Daily Weather Forecast
Issued at: 5:00 a.m. today, 12 May 2015
Valid Beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow Synopsis:
Easterlies affecting the eastern section of the country. Meanwhile at 4:00 AM today, the center of Severe Tropical Storm "DODONG" was located based on all available data at 830 km northeast of basco, batanes (26.6°N, 126.6°E) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) with maximum sustained winds of 110 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 140 kph. It is forecast to move northeast at 45 kph.
 Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure
Analysis 8 a.m. 12 May 2015 |
 Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind Analysis 8 a.m. 12 May 2015 |
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Forecast:
Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will be experienced over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.
Light to moderate winds blowing from the southeast to east will prevail over Luzon and coming from the east over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate.
GMA:
Binabantayan pa rin ang bagyo sa Pacific Ocean na may international
name na 'Dolphin.' Posibleng sa Linggo ito pumasok sa PAR at tatawaging
'Egay.' Ayon sa PAGASA, maaari pa itong magbago ng direksiyon.
GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz:
-Humina pa ang bagyong Dodong habang papalayo ng bansa. Sa ngayon, nakataas pa rin ang Signal No. 1 sa Batanes, Babuyan at Calayan Group of Islands. Bukas ng umaga ay inaasahang lalabas na ito ng PAR.
-Sa Metro Manila, may tiyansa ng mahinang ulan bukas.
-Sa Visayas, maaliwalas ang panahon, maliban na lang sa eastern section.
-Asahan ang thunderstorm sa malaking bahagi ng Mindanao sa susunod na tatlong araw.
-Samantala, ang tropical storm na may international name na "Dolphin" ay posibleng pumasok ng PAR sa Linggo o Lunes bilang isang typhoon kung hindi magbabago ang bilis at galaw nito.
-Humina pa ang bagyong Dodong habang papalayo ng bansa. Sa ngayon, nakataas pa rin ang Signal No. 1 sa Batanes, Babuyan at Calayan Group of Islands. Bukas ng umaga ay inaasahang lalabas na ito ng PAR.
-Sa Metro Manila, may tiyansa ng mahinang ulan bukas.
-Sa Visayas, maaliwalas ang panahon, maliban na lang sa eastern section.
-Asahan ang thunderstorm sa malaking bahagi ng Mindanao sa susunod na tatlong araw.
-Samantala, ang tropical storm na may international name na "Dolphin" ay posibleng pumasok ng PAR sa Linggo o Lunes bilang isang typhoon kung hindi magbabago ang bilis at galaw nito.
May 12 , 2015 ( Tuesday ) as of 10:00 AM
PIA4A / PIA QUEZON : Fair Weather in Lucena City
PIA-4A/BATANGAS:
Isinusulong ng Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) ang Go Negosyo
centers sa mga lalawigan, lungsod at munisipalidad. Bunga nito, nagdaos
ng oryentasyon ang DTI sa lungsod ng Batangas ukol sa Go Negosyo Law na
layong mapalawig ang kahalagahan ng pagtatayo ng negosyo centers.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS:
Nagsagawa ng pagbisita sa mga food chains at restaurants ang sanitation
division ng team ng Batangas city health office upang tiyakin na
sinusunod ng mga ito ang panuntunan sa gawaing pangkalinisan upang
mapangalagaan ang kalusugan ng publiko.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS:
Patuloy ang panghihikayat ng Commission on Election sa lalawigan ng
Batangas sa mga botante na magparehistro upang makaboto sa halalan sa
Mayo 2016, ayon kay COMELEC provincial supervisor Atty. Gloria Petallo.
Inaasahang magiging 100% ang turn-out ng rehistrasyon hanggang Oktubre
2015.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS:
Patuloy ang Philippine National Police sa pagpapatupad ng Oplan
Checkmate sa lahat ng bayan sa lalawigan upang mas mapalakas ang
pagsawata sa mga kolurum at walang kaukulang dokumentong mga motorsiklo
na karaniwang ginagamit sa krimen.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS:
Nagsagawa ng programang "Kalinisan ng Kabataan tungo sa Magandang
Kalusugan" ang Tanauan city police station sa barangay Sambat sa
layuning makapagbigay ng kaalaman sa mga kabataaan ukol sa kahalagahan
ng kalinisan.
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines will hold an orientation and
press conference on May 15, 2015 at Nawawalang Paraiso hotel and
restaurant to update the local media about its ongoing programs and
activities in the province of Quezon.
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
The Sacred Heart College in Lucena City is accepting applicants for
Hermana Fausta scholarship program intended for poor but deserving high
school graduates until May 15, 2015.
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
The Lucena city national high school is set to conduct its "Brigada
Eskuwela" on May 18-25, 2015. School officials are asking the assistance
and cooperation of stakeholders for the improvement of its school
buildings in preparation for the opening of classes this June 2015.
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
The Tiaong municipal police station led by PO2 Andres R. Tamayo held
an earthquake drill recently as part of their community awareness and
disaster preparedness. The drill was participated by the labor sector.
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
Inilunsad kamakailan ng Quezon provincial library sa pakikipagtulungan
sa Librarian Association of the Philippines-Lucena Inc. at Department of
Science and Technology sa Manuel S. Enverga Univeristy Foundation
library seminar hall ang Science and Technology Academic and
Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Stations (STARBOOKS). Binuo ng
Science and Technology Information Institute ng DOST, ang STARBOOKS ay
digital library na naglalaman ng mga impormasyon tungkol sa science and
technology at pangkabuhayan na makakatulong sa mga mag-aaral,
mananaliksik at negosyante.
OFW:
Nakapagbigay na ng salaysay sa DOJ ang legal na asawa ni Mary Jane
Veloso na si Michael Candelaria. Ayon sa NBI Anti-Human Trafficking
Division, mas mabibigyan ng bigat ang inihain nilang kaso laban kina
Kristina Sergio at Julius Lacanilao dahil may direktang nalalaman si
Candelaria kaugnay sa pagre-recruit kay Mary Jane.
DZIQ:
Sasailalim umano sa pangangalaga ng PNP si Maria Kristina Sergio ang
illegal recruiter ni Mary Jane Veloso dahil umano sa mga banta sa
kanyang buhay.
BATANGAS
1. Tagalog news: Consultative meeting ukol sa Salt Iodization, isinagawa sa lungsod ng Batangas
- May 11, 2015
Kabilang sa mga dumalo sa nasabing pagpupulong ang mga market administrators, sanitary inspectors, salt producers at distributors, bagoong makers, at mga miyembro ng Provincial Bantay Asin Task Force.
Layunin ng naturang pagpupulong na maipatupad ang implementasyon ng naturang batas.
Kasama ang ilang mga eksperto, tianalakay sa nasabing pagpupulong ang kahalagahan ng paggamit ng iodized salt at ang kabutihang naidudulot nito sa kalusugan ng tao.
Ipinakita ni Josie L. Pondevida, senior science research specialist mula sa Department of Science and Technology ang paggamit ng WYD Iodine Checker—isang rapid test kit na ginagamit sa pagsusuri ng mga ibinebentang asin sa pamilihan upang malaman ang iodine content ng asin at kung pasado ito sa required amount na kinakailangan.
Ipinaliwanag naman ni Marcela Saises ng Food Nutrition Research Institute o FNRI ang paggawa ng bagoong gamit ang iodized salt.
Sa huli ay nagkaroon ng open forum upang mabigyang linaw ang iba pang mga bagay na may kinalaman sa nasabing programa. (E. Illustre, Batangas PIO/ PIA-BATANGAS/ PIA-4A)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/681430806772/tagalog-news-consultative-meeting-ukol-sa-salt-iodization-isinagawa-sa-lungsod-ng-batangas#sthash.U5nfJZHH.dpuf
2. Tagalog news: 375 motorsiklo, kumpiskado sa isinagawang 'Oplan Checkmate' ng PNP
- May 11, 2015
Mahigit 2,000 motorsiklo ang sumailalim sa inspeksyon sa 31 bayan at 3 lungsod sa buong lalawigan.
Ayon kay Batangas Provincial Police Office Director Omega Jireh Fidel, ang programang ito ay naglalayong mahuli ang mga motorsiklong malayang bumibyahe sa mga lugar sa lalawigan na walang kaukulang plaka o dokumento gayundin ang mga nagagamit ng mga riding in tandem at carnap.
Dinala ang mga nakumpiskang motorsiklo sa Camp Miguel Malvar upang isailalim sa macro-etching examination na isasagawa ng Batangas Provincial Crime Laboratory Office habang isinasagawa naman ng Highway Patrol Group ang pagtukoy ng authenticity ng mga dokumento.
Samantala, nakapag-isyu naman ang kapulisan ng 30 Checkmate stickers na siyang patunay na maayos at walang anumang problema ang dokumento ng mga motorsiklo.
Karamihan sa mga krimeng nangyayari sa lalawigan kung saan dawit ang mga riding in tandem ay gumagamit ng mga motorsiklong walang kaukulang plaka o dokumento kung kaya’t mas lalong pinaiigting ng PNP ang kampanya nila kontra dito. (Bhaby P. De Castro-PIA Batangas/PIA-4A)
- See more at:
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/681430808438/tagalog-news-375-motorsiklo-kumpiskado-sa-isinagawang-oplan-checkmate-ng-pnp#sthash.VukpA2Jh.dpuf
3. Tagalog news: Shell Philippines Safety Day, isinagawa sa lungsod ng Batangas
- May 11, 2015
Layon ng taunang programa na palagiang ikintal at ipaalala sa mga manggagawa at tauhan ng naturang refinery ang kahalagahan ng kaligtasan sa lahat ng panahon.
Sa kanyang mensahe, sinabi ni Eduard Geus, Tabangao General Manager, dapat gawing prayoridad ang kaligtasan anumang oras at anumang araw. Aniya, dapat din a na isaisip ang kaligtasan at iwasan ang masaktan o magkaroon ng injury lalo na kapag nasa oras ng trabaho sa loob ng refinery.
Dagdag pa ni Geus, upang maging ligtas dapat na magkaroon umano ng awareness ang isang indibidwal hindi lamang sa kanyang sarili kung hindi maging sa kanyang kapaligiran.
Ayon naman kay Regional Vice President Arnel Santos, ang aktibidad ay maituturing na renewal o pagpapaalala sa importansya ng kaligtasan at patuloy na papagsusulong ng 'goal zero'.
Kaugnay ng naturang aktibidad, nagpakita ng iba’t ibang paraan ng pagpapatupad ng kaligtasan ang mga anim na lumahok sa Safety Day kabilang ang PSPC Engineering Department, Safeseas Shipping Agency, JGC Phils., I and E Industrial Systems Services Inc., RPD Construction at Superior Maintenance Mgt. System Inc. (Bhaby P. De Castro-PIA Batangas/ PIA-4A)
- See more at:
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/681430980843/tagalog-news-shell-philippines-safety-day-isinagawa-sa-lungsod-ng-batangas#sthash.6bnjCptr.dpuf
| Philippine government addresses issue on trash-filled containers from Canada | |
| (TORONTO, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III said the Philippine government has been taking the necessary steps to address the concerns regarding the shipping containers filled with wastes that arrived in the country from Canada. President Aquino said the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has already filed criminal charges against the importer, Chronic Plastics, and the importing company’s licensed brokers for the illegal shipments. Some 50 shipping containers filled with various wastes have been smuggled into Manila from Canada in June to August 2013. During an interview with the Philippine media delegation covering his state visit to Canada, President Aquino said concerned government agencies have already taken steps to address the situation. In February 2014, the BOC filed a complaint against Chronic Plastics and the company’s licensed brokers for violations of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, and the Toxic Substance and Hazardous Wastes and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990 (Republic Act 6969). In December 2014, after the preliminary investigation, the Prosecution filed a total of 15 criminal cases before the Manila Regional Trial Court against the importer and the importing company’s licensed customs brokers. The Interagency Technical Working Group (TWG) spearheaded by DENR conducted Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) to determine the contents of the shipping containers. The results of the WACS conducted revealed that the shipping containers contained "baled municipal solid wastes or garbage that contains residuals which cannot be recycled, but can be treated and disposed of." The TWG recommended that the "wastes be processed by recognized treatment and disposal facilities complying with the applicable environmental standards." “The wastes are considered hazardous. They’ve been in the Port of Manila for two years. They pose a risk to public health,” the President said. President Aquino said the TWG recommended disposal of the wastes either through cement kiln co-processing or direct disposal in a landfill. “The processing and disposal of the wastes will be conducted once the necessary court order is obtained,” the President added. Last month, the RTC ordered the BOC to facilitate the disposal of the illegal shipments, and to immediately release the container vans to Le Soliel Shipping Agencies Inc. once the contents are properly disposed of. “Currently, the Prosecution and the BOC are pursuing the necessary inventory, documentation, and photographing of the wastes prior to its disposal, to be used as evidence in the trial against the accused,” the President said. PND (co) | |
| Filipinos in Canada impressed with Aquino's leadership, governance --- Consul General | |
| (VANCOUVER, Canada) Members of the Filipino community in Canada lauded President Benigno S. Aquino III’s effective leadership and commitment to transparency and good governance. During a meeting with the Filipino community here Saturday (Sunday in Manila), Philippine Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer said Filipinos here in Canada are impressed with the “significant accomplishments” under the Aquino administration. “The community is impressed with your effective leadership and commitment to transparency and good governance. They are proud of the country’s strong economic growth and achievements,” Ferrer said. “The community here shares your passion for inclusive growth and development and would like to see the country’s economic gains to be sustained in the years to come,” he added. Ferrer also said the business and international community in this region also recognized the Aquino administration’s accomplishments, citing that some of the Canadian companies and enterprises based in British Columbia already have investments in the country and “are looking towards expanding these investments.” President Aquino wrapped up his 3-day state visit to Canada with a meeting with the members of the Filipino community living and working in Vancouver before flying back to Manila. Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila Garcia said President Aquino’s meeting with the members of the Filipino community “is a recognition of the outstanding contribution of the overseas Filipinos” in the country. “It is also a testament of the Philippine government’s commitment to promote the welfare and advance the interests of all our kababayans overseas,” Ambassador Garcia told Filipino-Canadians here. “Despite being away from home, they have not forgotten our country. In times of great tragedy like Typhoon Haiyan, they quickly mobilized their resources and gave immense contributions to the relief and rehabilitation efforts,” she said. “As Filipinos we keep looking back and keep giving back to our families and communities back in the Philippines. This is why Filipinos here value good and upright governance back home and are very comforted by your leadership and steadfast pursuit for the straight and righteous path,” she added. President Aquino and his official delegation returned to Manila Saturday evening (Sunday in Manila) after completing a successful 3-day state visit to Canada from May 7 to 9 and one-day working visit to Chicago, USA, on May 6. PND (co) | |
| President Aquino trumpets transformation of PHL to Filipino community in Vancouver | |
| (Vancouver, Canada) President Benigno Aquino III has reported the continuing reforms his administration has instituted in the Philippines when he met his “bosses” —- the Filipino community here in Vancouver, Canada on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). In his speech facing hundreds of Filipino Canadians here, President Aquino trumpeted the continuing transformation in the Philippines from being a corrupt country into a progressive nation brought about by good governance. “Aminin ko ho, maski ako, pagkaupo bilang Pangulo, naisip ko ring parang imposibleng solusyunan ang mga problemang minana natin. Para po kasing kada araw, panibagong anomalya at dagdag na problema ang ating nadidiskubre. Pero hindi po tayo sumuko. Sa abot ng ating makakaya, tinutupad natin ang ating panata: Ipamana ang Pilipinas na di hamak na mas maunlad, kaysa ating dinatnan,” the President said. “Maglilimang taon pa nga lang po tayo sa Daang Matuwid, pero nakikita na natin ang transpormasyon ng ating lipunan. Nagagawa na nating posible ang mga dating imposible. Itinututok natin ang paglilingkod, hindi sa sarili, hindi sa gawaing tiwali, kundi sa kapakanan ng mas nakakarami,” he added. President Aquino boasted of the reforms being felt by the country in the economy, justice system, education, trade, employment, infrastructure development, weather forecasting system, and Armed Forces modernization. “Ang tutok natin: ituloy ang ating agenda ng reporma. Kung dati, pangarap lang ang lahat ng ating napagtagumpayan, ngayon totoo na ang mga ito. Tinutugunan na natin ang mga problema, para hindi na ito maipamana pa sa susunod sa atin,” he said. “Pinapalawak natin ang oportunidad sa bansa, at pinaghahandaan ang kinabukasan, para hindi na maging sapilitan ang pangingibang-bayan. Batid natin: Bigyan lang ng pagkakataon, tiyak, magpapakitang-gilas ang Pilipino,” he added. Canada is home to about 700,000 Filipinos. Around 136,000 Filipinos reside in Vancouver. With the presence of British Columbia’s Premier Christy Clark and Minister of National Defense and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney and Minister of International Trade Edward Fast, President Aquino thanked Canada’s government for taking care of the welfare of the Filipinos living and working in Canada. “Their respective works in the aspects of cultural relations and trade have contributed in bringing our two nations closer to each other,” he said. He described Premier Clark as a “partner” of the Filipino people. He cited the Memorandum of Understanding concerning Cooperation in Human Resources Deployment and Development, which the Philippines signed with the Province of British Columbia. “We indeed laud her efforts, and we hope to see more of her initiatives translate to the mutual benefit of our countrymen here, and the rest of the province and its communities,” said the President. In her speech, Premier Clark commended the Filipinos for being “strivers.” “People with a sense of adventure, people who are brave, people who are loyal and patriotic, people with resilience and a capacity for hard work and, most of all, the thing that we know the Filipino community best: strivers,” she said. She also announced the opening of “a million new jobs” in the province in the next seven years. “All of you, all of you can become part of that, should be a part of that in running businesses. In becoming people who are going in inter-trainings — lawyers, doctors, accountants, managers, pipe fitters, drivers, all of those jobs, all of those bleachers are available for British Columbians and people who want to participate,” she told Filipinos. She also referred to temporary migrant workers as “potential new Canadians,” which elicited a loud applause from the crowd. For the part of Minister Kenney, he also welcomed the growing population of Filipinos in Canada under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He said that Canada will continue to work closely with Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, whom he and Clark lauded for efforts to protect the rights of migrant workers in Canada. Kenney said the Philippines will be the top country for Canadian humanitarian development assistance and a priority country for investment and trade. He also reiterated the potential exploratory discussions towards having a free trade agreement between the Philippines and Canada. “One of the decisions we have taken is to support the Filipino communities who are working hard to send remittances back home for their families, and so we decided to set up a framework for accountability, for remittance companies to put forth greater transparency, to encourage them to lower their remittance fees so people can send more of their support back to their families,” he said. Vancouver is the last stop of President Aquino’s 3-day state visit in Canada. He also visited the cities of Ottawa and Toronto. PND (jb) | |
| President Aquino returns from trip to USA, Canada | |
| President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived in Manila early Monday from his state visit to Canada and his working visit to the City of Chicago in the United States. Philippine Airlines flight PR001 that carried the President and his delegation from Vancouver, Canada, touched down at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 3:02 a.m. In his arrival speech, President Aquino said he had the opportunity to thank Canada’s Governor General David Johnston and Prime Minister Stephen Harper for their country’s aid during the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda; its support for the peace process in Mindanao; and for the Canadian government’s move to name the Philippines as a Priority Emerging Market and a Country of Focus, which is expected to result in increased investments from Canada. “Sa ating pakikipag-usap sa pamahalaan ng Canada, lalo pa nilang pinagtibay ang kanilang posisyong patuloy na suportahan ang Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng mga ODA (Official Development Assistance),” he said, noting that Canadian assistance amounted to US$111.95 in 2014. The President also reported that he discussed with Prime Minister Harper measures to strengthen the two countries’ Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). “Nariyan nga po ang offer mula sa Canadian Trade and Development Facility, upang mas epektibong mapasok ng ating small and medium enterprises ang mayabong na merkado ng Canada. Bilang host-economy naman ng APEC, makakatulong po ito sa prayoridad nating pagsulong ng mas masiglang ugnayan ng SMEs sa Asya-Pasipiko,” he said. On security and the fight against crime and terrorism, he said Canada offered to help the government strengthen port security in the Philippines. “Nilagdaan din natin sa Canada ang iba’t ibang kasunduan. Una po riyan ang Philippines-Canada Mutual Accountability Framework, na nagsusulong ng hayag at tapat na ugnayan at pakikipagtulungan sa ating mga bansa. 82 million Canadian dollars po ang indicative budget nila para sa mga inisyatibang saklaw ng kasunduang ito,” he said. Also signed were the memoranda of understanding for occupational safety and health, as well as for human resource deployment and development, aimed at protecting the interests of Filipinos working in Canada. “Nananabik na rin po tayo sa pagsisimula ng exploratory discussions sa posibilidad ng isang free trade agreement katuwang ang Canada. Oras na maisakatuparan ang ganitong kasunduan, pihado po na uunlad pa ang ating kalakalan, at manganganak ito ng trabaho at pagkakataon para sa mga Pilipino,” he said. During his meetings with potential investors in Canada and the US, President Aquino said he promoted the various business opportunities open in the country, particularly those under the Public-Private Partnership. “Sa Chicago, humarap tayo sa mga negosyanteng kasapi sa US Chamber of Commerce, US-ASEAN Business Council, at National Center for APEC; at ang ilan nga po sa kanila, nagpahiwatig ng pagnanais na magpalawig ng operasyon sa ating bansa,” he said. In Toronto, Canada, he met with top banking and insurance companies grouped in the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada, such as Sun Life Financial and Manulife Financial Corporation. “Sa pakikipagpulong natin sa kanila, kasabay ng hangaring i-expand ang mga naturang kompanya sa ating bansa, nabanggit ang posibilidad ng pagtatayo ng catastrophe and agricultural insurance. Pag-aaralan po natin ito, dahil sa malaking pakinabang ng ganitong uri ng serbisyo sa panahon ng sakuna. Pero pruweba lang po ito na talagang nahihimok na natin ang mga tanyag na kompanya na magtaya pa sa ating merkado,” he said. The President further noted that a Canadian company has invested $20 million to build a waste-to-energy facility in the Philippines, which is expected to be completed this year. “Oras na makumpleto, tinatayang aabot sa P8.5 billion ang kabuuang revenue na makakalap ng pamahalaan mula sa pasilidad na ito sa loob ng 30 taon,” he said. Many have expressed interest in the country’s energy, tourism and agricultural sectors, he said. “Ito naman pong biyahe natin, itinuturing nating puhunan para sa kinabukasan ng Pilipino. Kasabay ng pag-uwi ng mga napitas nating positibong bunga ngayon, nakapagpunla rin tayo ng mga binhing pihadong aanihin pa ng sambayanan sa mga darating na panahon,” President Aquino said. At the airport to welcome the President were Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya, Commission on Higher Education Chair Pactricia Licuanan, Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs Manuel Mamba, Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto, and Pasay City Congresswoman Imelda Calixto Rubiano. PND (ag) | |
| President Aquino monitors typhoon, volcano alerts while in North America | |
| President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Monday that he was monitoring the development of Typhoon Dodong and Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon, while he was in North America. “Kahit naman po nasa ibayong-dagat tayo, todo-bantay pa rin tayo sa mga pangyayari sa Pilipinas. Halimbawa lang po nito ang pagpasok ng Bagyong Dodong sa Philippine Area of Responsibility, at maging ang pagsumpong ng Mt. Bulusan,” the President said in his speech, shortly after arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Vancouver, Canada. “Bagaman alam nating inaasikaso ng mga nakatalaga nating ahensya ang mga kababayan natin, di po tayo magiging kampante. Bago tayo makapagpahinga sa ano mang araw ay humihingi tayo ng direktang updates, at binabantayan ang sitwasyon,” he added. According to news reports, Typhoon Dodong (international name Noul), which made landfall on Sunday in the province of Cagayan, has killed two people and forced more than 3,000 residents of Cagayan and Isabela to move to evacuation centers. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the storm, which has maintained its strength, was crossing the Batanes group of islands, as of 11 a.m. on Monday, and is expected to exit on Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has raised the alert level at Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon from 0 (normal) to 1 (abnormal), after a steam-driven explosion was recorded on Wednesday. PND (ag) | |
| President Aquino proud of Filipino communities in Chicago and Canada | |
| President Benigno S. Aquino III has expressed his admiration and gratitude to the Filipino communities in Chicago and Canada during his arrival speech on Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The President had a one-day working visit to Chicago and headed to Canada for a three-day state visit that brought him to Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. Aside from government officials and business executives, President Aquino also met with various Filipino communities, which have made a good and lasting impression both in Chicago and Canada. "Talaga pong nagbabago na ang pagtingin ng mundo, hindi lang sa Pilipinas, kundi maging sa mga kababayan nating namamalagi sa ibang bansa. Naaalala ko po ang mga sinabi sa atin ng mga pinunong tulad nina Mayor Rahm Emanuel ng Chicago, at Premier Christy Clark ng British Columbia. Parang hindi po sila maubusan ng papuri sa mga Pilipino. At sa iba’t ibang komunidad, nagpapakitang-gilas daw po ang mga Pinoy; talagang ramdam ang kanilang presensya at puwersa dahil sa kanilang kontribusyon sa pamayanan at lokal na ekonomiya,” he said. The President also said the meet-and-greet session with overseas Filipino was aimed at personally thanking them for making the Philippines proud. "Kaya nga po, ganoon na lang din ang pasasalamat natin sa mga kababayan natin sa ibayong dagat, na sa iba’t ibang larangan ay talaga namang itinataas ang ating bandila. Isa po ito sa mga dahilan ng pagbisita at pakikipag-kumustahan natin sa Filipino communities sa Chicago, Toronto, Ottawa, at Vancouver. Kung nandoon nga po kayo sa bawat venue, mararamdaman ninyo ang sigla at enerhiya ng ating mga kababayan. Malayo man sa bansa, batid nila ang pagbabagong sama-sama na nating natatamasa. Kasabay nito, ipinaramdam naman nila ang kanilang suporta at kahandaang makiambag pa sa ating agenda ng reporma,” he further said. President Aquino said the government will continue to work hard to ensure a better future for the Filipinos. "Hindi pa tayo kuntento sa mga nakakamit natin ngayon. Tuloy ang pagkayod ng inyong gobyerno. Tuloy ang pagpapalawak ng oportunidad sa pag-asenso sa ating bansa, pati na ang paghahanda sa kinabukasan, nang sa gayon, hindi na maging sapilitan kaninuman ang pangingibang-bayan,” he added. PND (jm) | |
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| On the Helicopter Crash Incident Involving Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan Hon. Domingo D. Lucenario, Jr. - Revised | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department of Foreign Affairs is deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan Hon. Domingo D. Lucenario, Jr. due to a helicopter crash incident in the Naltar Valley area of Pakistan. Ambassador Lucenario was a career ambassador who served the Philippine Government for over 35 years. During his term as Ambassador to Pakistan, relations between the Philippines and Pakistan have enjoyed a robust partnership in various areas of cooperation. Ambassador Lucenario was also the Philippines’ non-resident Ambassador to Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. A lawyer by profession, he served the Department in various capacities including assignments in Germany, Hong Kong, Australia, and as former Philippine Ambassador to Kenya with concurrent jurisdiction to 12 African nations. He was the Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN Habitat). He also served as Deputy Chief of Presidential Protocol under the Ramos Administration aside from various positions in the Home Office. Ambassador Lucenario was one of the few career Filipino diplomats who had the rare distinction of having been awarded by the President of the Philippines with three (3) major Presidential Awards, namely: the Order of Sikatuna Award with the rank of Datu (Gold level) (2009), the Order of Lakandula Award with the rank of Grand Officer (Maringal na Pinuno) (2008), and the Gawad Mabini Award with the rank of Grand Officer (Dakilang Kamanong) (2008). The Department of Foreign Affairs offers its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Ambassador Lucenario at this time of mourning. He is survived by his wife, Lawyer Nida Arada Lucenario and 3 children. Ambassador Lucenario was 54 years old. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pres. Cory Aquino Blvd to support tourism in Bicol | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Development of a boulevard named after President Cory Aquino by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Camarines Norte is seen to support the ecotourism industry in Bicol Region. “We are currently implementing the construction and improvement of newly converted national road, the President Cory Aquino Boulevard, which will serve as an access road to various tourism destinations in the province of Camarines Norte,” said DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson. Five (5) contracts are being undertaken by DPWH Region 5 along the Pres. Cory Aquino Blvd., which will be the longest boulevard in the country when completed at approximately 8.7 kilometers, stretching the towns of Daet, Mercedes to Talisay in Camarines Norte. The projects include the rehabilitation/improvement/construction of San Jose Section in the municipality of Talisay, the Bagasbas Section in Daet, the Mercedes-Bagasbas Road, and the construction of two (2) other bridges. To date, DPWH has accomplished 58% of the programmed projects, completing 5.017 kilometers out of the 8.657 kilometers Pres. Cory Aquino Blvd with the remaining sections proposed for future funding in the amount of P265 million to include the construction of two (2) bridges. The boulevard covers the area declared as a tourism destination by the Department of Tourism (DOT), as it is situated along the fine shores of Bagasbas Beach with a wide boardwalk cast from red semi adobe bricks intended for tourists view deck. When completed, Pres. Cory Aquino Blvd. would further lead local and international visitors to: Calaguas Island in the town of Vinzons, the number one beach destination in Camarines Norte; Bagasbas Beach in Daet, the province’s surfing and kite spot; and to the town of Mercedes, dubbed as the “Fish Bowl Capital” of Bicol. The construction and improvement of Pres. Cory Aquino Blvd. is under the DOT-DPWH Convergence Program for Enhancing Tourism Access, which aims to establish mutual cooperation to jointly undertake the identification, evaluation, prioritization and implementation of tourism infrastructures in declared tourism destinations. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupational safety and health essential to workers in informal economy--Baldoz | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz reminded DOLE partners and stakeholders, including DOLE officials and workers, that occupational safety and health is essential not just for formal sector workers, but more so for workers in the informal economy (WIE). “Workers in the informal economy contribute to the country in many ways. They provide opportunities for short-term employment, especially for workers displaced by economic crisis or calamities, hence, occupational safety and health is important to them and to all of us,” Baldoz said in her remarks read by Undersecretary Ciriaco Lagunzad III at the 2015 Labor Day celebration for WIEs held the other day at the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon City. “These contributions include employment generation and remunerative income for many Filipino workers,” Baldoz added. The celebration, with the theme, Aming Kasanayan, Tungo sa Disenteng Kabuhayan, gave credit to President Benigno S. Aquino III’s 22-point labor and employment agenda to promote inclusive growth for all Filipino workers by providing them decent jobs, as well as productive employment opportunities and compliance to labor standards and occupational safety and health. Based on the January 2015 Labor Force Survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority, workers in the informal economy makes up 39.1 percent, or 14.5 million, of the total employed persons, and are categorized as mostly self-employed and unpaid family workers. They work in various industries like agriculture, forestry, fishing, and services sector. “Sa pamamagitan ng ipinatutupad nating enhanced social protection operational framework and strategy, nakatitiyak kayo na mas mapapaigting pa ng pamahalaan ang mga programa at serbisyo na hindi lamang magpapalawak sa kakayahan, kundi magbibigay rin ng seguridad; magpapabuti sa kondisyon sa paggawa; at tutugon sa iba pang pangangailangan ng mga manggagawa sa inyong sektor,” Baldoz said in Filipino. Occupational safety and health underpins the strategy in ensuring the welfare and promoting the protection of workers in the informal economy, according to Baldoz, and said the Occupational Safety and Health (OSHC) and the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) are the main DOLE agencies pushing for various programs and services for the welfare of these workers. The DOLE, she said, has launched partnerships with the private sector to ensure the protection of informal sector workers, or workers in the vulnerable sector. Among these partnerships are those with the Philippine Commission on Women; Association of Construction and Informal Workers (ACIW); and Pambansang Tagapag-ugnay ng mga Manggagawa sa Bahay (PATAMABA). “To these organizations, I would like to thank them for helping the DOLE and its agencies and bureaus to deliver occupational safety and health services to the informal sector,” said Baldoz, who also cited the OSHC’s free 40-hour Construction Safety Training for small-scale companies and the Basic Occupational Safety and Health Training. “These are mandatory training for safety officers which the DOLE pushes hard to assure zero work-related accidents in the workplace. Our goal is widen the reach of this service to the country’s far-flung, rural areas,” she explained. She bared that in 2015, over 800 workers in the informal economy benefited from these training. “I am proud of our strategies to ensure safety and health in the workplace. Other countries, such as Nepal, admire our safety and health practices that they desire to replicate and apply these in their own,” Baldoz said. During the celebration, the DOLE, through the TESDA, awarded P500 cash vouchers to more than 200 WIEs beneficiaries who will use the vouchers to for Competency Assessment and Certification for their skills, such as computer technician, electrical and installation maintenance, carpentry, painting, scaffolding, plumbing, and masonry—skills that Baldoz noted require the practice of safety and health in the workplace. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Baldoz exhorts ASEAN labor officials to protect migrant workers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis Baldoz yesterday urged the senior labor officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) to extend needed protection to migrant workers, especially those who became undocumented not because of their fault, and thus become victims of exploitation, abuse, and violence. In her message to the 11th Senior Labor Officials Meeting (SLOM) read by Undersecretary Reydeluz Conferido, Secretary Baldoz invoked in her call the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers “As stipulated in the ASEAN Declaration, receiving states and the sending states shall, for humanitarian reasons, closely cooperate to resolve the cases of migrant workers who, through no fault of their own, have subsequently become undocumented,” Baldoz said. The labor and employment chief’s message also emphasized the upholding of the fundamental rights and dignity of migrant workers and family members already residing with them, without undermining the application by the receiving states of their laws, regulations, and policies. Baldoz also emphasized the obligation of receiving states to “provide migrant workers, who may be victims of discrimination, abuse, exploitation, or violence, with adequate access to the legal and judicial systems of the receiving states.” She said that with the establishment of the ASEAN community, mobility will be inevitable in the ASEAN member-countries’ shared borders, with a 14-day visa-free entry privilege among our citizens, and with a single market and production base. “There may be an inescapable reality expected in the integrated economic community, and this is an increase in intra-ASEAN migration—both through documented, partly documented, and undocumented channels. ASEAN authorities need to have practical procedures and protocols for dealing with the reality of migrants who have become undocumented through no fault of their own,” Baldoz added. Urging the SLOM to ‘build on past accomplishments’, Baldoz recalled the groundwork established during the 26th ASEAN Summit last April in Kuala Lumpur where ASEAN leaders recognized the contribution of migrant workers to both the ASEAN society and economy, and further reminding the task given to the ASEAN Labor Ministers to continue working on the finalization of an ASEAN Instrument in the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers. She observed that a purely legalistic response from respective ASEAN counties may not offer effective solutions to migration problems, saying there should be a coordinating mechanism that will enable various government agencies to discharge their respective roles in the concerted pursuit for justice. The Philippines, through the Department of Labor and Employment, hosts this year’s biennial SLOM. Department of Labor and Employment Undersecretary Conferido, who led the Philippine Delegation in the meeting, commended the SLOM members for their continuing efforts in helping fast-track and monitor the programs of ASEAN Labor Ministers Meeting (ALMM). Senior labor officials from ASEAN member states, Japan, Korea, and China, including the officials of the ASEAN Secretariat, International Labor Organization, and International Organization for Migration, is in Manila for the 4-7 SLOM to tackle ASEAN Community Vision 2025, the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint, the ASEAN Labor Ministers’ Work Program 2016-2020, including the workplans for SLOM, ASEAN Committee on Migrant Workers, and the ASEAN Occupational Safety and Health Network, and the ASEAN human resources competitiveness. The SLOM will also discuss cooperation initiatives with the ILO, and increased mobility of skilled labor agenda with the IOM. Usec. Conferido underscored the SLOM’s vital support of the ASEAN member states in pushing for the development of employment generation, labour market monitoring, labour mobility, social protection, tripartite cooperation, and occupational safety and health. “We look forward to a more strengthened ASEAN inter-governmental cooperation as China, Korea, and Japan, join the SLOM, thus, the SLOM + 3 takes place on the third day of the meeting,” Conferido added. The Senior Labor Officials Meeting (SLOM), along with the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers, forms part of the ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting (ALMM), and constitutes the larger Sectorial Ministerial Bodies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation or the ASEAN. The ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting (ALMM) is held every two years. Under the ALMM is the Senior Labour Officials Meeting (SLOM) which monitors the progress of implementation of the ALM Programme. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Direct Investments Grow by 17.9 Percent in February 2015; Year-to-Date Net Inflows Reach US$622 Million | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph/ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign direct investments (FDI) rose by 17.9 percent in February 2015 to reach US$359 million from US$305 million in the same period the previous year. 1,2 ; This was due largely to the 184.7 percent increase in net equity capital to US$179 million as gross equity capital placements expanded by 103.6 percent while withdrawals declined by 59.4 percent. The bulk of these equity capital investments—emanating mainly from the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, Japan and Singapore—was channeled primarily to manufacturing; electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply; financial and insurance; transportation and storage; and professional, scientific and technical activities. Meanwhile, non-residents’ investments in debt instruments (or lending by parent companies abroad to their local affiliates to fund existing operations and business expansion) amounting to US$122 million were lower by 29.5 percent compared to the level registered in the same month in 2014. Similarly, reinvestment of earnings decreased by 15.9 percent to US$58 million. On a year-to-date basis, FDI net inflows reached US$622 million in the first two months of the year. This, however, was 48.6 percent lower than the US$1.2 billion net inflows recorded in the same period last year as all FDI components posted lower net inflows. Non-residents’ investments in debt instruments, which accounted largely for the decline, contracted by 61.8 percent (from US$757 million to US$289 million) due to lower debt availments during the period January-February 2015. Net equity capital also declined by 22.4 percent (from US$264 million to US$205 million). Equity capital investments during the period—which came mostly from the United States, Spain, Singapore, Japan and Germany—were channeled mainly to manufacturing; electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply; financial and insurance; real estate; and transportation and storage activities. Meanwhile, reinvestment of earnings for the first two months of 2015 reached US$128 million, lower by 32.1 percent. ----------- 1 The BSP adopted the Balance of Payments, 6th edition (BPM6) compilation framework effective 22 March 2013 with the release of the full-year 2012 and revised 2011 BOP statistics. On 21 March 2014, the BSP released the BPM6-based series from 2005-2013. The major change in FDI compilation is the adoption of the asset and liability principle, where claims of non-resident direct investment enterprises from resident direct investors are now presented as reverse investment under net incurrence of liabilities/non-residents’ investments in the Philippines (previously presented in the Balance of Payments Manual, 5th edition (BPM5) as negative entry under assets/residents’ investments abroad). Conversely, claims of resident direct investment enterprises from foreign direct investors are now presented as reverse investment under net acquisition of financial assets/residents’ investments abroad (previously presented as negative entry under liabilities/non-residents’ investments in the Philippines). 2 BSP statistics on FDI covers actual investment inflows, which could be in the form of equity capital, reinvestment of earnings, and borrowings between affiliates. In contrast to investment data from other government sources, the BSP’s FDI data include investments where ownership by the foreign enterprise is at least 10 percent. Meanwhile, FDI data of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) do not make use of the 10 percent threshold and include borrowings from foreign sources that are non-affiliates of the domestic company. Furthermore, the BSP’s FDI data are presented in net terms (i.e., equity capital placements less withdrawals), while the IPAs’ FDI do not account for equity withdrawals. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BSP Rediscount Rates for May 2015 and Availments as of April 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The BSP announced today the applicable Peso Rediscount Facility and Exporters Dollar and Yen Rediscount Facility (EDYRF) rates for the month of May 2015 and loan availments as of end April 2015.
The Peso Rediscount Facility rates for Rediscounting Windows (RWs) I and II for May 2015 are as follows:
The Peso rediscount rates for RW I and RW II are based on the applicable BSP one-month repurchase rate and overnight reverse repurchase rate, respectively, plus term premia for longer maturities per Circular No. 806 dated 15 August 2013. These rates have been in effect since 15 September 2014 and will remain until the policy rates are revised.
The following are the rates for the month of May for loans under the EDYRF:
The EDYRF rates are based on the respective 90-day London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) as of 30 April 2015 plus 200 basis points plus term premia for longer maturities pursuant to Circular No. 807 dated 15 August 2013.
Under the Peso Rediscount Facility, the total availments of thrift and rural banks amounted to P80 million for the period 01 January to 30 April 2015, which is 86.0 percent lower than the P572 million total for the same period last year. Out of the aggregate availments for the period, 66.4 percent went to commercial credits, 6.4 percent to production credits and 27.2 percent to other credits consisting of housing (11.8 percent), permanent working capital (8.2 percent) and CAPEX (7.2 percent).
Under the EDYRF, total dollar availments of a universal bank for the period 01 January to 30 April 2015 amounted to US$0.7 million and benefitted one exporter. This represents a 75.0 percent decrease in availments compared to the US$2.8 million grants for the same period last year. There was no Yen-denominated availment under EDYRF for the subject period in 2015, nor for the same period last year.
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| 14 evacuation centers still open for ‘Dodong’ evacuees | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A total of 1,025 families or 3,744 persons from 36 barangays in Cagayan Valley and Isabela have been affected by Typhoon Dodong and sought temporary shelter in 27 evacuation centers set up in the two provinces. As of 2 am today, only 14 evacuation centers remain open in the two hardest hit provinces and continue providing temporary shelter to 607 families or 2,159 persons. The families who have evacuated at the height of the typhoon have been allowed to return to their homes after their communities have been declared safe. The evacuation centers which remain open are located in the towns of Aparri, Calayan, Gonzaga, and Sta. Ana in Cagayan; and in Benito Soliven and Divilacan in Isabela. Social workers from DSWD-Field Office II are assisting local government units (LGUs) in managing the evacuation centers. Aside from the provision of food packs and hot meals at the evacuation centers, there are also available facilities for the evacuees such as family tents, multi-purpose tents, portalets, water containers, water treatment plants, and transformers. At the same time, some 95 families or 425 persons who opted to stay in their relatives’ or friends’ houses are also being provided with family food packs. Disaster teams from DSWD-Field Office II continue to coordinate with concerned LGUs to further assess the extent of the typhoon and to provide resource and personnel augmentation, when needed. - See more at: http://www.dswd.gov.ph/2015/05/14-evacuation-centers-still-open-for-dodong-evacuees/#sthash.e2QWYWrW.dpuf | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DSWD prepositions relief supplies at local level | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that it has already prepositioned relief supplies in the provinces, cities and municipalities along the path of Typhoon Dodong to ensure faster delivery to families that will be affected by the cyclone. In a press briefing this morning at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRM), the country’s weather bureau, PAG-ASA, reported that ‘Dodong’ ‘s’ track is directed towards Cagayan in the town of Sta. Ana. With this, DSWD-Field Office II continues to be on alert with members of its Quick Response Team (QRT) ready to be deployed to assist local government units in disaster operations and management of evacuation centers. The Field Office has an available 26,729 family food packs. Of this, 16,685 packs have already been propositioned to the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Viscaya. To replenish the level of its stockpile of goods, the Field-Office also continues to repack family food packs using available resources that include 2,373 sacks of NFA rice and 2,021 boxes of assorted canned goods. Meanwhile, DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman has instructed for the deployment of additional personnel at the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City, the Department’s main relief hub and operations center to help in the over all disaster management and response. Continuous repacking of goods is also being undertaken at NROC where a number of volunteers from Hewlett Packard Philippines and from the Philippine Navy helped repack goods. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Statement by Sec. Florencio B. Abad on Marilyn Suñas claim | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| “It has come to my office’s attention that Ms. Suñas named me as a Napoles ‘client’ in her testimony before the Sandiganbayan Third Division today. This is a surprising development, because when she last mentioned my name, it was to deny that I had transacted with Napoles. If you recall, this contradicts her earlier statement that I was a ‘client,’ as she explicitly said in her November 2013 affidavit. “It appears that Ms. Suñas is prone to giving inconsistent testimony, and that alone raises serious questions on her credibility. We also find it curious that her story doesn’t even match Napoles’ supposed timeline. “It is crucial now that we establish the truth, and it’s unfortunate that Ms. Suñas is doing the exact opposite. Her statements against me are untrue, and I have no doubt that this will be proven soundly in the course of the investigation.” | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manila solons: We owe it to fellow Filipinos in Mindanao to pass BBL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| QUEZON CITY – Caloocan City Representative Edgar Erice said that Congress owes it to our fellow Filipinos in Mindanao to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). “Basta tayo sa Kongreso gawin natin yung trabaho natin, ibigay natin yung para sa mga kababayan nating Muslim (For us in Congress, let’s do our job and give our Muslim countrymen what they deserve),” Erice said during a forum on the proposed law organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Metro Manila Development at the Microtel Hotel, Quezon City last April 7. “I also sympathize with our Muslim brothers. Before they [were the] majority in Mindanao, now they have five small poor provinces and I think we really owe them, that we give these five small poor provinces to them,” Erice emphasized. According to Erice, his support is despite the fact that most of the district representatives in the National Capital Region were not members of the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL. “We'll really be relying heavily on the Ad Hoc Committee report on the BBL,” Erice admitted. “So hanggat di namin makikita, mababasa, mapag-aaralan yung Ad Hoc Committee report (So until we see, read, and study the Ad Hoc Committee report), we'll have a very limited knowledge of the discussions, the pros and cons of the issues raised.” However, Erice said “I would like to believe that our Constitution is alive and it should be able to unite our people whether we have divergent views, different religion or culture, dapat ma-unite niya yung ating mga kababayan, ang mga Pilipino (it should unite our countrymen, all Filipinos),” commenting on the contentious provisions of the BBL. Quezon City Representative Winston Castelo noted the importance of the proposed BBL, and emphasized that the forum was organized to aid Metro Manila legislators especially when voting on the proposed law comes. “The very intention of this forum is to discuss the controversial provisions of the bill…so that we as legislators may enrich our understanding of the bill,” Castelo said. Present during the forum were Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel chair Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, GPH panel member former Agriculture Secretary Senen Bacani, and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal. Aside from Castelo and Erice, members of the House Committee present at the forum were Representatives Francisco Calalay Jr., Benjamin Asilo, Rodolfo Biazon, Carlo Lopez, Romero Federico Quimbo, Enrico Echiverri, Juan Johnny Revilla, Marcelino Teodoro, Jose Cristopher Belmonte, Eric Olivarez, and Alfredo Vargas III. Ferrer appealed to the legislators to put themselves in the shoes of the Bangsamoro in order to understand what the BBL aims to achieve, which is to close the gap between those in "the metropolitan core of the Republic of the Philippines" and the minority Muslim population in the periphery. She also noted that the Constitution clearly provided for more powers to the autonomous region compared to regional development councils and to a metropolitan authority such as the Metro Manila Development Authority. "Autonomous regions are special because of their distinct historical, social and economic features," she said, citing provisions in the Constitution. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roxas calls for prudent use of Bottom-Up Budgeting, PCF funds | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas on Thursday called for the prudent use of taxpayers' money made available for various anti-poverty and disaster risk reduction projects under the Bottom-up Budgeting (BUB) program and the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF), an incentive fund to jumpstart and sustain socioeconomic development initiatives of local governments. Roxas unveiled a list of anti-poverty projects lined up in Morong, Bataan, during a meeting with members of civil society organizations (CSOs). Funded mostly through the BUB and PCF, the projects involve repairs, rehabilitation and construction of farm-to-market roads (FMR) worth around P5.6 million. They are expected to benefit farming and fishing communities in different sitios and barangays. These include FMR projects funded through the BUB in Sitio Karanawan, Barangay Binaritan costing P553,000; from Sitio Bubuurin to Nagbalayong Proper with drainage improvement costing P180,000; Sitio Minanga, Barangay Mabayo worth P585,000; Sitio Bayandati, Barangay Nagbalayong worth P360,000; Sitio Pagasa, Barangay Sabang worth P990,000; Sitio Sabatan Barangay Sabang worth P900,000; Sitio San Isidro II, Sabang worth P1.1 million; and an Asphalt Overlay project in Mabini Extension, Bernabe Village worth P1 million funded through the PCF. He said the project lists in Morong were drawn up by the LGU and communities through the Local Poverty Reduction Action Team (LPRAT) that evaluated their needs. “Ang bawat isang nakalista diyan, kayo ang pumili. Kayo ang nagdesisyon. Totoong sa Daang Matuwid, kayo ang boss,” he said. Roxas also called for solidarity among the LGUs and people in the communities to move forward towards development. “Kung solid tayo, malayo ang mararating natin. Walang iwanan. Hindi ko kayo iiwanan. Hindi ko kayo makakalimutan,” he said. Earlier, he visited Balanga City to inspect a flood-prevention project in Barangay West Cupang, where he lauded local officials and members of civil society organizations and community-based groups, for choosing wisely the project that protects them against threats of flooding. “Imbis na magarang gusali, pinili n’yo ang flood-control project para sa inyong proteksyon,” Roxas who is also the vice chairman for preparedness of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), said. Roxas was told by local officials in Balanga City that for a year now, city residents have not experienced flooding because of the completed projects. Roxas was in Bataan on Thursday to visit ongoing and completed projects being implemented in the province, with the DILG taking the lead in Project Management. The DILG chief first visited a Level II (communal faucet) Water Project in Barangay Payangan in the Municipality of Dinalupihan where he distributed checks for various anti-poverty projects in five local government units (LGUs) and a PCF-funded flood control project in Barangay Central, Balanga City along Cupang River; and PCF-funded rehabilitation of canal with concrete cover in Brgy Cupang West.Roxas said the projects are expected to help improve the lives of people in the communities, particularly farmers and fishermen, while ensuring their safety and survival against natural calamities, and lauded the people for carefully choosing their local leaders. “Kayo ang pumili ng mga pinuno na nagtaguyod ng good governance. Kayo ang nagmatyag at nagsiguro na maaabot ang standards ng Seal of Good Housekeeping,” he said. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Growing global SMEs a priority; DTI advances SME Action Agenda in APEC MRT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consistent with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2015 theme, "Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World," the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) moved to mainstream the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and micro enterprises (MEs) in the Second APEC Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM2) which will be held from 10 to 21 May and in the First Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting from 23 to 24 May on the island of Boracay, Aklan. DTI-Industry Development Group (IDG) Undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. and APEC 2015 Philippine MRT said that the MRT Meeting will focus on the Philippines’ priorities on continuing initiatives to SMEs and MEs through its APEC SME Action Agenda. Chaired by DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo, the MRT meeting will have Trade Ministers exchanging views on important trade and investment issues, which include trade and investment liberalization and facilitation and economic and technical cooperation to promote APEC’s 2015 theme of inclusive growth in the Asia-Pacific region. “The APEC Action Agenda on Growing Global SMEs calls for economic cooperation in APEC for inclusive growth through fostering participation of SMEs and MEs in regional and global markets. Emphasis will be on initiatives that are geared on the development and integration of micro, small, or artisanal enterprises into the trading system. Putting the interests of micro and small enterprises on top of our economic priorities is what the DTI under the leadership of Secretary Gregory Domingo is advocating We are working towards galvanizing support of member economies to utilize trade facilitation, trade finance, and e-commerce as a means to develop dynamic and global SMEs and MEs,” Cristobal said. He added that because “SMEs as part of Global Value Chains (GVCs)” have already been receiving a lot of attention from governments, and most especially from the large businesses, it is very important to include MEs and the artisanal in their focus. In the Philippines, SMEs and MEs represent 98% of all registered businesses in the country, employ about 60% of the workforce, and accounts for about a third of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). According to Cristobal, the Philippine proposal contained in the APEC Action Agenda on Growing Global SMEs takes into account APEC’s work on SME capacity building and internationalization/participation in global value chains (GVCs), and tries to build on this by now focusing APEC work towards SMEs as direct participants of cross-border trade. The Agenda proposes prioritizing actions on the simplification of procedural and documentary requirements for SMEs and MEs; identifying initiatives that will allow them to take advantage of e-commerce platforms and training; encouraging trade through the online publication of trade and tariff procedures and requirements; discussing ways on how to encourage their participation in Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) and trusted trade programs; exploring innovative financing options; as well as strengthening institutional support. The Second APEC SOM or SOM2, on the other hand, will convene senior officials from each member economy to continue discussions in developing each technical working group’s key priorities and concrete deliverables leading up to the MRT. Senior officials, who participated in the APEC SOM1 held at Clark, Pampanga in February this year, expressed their broad support of the Philippines’ priorities and initiatives –including building the competitiveness and productivity of SMEs and MEs. “Trade should be convenient, efficient, and attractive not only for medium and large business, but also for micro and small enterprises. It should result into more productive employment opportunities, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and for its benefits to be spread more widely. That’s why we want to ensure that the outcome for APEC 2015 involves our trade facilitation priorities and, at the same time, be beneficial to all participants. Ultimately, we want to bridge the gap between developing and developed APEC economies by further opening trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific Region,” explained Cristobal. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strong Farmers’ Organization Key To Rural Dev’t – DAR Chief | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AGRARIAN Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes urged various groups of agrarian reform beneficiaries inside the Hacienda Luisita to strengthen their organizations, saying that a strong farmers’ organization is the key to spurring rural development. De los Reyes said that a cohesive farmers’ organization serves as magnet for greater government assistance. The lack of it, however, would make any assistance extended to them unproductive. He likened the various government agencies to “midwives” who help “mothers,” representing farmers’ organizations, deliver “children,” in this case, the goods that they produce. “Sooner or later, the medical staff, from the doctors to midwives down to the nurses, will go to attend to others, but not after ensuring that the ‘mothers’ are healthy enough to fend for themselves and direct their own future,” De los Reyes said in a speech during the Farmers Field School graduation rites at the Barangay Mapalacsiao Hall inside the Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac City. Thirty-four farmer-beneficiaries, nine of them women, received their certificate of completion of the six-month course on proper corn farming, which started in November last year.may 11 2015 2 The DAR chief said the farmers’ organizations hold the key to rural development for they are the ones doing the harnessing of agricultural lands, with the government providing only the needed technical assistance and equipment to get them the desired result – increased productivity. He admitted that it is not easy to organize a group of individuals with different personalities, “but once you, farmer-beneficiaries, manage to run your affairs as an organization on your own you are as good as the management that were used to, from which you used to take orders. This time, you are the ones taking in charge.” De los Reyes said there are many economic benefits to gain when farmers organize themselves into a cohesive organization. For one, he explained, financing institutions normally prefer to deal with an organization because they will be talking only to a handful of farmers’ representatives rather than to individual farmer. “It’s also advantageous when dealing to traders as an organization as prices of farm inputs are much lower when bought by bulk, while farm outputs command higher prices,” he stressed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Victims of Ergo Cha Milk Tea positive for Oxalic Acid - PNP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://pnp.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Victims of the sensational case Ergo Cha Milk Tea House food poisoning were found to be positive for Oxalic Acid. According to PNP Crime Laboratory (PNPCL) Director, Chief Superintendent Theresa Ann Cid, Ms. Suzaine Dagohoy’s cadaver was tested positive for Oxalic Acid based on the findings of forensics from the PNP Crime Laboratory in Camp Crame, Quezon City. Based on medical records of the victims as reported by the Manila Police District Crime Laboratory Office (MPDCLO), Ms. Dagohoy from her Post Mortem Examination could have died due to “shock probably secondary to ingestion of toxic substance”. In a report, MPD Director Chief Superintendent Rolando Z Nana stated that the blood and stomach contents of Mr. William Abrigo, owner of Egro Cha Milk Tea House, are positive to the test for Oxalic Acid per MPDCLO Chemistry Report, which was confirmed by the findings of the PNPCL. Moreover, Mr. Arnold Aydalla’s Medical Certificate as issued by the Philippine General Hospital stated that he was diagnosed for “Toxic Ingestion of Unknown Substance.” PCSupt Nana said that the milk tea, powder (Hokkaido), and syrup, which were recovered by MPD from the crime scene, were found to be positive for Oxalic Acid per examination conducted by the CHEMPRO Analytical Services Laboratories, Inc., a private laboratory analyzing various types of samples, through the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). According to PCSupt Cid, Oxalic Acid is a poisonous, colorless substance and will not be easily determined when dissolved in water or beverages. “About 10 µg/mL (micrograms per milliliter) of oxalic acid is considered dangerous amount. The average human body contains approximately four (4) liters of blood, therefore, it will only take about 40mg of oxalic acid to poison a human body which can potentially lead to a person’s death.” PCSupt Cid added.(PNP-PIO) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NEDA signs Mutual Accountability Framework with Canada, cites development cooperation opportunities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OTTAWA, CANADA— The Philippines expects greater opportunities to strengthen its poverty reduction programs and promote broad-based growth while enhancing its diplomatic affairs and economic ties with Canada with the signing of the Mutual Accountability Framework (MAF) between the governments of the Philippines and Canada, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). “Linking development priorities and goals between the Philippine and Canadian governments will help ensure sustainability of strategies under the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016, which have already produced significant results for the Philippine economy,” said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan. The NEDA Director-General signed the MAF with Canada in behalf of the Philippine government on May 8, 2015 during President Benigno S. Aquino III’s three-day state visit in the country. This is the third MAF that Canada has signed with another government and the first that it has signed with an Asian country. The other two MAFs were with Senegal and Ghana. The Philippines-Canada MAF’s objective is to establish the shared desire between the Philippine and Canadian governments to support broad-based and sustainable economic growth. This will be done through creating available resources in support of programs, projects, and activities that will create employment, significantly reduce vulnerabilities to poverty, and improve the quality of life of all Filipinos. The framework seeks to program an annual indicative amount for Canada’s bilateral development assistance to the Philippines worth CAD$12 million for fiscal year (FY) 2015-2016, CAD$15 million in FY 2016-2017, CAD$17 million in 2017-2018, and CAD$20 million annually in FY 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. “The continuing support of Canada is very important in our effort to make growth inclusive and disaster-resilient and to deepen good governance reforms,” Balisacan said. The MAF is expected to contribute to a more disaster-resilient and gender-responsive enabling environment at national and sub-national levels of government. It also intends to increase economic opportunities for low-skilled workers, micro-entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers, and especially on youth, women, and marginalized groups. Also, the mutual commitments in the MAF will level the expectations of both governments, particularly on the development cooperation processes, and thus may address specific programmatic and governance concerns. These will further increase transparency and accountability for results of Philippines-Canada development cooperation programs. On June 27, 2014, the Canadian government elevated the Philippines as “Country of Focus” in its bilateral programming towards eradicating global poverty. As of December 2014, Canada has an active or ongoing Official Development Assistance portfolio of US$111.95 million, which are all grants, for 47 projects in the Philippines. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DA-PRDP pushes for environmentally friendly and socially sound projects | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.da.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department of Agriculture (DA) will work closely with other government agencies to ensure that construction of infrastructure and various activities undertaken for different sub-projects of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) maintain social and environmental decorum. Under the P27.5-billion PRDP, all proposed sub-projects are required to undergo environmental and social assessments as part of their feasibility studies and business plans. The assessment, which is part of the feasibility study reports should contain information about the environmental and social conditions of the sub-project site and allow the proponent to prepare the Environmental and Social Management or Mitigation Plans. As such, the Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Unit of the DA-PRDP will carry on strict guidelines to ensure that project activities do not pose threats to the environment, indigenous people, and project affected persons. “These set of rules seeks to safeguard the environment and local dwellers where sub-projects will be implemented,” PRDP National Deputy Director Arnel de Mesa announced. As part of the requirements for approval of the sub-projects proposed under the DA-PRDP, the Local Government Units (LGUs) must secure environmental clearances and documents declaring that locals affected by the project implementation are rightfully consulted and compensated. With this, the DA-PRDP will work closely with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) to ensure that permits and clearances prerequisite to the implementation of sub-projects are submitted. (Catherine Nanta, InfoACE NPCO) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern Visayas workers receive pay hikes; 10 other Regional Wage Boards reviews wage situation as wage orders reach anniversary dates | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said that 10 wage orders in as many regions have reached the anniversary dates of issuance and, therefore, their respective Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) are already assessing the socio-economic conditions in these regions. "The concerned wage boards in these regions are already in various stages of review, assessment, and consultations the results of which are to form as one of the basis for a decision on the wage issue," Baldoz said. In Eastern Visayas, the labor and employment chief said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) had issued Wage Order No. RBVIII-18 which grants a two-tranche P14.50-increase in the daily wage of workers in the non-plantation sector of the sugar industry; provides for the integration into the basic pay of the existing P15 cost-of-living allowance (COLA) ordered in the previous W.O. No. RBVIII-16; and a P6 increase in the daily wage rates of retail and service workers employed in establishments with 10 workers and below. “This latest wage order also provides that all private sector workers in the region shall continue to receive the P7 cost-of-living allowance prescribed in the previous W.O. No. RBVIII-17 issued in October 2012,” Baldoz explained. She noted that the wage order, in effect, eliminates wage rates that are below the poverty daily threshold, a goal in the first tier of the two-tiered wage reform system that the DOLE has been pursuing. The RTWPB in Eastern Visayas has motu proprio adjusted the pay of non-plantation sugar industry workers from P221 to P228 under the new wage order, while plantation workers in the sugar industry will have their wage rates adjusted from P228 to P235 per day. Sugar plantation the region is concentrated in the western part of Leyte with about 14,000 workers. Baldoz also explained that the regions whose wage orders have reached one year or are nearing their anniversary dates were the Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions 1, 2, 4-A, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). "The concerned wage boards in these regions are already in different stages of consultations as basis for a decision on the wage issue," said Baldoz, adding that in arriving at a decision to adjust minimum wages, the RTWPBs—which are composed of representatives from the labor and employer sectors, as well as representatives of the regional offices of the DOLE, Department of Trade and Industry, and National Economic Development Authority—take into consideration the impact of changes in the consumer price index (CPI), or inflation rates, among other factors, on workers’ purchasing power. The prevailing wage order of the Cordillera Administrative Region has reached a year old on 3 February and the wage board there has already conducted public hearings, the latest of which was on 17 April. In Region 1, its existing wage order reached its anniversary date on 5 February and the wage board has scheduled public hearings on 18 May in Vigan; 19 May in San Fernando, La Union; and on 20 May in Dagupan City. In Region 2, the second tranche of the increase provided in the existing wage order took effect on 1 January 2015. In the CALABARZON region, the anniversary date of the existing wage order was last 1 1 May, while in Region 5, on 16 January 2015. In Region 7, the wage board has already schedules provincial consultations on 14 May in Tagbilarab City; on 21 May in Dumaguete City; on 11 June in Bogo City; and on 18 June in Cebu City. The existing anniversary date of the wage order in Region 11 is near approaching, on June 1; while in the ARMM, the anniversary date of the existing wage order was on 1 February. Meanwhile, the wage orders existing in Regions 9 and 10 have yet to issue a wage order after granting wage increases on 10 June 2013 and 20 June 2013, respectively, but in the case of Region 10, the wage board has already concluded a public hearing last 17 April. Secretary Baldoz said that comparing real minimum wages upon the effectivity of a wage order to its level one year after is used as basis for computing the amount needed to restore erosion, if any, in the real minimum wage. She also said that the wage boards also consult with other government agencies, as well as with employers and labor organizations, in their conduct of studies to determine if prevailing wage and socio-economic conditions would warrant wage adjustments, as the wage rules provide. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Baldoz urges workers in informal economy to develop skills to enhance employability | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph/ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday urged workers in the informal economy to widen and develop their skills so they could enhance their employability and, thus, improve their living conditions. In her keynote address read by Undersecretary Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III at the commemoration of Labor Day for Workers in the Informal Economy, held at the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon City, Baldoz said: “Isasaalang-alang natin ang pangkasalukuyang layunin ng ating pamahalaan na palawigin pa ang kaalaman at kakayahan ng mga manggagawa sa impormal na ekonomiya upang magkaroon ng disenteng kabuhayan ang nakararami sa inyo. Kaakibat ng layunin na ito ay ang adhikain na sabay-sabay na mai-angat ang estado ng pamumuhay ng lahat ng mamamayan.” Over 200 workers in the informal economy attended the whole-day event, which ran on the theme, “Aming Kasanayan Tungo Sa Disenteng Kabuhayan”. In her address, Baldoz said skills enhancement is also a way for workers in the informal sector to equip themselves and be ready for the implementation of the ASEAN integration this year. “Bagamat ito ay magbubukas ng maraming oportunidad sa bansa, nananatiling hamon pa din sa pamahalaan na tiyaking handa ang ating mga manggagawa upang makasabay sa kumpetisyon na dulot nito. Kaya naman pina-iigting natin ang mga programa na makapagbibigay ng sapat na kaalaman, kakayahan, at oportunidad sa mga manggagawa,” said Baldoz. In the Philippines, workers in the informal sector (WIS) constitute a big portion of the country’s labor force or 39.1 percent of the total employed workers based on the January 2015 Labor Force Survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority. Workers in this sector are in various industries, such as agriculture, forestry, fishing and services. Baldoz assured the participants in the event that the enhanced social protection operational framework and strategy of the government guarantees an intensified implementation of programs and services that will enhance the capabilities and provide protection to workers in the informal sector. One of these programs and services is the provision of opportunities for short-term employment, especially to workers displaced by economic crisis/calamities. During the event, the DOLE National Capital Region conducted an orientation for the informal workers on the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program. Also, the DOLE, through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) distributed cash vouchers to 70 informal workers for competency assessment and certification. The skills which will be assessed by the Association of Construction and Informal Workers (ACIW) included those of computer technician, electrical and installation maintenance, carpentry, painting, scaffolding, plumbing, and masonry. To the recipients of the cash vouchers, Baldoz told them: “Kayo po ang dahilan kung bakit kami ay pursigidong mamuhunan sa pamamagitan ng mga programa at serbisyo sapagkat kami ay naniniwala na ang ating mga manggagawa ang may kakayahan na lumikha ng yaman tungo sa pag-unlad ng ating bayan,” said Baldoz. She urged the ACIW to work hand-in-hand with DOLE to promote social protection and improve the employability of their members through skills enhancement. “Kailangan lang natin ang malakas at matibay na “partnership” o pagtutulungan, upang makamit natin ang ating layunin--ang patuloy na matulungan ang ating mga manggagawa at kababayan upang makahanap ng disente at maayos na pagkakakitaan,” she said. The TESDA also conducted skills demonstration on food processing, flower arrangement, fashion accessories-making, and bag- and wallet-making during the one-day event. The Labor Day Celebration for Workers in the Informal Economy is aimed at giving due recognition to the economic and social contributions of workers in the informal sector and to strengthen their competitiveness and employability. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| End-April 2015 GIR level rises to US$80.8 billion | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preliminary data showed that the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) rose to US$80.8 billion as of end-April 2015, compared to the end-March 2015 GIR of US$80.5 billion, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. announced today.1 The US$0.3 billion increase in reserves was due mainly to the National Government’s (NG) net foreign currency deposits and the BSP’s income from investments abroad. These were partially offset by the NG’s payments for its maturing foreign exchange obligations and revaluation adjustments on the BSP’s gold holdings. The end-April 2015 GIR level remains ample as it can cover 10.6 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and income. It is also equivalent to 4.8 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 3.7 times based on residual maturity.2 Net international reserves (NIR), which refer to the difference between the BSP’s GIR and total short-term liabilities, also increased to US$80.8 billion as of end-April 2015, compared to the end-March 2015 NIR of US$80.4 billion. --------------------- 1 The final data on GIR are released to the public every 19th day of the month in the Statistics section of the BSP’s website under the Special Data Dissemination Standards (SDDS). If the 19th day of the month falls on a weekend or is a non-working holiday, the release date shall be the working day nearest to the 19th. 2 Short-term debt based on residual maturity refers to outstanding external debt with original maturity of one year or less, plus principal payments on medium- and long-term loans of the public and private sectors falling due within the next 12 months. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial Literacy Summit 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. highlights the importance of financial literacy for millennials during the Financial Literacy Summit on 15 April 2015 at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Millennials, those aged 15-34 years old, make up 35% of the Philippine population and 47.8% of the workforce. Financial capability for this generation is important as they are and will be moving to be key decision makers in business and industry. Forming the panel with the Governor are (from left) Canada’s Financial Consumer Agency Commissioner Lucie Tedesco; Australia’s Parliament Secretary, Honorable Steven Ciobo MP; and Haiti’s Banque de la République d'Haiti (Central Bank of Haiti) Executive Board Member Georgette Jean-Louis. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
President Benigno S. Aquino III’s Arrival Statement after his Working Visit to U.S.A and State Visit to Canada
NAIA Terminal 2, Pasay City
11 May 2015
Nalulugod po tayong makabalik ng Pilipinas, galing sa matagumpay nating pagbisita sa Estados Unidos at Canada. Alam naman po ninyo, talagang malapit sa atin ang dalawang bansang ito. Kaya nga po, sinulit natin ang bawat sandali sa ating biyahe, upang higit pang mapaigting ang ugnayan at pakikipagtulungan sa kanila, at makapaghatid ng mas maraming oportunidad para sa mga kababayan nating Pilipino.Nagpapasalamat po tayo, dahil sa bawat pagpupulong na dinaluhan natin sa Estados Unidos at sa Canada, ay talagang mainit po ang naging pagtanggap sa atin. Pagdating po ng Canada, nakipagpulong tayo kina Governor-General David Johnston at Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Personal tayong nagpasalamat sa agarang tulong na kanilang ipinadala matapos manalasa ang Bagyong Yolanda, at sa kanilang suporta sa pagsusulong ng ating peace process para sa Mindanao, at sa paghirang sa atin bilang Priority Emerging Market at Country of Focus ng kanilang bansa. Dahil po sa mga paghirang na ito, asahan nating dadami pa ang mamumuhunan sa Pilipinas galing Canada. Ididiin ko lang po: Canada ang isa sa may pinakamalaking official development assistance sa bansa. Nitong 2014, umabot sa 111.95 U.S. dollars ang ayudang inilatag nila para sa atin. May 47 ongoing grants pa ang kanilang bansa, at 28 dito ay nakalaan para sa typhoon-related assistance. Sa ating pakikipag-usap sa pamahalaan ng Canada, lalo pa nilang pinagtibay ang kanilang posisyong patuloy na suportahan ang Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng mga ODA.
Kasama naman ni Prime Minister Harper, tinalakay natin ang mga hakbang para lalong mapalakas ang small and medium enterprises (SMEs) ng ating dalawang bansa. Nariyan nga po ang offer mula sa Canadian Trade and Development Facility, upang mas epektibong mapasok ng ating small and medium enterprises SME’s ang mayabong na merkado ng Canada. Bilang host-economy naman ng APEC, makakatulong po ito sa prayoridad nating pagsulong ng mas masiglang ugnayan ng SME’s sa Asya-Pasipiko.
Bukod sa pagpapalago ng komersyo at ekonomiya, katuwang din natin ang Canada sa pagpapaigting ng seguridad at paglaban sa krimen at terorismo. Si Prime Minister Harper na po ang nagsabi: Handa ang kanyang pamahalaang makiambag sa pagsasanay sa larangan ng seguridad, partikular na sa ating port security.
Nilagdaan din natin sa Canada ang iba’t ibang kasunduan. Una po riyan ang Philippines-Canada Mutual Accountability Framework, na nagsusulong ng hayag at tapat na ugnayan at pakikipagtulungan sa ating mga bansa. 82 million Canadian dollars po ang indicative budget nila para sa mga inisyatibang saklaw ng kasunduang ito. Kasama rin po sa mga pinirmahan natin ang Memorandum of Understanding para sa Occupational Safety and Health, at ang isa pang memorandum of understanding para sa human resource deployment and development sa probinsya ng British Columbia. Simple naman po ang kaisipan sa likod ng mga kasunduang ito: Ang pangalagaan ang kapakanan at interes ng mga kababayan nating nagtatrabaho at interesadong magtrabaho sa Canada.
Nananabik na rin po tayo sa pagsisimula ng exploratory discussions sa posibilidad ng isang free trade agreement katuwang ang Canada. Oras na maisakatuparan ang ganitong kasunduan, pihado po: uunlad pa ang ating kalakalan, at manganganak ito ng trabaho at pagkakataon para sa Pilipino.
Sa business meetings naman, halos kulangin tayo sa oras sa kaliwa’t kanan nilang papuri at pagkilala na natanggap natin sa gumaganda nating ekonomiya. Tayo naman po, ganado ring inilatag sa mga negosyante ang iba’t ibang oportunidad sa bansa, partikular na sa ating sektor ng Public-Private Partnerships at financial services. Sa Chicago, humarap tayo sa mga negosyanteng kasapi sa U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, at National Center for APEC; at ang ilan nga po sa kanila, nagpahiwatig ng pagnanais na magpalawig ng operasyon sa ating bansa. Sa Toronto naman, nakapanayam natin ang kanilang top banking and insurance companies, na kasapi naman ng Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada. Kabilang po rito ang Sun Life Financial at Manulife Financial Corporation na kapwang matagal nang namumuhunan sa bansa. Sa pakikipagpulong natin sa kanila, kasabay ng hangaring i-expand ang mga naturang kompanya sa ating bansa, nabanggit ang posibilidad ng pagtatayo ng catastrophe at agricultural insurance. Pag-aaralan po natin ito, dahil sa malaking pakinabang ng ganitong uri ng serbisyo sa panahon ng sakuna. Pero pruweba lang po ito: Talagang nahihimok na natin ang mga tanyag na kompanya na magtaya pa sa ating merkado.
May kasabihan naman po: Save the best for last. Sa huling business meeting sa Vancouver, nakausap natin ang pinuno ng isang malaking negosyo. Di po muna natin papangalanan ang kompanyang ito, dahil baka mausog po ang kanilang mga plano. Ang mahalaga: Sa ngayon, may 20 million dollar o 1.3 billion pesos investment na ang naturang kompanya sa bansa; para po iyan sa kanilang waste-to-energy facility, na inaasahang matatapos ngayong taon. Oras na makumpleto, tinatayang aabot sa 8.5 billion pesos ang kabuuang revenue na makakalap ng pamahalaan mula sa pasilidad na ito sa loob ng 30 taon.
Ang good news pa po: Ayon sa kanilang pinuno’t mga opisyal, interesado pa silang pumasok sa mga sektor ng enerhiya, turismo, at agrikultura. Miski nga po ako, nagulat: hindi lang kasi mais, kundi pati pagtatanim ng blueberries at cranberries, pinag-iisipan na nilang pasukin sa bansa. Linawin ko lang po: Hindi ito wishful thinking; talagang balak na nilang magawa ito sa loob ng isa’t kalahating taon. Natanong ko po tuloy sa kanila kung nakakatanim na tayo ng strawberries sa mga probinsyang tulad ng Bukidnon, Quezon, at Baguio, kakayanin din kayang magtanim doon nitong blueberries at cranberries? Mainam pong mapag-aralan pa ito, pero sabi po nila ay pareho lang ang kakailanganin.
Ang pamahalaan ng British Columbia naman, nag-alok ring ibahagi ang kanilang kaalaman sa sea planes. Siyempre po, bukas tayo rito, lalo pa’t mayroon tayong 7,107 mga isla, at magiging mas madali ang pagbiyahe ng ating mga turista kung pwede silang mailapag ng eroplano sa tabing-dagat.
Talaga pong nagbabago na ang pagtingin ng mundo, hindi lang sa Pilipinas, kundi maging sa mga kababayan nating namamalagi sa ibang bansa. Naaalala ko po ang mga sinabi sa atin ng mga pinunong tulad nina Mayor Rahm Emmanuel ng Chicago, at Premier Christy Clark ng British Columbia. Parang hindi po sila maubusan ng papuri sa mga Pilipino. At sa iba’t ibang komunidad, nagpapakitang-gilas daw po ang mga Pinoy; talagang ramdam ang kanilang presensya at puwersa dahil sa kanilang kontribusyon sa pamayanan at lokal na ekonomiya.
Kaya nga po, ganoon na lang din ang pasasalamat natin sa mga kababayan natin sa ibayong dagat, na sa iba’t ibang larangan ay talaga namang itinataas ang ating bandila. Isa po ito sa mga dahilan ng pagbisita at pakikipag-kumustahan natin sa Filipino communities sa Chicago, Toronto, at Vancouver. Kung nandoon nga po kayo sa bawat venue, mararamdaman ninyo ang sigla at enerhiya ng ating mga kababayan. Malayo man sa bansa, batid nila ang pagbabagong sama-sama na nating natatamasa. Kasabay nito, ipinaramdam naman nila ang kanilang suporta at kahandaang makiambag pa sa ating agenda ng reporma.
Sa kabila nito, inihayag din natin sa ating mga Boss: Hindi pa tayo kuntento sa mga nakakamit natin ngayon. Tuloy ang pagkayod ng inyong gobyerno. Tuloy ang pagpapalawak ng oportunidad sa pag-asenso sa ating bansa, pati na ang paghahanda sa kinabukasan, nang sa gayon, hindi na maging sapilitan kaninuman ang pangingibang-bayan.
Kahit naman po nasa ibayong-dagat, todo-bantay pa rin tayo sa mga pangyayari sa Pilipinas. Halimbawa lang po nito ang pagpasok ng Bagyong Dodong sa Philippine Area of Responsibility, at maging ang pagsumpong ng Mt. Bulusan. Bagaman alam nating inaasikaso ng mga nakatalaga nating ahensya ang mga kababayan natin, di po tayo magiging kampante. Bago tayo makapagpahinga nitong araw na ito, humihingi tayo ng direktang updates, at binabantayan ang sitwasyon.
Ito naman pong biyahe natin, itinuturing nating puhunan para sa kinabukasan ng Pilipino. Kasabay ng pag-uwi ng mga napitas nating positibong bunga ngayon, nakapagpunla rin tayo ng mga binhing pihadong aanihin pa ng sambayanan sa mga darating na panahon.
Masasabi po natin ngayon: Sa limang araw nating pagliban ng bansa, inabot man tayo ng mahigit 37 oras sa himpapawid, at tinatayang 83 oras sa lupa, ilang timezones man ang kinailangan nating tawirin—talaga namang sulit na sulit ang pagod, puyat, at tagtag sa biyaheng kaakibat ng paglabas na ito sa ating bansa.
Madaling araw man tayong nakalapag ngayon sa sariling bayan, heto naman po ang inyong gobyerno, gising na gising at buhay na buhay pa ring nagsasabing: Boss, saanmang panig ng daigdig, talagang nakikita na natin, at ng buong mundo: Narito na ang mga Pilipino, taas-noo, at handang panghawakan ang bawat pagkakataon para makamit ang Filipino dream: Isang patas, maunlad, at hinahangaang Pilipinas.
Maraming salamat po. Magandang araw sa inyong lahat.
President Benigno S. Aquino III’s Remarks during the State Dinner given by Their Excellencies The Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada and Mrs. Sharon Johnston, for his State Visit to Canada
Ballroom, Rideau Hall, Ottawa, Canada
07 May 2015
Can I state on the onset, my first experience of Canada was when I was living in Boston with my family and we had a taste of your weather. [Laughter] And may I just state that the coldness there is really matched by the warmth and hospitality you have shown me and my delegation ever since we’ve arrived, and from the bottom of our hearts we’d like to thank each and every one of you.Canada is a nation that is indeed close to the hearts of many Filipinos. Over the decades, my countrymen have seen many friends and family members set their roots in this nation. I understand that there are now over half a million members of the Filipino community who work and live dignified lives here. We thank you for the hospitality that your people and government have shown my countrymen. A primary intention of my visit is to express my nation’s gratitude for Canada’s enduring support. For instance, when Typhoon Haiyan struck our nation, Canada came to our aid, deploying a contingent of the Canadian Royal Force to help rebuild devastated communities. We also thank you for your active support for our peacemaking efforts that will hopefully end decades of conflict in our Mindanao region.
In the aspect of economic and social development, Canada has likewise demonstrated a profound belief in the capacity of my nation to succeed. We thank you for choosing the Philippines as a Country of Focus and for designating us as a Priority Emerging Market in our part of the world. The determination of Canada to see the Philippines attain greater heights is without doubt evident in the doubling of official development assistance from your country.
Today, just as the Philippines thanks Canada, we also commit ourselves to strengthen the already robust friendship between us, and endeavor to forge a kind of economic relationship that redounds to the betterment of the peoples of Canada and the Philippines. Through our close cooperation with Canada, we carry an unparalleled optimism: that together, as neighbors connected by the Pacific, we can achieve our collective aspirations. At this point, may I ask everyone to join me in a toast:
To the good health and happiness of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of Canada;
To the success and continued good health of His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Her Excellency Sharon Johnston;
And may I also offer a toast to the success and continued good health of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, and Mrs. Laureen Harper.
Finally, may I offer a toast to the deepening partnership between the peoples of Canada and the Philippines. Thank you.
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA,
JR.
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DZRB / Balita at Panayam by Alan Allanique
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12 May 2015
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| ALAN: Base po doon sa latest sa Kamara, Secretary Coloma, ay naipagpaliban
today and probably tomorrow iyong botohan doon sa ad hoc committee kaugnay
po ng panukalang Bangsamoro Basic Law, Sec. Sonny, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Hinggil sa nabanggit mo, Alan. Importante na maunawaan natin iyong proseso sa Kamara. Iyong proseso ng pagpapasa ng batas. Nandoon sila sa yugto ng pagtanggap ng mga amyenda, at mahalaga na iyong saloobin nung lahat ng mga mambabatas - kung ano ang dapat na baguhin sa batas sa pamamagitan ng amyenda ay mabatid ng kanilang komite. Kaya nauunawaan natin na iyan ang isinasagawa nila at nais nilang tiyakin na lahat ng mga gustong imungkahi na amyenda ay maitatala. At ayon naman sa ating natunghayan sa balita, sinabi ng taga-pangulo ng House ad hoc committee, si Congressman Rufus Rodriguez, na pagkatapos maitala lahat ng mga panukalang amyenda ay maari na itong pagbotohan sa kanilang komite. Kaya inuunawa po natin, nauunawaan po natin ang proseso ng Kamara de Representantes. ALAN: Ayon, kumbaga, sir eh, nagkaroon pa ng dagdag na pagkakataon iyong mga members komite na makapagpanukala ng iba pang mga inputs para doon sa batas bago totally pagbotohan ang ad hoc committee, Sec ano po? SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Alan. Dahil itong Kongreso naman ay deliberative assembly. Talaga namang kasama sa kanilang gawain ay iyong magkaroon ng ganap na pagtatalakay sa mga panukalang batas. Dahil iyong batas ang nagtatakda ng polisiya o nung programa ng bansa at nararapat lamang na ito ay pagtuunan ng masinsing pag-aaral. ALAN: Yes, sir. Ilang mga usapin po na noon ay naging medyo contentious ika nga. Kumbaga, lumilinaw na po at malinaw naman iyong pahayag din nitong komite, halimbawa nitong sina Chairman Davide and others, na wala silang nakikitang mga probisyon na maaring sumalungat sa kasalukuyang Saligang Batas, Secretary Coloma, sir ano po? SEC. COLOMA: Nananalig tayo na sa kanilang deliberasyon ay isasa-alang-alang ng ating mga mambabatas ang mga nakuha nilang input mula sa iba’t-ibang sektor. Kung aking maalala, ipinahayag nung nakaraan ni Congressman Rodriguez na sila ay nagsagawa ng malawakang konsultasyon sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng bansa at ito ay bago pa man maganap iyong firefight doon sa Mamasapano at pagkatapos noon ay dinagdagan pa nila iyong kanilang pagdinig. Kaya’t makakaasa tayo na sa kanilang mga deliberasyon ay talagang pinag-ukulan nila ng sapat na panahon at masusing pag-aaral ang kanilang mga tinatalakay hinggil sa batas na iyan. At pansinin din natin, Alan. Ang pinag-uusapan pa lang natin ngayon ay sa level ng lupon o komite. Kapag naipasa ito sa komite ay saka lang ito maihahain sa plenaryo. Iyong komite, pitumpo’t-lima (75) ang kanilang kasapi. Doon sa plenaryo, kung hindi ako nagkakamali, mahigit tatlong daan (300). Kaya meron pang panahon para talakayin ito ng mas malawakan at mas malaliman. Nandoon pa lamang tayo sa unang yugto. Kaya nga lang dahil hindi naman ganoon kahaba ang panahon, ang tinitingnan natin ditong pagtatapos ng kasalukuyang sesyon ay sa Hunyo 11. Itong isinasagawa nila ay unang yugto na hahantong doon sa ikalawang yugto, iyong talakayan sa plenaryo. ALAN: Opo, at probably ito’y bandang next week na po, iyong sa plenary session, Sec. Ano po. SEC. COLOMA: Alan, ipagpaumanhin lang. Sorry talaga at medyo mahina iyong dating, kung puwede lamang na pakiulit. ALAN: Yes, sir. So, dito po sa mga developments na ito, nandiyan iyong posibilidad na by next week eh nasa talakayang pang-plenaryo naman ang panukalang Bangsamoro Basic Law. SEC. COLOMA: Hindi ko nais pangunahan ang ating mga mambabatas, Alan. Siguro masasabi na lang natin ay iyong pananalig na batid nila iyong kanilang time table, batid din nila iyong sense of urgency hinggil sa panukalang batas na ito at sila ay magpapasya ng naaayon sa pambansang interes hinggil dito, Alan. ALAN: Sa ibang usapin naman po, Secretary Coloma, sir. We understand na ang Pangulong Noy at si Prime Minister Harper ay... kasama ho doon sa napagkasunduan nila iyong pagpapalakas ng mga small and medium enterprises lalo na dito sa atin sa Pilipinas, Sec. Sonny, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Kasama iyan doon sa malawak na sakop ng economic cooperation at people-to-people relations enhancement na tinalakay ng dalawang pinuno, Alan. At maging sa pakikipagtalakayan ni Pangulong Aquino sa mga lider ng kalakal at industriya ay mataas ang interes ng mga kompanya sa Canada na tumulong sa ating mga small and medium enterprises. At marami sa kanila ay meron nang isinasagawang mga proyekto sa kasalukuyan na nais pa nilang palawakin. ALAN: At kabilang po doon sa natukoy sa sektor ay ang investments sa enerhiya, sa turismo at maging sa agricultural sector, Sec. Sonny, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Tama iyon, Alan. Malawak iyong sakop ng interes ng Canada. Kaya nga tayo ay tinuturing nilang country of focus. “Focus country” tayo. At ang lahat ng mga ito ay inaasahan nating hahantong sa mas mataas na antas ng pamumuhunan na makakatulong sa pagpapaunlad ng ating ekonomiya. ALAN: Opo. Well, Secretary Coloma. Sir, Muli salamat po ng marami for the updates from the Palace, sir. SEC. COLOMA: Madagdag ko lamang. Doon naman sa tinukoy natin kanina, iyong tungkol sa Bangsamoro Basic Law. Ang talagang ninanais nating matamo dito, Alan, ay iyong pagsusulong sa prosesong pangkapayapaan. Dahil matagal na itong sinusulong, dekada na ang inabot at natunghayan naman natin kung paano nakakapinsala iyong karahasan at iyong kawalan ng kapayaapan. At matagal nang tinuturing iyong ating pangalawang pinakamalaking landmass - iyong Mindanao na land of promise. Panahon na upang matupad ng ganap ang pangako ng Mindanao, na isang mayaman na lugar sa likas na kayamanan at mayaman din sa galing at talino ng mga mamamayan. Kapag naisulong at naipagtagumpay ang prosesong pangkapayapaan, ang makikinabang ay ang ating mga kapatid at kababayan sa buong Kamindanaoan. ALAN: Okay. Sec, sir, salamat po uli ng marami sa updates mula sa Palasyo. SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat at magandang umaga, Alan. |
| SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center |
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Last Updated: 11 MAY 2015
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| Alternative photo archive with high resolutions | |
| Please click on thumbnails to magnify | |
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his arrival statement at the NAIA (Terminal 2) in Pasay City on Monday (May 11) from his successful working visit to the US and state visit to Canada. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III is welcomed by his official family led by DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin upon arrival at the NAIA (Terminal 2) in Pasay City on Monday (May 11) from his successful working visit to the US and state visit to Canada. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | (VANCOUVER, Canada) members of the Filipino community wave miniature Philippine flags during the President Aquino's meeting with them at the West English Bay Ballroom of the Vancouver Convention Center, as part of his state visit to Canada. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | (VANCOUVER, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Premier Christy Clark of British Columbia during the meeting with the Filipino community at the West English Bay Ballroom of the Vancouver Convention Center, as part of his state visit to Canada. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | (VANCOUVER, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the meeting with the Filipino community at the West English Bay Ballroom of the Vancouver Convention Center, as part of his state visit to Canada. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | (VANCOUVER, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the meeting with the Filipino community at the West English Bay Ballroom of the Vancouver Convention Center, as part of his statfob isit to Canada. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | (VANCOUVER, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Philippine and Canadian officials upon arrival at the Vancouver International Airport during his state visit to Canada. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | (VANCOUVER, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III disembarks the plane upon arrival at the Vancouver International Airport during his state visit to Canada. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | (TORONTO, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with Justin Trudeau, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada during the courtesy call at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during his state visit to Canada. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | (TORONTO, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III receives Justin Trudeau, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada during the courtesy call at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during his state visit to Canada. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | (TORONTO, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with the Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne (Liberal Party) during the courtesy call at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, as part of his state visit to Canada. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | (VANCOUVER, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III signs the Distinguished Visitors Book during the meeting at the Pacific Rim of the Pan Pacific Hotel, as part of his state visit to Canada. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(TORONTO, Canada) President Benigno Aquino III meets with top business leaders of Toronto in a forum organized by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada on Friday (May 8).(Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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(TORONTO, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets the Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne during the courtesy call at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during his state visit to Canada. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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(TORONTO, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III receives Justin Trudeau, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada during the courtesy call at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during his State Visit to Canada. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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(TORONTO, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III meets with members of the Philippine media delegation covering his State Visit to Canada while on board flight PR 001 of Philippine Airlines from Ottawa bound to Toronto Friday (May 8). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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 | (TORONTO, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada during the reception at the Roy Thomson Hall as part of the President's State Visit to Canada. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | (TORONTO, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the reception hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in honor of President Aquino and the Filipino community at the Roy Thomson Hall as part of the President's State Visit to Canada. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | (TORONTO, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, acknowledge the cheers of the crowd during the reception in Honor of President Aquino and the Filipino Community at the Roy Thomson Hall as part of the President's State Visit to Canada. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | (TORONTO, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III is welcomed by the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto upon arrival at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during his State Visit to Canada. (Photo by Ryan Lim/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | (OTTAWA, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III shakes hand with the Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper following the Joint Press Conference at the Parliament Hill during the President's State Visit to Canada. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
#MTVMusicEvo will be on May 17, and will be held in the historic Quirino Grand Stand #VisitPH2015 http://t.co/KowWDBVB1U | via @TourismPHL
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President Aquino proud of Filipino communities in #Chicago and #Canada - See more at: http://t.co/w8PL7kwk1n
MANILA,
May 12 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III has expressed his admiration
and gratitude to the Filipino communities in Chicago and Canada during
his arrival...
news.pia.gov.ph
#OccupationalSafety and health essential to workers in informal economy--Baldoz - See more at: http://t.co/ty7peCUZKE
"All the more that we should be together behind the peace process.." - CDO Acbp. Ledesma http://t.co/xFcMZfjbdQ
Did you get married? Make sure your voter record reflects your new surname. Apply for a CHANGE OF NAME. #VoterReg2015http://t.co/KcpmonwMG8
REMINDER: You can register today at #COMELEC offices until 5PM.#votersreg2015 #Magpabiometricska http://t.co/bpiuJ7XmvR
PhPPP NEWS: “Capitalize on PH PPPs” – Pres. Aquino #PhPPPprojectsREAD MORE http://t.co/tM6ThfkPkx http://t.co/KFxFaGwkjz | via @PPP_Ph
FREE admission to the National Museum (@natmuseumph) this May, in celebration of National Heritage Month. http://t.co/V2kT5t980z | @govph
PH government addresses issue on trash-filled containers from Canada - See more at: http://t.co/HDEUeJCbry
Ang mga Muslim lang ba ang makikinabang sa BBL?
Ang sagot mula kay Prof. Ferrer: https://t.co/fnC2N4DkzK #Bangsamoro
| via @OPAPP_peace
Mark Pimentel Barroga and Art Tibaldo shared a link.
- Mabuhay!!!
Here's your May 12 copy of One Luzon
E-NewsMagazine from the Philippine Information Agency North Luzon Cluster.Please click and follow link ...See More
May of every year is the Month of the Ocean: http://t.co/M5kN4Qtg0z http://t.co/eyq9o85FNb
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WIKApedia mula sa pcdspo: Alam n'yo bang walang NIYO sa UP Diksiyonaryo? https://t.co/NaBpG41klb http://t.co/ufTBYnxXTA via @govph
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