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Dinaluhan ng Pangulong Aquino ang misang
pasasalamat sa muling pagbubukas ng Katedral ng Maynila |
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Nakiisa ang Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III Miyerkoles
ng gabi sa mga mananampalataya sa Misang Pasasalamat para sa muling
pagbubukas ng makasaysayang Katedral ng Maynila na kilala rin bilang
Cathedral Basilica ng Imakulada Concepcion sa Intramuros.
Pinangunahan ni Kardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Arsobispo ng Maynila, ang mga
Obispo na nag-misa. Isinara ang Katedral noong Pebrero 2012 upang makumpuni
ang mga gapok nang bahagi.
Sa kanyang homiliya, malugod na tinanggap ni Kardinal Tagle ang mga
mananampalataya at binanggit na ang isa sa kauna-unahan niyang pasiya nang
matalagang Arsobispo noong 2011 ay isara ang Katedral upang makumpuni ang
daan taon nang simbahan.
“Narito na tayong lahat sa tahanan,” sabi ng Kardinal. “Malugod namin kayong
tinatanggap sa tahanan ng Archdiocese. Ang tahanan ng ating Panginoong Diyos,
ang tahanan ng ating Ina.”
Pinasalamatan ni Kardinal Tagle ang mga tumulong sa rekostruksiyon ng
Simbahan at idinugtong na ang Katedral ng Maynila ay hindi maitatayong muli
kung hindi sa tulong na bukas-palad, kahusayan at pananalig sa Maykapal.
Idinugtong pa ng Kardinal na tulad ng Katedral, ang mga nakaligtas sa mga
kalamidad na nanalanta kamakailan ay muling titindig. “Dumamay po tayo sa
mga kapatid natin na hindi lamang gusali ang dapat na patatagin at itayo,
kundi ang mga pangarap at buhay,” wika ng Kardinal.
“Kaya para sa mga kapatid nating patuloy na itinatayo ang kanilang bahay na
sinalanta ng Yolanda, kasama po namin kayo at kaming bumubuo sa Archdiocese
ng Maynila ay inyong kaagapay,” dugtong ng Kardinal.
Sa kanyang homiliya, pinaalalahanan ni Kardinal Tagle ang sambayanan na ang
sambahin ay “tunay na Diyos” at talikdan ang mga “huwad na diyos” na salapi,
kapangyarihan at kayamuan. Ang diwa ng pagsamba ay sumamba lamang sapagka’t
ang Diyos ay karapat-dapat na sambahin,” sabi pa ng Kardinal.
“At ang anyayang paglingkuran ang Maykapal ay may kakambal na paalaala:
Mag-ingat sa maraming huwad na diyos na nag-aatas sa ating sambahin at
paglingkuran sila. Huwag nating sambahin at huwag magsakripisyo para sa mga
diyus-diyusan,” wika pa ng Kardinal.
Bago ginanap ang misa, si dating Punong Mahistrado Artemio Panganiban,
pangulo ng Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica Foundation Inc. ang nag-alis
ng tabing ng pananda para sa pagbubukas na muli ng Katedral.
Kasama ng Pangulong Aquino na dumalo sa Misa ang kanyang mga kapatid na sina
Maria Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz, Victoria Elisa “Viel” Aquino-Dee at Kris
Aquino.
Dumalo rin sa Misa sina Pangulong Franklin Drilon ng Senado, Alkalde Joseph
Estrada ng Maynila, ang mga kagawad ng Diplomatic Corps at iba pang matataas
na pinuno ng pamahalaan ng bansa. PND (co/zaf) |
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Ikinatuwa ng Palasyo ang pag-angat sa ‘category 1
status’ ng ‘air safety measures’ ng bansa na ginawa ng ‘US Federal Aviation
Authority’ |
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Malugod na tinanggap ng Malacanang ang pagtataas sa
Category 1 ng air safety measures ng bansa buhat sa Category 2 na ibinigay
ng US Federal Aviation Authority Huwebes.
Sa pulong-balitaan, sinabi ni Kalihim Herminio Coloma, Jr. ng Presidential
Communications Operations Office na ang pagtaas na ito ay “nagpapakita ng
kakayahan ng Civil Aviation Authority ng Pilipinas na ipatupad ang mga
karampatang repormang titiyak na ang industriya ng aviation ng bansa ay
makaaagapay sa ibang bansa at naaalinsunod sa pandaigdig na pamantayang
pangkaligtasan.
“Nakikiisa tayo sa Kagawaran ng Trasportasyon at Komunikasyon sa pagtanggap
sa pasiya ng United States Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) na itaas ang
safety status ng Pilipinas sa Category 1 matapos matugunan ang itinakdang
pamantayan ng International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” sabi ni
Coloma.
“Ang pagtataas na ito ay dumating pagkaraan ng paborableng aksiyon ng
European Union sa pag-alinsunod ng mga eroplano ng Pilipinas sa tuntuning
pangkaligtasan. Ang mga pakinabang sa pangyayaring ito ay ang pagkakaroon
nang greater access sa mga ruta ng Estados Unidos, paggamit nang higit na
fuel-efficient planes at higit na mabilis na pag-unlad ng mga sektor ng
turismo at aviation sa Pilipinas,” dugtong ni Coloma.
Pinapurihan naman ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte ang DOTC
at ang CAAP sapagka’t ang resulta ng kanilang malasakit ang dahilan ng
pag-angat na ito na kalakip ang puspusang pagtutuwid sa mga nakaligtaan at
hindi paggawa ng hakbang nang nakalipas.
“Pinupuri natin ang DOTC at CAAP sa kanilang malasakit at puspusang
pagtatrabaho upang ituwid ang mga nakaligtaan at hindi inayos nang nakaraang
panahon. Sapagka’t nagawa nila ang mga bagay na ito, naitatag nila ang isang
tunay na service oriented regime—na naninindigan sa mandato na titiyak na
ang industriya ng aviation natin ay makatutugon sa hinihingi ng pamantayang
pandaigdig,” sabi pa ni Valte.
“Ang pag-angat na ito ay bunga ng pananaw na maaaring gawin na namamayani sa
lipunan at sa pamahalaan sa kasalukuyan. Isa itong ugaling nagiging daan
upang ipagpatuloy ng mga ahensiya ang patuloy na pagsisikap na matiyak ang
kaligtasan at kapakanan nang higit na malawak na bahagi ng lipunan habang
tinatahak natin ang matuwid na landas patungo sa higit na kasaganaan at
tagumpay,” dagdag pa ni Valte.
Noong 2008, ibinaba ng US Federal Aviation Authority ang bansa sa Category 2
dahil sa pag-aalala sa kaligtasan. Ang pagbagsak na ito ay nangangahulugang
ang mga eroplano ng bansa ay makapagpapatuloy lamang ng paglipad sa Estados
Unidos sa ilalim nang mahigpit na mga tuntuning itinakda ng FAA. PND (rck/zaf)
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Patuloy ang ibayong pagsisikap ng Pangulong Aquino
na matupad ang mga ‘long-term goals,’ sabi ni Coloma |
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Patuloy na nakatuon ang pagsisikap ng Pangulong Benigno
S. Aquino III sa pagpapatupad ng mga reporma sa bansa at hindi sa public
approval ratings.
“Bibigyang pansin namin na ang pagbaba ng performance approval—na palagay ko
ay 70 porsiyento buhat sa dating 73 porsiyento—ay maliit lamang na pagbaba
at sakop pa rin ng karaniwang statistical margin of error,” pahayag ni
Kalihim Herminio Coloma, Jr. ng Presidential Communications Operations
Office sa mga reporter sa idinaos na pulong-balitaan Huwebes.
Ang tinutukoy ni Coloma ay ang Ulat ng Bayan Survey ng Pulse Asia para sa
Unang Kuwarter ng 2014 kung saan lumabas ang bahagyang pagbaba sa
satisfaction and trust ratings ng Pangulo.
“Niliwanag namin sa nakaraaang mga briefing na ang pangunahin naming
pinag-uukulan ng panahon ay ang pagpapatupad ng mga reporma at ng
mahahalagang programa ng Philippine Development Plan,” wika ng Kalihim ng
Komunikasyon.
Idinugtong ni Coloma na bagaman karaniwan nang baba-taas o pabagu-bago ang
mga resulta ng public opinion surveys, laging nakatuon ang pagsisikap ng
administrasyong Aquino sa katuparan ng mga layunin ng planong pangkaunlaran.
Samantala, sa hiwalay na pahayag ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail
Valte, sinabi niya na ang pagtitiwala ng sambayanan sa Pangulong Aquino ay
nananatiling malaki.
“Ngayon, iniulat ng Pulse Asia sa Ulat sa Bayan survey sa unang kuwarter ng
2014 na 70 porsiyento ng mga Pilipino ang sang-ayon sa pagganap ng Pangulo
sa tungkulin nito, habang 69 porsiyento naman ang patuloy na nagtitiwala sa
kanya. Salig sa report, maliit na paggalaw lamang ang nangyari sa
performance at trust ratings ng Pangulo,” wika ni Valte.
“Ang pinakahuling pagtaya sa damdaming bayan ang nagpapakita na ang mga
pagsisikap ng Pangulo, ang pamamahala niya at ang pakay ng administrasyon na
bigyang kapangyarihan ang ating mga mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng pagsasagawa
ng permanenteng pagbabago ay hindi maaaring ihiwalay sa pangarap at
pagsisikap ng ating mamamayan sa kabuuan,” dagdag ni Valte.
Sinabi ni Valte na ang sambayanang Pilipino ay mananatiling pangunahing
balong ng lakas ng Pangulo at taglay ang paninindigang ito, ang Pangulo at
kanyang mga kasama ay ibayo pang magsisikap na pabilisin ang katuparan ng
sinisikap makamtang kasaganaan ng bansa habang tinatahak ang tuwid na landas
patungo sa laganap na kaunlaran. PND (as/zaf) |
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Sisiyasatin ng pamahalaan ang ulat na
prostitusyon sa ‘evacuation center’ |
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Sinusubaybayan ng Kagawaran ng Kagalingang Panlipunan at
Kaunlaran (DSWD) ang kalagayan sa iba-ibang evacuation centers sa bansa
upang matiyak na napangangalagaan ang kapakanan ng mga evacuees, sang-ayon
sa Malacanang Huwebes.Ayon sa mga ulat, may
nagaganap na prostitusyon sa loob at palibot ng evacuation camps sa Lungsod
ng Zamboanga dahil sa pagnanasa ng mga evacuees na kumita.
“Sinusubaybayan ng ating Kagawaran ng Kagalingang
Panlipunan at Kaunlaran ang lahat ng evacuation centers. Mayroon sa Lungsod
ng Zamboanga, mayroon pa rin sa Bohol, mayroon sa mga pook na sinalanta ng
kalamidad. Bahagi ng kanilang tungkulin ang pangalagaan ang kapakanan ng mga
mamamayan doon, kasama na ang kababaihan,” sabi ni Kalihim Herminio Coloma,
Jr. ng Presidential Communications Operations Office sa pulong balitaan.
“Tinitiyak ko sa inyo na determinado ang ating
pamahalaan na subaybayan ang sitwasyon sa lahat ng mga evacuation centers.
Hindi na dapat maragdagan pa ang sakripisyo o ang pagdurusa ng mga pamilya,”
sabi ni Coloma sa mga reporter.
Sinabi ni Coloma na ang mga nakaligtas ay nagdanas
na nang labis dahil sa mga kalamidad at karahasan sa Mindanao at hindi
pahihintulutan ng pamahalaan na magpatuloy ang prostitusyon sa mga
tinutuluyan ng nagsilikas.
“Isa sa mga pangunahing pakay ng pamahalaan ay
sugpuin ang human trafficking, “ dugtong pa ni Coloma at sinabing ang
prostitusyon ay isang uri ng “human trafficking.”
Ayon sa pulisya ng Lungsod ng Zamboanga, dinagdagan
nila ang nagpapatrulya sa loob ng mga evacuation centers at karatig na mga
pook upang maiwasan ang prostitusyon.
Gumawa na rin ng hakbang ang Kagawaran ng Kalusugan
upang maiwasan ang paglaganap ng sexually transmitted diseases sa mga
evacuees. PND (as/zaf) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the 72nd
Commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan
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Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat Shrine, Pilar Bataan
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09 Apr 2014
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Nagsimula ang Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig sa panahong naghahanda na sa
ganap na kasarinlan ang Pilipinas mula sa pagiging kolonya ng Amerika. At
dahil nga narito pa ang mga hukbong Amerikano, nadawit na rin ang ating
bansa sa isang malawakang digmaan. Sa pagkakataong sinasakop ang ating bayan,
naging laban na rin natin ang kanilang laban. Noon pa man po, malinaw na sa
mga Pilipino: Maliit man tayo, kung nasa tama tayo, lalaban tayo.
Sa panahong iyon, hindi po biro ang tinamo nating pinsala. Tinatayang
mahigit isang milyong Pilipino ang nasawi mula sa populasyon natin noon na
mahigit 16 na milyon lamang. Hindi rin mabilang ang mga taong napilitang
mangibang-bayan o lumisan dahil sa kaguluhan at karahasan. Ayon nga po sa
tala, sa Allied capitals ay pumangalawa ang Maynila sa Warsaw sa Poland sa
lawak at tindi ng pinsalang naranasan natin noong panahon ng digmaan.
Mahigit 70 taon na nga po ang nakalipas mula nang matapos ang Ikalawang
Digmaang Pandaigdig. Ibang-iba na ang sitwasyon ngayon. Ang mga bansang
dating nasa magkabilang panig at nagpapalitan ng putok, ay nasa iisang
bangka na lamang. Ang dating naggigirian, nagkamayan at nagyakapan na, at
sinabing, “Kaibigan, tapos na ang gulo, magtulungan tayo.” Ang dating maliit
na kolonyang dinurog ng digmaan, malaya at taas-noo nang nakikisagwan sa
iisang direksyon tungo sa kapayapaan at ikauunlad ng lahat.
At ngayon nga po, nagtitipon tayo upang tumingala sa Dambana ng Kagitingan—isang
tanda ng pagbibigay-pugay natin sa kabayanihan ng mga beterano noong
Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig; isang sagisag ng pagbabalik-tanaw sa
kagitingan at sa dinaanan nilang sakripisyo.
Marahil nga po, kapag tinanong ng kasalukuyang henerasyon kung ano ang
ibig-sabihin ng sakripisyo, ang pinakaangkop na sagot ay ang inyong
halimbawa. Di po ba, kayong mga beterano ang buong-loob na sumuong sa
peligro at kawalang-katiyakan, sa ngalan ng bandila? Sa harap ng dambuhalang
hamon, tiniis ninyo ang gutom, uhaw, at sakit; hindi kayo nag-atubiling
magtaya ng inyong buhay para sa kapakanan ng mas nakakarami.
Sa halimbawa pong ipinamalas ninyo, buhay ang diwa ng pagka-Pilipino. Kaya
nga po, lumipas man ang maraming taon, tuloy pa rin ang pagkilala ng estado
sa inyong pakikiambag. Ang hangad natin: Sapat na pagkalinga sa mga beterano
at sa inyong mga pamilya, upang tumbasan ang malasakit na ipinamalas ninyo
noon.
Nagkaroon nga po ng obligasyon ang inyong pamahalaan na arugain ang mga
beterano. Ang masaklap nga lang po, sa listahan ng ating mga pensioner ay
marami ang nakisali sa listahan at nakihati sa mga handog nating benepisyo,
kahit hindi naman talaga sila tunay na mga beterano. Pero may good news po:
Ipinapatupad na natin ngayon ang Pensioner’s Revalidation Program. Dahil sa
pagsisigurong tunay na kabilang sa listahan ang bawat pangalan ng ating
surviving pensioners, sa pagpasok ng taong ito ay tuluyan nang naipatigil
ang pagbibigay-benepisyo sa 22,534 na accounts, habang 14,616 accounts naman
ang nasuspinde. Ang resulta: naibalik ang pension remittances na
nagkakahalaga ng P396.61 million. At nitong Marso, umabot na nga sa 133,784
na lehitimong beterano at kanilang mga asawa ang binibigyang-serbisyo ng
ating Philippine Veterans Affairs Office. [Applause] Tinitiyak nating sa mga
karapat-dapat lamang mapupunta ang bawat pisong inilalaan natin mula sa
kaban ng bayan.
Pagdating po sa kalusugan, bukas ang pinto ng Veterans Memorial Medical
Center (VMMC), pati na ang iba nilang mga sangay sa kalakhang bansa, para
kumakalinga sa ating mga beterano. Para sa taong 2013 nga lang po, umabot sa
17 million piso ang halaga ng serbisyong-medikal na nailaan para sa 1,092 na
beterano. Ang maganda pang balita: pinalawak pa ng VMMC ang kanilang
benepisyo para sa inyo—ngayon po, kabilang na sa listahang sagot ng gobyerno
ang mga serbisyong tulad ng cataract operation, coronary angiogram, at
cardiac bypass.
Tumungo naman po tayo sa educational benefits ng inyo pong mga a dependents.
Nitong nakaraang taon lang po, umabot sa 2,059 ang bilang ng mga
estudyanteng napag-aaral ng PVAO. Ang alay naman nating tulong-pinansyal:
umaabot sa P36,000 kada taon para sa bawat kuwalipikadong dependent ng ating
mga beterano.
Kasabay ng patuloy nating pagkalinga sa ating mga beterano, masigasig din
nating sinisigurong ang mga sundalong nagseserbisyo ngayon ay may kakayahang
gampanan ang kanilang tungkulin. Sakaling kailanganin nating sumuong sa
laban, hindi naman po puwedeng lakas ng loob lang ang sandata ng ating mga
kawal. Para sa ating AFP Modernization and Capability Upgrade Program,
nakapaglaan na tayo ng mahigit 36 bilyong piso at nakumpleto ang 38 proyekto
mula lamang Hulyo ng taong 2010, hanggang Marso ng 2014. Kabilang dito ang
mga modernong sasakyan at kagamitang pihadong magpapatibay pa sa ating
Sandatahang Lakas. Sa ganito man pong paraan, ay mapapagaan natin ang mga
hindi-birong tungkulin na kanilang tinutupad upang paglingkuran ang ating
bansa.
Isang halimbawa nga po nito ang sakripisyong inialay ng siyam sa magigiting
nating mga Marino, sa pangunguna ni 1st Lieutenant Mike Pelotera, na huling
nadestino sa Ayungin Shoal. Isipin na lang ninyo ang pambihirang
sakripisyong ipinamalas ng kanilang grupo: Sa loob ng halos limang buwan,
ang kanilang mundo ay uminog lamang sa karagatan. Halos wala silang
komunikasyon sa kanilang mga pamilya; may mga pagkakataon pang hinaharang
ang ipinapadala nating mga gamit at pagkain sa kanila. Araw-gabi, sakay ng
nakatirik na BRP Sierra Madre, ay nakaangkla lamang ang kanilang dedikasyon
sa pagtutok at pagbabantay ng ating teritoryo. Kaya naman po, kasama ng
ating mga beterano, kabilang din ang mga kawal na tulad nila sa mga
kinikilala natin ngayon. Saludo po ang sambayanang Pilipino sa inyo.
[Applause]
Naniniwala pa rin po tayo: hindi dapat makalimutan ang mga aral ng nakaraan.
Noong Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig, nagkaroon ng hindi pagkakaunawaan ang
ating mga bansa, at nasaksihan natin ang malagim na bunga nito. Ngayon,
malinaw naman pong magkakaibigan na tayo—nagkakaunawaan bilang mga kapwa-tao
na may sariling mga adhikain at pangamba; naiintindihan na natin ang
kaisipan, kultura, at paninindigan ng bawat isa; at nagtutulungan para
makamit ang kolektibong mithiin ng ating mga bansa. Sa paraan nga pong ito,
masisiguro nating hindi na mauulit pa ang madilim na kabanatang iyon ng
ating kasaysayan.
Marami na pong dinaanang pagsubok ang Pilipinas. Sa bawat hamon na tinugunan
natin, lalong tumibay, lalong luminaw ang diwa ng ating pagka-Pilipino. Sa
pagharap natin sa patong-patong na sakuna, ipinamalas nating hindi
napapayuko ng anumang pagsubok ang Pilipino. Dinadaig natin ang salot ng
katiwalian—kaya ngayon, kinikilala tayo bilang huwaran ng tapat na
pamamahala. Iwinaksi natin ang pagiging “Sick Man of Asia” kaya’t kinikilala
tayo ngayon bilang “Bright Spot” sa pandaigdig na ekonomiya. At sa araw na
ito, ang Araw ng Kagitingan; sabayan naman ninyo ako sa pagdeklara: Pilipino
ang tumitindig para sa tama. [Applause]
Mapalad nga po ang kasalukuyang henerasyon ng mga Pilipino: hindi na natin
kailangan pang lumingon sa malayo para makatanaw at makakilala ng mga
huwaran. Mula sa mga pangalang nakaukit na sa bato, sa mga bayaning hindi na
nagawang mailimbag pa sa libro, hanggang sa bawat Pilipino ngayong
nakikiambag sa pagbabago—bawat tipak ng kadakilaan ang siyang bumubuo at
nagpapatibay sa pagkakakilanlan ng lahing Pilipino: matatag, magiting, at
handang tumugon sa anumang pagsubok.
Magandang araw po. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. |
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA,
JR.
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Aksyon TV - Punto Asintado / By Erwin Tulfo
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April 11, 2014
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ERWIN: Ako po ay magpapasalamat din sa inyo, at least, eh talaga namang
samu’t-saring reaksyon po ang lumabas kahapon matapos po kayong magpa-press
conference nga at sagutin nga itong tungkol kay Ginoong Vitangcol at talaga
namang maraming nainis. Well, marami ding wala namang paki-alam. Pero may
mga nagsabi, medyo nagagalit eh masyado daw pong pilosopo iyong sagot po
ninyo na, eh may ibang sasakyan naman, kayo naman ang pumili na sumakay ng
MRT at parang sinasabi ninyo na paglobo ng populasyon iyan ang isang dahilan
na kung kaya’t siksikan ang mga tao sa MRT. Medyo hindi lang po nagustuhan
Sec. Sonny, sir, ng ilang kababayan natin, sir?
SEC. COLOMA: Erwin, hinihingi ko ang paumanhin ng ating mga mamamayan kung
nagkaroon ng ganoong impresyon, ano. Pero nais ko lang linawin na nakiki-isa
po tayo sa kanilang dinaranas na malaking sakripisyo araw-araw, dahil hindi
naman talaga biro-biro na mag-intay ng matagal at pumila. At mahalagang
pangangailangan ito ng ating mga mamamayan na kailangang bigyan ng kagyat na
solusyon ng ating pamahalaan.
Kaya iyon lang ang aking gustong linawin, Erwin, ‘no. Malayo sa ating
hangarin at malayong hindi bigyan ng kahalagahan dahil klarong-klaro naman
at importanteng mabigyan ng kagyat na solusyon. Eh, iyong nakikita nating
konkretong solusyon talaga ay dapat madagdagan ang sasakyan.
ERWIN: Yes sir.
SEC. COLOMA: Pero sa konkretong reyalidad, hindi naman puwedeng madagdagan
ito dahil medyo may katagalan iyong pagdating ng mga karagdagang sasakyan.
Kaya siguro ang dapat na maganap bukod pa doon sa gumamit ng ibang paraan ay
pahusayin iyong maintenance ng ating MRT trains para mas marami pa ring
maging available na sasakyan. Dahil nga medyo luma na itong ating mga
ginagamit, kailangan talaga nung repair and maintenance para mas maging
serviceable iyong pinakamaring sasakyan, given na limited na talaga iyong
ating ika-nga capacity ngayon ikukumpara doon sa actual demand. Dahil ang
ridership na kaya lang tugunan niyan ay tila 300,000 lamang. Eh ngayon ang
estimate ay sobra-sobra na talaga.
Kaya muli, Erwin, sa pamamagitan mo hinihingi ko ang paumanhin at pag-unawa
ng ating mga kababayan at nakiki-isa po tayo sa kanilang dinaranas sa
araw-araw na sa pagsasakripisyo at patuloy po tayong humahanap ng mga
solusyon para maibsan naman iyong kanilang araw-araw na pagtitiis.
ERWIN: Okay, sir very well said po.
So kambyo po muna tayo sir naman itong ipinag-utos na po ng Pangulo na
silipin naman ng Department of Social Welfare and Development, Sec. Sonny,
itong may mga balita na doon sa mga evacuation centers ng mga biktima po ng
kalamidad at giyera ay ipinag-utos na raw po ng Malacañang sa DSWD na
silipin , tignan iyong mga problema, dahil may mga balitang nakarating po
kay Pangulo na iyong ibang mga evacuees natin doon ay binebenta na po iyong
kanilang katawan para makakain lamang po sir, Sec. Sonny.
Ito po ba ay kailan po ba natanggap ni Pangulo itong report na ito,
Secretary Coloma, sir?
SEC. COLOMA: Erwin, noong natanggap natin iyang ulat na iyan agad nating ni-refer
iyan kay Secretary Dinky Soliman ng DSWD dahil iyong DSWD sa pamamagitan ng
kanilang regional, provincial, city officer, sila po talaga iyong nakatutok
sa mga evacuation centers, naka-deploy po iyong kanilang mga social worker.
At espesyal na attention, halimbawa, doon sa Tacloban at mga lugar na
nasalanta ng Yolanda, maging sa Zamboanga. Zamboanga yata nai-report itong
insidenteng ito.
Ang tugon po ni Secretary Soliman, merong isang verified case of rape doon
sa Zamboanga City at in-address na ito. Meron nang nahuli at naikulong na
suspect na sinisiyasat. Sa iba namang mga lugar ay talagang binabantayan ng
maigi lalong-lalo na iyong mga kabataan at iyong mga kababaihan, dahil sila
ay maaring pagsamantalahan at prayoridad natin iyong pagpigil sa human
trafficking. Halimbawa na lang doon nga sa Leyte, maraming gustong umampon
doon sa mga naulila, pero iniingatan ng husto ng DSWD baka nga gawin pa
itong pagsasamantala doon sa mga walang malay at mga batang kababaihan.
Kaya makakatiyak po tayo na talagang tinututukan ito at binabantayan ng
ating DSWD. Hindi po natin puwedeng hayaan ito na maging biktima ang ating
kabataan at kababaihan. Sila ay nagdusa na ng malaki bunsod ng kalamidad na
sumapit sa kanilang mga pamilya.
ERWIN: Sir, speaking of mga evacuees, Secretary ano po, may report din, I
think a couple of days ago, na diyan po sa Tacloban, Leyte iyong mga bigas
na nakalagay; “Not for Sale, DSWD Relief” nakita po sa isang restoran,
ibinebenta lamang. Ano po ang reaksyon, naging reaksyon ng Palasyo rito, ng
Pangulo mismo na, hindi nga ibinebenta, pangkain sana sa mga nagugutom, eh,
ngayon ay nasa isang restoran at ibinenta at pinagkakitaan pa, sa halip na
pagkain po ito ng mga kababanayan natin na mga biktima ng bagyo, Secretary
Coloma, sir?
SEC. COLOMA: Erwin, natunghayan ko iyong ulat na iyan sa telebisyon at ayon
pa doon sa ulat ang nagpahuli sa restoran na kinakitaan ng mga sako ng bigas
na may marking “DSWD” ay iyong DSWD na rin mismo.
ERWIN: Tama.
SEC. COLOMA: Kagyat nilang pinahuli iyon at pinakumpiska dahil hindi naman
natin puwedeng pahitulutang mangyari iyan. Dahil nakalaan sa ating mga
kababayan ay humantong doon sa pagkakitaan pa. Ang binigay naman na dahilan
ay ibinenta daw noong mga pinagbigyan doon. Pero sa akin namang pakiwari
nakikita naman natin ito kapag meron tayong mga footage ng mga pagbibigay,
pagdi-distribute ng relief goods, hindi naman tayo nagbibigay ng sako-sako.
Ang binibigay natin ay portion, salop lang naman ang binibigay. So, parang
hindi namang kapani-paniwala na binenta pa iyon ng mga pinagbigyan. Kaya
meron talagang hindi tama na nangyari at dapat siyasatin ito at sinisiyasat
para huwag nang maulit.
ERWIN: At saka hindi magandang tingnan, Secretary. Aba siyempre, iyong mga
international agencies, iyong iba’t ibang bansa na hanggang ngayon ay
patuloy na nagpapadala ng ayuda, baka isipin na sinasayang lang, winawaldas,
eh hindi naman napupunta sa tamang dapat puntahan iyong mga ibinibigay
nilang tulong, Sir. So, hindi maganda, which is tama naman na kagyat na
kumilos po ang DSWD dito para masawata itong probelma na ito at hindi tayo
lumabas na kahiyahiya, Sec. Sonny, sir?
SEC. COLOMA: Sang-ayon ako diyan, Erwin, kaya nga ginagawa natin ngayon ang
nararapat para masabat iyong hindi tamang kagananap na iyan.
ERWIN: Alright, Secretary Sonny Coloma, Presidential Communications
Operations Chief. Maraming salamat po, sir . Magandang umaga.
SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat at magandang umaga, Erwin. |
|
| SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data
Processing Center |
|
|
| BIR charges delinquent Quezon City and
Pasig City corporate taxpayers with willful failure to pay tax |
| Source:
http://www.dof.gov.ph |
|
The Bureau of
Internal Revenue (BIR) today filed separate criminal complaints with
the Department of Justice against two (2) delinquent corporate
taxpayers (including their responsible officers) for Willful Failure
to Pay Taxes, in violation of Section 255 in relation to Sections
253 and 256 of theNational Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended
(Tax Code).
Charged were GENESIS CAR CARE & SERVICE STATION, INC. (GENESIS), and
F.U.N. PARTY, INC. (F.U.N.). Likewise charged were GENESIS’
Vice-President/Treasurer CORAZON L. TENG and F.U.N.’s
Chairman/President EDISON ANTONIO C. MARIANO and Treasurer MA.
CRISTINA I. MARIANO.
GENESIS is a domestic corporation engaged in the business of
selling, distributing, and dealing of all petroleum, gas, or similar
products, car care products and accessories, and operation of
gasoline service stations, plants, and depots. Its registered
address is at No. 42 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, New Manila, Quezon
City. GENESIS and its responsible officer CORAZON L. TENG were
assessed a total deficiency tax liability for taxable year 2004
amounting toP26.08 million, inclusive of increments, broken down as
follows: Income Tax (IT) - P15.79 million; Value Added Tax (VAT) -
P10.29 million; and Expanded Withholding Tax – P2,195.80.
F.U.N. is likewise a domestic corporation located at GCW-2 Guanio
Compound, C. Raymundo Avenue, Maybunga, Pasig City. It is engaged in
the business of trading of goods such as toys, party favors and
accessories on retail/wholesale basis. F.U.N. and its responsible
officers EDISON ANTONIO C. MARIANO and MA. CRISTINA I. MARIANO were
sued for deficiency taxes for taxable year 2007 in the sum of P23.45
million, inclusive of increments, broken down into: IT - P13.74
million; and VAT - P9.71 million.
BIR records of investigation showed that the abovementioned
respondents were served the corresponding Letter Notice (LN),
Letters of Authority (LOA), Subpoena Duces Tecum (SDT), Preliminary
Assessment Notices (PAN), Final Assessment Notices (FAN) and Formal
Letters of Demand (FLD) with Details of Discrepancies but failed to
protest said assessments, hence making the same final, executory,
demandable, and unappealable.
The subsequent issuance of the Preliminary Collection Letters, Final
Notices Before Seizure, Warrants of Distraint and/or Levy and
Garnishment, and Demands Before Suit were ignored by the
respondents, as the said tax assessments remained unpaid. The
respondents’ obstinate failure and continued refusal to pay their
long overdue deficiency tax assessments, despite repeated demands,
constitute willful failure to pay the taxes due to the government.
The cases against GENESIS CAR CARE & SERVICE STATION, INC., and
F.U.N. PARTY, INC., including their respective responsible corporate
officers CORAZON L. TENG, EDISON ANTONIO C. MARIANO and MA. CRISTINA
I. MARIANO, are the 232nd and 233rd, respectively, filed under the
RATE program of the BIR under the leadership of Commissioner Kim S.
Jacinto-Henares. These are likewise RATE cases of Revenue Region No.
7, Quezon City. |
|
|
|
| OF-BLGF publishes online LGU performance
scorecards for fiscal sustainability via Iskor ng ‘yong Bayan |
| Source:
http://www.dof.gov.ph |
|
IN an
initiative to promote transparency and good governance at all
levels, the Department of Finance-Bureau of Local Government Finance
(DOF-BLGF) is rolling out the Local Government Unit (LGU) Fiscal
Sustainability Scorecard as a regular fiscal and financial
management performance assessment of all LGUs. This scorecard is
published online via Iskor ng ‘yong Bayan (http://iskor.blgf.gov.ph).
The LGU Fiscal Sustainability Scorecard, developed through the
Department’s Fiscal Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the BLGF, takes into
account key results areas of local revenue generation capacity,
local collection growth, expenditure management, updating of
Schedule of Market Values, and reportorial compliance of treasurers
and assessors with the DOF and BLGF. This is in line with DOF’s
mandate to supervise and monitor the revenue operations of LGUs.
The project is part of the DOF’s Transparency Initiative, which aims
to use the power of data to drive performance. The project envisions
that to improve LGU governance, increasing transparency and public
accountability, especially on the level of local treasurers and
assessors, is paramount. The LGU Fiscal Sustainability Scorecard
aims to establish a regular fiscal performance assessment of LGUs.
These scorecards are made publicly available so local treasurers and
assessors are also accountable to the public.
Using official quarterly and year-end reports submitted by all local
treasurers (through the electronic Statement of Receipts and
Expenditures [SRE]) and assessors (through the Quarterly Report on
Real Property Assessment) to the BLGF, the LGU Fiscal Sustainability
Scorecard aims to institutionalize the regular publication of fiscal
indicators and the performance review of LGUs in the spirit of
accountability and good local financial housekeeping.
The preliminary performance review for 80 provinces and 121 cities
covering 2009 to 2012 are published and available for download on
Iskor ng ‘yong Bayan. In the interest of transparency, the SRE
reports and the Schedules of Market Values used as basis in
determining real property tax are also readily available for
download through the said portal.
To learn more about the LGU Fiscal Sustainability Scorecard and
access data on your LGU, click through to the Iskor ng ‘yong Bayan
page at http://iskor.blgf.gov.ph. |
|
|
|
| PH conveys unity with ASEAN
member-countries |
| Source:
http://www.dswd.gov.ph |
|
Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon
Juliano-Soliman led the Philippine delegation to the 11th Meeting of
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Socio-Cultural
Community (ASCC) Council held on April 3-4 where she conveyed the
country’s full and active participation in efforts to carry out
aspirations to lift the quality of life of the people in the region.
“With only less than two years to achieve the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs), it is a great challenge for us in the ASEAN region to
show the world of what we have collectively and individually
achieved as a region and as a member-state, respectively,” Sec.
Soliman said in her message to the body.
The two-day 2014 ASEAN ASCC meeting which carried the theme, “Moving
Forward in Unity Towards a Peaceful and Prosperous Community,”
discussed the current development gaps among ASEAN countries, issues
on migrant workers, and climate change, among others.
Sec. Soliman also took the opportunity to thank the member-states
and the ASEAN Secretariat for the aid extended to the Philippines in
the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
ASCC Blueprint
Meanwhile, Sec. Soliman expressed appreciation to the sustained
effort and enthusiasm of the ASEAN Senior Officials in carrying out
the implementation of the ASCC Blueprint.
The ASCC Blueprint, which was adopted by the ASEAN Leaders in the
14th ASEAN Summit in March 2009 in Thailand, represents the human
dimension of cooperation and upholds commitment to address the
region’s aspiration for more improved lives.
The Philippines will participate in the Work Group that is tasked to
develop a work plan focusing on follow-up actions from the ASCC
Mid-Term Review and identifying central elements of the post-2015
vision.
Sec. Soliman said the Philippines is committed to support the
Declaration on Strengthening Social Protection in the ASEAN and the
Declaration on Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) and
Elimination of Violence Against Children (EVAC).
“We look forward to participate in the inter-sectoral workshops to
be spearheaded by Cambodia and the dialogues to be organized by the
ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and
Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC),” she added.
She hoped that the draft instrument on the implementation of the
Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant
Workers would be finalized this year by the Drafting Committee.
“It is high time that we put primordial importance to the rights and
welfare of migrant workers and their families,” she said.
Climate change
With the occurrence of super typhoons, flashfloods, earthquakes, and
volcanic eruptions which became the “new normal” in the region, Sec.
Soliman pointed out that there is a need to further enhance ASEAN’s
leadership in regional disaster management and resilience.
“We look forward to more discussions on the multi-sectoral responses
to disaster management and disaster risk reduction,” she said.
Priority setting
The Secretary believed that the post MDG 2015 priorities setting
process should consciously engage all ASEAN sectoral bodies for a
unified framework.
Initially, the Philippines considers the inclusion of the following
in the ASEAN’s post 2015 priorities: poverty reduction with focus on
marginalized sectors; advancing inclusive growth through social
protection, food security, and nutrition security; HIV and AIDS to
be regarded not only as health problems but also as human
development problems; education in Emergencies and Disaster Risk
Reduction Management (E/DRRM); and gender equality and women’s
rights to accelerate global development beyond 2015. |
|
|
|
| PH bags ‘Best National Tourism Organization’
award in India |
| Source:
http://www.tourism.gov.ph |
|
Travel and
tourism professionals in South India voted the Philippine Department
of Tourism (DOT) as the “Best National Tourism Organization” for
2013.
“South India Travel Awards will create an all-India platform to
recognize those behind the success of the travel and tourism
industry and to recognize their achievements,” Amit Bhasin, Convener
of the India Travel Awards, said
The DOT was awarded for its branding campaign and roadshows in South
India, particularly in the cities of Chennai, Hyderabad, and
Bangalore. Last year, the Philippines organized three roadshows and
one location meeting with filmmakers in the region alone to promote
various destinations and facilitate business-to-business deals among
its private sector partners.
Amit Bhasin added that the South India Travel Awards, supported by
the Indian Ministry of Tourism, is the first of the four regional
recognition events (the other three are in the North, East, and
West) leading to the nationwide India Travel Awards scheduled later
in the year.
The South Indian cities of Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Chennai
collectively make up 1.22 million out of 5.24 million Indian
passports issued nationwide in 2012. These are also the top three
cities in the number of passports issued for the same year. The
United Nations World Tourism Organization predicts that India will
have 50 million outbound travels by 2020.
“We are very pleased to know that our Indian counterparts recognize
and appreciate how serious we are in what we do. India is one of our
priority opportunity source country markets with a potential for
high growth. This award will definitely inspire the industry
stakeholders to raise our country’s comparative advantage in terms
of product offerings, as well as conduct more in-depth studies of
this market segment to better prepare and match evolving
preferences,” Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. said.
In 2013, India contributed 52,206 visitors to the Philippines, a
12.53-percent growth from the 46,395 visitors recorded in 2012.
Indian tourists comprise 1.12-percent of the total volume of
visitors for 2013. |
|
|
|
| DepEd launches journalism, arts, and
technical skills national competitions |
| Source:
http://www.deped.gov.ph |
|
SUBIC BAY,
OLONGAPO – Over 9,000 students gathered here Monday for the opening
ceremonies of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) National Schools
Press Conference (NSPC) and the National Festival of Talents (NFOT).
The yearly events are the culminating activities of various school
programs in writing & journalism, arts, and technical-vocational
education.
The NSPC opening ceremonies were held at the Subic Bay Exhibition
Center, with TESDA Director-General Joel Villanueva as keynote
speaker representing President Benigno Aquino. After the short
event, DepEd officials, led by Secretary Br Armin Luistro FSC, then
moved to Olongapo City Convention Center to open the NFOT.
Luistro spoke about how Filipino artists may not always be
technically perfect, but have ‘soul.’ “Know that in every heart and
soul of every Filipino painter, artist, musician, poet is a soul
that is worth reliving and sharing to the rest of the world.” He
added, “There is no other race that has been so endowed with talent
than the Filipino. Today we celebrate that.”
The opening ceremonies were capped by a street dancing competition
called “Bayle sa Kalye,” which also showcased each region’s cultural
heritage.
Present at the events were DepEd Undersecretaries Alberto Muyot and
Dina Ocampo as well as DepEd’s Regional Directors and local
officials. Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino and Rowell Cabigting
representing SBMA were also on hand to welcome the delegates.
“Hindi natitinag ang pusong Pilipino”
Representatives of Yolanda-stricken region 8 were given a standing
ovation by the delegates during the opening ceremonies. The region
is not competing, but officials attended to observe the concurrent
lecture sessions and ceremonially turn over hosting duties to region
3. Last year’s NSPC and NFOT were held in Tacloban and Ormoc City
respectively.
Journalism as education
The NSPC distils into a three-day competition writing and journalism
lessons learned throughout the school year. The categories range
from news and feature writing to photojournalism. There is also a
collaborative publication category where a team of students must
write, lay out, and produce a 4-page newspaper on the spot using
news stories gathered from staged sports events and the NFOT
competitions.
Joyce Andaya, Director of DepEd’s Bureau of Secondary Education,
said that both competitions are practical applications of what the
students learned in school. “One of its goals is to enhance skills
and test them against the best of what the rest of the country has
to offer.”
“Plus there is the added value of learning and practicing
journalistic ethics such as honesty and high regard for truth,”
Andaya added.
Since its inception in 1931, the NSPC has produced practicing
journalists, some of whom have returned this year as judges or guest
speakers. Broadcast journalists Raffy Tima and Julius Segovia of GMA
and Johnson Manabat of ABS-CBN are among the more prominent ones in
this year’s batch of alumni judges.
Arts and Technical Skills – essential to the new curriculum
The NFOT is a newer event, with 2014 being only its third year.
According to Andaya, “The NFOT is crucial because it recognizes
skills and talents other than academic.” Andaya added, “While the
NSPC mainly tests writing and critical thinking, the NFOT challenges
those with technical-vocational and artistic skills.”
This, Andaya says, is important in light of the K to 12 reforms
being implemented by DepEd.
The NFOT is a collection of events that include painting and dancing
competitions as well as the “Technolympics” – a series of
competitions that test Tech-Voc skills such as landscaping,
commercial cooking, welding, and web design, among many others.
“For K to 12’s senior high school we have four tracks: academic,
technical-vocational, sports, and arts & design. The NFOT covers
both the tech-voc and arts subjects.
In his keynote Luistro also reminded DepEd officials about the SHS
tracks, “We need to know what programs, special skills, and special
programs we need. In the next three years we have to
‘professionalize’ these skills for senior high school.”
But the bigger challenge, says Luistro, is to anchor these skills
and knowledge in the local culture. “Ang ating mga itatayong senior
high school ay dapat nakatungtong sa mga katutubong kultura ng mga
Pilipino. Ito ang hamon sa ating lahat.”
Winners of the NFOT and NSPC shall be awarded on April 9 and 10,
respectively. |
|
|
|
| Comprehensive Peace Agreement on the
Bangsamoro Showcased at ASEAN Peace and Reconciliation Symposium |
| Source:
https://www.dfa.gov.ph |
|
10 April 2014 –
The newly signed Comprehensive Peace Agreement on the Bangsamoro
(CAB) was put under the spotlight during the Symposium on Peace and
Reconciliation Processes and Initiatives held by the ASEAN Institute
for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR) this week.
Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Chair of the Philippine Government
Peace Negotiating Panel in talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF), and Hon. Tengku Dato’ Abdul Ghafar Bin Tengku Mohamed,
Facilitator for the GPH-MILF Peace Process and AIPR Advisory Board
Member, shared their experiences leading up to the signing of the
landmark document and outlined the hopes and challenges towards its
implementation.
The Philippines’ experience with the CAB was part of the symposium’s
five sessions of presentations which are meant to help give the AIPR
Governing Council an overview of the peace and reconciliation
initiatives being undertaken in the region and throughout the world
and to pick up on best practices in peace and mediation efforts. The
Governing Council is the highest policy-making body of the AIPR and
will set the future direction of the fledgling ASEAN Institute.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles,
who is the Philippines’ representative to the AIPR Advisory Board,
keynoted the symposium, saying that the AIPR must be strengthened
“as a strategic force not only for peace, but for human freedom,
common prosperity and collective security throughout our region.”
She said the AIPR should look beyond its mandate of conducting
research and capacity-building, and consider gathering and
consolidating all the narratives of peace in the region over the
decades, extracting the lessons learned and best practices, and
forging a consensus of how to move forward on future challenges.
“The documentation of conflict resolution and preventive diplomacy
in ASEAN could be a vital resource not only for the region but for
the whole world,” Secretary Deles emphasized.
“Lessons learned across our organization could guide governments and
civil society in several parts of the world where strife has reared
its head, where workers for peace are on constant search for ways to
silence guns and tempers that flare in the heat of anger and
misunderstanding. Here in our own turf, the AIPR needs to explore
ways for the ASEAN and its member states to strengthen their
capacity in early warning, good offices, mediation, and
conciliation. We must not only wage peace by stopping hostilities,
but by making sure that the gains of peace processes benefit those
who need it most,” she added.
Members of the AIPR Governing Council and Advisory Board gathered
for the two-day symposium to listen to the ideas and experiences of
renowned experts in peace and mediation initiatives. The symposium
came a few days after the historic signing of the CAB, which is
being hailed as a major step by peace advocates all throughout the
world.
Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan P.
Garcia, who delivered the opening remarks, said that the symposium
is a landmark event, with all the AIPR Governing Council members and
AIPR Advisory Board members present. “We have in our midst the
initial pool of experts from ASEAN Member States who will assist
ASEAN on conflict management and conflict resolution activities in
the future.” He said.
Other speakers during the symposium include H.E. Gunnar Stålsett,
Bishop Emeritus of Oslo, Norway and Special Advisor to the Norwegian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Member of the Nobel Peace Prize
Committee; Dr. Michael Vatikiotis, Asian Regional Director of the
Center for Humanitarian Dialogue; former Indonesian Ambassador and
AIPR Advisory Board Member Ms. Artauli R.M.P. Tobing; Rodolfo C.
Severino, Head of the ASEAN Studies Center of the Institute of
Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore and Former Secretary-General of
ASEAN; Associate Dean Prof. Joseph Chinyong Liow of the S.
Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) and Member of the
AIPR Advisory Board; Dr. Julian Vassallo, Chargé d’Affaires of the
Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines; Prof. Sukehiro
Hasegawa of the UN University and Hosei University and former
Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to Timor-Leste;
and Executive Director Ms. Rahimah Abdulrahim of the Habibie Center
in Indonesia.
Philippine Permanent Representative to ASEAN and AIPR Governing
Council Member Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, who was the organizer of the
event, said that she was very pleased at how the Symposium turned
out and appreciated the active participation of the representatives
of each ASEAN Member State in the discussions. She said that there
are high hopes for the AIPR and that the first symposium is just one
of the many upcoming activities that the institute will undertake in
strengthening its mandate to become the ASEAN Region’s premier
institution for promoting peace and reconciliation initiatives.
The AIPR will hold its second symposium later this month in Bali,
Indonesia from April 21 to 23. |
|
|
|
| DFA Welcomes FAA Category 1 Rating
for the Philippines |
| Source:
https://www.dfa.gov.ph |
|
10 April 2014 -
The Department of Foreign Affairs today welcomed the announcement by
the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that it has
restored the Category 1 Rating of the Philippines after finding it
compliant with international aviation safety standards.
“This is good news for the Philippines and for the Filipino people,”
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario said after he was
informed by Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. of the rating upgrade.
“Our flag carriers can now push through with their plans to expand
their operations and serve our people in various parts of the United
States,” Secretary Del Rosario said as he commended the Civil
Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) for addressing FAA’s
concerns and the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. for working
closely with the agency on the matter.
In his report to Secretary Del Rosario, Ambassador Cuisia said the
FAA restored the country’s Category 1 rating following an
International Aviation Safety Assessment in March. The upgrade came
six years after the Philippines was downgraded to Category 2 for
failing to meet international aviation safety standards.
“Regaining Category 1 status has been one of our major economic
diplomacy thrusts in the United States,” Ambassador Cuisia said.
“With the Category 1 rating, we hope to see the expansion of flight
routes in the US by Philippine air carriers.
“This means opening up more routes for business and tourism travel
between the Philippines and the US as well as creating more
opportunities for Philippine and American business,” he said.
The Embassy said the upgrade followed the meeting between Ambassador
Cuisia and FAA Associate Administrator Margaret Giligan in early
February, where the former underscored the Philippine Government’s
commitment to aviation safety and sustainability as well as the
efforts undertaken by the CAAP under the leadership of Director
General William Hotchkiss to address FAA concerns.
In that meeting, Administrator Giligan noted the active engagement
of the Philippine Government with the FAA to ensure compliance with
aviation safety and standards, the Embassy added.
The FAA lowered the country’s safety rating to Category 2 in January
2008 upon the recommendation of the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) which had found "significant concerns" over
CAAP's ability to meet international safety standards.
A category 2 rating means a country either lacks laws or regulations
necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with minimum
international standards or that its civil aviation authority is
deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained
personnel, record-keeping or inspection procedures.
As a result of the downgrade, local carriers such as Philippine
Airlines were barred from expanding their routes in the US as well
as in taking part in reciprocal code-share arrangements with
American carriers.
However, with the Category 1 rating, Philippine carriers may now
initiate or continue to service the US in a normal manner and enter
into code-share arrangements with American airlines. |
|
|
|
| Philippine Tourism Expands Presence
at Ottawa Travel Show |
| Source:
https://www.dfa.gov.ph |
|
10 April 2014-
The Philippine Embassy in Ottawa reported to the Department of
Foreign Affairs that the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) led a
contingent of Philippine exhibitors at the 20th Ottawa Travel and
Vacation Show (OTVS) from April 5 to 6 in a bid to intensify its
marketing campaign atop a consumer fair platform.
Joining the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) at the Philippine booth
were Department of Tourism (DOT)-National Capital Region,
DOT-Cagayan Valley Region, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA),
the Municipality of Nasugbu, Philippine Airlines, Rajah Tours
Philippines, and Mart Evers Travel as well as the Philippine
Embassy.
Hundreds of potential Canadian travellers to the Philippines visited
the large Philippine booth for an introduction to Philippine
destinations and tour packages including the soon-to-be launched
Winter Escapade 2 to Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Manila from January
30 to February 6, 2015.
The exhibitors were gratified by the massive turnout at the OTVS
which put together this year over 200 travel and vacation exhibits
representing over 50 countries for some 16,000 Canadian visitors
planning vacations overseas.
Mayor Charito Apacible of Nasugbu and CEZA Administrator Jose Mari
Ponce seized the occasion to confer with Philippine Ambassador to
Canada Leslie Gatan and Minister Eric Tamayo on economic
opportunities in their respective regions.
“Tourism promotion is a major pillar of the Embassy’s economic
diplomacy program. The OTVS validates Canada’s huge outbound tourism
market as participating Philippine tour operators have realized. I
am pleased by TPB’s initiative to assemble Philippine sellers for
this show,” Ambassador Gatan stated.
TPB’s participation in the OTVS comes on the heels of a tourism
roadshow and business mission in Vancouver, Toronto, and Winnipeg
from April 1 to 4, 2014. |
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| Foreign Direct Investments Inflows
Reach US$1 Billion in January 2014 |
| Source:
http://www.bsp.gov.ph |
|
Net foreign
direct investment (FDI) inflows rose by 5.3 percent to US$1 billion
in January 2014, reversing the 7.9 percent decline recorded during
the same period last year. This developed as investments in debt
instruments and equity capital registered higher net inflows during
the month despite the observed reversal in foreign portfolio
investments. 1, 2 In particular, non-residents’ net placements in
debt instruments issued by their local affiliates increased by 7.3
percent to US$687 million, accounting for about 67 percent of the
FDI in January 2014. This was due to the continued lending of parent
companies abroad to their local affiliates to fund existing
operations and the expansion of their businesses in the country, an
indication of sustained confidence in the country’s strong
macroeconomic fundamentals.
In addition, net equity capital inflows likewise rose by 10.5
percent to US$278 million in January 2014 from US$252 million posted
during the same period last year. In particular, gross placements of
equity capital of US$361 million more than offset withdrawals of
US$83 million recorded during the month. The bulk of gross equity
capital placements—which originated mainly from Hong Kong, the
United States, Japan, Singapore and the United Kingdom—were
channeled mainly to financial and insurance; wholesale and
retail trade; real estate; manufacturing and information and
communication activities. Meanwhile, reinvestment of earnings
reached US$62 million in January 2014.
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1 The BSP adopted the Balance of
Payments, 6th edition (BPM6) compilation framework effective 22
March 2013 with the release of the full-year 2012 and revised 2011
BOP statistics. On 21 March 2014, the BSP released the BPM6-based
series from 2005-2013. The major change in FDI compilation is the
adoption of the asset and liability principle, where claims of
non-resident direct investment enterprises from resident direct
investors are now presented as reverse investment under net
incurrence of liabilities/non-residents’ investments in the
Philippines (previously presented in the Balance of Payments Manual,
5th edition (BPM5) as negative entry under assets/residents’
investments abroad). Conversely, claims of resident direct
investment enterprises from foreign direct investors are now
presented as reverse investment under net acquisition of financial
assets/residents’ investments abroad (previously presented as
negative entry under liabilities/non-residents’ investments in the
Philippines).
2 BSP statistics on FDI covers actual investment inflows, which
could be in the form of equity capital, reinvestment of earnings,
and borrowings between affiliates. In contrast to investment data
from other government sources, the BSP’s FDI data include
investments where ownership by the foreign enterprise is at least 10
percent. Meanwhile, FDI data of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs)
do not make use of the 10 percent threshold and include borrowings
from foreign sources that are non-affiliates of the domestic
company. Furthermore, the BSP’s FDI data are presented in net terms
(i.e., equity capital placements less withdrawals), while the IPAs’
FDI do not account for equity |
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| MB Approves Amendments to Consolidated
Rules and Regulations on Currency Notes and Coins |
| Source:
http://www.bsp.gov.ph |
|
The Monetary
Board approved the amendments to Consolidated Rules and Regulations
on Currency Notes and Coins prescribed under Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP) Circular No. 61 dated 21 January 1995.The
amendments are in line with the BSP’s initiative to further
strengthen its ability to fulfill its mandate as issuer of
Philippine currency. In particular, BSP Circular No. 829 dated 13
March 2014 highlights amendments that aim to preserve and maintain
the integrity of Philippine currency notes and coins.
In summary, major amendments to BSP Circular No. 61 include the
following new provisions:
- Banks shall incorporate measures on the implementation of
the BSP’s Clean Note and Coin Policy in their compliance
program;
- Coins submitted by banks to BSP for deposit or determination
of redemption value shall be packed/bagged in accordance with
specific procedures prescribed in the recently issued BSP
Circular;
- Banks are required to accept mutilated notes and coins from
the public for referral or transmittal to the Currency Issue and
Integrity Office (CIIO), BSP, Security Plant Complex, Quezon
City, or any of the BSP regional offices/branches, for
determination of redemption value. Banks are allowed to charge
their clients reasonable handling fees in rendering this type
of service ; and
- Two new conditions were adopted under which the BSP shall
not replace or redeem notes considered mutilated, namely: (1)
notes that are split edgewise resulting in loss of the whole of,
or part of, either the face or back portion of the banknote
paper; or (2) notes where the Embedded or Windowed Security
Thread is completely lost, except when the damage appears to be
caused by wear and tear, accidental burning, action of water,
chemical, bites of rodents/insects, and the like.
This recently issued Circular also clarified further that in
addition to the criteria cited in BSP Circular 61 Series 1995, coins
which show signs of corrosion are also considered unfit for
circulation. These amendments on the treatment of unfit and
mutilated Philippine peso currency notes and coins were formulated
to further facilitate an efficient processing of currency notes and
coins deposited by banks to the BSP and submitted by the general
public for examination as to their genuineness and/or redemption
value.
BSP Circular No.829 |
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| Schedule of Initial Registration for New
Medical Technologist |
| Source:
http://www.prc.gov.ph |
|
Manila, April
10, 2014 -- The Professional Regulation Commission hereby informs
all those who passed the March 2014 Medical Technologists Licensure
Exam (Manila passers) of the schedule of their initial registration
at the PRC-Registration Division (PRC Main Building, Manila):
APRIL 14
(Monday) |
ABACAN,
REMY JOY GUTIERREZ |
- |
DURON,
JESSIAH JANE SELIGBON |
APRIL 15
(Tuesday) |
EBUENGA,
STEFFI BERNADETTE E. |
- |
NUÑEZ,
RUSELA MARIDITH S. |
APRIL 16
(Wednesday) |
OBERIO,
LEONARD SACAY |
- |
ZANTUA,
VINCENT NOGA |
Registrants
are advised to download the Oath Forms
HERE and to
bring their duly accomplished Oath Forms during their schedule for
registration. Registrants are also advised to strictly observe the
schedule for initial registration to avoid any inconvenience.
Underage passers shall register on or after their 21st birthday.
The certificates of registration and professional identification
cards will be distributed during the oath-taking ceremonies.
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| Oil Monitor as of 08 April 2014 |
| Source:
https://www.doe.gov.ph |
|
WORLD OIL
PRICES (March 31-April 4, 2014 trading days)
World crude prices generally softened in the first four trading days
due to the following reports:
• Growth in China's economy for the first quarter was below the
government's annual growth target of 7.5 percent;
• Commencement of Iraq’s production from the large West Qurna-2
field, starting at 120,000 b/d but expected to rise to 420,000 b/d
by year end;
• Withdrawal of some of Russia’s troops in the Ukrainian border; and
• Hopes that Libya oil would soon be back online.
By the end of the week, prices picked-up by about US$2/bbl after a
report of strong jobs growth for March in the US. However, average
prices for the week remained lower than in previous week.
In the Asian market, Platts noted that gasoline market sentiments
were mixed on uncertainties over regional demand. Import
requirements from Indonesia, Asia’s biggest gasoline importer,
remain unclear until next week. Meanwhile, Asia could see less cargo
from India as more supply is directed to the Mediterranean market -
a structural supplier to the Middle East. Lower output from
refineries in Mediterranean region and a higher pull for cargoes
from North African caused additional tightness amid refinery
maintenance season in Asia.
Platts further noted of upbeat market for Asian gasoil/diesel amid
projections of supply further tightening as more refineries idle
units are for scheduled maintenance. About 2.13 million b/d or more
of crude distillation capacity will be taken offline in May, the
peak of scheduled maintenance in Asia. In addition, the summer
season looming next month in the Middle East is expected to raise
imports of 500 ppm sulfur gasoil from Saudi Aramco to meet their
local demand for power generation for airconditioning use.
Overall, Dubai crude decreased week-on-week by US$0.90/bbl. MOPS
diesel and gasoline decreased as well by about US$0.60/bbl and
US$0.50/bbl, respectively.
FOREX: Week-on-week value of Peso appreciated against the US dollar
by P0.18 to P44.87, from P45.05 in the preceding week.
Other recommended reference sites:
(1) http://www.aip.com.au/pricing (2) http://www.med.govt.nz/ers/oil_pet/prices/prices.html |
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| Roxas bares P178M anti poverty projects
for Romblon |
| Source:
http://www.dilg.gov.ph |
|
Interior and
Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas today announced that the
national government has made available more than P178 million to
fund various poverty alleviation projects for the province of
Romblon.
Roxas made the announcement during a visit to the municipality of
Odiongan, where he led the inauguration of the newly-constructed
Convention Center and Pasalubong Center with Romblon Gov. Eduardo
Firmalo and Vice Gov. Jose Riano.
Roxas noted that the P178-million fund for Romblon were made
available through the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process (GPBP)
— a new government program being facilitated by DILG to assist local
government units in sourcing funds for their anti-poverty projects.
Roxas explained that the GPBP institutionalizes the Aquino
government’s “bottom-up” approach in budget preparation process,
which was introduced in 2013.
“For the first time in our government’s history, we prepared the
national budget in 2013 using a breakthrough ‘bottom-up’ approach.
Previously, the national budget was crafted from the top, with
government leaders deciding what projects to fund in the local
level,” he pointed out.
“Ngayon, kinikilala natin ang kapangyarihan ng mga lokal na
pamahalaan na alamin kung ano talaga ang mga proyektong kailangan
nila para matugunan ang problema ng kahirapan sa kanilang komunidad.
Ito ang gabay natin sa pagbubuo ng National Budget,” he added.
The DILG chief noted that 12 municipalities of Romblon province have
qualified as beneficiaries under GPBP for the year 2014. These are
the towns of Alcantara, Cajidiocan, Corcuera, Looc, Magdiwang,
Odiongan, Romblon, San Agustin, San Andres, San Fernando, San Jose,
and Sta. Fe.
The projects funded include Water System, Livelihood Projects, Farm
to Market Road, Irrigation System, Pre-Planting and Post-Harvest
Facilities, Agriculture Production, Processing and Marketing,
Livestock Raising and Plant Propagation and Tourism Promotion.
For the year 2014, the national government has allocated a total of
P20.03 billion under GPBP to fund 19,553 poverty-alleviation
projects that were identified by 1,226 local government units in
coordination with civil society organizations in their respective
communities.
Roxas said the GPBP seeks to empower civil society organizations and
citizens’ groups to engage local government and national government
agencies and make them more responsive to the people’s needs.
The new initiative likewise encourages people’s participation not
only in project identification but also in monitoring project
implementation.
“Sa ilalim ng GPBP, gusto nating tiyakin na may partisipasyon ang
ordinaryong mamamayan sa pagpili ng mga proyektong pakikinabangan ng
kanilang komunidad,” Roxas said.
“Maliban sa pagpili ng mga proyekto, mahalagang mabantayan din ng
mga mamamayan ang pagpapatupad ng mga proyekto para masiguro na wala
itong bahid ng katiwalian,” he added.
The bulk of the P20-billion budget for year 2014 were sourced from
Department of Agriculture (P9.286 billion); Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD); (P2.638 billion); DILG (P2.476
billion); Department of Education (P1.449 billion); and Department
of Health (P1.355 billion).
Other implementing agencies include Department of Agrarian Reform
(P574 million); Department of Trade and Industry (P549 million);
Department of Labor and Employment (P507 million); TESDA (P423
million); Department of Environment and Natural Resources (P417
million); Department of Trade (P175 million); Department of Energy
(P97 million); and National Electrification Administration
(P78million). |
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| Abaya: Category 1 status cements
landmark era in Philippine aviation sector |
| Source:
http://www.dotc.gov.ph |
|
After seven (7)
years, the United States (US) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
has finally upgraded the country’s civil aviation status from
Category 2 to Category 1, enabling Philippine air carriers to open
new direct flights to the US.
Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary
Joseph “Jun” Abaya lauds this significant development in the
country’s aviation industry and notes that it would further
strengthen ties with the US.
“This upgrade cements a landmark era in the Philippine aviation
sector. From one major achievement to another in a span of less
than 2 years, the country has made great strides in enhancing its
aviation industry to one that is at par with the best in the world,”
said Abaya.
“ We congratulate the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)
for a job well done in ensuring the lifting of the ICAO’s
significant safety concerns, the lifting of the European ban on
local airlines, and now, the FAA upgrade to Category 1. Truly, your
accomplishments prove that good governance and competent leadership
will be the legacy of President Aquino’s Daang Matuwid,” Abaya
stated.
Abaya adds that the upgrade will have a significant impact on the
country’s economic thrust as it will allow airline carriers to open
more direct flights to and from the US, which will boost the
country’s tourism industry, help airline companies expand their
operations, and improve trade and business relations between the 2
countries.
Philippine air carriers can now open more flights to the United
States and have additional routes such as flying to the East Coast.
The benefits of this development include:
• The country’s airlines in addition to flag carrier
Philippine Airlines (PAL) can now fly to the US.
• PAL can now use more fuel-efficient planes.
• PAL can add new routes to and from the US.
• PAL can increase flight frequencies to and from the US. |
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| PH exports sustain robust growth in Feb.
2014 |
| Source:
http://www.neda.gov.ph |
|
MANILA –
Merchandise exports expanded by 24.4 percent in February 2014, owing
to growth across all major commodity groups and the significant
recovery in manufactured products, according to the National
Economic and Development Authority.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported today that the
value of merchandise exports grew to US$4.7 billion in February 2014
from US$3.7 billion in the same period last year.
“Compared to the manufacture-driven growth in January 2014, the
export performance in February 2014 was more broad-based as all
major commodity groups registered gains,” said NEDA Office-In-Charge
(OIC) and Deputy Director-General Emmanuel F. Esguerra.
Export earnings from manufactured goods posted a year-on-year growth
of 22.4 percent, up to US$3.9 billion this month from US$3.2 billion
in February 2013. This is due to significant revenues from
electronic products wood manufactures, chemicals, electronic
equipment and parts, processed food beverages, furniture and
fixtures, non-metallic mineral manufactures, travel goods and
handbags, baby carriage and toys, iron and steel, textile yarns and
fabrics, and footwear.
“Manufactures continue to be a significant driver of export growth
in February, supported by higher overseas sales of minerals, total
agro-based products, petroleum, and forest products,” the NEDA
official added.
Mineral products registered export earnings amounting to US$237.3
million in February 2014, up by 139.9 percent from US$98.9 million
last year due to higher revenues from copper concentrates, gold and
chromium ore.
On a higher note, the two-month contraction of agro-based exports
since December 2013 loosened as export earnings rose to US$408.0
million from US$343.9 million in February 2013, posting a
year-on-year growth of 18.7 percent.
“This strong recovery is largely due to the robust exportation of
fish products and higher prices of coconut products in the export
market,” said Esguerra.
The total receipts from petroleum products also expanded from
US$28.5 million in February 2013 to US$31.8 million despite the 5.7
year-on-year decline in export volume.
“The higher outward sales may be attributed to the elevated price of
petroleum in the international market,” he said.
Meanwhile, annual export gains from forest products advanced to 13.6
percent due to higher revenues from lumber and veneer sheets/corestocks.
“Most of the selected economies in the East and Southeast Asian
region posted positive export growth rates in February 2014, led by
Vietnam and the Philippines,” Esguerra said.
Japan remains as the top destination of Philippine exports in
February 2014, with a total value of US$1.2 billion, accounting for
25.4 percent of our country’s total revenues from merchandise
exports.
The People’s Republic of China follows with a 14.7 percent share
after the country’s outward shipments of electronic data processing
(EDP) machines, semiconductors and chemicals grew by a hefty 79.3
percent in February.
Other top markets for Philippine exports were USA (13.4%), Hong Kong
(7.0%), Singapore (6.7%), and South Korea (4.5%).
DDG Esguerra is the OIC of the NEDA Secretariat while Economic
Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan is on official business
abroad from April 10 to 18, 2014. |
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