President
Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the Energy Smart Philippines 2014
SMX Convention Center, Pasay City
30 Sept 2014
Last week, I stood inside the United Nations Headquarters in New York to add
the Philippines’ voice to what has become a universal call to action: We, as
one world, must come together against climate change. I spoke of our
country’s experience with the new normal caused by climate change, about how
countries like ours, despite being less industrialized, bear a
disproportionate amount of the burden. I emphasized the necessity of unity:
how we must end the era of debating each country’s individual obligations,
and instead embark on a concerted global effort to address the issue, with
each of us doing everything we can. This is why I am here today: because you
are a key sector as our country strengthens its status as a global example
of how to tread a climate-smart path to development.
Our country’s goal for the energy sector has always been clear: we want
reliable power, preferably clean and reasonably priced. Naturally, this
involves balancing multiple priorities. For instance, as our country
continues its rapid growth, we must keep up with demand so that we can
maintain our economic momentum. We have to do this in the face of looming
challenges, one of them being the potential 300 megawatt shortfall of energy
in 2015, which some project to be as large as 1000 megawatts. Such a
situation necessitates steps to ensure energy supply if a shortfall does
arise, which is why we have asked Congress for a joint resolution
authorizing the national government to contract additional generating
capacity. I am aware that investors in the energy sector are worried about
these measures distorting the market, but let me assure you: government
intervention is meant only to address the shortage. The sole goal of this
initiative is to make sure our economy does not lose its momentum in the
event of an energy shortage.
As we pursue such projects, we remain fully aware of our obligations to
future generations of Filipinos. This is why, despite our status as a
developing country; despite the need to industrialize further; and despite
our historically low carbon emissions, we are still doing everything in our
power to maintain and improve our low-emission development strategy. Without
doubt, the contributions of those of you in attendance today will be vital
in this effort. As early as now, it is of absolute importance that we
continue exploring and investing in clean and renewable energy sources.
I assure all of you: Your government will continue to stand by you. We
remain committed to the National Renewable Energy Program, which aims to add
9,931 megawatts of Renewable Energy-based capacity by 2030, and we are
making early strides. In May of this year, for instance, I attended the
inauguration of Phase 1 of the San Carlos Solar Energy Facility, which, when
fully completed, will be producing 22 megawatts of solar power; and we are
looking to incentivize the entry of around 450 more megawatts of solar
power, with the Department of Energy endorsing to the Energy Regulatory
Commission the expansion of the installation target for solar power under
the Feed-in-Tariff System.
Of course, diversifying our sources of energy is not the only approach to
minimizing our carbon footprint. It also involves reducing the amount of
energy we consume. In this regard, the Department of Energy has undertaken
large-scale projects that have made a significant impact in reducing
consumption. There is for instance the Philippine Energy Efficiency Program,
which involved distributing 8.6 million compact fluorescent lamps to the
public. It has reduced power demand, I’m told, by as much as 240 megawatts
in the evenings, and annual consumption by 306 gigawatt hours. Through the
PEEP, the DOE also replaced the lighting systems of national and local
government offices, and retrofitted a number of public lighting systems,
thus reducing annual power consumption by 11.05 gigawatt hours and 4.42
gigawatt hours, respectively.
With the help of the Asian Development Bank, we are also able to look
forward to the first delivery of e-tricycles for our e-vehicles project.
Right now, the DOE is in the process of procuring 3,000 e-tricycles, which
we expect to be completed by next year. This will be the first step towards
our goal of replacing 100,000 gas-fueled tricycles with electric ones, which
will reduce our carbon footprint further, as well as our dependence on oil.
Our administration is serious about minimizing our impact on our
environment, while ensuring our continued development, which is why we lend
our full support to conferences such as this one. The conversations you will
be having are of the utmost importance. I am hopeful that they will be
productive; that they will reveal new ideas and breakthroughs that can help
us surmount the global challenge of climate change.
At the United Nations Headquarters, world leaders spoke about what we could
do, as one world, to address this global problem. We spoke with broad and
specific ideas; we spoke about the value of unity and togetherness in the
face of a threat that does not recognize national boundaries. Conventions
like this are equally important, for it is in such places where the
solutions to the many specific challenges of climate change are born and
developed. Thus, I encourage you to speak, and more importantly, to listen
to one another’s ideas, and to actively seek partnerships and synergies that
are yet untapped, so that we can move as fast as possible into a future that
is more prosperous, safer, and cleaner, not just for our country, but for
all of humanity.
Thank you and good day.
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30 SEPT 2014
- Statement: The Socioeconomic Planning Secretary on
accelerating infrastructure development
- Remote Zambo village fulfills dream school through
people participation
- Sajahatra implements initial cash-for-work program in
South Cotabato communities
- DBM-Comelec secure overseas voting funding in 2015;
Abad: Funds to be sourced from Comelec savings
- Intermediate courses in Productivity Toolbox to
increase MSMEs' efficiency and improve workers attitude towards customer
and product/service quality--Baldoz
- POEA Governing Board issues new guidelines defining
high risk areas and benefits due to seafarers
- ASEAN, Australia Reaffirm Commitment to Elevate
Relations at 4th Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting
- BFAR’s statement on the incident of fish mortality in
Rosario, Cavite
- Philippines makes significant headway in fight vs
illegal fishing
- P15.5-M Machineries For Samar And Leyte
- DENR pushes for early compliance to Euro 4 fuel
standards, phase-out of ageing vehicles
- FCDU
Loans Up by 1.8 Percent in Q2 2014
- Roxas welcomes Gold Award granted to the Philippines
for the GPB
- PDIC to pay depositors of the closed Rural Bank of Lobo
starting October 7
- Discontinuation
of the "PREMYO SA RESIBO (PSR)" Program
- Mayor is new PNP spokesman and publicist
-
TESDA
renews partnership with Robinsons malls
Statement:
The Socioeconomic Planning Secretary on
accelerating infrastructure development
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STATEMENT SECRETARY ARSENIO M.
BALISACAN
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director-General
PHILIPPINE ECONOMIC BRIEFING
“Accelerating Infrastructure Development”
30 September 2014, 8:00 AM
Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City
Infrastructure development remains one of the top priorities of the
Philippine Government to help sustain the robust economic performance and the
improved confidence level among the international business communities that
the country is currently enjoying. As we know, infrastructure development
plays a critical role in the growth and competitiveness of the Philippines
and its major economic sectors; in reducing poverty, and creating quality
employment; and in ensuring the safety of people, communities, properties and
livelihood in times of natural disasters and calamities. Given all these, the
government is working to enhance the quality, adequacy and accessibility of
the country’s infrastructure.
The overall strategy of the government to accelerate infrastructure
development is to increase public infrastructure spending from 2.2 percent of
GDP in 2012 to at least 5.0 percent by 2016.
The strategies and action plans in the Philippine Development Plan are
translated into priority programs and projects under the current Public
Investment Program (PIP) being implemented within the medium-term by the
national government (NG), government-owned and/or -controlled corporations
(GOCCs), government financial institutions (GFIs), and other government
offices and instrumentalities.
For 2013-2016, the priority programs and projects for the infrastructure
sector consist of 952 projects with total investment requirements amounting
to about USD46.69 billion (PhP2.06 trillion), including capital
infrastructure projects, both ongoing and proposed.
This slide provides the breakdown for the subsectors until 2016.
Investment requirements for infrastructure development remain huge despite
increased public infrastructure spending. Therefore, infrastructure
development will be supplemented by private sector investments through
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
To optimize public-private partnerships and enhance the country’s
attractiveness to private sector investors, the government has reviewed,
amended, and approved policies and legal framework involving private sector
participation, such as the IRR of the BOT Law (RA 7718) and the JV
Guidelines. Reforms in the energy sector have also increased private sector
participation. In July 2012, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved
the feed-in-tariff (FiT) rates to encourage RE developers to invest at the
initial stage and hasten RE deployment.
To improve competitiveness and geographic connectivity, the Pocket Open Skies
Policy (EO 29) was issued in 2011, allowing foreign carriers to operate
unilateral and unlimited traffic rights to airports other than the Ninoy
Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Meanwhile, the Common Carriers Tax (CCT)
Act (RA 10378) aims to enhance the country’s competitiveness in international
travel by encouraging international air carriers to include the Philippines
in their primary routes.
Alongside these policies, the government is pursuing the synchronization of
planning, programming and budgeting to ensure that the programs and projects
are aligned with the country’s developmental goals and outcomes.
Sustaining the economy’s high-growth trajectory requires continued investment
in infrastructure to unleash the potentials of many areas throughout the
country. Thus, investors are encouraged to participate in the construction
and implementation of various programs and projects that have been identified
in a number of infrastructure-related roadmaps and master plans approved by
the government. Several programs and projects in these roadmaps and master plans
have no identified financing yet.
For transport infrastructure, priorities include the implementation of:
The Transport Infrastructure Development Roadmap for Metro Manila and its
Surrounding Areas (Region III and IV-a), to improve coordination among
relevant agencies on transport projects in Metro Manila and its environs in
the short-term, medium-term, and long-term;
The Logistics Infrastructure Roadmap for Mindanao, to improve logistics
infrastructure for cost-effective linking of Mindanao’s agriculture and
fishery production centers to markets within the region, the rest of the
country and abroad; and
The DPWH and Department of Tourism (DOT) Convergence Plan, to provide road
access to designated priority tourism destinations under the National Tourism
Development Plan (NTDP).
Other approved infrastructure master plans include: The Flood Management
Master Plan for Metro Manila and Surrounding Areas and the E-Government
Master Plan (EGMP).
In the energy sector, the 2013-2017 Household Electrification Development
Plan (HEDP) issued by the Department of Energy (DOE) sets the plans and
strategies to attain 86.2-percent household electrification by 2016 and
90-percent by 2017, while the Philippine Energy Plan 2012-2030 targets
100-percent electrification of sitios by 2015.
To promote energy conservation and energy efficient technologies, the
Department of Energy (DOE) is implementing various activities under the
National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program (NEECP), while the
National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) aims to develop specific RE
technologies and help the country triple its renewable energy capacity by
2030.
In terms of basic infrastructure facilities and services, the government is
working to provide clean and safe drinking water to 14 million Filipinos;
construct additional 87,034 classrooms by end of 2016; provide 262,287
socialized housing units from 2014 to 2016; construct, rehabilitate and
upgrade 12,295 basic health care hospitals and facilities from 2014 to 2016;
and improve solid waste and wastewater management.
For ICT, the adoption of the Integrated Services Digital
Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) or the Japanese standard in Digital
Broadcasting provides potential investment opportunities for the development
of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) broadcast infrastructure in the
country.
As we accelerate infrastructure development, the government shall continue
implementing strategies to improve the country’s business climate and
encourage private sector participation through good governance, vital
infrastructure support, and policy reforms to facilitate doing business in
the country.
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Remote Zambo village fulfills dream school through people
participation
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Tukura, Zamboanga del Sur – Lack
of education remains one of the biggest concerns in the Philippines,
particularly for those living in remote villages.
This was a problem that was all too real for the residents of Barangay
Man-ilan in this town.
Located almost 20 kilometers away from the main road, Barangay Man-ilan can
only be reached by habal-habal (motorcycles for public transport). With this,
Brgy. Man-ilan is isolated from the rest of the villages.
“Sa una, gamay lang gyud ang mga estudyante namu (There were only a few
students here before),” narrated Nezaida Labrador, a teacher of the Man-ilan
Elementary School, which previously consisted of two makeshift classrooms.
“Katung mga naka-enrol diri, kasagaran ga-transfer pud kay kung ga-ulan,
matuluan gyud sila kay murag gi-himu-himu lang man ang ilahang room (Most of
those who were enrolled here would eventually transfer to other schools
because when it rains, students would get wet as they only occupied makeshift
classrooms),” she added.
More often than not, grim future awaited the students who did not have the
option to transfer schools.
“Ginikanan ang ilahang sitwasyon. Ang uban nga diri gapuyo pero sa laing nga
eskwela ga-sulud, mu-baclay pa sa pikas nga baryo kay didtu maayu man ang
classrooms (The tendency was for children who could not transfer to no longer
attend school, because their parents could see how difficult their situation
would be. On the other hand, those who enrolled to another school needed to
take a longer route to get to the other side of the village),” Nezaida
further narrated.
The introduction of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and
Integrated Delivery of Social Services-National Community-Driven Development
Program (KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP) to support Barangay Man-ilan’s implementation of
the national government’s Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process (GPBP)
provided the opportunity for the villagers to finally get their own school
building.
KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP is one of the poverty-alleviation programs of the Department
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It utilizes the community-driven
development (CDD) approach to ensure that citizens become actively involved
in local decision-making, even as they are provided the opportunity to have
improved access to basic social services.
GPBP, formerly known as Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB), is a strategy of the
Philippine government for the citizens, particularly the poor, to enable them
to participate in the local budgeting process to ensure that programs and
services are responsive to their needs.
However, residents were initially hesitant to participate in the process
despite the opportunity offered to them through the KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP’s GPBP
implementation.
Mamelito Butir, who served as one of the community volunteers in KALAHI
CIDSS-NCDDP, shared, “Gamay lang gyud mu attend mga anang asembliya sa una.
Mga lima, daku na nang dyes katau. Siguro pud, maulaw sila, kahy basig dili
sila kasabut (Only a few attended barangay assemblies before. A group of five
or ten people was already a significant size then. Maybe they were reluctant
to attend because they thought they would not be able to understand whatever
will be discussed there),” adding that such was typically how they responded
to government projects in the past.
Still, those who showed interest to volunteer in KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP
persevered, even though they needed to adjust, as it was a novelty for them
to work with their fellow villagers.
“Ang katung problema lang sa una, kana bang syempre ang kinaiya sa tawu nay
dili natu mapasabut, pero daghan mi ug kalihukan para mapasabut lang sila
(There were times when we cannot understand what our supposed
responsibilities were in the project, but we made a lot of effort for them to
comprehend and even appreciate it),” said Mamelito.
Men and women of different sectors came together to volunteer and participate
in the construction of the classrooms, which had a total cost of
P2,572,424.00.
By working together, they were finally able to achieve their longtime dream
to have a school in their community.
“Sa kaluuy sa ginoo, gi-succeed da gihapun ang among tumong. Kaayuhan da
gihapun sa community. Basta amu silang gipasabut kay naa ta’y proyekto
gihatag sa KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDPat GPBP. Kinahanglan mu tabang ta. Tabang lang
pud dayun sila (With God’s grace, we succeeded in realizing our objective of
working for the welfare of the community. We let the people know that we got
our sub-project through KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP and GPBP, and that we as a
community need to help each other),” Mamelito related.
Today, a one-unit, four-classroom building sits proudly in Barangay Man-ilan,
testimony of the hard work put into by the residents of the village for their
children.
“Apan sa pagtukud sa kining classroom, gi-pull out namu ang mga estudyante
nga residente diri sa Man-ilan pero enrolled sa mga eskwela sa laing
barangay. Kay gusto pud namu magamit gyud nila ang proyekto nga para ilaha.
Si na sila mu-baclay sa kalayu (Upon the completion of the classroom
building, students who reside in Man-ilan but were enrolled in schools in
other barangays were pulled out so they can be enrolled here. We also wanted
them to benefit from the sub-project that was built for them, and they no
longer have to take a long walk to get to and from school),” Teacher Nezaida
said.
The new building is a far cry from the makeshift classrooms of the past,
which were insufficient for their needs, as teachers were required to develop
a rotating schedule just so they can have the opportunity to use the
available classrooms, dilapidated as they may be.
Now, Man-ilan elementary students no longer have to put up with improvised
classrooms, especially during the on-set of rainy weather. Consequently, the
new facility has encouraged more children to enroll in the village’s primary
school, increasing the number of enrolees to 136 at present as compared to
less than 100 last year.
What seemed elusive for the present and future students of Man-ilan before
has now become a reality, and it is through the efforts of the community people
themselves, who have made this possible through their own hard work with the
support of DSWD’s KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP.
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Sajahatra implements initial cash-for-work program in South
Cotabato communities
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SOUTH COTABATO, MINDANAO – Some
246 residents of South Cotabato have been given a unique chance to augment
their income through a cash-for-work (CFW) program implemented under the
Sajahatra Bangsamoro initiative.
"Malaking bagay po para sa amin itong cash-for-work (This cash-for-work
is significant for us)," said Nowkh Mama Ludsiman of Barangay Lampari,
Banga, South Cotabato.
"Bukod sa nagkakaroon kami ng trabaho, napapatibay pa ng ginagawa namin
ang pamayanan namin (Aside from giving us jobs, our efforts allow us to
strengthen our communities.)"
The Sajahatra Bangsamoro's CFW program is carried out by the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The types of jobs under the program
are targeted towards community improvement and protection such as flood
prevention, disaster-preparedness, environment protection, and infrastructure
reconstruction and rehabilitation as well as food security under the
supplemental feeding program.
Norhata Benito, head of the DSWD Risk Reduction and Management Section-Region
XII office, refers to the CFW as one of “DSWD's commitments to help our
Bangsamoro brothers and sisters gain ground on their path to peace and
progress."
“The program gives them earning opportunities that are not only productive,
but also directly beneficial to the long-term improvement, protection, and
empowerment of their communities," she pointed out.
The 246 individuals participating in the CFW program in this province are
part of the program-wide total of 11,000 beneficiaries who are being
mobilized to serve 10 days of paid community work per month in a span of
three months.
Both male and female comprise the list of beneficiaries, allowing fair and
equal opportunities to contribute to, as well as gain from, the program.
"Malaki po ang naitutulong ng cash-for-work sa amin, lalo bilang
kababaihan (The cash-for-work program helps us in a big way, especially us
women)," remarked Menina Balicacos, a young mother who is also from
Barangay Lampari.
"Nabibigyan kami ng paraan para suportahan ang mga pamilya namin (We are
given a means to provide for our families.)" she said.
Pioneer batches of CFW beneficiaries have already received wages. To date,
approximately one-third of the program's identified beneficiaries have been
mobilized.
The Sajahatra Bangsamoro is the Aquino government’s concrete socio-economic
peace initiative that aims to uplift the health, education, and livelihood
conditions in communities that fall within and around the proposed Bangsamoro
territory. Jointly implemented with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF),
the program is the initial dividend of peace following the signing of the
Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro. The Sajahatra Bangsamoro is also
expected to jumpstart the socio-economic component of the Normalization
process in line with the signed Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
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DBM-Comelec secure overseas voting funding in 2015; Abad: Funds to be
sourced from Comelec savings
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Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch”
Abad today said that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the
Commission on Elections (Comelec) have secured the necessary funding
requirements to amply support the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) in 2015, by
drawing the required funds from the election body’s savings.
The budget department, in turn, has committed to provide an item of
appropriation under the 2015 proposed budget for the said purpose that can be
augmented using Comelec’s savings.
“The P89.6 million being proposed by the Comelec for the OAV registration
next year can be completely accommodated by utilizing their own savings,
which they have generated since last year. We discussed the matter with the
Comelec, and they have since agreed to tap their savings for the said purpose
in 2015.
“It’s very important to give our Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) the
necessary means to participate in the coming elections. That is exactly why
we advised the Comelec to prioritize the OAV registration in the use of their
savings,“ Abad said.
The Budget Secretary added that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also
has an allocation for Overseas Absentee Voting worth P43.4 million under the
2014 GAA and proposed 2015 budget, respectively.
This appropriation is allocated for the conduct of continuing registration,
information campaign and development, and proper maintenance of voter
databases.
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Intermediate courses in Productivity Toolbox to increase MSMEs'
efficiency and improve workers attitude towards customer and product/service
quality--Baldoz
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Pressing her pitch for micro,
small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to avail of the DOLE's Productivity
Toolbox, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday
enumerated the specific benefits that MSMEs can derive from the intermediate
training courses in the toolbox.
"For MSMEs, the intermediate courses will increase their efficiency in
utilizing their resources and managing production costs. It will improve
their productivity and competitiveness through the application of appropriate
and advanced productivity technologies," said Baldoz.
"On the part of the workers, the intermediate training courses will
result to improved work attitude; reduce their service errors leading to
better services; make them conscious of product/service quality; and lead
them to focus more on their customers," Baldoz added.
The Productivity Toolbox consists of five basic training courses; six
intermediate training courses; and three advanced training courses, or a
total of fourteen (14) training courses.
For intermediate training, the Toolbox offers the following: (1) ISTIV Plus
(Succeeding in Business); (2) Green Productivity (Green My Enterprise
Program); (3) Service Quality for Key Employment Generators-Hotel and
Restaurant Industry; (4) Training on Work Improvement and Measurement Study;
(5) Consulting/Supplemental Training on Advance Productivity Technologies;
and (6) Production and Operation Management.
ISTIV Plus (Succeeding in Business) is a two-day values-driven human resource
intervention for quality and productivity improvement rooted in the five
ideal attributes of a productive individual. ISTIV stands for Industrious,
Systematic, Time-Conscious, Innovative, and Value for work. This training
course combines productivity values and productivity techniques in a
knowledge dialogue for improved communication between labor and management.
Another two-day intermediate training is Green Productivity (Green My
Enterprise Program), a consulting training for sustainable growth and
environment protection that recognizes the workforce as driver of change in
the enterprise.
Service Quality for Key Employment Generators-Hotel and Restaurant Industry
is a two-day intermediate training course specifically for hotels and
restaurants categorized as standard or economy and fast-food. It is a quality
management intervention to enhance workforce knowledge and skills in
providing error-free service to customers.
Training on Work Improvement and Measurement Study is a seminar-workshop
which teaches the preparation of time study by determining factors, such as
observed, normal, and standard times and allowances. It seeks to define work
measurement and identify its uses and techniques to help enterprises
determine correct wage rates, as well as improve their work systems. The
duration of the seminar-workshop is two days.
The fourth intermediate training course is Consulting Training on Advance
Productivity Technologies, an intervention which involves the provision of
direction and guidance to enterprises through regular monitoring and
evaluation visits to give advice on productivity improvement programs.
The last, but not the least, intermediate training course is Production and
Operation Management (PROMAN), an eight-day introductory course on the
process of creation of products from resource inputs and productive
processing. It seeks to help participants understand the production functions
in an organization and how these relate to wage and time standards; apply
production concepts, tools, and techniques in both manufacturing and
services; and gain necessary and sufficient skills to be of better help to
organizations or individuals in improving, measuring, and compensating.
Baldoz emphasized that these training courses are offered free of charge.
The labor and employment chief had approved the National Wages and
Productivity Commission-formulated Productivity Toolbox for MSMEs and the
Manual on Productivity Enhancement Program for DOLE Livelihood Program
Beneficiaries which the DOLE will provide in the second level of its
engagement with business establishments under the new Labor Laws Compliance
System.
The Productivity Toolbox is a needs-based, ladderized package of
developmental assistance to MSMEs to ensure that they transition to more
viable and competitive enterprises and eventually, comply with labor laws,
including safety and health standards.
It provides a menu of productivity tools and technologies which MSMEs can
adopt depending on their capacity-building needs. It also forms part of the
DOLE's package of development assistance to MSMEs in support of the
productivity-based pay scheme, or the second tier, of the Two-Tiered Wage
System, a reform which Baldoz has initiated and which the DOLE has been
pursuing since 2011.
For a preview of the Productivity Toolbox and its content, visit the NWPC
website www.nwpc.dole.gov.ph and click on the Productivity Toolbox icon, or
inquire from the NWPC and its network of Regional Tripartite Wages and
Productivity Boards.
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POEA Governing Board issues new guidelines
defining high risk areas and benefits due to seafarers
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Labor and Employment Secretary
Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, chairman of the Governing Board of the Philippine
Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), yesterday announced that the Board
has issued a resolution adopting guidelines on the limits of high-risk areas
and benefits due to seafarers that apply to the Internationally-Recognized
Transit Corridor (IRTC) within the Gulf of Aden. “The POEA Governing Board
issued GBR No. 26, Series of 2014, adopting the amended guidelines defining
high-risk areas and the benefits due to seafarers in transiting in such areas
after the POEA consulted manning associations, seafarers’ unions, and
international shipowners’ associations, which fully support the new agreement
between the social partners comprising the International Bargaining Forum,”
explained Baldoz. The amended High Risk Area Agreement, reached between
social partners comprising the International Bargaining Forum on 5 June 2014,
takes into account the decreased likelihood of piracy attack in the Gulf of
Aden due to the implementation of the Best Management Practices, Series 4, by
international shipping organizations and the increased presence of military
assets in the area. The International Bargaining Forum (IBF) is a forum of
international maritime employers. The agreement downgrades the IRTC within
the Gulf of Aden from High Risk Area status to Extended Risk Zone status.
This results in the removal of the necessity to pay additional compensation
for transit within the IRTC and that such additional compensation will only
apply if the vessel is subject to a confirmed attack. The guidelines provides
that (1) Seafarers on board ships transiting the following coordinates shall
no longer be covered by High Risk Area bonus/additional compensation: (A) For
East bound Lane, start position at 45° East and runs between 11° 48’ North and
11° 53’ North. The lane runs straight, at course 72°. The termination of the
lane is at 53° East, between 14° 18’ North and 14° 23’ North; (B) For West
bound lane, start position at 53° East, between 14° 25’ North and 14° 30’
North. The lane runs straight through 252°. The termination of the lane is at
45° East, between 11° 55’ North and 12° 00’ North. The guidelines further
provide that when a vessel sailing or operating within the said coordinates
is attacked, high risk area bonus shall be paid, on the condition that the
attack shall be recorded in the vessel’s logbook, confirmed in writing and
submitted to the employer or manning agency to ensure that proper
compensation is paid. The guidelines also provides that seafarers onboard
ships transiting in the following high risk areas shall be entitled to High
Risk area bonus/additional compensation and benefits: (1) IBF Warlike
Operations Area -- 12 nautical miles off Somali North Coast Territorial
waters extending up to the 12 nautical miles limit from due north of the
north-western border of Somalia with Ethiopia to due north of Cape Guardafui;
(2) IBF High Risk Area -- Gulf of Aden, up to 400 nautical miles off Somali
East Coast. The Western border of this High Risk Area runs from the coastline
at the border of Djibouti and Somalia to position of 11° 48’ North, 45° East,
from 12° 00’ North, 45° East to Mayyun Island in the Bab El Mandeb Straits.
The Eastern border runs from Rhiy di-Irisal on Suqutra Island to position 14°
18’ North, 53° East, from 14° 30’ North, 53° East to the coastline at the
border between Yemen and Oman together with a 400 mile zone of the eastern
coast of Somalia; (3) IBF Extended Risk Zone -- West Indian Ocean. The
western border of the Extended Risk Zone runs from the coastline at the border
of Djibouti and Somalia to position 11° 48’ North, 45° East, from 12° 00’
North, 45° East to Mayyun Island in the Bab El Mandeb Straits. The Eastern
border is set at 78° East, the southern border is set at 10° South and the
Northern border is set at 26° North; and (4) IBF High Risk Area -- Gulf of
Guinea. The territorial waters of Benin and Nigeria, including ports,
terminals and roads anchorages, the delta of the Niger river, other inland
waterways and port facilities, except only when the vessel is attached
securely to a berth or SBM facility in a guarded port are. “Seafarers onboard
vessels transiting in these areas are entitled to additional compensation,”
said Baldoz. It can be recalled that the POEA Governing Board had issued
various resolutions concerning the Gulf of Aden as a high risk area for
Filipino seafarers onboard ships transiting in the area. These resolutions
included GBR No 4, Series of 2008, passed on October 2008, declaring the Gulf
of Aden as a high risk area for seafarers; Resolutions Nos. 3, 5, and 6,
Series of 2009; No. 11, Series of 2011; and Nos. 12 and 13, Series of 2012,
were subsequently issued to govern the application of the guidelines issued
by IBF. “The resolution is effective on 1 October 2014, hence, I have
instructed the POEA and the Labor Communications Office, as well as
stakeholders, to join in its extensive dissemination to ensure wide
circulation and knowledge of this resolution,” Baldoz said. Baldoz, POEA
Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, the Governing Board's Vice Chairman, and
Governing Board members Milagros Isabel Cristobal, Alexander Asuncion,
Estrelita Hizon, and Felix Rodolfo Oca, all signed the resolution.
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ASEAN, Australia Reaffirm Commitment to Elevate
Relations at 4th Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting
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30 September 2014 – ASEAN and
Australia reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthen their
comprehensive partnership and discussed preparations for ASEAN-Australia
Commemorative Summit to be held on November 12 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar to
mark the 40th anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations as an
opportunity to elevate the mature ties to a higher level.
This was the consensus reached at the 4th ASEAN-Australia Joint Cooperation
Committee (AAJCC) Meeting on September 25, which was co-chaired by Philippine
Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, Permanent Representative of the Republic
of the Philippines to ASEAN, and Australian Ambassador to ASEAN Simon
Merrifield at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. The AAJCC was also attended
by all the Permanent Representatives/Ambassadors to ASEAN of ASEAN Member
States.
“2014 is a banner year for ASEAN-Australia relations even as we hold this JCC
on the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of our relations. Indeed, a
number of activities have been undertaken to mark the long and mutually
beneficial friendship that ASEAN and Australia have been according each
other,” Ambassador Buensuceso emphasized.
“2014 is also the year we completed the successor document to our Plan of
Action, which was adopted by our Ministers at the Post Ministerial Conference
with Australia in August in Nay Pyi Taw. We remember fondly, of course, the
landmark visit to Australia of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to
ASEAN, where we met with no less than Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie
Bishop and Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb,” Ambassador
Buensuceso added.
The AAJCC discussed preparations for the ASEAN-Australia Commemorative Summit
to be chaired by Myanmar President and ASEAN Chair U Thein Sein, and to be
attended by all ASEAN Leaders and the Prime Minister of Australia.
The AAJCC agreed that a statement to be released after the Commemorative
Summit will serve as an important guide in charting the future directions of
ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations in all areas of cooperative partnership in
the years to come.
The AAJCC also exchanged views on the goals for the next five years to
further strengthen ASEAN-Australia relations, including the effective
implementation of the newly-adopted Plan of Action (POA) to Implement the
Joint Declaration on ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Partnership (2015-2019).
The POA covers a range of ASEAN-Australia cooperative endeavors in political
and security, economic, trade and investment, socio-cultural,
people-to-people exchanges, tourism, development cooperation and education
issues.
“Australia is a vital and important partner of ASEAN. Economic and trade
relations between ASEAN and Australia have steadily expanded in the past
years. Tourist arrivals from Australia to ASEAN is also very significant. We
also appreciate Australia’s enduring commitment to support ASEAN in education
by offering more than its current award of around 1,000 scholarships per year
to ASEAN students to study in Australia. We also welcome the New Colombo
Plan’s expansion to all ASEAN Member States in 2015. Australia has made it
plain time and again that she is our reliable partner in upholding the
maintenance of peace and stability, respect for international law, unimpeded
trade and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea and the
peaceful settlement of disputes,” Ambassador Buensuceso said.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Merrifield reiterated Australia’s commitment to further
deepen and strengthen its relationship with ASEAN covering cooperation in
security, culture, trade, education and development. He added that Australia
will continue to support ASEAN’s community building efforts and its Post-2015
Vision. He said that Australia will continue to be an active partner of ASEAN
in various ASEAN-led mechanisms like the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN
Regional Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+).
“I was delighted to co-chair my second JCC, and appreciated the useful
discussions we had about regional issues of mutual interest and the deepening
of the ASEAN-Australia partnership. It was also a valuable opportunity to
discuss preparations for the ASEAN-Australia Commemorative Summit in
November, which will be a highlight of our celebrations of the 40th
anniversary of ASEAN-Australia relations this year,” Ambassador Merrifield
said.
“ASEAN is our number two trading partner after China and Australia is ASEAN’s
sixth largest export destination. Two-way trade is now at $92.3 billion per
annum (2013 figures) and that figure is twice what it was a decade ago,”
Ambassador Merrifield added.
Australia, which established its formal ties with ASEAN in 1974, is ASEAN’s
oldest dialogue partner.
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BFAR’s statement on the incident of fish mortality in Rosario,
Cavite
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The BFAR Quick Response Team and
the Fish Health Unit personnel of BFAR IV-A were deployed in Rosario, Cavite
on September 25 following a reported incident of fish mortality in Malimango
River, a four-kilometer river, which starts in Brgy. Bagbag 1 and ends in
Brgy. Ligtong 1 where it opens to Manila Bay.
The river traverses five (5) barangays in Rosario, Cavite namely; Bagbag 1,
Bagbag 2, Ligtong 1, Ligtong 3 and, Ligtong 4.
The stretch of Malimango river is not an aquaculture-producing area and the
fish affected by the mortality were wild stock species of tilapia,asohos
(silago), banak (mullet) and biya (goby). The loss is estimated at one (1)
ton. In the afternoon of September 24, residents in the area noticed that the
fish were surfacing the water and “gasping for air.” Later on, they saw dead
fish floating on the river, particularly, in area where it flows into Manila
Bay.
The Fish Health Unit personnel of BFAR IV-A in collaboration with the
Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) of Rosario
collected water samples and conducted dissolved oxygen (DO) reading in the
following areas: 1. Point 1: Tramo, Barangay Bagbag Uno (A) 2. Point 2:
Tramo, Barangay Bagbag Uno (B) 3. Point 3: Marcella St. , Barangay Ligtong 3
4. Point 4: Barangay Ligtong 4 5. Point 5: Barangay Ligtong Uno (river mouth)
Initial findings indicated that dissolved oxygen (DO) level in all three
sampling points—Brgy. Bagbag Uno (B), Brgy. Ligtong 3 and, Brgy. Ligtong 4—
was below 3-5 mg/L or within the critical level. The water quality test came
back with high levels of Ammonia-Nitrogen, Nitrite-Nitrogen, and Phosphates,
beyond acceptable level, in all the sampling sites.
Ammonia is a chemical compound produced naturally from decomposing organic
matter, including plants, animals and animal wastes. The ammonia in the water
samples, however, might have also come from agricultural, domestic and
industrial wastes. Phosphates, on the other hand, are one of the primary
nutrient sources for many forms of algae and could come from sources like
domestic sewage and runoff from agricultural land, urban areas and green
areas (PEMSEA and MBEMP TWA-RRA in 2006). These chemicals at alarming level
have hazardous effects on fish which may result in fish mortality.
BFAR is closely working with the LGU of Rosario in monitoring the water
quality of the river and has recommended the necessary management measures
during the fish mortality occurrence such as proper disposal of dead fish.
This is to ensure that dead fishes will not reach the market and prevent
sanitary-related diseases from happening. (DA-BFAR IPRG)
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The fight against illegal,
unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF) remains part of the country’s
continuing efforts to ensure the sustainable use of the country’s marine and
fishery wealth for future food security and long-term socio-economic
opportunities.
“As a country where fish hunting and fish farming are a major source of
livelihood and income as well as export earnings, proper conservation and
protection of our marine wealth and ecosystems is an imperative and not a
choice,” Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Asis Perez
said.
And the same time, putting an end to IUUF is an international commitment that
President Benigno S. Aquino III himself re-affirmed during his visit to
Belgium recently.
In a meeting with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso at EC
headquarters in Brussels, Aquino assured the European Union that the
Philippines is actively undertaking measures, and has actually made progress,
in its efforts to combat IUUF activities.
“Our relevant agencies, particularly BFAR, have been in close coordination
with EU’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to address
the matter,” Aquino remarked during a joint press conference with Barroso
after their talks.
He said the government has initiated and posted gains in its pursuit of
legal, administrative and budgetary reforms to effect good governance in the
fishing sector.
These include the adoption of the National Plan of Action signed as Executive
Order No. 154 by President Aquino in December 2013, which prompted the
creation of an Inter-agency Philippine Committee against IUUF.
DA-BFAR also instituted a new traceability regulation (FAO 251 s. of 2014) to
help ensure that only non-IUU fish will make it to Philippine markets.
Surveillance and monitoring capabilities were likewise enhanced through the
adoption a fully functional Vessel Monitoring System and acquisition of
modern multi-mission patrol vessels.
To beef up its regulatory, quarantine and fish inspection systems, DA-BFAR
will hire and train additional manpower and talents to serve as frontliners.
At Congress, the country’s 16-year old Fisheries Code, also known as Republic
Act 8550, is on the verge of being updated to impose heftier fines and longer
periods of imprisonment against violators, in line with the International
Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.
The Senate bill version, which provides provisions on deterrent sanctions and
penalties, and conservation and management principles, is now on second
reading. On the other hand, the House version is on third and final reading.
In June this year, EC slapped the Philippines, along with Papua New Guinea, a
yellow card warning over what it deemed as insufficient action to fight
illegal fishing. The government was given six months to act on the
recommendations; otherwise EU may ban all Philippine fisheries exports from
its billion-dollar market.
In 2013, Philippine exports of fish to the EU amounted to 165 million euros
(P9.4 billion).
“In fact, the country has acted on most of the recommendations and required
actions by the Commission, except for two matters: amendment to the Fisheries
Code, and manning of the new inspectors,” said Agriculture Secretary Proceso
Alcala who, along with Perez, took part in the European leg of the President’s
five-country US-Europe official tour.
“But we are on track to meeting these requisites,” he added.
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P15.5-M Machineries For Samar And Leyte
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TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of
Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently turned-over Php15.5 million worth of farm
machineries to five agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in
Leyte, Samar and Eastern Samar to help them rebuild their lives after being
battered by super typhoon Yolanda last year.
Region 8 Director Sheila Enciso said the tractors were funded under the
Agrarian Reform Communities Connectivity and Economic Support Services
(ARCCESS) project and were intended for the clearing and rehabilitation of
farm lots in areas greatly affected by the typhoon
Enciso added that three tractors were distributed in Leyte and one tractor
each for the provinces of Samar and Eastern Samar, respectively.
DAR entrusted to five ARBOs the operations and maintenance of the machines
which cost P3,117,920 per unit.
For Leyte, DAR turned over the machines to the St. Benedict’s Association for
Sustainable Farming which is based in Tunga; the Boroc Agricultural Primary
Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Ormoc; and the Zaragosa Agrarian Cooperative in
Matalom.
Meanwhile for Eastern Samar and Samar, DAR turned over the machines to the
Carapdapan Small Farmers and Fishermen Producers Cooperative based in
Salcedo, Eastern Samar and the Legaspi Farmers and Fishermen Association in
Marabut.
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DENR pushes for early compliance to Euro 4 fuel standards, phase-out
of ageing vehicles
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The Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) is pushing for the early implementation of improved
fuel standards and the phase-out of older, polluting motor vehicles as
strategies to improve air quality and reduce the carbon footprint of Metro
Manila.
DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje noted that around 70 to 80 percent of air
pollution in the metropolis comes from mobile sources or vehicular emissions;
while only 20 to 30 percent comes from stationary sources such as industrial
emissions, and area sources like open burning.
“Clearly, the key to improving Metro Manila’s air quality is by addressing
the biggest source of pollution, which is motor vehicles,” Paje pointed out.
“We are therefore proposing an early implementation of the Euro 4 standards
for automobile fuels and the scrapping of older high polluting vehicles.”
He said such measures were necessary after the DENR - Environmental
Management Bureau (EMB) recorded the levels of total suspended particulates
(TSP) still over the acceptable or national annual guideline value of 90
micrograms per cubic meter (ug/Ncm). This, despite a 21 percent overall
annual reduction from 2010 to 2013, or from 150 to 118 ug/Ncm.
“Air pollution has a direct impact on the health of our citizenry and the
environment, and an indirect impact on our country’s economy because of the
health costs. We are all breathing the same air; let us not subject ourselves
to this silent killer for much longer,” Paje said.
As early as 2010, the DENR had issued an administrative order requiring
passenger and light duty vehicles to comply with Euro 4 emission limits,
subject to Euro IV fuel availability, by January 1, 2016.
But Paje has proposed to the Department of Energy that the deadline be
imposed six months ahead, or in June 2015, citing the urgent need to improve
Metro Manila’s air quality.
The Philippines is currently following Euro 2 emission limits. Euro 2 fuel
types have a sulfur content of 500 parts per million (ppm), compared to 50ppm
for Euro 4 fuels. Sulfuric content in pollutants have been known to lead to
heart and lung diseases, increased cancer risks, and premature deaths.
EMB Director Jonas Leones expressed confidence that stakeholders from the
automotive industry as well as owners of newer vehicles would not experience
much difficulty with an earlier deadline since most vehicles manufactured
recently are already compliant with or can be retrofitted to accept Euro 4
fuels.
Leones also noted that independent players in the fuel industry are already
selling Euro 4 compliant products.
Paje, meanwhile, urged the Department of Transportation and Communication
(DOTC) to phase out vehicles that operate for 15 years or more in order to
reduce the volume of vehicles in Metro Manila.
The environment chief said that older vehicles consume more fuel and produce
more emissions.
As an alternative, however, Paje suggested prohibiting older vehicles from
plying major thoroughfares that are prone to heavy traffic.
“Heavier traffic means more idling time for vehicles on the road. This leads
to more emissions, and older vehicles have more toxic emissions,” he
explained.
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FCDU Loans Up by 1.8 Percent in Q2 2014
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Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. announced that as of end-June 2014,
outstanding FCDU loans stood at US$11.6 billion, up by US$204 million (or 1.8
percent) from the end-March 2014 level of US$11.4 billion, due principally to
net loan disbursements. This may be attributed to the ample liquidity of the
banking sector, the low interest rate environment, and the country’s growing
external trade. Sustained consumer demand and investor confidence in the
economy, induced by the country’s stable and resilient macroeconomic
fundamentals, also contributed to the expansion of the FCDU loan portfolio.
The maturity profile of outstanding FCDU loans was as follows: medium- to
long-term loans [or those payable over a term of more than one (1) year]
represented 59.3 percent of total, and funded various projects. Short-term
(ST) accounts [or those with original maturities of up to one (1) year]
comprised the 40.7 percent balance of the loan portfolio.
Outstanding loans to the private sector represented 99.0 percent of total,
with the 1.0 percent balance pertaining to the public sector with the
following as major beneficiaries: public utility firms (US$1.9 billion or
16.5 percent), producers/manufacturers, including oil companies (US$1.9
billion or 16.0 percent) and merchandise and service exporters (US$1.6
billion or 13.4 percent).
Gross disbursements during the second quarter of the year increased to
US$14.2 billion (or by 10.1 percent) from US$12.9 billion a quarter ago. The
bulk of loan releases (95.9 percent) had ST maturities, and were largely for
working capital requirements (83.1 percent of total ST disbursements).
FCDU deposit liabilities also increased to US$29.8 billion or by US$2.4
billion (8.7 percent) from US$27.4 billion in March 2014. The bulk (97.0
percent) of the deposits continued to be held by residents and essentially
constitute additional foreign exchange buffer to the country’s international
reserves. The loans-to-deposit ratio declined to 38.8 percent in June from
41.5 percent in the first quarter in view of the larger increase in deposit
liabilities vis-à-vis loans.
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Interior and Local Government
Secretary Mar Roxas expressed elation over the Gold Open Government Award for
Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB) granted to the Philippines during
the recent Inaugural Open Government Partnership Awards at the United Nations
Head Quarters in New York City.
The country was recognized for its outstanding efforts to deepen citizen
engagement in the budget process.
Roxas said under the GPB, local government units are given the freedom to
choose a particular project based on the needs of their community. “Kayo ang
magsasabi kung ano ang pangangailangan ng komunidad ninyo.”
He said this exemplifies President Aquino’s policy to always listen to the
people, whom he calls his “Boss”. He said, “sabi ng Pangulo, kayo ang Boss,
kayo ang mamimili ng proyekto ninyo, popondohan naming ang proyektong ito.”
Under the proposed 2015 budget, the GPB has been allocated a total of P21
billion to be divided among 1,590 cities and municipalities nationwide.
Roxas however urged the people to help the government in monitoring the
implementation of the GPB to maximize the use of the funds. He said,
“bantayan natin ang programang ito (GPB).”
The Open Government Partnership, of which the Philippines is a founding
member, is a movement comprising of 64 governments, and international and
national civil society organizations. It aims to deepen the practice of open
government across its member countries.
Aside from the Philippines, also granted gold awards during the event were
Denmark and Montenegro.
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PDIC to pay depositors of the closed Rural Bank of Lobo starting
October 7
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The Philippine Deposit Insurance
Corporation (PDIC) will service the deposit insurance claims of depositors of
the closed Rural Bank of Lobo, Inc. starting on October 7, 2014 from 8:00 AM
to 5:00 PM.
Servicing of claims for the bank’s Head Office and Batangas City Branch will
be at their respective premises on October 7 to 8, 2014. Meanwhile, claims of
depositors of the Lipa City Branch and Sto. Tomas Branch will be serviced at
the premises of the bank’s branches on October 7, 2014.
Depositors with valid deposit balances of P50,000 and below, with complete
mailing address found in the bank records or updated through the Mailing
Address Update Form, and without any outstanding obligation with the bank do
not need to file claims.
Depositors whose accounts have balances of more than P50,000, and those with
outstanding obligations with the closed Rural Bank of Lobo or with incomplete
mailing address, or those which maintain the account under the name of
business entities, regardless of type of account and account balance, are
required to file their deposit insurance claims. The announcement on the
claims settlement operations of Rural Bank of Lobo is posted at its Head
Office and branches and on the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph.
When filing deposit insurance claims, depositors are advised to personally
present their duly accomplished Claim Form, original copy of evidence of
deposit such as Savings Passbook and Certificate of Time Deposit, and two (2)
valid photo-bearing IDs with signature of the depositor. Depositors may also
file their claims through mail and enclose the same set of document
requirements.
Depositors who are below 18 years old should submit either a photocopy of
their Birth Certificate issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or a
duly certified copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar as an additional
requirement, with the Claim Form signed by the parent and the other
requirements. Claimants who are not the signatories in the bank records are
required to submit an original copy of a notarized Special Power of Attorney
(SPA). In the case of a minor depositor, the SPA must be executed by the
parent.
The procedures and requirements for the filing of deposit insurance claims
are posted in the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph. The Claim Form and format of
the Special Power of Attorney may also be downloaded from the PDIC website.
Depositors who are not able to file their claims during the claims settlement
operations period may submit their claims either through mail to PDIC or
personally at the PDIC Office, 4th Floor, SSS Bldg., 6782 Ayala Avenue corner
V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City starting onOctober 20, 2014.
In accordance with the provisions of the PDIC Charter, the last day for
filing deposit insurance claims in the closed Rural Bank of Lobo is on
September 19, 2016. After this date, PDIC as Deposit Insurer, shall no longer
accept any deposit insurance claim.
The PDIC said that all valid claims will be paid. For deposits to be
considered valid, it must be recorded in the bank’s records and must have
evidence of inflow of funds, based on the results of PDIC examination. PDIC,
as Receiver, has the authority to adjust the interest rate on unpaid
interests on deposits of a bank if such rate is deemed unreasonable.
For more information, depositors may contact the Public Assistance Department
at telephone numbers (02) 841-4630 to 31, or e-mail atpad@pdic.gov.ph.
Depositors outside Metro Manila may call the PDIC Toll Free Hotline at
1-800-1-888-PDIC (7342).
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Mayor is new PNP spokesman and publicist
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Lawyer Police Senior
Superintendent Wilben M Mayor, formally assumed position as Chief of the PNP
Public Information Office (PIO) during simple ceremonies in Camp Crame on
Monday.
Mayor will serve as full-time Spokesperson and publicist of the PNP. He
replaced Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore C Sindac who was promoted to a
command position as Director of the Logistics Support Service (LSS).
Before assuming the Chief PIO post, Mayor briefly served as Secretary of the
Directorial Staff (SDS) and Spokesperson of the Office of the Chief PNP.
ON his first day in office, Mayor assured members of the PNP Press Corps of
access to timely and accurate information involving the affairs of the PNP.
“Essentially, my responsibility is to ensure effective implementation of the
PNP Media Relations Policy that basically involves upholding the right to
information particularly on matters of public interest,” Mayor said.
He said he firmly believes that an atmosphere of productive partnership can
exist between the PNP and media under a spirit of mutual support and
cooperation.
I look forward to the opportunity of establishing cordial working
relationship with members of the tri-media similar to the support and
cooperation you extended to my predecessor, CSupt Reuben Theodore C Sindac,”
he said.
Mayor graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1985 and was admitted
into the Philippine Bar in 2005.
As a field grade officer, Mayor saw action in various command, staff and
training assignments in Luzon and Mindoro provinces, including a colorful
stint with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group where he figured
prominently in the campaign against organized crime groups and wanted
persons.(PNP-PIO)
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TESDA renews partnership with Robinsons malls
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The Technical Education and Skills
Authority (TESDA) and Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) have renewed their
tie-up to bring technical vocational education and training (tech-voc)
programs closer to the public.
For another year starting this month, shoppers and mall goers at Robinsons'
19 sites all over the country will continue to find TESDA Specialista Desks
manned by personnel who are ready to assist people who need information on
the agency's scholarship and other programs.
TESDA, represented by Secretary Joel Villanueva, and RLC, through its
president and chief executive officer Frederick Go signed the memorandum of
agreement on Monday, September 29, formalizing the partnership for the
project.
"Through Robinsons Land's Lingkod Pinoy Center, government services,
such as TESDA's programs and projects have become more accessible to the
general public," Villanueva said.
"Now, Filipinos can equate malling at Robinsons not just with shopping,
having fun, and eating, but with learning about technical vocational
education and training as well," he said.
The TESDA Specialista Desks aim to bring the agency's services to the public
in one convenient location. It will serve as link between the agency and the
people by providing information about the agency's available programs and
services.
The desks will be manned by TESDA personnel who will provide services during
office hours.
People who will visit the desks may get information on available scholarship
programs, apprenticeship or learnership programs, available tech-voc courses,
and assessment and certification among others. The personnel will also
provide career guidance and counseling.
In May 2013, TESDA and RLC first signed a MOA creating the desks, which
became operational in Robinsons' 15 malls across the country.
From July 2013 to August 31, 2014, the TESDA desks have catered to a total of
33, 436 people who have approached the desks or booth for information about
the agency and its programs.
Participating malls are Robinsons Place Pangasinan; Robinsons Place Santiago,
Isabela; Robinsons Starmills Pampanga; Robinsons Luisita Tarlac; Robinsons
Place Cavite; Robinsons Sta. Rosa Market Laguna; Robinsons Cainta, Rizal;
Robinsons Place Iloilo; Robinsons Place Roxas, Capiz; Robinsons Fuente Cebu;
Robinsons Dumaguete, Negros Oriental; Robinsons Cagayan de Oro; Robinsons
Place GenSan, Sarangani; and Robinsons Place Butuan, Agusan del Norte.
Additional TESDA desks will also be available in Robinsons malls that are
opening soon -- Robinsons Malolos, Bulacan; Robinsons Place Palawan;
Robinsons Ilocos Norte; and, Robinsons Tagum, Davao del Norte.
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