AWATU-TUCP CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE ON REPRESENTIVE MENDOZA'S BEING CHOSEN AS DEPUTY SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIV

TIM DEJON, JR., NATIONAL PRESIDENT AWATU-TUCP

                                                                                                                

                                                    MESSAGE

To all Members: AWATU-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP)

                                                  

On behalf of the All Workers Alliance Trade Union (AWATU-TUCP). 

DEPUTY SPEAKER RAYMOND DEMOCRITO MENDOZA OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

We would like to extend our congratulatory message to our beloved TUCP President Raymond Democrito Mendoza, for being chosen as one of the Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives. We have full belief and confidence in you. We know that you will do amazingly and make laws that will redound to the benefit of the labor sector.

We take also this opportunity, to congratulate Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez for being elected as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the strong pillars of our lawmaking body.

There were many adversaries confronting the labor groups such as power rates increase, pestering traffic snarls, increased cost of medicine, and the unabated fuel price hike that will definitely increase the price of goods and services.

Is there a need for government subsidies for minimum wage earners? Probably, there is... but the new position given to our beloved TUCP President Raymond Mendoza as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives will greatly help to address the pressing problems of labor such as contractualization and wage increase.

With this on hand, the AWATU-TUCP National President, Tim Dejon, Jr. and Vice-President Milbert M. Macarambon wishes the Labor Sector, who by your kind understanding and wisdom was glad that the leadership espoused by Deputy Speaker Raymond Mendoza is one with our visions and goals for our country.

We in the Labor Group, the AWATU-TUCP expressed our sincerest Congratulations on your highly aspired and honorable position. It proves that people love you a lot. We are really very proud of you. Again, Congratulations on your tremendous success!

Bloggers Association of the Philippines News

GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST HAZARDOUS WORK THIS OCTOBER IN CELEBRATION OF THE WORLD DAY FOR DECENT WORK

AWATU-TUCP CELEBRATES WORLD DECENT DAY FOR WORKERS AMID COVID-19 CRISIS AND MOUNTING LABOR ISSUES                                                         By Ver Garcia (News Editor)

AWATU-TUCP LABOR LEADER AND NATIONAL PRESIDENT TIM DEJON JR.

In celebration of World Decent Day for Workers. The IndustriAll Global Union with 50 million strong members worldwide celebrates the activities with high hopes. In many years of their existence, this is the only time that the group is greatly challenged due to the Corona Virus upsurge that became pandemic engulfing the entire Universe. The global crisis had exposed the weakness of the world economy that brings the economy to a global failure. "The world is in  Crisis" according to labor leader Tim Dejon Jr., National President of the All Workers Alliance Trade Union - Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (AWATU-TUCP) one of the largest trade union centers in the Philippines. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected workers. It has impacted groups that were already at a disadvantage before the pandemic emerged. "The universal right of access to medical supplies, especially vaccines and potential medicines to treat Covid-19, should not depend on the purchasing power of governments and other market dynamics. There should be no first and second-class citizens and no one should be left behind. It is crucial that we don't leave the path of cooperation, solidarity, and justice. We stand for the right to universal access to vaccination. In recovering from the health, economic and social impact of this pandemic. We should not return to business as usual. Instead, it is imperative that a new and fairer world emerged that is capable of addressing the unacceptable levels of inequality, lack of social protection, decent living, and working conditions of the majority, said Atle Hoie, Sec. General of the IndustriAll Global Union in his speech.

The IndustriAll Global Union hold its 3rd World Congress recently and had revised the Constitution and adopted a 5-year action plan for its members. Aiming for its strategic goals such as Building Union power, Fighting for workers' rights, Onfronting global capital, and sustainable industrial policy. In addition, they need to have concrete plans to address income inequalities, occupational health stability and sustainable employment. Furthermore, it stresses the need for effective social dialogues if unions are represented in the discussions of issues affecting workers.

''We need to address the complex problem of contractualization. The continuing rise of precarious work threatens the decency of work and dignity of labor. In a global aspect, throughout the entire world, employers are seeking ways and means to avoid employment protections by putting workers in multi-layers subcontracting.'' thus Dejon ended with exasperation.

In photo National President of Confederation of Filipino Workers Gabrielle Aranzamendez

CONTEXT OF INDUSTRIAL OCTOBER 7 GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST PRECARIOUS WORK IN OBSERVANCE OF THE WORLD DAY FOR DECENT WORK

Speech by: Gabrielle Aranzamendez - CFW National President

Good morning to all of you brothers and sisters, guests from Industrial South East Asia, Regional Secretary Annie Adviento, DOLE Assistant Secretary Dominique RubiaTutay, and to all of the Labor Leaders that are here today, Goodmorning! Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak and to present the demands of the Industriall Philippine Affiliates in this Commemoration of the World Day for Decent Work. Hopefully, our government will listen, act boldly and swiftly to our demands. Demands that aims to alleviate the living conditions of Filipino workers and help them through this crisis.

This pandemic has severely affected Filipino workers. Workers who are at this moment engulfed with fear, uncertainty, and hopelessness and still working in the frontlines tirelessly, sometimes unjustly and unsafe just to survive and sustain the livelihood of their families. Some already lost their homes, their jobs, or saw their wages and benefits previously enjoyed being cut just to retain their work. For the workers who are in the formal sector, a big portion of which are contractual employees that are in a no work no pay status and even for the regular employees that our labor code entitles for a five days incentive leave with pay, getting ill with Covid 19 or being placed in a 14-day quarantine just for getting exposed to a Covid positive would be a huge financial burden an ordinary worker and their family. Due to dire situations brought by Covid 19, women workers are also deeply affected. The pressure of finding work or retaining it during and after the pandemic in whatever conditions just to ensure their family's survival and thus making them more vulnerable than ever to discrimination, violence, and harassment. For the young workers whose generation has grown up in times of breathtaking changes, their future although many new opportunities await them if not given ample attention and importance eventually they will be subjected to abuse and injustices in the workplace like low wage work, precarious contracts, gender-based violence and no access to social security and other benefits. With that, in this Commemoration of the World Day for Decent Work, WE Industriall Philippines, the largest and broadest segment of trade union membership in the country demand 1. That DOLE support, endorse and ensure the immediate passage of the paid pandemic leave 2. That DOLE support and endorse the ratification of the ILO Convention 190 or the violence and harassment at the world of work 3. That the government strengthen the inspectorate system in the country 4. That the government promote and defend workers right to security of tenure and livelihood 5. That the youth be given more representation and participation in all aspects of the decision and policy-making bodies in the government. Let's always keep in mind that the Filipino workers are the backbone of this country and these demands are very vital not only for every Filipino worker but also to our nation's recovery. Millions of Filipino workers are still waiting to be vaccinated and hundreds of workers continue to fall ill to Covid 19. Many continue to lose income. Thus, our call for plenty and speedy vaccination, enough medications, social protection through paid pandemic leaves, and economic support for those who lost their jobs, women, and young workers must be assured of more secured and better jobs. In this Celebration of the World Day for Decent Work, may the government, business sector lend their ears open up their hearts and minds to the labor sector, and together build a better future for our country. A future that is anchored on workers’ rights and decent work; one that addresses gender-based violence and harassment in the world of work and more young workers’ representation and voice to be heard. Because only then can we restore the trust, confidence, and hope of every Filipino worker and say that we have fully recovered and shaped a better history for our country. Maraming Salamat! Mabuhay ang Manggagawang Pilipino! Mabuhay ang ating Bansang Pilipinas! (VerGarciaBlogs)

Bloggers Association of the Philippines News

INTRODUCING 'NINE FRESH', A SINGAPOREAN SWEET DESSERT NOW IN THE PHILIPPINES! By Ver Garcia Blogs

Need Something Sweet? Check Out These Dessert Bowls From Nine Fresh Exclusive

A perfect dessert for every occasion. It's now in the Philippines called NINE FRESH. Available in selected SM outlets in Metro Manila.

Are you craving with sweet desserts? Well, here’s a nice recommendation for you. Introducing, Nine Fresh — a popular Singapore dessert chain that offers Jiufen-inspired dessert bowls that will not only satisfy your sweet tooth but will also leave you fresh and full! 

Nine Fresh came to the Philippines in February of last year (2020) and is currently operating in 5 locations (SM Manila, SM Fairview, SM Southmall, SM San Lazaro and SM North). 

Try this one.. you will surely like it!

Nine Fresh is famous for its signature bases — bean curd made from freshly-grounded soya bean is almost similar to our version of taho, grass jelly, a different rendition to the familiar local gulaman, and refreshing ai-yu jelly made from the seeds of fig fruits that are lightly sweetened with black sugar-laden. Aside from that, Nine Fresh is also known for its colorful and tasty taro balls that come in four flavors — sweet potato, purple yam, matcha, and ube. These taro balls are produced daily to make sure that they’re always fresh and savory. 

Mouth watering Nine Fresh desserts worth trying.

Aside from the product heroes, Nine Fresh also offers a myriad of toppings that can add taste and color to any of your dessert bowls. Choices include black pearls, soft or roasted peanuts, lotus nuts, barley, red beans, green beans, pinto beans, eight treasure beans, sweet potatoes, yams, konjac jellies, black sugar jellies, aloe very pearl jellies, mango pearl jellies, lychee pearl jellies, passionfruit pearly jellies, grape pearly jellies and many more. All these create mouthwatering and definitely Instagram-able bowls! 

The best sellers are the NINE FRESH SIGNATURE and the Fruity Ai-Yu Jelly.

Nine Fresh also offers a Create-Your-Own Dessert concept, which is very popular among adventurous dessert lovers who want to create their own unique combination of flavors and textures. Just choose a dessert base then top it off with your choice of toppings! 

On top of all the dessert options, Nine Fresh also has fruit teas and milk teas on their menu and everything are pretty much less than a hundred! 

Not sure what to try first? Their bestseller is the Nine Fresh Signature and the Fruity Ai-Yu Jelly is also a sure win!

Check out their website and follow them on Instagram and Facebook for news and ongoing promos. (VerGarciaBlogs)

Bloggers Association of the Philippines News

DPWH SEC. VILLAR WILL PUSH THROUGH THE COMPLETION OF ESTRELLA PANTALEON BRIDGE DESPITE PANDEMIC

Construction of Estrella Pantaleon Bridge Nears Finish Line 

Estrella Pantaleon Bridge in Makati, Philippines to be completed by the end of July, 2021.

 

Finishing works of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the Estrella Pantaleon Bridge Project across Pasig River are in full swing and set to be completed towards the end of July.  

 

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar said that although the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted construction activity of various flagship infrastructure projects like Estrella Pantaleon Bridge, the DPWH-Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Team geared up to take up this challenge by keeping the focus on the importance of delivering completion and opening this bridge project this early month of the third quarter.  

 

In his report to Secretary Villar, Undersecretary for UPMO Operations Emil K. Sadain said that complete layers of asphalt concrete base, binder, and wearing course on the 146 meters main bridge and 66 meters Makati approach bridge are almost done.  

 

Installed successively on main and approach bridge using paving and compaction equipment,  the wearing course or the uppermost layer will provide an even profile for the comfort of motorists while providing enough texture to ensure minimum and safe skid resistance, explained Undersecretary Sadain.   

 

Having put up the upper layer, bridge expansion joints are now being installed to allow for continuous traffic between the bridge and the interconnecting abutment structures.  

 

These expansion joints are designed to adjust the bridge length accommodating movement or deformation by external loads, shrinkage, or temperature variations 

 

Among the completed ancillary works for the bridge project with V-shape piers includes protective barriers and railings along both sides of the bridge, stormwater drainage structure, and lightings.  

 

Meanwhile, Project Director Benjamin A. Bautista and Project Manager Melchor Kabiling of the UPMO Roads Management Cluster are keeping an eye on the ongoing paving works for the 50.5 meters approach road on Estrella Street, Makati City, and  243.96 meters approach road at Barangka Drive connected to Pantaleon Street in Mandaluyong City which is being accelerated by successively placing complete layer packages. 

 

The layers of the approach road are consists of base course or the foundation made of different aggregate rocks to support the top layers of the pavement; cement-treated base or a mixture of aggregates with amounts of portland cement that hardens after compaction and curing to form a strong, durable, frost-resistant paving material; asphalt concrete base or asphalt treated base that acts as a waterproof barrier to prevent fines infiltration into the subgrade and pavement structure; finally the binder and wearing course.  

 

The P1.46-billion bridge project will have four lanes and will be a 506.46-meter pre-stressed concrete rigid frame bridge with corrugated steel webs, replacing the temporary two-lane box truss bridge made of modular steel components dismantled in 2019.  

 

The bridge project is one of two grant bridges from China — the other one is Binondo-Intramuros Bridge. (VerGarciaBlogs)

Bloggers Association of the Philippines News

TUCP REP. MENDOZA AVERS TESTING IS IMPERATIVE TO CHECK THE SPREAD OF NEW VARIANT

TUCP CALLS FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE RANDOMIZED TESTING FOR WORKERS

Covid Testing For Workers.

In the light of 35 COVID-19 Delta variant cases confirmed by the Department of Health in the country, the TUCP calls upon its social partners, employers, and the Government, to immediately take measures for immediate and robust randomized RT-PCR testing of A4 workers nationwide. TUCP believes that such randomized testing is now made imperative to gauge the extent of the spread of the Delta variant in order that our health response not be caught flat-footed. 

Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza in a huddle with members.

TUCP Partylist Representative Raymond Democrito Mendoza said that the only way to prevent the spread of this new Delta variant across the country is through robust and rapid testing of A1 front liners and A4 workers, as these are the members of the community that continue to go out and are more exposed to the virus as they keep the economy alive. “Employers have to step up and take on the responsibility of testing their workers, lest they further the spread of this Delta variant that could potentially lead the Philippines down the same disastrous path as other countries being ravaged by the new strain. We have seen that despite the excellent vaccination efforts in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, even fully vaccinated citizens are susceptible to catching this virus. We have only begun our vaccination program and this puts us in a more vulnerable position,” the lawmaker said.

TUCP specifically proposes: 

1. For EMPLOYERS to immediately provide and cover costs for random RT-PCR COVID tests for A4 workers in MEDIUM AND LARGE Enterprises; and  

2. For LGUs to immediately provide and cover costs for randomized RT-PCR COVID tests for A4 workers in small and micro-enterprises.

TUCP calls for rigorous and robust testing and contacts tracing to be done immediately in order to locate and identify where exactly, the Delta variant is.  THIS TESTING SHOULD BE PRE-EMPTIVE AND ANTICIPATORY. This is in order to SCIENTIFICALLY ensure that containment response takes the form of GRANULAR LOCKDOWNS in a targeted manner. This is the best way to save lives and at the same time, save the economy.

Waiting for the infection to ripen and manifest itself into full-blown COVID symptoms before intervening, may well result in our healthcare system being outpaced and overcome by a fast-spreading variant, with dire life-or-death consequences. This is an urgent matter given that we are now clearly in a race against time.

To date, less than 4 percent of the total population of 4 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated.  In order to reach the targets for herd immunity, at least 70% percent of the population or 70M need to be given full doses of the vaccine. 

“The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines believes that robust, rigorous, and rapid testing is key to saving the economy. TUCP cautions against a knee-jerk lockdown of whole cities as more Delta cases emerge. TUCP feels such a one-size-fits-all response will further dampen economic recovery and increase the stress on our already heavily burdened institutions of public assistance. It is far preferable and less costly in the long run to run these tests before we see more deaths and a new wave of lockdowns which will short circuit vital economic activities,” said TUCP Vice President Luis Corral.

While the A1 workers and OFWs and Seafarers are subjected to COVID tests, the larger bulk of our workforce, the A4, are made to fend for themselves in the matter of being given RT-PCR COVID tests. TUCP predicates its recommendations on the need to prevent a deadly surge that will impact both lives and the floundering economy. We have seen how the Delta variant has cut a deadly swath through India and now stalks our neighbors Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

The late reboot of our economy is clearly under immediate threat, even as lives are at stake. TUCP believes it is now time to further spur on the phlegmatic vaccination roll-out and couple this with redoubled efforts for crucial Covid-19 tests.  How we respond in the next few days will determine the outcome of how this new development in the pandemic will ultimately play out.

“The entire nation depends on workers to revive the economy, and they cannot do that if they are not given protection against the ravages of disease. Workers are the priority and the government must step up its efforts to help MSMEs and their employees be protected from the virus,” Rep. Mendoza said.

(VerGarciaBlogs)

Bloggers Association of the Philippine News

DPWH SEC. MARK VILLAR DEPLOYS 826 PERSONNEL AND 107 EQUIPMENT TO GUARD TAAL VOLCANO

Villar Activates Disaster Response Teams for Taal Volcano Operation

Additional Staff for Taal Volcano Operation.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar said that a total of 826 personnel with 107 equipment are now prepositioned around Taal Volcano in case another explosive eruption happens. 

Citing a report from the DPWH Bureau of Maintenance, Secretary Villar said that the Quick Response Teams (QRTs) of DPWH Regional Office IV-A and all its 16 District Engineering Offices are ready to be deployed to assist in the event of evacuation and clearing operation of national roads. 

  

“As a response to the recent Taal Volcano activity, we have prepared an action plan for pre, during, and post-disaster response. Under our action plan, our QRTs will be clustered into six (6) command centers strategically located around the volcano to make our response operations efficient,” said Secretary Villar. 

  

Command centers are located in DPWH Batangas 1st DEO in Balayan, Batangas, Batangas 2nd DEO in Kumintang Ilaya, Batangas City, Batangas 3rd DEO in Tanauan, Batangas, Batangas 4th DEO in Lipa City, Batangas, Cavite 2nd DEO in Alfonzo, Cavite, and Cavite 3rd DEO in Carmona, Cavite 

  

“These command centers will ensure that national roads and bridges in their area are passable and shall identify alternative roads for response operations. They shall also provide temporary structures to restore mobility when necessary,” added Secretary Villar. (VerGarciaBlogs)

Bloggers Association of the Philippines News

SAMGYUP KING INTRODUCES SMOKELESS GRILLING EXPERIENCE AT FISHER MALL IN QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES By Ver M. Garcia (Food & Lifestyle Blogger)

SAMGYUP KING INTRODUCES SMOKELESS GRILLING EXPERIENCE AT FISHER MALL IN QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES By Ver M. Garcia (Food & Lifestyle Blogger) 

In this photo at Samgyup King, 4th level besides VIP Cinema in Fishermall, Quezon City, you will have all this set of choices at an affordable range that is within your budget. Samgyup King has an ala carte offering like pork, beef and chicken bulgogi, the unli-meal cost only P499 per head promo from a P599 regular pricing. A great savings of P100 for a group meetings and regular luncheon meetings. Hurry up avail of the promotional rate this coming holiday season. 

Another feather in the cap and a call  to celebrate for CEO Willie Que, is the launching of SAMGYUP KING advocacy and innovation in the art of Korean cooking using Green charcoal. The advent of environmental change and digital transformation. governments, businesses and development banks in Europe are supporting and funding to influence three billion people to veer away to unhealthy cooking habits and health-harming way of cooking.

It is estimated that an annual investment of $4.4 billion is required to move to modern cooking methods that nearly 40% of the world's people who still use traditional fuels such as wood, dung or kerosene which often causes the smoky indoor environment. World Health Organization (WHO) studies estimate that around 4 million people (women and children) each year died from ailments caused by heart and lung disease which also includes cancer due to household air pollution and smoking.

There is really an environmental and health emergency according to a UN-linked body. Fortunately, Samgyupking is way ahead in the advocacy of cleaner cooking. Furthermore, the global director for energy and extractive industries for World Bank said ''clean cooking should be a political, economic and environmental priority''. Because, without urgent actions the global goals health, gender (equality and sensitivity) and climate change (impact and assessment) will be in vain. There is a need to tackle low access to less polluting fuels and more efficient stoves. Efforts to boost clean cooking were fragmented and often short-term focussed on single countries and technologies.

Just recently at the UN Climate Summit, World Bank revealed plans for a $500 Million ''Clean Cooking Fund" supported by the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Great Britain. Which aims to increase investment and supports businesses delivering solutions. More efficient stoves that use wood and biomass as fuel received the large amount of financing in 2017.

In line with this campaign to make cooking cleaner and to make it accessible for people to cook on less polluting fuels and more efficient stoves for families, friends and corporate staff who are too busy  to cook for themselves. Samgyup King opens the doorway of opportunity to savor and cook your food a healthy Korean way or according to your own style of cooking.

The Automatic Green Charcoal Stove with Silver Skewer, first in the Philippines, wherein you can see in actual at the SAMGYUP KING, 4th Level besides VIP Cinema, Fishermall, Quezon City, Philippines.

Speaking of efficient stoves Samgyup King equipped each table with a stove that uses Green charcoal first in the Philippines, for healthy cooking experience. Green charcoal is an economical form of alternative fuel for home cooking and for industrial purpose, Charcoal is the solid residue remaining when wood is carbonized, agricultural waste, bana-grass and agricultural vegetable waste. Green charcoal, biomass charcoal produced through clean pyrolysis from renewable waste. For a smokeless grilling experience. 

THE SAMGYUPKING WAY OF COOKING

The stove is the only one of its kind in the Philippines. The stove has an automatic grilling skewers and a Pan frying features coupled with an adjustable exhaust tube so as not to disrupt your sensitive health condition. First in the Philippines. Grilling and Pan grilling are automatic all you need to do is to be patient in monitoring the rotation of the barbeque skewers as it rolls. With experience and without experience in cooking you can ask for assistance from the courteous attendants at Samgyup King..

Korean cuisine is one of the healthiest cuisine particularly the Barbeque (BBQ) charcoal grilling and it produces the best tasting meat even if it's seafoods, chicken, beef and pork bulgogi and accompanied with banchan (side dishes).

Samgyup King has an ala carte offering like pork, beef and chicken bulgogi, the unlimited-meal cost only P499 per head promo from a P599 regular pricing. A great savings of P100 for a group meetings and regular luncheon meetings. Hurry avail of the promotional rate, the holiday season is fast approaching. Try the Milk tea, Taro or Thai Milk Tea these are energy drinks for the heavy thinkers and planners who stays at the office usually during the wee hours of the day.

With the advent of the 4th industrial revolution many companies who have switched to automation has grown significantly due to innovation, automation and digitalization which increased the production capacities in relation to food production. The importance of reviewing world food production systems for mankind in terms of the need for humanity to eat more healthy food and to produce it organically. People's way of eating and their views on what to eat are vital for energy and for clear thinking executives.

Cooking and healthy lifestyle of health-conscious families, are two factors that can not be rivaled by any specialty restaurant, food courts but the ambiance, expertise, quality ingredients whether local or imported, it is one of their domains. Chefs and cooking staff has that impeccable experience that can innovate to the changing and evolving taste of local customers.

As of now, Samgyup King has 21 tables good for 126 sitting capacity to accommodate people from all walks of life who wants to celebrate and hold their birthdays, chrism affairs, wedding reception, which also includes people organizing food and wine festivals. Filipinos and other Asian citizens have already started organizing food and wine festivals in Europe to showcase their culture and heritage through food, arts and literary events as well.

For groups or Barkadas looking for a different taste and experience the Korean way, Samgyup King offers the Holiday season Barkada promo (3+1) for a group of 4 persons one is free. You can just imagine the savings, if you have a Barkada meetings of at least 30 persons. So what are you waiting for... Promo is in a limited offer. Go now and visit their Samgyup King Resto at the Fishermall along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City. Bring friends. (VerGarciaBlogs)

PHOTO GALLERIES: