• Palace reminds public that stricter traffic rules will be implemented on Monday
• Armed Forces joins Phl National Police in resolving conflict in Surigao Del Sur
• All-time low inflation, result of sound microeconomic management

“Isa sa mahalagang ipatutupad ay ang mahigpit na pag-obserba doon sa bus lane full. Dapat ang ating mga bus ay nandoon lamang sa loob ng bus lanes o ‘yung tinatawag nating ‘yellow lane’,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

“Ayon din sa pinuno ng PNP-HPG, si Chief Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao, mahigpit na ipatutupad ng HPG ang 30-second rule sa pagsakay at pagbaba ng mga bus ng kanilang mga pasahero sa EDSA, at pananatilihin ang ‘no contact apprehension’ sa pamamagitan ng video documentation ng mga motoristang lumalabag sa mga umiiral na batas at regulasyon sa EDSA,” Coloma added.

The Communications Secretary noted that the PNP-HPG will now take a lead role in managing the traffic along EDSA after a consensus was made by all concerned government agencies.

However, the Metro Manila Development Authority, Land Transportation Office and Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board will still assist the PNP-HPG.

Coloma also added that provincial buses going to Southern Luzon will be rerouted beginning Monday (September 7).

The rerouting will involve buses based in Cubao and Kamuning, Quezon City bound for Bicol and Quezon Province, as well as other bus companies using the South Expressway.

All concerned buses shall take the EDSA route from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. toward P. Tuazon Ave. and turning to C-5 until they reach the South Expressway, proceeding to their destination.

“Inaasahan natin na ito ay makakatulong sa pagbabawas ng congestion sa EDSA,” said Coloma.

Coloma also asked for the cooperation of motorists in following traffic rules and for them to maintain discipline. PND (ag)

“Sinisikap nating matugunan ‘yung sitwasyon diyan dahil medyo masalimuot. Mayroong elemento ng insurgency, mayroon ding elemento ng mga iba’t ibang conflict diyan sa lugar na ‘yan, at siyempre sinisikap natin na ito ay hindi lumikha ng dagdag pang ligalig sa ating mga mamamayan dahil kasama ang ating mga indigenous people sa ating itinataguyod na peace process,” said Coloma in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

The Philippine Army has sent troops from the 4th Infantry Division to support the PNP in a law enforcement operation to hunt the perpetrators of an arson and the killing of three people in Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur.

About more than 3,000 people, mostly indigenous people, fled their villages to escape the conflict and now were seeking refuge in Tandag City, the province’s capital.

Coloma noted that the AFP is also coordinating relief operations and medical services in the province.

“Kabilang na nga ang Department of Social Welfare and Development, masinsin na nakikipag-ugnayan sa PNP at saka sa AFP at sa lokal na pamahalaan para tiyakin ang agarang pagbibigay ng pagkain at relief goods para maibsan naman ang sitwasyon diyan na bunsod nga ng karahasan na nagaganap sa area na pinag-uusapan natin,” said Coloma. PND (ag)

“Masasabi nating magandang epekto ng overall sound macroeconomic management ng ating pamahalaan, at pwede nating ipagmalaki na sa buong rehiyon—maaaring sa buong mundo pa nga—tayo ay mayroong pinakamababang inflation rate,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

This rate has brought the year-to-date headline inflation to 1.7 percent, which is below the target range of 2 to 4 percent set by the government for this year.

“Habang mababa ito ay napakainam para sa ating ekonomiya, dahil ibig sabihin lang napoprotektahan o napre-preserve ang purchasing power of the peso, at ito ay senyales ng mahusay na pagmamaneho ng ekonomiya,” Coloma said.

“Kapag mababa ang inflation, ibig sabihin naipapagtugma nang mahusay ang mga elemento ng supply doon sa elemento ng demand. Hindi nagkakaroon ng mga artificial shortage dahil ang ganyang mismatch between supply and demand ang lumilikha ng inflationary pressure; at kapag hindi maayos ang takbo ng ekonomiya, pangkaraniwan na resulta ang inflation,” he added.

When asked if the Philippines seems to be shielded from China’s economic slowdown, Coloma said this was not the case.

“Hindi ganoon kalaki ang dependency ng ating ekonomiya sa economy ng People’s Republic of China kaya’t hindi naman tayo gaanong naaapektuhan ng binanggit mo na external shocks mula sa bansang iyon,” said Coloma.

Last August, China’s stock markets plunged and its currency has been devalued, which caused a domino-effect in the world economy. China is the world’s second-largest economy. PND (ag)