By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

The PBBM administration issues regular updates on the government’s key initiatives that are aimed towards bolstering the foundations of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of a “Bagong Pilipinas” at occasional press briefings handled by the Malacañang Press Corps.

At the Palace press briefing on Monday, June 16, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro reiterated President Marcos’ orders on some agencies to look after instilling order on Philippine roads and expedite construction of classrooms in conflict-inflicted and far-flung areas of the country.

Castro said, “Hiniling ng Pangulo sa DepEd (Department of Education) at DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) na pabilisin ang pagkukumpuni ng mga sirang classroom, comfort rooms, at handwashing stations.”

The Palace press briefer added, “At tiyakin ang mas mabilis na pagtatayo ng bagong classrooms, lalo na sa mga barangay na dating apektado ng insurgency at sa mga ‘Last Mile Schools’ na matagal ng walang kuryente o pasilidad.”

The “Last Mile Schools” refer to learning institutions in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) where students often face extreme challenges due to a lack of electricity, water, internet access, and safe learning environments.

This initiative comes on the heels of the Chief Executive’s visit to the Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School (EDSES) in Malate, Manila City on Monday, where the President reaffirmed his agenda of ensuring that amidst various challenges, Filipino students living in the far corners of the Philippines can also get equal and unparalleled access to education.

Likewise, Castro has announced the launch of a campaign giving drivers free mental health support and road safety education. Such an initiative, led by the Department of Health (DOH), is in adherence to the President’s strict order on preventing deadly road crashes that have seen an alarming rise in recent months.

President Marcos had ordered concerned government agencies to improve transportation safety while sympathizing with the families of 10 people who died in a bus collision in Tarlac and the two fatalities in a crash involving a sports utility vehicle at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on May 5.

Castro said, “Tinututukan ng ahensya ang pagbibigay ng accessible health services sa mga driver para pababain ang casualty rate ng car crashes sa bansa. Inaanyayahan natin lahat ng driver na makiisa para sa mas ligtas na mga kalsada.”

According to the DOH, about 12,000 Filipinos die in road crashes every year; this is the equivalent of about 33 people per day, thus highlighting the necessity of launching a campaign which also offers free check-ups, road safety simulations, and seminars.

PBMM instructs concerned agencies to look after OFWs vis-à-vis Israel-Iran conflict

At the same press conference, Palace press officer Claire Castro reiterated the President’s directive on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to extend immediate support to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the Israel-Iran missile strikes.

This worrying development in the Middle East region comes after tensions fueled by challenges surrounding the nuclear talks between the United States and Iran, further aggravated by a long-standing rift between regimes in the latter nation and its arch-enemy, Israel.

Castro said, “Ang direktiba ng Pangulo sa DFA, DMW at OWWA ay bilisan ang tulong sa ating mga kababayan. No one is left behind. ‘Yon ang tagubilin ng Pangulong Marcos Jr.”

She added, “Direktiba po ng Pangulo… ang DMW at OWWA ay dapat siguraduhin ang safety and well-being of the OFWs na apektado ng tensyon dito sa Middle East.”

Also, Castro announced that these previously mentioned government agencies are on heightened alert and ready to respond in case the situation escalates between the warring Middle Eastern nations.

Meanwhile, a government team has been deployed to Israel to help ensure the safety and well-being of Filipinos amid ongoing tensions.

At least four Filipinos in Israel were injured and brought to a hospital, according to the DFA. Castro said two of them have been discharged from the hospital.

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