25 September 2014
- Philippines bags Gold Award for Grassroots
Participatory Budgeting; Recognizes govt efforts in empowering and
engaging the Filipino people
- Pantawid Pamilya Model Family: A blessing to their
community
- 152 OFW dependents from Davao region to take the OWWA
scholarship exams
- DOJ: Telcos must be honest with advertisements
- Senate Committee approves DILG
- Dentist from Binondo charged with tax evasion for
grossly underdeclaring service income received thru credit card payments
- Six more ADB Filipino bank employees charged with
willful failure to pay taxes
- ISO: Have your say on draft International Standards for
QMS and EMS
- Duque wins ‘People Manager’ award
- Oil monitor as of 23 September 2014
- DepEd supports preparedness efforts of Albay LGU,
ensures continued delivery of educ needs in affected schools
- Kids express their dreams in Basilan peace event
- PNP details expanded functions of "Honesty"
Teams
- Imports register flat growth in July 2014
- APEC 101: Imagine the Possibilities Information
Roadshow comes to Saint Louis University, Baguio City
- Philippines reaffirms commitment
to and cooperation with IAEA in Vienna
- DAR provides livelihood projects to more than 600
Isabela farmers
- DOTC Sec. Abaya, Vitangcol face probe for MRT contract
- New homes for informal settlers in Estero de Sunog Apog
- PDIC advises borrowers of Rural Bank of Padre Burgos
(Southern Leyte) to pay their obligations
Philippines
bags Gold Award for Grassroots Participatory
Budgeting; Recognizes govt efforts in empowering and engaging the Filipino
people
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The Philippines was granted the
Gold Open Government Award for Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB) in
the inaugural Open Government Partnership (OGP) Awards last September 24,
2014 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. Along with Denmark and Montenegro, this was one of the three
gold awards given out this year to recognize innovative and citizen-driven
initiatives in designing and implementing public policy.
The gathering was attended by various heads of state, including President
Barack Obama (US), President Francois Hollande (France), President Enrique
Peña Nieto (Mexico), and President Susilo Bambang Yudyohono (Indonesia).
Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary (DSWD) Corazon “Dinky”
Soliman and Patricia Sarenas of the Mindanao Coalition of Development NGO
Networks (MinCODE) accepted the award on behalf of the Philippines.
“This award is an affirmation of the government—both national and local—and
the thousands of civil society organizations and communities for their
dedication and hard work to make this program possible. The GPB has continued
to attract critics because of the game-changing nature of the program,
helping us veer away from the culture of patronage and towards empowering our
people to work closely with government. We have a lot to accomplish but this
recognition means so much to us, encouraging us to all the more work towards
open government,” Sec. Soliman said in her acceptance speech.
The GPB engages local communities, civil society organizations (CSOs) and
other stakeholders to work with city and municipal governments in proposing
projects to be included in the National Budget. From its pilot implementation
in 2012, the GPB has now expanded to 1,590 cities and municipalities and has
resulted in a larger allocation of P21 billion for 16,000 locally-identified
projects to be included in the 2015 National Budget.
The Open Government Partnership, of which the Philippines is a founding
member, is a movement comprising of 64 governments as well as international
and national civil society organizations with the common objective of
deepening the practice of open government across its member countries.
The Philippines had recently crafted its second OGP Action Plan which
contains nine commitments. This includes the Grassroots Participatory
Budgeting Program, the Seal of Good Local Governance, and the passage of the
Freedom of Information Act.
“The country’s recognition is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the
Aquino administration for transparent, accountable, and participatory
governance. As much as we are proud of this achievement, we are all the more
humbled because the efforts of our local government units and communities
have made it possible for the Philippines to be recognized on the world stage
and reminding us that the challenges and trials of reform we face are not in
vain,” Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said.
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Pantawid
Pamilya Model Family: A blessing to their
community
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“Ang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
Program ay nagbukas ng napakaraming oportunidad sa amin. Lugmok kami sa
kahirapan noon na akala ko ay hindi na kami makakabangon, pero, ngayon, kami
ay nagawaran bilang Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya dahil kami mismo ay nakakatulong
na din sa pag-unlad ng aming komunidad (Pantawid Pamilya opened a lot of
opportunities for us.
We already hit rock bottom as if we could no longer get out from poverty, but
now my family is chosen as Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya in the Regional Category
because we are able to help our community towards development),”
Jessie Odiame narrated in front of officials and employees of the Department
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during the Monday’s flag raising
ceremony at the Central Office. Jessie, his wife elena, and four children
hail from Villa Cruzes, Manggahan, Pasig City.
The Odiame Family was chosen as this year’s Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya in the
National Capital Region (NCR). They will vie for the National Huwarang
Pantawid Pamilya Awards to be given on September 28.
The family has been a Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary since 2008. Jessie stated
that the program saved them in every sense of the word. “Merong mga
pagkakataon na talagang nawawalan na ako ng pag-asa kasi tila ba hindi kami
nauubusan ng problema lalo na sa pera. Hindi namin alam kung saan kami kukuha
ng pangtustos sa pangangailangan ng aming mga anak.
Sa pamamagitan ng Pantawid Pamilya, nasagot lahat ito (There would be
instances that I almost gave up. It seemed that we would never run out of
problems. We do not know where to get money for the needs of our children,
but Pantawid Pamilya helped us),” Jessie related.
Role model Though unable to provide material things for his children, Jessie
tried his best to meet their basic needs. He worked hard to provide for his
family. He became part of the Trabahong Lansangan, a joint project of the
DSWD and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) which was launched in
2011. It provides employment to beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya along road
maintenance, declogging of drainage laterals, and cleaning of streets.
Because of his good record and performance in the Trabahong Lansangan, he was
hired as a regular laborer by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
(MMDA).
Aside from his regular work, Jessie became involved in community activities.
He became the President of Villa Cruzes Association where he spearheaded the
negotiation to acquire land for the village folks since most of them do not
own lands.
Jessie is also an active member of Empowerment and Reaffirmation of Paternal
Abilities (ERPAT) group in their barangay.
ERPAT was initiated by DSWD to give importance to the development and
enrichment of knowledge, attitude, and skills of fathers in performing their
paternal roles and responsibilities. Seeing the value of being active in the
community, Jessie influenced Elena to also join in the different barangay
activities. Elena, then, became a Parent Leader of Pantawid Pamilya.
She is presently the coordinator of parent leaders in Barangay Manggahan.
Furthermore, Elena became a member of the Self-Employment Assistance –
Kaunlaran (SEA-K) Association of the Sustainable Livelihood Program, which
helped the family expand their rag making business.
“Dati-rati nakatutok lang ako sa pamilya ko dahil problema ko talaga kung
paano namin mairaraos ang araw-araw na pangangailangan namin, pero ngayon
pati mga kapitbahay namin ay naaabutan ko na rin ng tulong (Before, my only
focus is to ensure the daily survival of my family, but now, I can also
extend help to my neighbors),” Elena said. Also, Jessie and Elena are now
able to send their children to school.
Their eldest daughter, Melissa Jane is a graduate of Hotel and Restaurant
Management Course. She is also helping her family by working as a promo
agent. Jessa May, the second child is pursuing her college degree in Business
Administration and a recipient of the Bobby C. Eusebio Scholarship program in
Pasig City.
John Cedrick, the third child, is a grade 8 student in Manggahan High School
while the youngest, Ellen Joyce, is a grade 6 student in San Lorenzo
Elementary School. Both are enrolled in Pantawid Pamilya.
John Cedrick and Ellen Joyce are doing good both in academic and
extracurricular activities, reaping awards and making their parents proud of
their achievements. Aside from the children’s education, the family has
started to save for their home.
They can now afford to buy small appliances and pay for their water and
electric utilities.
The Odiame Family became popular among the villagers, not only because of
their active participation in their community, but also because of the good
advice they share to their neighbors regarding marital conflict.
“Dahil sa tulong ng DSWD, sa pagtutulungan naming mag-asawa, at kooperasyon
ng mga bata, nakamit namin kung ano man ang natatamasa namin ngayon na
kaginhawaan (With the help of DSWD, the constant support of my wife, and the
cooperation of our children, we now enjoy little comforts in life),” Jessie
ended.
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152
OFW
dependents from Davao region to take the OWWA scholarship exams
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Some one hundred fifty-two (152)
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) dependents are set to take the scholarship
examinations on 21 September 2014. The examinees are graduating high school
students belonging to the 20 percent of the graduating class.
Of these numbers, one hundred thirty-three (133) examinees are for the Education
for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) and nineteen (19) examinees under
the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP) which will be
administered by the Department of Science and Technology - Science Education
Institute. The 250 nationwide passers will automatically qualify for the
scholarship program.
OWWA scholars under the EDSP will be provided with education assistance of
Sixty Thousand (P60,000.00) pesos per school year leading to a four-to-five
year baccalaureate degree in any college or university of their choice. The
CMWSP, on the other hand, is a scholarship program mandated by RA 8042
(Migrant Workers Act of 1995) as amended by RA 10022 and is funded by the
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The program caters to qualified OFW
dependents who intend to pursue courses in the field of science and
technology as identified by the DOST.
Examinees may proceed to the following designated testing venues:
Davao City - Ateneo de Davao University (College Department)
Davao del Norte – Tagum National High School
Davao del Sur – Ramon Magsaysay Central Elementary School
Davao Oriental – Davao Oriental Regional Science High School
Compostela Valley Province – Nabunturan Comprehensive National High School
Per memorandum issued by the OWWA Head Office, applicants who are not in the
masterlist shall not be allowed to take the test. The “No Permit, No Exam”
policy shall be observed. Examinees who are not included in the masterlist,
shall not be allowed to take the examination.
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The Department of Justice-Office
for Competition (OFC) issued today an Advisory to notify consumers of their
right to be informed of the details of the mobile or internet services for
subscription. It reminded telecommunications companies to be clear and
truthful in their advertisements.
"Truth in advertising is an access issue," said Secretary of
Justice Leila M. de Lima. "Economic justice requires that those who
possess the information duly and timely disclose them," she said.
The Advisory calls on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to monitor, enforce and
implement sanctions on erring telcos under the Consumer Act and the Public
Telecommunications Policy Act.
"Slow and expensive internet needs to be addressed for development to
happen and it starts with fair pricing and fair use," said Assistant
Secretary Geronimo L. Sy, head of the DOJ-OFC, which was tasked by the Senate
Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship to provide the issuance.
"Broadband speeds must be stated in the minimum rather than 'up to' with
the level of service reliability in the same manner as telcos expect prompt
payments," he said.
Previously, the OFC released statements on airlines' obligations to include
all fees in the promotional piso fares, clarified that gift certificates have
no expiry dates, and reminded banks not to coordinate their increase of ATM
fees. It also completed its Report on the Garlic Industry to resolve the
price hikes of said prime commodity.
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Senate Committee approves DILG
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Interior Sec. Mar Roxas yesterday
successfully defended the Dept. of the Interior and Local Government's
proposed P104.57B 2015 budget before the Senate committee on finance chaired
by Sen. Francis 'Chiz' Escudero.
Of the amount, P16B will go the local government sector while P88B are
allotted for the interior sector.
However, Escudero reminded Roxas to submit the documents they required from
the DILG.
Among these documents were proposals to increase the subsistence allowance of
the 85,200 prisoners nationwide.
At present, each prisoner is only allotted a P50 meal allowance per day which
translates to only P15 per meal; and P5 per day for medicines or a total of
P1,825 per prisoner per year.
Roxas agreed that under such subhuman conditions, there is little chance that
these prisoners can be rehabilitated which is the current thrust of the
country's penal system.
The DILG was also asked to submit budget proposals for the expansion of jails
being maintained by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
The committee also recommended that a lifestyle check be conducted on the
lowest ranking police officers to check on their situations and determine if
the government is giving them enough, for the possibility of giving them
additional benefits.
Roxas committed to comply with the committee's requests.
The committee recommended that the DILG's approved budget be forwarded to the
plenary for deliberation.
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Dentist from Binondo charged with tax
evasion for grossly underdeclaring service income received thru credit card
payments
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The Bureau of Internal Revenue
(BIR) today filed a criminal complaint with the Department of Justice against
DR. STEVE MARK G. GAN (DR. GAN) forWillful Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax,
Deliberate Failure to Supply Correct and Accurate Information in his Income
Tax Return (ITR), and Willful Failure to file his Quarterly Value Added Tax
(VAT) Returns, for taxable years 2009, 2010 and 2011, in violation of
Sections 254 and 255 of the National InternalRevenue Code of 1997, as amended
(Tax Code).
DR. GAN was likewise charged with Failure to Register as VAT Taxpayer for taxable
year 2009 in violation of Section 275, in relation to Section 236(G)(1) of
the Tax Code and Revenue Regulations No. 3-2012.
DR. GAN is engaged in dental services with registered addresses at 822 Regina
Regente St., Binondo, Manila and 1708/1709 Medical Plaza, Amorsolo St.,
Legazpi Village, Makati City.
The case against DR. GAN stemmed from a confidential information denouncing
the dentist for tax evasion. Investigation showed that DR. GAN declared in
his ITRs for taxable years 2009, 2010 and 2011 service income amounting to
P14.29 million, broken down into: P3.12 million in 2009; P3.04 million in
2010; and P8.13 million in 2011. Further, DR. GAN did not file his Quarterly
VAT Returns for the said three-year period as he opted to register under Percentage
Tax and file Percentage Tax Returns with its lower tax rate of 3% of his
gross receipts.
Access letter addressed to Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) was
also sent by the investigators requesting for certifications as to income
payments made to DR. GAN. RCBC is a credit card company whose services were
utilized by the clients of DR. GAN to pay him. Certification from RCBC
revealed that the bank paid DR. GAN a total amount of P47.49 million, broken
down into: P11.96 million in 2009; P23.21 million in 2010; and P12.32 million
in 2011.
A comparison and evaluation of DR. GAN’s declared service income as against
the income he actually received from the said banks showed that he
substantially underdeclared his correct taxable income/receipts by 283.13% or
P8.84 million in 2009, 664.46% or P20.18 million in 2010, and 51.43% orP4.18
million in 2011.
Under Sec. 248 (B) of the Tax Code, under-declaration of taxable income by
more than 30% constitutes a prima facie case of fraud.
As a consequence of his acts and omissions, DR. GAN was assessed a total
deficiency tax liability amounting to P36.49 million, inclusive of surcharges
and interests, broken down into: 2009 - P10.27 million (Income Tax - P6.68
million and VAT – P3.59 million); 2010 - P20.47 million (Income Tax - P14.06
million and VAT – P6.41 million); and 2011 - P5.75 million (Income Tax -
P2.59 million and VAT – P3.16 million).
The case against DR. STEVE MARK G. GAN is the 301st filed under the RATE
program of the BIR under the leadership of Commissioner Kim S.
Jacinto-Henares. It is likewise a RATE case of the National Investigation
Division.
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Six
more
ADB Filipino bank employees charged with willful failure to pay taxes
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The Bureau of Internal Revenue
(BIR) today filed separate criminal complaints with the Department of Justice
against six (6) Filipino Asian Development Bank (ADB) employees for Willful
Failure to Pay Taxes for taxable year 2013 under Section 255 of the National
Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended (Tax Code).
Charged were MARIAN G. ARELLANO, EILEEN PURITA Q. BATTUNG, ELBERT E. BUENO,
HELEN Y. CARNECER, MARY ANNE A. CHANECO, and ANNA S. CERVANTES. The six (6)
respondents are registered taxpayers and Filipino nationals employed at the
Asian Development Bank (ADB) located at No. 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City,
within the jurisdiction of BIR Revenue District Office (RDO) No. 41,
Mandaluyong City.
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ISO: Have your say on draft
International Standards for QMS and EMS
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The International Organisation for
Standardisation (ISO), through its 163 member-countries, calls all sectors to
have their say on the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 draft International Standards
(DIS) on Quality Management Systems (QMS) and Environmental Management
Systems (EMS), respectively.
The ISO lays down on the table the ISO/ DIS 9001–Fundamentals and Vocabulary
and the ISO/DIS 14001–Requirements with guidance for use, for the review,
comments and inputs of standards officers, regulatory bodies, systems
experts, industries, consumers, and, academe. The ISO reviews its standards
every five years to establish if a revision is required to keep it abreast
and relevant for the marketplace.
The ISO 9001 is one of ISO’s most famous international standards. It
specifies the terminologies and fundamentals for QMS. ISO expects that the
revisions on ISO 9001 will respond to the latest trends and be compatible
with other management systems such as ISO 14001.
The ISO 14001 is also a widely used international standard. It provides the
requirements for an EMS to manage an organization’s environmental impacts.
Similarly to ISO 9001, the ISO intends to develop a new copy that will
complement other management standards such as ISO 9001. Moreover, ISO expects
that the new version will include a requirement to understand the
organization’s context in order to better manage risk, with more emphasis
made on leaders within organizations to promote environmental management. In
addition there will be a shift towards improving environmental performance
rather than improving the management system.
The new ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 are due for publication prior to the end of
2015.
The Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Philippine Standards
(DTI-BPS) is the Philippines’ full member to ISO. The BPS urges all sectors
to provide their reactions on the draft International Standards so the
Philippines can have their say.
The BPS will accept submissions of technical views and comments on or before
01 October 2014 for ISO 9001 and on or before 05 October 2014 for ISO 14001.
Kindly send them to bps@dti.gov.ph. The BPS will also accept notifications
that the drafts are acceptable. These inputs will be referred to the ISO
Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland for consideration.
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Duque wins ‘People Manager’ award
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Civil Service Commission (CSC)
Chairperson Francisco T. Duque III was named People Manager of the Year in
Public Sector at the 38th People Management Association of the Philippines
(PMAP) Awards held on Sept. 18 at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.
It was the first time for PMAP to recognize a public sector manager (National
Official level) and Duque was the first to receive the award.
Duque led the paradigm shift in the CSC from transactional to strategic human
resource management and organization development with focus on citizen
satisfaction.
He was awarded for charting a brighter and better course for the bureaucracy
as head of its central human resource institution.
Since his appointment as Chair of the Commission, he crafted the strategy map
that defined the course of the CSC in its governance transformation journey.
Under his leadership, the CSC received three Silver Governance Trailblazer
Awards in the Performance Governance System.
The CSC also received four ISO 9001:2008 certifications in its core
processes, namely, cases adjudication, exams administration, appointments
processing, and external training services. Two other services—public sector
union accreditation and Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA)
registration—are now recommended for certification.
The Commission also received a consistent rating of Good in two Pulse Asia
Report Card Surveys on citizen’s feedback on the quality of its frontline
services. CSC also got an overall citizen’s satisfaction rating of 98 percent
in the same survey in 2011 and 2013.
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World oil prices were not deterred
by the prospect of OPEC production cuts considering over-supply in Europe and
Asia and a strong U.S. dollar.
Crude prices instead hit a two-year low point last Friday because of swelled
supplies and dampening demand growth. U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate
(WTI) has dropped 13 percent since mid-June to just over $92 per barrel,
while Europe’s Brent and Asian Dubai was down by 15 percent to around $98 and
$95 per barrel, respectively, in the same comparative period. Dubai level of
$95/bbl was last seen in July 2012.
A report of US crude stockpiles, which showed a weekly surge of 3.7 million
barrels, higher than the 1.2-million barrel decline expected by the market,
also supported the recent price decline.
Meanwhile, Platts noted that Asian gasoline market is finding support going
into October on Indonesia, the region's largest gasoline importer, seeking
additional barrels amid lower output from domestic refineries.
On the other hand, Asian gasoil/diesel market remained saddled with supplies,
while demand continued at a slow pace. Platts disclosed that refiners in
India and Taiwan were heard to be holding high inventories in tank, as they
tried to find buyers. These further add up to commercial onshore stockpiles
of middle distillates in Singapore that climbed nearly 14% from the previous
week to stand at 11.598 million barrels in the week ended September 17. Said
higher stockpiles were due to higher imports of diesel.
Overall, Dubai crude decreased week-on-week by about US$1.70/bbl. MOPS diesel
and gasoline decreased as well by about US$1.90 and US$0.60 per barrel,
respectively.
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DepEd
supports
preparedness efforts of Albay LGU, ensures continued delivery of educ needs
in affected schools
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Albay—In its mission to ensure the
safety of students and school personnel, the Department of Education
(DepEd)—in close coordination with the local government unit (LGU) of
Albay—has implemented preventive measures such as organizing a skeletal force
and safeguarding records and equipment in schools within the permanent danger
zone (PDZ) and extended danger zone (EDZ), and preparing evacuation centers
ahead of actual evacuation in areas affected by the Mayon volcano
disturbance.
Of the 724 schools in the province, 76 have been identified as affected.
These affected schools are those within the PDZ and EDZ. Of these, 28 have
already resumed classes as of September 23. To date, 676 out of 724 schools
have regular classes in the province despite Alert Level 3.
DepEd has implemented interventions to foster a sense of normalcy among
learners. The Department has worked together with the local government of
Albay and UNICEF for the deployment of 155 tents for the 38 schools used as
evacuation centers in five towns and two cities in the province. These
evacuation centers are closely monitored and co-managed by DepEd school
personnel.
These 38 schools used as evacuation centers are also accommodating the
student enrolment of displaced schools to ensure the continued delivery of
education needs. For instance, San Jose Elementary School in Malilipot, Albay
has taken in Calbayog ES pupils. On September 23, some 1,200 students are
expected to report, to be accounted for, while 18 tents are being set up to
provide for their needs. School personnel are likewise tasked to do daily
tracking of all students by grade level.
Together with the Albay provincial government, DepEd continues to work toward
class resumption in affected schools in Albay, Legaspi, Tabaco, and Ligao.
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TIPO-TIPO, BASILAN – Ten-year-old
Kahdija Arsim gleefully made her final jump as she outwitted the other 10
contestants and bagged the first prize in a kiddie party game that was
designed not only to generate fun and laughter but to challenge one’s memory
and physical movement.
Arsim, a shy but competitive girl, shouted in excitement when she received a
plastic water container as a token for her victory.
Interviewed later, Arsim, who was wearing the traditional Muslim hijab,
proudly said that it is not the prize that matters to her but the joy that
the games brought to the children in this town, which for years had been
besieged by armed hostilities. “We were so happy.
I told myself that life is beautiful if the people are happy,” the
grade-schooler said in Filipino. Little Arsim was referring to the Kids for
Peace event that was jointly organized by the local government unit of
Tipo-Tipo, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Office of
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in the town plaza on
Saturday (September 10). Hundreds of children were here for the celebration
of National Peace Consciousness Month in a fun-filled day-long event
featuring kiddie party games, storytelling sessions, and visual art lessons.
Magicians and clowns who astounded the kids with their tricks and skits were
also present. Kids for Peace was conceptualized for children in
conflict-affected areas so they can learn how to respect cultural differences
and value the environment. The kids were also given a chance to learn
creative and nonviolent ways of resolving conflict, the organizers said. It
was a way of imparting to them the culture of peace.
Lieutenant Colonel Paolo Perez, the commander of the Philippine Army’s 18th
Infantry Battalion, which maintains a camp here, explained that it is always
children who are most affected when armed conflict erupts.
If left unhealed, he warned that the trauma could have devastating effects on
the children’s social growth. Perez, a native of Basilan, said since he took
over the helm as the commander of the military unit in this town two years
ago, he has been actively been engaging with the communities to help them
rise from the effects of war.
He has also been organizing events to help children recovering from the
effects of armed conflicts. “Giving adequate attention to the children’s
needs such as ensuring that they are receiving proper education and providing
them a safe and secure environment are ways to address the root of the
conflict in a long term,” Perez said. Town Mayor Ingatun Lukman Istarul
expressed the same vision of Perez, saying that their ultimate goal is to
establish the foundations that are critical to the development of the
children.
“We want to create an environment where these children can freely grow,"
he said.
The weekend’s joyous event is uncommon given that residents tend to live with
the constant possibility of eruption of armed hostilities.
This third class municipality and its neighboring towns, such as Ungkaya
Pukan and Al Barka, are known to be the strongholds of the Abu-Sayyaf – a
group that had gained international notoriety for launching a series of
deadly bomb attacks in the country and kidnapped numerous foreigners and
locals since 2000.
These towns are also the scenes of some of the deadliest encounters between
state troopers and the bandits in recent years.
These are the very places where soldiers were beheaded and mutilated during
firefights in 2007 and 2011, respectively.
The incidents sparked national public outcries for the government to exert
all its military might to wipe out the armed group.
Although some of its founding leaders have been neutralized and its size has
dwindled, the Abu-Sayyaf still pose a danger to communities here.
Only last month, residents here were terrified after a roadside bomb exploded
several kilometers from the town’s main school.
There were no casualties, but the explosion wounded several soldiers. With
these encounters in mind, Arsim, who has been displaced a number of times due
armed conflicts, said she remained hopeful that eventually their town will be
free from banditry and progress will soon follow.
“I don’t want war,” she said. Arsim, along with her sister, is under the care
of their aging grandmother.
Her mother has been working as a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia for years,
while his father has just recently left them to work in Malaysia.
Arsim said she is determined to finish her studies to achieve her dream to
become a lawyer so she could help others. Fifth grade student Al-Rhazi Alpha
also shared the same aspirations as those of Arsim, saying there is no other
way but to continue living despite challenges.
Alpha dreams of becoming a teacher someday.
The 12-year-old boy, who rejected life in the evacuation sites as hell during
armed conflict, said the Kids for Peace project made him feel like a real
child again. “Masaya ako kasi maraming games. First time kong makakita ng
clowns, magicians, and mascots.
Sa TV ko lang sila nakikita,” he said. Al-Ahmandi Iklama, also a fifth-grade
student, expressed his visions of a progressive Tipo-Tipo through drawings.
Using bold strokes, the child drew tall buildings, paved roads, bountiful
farmlands, schools, and happy people.
“This is exactly what I want to happen to Tipo-Tipo. My dream is to become an
engineer and make this happen,” the 11-year-old boy said as he held his
masterpiece close to his chest. The Kids for Peace event here is just one of
the activities that OPAPP, through its Bangsamoro office is initiating for
September, in celebration of the National Peace Consciousness Month. Another
sports tournament, Football for Peace for aspiring young players, is also
happening in the southernmost island province of Tawi-Tawi.
Matches are also slated to be played in Zamboanga City, where young players
from Basilan, Sulu and the host city will play in a series of friendly games
on September 27 and 28. The events were organized in partnership with the
AFP. - See more at:
http://www.opapp.gov.ph/milf/news/kids-express-their-dreams-basilan-peace-event#sthash.nLSwvPCD.dpuf
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The PNP has been conducting its
own internal cleansing campaign among police personnel over the last eight
(8) years, consistent with the PNP policy on transparency, public
accountability, and anti-corruption campaign.
According to Police Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore C. Sindac, Chief of
the PNP Public Information Office, “HONESTY TEAMS” were organized since 2006
purposely to conduct an intensive nationwide campaign against erring PNP
personnel engaged in extortion or “kotong”, “hulidap”, mulcting, bribery, and
other forms of illegal activities.
To complement operations of Honesty Teams, the PNP issued Letter of
Instructions (LOI) “LINIS” on March 2009, providing implementing guidelines
in dealing with PNP personnel who were reported to be engaged in any form of
illegal activity. This is implemented to promote good behavior and utmost
discipline within PNP ranks, eradicate misfits, scalawags and undesirables
from the organization in accordance with the procedures laid down by existing
laws, rules and regulations.
Upon instructions of the Chief PNP, Director General Alan La Madrid Purisima,
the PNP Directorate for Intelligence issued a Memorandum on March 14, 2013
directing all Regional Directors to conduct lifestyle check on PNP personnel
assigned with offices vulnerable to corruption from the Regional Headquarters
down to Police Stations. To date, there are a number of PNP personnel,
including star-ranked officers, who are undergoing lifestyle check validating
that the said process is being practiced by PNP officials.
All these anti-corruption initiatives were designed to block and eliminate
possible opportunities and situations where graft and corruption may be
committed.
The PNP has expressed united adherence to the decision of national leaders in
conducting a top to bottom lifestyle check among all personnel in the
interest of transparency and accountability, and as part of anti-corruption
effort in the organization.
“This serves as an opportunity to protect the good name of the organization
by eliminating suspicions and speculations of alleged ill-gotten wealth or
involvement in criminal activities” said PCSupt Sindac.(PNP-PIO)
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Imports register flat growth in July 2014
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MANILA – Merchandise imports
increased by only 0.002-percent year-on-year in July 2014, which may be a
reflection of a regional phenomenon as majority of the East and South East
Asian trade-oriented economies registered decreases in imports, according to
the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
Vietnam, Taiwan, and South Korea were the only countries in the region that
posted growth in merchandise imports with increases of 16.4 percent, 9.5
percent, and 5.8 percent, respectively.
Payments for Philippine merchandise imports amounted to US$5.5 billion in
July 2014, registering an almost nil expansion from US$5.5 billion in July
2013. The small increment was due to year-on-year gains in overseas spending
for mineral fuels and lubricants and consumer goods which partially cushioned
the contractions in the value of imported raw materials and capital goods.
“The overall performance of merchandise imports is showing signs of mild
recovery from its decline of -0.4 percent in May this year. Year-to-date
growth is also better than last year’s -1.6 percent contraction. However on a
year-on-year basis, it is way below the 8.9 percent growth in 2013,” said
NEDA Deputy Director-General Emmanuel F. Esguerra.
For the first seven months of 2014, payments for imports rose by 4.8 percent
to US$36.9 billion from US$35.2 billion in the same period a year ago. Given
the slower growth of imports relative to the 9.0 percent expansion in
merchandise exports in January-July 2014, trade-in-goods deficit narrowed to
US$1.7 billion.
Total import value of mineral fuels and lubricants rose by a hefty 20.4
percent to US$1.2 billion in July 2014 from US$1.0 billion in July 2013. In
the same period, overseas purchases of consumer goods increased by 10.5
percent to US$779.2 million from US$705.0 million.
“Sharp contractions in the imports of materials and accessories for the
manufacture of electrical equipments and other raw materials for production
as well as imports of capital goods need to be monitored periodically since
they provide signals on future demand conditions on both domestic and
external fronts,” said Esguerra.
He added that the lifting of the truck ban may partly ease the problem of
port congestion in Manila but the fundamental issue of improving the capacity
and efficiency of alternative ports should be addressed.
As for the sources of Philippine imports in July 2014, the People’s Republic
of China had the biggest share at 14.2 percent amounting to US$781.9 million.
Second was Japan with a share of 8.5 percent, followed by Taiwan (8.3%),
United States of America (7.5%), Singapore (6.4%), Republic of Korea (6.4%),
Saudi Arabia (6.2%), Malaysia (5.2%), Indonesia (5.1%) and Thailand (4.5%).
The value of imported commodities from major ASEAN trading partners
represented about 23.7 percent (US$1.3 billion), mostly on capital goods and
materials needed for the manufacture of electrical equipment. Meanwhile, the
European Union (EU) provided US$609.9 million or about 11.1 percent share of
the country’s total import requirements in July 2014.
“It is also important for the government to continue exploring avenues for
greater opportunities within the ASEAN region and take advantage of increased
economic cooperation among ASEAN countries,” he concluded.
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APEC
101:
Imagine the Possibilities Information Roadshow comes to Saint Louis
University, Baguio City
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25 September 2014 - In preparation
for the Philippine hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in
2015, the Office of the Undersecretary for International Economic Relations
(OUIER) presented the “APEC 101: Imagine the Possibilities” Information
Roadshow on September 19 at Saint Louis University, Baguio City. This is the
second of a series of talks in universities around the country aimed to
inform students and local civil society groups about APEC and its role in
regional economic integration.
In his welcome remarks, Saint Louis University (SLU) President Fr. Jesse
Hechanova expressed appreciation to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
for choosing SLU as the Northern Luzon university hub and second stop of the
roadshow in coordination with the SLU School of Accounting and Business
Management.
DFA Undersecretary Laura Q. Del Rosario, Philippine Senior Official for APEC,
addressed a crowd of around 450 students, faculty and local media. Students
from other universities in Baguio City namely, the University of Baguio,
University of the Cordilleras, and the Philippine Military Academy, were also
in attendance.
In her “APEC 101: Imagine the Possibilities” presentation, Undersecretary Del
Rosario shared the work of APEC through its three pillars:(1)Trade and
Investment Liberalization; (2) Business Facilitation; and (3) Capacity
Building. The Undersecretary invited the audience to think about the
possibilities that seamless movement of people, capital, goods and services
provides for budding entrepreneurs and career-starters like themselves.
Undersecretary Del Rosario also shared the Philippines’ initiatives in APEC
and other APEC 2015 hosting updates.
The Philippines will be hosting the APEC meetings starting December 2015.
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25 September 2014 - Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Amelia P. Guevara reaffirmed the
continuing commitment and cooperation of the Philippines to the objectives of
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as she led the Philippine
delegation to the 58th Annual Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference
in Vienna on September 23.
"The Agency will continue to play a vital role in enabling developing
countries to use science and technology for development, and for maintaining
international peace and security. The Agency can only do this with strong
partnerships with the Member States", she stated.
Undersecretary Guevara cited some of the accomplishments of the Philippines
in nuclear science and technology, and drew attention to how the country
applies the IAEA's "Atoms for Peace" mandate to its national
development program through efforts in increasing agricultural productivity,
enhancing industrial competitiveness, ensuring accessible healthcare, and
providing nuclear services to ensure public safety and environmental
integrity.
She expressed support to the Agency's work in strengthening the global
nuclear safety regime, through the efficient and effective implementation of
international legal instruments, the development of safety standards,
enhancement of national safety infrastructure, coordination of international
emergency preparedness and response mechanisms, and the promotion of a
nuclear safety culture.
The Undersecretary pointed out that the Philippine commitment to
strengthening nuclear security stems from the recognition that nuclear
security, along with nuclear safety, is integral to the continued development
and enjoyment of the benefits of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. In
particular, she noted that a National Nuclear Security Support Centre is
being established with the assistance of the IAEA in support of the National
Nuclear Security Plan.
Undersecretary Guevara proposed working with the IAEA on nuclear security at
a major public event to assist the government in its preparations for the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Heads of States Meeting in the
Philippines in late 2015.
She reiterated the Philippines' commitment to realize the objectives of the
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, stressing that there
should be equal progress in its three pillars, namely non-proliferation,
disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. She further emphasized that
the Philippines shares the vision of a world free of nuclear weapons.
The Philippines became a Member State of the IAEA in 1958. The Philippine
Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology
is at the center of the country's cooperation with the IAEA. The PNRI
spearheads the development of nuclear technologies and formulates rules and
regulations on the safety and security of atomic energy facilities and
radioactive materials.
The 58th IAEA General Conference will conclude its work on September 26 with
the adoption of resolutions on IAEA’s work in nuclear safety and security,
technical cooperation, and safeguards in the Middle East, Iran, Syria and
DPRK and other issues. The Philippines, as Chair of the Vienna Chapter of the
Group of 77 and China, leads developing countries in the negotiations of
these resolutions.
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DAR provides livelihood projects to more than 600 Isabela farmers
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The Department of Agrarian Reform
(DAR) through the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting program of the
government has provided livelihood projects to 637 agrarian reform
beneficiaries in Roxas and San Pablo in the province of Isabela.
Regional Director Marjorie Ayson recently signed a memorandum of agreement
(MOA) with Roxas Mayor Benedict C. Calderon, for two livelihood projects
worth P499,500.00. One is a Cassava Production and Processing project and the
other is a Mushroom Spawn and Mushroom Production Center. The projects will
benefit the SIMIMBAAN-CASILBANGAN Model Rice Cluster Multi-Purpose
Cooperative and the Mushroom and Vegetable Growers Association of Roxas
(MUVEGAR).
Ayson also signed another MOA with San Pablo Mayor Antonio Jose T. Miro III,
for the provision of livelihood projects amounting to P300,000.00 to the
Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) and other farmers in the
municipality. dar web news 2 pix 2 sept. 25 2014
The projects include trainings and assistance for the establishment of
vegetable production, mushroom production and organic fertilizer which will
benefit three ARBOs namely the Balik Loob Cooperative, the Simanu Norte
Pinacanauan Irrigators Association, Inc and the Dalena-San Vicente Irrigators
Association.
Ayson said that the livelihood projects will increase the income of farmers
while helping the municipalities boost their agricultural productivity.
“These livelihood projects will be lucrative income sources for our agrarian
reform beneficiaries. Studies we have made show that there is a high demand
for vegetable and mushroom production, and also organic fertilizers,” Ayson
said.
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The Office of the Ombudsman
ordered the conduct of preliminary investigation and administrative
adjudication against top executives of the Department of Transportation and
Communications (DOTC) for entering into an anomalous maintenance contract for
the Metro Rail Transit 3(MRT-3).
Facing criminal investigation for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act
No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) are DOTC Secretary Joseph
Emilio Abaya, former MRT General Manager Al Vitangcol III, DOTC Bids and
Awards Committee (BAC) members, namely: Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla,
Undersecretary Rene Limcaoco, Undersecretary Rafael Antonio Santos, Assistant
Secretary Ildefonso Patdu, Assistant Secretary Dante Lantin, and LRTA
Administrator Honorito Chaneco; members of the Negotiating Team, namely:
Misael Narca, Engr. Joel Magbanua, Arnel Manresa, Natividad Sansolis, Engr.
Gina Rodriguez, Eugene Cecilio, Engr. Raphael Lavides, Atty. Geronimo
Quintos; and representatives from the joint venture of the Philippine Trans
Rail Management and Services Corporation-Comm Builders and Technology
Philippines Corporation (PH Trams - CB&T) Wilson De Vera, Arturo Soriano,
Marlo Dela Cruz, Manolo Maralit and Federico Remo.
Additionally, Vitangcol, De Vera, Soriano, Dela Cruz, Maralit and Remo face a
separate set of charges for violations of Sections 3(e) and 3(h) of R.A. No.
3019, and violation of Section 65(c)(1) of Republic Act No. 9184 (Government
Procurement Reform Act).
Aside from the criminal charges, administrative charges for Grave Misconduct
and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service have also been
filed against Abaya, Lotilla, Limcaoco, Santos, Patdu, Lantin, Chaneco,
Narca, Magbanua, Manresa, Sansolis, Rodriguez, Cecilio, Lavides, Quintos
including Arturo Soriano who is now Provincial Accountant of the province of
Pangasinan. Vitangcol left MRT in May 2014.
The FIO complaint filed by the Field Investigation Office (FIO) alleges that
a maintenance agreement for the trains was entered into in December 1997
between the MRT Corporation (MRTC) as facility owner and the Sumitomo
Corporation for its safe and proper operations, including the provision for
labor and supervision. The original maintenance agreement between MRTC and
Sumitomo expired on 21 June 2010 and had undergone four extensions from June
2010 until October 2012.
Documents gathered by Ombudsman investigators show that 15 days prior to the
expiration of the last extension, the BAC adopted a resolution undertaking
the procurement of an interim maintenance provider for six months and to
negotiate its terms and conditions.
In October 2012, the Negotiating Team recommended that the project be awarded
to PH Trams - CB&T joint venture in the amount of US$1.15 million
monthly.
On October 20, 2012, the project was awarded to PH Trams - CB&T without
public bidding.
The field investigators found no emergency situation that would justify the
negotiated procurement, given that as early as 2010 the MRTC transferred the
responsibility for the procurement of the technical maintenance to the DOTC.
Records from the Securities and Exchange Commission reveal that PH Trams was
barely two months old when the project was awarded, having been incorporated
only on 06 August 2012 with a paid-up capital of only P625,000.00.
National Statistics Office records also establish that Vintangcol is related
by affinity to PH Trams incorporator Arturo Soriano, being his uncle-in-law.
The complaint adds that as early as 01 October 2012, Sumitomo wrote DOTC
regarding the technically critical issues that require urgent and immediate
action focusing on parts shortage in the automated fare collection system,
signaling system, and passenger overload.
Joint venture member CB&T also has a separate criminal case pending with
the Office of the Ombudsman for under-delivery of labor input required in the
LRT Line 1 system.
It will be recalled that in June 2014, preliminary investigation and
administrative adjudication were also initiated against Vitangcol and De Vera
for Dishonesty, Grave Misconduct, Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of
the Service, and violations of Section 3 (b) of R.A. No. 3019 and Section
7(d) of R.A. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials
and Employees), in connection with the P3.76 billion MRT3 Capacity Expansion
Project, wherein Inekon Group CEO and Chairman Josef Husek and Czech
Ambassador Joseph Rychtar allege that Vitangcol and De Vera attempted to
extort money in exchange for the service and maintenance contract.
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New
homes
for informal settlers in Estero de Sunog Apog
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Vice President Jejomar C. Binay
turned over Thursday housing units of the National Housing Authority’s (NHA)
Paradise Heights Housing Project in Tondo, Manila to 63 informal settler
families (ISFs) living in danger areas in Metro Manila.
“You can now sleep soundly at night in your new homes even during harsh
weather," Binay, Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development
Coordinating Council (HUDCC), told the beneficiaries.
The Paradise Heights Housing Project is part of the P50 billion Housing
Program for ISFs in Metro Manila. It is composed of nine five-storey low-rise
buildings (LRBs), with a total of 970 housing units measuring 24 square
meters each.
Priority families to be relocated in Paradise Heights Housing Project are
those coming from Estero de Sunog Apog, Manila, about two kilometers from the
new housing site.
“The in-city relocation is the government’s response to the ISFs’ request to
be relocated to homes near their places of work and their children’s schools
so they won’t have a hard time adjusting,” Binay said during the turnover.
“These families will now have peace of mind knowing that their new homes will
be safe from being swept away by flash floods especially during heavy rains.
At the same time, they will have security of housing tenure,” the Vice
President added.
To date, 93 families, two of whom have members with disabilities, have
relocated to the new LRBs.
Based on the data provided by NHA, Metro Manila has 104,219 ISFs living in
danger areas and about 60,130 of them occupy major waterways.
Under President Aquino’s directive, the government launched in 2011 a
five-year-P50 billion housing program for ISFs living in danger areas in
Metro Manila, particularly along waterways.
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PDIC advises borrowers of Rural Bank of Padre Burgos (Southern Leyte)
to pay their obligations
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The Philippine Deposit Insurance
Corporation (PDIC), the Receiver of the closed Rural Bank of Padre Burgos
(Southern Leyte), reminded borrowers of the bank to continue to pay their
loans and transact only with authorized PDIC representatives.
In a statement, PDIC advised borrowers of Rural Bank of Padre Burgos to pay
their loans and other obligations directly at any Philippine National Bank
(PNB) Branch under account name, PDIC FAO BURL - RURAL BANK OF PADRE BURGOS
(SOUTHERN LEYTE). The Receiver cautioned borrowers that it has discontinued
the engagement of the bank's collectors. Moreover, PDIC has not engaged any
person to collect the loans of the bank. To ensure proper recording of
payments made by borrowers, PDIC further advised borrowers to keep copies of
the PNB Deposit/Payment Slips. The Receiver emphasized that only payments
with validated PNB Deposit/Payment Slips shall be considered valid payments.
Official receipts will be issued by PDIC upon validation of payments and will
be sent through mail to the borrowers. For proper accounting of their
payments, borrowers who do not receive their official receipts are advised to
send a copy of their deposit slips by mail to the Deputy Receiver for loans
Ms. Josefina S. San Pedro at the PDIC Office, 5th Floor, SSS Bldg., Ayala
Avenue corner V.A. Rufino St., Makati City or send via e-mail to Mr. Jerry D.
Toledo at jdtoledo@pdic.gov.ph or to Ms. Bettina N. Acosta at
bnacosta@pdic.gov.ph.
The Monetary Board (MB) placed the Rural Bank of Padre Burgos (Southern
Leyte), Inc. under the receivership of the PDIC by virtue of MB Resolution
No. 1392.A dated September 12, 2014. As Receiver, PDIC took over the bank on
September 15, 2014. Upon takeover, all bank records were gathered, verified
and validated.
Rural Bank of Padre Burgos is a single-unit rural bank with Head Office
located in Poblacion, Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte.
Borrowers of the bank may also communicate with the PDIC - Loans Management
Department II at (02) 841-4761 or 841-4774. Queries may also be sent through
email at pad@pdic.gov.ph.
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