Latest news with #Philstar
Daily Express
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
P2,000 pay increase for teachers, poll workers
Published on: Sunday, May 11, 2025 Published on: Sun, May 11, 2025 By: Philstar Text Size: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (centre) speaks during a campaign rally of senatorial candidates under his party in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. MANILA: Teachers and other poll workers serving in the May 12 national and local elections will receive a P2,000 across-the-board pay increase, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s approval of the compensation adjustment. With the increase, honoraria rates will now be P12,000 for the chairperson of the electoral board (from P10,000), P11,000 for the poll clerk and third member (from P9,000) and P8,000 for support staff (from P6,000). Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has finalized the necessary funding adjustments to implement the directive, which she described as a recognition of poll workers' critical role in ensuring clean and credible elections. 'Alam po natin na sa pagbantay ng ating mga boto, haharap sa pagod, puyat at sakripisyo ang ating mga guro at poll workers,' Pangandaman said. (We know that in guarding our votes, our teachers and poll workers endure fatigue, sleeplessness and sacrifice.) 'Kaya noon pong inutusan tayo ng Pangulo na itaas ang kanilang benepisyo, hindi po tayo nagdalawang-isip.' (So when the president instructed us to increase their benefits, we did not hesitate.) She said the increase fulfils the president's commitment to supporting teachers' welfare, especially during the demanding poll season. The 2025 national budget allocates P7.48 billion for the compensation of 758,549 poll workers, as estimated by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Under the Election Service Reform Act and Comelec Resolution No. 10194, poll workers are entitled to honoraria, travel and communication allowances, meal allowances and service credits. Pangandaman also urged agencies, especially the Comelec, to ensure the prompt disbursement of the increased compensation. 'I urge Comelec to ensure that our teachers and poll workers get compensation as quickly as possible. Dapat timely ang release ng kanilang benepisyo. They deserve nothing less,' she said. (I urge Comelec to ensure that our teachers and poll workers get compensation as quickly as possible. The release of the benefits must be timely. They deserve nothing less.) The spectre of violence, however, looms large the further you get from the capital. In 2022, shortly after polls opened in the presidential election, a trio of security guards was shot dead at a polling station in the far south's autonomous Muslim region in Mindanao. Hours before that, nine were wounded in a grenade attack. This year, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has taken the rare step of temporarily removing top police officials in two southern municipalities, accusing them of 'gross negligence' after they failed to provide security for an election official who was later murdered. The body has officially recorded 81 acts of 'politically related' violence between January 12 and May 7. Police told AFP that 16 of those have resulted in death. A top Comelec official said last month that the numbers were 'very low compared to the past'. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Local officials launch controversial bounty program to curb booming mosquito populations: 'The worst year … on record'
Bad news for mosquitoes in Manila, Philippines — bounty hunters are coming for you. As Philstar reported, it's all part of a local initiative to get these blood suckers' numbers down and protect residents from dengue, a mosquito-borne illness that causes symptoms like fever, headaches, and swollen glands. According to the publication, one neighborhood in the city is offering residents one peso for every five mosquitoes caught, dead or alive. Philstar added that Philippine health officials aren't completely convinced of the potential of this initiative, and some even fear that residents might purposely breed mosquitoes in exchange for the cash tradeoff. But for program participant Rachel Estoque, it's not about the money. "My child suffered from dengue before and I know how scary and difficult that is ... that's why I'm participating in this project," she told Philstar. The efforts come amid an "unusual" rise in cases in 2025 — according to the news site, the country has experienced a 40% increase year over year as of February 1, and five cities and municipalities have declared outbreaks. Meanwhile, the Philippines is not the only country suffering from exploding dengue numbers. The World Mosquito Program called 2024 "the worst year for dengue cases on record" globally. In fact, health officials in Florida sounded the alarm after several cases of locally acquired dengue hit the state following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. According to scientists, warming global temperatures and wetter weather in many areas are creating the perfect conditions for disease-carrying mosquitoes to thrive and expand. For instance, a recent study predicts that several mosquito species' populations will expand their ranges in North and South America in the coming years thanks to warming weather trends. In response, communities are scrambling to control these insects. For instance, one team in Florida is using special X-rays to kill off invasive mosquitoes that carry dengue, Zika, and other diseases. Back in Manila, Carlito Cernal, village captain for the community offering mosquito bounties, told Philstar that their campaign could have a "huge impact" on controlling dengue when combined with local cleanup efforts. Do you worry about getting diseases from bug bites? Absolutely Only when I'm camping or hiking Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
