Republic of the Philippines

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos today reiterated his call for local government units (LGUs) to strictly enforce regulations prohibiting tricycles, and pedicabs from plying along national highways. He explained that while trikes and pedicabs provide accessible and affordable modes of transportation, the safety of drivers, passengers and road users are of utmost importance. “LGUs should, therefore, enforce the law dahil kaligtasan ng publiko ang nakasalalay dito,” he said. Abalos issued the reminder after a tricycle was hit by a passenger bus while traversing along the national highway in Labo, Camarines Norte last February 4. “It is unfortunate that many LGUs have not been strictly implementing such regulations which often result in traffic congestion and accidents,” he pointed out. The DILG chief, however, emphasized that in cases where there are no alternative routes available and as a last resort, the LGU through its Sanggunian may issue an exception. This is in accordance with LTO MC 94-199 issued on May 2, 1994 providing for the guidelines to implement the devolution of LTFRB’s franchising authority over tricycles-for-hire to local government units pursuant to the Local Government Code (RA 7160). To recall, the DILG issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 2020-036 in February 2020, prohibiting trikes, pedicabs and motorized pedicabs from operating on national highways, and reiterated on MC No. 2020-145 released for the continuation of the road clearing. The DILG also recently released MC 2023-195 urging all local chief executives to reorganize or re-convene their Tricycle Task Force (TTF) to update their Tricycle Route Plan (TRP) that would include penal provisions for violators. Citing reports from the Metro Manila Accident and Reporting System, Abalos said that in 2022 alone 2,829 road accidents were recorded involving bikes, e-bikes and pedicabs. The number is separate from 2,241 road accidents involving tricycles. Meanwhile, Abalos commended the Municipality of San Mateo, Rizal for strictly enforcing the ban of e-bikes, tricycles and pedicabs on national roads starting February 5, and urged other local government units (LGUs) to do the same. “Kudos to the LGU of San Mateo, Rizal sa pagbabawal nila ng mga trike at e-bike sa national road. Matagal na din po natin itong pinapaalala sa ating mga pamahalaang lokal, sana po ay sumunod na din po ang iba,” Abalos said. Apprehension of tricycles and pedicabs plying on national roads in San Mateo will lead to a hefty fine while tricycle drivers will also be fined for the first two violations and revocation of franchise for the third apprehension. ###

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Tuesday vowed to go after groups and individuals behind extortion activities victimizing truckers and delivery drivers in Metro Manila and other parts of the country. Abalos made the assurance following a meeting with the Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP) who complained that the extortionists were deliberately disregarding Executive Order No. 41, which lifts collection of pass-through fees for trucks and other vehicles transporting goods. “It has been a fruitful meeting, at ang gusto ng lahat ay ([matupad] ang bilin ng ating Pangulo, ang ease of doing business, para dire-diretso ang delivery ng ating mga trucks dito para wala ng problema,” Abalos said. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. through the EO 41 issued last September 25, ordered the local government units (LGUs) to suspend the collection of “pass-through fees” to ensure the efficient movement of goods across regions aligned with the strategies to revitalize local industries under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. EO 41 also aims to lessen the expenses of truckers and hasten travel time, that would result in lower prices of goods in the market especially food and agricultural products. Abalos said daily operations will be initiated by the police to arrest and put behind bars individuals and groups that are involved in extortion activities victimizing truck drivers. “Ang sumbong sa amin ng CTAP ay may mga iilang nangongotong. So, these are the elements na lilinisin natin,” Abalos said. “Maganda na ang EO 41, lahat sumunod na, pero dahil sa mga iilang tao na ito ay nagkakaroon ng problema. Hindi naman tama iyon,” he continued. Abalos likewise said that among the agreements reached during the meeting was the assurance that the MMDA and City of Manila will not impose any truck ban. He added that the DILG will also examine city routes of trucks which are within the jurisdiction of the local government units. Also being studied is nationwide truck routes which will be done in consultation with other national government agencies. The DILG Chief also mentioned that the measures initiated to address the issues laid down by CTAP will strictly be monitored after one month to ensure progress and compliance from all parties involved. Abalos stressed: “When we implement what we’ve agreed on, importante may timeline.  Kung walang timeline, nagbobolahan lang tayo dito.” Those who attended the closed-door meeting were CTAP president Maria Zapata, MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes, PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr., DILG Undersecretary Marlo Iringan, and representatives from the local government units of the City of Manila and Quezon City. ###

Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos on Saturday prodded the Mandaluyong City Council to pass an ordinance imposing community service instead of fines and penalties on violators of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s flagship KALINISAN program. Abalos explained that the move would encourage the citizens to develop a cleaner and healthier way of life, which other local government units could also adopt and emulate. “Para sa mga nagtatapon ng basura, I am urging the city council na magkaroon tayo ng ordinansa. Instead of imposing a penalty, pagwalisin mo na lang siya, paglinisin mo ng kanal kahit isang oras lang, para matuto,” he said. The DILG Chief made the call during the launch of the BARKADA Clean-up Drive in Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City. During the event, he emphasized the need for imposing corrective punishment in order to instill among people a proper attitude towards environmental cleanliness. Under the current set-up, anti -littering violators in Metro Manila are cited for violating MMDA Regulation No. 96-009 o Anti-Littering. The MMDA Environmental Enforcers, who have the authority to issue environmental violation receipts tickets, are also authorized to file cases against violators. Abalos urged Mandaleños to continue the practice of community clean-up drive during the weekends and commit in the KALINISAN campaign by cleaning every street and alley in the city. The former mayor and MMDA chairman noted that all 27 barangays of Mandaluyong City have been conducting simultaneous clean-up drive every Saturday for the past 20 years. “Tuwing Sabado, naglilinis talaga sila for the last 20 years. It is already a way of life,” he said. This, as he encouraged other local government units to emulate this practice while also focusing on proper segregation practices to fully comply with the KALINISAN program. He likewise underscored the need to prioritize and clean ‘esteros’ by installing trash traps as a measure to ensure free-flowing and garbage-free waterways in the communities. He also suggested that other LGUs implement their own projects similar to the MMDA’s Basura Palit Grocery project, citing a “circular economy” as the model for a self-sustaining trash to cash initiative. Abalos likewise commended the City of Mandaluyong for its consistent and outstanding performance in various governmental aspects, particularly for its low volume of solid waste produced compared to other Metro Manila cities. “Noong 2019, lumabas na ang Mandaluyong ay nagpo-produce ng 279 thousand kilos ng basura. In comparison, ang number 1 na lungsod sa Metro Manila, lumilikha ng 3 million kilos (of waste),” he said. ###

Barangay health workers and nutrition scholars must be given permanent positions to ensure the continuity of the crucial services they render in their communities. This, as Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday reiterated his call for the regularization of at least one health worker and nutrition scholar in every barangay. “Ako I’m really batting na magkaroon ng barangay health worker at barangay nutrition scholar kasi talagang alam na nila (ang dapat gawin). Ako, I am pushing na sana mag-iwan ng isang regular [permanent BHW, nutrition scholar],” Abalos said. The DILG chief issued the statement during the pre-awarding press conference for the 2023 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony panel together with Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa and National Nutrition Council (NNC) Executive Director Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang at the Manila Hotel. Under the current set-up, barangay health workers and nutrition scholars are coterminous with the barangay officials who hired them. They are forced to resign after three years, once the new set of officials assumed their posts, disrupting and greatly affecting ongoing health and nutrition community programs and projects. To recall, he previously urged newly-elected barangay officials to retain the services of barangay personnel especially health workers, nutrition scholars, and tanods, to ensure continuity of ongoing programs and projects. As an advocate of health and nutrition even during his term as mayor of Mandaluyong City, Abalos said health workers and nutrition scholars play crucial role in the implementation of critical health and nutrition programs at the grassroots level. Abalos noted that one of the factors for the scarcity of barangay health workers and nutrition scholars was that most barangays lacked sufficient funds for the said positions. He added that there are even barangays where one person performs both functions of the BHW and nutrition scholar. “Importante ang barangay nutrition scholars at BHWs, sila ang magtatrabaho [sa mga pamayanan]. Sa amin [Mandaluyong City], malaki ang tulong nila sa komunidad,” he said. During his term as mayor, Mandaluyong City received the Nutrition Honor Award – the highest award conferred by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) to a local government unit that has consistently achieved the CROWN or the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition Award. The National Nutrition Awards is an annual event spearheaded by the NNC that recognizes outstanding local government units (LGUs) and Local Nutrition Focal Points (LNFPs) who effectively implemented nutrition programs resulting in improved nutrition situations within their localities. Meanwhile, Abalos enjoined all awardees of the National Nutrition Awards to share their best practices with other local government units in tackling the problem of growth stunting, hunger, and malnutrition in the country. ###

Barangay health workers and nutrition scholars must be given permanent positions to ensure the continuity of the crucial services they render in their communities. This, as Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday reiterated his call for the regularization of at least one health worker and nutrition scholar in every barangay. “Ako I’m really batting na magkaroon ng barangay health worker at barangay nutrition scholar kasi talagang alam na nila (ang dapat gawin). I am pushing na sana mag-iwan ng isang regular [permanent BHW, nutrition scholar],” Abalos said. The DILG chief issued the statement during the pre-awarding press conference for the 2023 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony panel together with Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa and National Nutrition Council (NNC) Executive Director Dr. Azucena M. Dayanghirang at the Manila Hotel. Under the current set-up, barangay health workers and nutrition scholars are coterminous with the barangay officials who hired them. They are forced to resign after three years once the new set of officials assume their posts, disrupting and greatly affecting ongoing health and nutrition community programs and projects. To recall, he previously urged newly-elected barangay officials to retain the services of barangay personnel, especially health workers, nutrition scholars, and tanods, to ensure continuity of ongoing programs and projects. As an advocate of health and nutrition, even during his term as mayor of Mandaluyong City, Abalos said health workers and nutrition scholars play crucial roles in the implementation of critical health and nutrition programs at the grassroots level. Abalos noted that one of the factors for the scarcity of barangay health workers and nutrition scholars was that most barangays lacked sufficient funds for the said positions. He added that there are even barangays where one person performs both functions of the BHW and nutrition scholar. “Importante ang barangay nutrition scholars at BHWs, sila ang magtatrabaho [sa mga pamayanan]. Sa amin [Mandaluyong City], malaki ang tulong nila sa komunidad,” he said. During his term as mayor, Mandaluyong City received the Nutrition Honor Award – the highest award conferred by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) to a local government unit that has consistently achieved the CROWN or the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition Award. The National Nutrition Awards is an annual event spearheaded by the NNC that recognizes outstanding local government units (LGUs) and Local Nutrition Focal Points (LNFPs) who effectively implemented nutrition programs resulting in improved nutrition situations within their localities. Meanwhile, Abalos enjoined all awardees of the National Nutrition Awards to share their best practices with other local government units in tackling the problem of growth stunting, hunger, and malnutrition in the country. ###

Atty. Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos, Jr. DILG Secretary Isang masaya at mapagpalang Araw ng mga Puso sa ating lahat! Sa espesyal na araw na ito, ipamalas at ipadama natin sa bawat isa ang ating pagmamalasakit at pagmamahal. Valentine’s day is celebrated around the world. This shows its universality – both in language and meaning. Let us seize the chance to spread love always and say “I love you” to your loved ones. Sa isang banda ay muli ko pong pinaalahanan ang lahat na mag-ingat sa mga “love scam” na talamak na raket sa mga ganitong panahon. Target nilang biktimahin ang mga nalulungkot at naghahanap ng pagmamahal, kaya naman maging alerto po tayo at huwag magpapabudol! Kasabay ng Valentine’s Day ay ang paggunita ng buong Sambayanang Katoliko ng Ash Wednesday na siyang hudyat ng pagsisimula ng panahon ng Kuwaresma. Hinihikayat ko ang lahat na gamitin ang panahong ito sa pag-aayuno, at pag-alala ng sakripisyo at penitensya na ginawa ni Hesukristo para iligtas tayo sa ating mga kasalanan. Ipamalas natin ang ating tunay at tapat na pananampalataya sa pamamagitan ng pagpapanitili ng kalinisan sa ating mga pamayanan, lalo na sa mga simbahan at iba pang lugar ng pagsamba, at bilang pagtalima na rin sa programang KALINISAN sa Bagong Pilipinas ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.  ###

Children with disabilities (CWDs), especially those living in poor and remote communities, can now have access to free occupational, physical, and speech therapy services through teletherapy. This, after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Adults and Children with Handicap Foundation Inc. (REACH Foundation) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at providing assistance to CWDs through teletherapy. Teletherapy is any remote therapy that uses technology to help the therapist and patient communicate using the phone, videoconferencing, and other online platforms. DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said the partnership is a sustainable way to help CWDs and their families get the support they need. “May bayad ba ito? Meron. Anong bayad? ‘Yung magulang dadalhin ang anak niya, iti-therapy at tuturuan ang magulang. Pag-uwi nila, uulit-ulitin sa bahay nila,” he said. “Ang bayad dun ay yung susunod na batch, yung magulang na iyon, ia-assist yung susunod na magulang. It’s moving forward,” Abalos elaborated. “Kung makikita niyo, it’s very sustainable. And it’s not only intervention of the young children, but empowering also the parents,” he continued. Abalos likewise expressed his gratitude to REACH Foundation for being a long-time partner organization of the DILG in helping CWDs and their families. “These are our heroes. Our experience should be shared all over the country and, of course, what REACH is doing.” He added they will explore the possibility of including the care and support being provided by LGUs to CWDs as one of the assessment points in handing out DILG’s Seal of Good Local Governance award. REACH Foundation President Prof. Abelardo “Archie” Apollo I. David, Jr. said that teletherapy is an innovative approach to therapy that lets CWDs receive needed care through a secure video connection. He pointed out that there are approximately 270,000 CWDs, or one child under 15 years old, for every five PWDs in the Philippines. REACH Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit organization established in 2005 in response to the need for adequate and appropriate rehabilitation services for less privileged PWDs. ###

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Saturday warned on the dangers posed by the improper disposal of solid waste products even as he pushed for more aggressive implementation of the government’s KALINISAN sa Bagong Pilipinas program. The KALINISAN sa Bagong Pilipinas program intends to uphold clean and green governance at barangay levels by promoting sustainable development and instill the habit of cleanliness among residents to create livable communities. This, as the DILG chief also encouraged local government units to join the KALINISAN movement following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to address waste mismanagement and promote clean communities nationwide. “Hindi ba napakaganda kung ang isang bansa, pag-ikot mo ay walang basura,” he was quoted as saying. Abalos was in Malabon City on Saturday for the “Kalinga at Inisyatiba para sa Malinis na Bayan” (KALINISAN) sa Bagong Pilipinas activity at Mega Dike in Brgy. Dampalit. The Dampalit Mega Dike is an 8.6-kilometer structure that showcases mangrove reforestation designed to help mitigate and minimize flooding in the CAMANAVA area. In a statement, Abalos noted that in the provinces each person produces and estimated 0.3 kilo of waste per day, while each city resident was generating 0.7 kilo of waste per day. “Ang masaklap dito, ayon sa World Bank Organization, 2.7 milyon na tonelada ay plastic. At ito’y napupunta sa mga tubig,” he said. Abalos continued that the 2.7 million tons of plastic waste that end up in the ocean could spell disaster to marine life especially on coral reefs, as they will stay there for the long haul since they were non-biodegradable. Meanwhile, he reported that the KALINISAN program was already able to collect tons of waste since its launch in Baseco last month. “Napakarami na [ng basurang nakolekta], hindi ko na ma-measure yung dami nito. Nagsimula nga tayo sa Baseco, sumunod sa Caloocan, ngayon sa Malabon,” Abalos stressed. “Talagang tuloy-tuloy po ito, walang humpay linggo-linggo. Kasama niyo po ang mga local executives po rito, ang pamilya po ng DILG, ang DENR,” he elaborated. He then encouraged all LGUs to support and implement the Kalinisan program not only in Metro Manila and nearby provinces like Bulacan but throughout the country. For her part, Malabon Mayor Jeannie N. Sandoval emphasized the importance of community participation in their city to inspire other LGUs to do the same. Also present in the KALINISAN activity were DILG Undersecretary Felicito A. Valmocina, DILG NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes Agustin, Dampalit Punong Barangay Edilberto “Butch” Cruz, officials from Malabon City, and Sangguniang Kabataan, among others. ###

Love is in the air this February, and so are scammers, said Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Tuesday as he urged the public to be vigilant against what he described as ‘love scams’. Citing the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group’s Cyber Security Bulletin No. 133, Abalos said “love scam” is a type of scheme employed to trick individuals into giving the scammers money by gaining their adoration and trust. Abalos explained the modus operandi of scammers is to target the vulnerability of their potential victims based on the information they have gathered on social media. He underscored that vigilance is key to ensure that no one will fall prey to the love scammers. “Yung love scam, tinitingnan nila (scammers) through your profile kung sino yung malungkot, nag-iisa. Ano yung music na hilig mo, ano yung hilig mong kinakain. Then yung weakness mo, doon ka pinapasok. Talagang sindikato,” he said. He continued: “Love Scam, talagang nagna-number one ngayon ‘yan. So I guess, ang importante dito is everyone should be aware of these things.”  The DILG Secretary issued the warning during a press briefing together with PNP Chief P/BGen Benjamin Acorda, Jr., held by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) in Malacanang. “We live in an advanced digital age. Napakadali na lang po para sa mga manloloko na kumuha ng pagkakakilanlan ng ibang tao, most usually those who are physically pleasing to attract their victims,” he stressed. Abalos continued that once scammers have already gained the victim’s trust, they will ask either subtly or directly for money, gifts, or banking/credit card details as ‘proof of their love.’ Abalos likewise said some scammers will also try to ask for sensitive or nude photos, which they will then use to blackmail the person into giving them money in exchange for not leaking the materials online. He then urged parents and guardians to be watchful of their children’s online activity: “They will target those who are vulnerable and susceptible to their methods. Let us protect our children from these predators.” ###

Statement of Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos, Secretary of the Interior and Local Government