30 NOVEMBER 2013
DSWD closes repacking centers in NCR, Cebu; beefs up Samar-Leyte hubs
| DOLE, OWWA intensifies Community Organization in Western Visayas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Initiatives to revitalize dormant OFW Family Circles (OFCs) and to form new ones are currently ongoing in Region 6 through the joint efforts of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-Regional Welfare Office VI (OWWA-RWO6) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the region. According to OWWA-RWO 6 Dir. Ron Lionel M. Bartolome, OFCs serve as bridge that facilitate delivery of OWWA programs and services at the grassroots level, foremost of which is the OFW reintegration program. He said there is urgent need to intensify the formation of left-behind families of OFWs and OFW returnees into self-reliant groups to effectively implement a comprehensive OFW reintegration program. OWWA’s partnership effort with DOLE to equip the agency front liners in community organizing was done through a Community Organizing (C.O.) Training conducted on October 17 - 19, 2013 attended by four DOLE staff and nine OWWA personnel as participants. Discussions were made regarding Development Theories and Related Concepts, the DOLE Regional Development Plan Framework, Labor Employment Plan, and the various programs and services of DOLE Regional Coordinating Council’s member agencies. Main speaker of the training, Elmer Gimay, delved on the nitty gritty of Community Organizing as a Strategy and a Process, Community Organizing Skills, Entrepreneurship, the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program, and the DOLE Accreditation and Registration for Rural Workers Association. Program and activity planning was the highlight on the third day, facilitated by Dir. Ron Lionel M. Bartolome. At present, four Family Welfare Officers (FWOs) in OWWA Region VI are in charge of the socio-economic profiling of the OFC members. After profiling, the OFC members are formed into groups. Relative to the implementation of the intensified CO campaign, OWWA-RWO6 have conducted house-to-house surveys and program orientation seminars in Brgy. Calumpang, Molo, Iloilo City; Brgy. Cabugao Sur, Pavia; Brgy. San Isidro, Jaro, Iloilo City; and Brgy. Cabugao Norte, Pavia. FWOs also visited leaders of inactive OFW communities in Tigbauan, Guimbal, Maasin, Pototan, Dumangas, and Calinog to encourage invigoration of the OFW communities in the area. Efforts to intensify the CO will extend till first months of next year to fast track the organization of OFW family circles in the region. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| DOLE's SEnA team wins 2013 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Civil Service Commission has chosen the Single Entry Approach (SEnA) Team of the Department of Labor and Employment as a Presidential Lingkod Bayan Awardee for the CSC's 2013 Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees. The DOLE's SEnA team won the Lingkod Bayan Award for its exceptional performance in delivering speedy, impartial, inexpensive and accessible settlement of labor issues through conciliation and mediation. "It is with great honor and pride for the DOLE to be recognized for its dedication in providing affordable and easily-accessible means of settling labor-related issues,” Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said, adding: "I am very happy and proud that the DOLE's SEnA team is a winner in the CSC's 2013 Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees. I congratulate the members of the DOLE SEnA team for this rare feat. This achievement is really an honor for all of us at the DOLE." The SEnA team is headed by National Conciliation and Mediation Board Executive Director Reynaldo R. Ubaldo, with Conciliator-Mediator Edgar G. Aquino, Conciliator-Mediator Angelita S. Narvaez, Conciliator-Mediator Jay Jasper B. Javines, Director Gil G. Caragayan, Senior Labor and Employment Officer Vivencio E. Lagahid, Supervising Labor and Employment Officer Reynante N. Lugtu, Senior Labor and Employment Officer Aurita L. Limpin, and Labor and Employment Officer III Joselito V. Diego. The SEnA is a reform measure enacted by Secretary Baldoz in 2010 under Department Order No. 107 pursuant to the 22-point Labor and Employment Agenda of President Benigno S. Aquino III, particularly on seeking to avoid litigious and expensive proceedings, while promoting integrity, efficacy, and fairness in the delivery of labor justice in the country. Under this reform, the DOLE and its attached agencies are mandated to strictly follow a 30-day mandatory conciliation-mediation process for all cases so that these will not mature into full-blown, legal proceedings. It is an administrative approach that provides speedy, impartial, inexpensive, and accessible settlement of all labor issues. The SEnA has a rallying cry of "Problema sa Trabaho, I-SEnA mo!". Under the SEnA, conciliation-mediation is done by Single Entry Approach Desk Officers (SEADOs) who are trained to fast-track settlement of all labor and employment cases, also called requests for assistance, brought before them. In just two years of implementation, because of its efficacy in settling requests for assistance (RFAs), the Congress has enacted R.A. 10396 institutionalizing conciliation-mediation as a mandatory mode of dispute settlement for all labor cases. President Aquino III signed it into law on 14 March 2013. The NCMB SEnA team was selected by the CSC through its Honor and Awards Program from hundreds of nominations nationwide. The Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award is an award for outstanding work performance conferred on an individual or group of individuals for exceptional or extraordinary contributions resulting from an idea or performance that had nationwide impact on public interest, security, and patrimony. The contribution may be a suggestion, innovation, invention, or superior performance. For the DOLE's SEna team, its concerted effort enabled the Department to achieve a reduction in the compulsory handling of cases in DOLE regional offices by 99 percent by the end of 2012. With the SEnA, RFAs took an average of ony 17 days to settle, a dramatic change from the longer litigation process under the compulsory mode of dispute resolution, including appeal processes which take an average of one year, with some cases taking too long that workers tend not to pursue them, thus preventing the administration of labor justice guaranteed by the Constitution. The SEnA program--because of settlement--had also prevented 31,592 labor disputes, or 75 percent of RFAs, from maturing into regular compulsory arbitration cases either at the DOLE or at the NLRC. Monetary settlement facilitated through the SEnA reached more than P1.5 billion, benefitting more than 45,000 workers. The awardees will be fitted in an appropriate ceremony in Malacanang Palace in line with the celebration of the 113th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary on 24 October. The team will receive a Presidential plaque with citation and signature of President Aquino III, while each team member will be handed a gold-gilded medallion. The team will also receive a cash reward of P200,000. Baldoz said this latest achievement of the DOLE is a challenge to all officials and employees to work harder in serving the Filipino workers. "Our work as public servants is noble and we must continue to pursue this nobility with vigor and excellence," she said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| RCMB-NCR settles dispute at United Land Transport & Bus Co., Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National Conciliation and Mediation Board Executive Director IV Reynaldo R. Ubaldo yesterday reported to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz the settlement of the labor dispute at United Land Transport & Bus Co., Inc. in Pasay City, handled by Regional Conciliation and Mediation Branch – NCR officer-in-charge Amorsolo V. Aglibut. Ubaldo said the parties mutually agreed to a separation package amounting to P660,866.00 for ten affected workers involved in the dispute. “The company also agreed to issue the employment certificates of the workers,” said Ubaldo in his report. As a result of the settlement, the union decided to lift its picket and remove its paraphernalia upon receipt of their checks on November 4, 2013. The union filed a notice of strike against United Land Transport & Bus Co., Inc. on August 16, 2013, alleging unfair labor practice due to the dismissal of union officers and members. Management denied the allegation, saying the affected workers were affected by the company’s retrenchment program. Baldoz commended Director Aglibut for closely assisting the parties on the path to a mutually acceptable solution. “The early resolution of the case eliminated the threat of a strike and assured the company of continuing peace and stability,” Ubaldo further said in his report. The Samahang Manggagawa ng United Land Transport and Bus Co. Inc. is an affiliate of the Association of Genuine Labor Organizations (AGLO). It is headed by Joel Ricardo Razon, union president. It has 69 members. The company, located at Gate 3, LRTA Compound, Airport Road, Pasay City, is engaged in bus transport plying the routes between Metro Manila and Leyte and vice-versa. It employs more or less 100 employees. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| One-stop station for donations set up in Cebu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu – As various humanitarian aid for ‘Yolanda’-hit areas in the Visayas continue to arrive at the city, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Field Office VII partnered with other government agencies to set up a one-stop processing station for all foreign donations at the Mactan Airbase. This is in response to the call of Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ruffy Biazon for a venue to centralize the processing and documentation of donated relief supplies and to facilitate their release within 24 hours from filing of import entry. The one-stop station is open 24/7. However, the DSWD clarified that not all donations are in its custody. “It really depends on the donor and to whom they would like to give their donations. Based on protocol, all documents will pass through the one-stop processing center but it does not mean that DSWD will receive all donations,” DSWD-FO VII Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat emphasized. “There are international organizations that choose to give their donations to their local counterparts,” Jabagat added. Process Based on the revised omnibus guidelines in the management and processing of donations in facilitating the issuance of certification for duty free entry of foreign donations, Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDA) shall submit authenticated deed of donation from the Philippine Consular Office of the country of origin. This should come with an accompanying certificate of the fitness of food and medicine for consumption and of compliance with the country of origin’s sanitary and phytosanitary standards. They also need to submit shipping documents such as original and/or duly certified true copy of Bill of Lading or Airway Bill and Packing List The receiving consignee will sign a waiver and submit a status report of the distribution or utilization of donation. Donors Currently, has been made consignee for the donations of nine countries – Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, India, Canada, China, Thailand, Australia and Indonesia. Last week, the People’s Republic of China donated 2,600 packages of tents and blankets. “The Chinese Government has been following closely the situation in the typhoon-hit areas,” said Economic & Commercial Counsellor Wu Zhengping. “China and the Philippines are neighbors. There is a long history of friendly exchanges and cooperation. Our donation demonstrates our friendly sentiment to the Filipinos,” Wu added. Dir. Jabagat assured that all donations are properly accounted for and acknowledged. Aside from DSWD and BOC, other agencies involved are the Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Health (DOH) and Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Two (2) earthquake-damaged bridges in Bohol restored | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Two (2) key bridges following the October 15, 2013 earthquake that hit the Province of Bohol in Central Visayas Region are now passable to vehicular traffic. President Benigno S. Aquino III together with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio L. Singson witnessed yesterday (November 28, 2013) the restored road travel connection between municipalities of Tagbilaran to Maribojoc and Cortes, Bohol with the completion last November 23, 2013 of the 120 lineal meter modular steel bridge as temporary replacement to the damaged Abatan Bridge along Tagbilaran North Road. DPWH completed the Abatan Bridge emergency restoration works with the installation of the modular steel bridge including approaches at a cost of P4.1 Million funded under the Disaster Related Rehabilitation Projects in the 2013 National Budget with the supply of modular steel bridging materials costing P63.4 Million. Structural integrity of the temporary replacement bridge, completed and opened to traffic on November 23, 2013, was tested as it withstood series of aftershocks from magnitude 4.0 to 6.0 including the onslaught of Typhoons “Yolanda” and “Zoraida”. With the collapsed of two (2) of six (6) spans and one (1) of five (5) piers of the old Abatan Bridge after the devastating earthquake, the DPWH is undertaking geotechnical investigation/soil exploration for the reconstruction of the permanent bridge targeted to start in April 2014 and for completion in September 2014. After Tagbuane Bridge along Tagbilaran East Road sustained severe damages to abutments, pier and approaches, the construction of 39 lineal meter modular steel bridge as temporary replacement restored connectivity from Tagbilaran to Loay and Alburquerque, Bohol and also facilitated during the opening on November 5, 2013 the movement of people, goods, and services from Tagbilaran City to port of Jagna. Reconstruction of the permanent Tagbuane Bridge is programmed to start also in April 2014 as detailed engineering activities is anticipated to be completed by March 2014. Three (3) other major bridges along Tagbilaran North Road namely Moalong Bridge in Loon, and Tultugan and Desamparados Bridges in Calape will be opened to vehicular traffic by first week of December 2013 as installation of temporary steel bridging components are on-going with H-Pile base support installed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 15,000 pass civil service exams | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Civil Service Commission (CSC) announced the passers of the Career Service Examination held Oct. 13. Exam results can be viewed at the website www.csc.gov.ph. 13,958 passed the Professional level out of the 118,896 who took the exam translating to an 11.74% passing rate. On the other hand, 11.64% hurdled the Sub Professional level or with 2,361 passing out of the 20,278 takers. 139,174 examinees showed up to take the paper-and pencil exam out of the 160,860 examinees registered or a turn-out of 86.52%. The examination was administered in 143 testing sites across the country. The new eligibilities will be conferred the Career Service Professional or Sub Professional eligibility, one of basic requirements for permanent appointment to technical and clerical positions in government, respectively. The CSC stressed, though, that both eligibilities shall not apply to positions involving practice of profession that require an appropriate license, and those positions covered by special laws. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Christmas festivities should not interrupt public service –CSC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Civil Service Commission (CSC) reminded government agencies nationwide, especially those in the frontline, to provide uninterrupted high-quality service amid the conduct of Christmas get-togethers and other similar year-end activities. “Christmas is the season of sharing and giving, and I know that the best gift we can give to the public is the promise of responsive, accessible, courteous, and effective public service, not only for the Yuletide season but throughout the year,” said CSC Chairman Francisco T. Duque III. The CSC Chair urged government offices to implement appropriate strategies, such as rotation and gatherings in shifts to ensure that the public is consistently served within the prescribed government working hours. “Even in scheduling Christmas parties during lunch break, the law says that there should be no interruption in service. There should be a skeletal force to oversee the frontlines,” added Chairman Duque. Republic Act No. 9485, also known as the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007, provides that “heads of offices and agencies which render frontline services shall adopt appropriate working schedules to ensure that all clients who are within their premises prior to the end of official working hours are attended to and served even during lunch break and after regular working hours.” Government agencies urged to keep yuletide gatherings simple “In this time when our kababayans are starting to pick up the pieces of their lives and move on from the tragedy brought by super typhoon Yolanda, we are given the chance to show our support, thus, I urge government offices to refrain from indulging in extravagant parties and lavish gift-giving,” said Chairman Duque. ‘Do not accept gifts’ The CSC Chair also reminded civil servants not to accept any kind of gifts or favors in exchange for performing their duties, especially from clients, suppliers, and contractors with whom they are facilitating business. “These may be construed as a bribe or reward in exchange for better treatment. Serving the public is our duty and we must give the best possible service without expecting anything in return,” Chairman Duque said. He cited Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, a law that prohibits civil servants from soliciting or accepting gifts, favors, loans, or anything of monetary value in the course of their official duties. The said violation is classified as a grave offense punishable by dismissal from the service on the first offense. Under the law, a gift is deemed proper or improper depending on the value of the gift, the relationship between the giver and the receiver, and the intent. Something of monetary value is “one which is evidently or manifestly excessive by its very nature”. Gifts exempted from the prohibition are those from family members given without expectation of pecuniary benefit; those coming from persons with no regular, pending or expected transactions with the government office where the receiver belongs; those from private organizations given with humanitarian and altruistic intent; and those donated by one government entity to another. ‘No drinking of liquor in government offices’ Chairman Duque also reiterated the prohibition on the consumption of alcoholic beverages in government offices. “The ban is for all season and Christmas is not an exemption,” underscored the CSC Chair. Pursuant to CSC Resolution No. 1100039, the consumption of alcoholic beverages such as, but not limited to, malt, wine, and intoxicating liquor in workplace among government officials and employees during office hours is prohibited. Chairman Duque stressed that the mere consumption of alcoholic beverages in the workplace during office hours as well as reporting for work while under the influence of alcohol shall be considered as an administrative offense, separate and distinct from the offense of habitual drunkenness. Officials and employees who are caught in the act of consuming intoxicating liquor and other alcoholic beverages during office hours, as well as those who report for work under the influence of alcohol shall be held liable for misconduct which is punishable by suspension for one to six months for the first offense, and dismissal from service on the second offense. Should an untoward incident happen as a result of such consumption, both the head of office and the officials or employees concerned will be held liable. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| With the objective of developing the capabilities of DILG Central Office Information Officers coming from the Public Affairs and Communication Service (PACS), as well as the designated DILG Regional Information Officers (RIOs) from the 17 regions, a “Seminar-Workshop on New Media for Effective Communication and Networking Among DILG Central and Regional Information Officers” was held last October 15 – 18, 2013 at Royal Hotel in Angeles City, Pampanga. The activity further enhanced the competence of the Information Officers (IOs) and designated RIOs in communicating and advocating the Department’s programs, projects and activities (PPAs) through the use of new media using the internet, and to establish media presence being the most recent technological expansion of mass communications. In her welcome message, Regional Director Florida M. Dijan of DILG Region III stressed the importance of information particularly in communicating the department’s PPAs down to the line. Resource speakers in the seminar-workshop were Ms. Theresa Gozum and Mr. Alex Villafania who discussed topics such as Digital Landscape 101; New Media Campaign and Analytics; Writing for the Web; and Setting-up and Management of Social Media. There were also workshops on the following: Media Campaign and Strategy with “Media plan utilizing new media campaign in alignment with the ATL (Above the Line or Traditional) initiatives as the Output; Content Management (Photo and Video Stories) with Social Media Accounts and Article on the Social Media Account as the Output; Infographics (What, Why, How to and Tools) with Infographics as the Output; and Audio-Visual Presentation (AVP) Editing with a 1-minute AVP Draft as the Output. Aside from the discussions and presentations, the participants were also briefed on DILG Priority Thrusts and Directions for 2014 by Director Frank Cruz of the DILG Planning Service, who gave a bird’s eye view of the 2014 Annual Operations Plan and Budget (AOPB) in his presentation. This was followed by an orientation on the functions of the PACS which used to be the Office of Public Affairs (OPA) prior to the rationalization on the DILG Central Office. The roles of the RIOs as part of the information and communication team of the Department were also discussed by PACS. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Statement of Sec. Balisacan on the 2013 third quarter performance of the Philippine economy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| We are pleased to report to you that the Philippine economy grew by 7.0 percent this third quarter. This is the fifth consecutive quarter that growth is at least 7.0-percent, buoyed by the expansion in consumer spending, higher business and consumer confidence, favorable interest rates, stable inflation, strong inflows of overseas Filipinos remittances, high inbound tourism, and an optimistic domestic economic outlook. Our country remains as one of the best performing economies in the region for the quarter, second only to China, and outpacing Indonesia, Viet Nam, Malaysia, and Thailand. Moreover, growth for the first nine months of this year reached 7.4 percent from the same period in 2012, still above the 6-7 percent target that the Development Budget Coordination Committee or DBCC has set for 2013. This implies that the Philippine economy only needs to grow between 2.0 and 5.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 in order to attain the DBCC growth target for the whole year. Needless to say, we need to remind ourselves that we need to work even harder to ensure that our gains are robust even as we face various threats and risks. The best example of how disasters can set back economic gains is the performance of the agriculture sector, where output marginally increased by 0.3 percent. On the other hand, the trend in the fisheries sector demonstrates that adaptation can yield positive outcomes. The bottomline, however, is to increase the resilience of families, for which income diversification is key. On a positive note, there are evidences that we are on track with respect to rebalancing the economy towards an investment- and industry-driven growth from a consumption-led one. Capital formation, which grew by 15.6 percent, has sustained its double-digit growth since the first quarter of this year. Investment in durable equipment jumped to a 22.3-percent growth, driven by expectation of higher demand for transport services particularly air transport, supported by our campaign to promote tourism as a major driver of economic growth. On the supply side, we note the high growth of the industry sector, 8.2 percent from 7.1 percent for the same period last year. This is backed by the manufacturing sector’s further expansion to 9.7 percent for the period, which is supported by the 135.2-percent growth in chemical and chemical products. It should also be noted that the manufacturing subsector appears to have inched towards diversification and away from previous concentration on food manufactures. The next strong contributors to growth during the period were basic metal industries, furniture and fixtures, and non-metallic mineral products. Despite the good performance in the third quarter, however, the combined effects of the powerful earthquake that hit Central Visayas; Typhoon Santi that swooped down Central Luzon, and Typhoon Yolanda that had a devastating impact in Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas and parts of Region IV-B, are expected to shave off a part of growth in the fourth quarter. We also realize that this adverse impact could linger unless we immediately implement reconstruction efforts. To date, NEDA estimates that the combined impact of these disasters could reduce the full-year 2013 real GDP growth rate by 0.5 percentage points. Thus, the recovery and reconstruction plan has to be systematically executed and managed well. Yesterday, we presented to the President a set of critical immediate actions which form part of the plan for the rehabilitation and recovery of the areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda. The discussions focused on the need to provide more secure shelter, revive economic activity, and restore public infrastructure and facilities. It is important to complete these critical immediate actions as soon as possible knowing the social costs involved if we delay. The actions will also create the enabling environment for private sector to come in and accelerate economic recovery. Let me also state that the recovery and rehabilitation plan is a product of inter-agency collaboration, with some help from our development partners. Even then, we realize that this should be considered a work in progress as different government agencies continue to conduct damage and loss assessments, gathering more detailed information and validating available data. The comprehensive plan includes immediate, short-term, medium-term as well as long-term interventions to help the affected families and local economies get back on their feet. The President’s instruction is for us to “build back better.” Through unified and well-coordinated efforts, we will once again prove the world our utmost resilience amid this adversity. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| DFA lowers alert level for Egypt from 3 to 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 29 November 2013 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario has lowered the Crisis Alert Level 3 (Voluntary Repatriation) to Alert Level 2 ( Restriction Phase) due to continued improvement in the political and security situation in Egypt. Alert Level 2 (Restriction Phase) is issued when there are real threats to the life, security and property of Filipinos from internal disturbance or external threat. Under Alert Level 2, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) allows only returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with existing employment contracts, or a group of OFWs under special circumstances, to go back to their host country. As of 17 November 2013, a total of 168 Filipinos in Egypt have been repatriated to the Philippines. The Philippine Embassy in Cairo continues to extend assistance to some 6,000 Filipinos in Egypt. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Phl embassy participates in International Dance Festival in Bangkok | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 29 November 2013 - The International Dance Festival 2013, bearing the theme “Road to ASEAN,” is being held at the Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre (BACC) from November 21 to December 03. It is organized by the Friends-of-the-Arts Foundation, in collaboration with BACC, UNESCO (Bangkok), Bangkok Metropolitan Administrations and the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture. The Festival consisted of symposia, dance workshops, master classes, young talent stage, virtual art exhibitions, dance films and performances. The Friends-of-the-Arts Foundation is a self supporting non-profit entity which strives to educate, nurture and excite interest in the performing arts among the general public and talented youth in Thailand. Throughout the years, the foundation stages performances to raise funds and educate talented youth to perform in a professional environment. The Embassy’s Cultural Officer, Ms. Sylvia M. Reyes, and Ms. Maria Paz Samelo, a Filipino teacher teaching at Aunareewitaya School in Bangkok participated in the series of free dance workshops being offered to the public. Ms. Reyes gave a brief background on Philippine culture and folk dance, particularly the Pandanggo sa Ilaw. Ms. Samelo then performed a solo number of the Pandanggo sa Ilaw and later taught volunteers from the audience the basic steps of the dance. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Korea's most wanted fugitive falls in Pampanga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the arrest of Korea's most wanted fugitive who is involved in economic crimes. BI Officer-in-Charge Siegfred B. Mison disclosed that CHO YANG EUN, 63, was apprehended after leaving a casino in Angeles, Pampanga at around 0900H on 26 November 2013. According to Mbon, CHO YANG EUN was arrested pursuant to a Summary Deportation Order that was issued against him· by the BI Board of Commissioners last September 07, 2012 for being an undocumented alien and a fugitive from justice. The fugitive's arrest and deportation was requested by the Korean Embassy which informed the Bureau about an Interpol Seoul Red Notice issued against CHO YANG EUN for being charged with fraud by Seoul Central District Court which issued a warrant for his immediate arrest. In addition, his passport was also revoked by the Korean Embassy effective March 30, 2012, making him an undocumented alien. He is also the alleged founder and leader of one of the biggest gangs who is re ponsible for various organized crimes in Korea. "This should serve as a warning to all fugitives from justice that the Philippines is not a haven for you. We will find you, apprehend you and deport you in support of our Good Guys In-Bad Guys Out campaign. We also wish to thank the Korean Embassy for disseminating the information and supporting us in this campaign." Mison said. Atty. Jose Carlitos Licas, Acting Chief of the Intelligence Division, said CHO YANG EUN will be deported immediately as soon as the BI secures clearances required for his deportation. He further added that the fugitive will be included in the Bureau's blacklist and can no longer return to the Philippines. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| High turnout in Mactan-Cebu International airport bid signals investor confidence in PPP program | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manila, Philippines – All seven (7) prequalified groups are bidding for the P 17.5 Billion Mactan-Cebu International Airport project – the first airport Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project of the current administration – signalling the private sector’s level of interest in the Department of Transportation and Communications’ (DOTC) PPP initiative. “The high turnout is proof that investors are confident in our PPP program. We want to sustain the momentum from this project to the next ones in our pipeline,” said DOTC Spokesperson Michael Arthur Sagcal. Last week, the transport department’s P 1.72 Billion Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) project garnered the highest number of bidders for a PPP project before today’s MCIA bid submission, with 5 groups participating in that tender. The DOTC is now evaluating the technical proposals submitted for both the AFCS and MCIA projects, and is targeting to proceed to the opening and evaluation of financial proposals next month. Meanwhile, the bidding process for the P 64.9 Billion Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 Cavite Extension (LRT-1 Cavex) PPP project will begin next week, when the transport agency will publish its invitation to bid. The DOTC also obtained NEDA Board’s nod to improve the project’s economic terms, and has announced that it intends to conduct the bidding for this railway PPP project in Q2 of 2014, to allow new players to participate. “We’d like the number of LRT-1 Cavex bidders to be more or less in the range of the MCIA and AFCS projects. This will encourage more competitive proposals, which will be good for government,” added Sagcal. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| DENR sets aside P347M for coastal forest rehabilitation in Eastern Visayas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje has announced that the government, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), will earmark some P347 million for the restoration of mangrove and natural beach forests in coastal areas battered by Super Typhoon Yolanda. Paje said this massive coastal rehabilitation program shall cover worst-hit areas in the Eastern Visayas region, particularly the province of Leyte and its capital Tacloban City. “Tacloban is a major concern given its being a major population center, but the undertaking will cover practically the entire eastern seaboard of Eastern Visayas,” Paje said. He said the main objective is to restore the region’s degraded coastal forests to make its coastlines less vulnerable to extreme weather events. “It is clear in the law that we cannot allow people to build houses in areas for mangroves and beach forest,” said Paje, referring to Presidential Decreee No. 1067, also known as the Philippine Water Code. Article 51 of said water code states that “banks of rivers and streams and the shores of the seas and lakes throughout their entire length and within a zone of three meters in urban areas, 20 meters in agricultural areas and 40 meters in forest areas, along their margins are subject to the easement of public use in the interest of recreation, navigation, floatage, fishing and salvage.” Paje said the situation in Leyte and in Eastern Visayas “necessitates a display of political will from their local government officials to restore their mangrove areas and beach forests,” said Paje, noting that the affected coastlines were once mangroves and beach forest areas but were converted mostly into settlement areas by informal settlers or for development activities. “Had the mangroves in Leyte and Eastern Samar not been decimated, the storm surge in those areas would have been dissipated by 70 to 80 percent of its strength,” explained Paje, citing a study by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which indicates that the “strength of an eight- meter storm surge is concentrated within the lower six meters with the upper two meters as only having tidal currents.” “The surge can only destroy the leaves, but it cannot uproot the mangroves because they are so deep- rooted and strong that they will regrow in time,” said Paje. He also stressed that mangroves are natural barriers against tsunamis, storm surge and other wave action, and therefore, should not be destroyed. Under the plan, some 19 million seedlings and propagules from mangrove trees and beach forest species like Talisay will be planted over 1,900 hectares of coastline under the National Greening Program. According to Paje, about 80 percent of the allocation will be used for the government’s cash-for-work program for typhoon survivors, who will take part in seedling production, planting site preparation, actual planting and maintenance of mangrove and beach forest areas. “Restoring the coastal forests in Eastern Visayas will set the foundation for the reconstruction and recovery of both coastal communities and urban areas in the province,” Paje explained. “We will design it properly and have it approved by concerned local government units.” The environment chief said that the establishment of “coastal green belts” will be done in clusters to allow fisher folk access to the shorelines, as well as other sustainable activities like ecotourism and coastal management. He said the budget proposal is awaiting approval by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). Earlier, President Benigno Aquino III directed Paje to devise a comprehensive environment protection program to minimize the impact of storm surges, flooding and calamities following Yolanda’s devastation. Other areas covered by the coastal rehabilitation plan are Dulag town in Leyte; municipalities of Guiuan, Llorente and Balangiga in Eastern Samar. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| DBP Tacloban resumes operations in Tacloban City | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Despite extensive damages sustained due to Typhoon Yolanda, state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has re-opened its branch in Tacloban City. This follows the resumption of operations of its ATM machines last week. “We are proud to announce the resumption of our banking operations in Tacloban City. We hope that the restoration of our branch operations will help in bringing back normalcy in the area, especially in business transactions. We realize this will be a long process, and we in DBP remain committed to helping the local communities get back on their feet,” DBP president & chief executive officer Gil A. Buenaventura said. The branch, located at the corner of Zamora and Paterno streets in downtown Tacloban City, serves about 12,000 clients, most of whom are government employees, public school teachers, and local businessmen. DBP Tacloban now accepts over-the-counter transactions such as deposits, withdrawals and check encashment. Banking hours are initially set from 9 a.m. to 1p.m. DBP also offers immediate assistance to affected local government units and business enterprises through its National Rehabilitation Fund for Calamity Stricken Areas. With an additional outlay of P10-billion, the facility supports the rehabilitation of projects that will speed up the development of communities affected by typhoon Yolanda. Under the Fund, funds may be allocated to rehabilitate DBP-financed projects adversely affected by calamities, as well as existing viable non-DBP financed projects that will speed up the development of communities and regions adversely affected by calamities. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Schedule of registration for Manila passers of the September 2013 licensure exam for teachers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manila, November 28, 2013 --- The Professional Regulation Commission hereby informs all those who passed the September 2013 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) in Manila of the schedule of their initial registration at the PRC Auditorium, 5th Floor, Annex Building: ELEMENTARY
SECONDARY
Registrants are advised to download the Oath Forms HERE and to bring their duly accomplished Oath Forms during their schedule for registration. Registrants are also advised to strictly observe the schedule for initial registration to avoid any inconvenience. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 35,493 examinees set to take the December 2013 Nursing Licensure Exam | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manila, November 29, 2013 – 35,493 examinees from various testing centers nationwide will try to hurdle the Nursing Licensure Examination set on December 7 and 8, 2013 to be given by the Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing. Bulk of the examinees will come from the National Capital Region with a total of 11,333 followed by Davao with 3,286 and Cebu with 3,150 examinees. The PRC, through Board of Nursing Resolution No. 39 series of 2013, announces that examinees who have been issued the corresponding Notice of Admission (NOA) to the December 2013 Board Licensure Examination for Nurses in Tacloban City are allowed to take the exam in their preferred testing sites, provided that appropriate coordination be made with the concerned PRC Regional Office for the revalidation of their application and issuance of new NOA’s not later than November 29, 2013. Examinees enlisted in Tacloban City who will not be able to take the December 2013 Nurse licensure exam may take the same not later than the next schedule which is on May 2014 without need of paying the examination fees subject to revalidation and issuance of new NOA by the PRC Regional Office in Tacloban City. The Professional Regulation Commission advises the examinees to bring their notice of admission, two or more pencils (No.2), ballpens with BLACK INK, one piece metered-stamp window envelope, one piece long brown envelope, and one piece long transparent (non-colored) plastic envelope on examination day. The testing centers include Manila, Baguio, Cabanatuan, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Dagupan, Davao, Iloilo, Laoag, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Pampanga, Tuguegarao, and Zamboanga. For information regarding allowable calculators, general instructions to examinees, and prohibited acts inside the examination room, please click HERE. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| NHA to double housing assistance for Yolanda victims - VP Binay | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vice President Jejomar C. Binay on Tuesday said the National Housing Authority (NHA) will increase from P5,000 to P10,000 the amount of assistance it will give to families whose homes were partially destroyed by super typhoon Yolanda. “NHA provides construction materials for families whose homes were partially destroyed by the typhoon. We initially provided a maximum of P5,000 worth of materials, but we changed that to P10,000 after we got a clearer picture of the extent of the damage,” the Vice President said. Binay, who heads the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), said they will also study the impact of relocation on the livelihood of those affected by Yolanda who will be moved to safer areas. “For example, we just can’t relocate farmers or those living in coastal areas because the sources of their livelihood will not follow them,” he said. The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) has previously announced that the government will be enforcing ‘no-build’ zones along areas 40 meters from coastlines. Moreover, the housing czar said he wants to study what assistance can be extended to residents or tenants of residential buildings noting that many of such buildings were destroyed in Tacloban City after being battered by the super typhoon. Binay previously said that members of the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF or Pag-IBIG Fund) with existing housing loans whose homes were damaged by the super typhoon are covered by the agency’s Mortgage Redemption Insurance. “Pag-IBIG Fund has also allocated P5 billion for calamity loans and an additional P5 billion for housing loans for members living in areas affected by Yolanda. We will increase this amount if there is a need,” Binay said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| COA’s Award-Winning Transparency Project turns one | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MANILA, Philippines, November 28, 2013 – The Commission on Audit (COA) celebrated today the first anniversary of its Citizen Participatory Audit (CPA) Project, the Commission’s transparency initiative recently awarded as the "Bright Spot" of the 2013 Open Government Partnership Summit in London. In her keynote address, COA Chairperson Maria Gracia M. Pulido Tan said, "I have always believed that all of us in government are ultimately accountable to the people we serve. They have the constitutional right to know if their money is being spent properly and judiciously by their public servants. This CPA Project has been designed to do just that – to directly engage citizens in accounting for the effectiveness and efficiency of government projects." The CPA was launched last November 26, 2012 at the CAMANAVA Flood Control Project Site with Secretary Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific (ANSA-EAP) through the Australian Aid Program. Two more audits were then added as pilot runs for the CPA: Solid Waste Management Program in Quezon City and Barangay Health Services in Marikina City. "It has been a great first year for the CPA. Our initial mano-mano Citizens’ Desk back in 2011, where the public send reports, complaints and suggestions via text messaging, has blossomed into three pilots for participatory audit with a fourth one underway. We are grateful and privileged to have been working with ANSA-EAP and to be supported by the Australian government. Our recent Bright Spots win in London has shown all of us that our concerted efforts to further government transparency and accountability are on the right direction," said Pulido Tan. The COA is in the process of finalizing templates and operating manuals for the CPA with the target of institutionalizing it into the COA system. It is also identifying additional projects for inclusion. Disaster aid audit is at the top of their list. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| DSWD closes repacking centers in NCR, Cebu; beefs up Samar-Leyte hubs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To speed up dispatching and delivery of relief goods to Eastern Visayas, repacking activities in the hubs in the Samar and Leyte provinces will be beefed up, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). To date, there are relief repacking centers in Tacloban City, Leyte and Catbalogan City, Samar. Another repacking site is being set up in Isabel, Leyte. Hubs in Guiuan, Eastern Samar and Ormoc City, Leyte will operate as drop-off points of packed goods. The Department will send additional personnel to reinforce existing manpower in these hubs from the neighbouring DSWD Field Offices and the Central Office. Meanwhile, the repacking centers at the National Resource Operations Center (NROC), the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, the Cargohaus in Parañaque City, and at Mactan Airbase in Cebu City will be discontinued. Volunteer activities in these hubs will end tomorrow, November 30 (Saturday), at 6 pm. The processing of evacuees arriving in Metro Manila will continue at the Villamor Airbase. Only the repacking will be stopped. DSWD thanks all volunteers who went to NROC and other relief hubs to help in the repacking. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Philippines Promotes Human Rights-Based Approach to Combat Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, in ASEAN | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (29 November 2013 - The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Justice – Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), hosted an ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Regional Workshop on the Human Rights-Based Approach to Combat Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, in Makati from November 27 to 28 Over 100 delegates from the 10 ASEAN Member States, international organizations and relevant civil society organizations attended the workshop, which focused on developing recommendations to mainstream human rights in ASEAN’s efforts to combat trafficking in persons Ambassador Rosario G. Manalo, Philippine Representative to the AICHR, opened the meeting and delivered a statement of the Philippine Vice-President Jejomar C. Binay. The Vice President’s statement encouraged ASEAN Member States to work harder together to build an ASEAN Community free from the scourge of human trafficking, noting that trafficking remains a major challenge in the ASEAN region, with women and children constituting the majority of victims Vice-President Binay’s statement expressed support for the adoption of a legally-binding ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons (ACTIP) and a Regional Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, which are currently being negotiated by ASEAN Senior Officials on Transnational Crime Ambassador Manalo highlighted the need to infuse the ACTIP with a human rights-based approach, citing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD), and the Phnom Penh Leaders’ Statement on the Adoption of the AHRD. The Philippine delegation delivered a statement of the DFA Undersecretary Jesus I. Yabes, calling on ASEAN Member States to adopt, consistent with their commitment to protect the human rights of every person, a human rights-based and victim-sensitive approach to combat trafficking in persons, particularly: · To prioritize enacting and implementing effectively laws that mandate legal immunity, or the non-criminalization of victims; · To advocate equal access to justice of victims, including granting foreigners the capacity to sue in the courts of transit or destination countries in order to seek relief for their injuries; and instituting a system of legal aid for all victims, regardless of nationality, gender or other status; · To capacitate law enforcement and other first responders to properly identify victims, and to prioritize the welfare of victims, including being responsive to the victims’ particular vulnerabilities and needs, especially women and children; · To ensure that law enforcers and first responders effectively inform victims of their human and other legal rights, including the right to consular access; and · To always ensure and prioritize protection to the human rights of victims. Justice Secretary and IACAT Chair Leila M. de Lima hosted the welcome dinner for participants. In her remarks, she noted that trafficking in persons is a form of modern day slavery that violates human rights and human dignity. She therefore called for enhanced ASEAN cooperation to eradicate trafficking in the region Panelists from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Bali Process, and relevant civil society organizations, delivered presentations during the plenary sessions Participants were divided into three working group sessions on: · Protection – Assistance to victims; · Prosecution – Law enforcement and judicial measures; and · Prevention – Education and awareness-raising Best practices of the Philippines were cited such as the IACAT Victim Processing Center and Anti-Trafficking Hotline of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. Key recommendations of the workshop included, among others: · The need to consider alternatives to detention of victims and irregular migrants; · Support for provisions on protection of the human rights of victims of trafficking, especially women and children, in the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons (ACTIP) and the importance of its expeditious conclusion before the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015; · Development of an ASEAN regional program on identification, assistance, and reintegration of victims of human trafficking; · Implementation of regional capacity-building programs and training of trainers on the human rights-based approach to combat trafficking in persons, in collaboration with international organizations and civil society; · The need to better inform migrants of their human rights and legal protections available to them in destination countries through pre-departure and post-arrival seminars; · The importance of engaging the private sector in the fight against trafficking, particularly in addressing demand and supply chain factors; · The impact of large-scale natural disasters in the region which can increase the vulnerability of peoples to falling prey to traffickers; and · Institutionalizing coordination and collaboration between the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies, such as the ASEAN Commission on Women and Children (ACWC) and the ASEAN Senior Officials on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) on promoting the human rights-based approach to combat trafficking. Participants highly appreciated the Philippine hosting of the workshop and expressed their desire to continue work and cooperation with AICHR, the DFA and the IACAT. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Phl Pushes for Closer Cooperation in Energy and Tourism, Importance of Rule of Law at 12th Asia Cooperation Dialogue Ministerial Meeting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 29 November 2013 – The Philippines successfully pushed for greater cooperation in the fields of tourism and energy among Asian countries, and the importance of adherence to the rule of law to ensure peace, stability and security in the Asian region at the 12th Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain on November 25. In the meeting’s outcome document called the “Manama Declaration,” the Foreign Ministers and Heads of Delegation of the ACD agreed to actively work together in enhancing and advancing regional collaboration in tourism and energy. The Ministers also agreed to “fully and effectively build trust and confidence, as a group and in concert with the international community, in order to enhance maritime security by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, relevant international instruments and UN resolutions.” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Laura Q. Del Rosario, who headed the Philippine delegation to the meeting, welcomed the adoption of the Manama Declaration citing that it reflected the interests and advocacies of the Philippines in the regional grouping. In her Ministerial statement, Undersecretary Del Rosario called for long-term cooperative action in dealing with the adverse effects of climate change, emphasizing that most actions of the international community are focused on mitigations as opposed to adaptation. She said, “The international community stands at a point where even the most aggressive and immediate actions to mitigate climate change will not stop the impact for the next half of this century. While deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions may buy time for human and natural systems to adapt in the decades ahead, we must also begin dealing with the unfolding impact of climate change now.” She also highlighted the significance of energy cooperation in the region, underscoring the obligations of countries under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). “As we fulfill our obligations under the UNFCCC to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, we must also continuously strive to improve energy efficiency, expand use of renewable resources, support research in new energy technology and develop green energy systems. These are all consistent with the aims of the ACD Energy Plan of Action,” Undersecretary Del Rosario stressed. The Meeting adopted the ACD Energy Plan of Action, the formulation and negotiations of which were successfully steered by the Philippines and Indonesia as ACD Co-Prime Movers on Energy. The Plan of Action sets the framework for energy cooperation among ACD member states in four thematic areas -- regional energy infrastructure networks, renewable energy sources and alternative fuels, clean technology for indigenous energy development and energy efficiency and conservation measures. The Philippines likewise supported the meeting’s theme “Promoting Intra-Asian Tourism,” which called for the strengthening of cooperation in the region, especially in the field of tourism, and the enhancement of people-to-people contacts to encourage investments and open the doors of intra-Asian cultural and tourism exchange. Aside from Undersecretary del Rosario, senior officials from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also attended the meeting as members of the Philippine delegation. The ACD was established in June 2002 with the aim of promoting interdependence among Asian members in all areas of cooperation, expand the trade and financial market within Asia, and ultimately transform the Asian continent into an Asian community, among others. The Philippines is one of the 18 founding members of the ACD, which presently has a total of 33 members. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PDIC to pay depositors of the closed Rural Bank of Alaminos (Laguna), Inc. starting December 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) will start servicing the deposit insurance claims of depositors of the closed Rural Bank of Alaminos (Laguna), Inc. on December 4, 2013. Servicing of claims for accounts maintained at the bank’s Head Office will be conducted at the bank’s premises at 99 Rizal Street, Poblacion, Alaminos, Laguna until December 10, 2013. Meanwhile, claims of depositors of the bank’s San Pablo Branch will be serviced at its premises located at M. Basa Street, San Pablo City, Laguna until December 6. Claims of depositors of the Sto. Tomas Branch will be serviced at its premises at Gov. Carpio Street, Sto. Tomas, Batangas, also until December 6. Depositors whose accounts have balances of more than P15,000 and who have outstanding obligations with the Rural Bank of Alaminos regardless of type of account are required to file their deposit insurance claims. The announcement on the claims settlement operations of Rural Bank of Alaminos is posted at the bank’s premises and on the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph. On November 25, 2013, PDIC started dispatching total payments amounting to P4.44 million 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 the Rural Bank of Alaminos, 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, original copy of Savings Passbook, and original copy of two (2) valid photo-bearing IDs with signature of the depositor. 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/authenticated 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 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 December 17, 2013. In accordance with the provisions of the PDIC Charter, the last day for filing deposit insurance claims in the closed Rural Bank of Alaminos is on November 16, 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 insurance rate on the unpaid interest offered by a bank if this is deemed unreasonable. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| DFA Spokesperson Explains Philippine Foreign Policy to Palawan Students | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30 November 2013 – As part of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA’s) efforts to give the public a better understanding of its functions, DFA Spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Raul S. Hernandez delivered a lecture on Philippine foreign policy before 160 students of Palawan State University (PSU) and other schools in Puerto Princesa. The lecture was held on November 29 on PSU’s Puerto Princesa campus. The Spokesperson explained the various functions and initiatives under the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy, such as passport and assistance-to-nationals services, economic diplomacy initiatives and the arbitration case based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), among others. Living in a province with a long coastline facing the West Philippine Sea, the students and faculty members paid particular attention to the first pillar, the protection of our national security. Spokesperson Hernandez assured them that the Government is doing its best to preserve our country’s territorial integrity and the resources that rightfully belong to the Filipino people. He underscored the country’s adherence to the peaceful settlement of disputes and the rule of law as demonstrated by the case filed against China, which he described as an “open, friendly and durable approach” to dispute settlement. “Sa mata ng international law, pantay-pantay tayo (In the eyes of international law, we are all equal). Even in our relationship with other countries we are guided by the principle of daang matuwid,” he remarked. The Spokesperson also encouraged the students to take part in the DFA’s pursuit of our national interest by joining the Foreign Service and “to strive for and live by the principles of excellence, integrity and patriotism.” The lecture was attended by Puerto Princesa Vice Mayor Luis Marcaida III, PSU President, Dr. Jeter Sespeñe, PSU Vice President, Dr. Lorna C. Gelito, Dean Gabilyn G. Orilla of PSU’s College of Arts and Humanities, Social Science professor Jose Homo, DFA Public Information Services Unit Principal Assistants Sharon Johnnette Agduma and Alvin Malasig, and DFA Puerto Princesa Officer-in-Charge Liza Jane Estalilla. This is the fifth in a series of lectures on Philippine foreign policy conducted by the DFA in a provincial city this year after Baguio, Cebu, Dumaguete and Marawi. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| DSWD sets up special place for women at evacuation camps | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tacloban City, Leyte - Aware of the special needs of women who are presently staying in evacuation centers, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has set-up Women Friendly Spaces (WFS) in its evacuation centers. WFS is a special place for women in evacuation centers where they can breastfeed their children, learn about health and well-being, and receive counseling, among others. The establishment of the WFS is also integrated in evacuation camp management which aims to respond to the effects of displacement and vulnerability of women and children in natural and man-made crisis situations, such as disasters and incidents of armed conflict. Initially, five WFS are installed at the Redemptorist Church, San Fernando Community School, San Jose Elementary School, Rizal Central School, and the Tacloban Convention Center. Alona Bermejo, the focal person of the WFS strategy, said that the project is co-funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). She further explains that a WFS can be installed in a classroom, in an office space facility, or in a tent. The WFS concept operates by tapping service providers, not only in providing psycho-social support for the internally displaced women but also medical, reproductive health services and basic food and non-food needs. Beneficiaries of the WFS will become part of the local government unit referral system where they will be accessed to different agencies for livelihood opportunities. J ust this week, the UNFPA had a Reproductive Health Medical Mission at the convention center. Stories of courage The WFS has been a place where women can interact and share their stories as part of their coping to overcome their trauma. They are are guided by social workers who are trained on stress debriefing. In the WFS at Rizal Central School, social workers gathered the women to tell their stories. A lady in her early 30’s, shared her touching experience with the supertyphoon.She appeared to be a strong person yet she cannot hide the tremble in her voice. Not wanting to be named, she shared in local dialect, “I was able to get hold of a cable wire while carrying my baby. The determination of my husband pushed me to carry on despite the threat that any minute me and my baby would die. The water was chest-high. Finally, we were able to find shelter in the second storey of a nearby house.” Another woman who resides at Pampango District recounted that she and her child were washed away, about ten meters from their home. A banana trunk aided them to safety. She, however, said that it was such an ordeal expressing her fear that she won’t be able to see her other son again. “I was trembling with fear and uncertainty. It was all too sudden. I never thought the situation will end up this way because I don’t know what “storm surge” is. I could also be blamed. My family was advised to evacuate but we didn’t. Thank God, we were reunited later with my older son. He was rescued by my uncle,” she tearfully related. “Paano kami babangon? Pinag-ipunan namin ang mga gamit ng mahabang panahon. Kailangan namin ng hanapbuhay.(How will we rise again? It took us quite some time to save for our belongings. We need to have livelihood),” another woman-survivor said expressing her grief over her lost possessions. “Masakit, marami akong pinaghihinayangan. Ang ganda pa naman ng Tacloban. (It’s heartbreaking, Tacloban is such a wonderful place),” another evacuee shared. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Thank you, Volunteers – DSWD | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) extends it gratitude to all the volunteers who helped repack relief goods at its main warehouse, the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City, and in all its satellite hubs in Metro Manila and in the regional repacking centers. The Department reiterated that it has closed the repacking centers in Metro Manila and Cebu and will strengthen those in Eastern Visayas. DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman emphasized that the volunteers contributed greatly to the relief efforts of the government especially in the repacking and delivering around 2.6 million relief packs to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern and Western Visayas. “I commend and personally thank our volunteers. We could not have done it without you,” Secretary Soliman said. The commendation comes at an auspicious time as the nation celebrates today, November 30, the birth anniversary of one of our national heroes, Andres Bonifacio. She added, “You truly exemplify the essence of modern heroism…” She also thanked the employees of DSWD and other government agencies, and the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Marines, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) who provided “invaluable help and assistance” during the relief operations. She also recognized those who provided stress debriefings to mothers and children in the evacuation centers who were traumatized by the typhoon. Since November 9, the day after ‘Yolanda’ hit the country, until November 29, a total of 151,920 volunteers have enlisted in the different repacking centers in Metro Manila and other regions. DSWD officials will go around the repacking centers today, the last day of volunteer activities, to thank the volunteers and ensure that the closing would be smooth. Relief distribution continues With the repacking to be done in Eastern Visayas, Secretary Soliman assured that relief distribution will continue until December for all affected families. The Department started with the sixth round of distribution yesterday. By January until February, relief distribution will focus on families who are still not capable to earn. These include those families with female heads, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, pregnant and lactating mothers, small children, and sick members. Cash-For-Work As part of the early recovery efforts, the Department will continue to provide Cash-For-Work (CFW) for the victims of ‘Yolanda.’ The CFW is an intervention for disaster victims where they are given cash in exchange for doing community work such as cleaning of roads and canal debris. According to Secretary Soliman, the CFW would help victims return to their normal social functioning in life as they will have some money to buy food and other necessities. “Working and earning through the CFW scheme will not only help them recover but to also regain their self-esteem and dignity,” she shared. Secretary Soliman urged the priority-families to go to their respective City or Municipal Social Welfare Office and provide them with their circumstances to ensure that they will be included in the list of relief recipients. Donors also lauded Secretary Soliman likewise lauded local and international humanitarian aid donors for their generous support. “Your donations will go a long way in alleviating the sufferings of all typhoon victims,” she stated. Among the latest donors are United Pulp and Paper Company, Inc. (UPPC) which turned over to the DSWD a check donation amounting to more than P1.2 million and 10 boxes of used clothes; Clark Development Corporation (CDC) with P1.2 million; and Innovathink Corporation with cash donation worth P54,000 and 40 boxes of canned goods and used clothing. DSWD Assistant Secretary Javier Jimenez received the UPPC donation yesterday on behalf of Secretary Soliman at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City. In receiving the donation, Assistant Secretary Jimenez said, “We really appreciate your generosity and will be sharing with you our rehabilitation plan so you will see where your donations go.” Wichan Jitpukdee, President and Chief Executive Officer of UPPC conveyed the company’s desire to aid the typhoon victims. On the other hand, Franco Madlangbayan said their donation came from the officials and employees of Clark Development Corporation. “We want to do our share to help the typhoon victims,” he pointed out. For their part, Ferdinand Mesina of Innovathink remarked, “In response to the crisis, we decided to cancel our traditional Christmas party in the office to help in our own little way.” As of November 29, a total of P47,759,770.59 local cash donations and US$13,109,737.27 foreign cash donations were received by DSWD for ‘Yolanda’ victims. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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