PCG Commandant CG Admiral Leopoldo Laroya. (Photo courtesy of PCG) MANILA - Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Admiral Leopoldo Laroya is set to formally retire from service on Friday, after more than "38 years of public service." In a Viber message, PCG spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo said Malacanang will announce Laroya's replacement as chief of the PCG. "The men and women of the PCG express their sincere gratitude to the inspiring leadership of CG Admiral Laroya who significantly contributed to the transformation of the modern PCG," the PCG said in a media bulletin on Thursday. Laroya, it said, has been at the helm of the PCG for five months and led the uniformed service's Covid-19 response, modernization efforts, and through the onslaught of Typhoon Odette. During this period, it said the PCG assisted in the daily operations of 'Task Force Bayanihan for Returning Overseas Filipinos,' the nationwide vaccination drive 'Bayanihan, Bak
(File photo) MANILA - The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) has expressed its support for the pediatric vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 years old against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). In a statement, the PMA warned that Covid-19 directly affects children and could put them at risk of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). "While it is true that most present as mild or asymptomatic cases, some may develop more serious consequences such as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, and even death," the group said in a statement. The pandemic, it said, has adversely affected the growth, mental health, learning, and health-seeking behaviors of children and their families. The group said it fully supports the efforts of the Department of Health (DOH) and the National Task Force against Covid-29 (NTF) to protect the Filipino children against Covid-19 through vaccination. It noted that the available Covid-19 vaccines for the 5-11 age group have
(File photo) MANILA - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) said stringent measures are in place against the proliferation of fake banknotes, like those dispensed through the automated teller machines (ATMs). This, as the central bank earlier called on the public to be more vigilant on checking paper bills they get even from ATMs. "ATM services are part of core banking functions, and banks are bound by law to exercise the highest degree of diligence in protecting their clients' interest. The BSP will hold the banks accountable should they fail to observe measures to protect their clients," BSP said in a public advisory on Friday. The central bank said financial institutions "have a responsibility to guarantee that banknotes coming from their ATMs are genuine, consistent with the BSP's Financial Consumer Protection Framework, which requires financial service providers, such as banks, to conduct ethical business
MANILA - The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has granted provisional authorities (PA) to two separate companies to use channels 23 and 43 both previously used by broadcast giant ABS-CBN Corp. to operate on digital television (TV) in Mega Manila. In a statement on Wednesday, the NTC said it granted a provisional authority to Aliw Broadcasting Corporation (Aliw) to "install, operate, and maintain" a digital TV broadcasting system using channel 23 in an order promulgated on Jan. 5, 2022. "Aliw was the second applicant to install, operate, and maintain a digital TV in Metro Manila as filed on 30 July 2007, under Cast No. 2007-0126. ALIW has been waiting for an available digital TV frequency since 2007 after undergoing a quasi-judicial process which includes notice to all interested/affected parties and hearing," the NTC said. On the other hand, the NTC granted the Swara Sug Media Corporation (SSMC), the legal operating name of Sonshine Media Network Int
VAX CHECK. An Inter-Agency Council for Traffic officer checks the vaccination cards of passengers inside a bus as part of the "no vax, no ride policy" along Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City on Jan. 20, 2022. The Department of Transportation on Monday reiterated that the policy is "legally valid" and is necessary to help "maintain and preserve safe travel". (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler) MANILA - The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday reiterated that the "no vaccine, no ride" policy in public transportation is "legally valid" and necessary to help "maintain and preserve safe travel". In response to a statement from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) questioning its legality, the DOTr said it has the authority to issue such policies "under pertinent laws and regulations". "Remember that the so-called right to ride needs to be balanced with our responsibility as transport regulator to maint