24-Hour Public Weather Forecast
Issued at 5:00 a.m., 17 November 2014Valid beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow
 Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis for 8 a.m., 17 November 2014 |
 Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind Analysis for 8 a.m., 17 November 2014 |
 Satellite Image |
Synopsis:
Forecast:
Batanes, Calayan and Babuyan Group of
Islands will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers
and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be
partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms
mostly over the eastern section.
OVER METRO MANILA:
Maximum Temperature: 11:00 AM Yesterday --- 31.5°C
Minimum Temperature: 6:00 AM Yesterday --- 22.8°C
Maximum Relative Humidity: 6:00 AM Yesterday --- 98 %
Minimum Relative Humidity: 11:00 AM Yesterday --- 67 %
Low Tide Today: 12:27 PM ..... 0.13 Meter
High Tide Today: 7:46 PM ..... 0.58 Meter
Low Tide Tomorrow: 1:42 AM ..... 0.36 Meter
Sunrise Today: 5:57 AM
Sunset Today: 5:24 PM
Moonset Today: 1:42 PM
Moonrise Tomorrow: 2:05 AM
Illumination Tomorrow: 20 %
For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.
PAGASA weather forecaster Gladys Saludes on DZMM:
-Apektado ng tail-end of a cold front o pagsasalubong ng mainit at malamig na hangin ang dulong Hilagang Luzon.
-Ito ang magdadala ng mahina hanggang sa katamtamang pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog sa Batanes, Calayan at Babuyan group of islands.
-Ang Metro Manila at nalalabing bahagi ng bansa naman ay makararanas ng pulo-pulong pag-ulan o pagkidlat-pagkulog, partikular sa silangang bahagi dahil sa umiiral na easterlies o hangin mula sa Pacific Ocean.
-Samantala, inaasahang lalakas na muli ang Amihan na magdudulot ng mas malamig na panahon pagsapit ng Miyerkules.
-Apektado ng tail-end of a cold front o pagsasalubong ng mainit at malamig na hangin ang dulong Hilagang Luzon.
-Ito ang magdadala ng mahina hanggang sa katamtamang pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog sa Batanes, Calayan at Babuyan group of islands.
-Ang Metro Manila at nalalabing bahagi ng bansa naman ay makararanas ng pulo-pulong pag-ulan o pagkidlat-pagkulog, partikular sa silangang bahagi dahil sa umiiral na easterlies o hangin mula sa Pacific Ocean.
-Samantala, inaasahang lalakas na muli ang Amihan na magdudulot ng mas malamig na panahon pagsapit ng Miyerkules.
PIA
4A/BATANGAS: Nagsagawa ang Tuy Municipal Police Station ng earthquake
drill at symposium on Anti-Bullying Act of 2012 at Drug Resistance
Education sa mga mag-aaral ng Our Lady of Peace Academy upang mabigyan
ng sapat na kaalaman ang kabataan sa pag iwas sa kalamidad at droga.
PIA
4A/BATANGAS: May 68 Batanguenong Persons with Disability (PWD) ang
mapapagkalooban ng artificial legs sa proyektong ipinagkaloob ng Walk
free Phils, Rotary Club of Taal Lemery Central at pamahalaang
panlalawigan ng Batangas na layong makatulong sa mga may kapansanan na
magkaroon ng normal na buhay.
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
Patuloy ang ginagawang kampanya ngayon ng National Grid Corporation of
the Philippines {NGCP} sa lalawigan ng Quezon laban sa mga batang
nagpapalipad ng saranggola malapit sa tore ng NGCP upang maiwasan ang
aksidente.
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
Bagama't wala pang kaso ng Ebola virus sa Quezon at region 4A,
sinimulan na ng Philhealth 4A kaninang umaga ang kampanya laban sa Ebola
virus sa pamamagitan ng pagtungo sa mga himpilan ng radyo kagaya ng
DWLC at iba pa para ipabatid sa mga tao kung paano makaiwas sa nasabing
sakit.
PIA
4A/BATANGAS: Ang Batangas City Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Council ay nagsagawa ng earthquake drill sa Saint Bridget College na
layong mabigyan ng kaalaman ang mga kabataan bilang paghahanda sa
kalamidad tulad ng lindol.
PIA-4A/RIZAL:
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council 4A, various
government and non-government agencies and the San Mateo municipal
government have initiated the 4th Quarter National Simultaneous
Earthquake Drill at San Mateo Rizal with Ampid National High School
serving as the regional ceremonial venue for Calabarzon. Nearby
residents were encouraged to observe the said drill for awareness
purposes in case of quakes.
PIA-2/NUEVA
VIZCAYA: Hinimok kamakailan ni Gov. Ruth Padilla ang OFWs dito na
panatilihin ang kanilang dignidad at maging inspirado sa kanilang
trabaho para sa kanilang sarili at pamilya.
November 17 , 2014 ( Monday ) as of 6:00-7:00 AM
CAVITE : Fair Weather
LAGUNA : Fair Weather
BATANGAS :
Fair Weather
RIZAL : Fair Weather
QUEZON : Fair Weather
1. Cavite intensifies rabies prevention campaign
November 17, 2014
TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite, Nov. 17 (PIA) --The provincial
government through the Provincial Rabies Coordinating Council (PRCC) has
intensified its Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign on
rabies prevention due to alarming reported cases of rabies in the province.The massive campaign rolled out on Nov. 4 featuring series of symposium targeting public elementary students who are most vulnerable to animal bites was consecutively held in six public elementary schools in Naic, Balsahan, Ibayo, Bucana Sasahan, Munting Mapino and Villa Apolonia.
Various programs such as free vaccinations, creation of additional dog pounds, enactment of dog registrations and IEC campaigns for barangay level are also being set by the PRCC in coordination with other government agencies to strengthen the prevention campaign and reduce rabies cases in the province.
Cavite ranked 2nd with the most number of reported cases associated with rabies in Calabarzon region which according to PRCC official is due mainly to the increase of population of domestic animals and lack of information on rabies prevention. (FSC, PIA-4A/PIA-Cavite)
- See more at:
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2931415687443/cavite-intensifies-rabies-prevention-campaign#sthash.4Ogyn2Mh.dpuf
1. Tagalog news: 32 benepisaryo nakinabang sa cattle-fattening projects sa lungsod ng Batangas
November 17, 2014
LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Nobyembre 17 (PIA) –May 32 residente
mula sa apat na barangay sa lungsod ang nakinabang sa cattle-fattening project
ng pamahalaang local na ipinapatupad ng city planning and development office
(CPDO).Bawat benepisaryo ay tumanggap ng P20,000 bilang pambili ng baka sa auction market sa Padre Garcia, pagpoproseso ng document at pamasahe o trucking upang maiuwi ang nabiling aalagaang baka.
Sinabi ni city planning and development officer Januario Godoy, na simula noong 1988, may P27milyon na ang halagang nagugol ng pamahalaang lungsod sa proyekto na pinakikinabangan ng may 2,130 magbabaka na nabibilang sa mga higit na nangangailangang mamamayan.
Sa kanyang mensahe, binigyang diin ni Mayor Eddive B. Dimacuha na ang pagpapaiwi ng baka ay isa sa mga priority projects ng kanyang administrasyon.
“Hindi kabahagi ang pamahalaang lungsod sa magiging kita o tubo. Ang halagang P 20,000 ay babayaran ng benepisaryo sa loob ng tatlong taon nang walang interest,” wika ni Dimacuha.
Kaugnay nito, hiniling ng CPDO sa mga benepisaryo ng proyekto na tumupad sa kasunduan sa pagbabayad upang mas marami ang makinabang. Ipinabatid din CPDO sa oryentasyon na mula sa 150 benepisaryo sa taong 2014, magiging 200 ang makikinabang sa cattle fattening sa taong 2015.
Sa mga interesado sa programa, ang unang gagawin ay makipag-ugnayan sa pangulo ng mga barangay. (Ronna Endaya Contreras, PIO Batangas City/PIA-Batangas)
- See more at:
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/681415595365/tagalog-news-32-benepisaryo-nakinabang-sa-cattle-fattening-projects-sa-lungsod-ng-batangas#sthash.oDkSOJwx.dpuf
2. Tagalog news: 240 scholars, nagtapos sa BEST program ng Malampaya Foundation
November 17, 2014
LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Nobyembre 17 (PIA) --May 240 iskolar ang nagtapos sa pagsasanay kamakailan sa ilalim ng Bridging Employment through Skills Training (BEST) program na magkatuwang na itinaguyod ng Malampaya Foundation, Inc. (MFI) at ng pamahalaang lungsod.
Sinabi ni Karen Agabin, executive director ng MFI, na dapat nagtataglay ng apat na katangian ang mga nagtapos sa programa tulad ng good values, maaasahan, independent at maging positibong puwersa sa komunidad.
“Matapos ang pagpupursigi at pagsasanay, sa panibagong pakikibaka at pagharap sa hamon, dapat maghanap ang mga iskolar ng akmang trabaho para sa pagpapaunlad ng kanilang buhay,” wika ni Agabin.
Binigyang-diin naman ni Batangas city public employment service office manager Noel Silang ang mga programa ng MFI na malaking tulong sa lokal na pamahalaan upang malunasan ang kawalang hanapbuhay sa lungsod.
Ayon pa kay Silang, dapat isaisip ng mga iskolar na kapag dumating sila sa puntong sila naman ang may magandang katayuan ay makatulong din sila sa dating katulad nila.
Samantala, nagpahatid ng pasasalamat sa mga programa ng MFI si Mayor Eduardo B. Dimacuha sa pamamagitan ni ABC president Dondon Dimacuha. Binigyang-diin ni Dimacuha ang kahalagahan ng technical vocational courses sa kasalukuyan.
Sa isang pagpapatotoo, sinabi ni Richard Arcega, na sa kasalukuyan ay naiibigay na niya ang mga pangangailangan ng kanyang pamilya na dati ay hindi niya maipagkaloob. Hinikayat din niya ang mga kapwa BEST graduates na paunlarin ang kanilang sarili gamit ang kaalaman natutunan sa pagsasanay. Si Arcega ay dating jeepney driver na ngayon ay nakapagtrabaho na sa AG&P. (MPDC-PIA Batangas)
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Malacanang reduces taxes, penalties for independent power producers | ||
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Abu Sayaff Group suffers major defeat, say Malacanang | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Statement upon
his arrival from the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and 25th ASEAN
Summit
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NAIA Terminal 2, Pasay City
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14 Nov. 2014
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| Nagbabalik po tayo matapos ang magkasunod na pagdalo sa dalawang mahalagang
pagpupulong: Una, sa 22nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting sa China; at
ikalawa, sa 25th ASEAN Summit sa Myanmar. Talaga naman pong sinulit natin ang mga nagbukas na pagkakataong makipagdiyalogo sa matataas na opisyal tungkol sa mga isyung kinakaharap hindi lang ng ating rehiyon kundi pati ng iba’t ibang panig ng daigdig. Nakikita ninyo naman po, kahit madaling araw na, at galing sa nakakapagod na schedule, masiglang-masigla ang ating delegasyon dahil nakauwi na sa Pilipinas at makakapaghatid na sa inyo ng magandang balita. Napapanahon nga po ang mga dinaluhan nating talakayan dahil kasabay ng kolektibong pagpupunyagi tungo sa kaunlaran, dumarating ang mga hamong walang kinikilalang teritoryo: pagbabago ng klima, pagkalat ng Ebola virus at terorismo. Sa bawat minutong inilagi natin sa Beijing at Nay Pyi Taw, ipinakita nating ang Pilipino ay may malasakit, hinaharap ang problema imbes na tinatakasan ito, at handang makipagtulungan sa pagtugon sa mga hamon. Nakita po natin ang bisa ng harapang pakikipagkita sa iba’t ibang world leader: Sa ganitong paraan, nagkakapalagayan ng loob, nabubuo ang tiwala at napapadali nito ang lahat ng atin pong ugnayan. Mas madali ang makiusap, at mas madali rin naman ang magbigay ng tulong dahil sa ganitong pagkakataon. Sa APEC Summit, nagkaroon tayo ng pagkakataon na makadaupang palad ang mga pinunong bihira nating makasama kapag bumibiyahe tayo, partikular na ang mga nasa Latin America. Ang biro ko nga po sa ating mga deligado, ang laki ng natipid natin sa mga foreign trips dahil kasama na natin ang iba’t ibang mga pinuno sa iisang venue, at puwede na nating imbitahang magpalalim ng ugnayan sa pagitan ng ating mga bansa. Nabuo kaagad ang tiwala, at mas mabilis na mapapakinabangan ng mamamayan ang benepisyo ng mga kasunduan. Naging mabunga po ang pakikipagpulong natin sa mga pinuno ng Vietnam, Chile, Peru, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, India, at Tsina. Nagkaroon ng palitan ng kaalaman tungkol sa mabuting pamamahala, pagpapayabong ng agrikultura, at pagpapabilis at pagpapadali sa ating pakikipagkalakalan. Para naman mapaunlad ang tinatawag na people-to-people cooperation, nakipagkasundo rin tayo na paigtingin ang mga inisyatiba sa edukasyon at turismo. Espesyal ko pong babanggitin naging usapan namin ni Prime Minister Peter O’Neill ng Papua New Guinea. Ang sabi niya po sa atin, marami sa kanilang mamamayan ang tumutungo sa Pilipinas para mag-aral. Niyaya niya tayong magbahagi ng kaalaman sa mga sumusunod na larangan tulad ng: fisheries, finance, agrikultura, pampublikong kalusugan, edukasyon, at marami pang iba pa. Ang balik nito sa atin ay pagyabong ng ating pakikipagkalakalan sa kanila. Ang biro nga po niya sa atin, kapag nagpunta ang dalubhasa natin sa kanilang bansa, baka raw po hindi na bumalik sa Pilipinas sa sobrang pag-aalaga na ibibigay nila. Bukod pa po rito, sinabi rin ni Prime Minister O’Neill na destinasyon na rin nila ang Pilipinas para sa medical tourism. Talaga nga pong ganadong-ganadong nakikipag-usap si Prime Minister sa atin, at napakahaba ng listahan ng mga gusto niyang gawin upang lalong mapatibay ang nabuong ugnayan. Ang naramdaman ko po sa kanya, hindi lang sila nagbukas ng pinto para sa atin, nilagyan pa nila ng red carpet ang ating daraanan. Kitang-kita po natin: Ang dating iniiwasan, tinitingala at nilalapitan na ngayon ng ibang bansa. Sa ating pakikipagdiyalogo ngayon, lalong naging magkalapit ang Thailand at Pilipinas. Mahaba at matagal na oras po ang naging usapan namin ni Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-Cha tungkol sa magkatulad nating pinagdaraanan. Ang mga problema nila ay problema natin; ang mga good news para sa kanila ay katulad rin ng good news para sa atin. Bago nga po natapos ang usapan namin ni Prime Minister o-Cha, nakapagbahagi na kami sa isa’t isa ng mga hakbang na isinagawa namin upang maipatupad ang matuwid na pamamahala sa kani-kaniyang bansa. Siyempre po naimbita na tayong dumalaw sa kanila. Sandali rin po nating nakausap si Pangulong Xi Jinping ng China noong nasa Beijing tayo. Nagpasalamat tayo sa mainit nilang pagtanggap sa ating delegasyon, at sa pagkakataong simulan ang proseso patungo sa mas mabuting pakikipag-ugnayan. Sinabi rin po natin na ang pangunahin nating layunin ay ang pagpapaunlad sa kalagayan ng ating mga kababayan, at dito nakabatay ang ating mga desisyon. Bukod po sa mga pinuno ng bansa, nakipag-usap rin tayo sa mga pinuno ng iba’t ibang kompanya. Kabilang dito ang chief executive officer ng Moody’s na si Raymond McDaniel, na nagsabing bihirang-bihira raw mangyari na may credit ratings upgrade na nga ang isang bansa, bibigyan pa ng tinatawag na positive outlook. Tandaan po natin: Nangyari ito sa panahong ingat na ingat at konserbatibo ang mga credit ratings agency. Sa kabila ng mas mataas na standards, mataas pa rin ang nakuha nating marka. Bukod pa po rito, ibinahagi niya rin sa atin na batay sa ating mga indicators, sa buong mundo, ang ating banking system lamang ang nabigyan ng positive outlook. Dagdagan pa po natin ang good news: Sa ating pakikipag-usap sa kompanyang Sanofi, nalaman natin na kasalukuyan silang gumagawa ng bakuna laban sa apat na klase ng dengue na binigyan tayo ng problema dito sa ating bansa. Sa aking pagkakaunawa po, nagtayo na sila ng pabrika at sinusubok na nila ang bakuna sa Asya at Latin America. Hindi po magtatagal ay makakarating na rin ito sa Pilipinas. Samantala, magtatayo naman ang Johnson and Johnson’s ng kanilang service center sa Pilipinas—magbibigay naman po ng mga 500 trabaho sa ating mga kababayan—na natitiyak nating magdadala ng bagong oportunidad sa ating mga kababayan. Ibinalita rin po sa atin na dadalhin na sa ating merkado ang nalikha ng kanilang pharma arm na gamot laban sa tuberculosis na may resistensiya na sa iba’t ibang klase ng antibiotic. Bago po tayo tumungo ng Myanmar, pormal na rin nating inimbitahan ang mga pinunong bahagi ng APEC countries sa ating hosting ng 23rd APEC Summit sa susunod na taon. Isa po itong napakagandang pagkakataon para ipakitang tunay ngang It’s more fun in the Philippines. Nakatitiyak po akong kapag nakipagtulungan ang ating mga minamahal na kababayan, hindi tayo mapapahiya maski ikumpara sa ginawa ng China na mas mayaman at mas maraming kababayan kaysa sa atin. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa mga nagpahayag ng suporta at pagtitiwala sa tagumpay ng ating pagiging host sa APEC Meeting next year. Sa ASEAN Summit naman po, ipinaabot natin ang ating pagbati kay Pangulong U Thein Sein ng Myanmar sa kanyang matagumpay na chairmanship sa 25th ASEAN Summit ngayong taong ito. Tiwala naman po tayo na sa susunod na taon, matagumpay ring maipagpapatuloy ni Prime Minister Najib Razak ng Malaysia ang hosting ng mga pinuno sa ating rehiyon. Bukod po sa mga kasunduang binuo hinggil sa mas maigting na kooperasyon sa harap ng mga bagong hamon sa ating rehiyon, nagkasundo rin ang mga miyembro na kumpletuhin ang pagbabalangkas sa ASEAN Community Integration bago matapos ang Disyembre ng 2015. Kapag naipatupad ito, magbubukas para sa produkto at serbisyong Pilipino ang buong merkado sa ating rehiyon, na binubuo ng 600 milyong katao. Matagal na po nating sinimulan ang paghahanda para dito, dahil gusto nating masigurong tuloy-tuloy ang pagpasok ng mga Pilipino kapag nagbukas ang mga pintuan ng oportunidad. Sandali lamang po ang ating naging biyahe, pero siksik na siksik naman ang ating schedule. Siniguro po nating sagad na sagad ang benepisyong makukuha ng bawat Pilipino sa ating pagdalo sa APEC at ASEAN Summit. Malinaw po: Habang nakatutok sa pangkasalukuyan at madaliang pangangailangan ng mga Pilipino, masigasig rin tayo sa pagpupunla ng mabuting pakikipag-ugnayan, hindi lang sa ating mga karatig bansa, kundi pati sa iba pang panig ng daigdig. Sa pamamagitan po nito, matitiyak natin na hindi lamang magiging pansamantala ang ating mga naging tagumpay. Sa ating sama-samang paghakbang sa tuwid na daan, pinatutunayan natin sa ating mga sarili at sa mundo: Matagal nang bumangon ang Sick Man of Asia. Handa na siya ngayong tumakbo patungo sa higit pang positibong transpormasyon; handa na siyang maging kabalikat tungo sa mas malawakang kaunlaran. Maraming salamat po sa inyong. Magandang araw po. |
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| DOST eyes Next Wave Cities to ease traffic woes | ||||
| Source: http://www.dost.gov.ph | ||||
| The Next Wave Cities, a program of the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST)’s Information and Communications Technology
(ICT) Office, is one way to help solve Metro Manila’s worsening
traffic situation. This is according to Monchito Ibrahim, deputy executive director of DOST’s ICT Office, who attributed the daily traffic in Metro Manila to the many companies that still choose to operate in Eastwood, Makati, Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, and other major commercial destinations in the metro. “This is why many Filipinos in the rural areas still opt to migrate to Metro Manila to take advantage of these job opportunities,” said Ibrahim. “This leads to a scenario where office workers go to the same commercial districts, us the same mode of transportation at the same period of time, thus causing heavy traffic during rush hours.” “Through the Next Wave Cities Program, the DOST-ICT Office managed to introduce and recommend places in the regions that are ideal for IT-BPM operations,” Ibrahim explained. The DOST-ICT Office provides to industry investors extensive reports on the competency of these Next Wave Cities, such as number of quality educational institutions, infrastructures, and crime rate, according to Ibrahim. The positive business environment offered by the identified Next Wave cities encouraged the establishment of IT-BPM hubs in the provinces instead of Metro Manila. Talent and office locations are already available, Ibrahim said, such that investors who decide to have IT-BPM operations in the provinces get less competition and avoid the so-called pirating of talent. “We want the local residents in the countryside to have decent employment opportunities, wherein they can earn salaries that are enough to support their needs without leaving their families,” he said. Ibrahim revealed that the number of full-time IT-BPM employees in the provinces has increased from more than 63,000 in 2010 to more than 300,000 as of August 2014. ICT Office also conducts Stepping-Up the Value Chain, an awareness program that aims to promote other IT-BPM career opportunities aside from call centers or voice services to the provinces. These include game and software development, animation, healthcare information, accounting and finance, and engineering outsourcing services. “We want them to present various options. If you are a nursing graduate and you are finding difficulties in searching for a job, particularly in other countries, you can use your expertise in healthcare information services. If you are an IT or multimedia arts graduate, you can maximize your creative skills in various IT-BPM services such as animation, game and software development,” Ibrahim said. The Next Wave Cities program concentrates on bringing Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM) companies and opportunities to the provinces. As such, it helps avoid the heavy flow of office workers in Metro Manila’s business hubs and decongest traffic in these places while giving more opportunities to those who want to build IT careers in the provinces. (S&T Media Service) #dostPH #nextwavecities #icto #itbpm #trafficPH #jobs #itjobs |
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| Philippines launches mobile app to reach out to diaspora | ||||
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph | ||||
| 14 November 2014 – The Philippines is taking a giant leap in its
efforts to reach out to the Filipino diaspora with the launching
of the mobile app version of Radyo Tambuli—the virtual radio
platform of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. on
November 14, Philippine time. “One of our overriding goals is to serve the Filipino diaspora to the best of our ability,” said Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. “The app increases our presence in the lives of overseas Filipinos and helps further our digital public diplomacy goals.” Developed with AudioNow® Digital, a leading provider of in-language mobile apps for radio broadcasters, the Radyo Tambuli mobile app is now available through Android and iPhone mobile applications. The app can be downloaded by anyone with a smart phone not only in the US but in any part of the world, including the Philippines. “Through this app, we are hoping to connect our kababayans abroad with home,” said Ambassador Cuisia, referring to the more than 11 million Filipinos all over the world, particularly the 3.5 million who are in the United States. Initially launched in April using AudioNow’s proprietary call-to-listen platform, Radyo Tambuli makes its digital debut through the app and will continue to offer daily news headlines, original Filipino music, coverage of town-hall style meetings, interviews, opinion surveys and children’s stories to engage the Philippine diaspora. The app also provides two-way communication between the Embassy and members of the Filipino community wherever they may be through direct messaging; sharing through social media; and push notifications. The app also features live and recorded content from premier Filipino broadcasters, such as Veritas, People’s Television Network and the Catholic Media Network as well as other radio and television stations in the provinces that broadcast in other Filipino languages. Listeners can access these stations through not only their mobile data plans or wifi connection, but also through the in-app one-touch call-to-listen feature, which uses voice minutes and incur no extra calling charges from the US. “The Embassy of the Philippines is known as one of the most active embassies in Washington and has been a pioneer in mobile outreach—first through the call-to-listen platform, and now through the Radyo Tambuli app,” said Elan Blutinger, AudioNow Digital Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. “It is an honor to help the Embassy with our technology,” Blutinger added. Minister and Consul Elmer G. Cato, head of the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section who conceived Radyo Tambuli, said the app will also eventually include additional programming that will be developed with the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila and with other Philippine foreign service posts in the US and in other parts of the world. Minister Cato said that in the coming weeks, Radyo Tambuli will also carry history lessons and even discussions on consular issues. “Radyo Tambuli listeners will also be able to hear broadcasts from more radio stations in other parts of the Philippines,” he said. As a launching promotion, All Nippon Airlines (ANA) is offering those who download and register on the app a chance to win a roundtrip ticket to Manila from any point the airline serves in the US. |
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| Philippines joining OECD committee on fiscal affairs | ||||
| Source: http:/www.dof.gov.ph | ||||
| Philippines set to steer international efforts to address base
erosion and profit shifting The Philippines is set to take a major role in steering the global response to base erosion and profit shifting through its involvement in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Committee on Fiscal Affairs (CFA) beginning January 2015. Joining the CFA places the Philippines at the forefront of the joint effort from both developed and developing economies in addressing troubling trends in unfair and unjust tax avoidance and evasion. Base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) by multinational enterprises, according to the OECD, is a “global problem which requires global solutions.” Exploiting gaps, mismatches, and asymmetries in domestic and international tax rules, BEPS artificially erodes the tax base by shifting profits to low or no-tax locations, where little to no economic activity and value creation has taken place. Taking the lead through the CFA–the steering, standard-setting, and decision-making body of the OECD–the Philippines will use its seat to present developing country perspectives and priorities, as well as shape strategies, tools, and other outputs to curb the global BEPS phenomenon. Commissioner Kim Henares of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, who has recently been appointed by Ban Ki-moon as a UN international tax expert, welcomed the development, saying, “We look forward to developing international tools to combat base erosion and profit shifting. Together, we can address a fundamentally unfair practice where multinationals make a huge profit in countries they pay little to no taxes to. We expect these corporations to at least contribute to building and developing the nations they made huge profits from.” While most tax planning resulting to BEPS is legal due to the said gaps and loopholes, the double non-taxation it engenders distorts competition and investment decisions. More importantly, BEPS is an issue of fairness, especially for developing countries who expect revenues from corporate income taxes when multinationals make profits in their respective jurisdictions. Referencing the recently concluded International Tax Forum organized by the Department of Finance (DOF), Commissioner Henares added, “Living in an increasingly globalized world requires governments to adapt and update tax policy and enforcement strategies. International cooperation is key if we want to raise sustainable amounts of revenues to continue funding growth and investments to our people and country.” This initiative is also consistent with the Philippines’ need to rationalize fiscal incentives, a DOF priority bill on which is pending in Congress. While empirical evidence shows that granting of tax incentives is not a key motivation for multinationals on investment locations, it remains a major source of revenue loss for developing economies. Such revenue losses deprive governments of the capacity to invest in areas that actually boost investment, like infrastructure, health, and education, the OECD says. The OECD strategy hinges on 3 main pillars: the coherence of corporate tax at the international level, the realignment of taxation and substance, and transparency coupled with certainty and predictability. Addressing BEPS will require multilateral cooperation on an international instrument that will give countries the tools they need to ensure that profits are taxed where economic activities generating the profits are performed and where value is created. The Philippines is also invited to the 1st BEPS Technical Meeting for Partner Countries on 10-11 December 2014 in Paris, France. Joined by Albania, Jamaica, Kenya, Peru, Senegal, Tunisia, and many other countries yet to confirm, the Philippines will discuss participation and prioritization in the project. OECD and the donor community will also convene to discuss ways to build developing country capacity to counter the rising trend in BEPS. According to the OECD, all eight non-OECD G20 countries, as well as OECD Accession countries (Argentina, Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Latvia, Russia, Saudi Arabia and South Africa) are “Associates” in the BEPS Project while 89developing countries engaged in the first 12 months of the project. Stakeholder input from business, civil society, and other international organizations has also been actively sought. The OECD initiative plans to roll out outputs by September 2015 and unveil the multilateral instrument sometime in December 2015. |
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| RP, Switzerland to sign guidelines on the exchange of professional and technical trainees | ||||
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph | ||||
| RP, Switzerland to sign guidelines on the exchange of
professional and technical trainees Filipinos who wish to become trainees in Switzerland will soon be able to go to Switzerland and train soon after the Philippines and Switzerland signs tomorrow the Guidelines on the Documentation and the Deployment of Filipino Trainees (Young Professionals/Stagiares) from the Philippines under the Philippine-Swiss Agreement on the Exchange of Professional and Technical Trainees. Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said this yesterday at the eve of the signing ceremony for the guidelines which as was deferred last month. “The signing of the guidelines will certainly boost the chances of Filipino workers of experiencing the Swiss language and culture and gainfully learning the experience of Switzerland, including their famed work discipline. I am grateful that the Philippine and Swiss governments have finalized the guidelines after 12 long years that the Philippine-Swiss Agreement has been in effect,” said Baldoz. Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines Ivo Sieber is expected to sign the guidelines together with Secretary Baldoz who will sign for the Philippines in a ceremony to be held at the DOLE Conference Room in Intramuros, Manila. Ambassador Sieber will be accompanied by a Swiss delegation composed of Hans-Peter Fitze, First Secretary and Consul, Head of Chancery, Hans-Peter Bieni, Atache, Head of Visa Section, and Dian Pearl Chan, Senior Embassy Projects Officer and Assistant to the Head of Mission, Embassy of Switzerland. On the part of the Philippines, Baldoz will be joined by Ambassador Leslie Baja of the Philippine Embassy in Berne; DOLE Undersecretaries Rebecca Chato, Ciriaco Lagunzad III, Reydeluz Conferido; Professional Regulation Commission Chairperson Angeline Chua Chiaco; Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Deputy Director General Irene M. Isaac; Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac; Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Rebecca Calzado; POEA Deputy Administrator Liberty Casco; POEA Directors Nini Lanto and Jocelyn Rey; DFA Office of European Affairs Director Lenna De Dios-Sison; DOLE National Capital Region Regional Director Alex Avila; Bureau of Local Employment Director Dominique R. Tutay, and International Labor Affairs Bureau Saul De Vries. The Philippine-Swiss Trainee Agreement on the Exchange of Professional and Technical Trainees was signed in Manila on 9 July 2002 between then Labor and Employment Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas and Swiss Federal Council Minister Ruth Metzler. It entered into force on 10 June 2003. The agreement allowed the deployment of trainees from the Philippines to Switzerland or from Switzerland to the Philippines, respectively, for a period of 18 months of stay to acquire professional and linguistic skills. Switzerland has concluded similar agreements with 30 other countries, including the Philippines, and such agreements have established procedures administered by the Swiss’s Foreign Office for Migration (FOM). Baldoz observed that since the last three years with her as DOLE Secretary, efforts have been made by both countries to operationalize the agreement. “In December 2010, the Philippine-Swiss Joint Working Group was formed in Berne, Switzerland, to review and firm up the agreement’s guidelines; draw up terms of reference of the joint working group; and look into ways to actively promote the two-way exchange of trainees from various professions, including nursing and healthcare,” said Baldoz. “The JWG held quarterly meetings, including the one hosted by the Philipines on 24-26 August 2011, to continue exchanging notes on the implementing guidelines. Now, that we are about to sign the guidelines, I am very hopeful and optimistic about the prospects of the agreement mutually benefiting the two countries,” Baldoz added. |
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| DTI-R02 gets P15.82M for GPB projects | ||||
| Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph | ||||
| Out of the 39.965-M Grassroots Participatory Budget (GPB) Fund
allocated to Department of Trade and Industry-Region 02
(DTI-R02), some 15.824M has already been released for 26 GPB
projects out of a target of 44 in 20 municipalities in the
region. The released GPB fund has been accordingly distributed to the four provinces of the region: Cagayan gets 17.092M for 16 current projects, Isabela with 3.15M for its five projects, Nueva Vizcaya with 1.69M for four projects, and Quirino with .42M for one operational project. These operational GPB projects represent specific industry specializations per area. In Cagayan, the funds were used in Bamboo production (Abulug), sustainable livelihood program (Alcala), OTOP pasalubong center (Amulung), business permit and licensing system (Amulung, Buguey & Sta. Ana), packages of agricultural and fishery trainings on marketing, packaging and branding of product (Aparri), OTOP-Furniture (Baggao), bamboo development project-establishment of nursery and plantation (Baggao), construction/establishment of food processing center (Baggao), industry clustering development program (Buguey), OTOP Stores and Tindahang Pinoy (Buguey), bayong making (Gonzaga), bagsakan center for fruits, vegetables and fish-food terminal (Gonzaga), purchase of assistive device for PWD’s skills development-basket weaving (Tuao), and Charcoal Briquetting (Tuguegarao). In Isabela, projects were on Tiger grass production (Cauayan City), food preservation and handicraft making (Quezon), sustainable livelihood project on goat production, tomato sauce making and soap making, OTOP- banana processing (San Mariano), and OTOP-working capital (San Pablo). For Nueva Vizcaya, projects were skills enhancement training on mango and onion processing (Aritao), bamboo development project (Dupax del Norte), industry clustering development program (Kasibu), and training on woven native bag making (Kayapa). Livelihood skills training program was the sole project for the province of Quirino. To date, two more GPB projects amounting to Php 11.8M has been approved: 1) on Community Based Livelihood Program for the production of bricks and high value terra cotta products; and 2) establishment of community based sugarcane processing center for vinegar; wines and muscovado, all in Sta. Ana. |
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| DPWH-NCR November 14-17 road repair schedule | ||||
| Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph | ||||
| The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will
undertake concrete reblocking and road repair effective 10 PM of
November 14, Friday to 5 AM of November 17, Monday on the
following roads in Metro Manila: 1.Along Commonwealth Avenue from Residential Vulcanizing to Commonwealth Appartel, Fronting BF Homes Gate Median Island (3rd lane, South bound); 2.Along Fairview Avenue from Camaro St. to Peacock St. (2nd lane, South bound); 3.Along Mindanao Avenue from Tullahan Bridge III to Sabila St. (4th lane, South bound); 4.Along E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue/C-5 between Eastwood Ave. to Greenmeadow Ave. (3rd lane from sidewalk, South bound); 5.Along Quirino Highway from Teacher’s Bliss to Camachile St. (1st lane, South bound); 6.Along C-5 Road from CJ Caparas St. to Lanuza St. (Outer most lane, South bound) and from Valle Verde/Resins Inc. to Lanuza St. (Inner most lane, North bound); 7.Along Araneta Avenue from Quezon Ave. to Maria Clara St. (3rd lane, North bound); 8.Along C.P. Garcia Avenue from University Ave. to Maginhawa St. (2nd and 4th lane, North bound); 9.Along Batasan Road from San Mateo Road to Filinvest II (2nd lane, East bound); 10.Along Congressional Avenue from EDSA to Hereford St. (2nd lane, East bound); and 11.Along Congressional Avenue Extension from Violago St. to Gabriela Silang St. (2nd lane, East bound) and from near bridge to after Our Lady’s Court Subd. Luzon Ave. (2nd lane, East bound). |
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| MB releases guidelines on further entry of foreign banks | ||||
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph | ||||
| The Monetary Board (MB) approved the implementing rules and
regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10641. The new law
provides for the further entry of foreign banks into the
Philippines and thus amends R.A. No. 7721, which was passed into
law in May 1994. With the approval of the IRR, additional foreign banks can now apply to operate in the Philippines either as a branch or as a wholly-owned subsidiary. In addition, the new law allows foreign banks to acquire up to 100 percent of the voting stock of an existing domestic bank. This is an increase from the 60 percent cap under the previous law (R.A. No. 7721). The IRR reflects the enhancements in the entry criteria prescribed by R.A. No. 10641. Instead of a bank’s ranking by size either globally or in their own jurisdiction, the new law focuses on the demonstrated expertise of a potential entrant as an established, reputable and financially sound bank. The MB shall also consider strategic relationships and reciprocity rights in accepting the application of a foreign bank entrant. In addition, foreign banks interested to enter the Philippines under R.A. No. 10641 are required to be widely-owned and publicly-listed in their home country. “We are very appreciative of the efforts of our legislators to pass into law R.A. No. 10641 and the BSP is quite happy to now issue the IRR to execute this law,” BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. commented. Governor Tetangco further noted that “implementing the new law comes at an opportune time because the foreign banks can be vehicles for foreign direct investments into the Philippines at a time when we have attained investment-grade rating while also preparing further for regional integration.” Recognizing the added economic contributions by foreign banks, R.A. No. 10641 allowed foreign banks to control up to a combined 40 percent of the total assets of the banking system. This is 10 percentage points higher than the previous 30 percent limit. With the expected increase in the share of total assets under the management of foreign banks, the IRR reflects the authority of the MB to adopt necessary measures to ensure that the 60 percent domestic-controlled proportion is preserved. Such measures shall consider vested rights and non-impairment of contracts that will be non-discriminatory to existing foreign banks. The minimum capital requirements applicable to foreign bank branches have been aligned with that of domestic banks of the same category. However, foreign banks entering under R.A. No. 10641 shall comply outright with the new capital requirements as well as with the prescribed minimum capital ratios. Similar to the provisions under Republic Act No. 10574 (An Act Allowing The Infusion Of Foreign Equity In The Capital of Rural Banks), foreign banks are also allowed to bid and take part in foreclosure sales of real property mortgaged to them. Foreign banks can avail of any of the three modes of entry into the Philippines. At any time, however, they must only avail of one mode of entry subject to compliance with all the requirements. |
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| PNP maps security plan for Papal visit 2015 | ||||
| Source: http://pnp.gov.ph | ||||
| The Philippine National Police is making early preparations
ahead of the Papal Visit of His Holiness Pope Francis in January
2015. PNP Chief, Director General Alan L Purisima said the PNP will apply the principle of “Whole of Government Approach” and Major Event Security Management Framework in security operations for the January 2015 Papal Visit that will be highlighted by several engagements of the Pope in different venues. The Chief PNP has designated Deputy Chief for Operations (TDCO), Police Deputy Director General Leonardo A Espina, as Task Force Commander for the PNP Special Task Force “Papal Visit 2015”. Espina will provide strategic direction, monitor and supervise the operations of PNP Units and personnel that will compose the different task groups in the different venues. Several PNP Task Groups have been organized to provide a wide range of security functions in all areas of engagement. The PNP will also provide operational support to the Presidential Security Group (PSG) which is tasked to provide close-in security and safety services to the Pope and His entourage. "Extensive security coverage and other public safety services will be undertaken in all areas of engagements and its adjacent areas during the Papal Visit. It is imperative that the security and safety of the Pope be given utmost priority," the Chief PNP said The Chief PNP is a member of the multi-agency Papal Visit-National Organizing Committee tasked with the management and coordination of all plans and activities, maintain peace and order, and safeguard participants. This include public safety assistance necessary for order maintenance and police services for crowd control, vehicular and pedestrian traffic direction and route, parking and venue security. "Sustained anti-criminality and internal security operations in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and concerned local government units are also being conducted.” The Chief PNP added. (PNP-PIO) |
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| 4,333 have been repatriated; P42.78 million released in financial relief assistance | ||||
| Source: http://www.gsis.gov.ph | ||||
| Update on OFWs from Libya 4,333 have been repatriated; P42.78 million released in financial relief assistance Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said yesterday that the government has repatriated a total of 4,333 OFWs from Libya as of 31 October 2014, majority of whom availed of the opportunity to return to the Philippines under the government’s mandatory repatriation program. Baldoz, citing an update report from Director Chona Mantilla of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs, or NRCO, said about 65 percent, or 2,977 of the total number of repatriates are active OWWA members, while 28 percent, or 1,197, are non-OWWA members. “Only four percent, or 159, of the 4,333 OFWs repatriates have no records,” said Baldoz, adding: “The DOLE’s Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), in convergence with other DOLE agencies, namely, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), DOLE regional offices, and the NRCO, has provided the repatriates appropriate services through the Assist W.E.L.L. Program. The assistance included the financial grant of P10,000 under the Financial Relief Assistance Program that had benefited 4,278, or 99 percent, of the total repatriates.” Director Mantilla, in her report to Secretary Baldoz, said most of the repatriated OFWs are from Region 4-A (1,057); Region 3 (821); and the National Capital Region (720). "The 4,333 OFWs assisted through Assist WELL as of 31 October 2014 availed of various types of assistance, the most numerous of which is the request for assistance for overseas employment (2,529); transportation assistance to their home provinces (2,435); livelihood assistance (1,973); training and/or scholarship (1,973); and request for assistance for local employment (1,429). “For entrepreneurial development training, the OWWA and the NRCO trained 1,907 OFW-repatriates. We also trained 1,903 in livelihood skills under the Balik-Pinoy Balik Pinas Program,” Director Mantilla reported. The NRCO official also reported that 868 requests for legal assistance were responded to, while there were 608 requests for temporary shelter in Manila. She also counted 57 free calls availed by the repatriates to their loved ones. She emphasized that there was not a single request for medical assistance, but OWWA social workers provided stress debriefings for 32 OFW-repatriates. Focused and comprehensive reintegration services await repatriate OFWs under DOLE’s Assist WELL Program The DOLE has set up Assist WELL Program to best address the Welfare, Employment, Legal, and Livelihood needs of repatriated OFWs. A package of comprehensive reintegration assistance and services, Assist WELL is a component of the National Reintegration Program for OFWs that ensures the successful reintegration of OFWs repatriated from crisis or emergency situations, pursuant to relevant alert level systems of the national government. Secretary Baldoz established the program under DOLE Department Order No. 139, Series of 2014. Relative to welfare, the OWWA, as head of Assist WELL Program’s welfare assistance committee, provides airport assistance; temporary shelter and accommodation; transport assistance to residence; emergency medical assistance; and stress debriefing. On employment assistance, the employment assistance committee provides job placement/referral for local employment or overseas employment; and competency assessment and certification for repatriated workers who wish to confirm whether they possess the competencies required in a preferred workplace. This committee is headed by no less than DOLE Undersecretary Reydeluz Conferido. Undersecretary Ciriaco Lagunzad heads the livelihood assistance committee which provides entrepreneurial development training; livelihood skills training; hands-on business mentoring and support; and business loan assistance. There are three programs that repatriated workers can avail under livelihood. These are the P2-B Reintegration Loan Fund for OWWA members; Balik-Pinay, Balik-Hanapbuhay for distressed OFWs; and the P10-K Livelihood Assistance for non-documented workers. Lastly, the legal assistance committee, headed by POEA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac, provides legal advice; conciliation proceedings to afford repatriated workers and their recruitment agencies a venue to discuss the possibility of amicable settlement; assistance in the preparation and filing of complaints for illegal recruitment, recruitment violation, and disciplinary action cases; and counselling during preliminary investigation and hearings of criminal cases for illegal recruitment. “All concerned DOLE implementing agencies have been directed to allocate and commit funds for the implementation of the Assist WELL Program,” Baldoz said. | ||||
| At 2014 Freedom Run, DOLE’s BLR declares: “I am free from corruption!” | ||||
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph | ||||
| Select personnel of the Bureau of Labor Relations (BLR) and
their director, Atty. Benjo Santos M. Benavidez, last week
participated in the 14th Freedom Run held at the CCP Complex
and, together with thousands of participants, declared: “I am
free from corruption!” In a report to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, Director Benavidez said the BLR employees and he joined the event to demonstrate the BLR’s strong stand against any form of corruption. “The event was organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) in cooperation with the Pasay City local government and Integrity Initiative,” said Benvidez in his report. The FNF, a German foundation for ideas on liberty and training in freedom, organized the event to contribute to the furtherance of the principles of freedom in human dignity in all sectors of society in Germany, as well as abroad. The Integrity Initiative, on the other hand, is a private-led effort to promote good governance, transparent business transactions, and strict integrity standards in the Philippines. The event theme, “I am Free From Corruption!” served as the battle cry of the over 3,000 runners that represented 33 government agencies in the Freedom Run. These government agencies included the Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Commission on Women, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Local Government Academy, Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation, Department of Justice, National Power Corporation, Insurance Commission, Office of the President, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Navy, Philippine Postal Corporation, Philippine Racing Commission; Philippine Army, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, Bases Conversion Development Authority, Senate –Office of the Secretary, Social Security System, Presidential Communications & Strategic Planning Office, Commission on Elections, Presidential Management Staff, Agriculture Training Institute, Laguna Lake Development Authority, Office of the Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection, Career Executive Board, National Diary Authority, Bureau of Customs, National Defense College, Department of Education, Department of National Defense, and Department of Interior and Local Government-NCR. Quoting Jules Maaten, FNF country director, in an interview, said “there are many Filipinos who are against corruption, and this Freedom Run is a fantastic opportunity to show it in a friendly and fun way.” “The activity was a personification of public and private partnership with a common cause,” Maaten said. Benvidez said the Freedom Run brought together civil society groups, private citizens, and government agencies all in the spirit of unity in advocacy for fighting against corruption. |
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| OWWA Board approves granting of financial relief assistance to OFWs repatriated from Libya from May 29 to July 19 | ||||
| Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph | ||||
| The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Board of
Trustees decided to extend the grant of Financial Relief
Assistance Package (FRAP) amounting to P10,000 to OFWs
repatriated from Libya from May 29 to July 19, 2014 when Alert
Level 3 was raised by the Department of Foreign Affairs in the
war-torn country. The decision was made through Resolution No. 008 “Authorizing the Inclusion of Voluntary Repatriates from Libya (29 May to 19 July 2014) for Coverage of Resolution No. 007, Series of 2014” and was signed by the 12 OWWA board members chaired by Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz. The decision of the OWWA Board heeded the clamor of the OFWs who came home voluntarily and went through similar circumstances as experienced by the OFWs who left Libya when mandatory repatriation under Alert Level 4 was already in effect in the country. Prior to this decision, only the OFWs from Libya who were repatriated mandatorily from July 20 and onwards when Libya was in Alert Level 4 were entitled to the FRAP. As of October 30, 2014, OWWA has already released P42.8M benefitting 4,278 OFW repatriates. |
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| OWWA RWO VI holds second scholars conference | ||||
| Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph | ||||
| Foreign Portfolio Investments decline in October 2014 | ||||
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph | ||||
| Registered foreign portfolio investments for October 2014
declined to US$1.8 billion from US$2.1 billion last month as
investors reacted to the International Monetary Fund’s downgrade
of its 2014 growth forecast for the global economy and the
continuing unrest in Hong Kong. This level is also much lower
compared to the US$2.5 billion recorded a year ago as a result
of the tapering of the quantitative easing (QE) program of the
United States which ended in October 2014. Transactions for the month resulted in overall net outflows of US$180 million after posting successive net inflows from April to August 2014. However, the amount is much lower compared to the US$324 million net outflows in September. In contrast, net inflows of US$969 million were noted a year ago. These developments may be attributed to profit taking and the end of the United States’ QE program in October. About 71.4 percent of the investments registered in October were in PSE-listed securities (mainly holding firms; banks; property companies; telecommunication firms; and utilities companies); the rest of investments (28.6 percent) were in Peso government securities (GS). Transactions in PSE-listed securities resulted in net outflows of US$222 million compared to the US$75 million outflows last month. Peso GS yielded a net inflow of US$42 million, a turnaround from the US$249 million net outflow in September 2014. The United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, Luxembourg, and Malaysia were the top five (5) investor countries for the month, with combined share to total of 83.3 percent. The United States continued to be the main destination of outflows, receiving 72.3 percent of total. Registration of inward foreign investments with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is voluntary under the liberalized rules on foreign exchange transactions. The issuance of a BSP registration document entitles the investor or his representative to buy foreign exchange from authorized agent banks and/or their subsidiary/affiliate foreign exchange corporations for repatriation of capital and remittance of earnings that accrue on the registered investment. Without such registration, the foreign investor can still repatriate capital and remit earnings on his investment but the foreign exchange will have to be sourced outside the banking system. |
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| House-Ok'd errata still at P4.77-B | ||||
| Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph | ||||
| The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) today emphasized
that of the P13.4-billion in errata it submitted on the Aquino
administration’s proposed 2015 budget, the Lower House approved
only P4.77 billion, a figure considerably lower than the P43.6
billion cited by Sen. Francis Escudero in recent statements. “We would like to clarify that the errata we submitted corrected all the mistakes that were present in the proposed 2015 Budget. These included typographical errors and other form-related lapses, not to mention the further disaggregation of projects under the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB) program. These were the things that needed to be cleaned up before the Lower House could approve the document,” DBM Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said. “In submitting our errata, we didn’t make significant changes to the proposed budget. Instead, the changes we made were consistent with decisions arrived at by the Lower House during budget deliberations,” he added. The Budget Secretary also stressed that the 2015 National Expenditure Program required careful proofreading and disaggregation prior to its approval by the Lower House. “The proposed 2015 budget is by far the most detailed in the history of Philippine public spending. Painstaking effort went into producing all four volumes of the 2015 National Expenditure Program, including the disaggregation of lump sums to their smallest possible items. “Because the entire document was so dense and exhaustive, production errors were likely and almost unavoidable. We had to clear up those lapses, and the errata addressed exactly that,” Abad said. |
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| Finish first batch of RAY projects for more funds - DILG chief to local execs | ||||
| Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph | ||||
| Interior and Local Government Sec. Mar Roxas appealed to local
government officials in Western Visayas to immediately
accomplish all projects under the first batch of the Recovery
Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) Funds, so the second batch can be
released to the barangays. These were the secretary's words when he, together with Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Executive Director Alexander Pama held a consultative meeting with local officials, where various issues and concerns regarding Yolanda rehabilitation efforts in the region were promptly addressed. Upon the first release of RAY-DILG, more than P27M was allocated for Aklan, almost P25M for Antique, more than P66M in Capiz, and about P79M for Iloilo. The amounts were part of the RAY-Batch 1, with a total of more than P1.74 billion. The second batch of RAY funds reached P1.57 billion allocated for for 3,688 barangay facilities (barangay halls, daycare centres and civic centers) in 2,798 barangays. Also present during the meeting were mayors of Panay Island and Governors Florencio Miraflores of Aklan, Exequiel Javier of Antique, Victor Tanco, Sr. of Capiz, and Arthur Defensor, Sr. of Iloilo. The secretary also emphasized the importance of people's knowledge that the entire government is ready to help the victims. "We in the government will not abandon you," said Sec. Roxas, speaking in Ilonggo, his native tongue. |
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| Philippines participates in Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security at 10th Senior Official Meeting in Dili | ||||
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph | ||||
| 13 November 2014 - The Philippine Government actively
participated in the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs,
Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) 10th Senior Officials
Meeting held from November 05 to 07 in Hotel the Ramelau in Dili,
Timor-Leste. The Philippine delegation was headed by Mr. Manuel D. Gerochi, Undersecretary for Policy of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Other members of the delegation were Ms. Lilybeth R. Deapera, Acting Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Oceans Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Pablo G. de los Reyes of the DENR, and Ms. Jane Desiree F. Andal of the National Economic and Development Authority. The Philippine Embassy in Dili provided logistical support for the Philippine delegation. The high-level meeting built on the previous discussions made towards the formal establishment of the CTI-CFF as a regional organization, and the implementation of the CTI Regional Plan of Action which has the overarching goal of safeguarding the region’s marine and coastal biological resources. Launched in 2009, the CTI-CFF is a multilateral partnership among the six countries in the Coral Triangle which encompasses the coasts, seas and reefs of the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. The region is home to the highest coral diversity in the world, which accounts for about 76% of the world’s known coral species, as well as 37% of the world’s reef fish species. The area is also a spawning and nursery ground for 6 species of threatened marine turtles, endangered fish, and cetaceans such as tuna and blue whale. |
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| CARP beneficiary says ‘There’s cash in farming’ | ||||
| Source: http://dar.gov.ph | ||||
| “THERE’S big money in the farm,” Ruben Ragas, an agrarian reform
beneficiary, declares, brushing aside the notion that farming is
all work but promises too little for comfort. Actually, Ragas feels like he’s still in cloud nine. The native of Barangay Sanghan, Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte had just been conferred with the first runner honor for the “2014 Gawad Pitak Ulirang Magsasaka” that the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) hosted annually in recognition of the significant contributions of farming communities to nation-building. “Never in my wildest imagination did I entertain any thoughts that my efforts as a farmer would ever be recognized in such a very momentous occasion,” the 43-year-old Ragas says in local dialect.dar web news 2 national pix 2 nov. 14 2014 Ben, as his peers fondly call him, attributed everything that he and his family enjoy to hard work. He is tilling a two-hectare farmlot that was awarded to him under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), something he never expected until a certificate of land ownership award (CLOA) was handed to him in 2006. He says he proceeds to his farm each morning, feeling great and inspired to work as hard as he could, not wanting to waste the opportunity given to him, which he describes as “once in a lifetime.” Using diversified farming he learned from various government-sponsored trainings and/or workshops, Ben plants vegetables, such as, eggplant, tomato, bell pepper, ampalaya and okra, and fruit-bearing trees like banana, papaya and mangoes. To maximize the potential of his farm, he converted a small portion of his farm into a fishpond where he raised fresh water fishes for family consumption. He also allotted another portion for livestock raising, like goats, turkey, ducks and chicken. “When we don’t have viand, my children just go to the fishpond to catch fish or pick up a chicken or a duck to serve on our dining table,” he says. “This allows me to feed my family with healthy and organically produced foods, and we still have something for our keeps through the sales of our farm products,” adds Ben, who is married to Fe, 39, with whom he has five children, all are currently going to schools. Though he refuses to reveal how much he earns, he compares his income to that of a middle-ranking government official, while proudly saying that farming is a noble profession that every farmer should be proud of as it promises so much blessing, as well. “It’s all about loving the land and working harder for us to savor the fruits of our labor,” he says. |
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| DAR to empower Albay towns | ||||
| Source: http://dar.gov.ph | ||||
| The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) will soon implement
various agrarian projects worth P10-million in the province of
Albay after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
released the allocated budget under the Grassroots Participatory
Budgeting (GPB). Albay Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Romulo Britanico said the projects include the construction of the 100 linear meter Spillway in Bgy Aurora-White Deer, Jovellar, the 1.5-kilometer Marayag-San Isidro farm-to-market road in Libon, and the 35 linear meter concrete footbridge in Sitio Lagsingan, Rapu-Rapu. Britanico said that the GPB also calls for the development of coco-cased processing and farming system in Guinobatan town. Britanico said the project would benefit 10,400 farmers, of which 527 are agrarian reform beneficiaries. Preparatory activities for these projects are now being undertaken by the DAR Albay with the help of concerned Municipal Mayors. Guinobatan Mayor Ann Gemma Ongjoco expressed her gratitude to the DAR for helping them boost the economic lives of Albayanons. For his part, Mayor Ronald Galecia of Rapu-Rapu said he is looking forward for bigger projects through DAR to sustain the development the government has initiated in their community. The GPB, previously called Bottoms-Up Planning and Budgeting (BUB), was adopted as a strategy to identify various programs and projects that address the development needs of poorest cities and municipalities in the country. |
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| Ombudsman, AFP ink MOA | ||||
| Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph | ||||
| To reinforce institutional synergy to fast-track case
disposition, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP) entered into a Memorandum of Agreement
(MOA) today at simple ceremonies at the Ombudsman Building. Under the MOA, the Office of the Ombudsman retains exclusive jurisdiction over criminal and administrative cases involving graft and corruption, plunder, violations of Republic Act (RA) No. 1379 (An Act Declaring Forfeiture in Favor of the State Any Property Found to Have Been Unlawfully Acquired), R.A. No. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act), R.A. No. 9485 (Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007), and crimes punishable under Titles II, IV and VII of the Revised Penal Code. Meanwhile, the AFP retains exclusive jurisdiction over crimes and administrative offenses identified under the Articles of War, complaints involving salaries, benefits, remuneration, promotion of military personnel, including violations of the economic provisions of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Children). The MOA also provides for the conduct of joint fact-finding investigation on a case-to-case basis as well as training and education programs. In her message during the signing ceremonies, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales expressed her earnest hope that “the implementation of this MOA would bring about better women and men in uniform” as she “looks forward to working with the AFP in deepening the sense of integrity, accountability and transparency in the military service.” In his message of solidarity, AFP Chief of Staff Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr. stated that it is “imperative for us to join hands in order to move forward and prevent misdeeds that taint the honorable path of public service.” Hon. Cyril E. Ramos, Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices (MOLEO), and Lt. Gen John S. Bonafos, AFP Vice Chief of Staff and chief of the AFP Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability (OESPA), witnessed the MOA signing. The MOA becomes effective on 01 December 2014. For the past three years, the Office has managed to forge MOAs with national government agencies such as the Department of Justice in March 2012, the Commission on Audit in April 2012, the Philippine National Police/National Police Commission in September 2012, the Office of the President in June 2013, and the Governance Commission for GOCCs in June 2013. |
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| Top PNP officials face probe for missing firearms | ||||
| Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph | ||||
| Criminal and administrative complaints were filed against
ranking officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in
connection with the missing 1,004 high-powered AK47 firearms
allegedly sold to the New People’s Army (NPA). Facing the criminal complaint for 19 counts of Falsification, 23 counts of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), 23 counts of violation of Section 3(j) of R.A. 3019, and violation of R.A. 5487 (Private Security Agency Law) are PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO) officials P/Dir. Gil Meneses, P/Dir. Napoleon Estilles, P/CSupt. Raul Petrasanta, P/CSupt. Tomas Rentoy II, P/CSupt. Regino Catiis, P/SSupt. Eduardo Acierto, P/SSupt. Allan Parreno, P/Supt. Nelson Bautista, P/CInsp. Ricky Sumalde, P/CInsp. Ricardo Zapata Jr., P/CInsp. Rodrigo Benedicto Sarmiento, SPO1 Eric Tan, SPO1 Randy De Sesto and three non-uniformed personnel. Also included in the criminal complaint are Isidro Lozada of Caraga Security Agency and representatives of gun supplier, Twin Pines, Inc. Administrative charges for Grave Misconduct and Serious Dishonesty were also filed against the PNP-FEO officials, with a prayer that they be preventively suspended by the Ombudsman pending administrative adjudication. The Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices (OMB-MOLEO) initiated motu proprio the case build-up based on an article in the Philippine Star on 06 June 2014. The Complaint alleges that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) issued an Investigation Report dated 17 July 2014 revealing that four private security agencies and a mining company successfully applied and were issued firearms licenses by the PNP-FEO using falsified and incomplete documentary requirements. Based on the PNP-FEO database, 1,004 licensed firearms were released through the submission of incomplete and/or falsified applications submitted by Isidro Lozada, owner of Caraga Security Agency, who purchased the firearms from Twin Pines, Inc. which, in turn, facilitated and submitted the falsified and/or incomplete license applications of Lozada to the PNP-FEO. Despite irregularities in the applications, licenses were processed and approved by PNP-FEO officials and personnel. Documents gathered during field investigation disclosed that Caraga Security Agency’s License to Operate had expired on 30 September 2012. The CIDG was also able to validate information that firearms matching the serial numbers of the licensed AK47s issued to the security agencies and mining company were recovered from encounters between the military and the NPAs in the Caraga and Western Mindanao regions. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales created today a five-lawyer special panel to conduct the preliminary investigation and administrative adjudication of these cases. |
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| VISAs requirements for foreign aid workers to be eased - BI | ||||
| Source: http://www.immigration.gov.ph | ||||
| Foreign aid workers as well as member of the International Media
who will help victims of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in the Visayas
should not worry about their visas. The Bureau of Immigration today say they will assist these foreign aid workers and the media in expediting the processing of their respective visas. Foreign aid workers and international media will not be required to present a six-month valid passport and the return ticket requirements to ease their entry into the Philippines and unto the typhoon-ravaged areas. Immigration Chief Siegfred Mison has already instructed the bureau’s alien control officers to ease restrictions of travel by foreign aid workers, especially coming from the United States, European Union and other partner countries of the Philippines, who will assist Philippine authorities in providing relief and retrieval operations in the Visayas provinces affected by Typhoon Haiyan. This also applies with media practitioners sent by their respective media outlets to cover the relief efforts in those areas. “We will not require the 6-month valid passport and the return ticket requirement so that there will be no problem in their entry into the country and if they need to stay longer because we have a lot of things to do in Tacloban, even in Capiz”, says Mison. Hundreds of foreign aid workers have entered the Philippines coming from countries with visa entry requirements. These workers, mostly the United Nations and foreign aid organizations, will and are now assisting Philippines government personnel in providing relief to thousand f survivors of Typhoon Haiyan. Mison however advised these foreign aid organizations to coordinate with the Bureau of Immigration and submit their list of personnel involved in the relief efforts. This is to avoid the abuse of this temporary easement of visa requirements. For those who will stay longer than what their visa allow should not worry. Mison says the government has agreed not to charge visa fees to foreignaids workers and international media personnel who will extend their 30-day stay in the Philippines. |
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| BI to deport 13 illegal poachers in Palawan | ||||
| Source: http://www.immigration.gov.ph | ||||
| The Bureau of Immigration charged the thirteen (13) Vietnamese
nationals arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP)
Maritime force while fishing within the country’s territorial
waters in Balabac, Palawan. Immigration Chief Siegfred Mison identified the suspects as Cu Pham, 38 years old, Sang Trinh Van, 36 years old, Anh Truong Dinh, 35 years old, Tu Bui, 32 years old, Qui Nguyen Ngoc, 29 years old, Co Bui 26 years old, Chau Hoang Ngoc, 23 years old, Hung Hoang Van, 15 years old, Phat Nguyen Thanh, Thang Nguyen, Chien Nguyen and Hung Ngo Van. Atty. Cris M. Villalobos, Acting Chief of the BI Law and Investigation Division (LID), said these Vietnamese nationals were arrested last 8 October while onboard a vessel registered in Malaysia and docked at nearby Barangay Mangsee, in Balabac, Palawan. The vessel entered Philippine territory without passing through Philippine Immigration authorities. After the arrest, the PNP Maritime force turned the illegal poachers over the state authorities. Specila Prosecutor Antonio Rivera there upon charged them with violating CA 613, Sections 37, 45 (f) and Sec. 69 of Act 2711, which refers to the crime of illegal poaching in the Philippine territorial waters. Rivera also deemed the suspects as illegal entrants and pose a great risk to public safety. Mison said, under the law, foreigners convicted of crimes shall, after service of sentence, be deported to their country of origin and banned from re-entering the Philippines and will also be placed under the Bureau’s watchlist for violating the country’s immigration laws. |
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Last
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14 NOVEMBER 2014
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his arrival statement at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal II on Friday (November 14) from his successful participation in the APEC CEO Summit and the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Meeting in Beijing, China; and the 25th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal II on Friday (November 14) and is welcomed by members of his Cabinet from his successful participation in the APEC CEO Summit and the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Meeting in Beijing, China; and to the 25th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal II on Friday (November 14) from his successful participation in the APEC CEO Summit and the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Meeting in Beijing, China; and to the 25th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. Escorted by NAIA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado and AFP Chief Gregorio Pio Punzalan Catapang Jr. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III participates in the exchanges during the 2nd ASEAN-United States of America Summit at the Sapphire Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Thursday (November 13) at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit. The ASEAN-US dialogue relations have been progressing well since its establishment in 1977. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III participates in the exchanges during the 2nd ASEAN-United States of America Summit at the Sapphire Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Thursday (November 13) at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit. Also in photo are Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, American President Barack Obama and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The ASEAN-US dialogue relations have been progressing well since its establishment in 1977. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III participates in the exchanges during the 2nd ASEAN-United States of America Summit at the Sapphire Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Thursday (November 13) at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit. Also in photo are Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, American President Barack Obama and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The ASEAN-US dialogue relations have been progressing well since its establishment in 1977. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III huddles with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, United States of America President Barack Obama, Myanmar President U Thein Sein, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesia President Joko Widodo, and Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, for a group photo souvenir during the 2nd ASEAN-United States of America Summit at the Sapphire Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Thursday (November 13) at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit. The ASEAN-US dialogue relations have been progressing well since its establishment in 1977. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III links arms with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, United States of America President Barack Obama, Myanmar President U Thein Sein, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesia President Joko Widodo, and Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, for the traditional group photo souvenir during the 2nd ASEAN-United States of America Summit at the Sapphire Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Thursday (November 13) at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III, Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Indonesia President Joko Widodo, Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, China Premier Li Keqiang, Myanmar President U Thein Sein, United States of America President Barack Obama, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Russia Federation Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Korea President Park Geun-hye, Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, group together for the official photo during the opening of the 9th East Asia Summit Plenary Session at the Ruby Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Thursday (November 13) at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit. The East Asia Summit is a forum for dialogue on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Myanmar President U Thein Sein upon arrival at the Myanmar International Convention Center for the 9th East Asia Summit Plenary Session at the Ruby Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Thursday (November 13) at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit. The East Asia Summit is a forum for dialogue on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives at the 9th East Asia Summit Plenary Session at the Ruby Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Thursday (November 13) at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit. The East Asia Summit is a forum for dialogue on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III participates in the discussions during the 9th East Asia Summit Plenary Session at the Ruby Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Thursday (November 13) at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit. The East Asia Summit is a forum for dialogue on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III joins United States of America President Barrack Obama, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in attending the 9th East-Asia Summit at the Ruby Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Thursday (November 13) at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III, Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Indonesia President Joko Widodo, Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, China Premier Li Keqiang, Myanmar President Thein Sein, United States of America President Barack Obama, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Russia Federation Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Korea President Park Geun-hye, Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, group together for the official photo during the opening of the 9th East Asia Summit Plenary Session at the Ruby Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Thursday (November 13) at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit. The East Asia Summit is a forum for dialogue on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III with Commonwealth of Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott during a pull aside meeting at the Myanmar International Convention Center on Wednesday evening (November 12), at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. Australia is one of the Philippines’ closest bilateral partners in the Asia-Pacific region. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott during a pull aside meeting at the Myanmar International Convention Center on Wednesday evening (November 12), at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. Australia is one of the Philippines’ closest bilateral partners in the Asia-Pacific region. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III links arms with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Myanmar President U Thein Sein, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesia President Joko Widodo and Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong for a group photo souvenir during the ASEAN-Australia 40th Commemorative Summit at the Sapphire Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Wednesday afternoon (November 12) at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with his counterparts in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Also in photo are Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Myanmar President U Thein Sein, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesia President Joko Widodo and Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong for a group photo opportunity during the ASEAN-Australia 40th Commemorative Summit at the Sapphire Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Wednesday afternoon (November 12) at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges views with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a bilateral meeting at the Myanmar International Convention Center on Wednesday afternoon (November 12), at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan were inaugurated on 23 July 1956. Since then, bilateral ties have become one of the Philippines’ most cordial, active, dynamic, and mutually-beneficial. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a bilateral meeting at the Myanmar International Convention Center on Wednesday afternoon (November 12), at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan were inaugurated on 23 July 1956. Since then, bilateral ties have become one of the Philippines’ most cordial, active, dynamic, and mutually-beneficial. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III joins fellow regional leaders in attending the 12th ASEAN- India Summit at the Sapphire Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Wednesday(November 12) at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. ASEAN-India dialogue relations have grown rapidly from a sectoral dialogue partnership in 1992 to a full dialogue partnership in December 1995. The relationship was further elevated with the convening of the ASEAN-India Summit in 2002 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Since then the ASEAN-India Summit has been held annually. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III links arms with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Myanmar President U Thein Sein, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesia President Joko Widodo and Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong for a group photo souvenir during the 12th ASEAN-India Summit at the Sapphire Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Wednesday (November 12) at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. ASEAN-India dialogue relations have grown rapidly from a sectoral dialogue partnership in 1992 to a full dialogue partnership in December 1995. The relationship was further elevated with the convening of the ASEAN-India Summit in 2002 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Since then the ASEAN-India Summit has been held annually. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III links arms with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Myanmar President U Thein Sein, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesia President Joko Widodo and Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong for a group photo souvenir during the 12th ASEAN-India Summit at the Sapphire Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Wednesday (November 12) at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. ASEAN-India dialogue relations have grown rapidly from a sectoral dialogue partnership in 1992 to a full dialogue partnership in December 1995. The relationship was further elevated with the convening of the ASEAN-India Summit in 2002 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Since then the ASEAN-India Summit has been held annually. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III attends the launching of ASEAN Institute of Green Economy during the 25th ASEAN Summit at the Ruby Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Wednesday (November 12, 2014). (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with cabinet members during the 25th ASEAN Summit Plenary Session at the Ruby Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Wednesday (November 12). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III listens to the discussions during the 25th ASEAN Summit Plenary Session at the Ruby Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Wednesday (November 12). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III, links arms with fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Myanmar President U Thein Sein, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen and Indonesia President Joko Widodo for the 25th ASEAN Summit Plenary Session at the Ruby Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Wednesday (November 12). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III, along with fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders, arrives for the 25thASEAN Summit Plenary Session at the Ruby Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Wednesday (November 12). Also in photo are Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Myanmar President U Thein Sein, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen and Indonesia President Joko Widodo. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III joins fellow regional leaders at the 12th ASEAN- India Summit at the Sapphire Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Wednesday (November 12) at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. Also in photo are Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Myanmar President U Thein Sein, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesia President Joko Widodo and Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III links arms with Republic of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Myanmar President U Thein Sein, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesia President Joko Widodo and Lao People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong for a group photo souvenir during the 12th ASEAN-India Summit at the Sapphire Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Wednesday (November 12) at the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III joins his counterparts and their spouses for the traditional group photo opportunity before the opening ceremony of the 25th ASEAN Summit at the Jade Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center on Wednesday (November 12). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Republic of the Union of Myanmar President U Thein Sein and Madame Daw Khin Khin Win upon arrival at the Front Concourse of the Myanmar International Convention Center during the opening ceremony of the 25th ASEAN Summit on Wednesday (November 12). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S. Aquino III passes through the Static Guards upon arrival at the Nay Pyi Taw International Airport on Tuesday night (November 11) to join fellow regional leaders in attending the 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits to be held here. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III joins fellow world leaders for the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic APEC Leaders’ Meeting Family Photo at the Hongyan Hall of the International Conference Center here at Yanqi Lake on Tuesday (November 11). The summit's theme this year is "Shaping the Future through Asia-Pacific Partnership." (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Chinese President Xi Jinping upon arrival for the 22nd APEC Leaders’ Meeting at the Hongyan Hall of the International Conference Center here on Tuesday (November 11) (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III shares a light moment with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Commonwealth of Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott during the 22nd Apec Leaders’ Meeting Tree Planting Ceremony at the Summer Garden of the International Conference Center at Yanqui Lake here on Tuesday (November 11). (Photo by Ryan Lim/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III plants a tree during
the 22nd APEC Leaders’ Meeting Tree Planting Ceremony at the Summer
Garden of the International Conference Center at Yanqi Lake here Tuesday
(November 11). (Photo by Ryan Lim/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives for the 22nd APEC Leaders’ Meeting Tree Planting Ceremony at the Summer Garden of the International Conference Center, Yanqi Lake here on Tuesday (November 11). (Photo by Ryan Lim/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Banigno S. Aquino III joins fellow world leaders for the Leaders Retreat during the 22nd APEC Leaders’ Meeting at the Hongyan Hall of the International Conference Center here on Tuesday (November 11). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III joins fellow world leaders for the APEC Leaders’ family photo during the welcome dinner and cultural performance during the 22nd APEC) Leaders’ Meeting at the Water Cube (National Aquatic Center) on Monday night (November 10). Also in photo are Brunei Darussalam Prime Minister His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and Russian Federation President His Excellency Vladimir Putin. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III joins fellow world leaders for the APEC Leader's Meeting welcome dinner and cultural performance at the Water Cube (National Aquatic Center) on Monday night (November 10). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III is welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Li Yuan upon arrival for the APEC Leaders' Meeting welcome dinner and cultural performance at the Water Cube (National Aquatic Center) on Monday night (November 10). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges views with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key during a bilateral meeting at the Social Hall of the Philippine Embassy here on Monday (November 10), at the sidelines of the 22nd APEC Leaders' Meeting. New Zealand has significant, and growing, people-to-people links with the Philippines with its Filipino population now over 40,000. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets New Zealand Prime Minister John Key during a bilateral meeting at the Social Hall of the Philippine Embassy here on Monday (November 10), at the sidelines of the 22nd APEC Leaders' Meeting. New Zealand has significant, and growing, people-to-people links with the Philippines with its Filipino population now over 40,000. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes New Zealand Prime Minister John Key upon arrival at the Lobby of the Philippine Embassy here on Monday (November 10), at the sidelines of the 22nd APEC) Leaders' Meeting. New Zealand has significant, and growing, people-to-people links with the Philippines with its Filipino population now over 40,000. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Independent State of Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill during a bilateral meeting at the Social Hall of the Philippine Embassy in here on Monday (November 10), at the sidelines of the 22nd APECLeaders' Meeting. The Philippines was one of the first countries to formalize diplomatic relations with Papua New Guinea in 1975. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III walks going to the Philippine Embassy for a bilateral meeting here in Beijing on Monday (November 10), at the sidelines of the 22nd APEC) Leaders' Meeting. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau). | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper during a bilateral meeting at the St. Regis Hotel here on Monday (November 10), at the sidelines of the 22nd APEC Leaders' Meeting. At the core of Philippine-Canada relations is the human dimension - the presence of more than 682,000 Filipinos in Canada, as they now comprise the 3rd largest immigrant community there. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper during a bilateral meeting at St. Regis Hotel here on Monday (November 10), at the sidelines of the 22nd APEC Leaders' Meeting. At the core of Philippine-Canada relations is the human dimension - the presence of more than 682,000 Filipinos in Canada, as they now comprise the 3rd largest immigrant community there. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with Johnson & Johnson’s chairman and chief executive Alex Gorsky and Annaswamy Vaidheesh during a business meeting at the Social Hall of the Philippine Embassy here on Sunday (November 09). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Sanofi senior vice president in Asia Jean-Luc Lowinski during a business meeting at the Social Hall of the Philippine Embassy here on Sunday (November 09). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges views with Sanofi senior vice president in Asia Jean-Luc Lowinski during a business meeting at the Social Hall of the Philippine Embassy here on Sunday (November 09). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Moody's President and CEO Raymond McDaniel, Jr. and Regional Head and Managing Director Min Ye during a business meeting at the Social Hall of the Philippine Embassy here on Sunday (November 09). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges views with Socialist Republic of Vietnam President Truong Tan Sang during a bilateral meeting at the Philippine Embassy here Sunday night (November 09), at the sidelines of the 22nd APEC Leaders' Meeting. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Socialist Republic of Vietnam President Truong Tan Sang during a bilateral meeting at the Philippine Embassy here Sunday night (November 09), at the sidelines of the 22nd APEC Leaders' Meeting. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III participates in the APEC CEO Summit 2014 at the China National Convention Center (CNCC) here on Sunday (November 09). The APEC CEO Summit 2014 is the most important business event during the APEC Leaders Week organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. It aims to show the vision for the future of global growth and how APEC and China seek to foster common prosperity for all. Also in photo are UPS chief executive officer David Abney, OECD secretary general Angel Gurria, Merck Serono president and chief executive officer Dr. Belen Garijo and Rio Tinto chief executive officer Sam Walsh. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III answers questions during the panel discussion in the APEC CEO Summit 2014 held at the China National Convention Center here on Sunday (November 09). The APEC CEO Summit 2014 is the most important business event during the APEC Leaders' Week. (November 09). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau). | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III answers questions during the panel discussion in the APEC CEO Summit 2014 held at the China National Convention Center here on Sunday (November 09). The APEC CEO Summit 2014 is the most important business event during the APEC Leaders' Week. Also in photo is UPS chief executive officer David Abney. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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(BEIJING, China) President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives at the Special Aircraft Terminal of the Beijing Capital International Airport on Sunday (November 09) to join fellow world leaders attending the APEC CEO Summit and the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Meeting here. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his departure statement during the send-off ceremony at the NAIA Terminal II. The Chief Executive will join fellow world leaders at the APEC CEO Summit and the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Meeting in Beijing, People’s Republic of China on Sunday (November 09). (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau). | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III chats with his cabinet members before boarding during the send-off ceremony at the NAIA Terminal II. The Chief Executive will join fellow world leaders at the APEC CEO Summit and the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Meeting in Beijing, People’s Republic of China on Sunday (November 09). (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau). | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr., reviews the honor guard during the send-off ceremony at NAIA Terminal II. The President will be attending the APEC CEO Summit and the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Meeting in Beijing, People’s Republic of China on Sunday (November 09). (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau). | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III, chats with Vice President Jejomar Binay and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin before boarding during the send-off ceremony at the NAIA Terminal II. The President will be attending the APEC CEO Summit and the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Meeting in Beijing, People’s Republic of China on Sunday (November 09). (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau). | ||
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