DISPATCH for JULY 10, 2014(Thursday) - 1 PIA Calabarzon PR, 8 Regional Watch , 1 OFW Watch , Interview with Sec. Coloma on DZRB, 15 News Online, 58 Photonews
24-Hour Public Weather Forecast
Issued at 5:00 a.m., 10 July 2014
Valid beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow
Valid beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow
 Predicted Mean Sea Level WindAnalysis for 8 a.m., 10 July 2014 |  Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind Analysis for 8 a.m., 10 July 2014 |  Satellite Image |
Synopsis:
Southwest Monsoon affecting Luzon.
Forecast:
MIMAROPA and the provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Cavite and Batangas will experience cloudy skies with occasional rains. SOCCSKSARGEN and Davao Region will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.
Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and coming from the south to southwest over Mindanao. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough.
DZMM: Inaasahang iinam na ang panahon sa bansa ngayong araw ng Huwebes, Hunyo 10. Sa weather bulletin ng PAGASA, hagip pa rin ng southwest monsoon o Habagat ang Luzon. Dahilan para asahan ang paminsan-minsang pag-ulan sa MIMAROPA at mga lalawigan ng Zambales, Bataan, Cavite at Batangas. Mahina hanggang katamtamang pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog naman ang babagsak sa SOCCSKSARGEN at Davao Region. Pulo-pulong pag-ulan o pagkidlat-pagkulog pa rin naman ang mararanasan sa Metro Manila at nalalabing bahagi ng bansa.
Angat Hydroelectric Power Plant Manager Engr. Rodolfo German on DZMM:
-Patuloy pa ring bumababa ‘yung ating water level.
-Nasa 164.61m na sa ngayon. Nasa mga 200m dapat iyan.
-Umuulan naman kaya lang hindi pa sapat ang pag-ulan.
-Mas malaki ang lumalabas na tubig kaysa sa pumapasok.
-Kahit normal pa rin ang supply, ang panawagan pa rin natin ang tamang paggamit ng tubig.
-Patuloy pa ring bumababa ‘yung ating water level.
-Nasa 164.61m na sa ngayon. Nasa mga 200m dapat iyan.
-Umuulan naman kaya lang hindi pa sapat ang pag-ulan.
-Mas malaki ang lumalabas na tubig kaysa sa pumapasok.
-Kahit normal pa rin ang supply, ang panawagan pa rin natin ang tamang paggamit ng tubig.
GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz on 24 Oras:
-Hanging Habagat ang patuloy na magpapaulan sa Luzon at Visayas bukas.
-Maganda ang panahon sa umaga sa Metro Manila pero pagdating ng hapon at gabi ay mataas ang tsansa ng pag-ulan.
-Makararanas ng pag-ulan ang kanlurang bahagi ng Visayas bukas pero mas mahina na ito kumpara noong mga nakaraang araw.
-Ulan at thunderstorm naman ang mararanasan sa Mindanao, lalo na pagdating ng hapon at gabi.
-Hanging Habagat ang patuloy na magpapaulan sa Luzon at Visayas bukas.
-Maganda ang panahon sa umaga sa Metro Manila pero pagdating ng hapon at gabi ay mataas ang tsansa ng pag-ulan.
-Makararanas ng pag-ulan ang kanlurang bahagi ng Visayas bukas pero mas mahina na ito kumpara noong mga nakaraang araw.
-Ulan at thunderstorm naman ang mararanasan sa Mindanao, lalo na pagdating ng hapon at gabi.
DZMM: Kinumpirma ng DFA na ligtas ang lahat ng mga Pinoy sa Okinawa, Japan matapos manalasa ang super typhoon Neoguri.
DZRH: Nakalabas na ang bagyong Florita subalit nakaalerto pa rin ang OCD. Ayon kay NDRRMC Executive Director Pama, patuloy na nakakaranas ng pag-ulan ang Luzon at Western Visayas dulot ng Southwest Monsoon. Aniya, naramdaman ng Iloilo City ang mga pagbaha at pag-ulan habang papalabas ng bansa ang bagyo.
Weather Watch
July 10 , 2014 ( Thursday )
as of 6:00-7:00 AM
CAVITE : Sunny
LAGUNA : Sunny
BATANGAS : Sunny
RIZAL : Sunny
QUEZON : Sunny
PIA-4A/CAVITE: Virgilio Hernandez, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce (PCCI)-Cavite said with the success of Cavite SMEs’ trade fairs, they should participate in international fairs like the one slated in Manila to show to other countries the beauty and ingenuity of Cavite-made products.
PIA-4A/CAVITE: Philippine Chamber of Commerce Industry (PCCI)-Cavite chapter president Virgilio Hernandez cited the role of small and medium enterprises in the province in building up the nation's economy adding that SMEs in Cavite are really active partners of the government in the promotion and development of Filipino cottage industry.
PIA-4A/CAVITE: In a news article published in a local newspaper, People's Bulletin, June 30 to July 6, 2014 issue, the Japan International Cooperating Agency (JICA) revealed Sangley Point in Cavite City is the most viable airport replacement for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) because of its existing airport built by the Americans, traffic and landing patterns that conform to the requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
PIA-4A/CAVITE: The Regina Coeli Choir-Philippines, a choral group from the town of Rosario, placed second in the recently concluded 29th Franz Schubert International Choral-Sing 'n' Joy competition in Vienna, Austria. The 14-member local choir from the Most Holy Rosary Parish of Rosario was applauded for its particular rendition of the local popular song "Piliin Mo Ang Pilipinas."
PIA-4A/QUEZON: Ang Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-Quezon ay kasalukuyang isinasagawa ang Annual Poverty Indicator Survey na matatapos ngayong buwan ng Hulyo. Ang survey ay naglalayong makapangalap ng datos tungkol sa bilang ng mga may trabaho, walang trabaho, uri ng manggagawa at bilang ng oras na ipinagtatrabaho sa isang linggo. Ang mga impormasyong ito ay inaasahan ding makakatulong sa pagbuo ng mga plano at programang nakakaapekto sa labor market.
PIA-4A/CAVITE: The Likhang Kabitenyo Foundation, Inc. with support from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Cavite, recently conducted its 2nd trade fair and exhibit at The District Imus showcasing cottage industry products of small and medium enterprises operating in the province like food products and delicacies, garments, decors, fancy jewels, shoes and slippers, bags, arts and crafts as well as the famous Cafe Amadeo.
PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The City of Santa Rosa will commemorate its 10th cityhood anniversary tomorrow, July 10, with activities that will illustrate the transition of the city into a cosmopolitan and modern in South Luzon.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Nagsagawa ang DTI Batangas ng orientation ukol sa government e-service upang ituro sa mga kawani ng pamahalaan ang tamang pagpapasok ng mga datos sa pamamagitan ng online system.
PIA-NCR: Twenty seven (27) more overseas Filipino workers from Libya are set to arrive today at the NAIA 1 on board flight number EK332 at 4:35 p.m. The DFA continues to appeal to Filipinos in Libya to get in touch with the Phl Embassy in Tripoli and register for voluntary repatriation. The Embassy's address is KM 7 Gargaresh Road, Abu Nawas, Tripoli. Families of OFWs who have questions and concerns can call DFA's 24-hour hotline numbers (02)552-7105/(02)834-4685 or send an e-mail to oumwa@dfa.gov.ph.
Rizal
1. Jalajala receives P 1.4M through DTI-Rizal GPB initiative
BY: GIDEON GAPAYAO
Tuesday 8th of July 2014
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ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal, July 8 (PIA) --The Jalajala municipal government recently received P1.463 million worth of funds through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Rizal’s Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB) program.
DTI-Rizal Provincial Director Mercedes Parreno, DTI Rizal Business Development Division Chief and DTI 4A GPB Account Officer Edgardo Ferrino turned over the funds to the local government and at the Jalajala Municipal Hall last July 7.
DTI-Rizal revealed that P348,000 is allocated for bamboo development projects, P400,000 for the local regional development projects, P295,000 for starter kits for food entrepreneurs and P420,000 for projects involving the local food industry.
The funds were received by Mayor Narciso Villaran, Vice Mayor Elmer Pillas and the Sangguniang Bayan and will be coursed through several projects in the municipality to help improve the local economy and promote livelihood. (PIA-Rizal with reports from DTI-Rizal)
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 | Palace hopes to complete all Public Private Partnership projects by 2016 | ||
| Good or bad survey results, government still committed to public service | ||
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
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DZRB / Balita at Panayam by Allan Allanigue
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08 July 2014
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| ALAN: Itong mga nakaraang araw may talang pinapalakas ng pamahalaan ang kampanya laban dito sa sinasabing mga hoarders o iyong mga nagtatago ng mga basic commodities na posibleng naging dahilan po ng artificial na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin, Sec. Sonny, ano pong mga updates sa usaping ito, Sir? SEC. COLOMA: Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Aquino, pinaigting ng mga operatiba ng PNP, CIDG ang kanilang pagsisiyasat sa mga mga ulat na merong nagaganap na hoarding o iyong pagtatago ng mga suplay ng bigas para magkaroon ng artificial shortage. At napatunayan ito, Alan, sa sunud-sunod na raid na isinagawa sa iba’t-ibang lugar sa Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, hanggang Cagayan, pagkatapos dito sa Metro Manila. At natagpuan na halos 80,000 bags na kung tutuusin sa 50 kilo bawat isang bag ay aabot sa 4,000 metrikong tonelada ang hoarded rice na nagbibigay-daan sa pagkakaroon ng artificial shortage. Kaya’t napatunayan iyong hinala na ito ang pangunahing dahilan doon sa paghigpit ng supply at doon din sa pagtataas ng presyo. Kaya naman talagang pinaiigting ang pagkilos laban dito. At bukod pa riyan patuloy pa rin iyong masinsin na pagsubaybay sa galaw ng presyo ng mga pangunahing pagkain at ito ay isinasagawa ng ating National Price Coordinating Council sa pangunguna ng Department of Trade and Industry, tinitiyak nila na walang paglabag sa ating Price Act. Hindi nagmamalabis sa pagsingil ang mga mangangalakal. At hindi rin nagmamalabis sa pagtubo at nagdudulot ng hirap sa ating mga mamamayan. ALAN: Opo. Naalala ko po earlier nabanggit n’yo rin na mayroong ilang mga manufacturers na patuloy pa rin na humihiling na taasan iyong mga suggested retail price noong kanilang mga produktong mina-manufacture, pero maging ang DTI mismo ay walang makitang dahilan para i-grant itong ganitong mga request, Sec. Sonny, Sir? SEC. COLOMA: Iyan ang resulta noong pinaiiral na proseso na kung saan hindi naman puwedeng basta-basta lamang magtataas ng presyo, Alan. Kinakailangang magpakita ng konkretong batayan at malakas na dahilan. At kung hindi ito mapatunayan pinipigilan sila ng ating pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng DTI na siyang nangunguna doon sa National Price Coordinating Council. ALAN: Halimbawa po ang isa sa mga binabantayan ng husto iyong presyo ng tinapay. Alam natin na ito’y maliban sa bigas, ito ay tinuturing natin na staple ng mga kababayan natin lalo na po ka pag-almusal at kumakain ng tinapay sa halip na kanin ang marami nating mga kababayan. Wala po bang namo-monitor tayo na paggalaw sa presyo ng tinapay, halimbawa po iyong pandesal, Sec. Coloma, Sir? SEC. COLOMA: Wala kasing batayan para magtaas iyong presyo ng harina o flour na pangunahing sangkap sa paggawa ng pan de sal. Kaya’t hindi maaring magbigay dahilan ito na tataas din iyong presyo ng pan de sal at ng tinapay. ALAN: Ayon, pero iyong gatas po ay may bahagyang pagtaas, Sec. Sonny, Sir, ano po? SEC. COLOMA: Sinusubaybayan lahat ng mga food items na iyan, Alan, at halimbawa sa mga manufactured items, may pinaiiral na sistemang suggested retail price. Maaring gumalaw ang presyo sa loob noong hanay ng presyo, ‘no, na tatalima pa rin sa suggested retail price. Pero dahil nga manufactured ito, talagang merong batayan kung nagtaas ang raw material nila o nagtaas ang mga iba pang elemento sa paghahatid ng produktong ito at iyan ang ginagawang batayan ng DTI kung papayag o hindi papayag sa paggalaw o sa pagtaas ng suggested retail price ng anumang basic food item. ALAN: Opo. Ang isa rin po sa mga madalas na kokomentaryohan ay itong pagtaas ng presyo ng ‘bawang’ na umabot po sa mga P290 hanggang P300 kada kilo. Kasama naman ito sa pinagtutulong-tulungan ng DA at ng iba pang mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan, ano po? SEC. COLOMA: Iyan nga ang natuklasan noong dalawang linggo na ang nakalilipas na wala talagang dahilan para tumaas sa ganyang antas iyung presyo ng bawang, sapagkat supisyente naman ang supply at mababa naman iyong farm gate price. Ibig sabihin mababa iyong produksiyon, iyong halaga ng produksyon nito. Napakalayo noong sinisingil nilang presyo at hindi maiiwasan iyong hinala na talagang sobra sa pagpapatubo at nagsasamantala sa mga mamimili. Kaya’t ito ang tinututukan ng ating pamahalaan dahil hindi maaring pahintulutan iyong pagpataw ng pahirap sa taumbayan sa ganyang paraan. Ito rin ay lumutang na sa pagdinig ng Senate Committee on Agriculture. At pinagpapaliwanag din iyong mga opisyal ng Bureau of Plant and Industry hinggil dito, Alan. ALAN: Ayon. Okay, well, Secretary baka meron pa ho kayong nais din na ibalita o ihayag sa ating mga kababayan bilang karagdagan, Secretary Coloma, Sir? SEC. COLOMA: Mahalaga iyong pakikipag-ugnayan ng ating mga mamamayan kung meron silang nais i-ulat sa kanilang pagpansin at sobrang pagtaas ng presyo o meron silang hinala na merong tinatago o hino-hoard na stocks ng bigas o iba pang mga basic food items. Malaking tulong kung sila ay magbibigay ng impormasyon, makikipag-ugnayan sa mga otoridad para tuluyan nang masabat ang mga illegal na aktibidad na iyan na nagpapahirap sa ating mga mamamayan. ALAN: Okay. Secretary Coloma, Sir muli, salamat po ng marami for the updates from Malacañang. SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat at magandang umaga, Alan. |
| SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center |
| PNoy admin OKs P3-B for community agri equipment, facilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P2.94 billion to the Department of Agriculture (DA) to cover the construction and procurement of community post-harvest development services and facilities nationwide. Under the DA budget for the Provision of Agricultural Equipment and Facilities (PAEF) in the FY 2014 General Appropriations Act, the latest release will support the post-harvest facility requirements of various programs under the DA, including the National Rice Program, National Livestock Program, and National Corn Program. Post-harvest services covered by the release will include drying, milling, and processing facilities; various equipment, including tractors, transplanters, plows, dryers, and seed cleaners; as well as other basic equipment.
“Proper post-harvest facilities are key to the success of our banner agriculture programs. By giving our farming communities the necessary equipment and infrastructure, we can help make the post-harvest process much more efficient for them. This, in turn, will allow our farmers to preserve the quality of their crops and minimize the risk of post-harvest losses,” DBM Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said. Following the special provisions in the GAA 2014, the agriculture department has been tasked to prioritize areas where majority of farmers listed under the Registry System on Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) are located. Provinces or regions with a high incidence of poverty—as identified by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB)—are likewise supported in this fund release. This ensures the implementation of post-harvest development facilities in the areas where the support is most needed, as specified by the DA in submission of their master plan to the budget department. Of the different regions, Region XII (SOCCKSARGEN), which includes the provinces of North Cotabato and Sarangani, will receive the largest share of the release, with P396.8 million allotted to the region. This is followed by the Ilocos Region (Region I), which includes the high-disaster risk areas of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, for which P321.9 million has been allocated. Meanwhile, the Bicol Region (Region V), which covers Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Masbate—also poor and disaster-prone provinces—will receive P284.4 million.
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| DBM pours P1.73-B into water supply projects nationwide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To provide adequate water sources in waterless tourism areas—including some of the poorest in the country—the Aquino administration through the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P1.73 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to implement water supply projects nationwide. Budget Secretary Florencio Abad added that the Tourism Water Supply Infrastructure program—a convergence project between the DPWH and the Department of Tourism (DoT)—was also designed to spur tourism and economic activity in identified priority development sites. “Through the joint efforts of these agencies, the Administration has identified various in-need locations nationwide which have been waterless for years now. As poor as these communities have been, however, we understand their potential for growth, especially through local tourism. Our latest fund release aims to respond to this need and potential by developing water supply facilities in these areas,” Abad said. “The updated National Tourism Development Plan for 2011-2016 has also allowed us to home in on tourist destinations that require proper and sustainable water supplies and sanitation facilities. Providing such infrastructure would be crucial in enriching tourism growth and development in these areas. This in turn would further promote a more vibrant, beneficial, and lucrative economic environment for these local communities,“ he stressed. The P1.73-billion release was charged against the DPWH’s budget for Water Supply and Sanitation for poverty areas and tourism priority sites under the 2014 General Appropriation’s Act (GAA). Leading the list of priority implementation areas are the cities of San Carlos in Negros Occidental and Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte, which have both been allotted P138.6 million, respectively. The identification and list of priority areas were prepared by the DPWH, DOT, the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), and the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWAU). “We continue to pursue priority investments in developing our tourist destinations. Providing better access to safe and clean water facilities is one of these priorities. The Aquino Administration remains focused on expanding the country’s tourism industry. Such a move allows us to showcase the Philippines’ natural beauty, all while stimulating the local economy and creating more jobs for the residents of these communities,” Abad added. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DSWD refutes claim of neglecting ‘Yolanda’ survivors | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| “The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to help survivors of Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas.” This was the clarification made by DSWD Assistant Secretary Vilma B. Cabrera in response to the claims of militant groups who said that no services has been provided to the survivors. Asec. Cabrera met with Congresswoman Luz Ilagan who led GABRIELA, People Surge, and KADAMAY in their demonstration at the DSWD grounds on Tuesday. She further explained that to date, the Department still goes on providing various forms of assistance, other than food support, to the victims. Continuing aid She added that DSWD has been distributing food packs with 25-kilogram rice packs every 15 days as needed, especially to families still residing in evacuation centers. The 25-kilogram rice is a transition from the 3 and 6-kilogram rice packs that were distributed during the first weeks after ‘Yolanda’. As of June 24, the Department has provided a total of 4,524,838 food packs in Eastern Visayas. Moreover, a total of 11,486 families with damaged houses in the region were provided with shelter kits by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in close coordination with DSWD. These kits are composed of GI Sheets, U nails, common wire nails, hammer and hand saws which were distributed in partnership with concerned local government units. The Department also implemented Cash-for-Work activities pouring in P14.6 million to pay some 30,289 individuals who rendered community work. DSWD also began implementing the Cash-for-Assets Rebuilding Program aimed at helping rebuild the sources of livelihood of survivors like mangroves, benefiting 146,951individuals. As part of the Department’s rehabilitation efforts, DSWD is implementing the Core Shelter Assistance Program (CSAP) to construct 6,000 units of core shelters amounting to P420 million. The construction of such shelters is in partnership with the Habitat for Humanity and close coordination with the National Housing Authority (NHA). The Department also provided pedicabs to 113 beneficiaries, and motorized bancas to 226 families. Livelihood assistance is also being provided by the Department to more than 5,300 beneficiaries. In response to the needs of the child-survivors, the Department continues the implementation of the Supplementary Feeding Program to benefit 13,334 children. Also, DSWD provided toys to the children through the “Wish Upon a Star” project, as well as distributed materials for the conduct of play and art therapies. Recently, the Department also launched the Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services – National Community-Driven Development Program (KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP) to address the concerns of the ‘Yolanda’ areas. Under KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP, classrooms and day care centers will be constructed in typhoon-hit municipalities. Shelter Asec. Cabrera also explained to the group that it is the Resettlement Cluster, headed by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and NHA, that is in-charge of the provision of permanent shelters. She also countered the claims of the rallyists that DSWD only arrived in Tacloban City eight days after ‘Yolanda’. In fact, Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman arrived in the city on November 9, the day after the typhoon, to spearhead the relief operations. She further committed to inform concerned agencies regarding the issues on shelter and health raised by the rallyists. Asec. Cabrera also reiterated DSWD’s openness to conduct dialogues with concerned sectors and to present what the Department has done so far. “It is not true that DSWD has not done its part in the relief operations. We welcome inquiries and we are prepared to show proof of what has been done so far,” Asec. Cabrera said. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NDC seals partnership with PNOC RC for a 1-MW Hydropower | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The National Development Company (NDC), an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), has sealed its partnership with PNOC Renewables Corporation (PNOC RC). NDC General Manager Ma. Lourdes F. Rebueno has announced that NDC has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with PNOC RC. The MOA enjoins the two agencies respective resources and expertise to create a partnership to develop, commercialize, operate, and maintain a 1-MW mini-hydro power plant within the National Irrigation Administration’s existing irrigation infrastructure in Rizal Nueva Ecija. The Rizal mini-hydropower project is the initial undertaking of the partnership. The PNOC RC has identified a total of 20-MW hydropower projects in its portfolio for similar undertaking with NDC. GM Rebueno said that NDC investments, amounting to some P45M represents a 50%-share of the total required capital of the Rizal hydropower project. NDC’s investment serves as a catalyst for private investors to undertake the supply chain gap in the hydropower as the government committed a 50.5 (25%) - MW from hydropower in the total medium-term commitment of 205 MW from RE-based potential power generation capacities. She further said that the construction will commence in August 2014. The Rizal hydropower project is located at the Pampanga River Irrigation System Main Canal (PRISMC) weir which is the downstream of the Rizal Diversion Dam in Nueva Ecija. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 27 repatriates from Libya arrive in Manila today | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Philippines participates in 4th Krasnoyarsk International Music Festival | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DOTC debunks insinuations against LRT-1 PPP project | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dotc.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Erroneous Claims Meant to Block Progress; Riding Public Wants Affordable Access to Opportunities Now The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is setting the record straight: the bidding process for the P 65 Billion Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension (Cavex) project was fully in accordance with law, and recent attempts to block its award are meant to deprive the riding public of better access to jobs and other opportunities in Metro Manila. “This is clearly an attempt to block progress. The project will give residents of Paranaque, Las Pinas, and Cavite convenient and affordable transportation to the metropolis. Those who cannot afford to live in the business districts and economic centers will be given access to jobs and educational opportunities. Intrigues shouldn’t prevail over the interest of the riding public,” said DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya. “We disagree with the assertion that this project does not need to be awarded yet. We cannot honestly say this to the riding public who have been waiting for this project for many years, those whose lives will be uplifted with the opportunities and quality of life that the project presents,” he added. Based on records in the transport agency’s possession, the allegation that Undersecretary Rene K. Limcaoco’s brother is an officer of the winning bidder is simply untrue. There is no Jose Teodoro K. Limcaoco listed as a director, officer, or shareholder of AC Infrastructure or any other member company of the Light Rail Manila Consortium. The consortium is composed of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, which has a 55% interest, AC Infrastructure with 35%, and Macquarie with 10%. “We categorically state that we followed the law in bidding this project out. We are confident in the steps we have taken, and we will defend our actions in any forum,” Abaya remarked. No Date Yet for Fare Increase Claims have also been made that awarding the project will result in a fare increase for LRT-1 passengers on August 1st this year. However, the proposed P 11+1 fare increase for LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 is completely separate from the PPP project and is not dependent on it. In fact, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and the Metro Rail Transit III (MRT-3) have been seeking a fare increase since 2010, in order to improve their facilities and services to the public. Their proposal has already undergone 2 public consultations, although no date has been set for its implementation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DENR, partners reaffirm commitment to cleaner air | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.denr.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and clean air advocates have reaffirmed their commitment to improving the country’s air quality and achieving the goals of the clean air law. At the sixth annual Clean Air Forum held recently at the DENR’s head office in Quezon City, Undersecretary Analiza R. Teh said the government alone cannot solve the problem of air pollution and it needs to work with a diverse range of partners and the public to fulfill such gargantuan task. The two-day forum, themed “Partnerships in Air Quality Management,” brought together some 200 clean air advocates from the private sector, academe, civil society and public health interest groups to discuss how to further advance the country’s air quality management through development and implementation of clean air plans and wider stakeholder engagement. Teh said the forum also sought to identify policy gaps in the implementation of Republic Act No. 8749, or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, which outlines the government’s measures to reduce air pollution and incorporate environmental protection into its development plans. “I believe that the real value of our partnership lies in our ability to assess the real level of implementation of the Act,” Teh said, adding that the government welcomes constructive assessment and suggestions that would help improve its enforcement efforts. She told forum participants that such assessment and suggestions may be converted into concrete policies and measures that would reduce air pollution and improve air quality. For his part, Partnership for Clean Air Inc. president Renato Pineda Jr. lauded the government for its procurement of monitoring equipment to measure air pollutants from vehicles and factories and for providing the public real-time data that can be accessed through the DENR website. “We cannot manage what we cannot measure. There’s now real-time monitoring data (as guidance and information for public),” he said. However, Pineda said the purchase of state-of-the-art monitoring equipment was only the first step to reducing pollution levels as he echoed Teh’s statement that addressing air pollution woes is not the exclusive responsibility of the government, but of everyone. Also during the forum, the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) reported that the nationwide level of total suspended particulates (TSPs) significantly dropped to 88 micrograms per normal cubic meters (ug/Ncm) in 2013 from a whopping 145 ug/Ncm in 2004. TSPs refer to the amount of solid pollutants such as dust and soot in the air. The national annual guideline value or acceptable amount of TSP in the air is 90 ug/Ncm. The EMB said the TSP level in Metro Manila for 2013 is 118 ug/Ncm, thus requiring further air pollution-reducing action. The agency currently maintains and operates a total of 32 monitoring stations for TSP across the country, and is planning to install 35 more in key cities or highly urbanized centers by 2015. Based on the EMB’s 2012 Emission Inventory Report, 85 percent of air pollution in Metro Manila come from mobile sources or vehicles, 14 percent from stationary sources like factories and power plants, and one percent from area sources such as construction sites and open burning of debris. On a national scale, the report showed that mobile sources accounted for 71 percent; stationary sources, 19 percent; and area sources, 9 percent. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ombudsman indicts ex-Rep. Martinez, 7 others for misappropriating PDAF | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Office of the Ombudsman filed four criminal Informations before the Sandiganbayan against former Cebu 4th District Representative Clavel Martinez and seven others for two counts of Malversation of Public Funds (Article 217, Revised Penal Code) and two counts of violations of Section 3(e) of the Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) in connection with the misuse of P15 million of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales affirmed the finding of probable cause against ex-Rep. Martinez, former Mayor Celestino Martinez III, former Municipal Treasurer Rhett Minguez, Municipal Accountant Cresencio Verdida, all of Bogo, Cebu, along with executive director Alejandrita Meca, treasurer Paz Radaza, cashier-designate Julieta Quiño and bookeeper Rhodariza Kilantang, all from the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. Case records show that on November 19, 2001, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cebu passed Resolution No. 2643-2001 calling the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts of the Philippines – Cebu Council (BSP-CC/GSP-CC) to include in their programs the enforcement of anti-drug campaign to be funded by the 2002 PDAF allocation of Rep. Martinez who was also the President of the GSP-CC from 2000 to 2003. The P15M PDAF was released on May 13, 2002 by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) under Special Release Allotment Order No. ROCS-02-01767. Reports made by GSP-CC and Commission on Audit (COA) show that while there was no Memorandum of Agreement between the local government of Bogo and the GSP-CC, the PDAF was released in two tranches of P7,500,000.00 each upon written request of Meca to Mayor Martinez, Rep. Martinez’s son. The GSP-CC deposited the amounts immediately upon receipt and thereafter prepared the general voucher for withdrawal of the same amount, payable to cash, which was received by Rep. Martinez. Both transactions neither appeared in the Monthly Financial Report of the GSP-CC nor were they pre-audited by the Internal Auditor. The Allotment and Obligation Slips of Bogo were not supported by programs of work and/or documents showing the related activities of GSP. The Office also found that “all the elements required in both charges are present and there is no denying that respondents conspired with each other through evident bad faith and gross inexcusable negligence to defraud public funds.” It added that “Mayor Martinez III, Minguez and Verdida had utterly disregarded the proper procedure in disbursing the PDAF. It cannot be overlooked that by reason of their office and duties, they have control over and are accountable for the funds” and that “they should have demanded for the program of works and/or memorandum of agreement (MOA) showing the activities by the GSP for its anti-drug campaign program, to ensure the legitimacy of all the disbursements.” It found that only P600,000.00 of the P15M was given to GSP-CC while the rest went to Rep. Martinez. It added that the “release of funds to GSP-CC gave respondent Martinez unwarranted benefits, consenting and allowing her to take full control of the funds thereafter misappropriating it. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DFA issues alert level 3 for Afghanistan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 08 July 2014 – The Department of Foreign Affairs has issued Alert Level 3 (voluntary repatriation phase) for Afghanistan due to the heightened tensions in that country following the conduct of the presidential elections last June 14. Alert Level 3 is declared when violent disturbances or external aggression occurs in a limited area of a country. With this announcement, Filipinos in Afghanistan are strongly encouraged to volunteer to return to the Philippines. The Philippine Government maintains a total ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Afghanistan. The DFA continues to monitor the political and security developments in Afghanistan. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 33 Filipino repatriates from Syria to arrive in Manila on July 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 08 July 2014 - Thirty three (33) Filipino repatriates from Syria are scheduled to arrive on July 10 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on board Emirates Airlines flight number EK-334 at 10:10 p.m. The tickets for this group were provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This will bring the total number of OFWs repatriated from Syria to 5,422. As of today, an estimated 2,400 Filipinos still remain in Syria. With Alert Level 4 in effect in Syria, the DFA continues to appeal to all Filipinos there to seek immediate repatriation. For assistance, they may call the Embassy in Damascus at 00963-11-6132626, 00963-949155557, and 00963-934957926 or send an email to damascus.pe@gmail.com. The families of Filipinos in Syria may also provide the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) with updated information regarding their next-of-kin’s present location and contact details in Syria. Those who wish to do so may call the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) at (02) 834-3240 or 834-4583 or the DFA’s 24-hour Action Center at (02) 834-3333. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DSWD gets AU$12.2-M grant to build 468 classrooms, day care centers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alangalang, Leyte – An additional AU$12.2 million grant was extended by the Australian Government to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the construction of early childhood care facilities in the country. Under the grant, a total of 468 classrooms and day care centers will be constructed by the DSWD through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services-National Community-Driven Development Program (KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP). KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP is the expanded version of the Kalahi-CIDSS, piloted by the national government in 2002 and launched in 2003 to alleviate poverty in poor rural communities using the community-driven development (CDD) approach. CDD focuses on empowering and building up the capacities of citizens and local government units so they will be able to lift their own communities out of poverty, giving them the opportunity to make informed decisions on locally identified options for development and manage resources to implement sub-projects that address the needs they have identified. Approximately 117 of the target classrooms and day care centers will be constructed in ‘Yolanda’-affected areas. DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Deputy Secretary Ewen McDonald visited this town on Wednesday where they led the launching and groundbreaking ceremonies for projects funded by the grant. Sec. Soliman thanked the Australian Government for the additional aid which is a big help in the rehabilitation efforts in ‘Yolanda’-hit municipalities. She urged the townsfolk to work together in building the educational facilities, citing the urgency to bring schoolchildren to classrooms and no longer stay in tents. For his part, Dep. Sec. McDonald said, “We are committed to our strong partnership with DSWD because Australia recognizes the potential of CDD to effectively alleviate poverty.” Sec. Soliman stated that aside from the AU$12.2 million additional grant, the Australian Government financed the construction of 626 day care centers and classrooms in communities covered by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the country’s conditional cash transfer program, worth US$10 million in 2012. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customs X-Ray machines boost revenues at NAIA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New X-Ray machines deployed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have generated incremental revenues as the Bureau of Customs (BOC) beefed-up its capability to detect highly taxable items such as jewellery, luxury watches, designer bags, undeclared foreign currencies and even prohibited drugs hidden in travellers’ luggage. “So far, the new fixed X-Ray machines in NAIA have made significant headways in ensuring that duties and taxes are properly paid, and at the same time, prompted the seizure of undeclared, high-value items,” said JulitoDoria, Office-in-Charge of the BOC X-Ray Inspection Project. Doria noted that BOC-NAIA alone collected revenues of P972,977.50from May to June 2014 from duties and taxes paid by airline passengers on goods detected in their luggage by X-Ray. These items include luxury watches, electronic goods of commercial quantity, assorted machine parts and jewelry. Last May, four state-of-the-art fixed baggage NutechX-ray machines were deployed at NAIA Terminals 1, 2 and 3—the first tranche of eight (8) fixed baggage X-Ray machines purchased by the BOC early this year. Aside from NAIA, two (2) other X-Ray machines have also been deployed at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport; and one (1) each at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga and the Kalibo International Airport in Aklan. The Bureau allocated about P145-Million for the purchase of new X-Ray machines. “The additional x-ray machines will allow us to better detect contraband goods being smuggled in by airline passengers, rather than just relying on profiling techniques. It will allow us to release luggage faster and improve the traveling experience for passengers,” Doria added. Improving customs processes at the country’s airports is a priority project of Customs Commissioner John P. Sevilla. Last April, BOC scrapped the mandatory Customs Declaration Form for passengers arriving on international flights if they carry only goods that are duty-free and required passengers to queue at either the red or green lane for customs clearance at the airport. The Green lane is for those with “Nothing to Declare,” meaning they do not have items in their baggage that are not subject to duties and taxes, can be brought-in duty-free and are not subject to any import prohibition, regulation or restriction. On the other hand, the Red lane is for passengers who bring-in goods are subject to import duties or taxes, are above the exempted Customs limits, or are prohibited, controlled or regulated by several statues. The Bureau plans to procure additional fixed X-Ray machines this year, aside from at least six hand-held X-Ray units and four mobile X-Ray machines. These will be deployed in international airports in the country, including those inLaoag and Davao. In tandem with the X-Ray machines, the BOC will also install close-circuit television systems (CCTV), initially at the NAIA. The acquisition of CCTVs is expected to be completed next year. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DPWH receives new mobile drainage pump from Japan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio L. Singson receives from Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe on Wednesday (July 9, 2014) eight (8) new mobile drainage pumps provided by the Government of Japan through the Grant Aid Program for the Project for the Improvement of Equipment for Disaster Risk Management in the Philippines. According to Secretary Rogelio L. Singson, the procurement of mobile drainage pump utilizing part of the Grant Aid of One billion Japanese Yen (approximately 518 Million Pesos) of the Government of Japan will enable the DPWH to respond swiftly during floods usually triggered by typhoons, tropical depression, continuing heavy rains and aggravated by man-made causes such as waterways blockage by solid waste and encroachment of natural waterways. The mobile drainage pump, mounted on a truck with a built-in standby generator set and 50 meter pump hose including accessories, has the capacity to support the flood fighting activity of DPWH by pumping flood waters from water-logged areas into river systems or drainage outfalls. Signed two (2) years ago, the Japanese grant assistance for the project for improvement of equipment for disaster risk management, also includes the installation of Real-time Earthquake and Tsunami Monitoring Systems and a Tsunami Simulation Database to assist the Philippines’ disaster risk reduction efforts Japan, as leading donor to the Philippines’ disaster mitigation program, shares not only the technology but the experiences and lessons learned from the past natural disasters as a disaster- prone country itself. With the assistance of Japanese experts, laboratory works and research activities to sustain the Philippines development of technology and organization in the field of flood control and sabo engineering are conducted at the Hydraulic Laboratory Building established also under Japan’s grant aid program at the DPWH Flood Control and Sabo Engineering Center at Napindan Hydraulic Control Structure compound in Barangay Sta. Rosa, Pasig City. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roxas inspection uncovers warehouse mixing commercial rice with animal feeds | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A government team inspecting warehouses suspected to be used in hoarding activities today discovered an appalling modus operandi: rice imported from Thailand are mixed with broken rice intended for animal feeds then sold to the market as premium Sinandomeng rice. The new modus was discovered when Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, accompanied by officials of the PNP Criminal Investigation Group, Bulacan local officials, agents from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, National Food Authority and the Bureau of Customs, personally inspected the Purefeeds Corporation warehouse located at the First Industrial Center in Barangay Tikay, Malolos City, at noon today. Roxas said the owners of Purefeeds Corp. could be held criminally liable for violations of Philippine Trade laws. “May violation sila sa NFA, sa Bureau of Animal Industry, sa Bureau of Internal Revenue at maging sa Bureau of Customs,” the DILG chief said. “The broken rice residue intended for animal feeds came from Vietnam and was being mixed with the Blue Diamond rice imported from Thailand, and then repacked and being sold as “Golden Bee” Premium Sinandomeng rice,” he pointed out. Roxas said the operations of the rice mill will be temporary suspended while appropriate charges are being readied against the Purefeeds Corp, which is owned by a certain Jomerito Soliman. The raid at the Purefeeds warehouse was the 18th operations conducted by the CIDG and NFA. Of the 18 raids, Roxas said only four were found to be engaged in illicit trading of rice. Roxas said that under Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act, the PNP and other law enforcement units may be deputized to monitor and inspect warehouses for possible hoarding and diversion of NFA rice. “Hindi natin papayagang umiral ang panloloko ng mga negosyante sa ating mga kababayan. Hindi natin sila tatantanan at hindi natin papayagan na makakain ng ganito ang ating mga mamamayan ,” Roxas said, referring to the adulterated rice. During the inspection, the government team discovered inside the warehouse at least 32,000 sacks of assorted broken rice intended for animal feed that were imported in Vietnam and regular rice imported from Thailand. Senior Supt. Ferdinand Divina, Bulacan PNP acting director, said two trucks loaded with 900 sacks of the adulterated rice were prevented from leaving the warehouse. According to NFA Administrator Arthur S. Juan, they will investigate why the two trucks seized at Purefeeds warehouse bore the logo of NFA complete with license number. The Marilao warehouse was one of the 18 warehouses inspected by the PNP-CIDG since Thursday (July 3), when Roxas directed the PNP to assist government agencies in the investigation and filing of cases against those behind the artificial increase in the prices of essential commodities such as rice, garlic, ginger, pork, chicken, and milk. The series of inspection led to the discovery of 220,000 bags of rice found stacked in the warehouses, 80,000 of which were found to be in violation of anti-hoarding laws. Two of the warehouses which were personally inspected by Roxas and Magalong early Sunday (July 6) morning, yielded 14,996 bags of NFA rice and 4,580 bags of commercial rice. During inspection of Warehouse #A1 and #A2, in JY & Son Compound., Km. 23, West Service Road., Cupang, Muntinlupa City, a commercial rice milling machine believed to be used for polishing inferior quality and old stock rice was also discovered. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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