Saturday, July 25, 2015

5 Dispatch for July 27 , 2015 ( Monday ), 6 Calabarzon PRs , 4 Weather Watch , Interview with Sec. Coloma , 20 Online News( July 25) 42 Photonews (July 24)

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






DAILY WEATHER FORECAST


Issued at: 5:00 AM today, 27 July 2015
Valid Beginning: 5:00 AM today until 5:00 AM tomorrow
 Synopsis:

Ridge of high pressure area (HPA) affecting Northern Luzon.

 pressure.gif  Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis 8 AM 27 July 2015  wind.gifPredicted Mean Sea Level Wind Analysis 8 AM 27 July 2015 satellite


Forecast:

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over the whole country.


Light to moderate winds blowing from the East to Southeast will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and coming from the Northeast to East over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate.  

OVER METRO MANILA:
Maximum Temperature: 03:00 PM Yesterday --- 32.8 ºC
Minimum Temperature: 06:00 AM Yesterday --- 22.5 ºC
Maximum Relative Humidity: 06:00 AM Yesterday --- 92 %
Minimum Relative Humidity: 02:00 PM Yesterday --- 54 %
High Tide Today: 06:11 AM ..……….... 1.05 Meters
Low Tide Today: 03:01 PM ..……….... 0.28 Meter
Sunrise Today: 5:38 AM
Sunset Today: 6:27 PM
Moonrise Today: 02:32 PM
Moonset Tomorrow: 02:18 AM
Illumination Today: 74 %
For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph



PAGASA weather forecaster Gladys Saludes on DZBB:
-Asahan ang mga thunderstorm ngayong hapon (sa Metro Manila at mga karatig-lugar).
-Natunaw na po ang LPA na binabantayan natin kagabi pa.
-Sa ngayon po ay wala tayong namo-monitor na sama ng panahon sa PAR.


ABS-CBN resident meteorologist Alvin Pura: Mayroon pa ring Southwest Monsoon or Habagat pero ang buong bansa ay magkakaroon ng magandang panahon maliban na lang sa mga isolated rains and thunderstoms. Sa Northern Luzon ay mababa naman ng tyansa ng pag-ulan dahil sa ridge of HPA. Ngayon huling SONA naman ni PNoy, makakaasa ng magandang panahon sa bahagi ng Quezon City pero pagsapit ng hapon ay tataas ang tyansa ng pag-ulan na 90% mula 3PM-7PM.


PAGASA: At 10AM today, the LPA was located 570km east northeast of Basco, Batanes. This weather disturbance is expected to bring isolated thunderstorms over the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan and the islands of Batanes, Babuyan and Calayan.


July  27  , 2014  (  Monday )     as of  9:00 AM
        PIA4A / PIA QUEZON   :  Cloudy in Lucena City   

NORTHERN


SOUTHERN


EASTERN


WESTERN









37th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation


QUEZON

1.  Tagalog news: 3rd farm tourism conference, idinaos sa Lucban
  • July 24, 2015
LUCBAN, Quezon, Hulyo 24 (PIA) --Idinaos kamakailan sa bayang ito ang 3rd Farm Tourism Conference sa pagtutulungan ng Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), International School  of Sustainable Tourism, pamahalaang panlalawigan at ng pamahalaang lokal ng Lucban.

Ang okasyon na may temang “Healthy Soils for a Healthy Life” ay dinaluhan ng mga empleyado mula sa ibang ibang lokal na pamahalaan sa bansa, NGOs, mga magsasaka at mga mamamahayag.

Sinabi ni Senador Cynthia  Villar na isa sa mga panauhing tagapagsalita na layunin ng farm tourism conference  na matulungan ang mga magsasaka na maitaas ang kanilang kita, mapaunlad ang farm tourism sa mga bayan sa lalawigan gayundin matulungan ang mga taong  walang hanapbuhay na magkaroon ng trabaho.

“Mahalaga din ang pagsasagawa ng intercropping at organic farming sa pagsusulong ng programang  farm-tourim sapagkat ito ay makatutulong sa pag-iwas o hindi paggamit ng mga pesticide sa pagpapalaki o pagpaparami ng mga produktong agrikultura” ayon pa sa senador.

Bukod kay Villar, dumalo din sa okasyon sina Jose  Luis Fernandez ng Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); Dr. Mina Gabor, pangulo ng International School  of Sustainable Tourism; DOT Region 4-A director Rebecca Labit; kinatawan ni Secretary Proceso Alcala ng Department of Agriculture (DA)  at Lucban mayor  Celso Olivier Dator na siyang  tumanggap sa mga panauhin mula sa iba’ibang bayan o lalawigan ng bansa.

Sinabi ni Mayor Dator na may mahalagang papel na ginagampanan ang mga magsasaka sa pagsusulong ng programang “farm tourism” sapagkat ang mga mgasasaka ang pangunahing nagtatanim ng mga produktong agrikultura. (Ruel Orinday-PIA-Quezon)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/701436248137/tagalog-news-3rd-farm-tourism-conference-idinaos-sa-lucban#sthash.cwaVGXav.dpuf

2.  PSA-Quezon all set for the 2015 Census on Population next month
  • July 24, 2015
LUCENA CITY, Quezon, July 23 (PIA) --The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-Quezon provincial office is all ready to conduct the 2015 Census of Population on August 10, 2015 in the province of Quezon.

Jojo Cadavillo of PSA-Quezon said in preparation for the actual census, a trainors training of field officers was conducted at PSA-Lipa City last July 13-18, 2015 and to be followed by a trainors training for census area supervisors. A training for enumerators/ field supervisors is also scheduled starting July  27 until August 1, 2015 (1st batch) while the second batch is set on  August 2-8, 2015.

According to the PSA,  POPCEN 2015 is a complete enumeration of households in the country and is designed primarily to take an inventory of the population of the entire Philippines. It also collects information about some characteristics of the population such as age, sex, marital status and highest grade completed.

This year's Census of Population is the 14th census since the first census was undertaken in 1903 and the third population census to be conducted in between two decennial censuses as mid-decade censuses were carried out in 1995 and 2007.

The POPCEN 2015 aims to  provide government executives, policy and decision makers, and planners with  population  data, especially updated  population counts of all barangays in the country, in which  to  base their social  and economic development plans, policies and programs.

The authority and mandate of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to conduct the POPCEN 2015  emanates from  RA No. 10625  and Executive Order  No. 352.

The listing and enumeration for the POPCEN 2015  will last for about 25 working days, including Saturdays and holidays.

Provincial statistics officer Airene Pucyutan is urging all barangay officials in the province to support and cooperate in the conduct  of POPCEN 2015 this coming August 2015. (RMO, PIA- Quezon)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/701437726985/psa-quezon-all-set-for-the-2015-census-on-population-next-month#sthash.meuVSQKe.dpuf


3.  Tagalog news: Ika-200 taong kaarawan ng bayaning si Hermano Puli, ipinagdiwang sa Quezon
  • July 24, 2015
LUNGSOD NG TAYABAS, Quezon, Hulyo 24 (PIA) --Mahigit sa 300 empleyado mula sa  mga tanggapan ng lokal at nasyonal na pamahalaan ang dumalo  sa pagiriwang ng ika- 200 taong kaarawan  ng yumanong bayaning si   Apolinario dela Cruz o mas kilala sa tawag na Hermano Puli noong ika-  ika-22 ng Hulyo 2015.

Ang pagdiriwang ay pinangunahan  nina  Executive Director Ludovico Badoy ng National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Pangalawang pangulo Jejomar Binay at  Quezon Gov. David Suarez sa pamamagitan ng pag-aalay ng bulaklak sa bantayog ni Hermano Puli sa Brgy. Isabang, lungsod ng Tayabas kasunod ang pagbubukas ng  photo exhibit ni Puli sa Mall Atrium ng SM City Lucena.

Bukod dito, ang Hermano Puli @ 200 Bicentennial Committee na pinamumunuan nina  Governor David “Jay-Jay” C. Suarez at dating DepEd-Quezon Division Schools Superintendent Gloria Potes ay naghanda ng ilang mga gawain kaugnay ng pagdiriwang simula ika-20 hanggang ika21 ng Hulyo 2015.

Kabilang dito ang paligsahan sa paghanap ng Best Storyteller para sa mga guro at Dress Up your Coloring Book para sa mga mag-aaral na isasagawa sa STI Academic Center Lucena sa ika-20 ng Hulyo, paligsahan sa kasaysayan, talumpatian, pagsulat ng sanaysay at ang coloring contest sa ika-21 ng Hulyo na gagawin sa Quezon Science High School.

Ayon kay Alberto “Jun” Bay, Provincial Tourism Officer, ang Puli@200 Bicentennial Committee ay nagpasya na rin sa pamamatnubay ng NHCP na gamitin ang larawan na sadyang ipinagawa pa ng Orden Hospitalaria ng Confradia de San Juan De Dios bilang larawan ni Puli upang siya ay lubos na makilala.

Base sa kasaysayan, si Hermano Puli na bayani ng lalawigan ng Quezon ay ipinanganak noong Hulyo 23, 1814 sa Sitio Pandac, Nalunao, Lucban, Quezon sa mag-asawang  Pablo de la Cruz at Juana Andres, Ninais  ni Puli na mag-aral  ng pagpapari subali’t mahigpit na hinadlangan ng  mga prayle sapagkat siya ay isang ‘indio”.

Itinatag  ni Puli ang Confradia de San Jose, isang kapatiran noong 1840 at nagkaroon ng may 10,000 kasapi mula  sa mga kalapit lalawigan na may layunin para sa kalayaang  pananampalataya, pagmamahal sa bayan at pag-aangat  ng kabuhayan ng kapatiran.

Ginampanan ni Hermano Puli ang mga gawain ng isang pari lalo na sa mga liblib na pook na hindi nararating  ng mga prayle gayundin ang  pagpapaunlad ng pagsasaka. Dahas  naman ang naging  tugon ng mga kastila  sa mga kasapi ng kapatiran  noong Nobyembre 1, 1841 kung saan 6,000 kasapi  pati na mga kababaihan at kabataan  ang napaslang sa kuta sa Alitao, Tayabas.

Nabihag si Puli noong Nobyembre 2, 1841 sa Ibanga, Sariaya at ipinarada sa buong bayan ng Tayabas. Hinatulan siya ng kamatayan  sa Casa  Comunidad de Tayabas sa salang sedisyon at treason, matapos parusahan, ibinilad sa araw, pinakain sa langgam ay pinatay at pinaghati-hati ang katawan  at ikinalat sa mga daang bayan  upang huwag tularan (Quezon PIO/PIA-Quezon)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/701437727416/tagalog-news-ika-200-taong-kaarawan-ng-bayaning-si-hermano-puli-ipinagdiwang-sa-quezon#sthash.9FuTJjE1.dpuf



37th Annual Scientific Meeting



LAGUNA 
 
1.  DTI lowers duties on imported newsprint
  • July 27, 2015
CALMBA CITY, Laguna, July 27 (PIA) --The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued an order imposing safeguard duties lower than the Tariff Commission (TC)’s recommended rate on imported newsprint.

Under the order, a duty amounting to P980 per metric ton (MT) of imported newsprint shall be imposed on the first year as a form of safeguard measure, DTI-Bureau of Import Services (BIS) Director Luis M. Catibayan said.

The duty will be reduced to around P800 for the second year of implementation and cut further to P640 on the third year, Catibayan added.

Catibayan further said that his office would review it every year to determine whether there is a need to change the amount, depending on the results of the review.

Newsprint is a low-cost, non-archival paper most commonly used to print newspapers and other publications and advertising material. It is used in printing presses that employ a long web of paper rather than individual sheets of paper. (Charlie S. Dajao, DTI Calabarzon/DTI KMIS/PIA-4A)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/631437978371/dti-lowers-duties-on-imported-newsprint#sthash.GSS0xIcB.dpuf


2.  General Trias emerged most competitive municipality; several other Calabarzon LGUs ranked in most competitive list
  • July 27, 2015
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, July 27 (PIA) --Several cities and municipalities in the Calabarzon Region landed in various categories of the top ten rankings in the recent 2015 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) Awards held July 16, 2015 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Reception Hall.

The CMCI is an annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities conducted by the National Competitiveness Council aligned with the goal to improve the country’s overall competitiveness.

Cities and municipalities are ranked according to their performance in the following pillars of competitiveness: economic dynamism, government efficiency, and infrastructure.

General Trias bagged the Overall Most Competitive Municipality , 1st to 2nd Class Municipalities Category, while Taytay and Angono landed at the third and sixth places, respectively.

Five more Calabarzon cities have been listed in the Top 10 Component Cities:  Imus (3rd), Bacoor (5th), Antipolo (6th), Dasmariñas (7th), and Batangas City (10th).  

Infanta and Taal were at 3rd and 8th places in the Overall Most Competitive Municipalities, 3rd to 6th Class Municipality Category.

Scores on economic dynamism were based on data on the size and growth of the local economy as measured by business registrations, capital, revenues, and occupancy permits; capacity to generate employment; cost of living; cost of doing business; financial deepening; productivity; and presence of business and professional organizations.

Based on the above, six component cities from Calabarzon are in the Top Ten list: Imus (2nd), San Pedro (5th), Dasmariñas (6th), Biñan (7th), Batangas (8th), and Lipa (9th)

In the 1st to 2nd Class Municipalities Category, General Trias topped the list (1st) with Cainta and Taytay at ranks four and seven, respectively.  

In the 3rd to 6th Class Municipalities Category, Pila of Laguna made 5th, and Infanta, 6th.

Government Efficiency scores were based on data on transparency scores, economic governance scores, local taxes and revenues, local competition-related awards, business registration efficiency, investment promotion, compliance to national directives, security, health, and education.
No Calabarzon city or municipality fared under the government efficiency ranking.

Infrastructure scores were based on data on existing road network, distance from city/municipality center to major ports, Department of Tourism-accredited accommodations, health infrastructure, education infrastructure, basic utilities, infrastructure investments, ICT connection, ATMs, and public transportation.

Six component cities of Calabarzon’s are in the top ten list under the infrastructure pillar of competitiveness: Dasmariñas (2nd), Antipolo (3rd), Bacoor (4th), Calamba (6th), Santa Rosa (7th), and Imus (9th).

Angono (1st), Taytay (3rd), Cainta (4th), Silang (5th), General Trias (6th), and Balayan (9th) in the 1st to 2nd Class Municipalities Category,

In the 3rd to 6th Class Municipalities Category, Taal occupies the top rank (1st) along with Infanta (3rd), Pagsanjan (4th), and Noveleta (7th),

Rizal and Cavite are among the Most Competitive Provinces, at sixth and ninth places, respectively.

The awards were conferred and presented by prominent leaders from different sectors, which further underscored the value of the recognition.

Over 1,000 delegates from local government units, national government agencies, and private sector gathered at the PICC Reception Hall to witness the announcement of the Most Competitive Cities , Municipalities, and Provinces in the 3rd Regional Competitiveness Summit.

The summit, which emphasized the importance of local competitiveness as the foundation of national competitiveness, gathered local chief executives, leaders from both the private and public sectors, and delegates from across the country.

The awards were conferred and presented by prominent leaders from different sectors, which further underscored the value of the recognition.

The award conferrers included Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Cabinet Secretary; Miguel Varella, President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Ebb Hinchcliffe, Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines; John Avila, Project Management Specialist of the Office of Economic Development and Governance, USAID Philippines; Julian Payne, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines; Henry Schumacher, Executive Vice President of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines; Guillermo Luz, Private Sector Co-Chair of the National Competitiveness Council; and Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya of the Department of Trade and Industry. (Charlie S. Dajao, DTI-Calabarzon/PIA-4A)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/631437954911/general-trias-emerged-most-competitive-municipality-several-other-calabarzon-lgus-ranked-in-most-competitive-list#sthash.pMKvKcE2.dpuf


 BATANGAS

Tagalog news: APO high security printing facility, binuksan sa Malvar
  • July 24, 2015
MALVAR,  Batangas, Hulyo 24(PIA) – Pinangunahan ni Presidente Benigno S. Aquino III ang inagurasyon at pormal na pagubukas ng APO High Security Printing Facility sa LIMA Industrial Park  noong Lunes ika-20 ng Hulyo 2015.

Kasama ang mga kinatawan ng Department of Foreign Affairs at Lalawigan ng Batangas, na kinabibilangan ni Governor Vilma Santos Recto  at mga opisyal ng bayan ng Malvar at Lungsod ng Lipa, sinaksihan ng Pangulo ang  makabagong proseso ng pag-imprenta  ng bagong disenyong Philippine Passport na nagtataglay ng makabagong security features .

Taglay ng mga makabagong pasaporte ang mataas  at de kalidad na materyales na kayang tumagal at hindi basta basta nalulupi at naluluma. Meron din itong  security prints sa mga pahina nito na makakatulong upang maiwasan ang illegal na pagkopya nito na inaasahang magtataas ng integridad at kredibilidad ng pangunahing dokumento ng Pilipinas na gamit sa pangingibang bansa.

Kasama din sa programa ang demonstrasyon ng aktuwal na pagkuha ng bagong e-passport ni Pangulong Aquino mula sa enrollment  process, biometrics and biographical data, printing and verification hanggang sa releasing  na nagtagal lamang ng ilang minuto sa tulong ng bagong makinarya ng APO .

At upang maipakita ang kakayahan ng makabagong proseso sa pagkuha ng pasaporte, ipinakita rin ang kakayahan nitong magsagawa ng off-site at real-time printing sa mga representante ng embahada at OFW communities sa bansang Sinagapore at Doha sa Qatar.

Ang kontrata ng APO Production Unit sa pag-imprenta ng mga e-passports para sa Department of Foreign Affairs ay inaasahang magiging kasagutan sa pangangailangan ng bansa sa patuloy na tumataas na demand ng produksyon ng nasabing dokumento sa loob ng susunod na sampung taon; ganun na din ang paglalathala at paglalagay ng mga pang-seguridad na detalye ng e-passport  na papasa sa kalidad na itinalaga ng International  Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).(Edwin V.Zabarte-PIO Province/PIA Batangas)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/681437697998/tagalog-news-apo-high-security-printing-facility-binuksan-sa-malvar#sthash.Vl1WZ3Lk.dpuf
Palace urges the public to tune in to the last State of the Nation Address of President Aquino
Malacañang urges the public to tune in to President Benigno Aquino III's last State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

"Bukas ng hapon, Lunes, ika-27 ng Hulyo 2015, ilalahad ni Pangulong Aquino ang kanyang ikaanim at huling State of the Nation Address (SONA) sa ating mga mamamayan. Ang SONA ni Pangulong Aquino ang ika-77 SONA simula ‘nung taong 1935 at ika-29 nang maipanumbalik ang demokratikong pamamahala noong 1987," said Presidential Communications Operation Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.


"Hinihimok po natin ang ating mga mamamayan na sama-sama po nating pakinggan ang SONA ng Pangulo bukas upang mabatid ang mga mahahalagang programa at aksyon ng pamahalaan tungo sa pagbabago, pagpapaunlad, at pagpapatatag ng ating demokratikong bansa," he added.

The SONA is an annual tradition where "the President shall address the Congress at the opening of its regular session" as prescribed under Article 7, Section 23 of the Philippine Constitution.

The President will deliver his SONA at the House of Representatives plenary hall in Batasan Pambansa Complex, Batasan Hills, Quezon City Monday afternoon.

Coloma noted that the Philippine National Police will secure the area and will exercise maximum tolerance. He also appealed to protesters to observe an orderly rally.

"Nananawagan tayo sa ating mga kapatid na magsasagawa ng mga pamamahayag na pairalin lang po ang kaayusan at sundin lang po ang mga batas hinggil sa malayang pamamahayag," said Coloma. PND (ag)
Palace encourages voters to register their biometrics data with Comelec
Malacañang urges voters to register their biometrics data with the Commission on Election (Comelec) to exercise their right of suffrage in the coming 2016 national election.

"Nananawagan po tayo sa ating mga kababayan na lumahok dito sa pagkuha ng biometric data para maging ganap ang ating pagiging registered voters para sa susunod na halalan," said Presidential Communications Operation Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

"Ang pagboto po ay isang mahalagang tungkulin ng bawat mamamayan. Sa bawat halalan ay binibigyan po tayo ng pagkakataon na ipahayag ang ating saloobin at pumili ng mga taong karapat-dapat na pagkatiwalaan na mamuno sa ating bansa sa bawat antas po ng pamamahala, pambansa at lokal," Coloma added.

According to Comelec there are still 3,893,095 voters who lack biometrics as of June 30, 2015. Comelec warned if voters failed to validate their biometrics, their records will be deactivated and they will not be able to vote next year.

"Kaya mainam na magamit po natin ang karapatang bumoto at ito po ay magkakatotoo kung tayo po ay rehistrado," said Coloma. PND (ag)


Palace asks the Filipino public to listen to President's State of the Nation Address on Monday
Malacanang encouraged the public to listen to President Aquino's sixth and last state-of-the-nation address (SONA) on Monday, which is said to have national significance.

"We’re asking everyone to take time to listen to what the President has to say so we can talk about the data or whatever the programs are that will be mentioned by the President," Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview on Saturday.

The President's SONA will be broadcast live on television and on radios. It will also be available in the government website, the Official Gazette, as well as on Twitter, Valte told dzRB Radyo Ng Bayan.

"So let’s not miss the sixth and last SONA of President Aquino on Monday."

The President's SONA is important and a serious matter, Valte said which is why the President prepares well for the SONA.

President Aquino expects the public to listen to his message and everyone's focus is to understand his speech, Valte said.

For those planning protest actions, Valte made an appeal for them to cooperate with the authorities and keep the protests peaceful and safe.

"Kasama po ‘yan sa ating demokrasya, ‘yung the ability to rally, to demonstrate, and to be able to express your thoughts on a certain issue or a certain administration, but again, let’s keep it peaceful," she said asking them not to provoke the authorities.

On the issues about outfit of those attending the event, Valte said that as far as the Palace is concerned, they will keep simple and follow the appropriate dress code but the focus would be the message the President will deliver to the public.

As to the attire of the President, Valte said he always wears barong, and he probably will on Monday.

"He does not really give much thought into what he is going to wear because it’s really the speech that he pays attention to," she said.

Designer Paul Cabral always makes the barongs that the President wears, she said. PND (as)
Improvements to MRT system to be carried out soon, says Palace
The prototype coaches for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) are arriving and will be tested to improve the rail system in Metro Manila's major thoroughfare, a Palace official said.

"I think what the DOTC said is that the prototypes are coming. So they are going to be shipped to Manila to be tested," Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview on Saturday.

Valte said over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan that buying new coaches for the MRT is not like purchasing something from a hardware and putting it in use immediately.

The prototype has been made and waiting to be delivered and will be tested if it fits the MRT system.

"Assuming that everything works and fit for our system, then that’s when we can procure the additional ones," she said.

With regards to the charges that some quarters wanted to be filed against Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Valte said the transport chief is ready to answer the possible charges against him.

"Handa namang sumagot si Secretary Abaya when it comes to matters that are under the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications), especially when it comes to legal processes," Valte said.

"At least it will be a chance for him to air or to ventilate his side on that issue." PND (as)
Palace on the 'Iglesia ni Cristo' controversy
The national government’s interest in probing the recent controversy involving members of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) is limited to verifying whether a crime has indeed been committed, Malacañang said Saturday.

Speaking over Radyo ng Bayan, Undersecretary Abigail Valte said both the Department of Justice and the Philippine National Police are already looking into the matter, amid reports that the INC is in possession of high-caliber guns, which it allegedly used to intimidate ministers who are critical of its current leadership.

“Secretary (Leila) de Lima has dispatched a team from the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) to verify allegations, so kung mayroon hong mga ganyan ay maisasama na ito doon sa imbestigasyon,” she said.

“Remember that the State is only concerned with any possibility that a crime may have been committed, pero doon po sa mga ibang pinag-uusapan ay hindi na po kasali ang estado doon,” Valte added.

Valte downplayed questions whether Malacañang is alarmed by these developments, given the fact that INC is known as an influential religious group whose members vote as a bloc in every election.

“‘Yung sa ‘vote as a bloc,’ hindi po natin napag-uusapan ito, in light of the recent incident. But, again, mayroon na ho tayong… Kumbaga, ang NBI nagpadala na po sila ng kanilang team, at tingnan na lang po natin,” Valte said.

“I can say that since this happened, of course, we’re aware of it because it has been plastered all over the news. But, beyond that, medyo marami din pong ibang napapagtuunan ng pansin ang Pangulo,” she added.

The NBI is verifying serious allegations of harassment and abduction involving some ministers and members of the INC, as claimed by Felix Nathaniel ‘Angel’ Manalo in a video posted on YouTube this week, which then spread out to various social media platforms.

Angel is grandson to INC’s founding father Felix, son to the late executive minister, Eraño, and brother to the current leader, Eduardo.

In the video, which ran under two minutes, Angel and his mother, Tenny, claimed that their lives were in danger and were seeking help from the public. They also appealed to their fellow INC members to aid the families of the ministers who allegedly disappeared and are yet to be found.

Angel and the other ministers are reportedly questioning some of the big-ticket projects of the INC, including the construction of the $200-million or P7.8-billion Philippine Arena within the 50-hectare Ciudad de Victoria property of the religious group in Bocaue, Bulacan.

The INC administration denied the allegations of corruption, harassment and abduction, and has since expelled some of its members, including Angel and his mother. PND (hdc)

25 JULY 2015
Five years of SPES implementation: Under P-Noy, SPES beneficiaries increased 95 percent; budget rose 361.58 percent since 2010
On inclusive labor justice: The SEnA conciliation-mediation system under P-Noy is a ‘great equalizer’—Baldoz
More Filipinos availed of technical-vocational courses under P-Noy administration—Baldoz
With modernization steps, DA expects boom in PH fisheries
Roxas to address 144 City Mayors at League of Cities General Assembly
DILG Chief to Luzon Mayors: Good Governance is Good Politics
Roxas to attend DOST National Science and Tech Week Celebration opening
Amnesty for illegal expatriates, good news for OFWs in Bahrain
SSS to pay higher funeral grants
Upbeat business sentiment backs growth in imports volume in May 2015; Sustained growth in imported capital goods bodes well for economy, NEDA says
BIR collection for June 2015 grew by Php 15.43 Billion
DSWD opens Mindanao disaster hub
Government, people should join hands to fight poverty
Inflation continues to ease in Q2 2015
DOJ to chair Committee on Anti-Cybercrime
DTI backs ASEAN-ROK strategic partnership
Asia Pacific eyes Capital Market Development for Infrastructure Financing
Candon Brgy. Captains thank Roxas for BUB
Roxas: The public can ensure that Good Governance will continue
PHL Embassy in Beirut, International Organization for Migration repatriate 15 distressed OFWs
Five years of SPES implementation: Under P-Noy, SPES beneficiaries increased 95 percent; budget rose 361.58 percent since 2010
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, reporting on the five-year accomplishment of the Department in the implementation of the Special Program for Employment of Students, or SPES, yesterday said that at the close of December 2014, a total of 691,333 poor, but deserving, student-beneficiaries across the country benefited from provided short-term employment.

“Not only were these young people given the opportunity to earn money to support their education. What’s more important was that they earned or gained the necessary basic skills to prepare them for the world of work,” Baldoz said.

Under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III, Baldoz said the DOLE strengthened and intensified the implementation of SPES, resulting to the real transformation of thousands of lives of Filipino students.

In the previous administration, only 353,746 students were able to avail of the program. This shows a 95 percent increase in the number of SPES beneficiaries under the present dispensation, she said.

Baldoz said that President Aquino III has been true to his promise of “investing on human resource”, especially the youth, by consistently increasing the SPES’s budget.

“In 2015, the budget for SPES rose to P697 million by 41.96 percent than the 2014 budget of P491.48 million—which in turn was higher by 5.21 percent than the 2013 budget of P467.13 million. In 2012, the SPES budget reached P340.31 million, which is 107.50 percent higher than the 2011 budget of P164 million—which in turn was higher by 8.6 percent than the 2010 budget of P151 million. This is a cumulative increase of 361.58 percent increase since the start of the administration,” she said.

Citing the consolidated report of the Bureau of Local Employment, Baldoz number of SPES beneficiaries shot up, too, with the increased financial aid. The records revealed an increase from 84,786 student-beneficiaries in 2010; to 120,312 beneficiaries in 2011; to 138,635 students in 2012; to 167,569 students in 2013; and to 182,573 in 2014.

As of June 2015, the DOLE was able to accommodate and provide short-term jobs to 169,246 students, representing at least 87.10 percent of the 194,300 students targeted this year.

SPES is a bridging mechanism that enables student-beneficiaries to gain skills and workplace experience. It responds to the President’s 22-Point Labor and Employment Agenda which calls for the DOLE to work with relevant government agencies in enhancing social protection programs as well as the Emergency Community Employment Program (ECEP) to create jobs immediately so people can still have income to spend for their basic needs.

Under the SPES, students get paid a minimum wage 40 percent of which is in the form of a voucher applicable for the payment of tuition fees and books in any secondary, tertiary, vocational or technical educational institution. The 60 percent is paid in cash by the employers. They are also entitled to other benefits and privileges under the Labor Code.

“The SPES is an opportunity to enhance the employability of the youth, who will eventually be the next generation of the country’s workforce. More than giving the students gainful experience while earning some cash they can use when they go back to school, we want a long-term result of the SPES program by means of increased employment opportunities to the beneficiaries,” Baldoz said.

Private sectors employs SPES beneficiaries mainly as food service crews, customer touch points, office clerks, gasoline attendants, cashiers, sales ladies, “promodizers”, and many other positions. LGUs participating in the SPES assign the students to clerical, encoding, and messengerial duties, as well as other computer and programming jobs.

“The DOLE highly considers the private sector as partners to reinforce the long-term impact of the program to our student-beneficiaries. Such partnership is borne out of their corporate social responsibility as they take part in helping more students,” Baldoz she finally said.
On inclusive labor justice: The SEnA conciliation-mediation system under P-Noy is a ‘great equalizer’—Baldoz
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph
Labor and Employment Secretary, reporting on the major accomplishments of the DOLE under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III, yesterday cited the Single-entry Approach, popularly known as SEnA, as a “great equalizer”.“We came in 2010 and found the snail-paced resolution of labor disputes, whether in small money-claims not over P5,000 or in labor standards violations that DOLE regional directors decide and are appealable at the Office of the DOLE Secretary that commonly took a year or more to be decided. In the National Labor Relations Commission, where cases are commonly on illegal dismissal, it took labor arbiters and the Commission to resolve them in at least two years,” said Baldoz.

She added that it took longer if such cases reach the Supreme Court and decisions involved money awards for workers. “The execution of the awards alone posed difficulties, resulting to so-called paper victories. Thus, this gives the perception of corruption in the labor justice system,” she observed.

Baldoz said that when she became DOLE Secretary, one of the things she focused to was the directive of the President, under the 22-point Labor and Employment Agenda, “to ensure 98 percent disposition rate of all pending labor disputes with quality decision”.

One of the major reforms that led to this was the Single-entry Approach, a 30-day conciliation-mediation alternative dispute resolution system that is inexpensive, fair, and fast in resolving labor issues. Baldoz implemented the SEnA in seven agencies of the DOLE, including the NLRC and the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices ((Lebanon, Kuwait, Israel, at Alkhobar), starting in 2010 under D.O. No. 107-10, Series of 2010.

Tripartite-endorsed, the SeNA became a law when Pres. Aquino III signed R.A. 10396 on 14 March 2013.

“Since we implemented the SEnA in October 2010 until June this year, we have handled 123,324 Requests for Assistance (RFAs) 93,740 of which ended up in settlement agreements, or a 76 percent settlement rate. The SEnA disposition rate is 91.9 percent,” said Baldoz.

“These settlement agreements benefited 132,331 workers with P4.025-B in benefits. Overall, it took an average of 17 days to resolve the RFAs. As a result, cases that before were decided by DOLE regional directors decreased by 99 percent. Workers, employers, investors, and the government saved a lot on appeal because the SEnA is fast, fair, and inexpensive,” she explained.

So beneficial and efficient were the impact of the SEnA, Baldoz emphasized, that in 2013, the Civil Service Commission bestowed the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award to the DOLE’s more than 500 designated Single Entry Assistance Desk Officers (SEADOs), saying the SEnA was a “Citizen-Centered System pivotal in the immediate resolution of grievances and de-clogging of labor cases.”

One happy beneficiary of this inclusive labor justice is Mang Silvestre of Region 12. Mang Silvestre, a former employee at a pineapple multinational firm in South Cotabato, has been writing letters to Philippine presidents and government agencies since Ferdinand E. Marcos. He kept copies of his letters and sent copies to President Aquino III through the Secretary of Labor on 12 May 2011.

At that time, the DOLE was already implementing the SEnA. The DOLE addressed his concern and, through the SEnA, he received P5,406.30 from his former employer. It took only the DOLE regional office 26 days to resolve his request for assistance, which has not been addressed for the last 27 years.

“I am happy with what the DOLE has done. My patient waiting was not in vain. The money, small as it was, did not matter anymore. What was important was that I was heard,” Mang Silvestre said.

His former employer was also pleased. Through its human resource manager, it said: “We are happy, too, that we were able to help Mang Silvestre. Our cooperation with the the DOLE, particulalry with the National Conciliation and Mediation Board, is now much stronger.”
More Filipinos availed of technical-vocational courses under P-Noy administration—Baldoz
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph
More Filipinos have chosen practical, in-demand, and well-paying technical-vocational courses from 2010 to 2015 as can be gleaned from the number of student-beneficiaries who have availed of the TESDA's flagship Training for Work Scholarship Program, or TWSP, according to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday.

“Records of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) reveal that 936,326 student-beneficiaries enrolled in the TWSP from 2010-2015. Of this number, 843,127 student-beneficiaries graduated from the TWSP,” said Baldoz on the eve of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s sixth State of the Nation Address.

She said the employment rate of TWSP graduates for the years 2010 to 2013 averaged 67.7 percent. The survey to obtain the placement rate for TWSP graduates for 2014 is still ongoing.

Baldoz said all training programs provided by TESDA-accredited technical-vocational training institutions under the TWSP are registered to ensure that quality TVET provision is given to beneficiaries.

“The TWSP complements the DOLE's employment facilitation mandate by raising the bar of skills of Filipino workers to make them globally and nationally competitive and productive," said Baldoz, who chairs the TESDA board of trustees.

Under the present administration, the TWSP filled up the skills gaps and job requirements of priority industries and sectors with high employment demand, improving the reach of quality technical-vocation education and training to the grassroots, and encouraging technical-vocational institutions to offer programs in higher qualifications catering to in-demand industry requirements.

In the first semester of 2015, about 80,810 student-beneficiaries enrolled in the TWSP, 34,346 of whom have already graduated, while 46,464 beneficiaries are still in training.

In 2014, about 203,060 student-beneficiaries were enrolled in the program. Of the number, 167,622 student-beneficiaries have graduated.

Of the 107,990 beneficiaries who were enrolled in the TWSP in 2013, approximately 107,596 student-beneficiaries, or 99.63 percent, have graduated from the training. Of the said number, 77,361 student-beneficiaries, or 71.9 percent, were employed in various industries.

In 2012, about 178,680 student-beneficiaries were enrolled in the TWSP. Of the said number, 177,217 student-beneficiaries have graduated and 121, 393 student-beneficiaries, or 68.5 percent, were employed.

Of the 258,472 student-beneficiaries enrolled in 2011, approximately 257,594 student-beneficiaries, or 92 percent, have graduated, 157,708 of whom, or 63 percent, landed jobs in various industries.

In 2010, there were 107,314 TWSP enrolees, of whom 98,752 student-beneficiaries, or 92 percent, have graduated from the program. Of the said number, 67,546, or 68.4 percent, were employed.

Baldoz said the TESDA pursues the TWSP in partnership with the country’s industries. Last year, the agency has embarked on a new phase bringing its training opportunities in diverse skills to the grassroots to make tech-voc more accessible.

On skills assessment and certification, the TESDA, from 2010 to 2015, have assessed the skills of 4,942,858 workers. Of the said number, 4,330,091 workers, or 87.6 percent, were certified in such skill-areas as agri-fisheries, automotive, construction, electronics, furniture and fixtures, garments, health, social and other community development services, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, information technology, maritime, metals and engineering, processed foods, tourism, utilities, and technical-vocational education and training.

Baldoz said the number of workers who were assessed during the present administration is 53 percent higher than the 2,620,406 workers assessed during the period 2006 to 2009, while the number of workers who were certified from 2010-2015 is also higher by 45 percent than the 1,967,577 certified workers during the period 2005 to 2009.

“The TESDA's technical-vocational training services contribute significantly to DOLE-led efforts to ensure decent and productive work for all Filipino workers, consistent with the overarching goal stated by President Aquino III, in his 22-point labor and employment agenda, to “invest in our country’s top resource, our human resource, to make us more competitive and employable while promoting industrial peace based on social justice” by ensuring the skills training and upgrading of workers,” said Baldoz.

Attached to the DOLE, the TESDA is in charge of ensuring relevant, accessible, high quality technical-vocational education and skills development to attain international competitiveness for the country’s human resource, as mandated under R. A. 7796, or the TESDA Act.
With modernization steps, DA expects boom in PH fisheries
Source: http://www.da.gov.ph
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is positive that the efforts of the government to modernize the Philippine fisheries have enabled the sector to gain momentum for sustainable and inclusive growth.

Secretary Proceso Alcala said the DA, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), has been instituting measures to ensure that fishing in the country’s waters becomes sustainable, and that all forms of fishery resource use provide equitable benefits to stakeholders.

“This administration inherited overfished waters and overbuilt fish cage areas that contributed to fish kills and dwindling fishery yields,” Alcala said.

The DA then has engaged fisheries stakeholders to craft and implement policies and programs for the sustainable utilization and management of aquatic resources, so that these could continue provide stable supply of food, livelihood and ecological services.

Closed seasons

To facilitate the natural progression of fish breeding cycle, BFAR has successfully enforced four closed fishing seasons from 2011 to 2015. These have led to the resurgence of tamban and galunggong, attracting more tuna that feed on them. For the first quarter of 2015, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has reported that the total production of yellow fin tuna increased significantly by 11.76 percent.

The success of the closed season has also led to the Philippines being allowed by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission to fish in tuna-rich High Seas Pocket 1 of the Pacific Ocean.

More fishery law enforcers

Poor implementation of fishery laws—particularly to address illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing—has likewise prompted the BFAR to propose for the training and deployment of additional fishery law enforcers. In 2010, the BFAR had only four fishery law enforcers for the entire Philippines.

With this, the bureau implemented an intensive three-month training course for fishery law enforcers-regulators. The 188 graduates of the course have now been deployed as professional fishery law enforcers.

BFAR has reported that three of the graduates were in fact among the enforcers that captured Taiwanese and Indonesian poachers in Batanes last May.

BFAR has similarly encouraged coastal communities to protect their municipal waters up to 15 kilometers from the shore for the exclusive use of artisanal fisherfolk.

Securing fisherfolk welfare

Recognizing the indispensable role of artisanal fisherfolk in the fisheries sector, the government has implemented programs to ensure improved access of small fishers to social services and to reduce poverty incidence among them.

The National Program for Municipal Fisherfolk Registration (FishR) has been able to register over 1.6 million fishers. This national registry is instrumental in facilitating the free insurance coverage for the fisherfolk by the Philippine Crops Insurance Corporation. The FishR database has been crossmatched with the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction by DSWD. Fisherfolk listed on both registries will be automatically given a PHilHealth number to serve as ticket to a free health care insurance.

“This registration of fisherfolk was mandated by the Fisheries Act of 1998, but it is only during this administration that it has been funded and enforced,” Alcala said.

For infrastructure, the BFAR also expects to complete the establishment of 252 community fish landing centers in strategic areas nationwide to be finished by the end of 2015. These facilities are seen to reduce fisheries post-harvest losses from 25% to 18% or even lower.

Undersecretary for Fisheries and concurrent BFAR national director Asis G. Perez said that the bureau carefully identified the sites where the facilities would be established using the FishR database, among other data sources. The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) likewise assisted in identifying target areas based on poverty incidence and volume of production, among other criteria.

Yellow card no more

With the reforms and modernization measures the government has implemented especially on IUU fishing, the European Union (EU) has lifted the “yellow card” warning from the Philippines.

This would mean a greater market potential for Philippine fish exports to the EU and the rest of the international market. The Philippine fish exports to the EU amounted to ₱9.4 billion in 2013.

Overall, the country’s fishery exports value rose from US$634 million in 2010 to US$1.156 billion in 2013, with the biggest increase of 42.6% happening from 2012 to 2013.

Amended fisheries code

According to the DA, the implementation of the amended Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 will help catalyze the government’s drive of modernizing the fisheries sector.

Under the revised law, the penalties imposed for violation of the Fisheries Code were raised from the old law’s ₱10,000−₱500,000 range to ₱500,000−₱10 million range.

Perez said that with the revised fisheries law, the government re-emphasizes its call to eradicate all forms of unsustainable use of marine resources that are detrimental to the ecosystem and to the welfare of fisherfolk who depend on these resources. “

The revised law would help us protect our waters from degradation, and ensure that the access of small fishers to their municipal waters is guarded from encroachment by large-scale commercial fishers,” Perez said.

Secretary Alcala believes that the government has indeed put up all the essential measures to secure sustainable and inclusive growth in the fisheries industry, where the poorest among the basic sectors—the artisanal fisherfolk—belong.

“These comprehensive mechanisms for modernized fisheries will all together become a strong, reliable backbone of a more productive and resilient sector for years to come,” Alcala said.
Roxas to address 144 City Mayors at League of Cities General Assembly
Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph
Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas will be the guest speaker at the 62nd General Assembly of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) to be held today (July 24) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

All 144 of the Philippines’ city mayors were invited to attend the annual assembly, where they are expected to discuss national policy interventions, as well as recommendations that will affect how basic services are delivered on the grassroots level.

This meeting is also an opportunity for local government units (LGUs) in urban areas to personally raise their concerns to Roxas, who has been instrumental in materializing and strengthening various reforms in local governance such as the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan (UBAS), and Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB).

As DILG chief, Roxas also spearheaded Oplan Lambat-Sibat, the highly effective intensified anti-crime campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP) which had successfully brought down Metro Manila’s crime level by as much as 65 percent since its implementation in June 2014.

Oplan Lambat-Sibat was likewise able to reduce criminality in Regions III and IV-A, where it was cascaded earlier this year.

Fire safety has also been a priority for the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) especially after Roxas ordered authorities to ensure compliance of all registered businesses, including high-risk industrial establishments in the National Capital Region (NCR).

This is in accordance with President Aquino's directive that was issued shortly after the tragic Kentex Manufacturing factory fire that killed 72 individuals in Valenzuela City.

By keeping a close watch on the public safety and peace and order situation in cities across the country, Roxas hopes that the maintenance of safe environments for the people would result in urban areas that are conducive for economic growth, stability, and progress, beginning from the local towards the national level.
DILG Chief to Luzon Mayors: Good Governance is Good Politics
Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph
For Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas, the delivery of honest and excellent service to the people is the best way for government officials to be recognized in the field of politics.

“Isa po sa pinakamahalagang hanay ng plataporma sa Daang Matuwid ay ito: Good governance is good politics,” Roxas told the Luzon municipal mayors during the 2015 Luzon Island Cluster Conference organized by the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) at the Vigan Convention Center in Ilocos Sur.

According to Roxas, the public measures the worth of public officials by what they have delivered to their constituents.

“Malapit na naman po ang eleksyon at lahat po kayo na mga mayors ay haharap na naman sa inyong mga nasasakupan at makikita nila ang mahusay, wagas, tapat at todo-bigay na serbisyo na ipinagkakaloob ninyo sa kanila. Iyan po ang bedrock principle ng Daang Matuwid, na malaman at maramdaman ng taongbayan na sila ay mahalaga sa inyo,” Roxas told the over 400 mayors present at the assembly, which carried the theme “Tuloy-Tuloy, Sama-Sama.”

He added that the public knows and feels if a government official is performing well in the tasks entrusted for him to accomplish. This would be one of the people’s barometers when the time comes for them to choose a leader.

“Kikilalanin po nila ang paninilbihan na ipinagkakaloob ninyo sa kanila dahil tunay na sila ang ating boss at ang pagtitiwala nila ang magbibigay sa atin ng magandang bukas. Sa ating serbisyo makikita ang pagbabago, nang sa gayon ay hindi na natin maipapamana ang kahirapan sa susunod na henerasyon,” Roxas stressed.

As secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Roxas said he recognizes the hard work and perseverance of the mayors to uplift the condition of their constituents. According to him, projects like the Bottom-Up Budgeting process, the Salintubig project, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) patrol jeep distribution aid the chief executives in their mission to improve the lives of the people.

“Mula pa po noon ay binuo ko ang isang kongkretong mga prinsipyo para magsilbi ring gabay sa aking panunungkulan sa inyo,” Roxas said.

He named three principles: the recognition of the officers that provide frontline services to the people; the leveling the playing field especially for the benefit of smaller LGUs; and giving to the LGUs what is meant for the LGUs.

In recognizing the local government’s frontline people, Roxas said the national government sees to it that programs and projects are delivered successfully to be able to cascade these successes down to the LGUs.

“Kinikilala ko at pinapahalagahan ko na kayo ang mga nasa frontline, kayo ang mga nasa pinakaharapan na nakikisalamuha sa ating mga kababayan at itinatak ko sa aking isipan that your success is my success and your failure is my failure. That has been one of the most important cornerstone principles that has governed my thinking and my approach to this job as secretary of the DILG,” Roxas emphasized.

On leveling the playing field for the LGUs, Roxas stressed, “pantay lahat.”

“Walang maiiwan, walang makakalimutan at hindi tatanungin kung ano ang partido o kung sino ang sinusuportahan. Lahat dapat pantay sa pagbigay ng serbisyo,” he told the mayors, explaining that he requested for a leave of absence from being the president of the Liberal Party (LP) so he can properly do his duty as DILG chief.

“Nakita ko na hindi ako magtatagumpay at hindi ako makapagsisilbi ng tapat sa inyo kung nahahati po ang aking pagiisip dahil pangulo din po ako ng aming partido. Kaya po isinangtabi ko ang mandato ng pagiging pinuno ng aming partido para po ako ay tapat na makapaglingkod, tapat na humarap at tapat na sumagot sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga mayors,” he clarified.

Roxas’ last principle is the true, honest and genuine delivery of services and resources to the LGUs and its people.

“Kinikilala ko na kung ano ang para sa LGU ay dapat na mapunta sa LGU. Iyan po ang ilan sa aking mga batayan, yan po ang mga prinsipyo na gumabay sa akin sa nakaraang tatlong taon ko sa DILG,” Roxas said.

Roxas concluded his message by expressing his hope that the mayors will remember how he supported their quest to improve their constituents’ lives.

“Hindi ko rin po alam kung ano ang mangyayari sa akin sa darating na linggo o buwan, hindi ko rin po masasabi kung susuportahan po ninyo ang bandila ng Daang Matuwid o hindi, subalit ang nais ko po na iparating at iwan sa inyong alaala… na minsan tayo ay nagkasama at si Mar Roxas ay naging totoo sa bawat isa sa inyo,” Roxas said.
Roxas to attend DOST National Science and Tech Week Celebration opening
Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph
Secretary of Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas will join Secretary of Science and Technology Mario Montejo for the opening ceremonies of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebration today (July 24).

The five-day event, which bears the theme “Philippines: A Science Nation Innovating for Global Competitiveness,” will be held at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

The ceremonies will include the presentation of awards for outstanding research and administration, as well as the opening of the NSTW exhibit.

The event will be also be attended by DOST undersecretaries Amelia P. Guevara, Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, Carol M. Yorobe, and Louis Napoleon C. Casambre.
Amnesty for illegal expatriates, good news for OFWs in Bahrain
Source: http://www.poea.gov.ph
Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac has commended the government of Bahrain for declaring a general amnesty for illegal foreign workers, including Filipinos, who will have the chance to return to the country without much hassle.

Cacdac said the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Manama has reported that from July 1, 2015 until 31 December 2015, an illegal worker can either leave the country without paying fines or has the option to find a job so he can stay in Bahrain.

However, those who have court cases against them, including a travel ban for outstanding debts, are not covered by the amnesty.

Bahrain’s Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has announced that there will be no blacklisting for all those who voluntarily depart the Kingdom and they can return anytime regardless of their legal status. Anyone wishing to stay in the country should find suitable employer and apply for an extension to their stay at the National Passports and Residence Affairs.

An illegal worker does not need the consent of the previous employer to get legal employment during the amnesty period.

Labor Attache Felixberta N. Romero advised illegal workers whose passports are withheld by the employers to immediately contact the Philippine embassy in Manama which will issue emergency certificates that will allow them to leave the country without any penalty.

She also warned Filipino workers of a scam in Bahrain where middlemen or fixers collect money from workers supposedly to rectify their status.
SSS to pay higher funeral grants
Source: http://www.sss.gov.ph
The Social Security System (SSS) will pay higher funeral benefits beginning August this year following the approval by President Benigno Aquino III of the benefit enhancement.

Under SSS Circular No. 2015-009 issued recently, the state-agency will increase funeral benefits from “a fixed amount of P20,000 to a variable amount ranging from a minimum of P20,000 to a maximum of P40,000,” depending on the member’s number of contributions and average monthly salary credit (AMSC).

SSS Vice President for Benefits Administration Agnes San Jose said the increase will apply for all funeral benefit claims with date of contingency of August 1, 2015 onwards.

San Jose said that new funeral benefits will be calculated using the fixed amount of P20,000 plus a percentage of a member’s total contributions and AMSC.

“The proposal to increase funeral benefits came about after our study revealed that the costs of burial services have climbed to an average of more than P40,000 or twice the current fixed amount of benefit SSS disburses for funeral claims,” San Jose said.

SSS funeral benefit is a cash grant given to whoever defrayed the cost of funeral expenses of the deceased SSS member. At present, the amount of benefit is pegged at P20,000 regardless of the member’s number of contributions.

The new computation, which was formulated by the SSS Actuarial Department, will give due credit to members who are paying more number of contributions and with higher monthly salary credits, the official stated.

“To illustrate, a member who has paid one to 19 contributions with an AMSC of P10,000 would receive a benefit ranging from P20,000 to P20,999. While a member with at least 267 contributions and an AMSC of at least P15,000 would be entitled to a maximum benefit of P40,000,” San Jose explained.

As a result of the increase, funeral claims is projected to go up by almost 12 percent or P332 million per year. SSS estimates that 50 percent of total funeral claims will be greater than P20,000 per claim.

SSS funeral benefit payouts as of April 2015 totaled P1.01 billion, 2.4 percent higher than P987 million paid during the same period in 2014.

San Jose was quick to clarify, however, that the increase will not impair the viability of the SSS funds and will not require a contribution rate hike.

“Funeral benefit disbursements account for only three percent of the total annual benefit payouts of the SSS, so its impact will be minimal,” she said, citing the recent actuarial study conducted by the SSS.

“As long as the actuarial soundness of the SSS funds are guaranteed, we will not hesitate to implement any feasible increases in benefits, including the addition of new ones,” she noted.
Upbeat business sentiment backs growth in imports volume in May 2015; Sustained growth in imported capital goods bodes well for economy, NEDA says
Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph
MANILA – The volume of total imported merchandise recorded a 7.1-percent expansion, even as total payments declined by 13.4 percent, from US$5.1 billion in May 2014 to US$4.4 billion in the said period. The country’s importation of capital goods also sustained its double-digit growth in May 2015, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that lower purchases of imported raw materials and intermediate goods (-23.3%), mineral fuels and lubricants (-24.8%), and consumer goods (-3.4%) caused the significant softening of the overall merchandise imports. On the other hand, imported capital goods sustained its double-digit growth for the fourth straight month at 12.8 percent.

“Despite lower payments for merchandise imports, more goods are actually being purchased as business sector sentiment for the quarter remains bullish. This is driven by expected robust demand from consumers, expected uptick in construction–related activities and the higher volume of production from the manufacturing sector,” said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.

“The volume of imports of key production inputs such capital goods and raw materials, as well consumer goods expanded in April and May 2015, indicating a likely sustained growth of the domestic economy for the remainder of the quarter,” the Cabinet official said.

“The still bullish importation of capital goods should bode well for the country’s productive sectors particularly industry and services. Year-on-year expansion in inward shipments of power generating machines, as well as office, telecommunication, and land transportation equipment remains robust,” said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director General.

He added that the strong growth of fixed capital investment is expected to continue in the second semester and will remain to be one of the major drivers of growth moving forward.

“The government should remain supportive of business especially the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and also encourage greater linkages with agriculture,” he said.

Balisacan said supporting local MSMEs to flourish in the domestic market could spur further growth as they provide employment to the vast majority of the country’s labor force.

“Continuing improvements in the business environment through various reforms in doing business can sustain the growth momentum. One of these is the recently signed Competition Law that ensures a level playing field even for the MSMEs. Government should also aggressively improve the quality and quantity of our infrastructure. All these will further encourage more participation from the private sector,” the NEDA Chief added.
BIR collection for June 2015 grew by Php 15.43 Billion
Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph
24 July 2015–For the month of June 2015, the BIR collected Php 109.55 billion in tax revenues, Php 15.43 Billion or 16.39% more than collections made in June 2014. For June 2015, collections from BIR operations amounted to Php 107.09 Billion, Php 15.46 Billion or 16.87% more than collections made in June 2014. Collections from non-BIR operations amounted to Php 2.46 Billion, Php 28.33 Million or 1.14% less than the collections made in June 2014.

Collections by the Regional Offices amounted to PhP 39.05 Billion, or Php 5.81 Billion or 17.49% more than the collections made in June 2014. While collections by the Large Taxpayers Service amounted to PhP 68.04 Billion, or PhP 9.65 Billion or 16.52% more than the collections made in June 2014.

For the first half of the year, the BIR collected PhP 705.87 Billion, Php 62.66 Billion or 9.74% more than the collections made in the first half of 2014. Collections from BIR Operations amounted to PhP 687.29 Billion, PhP 62.58 Billion or 10.02% more than collections made in the first half of 2014. Collections from non-BIR operations amounted to PhP 18.58 Billion, PhP 83.64 million or 0.45% more than collections made in the first half of 2014.

Collection by the Regional Offices in the first half of the year, amounted to PhP 257.26 Billion or PhP 25.4 Billion or 10.96% more than the collections made in the first half of 2014. While collections by the Large Taxpayer Service amounted to PhP 430.03 Billion or PhP 37.17 Billion or 9.46% more than collections made in the first half of 2014.
DSWD opens Mindanao disaster hub
Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph
In its efforts to scale up disaster operations, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently inaugurated its Mindanao Resource and Operations Center (DSWD-MROC) at the DSWD Regional Rehabilitation Complex in Bago Oshiro, Tugbok District, Davao City.

With an initial budget of P7.4 million, the DSWD-MROC was constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao City District Engineering Office (DPWH-DCDEO).

DSWD-Field Office XI requested for an additional P12.4 million from the Central Office to complete the structure and make it fully functional.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that the warehouse will serve not only the Mindanao area, but all the other regions in the country requiring emergency relief assistance.

MROC can hold up to 60,000 family food packs at a given time using the rack piling system.

“We are preparing this warehouse for nationwide operations, set to respond to a bigger scale of disaster operations,” Sec. Soliman explained.

“If at some point, the operations at the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City is hampered due to flooding or earthquake or any other disaster, the Mindanao hub can then supply the needs of the affected populace in the National Capital Region. In the same manner, the warehouses in Visayas and Luzon can also augment the needs of Mindanao regions when necessary,” Sec. Soliman pointed out.

DSWD will also be constructing warehouses in Cebu and Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Rodolfo M. Santos, officials of the Davao Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, DSWD personnel, and some members of the media attended the inauguration.
Government, people should join hands to fight poverty
Source: http://www.mmda.gov.ph
“Sa tuwid na daan, mamamayan at pamahalaan ay matapat na kumikilos sa pagpuksa ng kahirapan (On the righteous path, both citizens and the government work faithfully to eradicate poverty).”

This was the message of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano- Soliman, during the ‘Daang Matuwid’ Caravan held recently at Club Manila East, Taytay, Rizal.

Sec. Soliman, together with Secretaries Florencio Abad of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Armin Luistro of the Department of Education (DepEd), Janet Garin of the Department of Health (DOH), and Ramon Jimenez, Jr. of the Department of Tourism (DOT) discussed the convergence of government programs and services, ensuring that there is no duplication and that these reach their intended beneficiaries.

The caravan was also attended by beneficiaries of the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, teachers, health workers, civil society organizations, and other beneficiaries of various social protection programs.

According to Sec. Abad, the ‘Daang Matuwid’ Caravan is a venue for the national government to hear the views of the people regarding different programs and services offered to them not only to see their impact but also to determine opportunities to improve these services.

Transformed lives

The program beneficiaries narrated how their lives have changed.

Parent leaders Annaliza Ampatin, Dinah Poot, and Soledad Agpoon, who came from different barangays in Cainta and Taytay, Rizal, shared how the program empowered and helped them gain self-confidence, aside from helping them with the education and health of their children.

The parent leaders narrated their transformation from simple housewives to community leaders. Annaliza is now a barangay designated officer on Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC), while Soledad is the Vice-President of the Cainta Federation of Parents-Teachers Association and San Francisco BERMAI Water Association. Dinah received an award as “Natatanging Tayena as Pantawid Parent Leader” last March 23, 2015.

Annaliza, 42, from Brgy. Sta. Ana, Taytay related that Pantawid Pamilya has strengthened parent-children relationships. By attending the Family Development Sessions (FDS), they learned their duties as parents and how they should relate to their children.

“Dahil sa Pantawid, naging mas mabuti kaming magulang. Layunin din naming mapagtapos ng pag-aaral ang aming mga anak upang magkaroon sila ng mas magandang buhay (Because of Pantawid, we became better parents. It is also our aim to send our children to school until they finish their studies, so they would have better lives”), Annaliza stressed.

On the other hand, Soledad Agpoon from Brgy San Juan, Cainta, added that more than the cash grants provided by the program, they thank the lessons they learned from their monthly FDS.

“Sa FDS, binibigyan kami ng sapat na kaalaman para maayos naming magabayan ang aming mga pamilya (FDS has given us enough knowledge on how to care for our families),” Soledad said.

The FDS is a component of Pantawid Pamilya, and is one of the co-responsibilities of beneficiaries in the program. The session teaches parents on various topics including strengthening marital relationships, parent-children relationships, gender equality, budget management, and disaster preparedness, among others.

Soledad also encouraged other parent leaders that they should be good examples in their communities.

“Dahil sa Pantawid, naging aktibo kami sa pagsali sa mga proyekto ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno at ng aming mga komunidad, katulad ng clean-up projects at Brigada Eskwela (Because of Pantawid, we became active in joining government and community projects, such as clean-up projects and Brigada Eskwela”), she stated.

Meanwhile, civil society and people’s organizations (CSO/POs) who are part of the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) program also shared their experiences.

BUB is an approach in formulating the budget proposal of national government agencies, taking into consideration the development needs of poor municipalities as identified in their respective Local Poverty Reduction Action Plans (LPRAP). These are formulated with the strong participation of local government units (LGUs), civil society organizations, and people’s organizations.

The Rizal Province CSO, which is comprised of vulnerable sectors, such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, marginalized farmers, fisherfolk, and solo parents, said that through BUB, they were provided with community and livelihood projects which helped sustain the needs of their families and communities.

Christopher Roda, 41, from Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo City narrated how he used to line up [H3] in the community artesian well to fetch water.

“Dahil sa BUB, marami na kaming tubig higit pa sa aming pangangailangan (Because of BUB, we now have all the water that we need),” he enthused.

Sustaining the change

Responding to the testimonies, Sec. Soliman emphasized that, “Magkatuwang tayo sa pagbabago (We are partners in development).”

The secretaries were glad to hear about the impact of government programs from the beneficiaries, but noted that they must also help to continue such change.

Sec. Soliman also encouraged the beneficiaries to share their stories of change to the public.

“Kayo ang testigo na may mga pagbabago sa buhay n’yo. Kayo ang garantiya na may pagbabago kaya mahalaga na binabahagi n’yo ang mga pagbabagong ito (You are the witnesses and the proof of positive change. It is important that you share your stories),” Sec. Soliman added.

Sec. Jimenez also emphasized the importance of the people in ensuring that these changes in their lives will be sustained.

“Ang pagpapatuloy ng daang matuwid ay ang pagpapatuloy ng inyong istorya (The success of this administration’s straight path is your continued journey toward change),” Sec. Jimenez shared.
Inflation continues to ease in Q2 2015
Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph
The BSP announced today the publication of the 55th issue of the quarterly BSP Inflation Report covering the period April-June 2015. The full text is also being released in electronic format (as a PDF file) on the BSP website (http://www.bsp.gov.ph/publications/regular_inflation.asp).  The BSP Inflation Report is published as part of the BSP’s efforts to improve the transparency of monetary policy under inflation targeting and to convey to the public the thinking and analysis behind the Monetary Board’s decisions on monetary policy. 
The following are the highlights of the Q2 2015 BSP Inflation Report:
  • Inflation eases further. Year-on-year headline inflation continued to decelerate in Q2 2015, slowing down to 1.7 percent from the quarter- and year-ago rates of 2.5 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively. Nonetheless, the year-to-date (ytd) average inflation of 2.0 percent remains within the National Government’s (NG) target range of 3.0 percent ± 1.0 percentage point for 2015. The continued deceleration in headline inflation was driven mainly by the slower increases in most food items as a result of adequate domestic supply. Non-food inflation likewise eased due to the decline in power rates and in the prices of domestic petroleum products. Similarly, measures of core inflation decreased further during the quarter.
  • Domestic demand conditions remain firm. Real gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 5.2 percent in Q1 2015, slower than the NG’s growth target of 7.0-8.0 percent for the year. The weaker-than-expected growth in output was due largely to the slower pace of public spending and export growth on the expenditure side, and the deceleration in manufacturing activity on the production side. Nevertheless, firm household spending and service sector growth continued to support the economy. Moreover, high-frequency indicators of demand showed generally positive readings. Vehicle sales continued to be brisk, while the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) remained above the 50-point expansion threshold. Business sentiment also remained broadly optimistic, although consumer confidence weakened on expectations of potential increases in commodity prices.
  • Global economic prospects generally improve, but the outlook across countries continues to diverge. Growth in the US remains on track, sustained by labor market gains and upbeat consumer sentiment. Economic activity in the euro area likewise continues to gain traction, with firm rates of growth seen in the core economies. By contrast, economic activity in Asia and other emerging markets have turned more subdued. The recovery in Japan is still modest, while China’s economy is weighed down by the downturn in the real estate sector. At the same time, the global inflation environment remains benign with the soft outlook for prices of international commodities, including oil.
  • Domestic financial market conditions are favorable. The continued manageable inflation environment and favorable domestic growth outlook supported market sentiment during the quarter. Optimism was also supported by other central banks’ decision to ease monetary policy settings during the quarter to support domestic economic activity and guard against downside risks to inflation. However, uncertainty surrounding the timing of the expected increase in US interest rates as well as the resolution of the Greek debt crisis tempered market sentiment. Nonetheless, domestic financial markets remained buoyant owing largely to investor confidence in the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals. Appetite for domestic equities and government securities stayed healthy, while spreads on the country’s sovereign debt instruments decreased. The Philippine banking system also continued to be sound and resilient as indicated by various metrics for capitalization as well as asset growth and quality.
  • The BSP maintains its policy settings during the quarter. The Monetary Board (MB) decided to maintain the BSP’s key policy interest rates at 4.0 percent for the overnight borrowing or reverse repurchase (RRP) facility, 6.0 percent for the overnight lending or repurchase (RP) facility, and the accompanying rates for term RRPs, RPs, and the Special Deposit Account (SDA) facility. The reserve requirement ratios were left unchanged as well. These decisions were based on the assessment that the inflation environment continued to be manageable, with the risks to the inflation outlook staying broadly balanced over the policy horizon and inflation expectations remaining well-anchored to the inflation target band.
  • Current monetary policy settings are appropriate. Latest baseline inflation forecasts show that inflation is likely to settle within the lower half of the target range of 3.0 percent ± 1.0 percentage point for 2015 and 2016. Risks to the inflation outlook continue to be broadly balanced. Pending petitions for power rate adjustments and the impact of stronger-than-expected El Niño dry weather conditions on food prices and utility rates are seen to pose upside risks to the outlook. Meanwhile, downside risks could stem from slower-than-expected global economic activity. Inflation expectations also remain well-contained following recent inflation outturns.
At the same time, domestic economic activity continues to expand at a solid pace. Domestic demand remains firm, supported by ample liquidity and sustained credit growth. Planned increases in government spending should also provide a lift to economic activity. Meanwhile, monetary policy normalization in advanced economies, particularly in the US, as well as uncertainty relating to the Greek debt crisis, with its implications on the euro area economy, could be important considerations for the inflation outlook in the quarters ahead to the extent that they influence inflation expectations and market sentiment on the domestic front.
Going forward, the BSP will continue to monitor domestic and external developments to ensure that the monetary policy stance remains consistent with its price and financial stability objectives.
DOJ to chair Committee on Anti-Cybercrime
Source: http://www.doj.gov.ph
The DOJ Office of Cybercrime (OOC) was designated as the Chair of the newly constituted Committee on Anti-Cybercrime of the National Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (NALECC).

"We are thankful for the support of our fellow government agencies in our campaign against cybercrime especially against online child abuse. More than ever, coordination is essential to ensure successful prevention, investigation and prosecution," said Secretary Leila M. De Lima.

NALECC is the coordinating body for law enforcement agencies to proactively implement crime-fighting mechanisms.

"Cybercrime is no longer the crime of the future; it is the crime of today," said DOJ Assistant Secretary Geronimo L. Sy, head of the Office of Cybercrime. "We will focus on simplified and unified rules and procedures for speed and accuracy in the handling of cybercrime cases," he said.

The Committee on Anti-Cybercrime is expected to tackle cybercrime trends and incidents such as online child abuse, sextortion, online gambling, ATM and credit card fraud, identity theft, online selling of counterfeit medicines, and online fraud.
DTI backs ASEAN-ROK strategic partnership
Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph
With the full integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community this year, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) commits to the ASEAN – Republic of Korea (ROK) strategic partnership’s vision on global and regional community that builds and enhances trust among its members.

In his message read by Board of Investments (BOI) Director Angelica M. Cayas during the 1st Korea – ASEAN Grand Project Partnership Forum, DTI Undersecretary Ponciano C. Manalo, Jr. commended the Korean business community for its vital role and contribution not only to our country’s economy but to ASEAN.

“South Korea’s active support in the creation of the ASEAN Economic Community has certainly been favorable as we endeavor to increase connectivity and address common challenges in the region,” Manalo said.

He cited that one of these challenges is the attainment of inclusive growth, where development generates employment and reduces poverty if sustained.

“This forum is an expedient platform to discuss and address such issue, as it provides matching opportunities for project developers with prospective suppliers in the fields of infrastructure, power plant operations and maintenance, and climate change preparedness,” Manalo said.

He added that the continuous development on these areas is one of the key drivers to sustained growth among the ASEAN member states in the long term.

“I trust that this would not be the last and the least of our efforts to further strengthen our existing collaboration and build new ones,” Manalo said.

Korea-ASEAN Grand Project Partnership was held to support Korean firms entering the ASEAN market. During the forum, three Korean and three Philippine companies have signed memoranda of agreement. It was attended by 72 Korean businessmen, 46 Philippine senior officials, and about 200 attendees from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

On the second day of the event, 250 one-on-one business meetings were held for 31 Korean companies, 60 Philippine organizations, and 22 ASEAN delegates.

“I am optimistic that this mission will bring the ASEAN – ROK relations to new heights and help the delegates here today to realize and invest in the full potential of our country,” Manalo said.

Manalo said that the ASEAN and South Korea remain important trading partners, with South Korea maintaining its position as the fifth largest trading partner of ASEAN, and ASEAN becoming the second largest trade partner of South Korea. The foreign direct investment flow from South Korea to ASEAN also increased by 105.88 percent in 2013.

He noted that South Korea has continuously kept its strong position in terms of trade and investments in our country. It ranked as the Philippines’ 5th major trading partner, 7th export market, and 4th import supplier. It placed as the 11th top investing foreign country with investment promotion agencies-approved investments amounting to USD 93.21M pledges last year.
Asia Pacific eyes Capital Market Development for Infrastructure Financing
Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph
Philippines closes the 2-day APEC Workshop in Iloilo

24 July 2015 | Iloilo City—Today marks the second day of the APEC 2015 Workshop on Infrastructure Financing and Capital Market Development, where private and public sector participants will continue exploring financing and capital market development to drive infrastructure investments.

Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said, “We have seen the rapid growth of the region’s capital markets over the past few years, as well as their promising potential to be a driver of infrastructure investments. Further developing capital markets to be a deep and reliable source of funding our connectivity and mobility needs is an exciting task for the region.

I thank both private and public sector participants for their valuable contributions to our work on the infrastructure development and financing pillar of the Cebu Action Plan as we forge a shared path towards our financial future.”

On the first day, the workshop identified concrete and practical initiatives to address hindrances to infrastructure development. While the ADB has estimated Asia’s infrastructure investment needs to be at $8 trillion over 10 years (roughly 4% of the region’s GDP for 10 years), the IMF said today that emerging Asia’s stock of infrastructure is still lower than that of other regions. The IMF reminded participants that higher public investment can boost growth in both advanced economies and emerging markets.

Participants discussed appropriate financial instruments and enabling policy frameworks for pension funds and insurance firms for the expansion of investments in emerging market infrastructure. Global trends in pooling institutional investor capital and public-private partnerships in equity funds were likewise discussed.

Discussions focused on expanding the pipeline of infrastructure projects under the Cebu Action Plan through collaboration between APEC FMP. Initiatives proposed in accelerating the development of the region’s pipeline of infrastructure projects include the PPP Knowledge Portal, the standardization of PPP terms and practices, the development of templates for PPP contracts, and the International Infrastructure Support System that will serve as a tool for the project preparation, collaboration and information sharing for APEC economies.

Mark Johnson, Chair of the Asia-Pacific Infrastructure Partnership, took special note and set the Philippines’ PPP center as a model for the region saying, “It has a track record of success, it is very ambitious. It is a work in progress, but it has a well designed structure. It has emerged as a model in exploring the regional benefits of PPP projects.”

Further, efforts to promote capital market development and integration through collaboration among agencies, international organizations, and the private sector were also emphasized in various sessions. Issues such as depth and liquidity, as well as expanding the role of long-term institutional investors and addressing obstacles to development of repo and derivatives markets were also addressed.

Standard Chartered reported that Asian bond issuances have grown at a CAGR of 14.7% from 2009 to 2014 and that Local Currency (LCY) share of issuances grew from 10% in 2009 to 22% in 2014. Meanwhile, the Credit Guarantee and Investment Facility noted that LCY corporate bond markets in ASEAN 6 grew by over 70% in last 5 years to reach $330 billion at end 2014. Total issuances have also increased, exceeding $110 billion per year.

Contractual saving (pension and life insurance) and asset management sector is likewise growing rapidly, accumulated assets of the sector in ASEAN 6 at $2.4 trillion. According to Standard Chartered, while these figures show significant growth, there remains significant upside potential when compared to the size of their GDPs.

Stephen Schuster of the ADB noted how a specials repo market is a key pre-requisite to increasing liquidity in government bond markets. A specials repo allows dealers to quote firm two-way prices on government bonds, increasing trading, liquidity, and the reliability of the government yield curve.

Today, participants will touch up on topics such as promoting investment through enhanced transparency in Asia-Pacific capital markets and the different issues in financial market infrastructure and cross-border practices to promote intra-regional portfolio investment.

In addition, sessions will address key pain points related to cross-border market practices and standards, harmonization of market practices, and cross-border connectivity among FMIs to promote expanding portfolio investment flows across the region.The Asia Region Funds Passport’s (ARFP) potential in financing of economic growth in the region will be highlighted today. The ARFP is expected to have a very significant impact on intra-regional capital flows, capital market liquidity and efficiency, investor choice and protection, diversification, return on investment, and financial sector development. Thus, ways to support its launch including wider participation of APEC jurisdictions and related issues to facilitate broad market participation will be discussed.

Previously on the first day, Quimei Yang of ICI Global called the ARFP an “exciting and timely initiative” for the region, encouraging competition, lowering costs, and fostering innovation for the benefit of investors to encourage cross-border fund distribution, for so long as they are transparent and well-regulated.This 2-day workshop builds on the existing body of work and firms up the 4th pillar of the Cebu Action Plan: infrastructure development and financing. The CAP, proposed by the Philippines, intends to boost financial integration, fiscal transparency and resiliency, as well as infrastructure development and financing among APEC member economies for more sustainable and inclusive growth trajectories across the region.
Candon Brgy. Captains thank Roxas for BUB
Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph
Barangay captains from Candon City, Ilocos Sur, thanked Secretary of Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas for addressing the lack of potable water supply in several areas in their city through the construction of two water systems funded by Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB).

BuB is a program implemented by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) that allows citizens to identify, plan, allocate for, and monitor the implementation of the projects they truly need. These will then be submitted it to the national government for continuous funding and technical support.

The Aquino administration has allotted P3,600,000 for the potable water system in Brgy. Bugnay and P1,800,000 for the one in Brgy. San Andres. These two projects are expected to give more than 350 families access to potable water from the comfort of their own homes.

According to Brgy. Bugnay Captain Maylene Pasic and Brgy. San Andres Captain Delaila Velluza, the new water systems in their areas will greatly help their constituents who don’t have easy access to potable water. The importance of the projects is drastically highlighted during the summer season, when water from springs and lakes dry out.

"Mahirap ang tubig sa amin kasi bundok po sa amin. Mayroon kaming source of water na galing pa sa bundok, pero tuwing month of March, April, and May, wala pong tubig doon dahil natututuyot. Kapag ganoon, sa deep well pa kami kumukuha," Pasic said in an interview.

Upon meeting Roxas in Candon Farmer's Market, the two barangay chairwomen thanked the Secretary for DILG's useful and need-based projects.

"Isa itong malaking biyaya kapag natapos ‘yung proyekto. Marami itong matutulungan," Velluza said about her barangay’s new water system.

"Maraming salamat sa pagbibigay ng importansya sa amin," Maylene said as she expressed her gratitude to the implementation of the BuB projects in Candon.
Roxas: The public can ensure that Good Governance will continue
Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph
Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas encouraged the people of Candon, Ilocos Sur, to help uphold Daang Matuwid and good governance by weighing their choices carefully in choosing their leaders at all levels.

"Sa darating na buwan, ang ating mga opisyales—mayor, councilor, governor, congressman, senador, hanggang sa pagkapangulo—ay muling haharap sa inyo. Sana timbangin ninyo nang mabuti. Sa tamang pagpili, mas mabilis at mas maganda ang ating matatamasa," Roxas said when he inspected the local Farmer's Market in Candon City on Thursday (July 23).

The DILG chief highlighted the expansion of the Candon Farmer's Market as a result of good governance both in the local and national government.

The Candon Farmer's Market was built for the benefit of local farmers who have small business ventures. It is considered the most ideal place to sell agricultural products produced in Ilocos Sur.

Due to increasing demand, the local government of Candon, through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), spent P15 million to expand the market.

The LGSF is used to fund priority programs and projects to be undertaken by provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays. According to Roxas, the Candon Farmer’s Market expansion project is transparent and was not used for the personal interests of local officials.

"Pinamamamahagi itong pondo na ito para sa mga karapat-dapat na projects ng LGU na pumasa sa napakahigpit na patakaran for good governance," he stressed.

"Ang national government ay laking tuwa na lalo pang dagdagan ang pondo ng mga LGUs dahil nakatitiyak tayo na malalagay ito sa ayos," he added.

Roxas also lauded everyone in Candon who have trusted the government and have helped it achieve its accomplishments, including the successful expansion of the Farmers Market, which has since provided the local government a way to boost its economy while giving more opportunities for the hundreds of local farmers in the city and other nearby towns to sell their products.

"Basta tayo ay nagkakaisa, nakikiisa, sabay-sabay, at tulong-tulong patungo sa iisang direksyon; kahit ano pa ang unos, kalamidad, o hamon ang ibato sa atin ng kapalaran ay malalampasan natin. Maibabalik natin ang ating bansa sa mabuting kalagayan," Roxas said.
PHL Embassy in Beirut, International Organization for Migration repatriate 15 distressed OFWs
Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph
23 July 2015 – The Philippine Embassy in Beirut, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), successfully repatriated 15 distressed OFWs from Lebanon on July 22.

A team composed of personnel from the Embassy’s Assistance-to-Nationals Section, Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) provided immigration, transport and airport assistance to the 15 OFWs who had been sheltered by the Embassy for the past few months.

The successful repatriation was made possible with the assistance of IOM, who sponsored the plane tickets and joined the Embassy team in helping board the workers via Gulf Air Flight GF 910.

The OFWs are scheduled to arrive in Manila on July 23 via Gulf Air Flight 154, to be met by the Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA), OWWA, and IOM-Manila.
INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
ANC / Headstart by Karen Davila
27 July 2015
DAVILA: All right, it is the last State of the Nation Address of President Aquino. Take us inside Malacañang, how long has he been preparing for this?

SEC. COLOMA: Palagay ko noong pang…about a month ago ay inumpisahan na niya. And of course, hindi natin maaalis for one in his position, siyempre all of this thoughts had been percolating in his mind, so to speak. And the---he likes this opportunity to be able to speak to his bosses, the people. And this is really an activity were he really focuses his attention, he’s very dedicated to the task of setting it down. Tinatanong nga ng mga tao, siya mismo ang sumusulat nung speech niya. Siya talaga mismo.

DAVILA: Siya? So, itong final SONA siya or he edited it? It’s a bit tiring to write your speech.

SEC. COLOMA: Iyong proseso kasi ng Pangulo, Karen, tinatawag niya iyong mga speech writers. And then, he draws a mental map of what he wants to say. Habang nagsasalaysay siya, they take down notes. Inumpisahan na niya iyong pag-articulate nung gusto niyang sabihan.

DAVILA: Oo. Pero ang alam ko kasi, is there a different clusters, right? You have the economic cluster, environment cluster, education cluster. Does he call them in and say, “alright, show me, itong promises ko nung 2010, where are we now?” Do they tell him, where you are?

SEC. COLOMA: Regular naman iyong activity na iyon. It’s not necessarily just because of the SONA na gagawin nila. Kasi iyong mismong NEDA naglabas na nung results matrix na updated. So, okay na iyon. Hindi naman…independently of the SONA umaandar na iyon. Siguro it’s more of like this ‘no, mayroon talaga siyang clear idea on what he wants to say on a particular topic. And then he just gives instructions on the level of detail that he would like to get on that point. Ganoon lang.

DAVILA: Oo. Now, no President historically has ever admitted in a SONA or in their last SONA that targets have not been met. Will the President do that?

SEC. COLOMA: Hindi ko talaga nakita iyong kanyang draft or heard any portion of it. Ang masasabi ko lang, Karen, the President has always been truthful in his SONA. Lahat ng sinasabi niya ay pawang katotohanan at pansinin din natin, the SONA is an opportunity for the President to converse with the people. And at the end of it, he’s one who would want to convey hope. Importante kasi iyon, iyong pagkatapos nila siya marinig, siyempre dapat naman iyong upbeat sila at mayroong tinitignan sa kinabukasan na mas maganda.

DAVILA: Ang tanong ng ilan, if the President wants to converse with the people bakit ang layo daw ng mga raliyista? Mas malayo na ngayon kaysa noong nakaraang limang taon.

SEC. COLOMA: Isandaang milyon ang Pilipino, Karen. Mayroong mas malapit pa sa kanila, dahil nasa ring side sila ng kanilang mga tahanan. Masyado naman yatang literal iyon, kung maituturing lang natin iyong mga nag-rally. Ilang porsyento lang ‘yan, parang din iyan nung coverage ng isang network. Hindi ko na sasabihin kung ano, nung si President ay nagpunta sa Canada, punong-puno iyong auditorium, thousands of Filipino-Canadians nandoon. Ang pinokus iyong a handful nandoon lang sa labas na kumokontra. Hindi naman fair iyong ganoon.

DAVILA: Hindi naman kami iyon?

SEC. COLOMA: Hindi ko na maalala kung anong network.

DAVILA: All right, now, very quickly. Now, it’s very difficult for me to ask you about the speech, because you have not seen the speech, right? Because the President doesn’t show the speech to everybody in Malacañang.

SEC. COLOMA: Tama iyon.

DAVILA: That’s correct. So, I won’t ask you about the speech, because it will be useless. He must have kept it close to his chest. Now, my question is this, will we see surprises. For example: People in Batasan were in---ito tulungan ng administrasyon, because every SONA may ganun, di ba? May ganun?

SEC. COLOMA: Abangan.

DAVILA: At least that you would know. Would you?

SEC. COLOMA: Hindi, hindi rin.

DAVILA: Hindi rin.

SEC. COLOMA: Iyong kung sino ang gusto niyang man on the street, woman of the street, mga ganun. Wala kaming…

DAVILA: Who would know that, Secretary? Somebody has to coordinate na ---

SEC. COLOMA: Siya lang ang nakakaalam.

DAVILA: Puwede ba iyon? Siyempre may tatawagan.

SEC. COLOMA: Malalaman natin mamaya. Tiyak na tiyak iyon.
DAVILA: Surprise. Oo. Will the President discuss Mamasapano?

SEC. COLOMA: Hindi ko alam, Karen.

DAVILA: Will family victims, survivors, people involved in Mamasapano be in Batasan?

SEC. COLOMA: Ang nag-imbita diyan House of Representatives. Sila lang nakakaalam. Alam mo iyang guessing game kasi natin, katulad nung last year ba iyon? Iyong maraming nagpo-foreshadow noon. At ang sinasabi nila, huwag sanang mag-criticize sa Supreme Court ‘no. Huwag sanang i-discuss iyong DAP. Marami kasi iniisip, pero hindi naman kasi ganun ang mindset ng Pangulo. Siguro naiiba siya sa lahat sa atin, kasi he has the perspective of the person who is really on top of everything. Tayo kasi…makikita rin natin lahat, pero not quite the perspective of the Chief Executive himself. At napaka---kumbaga iyong big picture, siguro siya na iyong mayroong pinaka-big picture sa ating lahat.

DAVILA: Oo. All right, now, the Movement for Good Governance, which is chaired by Solita Monson, gave President Aquino a grade of 5.9 out of 10. A 5.9 out of 10 is what they call lower than expected. Do you agree with the grade?

SEC. COLOMA: Sila naman ang gumagamit ng kanilang sariling criteria diyan. Naalala ko mayroon akong professor sa U.P. na throughout the semester, hindi iyon nagbibigay ng higher than 2. Kaya medyo nakaka-frustrate, di ba? You do your best, hanggang 2 na lang. Aba eh pagbigay nung final class card, nagulat talaga ako, Karen, modesty aside, binigyan ako ng uno. Ganun lang pala iyong kanyang paraan ng pag-motivate. Sa akin naman hindi naman masyadong materyal iyan, kaysa doon sa—iyong score keeping kasi at point in time mo lang ‘yan makacapture. Pero sa aking palagay, importante din iyong flow. Saan ba ang daloy ng pinatutunguhan natin? For example: Poverty, iyong vicious cycle dati, significantly na-reverse na iyon eh. Kasi dati mataas ang poverty, tapos hindi pa rin makapag-aral, nagda-drop out iyong mga anak. So, tataas din naman iyong unemployment, iyong kagutuman tataas din, so it’s a vicious cycle. At least ngayon na-reverse na natin iyong cycle.

DAVILA: But does it really been reversed? When President Aquino came into office he said that he would create 1 million jobs a year. Last count and I’ve looked at research is that last year government created only 495,000 jobs. It’s called a “weak new job production,” of which of the 495,000 most of it are part time, low wage or contractual. Now, would you consider---given that this are numbers from Avon, Sente, MG ( Movement for Good Governance) did the government fail in getting to the target of 1.1 million new entrants a year?

SEC. COLOMA: Kung titignan natin iyong labor force survey ‘no na sina-submit ng ating Department of Labor sa ILO. We had a net gain of more than a million jobs as of October 2014. Iyon ‘yung ating basis. At ang importante din diyan, Karen, kahit sino namang economist ang tatanungin natin, kailangan kasi ma-sustain iyan over a period to be able to create really remunerative jobs, high quality, kailangan natin iyong sustained growth for at least a decade. Eh nasa 5-6 na taon pa lang tayo, but we’re getting there. We’re already on a high trajectory growth path, dahil natanggal natin iyong mga tagas ng korapsyon, na-increased natin iyong productivity ng ating economy. So, were headed into the right direction, Karen.

DAVILA: Because the allegations of some is that the reporting of government on the employment situation is sugar-coated?

SEC. COLOMA: Ang sinusunod natin ILO sa lahat ng kilos natin, International Standards. Sa aviation, International Civil Aviation. Di sa labor, ILO. Kailangan sumunod tayo sa International o Global Standards.

DAVILA: So, what about the Avon studies of… where they counted at 495,000 last year?

SEC. COLOMA: Siguro kung kinikilala natin iyon ay kilalanin din natin iyong validity ng government studies that’s base on International norms, Karen. If we give credence to Avon, let’s give credence to ILO-guided DOLE studies.

DAVILA: Okay, now. They did give---let me just talk about this now. Public finance, they gave President Aquino 5.8, economy 5.9, agriculture, health, and environment 5.6. They’re all in the 5 levels. Let’s talk about poverty indices. The EIU has said by 2019 the Philippines will remain one of South East Asia’s poorest economies with a lower level of GDP per head than the majority of the region’s other major economies. This is coming from the Economist Intelligence Unit. Did the President, coming from a first year of 7.1 %, was he able to sustain growth?

SEC. COLOMA: We have the highest 5 year average growth, Karen, of the last 40 years, which is 6.3%. At iyong sa sinasabi poverty na iyan, siguro tignan din natin iyong results ng World Bank-ADB impact evaluation surveys. Kasi quality of life iyong mine-measure nila. At ang respondents nila dito, hindi lang iyong usual 1,200 ng SWS at Pulse Asia. The latest survey, which was commissioned by them conducted by SWS, and this was discussed by Mahar Mangahas in his recent column. Ang kinober nila is more than 9,400 households. Maraming tao iyon ‘no and this are recipients 4P’s, CCT. At ang napansin nila doon marami ng important indicators; number 1, na-arrest na natin iyong high dropout rate doon sa between grade 1 to grade 4. Kasi kung ang theory natin iyong education ang susi para mai-angat iyong kabuhayan, dapat talaga hindi magda-dropout. Dapat makatapos ng basic education man lang. That is one of the purposes of 4P’s and CCT: Tiyakin na nandoon iyong mga kabataan sa eskwela. And have arrested this, the dropout rate has been reduced from more than 17% to 5%, dahil nga may mandatory kindergarten na tayo ngayon na halos 97% iyong attendance. Pagkatapos doon sa isang study, which shows the unequal distribution of wealth, 9 out of 10 of those from the riches families finish high school. Dati 3 out of 10 lang sa poorest families. We’re bridging that now, because of the 4P’s and CCT programs.

DAVILA: Okay, but let’s talk about CCT later, because CCT clearly it’s government aid.

SEC. COLOMA: It’s an investment in people, Karen.

DAVILA: Okay. But then, the other argument with that is, you would not need as much CCT. It’s the budget... how much is the budget for CCT this year? Something like 65 billion?

SEC. COLOMA: Oo, tama iyon.

DAVILA: Okay. It’s drawn dramatically and some say there would not be a need for CCT. If frankly, more manufacturing and more jobs were created?

SEC. COLOMA: Eh, wala naman talagang mag-a-argue doon ‘no kaya lang, paano nila maidya-justify ‘no na for decades, dahil doon sa “baka sakali” which is the trickle down approach. Baka sakali lang iyon eh ‘no, sana maambunan iyong nasa pinakailalim ng ating economic totem pole ‘no. Dito sa 4Ps at CCT, tinitiyak, nade-deliver sa ATM ng padre de pamilya noong beneficiary-families iyon ‘no. Kaya nakatamo tayo noong magagandang resulta in terms of quality of life indicators.

DAVILA: Sir, okay. Now, the first dramatic growth was a 7.1% growth, but it has declined in the years to come. You saw 6.5% and last 2014, 6.1% of the average. What were the challenges of the Aquino administration, why it was not able to keep it at 7.1%?

SEC. COLOMA: Well, may global economic factors din diyan at mayroon ding mga local challenges katulad noong calamities—

DAVILA: What about the DAP ruling of the Supreme Court?

SEC. COLOMA: Well, naka-slowdown lang iyon ‘no pero nakapag-catch up na tayo, Karen. Pero iyong pinupunto ko dito, puwedeng mag-fluctuate iyong sa Gross Domestic Product, but let’s not lose sight of the fact that we have been very purposive in wanting to lift millions of our countrymen from poverty. Ito ang ating inaasikaso regardless of fair or foul weather, talagang hinahatid natin sa kanila iyong benepisyo na matulungan silang umahon sa kahirapan.

DAVILA: I think, no one questions the President’s intentions but I wanted to ask you. For example - my train of thought got lost - President Aquino came in as one of the most popular presidents in history. Globally, he is actually respected and frankly, liked. And yet, foreign direct investments were not as impressive as people would have hoped. I mean, in the first few years, you just have a measly…I think 3 billion dollars, compared to other South East Asian countries that really have a lot of foreign direct investments. So, what challenges did you experienced why the numbers weren’t very high?

SEC. COLOMA: Infrastructure ang isang importante diyan, Karen, ‘no. Dahil mahirap ding mag-put up ng factory o ng mga investments ‘no, capital investments, kung kulang iyong basic infrastructure. Kaya diyan tayo nagkaka-catch up ngayon at nilatag na natin iyong sistema para maayos iyong ating infrastructure developments, especially through the PPP. It took some time—

DAVILA: How much of the GDP did we spend for infra? I know it’s the biggest, historically. Is it something like three percent?

SEC. COLOMA: Well, lumaki na iyong—mababa pa rin ‘no. I think it’s between two and three. But, let’s also take note that we have to grow the GDP itself ‘no. So, talagang dapat pa rin na sasabay ito doon sa taas ng... pagtaas ng GDP. Ang ating GDP ngayon ay halos 13 trillion. So, kung 20% noon, dapat mga 1.7 trillion ang ating gagastusin. Eh, wala pa naman tayo sa kalahating trilyon. We are now more than 400 billion in terms of infrastructure spending.

DAVILA: And what happened during President Aquino’s term? Electricity in the Philippines is now the most expensive in South East Asia. Water is the second most expensive in South East Asia. What happened to us?

SEC. COLOMA: Hindi naman iyan as if... ito lang Aquino administration nangyari iyan, Karen ‘no. Minana na rin natin iyong sistemang iyan dahil din doon sa ating infrastructure for electricity at iyong supply situation na ating minana. Importante rin dito iyong kinakaya ba ni Juan Dela Cruz na matugunan ito ‘no. Puwede namang tumaas iyong presyo pero kung tumataas naman iyong purchasing power ‘no. Kung tatanungin natin si Secretary Cielito Habito iyong kaniyang simple indicators na “PITIK” ‘no – Presyo, Trabaho at Kita. Doon sa presyo, we had the lowest inflation rate so far of just about 2%. Iyong sa trabaho, nai-increase naman natin iyan at magtutungo naman tayo sa more highly remunerative job at iyong kita---iyon nga ‘no, dini-distribute natin through direct investment in people.

DAVILA: Okay, now, I need to rush on this. When the President came in he had 10 major PPP’s. In the first few years, people felt that it didn’t fly as much as it should have. How do you rate the PPP projects of President Aquino today, how many have push through?

SEC. COLOMA: Iyon nga, halos---I think we now have 9 completed PPP’s in various stages of completion---

DAVILA: This is out of 10?

SEC. COLOMA: I believe so. And the…we have about 20 to 30 in the pipe line. Ang naging problema kasi dito iyong sa technical feasibility hindi naman ganun kadali na maglatag ng complete technical feasibility so that the investors are ready to jump in. But I think we have already reached the critical mass of competency and, in fact, in the recent global PPP awards. Our PPP program was among the top ten in the world, in terms of asessments, so were getting there, Karen.

DAVILA: Now, we have a few minutes left, because we do have Professor Carlos to be joining us. Will the President certify the FOI bill as urgent?

SEC. COLOMA: Ang madalas natin sinasabi diyan ‘no, kahit hindi natin iyan nai-sama sa sine-certify. Government itself is already practicing FOI. Iyong seal of transparency, electronic procurement, Citizen’s Charter. Dalawang beses na iyan naipasa sa Senado, doon na lamang sa House of Representatives at the start of this Congress, sa listahan na binigay ng Office of the President, kasama naman iyong PPP sa priority bills ng administration.

DAVILA: Okay, all right. So, last words, Secretary Coloma, what do we expect this afternoon, you have a message for the protesters?

SEC. COLOMA: Pilipino din sila katulad natin. Katulad nga nung sinabi ni Pangulo noong 2012, “Hindi ko ito SONA, ito ang SONA ng sambayanang Pilipino.” Dahil ang bumubuo ng bansang Pilipinas ay lahat tayong Pilipino. Dapat natin pagtulungan, dapat natin pagyamanin ang ating mga lakas at dunong para makapag-tatag ng isang mas magandang kinabukasan sa ating bansa, Karen.

DAVILA: On that note, Secretary Coloma, thank you for coming to the show.
SOURCE: NEWS AND INFORMATION BUREAU
INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
DZRB / “Pilipinas! Pilipinas!” kasama sina Albert Sebastian at Efren Montano
26 July 2015
ALBERT: Nasa kabilang linya na si PCOO Secretary Sonny Coloma. Magandang umaga, sir. Welcome po sa Pilipinas, Pilipinas.

SEC. COLOMA: Magandang umaga po sa inyo.

KA EFREN: Okay po. Sa opening statement/message po natin dito sa Sunday habit Pilipinas, Pilipinas, dito lamang po sa Radyo ng Bayan.

SEC. COLOMA: Ito po ang aking pahayag:

Bukas ng hapon, Lunes, ikadalawampu’t pito ng Hulyo 2015, ilalahad ni Pangulong Aquino ang kaniyang ikaanim at huling State of the Nation Address o SONA sa ating mga mamamayan. Ang SONA ni Pangulong Aquino ang siyang ikapitumpu’t pitong SONA simula noong taong 1935, at ikadalawampu’t siyam nang maipanumbalik ang demokratikong pamamahala noong 1987.

Ang SONA ay taunang tradisyon ng pamahalaan kung saan iniuulat ng Pangulo sa harap ng pinag-isang sesyon ng Kongreso ang mga mahahalagang kaganapan sa kaniyang pamamahala alinsunod sa itinatadhana ng Artikulo 7, Seksyon 23 ng Saligang Batas.

Muli po naming hinihimok ang ating mga mamamayan na sama-sama po nating pakinggan ang SONA ng Pangulo bukas upang mabatid ang mga mahahalagang programa at aksyon ng pamahalaan tungo sa pagbabago, pagpapaunlad at pagpapatatag ng ating demokratikong bansa.

Handa na po akong sagutin ang inyong mga tanong.

ALBERT: All right, sir. In terms of the security preparations po, kumusta naman? Okay na po ang ... all systems go na po?

SEC. COLOMA: Sa aking pagkabatid, ang ating Pambansang Kapulisan ay ganap nang nailatag ang kanilang mga paghahanda para sa SONA ni Pangulong Aquino. Naka-deploy po sila sa mga lugar patungo at malapit sa Batasang Pambansa Complex. At tinututukan din po ng lahat ng ating mga police offices sa National Capital Region at sa lahat ng lugar ng bansa ang sitwasyon para tiyakin ang pag-iral ng katahimikan at kaayusan.

KA EFREN: At tiyak po naman na itong sinasabing maximum tolerance ang ipapairal ng ating kapulisan?

SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Efren. Nananawagan tayo sa ating mga kapatid na magsasagawa ng mga pamamahayag na pairalin lang po iyong kaayusan at sundin lang po ang mga batas hinggil sa malayang pamamahayag.

KA EFREN: On another topic po. Sa July 30 po yata nakatakda itong shake drill. Ano po ang expectation ng Palasyo ukol sa naturang exercise?

SEC. COLOMA: Inumpisahan na po ng ating NDRRMC iyong pagsasagawa ng mga pagsasanay para maipalaganap sa ating mga mamamayan ang hinggil sa tamang aksyon kapag nagkaroon ng lindol at kahalintulad na kalamidad. Noon pong nakaraang linggo ay isinagawa ito ng NDRRMC sa buong bansa, at iba’t iba po iyong programa sa bawat rehiyon.

Sa darating na Huwebes po, ang focus naman ay dito sa National Capital Region. Ang atin pong Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council sa NCR ay pinamumunuan ng MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, at kaagapay po niya ang mga alkalde ng lahat ng lunsod at isang bayan sa NCR o sa Metro Manila. Nag-umpisa na po silang magpalaganap ng mga anunsiyo hinggil dito. Patuloy pa rin po natin ‘tong mababatid sa pamamagitan ng radyo, telebisyon, pahayagan at iba pang pamamaraan ng mass media. Bawat lugar po ay mayroong partikular na paraan ng pagsasanay, at ito po ay pangangasiwaan ng MMDA. Kaya hinihimok po natin ang ating mga kababayan na lumahok po dito para maging mas handa po tayo sa kalamidad.

KA EFREN: Ah, okay po. At may nagmumungkahi po na ma-implement itong tinatawag na sister city arrangement ho ba ang tawag doon? For example, Metro Manila ang focus, may magpa-participate ho ba na mula sa Visayas, Mindanao? Kasi—

SEC. COLOMA: Wala po tayong ganiyang impormasyon. Basta po ginagawa ng ating mga awtoridad ang lahat ng nararapat para mas lumawak po at lumalim iyong kaalaman at kahandaan ng ating mga mamamayan. Lahat naman po ng puwedeng pagtulungan at kaparaanan para mas mapabuti po iyong kahandaan ay handa tayong isagawa.

ALBERT: All right. Sir, coming into this third regular session ng 16th Congress, there are plots daw to unseat Speaker Belmonte. Ano po kayang masasabi natin ukol dito?

SEC. COLOMA: Ang nais po natin ay iyong masinsing koordinasyon at pagkilos ng programang pagsasabatas ng mga mahahalagang programa po sa reporma ng ating pamahalaan. Wala po tayong kinalaman o wala po tayong nababatid hinggil sa mga bagay na iyan. Ang focus po natin ay doon sa constructive process po ng pagsasabatas.

KA EFREN: Okay, thank you po. On another topic po. Itong si Pangulong Aquino ay namentina niya itong kaniyang popularidad despite itong mga criticisms. What do we attribute this po mula sa Palasyo?

SEC. COLOMA: Siguro po iyong mga ulat hinggil diyan ay puwede nating suriin ‘pag nagrepaso po tayo ng mga naging resulta ng survey ng SWS at Pulse Asia. Magkahawig po kasi iyong itinatalang satisfaction rating at iyong trust rating. Ibig sabihin ay sa iba’t ibang larangan ng pamamahala ay napanatili naman po ng Pangulo iyong mataas na level of satisfaction ng ating mga mamamayan. Sa amin pong pananaw, ang atin pong mga ‘boss’ – ang mga mamamayan Pilipino – ay makatuwiran at may patas na pananaw; kapag gumawa ng mabuti ang pamahalaan ay kinikilala naman nila ito.

At sa daloy po ng panahon na nakita nilang tuluy-tuloy naman ang pagpupunyagi na magtatag ng mabuting pamamahala, ito po ay isa sa mga nagbunsod sa kanila na magpahayag ng patuloy na mataas ding pagtitiwala sa ating Pangulo. So, para pong magkatuwang iyong satisfaction at iyon pong trust rating. Iyong pagtitiwala po ay nagmumula doon sa kasiyahan sa mga nakikita nilang konkretong pagsasagawa ng mga programa sa paglilingkod sa ating mga mamamayan.

KA EFREN: At ito po yata iyong tinatawag na ‘Teflon’ ng presidency na iyong kaniyang kredibilidad ay mataas kaya niya name-maintain iyong kaniyang popularidad lalo sa masa at sa buong … majority of our people po.

SEC. COLOMA: Baka po—sorry lang, hindi masyado kasing malinaw iyong konteksto ng sinasabi na—mayroon ba tayong pinagbabatayan partikular na ulat o survey na nagsasabi hinggil diyan? Ang binanggit po bang kataga ay iyong Teflon?

KA EFREN: Not necessary po. Parang hinango lang po natin dahil parang resilient siya despite itong mga criticisms, patuloy iyong—medyo bumaba noon pero tumaas na naman ang kaniyang popularity rating.

SEC. COLOMA: Kaya nga po, ang atin pong pagsusuri diyan ay iyon pong pagiging makatuwiran naman po ng ating mga mamamayan na habang nakikita nilang nagsisikap ang mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan na maghatid nang mas mainam na serbisyo publiko ay binibigyan naman po nila ng sapat na pagkilala ito. Kaya’t kahit mayroon pong mga bumabatikos – at iyon naman po ay palagiang bahagi ng isang masiglang demokrasya – ay patuloy pa rin naman po iyong pagkilala nila na mayroong kabutihan ding isanasagawa ang ating pamahalaan. Kaya balanse iyong kanilang pagtuturing, binibigyan po nila ng timbang iyong mga katanggap-tanggap na programa na nakakatulong po sa bayan habang nakikinig din sila kung ano ang mga batikos o puna ng mga hindi sumasang-ayon. Iyon po ang aking nakikitang paliwanag hinggil diyan, sana po ay nakatugon sa tanong ninyo.

KA EFREN: Okay po. Thank you po.

ALBERT: Sir, on another topic. Ang sinabi po ng Commission on Audit a weeks ago ukol doon sa 2013 license plate deal ay hindi daw po tama o illegal. Pero ang sabi po ng LTO is itutuloy pa rin nila iyong kanilang proyekto na iyan ‘no. Ipagpapatuloy pa rin nila iyong license plate deal. So wala po ba tayong nakikitang problema in the near future or any legal impediments to this para ma-implement pa iyong programa?

SEC. COLOMA: Ang batid po natin ay ito: Lahat po ng ahensiya ng pamahalaan ay tinatanggap at sinusunod po ang mga ulat, patakaran at tagubilin ng Commission on Audit bilang pagkilala na ito ay isang independent constitutional body na sumusuri sa mga aksyon ng pamahalaan. Kaya po sa pagturing na iyan, iyan po ang batid natin na prinsipiyong gumagabay hindi lamang sa LTO, kung hindi sa lahat ng mga ahensiya na kapag mayroon pong mga findings ay inaalam, inuunawa po iyan. At lahat naman po ng mga aksyon, tinitiyak na alinsunod din po sa batas.

Baka po alamin pa natin kung ano pa ang mga detalye, iyong hinggil sa pag-implement po niyan. Basta ang alam po natin ay iyong pagsunod ng ating pamahalaan sa mga lawful and legal issuances po o findings ng COA, samantalang tinitiyak pa rin naman po iyong paghahatid ng serbisyo publiko. Baka kinakailangan pa po nating alamin mula sa LTO ang iba pang detlaye hinggil sa kanilang pagtanggap at pagsunod diyan sa binanggit ninyong ulat. Basta po ang alam natin ay sa lahat ng pagkakataon, ang lahat po ng ahensiya ng pamahalaan ay sumusunod po sa batas; wala po tayong patakaran na hindi pagsunod sa batas.

ALBERT: All right. Okay, sir. Base po sa ulat ng Commission on Elections o Comelec, bumaba na po iyong bilang ng walang biometrics – from 4.8 million, naging 3.8 million na po – which proves siguro successful or maganda iyong naging kampaniya ng Comelec para ilapit sa mga tao iyong kampaniya na magparehistro. So siguro puwede tayong manawagan sa ating mga kababayan, sa mga mamamayan na magparehistro pa sa ilang programa ng Comelec sa mga malls ito, iyong registration nila.

SEC. COLOMA: Ang pagboto po ay isang mahalagang tungkulin ng bawat mamamayan. Sa bawat halalan ay binibigyan po tayo ng pagkakataon na ipahayag ang ating saloobin at pumili ng mga taong karapat-dapat na pagkatiwalaan na mamuno sa ating bansa sa bawat antas po ng pamahalaan – pambansa at lokal. Kaya mainam na magamit po natin iyong karapatang bumoto, at ito po ay magkakatotoo kung tayo po ay rehistrado. At iyon ating pong voter registration ngayon ay mayroong requirements hinggil doon sa mga biometric data kaya nananawagan po tayo sa ating mga kababayan na lumahok dito sa pagkuha ng biometric data para maging ganap iyong ating pagiging registered voter para sa susunod na halalan.

ALBERT: Okay, sir.

KA EFREN: Okay po. Wala na pong mga katanungang mula sa Sunday group ng Malacañang Press Corps. Iyong parting message po natin, siguro kasabay na rin diyan iyong muling panawagan tungkol sa State of the Nation Address ng ating Pangulo bukas.

SEC. COLOMA: Sige po ‘no. Maraming salamat sa pagkakataong ibinigay ninyo. Muli po tayong nananawagan sa ating mga kababayan na mag-ukol ng panahon bukas, makinig at tunghayan po ang pag-uulat ni Pangulong Aquino ng kaniyang State of the Nation Address para po malaman natin ang mga iba’t ibang programa ng pamahalaan para higit pang pahusayin ang paglilingkod sa mga mamamayan at makapagpatatag po tayo ng ating demokrasya tungo po sa isang maunlad na kinabukasan para sa lahat.

ALBERT: All right. Okay, with that, sir, marami pong salamat sa inyong oras na binigay po sa bayan, sir.

SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat at magandang umaga po.

****
SOURCE: NEWS AND INFORMATION BUREAU

Last Updated: 24 JULY 2015
Alternative photo archive with high resolutions
Please click on thumbnails to magnify
President Benigno S. Aquino III poses for a photo opportunity with project partners and stakeholders including DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, former senator Manny Villar, Representatives Rodolfo Biazon, Marc Villar, and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala during the inauguration of the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expresswayin Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives for the inauguration of the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway  in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III gets a toll card to open the toll boom barrier to signal the official opening of the completed Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway during the inauguration ceremony in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24, 2015). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. Also in photo is Ayala Corporation chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. (Photo by Marcelino Pascua / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the inaugural drive-through at the completed Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway during the inauguration ceremony in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. Also in photo is Ayala Corporation chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Lauro Montellano, Jr. /Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III gets a toll card to open the toll boom barrier to signal the official opening of the completed Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway during the inauguration ceremony in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24i). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Ayala Corporation’s chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and president and chief operating officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala during the inauguration of the Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX) at the MCX Toll Plaza in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the inaugural drive-through at the completed Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX) during the inauguration ceremony in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24, 2015). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. Also in photo are Ayala Corporation chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the inaugural drive-through at the completed Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX) during the inauguration ceremony in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. ÿu(Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III gets a toll card to open the toll boom barrier to signal the official opening of the completed Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway during the inauguration ceremony in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. Also in photo are Ayala Corporation chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the structures of the completed Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway during the inauguration ceremony at the MCX Toll Plaza in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. Also in photo are Ayala Corporation chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the structures of the completed Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway during the inauguration ceremony at the MCX Toll Plaza in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership ProBenignly Also in photo are Ayala Corporation’s chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, president and chief operating officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by Ayala Corporation chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala upon arrival for the inauguration of the Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway at the MCX Toll Plaza in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan /Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III  after delivering his speech at the Angat Dam and Dyke Strengthening Project Inspection ceremony at the Angat Hydroelectric Power Plant Hilltop in Norzagaray, Bulacan Wednesday (July 22). The Project involves the strengthening of the Angat Dam and Dyke in order to ensure its stability and safety to withstand the potential risk posed by possible seismic activity associated with the West Valley Fault. Also in photo are San Miguel Corporation president Ramon Ang, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson and MWSS Administrator Gerardo A.I. Esquivel. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacanang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives at the Angat Hydroelectric Power Plant Hilltop in Norzagaray, Bulacan where he inspected the Angat Dam and Dyke Strengthening Project on Wednesday (July 22). The Project involves the strengthening of the Angat Dam and Dyke in order to ensure its stability and safety to withstand the potential risk posed by possible seismic activity associated with the West Valley Fault. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Rey Baniquets / Malacanang Photo Bureau)
The Angat Dam and Dyke Strengthening Project was inspected by President Benigno S. Aquino III ceremony at the Angat Hydroelectric Power Plant Hilltop in Norzagaray, Bulacan Wednesday (July 22). The Project involves the strengthening of the Angat Dam and Dyke in order to ensure its stability and safety to withstand the potential risk posed by possible seismic activity associated with the West Valley Fault. (Photo by Rey Baniquet/Malacanang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives at the Angat Dam and Dyke Strengthening Project at the Angat Hydroelectric Power Plant Hilltop in Norzagaray, Bulacan Wednesday (July 22). He was welcomed by MWSS Administrator Gerardo A.I. Esquivel. The project involves the strengthening of the Angat Dam and Dyke in order to ensure its stability and safety to withstand the potential risk posed by possible seismic activity associated with the West Valley Fault. (Photo by Robert Viñas/Malacanang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during his inspection of the Angat Dam and Dyke Strengthening Project at the Angat Hydroelectric Power Plant Hilltop in Norzagaray, Bulacan Wednesday (July 22). The Project involves the strengthening of the Angat Dam and Dyke in order to ensure its stability and safety to withstand the potential risk posed by possible seismic activity associated with the West Valley Fault. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Robert Viñas / Joseph Vidal / Rey Baniquet / Malacanang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III  is being brief by MWSS Administrator Gerardo A.I. Esquivel during his inspection of the Angat Dam and Dyke Strengthening Project at the Angat Hydroelectric Power Plant Hilltop in Norzagaray, Bulacan Wednesday, (July 22). The Project involves the strengthening of the Angat Dam and Dyke in order to ensure its stability and safety to withstand the potential risk posed by possible seismic activity associated with the West Valley Fault. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Robert Viñas /Joseph Vidal / Rey Baniquet / Malacanang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the ceremonial signing of Republic Act No. 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act and the Amendments to the Cabotage Law at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (July 21). (Photo By Rolando Mailo / Malacanang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the ceremonial signing of Republic Act No. 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act and the amendments to the Cabotage Law at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (July 21). Also in photo, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Senators Vicente Sotto III, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Cynthia Villar, Senate President Franklin Drilon, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Mandaluyong City Lone District Representative and Majority Floor Leader Neptali Gonzales II,  Quirino Lone District Representative and House Committee on Economic Affairs senior vice chairperson Dakila Carlo Cua, Las Piñas Lone District Representative and House Committee on Trade and Industry chairperson Mark Villar, and Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. (Photo By Gil Nartea / Lauro Montellano Jr. / Malacanang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the singing of the Philippine National Anthem during the ceremonial signing of Republic Act No. 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act and the amendments to the Cabotage Law at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (July 21). (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III signs into law Republic Act No. 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act and the Amendments to the Cabotage Law at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (July 21). Witnessing the ceremony are (seated, from left), Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Senators Vicente Sotto III, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Cynthia Villar, Senate President Franklin Drilon, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Mandaluyong City Lone District Representative and Majority Floor Leader Neptali Gonzales II, Quirino Lone District Representative and House Committee on Economic Affairs senior vice chairperson Dakila Carlo Cua, Las Piñas Lone District Representative and House Committee on Trade and Industry chairperson Mark Villar, Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan (standing, from left) Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. and other members of the House of Representatives. (Photo by Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III signs into law Republic Act No. 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act and the amendments to the Cabotage Law at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (July 21). Witnessing the ceremony are (seated, from left) Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Senator Vicente Sotto III, Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Senator Cynthia Villar, Senate President Franklin Drilon, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Mandaluyong City Lone District Representative and Majority Floor Leader Neptali Gonzales II, Quirino Lone District Representative and House Committee on Economic Affairs senior vice chairperson Dakila Carlo Cua, Las Piñas Lone District Representative and House Committee on Trade and Industry chairperson Mark Villar, and Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Lauro Montellano Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the unveiling of the inaugural marker of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Production Unit, Inc. high security printing plant of the new ePassport system at the Lima Technology Center in Apolinario Mabini Street, Malvar, Batangas on Monday (July 20). Also in photo are APO chairperson Milagros Alora; Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares and APO president Armando Dimarucot, Jr. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the unveiling of the inaugural marker of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Production Unit, Inc. high security printing plant and of the new ePassport system at the Lima Technology Center in Apolinario Mabini Street, Malvar, Batangas on Monday (July 20). Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis; Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto; Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr.; APO Production Unit, Inc. chairperson Milagros Alora; Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares and APO Production Unit, Inc. president Armando Dimarucot, Jr. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III receives his glass-framed commemorative passport presented by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. during the unveiling of the inaugural marker of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Production Unit, Inc. high security printing plant and Live of the new ePassport system at the Lima Technology Center in Apolinario Mabini Street, Malvar, Batangas on Monday (July 20). (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III receives his glass-framed commemorative presented by Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis during the Unveiling of the Inaugural Marker of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Production Unit, Inc. high security printing plant of the new ePassport system at the Lima Technology Center in Apolinario Mabini Street, Malvar, Batangas on Monday (July 20). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III listens as Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., delivers his opening remarks during the unveiling of the inaugural marker of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Production Unit, Inc. high security printing plant of the new ePassport system at the Lima Technology Center in Apolinario Mabini Street, Malvar, Batangas on Monday (July 20). Also in photo are Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto and APO Production Unit, Inc. chairperson Milagros Alora. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III observes the demonstration of the new ePassport system during the unveiling of the inaugural marker of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Production Unit, Inc. high security printing plant at the Lima Technology Center in Apolinario Mabini Street, Malvar, Batangas on Monday (July 20). Also in photo is Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III observes the demonstration of the new ePassport system during the unveiling of the inaugural marker of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Production Unit, Inc. high security printing plant at the Lima Technology Center in Apolinario Mabini Street, Malvar, Batangas on Monday (July 20). Also in photo are Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III observes the live demonstration of the new ePassport system during the unveiling of the inaugural marker of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Production Unit, Inc. high security printing plant at the Lima Technology Center in Apolinario Mabini Street, Malvar, Batangas on Monday (July 20). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

President Benigno S. Aquino III tries the new ePassport system and program during the unveiling of the inaugural marker of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Production Unit, Inc. High Security Printing Plant at the Lima Technology Center in Apolinario Mabini Street, Malvar, Batangas on Monday (July 20). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and inspects the plant’s production facilities for BIR Tax Stamps and DFA Passport during the unveiling of the inaugural marker of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Production Unit, Inc. high security printing plant and demonstration of the new ePassport system at the Lima Technology Center in Apolinario Mabini Street, Malvar, Batangas Also in photo is Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and inspects the plant’s production facilities for BIR Tax Stamps and DFA Passport during the unveiling of the inaugural marker of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Production Unit, Inc. high security printing plant and demonstration of the new ePassport system at the Lima Technology Center in Apolinario Mabini Street, Malvar, Batangas on Monday (July 20). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and inspects the plant’s production facilities for BIR Tax Stamps and DFA Passport during the unveiling of the inaugural marker of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Production Unit, Inc. High Security Printing Plant and demonstration of the new ePassport system at the Lima Technology Center in Apolinario Mabini Street, Malvar, Batangas on Monday (July 20). Also in photo are Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by APO Production Unit, Inc. chairperson Milagros Alora; Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr.; and Batangas 3rd District Representative Nelson Collantes, unveils the Inaugural Marker of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Production Unit, Inc. High Security Printing Plant at the Lima Technology Center in Apolinario Mabini Street, Malvar, Batangas on Monday (July 20). The program showcases the APO security printing plant’s capability to conduct security printing of 3-passports, accountable forms, excise stamps and identity documents for the Philippine Government. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by APO Production Unit, Inc. chairperson Milagros Alora; Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto; Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr.; and Batangas 3rd District Representative Nelson Collantes, unveils the inaugural marker of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Production Unit, Inc. High Security Printing Plant at the Lima Technology Center in Apolinario Mabini Street, Malvar, Batangas on Monday (July 20). The program showcases the APO security printing plant’s capability to conduct security printing of 3-passports, accountable forms, excise stamps and identity documents for the Philippine Government. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III witnesses the turnover by Manny Pangilinan to Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson a check during the briefing on the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) Project at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (July 16, 2015). The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Project approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board on 21 November 2013 is a 45.5-km, four-lane paved toll road that will connect CAVITEX in Kawit, Cavite and the SLEX-Mamplasan interchange in Biñan, Laguna. (Photo by Exequiel Supera/ Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the briefing on the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) Project and ceremonial turnover of the check at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (July 16). The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Project approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board on 21 November 2013 is a 45.5-km, four-lane paved toll road that will connect CAVITEX in Kawit, Cavite and the SLEX-Mamplasan interchange in Biñan, Laguna. CALAX is expected to reduce travel time between CAVITEX and SLEX from an average of 1.15 – 2 hours to only 45 minutes. Also in photo are Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, PPP Center executive director Cosette Canilao, Manny V. Pangilinan and Secretary Cecar Purisima. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by Mrs. Dinna Espina and Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, confers the Philippine Legion of Honor with the Degree of Chief Commander on outgoing PNP Officer-in-Charge and Deputy Director General Espina during the Philippine National Police Change of Command Ceremony and Retirement Honors for P/DDG Leonardo Espina at the Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame in Quezon City on Thursday (July 16). The Commander-in-Chief has appointed Police Director Ricardo Marquez as the new PNP Chief replacing Espina following the latter’s retirement. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Philippine National Police Change of Command Ceremony and Retirement Honors for P/DDG Leonardo Espina at the Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame in Quezon City on Thursday (July 16). The Commander-in-Chief has appointed Police Director Ricardo Marquez as the new PNP Chief replacing Espina following the latter’s retirement.  (Photo by Rey Baniquet/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by Mrs. Dinna Espina and Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, presents the awards and memento to outgoing PNP Officer-in-Charge and Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina during the Philippine National Police Change of Command Ceremony and Retirement Honors at the Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame in Quezon City on Thursday (July 16). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III witnesses the change of command ceremony of Philippine National Police with former PNP Officer-in-Charge and Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina ceding to newly appointed Chief Police Director Ricardo Marquez the symbolic Transformation Torch during the PNP Change of Command Ceremony and Retirement Honors for P/DDG Leonardo Espina at the Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame in Quezon City on Thursday (July 16). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
Please email us at pcoo.edp@gmail.com if you need a copy of last week's photo releases of PNOY







Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)