Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Monday, October 30, 2023
Bulacan to decide San Jose Del Monte's fate in barangay elections
MALOLOS, Bulacan — Aside from choosing village officials in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Bulacan residents are also voting Monday in a highly contested plebiscite that will decide whether the City of San Jose Del Monte will remain with the province or not.
Bulakeños were given extra ballots where they will vote "yes" or "no" to ratify former president Rodrigo Duterte's Proclamation 1057, which approved the conversion of the City of San Jose Del Monte as a highly urbanized city (HUC).
The ballot contains the question: "Pumapayag ka ba na ang lungsod ng San Jose Del Monte, lalawigan ng Bulacan, ay gawing isang 'highly urbanized city' alinsunod sa Proclamation No. 1057 na naging ganap na bataas noong Disyembre 4, 2020?"
Should the "yes" votes prevail, San Jose Del Monte will become independent from the province.
The plebiscite has been a divisive issue in the province. Proponents of both sides conducted intensive campaigns supporting their cause.
Posters were put up in the entire province explaining each side.
For those who are in favor of ratifying the city's conversion as an HUC, the move is believed to bring better opportunities for its residents as local officials will have a more direct overseeing authority.
Meanwhile, those who are against it feared the possible hyper-urbanization of San Jose Del Monte, higher taxes, and the loss of benefits, such as scholarship grants, from the provincial government.
Proclamation No. 1057 stated that the city met the minimum requirements prescribed under the law for a city to become a HUC.
Under the Local Government Code, HUCs must have a minimum population of 200,000 and an annual income of at least P50 million.
The City of San Jose Del Monte had a population of 315,807 in 2000, according to its official website.
Located northeast of Metro Manila, it became the first city of Bulacan in 2000.
In a Facebook post, San Jose Del Monte Mayor Arthur Robes said becoming a HUC is crucial for the city's progress.
"Bilang ama ng lungsod ng SJDM, nangangarap po ako at ang mga San Joseño na maging ganap na HUC ito, dahil naniniwala ako na ito ay magdadala ng malaking oportunidad at kaunlaran sa ating lungsod at lalawigan," Robes said.
Meanwhile, Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando said the people should ultimately decide whether to approve or reject the city becoming HUC.
"Mula noon pa man ay aking sinabi let the people decide," the governor said on his Facebook page.
"Walang ama na magiging masaya kapag nawalay ang anak. Ito ay masakit para sa akin. Dalangin ko sa tuwina ay isang sambayanang Bulakeñong buo at nagkakaisa."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/30/23/bulacan-to-decide-san-jose-del-monte-fate-in-bske
Sunday, October 29, 2023
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Wednesday, October 25, 2023
El Shaddai DWX-PPFI launches 2024 Grand Miracle Crusade logo
El Shaddai DWXI Prayer Partners Foundation International, Inc., has unveiled the logo of the 2024 Grand Miracle Crusade.
In a social media post on Wednesday, the Foundation said the theme for next year’s feast is “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” from Romans 12:12.
The El Shaddai DWXI-PFFI said the four people seen in the logo represent the devotees who want to find Jesus and feel the miracle that brings comfort and peace to everyone's heart.
Also featured in the logo is the collective journey of the devotees of the Santo Nino de Cebu where prayers are raised to the Lord together.
In an interview with Church-run Radio Veritas, Bro. Cirilo Corrales called on devotees to continue to practice in the community the true care that Jesus showed to his flock.
"May we continue to show his face, let us continue to experience his love by offering service to the people," he added.
He also said the church's preparation for the annual weekend feast on January 20 to 22, 2024 is in full swing and would see a gradual restoration of traditional activities that were postponed for three years due to the pandemic.
“The basilica continues to communicate with government officials and agencies for a better implementation of the 2024 Grand Miracle Crusade,” he added.
Corrales said the church is also preparing for the possible influx of devotees in January after the government relaxed the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions.
The last Grand Miracle Crusade, a crowd from the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta to Manila Ocean Park to Taft Avenue, was held from January 18 to 20, 2020. It drew millions of devotees.