DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista. (PNA file photo) MANILA - Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista on Monday invited public utility vehicle (PUV) operators to a dialogue to address their concerns and grievances with the PUV modernization program (PUVMP) instead of staging a transport strike. In a statement, Bautista said previous dialogues led by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) with operators could have led to misunderstanding since the DOTr was not present during the meetings. "I already instructed [DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor] to coordinate with the LTFRB and the operators," he said. He said traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJ) may be phased out within the year in areas that already have enough supply of modern PUJs. "Wala muna phase out dun sa mga areas na talagang hindi naman kaya pang mag-operate ng mga new units. But there are areas na marami ng modernized equi
Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr.(File photo) MANILA -Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr. on Thursday urged that the constitutional convention (con-con) to be composed of a combination of delegates elected by the public and experts who are appointed and vetted by Malacanang and Congress. The Cavite solon took the idea from the earlier proposal of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno suggesting for a "hybrid" con-con with delegates not exclusively limited to those elected by the public. Barzaga proposed to the House Committee on Constitutional amendments to initially anchor its substitute bill on Charter change on this "hybrid model" of con-con espoused by the retired chief magistrate. "While acknowledging that electing delegates to a Con-con remains the best mode to amend the Constitution, Puno does not want Congress to take the traditional route where all the delegates are directly elected by the people," he said. Earlier, Puno pr
(PNA photo by Alfred Frias) MANILA - The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid -19) infections nationwide are less likely to reach 700 cases per day by Feb.15, a health expert said Wednesday. In a televised public briefing, infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante said the Covid-19 cases have not significantly increased after the holidays and the Feast of the Black Nazarene, noting that most active cases only have mild symptoms. "Doon sa mga na-ospital mayroon pa ring mga mangilan-ilan na na-admit, pero iyong mga hospital occupancy ng mga Covid infection, hindi tumaas more than 50 percent. So, nai-stabilize siya (There are still some admitted to hospitals, but the hospital occupancy for Covid infections, is not more than 50 percent. So, it is stabilized)," he said. Earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) warned the public that infections may reach 730 per day by mid-February if observation of minimum public health standards is ignored. Solante said the low number of
(PNA photo by Joey O. Razon) MANILA - The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic would not end in two to three months, an infectious disease expert said Monday. In a televised public briefing, Dr. Rontgene Solante said the country's Covid-19 numbers are low compared to those reported in January or September last year. "Pero, tuloy-tuloy pa rin na mayroon tayong community transmission especially with this BA.5 variant. And in fact, sa data natin ngayon, marami-raming (But, we continue to have community transmission especially with the BA.5 variant. And in fact, in our current data, many) regions are moderate risk," he said. Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the end of the pandemic can already be seen as many of its regions are reporting significant decrease in the tally of new deaths and new infections. Solante noted that the healthcare utilization rate among regions nationwide remains low. "Makikita dito sa datos ng WHO ang Philippines ay fifth
MANILA - The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said the PHP12.7 billion allocated earlier for the acquisition of the Russian-made Mil-17 heavy-lift helicopter could be utilized to acquire the Boeing-manufactured CH-47 "Chinook". PAF spokesperson, Col. Maynard Mariano, made this remark when asked if there is a need for another budget should the "Chinook" be deemed by the technical working group (TWG) as qualified per the Air Force's requirements. "They will have to work on the same budget," he said in a message to the Philippine News Agency Wednesday night. The PHP12.7 billion fund was allocated to supposedly acquire 16 to 17 units of the Mil Mi-17 with the contract signed in November last year. At present, Mariano said the TWG is looking at the feasibility of the American-made helicopter for the PAF's heavy-lift helicopter requirement. "The study will be done and is now being done by the TWG," he said. Earlier, Mariano said it is up to the TWG t