HERE ARE 20 THINGS THE DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE IN 8 DAYS:
(read the rest of the 50 THINGS after the CUT below!)
- Duterte’s first order to all agencies was to reduce the amount of time it took for the public to apply for and get their government-issued documents. Even no less than the Office of the President streamlined its operations. The Offices of the Cabinet Secretary and Executive Assistant now have more supervision powers over departments and bureaus.
- Free entrance at the National Museum for everyone starting July 1.
- PNP Chief dela Rosa subjected top police officials to a surprise drug test. Eleven cops tested positive for illegal drug use.
- Malacañang declared July 6 a non-working holiday in observance of the Muslim tradition of Eid’l Fitr.
- President Duterte instructed DepEd to improve drug literacy. The current curriculum will be revised with drug education lessons starting with Grade 4 students.
- President Duterte named five high-ranking police generals allegedly involved in drugs. He also revealed the Triad Group of druglords in the country. More names of policemen and public officials will be disclosed soon.
- The Department of Tourism (DOT) is now in talks with the Miss Universe organizers for the Philippines to host the Miss Universe pageant for next year. The DOT plans to do a massive tourism campaign not only in Luzon but also in Visayas and Mindanao using the pageant as a vehicle.
- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) opened its main gates to rallyists after nearly two decades. The Hacienda Luisita case will be resolved in 30 days (finally!).
- Despite his busy schedule, President Duterte attended the opening and even performed the ceremonial toss during the Gilas-France game for the Olympic qualifiers.
- President Duterte finally offered Vice President Robredo a position as Housing Secretary (HUDCC). How did he offer the job? Via a phone call in one of his presscons.
- The President instructed the Aviation Security Group (ASG) not to arrest, detain, or file charges against passengers who were found possessing ammunition in the airports (yes! no more laglag-bala schemes). And yes, cleaner toilets (expenses shouldered by airline companies), full CCTV and free wifi in the airports (thank you DOTC).
- The Board of Investments (BOI) has stated that there’s a surge of investments in Mindanao. It is credited to the Duterte-effect, the showing of confidence to the new administration. How much? Almost 900 billion pesos (and counting).
- The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act will become effective not via the legislative body, but thru an executive order. Its effectivity is expected to happen next week.
- The PNP’s ‘Oplan Tokhang’ is so successful (drug pushers and users voluntarily surrendering themselves) that they now have a new problem: sufficient drug-rehabilitation facilities. Even LGUs are overwhelmed on how to go about this particular issue.
- The Presidential Communications Office will be revamping the People’s Television Network (PTV4). Duterte will have his own tv and radio program every week (which hopefully will be curse-free). Social media and a newspaper will also be used to inform the public about government programs. PTV4 will also have a tv segment for Muslim and Indigenous Peoples' and the Youth. Target date for implementation will be in August.
- The DPWH will be doing intensive infrastructure projects and construction 24/7 not only in Luzon but also in Visayas and Mindanao. And the best part? There’s already a budget allocated, stated by no less than DBM head Ben Diokno.
- The Department of Justice (DOJ) is looking to create an Alcatraz-like penitentiary for hard-core criminals. Somewhere in Palawan where there are no mobile signals.
- The DENR has suspended the license of four mining companies due to violations of government regulations.
- 911 (emergency response) and 8888 (for public complaints and concerns) hotline numbers will go effective by August and it will be nationwide.
- And last, but not the least, President Duterte goes home to Davao using an ordinary commercial flight to spend the weekend with his family and attend the Hari Raya festival.
THE REST OF THE 50 after the CUT BELOW!!!
50 THINGS THE DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE ON WEEK 2:
1. Over the weekend, Pres. Duterte met with some lawmakers to discuss the state of the country and his corresponding plans, which includes a revival of the death penalty.
2. On Monday, VPres. Robredo attended her first Cabinet meeting. She was also sworn into office as Chairperson of the HUDCC. A day after, she had a consultative meeting with leaders of urban poor groups.
3. The MMDA sanitation workers collected at least 12 truckloads of garbage along Roxas Blvd over the weekend until Monday morning in the wake of Typhoon Butchoy.
4. The DTI will review current test procedures for steel, flat glass and cement entering the market to ensure a level playing field between local and foreign makers. Discussions already began on Monday, July 11.
5. On Monday night, a 50-meter “floating shabu laboratory", along with four Hong Kong residents, was seized by the PNP-AIDG on the waters off Subic, Zambales. On Tuesday, some P4 billion worth of shabu and drug ingredients were seized while four people were arrested in a raid on a "mega" shabu lab and a facility in Pampanga province. The PNP-AIDG and PDEA conducted the raids.
6. Close to 20 policemen of the PNP tested positive from random drug testings (out of 22,238) since the tests were enforced on July 1. At least 49 police officers in Western Visayas were relieved from their posts pending investigation on various offenses related to illegal drugs. The order took effect last week, July 8.
7. Close to 4000 suspects packed an auditorium in Tagum City on July 9 (Saturday) and voluntarily surrendered themselves to the police. It is considered the single biggest surrender so far.
8. Two individuals tagged by Pres. Duterte as among the biggest drug personalities in the country, Vicente Loot and Peter Lim, are facing a validation of their tax returns by the BIR. On Thursday, Lim met with Pres. Duterte.
9. On Thursday morning, PNP chief Bato dela Rosa, together with PDEA officials, led the destruction of dangerous drugs worth ₱1.77-B in Trece Martires City, Cavite.
10. The NCRPO reports that there are 8,808 drug surrenderees as of Thursday.
11. DILG Sec. Sueno ordered PNP Chief de la Rosa to proceed with a sweeping lifestyle check on the entire police force.
12. DILG Sec. Sueno and DICT Sec. Salalima signed an agreement with PLDT/Smart Chairman Pangilinan and Globe CEO Cu for the establishment of the National 911 Emergency Hotline.
13. The DPWH directed contractor LR Tiqui Builder, Inc. of the P609 million drainage project in the Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City to finish the job by September 30 or face consequences.
14. The DSWD has provided relief packs and goods to the victims of Bagyo Butchoy in Regions III and IV-A. 6000 food packs were released.
15. Also, DSWD Sec. Taguiwalo said her transition team will look into the P6.3 billion in unliquidated funds for the Conditional Cash-Transfer (CCT) Program of the Aquino administration – the 4Ps - in 2015.
16. The DSWD has announced that indigent senior citizens aged 60 years and above (without SSS and GSIS pension) may now apply for the Social Pension Program of the department.
17. The DOLE targets to end by next year the practice of “labor-only contracting” or “endo” (end of contract). A 50% target is for the year 2016 by strict enforcement of the Labor Code.
18. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte a P3.35-trillion national budget for 2017. DBM Sec. Diokno said the proposed 2017 budget was higher by 11.6% from the current budget.
19. The Bureau of Customs (BOC) intends to reduce releasing time from five days to five hours for normal shipments by coordinating with the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) with their imports.
20. The DENR already started last week the audit of large-scale mining companies. Small-scale miners will also be subjected to strict regulation. Higher target for government revenues from mining companies are also studied. Sec. Lopez will not allow new mining projects, even if mining companies are willing to pay more taxes, if the operation will cause environmental destruction and suffering to communities.
21. The DENR is also reviewing development projects that involve urban expansion through massive land reclamation. Sec. Lopez favors the rewriting the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 to increase the government’s and communities’ share in mining profit and, possibly, ban open-pit mining method.
22. The DENR-ARMM has suspended all mining operations in the region in the wake of the conduct of performance audit on operating firms’ compliance with state policies on responsible mining. The directive was released on Tuesday, July 12.
23. After the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favour of the Philippines in the South China Sea (or WPS) issue, Pres. Duterte called for a cabinet meeting an hour later. Also invited to the meeting were members of the Philippine delegation who lobbied the case in The Hague-based tribunal as their inputs were important. A statement was thereafter issued by DFA Sec. Yasay welcoming the decision and reiterating the Philippines’ respect for the milestone decision. Thereafter, at the ASEM Meeting in Ulaan Baator, Mongolia, DFA Sec. Yasay raised the same issue despite Beijing’s vehement protest.
24. Weeks after DOT Sec. Teo announced her proposal to host the forthcoming Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines, Pres. Duterte gave the go-signal for it. Ms. Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach is due to return to the country and call on Pres. Duterte. The best part? The government will not be spending for it as commercial sponsors and private companies are already lining up to shoulder the expenses, including the pageant franchise fee.
25. The DOT will also be convening the inter-agency Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) immediately to address urgent issues such as security and inadequate infrastructure in many tourist destinations.
26. The DepEd reformulated its budget, focusing to hasten and streamline the procurement process. The 2017 budget would be devoted primarily to more funding for the Alternative Learning System (ALS), infrastructure, and improvement of IT systems.
27. The CHED and Edukasyon.ph have tied up for an online platform meant for faculty and staff of higher-education institutions (HEIs) to fast-track their application for scholarships and grants, helping increase the number of graduate degree holders among HEI faculty to 70% by 2021.
28. The DOTC signed on Tuesday an MOU with Smart Telecommunications for free wifi up to 1 GB at no-cost to the government. Sec. Tugade said the initial rollout would be at all four passenger terminals of NAIA as well as airports in Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Kalibo, Laguindingan, General Santos, Clark, Laoag, Cebu, Caticlan and Zamboanga. Also to be included are LRT1, LRT2 and MRT. For seaports, free wifi will be initially made available in Batangas and Mindoro. Just last week, two MRT stations – Ortigas and Guadalupe – opened free Wi-Fi access to commuters.
29. Expect improved traffic conditions in Metro Manila within the next 100 days. DOTC Sec. Tugade has proposals to address traffic in the metropolis, including alternative locations to purchase train tickets, and better waiting rooms for commuters. It will also propose to Congress to give Pres. Duterte emergency powers to solve traffic gridlock in Metro Manila.
30. Also, the DOTC has plans to build and rehabilitate the Bicol Railway System (Bicol Express) as it would boost the growth of the region. The Department of Agriculture (DA) also supports theplan as it would also spur the growth of the agriculture and fisheries sectors in the region.
31. The Duterte administration will repeal former Pre. Aquino’s order to merge state-run lenders DBP (for industries) and Landbank (for farmers). DOF Sec. Dominguez said that the current administration will not implement it as such merger requires legislative action, not an executive order. Furthermore, the two state-run banks have different mandates.
32. DOF Sec. Dominguez also announced there would be no “hiatus” in projects under the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme that are already in the pipeline. Also, Sec. Dominguez has put together income tax reform proposals, which will be then submitted to Congress by September. A study conduct by the DOF backed a reduction of the top tax rate to 25% from 32%.
33. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is preparing $770 million in additional loans to the Philippines this year. Priorities are peace and development projects in Mindanao through the rehabilitation of roads, promotion of small- and medium-sized enterprises and capacity building in LGUs.
34. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the number of days in the clearing of checks would be reduced to one day from the current three starting January 2017. BSP Gov. Tetangco Jr. signed a MOA with PCHC Pres. Barcena to operationalize the Check Image Clearing System (CICS).
35. At the MIAA, newly-installed MIAA Gen. Manager Monreal will allow public taxicabs to ferry passengers from the NAIA terminals starting July 18 to avoid long lines at taxi bays. Aside from the premium buses, the MIAA would also allow jeepneys to take passengers coming out of the NAIA T3 at a designated spot near the former Circulo del Mondo Rotunda. CCTVs cameras with high-resolutions are currently installed in all strategic areas at NAIA to eliminate security blind spots. The airport security center, which serves as a central desk connecting all agencies designed to provide immediate response to passenger complaints and concerns, will be reactivated. Airline companies will maintain cleanliness of restrooms in the terminals. Security will be beefed up as Pres. Duterte would take commercial flights to and from Davao City. Free wifi will be available in all four terminals with speeds of 1 GB per access point. To end the “tanim-bala” scam, passengers found with one bullet or bullet amulet in their luggage would be allowed to board their flights without any interrogation or even charges of violating the law after surrendering the bullet.
36. The DOTC plans to transfer general aviation to other airports such as Sangley and Clark to decongest MIAA. Philippine Airlines Chairman Lucio Tan said he is moving out his fleet of private jets as a gesture of compliance to the initiative.
37. The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) said on Thursday it is targeting to cover all local government units (LGUs) in its next survey of competitive cities and municipalities in the country.
38. The presidential residence ‘Bahay Pangarap’ has been renamed ‘Bahay ng Pagbabago’. No major changes were made, except for a few minor repairs and new curtains. A simple blessing ceremony was done with Pres. Duterte wearing grey fluffy indoor slippers.
39. The DOH distributed medical supplies to the Philippine Army, including two ‘tooth buses’ and 100 hospital beds.
40. The DOH and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) are harnessing community participation in the government’s response to the HIV epidemic to meet the Global Sustainable Goals.
41. DOH Sec. Ubial said that the government is considering a plan to establish rehabilitation centers in government-owned islands to accommodate the hundreds of drug-dependent surrenderees and as a solution to the projected shortage of rehabilitation centers.
42. The DOJ has issued a lookout order against the five police generals earlier identified by Pres. Duterte as those allegedly have links to illegal drug trade.
43. The DA conducted a regional consultative meeting in the Bicol region. Aside from the usual audience of farmers and fishermen, the meeting was also attended by all the governors and almost all the Congressmen. As DA Sec. Piñol points out, it was one rare moment in Bicol's political history that so many respected political leaders of the region were gathered in one occasion.
44. The DA wants to spend P5 billion over the next five years to support and revive the domestic abaca industry. It would start with a P100-million package in the town of Sogod, Southern Leyte. The DA is also keen on increasing white-corn production to meet the demand of corn-eating provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao.
45. Pres. Duterte has ordered his Cabinet officials to ensure a maximum 30-day processing time of permits in their respective agencies.
46. Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Bala has already ordered government offices to review their ‘Citizen's Charter’ and ensure that transaction times are reduced and redundant requirements removed.
47. The Philippine Marines are currently in training for their new assignment: the National Bilibid Prison (NBP). Also, the AFP held its 3rd Social Media Summit on Friday at Camp Aguinaldo to discuss prevailing social media issues and tools to enhance its engagement with the public.
48. The Philippine National Railways (PNR) has proposed a new railway project for funding under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme, the first one under the Duterte administration.
49. The BIR has made it easier and faster to secure tax clearance certificates (TCCs) as well as certificates authorizing registration (CARs). From nine previously, only three documents were now required: a notarized application form with two pieces of loose documentary stamp tax (DST); a delinquency verification issued by the concerned BIR office; as well as a print-out of the certification fee paid through the BIR’s electronic filing and payment system (eFPS), with payment confirmation. BIR offices were also ordered to issue the delinquency verification within 24 hours after the taxpayer filed the application. The delinquency verification will have a one-month validity period.
50. AND LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST, July 16, 2016 is the one-year anniversary of the phenomenal AlDub loveteam (hahaha…pang-relax lang na news)
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