THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has allowed provincial buses to ply Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) starting today, Friday, to accommodate the influx of passengers going to their provinces.
MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana said provincial buses will be allowed to traverse EDSA starting at 10 o’clock tonight up to January 2 next year.
He said provincial buses coming from North Luzon must end their trip in Cubao, Quezon City while buses coming from South Luzon must terminate their trip at bus terminals in Pasay City.
Lipana and other MMDA officials, as well as officials from the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the PNP, inspected the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) yesterday, four days before Christmas.
“This is to accommodate the expected influx of passengers going to their respective provinces this holiday season,” Lipana said, adding this would also ensure the convenience and comfort of commuters.
Last year, the agency also allowed provincial buses to traverse portions of EDSA from December 24 to January 2, 2023.
Previously, only city buses were allowed on EDSA and only on the EDSA Bus Lane.
Lipana said he told the management of the PITX to ensure the comfort and safety of passengers waiting for their bus rides at the integrated terminal.
Last Wednesday, more than 121,000 passengers were recorded at the PITX.
Malacañang yesterday branded an alleged declaration of half-day work on December 22 as “fake.”
Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil dismissed as “fake” the supposed issuance of Proclamation 427 that declared December 22 as a “special (half-working) day throughout the country,” while the Official Gazette through its official Facebook page said the alleged order was “false.”
“This proclamation lacks official verification or recognition by the government. Please rely on official government sources for accurate information and refrain from disseminating unverified claims,” the Official Gazette said.
The order was supposedly signed on December 21, 2023 by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and included a colored seal of the Office of the President.
It stated that the declaration aims to give the people the opportunity to travel earlier to their residences and provinces in preparation for the celebration of the holidays and anticipation of the traffic congestion during the Christmas holidays.
Presidential Assistant for Strategic Communication Cesar Chavez, who was among those who initially posted the fake proclamation order on their social media account, apologized and said that he would take responsibility for his action.
“Apologies. I also posted content that was not first verified by me. For the confusion, the blame should be on me. I take full responsibility for this,” Chavez said on his Facebook account.
The Official Gazette later uploaded a copy of the original Proclamation 427 on its website and Facebook page which referred to the declaration of nine individuals as “Manlilikha ng Bayan for 2023.”
Proclamation 427, signed on December 15, declared Ilocano Oral Traditions master Adelita Bagcal, Agusan Manobo embroiderer Abina Coguit, Sama traditional dance master Sakinur-ain Delasas, T’boli brass caster Bundos Fara, Higaonon mat weaver Marife Ganahon, Ga’dang embroiderer Amparo Mabanag, Mandaya ikat weaver Samporonia Madanlo, T’boli ikat weaver Barbara Ofong, and T’boli chanter Rosie Sula as the Manlilikha ng Bayan or National Living Treasures for 2023.
It added the declaration of this year’s Manlilikha ng Bayan awardees stemmed from the recommendations of the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCAA) and under Republic Act 7355 which provides for the recognition of Manlilikha ng Bayan.
The Manlilikha ng Bayan is a group of citizens engaged in any traditional art that is uniquely Filipino and whose distinctive skills have reached a high level of technical and artistic excellence.
The NCAA said individuals bestowed the rank and title of Manlilikha ng Bayana are awarded a GAMABA gold-plated medallion minted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and citation; and awarded a one-time minimum cash award of P200,000 net of taxes; a minimum lifetime personal monthly stipend of P50,000; medical and hospitalization benefits not exceeding P750,000.00 per year; a state funeral, with the arrangements and the expenses shouldered by the government; and a place of honor, in line with protocol precedence, in state functions, national commemoration ceremonies and all other cultural presentations.
Group awardees are given a GAMABA plaque and a one-time P200,000 cash award net of taxes. The group shall also be represented during state functions, national commemoration ceremonies and all other cultural presentations.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday issued a last-minute appeal to employers to provide their employees the mandatory 13th-month pay.
In a phone interview, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said they are hoping that employers won’t wait until the December 24 deadline before granting the benefit.
“It is our appeal to employers to provide the 13th-month pay earlier since the law provides that payment to be done ‘on or before’ December 24,” said Laguesma.
This was seconded by DOLE Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez, who said employers won’t be able to evade the mandatory benefit.
“The 13th-month pay is a legal obligation. Payment is the only remedy to extinguish a legal obligation. Covered employers are legally required to pay,” said Benavidez in a separate interview.
Presidential Decree No. 851 requires employers in the private sector to pay their rank-and-file employees 13th-month pay.
According to DOLE, the 13th-month pay shall be paid to all rank-and-file employees in the private sector, regardless of their position, designation, or employment status, and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid, as long as they have worked for at least one month during the calendar year. — With Jocelyn Montemayor and Gerard Naval
