News in Pictures: December 1, 2024
EVER-RELEVANT HERO
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Saturday leads other officials in the commemoration of the 161st birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio at the revolutionary’s shrine in Caloocan City.
In Quezon City, an architect briefs Mayor Joy Belmonte about the P50-million rehabilitation plan for Bantayog ng mga Bayani, where veteran activists who had opposed the Marcos regime gathered to honor the fallen among them, likening their struggle to the revolution Bonifacio led against colonialism and oppression during Spanish rule.
Seven more freedom fighters who had been added to the Bantayog’s Wall of Remembrance—the roster on granite listing more than 300 heroes who fought the dictatorship—were also honored that Saturday. —LYN RILLON
WELCOME VISIT
President Marcos on Saturday visits residents displaced a week ago by the massive fire that struck the Isla Puting Bato settlement off Manila’s North Harbor. About 2,000 families were relocated to Delpan Elementary School, which was converted into an evacuation center.
Hours after the Nov. 24 fire, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna and Vice Mayor Yul Servo assured the evacuees of P10,000 in financial aid which was distributed later in the week.
On Wednesday, former Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, accompanied by his running mate in next year’s elections, Chi Atienza, handed out P5,000 each to these families.
On Saturday, Mr. Marcos led the distribution of P21 million in cash and promised the evacuees continued aid this Christmas. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
UNAFFECTED BY MODERNIZATION
Traditional jeepneys pass along Padre Burgos Avenue in Manila on Friday, the deadline for jeepney operators and drivers to apply for consolidation with transport cooperatives under the government’s Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program.
Besides risking penalties, PUV drivers who refuse to join the program cannot avail themselves of fuel subsidy, financial assistance and other incentives.
But in several part of the capital region, tricycle drivers’ associations continue to monopolize public transportation, unaffected by any modernization program as they prohibit jeepneys and other PUVs in their areas. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
NO HINDRANCE TO LEARNING
A blind student, assisted by her teacher, reads aloud from a book printed with braille alphabets during Thursday’s launching of braille “storybooks” at the Quezon City Public Library (QCPL).
The books were developed by the National Library of the Philippines, in consultation with Resources for the Blind, and were published using the braille alphabet, named after its inventor, 19th-century French educator Louis Braille, who himself was blind.
QCPL said it is the first among local government libraries to have braille books in its collection. —LYN RILLON
