PNA file photo MANILA - The Alliance of Concerned Teachers-National Capital Region (ACT-NCR) Union on Tuesday requested to increase the educators' Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) from the current PHP2,000 to PHP5,000 amid inflation pressures. In an open letter to Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, the ACT-NCR Union said even teachers are affected by increasing prices of basic commodities in the country. "Matagal na pong napako ang aming Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) sa PHP2,000 at ito na po ang panahon para gawin itong PHP5,000 sa lahat ng guro at kawani (Our PERA have long stayed at PHP2,000 and this is the time to increase it to PHP5,000 for all our teachers and personnel)," the ACT-NCR said. The group made the statement following the approval of the PHP50,000 worth of assistance for Senate employees. It said teachers have not received any aid since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. "Hindi pa po
AID TO ASF-AFFECTED RESIDENTS. The Joint Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery Committees of Dinagat Islands approved in a meeting Wednesday (Feb. 15, 2023) the provision of financial aid to residents hit by African swine fever (ASF) in the province. At least 35 swine raisers have been affected by ASF in the province and depopulation of infected swine has been implemented. (Photo courtesy of Dinagat Islands PIO) BUTUAN CITY - Residents of a hog-raising village in Dinagat Islands province hit by the African swine fever (ASF) will receive financial aid from the provincial government, an official said Thursday. "These affected swine raisers are confined in one area in Barangay Don Ruben in the town of San Jose," said Dr. Aimee Jimeno, the provincial veterinarian, in an interview. She noted that their office has so far identified some 35 swine raisers affected by the ASF setback, with the depopulation of hogs already initiated by the town gov
SOCIAL SECURITY. Members of the Social Security System attend a stakeholders forum at Hotel de Fides in Tacloban City on Wednesday (Aug. 24, 2022). During the gathering, SSS announced its plan to expand the Workers' Investment and Savings Program.(PNA photo by Sarwell Meniano) TACLOBAN CITY - The Social Security System (SSS) has already collected PHP24 billion in contributions as of May 2022 nationwide from the Workers' Investment and Savings Program (WISP) since it was launched last year. The program, according to Fernando Nicolas, acting head of the SSS public affairs division, will raise the savings of SSS members for higher retirement benefits. "This is very effective since WISP fund generated an income of PHP333.77 million with a corresponding return of 6.39 percent in the first year of its implementation in 2021. Return of investment for WISP outperforms key market indicators," Nicolas said during the stakeholders' forum here on Wednesday. Launched in Januar
(File photo) MANILA - A leader of the House of Representatives on Thursday urged the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to suspend the eight-hour long driving education test requirement for people renewing their driver's licenses. Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez said the requirement would pose a risk to the health of applicants who will renew their licenses this year amid the rapid spread of the Covid-19 Omicron variant. "The convergence of people at this time in LTO offices, many of which are just cramped spaces in malls, could be a virus super spreader. I'm sure LTO officials and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade are aware of this," he said. He noted that while drivers have the option of taking the test in LTO-accredited driving schools, they would have to pay PHP3,000 to PHP5,000 for it. "How can we expect public utility vehicle drivers (PUV) to pay that sum when they are even asking for financial assistance from the national government and local government
CASH AID. Mayor Michael Rama talks with recipients of the P22-million worth of relief assistance promised by President Rodrigo Duterte to the victims of Typhoon Odette in Cebu City, during the distribution activity in Barangay San Jose on Wednesday (Feb. 2, 2022). Rama pitched in an invitation for the beneficiaries to get vaccinated against Covid-19 during the distribution activity with the DILG-7 officials. (Photo courtesy of Cebu City PIO) CEBU CITY - Mayor Michael Rama on Thursday said the city government distributed a total of PHP22 million worth of relief assistance promised by President Rodrigo Duterte to residents in hinterland villages here whose houses were destroyed by Typhoon Odette last December. The more than 5,000 residents who received the PHP1,000 to PHP5,000 aid each through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) office are from the hinterland villages of Budlaan, Buot-Taup, Capitol Site, Lahug, Malubog, Parian, Paril, and San Jose. During the distr