Latest news with #P250
GMA Network
5 hours ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
P250M dike in flood-prone Oriental Mindoro town damaged after only 7 months
A dike worth P250 million that was supposed to mitigate the flooding woes in Baco, Oriental Mindoro was damaged only after seven months since it was constructed in April last year. According to Maki Pulido's report in '24 Oras' on Tuesday, nearly half of the 220-meter dike collapsed in December amid heavy rains and floods. The town's engineering department claimed that there was no coordination with the municipal government with regards to the dike project. Just last July, a month wherein no floods are usually expected, residents were surprised with the floodwaters that damaged their crops. 'Sabi sa amin hindi na babahain, libre na kami sa baha. Mas malaking baha ang mangyayari sa amin, pati ang aming taniman, nalulubog,' said Marcelo Almanon, a resident of Barangay Santa Cruz. (They told us it wouldn't flood anymore, that we'd be free from floods. But a bigger flood came upon us, even our crops were submerged.) The dike that was supposed to prevent the flooding was overwhelmed by the water coming from the river, according to the report. 'Ang proposal dapat dito ay dahil sabi nga ng mga taga rito ay matataas ang baha, dapat mas matataas yung design ng flood control,' said of Raymar Lonto of Baco's engineering department. (The proposal here should have been, since the locals say the floods are high, the flood control design should be higher.) It's been two weeks since the contractor started the repair on the damaged dike. GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to the contractor to speak on the matter. 'Kung same ang design siguro baka po maging ganun ulit, baka bumagsak ulit,' said Lonto. (If the design is the same, perhaps it might happen again, it might collapse again.) Meanwhile, Governor Bonz Dolor flagged the substandard dike projects in the municipality of Naujan, which is not even considered flood-prone. 'Bakit nasabi kong substandard? Of course, 561,000 per linear meter tapos ganyan ang result,' he said. (If the design is the same, perhaps it might happen again, it might collapse again.) GMA Integrated News reached out to Sunwest, Inc., the contractor behind the dike projects in Naujan. It was earlier named among the 15 contractors identified by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that handled flood-control projects in the country. Meanwhile, two of the flood control projects in Barangay Metolza in Naujan amounting to P578 million were effective in protecting two towns in barangays from flooding. 'Siyempre magtataka ka rin, bakit? Gaano kalaking pondo ito. Pero nung nakita ko naman po na ganun kaganda yung ginawa sa barangay namin,' said Brgy. Captain Salatiel Ramirez. (Of course, you would wonder why? How much was its funding? But then I saw how well it was done in our barangay.) Oriental Mindoro is one of the provinces that received a huge share in flood control projects nationwide with projects amounting to P11.1 billion. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
8 hours ago
- Business
- GMA Network
DBM backs proposal to realign P250B in flood control funds to classroom construction
'The executive proposes the budget and then we leave it to Congress whether you think it's wise to cut the flood control budget and move it to education, but we welcome such because, again, the theme of our budget for next year will be really to increase our investment and spending in education,' Pangandaman said. The Department of Budget and Management has expressed support for a proposal that will realign P250 million worth of flood control allocations to the construction of classrooms, which now has only P13 billion under the National Expenditure Program for 2026. Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste made the suggestion during the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) briefing. The P6.7-trillion proposed national budget has earmarked P274 billion worth of flood control for next year. 'The President has indicated that flood control projects are a possible source of corruption and yet the 2026 NEP includes over P250 billion in flood control projects while the provision for new classrooms is at P13 billion,' Leviste said. 'Would DBCC support the House if we allocate much of this over P250 billion worth of flood control projects to increase the P13 billion pesos allocated to new classroom construction?" he added. "Based on the substandard and overpriced [Department of Public Works and Highways] projects we have seen, closing the gap on [the Department of Education's] classroom shortage seems to be a much more wise use of taxpayers' money than DPWH flood control projects in the 2026 budget,' Leviste said. 'As long as DepEd can utilize' Budget Secretary and DBCC Chair Amenah Pangandaman said Leviste's suggestion was welcome as long as the Department of Education (DepEd) could efficiently spend such a huge allocation. 'The executive proposes the budget and then we leave it to Congress whether you think it's wise to cut the flood control budget and move it to education, but we welcome such because, again, the theme of our budget for next year will be really to increase our investment and spending in education,' Pangandaman said. 'As long as the Department of Education can fully utilize the added allocation for the construction of classrooms, that would be okay,' she added. Pangandaman on Monday said that the country could not afford to fund education, health, and social protection programs based on international standards because it would go beyond its present budget level. Last year, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. vetoed, meaning removed, more than P16 billion worth of flood control projects under the Congress-approved P6.3 trillion national budget for 2025 before signing the General Appropriations Bill into law. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, on the other hand, said on Monday that the President withheld the release of at least P60 billion funding under the 2025 national budget because this amount funded programs that are not aligned with the administration's priorities. –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
05-06-2025
- GMA Network
Animal welfare group protests alleged maltreatment in Manila Zoo
Some members of an animal welfare group staged a rally at the Luneta Park to raise the issue of alleged malnourished animals at the Manila Zoo, according to a report on "24 Oras" Thursday. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said the animals at the zoo are being fed but they seem to be maltreated because of their situation beause they are not in their natural habitat and they live in small enclosures. PETA added that using a zoo to educate children is not acceptable. GMA News is getting a reaction from the Manila City government, which manages the Manila Zoo. The maltreatment of animals is strictly prohibited under the Animal Welfare Act. According to Republic Act No. 10631 or the Philippine Animal Welfare Act of 2013, any person who is found to torture, hurt or maltreat animals may be imprisoned for up to three years and fined for up to P250,000. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
NDTV
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
Range Rover Evoque Autobiography Launched In India At Rs 69.50 Lakh
Range Rover has finally launched the Evoque Autobiography in India. The crossover has received a few upgrades in terms of the design, interiors and features. This is the first time that the Evoque has been undertaken by Autobiography, the brand's halo trim that emphasises on luxury on the wheels. Here are the details about the Range Rover Evoque Autobiography, that you must check out. Range Rover Evoque Autobiography; Engine, Powertrain The Range Rover Evoque gets two power units as options- the P250 petrol mild hybrid engine delivering power of 246 hp and 365 Nm torque, and a D200 diesel mild hybrid engine delivering power of 201 hp and 430 Nm torque. Range Rover Evoque Autobiography; Exterior The Range Rover claims Evoque to be equipped with premium exterior features like- a contrasting Black or Corinthian Bronze roof, Pixel LED headlights with signature LED DRLs, 19-inch Style 5136 alloy wheels, shaded with Burnished Copper accents and sliding panoramic roof and more. Range Rover Evoque Autobiography; Interior, Features The interior elements of the Range Rover Evoque Autobiography include elements like- an 11.4-inch touchscreen infotainment unit and driver display, powered by the intuitive Pivi Pro. It also gets 14-way heated and cooled front seats, while the rear seats only get the heated seat feature, electrically adjustable steering column and ClearSight interior rear-view mirror, luxurious Full Extended Leather upgrade, Meridian sound system, wireless charging pad, TPMS, driver monitor, parking aids and more. Range Rover Evoque Autobiography; Price And Rivals The Range Rover Evoque Autobiography has been launched in India at Rs 69.50 lakh (ex-showroom). It rivals the likes of other cars like the Lexus NX, BMW X3, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
