Dispatch for October 2 , 2014 (Thursday) , 3 Weather Watch , 4 Reg’l. Watch , 1 PNOY Speech , 2 INTERVIEW OF SEC. COLOMA, 18 Online News , 22 Photonews (Oct. 1)

Dispatch  for  October 2  , 2014  (Thursday )  , 3  Weather Watch , 4  Reg’l. Watch  ,  1 PNOY Speech  ,                    2   INTERVIEW OF  SEC. COLOMA,   18  Online News , 22  Photonews (Oct. 1)

Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's status. 4 hours ago 24-Hour Public Weather Forecast Issued at: 5:00 AM 02 October 2014 SYNOPSIS: Intertropical Convergence Zone affecting Mindanao. FORECAST: Western Visayas and Mindanao will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Moderate to occasionally strong winds blowing from the Northeast to Northwest will prevail over the eastern sections of Luzon and Visayas and coming from the Southwest to West over Mindanao. The coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to occasionally rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the Northeast to Northwest over the rest of Luzon and of Visayas with slight to moderate seas. Over Metro Manila: Maximum Temperature: 11:45 AM Yesterday --- 32.4 °C Minimum Temperature: 6:00 AM Yesterday --- 24.5 °C Maximum Relative Humidity: 6:00 AM Yesterday --- 97 % Minimum Relative Humidity: 11:00 AM Yesterday --- 65 % Low Tide Today : 11:37 AM ..... 0.09 Meter High Tide Tomorrow : 03:41 AM ..... 1.04 Meter Low Tide Tomorrow : 12:56 PM ..... 0.06 Meter Sunrise Today : 5:45 AM Sunset Today : 5:45 PM Moonrise Today : 12:29 PM Moonset Today : 11:20 PM Illumination Today : 52 % For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph. Pia Quezon 1 ShareLikeLike · · Share Bottom of Form Bottom of Form

Weather Watch 4 hours ago PAGASA weather forecaster Fernando Cada on GMA: -Thunderstorms ang naranasang pag-ulan kahapon sa malaking bahagi ng Metro Manila at ibang bahagi ng Luzon. -Ngayong araw, mataas pa rin ang posibilidad ng ulan mamayang tanghali hanggang gabi sa Metro Manila, sa pagitan ng 4PM-8PM. -Sa Luzon, mataas ang posibilidad ng thunderstorms at ulan, lalo na sa northern at central sections. -Sa Visayas, asahan ang maulap na kalangitan na may kasamang mga pag-ulan. -ITCZ pa rin ang nakakaapekto sa Mindanao kaya posible pa rin ang thunderstorms at ulan. -Inaasahang bukas papasok sa PAR ang bagyong may international name na Phanfone. Oras na pumasok sa PAR ang bagyo, papangalanan itong Neneng. Weather Watch 13 hours ago PAGASA Jun Galang on DZBB: -Nag issue po tayo ng thunder storm advisory kaninang 6:56 ng gabi. -Apektadong areas ang Bataan,Pampanga,Tarlac,Cavite,Nueva Ecjia, Bulacan,Zambales,Batangas, Laguna at ilang lugar sa MM gaya ng Muntinlupa,Las Piñas at QC. -Light to moderate na minsan heavy ang mararanasan ng nabanggit na mga lugar. -Ang Western Visayas at Mindanao ay apektado ng ITCZ. -Makakaranas sila ng mahina hanggang sa katam-tamang pagulan,pagkulog at pagkidlat. -Ang natitirang bahagi ng bansa pulo-pulong pag-ulan, pagkulog at pagkidlat ang maaaring maranasan. -Wala po tayong nakataas na gale warning sa anumang panig ng bansa. -May kalakasan na ang hangin sa may Eastern section ng ating bansa.

October 2 , 2014 (Thursday) as of 6:00-7:00 AM CAVITE            :  Sunny  LAGUNA          :  Sunny  BATANGAS      :  Sunny  RIZAL                :  Partly Cloudy QUEZON           :  Sunny

PIA Regional Watch PIA Regional Watch 15 hours ago PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Sinimulan na ng DPWH ang preliminary evaluation/analysis sa Calumpang River at paligid nito bilang paghahanda sa konstruksyon ng panibagong tulay. Ilan sa mga isinagawa ay ang soil boring test, soil exploration,topographic at hydraulic survey. PIA Regional Watch 15 hours ago PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Itinampok sa idinaos na joint PPOC/PDRRMC meeting ang pagpapasa ng resolusyon para magamit ang 45 milyong piso na PDRRMC trust fund na gagamitin ng pamahalaang panlalawigan sa pag-ayuda sa mga bayang lubhang naapektuhan ng nagdaang bagyong Glenda. Pia Quezon LikeLike · · Share PIA Regional Watch 15 hours ago PIA 4A/BATANGAS: Nagsagawa ang CENRO Batangas City ng environmental compliance seminar para sa mga ospital at klinika sa lungsod ng Batangas upang maibahagi ang kaalaman sa tamang pangangasiwa ng hazardous at toxic waste na nakukuha sa mga naturang establisimyento. Pia Quezon LikeLike · · Share PIA Regional Watch 15 hours ago PIA 4A/BATANGAS: Ginawaran ng Level II Accredited Status ng CSC Region 4 ang pamahalaang lungsod ng Batangas bilang resulta ng comprehensive HRM assistance, review and monitoring na isinagawa ng naturang tanggapan kamakailan.

OFW   Watch

01 OCTOBER 2014 President Aquino receives Bahraini Prime Minister in courtesy call Palace says it still trusts National Police Chief General Purisima  Palace gives Filipino peacekeepers assigned in Golan Heights a hero’s welcome  Government targets 80 percent utilization of port of Manila President Aquino presents awards to Filipino peacekeepers from Golan Heights   Malacañang warns importers of port fixers Palace congratulates cyclist who won gold in 2014 Incheon Games   President Aquino receives Bahraini Prime Minister in courtesy call President Benigno S. Aquino III received Prince Khalifa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain during a courtesy call at Malacañang Palace on Wednesday. The Bahraini prince has served as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain since its independence in 1971. He is the second son of the former ruler of Bahrain Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and the uncle of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. The Philippines and Bahrain established their formal diplomatic ties in 1978 but prior to that, the people and governments of both countries have interacted closely on all fronts and at all levels of cooperation. Bahrain is host to 40,000 Filipino workers and its government has implemented programs and policies that are beneficial to the Filipino community. On the economic front, Bahrain ranks as the Philippines’ 79th trading partner, 65th export market, and 101st import supplier. Philippine exports to Bahrain include aviation fuel, aircraft parts, household machines, and pasta. Imports from the kingdom include aluminum alloys, motor cars and other motor vehicles, plastic trunks, and woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibers. The Bahraini Prime Minister was accompanied by his sons, Sheikh Khalifa bin Rashed Al Khalifa and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al Khalifa. The Prime Minister’s economic advisor, Abdullah Hasan Saif, was also present. Joining President Aquino were National Economic and Development Authority Deputy Director General Margarita Songco, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Julius Torres, and Special Envoy of the President to the Gulf Cooperation Council Amable Aguiluz. PND (as) TOP Palace says it still trusts National Police Chief General Purisima Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Alan Purisima still has the moral ascendancy to oversee the police force, despite the allegations being hurled against him, the Palace said on Wednesday. During a press briefing in Malacañang, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda was asked if General Purisima remains morally fit to lead the PNP. "Yes, I believe so. As the head PNP official, it is his mandate to address all these issues on peace and order and it is in his mandate to reform the PNP organization," Lacierda told reporters. The Palace still trusts Purisima because he has made a number of reforms in the police organization, he said, citing as examples the continuing improvement on the system of reporting crimes, as well as disciplining erring policemen. He said Purisima has pledged to personally handle the “scalawags” in the police force, and has encouraged the public to report to him police abuses. "That is something that you can hold General Purisima to. It is important for us," Lacierda said. "Remember, when he assumed office, he already mentioned that all those scalawags would beware and you can rest assured that if there are any complaints against any police personnel, we can rely on General Purisima’s commitment to rid the PNP of the scalawags," he added. PND (as) TOP Palace gives Filipino peacekeepers assigned in Golan Heights a hero’s welcome President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday morning gave the 330 members of the 7th Philippine Contingent to Golan Heights a hero’s welcome in Malacañang Palace, expressing his heartfelt gratitude to them for accomplishing their tour of duty. “Talagang nakadagdag kayo sa puri at sa dangal ng ating Inang Bayan, kaya naman dapat kayong talagang pasalamatan. At sa ngalan nga ng sambayanan, ako na ho ang nagpapasalamat para sa kanilang lahat,” the President told members of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) who stood their ground during a standoff with Syrian rebels last August. He recounted that a year-and-a-half ago, 21 Filipino peacekeepers were captured – but eventually released – by Syrian rebels, prompting the government to question the actual mission of the Filipino peacekeepers in the Golan Heights. He said he requested that the peacekeepers be equipped with high-powered firearms due to the presence of rebels in the area covered by their mission but this was denied. “Mga two weeks bago nangyari itong standoff, nagkaroon na ho ng desisyon na meron tayong obligasyon sa pandaigdigang komunidad na tapusin na lang natin ang obligasyon nating pinasukan, at pagkatapos noon ay umuwi na,” he said, adding that as commander-in-chief, he did not want to send Filipino troops on a “mission impossible.” The President said that the government will wait for the conclusion of a UN investigation on the incident before sending peacekeepers on future missions. “Hinihintay natin ngayon ang imbestigasyon ng UN tungkol sa nangyaring insidente at ito ang magiging basehan kung tayo’y makikisama pa sa ibang mga pangangailangan ng pandaigdigang komunidad,” he said. He emphasized that he would not send Filipino troops to any situation where their mission is not clear. “Importante ho ang buhay ng bawat isa,” he said, noting however that it is the country’s obligation to contribute to world peace given the fact that 10 million Filipinos are scattered around the world. “Pinasiyasat natin lahat ng misyon na pinasukan ng ating bansa, at iisa ang pakay: may risko, tama. Pero ang risko dapat kaalinsunod doon sa pagkakaroon ng misyon na kayang gampanan at hindi nga isang mission impossible,” President Aquino said. Honoring the peacekeepers, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin called them the “new heroes of our Republic.” “Ang tapat at taos puso ninyong paglilingkod ay ipinakita ninyo sa inyong kahandaang isakripisyo and inyong buhay kung kinakailangan. Tunay nang maituturing kayong bagong bayani ng ating Republika,” Gazmin said during his welcome remarks. Meanwhile, Department of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said the President has tasked Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario to meet with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon over the incident. “We have yet to receive ‘yung report ng kanilang meeting. So, after siguro matanggap namin ito, we have to report this to the President bago namin siguro pwedeng mai-share kung anuman ang naging outcome ng kanilang pagpupulong,” Jose said. Asked if the decision to hold the sending of peacekeepers to the Golan Heights also applies to other missions, he said, “Wala naman ganoong decision para sa ibang contingents natin.” The Philippines has contingents in peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Haiti, Ivory Coast, and Kashmir, at the border between India and Pakistan. PND (ag) TOP Government targets 80 percent utilization of port of Manila The government said it aims to achieve the ideal holding capacity of the Port of Manila in three to four weeks to accommodate incoming cargoes in the next two months. "We are actually concentrating on making sure that we continue to move as much volume out so that we can reduce the utilization of the port," Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said in a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday. Trucks will continue to move containers to container yards in Subic and Batangas, he said. The percentage of port utilization has been improving, Almendras said, noting that congestion at the port has gradually decreased from 100 percent plus to about 90 percent at present. He however clarified that the problem is not yet completely solved because the country still expects the peak of import-export activities in October and November. Imports that were supposed to come in August and September, or those that were held back overseas, have begun to come in, he said. "We now are actually processing a lot more inflows than historical because we are already addressing the backlog that is happening outside the country," he said. "The good news is the big shipping lines and the big shippers have informed us that they no longer have backlog cargoes in the offshore areas," he said, referring to cargoes from the ports of Kaohsiung, Shanghai, and Singapore, which he observed are also experiencing congestion. He said there might be some cargoes that are still on those ports that will be forwarded to the Philippines. The other good news, he said, is that more shipping lines are already coming to Subic and to Batangas to unload their cargoes there. Cargoes in the Philippines have to move because even before the congestion in the Port of Manila, ports in Kaohsiung, Shanghai and Singapore were already congested. "So, we are watching the volume from October and November. We are going to continue to operate as a Task Force until we bring down the levels to the 80 percent level," Almendras said. The task force assigned to decongest the Port of Manila includes representatives of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Transportation and Communications, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and Philippine Ports Authority, as well as the Philippine National Police and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. PND (as) TOP President Aquino presents awards to Filipino peacekeepers from Golan Heights President Benigno S. Aquino III presented awards to 10 members of the 7th Philippine Contingent to Golan Heights during the Heroes’ Welcome Ceremony held in Malacañang Palace on Wednesday morning. The President conferred the Distinguished Service Star to National Contingent Commander Colonel Ezra James Enriquez and Lt. Col. Ted Dumusmog, who both led the contingent during the “crisis situation” in the Golan Heights, resulting in the successful extrication of all Filipino troops to safe locations. Enriquez planned the defense posture of the Filipino troops when the Syrian rebels attacked. The President also presented the Gold Cross Medal to Position 68 Commander Captain Nilo Ramones, Jr. and seven others. Position 68 Assistant Commander, 2nd Lieutenant Larry Endozo, was cited for assisting Captain Ramones; Master Sergeant Wilson Lagmay for ensuring troops held their position; Sergeant Alwin Cuyos for his unfazed action that prevented the rebels from breaching their gate; Staff Sergeant Leonardo Aboy for neutralizing the gunner of a ZPU-2 (a Russian anti-aircraft gun); Staff Sergeant Andry Mejos as team leader of the Bravo unit and for his accurate firing at the enemy; Sergeant Ramil Bobiles, whose action prevented the rebels from advancing; and Corporal Joneve Acolicol for his bravery that led to the extrication of their unit. The Distinguished Service Star, the third highest military award of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), is presented to soldiers who have rendered eminently meritorious and valuable service while holding a position of greater responsibility. The Gold Cross Medal, the fourth highest military award, is given by the Chief of Staff to members of the AFP for gallantry in action. PND (ag) TOP Malacañang warns importers of port fixers The Palace has warned truckers and importers of individuals who pose as shipping employees to collect money illegally. In a press briefing in Malacañang, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said they have received complaints about some people collecting P500 to P1,500 to allow truckers to enter the Port of Manila and haul cargoes. "Inimbestigahan na po namin ‘yan. Ang nangyari, meron talagang mga tao na nagsasamantala," Secretary Almendras said. He advised importers and truckers not to deal with these people, and instead approach legitimate port personnel. "There is such a thing as an allocation. Kung ikaw ‘yung shipping line at meron kang barkong dadating, alam ho ng port operator kung ano ang kapasidad ng barko na ‘yon. Alam ng port operator kung how many containers can be loaded,” he explained. “Therefore, the port operator will give that shipping line an allocation and say, ‘You are entitled to x number of containers na puwede mong ipasok sa port ready to be loaded to the ships’," he added. There are also bulletin boards in the ports showing the lanes of the shipping lines, their respective allocations, and the color code, Almendras said. Under the color coding scheme, red means the total allocation for a shipping line for a particular period is already full; yellow means it still has an allocation of 10 or 20 containers; and green means it can load more containers. If the importers and truckers have issues or complaints, they can approach the help desk of the terminal operators, Almendras said. PND (as) TOP Palace congratulates cyclist who won gold in 2014 Incheon Games The Palace hailed the victory of Daniel Patrick Caluag in the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea, giving the country its first gold medal. "We join the Filipino nation in celebrating the gold-medal victory of Daniel Patrick Caluag in the BMX cycling event in the 2014 Incheon Games," Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a statement on Wednesday. "With remarkable skill and talent, he has demonstrated the Filipinos’ courage and resiliency in global athletic competitions," he said. "We also congratulate the Philippine Cycling Federation headed by Rep. Abraham Tolentino for its noteworthy development program that has brought off this achievement." Caluag topped the Cycling BMX event and swept Heats 1 to 3 in a strong performance to finally give the Philippines its much-awaited gold medal. Daniel Patrick finished the seeding run at the top of the group after clocking in at 35.489. He is .797 seconds ahead of his closest Japanese competitor. With Caluag's win, the Philippines now has a 1-2-4 gold-silver-bronze medal count. PND (as) TOP      01 OKTUBRE 2014 Tinanggap ng Pangulong Aquino ang Punong Ministro ng Bahrain Tinanggap ng Pangulong Aquino ang Punong Ministro ng Bahrain Nagbigay-galang sa Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III si Prinsipe Khalifa bin Salman bin Al Hamad Al Khalifa ng Bahrain nang magbigay-galang ang huli sa Malacanang Miyerkoles. Ang Prinsipe ng Bahrain ay siya ring Punong Ministro ng Kaharian ng Bahrain sapul nang matamo ng bansa nila ang kasarinlan noong 1971. Siya ang pangalawang anak ng dating puno ng Ghahrain Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa at amain ng Kanyang Kamahalan Haring Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. Mula pa noong 1978 natatag ang pormal na ugnayang pandiplomata ng Pilipinas at ng Bahrain, subali’t bago pa ang nasabing petsa, maganda na ang ugnayan ng mga mamamayan at mga pamahalaan ng dalawang bansa sa lahat ng larangan at maging sa pagtutulungan. Nasa Bahrain ang 40,000 manggagawang Pilipino at ang pamahalaan nito ay nagpapatupad ng mga patakaran at programang nakabubuti sa komunidad ng mga Pilipino. Sa larangan ng ekonomya, ang Bahrain ang ika-79 na kakalakalan ng bansa, ika-65 sa pinagpapadalahan ng mga produkto at ika-101 naman sa umaangkat ng produkto ng Pilipinas. Sa mga iniluluwas ng Pilipinas sa Bahrain ay kabilang ang aviation fuel, mga piyesa ng eroplano, kagamitang pantahanan at “pasta.” Inaangkat naman ng Pilipinas sa kaharian ang aluminum alloys, motor ng kotse at iba pang motor ng behikulo, plastic trunks at woven fabrics na synthetic staple fibers. Kasama ng Punong Ministro ng Bahrain nang magtungo sa Malacanang ang kanyang mga anak na sina Sheikh Khalifa bin Rashed Al Khalifa at Sheikh Mohammad bin Rahed Al Khalifa. Si Abdullah Hasan Saif, tagapayo sa ekonomya ng Punong Ministro ay kasama nang magtungo sa Malacanang. Sa panig ng Pangulong Aquino, kasama naman niya sa pagtanggap sa Punong Ministro sina Deputy Director General Margarita Songco ng National Economic and Development Authority, Katulong na Kalihim Julius Torres ng Ugnayang Panlabas, at Amable Aguiluz, Special Envoy ng Pangulo sa Gulf Cooperation Council.PND(as/zaf) TOP

President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the Heroes' Welcome Ceremony for the 7th Philippines Contingent to Golan Heights  Rizal Hall, Malacañang Palace 01 Oct. 2014 Napansin po niyo pinatanggal natin ang teleprompter, ‘di tayo masaya doon sa talumpati. Gusto kong galing sa puso ‘yung padadama ko sa inyong lahat. Siguro balikan natin ang pinagmulan ng lahat ng ito. May isang taon at kalahati na ho noong nakidnap o ginawang bisita ang ilang mga kasamahan natin. At mula noong panahon na iyon, aking tinanong: Ano ba talaga ang misyon natin dito sa Golan Heights at kaya bang gawin ang misyon na ito? Sa totoo lang po, tayo’y nakiusap, either tulungan tayong magdagdag ng armas dahil nagbago na ang sitwasyon. Mayroon tayong pinaghihiwalay na Israel at Syria, nagkaroon pa ng mga rebelde. So, ang sinagot po sa atin, tinulungan tayo. In fairness, tinulungan tayo sa pagkakaroon ng kakayahan sa chemical, tama, anti-chemical warfare. Dinagdagan tayo ng equipment na supposed to be armored na force protection equipment. Pero ‘yun sa lahat ng mga armas na hiningi natin, or hiningi ng pahintulot na magkaroon tayo, tayo’y nahindian. So dumating ako, sa totoo lang, mga two weeks bago nangyari itong stand off, eh nagkaroon na ho ng desisyon na mayroon tayong obligasyon sa pandaigdigang komunidad na tapusin na lang natin ang obligasyon nating pinasukan, at pagkatapos no’n ay umuwi na. Dahil nga ho hindi maliwanag ang misyon na itinalakay sa atin o ibinigay sa atin, at tila itong misyon na‘to ayoko naman hong ipadala, bilang inyong Commander-in-Chief at Ama ng Bayan, dadalhin kayo sa isang mission impossible. ‘Di ho natin pinapasukan ‘yan. Sa masamang palad, nangyari na nga ‘yung ating kinakatakutan: Itong mga rebelde ay pinuntahan tayo, at ‘yung mga umabot sa aking mga balita na inutusan kayong ibaba ang inyong armas ay tayo hindi makakasang-ayon doon. Simpleng-simple lang naman po ‘yan eh. ‘Pag tayo’y ginawang hostage, eh ‘di lalong magiging komplikado ang problema. At talagang limitado naman ang kakayahan natin na magpadala ng rescue force dito. At ating pinanindigan ito. Hinihintay natin ngayon ang imbestigasyon ng UN tungkol sa nangyaring insidente at ‘yon ang magiging basehan kung tayo’y makikisama pa sa ibang mga pangangailangan ng pandaigdigang komunidad. Ulitin ko lang ho, hindi puwedeng dadalhin ang ating mga tropa habang tumutulong sa isang sitwasyon na kung saan imposible o hindi maliwanag ang misyon na kanilang ginagampanan. Importante ho ang buhay ng bawat isa. Ngayon po, habang nasabi na nga natin ‘yan, tanungin niyo siguro, “Bakit ba tayo nakikilahok dito?” Alam naman po niyo, may sampung milyong Pilipino na nakakalat sa buong mundo. Importante sa atin na may kapayapaan at obligasyon din natin na makatulong na magkaroon ng pandaigdigang kapayapaan. ‘Di naman ho gano’n karami ang ating sandatahang lakas at ating kapulisan. Sa totoo lang ho, noong panahon ng aking ina, meron tayong higit-kumulang 250,000 sundalo’t pulis. Ang populasyon ho natin noon ay higit-kumulang 50 milyon. Ngayon po, 100 milyon na tayong Pilipino at ang sundalo’t pulis natin ay parehong bilang lang na 250,000. At iyan po ay isinasaayos natin para naman talagang, ulit, makayanan ang misyon na ginagampanan. Ngayon ho, nilagay kayo sa isang sitwasyon na hindi naman natin masasabing pinaghandaan nang husto. Pinadala tayo diyan, at ulitin ko, nakikipadala na ho ako diyan, dahil ito’y dinatnan ko na lang ho. Ang trabaho: Paghiwalayin ang magkatunggaling puwersa ng Israel at Syria. Nung nagbago na nga, nagkaroon ng mga rebelde na talagang pasulpot-sulpot dito sa area ng disengagement. Eh talagang dapat ho ginagapang kaagad nang sinabing may bagong misyon. Dapat wala itong mga puwersa na nagtutunggali dahil nga iyon ‘yung boundary, ‘di ba, ‘yun ang separation ng lahat. So hindi pa ho siguro panahon ng pagsisisihan ngayon, lalo na doon sa ating mga ibang kausap; pero palagay ko naman ho iyong mga nangako sa atin na tutulong, alam naman ho niyo iyan, alam niyong lahat na may tumulong din sa atin na mga nangako. At ulitin ko nga lang ho, ano, dahil nga sa nangyari dito, a year and a half ago, pinasiyasat natin lahat ng misyon na pinasukan ng ating bansa, at iisa ang pakay. May risko, tama. Pero ‘yang risko dapat kaalinsunod doon sa pagkakaroon ng misyon na kayang gampanan at hindi nga mission impossible. Ulitin ko lang ho, nilagay kayo sa isang sitwasyon. ‘Di natin puwedeng sabihin na pinaghandaan lahat ng contingencies, pero talaga namang palagay ko, sa kalidad ng inyong pamumuno at sa inyong pagsasanay, talaga namang nagampanan niyo ang inyong tungkulin; maski na nagbago, kinaya niyo ang misyon, maski na limitado ang ating resources o kakayahan. So talagang dahil doon, humahanga ang buong sambayanan na talagang ito ang uri, kalidad, saka galing, tapang, husay, talino ng ating Sandatahang Lakas. Talagang nakadagdag kayo sa puri at sa dangal ng ating Inang Bayan, kaya naman dapat kayong talagang pasalamatan. At sa ngalan nga ng sambayanan, ako na ho nagpapasalamat para sa kanilang lahat. Ulitin ko lang ho: Sana itong tagumpay nating ito ay talaga naman paulit-ulit, para masabi nating dagdag pa, tulad noong pagreresolba doon sa Zamboanga Crisis, ito ngang sa labas lang ng ating mga bakuran, talagang pinakita na naman niyo ang gilas ng Pilipino. Uli, maraming salamat sa inyong lahat, magandang araw po ulit. [HOME] PRESS BRIEFING OF PCOO SECRETARY SONNY COLOMA Press Briefing Room, New Executive Bldg., Malacañang                                                                                     30 Sept. 2014 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: ON PNP CHIEF ALAN PURISIMA Joyce Pañares (Manila Standard): Good morning, sir. Sir, we learned that General (Alan) Purisima was here yesterday afternoon up until close to evening. May we know what transpired between his meeting with the President? SEC. COLOMA: My understanding is that the PNP (Philippine National Police) chief has talked with the President. Wala po akong pagkakataon na makausap ang Pangulo hinggil sa pinag-usapan nila. Ms. Pañares: Sir, is it safe to say that whatever stance General Purisima is taking today during the Senate probe, in particular his statement that he will not quit, it has the imprimatur of the President? SEC. COLOMA: Kailan lang po ay mismong ang Pangulo ang tumugon sa tanong ninyo, ng mga kasapi ng Malacañang Press Corps na kasama sa media delegation, hinggil diyan at maliwanag naman po ang deklarasyon ng Pangulo hinggil sa kanyang pananaw sa pagse-serbisyo ni PNP Chief Alan Purisima. Joel Sy Egco (Manila Times): Sir, follow up lang po doon. Kasi… Well, the hottest issue of the day is ‘yung kay Purisima pa rin so my question is: Should he do a (NFA head Arthur) Juan, I mean, should he resign kasi ang bigat din ng mga paratang na ito and let other official takes over his position? SEC. COLOMA: Sa ating sistema ng batas meron po tayong sinusunod na mga proseso. Hindi naman yata makatwiran na humantong sa mga konklusyon na ang resulta ay pagkakaroon ng bahid o alinlangan sa integridad o katauhan ng isang public official na nakabatay lamang sa mga paratang. Mr. Egco: Okay, sir. We understand na ‘yung statement ni Presidente, matagal na silang magkasama, hindi siya matakaw sa ganyan at hindi naman ganoon ka-lavish talaga—ganun ang kapritso ni General Purisima. Sir, my question is and this will be the last for today for me: Hanggang saan po buo ang tiwala ng Pangulo o ng Malacañang sa pamumuno ni General Purisima? Hanggang saan siya mapupuno, I mean, ‘yon bang pagfa-file po ng mga kaso, ‘yung plunder, et cetera, will that eventually… Might those eventually change the mind of the President and opt for replacing General Purisima? SEC. COLOMA: Nasa pagpapasya na ng ating Pangulo ang bagay na ‘yan. Andreo Calonzo (GMA News Online): Sir, balik lang po ako doon sa Senate probe on PNP chief. Kasi po sinabi ni PNP Chief Purisima na ‘yung mga allegations against him galing po mismo sa mga puwersa sa loob na tumututol sa mga reporma niya. Sa tingin niyo po ba panahon na para i-reorganisa itong PNP kasi mismong ‘yung mga tao sa loob ‘yung bumabato doon sa pinuno nila. So, is it high time to reorganize the PNP? SEC. COLOMA: Nasa pagpapasya po ‘yan ng Pangulo ayon sa rekomendasyon ng Secretary of Interior and Local Government. ON PAID AD CALLING FOR PNOY’S TERM EXTENSION Weng dela Fuente (Net 25): Good afternoon, sir. Sir, meron pong grupo, ‘yung Movement for Reform, Continuity and Momentum (MORE2COME), meron po silang whole page ad sa mga major newspapers today and they are calling for the President to reconsider ‘yung kanyang opposition to run for 2016 and they are saying na ‘yung eight… They are calling for ‘yung signature campaign at kapag nakaipon daw po ng 8 million signatures, siguro naman daw po ay sapat na dahilan na ‘yon para magsakripisyo naman si Pangulong Aquino. How is the Palace taking that po? SEC. COLOMA: Wala kaming kinalaman sa mga patalastas na ‘yan. Ms. Dela Fuente: Oo nga sir, hindi naman po namin sinabi na may kinalaman kayo. Pero paano po tinatanggap ito ng Pangulo? Kapagka ho ba nakalap ‘yung 8 million ay magbabago ‘yung kanyang posisyon? Ituturing ho ba itong boses din ng mga ‘boss’? SEC. COLOMA: Marami nang pagkakataon na kung saan nagpahayag ang Pangulo hinggil sa bagay na ‘yan dahil paulit-ulit din naman ‘yung pagtatanong sa kanya at pareho naman ‘yung kanyang katugunan, na patuloy niyang pinakikinggan ang tinig ng kanyang mga boss, ang mga mamamayang Pilipino at ang kanyang pangunahing layunin ay malaman sa kanila ang kanilang mga suhestiyon kung paano magiging permanente ang transpormasyon o ang pagbabago ng lipunang Pilipino. Ms. Dela Fuente: Sir, do you share the same view na si Presidente pa rin ang best candidate for 2016 as to what the advertisement is saying? SEC. COLOMA: Nagpahayag na rin ang Pangulo hinggil diyan doon sa kanyang talumpati noong September 12 at sinabi niya ‘yung pangangailangan na ang mga mamamayan mismo ang babalikat ng responsibilidad hinggil sa pagtitiyak na maipagpatuloy ang mga repormang naumpisahan na. Teresa Andrada (GMA-7): Sir, follow up. Iyon pong mga ganitong advertisements, ito ba bahagi ito o tinitingnan ito ng Pangulo doon sa buong picture na siya ay magkokonsulta sa boss, pag-aaralan niya ‘yung kanyang mga maging susunod na desisyon, maging susunod na hakbang? SEC. COLOMA: Well, siyempre, nakikita ‘yan ng mga tao at nagiging hayag ‘yan na patalastas. Imposible namang hindi mapansin. Pero ang importante rito ‘yon pa ring paninindigan ng Pangulo na ang mahalaga naman sa lahat ng usaping ito ay ‘yung pagpapatuloy sa mga reporma na naumpisahan na at kung paano magiging permanente ang transpormasyon ng ating bansa dahil sa mga pagbabagong naumpisahan na at naipatupad ng kanyang administrasyon. Ms. Andrada: Sir, tama po ba na ma-interpret siya na ‘yung mga ganitong panawagan kung meron mang paid ad, kasama ito doon sa—siniseryoso itong tinitingnan din ng Pangulo in his—in the whole picture of studying whether what decision I should make for 2016? SEC. COLOMA: Kung titingnan ito na bahagi ng mga kaganapan sa ating paligid. Sinabi ko na nga kanina lang, imposible namang hindi ito mapansin. Ms. Andrada: Sir, meron namang Facebook page na nananawagan naman for—in support of DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) Secretary Mar Roxas. The page is parang is calling—is urging na si Mar Roxas na nga ‘yung dapat na maging kandidato o maging Pangulo for 2016. Ano muna ‘yung thoughts ng Malacañang dito? SEC. COLOMA: Siyempre po may karapatan naman ang mga mamamayan na magpahayag ng kanilang pananaw at bahagi ‘yan ng pagpapahayag nila ng kanilang saloobin. Ms. Andrada: Sir, hindi ba magkakaroon… Parang ano siya, opposite: merong isa supporting Roxas, may isa supporting naman the President’s another term. Hindi ba magkakaroon ito ng impact doon sa—kahit sa partido siguro, sa LP (Liberal Party), when they do decide, when they undertake the process of choosing who will be endorsed for 2016? SEC. COLOMA: Ayon na rin sa iyong salaysay, ito ay mga spontaneous expressions of people’s sentiments. Paano naman magiging… Ibig sabihin, kung ito nga ay spontaneous expressions ay wala namang—wala naman kaming kinalaman sa mga pagpapahayag na ‘yan at wala rin namang direksyon mula sa amin para pigilin ‘yan o para kontrolin dahil ‘yan ay pagpapahayag ng sentimiyento ng mga mamamayan. At dahil nasa demokrasya tayo, pinapayagan natin ang ganyang mga pagpapahayag. Ms. Andrada: Thank you, sir. Adrian Ayalin (ABS-CBN): Sir, ‘yung pakikinig po ni Pangulo sa ‘boss’, quantifiable ba ‘yon kasi sabi doon sa ad, 8 million. Is 8 million—kung makakuha po sila—is 8 million enough para maging boses sila na pakikinggan po ni Pangulo? SEC. COLOMA: So, ano ang tanong mo? Mr. Ayalin: Enough po ba ‘yung 8 million para pakinggan po sila ni Pangulo? SEC. COLOMA: Wala pa pong pahayag ang Pangulo hinggil sa bagay na ‘yan. Mr. Ayalin: Masasabi po ba nating… Kakilala po ba—may kakilala po ba kayo sa grupong ito, ang Malacañang po or si Pangulo? SEC. COLOMA: Doon sa pagtanong hinggil diyan kanina, malinaw ang aking deklarasyon: wala kaming kinalaman sa patalastas na ‘yan. Mr. Ayalin: Sir, doon lang po sa report. May mensahe po ba ang Malacañang doon sa grupo kasi hindi rin naman din po biro ‘yung gumastos sila. If ever po ba kung meron, may mensahe po ang Malacañang doon sa grupong nagpasimula nito at nagbayad doon sa ad? SEC. COLOMA: Wala naman po kaming ibang mensahe na partikular sa ibang—partikular sa ano mang indibidwal o grupo. Walang pagbabago sa isinaad na posisyon ng ating Pangulo na nais lamang niyang malaman ang saloobin ng mga mamamayan. Hindi na kailangang i-address pa ang kahit anong partikular na indibidwal o grupo hinggil sa bagay na ‘yan dahil wala namang pagbabago sa posisyon ng ating Pangulo. ON SIM CARD REGISTRATION Bernard Taguinod (Abante): Sir, good afternoon. Related doon sa hearing sa Senate kanina tapos kasi sinasabi ni Teresita Ang-See, kino-convince niya ‘yung Senate to legislate na—‘yung gumawa na ng legislation na ‘yung sim card should be registered kasi ginagamit na talaga ito ng mga criminal elements. Are we supporting this proposal? SEC. COLOMA: According to NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) Commissioner (Gamaliel) Cordova, it is preferable that a law be passed requiring sim card registration. The Executive branch has manifested its support to proposed bills that are now being discussed in Congress. Previous NTC circulars in this matter were stopped by the courts. Mr. Taguinod: So, since na itinutulak naman pala ‘yan ng NTC, susuportahan ng Palasyo ‘yung legislation para mapabilis? SEC. COLOMA: Ulitin ko na lang: The Executive branch has manifested its support. Sa wikang Filipino: Ipinahayag na ng ating Ehekutibo ang pagsuporta sa panukalang batas. ON ISIS Leo Navarro (Brigada News): Good afternoon, Secretary. Sir, follow up lang po, update lang doon sa ano… Natapos na po ba ‘yung meeting ng DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) with the US State Department at anong tulong po ‘yung maibibigay o request ng US para po doon sa paglaban sa ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria)? SEC. COLOMA: Ang batid ko lamang diyan ay ‘yung pagkatapos ng pagpupulong ng Pangulo sa iba’t ibang mga grupo sa Estados Unidos, nag-stay on si Secretary Albert del Rosario dahil nga sa pakikipagpulong niya sa mga opisyal ng State Department. At sa pagpupulong na ‘yan ay nagbigay lang naman siya ng impormasyon tungkol sa mga nakalap na ng ating military and intelligence community at kung paano tayo rumeresponde doon sa banta o ‘yung sa ligalig na nililikha ng ISIS. Hanggang doon lamang ang ating nalalaman hinggil sa bagay na ‘yan. Mr. Tinaza: Sir, meron nang reported ngayon na allegedly mga ISIS somewhere in Basilan and also ‘yung nagkaroon rin ng sub-group or breakaway group ‘yung ASG. Hindi ba ito parang ma-interpret na pagpapakita ito ng kahinaan ng ating mga enforcement agencies dahil mukhang nanganganak ‘yung grupo ng mga terorista? SEC. COLOMA: Kailangang kumpirmahin natin ang impormasyon na ‘yan. Ayon sa mga pahayag maging ni Governor (Mujiv) Hataman ay hindi naman sila naka… Wala naman silang impormasyon na ganyan na nga ang sitwayson. Ganoon pa man, nakatitiyak tayo na isinasagawa ng ating mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan, sa pangunguna ng Armed Forces of the Philippines, ‘yung mga dapat na gawin para matunton ang mga kahina-hinalang mga elemento at para tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng mga mamamayan. Ms. Dela Fuente: Follow up lang sa ISIS. Hihikayatin na ba natin ‘yung MILF na publicly ay magbigay sila ng posisyon dito sa ISIS para mawala ‘yung pangamba na baka may mga miyembro sila na susuporta din po doon a grupo? SEC. COLOMA: Kung tutunghayan natin ang naging aksyon ng MILF, simula pa noong unang pagkikita nina Pangulong Aquino at Chairman (Al Haj) Murad sa Japan ay naging ganap ang kanilang kooperasyon at pagtulong sa pamahalaan simula sa aspeto ng pagtiyak na ang kanilang mga puwersa at ang kanilang mga kapanalig ay hindi gagawa ng kahit anumang aksyon na gagambala sa katahimikan at kaayusan sa ating bansa. Kaya sa tingin ko lang ay hindi naman kailangang i-require pa sila na gumawa ng ganoong klaseng mga pahayag dahil malinaw naman from their actions na ang kanilang pagsuporta sa ating republika at ang kanilang pagtalima sa mga batas ng republika, wala naman silang ginagawang aksyon na taliwas sa prinsipyong ito. ON HONG KONG PROTESTS Ms. Navarro: Isa pa pong question, Secretary. Kumusta po ‘yung monitoring ng Palasyo doon sa kalagayan po ng mga OFW (overseas Filipino worker) sa Hong Kong or any ano po—kung may statement po or pahayag na ang Pangulo hinggil dito? SEC. COLOMA: Tinututukan po ang sitwasyon na ‘yan ng ating Consulate General sa Hong Kong at ang batid po natin ay nag… Pinagpapayuhan po ang ating mga mamamayan na kung maaaring umiwas sa—umiwas sila sa paglahok sa mga aksyon na ‘yan, at mag-focus na lang sa kanilang gawain sa Hong Kong. ON ABDUCTION OF GERMAN NATIONALS Reymund Tinaza (Bombo Radyo): Mapunta lang tayo sa bahagi ng Mindanao. Sir, kamusta na po ‘yung negosasyon or kung meron or—‘yung operasyon sa pagpapalaya sa dalawang German hostages na allegedly ay in-abduct ng Abu Sayyaf, if there is any update? SEC. COLOMA: Wala pa tayong natatanggap na bagong impormasyon hinggil diyan, at kung meron man, unawain natin na sensitibo itong mga bagay na ito at baka mas mainam na huwag nang talakayin pa sa publiko; baka makaapekto doon sa kaligtasan o sa kaligtasan ng mga taong hanggang ngayon ay nasa kamay pa ng mga elmento doon at baka maapektuhan din ‘yung kanilang kaligtasan. ON MILF DISARMAMENT Mr. Tinaza: Sir, last point. I understand, there is ongoing negotiation between the government and the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) with regards to the disarmament or ‘yung pagbaba ng armas. So are we looking at this year na 100 percent wala ng armas ‘yung MILF and they are now—they will become totally unarmed group? SEC. COLOMA: Kailangang malaman natin mula sa OPAPP (Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process) ang detalye hinggil diyan. Ang batid natin ay sinabi nga nila na ito ay ipapatupad na hindi naman kailangang sakupin pa ‘nung Bangsamoro Basic Law dahil implementable naman through administrative action, at ito nga ay isinasagawa na nila sa kasalukuyan. Hintayin po natin ‘yung updates mula sa OPAPP hinggil dito. ON EBOLA VIRUS Ms. Navarro: Sec., pahabol pong question. The other day po kasi naglabas ng pahayag ang WHO (World Health Organization) na sinasabing dapat daw ang Pilipinas magpadala din ng mga health workers sa West Africa para po doon sa Ebola virus. Ano po ‘yung stand dito ng gobyerno natin? SEC. COLOMA: Bilang bahagi ng United Nations ay handa naman ang ating bansa na gumawa ng mga hakbang na makakatulong sa pandaigdigang pagkilos laban sa pagkalat ng Ebola virus. Pero ‘yung partikular na aspeto na tayo ay magpapadala ng mga health workers doon ay isang… Well, ibang usapin ‘yon dahil nga maraming dapat na konsiderasyon hinggil doon. Unang-una na ‘yung magiging sitwasyon ng ating ipapadala. Meron pa nga tayong mga peacekeepers na kasalukuyang nandoon at hindi pa ito nareresolba. So siguro ‘yon muna ang ia-address natin bago tayo lumingon pa sa iba pang posibilidad katulad ng iyong nabanggit. ON PORT DECONGESTION Ms. Andrada: Sir, meron na po bang feedback ‘yung Task Force Pantalan doon sa naging epekto ‘nung kanilang two-week 24-hour last mile route na ipinatupad to decongest ports? SEC. COLOMA: Marami nang significant accomplishments ang Task Force, lalo na doon sa volume ng mga nailipat na na dati’y itinuturing na overstaying cargo. At doon sa pinakahuling ulat na aking natunghayan, naka-attain na sila sa Port of Manila ng sitwasyon na kung saan mas marami na… Kumbaga sa input/output, datihan kasi hindi ganoon kabilis ‘yung outpout nila, ‘yung pagdiskarga ng mga cargo. ‘Yung pinakahuling ulat na natunghayan natin ay halos equal na ‘yung volume, kung ano ang naipasok ay nailalabas na within a given period. So this is an indication na napahusay na ‘yung cargo flow na papasok at palabas mula sa Port of Manila at nagbunga na ‘yung mga iba’t ibang measures to decongest. Ngayong hapon nga ay merong pagpupulong ‘yung inter-agency committee na pinangungunahan ni Cabinet Secretary (Jose Rene) Almendras ay magpupulong ngayong hapon at kung merong mga significant developments ay ipagbibigay-alam ko sa inyo sa lalong madaling panahon. Ms. Andrada: Sir, naibigay na po ba ‘yung status report kay Pangulong Aquino? SEC. COLOMA: Aling status report? Ms. Andrada: ‘Yung feedback from Task Force Pantalan? Did they submit a report to the President kung ano po ‘yung naging epekto ‘nung… SEC. COLOMA: Sa aking pagkaalam ay binibigyan naman nila ng periodic updates ang ating Pangulo. Everytime na merong mga bagong kasunduan at nagkaroon na ng resulta ‘yung kanilang mga pagkilos ay nagbibigay naman sila ng periodic updates sa ating Pangulo dahil habang bumabiyahe ang Pangulo ay naririnig kong pinag-uusapan ang mga bagay na ito kaya batid kong may regular updates hinggil dito. Ina Andolong (9 News): Sir, just a quick follow up. In-extend po ba ‘yung pag-open ‘nung special lanes for the trucks or natapos talaga siya on September 22? SEC. COLOMA: Aalamin natin. Ang batid natin ay patuloy pa ring pinagtutulungan ng lahat ng mga ahensiya ‘yung pag-ensure ng smooth flow of cargoes at pansinin din natin, nagbi-build up na rin kasi ngayon ‘yung volume leading up to December. Typically ay mataas na season ito para sa pagdating ng mga imports kaya’t maaaring maunawaan natin na ‘yung mga measures na kanilang pinagkasunduan noon ay patuloy pang ipinapatupad. Pero aalamin natin ‘yung specific details sa magaganap na pulong ngayong hapon.                  SOURCE: Presidential News Desk [HOME] INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR. DZRB / Balita at Panayam by Alan Allanigue 02 October 2014 ALAN: Nito hong nagdaang mga araw ay palagi nating natatalakay ito hong o napapag-usapan ito hong port congestion sa Port of Manila. Hihingi lang po kami, Sir, ng mga updates kaugnay pa rin ng kalagayan po ng ating premier port, itong Port of Manila, Secretary Coloma, Sir? SEC. COLOMA: Malaking pagbabago na ang natamo simula noong dalawang lingo ang nakararaan, Alan, dahil doon sa mahalagang aksyon na ginawa ng Cabinet Cluster on Port Congestion. At sa aksyon ng Gabinete, malaking tulong iyong lifting ng truck ban sa City of Manila. Dahil lumuwag iyong daloy ng mga sasakyang nagbubuhat ng mga kargamento papasok at palabas sa ating pantalan. ALAN: At iyon pong pagda-divert ng ibang mga kargamento patungo sa Port of Batangas at Port of Subic ay nagpapatuloy din po, Secretary Coloma, Sir? SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Alan. Dati ay mababa ang utilization ng Batangas at Subic Ports. Sa pinakahuling ulat ay lampas na sa 80% iyong utilization ng Batangas at iyong sa Subic naman ay 42% na, at meron pong isang kalugod-lugod na balita, merong isang malaking kumpanya na pumayag na ma-unload iyong kanilang cargo sa Subic at ayon sa kanila, pitong oras lamang mula sa pag-unload na-deliver na doon sa pupuntahan nitong pabrika o warehouse. Kaya nakikita na rin iyong benepisyo ng paggamit nung mga extension ng ports ng Port of Manila. At sa kabuuan dapat din nating kilalanin dito na ito ay isang manipestasyon din ng level of activity ng ating economy. Pumapasok na tayo doon sa peak season at dahil nga naging mas efficient ang ports natin ay nakakatanggap na ng mas marami pang cargo mula sa ibang bansa. ALAN: Nabanggit iyong peak season, Sir, parating na tayo dito sa pasko at of course mas malakas ang trading, particular po iyong pagpasok po ng mga goods dito sa Pilipinas sa ganitong mga panahon, Sec, hindi po ba? SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, ito nga. Ito nga daw iyong bahagi ng taon na pinakamataas ang volume ng mga cargo na tinatanggap ng ating mga pantalan. ALAN: Okay. Secretary Coloma sa ibang usapin, dito po sa pagkakaloob ng Palasyo ng kaukulang pagkilala dito sa mga Filipino Peacekeepers na naunang na-assign po diyan sa Golan Heights. Mismong ang Pangulo po ang nanguna sa pagkakaloob ng Heroes’ Welcome at pagkakaloob ng pagkilala sa mga katangi-tanging miyembro nung Peacekeeping Team na pinadala natin noon diyan sa Golan Heights, Sec. Sonny, Sir? SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Alan. Sinabi ng Pangulo na talagang kahanga-hanga ang ginawa ng ating mga tropa, ng ating mga peacekeepers sa Golan Heights, sapagkat dumaan sila sa isang mapanganib na sitwasyon na kung saan ay hindi naging malinaw iyong direksyon ng UN Disengagement Observer Force at nalagay pa sila sa balag ng alanganin dahil nga doon sa pagsalakay ng mga umano’y Syrian rebel troops, Syrian rebels, at iyong pagsabi sa ating mga tropa doon na huwag nang lumaban at magtaas na lang ng white flag. Hindi naman ito katanggap-tanggap lalung-lalo na iyong suhestiyon na para bang papayag na lang na maging hostage. Dahil ito ay—ayon nga sa ating Pangulo, hindi katanggap-tanggap na ilalagay natin sa panganib ang buhay ng ating mga tropa. ALAN: Okay. Isa pa pong isyu, Sec, ano ho. Kahapon po ay nag-courtesy call sa Pangulong Noy ang Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa ng Bahrain ano ho. At ito hong ganitong pagpapalakas ng ugnayan sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at Bahrain, ano po ang mga nakikita nating benepisyo ika nga pagdating po sa ating bansa ng ganitong mga diplomatic at economic activities, Sir? SEC. COLOMA: Matagal na pong mainam ang relasyon ng ating bansa at ng bansang Bahrain at mahalaga na maipagpatuloy nag sitwasyong ito. Kaya nga malugod na tinanggap ng ating Pangulo ang pagdalaw o iyong pag-courtesy call ni Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa sa Malacañang kahapon. Ito ay ang lider ng—siya po ay nagsilbing lider ng Kingdom of Bahrain simula pa nung 1971 at ang ating diplomatikong ugnayan sa kanila ay simula pa 1978. At mahalaga po diyan iyong meron pong 40,000 Filipino workers na nagtatrabaho sa Bahrain at malaki ang benepisyo na kanilang nai-a-ambag. Ang atin naman pong mga exports ay aviation fuel, aircraft parts ng household machines. Marami din po tayong pinapadalang kalakal doon. Kaya mainam iyong ating diplomatic and economic ties with Bahrain, na dapat lang lalong maging maunlad at masigla. ALAN: Secretary, Sir, isang puntos na lang. Meron po tayong Filipino cyclist na nanalo diyan sa Incheon Games, Sec. Sonny, Sir? SEC. COLOMA: Oo, binabati natin ang ating first gold medalist sa BMX cycling sa Asian Games, sa Incheon at ito natamo natin sa katauhan ni Daniel Patrick Caluag. At siya ay nagwagi nga doon sa BMX cycling kahapon. At binabati po natin siya sa ngalan ng ating mga kababayan. Siya po ay first gold medalist Incheon-Asian Games. Binabati rin natin iyong Philippine Cycling Federation na pinamumunuan ni Congressman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino dahil sa kanilang development program; naging responsable sa tagumpay ni Daniel Patrick Caluag. Pati iyong kapatid ni Daniel ay halos naging medalist din, kaunti lang ang kanyang pagkahuli doon sa bronze medalist, kaya napakainam ng kanilang naging partisipasyon sa Asian Games. ALAN: Okay. Well, Secretary Coloma, Sir, muli salamat po sa mga updates mula diyan sa Palasyo. SEC. COLOMA: Magandang umaga at salamat din sa pagkakataon, Alan. ALAN: Thank you Sir. Good morning po. SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center [HOME]

ONLINE NEWS 01 OCT 2014 September 2014 Chemist Licensure Examination results released in nine (9) working days Bank lending grew at a decelerated pace in August BSP grants regulatory relief to Banks/Non-Bank Financial Institutions with Quasi-Banking Functions (NBQBs) affected by Typhoons "Luis" and "Mario" BOC illegal drugs haul up 190% DTI-DA jointly monitors price freeze compliance of stores in Marikina Manual on Labor Laws Compliance System outlines conduct of assessment or visit of contractors/subcontractors Mind your safety and take precaution, Baldoz advises Hong Kong OFWs Police General denies issuing business card to law breaker 100% of Mayon-affected schools resume classes PHL to host regional conference to tackle Integration of Armed Violence Reduction in Development Agenda PHL Consulate General in Milan Joins JIL’s 22nd anniversary celebration Whatchamacallit? DOST-PAGASA unravels its typhoon-naming system NEDA releases document for monitoring results of post-Yolanda reconstruction SSS to launch new contact center for OFWs DA-PRDP boosts gov’t transparency through CSO partnership Sec. Alcala inaugurates Quezon Agri-Pinoy Trading & Processing Center Sandiganbayan convicts former Leyte mayor of graft Forum bats for reforms in labor, industrial policy to achieve inclusive growth   September 2014 Chemist Licensure Examination results released in nine (9) working days Source: http://www.prc.gov.ph The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 421 out of 705 passed the Chemist Licensure Examination given by the Board of Chemistry in Manila last September 2014. The members of the Board of Chemistry who gave the licensure examination are Ms. Adoracion P. Resurreccion, Chairman and Ms. Soledad S. Castañeda, Member. The results were released in nine (9) working days after the last day of examination. Registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Cards (ID) and Certificates of Registration will be on October 3 & 7, 2014. Those who will register are required to bring the following: duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, current Community Tax Certificate (cedula), 1 piece passport size picture (colored with white background and complete nametag), 2 sets of metered documentary stamps and 1 short brown envelope with name and profession and to pay the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2014-2017. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals. The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees in the said examination WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER. |TOP| Bank lending grew at a decelerated pace in August Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph Outstanding loans of commercial banks, net of reverse repurchase (RRP) placements with the BSP, grew at a slower rate of 20.2 percent in August from the previous month’s increase of 21.1 percent (revised). Similarly, the growth of bank lending inclusive of RRPs decelerated to 17.9 percent from the 19.7 percent (revised) in the previous month. On a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, commercial bank lending increased by 1.3 percent for loans net of RRPs and by 0.2 percent for loans inclusive of RRPs. Loans for production activities—which comprised about four-fifths of banks’ aggregate loan portfolio—expanded by 19.1 percent in August from 20.0 percent (revised) in July. The expansion in production loans was driven primarily by increased lending to the following sectors: wholesale and retail trade (23.5 percent); real estate, renting, and business services (16.8 percent); electricity, gas and water (25.7 percent); financial intermediation (27.0 percent); and, manufacturing (13.1 percent). Bank lending to other sectors also rose during the month except for public administration and defense, which declined by 3.1 percent. Loans for household consumption grew by 16.6 percent in August from 16.2 percent (revised) in July, primarily due to the continued expansion in auto loans and other types of loans (i.e. salary loans and personal loans) which offset the slight slowdown in the growth of credit card loans. The sustained expansion of bank lending reflects the buoyant growth the economy. Going forward, the BSP will remain watchful that domestic credit and liquidity conditions will remain supportive of economic activity growth while remaining consistent with its price stability objective. |TOP| BSP grants regulatory relief to Banks/Non-Bank Financial Institutions with Quasi-Banking Functions (NBQBs) affected by Typhoons "Luis" and "Mario" Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is granting regulatory and rediscounting relief measures to banks/NBQBs with head offices and/or branches located in areas which were devastated by Typhoons “Luis” and “Mario” based on Situation Reports dated 18 and 22 September 2014, respectively, of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), as follows: Region Cities/Provinces National Capital Region  (NCR) Caloocan City, Las Pinas City, Malabon, Mandaluyong City, Manila City, Marikina City, Pasay City, Pasig City, Quezon City, San Juan City, Valenzuela City, Makati City, Muntinlupa City, Navotas City and Taguig City I Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan II  Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya III Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales and Bataan IV-A Batangas, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal IV-B Occidental Mindoro V Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur VI Negros Occidental VII  Cebu Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Abra, Benguet, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province and Ifugao Similar relief measures were extended by the BSP to thrift and rural/cooperative banks in cities/provinces that were affected by natural calamities such as Typhoon Glenda and Tropical Depression Agaton in 2014 and Typhoons Yolanda, Santi, Labuyo and southwest monsoon (Habagat) rains enhanced by Tropical Storm Maring, and Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake in Sagbayan, Bohol in 2013. As approved on 25 September 2014 by the Monetary Board, the BSP’s policy-making body, the temporary relief measures include: For Thrift Banks/Rural Banks/Cooperative Banks/NBQBs a) Excluding existing loans of borrowers in affected areas from the computation of past due loan ratios provided these are restructured or given relief; b) Reducing the five percent general loan loss provision to one percent for restructured loans of borrowers in the affected areas; c) Non-imposition of penalties on legal reserves deficiencies of TBs/RBs/Coop Banks/NBQBs with head office and/or branches  in the affected areas; d) Moratorium on monthly payments due to BSP for banks with ongoing rehabilitation programs; e) Subject to BSP approval, booking of allowance for probable losses on a staggered basis over maximum of five years for all types of credit extended to individuals and businesses directly affected by the calamities; and f) Non-imposition of monetary penalties for delays in the submission of supervisory reports. For All Banks a) Allowing banks to provide financial assistance to their officers and employees who were affected by the calamities including those assistance that may not be within the scope of the existing BSP-approved Fringe Benefit Program. For All Rediscounting Banks a) Granting of a 60-day grace period to settle the outstanding rediscounting obligations as of 14 September 2014 with the BSP of all rediscounting banks in the affected areas; and b) Allowing banks to restructure with the BSP, on a case-to-case basis, the outstanding rediscounted loans of borrowers affected by the calamities. These measures will be in effect for a defined period and covered by additional specific and other prudential conditions. |TOP| DTI-DA jointly monitors price freeze compliance of stores in Marikina Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph With the declaration of State of Calamity (SOC) in the City of Marikina due to Typhoon Mario, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Local Government (LG) of Marikina, conducted a joint price and supply surveillance in groceries and supermarkets in the said city on 24 September 2014. The joint price monitoring activity led by DTI Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba visited a total of eight stores composed of four groceries in the Marikina Public Market and four supermarkets. “With the declaration of SOC in Marikina, the DTI automatically imposed a 60-day price freeze for all basic necessities being sold in wet markets, supermarkets, and groceries within the said city, as well as in other areas in the regions and provinces that are declared under SOC,” Dimagiba said. Among the establishments that were monitored, five stores were found to be non-compliant with the issued price freeze for basic necessities. Said stores were selling goods such as condensed milk, coffee, and canned sardines from P0.40 to P3 above the frozen prices. Dimagiba clarified, “At the point of monitoring, the non-compliant stores already adjusted their prices based on the issued price freeze. Therefore, we no longer issued them Show Cause Orders. However, the DTI will visit these stores again to verify their continued compliance.” “To all the compliant stores, we commend them for conforming to the price freeze. The DTI enjoins other establishments within the areas declared under SOC to follow their lead to ensure that consumers have access to reasonably-priced basic goods in the midst of calamity,” Dimagiba added. As for agricultural basic goods, the DA monitoring team found out during the same joint activity that compared with their previous monitoring data, the prices of pork liempo still ranges from P200 to P220 per kilo, while whole chicken is at P140 to P150 per kilo. Nevertheless, prices of rice, fish, beef, egg, amorgoso, tomato, chayote, garlic, fruits, sugar, and cooking oil remain stable. According to the DTI, DA, and LGU-Marikina, the primary focus of the joint price monitoring activity is to disseminate the information that all basic necessities being sold in retail establishments in Marikina are frozen at their prevailing prices for 60 days due to the declaration of SOC. Assisting the DTI and DA price monitoring teams are Ms. Ma. Lourdes H. Dela Paz, Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the LGU-Marikina Trade and Industry Office; Mr. Ramonito Viliran, Marikina Public Market Master; and the Marikina Public Market personnel. Prior the joint price monitoring activity, Dimagiba already instructed the FTEB Surveillance and Monitoring Division to conduct price monitoring activities in Marikina City last 20, 22, and 23 September 2014. The said bureau will continue to closely monitor these stores to ensure their constant compliance with the price freeze. Pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 7581 or the Price Act, penalties for violation against the price freeze include the imposition of fine of P5,000 up to P1,000,000 and/or imprisonment of one year up to 10 years. The 60-day price freeze in all areas declared under SOC covers all basic goods such as canned fish and other canned marine products, evaporated milk, condensed milk, powdered milk, coffee, laundry bar and detergent, instant noodles, bread, salt, candles, bottled water, rice, corn, cooking oil, fresh and dried fish and other marine products, fresh eggs, pork, beef, poultry, fresh milk, fresh vegetables and fruits, root crops, and sugar are also frozen at their prevailing prices. In addition to this, Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) and kerosene for household use are also covered by the price freeze as stated under RA No. 10623 or the Amended Price Act. However, prices of said products are frozen at their prevailing prices for 15 days instead of 60 days. As for non-agricultural prime commodities such as canned pork, beef and chicken, vinegar, fish sauce, soy sauce, bath soap, and battery, the DTI says that prices of these products must adhere to their respective Suggested Retail Prices. The prevailing price is the most observed monitored price of a product prior the hit of typhoon and declaration of State of Calamity. Consumers and retailers may check for the prevailing prices of non-agricultural, agricultural, agricultural and petroleum basic goods with the local offices of the DTI, DA, and Department of Energy (DOE), respectively. During the price monitoring activities, the FTEB noticed that there are four alternative brands of candles that are available in the market other than the ones being regularly monitored by the DTI. This is good news for the consumers because cheaper alternative brands are now made available in the market, especially now that the All Souls Day is drawing near. The DTI, however, reminds the retailers and the consuming public that candles are part of the list of basic necessities and its prices are being regularly monitored by the agency. For more information on the products covered by the price freeze and their respective prevailing prices, and/or to report retailers that sell above the frozen prices and SRPs, call: DTI Direct 751.3330 or 0917.8343330 for non-agricultural basic goods; DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service at 920.2216 for agricultural basic goods; and DOE at 840.2130 for household LPG and kerosene. |TOP| Manual on Labor Laws Compliance System outlines conduct of assessment or visit of contractors/subcontractors Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph  With the issuance of the Manual on Labor Laws Compliance System, or LLCS, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said DOLE regional directors, program managers and Labor Laws Compliance Officers, as well as establishments, will now have a standard guide on the assessment of contractors/subcontractors. "The Manual on Labor Laws Compliance System which provides procedures for its uniform implementation, devotes a whole part, Part II, on the Assessment of Priority-Establishments, developed by Bureau of Working Conditions in cooperation with concerned DOLE agencies," said Secretary Baldoz at the sidelines of the awarding of Certificates of Compliance (CoC) to establishments in the National Capital Region held at the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon City yesterday. Part II of the Manual provides the procedures to be observed in the conduct of assessment or visit of contractors/subcontractors to ensure compliance with Department Order No. 18-A, Series of 2011 and related laws. For service contractors/subcontractors, the DOLE Regional Director shall ensure and oversee the conduct of assessment/visit of all contractors/subcontractors registered in his/her region and shall: (a) Assign, through raffle, to qualified LLCOs in the r region the registered contractors/subcontractors to be assessed or visited; (b) Provide guidance to the LLCOs on operational issues; (c) Coordinate with the DOLE Secretary, through the BWC, policy issues encountered on hiring practices; deductions; registration renewal and other policy concerns while assessing contractors/subcontractors; (d) Monitor the progress of the assessment or visit of the LLCOs to the contractors/subcontractors; (e) Review and verify the recommendations made by the LLCOs; (f) Regularly publish in the regional and national DOLE website the list of registered contractors/subcontractors with CoC in the region; and (g) Submit report on the assessment results of all contractors/subcontractors registered in the region to the DOLE Secretary, through the BWC. The guidelines also directs the LLCO to interview office employees and inspect the OSH conditions at the head office; proceed to the principal or user enterprise worksite/workplace for coordination with their contractors/subcontractors and interview deployed employees, at random, at their place of work and inspect their workplaces. After this, the LLCO shall consolidate his findings and issue a notice of results. In case of compliance, the LLCO shall recommend for the issuance of CoC. For DOLE regional offices where contractors/subcontractors operate, the DOLE regional directors shall ensure and oversea the conduct of assessment/visit of all contractors/subcontractors operating in the region. He shall, after the conduct of assessment/visit, indorse to the regional director of the regional office where the contractors/subcontractors are registered, the findings of the assessment/visit. On the part of LLCO, he shall assess or visit the contractors/subcontractors operating in the region following the procedure outlined in Part XI of the Manual. In addition, he shall verify the following: (a) The registration of the contractor/subcontractor and its compliance with the substantial capital requirement; (b) Its non-engagement in labor-only contracting under Sections 4 and 6 of D.O.18-A, as indicated in the Checklist; (c) Compliance with the semi-annual reportorial requirements under Section 22 of D.O.18-A, as indicated in the Checklist; (d) Compliance with “no cash bond, no deposit for loss or damage on occupation or industry not allowed to do so by law or by the Secretary of Labor and Employment"; (e) Employment records vis-à-vis compliance with D.O.18-A on the term of the Service Agreements on prohibited activities and compliance with the right of the contractor’s employees, as indicated in the checklist; and (f) OSHS compliance records. The LLCO shall coordinate with the principal or user enterprise fr the conduct of interviews of contractors/subcontractors' deployed employees, at random, at their place of work and inspect their workplaces. The LLCO shall submit his/her findings to the regional director of operation. |TOP| Mind your safety and take precaution, Baldoz advises Hong Kong OFWs Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph  Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday urged OFWs in Hong Kong to be careful and to always take the necessary precaution in their daily activities after Hong Kong citizens trooped to the streets to mount large-scale demonstrations against the Hong Kong and Beijing governments. "I urge and advise our OFWs in Hong Kong to be mindful about their safety amidst the tension between government authorities and pro-democracy protesters calling for universal suffrage in Hong Kong," said Baldoz. "Be alert and go on with your regular routine, but avoid places where marches and protests are happening. Stay indoors as much as possible, and keep in touch with our POLO," she said. She also warned OFWs not to take part in any protest activity or any action that could be construed to be political, for this may put them in contravention of Hong Kong laws. "The reason you are in Hong Kong is to work, not to engage in any political activity," she warned. The labor and employment chief assured OFWs in Hong Kong that the DOLE is in regular contact with its Philippine Overseas Labor Office and the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong which are constantly monitoring the situation. "We will regularly disseminate accurate and relevant information on what's happening in Hong Kong for the guidance of our OFWs," she said. Assistant Labor Attache Ma. Nena German, POLO officer-in-charge, had reported that it is calm and normal in the Admiralty District--the area where the POLO and the Philippine Consulate are located--where the street protests erupted on the 28th, although public transportation is paralyzed, not only in the area, but also in the Central Business District. Yesterday, Baldoz directed the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to also monitor the situation among OFWs through its contact with licensed recruitment agencies deploying OFWs to Hong Kong. She also instructed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to put its welfare officers in Hong Kong on notice and to be alert for any sign of disturbance that would imperil the safety and welfare of OFWs. |TOP| Police General denies issuing business card to law breaker Source: http://pnp.gov.ph The PNP high command reminded anew all personnel to exercise due diligence and discretion when giving away business cards. PNP Spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Wilben M Mayor said business cards are purposely designed as essential tools for effective communication and should never be used for any other purpose, much more, to get away with a traffic citation, to peddle influence or to seek special favors. “In case of doubt, law enforcers who will be confronted in a situation involving a name-dropping traffic violator should simply do their job of enforcing the law,” Mayor said. This developed as a ranking police official whose name has been unduly dragged into a controversy in social media involving a lady driver who posted his business card in social media. Chief Superintendent Alexander C Ignacio, Acting PNP Director for Plans, who is currently on official mission abroad to represent the PNP in an international conference issued a statement to clarify issues surrounding the controversy. “First of all, I categorically deny that I personally know Alyzza Agustin, who claimed that she used my business card to avoid getting a traffic citation,” Ignacio said. He added, “the card which she posted is not an official PNP business card representing my office, my rank, and my designation.” Ignacio clarified, “I am a Chief Superintendent (1 Star rank) and not a Police Director (2 Stars). Alyzza Agustin is not my Executive Assistant and there is no such position in my office.” “I do give my business card to those who request it. But it goes with the implied condition that it will not be used to violate laws, to shorten prescribed procedures, and for illegal gain. I will not tolerate the use of my business card, the facilities of my office or the privileges of my rank for unlawful purposes” Ignacio said. Ignacio appealed to netizens to be more circumspect in passing judgment thru social media particularly on the basis of unverified and inaccurate information. “I am currently in Malaysia giving a presentation for the Philippine National Police for an Aseanapol conference and that is why I could not respond sooner.” Ignacio said.(PNP-PIO) |TOP| 100% of Mayon-affected schools resume classes Source: http://www.deped.gov.ph Albay—Ensuring continued delivery of basic education services to all learners in the province, the Department of Education (DepEd) resumed classes in all 78 schools affected by the declaration of Alert Level 3 for Mt. Mayon, September 30. DepEd schools continue to implement interventions to address the temporary displacement of classes due to temporary evacuation in 40 schools (as of September 29) functioning as evacuation centers. Interventions include provisions of temporary learning spaces (TLS), merging of classes, and other measures that have been proven effective in addressing education during emergencies. DepEd field offices are finalizing arrangements for procurement and distribution of 15,000 chairs and 300 TLS for the schools serving as evacuation centers. DepEd has issued a call for donations for additional tents, tarps, chairs, and learner’s kits for the affected learners in Albay. As of September 30, education partners have pledged around 12,000 learner’s kits and 190 TLS to DepEd. The Department will arrange its transport and deployment, if needed. Furthermore, the Department continues to work closely together with local government officials and education cluster partners in monitoring and supervising both the operation of evacuation centers and the delivery of education services to around 55,000 affected learners in Albay. |TOP| PHL to host regional conference to tackle Integration of Armed Violence Reduction in Development Agenda Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 01 October 2014 – The Department of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Government of Switzerland, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Secretariat of the Geneva Declaration, the Center for Peace Education of Miriam College, and the Office of the President, will be hosting the Regional Review Conference (RRC) for Asia and the Pacific on the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development from October 08 to 09 at the Manila Hotel. This event will bring together around 130 senior government representatives, decision- makers, technical experts, and practitioners from various sectors not just within Asia and the Pacific but from other regions as well to review the implementation process of the Geneva Declaration and to discuss in a meaningful manner the integration of armed violence reduction into the development agenda. The Geneva Declaration is a diplomatic initiative launched by Switzerland and UNDP in 2006. There are currently 112 countries and organizations supporting the Declaration's goal of reaching measurable reductions of the burden of armed violence by 2015 and beyond. The following topics will be discussed during the RRC: · Current challenges to armed violence reduction and prevention; · Dimensions of armed violence and insecurity in Asia and the Pacific; · From data collection to action: using data for action and measuring results; · Cities as actors of armed violence prevention and reduction (AVPR); · The Role of National Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security in Preventing and Reducing Armed Violence; · Armed violence reduction within the post-2015 agenda; · Community-based conflict prevention and conflict resolution strategies and approaches; · Youth as change factor; · The importance of security and justice providers for peace and development; · Armed violence reduction in post-conflict situations: between disarmament and development; · The role of media in armed violence reduction and prevention (AVRP) and development; · Controlling the tools of violence; and · Women and Dialogue. This RRC for the Asia and the Pacific comes on the heels of the successful RRC for the Americas, which Guatemala hosted last March. Morocco and Kenya are scheduled to host the RRCs for the Middle East/North Africa/Sahel and Africa, respectively, later this year. |TOP| PHL Consulate General in Milan Joins JIL’s 22nd anniversary celebration Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 01 October 2014 – The Philippine Consulate General in Milan participated in the 22nd anniversary celebration of Jesus is Lord (JIL) Church on September 28 at Teatro della Luna, Assago, Milan. Vice Consul Maria Rosanna Josue delivered remarks to the more than 2,000 faithful who attended the event, emphasizing the importance of perpetuating Filipino values such as love of God, country, family and the Filipino language. Also in attendance were Pag-IBIG Milan representative Brigitte Mahor and other consular personnel. Milan was the last stop of a two-month intercontinental preaching tour of JIL founder, Brother Eddie Villanueva. JIL Milan, which was established twenty-two years ago, has 18 satellite churches at the periphery of the City of Milan. It boasts a 2,000-strong membership. The high-energy anniversary celebration counted on the participation of young and talented Filipinos who performed in the choir, dance and musical presentations. The six-hour event was capped with a healing prayer for cancer victims and a special prayer for the leaders of the Philippine government. |TOP| Whatchamacallit? DOST-PAGASA unravels its typhoon-naming system Source: http://www.dost.gov.ph When “Kanor” was suddenly dropped from the rolls and “Karding” made it to the list, the procedure of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PAGASA) in naming typhoons naturally took the limelight. According to Venus Valdemoro, DOST-PAGASA’s information officer, the names used this year for typhoons were actually names that had been used four years ago. She said that the country’s weather bureau has been recycling typhoon names for the past few years. “Prior to this (“Kanor” event), we already have lists of typhoon names which we will use again after four years,” explains Valdemoro. “Kanor” was the controversial typhoon name in September that had to be replaced with the more somber “Karding” to avoid “negative thoughts.” Normally, DOST-PAGASA yearly prepares a list of 20 names corresponding to the average number of typhoons that enter the country per year. When all the names have been used up, and typhoons are still coming, Valdemoro says that the Bureau has contingencies. “We have auxiliary names up to 10, starting from letter A to letter J.” PAGASA currently has four sets of names that are used in rotation every four years. However, PAGASA is open to changes and or drop certain typhoon names with the recommendation of the public or any organization subject for deliberation. Valdemoro says that the lists were generated in 1999 when DOST-PAGASA held a “Name a Bagyo Contest” on typhoon names, eliciting active response from the public who sent in a huge number of suggestions including that from Overseas Foreign Workers (OFWs). However, names of typhoons that were destructive, resulting in at least P1 billion in damages or have caused at least 300 deaths, are decommissioned. Moreover, Valdemoro says that the Weather Forecasting Section of DOST-PAGASA’s Weather Division is responsible in assigning names for tropical storms that were decommissioned. Examples are Pepeng or Parma in 2009 with maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h that caused P27.3 billion in damages and 465 deaths; Frank or Fengshen in 2008 with 160km/h of winds, resulting in P13.5 billion in damages and 557 deaths; and Ondoy or Ketsana in 2009 which was classified by DOST-PAGASA as Severe Tropical Storm with 105 km/h of sustained winds, causing P11 billion in damages and 464 deaths. These are just some of the typhoon names that have been deleted from the list. Also, typhoon names that have semblance to prominent politicians and celebrities are not allowed to be in the lists as these may cause public ridicule. Same is true with other Filipino terminologies and phrases that are offensive to public decency. Presently, with the adoption of a gender sensitive workplace in government offices, DOST-PAGASA has sparingly used names of women as typhoon identifier. Instead, it uses a combination of Filipino names and inanimate terms such as “Labuyo” which pertains to a breed of local rooster. In regard to international names, the Typhoon Committee under the auspices of UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)/World Meteorological Organization (WMO) assign names from four sets of names submitted by the 14-member countries affected by typhoons. Names like Haiyan (Typhoon Yolanda), Nari (Santi), and Bopha (Typhoon Pablo) are some of the international names that have been used. Unlike the American and Filipino traditions, the names are not exclusively derived from people but includes names of flowers, animals, food, among others, and they are not in alphabetical order by name but rather in alphabetical order by the country that nominated the name. The tradition of naming tropical storms goes back in the middle of the 20th Century where American forecasters named tropical storms after people, originally using only female names, using the names of U.S. navy and airforce pilots and forecasters wives and or girlfriends. It was in 1963 when Philippine forecasters from the DOST-PAGASA started assigning Filipino names to storms following the American practice. Originally, only female nicknames ending in “ing” following the original 19 Filipino alphabet were assigned corresponding to the average of 19 or 20 tropical cyclones that enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility. (S&T Media Service) |TOP| NEDA releases document for monitoring results of post-Yolanda reconstruction Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph MANILA – The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has already released online a document on the overall results framework for monitoring progress in Typhoon Yolanda-related reconstruction. The Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda’s (RAY) Implementation for Results, a companion document of Build Back Better released in December 2013, presents an overall results monitoring framework of RAY in line with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016. “Implementation for Results highlights the large portion of the recovery and reconstruction needs related to the private sector, both individuals and enterprises. It provides a framework to ensure close alignment between the objectives of the recovery of the rehabilitation program and the PDP,” the document stated. Also, it highlights key policy and program initiatives under implementation or consideration by four clusters such as: 1. Livelihoods and business development, 2. Housing and resettlement, 3. Social services, and 5. Infrastructure. “A results framework is provided as a basis for planning and monitoring the impact of recovery and rehabilitation activities with the goal ‘to establish resilient, sustainable regions with high and sustainable growth, able to withstand and recover from disasters faster and better,’ ” the report said. Furthermore, the report identifies policies, operational strategies, and roles and responsibilities for implementation to guide decisions affecting short- and medium term recovery and rehabilitation. “Thus, stakeholders can use this document to identify priority programs responsive to recovery and rehabilitation needs, identify and address gaps and constraints, monitor and assess on-going progress to ensure the recovery and rehabilitation program stays on track to achieve its intended results,” the report said. To access/download the Implementation for Results, please go to http://www.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ray_ver2_final6.pdf |TOP| SSS to launch new contact center for OFWs Source: http://www.sss.gov.ph Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) will have easier means to benefit from the programs and services of the Social Security System (SSS) with the launching of the newly created OFW Contact Center Unit (OFW-CSU), starting October this year. SSS Senior Vice President and International Operations Division Head Judy Frances A. See said the new unit will handle direct contact points for OFWs to allow for a more differentiated servicing and faster resolution of their SSS concerns. For its initial operations, the OFW-CSU will provide dedicated e-mail support and local call services from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm on weekdays. In addition, a special assistance desk will be available at the SSS main office in Diliman, Quezon City for walk-in transactions of OFWs, such as registration and issuance of SS numbers, enrollment in Flexi-fund Program, and verification of SSS records. It will also provide OFW members assistance in filing their loans, benefit claims and other SSS applications. “We understand the unique circumstances of our Kababayan abroad, and so we continue to find ways to make the SSS more accessible to them. The creation of a specialized contact unit for OFWs will enable us to identify their distinct needs and address them accordingly. It will also help us manage the level of transactions with other member service facilities more effectively,” See explained. OFWs and their families in the Philippines can reach the OFW-CSU by e-mail at ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph or through their service hotlines, (02) 364-7796 and (02) 364-7798. See added that additional channels and service facilities have been lined up for implementation to fully complement the unit's operations. “We will open international toll-free numbers so OFWs across the globe can call us without having charges on their end. OFW-CSU's operating hours will also be extended to 24/7 once the required systems are in place,” See said. Other services that will be rolled out soon include online contact points that utilize VoIP and instant messaging platforms. “This is still part of our campaign to reach out to Filipino workers here and abroad and ensure their continuing coverage under the SSS. We want not only to increase SSS membership of OFWs but also to ensure active membership. Considering the voluntary nature of their coverage, we can only achieve both by giving them a consistent good experience with our services,” See said. The SSS reported a total of 983,262 OFW members as of June 2014. Based on the 2013 POEA Compendium of OFW Statistics, more than 1.8-million OFWs were deployed in 2013, of which 464,888 were new hires. |TOP| DA-PRDP boosts gov’t transparency through CSO partnership Source: http://www.da.gov.ph The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) partners with various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in a bid to boost government transparency in implementing and monitoring projects aimed to alleviate poverty in the country’s rural areas. As part of the initiative, representatives from World Bank, CSOs, and PRDP conducted a participatory visit in one of the PRDP’s pilot provinces, Oriental Mindoro on September 22-24, 2014.Along with this, training on geo-tagging was also conducted to equip the volunteers the basic knowledge on monitoring using the tool. PRDP Deputy Project Director Arnel de Mesa said that the activity aims to test geo-tagging with the CSOs as a major tool in monitoring PRDP sub-projects as well as promoting transparency. He added that geo-tagging is a homegrown tool first used under the Mindanao Rural Development Program in 2011 in response to the problems in monitoring conflict and remote areas in the region. De Mesa also told the participants that geo-tagging can be used to verify and prevent duplication of projects. Moreover, it can be used as a complementing tool in the procurement system. World Bank Senior Procurement Specialist Noel Sta. Ines said that CSOs’ participation as well as of the local community is important not only to prevent corruption and incompetence, but also to share the positive things that the government is undertaking. He added that geo-tagging can be used in various sub-projects not only by the DA but also by other government agencies. With this innovation, project implementers will have scientific basis in putting up projects like farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, farm animal dispersal, and reforestation, among others. Oriental Mindoro Vice Governor Humerlito Dolor who welcomed the participants expressed his gratitude with the assistance expressed by the DA through the PRDP. Meanwhile, Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific (ANSA-EAP) Executive Director Redempto Parafina said that they are offering constructive engagement and social accountability through the initiative. He added that involvement of citizens in monitoring projects for the public can help enhance the government’s performance and credibility. ANSA-EAP, is a non-stock, non-profit corporation with geographic network composed of seven country convener groups in four countries— Cambodia, Indonesia, Mongolia, and Philippines aimed at connecting citizens and governments to improve governance. It will serve as an intermediary between the DA and the CSOs involved in the project. Aside from lecture on geo-tagging, the group also visited the Bagong Silang-Macatoc FMR Concreting Project and geo-tagged the area. The FMR is the first sub-project approved by the World Bank outside Mindanao. It aims to support calamansi farmers and traders in the province. Calamansi is the priority commodity proposed by Oriental Mindoro, which the province is known for. However, due to factors like farm devastation from pest infestations, strong typhoons, unstable prices, ageing trees, and to some extent, crop conversion the production of calamansi in the province decreased in the past years. Aside from the FMR in Victoria, other proposed sub-projects under the PRDP for Oriental Mindoro are trading and processing centers and other FMRs to support the calamansi value chain. The participatory visit was attended by various CSOs from the national and local levels including: Ateneo School of Government (ASOG), Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology (MinSCAT), National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Partnership of Philippines Support Service Agencies (PHILSSA), National Conference of Small Farmers and Fishers (PAKISAMA), and Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers. Sta. Ines said this is only an initial activity and further collaboration is expected between the CSOs and the DA, and hopefully with other government agencies. PRDP is a six-year rural development project of the DA which aims to put in place strategic marketing assistance and infrastructure development to support the value chain of priority agri-products in the countryside. (Cath Nanta, DA-AFID) |TOP| Sec. Alcala inaugurates Quezon Agri-Pinoy Trading & Processing Center Source: http://www.da.gov.ph Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala inaugurated, on September 26, 2014, the Quezon Agri-Pinoy Trading & Processing Center (APTPC), a 5000 square meter village type corn-processing center in Tayabas. The PhP 28.2 million trading center shall be managed and operated by Isa Akong Magsasaka Foundation Inc. (IAMFI) in an interim capacity for five years or until a federated farmers’ cooperative is organized and capacitated to do so. Sec. Alcala shares: "Kabilin-bilinan sa akin ni Pangulong Noynoy, everywhere you go there should be interaction with stakeholders para may feedback." "Utang na loob namin ito sa inyo. Marunong makinig ang Kagawaran at ang Kalihim sa inyo, aming mga stakeholders," he added. The secretary stressed that all the policies that DA implements emanates from the nationwide consultation with farmers. The facility, once fully operational, will enable farmers to harvest even during rainy reason while maintaining the quality of corn.Drying facilities will eventually be added. In 2010, the Philippines’ corn import amounted to PhP 28 billion, but by this year the Agri-Pinoy National Corn Program reports that the country is already 98% sufficient. The newly-opened center is expected to generate income for corn farmers as trading facilitator and service provider. The center will facilitate the trading of marketable corn stocks of farmers to bulk buyers who offer the highest possible price for volume deliveries. It will also provide services such as trading/warehousing, drying/shelling, land preparation, and trucking to participating farmers. The Quezon APTPC has five project components namely: trading center and warehousing facility; postharvest facility (mechanical corn dryer/sheller); farm machineries (motorized 4 wheel tractors); trucking services; and agricultural extension, training, and cooperative development services. Acting Tayabas Mayor Wenda de Torres said the inaugurated center will surely advance agriculture programs and encourage the more than 3,000 farmer beneficiaries to plant more corn. |TOP| Sandiganbayan convicts former Leyte mayor of graft Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph The Sandiganbayan convicted Lilo-an, Southern Leyte former Mayor Zenaida Maamo of violating Section 3(h) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) in connection with the award of catering services to provide food during the visit of former President Fidel Ramos in 1995. Ombudsman prosecutors established that Maamo was the owner of Niña’s Eatery and Lodging House that bagged the food catering contract amounting to P87,000.00. Documents presented during the trial showed that the Purchase Request and Purchase Order for the food services contract were signed by Maamo. Maamo’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) for the years 1996 to 1999 served as incontrovertible proof of her ownership of Niña’s Eatery as listed in her business interest and/or other financial concern in the SALNs. Section 3(h) of R.A. No. 3019 prohibits public officials from having a direct or indirect financial or pecuniary interest in any business, contract or transaction in which he either intervenes or takes part in his official capacity. In the Decision promulgated on September 22, 2014 and penned by Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta, the court stated that “it was highly irregular for a Municipal Mayor to approve a contracting service in favor of a business she owned and operated,” adding that “in this case, accused evidently committed a palpable violation of the law by having engaged in a business transaction with the Municipality of Lilo-an by approving the food catering service in favor of Niña’s Eatery.” Maamo was sentenced to suffer an indeterminate penalty of imprisonment of six years and one month as minimum to ten years as maximum, with perpetual disqualification to hold public office. |TOP| Forum bats for reforms in labor, industrial policy to achieve inclusive growth Source: http://www.pids.gov.ph There`s a glimmer of hope for inclusive growth with the government taking steps particularly in the area of labor and industrial policy as well as human capital development. PIDS President Gilberto Llanto made this assessment Tuesday (September 23, 2014) as he wrapped up the 12th Development Policy Research Month (DPRM) Seminar that tackled labor policy reforms, the revival of the manufacturing industry, and issues in the educational sector. The seminar was the highlight of the nationwide DPRM observance, spearheaded by PIDS in September every year. Llanto cited the Industry Development Program being spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), under which sectoral roadmaps were consolidated into a Manufacturing Industry Roadmap that seeks to hike manufacturing`s contribution to both value added and employment. Our neighbors have relied on labor-intensive manufacture to grow their economy and have taken advantage of regional production networks. Their economy grew and their people have gotten out of the poverty trap and have enjoyed higher standard of living, Llanto said. Resource persons at the DPRM seminar held at NEDA sa Makati Building, titled Forum on Addressing the Jobs Challenge toward Inclusive Growth, included PIDS Senior Research Fellows Aniceto Orbeta and Rosario Manasan, PIDS Visiting Research Fellow Vicente Paqueo, Benjamin Dalumpines of the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS), Executive Director Ma. Corazon Dichosa of the DTI Investment Policy and Planning Service, and Executive Director Marissa Legaspi of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Dichosa said some 50 separate roadmaps outlining measures to enhance competitiveness would be ready by next year, including the 30 earlier submitted to the DTI. The government is pursuing an industrial policy that promotes the resurgence of an international competitive manufacturing sector, she said. The long-term vision is to become hubs in regional and global production networks for auto, electronics, machinery, garments, food, and others. Llanto said the consolidated roadmap, crafted by PIDS, should spur the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that would help address poverty and inequality. Development of SMEs is a pillar of the envisioned ASEAN Economic Community or AEC, Llanto noted. TESDA`s Legaspi presented the Philippine Qualifications Framework, which will facilitate mobility of labor within the region through the ASEAN mutual recognition arrangements. The framework, which aims to adopt national standards and levels of outcomes of education, is an important step toward addressing the problem of job-skills mismatch, Legaspi said. PIDS Senior Research Fellow Rosario Manasan, for her part, called for a more efficient allocation of resources in the educational sector, pointing out that many state universities and colleges (SUCs) recorded zero board examination passing rates during the years 2005-2011, and the list of SUCs with passing rates below the national average is even longer. Fifty to 90 percent of programs offered are outside the mandates of SUCs, Manasan noted. Faculty development is key to improving quality, she said. |TOP|

Last Updated: 01 OCTOBER 2014 President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, during the Courtesy Call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (October 01). Also in photo are Shaikh Khalifa Bin Rashed Al Khalifa, Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Khalifa and Honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Philippines Amable Aguiluz IX. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur -Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, during the Courtesy Call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (October 01). Also in photo are Shaikh Khalifa Bin Rashed Al Khalifa and Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Khalifa. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with members of the 7th Philippine Contingent to the Golan Heights awardees for a group photo souvenir during the Heroes’ Welcome at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (October 01). Also in photo are Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr. (Photos by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Heroes’ Welcome for the 7th Philippine Contingent to the Golan Heights at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (October 01). Also in photo is Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr. (Photos by Benhur Arcayan / Gil Nartea / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the Heroes’ Welcome for the 7th Philippine Contingent to the Golan Heights at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (October 01). Also in photo are Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr. (Photos by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) President Benigno S. Aquino III presents the medals to members of the 7th Philippine Contingent to the Golan Heights during the awarding ceremony of the Heroes’ Welcome at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (October 01). (Photos by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr., presents the medals to members of the 7th Philippine Contingent to the Golan Heights during the awarding ceremony during the Heroes’ Welcome at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (October 01). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Energy Smart Philippines 2014 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday (September 30). With the theme: “Clean Energy Solutions for a Sustainable and Competitive Philippines,” Energy Smart Philippines aims to promote the advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technology, increase awareness among stakeholders on energy issues and business opportunities in the country. Also in photo is Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla during the Energy Smart Philippines 2014 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday (September 30). With the theme: “Clean Energy Solutions for a Sustainable and Competitive Philippines,” Energy Smart Philippines aims to promote the advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technology, increase awareness among stakeholders on energy issues and business opportunities in the country. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Energy Smart Philippines 2014 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday (September 30). With the theme: “Clean Energy Solutions for a Sustainable and Competitive Philippines.” Energy Smart Philippines aims to promote the advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technology, increase awareness among stakeholders on energy issues and business opportunities in the country. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Ryan Lim / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and views the exhibit on the promotion and advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency during the Energy Smart Philippines 2014 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday (September 30). With the theme: “Clean Energy Solutions for a Sustainable and Competitive Philippines,” Energy Smart Philippines aims to promote the advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technology, increase awareness among stakeholders on energy issues and business opportunities in the country. Also in photo is European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines vice president Guenter Taus. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and views the exhibit on the promotion and advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency during the Energy Smart Philippines 2014 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday (September 30). With the theme: “Clean Energy Solutions for a Sustainable and Competitive Philippines,” Energy Smart Philippines aims to promote the advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technology, increase awareness among stakeholders on energy issues and business opportunities in the country.(Photo by Ryan Lim / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and views the exhibit on the promotion and advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency during the Energy Smart Philippines 2014 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday (September 30). With the theme: “Clean Energy Solutions for a Sustainable and Competitive Philippines,” Energy Smart Philippines aims to promote the advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technology, increase awareness among stakeholders on energy issues and business opportunities in the country. Also in photo are Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla and European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines vice president Guenter Taus. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and views the exhibit on the promotion and advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency during the Energy Smart Philippines 2014 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday (September 30). With the theme: “Clean Energy Solutions for a Sustainable and Competitive Philippines,” Energy Smart Philippines aims to promote the advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technology, increase awareness among stakeholders on energy issues and business opportunities in the country. Also in photo is Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Thursday (September 25) upon arrival from his successful working visits to Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, and the United States. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Thursday (September 25) upon arrival from his successful working visits to Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, and the United States. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan Malacañang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Thursday (September 25) from his successful working visits to Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, and the United States. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) (NEW YORK, New York) President Benigno S. Aquino III tours the City of New York, walking across Park Avenue with Cabinet Secretary Jose Almendraz. (Photo by Robert Vinas / Malacanang Photo Bureau) (NEW YORK, New York) President Benigno S. Aquino III with Lee Bollinger, President Columbia University after the program of the World Leaders Forum Tuesday (September 23) at the Low Library Rorunda of the Columbia University. (Photo by Robert Vinas / Malacanang Photo Bureau) (NEW YORK, New York) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech at the Columbia University World Leaders Forum Tuesday (September 23) at the Low Library Rotunda of the Columbia University. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Robert Vinas / Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau) (NEW YORK, New York) President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the business roundtable with the CEO's and senior officials from the US Chamber of Commerce, the US-ASEAN Business Council and the US-Philippine Society held at the Omni Berkshire Place here. (Photo by Robert Vinas / Malacanang Photo Bureau) (President Benigno S. Aquino III answers inquiries of CEO's and officials from the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-ASEAN Business Council in a roundtable conference at the Omni Hotel her on Tuesday (September 23). The roundtable conference aims to facilitate smooth business transactions between US companies and the Philippines. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau) Please email us at pcoo.edp@gmail.com if you need a copy of last week's photo releases of PNOY