24-Hour Public Weather Forecast
Issued at 5:00 a.m., 12 February 2014
Valid beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow
Valid beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow
 Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis for 8 a.m., 12 February 2014 |  Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind Analysis for 8 a.m., 12 February 2014 |  Satellite Image |
Synopsis:
Tail-end of cold front affecting Eastern Visayas. Trough of low pressure area affecting Eastern Mindanao.
Forecast:
Eastern Visayas and the provinces of Caraga and Davao will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and isolated thunderstorms. The provinces of Quezon and Bicol region will be cloudy with light rains. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.
Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and Eastern Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the east to northeast with slight to moderate seas.
Tail-end of cold front affecting Eastern Visayas. Trough of low pressure area affecting Eastern Mindanao.
Forecast:
Eastern Visayas and the provinces of Caraga and Davao will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and isolated thunderstorms. The provinces of Quezon and Bicol region will be cloudy with light rains. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.
Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and Eastern Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the east to northeast with slight to moderate seas.
Gale Warning
GALE
WARNING NO. 04
For: Strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of Northeast Monsoon.
For: Strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of Northeast Monsoon.
Issued at 5:00 a.m. today,
12 February 2014
Strong to gale force winds
is expected to affect the seaboards of Northern Luzon and eastern seaboards of
Luzon.
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SEABOARD
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WEATHER
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WIND FORCE
(KPH)/(KNOTS) |
SEA CONDITION
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WAVE HEIGHTS
(meters) |
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THE
NORTHERN SEABOARD OF NORTHERN LUZON AND THE EASTERN SEABOARDS OF NORTHERN AND
CENTRAL LUZON
(Batanes,
Calayan, Babuyan, Cagayan, Northern coast of Ilocos Norte, Isabela, and
Aurora)
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Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with light rains
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(52- 63 /28 - 34)
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Rough to very rough
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3.4 to 4.5
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THE
EASTERN SEABOARDS OF SOUTHERN LUZON
(Camarines
Provinces, Catanduanes, eastern
coast of Albay, of Sorsogon and of Quezon including Polillo
Island)
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Cloudy skies with light rains
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(52- 63 /28 - 34)
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Rough to very rough
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3.4 to 4.5
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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.
The next update will be issued at 5:00 p.m. today.
3. Weather Watch
GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel
Cruz:
-Sa datos ng The Weather Company, asahan ang mahinang ulan sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon bukas.
-Mababa naman ang tsansang umulan sa Metro Manila sa maghapon.
-Mahina hanggang sa katamtamang ulan ang inaasahan sa malaking bahagi ng Visayas bukas, lalo na sa silangang bahagi.
-Mataas naman ang tsansang magkaroon ng thunderstorm sa Mindanao, lalo na pagdating ng hapon o gabi.
-Sa datos ng The Weather Company, asahan ang mahinang ulan sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon bukas.
-Mababa naman ang tsansang umulan sa Metro Manila sa maghapon.
-Mahina hanggang sa katamtamang ulan ang inaasahan sa malaking bahagi ng Visayas bukas, lalo na sa silangang bahagi.
-Mataas naman ang tsansang magkaroon ng thunderstorm sa Mindanao, lalo na pagdating ng hapon o gabi.
February 12 , 2014
( Wednesday ) as of 6:00-7:00 AM
CAVITE : Fair Weather
LAGUNA : Cloudy
BATANGAS : Fair
Weather
RIZAL : Fair Weather
QUEZON
: Partly Cloudy
1. PIA Regional Watch
PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Municipal
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Sariaya, Quezon will
conduct bamboo seedling planting today at Brgy. Castanas in this town. More
than 6,000 bamboo seedlings will be planted aims to secure and prevent soil
erosion in the said barangay.
2. PIA Regional Watch
PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Isinagawa ang
inagurasyon ng bagong ayos na Agoncillo Municipal health center na layong
makapagpalawig pa ng serbisyong pangkalusugan para sa mga mamamayan ng bayan ng
Agoncillo.
1. PIA OFW Watch
DZMM: 30-araw na suspensyon ang
ipinataw ng DOLE kay Riyadh Labor Attaché Adam Musa. Isa is Musa sa mga dawit
sa sex-for-flight scheme sa Middle East. Sa 31-pahinang desisyon ni DOLE Sec.
Rosalinda Baldoz, napatunayan ng DOLE fact finding team na may sapat na batayan
para parusahn si Musa sa simple neglect of duty. Wala itong sweldo habang
nakasuspende sa trabaho.
Carmona celebrates
8th year of healthy lifestyle advocacy
Monday 10th of February 2014
CARMONA,
Cavite, Feb. 10 (PIA) – The local
government here celebrated recently the 8th
anniversary of the two-time national awardee, Direct Access to Healthy
Lifestyle Intervention and Advocacy (DHALIA) program with the theme “Go 4
Health.”
About
2,722 community members, non-government
organization (NGOs), municipal employees, school
teachers, students, and institutional partners participated in the aerobic and
dance exercises held at the municipal park.
Mayor
Dahlia Loyola, said the healthy lifestyle program of her administration in
coordination with the municipal health office
proved to be a success. The program that started in 2006 with roughly 100
members, has now more than 2,000 participants.
In
her message, the mayor thanked the sponsors of the event which vowed to
continue supporting the healthy lifestyle advocacy of the local government.
After
the exercise, awards were given to individuals and groups such as the Most
Disciplined, Most Energetic, Happiest D.A.H.L.I.A member, Most Synchronized
Group and Biggest Loser of Weight to name a few. (Carmona PIO/PIA-Cavite)
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| Armed Forces to gear up with P3.7-B boost; Abad: Gov't gunning for capability, equipment upgrades | ||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph | ||||||||||||
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In a move to
fast-track the modernization of the country’s defense forces, the
Aquino administration—through the Department of Budget and
Management (DBM)—released a total of P3.68 billion to the Department
of National Defense (DND)—as part of its 2013 year-end releases. In two separate Special Allotment Release Orders or SAROs issued last December, a total of eighteen priority projects—which include the acquisition of much-needed equipment upgrades—were given the go signal and were accordingly charged against the programmed appropriations of the AFP Modernization Program under the 2013 General Appropriations Act (GAA). “When President Aquino drew up his Social Contract with the Filipino People, he made particular note of our need to beef up the government’s ability to protect our citizens. We remain committed to this pursuit of peace and the rule of law, and one of the ways we’re reinforcing that is by supporting our Armed Forces’ modernization activities. These initiatives are of course necessary in improving our territorial defense capabilities and ensuring better national security,” Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said. The P3.68-billion release would benefit, in no particular order, the DND general headquarters, Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, and the Government Arsenal. Priority projects and acquisitions include strategic sealift vessels, small amphibian vehicles, multi-purpose assault weapons, sniper rifles, mortars, portable radio receivers, radio test equipment, production capability and facility upgrades, and technical forensic upgrades, among others. Breakdown: A. P2.135 billion for nine (9) projects: 1. P1.670 billion for strategic sealift vessels 2. P189 million for C41/GIS equipment 3. P109 million for radio test equipment 4. P58 million for the production capability and facility upgrade/prime loading and assembly equipment 5. P52 million for portable radio receivers 6. P20 million for a master development plan 7. P19 million for technical forensic upgrades 8. P10 million for laser packing machines 9. P6 million for the Camp Bautista Station Hospital B. P1.542 billion for nine (9) projects: 1. P97 million for small amphibian vehicles 2. P229 million for shoulder-launch multi-purpose assault weapons 3. P500 million for AV config radios 4. P364 million for HH radios 5. P107 million for 60mm mortars 6. P50 million for 7.62mm sniper rifles 7. P12 million for audio video equipment 8. P178 million for AFP JSOG requirements 9. P6 million fot Jacinto Class Patrol Vessel Ph 2 In addition, Notice of Cash Allocations (NCAs) with a total of P6.62 billion were also issued by the budget department in the last month of 2013, that funded the acquisition of strategic sealift vessels, small amphibian vehicles, utility helicopters, communication equipment such as manpack radios and personal role radios, and other projects under the AFP Modernization Program. Breakdown: 1. P96.7 million for the small amphibian vehicles project 2. P1.37 billion for 15 projects 3. P1.26 billion for twenty-one (21) Utility Helicopters-1 4. P22.87 million for high-frequency manpack radios and personal role radios 5. P3.86 billion for strategic sealift vessels “The Department of National Defense gave us their assurance that they would be able to obligate the funding released to them before the year ended. These projects and equipment acquisitions supported by the funds were already just short of award in terms of their progress in the procurement process when we approved the release,” Abad said. “Nevertheless, we continue to urge and encourage all national government departments and agencies to obligate their budgets as early in the year as possible. This is exactly why we pioneered and implemented the GAA-as-release document regime this year, so that agencies are able to obligate their allotments at the very start of the fiscal year. This, among our other budget reforms, promote the prompt delivery of key government programs, projects and activities, especially towards our goal of economic expansion and rapid, sustainable, and inclusive growth,” he added. |
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| ICT and DRM training workshop, a rousing success | ||||||||||||
| Source: Career Executive Service Board | ||||||||||||
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We learned from
Typhoon Yolanda. This was the claim made by the twenty-eight (28) technology enthusiasts and disaster risk management practitioners from various government agencies and local government units during the three-day Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Disaster Risk Management (DRM) training workshop held on February 3-5, 2014 at the Microtel Acropolis, Quezon City. Mr. Marino Deocariza, Urban Risk Management Specialist of the Asia Disaster Preparedness Center gave a substantial introduction of the powerful link between ICT and DRM and how technology could be an effective means for preparing and responding to natural disasters. According to him, ICTs serve as databases for logistics management, mapping, modelling, and forecasting. It also acts as knowledge and decision support tools for early warning, mitigation and response planning and has a pivotal role in sharing information, promoting cooperation, and providing channels for open dialogue and information exchange. To reduce disaster risks, he explained how ICT could be strategically used in communicating and disseminating information particularly to remote at-risk communities, and in teaching and raising awareness for a culture of safety. A panel of experts composed of Dr. Emmanuel Lallana, Chief Executive of ideacorp, Dr. Sherwin Ona, Head of the Center for ICT for Development at the College of Computer Studies - De La Salle University, and Mr. Alexander Arevalo, ICT Consultant at the Office of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines presented their individual presentations on how to mitigate and recover from disasters through the intellectual use of ICT. Video presentations showing how disasters could easily rub out communities in just a matter of minutes were also shown that ignite the fervent desire of the participants to learn how they could utilize their expertise or field of professions in strategically preparing for the onslaught of natural calamities and disasters. The three ICT experts also served as critiques in the workshop presentations of the two groups of participants on what technology samples could be used and how these could help in mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery processes in disaster situations. Other equally competent speakers were Mr. Darwin Flores, Department Head for Community Partnerships of the Smart Communications, Inc. and Mr. Felino Castro V, Director of the Information and Communications Technology Management Service of the Department of Social Welfare and Development who drew an active discussion on the role of ICT as an essential tool for disaster recovery and reconstruction. Both speakers presented the lessons learned from typhoon Yolanda and how the Filipino people are trying to recuperate from the damage. Castro reiterated the need for coordination among a wide range of stakeholders to successfully implement recovery and reconstruction processes. The participants were challenged to determine the function of ICT in managing disaster risks in the Philippines, the utilization of technologies of various government agencies, and to give their recommended priority projects. Representing the group was Mr. Carlito Carpeso, Jr. from the Jessie Robredo Institute of Governance of De La Salle University who took the courage to face the panel of reactors composed of Mr. Deocariza, Atty. Arturo Lachica, Deputy Executive Director of the Career Executive Service Board, and Assistant Secretary Raymund Liboro of the Department of Science and Technology. The panel congratulated the group and expressed their support to their ideas. “Use ICT to enculturalized preparedness”, said Asec. Liboro who also affirmed the DOST’s commitment to lead the country’s scientific and technological efforts. The workshop concluded with the group’s articulation of their determination to materialize their output and to continue their collaboration by establishing an e-group. This inaugural conduct of the training program has been successfully conducted through the partnership of the Career Executive Service Board (CESB) and the ideaCorp and with the support of the United Nations-Asian and Pacific Training Center for Information and Communications Technology Development (UN-APTCICTD). The learning activity primarily sought to empower government officials with the use of technology in disaster preparedness, response, mitigation and reconstruction and serve as a meaningful channel for the participants to develop appropriate tools to improve disaster risk management through ICT. |
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| NEDA, DOF officials laud community empowerment strategy of DSWD’s Kalahi-CIDSS | ||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph | ||||||||||||
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Officials from
the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the
Department of Finance (DOF) recently visited the provinces of Leyte
and Iloilo to learn the implementation of Kapit-Bisig Laban sa
Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS),
one of the main poverty alleviation programs of the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The learning visit was organized to enable NEDA and DOF to see how Kalahi-CIDSS works at the grassroots level. The Community-Driven Development (CDD) strategy utilized by the Project involves the building up and strengthening of the partnership among the DSWD, the local government units, and the common citizens to ensure its successful implementation. Given that the visit was also arranged as part of the preparations for the National Community-Driven Development Program (NCDDP), the scaling up of Kalahi-CIDSS into a nationwide scale, it also looked into disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), one of the essential features of the NCDDP. This explains the selection of Palo and Tanauan in Leyte and Ajuy in Iloilo as the sites that were visited by DOF and NEDA. These were municipalities hit by Typhoon Yolanda last November. The officers of NEDA and DOF who participated in the activity lauded how Kalahi-CIDSS was able to mobilize and empower communities, such that the residents become directly involved in the development efforts in their own barangays. DOF Director Estela Laureano said, “The best thing about Kalahi-CIDSS is that it is able to empower the people.” This was described by Ramon Falcon, NEDA Chief Social Development Specialist, as “the intangible bayanihan spirit demonstrated through Kalahi-CIDSS,” stating that the visit validated the positive reports they have been receiving about the Project. Jonathan Anthony Geronimo, the NEDA Senior Social Development Specialist, expounded this by saying, “The Project has outputs and impact, but it was good to see these in the communities.” He shared how the visit was an eye-opening experience for them. As he said, “Nagkaroon ng itsura ang papel na pinapasa sa amin (The documents that were submitted to us now have a face).” He went on to describe the passion in the communities as they related how Kalahi-CIDSS has made an impact in their lives. Geronimo also noted how the Project volunteers were transformed as the new leaders of their barangays when after heeding the clamor of their fellow residents, ran for office and won. They attribute their success to their exposure to the work of Kalahi-CIDSS and the opportunity to demonstrate their competence during the implementation in their barangay. He went on to compare the two sites in Leyte that they visited – Tanauan, a Kalahi-CIDSS municipality, and Palo, a non-Kalahi-CIDSS area – describing how the residents from the former were more vocal and expressive about their needs and concerns compared to the latter, which he attributed to the capacity-building trainings and their participation in Kalahi-CIDSS. Both Tanauan and Palo were hit hard by “Yolanda”. Tanauan is about to start its second cycle of Kalahi-CIDSS implementation. Palo, while not currently a Kalahi-CIDSS area, is one of the target areas to be covered under the NCDDP. Dir. Laureano admitted that she did not think it was possible for CDD to work in areas affected by “Yolanda”, but the familiarization visit proved that it is not only possible but a good platform to promote citizens participation. She said, “Nung una, inisip namin na hindi kaya, pero nakita namin na kaya pala ng tao (At first, we did not think that they would be able to do this, but we saw that the people actually have the capacity to implement the program).” Geronimo also shared how community empowerment of Kalahi-CIDSS translated into political, social, and economic participation of the residents from the poorest villages in the Philippines. He said, “How do you measure community empowerment? You can see it in their political participation and in their social and economic transformation.” Falcon discussed how he saw the realization of the three objectives of Kalahi-CIDSS – poverty reduction, improved local governance, and community empowerment – in the implementation of the Project in Ajuy, Iloilo. “CDD is the way to go in order to move forward,” he said. Falcon also noted how responsive the Kalahi-CIDSS sub-projects were to the needs of the residents. He paid special attention to the seawall sub-project in Barangay Mangorocoro in Ajuy, which the residents credited as what protected their village from being wiped out when TS Yolanda hit the area. He also mentioned the school building sub-projects that were constructed both in Ajuy and Tanauan, describing these infrastructures, which were built through Kalahi-CIDSS, as “well-designed and executed, structurally sound, and disaster-resistant,” as these buildings withstood the impact of “Yolanda”, compared to the other buildings in both campuses which were severely damaged by the typhoon. Falcon encouraged DSWD to work closely with other government agencies and the communities to ensure successful implementation, particularly with the scaling up of Kalahi-CIDSS into the NCDDP. He said, “You work best when there is synergy, collaboration, and complementation.” In terms of NCDDP’s target to utilize CDD in DRRM, Dir. Laureano said that the experience from the familiarization visit showed her that this was possible, but she cautioned the DSWD to avoid being “too ambitious.” She said, “NCDDP is a good way for disaster rehabilitation, but start small,” adding that large-scale infrastructure such as farm-to-market roads and hospitals should be best left to the other national government agencies responsible for these. Like Falcon, she encouraged DSWD to work in closer coordination with other government agencies. NCDDP is targeted for implementation by the second quarter of 2014. The program will be implemented by DSWD in partnership with different national government agencies. |
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| BSP grants regulatory relief to banks affected by tropical depression "Agaton" | ||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph | ||||||||||||
The Bangko
Sentral ng Pilipinas is granting regulatory and rediscounting relief
measures to banks with head offices and/or branches located in areas
devastated by Tropical Depression “Agaton” based on Situational
Report No. 29 of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council (NDRRMC) dated 28 January 2014 as follows
As approved on 30 January 2014 by the Monetary Board, the BSP’s policy-making body, the temporary relief measures include: For Thrift Banks (TBs)/Rural Banks (RBs)/Cooperative Banks (Coop Banks)
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| President Aquino III fetes outstanding licensed recruitment agencies | ||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph | ||||||||||||
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President
Benigno S. Aquino III will confer on Monday, 10 February, the
Presidential Award of Excellence to five licensed overseas
recruitment companies in a simple awarding ceremony to be held at
the Rizal Hall of Malacañan Place in Manila. Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz announced this yesterday, saying the Presidential Award of Excellence is the highest honor bestowed upon a licensed overseas recruitment agency in a three-tiered reward system for private recruitment agencies that exemplify the highest standards of ethical recruitment and deployment of Filipino workers for overseas employment. "I initiated this reward system when I was POEA Administrator pursuant to Proclamation No. 1519, series of 2008. Now, we are continuing with the awards," said Baldoz. The other awards given to outstanding recruitment agencies are the Top Performer Award and the Award of Excellence. To qualify for the Top Performer Award, an agency should be in operation for at least four years. The Award of Excellence is given to an agency that has been conferred the Top Performer Award three times. The Presidential Award of Excellence is bestowed an agency that has been a recipient of the Award of Excellence at least five times. POEA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac said the recipients of the Presidential Award for this year are Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Co. of Manila, Inc., EDI Staffbuilders International, Inc., and International Skill Development, Inc. from the land-based sector, and Anglo-Eastern Crew Management Phils., Inc. and United Philippine Lines, Inc. from the sea-based sector. Secretary Baldoz will present the Awards of Excellence and Top Performer Awards to 13 select licensed land-based and sea-based agencies for their outstanding performance in the overseas employment and manning industries. Cacdac said recruitment agencies are evaluated on a four-year cycle on the basis of the following criteria: volume and quality of deployment; agency management and recruitment capability; compliance with recruitment rules and regulations; industry leadership and pioneering achievements and contribution to developing overseas employment policies; and social awareness and responsibility. He said the recipients of Awards of Excellence are Abba Personnel Inc., CF Sharp Crew Management Inc., Baliwag Navigation Inc., KJGS Fleet Management Manila Inc., Magsaysay MOL Marine Inc., Marlow Navigation Phils Inc., OSM Maritime Services Inc., Pacific Ocean Manning Inc., and Sea Power Shipping Enterprises Inc. The Top Performer Awards will be presented to RRJM International Manpower Services Inc., Crossworld Marine Services Inc., Maersk-Filipinas Crewing Inc., and Scanmar Maritime Services Inc. "This year’s awards highlight ethical recruitment as central to achieving excellence, with the theme “Achieving Excellence through Ethical Recruitment in the Service of Overseas Filipino Workers”, Baldoz said. “It goes without saying that each and every award winner is an ethical recruiter,” she added. According to Cacdac, ethical recruitment adheres to conduct of recruitment business and activities within the prevailing legal framework and processes. "It means recruitment emphasizing the rights of persons as human beings and as workers, thereby shielding them from abuse, exploitation and discrimination. Ethical recruitment, likewise, fosters cooperation between and among stakeholders in overseas employment, which, in turn, promotes transparency, good faith, and accountability," he explained. Aside from trophies, the awardees will also enjoy a package of incentives that include extension of validity of licenses, exemption from authentication/ verification by the Philippine Embassy/ Philippine Overseas Labor Office, and other perks depending on their awards category. Baldoz said the challenge now for the awardees is to shine brighter as beacons of hope and ethical recruitment among their peers in the industry. "Indubitably, the honor bestowed upon deserving recruitment agencies transcends the glory of accolades and prestige, and should eventually raise the bar of recruitment standards for the better protection of overseas Filipino workers," she finally said. |
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| Region 12's PESO managers benchmark their PESOs in DOLE's year-end assessment and 2014 planning exercise | ||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph | ||||||||||||
| DOLE Regional Office No. 12 Director Ofelia Domingo yesterday reported to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz that for the first time, all 90 managers of the Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) in the region have joined the regional office's 2013 Year-End Performance Assessment (YEPA) and 2014 Corporate Planning held in Davao City last week. "In our bid to enhance the capabilities of the PESO managers, we asked the League of PESO Managers of Region 12 to join us in the year-end assessment and 2014 planning. They took the opportunity to benchmark their respective offices with two of Region 11's best-run PESOs, the Davao City PESO and the University of Mindanao (UM) PESO," reported Domingo. Davao City PESO Manager Lilibeth Pantinople presented to the PESO managers the city's PESO LMI system and other strategies that earned it several national PESO awards. Reynaldo Castro, UM PESO Manager and concurrent Assistant Vice President of the University traced his humble beginning as PESO Manager of the school’s branch in Tagum City to become the university's AVP. A national PESO awardee, Castro said his secret of becoming a best PESO Manager is hard work, dedication, commitment, and love of work. Domingo herself hosted a talk show for the PESO managers, with DOLE-RCC heads as resource persons. Their discussion ranged from the A-Z of PESO assistance to a local or overseas job applicant to labor and management relations, training, and livelihood, including social protection benefits. Director Zeus Ampuyas of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; Director Feliciano Orihuela, Jr. of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board; Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration Director Marilou Sumalinog; Jessie Dela Cruz, Board Secretary of the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board; Emerita Germo of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration; Christopher Gamboa of the Employees Compensation Commission; Jeanette Enolpe of the National Reintegrtation Center for OFWs, also oriented the PESO managers on the roles and mandates, as well as programs and services, of their respective agency. The DOLE regional year-end assessment and planning featured a photo exhibit and recognition of the best regional PESOs. The photo exhibit showcased the PESOs' performance as employment facilitation partners of the DOLE. South Cotabato PESO managers reaped the best exhibit and best presentation awards. According to Domingo, the event was also an occasion to recognize the leading regional PESOs and their managers. The awardees were led by Allan Freno of Tacurong City PESO for the Component City Category; and Maria Lourdes Hormigos of Polomolok PESO and Gay Claudio of Southern Baptist College PESOs, which were adjudged best under the 1st-3rd class municipality and NGO-based categories, respectively. General Santos City PESO Manager Nurhassan Juanday was recognized as Best Implementer of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES); Koronadal City PESO Manager Judith Marmonejo as Best Program Implementer of Job Fairs; Malapatan Municipal PESO Manager Anessa Maguan as Best Implementer of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP); and Polomolok PESO Manager Maria Lourdes Hormigos as Best Implementer of Labor Market Information (LMI) Program. Each received a plaque of recognition and cash gift of P5,000. Conferred with loyalty awards were Tboli PESO Manager Emilio Daway; Banga Municipal PESO Manager Serafinito Lloren; Maitum Municipal PESO Celamar Nabor; Pikit Municipal PESO Manager Edith Guiamad; Kidapawan City PESO Manager Herminia Infanta; Midsayap Municipal PESO Manager Rodrigo Balderosa; M'lang Municipal PESO Manager Aileen Malacad; Cotabato City PESO Manager Eduardo Villano; and Isulan PESO Manager Ricardo Dagcuta. The awardees have served twenty years or more as PESO Managers. "Dagcuta received another award for having served as president of the regional federation and PESO Philippines, Inc. for years, which lent honor and prestige to Region XII. A PESO Hall of Fame awardee, he had won as national Best PESO Manager in the 1st-3rd class municipality category for three consecutive years," said Domingo. The PESO Managers expressed their gratitude to Secretary Baldoz and DOLE Undersecretary Rebecca Chato for allowing them to join the regional office in the year-end assessment and planning. "As PESO managers, we have gained new insights from our counterpart PESOs in Davao, which we can replicate in our respective PESOs to better implement employment programs and services," said PESO Manager Ricardo Dagcuta. During the occasion, the PESO Managers submitted to Domingo their 2014 action plan and calendar of activities. They also unanimously adopted their constitution and by-laws in preparation for their registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission to attain legal personality. The presence of former DOLE Undersecretary Lourdes Trasmonte added significance to the DOLE Regional Office No. 12 year-end assessment and planning activity. | ||||||||||||
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| Deles asks Maguindanaons to ratify Bangsamoro law | ||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph | ||||||||||||
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Buluan,
Maguindanao – Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita
Quintos Deles on Monday updated officials and residents of this
province on the status of the peace process and rallied them to vote
yes during the plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro
Basic Law (BBL). “The peace panels are ready to sign the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) likely by early March,” she said, referring to the final peace deal between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Deles spoke before a jam-packed crowd at the municipal gymnasium here as the Guest Speaker in the opening of Maguindanao's celebration of the 3rd Sagayan Festival. The peace adviser thanked Maguindanao Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu for his support to the Bangsamoro peace process. Deles asked the people of Maguindanao and its political leadership, as well as those from the other provinces and areas included in the Bangsamoro core territory, to ratify the Bangsamoro Basic Law once it gets passed by Congress. The envisioned core territory covers the present geographical area of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; the Municipalities of Baloi, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan and Tangkal in the province of Lanao del Norte and all other barangays in the Municipalities of Kabacan, Carmen, Aleosan, Pigkawayan, Pikit, and Midsayap that voted for inclusion in the ARMM during the 2001 plebiscite; the cities of Cotabato and Isabela; and all other contiguous areas where there is a resolution of the local government unit or a petition of at least ten percent (10%) of the qualified voters in the area asking for their inclusion at least two months prior to the conduct of the ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Chants of “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest) reverberated inside the gymnasium in response to the call of Deles for support to the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the Mindanao peace process. Deles narrated that President Benigno S. Aquino III informed the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, the body mandated to draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that he wants it to be finished and submitted to him by March 31. She explained that the President intends to transmit the draft immediately to Congress marking it as the foremost priority bill of the Administration. “We’ve already come this far, so let us all support this peace process. The negotiations were difficult in adherence to the order of the President to learn from the lessons of the past and that everything must be within the ambit of the Constitution,” Deles said. “The important thing on the part of the government during the negotiations was that it was guided by the principle not to make promises it cannot deliver politically, economically and culturally,” she said. She informed the crowd that members of the BTC, chaired by Mohagher Iqbal, who is also the MILF chief peace negotiator, recently met the leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives separately to ask for their support to the bill. The joint leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives has agreed to make the proposed Bangsamoro law a top legislative agenda and targets its approval on or before December 31, Deles said. The GPH and MILF panels have recently completed and signed the last document that will complete the CAB. The comprehensive agreement will include the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and its four annexes on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities, Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing, Power Sharing and Normalization, together with the Addendum on Bangsamoro Waters. “The Annex on Power Sharing is the heart of the peace agreement. If there is no air, the heart is useless; it needs lungs, which is the Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing. They are vital elements for the Bangsamoro government to work,” Deles said. Deles told her audience that the eyes of the world are now focused on the Mindanao peace process, referring to the interest shown by the international community. She assured that investments are expected to pour in to the Bangsamoro region and the rest of Mindanao as a result of the CAB. |
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| DTI-Davao banners 2013 milestones for MSME development | ||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph | ||||||||||||
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The Department
of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao Region has bannered some
milestones on micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) development
it has achieved in 2013. In its annual report, the agency has identified major accomplishments that have helped bolster the status of local MSMEs. DTI-Davao Region Officer-in-Charge Ma. Belenda Q. Ambi said various initiatives implemented by DTI with its partners last year yielded good results that made the agency hit its annual targets. In the generation of domestic sales for the assisted MSMEs, DTI-Davao Region has reaped a total of P942.78M or 18% above its annual target of P800M. The products that generated much of the domestic transactions include fresh and processed fruits such as banana, durian, mango, pineapple, and coconut; processed fish (tuna and pangasius); processed meat and vegetables; juice and beverages; handcrafted products; beauty and health; jewelry; and wood products. Ambi revealed that the major initiatives that contributed to the increased domestic sales are the conduct of and participation in local and international trade fairs, and market facilitation. Among the new products that showed promising potential in the domestic and export markets are chili powder, chili sauce, and chili paste produced by MSMEs in the Super Typhoon Pablo-affected areas of Davao Oriental. “Though affected by Super Typhoon Pablo in 2012, these powdered chili makers have proven that we can really rise above the challenges,” Ambi said. In the International Food Expo (IFEX) conducted in Manila last May 16-19, Davao Region had 23 participating MSMEs, generating total sales of P15.4M. Meanwhile, in the Manila FAME, another trade fair which is being spearheaded by DTI’s Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the Davao Region MSMEs generated USD 30,000 in total sales.The Tindahang Pinoy, a ‘pasalubong center that showcases Davao Region’s authentic and sustainable products, on the other hand, reaped a total sales of P1.534M from the 26 store locators. To aid the local MSMEs further, DTI-Davao Region has also launched and established 34 shared service facilities (SSF) as of December last year. The said 34 projects have a total project cost of P9.253 million, assisting 930 MSMEs and generating 1,845 jobs. “The SSF, being an intervention that provides the needed equipment and facilities for MSMEs who are not yet capable to buy their own, is actually geared towards helping them improve their productivity so that they can increase their sales or income," Ambi said. However, she added that since it is a shared facility, it must always be noted that MSMEs who need the same kind of facility granted to one association or organization can actually use it as well. Ambi said this year, DTI-Davao Region will continue to implement programs, projects, and activities that will further improve the local MSMEs. “We will continue to look for innovative and tailor-fit interventions for them,” she said. |
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| PHL Consul General, Honolulu Mayor to lead 24th Trade Mission to Philippines | ||||||||||||
| Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph | ||||||||||||
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11 February
2014 – Philippine Consul General in Honolulu Julius D. Torres and
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell will travel to the Philippines to lead
the 24-man delegation of the 24th Trade Mission of the Filipino
Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH) from February 8 to 18. The delegates are comprised of individuals from Hawaii’s business, banking and government sectors and leaders from major Filipino communities in the Aloha State. “The Consulate General lauds the Chamber for its continued commitment to explore business and commercial potentials between Hawaii and the Philippines, to encourage trade, and toe secure better lives for our peoples, affording them opportunities for growth,” Consul General Torres said. This year’s trade mission will revolve around the theme “Reflect-Build-Empower: Nurturing with Nourishment is Growth” in recognition of the need to renew the sister and friendship relationships between Honolulu and major cities in the Philippines such as Manila, Baguio and Ilocos. The mission also aims to develop these relationships and to foster the positive exchange of ideas around these principles through the FCCH and its counterparts in Manila, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries and the Makati Business Club. This year’s delegation will pay courtesy calls on Philippine government officials, including Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Singson, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, and officials from the cities of Baguio, Candon, Laoag, Vigan and San Fernando, Pampanga. The delegation is also expected to visit the Consuelo Alger Foundation in Baguio and conduct an on-site visit to the Metro Manila Rail Transit (MRT). Business workshops and meetings are also scheduled to be held in Ilocos, Baguio and Makati City. Since 1954, the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii has been the voice of Filipino businesses in Hawaii. The organization has broadened opportunities for Filipino businesses in Hawaii. The organization has broadened opportunities for Filipino entrepreneurs and member businesses, strengthened business links between the Philippines and Hawaii, assisted in the professional growth of its members and supported the well-being of the community. |
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| PHL Embassy attends inauguration of a Road Network Project in Timor-Leste | ||||||||||||
| Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph | ||||||||||||
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11 February
2014 - As part of the Philippine Embassy’s economic diplomacy
program, Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste María Aileen H.
Bugarín and other Embassy officials attended last February 5 the
formal inauguration of the 14.4 kilometer Liquiça – Maubara road
section in Timor-Leste which was completed by R.D. Interior Junior
Construction (RDIJ), a Filipino construction company. This infrastructure project was funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under its Road Network Development Sector Project with the Timor-Leste Government. The special ceremony was led by Timor-Leste Deputy Prime Minister Fernando Lasama de Araújo together with Minister of Public Works Gastão Francisco de Sousa and ADB Resident Representative for Timor-Leste Shane Rosenthal. Other high-ranking Timorese officials also attended the event, namely, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Environment António da Conceição, and Secretary of State for the Promotion and Support of the Private Sector Veneranda Lemos. At the sidelines of the event, Ambassador Bugarin had the chance to personally congratulate Mr. Ricardo D. Interior Jr., RDIJ General Manager, for its exemplary workmanship and also for sustainably completing the job on time. Contemplating on the event, Ambassador Bugarin said, “I am pleased to note that the Philippines was able to support and complement the Timor-Leste Government’s major program of road rehabilitation, repair and improvement in order to enhance connectivity within the country and spur economic growth. May this infrastructure project provide an opportunity for deeper engagement in Timor-Leste’s development priorities of Philippine companies that can meet and comply with the procurement standards of international funding agencies such as the ADB.” Established in 1981, RDIJ is one of the Philippines’ leading integrated construction services company. The Liquiça – Maubara road project was awarded to the company through competitive bidding. |
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| DOTC: MRTH-ii must explain why it has not improved MRT-3 | ||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dotc.gov.ph | ||||||||||||
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Reacting to a
statement issued by Metro Rail Transit Holdings II, Inc. (MRTH-II)
last Friday, 7 February 2014, the Department of Transportation and
Communications (DOTC) is demanding that the company explain to the
public why it has not improved services at the MRT-3 system, despite
the badly-needed addition of Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) for many
years. “MRTH-II owes us all an explanation. If they admit to having the responsibility for adding LRVs to the MRT-3 line, why haven’t they done anything all these years? Instead, they have forced MRT riders to suffer for so long,” said DOTC Spokesperson Michael Arthur Sagcal. In the statement, MRTH-II claimed to own 100% of the Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC), which owns the facilities of MRT-3. As owner of MRTC, MRTH-II claimed that it has the right to add LRVs to the MRT-3, not the DOTC. It even said this can be done in a timely manner. While the MRTC Board of Directors has denied authorizing the filing of the suit to stop the addition of train coaches, MRTH-II filed the case in its capacity as shareholder or owner of MRTC. “With MRTH-II’s admission of its faults and shortcomings, it should be obvious to all of us that the DOTC must be allowed to go ahead with the project, rather than leave it in the hands of MRTH-II. Public interest is at stake,” Sagcal added. The DOTC awarded the MRT-3 Capacity Expansion Project to China’s Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company on 16 January 2014. Under the contract, Dalian is supposed to construct and deliver forty eight (48) new LRVs to the MRT-3 line over the next three (3) years. Before the court stopped the project, the DOTC managed to secure Dalian’s assurance that it would exercise all efforts to complete the delivery of all 48 LRVs with two (2) years, ahead of the 3-year period allowed in the contract. The Temporary Order of Protection issued by the Makati Regional Trial Court, however, prevents the DOTC and Dalian from starting work within this timeline. This prolongs further the suffering that MRTH-II is forcing upon the passengers. Once it is allowed to push through, the Project will result in significant improvements to the railway’s services. From its current operation of 3-car trains arriving every three (3) minutes, the Project will increase these to 4-car trains arriving every two-and-a-half (2.5) minutes. |
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| Ph's 15.8% exports growth in Dec 2013 highest in selected East, Southeast Asian economies | ||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph | ||||||||||||
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MANILA—The
country’s merchandise exports grew by 15.8 percent, indicating a
continued upward trend for the 7th consecutive month in December
2013 and making it the top export performer in selected economies in
East and Southeast Asia, according to the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA). The Philippines outshone Vietnam (12.6%), Indonesia (8.5%), Malaysia (7.6%), Korea (7.0%), Singapore (5.6%), China (4.3%) and Thailand (1.9%). It also outperformed other economies in the region which posted negative exports growth such as Taiwan (-1.9%), Hong Kong (-3.0%) and Japan (-6.2%). “The positive exports performance of the Philippines – and even those of the majority of trade-oriented economies in the East and Southeast Asia – was reflective of the recovery of major economies such as the United States of America (USA), European Union (EU), and Japan,” said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan. Balisacan added that exports continued their upward trend for the 7th consecutive month in December 2013. He attributed this to the robust outward sales of manufactured goods, most notably, electronics. Manufactured goods expanded by 20.8 percent year-on-year. Exports of electronic products significantly grew by 26.1 percent in December 2013 after contracting by 5.1 percent in the same period last year. The NEDA Director-General noted, however, that lower export receipts from agro-based, petroleum, mineral, and forest products slowed down export performance in December 2013. For this period, total export receipts from agro-based products contracted by 27.8 percent to US$274.4 million from 19.1 percent to US$379.8 million in the same period last year. The contraction was largely due to the decrease in export of coconut products. “The lower outward shipments of coconut products in December 2013, which account for about 40.0 percent of the total agro-based exports, was mainly due to the adverse effects of super typhoon Yolanda as 73 percent of total crop area in major coconut producing regions was damaged,” Balisacan explained. “The combined destructions in plantations and milling facilities tightened the coconut supply and this resulted in large declines in the volume shipments of coconut products such as desiccated coconut, copra meat/cake and coconut oil,” he added. Despite the setbacks in some commodity groups and other sectors, the country registered a positive growth of 3.6% in merchandise exports for the full year. Japan remains as the top destination of Philippine exports in December 2013, accounting for 23.0 percent of the country’s total overseas merchandise sales receipts, with a total value of US$1.06 billion. This was higher by 48.1 percent relative to the US$715.3 million worth of Philippine exports to the said country in December 2012. China was the second largest export market with a 16.2-percent share, majority of which are for EDP, semiconductors, and other manufactures. USA was the third top destination with 12.4-percent share in total exports, posting a year-on-year growth of 13.5 percent — the fifth consecutive double-digit growth since August 2013. Other major markets for Philippine exports during the period were Hong Kong (8.8%) and Singapore (7.7%). |
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| DAR’s help came first | ||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph | ||||||||||||
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BALANGIGA,
EASTERN SAMAR – Mayor Viscuso De Lira acknowledged the Department of
Agrarian Reform (DAR) as the first national government agency to
respond to his town’s restoration and rehabilitation needs after
super-typhoon “Yolanda” caused massive destruction in Samar and
Leyte on November 8 last year. De Lira made this statement when Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes visited this town two months after the typhoon and met agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and other farmer-leaders from the agrarian reform communities (ARC) here and adjacent Lawa-an town for a consultation dialogue to identify priority needs to be included in the restoration and rehabilitation plan for devastated ARCs. De los Reyes disclosed that there is an additional budget for the typhoon-ravaged areas. He wanted to verify the survey conducted earlier and hear from the affected ARBs themselves what their immediate needs are as well as see for himself the extent of damage that would justify the speedy release of funds and likewise make proper coordination with the concerned local government units (LGUs). Some needs however, will be sourced out from other government agencies and organizations, he added. Restoration and rehabilitation activities will come in when relief operations, which usually last for four months, are over. DAR is now looking forward to the next 18 months as recovery period for the affected farmers. Among the priority needs the farmers presented during the two-hour dialogue were: repair of their houses and post-harvest facilities, planting materials and other farm inputs, clearing of their lots, repair of irrigation system and livelihood opportunities. De los Reyes also visited the towns of Basey and Marabut in Samar and met groups of farmer-leaders and ARBs to discuss plans on restoration and rehabilitation. Meanwhile, Regional Director Eliasem Castillo explained that his office is prioritizing those hardest hit ARCs and also disclosed that DAR is currently negotiating with other international organizations to source out assistances for these areas. Castillo encouraged the farmers to rise above the challenges and be self-reliant so as not to be forever dependent on relief. |
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| MB places Rural Bank of Reina Mercedes (Isabela), Inc. under PDIC receivership, all valid insured deposit claims will be paid | ||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.pdic.gov.ph | ||||||||||||
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The Monetary
Board (MB) placed the Rural Bank of Reina Mercedes (Isabela), Inc.
under the receivership of the Philippine Deposit Insurance
Corporation (PDIC) by virtue of MB Resolution No. 204 dated February
7, 2014. As Receiver, PDIC took over the bank on February 10, 2014. Rural Bank of Reina Mercedes is a three-unit rural bank with Head Office located in Brgy. Tallungan, Reina Mercedes, Isabela. Its two branches are located in Cauayan and San Mateo, Isabela. Latest available records show that as of December 31, 2013, Rural Bank of Reina Mercedes had 1,271 accounts with total deposit liabilities of P68.87 million. A total of 1,262 deposit accounts or 99.29% of the accounts have balances of P500,000 or less and are fully covered by deposit insurance. Total insured deposits amounted to P66.98 million or 97.26% 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 February 13, 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 on 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 February 14, 2013. 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 Rural Bank of Reina Mercedes 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 will start sending payments by mail to their addresses based on bank records by the 3 rd week of February. For depositors that are required to file deposit insurance claims, the PDIC will start claims settlement operations for these accounts also by the 3 rd week of the month. 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 Rural Bank of Reina Mercedes with the PDIC, the bank is owned by Lina Judith C. Bautista (28.33%), David C. Bautista, Jr. (26.01%) and Pacita C. Bautista (16.58%). Its President is Romeo P. Garcia and its Chairman is Shelly G. Bautista. 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. |
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| VP Binay welcomes creation of blood money committee | ||||||||||||
| Source: http://ovp.gov.ph | ||||||||||||
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Vice President
Jejomar C. Binay welcomed Tuesday President Benigno S. Aquino’s
creation of a committee tasked to study and create guidelines on the
payment of blood money for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) on death
row in the Middle East. “Having clear-cut guidelines on the use of blood money would greatly speed up the process of saving OFWs from the death penalty in Arab countries where the Sharia law applies,” the Vice President said. “A speedier resolution would, in turn, greatly reduce the emotional stress and anguish of our OFWs and their families, especially those who are already in death row,” he added. Binay, the presidential adviser on OFW concerns, recommended the creation of the committee to Aquino. Blood money is the financial compensation paid to the heirs of a victim in exchange for the execution of an affidavit of forgiveness. Binay said as of January 14, there are 26 death penalty cases in the Middle East involving OFWs being monitored by the Department of Foreign Affair’s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers‘ Affairs. Other members appointed by the President to the committee include Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, and Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman. The committee is tasked to study all aspects of blood money cases, including who is eligible for blood money and studying each and every case requiring the payment of blood money in the future. The committee will also study other types of support the government can provide OFWs. The Vice President also reiterated his appeal to help in raising the blood money to save OFW Joselito Zapanta from execution in Saudi Arabia. Binay earlier said that Aquino had already given a “substantial” amount to augment Zapanta’s blood money but was still not enough to meet the amount being demanded by the victim’s family. The government is currently negotiating with the victim’s family to lower the amount. The payment of the blood money was originally due on November 12, 2012, but was extended to March 12, 2013. A second extension was granted, with the deadline moved to November 3, 2013. Donations for Zapanta may be made to the Riyadh Philippine Embassy’s sub-account in the Saudi Hollandi Bank: Account Number 037-040-790-022, International Bank Account Number (IBAN): SA 61-5000-0000-0370-4079-0022, Swift Code: AAALSARI |
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| Integrated Transport Terminal gets 10 prospective bidders | ||||||||||||
| Source: http://ppp.gov.ph | ||||||||||||
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Strong interest
from the private sector continues to heat up as ten (10) prospective
bidders showed up at the pre-bid conference for the country’s P2.5
Billion Integrated Transport System (ITS) – Southwest Terminal. The
ITS is part of a robust pipeline of projects under the
Public-Private Partnership program of government. Ayala Corporation, Ayala Land, D.M Wenceslao and Associates, Inc., Eigis Projects Philippines, Filinvest Land Inc., Megawide Construction Corporation, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, Robinsons Land Inc, San Miguel Corporation and Vicente T. Lao Construction took part in the conference for prospective bidders making this one of the more popular projects under the country’s PPP program. The proposed transport terminal is sitting on a 2.9-hectare site located southwest of Metro Manila, specifically at the Philippine Reclamation Area (PRA) near the Uniwide Coastal mall in Paranaque City. The southwest terminal will strategically serve passengers from the Laguna, Batangas, and Cavite area. As part of a transparent bidding process under the BOT law, the DOTC will be conducting one-on-one meetings with the prospective bidders staring February 11 until February 17. The DOTC will then issue to the prospective bidders the final bid documents on April 4, 2014. Bidders will be asked to submit their final bid for the ITS on May 15, 2014. The concept of a integrated transport terminal in Metro Manila takes its roots from Executive Order No. 67 issued out by President Aquino which mandates that an integrated transport system be constructed in the north and south of Metro Manila making sure that commuters experience a seamless and efficient travel by delivering reliable interconnections between different modes of transportation. The terminal will connect passengers from the provinces to other urban transport systems–railway, city bus, taxi, and public-utility vehicles (PUV) – serving inner Metro Manila. It will feature passenger terminal buildings, maintenance areas, arrival and departure bays, ticketing and baggage handling facilities, park-ride facilities, and, when necessary, transfer facilities such as shuttles to provide seamless transport connections. |
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Last
Updated:
11 FEBRUARY 2014
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| Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy | |
| Please click on thumbnails to magnify | |
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Commission on Higher Education chairperson Patricia Licuanan, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima share a light moment before the cabinet meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (February 11). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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Commission on Higher Education chairperson Patricia Licuanan, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Jesus Paje, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general Emmanuel Joel Villanueva and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima share a light moment before the cabinet meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (February 11). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the cabinet meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (February 11). Also in photo are Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III leads his official family in prayer before presiding over the cabinet meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (February 11). Also in photo are Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the POEA Outstanding Agency Awards in Malacanang Monday (February 10). With the President are DOLE Sec. Rosalinda D. Baldos, POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac and recipients of the award. The Presidential Award of Excellence recognizes the consistent excellent performance of private employment and manning agencies licensed by the Department of Labor and Employment through POEA. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Lauro Montillano/Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the 50th Anniversary of Elsie Gaches Village (EGV) at the EGV Multipurpose Hall in Alabang-Zapote Road, Alabang, Muntinlupa City on Friday (February 7). With the theme: “50 Years of Expertise in Serving God’s Special Children.” EGV is the first and largest government facility for people with developmental disorders, founded on February 03, 1964 with funding assistance from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Philanthropist couple Samuel Gaches and Elsie McCloskey donated their 16-hectare summer villa to the government to be used as asylum for the sick, aged and handicapped. (Photo by Lauro Montillano; Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III observes the men and women in uniform participating in the march-in-review during the Philippine Army (PA) Change of Command Ceremony at the PA Grandstand in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Friday (February 7). Major General Hernando Iriberri, the 56th PA Commanding General replacing former Army Chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes, is the commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division and a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Matikas” Class of 1983. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III, together with 56th Philippine Army (PA) Commanding General Major General Hernando Iriberri and former Army Chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes, observes the men and women in uniform participating in the march-in-review during the PA Change of Command Ceremony at the PA Grandstand in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Friday(February 07, 2014). Iriberri is the commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division and a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Matikas” Class of 1983. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III addresses the Philippine Army Change of Command Ceremony at the PA Grandstand in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Friday (February 7). Major General Hernando Iriberri, the 56th PA Commanding General replacing Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes, is the commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division and a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Matikas” Class of 1983. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III hands over the command symbol to 56th Philippine Army Commanding General Major General Hernando Iriberri from former Army Chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes, during the Change of Command Ceremony at the PA Grandstand in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Friday (February 7). Iriberri is the commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division (ID) and a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Matikas” Class of 1983. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III salutes the entry of colors during the Philippine Army (PA) Change of Command Ceremony at the PA Grandstand in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Friday (February 7). Major General Hernando Iriberri, the 56th PA Commanding General replacing outgoing Army Chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes, is the commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division and a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Matikas” Class of 1983. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by outgoing Army Chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes, inspects the troops during the Philippine Army Change of Command Ceremony at the PA Grandstand in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Friday (February 7). Major General Hernando Iriberri, the 56th PA Commanding General replacing Coballes, is the commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division (ID) and a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Matikas” Class of 1983. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll welcomes Former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar of the Kingdom of Spain during a courtesy call at the Music Room in Malacañang Palace on Thursday (February 6). Also in photo is DFA Secretary Albert Del Rosario.(Photo by Lauro Montellano Jr./Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll welcomes Former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar of the Kingdom of Spain,during a courtesy call at the Music Room in Malacañang Palace on Thursday (February 6). Photo by Lauro Montellano Jr./Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll welcomes Jasmine Whitbread, CEO of Save the Children International, during her courtesy call at the Music Room in Malacañang Palace on Thursday (February 6). (Photo by Lauro Montellano Jr./Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll welcomes Jasmine Whitbread, CEO of Save the Children International, during her courtesy call at the Music Room in Malacañang Palace on Thursday (February 6). Also in photo are DSWD Undersecretary Parisya Taradji and Pinky Abellada.(Photo by Benhur Arcayan/Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III renews his driver’s license, two days before he turns 54, at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Tayuman, Manila City on Thursday (February 06). Also in photo is Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. (Photo by Photo by Gil Nartea, Rey Baniquet, Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III renews his driver’s license, two days before he turns 54, at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Tayuman, Manila City on Thursday (February 06). (Photo by Gil Nartea, Rey Baniquet, Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III offers prayers before the remains of Gerardo “Mang Gerry” Velasquez, father of singer-actress Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, at the Manila Memorial Park in Plaridel, Bulacan on Wednesday (February 05). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) Foundation, Inc. and the Provincial Government of Leyte for the construction of 500 houses and five units of Barrio Schools for Typhoon “Yolanda” victims at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (February 05). The relocation site will be named as “Filipino-Chinese Friendship Village." Also in photo are Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, FFCCCII Foundation, Inc. president Dr. Alfonso Siy, Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla and Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla. (Photo by Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
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