PIAQuezon: Dispatch for October 8 , 2014 (Wednesday ) , 2 PIA Calabarzon PRs , 5 Weather Watch, 11 Reg’l. Watch , 4 OFW Watch , 1 PNOY Speech , INTERVIEW OF SEC. COLOMA, 19 Online News , 44 Photonews ( Oct. 7 )

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Dispatch for October 8 , 2014 (Wednesday ) , 2 PIA Calabarzon PRs , 5 Weather Watch, 11 Reg’l. Watch ,

4 OFW Watch , 1 PNOY Speech , 3 INTERVIEW OF SEC. COLOMA, 19 Online News , 44 Photonews ( Oct. 7 )

Weather Watch

4 hrs ·

PAGASA Weather Bulletin, 5:00AM, 08 October 2014

Dost_pagasa added 2 new photos — with ジョビリン玲子アイネラ and Allan Carganilla.

24-Hour Public Weather Forecast
Issued at : 5:00 AM 08 October 2014

SYNOPSIS: at 4:00 am today, the eye of Typhoon “OMPONG” was located based on all available data at 1,161 km East of Tuguegarao City (17.8ºN, 133.0ºE) with maximum winds of 215 kph and gustiness of up to 250 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 17 kph. Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Mindanao.

FORECAST: Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, ARMM and SOCCSKSARGEN will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Cagayan Valley, CAR and the provinces of Ilocos and Aurora will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rains. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northeast to Northwest will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the Southwest to West with slight to moderate seas.

Over Metro Manila:
Maximum Temperature: 12:00 PM Yesterday --- 33.2 ºC
Minimum Temperature: 6:00 AM Yesterday --- 24.1 ºC
Maximum Relative Humidity: 6:00 AM Yesterday --- 99 %
Minimum Relative Humidity: 1:00 PM Yesterday --- 57 %
High Tide Today: 9.54 AM ..………... 0.91 METER
Low Tide Today: 4:03 PM ..………... 0.26 METER
High Tide Today: 10:05 PM ..………... 0.84 METER
Low Tide Tomorrow: 4:17 AM ..………... 0.13 METER
Sunrise Today: 5:46 AM
Sunset Today: 5:41 PM
Moonset Today: 5:17 AM
Moonrise Today: 5:34 PM
Illumination Today: 100 %
For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.

Weather Watch

56 minutes ago

PAGASA THUNDERSTORM WATCH #NCR_PRSD
Issued at 10:00 AM, 08 October 2014

Thunderstorm is MORE likely to develop over NCR within the next 12 hours. All are advised to monitor for updates.

Weather Watch

3 hours ago

PAGASA weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar on DZMM:
-Huling namataan ang Bagyong Ompong sa layong 1,161 kilometro silangan ng Tuguegarao City.
-Taglay nito ang lakas ng hangin na 215kph malapit sa gitna at pagbugso na umaabot sa 250kph.
-Wala itong magiging direktang epekto sa bansa at mababa ang tsansang mag-landfall ito.
-Pero palalakasin nito ang mga alon kaya may gale warning sa seaboards ng Northern Luzon at eastern seaboard ng Central Luzon.
-Kumikilos si Ompong pa-kanluran hilagang-kanluran sa bilis na 17 kph. Inaasahang sa Sabado pa ito lalabas ng Philippine area of responsibility.
-Tutulak ang bagyo patungong Southern Japan.
-Sa lagay ng panahon ngayong araw ng Miyerkules, asahan ang mahina hanggang katamtaman pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog sa Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, ARMM at SOCCSKSARGEN.
-Makaaasa naman ng mahina hanggang katamtamang pag-ulan lamang sa Cagayan Valley, CAR and the provinces of Ilocos at Aurora.
-The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Dost_pagasa with Arsenio Carlos and Jaz Jade

17 hrs ·

WEATHER BULLETIN NUMBER ONE
TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT: TYPHOON “OMPONG”
ISSUED AT 5:00 PM, 07 OCTOBER 2014
THE TYPHOON WITH INTERNATIONAL NAME “VONGFONG” HAS ENTERED THE PAR AND WAS GIVEN THE LOCAL NAME “OMPONG”.

Location of eye/center: At 4:00 PM today, the eye of Typhoon “OMPONG” was located based on all available data at 1,400 km East of Tugueguarao City (17.4°N, 134.9°E).
Strength: Maximum sustained winds of 160 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 195 kph.
Movement: Forecast to move West at 20 kph.
Forecast Positions: Typhoon “OMPONG” is expected to be at 1,070 km East of Tuguegarao City tomorrow afternoon and at 920 km East of Basco, Batanes by Thursday afternoon. By Friday afternoon, it is expected to be at 910 km East of Itbayat, Batanes.
• Estimated rainfall amount is from 7.5 – 30 mm per hour (heavy – intense) within the 500 km diameter of the typhoon.
• “OMPONG” is still too far to affect any part of the country. However, it is expected to enhance the northeasterly winds which will result to rough to very rough sea conditions over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and over the eastern seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon. Fisherfolks and those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the said seaboards.
• The public and the disaster risk reduction and management council concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 11 PM today.

Dost_pagasa

1 hr ·

THUNDERSTORM WATCH ‪#‎NCR_PRSD‬
Issued at 10:00 AM, 08 October 2014
Thunderstorm is MORE likely to develop over NCR within the next 12 hours. All are advised to monitor for updates.

October 8 , 2014 (Wednesday) as of 6:00-7:00 AM

CAVITE : Cloudy with Light Rainshowers

LAGUNA : Cloudy

BATANGAS : Cloudy

RIZAL : Partly Cloudy

QUEZON : Cloudy with Light Rainshowers

PIA Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

16 hours ago

20 hours ago

PIA-4A/RIZAL: Rizal entrepreneurs, food processors/producers, local government officers and other business sector representatives will convene for a Free Awareness Seminar on Philippine Traceability System (PTRACE) organized by the Department of Trade and Industry - Rizal at the Bahay Kawayan Restaurant, Taytay, Rizal this October 8. The seminar aims to raise awareness of MSMEs on the importance of traceability systems in quality and safety.

OFW Watch

1. PIA OFW Watch

16 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Patay ang limang Pilipino sa isang car crash sa Qatar malapit sa Hamad International Airport. Ginagamot naman sa ospital ang isa pang Pinoy nurse.

2. PIA OFW Watch

17 hours ago

ANC: Five Filipinos died in a vehicular accident in Qatar. According to Gulf Times, the vehicle of the Filipinos was struck by a vehicle being driven by a young Qatari national before bursting into flames.

3. PIA OFW Watch

15 hours ago

GMA: Limang Pinoy ang patay nang ma-aksidente sa Qatar. Tatlo sa kanila ay magkakaanak habang ang dalawa ay mga nurse na naka-base sa Saudi Arabia at bumisita lang sa Qatar para sa Eid'l Adha.

4. PIA OFW Watch

20 hours ago

DZMM: Kinumpirma ng DFA na limang OFW ang namatay sa vehicular accident malapit sa Hamad International Airport sa Qatar. Tatlo sa mga ito ay magkakamag-anak. Binanggit din ng DFA na isang Pinoy nurse rin ang nasugatan dahil sa insidente.

CAVITE

1. Cavite joins Cooperative Month celebration

Friday 3rd of October 2014

TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, Oct. 3 (PIA) – More than 1,000 cooperative members from various cities and municipalities in the province flocked to the provincial gymnasium on Wednesday, October 1 to join the 2014 Cavite Cooperative Month celebration.

Organized by the provincial government thru the Provincial Cooperative, Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development Office (PCLEDO) in cooperation with the Provincial Cooperative Development Council and Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), the event with the theme, “Kooperatiba: Maaasahan sa Pagsulong ng Kabuhayan at Kapayapaan ng Bayan” puts emphasis on people’s active participation in the cooperative movement to achieve genuine progress.

There are more than 300 registered cooperatives in Cavite with a total asset of almost P2.15 billion and almost P1 Billion value of products sold, while employing more than 1,680 workers.

In his solidarity address, Governor Jonvic Remulla expressed appreciation to the members of the cooperative in the province citing the need to boost the cooperative movement not only in cities and municipalities but down to every barangay in light of the growing population in the province.

A trade fair and exhibit showcasing different Cavite products, a bloodletting activity, raffle draws, CO-OPlympics with various fun games and contests, Coop Quiz Bee and the CDC cultural COOPresentation were also part of the celebration

The event also gave recognition to outstanding cooperatives in the province, outstanding cooperative leaders as well as the cooperative council with the biggest delegation in council uniform. (PICAD/RBF, PIA-Cavite)

2. DSWD spearheads Pantawid Pamilya Family Day

Friday 3rd of October 2014

DASMARIÑAS CITY, Cavite, Oct. 3 (PIA) – Thousands of beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program gathered in and out of the Dasmariñas National High School covered gymnasium last Sunday, September 28 to celebrate National Family Day.

Pantawid Pamilya is a human development program of the national government that invests in the health and education of children 0-18 years old from eligible poor households. It provides cash grants of as much as P1,400.00 to qualified households provided they comply with the program conditionalities of sending their children to school, bringing them to health centers for check-up, and attending the Family Development Sessions. The Department of the Social Welfare and Development is the proponent of the said program.

During the program DSWD Region IV-A Director Leticia T. Diokno explained that National Family week is yearly observed every fourth week of September in line with Presidential Proclamation No. 60 signed on September 29, 1992 and amended by Executive Order No. 241 dated June 9, 1995. The celebration she added was spearheaded by the National Committee on the Filipino Family which is chaired by the DSWD.

Director Diokno also recognized the Ayad family of Barangay Victoria Reyes in Dasmariñas City who is the Regional winner for the Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya 2014. The family who become a beneficiary of the 4Ps in 2012 has become inspired to improve their living condition, and inspired others as well to do so. The Ayad family made it to the top 5 among 15 other families from the different regions in the country.

Aside from giving recognition, Director Diokno put emphasized on the so called Convergence Strategy that the DSWD is currently implementing. She explained that this strategy is the harmonization of the three core poverty reduction program namely: Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino, Sustainable Livelihood and KALAHI-CIDSS- NCDDP to ensure that programs and services reach the intended beneficiaries.

Diokno revealed that to date, 318,654 households in 142 cities and municipalities in the provinces in the CALABARZON Region are enrolled in Pantawid Pamilya. Some 408,585 children 0-18 years old are currently benefiting from the said program. (DSWD Region IV-A/RBF, PIA-Cavite)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=671412322010#sthash.4AJw9Bsc.dpuf

07 OCTOBER 2014.

President Aquino receives credentials of three new envoys

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed three new ambassadors to the Philippines in a simple ceremony at the Music Room of Malacañang Palace on Tuesday.

President Aquino first received the credentials of Luis Lillo as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Chile. Lillo was accompanied by his wife Toni Patchett, daughter Maria Jesus Lillo, Second Secretary and Consul Fernanda Villa, and Honorary Consul Juan Rocha.

Next to present his credentials was Ephraim Ben Matiyau as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel. He was joined by his wife Lizia Zenaida Lu, Deputy Chief of Mission Adam Michael Levene, Consul Menashe Doron Abudi, and Chief of Security Roy Artzi.

The last ambassador to submit his letter of credentials was Jan Top Kristensen as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Denmark. Kristensen was accompanied by his wife Thien Kieu Thi Phung, and Attaché Pia Heide Salman.

Joining the President in welcoming the new ambassadors was Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario.

President Aquino welcomed the three envoys to the country. In return, the three ambassadors assured the President of their respective countries’ commitment to further enhance bilateral relations with the Philippines.

The President had a brief closed-door meeting with all three envoys. PND (jb)

TOP

Palace satisfied with result of survey on people's support for President Aquino

The Palace on Tuesday welcomed the result of the recent Pulse Asia survey, which shows that most Filipinos continue to appreciate the performance of President Benigno S. Aquino III.

"We are gratified that, as noted by Pulse Asia and I quote: 'Most Filipinos remain appreciative of the President’s performance,' and that he continues to enjoy majority performance approval and trust ratings, as he has done so for the past 17 quarterly surveys," Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said in a statement.

"This indication of broad support serves to spur the administration to greater efforts towards fulfilling its reform agenda and the President’s social contract with the Filipino people," Coloma added.

He said the President will continue to pay close attention to public opinion surveys to improve the quality of services extended by the government to the people.

Coloma noted that the President continues to focus on carrying out significant programs for the people, with the end in view of making current reforms permanent.

Based on Pulse Asia's September 2014 Ulat ng Bayan Survey, President Aquino got a 55 percent approval rating and a 14 percent disapproval rating. Some 31 percent of the respondents were undecided.

The survey put the President’s approval and trust ratings in the Visayas at 65 percent and 61 percent, respectively; in Mindanao at 68 percent and 65 percent, respectively; among members of Class D at 54 percent and 52 percent respectively; and among members of Class E, both at 61 percent.

The President also enjoys support from the people of Metro Manila and Luzon.

According to the survey, appreciation and trust are the plurality sentiments toward the Chief Executive in Metro Manila (48 percent and 47 percent, respectively); the rest of Luzon (46 percent and 48 percent, respectively); and among members of Class ABC, (48 percent and 49 percent, respectively). PND (as)

TOP

Improvements being made on NAIA: Palace

The government continues to improve the facilities and services of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), a Malacañang official said on Tuesday.

"Patuloy naman ‘yung pagsasagawa ng mga major physical improvements sa NAIA Terminal 1 at isa ngang mahalagang hakbang na isinulong ng ating pamahalaan ay ang full operationalization ng Terminal 3," Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. told reporters during a press briefing at the Palace.

The website Wall St. Cheat Sheet has listed NAIA as one of the 10 Worst Airports in the World, citing that "travelers complained about the airport’s rundown facilities, impolite staff and officials, and long wait times."

Secretary Coloma said the government has transferred five major international carriers from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 to ease the congestion at the airport.

"Because to the extent na na-ease natin ‘yung congestion ng mga tao sa Terminal 1 ay nagkakaroon ngayon ng puwang na mas ma-implement ‘yung mga physical improvement programs dito," he added.

Wall St. Cheat Sheet however noted that the Philippine government is “planning to build a new one, which it hopes to have up and running in five years."

The three other worst airports are from the United States: New York’s LaGuardia Airport; Los Angeles International; and the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Arkansas.

Also included in the list are the Charles De Gaulle in Paris; Italy’s Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport; Zurich International in Switzerland; Chad’s N’Djamena International Airport; Russia’s Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport; and, India’s Calcutta Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport.

Wall St. Cheat Sheet described itself as a provider of “succinct, value-added analyses for busy news consumers in a mobile world." PND (ag)

TOP

07 OKTUBRE 2014

Tinanggap ng Pangulong Aquino ang katibayan ng 3 bagong embahador

Tinanggap ng Pangulong Aquino ang katibayan ng 3 bagong embahador

Tinanggap ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang tatlong bagong embahador sa Pilipinas sa simpleng seremonya sa Music Room ng Palasyo ng Malacanang Martes.

Ang nagharap sa Pangulong Aquino ng kanilang katibayan bilang mga sugo ng kani-kanilang mga bansa sa Pilipinas ay si Luis Lillo na Embahador na Katangi-tangi at May Lubos na Kapangyarihan ng Republika ng Chile. Kasama ni Embahador Lillo ang maybahay niya na si Toni Patchett, anak na si Maria Jesus Lillo, ang Ikalawang Kalihim at Konsul Fernanda Villa at Pandangal na Konsul Juan Rocha.

Ang pangalawa ay si Ephraim Ben Matiyau na Embahador na Katangi-tangi ng Bansang Israel. Kasama niya ang kanyang ginang na si Lizia Zenaida Lu, Deputy Chief of Mission Adam Michael Levene, Konsul Menashe Doron Abudi at Puno ng Seguridad Roy Artzi.

Ang huling embahador na nagharap ng kanyang kredensiyal ay si Jan Top Cristensen na Embahador na Katangi-tangi at May Lubos na Kapangyarihan ng Kaharaan ng Denmark. Kasama ni Embahador Kristensen ang kabiyak ng puso niya na si Thien Kieu Thi Phung at Attache Pia Heide Salman.

Kasama ng Pangulong Aquino sa pagtanggap ng mga bagong mga embahador si Kalihim Albert Del Rosario ng Kagawaran ng Ugnayang Panlabas.

Sa masiglang pagtanggap ng Pangulong Aquino sa tatlong bagong embahador sa bansa ay tiniyak ng mga ito na ang kani-kanilang mga bansa ay puspusang gagawa ng mga hakbang upang lalong bumuti ang ugnayan nila sa Pilipinas.

Pagkatapos ng pagtanggap sa mga embahador, ang Pangulo ay nagkaroon ng closed-door meeting sa tatlong bagong Embahador.PND (jb/zaf)

TOP

President Beninog S. Aquino III's Speech at the ULAP (Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines) National Executive Board (NEB) Oath taking ceremony

President's Hall, Malacañan Palace

02 Oct. 2014

Maraming salamat po. Maupo ho tayong lahat.

Secretary Mar Roxas; Governor Alfonso Umali Jr.; Governor Arthur Defensor Sr.; National Executive Board Officers of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines Inc.; fellow workers in government; honored guests; mga minamahal ko pong kababayan:

Ililiwanag ko lang po, bestman po ako ni Boy Umali doon po sa renewal of vows ha. [Tawanan] Hindi ho noong una siyang kinasal. [Tawanan] Baka ho may magduda ho sa edad ko.

Kailan ba ‘yon, Boy, mga two years ago yata ‘yon?

Alam niyo, noong bumiyahe ho tayo, marami, pati ‘yong media na kasama natin, nagkasakit dahil medyo mabigat daw ‘yong schedule. At ako naman po, awa ng Diyos, hindi ako tinamaan ng miski ano. Ngayon, kinakabahan ako, namamalat, baka bukas ako may trangkaso. [Tawanan]

Marami po sa ating nandito ngayon ay matagal nang nasa politika. Marami ho siguro sa inyo ay mga nauna sa akin sa politika. Malamang, kabisado na rin ninyo ang mga pasikot-sikot sa mundo ng politika, at ang mga sikretong rekado para manalo. Automatic na sa ating maging todo-sigasig para maipakilala ang kakayahan at ang ating mabubuting katangian. Kumbaga, nakuha na natin ang tamang timpla ng marketing campaign para manatili sa puwesto.

Matanong ko lang po kayo: Meron ba sa inyo rito ang nagsabi noong unang tumakbo pa lang na pananatilihin ninyo ang sistemang nagisnan? May nangako ba sa inyong kapag ibinoto tayo, walang asensong mangyayari? Palagay ko wala ho sa atin ang nagsabi nito noong tayo’y tumakbo. Sa halip, inilalatag ninyo kung paano mapapabuti ang sitwasyon ng ating mga mamamayan.

Alam kong hindi biro ang pinagdadaanan bago ninyo marating ang kinaroroonan [ninyo ngayon]. Hindi ito basta inabot lang, pinaghihirapan ito. Mayroon tayong sisikmurahing mga insulto, pambabatikos at batuhan ng putik tuwing kampanya, kung minsan lampas ng kampanya pa, at kung minsan naman bago pa ng kampanya. Maraming sakripisyo, pagod at pagtitimping kailangang bunuin. Noon nga pong nangangampanya ako sa pagka-congressman ng Tarlac, sinusuyod ko ang bawat kalsada, inaakyat ang mga dike, nagha-house-to-house sa umaga at hapon, at kaliwa’t kanang meeting naman pagdating ng gabi. Walang pagod akong nag-iikot sa kabila ng matinding init para mapalapit sa ating mga kababayan.

Mayroon nga pong biro, na marahil narinig na ninyo: Ang pormula daw po sa kampanya ay matatawag nating KBL—at hindi po Kilusang Bagong Lipunan iyon: kundi Kasal, Binyag, at Libing. Parang mula sa panganganak hanggang pagpanaw, takbuhan ka ng lahat para hingan ng tulong. Sa totoo lang, mahirap talagang tumanggi sa mga ito lalo pa’t gusto rin nating makatulong. Baka rin pagmulan pa ng sama ng loob, o isipin pa nilang hindi tayo nalalapitan.

Kahit nga po nasa puwesto na, tuloy pa rin ang ganitong mga klase ng paghingi ng pabor. Natatandaan ko po nang bagong-halal pa lang akong Congressman sa Tarlac. May lumapit sa aking konsehal at humingi ng tulong sa pag-arkila ng orkestra sa aming piyesta. Tinanong ko kung magkano, sagot po niya’y 40,000 piso daw ang babayaran bawat isa, at ‘yun na raw po ang pinakamura. Dahil ang gusto po niya dalawang orkestra ang aming kunin para meron daw relyebuhan sa pagtugtog at hindi mapagod. Samakatuwid nga ho, 80,000 piso ang kakailanganin. Ang sahod ko noon, kung ‘di ako nagkakamali ay 35,000 piso; wala pa ‘yung kaltas ng tax. Kaya sabi ko po sa kanya, doblehin man natin ang sahod ko, kukulangin pa rin sa balak niyang gastusin sa pag-arkila. At kayo po ngayon ang tatanungin ko: Paano naman popondohan ito? ‘Di po ba, sa pagpopondo sa mga ganitong panghihingi ng ating nasasakupan, saka tayo natutuksong baka gumawa ng kung ano-anong gimik?

Sa panunungkulan ko nga bilang Kinatawan ng Tarlac, minabuti kong lumapit at kumustahin ang ating mga kababayan tuwing dumadalaw ako sa iba’t ibang barangay. Sa umpisa po, ‘pag may iminungkahing proyekto sa akin, na madalas umaabot nang hindi bababa sa anim na folder kada isang barangay, o mga resolusyon ng bawat barangay, at 159 po ang barangay na sakop natin, halos pareho-pareho lang ang laman ng mga ito. Karamihan dito, gusto lang pagandahin ang kanilang barangay hall. Ang binabalik ko namang tanong sa kanila: Kapag napaganda natin ang barangay hall ninyo, ilan kaya ang makakakain diyan? Ilan ang matutulungan sa komunidad? Ilan ang aangat ang buhay kapag nagtayo tayo ng mga monumento tulad ng inyong barangay hall? Ang mungkahi ko naman: Baka mas maganda, nakiusap po ako, kung gamitin natin ang pondong mayroon tayo para sa irigasyon, sa pagpapagawa ng kalsada, o sa pagpapatayo ng mga paaralan. Sa tatlong termino ko bilang Congressman, maipagmamalaki ko sa maayos na ring kooperasyon ng ating mga nasasakupan, nandoon na nga po ang mga kapitan at ang mga konseho ng barangay, hindi bababa po sa tatlong makabuluhang proyekto ang naisakatuparan sa bawat barangay. ‘Di ko po sinasabing naubos na ang problema sa aking distrito matapos ang aking termino. Pero lahat ng bukas ang pag-iisip, makikita na may talagang nagawa tayong pagbabago sa panahon ng ating panunungkulan.

Hindi nga rin po siguro maiiwasan, na kahit nasa puwesto ka na, nariyan din ang mga kontra lang nang kontra sa inilalatag mong reporma. Sila ang mga puro batikos lang na wala namang maihaing solusyon. Kapag may hiniling sa iyong sampung bagay, at nagawa mong tuparin, sabihin na natin, ang 9.9 sa mga ito, ang mga kontra ang pilit maghahalungkat ng 0.1 at ipagsisigawang hindi mo ito nagawa.

Ngayong Pangulo na tayo, hindi naman po natin sila pag-aaksayahan ng oras. Mas nakatutok tayo sa patuloy na pagpupunla ng mga reporma at pagpitas ng mga bunga nito. Nandiyan ang mahigit apat na milyong kabahayang benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilya Program, ang 20 positive credit ratings actions na nakamit natin sa ating panunungkulan, ang 2.5 milyong Pilipinong nakaalpas sa poverty line, ang 1.65 milyong nadagdag sa bilang ng mga Pilipinong nagtatrabaho mula Abril 2013 hanggang Abril 2014.

Ilan lang po ito sa mga patunay na talagang malaki na ang pagkakaiba ng sitwasyon ngayon ng Pilipinas kumpara sa ating dinatnan. Pati nga po ang ibang mga bansa, napakataas na ang kompiyansa sa atin. Noon pong bumisita tayo sa Europa kamakailan lang, isang mataas na opisyal ng prominenteng bangko sa buong mundo, ang nagsabi: Baka raw po dapat ay i-globalize natin ang piso. Ibig sabihin, magiging currency ng mundo ang piso na itini-trade sa ibang bansa. Sa totoo lang, nabigla po tayo sa mungkahing ito; sino po ba sa atin ang inisip na may magmumungkahi nito? Nang marinig nga natin ito, tinanong ko pa si Secretary Greg Domingo ng Department of Trade and Industry kasama natin doon sa pagpupulong, kung tama ba ang nadinig ko. Kailangan po ng mas malalim na pag-aaral ng ganito kalaking mga hakbang, pero malinaw naman ang mensahe ng nagmungkahi nito: Kompiyansa siya sa stabilidad ng ating ekonomiya; naniniwala siyang sulit tumaya sa Pilipinas.

Lahat po tayo rito, binigyan ng mandato ng taumbayan para pagsilbihan sila. Tayo naman, bilang mga pinuno, ay nangakong magdudulot ng pagbabago. Pero kung ang pakay mo lang ay ang manatili sa kapangyarihan, magpakulong sa siklo ng KBL, at panatilihin ang sitwasyon na dinatnan mo, ‘di ba’t parang nakikipagpalitan ka lang ng puwesto sa musical chairs?

Paano ba natin babaguhin kung saan ang pag-aabot ng panggastos sa kasal, binyag, at libing ang buod ng pagiging lingkod-bayan? Ang paniniwala ko po rito: Kailangang tugunan, hindi lang ang kasalukuyan, kundi mas mahalaga po, ang mga suliraning pangmatagalan. Sabi nga po ng nakakatanda, turuan nating mangisda ang ating mga kababayan, kaysa hayaan silang magpabalik-balik para manghingi ng isda. Kumpleto at malawakang mga solusyon ang susi sa pagbabagong inaasam natin.

Gawin po nating halimbawa ang nagawa ng pumanaw nating kasamahan na si Secretary Jesse Robredo sa Naga. Matagal pong naging problema ang pagsisiksikan ng mga maralitang tagalungsod sa Naga, at minana ito ni Jesse nang maupo siyang alkalde. Kumplikado po ang sitwasyon: Hindi madaling ilipat nang basta-basta ang mga informal settler kung wala silang pagkakakitaan sa bago nilang lilipatan. Kung walang kabuhayan sa ibang lugar, wala ka ring aasahan kundi ang pagkukumpol ng mga tao sa sentro ng kalakalan. Kaya nga po, bukod sa disente at permanenteng tahanan, naglalatag ang lokal na pamahalaan ng Naga ng mga programang pangkabuhayan at maayos na mga pasilidad sa bagong komunidad. Kaya po: ang dating mga maralitang itinuturing na hadlang sa pag-unlad, naging katuwang na sa pagtataguyod ng kaunlaran sa Naga. Ang tagumpay nga ng programang ito na pinangunahan ni Jesse ang ginagamit nating basehan para ipatupad din ang paglilikas ng informal settlers sa Kamaynilaan.

Kung nakaya pong gawin ni Jesse ang mag-isip at maglatag ng pangmatagalang solusyon sa problemang kanyang kinaharap, tinatawag rin ang bawat isa sa atin, bilang pinuno, na tumugon sa parehong paraan. Alam ko naman: Kung kaya nating ibigay, at kung naaayon sa batas, hindi po natin ipagdadamot sa ating nasasakupan, ‘di po ba? Pero gaya ng napatunayan natin sa Tarlac, alam kong mas mapapalapit tayo sa puso ng ating mga kababayan kung hindi lang pangngayon ang ating naibibigay sa kanila, kundi lalo na pati ang pangbukas, sa pamamagitan ng tunay na serbisyo, at sa pagtutok sa kapakanan nila. Sa ganitong paraan, sila mismo ang mag-aangat sa kanilang mga sarili.

Ang pinakasukatan po ng husay ng pagiging lingkod-bayan ay hindi madadaan sa galing sa pagsayaw, sa pagkakaraoke, o sa pagpapatawa. Masusukat ito sa pag-aangat sa estado ng buhay ng ating mga kababayan; at sa pagbibigay sa kanila ng lakas para panghawakan ang sarili nilang kapalaran. Magiging makabuluhan lamang ang lahat ng paghihirap sa serbisyo kung magdudulot ito ng makabuluhang pagbabago sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa mas nangangailangan. Kung ang isang magsasaka na kumikita lang ng sapat para sa kanyang sarili ay nananatiling isang kahig, isang tuka sa iyong panunungkulan, masasabi mo bang tinotoo mo ang panata mong magdulot ng pagbabago? Ano pang kinabukasan ang naghihintay sa kanila kung siya ay magkapamilya, kung wala naman silang aasahang reporma mula sa iyong liderato? Ang hamon po sa ating mga lingkod-bayan: gawing mas maaliwalas ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan, nang hindi na danasin pa ng kanilang mga anak ang pagdurusang ating pinagdaanan.

Sa pagtutulungan ng ULAP, ng lokal at pambansang pamahalaan, pati ng sambayanang Pilipino, patuloy nating itutok ang ating panahon sa mga proyektong tunay na naghahatid ng benepisyo sa mga Pilipino.

Sa mga kapwa ko pinuno, lagi nating tanungin ang sarili: Gaano na ba kalayo ang narating natin mula nang mag-umpisa tayo sa puwesto? Umusad ba tayo pasulong o umatras? Nanatili ba tayo o lumihis sa mandatong ipinagkaloob ng taumbayan? Isipin na lang natin ang panahon kung kailan nagretiro na tayo, at lumingon sa ating nasasakupan. ‘Di ba’t napakasarap ng pakiramdam na masabi mong, “Ang laki ng ipinagbago nitong bayan nating ito, at kasama ako sa nakiambag at nakilahok para maisakatuparan ito.”

Bilang ama ng bayan, malinaw ang tinatahak kong landas: ang gawin ang tama, at ang laging pumanig sa kung ano ang makakabuti sa aking kapwa. At habang mas marami tayong kumikilos sa iisang direksyon, mas mapapabilis pa natin ang pagbabagong tinatamasa na natin ngayon. Kapag nga po dumating ang panahon, na sabihin ng Panginoong “finished or not finished, pass your papers,” talaga pong inaasahan kong mas maunlad at mas maaliwalas na Pilipinas ang ating ipapamana sa susunod na henerasyon ng Pilipino.

Magandang araw po. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.

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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.

DZRB / Balita at Panayam by Alan Allanigue

07 October 2014

ALAN: Secretary Coloma, Sir. Magandang umaga po.

SEC. COLOMA: Magandang umaga, Alan.

ALAN: Ang una po, Sir, gusto kong i-congratulate ang PCOO sa pangunguna po ninyo sa paglulunsad nitong pinagsama-samang lakas ng mga PCOO agencies dito po sa programang Radyo Bisyon, Secretary Sonny, Sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Mainam lamang, Alan, na patuloy tayong magsikap na palawigin at palalimin ang paglilingkod ng iba’t-ibang instrumento ng Media ng Bayan sa pamamagitan ng nagkakaisang aksyon.

ALAN: Opo, opo. At kahapon nga po iyong launch ng nabanggit na programa. Sec. makikibalita ho kami na meron na hong mga initial reports na lumalabas. Of course, ang Pangulong Noy ay dadalo sa APEC Leaders’ Summit sa Beijing at ito hong ASEAN Summit naman sa Myanmar ito hong darating na buwan na ng November, Secretary Coloma, Sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Sa mga ganyang okasyon, Alan, ay hinihintay natin ang opisyal na announcement ng Department of Foreign Affairs, dahil sila ang punong-abala sa mga opisyal na functions katulad niyan. Mainam siguro na background na muna tayo ngayon dahil hinihintay pa natin iyong official announcement ng DFA hinggil diyan.

ALAN: Opo, yes Sir. Sa ibang isyu po. Kumusta po ang mga hakbang na ihinahanda ng pamahalaan natin kaugnay pa rin nitong mga nakikitang posibleng pagkakaroon ng power shortages sa mga darating na buwan, Secretary Coloma, Sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Patuloy na tinututukan ng ating Department of Energy ang sitwasyon at patuloy iyong kanilang pakikipag-ugnayan sa iba’t-ibang sektor, lalung-lalo na sa mga pribadong kumpanya na hinihimok nating lumahok doon sa voluntary interruptible load program. Meron kasi silang mga embedded na power sa kanilang mga generator sets. Ang pinag-aaralan na lamang ay kung paano magiging mas kapaki-kinabang para sa kanila iyong paggamit ng mga generator sets na ito. Dahil obviously, Alan, mas mataas ang gastos at konsumo kapag gumamit ka ng iyong sariling generating sets.

So, iyan sa mga aspeto na pinag-aaralan ng DOE para mahimok ang mas marami pang kumpanya na lumahok dito. Dahil kapag naganap iyan ay mas liliit iyong tinatayang magiging kakulangan ng supply ng kuryente at baka hindi na kinakailangang maglaan ng mas malaking halaga para dito.

ALAN: And along this line Secretary Coloma. Sir, napapag-usapan pa rin po ba iyong mga panukala, even before, na pagkalooban ng emergency powers ang Pangulong Noy may kinalaman ho dito sa energy situation, Sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Nagsimula na iyong operasyon ng batas hinggil diyan dahil sumulat na nga po ang ating Pangulo sa Kongreso at ito ay nakasaad sa Section 71 ng Electric Power Industry Reform Act o EPIRA. Sinasaad po doon na maaring hilingin ng Pangulo sa Kongreso na magsagawa ng kinakailangang hakbang kapag napansin na merong kakulangan sa supply ng kuryente. Ito po ay isinasagawa na ng naayon sa batas. Kaya iyon naman pong Kongreso natin, iyong Senado at iyong Kamara, ay nagsimula na ng kanilang mga public hearings. Ayon sa aking natunghayan sa Senado ay magtatawag din sila ng mga Technical Working Group meetings sa hanay ng mga ahensiyang sangkot dito at sa mga pribadong sector para matiyak nga kung ano iyong ilalagay nila sa batas na ipapasa ng Kongreso hinggil dito, Alan.

ALAN: Opo. Sa ibang usapin pa po, Secretary Coloma. Sir, ano pong mga latest na naiparating sa Palasyo ng ating mga LGUs, particular po diyan sa Legazpi, kaugnay ng mga patuloy na isinasagawa nilang paghahanda sa posibleng malakas na pagsabog ng bulkang Mayon, Secretary Coloma, Sir?

SEC. COLOMA: Nasa mataas na estado pa rin ang alertness o paghahanda dahil nga hindi pa naman lumilikas ang panganib at ito ay patuloy pang mino-monitor ng ating Phivolcs, at ang atin namang mga kababayan sa mga evacuation centers ay kinakalinga ng DSWD at ng panlalawigang pamahalaan ng Albay. At patuloy pa rin iyong babala sa mga residente doon na huwag papasok doon sa tinatawag na permanent danger zone para na rin sa kanilang kaligtasan.

ALAN: Okay. Secretary Coloma, Sir, muli salamat po ng marami sa mga updates mula sa Palasyo.

SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat at magandang umaga, Alan.

SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center

[HOME]

INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.

DZRB / Pilipinas, Pilipinas by Efren Montano & Albert Sebastian

05 October 2014

OPENING STATEMENTS

Paggunita sa Pandaigdigang Araw ng mga Guro

Nakikiisa ang pamahalaan sa buong sambayanan sa pagbibigay pugay sa ating mga guro sa paggunita ng World Teachers’ Day at National Teachers’ Month. Ang selebrasyon na ito ay pinagtibay ni Pangulong Aquino sa pamamagitan ng Proclamation No. 242 na inilabas noong Agosto 24, 2011. Sa buong mundo ang Pilipinas ang bansang naglaan ng pinakamahabang panahon sa pagdiriwang ng kadakilaan ng mga guro na ating kinikilala dahil sa kanilang mahalagang ambag sa paghubog ng kamalayan at katauhan ng ating mga kabataan at mamamayan.

Nananawagan po ang ating kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon, Bro. Armin Luistro, na lahat tayo ay magpasalamat sa kahit isang naging guro natin na nagbahagi ng mahalagang aral sa atin at tumulong sa paghubog ng ating pagkatao sa panahon ng ating kabataan. Ang panawagan po niya, “write, text, tweet, call”—sulatan, mag-text, mag-tweet, at tawagan natin ang kahit isa sa ating naging guro, at sabihin natin sa kanya: “Maraming salamat po, mahal na guro.”

Patuloy pong sinisikap ng pamahalaan na mapahusay at mabigyan ng karampatang suporta ang ating mga guro. Sa panukalang pambansang budget sa 2015, naglaan ang pamahalaan ng 92.3-bilyong piso para sa pagkuha ng higit sa 39,000 mga bagong guro, pagtatayo ng mga silid-aralan, at para matugunan ang pangangailangan sa kagamitan sa pagtuturo ng ating mga maestro at maestra.

Bukod dito, naglaan din ng higit sa dalawang bilyong piso ang pamahalaan para sa pagsasanay ng mga public school teachers bilang paghahanda sa malawakang pagpapatupad ng K-to-12 program. Halos doble na ang budget na inilalaan ng pamahalaan para sa sektor ng edukasyon kung ihahambing sa pagsisimula ng panunungkulan ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Aquino.

Sa taong ito, aabot sa mahigit 309-bilyong piso ang gugugulin ng pamahalaan para sa sektor ng edukasyon, kumpara sa P174-billion noong 2010 bilang bahagi ng patuloy na pagsisikap na mapaunlad nang lubos ang sektor ng edukasyon na siyang susi sa paglinang ng kakayahan ng mga mamamayan, alinsunod na rin sa paniniwala ni Pangulong Aquino na ang taumbayan ang pinakamahalagang yaman ng Pilipinas.

Passing of Mr. Jerry Barican

We mourn the passing of former presidential spokesperson Fernando Jerry Barican, who passed away last Friday evening. We join the nation in expressing our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.

Tayo po ay naging mapalad na makilala at makasama si Atty. Barican bilang student activist po noong kapanahunan ng First Quarter Storm noong early 1970s sa Pamantasan ng Pilipinas (University of the Philippines), na kung saan siya ay nagsilbi rin bilang chairman ng UP Student Council.

Siya po ay isa rin sa mga nadetine noong panahon ng Martial Law. Siya ay nagsilbi bilang spokesperson ni dating Pangulong Joseph Ejercito Estrada at Board Member ng Development Bank of the Philippines.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Efren Montano: So parang follow-up lang po in connection with the World Teachers’ Day, binanggit niyo na po ‘yung mga benepisyo na hinahanda ng ating pamahalaan sa ating mga guro, at ibig sabihin suportado po natin ‘yung hangarin ni Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano ukol dito sa additional na P10,000 support and compensation to public school teachers?

SEC. COLOMA: ‘Yan pong usapin na ‘yan ay kinakailangang isaalang-alang ang budgetary considerations dahil nandiyan na po tayo sa panahon ng pagde-deliberate sa 2015 national budget. Pumasa na po ito sa second reading sa House at kapag ganap nang naipasa ay ang Senado naman po ang may turno. Kailangan lang pong alamin natin kung ano ang mga budgetary parameters ng panukalang ‘yan.

Mr. Montano: Opo. Kasi parang ito po ay on top doon sa mga sinabi niyo pong mga perks na inihahanda ng ating pamahalaan para sa ating mga (guro), lalo na ‘yung mga public school teachers.

SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Efren. Ang aking batid ay kapag mayroong panukalang batas na mayroong budgetary considerations, katulad nga niyan, isa sa mga standard na procedure na sinusunod ng ating Kongreso ay inaalam ‘yung budgetary implications niyan, tinatanong sa ating Department of Budget and Management dahil mayroon silang patakaran na hindi sila magpapasa ng batas na hindi tiyak ‘yung pagkukunan ng pondo.

Naging karanasan na rin kasi noong nakaraan na mayroong mga ipinapasang batas ang ating Kongreso na hindi pa tiyak kung saan manggagaling ang pondo kaya nabibitin ‘yung implementasyon. Kaya sa ating pagkabatid, mayroon nang patakaran ang ating Kongreso ngayon na bago sila magpasa ng batas, tinitiyak muna ‘yong pagkukunan ng pondo para maging maayos ang implementasyon ng kanilang batas na ipapatupad.

Mr. Montano: Okay. So ‘yung binanggit po natin kanina ay lahat ‘yon may available funds na o tiyak na ‘yung (pagkukunan ng pondo)?

SEC. COLOMA: Oo, nandoon na, kasama na sa national budget for 2015 na naipasa na sa second reading sa ating Camara de Representantes.

Mr. Montano: So itong ipinapanukala ni Senator Cayetano ay kailangan ma-determine ‘yung budgetary implications po nito?

SEC. COLOMA: Aalamin natin, Efren, dahil ngayon lang po natin nabalitaan ang panukalang ‘yan. Ang sinasabi lang po natin dito, kinakailangang alamin ‘yung mga budgetary parameters ng panukalang ‘yan.

Mr. Montano: Ah, okay. Siguro bukod sa financial benefits ay makapagbuo rin tayo ng package para sa kanila namang kalusugan, at siguro seguridad, lalo na ‘pag sila ay nagsisilbi tuwing halalan.

SEC. COLOMA: Lahat naman ng aspeto ng kapakanan at kagalingan ng ating mga guro at iba pang mga empleyado ng pamahalaan ay tinutunton at tinututukan po ng ating pamahalaan.

Mr. Montano: Salamat po. At ‘yung panahon din na ito ay ipinagdiriwang din po yata natin ‘yung Elderly Week. Ano po naman ang mga programa natin para sa mga elderly?

SEC. COLOMA: Isa rin po sa mga tatak ng ugaling Pilipino ay ‘yon pong panghabangbuhay na pagmamahal, pagkalinga, at pag-aalaga natin sa ating mga nakatatanda, lalung-lalo po sa ating mga magulang at mga lolo at lola. Ito po ay isang mahalagang aspeto ng kulturang Pilipino at marami na rin naman pong mga naipasang batas para pangalagaan ang kapakanan at kagalingan ng mga elderly. At hinihimok po natin ang ating mga kababayan sa patuloy na pagpapakita ng ating paggalang at malasakit sa ating mga nakatatanda.

Mr. Montano: Okay. At isang maganda nga pong programa o panukala ay ‘yung automatic membership ng isang senior citizen sa PhilHealth coverage.

SEC. COLOMA: Kaya nga, Efren. Ang sinasabi natin ay patuloy na nagsisikap ang pamahalaan na humanap ng iba’t ibang paraan kung paano maisasakongkreto ang pagpapahalaga sa ating mga nakatatanda.

Mr. Montano: Okay, maraming salamat po, at on another issue bago po [ang] katanungan ni Ms. Vanz. May binabanggit po ang MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) na the failure of the passage of the Bangsamoro (Basic) Law would only encourage the spread of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) dito sa ating bansa. Ano po ‘yung masasabi ng Palasyo ng Malacañang ukol dito?

SEC. COLOMA: Kaya naman po pinagtutulungan ng ating pamahalaan at ng MILF ‘yung pagkalap ng suporta, ng malawakang suporta para sa pagpapasa ‘nung Bangsamoro Basic Law. Hinihimok po natin ang ating mga kababayan na tangkilikin at itaguyod ang mga isinusulong na prinsipyo doon sa pagtatatag ng isang Bangsamoro Political Entity dahil naniniwala tayo na sa pamamagitan nito ay makapagtatatag ng isang maayos, maunlad, at masiglang kabuhayan para sa ating mga kapatid na Pilipino na sakop nitong Bangsamoro Basic Law. Kaya naaayon naman po ‘yung kanyang binanggit sa prinsipyong aking binanggit ngayon.

Vanz Fernandez: Okay, sir, back po tayo doon sa mga benepisyo na ayon po kay Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano. Ang sabi po niya kapag naaprubahan ang panukala, ang mga guro ay tatanggap ng dagdag kompensasyon na P9,000 [bilang] support sa anyo ng allowances at iba pang remuneration mula school board’s funds, P1,000 allowance para sa medical checkup, two-year bonus para sa unpaid benefits na ipinagkaloob ng Magna Carta for Public School. So will you support this? Kasi ang sabi niya ‘yung P10,000 benepisyo sa guro ay isinusulong ngayon sa Senado.

SEC. COLOMA: Vanz, palagay ko ay nasagot ko na nang komprehensibo ang katanungan mo doon sa pagpapalitan namin ni Efren. Ulitin ko lamang na ang ating pamahalaan naman ay mayroong commitment na isulong ang kapakanan at kagalingan ng ating mga guro. Kinakailangan lang pag-aralang mabuti ang mga budgetary implications ng panukalang ‘yan dahil mayroon din tayong batid na patakaran ng Kongreso na bago magpasa ay tinitiyak na magkakaroon ng sapat na pondo kung ano mang benepisyo ang nais nilang ipagkaloob.

Ms. Fernandez: So sang-ayon naman po sa UNESCO (United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture), apat na milyong guro ang kailangan sa 2015 gaya ng ibang bansa na itinuturing pa rin na malaking problema ang kakulangan ng mahusay na guro, lalung-lalo na sa Pilipinas. Because base po sa policy paper ng UNESCO na inilabas ngayong linggo, this is the World Teachers’ Day na nakasaad daw na dahil sa kakapusan ng mahuhusay na guro without action, it will be impossible to get all children into school by 2030. So are you in favor of this, sa sinabi po ng UNESCO?

SEC. COLOMA: Vanz, kung nakikinig ka rin nang mabuti doon sa aking mga naunang pahayag ay nandoon na sa punto ng aking binanggit kanina ‘yan, ‘yung pagdadagdag ng mga guro na aabot sa 39,000 new teachers—kasama na ‘yan sa ating panukalang 2015 budget—at ito ang paraan ng pagtugon natin sa pangangailangan na magkaroon ng sapat na bilang ng guro para sa mga mag-aaral. Gusto rin nating matamo ‘yung tinatawag na ideal teacher-to-student ratio na, kung hindi ako nagkakamali, one is to 40 (1:40) yata ‘yon dahil ayaw nating makita ‘yung sitwasyon na nagsisiksikan sa isang classroom ang napakaraming estudyante dahil hindi naman ito mainam sa mabuting pag-aaral at pagkatuto—‘yung sobrang dami ng estudyante sa isang silid-aralan.

Mr. Montano: Kasi usually po nga sa isang classroom umaabot ng, kung minsan, hanggang 70 (mag-aaral) sa isang classroom. Malaking bagay po ‘yung binanggit ninyo kanina na mga figures at ‘yung pondo, at siguro isa pang dapat na tutukan ay ‘yung building of more classrooms, lalo sa public schools.

SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga rin. Kasama ‘yan doon sa ideya na kinakailangan ay sapat ang pasilidad, hindi nagsisiksikan, at nasa tamang pisikal na kondisyon. Dahil kung maaalala natin, noong nakaraan ang isa sa mga naging stop-gap solution ay nagkaroon ng three shifts ang pag-aaral ng mga mag-aaral, dahil nga sa kakulangan ng silid-aralan at kakulangan ng mga guro. Kaya naman umiiwas na tayo doon sa ganyang mga sitwasyon at sinisikap ng pamahalaan na magkaroon ng ideal physical atmosphere for learning sa pamamagitan ng sapat na silid-aralan at ‘yon ding ideal teacher-to-student ratio para mas maging epektibo ang pagturo ng mga guro at pagkatuto ng mga mag-aaral.

Mr. Montano: Okay po. At importante nga po ‘yung dalawang elemento na ‘yon, ‘yung guro at ‘yung schoolrooms, dahil lalo sa mga remote places ay ‘yung mga bata mahaba po ‘yung nilalakad bago sila makapag-aral o makapasok sa isang eskwelahan dahil na rin sa kakulangan ng classrooms at kakulangan din ng mga guro. So malaking bagay po ‘yung mga binanggit ninyong mga figure.

SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Efren. Sang-ayon tayo at ginagawa ng pamahalaan ang nararapat hinggil sa bagay na ‘yan.

Mr. Montano: Okay. Sa ibang topic po, ‘yung update po natin ukol dito sa nangyayari diyan sa protest actions diyan sa Hong Kong, ‘yung mga kalagayan ng ating OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) sa Hong Kong. Ano po ba ‘yung maiuulat natin na latest dito sa bayan?

SEC. COLOMA: Patuloy po ang ating panawagan sa ating mga kababayan na umiwas sa mga lugar na pinagdarausan ng mga kilos protesta sa Hong Kong para sa kanilang proteksyon at kaligtasan. Nakahanda ang pamahalaan na tumulong at umagapay sa ating mga kababayan kung kinakailangan. Nananatiling nakaalerto at nakamasid ang ating konsulada sa kalagayan ng mga Pilipino roon at patuloy na kaisa tayo sa mga naghahangad ng maayos at mapayapang resolusyon ng kasalukuyang kaganapan sa Hong Kong.

Mr. Montano: Okay po. May katanungan po si Bernard at ang sabi niya ay itong mga nakaraang araw lumubog ang maraming lugar sa Metro Manila dahil sa thunderstorm pa lamang at nagtatanong ang mga tao o ang ating mga mamamayan kung kailan matatapos ‘yung umano’y pagdurusa nila sa baha tuwing umuulan.

SEC. COLOMA: Tinututukoy po ng pamahalaan ang sitwasyong ‘yan at patuloy pa rin naman ‘yung pagsasagawa ng mga flood control and drainage projects. Pansinin lang po natin ‘yung naging karanasan natin nitong nakaraang linggo, thunderstorm po ‘yon e. ‘Yung thunderstorm talagang limited duration po ‘yan, dalawa hanggang tatlo, minsan hanggang apat na oras. Ang kainaman po, dahil po sa modernong teknolohiya na ginagamit ngayon ng DOST-PAGASA (Department of Science and Technology/Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) ay nagbibigay naman po tayo ng sapat na babala at pagpapahiwatig sa ating mga kababayan para mapaghandaan po ito.

Laganap na po ‘yung mga gumagamit ng applications sa mobile (phones) po nila, ‘yung sa Project NOAH. ‘Yon pong ating DOST at PAGASA ay nagpapadala rin ng maraming alert messages at nakikiisa rin naman ang mga mass media organizations natin. Hindi po naman nagkukulang doon sa sapat na pagbababala tungkol sa pagdating ng mga thunderstorm. Hindi lang po talaga natin makokontrol o mapipigilan dahil ito po ay natural phenomena. Sana nga po hindi ito mangyayari sa oras ng paglabas sa trabaho o sa eskwela, pero ang tangi po nating magagawa ay ‘yung magbigay ng sapat na babala at magpayo sa ating mga kababayan na iwasan ‘yung mga panganib sa mga kaganapang ito. Pero patuloy po ang pag-construct at pagre-repair ng mga flood control and drainage facilities natin. Kapansin-pansin din naman na halos flashfloods po itong mga ito. Hindi naman po nabibinbin o tumatagal ang pagkakaroon ng baha.

Mr. Montano: Okay. ‘Yung tungkol po sa Mayon eruption, ano po ba ‘yung latest na maiuulat natin, ‘yung paghahanda ng ating mga kababayan?

SEC. COLOMA: Well, patuloy pong nakatutok ang ating pambansa at lokal na pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council at ang Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council na pinamumunuan ni Governor Joey Salceda ng Albay. Sina Secretary Dinky Soliman po ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) ay nakatutok doon sa lahat ng mga evacuation center. Nakapaghahatid naman po tayo ng sapat na pagkain, tubig, at gamot sa mga inilikas at mga nanunuluyan sa mga evacuation centers. At patuloy po ang ating panawagan sa ating mga kababayan na umiwas sa itinakdang permanent danger zone para sa kanilang sariling kaligtasan.

Ms. Fernandez: Okay. Sir, sinasabi po ni Archbishop (Oscar) Cruz na lumalakas daw ang panawagan nila sa pagbibitiw diumano ng ating Presidente. Kasi determinado po ang ibang grupo sa pangunguna ng Simbahang Katoliko na isulong ang pagbibitiw sa puwesto po ng ating Presidente bunsod ng kontrobersiya na kinasasangkutan daw ng administrasyong ito sa pagbulusok ng public satisfaction ratings ng Pangulo.

SEC. COLOMA: Well, determinado po ang ating Pangulo na ipagpatuloy ang kanyang paglilingkod at ipatupad ang mga repormang ipinangako sa mga mamamayan. At sa amin pong palagay ang inyong ipinahayag ay isang bahagi lamang ng opinyon ng isang sektor. Hindi po ‘yan ang sumasalamin sa opinyon ng mayorya ng ating mga mamamayan na patuloy na sumusuporta sa liderato ng ating Pangulo at patuloy na nagtitiwala sa kanyang pagiging lider ng ating bansa.

Ms. Fernandez: At ang sabi pa niya po ay [whether] it prospers or not, they will continue to protest what they believe in. The higher government should know that the National Transformation Council (NTC) is not alone on its call for the President to resign. Ito po ang pahayag din ni Archbishop Oscar Cruz. So pabor po ba kayo o ano po ang masasabi ninyo regarding sa pananalita niya?

SEC. COLOMA: Natugunan ko na, Vanz, noon pang nakaraang Biyernes sa aking pahayag sa Malacañang Press Corps na, katulad nga ng nabanggit ko, “the President is duty-bound to fulfill his mandate from the people. He remains firmly committed to pursue the reforms aimed at achieving stable ang inclusive growth for the country. These reforms have been established on the platform of good governance and have gained acceptance by the vast majority of our people, as well as recognition from the international community. The transformation of the country from being regarded as ‘the sick man of Asia’ to being Asia’s fastest-growing economy has been achieved because of the people’s robust support for the administration’s reform programs. Moving forward, the government will continue to invest on improving the quality of life and developing the fullest potentials of its most valuable resources: the Filipino people.”

Ms. Fernandez: So is it the right of Malacañang to say the President is okay and he is running the country well? And it’s hard to think that Malacañang will rejoice (on) what the NTC said?

SEC. COLOMA: Sapat na siguro, Vanz, ano. Mahaba na ‘yung aking naging pahayag at sa aking palagay ay natugunan ko na ang mga puntong inilahad mo.

Mr. Montano: Okay po. Wala na po yatang nagpapadala ng kanilang katanungan, at siyempre pa ‘yung parting message natin, at siguro maisama na rin natin ‘yung atin pong mababanggit mula sa side naman ng Palasyo ng Malacañang ukol naman po dito sa dismal performance ng ating mga atleta diyan sa Asiad na sa final medal standing ay nasa 22 po tayo sa ranking. Ano po ‘yung mababanggit natin, at siyempre pa, idiretso na po natin sa ating parting message sa Sunday habit ng ‘Pilipinas, Pilipinas!’ dito sa Radyo ng Bayan?

SEC. COLOMA: Hinggil sa nabanggit mong performance ng ating mga atleta sa Asian Games, siguro ay malinaw naman ang pagpapahiwatig niyan, Efren, na marami pa ang dapat gawin ng ating Philippine Sports Commission para mapahusay ang performance ng ating mga manlalaro. Ang paniwala po ng ating Pangulo diyan ay maaari naman siguro tayong mag-focus ng resources doon sa ilang sports na mayroon talagang competitive advantage ang mga Pilipino at maaaring magpakita ng kahusayan. At siguro rin ‘yung patuloy na pakikipagtulungan ng pamahalaan at ng pribadong sektor para madagdagan po ‘yung mga resources sa sports development ng ating bansa.

Mr. Montano: Okay. So would you say, safe to say, na ito ay isang eye-opener para sa ating mga sports officials?

SEC. COLOMA: Maraming beses na tayong napaalalahanan niyan dahil matagal-tagal na rin naman ‘yung panahon na hindi tayo nakakakita ng gold medal performance. Kaya nga dito sa kasalukuyan ay nag-iisa ‘yung ating gold medal at ito ay courtesy of Daniel Patrick Caluag na nagwagi sa BMX cycling. ‘Yung sa boxing na pangkaraniwang pinanggagalingan ng mga medalyang ginto, sa kasawiang palad ay hindi po tayo nagtamo ng gold medal, mayroon lang po yata tayong natamong silver medal. Kaya dapat lang po sigurong paghusayan pa ang ating preparasyon at ‘yung paghahanda sa ating mga atleta.

Mr. Montano: So ibig sabihin parang nalulungkot ang Palasyo o ang sambayanan ukol dito?

SEC. COLOMA: Sabihin na lang po natin na hindi po tayo nalulugod doon sa naging resulta ng Asian Games at ang tama naman po sigurong pananaw diyan ay ‘yung magkaroon ng determinasyon na pagbutihin pa para sa susunod na pagkakataon ay maging kalugod-lugod naman ang performance ng ating bansa.

Mr. Montano: Okay. So well said po ‘yan at ‘yung sa basketball ay talagang isang malaking debacle ang nangyari. So dapat ay tutukan—

SEC. COLOMA: Marami pong aral na pwede tayong… Marami po ang aral na natutunan natin at pwede po nating gamitin ang mga aral na ito sa pagpapahusay ng ating performance sa mga darating pang kompetisyon.

Mr. Montano: Okay po, lalo na ‘yung ating bansang Pilipinas ay napili nga po na best destination, so magandang boost sa tourism. At sa susunod na taon ay ang Pilipinas ay masesentro sa daigdig dahil nga po dito idaraos ‘yung APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit sa Pilipinas.

SEC. COLOMA: Sang-ayon ako sa sinabi mo, Efren.

Mr. Montano: Okay po. So ‘yung parting message na po natin dito sa Radyo ng Bayan, ‘Pilipinas, Pilipinas!’

SEC. COLOMA: Well, bukas din po siguro po ay ipapahayag na rin natin ‘yung pakikiisa natin sa ating mga kapatid na nananampalataya sa Muslim faith dahil doon po sa obserbasyon ‘nung kapistahan ng Eid’l Adha kaya nga po tayo ay nag-ukol ng isang national non-working holiday. Nakikiisa po tayo sa kanila.

Mr. Montano: So bukas ay walang pasok dahil nga po doon sa Eid’l Adha. Ito ‘yung Feast of Sacrifice.

SEC. COLOMA: ‘Yon na lamang, Efren. Maraming salamat at magandang araw po sa kanilang lahat.

***

SOURCE: Presidential News Desk

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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR. DWIZ / Karambola 03 October 2014 CELY BUENO: Naku, maswerte tayo dahil ating makakasama sa ating programa, ating makakapanayam si Secretary Sonny Coloma. Secretary Coloma, magandang umaga po! SEC. COLOMA: Magandang umaga, Cely. CELY BUENO: Okay. Kasama ko po rito si Joel Paredes. So Secretary— SEC. COLOMA: Good morning Joel. JOEL PAREDES: Ito kasi—iyong balita po, natuloy pa rin ang konsultasyon ng pamahalaan sa Chacha, sa Charter change. Ano pong masasabi ninyo? Totoo po ba ‘to na—siyempre sabi may pulso na unpopular na siya basically pero tuloy pa raw ang konsultasyon? SEC. COLOMA: Liwanagin lang natin Joel ‘no. Iyong tanong sa survey ng Pulse Asia ay kung sang-ayon o hindi sang-ayon ang tao doon sa panukala na baguhin ang Constitusyon para magkaroon ng term extension para sa Pangulo. Sa palagay ko, dapat ipunto natin na iba iyan doon sa pangkaraniwang tanong na kung ang mga mamamayan naman ay kuntento o hindi kuntento sa kaniyang performance, at kung sila ba ay may tiwala o walang tiwala sa kaniya. Para yatang hindi makatwiran na sabihin kaagad na “unpopular” ang Pangulo dahil lang doon sa tugon nila sa tanong na iyan. CELY BUENO: Pero Sir, ito ho bang naging resulta ng— JOEL PAREDES: Ang tingin ko po, unpopular iyong Charter change, hindi ho ang Pangulo kasi— SEC. COLOMA: O kaya nga. Pinupunto ko lang na hiwalay iyan doon sa isyu na kung ang tao ba ay masaya o hindi masaya, o satisfied or not satisfied with the performance of the President and the administration, at doon sa kung sila ay may tiwala o walang tiwala. Dahil iyan din naman ay sinusukat periodically ng SWS at ng Pulse Asia. Baka naman masyadong drastic iyong sabihin na ito lang ang nag-iisang batayan ‘no ng pulso ng mamamayan hinggil sa Pangulo at sa administrasyon. JOEL PAREDES: O kasi po, iyong sabi ninyo nga, iyong popularidad ng Pangulo eh alam po naman natin na may mga lumalabas eh, kahit sa social media na 70 something percent ang nagsasabi, gusto nila ng term extension ng Pangulo dahil daw sa reporma niya sa pamahalaan. Siyempre kinokontra po ng ibang mga tao, lalo ng mga tao sa oposisyon ‘no. Alam ninyo, iyon nga ho iyong lumalabas ngayon. Paano ninyo bang titignan ngayon, o ano ba talaga ang pangangailangan; ano ba iyong gusto ng tao ngayon para matignan na—ang Pangulo talaga kasi, iyong legacy naman pinag-usapan natin eh last year ‘no, legacy ng Pangulo. Ano ba dapat talagang pagtuunan na ng pansin? SEC. COLOMA: Mahalaga Joel na binanggit mo iyong katagang “legacy”, sapagkat sa lahat ng kaniyang pagpapahayag, nililinaw naman ng Pangulo na ang pakay lang naman niya ay nais niyang ma-engage ‘no ang ating citizenry sa continuing conversation kung paano ba magiging permanente ang transpormasyon na nasimulan na sa ating lipunan. Dahil sayang naman kung ang mga repormang naipunla ay hindi magiging ganap. Gusto niyang maging involved ang ating mga mamamayan sa talakayan kung paano puwedeng pagtulungan ng mga Pilipino na maging permanente ang mga repormang nasimula na. Iyan po ang pinakamahalaga sa Pangulo. CELY BUENO: Okay Secretary Coloma, naalala ko po noon ang sinasabi ng Pangulo, gusto niyang malaman kung ano ba iyong sentimyento, ano ang pulso ng kaniyang mga “Boss” sa usapin ng term extension. So itong naging resulta po ng Pulse Asia na kung saan sinasabing about 62% ang nag-o-oppose ng second term para kay Panguong Aquino, ito po ba’y gagawing basehan ng Malacañang para doon sa paghanap ng pulso ng taumbayan, o may sarili pa ho kayong pamamaraan na gagawin para alamin kung ano ang tunay na pulso po ng taumbayan? SEC. COLOMA: Kinikilala natin Cely, ‘no, iyong kahalagahan ng feedback from regular public opinion survey, at patuloy namang pakikinggan ng ating Pangulo ang mga feedback na ito ‘no. Wala naman kasing time limit doon sa pakikinig ‘no. ‘Di ba’t pangunahing responsibilidad ng pinuno na malaman sa lahat ng pagkakataon kung ano ang saloobin ng kaniyang mga constituents? Kaya’t patuloy na proseso naman ang isinasagawang pagpupulso sa saloobin ng bayan. CELY BUENO: Oo. So bukod ho sa survey, ano pa po iyong ibang pamamaraan ng Malacañang para makuha iyong tunay na pulso po ng taumbayan? SEC. COLOMA: Mapalad tayo Cely at Joel ‘no dahil sa—o wonders of modern technology, nakakapagpahayag ng tuwirang saloobin ng mga mamamayan. Marami tayong kaparaanan ngayon, maraming mga online at social media platforms. Bukod doon ay marami ring mga case-to-case encounter ang ating Pangulo sa kaniyang pag-iikot sa buong bansa, pati sa kaniyang—tulad noon na kaniyang huling pagbibiyahe sa Europa at Estados Unidos, nakaniig din niya doon ang mga Filipino communities. At lahat ng mga pagkakataon na iyan ay mahalagang pinanggagalingan ng feedback mula sa mga mamamayan. CELY BUENO: May balita ho ako noon na pagdating sa netizen, marami ho yata sa ating netizen ang pabor sa term extension eh, kontra naman pala ito sa resulta naman ng Pulse Asia survey. SEC. COLOMA: Kaya nga Cely ‘no, hindi naman tayo one-sided o uni-dimensional ‘no. Kaya nga’t sinasabi natin dito na mahalagang malaman ang iba’t ibang pananaw at mahalagang maunawaan din kung ano ang nais na ipahiwatig ng mga pagpupulso na ito. CELY BUENO: Pero hanggang kailan po iyong gagawing pagdetermina ng Malacañang sa tunay na sentimyento ng publiko? Kasi kung, let’s say lumitaw na majority eh gusto, you’re running out of time para po amyendahan po iyong ating Konstitusyon. SEC. COLOMA: Kaya nga Cely at Joel ‘no, kung maari ko lang ulitin, iyon namang pagkuha ng feedback ng leader mula sa kaniyang pinamumunuan, ‘di ba’t mas mainam na ito ay isang continuing process? Hindi naman tayo naglilimita sa iisang isyu lamang o sa iisang pag-uusapan lamang. Sinasabi natin, ang Pangulo ay nais na patuloy na malaman ang mga saloobin ng kaniyang mga Boss. JOEL PAREDES: Tama po iyon, tuluy-tuloy ang pagtingin ng pulso ng tao. Pero kayo po Secretary, ano po ba ang inyong candid assessment ngayon sa administrasyon? Huwag na muna…(unclear) … dahil siyempre kahit nasa Malacañang kayo, pero kayo po, personal na assessment ninyo na. SEC. COLOMA: Ang objective assessment Joel, maari naman natin ‘tong matunghayan sa pamamagitan ng pagtingin sa konkretong riyalidad. Puwede nating hatiin iyan sa economic, sa political, social ‘no. Kung sa larangan ng ekonomiya, makikita naman natin na tuluy-tuloy iyong pag-angat ng ating kabuhayan. At tinatanghal tayo ngayon sa daigdig na isa sa pinakamabilis na lumalago ang ekonomiya sa buong Asya. At patuloy tayong binibigyan ng mataas o investment grade rating ng mga international rating agencies. Kahit po saan magpunta ang Pangulo ay tinatanghal nila ang mainam na kabuhayan sa ating bansa, ang malaking improvement sa competitiveness ng Philippine economy. At dahil dito ay nakakapaglikha tayo ng mas marami pang pagkakataon para sa ating mga kababayan, na naipunto na nga from April of 2013 to April of 2014, nakapaglikha ang ating ekonomiya ng mahigit sa isang milyong bagong gawain – at marami dito ay high quality jobs. At marami pang nais na mamuhunan o magpalawig ng kanilang mga negosyo sa ating bansa dahil kinikilala nila iyong talento, sipag at husay ng mga manggagawang Pilipino. Kaya kung gagamit tayo ng mga objective yardstick ay malayo na ang ating narating. Ganunpaman, kinikilala din natin na marami pang dapat gawin. Halimbawa sa larangan ng imprastruktura, marami pa po tayong dapat na iayos na airport at seaport. Kaya nga patuloy pa rin naman iyong paghimok natin sa mga investors. Marami pa pong proyekto na nasa pipeline sa infrastructure development. JOEL PAREDES: Secretary, sabi noong mga ibang kaibigan na kasama ng Pangulo sa Europa ‘no, tuwang-tuwa daw iyong mga negosyante at iyong mga lider sa Pilipinas, kaya lang ho eh, bakit po sila natutuwa? Sabi nila, sa investment baka. Sabi noong iba, dahil daw ang dating Pangulong Cory Aquino sa Pranses ay popular. Pero hindi lang ho iyon eh, bakit kaya, ang sinasabi ninyo “gung ho” ang mga ito ‘no? Kasi sana mapaliwanag ninyo, kasi ito ho iyong tinitignan natin eh. ‘Di ba sabi ninyo, the Philippines, ang pinagmamalaki po natin iyong mga negosyante sa abroad, iyong investors ay papunta rito. Ano ho ba ang nakikita nila sa atin? SEC. COLOMA: Ang ginagamit na salita diyan Joel ay iyong “macro-economic fundamental”. ‘Pag mainam po kasi ang takbo ng ekonomiya ay nagiging malaki ang kumpiyansa ng mga negosyante at saka namumuhunan. At kahit sino naman po ang tanungin, ang masasabi po nila ay ito: Ang malaking kaibahan na naganap sa ating bansa nitong nakaraang apat na taon ay iyong pagsasaayos ng ating pamamahala o iyong good governance. Dahil kung wala pong bilib sa integridad at katapatan sa panunungkulan ng Pangulo at ng administrasyon, eh matamlay po ang magiging attitude ng negosyo at ng kapital. Dahil din po sa pagsunod sa mabuting pamamahala o good governance ay marami po tayong salapi na nakalap na nagbigay sa atin ng tinatawag na “fiscal space”. Dahil pinupunto nga ng Pangulo, halimbawa sa Department of Public Works and Highways pa lamang nitong kasalukuyang taon ay halos dalawampu’t pitong bilyong piso na iyong nalikom nang dahil sa mabuting pagpili ng mga proyekto at maayos na paglatag ng mga bidding procedures natin. Ang naging resulta nito, mayroon tayong fiscal space. Ibig sabihin ng fiscal space, mas marami tayong pondo na puwedeng ilaan para sa pambansang budget. At doon naman sa pambansang budget, ang ating pinaglalaanan ay mga investment in people. Doon sa education, sa poverty reduction, iyong pagpapaaral sa hanggang high school iyong mga benepisyaryo ng Conditional Cash Transfer program, iyong mga skills development program ng TESDA at ng DOLE, at iyon ding pagbibigay natin ng universal healthcare para sa mga pinakamahihirap na Pilipino ‘no. Sa ngayon ay 82% na ng ating mga kababayan ay covered ng Philhealth; at doon sa mga pinakamahihirap na pamilya, kasama diyan iyong mga catastrophic illnesses na kinakailangan ng dialysis o chemoteraphy. Siguro ito ay isa lang sa mga—ilan lang ‘no sa mga konkretong mga natamo na natin nitong mga nakaraang—nitong nakaraang apat na taon. JOEL PAREDES: Secretary, mukhang sinuswerte po tayo, kasi next year, siyempre darating ang Papa, tapos ‘andito ang APEC, nandito ang ASEAN. Ano man po naman ang ating ihahain para sa kanila? Ano bang plano natin? SEC. COLOMA: Nagkaroon na tayo ng preview diyan ‘no nitong nakaraang— JOEL PAREDES: Hindi po iyong traffic ha at iyong baha (laughs). SEC. COLOMA: Hindi, iyong—‘di ba kailan lang ay dinaos dito iyong World Economic Forum Asia. At kailan lang, mismong ang Pangulo ng World Bank ay nagtungo dito upang magpahayag ng kaniyang paghanga na tayo ang nagse-set ng example sa aspeto ng good governance. Kaya po napakaganda ng imahe ng ating bansa, at ito ay isang malaking factor ‘no sa ating pagho-host ng APEC Economic Leaders Meeting sa darating na tao. At sa iba pong larangan, kinikilala po ang mga nagawa nating mahusay sa aspeto ng governance. Kailan lang ay—noong habang ang Pangulo ay nasa New York, tumanggap po tayo ng award of recognition doon sa Open Government Partnership. Kung naaalala ninyo, two years ago, iniimbita ni Pangulong Barrack Obama si Pangulong Aquino as one of the few leaders na ka-partner dito sa pag-establish ng Open Government Partnership. At iyong mga programa natin, ginagawa na ngayong halimbawa sa ibang mga bansa. Ang ating programa sa budgeting ‘no, iyong ating zero-based budgeting at iyong grassroots participatory budgeting ay nakatanggap ng pagkilala mula po sa Open Government Partnership. CELY BUENO: Okay. Secretary Coloma, so ibig sabihin, the mere fact na naging successful tayo doon sa pagho-host sa World Economic Forum, ito’y puwede nang basehan na magiging matagumpay tayo uli tayo sa pagho-host doon sa APEC Summit at sa pagdalaw ho ng Santo Papa. Pero sabi noong iba, “Naku, gaano tayo ka-prepared,” eh konting umulan lang daw ho eh baha na, tindi ng traffic. Iyon po ba’y, pagdating sa ganoong aspeto ay bahagi ho iyan ng ating preparasyon po Secretary para hindi naman ito maranasan noong ating mga bisita? SEC. COLOMA: Pinaghahandaan nang mabuti ang mga bagay na iyan, Cely. Maging dito sa ating National Capital Region ay marami na ring naipatupad na flood control projects. At sa aspeto naman ng traffic, naipakita naman natin noong sa WEF ‘no, bagama’t ito ay mas maliit na scale na kaya naman nating mag-host ng isang major international gathering. At parati namang lumilitaw at lumulutang iyong one, hospitality po ng ating mga kababayan sa mga pagkakataong ganiyan. CELY BUENO: Okay Secretary, may isa hong tanong sa inyo dito. Susuportahan daw ba ng Palasyo itong resolution ni Congressman Rufus Rodriguez authorizing Department of Energy to takeover power utilities during the anticipated energy crisis? SEC. COLOMA: Eh kailangan pong pag-aralan na mabuti ang panukalang iyan. Ang nais lang po naman ng pamahalaan ay sa panahon na maaring maging kritikal ang supply ng kuryente dahil nga papasok na iyong summer months, eh matiyak na mayroong sapat na supply ng kuryente, at makakamit natin ito sa makatwiran at risonableng halaga. May implications lang po kasi ‘pag sinabi iyong takeover, minsan po ay lumilikha ito ng pangangamba, pangamba sa mga negosyante dahil maaring mabalam iyong natural na daloy ng kanilang negosyo. Kailangan siguro ang masinsin na pagpapaliwanagan at pakikipag-ugnayan pa rin. At marami na rin naman pong mga nasa hanay ng pribadong sektor ang nagpahiwatig na sila ay handang tumulong. Mayroon pong tinatawang na embedded power. Mayroon po silang sariling kapasidad na mag-generate ng kanilang power. At mayroon na pong programa ang Department of Energy tungkol diyan, iyong Interruptible Load Program. Baka lang po kailangang suriin muli iyong pagpresyo noong kuryente at gawing mas katanggap-tanggap ito sa karamihan para ma-encourage po sila na lumahok sa programang ito. Sinasabi ko lang ay patuloy iyong pagsisikap, patuloy po iyong pakikipag-ugnayan ng Ehekutibo at ng Kongreso, at maging iyong sa private sector po para hanapan ng mainam na solusyon iyong hinaharap nating kakulangan sa supply ng kuryente sa darating na tag-init. CELY BUENO: Okay. Naalala ko po, sinabi ni Senator Serge Osmeña, through Interruptible Load Program, o ILP, plus iyong additional po na supply ng kuryente doon sa ilang mga bagong power plants, sapat na daw ho iyon para maibsan iyong inaasahang power crisis sa summer. Ang kailangan na lang daw po ay mag-allocate ang Malacañang ng ILP refund para doon sa mga private company na magpa-participate dito po sa ILP. SEC. COLOMA: Eh iyon po ang isa sa mga konkretong suhestiyon na maari namang maipatupad. Kaya nga po iyong paraan natin dito ng pagharap sa problema ay sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagtulungan ng Ehekutibo sa atin pong Lehislatura. Dahil naaayon po iyan sa batas, iyong sa Electric Power Industry Reform Act o iyong EPIRA, iyon nga pong sinasabi na puwede namang pagtulungan ng Kongreso at ng Ehekutibo iyong paghahanap ng solusyon sa mga kaganapang katulad ng ating hinaharap. CELY BUENO: At panghuli na lang po Secretary, doon sa impression ng ilan na “untouchable” daw ho si PNP Chief Director Alan Purisima dahil parang ang sabi, “Naku, dinidepensa naman ni PNoy eh.” Ang dami daw hong mga allegations laban sa ating PNP Chief. SEC. COLOMA: Iyon pong binanggit natin kahapon ‘no sa atin pong pamamahayag, si General Purisima naman po, katulad ng lahat ng lingkod-bayan na kasalukuyang nanunungkulan ay mayroon pong pananagutan o accountability. Lahat naman po tayo ay sakop ng batas, at kinakailangang panagutan lahat ng mga aksyon habang naglilingkod sa pamahalaan. Iyon namang sa aspeto ng mga alegasyon tungkol sa kaniyang mga assets, ito naman ay nakapaloob sa kaniyang Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. Makikita po natin na kahit na lampas na doon sa hearing ng Senado, nagkukusang-loob po siya na mag-volunteer ng information, nagbibigay po siya ng detailed na datos, nagpapakita pa ng litrato, iniimbita pa po ang mass media doon sa umano’y mansiyon niya na sinabi naman niya ay pangkaraniwang residence lamang. Eh siguro naman po, bigyan din natin siya ng pagkilala na siya ay open, transparent at upfront doon sa pagsagot sa mga alegasyon laban sa kaniya. JOEL PAREDES: Secretary, ‘to huling-huli na lang. Kasi kanina ho, siyempre nagrereklamo ang mga oposisyon na mambabatas tulad ni Toby Tiangco. Binabraso daw ho talaga sila ng administrasyon coalition etong sa budget. Ano po masasabi ninyo talaga dito? SEC. COLOMA: Baka dapat po nating maintindihan kung ano ang ibig sabihin doon sa “binabraso”. Papaano po kaya ang ibig sabihin doon sa binabraso? JOEL PAREDES: Eh sabi nga nila daw eh—anong tawag dito? Parang kahit anong mga paliwanag nila, talagang hindi raw talaga nakakalusot. SEC. COLOMA: Eh kasi sa pagkaalam natin, Joel ‘no, mayroon pong proseso ng deliberasyon diyan sa pagpasa ng budget. Ang una pong stage niyan, iyong budget ng bawat ahensya ay tinatalakay sa level ng Committee on Appropriation. Lahat po kami ay dumaan diyan ‘no; kahit anong klase pong tanong na inihahain sa amin, sinisikap naming matugunan at maipaliwanag. Bukod pa doon sa mga tinatanong nila sa hearing, pinagsa-submit po kami ng mga background information, ng mga dokumento, mga record ng mga ari-arian ng aming mga ahensya. Pinapa-submit po sa amin iyong pagtugon namin sa mga audit report ng Commission on Audit. Lahat po niyan ay bahagi noong komprehensibong proseso ng pagkilatis sa budget ng mga ahensya. At pagkatapos po noon ay dinadala nila doon sa plenaryo, doon sa Plenary Session. Uulitin na naman po iyon kada department, isasalang po iyon doon sa plenaryo. At doon sa plenaryo ay mayroon na naman silang pagkakataon na magtanong, humingi ng paliwanag. At kapag hindi po katanggap-tanggap sa kanila, puwede pa po nilang pabalikin. Marami pong nagbalik-balik na departamento para maging katanggap-tanggap iyong paliwanag nila. At doon po sa dulo nitong prosesong ito, nagkaroon sila ng botohan. ‘Di po ba napaka-elementary at basic principle sa ating demokrasya na sa deliberative body katulad ng Kongreso ay kinakailangan namang pairalin iyong rule of the majority? Kaya kung diyan po sa botohan ay nanaig iyong panig na dapat maaprubahan ang budget, dapat naman siguro pong tanggapin iyong resulta noong pagbobotohan na iyon, maliban na lamang kung masasabi na mayroong mga iligal na ginawa, nag-railroading ba, nagkaroon ba ng maanomalyang pagpasa ng mga elemento ng budget. Iyon na lang po eh, kasi kung tutunghayan talaga natin iyong proseso, nandoon naman po iyong proseso. Ang ginawa po nilang approval ay sa second reading. Pagkatapos po noong second reading, ipi-print po iyong kung anuman iyong panukalang batas na iyon o iyong proposed General Appropriations Act. Rerepasuhin pa po nila ulit iyon on third reading. At pagkatapos po noon, saka lang po iyon ipapasa sa Senado naman. Iyong Senado naman, ganoon din po iyong proseso. Bawat department tinatawag po, pinagpapaliwanag. Pagkatapos, dadaan din iyan sa plenaryo. So, uulitin na naman po iyong proseso na iyon, and then approval on second reading. After approval on second reading, approval on third reading. CELY BUENO: And then bicam. SEC. COLOMA: Pagkatapos may bicameral committee. Napaka-komprehensibo na nitong proseso. At sa lahat naman po ng prosesong iyan, sa akin pong pagkabatid, mayroong minority representation. Hindi naman po iyan puro nasa mayorya lang ang kasapi diyan sa proseso na iyan. Kaya baka po mas mainam na magbigay talaga ng mga konkretong katibayan sa halip po na gagamit ng mga salita na “binabraso” na hindi naman po natin maunawaan kung ano ibig sabihin noon. CELY BUENO: Naku Secretary Coloma, maraming, maraming salamat po sa oras ninyo. Thank you very much po. SEC. COLOMA: Maraming salamat sa pagkakataon Joel at Cely. Magandang umaga po.

SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center
[HOME]

ONLINE NEWS

07 OCT 2014

1. DBM delivers P7.7B to address classroom shortage; Abad: 3rd fund release to build schools, equip them

2. NHA resettlement of informal settlers nails P3.78-B; Abad: Fund ensures safety of families in danger zones

3. End-September 2014 GIR reaches US$80.43 billion

4. Four women give face to dev’t of a poor village in Masbate

5. Two Filipina nurses qualify in Germany under Triple Win Migration Project

6. DOJ partners with National University on Digital Forensics degree program

7. DOLE completes regional consultations on K to 12

8. Panasia Energy, Inc., and its union ink their first CBA worth P22M; signing settles notice of strike

9. Roxas to Barangay Execs: Help curb police, government corruption

10. DTI targets SMEs for growing domestic specialty coffee shops

11. PHL stands out in XDS Canada

12. Purisima bares private house in Nueva Ecija

13. Eid al-Adha a call for sacrifice, charity – Deles

14. Philippines, South Korea hold 3rd Consular Consultation Meeting

15. PHL Ambassador visits Fort of San Diego in Acapulco

16. Cebu board member lauds DOST support to local inventors

17. DAR provides P22.6-M rural projects for farm families Of Rizal, Nueva Ecija

18. RTC issues warrant of arrest against Banlee C. Choa, former bank Chairman and President, for misappropriation of P748-M bank funds

19. Forum on PPP expressway dike tests investors’ interest

DBM delivers P7.7B to address classroom shortage; Abad: 3rd fund release to build schools, equip them

Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of P7.7 billion to the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to address the shortage of classrooms nationwide.

This is the third batch of funds released this year from the Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF), which had an allocation of P39 billion from the 2014 General Appropriations Act (GAA). Prior to the latest release, the DBM had channeled to DepEd and DPWH a total of P8.6 billion: P1.25 billion in the wake of Super Typhoon Yolanda and P7.35 billion as the first batch of funds released in the middle of the year.

Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said, “This third release of funds is in keeping with President Aquino’s commitment to the Social Contract, supporting as it does the needs of our education sector as well as advancing quality education in the country. We need to accommodate the increasing number of students every year with new schools as well as equip them properly to create a conducive learning environment.”

The BEFF is used for the construction, rehabilitation, replacement, completion, and repair of school buildings in areas experiencing acute classroom shortage. It is also used for the construction of water and sanitation facilities as well as the acquisition of school desks, furniture, and fixtures for the targeted public schools.

The government defines “areas experiencing acute classroom shortage” as areas where the classroom-to-students ratio is 50:1 or worse (i.e. classrooms are temporary in nature, are makeshift, or non-existent).

“The Administration plans to build more quality classrooms, as each school year brings with it a larger student population. This is one of several ways through which we’re reforming the education system, besides providing better facilities and learning materials to our students,” Abad said.

The funds will be released directly to the DPWH-Central Office to administer the construction based on a list of school buildings and work program submitted by the DepEd. Among the regions set to benefit from the release are the National Capital Region (P2B), Region IV-A (P1.7B), and Region VII (P1.5B).

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NHA resettlement of informal settlers nails P3.78-B; Abad: Fund ensures safety of families in danger zones

Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of P3.78 billion to the National Housing Authority (NHA) for the relocation and resettlement of informal settler families living in danger zones in Metro Manila.

The National Government allotted funds sourced from the 2014 General Appropriations Act (GAA) to assist informal settlers residing in hazardous areas in the metro, especially near waterways such as creeks, rivers and esteros.

Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said, “This move is part of the Aquino administration’s continuing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of these families, given the constant problem of flooding in Metro Manila.”

Abad added, “With this fund release, the NHA can build stronger homes in safer areas—whether within the city or outside—as well as ensure the protection of these families during calamities or emergencies, like typhoons and heavy rains.”

The release will fund the NHA’s land development and construction of low-rise buildings (LRBs) on government-owned lands within the city as well as housing settlements outside the city. The NHA reported that the LRBs and off-city housing settlements currently being constructed can accommodate 1,234 units and 10,546 units respectively.

Under the 2014 National Budget, P5.49 billion had been allocated for this project. Prior to the latest release, P600 million had already been released.

Abad noted that, “The NHA’s relocation and resettlement program serves multiple purposes. It supports our local governments in providing housing and assistance and ensures the families’ safety in danger zones. Beyond that, relocating these families will help improve the sanitation and disaster-preparedness in problem areas in Metro Manila.”

The relocation efforts of the national government are also in conjunction with a Supreme Court ruling to clean up the 3.0-meter easement of the Pasig River and its tributaries by 2015.

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End-September 2014 GIR reaches US$80.43 billion

Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph

xPreliminary data showed that the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) stood at US$80.43 billion as of end-September 2014, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. announced today.1 This level was lower by US$0.44 billion than the end-August 2014 GIR of US$80.87 billion. Nonetheless, the GIR level remains ample as it can cover 10.9 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and income. It is also equivalent to 8.4 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 6.1 times based on residual maturity.2

The decrease in reserves was due mainly to the revaluation adjustments on the BSP’s gold holdings and other foreign currency-denominated reserves as well as payments for maturing foreign exchange obligations of the National Government (NG). These outflows were partially offset by the foreign exchange operations of the BSP, net foreign currency deposits by the Treasurer of the Philippines (TOP), and income from the BSP’s investments abroad.

Net international reserves (NIR), which refer to the difference between the BSP’s GIR and total short-term liabilities, also decreased to US$80.43 billion as of end-September 2014, compared to the end-August 2014 NIR of US$80.86 billion.

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1 The final data on GIR are released to the public every 19th day of the month in the Statistics section of the BSP’s website under the Special Data Dissemination Standards (SDDS). If the 19th day of the month falls on a weekend or is a non-working holiday, the release date shall be the working day nearest to the 19th.
2 Short-term debt based on residual maturity refers to outstanding external debt with original maturity of one year or less, plus principal payments on medium- and long-term loans of the public and private sectors falling due within the next 12 months.

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Four women give face to dev’t of a poor village in Masbate

Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

San Pascual, Masbate - Teresita Talisic, Elizabeth Marquez, Mary Jane Bani, and Gregoria Rudina are no strangers to poverty.

They are residents of Laurente, one of the 22 barangays of this town.

Laurente is a community rich in natural resources, but provides limited opportunities for residents already steeped in poverty.

Living in the coastal part of Laurente, Teresita makes money as a fish vendor going around and outside her village.

Lack of access path

Oftentimes, her hard work does not yield profitable results. She said that it was difficult to sell fish because she had to traverse an unpaved, muddy path in the village.

“Dati po, naga-buy and sell po ako. Sus na sakit. May surusuknong ako na balde. Pag mahalnas, nadudulas po ako.Tirigaya! Purot ko naman su mga sira. Ilaog ko naman sa balde (I used to buy and sell fish. It was difficult as I had to carry a pail full of fish. I often slipped and stumbled because the path was slippery. I should then pick up the fish I dropped and put these back in the bucket),” she narrated gesturing how she tripped when passing through the rough road.

Teresita was embarrassed to sell her fish because these were mud-spattered. As a result, she ended up earning little for all her hard work.

Her problem was common to the other fish vendors as bringing their goods to the market was difficult owing to the lack of a proper access path.

Fish buyers would usually go to Laurente to haggle, and would often get lower prices for the products, always citing the difficulty in transporting the goods as their leverage.

As a result, the vendors would agree to lower prices having little choice over the matter. For them, even the little money is better than nothing.

The farmers of the village also had the same problem, peddling their produce for very low prices.

The absence of an access path to and from the village also proved difficult for mothers and pregnant women, especially in going to the already dilapidated health center.

Elizabeth, a community health worker and a mother herself, felt for the women, as she saw how difficult it was for them to travel by foot just to get basic medical attention. She added that their small health center aggravates the problem.

“Pagkasadit-sadit kang samuyang health center. Masikip talaga siya (Our health center is very small. It’s really crowded),” she described.

The lack of a proper access way has long plagued the residents of Laurente.

Mary Jane was one of the women in the community who had to suffer from this problem.

At a young age, she had experienced to be away from her family just to finish high school back in the 1990s.

She left home and stayed in a boarding house near San Pascual National High School as the school is too far from their place. She endured one and a half hour of travel by foot for four years during weekends, so she could go home to her family.

Mary Jane was one of the lucky ones who was able to get her high school diploma. Most parents were not able to send their children to high school because they either could not afford to do so, or because of the distance of the nearest school to their community.

Dream infrastructures

Such was the longtime problem of the rural community that when the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) introduced the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), the villagers gave their full support.

Through Kalahi-CIDSS with funding support of the Spanish Government’s Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID), and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Laurente now has its dream infrastructures – a health center and a concrete pathway.

Kalahi-CIDSS is a unique, community-driven development program which utilizes people’s participation and community empowerment as its core strategies.

At present, an additional 210-meter path walk is being constructed, through OPAPP’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program.

The access road in Laurente has greatly eased the lives of the villagers, as their travel time has been cut from almost two hours to 30 minutes.

Light vehicles such as motorcycles and tricycles are now able to transport passengers. Children are now also able to go to school more easily.

Fisherfolks and farmers also now have a better chance of generating more income, as they can bring their products to the market at no additional cost and without price cuts.

Faces of volunteerism

The success of Kalahi-CIDSS in Laurente can be attributed to the active participation of the residents throughout the process of project implementation.

Wanting to improve their community, Teresita, Elizabeth, Mary Jane, and Gregoria, found themselves leading the volunteers for the construction of the concrete pathway.

“Dae matatapos ang proyekto kung dae kami nagkasararo (The project will not be completed unless we come together),” Mary Jane said.

The women readily took up their new roles when they were elected by their fellow villagers as the leaders in the implementation of their projects, even if they knew that there would be no monetary compensation. Their motivation was simple – to help change their community for the better.

As mothers, they knew that the work they do will eventually benefit their children and the succeeding generations.

“Magadan man ako, marurumduman ninda si mama palan nagtabang diyan (Even if I die, my children will remember that I helped here),” Gregoria said.

They also learned about the other aspects of project implementation such as procurement and documentation. In the process, they, too, empowered themselves.

Gregoria was responsible for accomplishing the documents needed for the project. She, together with her children, rendered a four-day free labor service during the construction of their pathway back in 2013.

“Ining pathway, kung maagi ako, marumduman ko na saro ako jan sa nagtabang, pati mga aki ko (Every time I walk on this pathway, I will remember how my children and I extended our assistance to our village),” she added.

Like in any project, there were also setbacks in implementation, such as the negative reactions of their fellow residents.

According to Elizabeth, they focused not on the problems, but on the brighter side of their situation. They look for solutions to resolve problems that may delay the implementation of their project. They even used these opportunities to learn more about themselves and how they deal with other people.

“Natuto ako magdara ning tawo na may iba ibang attitude (I learned to handle people with different attitudes),” said Gregoria.

Unexpected opportunities

Another opportunity which came to Laurente is the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the conditional cash transfer program implemented by DSWD.

Pantawid Pamilya invests in the health and education of poor households, particularly children aged 0-18, by way of providing conditional cash grants to compliant beneficiaries.

Teresita and Gregoria’s families are among the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Laurente. They have since learned to become more responsible parents to their children through the program’s Family Development Sessions (FDS), which are learning sessions for the parents to be responsible caretakers of their children.

“Naaraman ko po kung malnourished ang aki ko ta regular kami magpa-checkup (I will be able to monitor if my child is malnourished because we go to the center for regular checkups),” Teresita said.

“Grabe samuya ang tabang ki Pantawid Pamilya. Natugunan ang sa health, edukasyon asin dakol nabago sa sakuyang sa sadiri dahil sa FDS (Pantawid Pamilya greatly helped us. Health and educational needs are met. I have changed in many ways because of FDS)”, Gregoria said.

She also mentioned that she was able to replace the tattered clothes of her children with decent ones, as well as buy them black shoes and school supplies through the cash grant of Pantawid Pamilya.

Movers of development

These DSWD programs brought the much-needed development of Laurente.

More importantly, the projects gave confidence and skills to the residents, especially to Teresita, Mary Jane, Gregoria, and Elizabeth.

The transformation of these women represents the onset of development in their community. Before, they only know poverty.

But now, they know development. In fact, they had become movers of development, taking the lead in improving their community

“Kayang-kaya na ning Brgy. Laurente na magtindog bilang sarong komunidad para ipadagos ang paguswag (Brgy. Laurente can now stand on its own to continue the progress),” Mary Jane said, her voice brimming with confidence.

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DOJ partners with National University on Digital Forensics degree program

Source: http://www.doj.gov.ph

The Department of Justice today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the DOJ Office of Cybercrime (OOC) and the National University (NU) for a Digital Forensics degree program to build a corps of anti-cybercrime professionals.

The NU is the first educational institution approved by the Commission on Higher Education to offer a four year bachelor degree program in digital forensics.

"This is an institutional way in ramping up the capacity for our cybercrime fighting initiatives. It will also allow internships and on the job training for students," said Secretary of Justice Leila M. de Lima.

The MOA provides for an exchange of expertise and sharing of resources. For example, the DOJ shall nominate lecturers and resource speakers on the cybercrime law and cyber-related laws and jurisprudence.

"Such public-private partnerships are crucial to increase cybercrime awareness and to open a new field in education and work-based research," said Assistant Secretary Geronimo L. Sy, head of the OOC.

The NU also grants a tuition discount for qualified personnel who will take up the degree.

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DOLE completes regional consultations on K to 12

Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph

Higher education institution participants reach 878
DOLE completes regional consultations on K to 12

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday announced that the DOLE has already completed its regional consultations relative to the inter-agency Action Plan on the implementation of the Enhanced Basic Education Curriculum, more popularly known as the K to 12 Program, or R. A. 10533.

Signed into law on 15 May 2013, the Enhanced Basic Education Curriculum Law, is one of the reforms of the Aquino III administration to address the issue of jobs-skills mismatch.

"I am pleased to inform our people that all DOLE regional offices have already conducted consultations on the K to 12 Program and the Action Plan for its implementation," said Baldoz.

"A total of 617 representatives of teaching and non-teaching personnel and 837 management representatives from 878 higher education institutions (HEIs) participated in these consultations," she explained.

Baldoz said the Education/Academe Industry Tripartite Councils (EITCs) joined the DOLE in spearheading these consultations, aimed at updating stakeholders on the K to 12 Program, as well at soliciting their inputs on the Action Plan relative to its implementation.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Education (DepEd), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) participated in the consultations which also sought to formulate a common and unified position when the Congress conducts public hearings on the K to 12 at the last week of October this year.

To prepare for the public hearings, the DOLE's Bureau of Labor Relations under Director Benjo Benavidez consolidated the inputs to the inter-agency Action Plan gathered during the consultations.

Some of the inputs were in the form of agreements, such as the conduct by the DOLE, DepEd, and CHED of continuous information dissemination among HEIs, students, and parents to really inculcate to them relevant information on the K to 12.

"The stakeholders agreed that the information dissemination on the K to 12 Program should be massive and extensive using various forms of media," said Baldoz.

The stakeholders also agreed to further clarify the proposal that the Transition Fund should be on top of the E-GASTPE vouchers being granted by the DepEd and that this should only be granted to HEIs that are accredited by the CHED to promote and encourage institutions to upgrade their quality of education," Baldoz added.

On the part of the DepEd, Baldoz said the DepEd is already on track on its mapping of education institutions, with the first map of HEIs, technical-vocational institutions (TVIs), and basic education institutions (BEIs) that will offer senior high school almost complete.

"The DepEd reported that its second map of HEIs, TVIs, and BEIs that will actually offer senior high school with corresponding slots and tracks will be completed by December. This is so because majority of education institutions have yet to decide whether or not they will offer senior high school come 2016," Baldoz said.

On the other hand, the TESDA, whose task is to conduct a survey or data gathering required in the development of the Transition Plan, is awaiting for the mapping of the DepEd before it can disseminate the survey forms.

Baldoz also reported that the consultations resulted to the drafting of a memorandum of agreement with the Social Security System on the moratorium on payment of laons and/or condonation of interest for those teaching and non-teaching personnel who will be affected by the K to 12 Program.

"This MOA has already been reviewed by the SSS Legal Department. It will be signed when the Guidelines being developed by the SSS Membership Loans Department has been approved by the Social Security Commission," Baldoz said further.

"A similar MOA with the Government Service Insurance System for employees of State Universities and Colleges that will be affected by the K to 12 Program is also being proposed," she finally said.

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Panasia Energy, Inc., and its union ink their first CBA worth P22M; signing settles notice of strike

Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph

Union and management representatives of Panasia Energy, Inc. have come to terms on their first-ever collective bargaining agreement (CBA), following successful conciliation efforts facilitated by RCMB 3 Director Maria Teresita L. Cancio and Conciliator-Mediator Onofre Bautista, NCMB Executive Director Reynaldo R. Ubaldo yesterday reported to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz. Ubaldo said in his report the parties forged the agreement on 9 September 2014, one month and three weeks after the union filed a notice of strike on 18 July 2014. “With the signing of the CBA, the notice of strike of the union has been rendered moot,” he said. Total CBA package is estimated at P21,993,300 benefiting 63 union members of the rank and file employees of the company. Limay Combined Cycle Employees Union, which represents the rank-and-file employees of the company, cited bargaining in bad faith and deadlock on economic and non-economic provisions in the proposed CBA when it sought the assistance of NCMB San Fernando. The union specifically raised the deadlocked issues on housing allowance, general wage increase, catch-up scheme on wages, signing bonus, provident fund, call-in duty, hazard pay, HMO, and transport service. The salient features of the agreement include monthly wage increases of P1,500.00, P1,400.00, and P1,400.00, respectively, for the first three years of the CBA; monthly catch-up scheme on wages of P4,500.00, P1,500.00, and P2,000.00, respectively, during the same period; union leave of 60 days per year; and signing bonus of P15,000 for every covered employee. According to Ubaldo, the union decided to drop the other contested provisions on provident fund, call-in duty, hazard pay, HMO, and transport service in exchange for the sizeable gains on these economic provisions. The five-year CBA takes effect on 9 September 2014 until 8 September 2019 insofar as its political provisions are concerned. The parties will negotiate on the economic provisions for the fourth and fifth years after three years. Baldoz commended the management and the union for coming to an agreement, saying this development is a boost to the government’s effort to maintain and sustain industrial peace. “The workers and the company will primarily benefit from this in terms of harmonious labor-management relations, productivity, and competitiveness,” she said. She also commended Director Cancio and Con-Med Bautista for their untiring efforts to resolve the dispute, resulting to the signing of the CBA and averting a possible strike, thus, assuring the company of continuing peace and stability. Panasia Enery, Inc., a subsidiary of Millenium Energy, Inc. is engaged in power generation with a 600 MW capacity and supplies electricity in the Luzon grid. It is located in Barangay Luz, Limay, Bataan. It has 90 employees.

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Roxas to Barangay Execs: Help curb police, government corruption

Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas today urged barangay leaders nationwide to actively participate in the efforts of the national government to effectively implement the Daang Matuwid program.

“Napakahalaga na kayo bilang barangay officials ay maging kabahagi ng prosesong ito kasi alam ninyo kung ano ang reklamo ng mga kababayan ninyo. Puwede kayong maging taga-paghatid ng pangangailangan ng inyong mga kababayan,” Roxas said.

In a meeting with barangay leaders earlier this week, Roxas called on barangay officials not to hesitate and instead inform him or the DILG regional offices of any illegal and questionable activities of police and government officials in their areas.

“Iiwan ko ang aking pag-suporta sa inyo. Kung may kilala kayong tiwaling pulis na ginagamit ang posisyon niya, pangalan, kung ano ang ginagawa niya, i-text niyo lang iyan sa 09176276927 para mapa-imbestigahan ang ginagawa nila,” he said.

Roxas said any information coming from the barangay leaders, whether these are police- related or activity-related to the implementation of the Grassroots Participatory Process (GPP), would be welcome.

Roxas stressed that GPP is an important program of President Aquino and the government needs all the support and assistance of the community and civil society organizations to ensure that the project is properly implemented.

“Kung may alam kayong anomalya na nangyayari sa GPP o sa kahit anong project puwede niyong itext para mapa-imbestigahan din agad,” he said.

Roxas also encouraged barangay leaders to let him know of any and all concerns pertaining to matters affecting their communities. He, however, clarified that informing him of barangay issues and concerns would not warrant immediate solution or action but he, being in the national government, can help find and facilitate appropriate remedies necessary to barangay affairs.

He likewise lauded efforts of barangay officials that despite the dangers and challenges that they face in the delivery of basic services to their constituents, they continue to serve as the national government’s link to their respective communities.

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DTI targets SMEs for growing domestic specialty coffee shops

Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) encourages small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to target the growing demand for premium coffee in local coffee shops in the country.

Speaking before local government agencies and coffee stakeholders in the Cordillera region, DTI Assistant Secretary Ceferino Rodolfo said, “There are vast opportunities in the regional and global production networks that we can take advantage of. The quality of our workers and the quality of our coffee beans will be key to the success of Philippine coffee in the domestic and international markets.”

In the Cordilleras, some 112 micro and small medium enterprises (MSMEs) depend on coffee growing and trading for their livelihood.

“Interventions include branding and promotions, availability of financial loans, capacity building and trainings, and capital equipment. DTI together with other government agencies provide shared service facilities (SSF) or machines for roasting and grinding among communities of coffee farmers and traders in the Cordillera region,” added Rodolfo.

The SSF are provided too increase production at the farm level. In the farms, coffee is traditionally hand-roasted and ground. The SSF in Kalinga are managed by the Balawag Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative and available for use by members and non members.

ASEAN, with its 608M population and combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD 2.3T, is an attractive market and with regional integration becomes a powerful economic bloc in global trade. In preparation for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) was signed and implemented in 2010. Coffee together with 99.7% of goods in ASEAN have been trading at zero tariff under the ATIGA.

“Collaboration to support the coffee industry exists both on the national and local levels. Government agencies, coffee growers, and traders have been working since 2011 to prioritize the development of the coffee industry in the Cordilleras,” DTI Regional Director for the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Myrna Pablo said.

The coffee industry is a multi-agency collaboration in CAR. Government agencies under the Regional Development Council is composed of the Departments of Trade and Industry, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Agrarian Reform, Science and Technology, Labor and Employment; National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Benguet State University, Highland Agriculture Resource and Research Development Consortium (HARRDEC), and Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

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PHL stands out in XDS Canada

Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph

Backed by strong government and private sector collaboration, the Philippines took affirmative responses from its first participation in the recent External Development Summit (XDS) held in Vancouver, Canada.

“The event organizers lauded the Philippine delegation that gathered positive reviews for its impressive country pavilion. Guests at the pavilion were also impressed with the clear-cut program for the country’s game development industry and stout government, private sector and academe cooperation to achieve the industry’s goals,” Trade Undersecretary Ponciano C. Manalo, Jr. said.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Industry Promotion Group (IPG), and in collaboration with the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP) and Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI) organized the Philippine participation to the XDS, wherein the country’s official industry tagline “GAMEDEV Philippines: Create More” was launched.

The Philippine delegation, composed of DTI officials, GDAP and ACPI representatives, promoted the country’s game-related services industry such as art and animation, programming, and support services.

“Anchored on a robust, thriving and globally competitive content industry, and supported by a technologically-savvy, passionate and creative talent pool, the Philippines is poised to become the leading game development hub and offshore destination in the Asia-Pacific region,” Manalo said.

During the three-day event, the Philippine participants were able to encourage top gaming firms to explore business prospects in the country. They met with 28 major game developers and publishers. Among the firms that conveyed their business interest in the country are Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Square Enix-Eidos, Microsoft Studios, Activision, and 2K.

“Filipino-American game development executives and expatriates in Canada and the United States have also expressed support for the growth and promotion of the Philippine game development industry,” Manalo said.

XDS is the first professionals-only video games industry event, with the main emphasis on external development outsourcing for art, animation, software engineering, and support services. It offers a platform for industry professionals to converge and promote cooperative advancement of external development practices for the game development industry.

Manalo noted that the Philippines’ participation in XDS is a timely prelude to the country’s own annual game development industry event dubbed as the Philippine Game Festival 2014 on 03 and 04 October 2014 at the SMX Mall of Asia in Pasay City. This event intends to gather game enthusiasts, designers, developers, and key players in the country’s gaming industry.

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Purisima bares private house in Nueva Ecija

Source: http://pnp.gov.ph

Appealing for fair and objective reporting against the backdrop of a documented TV report that became the subject of a full-dress inquiry, Police Director General Alan LM Purisima opens his private house to the media in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija earlier today.

In the interest of transparency, the Chief PNP invited members of the media last Thursday (October 2) during a press conference in Camp Crame to personally see the said property in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija.

Together with the PNP Public Information Chief, PSSupt Wilben M Mayor, different news media representatives from wires, print, radio and TV stations went to San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija at about 8:30 in the morning.

“As reporters could see, this property is no mansion by any standard. It is an ordinary house, as ordinary as the other concrete houses that you would see in the neighbourhood”, in a statement made by PDG Purisima through his lawyers who were also present in the area to answer media queries pertaining to the property.

Media representatives were allowed access to the main house, guest house, the pool and the gazebo.

“By inviting the media, it is my hope that some questions related to my property would be put to rest.” The Chief PNP added.(PNP-PIO)

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Eid al-Adha a call for sacrifice, charity – Deles

Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph

MANILA – As the Muslim community celebrates the Eid al-Adha, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles said that the remembrance of the feast serves as “a call for sacrifice and charity not only for our Muslim brothers and sisters, but also for the rest of the Filipino nation,” adding that the Filipino people's continued collective efforts and sacrifices in the pursuit of peace is already bearing fruit.

Meanwhile, Government of the Philippines peace panel chair Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said that the Muslim Filipino community and other inhabitants of Mindanao have made numerous sacrifices during the decades of conflict that plagued the region, but through the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the Bangsamoro region it seeks to establish, these sacrifices will hopefully be at an end. The Bangsamoro is expected to usher in much-needed social, political, and economic reforms in the region under a new autonomous government.

“Let us also be reminded that even in the midst of all our sacrifices, God Almighty remains with us,” Coronel-Ferrer said. “And that our sacrifices will not remain unnoticed and unrewarded.”

Last month, committees in both chambers of Congress began deliberations on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, which is now known as Senate Bill 2408 and House Bill 4994. The Bangsamoro Bill is expected to be passed on the first quarter of 2015, after which a plebiscite will be held for its popular ratification.

Congress is set to continue deliberations on the proposed law on October 20 when it resumes session, but even as it is currently adjourned, public consultations by the Special Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro, headed by Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez, and the Senate Committee on Local Governments, headed by Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., will be conducted. The respective committees are heading to the proposed core territory of the Bangsamoro to conduct these public hearings.

“The road to peace will require more sacrifices from every one of us,” Deles said. “But we call on you to be patient. We call on you to stay on this road with us so that, together, we may share and lighten each other's burdens in pursuing genuine and lasting peace for everyone.”

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Philippines, South Korea hold 3rd Consular Consultation Meeting

Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph

07 October 2014 – The Philippines and the Republic of Korea held the 3rd Consular Consultation Meeting in Seoul, South Korea on September 23.

Heading the delegation for the Republic of the Philippines was Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Wilfredo C. Santos Office of the Consular Affairs Office, joined by the ranking officials of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul led by Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez, Consul General Iric C. Arribas, Consul Aian Caringal, and Labor Attache Felicitas Bay.

The meeting discussed various issues relevant to the bilateral relations between the Philippines and South Korea which included the protection of each country’s nationals, visa-related concerns, labor and Employment Permit System matters, and cooperation initiatives in the field of education and people-to-people exchanges.

The Philippines reiterated its commitment to further strengthen the dynamic Philippines-South Korea relations and enhance its cooperative efforts in matters of mutual interest.

The eight-member Korean delegation was spearheaded by the Director General for Overseas Koreans and Consular Affairs of the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Lee Myun-yul.

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PHL Ambassador visits Fort of San Diego in Acapulco

Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph

07 October 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Catalino R. Dilem, Jr., together with the Philippine Embassy’s Cultural Officer Rosabelle Q. Toledo, Philippine Honorary Consul Mario de la O Almazan, and Filipino painter Manuel D. Baldemor, visited the city of Acapulco on October 01 and met with officials of the Museo Historico, Fuerte de San Diego to discuss final arrangements for Mr. Baldemor’s one-man painting exhibit on October 08.

The painting exhibit is held in celebration of the International Day of the Galleon, which was declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) during its 35th Session in October 2009.

Museum officials showed the venue for the art exhibit, which is at the Sala De Servicios Educativos of the Museum, and to the Auditorio del Museo Historico Fuerte de San Diego, where Mr. Baldemor will be delivering a lecture on Philippine art.

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Cebu board member lauds DOST support to local inventors

Source: http://www.dost.gov.ph

Mandaue City- Cebu Provincial Board Member Griselda Sanchez lauds the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for its efforts in supporting the growth of local inventors.

“You know DOST Region 7 has greatly contributed to what I am today, I’m a living proof of DOST’s support to local scientists and innovators…” the lady board member revealed during her message at the start of the 2014 Visayas Cluster Regional Cluster Fair in J Center Square, Mandaue City, Cebu on 2 October.

“I take pride in saying that I have been a beneficiary for accelerated, transfer, and commercialization of innovative technologies,” she explained.

Her message is in connection with the on-going Science and Technology (S&T) fair in the Visayas region where DOST showcased the latest developments in the local S&T.

Prior to her current political seat at the Cebu province, Sanchez was a researcher and headed the Lacto Bacillus Pafi Techno Resources Corporation.

She joined DOST’s invention contest in 2010 for her wound dressing Paficare and won in the regional level. On the following year, she joined in another DOST program for accelerated technology development called Filipinnovation for her agricultural product called Antica, a pest and fungal control product. It won the top prize.

Sanchez added that DOST opened many opportunities for her innovations after she won said prize. Particularly, she earned a research grant that helped improve and widen the use of her agricultural products.

Her invention also won in the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ambassador Alfredo Yao Intellectual Property Awards for the same invention.

Agencies such as the Bureau of Agricultural Research took notice of her products and further helped her develop her products.

DOST through its Technology Application and Promotions Institute supports local inventors through the Republic Act No. 7459, also known as the Inventors and Invention Incentives Act which “the Government shall provide a program to set up a climate conducive to invention and innovation, give encouragement and support to inventors.”

Under the RA7459, inventors could avail of the following support: intellectual property rights assistance program to assist inventors in filing patents and similar IP rights; prototype development, testing assistance, pilot plant assistance, promotion and publication, National Invention Contest and Exhibits, tax/duty exemption assistance, invention guarantee fund, travel assistance, training, and Inventschool to encourage the spirit of inventiveness and creativity among secondary students. (S&T Media Service, DOST-STII)

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DAR provides P22.6-M rural projects for farm families Of Rizal, Nueva Ecija

Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph

Farm families of Rizal, Nueva Ecija got an early Christmas gift as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently turned-over to the local government two rural infrastructure projects worth P22.6 million.

The 5.37-kilometer farm-to-market road worth P18,036,467 connects Barangays Casiligan, Canaan West, Canaan East and Gen. Luna.

DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Jocelyn Ramones said the concreted road would make it easier for farmers to bring their produce, crops and vegetables to the market where they could sell them at fair price. Before, much of their harvest ended up rotting in their backyard or being sold to visiting trader at very low price.

“Now that these barangays are linked by this road, it will open more business opportunities for farmers with their neighboring barangays,” said Ramones.

Also turned over to the local community was a potable water system (PWS) worth P4,562,969 million for the Canaan West Potable Water Service Cooperative-Across the River agrarian reform community in Rizal. The PWS consisted of an elevated steel tank, distributions lines, a deep well and a submersible pump.

Ramones said the PWS which was implemented under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (ARISP), now on its third phase of implementation, would provide the agrarian reform community clean and safe drinking water.

Prior to the PWS project of DAR, Ramones said, the 130 farming families of Rizal used to fetch water from deep wells and other sources that were often contaminated with disease-carrying organisms.

“Some sources [of water] have high levels of toxins which causes acute and chronic illnesses,” said Ramones.

She added: “DAR’s provision of potable water systems is aimed at reducing water-borne diseases in the community, in addition to providing water for backyard livelihood opportunities like vegetable production and other similar activities.”

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RTC issues warrant of arrest against Banlee C. Choa, former bank Chairman and President, for misappropriation of P748-M bank funds

Source: http://www.pdic.gov.ph

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 20 of Imus, Cavite issued a warrant of arrest on September 15, 2014 against Banlee C. Choa, former Chairman and President of the closed GMA Rural Bank. Mr. Choa was charged for estafa by the Department of Justice (DOJ) based on a complaint filed by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) before the DOJ Task Force on Financial Fraud. Choa remains at large. PDIC is requesting the public's assistance for any information that may assist in the arrest of Mr. Choa. The public may contact the PDIC Investigation Department at the 9th Floor, SSS Bldg., 6782 Ayala Ave. corner V.A. Rufino St., Makati City or call (02) 841-4120, (02) 841-4124 or (02) 841-4125.

Based on the criminal information filed by the DOJ before the court, Choa is accused of estafa committed when he, as President/Chief Executive Officer/Chairman of GMA Rural Bank, misappropriated the funds of the bank in the amount of P748 million by creating a special division in GMA Rural Bank purposely to grant unsecured loans to corporations and other business entities owned and controlled by Choa and/or members of his immediate family, and upon receipt of the said amount through the said corporations, Choa used the same for himself or for his own benefit.

Per the complaint of PDIC filed with the DOJ, the special division of GMA Rural Bank that granted unsecured loans was referred to as the "Executive/Extension Office" and the Choa corporations involved are Tri-B Corporation, Hauskon, Landblazers and Landprimers.

PDIC's complaint likewise charged Ma. Corazon T. Choa, former GMA Rural Bank Director and director and stockholder of various Choa corporations; and the other directors and stockholders of said corporations, namely: Cherry Lynn C. Madarang, Carson T. Choa, Celine T. Choa, Cendy T. Choa, Carter T. Choa, Carvin T. Choa and Carlo T. Choa for estafa. PDIC charged Madarang and Cendy T. Choa due to their active involvement in the management of GMA Rural Bank and its Executive/Extension Office. Meanwhile, the other respondents were officers of various Choa corporations who, according to witnesses, scrambled for various bank documents prior to the bank's closure to hide the operations of the Executive/Extension Office. The DOJ, however, in its resolution, cleared them of the charges. PDIC has filed a Petition for Review of the decision to dismiss the charges before the Office of the Secretary of Justice.

The PDIC said that it will continue to pursue legal actions against bank officials and personnel who commit fraud or who engage in unsafe and unsound banking practices for the benefit of depositors and the creditors of closed banks, and protect the Deposit Insurance Fund, PDIC's funding source for payment of insured deposits.

GMA Rural Bank was placed under PDIC receivership in February 2011.

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Forum on PPP expressway dike tests investors’ interest

Source: http://ppp.gov.ph

Quezon City – More than 60 companies expressed keen interest to participate in the country’s biggest PPP project during the Investors Forum for the Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike (LLED) project. The PhP 122.8 Billion high standard highway cum dike drew 22 companies who bought the Pre-qualification documents and are now in the process of completing its submissions.

Speaking before the interested investors, Secretary Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways emphasized what it would take to make a successful bid for the LLED.

“The consortium should have experience and expertise in building dams, reclamation, property development, and running toll roads and expressways,” he said.

He also added that bidders should be able to use new technologies that will make the job easier, particularly in the aspect of dredging.

Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) Secretary Nereus Acosta welcomed the construction of the LLED stating that the project will help mitigate the effects of climate change which severely affects the coastal towns along the Laguna Lake.

“The Philippines is very vulnerable to climate change. There should be flood mitigation measures in place, especially in the flood prone areas along the lake”, he said.

“There are 65 LGUs under the jurisdiction of the LLDA and all of these will benefit from the project,” Acosta added.

The LLED will help mitigate flooding along the western coast of the Laguna Lake running from Taguig to the town of Bay, in Laguna. It will also serve as an alternative transport route to the congested South Luzon Expressway and enhance the hydrology for the ecosystem of Laguna Lake.

PPP Center Executive Director Cosette V. Canilao aired her appreciation for the significant interest that local and foreign companies have shown to participate in the bidding process for the LLED and vowed that it will be a smooth one.

“Following the issuance of the Invitation to Prequalify to Bid and the Information Memo, we hope to successfully tender the project and get the best deal for both the public and private sector alike”, Canilao said.

“This is the true essence of robust PPPs after all – reasonable returns for the private sector, while ensuring the delivery of effective and high-quality infrastructure projects for the public,” she added.

“As we have done in the past, we assure all of you here today that we are working to make the bidding process as smooth as possible and look forward to seeing the day when this project comes into fruition, “the PPP Center chief said.
During the question and answer portion of the forum, Secretary Singson asked prospective bidders if there was a need to extend the period to submit their pre-qualification documents. There was a unanimous clamor from the private sector to extend its date to 90 days to allow them to produce a responsive submission. The DPWH Chief said that they are seriously considering the suggestion.

“We will seriously consider it, as long as it does not affect the submission date for the bids set for July 2015”, he said.

The 22 companies who bought the prequalification documents include the following companies:

1. Muhibbah Engineering (Phil) Corporation (Malaysia/Philippines),
2. GT Capital Holdings, Incorporated (Philippines)
3. Ayala Land (Philippines)
4. Egis Projects S.A. (France)
5. Megaworld (Philippines)
6. Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (Philippines)
7. Minerales Industrias Corporation (Philippines)
8. Leighton Contractors (Philippines) Inc.
9. JV Power and Wealth Corporation
10. LT Group (Philippines)
11. Laguna Lakeshore Consortium (Philippines)
12. Filinvest Land (Philippines)
13. Macquarie Securities (Phil.) Inc. (Australia)
14. San Miguel Corporation (Philippines)
15. Megawide Construction Corporation (Philippines)
16. Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (Philippines)
17. JG Summit Holdings, Inc. (Philippines)
18. PT Star Line (Indonesia/Philippines)
19. State Properties Corporation (Philippines)
20. MTD-Hanshin-VistaLand Consortium (Malaysia/Philippines)
21. IL/FS Transportation Networks Ltd. (India)
22. Vinci Concessions (Malaysia)

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Last Updated: 07 OCTOBER 2014


			His Excellency Jan Top Christensen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Denmark to the Philippines is accorded arrival honors at the Malacañang Palace Grounds for the presentation of credentials on Tuesday (October 07). (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

			His Excellency Ephraim Ben Matityau, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to the Philippines is accorded arrival at the Malacañang Palace Grounds for the presentation of credentials on Tuesday (October 07). (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

			His Excellency Luis Lillo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Chile to the Philippines is accorded arrival honors at the Malacañang Palace Grounds for the presentation of credentials on Tuesday (October 07). (Photo by Rey Baniquet/ Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Kingdom of Denmark Ambassador to the Philippines Jan Top Christensen during the presentation of credentials at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (October 07). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Kingdom of Denmark Ambassador to the Philippines Jan Top Christensen during the presentation of credentials at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (October 07). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			Kingdom of Denmark Ambassador to the Philippines Jan Top Christensen signs the Palace Guest Book at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace for the presentation of credentials on Tuesday (October 07). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of State of Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ephraim Ben Matityau during the presentation of credentials at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (October 07). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes State of Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ephraim Ben Matityau during the presentation of credentials at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (October 07). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			State of Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ephraim Ben Matityau signs the Palace Guest Book at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace for the presentation of credentials on Tuesday (October 07). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Republic of Chile Ambassador to the Philippines Luis Lillo during the presentation of credentials at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (October 07). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Republic of Chile Ambassador to the Philippines Luis Lillo during the presentation of credentials at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (October 07). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			Republic of Chile Ambassador to the Philippines Luis Lillo signs the Palace Guest Book at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace for the presentation of credentials on Tuesday (October 07). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the oathtaking ceremony of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) National Executive Board (NEB) officers at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (October 02). ULAP is the umbrella organization of the country’s local government units, representing its members to national committees in the pursuit of local autonomy and good governance. Also in photo are Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II and ULAP president Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali, Jr. (Photo by Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II during the oathtaking ceremony of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) National Executive Board (NEB) officers at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (October 02). ULAP is the umbrella organization of the country’s local government units, representing its members to national committees in the pursuit of local autonomy and good governance. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III inducts into office the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) National Executive Board officers during the oathtaking ceremony at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (October 02). The new set of ULAP NEB officers are president, Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali, Jr.; chairman Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr.; vice chairman, Javier, Leyte Mayor Leonardo Javier, Jr.; executive vice president, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista; 1st vice president, Manila City Vice Mayor Francisco Domagoso; 2nd vice president, Cagayan Vice Governor Leonides Fausto; 3rd vice president, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno; secretary general, Nueva Ecija Board Member Atty. Edmund Abesamis; assistant secretary general, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur Councilor Kirk Asis; treasurer, Oriental Mindoro Vice Governor Humerlito Dolor; assistant treasurer, Quezon City Councilor Raquel Malañgen; auditor, Hadji Panglima Tahil Mayor Abraham Burahan; assistant auditor, Surigao del Norte Board Member Myrna Romarate; press relations officer, Dagupan City Councilor Maybelyn dela Cruz-Fernandez; assistant press relations officer, Tarlac Board Member John Patrick Agustin; liaison officer, Batac, Ilocos Norte Vice Mayor Ronald Allan Nalupta; assistant liaison officer, Aklan Board Member Jose Enrique Miraflores; legal counsel, South Cotabato Vice Governor Atty. Cecile Diel; chairman for advocacy and policy, Valenzuela City Councilor Marlon Paulo Alejandrino; and chairperson for gender and development, Parañaque City Councilor Alma Moreno. ULAP is the umbrella organization of the country’s local government units, representing its members to national committees in the pursuit of local autonomy and good governance. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III shares a light moment with Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II during the oathtaking ceremony of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) National Executive Board (NEB) officers at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (October 02). ULAP is the umbrella organization of the country’s local government units, representing its members to national committees in the pursuit of local autonomy and good governance. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the oathtaking ceremony of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) National Executive Board (NEB) officers at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (October 02). ULAP is the umbrella organization of the country’s local government units, representing its members to national committees in the pursuit of local autonomy and good governance. Also in photo are Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II and ULAP president Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali, Jr. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the oathtaking ceremony of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) National Executive Board (NEB) officers at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (October 02). ULAP is the umbrella organization of the country’s local government units, representing its members to national committees in the pursuit of local autonomy and good governance. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Lauro Montellano Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulates newly sworn Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) National Executive Board (NEB) officers during the oathtaking ceremony at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (October 02). The new set of ULAP NEB officers are president, Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali, Jr.; chairman Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr.; vice chairman, Javier, Leyte Mayor Leonardo Javier, Jr.; executive vice president, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista; 1st vice president, Manila City Vice Mayor Francisco Domagoso; 2nd vice president, Cagayan Vice Governor Leonides Fausto; 3rd vice president, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno; secretary general, Nueva Ecija Board Member Atty. Edmund Abesamis; assistant secretary general, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur Councilor Kirk Asis; treasurer, Oriental Mindoro Vice Governor Humerlito Dolor; assistant treasurer, Quezon City Councilor Raquel Malañgen; auditor, Hadji Panglima Tahil Mayor Abraham Burahan; assistant auditor, Surigao del Norte Board Member Myrna Romarate; press relations officer, Dagupan City Councilor Maybelyn dela Cruz-Fernandez; assistant press relations officer, Tarlac Board Member John Patrick Agustin; liaison officer, Batac, Ilocos Norte Vice Mayor Ronald Allan Nalupta; assistant liaison officer, Aklan Board Member Jose Enrique Miraflores; legal counsel, South Cotabato Vice Governor Atty. Cecile Diel; chairman for advocacy and policy, Valenzuela City Councilor Marlon Paulo Alejandrino; and chairperson for gender and development, Parañaque City Councilor Alma Moreno. ULAP is the umbrella organization of the country’s local government units, representing its members to national committees in the pursuit of local autonomy and good governance. (Photo by Berhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III huddles with the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) National Executive Board (NEB) officers for a group photo souvenir during the oathtaking ceremony at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (October 02). The new set of ULAP NEB officers are president, Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali, Jr.; chairman Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr.; vice chairman, Javier, Leyte Mayor Leonardo Javier, Jr.; executive vice president, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista; 1st vice president, Manila City Vice Mayor Francisco Domagoso; 2nd vice president, Cagayan Vice Governor Leonides Fausto; 3rd vice president, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno; secretary general, Nueva Ecija Board Member Atty. Edmund Abesamis; assistant secretary general, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur Councilor Kirk Asis; treasurer, Oriental Mindoro Vice Governor Humerlito Dolor; assistant treasurer, Quezon City Councilor Raquel Malañgen; auditor, Hadji Panglima Tahil Mayor Abraham Burahan; assistant auditor, Surigao del Norte Board Member Myrna Romarate; press relations officer, Dagupan City Councilor Maybelyn dela Cruz-Fernandez; assistant press relations officer, Tarlac Board Member John Patrick Agustin; liaison officer, Batac, Ilocos Norte Vice Mayor Ronald Allan Nalupta; assistant liaison officer, Aklan Board Member Jose Enrique Miraflores; legal counsel, South Cotabato Vice Governor Atty. Cecile Diel; chairman for advocacy and policy, Valenzuela City Councilor Marlon Paulo Alejandrino; and chairperson for gender and development, Parañaque City Councilor Alma Moreno. ULAP is the umbrella organization of the country’s local government units, representing its members to national committees in the pursuit of local autonomy and good governance. Also in photo is Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Lauro Montellano Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III inducts into office the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) National Executive Board (NEB) officers during the oathtaking ceremony at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (October 02). The new set of ULAP NEB officers are president, Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali, Jr.; chairman Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr.; vice chairman, Javier, Leyte Mayor Leonardo Javier, Jr.; executive vice president, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista; 1st vice president, Manila City Vice Mayor Francisco Domagoso; 2nd vice president, Cagayan Vice Governor Leonides Fausto; 3rd vice president, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno; secretary general, Nueva Ecija Board Member Atty. Edmund Abesamis; assistant secretary general, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur Councilor Kirk Asis; treasurer, Oriental Mindoro Vice Governor Humerlito Dolor; assistant treasurer, Quezon City Councilor Raquel Malañgen; auditor, Hadji Panglima Tahil Mayor Abraham Burahan; assistant auditor, Surigao del Norte Board Member Myrna Romarate; press relations officer, Dagupan City Councilor Maybelyn dela Cruz-Fernandez; assistant press relations officer, Tarlac Board Member John Patrick Agustin; liaison officer, Batac, Ilocos Norte Vice Mayor Ronald Allan Nalupta; assistant liaison officer, Aklan Board Member Jose Enrique Miraflores; legal counsel, South Cotabato Vice Governor Atty. Cecile Diel; chairman for advocacy and policy, Valenzuela City Councilor Marlon Paulo Alejandrino; and chairperson for gender and development, Parañaque City Councilor Alma Moreno. ULAP is the umbrella organization of the country’s local government units, representing its members to national committees in the pursuit of local autonomy and good governance. Also in photo is Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II. (Photo by Gil Nartea Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a copy of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) Accomplishment Report from ULAP president Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali, Jr. during the oathtaking ceremony of the ULAP National Executive Board Officers at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (October 02). ULAP is the umbrella organization of the country’s local government units, representing its members to national committees in the pursuit of local autonomy and good governance. Also in photo is Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, during the Courtesy Call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (October 01). Also in photo are Shaikh Khalifa Bin Rashed Al Khalifa, Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Khalifa and Honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Philippines Amable Aguiluz IX. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur -Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, during the Courtesy Call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (October 01). Also in photo are Shaikh Khalifa Bin Rashed Al Khalifa and Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Khalifa. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with members of the 7th Philippine Contingent to the Golan Heights awardees for a group photo souvenir during the Heroes’ Welcome at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (October 01). Also in photo are Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr. (Photos by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Heroes’ Welcome for the 7th Philippine Contingent to the Golan Heights at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (October 01). Also in photo is Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr. (Photos by Benhur Arcayan / Gil Nartea / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the Heroes’ Welcome for the 7th Philippine Contingent to the Golan Heights at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (October 01). Also in photo are Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr. (Photos by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III presents the medals to members of the 7th Philippine Contingent to the Golan Heights during the awarding ceremony of the Heroes’ Welcome at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (October 01). (Photos by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr., presents the medals to members of the 7th Philippine Contingent to the Golan Heights during the awarding ceremony during the Heroes’ Welcome at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (October 01). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Energy Smart Philippines 2014 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday (September 30). With the theme: “Clean Energy Solutions for a Sustainable and Competitive Philippines,” Energy Smart Philippines aims to promote the advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technology, increase awareness among stakeholders on energy issues and business opportunities in the country. Also in photo is Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla during the Energy Smart Philippines 2014 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday (September 30). With the theme: “Clean Energy Solutions for a Sustainable and Competitive Philippines,” Energy Smart Philippines aims to promote the advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technology, increase awareness among stakeholders on energy issues and business opportunities in the country. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Energy Smart Philippines 2014 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday (September 30). With the theme: “Clean Energy Solutions for a Sustainable and Competitive Philippines.” Energy Smart Philippines aims to promote the advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technology, increase awareness among stakeholders on energy issues and business opportunities in the country. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Ryan Lim / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and views the exhibit on the promotion and advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency during the Energy Smart Philippines 2014 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday (September 30). With the theme: “Clean Energy Solutions for a Sustainable and Competitive Philippines,” Energy Smart Philippines aims to promote the advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technology, increase awareness among stakeholders on energy issues and business opportunities in the country. Also in photo is European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines vice president Guenter Taus. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and views the exhibit on the promotion and advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency during the Energy Smart Philippines 2014 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday (September 30). With the theme: “Clean Energy Solutions for a Sustainable and Competitive Philippines,” Energy Smart Philippines aims to promote the advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technology, increase awareness among stakeholders on energy issues and business opportunities in the country.(Photo by Ryan Lim / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and views the exhibit on the promotion and advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency during the Energy Smart Philippines 2014 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday (September 30). With the theme: “Clean Energy Solutions for a Sustainable and Competitive Philippines,” Energy Smart Philippines aims to promote the advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technology, increase awareness among stakeholders on energy issues and business opportunities in the country. Also in photo are Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla and European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines vice president Guenter Taus. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III tours and views the exhibit on the promotion and advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency during the Energy Smart Philippines 2014 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday (September 30). With the theme: “Clean Energy Solutions for a Sustainable and Competitive Philippines,” Energy Smart Philippines aims to promote the advancement of solutions and initiatives on energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technology, increase awareness among stakeholders on energy issues and business opportunities in the country. Also in photo is Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Thursday (September 25) upon arrival from his successful working visits to Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, and the United States. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Thursday (September 25) upon arrival from his successful working visits to Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, and the United States. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Thursday (September 25) from his successful working visits to Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, and the United States. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

			(NEW YORK, New York) President Benigno S. Aquino III tours the City of New York, walking across Park Avenue with Cabinet Secretary Jose Almendraz. (Photo by Robert Vinas / Malacanang Photo Bureau)

			(NEW YORK, New York) President Benigno S. Aquino III with Lee Bollinger, President Columbia University after the program of the World Leaders Forum Tuesday (September 23) at the Low Library Rorunda of the Columbia University. (Photo by Robert Vinas / Malacanang Photo Bureau)

			(NEW YORK, New York) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech at the Columbia University World Leaders Forum Tuesday (September 23) at the Low Library Rotunda of the Columbia University. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Robert Vinas / Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau)

			(NEW YORK, New York) President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the business roundtable with the CEO's and senior officials from the US Chamber of Commerce, the US-ASEAN Business Council and the US-Philippine Society held at the Omni Berkshire Place here. (Photo by Robert Vinas / Malacanang Photo Bureau)

			(President Benigno S. Aquino III answers inquiries of CEO's and officials from the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-ASEAN Business Council in a roundtable conference at the Omni Hotel her on Tuesday (September 23). The roundtable conference aims to facilitate smooth business transactions between US companies and the Philippines. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau)


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