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24-Hour Public Weather Forecast
Issued at : 5:00 AM 07 February 2014 Synopsis: Easterlies affecting the eastern section of the country. Forecast: Eastern Visayas, CARAGA region and Davao Oriental will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Light to moderate winds blowing from the east to northeast will prevail over Luzon and coming from the northeast over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate. Over Metro Manila: Maximum Temperature: 12:00 NN Yesterday --- 32.9 ºc Minimum Temperature: 6:00 Am Yesterday --- 21.5 ºc Maximum Relative Humidity: 6:00 Am Yesterday --- 94 % Minimum Relative Humidity: 12:00 NN Yesterday --- 60 % Low Tide Today: 8:13 Am …..……….. 0.25 Meter High Tide Today: 4:03 Pm …..……….. 0.77 Meter Low Tide Tomorrow: 12:47 Am …..……….. 0.20 Meter Sunrise Today: 6:23 Am Sunset Today: 5:58 Pm Moonrise Today: 11:51 Am Moonset Tomorrow: 12:53 Am Illumination Today 52 % For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.
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 Dost_pagasa
THUNDERSTORM INFO #NCR_PRSD
Issued at 10:00 AM, 07 February 2014 Thunderstorm is less likely to develop over #MetroManila within the next 12 hours. However, all are still advised to monitor for updates. For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.  |
3. Weather Watch
Tropical Cyclone Update
February 7 , 2014 ( Friday ) as of 6:00-7:00 AM
CAVITE : Sunny
LAGUNA : Sunny
BATANGAS : Sunny
RIZAL : Fair Weather
QUEZON
: Fair Weather
1. PIA Regional Watch
PIA-4A/CAVITE: The local government
of Carmona recently inaugurated several facilities primarily to give the people
of Carmona easy access to LGUs services. The new facilities are the following:
newly constructed Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office at
the DILG compound in Barangay Maduya, Barangay Lantic Day Care Center, Barangay
Mabuhay Covered Court, and Sitio Paligawan's Salintubig Facility (overhead
water tank).
2. PIA Regional Watch
PIA4/LAGUNA: A 28-foot statue of Dr.
Jose P. Rizal is set to be erected inside the sprawling Laguna Sports Complex
in Brgy. Bubukal, Santa Cruz, Laguna. The statue, depicting our national hero
as an athlete, will serve as an inspiration to tens of thousands of athletes
nationwide who will participate in the 2014 Palarong Pambansa slated on May 6-
10, 2014.
1. Tagalog news: Mahigit 500 bakanteng posisyon sa PNP,binuksan
sa Calabarzon
Wednesday 5th of February 2014
BATANGAS CITY, Pebrero
5 (PIA) --Mahigit 500 bakanteng posisyon ang binuksan ng
Philippine National Police (PNP) para sa mga
non-uniformed personnel (NUP) na itatalaga sa mga police
stations sa iba't ibang bayan sa Calabarzon.
Kabilang sa mga
bakanteng posisyon ay crime registrars (Computer Operator I and II) at radio operators (Communication
Equipment Operator I and II).
Ayon sa PNP,
ang kinakailangang mga requirements ay kinabibilangan ng letter
of application; duly accomplished Personal Data Sheet (CSC Form 212
revised 2005 na maaaring i-download mula sa website ng CSC); transcript
of records at diploma; certificate of eligibility; certificate of
training; certificate of
employment, NBI clearance (2 original at 1 authenticated copy); NSO birth
certificate (2 original at 1 authenticated copy) at NSO
marriage certificate (2 original at 1 authenticated).
Bunga nito,
hinihikayat ng pamunuan ng Batangas Police Provincial Office (BPPO)
ang lahat ng naghahanap ng trabaho na subukang mag-aplay sa mga
bakanteng posisyon. Ang pagpapasa ng aplikasyon ay sinimulan
noong Enero 22 at tatagal hanggang Marso 6, 2014.
Sa pagbubukas ng mga
posisyon para sa mga NUP, mas mapapagtuunan ng kapulisan
ang pagpapanatili ng katahimikan sa kanilang-kanilang mga nasasakupan
sa halip na gagawa ng mga reports at iba pang trabahong
pang-opisina, ayon pa sa BPPO. (MPDC, PIA Batangas)
2. Pact between DENR-Calabarzon and Batangas City, to boost land
titling
Wednesday 5th of February 2014
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna,
Feb. 5 (PIA) --The CALABARZON Region’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office announced
the forging of an agreement with the city government of Batangas to speed up
the processing of land titles in rites held yesterday at the city’s convention
center.
Regional Executive
Director Reynulfo A. Juan and Batangas City chief executive Eduardo Dimacuha
signed the Memorandum of Partnership Agreement to collaborate and improve land
administration and management, particularly in the survey and titling
activities and provide more efficient land-related services to the people of
the City.
Juan said getting the
city mayor’s, the city council’s
and the barangay council’s support was indeed an enormous feat already, with
Batangas City being the premier or capital city of the province.
“The event was a
concrete manifestation of two administrative orders, or two of the government’s
main departments,” he revealed, “In 2011, DENR issued Department Administrative
Order No. 2011-06 which prescribed the guidelines for the implementation of
public land titling in partnership with the local government units. In the same
year, the DILG, through then Secretary Robredo, issued DILG Memorandum Circular
No. 2011-117 which enjoins local authorities to support DENR’s intention to
integrate land titling activities, create Land Offices and Cadastral Councils
in the cities and municipalities.”
He said the agreement
also included the deputation conscription of qualified LGU officials and
employees to be trained as deputized public land inspectors. He further
revealed that through the initiative of the DENR field offices in Batangas,
five partnership agreements have been institutionalized in the five other
municipalities in the province.
“Naging matibay na
katuwang ng DENR ang lokal na pamahalaan sa Batangas na mabigyan ng katuparan
ang pagnanais ng inyong mga kababayan na matitulohan ang kanilang mga
pag-aaring lupa. Ito din po ang higit pa nating isasakatuparan at pagtitibayin
dito sa Batangas City!” he stressed.
The partnership was
projected to bear significant impact on the socio-economic life of the
residents and land-owners of Batangas City. Juan claimed securing property
rights will trigger economic activity, credit enhancement on the part of
title-holders will be attained and secured land rights will be more conducive
to investment
opportunities.
The joint
DENR-Calabarzon and Batangas City undertaking, he said, will not only cover
residential land titling, but also the titling of agricultural lands. It will
also facilitate issuance of special patents to untitled lands owned and
occupied by the LGUs--city, as well as the barangays.
Juan also said the
MOPA can be an avenue for the reconstitution of the old or missing survey
records or Batangas cadastre. He said the DENR can secure the expertise of the
Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines to help out.
Batangas City mayor
Dimacuha was exited with the idea of embarking into institutionalizing its own
geographic information system which is considered crucial in preserving the
city’s ecological integrity and the well-being of its constituents in the midst
of rapid urbanization. “Naaangkop na sa mga konkretong hakbang tungo sa makabuluhan
at responsableng pamamahala ng ating kapaligiran at likas na yaman. (It is just
appropriate that concrete measures will be for the responsible management of
our environment and natural resources,” he said
The MOPA assured the
people of Batangas City of better delivery of public service on matters
concerning their lands. Surveying and titling will be undertaken through
streamlined, less-expensive procedures by bringing down the titling process to
the local level, thereby eradicating red tape through the adoption of one-stop
shops within the LGUs and the barangay approach in the gathering and filing of
applications for land titling.
The historic move to
strengthen and secure the land rights of the Batanguenos was witnessed by about
1,125 residents and officials of Batangas City.
Also present during
the formalization of the agreement were Chairman Angelito Dimacuha, president
of the Association of Barangay Chairmen, Atty. Edwin Lagac of the
Register of Deeds, forester Francisco Milla, DENR R4A regional technical
director for Lands Management Service, forester Jose Elmer Bascos,
DENR-Batangas provincial chief. forester Laudemir Salac, DENR-Batangas City
chief, Oliver Gonzales of the City LGU-ENR Office and Sonny Godoy, City Planning
and Development Office. (Audie L. De La Cruz, DENR-Calabarzon/PIA4A)
- See more at:
http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=631391585585#sthash.8K0QaZuu.dpuf
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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech
at the signing ceremony of the memorandum of agreement between the Federation
of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and the
Provincial Government of Leyte
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Rizal Hall, Malacañan Palace
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05 Feb
2014
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| The disasters that befell our country in 2013 were a true test of our
capacities as a nation. Even before Supertyphoon Yolanda made landfall, many
of our resources were already devoted to helping our countrymen recover from
the Zamboanga Siege incident and the Bohol Earthquake. So perhaps you can
imagine how far it stretched our capacities when Yolanda arrived and
affected 44 out of our 81 provinces. In its immediate aftermath, we had to
prepare relief goods for those affected by the typhoon—a task that became
all the more difficult because Yolanda was more powerful than any storm
anyone had ever seen; and it swept away the goods and the resources we had
prepositioned. We had to do everything possible to clear the roads and
airports in the soonest possible time, so that relief goods could reach
survivors. We had to bury dead; we had to make sure that those affected had
roofs to sleep under. The challenge that confronted us was enormous; and it was only through our people’s resilience and solidarity that we overcame it. It was through the commitment and the hard work of those in government who dealt with relief, recovery, and reconstruction; of those from private entities who conducted relief operations either on their own or shoulder-to-shoulder with government; and of those citizens who sacrificed their time in volunteer centers. Now, a different—but no less formidable—challenge lies ahead of us. As we rebuild the communities affected by Typhoon Yolanda, we must do so in a way that can unshackle us from the vicious cycle of destruction and reconstruction. This is precisely why we are building back better. Instead of simply rebuilding what was lost, we are building in a way that makes our communities more resilient in the face of disaster; and everyone’s participation makes this a reality. As you know, Leyte is part of Region 8—the region most affected by Yolanda. Thus, we really welcome this partnership between FFCCCII Foundation and the Provincial Government of Leyte. I am extremely confident that the 500 housing units and the five barrio schools you will be constructing in Palo will go a long way in our efforts to empower our countrymen to take hold of their destinies once more, especially since you will be working with Governor Dominic Petilla, a member of the next generation of true public servants. This project of yours comes at the heels of your enormous contributions in the aftermath of Yolanda, where you, your members, and six other organizations distributed more than 50,000 relief packs and provided welding sets, fishing boats, water purifying systems, and medicine, among other resources needed by those who were affected. I am told that, in total, you were able to raise close to P150 million—and this is for relief and rehabilitation operations in the aftermath of Yolanda alone. All that you have done serves to underscore the compassion that you hold for your fellow Filipinos: You will never hesitate to step in and assist our countrymen in times of need, whether it is through helping them recover after a major disaster, or helping our Department of Education build classrooms, or funding your own volunteer fire brigades. As President, I made a point to be here today to personally express my gratitude, and the gratitude of your countrymen. Your actions, and your willingness to respond in times of crisis, have inspired in me the expectation that you will act with the same amount of solidarity, no matter what challenges lie ahead. I thank you for casting your stake on building a society that is compassionate and just; a society where the rich and the poor, the mighty and the needy, the strong and the weak, are equal before the eyes of the law; where those who have the wherewithal to pull their fellow man up do so without question or hesitation. I assure you that what you are doing on the community level, my government has been doing, and will continue to do so, on a national scale. Inclusiveness remains our guiding principle, as we build a regime of opportunities, and empower those who have lost so much to the tragedies that befell our country in the past year. As we welcome a new year, in both the Gregorian and Lunar calendars, let us never forget the lessons that were taught to us by Yolanda. Let us never forget that our greatest weapon as a people is our solidarity; and that in the face of great challenge, we are called upon to set aside personal interests and come together as one people, in service to our country. Out of this time of tragedy, an authentic face of bayanihan has emerged through initiatives such as the one we are witnessing today. I am convinced that as long as we all work together, as long as each one of us remains active in the grand task of nation-building, and as long as we never forget to take strength from our benevolent God, who has seen us through all our hardships, then we can weather any storm, and sail our ship of state together further into the light of day. Again, congratulations, and Kung Hee Fat Choi. |
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| PRESS BRIEFING OF PCOO SECRETARY SONNY COLOMA |
| Press Briefing Room, New Executive Bldg., Malacañang |
06 February 2014
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| SEC. COLOMA: Good afternoon. Government is taking necessary steps to ensure continuity of power supply during the summer season. According to Secretary Petilla, the government is prepared to run the Malaya Thermal Power Plant up to 70 days to boost supply during the summer months when demand is expected to rise especially in Luzon. The Department of Energy has advised power plants to undertake preventive and regular maintenance of their facilities so that these will operate optimally during the pick demand months. Government also continues to monitor closely the movement of consumer prices in order to protect the citizen’s purchasing power. The country’s economic managers are aware of the pressures exerted by global developments, especially the tapering policies of the US Federal Reserve that have affected the peso-dollar exchange rates. While the inflation rate in January rose to 4.2%, our economic managers are confident that inflation will be kept within the DBCC targets ranging from 3 t0 5 percent. While the Philippines and other emerging market economies are feeling the brunt of structural adjustments in the US and other leading markets, the country’s sound macro-economic fundamentals as reflected in investment grade ratings and our current account surplus firmly support our economic managers’ optimism that our economy is in a better position to reap potential benefits from the economic recovery of the US and European countries that trade and invest significantly in the Philippines. I am now ready to answer your questions. KIMBERLY TAN/GMA News Online: Hi, sir. Yesterday, sir, you said that hindi pa po napag-usapan if the government will have retaliatory actions against Hong Kong. Are there any changes or have you talked to the President about it? SEC. COLOMA: Sa anumang sitwasyon na mayroong pagkakaiba ng pananaw, ano ba ang magpapalapit sa mga posisyon? Ano ba ang mga option na dapat tahakin para madagdagan imbes na mabawasan ang pagtitiwala at pagkakaunawaan? Iyan siguro ang mainam na batayan para tukuyin kung iyong mga nagsasabi hinggil sa retaliatory options ay kabahagi ba sila nung magpapalapit sa pagkakaunawaan o magpapalayo doon. Iyan ang kunsiderasyon doon sa aming posisyon na ang dapat pag-ukulan ng pansin ay iyong mga hakbang na magpapalapit sa pagtitiwala at magpapabilis sa pagkakaroon ng pagkakaunawaan. Hindi lang naman gobyerno ang sangkot dito. Ang pinaka-importanteng may taya dito sa mga usapin hinggil sa Quirino Grandstand incident ay iyong mga pamilya ng mga naapektuhan nito dahil merong nasawi o merong na-injure o nasugutan. Iyan ang, sa paniwala namin, mas mahalagang kunsiderasyon sa kasalukuyan, iyong matugunan iyong mga pangangailangan at iyong mga concerns ng mga affected families. Kaya nga’t sa ating mga nakaraang pahayag, binanggit natin doon iyong patuloy na kahandaan ng pamahalaan na maipahatid iyong mga articles of solidarity na napagkaisahan na ng magkabilang panig noong nakaraan sapagka’t nais nating maibsan iyong naging karanasan ng mga affected families hinggil dito. KIMBERLY TAN/GMA NEWS ONLINE: And, sir, iyon po iyong as in specific directive ng Presidente na huwag ninyo na lang pansinin iyong mga proposals na iyon; ituloy na lang natin iyong ongoing na mga ginagawa natin with Hong Kong? SEC. COLOMA: Ang focus ay doon nga sa mga hakbang na makakapagpalapit sa pagkakaroon ng pagkakaunawan at iyong pagtalima o iyong pagkalinga ‘no sa mga affected families. Iyon ang primary concern natin sa kasalukuyan. REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: Sir, after iyong official and diplomatic visa ay susunod na rin na pinu-push ng mga Hong Kong legislators iyong pagkansela rin ng visa-free access ng mga turista na Pilipinong pupunta roon. So, they are now inclined to do so. Meron ba tayong bagong representation na gagawin doon? May bago bang tact na ating gagawin, I understand, iyong una nating ginawa ay bigo dahil hindi nga natin nakuha iyong, kumbaga, inaasahan natin na resolusyon? May mga bago bang mga diskarte para mapahupa iyong emosyon ng Hong Kong government? SEC. COLOMA: Sa ganyang katanungan ‘no noong nakaraan nating pakikipagtalakayan, ang naging tugon natin at iyon pa rin ang tugon ngayon, may responsibilidad ang ating pamahalaan na pangalagaan ang kapakanan ng ating mga mamamayan. Kasama doon sa kapakanan na iyon, iyong ease of travel, di ba, at iyong employment opportunities. Kaya’t sinasabi natin na naghahanda naman ang ating pamahalaan ng mga karampatang hakbang para tiyakin na iyong kapakanan ng ating mga mamamayan ay mapangalagaan. Hindi lang talaga natin maku-control iyong aksyon ng mga external parties; we can only control our response to those actions. REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: Sir, ang nagsalita pa lang ngayon ay iyong Hong Kong legislators. Meron na bang official communication with the government kaugnay sa kanilang plano na ikansela rin iyong visa-free access ng mga turista natin? SEC. COLOMA: Hihintayin natin ang advice ng ating Department of Foreign Affairs sapagkat sila naman ang gumagawa nang masinsin na pagtutok doon sa sitwasyon para tiyakin na hindi naman tayo mapapalagay sa sitwasyon na ikakagulat natin na mga pangyayari. Dapat ang mahalaga ay dapat maging handa tayo for any eventuality. CHRISTIAN ESGUERRA/PDI: Sir, good afternoon. Sir, is there any formal discussion between the Philippines and the Hong Kong government regarding the possibility of not pushing through with this decision of Hong Kong to revoke the visa-free privilege for the Philippine official passport holders? SEC. COLOMA: We are still continuing to engage each other. Both parties are continuing dialogues and conversations that hopefully would lead to achieving mutually satisfactory results and a closure. I am not able at this time to tell you what are the specific items in the agenda that are being discussed, or if that particular object of your inquiry is in fact in the agenda ‘no. All I can say is that we are purposively pursuing avenues for possible attainment of closure on this matter. And as I said earlier, our focus is on being able to provide direct support to the affected families, which is part of the framework for reaching and understanding. And this framework was developed after the direct conversations between President Aquino and Hong Kong Chief Executives. CHRISTIAN ESGUERRA/PDI: Sir, do you think this decision by Hong Kong, does this move us closer to that understanding that we’re trying to achieve? SEC. COLOMA: Well, what we are saying is that in the phase of all the developments, we remain determined to pursue the attainment of agreement because in our view, that is the path that is most beneficial for our people especially for the Filipinos that are now working and residing in Hong Kong SAR. CHRISTIAN ESGUERA/PDI: Sir, on the related matter. The President’s comment during his interview with the New York Times, this was met with a very scathing commentary from the Xinhua News Agency. The commentary describes him as an amateurish politician, ignorant both of history and reality. And there is also a statement that he has never been a great candidate for a wise statesman in the region. So, how do you—what do you say about this? SEC. COLOMA: I think Mr. Atienza is able to articulate our stand on that matter. Seriously, let us reiterate the premises of the country’s position, which is what the President was conveying to the interviewer during that conversation. And that position is really anchored on respect for the rule of law, in particular, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. There was a long explanation of the President of all the steps that we had taken since he assumed office to address the conflicting claims in the South China Sea or in the West Philippine Sea; all the steps that we have taken together with other member countries of ASEAN and the particular measures that the country has adopted leading up to the arbitration process in the UN. So, this is really the context of the conversation of the President with the New York Times’ interviewer. And any newspaper, local or foreign, is free to give their own comments, but we will just remain focused on achieving what is best for our national interest. We will not be swayed or distracted by commentary that is not fully aligned with our own position. CHRISTIAN ESGUERRA/PDI: But just to be clear, the statement of the President was not meant to anger or infuriate Beijing given this maritime dispute? SEC. COLOMA: Well, I have endeavored to explain to you that that comment came at the end of a long passage where the President explained in great detail the steps that we had taken. And I think the thrust of the President’s comment, as I stated in my post briefing statement yesterday, was to call on the nations that are signatories to the UN Convention to acknowledge the lessons from history and to achieve a certain amount of solidarity in order to ensure that the principles of the rule of law will be upheld. I think that was the main thrust of his comment. CHRISTIAN ESGUERRA/PDI: Lastly, do you think that the Philippines is getting enough support at this time in view of maritime dispute with Beijing? SEC. COLOMA: I think we have seen the developments from the time that the Philippines took a very determined position in defense of our sovereignty in the affected islands in the West Philippine Sea. We have seen how, from a seemingly single voice, the voice of … and that is our country’s voice, the voices of the other ASEAN member countries have been heard. And they have said that they would want to flesh out the document on the Code of Conduct on the Law of the Sea which have been lying dormant in ASEAN for more than a decade until we asserted our position that this should be the guide for all actions. We have also seen the acceptance by member countries of the need for an ASEAN centric position, and the clearest manifestation was made in the joint statement following the ASEAN-Japan Summit in December. This was the document that they released after meeting in Tokyo in December 2013, where they expressed solidarity on the principles of freedom navigation, freedom of aviation, and promoting the rule of law. So, I think, all things considered. Our advocacy of rules-based approach and respect for the rule of law has gained credence and has gained support from the region, and has also been affirmed by other countries such as the US and Japan that are not members of ASEAN. REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: Correct me if I’m wrong. Pero as I can read, you are saying that as if the news report about that Hitler remark is taken out of context. So as a matter of procedure, before it goes out of proportion in the international arena, are we doing some sort of clarificatory … sending the transcript of the interview to Xinhua or whatever entity just to clarify because I understand the gravity, the affect if taken as a hook, line [and] sinker? SEC. COLOMA: I understand that there is still restriction on the release of the transcript because of the nature of the agreement for the interview. And when conditions would allow, then we’re able to share or relevant portions that may be useful in obtaining an understanding of the context for the remarks. Which is why I have endeavored to explain to you the background because I witnessed the interview, and I was able to hear the President’s answer to the question, and that is the basis of my replies to your inquiries. TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: Sir, as we understand, that agency is also the government or state-owned by Chinese government. So are we not taking that as the position of the Chinese government? SEC. COLOMA: The Department of Foreign Affairs communicates through diplomatic channels, and not through state-owned enterprises or other organs of government. JOYCE PAÑARES/MLA.STANDARD TODAY: Sir, just a quick follow up. Have we contacted our counterparts in the Chinese Embassy over this, perhaps, to explain the context of the interview and what the President really meant? And if not yet, do we intend to do so? SEC. COLOMA: I don’t think there is any move on our part to explain. The President has the right to express his views to journalist that interview him. Can you imagine a situation where one of you asked the President something and he replied in a certain way, is this something that needs to be explained to another country? I don’t think so. PEÑARES/MLA.STANDARD: So, perhaps those who are over reacting are just being too sensitive about it, reading too much into what the Presidents said? SEC. COLOMA: Well, it is not for me to say that people are overreacting or underreacting. It is just for me to explain the context for those remarks so that you, who are our partners in conveying information to our people, will have a proper understanding of what transpired. PAUL ATIENZA/DAILY TRIBUNE: Sir, magandang hapon. SEC. COLOMA Magandang hapon din sa iyo. ATIENZA/DAILY TRIBUNE: Sir, hindi ninyo ba nakikita na kailangang magkaroon nang panibagong mukha o tao na nakikipag-negotiate sa Beijing maliban sa taga-Department of Foreign Affairs sapagka’t parang iyong skill nila ay hindi tumutugma. You know, sir, this is diplomacy and not on technicalities. So, hind ba kayo, sir … wala po bang plano ang Pangulo na maglagay nang panibagong tao para sa negosasyon? Let’s say, kagaya ni Jess Dellosa who is the Deputy Commissioner of Customs. His skill, you know—and Voltz Gazmin. These people are now civilians. Wala ba tayo—at mga kagaya nila? SEC. COLOMA: Ang pagpapasya hinggil sa bagay na iyan ay nasa ating Pangulo at siya ang pumipili kung sino ang mga opisyal na gaganap ng mga partikular na tungkulin. Welcome naman ang mga suggestions na katulad ng iyong ipinahiwatig, at makakararating iyon sa mga kinauukulan. ATIENZA/DAILY TRIBUNE: Hindi naman natin, sir, sa tinatawaran ang kakayanan ni Secretary Del Rosario at ng mga taga-Department of Foreign Affairs, but then, ang nature ng nangyayari ngayon eh, usapin nang medyo pulitiko-militar. So, hindi ba, sir? And then—nangsaganun, kung ayaw ng Pangulo na palawigin pa ang usaping ito, siguro dapat maglagay ng tao para dito sa …na galing sa sektor na iyon ng ating gobyerno. SEC. COLOMA: Well-noted po ang inyong sinabi. ATIENZA/DAILY TRIBUNE: And then, panghuli, sir. Iyong Ambassador natin sa Beijing, ano na po ba ang ginagawa niya ngayon doon? SEC. COLOMA: Ginagampanan po niya ang kaniyang tungkulin. ATIENZA/DAILY TRIBUNE: Kontento ba tayo, sir, sa kaniyang gawain? SEC. COLOMA: Ang atin pong Ambassador sa Beijing ay isang beteranong diplomat and career official of the DFA, si Ambassador Erlinda Basilio, who used to be the Undersecretary for Foreign Policy. Mayroon po siyang sapat na kakayahan at malawig na karanasan kaya siya ang itinalaga roon. ATIENZA/DAILY TRIBUNE: By the way, sir, before I forget. I suggested that within the bounds of the, maybe, the square and compasses. Doon lang, sir, para maliwanag baka kasi ma-misinterpret ni Secretary Gazmin iyong sinasabi namin. Thank you, sir. SEC. COLOMA: Ipapaliwanag ko sa kaniya ang iyong sinabi ngayon. Makatitiyak ka na mauunawaan niya iyon. BERNARD TAGUINOD/ABANTE: Good afternoon, sir. Sir, ano iyong pagkalinga—ano iyong ginagawa ninyong pagkalinga— SEC. COLOMA: To care. TAGUINOD/ABANTE: —doon sa mga maaapektuhan— SEC. COLOMA: To be concerned. To take care. TAGUINOD/ABANTE: —possible na maaapektuhan na OFWs sa Hong Kong? SEC. COLOMA: Siyempre ang pangunahing concern natin diyan, Bernard, ay iyong kasiguruhan at katatagan ng kanilang paghahanapbuhay doon. TAGUINOD/ABANTE: So, walang plano to …ihanap sila ng other host countries, baka pag-initan kasi sila? SEC. COLOMA: Sa lahat naman ng pagkakataon ay pinaghahandaan iyan. Kung maaalala ninyo noong mga nakaraang buwan na nagkaroon tayo ng similar na sitwasyon, parati namang on the look-out iyong ating Department of Labor at ang ating POEA at iba pang mga ahensiya sa paglikha nang mas marami pang oportunidad. Kasama na rin iyan sa pinagsisikapan nating pagpapalago ng ating ekonomiya dahil naniniwala ang Pangulo na sa pangmatalagang, dapat ay maging magandang option din para sa ating mga kababayan iyong magtrabaho sa sariling bayan. Kaya sa lahat ng pagkakataon, iyan ang tinutukoy natin – to be able to create more meaningful, more productive job opportunities within the country so that even those that are seeking greener pasture abroad will be provided with variable options for working without being separated from their families. BERNARD/ABANTE: Puwedeng ibang isyu? Ibang isyu, sir. Sabi ng NEDA kanina, pagpasok ng 2014, tumaas ng 7.5 iyong mga presyo ng mga bilihin. So, parang walang effect iyong ipinalabas ng Pangulo na price control. SEC. COLOMA: Sayang at nakalimutan kong dalhin iyong Business Section ng Manila Standard Today dahil kitang-kita doon na ang figure ay 4.2%. BERNARD/ABANTE: Mas mataas iyong— SEC. COLOMA: Dahil naka-text iyong question mo, naghanap ako kung nasaan iyong 7.5%. BERNARD/ABANTE: Hindi, halos mas mataas ng— SEC. COLOMA: Hindi, ang nahanap ko iyong sa—hindi, doon sa Manila Standard Today at saka doon sa NEDA iyong ating pinagbabatayan. Iyong 7.5, Ginoogle (Google) natin, nakita natin ang headline, “Economy seen growing by 7.5% per year.” So, mag-compare na lang tayo kung saan talaga pinagkunan. Iyong report ng Manila Standard Today is based on the Philippine Statistical Authority report. Iyan iyong ating official source para sa pagtalakay niyan, at ang kanilang na-monitor ay 4.2%. BERNARD/ABANTE: So tumaas— SEC.COLOMA: Doon sa parehong report, in-acknowledge ni Secretary Balisacan that since September, there has been an acceleration of inflation. At ang dahilan dito ay iyong mga calamities at iyong imbalance sa supply dahil nga doon ‘no. Tulad niyan iyong paghahatid ng milyung-milyong food packs para sa mga affected families ng Yolanda in 44 provinces, siyempre nagkaroon din ng imbalance. Ito yata iyong—iyan oh, “January inflation accelerated to 4.2%” at ang ating source ay Manila Standard Today – today, Thursday, February 6. Ang kanilang source naman ay Philippine Statistics Authority. Ano kaya iyong—baka naman dapat nating tunghayan iyong pinanggalingan noong 7.5%. BERNARD/ABANTE: Iyan ho ang report kanina sa mga TV at sa mga radyo. SEC. COLOMA: ‘Di sige, tutunghayan natin iyan ‘no. Kaya lang dahil sa paghahandang ginawa ko sa pagtugon kay Bernard, ito lang iyong abot ng aking kakayahan. BERNARD/ABANTE: (off mic) SEC. COLOMA: Iyon pareho din eh, “Headline inflation picked up to 4.2% last month, slightly the higher than December’s 4.1 – also the median forecast in the Business World poll.” Nasaan kaya iyong 7.5? BERNARD/ABANTE: (off mic) SEC. COLOMA: Regional iyon. Sa Eastern Visayas, umabot ng 7.8. At hindi naman iyan kabigla-bigla dahil nga abnormal iyong supply and demand situation. BERNARD/ABANTE: ‘Di ba may price control doon sa area na iyon? SEC. COLOMA: Oo, kaya lang iyong price control kasi limited lang to certain commodities and for a limited period only. So ‘pag pinag-usapan natin ay one quarter na o mas mahabang panahon, hindi talaga natin mapipigilan iyong pagtaas ng presyo. BERNARD/ABANTE: Noong nanalasa iyong bagyo noong November, maraming report na nagkaroon ng pagtaas ng mga presyo lalo sa mga bigas doon sa Region VIII, tapos nagpaimbestiga kayo sa DTI. Ano na pong nangyari? SEC. COLOMA: Iyong DTI kasi mayroon talaga silang statutory duties and authority sa price control at saka price monitoring dahil nga may mga batas hinggil diyan. Kaya ang ginagawa nila, nagpi-field sila ng mga monitoring teams tapos tinitignan kung sumusunod doon sa mga suggested retail prices. Mayroon silang administrative measures katulad ng pagpapasara. Kaya lang, unawain natin na hindi pangkaraniwan iyong umiral na sitwasyon doon na halos lahat ng mga retail establishments ay nawasak, hindi sila makapag-negosyo, kinailangan na magpadala tayo ng mga diskwento caravan. Kaya maaring naganap iyong sitwasyon na labis iyong sitwasyon ng pagtaas ng presyo ‘no. At kinikilala naman natin iyan, hindi naman natin ikinakaila ngunit hindi rin natin pinapabayaan na mag-out-of-control. INA ANDOLONG/SOLAR NEWS: Hi, sir. Sir, you mentioned about learning from lessons of history. But are there other reasons that would’ve prompted the President to make reference to Hitler? Could he be, maybe, fed up with China’s aggressiveness over a disputed waters especially recently with its declaration of some air defense zones in some areas? SEC. COLOMA: Siguro ‘pag maaari na nating tunghayan iyong buong transcript, when it’s not anymore covered by the conditions of the interview, ay mauunawaan talaga natin na bahagi lang ito ‘no sa isang mahaba at malawig na pagpapaliwanag. At kung tutunghayan din natin mismo iyong pinag-usapan na historical event, he mentioned an event that happened in 1938. Noong 1938, in real time, batid na ba nino man kung ano pa mangyayari for the succeeding years? Hindi pa naman eh, di ba? Pero iyong 1938 event na iyon, recorded na sa history book as a 1938 event. Iyon lang naman ang binanggit ng ating Pangulo, iyong 1938 event. Kaya sinuman ay maaaring mag-interpret niyan. I don’t want to read too much into it also because I cannot presume to know the mind of the President in its entirety. Ikinukuwento ko lang sa inyo para maunawaan ninyo na hindi naman iyon nag-iisang statement, hindi naman iyon lang ang kaniyang sinabi dahil nga bahagi iyon ng isang mahabang salaysay. INA/SOLAR NEWS: Sir, would the Palace want to see, maybe, more leaders take a more aggressive stands or maybe issues stronger statements regarding China? SEC. COLOMA: Hindi ba natin napapansin na ngayon kapag mayroon palang nakaambang aksiyon, sino pa iyong nauna na nagpapahayag? Mayroon kaagad state department spokesperson ‘no. Naalala ninyo noong nakaamba iyong ADIZ over the other part naman ‘no, West Philippine Sea naman kasi dati doon sa east, sa kabila noong south ‘no. Sino iyong mga nauna? Hindi ba nauna na iyong US, nauna na iyong Japan. Korea, nag-take action na na sarili nila. Tapos nga nakita natin noong December, ASEAN position ‘no, unanimous. Dati ‘ni ayaw nilang ipalagay sa communiqué. Nagkaroon pa ng ASEAN meeting na for the first time walang communiqué iyong Foreign Minister Summit because they were avoiding the issues that we were raising. So pag-aralan natin kung ano ang kahulugan ng lahat ng mga ito. MANALO/YOMIURI SHIMBUN: Good afternoon. Sir, is the planned visit of US President Barack Obama in April pushing ahead? And if he does, will there be a signing of IRP between the Philippine government and the US? And are there any changes in the final agreement? SEC. COLOMA: By diplomatic policy and protocols, such matters are announced by the country of the visiting head of state. We are the receiving country; we are not the visiting head of state. So perhaps it is best that we just await the formal announcement or any announcement regarding that matter. MANALO/YOMIURI SHIMBUN: Thank you very much. Going back to the issue of China. Israel has announced that it will be giving us defense articles like radars and sharing intelligence information within the West Philippine Sea. Do you see that as a result of the appeal of President Aquino among global leaders to contain China’s aggression? SEC. COLOMA: We will await the official announcement of our Department of National Defense regarding that matter. Such expressions of support may be made, but they do not, well, they do not become formal or binding agreements unless these are officially acted upon by both the offering and the receiving parties. As we speak now, I don’t have any official notification or information so I’m unable to give you any definitive comment ‘no, except to say that we will consider such offers of assistance. VICTORIA TULAD/GMA NEWS: Good afternoon, sir. SEC. COLOMA: Good afternoon. VICTORIA/GMA NEWS: Sir, regarding lang po doon sa ilang Cabinet secretaries and Palace appointees na under fire at hinihikayat po na mag-resign. Ano po ba iyong policy ni Pangulong Aquino tungkol dito, doon po sa mga officials na kasama sa mga kontrobersiya? SEC. COLOMA: Well, kasama sa … siguro maituturing na occupational hazards or kasama sa tungkulin ng isang miyembro ng Gabinete iyong magpaliwanag ng kaniyang mga aksiyon at maging accountable sa mga mamamayan. Kung may mga lumalabas na ulat sa mga pahayagan, kung may mga lumilitaw na paratang mula sa mga peryodista o sa mga opinion writers, bahagi ito ng kalusugan at kasiglahan ng isang demokrasya. At dapat lamang na kung sinuman ang tinutukoy, harapin iyong mga isyung iyon at magpaliwanag sa taumbayan dahil nais din naman malaman ng ating mga mamamayan kung ano ang katotohanan kaya iyan ang pananaw namin. Paano naman ang mangyayari—pag-isipan natin ito—paano mangyayari kung ang pananatili sa katungkulan ng isang miyembro ng Gabinete ay ibabatay na lamang sa balitang lumalabas sa pahayagan? Hindi ba’t kailangang magkaroon din ng pagsusuri kung ang mga balita ay may konkretong batayan? Hindi ba’t makatuwiran lamang na bigyan din ng pagkakataon ang opisyal na magpaliwanag. Siguro sa inyong—karamihan naman sa inyo ay napakabata pa, naaalala pa ninyo ang tinuturo sa paaralan ng pamamahayag na kapag tayo’y sumusulat ng news story, mainam na kuhanin iyong magkabilang panig para balance iyong report. Kung sinikap ninyong tawagan at ayaw sumagot, sasabihin ninyo lang doon, “tinawagan ko ng limang beses, apat na oras si Secretary X at ang palaging sagot ay the subscriber cannot be reached.” Dito naman po sa ating talakayan dito, sinisikap ko po na matugunan kayo sa lalong madaling panahon. Kung hindi po ako available, nariyan si Usec. Renato Marfil at ang Media Access [Accreditation] and Relations Division. Marami po tayong kaparaanan dito. Nandiyan din si Binibining Susan Esguerra na nagiging tulay sa aking pagsagot sa inyong mga katagunan. Mayroon tayong cellphone, mayroon tayong internet, email, sabihin ninyo po sa amin kung saan kami nagkulang sa pagpapaliwanag o sa pagbibigay ng impormasyon. Ang Pangulo po natin ay naniniwala sa kahalagahan ng tamang impormasyon. Siya ay naniniwala na kapag may impormasyon ang ating mga mamamayan, sila ay makakapagpasya sa pinakamainam na paraan. Kaya iyan po ay itinuturing natin na signs of a healthy democracy. Ito pong mga Cabinet members naman natin ay sinisikap na hindi maging balat-sibuyas kaya’t open naman sa pagsagot sa mga inihahain. Pero siguro, ilagay din naman sa tamang paraan. Imbes na mga vague generalizations, sana may mga specifics, may bill of particulars, may mga concrete facts na binabanggit para maharap din naman iyong mga issues sa tamang paraan. GENALYN KABILING/MLA BULLETIN: Sir, can you just give us details about the President’s renewal of his driver’s license earlier? SEC. COLOMA: Batid natin na meron lang regulatory period within which a driver’s license remains valid. At dumating na iyong takdang panahon na kinakailangang mag-renew ang ating Pangulo. At bilang isang law-abiding citizen, nagpunta siya sa tanggapan ng Land Transportation Office, pumila siya, hindi siya humingi ng special na pagtrato, dumaan siya sa proseso. Nakumpleto naman iyong proseso ng kanyang pagre-renew ng kanyang lisensiya. At bibigyan kayo ng mga litrato courtesy of the Malacanang Photo Bureau bilang patunay na naganap ang pangyayaring ito ngayong umaga. Meron na pala. GENALYN KABILING/MLA BULLETIN: Sir, how long did the process take? SEC. COLOMA: Itanong natin kay Undersecretary Renato Marfil. GENALYN KABILING/MLA BULLETIN: Sir, nakakapagmaneho pa rin ba si Presidente, kahit most of the time we see him being driven by— SEC. COLOMA: Aalamin ko, kasi most of them time, katulad mo, nakikita ko siya ay pasahero at hindi driver. Pero kahit sino namang may hawak ng driver’s license, gusto naman nating i-renew ito na nasa takdang panahon, at walang penalty. At kailangan din iyan sa maraming pagkakataon. Kapag humantong na kayo sa edad ng dual citizenship, iyan ang isang batayang dokumento ng inyong residence at edad. Kaya mahalagang dokumento iyang driver’s license. GENALYN KABILING/MLA BULLETIN: Sir, huli na lang po. Ano ang plano ni Presidente sa birthday po niya, magde-day off po ba siya? SEC. COLOMA: Tumapat kasi sa araw ng Sabado, na usually naman ay private time ng ating Pangulo iyong araw ng Sabado. Wala pang pahayag, wala pa tayong impormasyon hinggil dyan. BERNARD TAGUINOD/ABANTE: Meron daw ba siyang date sa ano, something? SEC. COLOMA: Hindi po sakop ng aking job description na talakayin iyan. NEL CHAVEZ/UNTV Sir, same pa rin po ba ang posisyon ng Palace doon sa cha-cha, given na ang Transition Commission, isa sa mga trabaho po niya ay maglatag ng mga panukala to amend the Constitution? At nagiging maingay po ngayon sa House na ipapasa po nila or isusumite nila ngayon iyong economic provisions sa Chacha? SEC. COLOMA: Kung naalala natin iyong pahayag ni Secretary Teresita Deles, pagkatapos nung paglagda doon sa normalization annex, isinalaysay niya sa atin na sa lahat ng yugto ng negosasyon, isa sa pangunahing konsiderasyon ng ating Philippine panel ay iyong pagtitiyak na ang mga probisyon ay consistent sa Philippine Constitution. Iyon namang nakasaad doon na nagiging focus ng attention ng marami, sa aking sariling pag-unawa, that is mean to just provide the room for possible exceptions. Hindi naman iyon iyong general frame or general policy na kinakailangang palitan pa ang Constitution. Kasi, kung pag-aaralan nating mabuti, hindi ba’t meron tayong timetable na gustong sundin? Eh kung gusto nating maisagawa iyong ating mga layunin sa loob ng timetable na iyon, dapat lamang na matapos iyong talakayan niyan sa mas maikling panahon. Eh kung lahat naman ng ilalagay doon sa batas ay subject to constitutional challenge dahil hindi pinag-aralan ng husto, parang niloloko lang natin iyong sarili natin. Kaya hindi naman ganyan iyong naganap na proseso. Kaya nga’t sa pagtalakay ng mga probisyon doon mismo sa framework agreement at saka sa annex, ayon na rin kay Secretary Deles, minabuti ng mga miyembro ng Philippine panel na pag-aralan kung paano ito consistent with the provisions of the Philippine Constitution. NEL CHAVEZ/UNTV: How about iyong economic provisons, kasi parang napaka-positibo ni House Speaker Belmonte na iyong isusumite niya is ma-aprubahan ng Pangulo? SEC. COLOMA: Bilang isang Pilipino, matanong kita, ano ang mas mainam, iyong maging positibo ka at magkatotoo iyong positibo, o iyong isipin na lamang palagi iyong kalamidad o iyong kabiguan? Hindi ba maging sa kalusugan, it is healthier to be positive and optimistic? Pero sa sa iyo na pagpapasya diyan sa katanungan na iyan. MARGE/ZOE TV: Hello sir. UP and Ateneo have already approved to move their academic calendars from August to May. So, ano po ba ang magiging epekto, at handa po ba ang education system talaga natin for this? Sabi po ni Asec. Umali, dapat daw po na kung i-u-urong daw po iyong academic year, dapat daw po ay ay tamang dahilan. And now CHED is ano po, parang tinatanong po kung iyong—pinag-aaralan pa po kung dapat ba ay August or September? SEC. COLOMA: Iyong mga binanggit ninyong paaralan ay may kanya-kanya charter. Hindi naman sila … well, UP is a government institution, but it has its own charter. Kasama naman sa kanilang Board of Regents iyong chair ng CHED, chair ng House and Senate Committees on Education, at isinasa-alang-alang nila iyong mga patakaran na magiging mainam at magiging kapaki-pakinabang para sa kanilang mga estudyante. Kaya siguro naman ay resonableng isipin at sabihin na bago nila narating iyong desisyon na iyon ay pinag-aralan naman nilang mabuti. At kung sa kinabukasan meron silang makitang hindi mainam na epekto nito, wala naman siguro din pumipigil sa kanila na baguhin Nung ako ay nag-aaral pa, medyo matagal na iyon, naranasan namin doon sa aming grade school yata iyon na naiurong iyong start of classes to August, dahil ang plano nga is September. This was during the incumbency of President Diosdado Macapagal and Education Secretary Alejandro Roces. Pero, hindi rin naman nila naituloy dahil hanggang August na lamang, iyong sumunod na taon ay ibinalik na rin nila unti-unti to June. Iyon ang tinig ng karanasan. MARGE/ZOE TV: Sir, we know naman na bahagi rin ng …ang desisyon na ito ay bahagi rin ng dahil nga po sa ASEAN integration in 2015, hindi po ba? So, ine-expect po ba natin by 2015 eh iyong mga schools, lahat ng schools i-a-adopt din iyong ganito? SEC. COLOMA: Doon sa nakaraan nating talakayan, naiulat ko sa inyo na ito naman ay isinasagawa ng mga higher education institution, HEIs, bilang pagkilala nga nila doon sa potential developments in the region. Doon kasi nga sa konsepto ng ASEAN integration, ine-encourage iyong mobility of professionals na halimbawa ikaw ay isang professional engineer or architect in one ASEAN country, you can freely offer your services in another country. So siyempre, may implications dito doon sa recruitment, at iyong recruitment would be affected by the school calendar. Pero pansinin din natin, ito naman ay nasa realm pa rin ng prospective events, at hindi pa naman subok kung ano ang magiging epekto. Kaya siguro, it would be prudent for these institutions to just adopt an open attitude, at ituring na ang mga isinasagawa nilang ito ay experimental in character. Katulad ng ibang mga scientific experiments, they would be willing to adapt to needed changes as the conditions might require later on. AUREA CALICA/PHIL. STAR: Sir, is there a need to make an official clarification on what the President said about Hitler? Will you release the official transcript so that there would be no varied interpretations and varied reactions to what he said? SEC. COLOMA: I think I mentioned earlier that the transcript, the full transcript is still covered by certain provisions in the agreement for the interview, because the concerned publication has not fully exhausted the use of the material. So, what I had endeavored to do here, having witnessed the interview, is to provide you with information that will hopefully enable you to understand. Naitanong na rin kanina, at aking sinabi naman na normal lang na pag-uusap iyong naganap ‘no, between a journalist and a president. Wala namang compelling reason kung bakit dapat pang ipaliwanag iyon ng ating Pangulo kahit kanino man. Natural din at normal na iba’t ibang tao magkakaroon ng iba’t ibang interpretasyon hinggil diyan. At hayaan na lang nating marinig ang lahat ng opinyon hinggil sa bagay na iyan. Kung meron mang concerns that will be coursed through diplomatic channels. Haharapin din iyan ng ating Department of foreign Affairs. Pero sa kasalukuyan ay wala naman. Kaya siguro ay hintayin na lang natin. CALICA/PHIL.STAR: Specifically, do you want the international community to support our case filed before the UN, iyong arbitration sir? Because this is the strongest means to show China it’s not supposed to undo; that’s already stated in the international law, iyong tungkol sa exclusive economic zone. Because by laying claim over the whole of the South China Sea, it’s like undoing what has been agreed upon by the international community doon sa UNCLOS, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Kaya nga’t pinaliwanag ko kanina na mahaba naman iyong naging salaysay ng Pangulo bago siya humantong doon sa bahagi na nabanggit niya iyong specific reference to lessons from history. Inilatag niya iyong buong range of policy considerations, including iyong 9-dash line, iyong document on the Code of Conduct, iyong UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, iyong posisyon ng iba’t ibang countries sa ASEAN. Pagkatapos lamang nung mahabang paglalatag na iyon, tsaka humantong sa pagbanggit ng isang aral na mula sa kasaysayan. At doon na rin niya sinabi na ang mahalaga rito, hindi naman iyong “might is right, kundi iyong “right is might”. Kaya iyong katuwiran, sabi niya dapat ang umiral dito ay iyong katuwiran, at kinakailangan na magnilay tayo doon sa aral ng kasaysayan. Kung matututo tayo doon, doon sa binanggit niya ay tila nagkulang ng vigilance ‘no iyong mga bansa sa maaring magiging epekto sa kanilang patakaran towards Germany in 1938. Kaya kung gustong ma-avoid iyong ganung outcome ay dapat ay mayroong international cooperation and international solidarity. Iyon iyong framework ng kaniyang salaysay. CALICA/PHIL.STAR: Sir, last na lang. So I can write categorically and specifically that you want or he wants the international community to support our case before the UN? SEC. COLOMA: Sa aking inilahad na statement kahapon, mayroon ng pangungusap hinggil diyan na iyong panawagan for international support. REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: Sir, mabilis na pangungulit.Because of the rising or still high crime incidents, particularly sa Metro Manila, so kalian ba kaya makikinig sa inyo ang PNP, at hindi palagi ang ningas kugon, partikularmente doon sa usapin ng police visibility – dahil hanggang ngayon baka nasa beach na sila ngayon dahil summer na eh, wala masyado kasi nakikita – which is very effective; proven na iyong police visibility eh, ngayon ang dami-dami na raw iyong car-jacking. Kanina lamang sa Quezon City mayroon namang shooting incident? SEC. COLOMA: Isang batayang prinsipyo sa law enforcement ay iyong police community relations ‘no. Tama ka doon sa pagsasabi na mahalaga talaga iyong police visibility. Kaya nga’t binibigyan din ng partisipasyon ang ating mga local government executives, ang mayors in nominating kung sino iyong magiging chief of police. At kasama din sa kanilang responsibilidad iyong pagtitiyak na ginagampanan ng pulis ang tungkuling ito. Batid din natin na iyong pulis ay tinutulungan ng mga kagawad, ng barangay. Mayroon tayong mga barangay tanod ‘no, kasama din kasi sila doon sa law enforcement network. Having said that, kinikilala rin natin na mayroon pa ding real constrains, katulad nga nung kinuwestiyon ninyo noong nakaraan na kung bakit ire-redeploy iyong mga PNP members that are performing administrative tasks. Hindi ba’t nagkaroon ng spirited discussion dito kung bakit pati iyong security sa mga kampo ay ipapaubaya sa private security guards? Ang purpose talaga noon ay para madagdagan iyong presence ng mga pulis sa field. Kasi kung mapi-free up sila from administrative duties about 30,000 will be added to the foot patrols and to the field force of the PNP. Pero iyong isa pang strategic problem diyan ay iyon ngang pag-resolve doon sa pension…funding of the pension payments for the members of the police and armed forces. Dahil nga ina-address pa ito, wala pang batas na nagpro-provide for stable base for the funding of the pensions and retirement pay. At hangga’t hindi nagagawa iyan, napipigilan ang pamahalaan sa pagdadagdag ng puwersa. Iyong total force ng ating PNP ngayon – ganun din iyong sa armed forces – ay essentially pareho doon sa level nung 1986, when the population was half of the present population. Kaya bahagi iyon doon sa challenge. You can just imagine na dumoble na iyong coverage ng bawat isang kagawad ng PNP ngayon at ng AFP. Dahil dumoble iyong populasyon, iyong authorized troop strength nila or manpower strength ay pareho pa rin. Kaya iyan ay kasama sa mga pinagtutuunan ng pansin ng ating pamahalaan. TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: Are the PNP personnel in the ground getting the clear and firm directives from their higher ups? Kasi parang hindi sila, well, paulit-ulit kaming nagsasabi sa police visibility, pero parang hindi sila nakikinig at parang walang nangyayari. So, parang ang nangyayari lang ngayon, parang that’s already the norm na iyong mga krimen, na parang tanggapin na lang dahil kulang talaga iyong personnel. So parang ano ba iyong puwede nating gawin para ma-correct iyong perception ng publiko? SEC. COLOMA: Eh, kasama nga iyong elemento ng community support ‘no? At hangga’t umiiral iyong perception na hindi epektibo ang ating kapulisan, paano naman natin maasahan na magbibigay ng suporta ang komunidad? Kaya hindi iyan pinapabayaan ng ating Philippine National Police at ng ating DILG. Kung mayroon kang konkretong mailalahad, specific place na talagang mayroong apparent gross negligence ng mga police authorities, maigi siguro na ipagbigay alam ito para mabigyan ng karampatang aksiyon. PANARES/MLA.STANDARD TODAY: Sir, can I get your thoughts on the statement of Buhay party-list Congressman Lito Atienza? He advised Secretary Mar Roxas, that if he could not address the worsening peace and order situation, he should just quit his post, and drive a taxi? SEC. COLOMA: Baka mas mainam ay tukuyin natin. Kapag sinabi niyang worsening, tanungin natin, ano iyong concrete basis ‘no? Mahirap naman yata iyong ganyan lang, mag-drive ka na lang ng taxi. Dapat siguro ay maglahad naman ng konkretong batayan para matukoy iyong kaniyang concern PANARES/MLA.STANDARD TODAY: Sir, he mentioned iyong mayor who was gunned down, mga unresolved cases sir. Ang mi-nention (mention) niya iyong mayor who was gunned down sa NAIA, rape slay of children in Cavite and Manila, drug dens in Batangas and The Fort in Taguig City? SEC. COLOMA: Hindi. Kaya nga ‘no, iyong mga krimen naman na iyan, we view crime as an aberration. Kinakabahala natin iyan dahil hindi naman dapat na magkaroon ng krimen. Pero kung naganap na, ang susunod na hakbang ay tugisin ang mga salarin at panagutin sila. Kailangan lang siguro na bigyan ng partikular na atensiyon iyong mga partikular na kasong iyan. In fact, isa nga sa mga isinagawa ngayon ay dinidisiplina, tinatanggal, pina-fire-out iyong mga police officers na nag-i-imbento ng crime statistics. Dahil paano natin mabibigyan ng konkretong solusyon kung dinadaya nila ‘no, iyong kanilang mga report? PANARES/MLA.STANDARD TODAY: So do you think it’s incumbent upon Secretary Roxas to, perhaps, review his performance as DILG? Not necessarily na si Presidente pa iyong magsabi sa kanya, but perhaps to take a closer look at what’s happening within his turf? And as far as a specific example, iyong riding in tandem kanina sa Q.C sir, that’s the second in two days na may napatay doon sa Quezon City? SEC. COLOMA: Lahat naman ng mga Cabinet secretaries, katulad ng aking mga nabanggit, ay bound by certain performance parameters. At bawat araw ay dapat mapanagutan ng bawat isang miyembro ng Gabinete. Mapanagutan ito sa ating Pangulo at sa bayan kung ginagampanan niya o hindi niya ginagampanan ang kaniyang tungkulin. VANZ FERNANDEZ/POLICE FILES: Sir may first question is, iyong Philippine Army Chief na si Lt. General Caballes, magre-retire daw this coming Friday. Sinabi po ninyo yesterday na tila wala pang napupusuan ang ating Pangulo. How true na mayroon daw po isang malapit na opisyal sa DND na maaring italaga? SEC. COLOMA: Pinakamainam na hintayin na lang natin ang desisyon ng ating Pangulo dahil siya naman ang appointing power. Wala po akong impormasyon hinggil diyan hanggang sa kasalukuyan. VANG FERNANDEZ/POLICE FILES: Okay sir, iyong si Leyte representative asked the Aquino government to ensure that the poor patients would not be losing once the Philippine Orthopedic Center – iyong kanina pong tinanong ni Joyce, i-follow up ko lang – once na ma-privatize, does the hospital fees and charges would increase following the privatization being questioned before the Supreme Court? Ano po ang maaring gawin ng ating Palasyo regarding this? SEC. COLOMA: Ayon kay Sec. Ona, ang coverage ng Philhealth ay pinalawak na. Kaya iyong tinatawag na sponsored programs, ito iyong mga program na kung saan ang mga benipisyo ay maaring makamit ng lahat ng miyembro ng Philhealth, sakop na halos limamput limang milyong Pilipino. At kasama sa mga sponsored programs dito iyong mga services na pangkaraniwang pino-provide ng Philippine Orthopedic Center. Kaya nga’t ayon din kay Sec. Ona, ang tamang termino para dito ay modernization sapagkat ang ginawa lang naman ay kumuha ng isang partner mula sa isang private sector na magbibigay ng pondo o resources para ma-modernize iyong facilities ng POC, Philippine Orthopedic Center, to the extent of more than five billion pesos. Habang nanatili itong isang ahensiya ng pamahalaan, in character, it remains a government hospital dahil operating agreement lang naman iyong papairalin during the concession period of twenty five years. |
| SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center |
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| New Ombudsman clearance fees |
| Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph |
| To augment the
funds for anti-corruption programs, the Office of the Ombudsman has
started collecting processing fees for the issuance of Ombudsman
clearance effective February 1, 2014. Office Circular No. 07 (series of 2014) set the schedule of processing fees which range from P100.00 (for retirement purposes, rationalization, resignation and death claims), P150.00 (for employment, promotion, transfer, appointment, confirmation, discharge, foreign assignment and grant of benefits unrelated to the preceding purpose), P200.00 (for foreign travel, foreign assignment, study grant/scholarship, recognition/awards, leave application, loan application, change of name, and as part of documentary requirements of the JBC, CESB, CSC, PRC and other agencies), P500.00 (for permit to carry firearms, fidelity bond and bidding requirement) to P1,000.00 (for firearm licenses). Payment may be made in cash or postal money order payable to the “Office of the Ombudsman.” Memorandum Circular No. 05 (series of 2012) entitled “Guidelines on the Issuance of Ombudsman Clearance” which took effect on December 1, 2012 imposed the requirement of payment of processing fee but such requirement was suspended until such time that the assessment and schedule of processing fees have been determined upon study and recommendation by the assistant ombudsman for finance. Office Circular No. 07 provides that applications filed before February 1, 2014 are still exempt from paying the processing fee. An Ombudsman Clearance is an official document certifying that a person has no criminal, administrative or forfeiture case pending with the Office of the Ombudsman. If there appears to be such pending case against the applicant, the Office shall instead issue a Certification of pending case/s filed with the Office. Aside from paper applications in the Ombudsman offices in Quezon City, Cebu, Iloilo, Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro and Davao, online applications may also be lodged at www.ombudsman.gov.ph. |
| January inflation slightly higher at 4.2 Percent |
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph |
| Headline
inflation rose slightly to 4.2 percent year-on-year in January from
4.1 percent in December. The January inflation reading was within
the BSP’s forecast of 3.4-4.3 percent for the month, and was also
within the Government’s inflation target range of 4.0 percent ± 1.0
percentage point for 2014. Core inflation—which excludes certain
food and energy items to better capture generalized price
pressures—was steady at 3.2 percent. Meanwhile, seasonally-adjusted
month-on-month headline inflation decelerated slightly to 0.5
percent in January from 0.6 percent in the previous month. The slightly higher January headline inflation rate was traced mainly to higher prices of food and selected non-food items. Food inflation increased as key food items particularly rice, meat, fish, milk, oils, vegetables, and sugar, posted higher prices due to some tightness in domestic supply conditions triggered by recent weather-related production disruptions. The recent upward trend in inflation therefore appears to stem mainly from supply shocks, the impact of which are expected to be transitory. Non-food inflation also rose as a result of higher prices of clothing and footwear, furnishing and household equipment, and health-related products. The BSP will continue to keep a close watch on developments in both the global and domestic fronts to see if there is any change to the balance of risks to the inflation outlook over the policy horizon and make adjustments to the stance of policy as warranted. |
| Baldoz bares initial DOLE job fair schedule for 2014 |
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph |
| 100 job
fairs in 7regions Baldoz bares initial DOLE job fair schedule for 2014 An initial 100 job fairs in seven regions will be available for job seekers this year. Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz announced this yesterday, saying that for 2014, the public will also see the DOLE conducting major employment facilitation activities as part of its mandate to train and guide jobseekers to decent jobs and proper careers and provide them easy access to labor market information (LMI). "Year-round job fairs are our aim, and the rest of the DOLE regional offices are still finalizing their schedules, so the 100 job fairs are an initial number. There will be more," she said. The labor and employment chief explained that the DOLE will work closely with other government agencies, private sector partners, the academe, and other stakeholders to make the job fairs successful and productive. She mentioned that on top of the job fairs, among the major activities calendared for 2014 are the 2nd National Career Advocacy Congress in May and the Career Guidance Week in July. "The development and dissemination of LMI, including the 20 new Career Information Pamphlets of the Bureau of Local Employment, Career Fairs, and Job Bridging events by the DOLE’s Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will be year-round," she said. “I therefore encourage job seekers, including graduates and students, to prepare for these activities,” she added. For 2014, two Yolanda-affected regions, Regions VI and VII, have already scheduled job fairs for the benefit of job applicants in their areas. Also two job fairs in January, one from 29 to 30 January at the Seafarer Center at SM City Manila hosted by the Joint Manning Group, Inc., and a one-day job fair on 30 January at the My Metrotown Mall, Tarlac City, hosted by the Tarlac Provincial PESO, had opened the year for the DOLE's nationwide job fairs. Baldoz said the initial 100 DOLE job fairs as posted in the Phil-JobNet system, accessible through http://www.phil-jobnet.dole.gov.ph, are as follows: National Capital Region: 3 March--In-House Job Fair at Navotas City Hall Lobby, hosted by Navotas City PESO; 13 March--Mega Job Fair at Caloocan South (Main) City Hall hosted by Caloocan City PESO; 14 March--In-house Job Fair at Navotas City Hall Main Lobby hosted by Navotas City PESO; 20 March--Mini Job Fair at Amphitheater, Malabon City Hall hosted by Malabon City PESO; 7 April--In-House Job Fair, Navotas City Hall Lobby; 24 April--Mini Job Fair at Amphitheater, Malabon City Hall; 22 May--Mega Job Fair at Amphitheater, Malabon City;13 June--Mega Job Fair, Caloocan North City Hall, hosted by Caloocan City PESO; 19 June--Mini Job Fair, Amphitheater, Malabon City Hall, hosted by Malabon City PESO; 19 June--Mega Job Fair, Caloocan South (Main) City Hall, hosted by Caloocan City PESO; 24 July--Mini Job Fair, Amphitheater, Malabon City Hall; 14 August--Mega Job Fair, Caloocan South (Main) City Hall; 21 August--Mini Job Fair, Amphitheater, Malabon City Hall; 11 September--Mega Job Fair, Caloocan South (Main) City Hall; 18 September--Mega Job Fair Amphitheater, Malabon City Hall; 19 September--Mega Job Fair, Caloocan North City Hall; 10 October--Mega Job Fair, Caloocan South (Main) City Hall, hosted by Caloocan City PESO; 18 October--Mega Job Fair, Caloocan North City Hall, hosted by Caloocan City PESO; 23 October--Mini Job Fair, Amphitheater, Malabon City Hall, hosted by Malabon City PESO; 28-29 October--Magnus Eventus Inc., Trinoma Mall Activity Center, hosted by Magnus Eventus Inc. 20 November--Mini Job Fair, Amphitheater, Malabon City Hall, hosted by Malabon City PESO; 18 December--Mini Job Fair, Malabon Amphitheater, Malabon City Hall. Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR): 6 April--Mountain Province Job Fair, Provincial Plaza, Bontoc, Mt. Province, hosted by DOLE Mt. Province Field Office; 6 May--City Job Fair, Tabuk City, hosted by LGU-Tabuk City; 19-20 June--City Jobs Fair, Tabuk City, hosted by LGU-Tabuk City; 25 June--LGU-Conner Job Fair, Caglayan, Conner, Apayao, hosted by LGU-Conner; 22 July--LGU-Flora Job Fair, Poblacion, Flora, Apayao, hosted by LGU-Flora; 15 September--Mountain Province Job Fair, Bontoc Municipal Plaza, Bontoc, Mt. Province, hosted by DOLE Mountain Province FO. Region I: 3 February--Ilocos Norte Job Fair at Capitol West Wing, Parking Lot, Laoag City, hosted by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte; 13 February--Ilocos Sur Community College School-Based Job Fair at Bantay, Ilocos Sur; 14 February--Bolinao Mega Job Fair, Bolinao, Pangasinan hosted by the Local Government Unit of Bolinao; 17 February--Sta. Maria, Pangasinan Job Fair at Municipal Kiosk hosted by LGU-Sta. Maria; 21 February--Infanta Mini Job Fair, Infanta Covered Court, Bani, Pangasinan, hosted by LGU-Infanta; 24-25 February--Asingan Mini Job Fair at the Hon. Francisco Sapigao Sports Center, hosted by LGU-Asingan; 25 February--La Union Mega Jobs Fair, San Fernando City, La Union hosted by Provincial Government of La Union; 27 February--University of Northern Philippines School-Based Job Fair, Vigan City, hosted by University of Northern Philippines; 6 March--North Luzon Philippine State College School-Based Job Fair, Candon City, Ilocos Sur, hosted by North Luzon Philippine State College; 7 March--STI, Inc. School-Based Job Fair at Bantay, Ilocos Sur, hosted by STI, Inc. Region VI: 8 April--PESO-Iloilo Province Job Fair, Provincial Capitol Lobby, Iloilo City; 10 April--PESO-Guimaras Province Job Fair, Capitol Gym, Jordan, Guimaras; 12 April--PESO-Roxas City, Capiz Job Fair, Capiz Provincial Hall, Roxas City; 12 April--PESO-Pandan, Antique Job Fair, Liberman Covered Court, Pandan, Antique; 17 April--STI Kalibo, Aklan Job Fair, Kalibo, Aklan; 22 April--PESO-La Carlota City, Negros Occidental Job Fair, La Carlota City Hall; 1 May--Job Fair at Mary Mart Mall, Iloilo City, hosted by DOLE Regional Office No. VI; 1 May--DOLE Negros Occidental Field Office (FO) Job Fair, SM City Bacolod, Bacolod City, hosted by DOLE Negros Occidental FO; 12 June--DOLE Region 6 Job Fair, Mary Mart Mall, Iloilo City, hosted by DOLE Region VI; 28 July--PESO Job Fair, Dingcoy Roxas Gym, Roxas City; 30 July--PESO-Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental Job Fair, Kabankalan City Hall, hosted by City PESO-Kabankalan; 23 August--PESO-Iloilo City Job Fair, Robinson's Place Iloilo, Iloilo City; 28 August--PESO-Dumangas, Iloilo Job Fair, Dumangas Gym; 17 September--PESO-Iloilo City Job Fair, Robinson's Place Iloilo, Iloilo City hosted by PESO-Iloilo City; 28 September--PESO-San Miguel, Iloilo Job Fair, San Miguel Gym, San Miguel, Iloilo, hosted by PESO-San Miguel; 5 October--LGU-Bacolod City Job Fair, Bacolod City Gov't Center, Bacolod City, hosted by LGU-Bacolod City; 8 November--PESO-Iloilo City Job Fair, Robinson's Place Iloilo, Iloilo City hosted by PESO-Iloilo City; 16 November--PESO-Iloilo City Job Fair at Robinson's Place Iloilo, Iloilo City hosted by PESO-Iloilo; 5 December--PESO-Kabankalan, Negros Occidental Job Fair, Kabankalan Catholic College Gym, Kabankalan City; 8 December--DOLE RO-6 & PESO Association Job Fair, Dingcoy Roxas Gym, Roxas City, hosted by DOLE Regional Office VI and PESO Association; 8 December--DOLE-Negros Occidental Field Office Job Fair, Robinson's Place Bacolod, Bacolod City, hosted by DOLE Negros Occidental FO; 8 December--DOLE Region 6 Job Fair, Robinson's Place Iloilo, Iloilo City, hosted by DOLE Region VI. REGION VII: 1 May--Local Job Fair at Capitol Grounds, hosted by Cebu Province; 1 May--27th Overseas Job Fair/Labor Day Job Fair at Cebu City hosted by DMDP; 10 May--Brgy. San Nicolas Job Fair, Cebu City, hosted by DMDP; 17 May--Local and Overseas Job Fair at Panphil B. Frasco Memorial Sports Complex, hosted by LGU-Liloan/PESO; 6 August--Mini Job Fair-DMDP, Cebu City; 16 August--Brgy. Lahug Job Fair, Cebu City, hosted by DMDP; 1 October--Mini Job Fair-DMDP, Cebu City, hosted by DMDP; 11 October--Brgy. Punta Princesa Job Fair, Cebu City, hosted by DMDP; 18 October--Brgy. Kamputhaw Job Fair, Cebu City, hosted by DMDP; 8 November--69th Mega Job Fair at Cebu City hosted by DMDP; 15 November--Local and Overseas Job Fair, Panphil B. Frasco Memorial Sports Complex, hosted by LGU-Liloan PESO; 22 November--Brgy. Tisa Job Fair, Cebu City, hosted by DMDP; 29 November--Brgy. Lorega San Miguel Job Fair, Cebu City hosted by DMDP; 6 December--Local Job Fair, Cebu City, hosted by DMDP; 6 December--Local and Overseas Job Fair, Mandaue City, hosted by LGU-Mandaue; 7 December--Local Job Fair, Capitol Grounds, hosted by Capitol-Province of Cebu/PESO; 12 December--Jobs Bridging-DMDP, Cebu City, hosted by DMDP. Region X: 28 February--Hapsay Job Fair at City Tourism Hall, Cagayan de Oro City hosted by PESO-Cagayan de Oro City; 28 March--Hapsay Job Fair at City Tourism Hall, Cagayan de Oro City; 1 March--Ateneo de Davao University Job Fair; 7 March--DMMA College of Southern Philippines Job Fair, Tigatto, Buhangin, Davao City; 8 March--STI College Davao Job Fair, STI College Davao, J.P. Laurel Ave. cor. Acacia, Davao City; 25 April--Hapsay Job Fair, City Tourism Hall, Cagayan de Oro City; 30 May--Hapsay Job Fair at City Tourism Hall, Cagayan de Oro City; 27 June--Hapsay Job Fair, City Tourism Hall, Cagayan de Oro City; 25 July--Hapsay Job Fair, City Tourism Hall, Cagayan de Oro City; 29 August--Hapsay Job Fair, City Tourism Hall, Cagayan de Oro City; 26 September--Hapsay Job Fair, City Tourism Hall, Cagayan de Oro City; 31 October---Hapsay Job Fair, City Tourism Hall, Cagayan de Oro City, hosted by PESO-Cagayan de Oro City; 28 November--Hapsay Job Fair, City Tourism Hall, Cagayan de Oro City, hosted by PESO-Cagayan de Oro City; 19 December--Hapsay Job Fair, City Tourism Hall, Cagayan de Oro City, hosted by PESO-Cagayan de Oro City. REGION XIII (Caraga): 1 May--Labor Day Job Fair, Butuan City, hosted by DOLE-CARAGA and the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC); 16 June--San Miguel Job Fair, San Miguel Municipal Hall, hosted by LGU-San Miguel, Surigao del Sur; 23 June--Tandag City Job Fair, Tandag City Gym, hosted by LGU Tandag City;12 June--Kalayaan Job Fair, Butuan City hosted by DOLE/RCC; 25 July--Araw ng Cabadbaran Job Fair, Cabadbaran City; 22-23 August--Hinatuan Job Fair, Municipal Hall, hosted by LGU-Hinatuan; 24 August--Tandag City Job Fair, Tandag City Gym; 1 August--Butuan City Job Fair, City Hall Lobby; 5 September--Tandag City Job Fair, Tandag City Gym; 25 September--Nasipit Job Fair, Nasipit Municipal Hall, hosted by LGU-Nasipit; 25 September--Tandag City Job Fair, Tandag City Gym, hosted by LGU Tandag City; 18 October--FSUU Job Fair, FSUU Gymnasium, Butuan City, hosted by FSUU; 16 November--ABS-CBN Job Fair, FSUU Gymnasium, Butuan City, hosted by ABS-CBN Caraga. (Any question about this release? Please call the Bureau of Local Employment at tel. no. 527-2453, or the DOLE Regional Office nearest your area (for DOLE-NCR 400-6011), or the DOLE Hotline at 527-8000.) |
| In Region 8, DOLE-OWWA's cash-for-work benefits 394 more Yolanda survivors |
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph |
| In Region 8, DOLE-OWWA's cash-for-work benefits 394 more Yolanda survivors Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said the emergency employment, or cash-for-work, program of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, an agency of the DOLE, in areas hit by Typhoon Yolanda, particularly in Eastern Visayas, has benefited an additional 394 OFW family members who had received P1.033 million in pay between 19 December 2013 and 20 January 2014. "As we have announced, the DOLE's emergency employment program continues. This time, the OWWA is rolling out its own cash-for-work program with a budget of P50 million for members of OFW families affected by the typhoon in Regions 6, 7, and 8," Baldoz said. "In Region 8, the OWWA regional office reported in an update that it has completed its emergency employment in Barangays Lupok, Baras, Gahoy, Surok, Taytay, and Sulangan in Guian, Samar, with 320 workers benefiting, and in Barangays Old Agustin and Palaypay, Basey, Samar, where 34 OFW family members benefited," added. In Tacloban City, 14 workers from Barangays 18 and 77 had just been paid the same wage of P260 per day for 15 days, while in Palo, 26 workers were hired by the OWWA to clear the roads. The initial outlay for the OWWA's cash-for-work is P2 million, but more funds are expected according to Norma del Rosario, the OWWA's chief in the regional office. "The OWWA is eyeing another nine barangays in Tacloban City; 24 barangays in Dulag; 24 barangays in Jaro; 17 barangays in Tanauan; one barangay in MacArthur, all in Leyte Province; and in an unspecified barangays of Salcedo; Giporlos; MacArthur; Quinapondan; Lawa-an; Marabut; Balangiga; Balangkayan; and Hernani, all in Eastern Samar where emergency work can be implemented in the next few weeks," Baldoz further said. "We hope to add more workers as money becomes available," also said Baldoz, who had already ordered DOLE Regional Director Exequiel Sarcauga to fast-track the restoration of all DOLE-assisted livelihood programs destroyed by the typhoon side-by-side the DOLE emergency employment program. "We are now in the rehabilitation and rebuilding phase so we have to move at a fast clip," Baldoz said. |
| DTI turns over SSF to processors in Negros Oriental |
| Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph |
| The Department
of Trade and Industry (DTI) turned over around P1.8M worth of
processing equipment and machineries to abaca, bamboo, and cheese
processors and producers in Dumaguete City and Dauin in Negros
Oriental last February 3. Members of beneficiary-cooperatives such as the Little Children of the Philippines Foundation, Inc., Dairy Farmers Association of Dumaguete City Negros Oriental and the Philippine Bamboo Foundation Inc., are expected to attend the turn-over ceremony, among others. Following the call of Philippine President Benigno Aquino for all sectors of the economy to be part of the country’s inclusive growth, the DTI saw the need to address the market’s stringent requirements for good quality products and increase the competitiveness of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Central Visayas through the Shared Service Facility (SSF) Program. SSF is a program of the DTI that aims to provide local MSME’s common service facilities, modern equipment and access to the latest technology. The DTI’s SSF projects are expected to directly generate jobs, help the country achieve inclusive economic growth and alleviate poverty in the region. With the MSMEs constituting around 99% of the total business enterprises in the region, most of which lack the needed facilities, DTI saw that SSF can play a vital role in MSMEs complying with the product quality that the market demands. |
| Oil monitor as of 05 February 2014 |
| Source: http://www.doe.gov.ph |
| World crude
prices were mixed over the week’s trading days resulting to a
slightly lower average for Dubai crude as against its week. On the
contrary, Brent and WTI crude benchmarks showed marginal uptick as
demand for heating oil outpaced supply in view of cold snaps in the
Northeast, resulting in a drawdown of US distillate stocks. However,
prices were tempered by the following: • Concerns over Chinese growth. Economists expected Chinese gross domestic product growth to slow to 7.4 percent in 2014 from 7.7 percent in 2013. • U.S. Federal Reserve scale back bond buying. The Federal Reserve on Wednesday decided to trim its bond purchases by another $10 billion as it stuck to a plan to wind down its extraordinary economic stimulus despite recent turmoil in emerging markets. • Stronger US dollar. US dollar traded near a 2-week high against a basket of currencies, supported by the U.S. Federal Reserve's plan to keep cutting monetary stimulus and by data released on Thursday showing strong U.S. gross domestic product in the fourth quarter. A strong greenback usually weighs on commodities such as oil that are priced in the currency. • Increase in OPEC output in January. OPEC production increased in January, from December's 2-1/2-year low, due to a partial recovery in Libyan supply and higher shipments from Iraq and Iran. Specifically in Asia, Platts Asian gasoline cracks were largely steady, although sentiment remained mixed amid expectations of increasing supply in the Singapore market. The physical 92 RON gasoline market flipped into a contango (a situation where the futures price of a commodity is higher than the expected spot price) as a widening East-to-West spread signals a potential rise in supply heading to the regional market. On the other hand, the Asian gasoil/diesel market was on a recovery track during the week, amid a drawdown in middle distillate stock levels in Singapore, and anticipation of a pick-up in demand after the Lunar New Year holidays. Overall, Dubai crude remained relatively steady. MOPS diesel increased by about US$0.50/bbl while MOPS gasoline decreased by about US$0.10/bbl. FOREX: Week-on-week value of Peso against the US dollar depreciated further by P0.07 to P45.30, from P45.23 in previous week. |
| Filipino Activist’s Memoir launched at Philippine Center in New York |
| Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph |
| 06 February
2014- The international launch of Nelson A. Navarro’s memoir, “The
Half-Remembered Past” was held at the Philippine Center in New York
on January 16. Journalist, biographer and TV talk show host Nelson Navarro is now based in Manila, but he lived in New York for 17 years as a political exile during the Marcos regime. He co-founded the anti-martial law Ningas magazine with now business leader Loida Nicolas-Lewis and served as editor-in-chief. He returned to Manila after the fall of the Marcos dictatorship in 1986 and resumed his life as a journalist. Philippine Consul General in New York Mario L. De Leon was present during the affair to offer his congratulations to the author. As a student of history, the Consul General said that he finds it important for those interested in understanding Philippine politics to listen to views and insights of people who were involved and very close to the personalities that helped shape the course of our history. Ms Loida Nicolas-Lewis also attended to give recognition to her college friend. She praised Navarro on his steadfast pursuit of journalistic freedom, his principled ideals on democracy and his undying love for the country. For his part, Navarro thanked the audience, especially his fraternity brothers from Alpha Phi Beta and his friend Loida Nicolas-Lewis, for welcoming him back to New York and sponsoring his book launch. He highlighted the irony that his memoir was being launched in the same building that he was banned from entering during the period he was living in the city. He added that as the title implies, many of his stories have been forgotten, but those that remain in his memory are those worth remembering and have impacted his life, his insights, his decisions and opinions tremendously. “The Half-Remembered Past” consists of autobiographical essays on the author’s growing-up years in Mindanao, his tumultuous years as the editor-in-chief of the University of the Philippines’ Philippine Collegian, his high profile role in the First Quarter Storm of 1970 which led to subversion charges and extended US exile, as well as his post-EDSA coverage of the Philippines and international affairs as a Manila columnist and TV commentator. The book is exclusively distributed by ABS-CBN Publishing and is available internationally through Amazon Kindle and the ABC-CBN Newstand. |
| Filipinos in US Northeast have more courier options with LBC |
| Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph |
| 06 February 2014 – LBC Express executives from Hayward, California paid a courtesy call on Philippine Consul General in New York Mario De Leon, Jr. (center) on January 29. Ms. Patricia Garcia (left) and Ms. Gemma Fonacier (right) updated Consul General De Leon on LBC’s plans of expanding their presence in Northeast US by opening more branches in Queens, New York and Philadelphia as well as increasing their product line. (Photo by Gret Merela) |
| DOTC on MRT capacity expansion project: We will defend the interest of millions of passengers |
| Source: http://www.dotc.gov.ph |
| DOTC Cites
Public Good; MRTC Denies Authorizing Filing of Court Case Following the Makati Regional Trial Court’s (RTC) issuance of a “Temporary Order of Protection” which essentially prevents government from adding coaches to the country’s most-heavily congested rail transit line, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has assured the Metro Rail Transit III (MRT-3) system’s more than 500,000 passengers that it will defend their interest in court to deliver the long-overdue Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) at the soonest possible time. “We will fight for the interest of the hundreds of thousands of MRT-3 riders who have been waiting for more LRVs for too long. At the time when government is finally ready to deliver these projects, the public good is now being held hostage by a private company,” said DOTC Spokesperson Michael Arthur Sagcal. The court order names the Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC), which owns the MRT-3 facilities, and Metro Rail Transit Holdings II, Inc. (MRTH-II), one of its affiliated companies, as the petitioners for the Temporary Order of Protection. However, a member of the MRTC Board of Directors has confirmed with the DOTC that the MRTC has no part in this issuance. According to the Director, “the Board of MRTC never issued a resolution authorizing the filing of a case against DOTC to restrain the procurement of LRVs.” The DOTC awarded the MRT-3 Capacity Expansion Project to China’s Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company on 16 January 2014. Under the contract, Dalian is supposed to construct and deliver forty eight (48) new LRVs to the MRT-3 line over the next three (3) years. This Project will result in significant improvements to the railway’s services. From its current operation of 3-car trains arriving every three (3) minutes, the Project would have increased these to 4-car trains arriving every two-and-a-half (2.5) minutes. The House of Representatives’ Committee on Transportation likewise convened today, 5 February 2014, to tackle the government’s rail transport concerns and programs. At the committee hearing, the DOTC reported that it is now preparing for the Makati RTC hearing scheduled on 7 February 2014 before Presiding Judge Joselito C. Villarosa. The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) will represent the DOTC at the hearing and will explain the need for the Project in light of the public good, as well as government’s position on the “Temporary Order of Protection.” |
| February 2014 Physical and Occupational Therapist Licensure Examinations results released in three (3) working days |
| Source: http://www.prc.gov.ph |
| The
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 370 out of
711 passed the Physical Therapist Licensure Examination and 25 out
of 88 passed the Occupational Therapist Licensure Examination given
by the Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy in the cities of
Manila and Cebu this February 2014. The members of the Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy who gave the licensure examinations are Pollyana G. Escano, Chairman; Raul G. Agustin, Bernadette M. Reyes, Delia R. Pabalan and Rolland Lyle D. Duque, Members. The results were released in three (3) working days from the last day of examinations. Registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will be on February 13 & 14, 2014. Those who will register are required to bring the following: duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, current Community Tax Certificate (cedula), 1 piece passport size picture (colored with white background and complete name tag), 2 sets of metered documentary stamps and 1 short brown envelope with name and profession and to pay the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2014-2017. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals. The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees in the said examination WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER. |
| Ombudsman wins forfeiture Case vs. Cebu BIR Officer |
| Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph |
| Revenue
District Officer Nieto A. Racho of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
Revenue District No. 83, Talisay City, Cebu was found guilty of
violating Republic Act (RA) No. 1379[1] in a civil case filed by the
Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas (OMB-Visayas). In a 10-page Decision, Judge Alexander Acosta of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 9, Cebu City ordered Racho to reconvey the amount of P5,793,881.39 after declaring the amount as ill-gotten and forfeited in favor of the State. “In case respondent fails to return the amount of P5,793,881.39 to the State, properties of respondent with the value equivalent to said amount shall be forfeited,” the Decision reads. The case stemmed from an anonymous complaint forwarded by DHYP Action Radio to the OMB-Visayas which thereafter initiated a fact-finding investigation to gather evidence that Racho amassed assets disproportionate to his salary as a public officer. Racho declared an annual salary of P220,093.70 in his 1998 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), and a cash-in-bank of P15,000.00 only in his SALN for 1999. Certifications from three banks[2] showed, however, that he had an aggregate deposit of P5,793,881.39 from his six bank accounts in 1999. Section 2 of RA 1379 provides that “[w]henever any public officer or employee has acquired during his incumbency an amount of property which is manifestly out of proportion to his salary as such public officer or employee and to his other lawful income and the income from legitimately acquired property, said property shall be presumed prima facie to have been unlawfully acquired.” The Decision explained that Racho failed to rebut the presumption and otherwise prove that the amassed amount was lawfully acquired by him. Moreover, in the parallel administrative case filed with the OMB-Visayas, Racho was earlier dismissed from the service on May 30, 2003 after finding him guilty of Falsification and Dishonesty. The penalty of dismissal from service carries with it accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, and bar from taking civil service examinations. Racho is also facing a criminal case for Falsification by way of using a falsified special power of attorney. In a separate criminal case of Falsification of Public Documents (SALN), he was nonetheless acquitted on November 27,2012. |
| Duque urges public servants to file SALN early and ‘take it seriously’ |
| Source: http://excell.csc.gov.ph |
| On April 30 of
each year, government employees should submit a Statement of Assets,
Liabilities, and Net Worth, more commonly known as “SALN”. Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees requires public officials and employees to declare under oath their assets, liabilities, net worth, and financial and business interests as of December 31 of the preceding calendar year. Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairman Francisco T. Duque III told civil servants to begin accomplishing the form as early as now. “Start early so that you can fill out your SALN correctly and completely. This gives you ample time to review the completeness and accuracy of your declarations before the deadline,” he said. Filers shall use the prescribed form, SALN Form Revised 2013, downloadable from the CSC website www.csc.gov.ph. Guidelines are also available to aid public servants in accomplishing the form. Declarations in the SALN shall have the following data: basic information, assets (real and personal properties), liabilities, net worth, financial connections and business interests, and relatives in government. Spouses who are both in government shall have the option to file their SALN either jointly or separately. Real properties refer to properties which are immovable by nature (i.e. house and lot, land, building, condominium unit). Declaration of real properties shall include its description, kind, location, year and mode of acquisition, assessed value, current fair market value, acquisition cost, as well as improvements to the said properties. Personal properties, on the other hand, refer to jewelry, appliances, furniture, motor vehicles, investments or other assets such as cash on hand, cash in bank, negotiable instruments, securities, stocks, bonds, and the like. Declaration of personal properties shall include description, mode, year, and cost of acquisition, or the value or amount of said personal properties. Liability refers to financial liability or anything that can result to a transfer or disposal of an asset. This includes those incurred by the declarant and also those of his/her spouse and unmarried children below 18 years old living in his/her household. The outstanding balance shall refer to the amount of money that is still due as of December 31 of the preceding calendar year. Net worth is the sum of all assets (real and personal) less total liabilities. In computing one’s net worth, add the acquisition cost of all real properties and the acquisition cost or amount/value of money of all personal properties, then subtract the total liabilities. Business interests refer to declarant’s existing interest in any business enterprise or entity, aside from his/her income from government. This shall include those of his/her spouse’s and unmarried children’s (below 18 years old and living in his/her household). Financial connections refer to declarant’s existing connections with any business enterprise or entity, whether as a consultant, adviser and the like, with an expectation of remuneration for services rendered. Declaration shall include his/her spouse’s and unmarried children’s (below 18 years old and living in his/her household) financial connections. The declarant shall also disclose his/her relatives working in government within the fourth civil degree of relationship, either by consanguinity or affinity. Consanguinity refers to the relationship by blood from the same stock or common ancestor, while affinity refers to the relationship of a husband to the blood relatives of his wife, or a wife to the blood relatives of her husband. Relatives in the fourth degree of consanguinity include the declarant’s first cousin. Declarant should also declare his/her bilas (brother-in-law’s wife or sister-in-law’s husband), inso (wife of an elder brother or male cousin), and balae (parent of the declarant’s son-in-law or daughter-in-law) in government. Failure of any public official or employee to submit his/her SALN and/or failure to disclose or misdeclaration of any asset, liability, business interest, financial connection, and relative in the government in his/her SALN shall be punishable by law under RA 6713. “We always say ‘Public office is a public trust.’ This piece of document we call ‘SALN’ should be taken seriously as this is our declaration of transparency and accountability,” Chairman Duque said. “Tayong mga lingkod bayan ay may pananagutan sa publiko. Gawin natin nang kumpleto at tama ang SALN,” he added. |
| More DOLE offices achieve ISO certifications |
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph |
| Towards
the push for efficiency and effectiveness of frontline services More DOLE offices achieve ISO certifications First, there was only one. Now, eight DOLE offices--four regional offices, three attached agencies, and one bureau--have attained garnered International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Certifications 9001:2008 which signify improved efficiency and effectiveness of these agencies in delivery their enrolled frontline services. "I am gratified with this development. This means we are moving steadily towards our goal of ensuring service excellence to the public," Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said after receiving the summary report on the DOLE's ISO certification program. According to Baldoz, the ISO 9000:2008 addresses various aspects of quality management and contains ISO’s best known standards. "These standards will provide guidance and tools for the ISO-certified regional offices, bureaus, and attached agencies in ensuring that the frontline services they provide consistently meet our clients' requirements; that quality is consistently improved,” she said. ISO 9001:2008 sets out the criteria for a quality management system. It is the only standard in the ISO family of standards that can be certified. It can be used by any organization, large or small, regardless of its field of activity. In fact, ISO 9001:2008 is implemented by over one million companies and organizations in over 170 countries. “ISO 9001:2008 certification has been in place for over a decade now and is used by companies and organizations as a method to benchmark and control quality. Being ISO-certified means the DOLE regional offices, bureau, and attached agencies will have a framework to manage their services and ensure continual improvement in all aspects of the services they provide," said Baldoz, adding that the ISO certifications will be externally-assessed on an on-going basis to ensure that the best practices are maintained. The DOLE regional offices that recently achieved ISO-certifications were Region 3, which was certified by DQS GmBH on 11 November 2013 and Cordillera Administrative Region, which was certified by Certification International Philippine (CIP), Inc. on 15 November 2013. They join DOLE Regional Office No. 12, which was certified by CIP on 3 October 2011, and Caraga (Region 13), which was certified on 8 December 2012, also by the CIP. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority's Competency Assessment and Certification was also ISO-certified by the TUV SUD PSB Philippines on 28 May 2013. It is the second ISO-certified service of TESDA, the first being its Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program, which was issued ISO certification on 10 February 2012. The attached agencies which were already ISO-certified were the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), which was certified by the Anglo-Japanese American (AJA) Registrars, Inc. and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) which was ISO-certified under the time of Secretary Baldoz as Administrator, but then lost it, and regained its ISO-certification by CIP on 8 October 2012. The Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) is the first DOLE bureau to be ISO-certified. Its ISO certification was issued by the Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS) on 29 October 2010, and since then continue its world-class standards of service. Baldoz, who as labor and employment chief had set the goal of ISO-certification for all offices under the DOLE family of agencies, said she expects more regional offices, bureaus, and attached agencies to be ISO-certified this year. “Many of the ROs, bureaus, and attached agencies are either already implementing approved quality systems, or are in the latter half of the internal and external audit processes,” said Baldoz. The labor chief added that once enrolled frontline services have been ISO-certified, these will be aligned and cascaded by the Central Office to other regional offices for uniformity. |
| Baldoz assures Hong Kong OFWs of government protection |
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph |
| DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday assured overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong that the government is ready at all times to ensure their welfare and protection as she urged to them to carry-on with their commitment and dedication to work, continue to maintain good relations with their employers, and follow the rules and regulations of Hong Kong authorities. Baldoz's assurance came after Hong Kong announced that it will scrap visa-free travel privileges for all Philippine diplomatic and official passport holders effective 5 February. "OFWs are not going to be affected by the reported suspension," said Baldoz, adding that Filipino travelers who are holders of regular green and maroon passports are not included in the reported suspension of the 14-day visa-free arrangement with the Philippines. Baldoz said the government is ready to assist all OFWs, not just those in Hong Kong, in any eventuality through job placements in alternative markets in countries with the recruitment industry and access to livelihood and entrepreneurial projects under the National Reintegration Program for OFWs being implemented by the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), a new office under the DOLE. "We have tailor-fit programs for returning OFWs, OFWs in distress, and even OFWs who, while in their work destinations, would like to engage in alternative livelihood for better income opportunities," said Baldoz. These programs include repatriation and welfare assistance, skills training and re-training, scholarships for OFWs and their dependents, psycho-social counseling, and livelihood and entrepreneurship. "For example, we continue to intensify implementation of our Balik-Pinay-Balik Hanap-buhay Program which provides livelihood starter kits for small, home-based businesses. On the other hand, we have the P2 billion National Reintegration Loan program which aims to support OFWs and their families who plan to put up businesses to maximize the gains of overseas employment, mitigate the social cost of migration, and cushion the impact of forced repatriation," she said. The loan program is managed by the Land Bank of the Philippines. It carries an annual rate of 7.5 percent in declining balance with a flexible payment scheme maximum of five years and an incentive grace period of two years. A borrower can borrow a minimum of P200,000 and a maximum of P2 million. |
| 10,000 ‘Yolanda’ survivors in E. Visayas to receive cash grants |
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph |
| Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon
Juliano-Soliman and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Representative to the Philippines Angela Kearney signed yesterday a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the implementation of the
Emergency Unconditional Cash Transfer for vulnerable households
affected by Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas. Under the MOU, cash grants amounting to US$100 or about P4,370 will be given to each of the 10,000 eligible households from Tacloban City and municipalities in upland areas every month for a period of six months. UNICEF has allotted US$6 million for this initiative. Recipients of the emergency cash grants are those of the most vulnerable sectors including pregnant and lactating women, children suffering from moderate to severe acute malnutrition or at risk of malnutrition, persons with disabilities and chronic illness, elderly persons, single-female headed households, child-headed households, and households hosting separated children. They will be included in the Family Development Sessions under the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and will be evaluated for possible inclusion in the list of regular recipients of the program. Sec. Soliman is grateful to UNICEF for coming up with this strategy. “This will not only change the beneficiaries lives but it will be their hope after ‘Yolanda’,” Sec. Soliman said. Kearney believes that providing this emergency intervention will help the vulnerable households to rebuild their lives faster. “By making this cash grant available to the most disadvantaged, we empower households to take charge of their own healing and rebuilding,” Kearney remarked. The cash transfer will be implemented by Action Contre la Faim (ACF), an international non-government organization that has demonstrated expertise on cash distribution, and will involve community consultations, coordination with humanitarian organizations, monitoring and post-survey. |
| Avoid Roxas Boulevard - Rizal Park area until February 9 |
| Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph |
| The Department
of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) advises motorists and commuters
to avoid the area of Rizal Park (Luneta) in the heart of Manila with
the closure of southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard from Katigbak
Parkway (across Padre Burgos Avenue) to South Drive (across T.M.
Kalaw Avenue). DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson clarified that the road closure which created traffic slowdown at Roxas Boulevard and adjacent Bonifacio Drive since last Sunday, February 2, 2014, is not attributed to any roadworks excavation or pavement reblocking in the area but due to preparatory works for the staging of International Shell Eco-Marathon Asia event in Manila slated to run on February 6-9, 2014. As alternative routes, all vehicles coming from Pier Zone intending to utilize the southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard shall turn left to P. Burgos, right to Maria Orosa, right to T.M. Kalaw, and left to Roxas Boulevard to point of destination. All vehicles coming from southern part of Manila intending to utilize the northbound lane of Roxas Boulevard shall turn right to T.M. Kalaw Avenue, left to Maria Orosa Avenue, left Padre Burgos Avenue, and right Bonifacio Drive to point of destination. Normal flow of traffic in the adjacent area of Roxas Boulevard and Bonifacio Drive is expected to resume on midnight of February 14, 2014. According to event organizer Shell Philippines, the Shell Eco-marathon which for the first time will be held in Manila since it began in Asia back in 2010, is an annual event pitting students from all around the world against each other in an engineering and design challenge. |
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Last
Updated:
06 FEBRUARY 2014
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| Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy | |
| Please click on thumbnails to magnify | |
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll welcomes Former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar of the Kingdom of Spain,during a courtesy call at the Music Room in Malacañang Palace on Thursday (February 6). Also in photo is DFA Secretary Albert Del Rosario.(Photo by Lauro Montellano Jr./Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll welcomes Former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar of the Kingdom of Spain,during a courtesy call at the Music Room in Malacañang Palace on Thursday (February 6). Photo by Lauro Montellano Jr./Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll welcomes Jasmine Whitbread, CEO of Save the Children International, during her courtesy call at the Music Room in Malacañang Palace on Thursday (February 6). (Photo by Lauro Montellano Jr./Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino lll welcomes Jasmine Whitbread, CEO of Save the Children International, during her courtesy call at the Music Room in Malacañang Palace on Thursday (February 6). Also in photo are, DSWD Undersecretary Parisya Taradji and Pinky Abellada.(Photo by Benhur Arcayan/Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III renews his driver’s license, two days before he turns 54, at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Tayuman, Manila City on Thursday (February 06). Also in photo is Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. (Photo by Photo by Gil Nartea, Rey Baniquet, Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III renews his driver’s license, two days before he turns 54, at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Tayuman, Manila City on Thursday (February 06). (Photo by Gil Nartea, Rey Baniquet, Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III offers prayers before the remains of Gerardo “Mang Gerry” Velasquez, father of singer-actress Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, at the Manila Memorial Park in Plaridel, Bulacan on Wednesday (February 05). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) Foundation, Inc. and the Provincial Government of Leyte for the construction of 500 houses and five units of Barrio Schools for Typhoon “Yolanda” victims at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (February 05). The relocation site will be named as “Filipino-Chinese Friendship Village." Also in photo are Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, FFCCCII Foundation, Inc. president Dr. Alfonso Siy, Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla and Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla. (Photo by Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) Foundation, Inc. and the Provincial Government of Leyte for the construction of 500 houses and five units of Barrio Schools for Typhoon “Yolanda” victims at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (February 05). The relocation site will be named as “Filipino-Chinese Friendship Village”. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with FFCCCII Foundation president Dr. Alfonso Siy during the Ceremonial Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) Foundation, Inc. and the Provincial Government of Leyte for the construction of 500 houses and five units of Barrio Schools for Typhoon “Yolanda” victims at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (February 05). The relocation site will be named as “Filipino-Chinese Friendship Village." Also in photo is Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III witnesses as Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII) Foundation president Dr. Alfonso Siy and Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla sign the Memorandum of Agreement for the construction of 500 houses and five units of Barrio Schools for Typhoon “Yolanda” victims in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (February 05). The relocation site will be named “Filipino-Chinese Friendship Village." Also in photo are Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Palo Municipal Mayor Remedios Petilla, FFCCCII chairman emeritus Dr. Lucio Tan and Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the courtesy call of the Philippine Medical Association in Chicago at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (February 04). (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the courtesy call of the Philippine Medical Association in Chicago at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (February 04). Also in photo are PMAC president Nida Blankas-Hernaez, MD and Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III poses with the Philippine Medical Association in Chicago, headed by its president Nida Blankas-Hernaez, MD, for a group photo souvenir during the group’s courtesy call at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (February 04). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the ceremonial turnover of 66,813 Accomplished Classrooms at the Carmona National High School in A.B. Rosario Street, Barangay 8, Carmona, Cavite on Monday (February 03). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a replica of a school building from CNHS students during the ceremonial turnover of 66,813 Accomplished Classrooms at the Carmona National High School (CNHS) in A.B. Rosario Street, Barangay 8, Carmona, Cavite on Monday (February 03). Also in photo is Education Secretary Armin Luistro. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a replica of a school building from CNHS students during the ceremonial turnover of 66,813 Accomplished Classrooms at the Carmona National High School (CNHS) in A.B. Rosario Street, Barangay 8, Carmona, Cavite on Monday (February 03). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Benhur Arcayan / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the facilities of newly constructed school buildings during the ceremonial turnover of 66,813 Accomplished Classrooms at the Carmona National High School in A.B. Rosario Street, Barangay 8, Carmona, Cavite on Monday (February 03). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the 114th anniversary celebration of the Manila Bulletin at its main office in Intramuros, Manila Sunday (February 2). In photo with the President are Gen. Proceso Almando, VP for Administration (L) and Dr. Emilio Yap III (R), President for Advertising. (Photo by Gil Nartea/Malacananag Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the 114th anniversary celebration of the Manila Bulletin as Guest of Honor, at its main office in Intramuros, Manila Sunday (February 2). In photo with the President are Manila Bulletin Chairman Emilio Yap and former president Fidel Ramos. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacananag Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the 114th anniversary celebration of the Manila Bulletin as Guest of Honor at its main office in Intramuros, Manila Sunday (February 2). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacananag Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the full cabinet meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (January 30). Also in photo are Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. (Photo by Exequiel Supera / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the full cabinet meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (January 30). Also in photo are Mindanao Development Authority chairperson Luwalhati Antonino, Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. (Photo by Exequiel Supera / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the full cabinet meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (January 30). Also in photo are Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III leads his official family in prayer before presiding over the full cabinet meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (January 30). Also in photo are Mindanao Development Authority chairperson Luwalhati Antonino, Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges token with Transition Commission chairman Mohagher Iqbal during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (January 30). (Photo by Exequiel Supera / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III receives from Transition Commission chairman Mohagher Iqbal a replica of the Bangsamo Transition Commission Official Seal during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall of Malacañan Palace on Thursday(January 30). (Photo by Exequiel Supera / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges token with Transition Commission chairman Mohagher Iqbal during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (January 30). Also in photo is Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III receives from Transition Commission chairman Mohagher Iqbal a replica of the Bangsamo Transition Commission Official Seal during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday(January 30). Also in photo are Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III receives from Transition Commission chairman Mohagher Iqbal a replica of the Bangsamo Transition Commission Official Seal during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday(January 30). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with the Transition Commission, headed by chairman Mohagher Iqbal, during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (January 30). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Transition Commission chairman Mohagher Iqbal, during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (January 30). Also in photo are Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Transition Commission chairman Mohagher Iqbal during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (January 30). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges views with Malaysian facilitator Tengku Dato Abdul Ghafar Tenku Mohamed during the courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (January 30). Also in photo is Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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