Gilbert Perdez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Aileen Mendiola-Rau as the new Philippine ambassador to Israel, replacing Pedro Laylo Jr., the country’s current ambassador to the said nation.

Alongside this, Emmanuel Fernandez was named the new ambassador to Pakistan, with jurisdiction over Afghanistan, while Ezzedin Tago was designated as the Special Envoy of the President to Saudi Arabia to address migrant workers’ concerns.

In the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), veteran journalist and former DWIZ news director Alex Calda, and Nicole Poyaoan were introduced as the new directors.

In the energy sector, Adrian Ferdinand Sugay was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine National Oil Company Exploration Corporation (PNOCEC).

Meanwhile, Ma. Arlene Borja was assigned as the Executive Director of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

It was also revealed that President Marcos has appointed new officials in other government agencies.

These appointees are expected to bring renewed energy and excellence to their respective fields of public service.

The recent three-day Regional Conference on Educational Planning in Asia-Pacific, held from November 5 to 7, 2024, concluded with a powerful call for enhanced regional cooperation to address the dynamic educational needs of the Asia-Pacific region.

Organized by the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) in collaboration with SEAMEO INNOTECH, the Department of Education (DepEd), and the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, the conference convened major educational stakeholders to discuss strategies for future educational planning and management.

Participants from across Asia-Pacific engaged in rich exchanges on best practices, insights, and strategies, focusing on vital issues such as improving access to quality education, embracing digital transformation, and establishing effective monitoring systems to measure the impact of educational policies. Discussions also covered frameworks for evaluating student learning outcomes, with a view to enhancing both quality and sustainability in the region’s education systems.

Key strategies that emerged from the conference emphasized the importance of collaboration, data-driven planning, and policy refinement to meet the diverse needs of learners. The event highlighted the importance of capacity building through professional development programs tailored for educational planners and leaders, as well as the creation and sharing of Open Educational Resources (OER) to expand educational access. A notable outcome was the proposal to establish a Community of Practice (CoP) to sustain collaborative knowledge exchange and promote evidence-based approaches to educational reform and digital transformation.

Reflecting on the event, IIEP-UNESCO Director Martin Benavides underscored the need for integrated efforts across training, research, and community practice to achieve a unified objective in educational planning. He stressed the balance between data and evidence in shaping effective policies that address the unique challenges of the region.

The closing remarks by SEAMEO INNOTECH Deputy Director Kochakorn Khattapan-Acidre reinforced the need to sustain the conference’s momentum. “As we move forward, let us carry the spirit of this workshop with us, continuing to research, innovate, and collaborate for inclusive, quality education for all. Let us ensure every child, regardless of background, can reach their full potential,” Khattapan-Acidre urged.

With SEAMEO INNOTECH’s Center Director Leonor Magtolis Briones at the helm, the organization reaffirmed its dedication to fostering educational innovation and collaboration across the region. Its ongoing commitment to strengthening partnerships aims to support adaptable and inclusive education systems capable of meeting the evolving needs of Southeast Asia and beyond.

SINIGURO ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na hindi lang magiging panibagong polisiya ang Republic Act (RA) No. 12022 o ang Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

Ayon kay PBBM, magiging proactive ito sa pagpigil sa pagpasok ng mga puslit na produktong agrikultural upang matiyak na nababayaran ang tamang buwis at mapapatawan ng mabigat na parusa ang mga lumalabag dito.

Ibinabala ng Pangulo na hindi lang puntirya dito ang mga mastermind kundi lahat ng kasabwat, kabilang ang mga financier, broker, mga empleyado at maging ang mga nagbibiyahe ng mga iligal na produkto.

Samantala, ikinalugod naman ng sektor ng agrikultura ang ginawang paglagda ni Pangulong Marcos sa nasabing batas.

Sa panayam ng DWIZ Patrol, sinabi ni Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines (AGAP) Partylist Rep. Nick Briones na sa ilalim ng RA 12022 ay bubuo ng national council at enforcement group na siyang magtutulong-tulong sa pagbuwag sa mga operasyon ng smuggling at tutugis sa mga sangkot dito.

Binanggit ni Briones na magkakaroon ng special team of prosecutors sa buong bansa para sa mabilis na resolusyon ng mga kasong may kaugnayan sa agricultural sabotage.

Para sa kinatawan ng AGAP, ang pagpirma ng Presidente sa Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act ay maituturing na panibagong pag-asa at maagang pamasko para sa mga Pilipino.

Inamin naman ng kongresista na may nakikita siyang mga butas sa bagong batas tulad na lamang ng P10 million threshold kung saan ang mga puslit na produkto na mas mababa rito ang halaga sa kabuuan ay hindi ituturing na economic sabotage.

Posible rin aniyang kuwestiyunin ang pagiging independent ng enforcement group lalo pa’t kasama sa mga miyembro nito ang Department of Finance (DOF).

Gayunman, kumpiyansa si Briones na maipatutupad nang maayos ang batas dahil isa sa mga kasapi ng council si Pangulong Marcos at seryoso ito sa kampanya laban sa smuggling.