TACLOBAN CITY-The Business Permits and Licenses Division (BPLD) noted strong business renewals, with collections reaching about P210 million by January 31, marking a 19.32 percent increase compared to the generated P176 million revenue in the same period last year.
In an interview, BPLD head Gemafiel Gaspay attributed the success to the strategic placement of three satellite offices in malls, providing convenience to business owners and easing congestion at the onsite Business One-Stop Shop in Tacloban City Hall.
Gaspay further disclosed that around 90% or a total of 7,122 business permits have already been renewed, with transport renewals reaching 1,351 or roughly 60-70% of the target.
In connection, she expressed confidence in hitting or even surpassing the P318,974,547.75 target despite the end of the extended surcharge-free period, as renewal processing continues at the City Hall BOSS on weekdays from 8 Am to 5 pm.
However, business owners who have yet to process their permits now will be facing a 25% surcharge on the total amount due and an additional two percent every month of delay until settlement, as stipulated under City Ordinance 99-58.
The official, on the other hand, extended her gratitude to the business community for their cooperation, noting their great contributions to keeping the local economy even more vibrant.
Meanwhile, the release of business plates, according to Gaspay, is scheduled for this month of February.
In a related development, as the city of Tacloban enforces the Plastic and Styrofoam Regulation Ordinance, the BPLD head emphasizes upcoming inspections to ensure businesses comply with the regulation, following extensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns conducted by their office and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) since the ordinance’s enactment in March 2023. (C.MERIN/R.CABLAO, CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
ORMOC CITY– A case of murder and frustrated murder were filed against a suspect who confessed to have killed his friend and his brother-in-law in Barangay Bagong, this city, due to a personal grudge.
Mario Casani, 33, a resident of the said barangay, was formally charged at the City Prosecutor’s Office on Saturday (Jan.27) for killing Antonio Abundo, 46, and wounding his brother-in-law Carlito Baloro, 18.
Based on the police report, in the afternoon of January 25, 2024, Abundo was heading to his farm along with Baloro when the suspect appeared and fired at them using an improvised shotgun.
Abundo died immediately while Baloro was hit on his left arm.
It was learned that the suspect and his two victims were at the barangay hall to settle some past grudges in the morning before the incident.
Police Captain Rodolfo Mercolita, station chief of police said that the suspect decided to surrender to their barangay after the incident.
During an interview with the suspect, Casani confirmed in killing and wounding the victims which prompted the duty police officer to arrest him.
Casani narrated how he committed the crime, saying at first, he had no intention of including his brother-in-law.
However, the latter’s action of helping Abundo provoked him and fired Baloro with the use of a makeshift gun with a marble bullet.
The improvised shotgun, which the suspect made himself, was also turned over. He added it was made for the purpose of catching wild pigs and birds for food.
The suspect is now detained at the police station 5. (ELVIE ROMAN-ROA)
TACLOBAN CITY– Filipino journalists have been devastated again following the closure of predominantly English-language media outfit CNN Philippines on January 29, 2024, some three years after the closure of another giant broadcast company ABS-CBN.
“It is with heavy heart that we share the difficult news that we will stop news production operations as a result of serious financial losses,” CNN Philippines President Benjamin Ramos said in a post by one of their reporters on X, formerly Twitter.
“We thank you for delivering news that are fair, accurate, and balanced. You have rightfully earned the trust of Filipinos and we sincerely thank all of you for that,” Ramos told the company employees.
CNN Philippines, which started operation under the management of Nine Media Corporation (NMC) on March 16, 2015, reportedly incurred losses of over P5 billion.
The local franchise holder company however assured that it will provide severance packages to its 300 workers and talents.
“This is very saddening news because aside from the country losing a source of news due to the closure of CNN Philippines, it will also result in the losses of jobs to many employees,” Tacloban City-based journalist Roel Amazona, 43, who worked as CNN Philippines stringer.
“Since 2013, I’ve been working with them as news talent, providing them with regional stories from Eastern Visayas. It was a privilege and honor to work as news talent for CNN Philippines, and work with their staff on big coverage,” Amazona, who also writes for Leyte Samar Daily Express, added.
Stanley Buenafe Gajete, who previously worked for two years at CNN Philippines, also expressed his solidarity with his former colleagues.
“I am forever grateful and honored to be part of this strong broadcast team in the country. So much learning. Mahal kita (I love you), CNN Philippines. Hugs to all former colleagues,” Gajete said.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, the largest media group that supports the welfare of the Philippine media, also hoped that the company “will help its media workers through the transition and hope as well that our colleagues will get to come back to the profession as soon as possible.”
“The loss of another newsroom means one less source of reliable information for the public at a time when disinformation and misinformation are rampant,” it said. (RONALD O. REYES)
Leyte Rep. and House Speaker Martin Romualdez vehemently denies of any involvement of a signature campaign aimed to amend the 1987 Constitution thru people’s initiative. (PHOTO COURTESY)
Leyte Rep. and House Speaker Martin Romualdez vehemently denies of any involvement of a signature campaign aimed to amend the 1987 Constitution thru people’s initiative. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY– Leyte Representative and House Speaker Martin Romualdez denies any involvement on the signature campaign aim to amend the 1987 Constitution.
In a statement, Romualdez said while the main proponents of the People’s Initiative-one mode to amend the fundamental law of the land- held a meeting in his town house, it did mean that he was behind on the campaign.
“My role, as misinterpreted by some, is not as an orchestrator but as a facilitator for healthy democratic processes,” he said.
“It is crucial that I clarify that while I support the spirit of civic engagement and participatory governance, my involvement in the People’s Initiative has been purely advisory and in no way extends to mobilizing or leading their signature campaign,” Romualdez stressed.
“The initiative and its operations are entirely led and managed by the group themselves he clarified,” he added.
Speaker Romualdez also dismissed that during the gathering of signatures across the country, those who have signed the petition were being given cash.
“Furthermore, I firmly deny any allegations of involvement in unlawful activities such as vote buying related to this or any other initiative. Such practices are against my principles and the ethical standards of our government,” he said.
“I respect the autonomy of the People’s Initiative and commend their efforts to engage in constitutional discourse. However, as the Speaker of the House, my primary role is to steer legislative actions within the Congress and ensure that all processes are conducted with integrity, fairness, and in accordance with our laws,” he added. (LIZBETH ANN ABELLA)
In his recent address to public servants, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meticulously enumerated his prohibitions, apparently showcasing his strong commitment to integrity and transparency in governance. He hinted at the potential pitfalls and temptations that public officials may encounter and his vision for a government that prioritizes public interest above personal gain under his Bagong Pilipinas campaign.
His prohibition of graft and corruption underscores his desire to eradicate these long-standing issues that plague many governments worldwide. He stressed that public servants must not engage in any form of bribery, embezzlement, or misappropriation of funds, as these actions undermine trust in the government and rob the citizens of the resources meant for their welfare. He strongly conveyed that such actions are not tolerated under his administration.
He also detests nepotism and favoritism within the ranks of public service. Recognizing that these practices breed resentment and hinder meritocracy, he insisted that appointments and promotions should be based solely on qualifications and achievements. This prohibition promotes fairness, efficiency, and effectiveness within the public sector, ensuring that only the most competent individuals are entrusted with key positions and responsibilities. But sadly, nepotism is still rampant in government agencies within our region.
Furthermore, PBBM banned public officials from using their positions for personal gain or enrichment. He stressed the importance of maintaining integrity and avoiding conflicts of interest, urging public servants always to prioritize the welfare of the people they serve. By limiting opportunities for corruption and self-enrichment, PBBM pushes for a government that is truly dedicated to uplifting the lives of its citizens and fulfilling its duties with utmost sincerity.
His prohibitions on public servants demonstrate his commitment to establishing a government of integrity, accountability, and transparency, but it takes so much conscience for appointing officials to heed that call, despite their duty to uphold the highest ethical standards and act in the best interest of the public. We hope PBBM’s vision for a corruption-free government and a service-oriented public sector will deliver positive change and improve the lives of the people it serves.
In the perpetual pursuit of knowledge, humanity has been questioning the boundaries of its capabilities, sometimes comparing its intellect with artificial intelligence (AI). I find the topic intriguing, as it challenges the very essence of what it means to be human. While AI possesses certain advantages in terms of data processing and computational power, the human mind uniquely excels in creative thinking, emotional understanding, and moral reasoning.
Intelligence, in its most fundamental form, is the ability to acquire and apply knowledge. AI unquestionably possesses an extraordinary capacity for storing and processing vast amounts of data at breakneck speeds, surpassing any human mind. However, true intelligence encompasses more than just information processing; it encompasses comprehension and interpretation. Through abstract thinking and lateral connections, the human brain excels in recognizing patterns and deriving meaningful insights, demonstrating a level of understanding that has yet to be replicated by AI.
The human mind’s ability to tap into the realms of creativity is unsurpassable. Creative thinking and problem-solving are integral qualities that drive innovation and progress. While AI can generate new ideas and solutions based on existing data patterns, it falls short when it comes to generating novel concepts and thinking beyond the confines of preexisting knowledge. The human mind’s capacity for imagination and intuition allows for the birth of groundbreaking ideas that propel society forward in unprecedented ways.
Emotional understanding is another aspect in which the human mind outshines AI. Human emotions are complex, and our ability to understand and empathize with others’ emotions is a source of great strength. It enables us to establish deep connections, express compassion, and make moral judgments. On the other hand, AI lacks emotional intelligence, which significantly limits its potential to engage in meaningful interpersonal relationships and make ethical decisions.
Speaking of ethics, moral reasoning is a domain where the human mind showcases its superiority. The nuance and subjectivity of ethical dilemmas require empathy, cultural understanding, and the capacity for moral deliberation. While AI can be programmed with certain rules and guidelines, it cannot weigh competing moral values or navigate the complexities of ethical decision-making. Human morality is shaped by experiences, emotions, and cultural contexts, making it extremely difficult to replicate purely through computational means.
Though AI has undeniable advantages over the human mind in processing data and analyzing information, it is the unique blend of human intellect and AI’s analytical prowess that holds the greatest potential. By harnessing AI’s computational capabilities, humans can amplify their intellectual capacities, enabling them to tackle complex challenges more efficiently. Moreover, the symbiotic relationship between humans and AI can lead to new insights, as AI can uncover patterns and connections that may be hidden in the human mind alone. Conversely, it is the human element that can provide context, interpretation, and values to the analyses performed by AI.
While AI impresses with its data processing capabilities, it cannot rival the intricacies of the human mind. The combination of human intellect, creative thinking, emotional understanding, and moral reasoning serves as an irreplaceable pillar in the advancement of society and the pursuit of knowledge. Rather than asserting the superiority of one over the other, we should embrace the potential of integrating AI’s analytical power with the human intellect, allowing us to achieve new heights in human understanding, innovation, and problem-solving.
Should that day come when AI will finally assume human intellect, creative thinking, and emotional understanding, then that would be the time when AI will no longer serve as a tool for human utilization, but an independent being itself, capable of deciding its fate, making plans for its future and that of mankind. That would be alarming—AI as our potential rival.
