Latest news with #AmenahPangandaman
GMA Network
4 hours ago
- Business
- GMA Network
DBM released P1.347B for E-gates project
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Tuesday announced it has released a total of P1.347 billion to fund the ongoing Electronic Gates (E-gates) project at major international gateways across the country. The E-gates project modernizes and digitizes the primary inspection process at the country's international gateways to further strengthen national security, improve efficiency, and elevate the overall experience of passengers while addressing issues of immigration congestion, according to the DBM. "To fulfill President Bongbong Marcos' directive of providing convenience to travelers, whether locals or foreign visitors, and reduce long queues at immigration counters, the DBM already released the budget allocation for the E-gates project for 2025 amounting to P1.347 billion," said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman. "I would also like to note that in 2024, we were also able to release P1.976 billion to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for them to procure for the phase 1 of the project. Magpapatuloy po 'yan hanggang phase 3 sa 2026. This year, nasa phase 2 na po tayo and we are appealing to the BI na tapusin na agad ang procurement process para maging fully operational na ang E-gates project as soon as possible," added the Budget chief. Several existing e-gates were installed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and will be expanded to other premier international gateways in the country's, according to the DBM. The expansion of the E-gates project is set to enhance the efficiency of security and immigration processes by catering to arriving and departing passengers, regardless of their citizenship, the Budget Department said. The project is expected to replace 50% of the overall manned inspection counters with modernized technology. Based on the project's modernization plan, the deployment of e-gates and corresponding funding provision will be distributed to the following airports/seaport: NAIA Terminals I & III Clark International Airport Mactan Cebu International Airport Davao International Airport Kalibo International Airport Boracay-Caticlan International Airport Zamboanga International Seaport Laoag International Airport Bohol-Panglao International Airport Puerto Princesa International Airport Meanwhile, the target date for the full employment of operational e-gates is set on or before December 15, 2025, according to the DBM.— AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DBM releases P1.4B for reconstruction, development of conflict-stricken areas
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of over P1.4 billion to support the rebuilding and development of conflict-stricken areas in the country. In a statement on Wednesday, the DBM said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved the release of the fund for the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program. The PAMANA Program, implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), is composed of micro-level interventions to respond to conflict and strengthen peace-building efforts, as well as support reconstruction and development in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas. The DBM said the PAMANA Program is being implemented in two tracks —the PAMANA Peace and Development Project and the PAMANA Local Government Unit (LGU)-Led Livelihood Track. The PAMANA Peace and Development Project seeks to empower conflict-vulnerable and conflict-affected regions and indigenous communities by providing improved access to basic services and a platform where identified communities can propose projects based on their needs. For this track, a total of P351.071 million is allocated for the capacity building of 198 target areas/communities in regions CAR, I, II, IV A-B, VI-VIII, X, and XIII, according to the Budget Department. The PAMANA DSWD/LGU-led livelihood track is composed of livelihood assistance programs implemented together with the LGUs to complement the community subprojects under the PAMANA Peace and Development Track. It aims to improve the socio-economic condition of the beneficiaries in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas towards sustainable development. A total of P1.049 billion has been allocated for this track for 981 target areas for Sustainable Livelihood Associations in regions CAR, II-VI, NIR, IX, and XIII, the DBM said. A total of P500 million shall be used for the peace and development case management process to facilitate the healing process of individuals, families, and communities over traumas from armed conflict struggles to build their resilience, consistent with the Special Provision of the DSWD budget under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the agency said. The DBM said the appropriated budget for the PAMANA Program is chargeable against the DSWD's budget under the 2025 GAA. — VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
19-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DBM OKs creation of 16,000 new teaching positions for 2025
Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has approved the creation of 16,000 new teaching positions in public schools for School Year 2025–2026. In a press release, the DBM said it is in line with President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr.'s directive to strengthen the education sector and ensure sufficient manpower in public schools. The new teaching positions form the first tranche of the 20,000 positions targeted for creation this year, the DBM said. 'The DBM's approval of the 16,000 new teaching positions is in adherence to our President's directive to strengthen our country's education system. This move is also in support of the Department of Education's efforts to boost the teaching workforce across Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior High School, Senior High School, and the Alternative Learning System,' Pangandaman said in a press release. The approved new positions include the following: 15,343 Teacher I posts (Salary Grade 11) 157 Special Science Teachers (Salary Grade 13) 500 Special Education (SPED) Teachers (Salary Grade 14) The DBM said that for added flexibility, the Senior High School teaching positions will be created at the division level. This will allow School Division Superintendents to transfer or reassign them to where they're most needed. The P4.194 billion needed to fund the new items will come from the Department of Education's built-in appropriations under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, which was specifically earmarked for hiring new school personnel. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
19-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
DBM approves additional P1,000 pay for poll workers
Members of the Board of Election Inspectors receive the automated counting machines and ballot boxes being distributed at the Nemesio Yabut Elementary School in Makati City early on Monday, May 12, 2025 for Eleksyon 2025. Tina Panganiban-Perez/GMA Integrated News/File photo The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Monday announced that it has approved an additional P1,000 across-the-board honoraria for teachers and other poll workers who served during the May 12 national and local elections. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said that the DBM authorized the release of P758.459 million to cover the budgetary requirement for the additional P1,000 allowance of the electoral board, in compliance with the directive of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. This was on top of the P2,000 across-the-board compensation initially authorized by the DBM, funded under the 2025 General Appropriations Act. 'Nakikinig po tayo, lalo na sa hinaing ng ating mga guro na karamihan po, inabot pa ng madaling araw o hindi na natulog para siguraduhing bawat boto natin ay mabibilang nang tama at mapoprotektahan,' Pangandaman said in a statement. (We are listening, especially to the complaints of our teachers—most of them were still working past midnight or were not able to sleep just to ensure that our votes would be protected and be counted correctly.) 'That's the least we can do to honor their invaluable service. 'Yan po ay isang paraan ng ating pasasalamat sa kanila [this is our way of thanking them],' she added. Education Secretary Sonny Angara, meanwhile, expressed gratitude for the additional compensation, emphasizing its benefit to thousands of public school teachers and staff who served long hours before and during the elections. He also pointed out how the record 81.65% voter turnout this year reflected the hard work of the teachers and personnel. 'More than a financial relief, this additional allowance is symbolic of the country's respect for teachers as guardians of democracy,' Angara said in a separate statement. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) estimated the total number of poll workers for the recently concluded midterm polls at 758,549—majority of whom are public school teachers. Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia said Friday that the poll body is targeting to complete the payment for teachers at least less than ten days after the May 12 Election Day. —KG, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
Filipino Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Teachers, poll workers to get Php2,000 pay hike for 2025 elections
Teachers and election staff working in the upcoming May 12, 2025 national and local elections will receive an additional Php2,000 in their compensation. With the increase, chairpersons of electoral boards will now get Php12,000 (from Php10,000), poll clerks and third members will receive Php11,000 (from Php9,000), and support staff will be paid Php8,000 (from Php6,000). The pay hike is meant to recognize the hard work and sacrifices of poll workers during election duties. 'As directed by our beloved President Bongbong Marcos, our teachers and poll workers will finally receive a Php2,000 across-the-board increase in their compensation for the 2025 midterm elections,' said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman. Poll workers are also entitled to travel and communication allowances, meal allowance, and service credits under the Election Service Reform Act and Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution No. 10194. 'Alam po natin na sa pagbantay ng ating mga boto, haharap sa pagod, puyat at sakripisyo ang ating mga guro at poll workers. Kaya noon pong inutusan tayo ng Pangulo na itaas ang kanilang benepisyo, hindi po tayo nagdalawang-isip,' Pangandaman added. The government has allocated Php7.480 billion in the 2025 national budget to cover the pay of 758,549 poll workers, according to COMELEC estimates. The DBM also urged agencies to ensure the timely release of the benefits.
