Wednesday, July 22, 2015

5 Dispatch for July 23 , 2015 ( Thursday), 3 PIA Calabarzon PRs , 3 Weather Watch ,1 Regional Watch , 1 OFW Watch, 1 PNOY Speech , 3 Interview with Sec. Coloma, 22 Online News( July 22 ), 32 Photonews ( July 22)


DAILY WEATHER FORECAST
 Issued at: 5:00 PM today, 22 July 2015
Valid Beginning: 5:00 PM today until 5:00 PM tomorrow
 Synopsis:

At 4:00 pm today, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 235 km North of Virac, Catanduanes (15.7N, 124.7E).

 pressure.gif  Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis 8 PM 22 July 2015  wind.gifPredicted Mean Sea Level Wind Analysis 8 PM 22 July 2015 satellite



Forecast:

Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will be experienced over Bicol Region and Quezon Province. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.


Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southeast to southwest will prevail over Northern Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the southeast to southwest with slight to moderate seas.



PIA-NCR: Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin said today’s nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill is a mandatory requirement for the country's preparedness efforts. He said DRRM Councils across the country have been conducting drills using various scenarios for years and these drills have continuously assisted the national govt. in the attainment of its goal, which is to instill proactiveness on our people, and promote preparedness and capability upgrade on the part of LGUs. ‪#‎NSED‬



PIA-NCR: This morning's ‪#‎NSED‬ highlights the capability of both the national and local govts. in responding to wide scale emergency situations, such as an earthquake, specifically in the management of the incident command system (ICS), the evacuation of the affected populace, with focus on the women, children, elderly and persons with disabilities, and in the provisioning of medical assistance and relief. Drills and exercises are part of the govt’s continuing efforts in enhancing preparedness and awareness through participative DRRM advocacy.



JULY 23, 2015  ( Thursday )     as of  9:00 AM
  PIA4A / PIA QUEZON  :  Fair Weather in Lucena City  

 
 NORTHERN 
 
 SOUTHERN

EASTERN


WESTERN




PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Pinangunahan ng National Historical Commission of the Philippines at ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Tanauan ang paggunita sa ika-151 taong kapanganakan ni Apolinario Mabini sa Mabini Shrine sa Brgy. Talalga.





DZBB: Nasa kustodiya ng Indonesia ang 12 Pinay na nasagip mula sa kamay ng sindikato ng trafficking. Galing sa magkakaibang bahagi ng Pilipinas ang mga Pinay na pinangakuan ng trabaho umano sa Middle East. Inaasikaso na ng konsulado ng Pilipinas ang mga dokumento ng mga Pinay at hinihintay ang repatriation sa kanila. Pinayuhan ng DFA ang mga Pinoy na mag-apply sa accredited recruitment agencies lamang o dumirekta sa POEA para hindi mabiktima ng human trafficking.




QUEZON 

1.  Tagalog news: PCSO, nagkaloob ng 24 ambulansiya sa Quezon
  • July 23, 2015
LUNGSOD NG LUCENA, Quezon, Hulyo 23 (PIA) --Pormal  na ipinagkaloob kamakailan ng Philippine  Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) ang 24 na ambulansiya sa may 19 na bayan at limang district hospitals sa lalawigan ng Quezon.

Sa ginanap na ceremonial turn-over ceremony sa Kalilayan Hall, sinabi ni PCSO general manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas na inaasahan na magiging malaking tulong ang mga ambulansiya sa pagdadala ng mga pasyente sa mga ospital.

“Ito rin ay kaugnay sa Universal Health Care program na ipinatutupad ng pamahalaan”, wika ni Rojas at idinagdag pa nito na ang pondong ginamit sa pagbili ng mga ambulansiya ay mula sa kinita PCSO.

Ang mga bayan  na tumanggap ng ambulansiya  ay kinabibilangan ng Mauban, Sampaloc, Lucban, Pagbilao, Real, INfanta, Dolores,  Padre Burgos, Agdangan, Unisan, Pitogo, General Luna , Catanauan, Mulanay, Guinyangan, at Calauag,

Tumanggap din ng ambulansiya ang Polillo Medical Hospital, Quezon Medical Center, Candelaria Doctor’s Hospital, Magsaysay District Hospital sa Lopez, Quezon  at Alabat island District Hospital.

Bunga nito, nagpahayag ng lubos na pasasaalmat sii Gob. David Suarez sa PCSO sa pagkakaloob ng ambulansiya sapagkat malaki ang maitutulong nito sa sa mga pasyente sa pagdadala sa mga ospital. Hiniling din niya sa PCSO na magkaroon din ng ambulansiya ang iba pang mga bayan sa Quezon na hindi pa nabibigayan.  

Ang pagbibigay ng mga ambulansiya ay naisakatuparan sa tulong ni Bise Gobernador Samuel Nantes at ni Dir. Betty Nantes ng PCSO na nagsabing patuloy silang tutulong sa pagbibigay ng mga ayuda sa mga ospital sa lalawigan ng Quezon. (Ruel Orinday-PIA-Quezon)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/701437382320/tagalog-news-pcso-nagkaloob-ng-24-ambulansiya-sa-quezon#sthash.F2vyFRr2.dpuf

2.  TESDA-Quezon to host regional skills competition
  • July 23, 2015
LUCENA CITY, Quezaon, July 23 (PIA) --The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Quezon provincial office is hosting the regional skills competition slated on July 28-30 with the opening program set at Sariaya Complex on July 28.

Sr. technical education supervisor development specialist Ma. Loredee S. Unson said the competition aims to showcase the skills of technical-vocational graduates based on their field of specialization.

The venues of the skills competition are the: STI-Lucena City, CSTC-Lucena City, Quezon National Agricultural School (QNAS) and Jacobo Z. Gonzales Memorial Schol of Arts and Trade in Binan, Laguna.

At STI-Lucena,  the skills under the competition are cooking, restaurant services,  graphic design, IT network system administration, IT software solutions for business and web design.  In CSCT-Lucena City are: automotive  technology, electrical installation technology, electronics, mechatronics, beauty theraphy, hairdressing and fashion technology, while Quezon National Agricultural School in Pagbilao, Quezon is the venue for skills competition in bricklaying, plumbing and wall and floor tiling.

Meanwhile, the skills competition in welding  and refrigeration technology is set at Jacobo Z. Gonzales Memorial School of Arts and Trade in Binan, Laguna.

Winners of the different skills competiton will receive cash prizes and trophies from TESDA.

For details, interested individuals may inquire at the office of the TESDA provincial Director Rhosalie A. Amasona  located at Lucena City Grand Terminal. (Rue M. Orinday, PIA-Quezon)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/701437382721/tesda-quezon-to-host-regional-skills-competition#sthash.6CPnQStP.dpuf




 
 CAVITE

1.  RDRRMC IV-A leads earthquake drill in Carmona
  • July 23, 2015
TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, July 23 (PIA) –The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) IV-A leads today the holding of the regional ceremonial earthquake drill in  barangay Lantic, Carmona in participation to the 3rd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED).

In a memorandum issued to all RDRRMC IV-A member agencies, RDRRMC IV-A chair and OCD 4A regional director  Vicente F. Tomazar has requested council  members in particpating in the simultaneous earthquake drill. 

The holding of NSED is pursuant to the President’s directive through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) issued in 2006 directing all schools, private and public and government offices nationwide to conduct quarterly earthquake drills.

The NSED aims to enhance and capacitate the LGUs with regard to disaster response. This drill also aims to help strengthen community-based preparedness and public participation in disaster risk reduction activities geared on building disaster—resilient communities and enhancing the coping capabilities of communities.

The said drill would also serve as a venue to test the contingency plans and existing standard operating procedures of the LGUs in handling Emergency Communication, Hazardous Materials Management, Rapid Damage Needs Assessment (RDANA), Camp Management and Coordination, managing Field Hospital, management of casualties, practicing the Incident Command System (ICS) and the demonstration of Search and Rescue capability that integrates medical and firefighting response requirements.

Official and employees of the provincial government particularly the Cavite Office of Public Safety (COPS) and all the cities and municipalities in the province are actively participating in the simultaneous earthquake drill to encourage awareness and prepare the public with proper action in dealing and responding to disaster and emergencies. (Ruel Francisco, PIA-Cavite)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/671437189317/rdrrmc-iv-a-leads-earthquake-drill-in-carmona#sthash.Qj6nH3hg.dpuf







 
Iloilo City hosts welcome dinner for APEC delegates
(ILOILO CITY, Iloilo) The city government of Iloilo on Wednesday night hosted a welcome dinner for the delegates of the two-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, to be held here to discuss infrastructure and capital market development.

"Fostering the APEC's infrastructure through long-term investment and capital market development also signifies bringing our economies closer together," Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said in his welcome remarks.

"Cooperating and creating jobs and prosperity, so that people from all APEC economies could provide better life for their constituents and give the younger generation a better and brighter future."

During the dinner, held at the Department of Education’s City Division Office, the delegates were entertained by musical groups from the University of San Agustin and the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University.

Iloilo City is honored to host the APEC meeting as it gives the city an opportunity to showcase its strengths and potentials as an investment destination, Mayor Mabilog said, adding that Iloilo’s strategic location serves as a gateway to the rest of the Visayan region, making it attractive to potential investors from the Asia-Pacific region.

Prospective investors, he said, could consider Iloilo City's wide range of business sectors, such as retail, manufacturing, business process outsourcing (BPO), agro-processing, and tourism.

"Iloilo City is a modern, bustling population center proud of this heritage and culture. We believe the economic outlook for Iloilo is enormously dynamic and the potential to growth is palpable," Mabilog said.

"We consider Iloilo City a globally competitive premier city, where hard-working leaders and people live and work together in mutual trust and respect."

Some 400 hectares of reclaimed land in Iloilo City are being developed into an industrial zone and another 400 hectares of reclaimed land intended for businesses have been identified by the city government.

The city received P150 billion worth of investment pledges in 2013 from various private enterprises intending to open their businesses in the zone.

The city government has reported that about 60 percent of the amount has already been spent by investors in construction work.

The APEC meeting, “Fostering APEC’s Infrastructure through Long-Term Investment and Capital Market Development”, will be held at the Royal Garden Hall Convention Center on Thursday and Friday (July 23 to 24). PND (as)
Philippines on track to hit infrastructure spending by 2016
(ILOILO CITY, Iloilo) The Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) proposed P391 billion budget for next year will support the government’s target to increase infrastructure spending to 5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2016.

The department’s Undersecretary for Planning and Public-Private Partnership Maria Catalina E. Cabral, during the opening of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting here Thursday, said the DPWH budget for 2016 indicates the government’s thrust to improve the country’s infrastructure.

“By 2016, we shall have submitted a budget proposal of P391 billion or US$8.7 billion. This will show how serious the government is in increasing infrastructure spending to 5 percent of the GDP by 2016,” said Cabral.

The DPWH’s 2016 budget is 43 percent higher than the P273 billion allocation for 2015 and more than double its P190.9 billion budget in 2014.

The department will also get the second highest allocation from the P3 trillion 2016 national budget, next to the Department of Education and followed by the Department of National Defense.

“These tasks of improving our land transport system, coupled with its major flood control system and other basic social infrastructure all over the country, have led our country to grow by leaps and bounds, as shown in our latest GDP, and sustain high economic growth and be more globally competitive,” she said.

“We are committed to deliver networks of roads and bridges that will make our archipelagic country as one, for a safer, faster and more convenient physical connectivity throughout the Philippine islands and be convergent with our neighboring country in the Asia-Pacific region,” she said, adding that this poses a big challenge, not just to the government but to the construction industry as well.

Cabral noted that the government, in partnership with the private sector and financial institutions, has completed the construction of 43.21 kilometers (km) of high-standard highway network in Metro Manila and its surrounding areas.

About 201 km of road projects are nearing completion, while three road projects that total 112 km are in the pipeline, she said.

“We are now in a fast-track mode to be able to increase our available resource base and promote PPP investments,” Cabral said.

Iloilo City is hosting the two-day APEC workshop, “Fostering APEC’s Infrastructure through Long-Term Investment and Capital Market Development”, at the Royal Garden Hall Convention Center here. PNA (km)

 
President Aquino inspects Angat Dam in Bulacan
(NORZAGARAY, Bulacan) President Benigno S. Aquino III said here Wednesday that a P1.08 billion-rehabilitation project would strengthen the structure of the Angat Dam and Dike to enable it to withstand a strong earthquake. “Todo rehabilitasyon nga po ang gagawin natin dito. Gamit ang pondong 1.08 bilyong piso, layunin nating siguruhin ang stabilidad ng dam at dike, upang sa anumang lindol, kahit pa umabot ng hanggang 7.2 magnitude—o sinlakas ng nakaraang lindol sa Bohol—ay kakayanin pa rin ng strukturang ito,” the President said during his speech after he inspected the dam.

“Kaakibat nito, magkakabit tayo ng flood forecasting and warning system na nagkakahalagang 261 milyong piso, at magsasagawa ng flood control protection works na 292 milyong piso naman po ang halaga,” he said.
The President noted that the Angat Dam has never undergone any major rehabilitation since it was built more than 50 years ago.

Considering that the dam lies near the West Valley fault, the absence of a proper surveillance system and the questionable stability of its structure make the dam vulnerable in case of a major earthquake, putting at risk the lives of some 3 million Filipinos, along with their properties and livelihood, he explained.
Any serious damage to the dam, he said, would also disrupt water supply in Metro Manila and parts of Rizal, Bulacan and Cavite, affecting 15 million people, and cut off irrigation for almost 27,000 hectares of farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga.

President Aquino said the rehabilitation of Angat Dam is part of a bigger strategy to improve the water sector.
"Kabilang din po rito ang Angat Water Utilization and Aqueduct Improvement Project Phase 2, na nakumpleto na natin noon pang 2012, at 10 buwan ahead of schedule. Ongoing naman ang bidding ng iba pa nating proyekto tulad ng Kaliwa Dam sa Rizal, ang Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project, at ang Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project," he added.

The project to strengthen Angat dam, to be spearheaded by the Angat Hydropower Corporation (AHC), will involve increasing the height of the dam’s impervious core and widening its downstream slope.
The AHC is a local corporation co-owned by the SMC Global Power Holdings Corporation, a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation, and the Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-Water).

K-Water Chief Executive Officer Gye-Woon Choi, in his speech, said since the Angat Dam provides drinking water to 10 million Filipinos, they are committed to complete the project in two years.

He also pledged that AHC will make Angat Dam one of the "most safe and essential facilities" in the Philippines.
Present during the event were Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, San Miguel Corporation President Ramon Ang, AHC President Geung Jeon Han, and K-Water Chief Executive Officer Gye-Woon Choi. PND (ag)

President Aquino signs Philippine Competition Act, Cabotage Law amendments
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday signed into law two landmark bills aimed at promoting trade and fair competition.The President signed Republic Act 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act, and Republic Act 10668 or Foreign Ships Co-Loading Act before government officials and businessmen at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang Palace.
In his speech, President Aquino noted the importance of the Philippine Competition Act and the amendments to the Cabotage Law, which were among the priority measures in the Congress.

"Sa pagsasabatas nga po ng Philippine Competition Act, naisusulong ang kompetisyon sa merkado. Ngayon, sa wakas, maliit man o malaki ang negosyo, ang labanan ay nasa paglalabas ng de-kalidad na produkto sa pinakamakatuwirang presyo, imbes na under the table o ang paramihan ng kuneksiyon. Dito, makakamit natin ang punto kung saan ang mamimili, mas totoo ang presyong binabayaran, ‘yung nagbebenta naman, nahihikayat na pahusayin pa ang kanilang serbisyo. Sa dulo, lahat nakikinabang, lahat panalo,” he said about the bill that was ratified by Congress after 25 years.

"Ganyan din po ang prinsipyong itinataguyod natin sa pagpirma sa Liberalization of Philippine Cabotage. Itong Cabotage Law na ito ay hango pa sa Tariff and Customs Code of 1978, at ngayon nga lang naibabagay sa ating mga pangangailangan. Nagsimula nga po siguro ang batas na ito para maengganyong mapaunlad ang ating shipping industry, at magkaroon ng kakayahang makipagsabayan. Ang problema, kakarampot ang dumadagdag na mga barko natin na nagresulta sa absurdong sitwasyon kung saan kontrolado ng iilan lang ang takbo ng merkado. Kaya nga po, dumating na tayo sa panahong kailangan na nating baguhin ang sistemang nakagawian,” the President explained.
“Sa mga amyenda po ninyo, malayang makakapagkalakal ang mga banyagang barko ng kanilang imported at exported na kargamento sa kanilang napiling port of destination. Dahil dito, mapapadali at mapapamura ang export at import ng mga produkto, na magbubunsod ng mas masiglang merkado. Talagang nakakatipid ang lahat ng stakeholders, mula sa mga mamimili hanggang sa mga negosyante,” he further said.
The Philippine Competition Act aims to enhance economic proficiency and promote free and fair competition in trade, industry and all commercial economic activities.

It seeks to prevent economic concentration, which will control the production, distribution, trade or industry that will unduly stifle competition, distort, manipulate or constrict the discipline of free markets; and penalize all forms of anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position and anti-competitive mergers and acquisitions, with the objective of protecting consumer welfare and advancing domestic and international trade and economic development.
Under the law, a Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) will be established, with the President appointing a chairperson, four commissioners and an executive director.

The PCC can impose administrative fines of P100 million in the first offense and P250 million for the second offense for abuse of dominant position and prohibited merger.
The law also prohibits agreements, between and among competitors, which have the object or effect of substantially preventing, restricting or lessening competition.

The Foreign Ships Co-Loading Act, on the other hand, allows foreign vessels to transport and co-load foreign cargoes for domestic trans-shipment.
It aims to assist importers and exporters in enhancing their competitiveness in the light of intensifying international trade and to lower the cost of shipping export cargoes from Philippine ports to international ports and import cargos from international ports.

Under the law, a foreign vessel arriving from a foreign port would be allowed to carry a foreign cargo to its domestic port of final destination, after being cleared at the port of entry. The foreign vessel will also be allowed to carry foreign cargo by another foreign vessel calling at the same port of entry to the Philippine port of final destination of such foreign cargo.
For a foreign vessel departing from a Philippine port of origin through another local port, it would be allowed to carry foreign cargo intended for export.
The foreign vessel will also be allowed to carry foreign cargo by another foreign vessel through a domestic trans-shipment port and transferred at such domestic trans-shipment port to its foreign port of final destination.
An empty foreign container van going to or coming from any domestic port, or going to or coming from a foreign port, and being trans-shipped between two domestic ports will be allowed.
Present during the event were Senate President Franklin Drilon, House of Representatives Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong City Representative Neptali Gonzales, Jr., Senators Cynthia Villar and Vicente Sotto III, House Committee on Trade and Industry chairperson Representative Mark Villar, and House Committee on Economic Affairs senior vice chairperson Representative Dakila Carlo Cua.
Also in attendance were Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Trade and Industry Gregory Domingo, Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. PND (jm)
APEC meeting in Iloilo to tackle major infrastructure concerns in Asia-Pacific region
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) delegates are meeting in Iloilo City on Thursday and Friday for the Workshop on Infrastructure Financing and Capital Market Development, which aims to address the challenges in the Asia-Pacific region's infrastructure sector. Although Asia-Pacific economies have achieved significant progress in raising living standards, the region's infrastructure has not kept pace with economic growth.

The increasing congestion of roads, power shortages, and inadequate public services imperil hard-won economic gains for many economies in the region.
Insufficient progress in expanding infrastructure to less-developed areas has resulted in uneven growth, contributing to regional and social inequalities and threatening to mire them in the middle-income trap.

Discussions held under the auspices of the APEC Finance Ministers’ Process (FMP) in previous years have identified two major obstacles.
The first is the lack of a pipeline of bankable infrastructure projects in developing economies that can attract capital from institutional investors. 

The second concern is the lack of appropriate financial instruments and enabling policy frameworks for pension funds and insurance firms to expand their investment in emerging market infrastructure.
By addressing these two issues, the FMP can remove two major obstacles to the advancement of the APEC’s vision of sustained, balanced and inclusive growth.
The APEC seminar in Iloilo City will seek to identify concrete and practical initiatives to address these issues that can be progressed by the FMP in coming years as part of the Cebu Action Plan.
The meeting’s agenda includes building capacity to expand the pipeline of infrastructure projects. 

Much work has been undertaken in previous years to address this challenge. There has been much focus on this aspect in the work of multilateral and public agencies, for example, in assisting economies with project preparation.
The FMP's initiatives in this area are establishing the Asia-Pacific Infrastructure Partnership (APIP) to serve as a platform for public-private sector dialogue, and the creation of a regional network of PPP Centers among interested developing economies to help improve cross-agency coordination and to serve as channels for technical assistance.
Also part of the agenda in Iloilo is the development of capital markets, because it provides the most important channels for investing long-term funds in infrastructure. 

The active participation of pension funds and insurance firms benefited the region's infrastructure development.
At present, many economies in the region have become increasingly aware of the importance of local currency bond markets both for financial stability and for economic growth.
Also, a number of regional and domestic initiatives have been under way for several years to strengthen these bond markets.
The APEC delegates will also tackle initiatives to mobilize long-term investments in the region.
While efforts to develop capital markets take time, the FMP can explore other ways to mobilize long-term investments through collaboration among institutional investors, financial institutions and multilateral development agencies as well as private equity funds.
The APEC meeting in Iloilo City, to be held at the Royal Garden Hall Convention Center, is being organized by the Department of Finance, in collaboration with the APEC Business Advisory Council, Asia-Pacific Financial Forum, and Asia-Pacific Infrastructure Partnership. PND (as)
 

22 JULY 2015
Ombudsman concludes Mamasapano probe
Consolidation program for Rural Banks approved
Y-O-Y Capital Outlay, operations spending up 20.1% in May; Agencies urged to optimize thier budgets further
DOLE offers P100-K to families of nine victims of Semirara coal mine landslide
15 distressed OFWs from Lebanon arrive today as result of IOM-PH ‘repatriation partnership’—Baldoz
Gov’t panel lauds House commitment to pass BBL; hopes for its passage by 3rd quarter of 2015
DFA rescues Filipinas from trafficking in Indonesia
PHL Consulate General in Hongkong hosts financial literacy workshop
DOST conducts flood, storm surge drill in Baseco, Tondo
Roxas on 4Ps: Well families mean a well nation
NAIA Dev’t, LRT Line 4 PPP projects get NEDA-ICC nod
Potato wine equipment launched in Moncada
Provincial prosecutor convicted of direct bribery
Admin pushes Open Data Guidelines, digital payments; Abad: Technology to boost public empowerment, transparency, and accountability
DOTC: Tap-and-Go Ticketing System trial a success
Contribution of tourism to the economy is 7.8 percent in 2014
Pantawid Pamilya can boost beneficiaries’ power to earn
Almost 1,000 Pantawid Pamilya grantees trained on organic farming under DSWD-SM partnership
BSP honors its stakeholders in Region II
Cagayan Credit Surety Fund to be launched today
DOJ - BI: Liberal passport entry for foreigners to start
Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway set to open Friday
Ombudsman concludes Mamasapano probe
Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales approved the recommendation of the special panel of field investigators to initiate administrative adjudication and preliminary investigation against former PDG Alan Purisima, PDir. Getulio Napeñas and nine other police officers in relation to what is known as the “Mamasapano incident.”

Purisima, Napeñas and PCSupt. Fernando Mendez Jr. face charges of Grave Misconduct, and violation of Section 3(a) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices (Republic Act No. 3019). Purisima also faces a charge of Usurpation of Official Functions under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

Purisima and Napeñas are likewise charged with Neglect of Duty along with PCSupt. Noli Taliño, PSSupt. Richard Dela Rosa, PSSupt. PSSupt. Edgar Monsalve, PSSupt. Abraham Abayari, PSSupt. Raymund Train, PSSupt. Michael John Mangahis, PSSupt. Rey Ariño and PSInsp. Recaredo Marasigan.

The fact-finding investigation stemmed from the Inquirer Mindanao Online News dated January 27, 2015 and the separate complaints filed by Fernando Perito, Pedrito Nepomuceno and Augusto Syjuco Jr.

The Mamasapano incident involved the law enforcement operations conducted by the Philippine National Police - Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) to arrest Zulkifli Bin Hir (a.k.a. Marwan) and Akmad Ahmad Batabol (a.k.a. Basit Usman).
Consolidation program for Rural Banks approved
Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph
The Monetary Board (MB) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has approved-in-principle on 18 June 2015 the Consolidation Program for Rural Banks (CPRB), a progressive incentive program jointly conceptualized by the BSP, the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC), and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to encourage mergers and consolidations among rural banks (RBs). The CPRB has also been approved by the PDIC Board and the LBP President. It will be available for a period of two years from the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among the BSP, the PDIC, and the LBP, which will contain the terms and conditions as well as other arrangements among the foregoing agencies in implementing the program.

The CPRB sprang from the need to strengthen the rural banking industry, in recognition of the major role that RBs play in financial inclusion. It intends to promote mergers and consolidations among RBs to bring about a less fragmented banking system by enabling them to improve financial strength, enhance viability, strengthen management and governance and expand market reach, among others. Currently, there are 512 RBs operating across the country.

In support of the CPRB, the Countryside Financial Institutions Enhancement Program (CFIEP), consistent with its mandate to improve the countryside financial institutions’ long-term sustainability and viability, will set aside PhP25 million to fund the implementation of the program. The amount will support the financial advisory, business process improvement, and capacity-building support services, necessary to ensure the attainment of the program’s objectives. On its part, the BSP will observe full flexibility in granting regulatory and other incentives allowable under existing banking laws and regulations including BSP Circular No. 237 as amended by Circular Nos. 771 dated 11 October 2012 and 494 dated 20 September 2005.
Y-O-Y Capital Outlay, operations spending up 20.1% in May; Agencies urged to optimize thier budgets further
Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph
The latest report from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shows continuing year-on-year improvement in national government disbursements, with capital outlay (CO) and maintenance and other operating expenditures (MOOE) increasing by 20.1 percent in May compared to the same month in 2014. Total year-on-year spending in May also picked up by 9.2 percent, from P160.5 billion in 2014 to P175.2 billion.

This robust growth was partially driven by better agency performance from the Departments of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Finance (DOF), and the Office of the President (OP). Faster utilization of notices of cash allocation (NCAs) in May 2015—up by 7.9 percentage points compared to 2014—drove total cash disbursements up by 14.7 percent.

“We have been actively implementing measures to address the spending shortfall, and we will continue to pursue solutions that will ensure quicker spending. The latest data, which shows that key agencies are stepping up, is an encouraging sign,” Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said.

“However, agencies must continue to optimize their fund releases. The government’s fulfillment of its spending targets will rely largely on whether agencies will make swift, efficient use of their budgets,” he added.

Government expenditures for the first five months of 2015 also outpaced 2014 figures by P49.2 billion or 6.2 percent. The DBM report likewise noted that non-NCA spending contracted in May, due to decreases in tax expenditure subsidies, net lending, and interest payments. These contractions, while lowering total spending, reflect prudent expenditure management by the national government.

“We encourage agencies to continue improving their performance in the coming months so that they can meet their target outputs. If they do this, they will also succeed in providing prompt and timely services to the public,” Abad said.

“Our ultimate goal has always been sustained, inclusive growth, and good spending performance will go a long way towards achieving that for our people,” he added.

The report predicted continued acceleration in the coming months, particularly in June, with the release of funds to cover the payment of the Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) to government employees, and the premium subsidy of indigent families covered by the National Health Insurance Program.

May 2015 Spending by Expense Class

Personnel Services (PS) expanded in 2015 by P4.4 billion or 1.8 percent, driven by the continued provision of monthly requirements for the newly-filled positions in DepEd and DILG.

Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) continued its marked increase this year, growing 13.8 percent in the month of May. DSWD’s Emergency Shelter Assistance under the Typhoon Yolanda Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan contributed to this growth.

Infrastructure and Other Capital Outlays (CO) in May grew by P5.3 billion or 28.5 percent compared to 2014 figures, mainly due to improved NCA utilization by DPWH. The funds released to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts for the acquisition of the Manila Metropolitan Theatre from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) also pulled up spending.
DOLE offers P100-K to families of nine victims of Semirara coal mine landslide
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph
Regional Director Ponciano Ligutom of the DOLE regional office yesterday reported to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz that the regional office is coordinating with the investigating team of the Department of Energy and has allocated an initial sum of P100,000 in livelihood assistance for the families of the nine victims of the landslide at the West Panian mine of Semirara Coal and Power Corporation (SCPC) in Semirara Is., Caluya, Antique.

“We have finalized the initial assistance to be provided the families of the nine (9) landslide victims after our Engr. Milson delos Reyes discussed with them the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP). Some of them would like to engage in livestock farming while some of them would like to engage in trading and grocery sale,” said Regional Director Ligutom in his report.

Ligutom said he instructed Engr. delos Reyes not to leave Semirara Is. until the project proposals for the livelihood assistance were completed. Engr. delos Reyes was in Semirara to join the investigation being conducted by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Department of Energy, Philippine National Police, and the local government unit of Caluya on the landslide at the SCPC mine site.

Ligutom further reported yesterday that the bodies of two of the three other missing victims have been recovered and identified to be those of Noel Penola, dump truck driver, and Ian Catulay, also a dump truck driver. The retrieval of the remaining victim, Danilo Bayhon, continues, he said.

Earlier, the retrieval personnel recovered the remains of workers Dixon Daupan, wheel dozer operator; Bernie Manrique, coal quality inspector; Alexander Nudo, dump truck driver; Arnold Omac, dump truck driver; Ricaredo Panes; dump truck driver; and Generoso Talaro, operator excavator.

As the Department of Energy had halted work in the SCPC mine site, Director Ligutom had reminded the management that mine workers who are not working, or on standby, because of the work stoppage, must be continually paid of their salary. DOLE records shows the company has 608 workers working in two shifts.

Baldoz said the Department of Energy is on top of the Semirara coal mine investigation, but the DOLE is providing assistance and coordinating with the Department.

She said coal mine safety and health and sanitation is under the mandate of the Department of Energy under P.D. 972, as amended by P.D. 1174, specifically Bureau of Energy Development Circular No. 1, S. 1978, otherwise known as “Coal Mine Safety Rules and Regulations” and Circular No, 81-11-10, “Guidelines for Coal Operations in the Philippines”.

“These circulars prescribe safety rules for underground and surface mine operations covering requirements for exit, escape ways, submission of mine maps, ventilation, and allowable limits of toxic and explosive gases. They also provide for safety rules for the control of coal dust, ground support, rescue organization for emergency situations, fire protection, handling of explosives, health and sanitation facilities, and other miscellaneous safety rules,” said Baldoz.

According to Baldoz, the DOLE is mandated to ensure the implementation of general labor standards (GLS) for all workers both working on surface and underground mining operations, while occupational safety and health regulations cover only those working in the offices, as mine site operations are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Energy.

Last 11 May 2015, Certificates of Compliance with GLS and OSH for office workers were issued by the DOLE Regional Office No. 6 to SCPC.
15 distressed OFWs from Lebanon arrive today as result of IOM-PH ‘repatriation partnership’—Baldoz
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday commended the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Beirut, Lebanon for following through its commitment to continue the repatriation of distressed OFWs in partnership with the International Organization for Migration.

“I am pleased that POLO-Lebanon remains committed to solving the problem of our distressed OFWs in that country through en masse repatriation,” Baldoz said after she received a report from Labor Attache Bulyok Nilong that 15 distressed OFWs have been repatriated yesterday and are expected to arrive in Manila today via Gulf Air 154.

Baldoz alerted the National Reintegration Center for OFWs and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration on the return of the 15 distressed OFWs, directing the two DOLE agencies to coordinate their action in providing the returnees with appropriate services under the DOLE’s Assist W.E.L.L. Program—be they welfare, employment, livelihood, or legal services.

Under the Philippine Embassy-POLO-Lebanon-IOM cooperative program, 142 OFWs have been repatriated since January, thereby reducing the number of distressed OFWs sheltered at the Migrant Workers and Other Filipinos Resource Center, or Bahay-Kalinga, in Bierut.

Last month, nine Filipinos who were assessed as trafficked OFWs were repatriated through the assistance by a team composed of the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon- Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Program, Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), International Organization for Migration, and the Lebanese Government’s Immigration Office-General Security.

According to Labor Attache Nilong, the assessment of distressed OFWs as trafficked victims involves a screening process using IOM’s victim identification tool.

“The joint IOM-PH team in Lebanon screens OFWs housed at the shelter through an in-depth interview process, a part of the DOLE’s continuing fight against the exploitation of Filipino workers, specifically trafficked OFWs,” he said.

The team, he said, also conducts awareness and empowerment sessions at the MWOFRC for OFWs. Those with special needs—in trauma or with medical concerns—are referred for professional help. Apart from the regular psycho-social services that the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration provides, local NGOs tapped by the POLO also provide psychologists and social workers for those needing continuing psycho-social support.

The latest repatriates, according to Labor Attache Nilong, have been prepared for their return to the country by the joint team.

“We have conducted a business mapping activity with these 15 OFWs. The facilitators conducted in-depth interview of their reintegration needs using a business tool. They have also attended an Entrepreneurship Development Training (EDT) and relevant skills training, such as bread and pastry production and beauty care approximating TESDA standards.

“This is in line with the instruction of Secretary Baldoz that all training at the POLO should be aligned with the training regulations of the TESDA in preparation for an onsite skills assessment and certification program,” Nilong reported.

“We are happy to report to the Secretary that the 15 distressed OFWs we have repatriated have developed their own business plans and are qualified to avail of the IOM’s $1,000 Reintegration Assistance Fund,” he said. “This is in addition to the reintegration assistance they could receive from the DOLE through the OWWA and the NRCO when they finally get home to the Philippines,” he added.
Gov’t panel lauds House commitment to pass BBL; hopes for its passage by 3rd quarter of 2015
Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph
COTABATO CITY – Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, chair of the government peace panel in talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, today said that many people are anxiously waiting for the committee report of Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on the proposed Bangsamoro Law to be released.

"Until the Senate committee report is out, the law-making process in the Upper House stays at a standstill, she said. "We are grateful that the Lower House has moved ahead of the process at their level and intends to see it through."

House Majority Floor Leader Neptali Gonzales II said last Sunday that the House is targeting the passage of the Basic Law on third and final reading by the third week of September, alongside the committee hearings on the 2016 national budget which will begin soon after Congress reopens next week.

"After all the hearings and public statements, the only hard basis on which to discern the fate of the draft law is the Senate Committee report. How far from the current House bill would the Senate version go? Would the key structural features be retained? Are we back to square one?" Ferrer asked.

“Still, we continue to hope that we will get over the hump and look forward to more constructive engagements with our legislators in both Houses," Ferrer said. "

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles for her part affirmed that the government’s efforts to push for peace in Mindanao will continue even as the Aquino administration is already on its last year.

“The President remains unwavering in his commitment to bring an end to this internal armed conflict, these four decades of war,” Deles said, noting that the Bangsamoro peace process “has reached the closest that it has ever reached to ending this armed conflict.”

According to Deles, this is also the "closest that the peace process has ever reached to bringing a new arrangement, a new demographic institutional arrangement in Muslim Mindanao, to be able to come as close as possible to that aspiration of self-determination, of self-governance which is recognized by our Constitution.”

“Yan ang ating hinahangad na makamit in this remaining time (That is what we hope the achieve in this remaining time),” Deles added.

“Di pa tapos ang pagtutulak sa kapayapaan (Our efforts to find peace are not over),” Deles declared, adding that “there is so much to do in terms of rebuilding the region that has been so devastated by war. We know that the BBL will not resolve all the problems of violence in the area, but we also know that with the resolution of this problem with the largest, most organized group that has been fighting government, this is a good foundation.... a necessary foundation for being able to resolve all the other problems of violence in the area.”
DFA rescues Filipinas from trafficking in Indonesia
Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph
22 July 2015 – The DFA reports that 12 Filipinas have been rescued from a human trafficking syndicate who brought them to Manado, Indonesia enroute to certain jobs in the Middle East.

Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Jesus I. Yabes led a consular team to Manado to look into the situation of the rescued Filipinas who are temporarily being accommodated at the Immigration Detention Center in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia while awaiting their repatriation to the Philippines. In their meeting, the Filipinas narrated to Undersecretary Yabes the circumstances which brought them to Indonesia. Undersecretary Yabes counseled them to go through regular deployment channels for migrant workers by submitting their documents to the Philippine Overseas Employment Association (POEA) to ensure that they are covered by the safety nets provided by the Philippine Government.

The rescued Filipinas come from different regions of the Philippines. They are expected to be brought back to Manila as soon as the Philippine Consulate General in Manado has obtained their plane tickets and completed departure procedures set by Indonesian authorities for their repatriation.

When in Manado, Undersecretary Yabes also coordinated the preparations for the repatriation of 20 Filipino fishermen who were arrested by Indonesian authorities for illegal entry and illegally fishing in Indonesian waters. The Filipino fishermen are housed in the Manado Immigration Detention Center but are otherwise permitted to roam around the premises unguarded. Their fishing bancas and vessels were confiscated by Indonesia authorities but the fishermen were released for eventual repatriation to the Philippines.

The DFA reports that 225 Filipino fishermen have been repatriated from Indonesia during the first half of 2015 after they were arrested for illegally fishing in Indonesian waters. In 2014, data from the Philippine Consulate General indicated that 327 Filipino fishermen were arrested by Indonesian authorities.
PHL Consulate General in Hongkong hosts financial literacy workshop
Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph
22 July 2015 - As part of the objective of the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong SAR to upgrade the financial literacy skills of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the Consulate General partnered with Vista Land-Hong Kong in organizing the AsensadongPinoy Financial Awareness Seminar on July 12 at the Consulate General’s Conference Room.

More than 50 OFWs actively and eagerly participated in the lively seminar that focused on setting financial goals and on re-evaluating the OFWs’ spending habits and attitudes towards money. The goal is for overseas workers to achieve long-term financial security.

Resource person Pastor DaniloCalingasan, a former OFW in Europe, shared his perspective, experience and expertise on achieving financial freedom and on global financial developments, and focused his workshop on entrepreneurship.

AsensadongPinoy facilitators Patricia Clemente, SheillaLibintin and Emil Diric conducted individual financial assessment for participants.

The AsensadongPinoy Financial Awareness campaign was previously held in Europe, Middle East and Singapore, and is a continuing learning program for OFWs.
DOST conducts flood, storm surge drill in Baseco, Tondo
Source: http://www.dost.gov.ph
Manila City officials, disaster risk reduction officers and Manila residents participated in a simulated flood and storm surge drill conducted last July 19 in Baseco, Tondo by PAGASA, an agency under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Tondo, which is near the mouth of Manila Bay, is vulnerable to storm surges.

During the drill, different typhoon scenarios were played up by PAGASA to equip the various communities with the necessary tools to prepare for flood and storm surge events, and thus minimize human casualties and damage to properties.

Communication protocols were established by barangay officials and residents. Life boats, rescue fire trucks and ambulances were likewise provided to help simulate rescue and evacuation activities.

“The role of science and technology is important not only in improving life but also in safeguarding life. This was stressed by President Benigno S. Aquino after Typhoon Sendong devastated Cagayan de Oro in 2011 and Yolanda. Science should be put to work to save lives. That is the order of President Aquino to DOST,” said DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo who was present during the activity.

Montejo further stressed the need for residents to heighten their awareness of hydromet hazards and embrace a culture of safety by communicating the hazards brought about by floods and storm surges from members of the family to the whole community.

The drill was followed by an evaluation activity where it was stressed that preparedness must include effective communication tools like signals and warning systems and logistics like rescue equipment that are working.

“During evacuation all must be reminded to have their emergency bags ready at all times where basic provisions like food and medicine are kept,” reminded MDRRMO Operations Officer Alan Toledo.

Previously, PAGASA conducted an information and education campaign (IEC) on floods and storm surges at the Palma Hall of Manila City Hall with the theme “Ligtas and Handa, Kaya ng Pinoy”.

PAGASA experts briefed participants on the different hydromet hazards, the PAGASA modified public storm warning system which includes storm signal number 5, rainfall and storm surge warning systems, and the flood forecasting and warning system.

The flood and storm surge drill and IEC are among the activities organized by PAGASA as a ramp-up to DOST’s upcoming National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) from July 24 to 28, 2015 at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. For more on NSTW, log on to www.nstw.dost.gov.ph and www.science.ph. Admission is free. #nstw2015 #dostph (S&T Media Service)
Roxas on 4Ps: Well families mean a well nation
Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph
"Ang tunay na larawan ng isang pamilya.”

This is the picture that beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) painted when Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas visited parent leaders in Zamboanga City on Monday afternoon (July 20).

Roxas expressed his firm belief in 4P’s efficacy in alleviating the lives of poor Filipino families. He believes that the program, a conditional cash transfer project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), facilitates a unique learning experience, especially for parents who continue to try and make ends meet.

"May mga leksyon kung paano palakihin ang mga anak, kung paano ang ugnayan sa mister at sa misis,” he said, mentioning a few of the special lessons that the 4Ps can provide a typical Filipino family.

This anti-poverty program also offers financial literacy training seminars that help poor families manage and generate the resources they need to sustain in their everyday life, giving them the confidence to aspire for a better future.

“Hindi lang ‘yung pera, pero higit pa roon ay ang kaalaman, ‘yung kumpiyansa, at ‘yung pananaw na nasa kamay natin ang kapalaran natin,” he said, earning a resounding affirmation from his audience of parent leaders.

Roxas compared this reality to each family being able to own its own ladder.

“Ang bawat isa sa inyo ay may sariling hagdanan. Walang tao na nasa harapan ninyo… wala rin taong sumusundot mula sa likuran ninyo,” he reminded the beneficiaries about the values of social mobility and freedom to progress.

But the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief also reminded the present parents that the 4Ps was designed like a walking stick that aids a man until he is able to stand and walk on his own with dignity. The government, Roxas promised, will help them until they can be strong pillars that can, in turn, support other members of their communities.

At the end of his message, Roxas, who considers himself as a “true believer” of the program, earned a warm around of applause when he said that he will fight for the continuity of the 4Ps.

“Naniniwala ako na sa pamamagitan nito, mapapatibay natin ang ating mga pamilya, hindi lamang sa istatistika kundi pamilya ng bawat isa sa inyo: matatag, matibay, at subok,” he said.
NAIA Dev’t, LRT Line 4 PPP projects get NEDA-ICC nod
Source: http://ppp.gov.ph
Cabinet-level National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) has green lighted two transportation projects under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Program for NEDA Board final approval last July 20.

The NEDA-ICC approved the PhP 74.56 billion Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Development Project and PhP50.15 billion LRT Line 4 Project of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

The NAIA Development project will transform the Philippines’ main gateway into a world-class modern airport facility.

The private partner will be responsible in upgrading the existing NAIA terminals and further development to increase airports’ capacity. It will also handle the operations and maintenance covering both landside and airside aspects, except air traffic services, to increase operational efficiency and improve quality of services.

The LRT Line 4 Project involves the financing, design, construction, operations and maintenance of an 11 kilometer rail that will run west from SM City Taytay to the intersection of Ortigas Avenue and EDSA. It covers the provision of railway infrastructure, stations, depots, rolling stock, signaling, electrification and communication, automated fare collection system, and other necessary machinery and equipment.

The LRT 4 PPP will address congestion along the Ortigas Avenue corridor and improve local transportation to western parts of Metro Manila. The proposed alignment covers six stations: Ortigas Ave. (Robinsons Galleria), transfer station with the MRT; Meralco Avenue; Rosario, Pasig; Bonifacio Avenue; Taytay Diversion Rd.; and North Manila Rd. (SM Taytay).

To date, the government has awarded 10 PPP projects costing around PhP 189 billion: Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), Southwest Terminal of the Integrated Transport System, LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension, Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) Passenger Terminal Building, Automatic Fare Collection System, Modernization of the Philippine Orthopedic Center (MPOC), PPP for School Infrastructure Project (PSIP) Phase I and II, NAIA Expressway Phase II Project, and Daang Hari-SLEX Link Road.
Potato wine equipment launched in Moncada
Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph
Sweet potato wine is one of the prized products of the town of Moncada in Tarlac. Mayor Benito E. Aquino expressed his gratitude to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for providing additional equipment for the wine making of the town’s wine makers in a launching ceremony held on May 29, 2015 at the El Vino de Benito Wine Manufacturing Plant in Moncada, Tarlac.

The ceremony was attended by wine makers, local government officials and DTI officials led by Provincial Director Agnes B. Ramirez, Division Chief Benigno Dayrit, and Divina Gracia Ramos. Vina Bagasmad, project manager of the Sweet Wine manufacturing project, also attended the event.

Mayor Aquino thanked DTI for supporting the potato wine manufacturing of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Tarlac. He pledged to procure the necessary additional materials that are needed to improve the project. Sweet potato wine is said to have export potentials and will increase the income of potato growers in Moncada and nearby towns.

DTI Provincial Director Agnes B. Ramirez turned over the equipment to Mayor Aquino as the (Local Government Unit) LGU-Cooperator for the project. The equipment are composed of a heavy duty gas stove, chest freezer and two stainless tables which will be used by the beneficiaries to produce the unique potato wine that the town is known for. The provision of equipment to MSMEs is part of DTI’s Shared Service Facilities (SSF) program.

Under the program, DTI will purchase and lend the appropriate equipment that may be needed by groups of MSMEs who cannot afford them. The equipment will be managed by the LGU or a cooperator organization of MSMEs and will be used on a “shared” basis, thereby expanding their access to facilities they can use to improve their production and income.
Provincial prosecutor convicted of direct bribery
Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph
The Sandiganbayan handed down a guilty verdict for Direct Bribery against Alexander Antonio, former Assistant Provincial Prosecutor of Rizal, for demanding and receiving bribe money amounting to P22,000.00.

The anti-graft court imposed the penalty of imprisonment of two years as minimum to three years and six months as maximum, fine of P44,000.00, and accessory penalty of temporary special disqualification.

The case arose from the complaint of a certain Placido Mendoza, Jr., an accused in the carnapping case pending before Branch 80 of the Regional Trial Court in Morong, Rizal, of which Antonio was the handling prosecutor.

It was established that while an affidavit of desistance was executed in the carnapping case, Antonio demanded on several occasions a total of P22,000.00 from Mendoza to ensure the dismissal of the case.

Mendoza then turned to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for assistance. On 16 February 2004, an entrapment operation was conducted by the NBI in a restaurant in Morong where Antonio was caught in flagrante receiving bribe money. Laboratory tests also showed that Antonio had fluorescent powder on his hands.

The Decision stated that “it is clear that the accused accepted the money during the entrapment operation, as gleaned from the testimony of Mendoza which was further strengthened and substantiated by the NBI agents” as “the expert witness positively confirmed the presence of specks of fluorescent powder on the hands of the accused upon the conduct of ultraviolet light examination.”
Admin pushes Open Data Guidelines, digital payments; Abad: Technology to boost public empowerment, transparency, and accountability
Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph
To reaffirm their commitment to make government data available to the public as well as to strengthen the drive to digitize the bureaucracy’s transactions, the Aquino Administration has released the guidelines for the provision of Open Government Data in the 2015 General Appropriations Act (GAA), even as it reiterated the need for further digitizing of payments via electronic transactions in government systems.

With regard to government data, the Open Data Philippines Task Force has already issued Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2015-01, which serves as the guidelines to implement the Open Government Data General Provision in the 2015 GAA. The membership of the task force comprises the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson (OPS), and the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO).

“Consistent with the administration’s open data policy, we issued the JMC to serve as a guide for agencies on how to implement the government’s open data program. This is also in keeping with our commitment to the Open Government Partnership (OGP), as well as the mission of the Open Data Philippines (ODP),” Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said.

The current JMC provides that government data shall be made publicly available and accessible to the extent permitted by applicable laws and subject to individual privacy, confidentiality, national security, or other legally-mandated restrictions.

The release of the JMC was also done in conjunction with the country’s recent hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Open Data Workshop on Fiscal Management through Transparency and Reforms last June 9-10 in Bagac, Bataan. One of the workshop’s agenda was on how to deliver good and open governance through Open Data.

Likewise, the task force sent a delegation to Ottawa last May to participate in a series of meetings on the International Open Data Charter—a charter of open data best practices—to give inputs in drafting the said charter. This charter will be eventually launched through the latter part of 2015, with key events planned in September at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City and in October at the OGP Annual Summit in Mexico.

On the other hand, DBM Undersecretary Richard Moya attended a recent conference on Partnering Towards Digitizing Payments: A Collaboration in Driving Electronic Transactions last June 20 in Ortigas, Pasig City, as part of the budget agency’s championing of digital payments. The conference was a collaboration of various stakeholders supporting the recently launched National Strategy for Financial Inclusion, which the DBM is a signatory.

“We’ve made datasets available to the public for closer scrutiny, which is part of our strategy to reinforce the culture of active citizen engagement in government. Now we want to ensure the inclusion of the use of digital payments in government transactions, with the adoption of a General Provision in the proposed 2016 national budget,” Abad said.

“The importance of using digital payments in government will lower the risk of fund misuse, and a good example can be seen in local governments’ use of an ATM payroll system. These technological reforms, in turn, will bolster transparency and accountability in government, as well as nurturing an environment of public empowerment,” Abad said.
DOTC: Tap-and-Go Ticketing System trial a success
Source: http://www.dotc.gov.ph
Other LRT-2 Stations to be Activated in Next 2 Weeks, Minor Glitches to be Addressed

Following yesterday’s successful testing of the Department of Transportation and Communications’ (DOTC) first Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project, the Contactless Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS), at the Legarda station of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2), the transport agency eyes to expand the new ticketing scheme to the railway’s other stations within the next 2 weeks.

“The response we got from commuters was very positive. They are as excited as we are to finally have a tap-and-go system just like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan. There were a few glitches, but these were all minor and unsurprising considering that we are still testing the system,” said DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya.

Minor glitches encountered typically involved the ticket vending machines (TVMs), such as the rejection of old and very crumpled peso bills. No major issues were experienced at the new turnstiles.

The DOTC and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) assure the public that project concessionaire AF Payments, Inc. (AFPI) will work on the glitches encountered, as the new system is refined further throughout this limited public trial stage.

The next step is to expand the scope of the tap-and-go scheme to other LRT-2 stations in the coming weeks.

“Our target is to activate the system at all 11 stations of LRT-2 in about three weeks’ time. So we have 2 weeks to work on the 10 remaining stations and to address the minor glitches encountered. As always, we look forward to receiving more feedback from passengers,” Abaya added.

The DOTC has lined up the activation of the remaining stations in the following order: (1) Betty Go-Belmonte; (2) Katipunan; (3-4) Pureza and J. Ruiz; (5) Cubao; (6-7) Anonas and Gilmore; (8) Recto; (9) V. Mapa; and (10) Santolan.

Under this ongoing testing phase, a limited number of new single journey and stored value tickets branded as “beep cards” will initially be sold for P 20.00 at the project’s activated stations. Commuters may purchase them from the TVMs and designated windows.

The new tickets may be used to exit from any LRT-2 station, and may be reloaded at any of these locations as well. The minimum amount that the system requires to be loaded is P 12.00, and the maximum is P 10,000.00.

DOTC, LRTA, and AFPI personnel are present at each of the train system’s stations to assist passengers in familiarizing themselves with the new ticketing technology.
Contribution of tourism to the economy is 7.8 percent in 2014
Source: http://www.nscb.gov.ph
As measured by the share of tourism direct gross value added (TDGVA) to total gross domestic product (GDP), the contribution of tourism to the economy was estimated at 7.8 percent in 2014. Tourism cuts across different sectors of the economy and the TDGVA serves as the indicator to measure the value added of different industries in relation to tourism activities of both inbound and domestic visitors in the country. The TDGVA amounted to PhP 982.4 billion in 2014, higher by 14.0 percent compared to previous year’s PhP 861.7 billion.

Among the tourism characteristic industries, accommodation services had the biggest share to TDGVA at 32.6 percent, followed by shopping of tourism goods at 15.3 percent, miscellaneous at 15.2 percent, transport services at 12.6 percent, entertainment and recreation at 10.9 percent, travel agencies and other reservation services at 8.6 percent, and food and beverage services at 4.7 percent.

The TDGVA estimate is based on the latest results of the Philippine Tourism Satellite Accounts (PTSA) which also provides information on tourism expenditure and employment. The following are the other key results from PTSA:

Inbound tourism expenditure, which refers to the expenditure of non-resident visitors (foreign visitors and Filipinos permanently residing abroad) within the Philippines, continued to increase as it posted double-digit growth of 21.9 percent in 2014, amounting to PhP 274.6 billion from PhP 225.3 billion in 2013. Compared to the country’s total exports, the share of inbound tourism expenditure was 7.6 percent. Inbound tourism ranked third among the biggest export items in 2014, after miscellaneous services at 25.1 percent and semiconductors at 19.2 percent.

Domestic tourism expenditure, which includes expenditure of resident visitors within the country either as domestic trip or part of an international trip, grew largely by 24.0 percent, from PhP 1,184.7 billion in 2013 to PhP 1,469.0 billion in 2014. Domestic tourism expenditure represents 16.0 percent of the household final consumption expenditure (HFCE) in the 2014 national accounts.

Employment in tourism characteristic industries was estimated at 4.8 million in 2014, slightly higher by 1.0 percent compared to 4.7 million in the previous year. Share of employment in tourism industries to total employment in the country was recorded at 12.5 percent in 2014.

The PTSA is compiled by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in collaboration with the Department of Tourism and the PSA Interagency Committee on Tourism Statistics based on the international recommendations for tourism statistics and tourism satellite accounts of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. The PTSA tables are available at http://nap.psa.gov.ph/stats/ptsa/DataCharts.asp.

FOR THE NATIONAL STATISTICIAN:

JOSIE B. PEREZ
(Deputy National Statistician)
Officer-in-Charge
Pantawid Pamilya can boost beneficiaries’ power to earn
Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph
Amid clamor of some congressmen to channel the budget of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program to job generation, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that the conditional cash transfer and job generation are not independent from each other but in fact complement each other in addressing poverty.

“We thank our congressmen for their recommendations,” DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said. “Like them, we at the DSWD believe that jobs or livelihood activities which lead to increased income are important. This is why we factored in the livelihood component through our Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).”

SLP is a community-based capacity building program that increases the economic opportunities of families through the different modalities that it offers such as skills training, seed capital fund, pre-employment assistance fund, and the cash for building livelihood assets. It is implemented through the Community-Driven Enterprise Development Approach which equips program participants to actively contribute to production and labor markets by looking at available resources and accessible markets.

Since its implementation from January 2011 to April 2015, SLP served a total of 723,090 families, of which 620,874 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries were linked with public and private partners for either micro-enterprise development or employment facilitation.

With these economic activities of the beneficiaries, Sec. Soliman added that the preliminary findings of the World Bank’s Benefit-Incidence Analysis showed that Pantawid Pamilya is achieving its objectives.

“The Analysis showed that Pantawid Pamilya has been able to increase the income of partner-beneficiaries, and to move them closer to the minimum income level needed to transcend poverty. The report also said that per peso cash grant, the poverty gap is reduced by 61 centavos,” Sec. Soliman added.

Likewise, based on the 2nd round of the impact evaluation on Pantawid Pamilya, the program is successful in encouraging school attendance, promoting preventive health check-ups, and improving maternal health which are all important factors to break the inter-generation cycle of poverty.

Specifically, the major findings of the impact evaluation are:

More Pantawid Pamilya mothers delivered in health facilities in the past five years, with 7 in 10 live births among Pantawid Pamilya mothers compared to 5.5 in 10 births among non-beneficiary mothers. Furthermore, children beneficiaries have access to basic health services such as vitamin and mineral supplements that are vital to improving health outcomes. Pantawid Pamilya children aged 6 months to 6 years old receive Vitamin A supplements (86%) and iron supplements (35%).

Gross enrollment rate for high school children (12-15 years old) is higher (95%) for Pantawid Pamilya children living near the poverty threshold. Keeping the high school-aged children in school is important as this is the stage when they are likely to drop out of school to work.

Pantawid Pamilya households also invest more on education. Results show that Pantawid Pamilya households spent PhP206 more per school-aged child per year compared to non-beneficiary households. Expenditures for uniform or clothing are higher for Pantawid Pamilya children as well.

Pantawid Pamilya seems to have improved parents’ perception of their situation and of their children’s future. It encourages Pantawid Pamilya parents (87% compared to 81% for non-Pantawid Pamilya parents) to aspire for a better future for their children and expect the kids to live a better life compared to theirs. This indicates that the beneficiaries understand that the program will help their family’s future welfare. The healthier outlook of the future may also prompt beneficiaries to take necessary behavioral changes to achieve their aspirations.

Sec. Soliman also mentioned a World Bank study which stated that the implementation of social safety net programs such as Pantawid Pamilya helps reduce the poverty gap by 15 percent. The study added that social safety nets have positive and significant impacts on education, health, and food security, but also promote households’ ability to generate income that can lead to positive effects in local economies.

“The findings of the study of World Bank corroborate our premise that indeed CCT and job generation are complementary,” Sec. Soliman reiterated.

No vote-buying strategy

On the issue that the program is being used to buy votes, Sec. Soliman explained that the program has passed through the presidential election in 2010, the barangay elections in 2010 and 2013, and the midterm election in 2013, but no instance or allegation of vote-buying has been raised.

Sec. Soliman attributed this to the extensive information drive that the Department undertakes to maintain the program’s non-partisanship during election period.

“We actively discuss active citizenship during our Family Development Sessions with parent-beneficiaries where we tell them about their role in nation-building,” she said.

The Secretary also mentioned the “Bawal Ang Epal Dito” campaign which educates the beneficiaries that no politician has a hand in the program and that only the beneficiaries can remove or retain themselves in the program by complying with the conditionalities.

“More than these, we tell them that we believe in their ability and capacity to vote wisely,” Sec. Soliman ended.
Almost 1,000 Pantawid Pamilya grantees trained on organic farming under DSWD-SM partnership
Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph
As part of its continuing effort to engage the private sector in improving the lives of beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has partnered anew with SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI) to conduct skills training for the beneficiaries.

Around 150 grantees from Tagum City, Davao del Norte were the latest beneficiaries of this joint project of the DSWD and SMFI. The beneficiaries were trained on high-value crop production as well as on organic farming which earn from and provide them fresh produce for their families.

A total of 959 families from Regions IV-A, V, VI, IX and XI trained under the DSWD-SMFI tie-up project.

The training which were conducted by Harbest Agribusiness Corporation included lectures and hands-on sessions on nursery preparation, seed sowing, land preparation, caring and nursing of seedling, pruning, trellis preparation, fruit selection and fruit thinning, pest and disease control, irrigation and drainage, and post-harvest technology.

Also integrated in the training course was an orientation on the DSWD Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) focused on Community-Driven Enterprise Development which covers self-awareness, time management, financial literacy, product management, participatory livelihood issue analysis, and value chain analysis.

DSWD and the Department of Agriculture (DA) also taught the participants about cost analysis and return of investment analysis.

Last week, at SMFI’s “Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmer’s Training Program,” DSWD, SMFI, Harbest, the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte, and DA witnessed the beneficiaries’ planting activity at a demonstration farm in Barangay Madaum in Tagum City.

There they applied the farming techniques they learned from their training. The participants planted vegetables and fruits like cucumber, tomato, squash, ampalaya, bell pepper, honeydew, and gourd.

Earlier, some 154 survivors of Typhoon Pablo from Monkayo also underwent the same training and they are now maintaining their organic farm in Barangay Olaycon while some have also ventured in cultivating their own backyard garden.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that DSWD engaged the participation of the private sector and civil society organizations in program implementation to ensure transparency.

“This will give our partners the chance to also observe how we implement programs to enable them to further understand and appreciate how the government works,” Sec. Soliman elaborated.

To date, 1,081 CSOs have committed to work with DSWD to assist Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries have access to income generating opportunities. In Davao Region alone, 36 CSOs have partnered with DSWD-Field Office XI.
BSP honors its stakeholders in Region II
Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph
Monetary Board Member (MBM) Juan D. De Zuñiga, Jr. led the awards ceremony for stakeholders of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in Region II during the annual appreciation lunch held at the Pavillon Hotel, Luna Ext., Ugac Highway, Tuguegarao City on 21 July 2015.

Agribusiness Rural Bank, Inc (AGRIBANK) was chosen as the Outstanding Respondent among Large and Medium Firms for the Business Expectations Survey (BES) in Region Il. Honda Cars Isabela, Inc was recognized as the Outstanding Respondent among Small Firms. The Outstanding Partner for the Report on Regional Economic Developments was given to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office II (Tuguegarao). University of Saint Louis received the award for Outstanding Regional Partner in Currency Programs of the BSP. Each awardee received the “Dynamic Balance, Philippine Eagle” trophy crafted by respected visual artist and multi-awarded sculptor, Mr. Ferdinand Cacnio.

The awards ceremony attests to the successful alliances that have helped the BSP maintain price and financial stability and ensure an effective payments and settlements system. Stakeholders of the BSP in the National Capital Region were earlier recognized during the awards ceremony at the BSP Main Office on 14 July 2015. This year’s stakeholders’ awards in Region II marks the second time that the BSP has awarded stakeholders in the region and is the first in a series of 12 regional events for this year.
Cagayan Credit Surety Fund to be launched today
Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Provincial Government of Cagayan, participating cooperatives, and partner institutions such as the Industrial Guarantee and Loan Fund (IGLF), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), will formally launch today the Cagayan Credit Surety Fund (Cagayan CSF) at the Pulsar Hotel, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

The Credit Surety Fund (CSF) Program was established in 2008 to help cooperatives and their member - micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) gain access to bank credit even without hard collaterals. The surety fund, which comes from the pooling of cash contributions of participating cooperatives, local government units and partner institutions, serves as the alternative collateral that will secure the loans of cooperative and their MSME-members.

BSP’s Monetary Board Member Juan D. De Zuñiga, Jr., Cagayan Provincial Governor Alvaro T. Antonio will both lead the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that will usher the creation of Cagayan CSF as the 39th CSF in the country.

Twelve (12) cooperatives in the province have joined the Cagayan CSF with an aggregate contribution of P1.350 million, while the Provincial Government of Cagayan, through Governor Alvaro, has initially pledged P5.00 million. The IGLF, DBP and LBP also expressed strong support to the Cagayan CSF.

Various sectors are expected to benefit from this credit enhancement scheme which also serves as an alternative lending window for MSMEs. The program also integrates a training component to enhance the skills of participating cooperatives in the areas of credit appraisal and monitoring, entrepreneurial, financial and risk managements, and accounting system. Under the CSF Program, banks are allowed to rediscount loans granted to ensure the sustainability of credit flows to the countryside.
DOJ - BI: Liberal passport entry for foreigners to start
Source: http://www.doj.gov.ph
Secretary of Justice Leila M. De Lima today approved the joint recommendation of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Office for Competition (OFC) to allow entry of foreign nationals with valid passports instead of the previous requirement imposing a 6-month passport validity.

“There is a need to revise the purpose and practicality of the 6-month Passport Validity Rule given the improvements in our country’s immigration controls and to align with international best practices,” said Secretary De Lima.

The new Circular allows admission of foreign nationals holding valid passports upon arrival if (1) their embassies or consulates in the Philippines are authorized to renew or extend the validity of their passport; and (2) there is no ground to deny them entry into the country under existing laws, rules and regulations.

BI Commissioner Siegfred B. Mison said that, “The enforcement of a new Passport Validity Rule is consistent with the primary mandate of the Bureau of Immigration to administer and enforce immigration laws. It will lessen instances of exclusion of foreign nationals based solely on the deficiency in their passport validity and contribute to our tourism efforts - for good guys to be given ease of access.”

“Immigration policies need to be responsive to current situations. Government must constantly review and update rules and regulations for the public to experience better administration while ensuring the integrity of border security,” said Assistant Secretary Geronimo L. Sy, Head of the OFC.

A copy of the Circular can be accessed at the DOJ website www.doj.gov.ph and the BI website at www.immigration.gov.ph.
Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway set to open Friday
Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph
The first Public-Private Partnership (PPP) road project under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III is now opened to the public.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio L. Singson said the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX) also known as Daang Hari-South Luzon Expressway Link Road, a 4-kilometer, 4-lane toll road that will connect Bacoor, Cavite to the South Luzon Expressway, is now ready for public use.

“The Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway will be fully operational on Friday, July 24, 2015, after its inauguration. Its soft opening is scheduled July 21-22,” said Secretary Singson.

“We are optimistic that the completion of this toll road would improve CALABARZON’s competitiveness as an investment destination,” added Singson.

MCX shall serve as an alternative route from Metro Manila to Cavite and vice versa, cutting travel time by an average of 45 minutes and decongesting traffic in Cavite, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa area.

Likewise, it will provide new access to the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) property in Muntinlupa City, which is intended to be redeveloped into a mixed commercial, residential, and institutional estate.

The P2-billion Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway is a Public-Private Partnership project of DPWH, with Ayala Corporation as the private proponent.

It involves the construction of two (2) Segments namely: Segment 1 which starts at junction Daang Hari – Daang Reyna, Elliptical Road or Rotunda, Km 0+000 and ends in Sta. 2 +300 and Segment 2, which starts from 2+300 and ends at South Luzon Expressway near Susana Heights Interchange, Km 4+000.

 
 
President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the Inspection and Briefing of the Angat Dam and Dyke Strengthening Project (ADDSP) Angat Hydroelectric Power Plant (AHEPP)
Hilltop, Brgy., San Lorenzo, Norzagaray, Bulacan
22 July 2015
Salamat po at inimbita ninyo ako dito. Para na rin akong nagbakasyon sa ganda ng ating tinatanaw nitong araw na ito. Preskong-presko pa; baka puwede ninyo akong bigyan ng sampung minutong dagdag habang nandito na rin tayo. Kasi napansin ko nga ho mahigit limang taon na po tayo sa Daang Matuwid. At kay kasamang Doneng Marcos; Marcos na matagal ko nang kasama. Parang namamayat ka na Doneng. [Palakpakan] Sa limang taon nga po, at sa kabila nito, wala pa ring patid ang pagrereporma natin sa buong bansa. Hindi naman po maikakaila: sadyang malubha ang gobyernong dinatnan natin; panay tagas ang sistema; maraming ahensya ang aksayado sa pondo at piniling magkanya-kanya. Tuloy po ang serbisyong dapat na dumadaloy nang malaya sa sambayanan, naiipit, at iilan lamang ang nakikinabang. Ang mga problemang dapat sana’y matagal nang naresolba, tayo na nga ang nagsusumikap na latagan ng mga solusyon.

Noong pinapakinggan po ni Governor Willie ‘yan, parang nakita ko sa kanyang mga mata ‘yung aming pong bulk water supply na matagal nang pinangako sa amin, mukhang nalalapit nang magkatotoo. Sabi po sa akin ni Babes Singson, malapit na pong magkatotoo ‘yan, Manong Willie. [Palakpakan] Ang butihing governor natin ay napakasipag, at maayos po kausap; siya po’y nakangiti kapag dinudulog ang mga problema kaya magaan pong kausapin at hindi ho puro galit, tampo, at sama ng loob ang hinaharap sa atin. Kaya, salamat gov, na napapadali ang trabaho natin pareho. [Palakpakan]

Masalimuot po ang dinatnan nating sitwasyon sa sektor ng tubig. Pagpasok natin sa puwesto, di bababa, at natuklasan nating 30—uulitin ko po: 30—ang bilang ng ahensyang naghahati-hati sa pangangasiwa sa sektor na ito. Ang malala pa po nito: Watak-watak ang mga institusyon; bara-bara ang mga plano; butas-butas ang datos; at talagang talamak ang pamumulitika. Kung ikukumpara po natin sa isang banda: Kanya-kanyang tugtog ang mga miyembrong may iba’t ibang instrumento, kaya ang lumalabas na tunog, sabog-sabog at sintunado; imbes na musika, ingay ang nagiging produkto. Ang resulta: palyado ang serbisyo, at kulang pa rin ang supply ng malinis na tubig sa bansa.

Kaya naman po, pagkaupo pa lang natin sa puwesto, agad nating itinalaga si Secretary Babes Singson. Hindi lang po siya nagsisilbing water czar, minabuti niya na ring maging symphony master ng water sector. Sa pangunguna ni Sec. Babes, nagbuo tayo ng isang Inter-Agency Committee on the Water Sector, na siya namang nagsasakatuparan ng tinatawag nating Integrated Water Resources Management Policy. Ang ibig sabihin lang po ng polisiyang ito: Tinitingnan natin ang kabuuan ng mga pangangailangan sa tubig, nang sa gayon ay magamit ito nang wasto. Gayundin, dahil natipon na ang iba’t ibang ahensya, naiiwasan ang papatak-patak o patsi-patsing inisyatiba; sa halip, naipapatupad na ang nagkakaisang layunin para sa sektor.

Pag-usapan po natin itong Angat Dam and Dike. 1960s pa ito naitayo; halos ka-edad ko na nga po. Mula noon, ni isang beses, hindi ito nakatikim ng malawakang rehabilitasyon. Nakaligtaan ho yata na anumang struktura, hindi aayos nang kusa o titibay nang mag-isa. Ang natuklasan pa: malapit ang dike sa isang bahagi ng West Valley Fault. Ibig sabihin, nakahilera ito sa mga lugar na sadyang peligroso, lalo na sa panahong baka tamaan ito ng lindol, na sana po’y huwag naman mangyari. Dahil walang angkop na surveillance system at kwestyunable ang stabilidad ng struktura, binansagan pong “conditionally poor” ang Angat Dam and Dike.

Bakit po mahalagang tugunan ito? Simple lang po: Buhay at kabuhayan ng ating mga Boss ang nakataya sa anumang pinsala o pagkawasak ng dam. Ayon po kasi sa pag-aaral, kapag rumagasa ang tubig ng dam sa mga komunidad ng Bulacan at Pampanga, nasa 3 milyong Pilipino ang apektado. Ulitin ko po: 3 milyong Pilipino, na maaaring maperhuwisyo ang kabuhayan, o di kaya’y masaktan o masawi. Hindi po natin hahayaang mangyari ito.

Malinaw sa atin ang halaga ng Angat Dam and Dike. Tinatayang 97 percent po ng MWSS service areas—kabilang na ang Metro Manila, at ilang bahagi ng Rizal, Bulacan, at Cavite—ang sinusuplayan nito ng tubig. Nasa 15 milyong Pilipino ang sakop nito. Sa irigasyon: Halos 27,000 ektarya ng palayan ang pinapatubigan nito sa Bulacan at Pampanga. Sa kuryente: 246 megawatts naman ang nalilikha nito para sa kalakhang Luzon. Ang maganda pa: Naiiwasan natin ang pagbaha dahil sa kakayahan ng dam na kontrolin ang naiipon nitong tubig. Kung ibubuod po: Tubig, kuryente, kabuhayan, at kaligtasan—sa saklaw na serbisyo’t benepisyo ng Angat Dam and Dike sa milyon-milyong Pilipino, talaga naman pong sulit na sulit ang bawat pisong ilalaan natin sa proyektong ito.

Todo rehabilitasyon nga po ang gagawin natin dito. Gamit ang pondong 1.08 bilyong piso, layunin nating siguruhin ang stabilidad ng dam at dike, upang sa anumang lindol, kahit pa umabot ng hanggang 7.2 magnitude—o sinlakas ng nakaraang lindol sa Bohol—ay kakayanin pa rin ng strukturang ito. Kaakibat nito, magkakabit tayo ng flood forecasting and warning system na nagkakahalagang 261 milyong piso, at magsasagawa ng flood control protection works na 292 milyong piso naman po ang halaga.

Naging posible naman po ang araw na ito, dahil sa pakikiisa at pagkakapit-kamay ng iba’t ibang organisasyon at ahensiya. Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa DPWH, sa pamumuno ni Sec. Babes Singson; sa MWSS, at kay Administrator Gerry Esquivel; sa probinsya ng Bulacan; sa pribadong sektor, sa K-Water at San Miguel Corporation, at sa iba pang mga kasamahan nating nakikisagwan tungo sa katuparan ng proyektong ito. Muli, maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Talagang napakahalagang pamana ng inisyatibang ito sa marami nating kababayan, hindi lang ngayon, kundi maging sa susunod pang henerasyon.

Bahagi nga lang po ang rehabilitasyong ito ng Angat Dam and Dike sa malawakan nating stratehiya para paunlarin ang sektor ng tubig. Kabilang din po rito ang Angat Water Utilization and Aqueduct Improvement Project Phase 2, na nakumpleto na natin noon pang 2012, at 10 buwan ahead of schedule. Ongoing naman ang bidding ng iba pa nating proyekto tulad ng Kaliwa Dam sa Rizal, ‘yang Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project ni Manong Willie, at ang Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project.

Tunay nga pong makasaysayan ang mga nakakamit na nating tagumpay sa Daang Matuwid. At malinaw po: Hindi tayo kailanman umasa sa pagtingala sa kalangitan para lang maambunan ng grasya. Anumang proyekto o programa, pinag-iisipan; tinutukoy natin ang pinaka-ugat ng bawat problema, para malatagan ng angkop na solusyon. Imbes na bara-bara at patsamba-tsamba, lahat ng ating hakbang, pulido at kalkulado, para sinuman ang sumuri nito sa darating na panahon, aprub din sa bawat aspeto. Lahat, dumadaan sa mahabang proseso, sumusunod sa mga batas at mga alituntunin, para masigurong di hamak ding mas mahaba ang pakinabang nito sa sambayanang Pilipino.

Mga Boss, ang panata ko: Magpamana ng Pilipinas na mas maganda ang kalagayan kaysa ating dinatnan. Bawat sandali po ng paglilingkod sa gobyerno, sinisikap nating makamit ito. Buong loob ko rin pong sasabihin sa inyo: Bawat pagkakataon sa serbisyo, tumototoo ako sa inyo.

Wala na nga pong isang taon, haharap muli sa sangandaan ang bawat Pilipino, at ito na lang po ang panawagan ko: Piliin ninyo ang pinunong tototoo rin sa inyo. Hindi sinumang magbibitiw ng mga pahayag at pangakong walang laman; hindi sinumang may ni kaunting duda tayong magsasamantala o manlalamang; hindi sinumang may ambisyong parating pansarili, imbes na para sa buong bayan—kundi piliin natin ang indibidwal na panatag tayong ipagpapatuloy ang tuwid na daan. Tanging kayo lamang po, ang sambayanang Pilipino, ang pipili sa landas na tatahakin ng bansa sa mga darating na taon.

Simula pa nga lang po ito sa mahabang paglalakbay natin. Tiwala naman ako: Sa mga darating na panahon, muling aagos ang malasakit at ambagan ng sambayanan; muling isasagwan ng ating mga Boss ang bansa sa tamang direksyon. Sa nagkakaisang kumpas ng Pilipino, magtutuloy ang pagsulong ng Pilipinas tungo sa inaasam nating malawakang pagbabago.

Magandang araw po at maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.



 
INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
DZRB / Balita at Panayam by Alan Allanique
23 July 2015
ALLANIGUE: Sir, magandang umaga po.

SEC. COLOMA: Magandang umaga, Alan.

ALLANIGUE: Yes, sir. Nito hong nagdaang mga araw ay naging abala ang Pangulong Noy dito ho sa iba’t-ibang mga inagurasyon at ilang mga activities, gaya halimbawa ng pag-iinspeksyon ng Pangulo dito sa printing - advanced na printing facilities ng APO - diyan sa Batangas. At siya ho, kumbaga, ang unang kliyente nang mas advanced na pasaporte po natin – e-passport – na doon iniimprenta sa pasilidad ng APO sa lalawigan ng Batangas, Sec. Sonny, sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Alan. Kung titingnan natin, hitik na hitik ang schedule ng Pangulo habang abala siya sa paghahanda ng kaniyang SONA na ihahatid niya sa Kongreso sa Lunes. Patuloy pa rin iyong pag-ikot ng Pangulo para ipakita sa ating mga mamamayan iyong kahalagahan ng mga repormang ipinatupad at patuloy pang ipinapatupad, at mga pagbabagong nais sana niyang ipagpatuloy ng susunod na administrasyon para maging permanente iyong transpormasyon ng ating bansa.

ALLANIGUE: Opo. And also, inianunsiyo rin ng Pangulo iyon pong paglalaan ng a little over one billion pesos para higit na mapatatag ang istraktura ng Angat Dam na isa ho sa mga pangunahing sources ng tubig natin, Sec. Sonny, sir.

SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Alan, dahil napakahalaga ng tubig sa buhay. At iyong Angat Dam ay isa na sa pinakanauna pang pasilidad na talaga namang kinakailangan na ring ma-modernize ‘no dahil luma na nga iyong mga instraktura at kinakailangang mas maging mahusay iyong pagdaloy ng tubig sa pamamagitan ng pasilidad na iyan.

Madagdag ko lang ‘no. Noong Lunes, ang na-highlight doon ay iyong live demonstration ng e-passport ‘no, iyong electronic passport natin na maraming security features para tiyakin iyong seguridad ng identity ng lahat ng mga Pilipinong naglalakbay, lalung-lalo na iyong ating mga kapatid na Overseas Filipino Workers na noong mga nakaraan ay madalas mabiktima ng mga criminal syndicates at napapariwara iyong kanilang kabuhayan.

Sa isang bahagi ng ating imprenta ay iyong paglilimbag ng mga excise tax stamp para sa BIR. Kung maaalala natin, Alan, bunsod ng Sin Tax Reform ay nakakalap na ating pamahalaan ng humigit kumulang limampung bilyong pisong karagdagang excise taxes, at ito ay nilalaan naman para sa ating Universal Health Care Program na pinapangasiwaan ng PhilHealth. Ang ginagamit ng BIR dito ay iyong tinatawag na selyo ‘no, stamp. At ito ay may mga security features para tiyakin na sapat at ganap iyong pagbabayad ng mga buwis na dapat na nakalaan sa sinasaad ng batas. Kaya nga sinasabi natin noong nakaraang Lunes na sa ilalim ng pangasiwaan ni Pangulong Aquino, maging ang imprenta ay instrument para sa reporma.

ALLANIGUE: Opo. Secretary Coloma, nito hong nagdaang Martes ay nilagdaan ng Pangulo itong mga batas na tinatawag ho na mga ‘game changing laws’ pagdating ho sa competition sa trade at ganoon din iyong batas tungkol dito sa Cabotage o iyong Foreign Ships Co-Loading Act. Matapos pong lagdaan ng Pangulo ang mga batas na ito, ano po ang inaasahang magiging impact nitong mga bagong mga economic laws na ito sa atin, Sec. Sonny, sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Matagal-tagal na ring nabinbin ang mga hinggil sa panukalang batas na iyan, Alan. Dekada ang binilang bago naipasa ito. Walang iniwan iyan doon sa mga nauna ng reporma, katulad nga ng sa Reproductive Health at iyong sa Sin Tax Reform, na iyong deka-dekadang nababaon sa usapan lamang at hindi naman nagiging ganap na batas. Napapansin natin na sa kasalukuyang pangasiwaan, nagkaroon ng sapat na political will, at siguro naman ay hindi matatawaran na malakas ang impluwensiya ng Pangulo sa prosesong iyan dahil nga sa kaniyang pagtataguyod noong matuwid na daan at nung good governance.

Kaya doon sa aspeto na Fair Competition Act, sa ibang bansa ang tawag diyan ay antitrust. Binibigyan ng regulasyon para hindi magkakaroon ng mga monopolyo o iyong paghari-hari ng iilang kumpaniya o indibidwal para makontrol ang mahalagang aspeto ng ating ekonomiya. Iyon pong kabuhayan kasi natin, ang prinsipyong umiiral ay iyong tinatawag na ‘market economy’. Ibig sabihin, iyong natural lamang na demand o iyong pagnanasa ng publiko sa mga produkto at iyong pag-supply naman ng mga mangangalakal sa produktong ito, iyon po ang umiiral ‘no, na hindi po ito kinukontrol ng iilang tao; hindi po nagbibigay ng unfair advantage sa mga monopolista. Iyan po ang buod ng Fair Competition Act.

At isang aspeto rin niyang ay iyong kompetisyon din sa shipping industry na kung saan ay mayroong lumalahok na foreign at domestic shipping company. Doon po kasi sa lumang sistema na wala pong liberalized cabotage o iyong pahintulot sa mga foreign shipping firms na bumiyahe sa mga local ports. Mas mataas pa iyong presyo ng paghahatid ng kargo mula Manila hanggang General Santos o hanggang Cebu o Davao kaysa iyong Manila to Kaohsiung, Taiwan o Manila to Hong Kong, at ito ay dahil doon sa restriksyon sa kompetisyon bago pa maipasa itong Liberalized Cabotage Law.

Kaya malaki po ang magiging benepisyo sa ating kabuhayan dahil sa pag-iral nitong mga batas na mayroon pong kaakibat na mga mahahalagang reporma na magpapasigla pa lalo sa kabuhayan ng ating bansa.

ALLANIGUE: Secretary Coloma, sir, we understand na bukas ay pormal nang magkakaroon ng inagurasyon ito hong isa pang mahalagang infrastructure, road infrastructure, diyan po sa southern portion ng Metro Manila. Iyong link sa pagitan po nang tinatawag na Daang Hari patungo diyan sa South Luzon Expressway, Secretary Coloma, sir.

SEC. COLOMA: Mahalaga din iyan, Alan, dahil iyan ang unang-unang nabuo na private-public partnership o PPP projects sa ilalim ng administrasyon. Kung maaalala natin ay itinampok ni Pangulong Aquino ang paksang iyan doon sa kaniyang kauna-unahang SONA noong bagong luklok pa lang siya sa pagka-Pangulo noong July 2010. At iyan nga po ang unang bunga ng patakaran hinggil sa public-private partnership.

At malaking benepisyo ang idudulot nito dahil napakarami na sa ating mga kababayan ang nakatira doon sa bahagi ng lalawigan ng Cavite at lunsod ng Muntinlupa. Ayon po sa atin impormasyon, mga 35 subdivisions o villages po ang nandiyan na sa lugar na iyan, at malaking ginhawa na mula doon sa kanilang lugar ay makakakunekta na po sila nang direkta doon sa South Luzon Expressway at mapapabilis iyong kanilang travel time by about 45 minutes. Dahil doon sa datihan po ay mga makikitid at maliit na kalsada lamang ang binabaybay na malayo at paikot, ngayon ay mayroon ng diretsong koneksyon mula doon sa mga bahagi ng Muntinlupa at Cavite, magiging konektado na sa South Luzon Expressway.

ALLANIGUE: Well, of course, marami rin tayong mga kababayan sa malapit na lugar diyan – sa gawi po, halimbawa, ng Las Piñas – ang direkta ring mabibiyayaan, makikinabang dito sa bubuksan na kalye bukas diyan po sa area ng Muntinlupa hanggang Laguna.

SEC. COLOMA: Tama iyon, Alan. Sa pinakamahabang panahon, ang main road lamang diyan ay iyong Alabang-Zapote Road.

ALLANIGUE: Opo, opo.

SEC. COLOMA: At meron namang maliit na kalsada, iyong Commerce Avenue, binabaybay iyong Ayala Alabang Village, eh napakasikip na rin po ng trapik diyan sa lugar na iyan; at doon sa pumapasok doon sa lugar ng Filinvest, iyon din po ang isa pang ruta. Pero iyon pong MCX na tinatawag ngayon, iyong Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway o connector road, malaki pong ginhawa talaga iyan dahil diretso na po iyong koneksyon mula sa malaking konsentrasyon ng populasyon natin patungo na mismo sa South Luzon Expressway.

Noon ngang nakaraang linggo lamang, Alan, ay inaprubahan sa NEDA Board iyong karagdagang appropriation para diyan na mahigit sa dalawandaang milyong para ma-improve lamang iyong mga access ramp at mas maging ligtas iyong convergence mula sa Daang Hari patungon doon sa South Luzon Expressway. Kaya lahat po ay ginawa para maging ganap ang benepisyo na puwedeng mapakinabangan ng ating mga mamamayan.

ALLANIGUE: Opo, okay. Secretary Coloma, sir, muli, salamat po nang marami for the updates from the Palace.

SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat at magandang umaga, Alan.
SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center
 
INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
Radyo Singko / All Ready by Orly Mercado
23 July 2015
ORLY: Good morning, Secretary Sonny.

SEC. COLOMA: Good morning, Orly.

ORLY: Ano ang reaksyon ng Palasyo dito sa sinabi, dito sa pagharap ng kaso laban kay Purisima at former SAF Chief Napeñas, pero hindi kasama si Presidente Noynoy Aquino?

SEC. COLOMA: Bahagi po ito ng mga prosesong legal na naayon sa ating mga batas. At iyan po ay pasya ng Office of the Ombudsman na isang independent constitutional body at kinikilala po natin ang kanilang pagiging independent at ginagalang po natin ang kanilang pasya hinggil diyan.

ORLY: Dito sa kasong ito ay ano po ang expectation n’yo na, considering there are only already less than a year. Ano po ba ang inyong mga expectation dito sa kaso?

SEC. COLOMA: Para sa amin, Orly, ang mahalaga lang naman ay iyong makita ng ating mga kababayan iyong pagkilos ng makinarya ng pamahalaan - kasama na nga dito iyong Ombudsman na independent constitutional body - para tumugon doon sa panawagan na meron dapat accountability doon sa naganap sa Mamasapano. Maalala natin iyan ang saloobin ng marami sa ating mga mamamayan bunsod ng pagkasawi ng apatnapo’t-apat na police officers na kabilang sa SAF at sinabi natin noon na nanalig tayo sa prinsipyong accountability. Dapat ay may pananagutan iyong mga responsable at isa na itong bahagi ‘nung proseso ng pagtiyak na magkakaroon ng resolusyon itong isyu ng accountability.
ORLY: Sa tingin ba ninyo pagkatapos nito, dahil hindi naman isinama si Presidente dito sa kasong ito ay kung siya ay matapos na ang termino niya, meron pa bang mga kasong maihaharap laban sa kanya after his term ends?

SEC. COLOMA: Baka mas mainam, Orly, linawin muna natin iyong factual circumstances, ayon sa natunghayan nating pahayag ng tagapagsalita ng Office of the Ombudsman. Sa simula’t sapol hindi naman kasama si Pangulong Aquino. Ibig sabihin, he was not impleaded, hindi po kasama iyong kanyang pangalan doon sa mga isinuplong o doon sa mga isinama sa inihaing petisyon sa Office of the Ombudsman. Ganunpaman, pagkatapos ‘nung isinagawa nilang fact-finding investigation. Ayon doon sa kanilang tagapagsalita, ang kanilang napag-usapan ay wala naman silang nakitang partisipasyon ni Pangulong Aquino doon sa alleged violations po ng batas. At hindi rin po analogous o kahalintulad o kahawig ‘nung mga pinag-uusapang violation of law doon sa mga impeachable offense. So, iyon po ang kanilang pahayag. So, dapat sigurong linawin: Unang-una, ni hindi po naman talaga kasama si Pangulo doon sa inihaing petisyon. Kaya hindi po tama na sabihin na “he was cleared.” Hindi naman nga po siya kasama doon, paano po matuturing na ganoon. At pangalawa, notional or theoretically, iyong mga nakita nilang datos na naipahayag doon sa petisyon at nakitaan nila ng ebidensiya, hindi naman iyon analogous o kahawig doon sa tinatawag na impeachable offenses. Dapat po siguro--

ORLY: Liwanagin.

SEC. COLOMA: --Malinaw ang mga facts na iyan sa ating mga kababayan.

ORLY: So, it’s not a question of immunity from suit, as a consideration, kung hindi talagang from the beginning ang posisyon nga hindi kasama talaga ang Pangulo dito sa isyung ito?

SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Orly. At doon sa tanong mo na iyong mga prospect ay siguro po speculative po lahat iyan. Ang Pangulo naman ay hindi naman siya natitinag doon sa kanyang posisyon na sa lahat ng pagkakataon ginagawa niya ang tama at naayon sa batas at pinaninindigan naman niya iyon at handa naman siyang harapin lahat ng mga consequences ng kanyang mga aksyon bilang lider ng ating bansa.

ORLY: Pero kasi, Sonny, nauuso na rin pag naging Presidente ka, eh pagkatapos ng termino mo, idedemanda ka, maha-house arrest ka, hospital arrest. Iyan na nga kuwentuhan at saka biruan, “Ay naku bakit mo gustong mag-presidente, pagkatapos ng term mo kalaboso ka, may kaso ka”.

SEC. COLOMA: Hindi naman siguro lahat maging ganoon ang pananaw. Dahil iyon pong paglilingkod sa bayan ay isang dakilang--

ORLY: Sakripisyo.

SEC. COLOMA: --Dakilang bokasyon ng sinumang Pilipino. Siguro lang ang mahalaga ay iyong pagtalima doon sa Oath of Office. Dahil sinasabi nga doon ay “to defend and uphold the Constitution, do justice to every Filipino.” Iyon lang po. Sa panig po ng ating Pangulo, iyon po ang kanyang palaging inaalala, iyong pagiging tapat sa kanyang sinumpaang tungkulin.

ORLY: Secretary Sonny, kailan kaya maga-announce si Presidente ng endorsement for his candidate for President?

SEC. COLOMA: Ayon po sa kanyang pahayag, ito ay maari niyang isagawa pagkatapos ng paghahatid ng kanyang pinakahuling SONA. So, siguro po pagkatapos ng darating na Lunes.

ORLY: Parang puro reading the tea leaves tayo eh, puro nagbabasa.

SEC. COLOMA: Huwag po tayong mag-aalala dadating din po tayo doon.

ORLY: Kanya-kanyang spekulasyon. Walang tigil. Eh pero sabagay talagang titining naman ang tubig, hindi naman puwedeng hindi. Anyway, thank you very much, Secretary Coloma.

SEC. COLOMA: Maraming Salamat at magandang umaga, Orly.
SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center
 
INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
Umagang Kay Ganda / Punto por Punto by Anthony Taberna
21 July 2015
TUNYING: (coverage cut) survey na ito ng SWS?

SEC. COLOMA: Mainam po na iyan ang naging resulta sapagkat tinututukan po natin at tinitiyak natin na ang malaking ginagastos ng pamahalaan para sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program at doon sa Conditional Cash Transfer Program ay nagiging epektibo.

TUNYING: Opo. So, ito po palang PPP ang isa sa mga binibigyan ninyo ng kredito dito po sa pangyayaring ito?

SEC. COLOMA: Paglilinaw lang, Ka Tunying. Hindi iyong PPP, 4Ps - Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. At madagdagan ko lang, ‘no, iyong kasing survey na iyan ay isinasagawa ng Social Weather Stations - iyong self-rated hunger, katulad noong self-rated poverty. Pero meron ding isa pang uri ng survey, ang tawag diyan ay “impact evaluation survey” na isinasagawa naman ng World Bank at ADB, na talagang tinututukan iyong lahat ng aspeto at hindi tulad ‘nung mga opinion survey natin na 1,200 respondents lamang ang ini-interview, ito po ay malawakan talagang survey. Ayon po doon sa ulat ng ADB at World Bank ay halos sampung libong household ang kanilang pinuntahan.

TUNYING: Ang respondents.

SEC. COLOMA: Para malaman po ang epekto nitong 4Ps at CCT programs natin. Kaya wala pong hula-hula dito, inaalam talaga kung ano ang naging epekto sa mga benepisyaryo.

TUNYING: Tutal nabanggit n’yo po iyong World Bank, ADB. Ano pong resulta ‘nung kanilang pag-aaral mula sa sampung libong respondents?

SEC. COLOMA: Ganito po, ano. Unang-una, iyong binibigay na cash transfer na katulong sa halos isandaang porsyentong pag-e-enroll ng mga batang nasa elementary age, 6 to 11 years old. Dati po maraming hindi nakakapag-aral diyan dahil sa kagutuman at kahirapan. Pangalawa po, iyong mga ina ng benepisyaryong pamilya ay nagpapa-pre and post natal care at nakakapagpanganak sa mga health facilities. Sa ganyang paraan bumababa po iyong maternal and child mortality. Pangatlo po, iyong child labor sa mga household na kinapanayam, bumaba na ng average na pitong araw tuwing buwan. Hindi po ba isa rin iyan sa dahilan na hindi makapag-aral, nagtatrabaho po. Dito po nabawasan na iyong incidence of child labor. Pang-apat po, tumataas na rin iyong dami ng mga nakakapag-aral sa high school, dahil iyong Pantawid benefits dinadagdag na rin po iyong high school. Alam n’yo po ba merong pong major gap doon po sa pagkumpleto ng high school. Iyon pong siyam sa sampung mga anak ng mga pinakamayamang pamilya, 9 out of 10, nakakatapos po ng high school by 17 years of age. Iyon pong nasa pinakamahirap na pamilya 3 out of 10 lamang ang nakakatapos ng high school.
Ngayon po doon sa enrollment ng high school na 12 to 15, tumaas na po ng 6% doon sa household na benepisyaryo ng Pantawid kumpara doon sa hindi. Kaya nakaka-catch up na rin po tayo. Mahalagang makatapos sila ng high school dahil ito po ang susi sa makakakuha sila ng kapakipakinabang na trabaho.

TUNYING: At least ang nabanggit po ninyo hindi lang doon sa laman ng tiyan kung hindi pati laman po ng kaisipan. Iyon po ang tingin ko ay pinaka-importante sa binanggit ninyo.

SEC. COLOMA: Tama iyon, Ka Tunying. Siguro may lohiko din iyon. Kapag may laman kasi iyong tiyan, mas madaling mag-pursue ‘nung iba’t ibang aktibidad. Pero kung gutom at wala talagang kaparaanan, hindi po natin matatamo iyong ibang resulta.

TUNYING: Okay. Professor, kayo po naniniwala po ba kayo...una, sa survey, noong narinig n’yo po ba iyong survey – although, ito po ay lagi namang ang tawag ng SWS dito ay scientific naman ang method na ginamit - naniniwala po ba kayo sa resulta ng survey at ano po ang tingin ninyong dapat na maging pagtanggap dito lalo na ng gobyerno at ng mga mamamayan?

PROF. SURETA: Tama iyong sinabi ni Secretary Coloma, talagang bumaba talaga. Nagsimula kasi ang administrasyon nila mga nasa 20% ang hunger, ngayon nasa 12.9% na lang, mas bumaba ito kumpara last, ‘nung huling quarter survey ng mga 13 %. Pero besides sa 4Ps nandoon ang ibang factor na naka-contribute sa pagbaba. Unang-una, mula kasi ‘nung nakaraang quarter, hindi masyadong malakas iyong bagyo. So hindi naapektuhan iyong food supply. Pangalawa, mababa iyong inflation. Hindi gaanong tumaas iyong presyo ng mga bilihin, iyong accessibility sa food nandoon pa rin. Pero sa kabilang bansa, dapat ding ikonsidera na iyong 12% na ito nire-reach lang nito kulang-kulang mga tatlong milyong pamilya. Kasi ang total na hunger magnitude dalawang klase kasi. Iyong gutom, nakaramdam ng gutom at sobrang gutom. Iyong severe hunger at saka moderate hunger. Bumaba iyong moderate hunger, parang 12.4%, tapos may .4% ng severe hunger. Kapag pinagsama mo nasa 12.8%, ang equivalent noon sa sample ng population natin is around 2.8 million families. So, ibig sabihin noon 14 million, so bumaba siya ngunit mataas pa rin. So, marami pang kailangang gawin at siyempre makikita natin na dapat din i-recognize na talagang bumaba. So pagdating ng SONA nai-imagine mo na isa ito sa mga accomplishment ng ating Pangulo. Ngunit hindi rin nito sinasabi rin na wala nang ibang puwedeng gawin, marami pa talagang gawin. Iyong CCT na binabanggit ni Secretary Coloma, na totoong effective, ngunit may mga delivery issues pa rin itong involved. Halimbawa, sabi ng ADB report meron daw P12 billion leakages mula sa P64 billion na ginagastos.

TUNYING: Malaki iyon.

PROF. SURETA: Medyo malaki, ngunit meron naman silang magandang paliwanag dito. Ngunit kung gusto nila talagang palakihin iyong target, ‘nung population ng 4Ps. Ang isang malaking cost kasi iyong admin cost eh. Iyong magbibigay ng pera at ang pinakamadaling paraan para tabasin iyon, ibigay mo sa LGU. Eh kasi dito hindi, national eh, so, may layer pang idadag iyon ng mga empleyado. So, palagay ko kung talagang mas effective siya doon ka pumunta sa level na iyon.

TUNYING: Ang sabi ninyo parang nag-umisa tayo ng 20% ‘nung pagpasok po ng administrasyon.

PROF. SURETA: Tama.

TUNYING: Ito papatapos na po iyong administrayon na ito. Sa tingin n’yo po ba ay dapat nang maging happy ang administrasyon dito considering almost kalahati pala ang ibinagsak ng bilang mga nagugutom.

PROF. SURETA: Happy pero hindi naman po dapat masyadong mayabang, kung baga ang sasabihin natin. Kasi po, marami pa ring mahirap. Sa totoo lang, makikita natin ito araw-araw kapag bumibiyahe tayo sa kalye. Maaring hindi nga sila gutom, pero mahirap pa rin. At iyon ang talagang mas malaking isyu doon eh, poverty eh. So maaring bumaba ang hunger mo, pero iyong poverty percentage ng population po halos pareho pa rin at makikita ninyo doon sa mga huling survey ng SWS. So marami pa ring problema. Hunger, importante ngunit may mas malaki pang isyu doon na dapat ay ‘di natin kalimutan.

TUNYING: Pasensiya na po kayo, joke time lang naman kanina. Pero puwede n’yo na po sagutin. Hindi ho kaya kumonti ang bilang ng mga nagugutom dahil sa marami nang nagdidiyeta ngayon?

PROF. SURETA: Baka hindi pa ako kasama doon. Pero I think, meron nga akong nabasa sa Business World report. Ang sabi ng taga-TUCP dumami nga daw iyong “pag-pag,” kaya daw mas kumonti ang gutom. Siyempre kung titignan mo medyo patawa siya, pero sinasabi din dito na talagang medyo maganda iyong presyo ng bilihin nitong mga nakaraang buwan. Kung mapapansin n’yo, di ba, sa gasolina hindi masyado. Meron ding non-government factors na nag-contribute sa external factors na na-contribute sa 4Ps sa decrease ng poverty. Lalo Ngayon, mukhang pababa ng pababa iyong presyo ng langis, lalong makikita sa future na baka in the next quarter mas bumababa ang presyo ng bilihin. So lalong kokonti iyong bilang ng gutom. Pero still, mahirap pa rin sila.

TUNYING: Kayo po, tutal hindi naman kayo taga-gobyerno. Kung gagraduhan n’yo ba ang gobyerno sa pagsisikap na mai-ahon sa kahirapan at sa kagutuman ang ating mga kababayan. 1 to 10, 10 iyong pinakamataas, ano po ang ibibigay ninyo?

PROF. SUTERA: Siguro average lang, 5 or 6. Kasi marami pang kailangang gawin at sa palagay ko doon sa limang taon na pamumuno nila, marami pa sanang puwedeng gawin na mas mababawasan iyong paghihirap, accessibility, mga ganoon pong bagay.

TUNYING: Salamat po, Professor. Mabuhay po kayo. Secretary Coloma, nandiyan pa po ba kayo?

SEC. COLOMA: Nandito pa, Ka Tunying.

TUNYING: Isa na lang po, Secretary. Ano po iyong pinakama-target po ng administrasyon bago po bumaba ang Pangulo by 2016 kung pag-uusapan po iyong porsyento ng mga nagugutom. Ngayon po ay 12.7%. Ano po ang tina-target po ninyo?

SEC. COLOMA: Wala akong specific na statistika diyan Ka Tunying. Ang alam ko iyong tungkol sa poverty, na kung ngayon ay nandoon pa sa 24 plus, kailangan pong ilapit pa natin iyan sa 20. Ibaba pa po natin, at kung madagdag ko lang, ayon po sa ating NEDA ang kailangan po kasi natin ay marami pang taon na consistently high GDP growth. Kasi po ang pinanggagalingan ng lahat ng mga pananalapi natin para sa programang ito ay iyong kabuuang pag-unlad ng ating ekonomiya. Kaya po sinisikap natin na maipagpatuloy iyong natamo na ‘nung 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 at 2014 na kung saan ay nagtala tayo ng pinakamataas na five year average GDP growth na 6.3%.

Sa karanasan po ng ibang bansa na umunlad - na nag-graduate mula Third World to Second World at First World - ang kailangan po ay at least ten years consistently high economic growth. Iyan po ang tinatawag na high growth trajectory. Diyan po natin pinagsisikapang isampa ang ating bansa, doon sa high growth trajectory na kung saan ay talagang makakatamo tayo ng pag-unlad ng ekonomiya at makakamit natin iyong sapat na pananalapi para po pondohan ang lahat ng mga social protection at poverty reduction. Kaya nga po palaging nasasabi ng Pangulo napakahalaga na maipagpatuloy at gawing permanente iyong mga repormang naumpisahan na.

TUNYING: Si Grace Poe po ba o si Mar Roxas?

SEC. COLOMA: Wala pa po tayong impormasyon.

TUNYING: Nabanggit n’yo kasi. Secretary, salamat po sa inyo at Umagang Kay Ganda po.

SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat at Umagang Kay Ganda Ka Tunying.

TUNYING: Ang resulta po ng ating informal survey sa ating katanungan: “Naniniwala po ba kayo na mas kumonte ang mga nagugutom sa bansa?” Ang nagsabing “oo, naniniwala kami,” naku po, Nanang ko po, 30%. At ang nagsabing “hindi,” 70%.

Mga kapamilya, maganda pong pakinggan na kumonti ang bilang ng mga Pilipinong nakaranas ng gutom na ayon po sa SWS ay siyang pinakamababang antas sa loob ng sampung taon. Puwede nga pong sabihin ng gobyerno na mabisa ang mga programang inilunsad nito gaya po ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, ito po ng Conditional Cash Transfer, at baka nga po tumatalab na sa mga dukha nating kababayan ang pag-angat ng ekonomiya na malimit pang ipagmagaling ng administrasyon. Kung ganoon nga ay hindi naman dapat pagkaitan ng papuri ang pamalahalan ‘kung’ karapat-dapat naman. Pero, hindi po dapat maging sobrang saya ng mga nanunungkulan dito. Tama po iyong binanggit ni Professor Sureta dito kanina eh. 12.7% ng mga Pilipino nakaranas ng pagkagutom, ito po ay 2.8 milyong Pilipinong pamilya pa rin o kung lima sa bawat miyembro, 14 million Filipinos pa rin po ito. Ang problema po sa atin pag mahirap, sobra hirap. Eh gaano po karami sa atin ang nabubuhay sa pag-pag, sa instant noodles, habang ang mga paa ay nakalublob sa dagat ng basura. Huwag na kayong lumayo, dito lang sa Metro Manila, marami niyan.

Mahirap din pong makapagkasundo ang numero sa patuloy na pagdami ng mga batang namamalimos at nakasahod ang kamay sa mga kalsada. Tama po, marami pang dapat gawin. Pero tandaan po natin, marami man tayong hinaing sa buhay, marami man po tayong sintemyento laban sa gobyerno, subalit sa bandang dulo “buntot mo, hila mo”. Tayo pa rin po ang magpapasya kung saan natin nais magtungo. Malaki po ang papel ng pamahalaan ngunit hindi po natin puwedeng isisi lahat dito ang ating mga kasawian. Nasa mga kamay po natin ang mabuting kapalaran. Huwag maging tamad, gumising ng maaga at laging maging masipag.
SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center
Last Updated: 22 JULY 2015
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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)
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Mabuhay ang mga Pilipino!
Here's your July 23 2015 issue of One Luzon E-News Magazine from the Philippine Information Agency North Luzon Cluster.
Please click and follow link.
Maraming Salamat Po!
PIA-North Luzon Cluster


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