Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Dispatch for June 26 , 2014 ( Wednesday ) , 7 Weather Watch , 2 Reg’l. Watch , 1 OFW Watch , 1 PNOY Speech , 18 Online News , 20 Photonews ( June 25)


 

24-Hour Public Weather Forecast

Issued at 5:00 a.m., 26 June 2014
Valid beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow

24-hr Mean Sea Level Pressure
Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind
Analysis for 8 a.m., 26 June 2014		 24-hr Mean Sea Level StreamliSEs
Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind 
Analysis for 8 a.m., 26 June 2014
Satellite Image

Satellite Image 
 

Synopsis:

At 4:00 AM today, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 390 km east of Borongan, Eastern Samar (11.3ºN, 129.3ºE).

Forecast:  

Visayas, the Regions of Bicol, Caraga and Northern Mindanao will have cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. MIMAROPA, Calabarzon and the rest of Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds coming from the southwest will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Light to moderate winds blowing from the southwest to west will prevail over Visayas and Mindanao with slight to moderate seas





Weather Watch
3 hours ago
PAGASA weather forecaster Samuel Duran on DZMM:
-Dahil sa pinagsamang epekto ng LPA at Habagat, asahan ang hanggang sa kung minsa'y malakas na pag-ulan sa mga bahagi ng bansa.
-Huling namataan ang LPA sa layong 390 kilometro silangan ng Borongan, Eastern Samar kaninang 4AM.
-50-50 pa rin ang tsansa na maging bagyo itong LPA.
-Asahan natin ang buong Kabisayaan, Kabikulan, CARAGA region at Hilagang Mindanao ay makakaranas ng katamtaman hanggang sa kung minsa'y malakas na pag-ulan na maaaring magdulot ng pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa.
-Mahina hanggang katamtamang pag-ulan naman ang aasahan sa MIMAROPA at CALABARZON.
-Posibleng mahagip na ang Metro Manila ng pag-ulan sa mga susunod na araw.




Weather Watch
13 hours ago
PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Nakaranas ng lindol ang iba't ibang bahagi ng lalawigan ng Batangas. Tinatayang nasa 5.7 ang magnitude ng lindol at walang anumang senyales na magkakaroon ng tsunami, ayon sa OCD.
 
 
 
 
Weather Watch
13 hours ago
ANC: Naramdaman ang magnitude 5.7 na lindol sa mga probinsya ng Luzon. Nataranta ang mga residente sa Calatagan, Batangas kung saan sinasabing naitala ang epicenter ng lindol. Hindi muna sila bumalik sa kanilang bahay dahil sa inaasahang aftershocks.



Weather Watch
13 hours ago
PHIVOLCS Seismologist Ishmael Narag on DZBB:
Re: 5.7 magnitude earthquake
-Kaninang 7:52 (pm) ay nagkaroon tayo ng lindol na naramdaman sa malawak na lugar kasama na ang Metro Manila and we have reports as far as Malolos, Bulacan.
-'Yung intensity report umaabot siya ng mga intensity 5 sa lugar ng Puerto Galera dala na ito ng magnitude nung event na magnitude 5.7
-'Yung lindol ay medyo off shore ng Calatagan, Batangas at matatagpuan din sa may Lubang Island and offshore ng Mindoro Island.
-Meron diyang earthquake generator 'yung Lubang fault so far 'yun 'yung na-identify namin na nagdulot ng lindol na ito.
-Ang deskripsyon sa amin naggalawan ang mga computer monitor. So, umaabot ng mga intensity 4 'yung mga ganoong event.
-Medyo may kalakasan 'yun, kung medyo naiidlip kayo or natutulog medyo magigising kayo.
-'Yung felt intensity 'yung duration niya less than 10 seconds na naramdaman dito sa area ng Quezon City.
-Hindi naman namin ini-expect na magkaroon ng tsunami for this event.
-However, magnitude 5.7 ito, anything higher than magnitude 5 pwedeng mag-generate ng mga aftershock. So, 'yung mga lugar na malapit sa epicenter ng lindol maaaring makaramdam pa ng mga dagdag na pagyanig.
-Doon sa report na nakukuha pa lang namin mga intensity 5, normally mga intensity 6 'yung puwedeng damaging.
-Kapag intensity 6 'yun 'yung mga bahay na medyo luma o hindi maganda ang pagkakagawa. So far wala pa kaming nare-receive na ganoong information.
-Most likely magkakaroon pa ito ng mga sunod-sunod na aftershock.
-Normally ang aftershock hindi siya mas malaki.
-May tumawag na po na taga-Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa saka taga Makati, ang deskripsyon din sa amin marami sa mga gamit nilang naggalawan.
-Sa mga ganoong pagkakataon atleast mga intensity 4 'yung intensity rating sa ganoong klaseng description.



Weather Watch shared a link.
14 hours ago
2014_0625_1152
www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYPHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF VOLCANOLOGY AND SEISMOLOGY EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION NO. : 1 PHIVOLCS Bldg, C.P. Garcia Avenue, U.P.- Diliman, Quezon City, PHILIPPINES Tel.: 426-1468...



Weather Watch
14 hours ago
PHIVOLCS Dir. Renato Solidum on DZBB:
Re: Earthquake in Metro Manila and near by provinces
-Yung lindol ang initial computation 7:52 ng gabi nangyari at ang initial magnitude calculation ay magnitude 5.7 bandang Mindoro ang sentro.
-Ang pinakamataas na intensity na nai-report sa atin ay sa Puerto Galera na intensity 5.
-Dito sa Bulacan ay ibang bahagi ng Metro Manila, sa Malolos ay 4, Quezon City ay intensity 3.
-So, 'yung mga 4 naman na intensity ay hindi naman damaging.
-Sa 5 wala pa rin kaming ini-expect na damage although 'yung iba sigurong residente mas ramdam.
-Gumalaw po ang isang fault baka either Lubang fault or Manila trench.
-Magkalapit lang sila at yung isa lang mas malalim.








PIA Regional Watch
19 hours ago
PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Nagsasagawa ng pay-out ngayong araw sa bayan ng Cuenca, Lemery, Rosario, San Luis at Tuy para sa mga benepisaryo ng 4P's sa mga nabanggit na bayan na layong maiangat ang antas ng pamumuhay ng mga mahihirap at matutukan ang aspetong pangkalusugan at edukasyon.
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PIA Regional Watch
19 hours ago
PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Nagsagawa ng Ugnayan sa Barangay Mabalor, Ibaan ang pamahalaang lokal upang magkaloob ng mga serbisyo na mapakinabangan ng mga residente tulad ng medical dental mission, pagtubos ng cedula, pamimigay ng farm inputs at marami pang iba.




PIA OFW Watch
23 hours ago
DFA spokesman Asec Charles Jose on DZMM:
-Sa Libya, nakataas pa rin po ang alert level 3. Ibig sabihin po ay voluntary repatriation.
-Almost 300 na po ang napauwi nating mga kababayan.
-May deployment ban po tayong ipinatutupad.

-Sa Iraq naman po, alert level 4 pa rin po na may mandatory repatriation.
-Karamihan naman po ay nasa safe zone. Out of mga 900 Pinoys, nasa 100 lang po ang nasa Baghdad area at doon po tayo nakatutok.
 
 
 







 
President Aquino weighs in on price hikes
 
(HIROSHIMA, Japan) President Benigno S. Aquino III has said he continues to mobilize concerned government agencies to come up with “definitive answers” as to what is causing the recent spike in the prices of various commodities, among them rice and garlic.

President Aquino told the Philippine media delegation on board a chartered flight from Tokyo to Hiroshima on Tuesday that a meeting has been scheduled, either this week or next week, to discuss this particular matter.

The President said he would like to find out whether the effects of typhoons ‘Yolanda’ and ‘Santi’ last year, as well as the country’s territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea have factored in the reported shortage on rice and other commodities.

“Ano ba ang epekto talaga ‘non? Nagka-delay ba, et cetera… ‘Yung laban natin—laban sa Spratlys—ay nagpapataas ba ng presyo? We need definitive answers,” President Aquino told reporters.

“There will be a meeting, perhaps this week—if not, at the latest by next week—che-check-in rin ‘yung (presyo), especially rice, pati na rin sa garlic to determine exactly what is causing this price spike or price spikes.”

In the interim, President Aquino said the country has imported 800,000 metric tons of rice, given the expected shortfall during the lean months of June and July, and 12,000 of that figure already came in.

He had also tasked the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) about a month or two ago to check whether it is possible to use satellite imagery to determine arable lands devoted to planting rice and their tonnage per hectare capacity to get a real and accurate picture of the rice supply situation.

The National Food Authority (NFA) has already doubled its normal supply of rice to ensure that there is adequate stock in the market to avoid panic buying among consumers, as this might further induce price increases.

President Aquino said he was informed that only the well-milled rice showed very significant spike in prices and not the low-end ones, thus, it is not accurate to say that a vast majority has been affected by this situation.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. earlier reported that the prices of regular milled and well-milled rice of the NFA remain at 27 pesos and 32 pesos per kilogram respectively, while the prices of premium or commercial well-milled rice range from 40 pesos to 50 pesos per kilo.

Coloma has also given repeated assurances that the government will not let any irregularity over the supply and price of basic commodities to continue and will go after those who are behind it. PND (hdc)
TOP
Reforms ongoing in police, military to ensure public safety, says Aquino
 
(HIROSHIMA, Japan) President Benigno S. Aquino III said reforms are being made in the country's law enforcement system, as well as in the military to ensure public security.

In an interview with members of the Philippine media on Tuesday, the President said that while there are concerns on the way the police do their jobs, they also have many achievements.

One of the reforms in the police force is increasing the number of policemen patrolling the streets, he said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is training 15,000 policemen who were previously tied up with clerical work especially in Camp Crame. Office work will be taken over by civilian employees, he said.

The government is also working to fix problems in the pension of the police and the military because this is a major stumbling block in hiring of more policemen and soldiers, he said.

One of the laws on pension reforms is now in Congress, he noted.

The President emphasized the need to increase the number of policemen and soldiers, saying that the figure has remained at 250,000 since the 1986 EDSA People Power revolution.

To make communities safer, the ideal policeman to civilian ratio is 1 to 500, he said.

There is also massive funding for both the police and the military, which is called “shoot, scoot, and communicate,” he said, adding that the government is investing on transportation— motorcycles, vans and trucks— as well as communication systems for both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the PNP for them to be more effective.

The police is also regularly conducting checkpoints and stepping up their operations against unlicensed firearms, he said.

The Chief Executive further reported developments in recent sensational killings. He said several arrests have been made in connection with the murders of Pangasinan Mayor Ernesto Balolong and hotel owner Richard King.

The police is also pursuing a number of leads in the murder of car racer Ferdinand Pastor, he said. PND (as)
TOP
President Aquino pays respect to victims of wartime Japan
 
(HIROSHIMA, Japan) President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday paid his respects to the Japanese victims of World War II at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, referred to by the locals as the Atomic Bomb Dome.

The President’s trip to the historic site served as his last stop during his one-day working visit to Japan. He was welcomed by Hiroshima City Mayor Kazumi Matsui and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum director Kenji Shiga.

Hiroshima was one of two Japanese cities destroyed when allied forces led by the United States dropped atomic bombs during the final stages of World War II in 1945.

Reflecting on that dark chapter in the world history, President Aquino said in his speech at the Consolidation for Peace for Mindanao Conference, “The tragedy that was the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, seven decades later, only reminds us of the futile results of conflict, and impress upon us the collective responsibility we hold in defending the rights of our respective peoples to live not only without fear, but to live in a world where peace is a shared reality by all nations.”

President Aquino offered a floral wreath and silent prayers at the Memorial Cenotaph, which was built in honor of the hundreds of thousands of people who were directly and indirectly killed by the explosion.

The President was then guided to a tour of the museum. He was given a copy of the Peace Declaration by Mayor Matsui before he signed the Museum Guestbook, signaling the end of the tour.

President Aquino left Hiroshima later than expected at about 8:45 p.m. and arrived in Manila at around midnight. PND (hdc)
TOP
President Aquino returns home after fruitful Japan trip
 
(HIROSHIMA, Japan) President Benigno S. Aquino III returned to Manila Tuesday night following his one-day working visit to Japan, where he met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo, addressed a peace seminar and visited a memorial for wartime victims in Hiroshima.

During their meeting, President Aquino and Prime Minister Abe exchanged views on current developments in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) and the East China Sea.

The President said the Philippines wants to advance the defense and security dialogue with Japan to boost its cooperation with its closest Asian strategic ally.

He noted that the agreement with Japan will not necessarily be similar to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States, but it will address the Philippines’ needs during emergencies.

On the West Philippine Sea issue, the President told his Japanese counterpart about the Philippines' move to push for the strict observance of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, to which claimant countries and China agreed in 2002.

He expressed hope that the ASEAN and China immediately agree on a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

After the summit meeting, President Aquino proceeded to Hiroshima to address the Consolidation for Peace for Mindanao Conference, where he renewed his commitment to bring lasting peace to Southern Philippines after the signing of an accord with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front last March.

He said his administration will work hard to ensure an orderly and democratic election in Mindanao in 2016.

At the same time, he thanked the countries and organizations that helped the Philippine government and the MILF agree on a peace pact. He expressed his gratitude to the US, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Norway, Libya, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, and the European Union.

He also thanked the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for its continuing efforts for development and stability in Mindanao.

After the conference, the President led a wreath-laying ceremony at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to remember the victims of the nuclear attack in Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.

The President and his delegation left Hiroshima at about 8:45 p.m. and arrived in Manila at midnight. PND (as)
TOP
 


 
OPS2007-ban-balita.jpg (34469 bytes)
Hinarap ng Pangulong Aquino ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin
 
HIROSHIMA, Hapon—Pinakilos ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang mga kinauukulang ahensiya ng pamahalaan upang “ibigay ang tiyakang sagot” kung bakit tumaas kamakailan ang halaga ng mga bilihin sa bansa, kabilang na ang bigas at bawang.

Sinabi ng Pangulong Aquino sa delegasyon ng media na sakay ng chartered flight mula Tokyo patungo rito sa Hiroshima Martes na pagpupulungan ang bagay na ito sa susunod na ilang araw.

Ayon sa Pangulo, ibig niyang malaman kung ang epekto ng mga bagyonbg Yolanda at Santi noong nakalipas na taon, gayundin ang paghahabol ng bansa sa teritoryo sa West Philippine Sea may kinalaman sa umano ay kakapusan sa bigas at iba pang paninda.

“Ano ba talaga ang epekto noon? Nakabalam ba? Iyong laban natin sa Spratlys, nagpapataas ba ng presyo? Kailangan natin ang mga tiyakang sagot,” sabi ng Pangulo sa mga reporter.

“Magkakaroon ng pulong, malamang ngayong linggong ito o dili kaya, sa susunod na linggo. Aalamin din ang tungkol sa presyo, lalo na ng bigas, pati na bawang para malaman kung anong talaga ang dahilan ng pagtaas ng presyo ng mga ito,” wika pa ng Pangulo.

Kaugnay nito, sinabi ng Pangulo na umangkat na ang bansa ng 800,000 metrika toneladang bigas bilang paghahanda sa buwan ng Hunyo at Hulyo at dumating na ang 12,000 metrika tonelada ng inangkat na ito.

Inatasan din ng Pangulo ang Kagawaran ng Agham at Teknolohiya mga dalawang buwan na ang nakalilipas na alamin kung paano magagamit ang satellite imagery para matukoy ang mga lupaing palay lamang ang itinatanim at kung gaano ang inaani sa bawa’t ektarya nito upang makuha natin ang tamang kalagayan ng bigas sa ating bansa.

Pinag-ibayo rin ng National Food Authority (NFA) ang bigas nito para matiyak na may sapat na madadala sa mga pamilihan kung kailangan at maiwasan ang panic buying ng mga tao na baka maging dahilan pa ng lalong pagtaas ng halaga ng bigas.

Sinabi ng Pangulo na ayon sa ulat sa kanya, ang tumaas lamang ang halaga ay ang well-milled rice at hindi ang karaniwang bigas kaya hindi naman karamihan ay apektado nito.

Alinsunod kay Kalihim Herminio Coloma, Jr. ng Presidential Communictions Operations Office, ang halaga ng bigas ng NFA ay nananatiling P27 isang kilo ng regular at P32 naman isang kilo ng well-milled rice nito. Ang komersiyal na bigas naman ay mula sa P40 hanggang P50 isang kilo.

Ulit-ulit na tiniyak ni Coloma sa madla na hindi pahihintulutan ng pamahalaan ang ano mang katiwalian tungkol sa supply at halaga ng mga pangunahing kailangan ng taong bayan at tinitiyak niyang uusigin ang mga taong nasa likuran ng ano mang katiwalian. PND (hdc/zaf)
Patuloy ang reporma sa pulisya at militar, sabi ng Pangulo upang matiyak ang kaligtaan ng sambayanan
 
(HIROSHIMA, Hapon) Patuloy ang mga repormang ginagawa sa larangan ng pagpapatupad ng mga batas ng bansa, gayundin sa militar upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng sambayanan, sabi ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino sa panayam ng media rito Martes.

Sinabi ng Pangulo na puspusan at maraming nagagawa ang mga pulis sa pagtupad ng kanilang tungkuling pangalagaan ang kaayusang pambayan, bagaman may pumupuna pa rin sa ilang alagad ng batas.

“Isa sa mga reporma sa pulisya ngayon ay ang bilang ng mga pulis na pumapatrulya sa mga lansangan,” sabi ng Pangulong Aquino.

“Sinasanay ng Pambansang Pulisya (PNP) ngayon ang 15,000 pulis na dati-rating ang ginagawa ay clerical work o sa loob ng mga opisina lamang, lalo na sa Kampo Crame. Mga kawaning sibilyan na ang gumagawa ng dati nilang trabaho,” dugtong pa ng Pangulo.

Ayon sa Pangulo, pinagtutuunan nang pansin ng pamahalaan ang suliranin sa pensiyon ng mga pulis at tauhan ng militar dahil ito ay nagiging malaking balakid sa pagkuha ng mga bagong pulis o kawal man.

Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na kailangang dagdagan ang pulis at mga kawal sapagka’t mula noong 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, hanggang sa kasalukuyan, 250,000 pa rin ang bilang ng ating mga pulis at kawal.

“Upang matiyak ang pangangalaga sa lahat ng komunidad, kailangang sa bawa’t 500 mamamayan, isang pulis ang nakatalaga bilang bantay,” pahayag pa ng Pangulo.

Idinugtong ng Pangulo na kailangan ang malaking pondo para sa pulis at mga kawal na tinatawag na shoot, scoot and communicate. Ito ang dahilan kaya pinagtutuunan ng pansin ng pamahalaan ang trasportasyon—mga motorsiklo, trak at vans, gayundin ang mga gamit sa komunikasyon ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas (AFP) at Pambansang Pulisya (PNP) para maging higit na mabisa ang pagtupad nila sa kanilang mga tungkulin.

Binanggit din ng Pangulo ang regular na checkpoints at puspusang operasyon ng pulisya upang mahuli ang mga walang lisensiyang mga sandata.

Iniulat pa ng Pangulo na ang nadakip na ang mga pinaghihinalaang pumaslang kina Alkalde Ernesto Balolong ng Pangasinan at ni Richard King, may-ari ng otel.

Puspusan rin ang pulisya sa pagsisikap na madakip ang mga pumaslang kay Ferdinand Pastor, isang car racer. PND (as/zaf)
Nagpugay ang Pangulong Aquino sa mga biktima ng digmaan sa Hapon
 
(HIROSHIMA, Hapon) Pinagpugayan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III Martes ang mga Hapones na biktima ng Ika-2 Digmaang Pandaigdig sa pamamagitan ng pagtungo sa Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park na ang tawag ng mga tagarito ay "Atomic Bomb Dome."

Ang pagtungo ng Pangulo sa makasaysayang libingan ay huli sa mga pinuntahan niya kaugnay ng isang araw na working visit sa Hapon. Sinalubong ang Pangulo ni Alkalde Kazumi Matsui ng Lungsod ng Hiroshima at ni Direktor Kenji Shiga ng Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

Ang Hiroshima ay isa sa dalawang lungsod ng Hapon na nawasak nang bagsakan ng bomba atomika ng magkakapanalig na bansa sa pangunguna ng Estados Unidos noong mga huling yugto ng Ika-2 Digmaang Pandaigdig noong 1945.

“Ang trahedya sa pagbomba sa Hiroshima at Nagasaki pitong dekada na ang nakalilipas ay nagpapagunita sa atin ng pinsalang ibinubunga ng mga sigalot at nagbibigy-diin sa sama-sama nating pananagutang ipagsanggalang ang mga karapatan ng mga mamamayan natin para makapamuhay hindi lamang nang walang takot, kundi mabuhay sa isang daigdig kung saan ang kapayapaan ay isang katotohanang sama-samang binibigyang katuparan ng lahat ng mga bansa,” sabi ng Pangulong Aquino sa talumpati niya sa Consolidation for Peace for Mindanao Conference bilang paggunita sa naturang kahila-hilakbot na yugto ng kasaysayan ng daigdig.

Nag-alay ang Pangulong Aquino ng bulaklak at panalangin sa Memorial Cenotaph na itinayo upang alalahanin ang daan-daang libong mamamayang tuwiran o hindi man ay nasawi dahil sa ibinagsak na bomba atomika.

Pagkatapos ng panalangin, ang Pangulo ay ginabayan sa pagligid sa museo. Sinundan ito ng pagbibigay sa kanya ng Deklarasyon ng Kapayapaan ni Alkalde Matsui bago lumagda sa Museum Guestbook na hudyat na tapos na ang tour niya sa Museo.

Nilisan ng Pangulong Aquino ang Hiroshima at nakatakdang umuwi ika-8:45 ng gabi. Mga dakong hating-gabi na inaasahang lalapag sa Maynila ang eroplanong sinasakyan ng Pangulo at ng kanyang delegasyon. PND (zaf/hdc)
Umuwi na ang Pangulong Aquino pagkaraan ng mabungang biyahe sa Hapon
 
(HIROSHIMA, Hapon) Umuwi na ang Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa Maynila Martes ng gabi pagkatapos ng isang araw na working visit sa Hapon kung saan nakapulong niya ang Punong Ministro Shinzo Abe sa Tokyo, magtalumpati sa isang peace seminar at dalawin ang puntod na alaala sa pupung libong mga nasawi sa ibinagsak na bomba atomika sa Hiroshima noong Ika-2 Digmaang Pandaigdig.

Nagpalitang kuro ang Pangulong Aquino at ang Punong Ministro Abe tungkol sa mga kasalukuyang nagaganap sa West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) at East China Sea.

Sinabi ng Pangulo na nais ng Pilipinas na pag-usapan ang tungkol sa tanggulan at kapanatagan para higit na maisulong ang kooperasyon sa pinakamalapit na kapanalig sa Asya.

Idinugtong niya na ang kasunduan sa Hapon ay hindi naman kailangang makatulad ng Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sa Estados Unidos, subali’t makatutugon sa mga pangangailangan ng Pilipinas sa mga panahon ng kagipitan.

Tungkol sa isyu ng West Philippine Sea, sinabi ng Pangulo sa pinuno ng Hapon na isusulong ng bansa ang mahigpit na pagsunod sa Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea na ang mga bansang umaangkin, gayundin ang Tsina ay pumayag noong 2002.

Nagpahayag ng pag-asa ang Pangulo na sasang-ayon agad ang ASEAN at Tsina sa pag-alinsunod sa Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

Pagkatapos ng summit meeting, tumuloy na ang Pangulong Aquino sa Hiroshima para magtalumpati sa Consolidation for Peace for Mindanao Conference kung saan inulit niya ang kanyang pangakong paghahatid ng walang hanggang kapayapaan sa Katimugang Pilipinas matapos lagdaan ang kasunduan sa Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) noong Marso.

Ayon sa Pangulo, sisikapin ng administrasyon niya na magkaroon ng mapayapa at demokratikong halalan sa Mindanao sa 2016.

Kaalinsabay nito, nagpasalamat ang Pangulo sa mga bansa at mga organisasyong tumulong sa pamahalaang Pilipino at sa MILF para magkasundo sa isang kasunduan sa kapayapaan. Inihayag din niya ang pagtanaw ng utang na loob sa Estados Unidos, Hapon, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesya Norway, Libya, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden at European Union.

Pinasalamatan din ng Pangulo ang Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) sa patuloy na pagsisikap na mapaunlad at maging panatag sa Mindanao.

Pagkaraan ng pulong, pinangunahan ng Pangulo ang pag-aalay ng bulaklak sa Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park na alaala sa daan-daang libong biktima ng pagbabagsak ng bombing atomika sa Hiroshima at Nagasaki noong Ika-2 Digmaang Pandaigdig.

Ika-8:45 ng gabi nang lisanin ng Pangulo at ng kanyang delegasyon ang Hiroshima. Hating-gabi nang dumating sila sa Maynila. PND (as/zaf)
 






 
President Benigno S. Aquino III's Arrival Statement after his visit to Japan
NAIA Terminal 2, Pasay City
24 June 2014
 
Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat, maupo ho tayo.

Secretary Albert del Rosario; Secretary Leila de Lima; Secretary Dinky Soliman; Secretary Jun Abaya; Secretary Ike Ona; Secretary Sonny Coloma; Sec. Pat Licuanan; Chairman Francis Tolentino; Secretary Manny Mamba; Secretary Ronald Llamas; LLDA Chair Nerik Acosta; the Delegation that accompany me today: Secretary Cesar Purisima; Secretary Voltaire Gazmin; Secretary Julia Abad; Edwin Lacierda; the Acting Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gregorio Catapang; His Excellency who sent us off this morning and he's back here this morning, thank you, Ambassador Urabe; Major Service Commanders: Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri; Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado; Vice Admiral Jesse Millan; Police Director General Alan Purisima; honoured guests; fellow workers in government; mga minamahal ko pong kababayan: muli, magandang umaga po.

Nagbabalik po tayo matapos ang ating maikli ngunit talagang makabuluhang pagbisita sa Japan. Tumungo po tayo roon na umaasang makakapag-uwi ng magagandang balita para sa ating mga kababayan. Hindi nga po tayo nabigo sa ating biyahe.

Nakipagpulong po tayo sa kagalang-galang na Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at ibinalita niya sa atin ang maraming positibong resulta ng repormang kanyang itinutulak sa bansang Japan. Ipinagbigay-alam nga po ng Punong Ministro ang pag-alis ng Japan mula sa tinatawag na “deflationary trap” o ang pagbagal ng paglaki ng ekonomiya ng isang bansa. Ibig pong sabihin: kung tuloy-tuloy na muling sisigla ang pambansang ekonomiya ng Japan, lalo nilang mapapalakas ang iba’t ibang sektor at industriyang may direktang pakinabang para sa atin pong sariling mamamayan.

Unang-una riyan ang muling pagsusuri sa mga patakaran at pamantayan para sa pagtanggap ng mga dayuhang manggagawa, partikular na ang ating mga domestic workers, nurses, caregivers para sa ilang stratehikong lugar sa kanila pong bansa. Nangyayari ito sa panahong humaharap sa iba’t ibanghamon ang populasyon ng Japan. Kaakibat nito, binanggit niya ang plano ng Japan na isulong pa ang pagpapalakas sa gender empowerment; kinilala niya ang ating mga natatanging ambag sa larangang ito at ang mga oportunidad na maaari pang buksan para sa ating pong mga kababaihan. Nariyan din po ang pagpapatupad ng Japan ng mga pagsasanay na teknikal at vocational para lalong linangin ang kakayahan ng ating mga manggagawa sa pamamagitan ng mga apprenticeship program.

Dagdag pa: nariyan ang lalong pagpapalakas sa turismo sa pagitan ng ating dalawang bansa. Nagpasalamat nga tayo sa Punong Ministro para sa mga hakbang ng kanyang pamahalaan hinggil sa visa relaxation para sa mga kababayan nating nais bumisita sa bansang Hapon. Ang resulta po nito: mas malakas na ugnayang bumubukal sa pagkakaunawaan at hangaring buksan ang mas maraming pinto ng oportunidad para sa kapwa Pilipino at Hapon, sa pamamagitan ng sektor ng turismo.

Naniniwala po tayo na ang matibay na imprastruktura ay sandigan ng mas malakas na ekonomiya. Kaya naman, nagpaabot din tayo ng pasasalamat sa Punong Ministro para sa pag-aaral na isinagawa ng JICA upang paunlarin ang sistemang transportasyon sa Kalakhang Maynila at mga karatig-bayan. Dagdag pa rito, nangako ang Japan na gumawa ng mas detalyadongpag-aaral para tukuyin kung posible ang isang subway system para sa kalakhang Maynila.

Sa patuloy nga na pag-arangkada ng ating ekonomiya, hindi nga po maikakailang lalong lumalakas ang kumpiyansa ng mga mamumuhunan sa atin. Binanggit nga po ni Prime Minister Abe ang interes ng mga kumpanyang Hapon tulad ngmga nasa automotive industry na magsimula ng manufacturing o magparami ng manufacturing operations sa atin pong bansa. Naging positibo naman ang pagtanaw ng Punong Ministro sa balitang nalalapit nang isabatas ang isang panungkalang maghahatid ng oportunidad para sa mas malaking partisipasyon ng mga banyagang kumpanyasa ating banking industry. Ang konteksto po nito: mas sanay makipag-ugnayan ang mga kumpanyang Hapon sa mga bangko na galing sa kanilang bansa. Sa batas na ito, lalo pang magiging mas mabilis at epektibo ang pagpasok ng puhunan mula po sa kanila patungo sa ating bansa.

Ang lahat nga po ng balitang ito, nangyayari kung kailan nanumbalik ang tiwala sa atin pong mga institusyon, at abot-tanaw na ang kapayapaan sa Mindanao. Sa parehong pakikipagdayalago natin sa Punong Ministro sa Tokyo at pagpunta naman sa Hiroshima para sa kumperensya ng JICA para lalong patatagin ang kapayapaan para sa Bangsamoro, ibinahagi natin kung paanong patuloy tayong nagsisikap. Muli, nagpasalamat tayo sa kanilang mga ambag hindi lang sa pakikiisa na isulong ang usaping pangkapayapaan, kundi maging ang pagpapatupad ng mga proyektong layong itaguyod ang kapayapaan at kolektibong pag-unlad ng Mindanao. Kaugnay nga nito, inimbitahan natin si Prime Minister Abe na dumalo sa Philippine Development Forum na gaganapin ngayong Setyembre sa Davao, kung saan pag-uusapan ang mga hakbang para lalong pasiglahin ang komersyo, industriya, at turismo sa Bangsamoro.

Tinalakay din sa aming pagpupulong ang iba’t ibang aspeto ng ating stratehikong pakikipag-ugnayan sa kanila, at kung paanong lalo pa natin itong mapapaigting sa harap ng mga hamong sumusukat sa paninindigan ng ating dalawang bansa.Nagpahiwatig nga po ng suporta ang Punong Ministro sa ating posisyon para sa mapayapang resolusyon sa mga usaping may-kinalaman sa teritoryo, alinsunod sa international law at di paggamit ng pwersa. Ipinabatid din niya ang hangaring suriin ang posibilidad ng mas maigting na ugnayan sa seguridad at pagsulong ng stabilidad sa ating mga karagatan. Ang hangad po natin: humupa ang mga tensyon samakatwiran at komprehensibong pamamaraan sa tatlong antas—immediate, intermediate, at final approaches. Ito po ang nilatag ng ating bansa.

Sa immediate na antas, isinusulong natin ang moratorium sa mga gawaing direktang nagdudulot ng tensyon. Sa intermediate naman, muli nating inilatag ang panawagan para sa buong pagpapatupad ng ASEAN-China Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea o DOC, at ang agarang pagbubuo ng isang binding Code of Conduct o isang binding COC. Sa final approach naman, naniniwala tayong bibigyang-linaw ng arbitration ang maritime entitlements ng lahat ng partido, na siya naman magiging matibay na basehan para maresolbahan ang maritime disputes para sa kapakanan ng lahat.

Ang paninindigan PO natin: Magagawa natin ito sa patuloy na pagbubuklod at pagdadamayan, at sa pagpiling sabay-sabay na tahakin ang landas ng pag-uunawaan, respeto, at katarungan.

Maikli man ang ating naging pagbisita, bawat minutong inilagi natin sa Japan—mula sa pagpapaigting ng ating ugnayan at paglatag ng panawagan para sa higit pang kapayapaan at stabilidad sa Mindanao o maging sa labas ng ating bansa—ang lahat ng ito, nakatutok sa pagpapabuti sa kapakanan ng ating mga Boss. Tunay po: talagang napakasarap na makipagpulong sa ating mga strategic partners; kitang-kita nga po natin ang positibong bunga ng ating pakikipag-ugnayan sa kanila.

Sa ating pagbalik, kipkip natin ang mas maalab na paninindigang isulong ang interes at kapakanan ng mamamayang Pilipino sa kalakhang lipunan, sa ating rehiyon, at maging sa mas malaking komunidad ng mga bansa.

Muli po, magandang araw po sa lahat, at maraming salamat po.



 
 
INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
DZRB / Balita at Panayam by Allan Allanigue
24 June 2014
 
SEC. COLOMA: … (recording cut) Prime Minister’s residence sa Tokyo, at inaasahang tatalakayin nila ang mga paksang mahalaga sa dalawang bansa. At tandaan natin, Alan, na ang Pilipinas at Japan ay mayroong strategic partnership. Matagal na nating kaagapay at katulong ang bansang Hapon sa maraming aspeto ng ating kabuhayan, pangangalakal at sa pagsasaayos ng ating mga resource capabilities, pati na rin doon sa humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. At batid din natin na mayroon tayong kahawig na mga concerns hinggil sa freedom of navigation, freedom of aviation, patungkol naman sa ating maritime entitlements sa South China Sea at sila naman sa East China Sea. Kaya maraming pag-uusapan na topics of mutual interest ang dalawang lider, Alan.

ALAN: Opo. Maliban po dito sa kaniyang one-on-one with Prime Minister Abe, we understand na ang Pangulo ay naka-schedule din na maging keynote speaker dito po sa isang international conference ng JICA o Japan International Cooperation Agency sa Hiroshima, Sec. Sonny, sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Mahalaga din iyong pangalawang bahagi ng paglalakbay ng Pangulo dahil ito pong JICA ay isang matibay at matatag na institutional partner sa development po ng ating bansa – Japanese International Cooperation Agency. Karaniwan po kapag nagbibigay ng concessional loan o grant ang bansang Japan, nandiyan nakaabang iyong JICA dahil ang kanila namang focus ay iyong technical assistance, capability building at pagbibigay ng mga kagamitan at mga resources. Iyan po ang mahalagang papel na matagal nang ginagampanan ng JICA bilang institutional partner for Philippine development. Pati po doon sa kasalukuyang pagbabangon ng Yolanda calamity areas, malaki po ang ambag at tulong ng JICA.

Pero iyong partikular na paksa na tutukuyin mamaya ay iyong consolidation for the Bangsamoro Region ‘pagkat sila ay naglalayong maging mahalagang partner ng ating bansa sa pagtityak na kapag nabuo na iyong pagpapatupad ng peace process ay talagang matutulungan ang ating mga kapatid sa ka-Mindanaoan na makapagtatag ng isang matibay na kabuhayan; kaya consolidation din ang tinawag.

Maalala din natin, sa bansang Hapon unang nagpulong at nagkaugnayan ang ating Pangulo at ang lider ng MILF, si Chairman Al Haj Murad noong 2011. At ang bansang Japan ang isa sa mga malaki ang naitulong sa pagsulong ng peace process. Kaya bagama’t hindi naman buong araw ay talagang hitik na hitik sa sustansiya iyong gaganaping working visit ng ating Pangulo sa Japan sa araw na ito.

ALAN: Opo. So, kailan po ang balik ng Pangulo dito sa atin? We understand na nakahilera na rin iyong kaniyang mga activities dito sa Pilipinas ngayong natitirang mga araw ng kasalukuyang linggo, Sec. Sonny, sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Alan, bago sumapit ang hatinggabi ay inaasahan nating nakabalik na ang Pangulo. Siya ay lilipad nang tuwiran mula sa Lunsod ng Hiroshima patungo sa … dito, pabalik dito sa Maynila.

ALAN: Opo. Sec. Sonny, dito ho ba sa tight schedule ng Pangulo sa Japan ay may pagkakataon po kaya na makasalamuha din niya ang mga miyembro ng Filipino community doon, Sec. Sonny, sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Walang ganung pormal na pagkikita o pagsasalita niya sa Filipino community dahil nga sa kaiklian ng panahon. Pagkatapos na mag-landing sa Haneda Airport, Tokyo, diretso na sa Prime Minister’s residence; pagkatapos ay working lunch na iyon. Pagkatapos ng working lunch ay balik sa airport; mula sa airport ng Haneda sa Tokyo, isa’t kalahating oras na biyahe pa iyon, Alan, hanggang Hiroshima. Kaya talagang medyo—

ALAN: Siksik na siksik—

SEC. COLOMA: —mahigpit at siksik iyong schedule. Iyon ngang pangkaraniwan na Coffee with Media ng Pangulo ay idaraos sa …habang lulan sila ng eroplano. Doon na mismo sa eroplano makikipagpanayam ang ating Pangulo sa mga kagawad ng media.

ALAN: Ayun, okay. Well, Sec. Sonny, sir, muli salamat po nang marami for the updates from the Palace, sir.

SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat. Magandang umaga, Alan.
 
SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center



 

25 JUNE 2014
Ombudsman inks MOU with Thai counterpart
Vitangcol faces criminal, admin charges in MRT case
POEA official joins IACAT in Fil-Com briefing on illegal recruitment and anti-trafficking
BOC slaps smuggling raps vs importers
Daang Hari-SLEX link road
20 LGUs to undergo GIS training on Disaster Risk and Vulnerability Reduction
Outstanding public servants semi-finalists released
Deles lauds Norway, international community for "indispensable role" in PH peace process
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario visits Israel to forge closer ties
Philippines, Japan sign Information and Communications Technology Cooperation Agreement
Imports up by 3.0 percent in April 2014, expected to gather pace in the near-term
DENR, DEPED, DOH, EU partner for lead and mercury-free schools
DAR distributes 245 hectares to 131 farmers in Agusan del Norte
SSS bares terms of higher EC pensions and funeral grants
DA to make garlic more affordable
Retailers’ alliance reduces rice selling price by P2/kg
BI confirms only 2 of 53 pork barrel suspects have left RP
AEC opportunities must be seized, not feared
Ombudsman inks MOU with Thai counterpart
Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph
 
The Office of the Ombudsman and Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the prevention and fight against corruption.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and NACC President Panthep Klanarongran signed the MOU in Bangkok, Thailand on June 13, 2014.

The MOU aims to foster and enhance international cooperation in the field of anti-corruption. Areas of cooperation under the MOU include information sharing for preliminary fact inquiry, detection, substantiation and prevention of corruption, facilitation of information exchange, coordination in non-coercive fact-finding activities, and knowledge sharing on the effective investigative techniques and best practices to carry out intelligence operations for detecting corruption-related offences.

The Philippines and Thailand are both signatories and States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) which strongly encourages States to enter into arrangements on direct cooperation between their law enforcement agencies based on foundations of mutual trust, respect and interest.

Deputy Ombudsman Cyril Ramos acted as witness to the MOU signing.
Vitangcol faces criminal, admin charges in MRT case
Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph
 
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales approved the recommendation of the Field Investigation Office (FIO) to conduct preliminary investigation and administrative adjudication against Metro Rail Transit (MRT3) General Manager Al Vitangcol III and Wilson De Vera, in connection with the P3.76B MRT3 Capacity Expansion Project.

De Vera was an incorporator of PH TRAMS Corporation which bagged a maintenance contract in MRT3.

Vitangcol and De Vera are facing criminal charges for violations of Section 3 (b) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and Section 7(d) of Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).

Vitangcol also faces administrative charges for Dishonesty, Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.

A special panel of Ombudsman field investigators tasked to gather evidence was created in July 2013, which fact-finding investigation was prompted by news reports on the alleged attempt to extort money from the Czech company Inekon Group reportedly in exchange of bagging the contract to supply trains to the MRT3.

The FIO reported that on July 9, 2012 upon the request of Vitangcol, a dinner with Inekon representatives took place in a restaurant in Makati City which was attended by De Vera, Czech Republic Ambassador Josef Rychtar, and Inekon Group representatives Josef Husek (Chief Executive Officer), Manalo Maralit (acting as liaison officer for Inekon) and a certain Haluon.

It added that before the dinner ended, Maralit informed the Inekon representatives that Vitangcol wanted to continue with the discussion of the project on the same night, and as agreed upon, the group, with the exception of Vitangcol, repaired to the residence of Ambassador Rychtar in Forbes Park in Makati City wherein De Vera indicated that the Inekon would be selected as the supplier of the tram vehicles on the condition that the latter would pay US$30 million, which amount would be later reduced to US$2.5 million.

It further narrated that on 10 July 2012, a meeting took place between Vitangcol and Inekon representatives at the former’s office where Vitangcol categorically asked Inekon representatives whether they agreed with the proposal of De Vera regarding the payment of US$2.5 million in exchange for the award of the MRT 3 project, to which offer the Inekon representatives refused.

Further, a separate investigation was ordered conducted on reports regarding the MRT3 interim maintenance contract for 2012-2013 awarded to PH TRAMS Corporation wherein Vitangcol’s alleged uncle-in-law, Arturo Soriano, and De Vera are among the incorporators.
POEA official joins IACAT in Fil-Com briefing on illegal recruitment and anti-trafficking
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph
 
Overseas Filipino workers who undergo the legal process of working overseas can avoid being victimized by human traffickers and illegal recruiters. This was the message of Atty. Rosemarie Duquez of the Philippine Overseas and Employment Administration (POEA) to the members of the Filipino community who attended last week's 4th Kapihan sa Pasuguan of the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. team from the during the Philippine Embassy’s 4th Kapihan sa Pasuguan on June 21 at the Philippine Embassy Conference Room. "I have explained to the members of the Filipino community the benefits of duly-registered OFWs as opposed to those who do not register with the POEA," Atty. Duquez said in her report of the activity to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz and POEA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac. Among other matters, Atty. Duquez also explained that OFWs may now apply for Overseas Exit Clearances (OEC) in designated shopping malls and in POEA provincial offices, and not just at the POEA main office in Ortigas Avenue in Mandaluyong City. Atty. Duquez was part of the Philippine Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) team that briefed members of the Filipino community in Thailand on the Philippine Anti-Trafficking Law and Labor and Immigration Policies for OFWs. The IACAT team was composed of Atty. Darlene Pajarito of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Atty. Floro Balato, Jr. of the Bureau of Immigration (BI), and Atty. Rosemarie Duquez. Atty. Pajarito discussed Republic Act No. 9208, also known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, and R.A. 10364, the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012. R.A. 9208 created the IACAT as the primary government agency in charge of combating human trafficking. The IACAT has four mandates, namely, (1) advocacy and prevention, (2) protection, recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration; (3) prosecution and law enforcement; and (3) partnership and networking. For her part, Atty. Balato discussed Philippine immigration policies on departure from the Philippines, emphasizing that the Bureau of Immigration’s “Strict Departure Policy,” which was first implemented in April 2010, is part of the Philippine Government’s overall effort to prevent human trafficking. "Filipino passengers whose travel is “deferred” by BI officials are often those who do not have proper documents, are improperly documented, or whose purpose of travel is in doubt," he said. He cited the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of OCA vs. Huesdens which upheld the power of the Bureau of Immigration to prevent the departure of passengers with fraudulent travel documents, doubtful purpose of travel, including possible victims of human trafficking.
BOC slaps smuggling raps vs importers
Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph
 
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) files smuggling-related charges against key officials of two import firms and their licensed customs brokers for the illegal importation of steel coils and counterfeit footwear worth over P120-Million.

The agency filed complaints of violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP), Republic Act (RA) 4109 (Bureau of Product Standards Law), and Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines against Jose Alingasa, Jr., owner and proprietor of Titan Movers Enterprises, a firm based in Binondo, Manila, and customs broker Mon Carlo Inciong. The case stemmed from the importation of three (3) 20-foot container vans of what the firm declared as “steel coils” imported from Australia last February 2014. The shipment was placed under an Alert Order based on derogatory information.

Further examination revealed that two of the containers had “Bluescope Steel with Galvalume markings” while the other container had “Bluescope Steel with Zincalume markings.” Bluescope Steel is a publicly-listed steel producer based in Australia while Galvalume is a specialized type of galvanized steel made using flat-rolled steel sheets coated with aluminum-zinc alloy by a continuous hot-dip process. A registered trademark of BIEC International, Inc, a worldwide licensor of the technology and know-how associated with 55% Aluminum-Zinc alloy coated sheet steel, Galvalume is used for roofing and sidings; as well as in automotives and appliances that require steel with high corrosion resistance and high heat reflectivity. On the other hand, Zincalume is an alloy-coated sheet steel consisting of aluminum and zinc processed with high technology. With high accuracy and support by high technology, it has up to four times the corrosion resistance of galvanized steel. With the combination of steel, zinc and aluminum, it is used for architectural applications such as roofing panels, wall panels and metal tiles. Zincalume is a registered trademark of PT. Indohomes.

“Titan obviously misdeclared, misdescribed and misclassified its importation of specialized steel products to avoid paying the correct duties and taxes. Futhermore, Titan did not obtain the required Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) certificate for its importation. Even if the firm imported specific types of steel products, it does not exclude them from complying with the law to get your product tested and certified first,” said Customs Commissioner John P. Sevilla.

Titan was one of 70 firms suspended by the BOC last March for failure to comply with rules and procedures on filing import documents. Furthermore, Titan is not a registered Philippine Standard (PS) License holder for any products covered by mandatory certification.

The BOC also filed a complaint against Ma. Rosalia Quiambao, owner, proprietor and General Manager of Fort-Jhorel International Trading, based in Binondo, Manila, and the firm’s customs broker Henry Villa, for violating the TCCP, Republic Act 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines) and the Revised Penal Code. The charges stem from the firm’s importation of three (3) 40-foot container vans with footwear bearing faked brands such as Nike, Havaianas, Abercrombie, Hush Puppies, Sandugo, Nathaniel, Sanuk, Disney and Happy Feet. The shipment was declared as packages containing eye glasses, paper box, stationery pads, Happy Feet rubber shoes, men’s and ladies’ leather shoes and slippers.
Daang Hari-SLEX link road
Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph
 
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio L. Singson (2nd from right) gestures as he inspects the on-going construction of Daang Hari-SLEX Link Road from the junction of Daang Reyna and Daang Hari in Las Piñas/Bacoor, Cavite to South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) through the Susana Heights Interchange in Muntinlupa, traversing the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Reservation. The 4-kilometer 4-lane toll road project costing P2.01 Billion, the first PPP Project successfully bid out by the Aquino administration and won by the Ayala Corporation, will decongest traffic in Cavite, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa. With Secretary Singson are Ayala Corporation Project Manager Mel Cruz; PertConsult International Consultants Homobono C. Pique, Fil Bagares Jr. and Victor Corredor Peña, and Engineer Ariel C. Angeles of DPWH-Public Private Partnership Service.
20 LGUs to undergo GIS training on Disaster Risk and Vulnerability Reduction
Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph
 

Twenty towns from the four (4) provinces of Northern Mindanao were trained on Risk Map preparation through the utilization of Geographic Information System (GIS) for Climate Change and Disaster Risk and Vulnerability Reduction.

The week-long training helped capacitate the local government units in coming up with their own multi-hazard and risk maps on a community level and how to gain public access to the geo-hazard maps as an important tool in disaster risk reduction and management.

GIS is used to map the location of natural hazards and vulnerable sectors and infrastructures in the society. It can also be utilized to analyze natural hazards and determine the options available to mitigate them and present the findings of these analyses and communicate plans.

The 19 municipalities and one (1) city that were capacitated in using GIS are: Camiguin – Catarman, Mahinog, Mambajao and Sagay; Lanao del Norte – Bacolod, Salvador and Tubod; Misamis Occidental – Calamba, Clarin, Plaridel, Tudela and Oroquieta City; Misamis Oriental – Alubijid, Balingasag, Lugait, Manticao, Medina, Naawan, Talisayan and Villanueva.

Last year, seven (7) municipalities and four (4) cities were trained on Geographic Information System (GIS).
Outstanding public servants semi-finalists released
Source: http://web.csc.gov.ph
 
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) released the names of semi-finalists of the 2014 Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees.

“We are pleased to announce that 11 individuals and two groups made it to the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award shortlist, eight individuals and three groups for the Civil Service Commission Pagasa Award, and 15 individuals qualified as semi-finalists of the Dangal ng Bayan Award,” said CSC Chairman Francisco T. Duque III.

The Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award is conferred to an individual or group of individuals for exceptional or extraordinary contributions resulting from an idea or performance that had nationwide impact on public interest and national security.

Semi-finalists of the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award are: Philippine Air Force (PAF) 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing Commander Rolando M. Aquino; Pag-IBIG President and Chief Executive Officer Darlene Marie B. Berberabe; City Government of Baguio Supervising Administrative Officer Ramon S. Dacawi; Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares; Commonwealth Elementary School Principal IV Rodolfo B. Modelo; PAF 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing Aircraft Mechanic II Elton Monet B. Merelos; University of the Philippines (UP) President Alfredo E. Pascual; Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Regional Office No. 6 Jail Chief Inspector Gilbert D. Peremne; Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Office No. 10 Senior Science Research Specialist Romela N. Ratilla; National Fisheries Research and Development Institute Supervising Agriculturist/Scientist I Mudjekeewis D. Santos; Visayas State University Professor Edgardo E. Tulin; Davao City Central Communication and Emergency Response Center Team, and Commission on Audit (COA) Special Audit Team for Office of the Regional Governor–Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

The Dangal ng Bayan Award is conferred to an individual for performance of extraordinary act or public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior on the basis of the employee’s observation of the eight norms of conduct under Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Semi-finalists of the Dangal ng Bayan Award are: COA Regional Office No. 7 State Auditor IV Barbara Ana A. Aloba; Philippine National Police (PNP) National Capital Region (NCR) Special Action Force Police Officer III Saldon A. Arajil; Department of Public Works and Highways–Mt. Province District Engineering Office Heavy Equipment Operator I Roldan V. Colas; Municipal Government of Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte Veterinarian I Alfred Mel P. Dagaylo-an; Tanauan, Leyte Fire Station Fire Officer III Oscar Ma. S. Guarda Jr.; Parang, Sulu District Hospital Chief Jubaira A. Isnain; UP Los Baños Research Associate II Melecio J. Maghanoy; PNP NCR Special Action Force Police Chief Inspector Michael John C. Mangahis; Philippine Information Agency Regional Office No. 6 Information Officer V Ma. Janet C. Mesa; Municipal Government of Dalaguete, Cebu Midwife II Euthemia G. Plariza; Municipal Government of Kalibo, Aklan Agricultural Technologist Alicia B. Rebuelta; BJMP Chief Inspector Elena B. Rocamora; Pavia, Iloilo Police Station Senior Police Officer III Rhia B. Sotomil; Tanauan, Leyte Fire Station Senior Fire Officer I Luisito C. Tizon; and Municipal Government of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur Mayor Candelario J. Viola Jr.

The Civil Service Commission Pagasa Award is conferred to an individual or group of individuals for outstanding contributions resulting from an idea or performance which directly benefit more than one department of the government.

Semi-finalists of the Civil Service Commission Pagasa Award are: Department of the Interior and Local Government–Aklan Local Government Operations Officer VI Maricel M. Bechayda; Negros Oriental State University Assistant Professor I Alan E. Faburada; Zaragoza Elementary School Principal I Lourdes A. Floria; UP Los Baños Museum Technician I Ariel R. Larona; Bicol Medical Center Chief I Efren SJ. Nerva; City Government of Bayawan, Negros Oriental Administrative Aide I Jonelyn D. Ojastro; Isabela State University Professor II Romeo G. Seguban; Tubungan Central Elementary School Master Teacher II Concepcion T. Tababa; City Government of Tabuk, Kalinga City Agriculturist’s Office; DOST Industrial Technology Development Institute Research and Development Team; and Marinduque Animal and Wildlife Rescue Emergency Response Team.

The annual Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees seeks to recognize exemplary employees in the civil service.

Lingkod Bayan awardees will receive a cash prize of PHP200,000, a gold-gilded medallion, and a plaque containing the citation and signature of the President of the Philippines. Dangal ng Bayan awardees will receive a cash prize of PHP200,000 and trophy designed by National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon V. Abueva. Pagasa awardees will receive a cash prize of PHP100,000, gold-gilded medallion, and a plaque containing the citation and signature of the CSC chairman.

The CSC welcomes public feedback on the semi-finalists until July 11 through the CSC Honor Awards Program Secretariat, Public Assistance and Information Office, Civil Service Commission, Constitution Hills, Diliman, Quezon City telephone numbers (02) 931-7993, (02) 932-0381, (02) 932-0111; fax (02) 932-0179; text 0917-TEXTCSC (8398272); Contact Center ng Bayan text 0908-8816565; or e-mail hapsecretariat@yahoo.com.
Deles lauds Norway, international community for "indispensable role" in PH peace process
Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph
 
Oslo, Norway – “The world came to our aid in many ways—through political support, development programs, technical assistance and, most of all, nurturing the trust and confidence that drove both sides to cross the Rubicon and forge an enduring peace,” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles shared during a high-level press conference held in this Scandinavian country as part of Oslo Forum 2014.

Deles was referring to the "indispensable role" of the international community that led to the historic signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) last March 27.

The role of the international community in encouraging us through a long and difficult peace process cannot be overemphasized," Deles said. “Peace knows no borders, no political lines, no ethnic demarcations. It has been my privilege as a peace worker to witness men and women of all origins and creeds and coming from distant places gather in one place to stop a conflict, get the parties to the negotiating table, and nurture peace talks to fruition," she added.

The Oslo Forum is an annual gathering of the world’s most influential peace process actors, analysts, experts, and decision makers. In the high-level press conference, Deles joined Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende, United Nations Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, Chief of Staff and Head of Presidential Office of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Nahavadian and 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Awardee Tawakkol Karman.

The peace adviser gave importance to the role of the Royal Norwegian Government for being a "faithful partner" of the Philippine peace process. Norway is currently a member of the International Monitoring Team in Mindanao which monitors the ceasefire, civilian protection, rehabilitation and development and socio-economic agreements between the government and the MILF. It has likewise accepted the invitation of the Parties to serve as a member of the Independent Decommissioning Body that will oversee the decommissioning of MILF arms and forces as part of the normalization process. At the same time, Norway has served as third party facilitator of the peace negotiations between the GPH and the Communist Part of the Philippines/ New Peoples' Army/National Democratic Front since 2001.

"Democratic process in full bloom"

The peace adviser shared that the Philippines is now in the process of implementing the CAB.

"Before the year ends, our legislators have committed to pass a law that will bring about much needed political and socio-economic reforms under a new regional government, the “Bangsamoro.” This will be followed by a plebiscite in the areas under the scope of the law next year, ensuing a brief transition period until regional elections are held in May, 2016," Deles said.

According to the Deles, the post-agreement scenario is a radical shift from Mindanao’s difficult history of long-drawn conflict, where “people have endured terror, death, and displacement of the most desolate kind" and can be attributed to the proactive leadership and commitment of President Benigno S. Aquino III to the pursuit of true and lasting peace in Mindanao.

She likewise noted that “for peace to have a fighting chance, we need to build sturdy institutions to support it, at the global, regional, and national levels—institutions that are represented at the Oslo Forum."

The Oslo Forum was Deles' last stop in her working visit to Europe, where she represented the Philippines in various events centered around the discussion of peace issues across the world.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario visits Israel to forge closer ties
Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph
 
25 June 2014 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario is on a three-day Official Visit to the State of Israel from June 25 to 28 to further expand the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Israel.

The visit is the first by a Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary in twenty years. Secretary del Rosario will meet with his Israeli counterpart, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, to review and propose areas of cooperation.

Bilateral relations are at an all-time high with robust cooperation in defense, trade, tourism, labor, humanitarian, and development cooperation. The two countries also enjoy close institutional linkages and frequent people-to-people linkages. The new Philippines-Israel Air Services Agreement, which was signed in May 2014, is expected to pave the way for further deepening of relations in various fields particularly trade and tourism. Additional areas of cooperation will also be explored during the visit.

Secretary del Rosario will convey the country’s appreciation for the humanitarian assistance extended by Israel to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in November 2013.

The Foreign Affairs Secretary will also highlight the Philippines’ contribution in the maintenance of peace and stability in the region through its participation in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights. As of May 2014, there are 347 Filipino peacekeeprs serving in UNDOF.

One of the pillars of Philippines-Israel relations is development cooperation through the Philippines-Israel Center for Agricultural Studies (PICAT) and the Granot Agrostudies program. Through these programs, Filipinos learn from Israel’s expertise in agricultural technology and advanced farming techniques. Since 2006, more than a thousand students from 26 Philippine colleges and universities have graduated from the Granot Agrostudies program.

Labor cooperation and the welfare of Filipinos living and working in Israel will also be in the agenda of the official visit. Israel hosts more than 36,000 Filipino workers whose rights and welfare are well protected under Israeli law.
Philippines, Japan sign Information and Communications Technology Cooperation Agreement
Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph
 
25 June 2014 – Science and Technology Secretary Mario G. Montejo and Japan’s Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Yoshitaka Shindo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation in the Field of Information and Communications Technology or ICT in Tokyo on June 23.

The MOU aims to encourage cooperation and accelerate development and integration in the field of information and communications technology between the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Cooperation (MIC) of Japan, taking into account rapid changes in the various ICT fields and the adoption by the Philippines of the Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) as the Philippine standard for Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB).

The agreement covers a number of key areas of common interest to both the Philippines and Japan. These include, among others, cooperation for the implementation of the DTTB, development and usage of information and communications technology in disaster risk reduction and management programs, formulation of ICT policies on cyber and information securities, enhancement of cyber security programs and protection against illegal cyber activities, and promotion of a secure online environment for public services (e-commerce and e-government).

Secretary Montejo leads a delegation of Philippine officials including Senator Cynthia A. Villar, Representative Joel R. Duavit, Representative Victor J. Yu, Congressman Mariano U. Piamonte, Jr. and Representative Mariano Michael M. Velarde, Jr. of the Senate and House Committees on Science and Technology. The delegation is in Tokyo from June 22 to 28 for ICT policy dialogues and site visits.
Imports up by 3.0 percent in April 2014, expected to gather pace in the near-term
Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph
 
MANILA – Imports grew by 3.0 percent in April 2014 and is expected to expand in the coming months due to favorable business and consumer outlook, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

“This expectation is backed by surveys conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, which showed that the overall confidence index of businesses rose to 50.7 percent in the second quarter of 2014 from 37.8 percent in the first quarter and is expected to be sustained in the third quarter,” said Economic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director-General Arsenio M. Balisacan.

Payments for imported goods in April 2014 reached US$5.3 billion, up by 3.0 percent from US$5.2 billion in the same period last year, though slower than the 10.6-percent expansion in the previous month and the 7.6 percent growth in April 2013. Total trade-in-goods deficit widened to US$2.6 billion in April 2014 from US$1.7 billion in April 2013.

“Imports growth in April 2014 was due to higher payments for imported raw materials and intermediate goods, mineral fuels and lubricants and consumer goods. However, lower importation of capital goods slowed the increase in the value of imports” Balisacan noted.

According to the Cabinet official, an increase in imports of capital goods may be expected in the near-term as a result of the expansion plans of businesses in the industry sector for the next two quarters.

“The re-fleeting program of airline companies in line with increasing their flight routes alongside the anticipated rise in purchases of power generating sets to augment the power supply in the country is expected to boost imports of capital goods,” Balisacan said.

Balisacan added that maintaining the favourable market sentiment, together with an accelerated implementation of reconstruction, will be crucial in inducing private sector investment in capital goods.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that inward shipments of raw materials and intermediate goods reached US$2.1 billion in April 2014, higher by 17.6 percent from US$1.7 billion recorded in the same period a year ago.

“The double-digit growth rate of raw material and intermediate goods imports was mainly due to the increase in inward shipments of semi-processed raw materials, enough to offset the 27.8 percent contraction in unprocessed raw materials inputs. Among semi-processed raw materials, materials and accessories for electrical equipment recorded a 44.6-percent growth, indicating a possibly much better performance of Philippine electronics exports in the coming months,” Balisacan added.

The People’s Republic of China remained the top source of the country’s imports with a 15.7 percent share, amounting to US$833.5 million. Second was Saudi Arabia with a share of 8.4 percent, followed by South Korea (8.3%), Japan (7.6%), United States of America (7.1%), Singapore (6.6%), Germany (5.5%), Indonesia (5.0%), and Malaysia (4.2%).

The value of imported goods from ASEAN-member trading partners represented 21.3 percent of Philippine merchandise imports in April 2014, equivalent to US$1.1 billion worth of imported goods. On the other hand, the European Union (EU) supplied US$681.0 million or about 12.8 percent of the country’s total import requirements during the period.
DENR, DEPED, DOH, EU partner for lead and mercury-free schools
Source: http://www.denr.gov.ph
 
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) teams up with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Health (DOH) and the European Union (EU) to eliminate lead and mercury exposures in primary schools all over the country.


DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said the three line agencies and EU will launch tomorrow (June 24) a nationwide campaign that aims to “promote greater inter-agency and multi-stakeholder support towards lead and mercury-free school environments for Filipino children.”

He said the launching of the campaign, dubbed as “Lead and Mercury-Safe Schools for Bright and Healthy Kids,” will be held at the Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City, which was the regional champion in the elementary school category of the DENR’s National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools in 2011 and 2013, and national champion in the same category for the Meralco Energy Leadership Awards.

Paje will be joined at the launch by Education Secretary Armin Luistro and Health Undersecretary Eric Tayag. They are expected to sign a so-called “Solidarity Statement” where they commit to take concrete steps to protect school children from the hazards of lead and mercury exposures such as promoting the use of lead-safe paint and switching to mercury-free alternatives.

EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux and representatives of the Eco-Waste Coalition and the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), a global network of more than 700 non-government organizations whose common objective is to eliminate persistent organic pollutants or POPs, will also take part in the event.

Paje underscored the need for schools to manage lead and other harmful chemicals. “Chemical safety and security must be a priority of the schools. Administrators, supervisors, teachers and students alike must work together to ensure that these chemicals are handled with precaution and care,” he said.

Lead and mercury are toxic heavy metals being regulated by the DENR. Exposure to these chemicals has been found to cause irreversible neurological damage among children, leading to a decrease in intelligence and an increase in violent behavior.

Aside from promoting consciousness on the use of lead and mercury-safe alternatives within the education sector, the program also aims to bring attention to government policies on these chemicals.

Last year, Paje issued DENR Administrative Order No. 2013-24 or the Chemical Control Order for Lead and Lead Compounds.

The directive prohibits the use of lead and its compounds in locally-produced consumer products, from manufacture to packaging, importation, sale, distribution and disposal. It also reinforces the ban on the use of lead as a fuel additive and sets a standard content of lead in locally-produced paint.

In October last year, Paje represented the Philippine government in signing the Minamata Convention during the United Nations Conference on Mercury in Japan. The international treaty calls on all member states to regulate mercury and develop action plans to reduce and eventually phase out its use.

For its part, the DOH issued in 2008 an administrative order phasing out the use of mercury in Philippine healthcare facilities and institutions, including mercury-containing products such as thermometers, dental amalgams and sphygmomanometers.
DAR distributes 245 hectares to 131 farmers in Agusan del Norte
Source: http://dar.gov.ph
 
Agusan del Norte - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently distributed 245-hectare public agricultural lands to 131 landless farmers in Sitio Subait, Bonifacio, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.


Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II Andre B. Atega congratulated the new landowners and encouraged them to work hard to develop the lands distributed to them and enjoy the benefits thereon.

Atega lauded the local government of Las Nieves for being one of the most active partner local government units in implementing the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in Agusan del Norte.

“The department is sincere in distributing the lands to the farmers and in providing support services that would spur economic productivity and to increase their income.” Atega added.

La Nieves Mayor Reinario P. Rosales, on the other hand, praised DAR for contributing most to poverty reduction in his municipality. He also congratulated the new landowners and urged them to develop their lands to make it productive.

“Land ownership does not end with the ownership of a title but should be held with responsibility coupled with some forms of challenges to make the land productive”, Rosales said.

Meanwhile, DARPO Agusan del Norte noted that under the CARP, a total of 31,024 hectare-agricultural lands or 86% were distributed to 17,280 farmer-beneficiaries with the remaining balance of 5,676 hectares or 14 percent involving 3,338 farmer-beneficiaries to be awarded in the next three years.
SSS bares terms of higher EC pensions and funeral grants
Source: https://www.sss.gov.ph
 
Following the recent Malacañang approval, the Social Security System (SSS) bared the terms of its new 10-percent across-the-board pension increase for work-related claims under the Employees' Compensation (EC) Program and the doubled EC funeral grant, which now stands at P20,000. Both increases will be implemented retroactively, with September 2013 as the date of effectivity.

Agnes San Jose, SSS Vice President for Benefits Administration, said the pension hike covers about 17,200 active EC pensioners under SSS as of August 31, 2013 for permanent partial disability, permanent total disability and survivorship. Meanwhile, SSS claimants of EC funeral grants for deaths dated September 1, 2013 onwards are entitled to the higher P20,000 benefit.

President Benigno S. Aquino III approved the EC benefit upgrades under Executive Order No. 167 issued last May 26. The EC Program – which provides additional benefits for employees with work-connected sicknesses, injuries and death – is administered by SSS for the private sector and by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for the public sector.

“Claimants covered by the date of effectivity whose EC funeral grants of P10,000 were already settled by SSS will each receive an additional P10,000 in burial benefits, given the retroactive implementation of the increase,” San Jose explained.

“Pensioners will get higher EC pensions, as well as the additional benefits resulting from the retroactive date of effectivity, in September 2014 upon completion of our system changes,” she added.

The new increases stemmed from SSS' proposal to hike EC pensions and EC funeral grants for SSS members and beneficiaries, which was submitted to the Employees' Compensation Commission (ECC) for approval. The ECC expanded the SSS proposal to also include higher EC funeral grants for those covered by the GSIS, and then endorsed the EC benefit increases to Malacañang for its approval for implementation.

In a related development, the SSS also recently announced another across-the-board pension increase – this time at five percent, effective June 2014 --- for 1.9 million SSS pensioners under the Social Security (SS) Program as part of SSS' commitment to enhance its members' benefits.

“SSS' sustained financial growth has paved the way for new benefit increases for members and beneficiaries. This year marks a significant period in our continuing campaign to provide more meaningful benefits, while balancing it with our duty to look after the fund's long-term viability,” San Jose noted.
DA to make garlic more affordable
Source: http://www.da.gov.ph
 
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala assured the public that the government will make garlic more affordable, as it urged consumers to patronize the locally grown variety.

Alcala said that the sudden surge in garlic prices early this month was a “blessing in disguise” and served as a wake-up call, with unscrupulous traders trying to manipulate prices when the local garlic production has just been revived.

Earlier the Department of Agriculture coordinated with the Department of Trade and Industry to arrest the ascent of the prices of garlic and other basic commodities.

“We expect the price of garlic to continue to stabilize next month,” Alcala noted, after confirming that National Garlic Action Team (NGAT) has submitted its recommendations.

Alcala noted that while government will still allow importation of garlic, the DA would strictly enforce measures that will ensure that it will not be abused to protect the resurgence of local variety, which found a niche in production boom, particularly in the north.

The Secretary, inaugurated an onion and garlic hangar storage in Barangay Nalvo in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte which has the potential to serve more than 1,000 hectares of onion and garlic plantations in Region 1.

The P1.3 million onion-garlic storage was built to hold loosely stored onion in bulk or bags as it provides a shed with good ambient air circulation for cool and dry storage condition.

Meanwhile, the trucks making the rounds of local markets as part of the bawang caravan have increased in number, Alcala said.

A similar facility was also opened by Alcala inside the Mariano Marcos State University in Batac City.

“We are exploring the possibility of having the ‘bawang’ caravans in the markets regularly, every day of the week, and we intend to sustain the rolling stores for the benefit of our consumers and also for the benefit of our garlic farmers,” Alcala said. (DA-OSEC)
Retailers’ alliance reduces rice selling price by P2/kg
Source: http://www.da.gov.ph
 
Rice retailer-members of the Alliance of Filipino Farmers and Rice Retailers Associations (AFFRA), composed of farmer organizations and rice retailers’ associations nationwide, have agreed to bring down their rice selling price from P41 to P39 per kilogram effective immediately in eight major markets south of Metro Manila, namely Muntinlupa, Pateros, Mandaluyong, Taguig, Paranaque, Pasay, Las Pinas and Makati.

The National Food Authority (NFA) received a copy of the AFFRA Resolution after its leaders, headed by Danilo Garcia, met with Secretary Francis Pangilinan, Presidential Adviser on Food Security and Agricultural Modernization, and newly-appointed NFA Administrator, Arthur O.Juan.

AFFRA President Danilo Garcia said that the group agreed to reduce their rice selling prices in order to help ease the financial burden on consumers.

The NFA, on the other hand, assured the public that it continues to distribute quality regular-milled rice at P27/kg and well-milled rice at P32/kg in all markets nationwide.

AFFRA officers said in their resolution that despite government’s efforts, commercial rice prices increased mainly because of the off-harvest or lean season for the staple and also as an offshoot of the high palay buying price by traders that impact on the price of rice for the end-consumers.

The government is expecting other agriculture and NFA stakeholders to also reduce their selling prices. AFFRA said this move is part of their association’s exercise of social responsibility as a basic link between the farmer-producers and rice consumers.
BI confirms only 2 of 53 pork barrel suspects have left RP
Source: http://www.immigration.gov.ph
 
Manila, Philippines--- A day after Bureau of Immigration chief Siegfred Mison says less than 10 persons named in the Hold Departure Order issued by the Sandiganbayan have left the country, a progressive check of agency records indicates that only 2 of the 53 suspects have been confirmed to have left the country prior to the issuance of the HDO.

Atty. Elaine Tan, spokesperson of the Bureau of Immigration, confirms that as of June 19, only two, namely Antonio Ortiz and Renato Ornopia have departed from the country prior to the issuance of the HDO.

Tan says travel records of all of the 53 accused are being probed as of presstime. Travel records of the accused Ortiz and Ornopia were extracted from the BI database based on available information, particularly names stated in the HDO, and internal information.

However, this is still not final as yet since the agency is still triple-checking its system to be able to fully determine whether or not the named respondent in the HDO is really the person stated in the agency’s records.

"As the names itself are not sufficient to fully identify the person being checked, only half of the records have been determined to refer to the accused with certainty", Tan said.

Tan added that challenges to verifying records include the absence of date of birth, middle name, or that accused may have a different name in the passport. An example, she said, was the name of Senator Estrada, whose passport name is "Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada" while the HDO states "Jose Ejercito Estrada".

"This may be the reason why some of the accused have zero travel records", clarified Tan.

Of the 23 accused which have been identified, 21 are still in the country, including Senators Estrada, Revilla and Enrile, Janet Lim Napoles and her children Jo Christine and James Christopher, Dennis Cunanan, and Mario Relampagos.
AEC opportunities must be seized, not feared
Source: http://www.pids.gov.ph
 
The ASEAN Economic Integration (AEC) offers immense business opportunities that both the government and the private sector must exploit to fully benefit from its advantages.

This was underscored in a regional forum on the ASEAN Economic Community organized by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office 9 with the participation of state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional office in Zamboanga City.

PIDS Senior Research Fellow Erlinda Medalla stressed the need to do more to take advantage of the opportunities from AEC.

The AEC does not only reduce tariffs but also promote trade facilitation. It commits the country to implement reforms on customs modernizations and establishment of a national single window and an ASEAN Single Window, she said.

"National single window is a single submission and accelerated processing of applications of licenses, permits, and other authorizations required prior to undertaking a trade transaction, while the ASEAN Single Window is a regional initiative that integrates the national single windows of ASEAN countries," Medalla said.

Medalla has been pushing for the implementation of a national single window to speed up data processing and cargo clearance procedures. "This would have positive impact on the cost of doing business, not just for large industries, but more importantly for micro, small, and medium enterprises."

She added that the country needs to step up in educating and informing the public about the benefits of the coming integration. "There is a need for greater information and education campaign to help small and medium enterprises get linked to the supply chain and receive support from all sectors. An agro-industry roadmap would also be a great help," she said.

DTI Assistant Secretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy Perry Rodolfo said that in 2010, duties for 98.63 percent of Philippine products are already at zero percent. As of 2010, all duties have been eliminated for agricultural and industrial products except for live swine, live chicken, meat of swine, meat of chicken, cassava, sweet potatoes, maize, rice, and sugar, he said.

Senen Perlada, Director of Export Marketing Bureau of DTI, said vast trading opportunities will come with the integration. "We should not limit our markets only to 100 million Filipinos considering that ASEAN has a combined GDP of USD 2.4 trillion as of 2013. About 67 million households in the ASEAN are now part of the consuming class," he said.

Perlada cited as an example a firm in General Santos City that shifted from exporting tuna to frozen smoked salmon. The firm imports zero-tariff salmon from New Zealand and then processes it for export to free trade agreement (FTA) partners.

Another example is Universal Robina's C2 Green Tea. C2 is now one of the largest in the Vietnamese bottled green tea market, Perlada said.

"We should also take advantage of the Halal market," he added. There is an advantage in food, logistics, and banking, he said.

"The Philippines has to engage in free trade agreements to maintain its competitiveness and promote cross-border complementation." Perlada emphasized that it is necessary to maximize the benefits made available by FTAs to our exporters.

Improving the quality of infrastructure in the Philippines was also a key topic in the forum. According to PIDS Senior Research Fellow Adoracion Navarro, the Philippines is the third lowest in overall quality of infrastructure in the ASEAN region based on the Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014.

Critical investments in airport infrastructure facilities and air navigation system are needed to address congestion in airport terminals, Navarro said. "NAIA 1 served 7.5 million passengers in 2012, but its capacity is only 5.5 million passengers." She emphasized that it is necessary to boost infrastructure spending to five percent of GDP by 2016.

 
Last Updated: 25 JUNE 2014
Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy
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    President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his arrival speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal II on Tuesday night (June 24) following his one-day visit to Japan. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III escorted by AFP Vice Chief of staff Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal II on Tuesday night (June 24) following his one-day working visit to Japan. (Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    HIROSHIMA, Japan – President Benigno S. Aquino III tours the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park during his one-day working visit to Japan on Tuesday (June 24). (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    HIROSHIMA, Japan – President Benigno S. Aquino III along with Philippine goverment officials tour the facilities of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park during his one-day working visit to Japan on Tuesday (June 24). (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    HIROSHIMA, Japan – President Benigno S. Aquino III offers a bouquet of flowers at a cenotaph in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park as part of his one-day working visit to Japan on Tuesday (June 24). (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    HIROSHIMA, Japan – President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with Japan International Cooperation Agency officials for a group photo souvenir following the Consolidation for Peace for Mindanao Conference organized by the group, along with the Research and Education for Peace of the Universiti Sains Malaysia at the Sheraton Hiroshima Hotel on Tuesday (June 24). (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    HIROSHIMA, Japan – President Benigno S. Aquino III addresses the Consolidation for Peace for Mindanao Conference organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Research and Education for Peace of the Universiti Sains Malaysia at the Sheraton Hiroshima Hotel on Tuesday (June 24). (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    HIROSHIMA, Japan – President Benigno S. Aquino III is welcomed by JICA president Akihiko Tanaka upon arrival at the Hiroshima International Airport to participate in the Consolidation for Peace for Mindanao Conference organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Research and Education for Peace of the Universiti Sains Malaysia on Tuesday (June 24). (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III answer questions from members of the media while on board the plane to Hiroshima International Airport to participate in the Consolidation for Peace for Mindanao Conference organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Research and Education for Peace of the Universiti Sains Malaysia on Tuesday (June 24). (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Ryan Lim/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III poses with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the joint press conference after the summit meeting and working lunch at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Tokyo on Tuesday (June 24). The meeting was an opportunity for the two leaders to exchange views on recent regional developments and discuss areas of cooperation to enhance the Philippines-Japan strategic partnership. (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III poses with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the joint press conference after the summit meeting and working lunch at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Tokyo on Tuesday (June 24). The meeting was an opportunity for the two leaders to exchange views on recent regional developments and discuss areas of cooperation to enhance the Philippines-Japan strategic partnership. (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    TOKYO, Japan – President Benigno S. Aquino III listens as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivers his remarks during the joint press conference after the summit meeting and working lunch at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Tokyo on Tuesday (June 24). The meeting was an opportunity for the two leaders to exchange views on recent regional developments and discuss areas of cooperation to enhance the Philippines-Japan strategic partnership. (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    TOKYO, Japan – President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his remarks during the joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after the summit meeting and working lunch at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Tokyo on Tuesday (June 24). The meeting was an opportunity for the two leaders to exchange views on recent regional developments and discuss areas of cooperation to enhance the Philippines-Japan strategic partnership. (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    TOKYO, Japan – President Benigno S. Aquino III upon arrival for the Summit Meeting & Working Lunch with Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Tokyo on Tuesday (June 24). The meeting was an opportunity for the two leaders to exchange views on recent regional developments and discuss areas of cooperation to enhance the Philippines-Japan strategic partnership. (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    TOKYO, Japan – President Benigno S. Aquino III listens to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the Summit meeting at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Tokyo on Tuesday (June 24). The meeting was an opportunity for the two leaders to exchange views on recent regional developments and discuss areas of cooperation to enhance the Philippines-Japan strategic partnership. (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III poses with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during press conference after the summit meeting and working lunch at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Tokyo on Tuesday (June 24). The meeting was an opportunity for the two leaders to exchange views on recent regional developments and discuss areas of cooperation to enhance the Philippines-Japan strategic partnership. (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    TOKYO, Japan – President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the Summit Meeting & Working Lunch at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Tokyo on Tuesday (June 24). The meeting is an opportunity for the two leaders to exchange views on recent regional developments and discuss areas of cooperation to enhance the Philippines-Japan strategic partnership. (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    TOKYO, Japan -  President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives at the Tokyo Haneda International Airport on Tuesday (June 24) for a one-day working visit here. The President will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo and speak at the Consolidation for Peace for Mindanao Conference in Hiroshima organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Research and Education for Peace of the Universiti Sains Malaysia. Also in photo are Consul General Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio, head of Mission Gilberto G. B. Asuque and Philippine Navy Captain Samuel Z. Felix. (PLDT powered by SMART) (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines Vice Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., reviews the honor guards during the send-off ceremony at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal II on Tuesday (June 24). The President left for a one-day working visit to Japan where he will meet with Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo and speak at the Consolidation for Peace for Mindanao Conference in Hiroshima organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Research and Education for Peace of the Universiti Sains Malaysia. (Photo by Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his departure statement during the send-off ceremony at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal II on Tuesday (June 24). The President left for a one-day working visit to Japan where he will meet with Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo and speak at the Consolidation for Peace for Mindanao Conference in Hiroshima organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Research and Education for Peace of the Universiti Sains Malaysia. (Photo by Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
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