Published July 14, 2021, 1:32 PM
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vowed Wednesday, July 14, that it will improve the implementation of its modernization program after the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged the military over 41 projects worth P6.8 billion that remain unfinished within the contract period.
Multiple military assets are deployed for the conduct of an inter-agency solidarity maritime patrol in the Philippine Rise on June 12, 2021. (Photo courtesy of RTVM livestream)
In its 2020 annual audit report, state auditors flagged the AFP for 41 projects with an aggregate cost of P6,812,295,233.40 that were not completed within the contract period; P940,463,472.13 worth of projects that were suspended; and a P12,212,589.83 procurement that was terminated.
Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya)
The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) has expressed support to several lawmakers who criticized House Bill No. 36 which seeks to declare a portion of the maritime waters a protected area.
The fisherfolk group said that proposed protected area, which only covers 352,390 hectares, “is too small to cover the entire feature.”
“Not even a quarter of the Philippine Rise would be covered by the protected area being sought by this house bill,” Pamalakaya national chairperson Fernando Hicap said in a recent statement.
“Moreover, there is no definite plan what would be the next step after placing a scanty portion of the rise under protection.”
Gov t must do more than declare part of Philippine Rise as protected area — fishers group bworldonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bworldonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By ANNA FELICIA BAJO, GMA News
Published July 7, 2021 12:17pm
Screengrab from Oceana PHL The House committee on natural resources approved Wednesday the still unnumbered substitute bill of the measure seeking to declare a portion of the Philippine Rise as a protected area, with the category of marine resource reserve, under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). House Bill 36 or the Philippine Rise Marine Resource Reserve (PRMRR) Act was authored by Muntinlupa Representative Ruffy Biazon. The bill aims to protect portions of the Philippine Rise region, namely the Benham Bank and its surrounding waters, through sustainable and participatory management, taking into consideration all applicable laws and international conventions to which the Philippines is a signatory.
"In the face of many challenges, we again are called to fight for the control of our own land and our own seas, and the call is on to everybody. Are you joining us? Kaya ba natin ito? (Can we do this?)" Amid the continuing territory row in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), National Security Adviser He