GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz:
-Lumabas na ng PAR ang bagyong Paeng kaninang umaga.
-Sa ngayon, hanging Amihan ang nakakaapekto sa Luzon at ITCZ ang nakakaapekto sa Mindanao.
-Umaga pa lang ay asahan na ang ulan sa Caraga at Northern Mindanao.
-Uulan din sa Eastern at Central Visayas.
-Mahinang ulan ang asahan sa Northern Luzon at CALABARZON.
-Sa Metro Manila, may tsansa ng ulan sa madaling araw.
-Lumabas na ng PAR ang bagyong Paeng kaninang umaga.
-Sa ngayon, hanging Amihan ang nakakaapekto sa Luzon at ITCZ ang nakakaapekto sa Mindanao.
-Umaga pa lang ay asahan na ang ulan sa Caraga at Northern Mindanao.
-Uulan din sa Eastern at Central Visayas.
-Mahinang ulan ang asahan sa Northern Luzon at CALABARZON.
-Sa Metro Manila, may tsansa ng ulan sa madaling araw.
PAGASA weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar on DZMM:
-Walang nakikitang sama ng panahon sa susunod na tatlong araw.
-Pero apektado ng intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) ang Mindanao.
-Dahil dito, asahan ang mahina hanggang katamtamang pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog sa Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Central Visayas at mga lalawigan sa Leyte.
-Asahan sa Huwebes na magiging maaliwalas ang panahon sa mga lugar na sinalanta ng bagyong Yolanda dahil sa paggalaw ng ITCZ.
-Pero pagpasok ng November 7-8, anibersaryo ng pagtama ng Super Typhoon Yolanda, magiging maulan uli.
-Samantala, ngayong araw ng Miyerkules, pulo-pulong pag-ulan naman ang aasahan sa Cagayan Valley, Cordillera at Ilocos regions, dahil ito sa Amihan o Northeast Monsoon.
-Bahagyang maulap lamang na may pulo-pulong pag-ulan o pagkidlat-pagkulog naman sa Metro Manila at nalalabing bahagi ng bansa.
-May gale warning pa rin sa eastern seaboards ng Northern at Central Luzon sa ngayon.
-Walang nakikitang sama ng panahon sa susunod na tatlong araw.
-Pero apektado ng intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) ang Mindanao.
-Dahil dito, asahan ang mahina hanggang katamtamang pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog sa Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Central Visayas at mga lalawigan sa Leyte.
-Asahan sa Huwebes na magiging maaliwalas ang panahon sa mga lugar na sinalanta ng bagyong Yolanda dahil sa paggalaw ng ITCZ.
-Pero pagpasok ng November 7-8, anibersaryo ng pagtama ng Super Typhoon Yolanda, magiging maulan uli.
-Samantala, ngayong araw ng Miyerkules, pulo-pulong pag-ulan naman ang aasahan sa Cagayan Valley, Cordillera at Ilocos regions, dahil ito sa Amihan o Northeast Monsoon.
-Bahagyang maulap lamang na may pulo-pulong pag-ulan o pagkidlat-pagkulog naman sa Metro Manila at nalalabing bahagi ng bansa.
-May gale warning pa rin sa eastern seaboards ng Northern at Central Luzon sa ngayon.
PIA-4A/RIZAL: The Philippine
National Police Foundation recently turned over 20 computer sets and printers
to the Rizal Provincial Police Office" Taytay, Rizal this November 3. The
said computers provided by Antipolo 2nd District Congressman Romeo Acop and the
foundation will be distributed to the various sections and field units of
PNP-Rizal.
PIA-4A/QUEZON: The provincial
government of Quezon celebrates today the 173rd martyrdom of Apolinario de la
Cruz a.k.a. Hermano Puli in a simple ceremony held at Puli Shrine in Brgy.
Isabang, Tayabas City. Hermano Puli is a local hero of Quezon Province who
fought against the Spaniards to achieve religion freedom.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Nagsasagawa
ngayon ng bloodletting activity ang Provincial Blood Council at Philippine
National Red Cross sa bayan ng Cuenca na naglalayong makakalap mg sapat na dugo
para sa mga nangangailangang maysakit sa lalawigan ng Batangas.
PIA-4A/CALAMBA CITY: The city
government recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the Flood Awareness and Community
Awareness (FACE) project. Under the MOU, webcams and alarm system will be
installed in strategic areas connected to the Public Order and Safety Office to
monitor the level of water in tributaries and in Laguna De Bay during inclement
weather and warn residents that may possibly be affected by the sudden rise of
floodwaters.
PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The Cavinti Cave
System, according to DENR Region 4A Calabarzon, has been classified as Class
II, open for ecotourism subject to observance of relevant rules and
regulations, and seasonal closure due to flooding inside the cave.
PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The Department of
Tourism said recently that the Cavinti Cave System is a candidate for
ecotourism destination in Region IV-A which conform with the categories for the
selection of priority sites such as its physical attributes, eco-tourism products,
social preparedness, market, institutional aspect and accessibility.
1. Tagalog
news: Bumababang bilang ng coral reefs sa Batangas City, binigyang pansin
- November
04, 2014
LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Nob. 4 (PIA) ― Napag-alaman na
umabot na sa ‘poor condition’ ang kalagayan ng mga bahura o coral reefs sa mga
baybayin ng lungsod na ito.
Ito ay ayon sa ulat ni Noel Mendoza, kasapi ng Batangas
Community Drivers Inc. sa regular na sesyon ng Sangguniang Panlungsod
kamakailan.
Base sa ginawang pag-aaral ng Batangas Community Drivers
Inc. na pinondohan ng United Nations World Food Program, nasa 25.83
porsyento na lamang ang mga coral reefs sa baybayin ng lungsod.
Ayon kay Mendoza, nakakaalarma diumano ang datos na ito
sapagkat ang mga bahura ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit hindi nakararanas ng
malalakas na bagyo ang lungsod.
Aniya, ang isang uri ng bahura na kung tawagin ay boulder
reef ang pumipigil at bumabasag sa malakas na hampas na hangin at alon kung may
dumarating na bagyo.
Samantala, isa sa mga itinuturong dahilan ng pagkasira ng
coral reefs ay ang Coral Bleaching―isang epekto ng Climate Change na
nagreresulta ng sobrang pag-init ng ating mga karagatan.
Dagdag pa ni Mendoza na ang kapabayaan ng tao ang mas
malaking rason sa pagkasira ng bahura. Ilan dito aniya ang pagputol sa mga
bakawan o mangroves, reclamation operations at ang simpleng pagtatapon ng
basura.
Umapela naman ng tulong si Mendoza sa Committee on
Environment na gumawa ng hakbang upang maprotektahan ang nalalabing 25
porsyento ng coral reefs.
“Kung ito aniya ay maiingatan, malaki ang posibilidad na
lumago ulit ito sapagkat bagamat napakabagal, ang mga bahura ay may buhay at
ito ay lumalaki bawat taon,” ani Mendoza. (JJSanchez, Batangas City
PIO/PIA-Batangas/FSC, PIA-4A)
2. Tagalog
news: Paggunita ng Undas sa lungsod ng Batangas, mapayapa
- November
03, 2014
LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Nob. 3 (PIA) ― Maituturing na 'generally
safe' ang nagdaang paggunita ng araw ng mga patay at kaluluwa sa lungsod na
ito.
Ito ay ayon sa opisyal na ulat na isinumite ng City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) sa tanggapan ng punong lungsod at CDRRMC Chairman Eduardo Dimacuha.
Ayon sa ulat, dalawang kaso lamang ng major injuries ang naitala sa isinagawa nilang 'Oplan Kaluluwa' simula noong ika-31 ng Oktubre.
Ang isa ay inatake ng hypertension samantalang ang isa naman ay nasugatan sa sa magkahiwalay na sementeryo na Mt. Zion Memorial Park at Bolbok Public Cemetery. Agad namang nilapatan ng lunas at dinala ang mga biktima sa Batangas Medical Center.
Ang Mt. Zion Memorial Park at Bolbok Public Cemetery ay dalawa lamang sa pitong istasyon na minanduhan ng CDRRMO. Kabilang sa mga nasabing istasyon ang Roman Catholic Cemetery, Batangas Floral Garden, Eternal Garden at Philippine Ports Authority.
Ayon pa sa ulat ng CDRRMO, limang kaso lamang ng minor injuries ang kanilang naitala habang 93 naman ang nagpatingin ng blood pressure sa halos tatlong araw nilang pagbabantay sa mga sementeryo sa lungsod.
Ilan sa mga departamento ng pamahalaang lungsod na nakibahagi sa Oplan Kaluluwa ay ang City Health Office, Traffic Development and Regulatory Office, Defense and Security Service, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Red Cross at Batangas City PNP. (JJSanchez, PIO-Batangas City/PIA-Batangas/FSC, PIA-4A)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/681414996547/tagalog-news-paggunita-ng-undas-sa-lungsod-ng-batangas-mapayapa#sthash.jjFOi2tE.dpuf
LAGUNA
1. DTI releases P1.39-M partial development
fund for Cabuyao Coffee Industry
- November
04, 2014
CABUYAO CITY, Laguna, Nov. 4 (PIA) ― The Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) recently awarded the City Government of Cabuyao a
development fund worth P4.3 million for its coffee industry with
Casile-Guinting Farmers Cooperative as the main proponent.
City Mayor Isidro Hemedes Jr. received on Monday the
check worth P1.3 million, representing the first tranche of the development
fund.
Said development fund will be allocated for conduct of value
chain analysis, training of stakeholders on coffee production including
capabilities building and financial management.
It is also intended for product development, packaging and
branding, marketing as well as promotion strategies including provision of
infrastructure such as selling kiosks and outlets.
DTI Regional Director Marilou Quinco-Toledo said that
Laguna has the biggest allocation on the Grassroots Participatory
Budgeting (GPB) Program amounting to P10.65 million.
The GPB Program aims to achieve inclusive growth and poverty
reduction, promoting good governance at the local level. (FSC, PIA-4A
with reports from DTI-4A)
2. Calabarzon trade mission affirms US
export ops
- November
03, 2014
CALAMBA CITY, Nov. 3 (PIA) ― Export opportunities for
small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) thrive in the United States West
Coast, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) report says.
In an official report, DTI stated that the products
presented by the Calabarzon SMEs entrepreneurs to the wholesale distributors
during their trade and study mission in California passed the standards set by
the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).
Said trade and study mission was conducted to
examine United States of America as a potential market for the products of the
region.
Obtaining successful results, manufacturers can now
export their products provided that they will only use US-based firms’
brands and will comply with the regulations on the use of food coloring media.
“We know now the processes on how to export to the
US-based distributors, the requirements of the USFDA for food and beauty
products, requirements of cargo forwarders, custom duties, tariffs, and other
forms of taxes,” Toledo said.
“Our products have easily captured the interest of the
wholesalers. There is a big potential for SME products in the US as the
qualities of these products are high so we can compete with other US-exporting
countries. We are satisfied with the results so far thus we plan to be back in
the Pistahan next year,” Toledo added.
The SMEs products were first showcased in the 21st Annual
Pistahan Festival─a trade fair organized by a Filipino-American─held in
California, downtown of San Francisco.
Among SMEs that showcased their products were Choco Vron
Global Corporation, Ai-She Footwear, Silver Handicrafts, DVAS Enterprises, -
Violeta Saligumba, Makiling Organics, Zenaida Corcuera Food Products, Jhaz Footwear,
Escaba Food Poducts, La Carlota Foods, Oryspa Spa Soliutions, and Amarich
Marketing.
Products include food items (coffee, banana chips),
health and wellness (turmeric, lemongrass tea), fashion accessories,
footwear, and rice bran-based beauty products.
Reports indicated that most of the products did not
arrive in time for the fair due to some circumstances and only those
hand-carried items were sold. However, total sales amounted to $17, 262
based on the official report of DTI. (FSC, PIA-4A with reports from
DTI-4A)
3. Ecowise PH extends services to
Calabarzon SMEs
- November
03, 2014
LAGUNA, Nov. 3 (PIA) ― At least 10 small and medium-scale
enterprises (SMEs) based in Calabarzon are currently benefiting in the
consultation services of Ecowise Philippines, a South Korea-based firm that
promotes green growth business opportunities for SMEs in Asia and Europe.
Among the selected SMEs are Saffron Philippines, Inc.,
A.M Rieta Chemicals, Balayong Summit Inc., Hoecheng Philippines
Corporation, CSM Philippines, Jhaz Footwear, Oryspa, Escaba Food Products,
Bugong Roast Chicken, and Chocovron.
Ecowise Philippines, a consulting firm commissioned
by ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation center based in Seoul, South Korea is conducting
said consultation services to encourage SMEs integrate eco-innovation― any
innovation that precedes any decrease in environmental impact―into their
schemes.
Consultation services include advisories in forms of
improvement measures on materials wastages, water quality, heat energy
usage and recovery.
The said Korean firm also trains SMEs to comply with
environmental regulations using the ISO 14000 environmental management standard
as the framework.
DTI Calabarzon Regional Director Marilou Quinco-Toledo
said that the Korean assistance is timely since the DTI is gearing to
incorporate greening philosophies such as the Green Economic Development in its
development program and to be adopted by the SMEs.
“We are also motivated about eco-innovation since we
could dovetail it with our SSF project for our SMEs to be provided with
machinery, equipment or facilities to address environmental issues as well,”
Toledo added.
Ecowise Philippines started providing information on
green business opportunities and best practices of eco-innovation in
2013. (FSC, PIA-4A with reports from DTI-4A)
RIZAL
1. PNP Foundation Inc. turns over 20
desktop computers to Rizal PPO
- November
04, 2014
TAYTAY RIZAL, Nov. 4 (PIA) ― To efficiently render
public service, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Foundation Inc., donated
20 complete units of desktop computers to Rizal Police Provincial Office (PPO) recently.
The donation was made possible through the initiative of
Congressman Romeo Acop who continually helps Rizal PPO and the PNP organization
to achieve efficient public service and enhanced capabilities through the use
of advance technological equipment.
In his message during the turnover ceremony, Congressman
Acop emphasized the proper use of PNP funds including acquisitions for the
purpose of enhancing PNP’s operational and logistical requirements.
Said computer units will be used by various sections and
field units of Rizal PPO. (PIA-Rizal/Joel Custodio-PNP-Rizal/FSC, PIA-4A)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the Inauguration of Coca-cola FEMSA Philippines Canlubang Plant Expansion
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Canlubang City, Laguna
|
03 Nov. 2014
|
| Thank you. Good morning. His Excellency Julio Camarena, Ambassador of Mexico to the Philippines; Secretary Rene Almendras; Secretary Neric Acosta; Mr. Juan Ramon Felix; Mr. Juan Carlos Dominguez; Mr. Guillermo Jose Amador; Mr. Jorge Martinez; Congressman Jun Chipeco; Governor Ramil Hernandez; Mayor Timmy Chipeco; Usec. Ponciano Manalo Jr. of the DTI; officials and employees of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines; honored guests; fellow workers in government; mga minamahal ko pong kababayan: Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. The past 128 years have seen Coca-Cola evolve dramatically. It has gone from a concoction sold in soda fountains, to a remarkable phenomenon and brand, known not only for refreshing millions worldwide, but also for its determination to spread happiness. Here in the Philippines, Coca-Cola has certainly lived up to its goals. Your beverages are served in fiestas and parties, in all kinds of establishments, and even in our Cabinet meetings. It is well known that I drink a lot of your product, and since you are probably wondering, I will preempt the question and say, for the record: yes, my love life is still like Coke Zero. I hope that when I step down from the Presidency, it will at least go back to being like Coke Light. Kidding aside, the ubiquitous presence of Coke in the Philippines is a testament to the commitment you have displayed to our country, since operations first began here in 1912. That commitment has never wavered. I remember well the pledge that Coca-Cola Pacific Group president Glenn Jordan made to me just a couple of months after I assumed office in 2010: a billion dollar investment into the Philippines over the next five years, ostensibly by 2015. This announcement was especially heartening since, at the time, my Cabinet and I were heavily preoccupied with issues of corruption that we seemed to unearth every day. The problems we inherited appeared so vast that we thought it would take at least two years before the Philippines could start reaping the fruits of reform. Thanks to investors like you, we were able to jump-start the resurgence of the economy much sooner than anticipated. Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, together with the Coca-Cola Export Corporation surpassed this one billion target by investing over $511 million in the country on top of the $700 million acquisition of 51% of Coca-Cola Philippines in January of 2013, for a total of over $1.2 billion already invested into the Philippines. These funds went to the rehabilitation of the Tacloban Plant, the upgrade of the Misamis Oriental Plant, the acquisition of a new facility in Davao del Sur, and, of course, the expansion of this Canlubang Plant. By improving your operations through the most advanced technology available today, you have been able to increase production output to 265 million physical cases a year, as Mr. Felix mentioned earlier, and that’s only for Canlubang. I am pleased to hear the good news that your commitment does not end here; that, in fact, another $500 million in upgrades and other investments will come into the country by 2015, for a total of $1.7 billion in investments by next year. This is, indeed, a tremendous achievement. I believe that these kinds of strategic investments will ensure your longevity and your continued success. They reveal a keen awareness of the changing times in which we live: that success cannot be won on a single front, that complacency is unacceptable, and that we must continue to innovate and seek out new areas and potentials for growth. This, I believe, is why you are not only producing Coke and its related sodas, but also bottled water, juice, and tea drinks; this is why you have chosen the Canlubang Plant as the site for the installation of three of the world’s fastest bottling lines; this is why Coca-Cola FEMSA chose the Philippines as the country in which to establish its first presence in Asia. Another trait that sets you apart from many other businesses: Coca-Cola has always been a corporation that recognizes the need to ensure the parallel development of the community. The Philippines saw this most recently in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, or Yolanda as we call it. Together with the rest of the Coca-Cola system, Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines gave so generously to help relief and rehabilitation efforts. You did not stop at providing facilities, transport, and relief goods; you did your part to help survivors experience the happiness of the Filipino Christmas season, through Christmas parties, concerts, and Media Noche packages. You have also continued your support, through the promotion of hygiene practices in two of the municipalities affected most by Yolanda, and through a water treatment mobile plant that can be utilized in the aftermath of calamities to provide safe drinking water to affected areas. You also collaborated with Teach for the Philippines, empowering children to deal with high-risk situations such as bullying and peer pressure. Moreover, through rehabilitating your Tacloban Plant, you provided a much-needed infusion of opportunity and hope to communities determined to get back on their feet after the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan. The initiatives you have taken in your 20 months in the Philippines make it clear that you take your contributions to development seriously, not only in terms of business, but also and more importantly, in terms of inclusiveness. It is also, I believe, an expression of the way you see the Filipino people, who are themselves a perfect complement to everything that Coca Cola stands for. I could not help but notice that the majority of the values in your presentation are also values for which Filipinos are known all over the world. Indeed: My countrymen are creative, innovative, respectful, honest, and hardworking. The happiness you wish to attach to your brand can definitely found in the Philippines, where, as we say, it’s more fun. Perhaps more than any other audience, you are well aware of the fact that, when you bet on our people, they will do everything in their power to help you succeed. Today, as I congratulate you on the successful expansion of this facility, I must also express my gratitude for your constant presence in the Philippines, reaffirmed by these investments, which give our people a chance to showcase their abilities on a global stage. Happiness is your mission, and it is clear to me that it is not a gimmick: Coca-Cola FEMSA has brought happiness to thousands affected by Yolanda; to 8,000 men and women who can return to their homes every day content with the knowledge that they are earning a decent and respectable livelihood; and to millions more Filipinos whose lives you have affected, in one way or another. Rest assured: in our government, you have a steady partner. We are ready to listen, and to work with you, and help you prove that Coca-Cola’s decision to bet on the Philippines, whether in 1912 or in 2013, was the best decision you could have made. Congratulations. Thank you, and good day. |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Q & A following his attendance to the inauguration of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines
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| Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna |
| 03 November 2014 |
| ON ABU SAYYAF ANDREO CALONZO (GMA News Online): Sir, what do you think of ARMM Governor (Mujiv) Hataman’s proposal for the government to launch an all-out offensive against the Abu Sayyaf after the ambush that killed six of our soldiers in Basilan? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Hindi naman...Hindi tayo nagre-react, ano, nagiging proactive diyan. Tandaan ninyo noong pag-release ‘nung Germans, talagang marami ng operations ongoing at sabay-sabay. Hindi ko pwedeng tukuyin sa inyo specifically kung sino dahil parang inabisuhan ko na rin sa kanilang: ‘Maghanda kayo parating na ang tropa namin sa inyo.’ Basta iiwan ko na lang muna sa statement na halos practically every week nagme-meeting kami tungkol sa Abu Sayyaf at ano ang gagawin. Merong short term na hinahabol akong resulta at meron akong long term na resulta ring hinahanap. ‘Yung long term siyempre kailangan nating...Merong mga komunidad na marami silang kamag-anak na supportive sa kanila, kailangan nating mabawi itong mga komunidad na ito na itigil iyong pagsuporta sa mga Abu Sayyaf. Kailangan rin ng malakihang development hindi lang naman sa Sulu, hindi lang sa Basilan. Actually iyong mga nagbabantay na sundalo natin diyan, binabantayan nila ‘yung pagkatagal-tagal na circumferential road na hindi matapos-tapos. Ang pagkaintindi ko kapirasong-kapiraso na lang para makumpleto na ‘yang kalsadang ‘yan. Siyempre iyong mga ibang masasamang-loob, ayaw magkaroon ng mga infrastructure diyan kung saan magdudulot ng ‘di ba --- mga development, mga investment, mawawalan sila ‘nung mga nawalan ng pag-asa na nagiging recruit nila. So, talagang dapat nating asahan na habang ‘yung nalalapit ‘yong pagtatapos ‘nung kanilang --- ‘yung sitwasyon kung saan nagkaroon sila nga nitong pagkakataong magkaroon ng mga recruit at maghasik ng lagim ay talagang lalaban sila ng husto. Pero ina-assure tayo ng ating militar at kapulisan na supisiyente ang ating mga pwersa para malipol itong mga masasamang-loob na ito. So, ang minimum nating maasahan, ano, hindi tayo magpe-press release araw-araw na ito ang --- kumbaga score o running total. Basta ang instructions natin sa kaukulan ay walang humpay itong mga operations hanggang maubos natin ---meaning maaresto at madala sa korte lahat itong mga miyembro ng Abu Sayyaf. Mr. Calonzo: Sir, follow up na lang po, how big of a threat do you think the Abu Sayyaf is especially with the Bangsamoro peace process in mind and does the government plan to tap the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) to help in offensives against the Abu Sayyaf? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, ‘yung tap them right now not necessarily, ano. Again, we have sufficient forces. In Sulu, if I remember the briefing correctly, mga 200 raw ‘yung Abu Sayyaf and a potential another 200 na sympathizer. So you’re talking about 400. Now, we have several battalions, ‘pag several hindi one or --- hindi two, hindi three --- several battalions composed of some of our most elite forces and the regular line infantry battalions who are going to all of these mountain lairs and very heavily wooded jungle and dense areas to precisely deprive them of ‘yung --- para bang safe havens. So, basta picturin mo lang meron tayong imagery, tinaboy mo sa isang kampo, habol ka ng habol, hanggang talagang hahapuin natin sila sa kakahabol at masupil natin lahat. ON VP BINAY CHRISTIAN ESGUERRA (The Philippine Daily Inquirer): Sir, amid the corruption investigation against the Vice President and considering that the Vice President himself has been critical of the administration, do you think it’s time for the Vice President to leave your Cabinet or do you prefer that he stays? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, to be honest nakita ko na ‘yung headline ‘nung supposed to be critical siya ‘no. Aminin ko hindi ko nabasa ‘yung buong artikulo, sana nabasa ko. Ang dami lang medyo pumasok na nag-interrupt ‘nung pagbabasa ko niyang puntong ‘yan. Pero kung saka-sakaling sinabi ni Vice President iyon, siguro dalawa lang ang dapat nating maalala, ano: number one, kung palagay niya meron kaming kulang na ginagawa, miyembro siya ng Gabinete e di abisuhan niyo kami, kung hindi man mag-advise paano natin i-improve ‘yung sistema; at hindi choice iyon, obligasyon niya miyembro siya ng Gabinete. Kung palagay naman niyang mali ang direksyon namin e di siyempre malaya rin siyang hindi na sumama sa aming mga kilusan. Pero at the minimum, Vice President of the land, meron siyang mga criticisms, siguro kailangan para constructive meron ring solutions. And, again, para klaro, kung may solutions siya parang hindi ko yata narinig sa mga pagpupulong ng Gabinete itong mga solutions na ito. So, kung may solutions siya, sana sinihare (share) niya. Siyempre ang tanong bakit hindi niya sinishare? So, basahin ko mabuti ‘yung artikulong kung saan ko nakita na tila may mga kritisismo siya. Noong pagbasa ko ‘nung first two paragraphs medyo masyadong in general e, tingnan ko kung may specifics. Pero at the end of the day, iyong ini-espouse natin kalayaan. May kalayaan ang lahat na kumilos basta nasa ayon --- umaayon sa batas na sa kung ano ang palagay nilang tamang dapat gagawin. Pero ulitin ko lang, kung meron kang palagay na pagkukulang ng gobyerno, miyembro ka ng gobyerno, pangalawa kang pinakamataas na opisyal ng bansa, may obligasyon ka [na] ibahagi iyong kaalaman mo para magkaroon ng mas hustong solusyon kung palagay mo meron kang mas magagawa. Ms. Esguerra: Sir, but given these allegations of corruption against the Vice President and his family, do you still have trust and confidence in the Vice President? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, number one, this happened before his role in the Cabinet. Number two, kung ‘yung kanyang assignment with regards to housing ang pag-uusapan palagay ko naman maraming maituturong achievements ‘yung housing sector natin under our watch. Now, ‘yung...Again, it’s a credit also to the current regime ‘di ba na ‘yung pag-iimbestiga, no matter what your status is, is happening. Ngayon, meron rin naman sigurong karapatan ang Bise Presidente ng presumption of innocence until proven guilty. And at the present time, he is undergoing or they are undergoing one of the processes but there are other more formal processes that will have to be undertaken. And parang mali naman siguro ako ang magko-komentaryo kung ano ang dapat niyang gawin. Hindi naman ako hinihingan ng payo at paalala ko lang, obvious naman nakakatanda siya sa akin. Kung hindi siya humingi ng payo sa akin, huwag ko naman sigurong pangunahan na [paano ba tawag doon?] isubo sa kanya ‘yung mga payo. ON WALDEN BELLO Ms. Esguerra: Sir lastly, your own ally Representative (Walden) Bello has said that your administration was losing moral high ground because allegedly you were tolerating your own allies implicated in the DAP and pork barrel issues? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, ‘yung...Binasa ko ‘yung article kanina at napakarami --- napakalawak ng reklamo niya, ano. Siguro para bigyan ko kayo ng example at --- kung pakiusap ko ilagay niyo ‘yung sarili niyo sa posisyon ko. May isang parte, ano, at...Ulitin ko ano, mag-a-apologize na ako sa kanya, baka naman misquoted siya, baka naman embellished iyong kanyang sinabi. So ang pinagmumulan lang ‘nung sagot ko e ‘yung nasaba ko kanina sa pahayagan, okay. Isa sa mga binanggit niya ‘yung isang kalihim ko raw akala niya progresibo ‘non pala trapo, traditional politicians. Tapos kasabay ‘non nire-reklamo niya doon sa probinsiya raw nitong aking kalihim ay disproportionate ‘yung ipinasok na resources ng national government. Sabi niya...At ang sabi niya, isa sa mga pinakamaliit na probinsiya, pinakakonte ang tao, ganito kalaki ang kinikita kung nabasa niyo ‘yung article ‘no. Now, using that same logic...Kung naaalala niyo kamakailan nagpunta ako ng Cagayan Valley at isa doon sa...Nandito pa naman ang ating butihing governor ng Laguna baka mapag-isip siya ‘hindi yata ganyang karami ang natanggap namin, pero bottom line in...[Teka, Jun, anong pangalan ulit ‘nung lahat nitong project na ito?] Naalala niyo ‘yung may tulay sa Chico River? Tapos ang mga kalsada sa Kalinga --- ay hindi sa Apayao in particular. Kung ‘yung...Sorry ha...’Pag titingnan mo ‘yung article ang sabi niya --- parang ang sinasabi, huwag tayong maglalagay ng pondo sa lugar na mahirap lalo na kung kakaunti ang botante. Hindi ba ganun ang pananaw ng trapo? ‘Pag Cordillera kasi ang pinag-usapan, ‘pag sinuma natin sa dami ng botong ibigay sa kanino mang kandidato, napakaliit. So, ‘pag meron kang...Noong panahon na may PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) ‘di ba, national office ka, e mamimili ka kung saan ilalagay kung gusto mong ma-re-elect, dadalin mo sa maramihang boto. Ngayon ang tanong ko, kung tayo’y naupo bilang Pangulo, ano ang mangyayari dito sa mga most depressed and poorest provinces natin kung ganun ang batayan. Hindi dapat sa dami ng botong maibibigay sa politiko kung hindi dahil sa pangangailangan. So, katulad nga niyang project na ‘yan doon sa Cagayan na portion at sa Kalinga may mga kalahating bilyon e. Apayao kung tama ang tanda ko kalahating bilyon para doon sa road network nila. Bakit naman umabot ng ganun? Number one, maraming upland, the terrain. Number two, talagang kinalimutan nga e pagkatagal-tagal. So kinalimutan dati, kalimutan natin ngayon dahil konti ang boto, kalimutan natin bukas aba ay ano ang mangyayari sa kanila? So, ulit, ‘no, pinagpipilitan ko sa lahat ng mga ahensiya ng gobyerno, ang basehan, ano ba ang pangangailangan ng taumbayan na dapat tugunan? So, ‘pag binasa ko, sorry, nagre-react pa rin ako doon sa buong article, ang dami niya talagang reklamo. Siguro ang mungkahi ko na lang sa kanya, kung palagay niya ‘yung pananaw lang niya ang tama, ‘no, 2016 may election ng presidente baka gusto niyang lumaban doon at ‘pag siya na ang Presidente mapapatakbo niya ayon sa bisyon niya. Sa ngayon, palagay ko ang ginagawa ko ang dapat gawin at ang tamang gawin. ON DOH SEC. ONA ANJO ALMARIO (9News): Sir, there are reports that Health Secretary Enrique Ona is on his way out that’s why he is on “forced leave”. Sir, are you still satisfied with his performance? PRESIDENT AQUINO: May mga questions kaming tinatanong kay Secretary [Enrique] Ona specifically about the vaccination campaign. Parang ‘yung balance between preventive at saka ‘yung curative aspects of medicine or the public health. Parati kong ine-emphasize sa kanya, hindi ba dapat ang misyon natin maniguradong walang magkasakit para hindi kailangang ma-ospital? At sa kanya naman, may balance naman siya na marami rin tayong ospital na napag-iwanan na ng panahon. So, ano ba ang balanse dapat diyan? Pero, anyway, may mga questions na umiiral lalo na dito sa immunization program ng ating kabataan na humingi siya ng oras rin para maihanda ‘yung mga paliwanag niya kung ano talaga ang mga assumptions, ano ‘yung ginawa, ‘yung target population, anong vaccination programs ang naka-schedule kailan, ano ‘yung resulta ‘nung delivery et cetera, et cetera. So, hindi niya mahanda lahat itong mga sagot sa katanungang umiiral kung tinatrabaho pa rin niya ‘yung kanyang day-to-day functions as Secretary of Health. So humingi muna ng leave para maihanda iyong lahat ng mga sagot dito sa mga tanong na ito. Mr. Almario: Sir, going back to my question, are you still satisfied with his performance? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Siyempre whether or not I am satisfied will come after the results of these answers to the questions that were propounded to him. Mr. Almario: Sir, one last question sir. Sir, regarding the funding issue, sir, the RITM, sir can you...Do you have anything on that, sir? PRESIDENT AQUINO: Hindi ‘yung funding with any government agency merong tinatawag na budget call. This happens I think as early as December... Kunyari 2015 na budget --- iyong parang December of 2013 [tama ba?] Sorry ha matagal na akong wala sa appropriations committee pero nag-uumpisa ng magtawagan on the proposals. It’s a four-month old program na ‘pag natapos ‘yung ‘di ba...Ito ‘yung papasok na revenue, ito ‘yung allowable deficit, ito ‘yung expenditure program paano actually isi-slice ‘yung budget iyon ‘yung pinag-uusapan doon sa apat na buwan na ‘yan. ‘Pag tapos natapos sa developmental budget coordinating council acronym DBCC, iyon ‘yung magiging resulta ‘nung mungkahi na ipapadala sa Kongreso at ‘pag sinangayunan ng Kongreso, ‘nung House at saka ng Senado, iyon ‘yung nagiging basis ng budget, okay. So ‘yung pagpopondo dapat ay kunyari long term, maraming mga threat ng pandemic, kailangan i-improve ‘yung kalidad ng RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine) e di dapat ay papasok doon sa proposal na iyan. Hindi pwedeng uraurada maghanap tayo ng P600 million, lalo na dahil nasa Senado na po ‘yung budget e. Na-approve na ng House on third reading ‘yung proposed budget. Ngayon, baka ‘pag nagkaroon ng savings magkaroon na naman ng kuwestyon kung tama ba ang paggamit ng savings, naninigurado tayo. So iyon lang naman ang sinabi natin. Biniring up (bring up) niya itong topic na ito, sabi ko may proseso tayo, sana nasunod mo from the beginning para naabot niya. It’s a need, gusto nating patibayin ‘yung RITM lalo na nga dito sa mga threat ng pandemic worldwide pero may proseso tayong dapat sundan para naman hindi lang tama ‘yung ginagawa pero pati ‘yung proseso ‘nung ginawa ay kaalinsunod sa lahat ng kaukulang batas, regulasyon at patakaran. |
| SOURCE: Presidential News Desk |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the his visit to the Sisters of Mary Girlstown Complex
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| Barangay Biga, Silang, Cavite |
03 Nov. 2014
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| Maraming salamat po. Maupo ho tayong lahat. Secretary, Brother Armin Luistro; Secretary Joel Villanueva; Secretary Rene Almendras; Congressman Roy Loyola; other members of the House of Representatives present, namely, Rep. Boy Blue Abaya and Rep. AA Advincula; of course Manong Ayong Maliksi, the longstanding governor and public servant and role model in Cavite; Sister Elena Belarmino; Mrs. Marixi Rufino-Prieto and other benefactors of the Sisters of Mary Boystown and Girlstown; alumni, teachers, and students of the Sisters of Mary Boystown and Girlstown; fellow workers in government; honored guests; mga minamahal ko pong kababayan: Magandang hapon pong muli sa inyong lahat. Habang pinapanood ko ang inyong pagkanta at saka ‘yong ating actions, siyempre impress na impress kami na syncronized na syncronized–walang naiiwan, walang nauuna, walang pakialam [tawanan]. Tapos, tatlo ho ang miyembro ng gabinete. Sabi ko, “Subukan ko kayang ihamon ‘tong tatlong ito na magkasabay-sabay kayo.” Makakaya kaya nila habang may tugtog? Siguro kaya ‘yan; di ba merong kumukumpas eh? Paano kaya kung wala nang tugtog? Dahil kanina, tapos na ang tugtog, sycronized pa rin. Siguro kaya ko lang pinagdidiinan ito–lalo na sa buhay namin sa pulitika, parang napakaraming kontento nang maging hindi sintunado. ‘Pag lahat kayo nagsang-ayon, “O ‘di ba, magandang gawin dito ito?” Sabihin nating “Puti,” merong parating hihirit, sasabihin niya, “Hindi. Dapat itim.” Bakit? “Basta.” Merong hong tinatawag, miski anong lipunan, tawag nila “contrarian.” Ano ba ang contrarian? Miski gaano ka kagaling, miski gaano kahusay ang ginagawa mo, merong talagang kokontra, dahil iyon ang kaligayahan niya eh–kailangan siyang kumontra. So kanina ho noong pinapanood ko kayo, sabi ko, “Kung tayong lahat talagang sabay-sabay nagmamartsa tungo sa pagkilala, pag-unawa ng pangangailangan ng ating mga kapatid, ‘yung ating kapwa–kung ang buhay natin ay nakatutok sa ating kapwa, aba, bakit hindi tayo bibilis makarating doon sa gusto nating paroonan? ‘Di ba?” Imbes na kanya-kanya at kuntento tayo–meron tayong choral group na kanya-kanyang kanta ang kinakanta. Siyempre, ‘pag iba-iba ang kinakanta natin–pwede ba tayong magkaroon ng magandang choral group? Maari din tayong magaling makinig dahil sinong papakinggan mo, 14 ang kinakanta? Ano kaya ang magiging malinaw doon? Anyway, diretso na po tayo sa formal portion ng speech. Nang imbitahan po ako nina Sister Maria at Sister Elena na bumisita dito sa Sisters of Mary Girlstown, hiniling nila sa akin na magbigay ng inspirational message para sa inyo. Ito po ang masasabi ko matapos makita talaga ang mga guro at estudyante sa paaralang ito: Kayo ang inspiring. Talagang apat na taon at limang buwan, kung tama ang bilang ko, na tayong naglilingkod sa bayan. Syempre, sakop ko ang lahat ng problema ng bansa, lahat ng Pilipinong may problema, akin po ‘yan. Kung nasa Pilipinas o wala sa Pilipinas, problema ko ‘yan. Tao naman ho tayo, miski papaano nakakapagod rin ho. Kapag lahat magbabakasyon, ikaw maniguradong ligtas ‘yung bakasyon nila. Kapag natapos na ang bakasyon nila, pabalik, trabaho ko rin iyon–ligtas sila pabalik. Trabaho ko rin maghanap ng trabaho para sa lahat: turuang lahat magkaroon ng kauukulang kakayahan para makasali dito sa paglago ng ating ekonomiya. At pagkatapos nga ho no’n, meron talaga iba na, baka narinig niyo ang SONA ko, sabi ko nga eh ‘yung almusal batikos; ‘yung tanghalian intriga; ‘yung hapunan–lahat ng pangit nandoon na. Pero nandito napunta ako, tama ‘yung sinasabi po ni Mrs. Prieto, pumunta ka dito kung malungkot ka, talagang mai-inspire ka. Ako, sampu ng aking gabinete, ay nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat. Kumbaga sa baterya ng cellphone, na-recharge kaming lahat ‘pag nandirito. Kahanga-hanga nga kayong lahat na piniling ipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral sa kabila ng mga kinakaharap ninyong hamon sa buhay. Ang babata niyo, ambibigat na ng hamong kaharap niyo. Nagbibigay kayo ng pag-asa, hindi lamang para sa inyong mga sarili, kundi pati sa inyong mga mahal sa buhay. Pag-asa rin ang inyong dala sa atin pong bansa. Kapag nakapagtapos kayo at nagsimulang gamitin ang mga natanggap ninyong biyaya upang maging tanglaw sa iba, magiging kabahagi kayo sa pagsusulong ng isang Pilipinas na mas maunlad at mas malapit sa Diyos. Pinatutunayan ninyo: Kapag binigyan mo ng oportunidad ang Pilipino, ano man ang kanyang kalagayan, saan man ang kanyang pinanggalingan, hindi niya ito sasayangin. Sa halip, gagawin niya ang lahat ng kanyang makakaya upang makiambag sa makabuluhang transpormasyon ng atin pong lipunan. Taong 1986 itinatag ni Fr. Al Schwartz ang Sisters of Mary School sa Pilipinas. Iyon din ang taon kung kailan pinabagsak ng mga Pilipino ang diktador, at pinili ang aking ina bilang bagong pinuno. Bagong yugto iyon sa ating kasaysayan: kailangang maglatag ng bagong landas matapos ang matagal na pagkakapiit sa pananakot at pang-aabuso. Hindi maitatanggi ang naging kontribusyon ng paaralang ito sa pagbibigay ng direksyon sa mga kabataang nasa laylayan ng lipunan, na nagsisimulang hanapin ang kanilang lugar sa isang malayang bansa. Noong mga panahong iyon, may biro akong naririnig tungkol sa akin pong ina. Para daw siyang pinagluluto ng sinigang. Tapos, binigyan lamang na sangkap ay tubig at asin at sinabihan na dapat lasang sinigang ‘yan. Sa inyo pong nagku-culinary, kaya ba niyo ‘yon? Iniwan ng diktador ang isang sira-sirang sistema, isang bagsak na ekonomiya, at isang pambansang kamalayang talaga naman pong sugatan dahil sa pang-aapi ng mga nasa kapangyarihan. Iyan po ang dinatnan ng aking ina matapos ang EDSA. Ang dating maybahay, pangulo na ng Pilipinas. At nakaatang sa kanyang mga balikat ang responsibilidad ng pag-akay sa ating mga kababayan patungo sa paghilom. Kagaya ninyo, hindi siya nagpatalo sa mga agam-agam. Sa halip, buong tapang niyang hinarap ang mga hamon. Malinaw sa kanya: binigyan siya ng isang pambihirang oportunidad upang maging instrumento ng pagbabago. Buong-buo niyang ibinigay ang kanyang sarili sa paglilingkod sa Panginoon at sa mga Pilipino. Ang pagtitiwala ng mamamayan at ang kanyang malalim na espiritwalidad ang naging sandata niya laban sa mga pagsubok. Ang kanyang paraan ng pamumuhay at pamumuno ang nagturo sa atin na hangga’t sinusunod mo ang iyong konsensya, at hangga’t ang kapakanan ng iyong kapwa ang kumukumpas sa iyong paglalakbay, hindi ka maliligaw. Sa ganitong paninindigan, ang dating imposible ay nagiging posible. Ikinalulugod kong maobserbahan na ganitong paniniwala at pagsasanay ang ipinagkakaloob ng Sisters of Mary School sa inyong mga mag-aaral. Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga tagapamahala, guro at benefactors ng paaralang ito sa kanilang pakikiisa sa ating pagpupunyagi upang mabigyan ng mas magandang kinabukasan ang ating kabataan, lalo na po ang mga maralita. Umasa kayo: Magtutuloy pa ang suporta ng inyong pamahalaan sa mabuti ninyong gawain. [Palakpakan] Tuloy ang suporta, halimbawa, ng TESDA: Mula 2008 hanggang 2013, 19 na programa ninyo ang nairehistro at apat naman ang nabigyan ng accreditation bilang assessment centers. Sa pamamagitan nito ay nasisiguro nating sapat at angkop ang nakukuhang pagsasanay ng mga mag-aaral sa Technical Vocational Education and Training. Sa ilalim naman ng Training for Work Scholarship Program, 288 slots ang naipagkaloob sa inyong mga mag-aaral mula 2010 hanggang 2013. At sigurado po akong si Joel ay naghahanap [ng paraan]kung paano madadagan ang numerong iyan. [Palakpakan] Kanina naman po, ipinagkaloob ang 200 scholarship vouchers sa mga mag-aaral ninyong magiging bahagi ng Special Training for Employment Program ng TESDA. Sa programang ito, tinutukoy ang espisipikong pangangailangan ng komunidad, at saka sinasanay ang mga mag-aaral upang matugunan ito. Sa ganitong sistema, ang mga magtatapos ay hindi lang mabibigyan ng hanapbuhay; makakapag-ambag din sila sa kanilang komunidad. Sa pakikipagtulungan din ng TESDA, isang estudyante ninyo ang nagwagi ng Medallion of Excellence in Fashion Technology sa ASEAN Skills Competition na ginanap sa Vietnam nitong Oktubre. Nandiyan po sa ating kanan–kay Jessica Babon, siyempre may karangalan sa Sisters of Mary, at sa TESDA: binabati ko kayo sa tagumpay na ito. Alam po niyo, pitong taon tayong hindi lumahok. At noong lumahok tayo, may Medal of Excellence, ilang gold medal, ilang bronze medal. So next year yata, mas maraming ang medals na ipinapangako sa atin ni Joel. Kung hindi raw ho magpapareho na kami ng hairstyle. [Tawanan] Napatunayan ninyong malayo ang mararating natin kapag sama-sama tayo sa paghakbang. Sa mga mag-aaral na naririto ngayon, bibigyan ko kayo ng warning: Hindi madali ang buhay kapag nasa labas na kayo ng paaralan, alam po ninyo ‘yan. Sinasabi ko ito hindi para takutin kayo, kundi para ipakita ang kahalagahan ng pagpapakumbaba at pananalig sa Poong Maykapal. Panghawakan ninyo ang madalas na ibinibilin ni Fr. Al noon, at isinalin sa Tagalog. Ang sabi po niya’y ganito, “Hindi kayo nilikha para maging matataba at maliliit na patong kekembot-kembot sa putikan, kundi para maging mga agilang nakatakdang maging matayog ang lipad.” Ang de-kalidad na edukasyon at pagsasanay na natatanggap ninyo dito sa Sisters of Mary School ay panimulang hakbang pa lamang patungo sa pagtupad ng inyong mga pangarap. Pagdating ng araw, ang iba sa inyo ay magiging propesyonal at dalubhasa sa iba’t ibang larangan. Ang iba naman ay magbabalik upang maging bahagi ng kongregasyon, at maglilingkod bilang gabay ng mga susunod na henerasyon ng mag-aaral. Ano man ang piliin ninyong landas, nakatitiyak akong inihanda kayo ng inyong mga guro at ng Sisters of Mary para sa mga pagsubok na inyong haharapin. Lagi nating tatandaan: Hindi lamang ang ating mga sarili ang itinataas natin kapag inaabot natin ang tagumpay. Nagsisilbi rin tayong inspirasyon sa ating kapwa, at nakadaragdag sa kanilang mabuting gawain. Higit sa lahat, ang ating kolektibong pagpupunyagi ang magbibigay-daan sa tuloy-tuloy na positibong transpormasyon ng ating lipunan. Sa madaling salita, habang pinatatayog natin ang ating lipad ngayon, sinisiguro nating mas matayog pa ang liliparin ng susunod na henerasyon. Sa ganitong paraan, higit nating natutupad ang plano ng Lumikha para sa ating lahat. Alam po niyo–gusto ko lang ibahagi sa inyo ang sinabi sa akin ng aking ama noong araw–pinag-uusapan namin ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon. Sabi niya sa akin noon, bakit itong araw na ‘to sikat ka, bukas laos ka na? Bakit itong araw na ‘to mayaman ka, bukas mahirap ka na? ‘Pag ‘yang pag-aaral, sineryoso mo at naipasok na sa inyong kukote, lahat ng mga sinasabi sa iyong leksyon, mangyari na ang mangyari, yaman mo na ‘yan habambuhay. Habang may pagkakataon ka, pagsanayin mo nang husto para naman pagdating ng panahon, mangyari na nga ang mangyari, handa ka. At iyan po ang pinipilit nating isabuhay. Alam niyo, ‘yung pinagkaiba ng henerasyon niyo sa henerasyon namin–siyempre, tatay ko po, unang-unang inaresto noong martial law–’pag tiningnan natin ang mga bayan na nagkaroon ng batas militar, nagkakaroon ng kalayaan lamang ‘pag nagkaroon ng madugong himagsikan. At hindi ko inaasahan na lalampasan ko ‘yung punto na makakalaktaw doon sa madugong himagsikan. Pero sabi nga ho, baka may plano sa atin ang Diyos at nandito pa rin ho tayo. Hindi ko akalaing aabot ako ng 30. Mga anim na taon na lang ho, magiging 60 na ako, nadoble na ‘yon. Siguro hangga’t hindi ko pa tapos ‘yung plano ng Diyos para sa akin dito ay nandito pa tayo. Ngayon, bakit ko ibinabahagi sa inyo ito? Tadhana namin iyon. Kailangan namin dumaan doon sa malalagim na panahon na iyon. Kailangan siguro maramdaman namin, ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng walang kalayaan? Kailangan naming maramdaman o makita, ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng kawalang pag-asa? Ngayon po, binabago natin lahat ito ngayon. Kanina ho, nanggaling tayo sa Coca-Cola, na planta sa Laguna, sa Calamba. Bago pinalaki ho itong plantang ito, noong 2010, nangako sa atin ang Coca-Cola na international, mag-iinvest sila sa atin ng isang bilyong dolyar. Ang na-invest na po nila, P1.2 billion. Ang commitment po nila–napaaga pa nga dahil next year dapat matapos iyon–napaaga, this year na. Next year, madadagdagan pa ng kalahating bilyon. Empleyado po nila, walong libo, direct. Iba pa ho ‘yung nagbebenta ng kanilang inumin, etc. So, next year ho, mag-uumpisa na tayo ng tinatawag na demographic sweet spot, kung saan napakarami ng ating mamamayan ang nasa working age na. Ngayon, importante kung nandoon ka na sa edad na puwede ka nang magtrabaho, dapat naman siguro, may kaukulan kang kakayahan para makilahok ka doon sa paglago ng ating ekonomiya, hindi ba? Kung wala kang maibabahaging kaalaman, o hindi ka nabahagian ng kaalaman, at wala kang kaukulang kakayahan, eh parating nandoon ka sa ilalim. So, iyon po ang pakay natin. Hindi ko masasabi sa inyong lahat na ginagarantiya ko ang resulta niyo parating maganda. Puwede ho akong tumulong. Puwede nating pagbuksan ng pintuan. Sabi rin po sa akin ng tatay ko iyan. Kaya kitang pagbuksan ng pintuan. Kung mananatiling bukas, nasa iyo. Pagpasok ko ho raw ng trabaho, puwede niya akong ipakilala, irekomenda, pagbibigyan siya. ‘Pag dumating naman ho ako doon sa opisinang pinasukan ko at ako’y naging batugan, siyempre sisisantihin ako. Iyon po ang ibig sabihin ng “kayang panatilihin na bukas,” ay kayo na. So, ang habol po namin, talagang isagad lahat ng oportunidad na puwedeng ipagkaloob sa bawat isang Pilipino para walang maiiwan. Kung magtatagumpay kayo, siyempre partnership ‘yan. Kaya nga kanina noong sabay-sabay tayo sa synchronized nating song number, talaga namang puwede pala na ‘yung Pilipino puwedeng magmartsa, iisa ang hakbang, ‘di ba? ‘Yung tatlo ko hong miyembro dito ng Gabinete, baka kailangang mag-practice nang dalawang buwan para masabayan kayo. [Tawanan] At saka siyempre, bata kayo. Kami medyo bata na lang. [Tawanan] Iyang lambot ng katawan niyo at iyong lambot ng katawan namin, sa inyo tunay, sa amin alaala. Pero ‘yung determinasyon na para makiisa sa inyo para nga pagdating ng panahon–parati kong nasasabi ito–darating naman ‘yung panahon, tao tayo eh, may hangganan tayo sa mundo. Sabi nga namin noong kami’y nag-aaral, darating ang point, tatawagin tayo ni Lord, sasabihin niya, “Finished or not finished, pass your paper.” Isa lang naman talaga ang pinakaambisyon, bago ka tawagin ni Lord, nandoon ka na sa pinakahuling yugto ng buhay mo, sa huling minuto na lang, sana makalingon ka at masabi mo, “‘Ba, ang laki na ng pinagbago ng iiwan ko kesa sa dinantnan ko. At naging bahagi ako ng pagbabago niyan tungo sa kabutihan.” Parati hong choice ‘yan. Puwede tayong magsarili, puwede tayong mag-ambag-ambagan. ‘Yung huling punto na lang ho, ang tanda ko ho, ang nanay ko maraming itinulong raw ho dito at bumisita sa inyo. Siyempre, gusto kong malaman kung paano siya nakatulong talaga dahil ngayon hong panahon, talagang malapit na ang eleksyon, kung tutuusin, marami hong naghahanap ng lahat ng butas: Mali ang paghinga mo, mali ang pagsuklay mo, mali lahat, ‘di ba? Nakikita niyo naman ‘pag nanood kayo ng tv wala na akong nagawang tama. Pero ang nagsasabi ho no’n, pareho pa rin. Okay na ‘yon. Kung ayaw niyong sumama, magpaiwan kayo, may kalayaan kayong magpaiwan. Pero kami naman sanang gusto naming umabante at umasenso, huwag niyo naman kaming masyadong harang-harangin. So, hahanapan na ho natin ng paraan. Last thought na lang po. ‘Yung mga Amerikano may kasabihan, “Success has many fathers or mothers. Failure is a lonely orphan.” Dito, in the past 28 years, napaka-successful ng nangyari dito. Palagay ko, marami kayong mga adoptive fathers and mothers na magbibigay ng parehong pagkakataon sa iba’t iba pang mga susunod sa inyong mga yapak. Pakiusap po, ituloy natin ang pagtutulungan. Ituloy natin ‘yung direksyon na ‘yung naibigay sa inyong pagkakataon, manigurado tayong maibibigay rin sa mga susunod na salinlahi. At kami naman po, sa abot ng aming makakaya, pipilitin naming matulungan kayo dito sa magandang larangan at hakbanging inyong ginagawa. So, magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat. Maraming salamat po sa inyo. |
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
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| DWIZ / Karambola |
04 November 2014
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| Q: Magandang, magandang umaga, Mr. Secretary. SEC. COLOMA: Magandang umaga sa iyo, Congressman Jonas, Congressman Eggy, si Thelma at si Joel. Magandang umaga po sa inyo at sa lahat ng mga tagapakinig ninyo. Q: Ang balita namin ay mayroon daw—totoo ba ito, ang binabalita ngayon ay tuluy-tuloy lang iyong performance audit ng lahat ng government officials including Cabinet members, Secretary? SEC. COLOMA: Linawin lang natin, Cong. Jonas, iyon kasing batayang prinsipyo diyan ay iyong accountabilities of public officials at saka iyong sa konsepto ng good governance o mabuting pamamahala. Ang layunin ng ating Pangulo ay performance- oriented iyong ating Gabinete para malinaw na iyong mga pinagtutuunan ng pansin ay nakapagsusulong sa ating mga prayoridad na programa na napapaloob sa Philippine Development Plan. Iyon lang naman ang konteksto. At sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay tinitingnan kung ang mga isinasagawa ng iba’t ibang kagawaran ay todo-tutok sa pagtamo ng mga layunin ng ating pamahalaan. Ito po konsepto ng performance-oriented governance. CONG. JONAS: And that is an ongoing audit, hindi lang ngayon lang ginagawa iyan, Mr. Secretary? SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Cong. Jonas. Kung maaalala natin, starting December 2012 budget – ito iyong unang budget na sa kabuuan ay Aquino administration ang bumuo – binago iyong disenyo ng National Budget in such a way na nakabalangkas ito kung paano pinapatupad iyong limang haligi ng Philippine Development Plan. Mayroon kasing five priority areas diyan – iyong economic growth; iyong social protection and poverty reduction; iyong climate change adaptation and mitigation; iyong security, peace and law and order; at iyong ikalima ay good governance. Iyong lahat nang ginagawa ng pamahalaan na tinutustusan ng pondo ng bayan, hinati o binalangkas sa limang larangan na iyan. At lahat nang ginagawa ng bawat kagawaran o department na pinamumunuan ng isang kalihim ng Gabinete ay sinusuri o ina-attest sa pamamagitan ng mga pamantayan na iyan na naka-align mismo sa ating National Budget, iyong tinatawag natin na “performance oriented budgeting and governance.” Q: Ang alam ko nga, Cong. Jonas, Secretary, hindi po ba ang ating tinitingnan ngayon ay hindi iyong output, kung hindi kung ano yung outcome, iyon ang mas importante. SEC. COLOMA: Ganun nga. Iyong outcome kasi iyon ‘yung resulta na gusto natin; iyong output naman, ‘yon ang tinatawag na “performance indicator.” Iyong mga sinusukat na pamantayan para malaman na natatamo iyong mga layunin. Q: Pero, Secretary, mali po kung ganoon ang mga haka-haka na sinisilip ninyo ngayon ang mga ginagawa ni Vice President Binay? SEC. COLOMA: Ipinapaliwanag lang po natin iyong konteksto sa pagturing sa performance ng mga miyembro ng Gabinete. Kasi po iyong tanong ng isang reporter ng Malakanyang kahapon sa aking radio press briefing, ang tanong po niya ay ganito: Dahil daw dumadami ang mga alegasyon laban sa Pangalawang Pangulo, ‘di daw ba ito nakakasagabal sa trabaho ng administrasyon o nagpapabigat daw ba ito? Ang sabi ko naman, “Ang dapat na maging batayan o pamantayan ay kung paano ginagampanan ng bawat miyembro ng Gabinete, kabilang na ang Pangalawang Pangulo, iyong kanyang mga tungkulin alinsunod sa mga layunin at pamantayan na itinakda.” Iyan po ang konteksto ng pinag-usapan. Q: Para maging maliwanag lang, kasi baka akalain ng iba sinisino ng administrasyon si Vice President Binay— SEC. COLOMA: Hindi po. Wala pong ganung kaisipan. Q: Ang pinag-iinitan lang ng ibang mga reporter ay si Secretary Ona. Bakit biglang nag-leave daw si Secretary Ona, Mr. Secretary? SEC. COLOMA: Ang batid ko po dito ay nag-file siya ng leave for personal and health reasons noong October 28. Pinagbigyan naman ito. Ang kanyang pagliban ay tatagal ng isang buwan at matatapos ito sa November 27. Q: Oo, dapat iyong mga nag-i-speculate na on the way out na si Sec. Ona, tama na kayo ha. Q: Babalik naman sa 27. Q: Secretary, 52 days before Christmas. Ano po bang nakikita natin good news, siyempre bago mag-Pasko? Siyempre naka-programa ho sa … iyong mga government employees … Ano po ba ang mga magiging announcement in the next few days tungkol saan sa 52 days before Christmas na? SEC. COLOMA: Mayroon naman po mga statutory or legal provisions kung ano iyong mga unang tinatanggap ng ating mga government employees. Pero kung hindi po ako nagkakamali, mayroon iyong cash gift at mayroon din po iyong performance-based bonus na naaayon naman sa kanilang standing in relation to all the other in the organization. Iyan po ang pinatupad ni Pangulong Aquino dahil ayon po sa kanyang pananaw, dapat ay kilalanin iyong mas mahusay ang naging performance at dapat ay makatanggap sila nang mas marami kaysa doon sa average ang performance. Q: Oho. Paano naman po sa taumbayan? Siyempre sa ngayon, I am sure, nag-o-audit na kayo, nag-a-asses kayo kung ano ang mga accomplishment ng pamahalaan. Ano po ang nakikita ninyong advantage ngayong taong ito na ginawa ng ating Pangulong Aquino at ng buong pamahalaan? SEC. COLOMA: Iyon pong pagiging maunlad ng ating ekonomiya na itinatanghal ngayon bilang isa sa pinakamabilis ang pag-unlad, iyon pong pagiging matatag o stable ng ating macro-economic fundamentals dahil po diyan ay maluwag po ang daloy ng salapi sa ating banking system, mababa po ang interes. Para po madali nating ma-appreciate, nandiyan po iyong pagdami ng mga ordinaryong Pilipino na nakaka-afford na pong bumili ng—o mamuhunan sa sariling housing. Kita naman po natin iyong proliferation of housing buildings dito sa Metro Manila. Nariyan din po iyong napakataas na pagdagdag ng dami ng mga sasakyan, mga kotse po at iyan po ay nagiging dahilan nga ng kaunting kasikipan sa daloy ng trapiko. Pero konkreto pong manipestasyon iyan na bumubuti iyong kalagayan ng ating ekonomiya, at ito naman ay natatamasa ng ating mga mamamayan. Q: Secretary, tanungin ko lang po. Doon po sa aming probinsiya, marami pong nag-aano na, una, nahirapan silang kumuha ng trabaho; pangalawa—alam ninyo noong panahon daw nung araw, mayroong kumakalansing sa bulsa nila. Ngayon daw ho konting-konting na lang o minsan daw walang kumakalansing sa kanilang bulsa. Ang ibig sabihin noon ay parang kulang ang kanilang mga pera. So, papaano natin iaano ito sa lumalaki nating ekonomiya? SEC. COLOMA: Ah, okay po. Ang atin pong istratehiya para diyan, at ito ay reflected na sa ating National Budget, iyon pong pagtataas ng pinakamalaking bahagi ng ating 2015 National Budget, halos 38 percent po nung more than 2.6 trillion budget ay nakalaan doon sa social protection at poverty reduction. At ang ginawa pong pamantayan o criteria para diyan: Aling mga lalawigan ang pinakamaraming pamilya na nandoon sa pambansang kahirapan? At ano yung mga lalawigan na kung saan pinakamataas ang poverty incidence? At anong mga lalawigan iyong parating dinadalaw ng bagyo at kalamidad sapagka’t konting aberya ay maaaring maitulak … maging ano ‘yung marami nating mga kababayan sa larangan ng kahirapan. Kaya po iyan ang mga prayoridad natin. Nandiyan din po iyong Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program na pinalawig na po para pati iyong pag-aaral sa high school ng mga beneficiaries ay matustusan na rin. Iyon pong pagpapalawak din ng Philhealth para tiyakin iyong pagkalinga sa ating mga kababayan kapag sila ay nagkaroon ng karamdaman at pati na rin iyong pagkakaroon ng dreaded disease o catastrophic illness ay sinasagot na rin po ng ating PhilHealth. Nandyan din po iyong patuloy na pagsisikap ng Department of Labor and Employment na makalikha pa nang mas maraming trabaho at hindi lamang ordinaryong trabaho, iyong tinatawag nilang remunerative jobs, na mayroon naman pong complement sa pamamagitan ng pagsasanay ng TESDA doon sa mga nararapat, madaling makahanap ng trabaho dahil nga po ‘yung demand. At sa housing naman, ito ang sinusulong ng ating National Housing Authority lalung-lalo na sa mga lugar na tinamaan ng kalamidad dahil sila nga po ang pinaka-vulnerable sa ating mga mamamayan. Q: Secretary, may dagdag lang ako na tanong dahil sinabi ninyo nga, poverty reduction; hindi na poverty alleviation. Kasi ho, siyempre ang mga tao umaasa pa rin, sa mga surveys daw ito ang sinasabi ngayon: Ano ho ba talaga iyong figures natin sa poverty reduction program? Let’s talk about figures na lang po kasi Malacañang, I’m sure updated kayo. Q: Joel, (unclear) muna sandal. Hindi ho ba, Mr. Secretary, mayroon tayong CCT Program, pero bakit ho tumataas pa rin iyong tinatawag nating poverty incidence? So, paano natin na mare-reconcile natin iyon, Mr. Secretary? SEC. COLOMA: Iyon pong tumaas lately ay iyong iniulat ng Social Weather Station na self-rated poverty. Ibig sabihin po, tinatanong iyong respondent ng survey, approximately 1,2oo among them, at tinatanong sila kung sa palagay ba nila ay nandoon sila sa hanay ng maralita, iyon ang tinutuon nila. Kaakibat din diyan iyong tinatanong nila kung nakaranas sila ng kagutuman – poverty and hunger survey po kasi iyan. At iyon po ang nagre-reflect sa mga datos ng SWS na ginagawa quarterly. Iyon naman pong pinagbabatayan natin na pamantayan doon sa poverty reduction ay iyong Philippine Statistical Authority na nagsasagawa ng actual survey ng dami ng mga pamilya na tumatanggap ng certain level of income every year. At doon po sa ganiyang pagtuturing ayon Philippine Statistical Authority ay humaba na mula 27.9 to 24.9 iyong dami na mga pamilya Pilipino na naituturing na nasa hanay ng maralita. Kaya magkaiba pong pag-aaral iyong pinag-uusapan natin. Ganunpaman, siniseryoso po ng pamahalaan iyong pagkakaroon pa rin ng maraming Pilipino nasa hanay ng kahirapan. Hindi po natin iyan pinapabayaan. Kaya nga po sa budgetary priorities natin, iniuukol itong pinakamalaking halaga doon sa pagbibigay ng source protection sa paglalayon na mabawasan ang kahirapan sa ating bansa. Q: May mga nagte-text po, Mr. Secretary, tungkol daw po sa isyu naman ng pagtataas ng mga presyo ng lahat ng bilihin, elektrisidad, lahat ng mga basic services na sa tingin nila lalong nagpapahirap sa ating taumbayan. Mayroon ba tayong pagkakataon na maaayos pa ito in the near future kasi talagang pahirap ito sa ating taumbayan? SEC. COLOMA: Mabuti at tinanong mo iyan, Cong Jonas, dahil mayroon tayong National Price Coordinating Council na binubuo ng iba’t ibang government department directly concerned with the sufficiently of basic food and other basic commodities po at ‘yung pagiging risonable ng presyo. Dahil ang nagpapagalaw naman po diyan ay puwersa ng merkado, ang tinututukan po ay iyong pagtiyak na iyong ating inflation rate or iyong general movement of prices ay hindi po labis doon sa ating mina-manage na inflation fund. At nandoon po tayo ngayon sa inflation fund na three and a half to five percent, iyan po ang nandoon sa ating Philippine Development Plan. At ayon naman po sa ating Bangko Sentral na nagmo-monitor nito, napanatili naman po natin ‘yan doon sa level na four percent iyong ating inflation rate, na kung ihahambing sa ibang bansa, sa ating rehiyon, ay isa pa rin sa pinakamababang inflation rate. Lalo na po parating na iyong Kapaskuhan, talagang tinututukan ng DTI at iba’t ibang ahensiya iyong galaw ng presyo para tiyakin …(signal cut) Q: Mr. Secretary, maiba po tayo ng topic. Mayroon pong nakalagay sa diyaryo na mayroong mga cash advances ang mga marami sa Gabinete. Paano po nating matutugunan ito? Kasi ang laki-laki ho ng mga cash advances ng mga top ten executives ng Gabinete. SEC. COLOMA: Malinaw lang po ang patakaran ng ating pamahalaan hinggil diyan na mayroon pong itinatakdang period for liquidation of cash advances. Ang batid ko po, sa aking tanggapan at para sa aking sarili, ang patakaran ay “No new cash advance hangga’t hindi na li-liquidate iyong mga datihan. Kaya binabantayan po ito ‘no. At alamin lang po natin kung iyong tinutukoy ay para lamang sa nakaraang apat na taon, baka naman po mayroong outstanding account na matagal na iyong starting date na tinutukoy. Q: Pero, Mr. Secretary, kasi bilyun-bilyon ang nakalagay dito eh kung ganiyan ho ang nakalagay, magugulat ho ang taumbayan na ang daming cash advances ang ating mga government employees at saka lalo na iyong nasa Gabinete? SEC. COLOMA: Tama po iyon. Ang sinasabi ko lang po, tukuyin lang natin kung ano iyong base. Baka po ay outstanding balance ng Office of the Secretary, ng ganitong departamento, kung mula sa anong petsa, iyon po ang mahalaga. At ang prinsipyo naman po diyan ay hindi dapat na pinapalaki ang balance at hindi dapat tumatagal iyong panahon dahil mayroon po talagang patakaran na dapat sundin hinggil diyan. Q: Ito may nagtetext ho. Itong nangyayari ho ngayon sa Basilan, lumalaganap nanaman ang patayan at pakikibaka ng Abu Sayyaf. Nagbabadya daw po ba ito na itong impluwensiya ng ISIS, iyong sinasabi nilang Islamic State, ay papasok o nakapasok na sa Pilipinas? SEC. COLOMA: Hindi po. Ito po ay kilos ng mga bandidong elemento na batid naman natin ay limitado naman ang kanilang numero, hindi naman po lumalag0. Iyong naganap po na ambush sa Basilan ay isinagawa ng mga elemento ng ASG, at tinambangan nila iyong mga sundalo na nagbabantay doon sa construction ng Circumferential Road Project sa Sumisip, Basilan. Iyon po ang nangyari doon, at tinutugis naman sila ngayon para matigil na iyong mga ganiyang pag-atake. Doon naman po sa Sulu ay pinaiigting iyong sa operation laban doon sa mga natunton na mga elemento din ng mga bandidong grupo, at nakikipagtulungan po ang sa AFP ang mga local government officials. Sila na po mismo ang nagbibigay ng impormasyon para po ma-isolate iyong mga bandidong element, at mapigilan nga ang paghahasik nila ng kaguluhan ‘no at iyong mga criminal act na katulad ng kidnapping. Q: May tanong po dito iyong isang Malacañang reporter, sabi niya: Talaga bang tuloy na iyong rebidding ng CALAX, Cavite-Laguna Expressway? At kailan daw po ito mangyayari? SEC. COLOMA: Antabayanan po natin at hintayin natin ang opisyal na pasya hinggil diyan na manggagaling sa Tangapan ng Pangulo. Q: Secretary, ang tanong ko naman po ay sa November 8 ang Yolanda ay isang taon na po. Ano po ba ng talagang sitwasyon dito? Q: O sitwasyon doon sa area? Q: Iyong “Yolanda corridor” na sinasabi ni Secretary Lacson? SEC. COLOMA: Mayroon na po tayong kumprehensibong rehabilitation and recovery plan. Mula po noong 2013 at hanggang sa kasalukuyan ay nakapag-release na ng parang halos 52 billion pesos na pondo ang DBM. Doon po sa Comprehensive and Rehabilitation Plan, mayroon pong 25,000 specific rehabilitation program at ito po ay batay sa Post-Disaster Needs Assessment na isinagawa ng mga pamahalaang lokal. Kaya makatitiyak po tayo na ang naka-focus doon ay mismo iyong napinsalang mga istruktura at iyong mga dapat na paglaanan ng pondo ng bayan, at ito po ang pinapatupad po natin. Sa susunod na taon naman ay maglalaan ng karagdagang 80 bilyong piso; at 2016 ay humigit kumulang 25 bilyon para mabuo po iyong almost 133 bilyon na budget diyan po sa Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan. Nahahati po iyan sa apat na larangan: Imprastruktura, Social Services, Livelihood at Resettlement. Ang malaki pong bahagi diyan iyong resettlement. Unawin lang po natin na naghahanap ng mga maiinam at angkop na lugar na paglilipatan ang ating mga kababayan na nawalan ng tahanan sapagka’t ang patakaran po natin ngayon ay Build Back Better and more resilient communities. Iyong iba po sa kanila ay doon sa mga idiniklara ng “no human settlement zone” dahil masyado po silang malapit sa panganib na maaaring idulot ng mga storm surge at iyong pagbabaha. Kaya iyan lang po ang nagpapatagal sa proseso. Q: Opo. Iyon po ang balakid ngayon ‘no, hindi pa po makahanap ng lugar na paglilipatan po? SEC. COLOMA: Nagpapabagal lang ho iyon, pero hindi naman po permanenteng balakid dahil hinahanapan naman po ng solusyon. Q: Naku, ang daming mga nagte-text dito. Sa susunod, kung maaari, Mr. Secretary, ay makakasama namin kayo dito ng dalawang oras kasi sa dami nito— SEC. COLOMA: (Unclear) Q: Madako tayo sa pulitika muna, Mr. Secretary. Kasi po itong mga—alam ninyo naman iyong imbestigasyon. Ano bang tingin ng Pangulong Aquino talaga, una, kay Vice President Binay? Minsan lang kayo nag-remark tungkol sa pagiging Vice President, pro-Binay na daw kayo? Ito ho ba—ano ho talaga ang totoo sa Malacañang? Ano ba ang tingin kay Vice President Binay kasi ang imbestigasyon sa Senado puro kaalyado din ng Pangulo at ang bumabatikos din naman minsan ay mga kaalyado na rin ng Pangulo. Q: Isama na rin ninyo itong tungkol doon kay Frank Drilon. Q: Si Senate President Frank Drilon ay pinaiimbestigahan na rin ngayon. Ano ho ba talaga ang nakikita ninyong takbo ng pulitika natin ngayon? SEC. COLOMA: Ang nais po ng Pangulo natin ay malinaw: Nais po niya na ang Gabinete ay mag-focus sa mga programang pangreporma. Mayroon po tayong pinapatupad na Philippine Development Plan. Mayroon din po tayong gustong matamo na Millennium Developmental Goal. Ang atin pong budget ay nakabatay po sa tinalakay natin kanina na “performance outcome”. Kaya iyan po ang pinagtutuunan namin ng pansin. Iyon pong mga ibang bagay ay ipinapaubaya na lang po namin sa ibang mga larangan. Hindi po iyon ang aming prayoridad. Q: Si Pangulong Aquino naman ay hindi naman namumulitika— ikaw talaga, Joel. Hindi naman namumulitika si Pangulong Aquino ‘eh. Q: Pero pagkatapos ng Pasko, 2015, iyan na po ang tinatawag na election year, Secretary. Maapektuhan po ba— SEC. COLOMA: Hindi pa po, ang election year po ay 2016. Q: Pero ang sinasabi nila 2015 daw eh ano na, banatan na kaagad, Mr. Secretary? SEC. COLOMA: Sa totoo lang po, sa 2015, ang prayoridad po namin – bukod po doon sa mga reform programs at iyong sa Philippine Development Plan – ay iyong dalawang malaking kaganapan dito sa ating bansa. Una na iyong Papal Visit na magaganap sa Enero; at sa buong taon po, actually mag-uumpisa na sa December 2014, buong taon po ay sunud-sunod iyong hosting natin ng APEC Ministerial at Economic Leaders’ Meeting. Buong taon po iyan kaya isa rin iyan sa pagtutuunan natin ng pansin. Q: Hataw po tayo sa 2015. Pero alam ninyo, marami ring problema. Tingin ninyo by 2015, itong mga nangyayari araw-araw nating mga bali-balita ay hindi na ganito kagrabe o baka simula pa lang ito? 2015, baka everyday ang statement natin ay politics na. Q: Oo, politics. SEC. COLOMA: Basta po sa amin, ang amin lang focus ay iyong trabaho sa reporma. Hindi po namin kasi masasagot iyong hindi po sakop doon sa aming larangan. Q: Pero si Presidente, Chairman ba siya ng Liberal Party? SEC. COLOMA: Opo. Q: Siya ang Chairman. Q: So, ipauubaya ang pulitika sa mga namumulitika. Si Presidente, hindi naman namumulitika iyan; performance based lang. At saka iyon ang gusto niyang maging legacy ‘di ba, Mr. Secretary? SEC. COLOMA: Tama iyon, Cong. Jonas. Iyon nga po. Q: Hindi ho kayo nababahala na 2015, araw-aaw, ang naglalabasang pulitika at natabunan ang mga repormang iniisip ng Pangulo Aquino? SEC. COLOMA: Well, nanalig naman po tayo na ang ating mga kababayan ay marunong na kumilatis kung ano ang dapat na maging prayoridad. Lahat naman po niyan ay bahagi rin ng isang masiglang demokrasya. Basta lang po huwag mawawala iyong ating focus sa nais nating mga matamong layunin dahil nga pong napakarami nating mga kababayan na nangangailangan ng kalinga at mahalaga iyong ginagawa natin para makaalpas sila sa kahirapan. Q: Ito, ang sinasabi ng ating kaibigan na si Luis, huwag lang daw ibalik ni Presidente iyong tungkol sa second term ulit. Q: Tinuldukan na ba iyan? Q: Tinuldukan na ni Presidente, hindi po ba Secretary? SEC. COLOMA: Sa tuwing tinatanong naman po siya ay ipinapaliwanag niya iyong konteksto hinggil diyan. At ang kaniya namang nais na maganap ay iyong pagpapatuloy at pagiging permanente ng mga repormang nasimulan na at iyong transpormasyon ng lipunang Pilipino. Q: Opo. At sino po iyong sinasabi kaya o tinutukoy ni Presidente Noynoy na walang kaduda-dudang magpapatuloy ng kaniyang mga nasimulang reporma? SEC. COLOMA: Iyon po ang tinatanong niya sa ating mga kababayan. Q: Wala pa ho? Wala pa? Q: Magandang tanong iyan, Thelma. Q: Magandang tanong iyan, pero huwag nating pipilitin si Secretary Coloma baka sabihin niya— Q: Hindi last question na lang. Kanina po na-interview rin namin si Cong. Rey Umali tungkol po dito sa power. Kayo po ba ay sang-ayon doon sa pagbibigay na lamang ng powers na ang sasaklawin ay iyon lamang pong— Q: Interruptible Load Program— Q: Oo, ILP. At hindi na po iyong pag-acquire ng … or lease ng mga power generators? SEC. COLOMA: Ayon kasi sa batas, ang Kongreso ay kinakailangang magpasa ng Joint Congressional Resolution dahil iyan ang panggagalingan ng awtoridad para makagawa ng aksyon ang Pangulo hinggil doon sa nakaambang kakulangan ng supply ng kuryente. Kaya’t handa naman pong makipagtulungan at makipag-ugnayan ang Ehekutibo sa ating Lehislatura sa paghahanap ng pinakamainam na solusyon. Ang nais lang po natin ay huwag dumanas ng brownout ang ating mga kababayan. Ang nais natin ay mapunan ‘yung maaaring maging kakulangan ng supply. At ang nais din natin ay maging risonable at makatuwiran ang singil sa kuryente. Iyan po ang mga layunin na nais nating matamo. Q: Pero happy naman po kayo, happy na kayo doon sa magiging resolusyon na gagawin ng Kongreso? SEC. COLOMA: Mainam po na siguro ay hintayin na lamang kung ano ang hugis at sustansiya nitong resolusyon na ito, pero hanggang sa ngayon ay wala pa naman po tayong nakikitang mga— Q: Kung ang sinasabi ay hindi naman po ang supply kung hindi iyong reserba lamang ang manipis, kailangan pa po ba ng powers? SEC. COLOMA: Kasi po iyong pinag-uusapan natin ay hindi po iyan katulad ng delata na puwede po nating kuhanin sa eskaparate. Iyon po ay—‘yung power po kasi ay hindi po totally predictable dahil iyong mga nakalista na possible sources of capacity, puwede rin po iyan na magkaroon ng unscheduled breakdown at major maintenance. At kapag isang planta lamang ang mayroong magkaroon ng unscheduled maintenance o breakdown, at malaking planta po ito, malaki kaagad ang epekto sa atin. Naranasan naman po natin iyan, mayroon po noong kaganapan, naparaan ang maraming isda sa planta ng elektrisidad ay nagkaroon ng accidental na tripping at nagkaroon po ng aberya at nagresulta sa malawakang brownout. Ang pinaghahandaan po natin ay iyong possible contingencies na dahil sa manipis ang reserba ay magkaroon nga po tayo rotating brownout dahil sa pagkalkulasyon po ng ating NEDA ay hahanay mula P9 to P23 billion ang magiging kabawasan sa ating Gross Domestic Product kung magaganap po iyan. Iyan po ang binabantayan po natin. Q: Pero ang mas importante po, Secretary, iyong kulang sa Power Development Program na pangmatalagang solusyon, hindi po ba? SEC. COLOMA: Sang-ayon po kami diyan. Q: Ito po ang nakaka-turn off sa maraming investors natin, iyong napakataas na halaga ng atin pong elektrisidad. SEC. COLOMA: Eh, iyon po ay market-driven na po. Simula noong nagkaroon ng EPIRA at iyon pong mga industry players kasi kalahok din po diyan. Kung maaalala natin, nagkaroon ng resolusyon iyong ERC na binawasan iyong pagturing nila sa presyo ng elektrisidad dahil tila lumabis po iyan at hindi po iyan pinapahintulutan sa EPIRA. Mayroon naman pong tugon ang gobyerno kapag naganap po iyong pagmamalabis sa pagsingil. Q: Ayun. Ito ho ay sampu pa iyong naka-line up. Pero, Mr. Secretary, baka naman puwede namin kayong imbitahin dito para mas matagal na usapan kasi sampu pa itong naka-line up kung babasahin, wala na tayong oras. SEC. COLOMA: Sige. Puwede namang ma-i-schedule, Cong. Jonas. JONAS: Baka puwede, Mr. Secretary. Kami ay nagpapasalamat in the meantime sa pagbibigay ninyo ng panahon at pagpapahalaga dito sa ating programang Karambola. SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat at magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. |
| SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center |
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
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| DZRB / Balita at Panayam by Alan Allanigue |
04 November 2014
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| ALAN: Sec. Sonny, sir. Magandang umaga po. SEC. COLOMA: Magandang umaga, Alan. ALAN: Yes sir. Secretary, sir, ito hong pangunguna ng Pangulo dito sa inagurasyon ng - papaano ba tatawagin ito - extension plant o expansion plant ng Coca Cola sa Laguna kahapon. We understand that this Coca Cola plant is one of the biggest dito sa Asian Region, Secretary Coloma, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Isa na naman itong senyales sa lumalawak na pagtitiwala at pagtangkilik ng mga malalaking kumpanya na pinapalawig ang kanilang pamumuhunan dito sa ating bansa at sa ganyang paraan ay lumilikha ng dagdag pang oportunidad para sa ating mga kababayan. At pinapakita rin nito na ang Pilipinas ay isang mainam na lugar para maging production hub ng mga malalaking kumpanya. ALAN: Oho. So, itong Coca Cola plant we understand ay umabot ng almost a $100, $95 million po ang investment na ito, na ibubuhos ng nasabing kumpanya doon sa kanilang plant dito sa Laguna, Sir? SEC. COLOMA: Malaking halaga nga iyan, Alan, at ito ay nagpapakita nga ‘no na patuloy ang pagiging masigla ng ating ekonomiya na sa ngayon ay isa na sa pinakamabilis ang pag-unlad sa Asia-Pacific Region. ALAN: Okay. Sec, sa isang usapin po, ni-reiterate ng Pangulong Noy na ang pamahalaan ay mayroong sapat na puwersa para i-neutralize itong grupo ho ng Abu Sayyaf. Ito po ba ay nangangahulugan na mas palalakasin pa ang opensiba laban dito sa Abu Sayyaf, lalo’t higit diyan sa Mindanao, Sir? SEC. COLOMA: Pinaiigting ang law enforcement operations laban sa mga bandidong grupo at ito ay isinasagawa ng ating Sandatahang Lakas at Law Enforcement Authorities sa pamamagitan ng pakikipag-uganayan sa mga lokal na pamahalaan. Meroong itinatag na Special Action Committee sa Sulu at sa iba pang lugar na pinamumugaran ng mga bandidong grupo at nagtutulungan ang mga opisyal at mga komyunidad doon at ang ating Sandataang Lakas para supilin at pigilin ang pagkilos ng mga bandido. Hindi naman din kasi uubra, Alan, na puro military offensive lamang ang isasagawa. Kaya dinadagdagan din ito ng kasabay na socio-economic development program. Dahil iyong mga komunidad doon ay kinakailangan din ng ayuda sa pagpapasigla ng kanilang kabuhayan at ito ay masinsing ginagawa ng ating pamahalaan. ALAN: Okay. Sec, a few days from now ay anibersaryo ng paghataw ng pagsalanta ng bagyong Yolanda diyan po sa area ng Visayas, Tacloban at mga karatig na lugar. At of course iyong mga kababayan po natin ay nariyan at nais po natin silang kumustahin base po doon sa mga reports na ipinarating na ng Rehabilitation Team, ano ho. After one year ay kumusta po ang Tacloban at mga karatig lugar, Sir? SEC. COLOMA: Patuloy na isinusulong ng ating pamahalaan ang iba’t-ibang mga programa hinggil sa rehabilitasyon at pagbangon ng mga lugar na apektado ng Yolanda o Haiyan. Batid natin na laganap ang naging pinsala. Ito ay humataw sa 171 munisipalidad at lungsod sa 14 na lalawigan sa anim sa rehiyon. Mahigit sa 200,000 libong pamilya ang nawalan, totally, ng kanilang mga tahanan. Halos 7,000 mga mamamayan ang nagbuwis ang kanilang buhay. Kaya’t kinakailangan dito ay iyong komprehensibong tugon at ito ay nabuo na sa pamamagitan ng Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program na binuo ng Office of the Presidential Assistant on Recovery and Rehabilitation, si Secretary Panfilo Lacson. Ito ay binubuo ng 25,000 partikular na programa na dinisensyo at binuo ng mga lokal na pamahalaan batay sa kanilang Post Disaster Needs Assessment. Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ay naisagawa ito sa ilalim ng batas at makaka-asa tayo na magiging maayos at mabilis iyong pagpapatupad dito dahil nakabatay sa plano na pinag-isipan at talagang naaayon sa pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan. ALAN: Sec. Sonny, sa ibang usapin po ano ho. Ano ho ang latest dito sa inaantay na paliwanag. I understand ang Pangulong Noy ay nag-aantay ng paliwanag mula dito kay Health Secretary Enrique Ona may kaungayan bilang mga usapin gaya halimbawa nung immunization projects ng Department of Health, iyong improvement ng RITM. Ano po ang latest sa aspetong ito, Sec. Sonny, Sir? SEC. COLOMA: Ayon nga po sa pahayag ng Pangulo ay binibigyan ng pagkakataon si Health Secretary Enrique Ona na buuin iyong mga datos na hinihiling sa kanya para magkaroon ng ganap paglilinaw hinggil sa paraan ng pagpapatupad ng mga mahalagang programa sa Department of Health, kabilang na iyong immunization program at ito nga ang dahilan kung bakit siya ay on-leave ngayon. Dahil ayon na nga sa sinabi ng Pangulo hindi niya maasikaso iyong pagbubuo nitong mga datos na ito kung siya ay patuloy pang gaganap doon sa kaniyang mga tungkulin. Iyan ang dahilan kung bakit siya ay on-leave sa panahong kasalukuyan. ALAN: Well, Sec. Sonny, Sir. Muli salamat po ng marami for the updates from the Palace, Sir. SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat at Magandang umaga, Alan. |
| SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center |
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| Ombudsman indicts Cavite ex-Gov. Maliksi for graft |
| Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph |
| Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales found probable cause to charge former Cavite Governor Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi with violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) for the irregular procurement of medicines worth P2.5 million. By Order dated October 22, 2014, Ombudsman Morales denied Maliksi’s motion to reconsider the Joint Resolution dated July 8, 2014. The Joint Resolution stated that in February 2003, the province of Cavite entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for the purchase of medicines under a P10 million grant, the first tranche of which in the amount of P2.5 million was released to the province of Cavite on February 4, 2003. It found that no public bidding was conducted and the supporting documents (Purchase Request, Purchase Order, and Inspection and Acceptance Report) show that the procurement was made three months prior to the release of the first tranche. On Maliksi’s explanation on the resort to emergency purchase, Ombudsman Morales found “no imminent danger to life and/or property that ought to have been prevented” when the medicines were purchased in time for the Barangay Health Workers (BHW) National Convention in November 2002. “[T]he distribution of ordinary medicines during the BHW National Convention is not a project or activity that cannot be delayed without causing detriment to public service,” the Order explained. Ombudsman Morales concluded that Maliksi gave unwarranted advantage or preference to the supplier, Allied Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Inc., which was awarded the government contract without public bidding and without proving that among the suppliers, its medicines cost the cheapest. Meanwhile, the complaint against Nina Nguyen Lagac, Maliksi’s chief of staff, was dismissed for insufficiency of evidence. The administrative charge of Grave Misconduct against Maliksi was dismissed by virtue of his reelection in 2004. The case stemmed from the complaint filed by then Vice-Governor Juan Victor Remulla. |
| Ombudsman indicts LWUA officials for graft |
| Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph |
| The Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause to charge two officials of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) for graft in connection with the implementation of the Guimba Water Supply Project (GWSP) in Nueva Ecija. Former LWUA Administrator Lorenzo Jamora and Acting Deputy Administrator Wilfredo Feleo together with Renato Legaspi, President and Chairman of Green Asia Construction and Development Corporation face criminal indictments for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act). In addition, Jamora and Feleo were also found guilty of Gross Neglect of Duty and Grave Misconduct and were dismissed from the service. The Resolution narrated that in 1998, LWUA entered into a Contract for Consulting Services for the implementation of the Small Towns Water Supply Sector Project. On 29 May 2001, the Guimba Water District (GWD) entered into a Financial Assistance Contract with LWUA amounting to P60,372,000.00. After compliance with bidding requirements, the contract for the design and construction of the GWSP was awarded to Green Asia with a total project cost of P30 million. In October 2003, GWD issued a Certificate of Project Completion but attached a punch list detailing the works that needed correction or completion. Notwithstanding the non-completion, Feleo and Jamora approved on 12 July 2004 the processing of the final billing and check representing the payment to Green Asia amounting to P1,113,521.10. Documents show that the Certificate of Final Acceptance was issued by GWD only on 05 August 2004. The Resolution found that the disbursement of the amount of P1,113,521.10 in favor of Green Asia despite the absence of the Certificate of Final Acceptance is unjustified and unauthorized per Commission on Audit (COA) Memorandum No. 81-292 in relation to COA Circular No. 92-389, thereby making the release of the check unofficial and unjustified. Green Asia unduly profited from the transaction since it was not entitled to payment at that time for failure to address the works that needed correction or completion. Ombudsman Morales stated that “the collective action of Feleo and Jamora in ensuring the advance release of the check to Green Asia and the actual receipt by Legaspi thereof despite the absence of the Certificate of Final Acceptance at that time constitutes positive and convincing evidence that they pursued the same criminal purpose and objective in giving unwarranted benefit to Green Asia.” The complaint against LWUA Senior Deputy Administrator Emmanuel Malicdem was dismissed for lack of evidence. |
| Philippine financial system registers solid performance in H12014 |
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph |
| The Philippine financial system, supported by the strong performance of the banking system which accounted for almost 80 percent of the assets of the financial system, remained strong and healthy in the first half of 2014 amid lingering market uncertainties brought about by the US normalization policy1 and China slowdown. The banking system performed beyond market expectations with a year-on-year asset growth of 19.3 percent. Net profit stood at P63.7 billion though affected by moderate upward movement of domestic interest rates which resulted in revaluation and mark-to-market losses in banks’ trading books. Nonetheless, interest-related revenues continued to support core earnings. This period also highlighted the changing behavior of banks in response to changing market conditions. Despite all these, the performance of the Philippine banking system is still commendable as it is the only banking system out of the ASEAN-52 and the 65 Moody’s-rated banking systems in the world that earned a positive outlook from the international credit watcher for the next 12-18 months. At end-June 2014, the country had 664 operating banks, 9,456 bank branches, 14,843 ATMS, 328 microfinance banking offices, and 245 banks with e-banking services (i.e., internet, mobile, phone, e-wallet and remittance cards). The BSP continued to widen financial access points under a defined financial inclusion strategy. Entities with quasi-banking functions and other institutions under BSP jurisdiction also performed generally well for the first half of the year. Key performance indicators for these NBFIs reflected strong balance sheets and sustained profitability. Notwithstanding the solid performance of the financial system in the first half of 2014, risks arising from ever changing market conditions and emerging regulatory architecture could signal sharp turns and pressure points that may warrant careful monitoring, pro-active supervisory response and calibrated reform implementation. This is in line with the BSP’s objective of promoting greater financial stability. ------------------------------- 1 Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008, the US Federal Reserve has initiated a series of extraordinary monetary policies designed to facilitate the recapitalization and recovery phases of the financial crisis and, hopefully, establish the foundation for broad-based economic expansion. These policies included an unprecedented expansion of the U.S. monetary base and the lowering of overnight borrowing rates to zero. In hindsight, these policies were clearly designed to greatly increase liquidity within the financial system and to accelerate the broader deleveraging process by promoting the re-inflation of asset values. On 18 December 2013, the Federal Reserve announced that they will reduce their monthly purchases of mortgage-backed and Treasury securities by $10 billion beginning in January 2014. This announcement was termed as “US tapering” or normalization policy. 2 Refers to the founding economies of the ASEAN namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Singapore |
| Commissioner Henares appointed as UN Expert |
| Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph |
| Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares was appointed by the United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki Moon as a member of the UN Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters in accordance with Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Resolution 2004/69. The Committee, consisting of 25 tax experts and senior tax administrators from 10 developed and 15 developing countries and economies in transition, is responsible for exploring ways and means of facilitating the conclusion of tax treaties between developed and developing countries and for promoting international tax cooperation among tax authorities. Commissioner Henares welcomes her appointment to the committee as an opportunity to advance the interest of developing countries in the formulation of tax treaty commentaries and recommendations to various tax issues brought about by increasing globalization and integration of economies. Tax agencies especially from developing countries, like the Philippines, face serious challenges in enforcing laws and collecting taxes from cross-border transactions. In a 2014 report, Global Financial Integrity estimates that the Philippine government has lost at least US $23 Billion tax revenues since 1990 from trade mis-invoicing. “Globalization does not just create opportunities for doing business, it also creates risks for tax evasion and base erosion. Unlike advanced countries, we lack the capacity to tackle complicated cross-border tax problems. It is important to have this platform and be part of this body where developing countries are given special attention in dealing with these issues,” she said. Before being appointed to the UN Committee, Commissioner Henares has been active in international dialogues on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) and exchange of information where she has been very vocal about the challenges by developing countries in implementing global standards on tax transparency and fairness. Commissioner Henares’ term begins in October 2014 and ends on June 30, 2017. |
| Search on for 2014 DepEd-BSP best finance educators |
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph |
| Nominations to the Department of Education (DepEd) - Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) awards program for the best finance educators in public elementary schools may now be submitted to BSP Manila or at any BSP regional office or branches. The program aims to promote saving as a habit and money management as a discipline among schoolchildren. Now on its third year, the search for the 2014 GURO ng PAG-ASA was launched in October when DepEd Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC issued DepEd Memorandum No. 108 s. 2014 which includes the guidelines and nomination forms for the search. Three national winners will be named 2014 GURO NG PAG-ASA (Gantimpala para sa Ulirang PagtutuRO ng PAG-iimpok at Araling PanSAlapi) and will receive a cash prize of one hundred thousand pesos each (P100,000.00). They are the outstanding teachers who have integrated financial lessons developed by DepEd and the BSP in three subjects: Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (EsP), Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP), and Araling Panlipunan (AP). The schools they represent will also receive a brand new computer with printer and an LCD projector with screen. Regional finalists will receive P50,000.00 each. Meanwhile, the winner of the Bida sa Pag-iimpok at Pangkabuhayan (BSP) Award will receive a special prize. Requests for more information may be sent to the Corporate Affairs Office of the BSP at 7087140 or through email atrgarcia@bsp.gov.ph. DepEd Memorandum No. 108 s. 2014 with guidelines and nomination forms |
| On the Article published in the Manila Standard Today on 3 November 2014 Re: Alleged P617.44 Million Unliquidated Cash Advances of the DOJ |
| Source: http://www.doj.gov.ph |
| This has reference to the article published yesterday, 3 November 2014, on the front page of the Manila Standard Today relative to "Top Executives" in the Aquino Administration who allegedly "owe" the Commission on Audit (COA) billions of pesos of public funds, based on the 2013 COA Annual Financial Report. In particular, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is said to be ranked fifth, having a total of P617.44 Million Unliquidated Cash Advances. This is to inform the public that, as of this date, nearly all Unliquidated Cash Advances in the Department of Justice-OSEC Proper have already been liquidated. These include Cash Advances pertaining to Confidential Fund, such as those pertaining to the Witness Protection Program (WPP), that were already submitted to the Commission on Audit (COA) and are awaiting Credit Advice from COA-Central Office. In the interest of full transparency, the only Unliquidated Cash Advances for FY 2013 are as follows: (a) P470,000.00 used by the Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR) during its anniversary celebration last December 2013; and (b) the P420,000.00 used by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) in its operations. Both are now being processed for liquidation. The COA Resident Auditor can attest to the foregoing facts. |
| One year after ‘Yolanda’: Three mothers give a face to rehab, recovery efforts of public, private sectors |
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph |
| One year after Typhoon Yolanda ripped through the Visayas Region, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman recognizes that much work remains to be done, but expressed confidence that the “Building Back Better” principle of the Aquino Administration is on the right track. Sec. Soliman believes that efforts to rehabilitate typhoon-ravaged communities may be far from perfect, but she said that the Philippines has made significant strides compared to other countries who were also affected by natural disasters. “The national and local governments as well as the private sector, local and international non-government organizations continue to join hands to meet the challenge of building back better communities by sharing human and financial resources,” Sec. Soliman said. She cited that in earthquake-hit Haiti, there are still thousands of people staying in tents after four years. “To date, there is just one evacuation center in Tacloban City located at the San Fernando Elementary School, serving 48 families,” Sec. Soliman shared. International organizations have also lauded the recovery and rehabilitation efforts of the government. In one of his interviews, Javad Amoozegar, Philippine Director of the Action Against Hunger – ACF International said that they have seen so many delays on the ground, but they have also seen how the Philippine government “worked hard to ensure that the needs of the communities are met at the immediate possible time.” Just yesterday, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said that rehabilitation efforts in Eastern Visayas were “moving faster” compared to those undertaken during the earthquake and tsunami that struck Aceh, Indonesia, 10 years ago. But the most important attestations came from the survivors. “Kami po ng pamilya ko, sa palagay ko naman nakabangon na kami mula sa ‘Yolanda’. Sa totoo lang po mas maganda pa nga ang buhay namin ngayon dahil sa dami ng tulong na dumadating. Nasa tao na lang kung hindi pa siya nakabangon (I think that our family has recovered. In fact, our life is better now with the extent of assistance pouring in. It’s already up to the person if he or she has not recovered),” Ruth Parado, 38, of Barangay Cogon, Palo, Leyte, said. Like Ruth, Ritchel Ripalda, 32, of Brgy. Tagpuro, Tacloban City, said that her family is now leading normal lives. “Masasabi ko po na kahit papaano ay nakabangon na rin ang aming pamilya dahil may bahay na kami, may pinagkakakitaan, at nakakapasok na rin sa eskuwelahan ang mga bata (I can say that our lives have gone back to normal because we already have a house, a steady source of income, and our children have gone back to school),” Ritchel said when asked about their situation one year after ‘Yolanda’. ‘Yolanda’ was the strongest typhoon recorded in recent history with the speed of more than 300 km/h. It ripped through the Visayas region one year ago on November 8, causing widespread death and destruction, particularly in the provinces of Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Capiz, Aklan, and Palawan. Based on DSWD records, there were 1,472,251 families affected with 918,261 displaced. A total of 1,171,469 houses were damaged. Shelter Both Ruth and Ritchel narrated that their houses were washed away by flood waters triggered by the storm surges. They were able to construct new ones with the help of the government through the DSWD, the private sector, and local and international NGOs. “Binigyan po kami ng DSWD ng mga yero at ang Leyte Christian College naman ay nagbigay ng mga panghaligi (DSWD gave us galvanized iron sheets for our roofs while Leyte Christian College provided the coco lumber posts),” Ritchel, 32, said. Ruth’s family received shelter assistance from the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) which they used to build the framework of their house including 20 pieces of GI sheets. “Lahat po kami dito sa Cogon nabigyan ng first tranche ng shelter assistance mula sa CRS,” Ruth said. She added that they are still waiting for the second tranche to complete their house structure. In the meantime, Ruth said that they used old construction materials to cover the sides of their house. To assist the most vulnerable families whose houses were partially damaged, DSWD distributed 20,334 shelter kits that DPWH procured for priority distribution to families in Tacloban, Palo, and Guiuan in Eastern Visayas, and Capiz and Iloilo in Western Visayas. In addition, the Shelter Cluster, with the support of more than 70 national and international NGOs and UN Agencies helped 162,492 families repair their damaged homes by providing roofing materials and toolkits. Some 4,309 families who were unable to construct their houses were transferred by DSWD to the 246 bunkhouses constructed by the DPWH in Western and Eastern Visayas. In partnership with Operation Compassion, the local government of Tacloban City is constructing 60 additional transitional shelter units in Brgy. Caway and Sto. Domingo. “By year-end, none of the remaining survivors in all ‘Yolanda’-hit areas would be staying in tents and makeshifts,” Sec. Soliman stressed. In partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), DSWD is constructing an additional 2,700 transitional shelter units for those still living in tents and makeshifts in Leyte and Samar. Sec. Soliman also said that DSWD has allocated P303.9 million to its Field Offices for the core/modified shelter assistance program intended for the 4,983 families with totally damaged houses in safe zones in Regions IV-B, VI, and VIII. The funds came from the donations it received and from a grant amounting to P131.25 million from the Asian Development Bank. To date, DSWD already released funding for 250 units in Guiuan, Eastern Samar. Implementation is ongoing. Food Another survivor, Lorna Letran, 46, of Brgy. Lupok, Poblacion, Guiuan, Eastern Samar, said that aside from the shelter assistance they received, food aid was also abundant. “Iyong dapat pambili namin ng pagkain ay ‘di na po namin nagastos dahil madami pong nabibigay na relief sa amin ang DSWD kaya pinandagdag na lang namin sa pagpapagawa ng bahay (We were able to save the money intended for our food because there were a lot of relief goods being provided to us by DSWD and various groups. We used our savings to build our house),” Lorna said. From November 2013 to the third week of June 2014, DSWD has distributed 4,635,669 family food packs with 3-kg and 6-kg of rice. On December 16, 2013, DSWD started distributing bigger food packs with 25-kg of rice, 20 packs of canned goods, 20 sachets of coffee, and 20 packs of noodles. As of September 30, 2014, DSWD with the support of other organizations like the World Food Programme delivered 7,617,827 food packs with 25-kg of rice to survivors in all affected regions. Livelihood To help the survivors earn some cash to meet their daily needs, DSWD implemented the Cash-for-work (CFW) program which provided cash to household heads in exchange for rendering an average of ten days of community work in disaster-related operations. Ruth, Ritchel, and Lorna were among the 90,226 beneficiaries who participated in CFW activities in the affected regions, including the National Capital Region where a number of survivors temporarily migrated in the aftermath of ‘Yolanda’. From November 2013 to September 2014, total cash payouts for the CFW beneficiaries had amounted to P130,933,308. The Emergency Employment Program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also benefited 54,488 individuals. Cash grants Ruth, Ritchel, and Lorna are also thankful that they are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the DSWD. Pantawid Pamilya provides monthly cash grants of P500 for health and P300 per child in elementary or P500 per child in high school with a maximum of three qualified children per household for their educational and nutritional needs. They have to comply to program conditions of sending their children to school, bringing them to the health center for check-ups, and attending Family Development Sessions (FDS). The three are united in saying that the program has not only helped them meet the education and health needs of their children, but also in their darkest moments after ‘Yolanda’. Ruth said that the cash grants were only the sure money she had after ‘Yolanda’. “Inipon ko po iyong cash grants at pinambili ng mga damit ng aking mga anak. Talagang wala pong natirang mga damit ng mga bata. Kung wala po yung cash grants, puro relief clothes po ang gamit sana nila (I saved the cash grants and used it to buy new clothes for my children. All their clothes were gone. Without the cash grants, all their clothes would have been donated to us),” Ruth said. Ritchel, on the other hand, said that the lessons on disaster preparedness given through the FDS played a big role why they were safe amid ‘Yolanda’. “Sinabi po doon na kapag nandiyan na ang bagyo, lumikas na agad sa pinakamalapit na evacuation center. Dalhin ang mga mahahalagang mga dokumento, gamot, at ilang mga gamit (I learned from the FDS that in times of typhoons, immediately evacuate. Bring important documents, medicines, and some basic needs),” Ritchel said. For Lorna, being a Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary has given her access to other opportunities. She also became a beneficiary of the DSWD-Globe Telecoms partnership which provided her logistics support to start a pre-paid loading business. Source of income Ruth, Ritchel, and Lorna expressed that the livelihood assistance from the government and the private sector has also helped them start anew. Ruth is thankful that she now has a sari-sari store, a livelihood assistance from Red Cross. “Nakakatulong na rin po ang kaunting kita ng tindahan sa kita ko bilang facilitator sa Women-Friendly Spaces (WFS) at ng asawa ko bilang sand gatherer ( The income of my store is a big add on to my earnings as facilitator of the Women-Friendly Spaces and my husband’s as sand gatherer),” Ruth said. Aside from her pre-paid loading business, Lorna also has a sari-sari store provided by another international organisation. Ritchel and her husband, Elias, on the other hand, have a yema-making business which they started out of a P2,000 loan from a relative. “Eto na po dati ang pinagkakakitaan namin ng asawa ko. Kaya lang kung dati kumikita kami ng P3,000 kada lingo ngayon po P1,000 na lang kasi kakaunti na lang ang order saka maliit po kasi iyong puhunan namin ( Yema-making has been our source of income even before ‘Yolanda’. Before, we were earning P3,000 a week. Now, its only P1,000 because of fewer orders and a meager capital),” Ritchel related. Even with a slowdown in their yema-business, Ritchel remains thankful for the blessings. Elias, was also given a machine for his motorized banca by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). “Malaking tulong na rin kasi nakaka pangisda na siya. Hindi na rin namin masyadong problema ang pang-ulam (It is also a big help to us as Elias can go fishing. We no longer have to worry about our food),” Ritchel added. Though the three expressed satisfaction with the assistance given to them, if they have their way, they want more livelihood support not only for them, but for the many mothers who have no steady sources of income. Ruth related that as a facilitator, she often gets feedback about the need for livelihood support to mothers. “Pagkakakitaan po talaga ang kailangan para talagang makabangon na ang mga tao (A source of income is what people need to really bounce back),” Ruth expressed. “Palagay ko eto rin po ang sagot sa away pamilya dahil pag may trabaho walang oras mag-away ang mag-asawa (I think that this is also the solution to husband and wife rift because if there is work there is no time for quarrel),” Ruth said with a grin. Way forward Sec. Soliman said that the signing of the P167.9-billion rehabilitation master plan for the 171 ‘Yolanda’-affected cities and municipalities will boost the multi-stakeholders’ efforts in the response phase. As chair of the Social Services Cluster, DSWD is tasked to facilitate the delivery of basic services such as education, health, and social protection services, as well as provide healthy environments and strengthen capacity to cope with future hazards and disasters. “With this plan which we hope to implement on target, there will be more Ruth, Ritchel, and Lorna who will give face to the convergence of our efforts to build back better communities,” Sec. Soliman ended. |
| Number of Barangays Totals to 42,029 in the Third Quarter of 2014 |
| Source: http://www.nscb.gov.ph |
As of September 30, 2014, there are 42,029 barangays with the addition of Barangay Santa Maria which was established out of Barangay Wawa in the Municipality of Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro with the ratification of Provincial Resolution No. 124, series of 2013 through a plebiscite on September 13, 2014. The newly created barangay will be assigned a new code of 175101010.
Consequently, the masterlist of barangays in the Philippine Standard Geographic Code (PSGC) was updated to reflect the above-mentioned change. With this update, the latest number of regions, provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays in the country as of September 30, 2014 is shown in the table below: June 30, 2014 September 30, 2014 Regions 17 17 Provinces 81 81 Cities 144 144 Municipalities 1,490 1,490 Barangays 42,028 42,029 Pursuant to Republic Act No. 10625, the PSA is mandated to prescribe uniform standards and classification systems in government statistics and in the generation of official statistics to ensure harmonization and comparability of statistics in the country and at the international level. The PSA shall continually formulate statistical standards such as definitions of statistical terms and concepts used in official statistics, and likewise develop classification systems for adoption by government agencies. The PSGC database, which facilitates the search for codes and relevant information on regions, provinces, municipalities, cities and barangays in the Philippines is currently lodged at PSA-NSCB website with URL http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ activestats/psgc/default.asp. The PSGC is used in the Unified Account Code Structure, particularly the location code, being implemented by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). - See more at: http://www.nscb.gov.ph/pressreleases/2014/PR-201410-PP2-01_psgc.asp#sthash.5o6jXsWF.dpuf
As of September 30, 2014, there are 42,029 barangays with the addition of Barangay Santa Maria which was established out of Barangay Wawa in the Municipality of Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro with the ratification of Provincial Resolution No. 124, series of 2013 through a plebiscite on September 13, 2014. The newly created barangay will be assigned a new code of 175101010.
As of September 30, 2014, there are 42,029 barangays with the addition of Barangay Santa Maria which was established out of Barangay Wawa in the Municipality of Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro with the ratification of Provincial Resolution No. 124, series of 2013 through a plebiscite on September 13, 2014. The newly created barangay will be assigned a new code of 175101010.Consequently, the masterlist of barangays in the Philippine Standard Geographic Code (PSGC) was updated to reflect the above-mentioned change. With this update, the latest number of regions, provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays in the country as of September 30, 2014 is shown in the table below: June 30, 2014 September 30, 2014 Regions 17 17 Provinces 81 81 Cities 144 144 Municipalities 1,490 1,490 Barangays 42,028 42,029 Pursuant to Republic Act No. 10625, the PSA is mandated to prescribe uniform standards and classification systems in government statistics and in the generation of official statistics to ensure harmonization and comparability of statistics in the country and at the international level. The PSA shall continually formulate statistical standards such as definitions of statistical terms and concepts used in official statistics, and likewise develop classification systems for adoption by government agencies. The PSGC database, which facilitates the search for codes and relevant information on regions, provinces, municipalities, cities and barangays in the Philippines is currently lodged at PSA-NSCB website with URL http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ activestats/psgc/default.asp. The PSGC is used in the Unified Account Code Structure, particularly the location code, being implemented by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). - See more at: http://www.nscb.gov.ph/pressreleases/2014/PR-201410-PP2-01_psgc.asp#sthash.5o6jXsWF.dpuf Consequently, the masterlist of barangays in the Philippine Standard Geographic Code (PSGC) was updated to reflect the above-mentioned change. With this update, the latest number of regions, provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays in the country as of September 30, 2014 is shown in the table below: June 30, 2014 September 30, 2014 Regions 17 17 Provinces 81 81 Cities 144 144 Municipalities 1,490 1,490 Barangays 42,028 42,029 The compilation of the PSGC is a collaborative effort of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), National Barangay Operations Office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (NBOO-DILG), National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Pursuant to Republic Act No. 10625, the PSA is mandated to prescribe uniform standards and classification systems in government statistics and in the generation of official statistics to ensure harmonization and comparability of statistics in the country and at the international level. The PSA shall continually formulate statistical standards such as definitions of statistical terms and concepts used in official statistics, and likewise develop classification systems for adoption by government agencies. The PSGC database, which facilitates the search for codes and relevant information on regions, provinces, municipalities, cities and barangays in the Philippines is currently lodged at PSA-NSCB website with URL http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ activestats/psgc/default.asp. The PSGC is used in the Unified Account Code Structure, particularly the location code, being implemented by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). |
| Enforcement, Adjudication to take center stage at IP summit |
| Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph |
| Ensuring effective intellectual property (IP) enforcement and adjudication of cases was the main focus at the 4th Philippine Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Summit last 20 October at a hotel in Pasay City. The event gathered the country’s top local IP experts and some foreign luminaries. The Summit has adopted the theme “Strengthening Intellectual Property Enforcement and Adjudication in the 21st Century.” The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), the lead organizer of the Summit, took into consideration the importance of putting in place an effective IP enforcement and a just and efficient adjudication system in the country. “We aim to make the IP system work better and faster for our IP right holders. The continuing push to improve IP enforcement and adjudication in the country is aligned with our bigger objective of having a demystified, democratized, and a development-oriented IP system,” IPOPHL Director General Atty. Ricardo R. Blancaflor said. Already, the IPOPHL has set in place policies and measures to make it easier for IP right owners to enforce their rights. These include the continuing capacity-building programs in the judiciary that are rolled out in partnership with government and private stakeholders such as the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) and the Supreme Court. The seminars and workshops aim to enhance the skills of commercial court judges, prosecutors and investigators and clerk of courts in handling IP cases. There are already designated commercial courts for the speedy disposition of cases involving violations of IP rights. At the IPOPHL, mechanisms for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) have already been established. The IPOPHL-assisted mediation and arbitration programs, which began in February 2011, have gained acceptance among private stakeholders as an alternative way to settle IP disputes. Furthermore, the signing into law in 2013 of Republic Act No. 10372, or the Act Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act No 8293 Otherwise Known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, has strengthened the IP enforcement framework. The new law created the IPR Enforcement Office at the IPOPHL whose mandate is to assist in providing additional administrative recourse to rights holders in running after the infringers from sending notices, warnings, visits, filing of other administrative cases, and assistance in the application and implementation of search warrants, inspection orders issued by Optical Media Board (OMB) and Mission Orders issued by the Bureau of Customs (BOC). Speakers at this year’s Summit are Justice Diosdado M. Peralta of the Supreme Court of the Philippines; Atty. Jean-Pierre Maeder of Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy (BASCAP) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC); Atty. Brian Law Yee Foo of the International Trademark Association (INTA); Presiding Judge Jack H.C. Wang and Division Chief Judge Huei-Ju (Grace) Tsai of the Intellectual Property Court of Taiwan; Ms. Luisa Irely Aquique-Pineda, Director of IP Enforcement at the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property; Judge Bernice Donald of the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; and Mr. Peter Fowler, Regional IP Attache for Southeast Asia at the US Patent Office. The Summit also saw the recognition of the latest batch of IP Champions and the Induction of the 2nd Batch of IPOPHL IP Young Advocates. The IP Champions are recognized for their notable contributions in improving the IPR protection environment in the country. The IP Young Advocates program of the IPOPHL, meanwhile, seeks to introduce IP to selected high school students in the country -- a way of involving the youth in the promotion and protection of IP. The Philippines observed the IP Month in October. Aside from the IP Summit, the IPOPHL also organized a National Seminar on Trademarks and Designs (16-17 October), IP Rights Week (20-24 October), ASEAN Regional Workshop on IP Enforcement - Building Respect for IP (21 October), ASEAN – USPTO Roundtable Discussion for Judiciary (21-22 October), Focus Group Discussion/Roundtable (Prosecutors) (23-24 October), and National Workshop on Counterfeiting Piracy and Border Control (28-29 October). |
| 'May nagwang-wang? isumbong sa amin' - DILG |
| Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph |
| BIR says it is merely implementing law on processing of VAT Tax Refund/Credit |
| Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph |
| The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is reminding everyone that Section 112 of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended (NIRC), governs the period relating to the processing of VAT refund/credit. This has been in existence since January 1, 1998, the year the NIRC took effect. Section 112 (C) of the NIRC provides that xxx the Commissioner shall grant a refund or issue the tax credit certificate xxx within one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of submission of complete documents xxx. In case of full or partial denial of the claim for tax refund or tax credit, or the failure on the part of the Commissioner to act on the application within the period prescribed above, the taxpayer affected may, within thirty (30) days from the receipt of the decision denying the claim or after the expiration of the one hundred twenty-period, appeal the decision or the unacted claim with the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA). xxx Therefore, the NIRC provides that in the event the BIR does not act on the claim within 120 days, the taxpayer has the remedy to elevate the case to the CTA. Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 54-2104 merely implements the said provision of law. Since the implementation of RMC 54-2014 up to the end of September 2014, the BIR received one hundred thirty-four (134) applications for VAT refund/credit, processed for approval 68 applications for tax credit, 3 applications for refund and 2 applications for BOC (purely importation), and denied 31 applications. RMC No. 54-2104 merely seeks to address the various complaints received by the BIR with respect to the length of time the agency takes to process claims for refund/credit and complaints that the BIR keeps on asking for additional documents. With the said RMC, the BIR commits itself to process all applications in 120 days and provided certainty to the resolution of the claims of taxpayers. The RMC now enumerates all the documents that must be submitted to support the application for VAT refund/credit. Upon submission of the claim and its supporting documents, the claim shall be processed and no other documents shall be accepted/required from the taxpayer. A decision shall be rendered by the Commissioner based only on the documents submitted by the taxpayer. The application for tax refund/credit shall be denied where the claimant failed to submit the complete supporting documents. Another purpose of the RMC is to minimize if not eliminate taxpayer interaction with revenue personnel to avoid collusion between them and to prevent corruption. |
| PHL Hosts UN discussion on enforcing international judicial and arbitral decisions, highlights international law as the great equalizer |
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph |
| 04 November 214 - To help sustain the momentum of the rule of law at the international level, the Philippines hosted an event on the margins of the International Law Week in the United Nations (UN) as the country’s contribution to draw greater attention to the subject of enforcement of judicial and arbitral decisions between States. Entitled, “The Enforcement of International Judicial and Arbitral Decisions”, the event was keynoted by esteemed Professor Sean Dean Murphy of the George Washington University Law School. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN, underscored that the international community has become more reliant on the rule of law as a cornerstone of the peaceful settlement of disputes. “More and more States are submitting their disputes to international tribunals to manifest their commitment to the maintenance of international peace and security. International law is the great equalizer,” Ambassador Cabactulan said. In his presentation, Professor Murphy laid down several trends on and prospects for the enforcement of international judicial and arbitral decisions. One trend he cited is the proliferation of international courts and tribunals for inter-state dispute resolution. Another is the good degree of compliance by states with the decisions of international courts and arbitral tribunals. Professor Murphy stressed that compliance proved to be “really strong although not perfect.” “We do live in a world where a lot of people believe in the law. Even if you don’t like the decision, the tendency is to be law-compliant and, therefore, to follow the decisions rendered,” he said. Arguing further that countries will benefit from abiding by arbitral decisions for land or maritime disputes, he added, “What the tribunal is giving you is certainty as to where the boundary is, and that has a lot of benefits, particularly if you want to explore natural resources or to sort out your relationship with another country.” The resort to international tribunals to settle disputes peacefully is a key element of the Philippines’ “Triple Action Plan” that prescribes specific steps, including arbitration, to address maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea. Legal experts from various Permanent Missions to the UN actively participated in the discussions. Professor Murphy was asked on the consequences of default, an apparent reference to the case filed by the Philippines, and China’s refusal to participate. Professor Murphy replied that non-participation presents some difficulties to the courts but stressed that while such a situation is unfortunate, the court would nonetheless have to assess the merits of the case and issue a final and binding judgment. He also said that “courts and tribunals do not regard non-participation as resulting in a default.” “…because if all it took is not showing up for there to be no ability for the tribunal to issue a judgment, the whole system will fall apart,” he argued. The reply of the Professor finds basis under Article 9 of Annex VII of the UNCLOS which states that “absence of a party or failure of a party to defend its case shall not constitute a bar to the proceedings.” |
| 35 Filipinos to return Home from Syria |
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph |
| 04 November 214 - Thirty-five (35) Filipinos from Syria, who availed of the Mandatory Repatriation Program (MRP), will arrive at 3:10 p.m. on November 06 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on board Qatar Airways flight number QR-926. The arrival of this batch brings the total number of Filipinos repatriated from war-torn Syria to 5,528. Of this number, 2,501 were repatriated through Lebanon, with the cooperation, assistance and support of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut. The repatriates will travel by land from Damascus to Beirut on November 05. They will then be assisted by Philippine Embassy in Beirut during their transit at the Lebanese Masna’a border. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Damascus shouldered their airfare. They will undergo pre-departure briefing and medical check-up prior to their travel to Manila. The Philippine Embassy in Damascus continues to coordinate with the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates for the issuance of exit visas for Filipino workers who are currently sheltered at the Halfway Quarters. With the MRP still in place, the Philippine Embassy is calling on the next-of-kin of Filipino workers who are still in Syria to get in touch with the Embassy and provide information on their family member’s whereabouts so that immediate assistance can be extended to them. The Embassy may be reached through the following contact details: 00963-11-6132626, 00963-949155557, 00963-934957926, email: damascuspe@gmail.com. |
| Baldoz reports DOLE release of P3.78 million in livelihood assistance to parents of child laborers in MIMAROPA |
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph |
| Baldoz reports DOLE release of P3.78 million in livelihood assistance to parents of child laborers in MIMAROPA Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said the DOLE Regional Office No. 4-B (MIMAROPA) continues to provide livelihood assistance to parents of child laborers in the region as it steps up its campaign against child labor under the DOLE's Child Labor Free-Barangay Campaign in support of the H.E.L.P. M. E. convergence program. As of date, our regional office in Region IV-B has released P3,786,197 for various livelihood projects of 426 parents of child laborers all over the MIMAROPA," Baldoz said. "The beneficiaries of these livelihood projects were based on the result of the DOLE's profiling of vulnerable workers, which indicated the provinces of Occidental and Oriental Mindoro to as areas to have high existence of child laborers," said Baldoz. She was referring to the survey/profiling conducted this year by the DOLE's Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns to ascertain the extent of vulnerability of informal sector workers, including parents of child laborers. In a report to Secretary Baldoz, DOLE Regional Offive IV-B Regional Director Teodoro Delson said the regional office has assisted financially the livelihoods of 14 organizations or groups of child labor-parents. These groups/organizations and the number of beneficiaries, their livelihoods, and the amounts of livelihood assistance provided are as follows: Occidental Mindoro--(1) Samahang Mahihirap with 18 beneficiaries, P180,000 for its bakery and peanut butter-making; (2) Rumbang Womens Association with 30 beneficiaries, P275,250 for its hog raising and fattening; (3) Unlad sa Sarili (Samahan ng Mahihirap) with 45 beneficiaries, P426,000 for its curtains, pillowcase, sofa cover, door mats, pot holders, and bags manufacturing; (4) Sitio Mendigorin Parents Association with 27 beneficiaries, P270,000 for its candy-making business; (5) Samahan ng Mangingisda ng Brgy. Salvacion with 30 beneficiaries, P300,000 for its tuyo and tinapa-making project; (6) Salvacion Women's Association with 23 beneficiaries, P230,000 for its meat processing business; (7) Salvacion Parents' Association with 31 beneficiaries, P310,000 for its motorized fishing boat with fishing net; and (8) Samahan ng mga Kababaihan ng Brgy. Adela with 23 members, P202,630 for its hog raising and fattening business. In Oriental Mindoro, Regional Director Delson said the beneficiaries were (1) B. Del Mundo Agriculture & Fishery Association with 35 beneficiaries, P352,925 for its smoked fish processing; (2) Samahan ng Pag-aalaga ng Manukan with 22 beneficiaries, P210,450 for its establishment of a poultry raising farm; (3) Campaasan Association of Vulnerable Workers with 30 beneficiaries, P201,450 for its handicraft-making; (4) Parents of Disadvantaged Youth Association with 37 members, P147,800 for its peanut butter-making; and (5) Samahan ng Mananahi with 35 beneficiaries, P330,700 for its home garments manufacturing, There is also one association in Romblon that received livelihood assistance. This was the Sablayan Parents Association in Brgy. Sablayan, Romblon, with 40 beneficiaries who received P348,992 for the establishment of a fish processing facility. Under the DOLE's Child Labor-Free Barangay campaign, the DOLE provides livelihood assistance to parents of identified child laborers to enable them to earn income and thus wean their children away from child labor. |
| PDIC OIC elected to the IADI Executive Council |
| Source: http://www.pdic.gov.ph |
| Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) Officer-in-Charge and Executive Vice President Cristina Q. Orbeta was elected to the Executive Council of the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) for a three-year term during the recently concluded 13th IADI Annual General Meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago hosted by the Deposit Insurance Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago. The PDIC, the government agency mandated to provide protection to depositors in Philippine banks, is a founding member of the IADI. The IADI is a non-profit organization established in 2002 to promote international cooperation and guidance in the field of deposit insurance. The IADI has 77 deposit insurance agencies as members from all over the world. IADI is based in Basel, Switzerland. The Executive Council which has 25 members from different jurisdictions is the governing board of the IADI. The IADI has eight regional committees to ensure representation of common interests of the regions namely: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Caribbean, Eurasia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and North Africa; and North America. The Philippines is a member of the Asia-Pacific Regional Committee. PDIC has been a member of the Executive Council of IADI since 2002. IADI provides a venue for sharing best practices in deposit insurance and proactively issues guiding principles to assist all deposit insurers all over the world. It recently issued the Revised Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance. The latter defines the standards against which deposit insurers assess themselves. Through continuing linkage with IADI, PDIC keeps abreast with emerging critical issues on financial stability and depositor protection. The PDIC was named Deposit Insurance Organization of the Year in 2013 by the IADI in recognition of its significant achievements in bank resolutions and payouts; compliance with the IADI Core Principles and international participation; and deposit insurance system improvements. |
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Last Updated: 04 NOVEMBER 2014
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 | President Benigno S. Aquino III huddles with the members and officers of the Japan National Press Club, led by Board of Director Hirotsugu Aida and secretary-general Shuichi Habu, for a group photo souvenir during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (November 04). Also in photo are PCOO Secretary Sonny Coloma, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Abaya. (Photo by Lauro Montellano , Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III answers questions from the members of the Japan National Press Club during the interview at the President’s Hall of Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (November 04). Also in photo are PCOO Secretary Sonny Coloma, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Abaya. (Photo by Lauro Montellano , Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III answers questions from the members of the Japan National Press Club during the interview at the President’s Hall of Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (November 04). Also in photo are PCOO Secretary Sonny Coloma, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Abaya. (Photo by Lauro Montellano , Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III observes the conduct of classes at the Technical Drafting, Mechatronics, Computer Hardware, Contact Services and Fashion Design Rooms of the post secondary workshop building; the dress making workshop building; and the culinary arts building during the visit to the Sisters of Mary Girlstown in Barangay Biga 2, Silang, Cavite on Monday (November 03). The Sisters of Mary School is a non-stock, non-profit, non-paying, live-in secondary institution for the marginalized poor of our country. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III visits the Sisters of Mary Girlstown in Barangay Biga 2, Silang, Cavite on Monday (November 03). The Sisters of Mary School is a non-stock, non-profit, non-paying, live-in secondary institution for the marginalized poor of our country. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III visits the Sisters of Mary Girlstown in Barangay Biga 2, Silang, Cavite on Monday (November 03). The Sisters of Mary School is a non-stock, non-profit, non-paying, live-in secondary institution for the marginalized poor of our country. Also in photo are, TESDA Director General Emmanuel Joel Villanueva,Sisters of Mary Vicar General Sr. Elena Belarmino, Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III visits the Sisters of Mary Girlstown in Barangay Biga 2, Silang, Cavite on Monday (November 03). The Sisters of Mary School is a non-stock, non-profit, non-paying, live-in secondary institution for the marginalized poor of our country. Also in photo are Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, Marixi Rufino Prieto, TESDA Director General Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, Sisters of Mary Vicar General Sr. Elena Belarmino, Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro and Congressman Roy Loyola. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and inspects the facilities of Monsignor Aloysius Shwartz Memorial Center of the Sisters of Mary Girls Town during the visit in Barangay Biga 2, Silang, Cavite on Monday (November 03). The Sisters of Mary School is a non-stock, non-profit, non-paying, live-in secondary institution for the marginalized poor of our country. It is maintained and supported mainly by donations, gifts and bequests coming noble, selfless and well meaning persons and entities, local and foreign. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III observes the conduct of classes at the Technical Drafting, Mechatronics, Computer Hardware, Contact Services and Fashion Design Rooms of the Post Secondary Workshop Building; the Dress Making Workshop Building; and the Culinary Arts Building during the visit to the Sisters of Mary Girls Town in Barangay Biga 2, Silang, Cavite on Monday (November 03). The Sisters of Mary School is a non-stock, non-profit, non-paying, live-in secondary institution for the marginalized poor of our country. It is maintained and supported mainly by donations, gifts and bequests coming noble, selfless and well meaning persons and entities, local and foreign. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the inauguration of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines Canlubang Plant Expansion at the Silangan Industrial Estate in Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna on Monday (November 03). Also in the photo are Coca-Cola FEMSA Chief Executive Officer John Santa Maria, Chief Operating Officer Juan Ramon Felix, Manufacturing Director Guillermo Jose Amador, Canlubang Plant Manager Jorge Martine, Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez, Laguna 2nd District Representative Joaquin Chipeco, Jr., and Calamba City Mayor Justin Marc Chipeco. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III presses a button to launch the expansion lines during the inauguration of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines Canlubang Plant Expansion at the Silangan Industrial Estate in Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna on Monday (November 03). (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and inspects the production facilities of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines Canlubang Plant Expansion during the inauguration ceremony at the Silangan Industrial Estate in Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna on Monday (November 03). (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and inspects the Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines Canlubang Plant Expansion during the inauguration ceremony at the Silangan Industrial Estate in Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna on Monday (November 03). With the president are Coca-Cola FEMSA Chief Executive Officer John Santa Maria, Chief Operating Officer Juan Ramon Felix, Manufacturing Director Guillermo Jose Amador, Canlubang Plant Manager Jorge Martinez, and Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and inspects the Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines Canlubang Plant Expansion during the inauguration ceremony at the Silangan Industrial Estate in Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna on Monday (November 03). With the President are Coca Cola officials and some members of the local government of Laguna. (Photo by Gil Nartea /Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the inauguration of Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines Canlubang Plant Expansion at the Silangan Industrial Estate in Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna on Monday (November 03). The PHP2.5 billion expansion of the Canlubang Plant is part of the committed investment of US$1 billion made by the Coca-Cola system. The Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines operates 22 plants and 47 sales offices across the country and employs around 8,000 people. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III meets the crowd in the cemetery after visiting the tombs of his parents Ninoy and Cory at the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Paranaque Sunday (November 2), on All Souls' Day. (Photo by Gil Nartea/Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III and some members of the Aquino family visit the tombs of their parents Ninoy and Cory at the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Paranaque Sunday (November 2), on All Souls' Day. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the security arrangements and facilities at the bus loading area of the Del Monte Land and Transport Bus Company, Inc. Bus Terminal at the Nirvana-LRT Buendia Terminal in Taft Avenue corner Buendia, Pasay City on Friday (October 31) to ensure the safety of passengers following the DOTC’s Undas 2014 “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe” for the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III interacts with passengers during the inspection on security arrangements and facilities at the Bus Loading Area of the JAC Liner Buendia Terminal in Donada st. corner Buendia, Pasay City on Friday (October 31) to ensure the safety of passengers following the DOTC’s Undas 2014 “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe” for the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. (Photo by Ryan LIm / Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III interacts with the passengers during the inspection on security arrangements and facilities at the Bus Loading Area of the Del Monte Land and Transport Bus Company, Inc. (DLTB) Bus Terminal at the Nirvana-LRT Buendia Terminal in Taft Avenue corner Buendia, Pasay City on Friday (October 31) to ensure the safety of passengers following the DOTC’s Undas 2014 “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe” for the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the operations, security set-up and facilities at the Departure Area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Friday (October 31, 2014) to ensure the safety of passengers following the DOTC’s Undas 2014 “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe” for the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the operations, security set-up and facilities at the Departure Area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Friday (October 31, 2014) to ensure the safety of passengers following of DOTC’s Undas 2014 “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe” for the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. Also in photo are Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II and Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Abaya. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the security arrangements and facilities of Coron and Puerto Princesa City, Palawan-bound St. Augustine Hippo Vessel during the inspection at the North Port Passenger Terminal Complex, Manila North Harbour Port, Inc. in Tondo, Manila City on Friday (October 31) to ensure the safety of passengers following the DOTC’s Undas 2014 “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe” for the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects security arrangements and facilities at the North Port Passenger Terminal Complex, Manila North Harbour Port, Inc. in Tondo, Manila City on Friday (October 31, 2014) to ensure the safety of passengers following the DOTC’s Undas 2014 “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe” for the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III greets passengers in the departure section during the inspection of security arrangements and facilities at the North Port Passenger Terminal Complex, Manila North Harbour Port, Inc. in Tondo, Manila City on Friday (October 31) to ensure the safety of passengers following the DOTC’s Undas 2014 “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe” for the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III meets with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leaders in Malacanang Thursday (October 30) to get an update on the Bangsamoro Development Plan, an initiative of the MILF, through the Bangsamoro Development Agency, with support of the Government of the Philippines and development partners, to define a vision and strategy for the recovery and development of the Bangsamoro. The Bangsamoro Development Plan is anchored in, and guided by, the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and its Annexes and the need to sustain the momentum of the peace process by providing strategic directions for the delivery and upgrade of basic services in Bangsamoro communities during and beyond the transition period. ( Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the meeting on Updates on Ebola Virus at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (October 29). Also in photo is PCOO Secretary Sonny Coloma. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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