January 7 , 2015 (Wednesday) as of 1:30 P.M.
PIA 4A /PIA QUEZON : Fair Weather
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
The DTI-Quezon and the DENR conducted dialogue with local furniture
makers to resolve issues on illegal cutting of trees and overloading of
transporting furniture products.
DZBB:
Tatlong Pilipino ang sugatan sa airstrike sa Derna, Libya. Kritikal ang
lagay ng isa sa kanila. Ligtas naman ang 19 pang tripulanteng Pinoy.
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Re: Libyan warplane attack on Greek oil tanker
-May 3 Pilipinong nasaktan sa air strike sa oil tanker sa Libya.
-In-admit po sa ospital at isa ay nasa ICU, ang dalawa ay nag-sustain ng minor injuries.
-Pinaalam na po sa mga pamilya nila ang nangyari.
-Out of 13,000 Pinoys in Libya, nakapagpauwi na tayo ng 4,000 sa repatriation at same number ang napauwi ng kanilang employers.
-We're still looking at around 4,000 pang natitira roon.
-Nakataaas pa rin ang alert level 4. Patuloy ang ating repatriation. Over the weeklend ay may umuwi po rito.
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA,
JR.
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DWIZ / Karambola
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06 January 2015
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| Q: Mr. Secretary, magandang, magandang umaga sa iyo. SEC. COLOMA: Magandang umaga po sa inyo at sa mga tagasubaybay ng Karambola. Q: Kumpleto po kami dito, ang inyong mga kaibigan Jonathan dela Cruz, kasama natin si Pareng Jojo Robles, Conrad Manalo, Alex Magno at kumpareng Joel Paredes. Q: Kumusta na po ba ang paghahanda natin tungkol dito sa Papal visit? SEC. COLOMA: Ginagawa po ng ating pamahalaan ang lahat hinggil sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa Simbahan - ang Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. At para maging maayos po at matagumpay ang pagdalaw ng ating Mahal na Santo Papa. At nanawagan po tayo sa lahat ng mamamayan, pairalin po natin iyong diwa ng bayanihan, magtulungan po tayo para maging maayos po ang pagtanggap natin sa Mahal na Santo Papa. Q: Kinakabahan ho ang ating mga kababayan dahil sa dami daw ng mga pupunta sa Luneta, ang laging pinag-uusapan ay iyong crowd control, eh malaking isyu ho iyon. SEC. COLOMA: Inaayos po iyan sa pamamagitan ng pagpaplano nung movement sa mga tao, kabilang at kasama na diyan iyong sa pangungumonyon (communion) nila, iyong saan ba iyong mga free lanes na puwedeng daanan para maayos naman iyong movement. At mayroon din pong mga infrastructure tulad ng mga dividers, mga physical barriers. Pero ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat iyong pakikiisa ng ating mga kababayan para maging maayos iyon pong gagawin na events alinsunod sa Papal visit. CONRAD: Secretary, Conrad Banal po, good morning. Iyon pong mga paghahanda ay hindi ba dapat sabihin na sa publiko ngayon para maplano nila kung ano ang mga kanilang gagawin o saan sila dadaan or iyong mga ganitong bagay ho ba? SEC. COLOMA: Well taken, Conrad. Ipalalabas sa mga susunod na araw iyong mga mas detalyadong advisory, especially sa movement ng mga tao. Mayroon ng advisory patungkol doon sa maaapektuhan ng pagdating at pagbibiyahe ng Papa patungong Tacloban at nang kanyang departure. Mayroon na po yan, hinggil sa mga airport, mayroon sa airport access road guidelines para sa January 15, 17 at 19. Mayroon din pong ilalabas na guidelines hinggil po doon sa Luneta. Tinalakay na po iyan doon sa media briefing kahapon sa Knights of Columbus. Ang isa pong highlight diyan, hindi po pahihintulutan iyong magkakamping. Dahil po noong nakaraang 1995 mayroon pong camping. Ang papahihintulutan po iyong pagpasok sa general area ng Rizal Park kung saan idaraos iyong misa sa hapon ng Linggo, January 18. Mula lamang 6 am to 1 pm in the afternoon. Para po mas maayos iyong tao na mag-a-attend po doon para maiwasan natin iyong siksikan. JOJO ROBLES: Mayroon pong ibang tanong. Eto malapit sa puso ninyo at namin ito. Sabi nila, mayroon daw tatlong-libong humihingi ng media accreditation. Ganoon karami... SEC. COLOMA: According to Bishop Vergara, the overall information committee, eh ang narinig ko sa kanya di lang 4,000... Q: SEC. COLOMA: Iyong mismong Vatican, iyong Vatican press delegation, audience pa nila. Tapos, so far yata ay nearing the 3,000 mark na iyong... Q: May pribilehiyo ho ba ang mga media sa mga pag-aayos, mga preparation na ginagawa natin. SEC. COLOMA: Katulad noong inobserbahan nating protocols nung nakaraang mga state visits at mga major events, dahil sa kinakailangan na magkaroon ng kaayusan. Mayroon pong mga allocation para sa mga equipment katulad camera at photographers at mayroon din pong media box doon sa videos na gagamitin. At ito po ina-allocate among the various media groups for print, for broadcast, mayroon pa pong for new media at dinedetermine din by lottery kung sino ang—may lottery rin po iyan. Tapos iyong mga hindi makakasama, we are providing a media center facility.... Q: Para hindi naman po kawawa yung iba. SEC. COLOMA: Opo. Mayroon pong media center na para sa primarily for the Vatican press sa Diamond Hotel. Para naman po doon sa karamihan at sa iba pa na hindi kabilang sa Vatican press delegation, ang media center po natin ay sa Manila Hotel, na malapit lang naman doon sa pagdarausan ng pinakamalaking event and we will be providing live streaming at live coverage doon po ‘no, doon sa mismong media center, para doon na rin po mag-cover doon, from there remotely, iyong iba pa nating mamamahayag. ALEX: Sec. Sonny, Alex Magno po. SEC. COLOMA: Alex, good morning. ALEX: Six million ang inaasahan natin doon sa Papal Mass, it’s about the population of Israel. SEC. COLOMA: (Laughs) ALEX: Saan ho paparada ang lahat iyon? Naalala ko kasi napuntahan ko iyong isang ano, service ng Iglesia ni Cristo about two years ago less than a million iyon. Madaling araw hindi po makalabas ng Maynila iyong mga tao. SEC. COLOMA: Okay, clarify lang natin iyong figures ‘no. Iyon kasing ganiyang kataas na figure tila ang pinanggalingan niyan mayroong mga news accounts following the 1995 visit of now Saint John Paul II, okay. According to those accounts, twenty years ago,eh five million daw iyong dumating doon. Doon po sa latest verification ng ating Philippine National Police, sinukat kasi nila iyong mga areas ‘no doon sa Rizal Park, from the Quirino Grandstand hanggang doon sa Lapu-Lapu ‘no, iyong Lapu-Lapu statue, doon sa likod ng ano, sa may Agribino Circle na halos patungo na nga iyon sa Taft Avenue. Ang physical—iyong sa area kasi noon parang ang pinaka maximum capacity lang noon, depende iyonkung gaano kasiksik ‘no iyong pagtayo nang mga tao, will be all is between 1 million to 1.2 million. So, baka po iyong karagdagan na iyon will have to be in the side streets na po. ALEX: Opo, side streets na iyan, pupunta ng mga Bonifacio Drive. SEC. COLOMA: Oo, Bonifacio Drive sa kabila naman Roxas Boulevard. ALEX: Isasara ba ang Roxas, Secretary? SEC. COLOMA: Isasara po iyon dahil nga kasama po iyon doon sa security arrangements at maglalabas naman ng mga advisory kung hanggang saan iyong ipro-provide na access at kung hanggang anong oras. Kasi dapat na malaman ng mga kababayan natin at makapaghanda sila, magpro-provide sila ng sufficient lead time para sa kanilang movements on that day. ALEX: At saka, Secretary, nakatingin ang buong mundo dito sa atin ‘eh, sa visit ng Holy Father. SEC. COLOMA: Ah, ganoon nga po ‘no. Kaya nga po— CONRAD: We are blessed sabi nga nila ‘di ba. Tiyak, Secretary Sonny, sarado iyong international container terminal natin? ALEX: Walang makakalabas, walang makakalabas na mga ano— SEC. COLOMA: Well, in connection with that nagpulong din po kahapon iyong port users ‘no at (minit)(ni-meet) po sila ni Secretary Almendras para nga po ma-discuss din iyong mga additional measures that are needed para mai-ayos iyong daloy ng mga produkto. For instance, sa kasalukuyan ‘eh marami pa pong nakabinbin doon na reefer … reefer containers. Tinatawagan na po natin iyong mga may-ari noon, mga consignees na pagalawin na po natin na palabas ‘no iyong mga reefer goods na iyon dahil … at pumapasok po tayo sa mga araw na mahihirapan po ang movement. Starting with the Poong Nazareno Feast sa January 9. ALEX: Sa Friday. CONDRAD: Dry run na iyan, dry na iyan. JOEL: Secretary, si Joel ho ito. SEC. COLOMA: Joel, oo. JOEL: Naalala ko nung dumating si Pope John Paul II. Na ang mga tao nasa Roxas Boulevard, ‘di ba, talagang— CONRAD: Siksik— JOEL: Siksikan, talagang makita lang itong—pinag-uusapan nga namin kahapon pa itong Santo Papa natin ngayon, bumababa ito— ALEX: Ang lakas ng karisma. JOEL: Unpredictable, ang lakas ng karisma tapos na-touch sila, biglang baba, hahalik sa bata, minsan sa Brazil nga nakiinom pa ng tsaa. SEC. COLOMA: (Laughs) CONRAD: Pinaghahandaan po ba natin ito? JOEL: Noon ho naalala ko noon ‘di ba nagco-cover kami noon, takot na takot na nga iyong security, naku sabi niya biruiin mo iyong Roxas Boulevard talagang walang … Huwag kikilos, doon lang kayo sa tabi dahil— Q: Kapag may kumilos ng mali doon— JOEL: Ano pa ba mga aasahan natin partner. ‘Di ba ang mission natin ay taumbayan, di ba? SEC. COLOMA: Isinasaalang-alang—mabuti at na bring up mo iyan, Joel, ano. Isinasaalang-alang iyong konsiderasyon that Pope Francis is the People’s Pope. Talaga pong iyon ang gusto niya, ‘no, na maging accessible siya. Kaya nga isa iyon sa mga dahilan kung bakit tinagubilin na huwag gumamit ng bullet proof o iyong … gusto niya accessible siya physically, at visually doon sa mga tao. Kaya isa iyon sa mga isinaalang-alang, isinasaalang-alang sa konsiderasyon. Habang ginagawa rin ang nararapat para magkaroon din naman ng adequate security. JOEL: Kaya po ba iyong nakita nating schedule ngayon talagang puro motorcade, maluwag ‘eh, maluwag ang visibility ng Santo Papa. Ito po ba ay isang request ng Vatican sa ating pamahalaan? SEC. COLOMA: Isa po iyon sa mga guidelines na kinonvey (convey) po sa atin. At siyempre po nakikiisa po tayo sa pagtupad doon sa wishes ng ating Mahal na Santo Papa, habang tinitiyak po rin natin iyong siguridad at kaayusan. JOJO: Mr. Secretary. Sec. Sonny, si Jojo po ulit ano. SEC. COLOMA: Jojo, yes. JOJO: Mayroon bang—alam natin nire-restrict iyong paglapit kay Pope Francis sa ordinaryong mamamayan. Ang tanong ko’y ganito, kasi may mga nagsasabi na aba baka naman gamitin lang iyan na opportunity para doon sa mga tao na may pagkakataon na lumapit,na alam ninyo na para makakuha ng litrato, mga selfie with the Pope. Kumbaga, ganuong bang klaseng—baka naman iyong mga iba nating mga kababayan na gusto sanang magkaroon ng ganung opportunity ‘eh masabi na, ‘iba talaga kapag ikaw ay nasa kapangyarihan, mayroon kang pagkakataon na magkaroon ng selfie with the Pope.’ Puwede ba natin na kalmahin ang mga kalooban ng ating mga kababayan tungkol sa bagay na iyan? SEC. COLOMA: Iyon nga rin po, ‘no, basta doon po sa lahat ng— JOJO: (overlapping voices) SEC. COLOMA: Iyon nga po ‘no at isa sa major consideration ay iyong pagiging—yung desire of the His Holiness, the Pope, to be accessible and visible. At wala naman pong discrimination na papairalin dito dahil bibigyan naman po ng access ang pinakamaraming mamamayan, kung hindi nga physically, magpro-provide din po tayo ng as many LED screens and in connection with that iyon pong atin pong mga kaibigan sa outdoor advertising industry ay nagmagandang loob. I-a-activate po nila iyong kanilang LED screens in such a way na instead of use in commercial advertisements, puwede po iyung magamit as televisions screens. Q: Doon na lang mag-selfie iyongkababayan. (Laughs) SEC. COLOMA: At saka iyong sinasabi po ninyo na … iyong sa security, iyong sa along the route, isinaalang-alang din po iyon ng mga concerned officials doon sa pagpe-prepare ng— Q: Iyong mga magse-selfie iyong mga ano—sino bang sasalubong sa kaniya, Mr. Secretary, sa airport? SEC. COLOMA: Meron pong— Q: May delegasyon? SEC. COLOMA: —may delegasyon ang Simbahan at mayroon din pong delegasyon ang pamahalaan. Q: Alam na ba kung sinu-sino itong mga nakatalaga na sasalubong sa kaniya, Mr. Secretary? SEC. COLOMA: Kahapon po ay binanggit ni Bishop Vergara iyong mga members of the Church delegation, iyong entourage po ng simbahan, at iyong kasama ng Santo Papa. Wala pa pong final list iyong para sa pamahalaan. Q: Hindi lang official visit ito, Secretary? SEC. COLOMA: (Unclear) Q: Meron ba tayong estimate kung magkano ang gagastusin ng pamahalaan? SEC. COLOMA: Inaalam pa po natin ‘no. Kinakalap pa iyong mga inputs of the various agencies. Q: Baka makalimutan, ang dating niya pala is hapon, late after, ‘di ba? SEC. COLOMA: 4:45 P.M. on January 15. Q: Papayagan po ba natin ang vigil? Siyempre, buong Metro Manila ang lawak ng kaniyang coverage diyan eh. Q: Oo, wala ngang pasok eh. Q: Kaya nga. Paano, papayagan po ba natin ang mga vigil? Sabi ninyo walang tent,pero siyempre vigil ng mga tao— Q: Iyong mga iba, manggagaling na sa Poong Nazareno naprusisyon, didiretso na sila roon. SEC. COLOMA: Ang pinakamalaki lang namang event na maaaring maganap diyan ay iyong Papal mass sa Luneta sa Sunday. At lininaw na po natin na hindi papayagan iyong camping or vigil doon sa kahabaan ng Roxas Boulevard or doon sa area ng Rizal Park. Pahihintulutan langpo iyong pagpasok sa area na iyon ng mga lalahok sa misa starting at 6 A.M. on Sunday, January 18. Q: Pero ang problema po noon, hindi naman tent eh. Iyong tao mismo, tatayo na lang doon, uupo at maghihintay, ‘di ho ba, dahil siyempre unang—sabi nga niya, ‘Ito’y puwesto ko na, hindi na ako aalis dito.’ SEC. COLOMA: (Laughs) Q: (Unclear) trapik sa airport road? SEC. COLOMA: Gagawin po natin iyong risonable. Meron din naman pong mga basic human rights that have to be respected. Q: Ano po ang suggestion ninyo sa mga, siyempre, sa mga sasalubong at—makikibahagi. Lahat po tayo makikibahagi. Q: Puwede bang magta—ikaw, ang iniisip mo nanaman iyong mga magdadala ng mga banner. Baka may magdala ng banner diyan? SEC. COLOMA: Ang panawagan po doon sa mga— Q: Mapagbabawalan mo ba iyon? “Mahal na Santo Papa, mahal ka namin,” mga ganun. Q: Sa kagustuhan kumita ng mga tao, baka iyong mga magtitinda roon, gusto maaga pa lang nandoon na sila. SEC. COLOMA: Ire-regulate po iyong mga ganiyang ano ‘no, especially doon sa main area ng— Q: Hindi ho sisitahin ng BIR ha? SEC. COLOMA: Doon po mismo sa Papal mass, hinihimok po iyong mga dadalo sa misa na magdala ng imahe ng Santo Niño, dahil papatak po iyon sa mismong kapistahan ng Mahal na Poong Santo Niño. Q: Sec. Sonny, ito tanong ko lang: Totoo bang may roundup ng mga stray people, mga tao sa kalsada, iyong mga ating vagrants para—ewan ko kung tama ang pagkakaintindi ko—para hindi sila makasagabal o makita ng Santo Papa sa pagdalaw nito? Totoo ba iyon? SEC. COLOMA: Ang mahalaga po diyan ay iyong—kung ganoon po ang estado nila, meron naman po tayong programa ng DSWD na nagbibigay-kalinga sa kanila para hindi po sila exposed to the elements. Kaya normal naman po iyon na kung meron pong nakikitang ganiyan, nire-refer po iyan ng ating mga pulis sa DSWD para mabigyan po sila ng tulong at mabigyan ng shelter. Kung mga musmos na kabataan naman ay kinakailangan po silang ilagay sa proper care facility para hindi po sila malagay sa panganib. Q: Sana araw-araw, ganoon. SEC. COLOMA: Ginagawa naman po iyan. At dahil nga darating ang Santo Papa, siyempre po ay gagawin din po iyan nang mas masinsin para po maayos iyong daraanan at iyong pagdarausan ng mga Papal visit events. Q: May special task force nga daw po ang DSWD para paliguan, ayusin. Kasi isasama yata sa misa itong mga ito eh, para maganda raw ang ano, ang kanila namang pagkilala sa pagmamahal ng Santo Papa. Q: Paano iyong mga ‘singhot’ boys? Q: Kasama na iyon. Siyempre, hindi ba puwedeng sumama sa misa iyon? Siyempre kasama sa misa iyon. SEC. COLOMA: Open to the public naman po iyong Luneta. Q: Sila nga ang dapat ipagdasal eh. Q: Pero iyong nasa Manila lang iyan, Sec. Sonny. Kumusta naman ang preparations sa Tacloban? Q: Oo, iyong mga probinsya? SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon din po ‘no. Inaasahan kasi na iyong ating mga kababayan mula sa Visayas at Mindanao, especially iyong may mga existing ferry services from their island provinces o iyong mga nearby provinces, imbes na sa Maynila ay sa Leyte sila pupunta. Q: Wala rin pong ginagawa ang pamahalaan para mapigilan, lalo na iyong mga biktima noong nakaraang bagyo doon, na makalapit at makadaupang-palad ang ating Santo Papa? SEC. COLOMA: Sa kabilang panig nga po, gusto ng Santo Papa ay makadaupang-palad niya iyong mismong mga apektadong pamilya. That is the main purpose for the Pope going to Leyte Province po. Q: Aba, magandang balita iyan. Mukhang ang ating pamahalaan naman ay nakikipag-ugnayan nang mabuti sa CBCP nang sa ganoon ay maayos ang ating— Q: Huwag lang gagawin ng Papa iyong ginawa niya sa Rio De Janiero. Bigla niyang naisipang pumunta sa slum area. Baka maisipan niyang tingnan iyong Smokey Mountain, dadaan siya sa container port. (Laughs) Q: By that time, maayos na. Maayos, na kasi nandoon na si Secretary Almendras. Q: Bayan ng Malabon naging tambakan na ng container, Sir. Imposibleng makapunta siya roon dahil hindi siya makakadaan. Wala siyang madadaanan. Q: Secretary, maraming-maraming salamat po sa oras na binigay ninyo. Sana mabigyan ng advisory ang ating mga kababayan na mas maaga nang sa ganoon ay maintindihan nila kung paano naman iyong lugar nila. SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat po sa inyong mga suggestions, and we will do our best to make our people sufficiently informed para makalahok naman po sila dito sa isang katangi-tanging karanasan sa pagdating ng ating Mahal na Santo Papa. Maraming salamat po sa pagkakataon. |
| SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center |
|
INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA,
JR.
|
Radyo Singko / All Ready by Orly Mercado
|
05 January 2015
|
| SEC. COLOMA: Magandang umaga, Orly, at Manigong Bagong Taon sa ’yo. MERCADO: Manigong Bagong Taon din sa’yo, Sonny. Well, back to the salt mines, back to— SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Orly. MERCADO: Wala namang pahinga naman ang trabaho talaga kung tutuusin eh dahil sa katulad nito, itong isyu ng mga mananakay sa MRT at LRT. Ito ba ... ano po ang justification ng pag-a-allow sa kasalukuyan dito sa pagtataas ng singil ng MRT at LRT? SEC. COLOMA: Ang layunin po niyan ay ilapit sa tamang level o antas iyong sistema ng pagsingil sa LRT/MRT. Dahil doon po sa LRT, wala pong pagbabago sa presyo nito simula noong 2003. So, may labindalawang taon na po. Iyon namang MRT, kung titignan ang kasaysayan, binaba pa nga iyong fare mula doon sa naunang singil nito nung ito ay maumpisahan nung Estrada administration noong 1999. At sa pinakamahabang panahon, gaya nang ipinahayag ni Pangulong Aquino sa kaniyang mga State of the Nation Address noong nakaraan, ay malaki ang subsidiya ng mga Pilipinong ni hindi man lang nakakatungtong dito dahil ang kapakinabangan naman ng LRT/MRT ay para sa mga naninirahan lamang sa National Capital Region. Kaya’t tumatalima tayo doon sa prinsipyo ng ating Philippine Development Plan, iyong ‘user-pays’ principle. Kung sino ang gumagamit ng pasilidad, dapat ay magbayad dahil meron namang halaga at merong benepisyo at serbisyong nakukuha. Walang iniwan iyan, Orly, doon sa paggamit natin ngayon ng toll roads o toll highways. Nagbabayad iyong mga dumadaan diyan para sa paggamit nitong mga kalsadang ito dahil meron namang cost o merong puhunan na inilaan para diyan; meron ding cost of maintenance. Kaya nilalagay lang po natin sa katuwiran. Sabi nga po ng Pangulo, ayaw niya iyong parang sinisipa lang niya iyong lata sa kalsada at bahala na ang susunod na mamumuno ‘no. Kailangan gawin iyong tama, kailangan mag-exercise ng political will sa paggawa ng tama. MERCADO: Merong sinasabi itong grupong NAGKAISA – this is a labor group – sinasabi nila, pambayad lamang sa utang sa isang private concessionaire ang pupuntahan nang ipinatutupad na fare hike. Ano ang comment po ninyo roon? SEC. COLOMA: Ang tinitignan kasi nila, Orly, ay iyong kung sino ang gumagawa noon; ang tinitingnan natin ay iyong serbisyo ‘no, whether it is private or a public entity na gumagawa noon. Ang suma total ay iyong serbisyo sa mananakay o sa pasahero. At sa atin namang kasalukuyang kaayusan, marami naman tayong economic activities na public good kung tutuusin na mayroong lahok iyong private sector. Kaya bakit naman nilalagyan nang hindi magandang kahulugan kung ito ay mapupunta sa private entity samantalang ang suma total ang benepisyo ay doon din sa publiko. Puwede rin namang gawin ng gobyerno iyon, pero kung mayroong private entity na magagawa din iyong ‘sing husay ‘no at iyon din naman ang halaga na tutustusan, wala namang pinagkaiba iyon. Ang hindi nila nakikita dito, kahit naman hindi itaas iyong pamasahe, kinukuha din kay Juan at Juana dela Cruz ang subsidiya dahil lahat naman na ginagamit na subsidiya ay nanggagaling sa buwis na binabayad ng lahat ng Pilipino. Kaya’t sana ay maliwanagan ang ating mga kababayan hinggil sa katuwiran nitong ating ginagawa. MERCADO: Isa pang sinasabi nitong grupong ito ay iyang sinasabing fare hike ay first step lang daw ito sa pagsasapribado ng mass transport system. Is having a private mass transport system really bad? SEC. COLOMA: Hindi ko alam kung ano iyong batayan nila diyan ano. Ang atin lang ginagawa sa kasalukuyan, lahat naman nitong mass transport system ay nasa pangangasiwa ng pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng Department of Transportation and Communications. Meron din tayong LRT Authority para doon sa LRT Line 1 at Line 2. At iyon namang paglahok ng pribadong sektor, tanggap naman iyang kaparaanan ng pagpapalago ng ekonomiya dahil nga meron tayong tinatawag na private-public partnership. MERCADO: Gaano ka-importante iyong pagtaas nito in relation to safety naman? Iyon talagang … kasi sinasabi, iyong Hong Kong report ay talagang hindi maganda ang pagkakasabi sa grade na ibinibigay doon, lalo na sa kundisyon ng mga riles. SEC. COLOMA: Tinutukoy din natin iyan, Orly, ‘no. Unang-una, iyong pag-acquire ng additional na bagon para maging four-coach train set, imbes na three-coach train set, at para bumilis o dumami iyong biyahe. Kapag nakakuha tayo ng apatnapu’t walong dagdag na bagon eh maiiklian iyong interval between trips at dadami po iyong available na train sets at lalawak iyong serbisyo para sa publiko. At iyon naman pong mga maintenance upgrades, katulad ng sa power systems, iyong pagpapalit sa mga riles, iyong pagsasaayos ng mga coaches, iyong mga electrical wiring, lahat po niyan ay mayroon nang nakalatag na mga partikular na programa at pinapatupad na rin naman po, dahil kinikilala naman na noong nakaraan nga ay nagkulang doon sa kinakailangang antas o kalidad na maintenance kaya ito po ang itinutuwid at nilalagay din natin sa tama. MERCADO: So, masisigurado na ba raw na kapag ito ay itinaas, katulad ng mga ginagawa na sa kasalukuyan, ay mas makasisiguro ba sila na safe na ang MRT at LRT? SEC. COLOMAL: Wala po tayong mas mataas na layunin kung hindi tiyakin iyong kaligtasan ng bawat pasahero sa bawat biyahe, sa bawat araw na nagbibigay ng serbisyo ang LRT at MRT. MERCADO: Okay, thank you very much, Secretary Sonny Coloma. Maraming salamat sa iyong pagtugon sa aming tawag. SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat at magandang umaga, Orly. |
| SOURCE: Presidential News Desk |
| Gov’t reaches full-year inflation target for 2014 Petroleum, electricity price cutbacks slow down inflation anew in December 2014 |
| Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph |
| MANILA – Cutbacks in the prices of petroleum and electricity
with lower increases in the price of most food items brought
headline inflation down to 2.7 percent in December 2014 from 3.7
percent in the previous month, according to the National
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). This is the fourth consecutive month that headline inflation slowed down, which pulled average inflation for full-year 2014 to 4.1 percent. Thus, the government stayed within its inflation target of 3.0 to 5.0 percent for 2014. “The lower inflation outturn in December bodes well for consumption growth in the fourth quarter of 2014. Also, this shows that government policies remain supportive of a manageable inflation rate,” said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan. Core inflation, which excludes selected volatile food and energy prices, also eased to 2.3 percent from 2.7 percent in November 2014 and 3.2 percent in December 2013. For full-year 2014, it averaged 3.0 percent. Meanwhile, December 2014 recorded contractions in the price indices of petroleum electricity, gas and other fuels (-8.3% from -2.6%) and operation of personal transport equipment (-6.0% from -1.2%). “Electricity rates were lower year-on-year in December 2014 after a decline in generation and transmission charges was noted on the back of improved availability of power plants and lower cost of fuel,” the Cabinet official said. Meralco charges were down anew in December 2014 by 13 percent, equivalent to a reduction of PhP0.73 per kilowatt hour. Moreover, the sharp decline in Dubai oil prices, which fell to its lowest levels since 2010, translated to lower domestic petroleum prices. Price reductions were recorded in December 2014 for unleaded gasoline prices (-19%), diesel (-26%), kerosene (-23%) and in liquefied petroleum gas or LPG (-32%). Also, despite the holiday season, year-on-year food inflation in December 2014 slowed to 5.5 percent from 6.5 percent in the previous month. This is mainly due to high food prices in the same period of 2013 partly arising from typhoon Yolanda which hit the country in early November. “The absence of new major economic shocks, which could considerably affect food supply, as well as the normalization of supply chain of other food products in part resulting from the augmentation of rice stocks from imports and the lifting of the expanded truck ban in September 2014, may have also contributed to the decline in inflation in December 2014,” said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General. Despite the low inflation figures, the government is still wary of possible inflation risks for 2015 such as pressures associated with higher water rates at the start of 2015 and the impact of destructions brought by typhoons “Ruby” and “Seniang” on prices of agricultural commodities. “Given the lingering possibility of El Nino occurrence in the first quarter of 2015, we should intensify efforts to implement programs that will help the areas that are highly and moderately vulnerable to the adverse impact of a dry spell,” he said. Balisacan also noted that logistical issues continue to pose risks of inflation. “While the easing of the truck regulation in Manila’s ports may have possibly contributed to the moderate inflation outturn, it is critical to continue exploring a more lasting solution to the congestion problem to avoid future disruptions in the domestic supply chain that could result in higher transportation costs,” he explained. |
| RWO-NCR conducts Scholars’ Outreach Program |
| Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph |
| The Regional Welfare Office-National Capital Region (RWO-NCR)
visited two (2) orphanages on 18 December 2014 for its annual
outreach activity. RWO-NCR staff, together with the scholars of the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) and OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) visited the Pangarap Foundation Inc. in Pasay City and Bahay Tuluyan Orphanage in Malate, Manila for a day of fun and exciting games, and gift giving for the orphans under the care of said institutions. Each gift pack contains essential items like slippers, towels and soaps which are donations from the EDSP and ODSP scholars, OWWA-Partner Training Centers, OFWs, clients and private donors. Ms. Ma. Teresa B. Capa, Chief of the Program Services Division and Ms. Zenaida S. Ramos, Chief of the Administrative and Finance Division lead the gift giving to the orphans. “It is a very wonderful feeling when a child, who is completely unknown to you, smiles back at you”, said Ms. Capa. “Indeed, OWWA cares not just to its clients, but to the less fortunate as well”, she added. |
| Baldoz urges partners, clients to use ILO’s migration statistics database |
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph |
| Believing in the power of information to positively transform
people’s lives, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda
Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday strongly encouraged the DOLE’s social
partners and clients—and also netizens—to use the International
Labor Migration Statistics (ILMS) Database for the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which is touted as “the first
of its kind in the region that provides a coherent and powerful
research tool for profiling and monitoring the regional labor
force.” In a press statement, Secretary Baldoz commended the International Labor Organization (ILO) for launching the ILMS Database. The database is hosted by ILOSTAT, the world’s leading portal for labor market statistics. “As a unique information source freely available in the Internet, this ILMS database will immensely answer the country’s critical labor information needs, considering its large base of overseas Filipino workers and the government’s commitment to and increasing involvement in the preparation towards ASEAN 2015 economic integration,” Secretary Baldoz said. The database is now online and can be accessed via www.ilo/ilostat under the ‘Database by project,’ ‘Special collections,’ ‘International Labor Migration.’ The ILMS Database was created by the Canadian Government-funded ASEAN Triangle Project to gather a range of statistical sources relating to international migrants and international migrant workers in 10 ASEAN Member States. The ILMS Database, likewise, seeks to fill an important knowledge gap and it comes at a critical time for the ASEAN as it reaches a major milestone which is the creation of ASEAN Community this 2015. According to the ILO, the database, which it launched during the International Migrant’s Day on 18 December 2014, was made possible through the close guidance of the ASEAN Secretariat. Most of the contents of the database was provided by the ASEAN Committee in the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers (ACMW). The ILMS Database project anchors its reason for being on “the importance of improved data collection and sharing which has been emphasized in recommendations or commitments under the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers (2007); the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint (2009); the ASEAN Labor Ministers’ Work Program, 2010-2015; the 6th ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labor (ADML); the International Conference of Labor Statisticians (ILO, 2013); and in the ILO’s report of the Director General: Fair Migration, Setting an ILO Agenda (ILO, 2014).” |
| All posts to implement 100 percent Balik Manggagawa online in 2015 |
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph |
| In a one-on-one meeting with all labor attaches shortly before the close of the 2014, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said he had extracted a pledge that all the overseas posts of the DOLE will make sure that the Balik Manggagawa online system will be fully implemented this year. “I hold them accountable to this promise of 100 percent implementation of the BM online system,” Baldoz said, as she expressed confidence the online system will make the usual long queue of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) counters and at overseas posts waiting for the processing of their overseas employment certificates (OECs) will soon be a thing of the past. Baldoz, citing a report from POEA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac, said the Balik Manggagawa (BM) on-line has already earned praises from many vacationing OFWs for making their OEC transactions more convenient, particularly for those who are returning to the same employers. With an operational BM online, OFWs returning to the same employer can log on to the POEA website where they can fill out forms and submit the document for processing. If the name of the employer indicated in the form matches the name of the employer in the POEA database, the system will readily approve the returning OFW’s “new record”. “The balik manggagawa needs only to proceed to pay the fees electronically and print out the OEC either at the comfort of their homes or wherever they are conducting the on-line transaction,” Baldoz explained. The OEC print-out containing a special bar code will be presented to the immigration officer at the airport upon departure. As soon as the immigration officer opens the POEA database and finds the balik-manggagawa’s “new record”, the OFW will be cleared for exit. According to Administrator Cacdac, around 70 percent, or approximately 500,000 returning OFWs are expected to benefit from the BM on-line initiative, and he encouraged OFWs who have benefited from the BM online’s convenience to help the POEA spread the word. “We at the POEA could benefit from an assist or two from OFWs who could share their experience in the BM online with a friend or fellow OFW,” he said. The POEA chief, in his travel to the Middle East last year to accompany Secretary Baldoz during the latter’s visit to eight POLOs, brought with him a “props” announcing the BM online system. The props was a hit among OFWs who posed in photos with Cacdac with the announcement. Administrator Cacdac said the appointment system (personal processing at the POEA Central Office) will only apply to the following: • Returning OFWs who are changing employers (match could not be found in the POEA database) • OFWs who have not passed through POEA (e.g., visit visa holders or ASEAN tourists) • Household service workers “However,” he added, “OFWs still have the option of not going through the appointment system at the POEA Central Office and instead secure their OECs from our Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) or POEA regional and satellite offices.” But more importantly, it is in the POLOs that the BM online system should already be in place this year, or as early as the first quarter, Baldoz said. “The BM on-line system not only speeds up the process of securing OECs, but more significantly, it provides convenience to our vacationing OFWs. Many of our workers will be able to accomplish this transaction from any location where there is online connection,” the labor and employment chief said. “This will also provide timely updating of the OFW and employer database of POEA,” she added. |
| Poetry stirs interest of villagers to participate in DSWD’s anti-poverty program |
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph |
| CAR allocated P1.1B for pro-poor projects – Roxas |
| Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph |
| Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas has reported
that more than P1.1B worth of pro-poor projects was allocated
for the Cordillera Administrative Region under the Bottom-up
Budgeting (BuB) program of the DILG from 2013-2014. During the initial year of its implementation in 2013, more than P306M was allocated for 274 porjects region-wide, implemented either by participating national government agencies (NGAs) or qualified local government units (LGUs). Out of those 274 projects, 229 were already completed. For 2014, more than P808M was allocated for 1,163 projects, 25 of which were already completed as of October last year. "Ito ang pinakakongkretong paraan upang ipakita na kayo ang boss ng pamahalaang ito (This is how we can concretely show that you are the bosses of this government)," Roxas said. To qualify, LGUs must be able to pass the Seal of Good Local Governance, which is the DILG's way of ensuring that they have the capacity to implement such projects for constituents. "Dapat masiguro nating hindi bababuyin ang pera ng taumbayan (We have to ensure that taxpayers' money will not be malversed)," Roxas added. In general, the maximum budget allocation allowed for LGUs was decreased from P50M in 2013 and 2014, to P30M in 2015. Roxas also highlighted the important role of civil society organizations (CSOs), who also sit in local poverty reduction action teams (LPRATs) to help identify priority projects and approve the local poverty reduction action plans (LPRAPs) for the appropriate agency's implementation. "Naniniwala po tayo sa kakayahan ng ordinaryong mamamayan upang maging kabahagi natin sa Tuwid na Daan (We believe that the citizens are in solidarity with us in the Tuwid na Daan.)," Roxas added. |
| Roxas unveils PNP upgrades for 2015 |
| Source: http://www.pdic.gov.ph |
| "From Pulis Patola to Pulis Panalo." This is one of the many things that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the greater public can look forward to starting 2015, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas. "Hindi na pwede ang bara-bara, kanya-kanya at ningas-cogon (We can no longer allow the PNP to operate ad hoc, in silos and sporadically.) We need a programmatic, deliberate and sustained approach in fighting crime," Roxas stressed. During his media roadshow last November, Roxas revealed plans for the PNP in 2015, starting with the expansion of the intensified anti-crime campaign called OPLAN Lambat-Sibat to other regions after its success in the National Capital Region (NCR). Starting this month, Roxas said that the PNP will be installing closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) in every police station, as well as in 100 high-crime areas in Metro Manila for real-time coverage. In March, PNP is set to digitize their crime incident reporting system by reintroducing the incident record form (IRF) in every police precinct in the metro, which was envisioned to replace the old blotter system in capturing data about crime. "The IRF will serve as the complainant's receipt and a reference number will also be provided so victims can track down the progress of their complaints," Roxas explained. Sometime between the second and third quarters of the year, the PNP will also be receiving around 1,000 new patrol vehicles, more than 5,000 firearms, and more than 52,000 radios. "We want our men and women in blue to 'move, shoot, and talk' better so they can combat crime more effectively," he added. A national emergency hotline will also be operational within the year to receive concerns not only for the police, but also the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and medical emergency units. Roxas maintained that the morale of the 150,000-strong police force remains high in carrying out the law and order programs of the Aquino administration under the banner of “Tuwid na Daan.” "Rest assured that the PNP remains focused on their duty to serve and protect the people," Roxas said. |
| Manufacturing surges in pledged investments |
| Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph |
| Approved investments in the manufacturing sector surged by 77.5%
from last year’s P13.8B to P24.5B this year, according to the
Board of Investments (BOI). Close to P24B worth of manufacturing projects were approved by the BOI in 2014, with all its subsectors registering triple digit increases led by food products, beverages, basic metals, motor vehicles, coke and refined petroleum products, fabricated metal products, and wood and other products of wood. Huge increases in investment pledges were recorded in basic metals (6,651%), beverages (802%), electrical equipment (320%), rubber and plastic products (281%), and motor vehicles (269%). Other subsectors with increased investment approvals are in textiles (100%), paper and paper products (100%), and other non-metallic mineral products (100%). The surge in manufacturing contributed substantially to the sharp rise of anticipated direct jobs from BOI approved projects despite the lower amount of total approved investments in 2014 of P354.5B compared to P466.03B in 2013, a decline of 24%. More projects were approved this year, which are expected to generate an estimated 58,619 jobs over the next few years–a 54-% jump from 38,100 approved last year. Implementing the various industry or sectoral roadmaps crafted by the private sector in partnership with the government contributed to building investor confidence in the country for sustainable investments, particularly in manufacturing, according to the BOI. Lower total investment approvals, on the other hand, were recorded in the Electricity, Gas, Steam and Airconditioning Supply Sector, Transportation and Storage and Mining activities, among others. The BOI initiated a strategic collaboration with the private sector in 2012 to formulate sectoral roadmaps with the industry’s vision and goals for the short, medium and long-term. Subsequently, the BOI created Technical Working Groups to assist the industries. The Industry Development Council was revived this year to support the development and implementation of these roadmaps. The industry roadmaps, particularly the Manufacturing Industry Roadmap (MIR) serve as the backbone of the MRP. To date, 30 industry roadmaps have been submitted to the BOI, of which, 25 roadmaps have been completed. These sectoral roadmaps not only complement the Manufacturing Industry Roadmap (MIR) but also serve as essential components of the Comprehensive National Industrial Strategy (CNIS). The MIR, finalized in 2013, consolidates the roadmaps submitted while the CNIS is envisioned to be the blueprint for the overall industrial development strategy and will cover agriculture, manufacturing, and services. Domestic investments approved by the BOI for the year totaled P317.69B or 90% while the remaining 10% or P36.85B came from foreign sources. The electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply sector continued to record the biggest share of the total investments with P174.7B. Other performers were Construction (P64B), Mass Housing (P47.7B), Manufacturing Sector (P24.5B) and transportation and storage ice activities (P20.8B). The biggest approved projects for the period include St. Raphael Power Generation Corporation, GNPower Kauswagan Ltd. Co., and Vertex Tollways Development Inc. St. Raphael Power Generation Corporation will build two 3 megawatts MW coaled power fired plants in Balayan and Calaca Batangas, worth P63.17B. GNPower Kauswagan Ltd. Co. will construct a 540 MW coal-fired plant in Lanao del Norte worth P50B while Vertex Tollways Development Inc. will construct the NAIA Expressway Phase 2 worth P23.43B. NCR is the preferred destination of investments for the year with P116B, a 215-% surge from last year’s P36.8B. Region 4 came in a close second at P112.4B, a 26-% increase from last year’s P89.4B. Other top investment destinations include Region 10 (P59B), Region 6 (P22.3B) and Region 3 (P10B). |
| Authorities seize P400-Mln worth of high-grade shabu |
| Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph |
| Operatives from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine
Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seize 40 kilograms of high-grade
methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as ‘shabu’ sent
from Hong Kong. The seized ‘shabu’ has a street value of at
least P400-Million. The consignee of the illegal cargo,
identified as Danilo Pineda, was arrested by authorities today
(Monday, January 5). The illegal drug was hidden inside a water pump that was sent through air cargo from Hong Kong last December 28, 2014. The ‘shabu’ was discovered following derogatory information received by the Customs’ Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force. Pineda was arrested after claiming the cargo. The illegal drug haul was turned-over to PDEA. Last week, the Bureau seized 660kg of counterfeit medicines worth millions of pesos. The shipment, totaling 17 pallets, arrived in the Philippines from Bangkok, Thailand. In 2014, the Bureau has seized an estimated P1-Billion worth of various illegal, fake or controlled drugs and substances, including ‘shabu’, marijuana, ‘Ecstasy’, Valium, Ativan, Dormicum, Rivotril, Alprazolam, Ritalin, and other unlabeled tablets. The Bureau has implemented more stringent control measures for examining air cargo and mailed parcels following the discovery of various illegal substances concealed in items like shoes, denim pants, slippers, books, billiard cue stick and even stuffed toys. Authorities identify contraband items in the parcels upon inspection using X-Ray scanning machines and rigid physical inspection. |
| PNP starts 2015 with Ethics Day: Strengthening individual discipline |
| Source: http://pnp.gov.ph |
| The Philippine National Police celebrates its 21st Ethics Day
during the traditional Monday flag raising ceremony simultaneous
in all Police Headquarters nationwide. In Camp Crame, the celebration was spearheaded by Senator Panfilo Lacson, Chairman of the PNP Foundation Inc., as Guest of Honor and Speaker, together with the Secretary of Interior and Local Government (SILG) Mar Roxas II and Officer-In-Charge, PNP Deputy Director General Leonardo A Espina. “There is no better reward for public servants like us than one of self respect and dignity, not only as the individual members of this organization but as a police institution,” said Sen. Lacson who is also a former Chief, PNP. PNP Ethics Day is celebrated annually to remind all PNP personnel the importance of good moral and ethics in doing its day-to-day obligation. Adhering with its main core values; God fearing, nationalistic, humane and environment friendly, they are also committed to practice the Police Professional Conduct such as; commitment to democracy, commitment to public interest, provide services to everyone without discrimination (non- partisanship), strive to be physically and mentally fit and in good health at all times , secrecy discipline, social awareness, non-solicitation of patronage, proper care and use of public property, respect for human rights, devotion to duty, conservation of natural resources, discipline, loyalty, obedience to superiors and command responsibility. PNP personnel are also reminded to perform their duties with integrity, intelligence and competence in the application of specialized skills and technical knowledge with excellence and expertise, to boost the standard of police professionalism. (PNP-PIO) |
| Philippine Exports benefit from Duty-Free access to the European Union |
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph |
| 6 January 2015 – On 25 December 2014, Philippine exports enjoy
duty-free access into the European Union (EU) market through the
Union’s “tariff preferences under the special incentive
arrangements for sustainable development and good governance”,
more popularly known as the Generalized System of Preferences
Plus (or GSP+). GSP+ privileges extend duty-free access to Philippine exports in 66 per cent of all product tariff lines, including fisheries products and garments. The grant of GSP+ privileges is expected to generate 200,000 new jobs in the rural areas of the Philippines in the early years of implementation. The Philippines applied for GSP+ privileges on 28 February 2014, after the European Commission determined that the Philippines was eligible to apply based on the following criteria: vulnerability of the country’s economy resulting from a lack of diversification in its exports, and its ratification of 27 core international human rights conventions. The European Union completed its assessment and approval procedures for the Philippine application on December 18th, and the Union’s decision to grant GSP+ privileges was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 24 December 2014. Collectively, the 28 Member States of the European Union rank as the Philippines’ fourth largest trading partner, with bilateral trade amounting to USD 12.8 billion in 2013. The EU is also the Philippines’ fourth largest export market, accounting for 11.56 per cent of total Philippine exports. |
| PHL delegation participates in Asian and Pacific Conference on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Beijing+ 20 Review |
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph |
| 6 January 2015 - The Philippine delegation led by the Commission
on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Patricia Licuanan,
participated in the Asian and Pacific Conference on Gender
Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Beijing+20 Review organized by
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
Pacific (UNESCAP) from 17 to 20 November 2014 in Bangkok. Chairperson Licuanan also delivered the country statement during the Ministerial Segment. The Philippine delegation, through co-head Philippine Ambassador Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia, also actively participated in the deliberations and worked on the inclusion of Philippine priorities in the Asian and Pacific Ministerial Declaration on Advancing Gender Equality and Women Empowerment during the Senior Official Segment of the meeting chaired by the Philippines through former Ambassador Rosario Manalo, Philippine Representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). Ambassador Manalo is also the Co-Chair of the Delegation. The members of the Philippine delegation were government officials from the House of Representatives, Department of Foreign Affairs, including the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok, Department of Justice, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, National Economic and Development Authority, the Philippine Commission on Women, National Anti-Poverty Commission, Presidential Communications Operations Office, Presidential Human Rights Commission, Philippine Statistics Authority and the Philippine Representative to the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC); and civil society organizations, namely: The Forum for Planning and Development, Inc. Women’s Business Council of the Philippines, LIKHAAN Center for Women’s Health, Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era and the Philippine NGO Coalition on the Convention on the Rights of the Child. |
| South Cot rice farmers patronize P32-M rice facility as it starts operation |
| Source: http://www.da.gov.ph |
| The Rice Processing Complex (RPC) III that the Department of
Agriculture constructed in Santo Niño town is now serving rice
growers in South Cotabato and neighboring provinces of
Soccsksargen Region. DA 12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan said, the facility has officially started its operations in January of this year after Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala led its launching ceremony. The new rice processing center situated in Barangay Ambalgan provides the postharvest needs of 5,000 farmers cultivating 10,000 hectares of rice lands of said town and nearby municipalities. “The RPC III is now more than ready to cater to the milling needs of rice growers not just here in South Cotabato province but also of nearby provinces,” Director Datukan said. She further stressed that the RPC III was built in support to the Food Staples Self-sufficiency Program (FSSP) of President Benigno C. Aquino III and Secretary Proceso J. Alcala through the Department’s Agri-Pinoy Rice Program. Records indicated that P23.725 million was allotted for the construction of grain processing and storage facilities. Besides this amount, P6 million was also set as capital operations, P1.5 million for capability building and P1 million for administrative and management requisites. The complex consists of two biomass-fed mechanical dryer, a modern rice mill, and a storage facility. Built in Barangay Ambalgan, this state-of-the-art rice processing facility is capable of milling 1.5 tons of palay per hour and each of its mechanical dryers can accommodate 600 sacks of palay in an eight-hour operation. Rice farmer and buy-and-sell operator Liwayway Andigan said that she opted to deliver her palay to the RPC III since it began its operation because of its high milling recovery rate, which is up to 65%. Firmus Farm Service Cooperative (FFSC) Chairman Jaime Junsay supported this claim adding that “there are instances that the milling recovery rate using the RPC III has reached 72%.” He added that the usual milling recovery rate posted by the facility ranges from 65% to as high as 72%. FFSC is a farmer cooperative based in Koronadal City which manages the operations of the facility along with the local government unit of Santo Niño, National Food Authority (NFA) and the DA 12. Andigan continues to deliver her bulk of palay to the processing facility because of its mechanical drying facilities--noted to be the advantage of the RPC III--which other milling establishments do not have. “After we consolidate hundred sacks of palay (fresh), we can immediately deliver these to RPC III where these will be dried with the aid of the mechanical dryer,” she shared. “I also noticed that the milled rice is clearly white and has lighter spots. This facility is very efficient and really meets our milling requirements,” Andigan shared. Another rice farmer Mary Jean Ursal, who also owns a buy-and-sell of palay station, shared similar benefits derived from the presence of the RPC III adding that “milled rice from the facility is guaranteed to be of good and high quality.” The establishment of RPCs all throughout the country was specifically aimed to provide a facility that could help reduce postharvest losses and compensate the dearth in milling facilities in the area. Junsay said “Palay production in South Cotabato is more than sufficient but we lack milling facilities. It is also disheartening to note that because farmers do not have easy access to storage, drying and milling facilities traders buy palay from rice growers at very low price and sell milled rice at much higher amount.” Junsay added that FFSC is charging fees for the services offered at the RPC III “but these fees are much lower compared to the rates set by private establishments. For milling services, the coop charges P67 per sack of milled rice while for mechanical drying services, it imposes a fee of P33 per sack. With this, accredited farmer-members of the RPC III enjoy higher net incomes from lower charging rates, higher milling recovery rates and more importantly, they have fast access to the modern facilities. As a cooperative, FFSC offers farm workers and machinery for hire for every production stage from land preparation to harvesting and -- with the RPC III -- postharvest activities. “To avail of the drying, storage and milling services at the RPC III, farmers need to bring their produce to the facility,” Junsay said. Apart from serving as a rice trading center for the rice-producing municipalities of Norala, Surallah, and Sto. Nino and other parts of South Cotabato as well as neighboring provinces, the South Cot RPC III may also serve as a buying and storage facility of the NFA. (DA-RAFIS 12) |
| SSS payments via mobile phones to open to members |
| Source: https://www.sss.gov.ph |
| Mobile payments to Social Security System (SSS) will be
available soon with the memorandum of agreement signed between
the state agency and G-XChange Inc. The agreement allows SSS members to settle their SSS contibutions and loan amortizations through the use of G-XChange's mobile remittance facility called "G-Cash," which is offered exclusively to Globe and TM Network subscribers. G-Cash is a free mobile application, which serves as a virtual wallet offering users a secure, fast, and convenient money transfers using mobile phones. For SSS transactions, a one-time registration is required and payments are free of charge. SSS Vice-President for Member Services Division Mario R. Sibucao said the facility will be opened to household employers, voluntary members, and self-employed individuals including farmers, fishermen and non-working spouses. "We are encouraging our members to register in this new payment facility once rolled out. It promises prompt remittance of their contributions and loan amortizations at their convenience." To make payments using G-Cash, SSS members will need to load their G-Cash accounts to cover their payments for contributions and loans. The member will receive a confirmation text message for every successful transaction. Photo shows SSS and G-Xchange officials represented by (seated from L-R) SSS Vice President for Member Services Division Mario R. Sibucao, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio S. de Quiros Jr. and G-Xchange Inc. President Paolo Eugenio J. Baltao signing the memorandum of agreement on November 21 at the SSS Corporate Headquarters in Quezon City. Witnessing the signing ceremony are (standing from L-R) SSS Senior Vice President for Information and Technology Management Group Joel A. Layson, SSS Assistant Vice President and Officer in Charge for Service Delivery Department Rene N. Malto, G-Xhange Inc. Chief Operations Officer Renato Rex Xavier Marzan, and G-Xchange Inc. Director for Merchant Acquiring Remo M. Garovillo. |
| Ilocos farmers thrive with P22.6-M Irrigation Project |
| Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph |
| SARRAT, Ilocos Norte—Residents of CABAROAN agrarian reform
community (ARC) heaved a sigh of relief after the Department of
Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently turned over 106 units of
irrigation pumps that would irrigate 238 hectares of
agricultural land and ensure a year-round supply of water to the
community.dar web news national pix 2 jan. 6 2015 Governor Imee Marcos said the provision of these pump irrigation is very timely for the coming summer when water in the area runs very low. “Our residents here will be at peace, knowing that they have sufficient water for their crops during summer time,” she said shortly after the turnover ceremonies. DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Felicidad Dumaguing said that 256 agrarian reform beneficiaries of CABAROAN ARC will benefit from the project. “This pump irrigation project will address the ARC’s problem of extreme dryness during summer, especially if there is an El Nino phenomenon where there is absence of rain that last for months,” she said. Dumaguing said that based on DAR’s studies, the use of these irrigation pumps would increase farmers’ yield by 10 percent. “This irrigation project is expected to boost the economic condition of the ARC,” Said Dumaguing. |
| Former Bank Chairman and President charged with Estafa to be arraigned on January 12 |
| Source: http://www.pdic.gov.ph |
| Mr. Banlee C. Choa, the former Chairman and President of the
closed GMA Rural Bank who has been charged with estafa by the
Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC), after
misappropriating P748 million in bank funds, will be arraigned
on January 12, 2015. Based on the first endorsement by Police
Superintendent Redrico Atienza Maranan of the Imus City Police
Station, accused Choa voluntarily surrendered to their office on
November 6, 2014 pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued against
him. Accused Choa has been in detention at the Imus City Police
Station following his voluntary surrender. The accused's arraignment, originally scheduled on December 19, 2014 before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Imus City, Branch 20, was reset to January 12, 2015 due to the unavailability of the public prosecutor. The Department of Justice (DOJ) charged Choa with estafa based on a complaint filed by PDIC before the DOJ Task Force on Financial Fraud. Based on the complaint filed by PDIC and the criminal information filed by the DOJ before the court, Choa is accused of estafa for misappropriating funds of GMA Rural Bank in his capacity as President/Chief Executive Officer/Chairman of the bank. He created a special division in GMA Rural Bank, which he called the "executive/extension office" wherein he, through the creation of fictitious loans, diverted around P748 million of bank funds generated via deposit-taking activities. The "executive/extension office" in turn, transferred the misappropriated funds to corporations and business entities owned and controlled by the accused Choa and/or members of his immediate family through the grant of unsecured loans. GMA Rural Bank was placed under the receivership of PDIC in February 2011. The filing of charges against Choa that led to his surrender is in line with PDIC's efforts to bring to justice parties that victimize depositors, circumvent the deposit insurance scheme or engage in unlawful acts that may put the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) at risk. PDIC vigorously pursues legal action against erring bank officers, for the benefit of depositors/creditors and to protect the DIF, PDIC's funding source for payment of insured deposits. |
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Last Updated:
30 DECEMBER 2014
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Actress Marian Rivera ties the knot with longtime boyfriend Dingdong
Dantes walks down the aisle with her parents Francisco Javier Gracia
Alonso and Amalia Rivera at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in
Cubao, Quezon City on Tuesday (December 30). Showbiz friends,
relatives and guests witness the Wedding of the Year. (Photo by
Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III poses for a souvenir photo with
newlyweds Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera at the Immaculate
Conception Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City on Tuesday (December 30).
Showbiz friends, relatives and guests witness the Wedding of the
Year. (Photo By Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III listens to the homily during the
wedding ceremony of actors Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera at the
Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City on Tuesday
(December 30). Showbiz friends, relatives and guests witness the
Wedding of the Year. Also in photo are Marian Rivera's parents
Francisco Javier Gracia Alonso and Amalia Rivera. (Photo by Robert
Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the wedding ceremony of
actors Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera at the Immaculate
Conception Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City, Tuesday (December 30).
Showbiz friends, relatives and guests witness the Wedding of the
Year. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III shares a light moment with actor
Dingdong Dantes who will be tying the knot with actress Marian
Rivera at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City,
on Tuesday (December 30). Showbiz friends, relatives and guests
witness the Wedding of the Year. (Photo By Robert Viñas / Malacañang
Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III is welcomed by Manila City Mayor
Joseph Estrada upon arrival for the commemoration of the 118th
anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal National
Monument in Rizal Park, Manila City on Tuesday (December 30), with
the theme: “Rizal 2014: Dunong at Pusong Pilipino.” Also in photo is
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang
Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the flag raising ceremonies
for the commemoration of the 118th anniversary of the martyrdom of
Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal National Monument in Rizal Park, Manila
City on Tuesday (December 30), with the theme: “Rizal 2014: Dunong
at PusongPilipino.” Also in photo are Vice President JejomarBinay
and Manila City Mayor Joseph Estrada. (Photo by Gil Nartea /
Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the flag raising ceremonies
during the commemoration of the 118th anniversary of the martyrdom
of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal National Monument in Rizal Park,
Manila City on Tuesday (December 30), with the theme: “Rizal 2014:
Dunong at PusongPilipino.”
(Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III offers a wreath during the
commemoration of the 118th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose
Rizal at the Rizal National Monument in Rizal Park, Manila City on
Tuesday (December 30), with the theme: “Rizal 2014:
Dunong at Pusong Pilipino.”
(Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III greets the descendants of Dr. Jose
Rizal during the commemoration of the National Heroe's 118th
anniversary of the martyrdom at the Rizal National Monument in Rizal
Park, Manila City on Tuesday (December 30), with the theme: “Rizal
2014: Dunong at Pusong
Pilipino.” (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, accompanied by Armed Forces of
the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio PioCatapang, Jr.,
troops the line during the full military honors accorded him upon
arrival for the commemoration of the 118th anniversary of the
martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal National Monument in Rizal
Park, Manila City on Tuesday (December 30), with the theme: “Rizal
2014: Dunong at Pusong
Pilipino.” (Photo by BenhurArcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the flag raising ceremonies
for the commemoration of the 118th anniversary of the martyrdom of
Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal National Monument in Rizal Park, Manila
City on Tuesday (December 30), with the theme: “Rizal 2014:
Dunong at PusongPilipino.”
With the President are Vice President JejomarBinay, Manila City
Mayor Joseph Estrada, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin,
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis
Tolentino, National Historical Commission of the Philippines
chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno and NHCP executive director
LudovicoBadoy. (Photo by BenhurArcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III offers a wreath during the
commemoration of the 118th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose
Rizal at the Rizal National Monument in Rizal Park, Manila City on
Tuesday (December 30), with the theme: “Rizal 2014:
Dunong at Pusong Pilipino.”
Also in photo are National Historical Commission of the Philippines
chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno and Armed Forces of the
Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio PioCatapang, Jr. (Photo
by BenhurArcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, accompanied by Armed Forces of
the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio PioCatapang, Jr.,
troops the line during the full military honors accorded him upon
arrival for the commemoration of the 118th Anniversary of the
Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal National Monument in Rizal
Park, Manila City on Tuesday (December 30), with the theme: “Rizal
2014: Dunong at Pusong
Pilipino.” (Photo by LauroMontellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo
Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the flag raising ceremonies
for the commemoration of the 118th anniversary of the martyrdom of
Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal National Monument in Rizal Park, Manila
City on Tuesday (December 30), with the theme: “Rizal 2014:
Dunong at Pusong Pilipino.”
With the President are Vice President JejomarBinay, Manila City
Mayor Joseph Estrada, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin,
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis
Tolentino, National Historical Commission of the Philippines
chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno and NHCP executive director
LudovicoBadoy. (Photo by LauroMontellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo
Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III offers a wreath during the
commemoration of the 118th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose
Rizal at the Rizal National Monument in Rizal Park, Manila City on
Tuesday (December 30), with the theme: “Rizal 2014:
Dunong at Pusong Pilipino.”
Also in photo is National Historical Commission of the Philippines
chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno. (Photo by LauroMontellano, Jr.
/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III, along with sister Kris and nephews
Joshua and Bimby, watch one of the entries in the on going MMFF "The
Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin" in one of the mall theaters in Metro
Manila on Christmas day, December 25, 2014. Aside from showing
support to the movie of his nephew Bimby, the president also finds
this as his binding moments with members of his family. ( Photo by
Gil Nartea/Malacanang Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III, along with sister Kris and nephews
Joshua and Bimby, watch one of the entries in the on going MMFF "
Feng Shui 2" in one of the mall theaters in Metro Manila on
Christmas day, December 25, 2014. Aside from showing support to the
movie of his youngest sister Kris, the president also finds this as
his binding moments with members of his family. ( Photo by Gil
Nartea/Malacanang Photo Bureau
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President Benigno S. Aquino III signs into law Republic Act No.
10651, the P2.606-trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA) for
Fiscal Year 2015, during the Presidential enactment ceremony at the
Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December
23). Witnessing the ceremony are Budget and Management Secretary
Florencio Abad, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Senate
President Franklin Drilon and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. (Photo
by Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with Senate
President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. and
Representatives Antonio Lagdameo, Jr., Ben Evardone, Eric Singson,
Enrique Cojuangco, Rodolfo Albano III, Cesar Sarmiento, Magtanggol
Gunigundo and Carol Jayne Lopez for a group photo souvenir during
the Presidential enactment ceremony of Republic Act No. 10651, the
P2.606-trillion General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015 at
the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday
(December 23). (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau /
PCOO)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the
Presidential enactment ceremony of Republic Act No. 10651, the
P2.606-trillion General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015 at
the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday
(December 23). (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau /
PCOO)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III signs into law Republic Act No.
10651, the P2.606-trillion General Appropriations Act for Fiscal
Year 2015, during the Presidential enactment ceremony at the Rizal
Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December 23).
Witnessing the ceremony are (seated from left) Budget and Management
Secretary Florencio Abad, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr.,
Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.
and Committee on Appropriations chairperson Representative Isidro
Ungab. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau/ PCOO)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III signs into law Republic Act No.
10651, the P2.606-trillion General Appropriations Act for Fiscal
Year 2015, during the Presidential enactment ceremony at the Rizal
Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December 23).
Witnessing the ceremony are (seated from left) Executive Secretary
Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker
Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. and Committee on Appropriations chairperson
Representative Isidro Ungab. (At the back) Representatives Mel Senen
Sarmiento, Leopoldo Bataoil, Mercedes Alvarez, Gabriel Luis
Quisumbing, Magtanggol Gunigundo, Cesar Sarmiento, Bai Sandra Sema,
Dakila Carlo Cua, Victoria Noel and Pangalian Balindong. (Photo by
Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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President Benigno S. Aquino III signs into law Republic Act No. 10651, the P2.606-trillion General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, during the Presidential enactment ceremony at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December 23). Witnessing the ceremony are (seated from left) Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Committee on Appropriations chairperson Representative Isidro Ungab and Deputy Speaker Henedina Abad. (At the back) Representatives Ben Evardone, Mel Senen Sarmiento, Leopoldo Bataoil, Mercedes Alvarez, Gabriel Luis Quisimbing, Magtanggol Gunigundo, Cesar Sarmiento, Bai Sandra Sema, Dakila Carlo Cua, Victoria Noel, Pangalian Balindong, Enrique Cojuangco, Maria Victoria Sy-Alvarado, Eric Singson, Rodolfo Albano III, Carol Jayne Lopez and Antonio Lagdameo, Jr. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III signs into law Republic Act No. 10651, the P2.606-trillion General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, during the Presidential enactment ceremony at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December 23). Witnessing the ceremony are Senate President Franklin Drilon and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III signs into law Republic Act No. 10651, the P2.606-trillion General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, during the Presidential Enactment Ceremony at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December 23). Witnessing the ceremony are Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Representatives Gabriel Luis Quisumbing, Magtanggol Gunigundo, Cesar Sarmiento, Bai Sandra Sema, Dakila Carlo Cua, Victoria Noel and Pangalian Balindong. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III signs into law Republic Act No. 10651, the P2.606-trillion General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, during the Presidential Enactment Ceremony at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December 23). Witnessing the ceremony are (seated from left) Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Committee on Appropriations chairperson Representative Isidro Ungab and Deputy Speaker Henedina Abad. (At the back) Representatives Mel Senen Sarmiento, Leopoldo Bataoil, Mercedes Alvarez, Gabriel Luis Quisimbing, Magtanggol Gunigundo, Cesar Sarmiento, Bai Sandra Sema, Dakila Carlo Cua, Victoria Noel, Pangalian Balindong, Enrique Cojuangco, Maria Victoria Sy-Alvarado, Eric Singson, Rodolfo Albano III and Carol Jayne Lopez. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III signs into law Republic Act No. 10651, the P2.606-trillion General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, during the Presidential enactment ceremony at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December 23). Witnessing the ceremony are Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Representatives Bai Sandra Sema, Dakila Carlo Cua, Victoria Noel, Pangalian Balindong, Enrique Cojuangco and Maria Victoria Sy-Alvarado. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III signs into law Republic Act No. 10651, the P2.606-trillion General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, during the Presidential enactment ceremony at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December 23). Witnessing the ceremony are (seated from left) Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Committee on Appropriations chairperson Representative Isidro Ungab and Deputy Speaker Henedina Abad. (At the back) Representatives Ben Evardone, Mel Senen Sarmiento, Leopoldo Bataoil, Mercedes Alvarez, Gabriel Luis Quisimbing, Magtanggol Gunigundo, Cesar Sarmiento, Bai Sandra Sema, Dakila Carlo Cua, Victoria Noel, Pangalian Balindong, Enrique Cojuangco, Maria Victoria Sy-Alvarado, Eric Singson, Rodolfo Albano III, Carol Jayne Lopez and Antonio Lagdameo, Jr. also in photo is Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO)—House of Representatives Presidential Legislative Assistant Undersecretary Bernardino Sayo. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III signs into law Republic Act No. 10651, the P2.606-trillion General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015, during the Presidential enactment ceremony at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December 23). Witnessing the ceremony are (seated from left) Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Committee on Appropriations chairperson Representative Isidro Ungab and Deputy Speaker Henedina Abad. (At the back) Representatives Ben Evardone, Mel Senen Sarmiento, Leopoldo Bataoil, Mercedes Alvarez, Gabriel Luis Quisumbing, Magtanggol Gunigundo, Cesar Sarmiento, Bai Sandra Sema, Dakila Carlo Cua, Victoria Noel, Pangalian Balindong, Enrique Cojuangco, Maria Victoria Sy-Alvarado, Eric Singson, Rodolfo Albano III, Carol Jayne Lopez and Antonio Lagdameo, Jr. also in photo are Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) Head Manuel Mamba and PLLO—House of Representatives Presidential Legislative Assistant Undersecretary Bernardino Sayo. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Early Recovery Program Launch Program for Typhoon Ruby affected victims at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium in Barangay Alang-alang, Borongan City, Eastern Samar on Monday (December 22). (Photo by PIA 8/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, distributes Shelter Kits to beneficiaries during the Early Recovery Program Launch Program for Typhoon Ruby affected victims at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium in Barangay Alang-alang, Borongan City, Eastern Samar on Monday (December 22). Also in photo are Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, Borongan City, Eastern Samar Mayor Maria Fe Abunda, Eastern Samar Governor Conrado Nicart, Jr., Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Eastern Samar Lone District Representative Benjamin Evardone. (Photo by PIA 8/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, hands over the Cash for Work Program cheque worth Php 68,082,800.00 to Borongan City, Eastern Samar Mayor Maria Fe Abunda during the launching of the Early Recovery Program for Typhoon Ruby affected victims at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium in Barangay Alang-alang, Borongan City, Eastern Samar on Monday (December 22). Also in photo are Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Eastern Samar Lone District Representative Benjamin Evardone. (Photo by PIA 8/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman during the launching of the Early Recovery Program for Typhoon Ruby affected victims at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium in Barangay Alang-alang, Borongan City, Eastern Samar on Monday (December 22). Also in photo is Eastern Samar Governor Conrado Nicart, Jr. (Photo by PIA 8 / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the launching of the Early Recovery Program for Typhoon Ruby affected victims at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium in Barangay Alang-alang, Borongan City, Eastern Samar on Monday (December 22). Also in photo are Eastern Samar Governor Conrado Nicart, Jr. and Borongan City, Eastern Samar Mayor Maria Fe Abunda. (Photo by PIA 8 / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III is welcomed by Eastern Samar Governor Conrado Nicart, Jr. and Borongan City, Eastern Samar Mayor Maria Fe Abunda upon arrival for the launching of the Early Recovery Program for Typhoon Ruby affected victims at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium in Barangay Alang-alang, Borongan City, Eastern Samar on Monday (December 22). (Photo by PIA 8 / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the launching of the Early Recovery Program for Typhoon Ruby affected victims at the Dolores Gymnasium in Barangay 12 Poblacion, Dolores, Eastern Samar on Monday (December 22). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, distributes shelter kits to beneficiaries during the launching of the Early Recovery Program for Typhoon Ruby affected victims at the Dolores Gymnasium in Barangay 12 Poblacion, Dolores, Eastern Samar on Monday (December 22). Also in photo are Dolores, Eastern Samar Municipal Mayor Emiliana Villacarillo, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Eastern Samar Lone District Representative Benjamin Evardone and Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III views photographs of the aftermath of Typhoon Ruby during the launching of the Early Recovery Program for Typhoon Ruby affected victims at the Dolores Gymnasium in Barangay 12 Poblacion, Dolores, Eastern Samar on Monday (December 22). Also in photo are Dolores, Eastern Samar Municipal Mayor Emiliana Villacarillo and Eastern Samar Lone District Representative Benjamin Evardone. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III greets the crowd upon arrival at the Dolores Gymnasium in Barangay 12 Poblacion, Dolores, Eastern Samar on Monday (December 22) for the launching of the Early Recovery Program for Typhoon Ruby affected victims Also in photo are Dolores, Eastern Samar Municipal Mayor Emiliana Villacarillo and Eastern Samar Lone District Representative Benjamin Evardone. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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A participant in the Pasko ng Batang Pinoy 2014 blessed to President Benigno S. Aquino III during the distribution of gift packs at the Kalayaan Grounds of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (December 19, 2014). The Pasko ng Batang Pinoy Project is part of The DSWD's program to provide the street children a venue for self-enhancement through various activities to enjoy the spirit of Christmas while impede them from going out the streets especially this yuletide season. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III interacts with participants during the Pasko ng Batang Pinoy 2014 at the Kalayaan Grounds of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (December 19). The Pasko ng Batang Pinoy Project is part of the DSWD's program to provide the street children a venue for self-enhancement through various activities to enjoy the spirit of Christmas. Also in photo is Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Exequiel Supera / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III carries a child during the Pasko ng Batang Pinoy 2014 at the Kalayaan Grounds of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (December 19). The Pasko ng Batang Pinoy Project is part of The DSWD's program to provide the street children a venue for self-enhancement through various activities to enjoy the spirit of Christmas. Also in photo is Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Exequiel Supera / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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A participant in the Pasko ng Batang Pinoy 2014 blessed to President Benigno S. Aquino III during the distribution of gift packs at the Kalayaan Grounds of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (December 19). The Pasko ng Batang Pinoy Project is part of The DSWD's program to provide the street children a venue for self-enhancement through various activities to enjoy the spirit of Christmas. Also in photo is Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, leads the distribution of gift packs during the Pasko ng Batang Pinoy 2014 at the Kalayaan Grounds of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (December 19). The Pasko ng Batang Pinoy Project is part of the DSWD's program to provide the street children a venue for self-enhancement through various activities to enjoy the spirit of Christmas. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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Martin Edwards Seralde of KBB-CYN Canada takes a selfie with President Benigno S. Aquino III during the Youth Summit 2014 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on Friday (December 19, 2014). This year’s theme is “Fearless." The Kristiyanong Kabataan para sa Bayan (KKB) Movement is the youth Life Group Network of the Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide. The KKB Mission is to inspire the youth to live for Jesus Christ and to offer the prime years of their lives in service to God and Country. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Youth Summit 2014 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on Friday (December 19, 2014). This year’s theme is “Fearless." The Kristiyanong Kabataan para sa Bayan Movement is the youth Life Group Network of the Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide. The KKB Mission is to inspire the youth to live for Jesus Christ and to offer the prime years of their lives in service to God and Country. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III answers questions during the open forum of my the Youth Summit 2014 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on Friday (December 19). This year’s theme is “Fearless.” The Kristiyanong Kabataan para sa Bayan (KKB) Movement is the youth Life Group Network of the Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide. The KKB Mission is to inspire the youth to live for Jesus Christ and to offer the prime years of their lives in service to God and Country. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Youth Summit 2014 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on Friday (December 19). This year’s theme is “Fearless.” The Kristiyanong Kabataan para sa Bayan (KKB) Movement is the youth Life Group Network of the Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide. The KKB Mission is to inspire the youth to live for Jesus Christ and to offer the prime years of their lives in service to God and Country. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III salutes as he acknowledges the men and women in uniform participating in the pass-in review during the 79th founding anniversary celebration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at the AFP General Headquarters Grandstand of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Thursday (December 18). This year’s theme is: “Sandatahang Lakas: Ika-79 na Taong Naglilingkod ng Tapat tungo sa Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran at Kasaganaan.” Also in photo is former President Fidel Ramos. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
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