Dispatch for February 20 , 2014 ( Thursday) , 7 PIA Calabarzon PRs , 4 Weather Watch , 3 Reg’l. Watch , 1 PNOY Speech , 12 Online News , 27 Photonews (Feb.19)

1.  Weather Watch 24-Hour Public Weather Forecast Issued at 5:00 a.m., 20 February 2014 Valid beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure  Analysis for 8 a.m., 20 February 2014 Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind  Analysis for 8 a.m., 20 February 2014 Satellite Image     Synopsis: Tail-end of a cold front affecting Northern and Central Luzon. Forecast:   Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will experience cloudy skies with light rains and isolated thunderstorms. Visayas will have  partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains. Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds from the northeast  will prevail over the eastern sections of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast with slight to  moderate seas. 2.  Weather Watch GALE WARNING NO. 02 For: Strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of Northeast Monsoon. Issued at 5:00 a.m. today, 20 February 2014 Strong to gale force winds is expected to affect the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon.  SEABOARD WEATHER WIND FORCE (KPH)/(KNOTS) SEA CONDITION WAVE HEIGHTS (meters) THE NORTHERN AND WESTERN SEABOARDS OF NORTHERN LUZON (Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union) Cloudy skies with scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms (52- 63 /28 - 34) Rough to very rough 3.4 to 4.5 THE SEABOARDS OF CENTRAL LUZON (Aurora, Zambales and Bataan) Cloudy skies with scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms  (52 - 63 /28 - 34) Rough to very rough 3.4 to 4.5 THE SEABOARDS OF SOUTHERN LUZON (Camarines Provinces, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Quezon incl. Polilio Is., Marinduque, Romblon, Masbate, Burias Isl., Cavite, Mindoro, Batangas, Palawan and Metro Manila) Cloudy skies with scattered 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 4 hours ago 24-Hour Public Weather Forecast Issued at: 5:00 AM 20 February 2014 Synopsis: Tail-end of a cold front affecting northern and central Luzon. Forecast: Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will experience cloudy skies with light rains and isolated thunderstorms. Visayas will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains. Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over the eastern sections of southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast with slight to moderate seas. Over Metro Manila: Maximum Temperature: 12:00 PM Yesterday --- 28.8 ºc Minimum Temperature: 6:30 AM Yesterday --- 19.2 ºc Maximum Relative Humidity: 6:00 AM Yesterday --- 93 % Minimum Relative Humidity: 4:00 PM Yesterday --- 62 % Low Tide Today: 7:08 AM …..……….. 0.18 Meter High Tide Today: 1:32 PM …..……….. 0.66 Meter Low Tide Today: 7:53 PM …..……….. 0.18 Meter High Tide Tomorrow: 1:55 AM …..……….. 0.53 Meter Sunrise Today: 6:18 AM Sunset Today: 6:02 PM Moonset Today: 9:31 AM Moonrise Today: 10:23 PM Illumination Today 77 % For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph. 4. Weather Watch 19 hours ago DZMM: Malamig ang Pangulong Aquino sa proposal na bigyan ng P40,000 na financial assistance ang bawat isang Yolanda survivor. Sinabi ng Pangulo na hindi pangmatagalang solusyon ang pagbibigay nito. Dagdag pa ng Pangulo, hindi dapat basta-basta nagtatayo ng bahay ang mga ito sa kanilang lugar. Itinanggi rin ng Pangulo na pinababayaan ng kanyang administrasyon ang mga biktima ng nasabing bagyo. Samantala, babalikan umano niya sa susunod na linggo ang mga lugar na sinalanta ng sunud-sunod na kalamidad sa bansa.

1. PIA Regional Watch 20 hours ago PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Ayon kay PNP PRO 4A Gen.Jesus Gatchalian,magdadagdag sila ng tao sa lalawigan ng Batangas upang masiguro ang peace and order ng lalawigan at maiwasan ang nangyari sa bayan ng Lemery kung saan 7 Jam bus ang sinunog ng mga hinihinalang makakaliwang grupo. 2. PIA Regional Watch 20 hours ago PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Philippine Coconut Authority {PCA}-Quezon 1 is continuously conducting massive campaign against coconut scale insects infestation in the province and other parts of the region through implementation of different programs such as spraying, leaf pruning and releasing of biological control agents particularly in outbreak zones. PCA-Quezon 1 said that Quezon province ranked no.3 in CALABARZON affected by coconut scale infestation. 3. PIA Regional Watch Yesterday PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Nagtapos ang may 57 graduates sa isinagawang military pilot graduation 2014 sa isang simpleng seremonya ngayong araw sa Fernando Air Base Air Education Training Command(PAF AETC)kung saan layon nitong kilalanin ang sigasig na ipinakita upang matapos ang kanilang military pilot training.

February 20 , 2014  (  Thursday )     as of 6:00-7:00 AM CAVITE            :  Sunny  LAGUNA          :  Sunny  BATANGAS    :   Fair Weather  RIZAL                :  Sunny  QUEZON           :  Fair Weather

QUEZON

CAVITE

LAGUNA

BATANGAS 1. Tagalog news: Mga kapitan ng barangay,sumailalim sa barangay-based program and initiative orientation Thursday 20th of February 2014   LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Pebrero 20 (PIA) --Isang malawakang pagtitipon ng mga barangay chairman ang idinaos ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Batangas noong ika-12 ng Pebrero . Layun ng malawakang pagpupulong o general orientation  on barangay-based programs and initiatives na ipaabot ang kaalaman at impormasyon sa hanay ng barangay ang mga programa, serbisyo at inisyatibong isinasagawa ng Kapitolyo sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Governor Vilma Santos Recto. Sa nasabing okasyon isa-isang ipina-abot ng mga departamentong may kinalaman sa pagpapaganap ng mga programa sa hanay ng social welfare, nutrition, education at peace and order. Ilan sa mga ito ay patungkol sa pagtatalaga ng mga opisyal de barangay tulad ng barangay health workers, barangay nutrition scholars,  day care workers, at VSR volunteers . Dahil sa katatapos pa lamang ng eleksyon sa barangay level,  ilan sa mga nagiging usapin ay ang pagtatalaga ng mga nasabing mga tagapaganap sa kanilang kumunidad. Isa isang sinagot at binigyang linaw dito ang mga isyu sa pamagitan ng pagbibigay ng presentasyon, kaalaman at orientasyon mula sa mga opisyal na mula sa Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Provincial Assistance for Community Development, Provincial Health Office at Provincial Cooperative and Development Office. Isa binigyang pansin ang pagsasagawa at organisasyon ng pagpapatupad ng mga batas na sasakop sa proteksyon ng mga bata at pagtatayo ng konseho para dito, pagkakaroon ng Violence Against Women and Children’s Desk at pagtataguyod ng Child Friendly Barangay. Sa kanyang mensahe ipinaabot ni Governor Vi sa mga Barangay Captains ang kanyang pagsuporta at sinabi sa mga ito na patuloy at laging bukas ang kanyang administrasyon sa pagtulong sa pagbibigay ng mga proyekto sa ikauunlad ng kanilang nasasakupan. Subalit binigyang diin nito na ang kanilang mga resolusyon o proyektong hinihingan ng ayuda ay  mabibigyan katuparan lamang kung ang mga ito ay na babase sa batas o panuntunan ng Commision on Audit. Ang ganitong bagong panuntunan ayon pa sa gobernador ay sa kadahilanan ng pagsulpot ng mga isyu sa lebel ng Nasyunal na pamahalaan ukol sa mga pagamit ng pondo ng gobyerno sa mga ghost projects na kariniwang isinasaagwa sa mga Local Government Units. (Edwin V. Zabarte PIO Batangas/PIA Batangas) - See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=681392715478#sthash.ppepUbC2.dpuf 2. Tagalog news: Salamat Po Award, muling iginawad sa pamahalaang lungsod ng Batangas Thursday 20th of February 2014   LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Batangas, Pebrero 20 (PIA) --Muling ginawaran ng Department of Social Welfare and Development  (DSWD) Region IV-A ang pamahalang lungsod ng Batangas ng Salamat Po Award sa okasyon ng ika-63 taong anibersaryo ng pagkakatatag nito noong Pebrero 12. Sa 20 Salamat Po awardees sa buong rehiyon, ang lokal na pamahalaan ng Batangas City lamang ang tanging local government unit na ginawaran. Ang pamahalaang lungsod ng Batangas ay binigyan ng pagkilala sa aktibong partisipasyon at pagtugon sa pagpapatupad ng mga programa at serbisyo ng DSWD kabilang ang pagkalinga sa mga babaeng nasa krisis sa Regional Haven for Women, supplementary feeding sa mga malnourished na bata upang maging malusog, at pilot implementation ng comprehensive program para sa cultural minority na Sama-Bajaus na naninirahan sa lungosd. Sa pagtanggap sa karangalan bilang kinatawan ng lungsod, binanggit ni social welfare and development officer Mila Espanola na kabilang sa mga kababaihang natutulungan nila ang mga may sakit sa pag-iisip, biktima ng pang-aabuso, at iba pang nakakaabang sitwasyon. Ayon pa kay Espanola, may 6,000 day care children naman ang nakinabang sa supplementary feeding na isinagawa sa loob ng 120 araw, mula Hulyo-Disyembre 2013. Bunga nito, nabawasan ang bilang ng mga malnourished children kasama na ang sobra sa timbang mula sa 2,000, ito ay 400 na lamang. Sa nasabing gawad, binigyang pansin ang maigting na pagtutok ng pamahalang lungsod upang maiangat ang antas ng pamumuhay ng mga pamilyang higit na nangangailangan sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaloob ng mga livelihood skills training, tulong puhunan, EBD Healthcard, scholarship program, libreng tertiary education sa pamamagitan ng Colegio ng Lungsod ng Batangas at iba pa. Malaking puntos din ang pagkalinga sa mga indigeneous people partikular ang may 300 pamilyang Badjao. Sila ay natutulungan sa feeding program, livelihood program at cash for work sa paglilinis ng mga kanal, paglilinis ng Calumpang River at iba pang gawaing pang-komunidad.  Tinuturuan din sila ng City Health Office ng sanitasyon hindi lamang sa kanilang mga sarili, kundi sa kanilang mga tahanan at komunidad. “Higit naman naming bibigyan ng pansin ngayong taon ang mga katatandaan, mga may kapansanan, seasonal solo parent, mga anak ng benepisaryo ng 4P’s at mga pamilyang may miyembrong nakakulong,” pagtatapos ni Espanola. (Ronna Endaya Contreras-PIO Batangas City/PIA Batangas) - See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=681392714817#sthash.D5TpWoFx.dpuf 3. Tagalog news: 144 bags ng dugo nalikom sa bloodletting activity ng BPPO Wednesday 19th of February 2014 LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Pebrero 19 (PIA) --May 144 bags ng dugo ang nalikom sa isinagawang bloodletting activity ng Batangas Police Provincial Office (BPPO) sa pangunguna ng Police Community Relations Branch (PCRB) noong Pebrero 14. Ang aktibidad na may temang "Dugong Alay Ko sa Araw ng mga Puso" ay nilahukan ng humigit kumulang 1,000 civilian at PNP personnel mula sa iba’t-ibang bayan at lungsod sa lalawigan. Sinabi ni PSupt.Nilo Maitim, hepe ng PCRB, na ang gawain ay layong matulungan ang Batangas Medical Center at Red Cross Batangas na maka-ipon ng dugo para sa lahat ng mga nangangailangan. "Isang maliit na paraan ito upang ipakita ng mga kapulisan ang kanilang pagtulong lalo na sa mga maysakit," wika ng hepe ng PCRB. Idinagdag pa ng opisyal na marami pang mga bloodletting activities ang isasagawa at lalahukan ng mga kapulisan tulad ng 3rd Blood Olympics na nakatakda sa lungsod ng Tanauan sa darating na Pebrero 21. (MPDC/PIA Batangas) - See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=681392714282#sthash.6SgSt7Da.dpuf 4. Tagalog news: Mga mag-aaral mula sa lungsod ng Batangas, wagi sa 11th National Science Quest Wednesday 19th of February 2014   LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Pebrero 19 (PIA) --Muling humakot ng karangalan ang mga highschool students na kumatawan sa Batangas City  sa 11th National Science Quest na ginanap sa Teachers Camp, Baguio City noong February 10-12. Champion sa On the Spot Painting Contest  si Gwen Ysanth Ramirez ng Westmead International School; Jelmer John Ochoa ng Saint Bridget College sa Esay Writing at Hannah Mae Medes ng Batangas National Highschool sa Sci-Impromptu Speaking sa Filipino. Nakakuha ng 2nd place ang grupo ng mga mag-aaral mula sa NAVERA National Highschool sa Jingle making at sa Essay Writing sa Filipino si Patricia Atienza ng Divine Child Academy. Nanalo  ng ikatlong pwesto sa Sci-Impromptu Speaking sa Filipino si Flowerly Bobadilla ng Tabangao National HS; 5th place sa On the spot painting – Teachers category si Nadia Divina Alviar ng King’s Kids Academy at 8th place naman sa Science Quiz si John Michael Panganiban ng Pedro S. Tolentino Memorial NHS.      Tinanghal na Bb Kalikasan si Rochelle Gaspar ng Batangas National HS. Ang nasabing search ang  highlight ng National Science Quest. Si Gaspar din ang napiling Best in Uniform, Best in Casual ear, best in sports wear at Best in Indigeneous attire.   Siya ay nagkamit ng sash, certificate at trophy. Ang naturang mga awardees ay binigyan ng gawad ng pagkilala ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Batangas  noong ika-17 ng Pebrero. (Ronna Endaya Contreras/PIA)-Batangas) - See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=681392714675#sthash.j11XS4nv.dpuf 5. Tagalog news: Oplan Checkmate, muling inilunsad ng Batangas PPO; 732 motorsiklo, kumpiskado Wednesday 19th of February 2014 LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Pebrero 19 (PIA) --Muling inilunsad ng Batangas Police Provincial Office (BPPO) ang Oplan Checkmate sa buong lalawigan ng Batangas kamakailan na nagbunga ng pagkakakumpiska ng 732 motorsiklo. Sinabi ni BPPO provincial information officer PSI Dwight Fonte, na ang mga motorsiklo ay kinumpiska dahil sa paglabag ng mga may ari nito sa Traffic Code of the Philippines at mga kuwestiyonableng mga dokumento. Ang mga kumpiskadong motorsiklo ay inilagay muna sa pangangalaga ng kapulisan upang alamin kung nagamit sa anumang krimen. Kapag napatunayang maayos ang mga motorsiklo at nakapagbigay ng kaukuluang dokumento ang mga may-ari ay saka lamang ibabalik mga ito. Ayon pa kay Fonte, nakapagtala ng zero crime incident sa buong lalawigan matapos ang 24 oras na implementasyon ng Oplan Checkmate. Nahuli rin ang tatlong indibidwal sa paglabag sa The New Comprehensive Firearms Law of the Philippines. Sa kabuuan may 10,865 motorsiklo na ang nasuri ng iba’t-ibang istasyon ng pulis sa lalawigan ng Batangas kung saan 1,371 ang nakitang may paglabag ngunit 732 lamang ang impoundable. Katuwang ng BPPO ang Land Transportation Office Region 4A at Batangas Highway Patrol Team sa pagpapatupad ng nasabing operasyon. (MPDC/PIA Batangas - See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=681392713688#sthash.tNS5eSWd.dpuf 6. Pelikultura 2014 showcases Calabarzon shorts, award-winning indie films Wednesday 19th of February 2014   LOS BANOS, Laguna, Feb. 19 (PIA) --Along with Calabarzon-produced short films in competition, Pelikultura: The Calabarzon Film Festival 2014 will showcase award-winning full-length indie films during the three-day film festival on Feb. 26-28 at the NCAS Auditorium in UP Los Baños. The festival opens with Arnel Mardoquio’s Riddles of My Homecoming, Special Jury Prize winner at the Cinema One Originals Festival in Nov. 2013. Riddles also won four other major awards, including Best Production Design, Best Music, Best Cinematography, and Best Director. The film stars UPLB’s instructor and Pelikultura festival director, Ms. Madz Garcia. Pelikultura 2014 is also proud to bring Lav Diaz’s Norte: Hangganan ng Kasaysayan as the closing film on Feb. 28 at 1pm. It premiered as an official selection in "Un Certain Regard" at the Cannes Film Festival 2013 and won the top prize at the Nuremberg International Human Rights Film Festival in Oct. 2013. The heart of the festival is the showcase of short films from Calabarzon and other regions. From among the 30 film submissions from Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, 10 film entries were shortlisted for the narrative category, and five others were selected for the documentary category. The 10 shortlisted entries for the narrative category are the following:  Jonathan by Rolson Chester Ilao (Laguna),  Sa Huli  by Jerome Lingan Dulin (Laguna),  Ngiti sa Piso by Domcar Calinawan Lagto (Batangas), Pag ang Palay Naging Bigas  by Lexian Losley Avestruz (Quezon), Isang Karaniwang Kwento ng Pag-Ibig  by Steve Cardona (Batangas), Puppy Love by Hector Lincallo, Jr. (Batangas),  Hula  by PROMDi FiLMS (Batangas), Tiya Bening by Ralph Aldrin Quijano (Batangas), Pag-ibig ni Angelo Guidoti  by Ralph Aldrin Quijano (Batangas), and Kuwento ni Buhol by Ronan Vergara (Laguna). The following are five shortlisted entries for documentary category: Ang Aking Inspirasyon by Al Geraldleo Laurio (Laguna), Ang Planta by MSEUF BS Mass Comm 3rd Yr. (Quezon), Batang Padyak by Anjeanette Japor & Natalie Mondejar (Quezon), Gulong by Angelie Mae Macalanda (Rizal), Ang Tanda Kung Saan Napunta ang Mga Ngiti by Neville Carbon (Cavite). The finalists vie for the following major awards: Best Narrative Film, Best Documentary Film, and Best Director in both categories. Other special awards for the narrative category include: Best Story, Best Performance by an Actor and Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Production Design, Best Sound, Best Original Music, and Most Gender-Sensitive Film Award. For both narrative and documentary category, special awards will be given such as Audience Choice Award and Special Jury Prize. Short films in exhibition are also part of the festival, which include those programmed in Cinema Rehiyon, an annual festival of regional films sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Moreover, seminar-workshops will also be part of Pelikultura 2014. Known personalities in the regional indie filmmaking industry will serve as resource speakers namely, Teddy Co, co-founder of Cinema Rehiyon and film programmer who will give a lecture on Film History and Appreciation on Feb. 26, Director Arnel Mardoquio, who will be the resource person on Story Development and Directing, and Director Ditsi Carolino, an award-winning documentary director and producer who will give a workshop on Documentary Filmmaking Feb. 27. Lastly, on Feb. 28, Dexter Dela Peña, who worked in several independent films as cinematographer, will give a workshop on Cinematography. Admission to all screenings is free, except for the opening and closing films. Tickets for Riddles and Norte cost Php50 each. This year’s selection jury who shortlisted the films in competition is composed of John Matthew Baguinon, an award-winning Laguna-based filmmaker, Carmela 'Kame' Lagang, a full-time media practitioner of Southern Tagalog Exposure (ST eXPOSURE), and Prof. Rudyard Contreras Pesimo from UPLB, a multi-awarded animation artist and a professor of computer animation and visual effects. Now on its fourth year, Pelikultura: The Calabarzon Film Festival continues to provide a venue for Region IV-A’s budding and experienced independent filmmakers to showcase their digital films that tell stories from home. It is hoped that with these goals of the festival, filmmakers from the region will be encouraged to continue their filmmaking endeavors and to collaborate with other filmmakers to further enrich ‘Calabarzon cinema’. This event is presented by NCCA, UPLB Foundation Inc., and UPLB pelikuLAB in partnership with University of the Philippines Los Baños, Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts, Southern Tagalog Arts Festival, UPLB Gender Center, ST eXPOSURE, Canon, Rough Road Productions, WhenInManila.com, UPLB-Anak, UP Caballeros, and UP Film Circle. For more information and ticket reservation, please contact pelikuLAB Secretariat at 09984344055 & 09053710186 or email at pelikulab@gmail.com and visit our Facebook: facebook.com/pelikultura.calabarzonfilmfestival (UPLB pelikuLAB/PIA4A) - See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=631392795732#sthash.zeqgeyaX.dpuf 7. Walk for a cause, alay sa mga benepisaryo ng Cancer Warriors Foundation  Wednesday 19th of February 2014   LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Pebrero 19 (PIA) --Isang walk for a cause na alay para sa mga benepisaryo ng Cancer Warriors Foundation (CWF) ang isasagawa ng Tanggapan ng Tagatalang Sibil sa Pebrero 28, simula ika-6 ng umaga sa Batangas City track oval. Sinabi ni city civil registrar Josie Maranan, na ito ang unang pagkakataon na magsagawa sila ng walk for a cause at inaasahang lalahok ang lahat ng empleyado ng kanilang tanggapan kasama ang mga kawani ng  Provincial Statistics Office. Ang programa ay bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng Civil Registration Month ngayong Pebrero na may temang "Ikaw at Ako, Patungo sa Wastong Pagrerehistro. Ala una ng hapon ng nabanggit na petsa, isasagawa naman sa ikalawang pagkakataon ang Timpalak Talumpatian sa Teachers conference center. Ito ay lalahukan ng mga highschool students mula sa pampubliko at pribadong paaralan. May nakalaang cash prizes at medalya sa mga mag-aaral na magwawagi at trophy naman para sa paaralang kanilang kinakatawan. Tulad ng nakagawian, magkakaloob ng libreng sertipiko ang Civil Registrar’s Office sa lahat ng kliyente nito sa Pebrero 28. Samantala, patuloy pa din ang nabanggit na tanggapan sa  pagsasagawa  ng mobile registration sa mga barangay sa ilalim ng  4K Movement (Kaibigan, Kabalikat, Kaalam at Katuwang). (Ronna Endaya Contreras-PIO Batangas City/PIA Batangas) - See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=681392712695#sthash.7Ev1zorF.dpuf 8. Tagalog news: Midwife ng BCHO, napiling best treatment partner Thursday 20th of February 2014   LUNGSOD NG BBATANGAS, Pebrero 20 (PIA) --Isang midwife sa Batangas City Health Office ang napili ng Center for Health and Development (CHD) Region 4A bilang  “Best Treatment Partner” sa pagpapatupad ng  National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTCP). Sa seremonya na idinaos kamakailan sa One Esplanade sa SM Central Business Park, tinanggap ni Vilma Arevalo, 23, ang tropeo ng pagkilala na kauna-unahang natanggap ng isang nagmula sa Batangas City sa regional level. Si Arevalo na nakatalaga sa barangay Wawa Health Center ay isa sa mga tumutulong sa paggamot ng mga pasyenteng may TB. Sinabi ni Arevalo na sipag at pagmamalasakit sa kanyang mga pasyente ang mga katangiang taglay niya kung kayat siya ang napili ng CHD Region 4A para sa karangalan. “Mas pag iigihin ko pa ang aking pagseserbisyo publiko upang mas maraming kababayang may sakit na TB ang matulungan ko,” sabi ni Arevalo. "Balewala  ang mga gamot mula sa gobyerno kung hindi maibibigay ng maayos sa mga pasyenteng may TB." Upang makaiwas sa sakit na ito, ipinapayo ni Arevalo na kumain ng mga masusustansyang pagkain, iwasan ang stress, at panatilihing malinis ang katawan at ang kapaligiran. “Kapag ang isang pasyente ay may TB, kinakailangan niyang sumailalim sa anim na buwang gamutan. “Tutok Gamutan” ang tawag  sa unang dalawang buwan kung saan kinakailangang pumunta araw-araw sa health center ang pasyente upang uminom ng gamot,” paliwanag ni Arevalo. Matapos ang dalawang buwan, bawa't linggo naman ang pagpapainom ng gamot sa susunod na apat na buwan. Maliban dito, bawat dalawang buwan ay susuriin ang pasyente upang malaman kung positibo o negatibo na ito sa TB.  Maaring ganap na gumaling  ang isang pasyente kung masusunod lamang ang anim na buwan na pagpapagamot. Ayon sa city health office, may naitalang 24 na pasyente ng TB noong 2012 at 26 naman noong 2013. (Ronna Endaya Contreras-PIO Batangas City/PIA Batangas) - See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=681392714494#sthash.JtoCuaMm.dpuf

RIZAL

President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the Presentation of Estero De San Miguel Micro Medium-rise Building (MMRB) Model Unit Claro M. High School Auditorium, Legarda St. Sampaloc, Manila 19 Feb 2014 Magandang umaga po. Maupo ho tayong lahat. Secretary Mar Roxas; Secretary Dinky Soliman; MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino; siyempre si Ka Mena Cinco; Ginang Alice Murphy; Commissioner Rick Domingo; Architect Albert Sambrano; mga kinatawan ng iba’t ibang samahan mula sa Estero de Quiapo, Estero de San Sebastian, Isla Puting Bato, Baseco, Delpan, at Parola; mga kawani at opisyal ng lokal na pamahalaan; fellow workers in government; honored guests; mga minamahal ko pong kababayan: Muli, magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. Nang tinanggap natin ang panawagang tumakbo bilang Pangulo, isa sa mga unang hakbang natin ang pagbuo ng plataporma ng pagbabago. Hindi po ito hinugot mula sa hangin; kinonsulta natin ang iba’t ibang sektor upang tukuyin ang totoong mga problema at maglatag ng wastong solusyon. Kinausap po natin iba’t ibang mga tao tulad ni Ginang Alice Murphy at iba pang mga pinunong malalim ang kaalaman ukol sa pangangailangan ng maralitang tagalungsod. Sa ugnayan nga pong ito, naging malinaw ang ating stratehiya sa pagtulong sa mas nangangailangan: Mula sa dating kalakaran na ipinagtatabuyan ang mga kapus-palad nating mamamayan bilang solusyon sa siksikan at pagkasira ng mga lungsod, inilalatag natin ang mga makabuluhang programa na nagbibigay-lakas at pagkakataon sa mga nasa laylayan ng lipunan. At heto po tayo ngayon, nagtitipon upang saksihan ang positibong bunga ng ating pag-aambagan. Pinatunayan natin sa tapat na ugnayan at pagtahak sa iisang direksyon, mahuhubog ang lipunan kung saan kinikilala ang karapatan ng mamamayan para sa isang makatao at marangal na komunidad. Kanina lang po, sinuri natin ang model unit ng ating proyektong pabahay dito sa Estero de San Miguel. Alam ninyo, bago rin sa akin ang pangalang “micro Medium-Rise Building,” pero gaano man kakomplikado ang pangalan, simple lang po ang ibig sabihin nito: disenteng tahanan para sa inyo na bubuo sa masiglang pamayanan. Tinatapos na nga po natin ang siklo ng pambabalewala sa inyong kapakanan. One hundred sixty-seven informal settler families mula po dito sa Estero de San Miguel ang target nating mapagkalooban ng maayos na tahanan. Makakaasa kayong mapa-on-site man o off-site ang relocation, pangungunahan ng gobyerno ang paglalatag ng sapat na oportunidad para sa inyong pamilya. Bukod sa abot-kaya at malayo sa peligro ang ating pabahay, sinisiguro nating matutugunan ang inyong pangunahing pangangailangan. Ang maganda nga: malapit po ito sa sakayan, at tinatayang mas makakamura kayo sa tubig at kuryente dahil magkakaroon kayo ng sariling linya nito. Solusyon po itong makabago, ngunit nakatuntong pa rin sa taimtim na pagkilala sa inyong mga karapatan at pangangailangan. Naabot natin ang tagumpay na ito sa pagtutulungan, pag-uusap, at pagtitiwala sa isa’t isa—mula sa maayos na ugnayan ng pambansa at lokal na pamahalaan, hanggang sa masigasig na paglilingkod ng ating NGOs; mula sa pagbubukas-palad ng pribadong sektor, hanggang sa pakikilahok ninyong mga residente. Special mention po ang Nagkakaisang Mamamayan ng Legarda, sa pamumuno ni Ka Mena Cinco. [Applause] Nakakamit na ang pagbabago sa kongkretong pagkilos ninyo, ang aking mga Boss. Nagpapasalamat din po tayo sa mga pinunong nasa likod ng pag-arangkada ng proyektong ito, kabilang na ang maraming kasapi ng ating Gabinete: sina Secretary Dinky, Secretary Mar Roxas, Secretary Babes Singson ng DPWH, Secretary Ona ng DOH, Secretary Paje ng DENR, at siyempre si Chairman Francis Tolentino ng MMDA, at ang parating nafo-follow up ko at nasesermonan paminsan-minsan, ang butihing Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa, ‘pag fino-follow up natin ang mga proyektong tulad nito. Siyempre, hindi rin po natin makakaligtaang pasalamatan ang lahat ng bumubuo sa Urban Poor Associates. [Applause] Saludo tayo sa ibinubuhos ninyong sipag at dedikasyon upang arugain at bigyang tinig ang mga nasa laylayan ng lipunan. Siguro po, marami pa sa inyo ang nakakaalala: Dati, itinuturing na tagumpay ang pagpapalayas ng mga informal settlers. Ngayon, ang tutok natin: mas ligtas na tahanan para sa mga residente, malinis at malawak na daluyan ng tubig, at pangmatagalang solusyon sa malawakang pagbaha sa Kamaynilaan. Kung dati, itinataboy kayo nang walang pakundangan, ngayon, may pamahalaan na kayong masasandalan upang iangat ang inyong pamumuhay. Kung dati, binabaha kayo ng takot at pangamba tuwing may bagyo, ngayon, mapapanatag ang loob ninyo sa tahanang hindi basta matitinag ng kalamidad. Kung dati, laganap sa inyo ang mga sakit dulot ng mga insektong namumugad sa maduming estero, ngayon, abot-kamay na ang malusog na komunidad na bukal ng mga pagkakataon. Sampung bilyong piso ang inisyal nating inilaan upang mailikas ang mga nakatira sa peligrosong lugar. Sa ilalim ng programang Oplan Likas ng DILG, halos 3,400 na pamilya na ang matagumpay na nailikas tungo sa mga ligtas na pamayanan. Target po nating mailipat ngayong Agosto ang kabuuang 11,000 na pamilyang nakatira sa layong tatlong metro mula sa mga daluyan ng tubig. At sa espasyo pong mababakante, doon natin itatayo ang bagong imprastraktura na inaasahan nating iibsan ang problema sa baha na ilang henerasyon na nating minamana. Makakaasa po kayo: Sa bawat detalye ng ating programa, prayoridad natin ang makakabuti sa mas nakakarami. Nananawagan po ako: Samantalahin na po sana natin ang pagkakataong ito. Inilalatag na po natin ang mga hakbang tungo sa pag-asenso, binubuksan natin ang mga pinto ng pagkakataon—ngunit kayo po mismo ang kailangang tumahak pasulong; kayo ang sisiguro na mapipitas ang mga bunga ng reporma at programang pinagsisikapan ng inyong gobyerno. Simple lang po ang pangarap ko: Kung anuman ang ating dinatnan, nais kong iwan ito sa susunod sa akin nang mas maayos, mas maunlad at mas tutugon sa inyong mga pangangailangan. Nangalahati na po tayo sa ating termino. Sa pagbaba ko sa puwesto, hangad kong masabi sa bawat isa sa aking mga Boss, taas-noo na ginawa ko ang tama at ang lahat ng aking makakaya, upang humubog ng lipunang tinatamasa ang tunay, positibo at malawakang pagbabago. Bago po ako magtapos: Mabanggit na rin po ang yumaong Kalihim Jesse Robredo. Tandang-tanda ko pa ho—si Ka Mena nang nakita ko rin kanina, si Alice nakakausap natin nang ilang beses—hindi naman ho naging suwabe ang proseso. May mga pagkakataon na nagkaroon ng kaunting alinlangan kung matutuloy pa ba ito o hindi. Umpisahan natin kay Jesse Robredo. Siya ho ang nagkaroon ng vision. Siya rin ang nagpakita ng nagawa niya sa Naga, at siya rin ang naglakas-loob na noong panahon na puro problema ang inaani ng inyong pamahalaan eh nagsabing, “Masosolusyunan natin ito. Kailangang lang natin P50 billion.” Sabi ko, “Jess, ang dami namang zero ang kailangan mo.” [Laughter] Isipin ho n’yo, naglalakas loob siya, marami tayong prayoridad pero isama na rin natin ‘to: ten billion a year, five years ho ang ginagawang plano noong panahon na ‘yon. Siyempre, mula sa inspirasyon at magiging aktuwal, marami ho tayong dadaanang proseso. Pati ho yata ‘yong ilang lupa pa dito para doon sa ilang ililikas nating ISF—informal settler families–ay nasa negosasyon pa ng pagbili. Iyon po ang nagpapataas talaga ng presyo. Maniwala po kayo sa hindi, kada lipad ko po ng helicopter, lalo na sa NCR, o eroplano, parang akong turista kada landing at take-off naghahanap ng bakanteng lote kung saan na natin puwede itayo ang in-city relocation, at sa totoo lang po, parang kakaunti ang nakikita natin. Pero ganoon pa naman din: noong tayo nagkaroon ng inspirasyon, sila ho ang nagpakita ng talagang problema ng mga na sa laylayan ng lipunan, at talaga naman po noong inilapit sa atin ang problema, hindi puwedeng hindi natin aksyunan iyan. Umasa po kayo, lalo na ngayon na mas marami nang kakayahan ang inyong pamahalaan kaysa noong tayo’y nag-uumpisa, ay palagay ko naman po, sa naumpisahan natin, mapapabilis natin at mapapabilis ito; nasa mabuting mga kamay kayo—sa mga kamay nina Mar at ni Dinky, at iba pang mga katuwang natin sa Gabinete. At habang nagtitiwala at nagtutulungan tayo, bakit ‘di natin mapapabilis ang pangmatagalan nang solusyon sa problema ng informal settler families? Ulit, magpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng nagtulong-tulong po para abutin natin itong araw na ‘to, at talaga naman pong sana nga ho pagbaba natin sa puwesto in two years and four months—hindi ko po binibilang ang araw—eh talagang masasabi nating ‘yong papalit sa akin, ‘yong henerasyon na susunod sa atin, matitingnan ako at nakangiti dahil binawasan ko ang problemang ipinamana sa kanila. Magandang araw po. Maraming salamat sa lahat. [HOME]

19 FEBRUARY 2014 Gov't gives go signal for LRT, MRT smartcards; multi-year obligation authority to also cover Cebu airport upgrade DFA Opens History of Foreign Service Exhibit at Robinsons Magnolia DILG-Isabela launches SHAPE UP program DepEd now accepting nominations for the 2014 Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees Education officials prepare for Senior High School implementation DA-ACPC releases P1B for flexi loan program DSWD’s Kalahi-CIDSS saved Iloilo town from ‘Yolanda’ DPWH advises Bicol travellers of rerouting due to bridge works in Camarines Sur DOTC taps PNR as first step to combat metro traffic The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation wins the Deposit Insurance Organization (DIO) of the Year Award for 2013 VP Binay thanks Zapanta blood money donors BI asks Santiago, Rodriguez to endorse 'Immigration Commission' Gov't gives go signal for LRT, MRT smartcards; multi-year obligation authority to also cover Cebu airport upgrade Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph The Aquino administration—through the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)—gave a Multi-Year Obligational Authority (MYOA) to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), effectively green-lighting a contactless smartcard fare collection system for Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines 1 and 2, as well as for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 in Metro Manila. The DBM likewise issued another MYOA to the DOTC for the implementation of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) New Passenger Terminal Project. Both authorities were granted to the Transportation and Communications agency in late December 2013. “Put simply, a MYOA will allow a department or agency to obligate funds for a project for more than a year, but only if the total cost of that particular project isn’t fully covered by the General Appropriations Act in the first year of the project’s implementation. We issued these two MYOAs to DOTC for that very reason, as well as to jump-start the Aquino administration’s bid to improve key transportation systems in some of our busiest cities,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said. The first MYOA covers the Contactless Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS), which will allow the DOTC to replace the magnetic stripe tickets currently in use in the LRT and MRT with contactless smartcards and tokens in the two railways. “The switch from magnetic stripe tickets to contactless cards and tokens in the LRT and MRT will help us reduce operational and maintenance costs in both railways, besides strengthening security in the management of cash in the LRT and MRT. Just as important is the fact that these upgrades will improve the user experience for LRT and MRT passengers as they commute from one point to another in the metro,” Abad said. The AFCS will be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership via the Build/Rehabilitate-Transfer-Operate (BTO/RTO) and Build-Own-Operate contractual arrangements. The total investment cost for the project—which will cover the years 2013 to 2025—will amount to P3.16 trillion, with P671 million invested in it for 2013 and another P1.05 billion set for the AFCS this year. The DBM also noted that the project’s funding requirement for 2013 and 2014 is financed by the private sector, which will support costs for development, financing, and civil works; the initial costs for the smartcards and tokens; and other costs involved in the investment phase. Meanwhile, the MCIA New Passenger Terminal Project will facilitate the construction of a new passenger terminal building and the renovation and expansion of the existing terminal building in the airport. The initiative will also be implemented through a PPP, specifically on a Build-Operate-Transfer arrangement. The total investment cost for the MCIA upgrade project—spanning the years 2013 to 2016 and 2021-2023—will amount to P17.5 billion. Last year, the investment cost totaled P2.07 billion, which was wholly funded by the Philippine government. This year, the Administration will support the project with P123.6 million, as specified in the National Expenditure Program for 2014. This amount has likewise been recommended in the MYOA for the current year, with the additional requirement of P100 million recommended for consideration in 2015. “Besides ramping up our PPP initiatives, the two MYOAs will help support key innovations in the country’s transportation hubs. The modernization of our LRT and MRT systems, for example, will be kicked off by the transition from magnetic strip cards to smartcards and tokens. The MCIA project, meanwhile, will not only boost our infrastructure spending and encourage the growth of our tourism industry. A new passenger terminal will allow the MCIA to accommodate its growing number of passengers and prime the airport for future improvements and development,” Abad said. |TOP| DFA Opens History of Foreign Service Exhibit at Robinsons Magnolia Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph 19 February 2014 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in partnership with Robinsons Malls, opened the exhibit, “The Philippine Foreign Service: Its Beginnings,” at Robinsons Magnolia in Quezon City on February 17. The DFA Exhibit is part of the celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Apolinario Mabini. The opening of the exhibit was graced by DFA Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis, Robinsons Malls Regional Operations Manager Mylene Del Rosario, and Robinsons Malls Senior Consultant for Government Affairs and Special Projects Tommy Lee O. Also present were Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Maria Rowena M. Sanchez, DFA Assistant Secretary Domingo P. Nolasco and Assistant Secretary Mary Jo B. Aragon, and other officials and staff of the DFA and Robinsons Malls. The exhibit will be available for viewing at Robinsons Magnolia until February 27. Mall goers will be given a glimpse of the rich history of the Philippine Foreign Service from the time of Apolinario Mabini, the first Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary, and be acquainted with the men and women who helped shape the institution. The 11-day exhibit features various rare photos and documents sourced here and abroad, including items from the Carlos P. Romulo collection, photos of luminaries such as President Elpidio Quirino, Carlos P. Romulo, Leon Ma. Guerrero, Raul Manglapus, Narciso Ramos, and pioneering Filipino women diplomats, among others. A digital display will also inform exhibit visitors on selected topics on the Philippine Foreign Service. The exhibit features antique travel and consular documents, showing the evolution of the Philippine passport, from the issuance of manually-scripted passports to the modern-day and highly-secure e-Passports. DFA personnel will also be manning a booth at the exhibit area on February 19, 22 and 25 to provide information on passport and other consular services, as well as information on the Foreign Service examination. A section of the exhibit likewise showcases the public-private partnership between the DFA and Robinsons Malls in bringing consular services closer to the people by opening satellite and regional consular offices. |TOP| DILG-Isabela launches SHAPE UP program Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph CITY OF ILAGAN – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial office here officially launched yesterday its ‘SHAPE UP’ program which aims to promote a healthy and productive lifestyle among workers of the department in the province. Elpidio A. Durwin, DILG Provincial Director, said, considering the nature and rigors of their job, the DILG provincial employees deserve to call time-out from their busy schedule to de-stress themselves by engaging in physical exercises. SHAPE UP stands for “Sustaining a Healthy, Able and Productive life through Exercises and UPbeats”. PD Durwin said the project covers all provincial staff, Cluster Officers, Team Leaders and City/Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (C/MLGOOs). It encourages them to spend some time to engage in all forms of physical activities purposely to shed some calories and relieve themselves of stress. DILG provincial employees and staff are scheduled to have their physical exercises twice a month at the Isabela provincial capitol’s sky park or immediately after their bi-monthly ‘Monday Kapihan Meeting’ in which they discuss issues and concerns pertaining to field operations. On the other hand, fieldmen are enjoined to engage in such physical exercises during their cluster meetings and provincial team conferences. PD Durwin expressed his optimism that the year-round wellness program will not only improve the physical appearance of the DILG-Isabela employees but more importantly, it will help to increase organizational productivity. The official launching of the ‘SHAPE UP’ program took place at the ILAGAN (Isabela Landmark Garden and Nature) Sanctuary, also known as Fuyot Springs National Park, located at barangay Santa Victoria, this city on the occasion of the DILG-Isabela’s first Provincial Team Conference (PTC) for this year. |TOP| DepEd now accepting nominations for the 2014 Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees Source: http://www.deped.gov.ph PASIG CITY—The Department of Education (DepEd) is now accepting nominations for the 2014 Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees. The Search, organized by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), aims to recognize civil servants for outstanding performance, achievements, contributions and consistent manifestation of exemplary ethical behavior, while also promoting excellence in the public service. There are three categories in which candidates may be nominated; first, the Dangal ng Bayan Award presented to an individual who performed extraordinary ethical behavior in the service of the public; second, the CSC Pagasa Award conferred to an individual or a group of individuals with outstanding contributions that directly benefited more than one department of the government; and third, the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award given to an individual or a group of individuals with an exceptional idea, innovation, invention or superior accomplishment that impacted public interest and security on a national level. Last year, two members from the Department of Education were recognized in different categories: Hji. Yunos Jumdain Elementary School Principal Darwisa S. Radah Hja. from the Division of Tawi-Tawi and Education Program Supervisor Lynn Z. Padillo from the Division of Legazpi City took home the Dangal ng Bayan and the Pagasa awards respectively. By virtue of DepEd Order No. 9, s. 2002, DepEd Employees Welfare and Benefits Division (EWBD) is assigned to screen and evaluate all nominations within the Department through the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) Committee. All applications within DepEd must first be endorsed by the regional director and then duly signed by the chairperson of the PRAISE Committee prior submission to the CSC on March 31, 2014. Group nominations should only have a maximum of 10 members. Other info on the mechanics, qualifications for nomination and criteria for evaluation can be found at the CSC website (http://www.csc.gov.ph); forms and other relevant documents are also free for download at http://honorawardsprogram.wordpress.com. Completely filled out forms should be submitted to DepEd EWBD not later than February 28, 2014.DepEd now accepting nominations for the 2014 Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees |TOP| Education officials prepare for Senior High School implementation Source: http://www.deped.gov.ph BAGUIO CITY – Department of Education (DepEd) officials nationwide gathered at Teachers Camp, Monday, for a workshop on Senior High School (SHS) implementation. Included in the program was a briefing on the SHS curriculum as well as a planning workshop on actual implementation per region. This was the latest in a series of workshops since 2013. “As we approach 2016 we need to make sure that everyone in DepEd is on the same page,” Rizalino Rivera, Undersecretary for Regional Operations said, adding that while DepEd field offices have already been preparing since last year, it was necessary to share ideas and best practices. A curriculum for learners Undersecretary for Programs and Projects Dina Ocampo presented the SHS curriculum and clarified that it was something that needed to be further developed by those on the field. “The best curricula are the ones that are contextualized by those implementing it. What we’re presenting now is the ‘intended’ curriculum,” Ocampo explained, adding that the regional offices were expected to adapt the curriculum to their learners. SHS (grades 11 and 12) is divided into four tracks: technical-vocational, academic, sports, and arts & design, which would help prepare graduates for higher education, entrepreneurship, further middle skills development, or work. All tracks contain a core curriculum that would enable graduates to pursue tertiary education should they wish. Ocampo answered queries regarding the various tracks to be offered in SHS, specifically the technical-vocational track. “We’re not ‘tech-vocalizing’ education, we’re adding tech-voc to high school,” she emphasized. “We’re not graduating dressmakers and car mechanics; we’re developing lifelong learners with critical and technical skills.” She also echoed Education Secretary Br Armin Luistro’s previous call for private schools to establish SHS programs that will help develop their own locales. According to Ocampo, “We want to educate children so they can find or create meaningful opportunities where they are.” In establishing senior high schools, she reminded DepEd regional offices to consider economic data as well. “Look at the emerging industries in your area and see what SHS tracks fit best.” |TOP| DA-ACPC releases P1B for flexi loan program Source: http://www.da.gov.ph Agriculture Undersecretary Antonio Fleta (2nd from left) and Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) Executive Director Jovita Corpuz (center) lead the ceremonial check turn-over of P550 million to Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) for a flexible credit facility program expected to benefit 40,000 marginalized farmers and fishers from the 20 poorest provinces around the country. on February 14, 2014 at Sulo Hotel, Quezon City. The Agriculture and Fisheries Financing Program (AFFP) launched on February 14, 2014 at the Sulo Hotel, in Quezon City, aims to lend directly to farmers and fishers through LBP who are unable to access credit due to stringent requirements and payment terms. The People’s Credit and Finance Corporation (PCFC) also received P450 million for their wholesale lending facility to accredited borrower organizations. Others in the photo are (L-R): Department of Budget and Management Undersecretary Mario Relampagos, LBP President Gilda Pico, and LBP Vice President Leila Martin. |TOP| DSWD’s Kalahi-CIDSS saved Iloilo town from ‘Yolanda’ Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph “Kung wala po iyong sea wall na ginawa sa ilallim ng Kalahi-CIDSS, madami na po ang patay dito dahil sa ‘Yolanda’ (If we did not have the seawall Kalahi-CIDSS, a lot of the residents would have died because of ‘Yolanda’).” These were the words by Rogelio Labsan, the former Barangay Captain of Brgy. Mangorocoro in Ajuy, Iloilo. His tone was bas fearful as it was proud as he went on to describe how Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), one of the three main poverty alleviation programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), was able to protect their community from the savagery of Typhoon Yolanda. Impact in Ajuy Ajuy was one of the municipalities in Iloilo that was hit hard by the super typhoon, affecting 11,510 households, 7,064 of which totally lost their homes because of the disaster. As a coastal community, Brgy. Mangorocoro was no stranger to being affected by the elements. Prior to the construction of the sea wall, current Barangay Captain Conrado Fernandez said that it was normal for the elementary school campus, where a Kalahi-CIDSS school building now stands, to be flooded during high tide, even on normal weather. It was the constant fear of being flooded that pushed the residents of Brgy. Mangorocoro to raise for the construction of the sea wall during a KALAHI-CIDSS assembly. They were able to complete the construction of the sea wall in 2010. When presented with another opportunity by Kalahi-CIDSS, they upgraded their sea wall, having it cemented to make it even more durable to better protect them from harm. It was this foresight that protected them from experiencing the full impact of “Yolanda”. While some flooding occurred in Brgy. Mangorocoro at the height of the typhoon, their village did not suffer from any casualties because the sea wall protected them from the rising waters. Simon Hagurin, one of the senior citizens in Brgy. Mangorocoro who served as a volunteer in Kalahi-CIDSS, shared that he did not want to think about what would have happened to their village had the sea wall not been constructed. This was echoed by Ajuy Mayor Juancho Alvarez, who said, “Kung wala ang ‘Kalahi’ sea wall, washed out na ang Brgy. Mangorocoro (If the sea wall had not been there, Brgy. Mangoroco would have been washed out).” The thin crack on the sea wall serves as a silent testament of the ferocity of the typhoon. Community strength While the residents of Brgy. Mangorocoro are thankful for the construction of the sea wall, what they are more grateful for is how Kalahi-CIDSS has ingrained in them the spirit of participation and cooperation within their village. As a project that uses the Community-Driven Development (CDD) strategy, Kalahi-CIDSS seeks to develop the skills and capacities of the citizens, even as it strives to teach them to work together in partnership with their local government units (LGUs) to improve their lives. By empowering them, Kalahi-CIDSS enables them to become active agents in local development. In effect, the project builds up communities so citizens will be able to work together to lift themselves from poverty. It is this sense of communal support that the residents of Brgy. Mangorocoro keenly felt. As Sister Alona Marie Abunda, a local pastor who also served as Kalahi-CIDSS volunteer, shared, “Sa Kalahi-CIDSS, dumami ang friends. At dahil dumami ang friends, tumaas ang cooperation (In Kalahi-CIDSS, we gained more friends. And since we now have more friends, we cooperated more).” This was completely different from their situation before Kalahi-CIDSS entered the community, when the residents did not really work together, according to Sis. Alona. When Kalahi-CIDSS started, the Project staff had a hard time gathering the residents together. According to Teacher Cherry Santiago, it was difficult to conduct barangay assemblies at first. She said, “Bago ang Kalahi-CIDSS, ang hirap mag-barangay assembly. Kailangan mo pang ipatawag isa-isa ang mga tao, tapos kakaunti pa ang nag-a-attend (Before Kalahi-CIDSS, it was difficult to conduct barangay assemblies. You had to invite the residents one by one, and even then, only a few would attend).” Since then, conducting barangay assemblies was no longer a problem. Teacher Cherry proudly shared that their attendance rate is at least 90%, because the residents have since learned through Kalahi-CIDSS that these gatherings are opportunities for them to discuss their concerns and how to solve these. More importantly, they now understand that each one of them has a personal stake in helping their barangay develop. As Mayor Alvarez said, Kalahi-CIDSS opened the eyes of the LGU and the residents to the reality that “development is a shared responsibility.” Editha Labsan, who was one of the Procurement Team (PT) volunteers of Kalahi-CIDSS, stated strongly that the Project opened their eyes on what their community needs. She said that she preferred having sub-projects constructed by Kalahi-CIDSS than by contractors. She stated, “Baka kung contractor sub-standard. Kapag kami, sigurado ang quality (If a contractor did it, their work may be sub-standard. If we did the work, we can be assured of the quality).” She continued, “May transparency sa Kalahi-CIDSS (Kalahi-CIDSS has transparency),” explaining that every phase of project construction is open to perusal by anyone, including concerned citizens and even third-party groups and individuals. Editha’s sentiments were echoed by Lolo Simon, who said, “Sa Kalahi-CIDSS sigurado kami (In Kalahi-CIDSS, we have assurance).” This self-assurance, as described by Lorelyn Biogos, a teacher in Mangorocoro Elementary School, was because the residents themselves have a personal stake should they encounter problems with their Kalahi-CIDSS sub-projects. She said, “May sense of ownership ang community (The community has a sense of ownership for these).” Teacher Lorelyn shared that the reason why she served as one of the Kalahi-CIDSS volunteers in the construction of the school building is because she knew she had a role to play in helping her community. She said, “This is part of my legacy. May parte ako sa proyekto (I have a part in the project).” She continued, “Generations will benefit from this project,” a strong statement coming from someone who works in a profession that ensures the protection of future generations. Kalahi-CIDSS did not just mobilize the residents to work together. It also made them more sensitive to the different needs of the citizens. One such example is on gender. As Teacher Cherry said, “Ang mga babae nag-pa-participate na. Nakakatulong na sila sa komunidad sa pamamagitan ng Proyekto (Women now participate. They are able to help out the community through the Project).” The participation of Teacher Cherry and Teacher Lorelyn, as well as that of the others who helped in the implementation of the school building, also played a role in helping protect residents from “Yolanda”, as the structure was used as one of the evacuation centers following the storm. Teacher Lorelyn is responsible for managing the bank account that will be used for the operations and maintenance of the school building. “Medyo nabasa (It got a little wet)”, she said, smiling sheepishly as she presented the passbook, explaining how the status of the booklet, which got slightly damaged because of the torrential rains brought by “Yolanda”. She said that some funds in the account were taken out for minor repairs to the school following the storm. Continuing partnership between Ajuy and Kalahi-CIDSS Ajuy, Iloilo is no stranger to Kalahi-CIDSS. The municipality has been implementing this since 2004, almost from the time of the Project’s inception in 2003. The implementation of Kalahi-CIDSS has earned Ajuy several recognitions, including a DSWD award for being a model LGU in practicing participation, transparency, and accountability for two straight years in 2011 and 2012. Mayor Alvarez said that the main reason why Kalahi-CIDSS was successful in Ajuy was because it was able to capacitate and empower the people to actively participate in local decision-making processes. He said, “The people are given the capacity and power to decide instead of maghintay lang (simply waiting).” He described how Kalahi-CIDSS has taught the residents that their involvement is important, saying, “It influenced their way of life. The people became assertive because they know what is best for themselves more than anyone else does.” Mayor Alvarez concluded, “Kalahi-CIDSS taught them to dream again.” From being a fourth-class municipality in 2001, it has since been re-classified as a second-class municipality in 2009, the change of which is Mayor Alvarez attributes partly due to the interventions introduced by Kalahi-CIDSS. Since the start of the partnership between Kalahi-CIDSS and Ajuy, 115 community sub-projects were constructed in the municipality, all of which address needs for basic services. These small-scale infrastructures include school buildings, day care centers, health stations, and water systems. When asked if Ajuy can stand even when Kalahi-CIDSS pulls out of the municipality, the residents were one in saying that they can, because they have already embraced the CDD strategy and will work doubly hard to ensure that they will continue following the processes instituted by the Project. According to them, disasters will not keep them from working together as a community. On the contrary, CDD helped them respond to the problems better, because they were able to help each other in the recovery operations in the aftermath of “Yolanda”. One volunteer sums up appreciation with CDD, saying, “Na-in love na kami sa Kalahi-CIDSS (We fell in love with Kalahi-CIDSS).” |TOP| DPWH advises Bicol travellers of rerouting due to bridge works in Camarines Sur Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph Motorists and commuters going to and from Bicol Region will have to follow a rerouting scheme with the construction of a bridge along Daang Maharlika in Pili, Camarines Sur. The old two-lane San Jose Bridge in Barangay San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur was closed to vehicular traffic on February 15, 2014 for the replacement works. Earlier, DPWH Camarines Sur 2nd District Engineering Office reported to Secretary Rogelio L. Singson that traffic advisories were installed along Daang Maharlika to inform the general public of the bridge closure including the recommended alternate routes as agreed with the concerned local officials. Under the traffic management plan for the construction of the new San Jose bridge, three (3) routes were identified namely: San Fernando–Minalabac–Bula–Pili Road; Milaor–Minalabac–Pili Road; and Palestina–Minalabac–Pili Road. Open to all type of vehicles, the San Fernando–Minalabac–Bula–Pili Road starts from the intersection of Daang Maharlika at K0427+000 traversing Barangays Grijalvo, Beberon, Lupi (Municipality of San Fernando); Barangays Antipolo, Hobo (Municipality of Minalabac); Barangays Sto. Nino, Ombao, Panoypoyan, San Roque, Sto. Domigo (Municipality of Bula); out to junction of Daang Maharlika at K0454+200, Pawili (Municipality of Pili, Camarines Sur), and vice- versa. On the otherhand, the Milaor–Minalabac–Pili Road allows access of light vehicles only due to a 100 lineal meter one-lane road section in Malitbog. The alternate route starts from the intersection of Daang Maharlika at K0432+900 passing Barangays Amparado, Borongborongan (Municipality of Milaor); Barangays San Francisco, Malitbog, Mataoroc (Municipality of Minalabac); and Barangays Tagbong, out to the junction of Daang Maharlika at K0450+900, San Isidro (Municipality of Pili, Camarines Sur), and vice-versa. Also limited to light vehicles only due to the one-lane road section in Malitbog, the Palestina–Minalabac–Pili Road runs from the intersection of Daang Maharlika at K0443+500 to Barangays Palestina, San Antonio of Municipality of Pili; Barangay Maydaso ( Municipality of Milaor); Barangays Malitbog, Mataoroc of (Municipality of Minalabac); Barangay Tagbong, out to the junction of San Isidro(K0450+900) (Municipality of Pili, Camarines Sur), and vice- versa. In line with the policy to build back better resilient structures, the old two-lane bridge will be expanded into four-lanes with a total length of 65.25 lineal meters and with a width of 16.84 lineal meters. With a total cost of P82.577 Million, the bridge project will be completed within the construction period of 280 calendar days |TOP| DOTC taps PNR as first step to combat metro traffic Source: http://www.dotc.gov.ph PNR to Launch Special Coach Service on March 3, Extend Operating Hours The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) are set to launch a Special Coach service to provide travellers with a convenient alternative to the anticipated traffic escalation in the areas affected by construction works for the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 and the NAIA Expressway Projects. Scheduled to be launched on March 3, 2014, the Special Coach service will make use of air-conditioned train sets with features to ensure passenger convenience such as fixed seating, on-board comfort rooms, reclining seats, and a lounge section.  It can accommodate 120 people per trip. “This is one of the DOTC’s first efforts towards easing the present traffic situation in Manila, Makati, Pasay, and other affected areas especially in the southern part of the metropolis.  Instead of taking private vehicles, motorists will now have a more efficient alternative.  We are also working on other solutions which we will be ready to implement as our infrastructure projects are rolled out later this year to 2015,” said DOTC Spokesperson Michael Arthur Sagcal. For his part, PNR General Manager Joseph Allan Dilay said that “the Special Coach service is part of our program to revive the old glory of PNR, and to deliver improved services to the public.  It will also enable riders from the south to take a reliable and faster means of transport into the heart of Metro Manila.” In its initial phase, the Special Coach service will run 4 times per day, with the following schedules: Route Time of Departure  Time of Arrival Tutuban to Sta. Rosa 5:47am 7:33am Sta. Rosa to Tutuban 8:00am 9:46am Tutuban to Sta. Rosa 4:17pm 6:03pm Sta. Rosa to Tutuban 6:08pm 7:54pm Depending on ridership turnout, the PNR will evaluate whether it will be feasible to increase the number of trips further in order to serve more passengers.  The special fare will range from P 60.00 to P 90.00. To get to the Buendia station in Makati, it takes 31 minutes from the Tutuban station and one hour and fifteen minutes from the Sta. Rosa station. To further help in lessening the expected gridlock, the PNR will also extend its commuter rail’s normal operating hours from the current 5:00am to 7:00pm, to a longer period of 4:00am to 8:00pm daily.  Currently, the railway’s commuter line serves an average of 65,000 passengers on 70 trips per day. |TOP| The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation wins the Deposit Insurance Organization (DIO) of the Year Award for 2013 Source: http://www.pdic.gov.ph The International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI), an organization of 71 member deposit insurance organizations based in Basel Switzerland, announced that the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) has been selected as the “Deposit Insurance Organization (DIO) of the Year”for 2013. The announcement was made during the Twelfth IADI Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting of Members (AGM) in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 7 November 2013. Other organizations who won in the other categories include the Deposit Insurance Agency of Russian Federation for the “Award for Achievement in Banking Resolutions and Payouts”, Bank Guarantee Fund of Poland for the “Award for Core Principles and International Participation” and Kazakhstan Deposit Insurance Fund for the “Award for Deposit Insurance System Improvements.” The DIO of the Year Award for 2013 was presented to PDIC being the IADI member with significant achievements in all three categories. PDIC President Valentin A. Araneta said that he is humbled by the award which reflects the hard work and commitment of the Board, officers and staff of PDIC. According to Araneta, international recognition of the effectiveness of Philippine government institutions serve to inspire domestic and foreign confidence in the Philippine economy. The PDIC organization has adopted a slogan of “Committed to Serve” aligned with the call of President Benigno S. Aquino, III to government institutions for service commitment and accountability to the public. The PDIC has Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima as Board Chairman and BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. as Director. Their respective alternates are National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon and BSP Deputy Governor Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr. The other directors are Rogelio W. Manalo, Protacio T. Tacandong and Valentin A. Araneta who also serves as President and Vice Chairman. The PDIC has two Executive Vice Presidents, Ms. Imelda S. Singzon and Ms. Cristina Q. Orbeta handling the Examination and Resolution Sector and the Receivership and Liquidation Sector, respectively. Finance Secretary Purisima lauded the Board officers and staff of PDIC on the international recognition. He exhorted PDIC to sustain and continually improve its good governance standards and its oversight over the handling of bank deposits. He said that good governance of banks is the best measure of depositor protection. In its continuing efforts to comply with the Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance Systems and other international best practices, PDIC has subjected itself to assessments and is an active participant in IADI activities. In 2005, the IADI began conferring the DIO Award to a member in celebration of an important achievement and/or in recognition of the contribution that the Member has made to furtherance of IADI’s goals. The first organization to receive the award was the Central Deposit Insurance Corporation of Taiwan. Since then, the conferment of the Award has been part of IADI’s tradition and is among the highlights of its annual meetings. The previous awardees of the DIO Award are the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation (2012), Malaysia Deposit Insurance Corporation (2011), Deposit Insurance Corporation of Japan (2010), Savings Deposit Insurance Fund of Turkey (2009), U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (2008), Brazil’s Fundo Garantidor de Créditos (2007) and the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (2006). |TOP| VP Binay thanks Zapanta blood money donors Source: http://www.ovp.gov.ph Vice President Jejomar C. Binay acknowledged the support extended by individuals who heeded the call for help in raising the blood money needed to spare overseas Filipino worker Joselito Zapanta from the death penalty. "There have been many people, especially among our own kababayans, who have expressed their intention to help. While they choose to remain anonymous, their kindness has gone a long way in raising the amount needed to save Zapanta," Binay said. In an interview Friday on the program Aquino and Abunda Tonight, Binay also mentioned an emir who made a substantial contribution to the blood money being raised for Zapanta, who was given another one-month extension in raising the amount. The contributor, Prince Khalid Bin Bandar Bin Abdul Aziz, nephew of Saudi King Abdullah, is believed to have pledged SAR 1 million. "I hope that this amount, added to what the Philippine government has already raised, will be enough to spare Joselito’s life," he added. Zapanta was sentenced to death after killing Imam Ibrahim, a Sudanese national, over a rental dispute in 2009. After initially demanding SAR 5 million for the execution of an affidavit of forgiveness and prevent the imposition of the death penalty, the victim’s family lowered the amount to SAR 4 million. The payment was originally due on Nov. 12, 2012, which was then extended to March 12, 2013. Another extension was granted, with the deadline moved to Nov. 3, 2013. A three-month extension was given on November, with the new one-month extension being given this February. The Vice President said that the government is in ongoing talks with the victim’s family to further lower the amount of blood money. "Once again, I call on our kababayans to help in raising the needed blood money to save a fellow Filipino," said Binay. He said 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 |TOP| BI asks Santiago, Rodriguez to endorse 'Immigration Commission' Source: http://www.immigration.gov.ph Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Siegfred Mison believes the support of Sen. Miriam Santiago and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez will bolster the move to convert the bureau into a commission, even BI officials and employees appealed to the two lawmakers to endorse the early passage of the bill. Mison said he is counting on the full support from the feisty senator and Rodriguez, citing that both once served as BI commissioners and are now actively pushing immigration reforms in the 16th Congress to “combat the menace these 20th century crimes and the growing demands of migration.” Santiago was appointed BI Commissioner during the presidency of Cory Aquino in 1989 while Rodriguez was designated as BI Chief during the Estrada administration in 1998 to 2001. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. is the main sponsor of House Bill No. 1134 to be known as “Philippine Immigration Act of 2013, which intends to make the almost vintage statute attuned to the complex realities faced by the country today. The proposed law shows its light in the bicameral conference committee of both Senate and House in the 14th Congress. However, its final ratification was overtaken by sine die adjournment. The 16th Congress, Mison said, must take into consideration the early passage of the bill because international criminal syndicates engaged in lucrative trade, like the operations of one of the world's most notorious drug trafficking syndicates – the Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico, are now “penetrating and infiltrating” the Philippine territory. According to BI Associate Commissioner Ronaldo Ledesma, the enactment of a new immigration law is crucial and necessary to thwart the entry of undesirable aliens into our country. Last year, a total of 659 foreign criminals and fugitives hiding in the country were arrested, an increase of 40 percent compared in 2012, BI records revealed. Key feature in the bill include the expansion of the classification of disqualified aliens and the imposition of penalties for aliens involved in syndicated criminal activities to enhance national security and ensure the safety of Filipinos. Mison called on lawmakers to extend support to Belmonte’s bill since the 1940 immigration act is obsolete and needs major changes to make them more responsive to current concerns. On the other hand, BI executive director Eric Dimaculangan added that there are several gains and advancement in the expanded immigration commission law when comes in promoting the country’s image in the international community as a safe tourist destination and a potential investment site |TOP|

Last Updated: 19 FEBRUARY 2014 Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy Please click on thumbnails to magnify Communications Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. speaks before the country’s financial executives during the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) 2nd General Membership Meeting at the InterContinental Manila in Makati City on Wednesday (February 19). Communications Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. joins the country’s financial executives in panel discussion on ASEAN Integration during the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) 2nd General Membership Meeting at the InterContinental Manila in Makati City on Wednesday (February 19). President Benigno S. Aquino III answers questions from the media during the press briefing after gracing the presentation of Estero de San Miguel Micro Medium-Rise Building Model Unit at the Claro M. Recto High School Auditorium in Barangay 412, Zone 42, Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila City on Wednesday (February 19). The model unit started construction in November 2013 and was completed in January 2014. Also in photo (second from left) is Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Undersecretary Renato M. Marfil. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and inspects the facilities of the Estero de San Miguel Micro Medium-Rise Building (mMRB) Model Unit at the Claro M. Recto High School in Barangay 412, Zone 42, Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila City on Wednesday (February 19). The Estero de San Miguel Project is in line with the program goal of providing safe, affordable, decent and humane relocation in accordance with the Relocation Action Plan (RAP) through the People’s Plan mechanism and process for on-site, near-city relocation of affected ISFs in accordance with People’s Plan that contains shelter solutions and finance scheme development, validated and accepted by the ISFs themselves. The MRB model unit started construction in November 2013 and was completed in January 2014.also in photo Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas III, Nagkakaisang Mamamayan ng Legarda (NML) president and Brgy. 412 Chairperson Filomena Cinco (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Rey Baniquet/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and inspects the facilities of the Estero de San Miguel Micro Medium-Rise Building Model Unit at the Claro M. Recto High School in Barangay 412, Zone 42, Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila City on Wednesday (February 19). The model unit started construction in November 2013 and was completed in January 2014. (Photo by Ryan Lim/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the presentation of Estero de San Miguel Micro Medium-Rise Building Model Unit at the Claro M. Recto High School Auditorium in Barangay 412, Zone 42, Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila City on Wednesday (February 19). The model unit started construction in November 2013 and was completed in January 2014. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Benhur Arcayan / Rey Baniquet/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Nagkakaisang Mamamayan ng Legarda president and Brgy. 412 Chairperson Filomena Cinco and Urban Poor Associates director for organizational work / community organization coordinator and administrator Alicia Murphy, upon arrival for the presentation of Estero de San Miguel Micro Medium-Rise Building Model Unit at the Claro M. Recto High School Auditorium at Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila City on Wednesday (February 19). The model unit started construction in November 2013 and was completed in January 2014. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the presentation of Estero de San Miguel Micro Medium-Rise Building Model Unit at the Claro M. Recto High School Auditorium in Barangay 412, Zone 42, Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila City on Wednesday (February 19). The Estero de San Miguel Project is in line with the program goal of providing safe, affordable, decent and humane relocation in accordance with the Relocation Action Plan for informal settlers' families. The model unit started construction in November 2013 and was completed in January 2014. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Benhur Arcayan / Rey Baniquet/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III addresses the 3rd Euromoney Philippine Investment Forum 2014 at the Solaire Resort and Casino Manila in Aseana Avenue, Parañaque City on Tuesday (February 18). The Forum brings together policymakers, business leaders, economists and key overseas investors that will help paint an overview of the Philippines economy including analysis into all key sectors. Euromoney is the world’s leading organiser of conferences for cross-border investment and capital markets for portfolio and direct investors, financial intermediaries, corporations, governments, banks and financial institutions. Also in photo is Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III addresses the 3rd Euromoney Philippine Investment Forum 2014 at the Solaire Resort and Casino Manila in Aseana Avenue, Parañaque City on Tuesday (February 18). The Forum brings together policymakers, business leaders, economists and key overseas investors that will help paint an overview of the Philippines economy including analysis into all key sectors. Euromoney is the world’s leading organiser of conferences for cross-border investment and capital markets for portfolio and direct investors, financial intermediaries, corporations, governments, banks and financial institutions. Also in photo are Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Euromoney Institutional Investor Asia chief executive officer Tony Shale and Solaire Resort and Casino chairman and president Enrique Razon, Jr. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulates 2013 Miss Tourism International Angeli Dione Gomez during the courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (February 17). Gomez was crowned in Putrajaya, outside of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on December 31, 2013, besting 59 other candidates in the 17th edition of the Malaysia-based pageant. It’s a back-to-back title for the Philippines, as Rizzini Alexis Gomez won the title in 2012, and the fourth world beauty title for the country last year. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) 21st Travel Tour Expo 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City on Friday (February 14) with the theme: “Love Life, Love Travel." The Department of Tourism (DOT) is projecting 2014 tourism revenues to hit P1.4 trillion, higher by P110.6 billion of the expected earnings from domestic tourism in 2013 due in large part to a forecasted increase in the daily expenditures by domestic tourists. Also in photo are Senator Juan Edgardo Angara and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Philippine Travel Agencies Association 21st Travel Tour Expo 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City on Friday (February 14) with the theme: “Love Life, Love Travel." The Department of Tourism (DOT) is projecting 2014 tourism revenues to hit P1.4 trillion, higher by P110.6 billion of the expected earnings from domestic tourism in 2013 due in large part to a forecasted increase in the daily expenditures of domestic tourists. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III, ushered by PTAA secretary general and Travel Tour Expo 2014 executive director Marciano Ragaza III, tours the booths during the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) 21st Travel Tour Expo 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City on Friday(February 14) with the theme: “Love Life, Love Travel”. The Department of Tourism is projecting 2014 tourism revenues to hit P1.4 trillion, higher by P110.6 billion of the expected earnings from domestic tourism in 2013 due in large part to a forecasted increase in the daily expenditures of domestic tourists. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. during the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) 21st Travel Tour Expo 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City on Friday (February 14) with the theme: “Love Life, Love Travel”. The Department of Tourism is projecting 2014 tourism revenues to hit P1.4 trillion, higher by P110.6 billion of the expected earnings from domestic tourism in 2013 due in large part to a forecasted increase in the daily expenditures of domestic tourists. Also in photo are PTAA secretary general and Travel Tour Expo 2014 executive director Marciano Ragaza III, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara and Travel Tour Expo 2014 president and chairman John Paul Cabalza. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III, ushered by Travel Tour Expo 2014 president and chairman John Paul Cabalza, tours and the booths during the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) 21st Travel Tour Expo 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City on Friday(February 14) with the theme: “Love Life, Love Travel”. The Department of Tourism (DOT) is projecting 2014 tourism revenues to hit P1.4 trillion, higher by P110.6 billion of the expected earnings from domestic tourism in 2013 due in large part to a forecasted increase in the daily expenditures by domestic tourists. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) 21st Travel Tour Expo 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City on Friday (February 14) with the theme: “Love Life, Love Travel”. The Department of Tourism (DOT) is projecting 2014 tourism revenues to hit P1.4 trillion, higher by P110.6 billion of the expected earnings from domestic tourism in 2013 due in large part to a forecasted increase in the daily expenditures by domestic tourists. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Senator Juan Edgardo Angara during the Philippine Travel Agencies Association 21st Travel Tour Expo 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City on Friday (February 14) with the theme: “Love Life, Love Travel”. The Department of Tourism (DOT) is projecting 2014 tourism revenues to hit P1.4 trillion, higher by P110.6 billion of the expected earnings from domestic tourism in 2013 due in large part to a forecasted increase in the daily expenditures by domestic tourists. Also in photo are Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. and PTAA secretary general and Travel Tour Expo 2014 executive director Marciano Ragaza III. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Senator Juan Edgardo Angara during the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) 21st Travel Tour Expo 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City on Friday (February 14) with the theme: “Love Life, Love Travel”. The Department of Tourism (DOT) is projecting 2014 tourism revenues to hit P1.4 trillion, higher by P110.6 billion of the expected earnings from domestic tourism in 2013 due in large part to a forecasted increase in the daily expenditures by domestic tourists. Also in photo is Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III witnesses as Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II hands-over to Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy the cheque for Debris Management Fund during the 2nd Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Local Government Units Summit on Governance and Development at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City on Wednesday (February 12). (Photo by Rodolfo Manabat / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) President Benigno S. Aquino III poses with the participants of the 2nd Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Local Government Units (LGUs) Summit on Governance and Development for a group photo souvenir at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City on Wednesday (February 12). Also in photo are Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu and ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) Participants in the 2nd Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Local Government Units (LGUs) Summit on Governance and Development listen intently to the speech of President Benigno S. Aquino III at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City on Wednesday (February 12). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the 2nd Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Local Government Units Summit on Governance and Development at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City on Wednesday (         Thank You and God Bless !!!!