Thursday, June 25, 2015

3 Dispatch for June 26 , 2015 ( Friday), 3 Weather Watch ,12 Regional Watch,PNOY Speech , 22 Online News( June 25 ) , 32 Photonews ( June 25 )

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


 
DAILY WEATHER FORECAST


Issued at: 5:00 AM today, 26 June 2015
Valid Beginning: 5:00 AM today until 5:00 AM tomorrow
Synopsis:

Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) across Mindanao.

 pressure.gif  Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis 8 AM 26 June 2015  wind.gifPredicted Mean Sea Level Wind Analysis 8 AM 26 June 2015 satellite



Forecast:

Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will be experienced over Visayas, Mindanao and Palawan. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.


Light to moderate winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over Luzon and from the southwest to west over the rest of the country with slight to moderate seas. 



PAGTAYA: Maulap na kalangitan na may mahina hanggang sa katamtamang mga pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog ang mararanasan sa Kabisayaan, Mindanao at Palawan. Bahagyang maulap hanggang sa maulap na papawirin na may pulu-pulong mga pag-ulan o pagkidlat-pagkulog ang iiral sa Metro Manila at sa nalalabing bahagi ng Luzon.

Mahina hanggang sa katamtamang hangin mula sa Timog-kanluran ang iiral sa Luzon at mula naman sa Timog-kanluran hanggang sa Kanluran sa nalalabing bahagi ng bansa na may banayad hanggang sa katamtamang pag-alon ng karagatan.

OVER METRO MANILA:
Maximum Temperature: 03:30 PM Yesterday --- 34.2 °C
Minimum Temperature: 06:00 AM Yesterday --- 26.8 °C
Maximum Relative Humidity: 06:00 AM Yesterday --- 88 %
Minimum Relative Humidity: 03:30 PM Yesterday --- 59 %
High Tide Today: 06:07 AM ……… 0.78 Meter
Low Tide Today: 12:53 PM ……… 0.53 Meter
High Tide Today: 04:36 PM ……… 0.59 Meter
Low Tide Today: 10:56 PM ……… 0.34 Meter
Sunrise Today: 05:29 AM
Sunset Today: 06:28 PM
Moonrise Today: 1:18 PM
Moonset Tomorrow: 1:21 AM
Illumination Today: 62 %

For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph



ABS-CBN: Patuloy na binabantayan ang cloud cluster sa labas ng bansa na posibleng maging LPA at pumasok sa PAR sa weekend. Bukas ay may 70% chance of rain sa Metro Manila.




GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz:
-Asahan ang hanggang katamtamang ulan sa Palawan mula umaga hanggang gabi. Sa hapon, may tsansa ng ulan sa western section ng Luzon.
-Sa Metro Manila, bahagyang maulap at may tsansa ng ulan sa hapon hanggang gabi.
-Sa Visayas, maghapon ang ulan.
-Sa Mindanao kung saan umiiral ang ITCZ, magdamag ang pag-ulan bukas, lalo na sa eastern section.




June 26, 2015  ( Friday )     as of 8:00 AM



  PIA4A / PIA QUEZON  Partly Cloudy in Lucena City   


Northern


Eastern





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PIA-4A/RIZAL: Participants of the Dangerous Drugs Board and Angono municipal government's IDADAIT 2015 celebration held at the Angono Lakeside Park will undergo art workshops and other art contests such as mask making and T shirt printing as well as a fashion show using recycled materials. The theme of activities is aligned with arts wherein the town of Angono is known as the country's art capital.


PIA-4A/RIZAL: The Dangerous Drugs Board celebrates the Intrernational Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficiking 2015 at the Angono Lakeside Park, Angono, Rizal through the arts such as painting participated in by various government agencies and students highlighting healthy alternatives to drug usage and abuse. IDADAIT 2015 is themed " Let's develop our Lives, Our Community, Our Identity without Drugs".

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The PCOO, along with attached agencies PIA, PBS, PNA and PTV-4, in partnership with Alabat LGU has launched today the 'Barangay ko, Pananagutan ko' project at Alabat island national high school, Alabat, Quezon with 164 attendees composed of barangay officials, barangay nutrition scholars, members and officers of Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina and other members of civic/peoples organizations and concerned citizens. The project aims to create grassroots-based communication network that would help in disseminating government info and serve as feedback mechanism.


PIA-4A/RIZAL: P5,841,219.10 worth of cash incentives were turned over by the Rizal provincial government along with the Rizal Public Employment Services Office and DOLE-Rizal to 997 students under the Special Program for Employment of Students for the year 2015. Sixty percent of the salaries were shouldered by the provincial government while the remaining forty percent will be released by DOLE.

PIA-4A/RIZAL: Three new classroom buildings in Jalajala, Rizal were recently inaugurated by Rizal governor Rebecca Ynares to help house more students in three different high schools in the lakeside town. The Bagumbong NHS now has a new one storey building with five rooms while the Punta ES has a new one storey for room building and a two-storey and four room building for Jalajala ES.


PIA-4A/RIZAL: Rizal Governor Rebecca Ynares led recently the inauguration of a two storey and eight room school building at the Morong National High School in Morong along with Mayor Armando San Juan. The construction of schoolbuildings aims to improve the quality of education in the municipality by providing adequate classrooms.

PIA-4A/RIZAL: The Rizal provincial government recently awarded the 2015 Gawad Rizal Awards to exemplary Rizalenos with outstanding achievements in their respective fields. For this year, awardees from the areas of Chess, Youth and Moral advocacy, Public Management and Legislation, Community Service, Architecture, Trade and Industry, Educational Management, Organic Farming, Dental Health and Senior Citizenship and Peace and Order were recognized.

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Patuloy ang ginagawang pagsasanay sa mga barangay tungkol sa disaster action planning at contingency planning upang madagdagan ang kaalaman ng mga miyembro ng bawat barangay kasama na ang pagtalakay sa sectoral plan, inventory ng kagamitan, disaster equipment, risk assessment map at inventory ng resources sa bawat barangay.


PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Nagsagawa ng visitation at inspection ng mga junk shops ang mga kapulisan sa bayan ng Alitagtag bilang bahagi ng kanilang kampanya kontra Anti-fencing Law.

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Pinasinayaan ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Batangas at DepEd Batangas City ang inagurasyon ng tatlong palapag na gusali sa Libjo National High School na layong magamit ng mga mag-aaral sa Grades 7, 8 at 9 ng naturang paaralan.


PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Nagsagawa ang mga kapulisan ng Lemery Municipal Station ng coastal clean up sa Brgy. Nonong Casto upang malinis at mapangalagaan ang karagatang nasasakop ng naturang bayan.

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: May 1,432 mag-aaral ng Batangas National High School ang dumalo sa adolescent forum na may temang "Prevent Teen Pregnancy, I Care, Be Aware." Ang forum ay idinaos sa pagtutulungan ng USAID, Luzonhealth, City Health Office, Provincial Health Office,Batangas National High School at ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Batangas. Layon nitong maiwasan ang pagtaas ng bilang ng teenage pregnancy sa lalawigan.















25 JUNE 2015.
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes)President Aquino opens Livestock Expo
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes)President Aquino says he wants to focus on governing, does not want to be distracted by politics
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes)Politicking will not affect business sector’s confidence in the economy, says Palace official

President Aquino opens Livestock Expo
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday encouraged participants of the Livestock Philippines 2015 Expo and Conference "to fully explore the possibilities and to look for opportunities" to develop a more robust livestock industry in the country.

"It is only through the help of the stakeholders in this room that we can sustain the growth of this industry, as well as the quality of our livestock and poultry. This is why I encourage all of you to make the most of this opportunity: to continue sharing your ideas and best practices towards creating a livestock industry, and consequently, a Philippines that we can be proud to bequeath to future generations," President Aquino said after opening the expo at the SMX Conference Center in Pasay City.

Also gracing the opening of the exhibition were Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Agriculture Undersecretary for Livestock Jose Reano, United Business Media's President Muthiah Gandhi, and SMX General Manager Dexter Deyto.

More than 200 brands of meat products from 18 countries are joining the Livestock Philippines 2015, a three-day event hosted by the Department of Agriculture and its attached agencies, the Bureau of Animal Industry, and the National Meat Inspection Service.

In his speech, President Aquino highlighted the government's initiatives on food safety.

"As you know, the Philippines has been performing very well in terms of food safety. Our country has been free from Avian Flu since 2005, and of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) since 2010. These achievements alone make us eligible to export meat,” he said.

“On top of this, however, just last month, the World Organization for Animal Health accorded us the highest level of recognition as a country free from FMD without vaccination, which further increases our competitiveness," he said, adding that only three other ASEAN countries could boast of this recognition.

The goal now, he said, is not only to maintain these standards, but also to ensure that the country’s livestock sector continues to grow.

President Aquino further noted that the government has invested a lot in livestock and poultry.

"Over the course of our term, we have increased the budget of this sector by 108 percent. This has given us the wherewithal to increase focus on animal health by providing vaccinations and undertaking disease surveillance, among other measures, to control, if not eradicate, these animal diseases," he explained.

The Chief Executive also mentioned that key legislation have been passed to promote food safety.

“With the help of allies from Congress, we amended the Meat Inspection Code, which imposes stricter fines for food safety violations, perhaps most prominently the transport or sale of the so-called ‘hot meat’. There is also the Food Safety Act of 2013, which strengthens our food regulatory system to better protect consumer health and facilitate our food exports," he said.

"As we have taken deliberate measures to improve the safety and security of our food supply, it is also necessary to find ways to maximize the benefits of our eligibility as a meat exporter. This is why the Department of Agriculture is pursuing two large scale projects that will help us in this regard, namely, the AAA poultry dressing plant project in Bamban, Tarlac, worth P120 million, and the AAA slaughterhouse project in Tanauan, Batangas, worth P150 million. Both of these projects are expected to be completed within the year," he further said.

Livestock Philippines 2015 also features the first ASEAN Food Conference in connection with the recently implemented ASEAN Economic Cooperation (AEC). Delegates from 10 ASEAN member states are expected to discuss the present challenges and opportunities of the AEC.

Carrying the theme "Farm-to-Shelf", the Livestock Philippines Expo and Conference will also hold the Feeds Expo, Food Processing and Packaging Expo, and PhilMeat Expo and Technical Seminar.

Feeds Expo will focus on animal feeds and feed ingredients, additives, supplements and premixes, feed quality control and feed manufacturing; Food Processing and Packaging Expo will showcase the newest trends on food processing, ingredients and packaging; while PhilMeat will present the latest innovations on meat processing and packaging. PND (jm)

President Aquino says he wants to focus on governing, does not want to be distracted by politics
With barely more than a year before his term ends, President Benigno S. Aquino III said he does not want to be distracted by politics at this point in time, as he is focused on ensuring that the country’s development continues.

In an interview at the SMX Convention Center after opening the Livestock Philippines 2015 Expo and Conference on Thursday, the President said he was surprised at Vice President Jejomar Binay's tirade on Wednesday but said this is not unexpected and that he and his Cabinet will respond to it point by point.

"Either I, or the specific Cabinet secretaries, will also respond to it," the President said when asked about his response to Vice President Binay's allegations.

"I have about 370 days or so remaining (in office), 'yung interes ko ay ma-maximize lahat ng opportunities para sa ating taumbayan, patakbuhin itong bansang ito."

He noted that unlike those jockeying for political positions in next year’s elections, he does not have the luxury to engage in politics at the moment.

"Ako ay may responsibilidad na pagandahin lalo itong lipunan nating ito, itong bansa nating ito at hindi ako papayag na madi-distract ang atensyon natin sa paghahalo sa usapang pulitika, na palagay ko naman klarong-klaro sa taumbayan kung sino ang nagsasabi ng tama at mali."

The President said Vice President Binay's resignation came as a surprise to him.

He said he could not understand why the vice president is attacking him when in fact, he gave the latter every opportunity to prevent him from becoming a “spare tire”.

“Iyong pinagkasunduan namin, 'yung assignment niya na housing, hinirit niyang idagdag 'yung OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers), at lahat ito ay ipinagkaloob natin sa kanya, 'yung pagkakataon na manatili ang kanyang popularity ratings,” he explained.
“Bagama't hindi natin siya kaalyado 'nung tumakbo sa eleksyon, bagama't 'nung 2013 e nandun siya sa kabilang grupo, hindi natin siya parang pinigilan na magkaroon naman ng pagkakataon na ma-recognize ang kanyang trabaho.”

The Chief Executive further said that he wonders why the vice president has kept his views on improving the country’s conditions to himself, while he was serving as a member of the Cabinet.

“After nang statement niya kahapon, tila marami siyang kinikimkim na mga sekreto para mapaganda sa pagpapatakbo nitong bansang ito. Palagay ko may obligasyon siya bilang miyembro ng Gabinete na ibahagi ito,” he said.

“Pero siguro maganda na rin kapag itatanong ninyo sa akin, 'Bakit hindi niya ibinahagi?' e palagay ko siya na lang ang tanungin niyo. Kung may maitutulong ka sa ikakabuti ng taumbayan na pinangakuan nating paglilingkuran, bakit mo naman isinisikreto?”
The President acknowledged that the vice president has been his family's ally even before the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986, and that he remained supportive of the Cory Aquino government, including during the series of coup attempts that her administration had gone through.
"Ngayon, siguro ganyan talaga ang pulitika sa ating bansa. Baka naman napag-isip siyang hindi siya ang ma-e-endorso natin, so kailangan ipakita niyang hindi niya kailangan 'yung endorsement o may mas maganda siyang kayang magawa," the President said. PND (as)

Politicking will not affect business sector’s confidence in the economy, says Palace official
Malacañang on Thursday expressed confidence that politicking, especially as the presidential election nears, will not undermine the business community’s confidence in the economy.

“Ang sektor na pangangalakal ay nagbabatay ng desisyon sa economic fundamentals,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in response to a question on the possible effects on the business sector of Vice President Jejomar Binay’s criticisms of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s administration.

“Dahil mainam ang pagtaya dito ng international at local business community, hindi natitinag ng mga usaping pampulitika ang kanilang kumpiyansa sa pambansang ekonomiya sa ilalim ng Aquino administration,” he added.

Following his resignation from his Cabinet posts, Vice President Jejomar Binay delivered a speech on Wednesday, criticizing the Aquino administration’s programs and policies.

President Aquino on Thursday countered that he does not want to be distracted from running the government and ensuring the country’s continued development but said he and his Cabinet secretaries would respond to the vice president’s criticisms point by point. PND (ag)

 

President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the Opening Ceremonies of the Livestock Philippines 2015 Expo and Conference
SMX, Mall of Asia, Pasay City
25 June 2015
Standing before you, I cannot help but remember how, around two months ago, I hosted a reception for Madrid Fusion, a culinary group from Spain. During the event, I spoke about how food is a fundamental part of the Filipino identity, and how it is the central activity in any family gathering. I say this because today, I am speaking to the people whose hard work serves as the foundation of our rich culinary tradition. Indeed, throughout the course of history, much of our people’s happiness has been derived from good, simple meals and good company, and this was made possible, in part, by a livestock sector that has managed to fulfill multiple priorities at once. Not only has your work ensured enough production to meet the demand for your meat and poultry products, all while making a profit; above all else, you have safeguarded—and continue to safeguard public health.

The risks are certainly formidable. Just this May, for instance, it was reported that there was an outbreak of Avian Flu in the Midwest Region of the United States, which prompted them to kill tens of millions of birds in an effort to stem the spread of the disease. This action was necessitated by such a large-scale threat to the public health, which obviously hurts both business and the agriculture sector. In this scenario, everybody loses.

These kinds of situations shed light on the value of our gathering today: It is a way to share ideas and explore partnerships to make sure that the sector can thrive while addressing potential threats to our physical and economic well-being. It is but natural that government has a large role to play in this regard; thus, allow me to share with you some of our initiatives for our livestock industry.

As you know, the Philippines has been performing very well in terms of food safety. Our country has been free from Avian Flu since 2005, and of Foot and Mouth Disease since 2010. These achievements alone make us eligible to export meat. On top of this, however, just last month, the World Organization for Animal Health accorded us the highest level of recognition as a country free from FMD without vaccination, which further increases our competitiveness. Might I note: Only four ASEAN countries, the Philippines included, can boast of this recognition. The goal now is not only to maintain these standards, but also to ensure that our livestock sector continues to grow.

Our administration’s increased commitment in this regard can be seen in how much we have invested in livestock and poultry. Over the course of our term, we have increased the budget of this sector by 108 percent. This has given us the wherewithal to increase focus on animal health by providing vaccinations and undertaking disease surveillance, among other measures, to control, if not eradicate, these animal diseases.

We have also passed key legislation to promote food safety. With the help of allies from Congress, we amended the Meat Inspection Code, which imposes stricter fines for food safety violations, perhaps most prominently the transport or sale of the so-called “hot meat.” There is also the Food Safety Act of 2013, which strengthens our food regulatory system to better protect consumer health and facilitate our food exports.

As we have taken deliberate measures to improve the safety and security of our food supply, it is also necessary to find ways to maximize the benefits of our eligibility as a meat exporter. This is why the Department of Agriculture is pursuing two large scale projects that will help us in this regard, namely, the AAA poultry dressing plant project in Bamban, Tarlac, worth 120 million pesos, and the AAA slaughterhouse project in Tanauan, Batangas, worth 150 million pesos. Both of these projects are expected to be completed within the year.

At the same time, the livestock industry is one that necessitates the forging of new and deeper partnerships with the private sector. I understand that more than half the exhibitors here are visiting from other countries and looking for opportunities in the Philippine livestock industry. We continue to offer incentives for those willing to invest in these industries in non-traditional areas, and invite all visitors present today to fully explore the possibilities, and to look for opportunities through which we can amplify each other’s strengths towards a more robust livestock sector.

Ladies and gentlemen, all these efforts have been our government’s answer to a question that has served as the north star of our administration: How do we maximize the benefits to the Filipino people? We want people from different countries to stop by their local grocery stores and markets, and choose meat imported from the Philippines; we want Filipino farmers and livestock and poultry raisers to maximize their profits and to succeed in their work; and we want our people to sit at their dining tables and enjoy home-cooked meals like adobo or nilaga without having to worry about the safety of their food.

I am proud to say that our countrymen now enjoy this simple comfort; but it is only through the help of the stakeholders in this room that we can sustain the growth of this industry, as well as the quality of our livestock and poultry. This is why I encourage all of you to make the most of this opportunity: to continue sharing your ideas and best practices towards creating a livestock industry, and consequently a Philippines that we can be proud to bequeath to future generations.

Before I close, may I just highlight something that Secretary Alcala earlier said: The increase in prices of your products has not much matched the figures for inflation, they have always been below inflation since we started. That I think talks of the greater efficiencies that you have been able to achieve in your industry, while at the same time maintaining the safety standards that we all long for. It is really a blessing to be in this country that we don’t have to worry about the safety of the food we eat in terms of its quality. And so for that, you really deserve our congratulations.

I bid you all a good day.




President Benigno S. Aquino III's Media Interview at the Opening Ceremonies of the Livestock Philippines 2015 Expo and Conference
 SMX, Mall of Asia, Pasay City
25 June 2015
Nikko Dizon (The Philippine Daily Inquirer): I'd like to ask your assessment po doon sa sinabi ni Vice President (Jejomar) Binay that your administration ay "manhid at palpak"? And at the same tin, sir, do you think he was really a political ally since the very beginning, sir?

PRESIDENT AQUINO: Well, siguro ganito na lang, umpisahan natin 'nung tinanggap ng tanggapan ni Executive Secretary to precise 'yung sulat ng kanyang resignation from the Cabinet. It was one line, has already been reported. Pagkatapos 'non tinawagan ko siya dahil wala 'yung normal features ng mga communications meaning 'yung barcode, 'yung holographic natin, lahat 'yun ano. I was...

Medyo nagulat ako kung bakit nagkaroon ng resignation at this point in time. So I called him up and eventually we got to talk at tinanong ko sa kanya specifically ano ba ang dahilan. I think I use the word "casus belli ". What was the immediate reason that prompted him to do this action?

Ang sagot niya sa akin, marami raw, isusulat na lang niya at ipadadala niya sa akin. Sabi ko 'nung natapos ang conversation namin: 'sige hintayin ko na lang'. At kahapon, although hindi unexpected, doon sa statement niya 'di ba parang may parte na tumatayo siya na opposition. At hintayin ninyo sagutin ko punto...

Well, sasagutin ko at sasagutin ng Gabinete point-by-point lahat itong mga sinumbat niya kahapon. Pero palagay ko 'yung record will support my case na number one, hinalal siya ng taumbayan, ibinigay ko sa kanya ang lahat ng pagkakataon na hindi siya maging [anong tawag dito?] spare tire.

Iyong pinagkasunduan namin, 'yung assignment niya na housing, hinirit niyang idagdag 'yung OFW, at lahat ito 'yung ipinagkaloob natin sa kanya 'yung pagkakataon na manaliti 'yung kanyang popularity ratings bagama't hindi natin siya kaalyado 'nung tumakbo sa eleksyon, bagama't 'nung 2013 e nandun siya sa kabilang grupo, hindi natin siya parang pinigilan na 'yung magkaroon naman ng pagkakataon na marecognize 'yung kanyang trabaho.

Limang taon kami nagsama sa Gabinete, wala akong maalala na sitwasyon kung saan siya humingi ng pagpupulong na hindi siya napagbigyan. Hanggang sa mismong pagdala 'nung kanyang sulat, o 'nung ipinadala niya 'yung sulat, minabuti ko na tanungin siya kung ano talaga ang dahilan dahil nga itinuring ko siyang miyembro ng official family.

Mahaba-haba na rin ang pinagdaanan namin. Kung tutuusin mula 'nung EDSA Revolution o bago pa noon, pero lalo na 'nung EDSA Revolution. Noong coup 'nung '87 kung saan magkasama kami 'nung umpisa kung saan ako naambush, e mahaba-haba na nga ang pinagdaanan.

Ngayon, siguro ganyan talaga ang pulitika sa ating bansa. Iyong...Baka naman napag-isip siyang hindi siya ang ma-e-endorso natin, so kailangan ipakita niyang hindi niya kailangan 'yung endorsement o may mas maganda siyang kayang magawa.

Ngayon, ang dami kong gustong sabihin sa totoo lang, pero palagay ko dapat yata e 'yung i-formalize ko na rin 'yung statement para maging maliwanag na maliwanag sa ating mga sagot sa kanyang mga sumbat. At siguro kung tatanungin mo, ano ang pakiramdam ko? Pangkarinawan naman siguro sa Pilipino, kayo na lumagay sa posisyon ko, paano ko ba siya tinirato ng mali at tapos ito ang isinukli? Kaya thank you na rin sa kanya.

Ms. Dizon: Yes, sir. Sir, follow up lang, so sir ano ang pakiramdam 'nung ginamit niya 'yung words na "tama na, sobra na", which was actually your mom's battle cry against the Marcos dictatorship and he used it against you yesterday?

PRESIDENT AQJIUNO: Well, bago umabot 'yung sinabi ng nanay ko 'yung 'tama na at sobra na', medyo mahaba-haba 'yung nilitanya at nadama 'nung taumbayan 'yung litanya 'nung dictatorship --- 'yung lahat ng kasalanan 'nung dictatorship.

Ngayon dito, again, as of two days ago --- sorry ha, let's be precise --- basta 'nung ipinadala niya sa akin 'yung sulat, wala naman tayong...Iyong tinanong ko siya 'ano ba talaga 'yung issue?', hindi niya ako masagot.

So at that point in time, parang wala pa rin siyang masabing dapat ikakabuti 'nung palakad natin dito sa bansang ito. Ngayon after 'nung statement niya kahapon, tila marami siyang kinikimkim na mga sekreto para magpaganda sa pagpapatakbo nitong bansang ito. Palagay ko may obligasyon siya na miyembro siya ng Gabinete na ibinahagi niya ito.

Pero siguro maganda na rin kapag itatanong ninyo sa akin, 'bakit hindi niya ibinahagi?' e palagay ko siya na lang ang tanungin niyo. Kung may maitutulong ka sa ikakabuti ng taumbayan na pinangakuan nating paglilingkuran, bakit mo naman isinisikreto?

Ms. Dizon: Sir, you will have an address to the nation as well to answer his allegations?President Aquino:

Well, either I or the specific Cabinet secretaries will also respond to it. But at the same time, at the end of the day, I have about 370 days or so remaining, 'yung interes ko siguraduhin na ma-maximize lahat 'nung opportunities para sa atin taumbayan, patakbuhin itong bansang ito.

Hindi siguro primary function ko ang makihalubilo sa usapang pulitika lalo na kung kaugnay doon sa eleksyon ng 2016. Iyong 2016 baka 'yung iba may luxury na mag-concentrate 'nung kanilang --- hindi ba, lahat 'nung oras na gising para itulak 'yung kanilang kandidatura. Ako may responsibilidad na pagandahin lalo itong lipunan nating ito, itong bansa nating ito at iyong hindi ako papayag na madi-distract 'yung atensyon natin sa paghahalo sa usapang pulitika na palagay ko naman klarong-klaro sa taumbayan kung sino ang nagsasabi ng tama at mali.
SOURCE: Presidential News Desk



25 JUNE 2015
Capital, consumer goods remain afloat despite decline in total imports in April 2015
First batch of MRT-3 escalators up for rehab
The BSP champions earthquake resilience in the Banking sector
DSWD notes influx of indigents seeking aid, extends operations
PSA releases 2012-2014 Consolidated Accounts and Income and Outlay Accounts
Baldoz announces business plan competition for returning OFW seafarers
Update on Oman amnesty for overstaying expatriate workers, Baldoz says 232 OFWs registered; 134 have come home
US firms urged to invest in PH infrastructure
Good Governance reforms make PH ripe for US investment
Carmakers and parts manufacturers briefed on CARS Program
DTI-Batanes caravan provides business opportunities in Itbayat Island
PNP offers firearms registration caravan for retirees
DepEd teachers, personnel to receive one-month PEI
Turkey to learn from PH peace process for nego with Kurds
DOST supports Filipino creativity via materials innovation center in Cebu
CSC calls for contenders in the 2015 Government Choral Competition
Bicolano farmers to receive 120 farm machines from DAR
Geotagging recognized as an effective transparency tool for gov’t projs
PDIC to continue processing claims of Community Rural Bank of Magsaysay (Davao del Sur) depositors
PHL Ambassador presents Credentials to Ugandan President
PHL Embassy in Riyadh conducts 14th Overseas Voters Outreach for 2015
MMDA Chief proposes waste to Disaster Management System

Capital, consumer goods remain afloat despite decline in total imports in April 2015
Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph
MANILA – Despite the 12.8-percent year-on-year decline in total merchandise imports in April 2015, domestic demand for capital and consumer goods remains strong, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The Philippine Statistics Authority’s latest report indicates that merchandise imports significantly decreased to US$4.7 billion in April 2015 from US$5.4 billion in April last year.

The sharp decline in imported mineral fuels and lubricants (-53.9%), and raw materials and intermediate goods (12.8%) in April 2015 caused the significant overall decrease in imports. However, double-digit increases were recorded in the importation of consumer (30.3 %) and capital goods (13.0%).

“Figures on capital and consumer goods reflect the upbeat outlook of consumer spending and is a positive indication of healthy demand-driven activities at the household and industry level,” said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.

Consumer goods expanded mainly on the back of robust growth in both durable goods (17.1%) and non-durable goods (43.4%). Increased purchases of passenger cars & motorized cycles (15.9%), miscellaneous manufactures (18.7%) and home appliances (17.1%) supported growth in imported durable goods.

As for non-durable goods, significant growth in the importation of rice (1,655.5%), other food & live animals (25.7%) and fruits & vegetables (53.5%) was seen.

“The higher import volume of rice recorded as part of consumer goods reflects government’s effort to maintain a sufficient buffer stock of rice ahead of the lean harvest season,” the Cabinet official said.

The National Food Authority approved the shipment of 500,000 metric tons of rice from Vietnam and Thailand, which started to arrive in March 2015. For April, the share of rice purchases from these countries represented about 70.6 percent and 29.0 percent of the country’s total imports of rice.

In terms of country sources, reduced value of imports from the People’s Republic of China, Japan and Taiwan largely contributed to the overall decline in imports during the period.

Almost all of the East and Southeast Asian region recorded a drop in merchandise imports in April 2015, except for Vietnam.

“Given an uncertain external environment, it is crucial for the government to ensure that the growth momentum is sustained. While the healthy importation of capital goods and consumer durables shows that the country is still on track towards a relatively strong economic expansion, a catch-up in government spending could still further boost domestic demand,” he said.

Balisacan added that the El Niño phenomenon, albeit weak, brings risks and the immediate effect will be felt in the agriculture and industrial sectors.

“The government could also fast track programs to counter the effects of extreme weather condition especially on the agricultural and industrial sectors, which are vulnerable to such in the Philippines,” he said.

First batch of MRT-3 escalators up for rehab
Source: http://www.dotc.gov.ph
Jardine Schindler to Refurbish 12 Escalators Over Next 6 Months

Conveyance facilities of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) are all set for restoration, as the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has awarded the contract to rehabilitate the first batch of escalators of the metro's main light rail line.

The P22.11-million project, which covers all 12 Schindler-brand escalators, was awarded to Jardine Schindler Elevator Corporation through the Department of Budget and Management's Procurement Service.

Jardine Schindler holds proprietary rights to rehabilitate this first batch of escalators, being the brand's exclusive distributor. It will undertake such works within six (6) months from issuance of the Notice to Proceed.

This project aims to provide some relief to commuters – especially senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women – by causing the refurbishment of escalators located at the following stations:

North Avenue (southbound)
Quezon Avenue (southbound)
GMA-Kamuning (southbound)
Ortigas (northbound, street level)
Shaw Boulevard (northbound, street and mid levels)
Boni (northbound and southbound)
Guadalupe (northbound)
Buendia (southbound)
Ayala (southbound)
Magallanes (northbound)

The only other batch of escalators to be rehabilitated consists of 34 facilities, all of which are under the Mitsubishi brand. This project is currently being procured, as well as a separate project for the total replacement of MRT-3 elevators, which became obsolete in 2013.

These efforts to rehabilitate the line's conveyance facilities are among the various projects of the DOTC to modernize and improve the country’s busiest railway system.

Earlier this week, the transport agency confirmed that the prototype for 48 new train coaches will arrive in mid-August this year. 7,000 linear meters' worth of new rails are also scheduled to arrive by next week, for installation in the coming months.

Several other projects to enhance the line's safety, reliability, and convenience are in various stages of procurement or implementation.

The BSP champions earthquake resilience in the Banking sector
Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph
With the theme “Is the Philippine Banking Sector Ready If a Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake Hits Metro Manila?”, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) hosted a dialogue with over a hundred participants from the banking sector, financial market players and telecommunications sector on 16 June 2015 at the Executive Business Center, BSP. The event is in line with the BSP’s long-range efforts and initiatives to enhance existing business continuity management (BCM) culture and develop a whole-of-industry approach that upholds disaster resilience of the banking sector.

Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., Director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) graced the event as the keynote speaker and presented a comprehensive report on various earthquake-related hazards and risk scenarios for Metro Manila and their implications to the banking sector. The event also featured a panel discussion by representatives from the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), Chamber of Thrift Banks (CTB), PLDT/Smart Communications, Inc., Globe Telecom, Inc. and Business Continuity Office of the BSP which tackled the sector’s state of readiness and explore measures to achieve earthquake resilience.

The BSP has always been at the forefront of ensuring disaster resilience of the banking sector through the issuance of robust regulatory framework on BCM as well as ongoing onsite and offsite supervision of BCM processes of BSP-supervised financial institutions (BSFIs). As early as 2001, the BSP required BSFIs to prepare comprehensive business continuity plans (BCPs) intended to minimize disruption of core banking services and financial losses, resume critical operations within the shortest possible time, uphold consumer protection and avoid systemic impact within the financial services industry.

To further boost disaster resilience of the banking sector, the BSP recently exposed draft guidelines on BCM to the industry which aim to enhance BCM processes of BSP-supervised financial institutions (BSFIs). Said guidelines include strategies and processes to address risks and hazards arising from catastrophic events such as a major earthquake in Metro Manila.

While BSFIs are already prepared on an institutional level to withstand a major earthquake, the BSP embarked on adopting a more holistic approach to disaster recovery that would address interdependencies and linkages across the sector as well as support the over-arching objectives of the government to reduce the impact of such disaster to infrastructure, economy and the affected communities.

Thus, the BSP is already laying the groundwork for the establishment of working groups to develop industry-level earthquake preparedness and crisis management plans which shall include protocols that can be quickly activated given a disaster scenario. The BSP shall continue its efforts towards earthquake resilience for the banking sector and engage its stakeholders in exploring viable solutions that will promote effective response and quick resumption of critical services essential in maintaining public trust and confidence in the financial system.

DSWD notes influx of indigents seeking aid, extends operations
Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph
As the lead agency in social protection, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) places emphasis in ensuring that indigent and vulnerable individuals are provided with the necessary assistance to help them cope during crisis situations.

Through its Protective Services Program, the DSWD offers various types of assistance to those in need which include the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).

Under AICS, the DSWD provides medical, educational, burial and transportation assistance to persons/families in crisis situations, specifically those belonging to the informal sector and other poor, marginalized, vulnerable, and disadvantaged individuals.

Applicants for AICS may proceed to the Crisis Intervention Unit of the DSWD Central Office, DSWD Field Offices in their respective areas, or satellite offices located at the local government unit.

Given the huge bulk of clients seeking assistance from its CIUs, the DSWD is encouraging everyone to follow the step-by-step process in availing of assistance as follows:

Issuance of queue numbers and pre-screening of documents– During the pre-screening, clients should bring the complete supporting documents for the assistance being requested. This takes about five minutes.
Review and approval of the Officer In-Charge to the Social Worker’s recommendation for the assistance being requested by the client– This involves the submission of supporting documents and duly accomplished Certificate of Eligibility. This takes about 10 minutes.
Registration and encoding in the Crisis Intervention Monitoring System (CrIMS), an online database system for CIU clients– Basic information of the client is put in the system. CIU also verifies if assistance has already been provided to clients. This takes about five minutes.
Interview, assessment, and recommendation of assistance needed– This involves the submission of supporting documents for the assistance being requested and filling-up of the General Intake Sheet (GIS) form. There will also be a thorough interview, as basis of assessment and recommendation of assistance. This takes about 20 minutes.

Release of Assistance

o Release of Cash outright assistance (P5,000 and below) takes about ten minutes

o Issuance of Guarantee Letter addressed to Service Provider (P5,000 and below) and/or Referral Letter takes about five minutes

o Release of Check Assistance (more than P5,000) takes three to five days

o Issuance of Guarantee Letter addressed to Service Provider (more than P5,000) within the day or up to three days

The ideal processing time is 50 minutes maximum per client exclusive of the waiting/queueing time, except for the Issuance of Guarantee Letter addressed to Service Provider (more than P5,000) which can be provided within the day or up to three days, and Release of Check (more than P5,000) which will be provided within three to five days.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that this process flow ensures the fast, smooth, and organized processing of the assistance needed by the clients.

The CIU at the DSWD Central Office, IBP Road, Batasan Hills, Quezon City is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM without noon break, from Monday to Friday.

“The CIU can only receive new clients until 5 p.m. However, disbursement of assistance will continue until 8 p.m.,” Sec. Soliman added.

The Secretary explained that those who will not make it to the 8 p.m. cutoff will be prioritized the next working day.

For the past 2 weeks, the CIU has been serving an increased number of clients ranging from 600 to 1,200 clients a day, extending its operation from 7:00 AM until past midnight or until all clients are served. With the influx of clients seeking assistance, the entire processing time of assistance is lengthened up to an average of 5 hours including waiting time in their queue, from the time client was screened until the assistance is released.

The CIU still maintained its express/priority lanes for older persons, persons with disabilities, and lactating mothers. The CIU discourages clients from bringing infants and/or young kids because they may find the waiting period stressful.

Along the operation of the Crisis Intervention Unit, the following common problems were encountered:

Incomplete, lacking and outdated documents submitted by the clients (e.g. no Brgy. Certificate, Medical Certificate with no signature of the doctor or not bearing its license number, unsigned hospital bill/ laboratory request/ enrollment assessment form/ funeral contract, unregistered death certificate, and the likes)
Long waiting/ queuing time, leaving some of the clients and their companion restless.
Fraudulent documents submitted by the clients.

For the speedy facilitation of particular types of assistance, the DSWD is requesting clients to bring the following:

For Medical Assistance

Clinical Abstract/Medical Certificate with signature and license number of the attending physician (issued not later than 3 months)
Hospital Bill (for payment of hospital bill) or Prescription (for medicines) or Laboratory requests (for procedures)
Barangay Certificate of Residency/Indigency and any valid ID of the client

For Educational Assistance

Enrolment assessment form or certificate of enrolment/registration
School ID of the student/beneficiary
Barangay Certificate of Residency/Indigency and any valid ID of the client
Any valid ID of the client

For Burial Assistance

Funeral Contract
Death Certificate of the deceased
Barangay Certificate of Residency/Indigency and any valid ID of the client
Permit to transfer/Health permit (for transfer of cadaver)

For Transportation Assistance

Barangay Certificate of Residency/Indigency and any valid ID of the client
Police Blotter (for victims of pick pockets, illegal recruitment, etc.)

A social case study report prepared by the LGU social worker/medical social worker, or a social case summary prepared by a registered social worker may be required by the CIU social worker to support assessment and recommendation of assistance.

PSA releases 2012-2014 Consolidated Accounts and Income and Outlay Accounts
Source: http://www.nscb.gov.ph
The Philippine Statistics Authority announces the release of the Consolidated Accounts and Income and Outlay Accounts for 2012-2014. The Consolidated Accounts present a summary of transactions and relationships among the various flows of the economy at current prices. Included are four accounts of the nation, which dwell on production, consumption, income, capital accumulation, and economic transactions with the rest of the world, namely:
Account I: Gross Domestic Product and Expenditure
Account II: National Disposable Income and Its Appropriation
Account III: Gross Accumulation
Account IV: External Transactions
The Income and Outlay Accounts are compiled for the four institutional sectors, namely, non-financial corporations, financial corporations, general government, and households including non-profit institutions serving households. The accounts show the total income and total income use and are linked with the Production and Expenditure Accounts in the Philippine System of National Accounts.

Baldoz announces business plan competition for returning OFW seafarers
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday announced the holding of a business plan competition for returning seafarers, a project led by the National Reintegration Center for Returning OFWs (NRCO) to encourage social entrepreneurship and eventually support the growth of jobs in hometowns and communities.

Citing a report of NRCO Director Chona M. Mantilla, Secretary Baldoz said the nationwide competition, dubbed, “From Seafarers to Entrepreneurs: The 2015 NRCO-ISP Business Plan Competition (Harnessing Seafarers’ Capacities for Business Enterprise Development),” will start accepting entries on 26 June 2015 and until 30 August 2015.

“This competition is DOLE’s innovative way of promoting sustainable livelihood and micro-enterprise by harnessing the earnings and savings of overseas Filipinos, especially our seafarers, as one source of capital for economic development. This is one of the thrusts in the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan, and in the 2011-2016 Labor and Employment Plan where the promotion of productive investment and entrepreneurship is highly encouraged among OFWs,” said Baldoz.

She added that the event is one strategic reintegration program of the DOLE to assist OFWs in securing the future of their families by capacitating them in carefully investing their hard-earned finances.

The NRCO, a new agency under the DOLE, is implementing the project in partnership with the Integrated Seafarers of the Philippines, or ISP. It will be officially launched in a media event on 26 June 2015 at the 12th Floor of Jemarson Place Building, 1626 P. Hidalgo Lim Street, Malate, Manila.

Director Mantilla said that the awarding ceremony for the business competition will be on 4 December 2015. The Top 10 winners will receive incentives and other consolation prizes, and the grand winner will get P500,000 cash prize, all to be put up by the ISP. The details of the competition will be announced during the media launching and will be posted at www.nrco.dole.gov. ph.

Mantilla said the business competition is covered by a memorandum of agreement that she had signed last week with ISP President Capt. Gaudencio Morales and witnessed by the NRCO Program Coordination and Monitoring Division Chief Melvin Caseda; Policy and Program Development Division OIC-Chief Dennis Cabato; ISP Agribusiness Director Capt. Danny Ricohermoso, ISP Secretary Princess Camille Castillo.

The Integrated Seafarers of the Philippines is a non-stock and non-profit organization formed and established for the welfare of Filipino seafarers and their families.

“The ISP aims to create avenues where the seafarers' families can improve their lives while the seafarers are on active duty; and to provide ways for their easier social reintegration after the culmination of their overseas jobs,” said Capt. Morales during the signing of the MOA.

The NRCO, on the other hand, is mandated to develop, promote and implement a national agenda on sustainable return and reintegration to address the multi-faceted reintegration needs of returning Overseas Filipino Workers and their families, including the development of their hometowns and/or communities.

“The primary clientele of the NRCO are returning OFWs who are classified as undocumented Overseas Filipino Workers; displaced, distressed and repatriated OFWs; returning OFWs or OFWs who return to the Philippines on a temporary basis with the intention of going back abroad; OFW returnees or OFWs who return to the Philippines with the intention to stay in the country on a permanent basis; and families of returning OFWs,” Mantilla explained.

Update on Oman amnesty for overstaying expatriate workers, Baldoz says 232 OFWs registered; 134 have come home
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said Labor Attache to Oman Nasser Mustafa personally reported to him in Abu Dhabi during her lay-over there from the 104th International Labor Conference in Geneva that the POLO in Muscat, Oman had registered 232 overseas Filipino workers who signified intention to avail of the Sultanate of Oman’s four-month general amnesty for illegal or overstaying expatriate workers. “Labor Attache Mustafa reported that of the 232 applicants, 134 were approved by the Oman Ministry of Manpower and the Royal Oman Police-Immigration and they have been repatriated to the Philippines in three batches, with the third batch arriving on 29 June,” said Baldoz. In his report, Mustafa said the first batch of 67 OFWs who availed of the amnesty left Muscat on 27 May on board Etihad Airways (3) and Oman Air (64). The second batch of 43 OFWs left last 10 June via Oman Air. “The third batch of 24 OFW amnesty availees is scheduled to depart Oman on board Kuwait Airways on 28 June,” Labor Attache Mustafa reported. “There will be a fourth batch comprising of about 101 OFWs more, but we will repatriate them after the holy month of Ramadan,” he added. He also said distressed OFWs staying at the Migrant Workers and Other Filipinos Resource Center (MWOFRC) have availed of the amnesty, and 17 of them have been repatriated to the Philippines, thereby reducing the number of wards at the shelter to only eight. Baldoz said the amnesty, which took effect From April 1 to July 31, 2015, will enable overseas Filipino workers illegally staying in Oman to rectify their status. “The four-month amnesty is part of Oman's efforts to regulate the presence of foreign workers there,” she said. “Thus, I encourage those OFWs staying illegally in Oman to avail of this amnesty while there is still time,” she added. Mustafa said in May that the amnesty is covered by the guidelines under the labor law promulgated by the Sultanate's Royal Decree 35/2003 and which Oman’s Ministry of Manpower briefed labor attachés of foreign embassies in Muscat about. After the amnesty announcement, Mustafa said the Ministry of Manpower and the Royal Oman Police have been conducting raids against undocumented migrant workers, tightening controls on work permits and tenancy contracts, and scrutinizing landlords and their tenants.

US firms urged to invest in PH infrastructure
Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph
WASHINGTON, DC – Philippine Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio L. Singson urged US construction companies to “locate their businesses in the Philippines,get registered in the Philippines, and take advantage of Filipino engineers” in order for them to be competitive in the ASEAN region.

Secretary Singson advanced this business proposition today at the CSIS Conference, “Dynamic Philippine Economy: Growth, Reform and Looking Ahead,” which was the first stop for the Philippine High-Level Trade and Investment Mission that is traveling across the United States from 24 to 29 June.

“The Philippines offers a lot of construction opportunities,” the Secretary said, underscoring how infrastructure development is essential to the improvement of other sectors, such as tourism, agriculture, water and transportation. The designation of these “strategic convergence areas” demonstrates the coordinated efforts of different government agencies to attain sustainable, resilient and inclusive economic growth.

Secretary Singson also announced the creation of a new license category called Quadruple A or “AAAA” that allows foreign firms to be registered as regular contractors and does away with the old requirement of a per-project basis construction permit.

He likewise expressed confidence in the sustainability of the reforms within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which used to be tagged as one of

the most inefficient and corrupt institutions in the Philippine Government. DPWH’s good governance reforms and anti-corruption programs have saved Filipino taxpayers Php 48 billion in 2014.

Ms. Cosette V. Canilao, Executive Director of the Private-Public Partnership Center (PPP), discussed the opportunities and policy guidelines involved in facilitating investment collaboration between private companies and the public sector.

The invitation for more foreign investment in infrastructure is a running theme in the Mission’s push in the United States. Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, who co leads the Philippine delegation with Secretary Singson and Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, earlier stated, “Drawing high-quality investments in key areas of opportunity like infrastructure is a win-win for both the Philippines and foreign investors. This is a fundamental component of our strategy as we build better infrastructure to support the growing mobility and connectivity needs of a booming population.”

In his opening remarks, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. drove home the point that infrastructure investments will be vital. “We aim to attain a level of infrastructure spending of 5% of GDP by 2016. We are also pursuing infrastructure development in the Philippines through public-private partnerships program [PPP]. In line with this, the Philippines and the US recently signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on infrastructure collaboration,” Ambassador Cuisia said.

“Dynamic Philippine Economy: Growth, Reform, and Looking Ahead” was co-organized by the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., the US-Philippines Society and the Center for International and Strategic Studies (CSIS).

The Philippine High-Level Trade and Investment Mission will be heading to make its pitch in New York from 25 to 26 June and to San Francisco on 29 June.

The Mission is an important follow-up to the Philippines-United States Memorandum of Cooperation on an Infrastructure Collaboration Platform, which was signed during the 8th Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum (GILF) held in New York in February.

The Conferences are being organized in cooperation with the Philippine Consulates General in New York and San Francisco, as well as Citibank, Deutsche Bank, Development Bank of the Philippines, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, JP Morgan, Land Bank of the Philippines, Morgan Stanley, Standard Chartered, and UBS.

Good Governance reforms make PH ripe for US investment
Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph
WASHINGTON, DC—The Philippines has instituted irreversible good governance reforms, making the country one of the highest performing economies in the region, and creating opportunities for investment from the United States.

This was the message of Philippine cabinet secretaries who traveled to Washington on a high level trade and investment mission during the “Dynamic Philippine Economy: Growth, Reform, and Looking Ahead” forum at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC on 24 June 2015.

The forum’s speakers roster included Secretary Gregory L. Domingo of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); Secretary Cesar V. Purisima of the Department of Finance (DOF); Secretary Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); Ambassador John D. Negroponte, Co-Chair of the US-Philippines Society; Mr. Guillermo Luz, Co-Chairman of the Philippines National Competitiveness Council; Ms. Cosette V. Canilao, Executive Director of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center; Mr. Andres Gluski, President and CEO of AES Corporation; Mr. Matt Bohn, Vice President and former Philippines Country Director, Millennium Challenge Corporation; Mr. Guillermo D. Luchangco, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Investment and Capital Corporation of the Philippines; Mr. Robert Prieto, Senior Vice President for Infrastructure of the Fluor Corporation; and Mr. Bernard Sheahan of the International Finance Corporation.

In their keynote addresses, the cabinet secretaries highlighted reforms by the Aquino administration as well as in their departments, which have contributed to the renewed confidence of local and international markets as well as the Filipino people.

In 2011, Philippine Congress passed the Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations (GOCC) Governance Act, which ensures that the government exercises transparency, responsibility, and accountability in state-owned and –controlled corporations through a periodic reporting and evaluation system, as well as justifiableand reasonable remuneration schemes for employees of GOCCs.

According to Finance Secretary Purisima, the GOCC Governance Act is one of the key pieces of legislation that have led to economic growth.

“Once you walk your talk, the market will give you confidence. Confidence is the key currency that has allowed for economic growth to happen,” said Secretary Purisima.

Tax reforms have also played a huge role in development.

An example is the Sin Tax which aims to restructure existing taxes imposed on alcohol and tobacco goods. Duties on these products are now a potential revenue source for Universal Health Care Program of the administration.

“Tax reforms in the Philippines have generated double-digit revenue growth every year,” said DTI Secretary Domingo.”

The Department of Public Works and Highways, once considered to be one of the most corrupt government agencies in the Philippines, has also taken on landmark reforms.

“The main program of the DPWH is anti-graft and corruption. We deliver safe and better quality road networks by funding the right projects and making sure the bids are competitive and transparent,” said DPWH Secretary Singson.

The Department developed a Cadet Engineering Program, a workplace learning and development program that aims to identify young, vibrant, and intelligent civil engineers and prepare them to become competent members of the DPWH.

“We became more efficient by getting rid of the people we needed to get rid of, and by engaging young engineers to run the department. Right people and right implementation,” said Secretary Singson.

He added, “It is not a perfect system. It took several generations for the department to get where it is. In five or six years, the changes will still be in place. We are confident we have institutionalized the changes in the department.”

Development in the Philippines has been driven mainly by the human resource in the country. According to Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., human resources in the Philippines go hand-in-hand-hand with good governance as important elements in development.

“I only wish to emphasize that the Filipino people have always been the greatest resource of my country whether in the Philippines or overseas, whether in the boardrooms of top corporations or in the rural hinterlands of the provinces. This is why we continue to make critical investments in healthcare, social services, and education, in order to empower our people to become greater participants and stakeholders in growing the Philippine economy,” Ambassador Cuisia said.

Secretary Domingo echoed this sentiment, saying the key driving force of the Philippines’ development is the country’s human resource.

“Development was started by good governance but the key is in our human resources, said Secretary Domingo.

US officials and business leaders underscored the good governance reforms and economic growth under the Aquino administration, stating that the Philippines is poised to become a market leader and standard in the Southeast Asian region as the US works toward a rebalance to Asia.

“The Pacific future is happening now, and US-Philippines trade relations reflect that,” said Stefan Selig, Undersecretary of the US Department of Commerce.

Undersecretary Selig said strong market and government-to-government ties between the Philippines and the US, sustained GDP growth, and high level of trade between the two countries are among the reasons why the Philippines is one of the best performing markets in the region.

“The relationship is not just a building block but a predecessor of rebalance in Asia,” said Undersecretary Selig.

Matt Bohn, Vice President and former Philippines Country Directory of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), echoed Selig’s sentiment, citing improvements made by the Philippines in various international anti-corruption and good governance indexes.

“The Philippines has shown dramatic improvement especially in the control of corruption. This has to do with leadership—a committed president and a cabinet fiercely focused on good leadership and governance,” said Bohn.

With 2016 being an election year in the Philippines, there have been concerns over the sustainability of reforms instituted by the Aquino government. However, the officials at the forum unanimously expressed their optimism in the “irreversible reforms” that have been put in place.

Secretary Purisima cited the engagement of Filipinos in public issues through their improved access to information and presence in social media as a reflection of both the demand for accountability among public officials and renewed hope in the government.

“People have seen the value of good governance in their lives. We have not only an engaged citizenry but also an empowered citizenry. The youth will play a major factor in the election…and President Aquino is committed to having a credible election,” said Secretary Purisima.

The Secretary added, “People are now more engaged because they see that a better governed Philippines is a possibility in their lifetime.”

The Philippine officials agreed that the combination of irreversible reforms and renewed optimism make the country a prime place for investment by US businesses.

“Locate in the Philippines. My business proposal is US companies have to look at the ASEAN market. Come to the Philippines and compete in the ASEAN market,” said Secretary Singson.

“Dynamic Philippine Economy: Growth, Reform, and Looking Ahead” is part of the Washington leg of a high level trade and investment mission to the United States taking place from 24 to 29 June 2015. The cabinet secretaries will be heading to New York from 25 to 26 June and to San Francisco on 29 June.

Also present at the forum were Mr. Bruce H. Andrews, US Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Mr. Maurice “Hank” Greenberg, former Chairman and CEO of AIG, and Honorary Chair of the US-Philippines Society.

Moderators of the forum were Mr. Ernest Z. Bower, Senior Senior Adviser and Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies at CSIS; Mr. Matthew P. Goodman, William E. Simon Chair in Political Economy and Senior Adviser for Asian Economics at CSIS; and Dr. Scott Kennedy, Deputy Director of the Freeman Chair in China Studies and Director of the Project on Political Economy at CSIS.

The Mission is an important follow-up to the Philippines-United States Memorandum of Cooperation on an Infrastructure Collaboration Platform, which was signed during the 8th Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum (GILF) held in New York in February.

The Conferences are being organized in cooperation with the Philippine Consulates General in New York and San Francisco, as well as Citibank, Deutsche Bank, Development Bank of the Philippines, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, JP Morgan, Land Bank of the Philippines, Morgan Stanley, Standard Chartered, and UBS.

Carmakers and parts manufacturers briefed on CARS Program
Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph
Carmakers and parts manufacturers were briefed on the features and mechanics of the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program. The CARS program aims to boost motor vehicle manufacturing and create more jobs for Filipinos. It is estimated that 200,000 jobs will be created with the implementation of the program. Likewise, CARS aims to encourage Philippine car makers to scale up and invest in parts manufacturing.

“The program aims to jumpstart the revitalization of the country’s automotive industry, improve its competitiveness and elevate the country into an auto manufacturing hub in the region,” said DTI Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Adrian S. Cristobal Jr.

With the implementation of the CARS program, the Philippines expects to attract more than P27B in new parts manufacturing investments, produce at least 600,000 vehicles and generate a total economic activity estimated to be worth P300B over the life of the program. The resulting contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated at about 1.7%.

The BOI consulted with the members of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI), Philippine Automotive Competitiveness Council, Inc. (PACCI), Federation of Automobile Industry Philippines, Truck Manufacturers Association, Inc. (TMA), and Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (MVPMAP) who participated in the briefing. Consultations and dialogues with the CARS program stakeholders aim to support the drafting of the CARS implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

BOI targets to complete the CARS IRR in July 2015.

“The CARS program is only one of the strategies of the roadmap. Let us not be fixated on the EO, rather, let us also work together to implement the other non-fiscal measures of the Automotive industry roadmap,” Cristobal said during the briefing.

The auto industry roadmap, crafted by industry stakeholders in partnership with the BOI, was completed last 2014. The roadmap identifies the industry’s vision and goals as well as interventions and initiatives to achieve competitiveness. The crafting of industry roadmaps is private sector led while BOI, lead agency for industry competitiveness, provides the enabling environment which includes streamlining of registration processes, and business matching activities among investors and local parts makers.

President Benigno S. Aquino III approved last month Executive Order (EO) 182 implementing the CARS Program.

DTI-Batanes caravan provides business opportunities in Itbayat Island
Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph/
On 19-26 May 2015, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) initiated business enabling activities in Itbayat Island, Batanes. Among the activities initiated were Comprehensive Monitoring Enforcement Plan (CMEP), Consumer Education and Information (CEI) session, facilitation of Business Name Registrations (BNRs) and skills trainings on beadworks, coconut shell products, basketry, turmeric processing, and hammock making.

For the CMEP, some residents of Barangay Raele and members of the Rural Improvement Club (RIC) attended the activity.

CEI session and lecture on small and medium enterprises roving academy (SMERA) were also conducted for the municipal employees of Itbayat.

DTI Batanes Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist Mr. Jonathan Gato led the discussion on the SMERA covering the following topics: Entrepreneurship (How to Start a Small Business), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Food Safety, Product Development (ProDev), Marketing, Pricing and Costing, and Packaging and Labelling.

Other business-enabling activities provided were skills training on beadworks, coconut shell products, basketry, turmeric processing and hammock making held last 21 May 2015 at the Congressional District Office (CDO).

The last three days were spent on door-to-door CMEP and facilitation of BNRs for both new and renewal applications in all five barangays in Itbayat namely: San Jose (Raele), San Rafael (Idiang), Santa Lucia (Kauhauhasan), Santa Maria (Marapuy), and Santa Rosa (Kaynatuan).

DTI-Batanes provincial caretaker Ms. Marietta Salviejo together with some DTI staff took them 3-hour boat ride going to Itbayat early in the morning on 19 May 2015.

PNP offers firearms registration caravan for retirees
Source: http://pnp.gov.ph
To give due consideration and appreciation to the invaluable services rendered by the retired PNP personnel during their active service, the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) is rolling out the License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) and Firearms registration One Stop-Shop Caravan on June 25 to June 26, 2015 at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame, Quezon City.

The One Stop-Shop Caravan will exclusively accommodate the PNP retirees who want to comply with the new firearms requirements for LTOPF, Firearms Registration and Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR).

According to FEO Chief, PSSUPT Elmo Francis O. Sarona, “This will also serve as a test run in line with the implementation of the approved ‘Supplemental Options on the Requirements to Simplify the Application for LTOPF’ that expedites the processing of LTOPF”.

“At the same time, this is in response to the numerous requests from the PNP retirees who would like to easily fulfil the requirements for LTOPF, Firearms registration and PTCFOR”, he added.

The following services can be avail on the said caravan:
· DI Clearance offered by the Directorate for Intelligence;
· Drug Test offered by the Crime Laboratory Group;
· Neuro-Psychiatric Test offered by the Health Service; and
· PTCFOR offered by the PTCFOR Secretariat

Also, included from the offered services is the availment of the NBI clearance as part of the Supplemental Options or in lieu of the RTC and MTC clearances. (PNP-PIO)

DepEd teachers, personnel to receive one-month PEI
Source: http://www.deped.gov.ph
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released PhP14 Billion for the Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) to the Department of Education. Eligible DepEd employees shall receive a one-time PEI equivalent to one month basic salary, pursuant to Executive Order 181, s. 2015.

DepEd has complied with all the conditions stipulated under Section 4 of EO 181, s. 2015. DBM has recently issued the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) to cover the release of funds for the grant of the PEI for fiscal year 2015. The said funds are being downloaded to DepEd regional offices. DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro FSC has directed its field offices to prepare the payroll of the qualified employees.

As stated in EO 181, s. 2015, qualified employees refer to those who “have (1) rendered at least a total or an aggregate of four (4) months of service as of May 31, 2015, including leaves of absence with pay, and who are still in the service as of May 31, 2015; and (2) obtained at least a satisfactory performance rating.” Employees who have rendered less than four months of satisfactory service as of May 31, 2015 may still be paid the full amount of the PEI upon completion of the four months and satisfactory service rating requirements before the end of FY 2015.

Turkey to learn from PH peace process for nego with Kurds
Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph
MANILA -- A high-level delegation from Turkey is in the country to meet and dialogue with Philippine officials and learn from the successful peace talks of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The delegation include high-level members of Parliament from Turkey's main political parties; civil society representatives coming from non-government organizations (NGOs), think tanks, academic organizations, and universities; and journalists, media personalities, and political commentators.

Kerim Yildiz, director of the Democratic Progress Institute (DPI), an international NGO, told Philippine peace panel officials led by former Agriculture Secretary Senen Bacani and peace panel legal team head Atty. Anna Basman that the Turkish government wants to learn from the conduct and lessons of the Bangsamoro peace process for Turkey’s own recently-revitalized peace talks with the Kurds.

Yildiz noted “the Turks are at a very important stage in the process with the Kurds that has recently started,” emphasizing that the assistance of Philippine peace officials in conducting the briefing, among other activities, “would have a very substantial impact.”

Yildiz said the delegates are interested in discussing “the architecture of a peace process, including the negotiations and cessation of hostilities; the role of the media; the role of civil society in mobilising a peace process; and the role of third parties in a peace process.”

During the briefing, Bacani also thanked Turkey for its contributions to the Bangsamoro peace process.

“I’d like to thank the government of Turkey and the people of Turkey for their very active involvement in the peace process with regard to our talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front,” Bacani said.

“Turkey is represented in the International Contact Group together with the United Kingdom, Japan, and Saudi Arabia—these are four countries represented—and four international NGOs,” Bacani noted. The ICG observes the conduct of the peace negotiations between the government and MILF.

“It’s second involvement is in the Third Party Monitoring Team, there is an international NGO from Turkey that is represented in the Third Party Monitoring Team,” he added.‎ The TPMT is tasked to monitor compliance of the government and MILF to all signed agreements.

“Turkey is also represented in the Independent Decommissioning Body which is chaired by the former ambassador of Turkey to NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization], Ambassador Haydar Berk,” he explained. The IDB is tasked to oversee the decommissioning of MILF forces and weapons.

The delegates were also interested in the challenges that the Bangsamoro peace process is facing especially in terms of the implementation of peace agreements, but Bacani explained that prejudices and biases against Filipino Muslims is a bigger challenge to the peace process compared to the implementation of agreements.

“The harder challenge is the change in mindset, in terms of a new way of thinking, eliminating the prejudices and biases of the past. That’s the harder one,” Bacani said.

DOST supports Filipino creativity via materials innovation center in Cebu
Source: http://www.dost.gov.ph
Do you have what it takes to be a Kenneth Cobonpue?

Or are you an upcoming couturier of the same caliber as Rajo Laurel or Inno Sotto?

Maybe you are following the footsteps of well-known Cebuano painter Gabriel Abellana?

Whatever form of art you are inclined to take, the Materials Technology Innovation Center (MATIC) may be your home away from home – a sanctuary conducive to unleashing the creative juice of a struggling master of the canvas, a craftsman extraordinaire or a visual artist from out of this world.

Recognizing the overflowing talent of the Filipino in almost all forms of art, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) partnered with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in establishing MATIC which is housed at the DOST Complex in Banilad, Cebu City – a center of creative industries in the country.

The facility was put up to support ECCP’s materials research and development program for the promotion of creativity and competitiveness in the local design industries through the use of new materials, innovation of indigenous materials, reinvention of designs and utilization of new and efficient technologies.

According to ECCP Branch Manager Rosemel D. Calderon, MATIC is a venue for those who want to increase their design capabilities and make use of mixed media and other innovative materials. At the same time, it will bridge the gap between the academe and the business sector in providing world-class services that will upgrade the capability of local talents to be more competitive in the international market.

The facility has three main features: the app zone, the dashboard and the chatroom. The app zone serves as both the workshop and the library where students can find material swatches, semi-processed materials and books on product development and design. The dashboard is a platform where products are displayed. Lastly, the chatroom is a meeting room for creative discussions and presentations.

Small and medium enterprises engaged in the production of furniture, home decors, fashion design and accessories, woven products, and bamboo-made products among others, will benefit from MATIC. The upgraded skills of artists and craftsmen will be instrumental in creating unique designs and products that will be more competitive in the world market.

“The DOST strongly believes in the Filipino talent and capacity to excel in any field, be it in science and technology or the visual arts. That is one of the reasons why the Department fully supports this initiative aimed at further enhancing our skills and talents to be at par with the world’s greatest artists and artisans,” DOST Assistant Secretary Raymund E. Liboro said during a recent visit to the facility.

To date, products displayed at MATIC come from locally based producers like Anthill Fabrics Gallery, Avatar Accessories, Tubigon Loom Weavers of Bohol, Cebu Interlace Weavers Corporation and Earthworks.

DOST provides assistance and support to other local industries as well with its array of programs and world-class facilities. Among these are the Food Innovation Centers for food processing, Advanced Materials and Analysis Testing and Laboratory or ADMATEL for the semiconductor industry and the Die and Mold Center for metal fabrication and engineering.

These one-stop-shop facilities will be featured come July 24-28, 2015 at the National Science and Technology Week at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. Details of NSTW can be viewed at www.science.ph and nstw.dost.gov.ph.

CSC calls for contenders in the 2015 Government Choral Competition
Source: http://web.csc.gov.ph
Registration for the Government Choral Competition is now open.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) announced that interested government choirs nationwide who want to compete in the Government Choral Competition slated September 15, 2015 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Pasay City have until July 10 to join the contest.

The competition is one of the major activities lined up for the celebration of the 115th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary with the theme, “Kayang Kaya Mo, Lingkod Bayani!”

Interested choirs based in Luzon may now submit their registration forms to CSC Regional Office No.3, Pampanga; CSC Regional Office No.6 in Iloilo for those in Visayas; CSC Regional Office No.11 in Davao City for those in Mindanao; and CSC National Capital Region for those in NCR.

A choir can have a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 30 members, including one conductor and one accompanist. All singers must be government employees belonging to one agency. Choirs should submit an audio-video recording of two audition pieces along with the registration form. Eight (8) finalists from among the entry submissions shall be chosen by a panel of judges composed of people with recognized repute in the choral music and artistic world.

Selection of semi-finalists runs from June 8 to July 10. Registration form and contest guidelines may be downloaded from csc.gov.ph.

Grand prize winner will take home PHP150,000, while 1st runner-up to 3rd runner-up winners will receive PHP100,000, PHP70,000, and PHP50,000 respectively.

The competition is organized by the CSC in coordination with the Philippine Choral Directors Association.

Bicolano farmers to receive 120 farm machines from DAR
Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph
LEGAZPI CITY—Farmer-beneficiaries are excited to start farming in the next cropping season as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) will be distributing farm machineries to farmers’ cooperatives here.

DAR Regional Director Luis Bueno said the farm machines worth P48 million would help modernize farming in Region 5.

“With these machines, our agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) can now till their land faster and more efficiently. These [machines] will greatly help in decreasing losses in production and increasing their yield and income,” said Bueno.news june 24 2015 national 2

Bueno said the farm machines consisting of corn shellers, hand tractors, power tillers, floating tillers, threshers, reapers, water pumps and sprayers will be turned over to qualified farmers’ cooperatives as soon as they have complied with the needed requirements.

“To qualify, each of these cooperatives must have a warehouse to serve as storage for these farm machines,” Bueno said.

The project is implemented under the Agrarian Reform Communities Connectivity & Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) project of the DAR to cater to the needs of the cooperatives or farmers’ associations.

Bueno said though that ARCCESS is not limited to providing equipment to farmers’ organizations. They could also avail themselves of other services like agri-business technologies to help them establish farm enterprises and gain access to credit and better markets.

“With ARCCESS, the department aims to transform our ARBs into viable entrepreneurs by providing them with support services to enhance their farming capabilities and increase their income,” said Bueno. (Ma. Trinise V. General)

Geotagging recognized as an effective transparency tool for gov’t projs
Source: http://www.da.gov.ph
The World Bank (WB) has recently recognized the Philippines as the leading nation in utilizing geotagging—a vital tool in promoting transparency of government-implemented projects.

With this, the WB has requested the Department of Agriculture (DA) to promote geotagging not only in the country, but also internationally, as the foreign financial institution is set to release guidelines for geotagging application on the procurement and implementation of projects supported by three major foreign fund sources in the country.

Aside from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will soon adapt the tool in implementing their assisted projects in the Philippines.

Pioneered by the DA as a virtual monitoring tool for agri-fishery projects in 2011 under the Mindanao Rural Development Program, geo-tagging is now being adopted by 17 WB-supported projects of national agencies including Departments of Agrarian Reform, Public Works and Highways, Environment and Natural Resources, and Social Welfare and Development, and the National Irrigation Administration among others.

The geotagging tool is being utilized under the DA’s Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), also a WB-assisted project to validate and monitor proposed and implemented sub-projects.

Other DA agencies such as the Agricultural Training Institute and the National Meat Inspection Service are undergoing training from the PRDP to allow them success similar to MRDP/PRDP projects.

PRDP Deputy Project Director Arnel De Mesa said that the WB and Commission on Audit (COA) have asked the DA to help craft and develop standard procedures in auditing and monitoring government projects to include geotagging as a tool in the system.

“The national government will soon release a standardized process scheme in monitoring and evaluating government projects,” De Mesa said during the Geomapping and Governance Unit Coordination Meeting on June 24, 2015 in Davao City.

“With this, we see how geotagging is affecting the policy of the national government in regards with sub-project validation, monitoring and evaluation, and approval of projects,” he added.

GGU Head Samuel Belamide, the team that handles the PRDP geotagging said that the tool covers the entire project cycle from validation to implementation, completion and even the assessment of the project impact.

“The guidelines set by the WB for the foreign-assisted projects are based on the experience of the PRDP and we are glad that we will be applying this tool to other government projects,” he added.

Belamide and his team are responsible for the training of other government agencies in geotagging as well as PRDP’s Local Government partners and winning contractors for various sub-projects.

Geotagged photos of physical accomplishments for projects and deliveries of goods are required for contractors’ progress billings and requests for payment.

Geotagging is an ICT application that associates digital resource such as photos and videos with geographic and location information with high degree of precision. Geotagged photos are then automatically mapped into Google Earth, showing the exact location of a particular project.

PDIC to continue processing claims of Community Rural Bank of Magsaysay (Davao del Sur) depositors
Source: http://www.pdic.gov.ph
The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) announced that it will continue to receive and process deposit insurance claims from depositors of the closed Community Rural Bank of Magsaysay (Davao del Sur), Inc. at the PDIC Claims Counter, 4th Floor, SSS Bldg., 6782 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City until May 8, 2017. Claims may also be filed through mail.

Community Rural Bank of Magsaysay, which was ordered closed on May 7, 2015, has P5.7 million in total estimated insured deposits involving 767 accounts. A total of P3.1 million in insured deposits covering 41 accounts was paid during the onsite claim settlement operations (CSO). Another P1.1 million was settled thru postal money orders sent via registered mail to 358 accounts of depositors with balances of P50,000 and below where filing of claims was waived by PDIC.

As of May 21, 2015, PDIC has yet to receive deposit insurance claims for P1.0 million covering 364 accounts. In accordance with the provisions of the PDIC Charter, the last day for filing deposit insurance claims in the said bank is on May 8, 2017. After said date, PDIC shall no longer accept any deposit insurance claim.

When filing deposit insurance claims, depositors are advised to personally present their duly accomplished Claim Form, original evidence of deposit, and two (2) valid photo-bearing IDs with signature. The same set of documents must be enclosed when claims are filed through mail.

Depositors who are below 18 years old should submit either a photocopy of their Birth Certificate issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or a duly certified copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar as an additional requirement, with the Claim Form signed by the parent. Claimants who are not the signatories in the bank records are required to submit an original copy of a notarized Special Power of Attorney. In the case of a minor depositor, the Special Power of Attorney must be executed by the parent.

The procedures and requirements for filing deposit insurance claims are posted in the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph. The Claim Form and format of the Special Power of Attorney may also be downloaded from the PDIC website.

For more information, depositors may contact the Public Assistance Department at telephone numbers (02) 841-4630 to 31, or e-mail at pad@pdic.gov.ph. Depositors outside Metro Manila may call the PDIC Toll Free Hotline at 1-800-1-888-PDIC (7342).

PHL Ambassador presents Credentials to Ugandan President
Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph
23 June 2015 – Philippine Ambassador Bayani V. Mangibin presented his Letter of Credence to Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, as non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Uganda at the main State House, Entebbe, Uganda last May 20.

During the meeting, President Museveni conveyed to Ambassador Mangibin his best regards to President Benigno C. Aquino III and congratulated the Philippine government for its remarkable economic performance. Ambassador Mangibin replied by presenting to President Museveni, and through him, to the people of Uganda, the compliments of President Aquino and the Filipino people. The Ambassador also stated that the challenging external environment of the global economy creates a necessity for strategic partnership between and among nations and the Philippine economic performance projects the country’s forte as strategic partner.

Before the presentation of credentials, Ambassador Mangibin was given military honors at Kololo Airstrip in Kampala, Uganda.

Ambassador Mangibin was accompanied by Philippine Honorary Consul to Uganda, Captain Abhay Agarwal and Attaché Jekelyn T. Arago.

PHL Embassy in Riyadh conducts 14th Overseas Voters Outreach for 2015
Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph
23 June 2015 – The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh successfully conducted its 14th overseas voters registration outreach for 2015 at Al Jazeera International School in Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from June 19 to 20.

The overseas voters outreach mission is a part of the Embassy’s thrust to deliver overseas voting services closer to Filipinos in Saudi Arabia to enable them to vote during the 2016 national elections.

This is the 1st overseas voter registration outreach conducted for the year during the month of Ramadan.

A total of 267 new overseas voters, four certifications and one reactivation were facilitated by members of Embassy.

Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mr. Ezzedin H. Tago invited all Filipinos in Saudi Arabia to register as overseas voters before the deadline on October 31. “We only have over four months left before the deadline. I urge all Filipinos to register and exercise their right to vote during the National Elections next year,” said Ambassador Tago.

Registering as overseas voter will enable all qualified Filipinos in Saudi Arabia to vote for the positions of President, Vice President, 12 members of the Senate and one Party-list sectoral representative during the national elections in May 2016.

Overseas voters registration services are available at the Embassy lobby from Sunday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., during the month of Ramadan and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. thereafter until October 31 this year. Overseas voters registration services will also be provided during scheduled Embassy-on-Wheels (EOW) outreach missions.

MMDA Chief proposes waste to Disaster Management System
Source: http://www.mmda.gov.ph
 Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino today broached the idea of putting up a waste-to-disaster management system where methane gas can be contained and used the event of a major earthquake and other exigencies.

Speaking at the inauguration of Pasig City’s Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) Processing Facility, Tolentino urged its proponents to come up with a similar technology in which solid waste can be converted to methane gas and kept in cylinders and will be utilized for the post-earthquake massive recovery and rehabilitation program of the government.

“As we are all preparing for a major earthquake, it is but appropriate to also conceptualize and develop a waste to disaster management system because energy will be very essential after a disaster,” Tolentino said.

The waste to disaster management system being proposed by Tolentino is similar to the United States Strategic Petroleum Reserve whereinan emergencyfuelstorage of oilis being maintained by the United StatesDepartment of Energy and the largest emergency supply in the world.

According to the MMDA chief, 8,200 tons of garbage are hauled daily from Metro Manila. “If we can allot at least .5 percent of it for our energy reserve, we can be assured that we have energy to use after an earthquake or any disaster.”
RDF is fuel produced from shredding and dehydrating solid waste through the use of a waste converter technology. It is widely-used in the United States of America, Germany, South Korea, and Japan.





Last Updated: 25 JUNE 2015
Alternative photo archive with high resolutions
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech at the opening ceremony of the Livestock Philippines 2015, with the theme "One Stop Event to Fulfill the Livestock, Feed, Meat and Food Industries Needs" at the Function Room of SMX Convention Center in Pasay City Thursday (June 25).  The event is hosted by the Department of Agriculture and its attached agencies. Livestock Philippiunes 2015 will serve as the perfect platform for global trade players to place investments in the local livestock, animal health and feed industries. (Photo by Lauro Montillano / Gil Nartea. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III graces Livestock Philippines 2015 expo hosted by the Department of Agriculture with the theme "One Stop Event to Fulfill the Livestock, Feed, Meat and Food Industries Needs" at the Function Room of SMX convention center in Pasay City Thursday (June 25). With the President in photo are Agriculture secretary proceso Alcala and Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto. (Photo by Lauro Montillano/Benhur Arcayan/Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
The graduates of the Special Training for Employment Program of TESDA listen to President Benigno Aquino III during the mass graduation ceremonies and awarding of toolkits held at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on Tuesday (June 23). (Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Joel Villanueva, Pasay City Lone District Representative Imelda Calixto-Rubiano and Pasay City Mayor Antonio Calixto upon arrival for the Special Training for Employment Program mass graduation and awarding of toolkits at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on Tuesday (June 23). (Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Special Training for Employment Program mass graduation and awarding of toolkits at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on Tuesday (June 23, 2015). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Special Training for Employment Program mass graduation and awarding of toolkits at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on Tuesday (June 23). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Gil Nartea / Rodolfo Manabat/ Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Joel Villanueva, awards the Certificate of Training and toolkits to 24 STEP scholars representing the 2,022 graduates during the Special Training for Employment Program mass graduation ceremonies and awarding of toolkits at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on Tuesday (June 23). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the TESDA Special Training for Employment Program  mass graduation and awarding of toolkits at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on Tuesday (June 23). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III huddles with the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. officers, led by its president Angel Ngu, for a snap shot during the oath taking ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (June 23). Also in photo is Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a scale model of the 2-classroom school building presented by the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc., led by its president Angel Ngu, during the oath taking ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (June 23). The Operation: Barrio Schools is the longest running and biggest private sector led development program focused on educational infrastructure. To date, some 4,933 school buildings – equivalent to 9,866 classrooms – have already been turned over to public schools nationwide, benefitting nearly one million schoolchildren. Also in photo is Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III inducts the newly elected officers of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc., headed by its president Angel Ngu, in ceremonies held at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (June 23). (Photo by Gil Nartea / by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the singing of the Philippine National Anthem during the oath taking ceremony of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) officers at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (June 23). Also in photo are FFCCCII honorary president Amb. Domingo Lee, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, FFCCCII president Angel Ngu, honorary president Dr. Alfonso Siy and vice president Dr. Cecilio Pedro. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III presents the Certificate of Recognition to Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Rafael Yabut during the Recognition and Awarding Ceremony for the agency's 117th anniversary celebration held at the DPWH Quadrangle of the Central Office in Bonifacio Drive Port Area, Manila City on Monday (June 22). This year’s anniversary theme is “DPWH: Sa Daang Matuwid, Para Sa Diyos at Bayan”. Also in photo is Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson during the agency's 117th anniversary celebration held at the DPWH Quadrangle of the Central Office in Bonifacio Drive Port Area, Manila City on Monday (June 22). This year’s anniversary theme is “DPWH: Sa Daang Matuwid, Para Sa Diyos at Bayan”. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, views the photo exhibit on the agency's infrastructure projects following the 117th anniversary of the Department of Public Works and Highways at the DPWH Quadrangle of the Central Office in Bonifacio Drive Port Area, Manila City on Monday (June 22). This year’s anniversary theme is “DPWH: Sa Daang Matuwid, Para Sa Diyos at Bayan”. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the 117th anniversary of the Department of Public Works and Highways at the DPWH Quadrangle of the Central Office in Bonifacio Drive Port Area, Manila City on Monday (June 22). This year’s anniversary theme is “DPWH: Sa Daang Matuwid, Para Sa Diyos at Bayan”. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a copy of a framed ISO 9001:2008 Registration Certificate of DPWH’s Quality Management System from Secretary Rogelio Singson during the 117th anniversary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at the DPWH Quadrangle of the Central Office in Bonifacio Drive Port Area, Manila City on Monday (June 22). This year’s anniversary theme is “DPWH: Sa Daang Matuwid, Para Sa Diyos at Bayan”. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the 117th anniversary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at the DPWH Quadrangle of the Central Office in Bonifacio Drive Port Area, Manila City on Monday (June 22). This year’s anniversary theme is “DPWH: Sa Daang Matuwid, Para Sa Diyos at Bayan”. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the 117th anniversary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at the DPWH Quadrangle of the Central Office in Bonifacio Drive Port Area, Manila City on Monday (June 22). This year’s anniversary theme is “DPWH: Sa Daang Matuwid, Para Sa Diyos at Bayan”. Also in photo is Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson upon arrival for the 117th anniversary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at the DPWH Quadrangle of the Central Office in Bonifacio Drive Port Area, Manila City on Monday (June 22). This year’s anniversary theme is “DPWH: Sa Daang Matuwid, Para Sa Diyos at Bayan”. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads his official family in prayer before presiding over the Cabinet Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (June 18). Also in photo is PCOO Sec. Sonny Coloma. (Photo by Exequiel Supera / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the Cabinet Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (June 18). Also in photo are Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads his official family in prayer before presiding over the Cabinet Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (June 18). Also in photo are Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads his official family in prayer before presiding over the Cabinet Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (June 18). (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the Cabinet Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (June 18). Also in photo are Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director general Joel Villanueva, Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes,  Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the Cabinet Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (June 18). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III observes the processing of the weapons and combatants during the ceremonial turnover of crew-served weapons and high powered firearms and the decommissioning of combatants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (BIAF-MILF) at the Old Maguindanao Provincial Capitol in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Tuesday (June 16). The government and the MILF agreed to undertake the ceremonial turnover of the 75 weapons of the BIAF-MILF as provided in the Phase 1 of the normalization program for the Bangsamoro. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
Some of the decommissioned combatants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front present during the turnover of weapons at the Old Maguindanao Provincial Capitol in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Tuesday (June 16). The government and the MILF agreed to undertake the ceremonial turnover of the 75 weapons of the BIAF-MILF as provided in the Phase 1 of the normalization program for the Bangsamoro. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the ceremonial turnover of crew-served weapons and high powered firearms and the decommissioning of combatants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (BIAF-MILF) at the Old Maguindanao Provincial Capitol in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Tuesday (June 16). The government and the MILF agreed to undertake the ceremonial turnover of the 75 weapons of the BIAF-MILF as provided in the Phase 1 of the normalization program for the Bangsamoro. (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the ceremonial turnover of crew-served weapons and high powered firearms and the decommissioning of combatants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (BIAF-MILF) at the Old Maguindanao Provincial Capitol in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Tuesday (June 16). The government and the MILF agreed to undertake the ceremonial turnover of the 75 weapons of the BIAF-MILF as provided in the Phase 1 of the normalization program for the Bangsamoro. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III observes the processing of the weapons and combatants during the ceremonial turnover of crew-served weapons and high powered firearms and the decommissioning of combatants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (BIAF-MILF) at the Old Maguindanao Provincial Capitol in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Tuesday (June 16). The government and the MILF agreed to undertake the ceremonial turnover of the 75 weapons of the BIAF-MILF as provided in the Phase 1 of the Normalization Program for the Bangsamoro. Also in Photo are MILF Central Committee chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and Independent Decommissioning Body chairman Ambassador Haydar Berk (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III observes the processing of the weapons and combatants during the ceremonial turnover of crew-served weapons and high powered firearms and the decommissioning of combatants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (BIAF-MILF) at the Old Maguindanao Provincial Capitol in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Tuesday (June 16). The government and the MILF agreed to undertake the ceremonial turnover of the 75 weapons of the BIAF-MILF as provided in the Phase 1 of the Normalization Program for the Bangsamoro. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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President Aquino's speech earlier today at Livestock Philippines Expo 2015: http://t.co/I0z3pEWvEK http://t.co/tiSyX7tmXL | via @govph

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‪#‎PNoy‬ urges live stock stakeholders to explore opportunities for more robust industry: http://t.co/ZtmKYCl9Ul http://t.co/RCJyTZqlfU

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The Dangerous Drugs Board (‪#‎DDB‬)is leading this year's observance of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT) on June 26, 7:00 a.m. at the Angono Lakeside Park, Angono, Rizal. The program will focus on art as alternative activity against drug use. ‪#‎DrugAbuse‬
Join us in the celebration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Friday, 26 June 2015 at Angono Lakeside Park, San Vicente, Ang...
 

‪#‎PH‬ places second in global award for Best Public Service Initiatives - See more at: http://t.co/k8PpFhE00s http://t.co/ZN1TVlQYY2
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Pres. ‪#‎Aquino‬ says he wants to focus on governing, does not want to be distracted by politics http://t.co/hc8VLbD4zk http://t.co/su7QsHumZ4

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