Sunday, March 15, 2015

4 Dispatch for March 26, 201 (Thursday ) , 4 PIA Calabarzon PRs , 4 Weather Watch , 9 Reg’l. Watch , 1 PNOY Speech ,1 INTERVIEW OF SEC. COLOMA, 17 Online News , 41 Photonews ( Mar. 25 )

http://pcoo.gov.ph/photo.htm



Daily Weather Forecast

Issued at: 5:00 a.m. today, 26 March 2015
Valid Beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow


Synopsis:


Northeast monsoon affecting Luzon.

 
  Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis for 8 a.m. 26 March 2015
 
  Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind Analysis for 8 a.m. 26 March 2015




               


Forecast:

Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon will experience cloudy skies with light rains. Metro manila and the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to at times cloudy with isolated light rains. Visayas and Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.


Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and the eastern section of Visayas 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.




GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz:
-Hanging Amihan pa rin ang umiiral sa buong Luzon, ayon sa PAGASA.
-Sa Metro Manila, mababa ang tsansa ng ulan sa maghapon at magiging medyo maalinsangan ang panahon.
-Posible ang mahina hanggang katatamang ulan sa Visayas sa maghapon.
-Sa Mindanao, asahan ang ulan sa eastern section sa umaga.

ABS-CBN: Malakas pa rin ang amihan o northeast monsoon na umaabot na sa Southern Luzon. Patuloy itong magdadala ng pag-ulan sa Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Aurora at Quezon bukas. Magiging bahagyang maulap din ang panahon sa Metro Manila at ilang bahagi ng Luzon.

ABS-CBN: Magdaragdag ang PAGASA ng signal no.5 sa kanilang public storm warning signal para magbigay ng sapat na babala kapag mayroong napakalakas na bagyo. Ayon sa PAGASA, hindi na kasi sapat ang dati ng sistema dahil sa nangyayaring super bagyo ngayon sa mundo. “’Supertyphoon” ang gagamitin ng PAGASA para sa signal no.5.



   March 26 , 2015 (Thursday)  as of 6:00-7:00 AM
                                 PIA4A / QUEZON   :  Sunny in Lucena City 



PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The City of Cabuyao recently achieved "High Need-High Satisfaction" overall rating based on the Citizen Satisfaction Index System (CSIS) conducted by Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement-Malayan Colleges and Department of the Interior and Local Government. The rating means that: citizens who are aware of and who avail government services are highly satisfied with the way the LGU delivers highly services to them.


PIA-4A/CAVITE: President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived at 10:23 am at the Camp Castaneda to be the guest of honor and speaker at the 36th Commencement Exercises of PNPA Lakanddula Class of 2015.


PIA-4A/SILANG, Cavite: Cadet Dennis M. Yuson Jr. of Gen. Santos City as class valedictorian of PNPA Lakandula Class 2015, will receive the President of the Philippines Kampilan Award; PPSC President Kampilan Award and PNP chief Kampilan Award. On the other hand, Rod Kevin Talplacido of Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija as top 2 graduate will receive the Vice President of the Philippines Kampilan Award and Journalism Kampilan Award while Marlon H. Landong of Cauayan, Negros Occidental will receive the Secretary of DILG Kampilan Award and Athletic Kampilan Award.


PIA-4A/CAVITE: The top 10 graduates of the PNPA Lakandula Class of 2015 are: Cadets Dennis M. Yuson Jr of General Santos City; Rod Kevin T. Talplacido of Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija; Marlon H. Landong of Cauayan, Negros Occidental; Raymund B. Caguioa of Taguig City, Metro Manila; Michael S. Giner of Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay; Kenneth F. Lumbr of Nabua, Camarines Sur; Nathaniel D. Faulve of Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila; Roel R. Bata of Sta. Rita, Pampanga; Mark Jonatahn Z. Avillano of Tondo, Manila; and Julie Anne L. Aguilar of Antipolo City, Rizal.


PIA-4A/CAVITE: Of the 246 PNPA Lakandula Class 2015 graduating cadets, 225 are joining the PNP, 11 to serve in the BFP while the 10 cadets are joining the BJMP. About 20 of the 225 cadets joining the PNP reportedly wish to join the Special Action Force (SAF). It can be recalled that six of the SAF officers killed at Mamasapono, Maguindanao last January 25 were PNPA graduates, said PNPA Director Police Chief Supt. Armando E. Ramolete.
PIA-4A/CAVITE: Philppine Public Safety College (PPSC) President Ricardo F. De Leon said all the 246 cadets of the PNPA Lakandula Class of 2015 will take their oath during the graduation ceremony as newly commissioned officers of the PNP, BFP, and BJM with the rank of Inspector, equivalent of Lieutenant in the military.



PIA-4A/CAVITE: Philppine Public Safety College (PPSC) President Ricardo F. De Leon said all the 246 cadets of the PNPA Lakandula Class of 2015 will take their oath during the graduation ceremony as newly commissioned officers of the PNP, BFP, and BJM with the rank of Inspector, equivalent of Lieutenant in the military.

PIA-4A/CAVITE: The 246 graduating cadets of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Lakandula Class of 2015 will be conferred with the baccalaureate degree of Bachelor of Science in Public Safety (BSPS) after four years of rigorous training and passing the rigid admission and screening processes of the PNPA, Philippine Public Safety College President Ricardo F. De Leon said.


PIA-4A/CAVITE: Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III is the guest of honor and speaker at the 36th commencement exercises today of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) "Lakandula (Lahing Kayumanggi Na Handang I-alay sa Bayan ang Dugo at Lakas)" Class of 2015, according to the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC), the agency that supervises the PNPA.








APEC Philippines 2015














LAGUNA

1. Citizens of Cabuyao City, highly satisfied with government services says survey

  • March 26, 2015
CABUYAO CITY, Laguna, March 26 (PIA) — The city government here achieved "High Need-High Satisfaction" overall rating on the Citizen Satisfaction Index System (CSIS) conducted by the Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement (CSCE) of Malayan Colleges, Laguna and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). 

A "High Need- High Satisfaction" rating means that citizens are highly satisfied with the way the city government delivers highly-demanded services to them.

The said study was conducted by Asst. Professor Raychelle Artuz of CSCE-MCL, Leopoldo Aquino, Casiano Jaurigue, Rafael Gregorio and Reynolph Cadon.

At least six out of eight services areas in tthis city including Health, Education, Social Welfare, Environment, Agricultural Support Services, Tourism Promotion Services got a high satisfaction rating from its constituents. 

This paved the way for the city government to achieve a "High Need-High Satisfaction" overall rating in the CSIS.

The study, meanwhile, recommends the local government to maintain its performance as excellent service delivery, according to the study is the strength of the city.

She also added that citizens' awareness on the services being offered should be listed as primary concern of the city government. She affirmed that "the commitment [of the LGU] is already there" and that the "city is already on the right track." (Pio Cabuyao/PIA-Laguna)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/641427269485/citizens-of-cabuyao-city-highly-satisfied-with-government-services-says-survey#sthash.NAnuRog7.dpuf












 BATANGAS

1.  Tagalog news: Batangas City SPED Center, napagkalooban ng mga kagamitan sa tulong ng Baryanihan Project ng SM

  • March 25, 2015
LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Marso 25 (PIA) — Umabot sa mahigit P 150,000 ang halaga ng baryang nakolekta ng SM Supermarket sa lungsod na ito na  nagmula sa mga donasyong sukli ng mga mamimili kaugnay ng proyekto nitong "Loose Change for Big Change- Baryanihan."

Ayon kay SM Supermarket Batangas Store  Manager Rosita Rico, ang baryanihan ay sinimulan noong taong 2011 sa SM Hypermarket sa Adriatico kung saan sila ay nakalikom ng P 20,000. Ginamit ang halagang nalikom upang ipambili ng cleaning materials na ipinagkaloob sa Manila Zoo.

Sinabi ni Rico na mula noon ay ipinagpatuloy ng SM ang proyekto at nagkaloob ng tulong sa mga ampunan, simbahan at iba pang charitable institution.

Taong 2013 nang maging beneficiary ng Baryanihan project ang mga pampublikong  paaralan sapagkat naniniwala sila na ang mga kabataan ang mga future leaders at syang pag-asa ng bayan.

Idinagdag pa ni Rico na sila ay nagsilbing instrumento lamang kung kayat ipinaabot nila ang kanilang pasasalamat sa kanilang mga shoppers na syang nagtaguyod ng nasabing proyekto.

May 4000 aniya ang average na bilang ng mga mamimili sa supermarket kada isang araw. 

Ang mahigit P150, 000 na nalikom nila ngayon ay ginamit upang makabili ng soundsystem, appliances at school supplies na ipinagkaloob sa Special Education (SPED) Center ng Batangas City East Elementary School.

May 21 Highschool at 137 elementary estudyante mula sa SPED ang nabiyayaan ng proyektong ito.

Lubos ang pasasalamat ng pamunuan ng East Elementary School sa pamamagitan ng kanilang punong guro na si Dr. Evelyn Briones na kinatawan ni Guidance Counselor Ching Arevalo sa pagkakapili sa kanila at sa biyayang natamo nila.

Malaking bagay aniya at magsisilbing inspirasyon ang ipinagkaloob na mga supplies sa kanila upang mas mapagaan ng mga guro ang kanilang pagtuturo at mas pagbutihin ng mga kabataan ang kanilang pag-aaral. (Ronna Endaya Contreras-PIO Batangas City/ MPDC, PIA-BATANGAS/ PIA-4A)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/681425873540/tagalog-news-batangas-city-sped-center-napagkalooban-ng-mga-kagamitan-sa-tulong-ng-baryanihan-project-ng-sm#sthash.5BD67hNR.dpuf


2.  Tagalog news: Libreng pagproseso ng titulo, ipinagkakaloob sa Batangas City

  • March 25, 2015
LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Marso 25 (PIA) — Mahigit 14 na titulo ng lupa ang ipinagkaloob ng pamahalaang lungsod sa unang 19 na benepisyaryo ng “Handog Titulo Para sa mga Batangueño,” isang programang nagbibigay ng mabilis at libereng pagproseso ng titulo ng mga agricultural at residential na lote sa lungsod.

Ang proyektong ito na inilunsad noong nakaraang buwan ay naglalayong mahikayat ang mga residente ng lungsod na patituluhan ang kanilang mga lote na may sukat na 500 metro kwadrado pababa at agricultural lot na 501 metro kwadrado hanngang limang ektarya.

Ito ay upang masiguro nila ang pagmamay-ari ng kanilang lupa at magkaroon ng legal na dokumento na protektado ng gobyerno.

Mahalaga ang titulo sa  pagbibili o pagpapaupa ng lupa at  pang kolateral sa utang.

Ang proyekto ay nasa pamamahala ng City Environment and Natural Resources Office katuwang ang Land Management Council na binubuo ng mga kinatawan ng iba't ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan kabilang ang Department of Environment and Natural Resources Offices (DENR), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Register of Deeds, Clerk of Court, CENRO Batangas, Batangas City Bankers Association, Metro Batangas Business Club, Association of Barangay Councils (ABC), City Assessor’s Office, City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) at Local Economic Investment and Promotion Office (LEIPO).  

Ang libreng pagpapatitulo ay tuloy tuloy na ipatutupad ng pamahalaang lungsod,  kung kaya’t  hinihikayat pa rin ang mga residente na makiisa sa nasabing proyekto.

Para sa iba pang impormasyon ay makipag-ugnayan sa Land Management Unit ng City ENRO sa telepono bilang 706-3557. (Marie v. Lualhati-PIO Batangas City/ PIA-Batangas/ PIA-4A)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/681425871908/tagalog-news-libreng-pagproseso-ng-titulo-ipinagkakaloob-sa-batangas-city#sthash.0d5q5qwd.dpuf


3.  Tagalog news: Tatlong malalaking proyektong pang-imptrastaktura, sisimulan sa bayan ng Padre Garcia

  • March 25, 2015
PADRE GARCIA, Batangas, Marso 25 (PIA) — Tatlong malalaking proyektong pang-imprastraktura ang nakatakdang simulan sa bayang ito upang mas lalo pang mapaunlad ang buhay ng mga Garciano.

Sa panayam kay Mayor Abraham Gutierrez, sinabi nito na una sa mga proyekto ay ang itatayong “Arko ng Kapatiran” sa pagitan ng kanilang bayan at kalapit na bayan ng San Antonio,Quezon.

Ang groundbreaking at pagbabasbas ay isinagawa noong Marso 16,2015 kung saan lumagda din sa sisterhood agreement ang pinuno ng dalawang bayan.

Maglalagay din ng police outpost sa bahaging ito upang patuloy na mapanatili ang katahimikan at kaayusan sa mga nasabing bayan.

Ang sisterhood agreement ang nakikita umanong paraan upang mapaunlad ang magkalapit na bayan. Pinag-usapan din na magsasagawa ng palitan ng kalakal na layong mapunan ang pangangailangan ng mga residente.

Ikalawa sa proyekto ang pagtatayo ng Overseas Filipino Workers farm project sa mahigit 4.6 ektaryang lupain na binili ng lokal na pamahalaan. Bawat Garcianong OFW ay maaring bumili ng 1,000 metro kwadrado na maaaring taniman ng organikong gulay at mga damo na maaaring ipakain sa mga alagang baka lalo na at kilala ang bayan bilang Trading Capital in the Philippines.

Ikatlong proyekto ay ang konstruksiyon ng bagong gusali ng Bureau of Fire Protection(BFP) na matatagpuan sa Brgy. San Miguel at katabi ng ginagawang bagong himpilan ng pulisya sa naturang bayan.

Ang proyektong ito ay pinondohan ng BFP national ng P2.5M at ang lupang pagtatayuan naman ay pag-aari ng munisipyo.

Ayon kay Gutierrez, malaki ang bahagi ng mamamayang Garciano sa mga proyektong tulad nito na isinusulong ng lokal na pamahalaan sapagkat walang ibang makikinabang dito kung hindi sila.

Dagdag pa nito na ang mga proyektong ito ay senyales ng patuloy na pag-unlad ng kanilang bayan. (Bhaby P. De Castro-PIA Batangas)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/681427251372/tagalog-news-tatlong-malalaking-proyektong-pang-imptrastaktura-sisimulan-sa-bayan-ng-padre-garcia#sthash.pUlLOXZY.dpuf






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Aquino attends gathering of 'Sari-Sari' Store Training program participants
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday morning attended a gathering of 5,000 women who have undergone the Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) program, a partnership between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Coca-Cola Philippines.

The event, held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, is a fitting end to the celebration of this year’s National Women’s Month.

In his speech, President Aquino acknowledged the role of Filipino women in shaping the nation’s future and the need for their “economic emancipation.”

“Ang punto ng TESDA-Coke Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources Program o STAR ay ang bigyang-lakas at oportunidad ang libo-libong women microentrepreneurs na makiambag sa lalong pagpapaunlad ng kanilang pamayanan; maghatid ng higit na ginhawa sa kani-kanilang pamilya; at isulong pa ang makabuluhang transpormasyon ng ating ekonomiya,” he told the women, who were from Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.

The President said the STAR program provides female sari-sari store owners access to additional capital and alternative financial services; guides them in planning and managing their businesses; promotes gender sensitivity in homes and in the community; provides peer mentoring; and links them up to a business network.

“Sa ganitong sari-sari store, nakikita ang sigla ng kalakalan; dito rin sumisibol ang mga ugnayan na nagsisilbing tulay para sa lalong pagyabong ng negosyo,” he said.

Paying tribute to women entrepreneurs, the President said they are no longer merely partners of men in earning a living.

“Sila na mismo ang nagsisilbing tanglaw ng kaunlaran at pag-asa para sa kanilang mga pamayanan. Totoo po, dahil sa ating pag-uugnayan: Panalo ang kababaihan; panalo ang merkado at lokal na komersiyo; panalo ang sambayanang Pilipino,” he said.

He also thanked Coca-Cola Philippines for its initiative to empower women.

“Sa araw na ito, narito tayo, dahil tinutulungan ng TESDA at Coca-Cola ang napakaraming women microentrepreneurs sa kalakhang bansa, at nagpapasalamat tayo sa Coca-Cola, para sa patuloy nilang pagpanig at pagtaya sa Pilipino,” he said.

According to TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva, some 34,258 people from 43 locations across the country have benefitted from the partnership between the government and the private sector.

Coca-Cola Philippines President Diego Granizo meanwhile said that the STAR program is part of the company’s global initiative to economically empower some 5 million women by the year 2020. PND (ag)

Palace commends Health Department for effective anti-tuberculosis fight
The Palace has vowed to continue providing Filipinos quality health care under the administration's universal health care program, especially after the Department of Health (DOH) was recognized for its successful campaign against tuberculosis (TB).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the Palace recognizes the award given by the United States government to the Philippines for its effective fight against tuberculosis.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) granted the "TB Champion” award to the DOH as part of the observance of World Tuberculosis Day on Tuesday (March 24).

The USAID each year recognizes individuals, organizations or institutions that have become instrumental to the achievement of global TB targets.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. accepted the award on behalf of the country, in Washington DC on Tuesday.

"The award recognizes the DOH’s exemplary and leadership commitment in the fight against TB in the country," Secretary Coloma said.

"According to Health Secretary Janette Loreto-Garin, the DOH has been implementing programs and strategies that effectively treated drug resistant TB, and allowed for greater coverage of TB patients nationwide."

The DOH reported that as early as 2012, the country has already achieved its 2015 Millennium Development Goal in fighting TB, making the country one of seven among 22 high-burdened countries to do so.

"We shall continue to provide quality health service to our citizens, especially the poor, consistent with the government’s Universal Health Care for Filipinos program," Coloma added.

The DOH has reported a marked decline in the incidence of TB in the country since it launched the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) strategy in 1996. As of 2013, cases and deaths due to TB dropped by more than 50 percent from the 1990 baseline.

In 2011, the DOH introduced rapid diagnostic tools, such as the Line Probe Assay, Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube and GeneXpert, to improve and reduce the turnaround time of multi-drug resistant TB diagnosis.

There has also been a continuous expansion of services for drug-resistant TB cases to at least one treatment or satellite center per province and highly urbanized city, according to the DOH.

The success of the country's fight against TB was attributed to the implementation of the DOTS strategy, management of the multi-drug resistant TB, initiation of public-private mix DOTS, implementation of TB in children program, and the enhancement of the DOTS through the adoption of the STOP TB strategy endorsed by the World Health Organization.

Tuberculosis ranked as the 8th leading cause of sickness in the country based on 2010 data, and the 6th leading cause of death, according to data from the 2009 Philippine Health Statistics.

At present, the Philippines is 8th among 22 TB high-burdened countries in the world in terms of TB cases. PND (as)

President Aquino appoints lawyer Michael Aguinaldo as new Commission on Audit Chief
The Palace announced on Wednesday the appointment of Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs Michael Aguinaldo as new Chairman of the Commission on Audit (COA), replacing Grace Pulido-Tan.

"We are pleased to announce that President Aquino has appointed Atty. Michael G. Aguinaldo as Chairman of the Commission on Audit. The appointment was made yesterday, March 24, 2015," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement.

Aguinaldo has been serving as Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs since May 2011, handling legal affairs for the Office of the President. His job included the formulation of operational policies and standards to provide effective legal and legislative assistance and services to the organizational units of the Office of the President and different departments.

Also part of his work were to render legal opinions on matters referred by the President; review and prepare decisions on appeals from resolutions, orders and actions of different departments; and submit recommendations on proposed bills.

Aguinaldo has been a faculty member of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law since 1994. He also had teaching stints in De La Salle University and the FEU-La Salle JD-MBA Joint Degree Program.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from De La Salle University in September 1987; his law degree from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law in April 1992; and his special degree in International Economic Law from the University of Michigan in May 1997. He placed seventh in the Philippine Bar Examination in May 1993.

Aguinaldo’s term as COA chief expires on February 2, 2022. PND (as)

Palace hopes MILF report would shed light on Mamasapano incident
Malacañang said it hopes the investigation report submitted by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to the Senate would help the country's quest for truth regarding the Mamasapano incident.

"This report, as well as those of the PNP (Philippine National Police) Board of Inquiry and the Senate, provide different views and perspectives on the incident that would hopefully contribute to the process of determining responsibility and accountability, such that the ends of justice may be served," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said on Wednesday.

"The Department of Justice has initiated an investigation and will take appropriate legal action," he added.

In its 35-page report given to the Senate, the MILF justified their move to fight back police commandos who had fired at them first on January 25 while on a mission to arrest high-value terrorist suspects.

Without prior coordination as required under ceasefire guidelines, a gun battle was “inevitable,” it was stated in the report done by the MILF Special Investigative Commission.

The MILF also maintained that they did not coddle Malaysian bomb-maker Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and local terrorist Abdul Basit Usman. It acknowledged the failure of two base commands to detect the presence of Marwan and Usman in areas near their communities.
The rebel group said they should file a protest against the Special Action Force (SAF) for breaking the ceasefire when the latter failed to coordinate its operation through the established protocols of the ceasefire mechanism.
Philippine authorities claim that 44 SAF commandos and 18 MILF fighters were killed in the clash in Mamasapano in Maguindanao province.
The MILF meanwhile said that 17 of its combatants died in the incident, along with at least three civilians. PND (as)


 


President Benigno S. Aquino Speech at the TESDA-Coke Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program Women's Month Celebration 2015
Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, MOA Complex, Pasay City
25 March 2015
Magandang umaga pong muli sa inyong lahat.

Sabi sa akin ni Joel, dahil sa inyo, nag-perform na raw siya sa Arena. [Tawanan at palakpakan] ‘Yung kanina ho niyang kinukuwento, ‘yung alaherong nagbebenta ng alahas, parang na-edit ho yata ‘yun ha. Noong narinig ko kasi ‘yan, may nagbebenta. Sabi niya, “Lapit-lapit ho kayo dito. May binebenta ako na genuine na alahas. Kung may duda kayo, ibabad n’yo sa suka.” ‘Yung bumili, binabad sa suka, tapos namutla nga. Balik siya sa nagtinda, “Sabi n’yo genuine, bakit namutla?” Sagot ng nagbenta, “Alam ho n’yo, misis, iyang alahas ko genuine. ‘Yung suka n’yo fake.” [Tawanan at palakpakan] Di ho kasi binili sa inyo eh.

Nang makita ko pong bahagi ng Women’s Month Celebration ang pagtitipong ito ng TESDA at Coca-Cola, naalala ko ang dating sinasabi ng mga kasamahan natin noong nasa Kongreso pa tayo: Bakit pa raw may espesyal na araw ang kababaihan, kung araw-araw namang special ang turing nila sa kanilang mga misis? Siyempre po, wala ho akong karanasan sa sinasabi nila, [tawanan] kaya naman dadako na lang ako sa talagang punto ng event natin ngayong umaga. [Tawanan]

Baka nakalimutan ho ninyo: I’m Noynoy Aquino. I’m single, and no children. Pero mga 460 days na lang ho, may laban na ako. [Tawanan]

Madalas nga pong sabihin na ang Pilipinas ay isang “young democracy,” at bilang Pangulo, kasama sa aking tungkulin ang pangalagaan at patatagin ang ating mga demokratikong institusyon at proseso. Sa pagtupad ko sa mandatong ito, binabalikan ko ang aral ng aking mga magulang, na talaga namang humarap sa pinakamabigat na problema ng ating lipunan noong panahon po nila.

Nariyan ang sinabi ng aking ama na “The first freedom is the freedom from hunger.” At totoo naman: Paano ba natin lubos na mapapahalagahan ang ibang uri ng kalayaan kung kumakalam naman ang tiyan, at di-tiyak kung may lalapag sa hapag-kainan? Ang aking ina naman, ang ating “first woman President,” minana ang renda ng pamumuno sa oposisyon mula sa aking ama. Para po siyang si Gabriela Silang, na humalili sa kanyang asawa na si Diego Silang nang mamatay ito, at malao’y pinamunuan ang himagsikan laban sa mananakop. Sa administrasyon nga po ng aking ina, talagang tinulak niya ang “affirmative action” para sa kababaihan, sa aspekto man ng pamamahala, at maging sa ating kapulisan at Sandatahang Lakas. Bilang babae at bilang lider ng bansa, alam ng aking ina, na malaki ang maitutulong ng Pilipina sa paghubog sa tadhana ng sambayanan.

Ito nga po mismo ang punto ng TESDA-Coke Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources Program o STAR: ang bigyang-lakas at oportunidad ang libo-libong women microentrepreneurs na makiambag sa lalong pagpapaunlad ng kanilang pamayanan; maghatid ng higit na ginhawa sa kani-kanilang pamilya; at isulong pa ang makabuluhang transpormasyon ng ating ekonomiya. ‘Yun nga po ang hangarin ng STAR: ang tinatawag na “economic emancipation” ng mas maraming Pilipina.

Ibang-iba nga ang estratehiya ng sari-sari store program na ito ng TESDA at Coca-Cola: Bukod sa binibigyang-access sa dagdag na puhunan at iba pang alternative financial services ang mga benepisyaryo, ginagabayan din sila sa mahusay na pagpaplano at pangangasiwa ng negosyo, at sa pagtataguyod ng gender sensitivity sa loob ng tahanan at komunidad. Nariyan din ang peer mentoring, pati na ang paglink-up sa ating women entrepreneurs sa mga business network. Isipin na lang po natin ang malaking potensiyal ng ganitong mekanismo para sa ating mga sari-sari store. Mulat po tayo na ang bawat negosyo, malaki man o maliit, ay makabuluhang kontribusyon sa pagpapalago ng ating ekonomiya. Sa ganitong sari-sari store, nakikita ang sigla ng kalakalan; dito rin sumisibol ang mga ugnayan na nagsisilbing tulay para sa lalong pagyabong ng negosyo.

Sa kasalukuyan nga po, nasa 34,000 na ang benepisyaryo ng STAR. Ang balita ko: Ngayong unang semestre ng 2015, dadagdagan pa ng 10,000 ang hanay ng women microentrepreneurs na suportado ng programa. [Palakpakan] Bahagi po ito ng malawakang hakbang ng Coca-Cola na abutin ang 200,000 Filipina retailers pagdating ng 2020. Siyempre, hindi natin mamasamain kung lalakihan pa ng Coca-Cola ang target na ito. [Palakpakan]

Ang TESDA naman po, sa ilalim ng energetic na pamumuno ni Secretary Joel Villanueva, ay patuloy na nakikipagtulungan sa iba’t ibang sektor upang magbukas ng mga pinto ng pagkakataon para sa mas maraming Pilipino. Nariyan ang Training for Work Scholarship Program, na nagkakaloob ng kaalaman at skills development sa kanilang graduates para sa tinatawag na “hot jobs”, o mga trabahong napapanahon at talagang in-demand. Halimbawa po nito ang IT-BPM, kung saan nasa P1.3 billion na ang ating inilaan para sa pagsasanay ng humigit-kumulang 185,000 graduates, simula pa noong taong 2010.

Kung iisipin nga po ninyo, sa higit 7.15 milyong graduates ng tech-voc programs ng TESDA simula noong 2010 hanggang 2014, halos 3.63 million dito ay miyembro ng sektor ng kababaihan. Sa TESDA scholars naman, 710,848 sa kabuuang bilang na 1.42 million ay babae din. Ano’ng gusto nating bigyang-diin dito? Talagang nakatutok ang gobyerno sa pagbibigay-oportunidad sa lahat. At kung titingnan ninyo, bahagyang mas maraming babae ang natutulungan at naaabot ng pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng TESDA. Hindi po tayo naghati; lamang po ang kababaihan. [Palakpakan]

Palagay ko’y matutuwa na ang nanay ko pa ho, dahil idagdag ko pa: Ngayong sakop po ng training ng TESDA para sa kababaihan ang mga gawaing dati-rati’y inuugnay lang sa kalalakihan tulad ng welding, automotive servicing, at electronics.

Para naman sa sektor ng Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, na kinabibilangan ng ating sari-sari stores, buong-buo ang suporta natin. Halimbawa: May inisyatiba ang gobyerno na tinatawag na ASENSO Program, o ang Access of Small Enterprises to Sound Lending Opportunities; nagbubukas din tayo ng “Go Negosyo” business centers sa iba’t ibang panig ng Pilipinas para [sa] mas episyenteng business registration, training at seminars, at pagpapatibay ng market linkages sa pagitan ng mga SME at potensiyal na consumers.

Sa araw na ito, narito tayo, dahil tinutulungan ng TESDA at Coca-Cola ang napakaraming women microentrepreneurs sa kalakhang bansa, at nagpapasalamat tayo sa Coca-Cola, para sa patuloy nilang pagpanig at pagtaya sa Pilipino.

Dahil sa pagbabayanihan ng pribadong sektor, mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan, maliliit na negosyo, NGOs at LGUs: ang ating women entrepreneurs, ay hindi na lang mga ilaw ng tahanan o simpleng kaagapay ng lalaki sa hanapbuhay. Sila na mismo ang nagsisilbing tanglaw ng kaunlaran at pag-asa para sa kanilang mga pamayanan. [Palakpakan] Totoo po, dahil sa ating pag-uugnayan: Panalo ang kababaihan; panalo ang merkado at lokal na komersiyo; panalo ang sambayanang Pilipino.

Ngayon nga pong napakataas ng kompiyansa sa atin ng mundo, ngayong investment grade na tayo, at kaliwa’t kanan ang papuring tinatamasa ng ating bansa, at ngayong patong-patong ang nalilikhang oportunidad ng isang lumalagong ekonomiya, talagang lalo tayong ginaganahang magpursige para iangat pa ang kalidad ng pamumuhay ng bawat Pilipino. Sa nalalabi nating isang taon at tatlong buwan sa puwesto, dodoblehin pa natin ang ating pagsisikap at didiligan pa natin ng higit na sigasig ang mga binhi ng pagkakataon na ating ipinunla.

Ngayon, may mga nagtatanong po sa atin: Paano na ang lahat ng ating naabot sa tuwid na daan pagkababa ko sa puwesto sa taong 2016? Sino ang magtutuloy ng ating sinimulan? Iisa lang po ang tugon ko rito: Kayo, ang mga women entrepreneur, at ang milyon-milyon nating kababayan ang magpapatuloy ng lahat ng ito. Kayo ang magtitimon sa ating bansa patungo sa higit pang tagumpay. [Palakpakan]

Tiwala nga po akong laging papanig ang Pilipino sa tama at makatwiran; patuloy na magsisikap ang bawat Juan at Juana dela Cruz para sa kapwa at bayan. Sa patuloy nating ambagan at bayanihan, at sa gabay ng Poong Maykapal, talagang makakamit natin ang isang mas masagana at mas patas na lipunan, isang Pilipinas na tunay na bukal ng kaginhawaan para sa ating mga mamamayan. [Palakpakan]

Maraming salamat po. Magandang araw sa inyong lahat.
[HOME]



 

INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
DZRB / Balita at Panayam by Alan Allanique
26 March 2015
ALAN: Yes, sir. Hihingi lang kami, sir, ng dagdag ng mga updates may kaugnayan po sa ekonomiya ng ating bansa. Meron pong target na mga 6.2 o 6.3% na growth rate sa GDP, Secretary Coloma. Base po sa mga figures na nakakarating sa inyo sa Malacañang ngayon eh kumusta po ang ika nga target na ito para sa mga susunod na buwan natin, Sec. Sonny, sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Ayon po sa ating Trade and Industry Department, kay Secretary (Gregory) Domingo, ay malaki ang posibilidad na mahihigitan pa natin sa 2015 ang naging GDP growth sa 2014. Isa sa mga factors dito ay iyong patuloy na nasa mababang antas ang presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo at bukod pa riyan ay nagpapakita ng ibayong kasiglaan ang maraming sektor sa ating ekonomiya.

ALAN: Opo, in fact maalala ko earlier eh may report din, Sec, na nagpalabas ng survey itong Bloomberg several months back, iyong mga economists nila—o iyong mga economies na sinurvey nila ay nagsasabi na ang Pilipinas ang magiging second fastest growing economy sa buong daigdig ngayong taon, ito, Sec. Sonny, sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga ano. Sa ating rehiyon ay second fastest growing na tayo, at umaasa tayo na lalo pa itong mapapatatag at mas magiging matibay habang naglalatag tayo ng mga imprastrasktura at iba pang mga mahalagang pundasyon; pati nga iyong mahusay na pamamahala ng ating macro-economic fundamentals, kabilang na diyan iyong pag-control sa inflation, iyong pagpapataas ng rentas internas at iyong masinop na paggugol sa mga tamang proyekto at sa mga tamang paggamitan ng pondo ng bayan.

ALAN: Okay. Sec, dito naman po, may kaugnayan din sa pag-unlad ng ekonomiya, of course, iyong sa level naman ng ating mga kababayan, ano po. Meron hong pinangunahan o may dinaluhan ang Pangulong Aquino kahapon. Ito po ay gathering ng mahigit sa limang libong kababaihan na sumailalim naman doon sa isang espesyal na training ng TESDA o ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. Tungkol ho ito doon sa ano, pagmama-manage o tamang pagpapatakbo ng mga sari-sari store sa kani-kanilang mga lugar, Sec. Sonny, sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Alan. Bukod pa riyan ay ang pinakatingkad na programa ng pamahalaan para sa pag-angat ng ating mga kababayan mula sa kahirapan ay iyong Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Simula pa nung 2010 ay binago na iyong estratehiya, dati ay iyong tinatawag na trickle down strategy - pinapalago iyong kabuuan ng GDP and then umaasa tayo na ito ay aabot doon sa pinakamababang antas. Sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang administrasyon ay binago na ang estratehiyang it0. Tuwiran ng tinutulungan iyong mga maralitang pamilya. Kaya marami sa kanila ay nakapag-graduate na, ika nga ‘no, from the program at naka-ahon mula sa kahirapan.

Noong sa pagitan ng 2012 to 2013 ay nagkaroon ng pagbaba iyong ating poverty rate from 27.9 to 24.9 o 3%. Simula nung 1991 noong itinakda iyong Millennium Development Goals, ang ating antas ng kahirapan noon ay 33.3 at hanggang 2012, sa loob ng dalawampu’t isang taon, ay bumaba lang ito sa—mababa ng kaunti sa 28% or 5% lamang ang ibinaba. Pero doon sa pagitan ng 2012 to 2013, dahil nga doon sa kakaibang estratehiyang ipinatupad ng pamahalaan, naipababa natin iyong poverty rate ng 3% kaagad. At umaasa tayo na kung masigla pa rin ang ating paglago nitong 2015 at 2016 mailalapit natin doon sa level ng 20% poverty rate. Maaring hindi ito aabot doon sa actual target na 16.6 o kalahati nung 33%, pero malaki na itong pagbaba mula nung sa pinanggalingang mataas na antas.

ALAN: Nabanggit po ninyo, Sec, iyong 4Ps o iyong Pantawid Pamilya Program ano ho. Kasama pa rin ho dito sa programang ito iyong kaakibat na responsibilidad din nung mga beneficiary, sir, halimbawa na kinakailangan eh pinag-aaral nila sa mga public schools iyong kanilang mga anak, kinakailangan sila ay nagpapatingin din sa mga health centers sa kanilang barangay, ganoon po. Sec. Sonny, hindi po ba?

SEC. COLOMA: Kaya nga tinawag na Conditional Cash Transfer iyong programa ng 4Ps. Isa sa mga kondisyon ay dapat makatapos sa paaralan. At ang good news nga mula sa DSWD - sa taong ito ay malaking bahagi nung mga nag-umpisa sa programa nung 2011, kasi nga nauna naman itong pinatupad ng administrasyon sa 2011 budget - papa-graduate na po sila ngayong taon at ito ay isang magandang senyales na nakausad na po ang kanilang mga pamilya at naka-angat na sa kahirapan, dahil susi ang edukasyon sa pag-angat mula sa kahirapan.

ALAN: And of course, isang mahalagang component din ng para sa pangangalaga sa ating mga kababayan ay iyong health care. Meron pong pagkilala na tinanggap, we understand, ang Department of Health galing sa USAID, Sec. Coloma, sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga ano. TB champion tayo. Ibig sabihin nangunguna tayo sa mga bansang may mainam na estratehiya sa pagbaba ng incidents ng tuberculosis dahil ito ay tinututukan ng ating pamahalaan. At doon sa pangkalahatan ay naitaas na natin sa 82% ang coverage ng PhilHeath at napalawak pa iyong mga benepisyo nito to include iyong mga tinatawag na dreaded diseases at iyong mga karamdaman ng mga tinatawag nating terminal diseases na malubha, na talaga namang magastos. Nagbibigay na tayo ng mga social safety nets - tinutulungan po natin ang ating mga kababayan sa pinakamababang antas na noong nakaraan sa buong buhay po nila, ang findings po ng mga pag-aaral ay up to 40% ang hindi man lang nakita o na-examine ng isang doctor o ng isang medical practitioner. Kaya ito po ang mga magagandang ulat mula sa larangan naman ng kalusugan at kagalingang panlipunan.

ALAN: Okay. Isang puntos na lamang po, Secretary Coloma. Ini-anunsyo na po kahapon ng Malacañang ang pagkakatalaga sa bagong Chairman ng Commission on Audit, Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs Michael Aguinaldo, Secretary. So full term po ang magiging paglilingkod ng bagong Chairman ng COA ano po, Sec?

SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Alan. Dahil nga siya ay kapalit ng dating Chairperson na si Grace PulidoTan at ang posisyon na iyan ay mayroong pitong taong termino. Kaya iyong pagturing sa umpisa ng termino ay iyong sa pagtatapos noong nakaraang naglingkod.

ALAN: Ayun. Okay. Well, Secretary Coloma, muli sir, salamat po ng marami for the updates from the Palace, sir.

SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat at magandang umaga, Alan.
SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center


 

25 MARCH 2015
Bottom-up budgeting gets boost in FY 2016 budget call; Abad: LGUs to become hubs for growth
Motor vehicle registration papers good for only 7 days
New PH labor quota of 4,600 shows South Korea’s continued preference for OFWs, Baldoz says
79 OFWs already applied for onsite skills certification and assessment: POLO Singapore prepares for on-site skills assessment and certification; other POLOs hectic in preparation—Baldoz
PHL Embassy Registers Overseas Voters, Gives Orientation Seminar on Consular Services at Hyatt Borneo in Istana Nurul Iman, Brunei Darussalam
Service vehicles for National TB program
DSWD turns over additional new homes to ‘Pablo’ survivors
PDIC inks cross border cooperation with UK counterpart
DAR Celebrates Women’s Month
Continued fall in oil prices causes imports decline in January 2015
DILG maintains Binay suspension
City of Taguig partners with IFEX Philippines 2015
Online Jobs to Fuel Employment Growth in Mindanao
Illegal recruiters target applicants for jobs in more popular countries
Villanueva, chef Boy Logro face off in skills showdown
Sandiganbayan convicts ambassador for fund misuse
EPRS: Empowering Employers

Bottom-up budgeting gets boost in FY 2016 budget call; Abad: LGUs to become hubs for growth
Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph
The Administration is strengthening its commitment for a national budget that is more transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the Filipino people by further institutionalizing the implementation of Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) in FY 2016.

In the FY 2016 Budget Call of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the implementation of BuB will be scaled up via greater involvement and responsibility of local government units (LGUS) in anti-poverty and basic public projects in their localities. Meanwhile, national agencies will focus on accelerating the overall execution of programs and projects that will reduce poverty and promote economic growth in more regions in the country.

Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said, “Ultimately, the objective of BuB is to develop the overall capacity of LGUs. Aside from delivering basic social services, they will also become income-generating hubs for growth that develop industries to provide jobs and livelihood for their people.”

DBM BuB Focal Person Patrick Lim said, “We want to realize a legacy of transforming a culture of patronage into a culture of empowerment, where people have a stake in the budget process. LGUs and communities have a better grasp of local needs and BuB provides them an opportunity to propose projects that are oriented towards filling these gaps at the community level.”

The program has shown concrete results in communities’ relationship with their LGUs, especially in the poorer and less privileged municipalities of the country. One of the projects that illustrates this is the coco coir twining project in Asuncion, Davao Del Norte.

Through the BuB, this project was able to develop the industry so as to contribute to the livelihood and employment of the people in the area. With an approved budget of P621, 500 coursed through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the LGU was able to consult with stakeholders, conduct trainings, and carry out monitoring and evaluation activities for the whole project.

Through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the municipality of Asuncion has also implemented a water supply project that transformed the lives of its people by improving the health and sanitation of communities. Before the project, people were forced to fetch water from far and secluded areas. Now, water is accessible in their community.

DILG Mar Roxas said, “BuB is the concrete evidence of ‘Kayo ang boss ko.’ It is the people who tell the National Government what they need and when they need it. Our role is to empower them and encourage their active participation in this form of good governance.”

Anchored on the principle that LGUs and communities should take a more participatory role in the budget process, BuB has expanded this year to include 14,300 poverty-reduction projects to cover for different social services in 1,590 cities and municipalities nationwide in the 2015 National Budget.

Motor vehicle registration papers good for only 7 days
Source: http://dotc.gov.ph
Reminds Public of No Registration-No Travel Policy Beginning April 1st

Come April 1st, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will strictly enforce the “No Registration-No Travel Policy” for motor vehicles (MVs), which means that all MVs must be registered, or at least be in the 7-day registration period, by the start of next month.

“It has always been prohibited by law to use motor vehicles which have not been registered with the LTO. The only exception is the first seven (7) days, during which registration should be processed by the vehicle owner,” said DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya.

“We held back from implementing this rule before, because the lack of license plates was our responsibility. But now that we have been able to issue new license plates within 7 days from start of registration, we have no more reason not to implement the law,” he added.

Under the No Registration-No Travel policy, any four (4)-wheeled motor vehicle running without a license plate may be flagged by a traffic enforcer because all MVs are required to have valid license plates. To be clear, these may be any of the nine (9) older green-and-white license plates or the new black-and-white license plates – for as long as they are valid.

Penalties for Violators

The applicable penalties for a violation of this rule under Joint Administrative Order 2014-01 include a P 10,000.00 fine for driving an unregistered vehicle, which is assessed against the vehicle owner, and a P 1,000.00 fine assessed against the driver.

If the driver is able to present a Certificate of Registration (CR) and an Official Receipt (OR) of the vehicle to prove that it has been registered, the driver will be fined only P 5,000.00 for failure to attach plates.

For MVs that are within the 7-day registration process, the driver must present the Certificate of Stock Reported (CSR), Sales Invoice dated within seven (7) days prior to the apprehension, and a Certificate of Insurance Cover dated on or after the date of Sales Invoice. If such documents are presented, no penalties will be meted out.

As an additional penalty, should the date of the Sales Invoice exceed thirty-seven (37) days on the date of apprehension, the motor vehicle will be impounded by the LTO.

7-Day Vehicle Registration Period

Since the LTO implemented Administrative Order (AO) No. AVT-2014-24 in February 2014, the new one-stop registration process has eliminated unnecessary delays and cut down processing time down to seven (7) days, from the previous three to four (3-4) weeks.

“If your dealer tells you that the LTO does not have your license plates beyond the 7-day period, report this to us and tell your dealer to pick them up. You may also personally claim your license plates from the LTO regional office if you wish,” Abaya remarked.

New PH labor quota of 4,600 shows South Korea’s continued preference for OFWs, Baldoz says
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph
The Philippines still cornered a good share of the number of new foreign workers permitted to work in South Korea’s manufacturing industry, despite the over-all reduction in the number of newcomers allowed in the manufacturing sector. Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said this yesterday after Labor Attaché Felicitas Q. Bay of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) reported that the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) of South Korea has set this year’s ceiling of 4,600 for the Philippines in terms of new workers who will be allowed to work in South Korea’s manufacturing sector under the Employment Permit System. It should be noted that there is no ceiling for newcomer-workers for all industries in South Korea other than manufacturing. Citing Labor Attaché Bay’s report, Baldoz said South Korea’s overall foreign workers quota in the manufacturing sector this 2015 is set at 42,400. Of this number, 32,890 are apportioned for new entrants, while 9,510 are allocated to returning foreign workers. The total quota is divided among the sending countries based on employers’ preference, the rate of undocumented workers, and the country’s level of efficiency in managing the workforce. The Philippines captured the 13.98 percent of the quota for new entrants allocated by the MOEL in the manufacturing sector. “If we go by the total number, there was an increase in demand for OFWs. Last year, the quota for the Philippines was at 12.71 percent. In 2013, out of the 42,600 quota, we were given a total of 4,400 slots, or at 9.86 percent of the workforce allowed in the manufacturing industry,” Labatt Bay further reported. “This 2015 quota shows sustained demand for OFWs in the last three years in the Korean manufacturing sector. We expect that this will become the trend that will harmonize with our efforts in continually advancing the credence of the Filipino workforce as globally competitive and respects both the Philippines and the host country’s labor rules and regulations” Baldoz said. Ma Sung-kyun, director of the MOEL Foreign Workforce Division of the South Korea Ministry of Employment and Labor conveyed to Labor Attaché Bay her gratitude for to the Philippine Government’s keen interest and continued cooperation in the sound implementation of the Employment Permit System. Secretary Baldoz likewise extended her appreciation for the valuable employment opportunity given by South Korea to Filipino workers. She also commended the POLO South Korea for ensuring the steady improvement of the Philippines' credence in the international labor market. The country’s good standing in the EPS can be attributed to the Philippine government’s efforts in advocating the prevention of illegal stay in South Korea as can be seen on the decreasing incidence of undocumented OFWs. In 2013, the total Filipino EPS workers was at 20,632. Of this number, 6,548, or 32 percent, were undocumented. The total number of EPS workers rose to 23,948 in 2014, but the number of undocumented went down, by seven percent to 6,005. The POLO, according to Baldoz, is active in promoting workers' return through its post-arrival orientation briefings, labor education sessions, and reintegration preparedness seminars for EPS workers. Labor Attaché Bay said that the refinements in the EPS law, such as the EPS re-entry program, which implements the sincere workers' law and the special EPS Test on Proficiency in Korean for returnees, encouraged EPS workers to leave Korea as they finished their sojourn since they will have the chance to re-enter or return to Korea subject to the re-entry requirements.

79 OFWs already applied for onsite skills certification and assessment: POLO Singapore prepares for on-site skills assessment and certification; other POLOs hectic in preparation—Baldoz
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph
As far as the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Singapore is concerned, the POLO is on-track in inaugurating its first OFW skills assessment and certification on-site that Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz has ordered in December 2014. “We are drumming up our information and advocacy drive for OFWs in Singapore to apply and undergo skills assessment,” said Labor Attache Vicente Cabe in a report to the Secretary. “So far, 76 OFWs have already applied for the skills assessment,” he added. Labor Attache Cabe said he will forward the application forms to Executive Director Maria Susan P. Dela Rama of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s Certification Office. In his report, Labor Attache Cabe also said the POLO had visited six training centres in Singapore to orient their volunteers and students on the onsite skills assessment and certification program. “There are other application forms we have not collected and we will collect them for endorsement to TESDA. At the moment, we are preparing for additional orientation in other identified training centers. We will use the Bayanihan Centre to be the venue of the first assessment on the last Sunday of April,” Cabe said. Meanwhile, Director Dela Rama had reported to the Secretary that in her recent trip to attend a UNESCO conference in France, she also visited the POLOs in Milan and Rome and conducted an ‘ocular observation’ of their training and oriented them on TESDA regulations. She also reported that in Hong Kong, Labor Attaches Nenette Garcia is doing a lot of coordination activities with the TESDA in preparation for the onsite skills assessment and certification for Hong OFWs. “The TESDA has already an online TESDA program on housekeeping in Hong Kong, and some of our OFWs have only good things to say about its accessibility and its being cost-free, but we will bring it there onsite following the Secretary’s instruction,” Dela Rama said. “In Taiwan, the TESDA is preparing for a visit to Taipei whose POLO had already sent us its training course outline for review. We have already received instruction to help and revise the training curricula to align them with TESDA training regulations. The same is true with Qatar and Oman. The POLOs in these countries have already sent us their requests,” added Dela Rama. In Dubai where Secretary Baldoz was present during the first onsite skills assessment and certification of 102 OFWs in November last year, Labor Attache Delmer Cruz said the POLO has already selected OFW holders of National Certificates who will be acting as trainers and assessors. He said the POLO has already conducted an online (Skype) orientation on the TESDA’s Trainers Methodology. “All these should be in place by the first half of this year,” Labor Attache Cruz reported. In December 2014 during the POLO conference in Manila, Secretary Baldoz has directed all POLOs to align all their skills training programs with TESDA training regulations and standards and to conduct skills assessment and certification in their countries of assignments to provide OFWs with skills sets needed by industries and compatible with global standards. “It is different when one is certified. It means a worker’s skills are at par with global standards and that makes one more employable,” Baldoz said. “With our onsite skills assessment and certification program, there is no more need for OFWs who would like to get their skills assessed and certified by spending money and time doing that in the Philippines. They can use their vacation time to be with their families,” she said.

PHL Embassy Registers Overseas Voters, Gives Orientation Seminar on Consular Services at Hyatt Borneo in Istana Nurul Iman, Brunei Darussalam
Source: http://dfa.gov.ph/
24 March 2015 - The Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam conducted a mobile overseas voters registration and orientation on consular services for the Filipino employees of Hyatt Borneo working at Istana Nurul Iman on March 07.

Thirty-four (34) Filipino employees flocked at the venue, but 19 of them turned out to have active records. Only 15 applications were qualified and were eventually processed.

Vice Consul Melvin Almonguera conducted the orientation on consular services before the start of the registration.

The Embassy regularly conducts mobile registrations during events of Filipino community organizations and in companies with many Filipino employees to reach out to as many eligible overseas voters as possible.

Service vehicles for National TB program
Source: http://www.doh.gov.ph
Every March 24, the Department of Health, along with the international community, commemorates World TB Day. This year’s global theme, “Reach the 3 Million: Reach, Treat, Cure Everyone”, stresses the need to find missing cases among the population where TB information and diagnostics are poorly accessible. In order to improve this limitation, the DOH (through the National TB Program of the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau together with the Philippine Business for Social Progress) procured service vehicles to augment the resources of regional offices. The service equipment will be used primarily for transport of national TB Program logistics, services and the conduct of monitoring, supervision, and evaluation activities.(16 March, 2015, DOH Central Office) https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDOHgov

DSWD turns over additional new homes to ‘Pablo’ survivors
Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph
Some 1,255 Typhoon ‘Pablo’ survivors from the towns of Boston, Cateel, and Banganga received their permanent shelters from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental during a turnover ceremony on March 17.

To date, a total of 15,874 shelter units were completed in the province.

The homes were constructed through the DSWD Modified Shelter Assistance Program (MSAP) as part of the continuing rehabilitation program of the Department in partnership with the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental.

The DSWD provides funds for the project while the provincial government takes charge of site development, land preparation, and engineering requirements.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that although building shelters in such a massive scale is no easy job, the strong support of the provincial government made its implementation a lot easier.

The permanent shelters are structurally strong, environment-friendly, and can withstand wind velocities of up to 180 kph, intensity four earthquakes, flooding, and other disasters.

Under the MSAP, shelter beneficiaries are also organized into Neighborhood Associations for Shelter Assistance (NASA), which initiates community activities and builds community structures to help the village grow.

34 units were also turned over; these were constructed by the 534th Engineering Company Battalion under the 52nd Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army.

The National Housing Authority (NHA) and some private companies have also been building permanent homes in ‘Pablo’ hard-hit areas.

For ‘Pablo’ survivor Julian Pregon of Lambajon, Baganga, the new homes symbolize security, progress, and new beginnings for him and his fellow typhoon survivors.

PDIC inks cross border cooperation with UK counterpart
Source: http://www.pdic.gov.ph
KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION-SHARING. The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme Limited (FSCS) of the United Kingdom signed an agreement on cross border cooperation on March 11, 2015 in Bogota, Colombia. Recognizing that depositor protection is a key element for maintaining financial stability and consumer protection, the deposit insurers entered into a partnership to strengthen cooperation, promote mutual development and improvement, and support regional and global financial stability. Under the said partnership, the deposit insurers will work together to assist each other on relevant cross border issues to the extent permitted by each country’s laws, rules and regulations. From left to right are FSCS Representatives Karen Gibbons (Head of Policy and External Affairs) and Alex Kuczynski (Director of Corporate Affairs); and PDIC Officers President Cristina Que Orbeta and Ma. Ana Carmela Villegas (PDIC Senior Vice President, Receivership and Liquidation Sector).

DAR Celebrates Women’s Month
Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently hosted a series of events to honor women employees and to appreciate their contributions, while providing them with opportunities to grow as individuals, public servants and entrepreneurs.

With the theme “Juana, Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasa ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw Na!,” the department launched the celebration of women’s month with a mini-trade fair and a medical mission.

Various fora on leadership, governance, entrepreneurship and cooking demonstrations are among the activities slated for the month, along with a film showing on discrimination against women.

Undersecretary for Support Services Rosalina Bistoyong, who is also the Chairperson of the Gender and Development National Steering Committee of the DAR, said that this year’s celebration is a way of paying tribute to all women leaders who passionately led and continue to advance women’s advocacies.

“Their key roles and accomplishments in leadership, power and decision-making will be highlighted in order to influence and break the conservative mindset and beliefs that politics and leadership are not for women,” Bistoyong added.22

Keynote speaker Quezon City Vice Mayor Josefina “Joy” Belmonte, represented by Councilor Marivic Co-Pilar, read Belmonte’s message.

Belmonte’s message urged all “Juanas” to aspire to become leaders. She also called for “Juans” to share the roles and responsibilities in the household to foster healthy partnership and relationship.

“We need more men who can stand for and promote women’s rights,” Belmonte’s message said.

Guest speakers Undersecretary for Field Operations Jose Grageda and Undersecretary for Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Herman Ongkiko, also shared their thoughts about the important role of women in nation-building. (Pinky Roque)

Continued fall in oil prices causes imports decline in January 2015
Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph
MANILA – Merchandise imports recorded a 14.2 percent decline in January 2015 as payments for mineral fuels and lubricants, capital and consumer goods contracted in the period, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

“Lower oil prices primarily caused the imports bill to decline significantly in January 2015. Over the medium term, payments for imported crude oil may remain lower, tempering the total value of Philippine merchandise imports in 2015,” said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.

According to a report of the Philippine Statistics Authority, the total import payments fell to US$5.1 billion in January 2015 from US$6.0 billion in the same period last year. This was a reversal from the 0.4-percent year-on-year growth in December 2014 and 24.7 percent expansion in January last year.

The 4.3-percent increase in the purchase of raw materials and intermediate goods, which accounts for nearly half (48.4%) of the country’s total imports, was not able to pull up the reduced payments for mineral fuels and lubricants, capital goods and consumer goods in January 2015.

“With oil inventories remaining at high levels and with moderate global growth projections continuing to limit energy demand, it may take time for crude oil prices to fully recover to the more than US$100 per barrel annual average price in 2011-2013,” the Cabinet official added.

Nonetheless, the trade-in-goods deficit narrowed to US$0.8 billion in January 2015 from US$1.6 billion in the comparable month last year due to the steeper decline in import payments compared to the decrease in exports at 0.5 percent.

In the coming months, the buoyant outlook on the domestic economy is seen to support higher imports of raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods, and consumer items.

“Our prospects for the business sector, including export-oriented industries, remain largely positive, especially in the quarter ahead, as more businesses have expressed their interest to expand operations, especially the manufacturing sector,” said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General.

“Consumer spending is also likely to remain upbeat, in line with increases in income opportunities as reflected in the January 2015 employment numbers,” he added.

Moreover, downside risks from port congestion in Metro Manila may have eased, with utilization rates gradually going back to normal levels. Major port projects set by the Philippine Ports Authority this year are expected to further improve trade facilitation and eventually increase external trade.

To offset the reduction in government customs revenue from lower oil prices, Balisacan recommends increasing the excise taxes on petroleum products. “This should be designed in a way that the benefits of declining oil prices are shared between the government and the private sector, while moderating the impact on the environment,” explained Balisacan.

“Also, there should be continuing efforts in making the country more conducive to investments to complement the benefits of lower oil prices, as this would be a good opportunity for major industry players to lower costs, boost profits, and ramp up expansion in investments,” the NEDA official added.

Meanwhile, the People’s Republic of China had a share of 15.4 percent of the total value of inward shipments, sustaining its role as the top supplier of Philippine imported goods. It was followed by Singapore (9.1%), United States of America (9.0%), Germany (8.2%), Japan (7.7%), Taiwan (7.2%), South Korea (6.5%), Thailand (5.1%), Saudi Arabia (4.7%) and Malaysia (4.2%).

DILG maintains Binay suspension
Source: http://dilg.gov.ph
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) maintained that the Court of Appeals (CA) has not invalidated the assumption into office by Makati City Acting Mayor Romulo “Kid” Pena.

DILG Undersecretary Peter Irving Corvera, a lawyer, made it clear that since there has been no judicial determination that Pena’s taking his oath of office was irregular, “the camp of Mayor Jejomar Erwin ‘Junjun’ Binay cannot consider the acts of the Acting Mayor as invalid or without effect."

The DILG stressed “the fact that Mayor Binay did not question the suspension order at the level of the Office of the Ombudsman makes his raising the same issue before the CA procedurally questionable.”

"He jumped to the CA when he could have first exhausted all possible remedies at the Office of the Ombudsman,” Usec. Corvera added.

The DILG official explained that the resort to the CA was precipitate on the part of Binay “perhaps in the hope that the appellate court would grant him immediately the relief he had sought. However, it came a tad late, and we believe, like the Office of the Ombudsman, that the relief sought had already been overtaken by events.”

The DILG, through Corvera, appealed to Junjun Binay “to serve the best interest of the people of Makati by allowing Acting Mayor Pena to take over the reins of the Makati city government since the operations of the local government unit (LGU) would grind to a halt should two contending political leaders claim the mayorship.”

The appeal, he stressed, extends to the other city officials who have been suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman on the basis of the filing of a complaint by the special panel of investigators for the alleged overprice of a contract for architectural design services worth P11.94 million.

City of Taguig partners with IFEX Philippines 2015
Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph
The City of Taguig will join the International Food Exposition (IFEX) Philippines, the country’s most celebrated food trade show organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

IFEX Philippines is a global platform for highly profitable and enduring business partnerships. With more than 600 food exporters from countries all over the world, and more than 13,000 global buyers and visitors, IFEX Philippines brings together the leading export-oriented food and ingredient companies of Asia, the Pacific, Americas, and the rest of the world. It offers a wide variety of flavors, food products, innovations, and services, for buyers from all parts of the globe.

Taguig is one of the participants of IFEX Philippines’ Partner City Program, a unique platform that aims to assist small and medium food producers and manufacturers to become dynamic and competitive players in the local and international food trade industry.

Gearing up for the big event, the city government of Taguig, local food entrepreneurs, and CITEM had gathered in a two-session briefing on 24 September and on 04 November 2014 at the Taguig City Hall. Food consultants Ms. Rose Kwan (for Food Safety and Export Compliances), Ms. Luz Lizada (for Food Technology and Food Safety), and Engr. Abner Villahermosa (for Business Development and Branding), facilitated the discussions and conducted initial evaluation of the readiness of the entrepreneurs’ products for IFEX Philippines 2015 and crafted a highly focused and specialized product development program for each participant.

“Taguig is one of the largest cities in the country in terms of land area and also one of the most prosperous, thanks to the emergence of Bonifacio Global City. As a result, Taguig is one of the preferred cities to live in. With a boom in the population, comes a boost in industries. This is true for Taguig,” said DTI-National Capital Region (NCR) Director Ferdinand Manfoste.

For the upcoming IFEX Philippines 2015, Taguig City food entrepreneurs will offer a delectable array of delicacies and beverages such as cocktail wines and ricewines, fish nachos, traditional Mindanao spices like palapa and turmeric powder, homemade pizza, adobong itik, fresh lumpia, royal bibingka, and Taguig’s homegrown kakanin, inutak, which is made of glutinous rice flour and coconut milk.

“There is a steadily increasing demand for locally produced specialty dishes and heritage food items in the market today, and businessmen and trade buyers should take advantage of this along with the business partnership and opportunities offered by our Partner Cities’ small and medium food entrepreneurs. IFEX Philippines provides buyers and entrepreneurs a special access to these types of food products and ensures their quality and competitiveness,” said CITEM Executive Director Rosvi C. Gaetos.

Small and medium food enterprises (SMEs) are extremely important to the general health and welfare of the economy: they generate substantial gross income, employ local citizens, and provide an economic engine that initiates the movement of cash through the community. Successful SMEs allow owners to remain in this area of operation and create business opportunities for other entrepreneurs. Furthermore, they provide the groundwork for innovation, constantly keeping the community charged with economic activity.

“We, at the City Government of Taguig, believe in empowering local micro-entrepreneurs through projects that develop and improve local products like the IFEX Philippines’ Partner City Program. We are very confident in the determination of our small and medium business owners to succeed as well as their capability to contribute to the economic development of Taguig and of the country,” said Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano.

Trade visitors and buyers are invited to see and experience Taguig City’s rich and varied food products together with the products of three other partner cities Dagupan, Pasig, and Quezon City at IFEX Philippines 2015, the biggest and most respected showcase of ethnic and specialty food in Asia.

IFEX Philippines is slated on 21-24 May 2015, at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex, Pasay City.

For more information about IFEX Philippines 2015, please visit www.ifexphilippines.com.

Online Jobs to Fuel Employment Growth in Mindanao
Source: http://icto.dost.gov.ph
QUEZON CITY — Amidst the negative perception surrounding Mindanao due to peace concerns, online jobs are seen by the government as a way to boost employment in its provinces.

To promote online jobs in Mindanao, the Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICT Office), in partnership with online job platforms Freelancer.com and Online Jobs University, has initiated a workshop on Rural Impact Sourcing (RIS) in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.

“Most of our well-known companies in the Information Technology Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry are hesitant to locate in Mindanao.” said ICT Office Deputy Executive Director Mon Ibrahim. “The government, however, realizes the potential of impact sourcing or online jobs to provide alternative means of employment in these areas.” he added.

Conducted last February, the workshop, which featured ways on how Filipinos can earn competitive income even in the comfort of their homes through online jobs, was attended by at least 200 students and young professionals.

With the support of the local government of Kapatagan, the workshop has been re-echoed
to more than six schools in Lanao del Norte.

“Mindanao is so blessed with resources. And most importantly, we also have a great pool of talent.” Kapatagan Councilor Paul Lagura said. “We will be helping the ICT office conduct re-echo workshops to other local governments about digital employment as an innovative opportunity of for socio-economic growth.”

The number of online job workers in various cities in Mindanao has been increasing over the years. In fact, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Iligan City are included in Freelancer.com’s Top 20 Philippine cities with the most number of freelancers.

Freelancer.com Regional Director for South East Asia Evan Tan says that as the world’s largest freelancing and outsourcing marketplace, “Freelancer believes that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to work, wherever and whoever they may be.” Serving as an economic platform for people in rural communities like Kapatagan in Lanao del Norte, he said Freelancer through their partnership with DOST-ICT Office is committed to uplifting the lives of Filipinos.

Scholarship and training programs were also awarded by Online Jobs University during the impact sourcing workshop. A Filipino founded web-based online training site, Online Jobs University serves as a capability development platform for those who want to build a career as an online professional.

“By encouraging our kababayans to consider doing online work for clients locally and abroad, we hope they will not leave their hometowns and families just to look for jobs that will fit their skills and competencies. Having an online career opens big doors of opportunities and possibilities for them and their hometowns.” said Online Jobs University founder Genesis Reonico.

According to the National Statistics Coordination Board, as of 2014 10 of the 16 poorest provinces of the country are in Mindanao. It has an estimate of 10 million labor force with an unemployment rate of 4.5 percent. In spite of this, Mindanao produces at least 700,000 college graduates a year, which specializes in various fields such as computer science, information technology and engineering.

The recently concluded Rural Impact Sourcing workshop is part of the digitalPH initiative of the ICT Office, which aims to generate at least 1.6 million direct IT-BPM jobs for Filipinos by 2016 with at least 40 percent of this coming from the countryside.

For more information about this government initiative, visit www.icto.dost.gov.ph or like
us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/digitalPH2015.

About DOST-ICT Office – The Information and Communications Technology Office of the Department of Science and Technology is the Philippine Government’s lead agency on ICT related matters. Its primary thrusts are in the ICT Industry Development, eGovernment, ICT policy development, Internet for all and Cybersecurity.

Villanueva, chef Boy Logro face off in skills showdown
Source: http://tesda.gov.ph
A makeshift kitchen in a covered court in Barangay Sta. Cruz in Antipolo City became the stage for the showdown of skills between Secretary Joel Villanueva and celebrity chef Pablo "Boy" Logro.

Villanueva whipped up his signature Cappuccino to match Logro's Sizzling Salmon Steak in Mediterranean Lemon Butter Sauce in the friendly culinary face-off dubbed "Idol ko si Sec, Idol ko si Chef."

Villanueva, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General, and Logro, one of TESDA's career ambassadors and cooking show host, said they hope to stir up interest among the youth to get into technical vocational education.

"From humble beginnings, Chef Boy showed us where the tech-voc route took him, and how hard work paid off," he said.

TESDA has variety of course offerings that would match the interest of the young people thinking of taking tech-voc.

At the end of the skills demonstration, the crowd was treated to a free taste of Logro's dish and Villanueva's coffee concoction.

As recognition to trainees who have completed their courses, Villanueva led the ceremony for the mass graduation of finishers of TESDA programs, namely, Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA), Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) and the Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB). There were a total of 639 graduates.

Among the guests were local officials led by Antipolo Representative Robie Puno and wife, television host Chiqui Roa-Puno, City Mayor Casimiro Ynares, Councilor Josefina Gatbalayan, Barangay Chairpersons Pablo Oldan and Oscar Tamayao, and TESDA officials Luisita dela Cruz and Velma Salazar.

In Cainta town, Villanueva also attended the mass graduation of TESDA scholars who have completed their respective tech-voc courses.

The 1,013 graduates were among the thousands of beneficiaries in Cainta through the TWSP, PESFA, STEP and BuB.

"We are buoyed by the thought that TESDA has been part of developing their useful, broad skills as they journey to the world of employment," Villanueva said.

Joining TESDA officials at the mass graduation were Rizal Governor Rebecca Ynares, Cainta Mayor Jhonielle Keith Nieto, Jala-jala Mayor Narciso Villaran, Cainta Vice Mayor Pia Velasco, Rizal Technical Vocational Schools Association president Jose Montenegro, barangay chairperson Willy Felix, Cainta Elementary School principal Minerva David.

Sandiganbayan convicts ambassador for fund misuse
Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph
The Sandiganbayan convicted former Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Masaranga Umpa for three counts of Malversation of Public Funds in connection with the misuse of the Assistance-To-Nationals (ATN) Stand-by Funds totaling US$ 80,478.80 or equivalent to P3,749,948.98.

Umpa was sentenced to imprisonment of 10 years and one day of prision mayor as minimum to 17 years, four months and one day of reclusion temporal as maximum for each of the three counts. He was also meted out the penalty of perpetual special disqualification to hold public office and to indemnify the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) the amount of US$ 80,478.80 or the peso equivalent of P3,749,948.98.

Ombudsman prosecutors were able to prove that in February 2007, the Philippine Embassy to Nigeria received US$ 95,856.08 to cover expenses needed for the negotiations and repatriation of 25 Filipino seafarers who were kidnapped in Port Harcourt and Warri Delta State, Nigeria. In 2008, the DFA created an Internal Audit Service (IAS) Team to conduct special audit on certain transactions including ATN Stand-by Funds. Prosecutors presented the results of the independent verification made by the IAS Team which showed that liquidation documents were fabricated and that several transactions or expenses, as reported by Umpa, were never availed of.

The summary of the audit results are as follows:

Expenses
Liquidation  submitted by Umpa
As verified by IAS Team
Payment for hotel accommodations in Transcorp Hilton Abuja
US$ 10,016.96
Actual verified expenses amounts to only $6,641.28
Rental for mobile escort cars, payment for services of diplomatic policemen from Chisco Transport (NIG) Limited
$ 10,000.00
*unnumbered cash receipts
No transaction
Hotel accommodations for police escort in Hotel Presidential  for 6 rooms for 11 persons plus meal expenses
$20,944.00
No transaction
Payment for the rental of 3 Hi-Ace vans in favor G. Agofure Motors
$3,600.00
*unnumbered official receipts
Actual verified expenses amounts to only $1,560.00
Hotel accommodations for Wellington Hotel for six rooms for 11 persons including meals
$23,514.88
No transaction
Payment of chartered helicopters to Aero Airlines Limited
$6,000.00
No transaction
Payment of hotel accommodation for Wellington Hotel for 24 rooms for 24 persons plus meal expenses
$8,260.24
No transaction
Reimbursement for the allowances of  11 military police escorts
$8,592.00
Unconfirmed
Hotel accommodations paid to Hotel Presidential for two rooms including meals
$4,928.00
*unnumbered hotel bills
*Billed against Umpa who was required to refund the amount

The prosecution also proved that the legitimate expenses defrayed from the ATN Stand-by Funds are only as follows:

Transcorp Hilton US$ 6,641.28
Honorarium for Police escorts        7,176.00
Vehicles hired from G. Agofure        1,560.00
--------------------
US$ 15,377.28
 The anti-graft court stated that as Head of a Post and Head of the Negotiating Team, “when accused received and had in his possession and custody the said ATN Funds in both capacities, he was not only accountable for said fund but was also immediately and primarily responsible” and that “he cannot legally pass on or transfer his accountability and primary responsibility for said ATN Funds to his AO (Administrative Officer) and FO (Finance Officer), because as head of government agency who received and entrusted with government fund, he was still accountable.” The Sandiganbayan took cognizance of the accused’s “extensive background in accounting and auditing, having been an Auditor in the COA for twelve (12) years, these irregularities in the disbursement of the ATN Funds would not have missed his attention, and he could have easily detected them.”
Umpa served as Ambassador to Nigeria from 1996 to 2008 and was a former Assemblyman of Lanao Del Norte.

EPRS: Empowering Employers
Source: http://www.philhealth.gov.ph
March 20, 2015, Legazpi City: PhilHealth member and employer, Ellaine C. Tate of Personnel Solutions Manpower Agency visited PhilHealth Regional Office V to express satisfaction over PhilHealth’s Electronic Premium Reporting System (EPRS), which she says made posting easier for her staff members.

PS Manpower Agency is a relatively young employment agency operating in Legazpi City, with 135 employees assigned all over the region. The agency takes pride in matching the right people to the right job while maintaining high corporate standards for all its deployed employees. Believing in the age-old adage that the happy worker is a productive worker, the company ensures that all wages and benefits mandated by law and are due to the employees are complied with. These include, among other benefits, the employees’ PhilHealth premium deductions.

The EPRS comes at the most opportune time for this very young manpower agency as they make sure that the PhilHealth premiums of all their employees are remitted properly and correctly, and that posting of their contributions is timely and accurate.

Tate credits the fast transactions of posting to PhilHealth and the very reliable EPRS. Her HR people make sure that payment of contributions is made earlier than the deadline, and that these are promptly posted after. This, she says, helps assure her employees that their PhilHealth benefits are within reach should the need arise.

True to PhilHealth’s vision: ‘Bawat Pilipino Miyembro, Bawat Miyembro Protektado, Kalusugan Natin, Segurado,’ empowered agencies like PS Manpower Agency, also make things easy for PhilHealth to ensure financial risk protection for the formal sector, thus, Universal Health Care is no longer just a pipe dream. Not in PRO V.




Last Updated: 25 MARCH 2015
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President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with Coca-Cola Phils. Sustainability and Community Relations manager Gilda Custodio-Maquilan; president and general manager Diego Eduardo Granizo, TESDA Director General Emmanuel Joel Villanueva and STAR TESDA – Coke beneficiary Lolita Mendoza for a snap shot during the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – Coke Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) program for Women’s Month 2015 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday (March 25). With the theme: “Juana, Ang Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga para sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw na ang Star!” the event is part of the global initiative of The Coca-Cola Company to economically empower five million women within its value chain by year 2020. Coca-Cola Philippines together with TESDA has been implementing the STAR program on a nationwide scale since 2012. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – Coke Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) program for Women’s Month 2015 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday (March 25). With the theme: “Juana, Ang Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga para sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw na ang Star!” the event is part of the global initiative of The Coca-Cola Company to economically empower five million women within its value chain by year 2020. Coca-Cola Philippines together with TESDA has been implementing STAR Program on a nationwide scale since 2012. Also in photo are STAR TESDA – Coke beneficiary Lolita Mendoza, TESDA Director General Emmanuel Joel Villanueva and Coca-Cola Phils. president and general manager Diego Eduardo Granizo. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – Coke Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) program for Women’s Month 2015 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday (March 25). With the  theme: “Juana, Ang Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga para sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw na ang Star!” the event is part of the global initiative of The Coca-Cola Company to economically empower five million women within its value chain by year 2020. Coca-Cola Philippines together with TESDA has been implementing the STAR Program on a nationwide scale since 2012. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – Coke Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) program for Women’s Month 2015 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday (March 25). With the theme: “Juana, Ang Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga para sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw na ang Star!” the event is part of the global initiative of The Coca-Cola Company to economically empower five million women within its value chain by year 2020. Coca-Cola Philippines together with TESDA has been implementing the STAR program on a nationwide scale since 2012. Also in photo are STAR TESDA – Coke beneficiary Lolita Mendoza and TESDA Director General Emmanuel Joel Villanueva. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III listens to the welcome remarks and overview by TESDA Director General Emmanuel Joel Villanueva during the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – Coke Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) program for Women’s Month 2015 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday (March 25). With the theme: “Juana, Ang Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga para sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw na ang Star!” the event is part of the global initiative of The Coca-Cola Company to economically empower five million women within its value chain by year 2020, Coca-Cola Philippines together with TESDA has been implementing STAR Program on a nationwide scale since 2012. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with TESDA Director General Emmanuel Joel Villanueva during the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – Coke Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) program for Women’s Month 2015 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday (March 25). With the theme: “Juana, Ang Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga para sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw na ang Star!” the event is part of the global initiative of The Coca-Cola Company to economically empower five million women within its value chain by year 2020. Coca-Cola Philippines together with TESDA has been implementing the STAR program on a nationwide scale since 2012. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with Coca-Cola Phils. Sustainability and Community Relations manager Gilda Custodio-Maquilan; president and general manager Diego Eduardo Granizo, TESDA Director General Emmanuel Joel Villanueva and STAR TESDA – Coke beneficiary Lolita Mendoza for a snap shot during the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – Coke Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) program for Women’s Month 2015 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday (March 25). With the theme: “Juana, Ang Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga para sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw na ang Star!” the event is part of the global initiative of The Coca-Cola Company to economically empower five million women within its value chain by year 2020. Coca-Cola Philippines together with TESDA has been implementing the STAR program on a nationwide scale since 2012. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – Coke Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) program in observance of Women’s Month 2015 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday (March 25). With the theme: “Juana, Ang Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga para sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw na ang Star!” the event is part of the global initiative of The Coca-Cola Company to economically empower five million women within its value chain by year 2020, Coca-Cola Philippines together with TESDA has been implementing the STAR program on a nationwide scale since 2012. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III listens to the welcome remarks and overview by TESDA Director General Emmanuel Joel Villanueva during the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – Coke Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) program in observance of Women’s Month 2015 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday (March 25). With the theme: “Juana, Ang Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga para sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw na ang Star!” the event is part of the global initiative of The Coca-Cola Company to economically empower five million women within its value chain by year 2020. Coca-Cola Philippines together with TESDA has been implementing STAR Program on a nationwide scale since 2012. Also in photo are Coca-Cola Phils. president and general manager Diego Eduardo Granizo; and Sustainability and Community Relations manager Gilda Custodio-Maquilan. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines women's volleyball back-to-back champion Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, led by two-time UAAP women's volleyball Most Valuable Player Alyssa Valdez, and UAAP Season 77 women’s volleyball 1st Runner Up De La Salle University Lady Spikers for a group photo souvenir during the special luncheon with both teams at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (March 24). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the special luncheon with the volleyball teams of Ateneo de Manila University the De La Salle University at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (March 24). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a De La Salle University jacket signed by the Lady Spikers during the special luncheon with the volleyball teams of both Ateneo de Manila University the De La Salled University at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (March 24). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III poses with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 77 women’s volleyball 1st Runner Up De La Salle University Lady Spikers for a group photo souvenir during the special luncheon with the volleyball teams of Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (March 24). Also in photo are Education Secretary Armin Luistro and Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines women's volleyball back-to-back champion Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, led by two-time UAAP women's volleyball Most Valuable Player (MVP) Alyssa Valdez, UAAP Season 77 men’s volleyball champion Ateneo Blue Spikers, and UAAP Season 77 women’s volleyball 1st Runner Up De La Salle Lady Spikers for a group photo souvenir during the special luncheon with members of both school teams at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (March 24). Also in photo are AdMU president Jose Ramon Villarin and Education Secretary Armin Luistro. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines women's volleyball back-to-back champion Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, led by two-time UAAP women's volleyball Most Valuable Player Alyssa Valdez, and UAAP Season 77 women’s volleyball 1st Runner Up De La Salle University Lady Spikers for a group photo souvenir during the special luncheon with both teams at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (March 24). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III huddles with the De La Salle University Lady Spikers for a selfie shot during the special luncheon with both volleyball teams of the Ateneo de Manila University and the De La Salle University at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (March 24, 2015). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III huddles with two-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines women's volleyball most valuable player Alyssa Valdez; AdMU president Jose Ramon Villarin and Education Secretary Armin Luistro for a selfie during the special luncheon with the volleyball teams of Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (March 24). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a De La Salle University (DLSU) jacket signed by the Lady Spikers during the special luncheon with the volleyball teams of Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (March 24). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III addresses the 4th Euromoney Philippine Investment Forum at the Rigodon Ballroom of The Peninsula Manila in Makati City on Tuesday (March 24). The Forum was host to a by-invitation-only audience of over 500 business leaders, investors and policy makers. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the 4th Euromoney Philippine Investment Forum at the Rigodon Ballroom of The Peninsula Manila in Makati City on Tuesday (March 24). The Forum was host to a by-invitation-only audience of over 500 business leaders, investors and policy makers. Also in photo is Euromoney Institutional Investor Asia chief executive officer Tony Shale. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the 4th Euromoney Philippine Investment Forum at the Rigodon Ballroom of The Peninsula Manila in Makati City on Tuesday (March 24). The Forum was host to a by-invitation-only audience of over 500 business leaders, investors and policy makers. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with South Luzon Tollway chairman and San Miguel Corporation president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala during the briefing on the South Luzon Expressway-Toll Road 4 (SLEX-TR4) Project and other major road projects in Southern Tagalog at Barangay Lalig, Tiaong, Quezon on Monday (March 23). The SLEX-TR4 project is a Php13.1Billion planned expressway extension from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Lucena, Quezon mandated under Presidential Decrees 1112 and 1894. It involves the construction of 58-kilometers, 4-lane toll road. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with South Luzon Tollway chairman and San Miguel Corporation president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang during the Briefing on the South Luzon Expressway-Toll Road 4 (SLEX-TR4) Project and other major road projects in Southern Tagalog held at Barangay Lalig, Tiaong, Quezon on Monday (March 23). The SLEX-TR4 project is a Php13.1Billion planned expressway extension from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Lucena, Quezon mandated under Presidential Decrees 1112 and 1894, that involves the construction of 58-kilometers, 4-lane toll road. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with South Luzon Tollway chairman and San Miguel Corporation president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang during the briefing on the South Luzon Expressway-Toll Road 4 (SLEX-TR4) Project and other major road projects in Southern Tagalog held at Barangay Lalig, Tiaong, Quezon on Monday (March 23). The SLEX-TR4 project is a Php13.1Billion planned expressway extension from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Lucena, Quezon mandated under Presidential Decrees 1112 and 1894, that involves the construction of 58-kilometers, 4-lane toll road. Also in photo is Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the briefing on the South Luzon Expressway-Toll Road 4 (SLEX-TR4) Project and other major road Projects in Southern Tagalog at Barangay Lalig, Tiaong, Quezon on Monday (March 23). The SLEX-TR4 project is a Php13.1 Billion planned expressway extension from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Lucena, Quezon mandated under Presidential Decrees 1112 and 1894, that involves the construction of 58-kilometers, 4-lane toll road. Also in photo are South Luzon Tollway chairman and San Miguel Corporation president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang; and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the briefing on the South Luzon Expressway-Toll Road 4 (SLEX-TR4) Project and other major road Projects in Southern Tagalog at Barangay Lalig, Tiaong, Quezon on Monday (March 23). The SLEX-TR4 project is a Php13.1 Billion planned expressway extension from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Lucena, Quezon mandated under Presidential Decrees 1112 and 1894, that involves the construction of 58-kilometers, 4-lane toll road. Also in photo are Toll Regulatory Board executive director Atty. Edmund Reyes; Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson; Quezon 2nd District Representative Vicente Alcala; South Luzon Tollway chairman and San Miguel Corporation president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang; Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala; Tiaong, Quezon Mayor Ramon Preza; DOTC Secretary Joseph Abaya; and Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corporation president and chief executive officer Shadik Wahono. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a replica of the “vara de mando” (cane of command, which is the symbol of authority of General Emilio Aguinaldo as “capitan municipal” or “gobernadorcillo” of Cavite El Viejo (old name of Kawit) from National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno during the inauguration of the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Friday (March 20). The museum chronicles the life and times of Aguinaldo, especially during the revolution against Spain and war against the United States. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the facilities of the new e-learning room showcasing 30 computer units with interactive history lessons during the inauguration of the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Friday (March 20). The museum chronicles the life and times of Aguinaldo, especially during the revolution against Spain and war against the United States. Also in photo is National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the raising of the Philippine Flag during the inauguration of the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Friday (March 20). The museum chronicles the life and times of Aguinaldo, especially during the revolution against Spain and war against the United States. Also in photo are National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno, Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Abaya, Cavite 1st District Representative Francis Gerald Abaya and Kawit, Cavite Mayor Reynaldo Aguinaldo. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III tours the facilities of the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo during the inauguration ceremony at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Friday (March 20). The museum chronicles the life and times of Aguinaldo, especially during the revolution against Spain and war against the United States.  Also in photo is National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the raising of the Philippine Flag during the inauguration of the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Friday (March 20). The museum chronicles the life and times of Aguinaldo, especially during the revolution against Spain and war against the United States. Also in photo are National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno and Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Abaya. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the raising of the Philippine Flag during the inauguration of the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Friday (March 20). The museum chronicles the life and times of Aguinaldo, especially during the revolution against Spain and war against the United States. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and the facilities of the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo during the inauguration ceremony at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Friday (March 20). The museum chronicles the life and times of Aguinaldo, especially during the revolution against Spain and war against the United States. Also in photo are National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno and Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Abaya. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III tours the facilities of the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo during the inauguration ceremony at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Friday (March 20). The museum chronicles the life and times of Aguinaldo, especially during the revolution against Spain and war against the United States. Also in photo is Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Abaya. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III lays the replica of “vara de mando” (cane of command, which is the symbol of authority of General Emilio Aguinaldo as “capitan municipal” or “gobernadorcillo” of Cavite El Viejo (old name of Kawit) in a special casing to signal the formal inauguration of the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Friday (March 20). The museum chronicles the life and times of Aguinaldo, especially during the revolution against Spain and war against the United States. Also in photo are National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno and Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Abaya. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III offers a wreath during the inauguration of the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Friday (March 20). The museum chronicles the life and times of Aguinaldo, especially during the revolution against Spain and war against the United States. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the singing of the Philippine National Anthem during the inauguration of the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Friday (March 20). The museum chronicles the life and times of Aguinaldo, especially during the revolution against Spain and war against the United States. Also in photo are National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno, Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Abaya, Cavite 1st District Representative Francis Gerald Abaya, Kawit, Cavite Mayor Reynaldo Aguinaldo and NHCP executive director Ludovico Badoy. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the raising of the Philippine Flag during the inauguration of the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Friday (March 20). The museum chronicles the life and times of Aguinaldo, especially during the revolution against Spain and war against the United States. Also in photo are National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno, Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Abaya, Cavite 1st District Representative Francis Gerald Abaya, Kawit, Cavite Mayor Reynaldo Aguinaldo and NHCP executive director Ludovico Badoy. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno upon arrival for the inauguration of the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Friday (March 20). The museum chronicles the life and times of Aguinaldo, especially during the revolution against Spain and war against the United States. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Nestle officials, headed by Nandu Nandkishore, Nestle S.A., Switzerland executive vice president and zone director of Asia, Oceania, Africa, and Middle East, during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (March 19). Also in photo are outgoing Nestle Philippines, Inc. (NPI) chairman and chief executive officer John Martin Miller and incoming NPI chairman and chief executive officer Suresh Narayanan; Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ponciano Manalo, Jr. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Nestle officials, headed by Nandu Nandkishore, Nestle S.A., Switzerland executive vice president and zone director of Asia, Oceania, Africa, and Middle East, during the courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (March 19). Also in photo are outgoing Nestle Philippines, Inc. (NPI) chairman and chief executive officer John Martin Miller and incoming NPI chairman and chief executive officer Suresh Narayanan. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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