Sunday, September 6, 2015

16 Dispatch for September 7 , 2015 ( Monday ), 1 Calabarzon PRs , 3 Weather Watch , 5 Regional Watch, PNOY Press Briefing ,3 Interview//Press Briefing with Sec. Coloma, 18 Online News(September 5 ) 39 Photonews (September 4 )

 DAILY WEATHER FORECAST


  Issued at: 5:00 AM today, 07 September 2015 
Valid Beginning: 5:00 AM today until 5:00 AM tomorrow

Synopsis: 

Southwest Monsoon affecting Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao. Meanwhile, at 4:00 am today, the Tropical Depression "ETAU" (International Name) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) was estimated based on all available data at 1,795 km east of extreme Northern Luzon (21.4N, 139.2E) with maximum winds of 55 kph near the center. It is forecast to move North Northwest at 15 kph. 


 pressure.gifPredicted Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis 8 AM 07 September 2015
 wind.gifPredicted Mean Sea Level Wind Analysis 8 AM 07 September 2015
satellite


Forecast: 

Occasional rains will be experienced over Visayas, Mindanao and the provinces of Mindoro and Palawan. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon. 


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



Pagtaya: Paminsan-minsang mga pag-ulan ang mararanasan sa Kabisayaan, Mindanao at sa mga lalawigan ng Mindoro at Palawan. Bahagyang maulap hanggang sa maulap na kalangitan na may pulu-pulong pagkidlat-pagkulog ang iiral sa Metro Manila at sa nalalabing bahagi ng Luzon.
Mahina hanggang sa katamtamang hangin mula sa kanluran hanggang sa timog-kanluran ang iiral sa Luzon at mula naman sa timog-kanluran sa nalalabing bahagi ng bansa. Ang mga baybaying–dagat sa buong kapuluan ay magiging banayad hanggang sa katamtaman ang pag-alon.
Extremes of temperature and relative humidity for the 24-hr period ending at 8:00 pm yesterday and recorded at pagasa weather station, science garden, diliman, quezon city:
Over Metro Manila:
Maximum Temperature: 1:50 PM yesterday --- 33.2 ºc
Minimum Temperature: 6:00 AM yesterday --- 23.7 ºc
Maximum Relative Humidity: 5: 00 AM yesterday --- 94 %
Minimum Relative Humidity: 1:00 PM yesterday --- 53 %
Low Tide Today: 1:43 PM ..……….... 0.20 meters
High Tide Tomorrow: 5:37 AM ..……….... 1.08 meters
Sunrise Today: 5:44 AM
Sunset Today: 6:04 PM
Moonset Today: 1:38 PM
Moonrise Tomorrow: 1:25 AM
Illumination Tomorrow: 27 %
For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.



PAGASA:
-At 4:00 am today, the Tropical Depression “Etau” (international name) outside the PAR was estimated 1,795 km east of extreme northern Luzon with maximum winds of 55 kph near the center.
-It is forecast to move north northwest at 15 kph.
-Southwest Monsoon affecting Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao. Occasional rains will be experienced today over Visayas, Mindanao and the provinces of Mindoro and Palawan.
-Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.




DZIQ: Ayon sa PAGASA, mahina hanggang sa katamtamang buhos ng ulan na may pulu-pulong ulap at may kasamang pagkulog at pagkidlat ang mararanasan sa Metro Manila at sa buong bahagi ng bansa ngayong araw. ITCZ naman ang nakakaapekto sa ilang probinsya ng Visayas, Mindanao, at maging sa Palawan. Patuloy namang binabantayan ang isang LPA na nasa labas pa ng PAR at huling namataan sa layong 1,860km mula sa silangan ng extreme northern Luzon. Wala pang direktang epekto ang LPA sa kapuluan.


September 7 , 2015  (   Monday )     as of  9:00 AM
PIA4A / PIA QUEZON  :  Fair Weather in Lucena City

NORTHERN


SOUTHERN


WESTERN


EASTERN





PIA-4A/QUEZON: DSWD Calabarzon regional director Leticia T. Diokno appeals to the recipients of the P2M capital assistance to use the funding to earn additional income for their respective families. About 200 poor families with majority are members of the Pantawid Pamilya program will benefit from the capital assistance. Each individual member will receive ranging from P5,000-P10,000 for their chosen micro-enterprise activities.



PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office IV-A, under the Bottom-Up Budgetting (BUB) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) recently awarded P2million worth of capital assistance to more than 200 poor families in Real, Quezon.
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PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The Department of Social Welfaare and Development (DSWD) together with the members of the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) and the Provincial Advisory Committee (PAC) for the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilya program recently held a dialogue with parent leaders in Los Banos to listen not only for their gains in the program but as well as issuess and concerns encountered. The RAC and PAC regularly convene to oversee the program implementation and find opportunities to converge services to help improve the living condition of the Pantawid Pamilya program beneficiaries.





PIA-4A/RIZAL: 40 miyembro ng lokal na kooperatiba sa lungsod ng Antipolo ang sumailalim sa seminar on packaging and labelling na isinagawa ng City Cooperative and Livelihood Office. Ang pagsasanay ay naglalayong mapalawak ang kaalaman ng mga manggagawa, mga tindera at mga nagsisimulang negosyante sa mga produktong gawa sa Antipolo upang higit pang mapaghusay ang kalidad ng kanilang paninda at mapaunlad ang kabuhayan.
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PIA-4A/RIZAL: Inilunsad kamakailan ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Antipolo ang mobile registration for senior citizens ID sa barangay Cupang upang matiyak na lahat ng lolo at lola ay mapapakinabangan ang iba't ibang benepisyong nakalaan para sa kanila. Ipinaliwanag din sa mga senior citizens ang kahalagahan ng pagpaparehistro at pagkakaroon ng ID.










QUEZON

DSWD releases P2M livelihood assistance to four group enterprises
·         September 07, 2015

LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Sept. 7 (PIA) --The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Field Office IV-A, recently awarded P2 million worth of capital assistance to four associations in the town of Real.

The assistance, released under DSWD’s Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) – Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) will benefit about 200 poor families who are members of Lubayat Ornamentals, Tignoan  Bagong Pag-asa, Uno Parents and Ungos Angat-Buhay associations.

Each group with 50 members will receive P500,000 while each invidual member will receive ranging from P5,000 to P10,000 capital assistance for their chosen micro-enterprise activities. Majority of the beneficiaries are members of the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilya program.

DSWD IV-A regional director Leticia T. Diokno appealed to the recipients to use the capital assistance to earn additional income for their respective families. This will not only help the parents to meet the families’ daily needs but also help the children go through college.

Diokno thanked the local government of Real for supporting the DSWD in its goal to improve the living condition of poor families.

As one of the core poverty reduction programs of the DSWD, the SLP is a community-based capacity building program that equips participants to actively contribute to production and livelihood markets through micro-enterprise development or employment facilitation.

Under this program, the priority participants are the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program as one of the convergence strategies of the DSWD to ensure sustainability of the gains of the program and help beneficiaries meet self-sufficiency.

Aside from the four associations, there are 12 other SLP associations being organized in the municipality for capacity building and funding this year.  (JOCuya, DSWD 4A/PIA-4A)


- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/631441587613/dswd-releases-p2m-livelihood-assistance-to-four-group-enterprises#sthash.jfifg37H.dpuf







Palace reminds public that stricter traffic rules will be implemented on Monday
 
The Palace on Sunday reminded the public that stricter traffic rules will be impose on Monday, once the Philippine National Police - Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) officially took the lead in managing the traffic along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA).

"Isa sa mahalagang ipatutupad ay ang mahigpit na pag-obserba doon sa bus lane full. Dapat ang ating mga bus ay nandoon lamang sa loob ng bus lanes o ‘yung tinatawag nating ‘yellow lane’," said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

"Ayon din sa pinuno ng PNP-HPG, si Chief Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao, mahigpit na ipatutupad ng HPG ang 30-second rule sa pagsakay at pagbaba ng mga bus ng kanilang mga pasahero sa EDSA, at pananatilihin ang ‘no contact apprehension’ sa pamamagitan ng video documentation ng mga motoristang lumalabag sa mga umiiral na batas at regulasyon sa EDSA," Coloma added.

The Communications Secretary noted that the PNP-HPG will now take a lead role in managing the traffic along EDSA after a consensus was made by all concerned government agencies.

However, the Metro Manila Development Authority, Land Transportation Office and Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board will still assist the PNP-HPG.

Coloma also added that provincial buses going to Southern Luzon will be rerouted beginning Monday (September 7).

The rerouting will involve buses based in Cubao and Kamuning, Quezon City bound for Bicol and Quezon Province, as well as other bus companies using the South Expressway.

All concerned buses shall take the EDSA route from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. toward P. Tuazon Ave. and turning to C-5 until they reach the South Expressway, proceeding to their destination.

"Inaasahan natin na ito ay makakatulong sa pagbabawas ng congestion sa EDSA," said Coloma.

Coloma also asked for the cooperation of motorists in following traffic rules and for them to maintain discipline. PND (ag)

Armed Forces joins Phl National Police in resolving conflict in Surigao Del Sur
 
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) now joins the Philippine National Police in resolving the armed conflict in Surigao del Sur, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., said on Sunday.

"Sinisikap nating matugunan ‘yung sitwasyon diyan dahil medyo masalimuot. Mayroong elemento ng insurgency, mayroon ding elemento ng mga iba’t ibang conflict diyan sa lugar na ‘yan, at siyempre sinisikap natin na ito ay hindi lumikha ng dagdag pang ligalig sa ating mga mamamayan dahil kasama ang ating mga indigenous people sa ating itinataguyod na peace process," said Coloma in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

The Philippine Army has sent troops from the 4th Infantry Division to support the PNP in a law enforcement operation to hunt the perpetrators of an arson and the killing of three people in Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur.

About more than 3,000 people, mostly indigenous people, fled their villages to escape the conflict and now were seeking refuge in Tandag City, the province's capital.

Coloma noted that the AFP is also coordinating relief operations and medical services in the province.

"Kabilang na nga ang Department of Social Welfare and Development, masinsin na nakikipag-ugnayan sa PNP at saka sa AFP at sa lokal na pamahalaan para tiyakin ang agarang pagbibigay ng pagkain at relief goods para maibsan naman ang sitwasyon diyan na bunsod nga ng karahasan na nagaganap sa area na pinag-uusapan natin," said Coloma. PND (ag)

All-time low inflation, result of sound microeconomic management
 
Malacanang on Sunday has attributed the all-time low inflation of 0.6 percent last August, to the government's sound microeconomic management.

"Masasabi nating magandang epekto ng overall sound macroeconomic management ng ating pamahalaan, at pwede nating ipagmalaki na sa buong rehiyon—maaaring sa buong mundo pa nga—tayo ay mayroong pinakamababang inflation rate," said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

This rate has brought the year-to-date headline inflation to 1.7 percent, which is below the target range of 2 to 4 percent set by the government for this year.

"Habang mababa ito ay napakainam para sa ating ekonomiya, dahil ibig sabihin lang napoprotektahan o napre-preserve ang purchasing power of the peso, at ito ay senyales ng mahusay na pagmamaneho ng ekonomiya," Coloma said.

"Kapag mababa ang inflation, ibig sabihin naipapagtugma nang mahusay ang mga elemento ng supply doon sa elemento ng demand. Hindi nagkakaroon ng mga artificial shortage dahil ang ganyang mismatch between supply and demand ang lumilikha ng inflationary pressure; at kapag hindi maayos ang takbo ng ekonomiya, pangkaraniwan na resulta ang inflation," he added.

When asked if the Philippines seems to be shielded from China's economic slowdown, Coloma said this was not the case.

"Hindi ganoon kalaki ang dependency ng ating ekonomiya sa economy ng People’s Republic of China kaya’t hindi naman tayo gaanong naaapektuhan ng binanggit mo na external shocks mula sa bansang iyon," said Coloma.

Last August, China's stock markets plunged and its currency has been devalued, which caused a domino-effect in the world economy. China is the world's second-largest economy. PND (ag)

 
 
 

05 SEPTEMBER 2015
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes)NEDA board approves P131.4 billion worth of projects for transportation, energy sectors
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes)Traffic czar not necessary, inter-agency efforts enough to ease Metro congestion, says Palace official
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes)Government outlines El Niño action plan for Agriculture sector
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes)Palace welcomes high public awareness on West Philippine Sea issue
APEC News Releases
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes)Mayors in Visayas region share view on development
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes)E-Commerce key to developing small, medium enterprises, says chair of APEC senior officials’ meeting
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes)Philippines should implement K to 12 program immediately, says APEC executive
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes)Cebu govt launches 'Exquisitely Filipino' trade exhibit to promote local products
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes)APEC members wants to match trade in services with trade in goods
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes)APEC Executive Director highlights changes in APEC over the years
bulet-arow.gif (856 bytes)Study on realization of Asia Pacific free trade area underway-APEC exec

Mayors in Visayas region share view on development
(CEBU CITY, Cebu) There is a consensus among mayors in the Visayas region on the need for every community to join the march forward towards development in the Asia-Pacific region, a foreign affairs official has said.

During a press conference here Friday, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario said they try to focus on the average citizen in their Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) discussions, so they invited more than 20 mayors from the Visayas region to join a forum.

"We invited more than 20 mayors and they discussed the challenges that affect a local city executive and of course, these are part of the things that we do in APEC," del Rosario said.

"We talked about waste, treatment of waste, conversion of waste into something good. There was a presentation on how waste recovered from the ocean could be converted into something else."

Other issues that came up were water pollution, infrastructure, culture and education, transportation, as well as technology and environment, she said.

"When we talk about infrastructure in APEC, it is not just about roads and buildings. We are talking about infrastructure that you do not see. You do not see where the sewage goes," she said.

Aside from these issues, the mayors also discussed how they could improve the quality of life in cities, she said

Del Rosario also highlighted the importance of technology, noting that even when people are stuck in traffic, they could work using the Internet to send emails and text messages.

The APEC delegates are also looking at measures on anti-corruption, and energy efficiency and conservation.

"We are also working on measures on illegal logging and trade, and all of these of course will affect small communities," said del Rosario.

"We hope that what we are doing in APEC would really be building blocks towards finding solutions to what we face in the 21st century."

Asked if the mayors committed to adopt the best practices discussed, del Rosario said they would, if they get re-elected and if they really have the heart of a public servant.

But for those who are just after the money, they will not make a commitment, she said.

"But I think, all of those we invited said they want to build better cities -- all of them, without exception. And now, they say, 'I know what I'm doing, I know what I need to do,'" she said.

She noted that the good thing is that politicians are also afraid to be left behind.

Cities will compete among themselves, and if the citizens of one city clamor for improvement, it will put pressure on their local leaders, del Rosario said. PND (as)

E-Commerce key to developing small, medium enterprises, says chair of APEC senior officials’ meeting
(CEBU CITY, Cebu) Senior officials of member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) are working on measures to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) scale up their operations and expand into new markets through e-Commerce.
Chairperson of the APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM), Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario, said during a press briefing here that access to technology for SMEs is among the main issues being discussed during the third SOM and Related Meetings in Cebu.
She said the APEC delegates are also discussing how SMEs could be trained to become better managers so that they would be ready when they finally expand their operations to cover a bigger market through the Internet economy or e-Commerce.

Apart from facilitating the growth of SMEs through e-Commerce, del Rosario said APEC economies are also addressing the financing difficulties that SMEs face.

“It is not just access to technology that we are looking at, we are also looking at access to finance because without finance, SMEs would find it difficult to expand,” she explained.

Del Rosario also cited a Philippine law that has a salient provision for banks to provide loans to SMEs.

“On technology, the government, especially TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) and the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), help the SMEs scale up and do their own packaging. The DOST (Department of Science and Technology) has a very good program that helps improve the products of SMEs,” she added.

Finance ministers of APEC economies will meet here on September 10 to 11. PNA (ldv)

Philippines should implement K to 12 program immediately, says APEC executive
(CEBU CITY, Cebu) The Philippines should implement immediately the enhanced K to 12 Basic Education Program to make Filipino students become globally competitive, the chairperson of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) said.

During a media briefing here Friday, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario, said she has been pushing for an improved, expanded and innovative education in the country.

“Instead of pulling back, let us push forward for all the government agencies to do what they should do, so that we will have K to 12… Education is what will carry us forward. If we stay where we are right now, we will not be able to compete,” she said.

The K to 12 program covers kindergarten and 12 years of basic education. The enhanced curriculum will offer areas of specialization or electives, such as science and technology, arts, sports, tech-voc, and subjects for advanced placement.

The Philippines is the only remaining country in Asia with a 10-year basic education program.

Del Rosario cited the trade and services liberalization and ease of doing business initiatives among APEC economies that are believed to bring competition.

“People always see it as a competition thing and of course, they are right in that sense. But at the same time, isn't it also an opportunity for us to improve the quality of our education?” she said.

Del Rosario stressed that APEC’s 21 member economies aim to create opportunities for everybody.

“You have no way but to move up because the rest of the world is marching forward, and we cannot wait, we have to march along with them. And the best solution really is education,” she added. PNA (ldv)

Cebu govt launches 'Exquisitely Filipino' trade exhibit to promote local products
CEBU CITY, Cebu) The Cebu Provincial government, in partnership with SM City Cebu, and the Department of Trade and Industry launched on Friday "Exquisitely Filipino" trade exhibit aimed at introducing Cebu-made products to the delegates of the Asia Pacific Cooperation who are meeting in Cebu.

"I think we chose this occasion to launch 'Exquisitely Filipino' to dramatize the fact that in APEC we do work on integration and connectivity of economies, states and businesses," Senior Officials' Meeting Chair Laura del Rosario in her welcome remarks.

Del Rosario said art and religion has been part of daily lives of the Cebuanos and crafts featured in the exhibit manifest these distinct Cebuano culture.

"While art and religion played a role in the past, they now crossed over to the economic realm," she said.

"These products are not merely a demonstration of the Filipino skill and artistry, it has become a source of living for some families, a realization of an artist's dream to be recognized and the fruition of SMEs' efforts to be part of the global market," she noted.

Del Rosario also said the Aquino administration believes that to grow and to be meaningful, progress must be exclusive and this philosophy of exclusivity is imbedded in the APEC 2015 work program.


The exhibit also serves as an opportunity for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines to participate in the regional and global markets, she added.


For his part, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III said Cebu, which has been a trading hub in the Asia Pacific for the past 500 years, makes its location at the center of the Philippines an advantage for commerce.

Cebu-made products like handicrafts, fashion accessories, furnitures, and clothes are now being sold in Asia, Europe and in the Americas, and this is a source of pride for the Cebuanos, he said.

"With the opening of this 'Exquisitely Filipino' trade exhibit here at SM North Wing and at the Atrium, we once again have that perfect opportunity and distinct privilege to showcase the best that Cebu can offer," Davide said.

"The provincial government is fully supportive of this trade exhibit. It will boost our tourism industry and our investments. Hopefully, this will promote the best of Cebu."

Davide said he hopes the visiting delegates could choose from a variety of products that Cebu manufacturers and designers are offering and help spread the word when they return to their home countries.

He expressed his gratitude to SM City Cebu, DTI, APEC Philippines 2015 National Organizing Committee, and the exhibitors for their participation.

About 50 exhibitors, mostly members of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, take part in the Exquisitely Filipino exhibit, which will run until September 8. PND (as)

NEDA board approves P131.4 billion worth of projects for transportation, energy sectors
The government approved five new projects in transportation and the energy sectors totaling P131.4 billion as it underscores the importance of improving the country's infrastructure to sustain long-term economic growth.

In a statement on Saturday, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said among the NEDA approved projects include the new passenger terminal building at the Clark International Airport, which will be built to meet its expansion requirements.

The project, which costs P15.3 billion, will allow Clark International Airport to accommodate up to three million passengers a year.

The project, to be funded by the government will include the installation of equipment, machineries and facilities.

The NEDA Board also approved the Naga airport development project at a cost of P3.5 billion in Camarines Sur.

The airfield will be reoriented to enable dual-approach landing and takeoff and new airside and landside facilities will be established to meet the growing tourism demand.

The project will be funded through the general appropriations act.

The board also approved the P64.7 billion LRT Line 6 construction. LRT 6 is a 19-kilometer elevated rail facility from LRT Line 1 extension in Bacoor that will go southward through Imus and up to Dasmarinas along the Aguinaldo highway.

The project, which is expected to drastically cut travel time, is a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative.

To further expand the mass transport system for the metropolis, the LRT Line 4 will be built from EDSA Ortigas to Taytay City, on an elevated rail facility covering a distance of 11 kilometers. The project will be financed through a PPP arrangement at an estimated total cost of P42.8 billion.

The Department of Energy’s Access to Sustainable Energy Program was also approved by the NEDA Board on Friday.

The P4.8-billion energy program, provides grant assistance for solar home systems and rural power generation facilities, as well as technical assistance to the National Electrification Administration and the Energy Regulatory Commission, and electric cooperatives.
Focal point for capacity building is the development of pro-poor, disaster-resilient solutions.

The program will be partially funded by the official development assistance from the European Union amounting P2.82 billion. The balance will be sourced from the national budget. PND (as)

Traffic czar not necessary, inter-agency efforts enough to ease Metro congestion, says Palace official
Designating a traffic czar is not necessary and the government believes that a coordinated effort among government agencies could solve the traffic congestion problem in Metro Manila, a Palace official said.

In a radio interview on Saturday, reporters asked Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr about the need to appoint a Cabinet-level traffic czar to remedy the traffic congestion problem in Metro Manila.

Coloma told dzRB Radyo Ng Bayan that in the executive branch, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras acts as the coordinator among government agencies.

"Mainam siguro tingnan natin ang sitwasyon at unawain natin na sa mga malalaking problema katulad nito, ang mahalaga ay ang unified action and integrated planning, at effective implementation ng mga action plans," he said.

"Hindi mahalaga kung sino ang boss dahil ang boss naman talaga rito ay ang mamamayang Pilipino na pinaglilingkuran ng pamahalaan."

"‘Ang tunay na kapangyarihan dito ay manggagaling sa will power ng sama-samang pagkilos ng mga mamamayan."

What's important is how the government coordinates its efforts with the other stakeholders like civil societ, the business community, port users, road users, and the general public, he added.

"Lahat po tayo ay sangkot at may lahok po tayo diyan sa pagresolba ng problema."

On Monday, the Philippine National Police's Highway Patrol Group (HPG) will be the lead enforcer of traffic rules to remove chokepoints along EDSA.

The PNP will concentrate on easing six chokepoints in EDSA such as Balintawak, Cubao, Ortigas, Shaw Boulevard, Guadalupe, and Taft Avenue going to Roxas Boulevard in Pasay.

The Department of Public Works and Highways has started its work, Coloma said, putting up markers and concrete dividers, for dedicated bus lanes.

Metro Manila Development Authority and the DPWH are already clearing sidewalks to remove obstructions and barriers.

MMDA traffic enforcers, who previously manned EDSA, will be transferred to Roxas Boulevard, C-5 and other major thoroughfares, Coloma said.

Some MMDA traffic enforcers will be retained in EDSA to help the Highway Patrol Group in decongesting the identified major chokepoints along the major thoroughfare.

Also, traffic enforcers from the Land Transportation Office as well as from Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will assist in managing EDSA. (as)

Government outlines El Niño action plan for Agriculture sector
Dispelling public fears on an impending severe drought, Malacanang said, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has a comprehensive El Nino response plan in case the weather disturbance affects the country.

In a radio interview, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said the DA's El Niño action plan has two features: production support and water management.

The plan also includes an information and communication program or information education program, Coloma told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.

The plan has two objectives: maximizing and optimizing production in non-threatened areas, and saving vulnerable areas through appropriate irrigation intervention or crop shifting using short gestation crops.

Because not all agriculture areas will be hit by El Niño, the DA will concentrate on enhancing production in non-affected areas.

For areas that will be affected, the DA will irrigate the fields and encourage farmers to plant short gestation crops for them to immediately harvest.

As soon as El Nino is over, the DA will rehabilitate vulnerable areas for future use.

For water management, the DA, in coordination with the Philippine Air Force will conduct cloud-seeding operations.

"‘Yung ‘intensified implementation of alternate wetting and drying, ito ang mga istratehiya nila sa water management," he told Radyo ng Bayan.

"Mayroon ding provision of open source pumps at installation of solar and wind pump irrigation systems for high-value crops. Kaya mayroon ding mga alternatibong irrigation systems, hindi lang mga water-based."

Also part of El Niño mitigation efforts is the distribution of high-quality seeds for rice and corn farmers.

They will also be supplied with mungbean, peanut, soybean, sweet potato and cucurbits as alternate crops.

"Pag-iibayuhin din ang pest surveillance and monitoring at magpro-provide din ng soil ameliorant," Coloma said noting that the initiative also covers livestocks and fisheries.

The DA will provide livestock buffer feed stocking, as well as veterinary drugs, and will advise growers to plant drought-resistant forage for animal feed.

For the fishery sector, the DA will dispense fingerlings to replenish the projected production losses.

El Niño is expected to hit the country in the third quarter of this year until the first few months of next year. PND (as)

Palace welcomes high public awareness on West Philippine Sea issue
The Palace welcomes the high consciousness of Filipinos on the West Philippine Sea dispute issue, noting it will strengthen the country's position as it pushes for a peaceful resolution based on international law.

"A unified citizenry is needed in terms of asserting our national position on the need to respect our maritime entitlements, ayon doon sa international law, ang UN (United Nations) Convention on the Law of the Sea," Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said in a radio interview Saturday.

"Kaya para sa atin, ito ay isang positibong development—ang kakitaan natin ng mataas na kamalayan at kamulatan ang ating mga mamamayan."

The government is actively conducting an information dissemination campaign to raise awareness on the issue, he said.

Coloma also said that the Department of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency, has been holding regional and provincial information fora.

The DFA is using the three-part documentary produce by the government regarding the West Philippine Sea.

Asked if the Philippine government hopes to see Chinese President Xi Jinping during APEC Leaders' Meeting in November, Coloma said they expect all the leaders from the 21-APEC member economies to attend the meetings in Manila.

The Philippines filed an arbitration case against China in the international Arbitral Tribunal in connection with its claim in the West Philippine Sea.

While China is not participating in the case filed by the Philippines, it has released diplomatic statements claiming to be open to settling the dispute through bilateral negotiations. PND (as)

APEC members wants to match trade in services with trade in goods
(CEBU CITY, Cebu) Member economies of the APEC want to level the trade in services with trade in goods as the economic bloc sees a disparity in trade in goods compared with the trade in services in recent years, APEC Secretariat Executive Director Alan Bollard said on Saturday.

"The APEC region is very advanced on trade in goods, but it's actually not very advanced in trade in services," Bollard said in a press conference at Bayfront Hotel here.

"And that clearly is the big push for the future. So this year we've had a lot of discussions on that and that's continuing in meetings now."

APEC member economies are trying to work out how regulation makes it harder to trade in services, how to design policy, and find ways to identify the best practices within the APEC region for trade in services.

The delegates are also discussing how to encourage the region's supply chains to develop with services, he said adding they are organizing a database on how that works around the region.

Another focus is promoting good trade in the Asia Pacific region, he said.

"We're actually also spending more time now and we are concerned about bad trade, trying to rid the region of illegal logging trade, focusing on international money laundering, corruption and terrorist financing," he said.

Another issue is building resilient communities, a theme crafted by the Philippines for this year's hosting.

"Philippines has clearly lead the way, having learned to cope with a number of natural disasters over the years," Bollard said.

Discussions in APEC tackle disaster risk financing, disaster insurance, quick movement of equipment across borders during natural disasters, and ways to share information and experiences around the region.

Also during the meeting in Cebu, there's another push among APEC members on how to tackle urbanization and build better cities, he said. PND (as)

APEC Executive Director highlights changes in APEC over the years
CEBU CITY, Cebu) The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has changed a lot since it started 26 years ago, APEC Secretariat Executive Director Alan Bollard said on Saturday.

"It changed quite a lot and when we started at the end of the Cold War. It was one of those periods in history when things were changing. And the big focus was on tariffs and some other border restrictions like non-tariff barriers," Bollard said in a press conference at the International Media Center in Bayfront Hotel.

Today the focus of APEC discussions is how to carry out regulatory reform, ease of doing business, structural changes, business facilitation, (how to) make it easier to start up businesses and penetrate other markets.

It changed again with the economic bloc seeing a more enhanced supply chain coming in, he said.

The development of supply chains is interesting for the Philippines because it gives small businesses a chance to enter trade, which they couldn't generally do in the past

"There's a lot more on that, we're also looking at bad trade as well as good trade. And we've been looking at some health issues like MERS, avian bird flu, and all of that," he said.

Today, another focus of APEC is how to connect infrastructure, which is important for the region. There are also major interest in finance infrastructure and people mobility, he said.

The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) with its chair Doris Magsaysay Ho, and the Philippine group, are very active in APEC, according to Bollard.

One of the ABAC's interesting proposal is how to make it easier for people to move around the region. Currently, there is an active program for business people-- the APEC travel business card, Bollard explained.

APEC is starting to do similar arrangements for students who are traveling under scholarships based on some other agreed set up.

The "Earn, Learn, Return," proposed by ABAC, will allow people to travel and after earning and learning, they return to their home country. PND (as)

Study on realization of Asia Pacific free trade area underway-APEC exec
CEBU CITY, Cebu) The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies have started drafting the collective strategic study on issues related to the eventual realization of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) that aims to promote and advance regional economic integration.
“We agreed to enter a strategic study at the end of last year, that’s now under way… We put out the work plans for study,” said APEC Secretariat Executive Director Dr. Allan E. Bollard in a press briefing here.
Bollard said the drafting is being carried out by an FTAAP Task Force led by China and the United States. The FTAAP was endorsed by APEC Leaders in a Beijing Roadmap last November.
He said the draft version of the study will be submitted to APEC trade ministers early next year, while the final version will be reported to APEC Leaders when they meet in Peru by the end of 2016. Peru is next year’s APEC host economy.
 “It (FTAAP) is where the whole region might go possibly after a TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a set of arrangements, that could be the next big step,” he added.
The US-led TPP, the ASEAN-based RCEP process and the Pacific Alliance are the three proposed pathways to the FTAAP.
APEC economies believe that the FTAAP has a big potential to boost economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region. Once in place, it could dwarf all other economic arrangements ever made given its size and scope.
The 21 APEC member economies control half of the world trade and account for 60 percent of the global economy. They are home to nearly three billion consumers in some of the world’s most vibrant economies. PNA (ldv)



PTV-11 returns to Cebu’s airwaves with newly installed transmitter
After a four-year hiatus, PTV Channel 11 Cebu is making a comeback, following the installation of a brand new 10-kilowatt transmitter from Italy’s Advanced Broadcasting Electronics (ABE) Elettronica.

With the installation of the powerful transmitter, complemented by a 250-foot tower in Barangay Busay, Cebu City, PTV-11 Cebu’s programs are expected to reach an estimated three million viewers in Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and northern Negros.

“The revival of PTV-11 Cebu’s operations is in line with the Network’s commitment to provide quality television programs in key areas across the country,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said Friday.

Its rehabilitation coincides with the ongoing Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings, specifically the 3rd Senior Officials’ Meeting that began last August 29 and will run until September 11.

Secretary Coloma said the government has prioritized PTV’s operations by allotting P892 million for capital expenditure this year.

The five-year rehabilitation program, which began in 2012, allows PTV to modernize its facilities by acquiring cameras, studio equipment, vehicles and transmitters for its main office in Quezon City, as well as for its provincial stations across the country.

Under the rehabilitation program, PTV is upgrading its key regional offices in Naga, Baguio, Cebu, Zamboanga, Iloilo, Davao and Cotabato. The government-owned network is also improving its provincial stations in Calbayog, Tacloban, Dumaguete and Pagadian.

Putting the Cebu station back on air is a great accomplishment for the government to reach more Filipinos, especially those in the Visayas region, said Jan Co Chua, the Presidential Communications Operations Office's Undersecretary for Operations.

Chua said that as PTV widens its coverage, the government can disseminate information more effectively, aiding people in making enlightened decisions.

People in the Visayas can access PTV Cebu through Free TV 11 and Sky Cable Cebu Channel 3. PND (as)

APEC Senior Officials' meeting chair highlights importance of internet to economy, education
(CEBU CITY, Cebu) Chairperson of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Officials' Meeting, Laura del Rosario, said she hopes the meetings on Internet connectivity would convince APEC member economies of the importance of the Internet in economic development and education.

During a press conference here on Friday, del Rosario was asked if she thinks the discussions here in Cebu could bring in more investments to improve the speed of Internet connections in the country.

"It is not a matter of whether they will invest in Internet connectivity. What we are trying to say is that it will somehow remind all governments that Internet connection is very important," she said in response.

"The speed of Internet is really necessary for us to move forward. I believe that there are many Filipino investors, entrepreneurs, who can do their own investments in Internet connectivity."

Del Rosario further said that they are making sure that in discussing Internet connections, connectivity would become a priority for government planning.

"Therefore, this will be part of the things we are looking at in the telecommunications sector," she said.

The telecommunications sector is part of the working groups of the APEC and del Rosario said they are also looking at security issues because the Internet is also about ensuring a secure cyberspace.

At the same time, she said she hopes that local investors who have enough resources would study how the country could expand and improve its broadband connectivity to allow more people to access the Internet.

Del Rosario also highlighted the importance of connectivity to education, noting that the Internet also impacts the way governments educate their people. PND (as)


05 SEPTEMBER 2015
APEC Economic Committee lauds PH Competition Act In time for APEC talks on Structural Reform and Innovation
Philippines, Mongolia Co-Chair ASEAN regional forum workshop on Mongolia’s nuclear weapon free status
DAR launches farm business school in So. Leyte
DOJ sends ex-husband of mayoral candidate to prison for VAWC
Inflation down to another all-time low in August 2015
Agusan del Norte agrarian beneficiary bags Land Bank’s Ulirang Magsasaka award
DSWD warns public anew of text scams
PHL Ambassador to Canada conducts Official Visit To Newfoundland and Labrador
APEC to recognize women icons from MSMEs
PNP: Beware of robbers,shoplifters
Guingona champions need to bring back deleted BBL provisions in Senate version
BSP holds 2015 Awards Ceremony and Appreciation Lunch for Stakeholders in Region IX
PDIC to pay depositors of the closed Xavier-Punla Rural Bank, Inc. starting September 9
Three former BI commissioners, 6 others face raps over escape of convicted alien
Seasonally Adjusted Consumer Price Index (2006=100) : August 2015
Treats for gov’t workers on 115th civil service anniversary
Application for CSC clearance goes online
DSWD, NCFF enjoin public to celebrate Family Week this September

APEC Economic Committee lauds PH Competition Act In time for APEC talks on Structural Reform and Innovation
Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph
CEBU CITY – The Philippines’ recent passage of the Competition Act, lauded by the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Committee (EC), will promote innovation in various key industries, according to Deputy Director General Emmanuel F. Esguerra who is also the head of the Philippine delegation to the APEC Third Senior Officials Meeting (SOM3).

Rory McLeod, Chair of the APEC-EC, commended the passage of the Competition Law during the APEC-EC Second Plenary Meeting in Cebu City on September 2 and 3, 2015.

“APEC highlights the importance of competition laws and policies as they encourage innovation and free and fair competition among key industries, including manufacturing and logistics,” said Esguerra.

“The Competition Law ensures a level playing field in trade, industry and all commercial economic activities. It pushes firms to be innovative in improving goods and services, which, in turn, makes them more productive and efficient. As a result, consumers are provided with more choices of quality goods and services at lower prices,” he added.

Esguerra also stressed the need for firms to invest in innovation to sustain productivity and growth. In particular, it is important for their survival especially in a competitive market environment. Innovative firms adopt improved technology, designs, marketing and organizational approaches to enhance competitiveness in their industries.

“The development of ICT (Information and Communications Technology), for example, makes it easier for micro-small and medium enterprises to access global markets by use of online facilities, making them more competitive” said Esguerra.

The Philippines joins the more than 130 economies around the world that have implemented competition laws in one form or another, according to a study presented by the APEC Policy Support Unit during the EC meeting,

The Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting, set on September 7 and 8, 2015, will discuss, among others, reforms that seek to remove barriers to growth and open more and better local and global opportunities for industries, particularly MSMEs. These reforms are deemed critical for ensuring inclusivity of growth, the goal of APEC.

Aside from competition policies, Ministers will also discuss ease of doing business programs and public governance matters.

Esguerra said that while the competition policy in general can provide a framework in implementing related regulations, economies still need to tailor their policy reforms according to their respective circumstances and local challenges.

“Governments need to identify and recognize the effects that their policies have on innovation, so that they can make informed decisions about these policies, and if possible mitigate or remove impediments to firm-level innovation,” said Esguerra, who will serve as the head of delegation for the Philippines at the SRMM, which will be chaired by Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning Arsenio M. Balisacan.

The APEC Economic Policy Report 2015, with the theme of Structural Reform and Innovation, will have a chapter on Competition Policy and Innovation authored by the Philippines.

Philippines, Mongolia Co-Chair ASEAN regional forum workshop on Mongolia’s nuclear weapon free status
Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph
The Philippines, represented by Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Jesus Domingo, co-chaired the ASEAN Regional
Forum (ARF) Workshop on Mongolia’s Nuclear Weapon Free Status, with Mongolia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs State Secretary
Damba Gankhuyag on September 03 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The two-day workshop, initiated by Mongolia and supported by the Philippines in the framework of the ASEAN Regional Forum,
highlights Mongolia’s unique experience in establishing a Nuclear Weapon Free Status and its continuing efforts to promote its
status. Officials of the Mongolian government shared the history of Mongolia’s initiative to declare itself a nuclear weapons free
country arising from the imperative of its peculiar geographical location between two nuclear powers, Russia and China, and the
status of its pursuit of international recognition of this initiative. Other participants exchanged ideas on reinforcing existing Nuclear
Weapons Free Zones (NFWZs), news ways of promoting nuclear non-proliferation in non-traditional cases, and examined the current
practice of NWFZs like that of the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ). In examining the next steps, both
strategic and operational issues that can advance NWFZs in the wider context of non-proliferation were discussed.

In his closing remarks, Assistant Secretary Domingo said the Philippines looks forward to continue working with Mongolia on issues
on non-proliferation under the framework of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Speakers from government, civil society and the academe participated in the three panel sessions of the Workshop, including
Assistant Secretary Jesus Domingo, Dr. Jargalsaikhan Enkhsaikhan of Blue Banner, Mr. Yuriy Kryvonos of the United Nations
Regional Center for Peace and Development (UNRCPD), Deputy Director Dashdorj Bayarkhuu of Mongolia’s Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Col. Dorjjugder Munkh-Ochir of Mongolia’s Ministry of Defense, Mr. Jamiyandagva Adiyasuren of the Institute of Strategies
Studies of Mongolia, and Ms. Usana Berananda of the Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Thirty-nine (39) participants from 14 ARF member states namely, the Philippines, Mongolia, Thailand, Japan, China, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Australia, Lao PDR, Canada, Russia, Korea, Viet Nam, and the United States took part in the workshop.

DAR launches farm business school in So. Leyte
Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has recently launched a farm business school (FBS) in Barangay Hantag. Maasin City,
Southern Leyte to impart to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) knowledge and skills to make their farmlots more profitable.

Regional Director Sheila Enciso said thirty-one farmers, all ARBs and members of the Hantag Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc. (HAFAMCI), attended the first session.

She said that Barangay Hantag is part of the Maasin agrarian reform community (ARC) and was fortunate to be included among the 15 sites nationwide selected for this project.

Enciso said that Php128,000 is plowed to the site for the conduct of the training, that will take up to 25 sessions in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) thru the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).

Program Beneficiaries Development Division (PBDD) chief Melecia Ong explained that the “school” is an on-site training where
farmers learn about high value crops production and marketing of their produce.

The participants are expected to become agricultural entrepreneurs and will be developing their own 500-square meter lot under this project, she added

Ong stressed that the project is among the various support services extended to ARBs under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) to increase farmer’s income and contribute to food security. (JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA)

DOJ sends ex-husband of mayoral candidate to prison for VAWC
Source: http://www.doj.gov.ph
The Department of Justice scored another victory with the conviction of the estranged husband of a former municipal councilor for Violation of RA 9262 (Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children Act).

In a six-page Amended Decision, the Regional Trial Court of Surigao City Branch 29 found Jerry Escabal guilty beyond reasonable doubt for violation of the said law. He was meted the penalty of imprisonment for a period of three months of arresto mayor, and fine of P100,000.

In the Information, the Surigao City Prosecutor’s Office alleged that on April 22, 2011, Escabal “held tightly, box[ed], and made physical violence upon his wife, Liberata Escabal, thereby inflicting upon the latter physical injuries.”

Liberata served as Councilor of San Francisco (Anao-Aon), Surigao del Norte and later ran but lost during the mayoralty race in 2010.

It was alleged that the incident occurred after Liberata opened her “bodega” which she found locked with 2x2 pieces of wood nailed on its front door and blocked with used tires.

During trial, Escabal denied the charge.

He narrated that the two of them were married since December 9, 1989 but they lived separately after the elections, when their “fish buying” business suffered a lot prompting them to put up separate businesses but their bodegas are located beside each other.

He claimed at the time of the incident, he found his bodega “locked and blocked with tires and other objects” by his estranged wife.

But the court gave weight to the testimony of Liberata. It said “the bodega of accused had no problem at all. It was Liberata’s bodega that was blocked by him and she wanted the same opened. Hence, the subsequent scuffle resulted in bodily injuries upon
her.”

In his Decision, Presiding Judge Victor Canoy further said “since there was violence committed against his wife Liberata, the VAWC elements are present.”

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima commended government prosecutors for the successful prosecution of the case. She said, “The State recognizes that women and children are in a disadvantaged position in an abusive relationship. Hence, the law (RA 9262) was enacted to protect them.”

Inflation down to another all-time low in August 2015
Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph
MANILA – Downward price pressures in food, energy, and oil rates, restrained inflation to an all-time low of 0.6 percent in August 2015, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported today that the country’s headline inflation rate recorded its lowest level anew, tapering down to 0.6 percent in August 2015 from 0.8 percent in the previous month and 4.9 percent in August 2014.

“The current low inflation environment exhibited in the first eight months of 2015 has supported domestic demand, particularly household consumption, and we expect this to persist throughout the rest of the year,” said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.

Thus, the August 2015 inflation brought the year-to-date headline inflation to 1.7 percent, below the target range of 2.0 to 4.0 percent set by the government for 2015. But the figure was within both the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ forecast of 0.2-1.0 percent for the reference month and the market expectation of 0.6 percent for the reference period.

Meanwhile, headline inflation in the food subgroup continued to ease in August 2015 (1.2% from 1.3%) following slower price adjustments in almost all its sub-items such as breads and cereals, fish, and fruits. The stable bread prices benefitted from the steady decrease in the price of hard flour.

Also, lower electricity rates and oil prices significantly affected price movement of non-food commodities, which was slower at 0.2 percent in August 2015 from 0.4 percent in July 2015.

“Food inflation and international oil prices are expected to remain low and will constrain any upward price movements in the near term,” said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General.

Core inflation—which excludes selected volatile food and energy prices—also slid further to 1.6 percent from 1.9 percent in July 2015 and 3.4 percent in August 2014. Thus, for the first eight months of the year, core inflation averaged at 2.2 percent.

Furthermore, inflation in the National Capital Region was also slower in August 2015 relative to the previous month (0.2% from 0.8%), while inflation in the other regions of the country (0.8%) remained unchanged.

However, Balisacan noted that there is still an upside risk to inflation from the expected strengthening of the El Niño in the country in the coming months until early 2016.

“We need to reinforce our El Niño preparations to ensure food security. The strong collaboration of the national government, local government units, and the private sector is essential to the success of efforts to mitigate the effects of El Niño,” he said.

The NEDA is now spearheading the government task force on El Niño, and has started drafting the Roadmap to Address the Impact of El Niño (RAIN).

Agusan del Norte agrarian beneficiary bags Land Bank’s Ulirang Magsasaka award
Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph
Agrarian reform beneficiary Ruben Ragas, a vegetable farmer of Barangay Sanghan, Cabadbaran City, bagged the 2015 Ulirang Magsasaka award for Land Bank of the Philippine’s (LBP) Gawad sa Pinakatanging Kooperatiba (Gawad Pitak 2015) during its 52nd anniversary celebration.

Ragas and his wife Fe joyfully received the coveted award from Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. along with Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, LBP President & CEO Gilda Pico, LBP Treasurer Roberto Tan and CDA Chairman Orlando Ravanera.

“Winning P100,000.00 worth of fixed assets is a big blessing and a great reward for my years of productive hard work tilling the land awarded to me by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR),” said Ragas.

In 2014, Ragas was also conferred as Ulirang Magsasaka 1st runner-up honors during the 24th Gawad Pitak where he won P75,000.00 fixed assets.

“I really appreciate Land Bank for recognizing our efforts and performance. It encourages us to do more for our families and to the community,” Ragas said.

Ragas has been tilling the land awarded to him by the DAR for 15 years. He practices integrated diversified farming where he produces a variety of crops and at the same time raises animals in his farm.

Ragas said he owes his success to DAR for the land and for empowering him with knowledge and opportunities through the department’s various programs and projects.

DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Andre Atega congratulated Ragas and his family for this milestone in their lives. “His success is also the success of DAR. His milestones depict the work we do in agrarian reform communities,” Atega said.

The Gawad Pitak award gives recognition to the farmer-sector and cooperatives whose hard work and effort promote positive outcome toward progress. The awarding was held on August 7, 2015 at the Land Bank Plaza in Malate, Manila. (Gil E. Miranda)

DSWD warns public anew of text scams
Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) warns the public anew on text scams that continue to circulate.

The text message contains the following: “Congratulations, from President Noy-Noy Aquino Foundation 4Ps Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, your sim # won P950,000 as second prize winner in the Handog Pangkabuhayan raffle promo, DTI P#9513 s’12. Please text your complete name, age, address. ”

“Do not believe this text message. There is no truth about this because the DSWD, as the lead implementor of Pantwid Pamilya, does not hold or engage in any raffle promo or draw. Pantawid Pamilya does not also give away prizes. And there is no Noy-Noy Aquino Foundation 4Ps Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program,” DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said.

The DSWD urges all those who will receive this text message not to respond but instead to immediately report this to the nearest DSWD office or text to the Pantawid Pamilya Grievance Text Hotline: 0918-912-2813.

Pantawid Pamilya is a program of the national government that provides cash grants to poor households in exchange of complying with the conditionalities of the program. It is a human development program that invests in the health and education of poor households primarily of children aged 0-14.

PHL Ambassador to Canada conducts Official Visit To Newfoundland and Labrador
Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph
04 September 2015 - Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila P. Garcia undertook an Official Visit to St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador from August 24 to 26. The Ambassador was accompanied by a consular team from the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, led by Minister and Consul Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo.

In the course of her visit, the Ambassador met with top officials of the provincial government of Newfoundland & Labrador, including Lt. Governor Frank F. Fagan and Mrs. Mary Patricia Fagan, the Mayor of St. John’s Dennis O’Keefe & Councilor Tom Hann, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Deputy Government House Leader Keith Hutchings, and Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees Glenn Littlejohn.
Ambassador Garcia also held a meeting with officials of the Fisheries and Marine Institute of the Memorial Industry of Newfoundland. The Institute has several projects in the Philippines in the field of Marine conservation, and also with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in the area of education.

Newfoundland and Labrador is home to more than a thousand Filipino-Canadians who have made the province their home. Most are working in the medical, engineering, and accounting professions and have established their families in this Atlantic province. There are also around two hundred temporary workers in the service sector. Being a port city, many ships manned by Filipino seafarers dock in the port of St. John’s, and the commercial establishments of the city cater to the needs of the crewmembers who are on their R and R.

Ambassador Garcia met with the Filipino community in Newfoundland and Labrador and took the opportunity to update the community on the developments back home in the Philippines and the projects of the Embassy.

APEC to recognize women icons from MSMEs
Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph
The upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Women and the Economy (APEC WE) 2015 Fora will mark the accomplishments of extraordinary women icons from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) representing APEC economy through a special exhibition entitled Iconograph.

Iconograph, which is one of the parallel events of the fora, will feature stories and images of outstanding women who are prime movers of inclusive growth and significant contributors to domestic and global economic activities.

“We recognize and applaud the vision, leadership, commitment and drive demonstrated by these women in running their enterprises and may they serve as inspiration to the many other aspiring women entrepreneurs across the Asia-Pacific region,” DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo said.

Last July, each APEC economy was requested to nominate one individual who has made remarkable achievements in the MSME sector. The choice for the women icons went through a very rigorous selection process. They were selected based on mandatory considerations, business model and performance, role model attribute, impact on other women, vision and leadership, community service and social commitment.

“The stories portrayed by the women icons are in line with the goals of the APEC Women and Economy Fora which are to ensure gender equality and create new economic opportunities for women,” said DTI Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado, also the Chair of APEC WE 2015 Fora.

Staged by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the exhibit aligns itself with the objectives of fostering the participation of SMEs in the global economy, particularly within the Asia-Pacific region.

The Fora, which is jointly organized by the Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippine Commission on Women, and the Women’s Business Council Philippines, has emerged as a conscious effort by women representatives to take stock of past achievements, identify present and continuing barriers as well as appropriate interventions, and support future aspirations for women’s full participation. The fora shall focus on five priority areas where women’s potential remain untapped and these are access to capital; access to markets; capacity and skills building; women’s leadership; and access to technology and innovation.

The exhibit will run from September 16-18, 2015 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. For more information, you may visit http://apec2015.ph/women/ or email CITEM at info@citem.com.ph

PNP: Beware of robbers,shoplifters
Source: http://www.pnp.gov.ph
The Philippine National Police today alerted the public to be vigilant against robbers and shoplifters with the onset of “-ber” months.

According to PNP Chief Police Director General Ricardo C. Marquez crime can happen to anyone at the most unexpected time, and to combat crime the public must be kept informed of the various modus operandi of criminals.

These criminals are known to be part of Salisi Gang, Laglag barya Gang, Besfren Gang, Tutok-Kalawit Gang, Ipit/Ipit-Taxi Gang, Laslas Bag/Bulsa, Estribo Gang, Dura Boys, Pitas Gang and other groups with same strategy using other modes of criminal operation.

During the regular Lambat Sibat meeting in Camp Crame on Wednesday, the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) noted a significant decrease in Robbery and Theft for the past week. From an average of 794 cases per week on June 2014 to January 2015, Robbery and Theft continuously dipped to 273 recorded incidents last week, August 24-30.
In line with the Lambat-Sibat campaign initiated by DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, the qualitative analysis (fromAugust 24 to 30 2015) conducted by the DIDM has recorded that 20% of theft cases is due to shoplifting.

DIDM also noted that 27% of recorded robbery incidents occurred from 12:01 AM to 4:00 AM.

Furthermore, the DIDM identified streets (31%), residential areas (26%) and PUVs (21%) as the most places where robbery incidents exist.

Earlier this month, NCRPO Director Police Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao, started to deploy 70% of its 19,000-strong police personnel to strengthen security operations in the ground.

“While the PNP is fielding additional foot and mobile patrolers, the public must also be wary to what is really happening in their communities and in the streets” the Chief PNP said as he urged the public to work with the police on its anti-criminality initiatives.

Even if the cases of robbery and theft in Metro Manila are on its downtrend, PDG Marquez wants the public to be more observant and alert at all times.

The PNP’s Oplan Lambat-Sibat, regularly audit crime incident reports at the police station level and use its data to further generate and identify “crime hot spots” and “crime patterns” where and when intensified police interventions are necessary.

These interventions include strategically-placed checkpoints, foot &mobile patrols, focused and intelligence-driven operations against most wanted persons and member of criminal gangs. (PNP-PIO)

Guingona champions need to bring back deleted BBL provisions in Senate version
Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph
Manila – During Wednesday's Senate plenary hearing on the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR), the amended version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) authored by Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. as Senate Committee on Local Government chair, Senator Teofisto “TG” D. Guingona III questioned the deletions from the original draft, which he believed were vital to the identity and operation of the autonomous region.

“My review of the BBL takes off from the following objectives: first, to highlight the primacy of the Constitution as basis and framework for the mandate of government in peace negotiations and creations of autonomous regions. Second is to acknowledge the nature, context, and significance of the draft BBL both as a legislative measure and a peace process instrument,” explained Guingona.

The lawmaker from Bukidnon began his interpellation by questioning the deletion of the preamble in the Senate BLBAR filed as Senate Bill No. 2894. Guingona argued that Republic Act No. 9054, the bill’s predecessor and the implementing law of the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, also a carried a preamble and that had not been found as “constitutionally repugnant.” Republic Act 6734, which preceded R.A. 9054 and established the ARMM, also include a preamble or prefatory statement.

Marcos explained that “constitutionality did not really come into the reasoning that led to the removal of the preamble.” He added that it was done to “remove any suspicion or fear that we are writing a constitution for a separate state.” Conversely, Guingona countered that a preamble is simply an “introductory statement” that “usually states the reasons or/and the intent of [a] law.”

“It would be helpful to have preamble because it will prevent confusion. A preamble is a statement of intent. If you are saying there are fears that [the Bangsamoro] might not be part of the Philippines, that this might be a first step [toward secession], then let us state ‘it is not so’ in the preamble,” added Guingona.

Matter of inland waters

“Inland waters jurisdiction has already been given over to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao under R.A. 9054. This has been taken away in [the BLBAR],” said Guingona, adding that the 1987 Philippine Constitution also guarantees autonomous regions to have jurisdiction over natural resources such as inland waters.

Natural resources as well as economic development are among the legislative powers listed under Section 20, Article X of the 1987 Philippine Constitution that can be vested by organic acts, such as the BBL and the BLBAR, to autonomous regions.

Marcos commented that his committee only intended to preserve the powers of local government units over inland waters as guided by the Local Government Code of 1991. He added that the Bangsamoro parliament, once established, could always pass laws that would enhance the regional government’s administration and management over inland waters.

However, Senate President Franklin Drilon, in his questioning, pointed out that authority was not given to the Bangsamoro government to amend the said code. “[The Bangsamoro] cannot transgress national laws. Therefore, I think we should already give them the jurisdiction over the preservation and management of inland waters,” Guingona seconded.

Other deletions grilled

Guingona directed his next questions on the deletion of provisions referring to the Shari’ah High Court. “From my review, I do not see anything unconstitutional in retaining the Shari’ah High Court.”

Quoting the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the solon from Bukidnon explained that “judicial powers shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower courts as may be established by law.”

Despite the name, the original draft of the BBL clearly stated that the decisions of the Shari’ah High Court are subject to the judicial review of the Supreme Court.

Marcos said that the deletion was motivated by an attempt to streamline operations and cut cost, citing the low number of cases shari’ah courts established under Presidential Decree No. 1083 have been receiving. “There is no legal principle we are trying to impose in the deletion of those provisions,” commented Marcos.

Guingona contradicted Marcos’ statements by highlighting that the establishment of the Shari’ah Courts was not a simple matter of case load. “The closest analogy is the Court of Tax Appeals because taxation, being a complex matter, Congress saw it fit to create a Court of Tax Appeals when we could have done without it with the presence of the Court of Appeals.”

“[Shari’ah law] is not just complex in terms of being technical, but there are cultural and religious aspects on this matter which the Court of Appeals justice may not be predisposed to handle,” added Guingona.

Moving on to the provision on the Special Development Fund (SDF), a P17 billion cash fund which will be disbursed to the Bangsamoro government by the national government for purposes of rehabilitation and development, Marcos admitted that he did not see the purpose for establishing such a fund.

Guingona, who hails from Mindanao, disputed that there was an actual and immediate need for the SDF. “I see a need and I see an opportunity: the need is that the [would-be Bangsamoro] is one of the poorest, if not the poorest areas in the country. The poverty is stark, illiteracy is high, and health conditions are below par. Clearly, there is a need.”

“Secondly, here we are creating a Bangsamoro autonomous region, a new entity. This is an opportunity. We do not want it to fail like ARMM. Therefore, if we just give them political autonomy without giving them the financial wherewithal, then we are just dooming them to failure,” Guingona continued.

“Their success in the Bangsamoro will be our success. Their success will be the success of this country,” he added.

GOCCs vs local enterprises

Guingona also asked Marcos why provisions on the creation of government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) had been deleted. “We shall say that whatever [the Bangsamoro government] passes, whatever they create shall be consistent with the Constitution, pertinent laws and Republic Act No. 10149, the GOCC Governance Act of 2011.”

Marcos yielded that the Bangsamoro, similar to local government units, could create economic enterprises. “What a local government does is create what we referred to as an economic enterprise. It is a financial operation where the local government makes money. Tourism, for example, a resort, a restaurant, whatever it is, development of a mall - that is an economic enterprise. And there is nothing that holds an LGU.”

Senator Ralph Recto, at this point, took the floor and offered an additional explanation. “But the only confusion again is: What is a GOCC? What is a local public enterprise? They are very similar. So, yes, local governments, and I think the Bangsamoro region should be allowed to create a local GOCC or a local public enterprise.”

“We must provide the Bangsamoro region with the legal authority to create whatever we want to call it, a GOCC, a local GOCC, or a local public enterprise,” Recto concluded.

After his interpellation, Guingona reserved the right to bring up the matters discussed in a future time. The Senate suspension was suspended until Monday, 7 September.

BSP holds 2015 Awards Ceremony and Appreciation Lunch for Stakeholders in Region IX
Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will hold the 2015 Awards Ceremony and Appreciation Lunch for its stakeholders in Region IX to give recognition to partners that have provided exemplary support to the BSP’s statistical initiatives, information requirements, and advocacy programs. Focusing on the theme “12 Years and Beyond: Celebrating Strong Partnerships and Successful Collaboration,” the event will be held on Tuesday, 8 September 2015, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Multi-Purpose Room, BSP Zamboanga New Generation Building, Zamboanga City, as part of the BSP’s 22nd anniversary celebration.

Monetary Board Member Valentin A. Araneta will lead in honoring this year’s awardees and stakeholders.

The BSP will give three awards for outstanding partners—two for the Business Expectations Survey (BES) and one for Source of Information for the Report on Regional Economic Developments.

The Outstanding Respondent among Large and Medium Firms and the Outstanding Respondent among Small Firms will be conferred to the BES respondents selected from among the country’s top corporations in Region IX that have participated regularly in the survey by providing timely, complete, accurate and consistent responses. The Outstanding Partner for Source of Information for the Report on Regional Economic Developments will be awarded to the agency or institution that provided the BSP with information support for an effective environment scan of Region IX.

This occasion is the eighth leg of the BSP’s regional stakeholders’ events which will be held from July to September 2015 in 12 areas outside the National Capital Region (AONCR) to honor stakeholders in various award categories. Stakeholders of the BSP in the National Capital Region were earlier recognized during the awards ceremony held last 14 July 2015 at the BSP Main Office.

This event is expected to further strengthen the partnerships between the BSP and its stakeholders in information gathering and advocacy campaigns that will help it carry out its mandate of maintaining price stability and promoting financial stability as well as ensuring an efficient payments and settlements system in the country.

PDIC to pay depositors of the closed Xavier-Punla Rural Bank, Inc. starting September 9
Source: http://www.pdic.gov.ph
The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) will service the deposit insurance claims of depositors of the closed Xavier-Punla Rural Bank, Inc. on September 9 and 10, 2015, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the bank's premises located at Poblacion, Pangantucan, Bukidnon.

Depositors with valid deposit balances of P100,000 and below, with complete mailing address found in the bank records or updated through the Mailing Address Update Form, without any outstanding obligation with the bank, and whose deposits have been evaluated to be eligible for early payment, do not need to file deposit insurance claims.

Depositors required to file deposit insurance claims are those with account balances of more than P100,000, those with outstanding obligations with the bank, with incomplete mailing address, those who maintain the account under the name of business entities, or those with accounts not eligible for early payment, regardless of type of account and account balance. The announcement on the claims settlement operations of Xavier-Punla Rural Bank is posted at its offices and in the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph.

When filing claims for deposit insurance, depositors are advised to personally present the original copy of evidence of deposit such as Savings Passbook and Certificate of Time Deposit, and two (2) valid photo-bearing IDs with signature of the depositor. Depositors who were not able to come personally may file their claims through mail and enclose the same set of documentary requirements with a notarized Claim Form.

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

The procedures and requirements for filing of deposit insurance claims are posted in the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph. The Claim Form and format of the SPA may also be downloaded from the PDIC website. PDIC will not accept claims which are incomplete or lacking in requirements.

Depositors who are not able to file their claims during the claims settlement operations period may submit their claims either through mail to PDIC or personally at the PDIC Public Assistance Center, 3rd Floor, SSS Bldg., 6782 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City starting on September 21, 2015.

PDIC reiterates that it will not accept claims with incomplete requirements. The deposit insurer may also require other documents in the course of processing of claims.

In accordance with the provisions of the PDIC Charter, the last day for filing deposit insurance claims in the closed Xavier-Punla Rural Bank is on August 24, 2017. After this date, PDIC as Deposit Insurer shall no longer accept any deposit insurance claims.

The PDIC said that all valid claims will be paid. For deposits to be considered valid, it must be recorded in the bank's records and must have evidence of inflow of funds, based on the results of PDIC examination. PDIC, as Receiver, has the authority to adjust the interest rate on unpaid interests on deposits of a bank if such rate is deemed unreasonable.

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

Three former BI commissioners, 6 others face raps over escape of convicted alien
Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales found probable cause to indict former Bureau of Immigration (BI) commissioners Teodoro Delarmente, Roy Almoro and Jose Cabochan for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) over irregularities in the issuance of medical passes and Summary Deportation Order (SDO) in favor of a certain Vo Van Duc, a suspected terrorist convicted of unlawful manufacture and possession of explosives.

The Ombudsman also ordered the filing of charges against former acting chief of the PNP Civil Security Unit Wendy Rosario, former BI chief of staff Alejandro Fernandez, former acting warden Noel Espinosa, former legal aide Richard Perez, former security escort Francis Agana and former confidential agent Joselito Pagaduan for violation of RA 3019 and Article 224 of the Revised Penal Code (Evasion through Negligence).

Investigation revealed that Delarmente, Rosario, Espinosa and Agana were responsible for the issuance of medical passes on several dates in 2005 to Van Duc despite the absence of the required recommendation of the BI physician and for allowing him to enjoy temporary liberty for three weeks.

“Apparently, the medical passes issued by Delarmente had no basis but the ‘request’ made by Van Duc himself. Further, the medical passes made it possible for Van Duc to leave the BI Detention Center and enjoy the comforts of staying in an apartelle. All these respondents, conspiring with Delarmente, acted with manifest partiality and evident bad faith in giving Van Duc unwarranted benefit,” stated the Resolution.

On the other hand, Delarmente, Almoro, Cabochan, Fernandez and Perez were found to have violated the rules in summary deportation proceedings when the SDO was issued based on an outdated 4-year old charge sheet and without the conduct of any semblance of a hearing by the commissioners, which facilitated Van Duc’s escape from the country.

The Resolution cited that the “SDO was flawed from its very inception, as it did not go through the proper procedure under the BI rules. At the outset, records do not disclose any memorandum from the special prosecutor recommending summary proceeding. Secondly, the SDO was not prepared by the Board of Special Inquiry but by respondent Perez, allegedly upon the orders of respondent Fernandez.”

Seasonally Adjusted Consumer Price Index (2006=100) : August 2015
Source: http://www.psa.gov.ph
Month-on-Month Growth Rates

Philippines

At the national level, the seasonally adjusted CPI for all items grew by 0.2 percent in August from a zero growth in July. Higher monthly increments were recorded in the indices of furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services at 0.2 percent in August from 0.1 percent in July; recreation and culture index, 0.1 percent from zero growth; and education index, 0.3 percent from 0.2 percent. On the other hand, the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels index declined by 0.1 percent from -0.2 percent. Moreover, the clothing and footwear index moved up at a slower pace of 0.1 percent from 0.2 percent. The alcoholic beverages and tobacco index retained its last month’s rate of 0.8 percent and health index, 0.1 percent.

The lean season of August pushed up the indices of all items; clothing and footwear; health; recreation and culture; and education relative to the expected trend. However, the alcoholic beverages and tobacco index was pulled down by this seasonal factor during the month. The indices of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; furnishing household equipment and routine maintenance of the house; and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services indices were not affected by this seasonal factor.

National Capital Region (NCR)

In NCR, the month-on-month change of the seasonally adjusted CPI for education went up by 0.4 percent in August from zero growth in July. On the contrary, the transport index dropped by 0.3 percent from -0.4 percent while movements in alcoholic beverages and tobacco index remained at 0.4 percent; non-food index, -0.1 percent; and furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house, 0.1 percent.

Relative to the expected trend, the seasonal factor experienced during the lean month of August raised the indices of non-food; transport; and education. Meanwhile, this seasonal factor pushed down the indices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco and furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house.

Areas Outside the National Capital Region (AONCR)

In AONCR, higher monthly gains were posted in recreation and culture index at 0.1 percent in August from -0.1 percent in July and education index, 0.5 percent from zero growth. The housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels index, however, decreased by 0.2 percent. Likewise, the monthly growth in alcoholic beverages and tobacco index slowed to 0.5 percent from 0.6 percent and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services, 0.1 percent from 0.2 percent. Movements in the clothing and footwear and health indices remained at 0.1 percent and furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house index, 0.2 percent.

The lean month of August advanced the indices of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; recreation and culture; and education relative to the expected trend. On the other hand, this seasonal factor pulled down the alcoholic beverages and tobacco index while it did not affect the indices of clothing and footwear; furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house; health and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services.

Treats for gov’t workers on 115th civil service anniversary
Source: http://www.csc.gov.ph
Special discount packages await government employees as the entire bureaucracy celebrates the 115th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary (PCSA), the Civil Service Commission (CSC) announced.

From September 25 to 27, 2015, state workers can avail themselves of 10% discount at all SM Department Stores nationwide, valid on regular-priced items for a minimum purchase of PHP500. SM Appliance Centers will offer 5% discount nationwide, as well as financing promos for select branches in Metro Manila and nearby Luzon. Shoppers at SM Supermarket and SM Hypermarket will get a free item with a minimum purchase of PHP500. A list of exempted items has been provided.

To be eligible for the said promos, civil servants should present their official government office ID or Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) ID card, including an SM Advantage Card, SM Prestige Card, MOM Card, or BDO Rewards Card. CSC Announcement No. 53, s.2015

From September 1 to December 31, 2015, Executive Optical branches are offering up to 20% discount on exclusive frames and sunglasses, up to 10% discount on signature frames and sunglasses except for select brands, and free services. State workers only need to present their official government office ID and/or GSIS ID to qualify for the benefit, which is transferable to the employee's dependents. CSC Announcement No. 51, s.2015

Red Ribbon is also offering a 10% discount for a minimum purchase of PHP350 from September 15 to November 15, 2015. Government employees will also get a free 12 oz. iced tea for every PHP200 purchase at any Chowking store for the whole month of September. CSC Announcement No. 55, s.2015

The National Museum will provide government employees free admission this September to the National Museum of Anthropology, National Museum of Fine Arts, National Planetarium, and its branch museums nationwide. CSC Announcement No. 54, s.2015

The Manila Ocean Park is offering discounted packages for entrance to its attractions. Government employees may purchase a maximum of 10 tickets for their family and friends. Schedule of ticket reservations at the Manila Ocean Park Reservation Office is from Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ticket validity is from September 1 to December 31, 2015. CSC Announcement No. 49, s.2015

Star City is also offering a PHP280/Ride-All-You-Can (RAYC) ticket (discounted from PHP420) to government employees and three (3) of their family members. This treat is available from September 4-6, 2015 and September 11-30, 2015; Monday to Thursday (4 p.m. onwards) and Friday, Saturday, Sunday (2 p.m. onwards). CSC Announcement No. 50, s.2015

To avail of the museum and theme park promos, government employees must present their office ID or GSIS ID card at the reservation or ticketing booths and the service gates.

Civil servants are urged to read the announcements at www.csc.gov.ph for more details on the PCSA promotions.

Themed “Kayang-Kaya Mo, Lingkod Bayani”, the month-long PCSA celebration aims not only to commemorate the establishment of the Philippine Civil Service in 1900, but also to recognize the contributions and achievements of civil servants in national development.

Aside from special treats, the CSC is spearheading the R.A.C.E. to Serve V Fun Run on September 12, 2015 at the Quirino Grandstand, and the 5th Government Choral Competition Grand Finals on September 15, 2015 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Application for CSC clearance goes online
Source: http://www.csc.gov.ph
As part of efforts to improve its services, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) has made the application for clearance more convenient through online application.

The CSC clearance is a document certifying that an individual has no pending administrative case with the CSC and is used mostly for employment, promotion, transfer of office, or retirement.

Starting August, applicants for CSC clearance may download a digital form from the CSC website. The form should be filled out and submitted via e-mail to cscclearance@csc.gov.ph.

If the applicant prefers to receive the clearance through mail, he or she must send a Postal Money Order payable to Civil Service Commission in the amount of P100.00 together with a self-addressed and stamped envelope.

If the applicant opts to personally pick-up the clearance, he or she must proceed to the CSC Central Office in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, pay P100.00 to the cashier, and pick up the clearance from the Public Assistance and Complaints Desk.

The shift to online application would especially benefit clients with special needs such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women.

It must be emphasized that the allotted time for verification and preparation of clearance certification is 20 minutes per individual. In case of bulk applications, the processing time would be 20 minutes multiplied by the number of individuals included in the request. (Example: If five employees from the same agency filed a single request for clearance, it will take 100 minutes or 1 hour and 40 minutes to process all five applications.)

The CSC processes an average of 50 requests daily, which are received through mail or from walk-in clients.

Civil Service Commission, Constitution Hills, Batasang Pambansa Complex Diliman 1126 Quezon City, Philippines [ Get direction ]

CSC Trunklines : 931-8092 / 931-7939 / 931-7935 | Text CSC : 0917-839-8272 | Para sa taumBAYAN hotline : 951-2575 / 951-2576 / 932-0111

DSWD, NCFF enjoin public to celebrate Family Week this September
Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph
The National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF) chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) enjoins the whole nation to celebrate the National Family Week this September by holding activities that promote family unity and harmony.

The National Family Week is a yearly celebration pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 60 signed on Sept. 28, 1992 and Executive Order No. 241 dated June 9, 1995. It carries the theme “Gender Equality and Children’s Rights in Contemporary Families. ”

The NCFF, in partnership with the local government unit (LGU) of Muntinlupa City, which is this year’s host-LGU, will conduct a series of activities to highlight the importance of keeping families strong especially in this modern age where many social issues have emerged that threaten family relationships.

A motorcade and opening program on September 5 to be led by DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, Muntinlipa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, and Congressman Rodolfo Biazon will serve as kick-off activity .

Then on September 11, an interfaith festival will be held at the Expo Trade Hall Festival Mall in Alabang.

On the other hand, DSWD will organize the 4th National Family Conference on September 17 to be conducted also at the Festival Mall.

A photo contest and paper art contest focusing on this year’s theme will also be staged. The entries will be showcased in Alabang Town Center and SM Muntinlupa City, respectively.

The culminating program will be held on September 25 which is also the “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga” Day, an annual declaration where every family is encouraged to spend dinner together.

Finally, during the closing ceremony, the DSWD, NCFF, and Muntilunpa City will recognize model families in the city.

 
INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
DZRB / “Pilipinas! Pilipinas!” kasama sina Albert Sebastian at Efren Montano
06 September 2015
 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Mr. Sampang: Sa unang katanungan po, mula po sa ating mga kasamahan mula sa press corps, ang unang katanungan po ay detalye raw po doon sa MILF-OIC (Moro Islamic Liberation Front / Organization of Islamic Cooperation) meeting next week. Tutulong daw po ba o ang gobyerno raw po ba ay hihingi ng tulong ng OIC, lalong-lalo na pagdating dito po sa Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL)?

SEC. COLOMA: Ito po ang pahayag ni Secretary Ging Deles ng Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process:

“The meeting being held in Manila next week is an informal technical meeting of the tripartite review process to prepare for the formal tripartite meeting, which is proposed to be held in November. The agenda of the meeting is charting a roadmap for a successful conclusion of the tripartite process.”

Ibig sabihin lang, Rey, paghahanda lang ito dahil ‘yung [gaganapin] na formal tripartite meeting ay sa Nobyembre pa at patungkol nga ito sa prosesong pangkapayapaan.

Mr. Sampang: Secretary, patungkol pa rin sa BBL, sapagkat ang Bangsamoro Basic Law, lalong-lalo na po pagdating sa Kongreso at Senado, sinabi ho nila isa ho ‘yan doon sa mga ilalatag nilang priority bills. Aabot po ba kaya pagdating lalo na sa larangan ng Kongreso ito hong BBL kung sakaling mag-re-recess na naman ang Kongreso?

SEC. COLOMA: Patuloy tayong nakikipag-ugnayan sa mga lider ng Kongreso at buo ‘yung ating pag-asa na ito ay maipapatupad ng Kongreso nang napapanahon, Rey. Ibig lang sabihin, umaasa tayo na ipagpapatuloy at makukumpleto ‘yung mga plenary deliberation, at maisasagawa nila ‘yung proseso ng pag-amyenda tungo sa pagpasa ng katanggap-tanggap na BBL para naman maipagpatuloy at makumpleto ‘yung prosesong pangkapayapaan.

Mr. Sampang: Secretary, sa iba pang mga katanungan, mula po sa Malacañang Press Corps pa rin ito. Ano raw po ang statement ng Palasyo patungkol po rito sa panawagan ni Governor Johnny Pimentel para sa militar na i-disarm o i-disband ‘yung mga armed group? Dahil mayroon daw pong mga armed group dito (na) gumagawa ng mga atrocity laban sa mga indigenous people (IP), at mukhang 3,000 katao na po ang na-evacuate dahil po sa patuloy na karahasan doon, Secretary.

SEC. COLOMA: Ayon sa Philippine Army, nagpadala na sila ng puwersa mula sa 4th Infantry Division upang suportahan ang Philippine National Police (PNP) sa isinasagawang law enforcement operations hinggil sa naganap na insidente ng panununog na ikinasawi ng tatlong sibilyan sa Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur noong nakaraang linggo, at ito ay nagbunsod sa paglikas ng marami sa ating mga kababayang kabilang sa indigenous peoples mula sa kanilang mga tahanan.

Nakikipag-ugnayan ang PNP at AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) sa pamahalaang lokal ng Lianga at pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Surigao del Sur sa pamumuno ni Governor Johnny Pimentel sa pagtugis at agarang pagdakip ng mga salarin. Nakikipagpulong na rin ang AFP sa lahat ng grupo hinggil sa maayos na pamamahagi ng relief goods at pagbibigay ng serbisyong medikal sa mga apektadong komunidad, pagsasagawa ng peace dialogue sa mga IP leader, pag-disarma ng mga armadong elemento, pagsasampa ng kaukulang kaso sa mga sangkot sa insidente, at pagpapanatili sa kaayusan at katahimikan sa apektadong lugar, Rey.

Mr. Sampang: Secretary, isang katanungan, makakaapekto po ba itong nangyayari ngayon sa Mindanao dito po sa isinusulong na BBL?

SEC. COLOMA: Sinisikap nating matugunan ‘yung sitwasyon diyan dahil medyo masalimuot. Mayroong elemento ng insurgency, mayroon ding elemento ng mga iba’t ibang conflict diyan sa lugar na ‘yan, at siyempre sinisikap natin na ito ay hindi lumikha ng dagdag pang ligalig sa ating mga mamamayan dahil kasama ‘yung ating mga indigenous people sa ating itinataguyod na peace process. Kinakailangang mailagay sila sa maayos at tahimik na sitwasyon kaya agarang kumikilos ang pamahalaan upang tugunan ‘yung kaganapan na bunsod ng insidente noong nakaraang linggo, Rey.

Mr. Sampang: And of course, Secretary, itong ating mga government agency katulad ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) ay, hopefully, in close coordination sa mga local government unit natin para mabigyan ng ayuda itong mga indigenous people na na-di-displace?

SEC. COLOMA: May nagkakaisang kilos ang lahat ng mga concerned government agency diyan, Rey, kabilang na nga ‘yung Department of Social Welfare and Development. Masinsin na nakikipag-ugnayan sa PNP at saka sa AFP at sa lokal na pamahalaan para tiyakin ‘yung agarang pagbibigay ng pagkain at relief goods para maibsan naman ‘yung sitwasyon diyan na bunsod nga ng karahasan na nagaganap sa area na pinag-uusapan natin.

Mr. Sampang: Secretary, kung mamarapatin po ninyo, mayroong isang article na sinasabi “inflation down to another all-time low” nito pong buwan ng Agosto. Magandang balita po ito, lalong-lalo na sa mga nakakaintindi ng figures, ano po. Pero sa mga ordinaryong mamamayan po natin na nakikinig ngayon, ano po ba ang ibig sabihin kapag bumaba ang inflation sa all-time low nitong buwan ng Agosto?

SEC. COLOMA: Mahalagang elemento ‘yan, Rey, sa pagpapatatag ng ating ekonomiya. ‘Yung inflation kasi, sa simpleng salita, ‘yon ‘yung pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin. At kung mataas ang inflation nababawasan ‘yung purchasing power ng piso natin. Halimbawa, kung 10 percent ang inflation rate natin, ‘yung datihang 100 piso, 90 pesos na lang ang mabibiling halaga dahil nga tumaas na ng 10 porsyento ‘yung halaga ng mga bilihin. Kaya’t habang mababa ito ay napakainam para sa ating ekonomiya, dahil ibig sabihin lang napoprotektahan o na-pre-preserve ‘yung purchasing power of the peso, at ito ay senyales ng mahusay na pagmamaneho ng ekonomiya.

Kapag mababa ang inflation, ibig sabihin naipapagtugma nang mahusay ‘yung mga elemento ng supply doon sa elemento ng demand. Hindi nagkakaroon ng mga artificial shortage dahil ‘yung ganyan, ‘yung mismatch between supply and demand, ‘yan ay lumilikha rin ng inflationary pressure; at kapag hindi maayos ang takbo ng ekonomiya, pangkaraniwan na resulta ‘yang inflation. Kaya’t ito ay masasabi nating magandang epekto ng overall sound macroeconomic management ng ating pamahalaan, at pwede nating ipagmalaki na sa buong rehiyon—maaaring sa buong mundo pa nga—tayo ay mayroong pinakamababang inflation rate na katulad ng nabanggit mo, Rey.

Mr. Sampang: Secretary, siguro maski na ‘yung nangyayari ngayon sa China na nag-i-slowdown ‘yung kanilang ekonomiya at nakakaapekto sa iba pang ekonomiya sa buong [mundo], tayo po ay medyo shielded. Parang mayroon tayong shield mula rito sa mga external shock na ito, Secretary.

SEC. COLOMA: Ang pinaka-epektibong panangga natin diyan ay ‘yung katatagan ng ating ekonomiya; pangalawa ay ‘yung partikular na elemento ng ating ekonomiya na mayroong ugnayan doon sa ekonomiya ng People’s Republic of China. Hindi ganoon kalaki ‘yung dependency ng ating ekonomiya sa economy ng People’s Republic of China kaya’t hindi naman tayo gaanong naaapektuhan ng binanggit mo na external shocks mula sa bansang ‘yon.

Mr. Sampang: Secretary, inaantabayanan din ng ating mga kababayan by next week—by Monday, tomorrow—‘yon pong bagong sistema na mismong ang Pangulong Aquino ang nagsabi na kinakailangan involved na ang Highway Patrol Group sa paniniguro o pag-me-maintain ng traffic, lalong-lalo na diyan po sa EDSA. May statement po ba o panawagan kayo sa publiko dahil bukas na po i-i-implement ito, Secretary, at mukhang marami ang nakatingin ngayon ang mata dito sa bagong sistema na ito kung ito ay magiging successful?

SEC. COLOMA: Nananawagan tayo, Rey, sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa mga motorista na gumagamit sa EDSA, simula bukas ay itatalaga na bilang lead traffic law enforcement agency sa kahabaan ng EDSA ang Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG). Ito ay resulta ng consensus ng lahat ng mga ahensya ng pamahalaan na mayroong partisipasyon sa traffic management. At patuloy pa rin naman silang tutulungan ng mga traffic enforcer ng MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) at pati na rin ng mga enforcer ng LTO (Land Transportation Office) at LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board).

Isa sa mahalagang ipapatupad ay ‘yung mahigpit na pag-obserba doon sa bus lane full. Dapat ‘yung ating mga bus ay nandoon lamang sa loob ng bus lanes o ‘yung tinatawag nating ‘yellow lane.’ At ayon din sa pinuno ng PNP-HPG, si Chief Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao, mahigpit na ipapatupad ng HPG ang 30-second rule sa pagsakay at pagbaba ng mga bus ng kanilang mga pasahero sa EDSA, at pananatilihin ang ‘no contact apprehension’ sa pamamagitan ng video documentation sa mga motoristang lumalabag sa mga umiiral na batas at regulasyon sa EDSA.

Ipinagpapatuloy din ng pamahalaan ‘yung pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga bus operator at may-ari ng mga pampasaherong sasakyan upang mapagtulungan ‘yung mas maayos na daloy ng traffic sa EDSA at sa mga pangunahing kalsada at lansangan ng ating Metro Manila [o] National Capital Region, Rey. Isa pang mahalagang hakbang dito ‘yung rerouting of provincial buses na southbound. Dahil sila naman ay patungong Southern Luzon, hindi naman nila kailangang bagtasin ‘yung kahabaan ng EDSA; wala naman silang i-pi-pickup o ihahatid na mga pasahero doon.

Kaya simula rin bukas, ‘yung mga provincial bus na patungo sa Southern Luzon ay magkakaroon ng rerouting sa timeslot na 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Ito pong mga sasakyang ito na nagpupunta sa Quezon, Kabikulan (Bicol region), at iba pang probinsya na nanggagaling sa mga terminal sa Cubao at Kamuning, Quezon City, ang rerouting po nila ay… Mula sa EDSA sila ay liliko sa P. Tuazon, pagkatapos sa C-5, at mula sa C-5 sa South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). Inaasahan natin na ito ay makakatulong sa pagbabawas ng congestion sa EDSA.

At para naman sa ating mga motorista, hinihingi ang kanilang ganap na kooperasyon na mag-obserba rin po sila ng disiplina sa kalsada at sumunod po tayo sa batas trapiko. Isasagawa rin ng DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) ‘yung mga kinakailangan na hakbang hinggil sa road engineering para maging malinaw kung saan dapat dumaan ang anong klaseng sasakyan. Nagsasagawa rin ng clearing operations sa EDSA at sa mga major thoroughfare na mayroong mga obstruction at mayroong mga illegal vending activity, sakop na rin ‘yung sidewalk diyan sa mga major thoroughfare, Rey.

Mr. Sampang: Maraming-maraming salamat po, Secretary Coloma, sa oras na ibinigay po ninyo at ‘yung mga impormasyon po ninyong ipinamahagi sa ating mga kababayan.

SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat at magandang umaga, Rey.
*****
 
SOURCE: NEWS AND INFORMATION BUREAU


INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
Radyo Singko / All Ready by Orly Mercado
07 September 2015
 
 SEC. COLOMA: Good morning, Orly.

ORLY: Okay. Mukhang it’s off to a auspicious that, hopefully eh, medyo may pagbabago. Pero, complex itong problema ng trapiko. Dahil kung tutuusin ay merong mga solusyon na short term, merong kinakailangang long term. Palagay ko kapag tinignan natin eh, meron dapat tayong mga expectation, pero hindi dapat (unclear). Ano ba ang tingin mo rito sa traffic experiment natin sa araw na ito?

SEC. COLOMA: Sinisikap natin, Orly, na mapaluwag ang daloy ng traffic sa pinaka-main artery ng ating Metro Manila.

ORLY: EDSA.

SEC. COLOMA: EDSA. Dahil ito ay 23 kilometers, dinadaanan ang maraming lungsod at ginagamit ng pinakaraming motorista at commuters. Kaya’t sa improvement dito, malaki ang magiging epekto sa improvement of the entire situation. Pero tama iyong pinunto mo, ano, kinakailangan talaga iyong big picture approach, dapat makita lahat-lahat na aspeto - merong immediate, may near term, medium term, long term. Ang pinaka-lohikong pananaw diyan ay iyong pagkakaroon ng roadmap, ika nga, para mas fast ang epekto nito. At marami namang tumulong sa atin katulad noong JICA na gumawa na ng siyentipikong pag-aaral hinggil diyan. In essence, Orly, isa sa pinaka-basic ay dapat na ma-decongest ang Metro Manila dahil nga masyado iyong concentration ng activity dito sa ating National Capital Region kaya dito ang dagsaan ng tao at ng sasakyan. At iyong tao lamang at sasakyan ang dumadami, hindi nag-catch up iyong infrastructure o iyong road space at mass transport capacity na kinakailangan.

ORLY: Meron yatang inaprubahan ang NEDA Board na mga mabibigat at malalaking mga proyekto?

SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Orly. Noon ngang nakaraang Biyernes lamang ay nag-approve ng dalawa pang karagdagang MRT project - iyung Line 6 na magiging extension sa lalawigan ng Cavite, mula ito sa magiging bagong terminus ng Line 1 sa Bacoor, dadaan ng Imus hanggang Dasmariñas, a distance of 19 kilometers na sa ngayon ay inaabot sa isa at kalahating oras ang pagbibiyahe. Mantakin mo iyon, Orly, 19 kilometers isa’t kalahating oras. Kaya with the mass transport solution ay malaking ginhawa iyan. Nandiyan din iyong Line 4 naman mula Edsa-Ortigas hanggang Taytay, 11 kilometers naman ang distansiya. Ito ay isang masakip at mataong connector route na tinutukoy ng substantive solution at iyong extension naman ng Line 2 mula Santolan, Pasig, hanggang Masinag, Antipolo, with the (unclear) center. Kaya...sabay-sabay namang tinutukoy ito.

ORLY: Mangangailangan ng ilang taon, wala na kayo riyan sa Malacañang, pero in (unclear)...

SEC. COLOMA: Tama ka, Orly. Meron yung (unclear) saying na, “kailangang itanim iyong puno kahit na iyong lilim nito ay iyung -- kung hindi ikaw ang ano -- iyun ng kabataan at iyung susunod na henerasyon ang makikinabang. Umpisahan natin sa pagtatanim nung puno kahit na matagal na panahon ng paglaki nito at pagbibigay ng lilim at kapakinabangan.”

ORLY: Ilan sa mga mabibigat na problema natin dito sa imprastraktura na nasa itaas ay iyong tinatawag na right of way. Parati kong naririnig iyan kapag in-interview natin iyong mga opisyales ninyo eh sinasabi, “eh kasi talagang marami tayong mga informal settlers, hindi man or whatever.” Eh kumusta iyong pag-aaral na sinasabi na baka puwede iyong subway, dahil sa ibang bansa, katulad ng Thailand, eh kahit na below sea level ay meron din silang proyektong subway.

SEC. COLOMA: Pinag-aaralan na rin iyan, Orly, at lahat naman ng optimal solutions na maaring gawin ay isinasagawa katulad na nga nung pag-minimize nung right of way issues. Pero iyan talaga ang isa sa pinakamabigat na problema na kinakaharap natin pero hindi naman tayo nadi-discourage diyan. Patuloy pa rin na tayo ay nagpupunyagi para malaktawan iyong mga hamon at hurdles na iyan.

ORLY: So, kayo naman sa ano, you are confident na itong bagong ginagawa ng HPG ay maaring magbunga ng some changes, lalung-lalo na sa Edsa?

SEC. COLOMA: Well, iyan lamang ang panimulang aspeto, Orly, iyong pagpapabilis sa daloy at iyung pagpapatatag ng traffic discipline at road courtesy. Kasi iyan ay isang malaking elemento, pero meron pa ibang solusyon na tinitignan na kailangan lang ng mas masinsin pang pag-aaral at konsultasyon. Katulad na lang noong—well, meron pa rin iyong ipinapatupad na simula ngayon, iyung rerouting ng mga provincial buses na patungo sa Southern Luzon at Bicol. Kasi dumadaan sa pa-Edsa kaya pagdating pa lamang daw sa P. Tuazon sa Cubao ay liliko na sila pakaliwa patungong C-5, at sa C-5 na lang sila dadaan, dahil hindi naman nila kailangang dumaan sa Edsa. Malaking bagay din iyong volume ng provincial buses nakakapagbawas natin sa kaparaanang iyan.

ORLY: Siguro manawagan tayo para doon sa magkaroon naman tayo ng kooperasyon in terms of road discipline.

SEC. COLOMA: (unclear)

ORLY: (unclear)

SEC. COLOMA: Bukod sa pagiging (unclear) natin, mahalaga ang disiplina sa ginagawa nating lahat sa situasyon ng ating bansa.

ORLY: Maraming salamat, Secretary Sonny Coloma. Mabuhay kayo, Secretary.

SEC. COLOMA: Thank you very much. Magandang umaga, Orly.
 
SOURCE: NEWS AND INFORMATION BUREAU



 
PRESS BRIEFING BY PCOO SECRETARY SONNY COLOMA
Office of the Secretary, New Executive Building, Malacañang
03 Sept 2015
Q: May mga nananawagan po kasi sa Congress na mag-hold ng special session sa BBL (Bangsamoro Basic Law) para po mapasa na raw sa lalong madaling panahon. Ano pong masasabi niyo rito?

SEC. COLOMA: Tinanong ko 'yan sa ating PLLO (Presidential Legislative Liaison Office) Secretary Manny Mamba at sabi niya, bilang isang dating kinatawan, ang bagay na ‘yan ay pinagpapasyahan ng liderato ng Kongreso. Kasi, kung tutuusin, marami pa silang session days—buong buwan ng Setyembre, buong buwan ng Oktubre; November din, mayroon lang All Saints' Day break, hanggang halos kalahati ng December—kaya, sa pananaw ni Secretary Mamba, marami pang session days; at usually, ang bagay na ‘yan kung kinakailangan ang mga dagdag na araw, pinagpapasyahan ng liderato ng Congress. ‘Yung sa BBL kasi patuloy pa rin namang nakikipag-ugnayan ang pamahalaan sa liderato ng Kongreso hinggil sa napapanahong pagpasa dito.

Q: So parang sa Malacañang, Sec, sapat pa 'yung panahon? Kumbaga, you are confident na kahit po may mga kaunting aberya o abala nitong mga nakaraan ay tatalakayin pa rin po at ipapasa sa takdang panahon?

SEC. COLOMA: Ipinapaubaya natin sa mga lider ng Kongreso 'yung pagpapasya dahil ito ay sa pangangasiwa nila kung ano ang nais nilang talakayin sa kanilang legislative agenda, at batay din sa nakaraang kalakaran, tinitingnan naman muna 'yung calendar ng bills na naka-schedule at 'yung schedule ng Kongreso. At ayon kay Secretary Mamba, sa kanyang pananaw, marami pang session days, buong buwan ng Setyembre, Oktubre, Nobyembre, may kalahati pa ng Disyembre. Kaya umaasa tayo na sa panahong ito ay bibigyan ng prayoridad 'yung ating mga priority bills tulad ng General Appropriations Act at 'yung Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Q: Sec, doon naman po sa traffic, this early umaalma na daw po ‘yung ilang mga taxi and bus operators na HPG (Highway Patrol Group) na nga po ‘yung magmamando ng traffic, marami daw pong mga agam-agam ngayon pa lang. Ano pong masasabi niyo dito?

SEC. COLOMA: Mas mainam na bigyan natin ng positibong pananaw ang bagay na ‘yan dahil malawak at malalim ang epekto ng traffic congestion at isa sa mahalagang aspeto ng tugon ng pamahalaan sa problemang ‘yan ay ‘yung mas epektibong traffic law enforcement. Batid ‘yan ng ating Philippine National Police at determinado silang ayusin ‘yung pagpapatupad ng batas trapiko. Kung mayroon mang hindi magandang karanasan noong nakaraan, ‘yon ay magsisilbing gabay para huwag nang maulit ito at tiyak namang pipili ng pinakaresponsable at pinakatapat sa paglilingkod ng mga kagawad ng Highway Patrol Group. Bigyan natin sila ng pagkakataon na patunayan 'yung kanilang kahusayan at 'yung kanilang tapat na paglilingkod.

Q: Sec, kung magbabantay po ‘yung HPG sa EDSA—ang tanong daw kasi kahapon na hindi din naman nasagot ni Sec. Lacierda dahil wala raw siya sa briefing—kung mayroong baril na dala ‘yung mga (HPG)?

SEC. COLOMA: Siyempre, sila ang mga kagawad ng pulis. Ang bawat kagawad ng Philippine National Police ngayon ay armado dahil kailangan ‘yon sa pagganap ng kanilang tungkulin at mayroon din silang mga motorized vehicle—may motorsiklo, may patrol car—lahat ng mga kagamitan na ‘yan ay kailangan para sa epektibong traffic law enforcement.

Q: Sec, ‘yung other proposals, kailan po ba ma-pe-present ulit sa Pangulo?

SEC. COLOMA: Habang nag-uusap tayo rito ay patuloy din ‘yung mga konsultasyon. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, sa araw na ito sina Chairman (Winston) Ginez ng LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) ay nakikipagpulong sa provincial at city bus operators, dahil mahalaga ‘yung kanilang papel sa pagpapadali ng daloy ng trapiko.

Mayroong mga panukala hinggil doon sa mga dadaanan ng [provincial buses] dahil kasama din sila doon sa vehicle load sa EDSA. Mayroon ding mga ongoing consultations pa rin sa mga port users dahil nga doon sa mga dinadaanan din ng trak, at maraming mga konsultasyon na isinasagawa para kapag naanunsyo o bago i-anunsyo ‘yung mga isasagawang hakbang, tiyak na napag-aralan ito nang husto dahil para kay Pangulong Aquino mahalagang-mahalaga ‘yung suporta ng mga mamamayan.

Nais niyang tiyakin na ‘yung mga ipapatupad na mga aksyon ay aani ng suporta sa ating mga mamamayan sapagkat, kapag mayroong suporta ang mamamayan, mas mataas ang probabilidad na magtatagumpay ito.

Q: Sir, puwede po bang magtanong tungkol sa CCT (conditional cash transfer), ngayon lang po kasi ipinadala ng opisina. Meron pong isang member po ng Congress, si Congressman Terry Ridon, sinabi po niya na palpak daw ‘yung CCT program dahil from last year to this year dumami pa raw po ng 2.5 million ang mga mahihirap na Pinoy, na Pilipino, at sa P103-billion daw na proposed budget ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) for 2016, baka raw gamitin daw ‘yung bahagi nito for the campaign ng Balay Group?

SEC. COLOMA: Hindi gumagawa ang pamahalaan ng labag sa batas. Tiyak na hindi ginagamit ‘yung pondo ng bayan sa hindi tamang paraan. Sumusunod sa batas ang ating pamahalaan at masinop sa paggamit ng pondo ng bayan.

Mismong ang World Bank ang nagbigay ng parangal sa ating Department of Social Welfare and Development dahil sa kahusayan nito sa pagpapatupad ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program na kung saan ay isang aspeto ‘yung CCT.

Ayon sa datos ng Philippine Statistical Authority, mula 2012 to 2013, bumaba ‘yung poverty incidence sa ating bansa mula 27.9 percent to 24.9 percent. Tatlong porsyento ang nabawas sa loob lamang ng isang taon at ito ay dahil sa epekto ng mas intensibong pagpapatupad noong 4Ps at CCT dahil pinalawak at pinalalim ang coverage nito.

Kailangang kilalanin natin na nagbago tayo ng paradigm sa pag-atake sa problema ng kahirapan, na kung dati ay ‘yung trickle down effect na hinuhulaan lamang kung paano mapaparating ‘yung benepisyo ng pag-unlad sa mga nangangailangan o sa mga pinakamaralitang pamilya, sa ating administrasyon ay tuwirang hinahatid ‘yung benepisyo mismong sa mga pamilyang nangangailangan.

Kaya panatag ang kalooban ng ating administrasyon at patuloy pa ring pinapalawak ang coverage nitong CCT dahil nakita nga na epektibo ito.

Q: Sir, ‘yung sa El Niño, ‘yung tanong lang ni Leo kanina. Kasama po ba sa mga pinaghahandaan ‘yung possibility ng pagrarasyon [ng tubig] sa mga maaapektuhan daw ng water shortage?

SEC. COLOMA: Sa ngayon ay pinag-aaralan ang mga opsyon at hindi pa naman talaga pumapasok doon sa kritikal na panahon. Inaasahan na ‘yung malubhang senaryo ng El Niño na ang manipestasyon ay ‘yung matinding tagtuyot sa mga food producing areas natin, ito ay makikita sa loob pa ng balance of September at ng last quarter of the year and going into the first quarter of 2016.

Pinaghahandaan ito pero hindi naman kailangang maligalig ang ating mga mamamayan. Kailangang maging handa na magtipid sa paggamit ng tubig dahil nga pumapasok tayo dito sa sitwasyon na maaaring maging matindi ‘yung El Niño, at marami pang ibang mga action measures na pinag-aaralan patungkol naman doon sa pagtitiyak na mayroon tayong sapat na supply ng pagkain at ito ay maaaring makuha ng ating mga mamamayan sa risonableng halaga.

Walang hoarding na magaganap, walang magsasamantala sa sitwasyon na inaasahang maaaring lumubha kapag dumating ‘yung matinding tagtuyot.
SOURCE: Presidential News Desk - (PND)




Last Updated: 04 SEPTEMBER 2015
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President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (September 4). The meeting is to review the Public-Private Partnership projects of the present administration.  (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III and the rest of his cabinet present pray before the start of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (September 4). The meeting is to review the Public-Private Partnership projects of the administration.  (Photo by Gil Nartea / Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III with RMAF chairman Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, S.J. presents the medal and certificate to Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa from the Philippines as one of the 2015 Ramon Magsaysay awardees during the presentation ceremonies at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay Cityon Monday (August 31, 2015). Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Awards is Asia's highest honor and is widely regarded as the region's equivalent of the Nobel Prize. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with the 2015 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees (from left) Kommaly Chanthavong from Laos, Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa from Philippines, Anshu Gupta and Sanjiv Charturved from India, and Kyaw Thu from Myanmar for a group photo during the presentation ceremonies at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City on Monday (August 31). Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Awards is Asia's highest honor and is widely regarded as the region's equivalent of the Nobel Prize. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation 2015 Presentation Ceremonies at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City on Monday (August 31). Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Awards is Asia's highest honor and is widely regarded as the region's equivalent of the Nobel Prize. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III presents the medal and certificate to Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa from the Philippines as one of the 2015 Ramon Magsaysay awardees during the presentation ceremonies at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City on Monday (August 31, 2015). Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Awards is Asia's highest honor and is widely regarded as the region's equivalent of the Nobel Prize. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) 2015 Presentation Ceremonies at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City on Monday (August 31). Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Awards is Asia's highest honor and is widely regarded as the region's equivalent of the Nobel Prize. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III visits the wake of DepEd Undersecretary Francis Varela in La Salle Greenhills Chapel Monday (August 31). Varela died Saturday morning from a motorcycle accident along the highway in Baras town, Rizal. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Joseph Vidal / Malacanag Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the commemoration of the National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (August 31). This year's theme is “Bayaning Pilipino Noon at Ngayon: Ang Simula at Tagapagpatuloy ng Malawakang Pagbabago.” Also in photo are Armed Forces of the Philippines, Chief of Staff, General Hernando Iriberri, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno and Taguig City Mayor Ma. Laarni Cayetano. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the commemoration of National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (August 31). This year's theme is “Bayaning Pilipino Noon at Ngayon: Ang Simula at Tagapagpatuloy ng Malawakang Pagbabago.” Also in photo is Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the commemoration of National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (August 31). This year's theme is “Bayaning Pilipino Noon at Ngayon: Ang Simula at Tagapagpatuloy ng Malawakang Pagbabago.” (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III receives the copy of a book “Ang Mamatay ng Dahil sa Iyo” presented by National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno during the commemoration of the National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (August 31). This year's theme is “Bayaning Pilipino Noon at Ngayon: Ang Simula at Tagapagpatuloy ng Malawakang Pagbabago.” Also in photo is Taguig City Mayor Ma. Laarni Cayetano. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the singing of the Philippine National Anthem during the commemoration of the National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (August 31). This year's theme is “Bayaning Pilipino Noon at Ngayon: Ang Simula at Tagapagpatuloy ng Malawakang Pagbabago.” Also in photo are Taguig City Mayor Ma. Laarni Cayetano, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, and Armed Forces of the Philippines, Chief of Staff, General Hernando Iriberri. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III offers a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers during the commemoration of the National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (August 31). This year's theme is “Bayaning Pilipino Noon at Ngayon: Ang Simula at Tagapagpatuloy ng Malawakang Pagbabago.” Also in photo is Armed Forces of the Philippines, Chief of Staff, General Hernando Iriberri. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Hernando Iriberri, offers a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers during the commemoration of National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (August 31). This year's theme is “Bayaning Pilipino Noon at Ngayon: Ang Simula at Tagapagpatuloy ng Malawakang Pagbabago.” Also in photo are Taguig City Mayor Ma. Laarni Cayetano, National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno, and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Hernando Iriberri, offers a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers during the commemoration of National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (August 31). This year's theme is “Bayaning Pilipino Noon at Ngayon: Ang Simula at Tagapagpatuloy ng Malawakang Pagbabago.” (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Hernando Iriberri, troops the line during the commemoration of the National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (August 31). This year's theme is “Bayaning Pilipino Noon at Ngayon: Ang Simula at Tagapagpatuloy ng Malawakang Pagbabago.” Also in photo are Taguig City Mayor Ma. Laarni Cayetano and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Hernando Iriberri, troops the line during the commemoration of National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (August 31). This year's theme is “Bayaning Pilipino Noon at Ngayon: Ang Simula at Tagapagpatuloy ng Malawakang Pagbabago.” (Photo by Gil Nartea / Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
Amb. Angie Sta. Catalina, APEC 2015 National Organizing Committee Deputy Director General provides media details on APEC's 25-year history during a briefing on Saturday ( August 29) held at the APEC International Media Center at Bayfront Hotel in Central Cebu City. (Rey S. Baniquet)
President Benigno S. Aquino III exchange views with General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, during the expanded bilateral meeting at the Aguinaldo State Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (August 28). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first official visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014. (Photo by Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III shakes hands with General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, during the courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (August 28, 2015). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first official visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014.  (Photo by Rolando Mailo/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III witnesses General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, sign the Palace Guest Book at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (August 28). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first official visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014. Also in photo are Madame Naraporn Chan-o-cha and Presidential Sister Maria Elena Balsy Aquino Cruz. (Photo by Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III and General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, arrive for the state luncheon at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace during the Official Visit to the Philippines on Friday (August 28). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III listens as General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, delivers his message during the state luncheon at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (August 28). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first official visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014. (Photo by Joseph Vidal/ Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the state luncheon at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace for the official visit of General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, on Friday (August 28). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III and General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, lead the ceremonial toasts during the state luncheon at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (August 28). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first official visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Joseph Vidal /  Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III and General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, enjoy the cultural presentation during the welcome ceremony at the Malacañan Palace Grounds on Friday (August 28, 2015). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first official visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III with General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand shake hands after delevering their  statements at the joint press conference held at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (August 28). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III with General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand during the joint press conference at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (August 28). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III and General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, greet Thai officials during the welcome ceremony at the Malacañan Palace Grounds on Friday (August 28). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first official visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014. (Photo by Joseph Vidal/ Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III shakes hands with General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, during the courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (August 28). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first official visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III and General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, honor the colors during the welcome ceremony at the Malacañan Palace Grounds on Friday (August 28, 2015). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first official visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014.  (Photo by Joseph Vidal/ Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Burea
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, upon arrival at the Malacañan Palace Grounds for the Official Visit to the Philippines on Friday (August 28). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, delivers his remarks during the joint press conference with President Benigno S. Aquino III held  at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace for the Official Visit to the Philippines on Friday (August 28). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his statement during the joint press conference held at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan on Friday (August 28). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III and His Excellency General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, share a light moment during the joint press conference at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (August 28). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Joseph Vidal / Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, during the courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (August 28). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III witnesses as General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, signs the Palace Guest Book at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (August 28, 2015). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014. Also in photo are Madame Naraporn Chan-o-cha and Presidential Sister Maria Elena Balsy Aquino Cruz  (Photo by Benhur Arcayan/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno S. Aquino III introduces to His Excellency General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, members of his official family during the welcome ceremony at the Malacañan Palace Grounds on Friday (August 28). This is the Thai Prime Minister’s first visit to the Philippines since assuming office in August 2014. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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‪#‎Guingona‬ champions need to bring back deleted ‪#‎BBL‬ provisions in Senate version- See more at: http://t.co/jNUJmYc42thttp://t.co/kKJZ6wnJ2Y
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Applying for changes in registry documents (e.g., birth, death, and marriage certificates) can be done through the National Statistics Office.
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The ‪#‎PH‬ celebrates Nat'l ‪#‎Peace‬ Consciousness this Sept. under Proclamation No. 675
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REMINDER: You can register today at ‪#‎COMELEC‬ offices until 5PM.‪#‎votersreg2015‬ ‪#‎Magpabiometricska‬ http://t.co/bpiuJ7XmvR
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September 5 to October 5 of every year is National Teachers' Month, by virtue of Proclamation No. 242, s. 2011—in tribute to the industry of teachers; in honor of their service in shaping Philippine society and national development; and in recognition of their vital role in molding individuals, guiding families, strengthening communities, and building the nation. http://bit.ly/1L9cPfU



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