Dispatch for April 16 , 2014 ( Wednesday) , 3 PIA Calabarzon PRs , 4 Weather Watch 3 Reg’l. Watch , 6. OFW Watch , Interview with Sec. Coloma , 19 Online News

 

24-Hour Public Weather Forecast

Issued at 5:00 a.m., 16 April 2014 (Amended)
Valid beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow

Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind Analysis for 8 a.m., 16 April 2014

Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind Analysis for 8 a.m., 16 April 2014

Satellite Image

Synopsis:

At 4:00 AM today, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 80 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (8.5ºN, 127.0ºE).

Forecast:  

Visayas will have cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. Bicol Region, Caraga and the Provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Misamis Oriental will experience cloudy skies with scattered light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Moderate to occasionally strong winds blowing from the northeast to northwest will prevail over the northern and eastern sections of Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to occasionally rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast to west with slight to moderate seas.





 

Dost_pagasa

4 hrs · Edited ·

24-Hour Public Weather Forecast
Issued at : 5:00 AM 16 April 2014

Synopsis: at 4:00 AM today, the low pressure area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 80 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (8.5ºN, 127.0ºE).

Forecast : Visayas will have cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. Bicol region, CARAGA and the provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Misamis Oriental will experience cloudy skies with scattered light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Moderate to occasionally strong winds blowing from the northeast to northwest will prevail over the northern and eastern sections of Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to occasionally rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast to west with slight to moderate seas.

Pagtaya: Ang kabisayaan ay magkakaroon ng maulap na kalangitan na may katamtaman hanggang sa kung minsan ay malakas na pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog na maaaring magdulot ng mga pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa. Ang Kabikulan, CARAGA at ang mga lalawigan ng Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon at Misamis Oriental ay makararanas ng maulap na kalangitan na may kalat-kalat na mahina hanggang sa katamtamang pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog. Ang Metro Manila at nalalabing bahagi ng bansa ay magiging bahagyang maulap hanggang sa maulap na may pulu-pulong pag-ulan o pagkidlat-pagkulog lalo na sa dakong hapon o gabi.

Katamtaman hanggang sa kung minsan ay malakas na hangin mula sa hilagang-silangan hanggang hilagang-kanluran ang iiral sa silangang bahagi ng Luzon at Kabisayaan at ang baybaying dagat sa mga lugar nito ay magiging katamtaman hanggang sa kung minsan ay maalon. Sa ibang dako, ang hangin ay mahina hanggang sa katamtaman mula sa hilagang-silangan hanggang kanluran na may banayad hanggang sa katamtamang pag-alon ng karagatan.

Over Metro Manila:
Maximum Temperature: 12:30 PM Today --- 33.4 ºC
Minimum Temperature: 6:00 AM Today --- 24.5 ºC
Maximum Relative Humidity: 6:00 AM Today --- 85 %
Minimum Relative Humidity: 1:00 PM Today --- 46 %
High Tide Today: 10:34 AM …..……….. 0.87 Meter
Low Tide Today: 5:40 PM …..……….. -0.05 Meter
High Tide Tomorrow: 12:01 AM …..……….. 0.52 Meter
Low Tide Tomorrow: 4:08 AM …..……….. 0.31 Meter
Sunrise Today: 5:42 AM
Sunset Today: 6:10 PM
Moonset Today: 6:11 PM
Moonrise Today: 7: 06 AM
Illumination Today: 100 %
For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877
or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph

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Weather Watch

15 hours ago

GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz:
-Magtatagal pa ang LPA na dating bagyong Domeng sa PAR.
-Inaasahang direkta itong makaaapekto sa Visayas sa loob ng 24 oras at sa bandang Palawan sa Biyernes Santo.
-Inaasahan bukas ang minsang malalakas na ulan na dala ng LPA sa Western at Central Visayas, sa MIMAROPA at Bicol Region.
-Sa Mindanao, mahihinang ulan lang ang inaasahan pero posible rin ang thunderstorms.
-May mahihinang ulan din bukas sa iba pang bahagi ng Luzon.
-Sa Metro Manila, mataas ang posibilidad na maranasan ang ulan sa hapon at sa gabi.

 

 

 

Weather Watch

20 hours ago

Cancelled flights due to bad weather:
5J327 MNL-Legazpi
5J328 Legazpi-MNL
5J327D MNL-Legazpi
5J328D Legazpi-MNL
via @DOTCPhilippines

 

 

 

April   16  , 2014  (   Wednesday )     as of 6:00-7:00 AM

CAVITE             :  Partly Cloudy 

LAGUNA          :  Sunny 

BATANGAS      :   Partly Cloudy 

RIZAL                :  Sunny 

QUEZON           :  Cloudy 

 

1. PIA Regional Watch

18 hours ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: DOLE-Quezon provincial office in partnership with San Andres LGU will be launching a child labor free municipality in San Andres, Quezon on April 23. This is part of the DOLE's and San Andres LGUs campaign against child labor in the province specifically in San Andres through implementationof different programs.

2. PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Patuloy ang pag-ikot ng monitoring team ng PDRRMC sa lalawigan ng Batangas. Lahat ng mga lugar sa lalawigan na inaasahang dadagsain ng mga deboto at turista ay may nakaantabay na mga tauhan mula sa lokal at nasyonal na pamahalaan upang umaalalay sa mga ito. Patuloy ang pagdagsa ng mga pasahero sa Port of Batangas.

 

 

3. PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago

PIA-IV-A/CAVITE: The Cavite Office of Public Safety is teaming up with Cavite PNP and other volunteer groups in preparation for the influx and safety of travelers in the province this Holy Week. Dubbed as Ligtas Paglalakbay, concerned groups will set up assistance centers in strategic areas specially along the stretch of Aguinaldo Highway all the way to Tagaytay to assist the drivers and other vacationers.

 

 

1. PIA OFW Watch

14 hours ago

PHILIPPINE STAR: The government is now trying to confirm reports that about 300,000 undocumented Filipino workers in the United States will be sent back to their homeland. PCOO Sec. Sonny Coloma said they have asked DFA this morning to verify such reports. He added that the government will be ready to assist the Filipinos who might be deported.

 

 

 

 

2. PIA OFW Watch shared a link.

17 hours ago · Edited

Filipinos abroad or those who could not physically visit churches this Holy Week can now do their Visita Iglesia and Way of the Cross online.

The website also contains reflections for this Lenten season.

Visita Iglesia | Way of the Cross

 

 

 

3. PIA OFW Watch

18 hours ago

OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimson on ANC
Re: Filipinos with MERS CoV cases

-Yung suspected (Filipinos) na nahawa sa virus ay nasa isolation room, ang mga tao natin hindi naman sila makausap.

-Ang hospital authorities ang nag-aasikaso sa kanila.
-Right now, wala pang hinihinging assistance dahil ang pagkakaalam namin sinasagot ng employer but we are ready to assist naman.

-Nakausap ng ating welfare officer sa Abu Dhabi yung kapatid ng nasawi at sinabi ay iki-cremate ang body at may plano na hindi na iuwi dito sa Pilipinas.

-Naglabas na ng instructions si (DOLE) Sec. Baldoz sa ating mga labor official sa Middle East na mag monitor sila na sakaling may ma-monitor silang kaso ng Filipino na magkakaroon ng MERS CoV ay iulat nila agad.

-Pinaalalahanan natin ang mga Filipino workers lalo na yung mga nurses at paramedic na pwede silang mahawa doon.

-Very cooperative naman ang mga kinauukulan sa UAE at sila mismo ay gumagawa ng paraan para maprotektahan ang mga workers nila, kasama natin sila na nagbibigay ng reminder.

 

 

 

 

4. PIA OFW Watch

18 hours ago

DZMM: Inatasan na ni PNoy si DOH Sec. Ona na tutukan ang kaso ng mga Pilipinong tinamaan ng MERS corona virus. Ayon kay PCOO Sec. Coloma, kasabay ng pagtitiyak ng tulong sa mga Pilipinong tinamaan ng naturang sakit sa UAE sa pamamagitan ng DFA ay nagpalabas na ng advisory ang DOH para sa sakit na MERS-CoV. Kabilang dito ang paalala sa mga Pilipino na iwasang magkaroon ng contact sa mga nagkaroon ng naturang sakit at palagiang paghuhugas ng kamay. Ang mga Pilipino namang babalik mula sa Middle East ay pinapayuhan munang huwag makihalubilo at agad na magpatingin sa doktor.

 

 

5. PIA OFW Watch

18 hours ago

DOH Usec. Ted Herbosa on DZBB:
-Store owner ang nasa report namin (Pilipinong namatay sa UAE dahil sa MERS-CoV).
-Itong MERS-CoV ay mino-monitor natin since February this year.
-Madaming cases na. About 199 worldwide ang na-confirmed na cases. Almost 60 ang reported na namatay. Mataas ang fatality rate. Binabantayan natin ito kasi medyo nakakabahala.
-Two countries ang binabantayan natin: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at UAE.
-Wala naman kaming travel ban na ipinanukala kasi kaunti pa lang ang cases.
-Dito sa Maynila, mayroon tayong Bureau of Quarantine sa airport. Tsine-check ang mga taong may lagnat.
-Ang latest na balita, they are recovering well (limang Pinoy health worker sa UAE na na-quarantine).

 

 

 

6. PIA OFW Watch

18 hours ago

ANC: Malacañang clarified that there is no travel ban to and from Middle East despite Filipino MERS-COV cases. Meanwhile, there is also a report that a Filipina nurse is being treated in Saudi Arabia because of the said virus.

 

 

 

 

QUEZON        

   1. DOLE-Quezon to award P500K livelihood checks to 2 cooperatives

Monday 14th of April 2014

 

LUCENA CITY, Quezon, April 14 (PIA) –The provincial office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 4A is set to award a total of P508,334 livelihood checks to two cooperatives on April 22.

The 22 members of the Southern Bondoc Peninsula Producers Cooperative (SBPPC) based in Mulanay will receive the amount of P208,334 while the 55 members of the Lingkod Banahaw Multi-purpose Cooperative (LBMC) in Candelaria will get the amount of P300,000.

DOLE-Quezon labor and employment officer III Raymond Ramos said based on the project proposal submitted by the SBPPC, the fund will be utilized in the dried white coconut meat production project of the cooperative.

On the other hand, the LBMC will use the budget in the production of school chairs project and upgrading of equipment project in barangay Malabanban Sur, Candelaria.

DOLE Region 4A regional director Maria Zenaida A. Angara-Campita and DOLE-Quezon officer-in-charge Edwin T. Herandez will turnover said livelihood checks. (RMO, PIA-Quezon)

CAVITE

1. Carmona MHO launches Buntis Club

Friday 11th of April 2014

Trece Martires City, Cavite, April 11 (PIA) – To promote safe pregnancy and protect new born babies, the local government of Carmona through the Municipal Health Office (MHO) recently formed the Buntis Club or Carmona Niners Club.

Mayor Dahlia Loyola led the oathtaking of the officers of the club during the regular Monday flag-raising ceremony held at the municipal town plaza.

The mayor also introduced the Newborn Screening Subsidy program which entitles the members of the Buntis Club a 50 percent discount for newborn screening provided they completed the pre-natal requirements.

In addition, a check worth P50,000 from the Champion for Health Governance Grant was turned over by Mayor Loyola to the club as initial fund for the New Born Subsidy Program.

After the ceremony, officers and members of the newly formed group performed the Sayaw ng Buntis or Sayuntis pelvic exercises, the core dynamics of belly dancing proved to be of help for the expectant mother's muscles including the proper breathing for actual labor. (Carmona PIO/PIA-Cavite)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=671397198941#sthash.lJq0ShXK.dpuf

 

RIZAL

1. Rizal gov’t ready for the influx of millions of devotees to Antipolo Cathedral

Wednesday 16th of April 2014

 

PROVINCIAL CAPITOL, Antipolo, Rizal, April 16 (PIA) --The Rizal provincial government together with the Rizal Provincial Police Office (RPPO), local chiefs of police, the local government units (LGUs), and other stakeholders left no stone unturned in its preparation for the influx of millions of pilgrims to the City of Antipolo in observance of the Holy Week.
 

In a statement, Gov. Nini Ynares said the RPPO led a series of command conference in preparation for Semana Santa 2014, especially the annual pilgrimage of devotees to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo.
 

Foremost on the concern of the PNP is the maintenance of peace and order and the welfare and security of expected millions of devotees. Command centers, medical aid units with mobile ambulances and signages will be put up in strategic places under the traffic re-routing plan to assist pilgrims as well as motorists to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic particularly to roads leading to the Cathedral.

An estimated 4 to 5 million pilgrims from the different municipalities of the province and neighboring cities and municipalities will flocked to the Antipolo Cathedral during the annual pilgrim-walk on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
 

More than 2,000 uniformed police personnel aided by units from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and public-safety personnel of LGUs will also be deployed in and around the Antipolo Cathedral and other strategic places.
 

The Red Cross-Rizal chapter will also deploy their own medical centers and personnel to aid in this annual religious activity. (Rizal-PIO/PIA-Rizal)

 

15 APRIL 2014.
	Palace: Government issues advisory concerning new Mideast virus
	Palace welcomes news on possible increase in mango exports to the U.S.
	Palace braces public on power supply yellow alert

Palace: Government issues advisory concerning new Mideast virus The Philippine government is assisting Filipinos in the Middle East in areas with reported presence of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) to ensure their health and prevent the spread of the disease, the Palace said on Tuesday. In a press briefing in Malacanang, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said the Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, dispatched a team on April 12 to determine the condition of the Filipinos who have reportedly contracted the virus. “The Embassy is continuously coordinating with the health authorities of Abu Dhabi in monitoring the cases of Filipinos possibly affected with MERS Corona Virus and the DFA urges Filipino nationals to heed the advice given by health authorities,” Coloma said. He said one Filipino died of the disease on April 10, as confirmed by foreign affairs officials, while five others who were reportedly affected remain in quarantine as a precaution. The Department of Health has updated President Aquino on the incidence of the disease in the Middle Eastern countries. In accordance with the President’s instructions, the DOH issued an advisory underscore concern for the said virus. While no travel restrictions have been issued as a precaution, Filipinos traveling to the Middle East are advised to avoid contact with persons showing influenza-like illness and to observe frequent hand washing. Those returning from the Middle East who become ill within two weeks upon arrival are advised to delay visits to crowded places and to seek immediate medical attention. Hospitals have been instructed to report to the DOH any patient who may be suspected of contracting the MERS-CoV infection. All persons who recently traveled to the Middle East and are experiencing severe respiratory illness should be tested at the nearest hospital. These cases will be reported to the National Epidemiology Center, while the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine will confirm the diagnosis. The advisory also said the Bureau of Quarantine continues to screen travelers at different points of entry. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US, the MERS-CoV is a viral respiratory illness first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Most people who have been confirmed to have MERS-CoV infection developed severe acute respiratory illness, the CDC said. Symptoms of the disease include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. About half of those who contracted it have died. The virus has spread from ill people to others through close contact. The CDC noted that so far, all the cases have been linked to six countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula. PND (as) TOP Palace welcomes news on possible increase in mango exports to the U.S.   The Palace on Tuesday welcomed the United States’ plan to import more mangoes from the Philippines by allowing more mango-growing regions in the country to ship their produce to the US. Malacanang also said it is pleased with the news that the US now allows Philippine carriers to fly to different destinations in America, which would mean greater economic benefits for both countries. Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing that after the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines addressed the air safety concerns of the US Federal Aviation Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Philippine carriers can now serve US and European destinations. “If, in another front we get good news, then we welcome that news with total appreciation and we hope that it will result in even more beneficial outcomes to our farmers and to our industry,” Coloma said on the planned increase in US mango exports to the US. “Let us be aware that there is an entire spectrum of relationships in the international field—both multilaterally and bilaterally,” he said. It was recently reported that mango industry representatives have until June 9 to respond to proposals from US plant health authorities on mangoes imported from the Philippines. If the proposals put forth by the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) are approved, four new mango-producing regions in the Philippines could ship their products to the world’s largest economy. Current US rules only allow the import of Philippine mangoes from the region of Guimaras, but Filipino officials have asked American authorities to recognize new pest-free areas that also produce mangoes. After an assessment, APHIS has recommended that mango-growing regions in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao be declared free of mango seed weevil and mango pulp weevil. US President Barack Obama is arriving in the Philippines late this month as part of his four-nation Asian tour. Obama is also visiting Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia. Coloma said President Aquino and his American counterpart will discuss topics of mutual concern, such as defense and security, and economic relations. PND (as) TOP Palace braces public on power supply yellow alert   Malacanang announced Tuesday the power supply for the island of Luzon will be on yellow alert Wednesday (April 16, 2014). Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told reporters that this is what Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Raul Aguilos informed him through a text message Tuesday afternoon. “Per latest information, the Masinloc Unit 2 went offline again and Pagbilao Power Plant is on extended shutdown today,” said Aguilos in a text message to Coloma. In the same text message Aguilos told Coloma that the situation will normalize on Thursday. “With the gas restriction of Malampaya Plant starting 6AM, Wednesday we might be on yellow alert but we expect normalization by Thursday,” quoting Aguilos’s text message. PND (ag) TOP

 

15 ABRIL 2014 Nagbabala ang gobyerno tungkol sa ‘new Mideast virus’

Nagbabala ang gobyerno tungkol sa ‘new Mideast virus’   Tinutulungan ng pamahalaan ng Pilipinas ang mga Pilipino sa mga pook sa Gitnang Silangan na iniulat na may Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) mapangalagaan ang kalusugan nila at maiwasan ang paglaganap ng karamdaman. Binigyang diin ni Kalihim Herminio Coloma, Jr. ng Presidential Communications Operations Office na ang Kagawaran ng Ugnayang Panlabas sa pamamagitan ng Embahadang Pilipino sa Abu Dhabi ay nagpadala ng isang pangkat noong Abril 12 para alamin ang kalagayan ng mga Pilipino na ayon sa ulat ay nahawa ng naturang virus. “Patuloy na nakikipag-ugnayan ang Embahada sa mga pinunong pangkalusugan ng Abu Dhabi para masubaybayan ang kaso ng mga Pilipino na malamang nagkaroon ng MERS Corona Virus at pinapayuhan ng DFA ang mga Pilipino roon na sundin ang mga tagubilin ng mga pinunong pangkalusugan,“ sabi ni Coloma. Idinugtong ng Kalihim na isang Pilipino ang namatay dahil sa nasabing sakit noong Abril 10 tulad nang pinatunayan ng mga pinuno ng Ugnayang Panlabas, habang ang lima pa ay sinasabing nasa kuwarentenas bilang pag-iingat. Ipinaalam ng Kagawaran ng Kalusugan sa Pangulong Aquino ang tungkol sa pagkakaroon ng nasabing sakit sa mga bansa ng Gitnang Silangan. Alinsunod sa utos ng Pangulo, nagpalabas na ang DOH ng karampatang payo upang bigyang diin ang pag-iingat sa naturang virus. Bagaman hindi pa hinihigpitan ang paglalakbay para mag-ingat, ang mga Pilipino na nagpupunta sa Gitnang Silangan ay pinapayuhang iwasang makisalamuha sa mga taong may mga sakit na tulad ng trangkaso at palaging maghugas ng kamay. Pagkagaling sa Gitnang Silangan, sino mang magkasakit sa loob ng dalawamg linggo ay pinapayuhang umiwas magtungo sa matataong pook at agad magpatingin sa manggagamot. Ang mga ospital ay intasang magreport agad sa DOH kung may sino mang pasyente na pinaghihinalaang nahawa ng MERS-CoV infection. Lahat ng taong kagagaling lamang sa biyahe sa Gitnang Silangan na nakararanas ng matinding respiratory illness ay dapat magpatingin agad sa pinakamalapit na ospital. Ang mga taong tulad nito ay ipaaalam agad sa National Epidemiology Center, habang ang Research Institute for Tropical Medicine ang kukumpirma ng diagnosis. Sinabi rin na ang patalastas ng Bureau of Quarentine naman ang patuloy na magsusuri sa mga taong nasa iba-ibang points of entry. Alinsunod sa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sa Estados Unidos, ang MERS-CoV ay isang viral respiratory illness na unang naulat sa Saudi Arabia noong 2012. Sinabi ng CDC na karamihan sa mga taong napatunayang may impeksiyon ng MERS-CoV ay nagkakaroon ng napakalubhang respiratory illness. Ang mga palatandaan ng sakit na ito ay lagnat, ubo at pangangapos ng hininga. Halos kalahati ng mga dinapuan ng sakit na ito ay namatay. Ang virus ay kumalat dahil sa pakikisalamuha sa mga taong mayroon ng karamdamang ito. Ayon sa CDC, sa kasalukuyan, lahat ng kaso ng sakit na ito ay nasa anim na bansang malapit o nasa Arabian Peninsula. PND (as/zaf)) TOP

 

INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.

Radyo Singko / All Ready by Mel Sta. Maria

April 15, 2014

STA. MARIA: Magandang umaga po, Secretary Sonny. SEC. COLOMA: Magandang umaga po naman, Dean Mel. STA. MARIA: Alam mo, Secretary Sonny, itong sinabi ni BIR Chief Kim Henares patungkol kay Pacquiao, ang sabi ng iba ay mukha ata daw KJ -- KJ ka ng kabunyian at pagsasaya. Pero sabi nga ng Malacañang ay ginagawa lang naman niya ang kaniyang trabaho. Ano po ang masasabi at mapapaliwanag ninyo doon? SEC. COLOMA: Wala naman po tayong nais na maging spoiler o KJ sa ating Pambansang Kamao na si Manny Pacquiao. At lahat naman po tayo ay nagtsi-cheering para sa kaniya. Ang naganap lang po diyan, tinanong po si BIR Commissioner Kim Henares ng ating mass media, at siyempre naman po, sasagutin niya po iyon sa tamang paraan. Ganun lang naman po ang nangyari. STA. MARIA: Palagay ko po, iyan talaga po ang pasanin ng isang lingkod bayan, katulad ninyo, katulad ni Kim Henares. Basta po may sinabi, eh talagang ang madla ay umiikot ang isip at merong mga nagbibigay ng pakahulugan. Papaano ninyo po nalalagpasan itong mga ito? SEC. COLOMA: Nagdadasal na lang po tayo. (Laughs) Bibigyan kita ng halimbawa— STA. MARIA: Sige nga. SEC. COLOMA: Tulad noong …siyempre nanood tayo ng laban, at napaka-exciting ‘no. Immediately after ay na-interview tayo ng mga radyo, TV, diyaryo, at meron na naman tayong nakahanda dahil alam na nating magaganap iyon. Isa doon sa mga sumisingit habang ginagawa ko ito, merong isang reporter ng isang pahayagan eh inungkat kaagad iyon. Sabi niya, paano iyong kaniyang tax liability. Sasagutin ko sana ng one-word na, “Naman”. (Laughs) STA. MARIA: Oo nga. SEC. COLOMA: Pero alam mo naman diyan sa kalakaran ngayon, kung iyon ang sinagot ko, mare-record kaagad iyon. So, sinabi ko na lang, “Law takes its course,” ganoon na lang. Parang wala na akong maisip na mas magaan pang paraan ng pagsagot, kailangan namang harapin din natin iyon dahil tungkulin. STA. MARIA: Ito naman ang isa, Secretary Coloma, ha. Secretary Sonny, ito pa ang isa ha. Ito naman iyong diumano’y pagmumudmod ng pera ni DILG Secretary Roxas sa Tacloban. Ayan, madami rin ang nagbibigay ng mga pakahulugan diyan. Ano naman ang masasabi ninyo diyan? SEC. COLOMA: Matagal na po kasing nailatag iyong mga programa para sa rehabilitasyon ng mga bayan at siyudad na nasalanta ng Yolanda. Naalala ko po ay tinalakay ito sa Gabinete, maka-ilang beses – ang kahuli-hulihan yata ay Enero pa – at talaga namang malinaw, naglaan na ng salapi para agarang makumpuni o maitayo muli iyong mga nasirang munisipyo, palengke at iyong mga town center, iyong mga pasilidad ng mga munisipyo. At siyempre po iyong ating Secretary of Interior and Local Government, kapag may pagkakataong lumigid siya ‘no o dumalaw doon sa mga lugar na ito ay alangan naman pong hindi pa niya tukuyin iyon. STA. MARIA: Oo nga ano. SEC. COLOMA: Talaga naman pong pangkaraniwan iyon na nakikipag-ugnayan siya sa mga local government executives natin. Hindi na po dapat sigurong bigyan pa ng ibang kahulugan iyon. STA. MARIA: Ito pangatlo, Secretary Sonny. Iyong pagtawag naman ni DOTC Secretary Abaya kay Mar Roxas na President Roxas. Ayan, ano naman ang eksplanasyon ninyo diyan? SEC. COLOMA: Sa kaniya na po mismo nanggaling ang paliwanag. Tinutukoy niya iyong pagiging president-on-leave ni Secretary Roxas ng Liberal Party at siya naman ay Secretary General kaya pangkaraniwan lang … pangkaraniwan lang iyon sa kanila. STA. MARIA: Minsan ba, Secretary Sonny—gusto kong marinig ito ng ating mga kapatid at kababayan na nakikinig—minsan ba tinatanong ninyo ang sarili ninyo: Bakit ba ako nandito sa trabahong ito? Bakit ko ba pinaparusahan ang sarili ko dito sa mga intrigang ito? Minsan ba natatanong ninyo sa sarili ninyo iyan? SEC. COLOMA: Simula nung tinanggap ko itong tungkulin, Dean Mel, ay sinabi ko na gagawin ko ang akin pinakamahusay na magagawa, sa abot ng aking makakaya, at iyong iba pa ay ipapaubaya ko na lang sa Diyos dahil kailangan ay masaya tayo sa ating ginagawa, kailangan gusto natin ito, naniniwala tayo dito; at iyon naman ang aking nararamdaman. Masabi na lang natin na, I think I am where I really want to be and I’m happy to be doing what I am doing. Dahil mahalaga iyan sa ating—hindi tayo puwedeng maging epektibo kung hindi ganyan ang ating attitude sa ating trabaho. STA. MARIA: Alam ninyo, nakausap nga namin dito sila Secretary Abaya. Dito sa mga huling mga taon ni Presidente Aquino, nakikita natin iyong pagka-aktibo ng gobyerno natin – kayo, si Secretary Abaya, ating Secretary of Foreign Affairs, ating Secretary of DSWD. Parang napakadami ng problema ng Pilipinas, pero ang perception ng iba, parang napaka-konti naman o napaka-limitado ng inyong puwede gawin, ng mga kapangyarihan na naidudulot sa inyo. Ano ang masasabi ninyo dito? SEC. COLOMA: Marami ngang hamon, Dean Mel, pero kailangan ay hanapan natin ng paraan dahil napakaserysoso ng suliraning kinakaharap ng marami sa ating mga kababayan, lalung-lalo na iyong mga kulang sa pagkakataon at sila ay talagang nasa kahirapan ng kanilang tinutukoy. Iyan ang pinagtutuunan natin ng pansin dahil hindi makakahintay iyong kanilang sitwasyon. Kaya’t iyon na lang ang focus natin sa ngayon. STA. MARIA: Alam mo, Secretary Sonny, sa ating sitwasyon bilang bansa, hindi naman tayo developed country, may limitation tayo in information; limitation sa resources; limitation sa legal constraint natin kaya ang daming umaakyat sa Supreme Court; limitasyon sa oras na rin. Ang daming limitasyon pero papaano n’yo nama-maneuver iyan? Ano ang mga ginagawa ninyong creative na pamamaraan para lagpasan iyang napakadaming limitasyon na iyan? SEC. COLOMA: Talagang iyon na lamang pagsisikap at pagpupunyagi at iyong pakikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga mamamayan. Napapanahon nga iyong tanong mong iyan dahil lumabas na iyong quarterly survey ng Pulse Asia at SWS, at mainam naman iyong naging resulta. Kaya nga lang, kapag ito ay babalangkasin mo sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng performance, marami pa talagang dapat gawin. Kaya’t ang sinasabi ko na lamang sa ating mga mamamahayag, nagpo-focus na lang ang ating administrasyon doon sa mga dapat pang gawin dahil napakonti na lang ng panahon, lahat ng kabutihang puwede pang magawa sa araw-araw kahit maliit basta nakatulong ng kahit bahagya ay sisikapin nating maihatid sa ating mga kababayan. STA. MARIA: Kung ihahambing n’yo nga, Secretary Coloma, ito sa mga nakaraang administrasyon, noong administrasyon ni Erap – mawalang-galang lang sa kanya – by this time ay wala na siya sa poder, ‘di ba— SEC. COLOMA: Kaya nga, oo. STA. MARIA: Iyong kay GMA naman, by this time, bagsak na bagsak na siya sa survey. Pero ngayon name-maintain pa iyong ‘Good’ ni Presidente Aquino bagama’t bumaba ng three points ‘no, bumaba ng 64%. Saan ninyo talaga na-attribute ito? Tuwing nakikita ninyo ito, una, nagtataka ba kayo o hindi na kayo nagtataka o parang sinasabi ninyo eh, “Well, talagang pangkaraniwan ang mga nangyayaring ganyan basta matatapos na ang termino”? SEC. COLOMA: Isang malaking factor diyan, Dean Mel, ay iyong mataas na pagtitiwala ng ating mga kababayan sa ating Pangulo at iyong kanilang pagkilala sa kanyang integridad na kahit na maraming kakulangan pa, marami pa ring hindi nagagawa, nandoon iyong kanilang tiwala at iyong pag-asa at napakahalaga niyan. Kahit na patuloy pa rin silang dumaranas ng kahirapan, meron silang naaaninag na kahit konting hibla ng pag-asa at liwanag. Kaya’t iyon siguro ang nagsu-sustain doon sa kanilang kumpiyansa sa ating Pangulo. At napakahalaga niyan, kaya naman sinisikap pa rin ng ating Pangulo na anuman ang hamon na nasa harapan natin na gawin pa kung ano pa iyong kayang gawin para maihatid iyong kaunting ginhawa man lang sa ating mga kababayan. STA. MARIA: Sa gitna ng mga napakadaming limitasyon ano po, Secretary Sonny? SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga ‘no. Pero marami din namang pagkakataon ‘no kasi kapag nasa pamahalaan ka, mari-realize mo rin na marami naman talagang resources din. Kung talagang meron kang mabuting hangarin at nais mong makatulong, marami ka pa rin namang maihahatid na ginhawa at kapakinabangan sa ating mga kababayan. Kaya hindi dapat ito ipagkait, bagkus dapat ay pag-ibayuhin pa iyong pagsisikap sa paghahatid nang mas mabuting serbisyo sa kanila. STA. MARIA: Maraming, maraming salamat sa iyo, Secretary Sonny Coloma. SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat din po, Dean Mel, at mabuhay po tayong lahat.

SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center

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15 APRIL 2014 DA-ARMM and UN-WFP Sign MOU for a Joint Project No cause for price increase - SRA Rebuilding from ground zero: DSWD provides livelihood assistance for ‘Yolanda’ survivors DSWD, partners to start civil registration project for ‘Yolanda’ survivors DFA Advises Filipinos in the Middle East to Take Necessary Precautions to Avoid MERS-CoV Infection Philippines Joins International Civil Aviation Public Key Directory 16 Filipino Repatriates from Syria Arrive Today DILG allocates P159 M for potable Water Supply projects in Western Visayas DILG gears up security, safety preparations for Holy Week BIR Collection for March 2014 Grew by PhP 7.35 Billion Workers get free MRT train rides on Labor Day--Baldoz In Central Luzon, DOLE releases P450-K to two rural workers' associations at DOLE-DOST convergence program launch; 362 marginalized workers, mostly women, to benefit Personal Remittances Increase to US$4.0 Billion in First Two Months of 2014 Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016 Midterm Update now available online Purisima inducts 10 Police Generals Radiologic and X-ray Technology Exams moved on July 3-4, 2014 SSS reaches out to island municipalities Top SBMA officials dismissed, indicted for graft Charges for Serious Illegal Detention and Grave Coercion to be filed against Deniece Cornejo, Cedric Lee, and others; Rape Charge against Vhong Navarro Dismissed

DA-ARMM and UN-WFP Sign MOU for a Joint Project

Source: http://www.da.gov.ph

The Department of Agriculture in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DA-ARMM) and the United Nations – World Food Program (UN-WFP) will jointly implement programs to benefit 300 farm families in two poverty stricken barangays of Kurintem and Sifaran in Datu Odin Sinsuat town, Maguindanao. This followed after DA-ARMM Regional Secretary Atty. Makmod D. Mending, Jr. and UN-WFP Country Director to the Philippines Aomo Asaka Nyangara signed a Memorandum of Understanding on April 8, 2014, in Cotabato City. Secretary Mending said DA-ARMM will provide 300 bags of corn seeds for the beneficiaries to implement corn production project covering 300 has. compacted area. Technical assistance on corn technology will also be provided. For its part, the UN-WFP through its FOOD-FOR-WORK program will distribute 300 bags of rice monthly for the period of 4 months and conduct monitoring, progress and impact of the project. During the event, Nyangara and Mending distributed P2.0M-worth farm equipment consisting of 35 units of collapsible drying case; 25 units of hermitic cocoon storage bin and 11 units of grainsafe-2 to 33 farmers’ groups from 22 Maguindanao municipalities. Joel Dator and Rudy Montoya of the Grainpro, the distributor of the postharvest equipment, conducted an orientation and demonstration on the use and care of the equipment Nyangara disclosed that the UN-WFP fully supports the food security programs of the Philippine government. “This is one way of ensuring food sufficiency and proper nutrition for the people on Central Mindanao,” he said. He added that the food agency wants to ensure that no child is malnourished and all pregnant and lactating women are provided with the required nutrients.

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No cause for price increase - SRA

Source: http://www.da.gov.ph

The Sugar Regulatory Administration assured that there is enough sugar stocks to meet the domestic demand, and stressed that there is no need for an upsurge in prices. SRA Administrator Regina Bautista-Martin said that local sugar producers have already shipped out more than 125,000 metric tons (MT) of “D” sugar to international markets, with the US securing 60,000MT of the total shipment. Sugar production has been delayed compared to last crop year but overall, the SRA is confident that its estimated production of 2.356 million MT this crop year will be achieved, if not surpassed. “There is no reason for prices to go up”, added Martin. At this time, the SRA is closely monitoring sugar production and withdrawal, including shipments and sugar movements. A slight increase in domestic withdrawals was observed, but it is still within the projections of the SRA. The Sugar agency has also ordered its personnel to verify the physical stocks in the sugar warehouses. “Should prices continue to rise, we will take actions within our powers to curb the speculation,” Martin warned. ### Reference: SRA Administrator Gina Martin – 0917-896-5071 Rosemarie S. Gumera - 9296137; 4550446; 09175936806; 09228397670

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Rebuilding from ground zero: DSWD provides livelihood assistance for ‘Yolanda’ survivors

Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

Brighter days are ahead for the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda as Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman created a task force for the rebuilding of livelihood assets or Cash for Assets. It is led by the Department’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). “The Cash for Assets is part of DSWD’s early recovery efforts to enable the families affected by disasters to return to normal life at the soonest possible time by providing them immediate cash assistance,” Sec. Soliman said. Regional Project Management Offices of the SLP from MiMaRoPa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas are responsible for the implementation of the program. DSWD field officers assigned in the affected municipalities are mobilized to undertake an assessment of beneficiaries in coordination with the local government units (LGUs) and concerned agencies to identify and implement Cash for Assets projects and activities. Selection process Priority beneficiaries are poor families in the DSWD’s Listahanan, a system that identifies who and where the poor are. Displaced families whose heads did not have employment prior to the occurrence of ‘Yolanda’, and families whose heads are engaged in informal labor, such as seasonal workers and street vendors among others, are also prioritized. Participants receive the minimum wage for a period of 15 days. The DSWD’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Response Operations Office (DRRROO) identified the hardest hit municipalities. Rebuilding livelihood assets To rebuild livelihood assets destroyed during the typhoon, the Cash for Assets activities focus on river dredging and embankment; digging and dredging of canals and irrigation systems; restoration of farmlands, farm-to-market roads, public markets, and school facilities; communal farm preparation; and, clearing and cleaning of municipal roads and bridges. In Basey, Western Samar, a total of 4,793 participants were involved in the program; while 4,500 participants were engaged in Giuian, Eastern Samar as of April 4. Some 140,829 participants also participated in the program and received their wages through the LGUs. In affected parts of Bohol, the program is focused on agri-infrastructure rehabilitation for communal irrigation systems. In Palawan, high-priority areas are Coron, Busuanga, Agutaya, and Cuyo. Engaged partners Some of DSWD’s livelihood partners were committed to extend support. SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan provided training for farmers in Tanauan, Leyte and Guiuan, Eastern Samar. Globe Telecom also distributed Globe mobile phones and P1,000 start-up capital for load retailing businesses for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program partner-beneficiaries in Ormoc, Leyte. Coming months DSWD has maintained close coordination with public and private sector partners who may still want to provide additional aid. In the coming months, the DSWD is expecting to scale up its livelihood rehabilitation by providing a total of P1.5 billion worth of financial capital to at least 150,000 marginalized families in ‘Yolanda’ affected areas.

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DSWD, partners to start civil registration project for ‘Yolanda’ survivors

Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

Palo, Leyte – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman enjoined Typhoon Yolanda survivors especially those who lost vital civil documents to avail of the free Mobile Civil Registration Project when it starts full implementation in June. Speaking during the project launch over the weekend in Barangay Arado in this town, Sec. Soliman underscored the importance of this endeavour which provides the opportunity to recover and reconstitute birth, death, and marriage certificates, among others, that were lost or destroyed at the height of ‘Yolanda’. “Katulong ito sa pagbangon niyo muli (This will help you in getting back to normalcy),” Sec. Soliman said. She added that civil documents are important to prove one’s identity. These documents are also required in accessing basic services such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens. The project seeks to reach out to around 100,000 residents from 18 towns and two cities of Leyte, Samar, and this province. Those interested to avail of this project may proceed to the mobile registration tents around the three target provinces. Initial mobile tents were already set-up on April 7. The project is funded by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and is being implemented by Initiatives for Dialogues and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services, Inc. (IDEALS), in partnership with DSWD, Philippine Statistics Authority-National Statistics Office (PSA-NSO), local government units and their local civil registrars. Sec. Soliman lauded the participating groups and organizations for sharing their resources to make this project possible.

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DFA Advises Filipinos in the Middle East to Take Necessary Precautions to Avoid MERS-CoV Infection

Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph

14 April 2014 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) wishes to advise Filipinos in the Middle East to take necessary precautions and to follow the advice of the local health authorities in their host countries following the recent reports of Filipino nationals affected by the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the U.A.E. The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi dispatched on April 12 an assistance-to-nationals (ATN) team to Al Ain (1.5 hours from Abu Dhabi) to determine the condition of the Filipinos who were reported to have contracted MERS-CoV. Of the six (6) reported cases, the Embassy has confirmed that one (1) Filipino worker died on April 10 due to MERS-CoV while the other five (5) remain in quarantine as a precaution. The Embassy team was also able to confirm that the five Filipinos are doing well and recovering. The next-of-kin of the Filipino fatality has already been notified and is being assisted. The Embassy is continuously coordinating with the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi in monitoring cases of Filipinos possibly affected with MERS-CoV. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the symptoms of MERS-CoV, which include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and even diarrhea. Human cases of MERS-CoV have also been reported in other Middle Eastern countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan and Oman. The DFA continues to urge Filipino nationals in affected countries to remain calm and to heed the advice given by local health authorities, such as washing the hands thoroughly, using sanitizers, and observing other general hygiene practices. Those who experience any of the disease’s symptoms are urged to immediately seek medical attention.

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Philippines Joins International Civil Aviation Public Key Directory

Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph

14 April 2014 - The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, recently became the 44th country to join the International Civil Aviation Organization Public Key Directory (ICAO PKD). The Philippines' participation in the ICAO PKD Program will enhance the security and strengthen the integrity of the Philippine e-Passport as an ICAO-compliant travel document. The ICAO PKD is a system where participants deposit data to facilitate the sharing of public key information between countries to ensure the authenticity and valid issuance of e-Passports. Without the ICAO PKD, each country will exchange information bilaterally. Validating the identity of a passport holder through the ICAO PKD will be beneficial not only for the Border Authorities but most especially the travelers. Participation in the ICAO PKD will enable Filipino travelers to use automated border checks for faster arrival procedures as well as faster detection of fraudulent holders of travel documents. The Philippines was accepted as a member of the ICAO PKD on 21 March 2014.

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16 Filipino Repatriates from Syria Arrive Today

Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph

14 April 2014 - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that sixteen (16) Filipinos from Syria will arrive today, April 14 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on board Emirates Airlines flight number EK-332 from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Flight EK-332 is scheduled to arrive at 1555H (3:55 p.m.). This brings the total number of Filipinos repatriated from war-torn Syria to 5,290. Of this number, two thousand two hundred sixty two (2,262) were done through Lebanon, with the cooperation, assistance and support of Philippine Embassy in Beirut. The airline tickets of this batch of Filipino repatriates were shouldered by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Damascus. The Philippine Embassy in Damascus continues to remind the Filipino community in Syria to avail of the Philippine Government’s Mandatory Repatriation Program (MRP) and to seek their help in informing other Filipinos in Syria, especially in the Damascus area, of the MRP. The Department of Foreign Affairs also continues to appeal to all Filipinos who are still in Syria to seek immediate repatriation. For assistance, they may call the Embassy in Damascus at 00963-11-6132626, 00963-949155557, and 00963-934957926 or send an email to damascus.pe@gmail.com. The families of Filipinos in Syria may also provide the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) with up-to-date information regarding their next-of-kin’s present location and contact details in Syria. Those who wish to do so may call the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) at (02) 834-3240 or 834-4583 or the DFA’s 24-hour Action Center at (02) 834-3333.

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DILG allocates P159 M for potable Water Supply projects in Western Visayas

Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has allocated a total of P159.53 million for various potable water supply projects in Western Visayas as part of the government’s poverty alleviation program. DILG Secretary Mar Roxas said the budget allocation and subsequent implementation of these projects demonstrate the Philippine government’s commitment to pursue the United Nations – Millennium Development Goals, particularly Target 7.C of Goal No. 7, which aims to halve by 2015 the number of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. In the Philippines, access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation remains a challenge, especially in far-flung areas in Western Visayas. Roxas said he had ordered the DILG’s Region VI Office to fast-track the implementation of the projects for Western Visayas, one of the areas severely devastated by Supertyphoon Yolanda late last year. According to Roxas, total of P133.53 million has been allotted by the DILG as a portion of its Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process (GPBP) for 56 municipalities in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental. Under the GPBP, the beneficiaries include a total of 15 municipalities in Negros Occidental, 13 municipalities in Iloilo, 4 in Guimaras, 7 in Capiz, 11 in Antique and 6 in Aklan. Another P26 million has been earmarked for three municipalities in Negros Occidental and Aklan through the DILG’s Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Para sa Lahat (Salintubig) program. Beneficiaries for this include two towns in Negros Occidental, Hinigaran and Candoni, and Altavas in Aklan. Roxas said that feasibility studies for the projects are simultaneously being conducted under the supervision of the DILG. Lack of potable drinking water has been identified as a major concern by local government units (LGUs) and was hence given priority by the government under the two projects being implemented by the DILG. “Kasalukuyan na pong kumikilos ang DILG at nakikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga lokal na pamahalaan para higit na mapabilis ang pagbuo ng mga proyektong patubig na ito. Sa pakikipagtulungan ng inyong halal na opisyal sa mga lalawigan at bayan sa Western Visayas, magkakaroon din tayo ng malinis at ligtas na tubig-inumin para sa lahat,” he said. “Malapit na pong dumating ang panahon na hindi na po natin kakailanganing lumakad ng malayo, umakyat ng bundok, bumaba at tumawid ng ilog, o tumungo sa bayan at bumili, para po sa ating pang-araw araw na pangangailangan sa tubig,” he said. The implementation of various potable water supply projects for the Western Visayas Region started in 2012. Under the SalinTubig Program for 2012, a total of P88 million was allocated by the government for various municipalities within Western Visayas. In 2013, the budget allocation under SalinTubig Program was doubled to P151 million, plus P39.425 million from the GPBP

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DILG gears up security, safety preparations for Holy Week

Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph

With the expected exodus of people to the provinces and other places of interest during Holy Week, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has called on all local chief executives to convene their respective local peace and order councils to ensure the safety and security of the populace in churches, plazas, malls, and transport terminals. In a directive to provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, and punong barangays, DILG Secretary Mar Roxas urged the local executives to formulate proper courses of action in order to anticipate the expected heavy movement of people from different places, putting their safety as a top priority. “Ang Semana Santa ay di lamang panahon ng pagninilay-nilay; simulat rin ito ng panahon ng pagbabakasyon para sa pamilyang Pilipino kaya dapat maghanda ang mga local governments para masiguro na magiging ligtas at payapa ang panahong ito,” Roxas said. According to the DILG chief, local government officials should also deploy barangay tanods who can serve as force multipliers and assist the Philippine National Police (PNP) in keeping peace and order in their own barangays, as well as in making sure that traffic is well-managed. He also tasked them to conduct cleanup operations in all public recreation areas, religious locations, and transport terminals in their areas, and to mobilize all necessary resources for the collection and disposal of garbage. At the same time, Roxas called on the PNP to continue to implement police visibility, mobile patrols and checkpoints to prevent crimes and other threats to peace and order. He said the PNP should patrol crime-prone areas and be on guard for Akyat Bahay Gang members who are on the lookout for unattended houses, as well as pickpockets in places of public convergence. “Laging nakahanda ang Bureau of Fire Protection para pigilan ang sunog at iba pang aksidente na maaaring mangyari sa Semana Santa,” he said. Roxas advised the public to be more cautious and observe fire prevention measures like closing LPG valves, unplugging unused electrical devices, and switching off the main source of power when leaving their houses. “With only a few more days before Holy Week, we are undertaking all the necessary steps for a solemn observance of the Lenten Season and a stress-free holiday break,” he added.

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BIR Collection for March 2014 Grew by PhP 7.35 Billion

Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph

For the month of March 2014, the BIR collected Php 82.18 billion in tax revenues, Php 7.35 Billion or 9.82% more than collections made in March 2013. For March 2014, collections from BIR operations amounted to Php78.91 Billion, Php 6.95 Billion or 9.66% more than collections made in March 2013. Collections from non-BIR operations amounted to Php 3.27 Billion, Php 400.85 Million or 13.98% more than collections made in March 2013. Collections by the Regional Offices amounted to PhP 31.79 Billion, or Php 2.90 Billion or 10.03% more than the collections made in March 2013, continuing with the previous year’s trend of double digit growth registered by the Regional Offices. Collections by the Large Taxpayer Service amounted to PhP47.12 Billion, PhP 4.05 billion or 9.41% more than collections made in March 2013.

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Workers get free MRT train rides on Labor Day--Baldoz

Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph

As the country prepares to celebrate the 112th Labor Day on 1 May, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz announced that Filipino workers, both public and private, can enjoy free MRT rides on that day. "Secretary Joseph Emilio A. Abaya of the Department of Transportation and Communications said Labor Day is of national significance, hence, he had directed MRT3 General Manager Atty. Al S. Vitangcol III to ensure that the celebration would be a success," said Baldoz, adding that Vitangcol had already issued the guidelines that shall be observed by the general riding public on 1 May when it comes to the MRT 3. According to the DOTC guidelines, all public and private workers can avail of the free ride on MRT 3 from 7:00 AM to 10: 00 AM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on 1 May. Workers should present their company IDs and log their names with the security guard assigned at the service gate before they are issued boarding passes. They will be subjected to the usual baggage inspection. Their companions, however, shall pay for their own rides. The free MRT 3 rides shall be automatically deemed revoked at the close of the day. The guidelines direct all MRT 3 station personnel to extend utmost courtesy and assistance to all public and private workers while they are within the MRT 3 premises. Meanwhile, Baldoz said the DOLE still awaits for the response of the LRTA management for the free LRTA rides on 1 May. This year’s Labor Day is being commemorated in honor of all Filipino workers on the theme, “Sa Sipag, Tiyaga, at Talino, Buong Mundo Saludo sa Manggagawang Pilipino’. “The DOLE celebrates the 2014 Labor Day as a tribute to the nation's workers and to their significant contribution to the country's development and to highlight their achievements as a major socio-economic pillar of Philippine society,” Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said, adding that every worker deserves a special privilege on their special day. The DOLE is already finalizing its array of job fairs across the country's 16 regions to provide nationwide employment facilitation opportunities and services to all jobseekers, new graduates, returning and displaced OFWs, and other Filipinos interested to work. “This year’s Labor Day celebration shall be a job-filled event for all. On this occasion, we make sure that we bring together employers who are looking for applicants to fill vacancies in their companies and jobseekers who are looking for the right job that matches their skills. We are positive that every Filipino willing to work will get their lucky chance,” Baldoz said.

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In Central Luzon, DOLE releases P450-K to two rural workers' associations at DOLE-DOST convergence program launch; 362 marginalized workers, mostly women, to benefit

Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph

In far flung Brgy. Bayabas, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan, 292 members, mostly marginalized and home-based women, of the Kooperatiba ng Pangmalawakang Paglilingkod ng Bayabas, Ink., KPPBI for short, will shortly go full-blast in the production of squash (Kalabasa) puree after the cooperative received last week P250,000 in financila grant under the DOLE-DOST Convergence Program on Technology-driven, Resource-based, and Sustainable Livelihood. In the adjacent province of Pampanga, in Pulong Camias, Brgy. San Jose, San Simon, the 70-member strong Augman Kababaihan ng San Simon, Inc. (AKSSI) will light up the community with its receipt of P250,000 in financial grant under the same program for its candle-making business. "These are all existing community-based enterprises that need our assistance to get their livelihood going a bit faster," said DOLE Regional Office No. 3 Director Raymundo Agravante as he, together with DOLE Bulacan Field Office Ma. Rima Hernandez and DOLE Pampanga Field Office Head Arlene Tolentino, handed out the checks to the officials of the two rural workers' association during the launch of the program in San Fernando, Pampanga. "Aside from the DOLE, the DOST and other line agencies provided counterpart assistance to the two community livelihoods in the form of skills training, entrepreneurship development training, and other capability-building activities," he added. Agravante reported the launching to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, who commended the regional office for starting in earnest the release of funds to beneficiaries in the region. Our goal is to strengthen social protection for vulnerable workers, and we seek to attain this through the strategy of enhancing access to emergency employment and livelihood," said Baldoz. "Through convergence, the DOLE facilitates and provides access to livelihood opportunities to shield vulnerable workers and their families from risks due to natural and man-made disasters and enable them to rebuild their lives with better access to social protection and sustainable income sources," she said. Secretary Baldoz and DOST Secretary Mario Montejo signed in January this year the DOLE-DOST Convergence on Technology-Driven, Resource-Based, and Sustainable Livelihood aimed at addressing the need for sustainable livelihood and employment opportunities through technology-based and innovation-led entrepreneurship in the country. Under the agreement, the DOLE and DOST, with support of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, and other partners work together in a convergence program designed to assist local workers, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and victims of natural calamities in their livelihood undertakings. “Sing-sarap ng kalabasa at sing-liwanag ng kandila. Iyan po ang handog ng DOLE, kasama ang DOST at iba pang mga ahensiya ng gobyerno. Sana po, pagyamanin natin ito upang lalong lumago ang inyong mga proyekto upang maingat ang antas ng inyong pamumuhay,” Agravante said. A tearful Nelia Bais, AKKSI President, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the DOLE for the much-needed assistance. “Nagpapasalamat po kami nang marami dahil nandito po ang DOLE at ibang pang mga ahensya ng gobyerno upang kami’y tulungang umunlad at magkaroon ng kakayahang itaguyod ang aming mga pamilya sa pamamagitan ng tulong pangkabuhayan na ipinagkaloob po ninyo sa amin. Asahan po ninyo na gagawin namin ang lahat upang mapalago namin ito,” Bais said. Meanwhile, KPPBI President Albert Velasquez assured that they will be good stewards of the DOLE-DOST Convergence Program. “Ito po ang simula ng pagkakaroon ng livelihood program na panghabambuhay dito sa amin. Lahat po ng mga magsasaka at residente ng Brgy. Bayabas ay makikinabang sa proyektong ito. Makaka-asa po kayo na kami’y magtutulong-tulong upang pagyamanin ito,” Velasquez said. Aside from Bulacan and Pampanga, the DOLE regional office, in coordination with the Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), will also be launching the convergence program for identified groups/beneficiaries in Brgy. Matawe, Dingalan, Aurora; Tala, Orani, Bataan; Brgy.Cuyapa, Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija; Lapaz, Tarlac; and Tubo-Tubo North and South, Sta. Cruz,Zambales.

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Personal Remittances Increase to US$4.0 Billion in First Two Months of 2014

Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph

Personal remittances from overseas Filipinos (OFs) amounted to US$2.0 billion in February 2014. This brought the cumulative remittances for the first two months of the year to US$4.0 billion for a year-on-year growth of 6.4 percent, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. announced today.1 Personal remittances continued to draw strength from the steady rise in transfers from land-based workers with long-term contracts (4.3 percent), and sea-based and land-based workers with short-term contracts (10.3 percent). Meanwhile, cash remittances from OFs coursed through banks increased in February 2014 by 5.6 percent year-on-year to US$1.8 billion. For the period January-February 2014, cash remittances grew by 5.8 percent to US$3.6 billion, compared to US$3.4 billion registered in the same period last year. Cash transfers from both land-based (US$2.7 billion) and sea-based (US$903 million) workers expanded by 4.3 percent and 10.3 percent year-on-year, respectively. The major sources of cash remittances were the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, and Canada.2 The continued demand for skilled OF workers contributed partly to the steady flow of remittances. Preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) indicated that in January-February 2014, approved job orders totaled 75,064, of which 33.2 percent (or 24,895) were processed job orders intended for manpower demand for service, production, and professional, technical and related job categories in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Kuwait and Qatar. Reports from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) showed that the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania remain possible employment options for OF workers. Likewise, the continued efforts of bank and non-bank remittance service providers to expand their international and domestic market coverage through tie-ups and establishment of remittance centers abroad to capture a larger share of the global remittance market provided support to the sustained flow of remittances. -------------------- 1 The BSP started to release data on personal remittances in June 2012. As defined in the Balance of Payments Manual, 6th Edition (BPM6), personal remittances represent the sum of net compensation of employees (i.e., gross earnings of overseas Filipino (OF) workers with work contracts of less than one year, including all sea-based workers, less taxes, social contributions, and transportation and travel expenditures in their host countries), personal transfers (i.e., all current transfers in cash or in kind by OF workers with work contracts of one year or more as well as other household-to-household transfers between Filipinos who have migrated abroad and their families in the Philippines), and capital transfers between households (i.e., the provision of resources for capital purposes, such as for construction of residential houses, between resident and non-resident households without anything of economic value being supplied in return). 2 There are some limitations on the remittance data by source. A common practice of remittance centers in various cities abroad is to course remittances through correspondent banks, most of which are located in the U.S. Meanwhile, remittances coursed through money couriers cannot be disaggregated by actual country source and are lodged under the country where the main offices are located, which, in many cases is in Canada. Therefore, the U.S. and Canada would show up to be the main sources of OF remittances because banks attribute the origin of funds to the most immediate source.

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Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016 Midterm Update now available online

Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph

MANILA – The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) released today the full text of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016 Midterm Update, with revalidated Results Matrices (RMs), through its official website. The purpose of the Updated PDP, which can be viewed through this link: http://plans.neda.gov.ph/pdp, is to make the necessary adjustments in policies, strategies, measures and programs based on updated information, and lessons learned during the first half of the Plan’s implementation since its launch in 2011. “I wish to emphasize that the Updated Plan, as the country’s roadmap to inclusive growth and poverty reduction, is clearly linked with, and serves as guide for programming, budgeting, program implementation, monitoring, and even performance management,” said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan in his message, which was read by NEDA Assistant Director-General Rosemarie G. Edillon, for the press briefing held today. The salient updates include the identification of poor and vulnerable provinces and refocusing of strategic interventions according to their needs and development potentials. The Plan details such interventions and places results-based and time-sensitive targets which will be evaluated through the revalidated results matrices by the end of plan implementation. “The contents of the Plan are clearly reflected in various documents and initiatives of the government,” said the NEDA Director-General. Balisacan cited the Department of Budget and Management’s Budget Priorities Framework that adopts the priorities and strategies outlined in the PDP. “Now, more than ever, we can expect greater alignment and synchronization of government efforts to focus on sectors and areas where the poor and vulnerable are concentrated, so that they too may reap the gains of progress,” Balisacan said.

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Purisima inducts 10 Police Generals

Source: http://pnp.gov.ph

President Aquino has approved the promotion of 10 senior police officials occupying key positions in different levels of command in the PNP. PNP Chief, “CODE-P” Director General Alan L Purisima formalized the promotion of 10 star-rank police officials during simple ceremonies at the PNP National Headquarters in Camp Crame. Purisima recommended the latest round of promotion of senior PNP officers, and further endorsed for approval of the Chief Executive by DILG Secretary and NAPOLCOM Chair Mar Roxas. POLICE DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL MARCELO P GARBO JR, PNP Chief of Directorial Staff, was promoted to the 3-star rank as 4th in command of the PNP. Promoted to the rank of Police Director (Major General) were: POLICE DIRECTOR RICARDO C MARQUEZ, PNP Director for Operations; and POLICE DIRECTOR BENJAMIN B MAGALONG, Director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. During the same ceremony, the Chief PNP administered the oath of office to seven police general promoted to the rank of Police Chief Superintendent (Brigadier General), they are: PCSUPT ALLEN B BANTOLO- National Capital Region Police Office; PCSUPT ALBERTO P SUPAPO- Police Regional Office 6; PCSUPT KEITH ERNALD L SINGIAN- Police Regional Office 13; PCSUPT MORO VIRGILIO M LAZO - Police Regional Office 1; PCSUPT NAPOLEON C TAAS – Information Technology Management Service; PCSUPT DANILO S PELISCO – Directorate for Integrated Police Operations- Visayas; and PCSUPT REY T TANG – Internal Affairs Service.

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Radiologic and X-ray Technology Exams moved on July 3-4, 2014

Source: http://www.prc.gov.ph

Manila, April 15, 2014 – The Professional Regulation Commission and the Professional Regulatory Board of Radiologic Technology announces the rescheduling of the licensure examinations for Radiologic Technologists and X-ray Technologists originally scheduled on June 5-6, 2014. The Board of Radiologic Technology resolved to amend PRC Resolution No. 2013-782 by issuing Board Resolution No. 1 dated March 24, 2014 rescheduling the Board Licensure Examination for Radiologic Technologists and X-ray Technologists to JULY 3-4, 2014 and the deadline for the filing of applications on JUNE 13, 2014. According to the Board, the move to reschedule the date of the exam is based on appeals to move the exam to a later date to afford prospective examinees sufficient time to prepare for the examination. The July 2014 Board Licensure Examination for Radiologic Technologists and X-ray Technologists will be held simultaneously in Manila, Davao and Iloilo.

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SSS reaches out to island municipalities

Source: http://www.sss.gov.ph

The Social Security System (SSS) has set up payment facilities at three municipal local government units (LGUs) in Alabat Island, Quezon province during the first quarter of 2014 as part of its initiative to reach out to members in island municipalities and far-flung areas. The pilot payment facilities are stationed at the Office of the Municipal Treasurer of the Alabat, Perez and Quezon LGUs. Following the pilot run in Alabat Island, SSS will evaluate the system for possible enhancements and then replicate it in LGUs that are likewise isolated from banking systems and payment facilities. SSS officials also visited Alabat Island from March 20 to 21 to strengthen the agency's linkages with local leaders and promote the value of active SSS membership for farmers, fisherfolk, home-based entrepreneurs and other workers in the area. Right photo shows SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. (2nd from left) during an Open Forum with residents, barangay captains, Sangguniang Bayan members and other local officials (left photo) of the municipality of Alabat held last March 20 at the Alabat Macapagal Gymnasium. Beside de Quiros at the panel were (right photo, from left) Alabat Municipal Mayor Fernando Mesa, Alabat Municipal Vice Mayor Jaime Glor, SSS Vice President for Luzon Operations Group Josie Magana and SSS Assistant Vice President for Luzon South 1 Division Virginia Cruz.

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Top SBMA officials dismissed, indicted for graft

Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the indictment of top officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019). In a Resolution approved on 07 April 2014, Ombudsman Morales ordered the filing of an Information for violation of Section 3(e) of RA 3019 against the following: (1) Former Chairman Feliciano Salonga; (2) Former Administrator and CEO Armand Arreza; (3) Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon Agregado; (4) Former Senior Deputy Administrator Ferdinand Hernandez; (5) Former Deputy Administrator Ma. Cristina Millan; (6) Deputy Administrator Marcelino Sanqui; (7) Former Board Member Edralino Cajudo; (8) Former Board Member Antonio Rex Chan; (9) Former Board Member Ricardo Coscolluela; (10) Former Board Member Angelita DJ Cruz; (11) Former Board Member Teodoro Del Rosario; (12) Former Board Member Jorge Estanislao; (13) Former Board Member Ma. Angela Garcia; (14) Former Board Member James Lorenzana; (15) Former Board Member Ma. Victoria Pineda; (16) Former Board Member Stefani Saño; (17) Former Board Member Jennifer Khonghun-Ting; and (18) Former Board Member Eddie Tamondong. Likewise included in the charge sheet are Reghis Romero II and Michael Romero, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, respectively, of Harbour Centre Port Terminal, Inc. (Harbour Centre). Documents show that on 24 February 2010, SBMA entered into Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with Harbour Centre for the development, operation and management of the Naval Supply Depot and the ports in Boton, Alava, Rivera and Bravo. The Terms of Reference granted it concession as exclusive port operator of the five (5) ports and exclusive cargo handling for foreign and domestic break-bulk and bulk cargoes for the entire zone. In exchange, the SBMA stood to receive a fixed and guaranteed share of US$32,000,000.00 for the 25-year agreement, as well as a variable revenue share. The case stemmed from the separate complaints filed by port operators Amerasia International Terminal Services, Inc. (AITSI) and Subic Seaport Terminal Inc. (SSTI) which contested the award to Harbour Centre. The 32-page Joint Resolution stated that the SBMA officials “displayed manifest partiality and evident bad faith in the performance of their functions.” The Joint Resolution cited the guidelines issued by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) that a JVA shall only be executed after the conduct of the competitive challenge (bidding) where a private sector participant has been declared winner and issued a Notice of Award. The assailed JVA was executed on 24 February 2010 while the competitive challenge commenced on 05 March 2010 with the publication of the Invitation to Submit Comparative Proposals. It noted that the SBMA resorted to procedural shortcuts and undertook material deviations including changes in the eligibility requirements. The Joint Resolution found that SBMA pegged the project cost at only P763 million to allow Habour Centre to post a lower bid security of P15.26 million, even if the original cost of the JVA was set at P5.537 billion which should have required a bid security of P100million. “By changing the project cost after the publication of the Invitation to Submit Comparative Proposals and imposing additional eligibility requirements, it appears that respondents manipulated the process by enabling HCPTI to post a significantly lower bid security and, at the same time, discouraging prospective JV partners from participating in the competitive challenge by imposing conditions for participation based on the higher project cost,” the Joint Resolution explained. The Office of the Ombudsman also gave due weight and credence to the factual and legal findings of NEDA and the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Dinalupihan, Bataan. In a 05 July 2011 letter, NEDA formally withdrew its endorsement for the JVA, after expressing doubts that the JVA complied with the NEDA guidelines. Even the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC), acting as SBMA counsel, deferred to the NEDA’s findings that the change in the total cost of the JV after competitive challenge constitutes a material deviation which invalidates the JVA. NEDA Guidelines require the issuance of an OGCC legal opinion prior to the execution of a JVA, but records indicate that the OGCC opinion was issued in June 2011 or about 16 months after the signing of the JVA. The RTC’s findings dovetailed with the NEDA findings on the violation of bidding rules, as the RTC declared the JVA “null and void due to a violation of the NEDA Guidelines, the Constitution, Republic Act No. 7227 (Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992), and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations.” Insofar as officials of Harbour Centre are concerned, the Ombudsman determined that as officers and beneficial owners, Reghis and Michael Romero were at the receiving end of the unwarranted benefits as they failed to show that the company was legally entitled to its grant. “Respondents’ above-described acts readily show that they acted in conspiracy, that is, they came to an agreement concerning the commission of a felony and decided to commit it,” the Joint Resolution concluded. Meanwhile, the other criminal charges for violation of Section 3 (g) and (j) of RA 3019, and Article 186 (Monopolies and Combinations in Restraint of Trade) of the Revised Penal Code were dismissed for lack of merit. In a 20-page Decision on the administrative aspect of the AITSI complaint, Ombudsman Morales found the commission of Grave Misconduct and ordered the dismissal from the service of Ramon Agregado, Marcelino Sanqui and Feliciano Salonga with the accessory penalties of absolute disqualification from holding any public office, forfeiture of retirement benefits, cancellation of civil service eligibility, and bar from taking any civil service examination. The same principal penalty would have been imposed on Arreza, Millan, Cajudo, Coscolluela, Cruz, Del Rosario, Estanislao, Lorenzana, Pineda, Saño, Ting and Tamondong had they not been separated from the service during the pendency of the case. They were, however, each ordered to pay a Fine equivalent to their salary for one (1) year deductible from their retirement benefits, accrued leave credits and other receivables, aside from facing the same accessory penalties. The administrative case as against Hernandez, Chan and Garcia was dismissed in view of their separation from the service prior to the filing of the case. The second administrative case for violation of Section 5(a) of Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) was dismissed for lack of merit, in a separate 7-page Decision on the administrative aspect of the SSTII complaint.

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Charges for Serious Illegal Detention and Grave Coercion to be filed against Deniece Cornejo, Cedric Lee, and others; Rape Charge against Vhong Navarro Dismissed

Source: http://www.doj.gov.ph

In a 42-page Consolidated Resolution bearing the date 04 April 2014, the Panel of Prosecutors composed of Assistant State Prosecutors OLIVIA A. RREVILLASS, HAZEL DECENA-VALDEZ, and MARl ELVIRA B. HERRERA resolved the three complaints that stemmed from an incident which transpired on the night of 22 January 2014 until the wee hours of 23 January 2014 concerning Ferdinand Navarro, a.k.a. Vhong Navarro (NAVARRO) at the Forbeswood Height Condominium. The Panel recommended the following actions: The filing of the following charges: 1. Serious Illegal Detention under Art. 267 of the Revised Penal Code Code (RPC) against Respondents DENIECE MILLINETTE CORNEJO, CEDRIC CUA LEE, BERNICE CUA LEE a.k.a.MARIE, SIMEON PALMA RAZ, JR. a.k.a. ZIMMER RAZ, JOSE PAOLO GREGORIO A. CALMA, FERDINAND GUERRERO, and SAJED FERNANDEZ ABUHIJLEH a.k.a. JED FERNANDEZ; and 2. Grave coercion against same above-named Respondents. The charges for serious physical injuries, grave threats and illegal arrest are deemed absorbed in the charge for serious illegal detention. B. The dismissal of the following complaints for lack of probable cause: 1. Threatening to Publish and Offer to Prevent Publication for Compensation against same above-named Respondents; 2. Rape or violation of Article 266-A in relation to Section 3(a) of Republic Act No. 9262 against Respondent FERDINAND HIPOLITO NAVARRO, a.k.a. VHONG NAVARRO; and 3. Obstruction of justice against Respondents MAXIMO A. MEREGILDO, ROMEO S. NEVADO, JR., JEFFRY R. VINIEGAS, and RODERICK E. GARBIN. The Panel found probable cause to indict respondents CORNEJO, CEDRIC LEE, BERNICE LEE, RAZ, JR., CALMA, GUERRERO, and ABUHIJLEH for the crime of serious illegal detention with demand for money or ransom. From the facts obtained in the case, the Panel found collective criminal responsibility against the Respondents. The elements of the crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention are, as follows: (a) the offender is a private individual; (b) he kidnaps or detains another, or in any manner deprives the latter of his liberty; (c) the act of detention or kidnapping must be illegal; and (d) in the commission of the offense, any of the following circumstances is present: (1) the kidnapping or detention shall have lasted for more than three days; (2) it is committed by simulating public authority; (3) any serious physical injuries shall have been inflicted upon the person kidnapped or detained or threats to kill him are made; or (4) the person kidnapped or detained is a minor, female or public officer. If the victim of kidnapping and serious illegal detention is a minor, the duration of his detention is immaterial. Likewise, if the victim is kidnapped and illegally detained for the purpose of extorting ransom, the duration of his detention is immaterial. Jurisprudence dictates that the deprivation required by Article 267 of the RPC means not only imprisonment of a person, but also the deprivation of his liberty in whatever form and for whatever length of time. It includes a situation where the victim cannot go out of the place of confinement or detention or is restricted or impeded in his liberty to move. In this case, the vivid recollection of complainant NAVARRO of what occurred on 22 January 2014, from the time he entered the condominium unit of Respondent CORNEJO up to the time he was brought out of the said place, clearly shows that NAVARRO was actually restrained or deprived of his liberty against his will. Although complainant voluntarily went to the condominium unit of Respondent CORNEJO, the same does not give the Respondents the right to detain and place the victim at their mercy.During this period, there was no occasion for NAVARRO to free himself from the captors, as they had beaten him up, pointed a gun at him and threatened him, once he was inside Respondent CORNEJO's unit, and even fled his hands at the back, and was brought to the police station for a blotter to be taken, while all this time, money was being demanded from him by the Respondents. The Panel, hence, concluded that NAVARRO was detained by the Respondents in a manner that deprived him of his liberty because of the serious physical injuries he sustained in their hands, coupled with the threats to his life and that of his family, including threats affecting his very livelihood as an actor and television host. The Panel noted that the fact that the severe beatings and mauling inflicted on NAVARRO caused him to suffer both internal and external injury tantamount to serious physical injuries is evident from the result on the Medico-Legal Certificate issued by Dr. Albert D. Rebosa, LlB., the Medico-Legal Consultant of the St. Luke's Medical Center. Moreover, the Panel observed that the ultimate goal and purpose of the beating and the threats to kill NAVARRO, his family, and to destroy his career or means of livelihood was revealed, when the Respondents started demanding and extorting money or ransom from NAVARRO, while they were still inside the unit of Respondent CORNEJO, until he was brought to the police station by Respondents CORNEJO, BERNICE LEE, CEDRIC LEE, and ABUHIJLEH, which is obviously not the nearest police station where the Forbeswood Condominium is located. Also, there were text messages which were sent to NAVARRO by the Respondents days after the incident, demanding for money from the latter with further threats. In this light, the Panel ruled that the demand for money made by the Respondents from NAVARRO may be likened to a demand for ransom in exchange for NAVARRO's liberty while he was being unlawfully detained by the Respondents. Under American rulings, the term "ransom" has been held to mean in its ordinary sense as "money, price, or consideration paid or demanded for redemption of a captured person or persons, a payment that releases from captivity". If an accused demanded and received money as a requisite for releasing a person from captivity, whatever other motive may have impelled him to do so, the money is still ransom under the law. The Panel did not give credit to the defense of the Respondents that NAVARRO was arrested under a valid citizen's arrest because he was caught attempting to rape CORNEJO and that the demand of money was merely a form of damages. On the contrary, the Panel opined that damages are personal in nature and it can only be negotiated by and between the concerned parties such as Respondent CORNEJO and NAVARRO, and not Respondents CEDRIC LEE and ABUHIJLEH; and that this fact only adds to the probability that the negotiation for damages or the money asked from NAVARRO, in favor of Respondent CORNEJO, was indeed premeditated. Since serious physical injuries and threats to kill had been employed as a means to or in order to cause deprivation of liberty or detention of an individual, the Panel resolved that such crimes can no longer stand on their own, and shall be absorbed by the more serious offense, and thus, qualifies complainant NAVARRO's detention to SERIOUS ILLEGAL DETENTION or KIDNAPPING WITH DEMAND FOR RANSOM. As to the charge for grave coercion, the following elements must be established: (1) that a person is prevented by another from doing something not prohibited by law, or compelled to do something against his will, be it right or wrong; (2) that the prevention or compulsion is effected by violence, threats, or intimidation; (3) that the person who restrains the will and liberty of another has no right to do so, or in other words, that the restraint is not made under authority of law or in the exercise of any lawful right. The Panel found that all elements squarely fit the facts of this case: that NAVARRO was compelled or forced by the Respondents to admit the commission of the crime is evident when he was compelled to sign or affix his name and signature on the police blotter report, which clearly states that there was an attempt to rape Respondent CORNEJO; that the compulsion was effected by the serious physical injuries he had suffered, including having his hands fled, and grave threats to kill made to him by the Respondents who acted in conspiracy with one another; and that the Respondents have no right to compel NAVARRO to admit a crime, nor had they a right to bring NAVARRO to the police station to admit the commission of a crime. Anent the charge for illegal or unlawful arrest, the Panel determined that the same can no longer be sustained because as can be deduced from the acts of the Respondents, NAVARRO was brought to the police station to further threaten him, to demand more money amounting to Php2,000,000.00, and to ensure his payment of Php1,000,000.00, which was supposedly to be deposited in the account of Respondent CORNEJO. Therefore, complainant NAVARRO's unlawful arrest forms part of the deprivation of his liberty. For lack of clear evidence, the Panel dismissed the charge of threatening to publish and offer to present such publication for compensation. Unless and until evidence is sufficiently shown that there exists a video as mentioned in the Complaint, the Panel held that this charge deserves scant consideration. As to the complaint for rape filed by CORNEJO, it appears that there were two charges for rape committed against Complainant CORNEJO on the same night, one contemplates sexual assault, and the other, with carnal knowledge. In rape through sexual intercourse, there must be evidence to establish beyond reasonable doubt that the perpetrator's penis touched the labia of the victim or slid into her female organ. On the other hand, rape by sexual assault is committed by a perpetrator by inserting his penis into another person's mouth. The Panel found that Complainant CORNEJO's narrative that she was pinned down on the bed by Respondent NAVARRO, who had removed his short pants using his hand, and was clutching tightly and painfully pulling Complainant CORNEJO's hair with his other hand, while mashing her face, mouth, nose, and chin on his genitals, where Respondent NAVARRO even kept on pushing his genitals into her mouth, and then Respondent NAVARRO was allegedly able to lift her underwear and expose her vagina, and at that point felt his hard penis towards her private part, demonstrates physical improbability; that it is extremely difficult to comprehend how such scenario of shouting, struggling, and running to the lobby of the Forbeswood Height Condominium could have escaped the ears of the people in the neighboring units or in the halls of the said condominium; and that her actuation after the tormenting experience, when she admitted going out for dinner with friends, is to a certain degree incredible as it is contrary to human frailty. Since Complainant CORNEJO was unable to provide a logical story, the Panel found no probable cause to indict NAVARRO for commission of the crime of rape. So too, is the charge relative to Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9262, considering that the said law only applies to parties who admit that prior to, during, and after, the commission of the crime or offense, they had a dating relationship. Since by her own admission, Complainant CORNEJO said that she and NAVARRO are just friends, but that the latter had allegedly sexually abused her, NAVARRO could not have committed a violation of R.A. No. 9262. As to the charge of obstruction of justice against the security personnel of Forbeswood Condominium, the Panel found no probable cause to hold them liable. The Panel noted that the fact that Respondents GARBIN and VENIEGAS gave their respective statements with the NBI betrays the contention of the Complainants that the Respondents prevented witnesses from reporting the commission of any offense by means of deceit; that these respondents were the witnesses who gave their respective statements with the NBI which utilized the same as part of its evidence in the complaints filed; that the statements of the Respondents and CCTV footages are the very same evidence adduced by the NBI in referring the case against CEDRIC LEE, et. al., for preliminary investigation with the National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice; and that the Respondents were not present at the crime scene when the incident took place. The corresponding criminal Informations for serious illegal detention and grave coercion will be filed with the Regional Trial Court - Taguig City. Serious illegal detention is a non-bailable offense.

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