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PhilHealth to pay for hospitalization of 'Yolanda' Survivors |
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| The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) announced yesterday that it shall pay for the hospitalization of all Super Typhoon Yolanda survivors who need medical or hospital care.
Alexander A. Padilla, PhilHealth President and CEO, announced that the state insurance firm will grant PhilHealth benefits to members and non-members alike who are confined or availed of PhilHealth covered medical services from any DOH licensed facility, even if the said facility is not accredited by PhilHealth.
"This new policy of PhilHealth is consistent with its mandate to provide responsive health care benefits to its members at all times, more so during a fortuitous event where help is needed the most", added the PhilHealth Chief.
PhilHealth Circular No. 34 s. 2013 (Guidelines on the provision of special privileges to those affected by a fortuitous event) covers PhilHealth claims of those affected by a fortuitous event that covers any of the following conditions: (1) members and non-members and their dependents; (2) accredited or non-accredited (must be DOH licensed or DOH certified) facilities; (3) accredited or non-accredited health care professionals duly licensed by the PRC; (4) Claims for treatment done as an outpatient or inpatient relative to the direct and indirect effects of the fortuitous event within the Health Care Institution or an improvised/satellite facility; and (5) transferred from or managed by health care personnel from accredited facilities in an evacuation area, or improvised health care facilities.
Padilla likewise assured Health Care Institutions who suffered lost or destroyed PhilHealth claim documents that are for submission to PhilHealth shall have the option to choose the mode of payment of such claims either through reconstruction of the destroyed claims or payment based on the average reimbursement per day counting from last filing date up to the date specified by the Corporation.
Moreover, the new policy of PhilHealth extend certain privileges like extension of filing up to 120 days, exemption from the 45 day limit and singe period of confinement, extension of payment of premium contributions or extension of coverage, reimbursement for both referring and receiving health care institution, exemption to the less than 24 hour confinement rule, priority in the processing of claims, extension of the deadline for submission of health care facility reports and extension of accreditation of providers, as applicable. (END)
Reference: RODOLFO DEL ROSARIO JR., OIC-Senior Manager, Corporate Communication Dept., 0922-6247197 |
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Moving ‘Community Enterprise Development’ as a pathway out of poverty |
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| The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched last week the Community Enterprise Development as a Pathway out of Poverty, a project from a grant provided by the Japanese government through the Japan Social Development Fund(JSDF) managed by the World Bank.
“Japan continues its efforts for the improvement of the Philippines,” shared Hiroyuki Enoki, Second Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Manila.
The 2.9 million US dollar grant will be used for a Community-Driven Enterprise Development (CDED) pilot led by the DSWD through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
Patterned after the community-driven enterprise development framework, it seeks to improve the lives of the poor through market driven and resource-based community enterprises.
Improving quality of life
The JSDF-CDED project will be pilot-tested in Paracelis, Mountain Province; Libon, Albay; San Remegio, Antique; Siayan and Sindangan; Zamboanga del Norte; and La Paz, Agusan del Sur.
The municipalities were selected based on set criteria including poverty incidence higher than the national average and Local Government Units willing to adopt local economic plan in support of community enterprises.
The goal of the project is to improve the quality of lives of poor households in the pilot municipalities by increasing access to financial services, developing community driven enterprises linked to markets, and providing local economic development support.
Empowering the community
The JSDF-CDED project empowers the poor to participate in local economic activities and involves community members in addressing issues within the community.
Upon signing the Memorandum of Agreement with DSWD, Libon Mayor John Dycoco shared that the communities “must love and own this project like their little child to reap success.”
Ensuring sustainability
By the end of the project in 2016, at least 30% of the poor households in target communities should have access to financial services such as microcredit, savings, micro insurance or remittance services, and at least 20% of beneficiary households should have income above poverty line.
Moreover, to ensure sustainability, each of the communities should be able to develop at least one local product that has been linked to a more stable market. They should also adopt an annual local economic development plan that indicates the local government support for the identified value-chain product.
Collaborating efforts
The JSDF-CDED project is a fruit of collaborative efforts from both the public and private sectors. Representatives from partner line agencies and civil society organizations came as part of the National Livelihoods Technical Working Group .
DSWD Regional Project Coordinators of the pilot municipalities and SLP Director and JSDF-CDED National Project Manager Georgina Hernandez were present during the launch. Undersecretary Parisya H. Taradji and Poverty Reduction Programs Bureau Director Honorita Bayudan also graced the event.
The mayors of each of the municipalities were also in attendance, showing their support for the project.
Undersecretary Taradji, in her speech, stressed the “need for convergence… for the benefit of the whole country,” which the mayors resonated with.
Siayan Mayor Flora Villarosa added that the challenge is to cooperate and give their all to show that they value the initiatives of the government producing community-based enterprises that lead to self-sufficient communities. |
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Joint Press Statement on the Unified Registration System (URS) for Kasambahay |
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| "We, the Department of Labor and Employment, Social Security System, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth, are pleased to announce the completion of the Unified Registration System (URS) for kasambahay and its availability for stakeholder and public use.
“As we all know, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed on 18 January 2013 the Kasambahay Bill into law, which has been described as the most fitting gift of the government to over 2.9 million Filipino domestic helpers.
“The law fulfils the country’s obligation to enact a national legislation in compliance with the International Labor Organization’s Convention 189 which sets new international standards for the protection of household helpers.
What is now known as Republic Act 10361, or “An Act Instituting Policies for the Protection and Welfare of Domestic Workers,” institutionalizes the provision of a comprehensive package of benefits to Filipino household service workers, including their entitlement to 13th month pay; service incentive leaves; and social welfare benefits.
“Under the law and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, the government's social security agencies, namely, Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG); Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth); and Social Security System (SSS),
are mandated to jointly develop and implement the Kasambahay Unified Registration System, which adopts a standard and unified registration procedure to facilitate the seamless transactional environment for the registration of domestic workers.
"The implementation of a URS for kasambahay, as required by the law, is part of the government's efforts to enable kasambahay and their employers easy, inexpensive, and timely access to a seamless registration system of the Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, and SSS for their health and other social service benefits.
“There will be only three one-page forms to be used with the URS in effect. These forms are the Household Employer Unified Registration Form, Kasambahay Unified Registration Form, and the Household Employment Unified Report Form.
"In effect, under the URS, employers and their kasambahay will only need to register in any one of the agencies. The three agencies will share the data and issue their respective membership identification numbers to the registrants. The registration is the proverbial 'three-in-one'.
“The unified forms consolidate all the personal information of the registrants that are common and pertinent to the said agencies and are available for free at all branches/service offices of the said agencies. The forms can also be downloaded from their respective websites.
“Under the system, the three agencies shall continue to maintain their respective ID numbering system, which means the employer and the kasambahay will be issued three different ID numbers until such time that a common ID issuance system is developed and adopted.
"With the completion and deployment of the URS, we reiterate our commitment towards combined and determined efforts in maintaining the standards and encouraging compliance with the social security benefit provisions of the law; to facilitate and streamline registration and facilitation processes through further refinement of the Kasambahay URS which would ultimately lead to household employers and domestic workers availing of our services and other programs wherever they are and at their own free time.
"We are also committed to continue exchanging and sharing data and information, such as, but not limited to, the record or list of Household Employers and Domestic Workers for the establishment of a Standard Data Directory that will map the databases of Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, and SSS.
"Immediately after its deployment, we shall conduct a joint campaign to promote the URS, particularly to enhance awareness among the household employers and domestic workers on the uniform guidelines and compliance with the registration of employers and kasambahay. |
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In the Ilocos region, DOLE celebrates 80th anniversary with three job fairs |
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| With over 10,000 vacancies In the Ilocos region, DOLE celebrates 80th anniversary with three job fairs Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. 1 Regional Director Grace Ursua yesterday reported to Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz that the regional office is conducting three job fairs as part of its simple commemoration of the DOLE’s 80th Foundation Anniversary, anchored on the theme, Walumpung Taong Pag-unlad, Walumpung Taong Paglilingkod. “Even if the Ilocos region is far from the areas devastated by super typhoon Yolanda, we are conducting three job fairs to provide opportunities to workers who have been displaced by the typhoon and who may have relocated somewhere else in the region. Of course, the job fair is also for job seekers in Region 1,” Ursua said. The regional office is holding the three job fairs in cooperation with the Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) and private sector partners. These will be held on 6 December at the Robinsons’ Place in Calasiao, Pangasinan; 9 December at the Ilocos Sur Provincial Capitol in Vigan City; and 10 December at the Pangasinan Provincial PESO in Lingayen, Pangasinan. Over 10,680 job vacancies shall be offered by 28 local companies and 21 licensed recruitment agencies during the three job fairs. The regional office has already accounted 450 pre-registrants in the run-up to the job fairs, according to Ursua, who explained that one-stop shop services shall also be available at the job fair in Robinsons’ Place. The one-stop shop will be composed of officers and representatives of the Department’s attached agencies and partners. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; Philippine Overseas Employment Administration; and Social Security System for social security membership will be at the job fairs. "The San Vicente Dressing Plant (SVDP) in San Jacinto, Pangasinan leads the list of participating employers. It will offer job vacancies specifically for typhoon Yolanda victims. A contracted toll plant for San Miguel Foods Inc. and a supplier of chicken products to food companies in Luzon, the SVDP has opened 100 vacancies for Yolanda victims as part of its corporate social responsibility,” Ursua reported to Secretary Baldoz. She said the job vacancies are for hire truck drivers and helpers, office personnel, checkers, quality control technicians, processing crew, cashiers and maintenance mechanics. She added that SITEL Philippines, a large BPO company, will offer jobs, such as customer and technical service representatives and agents. “We encourage all job seekers to join the job fairs which shall start from 8:00 A. M. until 5:30 P. M. They should not forget to bring their pre-employment documents,” Ursua said. |
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NG Budget deficit at P11.2 billion for October 2013 |
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| The National Government’s budget deficit for the month of October stands at P11.2 billion, well within the P152.7 billion government program for the period, bringing the total January to October deficit to P112.5 billion. Netting out interest payments, NG achieved a P9.2 billion primary surplus for October 2013, bringing the year-to-date primary surplus to P166.1 billion and exceeding the P132.3 billion target for the period.
Primary surplus shows that the fundamental operations of our government remain supported by our strong revenue collections. The commitment to efficient budget disbursement has not compromised our fiscal health.
For October alone, revenues totaled P134.32 billion against expenditures of P145.5 billion. From January to October, aggregate revenues summed up to P1,400.9 billion, financing P1,513.3 billion in expenditures.
Revenues
Total revenue as of end-October amounted to P1,400.9 billion, reflecting a 12% or P147.6 billion improvement over comparable collections last year. BIR was able to collect P95.6 billion in October, increasing collections by 11% year-on-year while BOC collections that amounted to P27.9 billion, growing 3% year-on-year. BTr and other government offices contributed P3.6 billion and P7.3 billion, respectively.
On a year-to-date basis, BIR and BOC collections of P993.5 billion and P252.5 billion have grown 16% and 5% compared to collections in the same period last year, respectively. On the other hand, BTr (P71.7 billion) and other offices (P83.1 billion) have exceeded revenue targets for January to October of 2013 by 46% and 5%, respectively.
Expenditures
National Government expenditures amounted to P145.5 billion for October, bringing the January-October level to P1,513.3 billion, an 11% (P144.5 billion) increase over the same period in 2012.
October interest payments totaled P20.5 billion. This amount is 4% lower than last year’s payment as a result of net redemption of 10-year fixed rate treasury bonds amounting to P2.2 billion for the period. Total interest payments for the first ten months of the year totaled P278.6 billion, remaining below the P285 billion target, bringing January to October interest savings to P6.4 billion. As a percentage of expenditures, January-October interest payments continued to show improvements as it narrowed to 18% of disbursements from 19% last year.
“Additionally, tax collections on cigarette and alcohol products grew by 63.9% in the first three quarters of 2013, tallying at P63.6B, a large increase from the P38.8B collected in the same period last year. The first three quarters already account for 73% of the total projected excise tax collections for 2013. P34.0B of that revenue is attributable to the incremental revenues from RA 10351 or the Sin Tax Law enacted on December 20, 2012,” said Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. |
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Post-Pablo reconstruction presses on with P1.1-B release; Abad: rebuilding infrastructure crucial to socio-economic recovery |
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| The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is set to release P1.06 billion to cover for the rehabilitation and recovery of infrastructure in areas damaged by Typhoon Pablo nationwide. The amount, which will be released to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), will be used for the reconstruction and repair of several bridges in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental under the DPWH-helmed Task Force Pablo Rehabilitation Plan, which supports the reconstruction and rehabilitation of damaged national roads and bridges critical to the economic development of the affected areas.
“Even as the Administration works with local officials and aid groups in securing aid for Yolanda-stricken communities, President Aquino is determined to continue rehabilitation efforts in several other areas that Typhoon Pablo swept through. The aim, really, is to reverse the extent of the damage caused by Pablo through projects that will ultimately repair bridges and roads vital to the economic activity in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.
“Aside from ongoing disaster relief efforts, the government remains committed to rebuilding crucial infrastructure, so we can restore normalcy in calamity-damaged areas and ensure the full economic recovery of all affected communities,” DBM Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said.
Of the total amount—which will be charged against the 2013 DPWH Budget—P517.4 million will be allotted for the reconstruction and repair of Caraga, Cateel, Taytayan, and Odiongan bridges in the roads spanning Surigao del Sur-Davao Oriental and Cateel-Compostela. Meanwhile, P543.0 million will cover for rehabilitation of Mayo, Manurigao, Dapnan, Casauman, Quinonoan, and Baguan bridges, connecting the Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental Coastal Road.
“Because Davao Oriental is the leading coconut-producing province in the region, rebuilding their infrastructure will create a significant and positive impact on the province’s ability to recover from Pablo’s devastation. Together with the Contingency and Calamity Fund —with remaining balances of P824 million and P176 million, respectively– the P1.1-billion release will buoy the rehabilitation efforts for all affected communities in Davao Oriental,” the Budget chief said.
In September 2013, the President approved P10.53 billion for the Task Force Pablo Rehabilitation Plan. As of today, the DBM has already released P8.49 billion to the National Housing Authority and Department of Social Welfare and Development. |
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DepEd receives tablets for recovery of school documents |
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| PASIG CITY – The policy of the Department of Education (DepEd) with regard to disasters is the immediate resumption of classes as soon as it is safe and there are learning spaces available. But tents and teachers are not the only things needed to resume normal schooling.
In a turnover ceremony last 29th of November, 2013 (Friday) the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) donated 40 Samsung tablets to DepEd. The delegation was headed by Her Excellency Ambassador Hatice Pinar Isik, the foremost official of the Turkish Mission to the Philippines. This effort was made to help the Department, as well as regional and division offices in recovering what was left of the documents in the schools ravaged by super typhoon Yolanda.
“Restoring and preserving records is just as important as providing education. The most affected group here are graduating students,” explained Assistant Secretary Reynaldo D. Laguda, emphasizing on the urgency needed to restore as much school records as possible.
With these 40 tablets on hand, the department would be able to ensure the proper documentation of school records which were soaked, soiled, or totally destroyed. This project also ensures the longevity of school documents from being further damaged by such calamities.
The said effort has four major phases to ensure an organized filing of the salvaged documents. It starts with the deployment of division-assigned personnel for the capturing of documents, with the use of the tablets, in the affected schools. The data would then be off-loaded to the home divisions for proper reviewing and renaming of the files. Once the files have been recorded and accounted for, they will be distributed back to the individual schools for their own record keeping. Once the system is in place, it will then be replicated for the schools and other division offices as disaster risk mitigating initiative.
“By next week, we will be bringing these (tablets) to Leyte and Samar,” Laguda adds. “This assistance from TIKA would surely help speed up the process in bringing back normalcy to the students’ school calendar and would eventually sustain our schools in the prevention of the same problem in file storage for similar disasters in the future.” |
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| The 2013 National Biotechnology Week (NBW), organized by the Department of Education (DepEd) in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and other government agencies, recently honored the country’s top science and technology (S&T) journalists in the 2013 Jose G. Burgos Jr. Awards for Biotech Journalism.
Held last November 28, 2013 at the Century Park Hotel in Manila, the awarding ceremony was topbilled by S&T journalists from Sun Star Davao and Baguio as they took the top honors for their contribution in pushing the frontiers of scientific inquiry through newspaper journalism.
Henrylito D. Tacio of Sun Star Davao won the first prize in the news category for his article “Golden Rice: The answer to malnutrition problem”, while Sun Star Baguio’s Robert L. Domaguen ranked first in the features category with his article “Who is Afraid of Biotechnology?”
According to Tacio, there are several solutions to the problem of hunger, and the Golden Rice, a product of biotechnology, is one possible answer. “We have to share the good things about biotechnology but at the same time, we should not forget the bad things it brings. That way, people will be more responsible,” he added.
Meanwhile, Jenny F. Manogdo of Manila Bulletin got the second prize in the news category for her article, “Genetically modified crops, food safe - FDA.” The third prize went to Business Mirror’s Manuel Cayon for his article “Philippine scientists upbeat on country’s lead in cornering Asian market for biotech crops”.
“Patent issues don’t cover biotech corn”, written by Malaya’s Paul Icamina placed second in the features category. “Provide us with GM seeds, corn farmers ask gov’t”, written by Jennifer Ng, also of Business Mirror, took the third prize.
In the institutional category, Business Mirror placed first, followed by Manila Bulletin and Business Insight.
Meanwhile, Ais Lynn Fabiola G. Manuel of Los Baños Times received the Features Category Special Citation for her article, “BT Eggplants, Anyone?”
The Board of Judges was composed of chairman Dr. Karen Eloisa Barroga, chief science research specialist and head of the development communication division of the Philippine Rice Research Institute; Lourdes Fernandez, Interaksyon 5 editor-in-chief; Angelo Palmones, AVP for news and current affairs of Manila Broadcasting Company; Abraham Manalo, policy and planning specialist; and Jenny Panopio, special project coordinator.
The 2013 Jose G. Burgos Jr. Awards was part of the National Biotechnology Week which ran from Nov. 25-29, 2013. Formerly known as the Gawad Galing for Biotech Journalism, it was renamed Jose G. Burgos Jr. Awards for Biotechnology Journalism in honor of the late Jose “Joe” Burgos Jr. who conceptualized the awards which is now on its ninth year.
It was organized by The Burgos Pen Inc, in partnership with the International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications,, the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines , the Biotechnology for Life Media and Advocacy Resource Center, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture-Biotechnology Information Center and the J. Burgos Media Services Inc.
Aside from DOST and DepEd, other government partners for the National Biotechnology Week include the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). |
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Hungarian Foreign Minister undertakes historic visit to the Philippines |
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| 05 December 2013 – Foreign Minister János Martonyi of Hungary will undertake an official visit to the Philippines from December 5 to 7 at the invitation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario. Minister Martonyi’s visit will be the first by a Hungarian Foreign Minister in the country. The two officials had previously met in the multilateral forum of Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).
Minister Martonyi will meet with Vice-President Jejomar C. Binay and Commissioner Patricia Licuanan to discuss wide-ranging bilateral issues such as Hungary’s cooperation in the implementation of the Yolanda recovery and rehabilitation program, partnership in higher education, establishment of Hungarian mission in Manila as well as trade, investments and cultural cooperation.
The Hungarian official will also meet Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officials in a lunch to be hosted by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan P. Garcia where they will discuss the 40th anniversary of Philippines-Hungary relations, re-opening of the Hungarian Embassy in Manila, and regional and international issues of common interest to the Philippines and Hungary.
Hungary was one of the first countries to offer humanitarian assistance. A medical mission arrived immediately in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. A mobile water purification plant capable of producing 100,000 liters daily is due to arrive on 07 December 2013.
Philippines-Hungary relations have enjoyed active exchange of trade while investments remained very minimal. Total trade between the two countries for 2012 is at US$ 156.5 million. Products traded are food, beverage, components, devices (semi-conductors), electronic data processing, pharmaceuticals, metal automotive parts, petrochemicals, intermediate and fabricated products.
There were less than a thousand Hungarian tourists who visited the Philippines last year, while there exists great potential in increasing tourism exchanges between the two countries. An estimated 200 Filipinos live in Hungary. |
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| The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Capiz, in partnership with 11 distributors and wholesalers, will roll out Diskwento Caravans in four strategic areas in District 1 and 2. The caravans will bring together major wholesalers and distributors of construction materials, basic necessities, and prime commodities at reasonable, discounted and/or promotional prices (product bundling or “tie-ups”).
DTI-Capiz Provincial Director Ermelinda Pollentesis lauded the cooperation and support of the participating exhibitors for their social concern and act of public services as they do not make money on these activities. However, she continued, due to their desire to also help in the relief and reconstruction effort of the government they agree to bring their products to the venues nearer to the calamity victims. The following are the specific dates and venue of the caravans:
| Area | Date | Venue |
| Cluster 1 – Roxas City, Panay, Ivisan & Panit-an | 2-3 December | Roxas City Public Plaza fronting theCity Hall |
| Cluster 2 – Mambusao, Sapian, Sigma & Jamindan | 10 December | Mambusao Public Plaza |
| Cluster 3 – Pres. Roxas, Pilar, Ponteverde & Maayon | 11 December | Pres. Roxas Public Plaza |
| Cluster 3 - Cuartero, Dao, Dumarao,Dumalag & Tapaz | 12 December | Cuartero Public Plaza |
Participating in the caravans are: Amado Lim Enterprises, Citi Hardware, Ace Hardware, Mirola Hardware, KTKM Distributors, Asia Pacific Aqua Marine, Inc., Business People, Inc., JECO Distributor, New Iloilo Supreme Marketing, Inc., Team Sales and Promotions, Inc., Valiant Iloilo Enterprise, and Firefly Lighting. However, the first 3 store will not be able to join the caravans in the municipalities due to logistical problem.
Meanwhile, simultaneous with the marketing caravan at the Roxas City Plaza, Gaisano supermarkets, Injap Supermarket-Burgos, City Square Supermarket, Super K – Roxas Avenue, and all the branches of Black & White/Good Shop grocery stores will also be conducting “In-Store Discount Sale” as their way of participating in the activity. This means that they will be putting up a special designated area where consumer products are sold at discounted or at promotional prices. |
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| The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) beefed up on Thursday (November 28) its ongoing nationwide information campaign on the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the Philippine participation in the regional economic integration.
“We are intensifying our education campaign on the AEC through larger fora four times every month starting on the first quarter of 2014,” DTI Assistant Secretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo said at the sidelines of the two-day conference on the AEC at the Blue Leaf in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
The conference intends to clarify key concepts on the AEC and its implementation status, synchronize government agencies’ key messages on the AEC, and consolidate key AEC issues raised by stakeholders to government agencies.
Officials and representatives from the DTI, other national government agencies, and the academe attended the forum.
Rodolfo said the DTI will be conducting fora later on by region, by sectors, and by issues. In addition, a round table discussion, and a big forum for the public will also be organized.
“Alongside these fora, the DTI will continue organizing the Doing Business in Free Trade Areas (DBFTA) sessions,” Rodolfo said.
The DBFTA is a series of business information sessions that provide entrepreneurs with knowledge on how to navigate and profit from the country’s free trade agreements (FTAs). Starting January 2013, the DTI and its partner agencies, business organizations and academic institutions conducted more than 100 DBFTA sessions nationwide, mostly on the AEC.
During the conference, DTI Undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal also noted that for the past months, the DTI has refined and improved presentations and planned to hold workshops on the AEC. This is for the Department to have one voice and one direction on the AEC.
Cristobal added that the discussion on the AEC is in the context of stakeholders’ actions, impact on the economy, and market opportunities.
Large market opportunities for local industries are offered by the AEC market of 600 million people. Currently, the Philippines has signed seven free trade agreements, namely, the ASEAN FTA, ASEAN-China FTA, ASEAN-Korea FTA, ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA, ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and ASEAN-India FTA.
Cristobal said that we should continue to implement, monitor and review current FTAs, work towards the AEC, and negotiate the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The RCEP is a FTA scheme of the ASEAN member states and its FTA partners to be concluded by the end of 2015.
Cristobal noted that in 2012, the percentage share of ASEAN as a bloc to total Philippine trade stood at 21.1. He added that ten years ago, this was not the situation. Trade was predominantly with the West. If trade with its FTA partners are added, 60 percent of Philippine trade is now already in the region.
Cristobal also noted that the Philippines export and import a lot with its ASEAN neighbors.
“We should continue to expand our markets to allow firms to gain economies of scale,” Cristobal said.
He also noted the Philippines already ranks 35th in terms of the overall market size. While in terms of foreign market, the country is behind Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Viet Nam, the country is ahead of Malaysia and Viet Nam in terms of domestic market size. |
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DBP extends P50-M loan to Camarines Norte Electric Coop |
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| State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has granted a P50-million omnibus credit line to Camarines Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CANORECO).
The facility will enable the electric cooperative to continuously provide electricity to 271 barangays in the province of Camarines Norte. CANORECO is the sole provider of electricity in the area.
In support of its thrust to finance the long-term funding requirements of electric cooperatives and the National Government’s rural electrification program, DBP has built up a pipeline of projects that will provide assistance to electric cooperatives in the Bicol region such as the Camarines Sur Electric Cooperative and the Sorsogon Electric Cooperative, among others. |
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PDIC raises P56.9-M from public bidding of closed banks’ assets |
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| The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) successfully sold 23 properties collectively worth P56.9 million during its November 19 public bidding held at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) office in Legaspi City, the fourth to be conducted this year.
The assets sold are closed banks’ properties and the aggregate bid offers generated a premium of P8.9 million for the various closed banks against the minimum disposal price of P48 million. The PDIC bidded out a total of 158 real properties for a combined minimum disposal price of P90.04 million. The properties are located in the various cities and provinces of the Bicol Region including Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Sorsogon.
The regular conduct of public biddings is in line with the PDIC’s strategic direction to expeditiously dispose non-financial assets. When closed banks’ properties are sold, the proceeds are automatically added to the funds held in trust for the closed banks and are used to help settle claims of uninsured depositors and creditors. As mandated by law, payment to these parties is subject to the rules on concurrence and preference of credits.
Aside from public biddings, the PDIC disposes non-financial assets through negotiated sale. Interested buyers who were not able to participate during the public biddings may still avail of the assets for sale posted in the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph. Prospective buyers are encouraged to use the PDIC’s Property Finder in its website for information on available inventory of assets for disposal. They may also call the Asset Management and Disposal Group (02) 841-4650 for inquiries on assets for sale. |
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OVP continues Yolanda relief drive, to distribute add'l 15K goods in Iloilo, Aklan, Antique |
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| The Office of the Vice President (OVP) will distribute additional bags of relief goods in the provinces of Iloilo, Aklan, and Antique as it continues its relief drive for the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said.
Binay said the OVP has already deployed three teams that will distribute 5,000 bags of relief goods in each of the three provinces on December 5 to 7.
The OVP relief team in Iloilo will distribute 1,500 relief bags in Carles, 1,000 each in Batad and Balasan, 700 in Sara, 500 in Estancia, and 300 in Ajuy. In Aklan, 1,500 relief bags will be given to Yolanda survivors in New Washington, 1,000 each in Nabas and Altavas, and 500 each in Kalibo, Malay, and Batan.
Meanwhile, in Antique, 1,000 relief bags will be distributed in Sibalom, while 500 bags each will be distributed to the towns of Bugasong, Pandan, Barbaza, Tibiao, Libertad, Caluya, San Remigio, and Valderama.
“Tuluy-tuloy ang pagtulong natin sa mga kababayan nating nasalanta ng bagyo. Sa kasalukuyan ay tinitignan natin kung alin pang mga bayan ang nangangailangan ng tulong,” Binay said.
So far, the OVP has already distributed 60,000 relief goods in Negros Occidental, Capiz, Iloilo, and Cebu.
The Vice President previously led in the distribution 3,500 relief bags in Cadiz City, 3,000 in Victorias City, 500 in Murcia, and 1,500 each in the municipalities of Manapla and Enrique B. Magalona.
Another 15,000 bags of food items were given to affected residents in Zarraga, Pototan, Barotac Nuevo, Banate, Passi, Lemery, Janiuay, San Dionisio, Lambunao, Concepcion, Estancia, and Dumangas in Iloilo.
Meanwhile, 20,000 relief bags were distributed in the municipalities of Dumarao, Cuartero, Panay, Dao, Roxas City, Ivisan, Tapaz, Dumalag, Sigma and President Roxas in Capiz. Additionally, 5,000 bags of relief goods were also sent to Bantayan Island in Cebu.
The Vice President previously said that the relief goods did not come from him but are from donations from friends in the private sector coursed through his office.
“Hindi po sa akin galing ang mga relief goods na ito. Galing po ito sa mga pribadong tao na mababait ang puso na ipinaabot ang kanilang mga donasyon sa aming opisina,” Binay said. |
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MMDA issues Christmas traffic regulations |
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| The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced today the traffic regulations it will be implementing starting this month to reduce the expected traffic congestion this Christmas season.
These are the following:
Moratorium on all excavations or diggings in all national and city roads starting on the midnight of December 13 up to the midnight of January 6, 2014.
Ban on fun runs, walkathon, marathon, bike race and similar events from December 16 to January 6, 2014.
Opening of Christmas lanes covering 18 transit routes.
MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said they will announce the Christmas Lane alternative routes tomorrow, December 5.
Except this coming weekend, Tolentino also announced that there will be no more road re-blocking operations along major and secondary thoroughfares until January 6, 2014.
"These traffic measures are designed to facilitate the free flow of motorists and Christmas shoppers before the start of Simbang Gabi on December 16," the MMDA chief said.
He added the MMDA is expecting a 20 percent increase in traffic volume this Christmas season because of the influx of people and vehicles from Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, and Central Luzon. |
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| A new book containing the outcome of the Forum on ASEAN Energy Market Integration (AEMI) held on August 27 " 28, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand, has been released by the ASEAN Studies Center. Two of the seven chapters of the book were co-written by Dr. Adoracion Navarro, a senior research fellow of state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies.
Titled ASEAN Energy Market Integration (AEMI): from coordination to integration, the book contains seven papers authored by AEMI Group members as a first step toward providing the analytical underpinnings for the rationale of the AEMI, its building blocks, and implementation. Navarro co-wrote the chapters AEMI and ASEAN energy poverty and The pathway to AEMI.
The AEMI Group is a network of academics from universities and research institutes across the ASEAN. It aims to promote free flow of energy products, services, investments, and skilled labor across the ASEAN through 2030, within the framework of the ASEAN Economic Community.
The AEMI Forum aimed to foster the dialogue between ASEAN policymakers and the members of the AEMI Group. It was convened by the Chulalongkorn University and the AEMI Group, with the support of the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Center for Energy.
Navarro is one of two Philippine representatives to the Forum participated by government and research officials of ASEAN countries and other international organizations and research groups. She has a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of the Philippines and a Master of Public Administration in Economic Policy Management from Columbia University. Her fields of expertise are infrastructure, electricity markets, and public-private partnerships.
A copy of the book is available at the PIDS Library. For more information, please contact the ASEAN Studies Center, Chulalongkorn University, through email: asean@chula.ac.th or by visiting their website at www.asean.chula.ac.th. |
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