24-Hour Public Weather Forecast
Issued at 5:00 a.m., 23 February 2015
Valid beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow
 Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis for 8 a.m., 23 February 2015 |
 Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind Analysis for 8 a.m., 23 February 2015 |
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Synopsis:
Northeast Monsoon affecting Luzon.
Forecast:
Metro
Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to at times cloudy
skies with isolated light rains. The rest of the country will be partly
cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.
Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to east will prevail over Luzon and coming from the northeast over the eastern section of Visayas and Mindanao and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast with slight to moderate seas.
OVER METRO MANILA:
Maximum Temperature: 01:00 PM today ----- 30.4 ºC
Minimum Temperature: 06:00 AM today ----- 20.1 ºC
Maximum Relative Humidity: 06:00 AM today --------- 91 %
Minimum Relative Humidity: 12:00 PM today --------- 52 %
Low tide today: 05:17 PM ------- 0.16 meter
High tide tomorrow: 12:15 AM ------- 0.95 meter
Low tide tomorrow: 06:57 AM ------- 0.09 meter
High tide tomorrow: 12:53 PM ------- 0.64 meter
Sunset today: 06:02 PM
Sunrise tomorrow: 06:17 AM
Sunset tomorrow: 06:02 PM
Moonset today: 08:24 PM
Moonrise tomorrow: 08:43 AM
Illumination tomorrow: 11 %
For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.
PIA-4A/RIZAL:
The Department of Trade and Industry - Rizal and the Bugarin Pineapple
Growers Association signed a memorandum of agreement providing the
Pililla-based organization P 490,000 worth of equipment such as a
multipurpose dryer, vacuum sealer and foot stamp sealer for the
expansion of pineapple based products such as dried pineapple.
12 mins ·
PIA-4A/RIZAL:
Members of the Artipolo art group were recognized at the Antipolo City
Hall during the Monday flag ceremony in line with the group winning
second place in the recent Resorts World Jeepney Design Contest. The
awarding was held in line with Arts month this February.
12 mins ·
PIA-4A/RIZAL:
Members of the Artipolo art group were recognized at the Antipolo City
Hall during the Monday flag ceremony in line with the group winning
second place in the recent Resorts World Jeepney Design Contest. The
awarding was held in line with Arts month this February.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS:
Mas lalong pinaigting ng Batangas Police Provincial Office ang Oplan
Lambat Sibat upang mas mapalakas ang Oplan Paglalansag Omega na kabilang
ang paglalagay ng checkpoint, kumpiska ng loose firearms, drugs at
aresto ng wanted person.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS:
Nakalikom ng 133 bags ng dugo ang lokal na pamahalaan ng San Juan sa
isinagawang bloodletting activity sa Sico National High School na layong
makapagdugtong ng buhay sa mga may sakit na nangangailangan ng dugo.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS:
Isinagawa ngayong araw sa bayan ng Padre Garcia ang ikalawa sa tatlong
araw na training workshop para sa mga guro bilang paghahanda sa K to 12
na layong tulungang madevelop ang mapanuring pag-iisip o critical
thinking ng mag-aaral.
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
The municipal government of Atimonan has implemented the 'no plastic
use' policy in the entire town as part of their solid waste management
program. Also selling and using styro foam and any kind of plastic bags
are strictly prohibited. Persons violating this policy will be meted out
with corresponding penalty.
INTERAKSYON:
43 Filipino fishermen, who were apprehended last year after their boat
Love Merben II was stranded off the coast of Indonesia, are expected to
be repatriated next week. Arrangements for their repatriation are being
pursued by SENTRO and Geneva-based IUF. The company Citra Mina, which is
based in General Santos City and is believed to have financed the
fishing expedition of Love Merben II, did not assist the imprisoned
fishermen, according to their families and co-workers.
RIZAL
1. Tagalog news: Antipolo City business tax collection tumaas ng 14%
- February 23, 2015
Nadagdagan ng 25 milyong piso o 14 porysento ang nakolekta sa business tax at iba pang regulatory fees kumpara noong nakaraang taon na 171 milyong piso lamang bunga ng mabilis at de-kalidad na serbisyo ng pamahalaang lungsod na pinangungunahan ni Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa mga business tax payers na nagbayad ng maaga kung kaya naman na sinigurado namin na maayos at mabilis ang serbisyo na maibibigay namin sa kanila,” sabi ni Mayor Ynares.
Malaki ang naitulong sa pagbabayad ng buwis ang tatlong procedural steps na dati’y nasa apat na proseso. Ang bagong sistema ng Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) sa pagsasaayos ng data base ay nagbigay daan upang mabawasan ang mga ipapasang requirements ng mga business applicants. Namigay din ang pamahalaang lungsod ng mga libreng kape, biscuit, candies at juices na ikinatuwa naman ng mga naghihintay na mga tax payers dahil wala nito noong nakaraang mga taon.
Naniniwala ang pamahalaang lungsod na ang malaking pagtaas sa koleksyon ng buwis ay isang tanda ng malaking tiwala ng mga business investors sa pamamalakad ng kasalukuyang administrasyon.
Ang mga nakoletang buwis ay nakalaan sa iba’t ibang proyekto ng lungsod na mag-aangat sa antas ng kabuhayan ng mamamayan nito katulad na lamang ng mga bubuksang 4 na ospital, Antipolo City Institute of Technology (AiTECH), Antipolo Science High School, rehabilitasyon ng Hinulugang Taktak, karagdagang scholarship grants, at pamamahagi ng libreng school uniform at kagamitan sa lahat ng mag-aaral ng pampublikong paaralan. (ANTIPOLO PIO/PIA-Rizal)
- See more at:
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2261424416439/tagalog-news-antipolo-city-business-tax-collection-tumaas-ng-14-#sthash.N3EBmkxl.dpuf
2. Tagalog news: Antipolo City business tax collection tumaas ng 14%
- February 23, 2015
Nadagdagan ng 25 milyong piso o 14 porysento ang nakolekta sa business tax at iba pang regulatory fees kumpara noong nakaraang taon na 171 milyong piso lamang bunga ng mabilis at de-kalidad na serbisyo ng pamahalaang lungsod na pinangungunahan ni Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa mga business tax payers na nagbayad ng maaga kung kaya naman na sinigurado namin na maayos at mabilis ang serbisyo na maibibigay namin sa kanila,” sabi ni Mayor Ynares.
Malaki ang naitulong sa pagbabayad ng buwis ang tatlong procedural steps na dati’y nasa apat na proseso. Ang bagong sistema ng Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) sa pagsasaayos ng data base ay nagbigay daan upang mabawasan ang mga ipapasang requirements ng mga business applicants. Namigay din ang pamahalaang lungsod ng mga libreng kape, biscuit, candies at juices na ikinatuwa naman ng mga naghihintay na mga tax payers dahil wala nito noong nakaraang mga taon.
Naniniwala ang pamahalaang lungsod na ang malaking pagtaas sa koleksyon ng buwis ay isang tanda ng malaking tiwala ng mga business investors sa pamamalakad ng kasalukuyang administrasyon.
Ang mga nakoletang buwis ay nakalaan sa iba’t ibang proyekto ng lungsod na mag-aangat sa antas ng kabuhayan ng mamamayan nito katulad na lamang ng mga bubuksang 4 na ospital, Antipolo City Institute of Technology (AiTECH), Antipolo Science High School, rehabilitasyon ng Hinulugang Taktak, karagdagang scholarship grants, at pamamahagi ng libreng school uniform at kagamitan sa lahat ng mag-aaral ng pampublikong paaralan. (ANTIPOLO PIO/PIA-Rizal)
- See more at:
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2261424416439/tagalog-news-antipolo-city-business-tax-collection-tumaas-ng-14-#sthash.8oK9nD1H.dpuf
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February 25 is a regular working day, says Palace | ||
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Palace announces official visit of French President to the country | ||
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| Not in employment, education, or training? Baldoz challenges unemployed youth to develop life skills |
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph |
| With graduation drawing near; with tens of thousands expected to
join the labor market; and with hundreds of thousands more who
are not in employment, education, or training, or NEET, Labor
and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, this early,
is challenging young people to develop life skills to be able to
jumpstart their careers, either in wage employment or
entrepreneurship. “Let’s face it. While we see our youth as dynamic, potential innovators, and leaders in the present-day world of work, surprisingly, they still compose almost half, or 49.1 percent, of the country’s unemployed population of 2.4 million,” said Baldoz. “Skills gap, or the mismatch between labor demand and supply, is the culprit for the high youth unemployment in the country,” she said, explaining that a considerable part of the unemployed population consists of educated workers—most probably young ones. “Forty-four percent of our unemployed have reached or graduated from high school; 35.3 percent, on the other hand, graduated from college,” Baldoz said. And because it’s almost graduation month, the labor and employment chief said graduates ought to realise that in the current situation, the school-to-work transition in the Philippines is long. “It takes a long time for young Filipinos who leave their schools or universities to pursue careers in the labor market, simply because of the skills gap,” she bared, pointing out the results of the ADB household survey in Manila and Cebu showing that it takes a college graduate one year to find his first job, and up to two years to find a regular job. The study also show that the period is even longer for a high school leaver who takes up to three years to find his first job, and four years to find a regular wage job. “The ADB study is seminal. It cited that educational attainment, social status of family, and job search behavior are significant factors influencing the length and quality of the school-to-work transition among young Filipino jobseekers,” said Baldoz. To speed up the school-to-work transition, Baldoz said young people should take cognisance of what employers’ articulated: entry-level employees lack life skills—and do something about it. In particular, they need to improve their attitudes towards work and in the work place. They need to enhance their presentation and communication skills, she said. Noting that very few youth undertake skills training during the transition from school to work, she urged those who are not in employment, education, or training to train on life skills. “That’s the only way they can improve their prospects in the labor market,” she said. She encouraged them to join JobStart Philippines. “Being the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, JobStart seeks to help young people jumpstart their careers by creating opportunities to improve their technical skills and develop the life skills necessary for success in today’s competitive workplace. It introduces the full-cycle employment facilitation service, a comprehensive and systematic approach in assisting young jobseekers, from planning their career paths all the way through acquiring the best-fit jobs through career guidance, life skills and technical training, and internship,” Baldoz explained. JobStart is funded by the Government of Canada through the Asian Development Bank. The DOLE, through the Bureau of Local Employment, executes the program, while the LGUs and the PESOs serve as implementing agencies and employers as partners. Director Dominique Tutay of the Bureau of Local Employment said that to be able to join JobStart, a participant needs to be between 18-24 years old; at least high school graduates; no job experience or have no more than one (1) year of experience; and currently not in employment, not enrolled in school or in any training, and actively seeking work. Once selected, an applicant will undergo the following stages: assessment of participant’s job readiness and enhanced career guidance; selection of full beneficiaries; life skills training; job matching; interview and selection by employers; training plan preparation; signing of internship contract; technical training; and internship with employers. She said JobStart participants are provided with knowledge on conducting job searches; access to career guidance and employment coaching; access to relevant Labor Market Information (LMI) and PESO infrastructure; referral to potential employers; holistic employability through multi-faceted training; up to six months of on-the-job training with an employer; trainee stipend during the technical training and at least 75 percent of the minimum wage while with the employer as an OJT trainee; and a certificate from DOLE and ADB for completion of the program. “One of the most exciting features of the JobStart is the life skills training, an eight-day training to develop participants’ attitudes to work and workplace environment; job hunting skills and networking; personal and interpersonal skills; and health and financial management,” Tutay said. Baldoz said that at the end of a participant’s stint with JobStart, the DOLE envisions more young jobseekers being provided with training and exposure in an actual work place, making them ready to assume the job and more responsive to industry skills requirement. “As an outcome of the program, and with the adoption of the new model for employment facilitation service, we expect the placement rate of jobseekers, particularly PESO clients, to be at least 80 percent,” Baldoz finally said. |
| OPAPP disappointed over priest's allegations of SAF firearm purchase by gov't |
| Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph |
| MANILA - Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Executive Director Luisito Montalbo assailed allegations made by
priest Fr. Eliseo "Jun" Mercado that the government thru OPAPP
is purchasing weapons to make it appear that the MILF is
returning the firearms of the fallen Special Action Force
troopers . "We don't know where that is coming from. Certainly, there is no truth to that." Montalbo said. "We find it very disappointing that Fr. Jun, whom we've known for a long time and who used to directly engage our Office as a peace advocate, would come out publicly with claims that are unsubstantiated and unverified." "It saddens us to note that Fr. Jun would feel that he could no longer directly engage our Office constructively as many other local and national civil society peace advocates, religious leaders, and other stakeholders are currently doing," Montalbo noted. "Alam naman niya that we are just a text or call away should he wish to check with us the truth behind some information or rumors he receives." "His public pronouncement is wrong and also unfair to our ground forces, the ceasefire committees and our international monitors who personally documented, facilitated and officially witnessed the retrieval of the weapons from the MILF." Montalbo was referring to the GPH - MILF Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities, and the International Monitoring Team or IMT, both of which are mechanisms under the ceasefire agreement between the government and MILF, and were instrumental in the retrieval of SAF weapons. The GPH CCCH is headed by BGen. Carlito Galvez with Secretariat head Dir. Carlos Sol Jr. The MILF CCCH is headed by Rashid Ladiasan. The IMT on the other hand is composed of representatives from different countries and is led by Malaysian MGen Dato' Abdul Samad Bin HJ Yaakub as Head of Mission. An IMT member, Norwegian William Hovland, served as official witness in the documentation and retrieval of weapons. Last February 18, the 16 and a half high powered SAF weapons were publicly presented to Government of the Philippines peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer by Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal in a program hosted by the 6th Infantry Division's Camp Siongco in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. Witnesses at the presentation of the retrieved weapons were Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles, GPH peace panel member Senen Bacani, Joint Normalization Committee co-chair Muhammad Nassif, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gregorio Catapang Jr., AFP Western Mindanao Command Chief Gen. Rustico Guerrero, Philippine Army 6th Infantry Battalion Commander Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan and PNP ARMM OIC Senior Superintendent Noel Armilla. Last February 19, the retrieved SAF weapons were formally turned over by the ceasefire mechanisms and the AFP to the Philippine National Police Headquarters. Montalbo noted that OPAPP's legal unit has already started looking at various malicious misinformations being directed at the agency, which now include Mercado's claim. "Definitely, we cannot allow such untruths and violations of our rights to go unchallenged. It is not just the name of the agency that is at stake, but hundreds of its employees who have no way to protect themselves from being maligned in this way." |
| PH govt to build “world-class” infra to spur rural devt |
| Source: http://www.da.gov.ph |
| Pugo, La Union—Different crops like long beans, Baguio beans,
upland rice, banana, and mangoes thrive in upland villages of
Balecbec and Basca in Naguilian and Aringay, La Union
respectively. However, many farmers in the area share the same hardships in delivering agricultural produce downtown especially during the rainy season. “The path is muddy and slippery, so only carabaos can pass the road during rainy season,” relates Mr. Leonardo Nadlang, 62, who owns some mango trees in his small parcel of land. Aside from mangoes, Mang Leonardo also grows vegetables like Baguio beans, sitao, and cassava. Mr. Diego Abubo who owns at least 20 mango trees and grows similar crops, shared, “there were instances when my crops got spoiled because we could not deliver them during the rainy season.” “We just tried to salvage some vegetables that can still be sold, to reduce our losses,” he continued, explaining that one has to pass through a four-kilometer narrow path just to reach the nearest market. From woeful to hopeful With this scenario, many farmers from the two barangays are restricted on venturing to more farming opportunities. “Aside from carabaos, we also hire helpers to haul the sacks of harvested crops for at least P100, depending on the distance of one’s house to the passable road—which is at least two kilometers away in my case,” relates Mang Leonardo. On the morning of February 6, however, marks a new hope to these farmers who have been waiting for a new road for the last 30 to 40 years. Farmers from Brgys. Balecbec and Basca were gathered in the barangay hall to receive the good news straight from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the World Bank (WB) about the proposed 7.89-kilometer farm-market-road (FMR) with 30-meter bridge project to be constructed in the upland villages. DA Undersecretary and PRDP National Director Emerson U. Palad who visited the project site attested to the urgent need for improvement of the said footpath. “I have been in the area and the rolling dirt road is so narrow and uneven that even four wheel-drive vehicles will have a hard time passing through especially during the rainy days,” he described. “We are here with the World Bank today to work hand-in-hand in bringing you an FMR project to help ease your woes and help improve your livelihood through better linkage to the market,” continued Palad. With the upgrading of the road, Mang Diego is now ready to expand. “I can now plant more crops and easily deliver my produce to the market,” he added with a hint of hope. The WB team is in Brgy. Balecbec as part of its First Review Mission of Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), wherein the team will assess the readiness of PRDP’s regional offices and Local Government Unit (LGU) counterparts on February 5-6 in La Union. Muddy pathways to “world-class” roads The project is part of the integration the DA-PRDP is establishing to respond to the weaknesses and needs of the current value chain. WB Task Team Leader Carolina Figueroa-Geron said that through this project the DA aims to make the agriculture and fishery sectors of the country competitive. “The roads and irrigation facilities implemented under the project should be world-class and last for at least 20 years,” she continued. PRDP National Deputy Director Arnel de Mesa added, “While the DA’s mandate is for agriculture development, the FMRs that link communities can spur economic activities beyond agriculture such as transportation and tourism. Roads can provide transformational effects not only in agriculture, but also in tourism and other sectors.” As part of the review mission, the WB and DA team conducted a contractors’ meeting to ensure that contractors are knowledgeable of the PRDP’s procurement process, requirements, and specifications for undertaking sub-projects. Palad lauded the North Luzon cluster for being dynamic and efficient. “You have the biggest pipeline for sub-projects so far pegged at P3.4 billion for infrastructure sub-projects and P95 million for enterprise support activities,” he said. PRDP—more than Financial Grant The P27.5-billion project, of which bulk comes from a WB loan, will also utilize national government and LGU counterparts. Of the total project cost each LGU will propose, 90% will be funded by the PRDP while the local government will cover the remaining 10% for infrastructure sub-projects. For enterprise subprojects, the project will pitch in 80% of the total amount, while the LGU will share 20%. Additionally, proponent groups who will be assisted through the project will share 20% of the total project cost in cash or kind. “We expect these infrastructures and enterprise activities to stir the rural economy positively and generate 5% increase in rural incomes yearly,” she continued. Palad continued that Agri chief Proceso Alcala has always showcased and supported PRDP during his field visits. “He knows that this project promotes close coordination between the LGU and the DA. We also see the level of enthusiasm and commitment of the LGUs from the places we visit,” Palad said. While LGUs are active in pushing for rural infrastructures under the PRDP, Geron explained that PRDP is more than building roads, but to capacitate LGUs. Palad added that the staff of the LGUs also learned in preparing plans, and other step-by-step procedures like vulnerability and suitability assessment of their respective areas. “When an LGU implements PRDP, it also capacitates the personnel and all the people involved in creating their own plan for interventions under the Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP).” “These are the changes that PRDP will bring. I challenge all of you today, especially the Local Government Units to plan and execute good quality and efficient sub-projects under the PRDP so we can maximize this rare opportunity given to us by the World Bank,” Palad continued. Philippine Agriculture through Climate Change Aside from being “world class”, Geron said that the PRDP wants to establish climate-resilient roads and infrastructures. “Under the PRDP, we are upgrading current roads into concrete roads.” “When PRDP was planned by the DA and WB, the DA noted that it wants the road to be concreted as the government’s response to climate adaptation, since agri-fishery is number one sector affected by climate change,” she added. “Therefore, the infrastructures under the PRDP are supposed to be designed according to climate resiliency standards,” she continued. |
| At least 10,000 women retailers eyed for entrepreneurship training |
| Source: http://www.tesda.gov.ph |
| Sari-sari store and karinderya (eatery) owners may have already
grasped the practical day-to-day operation of their business,
but a little more training will certainly help. Moving forward its Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) program, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Coca-Cola Far East Limited aimed to have 10,000 more women scholars for the first semester of the year. The target beneficiaries are to be trained in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan and Cavite. Out of these 10,000 women, 500 will come from the 6th District of Quezon City. To formalize the partnership, TESDA, Coca-Cola and the 6th District of Quezon City inked a Memorandum of Agreement for the intervention for small sari-sari store owners, focused mainly on providing formal Basic Entrepreneurship training and facilitation of access to business resources such as product and merchandising support. "Women entrepreneurs continue to rise in the economy as a force to be reckoned, and lasting success hinges on the ongoing training to equip them with the skills in better running their business," TESDA Secretary General Joel Villanueva said. He expressed gratitude to Coca-Cola and the local government of Quezon City for their concerted and focused effort around entrepreneurship education. The STAR program was designed to economically empower the target women beneficiaries by providing them with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitude to transform them to become successful entrepreneurs. Since the program started in 2012 up to December 2014, about 30,000 women scholars have graduated. In implementing it, TESDA and Coca-Cola have been forging partnerships with local government units that select the women beneficiaries. TESDA nominates qualified trainers for the program based on qualifications outlined on the mechanics for implementation. The STAR program is under the Coca-Cola Company’s 5by20 Program, a global initiative to empower five million women worldwide by the year 2020. The Memorandum of Agreement was signed by Villanueva for TESDA, Coca-Cola vice president for public affairs and communications Adel Tamano, and Quezon City Representative Kit Belmonte of the 6th district. |
| Roxas welcomes return of SAF 44 guns |
| Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph |
| Together with generals of the Philippine National Police (PNP)
and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Interior and
Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas welcomed the return of 16
high-powered firearms used by Special Action Forces (SAF)
troopers from the custody of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF). "This is a good first step. Ibig sabihin hindi nagtatapos dito," Roxas remarked. Only 16 assault rifles and machine guns were returned to the government while the rest of the firearms taken from the bodies of the 44 SAF members killed in the Mamasapano clash have yet to be recovered. "It's still indeterminate who has possession of the other firearms," Roxas said. He also noted that not only the guns but other equipment and belongings of the fallen heroes as well should be returned by whoever has them at present. "Hinihiling natin ang tulong ng MILF sa pagrecover ng mga armas at ibang kagamitan ng SAF troopers natin," Roxas stressed. He also emphasized the value of such gesture from the MILF, which ought to rebuild the trust necessary for the peace process to succeed. "Sa ngayon, nasa gitna tayo ng peace process. Yung tiwala sa isa't isa ay napakahalaga," said Roxas. Roxas was joined by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, AFP Chief of Staff Gregorio Catapang, PNP OIC PDDG Leonardo Espina, and other high-ranking officials from the military and the police in Camp Aguinaldo this morning. The firearms will be brought into the custody of the Board of Inquiry (BOI) headed by Police Director Benjamin Magalong, who was also present earlier, for examination. |
| Shun ‘balik-bayan box’ mentality; venture into entrepreneurship, Baldoz urges OFWs |
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph |
| Shun ‘balik-bayan box’ mentality; venture into entrepreneurship, Baldoz urges OFWs “I have heard so many stories of OFWs that tell of their painful struggle abroad to earn for their families but have forgotten to save and invest for the rainy day. And they come home for good only to realise that they have to start all over again. This is a vicious cycle that OFWs themselves can put to an end by saving and investing their hard-earned incomes”. This was the message of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz shared by Director Chona Mantilla to some 75 representatives of Public Employment Service Offices, non-government organizations, and local governments who participated in the Workshop on Community Preparedness for Migrant Reintegration and Crisis Management, held at the Hotel Ariana in Bauang, La Union last week. The workshop, supported by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), was organised by the National Reintegration Centre for OFWs (NRCO), the DOLE agency co-implementing the National Reintegration Program. It sought to enlist support to national government effort in building the capacities of OFWs for financial literacy and for engaging their participation in local economic development. In her message, Baldoz urged overseas Filipino workers to reject the so-called ‘balik-bayan’ mentality, and, instead, think of ways on how their hard-earned savings from long years of working abroad can be put to good and profitable use. “OFWs should not be blinded by the fact that they are earning good money. They should open their eyes to the reality that when they come home, they ought to have a substitute or alternative source of income for their families. That’s what financial literacy is all about,” she said. On her part, Director Mantilla said most OFWs endure high social costs of migration and work abroad for long years with the hope of increasing their family’s income, or of supporting a growing family, but most often, they total overlook the need to save, or to invest for the future. “OFWs bear the hard work and, worse, the extremely difficult situations in foreign countries to earn for their families. But many also end up faced with the need to return abroad because they have not saved and invested for their future,” she said. Ricardo Casco, IOM Mission Coordinator, who was the resource person in the two-day activity, said enabling OFWs toward financial literacy entails changing their behavior. “Our task is to make OFWs realize that they have an option; that they do not have to spend their lives working abroad with nothing left when they reach their retirement,” Casco said. He said OFWs should first set aside at least 10 percent to 20 percent of their income every month for their savings, then use the remainder for their expenses. He also explained that NGOs, in carrying out their task of sharing the burden of making OFWs financially-literate, should scan existing resources and institutions in their areas to build a support network for the various strategies OFWs can use to become financially stable, such as channeling their savings to investments that can spur growth in local economy or by doing the business themselves. In her message at the event, Regional Director Grace Ursua of the DOLE Regional Office No. 1 commended the NRCO and the IOM for the workshop, saying it was a good opportunity to advocate and establish a broader network of organizations which can ensure stronger protection and welfare promotion for the region’s OFWs. “Our OFWs bring in remittances to the country while braving unfamiliar conditions in foreign lands. With our converged actions, let us help them fully benefit from their sacrifices,” Director Ursua said. |
| Philippines convenes 1st Meeting of APEC Geneva Caucus 2015 |
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph |
| 20 February 2015 - As the Philippines takes over the
chairmanship of the APEC Geneva Caucus (AGC) in 2015, following
China’s successful chairmanship, Philippine Permanent
Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ambassador
Esteban B. Conejos, Jr., convened its first meeting on February
17 at the Centre William Rappard. In attendance were Permanent Representatives and other Geneva-based officers of the 21 APEC member economies, who lauded the presentations of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for International Economic Relations and APEC 2015 SOM Chair Laura Q. Del Rosario, and Ambassador Conejos, Jr. as chairman of the AGC, respectively. They also expressed their praises for the APEC Informal Senior Officials’ Meeting (ISOM), which was held in Manila from December 08 to 09, 2014 and the APEC First Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM 1) in Clark from January 26 to February 07, 2015 – echoing their APEC Senior Officials who attended these meetings. Undersecretary Del Rosario presented an overview of APEC 2015, themed “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World,” and made significant linkages between APEC and the work of the WTO, saying that “the multilateral trading system is the heart of APEC.” AGC Members acknowledged the importance of inclusive growth, and the work being done by APEC in this respect. They also noted the crucial role of APEC in a host of issues, including food security, SME development, and counter-terrorism. Ambassador Conejos, in his presentation, reiterated the main objectives of the AGC, which are to draft and endorse the statement on supporting the multilateral trading system for the Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting in Boracay from May 23 to 24 and draft and endorse the statement on supporting the multilateral trading system for the APEC 2015 Ministerial Meeting and the APEC 2015 Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November 2015. He noted that the statements will highlight that the WTO is 'back on track', and that the WTO needs to deliver concrete outcomes this year. Particular attention will be placed on the ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, the formulation of a post-Bali work program, and a permanent solution on public stockholding for food security purposes. Ambassador Conejos’ proposals were well received by the Caucus, and Permanent Representatives who took the floor stressed the significance of this year to the WTO, as 2015 marks the 20th anniversary of the WTO and the 10th Ministerial Conference (MC10) will take place from December 15 to 18 in Nairobi, Kenya. |
| APEC SOM chair, PHL Ambassadors meet with WTO Director General |
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph |
| 20 February 2015 - Key officials of the Philippines met with
World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Roberto Azevêdo
on February 17 to discuss the Philippine chairmanship of APEC
2015 and possible synergies with the work of the WTO this year. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura Q. del Rosario, the APEC 2015 SOM Chair, together with Ambassador Esteban B. Conejos, Jr., Philippine Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO), and Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, called on the Director General after meeting with the APEC Geneva Caucus earlier in the day. During the call, Undersecretary Del Rosario conveyed to the Director General that APEC will continue its full support for the multilateral trading system during the Philippine chairmanship. She noted that APEC and the Philippines will continue to cooperate and communicate with the WTO in order to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes at the APEC 2015 Leaders Week in Manila in November and the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi in December. She also informally conveyed the invitation of President Benigno S. Aquino III, through a subsequent formal letter from Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo, for the Director General to visit Manila and participate in the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting in Boracay in May. Director General Azevêdo noted that APEC could play a significant role in raising awareness and ensuring the immediate ratification by APEC members of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. He thanked the Philippines for its crucial involvement in the Agriculture outcomes of the Bali Package, and expressed appreciation for the "extremely helpful" role of Ambassador Conejos as chairman of the Preparatory Committee in Trade Facilitation. He urged members to be "creative and open-minded" on the WTO's work this year, including the formulation of a post-Bali Doha Development Agenda work program. He noted that the WTO will continue communicating with the Philippines as developments take shape in the coming months. He said that he looks forward to participating in the MRT meeting in Boracay in May. Before ending, Ambassador Rebong, Ambassador Conejos and Undersecretary Del Rosario painted a vivid picture for Director General Azevêdo of Boracay, the "island paradise with fine powder-white sand and clear blue waters". |
| SSS meets Tagbilaran media and stakeholders |
| Source: https://www.sss.gov.ph |
| Top Social Security System (SSS) officials met with employers
and members of the media during a stakeholders' forum and
Kapihan sa SSS in Bohol, Tagbilaran City this month. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio S. de Quiros Jr led the panel of SSS officials to discuss updates on SSS operations, particularly in Central Visayas region. The stakeholders' forum and Kapihan sa SSS were part of the first SSS Regional Visit for 2015 that is held regularly to get feedback from members. The photos show De Quiros with other SSS officials composed of SSS Tagbilaran Branch Head Marino Talictic, SSS Vice President for Member Services Mario Sibucao, SSS Senior Vice President for Information and Technology Management Joel Layson, SSS Senior Vice President for Administration May Catherine Ciriaco, SSS Senior Vice President for Visayas and Mindanao Eddie Jara, SSS Assistant Vice President for Central Visayas Helen Solito, SSS Vice President for Public Affairs and Special Events Marissu Bugante, and SSS Media Affairs Department Manager III Ma. Luisa P. Sebastian during their two-day regional visit for the Stakeholders' Forum on February 3, and Kapihan sa SSS on February 4 at the Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran City. |
| DENR taps agricultural college to train farmers on waste management |
| Source: http://www.denr.gov.ph |
| The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has
signed a deal with the state-run Tarlac College of Agriculture
(TCA) to train farmers in Central Luzon on proper management of
agricultural waste, which is a major pollution hazard. Undersecretary Jonas Leones, chief of the Environmental Management Bureau of DENR, said the deal was an important step towards addressing environmental problems associated with improper management of waste from farm operations. “We need to train our farmers on how to properly manage agricultural waste in order to reduce risks to the environment, as well as human health,” Leones said. Leones signed the agreement in behalf of DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje while TCA president Dr. Max Guillermo signed for the college. Under the agreement, the TCA will put up Satellite Ecology Center within its campus in the town of Camiling, where the academic institution will develop and hold short-term training courses on ecological solid waste management (ESWM) for farmers. The DENR, on the other hand, will provide TCA an initial fund of P300,000 to enable the school to develop training modules and perform other roles and responsibilities. Aside from farmers, the TCA will also train government workers, teachers, agricultural technicians and junk shop owners on solid waste management. Leones said the undertaking was expected to develop an “army of ESWM trainers,” who use existing technologies and innovations aimed at reducing waste in the agricultural sector. The signing of the DENR-TCA deal was among the highlights of the 14th anniversary celebration of the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, held recently at the DENR central office in Quezon City. RA 9003 defines agricultural wastes as those “generated from planting or harvesting of crops, trimming or pruning of plants and wastes or runoff materials from farms or fields.” The most common agricultural wastes in the Philippines are rice husk, rice straw, coconut husk, coconut shell and bagasse. Agriculture is a well known source of water, land and air pollution. The way agricultural wastes are stored and used has profound effects on human health and the environment. Waste from farm operations can pollute the environment resulting in impacts to water quality. In measured amounts, farm waste acts as fertilizer. But if the amounts are excessive, bacteria and chemical can flow into the ground and contaminate water drinking sources. Burning of farm waste causes severe pollution of land, air and water. The smoke from agricultural burning contains toxic pollutants that are dangerous to human health. |
| February 2015 Physician Licensure Examination results released in two (2) working days |
| Source: http://www.prc.gov.ph |
| The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 594
out of 832 passed the Physician Licensure Examination given by
the Board of Medicine in the cities of Manila and Cebu this
February 2015. The members of the Board of Medicine who gave the licensure examination are Dr. Miguel L. Noche Jr., Chairman; Dr. Edgardo T. Fernando, Dr. Restituto C. De Ocampo, Dr. Jose Y. Cueto, Jr., and Dr. Mildred N. Pareja, Members. The results were released in two (2) working days from the last day of examination. Registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will be on March 2, 3 and 4, 2015. Those who will register are required to bring the following: duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, current Community Tax Certificate (cedula), 1 piece passport size picture (colored with white background and complete name tag), 2 sets of metered documentary stamps and 1 short brown envelope with name and profession and to pay the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2015-2018. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals. The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees in the said examination WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER. |
| Arrested, detained for usurpation of authority, estafa |
| Source: http://www.pdic.gov.ph |
| A former employee of a manpower service provider assigned at the
Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) has been
arrested based on warrants issued by the Regional Trial Court
Branch 61 of Bogo City, Cebu and the Metropolitan Trial Court
Branch 66 of Makati City. Bernard A. Sicorsicon, a former employee of the LBP Service Corporation, was arrested on February 13, 2015 in Pasay City by members of the Villamor Police Community Precinct, namely PSI Vicente C. Barrameda, SPO3 Allan L. Ortega, SPO1 Ronie P. Gazmen, PO2 Marlon C. Guanzon, PO1 Francis B. Dela Cruz, PO1 James P. Manuel and PO1 Victor M. Olivas, with the assistance of Brgy. 185 Force Multipliers led by Brgy. Capt. Ruel Ramos. Sicorsicon is now detained at the Pasay City Police Station. According to several complaints filed by various borrowers against Bernard Sicorsicon, it appears that Sicorsicon led them to believe that he was authorized by PDIC to work out discounts and compromise agreements on their loans to various closed banks. In the process, the borrowers were lured to pay to him directly the monthly amortizations for the purported settlement of their respective loans. Sicorsicon never remitted any of the payments of these borrowers to the closed banks. Sicorsicon's assignment to the PDIC was terminated effective May 22, 2013. The borrowers filed estafa cases against Sicorsicon. PDIC, on the other hand, filed various cases for usurpation of authority or official functions. Acting in one of the estafa cases, the Office of the City Prosecutor of Bogo City in Cebu found probable cause that Sicorsicon committed estafa under Article 315 (2) (a) of the Revised Penal Code. Meantime, in one of the cases for usurpation, the Office of the City Prosecutor of Makati City recommended that Sicorsicon be indicted for the said crime under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code. All the other estafa and usurpation cases are submitted for resolution before the different prosecutors' offices of the Department of Justice. The PDIC said that Sicorsicon's arrest is a welcome development in line with the Corporation's efforts to bring to justice parties that victimize the depositing public, circumvent the deposit insurance scheme or engage in unlawful acts that may put the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) at risk. The state deposit insurer also reiterated its warning to borrowers and clients of closed banks to transact only with authorized PDIC personnel stationed at the closed banks' headquarters during takeover operations and at the PDIC Home Office in Makati City. According to PDIC, clients of closed banks should pay only to the PDIC cashiers at the PDIC office in Makati City and should always ask for an official receipt. Payments may also be made by depositing directly to the account of the closed bank with the Philippine National Bank (PNB) as indicated in PDIC advisories. The PDIC requests the public to report any incidence of wrongdoings and illegal transactions to the Public Assistance Helpdesk located at the 4/F SSS Bldg., 6782 Ayala Ave. cor. Rufino St., Makati City, or call the PDIC Public Assistance hotlines,  (02) 841-4630 to 31. Depositors outside Metro Manila
may call toll free at 1-800-1-888-PDIC FREE or 1-800-1-888-7342 to
report complaints and irregularities. Reports or complaints may
also be sent via e-mail to pad@pdic.gov.ph. |
| PhilHealth XII to give P1M each to run beneficiary institutions |
| Source: http://www.philhealth.gov.ph |
| THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s Regional Office
XII is set to give an estimated P1M each to DSWD XII Home for
Girls and Cotabato Bahay Maria Foundation, Inc. from the
proceeds of the recently concluded PhilHealth Run 2015 dubbed “PhilHealth
Ready, TSeKaP, Go!” DSWD XII Home for Girls is a center for abused, neglected and exploited young girls while Cotabato Bahay Maria Foundation, Inc. is a home for the aged. PhilHealth XII Regional Vice President Dr. Miriam Grace G. Pamonag said that “it is very exciting to note that we were able to have more or less P2.2M in cash donations and registration fees as of February 9, 2015. Around 80% will go to our beneficiaries. Only 20% were spent for activities relating to the Run.” “The P1M will not be given in cash. We required them to have a wish list because we want to have a memorabilia of the Run. We will procure whatever is in their wish list,” said Pamonag. Some of the items in DSWD’s wish list are sewing machines, musical instruments and sports equipment. During the Run’s launch ceremony held last year, DSWD XII Assistant Regional Director Hadja Monera H. Lidasan explained that “the girls are capacitated to sew. They can already sew blouses, shorts, etc. We want them to have a source of livelihood.” The musical instruments and sports equipment are to “at least lessen the pain they are going through and for them to engage into sports for their physical and spiritual health.” Lidasan added that the Center housing some 20 girls is just being rented. “We are renting the Center and the Provincial Government is paying for the rental every month. It is hot there so we hope to have air-conditioning units or at least electric fans so that when they sleep they could feel a little comfort.” Cotabato Bahay Maria Foundation, Inc. Administrator Jovita C. Isnani, MA said “we have so many wishes but our topmost priority now is to have an isolated ward because they are elderly and most of them have weak lungs. The second priority is to have at least a multi-cab for us to be able to bring them on a field trip once or twice a month, for the aged to be able to go out of Bahay Maria to also enjoy before they expire.” "The ceremonial turn–over of the proceeds will be next month, on the second or third week of March. We are planning to invite the President of the Corporation. The grand turn-over will come later because of the procurement process we need to follow, maybe in May or in June,” Pamonag shared. Pamonag also thanked those who supported the running activity. “We would like to thank everyone, our sponsors and partner-agencies for their total support. It was a resounding success. We were able to register 7,167 runners and in spite of the drizzle, more than 5,000 runners participated,” saying further that “the crowd was so excited. You can see the excitement on their faces; you can see they were excited to run-for-a-cause. We hope that we can emulate, if not surpass this success during our next PhilHealth Run.” |
| More LCBI partners get PPP training |
| Source: http://ppp.gov.ph |
| The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center trained Ateneo de
Naga University’s Center for Local Governance (ADNU-CLG) in
Camarines Sur as part of its efforts to reach out to more local
governments eyeing the PPP option for their infrastructure and
development projects. From February 10-12, 2015, the PPP Center conducted a Training of Trainers’ (TOT) program for ADNU-CLG staff being one of its Local Capacity Building Institutions (LCBI) partners. The program covered topics on the whole life cycle of PPPs from project development, preparation of the project bidding documents and procurement, to actual implementation and monitoring of the PPP agreement. Fr. Primitivo E. Viray Jr., SJ, President of Ateneo De Naga University, and Dr. Malu C. Barcillano, Director of the ADNU-CLG participated in the said activity along with thirteen professors, instructors, researchers, and consultants from the university. The PPP Center partnered with several Local Capacity Building Institutions (LCBI) in state universities and colleges and higher education institutions to provide PPP capacity building interventions at the local level. PPP Center Executive Director Cosette Canilao stressed that this initiative is consistent with the PPP Center’s commitment to expand its reach and to share its resources to facilitate properly prepared projects at the local level. To date, the Center has already forged its LCBI partnership with other institutions including UP Diliman-School of Regional and Urban Planning’s UP Planades, De La Salle University-Manila’s Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance, Ateneo de Zamboanga’s Center for Local Governance, and UP Los Baños’s College of Public Affairs and Development. |
| DSWD supports peace talks in ARMM to sustain efforts for the poor |
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph |
| Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary
Corazon Juliano-Soliman believes that if negotiations on the
peace process is derailed, it would impede the gains that the
government has achieved in the Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao (ARMM). Sec. Soliman cited that because the situation has stabilized, 416,637 families have benefited from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in the region. “Continued armed conflict would [reverse] the investments on the education and health of Pantawid Pamilya children-beneficiaries,” Sec. Soliman explained. She said that in times of conflict, communities are displaced, schools and health services are discontinued, and food becomes inadequate. “Children’s schooling will definitely be suspended, including the 1,158,021 Pantawid Pamilya children-beneficiaries,” Sec. Soliman stressed. Aside from Pantawid Pamilya, the DSWD has also undertaken various programs and projects in ARMM. These include construction of day care centers, Modified Shelter Assistance Project, Emergency Shelter Assistance, Supplementary Feeding, Sustainable Livelihood, and Cash-For-Work. In Mamasapano alone, DSWD has implemented the following projects since 2009: Pantawid Pamilya for 3,494 families (2009), Sustainable Livelihood Program for 1,500 families (2012-2014), modified shelter under the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) for 53 families (2012), training center under the Bottom Up Budgeting ( 2013), 2 million worth of livelihood assistance (2015), supplementary feeding for 1,616 children (2012-2015), and social pension for 826 indigent older persons (2012 -2015) |
| P1.4-B shelter aid released for ‘Yolanda’ survivors in W. Visayas |
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph |
| The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has
released P1.4 billion in emergency shelter assistance (ESA) to
local government units (LGU) in Western Visayas for the
survivors of Typhoon Yolanda. Under the guidelines, beneficiaries of the ESA are families who have no permanent source of income or whose income is below the poverty threshold of the region; those whose houses were either partially or totally damaged and who have not received a similar assistance from other agencies or non-government institutions. Likewise, regular employees of government and private corporations with salary below P15,000 are also eligible provided they are included in the master list of DSWD-Disaster Assistance Family Access Card (DAFAC). DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman also upheld the DSWD stand on not including those receiving a salary of more than P15,000 because they have the capacity to rebuild their houses. On the other hand, those living in danger zones are also not included as beneficiaries, because they are being assisted by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC). A total of P10,000 shall be given to families whose houses were partially damaged, while P30,000 will go to those whose houses were totally destroyed. Breakdown In the province of Aklan, the municipality of Libacao received P109.6 million for the 3,655 families with totally damaged houses. In the province of Antique, the town of Culasi got P109.4 million for the 7,228 families with totally and partially damaged houses. In the province of Capiz, the town of Panay received P173.6 million for 5,787 families with totally damaged houses; Pontevedra got P43.5 million for 4,357 families with partially damaged houses; while Tapaz got P69.4 million for 6,311 families with partially damaged houses. In the province of Iloilo, the town of Sara received P240.4 million for 8,015 families with totally damaged houses; Lambunao, P72.5 million for 7,250 families with totally damaged houses; Ajuy, P9 million for 300 families with totally damaged houses; Concepcion, P18 million for 600 families with totally damaged houses; and Estancia, P9 million for 300 families with totally damaged houses. In the province of Negros Occidental, P93.8 million was released for 7,178 beneficiaries with both totally and partially damaged houses . DSWD urged the other LGUs which have not submitted their supporting documents to complete these so that the Department could immediately download the ESA funds to them. In Iloilo, there are still 14 towns which have not submitted their validated list and documents; four in Aklan; one in Antique; three in Capiz; and four in Negros Occidental. Dialogue Meanwhile, DSWD Field Office-VI Director Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre held a dialogue last week with members of Bayan Muna and Pamanggas – organizations of farmers and fisherfolk – to explain the guidelines on the implementation of ESA. During the dialogue, Macapobre responded to the issues raised by the two organizations. These included the total scrapping of Memorandum Circular Number 24 or the Guidelines for ESA Implementation in ‘Yolanda’-Affected Areas, swift and immediate release of ESA to all victims of ‘Yolanda,’ additional funds for all ‘Yolanda victims,’ and transparency in the identification of beneficiaries. Macapobre clarified that all services of the DSWD have eligibility requirements which must be followed. The implementation guidelines of ESA for the ‘Yolanda’ survivors in all affected areas are spelled out in MC 24, which is the basis for the release of the cash aid and which will be used by the Commission on Audit (COA) in post-auditing releases. “The Field Office is dependent on how soon the LGUs can submit to us the required documents as specified in MC 24, and [how] fast the funds are released to us,” Macapobre further explained. Regarding the demand for additional funds for all ‘Yolanda’ survivors, the militant groups said they do not only mean more funds to accommodate the affected families who are not included in the first list submitted; they also want to avail all other DSWD services. The Director encouraged the protesters to submit their list to their local social welfare and development office so that it can be included in the validation. DSWD will meet all the six governors in Western Visayas on February 24 to ask for their help in monitoring the LGUs under them in coming up with the validated and official list of affected families. “This final list should be submitted to DSWD-Field Office [VI] on or before March 31 as we intend to consolidate the submission and forward an additional fund request to the DSWD Central Office by April 10,” Dir. Macapobre added. On the transparency issue in identifying legitimate beneficiaries, Macapobre reminded Bayan Muna and Pamanggas members that it was the LGUs which provided their lists of qualified recipients to DSWD. |
| APEC First Senior Officials’ Meeting Advances APEC 2015 Priority of “Investing in Human Capital Development” |
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph |
| 18 February 2015 – Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Senior Officials re-affirmed their commitment to APEC’s
capacity-building, and economic and technical cooperation pillar
at the recently concluded First APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting
and Related Meetings, held from January 26 to February 07 at the
Clark and Subic Freeport Zones. Guided by the APEC 2015 priority of “Investing in Human Capital Development”, Senior Officials and APEC technical working groups emphasized the need to place human capacity building at the fore of APEC’s work this year particularly on initiatives related to health, women, education, science and technology, and people-to-people connectivity. The various APEC sub-fora working on projects and programs related to human capital development reported the following developments: Health and Women The Health Working Group (HWG) and the Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy (PPWE) are coming together to put focus on the health and well-being of women, and migrants in the Asia-Pacific region within the context of strengthening health systems and health industry development. In 2015, the HWG and PPWE will jointly discuss the next steps of the Women and the Economy Dashboard which is a scorecard with 75 indicators drawn from a range of international data sources (e.g. access to healthcare, access to capital and financing, educational attainment, etc.) pertaining to the status of women and the economy in the APEC region so that policymakers have a clear picture of gaps and opportunities. Human Capacity Building through Education, and Science and Technology A preparatory meeting for the High Level Policy Dialogue on Human Capacity Building (HLPD-HCB) was held in Subic Freeport Zone from February 02 to 04 as a lead up to the main event on 06-07 May 2015 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The pre-meeting, chaired by the Philippine Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Deputy Director General, Irene M. Isaac,discussed the two-day program where key industry players, academe and government will share best practices in developing a 21st century-ready workforce, aligning education to industry needs, and enhancing productivity of SMEs. The above themes recall the discussion at the Informal Senior Officials’ Meeting (ISOM) last December in Manila, which emphasized how growth coupled with equality of opportunity is necessary to close the human capital gap, as well as the need to respond to the challenges brought by new technologies that increase the speed and complexity of knowledge and information flows. Aside from the pre-meeting, APEC Senior Officials also welcomed the official launch of the APEC Scholarship Initiative, which “promotes the creation of privately and publicly funded APEC-branded scholarship, training, and internship opportunities to benefit students and professionals, especially youth and women.” This initiative supports APEC Leaders’ target of one million intra-APEC university-level students per year by 2020. Philippine universities have already signed up to join the program. People-to-People Connectivity Complimenting the cross-border movement of students, APEC also welcomed the extension of the validity of the APEC Business Travel Card from three to five years, as well as the initiative to advance regional connectivity by connecting “remote areas” to the economic centers of the region through air, maritime and land infrastructure that allow reliable supply chain and logistics flows. These discussions will be elevated to the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Human Capacity Building in May, the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science and Technology in Higher Education in July, and the Women and Economy meeting in September. |
| PHL Consulate General, US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Sign Cooperation Arrangement for US Northeast |
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph |
| 18 February 2015 – The Philippine Consulate General in New York
and the New York and Philadelphia District Offices of the US
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) signed on
February 12 an Arrangement establishing a collaborative
relationship between them. The signing ceremony was held athe
Kalayaan Hall Annex of the of the Philippine Center, with
Philippine Consul General Mario L. De Leon Jr. signing for the
Consulate General, and EEOC New York District Director Kevin
Berry and EEOC Philadelphia District Director Spencer H. Lewis
signing for their respective offices. The signing in New York came on the heels of the signing ceremony at the Philippine Embassy in Washington,D.C. between the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), with Philippine Ambassador to United States Jose Cuisia, Jr. signing for DFA, and US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, with Chairperson Jenny R. Yang signing for EEOC. The Arrangement is the result of efforts by both sides to ensure promotion of equal opportunity in the work place and greater protection for Filipino workers residing and working in the US Northeast, including the disabled, vulnerable, undocumented migrants, and elderly who need greater protection under the law. The Consulate General and the EEOC both aim to raise the awareness of worker’s rights and employer’s responsibilities. Both parties also aim to provide protection against discrimination, especially for those workers who are vulnerable to abuse because of lack of awareness or understanding of the resources offered to them under US law. The EEOC New York District Office covers the states of New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and Northern New Jersey while the Philadelphia District Office covers the states of Pennsylvania, Delaware and Southern New Jersey. Under the Arrangement, the Consulate General and the EEOC will partner to promote information dissemination, guidance and access to the services and resources of the EEOC among the Filipino community. In particular, the Arrangement will enhance cooperation in three main areas: Training and Education, Outreach and Communication and Promotion of Dialogue. The overall objective is to educate Filipinos on their rights as workers and empower them when faced with discrimination at the workplace. In his remarks, Consul General De Leon noted the significance of the Arrangement, emphasizing that, in the end, the protection of worker’s rights is vital in preserving a harmonious working atmosphere. Director Lewis, speaking on the EEOC’s part, expressed his hope that the Arrangement would prove beneficial to the thousands of Filipinos working in the United States, and specifically the Filipinos working in the US Northeast. Director Lewis also echoed Consul General De Leon’s sentiments on protecting the rights of workers and preserving harmony in the workplace. The signing ceremony was attended by EEOC staff, led by Brian White, as well as members of the Filipino community and various Filipino organizations and civic organizations, such as National Federation of Filipino Associations Region I, Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund and National Federation for Filipino Concerns, who voiced their approval of the Arrangement and stated that they looked forward to seeing the results of the programs under the Arrangement in the coming months. |
| UN Special Rapporteur’s visit to help boost Philippine food security efforts |
| Source: http://www.da.gov.ph |
| The Philippine Government has extended an official invitation to
the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Ms. Hilal Elver,
to visit the Philippines on February 20−27, 2015. Following the guidelines of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Ms. Elver will look into the status of the Philippines’ efforts towards the realization of the right to food, measured by its availability and adequacy in quantity and quality to satisfy basic dietary needs; and accessibility—both physical and economic—particularly to vulnerable and marginalized groups. Ms. Elver is an expert in human rights, environmental security, climate change diplomacy, and food security. She is expected to make an assessment of the Philippines’ current framework governing the right to food, provide concrete recommendations on how to improve current policies and practices and contribute suggestions on how to maximize cooperation efforts with the international community. The visit is also timely as the Right to Adequate Food Bill that seeks to institutionalize mechanisms to address current gaps in the Philippines’ food security efforts is being considered by Congress. Preparations for the visit are being undertaken by an inter-agency committee led by the Department of Agriculture. Guided by the interests specified by the UN Special Rapporteur and her mandate, the Philippine Government has arranged for Ms. Elver to dialogue with national and local government agencies, civil society organizations, the academe, the Senate and the House of Representatives, and national human rights institutions. She will also undertake field visits to farming and urban poor communities, including vulnerable sectors, as well as areas affected by recent disasters in Luzon and the Visayas. Undersecretary Severo Catura, Executive Director of the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat, said that the visit should be an opportunity to showcase the progressive actions taken by the government insofar as advancing the right to food amid various country situations, and to identify the lessons learned, as well as resolve the challenges encountered with valuable inputs from a third-party international expert, such as the Special Rapporteur. ### (Jan Dacumos, DA-AFID) Reference: USec. Severo Catura Executive Director, Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat Rm. 475, Mabini Hall, Malacañang J.P. Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila Telefax No. 736-1445/Tel. No. 736-3862 |
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA,
JR.
|
DZRB / Balita at Panayam by Alan Allanigue
|
17 February 2015
|
| ALAN: Kahapon po ay inanunsyo ang go-signal, kumbaga, ng Pangulo dito po sa
mga infrastructure projects, multi-billion peso projects po, matapos na ito
ay aprubahan ng NEDA Board, Sec. Sonny, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Maraming mahahalagang proyekto sa imprastraktura ang naaprubahan kahapon sa pagpupulong ng NEDA Board na pinamunuan ni Pangulong Aquino, Alan. Nariyan iyong sa Panguil Bay Bridge Project, ito ay sa Northern Mindanao at sa pagtawid nito doon sa Panguil Bay ay mababawasan iyong travel time ng mga kababayan natin na naninirahan doon sa bahaging iyon ng ating bansa. At inaasahang bibilis ang paglago ng ekonomiya doon. Inaprubahan din iyong sa rehabilitation at pagpapahusay ng serbisyo ng Philippine Nati0nal Railways mula Malolos hanggang Tutuban, at mula Tutuban hanggang Calamba na first stage lamang ‘no hanggang umabot ito doon sa dulo ng linya sa Katimugan, sa Matnog. At meron ding mga inaprubahang mga proyekto katulad nung rebidding nung CALAX, yung Cavite-Laguna Expressway, na nagkaroon ng kaunting usapin at binigay na iyong go-signal para ito ay ma-rebid na. At inaprubahan din yung muli—kinumpirma iyong approval doon sa North Luzon NLEX-SLEX Connector. Kaya iyan ang ilan lang sa mahalagang proyekto na inaprubahan kahapon sa pagpupulong ng NEDA Board, Alan. ALAN: Ayon. So, ang initial nga po na report ay ito ay umaabot ng hanggang P372 billion sa kabuuan, Sec. Sonny, sir. Napakalaking halaga para sa mga mahahalagang proyekto rin, infrastructure projects po, Sec. Sonny. SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Alan. ALAN: Okay. Sir sa ibang usapin naman po, ano ho. Meron din pong initial report ang Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas na ang mga remittances ng ating mga Overseas Filipino Workers ay mas mataas by 6.2%, ano ho, base ho sa kanilang figures na pinalabas. Ano pong komento ng Malacañang tungkol dito, Sec. Sonny, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Isa na naman iyang patunay na sa kahusayan, kasipagan at kadakilaan ng ating mga manggagawang Pilipino na nagsusumikap na magtatag ng mas mahusay na kabuhayan para sa kanilang mga pamilya. At kahit na sila ay nagsasakripisyo sa pagiging hiwalay sa kanilang pamilya, malaki ang kanilang nai-aambag sa ating bansa at sa pagpapahusay ng kabuhayan ng kani-kanilang mga pamilya. At pinupuri natin at pinasasalamatan natin sila. ALAN: Update naman, sir, diyan po sa pakiipag-ugnayan ng Malacañang sa both House ng Congress. May mga reports po na nagsasabi na diyan sa House eh sususpendihin muna nila ang pagdinig o magkakaroon ng posibleng rebisyon doon sa initial draft ng Bangsamoro Law at aantayin din muna ang resulta ng inquiry bago magpatuloy ang mga deliberasyon, Secretary Coloma, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Patuloy na nakikipag-ugnayan ang ating pamahalaan, sa Ehikutibo, sa ating mga lider ng Kongreso upang malaman o makapagbuo ng isang katanggap-tanggap na Bangsamoro Basic Law bilang bahagi ng prosesong pangkapayapaan. Kinikilala iyong mga pananaw na inihayag ng ating mga mambabatas. Sila ay nagdaos na ng maraming konsultasyon at siguro ay napapanahon na tignan nga kung paano mapapahusay pa ang draft bill na ito. Sapagkat kinakailangang malagpasan ang mga constitutional challenge, iyong mga issues patungkol sa kung ito ay sumusunod ba o hindi sumusunod sa ating Konstitusyon. Kaya patuloy naman iyong koordinasyon at pakikipag-ugnayan sa pagitan ng Ehikutibo at Lehislatibo, legislative branches, ng ating pamahalaan para malaman kung paano magkakaroon ng daan patungo sa pang-matagalang kapayapaan sa Kamindanaoan. ALAN: Yes, sir. Sec. Sonny dito naman po sa usapin ng MERS-CoV. Meron po kasing initial report na meron tayong ilang mga kababayan na nariyan po sa may area ng San Pedro, Laguna, na parang nagpapakita ng pagka-panic. Muli ang panawagan po for the peace of mind ng ating mga kababayan, Sec. Coloma, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Masinsin na tinututukan ng ating Department of Health ang sitwasyon hinggil sa MERS-Coronavirus. Unang-una huwag tayong magpapaniwala sa mga haka-haka o mga kuwento na wala namang batayan. Hintayin lang po natin iyong mga opisyal na anunsyo at pahayag ng Department of Health. Under control po ang sitwasyon, iisa pa lang po iyong confirmed na MERS-CoV case na isang Pilipina nurse nanggaling sa Saudi Arabia at dito na po nakumpirma iyong pagkakaroon niya ng MERS-coronavirus. Patuloy pang tini-trace iyong mga kasama niya doon sa eroplano, marami nang nasuri at halos kinukumpleto na nga iyong pagsusuri sa mga nakontak na at so far ang resulta naman sa kanila ay negative. Ang mahalaga dito at kapag nakakakitaan ng sintomas MERS-Coronavirus ay agad magpasuri sa pagamutan dahil hindi naman ito madaling makahawa. Ang paghawa dito ay nasa close contact lamang. Kaya’t ang nasa panganib ay iyong mga malalapit na kamag-anak o kaibigan ng isang tao na nagpapakita ng sintomas nito. Ngunit sa pamamagitan ng sapat na kaalaman, pag-iingat at pagtalima sa mga gabay na pinalabas ng Department of Health ay maiiwasan naman natin iyong pagkalat ng MERS-coronavirus. Napaalala din sa atin ni Acting Health Secretary Janet Garin na ito kasi iyong season ng uwian ng ating mga kababayan mula sa Middle East at ang konsentrasyon nga nito kaya natin tinawag na MERS ay Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. Isa sa mga guideline na kanilang minumungkahi na kung puwede nang magpa-testing doon na mismo sa panggagalingan nila para mas panatag ang kalooban hinggil sa kanilang kalusugan pagdating dito. At dito naman ay isinasaalang-alang at pinagtutulungan ngayon ng ating Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor at iba pang mga ahensiya. ALAN: Secretary Coloma, sir. Muli salamat po ng marami for the updates from the Palace, sir. SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat. Magandang umaga, Alan. |
| SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center |
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Last Updated:
20 FEBRUARY 2015
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| Alternative photo archive with high resolutions | |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III receives officials of Unilever headed by Paul Polman, Global Chairman and CEO of Unilever; Rohit Jawa, Chairman of Unilever Philippines; Ramon Gil Macapagal, Vice Preisdent for Corporate Affairs; and Carl Cruz, Vice President for Customer Development during a courtesy call Friday, Febryary 20, 2015 in Malacanang. Unilever is a manufacturer and distributor of home goods, food and beverage items, dairy and personal care products. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III receives officials of Unilever headed by Paul Polman, Global Chairman and CEO of Unilever; Rohit Jawa, Chairman of Unilever Philippines; Ramon Gil Macapagal, Vice Preisdent for Corporate Affairs; and Carl Cruz, Vice President for Customer Development during a courtesy call on Friday (February 20) in Malacanang. Unilever is a manufacturer and distributor of home goods, food and beverage items, dairy and personal care products. With the President are Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Rolando Milo / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III receives officials of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corpotation headed by Takeshi Kunibe, President and CEO; Shosuke Mori, General Manager; and Yukio Asahina, SMBC Manila Representative in Malacanang Friday, February 20. The Japanese banking corporation and its group of companies has offered a broad range of financial services centered on banking. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Rolando Milo / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday met with the families of the 44 members of the PNP-Special Action Force killed in an encounter in the town of Mamasapano, Maguindanao, on January 25. Also in the photo is Secretary Manuel Roxas of the Department of Interior and Local Government. The meeting between was held at the Philippine National Police Multi-Purpose Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City. (Photo by Robert Vinas / Benjie Basug / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the National Economic and Development Authority Board Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (February 16). (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the National Economic and Development Authority Board Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (February 16). Also in photo are Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr., Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III leads his official family in prayer before presiding over the National Economic and Development Authority Board Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (February 16). Also in photo are Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr., Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje, Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson and Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III leads his official family in prayer before presiding over the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (February 16). Also in photo are Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr., Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Jesus Paje and Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III leads his official family in prayer before presiding over the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (February 16). Also in photo are Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr., Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Jesus Paje, Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, Presidential Management Staff Head Julia Andrea Abad, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino and Mindanao Development Authority chairperson Luwalhati Antonino. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III leads his official family in prayer before presiding over the National Economic and Development Authority Board Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (February 16). Also in photo are Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje, Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, Presidential Management Staff Head Julia Abad, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino, Mindanao Development Authority chairperson Luwalhati Antonino, Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Abaya, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III leads his official family in prayer before presiding over the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (February 16). Also in photo are Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr., Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Jesus Paje, Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, Presidential Management Staff Head Julia Abad and Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Abaya. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III and His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, lead the ceremonial toasts during the State Dinner at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (February 09). This is President Widodo’s first State Visit to the Philippines. (Photo by Ryan Lim/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III listens as His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, delivers his message during the State Dinner at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace for the State Visit to the Philippines on Monday (February 09, 2015). This is President Widodo’s first State Visit to the Philippines. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the State Dinner at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace for the State Visit to the Philippines of His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, on Monday (February 09). This is President Widodo’s first State Visit to the Philippines. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Lauro Montellano jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III and His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, share a light moment following their joint press statement at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace during the State Visit to the Philippines on Monday (February 09). This is President Widodo’s first State Visit to the Philippines. (Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III witnesses His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, sign the Palace Guest Book at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (February 09). This is President Widodo’s first State Visit to the Philippines. The two countries enjoy excellent bilateral relations and cooperate extensively in numerous areas. Also in photo are Mrs. Hj. Iriana Joko Widodo and Presidential sister Maria Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III and His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, witness the signing of agreements at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace during the State Visit to the Philippines on Monday (February 09). This is President Widodo’s first State Visit to the Philippines. The Philippines and Indonesia enjoy excellent bilateral relations and cooperate extensively in numerous areas. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges views with His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, during the expanded bilateral meeting at the Aguinaldo Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (February 09). This is President Widodo’s first State Visit to the Philippines. The Philippines and Indonesia enjoy excellent bilateral relations and cooperate extensively in numerous areas. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, to Malacañan Palace for the State Visit to the Philippines on Monday (February 09). This is President Widodo’s first State Visit to the Philippines. The Philippines and Indonesia enjoy excellent bilateral relations and cooperate extensively in numerous areas. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, upon arrival at the Malacañan Palace Grounds for the Welcome Ceremony during the State Visit to the Philippines on Monday (February 09). This is President Widodo’s first State Visit to the Philippines. With President Widodo is wife Mrs. Hj. Iriana Joko Widodo being introduce to Presidential sisiter Maria Elena "Balsy" Aquino-Cruz. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III and His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, greet Indonesian officials during the welcome ceremony at the Malacañan Palace Grounds on Monday (February 09). This is President Widodo’s first State Visit to the Philippines. The Philippines and Indonesia enjoy excellent bilateral relations and cooperate extensively in numerous areas. (Photo by Lauro Montellano Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III and His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, enjoy the cultural presentation during the welcome ceremony at the Malacañan Palace Grounds on Monday (February 09). This is President Widodo’s first State Visit to the Philippines. The Philippines and Indonesia enjoy excellent bilateral relations and cooperate extensively in numerous areas. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Lauro Montellano Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III shakes hand with His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, during the courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (February 09). This is President Widodo’s first State Visit to the Philippines. The Philippines and Indonesia enjoy excellent bilateral relations and cooperate extensively in numerous areas. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III introduces to His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, members of his official family during the welcome ceremony at the Malacañan Palace Grounds on Monday (February 09). This is President Widodo’s first State Visit to the Philippines. The two countries enjoy excellent bilateral relations and cooperate extensively in numerous areas. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III and His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, review the honor guards during the welcome ceremony at the Malacañan Palace Grounds on Monday (February 09). This is President Widodo’s first State Visit to the Philippines. The Philippines and Indonesia enjoy excellent bilateral relations and cooperate extensively in numerous areas. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III and His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, honor the colors during the welcome ceremony at the Malacañan Palace Grounds on Monday (February 09). This is President Widodo’s first State Visit to the Philippines. The Philippines and Indonesia enjoy excellent bilateral relations and cooperate extensively in numerous areas. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, upon arrival at the Malacañan Palace Grounds on Monday (February 09). This is President Widodo’s first State Visit to the Philippines. The Philippines and Indonesia enjoy excellent bilateral relations and cooperate extensively in numerous areas. (Photo by: Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, at the Malacañan Palace Grounds on Monday (February 9). This is President Widodo’s first State Visit to the Philippines. The Philippines and Indonesia enjoy excellent bilateral relations and cooperate extensively in numerous areas. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno Aquino III announces that suspected Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist Zulkipli bin Hir, alias Marwan has been confirmed dead during the SAF operation in Brgy. Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao, and accepted the resignation of suspended PNP Chief Police Director General Allan Purisima during his message on Friday (Frebruary 6) held at the President hall in Malacanang. (Photo By Ryan Lim / Robert Viñas / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
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The APEC Senior Officials are gathered for a family photo at the start of the 2-day formal Senior Officials’ Meeting at the Fontana International Convention Center in Clark on Friday (February 6). APEC Senior Officials will lay down the groundwork for policy direction of APEC in 2015, that would reflect both the outcomes of APEC 2014 in China, and build on the APEC Philippines 2015 theme of “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.” PIA | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III receives the Memorare Manila 1945 Foundation, Inc. represented by founders Roderick McMicking Hall and sister Consuelo McMicking Hall and Foundation President Ambassador Juan Jose Rocha during the courtesy call at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (February 05). Also in photo is former Ambassador Miguel Perez-Rubio. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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