Aguinaldo Shrine Pagsanjan Falls Taal Lake Antipolo Church Lucban Pahiyas Feast

PIA Calabarzon 5 PRs ( March 25, 2013),Dispatch for March 26 , 2013 (Tuesday),

PCOO 6 Photonews March 25, 2013, 12 Weather Watch, 8 Regl.Watch , 3 OFW Watch, Pres.Aquino’s Speech,21 Online News

Weather Watch

15 hours ago

PAGASA SPECIAL WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR THE HOLY WEEK (March 25-31, 2013)

The diffused tail-end of a cold front, a low pressure area (LPA) and the easterlies are expected to

be the dominant weather systems to affect the country during the Holy Week.

The diffused tail-end of a cold front will bring occasional light to moderate rain showers and

thunderstorms over Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Quezon province today until tomorrow

morning.

Thereafter (March 26-27), generally good weather condition associated with warm and humid

temperature is expected throughout the country aside from isolated thunderstorms mostly in the

afternoon or evening.

On the afternoon of Maundy Thursday (March 28), a low pressure area is expected to enter the

Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) but will still have no direct effect on any part of the country.

So on, Maundy Thursday up to Good Friday (March 28-29), the whole country will still experience

generally good weather with isolated thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

On Black Saturday (March 30), the expected approach of the LPA over Southeastern Mindanao in

the morning and its eventual landfall in the evening will bring light to moderate rain showers and

thunderstorms over the whole of Mindanao becoming moderate to heavy rains over the regions

of CARAGA and DAVAO.

The LPA will then move towards Central Visayas crossing the area on Easter Sunday (March 31)

and is expected to bring light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms over Southern Luzon,

Visayas and Mindanao becoming moderate to heavy rains over Western Visayas.

The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be generally slight to moderate except during

thunderstorms throughout the outlook period with the exception of the northern seaboard of

Northern Luzon which will have moderate to rough seas today and tomorrow (March 25-26).

The LPA, as of recent analysis with the aid of all available forecasting tools, has a slim chance of

developing into a tropical cyclone.

This outlook will be updated as soon as significant changes in the weather occur.

For more information, please contact the forecaster-on-duty in the following telephone numbers:

927-1541/926-4258.

Weather Watch

12 hours ago

GMA-7 resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz on 24 Oras:

- 'Yung patuloy na pag-iral ng easterlies at 'yung mainit na panahon ang sanhi ng mga biglaang

thunderstorms dito sa Metro Manila.

- Kaya nga po posible pa ring magka-thunderstorm sa mga susunod na araw.

- Base po sa datos ng Weather Central, bukas, kahit bababa na ang tsansang umulan dito sa Metro

Manila, mananatili pa ring maalinsangan ang panahon, lalo na sa tanghali kung saan inaasahan

'yung init factor natin sa 35 degrees Celsius.

- Sa iba pang panig ng Luzon, magiging maaliwalas ang panahon pero may tsansa rin ng isolated

rains.

- Ang dulong Hilagang Luzon naman, posibleng ulanin ng mahina hanggang katamtaman dahil po

yan sa diffused tail-end of a cold front, ayon sa PAGASA.

- Nakakaapekto ang easterlies sa silangang bahagi ng Visayas kaya po asahan na ang mga pag-ulan

lalo na sa mga probinsya ng Samar at Leyte, kasama na rin ang Negros Oriental.

- Apektado rin ng easterlies ang malaking bahagi ng Mindanao, katulad sa Surigao, Cagayan De

Oro hanggang sa may General Santos City.

- Base naman sa special weather outlook ng PAGASA para sa Holy Week, makakaasa ng maayos na

panahon ang malaking bahagi ng bansa, simula bukas pagsapit ng tanghali hanggang sa

Miyerkules Santo. Pero sa Huwebes Santo posibleng may mabuong LPA sa loob ng PAR diyan sa

may silangan ng Mindanao pero wala pa raw itong magiging epekto sa lagay ng ating panahon.

Weather Watch

13 hours ago

GMA: May mga pabugsu-bugsong pag-ulan sa Baguio City. Sa kabila nito ay handa na ang Baguio

City sa pagdagsa ng mga turista doon. Ang mga awtoridad naman ay nakakalat na rin sa lungsod

para magbigay ayuda sa mga daragsang turista roon. Ang mga hotel at transient house doon ay

fully-booked na rin kaya sa katabing La Trinidad, Benguet dumarayo ang ilan para makahanap ng

tutuluyan.

Weather Watch

13 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Tinatayang magdadala ng maulap na panahon sa Luzon at sa silangang bahagi ng bansa

ang diffused tail-end of a cold front at easterlies. Asahan ang maulap na panahon na may pag-ulan

sa Tuguegarao, Aurora at Quezon habang ang Metro Manila naman ay may 50% chance of rain

bukas, 50% pagdating ng Miyerkules habang 70% naman pagdating ng Huwebes. Asahan naman

ang mahinang pag-ulan sa Samar at Leyte habang mas maganda naman ang panahon sa natitirang

bahagi ng Visayas. Tinataya namang magiging maulap ang panahon sa Surigao, Davao at Gensan

habang magandang panahon naman ang inaaasahan sa natitirang bahagi ng Mindanao.

Weather Watch

13 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Inilikas ang tinatayang 20 pamilya sa Upper Nawasa, Brgy. Commonwealth, Quezon City

kagabi matapos umabot sa lagpas tao ang baha roon kasunod ng pag-ulan. Isinisi naman ng mga

residente ang biglaang pagbaha sa basurang bumabara umano sa may sapa roon. Humupa naman

ang baha kinalaunan pero posibleng maulit pa raw ito hangga't hindi nawawala ang mga

bumabarang basura.

Weather Watch

14 hours ago

GMA: Nagpaalala ang lokal na gobyerno ng Maynila na hindi ligtas ang maligo sa Manila Bay. Sa

kabila nito, hindi ito inalintana ng mga bata at kababayang naiinitan at tumuloy pa rin sa paliligo

roon kahit marumi ang tubig. Paalala ng Manila City Health Office, may ordinansa nang umiiral na

nagbabawal para sa paliligo roon dahil sa maruming tubig.

Weather Watch

16 hours ago

DZMM: Niyanig ng magnitude na 5.2 na lindol ang Sarangani, Davao del Sur ngayon-ngayon

lamang. Tectonic ang origin nito. Sa dagat naganap kaya’t wala namang naitalang pinsala. Hindi rin

naglabas ng tsunami warning ang PHIVOLCS.

Weather Watch

16 hours ago

DZBB: Sa mga oras na ito ay patuloy ang mahinang pag-ulan sa bahagi ng Padre Faura sa Maynila.

May ilang minuto ring umulan ng malakas doon. Sa ngayon ay nananatiling makulimlim ang

kalangitan doon na indikasyon na maari pang magtagal ang pag-ulang nararansan sa nasabing

lugar.

Weather Watch

17 hours ago

DZRH: Nagbabala ang PAGASA sa mga kababayan na palaginag maghanda sa biglaang pag-ulan

kahit pa panahon ng tag-init. Ayon kay PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio, malaki ang

posibilidad na umulan sa hapon at gabi dahil sa matinding init ng panahon na makapagdudulot ng

thunderstorm na magdadala ng pag-ulan na minsa'y may kalakasan. Posible aniyang ulanin ang

Semana Santa.

Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's status.

19 hours ago

Thunderstorm Advisory No. 3

Issued at: 1:40PM /03252013

Thunderstorm is expected to affect SJDM, Rizal, Caloocan, Quezon City and Paranaque within the

next 2 to 3 hours.

All are advised to take precautionary measures against heavy rains,strong gusty winds, lightning

and possible flash floods. Keep monitoring for updates.

Weather Watch

21 hours ago

PAGASA weather forecaster Alvin Pura on DZBB:

Re: Weather system update

-Isolated lang po yan na pag-ulan (nangyaring pag-ulan kagabi). Mga localize thunderstorms kapag

Easterlies.

-May thunderstorm watch po tayo ngayon araw kaya asahan ang pag-ulan.

-34 Degree Celsius po kahapon ang temperatura sa Metro Manila.

-Opo may hale storm sa thunderstorm.

Weather Watch

22 hours ago

24-HR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST issued at 5:00a.m. of March 25, 2013

SYNOPSIS: Diffused tail-end of a cold front affecting extreme Northern Luzon. Easterlies affecting

the Eastern sections of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

FORECAST: Cagayan Valley and the Province of Aurora and Quezon will experience cloudy skies

with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country

will be partly cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon. Light to

moderate winds blowing from the East to Southeast will prevail over Northern Luzon and coming

from the East to Northeast over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the

archipelago will be slight to moderate. >> NDRRMC OPCEN

Weather Watch

3 hours ago

CAVITE : Sunny

LAGUNA : Sunny

BATANGAS : Fair weather

RIZAL : Sunny

QUEZON : Sunny

PIA Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

about an hour ago

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Patuloy ang pagdagsa ng mga pasahero sa Batangas Port. May itinalaga

namang passenger assistance desk upang doon ilapit ng mga byahero ang anumang concern nila

sa pagbyahe.

PIA Regional Watch

13 hours ago

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Nakahanda ang pamunuan ng Startolway sa pagdagsa ng mga biyahero

ngayong Semana Santa. Magdadagdag din sila ng mga tauhan sa mga tollgate na magbibigay ng

assistance sa mga motoristang dadaan dito.

PIA Regional Watch

16 hours ago

PIA-4A/RIZAL: Nagsagawa kamakailan ng orientation sa Rizal Provincial Agrarian Reform Office

upang maisagawa sa mga agrarian reform beneficiaries ng probinsya ang Agricultural Insurance

Program ng Department of Agrarian Reform. Layunin ng programang magkaroon ng seguridad ang

mga magsasaka para sa kanilang mga pananim sa pamamagitan ng insurance.

PIA Regional Watch

17 hours ago

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Isinagawa ang groundbreaking ng itatayong World Sanctuary, mas kilala sa

tawag na Montemaria sa Brgy.Pagkilatan, Batangas City. Ang naturang lugar ay magsisilbing isang

religious community at inaasahang magpapataas ng antas ng turismo sa lungsod lalo na kapag

natapos ang konstruksyon ng Mother of All Asia Shrine na umaabot sa 80 meters.

PIA Regional Watch

18 hours ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The provincial government of Quezon distributed farm equipment such as hand

tractors, multi-tillers, push type weeders, knapsack sprayers and double pass rice mill to ARB small

owner cultivators and agricultural leases and Panukulan credit cooperative of barangay San Juan,

Panukulan, Quezon last March 19-20. This aims to increase rice production of said farmer's

associations.

PIA Regional Watch

18 hours ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The provincial government of Quezon will construct 'salabat' (ginger tea)

processing center in Dolores, Quezon to serve as venue in ginger tea production. The center will

help increase the income of families and will promote ginger tea as One Town-One Product

(OTOP).

PIA Regional Watch

18 hours ago

PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The Calamba Football JMC Cup was recently held at the sprawling Rizal Plaza in

Calamba City. The event aims to elevate the development of local football not only in the city and

the province of Laguna but also throughout the country in support of the Philippine Football

Federation's Kasibulan Program.

PIA Regional Watch

18 hours ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributed one unit of six-wheeler

truck, four units of grass cutters and two units of coffee de-hauler through its DAR-Access

Program to Pinagdanlayan Multi-Purpose Cooperative. The equipments will help the members of

cooperative to uplift their livelihood.

PIA OFW Watch

PIA OFW Watch

DZMM: Nilinaw ng DOLE na ang deployment ng mga manggagawa sa Iraq ay magsisimula lamang sa

sandaling matapos ang bilateral agreement sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at ng nasabing bansa at matukoy ang

tinatawag na restricted zones.

16 hours ago

PIA OFW Watch

DZMM: Hiniling ni Sen. Bongbong Marcos na palakasin ang crackdown laban sa mga illegal recruiter at mga

fly-by-night manning agencies matapos ang pag-aalis ng ban sa pagpapadala ng mga Filipino worker sa Iraq

at Yemen. Nanawagan ito sa POEA na isapubliko ang mga recruitment agency na blacklisted na sa pagkuha

ng mga manggagawa. Humiling din ito sa POEA na maglabas ng malinaw na guidelines sa deployment ng

mga OFW.

16 hours ago

PIA OFW Watch

GMA: Nasa 500 Pinoy nurses at medical personnel ang papayagan ng Germany na magtrabaho sa kanila.

Bukod sa malaking sahod ay bibigyan din ng katulad ng benepisyo ng Germany tulad ng three- month

working visa at pabahay ang mga magtatrabahong nurse roon. Ikinatuwa naman ng mga Pinoy nurse ang

nasabing ulat.

March 21 at 5:33am

A. QUEZON

1. Tagalog news: Police visibility mas pa-iigtingin pa ngayong bakasyon

By Ruel M. Orinday Saturday 23rd of March 2013

LUNGSOD NG LUCENA, Quezon, Marso 23 (PIA) --Mas paiigtingin ngayon ang gagawing

pagbabantay ng Quezon Police Provincial Office (QPPO) sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni PSSupt

Dionardo B Carlos sa mga matataong lugar sa Quezon sa darating na bakasyon kung saan

inaasahan ang pagdagsa ng mga tao sa mga tourist spots ng Quezon at iba pang mga lugar na

dinarayo kapag bakasyon.

Bilang paghahanda, noong ika-20 ng Marso 2013, ipinatawag PD Carlos ang ilang hepe ng

kapulisan, kabilang ang Lucban, Dolores, Tiaong, Candelaria, Sariaya, Pagbilao, Atimonan, Plaridel,

Gumaca, Lopez, Unisan, Padre Burgos, Agdangan, General Luna, Catanauan, Tayabas, Lungsod ng

Lucena at Company Commander ng Quezon Police Public Safety Company (QPPSC) upang maging

handa at mas paghusayin ang pagbabantay sa mga lasangan, tourist spots, dalampasigan,

pamilihan at ilang mga lugar kung saan dumarayo ang maraming tao.

Kabilang sa mga paalala ni PD Carlos ay ang pagsigurado ng mabilis na paglalakbay ng mga

byahero na dadaan sa Maharlika Highway kung saan nagbigay siya ng ilang panukala o suhestyon

upang mas gumaan ang daloy ng trapiko.

Ilan sa mga direktiba ni PD Carlos sa mga hepe ng Quezon ay ang pagtatalaga ng sapat na bilang

ng mga pulis sa Public Assistance Centers (PAC), Motorist Asssitance Centers (MAC), ang

pagpapatrolya at pagbuo ng isang checkpoint lalo na sa mga lugar kung saan mataas ang insidente

ng krimen, ang paglalagay ng tourist police sa mga dalampasigan at ilang lugar na dinarayo ng mga

turista gayundin ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga katuwang na ahensya gaya ng Bureau of Fire, ilang

Non Government Organizations at ilang managers ng commercial establishments upang matiyak

ang kaligtasan ng mga tao sa kani-kanilang lugar.

Isa rin sa kanyang binigyang pansin ay ang pagtatalaga ng pina-igting na police visibility sa mga

simbahan, daungan, plaza, terminals at ilang tourist destinations at ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga

tricycle, jeepney at bus draybers upang mapanatili ang kaayusan sa lansangan.

Hinihikayat din niya ang mamamayan na maging alisto at ipagbigay alam ang alinmang kaganapan

o katauhan na kahinahinala sa kani-kanilang lugar at ipagbigay alam lamang sa pinakamalapit na

istasyon ng pulisya. (RMO- PIA-Quezon / may ulat mula sa QPPO)

B. CAVITE

1. Cavite, Korean university to set up e-medical records of Korea-Phl hospital

By Ruel B. Francisco Monday 25th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, March 25 (PIA) -- The provincial government and a Korean

university recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) for the establishment of electronic

medical records (EMR) of the Korea-Philippines Friendship Hospital (KPFH) located at the General

Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital Compound in Barangay Luciano.

The KPFH earlier submitted a proposal for its computerization to the Korea International

Cooperation Agency (KOICA) as part of post project grant. The Korean government approved the

project proposal made by the KPFH through KOICA and Dongyang University.

Governor Juanito “Jonvic" Remulla and Dongyang University President Choi Sung Hae signed the

agreement for the computerization grant of the provincial hospital which was held at the

ceremonial hall inside the provincial capitol building last March 20. It was witnessed by provincial

health officers and key officers and staff of the said university.

Among the responsibilities of the provincial government thru PHO and KPFH are to assist the

Korean team expert to the selection of solution and provide other necessary data applicable in the

setting up of EMR in the hospital. Likewise the latter will assign an Information Technology (IT)

manager with two IT staff and a program coordinator to oversee the project including an office for

the Korean team expert during the duration of the project.

On the other hand, Dongyang University will provide the necessary technical assistance in the

selection of solution applicable to the hospital needs and set up They will also provide a team of

expert who will work the project, monitor the project implementation and coordinate accordingly

for smooth implementation of the project.

The Korean government continuously supports health projects of the province wherein three

major projects were approved such as the establishment of the following: the KPFH in 2002, the

Medical Arts Building in 2008, and the Cavite Collaboration Center for Public Health on March 22,

2012. All these are located in the General Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital compound. (RF-PIA

4A, Cavite)

C. LAGUNA

1. Spirit of volunteerism, very much alive in Laguna

By Alan C. Ortillano Monday 25th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis SANTA ROSA CITY, Laguna, Mar. 25 (PIA) -- The spirit of volunteerism is very much alive in this part

of the province as thousands of volunteers signed up for the Bayani Challenge 2013 after its

launching at the Santa Rosa City Hall on Saturday, March 23.

With the theme “Isang Bayan, Isang Bayanihan”, the five-day activity aims to test the courage,

endurance and love for country of volunteers around the nation as they all voluntarily offer their

services for free to build homes, refurbish schools, conduct educations sessions for children, tree

planting, clean-up drives and health missions.

Bayani Challenge activities in Santa Rosa City include house build, disaster lecture, health missions

in GK Village; school build (repainting of school building and armchairs ) at Pulong Sta. Cruz

Elementary School; river clean-up in Sitio Tabing Ilog all in Brgy. Pulong Sta. Cruz; painting of

pedestrian lanes at the City Plaza, and market area among others.

Forty eight housing units in GK Village are expected to be constructed by the volunteers in the

duration of the event.

The area is an 8,800 square-meter land donated by the city government of Santa Rosa headed by

Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas to Gawad Kalinga Foudation.

Poorest of the poor residents who once squatted on this area and have now become GK

volunteers themselves, will benefit from the housing projects. All in all, 158 units will have already

been completed by May 2013.

Mr. Budoy Oquinena, GK Area coordinator for Southern Tagalog said the event is history in the

making one as it is the biggest volunteerism event to date, involving hundreds of thousands of

volunteers from various sites and provinces around the nation, working as one in fighting poverty

by building healthy, humane and nurturing communities.

Bayani Challenge is a multi-sectoral partnership spearheaded by Pilipinas Natin, the flagship

volunteer program of the Presidential Communications Operations Office. (CPG/ACO, PIA-Laguna)

D. BATANGAS

1. Tagalog news: Buwan ng Kababaihan, ipinagdiwang sa lalawigan ng Batangas

By Mamerta P. De Castro Saturday 23rd of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis

LUNGOSD NG BATANGAS, Marso 23 (PIA) --Pinangunahan ni Governor Vilma Santos

Recto ang pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Kababaihan na may temang ―Kababaihan,

Kaagapay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan‖ kasama ang mga kinatawan mula sa

Provincial Women‘s Coordinating Council (PWCC), Kalipunan ng Lipi ng Pilipina (KALIPI)

at iba pang samahan mula sa iba‘t ibang bayan sa Provincial Auditorium noong March 20,

2013.

Sa kanyang mensahe ay ipinahayag ng Gobernadora ang kanyang pagsaludo sa mga

samahang pangkababaihan at ang kanyang pakikiisa sa pakikipaglaban para sa

karapatan ng mga babae. Binigyang diin ng Gobernadora na dapat respetuhin at kilalanin

ang galing ng mga kababaihan.

Upang mabigyan ng kalinawan ay ginanap ang Forum on RA 10354 or An Act Providing

for a National Policy on Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health na siyang

tinalakay ni Atty. Geraldine Marie B. Martinez- Member, GSIS Board of Trustees. Sinagot

din niya ang ilang mga katanungan upang mas malinawan ng mga kababaihan ang isyu

sa Reproductive Health.

Pagkatapos nito ay tinalakay naman ni Mr. Jerome A. Alcantara - Consultant, International

Labor Organization (ILO) ang RA 10361 o ang Domestic Workers‘ Act na siyang

naglalayong mabigyan ng benepisyo ang mga kasambahay.

Ayon kay Jocelyn Montalbo,Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer, ang mga

usaping ito ang maiinit na pinagtatalakayan ngayon saan mang panig ng bansa kung

kaya't ito ang naisip nilang maging bahagi sa pagdiriwang ng buwan ng mga kababaihan.

Aniya, sa pamamagitan ng ganitong mga talakayan ay mabibigyan ng kasagutan ang mga

katanungan ng publiko bukod pa sa tamang kaalamang matututunan dito kaugnay ng

dalawang nabanggit na bagong batas.

Ang pagdiriwang ay dinaluhan ng iba't-ibang mga samahan ng kababaihan mula sa apat

na distrito ng lalawigan. (Elfie Estrella C. Ilustre - PIO-Batangas/PIA-Batangas)

E. RIZAL

1. Tanay inaugurates new municipal hall

By Gideon Gapayao Monday 25th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal, Mar. 25 (PIA) -- Tanay municipal employees have a new home in the New

Tanay Municipal Hall inaugurated on March 22.

The Tanay LGU prioritized the construction of the new municipal hall fitting for the town which is

renowned for its tourist spots and at the same time to give better services to its constituents.

The structural design was done through the help of the engineers of the Rizal Provincial

Government while the funds used for the construction of the said hall came from a loan from the

LandBank of the Philippines.

The new municipal hall was built on the grounds of the former municipal hall which also has a

replica behind the new hall. The replica was erected to serve as a library or museum.

A north building beside the completed town hall is currently under construction and aims to house

various local government agencies and field offices.

Municipal employees have moved into the new municipal hall from their temporary base of

operations near the local market area starting March 25.

The inauguration was attended by local government officials and local employees headed by

Tanay Mayor Rafael Tanjuatco, Vice Mayor Jaime Vista, department heads and provincial line

government agencies and guests such as Rizal 2nd District Congressman Isidro Rodriguez Jr.,

Former Rizal Governor Rebecca “Nini” Ynares.

A mass and blessing officiated by local priests of Tanay also took place during the inauguration

and a fireworks display followed through later in the evening. (CPG/GG/PIA-4A)

Coinciding with the inauguration of the hospital, the conduct of various free medical services such

as cataract screening, digital rectal exam, breast exam, breast ultrasound, pap smear, anti-

pneumonia vaccination for senior citizens, ECG examination, prostate screening, free eyeglasses

distribution and other services will be provided to the constituents.

“We will continue to give the best services we can provide to our constituents,” Rizal Gov. Jun

Ynares remarked. (PIO/CPG/GG-PIA 4A)

2. Rizal PDRRMC gears for Lakbay Alalay

By Gideon Gapayao Monday 25th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis ANTIPOLO CITY, Mar. 25 (PIA) -- The Rizal Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council

(PDRRMC) with key government agencies and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) are all set for this

year’s Lenten season "Lakbay Alalay".

According to the PDRRMC, they have engaged in a series of meetings with the Philippine National

Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils

(LDRRMCs), PRC and other government offices for its full implementation.

Lakbay Alalay will begin on Wednesday, March 27 which will involve a traffic re-routing scheme in

heavily affected areas as LDRRMCs, in coordination with PNP, AFP, PRC and NGOs, will be putting

up booths in strategic locations.

Around 3 million people are expected to visit the Antipolo Cathedral for the traditional pilgrimage

while thousands of devotees are also anticipated to flock Regina Rica, Tanay, Rizal. As such, the

PNP and AFP are currently requesting for augmentations from higher authorities to prepare for

the influx of devotees. (Rizal-PDRRMC/CPG/GG/PIA-4A)

3. Cardona, emergency response teams prepared for Lenten

season

By Gideon Gapayao

Monday 25th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis ANTIPOLO CITY, Mar. 25 (PIA) -- The Cardona municipal government and local law enforcers are

geared up for the influx of devotees for the upcoming Lenten season.

Cardona Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Erwin Dionisio said the LGU

has already coordinated with the local Philippine National police and Bureau of Fire Protection

offices and barangay officials to participate in the upcoming Lakbay Alalay operations for Holy

Week.

In line with this, Cardona Emergency Response Teams (CERT) will be deployed throughout the

town in order to assist devotees 24/7 starting March 27. CERTs are also prepared to guide lost

travellers and administer first aid treatment for those who will experience headaches, fatigue and

high blood pressure.

The local BFP and PNP will also be on heightened alert to ensure fast response and law

enforcement.

The MDRRMO is anticipating 5,000 to 10,000 devotees to pass or visit the Our Lady of Manaoag

Shrine in the town. (Cardona MDRRMO/CPG/GG/PIA-4A)

25 MARCH 2013.

President Aquino declares April 2 as special non-working day in Bulacan in Commemoration of

the 225th birth anniversary of Francisco ‘Balagtas’ Baltazar

‘We have a long way to go towards getting Philippines off American and European aviation

watchlists,’ President Aquino tells Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines

President Aquino orders Social Cabinet Cluster to 'draw up a substitute measure' that Congress

may use to pass Magna Carta for the Poor

Aquino cites late boxing champion "Flash" Elorde for his passion and dedication in achieving

boxing excellence

President Aquino declares April 2 as special non-working day in Bulacan in Commemoration of the 225th birth anniversary of Francisco ‘Balagtas’ Baltazar

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared April 2, which falls on a Tuesday as a special non-working day in the province of Bulacan in commemoration of the 225th birth anniversary of prominent poet and orator Francisco "Balagtas" Baltazar.

The Chief Executive issued the declaration by virtue of Proclamation No. 560 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on March 13, to give the people of Bulacan the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion. Known by his pen name Balagtas, Baltazar has been described as the ―Prince of Tagalog Poets." Baltazar was born in Panginay, Bigaa (now Balagtas), Bulacan on April 2, 1788. He was the youngest of the four children of Juan Baltazar, a blacksmith, and Juana de la Cruz. He worked as a helper in Tondo to support his studies where he met Jose de la Cruz, a prominent poet whose penchant for fighting cocks as payment for his literary works earned him the sobriquet ―Huseng Sisiw.‖ The popular Filipino debate form Balagtasan was named after Balagtas. He was recognized by the Pahayagang Kastilyano (Spanish publication) and became the front cover for two weeks. Baltazar is widely considered as the Tagalog equivalent of William Shakespeare for his impact on Filipino literature. The famous epic, Florante at Laura, is regarded as his defining work. In 1840, he moved to Bataan where he met Juana Tiambeng who eventually became his wife. He died on February 20, 1862. PND (js)

TOP

‘We have a long way to go towards getting Philippines off American and European aviation watchlists,’ President Aquino tells Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines

Saying that the country still had a long way to go towards improving and meeting global standards on aviation safety, President Benigno S. Aquino III extolled officers and employees of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to join government efforts and work doubly hard for the Philippines to get off the watch lists of the United States of America and the European Union. The President issued his ―marching orders‖ during the 5th Anniversary of CAAP held at the agency‘s main office in Pasay City on Monday. ―But while I am here today to congratulate you for a job well done, and for celebrating your fifth anniversary, I would also like to remind you that the job is not yet over. In the coming days, weeks, and months, all of us will be working towards getting our country off the watch lists of the United States and the European Union,‖ the President said. He lauded the CAAP‘s efforts to comply with global safety standards which include: a Civil Aviation Safety Oversight Reporting and Tracking System, the Minimum Required Annual Inspection for all air operators, revalidation of the Air Operators Certificate of five international operators and several other air taxi operators and domestic air operators, and the Certificate Management Department to help our local carriers, such as the Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, to meet the standards of other countries and help them expand their routes. He said though that these programs which were implemented under the stewardship of CAAP Director General William Hotchkiss III, have allowed the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to lift the Significant Safety Concerns (SSC) it previously issued to the Philippines and have resulted towards the fact that ―it is now more safe to fly in the Philippines.‖ ―This took the effort of each person who works for this agency, and I extend my gratitude to all of you for your work,‖ the President said. ―So today I also give you my marching orders: Let‘s get this done. We have the momentum; we have the right people and have put the right systems in place. It is time for us to usher in a golden age not just for Philippine aviation—not just for Philippine tourism—but for our entire country,‖ he added. The CAAP was created on March 4, 2008 through Republic Act 9497 renaming the Air Transport Office as Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and mandating it to perform the following ---inspection and registration of all aircrafts owned and operated in the Philippines and all facilities as well as for the enforcement of laws governing air transportation; operate and maintain national airports, air navigational and other similar facilities and; determine the charges and rates for the operation of public air utility facilities. Joining the President were Hotchkiss III, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya and CAAP Deputy Director General John Andrews. PND (rck)

TOP

President Aquino orders Social Cabinet Cluster to 'draw up a substitute measure' that Congress may use to pass Magna Carta for the Poor

President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed the Social Cabinet Cluster (Human Development and Poverty Alleviation) to draw up a ―substitute measure‖ that will be submitted to Congress which it may use as reference towards drafting a Magna Carta for the Poor. In an interview after keynoting the 5th Anniversary of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines in Pasay City on Monday, the President said he wanted a substitute measure formed after he vetoed a previously drafted Charter for the Poor citing the improbability of the government meeting its demands. Under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), a multilateral treaty adopted by the

United Nations General Assembly on December 16, 1966, the Philippines, as a signatory, joins 160 other countries in committing to work towards the granting of economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR) to individuals, including labor rights and the right to health, the right to education, and the right to an adequate standard of living. The President cited Section 4 of the ICESCR which gave the poor the right to immediately demand ―the enjoyment of which is an essential step towards poverty alleviation: a) the right of food; b) the right to employment and livelihood; c) the right to quality education; d) the right to shelter; and e) the right to basic health services and medicine.‖ He noted as an example the provision of providing shelter which he said is around five million social housing units that will cost P2.320-trillion which is the entire budget for this year of about P2-trillion. ―So, ang buod niyan, isa pa lang doon sa limang karapatan hindi na kayang punuin ng budget. Ngayon, ‗yung budget natin... ang pwede lang i-program off the P2-trillion is roughly about P600-billion. Wala pa ‗yung right to food, wala pa ‗yung right to work, wala pa ‗yung right to health, wala pa ‗yung right to education,‖ the President said. ―So, ang corrective action natin dito, dinirect (direct) natin ang social cluster to draw up a substitute measure that we will give to the next Congress and, hopefully, that they will act upon with haste,‖ he added. PND (rck)

TOP

Aquino cites late boxing champion "Flash" Elorde for his passion and dedication in achieving boxing excellence

President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the late boxing champion Gabriel ―Flash‖ Elorde for demonstrating his passion and dedication in achieving excellence in boxing. "Solidarity gives us fortitude and confidence as a people. The late pugilist Gabriel ―Flash‖ Elorde exemplified these and other strengths. His passion and dedication qualified him as a true winner; he stood as a rallying symbol for the talent of our sportsmen and enlivened his milieu," the Chief Executive in his message on the occasion of the 13th Annual Gabriel ―Flash‖ Elorde Boxing Awards Banquet of Champions on Monday. Reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire will receive the Flash Elorde Memorial Belt during the awarding ceremonies on Monday night at the Sofitel Hotel. Other boxers who will be honored in the annual affair are WBO and WBA flyweight king Brian Viloria, IBF light-fly champion John Riel Casimero, WBO light-flyweight titlist Donnie Nietes and former WBC flyweight title holder Sonny Boy Jaro. "This event commemorates him (Elorde) and honors the skill, discipline, and professionalism that enable our champions to represent the best in the Filipino fighter. Our boxers today continue to exhibit both the power and compassion that make them the pride of the Philippines," the President said. "Let this occasion renew your vigor to compete in earnest, with your hearts beating in unison for love of family, friends, and countrymen. We stand united under the banner of integrity that has empowered us to move forward as a nation," he added. President Aquino called on the country's athletes to remain united with the government in pursuing their shared mission of equitable progress. "For the 13th straight year we are giving recognition to our outstanding boxers and the people who are responsible for the development of boxing in the Philippine," Liza Elorde, daughter-in-law of the great Gabriel ―Flash‖ Elorde and wife of boxing promoter Johnny Elorde, said in a statement. PND (js)

TOP

ARCHIVE 2013

25 MARSO 2013

Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino ang Abril 2 na special non-working day sa Bulacan upang ipagdiwang ang ika-225 kaarawan ni 'Balagtas'

Matatagalan pa bago maalis ang Pilipinas sa aviation watch lists ng Amerika at ng Europa, sabi ng Pangulong Aquino sa CAAP

Inatasan ng Pangulong Aquino ang Social Cabinet Cluster na maghanda ng magagamit ng Kongreso para ipalit sa pagtitibaying Magna Carta para sa mga maralita

Pinapurihan ni Aquino ang yumaong kampeon sa boksing na si Flash Elorde sa sigasig at pagsisikap nitong matangi sa lalong tangi sa boksing

Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino ang Abril 2 na special non-working day sa Bulacan upang ipagdiwang ang ika-225 kaarawan ni 'Balagtas'

Idineklara ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino iii ang Abril 2, natapat sa araw ng Martes, bilang special non-working day sa lalawigan ng Bulacan upang ipagdiwang ang ika-225 kaarawan ng Ama ng Panitikang Pilipino at makatang Francisco ―Balagtas‖ Baltazar. Inilagda ng Pangulong Aquino ang deklarasyon sa pamamagitan ng Proklamasyon Blg. 560 na nilagdaan ni Kalihim Tagapagpaganap Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. noong Marso 13 upang bigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga mamamayan ng Bulakan na maipagdiwang nang angkop ang ―Araw ni Balagtas.‖ Isinilang si Baltazar sa Panginay, Bigaa (Balagtas na ngayon) sa lalawigan ng Bulacan noong Abril 2, 1788. Bunso siya sa apat na anak nina Juan Baltazar, isang panday, at ni Juana de la Cruz. Binatilyo si Balagtas nang lumuwas sa Maynila at maging katulong sa Tundo para makapag-aral. Mahilig siya sa pagtula at nakilala si Jose de la Cruz, tanyag nang makatang mahilig manghingi ng manok bilang bayad sa mga nagpapaayos sa kanya ng tula kaya binansagan siyang ―Huseng Sisiw.‖ Walang manok na panregalo si Balagtas kaya nagsarili siya ng pagsusulat. Bilang parangal at pagkilala kay Balagtas, ang pagtatalo sa pamamagitan ng tula ay tinawag na "Balagtasan." Ang husay ni Balagtas ay kinilala ng Pahayagang Kastilyano at dalawang linggong naging pabalat ng nasabing babasahin. Si Balagtas ang itinuturing na William Shakespeare ng Panitikang Pilipino at ang kanyang walang kamatayang akdang ―Florante at Laura‖ na halos 200 na taon ang nakalilipas nang sulatin niya ay naisalin sa iba-ibang wika, kabilang ang Ingles. Ang mga aral sa ―Florante at Laura‖ ay patuloy na angkop sa kasalukuyan at hindi nililipasan ng panahon. Buhat sa Tundo, lumipat siya sa Beata, Pandacan, Maynila ang purok ng sining, kalinangan at panitikan sa Maynila nang panahon ng mga Kastila. Ipinakulong si Balagtas sa Pandacan at nang makalaya ay nagtungo sa Bataan at doon nakaisang puso niya si Juana Tiambeng. Pebrero 28, 1862 nang bawian ng buhay si Balagtas. PND

TOP

Matatagalan pa bago maalis ang Pilipinas sa aviation watch lists ng Amerika at ng Europa, sabi ng Pangulong Aquino sa CAAP

Hiningi ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa mga pinuno at tauhan ng Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) na pag-ibayuhin ang kanilang pagsisikap para mapahusay at matugunan ang itinakdang pandaigdig na pamantayan sa aviation safety upang maalis na ang Pilipinas sa ―watch lists‖ ng Estados Unidos at ng European Union. Ito ang naging mahigpit na tagubilin ng Pangulo sa CAAP sa talumpati niya kaugnay ng ika-5 anibersaryo ng ahensiya sa punong tanggapan ito sa Lungsod ng Pasay Lunes. ―Ibig ko kayong batiin sa inyong mahusay na pagtupad sa tungkulin, gayundin sa anibersaryo ng inyong tanggapan. Gayunpaman, ibig kong ipaalaala sa inyong lahat na hindi pa tapos ang inyong gawain. Sa hinaharap na mga araw, linggo at buwan, dapat magsikap ang bawa‘t isa sa inyo upang ang bansa natin ay matanggal sa watch lists ng Estados Unidos at ng European Union,‖ wika ng Pangulo Pinapurihan ng Pangulo ang pagsisikap ng CAAP na umalinsunod sa global safety standards na katulad ng: Civil Association Safety Oversight Reporting and Tracking System, Minimum Required Annual Inspection ng lahat ng air operators, rebalidasyon ng lahat ng Air Operators Certificate ng limang international operators, gayundin ng mga taxi operators at domestic air operators at ang Certificate Management Department para tulungan ang mga lokal na eroplanong tulad ng Philippine Airlines at Cebu Pacific na tugunan ang pamantayan ng ibang bansa at alalayan silang mapalawak ang kanilang mga ruta. Idinugtong ng Pangulo na bagaman ang mga programang ipinatupad sa pamumuno ni Direktor Heneral William Hotchkiss III ng CAAP ay naging daan upang tanggapin ng Intenational Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) ang Significant Safety Concerns na ibinigay sa Pilipinas na naging daan tungo sa katotohanang ―sa kasalukuyan ay talagang higit nang ligtas lumipad sa Pilipinas.‖ ―Ito ay bunga ng pagsisikap ng bawa‘t isa sa inyo na ubus-kayang naglingkod sa ahensiyang ito kaya pinasasalamatan ko kayong lahat sa inyong paglilingkod,‖ sabi ng Pangulo. ―Dahil dito, ngayong araw na ito, ang aking tagubilin sa inyo: Tapusin natin ito. Maganda na ang sinimulan natin, kasama natin ang mga tamang tao at nailagay na natin sa akmang lugar ang sistema. Ito na ang pagkakataon upang tulutan nating pumasok ang ginintuang yugto, hindi lamang para sa aviation o sa turismo ng Pilipinas, kundi higit sa lahat, para sa ating buong bansa,‖ mariing wika ng Pangulo. Nilikha ng Batas ng Republika 9497 ang CAAP na dating Air Tramsport Office bilang Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines na may saguting –-ispeksiyunin at itala ang lahat ng eroplanong pagmamay-ari at ginagamit sa Pilipinas at lahat ng pasilidad, gayundin ang pagpapatupad ng mga batas na may kinalaman sa trasportasyong panghimpapawid, mamahala at mangalaga

sa mga pambansang paliparan, air navigational at iba pang pasilidad at tukuyin ang halagang dapat nilang bayaran sa operasyon ng public air utility facilities. Bukod sa Pangulo dumalo sa pagdiriwang ng anibersaryo ng CAAP sina Hotchkiss III, Kalihim Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya at John Andrews, Deputy Director General ng CAAP. PND

TOP

Inatasan ng Pangulong Aquino ang Social Cabinet Cluster na maghanda ng magagamit ng Kongreso para ipalit sa pagtitibaying Magna Carta para sa mga maralita

Inatasan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang Social Cabinet Cluster (Human Development and Poverty Alleviation) na bumalangkas ng ―pamalit na panukala‖ na ihaharap sa Kongreso na maaari nitong gamiting saligan tungo sa pagbalangkas ng ―Magna Carta for the Poor.‖ Sa panayam matapos magsalita sa ika-5 anibersaryo ng Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) sa Lungsod ng Pasay Lunes, sinabi ng Pangulo na gusto niya ang pamalit na panukala matapos na hindi niya pagtibayin ng unang balangkas ng ―Charter for the Poor‖ na ayon sa kanya ay mahihirapan ang pamahalaan na ipatupad ang mga tadhanain. Sa ilalim ng International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, isang kasunduang pinagtibay ng General Assembly ng United Nations noong Disyembre 16. 1966 kung saan ang Pilipinas ay isa sa 160 bansang lumagda at nangakong pagkakalooban ng karapatang pangkabuhayan, panlipunan at kultura ang mga tao, kabilang ang karapatan sa paggawa at karapatan sa kalusugan, karapatan sa edukasyon at karapatang magkaroon nang sapat na pamantayan ng pamumuhay. Binanggit ng Pangulo ang Seksiyon 4 ng ICESCR na nagbigay sa mga dukha ng karapatang hingin agad na tamasahin ang mahalagang hakbang upang mapawi ang karalitaan\: a) karapatan sa pagkain; b) karapatang magkatrabaho at ikabubuhay; k) karapatan sa mataas na uri ng edukasyon; d) karapatan sa tahanan; at e) karapatan sa mga pangunahing serbisyong pangkalusugan at mga gamot. Tinukoy ng Pangulo na ang pagkakaloob ng bahay na ayon sa kanya ay aabutin ng limang milyong social housing units ay magkakahalaga ng kabuuang P2.320 trilyon na siyang kabuuang budget ng bansa sa taong ito na aabot sa P2-trilyon. ―Kaya bukod diyan, isa pa lamang sa limang karapatang hindi kayang paglaanan ng pondo ng ating budget. Ngayon, sa ating P2 trilyong budget, mga P600 bilyon lamang ang maaaring ilaan sa nasabing programa. Wala pa ang karapatan sa pagkain, wala pa rin ang karapatan sa trabaho, wala ang karapatan sa kalusugan, wala ang karapatan sa edukasyon,‖ pagbibigay-diin ng Pangulo. ―Kaya ang hakbang natin para rito ay atasan ang social cluster na bumalangkas ng pamalit na panukalang ihaharap sa susunod na Kongreso at sana naman, mabilis nila itong pagtibayin,‖ dugtong pa ng Pangulo. PND

TOP

Pinapurihan ni Aquino ang yumaong kampeon sa boksing na si Flash Elorde sa sigasig at pagsisikap nitong matangi sa lalong tangi sa boksing

Pinapurihan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang yumaong kampeon sa boksing na si Gabriel ―Flash‖ Elorde sa ipinamalas na sigasig at pagsisikap upang maging tangi sa lalong tangi sa larangan ng boksing. ―Ang pagkakaisang dahilan ng tibay ng loob at tiwala natin bilang lahi. Ito ang mga katangian ng yumaong boksingerong si Gabriel ―Flash‖ Elorde na tinambalan pa ng tatag ng kalooban at pagsisikap kaya niya natamo ang tagumpay; nanatili siyang sagisag na bumigkis sa ating mga sportsmen at nagbigay sa kanya ng ibayong lakas,‖ sabi ng Pangulo sa kanyang mensahe sa 13th Annual Gabriel ―Flash‖ Elorde Boxing Awards Banquet of Champions Lunes. Tinanggap ni Nonito Donaire, kasalukuyang super-bantamweight champion ng World Boxing Organization (WBO) ang ―Flash Elorde Memorial Belt‖ sa seremonyang ginanap Lunes sa Sofitel Hotel. Ang iba pang boksingerong pinarangalan sa taunang pagtitipon ay sina WBO at WBA flyweight king Brian Viloria; John Riel Casimiro kampeon ng IBF flyweight; WBO light-flyweight titlist Donnie Nietes at Sonny Boy Jaro, dating may hawak ng titulong WBC flyweight. ―Ang pagtitipong ito ang gumugunita kay Elorde at nagpaparangal sa kanyang pambihirang husay, disiplina at propesyonalismo na ginamit ng ating mga kampeon upang ipamalas ang walang katulad at galing ng kampeong Pilipino. Ipinagpapatuloy ngayon ng ating mga boksingero ang pagpapamalas ng galing, kakayahan at malasakit kaya sila ay nananatiling karangalan ng Pilipinas,‖ sabi pa ng Pangulo. ―Sa pagkakataong ito, muli nating bigyang sigla ang inyong lakas na makipaglaban sa matapat na paraan nang ang puso ay nagkakaisa ang tibok sa pagmamahal sa pamilya, mga kaibigan at mga kababayan. Nagkakaisa tayo sa lilim ng bandila ng karangalang nagbigay sa atin ng lakas upang humakbang na papasulong bilang isang bansa,‖dugtong pa ng Pangulo. Nanawagan ang Pangulong Aquino sa mga atleta ng bansa na manatiling kabalikat ng pamahalaan sa pagsisikap na ipagpatuloy ang nagkakaisang mithiing makamtan ang laganap na kasaganaan sa bansa. ―Sa loob ng 13 taong singkad, kinikilala natin ang ating nga namumukod-tanging boksingero at ang mga taong kabalikat nila sa pagpapaunlad ng boksing sa Pilipinas sabi ni Liza Elorde, manugang ng dakilang Gabriel ―Flash‖ Elorde at maybahay ng boxing promoter.‖ PND

TOP

President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 29th Biennial Convention of the FFCCCII Mall of Asia, Pasay City

22 March 2013 Thank you. Good afternoon. Please sit down. Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps; secretaries Mar Roxas, Leila de Lima, Edwin Lacierda, Joel Villanueva; Senator Frank Drilon; Commissioner Kim Henares; Mr. Tan Ching—Mr. Tan Ching, I think, deserves a round of applause. Your very able president was the one who convinced me that despite the fact that I went to Cavite this morning, then the Army anniversary in Fort Bonifacio, somehow we found a mutually agreeable time for me to be able to be present here with you. Thank you again. I think we did say ―best presidents.‖ You are soon to be, and I‘m sad to note—one of the best past presidents in a little while. [Laughter and applause] But I‘m sure you‘ll be one of the best advisers after that. Mayor Alfredo Lim; honorable members of the House: Cong. Zenaida Angping and Rep. David Kho; officials and members of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry; fellow workers in government; honored guests; mga minamahal ko pong kababayan: Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat You know, I have noticed that we have seen a lot of each other over the past few years—this will be our fifth date, in a manner of speaking. Given the number of times I have met you, I have actually picked up a few useful phrases or phrases that I find useful from time to time, and I hope I pronounce it correctly: like ―Gua ai cha hakaw kap masachi.‖ [Laughter and applause] I will tell Secretary Roxas what that means later, and, something you‘ve heard from me many times before, ―To sha din long tsong [Thank you].‖ If, by accident, I said those things right, it is because I have been practicing; if it is wrong, I just want to inform all of you that my teachers are Secretary Edwin Lacierda and Commissioner Kim Henares. [Laughter] But I still want to apologize—especially since Her Excellency Ambassador Ma Keqing is here today. On this note, I would like to again express our sincerest congratulations on the election of President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. I have every confidence that, under President Xi‘s leadership, the Chinese people will continue to realize their goa ls of peace, prosperity, and happiness for all, and that the relations between our two countries will remain largely, if not totally positive, as they have been in the past. Since you have never been shy about giving back to your country and your countrymen, I have also never been shy about thanking you, and practicing my skills at the same time: truly, to sha din long tsong; xie xie ni men. Mr. Tan Ching has already done such a good job of reminding us of everything you have been up to, and you really have been doing so much: from medical missions, to scholarships and building classrooms, to volunteer fire brigades, to assistance for victims of calamities—like, most recently, the millions of pesos you gave for the victims of Typhoon Pablo through DILG. In fact, as I hear it, you have been especially efficient in constructing, is this correct—over 1,500 classrooms in partnership with Senator Frank Drilon since 2002. And managed—and this you really have to be admired—to keep costs even lower than the cost of classrooms completed by government contractors. Again, our congratulations and our thanks. We are sure that these are the same kinds of efficiencies you bring to your own businesses, which contribute to your robust bottom line—and I hope that this, in turn, will reflect on the taxes you pay from now on. While we are here today, I hope that you will allow me to bring up a more sensitive topic, and I mean this with all due respect—in fact, this came from a report from Commissioner Kim Henares that was, to say the least, a bit disconcerting. These are the facts as we understand them. Based on your own 2011-2013 directory, I understand that your federation includes 207 firms and organizations as members. Of this 207, I am told, only 105 have a Tax Identification Number. I wonder what happened to the others. I wonder what happened to the others. Of these 105 firms, only 54 filed tax returns. To make matters worse, 38 firms and organizations actually filed returns with zero tax due. This means that only 16 out of the 207—or only around eight percent—of your member-organizations paid taxes. The 6.6 growth did not seem to affect your members. Now, there are also 552 of you who are individual members. And of this number, 424 of you have Tax Identification Numbers. It is interesting to note that of that number 185, or almost 44 percent, filed income tax returns. Of those that filed tax returns, at least only 14 filed returns with zero tax due. What this means is 354 out of 552 members—or 64 percent of you—did not pay

taxes for the same reasons: no TIN, no tax due, or nothing filed at all. In fact, of those who filed and paid income taxes, a lot of you paid less than 100 thousand pesos. There were some who paid less than one thousand pesos in taxes. I have to be sad to say I was shocked, to say the least, when I learned this, because that would mean that you are making even less than what I receive every month. And, can this be correct? The stockholders of your companies—some of whom must receive glowing reports of your earnings—must be surprised by this as well. In fact, they would probably be even more disturbed than I am right now. After all, is it not true that earnings should imply a corresponding tax? After hearing of this strange news, would they not be worried about their investment? More than that, however, this was truly unexpected news, especially since you have always been so willing to give generously to our countrymen. In terms of actively reaching out to our countrymen, your contributions have always been clear. But perhaps it is time to ask ourselves: am I contributing in the right way—not just through corporate social responsibility, but also through my personal obligations—through contributions to the policies that have helped us build our success? Gone are the days when your taxes disappeared into the pockets of an unscrupulous few, or when bending the rules may have been the only way for otherwise honest companies to keep operating. Things have changed. Two years ago, when I first met you, I told you that you have a national government that you can count on for support—and I meant that. We are continuing to remove hindrances to the success of the Filipino people, the Chinese-Filipino community included: from weeding out corruption in government, to empowering our people through health, education, and social services, to enhancing transportation and infrastructure, to maintaining stability and order by advocating peaceful solutions to conflict. Aside from being your civic duty, paying taxes fits into our strategy of empowering the Filipino people. The money you pay to government now also goes to classrooms, teachers, textbooks, healthcare, food, disaster relief, and other initiatives that ensure that our people are given the opportunity to live dignified lives. When they are healthy, when they do not lack for education, when they are secure in the knowledge that they are cared for by the state—these same people will constitute a workforce that is more productive and can definitely spur the growth of your very own companies. So you see: the taxes you pay are not lost in some black hole. They redound to real, concrete benefits for businessmen like yourselves, and for the rest of our people. If these were empty promises, I do not think that the Philippines would be experiencing the success it has today: unprecedented economic growth in 2012, increased competitiveness as an investment destination, and the confidence of the global community. You and your enterprises have certainly benefited from all these achievements. Let me be clear: we are all for your success. You pave the way for the success of others. The Filipinos, or your fellow Filipinos, that you employ, are empowered to earn decent livelihoods and make life better for themselves, their families, and the greater society as a whole. I believe that the success of any business can only be truly sustainable when it is free from unnecessary, avoidable risks and threats—when it takes place only because of your hard work, creativity, and ability to adapt to the needs of your consumers. So, let me share with you some friendly and practical advice, and I have just learned this, so again, forgive me if I make any mistakes: hui sin pa la tyo seh. [Please pay correct taxes]. I hope I said that correctly. [Laughter and applause] Today, I am appealing to you to correct the situation and fulfill your civic duty. There is still time. After April 15, you will have to deal with Commissioner Kim Henares herself and with Secretary Leila de Lima at her back. [Laughter] Again, please bear that in mind: April 15. You have already shown your solidarity with us by doing your part to uplift Filipinos; and our government has done the same, by leveling the playing field, weeding out corruption, and ensuring a just, honest, and stable environment. But true, complete solidarity requires reciprocity—and today, I am only asking you to make good on your federation‘s commitment to tread the straight path with us and live it out in your individual lives. We will continue to keep our promise to you. Should there still be some in public office who want to continue taking advantage of their position, and consequently, taking advantage of you, then you can always call our fearless Commissioner Kim Henares, and that person or persons will be dealt with. Allow me to reiterate: back in 2011, I told you that you can count on us—that we in government will do everything in our power to see you thrive. This is a promise we have kept and continue to keep. So far, the majority of our efforts have been aligned—we have seen the wisdom of empowering the Filipino people by meeting their most basic, and at the same time, most urgent needs. Collectively, we have done so much—and we can still do more. This is why that I hope that your support for our administration‘s programs still remain—that today will stand as an affirmation of the partnership that has already yielded so much benefit for our countrymen. In this way, we can align the rest of our efforts, and walk the straight path together. Xie xie ni men, and may you have a fruitful convention.

[HOME]

ONLINE NEWS

January infra spending jumps by 43.1% Y-0-Y' Total Y-0-Y disbursements climb by 11% to P157.9-B

Abad: No budget cut for SUCs; Allocation for state universities, colleges up by 44%

BIR, BOC revenues continue double-digit growth

Debt ratios remain at comfortable levels in 2012

DILG-NCR holds convergence rally for ISFs

DOE Statement

DOST-NRCP honors excellent Filipino researchers

NEDA cites Phl performance in HDI, progress in the MDGs among other ASEAN countries

Prague Film Fest Exhibits Filipino Films, honors Director Brillante Mendoza

PHL Consul General in Hawaii receives new American Samoa Government Director

DOTC launches Oplan Ligtas Biyahe: Kwaresma 2013

Paje warns public of scam involving forest lands

BI men on Holy Week alert

Hybrid Rice Producers unite for rice self-sufficiency

Phl eyes onion exports, sends trial shipment to Japan

PH reaps awards at Routes Asia 2013

Former BIR employee nabbed for extort try

Bangladesh tech-voc executives complete TESDA training

PDIC to pay depositors of the closed La Consolacion Rural Bank (Laguna) starting March 26

VP Binay calls on Filipino Chinese businessmen to help create jobs

PIDS and IMF top officials share insights on inclusive economic growth

January infra spending jumps by 43.1% Y-0-Y' Total Y-0-Y disbursements climb by 11% to P157.9-B

Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) reported that spending for infrastructure and capital outlay in January rose by 43.1 percent to P16.4 billion, outperforming the P11.5 billion spent in the same period last year. This, together with improved spending on agency maintenance and operations, helped drive total disbursements for the month to P157.9 billion. This is P15.6 billion or 11 percent higher than the P142.3 billion in disbursements posted in January 2012. Net of interest payments, disbursements for January also improved by 12 percent, taking off from the 6.2 percent growth in 2012. ―Already, we‘re seeing a remarkable improvement in our expenditure performance, with infrastructure and capital outlay investments leading the way. We‘re also intent on expanding the capabilities of our departments and agencies, beginning with increased spending for their banner socio-economic programs,‖ Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said. According to DBM, Maintenance and Other Operating Expenditures (MOOE) went up by 48.9 percent or P9.8 billion in January this year, due largely to the frontloading of cash grants for beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer program.

Table 1: Disbursements by Expense Class, 2012 vs. 2013 in billion pesos, unless otherwise indicated

Particulars January Increase/Decrease 2012 2013 Amount % Current Oper. Exp. 124.9 146.0 21.0 16.8 PS 36.0 40.8 4.8 13.4 MOOE 20.0 29.8 9.8 48.9 Subsidy 0.4 0.2 (0.2) (44.0) Allotment to LGUs 18.2 20.2 1.9 10.6 IP 50.3 54.8 4.6 9.1 TEF 0.0 0.2 0.1 378.1 Capital Outlays 16.1 21.9 5.8 35.7 Infra & Other CO 11.5 16.4 4.9 43.1 Equity - 0.1 0.1 #DIV/0! Cap. Transfers to LGUs 4.6 5.4 0.7 15.6 CARP-LO - - - Net Lending 1.2 (9.9) (11.2) (897.3) TOTAL 142.3 157.9 15.6 11.0

Abad noted that key budget reform measures helped improve the government‘s disbursement performance as early as January.

―The one-year validity of appropriations and the disaggregation of lump-sum funds pushed department and agencies to implement their programs and projects earlier and at a quicker pace. We also directed departments to bid out their projects short of award in the latter part of 2012, so they could hit the ground running as early as the first working day of the year,‖ Abad said.

Highlights of Disbursements as of November 2012, by Expense Class

Infrastructure and other Capital Outlay expenditure posted P16.4 billion, increasing by P4.9 billion, or 43.1 percent, due to releases made for payment of infrastructure projects implemented by the DPWH, as well as carry-over disbursements from last year’s accounts payable and outstanding checks.

Maintenance and Other Operating Expenditures (MOOE) spending jumped up by P9.8 billion or 48.9 percent to P29.8 billion in January. The frontloading and reprogramming of cash grants for the Set 1-5 beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in anticipation of the election ban, accounted for majority of the increase, on top of the P7.8 billion CCT requirement for November-December 2012, which was scheduled for payment in January.

Personnel Services (PS) disbursements also grew to P40.8 billion in January, posting a 13.4-percent or P4.8 billion increase to year-on-year. This was due to the implementation of the last tranche of the Salary Standardization Law III (SSL III), as well as higher claims for retirement gratuity and terminal leave benefits.

Transfers to Local Government Units (LGUs) likewise rose in January, increasing by P2.7 billion or 11.6 percent, as a result of higher Internal Revenue Allocation for 2013 and the partial provision of 2012 unreleased appropriations for LGU shares in the proceeds of the tobacco excise tax, the release of which depends on the submission of budgetary requests by beneficiary LGUs, accompanied with the list of projects.

|TOP|

Abad: No budget cut for SUCs; Allocation for state universities, colleges up by 44%

Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph

Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad emphasized that state universities and colleges (SUCs) did not suffer a budget cut this year, but were instead given a total of P37.1 billion in 2013, 44 percent higher than their total allocation in 2012. Abad confirmed this in the wake of recent reports that decried alleged budget cuts imposed on SUCs. ―To say that we decreased the budget for SUCs is grossly inaccurate. As a matter of fact, the Aquino administration gave the sector a 44-percent budget boost over its 2012 allocation, in line with our goal to improve the country‘s tertiary education system and expand the operational capacity of our SUCs,‖ Abad said. Abad added that the University of the Philippines (UP) System received the highest budget, amounting to P9.53 billion in new appropriations under the 2013 National Budget. ―This year, the Administration will pay particular focus on streamlining the curricula of SUCs through the Roadmap for Higher Education Reform. Apart from making higher education more responsive to students‘ needs, the roadmap will help college students fine-tune their skills so they‘re primed for jobs in high-performing industries,‖ he said.

|TOP|

BIR, BOC revenues continue double-digit growth

Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph

Jan deficit at P19.5 B with Expenditures up 11% ―The Philippines‘ fiscal performance for the first month of 2013 was marked by continued disbursement acceleration and robust revenue generation,‖ said Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. The national government posted a deficit of P19.531 billion in January, 23% higher than registered last year at P15.943 billion. In total, the government collected P138.368 billion in revenues against P157.899 billion worth of expenditures. BIR, Customs sustain double-digit growth For the month of January 2013, the BIR collected P94.718 billion in tax revenues, up by 11% from a year ago. Customs, for its part, had a collection tally of P24.540 billion or 12% percent higher than registered last year. Meanwhile, Treasury posted a P9.350 billion in collections for the first month of the year, 15% lower than the previous year. This is primarily due to timing differences in the remittance of GOCC dividends. Collections from other offices, such as fees of government agencies, also contributed to revenue growth in January recording a 19.5% uptick in January to P9.760 billion. January spending up 11%

National Government expenditures amounted to P157.899 billion for the month of January, posting an 11% rise against spending in January 2012. Net of interest payments, the National Government still operates under a primary surplus of P35.311 billion, 2.8% higher than last year. Tax compliance campaign revs up ―We are confident of sustaining the improvements in our revenue generation especially with our aggressive campaign to improve collections among self-employed, business and professionals. Through more intensive collaboration and information sharing with local government units, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Professional Regulatory Commission, and private sector industry and professional associations, we aim to broaden our tax base by getting more self-employed to file their tax returns and to increase average collections from these individuals so that we can further improve our tax effort,‖ said Purisima. He added, ―No less than President Aquino himself has taken the lead in this endeavor. In his speech at the Convention of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, he pointed out to the members present the dismal record of the Federation in complying with tax laws and gave them until April 15, the deadline for income tax filing, to remedy the situation. It is this political will that will ensure the success of our campaign to improve tax compliance.‖

|TOP|

Debt ratios remain at comfortable levels in 2012

Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. reported that the country‘s outstanding external debt approved/registered by the BSP stood at US$60.3 billion at end-2012, lower by US$1.4 billion compared to the US$61.7 billion level recorded in the third quarter. The debt stock declined due largely to negative foreign exchange revaluation adjustments as the U.S. dollar recovered particularly against the Japanese Yen in the last quarter of the year. External debt refers to all types of borrowings by Philippine residents from non-residents that are approved/registered by the BSP. Year-on-year, the debt stock dropped by US$104 million (or 0.2 percent) from the 2011 level of US$60.4 billion due to the following: (a) increased investments by residents in Philippine debt papers (US$1.4 billion) and (b) negative foreign exchange revaluation adjustment (US$1.4 billion) due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Japanese Yen, which were offset by (c) net availments (US$2.6 billion) and (d) positive audit adjustments (US$59 million). External Debt Ratios ―Major external debt indicators remained at comfortable levels by the close of 2012‖, the Governor observed. Gross international reserves (GIR) which amounted to US$83.8 billion at year-end represented cover for short-term debt of 9.9 times (under the original maturity concept) and 7.1 times (under the remaining maturity concept). The ratio under the remaining maturity concept is substantially higher than the international benchmark of 1.0. [ST accounts under the remaining maturity concept consist of obligations with original maturities of one (1) year or less, plus amortizations on medium and long-term accounts falling due within the next 12 months, i.e., from January to December 2013.] The external debt ratio or outstanding external debt as a percentage of aggregate output (gross national income or GNI) indicated sustained improvement from 20.3 percent last year to 18.3 percent in 2012. Using gross domestic product (GDP) as denominator, the same trend is observed (from 26.9 percent in 2011 to 24.1 percent in 2012) as the country registered rapid economic growth of 6.6 percent for the full year despite a weak global economy in 2012. The ratio is an indicator of solvency and reflects the country‘s capacity to repay long-term foreign obligations. The external debt service ratio (DSR), or the ratio of total principal and interest payments relative to total exports of goods and receipts from services and income, is a measure of the sufficiency of foreign exchange to meet currently maturing obligations. In 2012, the ratio improved further to 7.4 percent from 10.2 percent the previous year due to higher receipts as the country posted the highest annual growth in merchandise exports in East and Southeast Asia (according to the National Economic Development Authority) and lower debt payments. The ratio, however, is still well below the 20 to 25 percent international benchmark, indicating a strong liquidity position vis-à-vis payment obligations. Data on exports of goods and receipts from services and income are now in line with the International Monetary Fund‘s 6th edition of Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual. Debt Profile The external debt portfolio remained predominantly medium to long-term (MLT) in tenor, with MLT accounts representing 85.9 percent of total. [MLT loans are those with maturities longer than one (1) year.] The larger share of MLT accounts means that loan payments are spread out over a longer period of time, resulting in a more manageable level of debt payments. The weighted average maturity for all MLT accounts stood at 20.4 years. Public sector borrowings had a longer average tenor of 22.0 years, compared to 10.7 years for the private sector. Short term external debt comprised the 14.1 percent balance of debt stock, and consisted largely of trade credits and inter-bank borrowings. Total public sector external debt declined to US$45.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2012 from US$46.7 billion in September of the same year, due to negative foreign exchange revaluation adjustments for debts denominated particularly in Japanese Yen (US$1.5 billion). On the other hand, private sector external debt slightly increased to US$15.2 billion or by US$125 million.

The creditor profile remained unchanged. Borrowings from official creditors (consisting of multilateral institutions and bilateral creditors) continued to have the largest share at 42.1 percent of total; most of these loans carry ―softer‖ or more concessional terms. Foreign holders of bonds and notes comprised 36.2 percent of total, followed by foreign banks and other financial institutions at 14.9 percent. The rest of the creditors (6.8 percent) were mainly foreign suppliers/exporters. The currency composition of external debt was likewise essentially maintained: U.S. dollar-denominated accounts represented 48.7 percent of total; Japanese Yen accounts, 23.8 percent; and multi-currency loans from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, 12.6 percent. The rest of the accounts comprising the 14.9 percent balance were denominated in 18 other currencies.

|TOP|

DILG-NCR holds convergence rally for ISFs

Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph

The Department of the Interior and Local Government – National Capital Region (DILG-NCR), conducted a Multi-Stakeholders‘ Convergence Rally for the Shelter Needs of Informal Settler Families along NCR Waterways recently at the Marikina Convention Center in Marikina City. The one-day event was the culminating activity of the series of collaborative consultations with the stakeholders from January 16 to 23, 2013. Geared towards the goal of mainstreaming participatory approach in addressing the housing needs of the Informal Settler Families (ISFs), two hundred fifty-three (253) participants converged towards achieving a specific goal that will ensure the promotion of human dignity and support human development especially among our brothers and sisters from the marginalized sector of our society. The event also became an avenue for an exchange of ideas and proposals for the improvement the Peoples‘ Shelter Plan. Marikina City Vice Mayor Jose Fabian I. Cadiz graced the event and welcomed all the participants in behalf of Marikina City Mayor Del De Guzman. DILG-NCR Regional Director Renato L. Brion then expressed his appreciation to the participants and conveyed his message of hope that through participation, knowledge-sharing and unity among the participants, they will be able to come up with ways and solutions to address the problems and issues concerning the ISF. Director Virgilio Castro of the National Barangay Operations Office discussed the DILG Framework for Policy and Action on Informal Settler Families‘ Concerns while Atty. Rizaldy C. Mariano from the DILG Legal Office presented the DILG Issuances in the Prevention of Proliferation of Professional Squatters and Squatting Syndicates, to further equip the participants with information that will guide them for the workshop output required for them to accomplish for the day. Key officials from various sectors involved with the program joined the event, from national government agencies (NGAs) to non-government organizations (NGOs) and peoples‘ organizations (POs), local government units (LGUs) to the academe and professional organizations to faith-based group. They all gathered to achieve the advocacy of their groups as well as to attain the overall objective of the program. Representatives of the stakeholders also presented their roles, contributions and recommendations for the program. The participants were grouped into five (5) thematic areas according to their preference; Empowerment and Capacity Building, Financing and Resource Mobilization, Construction, Technical Assistance and the May 15, 2013 Preventive Evacuation of ISFs on top and along waterways. Each group discussed their proposed action plans for the effective and efficient implementation of the program, each group then presented their workshop output. Before concluding the event, the participants also pledged their commitment to the program, to help push forward solutions to the housing needs of the Informal Settler Families.

|TOP|

DOE Statement

Source: http://www.doe.gov.ph

The Department of Energy would like to inform the public that the government is fast tracking the measures aimed at easing the power supply situation in Mindanao. ―We have projected that Mindanao will have additional power by 2015 as indicated by committed projects in the region. The challenge now is how to address the power situation from now until 2015,‖ Sec. Carlos Jericho L. Petilla said. With this, the DOE and the Mindanao Development Authority along with all the stakeholders, are firming up measures to solve the current power situation in Mindanao, which will be presented to the President and then to the public. The DOE requests everyone to extend their utmost cooperation as we all seek for solutions to the Mindanao power situation for the development of the said region.

|TOP|

DOST-NRCP honors excellent Filipino researchers

Source: http://www.dost.gov.ph

The Department of Science and Technology - National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) recently honored 12 Filipino researchers in the 2012 NRCP Achievement Awards for their outstanding works and innovative discoveries. The awarding was held during the 80th General Membership Assembly last March 13 , 2013 at the historic Manila Hotel . The awardees‘ scientific works were recognized as tools promoting the welfare of the nation and the citizenry and enriching the

country‘s knowledge in the twelve scientific disciplines spanning basic, applied sciences and social sciences. DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo and NRCP President Dr. Lourdes Cruz handed out a gold medallion, plaque of recognition, and cash reward of Php 25,000.00 to each awardee. Sec. Montejo also introduced to the researchers DOST‘s latest umbrella program called ―Smarter Philippines‖ and enjoined all researchers to harmonize their efforts to the program. DOST-NRCP will be celebrating its 80th Foundation Anniversary on December 8, 2013 The awardees were: Dr. Evelina M. Vicencio (Ph.D. University of Philippines Diliman), who was honored for her unwavering leadership and service to Philippine education with her intensive involvement in the development of peer-refereed publications and research reports that benefitted many Filipino learners. Dr. Fidel R. Nemenzo (D.Sc. Mathematics. Sophia University, Japan), who was lauded for pioneering the development of research in applications to algebraic coding theory in the country and for elevating the status of Philippine mathematics through his engagements as visiting professor and researcher of many prestigious institutions. Dr. Trinidad P. Trinidad (Scientist 2 of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute) whose pioneering studies on the bio-availability of minerals such as iron, zinc and calcium absorption and whose work on the use of coconut flour, root crops and legumes as sources of dietary fibers earned praises from DOST-NRCP. Dr. Ireneo L. Lit Jr. (Director of University of the Philippines–Los Baños Museum of Natural History), a taxonomist who earned recognition for his pioneering work in the field of coccidology and for his researches on effective management of pest insects including quarantine measures and control of household and food industrial pests. Dr. Severino S. Capitan (Ph.D. Animal Physiology, Punjab Agricultural University) whose notable researches on artificial insemination and estrus synchronization which involves manipulation of cattle‘s reproductive processes, led to significant genetic improvement and population increase among carabaos in the country. Dr. Alvin B. Culaba (National Academy of Science and Technology Advisory Council Member) who was commended for his pioneering work on life cycle assessment methodology in the Philippines and Asia, and for his significant contributions and inspiring leadership in the formulation of national policies and the setting of directions for the growth and development of mission oriented scientific research in the country . Dr. Nimfa B. Ogena (University of the Philippines Population Institute) , an outstanding researcher whose scholarly contributions span several substantive and methodological areas. Among the most notable were her works on women‘s role in sustainable development, reproductive health and quantitative approaches for examining female status which have contributed to national and international policies. Dr. Alipio T. Garcia (University of Philippines-Baguio), honored for his pioneering works in ultra –high vacuum –thin film growth in the country, his significant contribution in the field of material science and semiconductors, and his unwavering support for the development and promotion of physics education in the Philippines. Dr. Florentino P. Sumera (Professor of Chemistry, Material Science and Engineering, UP-Diliman), for his work on the synthesis of coconut fatty acid derivatives for biofuels and biodegradable polymers with potential environmental and medical use. Dr. Jose S. Buenconsejo (Department of Musicology, UP-Diliman) conferred for his in-depth, insightful research on the epistemology of an indigenous Filipino-Asiatic ritual as well as his documentation of indigenous Philippine musical traditions in the context of local cultural meanings. Dr. Carina G. Lao (The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) for her expertise in the field of metrology as well as her scientific researches on the tropical cyclone tracks and unusual movements of typhoons, and Dr. Jezie A. Acorda (UPLB College of Veterinary Medicine) who received the award for his significant contributions in the field of veterinary medicine specifically on medical imaging techniques and complementary alternative veterinary medicine such as acupuncture stimulation. Established on December 8, 1933 through the passage of Act 4120 by the Ninth Philippine Legislature, the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) primarily aims to promote and support basic research in the country along various scientific disciplines including education and international policies, math, medicine, pharmacy, biology, agriculture and forestry, engineering and industry, physics, chemistry, earth and space sciences, veterinary, social sciences, and the humanities.

|TOP|

NEDA cites Phl performance in HDI, progress in the MDGs among other ASEAN countries

Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph

MANILA-The Philippines continues to rank relatively higher in human development than other ASEAN member countries and is also making progress in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The 2013 Human Development Report of the United Nations Development Programme ranked the Philippines 114 among 187 countries, with a medium Human Development Index (HDI) at 0.654 as of 2012.

―Within the ASEAN region, the Philippines‘ HDI is higher than Indonesia (0.629), Vietnam (0.617), Cambodia (0.543), Lao PDR (0.543), and Myanmar (0.498), though lower than Thailand (0.690) and Malaysia (0.769) ‖ said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan. However, the pace of improvement in HDI over the past three decades is much slower in the Philippines than in most major East Asian neighbours, particularly Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. HDI is a composite index of health (i.e., life expectancy), education (i.e., mean years of schooling), and income (i.e., gross national income (GNI) per capita). Meanwhile, the Philippines has also achieved three of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ahead of the 2015 target, according to Balisacan. ―We are an early achiever in the attainment of the MDGs in the areas of gender equality, disease control, and environmental sustainability,‖ he said. He said this citing the ―2012 MDGs Regional Report: Where We Stand‖, which showed that the Philippines has attained three of the eight goals and in nine out of the 22 indicators of the MDGs way before the 2015 target. Overall, the Philippines fared better in comparison with its Southeast Asian neighbors such as Timor Leste, Cambodia and Lao Peoples‘ Democratic Republic in terms of progress towards attaining the MDGs. ―The 2013 Human Development Report and the 2012 MDGs Regional Report supports the claim that our country is not Asia‘s worst performer in those areas,‖ said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General. On the MDG on women empowerment, he said that the country has succeeded in realizing gender equality in primary, secondary and tertiary education. Balisacan added that the Philippines has been successful in reducing the prevalence of malaria and tuberculosis, while reversing or halting the spread of HIV/AIDS remains a challenge. The MDG target for tuberculosis incidence has already been met while the target on tuberculosis prevalence is well within reach. The country is also reported to have achieved the targets for its indicators on forest cover, protected areas, carbon-dioxide emissions and consumption of ozone-depleting substances which include chloro-flouro carbons or CFCs. ―While the report cited the Philippines as lagging on other MDGs, official statistics show that we are likely to meet the targets on food poverty, child mortality, and access to safe drinking water and sanitary toilet facilities by 2015,‖ said Balisacan. The National Statistical Coordination Board‘s 2009 Family Income and Expenditure Survey showed that extreme poverty was down to 10.8 percent from 16.5 percent in 1991, close to the 2015 target of 8.25 percent. The official figure for 2012 will be known later this year. Also, under-five mortality dropped to 30 deaths per 1,000 lives in 2011 from 80 in 1990. The country has already surpassed the target on access to sanitary toilet facilities as percentage of families with access to sanitary toilet facilities already reached 92.5 percent as of end-2010, surpassing the 2015 target of 83.8 percent. Likewise, the percentage of Filipinos with access to safe water supply also improved to 84.8 percent in 2010 from 73 percent in 1991 close to the 86.5 MDG target. ―Nevertheless, the government will continue to double its efforts in ensuring human development in the country through programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the National Health Insurance Program (Philhealth), and other pro-poor initiatives of the Aquino Administration,‖ Balisacan concluded.

|TOP|

Prague Film Fest Exhibits Filipino Films, honors Director Brillante Mendoza

Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph

25 March - Five films from the Philippines are currently being shown at the Prague International Film Festival or FebioFest from March 14 to 22. The five films include Director Jun Lana‘s Bwakaw and four films by Cannes Award-winning director Brillante Mendoza, namely: Lola, Tirador, Captive, and Thy Womb, which will have a marathon showing on March 20 at the Cinestar Andel cinema in Prague. Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia said that she is happy to note that the ―the selection of the five films exhibited in FebioFest is record-breaking as it marks the most number of Filipino films exhibited in the 20-year stint of the Prague film fest.‖ ―The film showing is timely as we celebrate this year the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Czech Republic. The Philippine Embassy is pleased to support FebioFest through assistance in the transport of the Philippine films and in their translation to the Czech language,‖ she added. Ambassador Austria-Garcia announced that the FebioFest is giving tribute to Filipino film director Mendoza for his works. Other honorees include Polish actor-director Jerzy Stuhr, British producer Jeremy Thomas, Finnish director Aku Louhimies, Italian actor Giancarlo Giannini, British director Richard Lester, Austrian director Ulrich Seidl, and Czech actress Zdena Studenková. FebioFest is the largest film festival in the Czech Republic. The festival presents a wide range of contemporary and

retrospective samplings of high-quality films including alternative, film-school and amateur works to a diverse viewing public.

|TOP|

PHL Consul General in Hawaii receives new American Samoa Government Director

Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph

25 March 2013 - Mr. Afimutasi Gus Hannemann, newly-appointed Director of the American Samoa Government (ASG) Office in Hawaii, paid a courtesy call on Philippine Consul General Julius D. Torres on March 20 at the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu. Director Hannemann was accompanied by his Special Assistant and Legislative Liaison, Mr. Filipo Ilaoa. Consul General Torres and Director Hannemann discussed the working conditions of almost 2,500 Filipinos in American Samoa, majority of whom are employed in the fishing, garments and healthcare industries in the island. Director Hannemann expressed his heartfelt admiration for Filipinos in American Samoa and in Hawaii for their exemplary work ethic, dedication to their work and families, and happy demeanor. He also requested the support of the Consul General for the celebration of their Flag Day (similar to Independence or National Day) on April 17. Both also agreed to work together on issues that will mutually benefit the Philippines and American Samoa, and their peoples. Director Hannemann is the brother of former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann.

|TOP|

DOTC launches Oplan Ligtas Biyahe: Kwaresma 2013

Source: http://www.dotc.gov.ph

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) officially launched today (March 22, 2013) OPLAN LigtasBiyahe: Kwaresma 2013 to ensure convenient, affordable, reliable, efficient, and safe travel for motorists and commuters this Lenten season/Holy Week. According to the DOTC, the program involves the frontline transport agencies under the Department, and will run until April 2 (Tuesday), and is being implemented to address the anticipated substantial increase in the volume of travelers, particularly those making their yearly trips to and from the provinces in observance of the Holy Week. ―We expect many people to travel to their hometowns or to holiday destinations as early as Friday, March 22, 2013, considering that there are three (3) regular holidays/special non-working days during the Holy Week itself: Maundy Thursday (March 28), Good Friday (March 29), and Black Saturday (March 30),‖ the DOTC said. OPLAN Kwaresma 2013 efforts include, among others, the beefing up of security and safety measures in all transportation facilities, such as seaports, airports, railway stations, and bus terminals, and the setting up of help desks and assistance networks in all major land, air and sea passenger terminals across the country, as well as in strategic areas in the regions, to guarantee hassle-free trips for commuters and motorists. In addition, the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) have been issuing Special Permits for extra routes/bus units/ships to service the additional passengers traveling during the OPLAN period. As of March 21, LTFRB has approved 460 additional bus units to satisfy the increased passenger demand in the coming days. Real-time information on transport incidents and other updates, such as flight cancellations and the expressway traffic situation, will be made available using social media, so travelers may make the necessary adjustments to their travel plans. Reminders and tips will also be issued by the Department and its agencies throughout the period to ensure stress-free trips for travelers. For updates on OPLAN LigtasBiyahe and other transportation related matters, the public is advised to follow @DOTCPhilippines on Twitter. Motorists and commuters travelling through the expressways/tollways are also encouraged to visit http://www.tollways.net.ph/ and follow @TRBSAFE on Twitter for travel time and traffic advisories. For complaints and assistance, please call the DOTC Action Center Hotline: 7890.

|TOP|

Paje warns public of scam involving forest lands

Source: http://www.denr.gov.ph

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje has warned the public against buying lands in areas covered by the government‘s agro-forestry program, saying these are public forest lands that are inalienable or could not be disposed of. The environment chief issued the warning after authorities have discovered a massive land-fraud scheme involving an Antipolo City-based group selling lands located within the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL), which was declared a protected area by virtue of Proclamation No. 296 signed by President Benigno Aquino III in 2011. Formerly known as the Marikina Watershed Reservation, the UMRBPL is a 26,126-hectare protected area covering the upper reaches of the Marikina watershed in the province of Rizal, flowing through Antipolo City and the towns of Baras, Rodriguez, San Mateo and Tanay. ―Any part of a proclaimed protected area is classified as public forestland and could not be in any manner disposed of, much less sold as a titled property,‖ Paje explained. The new land scam has come to public attention after GMA 7‘s investigative program ―Imbestigador‖ featured Vanguard for Resourcefulness and Self-Reliance Livelihood and Housing Foundation, Inc. (VRS Foundation), which was reportedly involved

in the selling of lands within the UMRBPL. In an entrapment operation held last Feb. 20 at the group‘s office in Antipolo City, VRS Foundation officer Juanito Sta. Maria was arrested after receiving marked money from a DENR asset, who posed as buyer of a real property being sold by the foundation. The operation was carried out by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police and the DENR led by Assistant Secretary for Internal Audit and Anti-Corruption Daniel Nicer. Further investigations revealed that VRS Foundation was also engaged in buying Certificates of Stewardship Contracts (CSCs) from upland farmers taking part in DENR‘s Integrated Social Forestry Program (ISFP) and would use these CSCs as bases to resell plots of lands in the guise of ―transfer of rights.‖ Started in the 1980s, ISFP grants a 25-year stewardship contract to qualified forest occupants, allowing them to settle and till the upland areas; in return they agree to protect and reforest these lands. However, Paje said that under the ISFP regulations CSCs cannot be assigned or transferred without permission from the DENR Secretary. ―Rights to ISF areas cannot be transferred, sold or even titled; more so if they are inside protected areas.‖ Paje called on all other victims to come forward and file charges against the foundation, urging them to report to Nicer‘s office any unlawful sale of public land, especially those involving DENR people.

|TOP|

BI men on Holy Week alert

Source: http://immigration.gov.ph

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) alerted its personnel in all the international airports and seaports nationwide to maintain the highest state of alert as the whole country begins its observance of the Holy Week. In a memorandum, BI Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. instructed the agency‘s immigration supervisors to thoroughly screen all arriving and departing international travelers. They were also directed to immediately turn away foreigners who may be profiled as public charges or deemed as threats to national security, public health and safety. They shall be excluded and booked on the first available flight to their port of origin,‖ the BI chief said in his memorandum. David also ordered the immigration officers to be extra cautious in clearing overseas-bound Filipino tourists to ensure that victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment are not able to leave. ―Those with questionable travel documents and who purpose in traveling abroad is doubtful shall be subjected to secondary inspection,‖ he said. David also reminded the immigration officers to be extra careful in checking if a passenger is in the immigration blacklist, watchlist, lookout, and hold departure list. Atty. Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, BI spokesperson, said David‘s directive aims to prevent smugglers of illegal aliens and human trafficking syndicates from taking advantage of the Holy Week break to spirit their victims in and out of the country. ―This shows that we are resolute in keeping the country off-limits to undesirable aliens,‖ she said, adding that it also sends a signal to members of human trafficking syndicates and illegal recruiters that their victims will be stopped if they try to leave. ―We remain vigilant in guarding our ports even if the the rest of the country is focused on observing a very solemn and important religious occasion,‖ Mangrobang said. She added that immigration officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were also directed to ensure the smooth and orderly implementation of immigration formalities due to the expected influx of passengers during the holidays.

|TOP|

Hybrid Rice Producers unite for rice self-sufficiency

Source: http://www.da.gov.ph

The Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and private rice companies will hold the first ever National Hybrid Rice Congress on April 3-5, 2013 at PhilRice, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija. The activity, themed ―Bigas na Sapat, Binhing Hybrid ang Kabalikat,‖ will highlight the importance of the hybrid rice industry in the attainment of the vision of the government‘s Food Staples Sufficiency Program or FSSP. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala has been leading the implementation of FSSP as one of the Aquino administration's strategy to ensure self-sufficiency in rice and other foodstuff by popularizing other carbohydrates sources like saba, sweet potatoes, and white corn. In a press briefing, PhilRice Deputy Executive Director Dr. Eduardo Jimmy Quilang noted that the use of hybrid rice will be expanded under the FSSP to boost farmers‘ yield. Based on studies, hybrid seeds increase yield by 21% compared to certified seeds.

―Harvest can increase by 15% or more with hybrid rice. If the weather is good and the farmer is diligent, harvesting 12 tons per hectare is attainable. The usual harvest when farmers use the inbred variety is 4 tons per hectare,‖ said Dr. Quilang. As such, income will go up by P 15,000 to P 20,000 with hybrid rice. Based on initial estimates, if hybrid rice is planted in 400,000 hectares of rice field with irrigation, a total of 400,000 tons rice harvest will automatically be added to the country‘s national production. The First National Hybrid Rice Congress aims to develop policies and recommendations to popularize the use of hybrid rice and forge a stronger network with private seed companies. ―Even if hybrid rice improves the farmers‘ harvest and income, and it has a huge potential in helping the country achieve rice self-sufficiency, it remains unpopular because very few plant this variety,‖ said Dr. Quilang. ―We are looking forward to the creation of the Philippine Hybrid Rice Industry Development Board and the identification of the target areas where hybrid rice will be planted,‖ he added. For the upcoming Congress, PhilRice will partner with the Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology and private companies such as Bayer CropScience, Bioseed Research Philippines, DeVGen, DuPont Pioneer Philippines, SeedWorks Philippines, SL Agritech Corporation, and Syngenta, to deliver to farmers and seed growers new technologies and trends in the hybrid rice industry. 2001 Ramon Magsaysay awardee Professor Yuan Longping--the father of Hybrid Rice and a national treasure of China--will speak at the congress. Dr. Quilang is positive that the Congress will open doors which will result to the attainment of the President's vision during his first State of the Nation Address, ''Ang isasaing ni Juan dela Cruz dito ipupunla, dito aanihin, dito bibilhin.‘' (PhilRice/AFIS)

|TOP|

Phl eyes onion exports, sends trial shipment to Japan

Source: http://www.da.gov.ph

The Department of Agriculture is partnering with the National Onion Growers Cooperative Marketing Association, Inc. (Nogrocoma) to make it a reality. Several DA and NOGROCOMA officials sent off a trial shipment of 20 metric tons of yellow granex onions to Japan, on March 16, 2013, at the Manila Harbor Center. The onions were harvested from Bongabon, Nueva Ecija — considered as the country's onion capital —- and loaded in a 20-foot container van bound for Osaka, Japan. The shipment is expected to land in Japanese soil on March 20, 2013. Agriculture Secretary Chief Proceso J. Alcala said "this simply means that Filipino farmers can produce quality farm products like onions for export to countries like Japan." ―If the initial shipment conforms to the quality standards and accepted by the Japanese market, it would pave the way to further boosting our onion industry, and providing our farmers assured market and income, not only in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, but also in other onion-growing areas in the country,‖ the DA chief added. The trial shipment was a result of the research--―Enhancing the productivity of yellow onion towards commercialization for the export market‖--funded by the DA High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) through the Bureau of Agricultural Research. Under the project, Bongabon farmers were trained to produce cost-efficient, export-quality onions using quality seeds and modern production technologies, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Salvador S. Salacup, who represented Secretary Alcala during the send-off, said it has long been the vision of the DA to train and empower farmers so they can export, not only onions, but other vegetables and agricultural commodities as well. For her part, Nogrocoma CEO Ms. Dulce Gozon said if the trial shipment to Japan were successful, the country may start exporting yellow onions again after 13 years. She said the country‘s onion industry suffered a slump in the 1990s due to the influx of cheaper smuggled onions that eased out local onions in the domestic market. With the revival of yellow onion exports, more farmers in Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro and other provinces would be encouraged to plant Yellow Granex and earn more income, Gozon said. Last year, the country produced a total of 124,830 metric tons (MT) of onions, worth P3.9 billion in current prices. Of this volume, yellow onions comprise approximately 15% of total production, Gozon said. The rest, approximately, are red onions (55%) and shallots (30%). Ms. Leah Cruz, chairperson of the National Onion Action Team, said Filipino farmers should produce the right quality and size of onions to penetrate and create a niche, not only in the Japanese market but also in other possible export destinations. HVCDP director Jennifer E. Remoquillo said the DA will continue to provide needed support to further prop up and make the country‘s onion industry globally competitive, in partnership with Nogrocoma, other onion farmers‘ groups, and other concerned DA agencies. These include providing farmers with quality planting materials and other farm inputs and equipment, onion hanger storage facilities, marketing assistance, conduct of appropriate and location-specific researches, and establishment techno-demonstration farms to showcase different onion varieties, among other interventions. Other DA officials present during the send-off were Bureau of Plant Industry Director Clarito Barron, Agribusiness and

Marketing Assistance Service Director Leandro Gazmin, and National Agricultural and Fishery Council Director Ariel Cayanan. (DA-AFIS & HVCDP)

|TOP|

PH reaps awards at Routes Asia 2013

Source: http://www.tourism.gov.ph

The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) was honored as highly commended in the Destination Marketing category during the recent 11th Routes Asia Conference and Exhibition held from 17 – 19 March 2013 at the Renaissance Mumbai Hotel, Mumbai, India. The DOT was among the five (5) shortlisted finalists for the Best Destination Marketing Award, which included Tourism Australia, Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau, Singapore Tourism Board, and Tourism New Zealand. Tourism Australia was declared the winner of the first Routes Asia Destination Marketing Award. Routes, an organization focused entirely on aviation route development, spearheads and operates world-renowned airline and airport networking events attended by representatives from airline, airport, and tourism authorities, as well as aviation-related companies and investors. There is one global event (World Routes Development Forum) and several regional events held in key markets throughout the year in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the CIS Routes Asia 2013 gathered more than 700 key players in the airline and airport industry for the presentation of awards and strategic networking on air service development. The awards are given to ―recognize and reward the highest standards of marketing activities.‖ In the past years, Routes Asia only honored airports, but this year marked the first time to split the awards into two categories – Under 20 Million and Over 20 Million passengers – and the first time to confer a tourism award for best destination marketer. Clark International Airport (CIA) also bested six other international airports and won the 2013 Routes Airport Marketing Award - Under 20 Million Passengers category. CIA was recognized by the airline community and industry experts for its marketing initiatives and effective growth in passenger traffic, aircraft movement, and revenues for the year 2012. The other shortlisted airports were the Auckland International Airport (Highly Commended), Bangalore International Airport, GMR Hyderabad International Airport, Juanda-Surabaya International Airport, Kansai International Airport, and Siem Reap Airport. Meanwhile, Singapore‘s Changi Airport Group won in the Over 20 Million Passengers category. Changi was commended for reaching over 50 million passengers, securing five new air services, and introducing a product innovation. ―This distinction marks another great leap for Philippine tourism and aviation. We owe this to the strong support from all our stakeholders, who have invested their resources and trust in our bid to make tourism work for everybody. This gives us a reason to celebrate, but more importantly to work harder in strengthening partnerships with various sectors to make the Philippine experience a worthwhile option for travelers and investors,‖ Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. enthused. ―Our participation in Routes Asia is in line with our efforts to improve international air access into the country, a key strategic direction in the National Tourism Development Plan,‖ said DOT Assistant Secretary Benito C. Bengzon, Jr. who was the head of the Philippine delegation. These recognitions came on the heels of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)‘s recent lifting of significant safety concerns in the Philippine aviation system and the rationalization of the Common Carrier Tax, which are both expected to help regain the confidence of foreign carriers to reinstall direct services in the country.

|TOP|

Former BIR employee nabbed for extort try

Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph

The Ombudsman‘s Field Investigation Office (FIO) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conducted an entrapment operation on March 12, 2013 which led to the arrest of Virgilio Achurra, a former employee of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and his driver for extorting P60,000 from a Manila businesswoman. According to a report received by the FIO, Achura, who represented himself as a BIR employee, demanded money from complainant in exchange for the non-filing of a tax case against her for non-issuance of official receipt. Acting on the complaint, Assistant Ombudsman Joselito Fangon directed Associate Graft Investigation Officer Joel Eustaquio Purugganan III to coordinate an entrapment operation with the NBI. Complainant agreed to meet Achurra, who arrived with a companion later identified as his driver Rudy Villena, at Emerald Garden Restaurant in Manila to hand over the marked money. Upon inquest proceedings with the Manila City Prosecutor‘s Office, Achurra and Villena were charged with Robbery/Extortion. Achurra was also indicted for Usurpation of Authority under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code. BIR certification shows that Achurra, who worked as Revenue Officer I, was already dismissed from the service by a resolution affirmed by the Department of Finance on December 4, 2012.

|TOP|

Bangladesh tech-voc executives complete TESDA training

Source: http://www.tesda.gov.ph

As the country's prime agency for technical vocational education and training (TVET), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) continues to make a mark as training hub for vocational executives as well.

Last March 23, eight TVET officials from Bangladesh finished a two-week course on competency-based curriculum development and better delivery of TVET. The Training Program for Bangladesh Competency-Based Training and Assessment Implementer, which started last March 11, was part of a series of training and fellowship for tech-voc executives of Bangladesh, one of ASEAN member countries that sought TESDA's assistance in the improvement of their TVET system.. "TESDA is now being known not only for the training of students in technical vocational education, but also for being a training hub for trainers and managers from our Asian neighbors," Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA director general, said. "It's an accomplishment for TESDA to help shape the future of technical vocational education and training in the region," Villanueva said. The training program consisted of lectures and workshops on the various programs and processes in TESDA and actual observation of how these are being implemented in the country. It focused on competency standards development, curriculum development, management of information system, development of assessment tools, and competency-based training delivery. The eight-person delegation came from the Directorate of Technical Education and Bangladesh Technical Education Board. The training program was a follow-up activity of the visit of a separate team of trainers and institutional managers last year. "Slowly, the TESDA system has been catching the eye of other countries. We will continue to improve, so we will not fail them," Villanueva said.

|TOP|

PDIC to pay depositors of the closed La Consolacion Rural Bank (Laguna) starting March 26

Source: http://www.pdic.gov.ph

The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) will service the deposit insurance claims of depositors of the closed La Consolacion Rural Bank (Laguna) from March 26 to 27, 2013. Servicing of claims will be at the bank‘s premises located at the G/F CCP Bldg., National Highway, Landayan, San Pedro, Laguna. Depositors whose accounts have balances of more than P15,000 and who have outstanding obligations with La Consolacion Rural Bank regardless of type of account are required to file their deposit insurance claims. The announcement on the claims settlement operations of La Consolacion Rural Bank is posted at the bank‘s premises and on the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph. On March 20, 2013, PDIC started dispatching total payments amounting to P307,685.51 in the form of postal money orders (PMOs), through the Philippine Postal Corporation, to depositors who are not required to file deposit insurance claims. These are depositors who have account balances of P15,000 and below, who have no outstanding obligations with La Consolacion Rural Bank, and who have complete and updated addresses in the bank‘s records or have updated their addresses using the PDIC Mailing Address Update Form. When filing deposit insurance claims, depositors are advised to personally present their duly accomplished Claim Form and Claim Status Sheet, original evidence of deposit, and two (2) original valid photo-bearing IDs with signature of the depositor. In the case of joint account holders, depositors should photocopy the evidence of deposit as many copies as there are depositors of the account. Depositors may also file their claims through mail and enclose the same set of document requirements. Depositors who are below 18 years old should submit either a photocopy of their Birth Certificate issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or a duly certified copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar as an additional requirement. Claimants who are not the signatories in the bank records are required to submit an original copy of a notarized Special Power of Attorney of the depositor or parent of a minor depositor. The procedures and requirements for the filing of deposit insurance claims are posted in the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph. The Claim Form, Claim Status Sheet, and format of the Special Power of Attorney may also be downloaded from the PDIC website. Depositors who are not able to file their claims during the claims settlement operations period may submit their claims either through mail to PDIC or personally at the PDIC Office, 4th Floor, SSS Bldg., 6782 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City starting on April 10, 2013. In accordance with the provisions of the PDIC Charter, the last day for filing deposit insurance claims in the closed La Consolacion Rural Bank is on March 15, 2015. After this date, PDIC as Deposit Insurer, shall no longer accept any deposit insurance claim. The PDIC said that all valid claims will be paid. For deposits to be considered valid, it must be recorded in the bank‘s records and must have evidence of inflow of funds, based on the results of PDIC examination. PDIC, as Receiver, has the authority to adjust the interest rate on the unpaid interest offered by a bank if this is deemed unreasonable. For more information, depositors may contact the Public Assistance Department at telephone numbers (02) 841-4630 to 31, or e-mail at pad@pdic.gov.ph.

|TOP|

VP Binay calls on Filipino Chinese businessmen to help create jobs

Source: http://ovp.gov.ph

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay today called on Filipino Chinese businessmen to help translate the country‘s economic gains into job opportunities and concrete programs for the poor. ―In our drive to boost the economy, we must not lose sight of our Millennium Development Goals we committed to the United Nations. We must all work together to ensure an equitable distribution of wealth. The benefits we earn should be inclusive and trickle down to those who are in most need of relief,‖ Binay said during the 29th Biennial Convention of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) in Pasay. ―In concrete terms, this means job creation as no government, however affluent, can succeed if it operates solely on a system of dole outs however well-intentioned this may be,‖ he added. Binay said investor confidence in the Philippines is very high but also cited the need to translate this into real and tangible growth. ―Our vigorous push toward national development intends to create platforms on which those who dare can reap prosperity,‖ he said. ―Yes, my friends, I speak of you. But I also speak of the ordinary man or woman who pays their dues in blood, sweat and tears so that they can learn a trade, earn a degree and better themselves to find dignified employment,‖ Binay added. The Vice President also urged FFCCCII members to remain the government‘s partners in nation building and said the government is committed to making economic and political policies that will encourage the growth and success of enterprises. ―We will promote free and fair trade policies. We will have reasonable but firm tax regulations that will be consistently applied to all. We will have an intensified and sustained campaign against smuggling as well as infrastructure upgrades and development. More importantly, we will implement and improve alternative energy sources and mix to make power cost competitive and achieve stable energy supply, food security thru agro-agri development, and fair labor policies where the mutual interest of labor and capital is protected to ensure industrial peace,‖ Binay said. ―I enjoin you all to continue to have faith in your government as we work closely together to make our dreams for our country and people,‖ he added.

|TOP|

PIDS and IMF top officials share insights on inclusive economic growth

Source: http://www.pids.gov.ph

The Philippines has a very promising economic future but the country needs to improve on its governance, competitiveness, and fiscal management. In a seminar-forum co-organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), leaders from these institutions shared their views on the prospects of the Philippines in achieving inclusive economic growth. `The Philippines has large favorable factors because it has macroeconomic stability, abundant natural resources, and a large working-age population. However, it needs to improve its governance, competitiveness, and attractiveness to investments,` Dr. Anoop Singh, Director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the IMF, said during the seminar-forum which focused on the theme `The Quest For Inclusive Economic Growth`. According to Singh, growth in the Philippines does not show much robustness as compared to other Asian countries. But he is optimistic with the World Economic Outlook`s projected growth of over six percent for the Philippines this year. `What needs to be done to raise growth is to have more investments and higher productivity,` said Singh. The country`s weak investment climate can be strengthened by improving health and education outcomes and labor market efficiency, and creating strong institutions. Singh also mentioned that government revenue in the Philippines is low compared to other Asian countries. `There is a need for higher government revenue to raise public investment,` he said. He recommended raising revenue by increasing the country`s tax base. `Get rid of exemptions that restrict the tax base by increasing and improving tax administration.` Accentuating the importance of foreign direct investments (FDI) to the economy, Singh said FDI promotes competition which is needed for higher productivity. He then suggested that the country`s foreign ownership limits should be lessened, and its low ranking on ease of doing business index must be improved. According to the World Bank, the Philippines is in the 138th place on ease of doing business, clearly lagging far behind Malaysia which is at 12th place. The IMF Director strongly supports the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Philippine government. He said with optimism that it should be continued because CCT programs have significantly helped in decelerating economic inequalities in Latin America. PIDS President Dr. Josef Yap, on the other hand, brought attention to the country`s recent economic performance. `The GDP growth rate had jumped to 6.6 percent last year from 3.9 percent in 2011,` Yap said. This is the highest growth rate in the ASEAN region. Yap disclosed that this was largely driven by the growth in public and private construction. In terms of gross domestic investment rate, Yap echoed Sigh`s earlier comment that the country has a low investment rate and this fact becomes more glaring when compared to its neighboring countries. `Indonesia has already exceeded its gross domestic rate of 31.1 percent in 1994 with 33 percent in 2011,` Yap said. `On the other hand, the Philippines did not even reach 25 percent since 1994,` he added.

According to the president of the country`s foremost think tank, conglomerates are reluctant to invest in the country because of their captured market. Meanwhile, competitive sectors are also reluctant to invest because the costs they received from the conglomerates are also high (power, shipping, telecommunication costs, etc.). Yap suggested that the government should play a big role in addressing the coordination problem among the different sectors of the economy as this severely constrains investments into the country.

|TOP|

Last Updated: 25 MARCH 2013

Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy

Please click on thumbnails to magnify

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the 5th Anniversary celebration of

the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) at the CAAP Covered Court in Old MIA

Road, Pasay City on Monday (March 25). With the theme: “The Future is in the Skies”. CAAP is

mandated to perform the following: inspection and registration of all aircrafts owned and

operated in the Philippines and all facilities as well as for the enforcement of laws governing air

transportation; operate and maintain national airports, air navigational and other similar facilities;

and determine the charges and rates for the operation of public air utility facilities. (Photo by:

Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the 5th Anniversary celebration of

the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) at the CAAP Covered Court in Old MIA

Road, Pasay City on Monday (March 25). With the theme: “The Future is in the Skies”. CAAP is

mandated to perform the following: inspection and registration of all aircrafts owned and

operated in the Philippines and all facilities as well as for the enforcement of laws governing air

transportation; operate and maintain national airports, air navigational and other similar facilities;

and determine the charges and rates for the operation of public air utility facilities. In photo is

Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. (Photo by: Benhur Arcayan

/ Malacañang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the 5th Anniversary celebration of

the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) at the CAAP Covered Court in Old MIA

Road, Pasay City on Monday (March 25). With the theme: “The Future is in the Skies”. CAAP is

mandated to perform the following: inspection and registration of all aircrafts owned and

operated in the Philippines and all facilities as well as for the enforcement of laws governing air

transportation; operate and maintain national airports, air navigational and other similar facilities;

and determine the charges and rates for the operation of public air utility facilities. In photo are

Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and CAAP director general

Lt. Gen. William Hotchkiss III. (Photo by: Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines

(CAAP) director general Lt. Gen. William Hotchkiss III upon arrival for the CAAP 5th

Anniversary celebration at the CAAP Covered Court in Old MIA Road, Pasay City on Monday

(March 25). With the theme: “The Future is in the Skies”. CAAP is mandated to perform the

following: inspection and registration of all aircrafts owned and operated in the Philippines and

all facilities as well as for the enforcement of laws governing air transportation; operate and

maintain national airports, air navigational and other similar facilities; and determine the charges

and rates for the operation of public air utility facilities. In photo is Transportation and

Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. (Photo by: Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo

Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)

5th Anniversary at the CAAP Covered Court in Old MIA Road, Pasay City on Monday (March

25). With the theme: “The Future is in the Skies”. CAAP is mandated to perform the following:

inspection and registration of all aircrafts owned and operated in the Philippines and all facilities

as well as for the enforcement of laws governing air transportation; operate and maintain national

airports, air navigational and other similar facilities; and determine the charges and rates for the

operation of public air utility facilities. (Photo by: Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo

Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)

5th Anniversary at the CAAP Covered Court in Old MIA Road, Pasay City on Monday (March

25). With the theme: “The Future is in the Skies”. CAAP is mandated to perform the following:

inspection and registration of all aircrafts owned and operated in the Philippines and all facilities

as well as for the enforcement of laws governing air transportation; operate and maintain national

airports, air navigational and other similar facilities; and determine the charges and rates for the

operation of public air utility facilities. In photo is Transportation and Communications Secretary

Joseph Emilio Abaya. (Photo by: Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau).