Latest news with #SherylinUntalan
GMA Network
21-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
LPA spotted east of Visayas may develop into tropical depression —PAGASA
A low pressure area (LPA) is being monitored by the state weather bureau east of Eastern Visayas and may develop into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours. In its 10:00 a.m. tropical cyclone formation outlook on Monday, July 21, PAGASA said it was located 950 kilometers east northeast of Eastern Visayas (15.0°N, 133.5°E) as of 8:00 a.m. It noted that the LPA has a 'medium' chance of intensifying into a tropical depression, which may further enhance the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) already affecting parts of Luzon and Visayas. The public and disaster response authorities were advised to stay alert and continue monitoring official weather bulletins. —Sherylin Untalan/KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
PAGASA warns residents in low-lying areas as La Mesa Dam nears spilling level
State weather bureau PAGASA has issued a hydrological advisory to communities near the Tullahan River, as the La Mesa Dam approaches its spilling level due to continued moderate to heavy rainfall. As of 8:00 a.m., the water level at La Mesa Dam reached 79.69 meters, just 0.46 meters below its spilling level of 80.15 meters, based on PAGASA's 10:00 a.m. bulletin. Should the dam overflow, excess water will flow into the Tullahan River, which passes through several flood-prone communities in Metro Manila. Areas likely to be affected include Fairview, Forest Hills Subdivision, Quirino Highway, Sta. Quiteria, and San Bartolome in Quezon City; parts of Valenzuela City, particularly North Expressway and La Huerta Subdivision; and sections of Malabon. 'All the residents living in the aforementioned areas and nearby areas, especially those near the river banks, are still advised to be alert for possible floodings,' PAGASA stated. While overflow has not yet occurred, officials emphasized that even small increases in water levels could trigger localized flooding, particularly along the Tullahan River. PAGASA said it will continue monitoring the dam's condition and coordinate with concerned agencies and local government units (LGUs) for timely updates. La Mesa Dam is a critical component of Metro Manila's water supply system, and controlled overspills are expected during high rainfall periods. Residents are advised to take precautionary measures and follow instructions from local disaster response units. The Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) is affecting the country on Monday, PAGASA said in its weather forecast issued earlier today. It said Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Oriental Mindoro will have occasional rains. Floods or landslides are possible due to moderate to heavy rains. In its heavy rainfall outlook, PAGASA said 50 to 100 mm of rainfall may be expected in Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro today. —Sherylin Untalan/KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
17-07-2025
- Science
- GMA Network
PH scientists lament lack of gov't support for science and technology
The Advocates of Science and Technology for the People (Agham) said the country's science and technology sector is critically underfunded and underperforming, falling far behind ASEAN and global standards. (Photo by Sherylin Untalan) A group of Filipino scientists said government support for science and technology remained wanting, and sought a comprehensive plan to strengthen the scientific community and its workers. According to its data presented in a forum on Thursday, the Advocates of Science and Technology for the People (Agham) said the country's science and technology sector is critically underfunded and underperforming, falling far behind ASEAN and global standards. Bea Panlaqui, officer-in-charge of Agham and a research associate at UP Diliman's National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, said scientists are getting "frustrated." The group said the numbers point to a worsening trend in the funding, productivity, and workforce conditions of science and technology. Budget One of the starkest data points concerns public spending on research and development (R&D). While UNESCO recommends that developing countries allocate at least 1% of GDP to R&D, the group said the Philippines spent only 0.32% of its GDP on R&D in 2018 (the latest available public data). In comparison, it said Singapore spent 2.2% of GDP, while Thailand spent 1.3% and Malaysia, 1.0%. The global average in 2018 was 2.23%, rising to 2.67% in 2022. 'Even if we're seeing a slight upward trend, we are still three times lower than the minimum UNESCO recommendation,' Panlaqui said. From a budget perspective, the Philippine R&D budget is decreasing year on year: P20.3 billion (2022); P19 billion (2023); and P18.2 billion (2024). Agham also revealed that the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) originally proposed a P48.15 billion budget for 2025, but the approved funding was more than 50% lower, despite the Philippines being identified in the 2024 World Risk Report as the most disaster-prone country out of 123 nations. Research output Data on research productivity also shows a significant gap between the Philippines and its neighbors. In 2022, Filipino researchers produced only 6,870 research papers, well below the ASEAN average of 16,568. This places the country far behind Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam in scientific publication output. Patent activity of research works also remains low. Only 674 patents were filed in the Philippines in 2022. In comparison, the number of patents per year in other ASEAN countries is several times higher, with most Filipino patents filed by foreign companies, not local scientists. 'Our Global Innovation Index ranking is misleading,' Panlaqui said. "It's mostly based on high-tech exports like semiconductors, not original Filipino technologies. And we're heavily dependent on high-tech imports instead of producing our own.' STEM education, brain drain In education, the Philippines ranked 75th out of 81 countries in mathematics and 78th in science in the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment. Less than 25% of Filipino students reached basic proficiency in core subjects, the study said. Students in the Philippines were estimated to be five to six years behind their global peers in terms of learning levels. Brain drain also persists despite the Balik-Scientist program, Agham said. Though the Philippines ranked 37th out of 131 countries in the number of science and engineering graduates, it ranked only 86th in researchers per million population — with no growth since 2022. According to Agham, From 1990 to 2010, there was a 182.5% increase in the number of overseas Filipino S&T professionals. From 1990 to 2015, 3.7 million Filipinos earned science-related bachelor's degrees, but only 19.6% worked in S&T jobs. A total of 80.4% ended up in unrelated fields or migrated abroad. "Despite this, the Balik-Scientist Program has failed to bring talent back at scale — averaging only 30 returnees per year, far below its 700 returnee annual target," the group said. The Agham officer also said that STEM workers face a lack of security in the workplace. Citing the Dynaslope Project, a landslide monitoring program under DOST-Phivolcs, as an example, she said that it suffered a 44% budget cut (from P45M to P25M), resulting in a one-third reduction in personnel and scaled-back operations in vulnerable communities. IT professionals In the same forum, preliminary results of a survey conducted by the Computer Professionals' Union (CPU) showed that a growing number of Filipino IT professionals are grappling with low wages, job insecurity, and a widening digital divide. This, despite the country's acceleration in adopting digital technologies and artificial intelligence. 'We have an ongoing survey na nagko-collect ng mga answers for the past few months to ask IT professionals directly, ano nga ba ang mga hinaharap nilang mga problema namin," said Ian Aragoza, CPU education committee head. (We have an ongoing survey collecting responses to ask IT professionals directly about the issues they face) According to the CPU survey, the breakdown of IT professionals in the Philippines is as follows: freelancers (15.2%); public sector workers (28.3%); private sector employees (56.5%). While the tech industry is often perceived as lucrative, Aragoza said the numbers reveal a stark reality for many workers. 'At least for the National Capital Region, P1,220 daily living wage. Gamit ang metric na 'yun, nakita namin na around a third of IT professionals are living below this family living wage threshold," he said. (For the NCR, the daily family living wage is ?1,220. Based on this metric, we found that around one-third of IT professionals live below this threshold.) The CPU survey found that 34.8% of respondents earn below the family living wage and 62.5% are at or above that threshold. In terms of self-assessment on whether salaries meet their needs, 38.6% said their salaries do not meet daily needs; 22.7% said their income just meets their needs; and 38.6% said they earn more than enough. The top concerns raised by IT professionals include unpaid overtime, heavy workload, lack of career progression, use of personal funds for work, inadequate leave benefits, and job insecurity. 'Ang mga IT professionals... humaharap din sa mga mabababang sahod na hindi naaabot ang kanilang daily needs at humaharap sa napakaraming issues sa kanilang trabaho.' (IT professionals face low wages that don't meet their daily needs and numerous workplace issues.) Policy decision Agham lamented that said science advice continues to be ignored in key decisions, such as flood control and the Manila Bay reclamation. 'It's clear from both numbers and case studies that science is not a policy priority under this administration,' said Panlaqui. 'Budgets are slashed, advice is dismissed, and workers are overworked and underpaid," she added. AGHAM urged the government to realign its budget priorities, improve labor conditions for researchers, and invest more in science education and homegrown innovation. 'Without real investment, the administration's promises remain words — and the country will keep losing its brightest minds,' Panlaqui added. GMA News Online is seeking a reaction from the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and Malacanang on these matters. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- GMA Network
PWDs get free MRT rides from July 17 - 23 on Disability Rights Week
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) will enjoy free rides on the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) from July 17 to 23, 2025 in celebration of National Disability Rights Week, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced Wednesday. The free rides will be available during the MRT-3's peak hours: from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, and from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. This initiative aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to ease the cost of transportation for passengers and recognize significant national observances. 'All PWDs need to do is present a valid PWD ID to station personnel at the service gate to avail of the free ride,' the DOTr said in a statement. Outside of the designated free ride hours, PWDs, as well as senior citizens, may still avail themselves of the 50% fare discount, which remains in effect starting July 16. The MRT-3 management reiterated its commitment to providing inclusive and accessible public transport services for all sectors, especially the vulnerable. The week-long observance of National Disability Rights Week celebrates the rights, contributions, and empowerment of Filipinos with disabilities and aims to raise awareness on the need for equal opportunities across all sectors of society. — Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
14-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH asserts 2016 arbitral ruling during forum hosted by Chinese think tank
The Philippine Embassy in Beijing has strongly reaffirmed the country's sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, citing the landmark 2016 arbitral award, during a forum hosted by a Chinese think tank just days before the ruling's ninth anniversary. The forum, which gathered legal scholars, policy experts, and regional analysts, was predominantly critical of the arbitral ruling and the Philippines' actions in the disputed waters. In a press statement, the embassy said the Philippine delegation used the opportunity to assert the ruling's legal weight and continuing relevance under international law. 'The Award, along with its annexes, proves the validity and legality of Philippine claims, and they are available for everyone to study and read,' the Embassy's representative said during a plenary intervention. The ruling, handed down by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016, invalidated China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea—particularly those within the so-called 'nine-dash line'—and affirmed that such claims had no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Responding to accusations made during the forum that the Philippines was acting as a "troublemaker" in the region, the Philippine representative pushed back firmly, emphasizing Manila's commitment to diplomacy and constructive engagement. 'We disagree with the notion that the Philippines is not willing to engage with China. In fact, even with the Arbitral Award, the Philippines has continued to make efforts to keep lines of communication open, maintain proper dialogue, and engage positively with China as well as other claimant States, both bilaterally and regionally, within the context of our legally settled claims in accordance with UNCLOS and international law,' the official said. The Embassy added: 'We hope China's actions demonstrate genuine willingness to engage and to produce constructive and positive outcomes.' The forum took place amid heightened regional tensions and increasing international attention on the South China Sea. This year marks the ninth year since the 2016 ruling, which has been backed by several countries including the United States, Japan, Australia, and members of the European Union. However, China has repeatedly rejected the ruling, continuing to assert its expansive maritime claims and build artificial islands and outposts in contested areas. On Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it monitored two vessels of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA) of China in the waters off Occidental Mindoro. Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippinesover China's claims in the South China Sea, but the latter refused to recognize the decision. —Sherylin Untalan/AOL, GMA Integrated News
