Sunday, May 31, 2015

5 Dispatch for June 1 , 2015 ( Monday ) ,4 PIA Calabarzon PRs, 3 Weather Watch, 2 OFW Watch , 1 PNOY Speech, 21 Online News ( May 30) , 29 Photo Release ( May 29 )

 
 
 
Issued at: 5:00 AM today, 01 June 2015
Valid Beginning: 5:00 AM today until 5:00 AM tomorrow

 Synopsis:

Ridge of High Pressure Area (HPA) affecting Northern Luzon.


 pressure.gif Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis 8 AM 01 June 2015
  wind.gif Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind Analysis 8 AM 01 June 2015
satellite


Forecast:

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening will be experienced over the entire archipelago.


Light to moderate winds coming from the east to southeast will prevail over the whole country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate. 


ABS-CBN: Muling nanawagan ang Malacañang ng pagkakaisa sa gitna ng pagbubukas ng klase dahil sa pinangangambahang "the big one" o malakas na lindol sa West Valley Fault. Ayon kay Communications Sec. Coloma, nakikipagtulungan na ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno sa mga LGU upang matiyak na ligtas ang mga building ng paaralan laban sa lindol.


PAGASA Thunderstorm Advisory, 3:26PM:
-Thunderstorm is affecting Batangas (Ibaan, Taysan), Quezon (GenNakar, Tayabas, Pagbilao), Bataan (Morong, Hermosa), Tarlac (SanJose, Capas), Cavite (Amadeo,Silang,GenEmilioAguinaldo) and portion of Bulacan, Rizal, w/c may persist w/in 2 hours.
-Expect Thunderstorm over MetroManila, & other areas of Batangas, Quezon, Bataan, Tarlac, Cavite w/in the next 2 hours.
-All are advised to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, strong winds, lightning & possible flash floods.


                                     June 1, 2015 ( Monday ) as of 9:00 AM
     PIA4A / PIA QUEZON  :  Partly Cloudy in Lucena City

 








DZMM: Inihayag ng Embahada ng Pilipinas sa Japan na walang Pilipinong nasaktan o nasawi sa magkasunod na lindol na tumama doon. Sinabi ni Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manolo Lopez na patuloy ang pakikipag-ugnayan nila sa mga kababayan sa Japan upang matiyak na ligtas ang mga ito.

DZMM: Pinauuwi ng Embahada ng Pilipinas ang mga Pinoy na nasa Baghdad bunga ng kaguluhan sa naturang bansa. Ani Minister Elmo Cato, Chargé d'Affaires ng Philippine Embassy sa Baghdad, ito'y matapos masawi ang 10 indibidwal habang sugatan ang halos 30 iba pa sa pagsabog na target ang dalawang kilalang hotel sa kapitolyo ng Iraq. Ayon sa Philippine Embassy, wala pang naiuulat na nasawing Pinoy sa car bomb attacks na naganap bago mag-Biyernes ng madaling araw.











LAGUNA

Gov. Hernandez bares accomplishments in State of the Province Address
  • May 28, 2015
SANTA CRUZ, Laguna, May 28 (PIA) -- Laguna Governor Ramil L. Hernandez  talked  about his program and accomplishments a year after he was sworn into office as  Laguna’s chief executive in his “State of the Province Address” (SOPA) held Wednesday at the Cultural Center of Laguna here.

Gov. Hernandez talked about his 8-Point Program which primarily give focus on health, social welfare services, quality education, employment, agriculture and food security, infrastructure, good governance, and peace and order. 

It can be noted that despite the Governor’s year-old  stint in the office, Gov. Hernandez has already implemented his program with flying colors which benefited his constituents in particular and the province in general.

The Province, under his leadership, has already received various awards for exemplary performance in different fields such as Gold Anvil Award for “Tubig sa Barangay” program and Regional Gawad Kalasag 2014 Award as “Best Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council,” among others.(AC Ortillano, PIA-Laguna/PIA-4A)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/641432790905/gov-hernandez-bares-accomplishments-in-state-of-the-province-address#sthash.psvrZL9T.dpuf







 

BATANGAS

Tagalog news: 4th Junior Fire Marshal Camp, isinagawa sa Batangas City
  • May 29, 2015
LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Mayo 29 (PIA) -- Matagumpay na isinagawa sa lungsod na ito ang 4th Junior Fire Marshal Camp na nagsilbing pagsasanay sa kakayahan ng mga kabataan upang makatulong na makapagligtas ng buhay sakaling magkaroon ng anumang panganib o trahedya.

Ang taunang programa ay nilahukan ng 10 mababang paaralan kabilang ang Tabangao, Libjo, San Isidro, Malitam, Jose C. Pastor (Pallocan West), Gulod, Alangilan Centaral, Balagtas, Batangas City East at Kumintang. Nakiisa rin sa naturang aktibidad ang mataas na paaralan ng Tabangao, Banahis, Libjo, Paharang, Marian Learning at Casa Del Bambino.

Ayon kay Supt. Romel Tradio, fire marshal ng lungsod, ang proyektong ito ay isang hakbang upang mahubog ang mga kabataan na maging listo at responsible sa pagtulong o pagresponde sa anumang uri ng kalamidad. 

Isa rin aniya itong paraan upang madagdagan ang kanilang kaalaman sa mga bagay na di natututunan sa kanilang tahanan at paaralan.

Pinuri naman ni Diosdado San Antonio, regional director ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon, ang Batangas City dahil kilala ito bilang aktibo sa ganitong gawain. Hinangaan din niya ang Bureau of Fire Protection sa mga programa na malaki ang naiiambag sa komunidad at paaralan.

Ayon naman sa tagapagsalita ng Pilipinas Shell Foundation, isa sa mga sponsors ng naturang inisyatibo, bahagi ng kanilang corporate social responsibility ang tumulong at sumuporta sa mga programa ng pamahalaang lungsod lalo na sa mga paaralan at host barangay nito.

Itinuro sa mga lumahok ang Clothes Catch Fire Relay, Emergency Procedure Relay, Safety Word Game, Bucket Relay, Basic Electrical Connections, Disaster Preparedness, Basic Knot Tying, Basic Fire Safety, Basic Search & Rescue at Basic First Aid & CPR. (Liza Delos Reyes, PIO-Batangas City/ MPDC, PIA-Batangas/ PIA-4A)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/681432798781/tagalog-news-4th-junior-fire-marshal-camp-isinagawa-sa-batangas-city#sthash.UeoygJVC.dpuf

Tagalog news: DepEd, nagsagawa ng K+12 forum sa Batangas
  • May 28, 2015
LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Mayo 28 (PIA) -- Kaugnay ng napipintong pagpapatupad ng K+12 program ay nagsagawa ng forum ang Kagawaran ng Edukasyon kasama ang Batangas Parents-Teachers Association Federation Leaders upang bigyang linaw ang mga usapin ukol sa naturang programa. 

Ipinabatid ng kagawaran na ito ang huling yugto na maipaalam sa mga magulang ang kahalagahan ng naturang programa bago ito lubusang ipatupad ngayong taon.

Ayon sa Kagawaran ng Edukasyon, simula noong 2009 ay mahigit P171 milyon lamang ang pondong laan para sa edukasyon ngunit dahil sa paghahanda at implementasyon ng naturang programa ay naglaan ito ng P364.66 bilyon para sa dagdag na mga silid-aralan, aklat at pagkuha ng mga bagong guro.

Ayon kay Rizalino Rivera, Undersecretary for Regional Operations ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon, hindi dagdag pahirap ang K+12 dahil ito ay magiging libre sa mga nais pumasok sa pampublikong paaralan.  

Ipinaliwanag din niya na ang incoming first year high school lamang ang tanging maaapektuhan sapagkat sila ang first batch of grades 11 to 12 graduates sa 2016 - 2018.

Kapag ito aniya ay ipinatupad na, ipatutupad na din ang bagong curriculum para sa grade 1, kindergarten, at grade 7 o first year high school lamang at hindi pa magdaragdag ng dalawang taon.

Umaasa naman ang kagawaran sa lubos na pang-unawa ng mga magulang sa mga programang nais ipatupad ng pamahalaan at ng kagawaran upang matulungan ang mga kabataan. 

Ito ay upang maipantay ang sistema ng edukasyon hindi lamang sa buong asya kung hindi sa buong mundo. Hinihikayat din ang mga magulang na maging mapanuri at magsaliksik sa tunay na kalidad ng sistema mayroon tayo kumpara sa ibang bansa. (Liza Perez Delos Reyes, PIO-Batangas City/ MPDC, PIA-Batangas/ PIA-4A)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/681432798282/tagalog-news-deped-nagsagawa-ng-k-12-forum-sa-batangas#sthash.GZTEtgW9.dpuf

Tagalog news: 7, 983 nagsipagtapos sa ilalim ng Pantawid Pamilya, binigyang pagkilala sa Batangas
  • May 28, 2015
LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Mayo 28 (PIA) -- Nagtipon ang may 7, 983 high school graduates ng lalawigan ng Batangas na benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program ng Department of Social Welfare and Development  para ipagdiwang ang kanilang pagtatapos sa ilalim ng nasabing programa.

Tampok na panauhing pandangal sina DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky”  Soliman, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, Vice-Governor Mark Leviste kasama ang mga miyembro ng  Sangguniang Panlalawigan, mga opisyal ng pang rehiyong tanggapan ng DSWD at mga kinatawan ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa lalawigan.

Sa mensahe ni Gov. Santos-Recto, ipinaabot nito sa mga estudyante at mga magulang na dumalo sa okasyon ang pagbati sa kanilang pagsisikap at patuloy na paggabay sa kanilang mga anak na makatapos ng pag-aaral.

“Hindi po masama ang maging isang mahirap, ang mas masama po ay ang tumanda tayo ng mas mahirap o hindi tayo naka-ahon sa buhay,” pahayag ng gobernadora.

Dagdag pa nito na sana ay patuloy nilang bigyang halaga ang determinasyon at pagsisisikap upang maabot ang kanilang mga pangarap sa pamamagitan ng mabuting edukasyon.

Ipinaabot naman ni Sec. Soliman ang kanyang pasasalamat sa mga ahensya at lokal na pamahalaan na naging kabalikat ng DSWD upang matagumpay na maisagawa ang hangarin ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Sa tagumpay ng naturang programa nais aniya ngayon ng DSWD na maipagpatuloy ang ganitong pagtulong sa mga mamamayang Pilipino.

Nagpaabot din ng pasasalamat ang kalihim kay Sen. Ralph Recto sa inihaing nitong batas sa senado na naglalayong gawing batas o permanenteng batayan nang pagtulong sa mga mahihirap ang naturang programa.

Matapos ang mensahe ng mga panauhin, nagbigay ng kanilang pasasalamat kasama ang kanilang mga magulang sina Shaira Perez ng San Juan Batangas at Jose Marcelo ng Taal.

Sina Perez at Marcelo ay dalawa lamang sa mga nagtapos na may karangalan ngayong taon at nagpatotoo na walang imposible kung may determinasyon at pagsisiskap.

Sa 7,983 graduates sa buong lalawigan, 323 sa mga ito ang nagtapos ng may karangalan, 23 ang valedictorian, 16 na salutatorians mula sa mga 167 na public secondary schools, 56 private secondary schools  at 36 secondary schools na nasa labas ng Lalawigan ng Batangas. (Edwin V. Zabarte-PIO Province/MPDC, PIA Batangas/PIA-4A)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/681432796993/tagalog-news-7-983-nagsipagtapos-sa-ilalim-ng-pantawid-pamilya-binigyang-pagkilala-sa-batangas#sthash.P2Lc7Otd.dpuf








 
Philippines joins call to end illicit trade of tobacco products, say Palace
 
The Philippines joins other countries to work together to end the illicit trade of tobacco products, said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., on Sunday.

"Nakikiisa ang buong pamahalaan sa buong mundo at sa World Health Organization (WHO) sa paggunita ngayong araw ng ‘World No Tobacco Day’ (WNTD) sa ilalim ng temang “Stop Illicit Trade of Tobacco Products,” said Coloma in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

According to WHO, tobacco is the cause of death of 6 million smokers around the world, and is responsible for the mortality of some 600,000 non-smokers due to secondhand smoking.

This year's ‘World No Tobacco Day’ highlights the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.

"From many angles, the illicit trade of tobacco products is a major global concern, including health, legal and economic, governance and corruption," said the WHO. PND (ag)
All ready for the opening of classes, say Palace
 
The Palace said on Sunday that everything is ready for the opening of classes on June 1.

"Bilang pagtupad sa direktiba ng Pangulo, puspusan ang naging paghahanda ng lahat ng ahensya ng pamamahalan sa pangunguna ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon upang masiguro ang maayos, ligtas, at mapayapang pagbubukas ng klase bukas, Hunyo 1, sa buong bansa," said Predidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

DepEd estimated that 23 million students will go to 46,624 public elementary and high schools around the country.

Coloma noted that the Metro Manila Development Authority will mobilize 800 traffic enforcers to ensure the safety and manage the traffic flow in Metro Manila.

"Nakikipag-ugnayan din ang ahensya sa PNP (Philippine National Police) para sa seguridad ng mga mag-aaral at ang PNP naman ay tumututok sa seguridad ng lahat ng paaralan sa buong bansa," Coloma added.

Monday also marks the formal implementation of the K-12 program.

"Hudyat din ng pagsisimula ng klase ang pormal na pagpapatupad ng K-to-12 program na isa sa mga haligi ng reporma sa sektor ng edukasyon upang ibayong mahubog ang kakayahan at kasanayan ng mga mag-aaral sa kanilang paghahanda sa pagpasok sa kolehiyo," said Coloma.

When asked if the government is prepared for the threat of "the next big quake," Coloma assured the safety of all those that may be affected by it.

"Puspusang tinututukan ng lahat ng mga kinauukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan ang mga lugar na bahagi doon sa tinaguriang 'West Valley Fault' upang mapaigting ang paghahanda ng mga mamamayan para sa posibilidad na maganap ang isang lindol sa lugar na ito."

"Batid natin ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng mga local government units sa DepEd, at ang pagkilos ng National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council at ang mga lokal na unit nito, upang tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng mga pasilidad at gusaling ginagamit na paaralan o tanggapan o sa negosyo, at ng mga bahay din na maaaring maapektuhan ng lindol," said Coloma.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warns a 7.2 earthquake is possible to happen if the West Valley Fault along the eastern side of Metro Manila cracks.

According to experts, the last time an earthquake occurred along the West Valley Fault was in 1658, around 355 years ago, and on average, the fault reportedly moves every 400 years. PND (ag)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Palace announces new appointments
 
Malacanang announced on Saturday new appointments for different diplomatic posts and other government positions.

Among those appointed by President Aquino include Amable R. Aguiluz V, Special Envoy of the President to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Aguiluz was appointed May 16, 2015.

Also appointed were Joselito A. Jimeno as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Switzerland and Leslie J. Baja as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Egypt.

Other appointees were Gov. Denis B. Habawel, Chairperson, Regional Peace and Order Council, Cordillera Administrative Region; Regina S. Antequisa, member, Representing the Victims of Disasters and Calamities, National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC); and Ninian S. Sumadia, member, Representing the Youth and Students, NAPC.

Victor G. Chiong was also designated as a member of the Board of Administrators of the National Electrification Administration.

The President also appointed Paisalin P.D. Tago, Jamel P. Dini, Abdulwahid A. Inju and Analiza G. Flores-Malayang as Commissioners, (representing the Women Sector) of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos. They will serve until March 7, 2018.

Rafael M. Iriarte, Ralph Pastor A. Salazar, Joseph L. Emnas, Fernando L. Zulueta, Fernando V. Barreiro were appointed by the President as members of the Board of Directors of the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) Exploration Corporation.

All other appointees aside from Aguiluz were designated by the President May 20, 2015. PND (as)
Business, regional security top agenda on President Aquino's trip to Japan
 
Encouraging more businessmen to come to the Philippines as well as security issues would be President Aquino's top agenda when he visits Japan next week, a Palace official said.

In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo Ng Bayan on Saturday, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that apart from the bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other high-ranking Japanese officials including the Emperor, President Aquino is scheduled to meet Japanese businessmen.

"The President has a long line of meetings with captains of industry of either Japanese businessmen, who already have investments here in the Philippines, and those who are... because of our economy now, are looking to expand or are looking to put in more investments in the country," Valte said during the interview.

"Every time the President goes out, he always makes it a point as much as possible to touch base with the captains of industry to really tell them what has been happening to country, and so far, you see that this is bearing fruit."

The foreign direct investments are up and the number of foreign businesses that come to the Philippines are also increasing, she noted. Those already operating in the country have also shown quick expansions of their operations, she added.

With more than a year in office, the president will continue to push for the business agenda whenever he travels overseas, she added.

Security issue is also a top agenda for the President, Valte said. This is in the midsts of the ongoing reclamation activities of China in the West Philippine Sea.

Japan also has conflicting claims with China in the East Sea.

"The reclamation activity is a current issue, and it’s a shared issue between our country and as well as one of our strategic partners, which is Japan—mapag-uusapan at mapag-uusapan; ngunit hindi natin masasabi kung saan pupunta ang usapan," Valte said.

Aside from China and Philippines, other claimants in the contested territory include Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. PND (as)
Official says government continuously upgrading capability to protect communities from disasters
 
The Palace said the government is already doing increased disaster preparedness initiatives to mitigate the impact of possible natural calamities that could hit Philippine communities, a Palace official said.

An international humanitarian group suggested that the country improves its disaster risk reduction and management plans to effectively cope with disasters.

"Obviously, that is something that we’re already doing, which is why we continually improve," Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.

"Of course, we continually try to improve and refine our DRRM (disaster risk reduction and management) measures, and not just that—not just the measures—but the capabilities," she added.

For instance, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) organized a coordination meeting for 84 barangays in Metro Manila that could be directly affected by an active fault line.

The government not just focuses on "disaster risk" but also on "reduction," which is why concerned agencies continually improve the soft and the hard capabilities that are part of DRRM.

"We make sure that they have the funds that will quickly supplement their actions if and when a calamity hits," Valte stressed.

Part of the initiative includes the improvement of the equipment of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) for typhoons, and other disasters, she said.

Valte praised the performance of PAGASA for its much improved weather forecasting.

She noted that in the past typhoons that the country has experienced, PAGASA's forecasting has gotten better and better.

"So I think that’s a given; that we, in government, are also looking to continually improve and refine measures that would help put our countrymen in less risk when it comes to natural disasters," she said. PND (as)
 
 
 
 

30 MAY 2015
DOLE facilitates release of P2.5M benefits to 173 kasambahay through SEnA
DepEd sets out contingency plans for schools transected by West Valley Fault
11 CARAGA schools now have DOST's STARBOOKS
Papua New Guinea explores possiblity of modelling BI anti-trafficking efforts
Sandiganbayan convicts 3 private executives for behest loans
Bank Lending Decelerates in April
Domestic Liquidity Expands Further in April
OWWA benefits await families of OFWs killed in Qatar—Baldoz
Baldoz commits assistance to two jailed Filipina workers; urges OFWs to update their OWWA membership status
DOLE’s NCMB averts strike at MCU hospital; with CBA settlement package of P9.5M for 349 workers
Philippines Strengthens Military Ties with Timor-Leste
PHL Consulate General in Milan Launches iREHISTRO for Overseas Voting
Former PHL President Dialogues with Filipino Community in New York over Breakfast Forum
DPWH-NCR May 29-June 1 road repair schedule
Ombudsman preventively suspends a BIR Officer
Ombudsman Recommends Preventive Suspension of a Customs Operation Officer
MSEs should be placed front and center in the global trade agenda- Domingo
Global Value Chain data vital to inclusive economic growth
DSWD to netizens: Stop sharing photos, videos degrading children
Agri Sec seeks to change lives of Filipino farmers
MMDA to Launch Earthquake Preparedness Website Next Week
DOLE facilitates release of P2.5M benefits to 173 kasambahay through SEnA
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph
 
Using the efficiency-tested Single Entry Approach (SEnA) conciliation-mediation mechanism, the Department of Labor and Employment has already facilitated the release of 2,565,397.00 pesos worth of employment benefits to 173 Kasambahay since the inception of SEnA in 2013 and until the first quarter of 2015.

The 2015 first quarter settlement totalled to 966,342.60 pesos.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, citing the report of NCMB Executive Director Reynaldo R. Ubaldo, said the requests for assistance (RFA) filed included non-payments of salaries, back pay, overtime pay, 13th month pay, service incentive leave, medical incentive; underpayment of wages; and non-remittance of SSS, Philhealth, and Pag-Ibig benefits.

“For the January to March 2015, there were 404 new RFA file,” said Ubaldo in his report. “Of this number, 61 or 15 percent were filed by kasambahay in the Philippines, while 343 were filed by household service workers (HSWs) abroad,” Ubaldo said in his report.

Adding the 61 new RFA filed to the 15 RFA carried over from 2014, Ubaldo said the NCMB and various DOLE regional offices handled a total of 91 RFA of local kasambahay during the period, 45 of which were promptly disposed of for a 59 per cent disposition rate. Thirty-six of these 45 were settled, and eight were eventually withdrawn. Four were dropped due to lack of interest, and five were referred for compulsory handling—one to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC); and four to the DOLE regional offices.

Only thirty-one of the 91 requests for assistance (RFA) are currently under conciliation-mediation process as of March 31. Twelve of them are in the NCMB and 19 are in the DOLE regional offices.

“We are also pleased to report to the Secretary that overseas, the POEA continuously ensures the well-being of our HSWs by attending to RFA filed through SEnA,” Ubaldo said. We have recorded a total of 645 RFA of household service workers during the period,” he added.

The referrals for assistance covered such issues as alleged maltreatment, non-payment of salaries, non-refund of travel expense, non-payment of medical assistance, and withholding of return travel documents.

Majority, or 470, of these 645 RFA remains pending at the end of the first quarter. One hundred seventy-five were disposed of, which registered a disposition rate of 27 per cent with the following breakdown: 135 were settled, including 12 RFA withdrawn; 26 were dropped due to lack of interest; and 14 were referred for compulsory handling. The settlement rate was recorded at 21 per cent.

The Single Entry Approach (SeNA) is an administrative mechanism that provides speedy, impartial, inexpensive, and accessible settlement of all labor issues. Under the SEnA, conciliation-mediation is done by Single Entry Approach Desk Officers (SEADOs) who are trained to fast-track settlement of all referred labor and employment cases.

“Our conciliators and mediators work round the clock to ensure that the welfare of the workers and the concerns of the employers are both readily addressed. We mutually provide the parties with an accessible venue where just and fair resolution of issues are achieved,” said Secretary Baldoz.

Over the last two years, a total of 3,793 RFA were filed by Kasambahay for SEnA. Of these RFA, 324 were filed by local kasambahay, and 3,454 were filed by overseas-based household service workers.

It can be recalled that the DOLE's SEnA team won the Lingkod Bayan Award for its outstanding performance in providing speedy, impartial, inexpensive and accessible settlement of labor issues through conciliation and mediation.

According to the NCMB, the SEnA is a reform measure enacted by Secretary Baldoz in 2010 under Department Order No. 107 pursuant to the 22-point Labor and Employment Agenda of President Benigno S. Aquino III. Under this reform, the DOLE and its attached agencies are mandated to strictly follow a 30-day mandatory conciliation-mediation process for all cases so that these will not mature into full-blown, legal proceedings.

The Single Entry Approach (SENA) was established in pursuit of the goal of President Benigno S. Aquino III in his 22-point labor and employment agenda. The 30-day mandatory conciliation-mediation approach is a reform program that answers President Aquino’s directive to the DOLE to reform labor arbitration and adjudication systems by streamlining procedures, removing red tape, and at the same time, restore integrity and fairness in the system and to ensure that labor cases are disposed of with quality decisions.

The Department Order No. 107-10 prescribes the guidelines on the reform measure by virtue of the mandate of Section 3, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution on the preferential use of voluntary modes of dispute settlement; Article 211 of the Labor Code, as amended; the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Act of 2004; and Executive Order No. 523 instituting the use of ADR for the speedy resolution of all disputes before the administrative bodies of the Executive Department.
DepEd sets out contingency plans for schools transected by West Valley Fault
Source: http://www.deped.gov.ph
 
The Department of Education (DepEd) has laid out contingency plans for schools that may be affected by the West Valley Fault (WVF) to ensure the safety of students and teachers who are expected to be back in school.

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC inspected Pedro E. Diaz High School (PEDHS), Alabang Elementary School, and Buli Elementary School on May 28. Upon consultation with PHIVOLCS and engineers on the structural integrity of the buildings in these schools, Luistro explained that the school opening for the two schools in Muntinlupa—PEDHS and Alabang ES—will still be on June 1.

“Kung mapatunayan ng engineers na nasa ibabaw ng fault [ang building], ito ay titibagin. Kung malapit o nasa buffer zone, ire-retrofit ang mga building,” Luistro said.

He added, “Ang matitirang open spaces ay magkakaroon ng permanent markers na nagsasaad na hindi siya maaaring puntahan.” He said that the permanent markers also include information on Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM).

“Ang mga building na hindi magagamit sa Pedro E. Diaz ay hindi makakaapekto sa pasukan,” PEDHS principal Estrella Aseron said. She added that academic classes will be scheduled in the morning while technical-vocational classes will be held in the afternoon at the Alternative Learning System (ALS) center of the school. Academic classes will be held at PEDHS while technical-vocational classes will be at the nearby Alternative Learning System (ALS) center

Mauro de Gulan, Schools Division Superintendent of DepEd-Muntinlupa, said, “Isasara ang mga building na apektado para ligtas ang mga mag-aaral.”

Furthermore, DepEd is also preparing for the temporary learning spaces at Buli Elementary School. Classes at Buli ES will start on June 8 because the school has to ensure necessary preparations for the required number of classrooms. “Ang Buli ES po ay tatayuan ng Senior High School. Ipapa-review natin kung mayroon pang magagawa sa mga pahapyaw na madadaanan ng West Valley Fault,” de Gulan added.

DepEd has also set out contingency plans for Karahume Elementary School in Norzagaray, Bulacan, which will also have its first day of classes on June 1. School officials and personnel will orient the community leaders, around 50% of whom are Dumagats, regarding the precautionary measures during an earthquake. DepEd has also sought the assistance of the local government of Karahume while waiting for the assessment of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources regarding early evacuation.

While the school building at Barangka NHS is not traversed by the WVF, part of it is still within the five-meter buffer zone. The engineers have reported that the school building is structurally sound. DepEd has taken precautionary measures for the safety of the teachers and students. Classes will be temporarily held at Tanong HS for Grades 7 and 8 and at J. dela Pena NHS for Grades 9 and 10, and will start on June 1. DPWH will also put up a seismic gap, a structural intervention to lessen the potential impact in the event of an earthquake.

DepEd has existing and ongoing support to strengthen the preparedness and mitigation response of its schools and field offices nationwide. This includes quarterly emergency drills and integration of DRRM concepts in the curriculum. In partnership with other agencies, non-government organizations, and local government, DepEd has also developed learning materials that include understanding and preparing for the occurrence of disasters such as earthquakes. DepEd also has a continued partnership with PHIVOLCS in reinforcing and updating existing learning materials that will include engagement of families on earthquake preparedness.
11 CARAGA schools now have DOST's STARBOOKS
Source: http://www.dost.gov.ph
 
Butuan City, Caraga - A globally recognized digital science library developed by the Department of Science and Technology-Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII), is now being used as a handy research tool for students at 11 high schools in Eastern Mindanao.

Recently, DOST-STII launched STARBOOKS or Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly-Operated Kiosk Stations in the said sites during the Butuan City, CARAGA Region stop of the Department’s national roadshow dubbed Science Nation: Agham na Ramdam.

STARBOOKS is a user-friendly digital library of science and technology (S&T) information which may be accessed without Internet connection. It is the first science digital library in the Philippines, containing thousands of S&T resources in various formats - text and audio/ video - placed in especially designed pods set in a user-friendly interface.

STARBOOKS is one of five projects worldwide recently chosen by the American Library Association (ALA) to receive the 2015 ALA Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects on June 29, 2015 in San Francisco, USA.

The 11 CARAGA schools now installed with STARBOOKS are Agusan National High School and ACLC in Butuan City; Mainit National High School in Mainit, Surigao del Norte; Jabonga Central Elementary School, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte; Burgos National High School, Burgos, Siargao, Surigao del Norte; Tag-abaca National High School and Loreto National High School in Basilisa and Loreto, Dinagat Islands respectively; Jacinto P. Elpa National High School and Lingig National High School in Tandag City and Lingig, Surigao del Sur; Esperanza National High School and Bayugan National Comprehensive High School in Esperanza and Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur.

“ALA, if you would ask me, is among the most influential academic bodies,” said DOST Assistant Secretary Raymund E. Liboro during the launch, “so for those who have STARBOOKS in their school library, you are getting a world-class product.”

Also present during the launch were other key officials of DOST led by Undersecretary for Regional Operations Carol M. Yorobe and and DOST CARAGA Regional Director Dominga D. Mallonga.

Science Nation:Agham na Ramdam is a continuing roadshow that showcases DOST’s achievements and contributions in the region’s economic growth through various scientific and technological interventions. The launching of STARBOOKS was one of several activities during the event. STARBOOKS will also be featured during DOST’s National Science and Technology Week slated from July 24-28, 2015 at SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City. (S&T Media Service)
Papua New Guinea explores possiblity of modelling BI anti-trafficking efforts
Source: http://www.immigration.gov.ph
 
PASAY, Philippines—Delegates of the Papua New Guinea government visited the Bureau of Immigration last May 19 at the NAIA Terminal 3 to study and observe their anti-trafficking efforts.

The meeting was arranged by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), who is assisting the Papua New Guinea government in setting up its counter-trafficking mechanisms.

The visit served as an opportunity for the Papua New Guinea government to observe and possibly emulate the practical implementation of a national plan against trafficking in persons and a referral mechanism in a country that has an established counter-trafficking process.

“We are glad to assist other countries by sharing our best practices in our fight against human trafficking,” said BI Port Operations Chief Atty. Floro Balato, Jr.“Trafficking is not only a problem in the Philippines. It is a worldwide issue that must be stopped,” he added.

According to Balato, the BI is working hand-in-hand with IOM and other partner agencies in the drive against human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

In 2014, the Philippines ranked number 1 in Asia in the Global Slavery Index for “making comparatively strong efforts with limited resources” in the campaign against human trafficking.

The index ranked the Philippines number one in Asia, number three in Asia-Pacific, and number 29 globally, out of 167 countries in terms of government efforts and programs, especially on the response of the criminal justice system against human trafficking.
Sandiganbayan convicts 3 private executives for behest loans
Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph
 
Three executives of the Integrated Shoes, Inc. (ISI) were found guilty of nine counts of violation of Section (g) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) for conspiring with former executives of the Philippine National Bank (PNB) in facilitating the release of behest loans totaling P 71 million granted from 1972 to 1980.

In a Decision promulgated by the Sandiganbayan, ISI executives Leticia Teodoro, Marfina Singian and Gregorio Singian were each sentenced to imprisonment of six years and one month as minimum to ten years as maximum for each count.

The criminal cases against PNB executives Panfilo Domingo, Domingo Incgo, Constantino Bautista and Tomas Teodoro were dismissed on account of their deaths prior to the termination of the trial.

Ombudsman prosecutors were able to establish that the loan transactions were grossly and manifestly disadvantageous to the government as ISI was undercapitalized while the loans were undercollateralized. In 1972, a 5-year loan amounting to US$2.5 million was granted to ISI to cover the purchase of equipment and machinery for its Bataan factory, which loan was secured only by a second mortgage on a property in Cainta. Subsequently, eight other loans were granted to ISI from 1972 to 1980 as export advance and credit line accommodations. When ISI defaulted in its payment, the government was only able to foreclose properties amounting to P3 million whereas ISI’s indebtedness stood at more than P71 million.

Section 3(g) of R.A. 3019 prohibits public officers from entering, on behalf of the government, into any contract or transaction manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the same, whether or not the public officer profited or will profit thereby.
Bank Lending Decelerates in April
Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph
 
Outstanding loans of commercial banks, net of reverse repurchase (RRP) placements with the BSP, grew at a slightly slower pace of 15.4 percent in April from 16.1 percent (revised) in the previous month. Likewise, the growth of bank lending inclusive of RRPs slowed down to 14.8 percent from the revised 15.7-percent growth posted in the previous month. On a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, commercial bank lending increased by 0.8 percent for loans both net and gross of RRPs.
Loans for production activities—which comprised more than 80.0 percent of banks’ aggregate loan portfolio—grew by 15.1 percent in April from 15.9 percent (revised) in March. The expansion in production loans was driven primarily by increased lending to the following sectors: manufacturing (15.2 percent); real estate, renting, and business services (12.5 percent); wholesale and retail trade (14.4 percent); electricity, gas and water (16.3 percent); and, financial intermediation (16.0 percent). Bank lending to other sectors likewise expanded during the month.
Loans for household consumption grew by 20.1 percent in April from 19.8 percent (revised) in March due to continued growth in credit card loans, auto loans and other types of loans (i.e., salary loans and personal loans).
The sustained expansion in bank lending, particularly to productive sectors, is expected to support sustainable levels of economic growth. Going forward, the BSP will continue to ensure that domestic credit and liquidity conditions will keep pace with overall economic activity while remaining consistent with its price and financial stability objectives.
View Tables:   1994 PSIC   |  2009 PSIC
Domestic Liquidity Expands Further in April
Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph
 
Preliminary data show that domestic liquidity (M3) grew by 9.0 percent year-on-year in April 2015 to reach P7.6 trillion. This was faster than the 8.7-percent expansion (revised) recorded in March. On a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, M3 increased by 0.9 percent.
Money supply continued to increase due largely to sustained demand for credit. Domestic claims grew by 9.3 percent in April from 10.4 percent in March as credits to the private sector expanded at a slightly slower pace relative to the previous month. The bulk of bank loans during the month was channeled to key production sectors such as manufacturing, real estate, renting, and business services, wholesale and retail trade, utilities, and financial intermediation. Meanwhile, net public sector credit contracted by 7.9 percent in April after declining by 8.3 percent (revised) a month earlier.
Net foreign assets (NFA) in peso terms rose at a faster pace of 8.8 percent in April from 8.4 percent (revised) in the previous month. The BSP’s NFA position continued to expand during the month, after contracting since July 2014, on the back of robust foreign exchange inflows coming mainly from overseas Filipinos’ remittances and business process outsourcing receipts. The NFA of banks likewise increased as banks’ foreign assets expanded, while their foreign liabilities contracted. Banks’ foreign assets increased due mainly to the growth in their investments in marketable debt securities and deposits with other banks, while banks’ foreign liabilities decreased on account of lower placements made by foreign banks with their local branches.
Domestic liquidity growth accelerated during the month due in part to the decline in the placements of trust entities in the BSP’s special deposit account (SDA) facility relative to the previous month. Nonetheless, the broadly slower pace of M3 expansion in April 2015 relative to a year ago reflects the gradual normalization of domestic liquidity growth after the operational adjustments involving access of trust entities to the BSP’s SDA facility were completed in November 2013.
The continued expansion in domestic liquidity during the month indicates that liquidity remains sufficient to sustain the economy’s growth momentum. Going forward, the BSP will closely monitor monetary conditions to ensure that liquidity dynamics stay consistent with the BSP’s price and financial stability objectives.
OWWA benefits await families of OFWs killed in Qatar—Baldoz
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph
 
Aside from accrued salaries and other employment benefits, the families of the two OFWs killed last week in a vehicular accident in Qatar will receive life insurance and other benefits from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said yesterday. The two OFWs, Ysrael Villamarin Cenina, 37, and Reynel Anonuevo Manalo, 22, were active OWWA members at the time of their deaths. Two other OFWs, namely, Bernard MacasukitTeves and Christopher Colitano Cleofe, who were injured in the accident, will also receive accident benefits from the OWWA. Labor Attache Leopoldo De Jesus of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Qatar reported that the death of the two OFWs and the injury of two others resulted from a road mishap that occurred at around 7:30 A.M. on 19 May 2015 along the Mesaieed-Salwa road in Doha. The two deceased OFWs and the two injured were working with the IMCO Engineering and Contracting Company at the time of the accident. All the workers, along with other foreign national workers, were riding in a rented company van enroute to their worksite when a trailer truck collided with their vehicle, causing serious damage. All the workers were promptly rushed to the Wakra Hospital. The two injured OFWs have been already discharged from the hospital. Labor Attache De Jesus reported that IMCO is already processing the repatriation of the remains of the two deceased OFWs and already informed their families. “I already instructed the POLO in Qatar to coordinate with the workers’ employer for the immediate release of the workers’ benefits and accrued salaries, especially their life and accident insurance. On the part of the OWWA, their families will receive welfare assistance and other benefits due to OWWA members,” Baldoz said. POLO-Qatar continues to monitor the case of these OFWs, as well as those injured in the incident to assure that all benefits due them will be provided.
Baldoz commits assistance to two jailed Filipina workers; urges OFWs to update their OWWA membership status
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph
 
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday assured the families of two Filipino household service workers, one of whom is jailed in the United Arab Emirates and in Canada, that the DOLE will extend them necessary assistance even if they are not active OWWA members. “Although Jennifer Dalquez and Anita Tonogbanua are not active members of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the DOLE will still provide assistance to them and their families,” Baldoz said. Dalquez is a household service worker who is in death row after she was found by a UAE court guilty of killing her employer, while Tonogbanua is a caregiver/household service worker who has a pending theft case in Canada. “We will do everything we can to help Ms. Dalquez and Ms. Tonogbanua and their families while they go through their ordeals,” said Baldoz. Under current rules, migrant workers who are unable to renew or update their OWWA membership are not entitled to social benefits, such as life insurance, education/training assistance benefits, and some workers welfare assistance benefits accorded to active members. Baldoz explained that the respective case of Dalquez and Tonogbanua are both beyond the jurisdiction of the agency because they are not OWWA members. OWWA rules allow legal and other assistance only to members of the agency. However, Baldoz said she had instructed the OWWA and the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) in the UAE and Canada to provide the said OFWs necessary on-site assistance and services and to help their dependents even if their membership are not up-to-date out of humanitarian consideration. “Whether the OFW is regular/documented or irregular/undocumented, he or she will be provided with free legal advice and in-country assistance, such as the preparation of supporting documentation. They can also avail of loans under the P2 Billion Reintegration Program for OFWs,” said Baldoz. According to Baldoz, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had already reported that Dalquez, 28, and a native of General Santos City, will appeal her sentence. Her family has already been informed of these developments. On the other hand, Tonogbanua can also receive legal aid through the Assistance to National Unit of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa. The Canada Border Service Agency apprehended Tonogbanua on 27 April 2015 on the strength of a search warrant in 2009. She had received a Deportation Notice in 2010. She was arrested after her employer in Hong Kong filed a theft case against her. Reports say Tonogbanua transferred to Canada and worked as a caregiver 2007 while she still has an existing contract with her Hong Kong employer. She reportedly learned of the pending case against her only after she received police clearance with derogatory records from the Hong Kong Police while applying for permanent residency in 2007. Despite the lack of proper documents, she continued to work in Canada as a condominium maintenance attendant. As this developed, Baldoz urged all OFWs to continually update their OWWA membership while working abroad. “OFWs can verify the status of their OWWA membership by visiting the OWWA Office in Philippine Embassies and bringing along their Philippine passports and copies of their contracts,” said Baldoz. The renewal of OWWA membership is on a per-contract basis.All OWWA-registered members can avail of OWWA services that range from disability and death benefits, scholarships and financial assistance for education and training, workers assistance and on-site services, and social services and family welfare assistance. OWWA members may also wish to visit the OWWA website at www.owwa.gov.ph for any updates.
DOLE’s NCMB averts strike at MCU hospital; with CBA settlement package of P9.5M for 349 workers
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph
 
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday lauded the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) and its regional branch in National Capital Region (RCMB-NCR) for acting fast in settling the notice of strike that workers at the Manila Central University (MCU)-Filemon D. Tanchoco Medical Foundation had filed due to bargaining deadlock. She also praised the hospital’s union and management for their maturity and responsibility that led to the settlement. "I am pleased that the union and the management have settled the dispute, thus preserving the harmonious relationship between its 456 workers and the management. I am also pleased that the NCMB, as facilitator, has successfully conciliated-mediated the dispute," said Baldoz. The labor dispute arose after the MCU-Filemon D. Tanchoco Medical Foundation Employees Association, the company’s 330-strong employees’ union, filed a notice of strike on 19 March 2015, on the ground of bargaining deadlock on the issues of salaries and wage increase, retirement pay, longevity pay, and signing bonus, which were validated by the parties on a conference on 26 March 2015. The union conducted a strike vote referendum on 15 April and submitted the results on 17 April 2015. Acting fast on the NOS, Conciliator-Mediator Amorsolo Aglibut convened a series of conferences, after which the parties amicably agreed to settle the dispute on terms both beneficial to the workers and to the management. The terms of the settlement were as follows: For salaries and wages, effective 15 March 2015, each covered employee working for five days will receive P436.73 per day while those working six days a week will receive P501.73 per day. Effective 15 March 2016, each covered employee will receive an increase of P300 per month. For retirement pay, each covered employee who has worked for 15-19 years and avail of optional retirement will receive 27 percent of their salary; those who worked for 10 years and reached the age of 55 and avail of optional retirement, will receive 77 percent of their salary; those who worked for 20-24 years, will receive 52 percent of their salary, and those who worked for 25 years and above, will receive 87 percent of their salary. On the other hand, each covered employee who has reached compulsory retirement age of 60 and worked less than 25 years, will receive 87 percent of their salary and those who are 60 years old and have served the company for 25 years or more, will receive 102 percent of their salary. For longevity pay, the management also settled with the workers the following terms of benefit: for those five to ten years in service, P70, for those 11-20 years in service, P80; for those 21-30 years in service, P90; and for those 31 years and above in service, P100. Each covered employee will also receive a signing bonus of P3,000. “In total, the CBA package of P9,521,614.26 will benefit 349 covered employees. I laud the management and the workers for amicably settling their dispute and con-med Aglibut for his dedication in resolving it,” said Baldoz. "This satisfactory settlement of the dispute through conciliation-mediation will redound to the benefit not only of the workers whose jobs could have been lost if the strike materialized, but also of management which is now assured of continued harmony," said Baldoz, as she encouraged workers and management in all the country's establishments to explore the avenue of social dialogue to sustain the prevailing peaceful industrial climate. The MCU-Filemon D. Tanchoco Medical Foundation is a non-stock and non-profit educational institution with an adjunct training hospital established in 1971. It provides medical and surgical services and employs around 456 employees. The MCU-Filemon D. Tanchoco Medical Foundation Employees Association is an affiliate of the Alliance of Filipino Workers (AFW). It represents 330 employee-union members.
Philippines Strengthens Military Ties with Timor-Leste
Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph
 
29 May 2015 – Military ties between the Philippines and Timor-Leste was given a boost with the recent high-level visit of a senior-ranking Philippine military official to Timor-Leste.

Upon the invitation of the Falintil-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL or the Defense Forces of Timor-Leste), Lieutenant General (LTGEN) Aurelio B. Baladad, Eastern Mindanao Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), graced the commemoration of the 13th Anniversary of the Restoration of Timor-Leste’s Independence on May 20. AFP Chief of Staff General Pio P. Catapang, Jr. designated LTGEN Baladad to be his representative to the commemorative event.

LTGEN Baladad also held a bilateral meeting with F-FDTL Chief Major General Lere Anan Timur to discuss and exchange views on how to further strengthen the two countries’ military cooperation. The F-FDTL is enlisting the help of the AFP in building its institutional and human resource capacities.

LTGEN Baladad was accompanied by his spouse, Mrs. Rhodora Baladad, and Captain Joselito Dalida.

Officials of the Philippine Embassy in Dili and the Office of the Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attaché (ODAFA) also provided logistical support to the AFP delegation.

The visit received considerable media coverage in Timor-Leste.
PHL Consulate General in Milan Launches iREHISTRO for Overseas Voting
Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph
 
29 May 2015 – The Philippine Consulate General in Milan launched the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) iREHISTRO Project on May 26. The iREHISTRO Project is an internet-based system which gives qualified Filipinos the opportunity to fill out the registrations form online, and select the date and time of appointment for biometrics capturing.

To accomplish the registration using the iREHISTRO, applicants are advised to visit www.philcongenmilan.net or www.comelec.gov.ph and click on the iREHISTRO link and fill-in the required data. After accomplishing the form, the applicant needs to personally bring a photocopy of his/her passport for biometrics capturing. By using this facility, they need not wait a long time to complete the registration process and therefore will encourage more registrants for overseas voting.

The newly launched iREHISTRO registration for the May 2016 elections will last until October 31. The Consulate General continues to encourage the Filipino community to register before the set deadline.
Former PHL President Dialogues with Filipino Community in New York over Breakfast Forum
Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph
 
29 May 2015 – The Philippine Consulate General New York and the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce New York (PACC) jointly hosted a Breakfast Forum with former President Fidel V. Ramos (FVR) at the Kalayaan Hall Annex of the New York Philippine Center on May 21. After attending the reunion celebrations of his graduating class from U.S. Military Academy in West Point, President Ramos took the time to update the Filipino-American community on recent political, economic and social developments in the Philippines.

In his opening remarks, PACC President Michael Nierva recalled that it was the economic initiatives of President Ramos that inspired the Chamber to assert itself as an organization to help enhance and expand Philippines-US business ties in the Tri-State region.

In his introduction of President Ramos, Philippine Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr. expressed gratitude to him for his frequent post-presidency activities of educating the Filipino public on current issues which are of pertinence to the Philippines and the Filipino community in the Northeast U.S. region.

The Consul General also congratulated President Ramos on a recognition he received from his alma mater, the US Military Academy in West Point. The Thayer Hotel in West Point, NY recently inducted the new Fidel V Ramos Room named in his honor, the first recognition the institution dedicated to a foreigner.

Consul General De Leon further expressed his confidence in the former president’s wisdom and experience for insights to solutions and answers to the issues being faced by the Philippines. He mentioned the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) with China, and cited the Mischief Reef incident during President Ramos’ term in 1995. He also raised the subject of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, and brought up the previous visit of the former president in New York where he presented a video documentary on the Special Action Force, the same group that handled the Mamasapano operation in January.

In his usual charismatic demeanor, President Ramos greeted the community and presented to the audience the accomplishments and legacies of his stewardship of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998. He noted such measures undertaken during his presidential administration, such as the Peace Agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front, the economic liberalization and globalization efforts, and the growing foreign investment opportunities in the country. He further explained to the audience on what he felt were examples of his administration’s policies which can find relevance to the nation today.

During the question-and-answer portion moderated by Consul Felipe Cariño, Director of the Political/Economic Section, President Ramos candidly addressed queries from the attendees concerning the ongoing Peace Process in Mindanao, the West Philippine Sea Arbitration case between the Philippines and China, the upcoming 2016 presidential elections, and the programs of the government for historical preservation matters such as the Battle of Sibuyan Sea during the Second World War.

Over 60 community members were present at the Forum, representing such diverse organizations as the National Federation of Filipino American Associations Region I (NaFFAA), the Filipino American Legal Defense Fund (FALDEF), the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce in Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey (PACC-PSNJ), Metrobank New York, the Philippine Nurses Association in New York, and the Filipino-American Press Club of New York (FAPCNY)
DPWH-NCR May 29-June 1 road repair schedule
Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph
 
The Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region (DPWH-NCR) will undertake reblocking and road repair effective 10 PM of May 29, Friday to 5 AM of June 1, Monday on the following roads in the cities of Quezon, Pasig and Caloocan:

Quezon City

1.Along Payatas Road from Visayas St. to Amlacville St. (1st lane, North bound); and

2.Along Mindanao Avenue from Road 1 to Catleya St. (3rd lane, North bound).

Pasig City

1.Along C-5 Road Pasig Blvd from Dr. M. Flores St. to Sgt. Pascua St. (North bound);

2.Along C-5 Ortigas Flyover from Expansion Joint. No. 2 to Expansion Joint No. 4 (North bound and South bound); and

3.Along C-5 Road from Shell Gasoline Station to SM Warehouse going to Lanuza St. (1st and 2nd outermost lane, North bound).

Caloocan City

1.Along EDSA from Concepcion St. to Evangelista St. (lane going to Monumento, 6th lane from sidewalk, North bound).
Ombudsman preventively suspends a BIR Officer
Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph
 
To facilitate comprehensive investigation of a case, the Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) preventively suspended Marita Lourdes Siquian Azur (Azur), Revenue Officer I of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).In a six-page Order, the Anti-Graft Body found enough bases to suspend Azur pending investigation of a case the Department of Finance-Revenue Integrity Protection Service (DOF-RIPS)filed against her for violations of Republic Act Nos. 3019 and 6713, Articles 171 and 183 of the Revised Penal Code, Grave Misconduct, Serious Dishonesty, Violation of existing Civil Service Law and rules, and for Forfeiture.

The present case emanated from a February 19, 2013 informant’s report to the Ombudsman Lifestyle Check Hotline, accusing respondent of questionable acquisition of properties. Subsequently, the Ombudsman endorsed the report to the DOF-RIPS for the conduct of a lifestyle check investigation.

Based on the DOF-RIPS investigation, the issuance of a preventive suspension is warranted, because,first, the Ombudsman noted the alleged substantial discrepancies in the declarations made by Azur in her 2010, 2011 and 2012 SALNs and the available data from different government agencies. The Order noted that in her 2010 SALN, respondent declared a net worth of P2,194,339.73 and the amount of P2,730,19.73 as total assets. However, for the years 2011 and 2012, Azur’s gross annual salary was only P413,276.00. The Order further noted that even if salaries from respondent’s previous employment are added to her BIR salaries from 2010 to 2012, the combined incomes would only amount to a total of P1,816,624.75.

Second, the Ombudsman said Azur also failed to declare all her motor vehicles in 2012. While respondent declared her Toyota Fortuner in her 2010 and 2011 SALNs, she failed to declare the same in her 2012 SALN. She, however, declared in her 2013 SALN the same Toyota Fortuner, which is still registered in her name upon verification with the Land Transportation Office (LTO)

Third, the Ombudsman also gave weight to the allegation that Azur lumped her personal properties in her 2010, 2011, and 2012 SALNs, in violation of Section 7 in relation to Section 9(b) of R.A. No. 3019 and Section 8 in relation to Section 11 of R.A. No. 6713.In 2010, respondent declared, among other things, the following personal properties:(1) “Cash in bank and on hand” in the amount of P683,179.73; and (2) “jewelries, clothing and personal” valued at P108,000.00. In her 2011 SALN, however, she lumped her “cash and cash equivalents” in the amount of P1,013,618.13 but separately declared the “jewelry” and “clothing and personal” valued at P180,000.00 and P52,000.00, respectively. Respondent separately declared her cash amounting to P507,942.87 and lumped “cash equivalent” with “other personal belongings” valued at P2,021,083.42 in her 2012 SALN. The Ombudsman said, “By lumping her personal properties, there is no means by which the increases or decreases in the value of her properties could be determined. Such indiscriminate lumping of properties may constitute a violation of the requirement in the law to file a true and detailed declaration of her personal properties xxx.”

Finally, per records of the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Azur travelled abroad seven (7) times from 2010 to 2012. However, no travel authorities were issued to respondent Azur per June 10, 2010 Certification the Chief Administrative Office of the Central Records Management Office of the DOF issued. Thus, the filing of the charges against Azur for Falsification, Perjury, violation of Sections 7 and 8 of R.A. No. 3019 and Section 8 of R.A. No. 6713, Grave Misconduct, Serious Dishonesty and violation of existing Civil Service Law and rules of serious nature is warranted.

The Ombudsman issues preventive suspensions as a preliminary step in an investigation and does not make a final determination of the guilt of the official concerned.
Ombudsman Recommends Preventive Suspension of a Customs Operation Officer
Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph/
 
The Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman)in its recent Order recommends the preventive suspension of Ma. Teresa Roman Aggabao, Customs Operation Officer V of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), pending investigation by the Ombudsman of the case filed against her by the Department of Finance-Revenue Integrity Protection Service (DOF-RIPS) for alleged violation of Section 7 of Republic Act 3019, Section 8 of Republic Act 6713, Articles 171 and 183 of the Revised Penal Code, Grave Misconduct, Serious Dishonesty, and reasonable office rules and regulations.

Under Section of RA 6770, “the Ombudsman or his Deputy may preventively suspend any officer or employee under his authority pending an investigation, if in his judgment the evidence of guilt is strong, and (a) the charge against such officer or employee involves dishonesty, oppression or grave misconduct or neglect in the performance of duty; (b) the charges would warrant removal from the service; or (c) the respondent’s continued stay in office may prejudice the case filed against him.”

In its Order, the Ombudsman found enough evidence warranting the imposition of the preventive suspension. It explained that the DOF-RIPS presented evidence showing that respondent Aggabao did not declare her property in Pasay City in her 2004 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). According to her 2005 SALN, she acquired the said real property in 2004. The Ombudsman also cited the DOF-RIPS findings that respondent and her daughter allegedly purchased a lot in Barrio Molino, Bacoor, Cavite, worth four hundred thousand pesos in November 20, 2010. However, at that time, respondent’s daughter was only seventeen years old and had no clear source of income. The said Molino property was not declared in her 2010, 2011 and 2012 SALN.

Aside from the above-cited real estate property, respondent allegedly did not declare two firearms in her 2012 and 2013 SALN when these were purportedly acquired in 2012.

The Anti-Graft Body has cited documents from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), showing respondent’s supposed failure to declare her and her husband’s business interests in TEN55 Corporation and Aressa Food Products, respectively. Based on the SEC records, TEN55 Corporation was issued a SEC Certificate of Incorporation on September28, 2012, but respondent did not declare the same in her 2012 and 2013 SALN; while Aressa Food Products was registered with the DTI on February 17, 2011, but she did not declare the same in her 2011, 2012, and 2013 SALN.

The Ombudsman also mentioned the records found by DOF-RIPS from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) showing discrepancies in respondent’s travels abroad vis-à-vis the travel authorities found in the records of the DOF Central Records Management Division. Apparently, the DOF Central Records Management Division has eleven records of travel authorities issued to respondent from 2002 to 2013, but the BI records showed respondent doing sixteen trips abroad from 2000 to 2014, which may make her liable for violation of Executive Order No. 6, series of 1986, requiring all public officials and employees to obtain travel authorities for travels abroad.

The Order also stated the Ombudsman’s observation that there were substantial increases in respondent’s net worth for years 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2012. Examination of the records seems to indicate that respondent may have accumulated wealth disproportionate to her lawful income, considering that her annual incomes from the cited years do not support the significant increases in her net worth and that there is no indication that her husband was gainfully employed.

While the Ombudsman has issued the recommendation for the respondent’s preventive suspension, the said recommendation is merely a preliminary step in an investigation and is not in any way the final determination of the guilt of the official concerned. The suspension is only to prevent an official from using his office to intimidate or influence witnesses or to tamper with records that might be vital to the prosecution of the case against him.
MSEs should be placed front and center in the global trade agenda- Domingo
Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph
“Inclusion of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) must not just be an afterthought, not just a by-the-way, and not just in the sidelines. MSEs must be the prism through the facets of which light is shed on policies and actions that affect global trade. Anything less, and the shared enterprise to promote economic integration and facilitate free trade toward the attainment of equitable and inclusive growth will be hard put to prosper,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary and Gregory L. Domingo stated.

The Philippines has been strongly advocating for the interests of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in global and regional trade.

Domingo, who is also APEC 2015 Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Chair, explained that "MSEs are integral parts in our pursuit to enhance regional economic integration and in the attainment of equitable and inclusive growth. When MSEs, which comprise the bulk of manufacturing and commercial establishments, are effectively sidelined, equitable and inclusive growth becomes a myth."

As the Philippines hosts Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2015, the country has been given the opportunity and privilege to move forward its initiatives through an action agenda for micro and small enterprises. By way of this action-oriented initiative, the Philippines aims to address the barriers faced by MSMEs in international trade and facilitate their access to regional and global markets with particular focus on micro and small enterprises.

“Going forward, equitable and inclusive growth can only be attained when an enabling environment promotes the full participation of MSEs in global trade. Clearly, at a minimum, the policies and the attendant rules and regulations for the facilitation of trade and investment have to be revised and enhanced. More importantly, trade policy makers must transition to a mindset that is fully sensitized to the plight of MSEs,” Domingo stressed.

The MRT was held from 23 to 24 May in Boracay, Aklan, where 21 APEC Trade Ministers discussed concrete outcomes for 2015 to advance the participation of MSMEs in regional and global markets. They also discussed matters that seek to enhance the regional economic integration agenda such as the efforts in line with the achievement of the Bogor Goals, and APEC’s work on the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

Domingo is optimistic that his fellow APEC Trade Ministers will fully support the action agenda for MSEs and work together to shepherd APEC’s work towards areas where cooperation among the member economies will be truly meaningful and relevant.
Global Value Chain data vital to inclusive economic growth
Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph
 
Member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) convened the First Meeting of the Technical Group on Measurement of APEC Trade in Value Added (TiVA) Services and discussed effective ways in monitoring the accumulation of costs in trade requiring additional data on Global Value Chains (GVCs). Trade in Value Added measures flows related to the value that is added by a country in the production of a particular good or service that is exported.

To achieve the common goal of deepening and widening participation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in trade requires the monitoring of their actual participation and appreciating the value on the direct or indirect contributions of MSMEs in the global value chains.

The emergence of GVCs presents opportunities for MSMEs to lend support to APEC’s efforts to increase trade flows in the region and strengthen economic integration. During the meeting, the technical group considered the proposal of the Philippines to include data on MSMEs in the compilation of statistics and accumulation of costs in trade. Gathering the data related to trade in value added products and services among APEC economies would build a greater appreciation of how MSMEs can integrate and be more competitive in the global and regional markets.

The Philippines recognizes that a significant factor in the development of MSMEs is measuring their contribution in the GVCs. Identifying MSME-input to globally produced products will make their businesses more visible to the market, enhance their market reach, and ease their access to international and domestic trade.

In support of this initiative, China submitted a proposal for an Action Plan Strategic Framework on Measurement of APEC TiVA under GVCs. The proposal is designed to assist eligible economies in carrying out a data availability survey and two workshops for eligible member economies to determine a common industry, product, and firm type classification, and encourage developing member economies to participate as well.
DSWD to netizens: Stop sharing photos, videos degrading children
Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph
 
Amid the video of a child on a leash going viral on social media, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) strongly asks netizens to stop uploading and sharing photos and videos showing children in degrading situations.

“As we all know, social media has its good and bad sides. What is important is for us to be responsible in reporting these cases of violence, whether done in jest or not, to authorities for immediate action. Once you receive photos or videos on abuses, please do not share them because these will also lead children to experience insecurity and low self-esteem when they grow older,” Sec. Soliman said.

Instead, the Department appeals that netizens report these photos to DSWD or to the Philippine National Police.

Sec. Soliman cited another photo that surfaced in the internet showing a child with a lit cigarette on her mouth just a day after DSWD rescued and took temporary custody of the child on a leash.

The Secretary warned parents and perpetrators to avoid making the same mistake committed by the mother of the child on a leash. She reiterated that they could be held liable under Republic Act 9262 or the Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Act and under Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law.
Agri Sec seeks to change lives of Filipino farmers
Source: http://www.da.gov.ph
 
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala urged vegetable farmers of Matalongon, Dalaguete, Cebu to plant cauliflower, brocolli, sweet peas, and lettuce alternately with their regular produce to be able to demand a competitive price for their harvest and earn more from their hard work.

“Nakikisuyo po kami sa inyo na sumubok ng ibang pananim,” the secretary said.

“Kung kayo pong lahat ay magtatanim ng repolyo o sayote, dadating po ang araw na babagsak ang presyo ng mga ani nyo, dahil sosobra sa demand ang inyong maaani,” the secretary explained.

In line with this, Alcala immediately directed the regional field office of DA in Region 7 to distribute seeds and seedlings of various high value crops as well as other planting materials.

“Next week po ay pupuntahan kayo ng ating regional director Angel Enriquez upang ihatid ang mga ayuda galing sa pamahalaan,” Alcala assured, stressing that it was the President' s personal directive to him to come to the most rural communities in the country and deliver the programs of the administration.

“Kabilin-bilinan po ng Pangulo na wag pabababayaan ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda,” he said. In addition, the agri chief urged veggie growers to deliver their produce to the newly opened Dalaguete Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (DAPTC), to standardize prices.

“Wag na po kayong magbebenta sa inyong mga barangay, dito po kayo sa sentro magdala ng inyong mga paninda para po tulung-tulong tayong mapabuti ang inyong mga buhay,” he said.

The Agri-Pinoy trading center program of the government aims to establish trading hubs in strategic areas of the country to provide a practical market for the farmers’ produce.

The trading center will source out and sell products directly from the farmers and agri-processors within the community. In turn, farmers increase their profits and consumers are provided access to cheaper commodities.

Alcala, on May 28, 2015, led the opening of the DAPTC and the switching of the price monitoring board, which displays market price per kilogram of various vegetables sold in the city and in the trading center.

The P16-million trading center reflects the sturdy partnership of the national and the local government of Cebu in an effort to maximize the potential of Matalongon as the province's vegetable basket.

The facility does not only provide a stable and dependable market for the farmers and consumers, but also livelihood opportunities to other residents.

Lily Dales, for example, earns 300-400 pesos a day from packing vegetables in the center.

“Ngayon po, kumikita na po kami ng 20 hanggang 30 pesos kada basket ng gulay,” she said, enough to spend for the daily food needs of her family.

The trading center was turned-over to the municipal government of Dalaguete this week, and will be turned-over to the farmers in five years.

During the period, the government will provide necessary assistance including training packages in good agricultural practices and other modern technologies.

Alcala said that aside from capability enhancement, the center will undergo innovations including the establishment of processing facilities.

The agri secretary likewise proposed for the establishment of concrete farm to market roads that will connect the production areas to the trading centers. As such, he urged the local chief executives to look into the Philippine Rural Development portfolio and lodge in proposals that will link the rural communities to the market centers.

“Pagtulung-tulungan po natin na mabago ang buhay ng mga magsasakang Pilipino.”
MMDA to Launch Earthquake Preparedness Website Next Week
Source: http://www.mmda.gov.ph
 
In line with government efforts to sustain an educational campaign on the risks and dangers of a strong earthquake should it hit Metro Manila and nearby towns, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will launch next week a website dedicated to earthquake preparedness.

The website will contain, among other things, vital information on how to survive a strong temblor in case it hits the metropolis and will familiarize the public on do’s and don’t’s before, during and after an earthquake occurs.

The website can be accessed through www.bepreparedmetromanila.com

According to Chairman Francis Tolentino, the website aims to promote pro-active participation and wide-range information dissemination about earthquake readiness and risk reduction.

“The main premise of the website is to inculcate the importance of preparedness in these challenging times. I am urging everyone to visit the website and try to learn as much information as they can,” Tolentino said.

The website contains an atlas of the Valley Fault System, a video of the Greater Metro Manila Area Risk Analysis conducted by Ausaid, and contact numbers of national and local emergency response units.

It also features a detailed description of the MMDA’s Oplan Metro Yakal, the agency’s disaster contingency measure.

“We have started program linkage with concerned government agencies and those in the private sector to be able to pool all resources and services that might be necessary to sustain the campaign,” Tolentino said.


 
 
President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the "K to 12, Kayang-kaya, Sama-sama!" Celebration
Plenary Hall, Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City
29May 2015
 
‘Yung kanina hong nagsalitang guro sa Don Alejandro Roces… Tinanong ko tuloy, “Iyan [Alejandro Roces] kaya si Anding Roces?” Oo nga raw, dating kalihim ng Department of Education. Sabi ko, “Kasama ng tatay ko ‘yan noong 1978. Tumakbo sa interim Batasang Pambansa elections. Tumatanda na yata ako’t iyong pinapangalanang mga eskuwela ay mga nakahalubilo ko.” [Tawanan]

Anyway, sabi ni Joel sa akin kanina, mayroon raw ho yatang mga tumututol sa K to 12 na nag-rally kanina. Higit-kumulang raw ho, dalawampu sila pero iyong banner ho raw nila [ay] tiglilima. Kaya gusto kong makita ‘yung mga diyaryo bukas, baka papakitaan tayo ng napakaraming tutol na bandera sa K to 12. ‘Yung tao ho, baka magreklamo ng unfair labor practice dahil limang bandera ang pinatangan sa kanya. [inaudible] Pagdating ng panahon, lahat ng mga tumututol, ‘pag nakita na ‘yung tagumpay, sasabihing kung hindi sa batikos nila [ay] hindi ko napaganda ang K to 12. [Palakpakan] Minsan ho talaga ang mga kritiko natin, sila lang talaga ang anak ng Diyos; sila lang ang magaling. Kaya bahala na ang Diyos sa kanila.

Mga kababayan, ang panata ko po sa ating mga Boss: Sa tuwid na daan, dapat walang maiiwan. Ito po ang dahilan sa pagsusulong natin ng tinatawag na inclusive growth, o ng kaunlarang naaabot ang nakakarami, kung hindi ang lahat. Naniniwala po tayo: Ang pagtutok sa edukasyon ang isa sa pinakamabilis at napakakailangan na paraan upang maisakatuparan ito.

Naaalala ko nga po ang sinabi ng aking ama noong panahong hindi makakita ng liwanag sa kadiliman ng Martial Law; kung kailan hindi po kagandahan ang nakukuhang grado ng paborito nilang anak na lalaki. Sabi po ng aking ama, “Baka ngayon mayaman ka, baka bukas mahirap ka na. Baka ngayon sikat ka, baka bukas laos ka na. Pero kapag natuto ka, sa iyo na ‘yon habambuhay. Hindi kailanman mawawala sa iyo ang mga pinag-aralan mo.”

Ito nga po ang batayang prinsipyo ng itinaguyod nating Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 o mas kilala bilang K to 12 Act. Sa sistemang pang-edukasyong ito, tinututukan natin ang pagsasanay ng kabataan, para bigyan sila ng sapat na kakayahang sagarin ang bumubukas na pagkakataon sa bansa, at makaambag sa paglago ng ating ekonomiya.

Layunin po ng K to 12 program na maglatag ng reporma sa kinalakihan nating 10-year basic education cycle. Para po mas madaling intindihin, isipin na lang natin ang mangga: Di po ba, mayroon tayong tinatawag na hinog sa pilit, at mayroon ding hinog sa natural? Ang dating sasampung taon na basic education, puwede nating ituring na kinalburo—pinilit isiksik sa maikling panahon ang lahat ng kailangang matutuhan ng bata. Siguro nga po, sa ilang nakalipas na henerasyon, pupuwede pa ang sampung taon ng pag-aaral. Pero habang umuusad ang panahon, di po ba, mas malawak na ang kaalamang inaasahan sa bawat isa, at kailangan nating makasabay sa pagbabago?

Noong di-hamak na mas bata pa si Secretary Soliman, naalala ko, sabi niya, “You only have to tackle the 4Rs.” Reading, Riting [writing], Rithmetic [arithmetic]… Ano ‘yung pang-apat? Nakalimutan ko na sa tagal ng panahon na iyon. [Tawanan] O, 3R’s na lang raw, puwede na rin ho. [Palakpakan] Ngayon ho, pati ‘yung lola dapat “techie.” ‘Pag kukuha na ng litrato, kailangan marunong mag-selfie.

Alam din po natin: Sa dating sistema, pinagkakasya ang lahat ng dapat malaman, mula Grade 1 hanggang Grade 6; pagdating ng first year high school, kailangang habulin ang hindi kinayang maituro noong elementarya. Ganoon din po sa kolehiyo: Pagtapak ng first year college, kakain na naman ng oras dahil kailangang tapusin ang mga leksiyong di nakumpleto noong high school dahil kinuhanan ng isang taon para punuin ‘yung grade school. Di po ba, kung ikaw ang estudyante, talagang aasim ang mukha mo dahil sa dami ng pilit na isinusubong kaalaman sa iyo, na halos wala ka nang panahong nguyain at namnamin? Ito naman po ang kabaligtaran ng isinusulong nating K to 12 program, kung saan mabibigyan ng sapat na panahong mahinog ang kaalaman na kailangang matutuhan ng kabataan.

Isipin po ninyo: Bago isabatas ang K to 12, isa tayo sa natitirang tatatlong bansa sa buong mundo na may 10 taong basic education. ‘Yung dalawa po, nasa Africa; habang nag-iisa tayo sa Asya. May mga usapin nga po noon: Talagang madedehado ang graduates natin at baka hindi na raw kilalanin ang diploma ng mga Pilipino pagdating sa empleo o sa mas mataas na larangan sa ibang bansa. Mas pipiliin daw kasi nila ang graduates na dumaan sa 12 years na basic education; kung hindi naman, ire-require kang mag-aral pa para maging kuwalipikado sa kanilang pamantayan. At ‘yun po ay nagiging problema ng ating mga manggagawa.

Sa K to 12, pinaiigting ang pagtuturo ng mga batayang kaalaman sa elementarya at junior high school; at sa senior high school, makakapili ng specialized tracks para sa akademya, sa technical and vocational education, pati na sa sports and arts. Sa pamamagitan nito, sinisiguro nating may sapat na dunong na ang ating mga kabataan pagka-graduate ng high school upang mas maging produktibong bahagi ng lipunan.

Kaya naman ang panawagan po natin: Imbes na isiping pabigat ang karagdagang dalawang taon sa paaralan ng ating mga estudyante, ituring po natin itong pagkakataon upang higit nilang mapahusay ang sarili tungo sa pag-abot ng kanilang mga pangarap. Kung makaka-graduate ang mga pinag-aaral natin taglay ang di-hamak na mas mataas na antas ng kaalaman, mas maaayos ding trabaho ang kanilang mapapasukan, na maghahatid sa kanila sa mas maginhawang buhay.

Sa kabila po ng mga naisakatuparan nating mga inisyatiba, batid nating may ilan pa ring nagsasabing hindi po tayo handa. Ito po ang tugon natin sa kanila: Handa na tayo. Bunga ang K to 12 ng ilang taong pagpaplano’t masusing konsultasyon, kasama ang mga katuwang natin sa sektor ng edukasyon. Kabilang po rito ang TESDA, CHED, DOLE, at DTI; mga mambabatas, mga lokal na pamahalaan, pribadong sektor, at iba pang stakeholders.

Naalala ko nga po ang panahong nanunungkulan pa ang aking ina. Isa sa mga ginawa niyang hakbang upang mapalaki ang kita sa mga kanayunan ay ang pagtatayo, o pagtutulong sa pagtatayo, ng mga kooperatiba. Alam po n’yo, para maging epektibo, kakailanganin daw ng dalawang taon para sanayin ang nangangasiwa ng mga proyekto nito.

Ulitin ko lang po ‘yon: Noong panahon ng aking ina, tinuturing na kailangan ng dalawang taon [upang] matuto ang bawat isang masanay na nakikipagtrabaho sa isa’t isa bago bigyan ng proyekto na siyang magkakaroon ng tinatawag nating potensiyal sa [inaudible].

Ang problema po, sabi ng aking Ina, dahil nga nasimot ang pondo noong panahon ng diktadurya, imbis na dalawang taong pagsasanay sa ating mga kasamahan sa kooperatiba, apat na buwan lang ang kakayaning tustusan ng gobyerno. Ang kaibahan po ngayon, dahil sa pagbabagong ating tinatamasa, mayroon na tayong sapat na pondo; mayroon na tayong kakayahang tugunan ang pangangailangan sa sektor ng edukasyon.

Ang mga ipinamana sa ating backlogs ng nakaraang administrasyon, isa-isa na nating natapos sa pangunguna nga po ni Brother Armin. Nandiyan na ang 61.7 million textbooks at 2.5 milyon na upuan, napunuan na natin ito noong 2012 pa. Ang kakulangan namang 66,800 classrooms, naisara na rin natin noong 2013. Ang mga dagdag naman pong pangangailangang kaakibat ng K to 12, tinutugunan na rin natin. Sa katunayan, noong 2014, umabot sa 33,607 classrooms ang naidagdag, ipinapagawa, at nasa proseso ng procurement. Ngayon namang 2015, dagdag pang 31,728 classrooms ang pinondohan nating maipatayo.

Para naman sa mga nag-aalala sa pagbabagong hatid ng K to 12 program, may mga inisyatiba na tayo para tulungan ang mga posibleng maaapektuhan nito. Halimbawa po: Dahil may dagdag na dalawang taon sa basic education, may dalawang taon ding mawawalan ng papasok na estudyante sa kolehiyo. Para po sa mga madi-displace na guro dahil sa pagbabagong ito, pinag-aaralan na natin ang ilang programa para sa inyo. Sa implementasyon ng K to 12, mangangailangan ng di-bababa sa 30,000 guro para sa bagong antas ng Senior High School. Kaya po, ngayon, maaaring gawing opsiyon ng ating mga guro sa kolehiyo ang pagtuturo rito. Sa mga guro naman ng State Universities and Colleges na nais kumuha ng masters at doctoral degrees, alam po natin na ilan sa inyo, o marami sa inyo, naoobligang mag-aral na lang sa pinakamalapit na pamantasan ngunit gustong mag-aral sa ibang mga pamantasan. Gustuhin n’yo mang pumasok sa ibang institusyon, hindi ninyo magawa dahil malayo ito at limitado ang oras ninyo dahil kayo ay nagtuturo. Ngayon po, sa mga gustong tapusin ang degree sa napupusuang pamantasan, maaari pong gamitin ang dalawang taong transition phase sa K to 12 para tuluyang makuha ang kanilang mga inaasam-asam na degree.

Pihado po, lahat ng butil ng sakripisyo natin ngayon—mula sa pakikiisa’t pakikiambag ng mga estudyante, magulang, guro, pinuno at ng iba pang miyembro ng akademya; sa mga kawani ng gobyerno; at sa bawat disenteng Pilipinong naghahangad ng mas maunlad na Pilipinas—lahat ng ipinupunla nating ito, kung atin pang didiligan, ay magbubunga ng positibong transpormasyon, na aanihin ng mga susunod na salinlahi.

Ngayon po, hindi naman natin sinasabing tangan na natin ang perpektong solusyon sa lahat ng problema. Ang atin lang po, mapatibay na ngayon, sa abot ng ating makakaya, ang sistemang pang-edukasyon sa bansa. Ang tanong: Palilipasin na naman ba natin ang maraming taon, at sasabihin sa mga susunod sa ating “Bahala na kayong tugunan ito”? Ika nga po, sinabi noong panahon ng batas militar, tinatanong ang ginigising na mamamayan: Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa? At kung hindi ikaw, sino pa?”

Mga Boss: Hindi na natin sasayangin ang ginintuang pagkakataong ito. Kayang-kaya nating isulong ang sinimulan nating K to 12 program; sama-sama nating iangat ang antas ng edukasyon sa Pilipinas. Sa ganoong paraan, maging totoo tayo ‘pag sinabi nating inaaruga natin ang susunod na salinlahi.

Magandang araw po. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.
 



 
Last Updated: 29 MAY 2015
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    President Benigno S.Aquino guesture during the opening  of the Commitment wall wich mark the formal start of the program Sa k. to 12 theme Kayang- kaya Sama-sama, Friday (May 29) the Comitment wall is a symbolic acy to celebrate the comitment of the administration to continuously improved the state of the Philippine Basic Education Sector.assisted by Director Gen, Tesda Emmanuel "Joe" Villanueva,(L).Dswd Secretary Dinky Soliman,and Secretary DepEd Armin Luistro,held at the Plenary Hall Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.(Photo By MARCELINO PASCUA-MALACANANG PHOTO)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino lead the signing of the Commitment wall wich mark the formal start of the program Sa k. to 12 theme Kayang- kaya Sama-sama, Friday (May 29) the Comitment wall is a symbolic acy to celebrate the comitment of the administration to continuously improved the state of the Philippine Basic Education Sector.assisted by Director Gen, Tesda Emmanuel "Joe" Villanueva,(R).Dswd Secretary Dinky Soliman,and Secretary DepEd Armin Luistro,held at the Plenary Hall Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.(Photo By MARCELINO PASCUA-MALACANANG PHOTO BUREAU)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III in a Photo Oppurtunity with the people that gives their testimony under the K TO 12 program (left to right) Mr.Rowen Dizon Parent of Senior High School Graduate, Ms. Gina Obierna Grade 2 Adviswer Don Alejandro Roces Sr. Science Technology High School, Arien Lein Ibardo Doña Rosario High School Novaliches Q.C. and Ms. Love Basillote Industry Patner(PBED) during the celebration ceremony of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Dubbed, “Sa K to 12, Kayang-kaya, Sama-sama! A celebration of K to 12 Milestones,” with the second year anniversary of Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 also known as the “K to 12 Law” which was signed by President Benigno Aquino III in May 2013.Attended by teachers, school heads, students, parents, local government units (LGUs), and representatives from the private sector, Held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) (May 29,2015) also in photo are Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC,Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Dinky Soliman.  (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau).
       
    Teachers Parents Students and other invited Guest listen to the speech of President Benigno S. Aquino III as he delivers his message during the Department of Education’s event “Sa K to 12, Kayang-kaya, Sama-sama! A celebration of K to 12 Milestones,” marking the second year anniversary of Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 also known as the “K to 12 Law” which was signed by President Benigno Aquino III in May 2013. The event was held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Friday (May 29). The K to 12 education program as envisioned by DepEd aims to produce high school graduates who have the competency to hold a job and be better prepared for college education and global opportunities.  (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau).
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the Department of Education’s event “Sa K to 12, Kayang-kaya, Sama-sama! A celebration of K to 12 Milestones,” marking the second year anniversary of Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 also known as the “K to 12 Law” which was signed by President Benigno Aquino III in May 2013. The event was held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Friday (May 29). The K to 12 education program as envisioned by DepEd aims to produce high school graduates who have the competency to hold a job and be better prepared for college education and global opportunities.  (Photo by Robert Viñas / Marcelino Pascua - Malacañang Photo Bureau).
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with newly sworn in generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for a group photo souvenir during the oath-taking of military officers at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (May 27). Also in photo are AFP Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr., Defense Undersecretary Honorio Azcueta, and Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs Danilo Cortez. (Photo by Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)
       
    Rafael Lopez, son of newly sworn in Lieutenant General Oscar Lopez, salutes to President Benigno S. Aquino III during the oath-taking ceremony of newly-appointed generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (May 27). (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with newly sworn in generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for a group photo souvenir during the oath-taking of military officers at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (May 27). Also in photo are AFP Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr., Defense Undersecretary Honorio Azcueta, and Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs Danilo Cortez. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III administers the oath of office to newly-appointed generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the oath-taking of military officers at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (May 27). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela 2015 at the Marikina Elementary School in Shoe Avenue, Santa Elena, Marikina City on Monday (May 25). Also in photo are Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Marikina City Mayor Del De Guzman, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director-General Emmanuel Joel Villanueva and MES OIC Principal Eugenia Martin. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the completed brigada eskwela classroom upon arrival for the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) 2015 at the Marikina Elementary School (MES) in Shoe Avenue, Santa Elena, Marikina City on Monday (May 25). Also in photo are Marikina City 2nd District Representative Romero Quimbo, Marikina City 1st District Representative Marcelino Teodoro, Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Marikina City Mayor Del De Guzman, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director-General Emmanuel Joel Villanueva and MES OIC Principal Eugenia Martin. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a warm reception upon arrival for the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela 2015 at the Marikina Elementary School in Shoe Avenue, Santa Elena, Marikina City on Monday (May 25). (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a warm reception upon arrival for the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela 2015 at the Marikina Elementary School in Shoe Avenue, Santa Elena, Marikina City on Monday (May 25). Also in photo are Education Secretary Armin Luistro and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director-General Emmanuel Joel Villanueva. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela 2015 at the Marikina Elementary School in Shoe Avenue, Santa Elena, Marikina City on Monday (May 25). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela 2015 at the Marikina Elementary School in Shoe Avenue, Santa Elena, Marikina City on Monday (May 25). Also in photo are Marikina City 2nd District Representative Romero Quimbo, Marikina City 1st District Representative Marcelino Teodoro, Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Marikina City Mayor Del De Guzman, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director-General Emmanuel Joel Villanueva and MES OIC Principal Eugenia Martin. (Photo by Ben Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a warm reception upon arrival for the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela 2015 at the Marikina Elementary School in Shoe Avenue, Santa Elena, Marikina City on Monday (May 25). Also in photo is Education Secretary Armin Luistro. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the completed classroom upon arrival for the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela 2015 at the Marikina Elementary School in Shoe Avenue, Santa Elena, Marikina City on Monday (May 25). Also in photo are Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Marikina City Mayor Del De Guzman, Marikina City 2nd District Representative Romero Quimbo and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director-General Emmanuel Joel Villanueva. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela 2015 at the Marikina Elementary School in Shoe Avenue, Santa Elena, Marikina City on Monday (May 25). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the completed classroom upon arrival for the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela 2015 at the Marikina Elementary School in Shoe Avenue, Santa Elena, Marikina City on Monday (May 25). Also in photo are Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director-General Emmanuel Joel Villanueva and Marikina City 2nd District Representative Romero Quimbo. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the completed classroom upon arrival for the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela 2015 at the Marikina Elementary School in Shoe Avenue, Santa Elena, Marikina City on Monday (May 25). Also in photo are Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director-General Emmanuel Joel Villanueva and Marikina City Mayor Del de Guzman. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III does a high five with a student during the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela 2015 at the Marikina Elementary School in Shoe Avenue, Santa Elena, Marikina City on Monday (May 25). Also in photo is Education Secretary Armin Luistro. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    Kingdom of Thailand Ambassador to the Philippines Thanatip Upatising reviews the honor guards during the arrival honors accorded him at the Malacañang Palace Grounds for the presentation of credentials on Thursday (May 21). (Photo by Lauro Motellano / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    His Excellency Thanatip Upatising, Ambassador of Thailand to the Philippines, honor the colors during the arrival honors accorded him at the Malacañang Palace Grounds for the presentation of credentials on Thursday (May 21, 2015). (Photo by Lauro Motellano / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Kingdom of Thailand Ambassador to the Philippines Thanatip Upatising during the presentation of credentials at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (May 21,). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Kingdom of Thailand Ambassador to the PhilipPresident Thanatip Upatising during the presentation of credentials at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (May 21). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Bussairy, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Philippines, honor the colors during the arrival honors accorded him at the Malacañang Palace Grounds for the presentation of credentials on Thursday (May 21). (Photo by Lauro Montellano / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Bussairy, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Philippines, troops the line during the foyer honors accorded him at the Malacañan Palace Main Lobby upon arrival for the presentation of credentials on Thursday (May 21). (Photo by Lauro Motellano / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ambassador to the Philippines Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Bussairy during the presentation of credentials at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (May 21). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
    Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Lao People’s Democratic Republic  to the Philippines, honor the colors during the arrival honors accorded him at the Malacañang Palace Grounds for the presentation of credentials on Thursday (May 21). (Photo by Lauro Motellano / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
       
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