PAGASA, 11AM update:
Ayon
sa PAGASA, tatama ang LPA sa kalupaan ngayong araw ngunit maaari ring
agad na malusaw. Kaninang 4AM, namataan ito sa layong 240 km silangan
hilagang-silangan ng Catarman, Northern Samar. Sa ngayon, wala na itong
tsansang maging bagyo. Ngunit ngayong Miyerkules, asahan ang pag-ulan sa
Samar at Leyte simula ngayong umaga hanggang maghapon. Posible namang
magpaulan bukas sa Kabikulan ang matitirang kaulapan ng sama ng panahon.
ABS-CBN:
May isang bagong planetang nakita ang NASA na pwedeng tirhan at
kasing-laki rin ng Earth. Pinangalanan nila itong Kepler-186F na nasa
Goldilocks Zone o habitable zone. Ang nakikitang problema lamang ng NASA
sa planetang ito ay ang bituin na kanyang iniikutan dahil mas maliit
ito kumpara sa Araw na iniikutan ng Earth. Samantala, naniniwala naman
ang mga astronomer na marami pang Earth-like planet na nakakalat sa
universe.
April 23 , 2014
( Wednesday ) as of 6:00-7:00 AM
CAVITE : Sunny
LAGUNA : Sunny
BATANGAS : Sunny
RIZAL : Sunny
QUEZON
: Sunny
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
The Quezon Provincial Veterinary Office has distributed 25 heads of
Italian dairy buffalo to Lucban Dairy Buffalo Association. This will
augment the dairy production of the said association whose membership
are mostly farmers.
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
The municipal government of Lucban has lined up various activities in
line with the May 15 Lucban San Isidro Labrador pahiyas festival. The
annual event also aims to promote local tourism of Lucban.
PIA-6:
The family members from a village in Panit-an town are suspicious on
the cause of death of their 29-year old OFW relative in Singapore who
reportedly fell from a 5-story apartment. They have also sought the help
of the Capiz provincial government and a local radio station in
bringing back home the cadaver of the Capicena house helper as well as
other forms of assistance on the case. #pia6
|
 |
INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA,
JR.
|
Radyo ng Bayan at Panayam / by Allan Allanigue
|
April 23, 2014 (7:21-7:35
AM)
|
| ALAN: Opo, nito pong nagdaang mga araw ay nanawagan ang Malacañang maging
ang Department of Health dito po sa ilang mga pasahero pa noong Etihad na
nakasabay noong posibleng nagkaroon ng kontak. Tungkol doon sa Middle East
Respiratory Syndrome virus, ano po ang latest dito sa panawagan na ito ng
pamahalaan, Sec. Sonny, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Sa apat-na-raan at labing-apat na pasahero ng Etihad Flight EY0424 na kinabilangan ng ating kababayang na nurse na nung una ay nag-test positive para dito sa MERS Corona virus, meron na lamang apatnapu’t-walo na hindi pa nako-kontak, as of 9 pm kagabi, Alan. At umaasa tayo na marami pa sa kanila na mako-kontak na para magkaroon tayo ng kapanatagan na lahat ng mga pasahero na na-expose doon sa dati ay positive carrier nitong MERS Corona virus ay mate-test na at mapapawi ang alinlangan tungkol sa kanilang sitwasyon ng kalusugan. ALAN: I-double check ko lang po, ang hindi na lang po nako-kontak ay 48? SEC. COLOMA: Apatnapu’t-walo. ALAN: 48 na lang out of mga apat-na-raan. SEC. COLOMA: 440. ALAN: Mga apat-na-raan. Ayun, so mabilis din naman pala ang pagresponde nung mga pasahero, Sec. Sonny, sir ano po. SEC. COLOMA: Medyo naantala lang dahil nga iyong pagdating nila ay Martes Santo at medyo nahirapan tayong matuntun iyong talagang tamang contact information in terms of telephone numbers o addresses. Pero naisa-ayos naman iyan at noong lumaon ay padami na ng padami at hanggang ngayon nga ay apatnapu’t-walo na lamang ang hindi nako-kontak. Lahat naman noong mga nako-kontak ay tine-testing kaagad sa nearest DOH hospital. Simple lang naman at libre iyong ginagawang testing, Alan. Ito ay isang simpleng nose and throat swab sa pagkuha ng specimen. At pagkatapos ng pagkuha ay sila ay pinahihintay na muna doon sa DOH hospital para makuha iyong resulta, na nakukuha naman sa loob ng kalahating araw. At pagkatapos matuntun na negative ay pinauuwi na. Lahat naman ng na-test so far ay negative, kasama na iyong unang nag-test positive. Kasi kaunting paliwanag lang. Noong nag-test positive itong kababayan natin ay noong pang April 6 at ito ay sa United Arab Emirates dahil nga nagkaroon siya ng exposure doon sa pumanaw na kababayan nating OFW. Meron nang pumanaw dahil dito sa Mers Corona virus, siya ay na-expose doon at ang kanyang test doon sa UAE noong April 6 ay positive. Ngunit noong unulit iyong testing sa kanya, April 16 at noong April 20 ay negative na pareho. ALAN: So, dalawang beses na ho inulit… SEC. COLOMA: Oo at negative na, kaya siya ay dinis-charge na at nakauwi na siya sa kanilang tahanan. ALAN: Ayon, so sa ngayon ay negative itong MERS dito sa atin sa Pilipinas, Secretary Coloma, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga. Kaya lang, Alan, ito ang mahalagang malaman at maisa-isip ng ating mga kababayan. Araw-araw humigit-kumulang lima hanggang anim na libong mga Pilipinong manggagawa mula sa ibang bansa, OFWs, ang bumabalik sa ating bansa at karamihan sa kanila ay galing sa Middle East o sa Arabian Peninsula, ang tawag doon, ano. Merong pitong bansa na kung saan nandoon iyong MERS Coronavirus. Ang mga bansang ito ay Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Yemen at –pitong bansa doon sa Arabian Peninsula, United Arab Emirates yata iyong isa. At lahat nitong mga bansang ito ay nasa “alert bulletin” sa pagbabalik noong ating mga kababayan. Bakit natin ginagawa ito; iyong incubation period ng MERS Corona virus ay hanggang labing-apat na araw o dalawang linggo. Kaya ang mahalaga ay maging mapagmasid at maagap ang ating mga kababayan. Kung sa loob noong labing-apat na araw na iyon ay magkaroon sila ng sintomas nitong MERS Corona virus. Ang sintomas ay kahawig sa trangkaso, tulad ng pag-ubo, pagkakaroon ng lagnat, iyong mga ganoong sintomas, Alan. Kinakailangang magpatingin kaagad sila para magkaroon ng testing at para ma-rule out iyong pagkakaroon nila ng sakit na MERS Corona virus. ALAN: Opo, Sec. Sonny, sir iyong binabanggit po ninyo na incubation period ng 14 days. So ibig sabihin, halimbawa doon sa pinaghihinalaang araw na na-expose sila, pag sa loob ng labing-apat na araw ay walang sintomas na lumabas, ibig sabihin ay negative sila doon sa virus na iyon, ganoon po iyon? SEC. COLOMA: Tama iyon, Alan. ALAN: Pero kapag nakaramdam ng mga sintomas, dahil parang nabubuhay doon sa katawan nila iyong virus within 14 days, parang ganoon po ba iyon, Sir? SEC. COLOMA: Maaring mag-manifest pa iyon within 14 days. Pansinin natin, ‘no, kaunting paglilinaw pa, Alan. ALAN: Yes, sir please. SEC. COLOMA: Iyong pagkalat at paglaganap nito ay dahil sa close contact at exposure sa isang positibong may dala noon, kaya tingnan natin iyong karaniwang scenario. Bago mag-uwian, bago lumulan ng eroplano, nandoon sila sa pre-departure area at magkakatabi silang doong nakaupo, magkakatabing pumipila, di meron nang dalawang oras siguro iyon o isang oras na close contact. Habang nandoon ka sa ganoong kalagayan, hindi mo naman alam kung ano ang kondisyon ng iba mong mga kasamahan. Wala namang nakaka-alam kung sino doon ang maaring may sintomas, di ba, Alan. ALAN: Yes sir. SEC. COLOMA: Pagkatapos pagpasok sa eroplano, eh medyo malapit din ang kontak doon dahil magkakatabi, magkakahilera, hindi naman ganoon ang distansya between one row and another row. Pagkatapos ay magtatayuan din doon sa eroplano. Maraming oportunidad sa close contact at iyong biyahe mula sa Arabian Peninsula o Middle East, humigit-kumulang pitong oras iyon, Alan. Kaya kailangang manatili tayong mapagmasid at maagap kahit na makumpleto na iyong testing dito sa mga pasahero ng Etihad dahil nga araw-araw libu-libong mga Pilipino ang bumabalik galing sa Middle East. ALAN: So, kinakailangan ng pagiging conscious sa kalusugan, like papano iyon, pinapayo din ng Department of Health na dalas-dalasan ang paghuhugas ng kamay dahil baka iyong hinawakan noong isang indibidwal at mahawakan mo rin ay maaring masagap mo iyong virus, ganoon ho iyon, Sec. Sonny ano ho? SEC. COLOMA: Kasama na iyon sa precautionary measures, iyong frequent hand-washing, pero iyong isa pang mahalagang paalala sa ating mga kapatid na OFW na umuuwi, sakop noong Quarantine Bulletin ng Department of Health iyong procedure na pagdating dito ay mag-fill out ng isang detailed information kung paano sila mako-kontak. At sana ay ilagay doon iyong talagang maasahang contact information. Halimbawa kasi iyong iba ang ginamit ay iyong mga prepaid cellphone number na na-expire o pinalitan na nila. Hindi makakatulong kung tatagal iyong pag-kontak. Mas mainam na ma-kontak kaagad, kaya hinihingi natin ang kooperasyon ng ating mga kababayan. At dahil din dito ay paiigtingin iyong information and education campaign sa hanay ng ating mga kababayang nagtatrabaho sa Arabian Peninsula o sa Middle East. Kinakailangang maging maalam sila dito, highly-conscious mag-ingat sa kanilang kalusugan, dahil mapanganib ang virus na ito kung hindi matutuntun kaagad. ALAN: Secretary, sir, if you would allow us tungkol naman po sa isa pang update na nais naming hingin. Next week, April 28, 29 bibisita po sa Pilipinas si US President Barack Obama. Ano pong mga inaasahan natin na maging highlights ng pagbisita na ito, Sec. Sonny sir, please? SEC. COLOMA: Para sa ating bansa, hindi lamang sa aspeto ng defense at security ang ating titingnan dito, Alan. Mahalaga rin iyong pagpapalakas ng Philippine-US ugnayan sa larangan ng ekonomiya para makatulong din ito sa ating layunin na matamo iyong tinatawag nating inclusive growth at mabawasan ang kahirapan sa ating bansa. Ang Estados Unidos ang isa sa pinakamalaki nating kaugnay sa larangan ng negosyo at kalakal, Alan. At nais nating makuha din ang pagkakataong ito upang hingin sa Pangulo ng Estados Unidos iyong mga pagkakataong mapaigting ang ating ang pakikipag-ugnayan na pang-ekonomiya at pangangalalakal. Hihilingin din natin iyong pagkakaroon ng mas masinsin na pagtutulungan para sa long term developments ng Kamindanaon, ngayong nakabuo na tayo ng Comprehensive Agreements on the Bangsamoro. At iyon ding patuloy na pagtutulungan sa pagbabagong-tatag ng mga lugar na naapektuhan ng typhoon Yolanda dahil patuloy pa naman ang massive reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts natin at isa pa kinakailangang din, ninaais din nating paigtingin iyong ating people to people relations sa Estados Unidos sa aspeto ng panlipunan, pang-kultural at kalinangan at sa larangan ng edukasyon. Kaya malawak at malalim iyong maaring maging sakop ng pag-uusapan nila Pangulong Aquino at Pangulong Obama at mainam na pagkakataon ito para gawing mas matibay at masinsin ang Philippine-US strategic partnership. ALAN: Ayon, okay. Well, Secretary Coloma muli salamat po ng marami for the updates from Malacañang. SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat at magandang umaga, Alan. |
| SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BIR employee suspended for not filing his SALN | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Civil
Service Commission (CSC) has suspended Arsenio N. Reyes, Revenue
Officer III of Revenue Region Number 10 (Legazpi City) of the Bureau
of Internal Revenue (BIR), for his failure to file his Statement of
Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). In its 4-page decision, signed by Chairman Francisco T. Duque and Commissioners Robert Martinez and Nieves Osorio, the CSC found substantial evidence to hold Reyes guilty of failure to file his SALN for the year 2010 and imposed the penalty of suspension for a period of three (3) months. Reyes’ case stemmed from a complaint filed by the Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS), the anti-corruption arm of the Department of Finance. In February 2011, Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima issued Department Order Number 12-2011 enjoining all officials and employees of the DOF and its attached agencies and instrumentalities to submit a copy of their SALNs to the heads of offices, the Revenue Operations and Legal Affairs and RIPS. This decision is a timely reminder to all public servants to file their SALNs this April. |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pahayag ng Kalihim, DSWD Press Conference Ika-22 ng Abril, 2014 Max’s restaurant | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maraming
salamat sa pagdalo ninyong lahat. Dalawang bagay ang nilalayon kong magawa sa umagang ito – una, ang magbigay ng ulat tungkol sa nahuling ibinentang DSWD relief goods sa isang kainan sa Tacloban City; at pangalawa, ang ulitin at mas bigyang-diin ang tugon ng aming opisina ukol sa isyu ng hindi malinis na relief warehouse na ‘di umano’y pagmamay-ari ng DSWD. Gaya ng lumabas sa balita, noong ika-3 ng Abril, ang aming Regional Director para sa Silangang Visayas na si Nestor Ramos ay nagpunta sa karinderya ni Gng. Marchita Ygrubay, 52 anyos, upang maghapunan. Ikinagulat ng aming Regional Director ang nakita n’yang mga sako ng relief goods na may tatak-DSWD sa kainan. Kinabukasan din, nagtungo ang ilan pang tauhan ng aming kagawaran upang kumpiskahin ang mga naturang relief items. Pinaninindigan ni Gng. Ygrubay na hindi n’ya alam na bawal ang pagbebenta ng mga relief supplies at na ginawa lamang n’ya ito upang tulungan ang mga nagbenta sa kanya, na nagsasabing mga biktima ng Bagyong Yolanda. Para sa kabatiran ng lahat, ang bawat family food pack na ipinamimigay ng DSWD ay may nakatatak na “DSWD Relief Supplies, Not for Sale.” Ang hindi pagsunod dito ay itinuturing na paglabag sa Anti-Fencing Law (at National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Law) na nagtatakda ng parusang hanggang 12 taong pagkakakulong depende sa halaga ng mga goods sa sinumang mapapatunayang nagkasala. Kasalukuyang inihahanda ng aming tanggapan ang mga kaukulang papeles upang makausad ang planong pagsasampa ng kaso sa mga sangkot sa pagbebenta ng relief goods. Lumabas din noong isang lingo sa isang TV station ang balitang nagpapakita ng isang hindi maayos na relief warehouse sa Tacloban City at sinasabing ito, ‘di umano, ay pinangangasiwaan ng aming kagawaran. Sa unang bahagi, ipinakita sa video ang kuha sa harap ng aming warehouse na kita ang panandang “Task Force Yolanda – DSWD Hub”. Ngunit, sa kalagitnaan ng footage ay nag-iba ang lugar at nagpakita na ng mga nakakalat na basura at patay na manok katabi ng mga sako ng dapat ay relief goods. Lumabas ang balitang ito noong ika-27 ng Marso sa Interaksyon.com. Kung gagawin ang simpleng matematika, mahihinuhang maaaring nakuha ang video ng Miyerkules, pinakamatagal na ang Martes, bago ang Huwebes kung kalian naisahimpapawid ang balita. Unang punto: Ako ay nasa Tacloban City ng ika-25 ng Marso, Martes, upang samahan sina Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell nu’ng umaga at si Spanish Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo nu’ng pagdating ng hapon. Pinuntahan at inikot namin ang aming relief hubs. Kinabukasan, mga kinatawan naman ng World Food Programme ang sinamahan ng dalawa naming Assistant Secretaries sa aming relief hub. Sa ganang akin, napaka-imposibleng hahayaan ng aming mga kasamahan na hindi maayos at may nabubulok pang manok na nakakalat sa aming relief hub, lalo’t alam nilang may mga bisitang mag-iikot sa mga araw na iyon. Sigurado akong hindi ito hahayaan ni Lorfel, isa sa mga staff namin sa Field Office VIII, na mangyari. Araw-araw, alas-sais y medya pa lang ng umaga’y nasa hub na s’ya para pamunuan ang mga nakikibahagi sa food-for-work program ng DSWD, na bukod sa pagre-repack at pagbubuhat ng food packs ay sila rin ang kinukumisyon naming magpanatili ng kalinisan sa warehouse. Na bagaman biktima rin ng bagyo at nasugatan pa nga sa braso, nagtatrabaho s’ya hanggang alas-otso o minsan ay hanggang alas-onse pa ng gabi para lang mapangunahan ang mga food-for-workers na ito. O kung may kalat man, siguradong mapapansin agad ‘to ni Jieva, isa pang kawani sa DSWD Region VIII. Alas-singko pa lang ng umaga, nag-iikot na s’ya sa para tignan kung maayos ang lahat. Ang pagsisiyasat din ng warehouse ang huli n’yang ginawa bago umuwi… sa isang tent sa likod ng aming relief hub. Matapos kaming makipag-ugnayan sa mga kakilala namin sa nabanggit na istasyon at maglabas ng paglilinaw ukol sa isyu, patuloy pa rin nilang pinaninindigan ang kanilang mga naunang ulat. Dito rin nila binaggit na ang warehouse na kanilang tinutukoy ay ang warehouse sa Barangay Caibaan, Tacloban City. Pangalawang punto: Wala po kaming warehouse sa Brgy. Caibaan. Ang aming DSWD Relief Hub ay nasa Barangay Apitong, Tacloban City, Leyte. Ayon pa impormasyong aming nakalap, ang warehouse na nasa Caibaan ay pinamamahalaan ng mga United Nations agencies na World Food Programme (WFP) at UNICEF. Ito ay kinumpirma ng isang kinatawan ng WFP sa pakikipag-ugnayan ng aming Field Office sa kanila. Muli, ang warehouse na tinutukoy nilang nasa Brgy. Caibaaan ay hindi sa DSWD. Ang warehouse sa Tacloban City ay matatagpuan sa Brgy. Apitong, Tacloban City. Binanggit din sa parehong programa ang ilan pang nakaraang isyu gaya ng ‘di umano’y trak-trak ng relief goods na nilibing sa Palo, Leyte at ang nabulok na relief goods sa Barangay Gacao sa parehong lalawigan. Muli, gaya ng nabanggit na namin sa aming mga nakaraang pahayag, tanging isang sako ng biskwit, 10 piraso ng instant noodles, kalahating sako ng bigas and isang sako ng gamit na damit ang itinapon ng LGU ng Palo sa kanilang tambakan ng basura. Ito ay pinatunayan ng isang sertipikasyon mula sa kanilang Municipal Health Office na s’ya ring nagsabi na ang mga naturang pagkain ay hindi na mapakikinabangan ng tao. Sinabi na rin ng kanilang Municipal Social Walfare and Development Officer na si Rosalina Balderas na ang mga naturang donasyon ay nagmula sa mga pribadong grupo at hindi sa DSWD. Pribadong mga donasyon din ang mga nasirang relief goods sa Brgy. Gacao at hindi galing sa aming agensiya. Ngunit, taliwas sa mga napaulat, hindi na ito ipinamigay pa ng kanilang Kapitan dahil nga sa ang mga ito ay hindi na maaari pang makain. Labis naming ikinadismaya na ang mga paglilinaw mula sa aming kagawaran, na matagal na naming inilibas at ilang beses nang inulit, ay hindi binanggit sa palabas. Seryoso kami sa aming trabaho lalo’t higit ang mga nasa Field Office VIII. Bilang patunay, naikwento ng isa naming staff, paglipas lang ng alas-2 ng hapon maaaring may mag-joke sa kanila. Bago mag-alas-2, puro lang sila trabaho. Literal: walang biro. Hindi ko po hinihinging purihin n’yo ang aming trabaho. Hindi ko rin inaasahang puro magagandang bagay lamang ang ilalabas ninyo sa inyong mga diyaryo at programa. Ngunit, hindi naman po yata kalabisang hilingin sa inyong tanging katotohanan lamang ang inyong i-balita. Kilala ninyo po ako at ang aming ahensiya; alam ninyo kung gaano kami kabukas ang kung gaano kami kadaling maabot. Kung tanging paglilingkod sa ating mamamayan ang inyong nasasa-isip, hindi magiging mahirap sa inyong pagbigyan ang pakiusap na ito. Sa mga nagsasabing walang ginagawa ang aming ahensiya at patuloy na nagpaparatang ng mga bagay na walang katotohanan, naisip n’yo ba kung ano ang mararamdaman nina Lorfel at Jieva? O ni Juvy, na dalawang buwang hindi nakita ang may sakit na ama dahil kinailangan n’yang manirahan sa isang tent sa aming warehouse para makapasok nang maaga at matutukan ang paghahakot at paglilipat ng mga relief goods? O ni Japs, na ang huling iniisip sa gabi ay ang pag-aayos ng mga trak na magdadala ng mga relief goods sa malalayong lugar sa kanilang probinsya? Lahat sila, kagaya ng marami pa naming kasamahan sa Field Office VIII, ay patuloy na nagtatrabaho kahit sila mismo ay biktima rin ng Bagyong Yolanda. Ang ilan sa kanila ay namatayan din, nawalan ng ari-arian, nasaktan, nasugatan natakot… ngunit patuloy silang pumapasok sa trabaho dahil nauunawaan nila ang pangangailangan ng taong gagawa ng kung ano man ang nakaatang na tungkulin sa kanila. Kinikilala naming hindi perpekto ang aming sistema. Marami kaming nakitang dapat pang pagbutihin sa larangan ng Disaster Response. Ngunit ang hindi ko matatanggap ay ang maparatangan kaming walang ginagawa. Labis kong ipinagmamalaki kung gaanong ang aking mga kasamahan sa DSWD ay tumugon sa tawag ng tungkulin at nagbigay ng higit pa sa hinihingi sa kanila. Bilang pagbibigay-respeto at pagkilala sa kanilang mga hirap at sakripisyo, kaya ko kayo hinaharap ngayon. Maraming salamat at handa na akong tumanggap ng mga katanungan at paglilinaw. |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| DOLE and IBPAP to sign accord, implement a two-year action plan for IT-BPM sector | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Workers’
benefits, health and safety are priorities DOLE and IBPAP to sign accord, implement a two-year action plan for IT-BPM sector Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz and Jose Mari Mercado, President of the Information Technology-Business Processing Association of the Philippines will sign on Friday a landmark partnership agreement and joint action plan that will translate into concrete terms the directives of President Benigno S. Aquino III to the DOLE to assist employed workers keep their jobs; assist the unemployed workers find jobs; and protect workers' rights and benefits. In an announcement, Secretary Baldoz said the DOLE will build a partnership with IT-BPAP to ensure its involvement, as a DOLE social partner, in realizing decent and productive work through business expansion and growth. "This is a a proactive step to ensure the rights and benefits, including the safety and health, of workers in the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM)," said Baldoz. "The IBPAP, recognizing the role of government in supporting the IT-BPM road map, is entering into a partnership with the DOLE to safeguard the welfare and well-being of the talent pool to promote best people and safety and health practices, thus helping the private sector build a work environment that lives up to the industry and global standards, and attracts to and retains the best talents in the IT-BPM sector," said Mercado. The IBPAP, as the recognized worldwide leading private organization of companies in global information technology and business process management located in the Philippines, generated over 700,000 direct employment and 1.6 million indirect employment in 2012. The sector earned more than US$13 billion in export revenues, or 5.5 percent of gross domestic product, enabling the country to surpass India in voice global IT-BPM, thus making the Philippine call center industry the largest in the world. Mercado said the IBPAP’s roadmap has identified growth opportunities for developing high-value export IT-BPM analytics, research, and development in areas such as medical research and health care; engineering and high technology; creatives; and financial and banking services, which are being delivered by its members to diverse markets in Europe, Australia, and Asia Pacific. The DOLE-IBPAP partnership agreement is an offshoot of the DOLE's and IBPAP’s effort to solidify a holistic and extensive approach to elicit voluntary compliance among IBPAP members with general labor standards and occupational safety and health practices to address the safety and protection of IT-BPM workers. “The DOLE and the IBPAP share a common conviction that practices that protect the safety, health, and well-being of workers are essential to building long-term solution to national concerns and global challenges," Baldoz said. "Through this accord, the DOLE and the IBPAP demonstrate strong resolve to work together to increase awareness of the IT-BPM sector on general labor standards and OSH standards with a view to improve compliance, develop industry-specific best practices, and foster within the sector a culture of voluntary compliance with general labor standards and OSH regulations," said Baldoz. Under the agreement, the DOLE and the IBPAP will implement a two-year joint action plan to promote IT-BPM best people practices and voluntary compliance with general labor standards (GLS) and occupational safety and health (OSHS). The agreement shall kick-off with an orientation of IBPAP members on labor law compliance and occupational safety and health standards this April. Both the DOLE and IBPAP shall create a technical working committee (TWG) for the immediate implementation of the action plan until 31 December 2015. Other strategies and activities in the action plan are the development of IEC materials; joint assessment on IT-BPM establishments; surveys on occupational safety and health compliance; and compilation of relevant industry-specific information for future monitoring progress of the plan. “This action plan is just the beginning of our long-term goal of addressing the real labor relations situation in the BPO industry,” Baldoz said. |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| GPH peace panel member clarifies CAB will not create Islamic state in Mindanao | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wao, Lanao del
Sur – Government peace panel member Senen Bacani has allayed fears
of residents here that the envisioned Bangsamoro government will
lead to the establishment of an Islamic state in Mindanao and that
Christians would lose their lands to Muslims once the new region is
in place. “The Bangsamoro will be part of the Philippines, it will not separate from the Philippines. Bangsamoro officials will report to the President of the Philippines. The laws of the Philippines will apply to the Bangsamoro,” he said. Bacani was here Monday for a public forum on the Bangsamoro attended by an estimated 3,000 residents, including those from the nearby town of Bumbaran, also in Lanao del Sur. “The envisioned Bangsamoro government will not become an Islamic state but a secular one with a working democracy where everyone will continue to enjoy [for example] freedom of religion and freedom of expression. Walang mawawalang rights and privileges natin bilang mamamayan ng Pilipinas dito sa Bangsamoro...including vested property rights” he stressed. The public forum was held to update people here on the developments in the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The Islamic state issue was raised through the streamers displayed in the town plaza, the venue of the dialogue. Christians also raised concern that they would lose their lands to Muslims once the Bangsamoro is in place. Wao town is composed of at least 80 percent Christians with a minority Muslim population. Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong III graced the forum and rallied the residents to support the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the final peace deal between the government and the MILF. “Ginagawa lahat ng national government ang makakabuti para sa lahat ng Filipino, Muslim man o Kristiyano kasama na ang katutubo,” he said. Bacani reiterated that the GPH peace panel signed the CAB with their MILF counterpart clearly following the instruction of President Benigno Aquino III that it must be within the parameters of the Constitution. Also present to listen to the sentiments of the residents were Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) members Pedrito Eisma and Said Sheik. The two also took turns explaining that the CAB dos not seek the establishment of an Islamic state in Mindanao and that the constituents will continue to enjoy their rights under the Bangsamoro government. Mayor Elvino Balicao Jr. led the list of local government officials attending the forum. Benigna Rosal Aguirre, a leader of a Catholic women’s organization here, thanked Bacani and the BTC commissioners for coming and clarifying the disinformation spreading in the locality. “There’s nothing to fear in the Bangsamoro. It’s good they came here. I’m enlightened now because it’s clear we will continue to enjoy our rights such as religious freedom and that we will continue to own our lands,” she said at the sidelines. Bacani stressed that land ownership will be respected under the new Bangsamoro region. |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| PHL Ambassador attends International Women’s Day breakfast in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21 April 2014 –
Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia H. Benavidez was
invited to the International Women’s Day Breakfast hosted by
Minister of Women’s Affairs Jo Goodhew in association with the
United Nations Women National Committee (UN Women NC), Aotearoa, New
Zealand (NZ) and Zonta International on March 7 at the Banquet Hall,
Parliament, Wellington. The International Women’s Day Breakfast was
held to celebrate International Women’s Day in New Zealand. Ambassador Benavidez joined women from different professions, positions and advocacies, girls from colleges and participants from various sectors in highlighting the roles and accomplishments of women and their continuing important contributions to development, gender equality and empowerment for positive and life transforming change. The Ambassador of Switzerland Marion Weichelt Krupski and women Members of Parliament were also present. The programme started with Ms. Sue Kedgley, President, UN Women NC Aotearoa NZ welcoming the guests and conveying her messages. Ms. Liz Brown, Secretary of the UN Women NC Aotearoa NZ introduced the distinguished speakers who presented perspectives and insights on the theme “Women and Democracy” for this year’s International Women’s Day. The speakers are: Hon. Jo Goodhew, Minister of Women’s Affairs; Ms. Lynn McKenzie, Zonta International President, the very first New Zealander to be elected to the position and keynote speaker; and Dame Anne Salmond, 2013 New Zealander of the Year and Distinguished Professor of Maori Studies and Anthropology at the University of Auckland. Ms. Agnes Espineda, President of Zonta Club of Wellington gave the closing remarks. The annual International Women’s Day Breakfast at the Parliament provides an excellent platform and valuable opportunity for highlighting women’s perspectives on development, commitment, and advancement across all sectors, levels and aspects of life in New Zealand. |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| DBP, Maynilad sign P6-B loan accord for sewerage system project | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: https://www.devbnkphl.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| State-owned
Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Maynilad Water
Services, Inc. (MWSI) signed last March 31 a P6-billion term loan
agreement that will partially finance the first stage of the
Paranaque-Las Pinas Sewerage System. With funding provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under its Environmental Development Project (EDP), the project involves the construction of a sewage treatment plant and sewer collection system and will adopt a combined sewerage network with sewage interceptors to capture sewage from the drainage of the two cities prior to discharge to the Paranaque River. It will improve sanitary conditions and elevate the living standards of more than 400,000 residents of the two cities and will also contribute to efforts to improve the water quality of Manila Bay and its tributaries. The initiative is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project. It is part of MWSI’s commitment to establish sewage treatment plants with a total capacity of 435 million liters per day and which will serve about 1.8 million people within its concession area. The proposed Paranaque-Las Pinas sewerage facility will initially contribute 77 million liters per day to the total capacity. |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mison tightens enforcement of hold departure orders | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.immigration.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Immigration
Commissioner Siegfred B. Mison yesterday reaffirmed that persons
especially listed as prohibited from leaving the country will be
prevented from doing so, even as he assured that each individual’s
legal rights will be respected. Mison said the BI will continue to strictly enforce derogatory orders against persons such as hold departure order (HDO), blacklist order (BLO), and alert list order (ALO) pursuant to its mandate under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940. Mison’s assertion came in the wake of outcry from groups that a number of high-profile individuals implicated in major criminal cases have been allowed to leave the country. Any person whose name is in the hold departure list shall be denied departure. If the person is a subject of a warrant of arrest, he or she shall be turned-over to the Philippine National Police (PNP) or the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). If the person is a subject of a pending deportation case, his or her passport shall be confiscated and turned over to the legal division. A foreign national whose name is in the blacklist shall not be denied departure provided that there is no other derogatory record against him. Otherwise, the foreign national and his passport shall be referred to the Intelligence Division who shall eventually turn over the subject and his or her passport to the legal division for implementation of the deportation. Mison also said he requires immigration officers to prepare within 24 hours a detailed incident report on any failed attempt to depart as a result of an enforcement of a hold order, blacklist or alert order. |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 2014 Chemical Engineer Licensure Examination results released in One (1) working day | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.prc.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| The
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 242 out of
438 passed the Chemical Engineer Licensure Examination given by the
Board of Chemical Engineering in Manila this April 2014. The members of the Board of Chemical Engineering are Engr. Ofelia V. Bulaong, Chairman; Engr. Francisco A. Arellano and Engr. Jeffrey G. Mijares, Members. Registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will be on April 28 & 29, 2014. Those who will register are required to bring the following: duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, current Community Tax Certificate (cedula), 1 piece passport size picture (colored with white background and complete nametag), 2 sets of metered documentary stamps and 1 short brown envelope with name and profession and to pay the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2014-2017. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals. The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees in the said examination WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER. |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| PDIC advises borrowers of Gulf Bank (Rural Bank of Lingayen) to pay their obligations | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.pdic.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| The
Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC), the Receiver of the
closed Gulf Bank (Rural Bank of Lingayen, Inc.), reminded borrowers
of the bank to continue to pay their loans and transact only with
authorized PDIC representatives. In a statement, PDIC advised borrowers of the Gulf Bank to pay their loans and other obligations directly at any Philippine National Bank (PNB) Branch under account name, PDIC FAO BURL GULF BANK. The Receiver cautioned borrowers that it has discontinued the engagement of the bank’s collectors. PDIC has not engaged any person to collect the loans of the bank. To ensure proper recording of payments made by borrowers, it further advised borrowers to keep copies of the PNB Deposit/Payment Slips. The Receiver emphasized that only payments with validated PNB Deposit/Payment Slips shall be considered valid payments. Official receipts will be issued by PDIC upon validation of payments. For proper accounting of their payments, borrowers who do not receive their official receipts are advised to send a copy of their deposit slips by mail to the Deputy Receiver for loans Mary Ann C. Crisostomo at the PDIC Office, 5th Floor, SSS Bldg., Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino St., Makati City or send via e-mail to Ms. Crisostomo at mccrisostomo@pdic.gov.ph or to Ms. Bettina Acosta at bnacosta@pdic.gov.ph. The Monetary Board (MB) placed the Gulf Bank under the receivership of the PDIC by virtue of MB Resolution No. 543 dated April 3, 2014. As Receiver, PDIC took over the bank on April 4, 2014. Upon takeover, all bank records were gathered, verified and validated. Gulf Bank is a five-unit rural bank with Head Office located at No. 3 Avenida Rizal East St., Lingayen, Pangasinan. Its branches are located in Alaminos, Dagupan City and Mangatarem in Pangasinan; and in Baguio City. Borrowers of the bank may also communicate with the PDIC – Loans Management Department I at (02) 841-4982 or 841-4764. Queries may also be sent through email at pad@pdic.gov.ph. |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Statement of the Office of the Vice President on the motorist who tried to overtake President Aquino's convoy last week | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://ovp.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vice President
Jejomar C. Binay urges authorities to file the appropriate charges
against Jeffrey Roxas-Chua for endangering the safety of the
President. The Vice President feels strongly that Roxas-Chua did not only violate traffic laws. This motorist put at risk the safety and security of the President and the members of his official family. His reckless actions should not be condoned or allowed to go unpunished. The Office of the Vice President reiterates its statement last week that the Vice President does not know Roxas-Chua, and the Presidential Security Group did the right thing in apprehending this name-dropping motorist. JOEY SALGADO Spokesperson and Head, Media Affairs Division |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| DOTC and Megawide-GMR signs 17.52 BN Mactgan Cebu International Airport contract | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://ppp.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department
of Transportation and Communications and Megawide Construction
Corp.- GMR-India signed today the Php 17.52 billion contract for the
construction of a new passenger terminal for the Mactan-Cenu
International Airport (MCIA). This is the 7th PPP project under the
Aquino administration and is the first airport project of the DOTC
under a PPP arrangement. PPP Center Executive Director Cosette V. Canilao expressed great satisfaction over the signing of the MCIA contract. “This is a long time coming. We worked very hard to reach this moment. We know that the decision to stand by the results of the bidding process and defend what is true will prevail. We are very happy with today’s signing,” she said. Played by the rules Srinivas Bommidala of GMR welcomed the signing, saying that both GMR and its partner Megawide placed their best effort into the bidding process. Bommidala added that, “We played according to the rules of the game. We firmly believe that Cebu province … will see a positive economic impact from the modernization of the Cebu airport. I would like to assure you, and the people of Cebu and the stakeholders concerned that the consortium of GMR and Megawide is fully equipped complete this prestigious project.” The GMR chair for airports emphasized that the MCIA will be commercially viable and will reflect the culture and heritage of the Cebuano. Great passenger experience Michael Cosiquien chair and CEO of Megawide Construction Corp. said, “We are here also to settle the 14.4 billion upfront payment that we offered to the Philippine government to build the MCIA, which is ahead of the deadline set. We are fulfilling our obligation much earlier than required under the law to show our commitment to the project.” Earlier, the Megawide-GMR consortium received flack about the initial design of the MCIA released to the public. Cosiquien said that they are collaborating with internationally known Cebuano designers, who will be instrumental in building the MCIA and “which Filipinos can be proud of and Cebuanos can call their own. Truly, the daang matuwid works,” Cosiquien said. Nigel Paul Villarete, General Manager of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority expressed optimism that despite the challenges that the project faced the country will reap great rewards in terms of economic development. The work ahead Under the concession agreement, Megawide-GMR will construct a new passenger terminal and its related infrastructure, construct the terminal’s apron, renovate and expand the existing terminal, install the required instruments and IT facilities necessary to its operations and operate and maintain the terminal for the next 25 years. Construction of the airport is expected to start on January 2015. Meanwhile, Megawide-GMR is expected to work on the airport’s detailed engineering and design based on the prescribed standards and specifications, which the DOTC will approve. |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| PRC postpones May 2014 Licensure Examination for Certified Public Accountants | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.prc.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manila, April
21, 2014 --- The Professional Regulation Commission announces the
postponement of the Board Licensure Examination for Certified Public
Accountants (BLECPA) originally set on May 11-12 and 18-19, 2014. The Board of Accountancy recommended the postponement and rescheduling of the licensure exam due to the vacancies in the board leaving only two active members of the seven-member board therefore rendering the Board short of the requirement for a quorum to validly perform its duties and functions, specifically in the formulation and extraction of test items, conduct of the examination proper and releasing of the results. PRC Resolution No. 832 series of 2014 sought to indefinitely postpone and reschedule the BLECPA until the new members of the Board have been duly appointed and qualified. Republic Act 9298, otherwise known as the “Philippine Accountancy Act of 2004”, provides that the attendance of four (4) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum to officially transact business. |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yolanda-affected farmers reap P1-B in gov't aid | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| In line with
the government’s continuing post-calamity rebuilding and
rehabilitation efforts, the Aquino administration—through the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM)—has released P1.05 billion
to the Department of Agriculture (DA) to support various projects
under the Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) program,
particularly those that will help affected farmers recover from the
super typhoon.Sourced from the FY 2013 Supplemental
Appropriations, the fund release will allow the DA to implement
clearing and desilting operations in Yolanda-stricken regions, as
well as provide farm tools, seeds, tractors, fertilizers, and farm
machinery fuel subsidies to farmers in Regions IV-B (MIMAROPA), V
(Bicol Region), VI (Western Visayas), VII (Central Visayas), and IX
(Zamboanga Peninsula). The breakdown of the program components are as follows:
“The Administration and affected local governments are thus working together to ensure that we make a good deal of progress in our post-calamity efforts in Yolanda-stricken areas. With the fund release, the DA can give our farmers the help they need in recouping their losses and successfully rebuilding their livelihoods,” he added. According to the DA, damages to the agriculture sector amounted to P31.1 billion as of March 2014. This includes production losses of P27.07 billion in crops, fisheries, and livestock, as well as infrastructure losses—including irrigation systems and facilities—of P4.06 billion. “We know that there is much work to be done, however, in restoring normalcy and economic stability in agricultural communities destroyed by Yolanda. Through RAY, the Administration can mobilize the necessary post-disaster aid to affected regions to complement our disaster preparation initiatives. “Ultimately, we also hope to reinforce a culture of social and economic resiliency in the face of calamities. We can’t control the fact that the country will always be prone to severe weather disturbances. We can, however, take concrete steps in improving our disaster risk and climate change management strategy. We’re doing exactly that,” the budget chief said. To date, the DBM has released a total of P5.21 billion for the agriculture component of the rehabilitation program. The budget department also reported that as of March 10, P26 billion has already been mobilized for post-disaster projects and activities in areas affected by typhoon Yolanda. |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| GSIS reduces paper requirements for claims | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.gsis.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Members,
pensioners and other claimants of the Government Service Insurance
System (GSIS) will now find it easier to comply with documentary
requirements in filing for their social insurance benefits after the
pension fund reduced the number of forms that have to be
accomplished and submitted. Around one to seven documents were weeded out from the previous set of GSIS requirements for retirement/separation benefit, life claim, funeral benefit, survivorship benefit, preneed claims, employees' compensation, request for check replacement, check releasing and over-the-counter (OTC) loans granting. "For instance, we no longer require three separate clearances from the Office of the Ombudsman, Civil Service Commission and Office of the President from the retiring member," GSIS President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara explained. Individually securing clearances from the said government offices proved to be burdensome to the retiring member, both physically and financially. At the Civil Service Commission alone, an estimated 14,000 retiring government employees lined up to request for clearances in September 2013. The revised guidelines of Republic Act 10154 also known as "An Act Requiring All Concerned Government Agencies to Ensure the Early Release of the Retirement Pay, Pensions, Gratuities and other Benefits of Retiring Government Employees" addressed this by having retiring members submit a single document called the Declaration of Pendency/Non-Pendency of Case. Retired members who submitted their fully-accomplished retirement application forms are required to submit the Declaration of Pendency/Non-Pendency of Case after receiving a call from the GSIS requesting them to do so. The declaration serves as the requirement for the release of retirement proceeds through eCrediting. It must be dated or notarized on or after the date of the call from GSIS. For life claim and survivorship benefits, the same set of clearances was also eliminated. "Filling out excessive forms is time-consuming and most of the time, costly. Reducing the required documents is one way of curbing red tape that slows down the processing of claims," Vergara said. "For the GSIS, the reduced list of documentary requirements also means fewer documents to review and records to store," the pension fund chief added. Claimants may file at any GSIS branch nationwide. Only original copies of the documents will be accepted and processed. Here is the revised list of documentary requirements. |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| GSIS extends H.E.L.P to 5 more Yolanda-hit areas | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.gsis.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Government
Service Insurance System (GSIS) announced today that GSIS members
either living or working in Escalante City in Negros Occidental,
Malay in Aklan, Dingle in Iloilo, Mahaplag in Leyte, and Sta. Rita
in Samar may now apply for the Home Emergency Loan Program (HELP)
until April 30, 2014. HELP, a one-time special loan program, aims to enable GSIS members to rebuild their homes in communities that were hardest hit by super typhoon Yolanda. Under the program, the maximum loan amount that members may borrow is based on their total length of service. Those with less than five years of service may borrow Php30,000; while those with five years but less than 10 years of service may borrow up to Php100,000. Members who have been serving in government for 10 years or more are entitled to a loan of Php200,000. The loan is payable in 10 years and bears an interest rate of six percent. The approval of the agency authorized officer (AAO) is required to process the loan. For more inquiries on HELP, members may call the GSIS contact center at 847.4747. |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
No comments:
Post a Comment