Latest news with #Ferdinand'Bongbong'MarcosJr.
GMA Network
14 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos wants 12 tons load capacity in San Juanico by December 2025
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. said Friday that he wants to increase the load limits of San Juanico Bridge to 12 tons by December this year. 'Ang schedule namin dapat by December, before the end of the year, ang pwede ng gamitin na sasakyan hanggang 12 tons,' Marcos said during an episode of BBM Podcast. (Our schedule is that by December, before the end of the year, vehicles up to 12 tons can be allowed.) 'That's a test, sabi ko pag hindi niyo natapos 'yan, tatanggapin ko 'yung resignation ninyo,' Marcos warned. (That's a test, if you don't finish that, I'll accept your resignation.) The President apologized to the residents in Samar and Leyte who were affected by the rehabilitation, saying that the government wants to ensure their safety. 'Well sorry na nangyari ito, alam ko 'yung nararanasan ninyo, nararanasan ng ating mga transport operators, nararanasan ng ating mga negosyante,' Marcos said. (I'm sorry that this happened, I know your experience, the experiences of our transport operators and businessmen.) 'Kaya asahan ninyo minamadali namin na maayos kaagad ito,' he added. (I assure you that we are doing everything to immediately address this.) In May, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan said that the present load limits of San Juanico Bridge amid its rehabilitation might be increased in the next months. He said the increase in the load limits could be implemented in the last quarter of this year. Bonoan added that the full capacity of the existing San Juanico Bridge would be undertaken ''as soon as the new bridge is actually constructed.'' According to the DPWH, the recent assessment raised concerns about San Juanico Bridge's structural integrity. It temporarily prohibited vehicles weighing more than three tons from crossing the 2.16-kilometer bridge. Built in 1969 and completed in 1973, San Juanico Bridge is the third longest bridge spanning a body of seawater in the Philippines, connecting the islands of Samar and Leyte. It was a project of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
Marcos leads launch of new benefits for post-kidney transplant
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on Thursday led the launch of PhilHealth's new benefits for post-kidney transplantation services. Marcos visited patients at the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Diliman, Quezon City, where he greeted the patients at the Hemodialysis Center and Hemodialysis Center Extension. The state insurer reaffirmed its support for NKTI patients by improving benefits for members diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5. Chronic kidney disease is a pressing global health issue, with a prevalence of 9.1% to 13.4% of the population worldwide. The NKTI said that one Filipino develops chronic kidney failure every hour, equating to around 120 new cases per million population annually. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
Marcos confident P20-per-kilo rice is sustainable as production increases
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his confidence in sustaining the P20-per-kilo rice initiative, citing improved rice production as a key factor. Speaking in a new episode of the BBM Podcast, the President explained that as rice production continues to rise, the cost of production decreases—allowing the National Food Authority (NFA) to sell rice at lower prices. 'Since our production is already going up, the cost of production will decrease. That means the NFA can sell at even lower prices,' Marcos said in Filipino. He emphasized that the government is supporting this effort by providing more farming equipment and enhancing irrigation systems. Marcos also assured farmers that the buying price of palay (unhusked rice) will not be reduced despite cheaper market prices for rice. 'We have to support them. Whatever happens to the retail price of rice, we won't lower the NFA's buying price,' he added. Marcos acknowledged that the rollout of his campaign promise took time, as the government had to ensure support mechanisms were in place for farmers. The Department of Agriculture initially launched the P20-per-kilo rice in the Visayas, targeting vulnerable groups through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program. These include indigents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and minimum wage earners. The program's second phase will begin in July in Mindanao. Marcos also revealed plans for the national government to fully shoulder the program's cost next year, replacing local government contributions. 'Eventually, I'm looking at a proposal that by next year, the contribution will come entirely from the national government,' he said.
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos: No need yet for mandatory repatriation amid Israel-Iran conflict
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. said Wednesday there is no need yet for mandatory repatriation despite the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. 'No, not yet,' Marcos told reporters when asked if mandatory repatriation will already be enforced. He said the administration gives it to each family to decide for themselves whether they will go home or not. Still, Marcos assured the public that the government is watching all Filipino citizens in Israel and Iran. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
UNICEF calls for climate-resilient schools in PH
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and Education Secretary Sonny Angara are ushered inside a classroom by a teacher at Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School in Malate, Manila on Monday, June 16, 2025. DARLENE CAY/GMA Integrated News UNICEF Philippines is calling on the government to prioritize the development of climate-resilient schools in the country as students return to school during the rainy season. UNICEF made the appeal ahead of the country's submission of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) — the Philippines' updated climate action plan under the Paris Agreement — to be presented at the upcoming COP30 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil. The organization urges the government to ensure the new NDCs are 'child-sensitive,' with concrete commitments to protect children's right to continuous, quality education amid worsening climate threats. 'The climate crisis is not just changing the planet, it is changing children,' said Behzad Noubary, UNICEF Philippines Representative Ad Interim. "Climate-related class disruptions deprive them of opportunities to develop the necessary foundational and socioemotional skills to thrive in the future,' added Noubary. The World Risk Index has ranked the Philippines as the country with the highest disaster risk for three years in a row. Meanwhile, a UNICEF study places the Philippines as the second most climate-vulnerable country for children in East Asia and the Pacific. According to the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), students in disaster-prone areas lose up to a month's worth of school days each year due to weather-related disruptions. The same report found that the Department of Education (DepEd) incurs nearly ?18 billion in annual losses due to damage from natural hazards. Floods, typhoons, and earthquakes routinely damage classrooms, destroy learning materials, and restrict student access, especially in remote areas where transport infrastructure is also compromised. Climate goals UNICEF stressed that schools can play a vital role in both climate adaptation and mitigation. 'Children cannot afford to wait. If we want to secure their future, we must act now. We need to transform climate goals into reality for children,' Noubary emphasized. UNICEF is already working with school communities across the country to develop resilience through training, resources, and localized emergency preparedness protocols. It is also promoting inclusive and participatory climate action in schools, empowering students to advocate for their own rights and for the protection of their learning environments. The organization is also pushing for climate investments that allow schools to better anticipate, absorb, and adapt to disasters — whether through stronger buildings, remote learning solutions, or climate education. 'We have a responsibility to ensure that every child — no matter where they live — can go to school safely, learn without interruption, and prepare for a future shaped by the climate crisis,' Noubary said. As the government finalizes its climate roadmap for the next decade, UNICEF's message is clear: quality education must not be a casualty of the climate emergency. Ensuring that children learn in safe, inclusive, and resilient environments is not just an environmental goal — it is a moral and developmental imperative. UNICEF is the United Nations agency dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights of every child, especially those most vulnerable. Working in over 190 countries and territories, UNICEF strives to help children survive, thrive, and reach their full potential, no matter the challenges. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
