24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST |
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Synopsis:
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Northeast
Monsoon affecting Luzon and Visayas.
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Forecast:
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The
Provinces of Quezon and Aurora will experience cloudy skies with light rains.
Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon and Visayas will have partly cloudy to
cloudy skies with isolated light rains. Mindanao will be partly cloudy to
cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.
Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail throughout the archipelago and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough. |
GALE WARNING
GALE WARNING NO.
12
For: Strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of Northeast Monsoon. Issued at 5:00 a.m. today, 25 February 2014 Strong to gale force winds is expected to affect the the eastern seaboard of the country. |
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Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves. The next update will be issued at 5:00 p.m. today. |
3. Weather Watch
ABS-CBN: Patuloy ang ihip ng malamig
na hanging amihan sa Luzon at Visayas. Pagkatapos naman ng dalawa o tatlong
linggo ay iihip na ang mainit na hangin na tinatawag na easterlies. Asahan ang
magandang panahon sa Luzon bukas habang maulap sa Eastern Luzon. Asahan naman
ang malamig na panahon sa Visayas bagamat magiging maulap sa Samar at Leyte.
Maulap sa Northern Mindanao habang maganda naman ang panahon sa natitirang
bahagi ng bansa.
Weather Watch
February 25 , 2014 ( Tuesday ) as of 6:00-7:00 AM
CAVITE : Sunny
LAGUNA : Cloudy
BATANGAS : Fair Weather
RIZAL : Fair Weather
QUEZON
: Fair Weather
1. PIA Regional Watch
PIA-4A/QUEZON: The operation of
Quezon Provincial Jail (QPJ) is back to normal after a weekend of heightened
tension whem the detention facility was locked as inmates refused to let their
visitors to go home. Newly installed provincial jail warden Superintendent Felixberto
Jagorin, Jr. said that they will issue a new policy for visiting families of
the inmates to avoid repeat of the incident. The QPJ is now managed by Bureau
of Jail Management and Penolog y (BJMP).
2. PIA Regional Watch
PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Isinagawa kanina
ang pagbasbas at inagurasyon ng two-storey four classroom school building sa
Banoyo National High School sa bayan ng San Luis at Malaking Pulo National High
School na layong makatugon sa problemang pang edukasyon sa lalawigan.
3. PIA Regional Watch
PIA-4A/BATANGAS...Umabot sa P208
milyon ang kabuuang halaga ng business taxes at regulatory fees mula sa mga
bago at renewal ng business permit na nakolekta ng pamahalaang lungsod ng
Batangas ngayong Enero,mas mataas ito ng P8milyon kumpara noong taong 2013 na
umabot lang sa P199 milyon.
4. PIA Regional Watch
PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Mahigit 300
residente mula sa Brgy.Balagtas sa lunsod ng Batangas ang nagrenew ng kanilang
Eduardo B. Dimacuha(EBD) health cards kung saan magagamit nila ito sa panahon
ng pagkakasakit at bawat benepisaryo ay nakatakdang tumanggap ng P50k halaga ng
operation fees at P30k medical aid mula sa mga hospital sa lungsod kabilang ang
Nazareth Hospital,Golden gate hospital at Batangas medical Center.
5. PIA Regional Watch
PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Quezon Provincial
Police Office (QPPO) has conducted Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) to
grades 5 and 6 pupils in selected public schools in the province. According to
Police Chief Inspector Elmar Sillador, QPPO public information officer the DARE
program aimed to teach the ill effects of illegal drugs to the mind and body of
the person. He also said that six DARE officers underwent training to improve
police and students relationship.
6.PIA Regional Watch
PIA-4A/RIZAL: The Tanay local
government and Land Transportation Office offers student licensing and motor
vehicle registration services to locals at the Municipal compound. The said
activity will be held from February 24 to March 7 in order to provide a more
convenient LTO services to locals.
7. PIA Regional Watch
PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The municipalities of Pagsanjan and Sta. Maria were recently nominated and national finalists to the 2013 Annual National Search for Barangay with Best Sanitation Practices (NSBBSP) through the Kalusugang Panglahat of the Department of Health.
1. PIA OFW Watch
ABS-CBN: Wala umanong planong umuwi
sa Pilipinas ang mga OFW na nasa Beirut, Lebanon kahit pa nagpapatuloy ang kaguluhan
doon. Samantala, nagpapagaling na ang Pinay na nasugatan sa pagsabog doon noong
Biyernes.
GMA NEWS TV: Nararanasan sa Beijing
at ilan pang bahagi ng China ang matinding polusyon sa hangin. Isa-isa na ring
nagkakasakit ang mga OFW sa Beijing dahil sa polusyon habang may pailan-ilan na
ring umuuwi sa Pilipinas para hindi magkasakit. Sa tala ng China, apektado ng
polusyon ang apat na probinsiya sa Gitna at Silangang China.
LAGUNA
1. 2014 Women’s Month kicks-off at Quirino
Grandstand on March 8; targets world record of most participated and largest
human women's symbol formation
By: Carlo P. Gonzaga
Tuesday 25th of
February 2014
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna,
Feb. 25 (PIA) --This year’s National Women’s Month celebration takes off at
Quirino Grandstand on March 8 with the goal of setting a world record of most
participated and largest human women’s symbol formation.
The kick-off
celebration dubbed as "Sulong Juana Human Women's Symbol Formation,"
will start at 6:00 am with an expected 10,000 participants from various
government agencies, state colleges and universities, and other civil society
organizations echoing a united voice in valuing the indispensable role of women
in recovery and progress.
In advance, a “Learning
Session on Gender Fair Media” is scheduled on March 3, 2014 (Monday), 1:00-5:30
pm at the 4th floor Social Hall, Mabini Building, Malacañang, Manila.
The learning session is
spearheaded by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) in partnership with
Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO). It aims to mainstream the
Gender Equality Guide, Code of Ethics and Guidelines to Protect Women from
Discrimination in Media and Film among media networks and organizations-- the
documents formulated in 2013 to ensure that women's needs and issues will be
properly presented in media, communication, information dissemination and
advertising.
Media practitioners,
information officers from various agencies and people from non-government
organizations have been invited to participate in this activity, the PCW
said.
With the theme “Juana
ang Tatag Mo ay Tatag Natin sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong!” this year’s observance
of the annual National Women’s Month Celebration next month is spearheaded by
the PCW, in coordination with national government agencies and non-government
organizations.
BATANGAS
1. Tagalog news: Mga kagamitan, ipamamahagi sa
mga disaster prone areas sa probinsiya ng Batangas
Tuesday 25th of
February 2014
LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS,
Peb. 35 (PIA) --Tatangap ng mga kagamitan laan para sa disaster response
ang mga bayan sa lalawigan ng Batangas na direktang may banta ng kalamidad
partikular ang mga bayan na malapit sa baybaying dagat.
Ito ang inilahad ni
Batangas Governor Vilma Santos Recto sa isinagawang joint meeting ng Provincial
Peace and Order Council (PPOC) at Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council (PDRRMC) na kinakatawan ng mga itinalagang
disaster response officers mula sa iba’t-ibang bayan kasama ang kanilang mga
punongbayan.
Ipinakita ni Batangas
PDRRMC Officer Pedrito Martin M. Dijan jr., sa lupon ang mga kagamitan na
inaasahang magpapalakas ng kapabilidad ng mga bayang tatangap ng mga kagamitan
na binubuo ng search and rescue equipment and quick response kit.
Kabilang dito ang 1
unit ng rubber boat and outboard motor, floatation devices, lighting equipments
tulad ng search lights, flashlights , emergency lamps, first aid kits;
carpentry tools; mattress; spine boards para sa mabilisang transportasyon
ng mga may bali at sugat sa katawan; 1 unit oxygen tank; rescue
rope o lubid, at proteksyon sa ulan tulad ng bota at mga kapote.
Ang mga kagamitang ito
ay mapupunta sa mga Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices ng
mga bayan na napag alaman sa pag-aaral at datos ng PDRRMC na siyang may
pinakamalakas na probabilidad na magtatamo ng malawakang epekto sa oras na
tumama ang kalamidad tulad ng bagyo at storm surge, lindol at tsunami, pagputok
ng bulkan at landslides.
Bukod sa pamamahagi ng
mga kagamitan para sa disaster, isang programa ang inilatag ni Governor Santos
Recto para naman sa peace and order at security plan ng lalawigan.
Ito ay ang ang
karagdagang P3 milyong piso na financial assistance para sa Batangas PNP na
ilalaan sa pag-angkat ng bagong gamit at training para sa Batangas Special
Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) .
Nakatakdang tumangap
din ang mga Municpal Police offices ng karagadagang mobile patrol cars and
motorcycles at karagdagang mga computers para sa upgrade ng information
technology at intelligence gathering capability ng police force sa
lalawigan. (Edwin V. Zabarte, PIO-Batangas )
- See more at:
http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=681393209489#sthash.E8B1Xk8N.dpuf
RIZAL
1. Talim Island
locals receive garment production facilities
Tuesday
25th of February 2014
ANTIPOLO
CITY, Rizal , February 25 (PIA) --About 25 members of the Samahan ng Mga
Kababaihang Mangingisda at Maghahalaman ng Talim (KAMATA) together with their
families will benefit from garment production equipment provided by the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)– Calabarzon and Rizal through its shared
service facility program with the assistance of its development partner, the
Asian Social Institute (ASI).
DTI
Calabarzon headed by Regional Director Marilou Quinco-Toledo, Rizal Provincial
Director Mercy Parreno and representatives from DTI-Rizal and ASI turned over
eight high speed sewing machines, an edging machine and a unit cylindrical
machine to KAMATA at Brgy. Janosa, Talim Island, Binangonan, Rizal.
The
machines will be used to improve production of KAMATA’s industrial rugs and
linen based products such as bedcovers, pillowcases and draperies as an
alternative to commonly relied-on but also declining fishing industry in the
island.
Regional
Director Toledo noted during the turnover that the agency aims to make its
presence felt through significant improvements in the local industries such as
its shared service facility programs and in extension, the lives of locals.
(PIA-RIZAL)
-
See more at:
http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2261393299930#sthash.In8bSZrp.dpuf
2. 131 Tanay agrarian
co-op benefits from DTI shared service facilities
Tuesday
25th of February 2014
ANTIPOLO
CITY, Rizal, February 25 (PIA) --About 131 members of the Sampaloc Agrarian
Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative received machinery for their local
ginger processing industry through the Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI) Calabarzon and Rizal’s Shared Service Facility (SSF) program.
The
cooperative, through the assistance of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)
-Rizal, accepted a ginger juice evaporator/crystalizer and vertical
form-fill-seal machine in order to enhance their processed food industry
capabilities specifically in production of instant salabat at the DAR Compound,
Tanay, Rizal last February 21.
The
evaporator/crystalizer efficiently processes ginger while the vertical form
filling machine provides improved sachet packaging in contrast to the previous
plastic bag and jar based packaging. DTI-Rizal aims to strengthen key
industries nationwide through providing capable entities with shared service
facilities to improve their revenue generation.
The
turnover ceremony was Tanay Mayor Rafael Tanjuatco, DTI 4A Regional
Director Marilou Quinco-Toledo, DTI-Rizal Provincial Director Mercy Parreno,
DAR-Rizal Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer James Arthur Dubongco , DTI and
DAR staff and members of the SARB MPC. (PIA-RIZAL)
-
See more at:
http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article
=2261393299972#sthash.Jcz32jdy.dpuf
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Presidential Communications Operations Office - Other News Online
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DepEd's GSIS backlog cleared with P2.91-B release; Abad: Release ends longstanding dilemma on premiums |
Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph |
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced the release of P2.91 billion as part of the National Government’s share for the payment of unpaid Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) premiums for Department of Education (DepEd) employees, specifically for the period covering July 1, 1997 to December 31, 2010. Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad reported that the P2.91-billion release—chargeable against the FY 2014 Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF)—will ensure the immediate and continued release of GSIS premiums to 784,602 teaching and non-teaching personnel of the education department. “We’re pleased that we’ve completely settled the unremitted GSIS contributions of DepEd personnel. This was, after all, a longstanding backlog that stayed unresolved even before the Aquino administration took over. The P2.91-billion release upholds the President’s commitment to expedite the payment of these unpaid contributions and ensure that the benefits of all affected employees be restored at the soonest time possible. We worked very closely with DepEd and GSIS on determining the final roster of employees whose GSIS premiums hadn’t been properly paid, a collaborative effort that allowed us to accomplish this task as quickly as the process permitted us,” Abad said. In accordance with the tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by the DBM, DepEd, and GSIS last Sept. 11, 2012, the budget department committed to pay a total of P6.92 billion worth of government shares to cover the unremitted premium contributions of all affected DepEd personnel. This would allow all teaching and non-teaching employees under the agency to finally receive their GSIS perks, which include retirement benefits and monthly pensions. Of this amount, the DBM initially released an advance payment of 50 percent or P3.46 billion in 2012 sourced from the FY 2012 General Appropriations Act (GAA). GSIS also agreed to grant a five-percent discount on the total validated premium deficiencies. This brings the remaining balance—and the latest release—to P2.91 billion, net of some adjustments and/or disallowances. “One of the Administration’s goals is to make some very significant improvements in the country’s education system, and a crucial part of that is looking after the well-being of DepEd employees. Closing the classroom gap was an achievement in itself, but it’s as important for us to provide ample and timely support to DepEd personnel, most of whom are at the forefront and of our campaign for education reform,” Abad added. |
Sandiganbayan convicts Mindoro Ex-Gov |
Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph |
Former Oriental Mindoro Governor Rodolfo Valencia and Edelbert Uyboco, president of Gaikoku Trading Company, were found guilty of violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act). In a 27-page Decision, the Sandiganbayan determined that in 1993, the province of Oriental Mindoro purchased ten units of reconditioned dump trucks for P6,994,286.00 through direct procurement from Gaikoku Trading Company without conducting public bidding. The court cited the audit conducted by the Commission on Audit (COA) which determined that the province was a direct importer of the dump trucks and Gaikoku acted as import-in-charge. It found that Gaikoku was paid in full despite the grant of tax exemption in favor of the province. The Sandiganbayan considered the tax exemption privilege and determined that the total acquisition cost of the dump trucks amounted to only P4,594,119.87, resulting in an overpayment of P2,400,166.15. “(T)hese acts of accused Rodolfo Valencia constitute not only of fraud but also indicate a dishonest purpose or some moral obliquity, the conscious doing of a wrong, and a breach of sworn duty through some bad motive or intent or ill-will,” the Decision stated. The court found conspiracy between Valencia and Uyboco, as the procurement of the overpriced dump trucks could not have been made possible without each other’s participation and cooperation Valencia and Uyboco were each sentenced to imprisonment of six (6) years and one (1) month as minimum to ten years as maximum. They were also ordered to jointly and severally indemnify the Province of Oriental Mindoro in the amount of P2,400,166.15, representing the excess payment made to Gaikoku. Carlo Maramot, then Officer-in-Charge of the Provincial Government Services Office, was acquitted of the charges. |
BSP endorses legislation to further liberalize foreign bank entry into the Country |
Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph |
The Monetary Board is endorsing to Congress a bill amending Republic Act 7721 that will effectively further liberalize the entry of foreign banks into the country. The proposed amendments also provide for safety nets that ensure that banking resources continue to be dominantly in the hands of domestic banks. Among others, the current requirement is retained where at least 70 percent of resources must be held by domestic banks which are majority owned by Filipinos. Also included in the proposed amendments is the power of the Monetary Board to suspend the further entry of foreign banks under any or all of the modes of entry as national interest warrants. RA 7721 was promulgated in May 1994. It allowed the entry of foreign banks either through ownership of up to sixty percent (60%) of the voting stock of an existing domestic bank or of a new banking subsidiary or establishment of branches with full banking authority. The law was meant to create a liberalized and more competitive banking system. The new foreign bank entries were then envisioned to attract foreign investments and provide a wider variety of financial services. The BSP said that it would be appropriate to revisit the 20-year law considering the developments in the market. BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. noted that “our investment grade makes us part of a limited group of sovereigns who are considered to adhere to the high standards of macroeconomic, fiscal and financial governance. Building on this achievement, we must nurture a competitive environment that can address the expanding needs of stakeholders.” The Philippine economy has been growing at a much faster pace in recent years and the BSP believes that more competition can only enhance such growth. New entrants to the market, particularly established and reputable foreign entities, provide fresh business impetus which ultimately benefits the public through newer products and services. Governor Tetangco further argued that “to sustain our growth and expansion, it would be an opportune time to open up further our banking industry to foreign banks who could service the investment and financing interests of foreign direct investors in the Philippines.” The endorsement of the BSP to amend RA7721 is also in line with the preparations for the ASEAN Banking Integration Framework (ABIF). Under ABIF, so-called Qualified ASEAN Banks (QABs) can operate within ASEAN jurisdictions on equal terms as domestic banks of that jurisdiction subject to certain prudential and governance standards. Amending RA7721 would be necessary for the Philippines to take advantage of the opportunities provided by a more holistic region. Under the broader ambit of ASEAN financial integration, ABIF aims to share the strengths of ASEAN banking with the rest of ASEAN. The BSP noted, however, that there will be sufficient governance standards in place within ABIF for Philippine banks to qualify as QABs and for other ASEAN banks to operate in the Philippines as QABs. The BSP has been consistently introducing reforms to make the banking industry responsive to the needs of stakeholders and market conditions. Already cited as the best in the world in micro-finance policy, the BSP continues to innovate with products and regulations to make the system more financially inclusive. The BSP also cited the recent changes in the eligibility and quality of bank capital under the Basel III framework as among the more prominent examples of pro-active reform. These initiatives have not gone unnoticed. In its review of 69 jurisdictions, the Philippines was the only jurisdiction which Moody’s gave a positive outlook for its banking system. S&P has recently given a “stable” outlook for the Philippine banking system, only one of four regional economies to do so “The market is continuously evolving and we need to be sure that the banking responds to its stakeholders and not the other way around,” Governor Tetangco noted. The BSP’s initiative to amend key portions of RA7721 is in keeping with this policy direction, according to the BSP. “We have identified a few but key provisions which Congress may want to revisit. We would be happy to discuss our proposal in detail and show why we believe this could be another positive initiative,” Governor Tetangco said. |
TBs, RBs and Coop banks maintain loan quality amid rise in TLP |
Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph |
The gross non-performing loans (NPLs) of thrift (TBs), rural (RBs) and cooperative banks stood at 7.33 percent of their total loan portfolio (TLP) of Php 617.49 billion at end-September 2013. The banks’ NPL ratio remained practically unchanged from the 7.32 percent registered in the second quarter last year. The banks’ TLP, meanwhile, grew by 14.50 percent in September 2013 from the Php 539.29 billion posted in the same period a year earlier. The TLP of RBs, TBs and cooperative banks represented 13.60 percent of the Php 4.54 trillion gross TLP of the Philippine banking system as of September 2013. The top recipients of their loans for the period were real estate, individuals who use the loans for consumption, agriculture, wholesale and retail trade, and financial intermediation. Meanwhile, the banks' loan loss reserves stood at 66.10 percent of NPLs as of end-September last year, which shows that the industry continues to set aside substantial reserves for potential credit losses. TBs posted a 5.89 percent gross NPL ratio in September, lower than the 6.29 percent registered a year ago. The TBs’ loan loss reserves decreased to 69.90 percent in September from 71.85 percent a year earlier. RBs’ gross NPL ratio stood at 12.95 percent in September, higher than the 11.22 percent posted a year ago. RBs’ loan loss reserves for NPLs decreased to 57.78 percent in September from 59.36 percent a year earlier. Cooperative banks’ gross NPL ratio declined to 12.74 in September from 13.82 percent a year ago, while their loan loss provisioning increased to 79.60 percent of NPLs from 70.75 percent during the same period. The latest NPL figures indicate the banks’ continued efforts to adhere to sound credit risk management systems and to maintain high loan quality. These are essential to sustaining the viability of individual banks and to maintaining the overall stability of the domestic financial system. |
Foreign employers and recruitment agencies are responsible for their workers' well-being—Baldoz |
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph |
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday strongly reminded licensed Philippine Recruitment Agencies (PRAs) that they should exercise utmost responsibility in ensuring that the rights and welfare of all OFWs they send to a foreign country are respected and well-taken care of. She also warned them and their foreign counterparts or principals that the government will not take lightly, but act swiftly, on cases of abuse and violation of rights in coordination with and in accordance with the laws of host governments “If they fail to guarantee decent working conditions for these OFWs, the Philippine government will take the necessary action and make sure that they are made answerable," said Baldoz after Philippine Overseas Employment Administration chief Hans Leo Cacdac reported the case status of OFW OFW Melody Polintang-De Jesus who suffered abuse in the hands of her female employer in Jeddah. The case has made headlines, and Baldoz had personally instructed Administrator Cacdac to attend to her case. “OFW De Jesus suffered physical injuries from her employer, did not receive the right compensation provided in her employment contract, and was deployed in harsh working conditions,” Baldoz said. In a report to the Secretary, Philippine Overseas Labor Office-Jeddah Assistant Labor Attache Oliva B. Macawili said De Jesus was deployed by Mayon International Trading Corporation and Saudi Recruitment Agency (SRA) Snood Manpower Employment Office in July 2013 to work as a domestic helper under the sponsorship of Fawas Abdulrahman Abdulsalam Sultan. Administrator Cacdac informed Secretary Baldoz that Mayon International Trading Corporation has since been placed under preventive suspension, and Snood Manpower Employment Office blacklisted. The employer, on the other hand, is now facing criminal charges in a Saudi prosecutor's office. According to the report, OFW De Jesus came to POLO-Jeddah last 9 January 2014 with a fresh wound on her lower right leg, with traces of burn scars on both her upper arms and left lower extremities as a result of the harm inflicted by her female employer. Apparently, the employer used a flat iron to attack Polintang-De Jesus. The OFW said that in her six months' stay with her employer, there were eight or more instances when the latter burned her skin using a flat iron. The first was during the third day of her work when she was seen crying after she was not allowed to call her family to inform her of her safe arrival in Jeddah. The second time was when her employer got mad after seeing trace of old milk in the feeding bottle she just cleaned. Furthermore, other instances of burning her skin were done without any reason and include slapping her face and pulling her hair. OFW De Jesus’ husband, Dandi De Jesus, went to Mayon International Trading Corporation three times to seek help. The first time he approached the PRA, he was told by a certain 'Ma’am Mel' that the SRA will send somebody to the employer’s house to address the problem, but did not. He made a follow up and was told that somebody from the SRA came to the employer’s house but did not found any evidence of the abuse. On the third and final instance that he went to the PRA, nobody spoke to him anymore. OFW Polintang-De Jesus said, on the other hand, said nobody went to her employer’s house from the SRA to check on her. Macawili also said in her report that OFW De Jesus was supposed to receive a total amount of 8,800 Saudi Riyal as payment for her five months' and 26 days’ work, but only received 3,000 Saudi Riyal. She was also required to work at the house of the female sponsor’s mother from 5:00 P.M. until 2:30 A.M. “These are clear violations of the provisions of the Standard Employment Contract entered into by the employer and the employee,” Baldoz said. The use of these SECs, as well as its provisions, was agreed upon by the governments of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a historic event heralding an era of stronger bilateral cooperation between the two countries for better protection and welfare of the Filipino Household Service Workers (HSW). The SEC contains 19 articles that spell out clear and specific provisions on the employment of the Filipino HSWs. Among the articles in the SEC that OFW De Jesus’ employer violated were the provisions on the basic monthly salary; work hours; just and humane manner treatment of the HSW and the special provision that the HSW shall work solely for the employer and his immediate household, where, the employer shall, in no case, require the worker to work in another residence. “We will not tolerate these kinds of abuses, especially, if we are able to prove that the PRA has neglected its responsibilities of tending the needs of the OFWs they deployed abroad. We will deal them the full force of the law," Baldoz assured. |
TV white space deployment in PH the largest in Asia |
Source: http://icto.dost.gov.ph |
The ongoing TV White Space (TVWS) pilot testing in the Philippines is the most extensive in the Asian region. Other TV White Space deployments around the world include those in Africa the United States, the United Kingdom and Singapore, however, the one in the Philippines is the Largest in Asia to date. This was revealed at a press briefing and technology tour in Talibon, Bohol on February 21, 2014. The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and partners from the private sector are looking to address the rural connectivity deficit in the provinces with TVWS technologies. Pilot testing of TVWS is currently on going in the province of Bohol and Leyte. TVWS refers to the vacant frequencies located between broadcast TV channels, which can be used to provide wireless data connectivity to remote communities in the country .. TVWS is considered an ideal wireless data delivery medium for the Philippines, because of its long distance propagation features and the ability of its signals to travel over water and through thick foliage. Undersecretary Louis Casambre of the DOST ICT Office said the agency and private company Nityo Infotech are currently testing the technology to prove the viability of TVWS for commercial purposes. The currently available TVWS equipment can deliver up to 6 megabits per second of data throughput at a maximum range of 10 kilometers. Undersecretary Casambre said the plan is to deploy the TVWS technology in 100 sites in Bohol by end of February this year ”. “The plan initially is to use TVWS as a public service allowing for connectivity for Education, eHealth, eGovernment services, environmental sensor networks such as those used by PAGASA and DOST’s Project NOAH as well as Internet Access in public places such as barangays halls and town plazas.” “We’re actually rolling this out slowly. It’s a new technology and there are some policies that need to be addressed specific to this because we’re using the frequency spectrum originally allocated for TV broadcasters. We plan to ensure that the policy framework is in place before this technology is used commercially”. Usec. Casambre Added. Nityo Infotech Managing Director Roy Del Rosario said the TVWS project is a showcase of the company’s willingness to invest and expand the national broadband connectivity of the country. “This is a manifestation of our cooperation and support to the Philippine government to put in reality a national connectivity project that will boost the country’s competitiveness,” said Del Rosario. Nityo Infotech is funding the rollout and deployment of the TVWS technology in Bohol with an investments of about $5 million (PhP225 million), which will be used in setting up the 100 sites and other technical requirements of the pilot project. TV White Space refers to the vacant frequencies located between broadcast TV channels in the UHF and VHF range between 54 MHz and 806 MHz. White spaces existed naturally between used channels, since assigning nearby transmissions to immediately adjacent channels will cause destructive interference. The technology can be used in various applications such as to connect local government units (LGUs) and national agencies, hospitals and health centres, educational facilities and healthcare centers. “We hope to be online with more a hundred pilot sites within the month in Bohol and Leyte and we plan to launch USAID’s ecofish project that allows fisherfolk to monitor fishing areas online using this particular technology.” said Ms. Bettina Quimson, Deputy Executive Director of the DOST-ICT Office. Increasing demand for wireless data traffic and growing pressure to network capacity has spurred an interest to utilize these unallocated portions of the radio spectrum. Currently available TVWS’ long range means that less base stations are required to provide coverage for a given area compared to existing wireless technologies. Thus, TVWS is considered an extremely cost effective means for Internet/data delivery and quick deployment of such. Pilot testing of the technology after the Bohol earthquake and Yolanda destruction in Visayas provided critical communications for relief and disaster efforts. This also helped both local and foreign governments and NGO’s perform the necessary services. The testing of the technology was expanded to the Leyte-Samar areas after typhoon Yolanda. About DOST-ICTO – The Information and Communications Technology Office of the Department of Science and Technology is the Philippine Government’s lead agency on ICT related matters. Its primary thrusts are in the ICT Industry Development, eGovernment, ICT policy development, Internet for all and Cybersecurity. |
Regional industry assessment and planning set for ZamPen champion products |
Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph |
An industry-wide assessment and planning workshop for the six champion products of Zamboanga Peninsula was scheduled on February 12-13 in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. This was disclosed by Dr. Sitti Amina Jain, officer in-charge of the Department of Trade and Industry Regional Office 9 (DTI-9) in an interview.
“We need to regularly assess where each industry is now
relative to where it was when the Regional Development Council (RDC-9) first identified them as champion products way back in 2005. Assessment is necessary because we want to keep tract of the growth of the industry and if the growth, is as a result of our interventions”, Dr. Jain said.
The champion products Dr. Jain referred to are seaweeds, mango,
rubber, coconut, and processed fish. Abaca was later added in the list through an RDC resolution in 2011.
Specifically, the objectives of the assessment cum planning
workshop are: to assess and evaluate the implementation of the industry cluster program in 2013; and to formulate strategies to better integrate and harmonize convergence activities of concerned government and support institutions to the cluster plan. "At the end of the two-day session, we should be able to come up with the 2014 action plan for each industry that already integrate each agency’s interventions and which are duly validated by the private sector representatives of said industries,” Dr. Jain said. |
ZamPen rubber IC teambuilding workshop strengthens rapport and solidarity among members |
Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph |
Members of the Zamboanga Peninsula rubber industry cluster (IC) team took part in a teambuilding session organized by the Department of Trade and Industry Regional Office 9 (DTI-9). Engr. Noel Bazan, DTI-Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Director in his opening message underscored the need to build up the IC teams in the region and this teambuilding session for the rubber cluster he said, is just but a start. “We want to build cohesiveness among the team members through activities like this for them to be able to work effectively towards attaining the goals of the rubber industry cluster in the region,” Bazan said. The teambuilding workshop held at the Casa Mea Hotel in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay was facilitated by Ms. Crispina Almonte of the Global Organization and Leadership Development, Inc. (GOLD) and the University of the Philippines Institute for Small Scale Industries (UP-ISSI). Participants who comprised the rubber IC team came from the different rubber coops, federations, and small farmers’ associations in the region; other rubber industry stakeholders like the processors and traders; as well as officials from concerned government agencies tasked to develop the industry. “Considering that rubber is one of your region’s flagship products, then I appeal to you. Do everything you can to promote and develop it to make it the flagship or champion product that you say it is,” Almonte entreated the participants. The rubber industry according to Director Bazan is so intertwined with the lives of many in the region as the industry practically first took root here, particularly in Isabela Basilan where a pioneering rubber plantation owner, Dr. James W. Strong planted the first seeds of rubber in the country over a century ago. “Today, the industry employs tens of thousands in the region and is identified as one of the best vehicles for sustainable inclusive growth considering that approximately 85% of the landholdings devoted to rubber here belong to the small farmers or those that belong to agrarian reform cooperatives,” Bazan said. “We want to hasten the growth of this industry that is why we have this activity today. And tomorrow, we will start the assessment and planning workshop for the six ICs., to include rubber,” Bazan added. During the teambuilding workshop, the participants were given opportunity to share their experiences. Ms. Almonte’s lecture on Dr. John Maxwell’s irrefutable laws of leadership and teamwork was much appreciated. The customized activities too enabled the participants to build rapport with each other and to galvanize the team to work together in solidarity to face the many challenges confronting the region’s rubber industry. |
Bangsamoro peace deal to play key role in 2015 ASEAN integration |
Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph |
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles pushed for broad-based support for the Mindanao peace process saying that the Philippines is at a threshold of shared security and prosperity, up to the regional community, and perhaps the whole world. In her speech before members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines, Secretary Deles noted that the Philippines is next door to countries with the largest Muslim constituencies in the world. “The Bangsamoro will form part of our front door to regional trade,” Deles said. . She also shared five scenarios to highlight the strategic importance of the government’s peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in relation to national economic growth and regional security: 1. President Aquino, with his “tuwid na daan” policy, has strengthened the ramparts of constitutional democracy through the restoration of the institutional checks and balances in the Republican system, a relentless fight against corruption and a strong push for inclusive growth and social justice. The Bangsamoro falls squarely within the ambit of these ideals. 2. The Philippines is preparing to join the ASEAN community coming up next year. Hopefully, the Bangsamoro, with its strategic location in sourthern Philippines, will be an integral part of that community. 3. Mindanao is the locus of severe climate change events. The peace agreement dovetails with the needed impetus for political stability, consolidation and cooperation among all communities – Christian, Muslim and Lumad – in meeting the challenge of climate change. 4. The Philippines is on a continuous trend of steady GDP growth. The inception of the Bangsamoro comes at a most auspicious time as an added booster to the national economy. 5. Successive reversals have now tightly constricted the global threat of Islamic extremism, transforming the threat to isolated, localized and homegrown terrorist cells. The same is true for some parts of Muslim Mindanao, which the Bangsamoro will eventually clear of extremism and terror. This will be the core contribution of the Bangsamoro to national security and the security of the entire region. In reference to climate change, the presidential peace adviser stressed that the Philippines would be hard put in dealing with climate change and conflict in Mindanao at the same time. “National peace of mind is a precious treasure,” Deles said. “We must listen to those who have spent whole lives in the arena of conflict – waking to the sound of cannons at dawn, cobbling their loved ones in evacuation tents at day, and being pounded by nightmares of death in the night – to appreciate the value of what we have achieved,” she added. The Secretary pointed out that while gains have been achieved in the Mindanao peace process, there are still enormous difficulties that lay ahead. “Spoilers still abound. There are those who will persist in their own agenda for self-serving or ideological reasons. They shall be dealt with through means of political consolidation or limited security operations,” Deles said. President Aquino’s chief peace adviser also confirmed that the administration expects a rigid scrutiny of the prospective Bangsamoro Basic Law in Congress. “We shall fight for the bill with utmost transparency and professionalism, and with only the national interest in mind. In this, we have the full support of the national leadership,” she said. The presidential peace adviser closed her speech with an appeal to the media: “We ask for the principled support of the media in our quest of a just and lasting peace. We cannot cover all the imaginable bases to a home run, we will never be able to anticipate all the pitfalls in this hard journey. Please help us with your wise counsel and fair reporting.” |
PHL Embassy Consular outreach in Al-Khobar processes 568 Electronic Passports |
Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph |
24 February 2014 – The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh successfully conducted its second “Embassy on Wheels” (EOW) for the month of February in Al-Khobar. Held from February 21 to 22 at the Al Jazeera International School in Dammam, the EOW was able to process a total of 568 electronic passports to Filipinos based in the area. Vice Consul Winston Dean Almeda, who headed the Embassy team, expressed appreciation to the community volunteers who assisted during the consular outreach. The Embassy team, assisted by Filipino community volunteers in the Eastern Region, was also able to process 76 notarial applications, 49 passport extensions, 10 Reports of Birth, seven applications for replacement of lost e-Passport and one authentication certification. The Filipinos who were able to avail themselves of consular services also accomplished 309 Client Feedback forms, out of 600 forms distributed. The client feedback mechanism is part of the Embassy’s program to improve customer service. |
PHL Ambassador, Saudi Human Rights Commission President review results of correction period |
Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph |
24 February 2014 - Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mr. Ezzedin Tago met with Saudi Human Rights Commission President Dr. Bandar Al-Aiban on February 17 at the headquarters of the Commission in Riyadh. During the meeting, both officials reviewed the results of the recent amnesty granted by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and assessed the processes that allowed more than 150,000 Filipinos in Saudi Arabia to correct their status either through transfer of employment or through correction of their work category in their work permit. Ambassador Tago thanked Dr. Al-Aiban for the opportunity to give feedback on the amnesty, and he conveyed appreciation to the King and the Saudi government for the amnesty period announced by the King. Both officials also discussed other issues related the Filipino community in Saudi Arabia. |
Mainstreaming Halal Food Production for food security |
Source: http://www.da.gov.ph |
The current effort of the national government to achieve food security, through innovative solutions or new strategies, is proving that we could enhance our overall capacity to produce our food commodities. For our need to be sufficient in staple food, we are promoting the production and consumption of alternative local staple food such as corn, cardaba, cassava, and sweet potato. This is to lessen our demand for rice, a step that would further raise agricultural productivity as the number of crops receiving support from the Department of Agriculture increases. And for that, the country is nearing the threshold of achieving rice sufficiency and even exportation as envisioned by DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala. The same is required with our livestock and poultry. To further stimulate productivity and gain wider market niches, we have to expand our perspective to harness emerging global opportunities for our producers. And one of these is the growing Global market for Halal foods, known to be worth 2.95 billion US Dollars for Meat alone, that other non-muslim countries such as Brazil, Thailand, Australia and Belgium have already successfully tapped. For nearly a decade ago, our government has, recognized this opportunity. And a wide-ranging initiative had been undertaken at the national level as well as in ARMM, SocSarGen or Region XII and in regions IX and XI. In the 2004-2010 Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) crafted by NEDA, Mindanao was specifically cited as the part of the country where Halal Industry has all the ingredients required to realize our country’s Halal Food Basket. The plan further mentions the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, being the only region with Muslim identity, as the focal area for Halal development thrust. Today, the time has come to put into action what had been conceived in recent years. In fact our very own Agriculture Secretary Alcala had issued directives to mainstream Halal Food Production into our national food production effort. In recent years, necessary ground work for Halal Food production had taken place. The Philippine National Standard (PNS) for Halal Food, the code of Halal Slaughtering Practices and the protocol for Halal Certification had been generated by a group of national agencies such as the DTI, DA, and the OMA (now National Commission for Muslim Filipinos ). The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao had also developed its own Halal Food Industry Master Plan and Certification Body along with related measures undertaken by SOCSARGEN or Region 12 , Regions 9 and 11. A number of Philippine food exporters can attest to the Halal market niches in the Middle East countries that await our producers and exporters. We cannot just watch while our neighbors’ Halal food industries move on to meet their local demands as well as those of the Global markets. Earlier efforts to export chicken met some difficulties owing to the stringent global Halal certification protocols. The challenge to evolve a competitive Halal Production drive is for the Mindanao regions to respond to. Given that the bulk of the potential production areas are in Mindanao, we must call upon our Local Government Units to take on the challenge by mainstreaming production initiatives with the DA and other institutions. Today, the Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Animal Industry the National Meat Inspection Service , the Livestock Devt Council , the Bureau of Agricultural Products Standards and and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, have lined up the following Halal support projects: Halal Slaughterhouses, Halal Goat Production , Halal Organic Fertilizer , Halal Aquaculture and so forth. And these require strategic collaboration of stakeholders so that the Halal Food Industry could finally take off. We have a lot of catching up to do. And we should be confident that with increasing dynamism in the agricultural sector, Halal Food Industry in the country would not anymore be treated as an alien concept but a home-grown production drive forming part of our national food sufficiency effort. President Benigno S. Aguino III, gave a marching order during the Regional Devt. Council -12 meeting in General Santos City last April 14, 2011 and I quote: “Accelerate the efforts in making the establishment of Halal Industry a reality.” Together, Muslim and Christian alike, we must value Halal Food not only for its economic potentials but also for the well-being it would generate to the Filipino people and for the religious harmony it entails. Halal calls for the stringiest food production protocols required by international food safety laws/regulations. And in many ways, it promotes our drive for organic food production as Halal prescribes the use of any ingredients particularly organic materials that maybe useful for human health. We have a lot to gain from Halal Food industry and, therefore, we must work together to move it forward. REFERENCE: Dr. Norodin A. Kuit DA-Halal Food Industry Development Program National Coordinator Mobile No.: 09263431462 EAdd: dr.kuit@yahoo.com |
PRC Chair Manzala discusses implications of ASEAN 2015 integration at the FEU - CDAP capability enhancement learning session |
Source: http://www.prc.gov.ph |
Manila, February 2014 – Fresh from a series of meetings with Filipino professionals and skilled workers, and the National Qualifications Authority in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, PRC Chair Teresita R. Manzala met with members of the Career Development Association of the Philippines, FEU Faculty and Students in a capability enhancement learning session on “the implications of 2015 ASEAN Integration on Student Career Development and Education” at the FEU Technology Building on Wednesday, January 22. According to Chair Manzala, the ten ASEAN Member States have established their national qualifications frameworks and qualifications systems, utilizing different domains and qualification levels, with corresponding descriptors. These cover basic education, technical and vocational training, and higher education. The ASEAN Qualification Reference Framework will function as a device to enable comparisons of qualifications and providing the concept of “best fit” between qualifications from different countries. The AQRF is aimed at providing support and enhancement of the national qualifications frameworks. It addresses education and training sectors and the wider objective of promoting lifelong learning.” The ASEAN Member States have agreed on 2018 as the target for the referencing of their national qualifications frameworks with the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework. “By enabling comparisons of qualifications across member countries that will support recognition of qualifications and encouraging the development of national approaches to validating learning gained outside formal education, the AQRF aims to promote and encourage education/learner and worker mobility, and higher quality qualifications systems”, Chair Manzala added. The AQRF provides opportunities to open up large market for goods, skilled labor and professionals. Likewise, improvement in the regulatory framework and the implementation of quality assurance in the recognition of qualifications of learners, skilled workers and professionals are intended to protect the interest of the public, primarily students and parents. Chair Manzala underscored the important features of the national framework with the shift to outcomes-based education and use of learning outcomes, the conferment of recognition to education and training providers, certificates and licenses by government regulatory bodies, implementation of quality assurance mechanisms, pathways and equivalencies, and to ensure international alignment of qualifications. |
Typhoon victim turns over a new leaf through skills training |
Source: http://www.tesda.gov.ph |
Waking up to muddied roads, flattened homes, and personal belongings strewn everywhere after typhoon Pablo battered southern and central Mindanao region, Hospecio Lesmis knew he had no choice but to rebuild. Just how to do it and where to find the resources were the big questions. It was by a stroke of luck that he met a town-mate, Teddy Lasdoce, who introduced him to the Cash for Training Program (C4TP) of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Lasdoce, an engineer who, like Lesmis, hails from Davao Oriental, was going around the village to spread the word about the program. He told Lesmis about how he can enroll in the program, not only for free, but with a little allowance. And more importantly, Lesmis learned that the program offered to train people on construction skills that they could use to build structures,including their own houses. The 48-year-old Lesmis tried his luck, was admitted in the program and took a course on Carpentry, Masonry and Electrical Installation and Maintenance. After completing the training, he underwent the competency assessment, passed and was given the TESDA National Certificate. The onslaught of the typhoon that inundated many communities in Mindanao region, including their town in Boston, Davao Oriental, made it impossible for the residents to return to their normal source of livelihood, which were farming and fishing. The C4TP made it easier for flood victims like Lesmis to turn over a new leaf by becoming skilled and eventually using this to find new means to earn a living. "TESDA, DSWD and other agencies were instruments to reshape and renew our lives from the suffering we encountered because of typhoon Pablo. The program helped us to rebuild our communities," Lesmis said. Apart from the training, Lesmis and the other beneficiaries received cash assistance and tool kits to help them in the construction works for the houses of the typhoon victims. Lesmis, a father of three, said he will use his new found skills to find a job and to continue building a permanent home for his family "that could withstand the wrath of any typhoon, so my family will forever be secured and protected." "I would also like to build my own hardware business in the future," he added. Once upon a time, Lesmis dreamt of entering the Philippine Army, but was dissuaded by his mother because of safety concerns. He said he found the work of those in the military service noble, especially those who take part in the engineering brigade because they help build communities. |
VP Binay on EDSA anniversary - eradicating poverty remains challenge for gov't, citizens |
Source: http://ovp.gov.ph |
Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said eradicating poverty remains the challenge for government and citizens as the nation commemorates the 28th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution. "True democracy cannot thrive in a society whose population lives in poverty. It is our duty - government and citizens alike - to make sure that the economic gains of our country are felt by all," the Vice President said. He added that the spirit of EDSA "must live on in the sustained triumph of one of the people’s most fundamental freedoms: freedom from hunger and fear." "Government must stand squarely in defense of these rights and citizens must exercise these rights in the service of a greater, nobler goal: a more equitable and prosperous Philippines," he added. According to Binay, the peaceful revolution’s success is only half the battle. The other half, he said, is for the people to remain vigilant in protecting the democracy the nation has won and "to keep its memory from fading." "It demands from all of us eternal vigilance against any erosion of these rights." "As we commemorate its 28th anniversary, it is our responsibility to make sure that the ideals of the EDSA People Power Revolution live on in the society we are building for our children, and for the future generations of Filipinos," added Binay. The Vice President, who was an activist and human rights lawyer during the dictatorship, has been pushing for the establishment of a memory museum dedicated to documenting the struggles against martial law. Binay explained that the establishment of such museum could help in educating the youth and making them more aware of the fight for democracy during the period. |
Phl GDP growth not enough for poverty reduction |
Source: http://www.pids.gov.ph |
The poverty situation in the country did not significantly improve despite of the six-percent economic growth posted from 2003 to 2006. This was revealed by Supervising Research Specialist Danileen Parel of state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) in her analysis of the 2003 and 2006 rounds of the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) where 12,500 households were surveyed to determine poverty reduction at the household level. Parel noted that the education and infrastructure services in an area are both closely associated with its poverty situation. Poverty is highly concentrated in rural areas where level and quality of education and infrastructure are very poor. Her findings show that about 80 percent of the poor live in rural areas. The National Capital Region (NCR) has the least number of poor households, which is 0.88 percent in 2003 and 1.18 percent in 2006. Access to electricity among poor households is only 52.73 percent in 2006, while access to potable piped water is 66.37 percent in the same year. It is miniscule compared to 80 percent of the nonpoor households that have access to electricity and piped water. Parel also described the linkage of poverty and education. Fifty percent of the heads of poor households have no formal education, while almost 40 percent completed primary education. Only less than 0.5 percent of the poor have earned a bachelors degree. Parel stressed that poor communities, especially in rural areas, must be provided with basic education and infrastructure services so that poverty reduction could be better achieved. Rural-urban linkages should be strengthened to narrow the large gap between rural and urban areas. Such linkages would enable rural households to take advantage of urban development like higher access to public goods, and more accessibility to human and physical capital and infrastructure. She also suggested more investments in infrastructure and basic education in areas where poverty is high. For more information on the study, you may download it from this link: http://dirp4.pids.gov.ph/webportal/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps1402.pdf. |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges views with the United States Congressional Delegation headed by US House Committee on Foreign Affairs chairman, Representative Edward Royce (R-California), during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall Receiving Area of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (February 21). The delegation also includes Congressmen Brad Sherman(D-California), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), Dana Rohrabacher (R-California), Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina), Alan Lowenthal (D-California), Luke Messer (R-Indiana), Joseph Kennedy III (D-Massachusetts) and Randy Weber (R-Texas). Also in photo is U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III greets California Representative Dana Rohrabacher during the courtesy call of the United States Congressional Delegation headed by US House Committee on Foreign Affairs chairman, Representative Edward Royce (R-California), at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (February 21). The US CODEL also includes Congressmen Brad Sherman(D-California), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina), Alan Lowenthal (D-California), Luke Messer (R-Indiana), Joseph Kennedy III (D-Massachusetts) and Randy Weber (R-Texas). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes the United States Congressional Delegation headed by US House Committee on Foreign Affairs chairman, Representative Edward Royce (R-California), during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (February 21). The delegation also includes Congressmen Brad Sherman(D-California), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), Dana Rohrabacher (R-California), Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina), Alan Lowenthal (D-California), Luke Messer (R-Indiana), Joseph Kennedy III (D-Massachusetts) and Randy Weber (R-Texas). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III greets U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg during the courtesy call of the United States Congressional Delegation headed by US House Committee on Foreign Affairs chairman, Representative Edward Royce (R-California), at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (February 21). The delegation also includes Congressmen Brad Sherman(D-California), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), Dana Rohrabacher (R-California), Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina), Alan Lowenthal (D-California), Luke Messer (R-Indiana), Joseph Kennedy III (D-Massachusetts) and Randy Weber (R-Texas). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges views with the Congressional Delegation from the United States headed by US House Committee on Foreign Affairs chairman, Representative Edward Royce (R-California), during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall Receiving Area of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (February 21). The delegation also includes Congressmen Brad Sherman(D-California), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), Dana Rohrabacher (R-California), Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina), Alan Lowenthal (D-California), Luke Messer (R-Indiana), Joseph Kennedy III (D-Massachusetts) and Randy Weber (R-Texas). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes the United States Congressional Delegation headed by US House Committee on Foreign Affairs chairman, Representative Edward Royce (R-California), during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (February 21). The US CODEL also includes Congressmen Brad Sherman(D-California), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), Dana Rohrabacher (R-California), Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina), Alan Lowenthal (D-California), Luke Messer (R-Indiana), Joseph Kennedy III (D-Massachusetts) and Randy Weber (R-Texas). Also in photo are U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with the Royal Princes of the Kingdom of Bahrain His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (February 21). (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Lauro Montellano Jr./ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III accept the memento given to him by the Royal Princes of the Kingdom of Bahrain His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (February 21). (Photo by Ryan Lim/ Lauro Montellano Jr./ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes The Royal Princes of the Kingdom of Bahrain His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa come from a courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (February 21). (Photo by Ryan Lim/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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The Royal Princes of the Kingdom of Bahrain His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa come from a courtesy call with the President Benigno Aquino III at the the Malacañan Palace on Friday (February 21). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop during the Courtesy Call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (February 20). Minister Bishop, Australia’s first female foreign minister assumed office on September 18, 2013 following the election of Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s Coalition Government. Also in photo are, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert Del Rosario and Secretary of Trade and Industry Gregory Domingo. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop during the Courtesy Call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (February 20). Minister Bishop, Australia’s first female foreign minister assumed office on September 18, 2013 following the election of Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s Coalition Government. Also in photo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert Del Rosario. (Photo by: Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop during the courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (February 20). Minister Bishop, Australia’s first female foreign minister assumed office on September 18, 2013 following the election of Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s Coalition Government. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop during the courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (February 20). Minister Bishop, Australia’s first female foreign minister assumed office on September 18, 2013 following the election of Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s Coalition Government. Also in photo are, Minister for Trade and Investment Australia, Andrew Robb OA,MP, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert Del Rosario and Secretary of Trade and Industry Gregory Domingo. (Photo by: Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the courtesy call of the San Francisco – Manila Sister City Committee Business and Cultural Mission at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (February 20). The business mission is designed for US companies and businesses with interest in exploring high potential business and investment opportunities in the Philippines. (Photo by Lauro Montellano Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the courtesy call of the San Francisco – Manila Sister City Committee Business and Cultural Mission at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (February 20). The business mission is designed for US companies and businesses with interest in exploring high potential business and investment opportunities in the Philippines. Also in photo are San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee and DFA Undersecretary Laura Del Rosario. (Photo by: Lauro Montellano Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes the San Francisco – Manila Sister City Committee Business and Cultural Mission, headed by San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee during a courtesy call at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (February 20). The business mission is designed for US companies and businesses with interest in exploring high potential business and investment opportunities in the Philippines. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the courtesy call of the San Francisco – Manila Sister City Committee Business and Cultural Mission at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (February 20). The business mission is designed for US companies and businesses with interest in exploring high potential business and investment opportunities in the Philippines. Also in photo is San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson walks pass the Balanguiga church bell tower after overseeing the turnover ceremonies of the municipal building which was reconstructed with the help of Peregrine Development International Inc. and Global Gateway Development Corporation, two of the many private sector partners in the Yolanda rehabilitation effort. Lacson is accompanied by Balanguiga Mayor Viscoy De Lira (right), PDII President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Wright (left) and Global Gateway chief financial officer Michael Russel (extreme left). The private sector partners in Balangiga also turned over the newly-renovated public market. They have likewise committed to construct new classrooms and renovate the town's church, home of the historical Balanguiga bells. | ||
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Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson with Balanguiga local officials and the new municipal building reconstructed thru the assistance of private partners Peregrine Development International Inc. and Global Gateway Development Corporation. | ||
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Communications Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. speaks before the country’s financial executives during the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) 2nd General Membership Meeting at the InterContinental Manila in Makati City on Wednesday (February 19). (Photo by Luisito L. Iglesias of PCOO-NIB photo) | ||
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Communications Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. joins the country’s financial executives in panel discussion on ASEAN Integration during the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) 2nd General Membership Meeting at the InterContinental Manila in Makati City on Wednesday (February 19). Also in photo are (L-R) Mr. Cesar B. Crisol, Mr. James Villafuerte, Mr. Junie del Mundo, Mr. Roel A. Refran, and Mr. Angelo Salvador M. Benedictos. (Photo by Luisito L. Iglesias of PCOO-NIB photo) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III answers questions from the media during the press briefing after gracing the presentation of Estero de San Miguel Micro Medium-Rise Building Model Unit at the Claro M. Recto High School Auditorium in Barangay 412, Zone 42, Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila City on Wednesday (February 19). The model unit started construction in November 2013 and was completed in January 2014. Also in photo (second from left) is Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Undersecretary Renato M. Marfil. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and inspects the facilities of the Estero de San Miguel Micro Medium-Rise Building (mMRB) Model Unit at the Claro M. Recto High School in Barangay 412, Zone 42, Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila City on Wednesday (February 19). The Estero de San Miguel Project is in line with the program goal of providing safe, affordable, decent and humane relocation in accordance with the Relocation Action Plan (RAP) through the People’s Plan mechanism and process for on-site, near-city relocation of affected ISFs in accordance with People’s Plan that contains shelter solutions and finance scheme development, validated and accepted by the ISFs themselves. The MRB model unit started construction in November 2013 and was completed in January 2014.also in photo Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas III, Nagkakaisang Mamamayan ng Legarda (NML) president and Brgy. 412 Chairperson Filomena Cinco (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Rey Baniquet/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and inspects the facilities of the Estero de San Miguel Micro Medium-Rise Building Model Unit at the Claro M. Recto High School in Barangay 412, Zone 42, Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila City on Wednesday (February 19). The model unit started construction in November 2013 and was completed in January 2014. (Photo by Ryan Lim/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the presentation of Estero de San Miguel Micro Medium-Rise Building Model Unit at the Claro M. Recto High School Auditorium in Barangay 412, Zone 42, Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila City on Wednesday (February 19). The model unit started construction in November 2013 and was completed in January 2014. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Benhur Arcayan / Rey Baniquet/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Nagkakaisang Mamamayan ng Legarda president and Brgy. 412 Chairperson Filomena Cinco and Urban Poor Associates director for organizational work / community organization coordinator and administrator Alicia Murphy, upon arrival for the presentation of Estero de San Miguel Micro Medium-Rise Building Model Unit at the Claro M. Recto High School Auditorium at Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila City on Wednesday (February 19). The model unit started construction in November 2013 and was completed in January 2014. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the presentation of Estero de San Miguel Micro Medium-Rise Building Model Unit at the Claro M. Recto High School Auditorium in Barangay 412, Zone 42, Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila City on Wednesday (February 19). The Estero de San Miguel Project is in line with the program goal of providing safe, affordable, decent and humane relocation in accordance with the Relocation Action Plan for informal settlers' families. The model unit started construction in November 2013 and was completed in January 2014. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Benhur Arcayan / Rey Baniquet/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III addresses the 3rd Euromoney Philippine Investment Forum 2014 at the Solaire Resort and Casino Manila in Aseana Avenue, Parañaque City on Tuesday (February 18). The Forum brings together policymakers, business leaders, economists and key overseas investors that will help paint an overview of the Philippines economy including analysis into all key sectors. Euromoney is the world’s leading organiser of conferences for cross-border investment and capital markets for portfolio and direct investors, financial intermediaries, corporations, governments, banks and financial institutions. Also in photo is Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III addresses the 3rd Euromoney Philippine Investment Forum 2014 at the Solaire Resort and Casino Manila in Aseana Avenue, Parañaque City on Tuesday (February 18). The Forum brings together policymakers, business leaders, economists and key overseas investors that will help paint an overview of the Philippines economy including analysis into all key sectors. Euromoney is the world’s leading organiser of conferences for cross-border investment and capital markets for portfolio and direct investors, financial intermediaries, corporations, governments, banks and financial institutions. Also in photo are Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Euromoney Institutional Investor Asia chief executive officer Tony Shale and Solaire Resort and Casino chairman and president Enrique Razon, Jr. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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