Binh. Missions put players in the Ho Chi Minh sandals of a North Vietnamese recruit making his way down the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail, the strategic trail which supplied South Vietnamese, Laotian and Cambodian battlefields with fresh troops and supplies. Enduring disease, snakes and B-52 strikes, the player participates in the battle for Khe Sanh, the largest single battle between the Americans and Vietnamese during the Vietnam conflict.

“I wanted to make the experience as gritty and realistic as possible,” explains Tiger Yan, who hails from the Philippines. “As opposed to VCO’s top-down approach where you command hundreds of nameless troops, aircraft and armor, I wanted to zoom in to the daily experiences that shape a soldier’s life – relentless boredom from mundane tasks like carrying supplies and waiting for ambushes to start, all the way to the heart-pounding excitement of penetrating a heavily-defended enemy base, even as hundreds of your brothers are being gunned down beyond the wire just to buy your team some time.”

Each of the campaign’s missions shows the advancement possible within the PAVN, which during the Vietnam War became the fourth largest army on Earth. “You get to experience life as a new recruit relegated to menial tasks, to a wide-eyed but eventually bush-savvy rifleman fighting with South Vietnamese Vietcong guerillas, to a sapper trained to penetrate heavily-guarded firebases, to the leader of various special units trained to hunt down Green Berets. You’ll even get to impersonate South Vietnamese officers to infiltrate some of the South Vietnamese Army’s largest bases.”

The first three missions of the campaign can be downloaded freely HERE, with further scenarios available via Patreon. The game requires a previously-installed version of ARMA III with the following required mods: SOG Prairie Fire, Unsung, CBA, K9 and Tiger.

Tiger Yan is now working on a complementary campaign where players can experience the war under the heavy steel pot and stifling flak jacket of a United States Marine. The Vietnam War ended in 1975 when the North Vietnamese and Vietcong unified Vietnam under communist rule, though fighting rage throughout the area well into the 1990s. Watch a clip of TACO gameplay HERE.


The Nam: Arma Combat Operations (TACO) will include various campaigns for players to experience life from the point of view of various combatants – from Vietcong snipers and North Vietnamese sappers to Marine infantry and pilots providing close air support over the skies of Vietnam. (VCO)




Born in the North to Die in the South. Heavily-laden North Vietnamese soldiers trudge to South Vietnamese battlefields via the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which snaked through Laos and Cambodia before ending in South Vietnam. ‘Born in the North to Die in the South’ was a popular saying for soldiers who faced disease, injury and death in a foreign land daily. (VCO)




Blooming Lotus: specialized North Vietnamese and Vietcong commandos called sappers make their final preparations before infiltrating an American hilltop firebase. The Vietnamese devised a deadly tactic called the ‘Blooming Lotus’ where infiltrators penetrated to the center of a base and attacked outwards. Many US firebases suffered heavy damage due to this. (VCO)




Green Beret Hunters: elite trackers called counter recon soldiers hunted allied special forces troops up and down the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Inserted by truck and sometimes accompanied by hunting dogs, units such as C-75 fought many fierce battles and inflicted heavy casualties on MACV-SOG and its indigenous troops. (VCO)




Vietnamese Fighters. Reenactors don the lightweight equipment of North Vietnamese Army soldiers and southern Vietcong guerillas in the Philippines, where there is an active military reenactment community. (Albert Labrador)




Grunt Gear: Extensive research was done to ensure the accuracy of the campaign, including numerous trips to Vietnam and the acquisition of books, documents and wartime equipment. Shown are various paraphernalia of a North Vietnamese soldier, including the iconic sun helmet, canteen, oil bottles and of course, a patriotic picture of Ho Chi Minh. (VCO)


 
From RTS to FPS: The Nam: Arma Combat Operations (TACO), a first person shooter (FPS), is the second Vietnam War offering from Tiger Yan, who previously developed The Nam: Vietnam Combat Operations (VCO), a well-received and freely-downloadable real time strategy (RTS) game. “I wanted to give Vietnam War enthusiasts a new experience – an on-the-ground, in-the-mud viewpoint of the Vietnam War as a nod to great Vietnam War FPS games like Vietcong.” TACO missions can be downloaded HERE. (VCO)



For more information:

E - TheNamCombatOperations@Gmail.com

F - The ‘Nam: Vietnam Combat Operations

W - The ‘Nam Wiki Page

Friday, June 2, 2023

PRISM: Celebrating Diversity, Embracing Identities


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Raise your flags and get ready to slay! 



Check out this bling from the PUP Junior Marketing Executives entitled, "PRISM: Celebrating Diversity, Embracing Identities"; the boldest, the baddest, and the brightest time of the year! 

Together, we'll build a safe space that welcomes you— no matter who you are, how you express and identify yourself, and no matter what your preference is.

It's you, me, and a community of colors celebrating this June. Kapit tayo together, Lovies! 

For more juicy details, click here: https://bit.ly/PUPJME_Prism



#Prism

#PUPJME

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Vermosa Green Run 2023 re-commits to the environment and adds a 1K Dog Run


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Due to insistent public demand, Vermosa Estate’s fun and healthy Green Run will be back on June 25, packing more treats and surprises for both serious and casual runners. This year’s theme is “We’re Back And Greener Than Ever”.

The Run celebrates the green outdoors and promotes healthy and active living. It’s even more fun this year because dog lovers can run with their four-legged, fur babies in a 1-KM Dog Run. Both pets and their owners will have a great way to bond, get fit and have a meaningful experience together.

Alongside the Dog Run, Vermosa Green Run 2023 has four other running events for runners of different fitness levels. Serious athletes, athletes in training, weekend athletes, fun runners, fitness enthusiasts, family and friends can choose which one among the 21K, 10K, 5K, 3K or the 1K Dog Run they would like to conquer at Vermosa. Celebrity runners, dog owners and athletes are expected to take part in this year’s Green Run.






After a successful first staging in 2022, Green Run 2023 is organized by Pinoy Fitness, a running, fitness and multisport event organizer. Proceeds of the Run will go to Haribon Foundation’s Adopt-a-Seedling Program, to build a greener tomorrow. Runners and guests can also help to protect the environment by recycling their plastic bottles at the Sun Life ReCycle PH machine on-site. Every bottle donated can earn participants points which can be exchanged for prizes.

Green Run’s exclusive non-life insurance partner, FPG Insurance, will also provide all race participants with a 1-month Personal Accident (PA) insurance coverage, ensuring their safety and peace of mind throughout the event.

“One of the major enticements to run The Green Run is the breathtaking scenery and the abundant foliage throughout the 750-hectare property. Running in a green, wide open environment is extra motivating and beneficial to physical and mental health,” says Monch Henares, award-winning journalist and motoring/travel blogger.

“Open spaces, wide pedestrian walkways, bicycle and jogging lanes that wind through Vernosa make the running both memorable and inspiring,” says Arabelle Jimenez, lifestyle blogger, travel writer and swimming coach who regularly runs in Vermosa for fitness and fun.

Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub General Manager Lani Tan, a sports and fitness enthusiast herself, said holding The Green Run yearly is part of Vermosa’s long-term plan because the Estates actively promotes sports and an active, healthy lifestyle.

"Our Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub, a state-of-the-art professionally–managed sports facility that has a FINA-standard Olympic size pool, a warm-up pool, an IAAF-standard 400m track oval, a football pitch, athletes’ lounge and a Sante Fitness Lab, all speak about our commitment to fitness, health and overall wellness as well as the development of Philippine sports,” Tan said.

Vermosa Project Development Manager Moses John Aragones, says “Last year, we encouraged people to re-enjoy the outdoors after years of being cooped up at home due to the pandemic. This year, we want to build on that newfound appreciation by inviting people to develop a habit for fitness and wellness. Physical activities like running really boost our immune system by providing more refreshing experiences that reduce stress. The abundance of wide-open spaces and state-of-the-art sports facilities at the Sports Hub, make The Green Run a once-a-year activity to look forward to as a mental and physical health booster.”

Milo Philippines, SunLife, JGO Mart, Doggo Flask, Seda Hotel, Nuvali, Merrell, Fitbar, Runnr, Toby’s, Pocari Sweat, Alaxan, and Immunotab Multivitamins also support The Green Run this year.

Those interested to join The Green Run may register at Toby’s or Runnr stores or go to ayalaland.myruntime.com to register.

DepEd conducts national workshop to harmonize learner support programs, services


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



In its efforts to harmonize the delivery of learner support programs and services geared towards the MATATAG Agenda, the Department of Education (DepEd) conducted the first-ever National Consultative Workshop on the Implementation of Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs) on May 16-19.

Spearheaded by the agency’s Bureau of Learner Support Services (BLSS), the national activity aims to gather data and information through in-depth discussions of accomplishments, status, challenges, and recommendations in carrying out school health, school sports, and learner formation PPAs in all governance levels, which would be vital in policymaking.

“This workshop will be a significant step towards achieving the MATATAG Agenda, helping DepEd to create more child-friendly environments. I am excited to see BLSS utilize the workshop’s outcomes to further contribute to the holistic development of young learners and thoroughly prepare them for adulthood,” Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines and Secretary of Education Sara Z. Duterte said.




During the event, BLSS presented the learner support strategic direction under the One BLSS Framework, which will help the program to be more effective and efficient.

“The implementation of the learner support programs and services has been a challenge for teachers, who are often burdened with non-teaching and administrative duties. These harmonization initiatives seek to lessen the burden on teachers, enabling them to focus on teaching and making the work of implementers on the ground more effective and efficient,” BLSS Director Nenneth Esplana-Alama noted.

Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary for Operations, Dr. Dexter A. Galban, underscored the importance of unity and teamwork in implementing and delivering learner support programs and services.

“Today is historic. Today, we set a course toward the harmonization of the policies, programs, approaches, and target milestones of the BLSS. I am absolutely elated that for the first time in the history of DepEd, every facet, component, and team within the BLSS will come together to ensure that we move as one,” Asec. Galban said.

The said consultative meeting was also participated by learner support program implementers and focal persons from the regional, division, and school levels.
Ang Pambansang Blog ng Pilipinas Wazzup Pilipinas and the Umalohokans. Ang Pambansang Blog ng Pilipinas celebrating 10th year of online presence
 
Copyright © 2013 Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events
Design by FBTemplates | BTT