LEGARDA ITINALAGA BILANG TAGAPANGULO NG SENATE COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS
Itinalaga bilang Tagapangulo ng Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts para sa Ika-20 Kongreso si Senador Loren Legarda, na nasa ika-apat na termino, bilang patunay ng kanyang matagal nang adbokasiya para sa pangangalaga ng kultura at pambansang pagkakakilanlan.
“Ikinararangal ko ang tiwala ng aking mga kasamahan at ng buong Senado sa pagkakahirang sa akin upang pamunuan ang mahalagang Komiteng ito. Sa pamamagitan ng aking pagiging Tagapangulo, pinagtitibay ko ang pag-unawa na ang ating kolektibong kasaysayan, kultura, at mga tradisyon, mapa-materyal man o di-materyal, ay higit pa sa palatandaan ng ating pagkakakilanlan. Ang sining at kultura ay nagbubukas ng mga oportunidad para sa kaunlaran na nararapat lamang igalang, pangalagaan, at itaguyod,” pahayag ni Legarda.
Isang masigasig at matatag na tagapagtaguyod ng kulturang Pilipino at sining, si Legarda ang nanguna sa mga inisyatibong nag-angat sa kakayahang Pilipino sa pandaigdigang entablado. Siya ang pangunahing nagtulak sa pagbabalik ng Pilipinas sa Venice Biennale, ang pinakamalaking pandaigdigang plataporma para sa kontemporaryong sining, matapos ang 51 taon ng hindi pagkakasali rito. Siya rin ang pangunahing nagsulong ng makasaysayang paglahok ng bansa bilang Guest of Honour sa 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair, ang pinakamalaking trade fair para sa aklat sa buong mundo.
“Madalas, ang kultura at sining ay itinuturing na maganda at makahulugan ngunit hiwalay sa pang-araw-araw na buhay at kabuhayan. Ito ang pananaw na nais kong baguhin. Ang kultura at sining ay lumilikha ng kabuhayan, negosyo, at nagbibigay ng pag-angat sa mga lokal na komunidad. Sila ang mga hibla na bumubuo ng ating pambansang salaysay at nagbibigay-inspirasyon sa malikhaing inobasyon, patungo sa isang inklusibo at sustenableng pag-unlad,” dagdag ni Legarda.
Si Legarda ang pangunahing may-akda at co-sponsor ng Republic Act No. 10066, o ang National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, na naglalayong protektahan at pangalagaan ang pamanang pangkultura ng bansa. Siya rin ang may-akda ng RA 10908, ang Integrated History Act of 2016, na nag-uutos na isama sa pag-aaral ng kasaysayan ng Pilipinas ang kasaysayan, kultura, at pagkakakilanlan ng mga Pilipinong Muslim at Katutubong Pamayanan. Siya rin ang may-akda at pangunahing tagapagtaguyod ng RA 11961 na nagpapalakas sa pangangalaga ng pamanang pangkultura sa pamamagitan ng cultural mapping at pinalawak na programa sa edukasyong pangkultura.
Bilang pagkilala sa kanyang pamumuno at walang sawang suporta para sa kultura at sining, iginawad sa kanya ng National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) ang Dangal ng Haraya – Patron of Arts and Culture Award.
Bilang pagkilala naman sa kanyang adbokasiya at mahalagang kontribusyon sa karapatan at kapakanan ng mga katutubong pamayanan, pinarangalan siya ng iba’t ibang grupo ng mga titulong gaya ng Bai a Labi ng Marawi Sultanate; Tukwifi, na nangangahulugang ‘bright star,’ mula sa Cordillera Indigenous Elected Women’s Leaders League; Cuyong Adlaw Dulpa-an Labaw sa Kadunggan mula sa Panay Bukidnon sa Visayas, na ang ibig sabihin ay ‘shining sun rising in power’; at Bae Matumpis mula sa mga pamayanang kultural ng Mindanao, na nangangahulugang ‘the one who takes care.’
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The 4th State of the Nation Address comes at a critical time. Marcos Jr. is halfway through his presidency. With only three years left in his term, the climate emergency heightened: three typhoons in a week, recurring blackouts and frequent outages, a million people still without electricity, and communities left with no choice but to pay for higher electricity bills. At the same time, the Philippines is at the center stage, hosting the Loss and Damage Fund Board and heading into COP 30, where climate accountability will be in full swing. The recent advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) made it clear that negligence in responding to the climate crisis is no longer an irresponsible act, but a criminal one, strengthening calls for accountability.
Yet, the President’s speech was a missed opportunity. While acknowledging public frustration, disappointment, and discontentment over the lack of basic services, Marcos Jr. has placed his bets on the same failed strategy: inviting big businesses to lead the development. The President has made it clear. The administration is inclined to develop the electricity sector and the critical minerals industry, calling businesses to invest more in these areas in the name of the Filipino people.
When energy transition and critical minerals are viewed as investments, they are inherently flawed and are bound to fail. Instead of promoting access to a renewable, decentralized, and climate-resilient energy security and system. Marcos Jr. did not address the elephant in the room: a planned and managed phaseout of fossil fuels.
The President promised that his administration is geared to complete 200 new power plants in the country to address the country’s electricity woes. The Department of Energy’s latest summary of committed power projects reports that a total of 1,705 megawatts (MW) of coal projects and 3,910 MW of fossil gas are underway until 2030. This model, reliant on private investment and dirty projects, is what has kept millions in the dark and driven up electricity prices.
We heard about his plans to accelerate access to electrification in the country of four million households and another one million homes through a solar-powered house system. But this is not enough. Access would not be equitable if electricity remains unaffordable, unreliable, and controlled by the big energy power players protected under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA). The lifeline rate subsidy is also a band-aid solution, sidelining the structural inequalities in the energy sector.
Marcos Jr. highlighted the push for natural gas, solidifying his legacy with the recently signed Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Industry Law. With two major gas power deals pushed by Razon and Lopez, and the Aboitiz, Ang, and Pangilinan group already nearing completion. The Philippines is set to face new decades of fossil fuel lock-in with the aggressive promotion and development of fossil gas.
Despite an unambitious renewable energy target under his administration, the President expressed his support for new technologies to power the country through solar and wind. While this push for renewable energy is welcome, it cannot coexist with the expansion of fossil fuels.
We need to remind the President that the real challenge lies in changing the actual systems that perpetuate extractivist models of development and structural inequalities. Our demand is for a transition that upholds human rights, strengthens local economies, and restores our planet’s ecological balance. A transition that goes beyond infrastructure and profits.
BBM, the next three years must be about delivering on what you promised. It must be about survival, dignity, and justice for the Filipino people, and we must walk the talk to take the center stage in global climate discussions. The Philippines must rise from its perpetual victim status and demand climate justice in order to survive and keep its dignity.
On June 20, 2025, the Department of Science and Technology – CALABARZON (DOST-CALABARZON), through its Provincial Science and Technology Office in Cavite (PSTO-Cavite), successfully held the event “Policy Frameworks for Sustainable Startup Growth” in partnership with the Innovation Consortium of South Luzon (ICONS South Luzon) and St. Paul Technological Institute of Cavite (SPTIC). The event brought together key stakeholders from various local government units in Cavite.
The forum aimed to raise awareness and build momentum toward a more vibrant and sustainable startup ecosystem in the region.
The discussions emphasized the need to localize national innovation policies, particularly Republic Act 11293 “Philippine Innovation Act”, and the Republic Act 11337 “Innovative Start-up Act”, and highlighted the role of both government and private sector in supporting startups through collaboration, investment, and community building.
Key outcomes of the event included heightened awareness among local stakeholders, an understanding of innovation-driven policies, and the establishment of a collaborative platform for future initiatives.
These efforts mark a significant step toward nurturing a dynamic, inclusive and innovative startup environment in Cavite. (DOST CAVITE)
On July 17, 2025, the Department of Science and Technology – CALABARZON successfully conducted a knowledge-sharing forum at the Guerrero Hall, DPITC, Los Baños as part of this year’s pre-Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTIW). Aligned with this year’s RSTIW theme on Smart and Sustainable Communities, the forum supported LGU Maasin’s benchmarking efforts and aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of CALABARZON’s best practices in implementing the Smart and Sustainable Communities (SSC) framework and the Knowledge, Innovation, Science, and Technology (KIST) Ecozone program.
The forum officially opened with welcome remarks from Ms. Emelita P. Bagsit, Regional Director of DOST-CALABARZON, and Engr. Francisco R. Barquilla III, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations, setting the tone for a day of meaningful exchange and collaboration among LGUs, higher education institutions, and innovation stakeholders.
The session aims to provide a platform for LGU Maasin, along with invited SSCP-supported LGUs, including PSTO Southern Leyte, DOST Region VIII, higher education institutions and stakeholders to gain insights from the practical experiences of select implementers in CALABARZON who are exploring or strengthening their own SSC and KIST-aligned initiatives.
Key highlights included compelling presentations from EnP. Ervie M. Rodriguez, MBA, Planning Officer III (CPDO Sta. Rosa, Laguna), and Mr. Gringo M. Maquinay, Administrative Assistant III (City IT Office, Carmona, Cavite), who shared their respective LGUs’ Smart and Sustainable Community (SSC) roadmaps and innovations. Joining virtually, Engr. Albertson D. Amante ,Vice President for Research Development and Extension Services of Batangas State University – The National Engineering University, detailed the transformative journey of the country’s first PEZA-registered KIST Ecozone, showcasing milestones, government-academe-industry collaboration, and critical challenges.
Adding a science-driven perspective, Dr. Decibel V. Faustino-Eslava Program and Project Leader of SARAI CeNTRO presented cutting-edge decision support tools for agriculture, emphasizing the role of research in sustainable community development.
This collaborative session marks a vital step forward in strengthening SSC and KIST-aligned initiatives across the regions. (DOST CALABARZON)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday directed law enforcement agencies to intensify operations against both big drug syndicates and small-time pushers while noting the administration’s successful anti-drug campaign.
In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Marcos said he received information that drug pushers are becoming active again.
“Sa tatlong taon lamang, halos mapantayan na ang kabuuang huli noong nakaraang Administrasyon. Sa kabila ng mga ito, tila nagbabalikan daw ang mga pusher,” the President said.
“Kaya, patuloy ang ating mga operasyon laban sa mga drug dealer, sila man ay big-time o small-time,” President Marcos declared.
The Chief Executive gave the order while his administration accomplished some of the biggest drug seizures in the country’s history that resulted in the confiscation of more than PhP83 billion worth of narcotics in the past three years alone.
The amount of drugs seized just three years into the Marcos administration has nearly matched the total haul from the previous administration’s entire six-year term.
The President, however, lamented that among those arrested in the operations are 677 government employees, more than 100 elected officials, and more than 50 police personnel. | PND
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is projecting to distribute 300,000 to 400,000 certificates of land ownership awards (CLOAs) and e-titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries throughout 2025.
During a post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) discussion with Cabinet members in San Juan City on Tuesday, DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wanted to empower more farmers through land ownership.
“Itong taon na ito, sa palagay ko, ang aming trajectory will be about 300,000 to 400,000 na mga titulo na ang tagal-tagal pong hinintay ng ating mga magsasaka,” said Estrella.
Estrella said many agrarian reform beneficiaries have been waiting 15 to 30 years for their land titles to be issued. The CLOA serves as legal proof of ownership for land granted under the agrarian reform program and can be used as collateral for agricultural loans or other financial assistance.
According to Estrella, the number of distributed land titles significantly increased under the leadership of President Marcos.
From July to December 2022, DAR distributed more than 26,000 land titles, which was the number of land titles that the previous administration had taken a year and a half to distribute.
Under President Marcos’ orders, DAR distributed over 50,000 land titles in 2023. In 2024, the DAR figure doubled to 100,000 land titles.
Estrella said the President wanted Filipinos to feel the government’s effort to uplift their lives and ordered DAR to ramp up their efforts in ensuring that Filipino farmers will receive rightful land ownership. | PND
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) welcomes the pronouncements of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), which underscored the growing importance of technical vocational education and training (TVET) in providing pathways for gainful employment and higher learning for Filipino youth.
In his address on July 28, President Marcos emphasized the integration of TVET into the senior high school (SHS) curriculum to provide students with more opportunities to acquire practical and in-demand skills.
“Napatunayan na nating mabisa ang tech-voc. Kaya, unti-unti nang pinapasok sa senior high ang TVET ng TESDA. Diretso pagka-graduate, puwede na kaagad na maghanapbuhay kung gugustuhin, dahil para na rin siyang nakapag-aral sa TESDA at nakakuha ng NC II or NC III,” President Marcos said.
He further reported that TESDA scholarships expanded significantly in 2024, with over 200,000 additional beneficiaries. He noted that the Philippines now ranks second in the entire Association of Southeast Asian Nations region in the number of young people enrolled in both colleges and TVET programs.
“Kitang-kita natin ang bunga ng mga programang ito. Napakataas ngayon ng bilang ng kabataan nating pumasok sa kolehiyo o sa TESDA. Mas marami na rin ang nakakapagtapos. Kaya mga magulang: sulitin na ninyo ang mga pagkakataong ito. Dahil hangad natin na sa lalong madaling panahon, ang bawat isang pamilya ay may anak na nakapagtapos ng kolehiyo o sa TESDA,” the President added.
For his part, TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez expressed gratitude for the President’s recognition of the agency’s vital role in national development and emphasized that it will continue to expand partnerships with industries, modernize training facilities, and develop advanced programs aligned with global standards to ensure that Filipino workers remain competitive both locally and internationally.
For 2024, more than 1.61 millions students enrolled in training programs, of which over 1.45 million graduated across all delivery modes. Further, some 1.3 million tech-voc graduates applied for assessment, of which more than 1.22 million were certified as skilled workers.
TESDA has also been coordinating with the Department of Education for the integration of TVET in the SHS curriculum, and the mandatory assessment of SHS-TVL graduates.
“Malaking bagay na naglalaan tayo ng focus at pondo sa tech-voc. We are encouraged by President Marcos’ continued support for our mission to provide world-class training to Filipinos,” said Sec. Kiko.
“Skills are the difference maker in the modern workplace, but more importantly, it can make a difference in the lives of Filipinos. For some, getting the right skills is the difference between a low-paying job and a life-changing opportunity. For others, getting skilled through TESDA means landing a job in months, not years,” he added.
Additionally, TESDA is leading the implementation of Republic Act No. 12063, also known as the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act. This law promotes experiential and immersive learning opportunities, equipping workers with the skills demanded by industries and further addressing labor market challenges.
TESDA remains steadfast in its mission to make tech-voc training more inclusive and accessible, empowering every Filipino to pursue meaningful employment, entrepreneurship, or further education. (TESDA)
Nakatakda nang simulan ng Bacoor City Jail Male Dormitory ang kanilang mental health program para sa mga Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL) na nasa kanilang pangangalaga.
Sa pamumuno ni JSupt. Christopher Penilla, layon ng programang Katatagan Plus na magsilbing early intervention mechanism para sa mga PDL upang masiguro ang kalagayan ng kanilang mental health. Magbibigay rin to ng sertipikasyon na makakatulong sa kanilang pagbabalik sa lipunan.
Ayon kay Penilla, nagsanay sa Ateneo de Manila University sina JO1 Yvette Melgar at JO1 Michelle Laresma na magsisilbing mga facilitator ng programa. | via Bjmp Bacoor MaleDorm (PIA CAVITE)
NAGING matagumpay ang isinagawang search warrant operation ng pulisya na nagresulta sa pagkakakumpiska ng mga baril at bala sa isang indibidwal kamakailan sa Mendez, Cavite.
Kinilala ang suspek na si alyas Arild, residente ng Barangay Asis 3, Mendez, na inaresto bunsod ng paglabag sa Republic Act No. 10591, na kilala sa Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Sa nasabing operasyon ay nakuha sa pag-iingat ng suspek ang isang unit na Colt Automatic Cal. .45 pistol; isang unit ng Cal. .357 revolver (hindi kilalang gawa/modelo, walang serial number); isang magazine para sa Cal. .45; limang live na round ng Cal. .45 na bala; tatlumpu’t limang live na round ng Cal. .357 na bala at tatlong basyo ng Cal. .45.
Ipinalabas ang search warrant ng RTC Branch 132, Naic, Cavite nitong Hulyo 30 at sa naturang araw o petsa ay isinagawa ng mga tauhan ng Mendez Municipal Police Station ang operasyon dakong alas-8:05 ng gabi sa Barangay Asis 3, Mendez.
Sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs) at Alternative Recording Devices ay isinakatuparan ang operasyon na may presensiya ng mga kinakailangang opisyal ng barangay.
ISANG wanted sa kasong cybercrime ang nalambat sa magkasanib puwersang operasyon ng pulisya kamakailan sa Cavite City, Cavite.
Ang operasyon ay pinangunahan ng Cavite Component City Police Station katuwang ang San Pedro City Component Police Station at 401st Regional Mobile Force Battalion.
Nagresulta ito sa pagkakadakip sa akusadong si alyas Joshua, residente ng Pasong Kawayan II, General Trias City, dakong alas-2:15 ng hapon sa Barangay 10-A, Cavite City nitong Hulyo 30.
Inihain kay Joshua ang warrant of arrest na inisyu ng presiding judge ng Regional Trial Court Branch 31, Fourth Judicial Region, San Pedro City, Laguna, na may petsang Agosto 20, 2024.
Kaugnay ito sa paglabag ng akusado sa Section 4(b)(2)(ii) ng Republic Act No. 10175 o ang Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, na sumasaklaw sa sampung kasong kriminal.
Nabatid na ang hukuman ay may inirekomendang piyansa na P120,000.00 para sa bawat bilang.
TIMBOG sa mga tauhan ng Warrant Section ng Imus Component City Police Station ang isang Most Wanted Person kamakailan sa Naic, Cavite.
Si alyas Junry na Regional Level MWP at naninirahan sa Barangay Malagasang 1-B, Imus City, ay naaresto dakong alas-8:30 ng gabi sa Barangay Molino, Naic, nitong Hulyo 29.
Isinagawa ang pag-aresto sa bisa ng warrant of arrest na inisyu ng presiding judge ng Family Court, Branch 4, Fourth Judicial Region, Imus City, Cavite, nitong Hunyo 4 at walang piyansang inirekomenda.
Ito ay may kinalaman sa kasong statutory rape, sa ilalim ng Article 266-A, Paragraph 1 ng Revised Penal Code, na sinususugan ng Republic Act No. 8353.
May koordinasyon sa PNP-CIDG Women and Children Complaints Unit ang operasyon na gumamit ng Body-Worn Cameras at Alternative Recording Devices.
Ilang araw bago ang talumpati ng Pangulo, nagsalita na ang tao at kalikasan para sa kanya. Malala at malawakang pagbaha, kawalan ng hustisya sa pagpigil sa impeachment trial ni Bise Presidente Sara Duterte, pagpapatuloy ng mga fossil fuel projects, at iba pang lantarang katiwalian—Ito ang estado ng ating bansa.
Nasa 4.6 milyong katao ang apektado ng tatlong magkakasunod na Bagyong Crising, Dante, at Emong, ayon sa pinakahuling ulat noong ika-25 ng Hulyo 2025. Tinatayang 4.8 bilyong piso ang halaga ng napinsalang imprastraktura, habang 26 ang buhay na nasawi. Matagal nang isinusulong ng mga progresibong grupo na iimplementa nang maayos ang National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2023-2050 ng gobyerno upang siguruhin na ang climate insurance ay makakaabot sa mga nasasalanta tuwing may bagyo.
Gayunman, ang tanging tugon ni Presidente Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. (PBBM) ay ang pahayag na “new normal” na ang nangyaring delubyo. Marapat na ang NAP, at iba pang plano, ay tumutugon sa bagong normal na ito na lumulubha pang lalo sa paglipas ng mga taon sanhi ng patuloy na di pagtugon sa krisis sa klima.
Tila patuloy na pagkamal ng tubo at pagpapalala ng krisis sa mamamayan ang tinutugunan ng kasalukuyang gobyerno. Suportado ni PBBM ang industriya ng liquefied natural gas (LNG) na lalo pang sumira sa kalikasan ng bansa. Noong Enero 2025, pinirmahan ni PBBM ang Republic Act No. 12120 o ang Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act.
Hindi lamang LNG, kundi maging ang coal ay patuloy na nagdodomina sa industriya ng enerhiya ng bansa. Hinahayaan, at kadalasa’y sinusuportahan, ng gobyerno ang pamamayagpag ng malalaking kompanya at korporasyon at pagpupumilit nitong pumasok sa mga komunidad upang magtayo ng maruruming planta ng coal. Kamakailan lang, muling inisyuhan ng Department of Energy ng status na “committed capacity” ang 1,200 MW Atimonan One Energy Inc. (AOE) coal-fired power plant project ng Meralco PowerGen (MGen).
Anupa’t nagmungkahi din ng mga kasunduan sa United Arab Emirates at Argentina ang gobyerno ni PBBM para sa pagpapaunlad ng enerhiyang nukleyar sa bansa. Lumagda rin ang Pilipinas at South Korea sa isang kasunduan na magsagawa ng feasibility study sa muling pagbuhay ng Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
Halos taun-taon kung banggitin ni PBBM sa kanyang SONA ang pagsulong ng paggamit sa renewable energy ngunit kabaligtaran ang isinasagawa niya. Nahuhuli pa rin sa listahan ang pagtugon sa krisis sa klima, kasama ng mga isyung patuloy na nagpapahirap sa batayang sektor.
Nariyan ang kinakaharap na isyu ng maliliit na mangingisda sa pagpapahintulot ng Korte Suprema sa malalaking palakaya na mangisda sa munisipal na katubigan. Inaapela pa rin ng mga magsasaka ng Bukidnon sa Department of Agrarian Reform na maipamahagi na sa kanila ang lupang kanilang deka-dekadang binubungkal. Totoo rin ito sa maraming bahagi ng bansa.
Sa gitna ng baha, kahirapan, at kawalan ng hustisya, litaw na litaw ang samu’t saring suliraning panlipunan sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni PBBM. Sa ikatlong taon niya sa panunungkulan, hindi nararamdaman ang pagtugon sa mga nasabing problema, ngunit damang-dama ang pagkalugmok ng mamamayan.
Kay tagal nang ipinapanawagan ng mga progresibong grupo ang deklarasyon ng pambansang climate emergency. Ito ay upang makakatha ng kongkretong mga hakbangin upang tugunan ang krisis sa klima na kakawing na iba’t ibang isyung panlipunan.
Tama na, sobra na. Kung hindi ilalahad ni PBBM ang totoong SONA ng bansa, pakinggan ang naratibo ng mamamayan sa lansangan, sa gitna ng sakuna, sa gitna ng krisis sa ekonomiya at klima. (Opisyal na pahayag ng Philippine Movement for Climate Justice)
ISANG Regional Level-Most Wanted Person na may kasong rape ang ‘nadakma ng mga awtoridad kamakailan sa Tanza, Cavite.
Ang akusado na si alyas Virgil ay naaresto ng mga tauhan ng Tanza Municipal Police Station dakong alas-3:15 ng hapon nitong Hulyo 28 sa Barangay Julugan 1, Tanza, Cavite.
Inaresto ng pulisya na gumamit ng Alternative Recording Device ang akusado sa bisa ng warrant of arrest na nilagdaan noong Agosto 12, 2013 ng presiding judge ng Regional Trial Court, Branch 23, Fourth Judicial Region, Trece Martires City, Cavite, na walang piyansang inirekomenda.
Si Virgil ay may kinakaharap na apat na bilang ng kasong rape na may kaugnayan sa Republic Act 7610 o mas kilala at tinatawag na Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.