Monday, January 13, 2014

Dispatch for January 15 , 2014 ( Wednesday ) , 6 PIA Calabarzon PR , 6 Weather Watch , 8 Reg’l. Watch , 1 OFW Watch , 1 PNOY Speech , 15 Online News , 43 Photonews






   
 

  

 

1. Weather Watch

 

24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST

Note: Please refresh the page to ensure that the information is up-to-date.

 
Issued At: 5:00 a.m., 15 January 2014
Valid Beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow

24-hr Mean Sea Level Pressure
Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure
Analysis for 8 a.m., 15 January 2014
24-hr Mean Sea Level Streamline
Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind
Analysis for 8 a.m., 15 January 2014
Satellite Image
Satellite Image
for 5:32 a.m., 15 January 2014

Synopsis:
At 4:00 AM today, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 100 km East of Borongan, Eastern Samar (11.5°N 126.4°E). Northeast Monsoon affecting Northern and Central Luzon.
Forecast:
The regions of Bicol, Eastern and Central Visayas, Caraga and Northern Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas and the rest of Mindanao will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be cloudy with isolated light rains.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and coming from the northeast to northwest over Mindanao. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough.


2. WeatherWatch         

     GALE WARNING

GALE WARNING NO. 17
For: Strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of Northeast Monsoon.

Issued at 5:00 a.m. today, 15 January 2014


Strong to gale force winds is expected to affect the seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas.

SEABOARD WEATHER WIND FORCE
(KPH)/(KNOTS)
SEA
CONDITION
WAVE
HEIGHTS
(meters)
THE SEABOARDS OF NORTHERN LUZON AND THE EASTERN SEABOARD OF CENTRAL LUZON
(Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan, Cagayan, Ilocos Provinces, Isabela, La Union and Pangasinan and Aurora)
Cloudy skies with light rains (52- 68 /28 - 36) Rough to very rough 3.4 to 5.0
THE EASTERN SEABOARD OF VISAYAS
(Samar and Leyte)
Cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms (52- 63 /28 - 34) Rough to very rough 3.4 to 4.5
THE WESTERN SEABOARD OF CENTRAL LUZON
(Zambales and Bataan)
Mostly cloudy skies with light rains (52- 63 /28 - 34) Rough to very rough 3.4 to 4.5
THE SEABOARDS OF SOUTHERN LUZON
(Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, Masbate Including Burias & Ticao Island, Camarines Provinces, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Quezon including Polillo Island, and Palawan)
Mostly cloudy skies with light rains and isolated thunderstorms (52- 63 /28 - 34) Rough to very rough 3.4 to 4.5


Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.

The next update will be issued at 5:00 p.m. today.





3. Weather Watch

Tropical Cyclone Update
As of today, there is no tropical cyclone existing within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).



4. Weather Watch


WEATHER ADVISORY NO. 7

FOR: LOW PRESSURE AREA (LPA)
ISSUED AT: 11:00 AM, 15 JANUARY 2014

The Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated at 245 km southeast of Borongan City or 165 km east of Surigao City (10.1˚N, 127.0˚E). This weather system will bring cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over eastern and central Visayas, Caraga, northern Mindanao and Davao region which may trigger flashfloods and landslides while light to moderate rains and thunderstorms over CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, western Visayas and the rest of Mindanao. Residents are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures.

Strong to gale force northeasterly surface wind flow associated with the surge of the northeast monsoon is expected to affect the seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas. Hence, small seacrafts and fishing vessels are advised not to venture out into the sea due to big waves generated by this weather system.

For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.
Photo: WEATHER ADVISORY NO. 7

FOR: LOW PRESSURE AREA (LPA)
ISSUED AT: 11:00 AM, 15 JANUARY 2014

The Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated at 245 km southeast of Borongan City or 165 km east of Surigao City (10.1˚N, 127.0˚E). This weather system will bring cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over eastern and central Visayas, Caraga, northern Mindanao and Davao region which may trigger flashfloods and landslides while light to moderate rains and thunderstorms over CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, western Visayas and the rest of Mindanao. Residents are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures.

Strong to gale force northeasterly surface wind flow associated with the surge of the northeast monsoon is expected to affect the seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas. Hence, small seacrafts and fishing vessels are advised not to venture out into the sea due to big waves generated by this weather system.    

For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.
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PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Enverga University Banahaw and the Rotaract Club conducted coastal clean up and seminar at Purok 4, Brgy. Dalahican, Lucena City. With the theme 'The environment and the human: Coastal development an integrated part of national economy', the residents of the said barangay learned the importance of cleaning the beach of Tayabas Bay in sustaining human and environment development.



PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Quezon Provincial Employment Service (PESO) will conduct today local recruitment activity for jobseekers. Available positions are male/female production operators and electricians. Applicants should bring pertinent documents like authenticated birth certificate, certificate of graduation and others.

PIA-4A/RIZAL: The Antipolo City Government through the coordination of the City Social Welfare and Development Office and Mayor Jun Ynares distributed government-sponsored wheelchairs to 6 local PWDs.

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Provincial Gender and Development (PGAD) conducted GAD planning and analysis to employees of Provincial Veterinary Office. The activity will enhance the employees in preparing their office's programs, projects and activities that have gender perspective.

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Lucena city manpower and skills training center is offering 15 vocational courses to all interested individuals who are also residents of Lucena City. The center which was established in 1981 aimed to help elem./high school graduates to undergo tech-voc. short courses in preparation for their future jobs.
 
PIA-4A/RIZAL: The Cainta Health Office continuously conducts door to door measles immunization for children aged 6 months to 59 months. Serum samples will also be collected from measles patients.

PIA-4A/QUEZON: Sinimulan na ng panlalawigang tanggapan ng NSO-Quezon noong Enero 8, 2014 ang labor force survey sa lalawigan ng Quezon. Ang survey na matatapos sa Enero 30 ay naglalayong masukat at makapangalap ng datos tungkol sa bilang ng mga taong may trabaho, walang trabaho, uri ng hanapbuhay, uri ng manggagawa at bilang ng oras ng pagtatrabaho. Ang survey ay makapagbibigay ng impormasyon at makatutulong sa pagbuo ng mga plano.

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Sangguniang Panglalawigan ng Quezon unanimously passed during its regular session a resolution declaring Police Senior Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP public information officer and spokesperson, as an adopted son of Quezon Province. Sindac is a former city chief of Lucena and intelligence chief of Quezon Police Provincial Office.




DZBB: Itinaas na ng DFA ang alert level sa mga Pinoy sa Thailand dahil sa umiinit na sitwasyon doon bunsod ng mga kilos protesta. May nakita ang DFA na valid internal disturbance kayang pinapayuhan ang mga Pinoy sa Thailand na maging maingat at mapagbantay sa mga nagaganap sa paligid, ayon kay DFA Asec. Raul Hernandez.





  

Weather Watch
January  15 , 2013  ( Wednesday )     as of 6:00-7:00 AM


CAVITE            :  Sunny 
LAGUNA          :  Partly Cloudy 
BATANGAS      :  Partly Cloudy 
RIZAL                :  Fair Weather 
QUEZON           :  Partly Cloudy 

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rovincial gov’t offices receive ISO certification
Thursday 9th of January 2014
 New  0  0  0  0
TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, Jan. 9 (PIA) – Twenty provincial offices have passed the ISO 9001:2008 certificate of registration from the international certifying body for their excellence in quality management system.

The awarding of ISO 9001:2008 certificate of registration held Monday, January 6, at the provincial gymnasium during the first flag-raising ceremony for the year 2014.

The newly ISO certified offices are the following:  Provincial Administrator for Internal Affairs, Provincial Accounting Office, Provincial Budget Office, Provincial Engineer’s Office, Provincial Health Office, Cavite Office Of Public Safety,  Provincial Information Office, Provincial Planning and Development Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Provincial Cooperative Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development Office, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Provincial Jail, Provincial Legal Office, Provincial Veterinary Office, Provincial Population Office, Provincial Housing Development and Management Office, Provincial Youth and Sports Development Office, Provincial Tourism Office and Cavite Quality Management Office.

Governor Jonvic Remulla reminded the employees of the provincial government to live the ISO culture and exert all efforts to maintain the certification and constantly improve service delivery to constituents.

ISO 9001:2008 is a set of standards and requirements for the development of a quality management system commonly applied by private corporations and organizations to help ensure that the needs and expectations of customers are adequately and consistently met. These standards also enable organizations to develop mechanisms for continual improvement of products and services.

The province adopted the principle of instituting quality management system particularly in the four core offices of the provincial government (which was ISO certified almost two years ago) namely the Treasury, Assessor’s Office, Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the Office of the Provincial Governor together with three support offices – the Human Resource management Office, Information Technology Division and the General Services Office.

The Anglo Japanese American (AJA) Registrars granted the Certificate of Attestation to the Provincial Government last May 3, 2012. Later, Cavite was awarded as the first ISO 9001:2008 certified provincial government in the Philippines and in South East Asia on June 12, 2012.

The event was attended by the members of Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla, Dir. Josefina Castilla-Go, regional director of DILG Region IV, Dir. Fernando Mendoza, assistant regional director of the Civil Service Commission Region IV-A, harity Arevalo, field director Region IV-A, Paul Bagatsing of AJA Registrar’s Inc., Jesus Barrera, quality management representative, division and department heads and employees of the provincial capitol. (PICAD/RBF, PIA-Cavite)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=671389253131#sthash.cELm3Ykk.dpuf



Provincial gov’t offices receive ISO certification
Thursday 9th of January 2014
 New  0  0  0  0
TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, Jan. 9 (PIA) – Twenty provincial offices have passed the ISO 9001:2008 certificate of registration from the international certifying body for their excellence in quality management system.

The awarding of ISO 9001:2008 certificate of registration held Monday, January 6, at the provincial gymnasium during the first flag-raising ceremony for the year 2014.

The newly ISO certified offices are the following:  Provincial Administrator for Internal Affairs, Provincial Accounting Office, Provincial Budget Office, Provincial Engineer’s Office, Provincial Health Office, Cavite Office Of Public Safety,  Provincial Information Office, Provincial Planning and Development Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Provincial Cooperative Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development Office, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Provincial Jail, Provincial Legal Office, Provincial Veterinary Office, Provincial Population Office, Provincial Housing Development and Management Office, Provincial Youth and Sports Development Office, Provincial Tourism Office and Cavite Quality Management Office.

Governor Jonvic Remulla reminded the employees of the provincial government to live the ISO culture and exert all efforts to maintain the certification and constantly improve service delivery to constituents.

ISO 9001:2008 is a set of standards and requirements for the development of a quality management system commonly applied by private corporations and organizations to help ensure that the needs and expectations of customers are adequately and consistently met. These standards also enable organizations to develop mechanisms for continual improvement of products and services.

The province adopted the principle of instituting quality management system particularly in the four core offices of the provincial government (which was ISO certified almost two years ago) namely the Treasury, Assessor’s Office, Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the Office of the Provincial Governor together with three support offices – the Human Resource management Office, Information Technology Division and the General Services Office.

The Anglo Japanese American (AJA) Registrars granted the Certificate of Attestation to the Provincial Government last May 3, 2012. Later, Cavite was awarded as the first ISO 9001:2008 certified provincial government in the Philippines and in South East Asia on June 12, 2012.

The event was attended by the members of Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla, Dir. Josefina Castilla-Go, regional director of DILG Region IV, Dir. Fernando Mendoza, assistant regional director of the Civil Service Commission Region IV-A, harity Arevalo, field director Region IV-A, Paul Bagatsing of AJA Registrar’s Inc., Jesus Barrera, quality management representative, division and department heads and employees of the provincial capitol. (PICAD/RBF, PIA-Cavite)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=671389253131#sthash.cELm3Ykk.dpuf
Provincial gov’t offices receive ISO certification
Thursday 9th of January 2014
 New  0  0  0  0
TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, Jan. 9 (PIA) – Twenty provincial offices have passed the ISO 9001:2008 certificate of registration from the international certifying body for their excellence in quality management system.

The awarding of ISO 9001:2008 certificate of registration held Monday, January 6, at the provincial gymnasium during the first flag-raising ceremony for the year 2014.

The newly ISO certified offices are the following:  Provincial Administrator for Internal Affairs, Provincial Accounting Office, Provincial Budget Office, Provincial Engineer’s Office, Provincial Health Office, Cavite Office Of Public Safety,  Provincial Information Office, Provincial Planning and Development Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Provincial Cooperative Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development Office, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Provincial Jail, Provincial Legal Office, Provincial Veterinary Office, Provincial Population Office, Provincial Housing Development and Management Office, Provincial Youth and Sports Development Office, Provincial Tourism Office and Cavite Quality Management Office.

Governor Jonvic Remulla reminded the employees of the provincial government to live the ISO culture and exert all efforts to maintain the certification and constantly improve service delivery to constituents.

ISO 9001:2008 is a set of standards and requirements for the development of a quality management system commonly applied by private corporations and organizations to help ensure that the needs and expectations of customers are adequately and consistently met. These standards also enable organizations to develop mechanisms for continual improvement of products and services.

The province adopted the principle of instituting quality management system particularly in the four core offices of the provincial government (which was ISO certified almost two years ago) namely the Treasury, Assessor’s Office, Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the Office of the Provincial Governor together with three support offices – the Human Resource management Office, Information Technology Division and the General Services Office.

The Anglo Japanese American (AJA) Registrars granted the Certificate of Attestation to the Provincial Government last May 3, 2012. Later, Cavite was awarded as the first ISO 9001:2008 certified provincial government in the Philippines and in South East Asia on June 12, 2012.

The event was attended by the members of Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla, Dir. Josefina Castilla-Go, regional director of DILG Region IV, Dir. Fernando Mendoza, assistant regional director of the Civil Service Commission Region IV-A, harity Arevalo, field director Region IV-A, Paul Bagatsing of AJA Registrar’s Inc., Jesus Barrera, quality management representative, division and department heads and employees of the provincial capitol. (PICAD/RBF, PIA-Cavite)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=671389253131#sthash.cELm3Ykk.dpuf
Provincial gov’t offices receive ISO certification
Thursday 9th of January 2014
 New  0  0  0  0
TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, Jan. 9 (PIA) – Twenty provincial offices have passed the ISO 9001:2008 certificate of registration from the international certifying body for their excellence in quality management system.

The awarding of ISO 9001:2008 certificate of registration held Monday, January 6, at the provincial gymnasium during the first flag-raising ceremony for the year 2014.

The newly ISO certified offices are the following:  Provincial Administrator for Internal Affairs, Provincial Accounting Office, Provincial Budget Office, Provincial Engineer’s Office, Provincial Health Office, Cavite Office Of Public Safety,  Provincial Information Office, Provincial Planning and Development Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Provincial Cooperative Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development Office, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Provincial Jail, Provincial Legal Office, Provincial Veterinary Office, Provincial Population Office, Provincial Housing Development and Management Office, Provincial Youth and Sports Development Office, Provincial Tourism Office and Cavite Quality Management Office.

Governor Jonvic Remulla reminded the employees of the provincial government to live the ISO culture and exert all efforts to maintain the certification and constantly improve service delivery to constituents.

ISO 9001:2008 is a set of standards and requirements for the development of a quality management system commonly applied by private corporations and organizations to help ensure that the needs and expectations of customers are adequately and consistently met. These standards also enable organizations to develop mechanisms for continual improvement of products and services.

The province adopted the principle of instituting quality management system particularly in the four core offices of the provincial government (which was ISO certified almost two years ago) namely the Treasury, Assessor’s Office, Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the Office of the Provincial Governor together with three support offices – the Human Resource management Office, Information Technology Division and the General Services Office.

The Anglo Japanese American (AJA) Registrars granted the Certificate of Attestation to the Provincial Government last May 3, 2012. Later, Cavite was awarded as the first ISO 9001:2008 certified provincial government in the Philippines and in South East Asia on June 12, 2012.

The event was attended by the members of Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla, Dir. Josefina Castilla-Go, regional director of DILG Region IV, Dir. Fernando Mendoza, assistant regional director of the Civil Service Commission Region IV-A, harity Arevalo, field director Region IV-A, Paul Bagatsing of AJA Registrar’s Inc., Jesus Barrera, quality management representative, division and department heads and employees of the provincial capitol. (PICAD/RBF, PIA-Cavite)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=671389253131#sthash.cELm3Ykk.dpuf

  

No measles outbreak in Calabarzon
Monday 13th of January 2014
 2  0  0  0  0
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Jan 13 (PIA) --While the Department of Health (DOH) declared measles outbreak in some cities of the National Capital Region (NCR) early this month, there was no reported occurrence of outbreak in Calabarzon as of this time.

But Calabarzon was not spared from the rising cases of measles in the Philippines. Last year, the total number of laboratory-confirmed measles cases in the region was 458, which was 288 percent higher compared with the 159 confirmed cases in 2012.

Dr. Nestor F. Santiago, Jr., regional director, DOH - Regional Health Office (DOH-RHO) 4A, said there was an increase in measles cases last 2013 in three provinces in the region, namely: Laguna, 259; Batangas, 88; and Cavite, 57. The cities with the highest number of measles cases were: 1) Sta. Rosa City, 119; 2) Lipa City, 42; and 3) Bacoor City, 23.

Since May 2013, the health workers in these areas have already conducted outbreak response immunization for children 6 months to 59 months old to complete the 2 doses of measles vaccination and ensure increase in the immunization coverage.

Dr. Santiago stressed that significant activities have already been undertaken by the DOH-RHO 4A, in coordination with the local government units, such as: massive information dissemination campaign; delivery of Measles vaccines (MV) and Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccines (MMRV) to different provinces to ensure availability of logistics; surveillance of all reported cases; and inventory of cold chain facilities.

Moreover, he said, health advisories have also been sent to local government units, to remind them to mobilize their respective local health workers to conduct catch-up and follow-up immunization of drop-outs and missed children, to ensure high immunization coverage. (MTYMalubag, DOH RHO4A/PIA4A)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=631389601198#sthash.rIIraTU7.dpuf

  



Business One-Stop Shop 2014 ongoing in Antipolo
By: Gideon Gapayao
Friday 10th of January 2014
 New  0  0  0  0
ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal, January 10 (PIA) --The Antipolo City Business and Permits and Licensing Office is currently implementing its annual Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) activity helping local entrepreneurs fast track their business registration processing.

Requirements for new applications are SEC/DTI registration, barangay business clearance, community tax certificate/corporate tax certificate, contract of lease (TCT), 3R photos of the applicant, zoning clearance, environmental permit to operate, sanitary permit, fire clearance, homeowner’s endorsement (if applicable), authorization letters (if sending a representative) and other national agency clearances depending on the nature of the business.

Renewal of businesses have similar requirements together with the old mayor’s permit complete with attachments and the previous year’s audited gross sales report.
BOSS 2014 is ongoing from January 2-20 at the Ynares Center, Antipolo City. (GG-PIA4A)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2261389320169#sthash.MyOxQH2c.dpuf
Business One-Stop Shop 2014 ongoing in Antipolo
By: Gideon Gapayao
Friday 10th of January 2014
 New  0  0  0  0
ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal, January 10 (PIA) --The Antipolo City Business and Permits and Licensing Office is currently implementing its annual Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) activity helping local entrepreneurs fast track their business registration processing.

Requirements for new applications are SEC/DTI registration, barangay business clearance, community tax certificate/corporate tax certificate, contract of lease (TCT), 3R photos of the applicant, zoning clearance, environmental permit to operate, sanitary permit, fire clearance, homeowner’s endorsement (if applicable), authorization letters (if sending a representative) and other national agency clearances depending on the nature of the business.

Renewal of businesses have similar requirements together with the old mayor’s permit complete with attachments and the previous year’s audited gross sales report.
BOSS 2014 is ongoing from January 2-20 at the Ynares Center, Antipolo City. (GG-PIA4A)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2261389320169#sthash.MyOxQH2c.dpuf






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 14 JANUARY 2014.
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes) Country's improved ranking in Heritage Foundations' 2014 index of Economic Freedom strengthens the government's resolve to continue reforms
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes) Aquino leads groundbreaking rites of First Gen power generation facility in Batangas City
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes) President Aquino: Government serious in reforming Bureau of Customs
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes) Government committed to carrying out long-term anti-poverty interventions, says President Aquino
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes) Pulse Asia survey says 3 out 4 Filipinos continue to support and trust President Aquino, Coloma says


Country's improved ranking in Heritage Foundations' 2014 index of Economic Freedom strengthens the government's resolve to continue reforms
The Heritage Foundation’s 2014 Index of Economic Freedom ranking the Philippines as the 89th freest in the world strengthens the Aquino administration’s resolve to continue implementing reforms, a Palace official said.

"The Heritage Foundation’s recently released 2014 Index of Economic Freedom is yet another affirmation of the gains that our country is reaping along the straight path," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement on Tuesday.

Continuing its upward trend in the Index, Lacierda said the Philippines has jumped eight more notches, from 97th in 2013, to 89th this 2014.

"This jump reflects the significant improvements that our country has made in seven of the ten economic freedoms, including significant gains in investment freedom, business freedom, monetary freedom, and the control of government spending," Lacierda said.

The Heritage Foundation also cited the “high degree of resilience of the economy” as well as the legislative reforms that have been laid down “to enhance the investment environment and incentivize broader-based private-sector job growth.”

The said factors were also cited in the 2013 report, displaying the government’s consistency in its reform agenda.

The Index of Economic Freedom rates 186 countries in 10 categories of economic performance which include rule of law, regulatory efficiency, limited government, and open markets. The Index promotes individual empowerment, free and open competition, government transparency, and equal opportunity for all.

"It is worth noting that the data used in the 2014 Index were based mostly on 2012 statistics. We believe that there have been significant improvements since then despite the challenges we had to overcome as one nation," the Presidential spokesperson said.

"The positive results of this evaluation only strengthen our administration’s resolve to continue implementing reforms founded on good governance and true public service, which are necessary prerequisites to fostering lasting and inclusive growth in the Philippines," he concluded. PND (js)

Aquino leads groundbreaking rites of First Gen power generation facility in Batangas City
BATANGAS CITY: President Benigno S. Aquino III led the groundbreaking Tuesday of First Gen Corp.’s San Gabriel Power Plant Project saying the project will ensure sufficient supply of power in the country as well as attract more investors.

The $600-million project has three phases and the first unit to be built by First Gen will be producing 414 mega-watts to supply the Luzon grid.

“This plant also bodes well for our country’s continued growth. Our economy hinges on having adequate power. After all, it is growing at a rapid pace—and we want to sustain this. Businesses are continually seeing the Philippines as an ideal investment destination,” the President said in his message during the groundbreaking rites.

“And we must continue doing our utmost to be able to tell investors: If you decide to set up shop in the Philippines, an adequate energy supply for your factories and facilities will be as low as possible on your list of things to worry about.”

By 2016, he said the government expects the Luzon grid to experience more energy demand rising to 11,000 megawatts from today’s 10,294 megawatts.

From this year to 2016, the government sees various companies to build new plants in Luzon, redounding to a total of 2,412 megawatts in generation capacity, he said.

The 414 megawatts to be produced by San Gabriel’s Phase 2 will augment that generation capacity, he added.

The goal of the government is not simply to meet demand, but to surpass it, the President said.

“We intend to have a safe surplus of generating capacity. The effect of Typhoon Yolanda on our generation capacity in the Visayas should serve as a lesson. Yolanda most prominently impaired major geothermal power plants in Leyte,” he said.

The combined generation capacity of the plants went from 482 megawatts to zero, he said resulting to a power deficit in the region.

Lack of power hampered recovery efforts, affected the communication systems and government basic services as well as the productivity of the people, he noted.

The situation also calls on the government to reassess the country’s energy sources and their effects on the environment, the President said adding that in the coming years the country will focus on producing more efficient forms of energy especially with the use of natural gas.

“Natural gas plants emit only half as much carbon compared to coal-powered power plants. This means cleaner energy; it means that despite our status as a less-industrialized nation, we are doing our part to not exacerbate the risks posed by climate change,” President Aquino said.

The government expects that from now to 2030, the share of the use of natural gas in the total primary energy supply will go from 8 percent to 14 percent, a major step in fulfilling the country’s obligation of limiting the risk of climate change.

The new energy project will ensure enough supply of power in the country and thus attract business, he said. In turn this will result to more jobs to be created that eventually strengthens the people’s purchasing power.

“Having adequate energy infrastructure makes it easier for businesses here to stay and expand—and for new businesses to decide to invest heavily in the Philippines,” he said.

First Gen has 15 power plants that are contracted for sale under long-term power purchase agreements or other energy sales agreements.

First Gen already has the 1,000 megawatt Sta Rita gas-fired power plant and the 500-MW San Lorenzo plant in Batangas. In addition to the first unit launched on Tuesday, First Gen will be building two more power generation units to be completed few years from now. PND(as)

President Aquino: Government serious in reforming Bureau of Customs
BATANGAS CITY: President Benigno S. Aquino III said that the government continues to address the concerns in the Bureau of Customs by appointing competent officials and shuffling personnel in different offices.

The Federation of Philippine Industries reported that from 2002 to 2011 P1.3 trillion was lost to smuggling.

“We are addressing it,” President Aquino said in an interview during the groundbreaking rites of First Gen’s new power facility here. “Yung movement of people in Customs, we moved them… those that we feel are not contributing to the effort were moved to the Department of Finance, their mother unit.”

Corruption and abuse were tolerated for the longest time in the Bureau of Customs, with people joining the bureau assigning themselves to ports or units they wanted, he said.

“How do you have efficiency there or how do you have accountability? One of the simple things that the bureau did was to tell everybody they had applied for this position existing in a particular port, they have been ordered to go back to their legitimate assignments,” he said.

Part of the reform is the designation of key officials in the bureau such as the appointment of John Philip Sevilla as Customs chief and General Jessie Dellosa as head of intelligence, he said.

The President said they also convinced those who do not want to work in the Bureau of Customs that they will not lose their seniority from other government agencies if they served in the bureau.

For several administrations, the government just carried out stop-gap measures and not an overhaul of the system at the bureau which is why corruption had remained, he said.

The President also said that he got reports that luxury car importers now paid appropriate taxes, resulting to higher revenues for the government.
“I understand it is really having an effect. Certain people who used to take short cuts, napansin ko rin na medyo conforming at wala na talagang leeway to not conform,” the President said.

“Of course, it’s not perfect. They have been there just a few months, but we do expect results, that’s why we put in these particular people,” he added. PND (as)

Government committed to carrying out long-term anti-poverty interventions, says President Aquino
(BATANGAS CITY) The government focuses on long-term interventions to address poverty in the country particularly through the conditional cash-transfer program (CCT), President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Tuesday.

In an interview following the groundbreaking rites of First Gen’s new power facility here, the President was asked about the recent survey showing an increase in Filipino families saying they were poor.

“Pero palagay ko dapat nating pagtuunan ng pansin lahat ng mga intervention natin ditto ay hindi naman ‘yung panandaliang kalutasan, kundi pang-matagalan,” he said during the interview.

“Ano ba ‘yung pang-matagalan? Syempre, ‘yung CCT. Tulungan natin ang bawat pamilya na makapagpatapos ng kanilang mga anak, dati grade school, this year mag-uumpisa ‘yung pati high school,” he said.

Helping the youth graduate from high school is a long-term anti-poverty intervention, the President said.

Citing a study made by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), the President said young people graduating from high school would get jobs that eventually raises the family income.

“Dadagdag ng 40 percent, hindi makukuha ng survey ngayon ‘yan. Pero ‘yun ang, palagay naming ay pang-matagalan. Dadagdag nang dadagdag ‘yung kakayahan ng bawat Pilipino para makasama doon sa pag-angat ng ating ekonomiya para lalo talagang maging inclusive. Bigyan mo ng skills para maka-participate sa growth ng ating ekonomiya,” he added.

The President also said that the survey may have focused on asking respondents in the Visayas and Mindanao regions devastated by recent calamities, thus negatively affecting their views on their conditions. PND (as)

Pulse Asia survey says 3 out 4 Filipinos continue to support and trust President Aquino, Coloma says
Three out of four Filipinos continue to support and trust President Benigno S. Aquino III, as indicated in the latest Pulse Asia survey, President Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said on Tuesday.

Coloma said the Chief Executive continues to enjoy high approval rating at 73% in the Pulse Asia survey which was conducted between December 8 to 15, 2013, with a sample of 1,200 individuals.

On the other hand, in the Social Weather Stations (SWS) for the fourth quarter of 2013, the President's rating remained high at 69%, the Communications Secretary said.

In the SWS survey for December 2013, 69% expressed satisfaction with the President's performance.

"Considering the major challenges that were faced and hurdled by the administration during the period October to December 2013, we believe that the outcome of both the Pulse Asia and the SWS surveys are essentially positive and favorable for the President and the administration," Coloma said.

The President received significantly higher ratings from respondents belonging to class E in both survey.

The President received significantly higher ratings from respondents in the rural areas. In the Pulse Asia survey, the approval rating among rural respondents was 79 % as compared to 67% in the urban areas.

In the SWS survey, the satisfaction rating among rural respondents was 75% as compared to 65% in urban areas.

Among the major issues at the time of the Pulse Asia survey were the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda and the rehabilitation efforts in its aftermath, the designation of former senator Panfilo Lacson as the rehabilitation czar, the resignation of Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, the investigation on fake SAROs, the word war between Manny Pacquiao and BIR Commissioner Kim Henares, and the Meralco rate hike. PND (as/js)


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Lalong mag-iibayo ang mga reporma ng gobyerno dahil sa pagtaas ng ranggo ng Pilipinas sa 2014 index of Economic Freedom ng Heritage Foundation
Lalong pagbubutihin ng administrasyong Aquino ang pagsasagawa ng reporma ngayong ang Pilipinas ay umangat sa ika-89 puwesto ng pinakamalaya sa mundo salig sa 2014 Index of Economic Freedom ng Heritage Foundation.

“Inilabas kamakailan ng Heritage Foundtion ang 2014 Index of Economic Freedom na isa pang katibayan ng mga pakinabang na inaani ng ating bansa sa pagtahak sa tuwid na landas,,” sabi ng Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo Edwin Lacierda sa isang pahayag Martes.

Sinabi ni Lacierda na sa patuloy na pag-angat ng Pilipinas sa Index, walong baitang ang nalakdawan nito kaya naging ika-89 ngayong 2014 buhat sa ika-97 noong 2013.

“Ang pag-akyat na ito ay naglalarawan ng malaking pagbabagong nagawa ng ating bansa sa pito ng sampung economic freedoms na nagkaroon ng malaking pagbabago gaya ng sa malayang pamumuhunan, malayang pagnenegosyo, malayang pananalapi na tinambalan ng masinop na paggugol na ginagawa ng pamahalaan,” paliwanag ni Lacierda.

Pinuri ng Heritage Foundation ang “ang katatagan ng ekonomya,” gayundin ang mga repormang lehislatiba na inilagda upang “maisulong ang maayos na pamumuhunan at pagkakaloob ng malawakang insentibo sa paglago ng trabaho sa pribadong sektor.

Ang mga bagay na ito ay binanggit sa report ng 2013 na nagpakita ng matatag na patakaran ng pamahalaan ukol sa adyenda ng reporma.

Binibigyan ng grado ng Index of Economic Freedom ang 186 bansa salig sa 10 kategorya sa economic performance na kinabibilangan ng pamamayani ng batas, husay sa pagpapatupad ng regulasyon, hindi gaanong panghihimasok ng pamahalaan at malayang merkado. Isinusulong ng Index ang kakayahan ng indibiduwal, malaya at bukas na kompetisyon, transparency ng pamahalaan at pantay na pagkakataon para sa lahat.

“Mahalagang bigyang pansin na ang karamihan sa data na ginamit sa 2014 Index ay istatistika ng 2012. Naniniwala kami na malaking pagbabago na ang nagawa sapul noon, at mga suliraning kinailangan nating lutasin bilang isang bansa,” sabi ni Lacierda.

“Ang positibong resulta ng pagsusuri ay lalo lamang nagpasigla sa ating administrasyon para ipagpatuloy ang pagpapatupad ng mga repormang tungo sa msbuting pamamahala at tunay na paglilingkod sa madla na kailangan upang mapanatili at magtagal ang malawakang kaunlaran sa Pilipinas,” dagdag ni Lacierda. PND (js/zaf)

Pinangunahan ng Pangulo ang ‘groundbreaking rites’ ng First Gen Power Plant sa Lungsod ng Batangas
(LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS) Pinangunahan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang groundbreaking Martes ng San Gabriel Power Plant Project ng First Gen Corp. sinabi niyang titiyak nang sapat na koryente sa bansa at aakit ng karagdagang imbestor.

Ang $500 milyong proyekto ay may tatlong yugto at ang unang itatayo ng First Gen ay lilikha ng 414 megawatts ng koryente para sa Luzon grid.

“Ang plantang ito ang patunay ng patuloy na pagsulong ng bansa natin. Ang ating ekonomya ay nakasalalay sa pagkakaroon nang sapat na koryente na patuloy namang mabilis na umuunlad at nais nating magpatuloy. Ang Pilipinas ay laging itinuturing ng mga negosyante bilang piknakamainam paglagakan ng puhunan,” sabi ng Pangulo sa seremonyang idinaos.

“Dapat nating ipagpatuloy ang puspusang pagsisikap na masabi sa mga mamumuhunan na: Kung marapatin ninyong mamuhunan sa Pilipinas, may sapat na koryente para sa inyong mga pabrika at mga pasilidad na mababa ang halaga kaya wala kayong dapat ikabahala,”dugtong pa ng Pangulo.

Ayon sa Pangulo, pagdating ng 2016, ang Luzon grid ay makararanas ng dagdag na panga-ngailangan sa enerhiya na aabot sa 11.000 megawatts mula sa 10,294 megawatts ngayon.

“Buhat sa taong ito hanggng 2016, inaasahan ng pamahalaan na maraming kompanya ang magtatayo ng mga bagong planta na kabuuang 2,412 megawatts sa generation capacity,” sabi pa ng Pangulo.

Sinabi ng Pangulo na ang 414 megawatts ay magmumula sa Phase 2 ng San Gabriel. Idinug tong pa ng Pangulo na ang pakay ng pamahalaan ay hindi laming matugunan ang pamgangailangang koryente, kundi higitan pa upang ang lumabis ay magamit kung kailangan.

Binanggit ng Pangulo ang karanasan sa Bagyong Yolanda kung saan malaki ang pinsalang idinulot sa mga pangunahing geothermal power plants sa Leyte na naging dahilan para mawalan ng koryente ang rehiyon.

Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na naging malaking sagwil ang kawalan ng koryente sa pagbabagong tatag, suliranin sa komunikasyon at sa pangunahing serbisyo ng pamahalaan, gayundin sa gaqwain ng mga tao.

Ito ang dahilan, sabi ng Pangulo upang suriin ng pamahalaan ang pinagmumulan ng koryente ng ban sa at ang bunga nito sa kapaligiran kaya sa hinaharap na mga taon, itutuon ng pamahalaan ang pagsisikap sa pagkakaroon nang sapat na enerhiya at paggamit ng natural gas.

“Ang mga planta ng natural gas ay nagbubunga ng kalahati lamang ng karbon kaysa sa mga plantang gumagamit ng coal. Kaya magiging higit na makabubuti sa kapaligiran kung ang gagamitin ay ang malinis na enerhiya. Samakatuwid, kahit na tayo ay hindi gaanong industriyalisadong bansa, makatutulong tayo para hindi maragdagan ang panganib na idudulot ng pagbabago ng klima,” dugtong pa ng Pangulo.

Inaasahan ng pamahalaan na buhat ngayon hanggang 2030, aabot lamang sa 6 hanggang sa 14 na porsiyento buhat sa walong porsiyento ang natural gas na malaking bagay para mabawasan ang panganib sa pagbabago ng klima.

“Ang bagong proyekto sa enerhiya ay titiyak nang sapat na koryente para sa bansa at makaakit ng dagdag na negosyo na lilikha naman ng dagdag na trabaho para sa ating mga kababayan,” sabi oa ng Pangulo.

Idinagdag pa ng Pangulo na ang sapat na koryente sa Pilipinas ang tiyak na magiging dahilan para manatili rito at magpalawak pa ng kanilang negosyo ang mga imbestor sa bansa at ang mga bago naman ay magpasiyang maglagay rin ng puhunan sa Pilipinas.

Ang First Gen ay may 15 planta ng koryente ay kinontrata para ipagbili sa ilalim ng mga kasunduang long-term power purchase o sa iba pang energy sales agreements.

Ang First Gen ay mayroon nang 1,000 megawatts Sta. Rita-fired power plant at 500 MW San Lorenzo Plant sa Batangas. Bukod sa unang yunit na inilunsad Martes, ang First Gen ay magtatayo pa ng karagdagang power generation units na inaasahang mayayari ilang taon buhat ngayon. PND (as/zaf)

Totohanan ang nais ng Pangulo na pagreporma sa Kawanihan ng Aduwana
(LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS) Ipagpapatuloy ng pamahalaan ang reporma sa Kawanihan ng Aduwana kaya nagtatalaga ang Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ng mga may kakayahang mga pinuno at binabalasa ang mga tauhan sa iba-ibang tanggapan nito.

Salig sa report ng Federation of Philippine Industries mula 2002 hanggang 2011 ay P1.3 bilyon ang nawala dahil sa ismagling.

“Tinutugunan namin iyan,” sabi ng Pangulo sa panayam sa groundbreaking rites ng bagong pasilidad ng koryente ng First Gen dito. “Ang pagbalasa sa mga tauhan ng Aduwana ay ginawa namin. Iyong sa palagay namin ay hindi nakatutulong sa pagsisikap ay inilipat sa Kagawaran ng Pananalapi na kanilang mother unit,” sabi pa bg Pangulo.

Sinabi ng Pangulo na napakatagal nang ang katiwalian at pagmamalabis ay napahintulutan sa Kawanihan ng Aduwana kaya ang mga tao sa kawanihan ay itinatalaga ang sarili nila sa mga daungan o opisinang gusto nila.

“Bahagi ng pagbabagong ginawa ay ang paghirang sa matataas na pinuno ng kawanihan na tulad nina John Philip Sevilla bilang puno ng Aduwana at Heneral Jessie Dellosa bilang puno ng intelligence,” wika pa ng Pangulo.

Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na hinimok nila ang mga ayaw magtrabaho sa Aduwana na hindi mawawala ang kanilang seniority sa ibang tanggapan ng pamahalaan kung maglilingkod sila sa kawanihan .

Sa loob ng nagdaang mga administrasyon ay mga pansamantalang hakbang lamang ang ginawa at hindi binalasa ang kabuuan ng kawanihan kaya nanatili ang katiwalian doon, sabi pa ng Pangulo.

Inihayag ng Pangulo na tumanggap siya ng mga ulat na ang mga umaangkat ng mga mamahaling kotse ay nagbabayad na ngayon ng tamang buwis kaya lumalaki ang nalilikom na buwis ng pamahalaan.

“Palagay ko ay ito na ang bunga. Ang ilang taong nahirati na sa paggamit ng short cuts ay napansin ko rin na medyo sumusunod na at wala na talagang paraan para hindi sumunod,” dugtong ng Pangulo.

“Totoo, maaaring hindi ito perpekto. Iilang buwan pa lamang naman kasi sila roon, nguni’t inaasahan naman na may resutla ito. Iyon ang dahilan kaya inilagay naman doon ang mga taong aming binanggit,” sabi pa ng Pangulo. PND (as/zaf)

Patuloy na gagawin ng gobyerno ang digma laban sa kahirapan—Aquino
(LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS) Patuloy na pagtutuunan ng pagsisikap ng pamahalaan ang digma laban sa karalitaan, lalo na sa pamamagitan ng conditional cash transfer program (CCT), sabi ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa panayam dito Martes.

Tinanong ang Pangulo tungkol sa katatapos na survey na nagsabing patuloy ang pagdami ng mga pamilyang nagsasabing sila ay maralita sa groundbreaking ceremony ng bagong pasilidad ng koryente ng First Gen Corporation dito.

“Pero palagay ko, dapat nating pagtuunan ng pansin lahat ng mga bagay na ginagawa natin tungkol dito ay hindi naman mga panandaliang kalutasan lamang, kundi pangmatagalan,” sagot ng Pangulo sa panayam.

“Ano ba ang pangmatagalan? Siyempre, iyong CCT. Tulungan natin ang bawa’t pamilya na makapagpatapos ng kanilang mga anak. Dati grade school, sa taong ito, mag-uumpisa na pati ang sa high school,” paliwanag ng Pangulo.

Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na ang pagtulong para makatapos sa mataas na paaralan ang kabataan ay pagbaka sa kahirapan.

Tinukoy ng Pangulo ang pag-aaral na ginawa ng Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS)”na nagsabing ang mga batang nagtapos sa mataas na paaralan ay magkakaroon ng hanapbuhay para maragdagan ang kita ng pamilya.

“Daragdag ng 40 porsiyento, hindi makukuha ng survey ngayon iyan. Pero palagay namin, sa pangmatagalan, madaragdagan nang madaragdagan ang kakayahan ng bawa’t Pilipino para makasama doon sa pag-angat ng ating ekonomya para lalong lumawak ang kaunlaran. Turuan sila ng kaalaman para makatulong sila sa pagpapaunlad ng ekonomya,” sabi pa ng Pangulo.

Sinabi pa ng Pangulo na ang survey ay maaaring nakatuon sa pagtatanong sa mga rehiyon ng Kabisayaan at Mindanao na malubhang sinalanta ng mga kalamidad kamakailan, kaya naging negatibo ang kanilang mga pananaw tungkol sa kalagayan nila. PND(as/zaf)














 

President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the Good Governance Summit
PICC, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
15 Jan 2014
Good morning to each and everyone.

When I accepted the mandate of the people back in 2010, I did so without the expectation that I would just get on a merry-go-round, and wait the rest of the term out—perpetuating the status quo and perhaps even exacerbating existing problems. Rather, I did so with the resolve to effect transformational change and fulfill the promise I made in my campaign, which said, “Kung walang corrupt,” translated when there is no corruption there is no poverty, walang mahirap—where there is no corruption, there will be no poverty. Of course, I also entered office knowing that there would be many challenges along the way. Allow me to give you an example, which would best serve our discussion for today.

Early on in our administration, there was a need to procure rifles for our police service. Some of you may know that there are many different rifle systems in the world. We decided that an M4 assault rifle would best fit the needs of our personnel—and we then went through the normal bidding and procurement processes to seek potential suppliers.

For some reason, what looked like the winning bidder turned out to be supplying a completely different rifle system—on a platform that used completely different mechanisms and technologies, but was dressed up to look like an M4. In this situation, what we wanted to get and what we were about to get were two very different things. On top of that, we were going to procure this at a price much higher than the normal M4s.

What really caught my attention was that this particular supplier was already on the postqualification stage of a process that was supposed to take several phases. If their rifles had passed these evaluations, we would have been obligated to procure items that we did not need or want in the first place. Fortunately, they failed to pass the postqualification stage; and I received the information in time, and was able to call the attention of the people involved, and direct our leadership to conduct investigations and to stop this unnecessary procurement.

One can argue that all the necessary steps were followed religiously. However, when you are almost obligated to accept the delivery of an item you never wanted to order, there is something inherently wrong in the situation. And even though we were ultimately able to get the right rifles at reasonable prices, this anecdote shows us an unpleasant aspect of governance: that sometimes, even if all the processes are followed, the end result still would not necessarily redound to the benefit of our people. Perhaps that is one facet: faulty processes that might have made it easier for things to fall through the cracks. Another facet is that certain people who had to make decisions did not have the necessary data, which would have allowed them to know from the start that these particular rifles should not have been prequalified, much less postqualified.

This presents a picture of the challenges our administration continues to confront today. Many of these are rooted in systems and processes that, while they may have served their purpose at one time, are badly outdated. Even worse, they are susceptible to abuse, which could lead to inefficiency, wastage, and opportunities for the unscrupulous to steal from the nation’s coffers.

This is why we have taken every step necessary to ensure that, under our administration, the National Budget is crafted for the benefit of our people. One innovation we introduced in the 2014 budget cycle was that of the General Appropriations Act or GAA- As-Release Document system. The GAA is the law that contains the budget. In the past, special allotment release orders—the very famous SAROs–or notices of cash allotment were needed before agencies could begin utilizing their budgets. Some unscrupulous individuals saw this as an avenue to line their pockets. They would delay the issuance of these documents, asking for incentives—or in plain language, bribes—in exchange for the release of documents. With the GAA-As-Release-Document System in place, the law that contains the budget is the release document itself. This effectively solidifies our legislators’ power of the purse—a mandate that, by law, is theirs in the first place. In effect: with the dawn of the first day of 2014, around 86 percent of the Budget was released to agencies—lessening opportunities for corruption and giving these agencies the ability to begin implementing their projects right away.

Greater efficiency, integrity, and true service—these are the principles behind the reforms we have made in our budgeting process. But we know that we cannot look at the big picture alone: there is also a need to examine the details and ensure that each agency can make best use of the funds allotted to them. This is not merely about agencies adhering strictly to the proper bidding and procurement processes, in some cases, it requires them to modify processes to become more efficient. Our Department of Public Works and Highways, or DPWH, is a remarkable example. The old process, or one of their old processes, involved potential bidders for infrastructure projects writing letters of intent; their names would then be posted in a list. This facilitated collusion among bidders who would know who their other competitors would be: they would speak to each other and agree to synchronize bids, defeating the purpose of the public bidding process. DPWH Secretary Babes Singson no longer requires these publication of lists in the bidding process—facilitating true competition which has led to the Filipino people getting the infrastructure they need: The right projects, at the right quality, at reduced costs, completed within a reduced time-frame, all because we put the right people on the job. As a matter of fact, to date, the DPWH has saved not less than 19 billion pesos.

I hope these examples have made it clear: all these processes and systems—all of these laws are there to serve the people. The people are not here to be at the mercy of processes, especially when these processes have already become obsolete and counterproductive. After all, government exists precisely to improve the lot of the people they swore to serve and from whom they received their mandate. And so, we continue to ask ourselves these questions: How do we further plug leaks in systems to prevent graft and corruption? How do we make our processes that much more efficient?

Our goal is to institutionalize reforms that make it very difficult for unscrupulous individuals to steal from the people—regardless of who sits in office. This is where the introduction of cashless transactions comes in. A recent study identified that one of the major financial risks remaining is the high volume of cash advances in agencies. The risks of this kind of system are obvious: the presence of large sums of cash in offices can pose a temptation to even the most honest employee—not to mention those who would willingly take advantage of such a situation.

We are far from being a cashless society: 98 percent of all retail financial transactions in our country are still made in cash. The government seems to be ahead of the market, with 54 percent of its financial transactions already done through a cashless system. And, for the sake of accountability and efficiency, we are pushing the envelope further.

It is only appropriate that we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Procurement Reform Act by introducing a mechanism that modernizes government procurement: the launch of the Cashless Purchase Card or CPC Program. Cashless purchase cards will be issued to agencies, for low-value payments of a restricted number and type of goods and services. They will resemble ordinary credit cards, but will have additional restrictions more suited to the needs of government. Through the Cashless Purchase Cards and other similar reforms, government financial transactions should be 100 percent checkless and 80 percent cashless before the end of this year.

The first phase of the CPC Program will take place in the first quarter of 2014, with the Department of Budget and Management, and the Department of National Defense, and the general headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as pilot agencies for implementation. A limited number of cards will be distributed to these agencies, with allowable purchases likewise limited to medical supplies, meals, the transportation of official documents, airline tickets, and construction supplies for minor repairs. If all goes well, the program will be rolled out and cashless purchases cards will be distributed in other national government agencies next year.

Even in this initial implementation, the CPC system will already help improve the overall fiscal management of government—and will help the thousands of officials who must deal with the needs of their agencies every day. So, in the future, a government director in a far-flung province need not go through lengthy processes, if money is needed for minor construction to repair their office. The cashless purchase cards will allow them to procure the necessary materials immediately—and, given that accounting for transactions is automatically done, suspicious use of the card can be tracked easily. On top of that, this system also allows us to capture and collate the correct data, which redounds to real benefits. For one, a bigger sample size of data will allow us to refine our understanding of programs that need funding. It will also make it easier for the Treasury to determine how much cash is needed on a daily basis—giving us an accurate record, which government can use in future decision making.

Data such as those gathered through the Cashless Purchase Cards serves as the lifeblood of another program we will be launching in this summit. We will be unveiling a platform that will collate all relevant government data, not only for use in governance, but also for the information and use of the wider public: Open Data Philippines, which is accessible through www.data.gov.ph beginning tomorrow.

Open Data Philippines is a website for publicly available, up-to-date national data—from the total enrollment in public secondary schools over a certain period of time, to the aforementioned budget and procurement data and everything in between. As the project progresses, we can only expect the wealth and depth of data available online to grow, with information on anything and everything we can think of.

None of us should make the mistake of thinking that Open Data Philippines stops at being a repository of data. Its very name says otherwise. Opening data is about making statistics understandable, through the use of reader-friendly visualizations. The more technologically savvy among our countrymen can also make use of available data to participate and create their own visualizations and applications for the use of others. Among those already included in the website are applications that can help Metro Manila residents plan their daily commutes. Other applications seek to make government expenditures more accessible. Ultimately, opening data is more than just making columns and rows of figures available for viewing; it is about empowering the people through information.

This is also something our government can make use of. As President, I thought that I would have access to all kinds of information any time, every time, and all the time. To a degree, that is true. But it is not as simple as punching a few keys on a keyboard. Sometimes, it actually involves wading through documents that are fragile, given their age—and that only happens, of course, if you can find out immediately where these documents are located. Open Data is a step towards having all information at our fingertips—which we can use to better assess, improve, and even develop programs and policies.

The Cashless Purchase Card program and Open Data Philippines are only the latest in a long list of reforms we have implemented towards instituting good governance. Everything else, including some of our plans for the future, can be found in the brochures that were included in your kits. I encourage you to read and familiarize yourself with them. Not only will they give you information that you can use over the next few days, they will also show you how strongly we are committed to living out the principles of integrity, accountability, and transparency. They will also show you that our administration is not in the business of building castles in the air.

Earlier, when I spoke of upgrading systems and processes, I did not mean this only in a technological sense. We are upgrading in the truest sense of the word—exploring every possible avenue to improve the way we serve our countrymen. Sometimes, it has been as simple as staying the course, and making sure that existing programs fulfilled their mandates—such as truly chasing after tax evaders, smugglers, and the corrupt, to hold them accountable for their actions. Other times, they were groundbreaking in the sense that our administration pursued modernization on an unprecedented scale—for example, in the projects we have launched today.

What ties all these initiatives together is the efficiency and the persistence with which we have pursued them—our determination to let Filipinos truly reap the tangible benefits of good governance. Moving forward, these will continue to characterize our efforts. These will allow us to reach greater heights and move from success to success, as we make good governance the norm—a firm foundation that succeeding administrations can hopefully build on, for the benefit of the Philippines.

Thank you, and may you have a successful summit.




















































INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
Radyo Singko / All Ready by Orly Mercado
January 15, 2014
ORLY: Marami rin ang excited doon sa pagkapanalo nitong si Rose Fontanes doon sa Israel, eh. Hindi mo akalain.

SEC.COLOMA: Oo nga po. Dapat pong ipagmalaki nating lahat ang kanyang tagumpay.

ORLY: Magagaling talaga tayong kumanta. Magagaling tayo sa music.

Anyway, meron kaming iyong question of the day namin: Ano ba ang reaksiyon ninyo sa pahayag ni Pangulong PNoy na si Bagyong Yolanda ang maaaring may kasalanan ito sa … kung bakit mas maraming Pilipino ang naniniwala na mahirap sila. Ano ang reaksiyon ninyo?

SEC. COLOMA: Iyong tanong po kasi diyan ay kasama doon sa tanong doon sa performance approval/satisfaction sa Pangulo at sa administrasyon. At karaniwan po ay—ang tawag nga po dito ay self- rated poverty.

Q: Sila ang nag-aano ng sarili nila?

SEC. COLOMA: Oo, sarili po nilang pakiramdam iyon. At napansin po natin noong mga nakaraang polling ng SWS hinggil dito, kapag natataon po iyan o nasasabay doon sa panahon ng kalamidad, eh tumataas po talaga ang rating na iyan.

Sa kabilang dako naman po, ang ating pamahalaan ay naka-focus doon sa poverty alleviation para po matamo iyong ating millennium development goal na dapat iyong ating poverty level by 2016 ay kalahati ng poverty level noong 1990s. Nanggaling po tayo sa 31 %, dapat ay nasa 16 % na lamang. Pero doon sa huli pong census, ang ating level ng poverty ay nasa 26% pa. Kaya iyon po ang tinututukan ng ating pamahalaan na pamantayan.

ORLY: Sonny, sa tingin mo ba attainable iyong objectives? The target is attainable?

SEC. COLOMA: Iyon pong 15% o 16% by 2015 ay far-fetched na po iyan. Kasi nasa 26 pa po tayo ngayon. Para bang from the mid 1990s hanggang sa kasalukuyan, ang ating naibawas sa ating poverty level ay 5%. So, hindi naman po realistic na makakabawas tayo ng 10% in just one year. Kaya patuloy naman po din ‘yong pagsasagawa natin ng mga poverty reduction programs. At dito sa 2014 budget, 37% -- iyon po ang pinakamalaking bahagi ng budget – ay nasa aspeto po ng social welfare and development. Kaya iyan po ang tugon natin sa patuloy na dinaranas na kahirapan ng maraming Pilipino.

ORLY: So, malaking dagdag na iyan kung tutuusin iyong perang iyan para doon sa poorest of the poor. Pero kulang pa ba, or is it only money that is the problem o mayroon pa bang ibang mga dahilan kung bakit napakahirap ma-attain iyong objective natin?

SEC. COLOMA: Kailangan din po ay sistematiko ang ating approach. Kaya nga po simula nang pumasok ang Aquino administration, inilagay po natin sa tabi iyong approach natin na trickle down. Dati po kasi trickle-down ang ating pilosopiya. Mag-a-aspire po tayo na lumaki ang ating GDP, tapos aasa na lang tayo na, by manner of speaking, maaambunan iyong sa pinakamababa kaya nga po trickle-down. Kaya po binago na po iyong approach na iyan: imbes na trickle-down, iyong Conditional Cash Transfer. Tuwiran nang binibigay sa kanila iyong karagdagang pera, at iyong perang iyon nakalaan para tiyakin na manatili sa paaralan ang mga anak ng ating mga kababayan na below the poverty line.

At sa 2014 budget po, dinagdagan pa ng 10 billion iyong para dito sa CCT para po iyong mga anak naman ng mga beneficiaries na nasa high school ay makatapos ng high school. Dahil po sa findings ng Philippine Institute of Development Study, na kapag nakatapos ng high school, mas mataas ang posibilidad na makahanap ng trabaho. At iyong hanapbuhay po ang mahalagang elemento sa pagpiglas mula sa kahirapan. So, iyan po ang mas sistematikong approach na ginagawa ng ating pamahalaan.

ORLY: Is it just money or nasaan ang mga challenges na iyon kasi ini-increase ninyo na iyong pera? Pero mayroong mga nagsasabi naman, baka kulang pa iyon. Or is it systems also or nasaan ba iyong mga problema na nararamdaman ninyo doon sa Conditional Cash Transfer?

SEC. COLOMA: Kaya nga po gumawa ng ganyan dahil tanggap naman po natin ‘no na noong nakaraan, talamak ang korapsyon; na imbes po na mapunta sa mga programa ng poverty alleviation ay napakalaki po iyong tinatawag nating leakage, na hindi naman talaga napupunta sa mga incumbent beneficiaries. Kaya nga po ngayon, dinideretso na sa kanila. Mayroon pa po tayong mga biometric identification to make sure na sila talaga ang nakakatanggap ng benepisyo. At of course, iyon pong mga structural adjustments na tinatawag natin, iyong pagpapahusay ng sistema ng edukasyon para huwag pong mag-dropout. Kasi po kapag nagda-dropout, talagang nababawasan iyong posibilidad na magkaroon nang magandang pagkakataon na umasenso ang kabuhayan.

ORLY: So, in terms of measuring your targets, ano ang target ninyo by the time you … 2016, pagkatapos ng term ni Pangulong Aquino? Ano ang reduction mo in terms of the poverty levels, of the poorest of the poor?

SEC. COLOMA: Siguro po, we don’t anymore consider as realistic ano, iyong mabawasan natin hanggang 16% na lamang ‘no, na kalahati o what it was in the mid 90s Siguro po kung nasa 26 tayo 2 or 3 years ago, kung mabawasan po iyon ng another 3 points, 3 to 5 points, eh maganda na pong outcome iyon para sa atin.

ORLY: Okay. Well, it’s an old problem pero we have to do something about it at kinakailangan eh—


SEC. COLOMA: Well, if I may add, Orly, mayroon naman tayong tinitingnan na isang demographic sweet spots ‘no na tinatawag, bagama’t mataas pa rin iyong antas ng kahirapan. Iyong isa pa kasing measure ay iyong average per capita income ng bawat Pilipino. Kung magpapatuloy kasi itong ating 7% growth na naranasan na nitong nakaraang taon at iyong 7 consecutive quarters nga natin na mataas ang ating growth at pinakamataas tayo sa Asia, ang projection is by 2019, which is another 5 years from now, maaaring tumaas ang average per capita income ng bawat Pilipino sa level na $6000. Kaya malaking improvement ito ‘no, at ito ay magbabadya ng progreso at kaunlaran para sa mas maraming Pilipino.

So, iyan pa po ang isa nating sinisikap na matamo sa pamamagitan nang pagsu-sustain nitong ating high growth in the economy, sa combination ng mga priority programs ng Philippine Development Plan.

ORLY: Okay, thank you very much, Sec. Sonny. Maraming salamat.

SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat, Orly.
SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center

























14 JANUARY 2014
PCW launches film making contest for 2014 Women’s Month
DepEd sets early registration on January 25
DepEd, Laguna, ink agreement on 2014 Palarong Pambansa
Bridges in Davao Oriental damaged by Mindanao flooding
Relief aid for flood victims in Mindanao continues
DSWD to honor top employees, pay tribute to ‘Yolanda’ survivors on 63rd anniversary
Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi Commemorates Rizal Day with Songs and Folk Dances
Philippine Embassies in Damascus and Beirut Repatriate 21 Filipinos from Syria
MB places Silangan Savings and Loan Bank, Inc. under PDIC receivership
In 2013, Baldoz says DOLE's ECC enhanced employees' compensation benefits for workers
DOLE’s NCMB settles disputes through conciliation-mediation in Caloocan City’s top hospital
DENR rescues stranded dugong in Quezon
First Attempted Human Trafficking Conviction Scored in Davao
U/KB's NPL Ratio Remains Low Amid a Rise in TLP
NSCB back on a 5-day work week schedule

PCW launches film making contest for 2014 Women’s Month
Source: http://pcw.gov.ph
College students across the country may now get the chance to showcase their artistry and creativity as the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) launched a film making contest in line with the upcoming Women's Month Celebration.

The short film-making contest, which runs from January 10 to February 21, aims to raise public awareness on women's issues, particularly the vital role of women in disaster response, media, peace building, politics and governance, and reproductive health.

Entries must depict current issues and challenges being faced by women in the aforementioned categories and must highlight the rights and roles of women in responding to these issues as provided under the Magna Carta of Women (R.A. 9710).

Interested teams may join in all five categories.

Video entries must be all original and should have not been previously published, recorded or released.

For the complete contest mechanics, you may visit PCW website (http://bit.ly/1dLhK64).

Should you have questions regarding the contest, you may contact Information Resource Management Division (IRMD) at 735-1654 local 131or 735-8509 or email irmd@pcw.gov.ph.  Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/philippine.commissiononwomen.

DepEd sets early registration on January 25
Source: http://www.deped.gov.ph
PASIG CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) has set January 25, 2014 (Saturday) as the date for early registration in all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide. One goal of DepEd Order No. 2 s.2014 is to gather information to base its preparations to address potential gaps that may arise even before regular enrolment.

“We want to prevent logistical problems when the new school year starts in June,” explains Education Secretary Br Armin Luistro FSC. “If our school heads know how many students they will have ahead of time, they can better prepare classrooms and seats and learning materials.”

The specific target of the early registration are all five-year olds to ensure their enrolment in kindergarten and all six-year olds to ensure that they are enrolled in Grade 1 come June.

Other targets of the early registration are out-of-school children (OSC) and out-of-school youth (OSY) from the disadvantaged groups, including street children ages 5 to 18. These targeted learners will be provided with their preferred education delivery system which could either be formal through the alternative delivery mode (ADM) or through the alternative learning system (ALS).

To ensure universal participation, DepEd has enlisted the assistance of local and barangay officials for the early registration of OSC, the OSY, those with difficulty in learning and the indigenous peoples (IPs).

The early registration will see DepEd working closely with the LGUs, the Parent-Teachers Associations, barangay officials, civil society groups, civic organizations and the business sector to ensure wide sectoral participation in the exercise.

“Our collective aim is a smooth June school opening, that is why we are preparing as early as January,” Luistro said.

DepEd, Laguna, ink agreement on 2014 Palarong Pambansa
Source: http://www.deped.gov.ph
PASIG CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Provincial Government of Laguna solidified their partnership to conduct the 2014 Palarong Pambansa through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on January 13 by Laguna Governor Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito Jr. and Education Secretary Br Armin. A. Luistro FSC. The MOU stipulated the duties and responsibilities of both parties to ensure a well- managed and professionally run Palaro.

“The Province of Laguna will be the first host to the first Palarong Pambansa, which started in 1948, under the recently passed Palarong Pambansa Institutionalization Law or Republic Act 10588,” explained DepEd Assistant Secretary for legal and legislative affairs Tonisito Umali.

Governor Ejercito expressed his excitement in hosting the Palarong Pambansa. “Today with the signing with the Department of Education, Laguna is set to host the country’s largest and premier sporting event.”

Ejercito explained that upon winning the bid, the Province had initiated ground work in preparing its nine-hectare Sports Complex in Sta. Cruz, rehabilitating 60 surrounding schools as billeting quarters, and approaching every major stakeholder to get on board.

“The Palarong Pambansa in Laguna will be the benchmark for future Palarong Pambansa,” Ejercito added.

Luistro thanked Ejercito for his support. “Masaya ako dahil sa pagpapakita ng suporta ng buong bayan ng Laguna.” He also expressed his desire for a “clean and green” Palaro, reiterating the Clean and Green Policy that had been in place since 2011.

The Secretary who had very fond memories in visiting Laguna, expressed his desire for a clean and green Palaro, reiterating the Clean and Green Policy that had been in place since the 2011 Palarong Pambansa. “May pangarap ako para sa Palarong Pambansa na naipasok namin sa mga nakaraang Palaro -- ang pangangalaga sa kalikasan, an eco- friendly Palaro. Alam po namin na maraming basura pagkatapos ng bawat Palaro at ang kalikasan at ang kalinisan ng bawat bayan ay kailangang panatilihin.

The 2014 Palaro will also feature one new event as Olympic Wrestling makes its debut this year. Demonstration sports Wushu for Secondary boys and girls and Billiards for Secondary boys, which debuted in the 2013 Palaro, will return this year.

DepEd is the lead agency in the conduct of the annual Palarong Pambansa in coordination with the Philippines Sports Commission and its National Sports Associations. The program aims to promote physical education and sports as an integral part of learning, and hopes to develop and to mold a holistic youth who are socially responsible and globally-competitive.

Bridges in Davao Oriental damaged by Mindanao flooding
Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph
Sudden rise of river water level caused by heavy rains has affected several bridges mostly in Davao Oriental.

DPWH Region 11 Director Mariano L. Alquiza said that a total of nine (9) bridges were affected in Southern Mindanao (Davao Region) with six (6) of them not passable as strong current of floodwater damaged bridge structure.

Eight of the affected bridges are located in Davao Oriental, seven (7) of which are located at Surigao Sur-Davao Coastal Road and one (1) in Tibanban-Lavigan Road.

Among those bridges rendered not passable along Surigao Sur-Davao Coastal Road in Davao Oriental are: Quinonoan Bridge in the town of Tarragona due to damaged bridge approach; Caraga Bridge with damaged on Pier 13 and Governor Teodoro Palma Gil (Manurigao) Bridge with scoured bridge approach, both in the municipality of Caraga; totally washed-out Lumao Bridge in Cateel.

Three (3) other bridges were affected by the scouring of approach namely Ibobotoc and Dakung Banua Bridges in Boston, and Taytayan Bridge in Cateel but are passable to vehicular traffic with DPWH maintenance crew deployed for embankment works and appropriate warning signs installed to forewarn motorists.

The Magdug Bridge along Tibanban-Lavigan Road in the municipality of Gov. Generoso was declared not passable to all types of vehicle due to eroded bridge approach on abutment “B”. Also, Governor Miranda Bridge 1 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte was also closed to traffic with the bridge approach “A” under floodwater forcing the diversion of southbound vehicular traffic to Governor Miranda Bridge 2.

Alquiza said that removal of slides are on-going on four (4) landslide affected sections of Montevista-Mati Boundary Road in Araibo, Liboton, Compostela Valley and at cut Saddle Section to restore connectivity between Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.

Earlier, removal of slides has been completed to open the following national highway to vehicular traffic: km 1454+650 to km 1454+850 of Montevista-Mati Boundary Road, Sabina Mines Section and Barangay Maganit Section of Manat-Maragusan Road.

Landslide has been also cleared at Daang Maharlika Road particularly at Km 1378+800 in Monkayo, and km 1444+000 and km 1443+600 in Mawab, both Compostela Valley Province.

Relief aid for flood victims in Mindanao continues
Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph
Flood victims in Mindanao continue to receive assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and local government units (LGUs) in the affected areas.

As of 12 noon today, 23,442 food packs amounting to about P5.9 million have been provided by the DSWD to victims in Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte while P272,023-worth has been extended by concerned LGUs in CARAGA.

Some 220 evacuation centers remain open in the affected regions providing temporary shelter to 20,005 families or 95,637 persons while 5,086 families or 25,373 persons outside the evacuation centers are also given relief assistance.

Davao Region has the most number of evacuees with 11,537 families or 57,356 persons. They have been initially assisted by the LGUs.

DSWD-Field Office XI reported that 198 houses were damaged in Davao Oriental while 18 were destroyed in Compostela Valley.

DSWD Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Teams continue to coordinate with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) and LGUs for possible assistance that may be required.

DSWD to honor top employees, pay tribute to ‘Yolanda’ survivors on 63rd anniversary
Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph
On its 63rd Founding Anniversary this January 16, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will recognize its outstanding performers and loyal employees who have shown dedication and commitment to public service especially in light of the recent calamities that hit the country.

No less than President Benigno S. Aquino will lead the Department as it marks another milestone in public service.

The theme for this year’s celebration, “DSWD at 63: Kaagapay sa Pagbangon at Bagong Simula,” demonstrates a message of hope for all victims of calamities.

“This is our message of assurance that the victims are not alone. We at the DSWD including our partners are ready to guide and assist them as they rebuild their communities and start life anew,” Sec. Soliman said.

Leading the awardees are the two DSWD staff who survived a helicopter crash on their way to a relief work in La Paz, Leyte.

On the other hand, employees who showed excellent performance in their respective fields of expertise in 2013 will be awarded through the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) while those who have rendered 10 to 35 years of service to the Department will receive the Loyalty Award.

Another highlight of the one-day celebration is the “PAgkilala sa NATAtanging KOntribusyon sa Bayan” or “Panata Ko sa Bayan” Award which recognizes the meaningful contributions of DSWD partners and stakeholders in providing successful social protection programs.

The PaNata Awards is the Department’s way of conveying its appreciation and gratitude to groups such as non-government organizations (NGO), local government units (LGUs), media outfits, donor agencies, and international development partners who helped in the delivery of quality social protection services to the disadvantaged sector.

Also, during the program, an Audio-Visual Presentation highlighting the resiliency of ‘Yolanda’ survivors and the spirit of bayanihan demonstrated by relief volunteers will be shown.

The anniversary celebration will be held at DSWD Central Office in Quezon City.

Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi Commemorates Rizal Day with Songs and Folk Dances
Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph
14 January 2014 - The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi held a simple program on December 30, 2013 to commemorate the 117th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal. The Embassy officers and staff and members of the Filipino community joined in the poem recital, dancing of the cariñosa and tinikling, and singing of the patriotic song Bayan Ko.

After the singing of the national anthem, and the ecumenical prayer, the Chargé d’affaires welcomed the participants to the event. Select Embassy officers and staff then recited Jose Rizal’s famous poem A La Juventud Filipina both in Filipino and Spanish. A member of the Filipino community led the singing of patriotic song Bayan Ko, followed by performances of folk dances cariñosa and tinikling. The simple program culminated in the viewing of “Kaninong Anino: If Jose Rizal were alive Today”, a short video program put together by RockEd in partnership with the National Historical Commission.

Philippine Embassies in Damascus and Beirut Repatriate 21 Filipinos from Syria
Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph
14 January 2014- The Philippine Embassies in Damascus and Beirut, Lebanon once again facilitated the successful repatriation to the Philippines of another batch of 21 Filipinos from Syria on January 8.

The group was brought by the personnel of the Philippine Embassy in Damascus to the Syrian-Lebanese border by bus.

A team from the Embassy in Beirut composed of Vice Consul Dennis John Briones and Cultural Officer Gladys Perey assisted in the same-day cross-border repatriation. The Embassy team frist assisted the group when they crossed the Syrian-Lebanese border. After undergoing entry immigration procedures in Masna’a, the Embassy team escorted the repatriates direnctly to the Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut.

At exactly 4:30 P.M., the repatriates left Beirut for Abu Dhabi where they took their flight to Manila. The group arrived in Manila on January 9 via Etihad Airways flight EY 424.

This was the 44th cross-border operation undertaken by the two Embassies. Their arrival brought the number of Filipinos repatriated from Syria to 5,137. Of that number, 2,112 were repatriated via Lebanon.

MB places Silangan Savings and Loan Bank, Inc. under PDIC receivership
Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph
All valid insured deposit claims will be paid

The Monetary Board (MB) placed the Silangan Savings and Loan Bank, Inc. under the receivership of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) by virtue of MB Resolution No. 36.A dated January 9, 2014. As Receiver, PDIC took over the bank on the same day.

Silangan Savings and Loan Bank is a single-unit bank located along J.P. Rizal St., Silang, Cavite. Latest available records show that as of September 30, 2013, Silangan Savings and Loan Bank had 1,367 accounts with total deposit liabilities of P72.49 million. A total of 1,362 deposit accounts or 99.63% of the accounts have balances of P500,000 or less are fully covered by deposit insurance. Total insured deposits amounted to P72.08 million or 99.43% of total deposits.

PDIC said that upon takeover, all bank records shall be gathered, verified and validated. The state deposit insurer assured depositors that all valid deposits shall be paid up to the maximum deposit insurance coverage of P500,000.00.

The PDIC also announced that it will conduct a Depositors-Borrowers Forum on January 15, 2014 to inform depositors of the requirements and procedures for filing deposit insurance claims. Claim forms will be distributed during the Forum. The schedule and venue of the Forum will be posted in the bank premises and in the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph. The claim forms and the requirements and procedures for filing are likewise available for downloading from the PDIC website.

Depositors may update their addresses with the PDIC representatives at the bank premises or during the Forum using the Mailing Address Update Forms to be furnished by PDIC representatives. Duly accomplished Mailing Address Update Forms should be submitted to PDIC representatives accompanied by a photo-bearing ID with signature of the depositor. Depositors may update their addresses until January 16, 2014.

Depositors with valid deposit accounts with balances of P50,000.00 and below need not file deposit insurance claims. But depositors who have outstanding obligations with the Silangan Savings and Loan Bank including co-makers of the obligations, and have incomplete and/or have not updated their addresses with the bank, regardless of amount, should file deposit insurance claims.

For depositors that need not file deposit insurance claims, PDIC targets to start mailing payments to these depositors at their addresses recorded in the bank by the fourth week of January 2014.

For depositors that are required to file deposit insurance claims, the PDIC targets to start claims settlement operations for these accounts by the fourth week of January 2014. The schedule of the claims settlement operations will be announced through notices to be posted in the bank premises and other public places as well as through the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph.

According to the latest Bank Information Sheet (BIS) as of June 30, 2013 filed by the Silangan Savings and Loan Bank with the PDIC, the bank is owned by Evelyn P. Asuncion (19.08%), Erlinda C. Fule (15.81%), Michael P. Asuncion (11.97%), Federico A. Calero (10.51%), Ma. Ditas P. Crisostomo (10.51%) and Felicitas P. Salud (10.51%). Its President and Chairman is Evelyn P. Asuncion.

For more information, depositors may communicate with PDIC Public Assistance personnel stationed at the bank premises. They may also call the PDIC Toll Free Hotline at 1-800-1-888-PDIC(7342), the PDIC Public Assistance Hotlines at (02) 841-4630 to (02) 841-4631, or send their e-mail to pad@pdic.gov.ph.

In 2013, Baldoz says DOLE's ECC enhanced employees' compensation benefits for workers
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph
Recognizing the need for improved social protection for vulnerable persons consonant to the Labor and Employment Plan 2010-2016, the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), an attached agency of the DOLE chaired by Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, had approved meaningful policies in 2013 that benefit workers in the public and private sector who are injured or are casualties of work-related contingencies.

"The ECC has become more relevant in 2013 because of its efforts to improve social protection for vulnerable workers and workers which have been affected by work-related injuries," said Baldoz.

The labor and employment chief said that first among the reform policies the ECC had approved during the past year was a 10 percent across the board increase in EC pension for the private sector.

“This will benefit about 20,000 private sector EC disability and survivorship pensioners receiving an average of P3,200 EM pension per month.

Baldoz said the ECC had also increased the funeral benefit for both the public and private sectors from P10,000 to P20,000. Dependents of about 600 workers claim for EC funeral benefits yearly.

"For 20 years since 1993, the amount of EC funeral benefit in the private sector remained at P10,000. In September 2012, the ECC increased the funeral benefit in the public sector to the same amount, and this was approved through E. O. 135 dated April 23, 2013. The previous amount was P3,000 which was remained since 1987. Executive orders to implement these new benefits are to be issued by the Office of the President.

“The increase in EC funeral benefit for the public sector is now equal to the EC funeral benefit for the private sector,” Baldoz said.

The ECC also lifted the suspension of payment of EC medical reimbursement for retired or separated workers in the public sector, benefiting workers whose reimbursement of hospitalization and medicine expenses were suspended as part of the prioritization policy in the payment of EC benefits implemented for the public sector in 2003.

This complements the lifting of the suspension in the payment of EC death benefits (survivorship pension) beyond the five-year guaranteed period for the public sector.

"The ECC Board approved the policy reform in July 2012 and now benefits over 10,000 public sector workers,” the labor and employment chief said.

In 2013, ECC likewise revised the conditions for the compensability of osteoarthritis, amending Item No. 24 of the ECC List of Occupational Diseases. Now classified as musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), the revised conditions provide a more comprehensive categorization of the variants of MSD that are work-related (other than osteoarthritis only) in order to facilitate the identification of MSD that are work-related. There is an increasing number of EC cases under MSD that have been approved in the past two years.
“As a response to the recent calamities in the Visayas and the call for government to do its share in easing the life of the victims of these calamities, ECC approved the grant of an advance three-month pension for EC pensioners in the private sector in areas affected by typhoon Yolanda, Bohol and Cebu earthquakes and the Zamboaga crisis.

"This complements similar measures effected by SSS for its members,” Baldoz added.

Other policies approved by the ECC Board in 2013 include the following:

1. Grant of sick leave benefits and other similar benefits voluntarily provided by employers does not bar the grant of EC temporary or permanent disability benefits;
2. Automatic accreditation by the Commission of government and private hospitals duly licensed by DOH and accredited by PhilHealth and physicians duly licensed by the Professional Regulation Commission for purposes of processing of payment for medical services;
3. Submission by the GSIS and SSS of proof of compliance with the decision of the Commission on EC appealed cases to grant EC benefits; and
4. Observance of procedures on elevation of denied EC claims at the GSIS and SSS to facilitate appeal of denied cases to the ECC.

For 2014, Baldoz had directed ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis to continue to coordinate closely with its implementing agencies, the GSIS and the SSS, to provide improved services to its customers, particularly the process cycle time in evaluating EC claims.

She also instructed the ECC top official to review the adequacy of the present EC benefits.

"This should be backed up by a stable State Insurance Fund (SIF)," said Baldoz, who bared that the total reserves of the SIF for future payment of EC claims in both public and private sectors stand at P44.44 billion as of September 2013.

Finally, Baldoz instructed the ECC to continue reviewing its benefits and services as part of its commitment to strengthen the role of the EC program in protecting the safety and health of workers and in pooling risks arising from occupational accidents and diseases.

DOLE’s NCMB settles disputes through conciliation-mediation in Caloocan City’s top hospital
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday congratulated the workers and management of the MCU-FDT Medical Foundation, one of Caloocan City’s leading hospitals, after they have agreed to amicably settle their dispute through conciliation-mediation facilitated by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board – National Capital Region (NCMB-NCR).

Citing a report of NCMB-NCR Director Amorsolo Aglibut, Baldoz said the settlement of the dispute involved a promise by hospital management not to implement any outsourcing of any hospital services until the end of the existing collective bargaining agreement this March 2014.

“I congratulate the members of the hospital union and the hospital management for their resolve not to disrupt hospital operation by speedily coming to a mutually-beneficial settlement of their dispute. Their action was imbued with the larger concern for the good of the hospital patients and clients and reflect a sense of maturity,” Baldoz said who also commended conciliation-mediator Estelita Bautista for her fast action on the dispute.

Director Aglibut reported that the case arose when Ferdinand Gan, president of the MCU-FDT Medical Foundation Employees Association-AFW, assisted by legal counsel Atty. Edgar Martir, filed a preventive mediation case against the hospital on the ground of unfair labor practice, specifically violation of a provision in the existing CBA on the preservation of the character of the bargaining unit and violation of a prohibition on outsourcing under D.O No. 18-02.

The MCU-FDT Employees Association, affiliated with the Alliance of Filipino Workers, has 384 members, while the hospital, a tertiary health institution, employs more than 600 employees.

DENR rescues stranded dugong in Quezon
Source: http://www.denr.gov.ph
A team from the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), formerly Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has successfully rescued on Thursday a neonate, male dugong or seacow that got stranded in the waters off Barangay Binulasan in Infanta, Quezon.

BMB Director Ma. Theresa Mundita Lim said the young dugong was found stranded by fishermen Michael and Manuelito Nolledong of said barangay, who immediately sought help from the local DENR office.

“Fortunately, when the report of the stranded dugong came in, a technical staff from our CALABARZON office, Forester Jeff Cruz, was in the area so he led the rescue, including the gathering of necessary data,” Lim said.

According to her, the young marine mammal got stranded due to low tide. She also said the rescued dugong, which measures 1.06 meters long, was temporarily transferred to the nearby barangay of Dinahican, also in Infanta, to shield it from strong waves but will be released soon when the sea gets calm.

“We have a technical team right now in the area led by a veterinary doctor, Dr. Rizza Salinas, to release the dugong as soon as the sea gets calm,” Lim said. Other BMB personnel on hand to help in the release of the dugong back to water are Nilo Ramoso, Renato Borja and Bibiano Mejino.

Also called “duyong or baboy dagat”, dugongs belong to the animal group Sirenia. Like dolphins and whales, dugongs are air-breathing marine mammals.

“They could not stay long underwater; they have to surface from the water to breathe. Since they could not swim fast, they are an easy target of poachers who hunt them with nets, dynamite or spear guns,” Lim stressed. Dugongs swim at a speed of five kilometres per hour.

Lim explained that dugongs are classified as “critically endangered species” and that the government prohibits their hunting, trading, transporting or possession by virtue of Republic Act 9147, also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, violation of which is punishable with imprisonment from six to 12 years and/or a fine from ₱100,000 to ₱1 million.

Lim urged coastal residents to report immediately dugong strandings to the nearest DENR office.

First Attempted Human Trafficking Conviction Scored in Davao
Source: http://www.doj.gov.ph
The enactment of RA 10364, otherwise known as the Expanded Human Trafficking Act of 2013, has given more teeth to the Philippine campaign to eradicate the evils of human trafficking. The expanded RA has included the mere attempt to traffic as a punishable offense, whereas previously, exploitative purposes must first be settled before an offender is punished. Barely a year after the passage of the expanded law, a first conviction for attempted trafficking was recorded.

Last December, a Regional Trial Court judge in Davao City handed the first conviction for Attempted Qualified Trafficking in Persons. Presiding Judge Salvador Ibarreta, Jr. of RTC Branch 8 of Region 11 granted the plea of the accused, Frederick Apique, to a lesser offense of Attempted Qualified Trafficking under Section 4(a) of Republic Act 9208 as amended by Republic Act No. 10364.

Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima, Chairperson of Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking IACAT), stated that this conviction shows the extensiveness of the new anti-trafficking law with the inclusion of the attempted stage in connection with the offense.

The IACAT filed a case of Qualified Trafficking in Persons against Apique earlier this year for recruiting three (3) minors to distribute flyers in public areas in the city. Instead, however, the minors said Apique forced them to let him shave their private parts and take photos of them in the nude.

"This conviction allows the State to hunt down human traffickers and get them off the streets, even by just proving the intention to commit a particular and specific felony just by their overt acts," De Lima added. Section 4-B of the new law included attempted trafficking in persons "where there are acts to initiate the commission of a trafficking-offense but the offender failed to or did not execute all the elements of the crime, by accident or by reason of some cause other than voluntary desistance, such overt acts shall be deemed as an attempt to commit an act of trafficking in persons." This was signed on February 06, 2013.

Apique was handed the penalty imprisonment of fifteen (15) years and a fine of P500,000 and to pay private complainant the civil liability of P12,000.

"For 2013, the IACAT had monitored over one hundred fifteen (115) cases resolved in favour of the State, one hundred thirteen (113) human traffickers jailed, and two hundred eighty-nine (289) victims were given justice," De Lima concluded.

U/KB's NPL Ratio Remains Low Amid a Rise in TLP
Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph
The gross non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) stayed low at 2.56 percent of their total loan portfolio (TLP) of Php 3.93 trillion at end-October last year.

The banks kept their gross NPL ratio low amid a rise in U/KBs TLP which grew to Php 3.93 trillion in October last year from Php 3.49 trillion in the same period a year earlier.

The drop in gross NPL ratio was matched by an increase in U/KBs’ loan loss reserves for soured loans which stood at 130.53 percent of NPLs in October 2013, up from the 126.23 percent posted in the same month in 2012. Provisioning for NPLs is a prudential measure for mitigating potential credit losses.

Meanwhile, if all past due loans become NPLs, the gross NPL ratio would still be low at 2.81 percent in October 2013 compared to the 3.22 percent registered during the same month in 2012.

Bad debts across all sectors of the economy generally remained low and manageable as seen in financial intermediation, real estate, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail trade which all accounted for 62 percent of U/KBs TLP in October.

The banks’ low level of bad debts is an indication of the industry’s continuous effort to adhere to prudent lending standards. This is essential to maintaining financial stability, which is a primary objective of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

NSCB back on a 5-day work week schedule
Source: http://www.nscb.gov.ph/
The PSA-National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) Technical Staff is once again following a five-day work week schedule. This new work scheme took effect on January 2, 2012.

In May 2013, the NSCB TS implemented an experimental four-day work week schedule in the Central Office to promote productivity, efficiency, and also cost-saving without compromising the forty-hour work week policy. The scheme has also reduced NSCB’s utility and operational expenses as well as benefited employees by reducing their daily expenses.

However, with the establishment of the of the Philippine Statistics Authority which merges the NSCB, the National Statistics Office, the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics, and the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, the five-day work week schedule has been once again implemented.

With this change in schedule, the public is advised that the NSCB Central Office will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays. The agency’s frontline service units such as the National Statistical Information Center and its regional branches will continue to operate on a five-day work week schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The public is advised to be guided accordingly.


































Last Updated: 14 JANUARY 2014
Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the groundbreaking ceremony of San Gabriel Power Plant Project in Brgy. Sta Rita, Batangas City Tuesday, January 14, 2014 as Francis Giles Puno, President and COO of First Gen Corp., Batangas Governor Ms. Vilma Santos-Recto, DOE Secretary Jerico Petilla, First Gen Vice President Richard Tantoco, Mr. Oscar Lopez of Lopez Griup of Company and Ernesto Pantangco also of First Gen listen. First Gen operates the San Gabriel Power Plant and is the leading clean and renewable energy company in the Philippines with an installed capacity of 2,763 megawatts. (Photo by Ryan Lim/Malacanang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the ceremonial laying of the San Gabriel Power Plant Project time capsule in Brgy. Sta Rita, Batangas City on Tuesday (January 14). with the President Chair and CEO of First Gen Corp Federico Lopez which operates San Gabriel Power Plant is the leading clean and renewable energy company in the Philippines with an installed capacity of 2,763 megawatts. (Photo by Ryan Lim/Malacanang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the ceremonial laying of the San Gabriel Power Plant Project time capsule in Brgy. Sta Rita, Batangas City on Tuesday (January 14). Assisting the President are Federico Lopez, Chair and CEO of First Gen Corp.; Lopez Group of Company; Emiritus Oscar Lopez, DOE Sec. Jerico Petilla, Batangas Governor Ms. Vilma Santos-Recto, Richard Tantoco, Exec. Vice President, First Gen Corp. and Francis Giles Puno, President and COO First Gen Corporation First Gen Corporation First Gen operates San Gabriel Power Plant and is the leading clean and renewable energy company in the Philippines with an installed capacity of 2,763 megawatts. (Photo by Ryan Lim/Malacanang Photo Bureau)
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma presents Minister Yoshitaka Shindo of Japan Internal Affairs and Communications with token of appreciation during their bilateral meeting Monday (January 13) held at the Edsa Shangri-La in Mandaluyong City. (Photo by Luisito L Iglesias / NIB)
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma is shown an exhibit of computer technology Minister Yoshitaka Shindo of Japan Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and Ambassador Toshinao Urabe of Japan during the bilateral meeting Monday (January 13) held at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City. (Photo by Luisito L Iglesias / NIB)
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma with Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Yoshitaka Shindo and Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe exchanging pleasantries during a bilateral meeting Monday (January 13) held at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City. Also in photo (second from right) is PCOO Assistant Secretary Jess Anthony Yu. (Photo by Luisito L Iglesias / NIB)
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma greets Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, Yoshitaka Shindo, and Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe (January 13) during a bilateral meeting held at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City. (Photo by Luisito L Iglesias/NIB)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the traditional toast for the New Year’s Vin d’ Honneur at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (January 10). The annual reception which marks the 27th Vin d’ Honneur since the 1986 EDSA Revolution was attended by government officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps, officials of international organizations and businessmen. (Photo by Lauro Montellano Jr./ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the New Year’s Vin d’ Honneur at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (January 10). The annual reception which marks the 27th Vin d’ Honneur since the 1986 EDSA Revolution was attended by government officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps, officials of international organizations and businessmen. (Photo by Ryan Lim/ Gil Nartea/ Lauro Montellano Jr./ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, leads the traditional toast for the New Year’s Vin d’ Honneur at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (January 10.) The annual reception which marks the 27th Vin d’ Honneur since the 1986 EDSA Revolution was attended by government officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps, officials of international organizations and businessmen. (Photo by Ryan Lim/ Gil Nartea / Rey Baniquet/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Philippines, His Excellency Safdar Hayat, during the presentation of credentials at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (January 09, 2014). Also in photo is Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau/ Exequiel Supera / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)
His Excellency Safdar Hayat, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Philippines, reviews the honor guards during the arrival honors accorded him at the Malacañang Grounds for the presentation of credentials on Thursday (January 09). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
Islamic Republic of Pakistan Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Philippines, His Excellency Safdar Hayat, signs the Palace Guest Book at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace for the presentation of credentials on Thursday (January 09). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges views with Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende during the Courtesy Call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (January 09, 2014). Norway is the Philippines’ 61st export market in 2012 and Norwegian investments are mostly in maritime and power sectors. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges views with Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende during the Courtesy Call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (January 09, 2014). Norway is the Philippines’ 61st export market in 2012 and Norwegian investments are mostly in maritime and power sectors. Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya and Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende during the Courtesy Call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (January 09, 2014). Norway is the Philippines’ 61st export market in 2012 and Norwegian investments are mostly in maritime and power sectors. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau / Exequiel Supera / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)
Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende signs the Palace Guest Book at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace for the courtesy call on Thursday (January 09, 2014). Norway is the Philippines’ 61st export market in 2012 and Norwegian investments are mostly in maritime and power sectors. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads his official family in prayer before presiding over the meeting on Yolanda Rehabilitation at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (January 09). Also in photo are Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Education Secretary Armin Luistro and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general Emmanuel Joel Villanueva. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the meeting on Yolanda Rehabilitation at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (January 09). Also in photo are Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr., Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairperson Patricia Licuanan, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the meeting on Yolanda Rehabilitation at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (January 09). Also in photo are Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr., Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads his official family in prayer before presiding over the meeting on Yolanda Rehabilitation at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (January 09). Also in photo are Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III with MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino talks to the MMDA rescuers who helped the Yolanda victims recently during the launching of the new Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Traffic Signalization System and Command and Control Center at the new MMDA Command and Control Center in Orense Street, Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City on Wednesday (January 08). The new upgraded Information Technology (IT)-based traffic signalization system is set towards elevating mobility management through a comprehensive and integrated approach. Also in photo is Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Rodolfo Manabat/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III with MMDA Chair Francis Tonlentino graces the launching of the new Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Traffic Signalization System and Command and Control Center at the new MMDA Command and Control Center in Orense Street, Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City on Wednesday (January 08). The new upgraded Information Technology-based traffic signalization system is set towards elevating mobility management in the future, through comprehensive and integrated approach that improves not just vehicle movement, but also the overall network movement of people, goods and services. Phase 1 of the project includes the installation of 25 new fiber optic, high definition Pan-Tilt-Zoom Traffic Control/Video surveillance cameras and 36 45-inch video screens to monitor activities, where around 150 CCTV and IP cameras are currently installed all over Metro Manila. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the launching of the new Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Traffic Signalization System and Command and Control Center at the new MMDA Command and Control Center in Orense Street, Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City on Wednesday (January 08). The new upgraded Information Technology-based traffic signalization system is set towards elevating mobility management in the future, through a comprehensive and integrated approach that improves not just vehicle movement, but also the overall network movement of people, goods and services. Phase 1 of the project includes the installation of 25 new fiber optic, high definition Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) Traffic Control/Video surveillance cameras and 36 45-inch video screens to monitor activities, where around 150 CCTV and IP cameras are currently installed all over Metro Manila. (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Benhur Arcayan/ Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III watches the video launching of the new Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Traffic Signalization System and Command and Control Center at the new MMDA Command and Control Center in Orense Street, Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City on Wednesday (January 08). The new upgraded Information Technology-based traffic signalization system is set towards elevating mobility management in the future, through a comprehensive and integrated approach that improves not just vehicle movement, but also the overall network movement of people, goods and services. Phase 1 of the project includes the installation of 25 new fiber optic, high definition Pan-Tilt-Zoom Traffic Control/Video surveillance cameras and 36 45-inch video screens to monitor activities, where around 150 CCTV and IP cameras are currently installed all over Metro Manila. Also in photo is Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. (Photo by Gil NArtea/ Benhur Arcayan/ Robert Viñas/ Rodolfo Manabat/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Lithuania to the Philippines, His Excellency Egidijus Meilunas, during the presentation of credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 08). Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Chief of Presidential Protocol Ambassador Celia Anna Feria. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Independent State of Samoa Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Philippines, His Excellency Leiataua Tuitolova’a Dr. Kilifoti Eteauati, during the presentation of credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 08). Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Chief of Presidential Protocol Ambassador Celia Anna Feria. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Republic of Zambia Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Philippines, His Excellency Miles Kaweche Banda, during the presentation of credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 08). Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Chief of Presidential Protocol Ambassador Celia Anna Feria. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Sudan to the Philippines, His Excellency Khalid Abdelgadir Shukri, during the presentation of credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 08). (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Portuguese Republic Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Philippines, His Excellency Joaquim Alberto de Sousa Moreira de Lemos, during the presentation of credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 08). Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Chief of Presidential Protocol Ambassador Celia Anna Feria. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Botswana to the Philippines, His Excellency Jacob Dickie Nkate during the presentation of credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 08). Also in photo is Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the Philippines, His Excellency Dr. Dibaba Abdetta during the presentation of credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 08). Also I n photo is Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III prepares to receive the credentials of non-resident ambassadors in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 08). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III huddles with Ambassadors Khalid Abdelgadir Shukri of Sudan; Jacob Dickie Nkate of Botswana; Titi Amina Pardi of Suriname; Dr. Dibaba Abdetta of Ethiopia; Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario; Joaquim Alberto de Sousa Moreira de Lemos of Portugal; Miles Kaweche Banddo of Zambia; Egidijus Meilunas of Lithuania; and Leiataua Tuitolova’a Dr. Kilifoti Eteauati of Samoa for a group photo souvenir during the presentation of credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 08). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Republic of Lithuania Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Philippines, His Excellency Egidijus Meilunas, during the presentation of credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 08). Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Chief of Presidential Protocol Ambassador Celia Anna Feria. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Independent State of Samoa to the Philippines, His Excellency Leiataua Tuitolova’a Dr. Kilifoti Eteauati, during the presentation of credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 08). Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Chief of Presidential Protocol Ambassador Celia Anna Feria. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Zambia to the Philippines, His Excellency Miles Kaweche Banda, during the presentation of credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 08). Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Chief of Presidential Protocol Ambassador Celia Anna Feria. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Republic of Sudan Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Philippines, His Excellency Khalid Abdelgadir Shukri, during the presentation of credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 08). Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Chief of Presidential Protocol Ambassador Celia Anna Feria. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Portuguese Republic to the Philippines, His Excellency Joaquim Alberto de Sousa Moreira de Lemos, during the presentation of credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 08). Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Chief of Presidential Protocol Ambassador Celia Anna Feria. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Republic of Botswana Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Philippines, His Excellency Jacob Dickie Nkate during the presentation of credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 08). Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Chief of Presidential Protocol Ambassador Celia Anna Feria. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Philippines His Excellency Dr. Dibaba Abdetta during the presentation of credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 08). Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Chief of Presidential Protocol Ambassador Celia Anna Feria. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Suriname to the Philippines Her Excellency Titi Amina Pardi during the presentation of credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 08). Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Chief of Presidential Protocol Ambassador Celia Anna Feria. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Chief of Presidential Protocol Ambassador Celia Anna Feria, prepares to receive the credentials of non-resident ambassadors in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (January 08). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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