January 6 , 2013
( Monday ) as of 6:00-7:00 AM
CAVITE : Sunny
LAGUNA : Cloudy
BATANGAS : Fair
Weather
RIZAL : Fair Weather
QUEZON
:
Partly Cloudy
PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Isang pulong ang
isinagawa ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Tanauan sa lahat ng miyembro ng Task Force
clearing upang pag-usapan ang isasagawang clearing operation sa lungsod. Layon
nitong linisin ang mga bangketa upang huwag magdulot ng pagbigat ng trapiko sa
naturang lungsod.
PIA-4A/QUEZON: According to Bureau
of Agricultural Statistics Office, prices of fish are much higher than meat in
Lucena City public market based on their regular prices monitoring. Lisa
Openiria, BASO field researcher, said that this is due to the big demand of
fish this holiday season. She said that in the coming few days, supply of fish
will go back to its regular condition.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Nakahanda na ang
iba't ibang aktibidad para sa pagdiriwang ng Batangas City Fiesta sa Enero 16
na may temang "Salamat sa patuloy mong pag-aadya, Sto. Nino." Ito ay
taunang ipinagdiriwang ng mga Batangueno bilang pagpapasalamat sa kanilang
patron sa patuloy na paggabay at pagpatnubay sa kanila.
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
DTI-Quezon provincial office continues to monitor prices of grocery items as
well as construction materials and home appliances in different stores or
public market in the province. This aims to ensure that the products sold in
the market are not overpriced and substandard.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS:
Pinaiigting pang lalo ng pamahalaang bayan ng Cuenca ang pagpapalakas ng
samahan ng mga kababaihan upang mabigyan ang mga ito ng pamamaraan upang
makapaghanapbuhay at kumita habang nag-aaruga ng pamilya.
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
Iniulat ng integrated provincial health office ng Quezon na umabot sa 75 katao
sa lalawigan ng ang naging biktima ng paputok na piccolo at iba pa simula noong
Kapaskuhan hanggang sa pagsapit ng Bagong Taon. Hindi naman nagkulang ang
nasabing tanggapan o DOH sa pagpapaalala sa sa mga tao sa pagbabawal ng
paggamit ng paputok na piccolo at iba pang uri ng malalakas na paputok sa
pamamagitan ng kampanyang ' Iwas Paputok.'
PIA-4A/CAVITE:
Senior Supt. Joselito T. Esquivel, Cavite Provincial Police Office Director
confirmed that in November of last year, there were 825 crime incidents that
had been recorded in the province and vowed to get rid of crime incidents with
his 100 days plan of action, a must implementation at PPO and the police
stations in the province.
PIA-6:
Filipino workers in Cambodia were warned by the Philippine Embassy not
to go near the demonstration areas. In an interview over Radyo Bombo,
OFW Cheche Bamuevo said so far there is no report of Filipino hurt in
the demonstratioon launched by garment workers demanding higher wages.
*DZMM:
Muling hinihiling ang suporta ng mga Pinoy upang mabuo ang blood money
para sa OFW na si Joselito Zapanta na maaaring bitayin anumang araw
ngayong buwan na ito sa Saudi Arabia. Sinabi ni Philippine Ambassador to
Saudi Arabia Ezzedin Tago, kinakailangan pang mabuo ang 1.48M Saudi
riyals o P17.5M para makumpleto ang naturang blood money.
===============================================================
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Malacanang open to
moving school opening to September |
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Malacanang said on Sunday that it was open to the proposal moving the school
opening from June to September, saying this was in line with the preparation
of the creation of an ASEAN Integration in 2015.
In a radio interview aired over government run radio dzRB Radyo ng Bayan,
Presidential Communication and Operation Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma,
Jr. said that this proposal was also in line with the advocacy of ASEAN
(Association of Southeast Asian Nations) of ASEAN mobility which aims to
provide easier travel of people within the region.
“Bukas ang pamahalaan sa pag-aaral ng panukalang ilipat ang panahon ng
pagbubukas ng klase para sa mga kolehiyo at unibersidad, mula Hunyo
patungong Setyembre, bilang paghahanda sa pag-iisa ng ating mga kasaping
bansa sa ASEAN sa ilalim ng konsepto ng ASEAN integration simula sa taong
2015,” Coloma said.
“Layunin din ng panukalang ito ang pagtugon ng ating bansa sa panawagang
bigyang-daan ang ASEAN mobility, o ang malayang paglalakbay ng mga mamamayan
sa bansang ASEAN upang mag-aral sa mga paaralang may internasyonal na
orientasyon, at upang magamit ang kanilang mga kakayahan o talento sa iba’t
ibang larangang propesyonal,” he added.
He however stressed the importance of having to further study this proposal
in order to come to a fruitful decision on the matter.
“Ipinauubaya ng pamahalaan sa Kongreso, bilang kapantay at independiyenteng
sangay, ang pangunguna sa pagkilos sa paglipat sa schedule ng pagbubukas ng
klase dahil ito ay napapaloob sa batas,” Coloma said.
“Sa kasalukuyan patuloy na tatalima ang pamahalaan sa pangunguna ng
Kagawaran ng Edukasyon sa isinasaad ng batas tungkol sa itinatakdang panahon
ng pagbubukas ng klase,” he added. PND (rck) |
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Palace: Additional
SSS, Philhealth contributions studied carefully |
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The higher contribution rates for the Social Security System and Philippine
Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) had been carefully studied and are
within the bounds of the law, Malacañang maintained Sunday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny”
Coloma Jr. said the increase is minimal and affordable, and will bring
greater benefits to the people.
"Malinaw po sa pagpapahayag natin na ang kinauukulang pagtaas sa
kontribusyon ng SSS at PhilHealth ay: 1) produkto po ng masusing pag-aaral
at konsultasyon; 2) tinimbang po at tiniyak na hindi magiging masyadong
mabigat, bagkus ito ay magaan at kayang pasanin ng mga kinauukulan; at 3)
ito po ay nagreresulta sa mas makabuluhang mga benepisyo para sa mga kasapi
ng SSS at PhilHealth (It is clear that the higher contributions for SSS and
PhilHealth are the result of a thorough study to make sure they will not be
a burden on members, and will result in greater benefits for members)," he
said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
Because of this, he said the government has no plan to stop implementing the
higher contributions.
Starting January, the SSS and PhilHealth has started collecting higher
contributions from members, even as some sectors complained about the
adjustment.
When asked if government plans to stop implementing the adjustment, Coloma
said: "Batay po iyan sa masusing pag-aaral, naaayon din po sa batas, wala
pong planong ipatigil iyan dahil sa mga kadahilanang nabanggit na rin sa
aking pahayag (The move was based on thorough studies and is within the law.
There is no plan to stop it)."
He also reiterated the higher contributions are in the context of social
protection, where the proceeds are to benefit the poor.
Coloma noted PhilHealth presently covers 80 percent of the population,
including four million poor families availing of the conditional cash
transfer program.
He said the four million families are considered sponsored members and are
not covered by the higher rate.
On the other hand, he said employees and individually paying members and
overseas Filipino workers can afford the higher contribution, which he said
amounts to P200 from the previous P100 - or an increase of just P3 a day.
Such contributions entitle members to access to health services in 85 public
hospitals nationwide, he added.
"Kaya dapat pong unawain ang konteksto nitong mga social protection program
na tinuring natin, dalawa na nga po diyan ‘yung PhilHealth at SSS
contribution (We should understand the context of the social protection
program as far as the SSS and PhilHealth are concerned)," he said.
As for the SSS contributions, Coloma said the increase in contributions is
needed to prevent the agency's funds from drying up.
"Sa sandaling maubos ang pondo ng SSS, buong sambayanan ang siyang babalikat
ng mga pangangailangan ng mga pensyonado dahil sa garantiya ng pamahalaan
(Once the SSS' funds are depleted, all Filipinos have to shoulder the costs
of pension because the pensions are guaranteed by the government)," he said.
Coloma also said the increase in premium or employee/employer contribution
to the SSS starting Jan. 1 amounts to 0.6 percent of the monthly
contributions.
This will bring down by P166 billion the unfunded liabilities of the SSS,
which had amounted to P1.078 trillion, he added.
Also, Coloma said the adjustment stemmed from consultations with traders'
groups including the Employers' Confederation of the Philippines, Philippine
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Trade Union Congress of the
Philippines.
Because of this, he said the maximum daily allowance for illness will go up
by P30, from P450 to P480.
He also said the maximum daily allowance of maternity benefits will go up by
P33 from P500 to P533 daily.
As for retirement pensions, he said members who contributed for 10 years
under the P6,000 maximum salary credit may get a P400 increase in their
monthly pensions.
Those who contributed 40 years using the maximum salary credit are entitled
to an P800 increase in monthly pension, he added. PND (jl) |
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Palace: Government
working to ensure brownout-free summer |
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This early, the government is working to ensure there will be no power
outages during the hot summer months, Malacañang said Sunday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny”
Coloma Jr. said the Department of Energy is coordinating with stakeholders
to ensure a stable power supply.
"Hindi po pwedeng mapahintulutan yung pagkakaroon ng malawakan o madalas na
brownout dahil magiging masama po ang epekto nito sa ating ekonomiya. Kaya
makatitiyak po tayo na patuloy na tinututukan ng ating Department of Energy
ang sitwasyon (We cannot allow widespread or frequent power outages because
it will be bad for the economy. We can expect the DOE to continue monitoring
the situation)," Coloma said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
He said the DOE is working with the concerned stakeholders to balance the
power supply and demand to address possible power outages.
Meanwhile, Coloma reiterated the government is open to concrete proposals
that will protect consumers from unjust power rate hikes.
He said the government is open to a study of the 12-year-old Electric Power
Industry Reform Act (EPIRA)'s provisions.
"Pagkatapos ng lampas sa 12 taong pag-iral ng batas, napapanahon nang suriin
ang mga probisyon ng batas upang tanggalin ang mga nakikitang kahinaan nito,
at palitan ng mga bagong atas na naaayon sa kapakanan ng sambayanan (After
more than 12 years it is time to study the provisions of the law and replace
its weak points with provisions that will benefit the people)," he said. PND
(jl) |
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Palace: 100M
Philippine population a challenge and an opportunity |
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The prospect of the Philippine population reaching the 100-million mark
presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the country, Malacañang
said Sunday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny”
Coloma Jr. said the Philippine Development Plan aims to make sure all
Filipinos benefit from the nation's growth.
"Iyan po ay isang hamon at isa rin pong pagkakataon dahil ang tao po ang
pinakamahalagang bumubuo ng anumang lipunan. Yan po ang balanseng pagtanaw
natin sa sitwasyon na ‘yan (It is both a challenge and an opportunity
because people are the most important resource. That is our balanced view of
the situation)," he said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
He said the Philippine Development Plan is geared for inclusive growth, to
make sure all Filipinos benefit from economic growth.
Coloma also pointed out a large part of the budget for 2014 is geared for
social protection and social welfare and development.
"Karamihan ng mga Pilipino hindi po dapat maipwera o mailagay sa isantabi
ang nakararami (The majority of Filipinos should not be left out of any
growth)," he said. PND (jl) |
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Government remains
committed to giving justice to Atimonan massacre victims' kin |
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Malacañang on Sunday assured relatives of last year's Atimonan massacre that
the government continues to work to make sure they get justice, one year
after the incident.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny”
Coloma Jr. said administrative and prosecution actions are being implemented
to this end.
"Gagawin po ang mga kinakailangan sa larangan ng administrative at
prosecution actions sa hanay po ng lahat ng mga concerned government agency
para po magawaran ng katarungan ang mga naiwan ng mga nasawi sa kaganapang
yan (All concerned government agencies are implementing all administrative
and prosecution actions to ensure the victims' kin get justice)," Coloma
said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
In early January last year, 13 people were killed after police and military
personnel at a checkpoint in Atimonan town reportedly fired on their
vehicles.
Families of the 13 victims appealed to the Aquino administration to speed up
the resolution of the case and punish the guilty.
Later last year, the Department of Justice charged 13 law enforcers with
multiple murder for the killing. PND (jl) |
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Palace to respect
visits by allies, critics to former President Arroyo |
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Malacañang on Sunday said it will respect the visits to former President and
Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo by her allies and critics.
But Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny”
Coloma Jr. maintained the issue of the recent visits to Mrs. Arroyo is not a
priority for the administration.
"Kung ano po ang naging pahayag nila ay iginagalang po natin ang lahat ng
mga nagpahayag na iyan. Pero sa amin po, hindi po yan ang prayoridad na
pinag-uukulan ng pansin, sapagkat marami pong mahahalagang usapin sa ating
bansa tulad po ‘nung agarang rehabilitasyon at rekonstruksyon para sa mga
nasalanta ng kalamidad ng ‘Yolanda’ at sa Zamboanga, pati po doon sa Bohol
earthquake at ‘yung ‘Santi’ (We respect whatever Mrs. Arroyo's visitors said
but that is not our priority. We are busy with the rehabilitation of areas
affected by recent cyclones like Yolanda and Santi, and by the fighting in
Zamboanga City and the Bohol quake)," Coloma said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng
Bayan.
He also said the government is busy pursuing reforms and implementing the
Philippine Development Plan.
Over the weekend, some of Mrs. Arroyo's allies and critics visited her at
the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.
Mrs. Arroyo has been under hospital arrest since December 2011, on charges
of electoral sabotage. She now faces plunder charges as well.
Coloma maintained that while the Aquino administration has no ill will
toward Mrs. Arroyo, it maintains the need to adhere to the accountability
process. PND (jl) |
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Palace: Temporary mass
gravesites, return of NBI teams to speed up burial of Yolanda victims |
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The setting up of temporary mass gravesites and the return of National
Bureau of Investigation forensic teams should speed up the burial of
fatalities from super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), Malacañang said Saturday.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the temporary burial
sites will allow still-unidentified bodies to be exhumed once forensic teams
need to process them for identification.
"Nagsimula na kasi sila magkaroon ng temporary mass site. At ang usapan
nila ay pwede silang ma-exhume as needed (The temporary mass burial sites
are being established. Under the setup, the bodies can be exhumed as
needed)," she said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
Citing information from Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Valte said
concerned agencies met on the matter and have agreed on the division of
responsibilities.
On the other hand, she said the NBI Disaster Victim Identification Team
had returned to Tacloban City Thursday to resume the processing of the
remains. PND (jl) |
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Palace assures Yolanda survivors of aid
beyond relief goods |
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Malacañang on Saturday reassured survivors of super
typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan) they will continue to get aid this year even
after the distribution of relief goods ends in March.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD) will assess the situation and come up with
the appropriate assistance.
"Tinitingnan ng DSWD ang sitwasyon ng pamilya. Patuloy ang assistance na
binibigay lalo kung talagang kinakailangan ito (The DSWD is assessing the
situation of the affected families. It will continue to give assistance
especially to those that need it)," she said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng
Bayan.
She said the government may extend shelter assistance to the affected
families.
Valte said the government extended such help to families in Zamboanga City
who were displaced by fighting between government forces and followers of
Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari last September.
She said the DSWD is to end its distribution of relief packs, including rice
and canned goods, on March 31.
Yolanda tore through Visayas and Southern Luzon last Nov. 8, leaving behind
more than 6,100 dead. PND (jl) |
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Palace: DepEd, CHED looking into adjusting
school opening |
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The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission
on Higher Education (CHED) are now studying proposals to move the opening of
classes from June to August or September, Malacañang said Saturday.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said
the Palace is now waiting for the two agencies to come up with their
findings and recommendations on the matter.
"We will defer to the position taken by CHED. Sa
DepEd, magka-iba ang posisyon ng dalawa when it comes to moving the opening
of classes to September (We will defer to the positions taken by the CHED
and DepEd when it comes to moving the opening of classes to September)," she
said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
"These are proposals being studued by both
institutions. Hintayin natin ang magiging resulta ng kanilang pagaaral (We
will wait for the results of their studies)," she added.
She said the DepEd and the CHED are separately
studying the matter since moving the opening of classes may have different
effects on students up to high school and on college students.
The DepEd has jurisdiction over schools up to the
high school level while CHED has jurisdiction over colleges and
universities.
"Iba ang sitwasyon ng grade school, ang high
school, iba ang sitwasyon ng college. Separate ang pagaaral na ginagawa ng
dalawang institution (The situation may be different for those in grade and
high school and for those in college, so the matter is studied separately by
the two agencies)," Valte said. PND (jl) |
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Palace assures sufficient security for Feast of the
Black Nazarene |
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Malacañang on Saturday assured the public of
sufficient security measures for the various activities marking the Feast of
the Black Nazarene in Manila's Quiapo district.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said
police are working with the Manila city government to ensure the safety of
devotees and peace and order during the feastday.
"As in all years, buo ang suporta natin for the
security ng mga deboto for the Jan. 9 Feast of the Black Nazarene (As in all
years, we will fully support measures to ensure the security of devotees for
the Jan. 9 Feast of the Black Nazarene)," she said on state-run dzRB Radyo
ng Bayan.
Since Wednesday, devotees of the Black Nazarene had
been trooping to Quiapo to take part in activities honoring their patron.
The yearly feast will culminate on Thursday with
the traslacion, the procession where the Black Nazarene's image will be
returned to Quiapo Church from the Luneta.
Valte said that while the Manila city government
has allowed its disaster risk reduction council to handle the arrangements
for the event, the police will assist in enforcing the safety measures. PND
(jl) |
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Palace says government to remain focused on
efficient tax collection |
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Malacanang reassured the public that there will be no
new tax policy to be imposed by the government and the Aquino administration
will continue to focus on efficient tax collection.
Some allies of the administration in Congress have asked the President to
adopt a new tax policy or restructure the tax collection system.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview
Saturday that as far the President is concerned carrying out new tax policy
would be a last resort.
“Insofar as new taxes are concerned, the President would like to keep it as
a last resort,” Valte told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.
“Kasi in the three and a half years that he's been in the administration,
we've been able to keep revenue collections up. We get by on this and so far
successful naman ang BIR in raising its revenues over and over again without
passing the burden to income taxpayers.”
Asked if the Palace backs a study on carrying out new tax policy, Valte said
the Palace will leave the issue to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
“I’m quite sure that Commissioner Henares has a few things in mind when it
comes to implementing reforms to the tax system. She's been implementing
quite a few since she assumed office and more or less, nagsu-suffice pa
naman ang mga ito,” she said.
With regards to the issue of granting tax amnesty for delinquent taxpayers,
Valte said it’s up to the BIR to grant an amnesty.
“It's the commissioner that can grant, at least, certain things when it
comes to taxpayers,” the Place official said. PND (as) |
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Palace: Government to continue pursuing
compensation claims for Tubbataha Reef damage |
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The Philippine government remains committed to
continue pursuing its claims for compensation on the damages made by a US
minesweeper on the Tubbataha Reef last year, a Palace official said.
“We're committed to pursuing compensation for it,” Deputy presidential
spokesperson Abigail Valte told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan in an interview
Saturday.
Valte said the Philippine government and US authorities had good discussions
on the issue of compensation.
However, the Palace official said there is a third party who had filed a
case before the Supreme Court. But she added that on the part of the
government, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) was able to file a
comment when it was ordered to do so.
She also said that since there is a pending case on the issue it is in the
best interest of the government not to comment further.
In July last year, environmental activists and militant groups filed an
urgent motion to ask the Supreme Court for a series of Temporary
Environmental Protection Orders (TEPOs) aimed at stopping US military
exercises and port calls of US warships in the Philippines.
Prior to the motion, a Petition for the Writ of Kalikasan regarding the
grounding case in the reef was filed by the group of Palawan Bishop Pedro
Arigo.
US minesweeper USS Guardian, coming from Subic for a regular port call, ran
aground the Tubbataha Reef on January 17, 2013. The ship was on its way to
Puerto Princesa, Palawan and then to Indonesia when it got stuck in the
reef.
The Philippines fined the US government P58 million for the damage to the
reef.
The incident damaged an estimate of 4,000 square meters of coral reefs in
Tubbataha Reef, the largest marine protected area in the country at 97,030
hectares.
The Tubbataha reef was included as a World heritage Site by the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) in 1993.
It is said to be home to some 500 species of fish and 350 species of coral
as well as whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles and breeding seabirds. PND (as)
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President Aquino
back at work |
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After taking a brief break during the holidays, President Benigno Aquino III
is back at work on the first week of 2014, Malacañang said Friday.Deputy
presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the President is attending
mainly to paperwork and is getting briefing notes on various issues.
"He's actually back to work, he's attending to paperwork," Valte said at
a media briefing.
The President had taken a brief vacation in Baguio City but went back to
work last Dec. 30, leading rites marking the martyrdom of national hero Dr.
Jose Rizal.
President Aquino also appealed to Filipinos to stay on the straight path
in his New Year message, saying 2014 is a crucial time for his
administration. PND (jl) |
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Palace: No legalization of marijuana soon |
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Unless Congress amends the law, Malacañang does not
see the Philippines going the way of some states in the US in legalizing the
use of marijuana, even for medicinal purposes.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said
marijuana is considered a prohibited substance under the Philippines'
Dangerous Drugs Act.
"It's proihibited under the Dangerous Drugs Act. It will remain as such
until Congress amends it otherwise," she said at a media briefing Friday.
Marijuana had been recently legalized in Colorado
in the United States.
Valte said that while it is up to Congress whether
to amend the present law to legalize marijuana, the substance will continue
to be banned here.
But for now, she stressed Philippine law enforcers
will continue to enforce the Dangerous Drugs Act, which outlaws the drug.
"As of the moment, the executive department
implements the law as it is," she said. PND (jl) |
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Philippine competitiveness achievements
validates government efforts to create regime of opportunities, Palace says |
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The improvement of the Philippines in competitiveness
ranking is a manifestation of the Aquino administration’s efforts to create
a regime of opportunities by institutionalizing good governance and
fostering a level playing field, a Palace official said on Friday.
"The Aquino administration has capped yet another successful year in terms
of raising the country’s competitiveness. The National Competitiveness
Council reports that, while many challenges remain, our country has made
great progress towards its goal to move from the bottom-third of global
competitiveness rankings to the top third by 2016," Deputy Presidential
Spokesperson Abigail Valte said during the regular press briefing in
Malacanang.
"At this point, the Philippines has made it to the middle-third of global
tables and, in certain cases, has risen above the median," Valte said.
International observers are recognizing the achievements of the country in
terms of the country’s competitiveness, reports said.
"Out of eight major competitiveness reports released in the previous year,
the Philippines recorded gains in seven of them, while holding ground on
one. To name a few developments, our country has gained six places in the
World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index, going from 65th to
59th," Valte said.
"We moved up 30 places, from 138th to 108th, in the International Finance
Corporation’s Ease of Doing Business Index, making the largest jump
worldwide. And we moved up eleven places in Transparency International’s
Corruption Perceptions Index, going from 105th to 94th," Valte stressed.
According to Valte, much of these gains were results of new programs and
initiatives by the government over the last 12 to 18 months. President
Aquino created the Task Force on Ease of Doing Business that aims to
minimize and cut red tape in business operations.
"This, among other measures, played a prominent role in our country’s marked
improvement in making it easier for businesses to open shop in the
Philippines," Valte said.
"Our progress will not stop here. These developments serve as impetus for
the government and the private sector to work harder together, to pursue our
shared goal of individual empowerment, collective excellence, greater
national competitiveness, and of a society where, truly, no one is left
behind," Valte concluded. PND (js) |
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Removal of special allotment release order to
benefit the country, says Palace |
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The government could now speed up building major
infrastructure projects that benefits the country with the removal of
special allotment release orders (SAROs), Malacanang said on Friday.
“It will be easier for them (agencies) to front-load projects, at least
ideally within the first week of January, you can already award projects,”
Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing in
Malacanang on Friday.
Valte said that with the current system, agencies can do their
pre-procurement activities immediately after the approval of the national
budget and not wait for several weeks before starting the process.
She said that ideally, by first week of January, agencies can start issuing
notice of award.
In previous years, agencies have to wait for the special allotment release
orders or SAROs before they can start pre-procurement process, she said,
noting that the SAROs serve as the green light for the agencies.
“More importantly binabawasan nang pagtanggal nung requirement ng GAA as a
release document ang red tape or the papers that have to be accomplished and
submitted; and you lessen opportunities for corruption because there is less
red tape,” Valte said.
Asked how the abolition of SAROs shield government projects from anomalies,
Valte said government agencies are now more transparent and responsible.
At the same time, they have to follow the legal process when it comes to
procurement, disbursement, and liquidation. This safeguard is in addition to
the audit and assessment being done by the Commission on Audit, she said.
While the government is removing SAROs, Valte said special purpose funds and
lump sum funds still need SARO given their lump sum nature.
Calamity fund for instance need SARO because certain criteria mandated by
law has to be met before a request is approved, according to Valte.
The Palace official also said that the Department of Budget and Management
is already in the process of computerizing the issuance of SAROs for lump
sum items to speed up the process. PND (as) |
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Palace: President Aquino orders agencies
to find ways to bring down power costs |
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President Benigno Aquino III has ordered concerned
agencies to find ways to bring down power costs, Malacañang reassured the
public Friday.Deputy presidential
spokesperson Abigail Valte also said the government's hands will not be tied
by business interests as it looks for solutions to the problem.
"It's a cause of concern. The President has already
given instructions to relevant agencies to see what they can do," Valte said
at a media briefing.
She also reiterated the government is open to any
initiative to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001.
However, she said the government will also have to
scrutinize various suggested solutions before it can get fully on board.
Valte also noted the government is not allowed to
run its own power plants because of the EPIRA. "The EPIRA prevents
government from being a power generator," she said.
"While you believe the executive (department) has
so much perceived power, we are limited by what the law says. There is no
magic wand to wave," she added.
In the meantime, she said the Palace is studying
the gist of bills on the issue that are presently pending in Congress.
"We look at the stage they are in and we look at
the meat of the proposal," she said, adding these will be considered when
the appropriate Cabinet clusters propose measures to be part of the priority
list. PND (jl) |
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Puspusang trabaho na uli ang Pangulong Aquino |
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Makaraang mamahinga sa panahon ng Kapaskuhan, balik na
ang Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa puspusang trabaho sa unang linggo ng
2014, sabi ng Malacanang Biyernes.
Sinabi ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte na inaasikaso ng
Pangulo ang mga dapat basahin at lagdaang mga papeles at ang briefing notes
tungkol sa iba-ibang isyu.
“Nagtatrabaho na siya. Inaasikaso niya ang mga papeles,” sabi ni Valte sa
pulong balitaan sa Malacanang Biyernes.
Nagbakasyon sandali ang Pangulonhg Aquino sa Lungsod ng Baguio, nguni’t
noong Disyembre 30 ay nagtrabaho na uli at nanguna sa paggunita sa Araw ng
Kamatayan ni Dr. Jose Rizal sa pamamagitan ng pag-aalay ng bulaklak sa
bantayog ni Rizal.
Sa kanyang mensahe sa Bagong Taon, nanawagan ang Pangulo sa sambayanang
Pilipino na mamalagi sa pagtahak sa tuwid na landas at idinugtong na ang
2014 ay pagtutuunan ng lahat ng pagsisikap ng administrasyon niya sa
pagsasakatuparan ng mga balak na pangkaunlaran ng bansa. PND |
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Walang balak ang Malacanang na gawing 'legal'
ang marijuana |
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Walang balak ang Malacanang na gawing legal ang paggamit
ng marijuana tulad nang ginawa ng ilang estado sa Estados Unidos ng Amerika
kung saan ginawang legal ang paggamit ng marijuana.
Binigyang diin ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigal Valte na ang
paggamit ng marijuana ay ipinagbabawal ng Dangerous Drugs Act ng Pilipinas.
“Ito ay ipinagbabawal ng Dangerous Drugs Act. Mananatili itong bawal
hanggang susugan ito ng Kongreso,” sabi ni Valte sa pulong-balitaan sa
Malacanang.
Ginawa nang legal ang paggamit ng marijuana sa estado ng Colorado sa Estados
Unidos ng Amerika.
Sinabi pa ni Valte na bahala ang Kongreso kung ibig nilang susugan ang
kasalukuyang batas para gawing legal ang marijuana, nguni’t sa kasalukuyan,
mananatili itong bawal sa Pilipinas.
Idinagdag ni Valte na patuloy na ipatutupad ng mga alagad ng batas ang
Dangerous Drugs Act kaya patuloy pa ring bawal ang nasabing droga.
“Sagutin ng sangay ehekutibo ng pamahalaan na ipatupad ang mga batas at iyan
ang puspusang ginagawa ng ating mga pulis at iba pang tagapagpatupad ng
batas,” wika ni Valte. PND |
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Katibayan ng pagsisikap ng gobyerno na makalikha
ng pagkakataon ang 'competitiveness achievements' ng Pilipinas, sabi ng
Malacanang |
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Ang malaking pagbabago sa competitiveness ranking ng
Pilipinas ang katibayan ng mga pagsisikap ng administrasyong Aquino na
makalikha ng maayos na mga pagkakataon sa pamamagitan ng mabuting pamamahala
at pagsusulong ng parehas na playing field, ayon sa isang pinuno ng Palasyo
Biyernes.
“Natapos ng administrasyong Aquino ang isa pang matagumpay na taon sa
pagpapataas ng competitiveness ng Pilipinas. Salig sa ulat ng National
Competitiveness Council, bagaman marami pa ring hamon na kakaharapin,
subali’t malaki na ang pagsulong na nagawa ng bansa sa hangaring maiangat
ang katayuan nito mula sa ikatlo sa pinakamababang ranggo ng global
competitiveness rankings paakyat sa pangatlo buhat sa itaas pagdating ng
2016,” sabi ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte sa pulong
balitaan sa Malacanang.
“Sa panahong ito, nakarating ang Pilipinas sa middle third ng gobal tables
at sa ilang kaso, umangat pa ito sa median,” dagdag ni Valte.
Kinikilala ng mga pandaigdig na tagamasid ang mga nagawa ng bansa sa
larangan ng competitiveness, ayon sa mga ulat.
“Sa walong major competitiveness reports na inilabas sa nakalipas na mga
taon, natala ang pitong pag-angat ng Pilipinas, samantalang nanatili naman
sa dati sa isa. Ang ating bansa ay umangat ng anim na hakbang sa Global
Competitiveness Index ng World Economic Forum kaya naging ika-59 buhat sa
dating ika-65,” paliwanag ni Valte.
“Umakyat tayo ng 30 puwesto sa ika-108 buhat sa ika-138 sa Ease of Doing
Business Index ng International Finance Corporation na siyang pinakamataas
na pag-akyat sa buong daigdig. Labing-isang puwesto naman ang itinaas natin
sa Corruption Perceptions Index ng Transparency International kaya tayo ay
naging ika-94 buhat sa ika-105,” sabi pa ni Valte.
Idinugtong ni Valte na ang pag-angat na ito ay bunga ng mga bagong programa
at pagsisikap na inilunsad ng pamahalaan sa nakalipas na 12 hanggang 18
buwan matapos likhain ng Pangulong Aquino ang “Task Force on Ease of Doing
Business” na ang pakay ay bawasan at sugpuin ang red tape sa pagnenegosyo sa
bansa.
“Ang mga ito ay kabilang sa mga hakbang na naging daan upang mag-ibayo ang
gaan ng pag-nenegosyo at pagbubukas ng tanggapan sa Pilipinas,” wika pa ni
Valte.
“Hindi rito magtatapos ang pag-unlad natin. Ang mga nangyaring ito ay
magsisilbing pampasigla sa pamahalaan at sa pribadong sektor upang lalong
magtulungan sa pagtataguyod ng ating iisang sa hangaring individual
empowerment, nagkakaisang pambihirang husay, higit na malawak na pambansang
competitiveness at isang lipunan kung saan tunay na walang sino mang maiiwan,”
dugtong pa ni Valte. PND |
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Makikinabang ang bansa kapag inalis ang
Special Allotment Release Order |
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Higit na mapabibilis ng pamahalaan ang paggawa ng
mahahalagang proyektong imprastraktura sa kapakanan ng bansa sa pagtatanggal
ng special allotment release orders (SARO), sabi ng Malacanang Biyernes.
“Magiging higit na madali para sa mga ahensiya na pasimulan agad ang mga
proyekto, sa unang linggo ng Enero man lamang kapag mayroon nang award
projects,” ayon kay Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte sa pulong
balitaan sa Malacanang.
Idinugtong ni Valte na sa kasalukuyang sistema, magagawa na ng mga ahensiya
ang kanilang pre-procurement activities pagkaraang mapagtibay ang Pambansang
Badyet at hindi na kailangan pang maghintay ng maraming linggo bago
masimulan ang proseso.
Sinabi pa ni Valte na mainam na sa unang linggo pa lamang ng Enero ay
masimulan na ng mga ahensiya ang pagpapadala ng notice of award.
Sa nakalipas na mga taon, kailangang hintayin ng mga ahensiya ng gobyerno
ang special allotment release orders o SARO bago nila masimulan ang
pre-procurement process, sabi ni Valte dahil ang SARO ang nagiging daan para
kumilos ang mga ahensiya ng gobyerno sa pagpapatupad ng mga napagtibay na
mga proyekto.
“Ang higit na mahalaga, binabawasan ang red tape sa paglalabas ng mga
kasulatan na dapat gawin at iharap. Malaking bagay ito para mabawasan ang
pagkakataon sa katiwalian dahil nabawasan na ang red tape,” dugtong ni Valte.
Binigyang diin pa ni Valte na ang pag-aalis ng SARO ay kalasag laban sa
katiwalian sa mga proyekto ng pamahalaan at magiging higit na transparent at
responsable ngayon ang mga ahensiya ng gobyerno.
“Kaalinsabay nito, dapat sundin ang mga prosesong legal tungkol sa
procurement, paglalabas ng pondo at paghaharap ng ulat tungkol sa nagugol.
Ang bagay na ito ay bukod pa sa audit and assessment na ginagawa ng Komisyon
sa Audit,” pahayag pa ni Valte.
Bagaman inalis ng pamahalaan ang SARO, wika ni Valte, ang mga special
purpose funds at lump sum funds ay kailangan pa rin ng SARO dahil sa
katayuan nitong lump sum.
Ipinaliwanag ni Valte na kailangan ng calamity fund ang SARO dahil sa ilang
tuntuning dapat munang sundin ayon sa batas bago pagtibayin ang anumang
kahilingan ukol dito.
Idinagdag pa ni Valte na kasalukuyan nang nasa proseso ang Kagawaran ng
Badyet sa pagbibigay ng SAROs ng lump sum items sa pamamagitan ng paggamit
ng computer. PND |
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FAQs on the Power Sharing Annex |
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Source:
http://www.opapp.gov.ph |
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Frequently asked questions on the Annex on
power sharing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro
1. What is the Annex on Power Sharing? Why is it crucial to the
Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro?
The Annex on Power Sharing is the third of the four Annexes to the
Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) that will complete the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
It is composed of four parts:
-Part I on Intergovernmental Relations enumerates the principles
that will govern the relationship between the Central Government and
the Bangsamoro Government, as well as with the local governments in
the Bangsamoro;
-Part II on
Governance Structure provides some details on the ministerial form
of government for the Bangsamoro, including the composition of the
Bangsamoro assembly;
-Part III on
Delineation of Powers identifies the powers under the three lists of
powers – reserved, concurrent, and exclusive; and
-Part IV on Other Matters provides guiding principles in relation to
taxation, transportation and communication, mineral and energy
resources, and powers already devolved to the Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The Annex on
Power Sharing will guide the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC)
in the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that will be
submitted to the Philippine Congress. Together with the Annex on
Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing, it aims to ensure that the
Bangsamoro Government will enjoy meaningful autonomy based on the
inhabitants’ “distinctive historical and cultural heritage, economic
and social structures, and other relevant characteristics” (Sec. 15,
Art. X, 1987 Constitution). Moreover, it provides the Bangsamoro
with the competencies to be able to exercise accountable and
effective self-governance.
2. The Bangsamoro shall have a ministerial form of government. Is
such a government structure possible under the 1987 Constitution?
Yes. The Constitution provides for a structure of government for the
national government, i.e. the presidential system and its three
branches of government.
At the same time, consistent with the principles of devolution and
autonomy, the Constitution left it to the wisdom of Congress to
determine the appropriate government structures for local government
units and the autonomous regions. The government structure of the
Bangsamoro shall be provided in the Bangsamoro Basic Law, or the
organic act for the Bangsamoro.
On local governments, Sec. 3, Article X stipulates that “The
Congress hall enact a local government code which shall provide for
a more responsive and accountable local government structure… .”
On the autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordillera,
Sec. 18, Article X, states that “The organic act shall define the
basic structure of government for the region consisting of the
executive department and the legislative assembly… .”
3. Who will head the Bangsamoro Government? Will the leaders be
democratically elected?
Notably, the Constitution requires that the members of the executive
and legislative departments of autonomous regions be elective and
representative of the constituent political units.
The Annex on Power Sharing ensures that these requirements are met.
Registered voters in the Bangsamoro shall elect their
representatives in the Bangsamoro assembly. These representatives,
in turn, will elect among themselves the Chief Minister. The Chief
Minister will then choose the deputy and other ministers that will
form the Cabinet. Most of these ministers shall come from the
assembly.
This system of election encourages the formation of political
parties because usually, the political party that wins the majority
of seats and/or is allied with the other political parties is able
to secure the post of Chief Minister. It is very different from the
current set up wherein the ARMM regional governor and vice- governor
are elected directly by the people.
4. Who will sit in the Bangsamoro assembly? How do we make sure that
other groups will be represented in the assembly?
The Annex on Power Sharing states that the Bangsamoro assembly will
be made up of at least 50 members. Through different kinds of seats
–- district, reserved, party-list and sectoral – it ensures that the
Bangsamoro assembly shall be “representative of the Bangsamoro’s
constituent political units, as well as non-Moro indigenous
communities, women, settler communities, and other sectors.”
The Bangsamoro Basic Law shall define how the people will vote for
and how the winners in the district, sectoral, party-list and
reserved seats shall be determined. The system of election may
combine diverse modes of proportional representation, alongside the
current set-up of geographic/district seats where the candidates
with the highest number of votes secure the district seats.
5. In the event of conflict between the laws, programs and standards
of the Central Government and that of the Bangsamoro Government,
which shall prevail? Is there a mechanism to address these
conflicts?
Part I of the Annex on Power Sharing enumerates the principles that
will govern the relationship between the Central Government and the
Bangsamoro Government. One of these principles is the creation of
Central Government – Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental
Relations mechanisms that will serve as venue for the resolution of
any issues that may arise on the exercise within the Bangsamoro of
the respective powers of the Central Government and the Bangsamoro
Government.
The objective is to resolve any conflict and to harmonize and
coordinate Central Government and Bangsamoro Government actions
through regular consultations and continuing negotiations in a
non-adversarial manner.
The Annex also provides for a Philippine Congress – Bangsamoro
assembly forum for purposes of cooperation and coordination of
legislative initiatives.
6. What are reserved powers? Why are these reserved to the Central
Government?
Reserved powers are authorities that are by their nature to be
exercised only by a state, and are thus retained by the Central
Government. They apply to the Bangsamoro as part of the Republic of
the Philippines.
For example, defense and external security, which involves the
actions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, is within the full
control of its Commander- in-Chief, the President. Foreign policy,
which affects the overall relations of the Philippines with other
states, also remains the reserved power of the Central Government.
By the same token, jurisdiction over citizenship and naturalization,
immigration, customs and tariff, common market and global trade, and
intellectual property rights – matters which inherently impact on
the Philippines’ dealings with other nations – are retained by the
Central Government.
Other reserved powers that must be centrally administered if these
are to remain effective are coinage and monetary policy and postal
service.
7. What are concurrent powers?
The term “concurrent” is used generally to refer to powers that the
Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government will share or
jointly exercise within the Bangsamoro, or where ways and means for
cooperation and coordination shall be further defined in the
Bangsamoro Basic Law.
For example, in the exercise of powers over quarantine, land
registration, pollution control, penology and penitentiary,
coastguard, disaster risk reduction and management, and public order
and safety, the Bangsamoro Government and the Central Government
will work closely and will cooperate and coordinate to
Ensure the effective execution of these functions within the
Bangsamoro. The exercise of concurrent powers over the enforcement
of customs and tariff laws and regulations and funding for the
maintenance of national roads, bridges, and irrigation systems
likewise calls for cooperation and coordination between the two.
Concurrent powers can also mean “shared” powers wherein the
Bangsamoro Government can establish its own systems and policies,
without diminishing the authorities of the existing Central
Government bodies. This is true in the case of social security and
pensions, human rights promotion and protection, auditing, civil
service, and administration of justice.
In all, there are 14 concurrent powers listed in the Annex.
8. There are 58 items under the list of exclusive powers of the
Bangsamoro. What do “exclusive powers” mean and what are these
powers?
The list of exclusive powers refers to those matters over which
authority and jurisdiction pertain, or are effectively devolved, to
the Bangsamoro Government. They cover diverse concerns ranging from
education, history and culture to regulation of trade, manufacturing
and public utilities, as well as management of the environment.
Altogether they provide a set of responsibilities and functions, the
meaningful and effective exercise of which will prove the true worth
of an autonomous government.
The list of exclusive powers can be found on pages 7-12 of the
signed Annex.
9. Is the Central Government prevented from intervening on matters
that are within the exclusive powers of the Bangsamoro Government?
The Bangsamoro Government is still a governmental unit within the
ambit of the Philippine state. As such, the provisions in the Annex
on Power Sharing are subject to all constitutional guidelines
including the general supervision of the President over the
autonomous regions (Sec. 16, Art X. 1987 Constitution). However, the
President’s general supervision over the Bangsamoro, especially in
the exercise of its exclusive powers, will be with due deference to
its regional autonomy, a notion likewise guaranteed in the
Constitution.
Moreover, it is understood that standards and programs pertaining to
matters such as education, trade, labor, budgeting, financial and
banking system, etc. shall be harmonized.
It must be stressed that these exclusive governmental powers are to
be exercised by the Bangsamoro Government within its jurisdiction.
When there is impact beyond its territorial jurisdiction, other
concerned government units shall exercise their respective
authorities.
10. Will the powers of the constitutional bodies (Commission on
elections, Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit, and
Commission on human rights) be affected by the Bangsamoro
Government’s powers over the same subject matters?
No. The Annex on Power Sharing does not at any instance diminish the
powers granted to these bodies under the Constitution.
In the exercise of the concurrent power over human rights and
humanitarian protection and promotion, the Bangsamoro government’s
human rights body will work cooperatively with the national
Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Notably, this is the on-going
arrangement between the current Regional Human Rights Commission in
the ARMM and the CHR.
Likewise, the creation of their own auditing bodies and own civil
service code are expressly without prejudice to the authorities of
the national Civil Service Commission and the national Commission on
Audit. In the same manner, the Bangsamoro Government may enact
regional laws that will operationalize the electoral system suitable
to a ministerial form of government as provided in the Bangsamoro
Basic Law. The COMELEC shall still enforce and administer all laws
and regulations relative to the conduct of elections.
11. What would the administration of justice look like in the
Bangsamoro? Will the power of the Supreme Court be diminished?
Justice institutions in the Bangsamoro shall consist of regular
civil courts in accordance with national laws, Shari’ah courts that
would enforce the Shari’ah justice system within the Bangsamoro, and
institutions that would operationalize the recognition of indigenous
processes as alternative modes of dispute resolution.
The adoption of Shari’ah and customary justice in the overall
justice system in the Bangsamoro is not novel as these are already
recognized in the current ARMM Organic Act (Republic Act No. 9054).
Personal and family laws for Muslims are already codified under the
Code of Muslim Personal Laws (Presidential Decree No. 1083). Current
alternative dispute resolution practice accommodates any process,
including indigenous dispute resolution, used to resolve a dispute
other than by court action.
These arrangements do not diminish the judicial power of the Supreme
Court. The Supreme Court may also institute the necessary offices
that will administer the courts in this region, such as a deputy
court administrator, and inform its own processes, such as the
jurisconsult which renders legal opinions on Shari’ah matters.
12. Will non-muslims in the Bangsamoro be affected by Shari’ah law?
The FAB provides that the Shari’ah and its application shall only be
to Muslims.
However, given that the Bangsamoro shall be the only region in the
country where majority of the population are Muslims, matters
important to the practices and way of life of Muslims (hajj, umrah,
halal certification, Islamic banking systems, awqaf, hisbah and
Shari’ah courts) shall form part of the offices and programs of the
Bangsamoro Government.
13. How will the Bangsamoro Government’s exclusive powers over
trade, barter trade and countertrade, registration of business
names, and other items relevant to trade affect the Central
Government’s reserved powers over foreign policy and common market
and global trade?
Only the Central Government, through the President, can enter into
international agreements, set foreign policy, and represent the
country in matters dealing with foreign relations. International
treaties, moreover, need the ratification of the Philippine
Congress. It follows that only the Central Government can make
commitments to trade organizations and establish diplomatic and
economic ties with other states. These are consistent with the
reserved powers of the Central Government over foreign policy and
common market and global trade.
The Bangsamoro Government may promote business investments and
engage in trade (and cultural activities) among foreign entities,
including the traditional barter trade and countertrade with the
ASEAN countries. Such endeavors are to be guided by the country’s
international commitments and obligations, diplomatic relations, and
relevant national laws.
14. How are the rights of indigenous peoples (IPs) protected by the
Annex on Power Sharing?
The Annex on Power Sharing contains a provision obligating the
Bangsamoro Government to protect the rights of IPs under its
administrative jurisdiction. The reference to the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples indicates the
commitment to upholding IP’s rights to self-determination, non-
discriminatory treatment, and their traditional lands, among others.
Moreover, individual and community property rights, cultural
integrity, customary beliefs, historical and community traditions
are recognized. These parameters are to be observed by the
Bangsamoro Government.
The IPs are likewise guaranteed representation in the Bangsamoro
assembly and the council of leaders.
15. In all, how can women, indigenous peoples and other sectors in
the Bangsamoro directly participate in governance? How can their
welfare be promoted?
The Annex on Power Sharing specifically provides that the Bangsamoro
assembly shall be representative of its constituent sectors. Seats
for IPs, women, and other sectors shall be allocated in the
Bangsamoro assembly and ministers responsible for promoting their
rights and welfare may be appointed. The Bangsamoro council of
leaders shall include their representatives.
Moreover, the Annex on Power Sharing compels the Bangsamoro
Government to establish appropriate mechanisms for consultations
with women and
16. In what ways does the Annex on Power Sharing build on the Final
Peace Agreement (FPA) with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)?
The Annex on Power Sharing stipulates that specific powers already
contained in other peace agreements such as the FPA and already
provided by Republic Act No. 9054 or the Organic Act for the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, may be adopted in the
Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Moreover, the recommendations from the review process of the 1996
FPA that is being facilitated by the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation shall be taken into account for possible incorporation
in the Bangsamoro Basic Law. The recommended amendments of the ARMM
Regional Legislative Assembly to R.A. No. 9054 shall also be
considered.
Following the passage of the Basic Law and the conduct of the
plebiscite, the Bangsamoro can have a potentially expanded core
territory. As provided in the Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth
Sharing, there shall be a much- enhanced wealth sharing arrangement
between the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government in the
form of additional taxes devolved and new sharing formula from
government revenues. The Bangsamoro Government will likewise receive
an automatically appropriated and regularly released Bangsamoro
block grant. In addition, a Special Development Fund for
rehabilitation and development purposes shall be released to the
Bangsamoro Government upon the ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic
Law.
The short transition period under the Bangsamoro Transition
Authority and the broad-based representation in the Bangsamoro
assembly will open many spaces for enhanced collaboration between
those coming from the MILF and the MNLF leadership and membership, a
well as with other social and political groups. All of them are
encouraged to form their respective political parties so that they
can ably and peacefully compete in the first regular election for
the Bangsamoro assembly in 2016, and amicably share political power
in the legislative body and the other governance institutions that
will make up the Bangsamoro Government. |
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2012 Flow of Funds Reports savings across
sectors; household sector remains as top net funds provider |
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Source:
http://www.bsp.gov.ph |
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The BSP has
released the 2012 Flow of Funds (FOF) Report. The FOF presents a
summary of financial transactions among the different institutions
of the economy, and between these institutions and the rest of the
world. It identifies which institutions are net borrowers and net
lenders after a series of financial transactions for the year.
Institutions are categorized into four, namely: 1) financial
corporations, 2) non-financial corporations, 3) the general
government, and 4) the households.
The economy’s savings momentum is sustained amid solid overall
revenue performance of all sectors and the country’s sound
macroeconomic fundamentals.
Domestic savings continued to expand by 6.8 percent to ₱2,001.3
billion. The household sector remained the top saver in the economy
for the fifth consecutive year accumulating ₱928.9 billion in
savings. This was partly brought about by the steady stream of
overseas Filipinos’ remittances. The non-financial corporations
sector trailed behind, generating savings amounting to ₱713.4
billion due to the broad-based growth in savings across sub-sectors.
The general government sector registered the highest growth in
savings at 33.5 percent to reach ₱252.2 billion due to sustained
generation of savings of the National Government (NG), Local
Government Units (LGUs), and Social Security Agencies (SSAs). The
financial sector also registered an impressive growth in savings of
17.5 percent at ₱100.6 billion due to increased revenue generation
of top private life insurance companies and the steady stream of
income of the other depository corporations.
Real investment continues to expand as the National Government
infuses huge investments in infrastructure and other capital
outlays.
The economy’s gross capital accumulation expanded by 7.7 percent to
reach ₱1,691.9 billion in 2012. The household sector continued to be
the economy’s largest real investor, accounting for 41.6 percent of
the total gross capital accumulation. The non-financial corporation
sector’s capital accumulation grew due mainly to business expansions
and modernization and rehabilitation projects. Real investments of
the financial sector fell by 19.5 percent to ₱31.2 billion on the
back of sustained disposal of foreclosed properties by the banking
sector. The slowdown in the sector’s capital accumulation was
likewise reflected in the sharp drop in real investments of the
monetary authority as purchases of non-monetary gold in the BSP’s
gold buying stations significantly plunged by 91.6 percent.
Meanwhile, capital accumulation of the general government sector
rose markedly by 27.4 percent to ₱318.4 billion in 2012 as the NG
accelerated disbursements for infrastructure projects and capital
outlays.
All sectors are net lenders, except for the general government.
The household sector continued to be a net lender, with loans
receivables as the desired form of asset acquisition. The
non-financial corporation sector maintained its net lending
position, with fund provisioning activities largely reflected in the
build-up of trade receivables, currency holdings and deposit
placements. The financial sector’s net lending surged by 48.2
percent to ₱69.4 billion as the assets of rural and cooperative
banks, other deposit-taking institutions, and the insurance
sub-sector increased. The general government sector retained its net
borrowing position at ₱59.9 billion on the strength of NG’s faster
capital accumulation.
The domestic economy’s net lending to the rest of the world (ROW)
aggregated ₱309.4 billion, a modest increase of 2.1 percent from the
₱302.9 billion in 2011.
The lower deficit in the country’s trade-in-goods account
contributed to the overall net fund provision of the domestic
economy to the rest of the world. The most preferred financial
instruments were currency and deposits and securities other than
shares, particularly, the depository corporations as main holders
and the NG as the top issuer.
View 2012 FOF Table
View 2011 FOF Table
View Report |
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OWWA Family Day 2013 in Kidapawan City elates
OFWs and families in SOCCSKSARGEN region |
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Source:
http://www.owwa.gov.ph |
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Over 1,600 OFWs
and their families coming from the four provinces of SOCCSKSARGEN
region participated in the festive celebration of OFW Family Day
2013 held on December 2, 2013 at the Notre Dame of Kidapawan College
in Kidapawan City.
Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista and Department of Labor and
Employment XII Dir. Ofelia Domingo graced this year’s celebration
with the theme, “Pamilyang sama-sama, ipagdiwang Paskong kay saya”
hosted by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional
Welfare Office XII in cooperation with the City Government of
Kidapawan.
OWWA’s social partners from government and private sectors set up
booths exhibiting a one-stop hub to showcase their programs and
services, alongside merrymaking, entertainment, and fun-filled
activities for the OFW circles.
OWWA RWO12 Officer in Charge Marilou Sumalinog said, “OFW Family Day
is an annual celebration aimed at providing avenue for OFWs and
their families to spend quality time together, strengthen family
ties and values, and develop camaraderie among OFW communities.”
Among the highlights of the event was the induction of the newly
elected OFW Family Circle (OFC) officers from North Cotabato and
Sultan Kudarat. Adding amusement to the festivity was the Sayawit or
song and dance contest which proclaimed the Mlang OFW Family
Association as winner. It bagged the cash prize and trophy.
The most anticipated part of the event, the raffle draw, had
everyone in joyous uproar as winners were called in through raffle
draw. Prizes ranging from grocery items to mobile phones and
appliances were given away.
Sponsors for the event were LGU-Kidapawan, PhilHealth, Globe
Telecoms Inc., Land Bank of the Philippines, Bank of the Philippine
Islands, MMML Recruitment Services Inc., Jamal Human Resource
International Employment Agency, Non Stop Overseas Employment
Corporation, GBMLT Manpower Services, Inc., and M.R. International
Manpower Services. |
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DSWD year-end report: Looking back, moving
forward |
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Source:
http://www.dswd.gov.ph |
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“The year 2013
has been an exhilarating year which left us breathless but we
stepped up to the challenge.”
This was the gist of the New Year message of Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman.
“We responded with the best of our knowledge and experience as we
began the year stepping up the work in Typhoon Pablo-stricken areas
and responding to the different disasters namely: the Sabah crisis,
‘Habagat’ (or monsoon rains), [Typhoon] ‘Labuyo,’ Zamboanga siege,
[Typhoon] ‘Santi,’ the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Bohol, and the
fury of Yolanda.”
“As each event unfolded, the practices and systems we had in place
were put to the test and we had to develop new strategies and
tactics to respond to the different disasters since the nature and
magnitude kept intensifying,” the Secretary expounded.
Sec. Soliman commended the men and women of the Department who
continued to walk the extra mile in rendering matapat, mahusay at
magiliw na paglilingkod to victims of disasters, and to vulnerable
individuals, families, and communities.
Disaster response
As of December 27, DSWD provided more than a billion worth of
assistance to disaster victims, including the survivors of ‘Habagat’
which plagued NCR (P25.24 million), ‘Santi’ which lashed Region 3 in
September (P22.14 million), the Zamboanga armed conflict (P278.77
million), earthquake in Central Visayas (P96.87 million), and
Typhoon Yolanda which devastated the Visayas region on November 8
(P1.17 billion).
This assistance includes relief, early recovery, and rehabilitation
efforts.
Pro-poor programs
While the Department dealt with a number of disasters of huge
proportions this year, it did not lose track of its basic programs.
The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is already on its fifth year
of implementation.
As of November 27, the program is being implemented in all 1,627
cities and municipalities in 79 provinces in 17 Regions.
It provides education and health cash grants of as much as P1,400 to
a family with three qualified children provided they comply with the
conditions of sending them to school and in health centers for
check-up, and attending Family Development Sessions.
A total of 3,839,259 households are covered by the regular Pantawid
Pamilya program while 94,247 are covered by Modified Conditional
Cash Transfer (MCCT). The MCCT targets Families in Need of Special
Protection (FNSP), Homeless Street Families (HSF) and Extended Age
Coverage Program (EAP) for Children 15-17 years old.
The total cash grants paid to eligible and compliant beneficiaries
from January to November is P33,854,742,700. Of this,
P16,354,685,600 was for education and P17,500,057,100 was for
health.
Community-driven development
The Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated
Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) which uses the
community-driven development (CDD) approach to reduce poverty
continues to fund community projects.
Kalahi-CIDSS expanded its coverage to reach up to 50% of poorest
municipalities in targeted provinces, utilizing the Additional
Financing (AF) of the World Bank (WB) and a grant from the United
States’ Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
To date, both projects have already covered 7,593 barangays in 328
municipalities in 48 poorest provinces in the country.
As of September, AF and MCC funded a total of 4,042 community
sub-projects amounting to P4.698 billion that will benefit
approximately 928,377 households.
Livelihood
On the other hand, the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP)
continues to provide entrepreneurial and employment opportunities to
the poor, mostly Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries.
From January to November, some 144,115 Pantawid Pamilya households
were served through the Micro-enterprise Development Track. A total
of P562,152,738.00 was disbursed from the Capital Seed Fund as
non-interest and non-collateral loans for the enterprises of these
families.
Likewise, some 17,772 non-Pantawid Pamilya households were served
through the Micro-enterprise Development Track. They have received
P96,706,094 from the Capital Seed Fund as non-interest and
non-collateral loans for their enterprises.
A total of 12,329 households were provided employment.
Social pension for seniors
The DSWD likewise continues the implementation of its Social Pension
for Indigent Senior Citizens in all the regions of the country.
The program covers 77 years old and above who are frail, sickly, or
has disability; who are not receiving pension; and have no permanent
source of income or regular support from their relatives.
As of December 27, some 254,175 senior citizens have received their
monthly stipend worth P500.
The program has a budget of P1.4B for 2013 and P3.1B for 2014 .
Feeding program
For the children enrolled in day cares and supervised play session,
DSWD provides food supplementation to improve and sustain their
nutritional status.
This comes in the form of hot meals to be served during break or
snack time in the morning or afternoon session.
The feeding program is managed by parents based on a prepared meal
cycle using available indigenous food supplies.
Children beneficiaries will be weighed at the start of the feeding
and three months thereafter. After the completion of 120 feeding
days, the improvement and sustenance in their nutritional status
will be determined.
The actual start of feeding started in June, in time for the start
of the school year.
For 2013-2014, a total of 1,451,655 children out of 1,778,274 were
already served as of December.
Victims of trafficking
The Department gives a comprehensive package of programs and
services to enhance the psychosocial, social and economic needs of
victims of trafficking. It is implemented in coordination with other
concerned agencies such as the Department of Justice.
This includes provision of financial assistance while awaiting
employment or while undergoing training, and of capital assistance;
referral to employers and/or business partners; auxiliary services
such as board and lodging, documentation, and other incidental
expenses; and, DNA testing if needed.
The DSWD also offers temporary shelter to victim-survivors to help
them cope with their traumatic experiences.
As of November 30, a total of 1,228 human trafficking cases (338
males and 890 females) have been served. Region VII has the highest
number of reported cases with 12.7%, and CAR the lowest with 1.22%.
Forced labor as a purpose for trafficking ranked the highest with
419 cases or 34.12 %, while sexual exploitation ranked next with 236
or 19.21%.
On all cases, more females (72.48%) than males (27.52%) become
victims of trafficking.
Aid for street children, street families
The DSWD likewise provides financial and technical support, in
partnership with the local government units (LGUs), for the
implementation of comprehensive program for this sector including
their families.
In 2013, some 1,087 street children were provided with educational
assistance. A total of 635 were served in 33 activity centers where
they participated in literacy program, values formation,
recreational skills building and orientation on the rights of the
child.
Likewise, 200 street adults were provided with cash-for-work
assistance in the amount of P303 pesos per day as sweepers, park
patrol and greeters. Most of them are now renting their houses and
living with their families.
Some 214 families have undergone skills training on dishwashing,
power soap making, jewelry and beads making, and throw pillow
making, in coordination with LGUs. Of this, 165 were provided with
capital assistance.
Housing for informal settlers
For this year, DSWD received P374.4 million for the implementation
of the Interim Shelter Fund for Informal Settler Families. The
amount covers the necessary allocations for the subsidies, as well
as the fund requirement for the mobilization cost of the project.
The program seeks to benefit 16,695 families validated as informal
settlers.
As of December 6, some 1,232 families have been resettled. These
families came from San Juan City (San Juan River), Quezon City (Tullahan
River), Pasay City (Maricaban Creek and Tripa de Gallina), and
Manila (Pasig River).
The resettlement sites are in Barangay Muzon, San Jose del Monte
Heights, Bulacan; Southville Phase 3 Brgy. Aguado Trece Martires
City Cavite; and Golden Horizon, Brgy. Hugo Perez, Trece Martires
City, Cavite.
Priorities for 2014
Sec. Soliman is hopeful that 2014 is even more exciting with the
unfolding of many programs to empower and improve lives of
Filipinos.
The Department will expand and strengthen its core poverty-reduction
programs.
Pantawid Pamilya will cover all eligible poor households from the
database of the poor and sustain the gains of the program by
brokering access of graduated set 1 beneficiaries to other social
protection services particularly sustainable livelihood
opportunities.
Kalahi-CIDSS will cover an additional 323,325 households in 10,714
barangays in 486 poor municipalities nationwide, and facilitate
environmental protection through Community Driven Development (CDD)
by implementing a CDD Modality for ARMM and Bangsamoro in
cooperation with the Regional Government Unit and DSWD-ARMM.
The Micro-Enterprise Development and Guaranteed Employment Tracks
will serve 405,902 Set 3 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries and cover an
additional 23,660 beneficiaries.
It also seeks to reduce the number of street children/families by
80% in Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs), capacitate partners to reach
more victims of trafficking, locally and globally
It will provide food supplementation to 2,006,549 children in day
care centers and supervised neighborhood play and to fully implement
the new Guidelines in the Accreditation of Day Care Service.
In an effort to help more seniors, DSWD will expand the Social
Pension to cover additional 46,954 beneficiaries and lower age
category to 70.
It also hopes to provide shelter assistance to 472 informal settler
families living in danger areas and waterways of Metro Manila.
For 2014, the target number of Interim Shelter Assistance as per
DILG is 26,000. And these ISFs will either be resettled or use the
assistance as interim shelter (for renting) while their permanent
housing units are under construction.
On the Estero project, to date, the model unit for Estero de San
Miguel is already completed. Building of medium-rise buildings will
soon rise that will benefit 160 informal settler families. For 2014,
medium-rise buildings shall also rise in Estero de Quiapo, P.
Casals, and San Sebastian.
For disaster response, DSWD will evaluate and enhance disaster risk
reduction strategies, programs, services and partnerships to ensure
readiness and achieve zero casualty in future calamities.
“As 2014 is the year of the wooden horse, we will be galloping to
positive change, institutionalizing reforms to make it irreversible.
Tuloy-tuloy ang mahusay, matapat at magiliw na paglilingkod sa
sambayanan,” Sec. Soliman ended. |
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In 2013, DOLE's ECC grants P1.4 million worth
of prosthesis to 21 workers |
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Source:
http://www.dole.gov.ph |
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On 6 November,
Christopher Oliquino, 38, and a resident of Antipolo City was able
to walk again, thanks to a new above-knee prosthesis.
A former wire saw operator at a quarrying site in Teresa, Rizal,
Oliquino figured in an industrial accident in January 2012, when the
cable of the wire saw he was using suddenly snapped. He sustained a
grave injury, receiving an above-the-knee amputation.
Because it was work-related, the Employees Compensation Commission
granted him above-knee prosthesis worth P65,500.
Ronnel Miguel Tolentino, 26 years old, and a resident of Malabon
City could not thank the ECC enough after he was able to continue
working with a new leg.
An amputee, he was granted by the ECC above-knee prosthesis worth
P62,000 sometime this year, which enabled him to move around again.
Oliquino and Tolentino are two of the 21 workers who sustained
work-related disabilities the ECC has granted P1,437,500-worth of
artificial prosthesis in 2013 to facilitate their integration into
the economic mainstream.
In a report to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda
Dimapilis-Baldoz, ECC Executive Director Stella Banawis said the
agency made the grant of the benefits under its Katulong at Gabay sa
Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program.
"We are pleased to report that the ECC's KaGabay Program was able to
make 21 workers with work-related disabilities happy and able to
re-integrate themselves in the economic mainstream. Through the
benefits of modern prosthesis, the likes of Oliquino and Tolentino
were able to work and become productive again," said Banawis in her
report.
The ECC's KaGabay Program is an economic assistance program for
persons with work-related disabilities. Its objectives are to
facilitate integration of the persons with work-related disabilities
into the economic mainstream through physical restoration and
training for re-employment or entrepreneurship in order to provide
them with equal access to livelihood opportunities and
micro-enterprises or home-based business.
"The ECC's KaGaBay program is a friend to occupationally-disabled
workers, or ODWs. It helps them find productive careers that will
enhance their quality of life and restore them to their highest
level of functioning," Baldoz said in describing the program that
demonstrates the Philippines’s strong commitment on the protection
of ODWs.
The Kagabay Program also provides ODWs access to skills training for
possible re-employment and entrepreneurship training for small or
home-based business.
“ODWs should not be a loss to society. They can be mainstreamed into
regular employment and productive activities if properly re-trained
or re-skilled to perform specific tasks given their particular
disabilities. This is the objective of this program—the re-skilling
of ODWs and their placement in new jobs,” Baldoz said.
“The ECC is an effective agency that unlocks the potential of our
ODWs. Through the KaGaBay Program, our ODWs will be at par with the
rest if they are given a fair chance to start new lives and make use
of their abilities to the fullest,” she added.
Banawis says one of the goals of the ECC in 2014 is to reach out to
more ODWs who can avail of its programs and services. This, she
believes, can be achieved by increasing ODWs' awareness of and
understanding about the ECC's employees’ compensation programs. |
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On OFW Family Day, OWWA regional office holds
financial literacy seminar for OFW Family Circles |
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Source:
http://www.dole.gov.ph |
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On OFW Family
Day, OWWA regional office holds financial literacy seminar for OFW
Family Circles The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional
Welfare Office 3, in partnership with the Provincial Government of
Pampanga, recently concluded a two-day financial literacy seminar
for OFW Family Circles in Pampanga. In a report to Labor Secretary
Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz through OWWA Administrator Carmelita
Dimzon, OWWA Regional Director Ma. Lourdes V. Reyes said the
seminar, held on the occasion of the annual OFW Family Day at the
Event Center of SM City Pampanga, was attended by 278 OFWs and their
families from all over the region. "The financial literacy seminar
was the highlight activity of the OFW Family Day in the region,"
said Reyes, who explained that the seminar aimed to empower OFW
dependents in managing money they receive from their working loved
ones or relatives abroad. The OFW Family Day is an annual nationwide
celebration that brings together OFW communities to foster
camaraderie among OFWs dependents. It is intended to strengthen
family ties and values through different stimulating activities.
According to Reyes, the financial literacy seminar used a
developmental approach in empowering OFWs and their families by
providing them access to additional tools in building their
financial literacy skills, and in teaching them how to manage their
money more sensibly. Baldoz commended the OWWA regional office,
saying the financial literacy seminar is an important part of the
OWWA’s strategy and commitment to help OFWs and their families learn
the financial issues and challenges that affect their day-to-day
lives. “Our aim is to help OFW dependents learn how to measure and
manage the money their OFW relatives make and teach them to
appreciate and value the fruits of the hard work their relatives and
loved ones are doing," said Reyes. The seminar included modules on
saving and saving options, earning additional money, planning and
creating a personal mission, and setting a time-line for financial
activities and accomplishments. With the growing number of OFWs and
dependents becoming more sensitive of economic management methods,
the regional welfare office expects the number of successful OFW
businesses in the region to rise. Reyes said the regional welfare
office is ready for this development. Last year, she said the
office, through its Family Welfare Offices and in partnership with
established OFW Family Circles, conducted other related training and
seminars, such as entrepreneurial development training, values
re-orientation, and organizational development training for OFWs and
their dependents across the region. |
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BSP, PDIC and LBP jointly approve SPCB Plus
Program |
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Source:
http://www.bsp.gov.ph |
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The respective
Boards of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Philippine
Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) and the Land Bank of the
Philippines (LBP) have approved the revival of the Strengthening
Program for Cooperative Banks (SPCB) with certain amendments and
enhancements to promote mergers and consolidations with and
acquisition of cooperative banks by stronger partners. Labeled as
the Strengthening Program for Cooperative Banks Plus (SPCB Plus),
the program which will be available until 17 September 2014 shall
replace the original SPCB (Strengthening Program for Cooperative
Banks [SPCB] Module II) which expired last 3 August 2012.
The SPCB Plus
expands the eligible Strategic Third Party Investor (STPI) or
so-called “white knights” to include strong and well-managed rural
banks and thrift banks whether or not majority owned by cooperative
banks and commercial banks. This program is envisioned to further
strengthen the cooperative banking system, boost confidence in the
banking system, and improve the delivery of financial services to
the countryside and rural communities.
The SPCB Plus offers a variety of financial and regulatory reliefs
and incentives to improve the prospects for success of new banking
partnerships. Financial assistance may be granted by PDIC and LBP to
augment capital shortfalls and provide income support to the
surviving banks. BSP has also put on the table a package of
regulatory reliefs and branching incentives for the eligible STPIs.
The SPCB Plus expects eligible STPIs not only to sustain and
strengthen the financial condition of surviving banks but also to
improve their quality of corporate governance and management. Strong
expressions of interest have been received from a number of players
in the industry to take part in the SPCB Plus. As of October 2013, 5
applications involving 19 cooperative banks have been received.
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PHL Consulate General, Laguna Association of Guam
commemorate Rizal's martyrdom |
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Source:
https://www.dfa.gov.ph |
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03 January
2014- The Philippine Consulate General in Agana, in cooperation with
the Laguna Association of Guam (LAG), commemorated the 117th
anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal's execution at Bagumbayan through a
flag raising and wreath-laying ceremony on Monday, December 30, at
the Residence of the Philippine Consul General where a small
monument for our national hero has been erected.
LAG Vice President Rugo Magante opened the ceremony by welcoming the
members of the LAG, as well as the officers and staff of the
Consulate General. Consul Maria Paz Cortes and Mr. Magante also led
the laying of the wreath at the foot of Dr. Rizal's bust.
On behalf of Consul General Bayani V. Mangibin, Consul Cortes
thanked the LAG for their consistent commitment in remembering and
honoring Dr. Rizal, a native of Laguna, and for their efforts to
improve the monument constructed in his honor. Consul Cortes
likewise ended the ceremony by reading lines from Huling Paalam, a
Filipino translation of Dr. Rizal's poem Mi Ultimo Adios, as
translated by national hero, Andres Bonifacio. (Photo Credits: Mr.
Allan Tangayan).
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Philippine Mission to ASEAN commemorates Rizal
Day |
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Source:
https://www.dfa.gov.ph |
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03 January 2014
- The Philippine Mission to ASEAN commemorated the 117th anniversary
of the death and martyrdom of Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose
Rizal in simple rites held at the Mission’s chancery in Jakarta on
December 30.
The Mission, headed by Philippine Permanent Representative to ASEAN
Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, held a flag raising ceremony, followed by a
recounting of the life and history of Dr. Rizal. First Secretary
Noel M. Novicio delivered a lecture on the life of Dr. Rizal, his
love of country and his commitment to academic and personal
excellence. First Secretary Christopher Patrick T. Aro then led a
discussion and recounting of Dr. Rizal’s two most famous and
influential literary works: his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo. Mr. Aro encouraged members of the Mission and their
family to find the time to read and appreciate the novels which
helped shape Philippine nationhood. |
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DOST to open online payment system for gov’t
transactions |
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Source:
http://www.dost.gov.ph |
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By February
2014, expect the long queues for government transactions to start
disappearing as PhPay – an Internet-based electronic payment
facility developed by the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST) – is expected to go live by that month.
This was revealed during the year-end activity of the Integrated
Government Philippines iGovPhil) Project last December 11, 2013 at
Ayala Land Techno-Hub in Quezon City.
PhPay will allow the public to pay for government transactions
through online delivery channels, including ATM accounts, credit
cards, bank and non-bank over the counter payments, mobile wallets (SMS),
mobile banking and rural banks, among others. It is among the
products and services under iGovPhil, a joint project of DOST
agencies Information and Communications Technology Office and
Advanced Science and Technology Institute, which aims to make
interactive, interconnected, and efficient government collaboration
possible.
According to Jops Josef, project leader of PhPay, several private
payment aggregator companies have offered their services for PhPay
including Dragon Pay, Master Card, LBC and Rural Net.
“What it offers is convenience to citizens and government agencies.
A citizen will not spend for fares or gas and parking fees, and
food. Paying online will also save the citizen time for not falling
in line. It also lessens the opportunity for graft and corruption as
it eliminates face-to-face contact and promotes transparency on
payments made to the government,” Josef said.
A convenience fee will be collected for each online, which possibly
cost 10-40 pesos per transaction.
The Bureau of Treasury (BTr) will play a crucial role in
implementing this system, as it will serve as single-government
merchant in the whole electronic payment process. Traditionally,
each agency is required to deposit payments to BTr at the end of
each transaction day. However, PhPay will shorten this process by
allowing the payments to go directly to BTr.
The system may even further improve once engagement terms with the
payment aggregators have been finalized, Josef revealed.
He advised government agencies with existing contracts with other
online payment system providers to honor these contracts. “PhPay is
only here to give them other options, especially when their
contracts expired,” he added.
At present, ICTO is looking forward to include government owned and
controlled corporations and state universities and colleges under
PhPay’s coverage in the project’s next phase. As of late, 43
national government agencies have shown interest in PhPay. These
agencies will undergo assessment to determine if they are qualified
and capable of offering these services.
PhPay is currently undergoing pilot testing, with the Cooperative
Development Authority, Department of Industry and National Computer
Center of ICTO as clients. For more information about PhPay and
other services and products of iGovPhilippines Project, log on to
i.gov.ph or checkout the Integrated Government Philippines Facebook
page at https://www.facebook.com/iGovPhil?ref=br_tf . |
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Process in place to implement law in disputed
TADECO land - DAR |
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Source:
http://www.dar.gov.ph |
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The Department
of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said that since Notices of Coverage (NOCs)
had already been issued to the Tarlac Development Corporation (TADECO),
all parties should abide by the processes of the law. The DAR will
strictly adhere to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law as amended
in the acquisition and distribution of a parcel of land belonging to
TADECO in Barangay Balete in Tarlac City.
DAR Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes said that the lots in question
have already been issued NOCs through publication in a newspaper of
general circulation on December 17, 2013. He explained that the
parcel of land in question was not part of the land transferred to
the Hacienda Luisita, Inc. under the Stock Distribution Option (SDO)
program which the Supreme Court ordered with finality to be
distributed to farmworker-beneficiaries last year. Certificates of
Land Ownership Awards or CLOAs (the land titles given to agrarian
reform beneficiaries) have already been issued to farmworker-beneficiaries
in this more than 4,000-hectare land.
As in the case of the TADECO lands, the DAR, in the recent months,
has been issuing NOCs to landholdings which are not originally part
of its scope but are being reported by its stakeholders as possibly
covered by CARP.
The TADECO lands now at issue, for which NOCs were released, are
nine lots covered by eight titles located in Barangays Balete and
Cutcut in Tarlac with an aggregate area of about 358 hectares. NOCs
were issued after the DAR, in the ordinary course of its operation,
determined that the landholding is coverable under CARP.
The NOC is the initial step in the process of acquiring and
distributing land under the agrarian reform law.
The DAR will afterwards determine who are qualified to become
beneficiaries of the land. The land reform agency said that
considering that the land at issue is NOT part of the landmark
Supreme Court decision on Hacienda Luisita, the governing rules on
who are qualified to become beneficiaries are that provided in the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform law as amended by the CARPER, and DAR
Administrative Order No. 7, Series of 2013 and all other related
rules of the agency on land acquisition and distribution of private
agricultural lands.
The DAR emphasized that merely entering and cultivating the farm
lots will not automatically qualify a person to become an agrarian
reform agency. In fact, it reminded those who want the TADECO lands
to be distributed not to prematurely enter and cultivate the land.
De los Reyes said that this may be a ground for those who are
potentially qualified to be disqualified from being beneficiaries of
the said landholding.
The DAR also reminded the landowner against conducting any
activities that may tantamount to premature or illegal land use
conversion.
Last Saturday, police and security personnel of TADECO arrested 8
farmers who attempted to resist a reported bulldozing of lands which
they had planted to rice and vegetables.
Earlier TADECO already sent notices of eviction to 134 farmers in
Barangay Balete. It maintained that the farmers entered the lot
without permission and that the farming activities were against the
law. |
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CSC cites GSIS anew for service excellence under
anti-red tape act |
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Source:
http://www.gsis.gov.ph |
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State pension
fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) capped the year with
an 'excellent' rating from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for
exemplary service and for complying with the provisions of Republic
Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA).
Two of its branch offices, namely Dagupan and General Santos
obtained scores of 95.81% and 92.77%, after the conduct of the ARTA-
Report Card Survey by CSC to rate agency performance and client
satisfaction in frontline service delivery.
Both branches will receive the Seal of Excellence from the
Commission which includes a wall mountable glass seal and Php100,000
cash for the purchase of equipment and materials that will further
improve the delivery of its frontline service.
GSIS's Bacolod branch, with a rating of 91.57%, also received the
same award in September 2013.
In 2012, only two offices passed the service review out of the 52
surveyed by the Commission. This year, 19 offices obtained an
average score of 90%, equivalent to an excellent rating.
Along with Dagupan, General Santos and Bacolod, six other offices
rebounded from "failed" ratings and garnered "excellent" scores –
Surigao (93.86%), Bohol (93.28%), Laguna (93.01%), Antique (92.70%),
Masbate (90.34%), and Bulacan (90.20%). The rest of the offices
received a "good" rating.
"We are encouraged by the results of the survey. It's a validation
of our effort to transform GSIS into a more efficient
service-focused institution by streamlining the structure and
simplifying the chain of command," President and General Manager
Robert Vergara said.
Vergara said that under the rationalization program completed in
2012, GSIS reconfigured the previous 16 regional offices, 25 branch
offices and 18 satellite offices nationwide, into 56 full service,
one-stop shop branch offices with branch managers empowered and
entrusted with greater responsibilities under a decentralized
system.
The set-up enabled a quicker and more systematic way of providing
service to members and addressing operational problems which
resulted previously in service delays.
As a result of the more empowered and strengthened branch offices,
GSIS reported a 40% decline in pending requests of members and
pensioners to operations (monitored through the Transaction
Monitoring System) from 240,000 some of which dated as far back as
2008, to 140,000 pending transactions by year-end 2012.
Along with the restructuring of the organization, the pension fund
also established an extension office in Pasig City last October and
deployed 25 service desks in remote areas to bring its services
closer to its more than 1.7 million members and pensioners.
In addition, stakeholders can call a 24/7 contact center (847.4747)
for any inquiry on GSIS's benefit programs and services.
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GSIS offers H.E.L.P for members in hard-hit
Yolanda areas |
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Source:
http://www.gsis.gov.ph |
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Government
Service Insurance System (GSIS) President and General Manager Robert
G. Vergara today announced that the pension fund will offer a Home
Emergency Loan Program (HELP), a one-time special loan of up to
Php200,000 to rebuild the homes of members who are either living or
working in the 126 areas that were hardest hit by Yolanda.
Under HELP, members may apply for a loan based on their total length
of service in the government. Members who have been in the
government for 10 years or more may borrow a maximum amount of
Php200,000 while those who have been in the service for five years
or more but less than 10 years, may take out up to Php100,000.
In addition, those who have been in the service for less than five
years may obtain a maximum loan of Php30,000.
Vergara said that HELP is in response to the President’s instruction
to all government agencies to extend the necessary financial support
that will enable Yolanda victims to rebuild their homes and resume
productive livelihood and employment activities.
GSIS will accept applications starting January until March 2014 in
any of its 56 branch and extension offices nationwide. An approval
from the members’ agency authorized officer (AAO) will be required
by the pension fund before processing the loan.
The loan will bear an interest of 6% and is payable in 10 years. The
first monthly amortization of the loan will be in July 2014.
The program may be availed only once and is not subject to renewal.
HELP is the latest GSIS program geared at assisting Yolanda victims.
The other programs include the grant of a six-month loan moratorium
for members and pensioners living or working in worst-hit areas; an
enhanced emergency loan with higher credit limit of Php40,000 for
members with outstanding emergency loan balance; and for the first
time, a pensioners' emergency loan of Php20,000.
For more inquiries on HELP, members may call the contact center at
847.4747. |
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GAA-as-release-document regime kicks off; Abad: GAA
reforms break ground for transparency, accountability |
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Source:
http://www.dbm.gov.ph |
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Greater
efficiency in budget implementation and improved transparency and
accountability in the expenditure process. And best of all, no more
fake SARO scams.
This is the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) battle cry
for 2014, as the 2014 General Appropriations Act (GAA) takes effect
on the first working day of the year, signalling a new regime—the
first of its kind in the country’s governance history—that
establishes the General Appropriations Act (GAA) as the government’s
official budget release document.
Under the GAA-as-Release-Document budget regime, departments and
agencies will no longer need to secure Special Allotment Release
Orders (SAROs) to obligate funds—which involves entering into
contracts and kick-starting the procurement process—for a particular
project. Instead, an agency can begin obligating funds as soon as
the 2014 GAA is implemented on the very first working day of the
fiscal year.
“The 2014 GAA, as signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III last
December 20, already stands as the government’s primary budget
release document. This means that all the disaggregated budget items
in the GAA are already considered released to their respective
agencies, with the exception of lump-sum funds that have yet to be
itemized, and which will require prior approval before their
release,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad
said.
“The GAA-as-Release-Document regime is a huge departure from the
longstanding practice of using SAROs and other release documents to
move funds towards projects under various departments and agencies.
By making the GAA as the release document for all budgetary items,
we’ve practically eliminated the delays that have plagued fund
releases, since agencies no longer have to secure SAROs and other
release documents to obligate their funds. Instead, they can begin
obligating funds as early as today: the first working day of the
year, when the GAA officially takes effect,” he added.
As clarified by the Budget chief, some budgetary items will still
require prior clearance and approval before the funds for these can
be released to their respective agencies. These include lump-sum
funds within an agency’s budget that have not been itemized prior to
the approval and enactment of the 2014 GAA, as well as Special
Purpose Funds, including Budgetary Support to Government
Corporations.
Other budgetary items that will likewise need clearance prior to
release are those with conditions and requirements specified under
the 2014 GAA’s General/Special Provisions and Budget
Affirmation/Veto Message in the GAA, and all automatically
appropriated items, including Special Accounts in the General Fund.
Besides ramping up the speed and efficiency of fund releases, the
GAA-as-Release-Document regime is expected to prevent or minimize
irregularities in the release of public funds to agencies, such as
those involving the circulation of fake SAROs.
“In 2013, we were made aware of a well-established and highly
coordinated racket that centered on the dissemination of fake SAROs.
We asked the National Bureau of Investigation to launch a probe into
this, the official results of which we’re still waiting for.
Altogether, however, it appears that unscrupulous individuals have
taken advantage of the necessity of release documents so that these
parties were able to profit from the distribution of fake SAROs.
“With the new GAA-as-Release-Document regime in place, however—and
the fact that SAROs are no longer needed for majority of the fund
releases we’ll be making this year—we don’t just intend to
accelerate releases so that they can properly fund our key programs
and projects. We also mean to thwart those who’ve made the budget
implementation process a hotbed of graft and corruption. This is
part of our deliberate, focused campaign to facilitate greater
transparency and accountability in the expenditure process, so that
every peso spent by government will indeed benefit all Filipinos,”
Abad said. |
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First batch of Filipino health professionals
arrive in Germany |
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Source:
https://www.dfa.gov.ph |
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02 January 2014
- The first batch of Philippine health professionals to work in
Germany under the Philippine-German labor agreement signed on March
2013 arrived in Frankfurt on December 15, 2013.
The four nurses, Ms. Vanessa S. Preclaro (25), Ms. Krystel Anne B.
Sumido (28), Ms. Eowyn C. Galvez (26) and Mr. Ruel C. Galias (50),
are employed by the Nordwest Krankenhaus Hospital in Frankfurt. Ms.
Preclaro works at the Cardiology Department, Ms. Sumido is assigned
to the Neurology Intensive Station, while Ms. Galvez and Mr. Galias
work at the Stroke Unit of the hospital.
Before coming to Germany, the three lady nurses were employed as
intensive care and operating room nurses at the Makati Medical
Center. They had no previous international employment experience.
Mr. Galias, who is much older and like a kuya (older brother) to
them, has been working abroad already. His recent employment was as
operating room and emergency room nurse in Abu Dhabi, where his wife
also works as a nurse.
Nordwest Krankenhaus is a modern hospital founded in 1963.
Functioning as an academic teaching hospital of the
Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, it belongs to the Frankfurt
Hospital Foundation of the Holy Spirit, which has a long tradition
since the Middle Ages of providing medical care to sick and indigent
persons. Nordwest Krankenhaus has become known beyond Frankfurt for
its specialization in 10 medical disciplines and for its four
clinical research institutes.
The four Filipino health professionals finished their German
language courses at Goethe- Institute, the German Cultural Center in
Manila. They have passed the Certificate B.1 level examinations,
although some of them have already finished taking the B.2 level
course but have not yet taken the examinations.
According to the hospital administration, the four Filipino
professionals are presently hired as assistant nurses. In January,
they will undergo further language and nursing training to acquaint
them with the technical German used in hospitals, and to equip them
with the necessary communication skills for their profession. Once
they pass the language and nursing examinations in about four to
five months, they will be promoted to full professional status and
their salaries will likewise be adjusted accordingly.
Under the Philippine-German labor agreement, all deployments to
Germany must be coursed through the Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA). Pre-screened applicants are required to take
the German language courses organized for them by the
Goethe-Institute. A second batch is expected to arrive Germany in
January 2014. |
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