The Valley Journal

15Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

‘Exempt frontliners from taxes’

By LEANDER C. DOMINGO BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya (August 15)—A bill has been filed in Congress seeking to exempt from taxation all medical and non-medical frontliners as relief for putting themselves at risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infection. Its author, Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma (Lone District), said once approved, House Bill 7351, which shall be known as “Handog sa mga Bayaning Lumalaban Kontra Covid-19 Act,” will exempt health care workers and various frontliners from paying taxes for the taxable year 2020. FILE PHOTO. REP. LUISA LLOREN CUARESMA IN CONGRESS “There has been a considerable number of doctors and health workers who have succumbed to this dreadful disease and yet frontliners continue to provide the health care services the people n...

78 Filipino students prepare for US study

13Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Nation

78 Filipino students prepare for US study

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO MANILA (August 13)—Through a virtual pre-departure orientation (PDO), EducationUSA prepared 78 Filipino students to begin their studies in United States (US) universities. During the orientation on August 6, US Ambassador Sung Yong Kim welcomed the students and thanked them for the contributions they will make to US classrooms and campuses. Kim said each student they assist to realize their educational or professional development dreams through US education represents another powerful, enduring and positive link between the US and the Philippines. EducationUSA said that nearly half of the PDO participants received financial aid offers from their respective schools totaling almost $500,000. Joining the event was US Embassy’s Consular Section to answer q...

Searca launches youth program for agricultural innovation

12Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Features, Nation

Searca launches youth program for agricultural innovation

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—To bring more young people to agricultural and rural development, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) launched a special program called Young Forces for Agricultural Innovation or #Y4AGRI on International Youth Day, August 12. The #Y4AGRI program was introduced by Searca Director Glenn Gregorio during the Searca Online Learning and Virtual Engagement (SOLVE) webinar called “SOLVE Youth Disengagement in Agriculture: Empowering Future Leaders in Southeast Asia” that featured youth leaders from the Philippines, Latin America and Africa. “To show our commitment [to] the younger generations, our strategic plan for the next five years puts value on youth engagement in agricultural and rural ...

9Aug

By Leander DomingoNo Comments

Features, Nation

Searca supports Quezon coconut industry

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO LOS BAÑOS, Laguna (August 9)—The Philippine government-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) is set to support the coconut industry development plan of Quezon Province in the areas of value addition to coconut products, linkages of farmers to the market and farmers’ organization. Searca Director Glenn Gregorio said the group is collaborating with the Quezon provincial government to achieve its vision of “a market-driven coconut industry with empowered and resilient farmers, engaging in profitable coconut-based enterprises, contributing to inclusive and sustainable agricultural development.” Pedcris Orencio, Searca program head for Research and Thought Leadership, said the Office of the Provincial Agric...