Editorial | August 7, 2022
President Bongbong Marcos delivered his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) and emphasized his agenda on economic recovery, COVID19 pandemic response, and the resumption of face-to-face classes.
The said agenda will steer the country in the next six years as PBBM and his crew will craft reforms to maneuver the economy greatly ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic and the prolonged Ruso-Ukrainian War. The recent trend of inflation also staggered the Filipino workforce and the government must be both resourceful and crafty while keeping the humane aspect to cushion its ill effects.
PBBM also successfully presented a clear fiscal reality check that will serve as the backbone of his economic programs. He acknowledged the potential of prioritizing agriculture programs as the major catalyst for inclusive growth and sustainable employment.
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Teachers who served as poll watchers during the recent May 9 National and Local Elections (NLE) were devastated after PBBM vetoed the bill exempting from taxes the honoraria, allowances, and other benefits of election workers.
A 20% withholding tax is set to affect the financial benefits of the teachers. This came as an irony considering these teachers were glorified, exulted, and even called heroes for manning a smooth and peaceful election.
This will be a challenging curve for Philippine politics as these resident poll watchers now decry this veto and called the government insensitive and hypocrites. A looming barangay election in December will have a huge question mark on its head. Will these teachers still be willing to serve?
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The PNP should be alarmed by the successive hold-up cases in the Province of Bohol this month. Intelligence reports disclosed that these cases might be synchronized and done by an organized group or syndicate.
Such that PRO-8 must heighten security in the region’s points of entry to prevent these culprits will find their way to our region.
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The incoming school year will be back to the face-to-face modality. This is a perfect time for students to rejoin their batch mates and friends while their instructors will be back to teaching inside the classrooms.
Schools must, however, maintain minimum public health protocols like wearing face masks and keeping a proximate handwashing area. DepEd and the Filipino people cannot afford another surge of the virus that would jeopardize the educational system. Aside from COVID19, there’s now the lingering threat of the monkeypox virus.
This school year will also serve as an opportunity for students vying for academic and athletic scholarships to strut their wares. The recent modular modality clearly hampered their chances of availing opportunities for the next level.
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Our sincerest condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and relatives of former City Mayor Edward “Ondo” Codilla who joined our Creator last July 29.
A man of few words, Ondo left a living legacy to the Ormocanons when he finished during his term the repair and rehabilitation works of the debris brought by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2014. His simplicity yet magnanimity created a dynamic relationship with the then opposition-led Sangguniang Panlungsod in creating programs helping the city’s recovery phase.
True enough, despite being in the recovery phase, his governance helped Ormoc improve from 91st place to 30th place among 110 component cities in the country. His administration’s performance earned Ormoc the Most Improved Component City awarded by the National Competitiveness Commission (NCC) in its Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) 2016 rankings.
Ondo left a healthy local treasury that serves as the backbone to his successor’s programs. Of what Ormoc City achieved today, Ondo became a vital part of building its economic foundation.
Rest in peace Mayor Ondo.
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Our sincerest condolences also to former President Fidel V. Ramos who died last July 31 and former Isabel, Leyte Mayor Saturnino “Jun” Medina Jr. who succumbed to death last July 27.
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