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IBA, ZAMBALES SIZZLES AT 53°C
SAUDI WARNS OF GAZA FALLOUT
NEWS / A2
BUSINESS / B2 VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 73 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2024
Heat, strike shut down schools DepEd orders two-day suspension of face-to-face classes
O
NLINE classes are still suspended from April 29 to 30 in view of the latest heat index forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), according to the Department of Education (DepEd). The decision by DepEd was partly based on the recent announcement of a nationwide strike of major transport groups from April 29 to May 1 (Labor Day). This means all public schools are directed to keep holding asynchronous classes or distance learning for Monday and Tuesday next week. “Likewise, teaching and non-teaching personnel in all public schools shall not be required to report to their respective stations,” DepEd said in its latest advisory. The education department, however, said activities organized by regional and schools’ division offices may push through as scheduled. These include Regional Athletic Association Meets and other division or school level programs. Public school administrators were reminded that the implementation of measures for the safety of all participants should be guaranteed. The DepEd advisory does not cover private schools, but they have the option to implement the same. Based on its computed two-day forecast as of 5PM on Saturday (April 27), PAGASA said at least 32 areas Next page
ALL CLEAR. Philippine navy ships are joined by the USS Harpers Ferry, and the French Navy’s FS Vendemiaire on joint patrol in the West Philippine Sea as part of the Balikatan 2024 military exercises. Inset photo shows Philippine Navy officers at the bridge of BRP Ramon Alcaraz. AFP
Militants launch three-day nationwide public transport strike MILITANT groups will begin a threeday transportation strike today to protest the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program. President Marcos Jr. earlier this month said there would be no further extension
of the program’s April 30 deadline for the franchise consolidation. The PUVMP was launched in 2017 but its full implementation has been delayed because of opposition by some transport organizations.
The strike’s convergence areas in Metro Manila will include Agoncillo, Alabang, Anonas, Baclaran, Katipunan, Litex, Monumento, Novaliches, Philcoa, Sucat, and Taft. Members of labor group Kilusang
Mayo Uno (KMU) and party-list Bayan Muna are set to join the driver’s group PISTON. PISTON deputy secretary general Ruben Baylon said although jeepneys Next page
Zubiri admits no numbers yet to pass Cha-cha By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Sunday admitted Charter Change can be easily defeated in the Senate as he sees three or four more senators who are not yet convinced on amending some specific economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution. During an interview at DWPM (63 AM radio), Zubiri was questioned about Chacha losing in the Upper Chamber. “And I can count, and I still can count about three or four who are not Next page
BY THE BEACH. President Marcos, Jr. (4th from left) leads the capsule-laying ceremony for Cebu’s first-ever stand-alone, world-class convention facility, the P1.5-billion Mactan Expo Center, together with Alliance Global Group, Inc. (AGI) Chief Executive Officer Kevin L. Tan (4th from right). The state-of-the-art facility will offer almost 10,000 square meters of MICE space. Also shown in photo are (from left) Lourdes T. Gutierrez-Alfonso, chief operating officer, Megaworld; Cong. Cindi Chan of the lone district of Lapu-Lapu City; House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez; Sec. Antonio Lagdameo, Jr., special assistant to the President; Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia; and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan.
Senate to pass pending LEDAC bills By Macon Ramos-Araneta
the end of the year. Zubiri said the Senate is right on track in its approval of President Marcos’ priority measures, SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri is confident that his chamber will pass 20 new laws as indicated in the Legislative Executive Develbefore the second regular session of the 19th opment Advisory Council (LEDAC) and in his Congress concludes in June, with the possibility last State of the Nation Address (SONA). Next page of delivering all their legislative commitments by
US to fully equip PH military by 2028—envoy By Rey Requejo PHILIPPINE Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez expressed optimism that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), with the help of the United States, will be fully equipped against threats in the West Philippine Sea by the end of the Marcos administration. Romualdez stressed that the Philippines is at its “best relationship” with the US right now, with the two nations “rebooting” their relationship at the helm of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Amid China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea, Romualdez said both the Republican and Democratic parties are in support of the Philippines, believing that the country’s armed forces should be strengthened to improve its defensive and deterrence capabilities. Romualdez was referring to the bipartisan bill earlier introduced by two Next page
House to focus on oversight role—Speaker By Rio N. Araja THE House of Representatives resumed its session today with Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez stressing the role of the 300-plus-strong chamber to strengthen oversight functions after the successful completion of its legislative priorities.
Congress was able to approve all 20 priority measures outlined by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council before the Holy Week break in March, surpassing the June target by three months. Next page