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Bill forbids mobile phones in class

PONGSAWAT PASOM-UNSPLASH

A SENATOR filed a bill on Monday that forbids students from using their cell phones and other gadgets in class from Kindergarten to Senior High School to keep them focused on their lessons.

“Aside from the decrease in learners’ academic performance, access to such devices seems likely to mediate involvement in cyberbullying that is why the use of mobile devices and other electronic gadgets must be restricted, especially during class hours,” said Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who filed Senate Bill No. 2706, the proposed Gadget-Free Schools Act.

Under the measure, the Department of Education is tasked to craft guidelines on banning cellphones during class hours in both private and public schools. 

Mr. Gatchalian cited results from the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) that showed 8 in 10 students aged 15 years old were reported being distracted by smartphone use during class.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization recommended stricter regulation on mobile phone use in class, noting that only 13% of countries in the world have laws banning these during class hours. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Congressmen urge POGO ban

REUTERS

CONGRESSMEN urged the government on Monday to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) due to the criminal activities linked to its operations.

Lawmakers reiterated their call to outlaw offshore gaming operations after authorities reportedly found torture victims within the premises of a POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga last week.

“These POGOs contributed heavily to the deterioration of our moral fiber. They are fronts to Chinese-led criminal syndicates [engaged in] illegal activities that gave rise to murder, kidnapping for ransom, rape, prostitution, torture,” Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace S. Barbers said in a statement.

Senators last week called for the government to consider POGOs as a threat to national security, calling to put a stop to its operations in the country.

The recent raids on POGO compounds in Porac and Bamban, Tarlac province show proof that offshore gaming operations have “become fronts for illegal activities” including money laundering, illegal immigration, prostitution, extortion, and kidnapping, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez said in a separate statement.

4,039 victims have fallen prey to POGO-related crimes such as human trafficking in the first half of last year, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said last October.

There were around 60 POGO-related killings recorded last year, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) told before a Senate panel in May.

“The negative, evil, and harmful effects of POGOs on society far outweigh the revenue they bring in,” Mr. Rodriguez said in a separate statement. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Probe high ginger prices, DA told

SAAD.DA.GOV.PH

SENATE Majority Leader Francis N. Tolentino called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday to investigate the high cost of ginger, which he says makes the preparation of food like fish more expensive for Filipinos.

“When you buy fish, it’s natural to buy ginger. Even if fish prices go down, the high cost of ginger offsets it,” he said in a statement. “P320 [per kilo]? It was just P220 last week. That’s incredibly expensive.”

National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa said last week the higher price of ginger was driven by the consumer price index picking up to 3.9% year on year in May from 3.8% a year earlier. It was the fastest inflation since 4.1% in November and 3.9% in December.

Last week, the DA’s price watch reported that the average ginger price in Metro Manila hit P280 per kilogram on May 31. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

EC staff retirement plan pushed

THE NATIONAL Electrification Administration (NEA) has directed electric cooperatives (ECs) to establish a retirement fund or plan for the financial security of their retiring employees.

“This retirement fund/plan is for the benefit of all regular employees of ECs to motivate them to render continuous, quality and efficient service to its member-consumers-owners and other stakeholders,” NEA said in Memorandum No. 2024-25 signed by its administrator Antonio Mariano C. Almeda.

NEA said that the plan would contain “the income goals of the fund, the investment actions to be made to achieve those goals, the benefits that an employee will receive upon separation and the requirements to be entitled to such benefits.”

It will be sourced from the internally generated fund of the EC, after the conduct of an actuarial valuation to determine the amount necessary to cover the retirement of all regular employees.

The retirement fund/plan is upon approval of NEA’s board of directors.

The amount should be included in the annual corporate operating budget of the EC after the conduct of an actuarial valuation and determination of the fund necessary for the purpose, the agency said.

“The EC shall submit an actuarial report of the accumulated funds every two years. Once the accumulated fund is sufficient for the retirement benefits of all existing EC employees, the EC shall desist from transferring funds for retirement,” NEA said.

NEA said that “retirement planning is crucial for all [ECs] and setting up a retirement fund/plan shall ensure ECs compliance with the laws.” — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

CSC helps gov’t workers obtain civil service eligibility

THE CIVIL Service Commission (CSC) urged government workers anew to apply for the Grant of Career Service Eligibility – Preference Rating (CSE-PR) to obtain necessary civil service eligibility and fill vacant positions in the government.

“In recognition of these government workers who have already contributed so much in our efforts to provide efficient public service, the CSC has resolved to grant them with CSE (Career Service Examinations) preference rating under specific conditions,” said CSC Chairperson Karlo Alexei B. Nograles in a press briefing on Monday.

Qualified workers of at least 10 years under Job Order (JO), Contract of Service (COS), Casual, Contractual, Coterminous, employees holding Category III and Category IV (JOCOSC6) positions are eligible to take the CSE-PR.

The applicant must have a performance rating of at least Very Satisfactory or equivalent in the two most recent rating periods before the application date.

A maximum of 10 points of Preference Rating will be added to the failed general rating of 70-79.99 of qualified applicants to reach the passing 80% rate.

An applicant is only allowed to use the grant once.

The application deadline for the August 2024 Pen and Paper Test for both the Professional and Subprofessional Levels is June 13, 2024.

More than 90 testing centers across 16 regions are available to accommodate applicants.

As of 2023, there are 204,054 vacancies in government agencies nationwide.

Vacancies in career items reached 200,889, while available non-career posts reached 3,165 last year.

As the jobless rate in the Philippines spiked to a three-month high in April, Mr. Nograles said they are “positive” the policy will impact the country’s labor force.

“We’re very positive that this will have an impact in getting more, number one, civil service eligibles into the [force], and number two, getting them to fill up the current vacant positions,” Mr. Nograles said.

Complete guidelines for the CSE-PR may be accessed at CSC’s website csc.gov.ph. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Disarming drive nets 14 guns

PHILIPPINE STAR/JOHN FELIX M. UNSON

COTABATO CITY — A total of 14 high-caliber firearms were seized by army soldiers from a hut discovered by farmers and believed to be an armory of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the village of Lumintao, Quezon town in Bukidnon last weekend.

Major Gen. Allan D. Hambala, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said on Monday that the weapons cache consisted of eight M16 rifles, an M653 rifle, two M14 rifles, and three AK-47 rifles.

The guns were seized by elements of the Army’s 1003rd Infantry Brigade, who also reported to their commander, Brig. Gen. Marion T. Angcao, that NPA rebels had been forcibly collecting monthly “revolutionary taxes” from hapless farmers in the area.

Mr. Hambala said they theorized that the firearms, which were concealed under a stack of banana leaves, were left by rebels because they could have descended to the marketplace in the town center to purchase food and other supplies. — John Felix M. Unson

CoA flags inconsistencies in PMMA funds report

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE COMMISSION on Audit (CoA) has flagged the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy’s (PMMA) financial accounts due to inconsistencies in its assets’ value and accounts receivable.

State auditors noted the school failed to provide the necessary documentation to support the P44.7 million beginning balance of its assets for 2023.

CoA also took note of PMMA’s non-reclassification of assets and fund surplus amounting to P11.7 million and P24.7 million, respectively, which bloated the school’s fund account.

The PMMA did not respond to an email asking for comment.

“The accuracy and reliability of the PPE (Property, Plant, and Equipment) account balances as of December 31, 2023 was doubtful due to unsubstantiated beginning balance of the PPE totaling ₱44,722,375.17… [and] non-reclassification of items… overstating the PPE and accumulated surplus by ₱11,724,479.45 and ₱24,770,845.04,” CoA stated in its audit report of the school.

The audit commission directed the school’s accountant to review and make “necessary adjusting entries” to the accounts to ensure a factual and accurate presentation of its financial accounts.

The PMMA is a government school training students to become commercial seafarers and auxiliary naval officers for the Philippine military or coast guard.

State auditors also flagged the misstatements in money owed to the school totaling P49.7 million, which affected CoA’s audit due to inaccuracies and balances lacking supporting documentation. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

16 higher education institutions in CAR place in world rankings

BAGUIO CITY — A total of 16 higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Cordillera Administration Region (CAR) have entered the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2024, proving that quality education exists in the region.

The assessment made by WURI focuses on the impact of the contribution of HEIs to the industry and society, based on innovative education, research, and engagement with society.

The ranking aims to spotlight HEIs that excel in innovative approaches that inspire advancements across the academic and societal landscape.

Included in the Global Top 300 Universities Category are: the Cordillera Career Development College of La Trinidad, Benguet (CCDC), ranked at 146th place; the University of Baguio or UB (159); the Kalinga State University or KSU (160); Saint Louis University (SLU) in Baguio (162); University of the Cordilleras (UC) in Baguio (166); Ifugao State University or IFSU (174); Benguet State University or BSU (193); Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology or ASIST (201); Mountain Province State and Polytechnic College or MPSPC (260); King’s College in the Philippines or KCP (279); and Apayao State College or ASC (287).

The Cordillera HEIs included in the top 100 by category for Student Support and Engagement are: UB at No. 1, KCP (7), SLU (20), MPSC (23), Saint Louis College of Bulanao or SLCB (35), and Pines City Colleges or PCC (48).

In the Student Mobility and Openness Category is Star Colleges, ranked at No. 70; for Generative AI Application Category is UC (6); for Innovation in Culture/Values Category is SLCB (3); and for Industrial Application Category: SLU (5), the UC (12), and BSU (18).

Meanwhile, for the Entrepreneurial Spirit Category are the IFSU (3), KSU (10), MPSPC (14), ASIST (17), CCDC (18); ASC (27), and BSU (64).

Included in the Crisis Management Category are: IFSU, (7); KSU (9), BSU (11), KCP (16), Benguet Central University or BCU (17) and ASC (20).

For the Social Responsibility Category, in the WURI 2024 rankings are SLU (2), Easter College (4), ASIST (7), ASC (10), UC (13), BCU (25), and SLCB (45).

In the Innovation in Leadership Category: UB (3), ASIST (5), KCP (7), CCDC (10), and Star Colleges (15).

Placing in the Innovation in Funding Category are UB (6) and CCDC (13); while for the Innovation in Promotion/Symbol Category are BCU (4), KSU (5), IFSU (9), and MPSPC (21). — Artemio A. Dumlao

DBM approves 25 new positions under DepEd teacher council

BW FILE PHOTO

A TOTAL of 25 new and permanent positions were created under the Education department’s Teacher Education Council (TEC) to focus on improving teachers’ training and welfare, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Monday.

“To further empower our educators and foster quality education for the benefit of our learners, we have approved the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the TEC Secretariat and the creation of 25 additional permanent positions therein,” Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said in a statement.

The DepEd requested the approval of the organizational structure and staffing pattern (OSSP) for the TEC Secretariat to add staff members to the council. Ms. Pangandaman approved the request on May 21.

She also approved the creation of four organizational units under the Secretariat: the Office of the Executive Director, Student Incentives Support Office, Quality Pre-Service Teacher Education Office, and the Quality Teaching Office.

The TEC was created under Republic Act No. 11713, the Excellence in Teacher Education Act to establish a roadmap to maintain teacher education quality.

The council is also mandated to establish policies for teachers’ incentives like scholarships, grants-in-aid, loan programs, subsidies, and stipends.

A 2023 study by the World Bank reported that 66% Filipino teachers has a “medium-low” use of effective teaching practices, having one of the most ineffective teaching styles in Southeast Asia amid poor working conditions, low wages, and slow career progression. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Jrue Holiday, Boston take 2-0 NBA Finals lead over Dallas

BOSTON CELTICS guard JRUE HOLIDAY (4) shoots the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter in game two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. — PETER CASEY/USA TODAY/REUTERS

BOSTON — Jrue Holiday racked up a team-high 26 points and Jayson Tatum flirted with a triple-double as the Boston Celtics picked up a 105-98 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

Mr. Holiday went 11-for-14 from the field as Boston opened up a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Mr. Tatum finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists for the Celtics, who also got 21 points from Jaylen Brown and 18 from Derrick White.

Luka Doncic supplied 32 points, 11 boards and 11 assists for Dallas, which still managed to outshoot Boston 47.5 percent to 45.2 percent overall. P.J. Washington chipped in 17 points, Kyrie Irving had 16 and Daniel Gafford went for 13.

Game 3 is set for Wednesday in Dallas.

The Mavericks tried to mount a late rally after 3-pointers from Mr. Holiday and Mr. White on back-to-back possessions put Boston ahead 103-89 with 3:34 left in the game.

Derrick Jones, Jr. scored four straight points as part of a 9-0 spurt that ended with a three-point play from Mr. Doncic, but Mr. Brown’s layup with 29.8 seconds to go dashed any hope Dallas had left.

Dereck Lively II threw home a dunk to get the Mavericks within 63-61 with 7:30 left in the third quarter, but the Celtics then started to pull away. Boston scored 17 of the next 23 points, with Mr. Brown’s trey making it 80-67 with 2:04 remaining in the period.

Dallas cut its deficit to six before quarter’s end, but Payton Pritchard nailed a 34-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer to send Boston into the fourth with an 83-74 cushion.

Mr. Doncic took over in the first quarter, scoring 13 points to lift Dallas to a 28-25 lead. The Celtics stayed close by going 10-for-10 from the free-throw line through the first 12 minutes of action.

After Mr. Doncic canned a fadeaway with 10:08 left in the second quarter to push the Mavericks’ advantage to 35-29, Boston put together an 11-2 run to go up 40-37.

Neither team led by more than three until Mr. Holiday knocked down a triple with 37.1 seconds remaining in the first half to give Boston a five-point edge. Mr. Gafford answered with a dunk, forcing the Celtics to settle for a 54-51 lead at the break. — Reuters

Quizon eyes world jr. chess championships

DANIEL QUIZON — BW FILE PHOTO

IF THE stars align for Filipino International Master (IM) Daniel Quizon in the last four days, he could achieve what no other Filipino before him has done — become a world junior chess champion.

Digging deep from his bagful of tactical tricks, the 20-year-old former World Cup veteran slew fourth seed Hungarian Grandmaster Gleb Dublin in the seventh round Sunday night to stay half a point off the pace in the open section of the FIDE World Juniors Open Championships in Gujarat, India.

The Olympiad-bound Mr. Quizon unleashed a sacrificial juggernaut, giving up a bishop for two pawns in the opening for an inferior position that, however, came with a wonder of attack possibilities.

He consummated it by giving up the exchange again — a rook for a bishop — in the endgame phase that helped complete a shock 33-move triumph via the super-sharp Sicilian Accelerated Dragon.

It was a result that catapulted the reigning national champion to the eight-player logjam at second with 5.5 points each, or half a point behind solo leader IM Kazybek Nogerbek of Kazakhstan, who grabbed solo No. 1 with a win over Sri Lankan international master L M S T De Silva with six points.

Mr. Quizon was battling Grandmaster (GM) Aditya Samant of India in the eighth round at press time, and if he pulls off another win, he would inch closer to getting the shot at that coveted crown that comes with an automatic GM title for the solo champion. — Joey Villar

MVP Group to bring Paris Games to television for free

IN SERVICE to flag and country, the Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) Group of Companies — Cignal TV, Smart, PLDT, Meralco, mWell and MediaQuest — have joined forces to deliver the exploits of the Paris Olympics-bound Philippine team straight to Filipino sports-loving fans.

“The DNA of this group, the MVP group of companies is really sports,” said Cignal TV’s Channel Management Head Sienna Olaso on Monday’s media briefer at Cignal’s office in Mandaluyong.

Also gracing the presscon were Cignal TV Chief Revenue Officer Gerald Milan, Smart Senior Vice President Kristine Go and Jude Turcuato, MVP Sports head of marketing and who is also from PLDT and Smart.

Filipinos will get to watch the greatest sports show on Earth for free via TV5, RPTV and in other platforms like Smart Sports, Puso Pilipinas’s social media pages and even PLDT if one is a subscriber.

For premium subscribers, it will be shown on Cignal and two pay-per-view of pop-up channels.

Truly, their commitment was evidenced by the group’s full coverage of several major international sporting spectacles like last year’s FIBA World Cup the country co-hosted as well as the 2021 Tokyo Games where weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo captured the country’s maiden Olympic gold medal.

Ms. Olaso admitted the task of bringing the Filipino Olympians’ exploits to their viewers isn’t an easy one.

Good thing they have the full support of the big boss himself — MVP — to make all things possible.

“We really thank the chairman, because of him, we have been doing this. And it’s an obligation to the Filipino people,” said Ms. Olaso. — Joey Villar

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