Dispatch for October
14, 2014 (Tuesday ) , 3 PIA
Calabarzon PRs , 3 Weather Watch , 5 Reg’l. Watch
,
2 OFW Watch , 1 PNOY Speech
, Radio Interview OF SEC. COLOMA,
16
Online News , 24 Photonews (
Oct.13 )
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24-Hour Public Weather Forecast
Issued at 5:00 a.m., 14 October 2014 (AMENDED)
Valid beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow
Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure
Analysis for 8 a.m., 14 October 2014 |
Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind
Analysis for 8 a.m., 14 October 2014 |
Satellite Image
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Synopsis:
At 4:00 AM today, A Low Pressure Area
(LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 1,220 km East of
Mindanao (7.5˚N, 136.5˚E).
Forecast:
Mindanao, CALABARZON and the Province Of Aurora will have cloudy
skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms while Cagayan
Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and the provinces of
Ilocos will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light
rains. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to
cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.
Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over
Luzon and coming from the east to northeast over the eastern section of
Visayas and Mindanao. The coastal waters along these areas will be
moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming
from the northeast with slight to moderate seas.
Over Metro Manila:
Maximum Temperature: 12:00 PM Yesterday --- 32.6 °C
Minimum Temperature: 6:00 AM Yesterday --- 23.4 °C
Maximum Relative Humidity: 6:00 AM Yesterday --- 99 %
Minimum Relative Humidity: 12:00 PM Yesterday --- 64 %
Low Tide Today: 9:18 AM ...... 0.03 Meter
High Tide Tomorrow: 1:39 AM ...... 0.99 Meter
Sunrise Today : 5:47 AM
Sunset Today : 5:37 PM
Moonset Today : 10:52 AM
Moonrise Today : 10:37 PM
Illumination Today : 67 %
For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov
PAGASA weather forecaster Gener Quitlong on DZMM:
-Isang panibagong LPA ang namataan ng PAGASA sa labas ng PAR. Pero
dahil sa layo nitong 1,220 kilometro silangan ng Mindanao ay wala pa
itong epekto sa bansa.
-Inaasahang papasok ito ng PAR sa loob ng 24 oras bagama't hindi ito nakikitang magiging bagyo sa susunod na dalawang araw.
-Samantala, apektado na ng northeasterly winds ang bahagi ng bansa
bagama't hindi pa opisyal na maideklara ng PAGASA ang pagpasok ng
Amihan season. Hinihintay pa sa ngayon na mawala ang Tropical Storm
Vongfong, na siyang humahatak nito.
-Pero dahil sa mahihilang hangin na ito, makakaasa ng mahinang pag-ulan ang Cagayan Valley, CAR at Ilocos provinces.
-Mahina hanggang katamtamang pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog naman ang babagsak sa Mindanao, Calabarzon at lalawigan ng Aurora.
-Pulo-pulong pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog pa rin ang aasahan sa Metro Manila at nalalabing bahagi ng bansa.
-Habang may gale warning pa rin sa northern seaboard ng Northern Luzon,
babala sa mga maliit na bangkang pangisda na huwag munang pumalaot.
Bottom of Form
GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz:
-Walang bagyong inaasahan sa PAR ngayong linggo.
-Gayunman, inaasahan pa rin ang pag-ulan sa Luzon, Eastern Visayas at Mindanao bukas, lalo na sa hapon.
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October
14 , 2014 (Tuesday) as of 6:00-7:00 AM
CAVITE : Partly Cloudy
LAGUNA : Partly Cloudy
BATANGAS : Partly
Cloudy
RIZAL : Partly
Cloudy
QUEZON
:
Partly Cloudy
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PIA-4A/QUEZON:
Corn farmers in Quezon can now look forward to producing high quality corn at
any time of the year and earn more profitably from it after the Department of
Agriculture inaugurated a 5,000-square meter village type corn processing hub
along Maharlika Highway in Tayabas City. Built at a cost of P28.2 million and
strategically located near corn areas, the hub includes facilities for drying,
shelling and storage.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS:
Patuloy ang pagsasagawa ng price monitoring ng DTI Batangas partikular sa mga
produktong pampasko upang maiwasan ang overpricing at masunod ang standard
retail price na itinakda ng ahensya.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS:
May 30 city boy scouts sa lungsod ng Batangas ang mauupo bilang opisyal ng
pamahalaang lungsod kung saan mararanasan nila ang paglilingkod na ginagawa ng
mayor at mga department heads sa mga Batangueno. Layon nitong ipaunawa at
iparanas sa mga boy scouts ang serbisyo na isinasagawa ng lokal na pamahalaan.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS:
Isinara sa lahat ng uri ng sasakyan ang Calbang Bridge sa bahagi ng Brgy.
Maalaas-as sa bayan ng Rosario para sa isasagawang pagsasaayos nito na
pangungunahan ng Provincial Engineering Office.
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
Ang pagtatayo ng herbal forest sa bahagi ng Atimonan, Quezon ay isa sa mga
pangunahing programang pang turismo na tinututukan ngayon ng provincial
development council. Ang nasabing programa ng maituturing na kauna-unahan sa
bansa ay inaasahang makatutulong sa sa pag-unlad ng turismo sa lalawigan.
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DZBB:
Naghahanda na ang POEA sa posibleng pagtaas ng crisis alert level 3 sa
mga bansa na may Ebola virus. Giit ng POEA na sakaling ipatupad ito
magkakaroon na ng voluntary repatriation para sa mga Pinoy.
GMA:
Nire-require na ng pamahalaan ang mandatory screening at 21-day
isolation sa mga Pinoy na galing sa Sierra Leone, Guinea at Liberia.
Ayon sa DOH at DFA, bahagi ito ng pinaigting na kampanya laban sa Ebola
virus na kalat sa West Africa.
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CAVITE
1.
DILG to launch “UBAS” in Cavite
TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, Oct. 10
(PIA) -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region IV-A is
all set this Sunday, October 12 for the launching of the so called
“Ugnayan ng mga Barangay at Simbahan (UBAS) which coincides with the
Barangay Assembly Day.
To be held at Barangay Poblacion 8
in Carmona starting at 9 in the morning, the UBAS launching dubbed as a
"Circle of Integrity" pushes for a higher level public service
anchored on transparency, good governance and grassroots participation.
Carmona Mayor Dahlia Loyola and
members of the municipal council including barangay officials are expected to
join the event. Barangay captains and kagawads are enjoined to present the
current state of development and financial status of their respective
jurisdiction and may also undertake other activities they deem appropriate to create
awareness and generate participation among residents in the Barangay Assembly.
In a letter addressed to PIA Region
IV-A Officer-in-Charge Carlo Gonzaga, Ms. Josefina E. Castilla-Go, DILG Region
IV-A Director explained that all parties involved in the said launching shall
create an enabling environment, as a pastoral companion or mutual accompaniment
for a meaningful people's participation in the implementation of DILG projects
particularly the Grassroots Participatory Process (GPP), especially those in
scaling up the practice of good governance at the local level.
According to Director Go, Barangay
Poblacion 8 is one of the top performing barangays in the province and was
chosen by the DILG as one of the showcase barangays for the launching of UBAS in
Region IV-A.
UBAS, a partnership between the
Religious Sectors, the Liga nga mga Barangay (LnB) ng Pilipinas, and the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) was initially launched
last September 12, 2014 at the Archbishop's Palace in Intramuros, Manila. A
Memorandum of Agreement was signed between Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G.
Cardinal Tagle, LnB National President Atty. Edmund R. Abesamis, and DILG
Secretary Mar Roxas.
Prior to the UBAS' ceremonial
launching in Manila, UBAS has been already launched and is currently being
implemented as a faith-based activity in the province thru the initiatives of
the Diocese of Imus, other religious organizations, and the Local Government
Units (LGUs) from the provincial down to the city and municipal levels. (DILG-Region
IV-A/RBF, PIA-CAvite)
RIZAL
1. DTI-Rizal orients local food, business
sector on Philippine Traceability System
By: Gideon Gapayao
Thursday 9th of October 2014
ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal, October 9 (PIA) --Members of the local food processing and business sectors
recently participated in an awareness seminar on the Philippine Traceability
(PTRACE) System cum workshop conducted through the initiative of the Department
of Trade and Industry-Rizal at the Bahay Kawayan Restaurant, Taytay this
October 8.
The
PTRACE seminar promotes traceability to local entrepreneurs and business groups
to emphasize the importance of documenting all stages of food production,
processing and distribution due to the increasing food safety incidents in the
international market.
DTI
resource speaker Renea Marian Cruz, said the seminar on PTRACE is also done to
strengthen and reinforce business operations and competitiveness in line with RA
10611 otherwise known as the National Food Safety Act and the impending ASEAN
integration.
RA10611
which was signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III last 2013 states that
traceability in at least one level higher or lower (meaning the both the supplier
and buyer of a certain product) in order for a business to track the origin and
destination of their product. Cruz also added that the new law requires
companies to keep track of records within six months in case of product
recalls.
Cruz
also stated during the seminar that PTRACE also gives local food businesses a
fighting chance when South East Asian Nations open trade with the country in
line with the ASEAN integration. Products and businesses with traceability will
be deemed safer and more trustworthy in the highly competitive international
market since any quality or safety issues may be traced back to a certain
source.
DTI
Rizal in partnership with the University of the Philippines – Institute for
Small Scale Industries opened the awareness seminar to local food production
and processing businesses in Rizal, most of which are members of the Samahan ng
mga Rizaleno sa Sektor ng Agrikultura at Pagkain (SARAP), to increase the
competitiveness of the local food sector against other competitors. Another
PTRACE seminar is scheduled to take place on November. (PIA-Rizal)
2. Polio and Tigdas mass immunization in Rizal
successfully held
Thursday 9th of October 2014
ANTIPOLO
CITY, OCT. 9 (PIA) –The Provincial Health Office announced that the measles and
polio mass immunization campaign that was launched early September of this year
was a success and will be extended for another week.
Rizal
Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Illuminado Victoria said that from the
month-long saturation campaign all over the province, there were 81.12 percent
or 269,779 out of 332, 556 toddlers aged five years old and above that were
given the measles-rubella vaccines. While 78.20 percent or 305,260 out of
390,360 children of the same age were given the oral polio vaccines.
The
success of the campaign was largely due to the all-out campaign of the province
using the mass media, social media and even house-to-house campaigns conducted
by the various medical teams from the province and its 14 local government
units (LGUs), including Antipolo City.
“It
has always been our commitment to provide the basic health care programs to our
constituents. I’m just glad that through the concerted efforts of all
concerned, we were able to have very good results with our measles and polio
mass immunization campaign in the province,” said Gov. Nini Ynares. (Rizal PIO/KGG, PIA-Rizal)
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| Government focuses on fight against Ebola, MERS-COV |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III has underscored the importance of global
cooperation to prevent the spread of deadly diseases, such as the Ebola
virus and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).In
his speech during the opening of the 65th Session of the World Health
Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Western Pacific in Pasay City
on Monday, President Aquino said stopping the spread of these contagious
diseases is a “paramount concern” of the administration, considering the
significant number of Filipinos working abroad.
“Outbreaks of illnesses and diseases like the MERS-Coronavirus and Ebola
are among the greatest challenges the world faces today,” he said before
hundreds of international health officials at the Philippine International
Convention Center.
“For the Philippines, specifically, the fact that we have ten million of
our countrymen living and working abroad, makes these kinds of outbreaks a
paramount concern,” he added.
The President shared how the government, through the Department of Health
(DOH), managed to prevent the spread of MERS-Coronavirus in the Philippines
despite the more than one million Filipinos living and working in the Middle
East.
He said the DOH has been tasked to continue to educate the public about
the deadly diseases without causing fear and panic, and to come up with an
efficient and safe way to monitor the exposure of the people to such
diseases.
He assured that the government will continue to exert effort to keep all
Filipinos safe and healthy amid the global threat of pandemics.
The President also gave a rundown of the government’s achievements in the
health sector, including the expansion of PhilHealth coverage and the
passage of the sin tax and reproductive health bills.
Earlier, he welcomed the participants of the WHO regional committee,
noting that it has been 25 years since the Philippines last hosted the
event.
“Back then, it was my mother, President Corazon Aquino, who welcomed your
predecessors to our country, where they would discuss, among others, infant
and child nutrition, the WHO’s expanded immunization program, and financial
policies and strategies in public health,” he said.
Meanwhile, in his opening remarks, WHO Executive Director Ian Smith thanked
the Philippine government for hosting this year's meeting of the regional
committee.
Characterizing the Filipinos as “well-known survivors”, Smith expressed
optimism that the Philippines could prevent the importation of Ebola virus
as the country has survived various disasters in recent years.
About 250 representatives of member countries and partners are attending the
meeting, which will tackle important health issues, among them emergencies
and disasters, universal coverage, antimicrobial resistance, tobacco, and
mental health. PND (jb) |
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| Overseas Filipino
workers returning from countries hit by Ebola virus need medical clearance
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The Department of Health (DOH) is planning to require a medical clearance
from Filipinos who are returning from Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia,
which have been struck by the deadly Ebola virus, Health Secretary Enrique
Ona said on Monday.
“We are now making arrangements na iyong ating mga Filipino workers doon …
dapat bago sila makauwi dito, we will require them to have a so-called
medical clearance,” he said on the sidelines of the 65th Session of the
World Health Organization Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, being
held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
Secretary Ona said the medical clearance would state if the Overseas
Filipino Worker (OFW) has been exposed to people who have contracted or have
died of Ebola fever.
He suggested that before coming home, the OFW should observe himself for 21
days to see if he shows any symptom of the disease.
“Ang ating nire-require is paalam muna or let’s say, bago siya gumawa ng
kanyang travel arrangements, maghintay siya ng mga --- magplano siya at
least --- ‘di ba kung uuwi ka naman, siguro naman you will plan more than 21
days, ‘di ba? Except lang siguro kung emergency. And then kung wala naman,
he will be given a medical clearance and makakauwi na siya,” he explained.
He noted that Ebola fever is not contagious until the patient shows
symptoms.
“Ganito ang unique about Ebola, hindi nakakahawa habang wala pang
symptoms... Therefore, dapat mga 21 days ka na walang symptoms na parang
influenza. Then, pwede ka nang makauwi,” he said.
As soon as the OFW arrives in the country, he will fill out a form so that
the DOH could monitor his health, Ona said, adding that if the OFW does show
symptoms of the disease, he should get in touch with the DOH via a phone
call or a text message.
“Kung meron kang symptoms of parang ‘nung bad flu, sasabihin namin ‘pumarito
ka’, parang ‘pumunta ka doon’. Let’s say, nasa Mindanao ka, nasa Cagayan de
Oro, sasabihin namin kung saan kang ospital pupunta,” he explained.
He said the department has identified hospitals all over the country where
Ebola patients will be isolated and examined.
He said the screening will focus on people returning from Sierra Leone,
Guinea and Liberia, where there are 1,755 OFWs.
Asked if the Philippines would send health workers and volunteers to the
three countries, Ona said the government is still discussing this.
“We will be helping whether in kind or whatever. But kung anong klaseng
tulong, hindi pa nade-desisyunan,” he said. PND (ag) |
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Puspusang hinaharap ng pamahalaan ang pagbaka sa
‘Ebola' at 'MERS-COV’ |
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Binigyang diin ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang
halaga ng pagtutulungan ng daigdig upang maiwasan ang paglaganap ng mga
nakamamatay na mga sakit na gaya ng Ebola virus at Middle East Respiratory
Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
Sa talumpati niya sa pagsisimula ng Ika-65 Pulong ng Panrehiyong Lupon ng
World Health Organization para sa Kanlurang Pasipiko sa Lungsod ng Pasay
Lunes, sinabi ng Pangulo na “pangunahing inaalagata” ng administrasyon niya
ang pagsisikap na masawata ang paglaganap ng mga nakahahawang sakit,lalo pa
kung isasaalang-alang ang dami ng mga Pilipino na nagtatrabaho sa
ibayongdagat.
“Ang paglaganap ng mga sakit na gaya ng MERS-Coronavarius at Ebola ang
pinakamatitinding pagsubok na kinakaharap ng daigdig ngayon, “ wika ng
Pangulo sa harap ng daan-daang mga pinuno ng kalusugan na nagpupulong sa
Philippine International Convention Center.
Isinalaysay ng Pangulo kung paanong nagagawa ng pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng
Kagawaran ng Kalusugan na sagkaan ang paglaganap ng MERS-Coronavirus sa
Pilipinas sa kabila ng pangyayaring mahigit na isang milyong Pilipino ang
naninirahan at nagtatrabaho sa Gitnang Silangan.
Sinabi ng Pangulo na ang Kagawaran ng Kalusugan ang inatasang patuloy na
ipaalam sa madla ang tungkol sa mapanganib na mga sakit na ito nang hindi
magiging daan ng sindak at pagkaligalig ng madla, kaalinsabay ng pagsisikap
na magkaroon ng mabisa at ligtas na paraan ng patuloy na pagsubaybay sa mga
taong malamang mahawa ng sakit na nasabi.
Tiniyak ng Pangulo na hindi tatantanan ng gobyerno ang pagsisikap na
manatiling ligtas at malusog ang mga Pilipino sa kabila ng malubhang bantang
ito ng nabanggit na karamdaman.
Binanggit din ang mga nagawa na ng pamahalaan sa larangan ng kalusugan,
kabilang na ang paglawak ng saklaw ng PhilHeath at ang pagpapatibay ng mga
panukalang batas tungkol sa sin tax at sa reproductive health bills.
Malugod ding binati ng Pangulo ang mga kalahok sa pulong na ito ng pampurok
na lupon ng WHO na ginaganap 25 taon sapul nang maging punung-abala ang
Pilipinas sa ganito ring kapulungan.
“Noon, ang aking ina, Pangulong Corazon Aquino ang tumanggap sa aming bayan
sa inyong mga hinalinhan at ang tinalakay nila ay ang nutrisyon ng mga
sanggol at bata, ang pinalawak na immunization programng WHO, gayundin ang
mga patakaran at istratehiyang pinansiyal sa kalusugang pambayan,” dagdag pa
ng Pangulo.
Samantala, pinasalamatan naman ni Ian Smith, Tagapagpaganap na Direktor ng
WHO ang pamahalaang Pilipino sa pagiging punung-abala sa pulong ng pampurok
na lupon sa taong ito
Sinabi ni Smith na dahil sa ugaling Pilipino na “well-known survivors” (nakaliligtas
sa mga pagsubok), naniniwala siyang maiiwasan ng Pilipinas ang pag-angkat ng
Ebola virus tulad ng pagkaligtas ng bansa sa iba-ibang kalamidad sa nagdaang
mga taon.
May 250 kinatawan ng mga kasaping bansa at mga kabalikat ang dumadalo sa
pulong na tumatalakay sa mahahalagang isyung pangkalusugan na katulad ng mga
kalamidad at kagipitan, universal health coverage, antimicrobial resistance,
tabako at kalusugang pangkaisipan.PND(jb/zaf) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the
65th Session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for the
Western Pacific
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PICC, Pasay City
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13 Oct. 2014
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It has been 25 years since the Philippines last played host to the session
of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for the Western Pacific.
Back then, it was my mother, President Corazon Aquino, who welcomed your
predecessors to our country, where they would discuss, among others, infant
and child nutrition, the WHO’s expanded immunization program, and financial
policies and strategies in public health.
A generation has come and gone since then. The issues discussed in the
previous sessions of this meeting remain as relevant as ever, even as we are
asked to confront new and evolving challenges. In the face of this, however,
what has always remained strong and sure is our conviction to overcome these
challenges together. Our gathering represents the determination of 37
member-states or associate members, and areas to work as one community, in
order to improve the state of public health. Today we affirm: no man is an
island. Similarly: no country can operate or achieve its full development in
isolation from others.
This is true for the sector of health as well. As professionals, all of you
will have experienced how the performance of your duties can be enhanced, or
even hampered by other factors, including, or probably because of, politics.
As public servants, all of you have been driven to find ways to surpass
these challenges precisely because our duty is to empower our countrymen.
Here in the Philippines, some of our greatest achievements in healthcare
arose from complicated, frustrating situations. For example, in the past,
the number of enrollees or members in our national health insurance program,
PhilHealth, would rise dramatically during election season; politicians used
the promise of healthcare to gain political capital without actually
delivering on that promise.
While government continues to contend with problems from those days, there
is no doubt that PhilHealth today does more than promise care. Under our
watch, coverage has expanded to the vast majority of our population, as work
continues to identify the remaining uncovered population, which includes
informal settlers and indigenous people. Right now, our people are already
receiving tangible benefits from being covered by PhilHealth. Identified
poorest households, for instance, need only show their PhilHealth cards to
receive free treatment for ailments spanning the spectrum: from common
illnesses to catastrophic ones, such as leukemia.
Another example: critical legislation such as the sin tax bill and the
responsible parenthood and reproductive health bill had languished in our
Congress for so long because of various interests. After intense public
debate and scrutiny, both these bills were signed into law. As a result:
Filipino parents now have access to the resources they need to make informed
decisions about their families, in accordance with their conscience and
beliefs. The results of sin tax reform are also promising: according to the
2013 National Nutrition Survey, smoking prevalence among adults 20 years old
and above decreased from 31 percent in 2008 to 25.4 percent in 2013, while
smoking prevalence among children aged 10 to 19.9 years old decreased from
9.1 percent in 2008 to 6.8 percent in 2013. We are hopeful that this
decrease will continue.
There are other achievements: thousands of doctors, nurses, midwives, and
community health teams have been deployed all over the archipelago. P46.39
billion has been allotted, from 2010 to 2014, to upgrade and rehabilitate
public health facilities. Our conditional cash transfer program, which
covers more than 4 million poor households and homeless families, requires
beneficiaries to have children vaccinated and to send pregnant mothers to
regular check-ups, among others, for them to receive cash grants. These are
only a few of the critical measures our administration has taken, in order
to ensure that Filipinos have access to quality healthcare. Yet, there is
more to be done, especially in light of the new challenges arising today.
A little under a year ago, Typhoon Haiyan, or Yolanda—as we call it, swept
through the Central Philippines. A storm of unprecedented intensity, it
affected 44 out of 81 of our provinces, destroying critical infrastructure,
including communications, power, and our health facilities; incapacitating
the local government units and other first responders; and sweeping away
prepositioned relief goods, including medicines and equipment. Needless to
say: it was something no country ever had to deal with before.
The devastation was terrible. But this only galvanized everyone into action:
from government, to the private sector, to our friends and partners in the
international community. Our own agencies, including the Department of
Health, were quick to deploy all necessary equipment and personnel to
provide the necessary relief and rescue efforts. Our resources and actions
were complemented by those provided by other nations and international
organizations. Aid poured in from all over the world, including significant
donations of medical supplies and drugs. Our own surgeons and doctors worked
alongside foreign medical teams to provide the medical attention and care
needed by survivors. I have said it before and I will say it again: the
generosity and solidarity that the world displayed was beyond compare.
At the same time, I believe that the worsening effects of climate change
show us a new imperative, in responding to the suffering of others, wherever
they may be from: that the time to debate individual commitments is over.
Instead, each of us must do everything within our capacities to address the
problem at hand. This, I believe, does not apply only to climate change, but
also to other sectors, including public health.
For instance, outbreaks of illnesses and diseases like the MERS-Coronavirus
and Ebola are among the greatest challenges the world faces today. For the
Philippines, specifically, the fact that we have ten million of our
countrymen living and working abroad makes these kinds of outbreaks a
paramount concern. This year, the MERS Coronavirus broke out and spread in
the Middle East. Based on current reports, the mortality rate for MERS
Coronavirus ranges from 30 to 60 percent; and, of course, our first thought
immediately went to the more than a million Filipinos living and working in
the middle East.
The matter was complicated further, when, during Holy Week, which is a
holiday in the country, we received belated news that an Overseas Filipino
Worker with the virus had arrived in the country. On top of this: from that
international flight, he had also travelled to his home province. You can
imagine how critical the situation seemed: it was necessary to track down
every person on that flight, quarantine, and test them at the soonest
possible time. Thankfully, the test results came back negative.
That rather harrowing time gave us the chance to take a good look at our
systems, to identify areas that could be improved upon, and to make those
improvements. Soon after, I signed an Executive Order creating an
interagency task force to manage emerging infectious diseases in the
country; and even then, the work continues. Among the questions we need to
keep asking ourselves are: How can we best educate our countrymen about
these outbreaks, without spreading fear and panic? Is there an efficient and
safe way to monitor our countrymen’s exposure to diseases, and to repatriate
them, while ensuring their health, as well as that of the general populace?
I speak for myself and my government when I say that we will continue to
exert every effort and undertake all possible initiatives to find answers to
these questions and keep our countrymen safe and healthy as pandemics
threaten to spread. However, we can all agree that that we work better, and
more efficiently, when we work with others, whether to monitor and contain
outbreaks, or to meet the Millennium Development Goals, or to anticipate and
prepare for global health concerns. Through the establishment of the World
Health Organization, and through our participation in these kinds of events,
we are doing just that: strengthening the ties that bind us, and by so
doing, affirming our duty to our countrymen and our fellowmen.
Thus, it is my hope that this session will be productive; that discussions
are informed by the wealth of knowledge and experience that each one brings
to the table; and that, at the conclusion of this meeting, you return to
your homes more determined than ever to find solutions to the challenges
that remain. After all, here, we are speaking not of abstract issues or
ideas pulled out of thin air; we are speaking of men, women, and children
whose lives we can change for the better, who we can empower by cooperating
with one another, and by working not just towards a healthier future for our
own people, but for the entire world.
And I think I would be remiss if I don’t issue a reminder. All of us depend
so much on your work that you will be doing in the next few days, but
perhaps there can be a little time for you to discover why it is more fun to
work in the Philippines.
Thank you, and good day. |
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA,
JR.
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| DZRB / Balita at Panayam by Alan Allanigue |
14 October 2014
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ALAN: Secretary Coloma, Sir. Magandang umaga po.
SEC. COLOMA:
Magandang umaga sa iyo, Alan.
ALAN: Yes Sir. Ang Pangulong Aquino po
mismo ang nagbigay ng katiyakan at patuloy na pinalalakas ng iba’t ibang
ahensiya ng gobyerno ang mga hakbang para tiyakin na hindi makakapasok ito
hong Ebola at itong MERS Coronavirus dito sa atin sa Pilipinas, Secretary
Coloma, Sir?
SEC. COLOMA: Tama ang iyong binanggit, Alan. Patuloy na
binubuo at isinasaayos iyong mga mas detalyadong mga plano at contingency
measures na inilalatag para tiyaking matatag ang depensa ng ating bansa at
ng mga Pilipino laban sa Ebola virus disease.
ALAN: Okay, at kabilang
din po sa pinag-iisipan, Secretary Coloma, ay ang posibleng pagpapauwi sa
mga Pilipino, para mailikas sila doon sa mga lugar kung saan meron pong mga
identified na na ganitong mga cases, Sec. Sonny, Sir?
SEC. COLOMA:
Tama iyon, Alan ‘no, at lahat ng panig ng daigdig na kung saan ay mayroong
mga Pilipino tinitiyak ng ating pamahalaan ang kaligtasan, kalusugan at
kagalingan ng ating mga mamamayan. Kung maalala natin doon sa mga lugar na
mayroong ligalig na dulot ng mga political upheavals ay kumilos ang ating
pamahalaan para matulungan ang ating mga kababayang makauwi at mailikas sila
mula sa mga lugar ng panganib. Ganundin po ang prinsipyo dito, dahil ang
panganib naman ay bunsod ng isang virus na wala pang natutuklasang gamot
para doon at napakataas ng mortality rate. Halos isa sa bawat dalawang taong
tinatamaan ay namatay o nasa panganib na mamamatay habang wala pang
natutuklasang epektibong gamot laban dito. Kaya iyon po ang mahalagang
konsiderasyon sa mga isinasagawa ng ating pamahalaan sa kasalukuyan.
ALAN: Okay, sa ibang usapin po, Secretary Coloma. Sa dalawang kapulungan ng
Kongreso ay napapag-usapan po ang pagkakaloob ng tinatawag nilang “flexible
emergency powers” para sa Pangulong Noy. Ito ho’y para ma-address itong
posibleng krisis sa enerhiya, Secretary Coloma, Sir?
SEC. COLOMA: Eto
po ang mahalaga: sa darating na tag-init ay magkakaroon ng kakulangan sa
supply ng kuryente at nais paghandaan ng pamahalaan ito; nais po ng
pamahalaan na tiyakin ang maaasahang suplay ng kuryente at ang kuryente ay
makakamit ng ating mga mamamayan sa resonableng halaga at wala pong magiging
pagsasamantala at wala pong pagka-antala sa kabuhayan ng ating mamamayan
dahil sa kakulangan sa kuryente. Iyan po ang mga mahahalagang layunin ng
pamahalaan.
ALAN: Ayon, at kapwa meron na pong mga nagsisimulang
hakbang sa dalawang kapulungan ng ating Kongreso to this effect, Sec. Sonny,
Sir?
SEC. COLOMA: Ayon po iyan sa kahilingan ng ating Pangulo na
sumulat sa Pangulo ng Senado at Speaker ng Kamara de Representantes, na
hinihiling iyong pagbubuo ng isang joint resolution para pagkalooban ng
awtoridad ang Pangulo na gumawa ng nararapat bilang pagtugon sa naka-ambang
kakulangan ng suplay ng kuryente.
ALAN: Sir, may dagdag na mga tanong
po. Ito’y tungkol doon sa last year o nitong nakaraang January, January 20,
2014. Meron pong isinagawa tayo na National Day of Prayer. Sa darating na
Enero po kaya ng susunod na taon ay meron ding ganoon? Considering that the
Pope will in the Philippines ng middle of January next year, Sec. Sonny,
Sir?
SEC. COLOMA: Wala pang impormasyon hinggil diyan, Alan. Mainam
na binanggit mo iyong hinggil sa pagdalaw ng Santo Papa sapagkat iyan ay isa
sa mahalagang pinagkaka-abalahan natin ngayon. Batid natin na napakarami sa
ating mga kababayan ang nais na makita at sumalubong sa Santo Papa. Kaya’t
pinaghahandaan ng puspusan ang mga kinakailangang hakbang para tiyakin na
magiging maayos ang kanyang pagdalaw at mabibigyan ng magandang pagkakataon
ang pinakamarami nating kababayan na masilayan ang kanyang presensiya at
maranasan kung paano madalaw ng isang Santo Papa, na sa kasaysayan ay isang
napaka-importanteng kaganapan para sa ating mga kababayan. Tuwing may
dumadalaw na Santo Papa, ito ay pinaghahandaan at sinasalubong ng ating mga
mamamayan sa isang maalab na paraan bilang pagpapakita na rin ng lakas ng
kanilang pananampalataya.
ALAN: Opo, pero kung titingnan po natin,
Secretary Coloma, hindi po ba maliban doon sa pagiging pinuno ng Catholic
Church, ang Santo Papa ay Head of State din ng Vatican, hindi po ba?
SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Alan. Kaya lang sa kabuuan, siyempre ang mananaig
dito ay iyong aspeto ng pananampalataya, kaya nga ang tawag din dito ay
Pastoral Visit. Siya ay parang pastol na namumuno sa Simbahan at ang mga
mananampalataya ay sabik sa kanyang pagdating, dahil siya ay
pinanggagalingan ng inspirasyon at lakas sa pananampalataya.
ALAN:
Sir, marami po ang nagte-text at nagtatanong, Sir, baka naman daw po maliban
doon sa ilang mga detalye na, maliban dito sa Metro Manila, magtutungo ang
Santo Papa sa Tacloban City. Baka daw po may mga ibang detalye na puwedeng
makuha na tungkol sa Papal Visit. Siguro ina-anticipate na makalapit man
lang iyong mga kababayan natin sa Santo Papa sa mga pagkakataong narito siya
sa ating bansa, Sec?
SEC. COLOMA: Nauunawaan natin iyan, Alan, at
gagawin naman ng organizing committee, na kung saan ay nakikipag-ugnayan an
gating pamahalaan sa Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, sa
pangunguna na Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle at Archbishop Soc Villegas.
Masinsin po ang paghahanda.
Ang nais po natin ay maging makabuluhang
karanasan ito para sa ating mga mamamayan at mabigyan nga sila ng
pagkakataon na masilayan at maranasan ang presensiya ng Santo Papa. Kaya
lang kailangan po tayong maghintay ng kaunti pang panahon sapagkat hindi pa
naman inilalabas ng Vatican ang opisyal na palatuntunan sa pagdalaw ng Santo
Papa. Ang naganap pa lamang ay iyong initial inspection o ocular visit ng
mga kagawad ng Vatican, na isinagawa noong nakaraang Hulyo. At batay doon ay
may inilatag na tentative program. Pero iyong official program ay ilalabas
sa bandang Nobyembre pa at hindi naman po mainam na pangunahan dahil hindi
naman po magiging opisyal ang pag-uusapan kung ito ay hindi batay sa pahayag
ng tanggapan ng Santo Papa.
ALAN: Opo. Secretary, baka po may mensahe
na nais iparating sa ating mga kababayang nakikinig. Sir, please go ahead.
SEC. COLOMA: Siguro lang, iyong patuloy po nating paghimok sa ating mga
mamamayan na maki-ambag po sila sa pagbabagong-tatag ng kani-kanilang mga
komyunidad. Iyon pong panatilihing masigla iyong diwa ng bayanihan, na kung
meron po tayong mga suliranin sa komyunidad. Iyon pong aspeto ng peace and
order, puwede naman po nating pagtulungan iyan bilang mabubuting
magkakapitbahay at magkakaibigan.
ALAN: Secretary Coloma, Sir, muli
salamat po ng marami for the updates from the Palace, Sir.
SEC.
COLOMA: Maraming salamat at magandang umaga, Alan. |
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| SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data
Processing Center |
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Oct. 13, 2014
- Former combatants turn over a new leaf as forest
protectors
- Independent body to generate initiatives for
transitional justice and reconciliation for Bangsamoro
- Agri sector preparing for ASEAN Economic Integration by
end-2015, Alcala says
- DA-DTI sets SRP for pork and chicken in QC wet markets
- Humanitarian caravan for Mayon evacuees now on the way
to Albay
- Disaster Response Dialogue Global Conference Opens in
Manila
- Philippines, Germany Launch Landmark Agreements on
Tec-Voc Education and Training
- Roxas to Albayanos: National, Local Governments
Monitoring Mayon
- DILG-LGA convenes "Forum on Asean Economic
Integration: The Role of Local Governments"
- New PSHS system exec takes oath with new campus
directors
- Trust fund established for protected areas
- QC police file charges vs. grenade-toting trio
- OWWA Assists Families of Car Accident Victims in Qatar
- Ombudsman sacks DA regional officials for misconduct
- PH team gets intensive training for ASEAN Skills
Competition
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DOLE assists displaced workers at MCU-FDT Medical Foundation
with livelihood grant
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MANABO, ABRA – In Abra, members of
the former Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) are at the forefront of
defending and stewarding the natural resources within their lands through
their new role as Bantay Gubat.
“We man checkpoints, patrol the mountainside, and assist tree-planting
activities under the National Greening Program,” said Renato, a Bantay Gubat
employee and member of the former CPLA, in the vernacular. “It’s good work.”
As Bantay Gubat patrol members, they affirm and carry forward their ili’s
(community’s) commitment to defend and protect Abra’s rich yet vulnerable
forest resources, standing guard against all manner of illegal and
unsustainable extraction practices, including logging, poaching, and the like.
Some forty years ago, under Martial Law, villagers in Abra and other
Cordillera towns bravely fought to stop the Cellophil Resources Corporation
from logging nearly 300,000 hectares of their forested areas and domains.
Their employment as forest guards is in fulfillment of the commitment of the
national government to the agreement it signed with the Cordillera Bodong
Administration- Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA) in July 2011.
The agreement aimed to bring closure to the existence of CPLA as an armed
group and to pave the way for their transformation into an unarmed, potent
socioeconomic force.
“Back then, when we were farmers and members of the CPLA,” Renato recalled,
“we really struggled.”
“Now, as part of the Bantay Gubat patrol, we have a sense that we are
contributing—and to a government program, at that.”
Narciso, a fellow former combatant-turned-Bantay Gubat patroller, agrees.
“We really believe that the program has improved our lives,” Narciso said.
“We have found a reliable source of income for our family’s needs—from food,
to our children’s school supplies, their clothes, and more.”
Bantay Gubat is a joint project of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on
the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR), carried out through the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan
(PAMANA) program. It is implemented by Abra’s Provincial Environment and
Natural Resources Office. Bantay Gubat has employed a total of 91 members of
the former CPLA who are now productive contributors to their local
communities.
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Independent body to generate initiatives for transitional justice and
reconciliation for Bangsamoro
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MANILA – The Transitional Justice
and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC), a body created by the Government of the
Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to recommend
measures to correct historical injustices and address legitimate grievances
of the Bangsamoro people, is set to conduct public consultations from now
until June next year to come up with their report.
The Commission will approach its work by considering the culture of the
people, multiple narratives of history and ensuring inclusivity among the
different stakeholders, TJRC chairperson Mo Bleeker said during the
Commission's Manila launch this Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Shangri-la Hotel.
Last Oct. 4, the TJRC was officially introduced to the public in Cotabato City.
Joining Bleeker in the TJRC are its members, Atty. Cecilia Jimenez (as GPH
representative) and Atty. Ishak Mastura (as MILF representative) as well as
Jonathan Sisson who serves as senior adviser. The commission’s work is part
of the normalization process specified in the Comprehensive Agreement on the
Bangsamoro (CAB).
GPH panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said that TJRC’s greatest contribution
could be in pointing out how the country can effectively have sustainable
justice and reconciliation in healing the internal conflict in the south.
“The work of the TJRC and its outcome must set off a process that does not
control, formalize, bureaucratize nor narrow down the avenues, but rather
generates, in addition to the state’s, people-driven initiatives to do
transitional justice and reconciliation.”
Saying that “justice is political and it is also personal,” Coronel-Ferrer
underscored that “our efforts must produce the needed state policies and
institutions that would be responsive. It must make us more human, with faith
and trust in the humanity that is in each one of us, knowing that this is
what will unite us whoever we are, whatever identity we self-ascribe to or
are other-ascribed. It must produce a norm-change, change the hate to love,
convert the distrust to trust, ensconce the sense of personal and collective
accountability and strengthen the desire to build peace.”
MILF peace panel chair and Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) chair
Mohagher Iqbal, in his message during the launch of TJRC, said that
“achieving accountability (of human rights violators), achieving justice and
restoration (after conflict) is a tedious process for all.” However, he said
that other paradigms have to be examined, beyond judicial approach or courts,
to realize the goal of healing wounds of conflict towards reconciliation, to
not repeat the state-sponsored human rights violations in the past, and lead
to the “eventual vanishing of discrimination.”
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles, also present
at the TJRC launch, said that as a people, “we sometimes have a tendency to
say ‘Huwag nang ungkatin pa and natapos na’ (‘Don’t try to dig up the past’).
That’s why we tend to repeat historical injustices and tragedies. I am so
glad that we are deliberately doing this now to ensure that the wrongdoings
in the past… will not be repeated.”
Deles also underscored that while rights of victims are important, it is also
crucial to provide space for the right to forgive and right to embrace one’s
enemy.
Also present at the TJRC Manila launch were members of the diplomatic
community including Swiss deputy chief of mission Raoul Imbach (who
represented Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber), UK Ambassador Asif Ahmed, Brunei
Ambassador Malai Halimah Yussof; GPH panel members Senen Bacani and National
Commission on Muslim Filipinos chair Yasmin Busran-Lao; BTC Commissioners;
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Regional Human Rights Commission head
Algamar Latiph; international non-governmental organizations, Mindanao historian
Prof. Rudy Rodil, among others.
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Agri sector preparing for ASEAN Economic Integration by end-2015,
Alcala says
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Agriculture Secretary Proceso
Alcala assured the agribusiness sector and its development partners that the
government has been working to better prepare the agri-fishery for
fast-liberalizing global trade, including the much-anticipated ASEAN economic
integration by end of 2015.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 21st AgriLink, Foodlink and AquaLink
trade show Thursday at World Trade Center in Pasay City, Alcala said the DA
has intensified the small farm clustering initiative and its focus on
post-harvest technology and collective marketing, as part of its Agri-Pinoy
commodity programs. This way, he said, farmers are assisted to produce
economies of scale and added value as required by bigger markets.
“Tatlong taon at kalahati na ang nakararaan, nanindigan tayo sa Agri Pinoy,
isang estratehiyang pang-agrikultura na holistiko at sumasakop sa buong value
chain, tuluy-tuloy o sustainable at nilalahukan at pinakikinabangan ng lahat
o inklusibo,” Alcala said. (For the past 3 ½ years, we carry out the Agri-Pinoy
framework, a holistic and sustainable approach to development that involves
and benefits every single player in the value chain.”)
He mentioned the establishment of processing and marketing hubs dubbed as
Agri-Pinoy Trading Centers designed to provide direct linkage between food
producers and consumers, which translates to a more stable and affordable
supply for consumers.
Built strategically across the country, these trading centers are equipped
with storage, transport and market facilities. In several cases, these hubs
are intended to serve as training centers where farmers will be taught about
the latest and appropriate technologies that will help them produce high
quality commodities at lower costs.
This year alone, DA hopes to start the operations of seven trading centers
nationwide, in tandem with farmers’ organizations and local governments.
These include the P28-million corn processing and trading center that DA
recently opened in Tayabas City, Quezon to cater to the postharvest
requirements of thousands of farmers from Quezon and some parts of nearby
Batangas.
DA, through the lead effort of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, also
continues to undertake the sugarcane block-farming project, in partnership
with the Department of Agrarian Reform.
In this initiative, small farms owned by land reform beneficiaries were
consolidated into integrated farming blocks of 30 to 50 hectares to attain
economies of scale and promote cost-efficient sugar farming practices. As of
December 2013, some 28 sugar farm blocks have been established.
Philippine Rural Development Program
In addition, one essential feature of the upcoming Philippine Rural
Development Project (PRDP), Alcala said, is the clustering of farms and
production and marketing facilities along the value chain to ensure the
production of marketable surpluses, increased incomes and better quality of
life for all farmers.
PRDP, which DA will officially launch in Cebu next month, is a largely
infrastructure initiative assisted by the World Bank that support
value-adding and crop diversification activities for priority commodities.
In the pipeline this year under PRDP’s i-REAP component are 32 agribusiness
ventures worth P471.9 million. These include coffee processing in Kalinga,
dairy in Cagayan Valley, “kasuy” processing in Palawan, and coconut geonet
and sap sugar in Bicol.
Also part of DA’s strategy to prosper in an increasingly competitive global
trade is the continuing negotiations for the harmonization of ASEAN food and
agricultural products standards, including the passage of the Food Safety Law
last year.
Showcase of PH agri’s best, vibrancy of the industry
Which is why, Alcala said, DA supports AgriLink, and considers it to be yet
another strong step toward the attainment of a modernized economy and a
resilient, more competitive national agricultural landscape.
“I thank and commend the FRLD and the other organizers of this Agrilink,
Foodlink and Aqualink event for their perseverance in giving us this yearly
showcase of the Philippines’ best agricultural products, processes,
machineries and achievements,” he said.
According to the DA chief, agribusiness trade shows such as Agrilink, in
fact, reflects the enthusiasm and vibrancy of the farm and fishery sector
that translates to enhanced food security and higher quality of life for the
stakeholders. (Mac Garcia, DA OSEC)
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DA-DTI sets SRP for pork and chicken in QC wet markets
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Undersecretary for Livestock Jose
Reano, Asec. for Agribusiness Leandro “Dax” Gazmin, and DTI Usec. Victor
Dimagiba jointly spearheaded the price monitoring of pork and chicken in the
Kamuning, Mega Q-Mart, and Farmers Market in Quezon City, on Friday, October
10.
Asec. for Agribusiness Leandro “Dax Gazmin said the Department of Agriculture
will conduct a comprehensive consultation with pork and poultry stakeholders
every two weeks until the end of Christmas season. Retailers of Kamuning and
Mega Q Mart in Quezon City are requesting for a separate consultation per
market, and DA-AMAS agreed to the said request.
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s instruction to the Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI) whenever there is a price hike is to collaborate with NEDA
and DA. The President wants the three agencies to closely coordinate with
each other: NEDA for the price statistics and inflation, DA for supply of
agriculture and livestock commodities, and DTI as the chair of the Price
Council, said Trade and Industry Undersecretary Victor Dimagiba.
The joint monitoring of the three concerned agencies will continue for all
commodities which will have SRPs, added Dimagiba.
DA will look into the consultations so as to free retailers from anxiety, if
they are not doing anything wrong and are able to show receipts then they
could continue their work. Asec. Gazmin warned the middlemen who pass the
products to the retailers at a higher than normal price.
Constant consultations with producers indicate that farm gate prices continue
to drop, so there should be a corresponding decrease in the price when the
middlemen pass the goods to the retailers, said Gazmin.
Middlemen will be given a chance to explain their side thru the consultations
every other week. DA will begin the consultation on Thursday, October 16,
2014, 1:00PM at the Department of Agriculture Central Office.
Asec. Gazmin is inviting all the retailers, the viajeros, and producers who
want to air their side to attend the said consultation. The SRP was
determined in consultation with the producers and with corresponding
computations.
Aside from conducting the stakeholders’ consultations, Usec. Dimagiba
suggested to include representatives of producers and big traders such as
Magnolia, in the team’s next price monitoring so they will have an idea of
the market situation.
Asec. Gazmin reported that the team has monitored in Mega Q Mart: 11
violators monitored for overpriced chicken selling at P 140/kg (per kilo); 10
violators for overpriced pork, prevailing price for kasim is P185/kg, liempo
– P195 to P210/kg. The violators were give show cause order so they could
explain the high selling price. In Kamuning market: 6 stalls selling
overpriced chicken were monitored, selling at P140-145/kg; 11 violators for
pork kasim- P190/kg, liempo-P200-200/kg. Sellers in Farmers Market are compliant,
with SRP for chicken at P135/kg and pork at P175/kg (kasim) and P185/kg
(liempo).
Retailers, according to Gazmin, are cooperative with the government team
however they are complaining of high price they pay to the middlemen. DA will
determine the root cause of the situation through consultations.
Asec. Gazmin said based on the monitoring conducted in the three wet markets
in Quezon City, there are retailers selling chicken at a price at the SRP,
some a little lower than the SRP, but some are higher than the SRP. Pork is
being sold at prices higher than SRP because of the high price the viajeros
sell the produce to the retailers.
DA is trying to address the problem by determining the root cause of the
problem. “We have always been in constant consultation and actually in
agreement with the producers on the measures we are trying to do to bring
down the price. The farm gate price has slowly been declining while retail
prices remain the same,” said Gazmin.
DA seeks a direct relationship between the farm gate price and the retail
price so that the consumers benefit without detriment to the producers, which
are DA’s main stakeholders. The key to looking at the intermediaries or the
viajeros are the traders and retailers
“Ang pakiusap ko sa kanila, huwag silang matakot. I don’t want to scare the
retailers na sinasbi namin na sila kaagad ang may sala. We really want to see
the whole structure that’s why the DA will always have regular consultations
every other week until Christmas,” Gazmin added.
The first consultation with chicken and pork stakeholders was held two weeks
ago. Asec. Gazmin is hopeful that price issues are addressed even before
Christmas season starts and sought everybody’s cooperation, saying that
success will be attained only if the all stakeholders participate.
"The more people involved, the more transparent our system will be, and
we can determine the root cause of price increase the soonest possible
time," he said.
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Humanitarian caravan for Mayon evacuees now on the way to Albay
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Some P9.4-million worth of food
packs and other non-food items are now on their way to Guinobatan, Albay via
the Ligtas Mayon Caravan organized by the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) and other member-agencies of the National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
A fleet of 36 trucks from DSWD and the military left DSWD-National Resource
Operations Center (NROC) past noon today. It is expected to arrive in
Guinobatan early morning of Sunday, October 12 where it will be unloaded.
The unloading of goods will be witnessed by DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-
Soliman, Interior and Local Government Sec. Mar Roxas, Health Sec. Enrique
Ona, Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin, and Sec. Edwin Lacierda.
Trucks carrying water containers, hygiene and family kits, and essential
medicines from the Department of Health are among the convoy.
Sec. Soliman said that the caravan reflects the convergence of NDRRMC
member-agencies in responding to the needs of the families who fled their
homes due to the imminent eruption of Mayon Volcano, and are now staying in
evacuation centers.
It provides augmentation support to the resources of the provincial
government of Albay for the evacuees.
Around 12,700 families or 55,000 individuals are now staying in 44 evacuation
centers around the province.
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Disaster Response Dialogue Global Conference Opens in Manila
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13 October 2014 - Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman
delivers the keynote address at the start of the Disaster Response Dialogue
(DRD) Global Conference on October 13, 2014 at Diamond Hotel.
DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman poses for a photo opportunity with the DRD high
level panelists. (From left) Former Senator Richard Gordon, Chair of the
Philippine Red Cross; Mr. Jagan Chapagain, IFRC; Ambassador Fuad Maznaee, OIC
Director of Humanitarian Affairs; Mr. David Carden, UN Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA); Lotta Sylwander, HC/RC a.i.,
UNICEF Country Representative in the Philippines; Mr. Steve Darvill,
Humanitarian Advisor, Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Nan
Buzard, Executive Director, International Council of Voluntary Agencies;
Assistant Secretary Jesus “Gary” Domingo, Department of Foreign Affairs; Sec.
Dinky Soliman, DSWD; Mr. Oliver Lacey-Hall, Head, OCHA Regional Office for
Asia-Pacific; Alicia Dela Rosa Bala, Deputy Secretary General ASEAN; Mr.
Charles-Antoine Hofman, DRD; Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber; Undersecretary
Lesley Cordero, Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and
Recovery; Tjokorda Samadhi, Deputy Minister/Head, President’s Delivery Unit,
Indonesia.
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13 October 2014 - As part of President
Benigno S. Aquino III’s official visit to Berlin last month, the Philippines
and Germany signed two agreements on technical and vocational education and
training (TVET).
Witnessed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario, Trade and
Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva and
high-ranking German officials, Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe
R. Natividad and German Ambassador to the Philippines Thomas Ossowski signed
the Joint Declaration of Intent that provides a comprehensive bilateral
framework for cooperation on TVET.
As part of efforts to boost TESDA’s capabilities, Secretary Joel Villanueva
and President Prof. Dr. Friedrich Hubert Esser of the Federal Institute for
Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) also signed a Cooperation Agreement
for collaborative research and development of TVET. The Bonn-based BIBB is a
German and international center of excellence for research on vocational
education and training and the progressive development of VET.
While previous cooperation has been relatively ad hoc and delivered through
stand alone projects, Ambassador Natividad stressed that “this framework
agreement creates an institutional partnership between the Philippines and
Germany, with both sides prioritizing TVET cooperation as part of our
economic and development cooperation agenda.” Under the institutional
framework, both sides will jointly identify initiatives that will further
integrate dual training in the Philippine educational system, deepen
engagement with the private sector, enhance the attractiveness of TVET among
the general public, and improve the TVET quality assurance framework.
Ambassador Natividad further stressed that “vocational training is the core
of the ‘Made in Germany’ brand and has been indispensable in securing a
supply of skilled workers that has given the German economy a competitive
edge. The Philippines is in the process of a major educational reform
initiative, which will align our educational system with international
standards. By working with Germany, we aim to have student trainees spend a
significant portion of their time in the workplace accessing state of the art
technology to hone their craft. And by having the German-Philippine Chamber
of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) and German companies partner with local
counterparts, I am confident that we will be able to strengthen our own
educational system and produce a better qualified and more competitive workforce.”
This view was echoed by Secretary Villanueva when he emphasized that
"each year, some 60 percent of German school-leavers choose to enter the
dual system, ensuring that in Germany young people are integrated into the
labor force with a degree of success almost unparalleled in Europe… The
challenge we face in skills development is the need to increase permeability
of TVET. Since the issues in TVET are now global in nature, the more we
should consider external support in the design of our training programs.”
According to Secretary Villanueva, outputs from monitoring and research would
not only address current labor market needs, but would also allow TESDA to
identify future trends in program development and adoption of new
technologies.
Under this framework, the Philippines and Germany have just launched the
“Dual Training as Extension of the Education Reform Initiative K to 12 of the
Philippines (K-12 Plus)” program, which will pursue innovative dual training
approaches in Metro Manila and the Central Visayas for the tourism,
construction, manufacturing, electronics and microfinance sectors. Within
these pilot arrangements, Philippine and German companies will work with
Chambers of Commerce and schools to develop education and training curricula
that are relevant to today’s business realities. Secretary Villanueva
emphasized that “we hope to beef up our dual training system and make it a
sustainable program, especially for the youth. We will attain this by
strengthening our advocacy and encourage more TVET institutions and companies
to adopt this system” to address youth unemployment and underemployment.
The multi-stakeholder K-12 Plus initiative, includes the support of the
Department of Education, TESDA, German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (GPCCI), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Cebu
Chamber of Commerce, Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) Foundation,
AFOS Foundation for Entrepreneurial Development, German International
Cooperation (GIZ), German Savings Bank Foundation for International
Cooperation (SBFIC), DEG (KfW), Sequa, and the German Confederation of
Skilled Crafts.
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Interior and Local Government Sec.
Mar Roxas joined six other national government officials in visiting Albay
province.
Roxas went to Albay following Albay Gov. Joey Salceda’s report on the
possible eruption of Mayon volcano.
“Sinisiguro natin ang kundisyon ng 54,900 evacuees lalo na ang pagkain nila.
Kahapon umalis ng Maynila ang mga truck na naglalaman ng unang bahagi ng
pagkain na ipapamahagi sa mga pamilya na nasa evacuation centers (We want to
ensure the condition of the 54,900 evacuees especially their food. Yesterday
the trucks which will bring the first tranche of the evacuees’ food
requirement left Manila)," Roxas said.
In a briefing, Salceda and Albay resident volcanologist Ed Laguerta said
there are calls for the lowering of alert level 3 because of the volcano’s
alleged inactivity, but they cannot heed the same because of geodetic data
that they receive. The briefing held at the Philippine Air Force' 5th
Tactical Wing Operations was attended by Secs. Roxas, Voltaire Gazmin (Dept.
of National Defense), Dinky Soliman (Dept. of Social Welfare and Devdelopment
), Enrique Ona (Dept. of Health), Ramon Paje (Dept. of Environment and
Natural Resources ) and Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda.
Laguerta reported that early morning today a short and stubby lava slowly and
quietly flowed down the southeast slope of Mayon Volcano.
The officials also conducted an aerial inspection to check the condition of
Mayon and then visited the municipalities of Sto. Domingo and Guinobatan
before they turned over the relief packs brought by 31 trucks.
Roxas expressed confidence in the national government’s disaster preparedness
plan. He said he also wants to personally convey to the affected families how
President PNoy feels about them. Residents living within the six-kilometer
permanent danger zone were forcibly evacuated due to the danger of rock
falls.
“Inaayunan din natin ang pagnanais ni Governor Joey na maging zero casualty
itong maaring maging kaganapan sa Mayon base sa pagtaya ng Phivolcs, dahil
ang indikasyong ipinapakita ng bulkan ay maaring sumabog ito ng tuluyan (We
agree with Governor Joey’s desire to have a zero casualty because based on
Philvolcs, there are indications that the volcano will eventually erupt),”
explained Roxas, who is also vice-chair of the National Disaster Risk
Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC).
"Malinaw ang mensaheng gustong ipaabot ng pamahalaan- whole government
approach. Ibig sabihin buong pamahalaan ang nakatutok sa bawat mamamayan na
nalalagay sa peligro dahil sa napipintong pagputok ng Mayon (The government’s
message is clear – whole government approach. This means that the government
is monitoring all citizens who may be in danger because of the impending
eruption of Mayon)," he added.
The DILG chief thanked Salceda anew for his organized response to disasters
in the province. He cited as proofs the immediate normalization of classes in
the province starting Sept. 15, while the province is still reeling from the
threats of eruption and the maintenance of sanitation in the evacuation
centers.
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DILG-LGA convenes "Forum on Asean Economic Integration: The
Role of Local Governments"
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(11 October 2014, Pasay City) –
Over 500 attendees gathered during the two-day “Forum on ASEAN Economic
Integration: The Role of Local Governments” held from 10-11 October, at the
Heritage Hotel, Pasay City. Organized by the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) through its training arm, the Local Government Academy, the
event was conducted to support local government units in the changes involved
in the ASEAN economic integration.
Rising as One
The Philippines, as part of the ASEAN community is moving towards achieving
the ASEAN Economic Integration (AEI) by 2015. This envisions a highly
competitive, equitable and resilient economic region – a single market and
production base and fully integrated into the global economy.
DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, in his opening speech, read by Undersecretary Peter
Irving Corvera, praised local chief executives and their “fervent aspirations
and strong political will to be business-friendly,” noting that these will be
crucial factors to the integration process. Reiterating the Secretary’s
remarks on the Aquino administration’s Daang Matuwid principle, DTI’s
Undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal, Jr., and Mr. Alfredo Yao and Mr. Ruy
Moreno of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and National Competitiveness Council,
respectively, stressed the efforts to fully eliminate graft and corrupt
practices to enable the conditions that characterize a conducive setting for
businesses and that attract investors and other partners.
The Forum also featured break-out sessions that discussed critical areas of
integration: tourism development, agri-business investment, LGUs’
competitiveness, and human resource development.
The morning session of the second day saw representatives from the embassies
of Indonesia, Singapore, and Viet Nam, sharing their country’s initiatives
towards the ASEAN economic integration.
The Role of LGUs
Undersecretary Austere A. Panadero (DILG) summed up by providing highlights
of the plenaries and sessions -- “having a sustained growth and development cannot
be overemphasized in the face of global and regional trends,” he said.
As the previous year’s forum was successful in raising awareness among local
governments about their essential role in building the ASEAN Economic
Community, this year’s event laid out how LGUs can carry out their
commitments. According to Undersecretary Panadero, there is a need to
streamline the roles of all who are involved in the process, such that,
capacities to support local and small and medium enterprises, as well as to attract
domestic and foreign investors will be enhanced. He cited the Local Economic
Development for LGUs (LED4LGUs) and the Regulatory Simplification Program as
some of the initiatives launched by DILG which are supportive of this
pursuit.
“Our LGUs need to be equipped with the right knowledge and instil in them the
value of being part of the ASEAN Economic Community,” he also added.
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New PSHS system exec takes oath with new campus directors
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Dr. Larry Cabatic, who served as
director of Ilocos region campus for almost ten years, was appointed as the
new executive director of Philippine Science High School System (PSHS),
replacing Dr. Josette P. Biyo, current director of Science Education
Institute (SEI). The PSHS system and SEI, both providing scholarships in the
field of science and technology, are under the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST).
Dr. Cabatic, a civil engineer by profession, together with other new PSHS
officials, took their oath of office during the 50th Anniversary celebration
of the institution last September 5, 2014 at the Multi-Purpose Gymnasium of
PSHS Main Campus in Quezon City. DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo administered
said ceremony.
Dr. Cabatic finished Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering at the
University of Northern Philippines (UNP).In 1999; he obtained a Masters
degree in Development Administration and a Doctorate degree in Philosophy
major in Technological Education Management (2002), both in Don Mariano
Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU).
He worked as a Labor Standards Enforcement Officer in the Department of Labor
and Employment (DOLE) Region 1 from 1988 to 1993. From thereon, he became the
Provincial Labor Officer of DOLE La Union Provincial Office from 1993 to
1997, before he assumed the position as Chief Labor and Employment Officer of
DOLE Region 1 from 2002 to 2004.
Then from 2004 until he was assigned as executive director of PSHS last
September 01, 2014, Dr. Cabatic spent his time as the director of the PSHS
Ilocos region campus. Some of his notable achievements were establishing
linkages with institutions, such as UNP, DMMMSU, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State
College, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Environment
and Natural Resources, Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Systems
Management, and Department of Agriculture for research and laboratory support
services. He also supported several outreach projects and activities for the
local community to address waste problems as well as Gender and Development
for people empowerment through welding and masonry skills development.
Meanwhile, Dr. Rod Allan De Lara, who served as officer-in-charge of PSHS for
six months, also took his oath as Deputy Executive Director of PSHS along
with other new campus directors, namely Engr. Lorvi B. Pagorogon of the
Central Mindanao Campus, Ruwina S. Gonzaga of the newly-established
PSHS-Caraga in Butuan City, Delia C. Legaspino of Southern Mindanao campus,
Dr. Salvador B. Romo of Cagayan Valley Campus, Dr. Chuchi P. Garganera of the
newly-established PSHS-SOCCSKSARGEN Region Campus in Barangay Paraiso,
Koronadal City, and Dr. Warren D. Cordeta of the PSHS Central Visayas Campus
in Argao, Cebu.
PSHS is a service institute under DOST that offers free scholarship for
secondary course with special emphasis on subjects pertaining to the Sciences
with the end view of preparing its students for a career in Science. It has
13 campuses all over the country and DOST is targeting to install three
additional campuses by 2016. (S&T Media Service, DOST-STII)
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Efforts to reverse rapid
biodiversity loss in the country got a major boost with the signing of a
joint circular by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) retaining a substantial
portion of revenues generated by protected areas (PAs) to finance development
activities.
“This is certainly a new milestone in the country’s protected area
management. At the same time, it is a big boost to our efforts of promoting
ecotourism in the country as it allows us to reinvest some 75% of all
revenues generated by a protected area to activities deemed necessary to
protect and rehabilitate the PAs,” DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje said on
signing the joint circular with Budget Secretary Florencio C. Abad.
The two officials signed the joint memorandum circular (JMC) or the
implementing guidelines of Republic Act No. 10629 which provided for the
retention and use of the 75 percent of Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF)
by Protected Area Management Boards (PAMBs).
IPAF is a trust fund established under Republic Act No. 7586, or the National
Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act, as amended by RA 10629. It is
comprised of all earnings generated from operating a PA. This include taxes
from the permitted sale and export of flora and fauna and other resources
from protected areas, proceeds from lease of multiple-use areas,
contributions from industries and facilities directly benefitting from the
protected areas, and such other fees and other incomes derived from the
operation of the protected area like entrance fees and from ecotourism activities.
Under the joint DENR-DBM circular, PAMBs will now remit only 25 percent of
the IPAF to the National Treasury. It will be placed in the Special Account
in the General Fund, along with revenues remitted by the PAs prior to the
effectivity of the guidelines.
Revenues from other sources shall be deposited with the National Treasury as
trust receipts in an account separate from revenues generated from
operational activities.
Paje said the retained amount, which will be called the IPAF Retention Income
Account, would help PAMBs improve their financing flows.
“The joint circular allows PAMB to immediately utilize their share of the
IPAF without having to go through the National Treasury,” Paje explained.
The JMC provides steps and procedures in the collection and deposit,
disbursement, accounting and auditing, and reporting mechanisms to ensure the
systematic, transparent and accountable management of the retained earnings
by the respective PA office.
The retained earnings can only be used to fund implementation activities
specified under a Protected Area Management Plan and should be approved by
the PAMB. The fund, however, excludes personnel service expenditures.
With the circular, Paje said the PAs will have the incentive to increase
their user fees, and development and strengthen innovative financing
mechanisms since they can now use available resources whenever needed.
This development, he said, will hopefully encourage other donors to
contribute to PA development, subject to the approval of the PAMB and in
accordance with the approved PA management plan.
The joint circular was a product of collaborative efforts among the DENR,
DBM, United Nations Development Programme-Global Environment Facility New
Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project (NewCAPP), and the United
States Agency for International Development/DENR Biodiversity and Watersheds
Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) Program.
There are a total of 240 PAs – ranging from large natural parks, to
landscapes, to wildlife and marine life sanctuaries – recognized under the
NIPAS covering 5.45 million hectares or more than 18 percent of the country’s
total land area.
PAs are established for conservation and management of the “last remaining
representatives” of Philippine habitats and ecosystems.
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QC police file charges vs. grenade-toting trio
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Quezon City Assistant City
Prosecutor Chua Cheng has recommended the filing of criminal charges against
three (3) motorcycle-riding suspects arrested by Quezon City Police District
(QCPD) last weekend (Oct 5).
Ricardo Ayeras @ Abdul Karim Ayeras, Andrescio Valdez @ Sabri Sindayen and
Ricky Macapagal @ Abdurahim, will be charged for violation of RA 10591 also
known as the Comprehensive Firearm and Ammunition Regulation Act,
Falsification of Public/Private Documents, RA 10054 (Riding without Helmet),
RA 4136 (Riding without License), and Concealing True Name.
The three suspects were arrested during the conduct of OPLAN SITA by elements
of Masambong Police Station led by Police Superintendent Pedro T Sanchez.
The three (3) suspects were presented for inquest proceedings upon their
arrest last October 5, 2014 and continue to be detained at the lock-up cell
of Masambong Police Station.
Confiscated from their possession were a handgrenade, suspected falsified
documents and government IDs.(PNP-PIO)
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The Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration (OWWA) extends its sincerest condolences to the families of
victims burned beyond recognition due to a car accident in Qatar.
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz immediately directed OWWA Chief
Rebecca J. Calzado to extend full assistance to the families of the late OFW
victims upon arrival at the airport and release immediately the benefits due
the families of the late OFWs.
In an initial report from OWWA-POLO in Qatar, six (6) Filipino nationals met
an accident after the car they were riding was rammed by a Toyota land
cruiser allegedly driven by an 18-year-old Qatari national.
Five (5) of the passengers died when their vehicle was engulfed by fire. The
bodies of the victims were totally burned beyond recognition. The names of
those who died are: MARILOU B. CAL, JOYCE I. GELI, BENCRIS V. RIVERA,
JOYCELYN T. RIVERA, and ARCLIAN ZIRC T. RIVERA. Both Joycelyn and Arclian
were registered on family status as wife and child of OFW Bencris Rivera.
The lone survivor of the crash victim was OFW Suseth V. Rivera, sister of
fatality OFW Bencris Rivera. She was reportedly thrown out of the car.
Subject OFW is now recuperating at the Hamad Medical Hospital from minor head
and back injuries.
Per verification with OWWA Membership Processing Center (MPC), OFWs CAL,
GELI, BENCRIS RIVERA and SUSETH RIVERA are all active OWWA members at the
time of the incident.
OWWA will closely monitor the case, including update in coordination with the
Philippine Embassy’s Assistance to Nationals. As of late afternoon yesterday,
OWWA-POLO in Qatar is collaborating with the POLO with regard to the
repatriation of the human remains of the victims. OFWs Suseth Rivera, Marilou
Cal and Joyce Geli work at Specialized Medical Center in Riyadh, Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia. They went to Qatar for a visit during Eid Holiday. On the other
hand, OFW Bencris Rivera was an engineer based in Qatar.
Families of OFWs who are active members of the OWWA who died due to accident
will receive death and burial benefits of P220,000.00. The families are also
eligible to avail of the OWWA Education and Livelihood Assistance Program or
ELAP. ELAP is a scholarship-cum-livelihood grant for a qualified dependent of
an active OWWA member. OWWA livelihood assistance is P15,000.00, while
educational assistance is P5,000.00 for elementary; P8,000.00 for high
school; and P10,000.00 for college until the dependent finishes college
education.
OWWA Administrator Calzado also dispatched a Team from the Regional OWWA
Offices where the families of the victims reside to visit and ascertain the
condition of the families left behind. They will also provide psycho-social
counseling to cushion the impact of the loss of their relatives.
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Ombudsman sacks DA regional officials for misconduct
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Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales
ordered the dismissal from the service of two officials from the Department
of Agriculture Regional Field Unit III (DA-RFU III) and an instructor from
the Bulacan Agricultural State College (BASC) for misappropriating public
funds and falsifying official documents in connection with the liquidation of
the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani High Value Commercial Crops Program (GMA-HVCC).
In a twenty four-page Decision, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales found
DA-RFU III Project Coordinator Ponciano Vinuya and BASC Instructor Julita
Ponce guilty of Grave Misconduct and Serious Dishonesty, while DA-RFU III
Cashier Elena Miranda was found guilty of Serious Dishonesty.
The Decision narrated that in November 2001, the Philippine Coconut Authority
transferred P4.9 million of GMA-HVCC funds to the DA-RFU III for its project
implementation. DA-RFU III then engaged the services of the Philippine
Agriculture and Resources Research Foundation Inc. (PARRFI) as NGO-partner to
conduct an impact assessment for the GMA-HVCC program at the cost of P3
million.
In the Special Audit Report submitted by the Commission on Audit (COA), it
was determined that the official receipt, vouchers and other supporting
documents used in the liquidation were falsified, as the actual amount paid
to PARRFI was only P150,000.00 and not P750,000.00 as claimed by Miranda. COA
verification showed that no trainings were conducted in the school, plus the
alleged attendance sheets do not indicate the trainings and dates. Meals
obtained were also considered as overpriced with Ponce signing the official
receipt in behalf of Dang’s Catering Services.
The COA also reported that liquidation vouchers and supporting documents for
Miranda’s cash advances totaling P847,765 were all falsified by Vinuya.
Cicero Garcia, proprietor of Manyaman Keni Restaurant, also denied having
transacted with DA-RFU III in August 2002. The Bureau of Internal Revenue
also certified that the restaurant did not reflect the alleged transaction as
part of their sales.
In the Decision, Ombudsman Morales said that “misappropriating public funds
clearly constitutes Misconduct. In respondent Vinuya’s case, the misconduct
was grave because he willfully stole public funds” and “committed Dishonesty
when he falsified official receipts and financial reports in an attempt to
conceal the misappropriation.”
Aside from dismissal from the service, Vinuya, Ponce and Miranda were meted
out the accessory penalties of forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual
disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of civil service
eligibility, and bar from taking the civil service examination.
Meanwhile, the charges against former DA RFU III Regional Director Pepito De
Dote were dismissed on account of his death in 2009 while the case against
Accountant Narcisa Maningding was dismissed for lack of substantial evidence.
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PH team gets intensive training for ASEAN Skills Competition
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Delegates to the 10th ASEAN Skills
Competition (ASC) are not only on an intensive training to prepare them up
for the skills match, but are also getting to know the culture of the host
country, Vietnam.
The 34-member delegation composed of competitors and coaches/experts will
leave on October 18 for the capital city, Hanoi for the biennial meet slated
from October 19 to 28, 2014.
Showcasing skills of students and graduates, and promoting and improving
technical vocational skills in the region are what the ASC hopes to achieve
with the competition.
Secretary Joel Villanueva, Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA) Director General, said the ASEAN competition represents
diversity of cultures, but oneness in its goal to make the skilled workers of
the world shine and be recognized.
"We are proud of each and every one of the Filipino delegates and
coaches/experts, and we believe they will serve as great ambassadors of TESDA
and the Philippines to the ASC," Villanueva said.
The delegates are currently on a hands-on intensive training and mock
competition to further hone their competencies. These activities are being
held at the TESDA Women's Center and in TESDA partner institutions and
establishments such as hospitals, beauty salons and computers schools.
Villanueva said the hands-on experience will keep the delegates primed for
the competition and will give them the real feel of what to expect in the
actual contest.
The delegates will also undergo personality enhancement sessions on the
proper way to communicate and negotiate, and on how to properly project
themselves. To give them a feel of Vietnam before their arrival in the host
country, they will be given a briefing on its traditions and culture, which
will include dining in several Vietnamese restaurants.
The delegates will compete in the following trade areas: Beauty Therapy,
Mechatronics, Fashion Technology, Mechanical Engineering Design-CAD, Graphic
Design Technology, IT Software Solutions for Business, Cooking, Welding,
Restaurant Services, Electronics, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning, Web
Design, IT Network System Administration, Electrical Installations, Industrial
Automation and Hairdressing.
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DOLE assists displaced workers at MCU-FDT Medical Foundation with
livelihood grant
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Regional Director Alex Avila of
the Department of Labor and Employment-National Capital Region yesterday
reported to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz that
the DOLE-NCR's CAMANAVA Field Office headed by Director Andrea P. Cabansag
had released a financial grant of P394,500 for the livelihood of 38 displaced
workers of the Manila Central University-Filemon D. Tanchoco Medical
Foundation (MCU-FDTMF). "We have oriented the displaced workers on the
DOLE Adjustment Measures Program (DOLE-AMP) before we released the
grant," said Avila in his report. Also known as TUPAD, or Tulong-Alalay
Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers, the DOLE-AMP seeks to provide
appropriate intervention to workers displaced by business closures or layoffs
due to business losses or to calamities to enable them to adapt adversity or
income losses. The DOLE-AMP expedites the needs of the displaced workers on
possible job placement, skills training/retooling, or capacity building
services for livelihood that provides materials, tools and equipment for the
workers to start or operationalize a small business undertaking. The
livelihood grant to the 38 workers was the result of the Quick Response Team
(QRT) visit conducted due to the filing by the MCU-FDTMF of an Establishment
Termination Report due to shutdown which affected a total of 92 employees of
the establishments, 58 of whom were displaced due to redundancy. After the
profiling and orientation, only 38 displaced employees signified their
intention to apply for livelihood assistance under the DOLE-AMP. "The 38
would-be entrepreneurs have planned to venture into include baking, operating
a coffee vendo and photo copying/laminating machine, dressmaking, rag making,
frozen food trading, food station, school supplies trading, rice trading, buy
and sell, loading station, carinderia, and poultry raising," reported
Director Avila. "They hope to gain income that can support the needs of
their families and improve their standard of living with their determination
to evolve into successful entrepreneurs in the future," he added. Edna
Enriquez, one of the MCU-FDTMF displaced workers and a livelihood grantee,
said on behalf of the 38 workers they were thankful to the DOLE for the assistance.
"We really appreciate the DOLE’s effort in providing us a safety net. We
will work to be worthy of the assistance and vow to exert extra effort in
utilizing our skills to develop our newly found craft, our livelihood
projects,” she said.
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Last
Updated:
13 OCTOBER 2014
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President Benigno S. Aquino III meets with his Cabinet Secretaries at
the President's Hall of Malacanang Monday (October 13) concerning the
status of the MRT 3 maintenance. The President is concerned about
negative reports he has been receiving regarding Metro Rail operations.
(Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III discusses with his Cabinet Secretaries
at the President's Hall of Malacanang Monday (October 13) updates on the
Ebola Virus. The President assured that preventing its outbreak here is
a top priority of the government. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacanang
Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III views the exhibits after addressing the
65th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee
for the Western Pacific at the Reception Hall of the Philippine
International Convention Center in Pasay City on Monday (October 13).
The Philippines’ hosting of the 65th Session is historically significant
considering that after a quarter of a century, another Aquino is
addressing the regional committee as President of the Philippines.
(Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo
Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the 65th Session of the World
Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Western Pacific at
the Reception Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center in
Pasay City on Monday (October 13). The Philippines’ hosting of the 65th
Session is historically significant considering that after a quarter of
a century, another Aquino is addressing the regional committee as
President of the Philippines. Also in photo are Health Secretary Enrique
Ona, 64th Session of the Regional Committee chairperson Dr. Leao
Talalelie Tuitama, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific regional
director Dr. Shin Young-soo and WHO Geneva executive director Dr. Ian
Smith. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Lauro Montellano,Jr. / Rey Baniquet /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III addresses the 65th Session of the World
Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Western Pacific at
the Reception Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center in
Pasay City on Monday (October 13). The Philippines’ hosting of the 65th
Session is historically significant considering that after a quarter of
a century, another Aquino is addressing the regional committee as
President of the Philippines. The meeting will tackle important health
issues that include Emergencies and Disasters, Universal Coverage,
Antimicrobial Resistance, Tobacco, Mental Health, among others. (Photo
by Benhur Arcayan / Lauro Montellano,Jr. / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang
Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III huddles with the heads of delegations
for a photo opportunity during the 65th Session of the World Health
Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Western Pacific at the
foyer stairs of the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay
City on Monday (October 13). The Philippines’ hosting of the 65th
Session is historically significant considering that after a quarter of
a century, another Aquino is addressing the regional committee as
President of the Philippines. The meeting will tackle important health
issues that include Emergencies and Disasters, Universal Coverage,
Antimicrobial Resistance, Tobacco, Mental Health, among others. Also in
photo are Health Secretary Enrique Ona, 64th Session of the Regional
Committee chairperson Dr. Leao Talalelie Tuitama, WHO Regional Office
for the Western Pacific regional director Dr. Shin Young-soo and WHO
Geneva executive director Dr. Ian Smith. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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GAWAD PARANGAL. Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. receives the
Manuel L. Quezon GawadParangal award from Quezon City Mayor Herbert
Bautista during the Quezon City Diamond Jubilee Celebration held at the
Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on Sunday, October 12, 2014. Ochoa was
recognized for his remarkable public service, notably his performance as
Quezon City administrator from 2003-2010. (Photo By: Ryan Lim/
Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
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GAWAD PARANGAL. Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. is flanked by
Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte after
receiving the Manuel L. Quezon GawadParangal for his remarkable public
service, notably his performance as Quezon City administrator from
20013-2010, during a ceremony held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in
Cubao on Sunday, October 12, 2014. (Photo By: Ryan Lim/ Malacanang Photo
Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his arrival message at the
Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in Pasay City on Friday
night (October 10) following his arrival from Bali, Indonesia where he
attended the 7th Bali Democracy Forum. (Photo by Robert Vinas /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his arrival message at the
Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in Pasay City on Friday
night (October 10) following his arrival from Bali, Indonesia where he
attended the 7th Bali Democracy Forum. (Photo by Robert Vinas /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III greets his official family during the
welcome ceremony at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in
Pasay City on Friday night (October 10) following his arrival from his
Bali, Indonesia where he participated in the 7th Bali Democracy Forum.
(Photo by Robert Vinas / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III troops the line in a welcome ceremony at
the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in Pasay City on
Friday night (October 10) following his arrival from Bali, Indonesia.
(Photo by Robert Vinas / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino III answers question
during coffee with media held at Nusa Dua Hotel Resort on Friday
(October 10). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(BALI, Indonesia) Members of the Philippine Media got an oppotunity to
have a "selfie" taken with President Benigno S. Aquino III during the
coffee with media held at the Nusa Dua Hotel Resort on Friday (October
10). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino III expresses his
appreciation after receiving from Indonesian President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono the “Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna” during the
conferment ceremony at the Bali International Convention Center on
Friday (October 10) at the sidelines of the 7th Bali Democracy Forum.
(Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino III receives from
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono the “Bintang Republik
Indonesia Adipurna” during the conferment ceremony at the Bali
International Convention Center (BICC) on Friday (October 10) at the
sidelines of the 7th Bali Democracy Forum. (Photo by Ryan Lim /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his response
after receiving from Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono the
“Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna” during the conferment ceremony at
the Bali International Convention Center on Friday (October 10) at the
sidelines of the 7th Bali Democracy Forum. (Photo by Gil Nartea /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges views with
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the Opening Session
the 7th Bali Democracy Forum at the Nusantara Hall II of the Bali
International Convention Center on Friday (October 10). The gathering is
an annual, intergovernmental forum on the development of democracy in
the Asia-Pacific region. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino III focuses on the
exchanges during the Opening Session of the 7th Bali Democracy Forum at
the Nusantara Hall II of the Bali International Convention Center on
Friday (October 10). The gathering is an annual, intergovernmental forum
on the development of democracy in the Asia-Pacific region. (Photo by
Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his remarks
during the Opening Session of the 7th Bali Democracy Forum VII at the
Nusantara Hall II of the Bali International Convention Center on Friday
(October 10). The gathering is an annual, intergovernmental forum on the
development of democracy in the Asia-Pacific region. Also in photo are
Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao,
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Brunei Darussalam Sultan
Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. R.M.
Marty Natalegawa. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his remarks
during the Opening Session of the 7th Bali Democracy Forum at the
Nusantara Hall II of the Bali International Convention Center on Friday
(October 10). The gathering is an annual, intergovernmental forum on the
development of democracy in the Asia-Pacific region. Also in photo are
Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao,
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Brunei Darussalam
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. (Photo by Gil Nartea and Ryan Lim /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his remarks
during the Opening Session of the 7th Bali Democracy Forum VII at the
Nusantara Hall II of the Bali International Convention Center (BICC) on
Friday (October 10, 2014). BDF is an annual, intergovernmental forum on
the development of democracy in the Asia-Pacific region. Also in photo
is Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.
(Photo by Gil Nartea and Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(BALI, Indonesia – President Benigno S. Aquino III, along with Brunei
Darussalam His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesian
President Prof. Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Democratic Republic of
Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao and other delegates,
gestures during the Group Photo for the Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) VII
at the Auditorium of the Bali International Convention Center (BICC) on
Friday (October 10, 2014). BDF is an annual, intergovernmental forum on
the development of democracy in the Asia-Pacific region. It aims to
foster dialogue-based regional and international cooperation through
sharing of experiences and best practices that adhere to the principles
of equality, mutual respect and understanding. (Photo by Ryan Lim /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(BALI, Indonesia) President Benigno S. Aquino III poses with Brunei
Darussalam His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesian
President Prof. Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Democratic Republic of
Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao and other delegates
for a Group Photo during the Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) VII at the
Auditorium of the Bali International Convention Center (BICC) on Friday
(October 10, 2014). BDF is an annual, intergovernmental forum on the
development of democracy in the Asia-Pacific region. It aims to foster
dialogue-based regional and international cooperation through sharing of
experiences and best practices that adhere to the principles of
equality, mutual respect and understanding. (Photo by Ryan Lim /
Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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Please email us at
pcoo.edp@gmail.com
if you need a copy of last week's photo releases of
PNOY
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