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President Aquino encourages responsibility in PHL media |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III on Sunday evening made a new pitch for
responsibility and discernment from the media through sober reporting.
In his speech at the 114th anniversary of the Manila Bulletin in Manila, the
President frowned on what he called unnecessary speculation and negativity.
"This is what I have always asked of media: to raise the level of public
discourse, instead of fueling unnecessary speculation and negativity that
contribute to national apathy," he said.
He said that in the case of the Manila Bulletin, it has chosen not to trump
up the worst news possible and cause despair among the public.
Instead, he said the paper has "consistently given them a true accounting of
the facts, and reason enough to be optimistic."
But the President clarified this does not mean he wants media to report only
the good news.
"The progress of our country can only be accounted for when it is measured
against, and in spite of, the challenges that we have endured," he said,
adding the Manila Bulletin has lived up to this by "exhibiting discernment
and accountability through sober and responsible reporting."
On the other hand, the President noted the Filipino people have chosen the
path of positivity and solidarity even in the face of negativity.
He said that in the wake of the devastation brought by super Typhoon
"Yolanda" (Haiyan) last year, Filipinos volunteered to repack relief goods
and extend whatever help they can.
"The naysayers, the irrational critics, the vested interests who measure
their success through their ability to sacrifice the well-being of the
nation to pursue their own, selfish agenda—all of them have been left in the
dust by a nation that no typhoon, no faction, and no irresponsible columnist
can break," he said.
"Our people have proven themselves more united, more discerning, more
cooperative, and in particular, more committed to making change permanent
than those who once tried to take advantage of them," he added.
He added Filipinos made so much progress by working and studying hard,
paying their taxes, following the rules, to "do their part in lifting our
nation."
"They know that, not since 1986 have Filipinos been able to go anywhere in
the world and hold their heads high, as we do today. They know this because
they took it upon themselves to give us a mandate for change back in 2010,
and they have stayed the course ever since," he said. PND (jl) |
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Department of Education achieves zero backlog in
classrooms, President Aquino says |
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(CARMONA, Cavite) President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Monday that the
government finally achieved a zero backlog in classrooms with the
construction of 66,813 classrooms.
In his speech during the ceremonial turn-over of the 66,813 classrooms at
the Carmona National High School here, the Chief Executive said the
Department of Education (DepEd) finally achieved its target of zero backlog
last December, 2013.
"Nang maupo tayo sa puwesto, tumambad sa atin ang nakakalulang kakulangan sa
sektor ng edukasyon. Kapos tayo sa libro, silya, at mga guro. Mayroon din
tayong—eto na po ang pamosong numero—ng 66,800 na kakulangan sa silid-aralan,"
he said.
President Aquino said the government managed to mobilize partnerships with
various government agencies, local government units (LGUs), the private
sector and foreign donors to help meet the target.
The classrooms, ranging from one-storey structures to multi-floor buildings,
were constructed using national and local government funds and donations
from the private sectors.
"At ngayong araw nga po, nasaksihan natin ang ceremonial turnover ng 66,813
na bagong classroom, na bumura din sa ipinamanang backlog ng nakaraang
administrasyon. Sa totoo lang po, gaya ng ipinangako ni Secretary Armin
Luistro, natapos itong ipatayo noon pang Disyembre. Ang bonus pa nga:
nalampasan pa natin ang ating target," the President said.
The President lauded Education Secretary Luistro for his commitment and
dedication to provide the basic needs of students such as classrooms, chairs
and books, among others.
"Makalipas ang mahigit tatlong taon ng mabuting pamamahala. Ang halos 62
milyon—ulitin ko lang po ‘yan ha—62 milyong kakulangan sa libro, burado na,
2012 pa. At nakuha po natin ‘yan, mas maganda pa ang presyo kaysa sa
dinatnan—mga naitipid natin dito mga 40 porsyento, Brother Armin, kung tama
ang tanda ko," he said.
"Ang dalawa’t kalahating milyong backlog sa upuan, nairaos na rin po.
Naggamit pa natin ang mga troso na iligal ang pagkakuha para siguradong wala
nang makinabang sa iligal na gawain." he said.
The President expressed belief that education is the central strategy in
reducing poverty and building national competitiveness.
"Ngayong napunuan na ang mga kakulangan ng nakaraan, kompiyansa tayong mas
mapapaarangkada pa—hindi lamang ang sektor ng edukasyon—kundi maging ang
pag-unlad ng kalakhang lipunan," he said. PND (js) |
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Palace: President Aquino to have busy week leading to
54th birthday |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III will have a busy week leading to his 54th
birthday on Feb. 8, Malacañang said Monday.
In a statement, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the ceremonial
turnover of 66,813 classrooms in Cavite was only the first of several public
engagements this week.
Lacierda said the President is also due to receive the Philippine Medical
Association of Chicago (PMAC), whose members conduct medical and surgical
missions in the Philippines annually.
For this year, he said the PMAC "continue their tradition of helping their
countrymen this year by taking their operations to Tacloban City and Palo,
Leyte," areas hit hard by super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
At the end of the week, the President will witness the retirement ceremony
of Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes, along with the change of
command ceremony.
The President will also be the guest of honor at the 50th anniversary and
thanksgiving program of the Elsie Gaches Village in Alabang, Muntinlupa.
Elsie Gaches Village is the first and largest government residential care
facility for persons with development and learning disabilities.
President Aquino marks his 54th birthday on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Lacierda noted Monday's turnover, which wipes out the
66,800-classroom backlog "sets the tone for the rest of the official week,
and in fact, of the year ahead."
"They underscore our administration’s belief that despite the challenges
that we have faced and continue to face, so long as we work together, our
people can reach new milestones and open new chapters of service, all with
the goal of uplifting our countrymen," he said. PND (jl) |
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President Aquino says government is hiring professionals for 4,000
teaching positions |
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(CARMONA, Cavite) President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Monday that the
Department of Education (DepEd) is presently hiring professionals for 4,000
teaching positions to address the backlogs in teachers in public schools.
In his speech during the ceremonial turn-over of the 66,813 classrooms at
the Carmona National High School here, the Chief Executive said the DepEd
has yet to fill up all the 103,000 new teaching positions created under his
administration.
"Mula 2010 hanggang 2013 naman, nagdagdag tayo ng halos 103 libong posisyon
para sa mga guro. Baka pansinin po n’yo, “posisyon.” Sabi ko, “Bakit ‘posisyon?’”
May kulang pa raw ho kasi na apat na libong maha-hire," the President said.
"Dati nag-e-export tayo ng teacher, ngayon naghahanap tayo ng teacher—apat
na libo, mga specialized po ito, baka may kakilala kayong naghahanap ng
trabaho, kulang pa ho tayo ng apat na libo," he said.
The DepEd has hastened the recruitment and hiring process to fill up the
positions.
The government finally achieved a zero backlog in classrooms with the
construction of 66,813 classrooms, the President said.
"Mulat po tayong hindi pa tapos ang ating misyon, at mayroon pa rin tayong
mga pagsubok na dapat lampasan. Marami po ang winasak na paaralan ng mga
nagdaang kalamidad, at bawat taon ay nadadagdagan ang mga mag-aaral," he
said.
"Sa abot ng ating makakaya, titiyakin nating matutugunan ang batayang
pangangailangan sa sektor ng edukasyon; at sisiguruhin nating pati ang
magiging pagkukulang sa mga susunod na taon dahil sa K to 12 program ay
mapapaghandaan din, matatapos, at hindi mapapamana ang pag-solve sa susunod
na administrasyon," he said. PND (js) |
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Palace maintains PHL government continues to search for peaceful solution
with HK |
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Malacañang on Monday maintained the Philippine government continues to
search for a mutually acceptable solution with Hong Kong to provide closure
to the row that stemmed from the Manila hostage crisis in 2010.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny”
Coloma Jr. said they continue to work toward an understanding, which he said
is the key toward finally achieving the much-needed closure.
"We are still hoping both sides will be able to reach an agreement. Our
approach is still to continue on the path of seeking a solution and that is
where we continue to be until the present time," he said at a media
briefing.
He said the Philippine government has been looking for the best "mutually
acceptable" solution.
"Simula noon hanggang ngayon, patuloy nating sinisikap na magkaroon ng
common position, ng ganap na pagkakaunawaan para matuldukan ang usaping ito
(Since day one, we have been looking for a common position to give closure
to this)," he added.
Coloma also said the Philippine government will not take any action that
will make both parties stray from their goal of understanding.
"(U)miiwas tayo sa landas na sa halip magkaroon ng pagkaunawaan ay lalayo
tayo roon (We do not want to take actions that lead us away from an
understanding)," he said. PND (jl) |
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Palace: Continued high satisfaction show
Filipinos still one with government |
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The Aquino administration's net satisfaction of +51 in the last quarter of
2013 shows the Filipino people remain one with the government in continuing
to help fellow Filipinos affected by calamities, Malacañang said Monday.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said this is also a rebuff of those
trying to convince the people that most Filipinos are not satisfied with the
administration.
"(The Filipino people) remain one with their government as we continue to
work, as a people, to help those affected by the calamities of the past few
months to get back on their feet and reassume authorship of the next
chapters of their lives," he said in a statement.
In its fourth-quarter survey conducted last December, the SWS had noted 71
percent of respondents were satisfied with the Aquino administration's
general performance.
Only 19 percent were dissatisfied while 10 percent were ambivalent,
resulting in a net score of +51.
While the net score of +51 is down from the "very good" +56 in September, it
was higher than the "good" +44 in May 2012.
But the SWS also noted a dip in the administration's scores on various key
issues.
"To emphasize once more: In spite of the concerted effort of a few to
convince the public that most of our countrymen are dissatisfied with how
the national government has performed in the face of the many challenges in
the past months, these results show that the Filipino were not misled,"
Lacierda said.
"Your administration, under the leadership of President Aquino, derives its
strength from this unbreakable union of purpose with our people; and it is
ultimately your continued belief and participation that gives us strength,
and accelerates our country’s journey on the straight path," he added. PND (jl) |
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Palace: Government forces making sure BIFF won't grow
into major threat |
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Government forces are taking steps to make sure armed groups trying to fight
the government do not become a major threat to peace in Mindanao, Malacañang
assured the public Monday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny”
Coloma Jr. said the government's goal to attain peace for Mindanao remains
unchanged.
"Masinsing tinututukan ng ating Armed Forces of the Philippines, particular
ang intelligence operative natin, ang sitwasyon para tiyakin na kung anumang
galaw ng kaaway ng Republika hindi ito makahadlang sa proseso ng kapayapaan
(Our AFP particularly our intelligence operatives are keeping tabs on things
to make sure any move by the state's enemies do not become a major threat),"
Coloma said at a media briefing.
He said this includes the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and followers
of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari.
The BIFF and followers of Misuari are reportedly joining forces against the
government.
Coloma said the government is taking proactive action via intelligence work,
surveillance, and "decisive action pag kinakailangan (decisive action if
needed)." PND (jl) |
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Responsibilidad ng media, binigyang diin ng
Pangulong Aquino |
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Inulit ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III Linggo ng gabi
ang panawagan tungo sa responsebilidad at parehas na media sa pamamagitan ng
parehas na pag-uulat.
Sa talumpati sa ika-114 anibersaryo ng Manila Bulletin ginanap sa Punong
Tanggapan nito sa Intramuros, tinukoy ng Pangulo ang aniya ay hindi
kailangang ispekulasyon at negativity.
“Ang lagi kong hinihiling sa media, itaas ang kaalamang pangmadla, sa halip
na gatungan ng ispekulasyon at negatibong mga bagay na nakatutulong na
umiral ang pambansang pagwawalang bahala,” sabi ng Pangulong Aquino.
Sinabi ng Pangulo na minamarapat ng Manila Bulletin na huwag bigyang diin
ang masasamang balitang nagiging dahilan ng kalungkutan ng madla.
Sa halip, sabi ng Pangulo, minarapat ng pahayagang ito na “ang laging
bigyang pansin ay ang pag-uulat ng nangyari at ang dahilan upang huwag
mawalan ng pag-asa.
Niliwanag ng Pangulo na hindi naman ang ibig sabihin nito ay nais niyang
pawang magagandang balita na lamang ang ilathala.
“Ang pagsulong ng ating bansa ay masusukat lamang laban sa mga hamong ating
kinaharap,” sabi ng Pangulo at idinagdag na ang Manila Bulletin ay sa
ganitong simulain umaalin-sunod sa pamamagitan ng ‘pagiging makatotohanan at
may pananagutan sa mahinahon at responsableng pagbabalita.”
Sa kabilang dako, sinabi ng Pangulo na minarapat ng sambayanang Pilipno na
taluntunin ang landas ng pagiging positibo at nagkakaisa sa harap ng
negatibismo.
Tinukoy ng Pangulo ang ginawa ng mga Pilipino na boluntaryong magbalot ng
mga tulong na ipadadala sa mga biktima ng malawak na pinsalang ibinunga ng
napakalakas na bagyong Yolanda noong nakaraang taon.
“Ang mga laging pasalungat ang sinasabi, ang mga walang ginawa kundi
mamintas, ang vested interests na ang panukat sa tagumpay nila sa kanilang
kakayahang magpakasakit sa kapakanan ng bansa ay kung paano maisusulong ang
kanilang pansariling adyenda—lahat sila ay natabunan ng alikabok ng isang
bansang hindi binagyo, walang paksiyon at walang sino mang iresponsableng
kolumnista ang makawawasak,” pahayag pa ng Pangulo.
“Pinatunayan na rin ng sambayanan na higit silang nagkakaisa, higit na
mapanuri, higit na nagdadamayan at higit sa lahat, ibayo ang kanilang
malasakit na magkaroon ng palagiang pagbabago kaysa sa mga nagtatangkang
magsamantala sa kanila,” dugtong pa ng Pangulo.
Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na ang mga Pilipino ay higit na sumulong sa
pamamagitan ng pagtatrabaho at pag-aaral na mabuti, pagbabayad ng mga buwis,
pagsunod sa mga tuntunin at “gampanan ang kanilang mga sagutin upang
maiangat ang bansa.”
“Alam nila na mula noong 1986, ang mga Pilipino ay nakapunta saanmang panig
ng daigdig at taas-noo sila, tulad natin ngayon. Alam nilang sila ang
nagsikap para tayo mabigyan ng mandato noong 2010 para matamo ang pagbabago
at namalagi sila sa pagtahak sa landas na ito mula noon,” dugtong pa ng
Pangulong Aquino. PND (jl/zaf) |
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Lutas na ng ang problema sa kakulangan ng mga
silid-aralan - Aquino |
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(CARMONA, Cavite) Sa wakas, lutas na ang problema ng
pamahalaan sa mga silid-aralan ngayong nagawa nang lahat ang 66,813
silid-aralang kailangan, sabi ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III Lunes.
Sa talumpati ng Pangulo sa ceremonial turn-over ng 66,813 silid-aralan sa
Carmona National High School dito, sinabi ng Pangulong Aquino na sa wakas
nalutas na ng Kagawaran ng Pagtuturo ang kakulangan ng silid-aralan noong
Disyembre 2013.
“Nang maupo tayo sa puwesto, tumambad sa atin ang nakalululang kakulangan sa
sektor ng edukasyon. Kapos tayo swa libro, silya at mga guro. Mayroon din
tayong—eto na po ang pamosong numero—ng 66,800 silid-aralan,” wika ng
Pangulo.
Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na nagawa ng pamahalaan na makipag-ugnayan sa
iba-ibang mga ahensiya ng gobyerno, mga pamahalaang lokal (LGUs), pribadong
sektor at foreign donors para matugunan ang “target” na ito.
Itinayo ang mga silid-aralan, mayroong isang palapag na istraktura hanggang
sa mga gusaling maraming palapag sa pamamagitan ng mga pondo ng pamahalaang
pambansa at lokal man, gayundin ang donasyon ng pribadong sektor.
“At ngayong araw nga po, nasaksihan natin ang ceremonial turnover ng 66,813
na bagong mga silid-aralan na bumura rin sa ipinamanang backlog ng nakaraang
administrasyon. Sa totoo lang po, gaya nang ipinangako ni Kalihim Armin
Luistro, natapos itong ipatayo noon pang Disyembre. Ang bonus pa nga ,
nalampasan pa natin ang ating target,” sabi ng Pangulo.
Pinuri ng Pangulo si Kalihim Luistro sa pagtupad sa pangako at pagsisikap na
mabigyan ang mga mag-aaral ng kanilang pangunahing kailangang tulad ng mga
silid-aralan, upuan at mga aklat na gamit sa pagtuklas ng talino.
“Makalipas ang mahigit na tatlong taon ng mabuting pamamahala, ang halos 62
milyon, uulitin ko lang po iyan—62 milyong kakulangan sa libro, burado na
noon pang 2012. At nakuha po natin iyan, mas maganda pa ang presyo kaysa sa
dinatnan. Mga 40 porsiyento ang natipid natin, Brother Armin, kung tama ang
tanda ko,” dugtong ng Pangulol.
“Ang dalawa at kalahating milyong kakulangan sa upuan, nairaos na rin po.
Nagamit pa natin ang mga troso na ilegal ang pagkakuha para siguradong wala
nang makinabang sa ilegal na gawain,” mariing wika ng Pangulong Aquino,.
Ang lahat nang ito, ayon sa Pangulo ay dahil sa matapat niyang paniniwala na
ang edukasyon ang susing magiging daan para mabawasan ang karalitaan at
magtamo ng pambansang kakayahang makipagkompetisyon.
“Ngayong napunan na ang mga kakulangan ng nakaraan, kompiyansa tayong mas
mapaaarangkada pa, hindi lamang ang sektor ng edukasyon, kundi maging ang
pag-unlad ng kalakhang lipunan,” sabi ng Pangulo. PND (js/zaf) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the
Ceremonial Turnover of 66,813 Accomplished Classrooms
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Carmona National High School, Carmona, Cavite
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03 Feb
2014
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Magandang araw po sa inyong lahat.
Bagama’t hindi pa ho tayo gaanong matanda, noong mas bata tayo, ‘pag
nagagawi tayo, lalo noong panahon ng Martial Law dito po sa Cavite, bandang
Silang raw ho yata, mayroon silang tinatawag na “Kubeta Village.” At papunta
ho dito ngayon, ‘yung aking pong nagmamaneho ng sasakyan, sinabi niya sa
Antipolo rin daw ho, o bandang Antipolo, ay mayroon din silang “Kubeta
Village.” Parang nagtatanong ‘yung mga mas bata sa akin, o nagpapanggap na
mas bata sa akin, ano ba ‘yong “Kubeta Village?”
Mayroon rin kasing housing na ginagawa noong panahong iyon. At ang pangako
ng gobyernong noon panahon ng Martial Law na housing—at ewan kung bakit
nauna sa plano eh ang pagtatayo ng mga kubeta, susunod na lang ho ‘yong
bahay. Ang problema ho, naubos ho ang pondo dahil ang natira ho kubeta,
wala ho ang bahay. Eventually ho, pati ang kubeta tinanggal na rin at
nagkaroon ng ibang—mga factory na ho yata ang nandoon ngayon eh.
Siguro kaya ko lang naibahagi sa inyo ‘yan, dahil noong araw ho, uso ‘yong
nangangako na parating napapako. At itong araw pong ito, ikinagagalak ko po
na sa pangunguna ng ating butihing Brother Armin Luistro—nakita naman po
n’yo nakasaklay pa—‘yung pangako ng administrasyong ito, hindi po napapako,
nadadagdagan pa, kaya ulit: Napakagaling trabaho. Maraming salamat Brother
Armin.
Sa ngayon po, malinaw na sa nakakarami, lalo na sa Gabinete, ang estilo ng
ating pamamahala. Ang proseso po natin: Tukuyin ang tunay na problema upang
makarating sa tamang solusyon; bumuo ng consensus tungo sa kongkretong mga
hakbang na dapat isagawa; maglatag ng target na pagbubuhusan ng pondo, husay,
at pagsisikap upang maabot. Alam po ng ating mga Kalihim iyan: Hindi
lista-sa-tubig ang ating mga target; sineseryoso ko ito. Kapag dumating na
ang itinakdang panahon, asahan mong hahanapin ko sa iyo ang ipinangako mo.
Kailangang mayroon kang maipapakitang resulta sa ating mga Boss. Sabi po ng
aking ama, “‘Pag nagbitaw ka ng salita, mahirap man o madali, kailangang
tuparin.”
Aaminin ko pong minsan ay nagi-guilty rin ako; may mga pagkakataon na kahit
holiday o espesyal na okasyon, kailangan kong ipatawag ang ating mga Kalihim
o kausapin sa cellphone. Isa na nga po sa aking mga naging New Year’s
Resolution: huwag nang masyadong i-pressure ang ating mga kasamahan. Mas
maiging bigyan sila ng espasyo upang makahinga naman sila, kahit paano, sa
mga bagahe ng trabaho.
Alam n’yo po, kahapon medyo na-violate ko ‘yan. Nagkamali pong i-text ako ni
Secretary Dinky Soliman. Sinamantala ko na rin po at kinamusta ko ang epekto
ni Basyang. Sabi niya, “Sir, babalik po ako sa inyo para maibigay ang datos,”
at pagbalik po niya, kakaunti lang ‘yung evacuation center na bukas pa.
Pagkatapos ko pong siyang nakausap, naalala ko, Linggo nga pala. Kaya sabi
ko, “Sana makapahinga ka ngayon, Dinky.”
Ito nga pong si Kalihim Brother Armin Luistro naman, kilala na rin ang aking
pagiging metikuloso sa detalye. Hindi na po ako magugulat kung isa siya sa
mga nakukulitan sa akin. [Laughter] Ang masasabi ko po sa kanya, at sa mga
kawani ng DepEd: Salamat at maraming salamat sa isang job well done.
[Applause] Talaga pong hangang-hanga ako sa inyong pagpapakitang-gilas:
Sunud-sunod na binura ng DepEd ang mga backlog na minana ng kanilang sektor.
Ngayon nga po, sa wakas, abot-kamay na ang ating pangarap na magkaroon ng
pampublikong edukasyon na tunay na manganganak ng pagkakataon para sa ating
mga kabataan.
Nang maupo tayo sa puwesto, tumambad sa atin ang nakakalulang kakulangan sa
sektor ng edukasyon. Kapos tayo sa libro, silya, at mga guro. Mayroon din
tayong—eto na po ang pamosong numero—ng 66,800 na kakulangan sa silid-aralan.
Siguro ho dapat tayo magpasalamat sa ating pinalitan, at hindi po nilang
ginawang 66,666. Buti nalang ho binuo na. Ang masaklap pa: ang gagastusin
para sa isang classroom, tinataya na nasa P800,000. Kayo na po ang mag-compute:
66,800 times 800,000. Baka kulangin po ang espasyo ng calculator sa suma-total
nito.
Ang tanong nga po: Saan naman tayo huhugot ng napakalaking halaga para
tustusan ang backlog na ito? Sa tantya po namin sa ating budget noon, nasa
walong libong classroom lang ang kayang mapondohan kada taon. Samakatwid, sa
anim na taon natin sa termino, 48,000 lang ang magagawa, aalis ako malaki pa
ang utang; bitin pa rin para tugunan ang 66,800 na kakulangan. Dagdag pa
rito, patuloy na lumolobo ang ating populasyon, kaya’t tulad po ng aking
assistant na si Asec. Delantar, bagong kasal po ‘yan, at ang kontribusyon po
niya sa ating populasyon kaagad, twins. Kaya dumarami rin kada taon ang mga
kabataang pumapasok sa eskuwela. ‘Yung sa kanya po, hindi pa pumapasok sa
eskuwela.
Pero heto po tayo ngayon, makalipas ang mahigit tatlong taon ng mabuting
pamamahala. Ang halos 62 milyong—ulitin ko lang po ‘yan ha—62 milyong
kakulangan sa libro, burado na, 2012 pa. At nakuha po natin ‘yan, mas
maganda pa ang presyo kaysa sa dinatnan—mga naitipid natin dito mga 40
porsyento, Brother Armin, kung tama ang tanda ko. Ang dalawa’t kalahating
milyong backlog sa upuan, nairaos na rin po. Naggamit pa natin ang mga troso
na iligal ang pagkukuha para siguradong wala nang makinabang sa iligal na
gawain. Mula 2010 hanggang 2013 naman, nagdagdag tayo ng halos 103 libong
posisyon para sa mga guro. Baka pansinin po n’yo, “posisyon.” Sabi ko,
“Bakit ‘posisyon?’” May kulang pa raw ho kasi na apat na libong maha-hire.
Dati nag-e-export tayo ng teacher, ngayon naghahanap tayo ng teacher—apat na
libo, mga specialized po ito, baka may kakilala kayong naghahanap ng trabaho,
kulang pa ho tayo ng apat na libo.
Kung isasama pa rito ang 43 libong volunteers sa kinder at ang mga gurong
empleyado ng mga LGU, napunuan na rin natin ang humigit-kumulang 146 na
libong kakulangan sa guro noong 2010. At ngayong araw nga po, nasaksihan
natin ang ceremonial turnover ng 66,813 na bagong classroom, na bumura din
sa ipinamanang backlog ng nakaraang administrasyon. Sa totoo lang po, gaya
ng ipinangako ni Secretary Armin, natapos itong ipatayo noon pang Disyembre.
Ang bonus pa nga: nalampasan pa natin ang ating target. Kaya ulitin ko lang
po, sa mga nakikinig na miyembro ng ating gabinete, kapag nangako kayo at
dinadagdagan n’yo po ang resulta, hindi po tayo magagalit, ikinatutuwa natin
‘yan.
Ang tagumpay po nating ito ay hindi bunga ng milagro, o ng dinoktor na mga
numero. Kongkretong bunga ito ng pagkakaisa, dedikasyon, at propesyunalismo
ng DepEd, ng DPWH, ng ating economic team na buong sigasig na pinapalago ang
ekonomiya, at ng matuwid nating paggugol ng pondo. Nagpapasalamat din tayo
sa pakikipagtulungan ng lokal na gobyerno, ng mga nagbigay ng donasyon sa
loob at labas ng bansa, at sa pribadong sektor, upang makumpleto ang
pagpapatayo ng mga silid-aralan. Maraming salamat po sa paglalatag ng
magandang kinabukasan para sa ating kabataan.
Marami po sa inyo sigurong batid na ako po’y nag-aral sa Ateneo de Manila,
ang butihing kaibigan ng mga taga-De La Salle University. Siyempre, si
Brother Armin po, hindi lang produkto, namuno pa ng De La Salle. Si
Secretary Singson ng DPWH, galing rin sa La Salle. Si Secretary Purisima,
galing rin sa La Salle. Kaya siguro, itong araw po, mapapatawad ng aking
kapwa mga Atenista kung sasabihin kong, “Animo La Salle!” Malamang hindi na
naman tayo maiimbitahang magsalita sa Ateneo. Baka sa La Salle na
lang.
Siyempre, top one pa rin po sa mga dapat kong pasalamatan, ating butihing
kalihim, Armin Luistro. Isipin po ninyo: puwede namang tanggihan ni
Secretary Armin ang alok nating maglingkod sa gobyerno. Matagumpay at
tahimik ang kanyang buhay sa kanyang bokasyon. Sa gobyerno, nag-aabang sa
kanya ang sakit ng ulong hatid ng mga problemang ipinamana po sa atin, pati
ng mga pambabatikos ng ilan na naging trabaho na ang magkalat ng negatibismo.
Hindi po nagpasindak si Brother Armin: Pinili niyang tumaya at higit na
makapaglingkod. Hindi siya nagpakahon sa mga limitasyon, at hinigitan pa
niya ang husay at pagsisikap na naging kakabit na ng kanyang pangalan. Muli,
maraming salamat, Secretary Armin.
Mulat po tayong hindi pa tapos ang ating misyon, at mayroon pa rin tayong
mga pagsubok na dapat lampasan. Marami po ang winasak na paaralan ng mga
nagdaang kalamidad, at bawat taon ay nadadagdagan ang mga mag-aaral. Sa abot
ng ating makakaya, titiyakin nating matutugunan ang batayang pangangailangan
sa sektor ng edukasyon; at sisiguruhin nating pati ang magiging pagkukulang
sa mga susunod na taon dahil sa K to 12 program ay mapapaghandaan din,
matatapos, at hindi napapamana ang pag-solve sa susunod na administrasyon.
Ngayong napunuan na ang mga kakulangan ng nakaraan, kompiyansa tayong mas
mapapaarangkada pa—hindi lamang ang sektor ng edukasyon—kundi maging ang
pag-unlad ng kalakhang lipunan.
Ibang-iba na po talaga ang Pilipinas ngayon. Sa pagtahak sa landas ng
katwiran at pananagutan, nagawa nating posible ang dating imposible.
Kompiyansa po tayo sa kakayahan ng lahing Pilipino—basta’t nakikiambag ang
bawat isa, basta’t sabay-sabay tayong humahakbang pasulong, tunay nating
maihahawan ang magandang kinabukasan para sa atin pong bayan.
Siyempre, pasalamatan ho natin, hingi po ako ng kaunting palakpak sa inyo,
sa mga miyembro ng kongreso na talaga naman nakiisa sa atin para matagumpay
para makamtan ang tagumpay na iyon. Sa mga local government units rin po, na
nakakarami po sa ating bansa, ang nakiambag rin tungo sa solusyon at hindi
sa problema.
Siguro sa pagtatapos: Noong nag-uumpisa po kami, lalo na ‘yong unang apat
po na buwan, isipin ho n’yo, tulad nitong problemang ating sino-solve
ngayong araw na ito, 66,800 ang kulang. Tinanong ko si Secretary Abad, “Ano
ba ang kaya nating suportahan malamang?” Sabi niya, “Walong libo.” Paano
gagawin natin ito, 66,000, eh hindi equivalent to 48,000, at gumawa nga ho
ng iba’t ibang paraan, nag-enganyo ng mga nag-donate, hinanap lahat ng
puwedeng donors, may PPP pa tayo dito, dulo po nito, hindi solusyon sa
edukasyon ang dahilan; ang solusyon dapat, tunay na maipakita sa mga
kabataang may utang tayong magandang kinabukasan.
Magandang araw sa inyong. Maraming salamat po. |
|
|
Ex-Deputy Ombudsman and Ex-Assistant
Ombudsman face criminal raps before Sandiganbayan |
Source:
http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph |
|
Ombudsman
Conchita Carpio Morales approved the filing of Informations against
former Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Mark E. Jalandoni and former
Assistant Ombudsman Nennette M. De Padua for tampering with official
documents.
Jalandoni and De Padua face thirteen (13) counts of Falsification of
Public Documents under Article 171, par. 6 of the Revised Penal Code
(RPC), and fifty-six (56) counts of Infidelity in the Custody of
Public Documents through Concealment under Article 226 of the RPC.
The Informations are expected to be filed with the Sandiganbayan
tomorrow.
In two separate Orders signed on December 5, 2013, Ombudsman Morales
approved the Internal Affairs Board (IAB) recommendation affirming
the July 25, 2013 Resolution and denying the Motions for
Reconsideration filed by Jalandoni and De Padua.
By Order approved on January 22, 2014, Ombudsman Morales granted the
motion for reconsideration filed by former Executive Assistant
Rosalyn D. Martinez who, after agreeing to become a prosecution
witness, was accorded conditional immunity pursuant to Section 17 of
Republic Act No. 6770 (The Ombudsman Act of 1989) that vests the
Ombudsman with the power to grant immunity to material witnesses in
graft and corruption cases.
The case arose from a complaint filed with the IAB in June 2011 by
former Overall Deputy Ombudsman (ODO) Orlando Casimiro who
discovered the tampered decisions, resolutions, orders and other
official documents which respondents committed during their tenure
in the Office. ODO Casimiro was then the Acting Ombudsman after
Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez resigned in April 2011.
After the proceedings, the IAB found that there was systematic
tampering with official documents that were already reviewed and
signed by approving authorities (including former Ombudsman
Gutierrez), by superimposing or “patching” the signatory portions
thereof with pieces of paper bearing Jalandoni’s name, making it
appear that Jalandoni was the approving authority.
In at least 56 cases, the release of already-approved documents was
delayed because it was made to appear that Jalandoni has yet to act
on them. In at least 13 cases, the “patches” were signed by
Jalandoni, making it appear that he was authorized to sign the
documents, when in fact they were already signed by various
approving authorities.
Ombudsman Morales expressed hope that the filing of criminal cases
against two former top Ombudsman officials will underscore the
seriousness of the anti-corruption campaign.
“The Office shall continue to run after and prosecute all – even our
own people – found to be involved in shenanigans that compromise the
integrity of public service. We shall continue cleaning our own
backyard,” she added.
In the July 25, 2013 Resolution, the criminal complaint as against
other respondents Amie Lou Fernandez, Associate Graft Investigation
Officer; Grace Anne Arnan, Graft Prevention and Control Officer; and
Ruby Ann Medallada, Administrative Aide, were dismissed for lack of
probable cause.
Administrative Aspect of the Case
In a separate Decision dated July 25, 2013, Ombudsman Morales found
Jalandoni administratively liable for Grave Misconduct and Conduct
Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service, and imposed upon
him the penalty of dismissal from service with accessory penalties
of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits,
perpetual disqualification from holding public office, and bar from
taking civil service examinations. In lieu of dismissal from the
service, which principal penalty can no longer be implemented since
Jalandoni resigned in April 2011, Ombudsman Morales imposed the
penalty of fine equivalent to his salary for one (1) year. The
accessory penalties remain, however.
The administrative complaint as against De Padua and Martinez was
dismissed for lack of administrative disciplinary jurisdiction, the
two coterminous officials having separated from service in good
faith prior to the filing of the complaint.
Fernandez and Medallada were found administratively liable for
Simple Misconduct and were meted the penalty of suspension for one
(1) month and one (1) day, while the administrative complaint
against Arnan was dismissed for lack of substantial evidence.
Jalandoni elevated the administrative decision to the Court of
Appeals where it is now pending appeal. |
|
|
Philippine Financial Stability
Coordination Council launched |
Source:
http://www.bsp.gov.ph |
|
The Financial
Stability Coordination Council was launched this week by five
government institutions to foster a strong and resilient financial
system that supports market innovation and mitigates any build-up of
systemic risks. The Memorandum of Agreement for the FSCC were signed
by, from left: Insurance Commission (IC) Commissioner Emmanuel F.
Dooc; National Treasurer Rosalia V. de Leon representing the
Department of Finance (DoF); Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)
Governor and FSCC Chair Amando M. Tetangco, Jr.; Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairperson Teresita J. Herbosa; and
Philippine Deposit and Insurance Corporation (PDIC) President
Valentin A. Araneta. The members of the council will collaborate and
coordinate to identify, manage, and address external and internal
risks to financial stability to protect financial consumers and our
economy. |
|
|
File formal opposition to alien employment permit
applications, Baldoz tells TUCP |
Source:
http://www.dole.gov.ph |
|
Saying
published allegations about illegal foreigners working in the
construction sector in the country has been investigated as early as
September 2013, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda
Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said any one, including the Trade Union
Congress of the Philippines which had raised the issue, can file
formal opposition to alien employment permit applications which are
public documents.
This was Secretary Baldoz's response to the TUCP which again
yesterday raised the issue, expressing fear of Chinese and other
foreign workers "slowly taking over the country's labor market".
"Applications for the issuance of alien employment permits are
published in newspapers of general circulation. Anyone who opposes
the issuance of an AEP to a foreigner-applicant can file an
opposition with our regional offices. That is the process. I hope
the TUCP and all stakeholders will file their opposition, if they
have concerns, to help the government weed out illegal foreign
workers in the country," said Baldoz, adding:
"The publication of an AEP application is a labor market test
requirement of the Labor Code. Its purpose is to let the public know
that a company is hiring a foreigner with a particular skill which
may not be available locally. Anyone who can prove otherwise should
come forward and file an opposition."
Baldoz said the AEP guidelines authorizes representatives of DOLE
regional directors to conduct ocular inspection to verify legitimacy
of employment of foreign national and a verification inspection of
the establishment employing foreign nationals within 30 days after
issuance of the AEP. The penalty on foreign nationals working
without AEP is a fine of P10,000 for every year, or a fraction
thereof.
"The regional director can also deny an AEP application, or revoke
an issued AEP. This is also in the guidelines," Baldoz said.
She explained that as a matter of procedure, DOLE regional directors
also check the employment contracts of these foreign nationals,
mayor's permit to operate the business, and certification from the
Philippine Economic Zone Authority, if the company is located in an
economic zone.
The DOLE, according to Baldoz, has been successful in weeding out
illegal foreigners in the local labor market, saying that in Central
Luzon for instance, 10 Chinese workers are awaiting deportation by
the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) after they were
found to have no AEPs.
"The BID is also conducting investigation of 70 Chinese workers said
to be hired by a company called Scitel Customer Care Phils., Inc.
who were issued visas but allegedly there were misrepresentation of
information in their application," said Baldoz, quoting a report of
BLE Director Dominique Rubia-Tutay.
She also said for its efforts to strictly enforce the AEP law, the
Philippine Overseas Construction Board (POCB) commended it in
December. The commendation was in the form of a resolution thanking
the DOLE for its immediate response to the call of the Philippine
construction industry to check the working permits of foreign
workers in local construction projects.
"The POCB has learned from foreign contractors, who are also working
in projects they are involved with, that they are now more cautious
in employing foreign workers and now ensure compliance with the
requirements of Philippine laws, particularly the AEP," said POCB
Chairman Isidro A. Consunji in a letter to Secretary Baldoz
transmitting the resolution.
Baldoz reiterated that DOLE regional offices, notably DOLE National
Capital Region and DOLE Regional Office Nos. 3 and 4-A, had
conducted investigation of the allegations immediately after the
TUCP raised the matter in September last year.
"In fact, DOLE Regional Office No. 4-A Director Zenaida Angara-Campita,
acting on an official information, conducted an investigation even
before the TUCP allegation came out, and had found out that 13
Chinese nationals have been working for a large construction company
in Batangas without any AEP. She ordered the company employing the
Chinese workers to comply with the AEP requirement," Baldoz
recalled.
She further said the DOLE's Bureau of Local Employment had met with
the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) on the matter to
improve mechanics of coordination in the grant of working visas to
foreign nationals.
"This is about strictly enforcing the revised rules for the issuance
of alien employment permits (AEPs) which our regional offices have
direct responsibility. I have already instructed the two regional
directors concerned--and in fact this goes true with the other DOLE
regional directors--to look into this matter and, if found to have
basis, act to strictly enforce the rules," said Baldoz.
She said her order to the regional directors include the inventory
check of the data bases of foreign nationals issued the AEP and
cross-checking this with the companies that applied for the AEPs in
their respective areas of jurisdiction. |
|
|
POEA bans deployment of OFWs to selected Thailand
areas |
Source:
https://www.dole.gov.ph |
|
More job
applicants are looking up to Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs)
to help them find jobs, as the number of these people who trooped to
the City PESO of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, showed in 2009.
“This indicates the trust that job applicants repose in the PESO,”
Ms. Aileen Cynthia Amurao, City PESO manager said after the Puerto
Princesa City PESO was adjudged to the have the biggest number of
applicants registered at the 9th National PESO Congress in Tagaytay
City last October. Some 8,842 job applicants registered with the
PESO office last year.
The Puerto Princesa City PESO bested other PESOS in well-developed
cities of the National Capital Region (NCR) and other prime regions
all over the country. For the feat, Ms. Amurao brought home a trophy
and cash award of P50,000.00. Labor and Employment Secretary
Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz personally handed out to Ms. Amurao the
prizes.
“Puerto Princesa City PESO being a recipient of one of the most
prestigious awards in the 9th National PESO Congress is one of our
top achievements for 2010,” said Josefino Torres, director of the
Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. 4B (MIMAROPA
Region), based in Calapan City.
“All through the years, as the Public Employment Service Officers of
the Philippines (PESOPHIL) assembles at its annual Congress and
recognizes top employment performers, the PESOs in our region have
not been nominated nor given citations. This is the first and it
feels great,” he added.
Torres said that it was only in 2008 when PESOs in the MIMAROPA
region started getting recognition and reaping honors and citations
for exemplary performance.
He admitted that the DOLE Regional Office No. 4B and the PESOs have
worked together for the achievement.
“We have endured a lot and overcame the challenges of the skills
registration process before we were given the said honor,” Torres
said, adding that “we broadened our partnership with concerned local
government units (LGUs) by reaching down to the barangay level and
provided technical and logistics support in order to achieve our
employment facilitation objectives.”
Torres said the DOLE’s Regional and Palawan Field Offices, in
partnership with the City PESO of Puerto Princesa, utilized all
means as effectively and efficiently possible to assist the public
to explore various employment options, fulfilling the DOLE mandate
of facilitating the perfect match of employment opportunities and
employment seekers.
Ms. Amurao recalled that she was there at the inception of the
Puerto City PESO, which was established by virtue of a Memorandum of
Agreement signed on March 4, 1994 by then DOLE Secretary Nieves
Confesor and Mayor Edward Hagedorn, with the DOLE Director Romeo
Young, now labor attaché to Oman, as witness.
It was institutionalized by virtue of City Ordinance No. 146
entitled, “Creating the City PESO and five regular positions,
Supervising Labor Employment Officer, Labor and Employment Officer
III, Labor and Employment Officer I, Labor and Employment Aide, and
Manpower Development Assistant on September 11, 2000.
The City PESO, said Ms. Amurao, is also active in Career Guidance,
as each year, its staff visit all secondary and tertiary schools,
both private and government institutions to conduct career coaching
to all third and fourth year students.
Ms. Amurao also said that through the help of the DOLE, it has
institutionalized a Special Credit Assistance for Departing OFWs, a
lending program for qualified overseas applicants from the City
which charges just a 12 percent interest rate per annum. The city
government has allocated an amount of P1 million for the start-up of
the special facility.
“This PESO program, started in 2003, is now very popular,” Director
Torres said.
“As of today, we have released more than P9 million in credit
assistance to 721 deployed overseas applicants. The repayment rate
was at 96 percent,” Ms. Amurao added.
Currently, an ordinance for the creation of Barangay PESO is
underway with the City Council to further bring down the employment
programs of the government to the barangay level.
Questions about this news release? Please contact DOLE- Region 4B at
telephone number (043) 288-1667. |
|
|
UK delegation boosts biz ties in PHL |
Source:
http://www.dti.gov.ph |
|
The Department
of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently welcomed a trade and investment
mission of British companies that intend to expand their businesses
and ramp up their presence in the Philippines.
During the investment briefing for the mission members, Trade
Undersecretary Ponciano C. Manalo Jr. conveyed his appreciation of
the delegation’s presence in the country as this highlights the
strengthening of bilateral trade and investment relations between
our two countries. Manalo further invited the delegation members to
explore potential business opportunities in the country and
encouraged them to invest in light of the positive economic
developments in our country.
This business mission is the eighth group from the UK for this year.
It is a follow through from the high-level trade and investment
mission of the Philippines, as well as the PEZA Roadshow, both of
which took place in London last October.
The delegation is composed of British companies seeking potential
joint venture partnerships, investments in manufacturing, product
distributors, and product sources in the Philippines.
In partnership with DTI’s Philippine Trade and Investment Center in
London (PTIC-London) and UK-ASEAN Business Council, the London
Chamber of Commerce and Industry and UK Trade and Investment (North
West England) organized a two-day visit including a number of
activities for the delegation. These activities aim to highlight and
reiterate the positive economic developments and high investor
confidence in the Philippines.
“The current investment climate in the Philippines is strong, and
gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate hit 7%,” Manalo said.
Manalo said the primary factor that contributes to this positive
development is good governance that the country is having under the
present administration.
Manalo added that when locating in a country, businesses seek for
stability and predictability of investments through good governance
and a stable banking system.
In 2012, the United Kingdom (UK) surged as the seventh top source of
approved investment amounting to P6.7B or a 293-% increase from the
previous year’s P1.7B.
Manalo noted that trade in service is one of the areas to develop
with the UK. This includes voice and non-voice business process
management (BPM).
Aside from BPM, other priority sectors offered to British companies
are public-private partnership (PPP) in infrastructure, aerospace,
and manufacturing in agribusiness, food processing, automotive
electronic parts and components.
Thirteen companies joined the delegation. These are Arup, AWW
Architects, Deemak International, Duke’s Court Travel, Energy
Island, GIG Productions Ltd., Hoshin, Human Elemental Ltd, Medikit
Ltd., Sterling Sensors Ltd., Tree Communications, Tudor Export Ltd.,
and UK Trade and Investment.
London Chamber of Commerce Senior International Business Executive
Ruma Deb said that they expect enduring business relations with the
Philippines. Likewise, Asia Pacific Development UK Trade and
Investment (North West Team) Head Philomena Chan noted there are a
lot of synergies that both countries can partner and cited the
creative sector in particular. |
|
|
P-Noy urges Transition Commission to fast-track
Basic Law drafting; assures full support |
Source:
http://www.opapp.gov.ph |
|
Manila –
President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday urged the Bangsamoro
Transition Commission (BTC) to "fast-track the completion of the
draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to ensure its passage and
ratification with enough time to complete the transition tasks in
time for the 2016 elections."
In a statement released by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Teresita Quintos Deles, she relayed that the President met with the
members of the BTC who paid him a courtesy call in Malacanang.
"The meeting, which took place in a warm and relaxed atmosphere,
gave the BTC the opportunity to update the President on the work
they have been doing and the concerns they were trying to address,"
said Deles who was also present in the meeting.
The BTC is the body created THRU EO 120 issued in December, 2012 to
draft the BBL that will pave the way for the establishment of the
Bangsamoro region in 2016. It is composed of a total of 15 members
appointed by the President, eight were recommended by the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and seven were recommended by the
GPH.
"To ensure the broadest possible support for the passage of the law,
the President stressed the need for the BTC to be transparent in its
work and to reach out to the different sectors, including those
initially resistant to the new political entity," added Deles.
Led by its chair Mohagher Iqbal, who also sits as chief negotiator
of the MILF, the BTC members have been conducting consultations with
various stakeholders.
Other commissioners include Maulana Alonto, Abdula Camlian, Raissa
Jajurie, Said Shiek, Ibrahim Ali, Melanio Ulama, Hussein Munoz,
Akmad Sakkam, Asani Tammang, Pedrito Eisma, Froilyn Mendoza, Johaira
Wahab, Talib Benito, and Fatmawati Salappudin.
Full support
Deles also related that the President "assured the BTC of the full
support of the national government in terms of technical and
political support, guidance and advice as well as budget."
"He (Aquino) said he would give as much of his own time as necessary
to gain support for this undertaking," she stated.
"He expressed full confidence that, with everyone's hard work and
due diligence, the vote for the new law would be won," added Deles.
Once drafted, the BBL will be certified as an urgent bill by the
President, submitted to Congress for passage, and subjected to a
plebiscite in the envisioned core territory of the Bangsamoro. |
|
|
DepEd recovering damaged school records in
Yolanda-hit areas |
Source:
http://www.deped.gov.ph |
|
The Department
of Education (DepEd) is continuing efforts to recover and
reconstruct school records damaged by super typhoon Yolanda in
affected divisions of Eastern Visayas and Western Visayas. DepEd
began the assessment in December 2013 and mapped out a strategy in
recovery and reconstruction of select school records given the
constraints in the area. “Records that have been partially damaged
were digitally captured and sent to division offices. Those that
were lost or totally destroyed are being reconstructed using other
available documents,” said Rogelio Morales, DepEd Director for
Technical Services.
In the four divisions of Tacloban City, Eastern Samar, Ormoc City
and Leyte alone, records of 78,000 learners in elementary and high
school have been affected. The students' permanent school records
contained in Form 137 was identified as a priority. In these areas,
around 41,627 were deemed intact, 9,669 had partial damage, and
7,297 were lost or totally destroyed.
Partially damaged forms were photo captured and then reproduced on
new forms. Tablets donated by the Turkish relief agency helped
hasten the process of restoration of permanent school records. To
date, more than 10,500 school records have been digitally captured;
45000 copies of blank form 137s as well office supplies were also
sent to both regions needed for school records recovery operations. |
|
|
Philippines, New Zealand to
launch working holiday scheme |
Source:
https://www.dfa.gov.ph |
|
03 February
2014 - Another significant milestone in Philippines-New Zealand
bilateral relations has been reached with the launch of the Working
Holiday Scheme (WHS).
Effective 05 February 2014, Filipinos and New Zealanders, ages 18 to
30 years, will be able to apply for the WHS visa allowing them the
opportunity to stay for one year in New Zealand and the Philippines,
respectively, for leisure, holiday or temporary work. WHS
participants may enroll in training or study for a maximum period of
three months or work for one year with a limit of three months per
employer. They will have to leave the country at the end of the
temporary 12-month entry visa. A quota of 100 WHS visas per year
will be issued to successful Filipino applicants and the same number
to successful New Zealand applicants.
The arrangement on the WHS, the first of its kind for the
Philippines and one of 34 arrangements with other countries for New
Zealand, was signed between Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F.
Del Rosario and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully and
witnessed by President Benigno S. Aquino III and Prime Minister John
Key in Wellington on 23 October 2012.
The implementation of the WHS is expected to generate closer
people-to-people understanding and goodwill through tourism,
cultural and educational exchanges and short-term employment and
allow young participants from the Philippines and New Zealand to
experience first-hand the thriving way of life in the communitiesand
engage more closely with the local people in each other’s country.
Interested applicants from the Philippines may contact the Embassy
of New Zealand in Makati (http://www.nzembassy.com/philippines)
while those from New Zealand can get in touch with the Embassy of
the Philippines in Wellington (http://www.philembassy.org.nz/) for
the requirements and relevant details of the WHS Arrangement.
|
|
|
Philippine Council of Engineers and
Architects, Saudi Council of Engineers sign Memorandum of
Understanding to cooperate and exchange Information |
Source:
https://www.dfa.gov.ph |
|
3 February 2014
– The Philippine Council of Engineers and Architects (PCEA), led by
Chairman Engr. Mario Balboa and the Saudi Council of Engineers
(SCE), represented by Chairman Arch. Hamad Al Shegawi, signed on
January 30 a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a
framework of cooperation to enhance the engineering profession and
exchange expertise and information.
The signing ceremony was held at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.
It was graced by Consul General and Minister Marshall Louis M.
Alferez and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Chairman
Teresita Manzala.
PRC Chair Manzala expressed hope that the MOU will be a living
document that will evolve into more areas of cooperation for the
PCEA and the SCE.
SCE Chair Al-Shegawi noted that Filipinos have been close to and a
part of Saudi Arabia for so long. He said that there are 12,500
Filipino engineers accredited with the Saudi Council of Engineers
and of all foreign nationals, they are the best in terms of skill
and competence.
Minister Alferez congratulated both parties and encouraged other
Filipino professional organizations to explore the same
institutionalized partnerships with Saudi professional associations
to improve their fields and develop their talents. He said that
agreements such as this MOU will be mutually beneficial to the
economies of the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. |
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GSIS sells two Davao lots to the Office of the
Ombudsman for P35M |
Source:
http://www.gsis.gov.ph |
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The Government
Service Insurance System (GSIS) recently sold two parcels of land
located in Matina, Davao City, to the Office of the Ombudsman. The
properties have a combined lot area of 2,798 square meters. In the
photo, GSIS President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara receives
the P35-Million check from Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales as
Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Gerard Mosquera and Overall Deputy
Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang (third and fourth from left)
witness the sale. |
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DAR says land acquisition and distribution to
continue beyond June 2014 |
Source:
http://www.dar.gov.ph |
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The Department
of Agrarian Reform today allayed fears that the program to
distribute land to landless peasants will end with the CARPER law,
which expires on June 2014.
In a statement, the DAR reassured various quarters in civil society,
including some bishops who wrote President Aquino to ask for his
support for an extension of the CARPER law until the end of his term
in 2016.
The bishops allege that the sluggishness of land distribution by the
present DAR administration raised fears that the remaining balance
of land would not be distributed to the farmers within the timeframe
set by the CARPER law.
DAR Undersecretary Anthony Paruñgao said that the bishops may want
to look at Section 30 of RA 9700 which states that land acquisition
and distribution may proceed for landholdings with pending
proceedings even after the June 2014. He added that there is a DOJ
opinion which concurs with this view. Furthermore, the 2014 General
Appropriations Act bolsters this view.
In connection with this, DAR Undersecretary for Field Operations,
Jose Grageda, assured the bishops that the issuance of Notices of
Coverage (NOCs) for landholdings to be acquired under Compulsory
Acquisition is proceeding apace. A Notice of Coverage initiates the
compulsory acquisition and distribution of private agricultural
lands and is considered by DAR as one such proceedings referred to
by CARPER. DAR had begun fast-tracking the preliminary work leading
to the issuance of NOCs in 2012 leading in a substantial increase in
NOCs issued to landholdings above 10 hectares. But because of
limitations placed by RA 9700, NOCs for small landholdings 10
hectares and below began to be issued only starting April 2013.
“In 2012, the DAR was able to issue 25,841 NOCs covering 239,337
hectares for landholdings above 10 hectares. For 2013, another
18,460 NOCs were issued covering 210,655 hectares for these bigger
lands. In April 2013, the DAR started issuing NOCs to small
landholdings below 10 hectares. Some 12,098 NOCs covering 70,538
hectares for these small landholdings were issued in 2013. Thus, for
2013, some 30,558 NOCs were issued covering 281,192 hectares”,
Grageda said.
Among those not yet issued NOCs are some 4,397 landholdings covering
43,676 hectares for which DAR has already requested certified true
copies of title from the Land Registration Authority. In addition,
there are 7,058 landholdings covering 69,339 hectares which are
problematic and thus, no NOC has yet been issued. These are the
lands for which DAR has encountered problems like missing titles,
unreadable titles, chop-chop titles, etc. Grageda gave the assurance
that all measures are being taken to address these problems. NOCs
for around 80,000 hectares more, mostly for the small landholdings,
are currently being prepared.
Grageda also noted NOCs already issued can be found in the DAR
website. Anybody can check whether a particular landholding has been
issued an NOC. In this same web page, anybody can report a
landholding that he/she thinks should be covered by CARP. Grageda
also said that the DAR has asked for the assistance and support of
the various civil society organizations in identifying CARPable
lands so that they can be served NOCs. So far, more than a thousand
landholdings covering about 20,000 hectares have been added for
compulsory acquisition.
Undersecretary Paruñgao also noted that there are legislative
initiatives for CARP extension that will remove any and all doubts
on the legal basis land acquisition and distribution after June 30,
2014.
As regards the perceived ‘sluggishness’ of the distribution of land,
Paruñgao said that they have communicated to the various
stakeholders, the bishops included, on several occasions the state
of the land acquisition and distribution balance (LAD). He said that
presently the DAR is primarily distributing private agricultural
land, most of which have to be acquired through compulsory
acquisition.
He added that distributing private agricultural lands requires more
time and is more contentious. Titles of private lands have to be
procured. These titles have to be traced backward or forward to
ensure that the owner on record is indeed the current owner.
Landholdings identified for distribution has to be projected in the
land classification map to ensure the landholding in question does
not, for example, encroach into timberlands.
The technical description in the title has to be checked; titles
with defective technical description would need further research
and/or correction. In a significant number of cases, titles can turn
up missing or the title or destroyed by floods or fire; some titles
have been defaced making it unreadable. Again these would need
further research and in a number of instances, have to be
reconstituted by the courts.
Landowners can object to CARP coverage and can file petitions for
exemption or exclusion. In the process of identifying beneficiaries,
conflicts among potential beneficiaries may arise necessitating
inclusion/exclusion proceedings.
He said that these factors impose themselves on land acquisition and
distribution such that they impede the process of distributing land
as the Department has had to undertake other steps in order to
proceed with its mandate.
Paruñgao added that in the middle of all these, the DAR’s
Rationalization Plan was implemented.
“The rationalization plan that was put in effect hopes to address
precisely these problems and make the Department more able to take
on its tasks of distributing private agricultural land”, Parungao
said.
“We have always been upfront with the many stakeholders of land
reform as regards the situation obtaining on the ground so that we
can work together in distributing the remaining land. They are
familiar with the situation the DAR finds itself in because we’ve
communicated this several times over” said Paruñgao. |
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DOTC awards its first PPP project: AFCS to
modernize rail ticketing experience in 2015 |
Source:
http://www.dotc.gov.ph |
|
MPIC-Ayala
Consortium Bags Contract for LRT-MRT Tap-and-Go System
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) awarded
the first of its many projects under the Public-Private Partnership
(PPP) program to a joint venture led by the Ayala and Metro Pacific
groups last Thursday, 30 January 2014.
“We are pleased to announce that a modern ticketing system is on its
way for our train riders. This is part of the DOTC’s effort to
improve our services at the LRT and the MRT. The AFCS will provide
passengers with more comfort, convenience, and efficiency in their
daily commute, at no cost to government or to the passengers,” said
DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya.
The Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS), a tap-and-go ticketing
scheme for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT)
rail systems, is envisioned to improve passenger comfort and
convenience by cutting queuing time and allowing seamless transfers
from one rail line to another.
The AF Consortium was awarded the concession after having made the
most advantageous offer to the transport agency. It proposed not
only to undertake the modernization project, but also to make
premium payments to government in the amount of P 1,088,103,900.00.
As a result, the DOTC will be able to implement this common
ticketing system and generate revenues for government at the same
time, without passing any cost on to passengers.
This was made possible by the way the transport department
structured the project, which allows the winning concessionaire to
expand its business beyond the LRT and MRT lines. Thus, the AF
Consortium will be able to promote the use of the smart card-based
technology to other transport modes such as buses, as well as to
retail outlets such as mall and convenience stores, among others.
Under the concession agreement, the AFCS ticketing scheme will be
fully integrated at the LRT and MRT systems by September 2015.
“This shift to a modern fare collection system is only the beginning
of several rail improvement projects in our pipeline. We are
increasing the capacity of MRT-3 and buying out its private owner,
extending the rail lines of LRT-1 and LRT-2, and building a new one
called MRT-7,” remarked Abaya.
In addition to these projects, the DOTC will also construct a Common
Station in the EDSA-North Avenue area to connect the LRT-1, MRT-3,
and MRT-7 lines. It will also transfer the operations and
maintenance of LRT-1 and LRT-2 to the private sector through the PPP
program, in order to improve services for the public.
As for the MRT-3 buyout, government has already begun the process to
acquire the urban railway’s facilities and to end government’s
obligation to pay exorbitant rental fees to the private owner until
the next decade. |
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TESDA, Coke program empowers more women |
Source:
http://www.tesda.gov.ph |
|
The Sari-Sari
Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) program launched two
years ago to help women retailers succeed in business has now a
total of 7,986 graduates.
The program, a joint undertaking of the Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Coca-Cola Bottlers
Philippines, targets to empower 200,000 women sari-sari store owners
and operators all over the country by 2020 by giving them skills
training in managing their business.
Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA director general, said the program
continues to hone not only the women beneficiaries, but also the
trainers and program implementors, who are at the forefront managing
and delivering the program's package of assistance.
Recently, a total of 26 employees from TESDA's central and field
offices took a four-day training on gender and development to make
them more responsive to the needs of their clients.
"Our staff constantly needs capability build-up in order for the
program to be more effective," Villanueva said.
"After all, this program is all about empowering women, redefining
their roles from being mere household names into active participants
in their respective businesses, which in turn contributes to the
local economy," he said.
The training on gender and development was embedded in the STAR
program, which is part of the Millenium Development Goal on
empowering women.
The training modules also included a session on Database Management
to equip the program implementors on the basics of handling,
storing, and presenting information and data, which they could use
in the monitoring and evaluation of program implementation and
tracking the status of their beneficiaries.
At the core of the STAR program, the training on gender and
development also complements the Philippines' status as one of the
best performers within the Asia Pacific region when it comes to
gender equality, according to Villanueva.
The country has improved as well its global ranking to fifth place
from eighth in the 2013 Global Gender Gap Report.
"As we engage in skills training to hone our human capital, women
will always be at the forefront, bearing greater roles in
development," Villanueva said.
The STAR program was initially implemented in Manila, Pasay, Makati,
Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Palawan, Bacolod, Cagayan de
Oro, Davao and was later expanded to include Cagayan, Tuguegarao,
Bukidnon, Bohol, Aklan, Iloilo, Lanao del Norte, Albay, Batangas,
and Baguio. The TESDA Women’s Center, on the other hand, will be the
center of excellence to showcase the STAR program. The center will
start training sari-sari store owners next month. |
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Statement of the Vice President on the celebration of the 26th
Constitution Day |
Source:
http://ovp.gov.ph |
|
27 years ago,
we as one nation ratified the 1987 Constitution and swore allegiance
to it. Our Constitution embodies our fundamental rights as citizens,
and represents our sovereignty and freedom.
Today we are reminded that our present Constitution is a product of
a hard-earned democracy – borne of the blood, sweat, and tears of
the brave men and women who fought tyranny and oppression during the
dark days of Martial Law. As such, it is our collective
responsibility as citizens of this great nation to protect and
defend the Constitution from abuse, and ensure that truth, justice,
freedom, equality, and peace always reign. |
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PDIC files charges against former bank
President, Manager for P2.6-B fictitious loans |
Source:
http://www.pdic.gov.ph |
|
The Philippine
Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC), statutory receiver of the
closed Rural Bank of Subangdaku, Inc. (RBSI) in Cebu, filed on
January 13 with the Department of Justice (DOJ) a criminal complaint
against the former President and the former Loans Manager of the
closed bank for the creation of fictitious loans and for conducting
business in an unsafe and unsound manner. The RBSI was placed under
PDIC receivership by the Monetary Board on January 8, 2009.
In its complaint, PDIC alleged that respondents Paz Radaza
(President and Member of the RBSI Credit Committee) and Julius
Eullaran (bankwide Loans Manager) conspired and caused the creation
of 6,051 fictitious loans amounting to almost P2.6 billion from 2004
to 2008 and comprised about 97% of all the loans supposedly released
by the RSBI – Head Office during the said period.
The complaint further stated that the respondents orchestrated the
creation of official receipts and made it appear that payments were
being made to the Bank, when in fact, no payment was being received.
These supposed payments were used to provide the purported source of
the fictitious loan proceeds.
Based on the sworn affidavit of the Bank’s former Loan Officer,
respondents Eullaran and Radaza ordered their subordinates to create
fictitious loans, “no questions asked” based on the list that
respondent Eullaran provided, which contained information to be used
in creating the fictitious loans. This claim was supported by the
findings of the expert forensic accounting team from Alba Romeo &
Co. that PDIC engaged to assist in the investigation.
Results of the forensic investigation showed that 5,470 of the 6,051
fictitious loans did not contain the required credit information. In
addition, 581 of these loans did not have any supporting documents.
Consequently, demand letters to the named borrowers of these loans
were returned because of unknown addresses or because the borrowers
did not exist.
The Corporation continues to pursue legal actions against bank
officials and personnel who have been found to have engaged in
unsafe and unsound banking practices. These activities pose grave
threats to the stability of the country’s banking system. As
co-regulator of banks, deposit insurer and receiver/liquidator of
closed banks, the PDIC is authorized to conduct investigations and
file appropriate cases against erring bank officials and individuals
who are found to have violated banking laws. The pursuit for justice
against erring bank owners, officers and employees is an important
undertaking of PDIC to protect the Deposit Insurance Fund, PDIC’s
funding source for payment of insured deposits, as well as to
maintain financial stability. |
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PIDS resource expert tackles mining issues in
Palawan forum |
Source:
http://www.pids.gov.ph |
|
"The voice of
the people is the voice of God."
For a natural resource expert of the Philippine Institute for
Development Studies (PIDS), the people of Palawan, particularly
those directly affected, should have a huge say on whether mining
activities should continue in what is considered the countrys last
frontier.
Researchers should investigate whether majority of the people of
Palawan and majority of the people in the provinces mining areas are
really against mining, said Dr. Danilo Israel, PIDS senior research
fellow, during the seminar-forum titled The Philippine Mining and
Minerals Industry: Development Issues and Recommendation for
Research last January 27 at the Palawan State University (PSU) in
Puerto Princesa City.
Israel pointed out that the mining sector in Palawan is hounded by
issues of non-renewability, environmental protection, indigenous
peoples rights, benefit-sharing, political wrangling, as well as
minings impact on the provincial tourism industry. Empirical data
will help the province shape its plan for the future of Palawan, the
PIDS economist said.
He noted that the minerals industry has little value addition and
tax revenues generated from mining and quarrying are low. Revenues
from mining contributed only 0.66 percent to the total revenues of
the government. Excise tax from mining contributed only 0.07 percent
of the total excise tax collected by the government, Israel said
before a packed audience at the PSU Hostel.
Data from the National Statistical Coordination Board showed that in
terms of economic performance, mining and quarrying accounted for
only 0.91 percent of the countrys gross domestic product (GDP) from
1998 to 2012. By employment, the industries share for the period
2011-2012 was at 0.42 percent, based on data from the Mines and
Geosciences Bureau and the Department of Labor and Employment.
Gold contributed the most to metallic mineral production with an
average share of 72.24 percent from 1998 to 2012, followed by nickel
with 15.16 percent and copper with 11.27 percent. However, gold is
being smuggled out by small-scale mining operators, with such
activities increasing since 2011 when the national government
imposed a 7 percent tax on gold sold to the Central Bank.
Thought-provoking views were expressed by forum participants
representing the academe, local government agencies, civil society,
and the business sector particularly mining companies. One of the
discussants, Jose Bayani Baylon, vice-president for communications
at Nickel Asia Corp./Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp., suggested there
was no need to choose between tourism and mining.
Palawans northern part, with its nice beaches, is ideal for
eco-tourism, while the southern part has areas suitable for mining.
Responsible mining is the key, he said, and this is something that
large mining firms can do as they can be easily monitored by the
provincial government. He also argued that large firms also pay
taxes and take care of the environment as opposed to small-scale
mining operations and smugglers. The problem is that taxes go to
national agencies and not to the local governments hosting the
mining areas, Baylon said.
Atty. Grizelda Mayo-Anda, executive director at the Environmental
Legal Assistance Center, called for amendments to the mining law,
arguing that the mining policy is structured to favor the
requirements of the foreign market. Still, the government provides
many fiscal incentives and other benefits to mining firms exploiting
mineral and other resources.
She also stressed the need to look at abandoned mines. Aside from
environmental and health risks, taxpayers are burdened as the
government is footing the bill. The government loaned PHP 34.7
million from the World Bank for the rehabilitation of the Bagacay
Mines in Bagacay, Samar. Government is paying the bill using
taxpayers money now and also from the future generation the lawyer
said.
Speaking for the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, John
Francisco, who serves as chief of the Environmentally Critical Areas
Network Policy and Research Division, asked what could be the reason
for the limited economic and fiscal contribution of mining and
quarrying industries. It could be because of a limitation in the
policy and development agenda on the part of the national
government. One strategy is to pursue the value addition stages
instead of being limited to the extraction process, he said.
Israel recommended further research on efficient and effective ways
to address smuggling, how to raise tax revenues and achieve
equitable sharing, and how to make small-scale mining more
beneficial to operators and less damaging to the environment.
PIDS President Gilbert Llanto echoed this and called for an
analytical framework that would assess minings costs and benefits.
This is not exact science. In quantifying cost, you only look at the
economic benefit and cost and disregard the social cost which is
very important to consider and in fact, a very challenging area of
research. It is important to have a comprehensive framework of
analysis that would lay down all the private and social benefits and
costs of mining in Palawan. In the end, it is the polity who will
make the decision, and the sharing of proceeds should be in favor of
the people who live here, Llanto said.
PSU also became host to the 23rd PIDS Corner, which was inaugurated
on the same day at the PSU main library. The PIDS Corner, one of the
Institutes dissemination strategies, makes available for free to
students, faculty, researchers, and local policymakers copies of
PIDS publications such as books, policy notes, research papers,
newsletters, and the peer-reviewed Philippine Journal of
Development. |
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