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MARCOS: GOV’T LAGGING IN DIGITALIZATION
EX-PAGCOR CHIEF, FORMER PSC HEAD GUILTY OF GRAFT
NEWS / A2
NEWS / A2 VOL. XXXVII • NO. 22 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
No break in classes—DepEd Allows online learning and use of modules amid transport strike threat
By Bobby Lagsa, Vince Lopez and Joel E. Zurbano
T
HE Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday said it will not suspend classes during a planned week-long transport strike next week.
DepEd spokesman Michael Poa said be able to continue learning through students who are unable to attend face- alternative delivery modes,” including to-face classes during the strike “should online classes and modules.
This developed as Malacanang downplayed the impact of the planned strike, as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) reported that only about 6 percent of the public utility vehicles (PUVs) nationwide are expected to join the protest. A number of schools have announced that they are temporarily shifting to online learning for most of the duration of
the transport strike, which is expected to run from March 6 to 12. About 40,000 jeepney and UV Express drivers, under the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations, Manibela, and Piston, are reportedly expected to join the strike to protest the planned phaseout of traditional jeepneys in favor of modern electric vehicles. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said
the government has prepared several contingencies to help commuters who will be affected by the disturbance, despite the LTFRB’s assurance that 94 percent of jeepney drivers are not joining the transport group strike. During the inter-agency meeting presided over by Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevarra on Friday, Next page
PBBM assures better transport to spur growth By Vito Barcelo and Darwin Amojelar PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday vowed to modernize and improve the country’s transportation system, saying an efficient transportation system will have a multiplier effect on employment and on the economy. This was after Mr. Marcos witnessed the signing of the contract for the electromechanical systems and track works for the North-South Commuter Railway project (CP-NS01). “I assure the Filipino people that the government will strive to modernize and improve the country’s transportation system. This will be one of the cornerstones of our progress as we move full speed ahead into a brighter tomorrow,” the President said. “It will strengthen what we have seen our weaknesses in the supply chain, that have been brought about by the Next page
RAILWAY DEAL. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. beams during the contract signing ceremony of the North-South Railway System in Malacanang with (from left) Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, Speaker Martin Romualdez, Embassy of Japan Minister for Economic Affairs Nikei Daisuke, and Sakamoto Takema, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Revoli Cortez
Town affected by oil spill declares state of calamity Fuel price hike forecast next week, electricity rates to go up this month
By Charles Arvin Dantes, Alena Mae Flores, and Maricel V. Cruz
ity after an oil spill from a sunken tanker carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel turned its seawater and shoreline black and resulted in fishkill, Mayor THE town of Pola in Oriental Mindoro Jennifer Cruz said Friday. In an interview on Dobol B TV, Cruz has been placed under a state of calam-
said she and all the barangay captains declared a state of calamity after the tanker MT Princess Empress sank near the town’s boundary with Naujan. “You can see the oil spill in the waves. Next page
By Alena Mae S. Flores DOMESTIC pump prices may go up by up to P1.30 per liter for diesel and gasoline by P0.20 per liter next week to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market, industry sources told the Standard on Friday. This developed as the Manila Elec-
tric Co. (Meralco) said consumers in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces are in for higher electricity rates this month, with a final figure to be announced next week. Meralco Regulatory Affairs head Ronald Valles said that owing to the Malampaya natural gas shutdown last Next page
PNP: AUV driver in Salilig hazing slay found dead at Taguig home
TANKER CATASTROPHE. The diesel oil that spilled from the motor tanker that sank at Balingawan Point in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro has
reached at least three towns in the province, with up to 16 barangays affected, according to Governor Humerlito Dolor. Fishermen of Pola show some of their catch that have already died from the oil spill. Philippine Coast Guard and Paul Hernandez of Balitang Southern Tagalog
A MEMBER of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity who allegedly drove the vehicle carrying the remains of hazing victim and Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig was found dead in his house in Taguig City, the Philippine National Police said Friday. The police withheld the identity of the fraternity member in consideration of his grieving family.
nerships are not intended for aggression. We are not preparing for war, rather we are aiming to develop our defense capabilities against eventualities and threats to our security,” he added. Meanwhile, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim believes it will be beneficial for all the member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) if the organization takes a common position on the issue of China and the disputed territories in the Next page
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Anwar: Sides taking ‘cordial approach’ on Sabah dispute
Galvez: EDCA meant for defense; US-Japan-PH trilateral deal sought THE Philippines’ Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States is aimed at improving the country’s defensive capabilities and is not meant for war, Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said. In a statement Thursday night, Galvez emphasized that the bilateral agreement does not seek to interfere with the domestic affairs of other nations. “The geopolitical situation is becoming more precarious by the day. Our projects under EDCA and our other defense part-
Meanwhile, three more persons of interest in the hazing death of chemical engineering student Salilig said they want to surrender, police in Laguna said Friday. The police said they already have in their custody the green AUV (Asian Utility Vehicle) that was used to bring Salilig’s remains to Imus, Cavite, where
ANIMALS AND FIRE. Malabon Zoo owner Manny Tangco and members of the
Malabon Bureau of Fire Protection show ‘Mamba,’ the giant reticulated python. in the yearly Malabon Zoo activity to raise awareness on saving lives during fires -- not only of humans but also of beloved pets and animals. Andrew Rabulan
MALAYSIA is taking a cordial approach to its territorial dispute with the Philippines over the territory of Sabah, as Manila also does, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in an exclusive interview with ANC’s Headstart that aired Friday. “Let it rest for a while, and there should not be an issue that easily provoke or cause antagonism because there are too many things in common,” Anwar said. Next page