24-Hour Public Weather Forecast
Valid beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow
 Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis for 8 a.m., 12 November 2014 |
 Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind Analysis for 8 a.m., 12 November 2014 |
 Satellite Image |
Synopsis:
At 4:00 am today, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 605 km East of Surigao City (9.8ºN, 131.0ºE). Northeast Monsoon affecting Northern and Central Luzon.
Forecast:
The provinces of Quezon and Camarines Norte will experience cloudy
skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro
Manila, rest of Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos
Region will have partly cloudy to at times cloudy skies with isolated
light rains. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy
with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and the eastern section of Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast to north over the rest of the country with slight to moderate seas.
GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz:
-Binabantayan ng PAGASA ang isang LPA na huling namataan sa layong 580 km silangan ng Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
-Mababa ang tiyansa na maging bagyo ang LPA pero magdadala ito ng minsang malakas na ulan, lalo na sa Eastern Visayas.
-Makararanas ng pag-ulan ang ARMM, SOCCSKSARGEN at ilang bahagi ng Caraga.
-Makararanas ng hanggang katamtamang ulan bukas ang CALABARZON at Bicol Region.
-Sa Metro Manila, mababa ang tsansa ng ulan bukas.
-Binabantayan ng PAGASA ang isang LPA na huling namataan sa layong 580 km silangan ng Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
-Mababa ang tiyansa na maging bagyo ang LPA pero magdadala ito ng minsang malakas na ulan, lalo na sa Eastern Visayas.
-Makararanas ng pag-ulan ang ARMM, SOCCSKSARGEN at ilang bahagi ng Caraga.
-Makararanas ng hanggang katamtamang ulan bukas ang CALABARZON at Bicol Region.
-Sa Metro Manila, mababa ang tsansa ng ulan bukas.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS:
The local government of Padre Garcia under the project Bagong
Hanapbuhay para sa Mamamayang Garciano (BAHAM) is offering 30
scholarship slots for TESDA training on tile setting NC II. Deadline for
inquiries is until Nov. 14, 2014.
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
Libong katao na miyembro at naglagak ng pondo sa Southern Luzon
Multi-purpose Cooperative sa Barangay Isabang, Lucena City ang
nangangamba ngayon na hindi na maibabalik sa kanila ang kanilang pera
matapos matigil ang operasyon, may isang linggo na ang nakaraan. Sinabi
naman ng mga opisyal ng kooperatiba na may inaayos lang sila at muli
itong magbubukas.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS:
Nagsagawa ang lokal na pamahalaan ng Padre Garcia ng pagsasanay ukol sa
milk processing sa Barangay Cawongan sa layuning makapagbigay ng
kaalaman sa mga residente upang magkaroon ng dagdag kita.
PIA-4A/RIZAL:
Various government agencies spearheaded by the Office of Civil Defense -
Regional Risk Reduction and Management Council 4A and the San Mateo
Municipal government are finalizing details for the November 14 National
Simultaneous Earthquake Drill at Brgy. Ampid II. OCD-RDRRMC 4A and the
other line agencies are currently analyzing the initial plans in
comparison to the venue itself which was inspected today.
PIA-4A/LOS
BANOS: The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Region IV-A recently
launched two sites for its farm business school (FBS) in Calamba City
and San Antonio, Quezon. Thirty (30) members of the irrigators
association from Calamba City attended the session while 35 persons
participated in San Antonio, Quezon. ATI Region IV-A center director
Marites P. Cosico in gracing the two separate launching, challenged the
learners to be more active in becoming entrepreneurs while being
provided with training opportunity."
PIA-4A/LAGUNA:
The provincial government distributed cacao and kalamansi tree
seedlings, including different kinds of vegetables seeds to 146 coconut
farmers in Alaminos town for planting in unproductive coconut farms
affected by the coconut insect infestation and recent typhoons that hit
the region. The dispersal of tree and vegetables seedlings provided by
the Department of Agriculture is in line with the provincial
government’s “Programang Pang-Agrikultura na Tutugon sa Seguridad sa
Pagkain sa Laguna.”
PIA-4A/CALAMBA
CITY: The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) IV-A/Regional Disaster Risk
Reduction & Management Council (RDRRMC) IV-A is all set for the
staging of the 2014 4th Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake
Drill. The drill scheduled on Nov. 14, 2014 at Barangay Ampid II, San
Mateo, Rizal is the perfect time to test the operational capability of
the preparation for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2015,
the OCD-RDRRMC said.
PIA-2/NUEVA
VIZCAYA: Magsasagawa ng OFW Summit ang provincial government ngayong
araw sa Ammungan Hall, Bayombong upang matugunan ang pangangailangan ng
OFWs dito. Dadaluhan ito ni Gov. Ruth Padilla.
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| P50-M to repatriate Pinoys in troubled Middle East |
| Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph |
| The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released an
additional P50 million to the Department of Foreign Affairs
(DFA) to augment their P100-million emergency fund to help in
the continuing repatriation of Filipinos affected by the
deteriorating security situation in Libya, Syria, Iraq, and
Gaza. The DFA had declared Crisis Alert Level 4 in the four countries, issuing a total deployment ban and implementing mandatory repatriation for Filipinos living or working there. Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said: “Our countrymen face uncertainty and danger due to the untenable security situation in these Middle East countries. As such, the National Government will focus its resources to bringing them back home, even as it shoulders all costs of their repatriation, whether by land, sea, or air.” The recent release will augment the P100-million emergency fund that the DFA received in August 2014 to help in the repatriation of Filipinos from Libya. Both releases, which were sourced from the 2013 Contingent Fund, will supplement the DFA’s Assistance-To-Nationals (ATN) Fund. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will also be expediting the necessary measures and processes to provide funds amounting to P50 million and P800 million respectively to help in the repatriation. “Our repatriation program is an important tool in the government’s support system for Filipinos abroad. It gives us the ability to act on emergency conditions, whether in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. Our primary goal, as always, is to look out for the welfare of fellow Filipinos around the world, especially those living in conflict zones,” said Abad. The DFA ordered the pullout of Filipinos in the Gaza Strip in June 2014 due to threats to security in relation to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Around the same time, they made a similar call in Iraq because of the rapidly deteriorating security situation. In July 2014, the DFA called for the repatriation of Filipinos in Libya because of the worsening violence. The on-going repatriation of Filipinos in Syria first started in December 2012. |
| Abaya: Uber now working with government |
| Source: http://www.dotc.gov.ph |
| Passenger Safety, Modern Transport Services are Common Ground With the goal of modernizing land transport systems, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Land Transportation Franchising & Regulatory Board (LTFRB) had a highly productive meeting with officers of UberPhilippines and Singapore yesterday, in a quest to find ways for rules and regulations to support – rather than stifle – innovations which improve services to the public. “We will always push for anything that modernizes the country’s transport systems under my watch. Government welcomes tech solutions to transport problems, and fortunately, Uber also wants to work with us to make it happen,” remarked DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya. “Both sides came to the table to find concrete ways to make government regulations more in tune with today’s technologies. We all agreed on two things: first, Uber’s services are for the people’s benefit; and second, regulation is a must for public safety and order,” he added. LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez and Executive Director Roberto Cabrera, who bothparticipated in the meeting, proposed several means by which applicable rules may be updated in order to accommodate similar IT-based solutions within the legal framework. The LTFRB officials indicated that such services may fall under the existing “vehicle-for-hire” category, and that the corresponding rules could be updated in order to encourage the use of similar technologies across other public land transport services, including taxis. “The LTFRB made it clear that government regulation is a must where public services are concerned. After all, this is not only a requirement of law, it is meant to protect the public,” Abaya said. Uber’s representatives shared their previous experiences in other countries which likewise clamped down on the tech company’s unregulated services, citing new legislation in the United States as well as the adjustedpolicies in Singapore, to show that both long-term and immediate reforms are possible in the Philippines. The LTFRB will now craft an updated set of rules applicable to vehicles-for-hire which would accommodate modern tech solutions, while Uber will submit reforms done in other countries to likewise modernize their own land transport regulations. All sides agreed that ensuring passenger safety remains the top priority.Thus, safety measures will include Uber’s current practices of requiring passenger insurance to be provided by each of its partner drivers, as well as safety inspections to ensure the roadworthiness of their vehicles. The LTFRB also wants access to the identities of Uber drivers for security reasons. “Ouraimis to encourage the use of even more technologies and innovations across all forms of public land transport. Our taxi reform program, for instance, could adopt similar services such as centralized booking, passenger access to driver identities, and tracking systems for lost-and-found items,” Abaya added. |
| Gender mainstreaming initiatives of DSWD’s community-driven development program showcased in int’l forum |
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph |
| The gender mainstreaming initiatives undertaken by Kapit-Bisig
Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of
Social Services-National Community-Driven Development Program
(KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP) of the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) were recently showcased during the Social and
Gender Assessment (SGA) College of the Millennium Challenge
Corporation (MCC) in Washington DC, USA. The SGA College was a forum hosted by the MCC to foster learning and collaboration among representatives of its partner -countries to discuss the initiatives undertaken by their agencies in promoting social inclusion and gender equality. It emphasized how central gender is in economic growth, as women have strong yet primarily untapped potential for the promotion of peace and development. Aside from the Philippines, the other countries represented during the SGA College were Tanzania, Nigeria, Cabo Verde, Lesotho, Zambia, Malawi, Mali, Namibia, Senegal, Moldova, Mongolia, Indonesia, and Ecuador. Gender initiatives Lourdes Turiano, KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP Gender Specialist, presented the gender initiatives undertaken by the program, which included the inclusion of women in paid physical labor and in their participation in the planning and decision-making for social development issues at the community level. This is part of the community-driven development (CDD) strategy employed by KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP to ensure that citizens get involved in the development process. Matthew Bohn, the MCC Vice-President for Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, who provided the introduction for Kalahi-CIDSS or the predecessor of KALAHI CIDSS-NCDPP, praised the program implementation, having served as the MCC Resident Country Director for the Philippines in the past. Similarly, the gender initiatives undertaken by KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP were well-received by the participants from the different Millennium Challenge Accounts (MCAs), the country counterparts of the MCCs, as well as by the MCC team. Turiano was the only representative from an implementing agency out of all the participants during the SGA College. The others were MCC and SGA officials and consultants of the different MCAs. Partnership Since 2011, the MCC, through the Millennium Challenge Account-Philippines (MCA-P), has been a partner of DSWD in the implementation of KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP, then called Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS). The KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP implementation using the US$120,000,000 grant from MCC started in May 2011 and will end by May 2016. MCC also provided the Gender Incentive Grant (GIG) amounting to US$1,000,000 outside of the abovementioned amount to help resolve gender issues that can affect the participation of men and women in local development, support the gender mainstreaming agenda of KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP, and leverage the use of the 5% Gender and Development funds of participating local government units. DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that the DSWD is honored for being chosen by the MCC as the representative of the Philippines in highlighting the importance of women in community development. “All too often, women are left behind in the development process because their roles are often seen by their own families, especially those that are from far-flung rural areas, as being limited to the home. In KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP, we proved that they have the capacity to go beyond that. Through their participation in the program, women have seen for themselves that they can work to earn income to help support their families, that they can become leaders”, she said. “We are proud of our women community volunteers”, she added. Aside from DSWD’s KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP, the MCC also provided funding support for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Secondary National Roads Development Project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Western and Eastern Samar. KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP is the expansion into a national scale of operations of the community-driven development (CDD) approach, which was tried and proven effective by Kalahi-CIDSS. It targets the coverage of 847 of the poorest municipalities in the country. CDD puts power back in the hands of the people by giving them the opportunity to make informed decisions on locally identified options for development and manage resources to implement sub-projects that address needs identified by communities themselves. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is an independent U.S. foreign aid agency created in 2004 to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals by helping countries promote economic growth. MCA-P is a Philippine entity responsible for managing the implementation of the $4334-million grant (“Compact”) from the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation. The Compact is focused on reducing poverty through economic growth by funding projects in tax administration reform, community-driven development, and roads rehabilitation. For more information about KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP, please visit http://ncddp.dswd.gov.ph. |
| Prosecutors in Ruby Rose Barrameda slay case win in the Supreme Court |
| Source: http://www.doj.gov.ph |
| In a Decision dated 17 September 2014, but received only
recently, the Supreme Court resolved two petitions connected
with the death of Ruby Rose Barrameda. Both petitions - one
filed by accused Manuel J. Jimenez, Jr. (G.R. No. 209195), and
another filed by People of the Philippines (G.R. No. 209215) -
were decided in favor of the Prosecution. I. Ruling on the first petition, the Supreme Court upheld the Decision of the Court of Appeals, which held that RTC-Malabon Branch 170 Judge ZALDY B. DOCENA did not act with grave abuse of discretion when he ordered the discharge of MANUEL A. MONTERO as a state witness. It may be remembered that, in 2009, Montero, a former employee of BSJ Company owned by the Jimenezes, executed sworn statements confessing his participation in the killing of Ruby Rose Barrameda, and naming Manuel J. Jimenez, Jr. (JIMENEZ), Lope Jimenez, Lennard A. Descalso alias "Spyke", Robert Ponce alias "Obet", and Eric Fernandez as his co-conspirators. His statements provided the details on where the alleged steel casing containing the body of Ruby Rose was dumped, and led to the recovery of her cadaver, still encased in a drum and stern casing, near or practically at the place that Montero pointed to. Initially, the RTC's Acting Presiding Judge Hector B. Almeyda denied the motions to discharge Montero as state witness filed by both Montero and the People of the Philippines, on the supposed grounds that the prosecution failed to clearly show that Montero was not the most guilty or, at best, the least guilty among the accused, and that his statements were not corroborated by the other evidence on record. Disagreeing from such finding, then newly appointed regular judge of the RTC, Judge Docena, reconsidered and reversed Judge Almeyda's order. Thereafter, JIMENEZ assailed Judge Docena's ruling, first, before the Court of Appeals and, thereafter, before the Supreme Court. In agreeing with the Court of Appeals, and thereby upholding the action of Judge Docena, the Supreme Court expressly found that all the requisites under Section 17, Rule 119 of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure have been complied with, including, among others, that: (1) there is absolute necessity for the testimony of Montero, considering that “not one of the accused-conspirators, except Montero, was willing to testify on the alleged murder of Ruby Rose and their participation in her killing”; hence, “[h]e alone is available to provide direct evidence of the crime”; (2) Montero's testimony can be substantially corroborated, considering that all that is required, for purposes of the motion to discharge, is "that the testimony of the accused sought to be discharged be substantially corroborated in its material points, not on all points." The Court found that the corroborated statements of Montero “are far more material than the inconsistencies pointed out by JIMENEZ,” which are “matters that should properly be dealt with during the trial proper.” (3) Montero is not the most guilty. The Supreme Court clarified that “a state witness does not need to be found to be the least guilty”, only that “he or she should not ... 'appear to be the most guilty'.” It also clarified that it is not correct to state that the principal by inducement in a conspiracy is automatically: more guilty than the principal by direct participation, or vice versa; what are controlling are the specific acts of the accused in relation to the crime committed. In the case of Montero, the Supreme Court found. that “while [he] was part of the planning, preparation and execution stage as most of his co-accused hd been, he had no direct participation in the actual killing of Ruby Rose,” and that his "participation was limited to providing the steel box where the drum containing the victim's body was placed, welding the steel box to seal the cadaver inside, operating the skip or tug boat, and, together with co-accused, dropping the steel box containing the cadaver into the sea." According to the Supreme Court, “[t]o the prosecution belongs the control of its case and this Court cannot dictate on its choice in the discharge of a state witness, save only where the legal requirements have not been complied with." In the present case, the Court found that the requisites have been complied with and that "[t]he discharge of Montero as a state witness was procedurally sound." It further explained that "[t]he prosecution's right to prosecute gives it a wide range of discretion – the discretion of whether, what and whom to charge, the exercise of which depends on a smorgasbord of factors which are best appreciated by prosecutors.” II. Ruling on the second petition, the Supreme Court found the People's contentions meritorious and modified the Court of Appeals' amended decision, insofar as the latter court "held that while the case does not call for mandatory inhibition, it should still be raffled to another sala for trial on the merits to avoid any claim of bias and prejudice." The Supreme Court noted that the Court of Appeals “did not provide factual or legal support when it ordered the inhibition of Judge Docena” and, furthermore, it “did not find JIMENEZ'[s] arguments sufficiently persuasive.” It explained that “inhibition must be for just and valid causes. The mere imputation of bias or partiality is ikewise not enough ground for fjudges'] inhibition, especially when the charge is without basis.” It went to reiterate the “well-established” rule “that inhibition is not allowed at every instance that a schoolmate or classmate appears before the judge as counsel for one of the parties. A judge, too, is not expected to automatically inhibit himself from acting in a case involving a member of his fraternity, such as JIMENEZ in the present case.” In the present case, the Supreme Court found that JIMENEZ's allegation of bias and prejudice is negated by the Court of Appeals' finding in its amended decision, affirmed by the Supreme Court, that Judge Docena did not gravely abuse his discretion in granting the motion to discharge. |
| Foreign Direct Investments sustain Net Inflows in August; First eight months level reaches US$4.3 billion |
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph |
| Foreign direct investments (FDI) sustained net inflows in August
2014 totaling US$299 million, more than twice the year-ago level
of US$141 million.1,2 By FDI component, net inflows of equity
capital increased significantly (by 329.9 percent) to US$180
million in August 2014 from US$42 million during the same period
last year. This was due to the rise in equity capital placements
(by 107.6 percent), coupled with the decline in equity capital
withdrawals (by 83.7 percent). Equity capital investments in
August—which came mostly from the United States, Thailand, the
Netherlands, Sweden and Singapore—were channeled mainly to the
financial and insurance; manufacturing; transportation and
storage; real estate; and administrative and support services
sectors. In addition, investments in debt instruments issued by
local affiliates in the form of loans and debt securities
increased by 31.7 percent year-on-year to US$59 million from
US$45 million. This developed as parent companies abroad
continued to lend funds to their local subsidiaries/affiliates
to fund existing operations and expand their businesses in the
country. Meanwhile, reinvestment of earnings increased by 9.9
percent to US$59 million during the period. On a cumulative basis, net FDI inflows increased by 59 percent to US$4.3 billion from US$2.7 billion as all major FDI components registered increases. FDI inflows remained robust, buoyed by investors’ confidence in the economy on the back of the country’s sound macroeconomic fundamentals. In particular, investments in debt instruments expanded by 58.1 percent to US$2.7 billion from US$1.7 billion. Net equity capital placements also rose by 64.7 percent to US$1 billion from US$635 million as the US$1.1 billion drop in equity capital withdrawals more than offset the US$734 million decline in equity capital placements. The bulk of equity capital investments during the period—coming largely from the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Thailand—was channeled to the financial and insurance; real estate; manufacturing; transportation and storage; and wholesale and retail trade sectors. Reinvestment of earnings reached US$517 million, higher by 52.8 percent than the US$338 million recorded last year. |
| DOF hosts International Tax Forum 12-14 November |
| Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph |
| Forum convenes international experts to discuss best practices
in tax policy and enforcement The Department of Finance is hosting the International Tax Forum, a dialogue on taxation in the context of ASEAN Regional Integration, from 12-14 November, 2014, at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati City. The International Tax Forum (ITF) convenes various experts and professionals from national government agencies, international financial and development institutions, the private sector, as well as academe and civil society to discuss relevant issues on taxation in light of regional integration and economic opportunities brought about by the upcoming ASEAN economic integration in 2015. “We host this International Tax Forum in light of the ASEAN economic integration in 2015, knowing that countries in the region need to update and improve both tax policy and implementation to boost competitiveness, ensure fairness, and promote inclusive growth. Countries like the Philippines have much to gain in inviting experts with rich experiences on these issues to share best practices and innovations on taxation,” DOF Undersecretary Jeremias N. Paul, Jr. of the Domestic Finance Group said. Secretary of Finance Cesar V. Purisima welcomed the forum saying, “We look forward to a dialogue with our neighbors and experts in light of our continuing efforts to effectively enforce a fair and equitable tax structure that would raise enough revenues to fund sustainable, inclusive growth.” High-level officials who develop and implement tax policy will share experiences, information, and developments on tax reforms with and among ASEAN and emerging countries. Insights from multilateral development and financial organizations will also be heard in the forum as the Philippines and other ASEAN countries continue to explore innovations and enhancements in tax enforcement, sustainable health financing, and equitable tax policy. Recently appointed UN tax expert Commissioner Kim Henares of the Bureau of Internal Revenue is expected to speak on the Philippine experience with taxation and best practices moving forward. “As the Philippines continues to experience growth in an increasingly globalized world, we are very keen to share and learn with experts and our neighbors to improve enforcement of an effective tax system. As we continue to keep on track with our goal 16.6% tax effort by 2016, we remember that we owe it to the Filipino people to collect the right taxes to fund investments and services they deserve,” Commissioner Henares said. Discussions will include best practices in tax enforcement such as tax treaties, exchange of information, accounting, and other tax administration issues. Addressing base erosion and profit shifting, as well as exploring sustainable financing for public health, are also slated to be covered by the forum. Experiences and insights on the Global TIN, as well as taxation of capital markets, e-commerce, and extractive industries, will be shared by officials who have a significant grasp of the issues involved. The forum will also discuss how best to craft a code of conduct for granting tax incentives to balance competitiveness and fairness. Finally, the forum will consider the role tax policy plays in driving growth and reducing inequality. Interesting debates between consumption taxes and income taxes, as well as subsidy and tax relief, will also be highlighted in pursuit of an inclusive and equitable tax system. Officials from the Department of Finance, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Thailand Revenue Department, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Asian Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation are expected to speak at the forum. Partner experts from the private sector, such as Development Alternatives Incorporated, Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co., and the National Competitiveness Council are also slated to offer valuable insights. Members of the media, academe, youth, and other civil society organizations are also invited to attend. The event will be live tweeted using the hashtag #IntlTaxForum from 12-14 November, 2014. |
| PHLPost, Customs to simplify examination and delivery of mail parcels |
| Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph |
| The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) and the Bureau of
Customs (BOC) ink a landmark Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that
will make the process of clearing and delivery of parcels and
other mail matters faster and simpler, benefitting thousands of
consumers and Philippine residents who rely on the postal
service to send and receive packages from abroad. The MOA
rationalizes and simplifies the joint operations and customs
processes between PHLPost and BOC, superseding policies and
procedures that have not been updated since 1973. “This refinement in the processes will be beneficial to the common Filipino, the Filipino worker, and the Filipino family who receive gifts and buy items from abroad. The streamlined method will speed up the system with a centralized design in collecting duties and taxes so that items get released faster. It took painstaking efforts from the present administration of both PHLPost and BOC to synergize and institute significant reforms, but more than the profit, our ultimate goal is to serve the people, especially that the holiday season is coming,” said PHLPost Postmaster General and CEO Josie Dela Cruz. Under the MOA, PHLPost and BOC shall centralize examination and assessment of customs duties for all parcels and mail matters at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) for those that arrived by air and at the Surface Mail Exchange Department (SMED) for those conveyed by sea. BOC will close down all other customs facilities and operations in other post offices and distribution centers nationwide and designates PHLPost as its authorized collecting agent. Both agencies will adopt a system for screening, sorting and inspection of all letters, parcels and express mail items, including procedures for items tagged for further examination. BOC will ensure 24/7 manning of customs examination and assessment operations at both CMEC and SMED. The MOA further states a customs clearance time of 24 hours from arrival at CMEC or SMED for time-sensitive mail like the Express Mail Service, 48 hours for registered mail and small packets, and 72 hours for air parcels, and surface mail except for items tagged for further examination. PHLPost will set-up help desks to contact addressees of mail matters for tax dues based on Customs’ assessment, before delivery right at the doorstep of the claimant’s house. “It is important for the public to understand that all mail and parcels may be subject to customs examination, duties, taxes and other fees. What our agreement with PHLPost provides is convenience— clear, simple and transparent processes for assessment, appraisal and collection of customs duties and other import charges from letter posts, parcel posts, and express mail items,” said Customs Commissioner John P. Sevilla. The improvements to the inter-operability and regulations between the two agencies are also expected to attune the handling of mail matters with current market demands and service standard requirements of the Universal Postal Union and the World Customs Organization. It also augurs well for the country’s compliance with ASEAN integration incorporating borderless trade and economies. |
| Baldoz bares criteria and mechanics for the DOLE’s top performing regional offices and personnel awards |
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph |
| “Prepare yourselves to be qualified.” Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said this yesterday as she released the mechanics and criteria for the DOLE’s awards program for top performing regional offices and personnel as well as for the Secretary Best Documentary Awards. These special citation programs are part of the DOLE Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE). “By virtue of DOLE Administrative Order No. 196, Series of 2005, the department is not precluded to establish awards and packages, whether it be monetary or non-monetary, for its exceptional performing offices or personnel, hence, this DOLE’s PRAISE program,” Baldoz explained. For this year, the DOLE is handing out five awards as recognition of its milestones for the last four years. These are the outstanding DOLE Regional Office Award, the Outstanding DOLE Personnel Award, the Milestones in DOLE Programs and Services Award, the Secretary’s Best Documentary Award, and the Special Citations on Innovations Award. For the Outstanding Regional Office Award, the criteria shall be: (1) consistency of performance, to be evaluated based on physical accomplishments of the regional office as reflected in the Office Performance Commitment and Review (OPCR), comprising 60 percent of the over-all rating; (2) good management, based on financial management, like funds utilization and funds accountability; (3) integrity, based on absence of administrative complaints and cases against its officers and personnel, Citizen’s Charter or ARTA implementation, based on absence of client’s complaint; and (4) capacity building of staff which comprises 40% of the total rating. The mechanics for selection of the top regional office are: (1) all regional offices are deemed nominees; (2) award shall be given in each of the 3 categories of the regional offices, determined by labor force, gross regional domestic product, and number of establishment, the categories are (A) Category A—Regions NCR, III, IV-A, VI, and VII; (B) Category B—Regions I, V, X, XI, and XII; and (C) Category C—Regions II, IV-B, VIII, IX, CAR and CARAGA; (3) the DOLE Performance Management Team (PMT) shall evaluate the performance of the nominees and endorse the evaluation to the DOLE PRAISE Committee before 21 November 2014; and (4) the DOLE Praise Committee shall screen and evaluate the findings of the PMT and endorse such to the Secretary for approval. For the second award, the Outstanding DOLE Personnel Award, is to be given to the DOLE personnel who has demonstrated exemplary service in each of the core values described in the DOLE Code of Conduct. These are commitment to public interest, responsiveness to the public, justness and sincerity, simple living, political neutrality, commitment to democracy, nationalism and patriotism, and professionalism. For this Award, the head of office or agency shall nominate the candidate; his nomination shall be submitted to the DOLE Human Resource Development Services (HRDS) on or before 17 November 2014, the nomination shall be supported by critical incident report, client feedback report and narration of peers/superiors/subordinates. The PMT shall evaluate the nominations and submit to the PRAISE Committee on 21 November 2014. The PRAISE Committee shall screen and evaluate the findings of the PMT then submit such to the Secretary for approval. The Milestones in DOLE Programs and Services Award will be awarded to the top regional office which demonstrated outstanding performance in DOLE programs and services from 2011 to 2013. Criteria for judging are (1) consistency of performance, to be evaluated based on accomplishments of the nominated program/project of the regional office as reflected in its OPCR, 60 percent ; and (2) innovations, based on improvements in terms of reduced process cycle time (PCT) and better access of clients, 40 percent. For this Award, all programs and projects of the regional offices are considered nominees; bureaus will submit the list of programs wherein the regional office nominees participates to before the PMT thru the HRDS on or before 17 November 2014; and three regional offices will be awarded based on the above-mentioned categories. The PMT shall evaluate the performance of the regional offices and submit their evaluation to the PRAISE Committee before 21 November 2014; and upon the endorsement of the PMT, the PRAISE Committee will endorse such to the Secretary for approval. The Secretary’s Best Documentary Award is a creative and relevance-driven award, which seeks to recognize the finest and exemplary milestones in the programs and services of the DOLE regional offices and attached agencies. It seeks to highlight the effect and impact of DOLE programs and services to the lives of the DOLE beneficiaries. It also highlights the significant contribution of DOLE offices, with emphasis on the demonstration of quality, integrity, creativity, originality, and over-all excellence of the offices. For this award, a separate guideline shall be issued. The fifth award, the Special Citations on Innovations, will be given to an attached agency which has undertaken significant innovations in its programs and services resulting to improvements in the delivery of services to its clients through reduced PCT and better access. For this Award, the head of attached agencies shall nominate to the PMT thru the HRDS on or before 17 November 2014; the PMT, upon evaluation, shall endorse its findings to the PRAISE Committee before 21 November 2014; and (3) the PRAISE Committee shall submit its evaluation to the Secretary for approval. “These DOLE programs aim to motivate more DOLE’s offices and personnel in working harder for the delivery of excellent public services to its clients,” Baldoz said. “May these awards inspire the DOLE in moving forward and leading the way towards global progress,” Baldoz continues. Prizes for the following awards are: (1) Outstanding DOLE Regional Directors and DOLE Personnel—P5,000 per individual; (2) Best Office—P10,000 per office; (3) Milestones in DOLE Programs and Services—P7,500 per program; and (4) Secretary Best Documentary Award—to be announced. Funding for these awards shall be from the savings of the office or agency allocated for the DOLE PRAISE program, however, may be adjusted, subject to availability of funds. The awarding will be on the celebration of the DOLE’s 81st Anniversary on 8 December 2014. |
| DOLE’s POLO Al-Khobar continues repatriation of Mohammad Al-Mojil Group workers |
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph |
| Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda upon receiving a report from the Philippine Overs in Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the repatriation of nine Filipino workers roup (MMG) company. Based from the report of Labor Attache Alejandro Padaen, POLO AL-Khobar, eight of the were repatriated on 28 October 2014; the last OFW will be repatriated on 9 November 2014. OFWs Manuel Martin, Dexter Sioson, Alvin Waje, Ruel Remorin, Modesto Campo, Erwin Magbuo, and Ronald Siapno were the first batch of OFWs repatriated, while Ronnie Magoncia will return to Manila on 9 November 2014. The MMG, a group of companies providing construction (industrial and civil), marine, fabrication, and engineering services in the KSA and the UAE, employs about 5,200 Filipino workers mostly pipe fitters, iron workers, welders instrumentation technicians, heaKSA, and has been reported to be experiencing heavy losses for the past several years. A series of meetings were conducted between the POLO-Al-Khobar and the company to coordinate in resolving ised contracts of Filipino workers employed by the MMG, as well as settlement of monetary claims by the workers. “The MMG management has initially committed to the POLO in Al Khobar the payment of the salaries, benefits, and end-of-service benefits of the workers. In fact, it has paid their salary for July 2014,” said Baldoz. An initial report from the POLO-Al-Khobar stated that the company has repatriated 328 workers from January “We assure our workers both those who had been repatriated and those who are still in the project sites that the DOefits,” Baldoz said. “We have requested MMG to fully explore the option of transferring Filipino workers to other companies,” Dela Fuente said in his report. |
| DTI receives Phil-Am business delegation |
| Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph |
| The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the
Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) and the Philippine
Consulate General in New York, recently received a 12-member
business mission composed of Philippine American Chamber of
Commerce (PACC) members who are keen on exploring investment
opportunities in the Philippines. “We want to do a trade mission back home to the Philippines. We think that there has been a lot good news on the Western front about the Philippines,” President Michael Nierva, who led the delegation, said in an interview at the sidelines of the economic and investment briefing organized by the DTI and Board of Investments (BOI). Nierva cited stock market returns, investment grade ratings by credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poor's, Moody’s and Fitch, and gross domestic product (GDP) of the country. He added that it is good time to convince US companies to do business in the Philippines. In welcoming the delegates and moderating the discussions during the briefing, Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC) Trade Service Officer Michael Alfred V. Ignacio said that it is a good time to invest in the Philippines considering its current economic gains and full integration to the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015. “The Philippines is lucky to have Filipino expatriates who are very successful in their own professional fields and willing to come back and help the country,” Ignacio said. During the briefing, the delegation was presented with the Philippine advantage and investment opportunities in key sectors as well as the country’s macroeconomic performance and economic development plan. The group met with executives of local and multinational companies, financial institutions, potential business partners, as well as leaders and officials of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), American Chamber of Commerce (ACC), Joint Foreign Chambers, US Department of Commerce, Makati Business Club, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF), and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). Nierva noted that they had many previous trade missions in the country but did not have one in about seven or eight years. The PACC is composed of different sectors such as arts and entertainment, energy and natural resources, entrepreneurship, financial, healthcare, import and export, legal, manufacturing, retail and hospitality, social advocacy, student and youth, and technology. For this year, the entrepreneurship, health care, financial, import and export, and social advocacy sectors have joined the delegation. Nierva, who works as managing director at J.P. Morgan in New York, noted that it is also good to get it to the next level, that is, to push in getting sales and front office people in the country. “I would like to get more companies to do the front office work here (Philippines) instead of just the call center stuff,” Nierva said. The PTIC in New York, currently led by Special Trade Representative Michelle Fatima S. Sanchez, has been working with the PACC in various projects and undertakings related to Philippine trade and investments. |
| DTI-R2 steps up conduct of Diskwento Caravan |
| Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph |
| For the period January to August 2014, the Department of Trade
and Industry in Region 2 (DTI-Region 2) has conducted 10 runs of
the Enhanced Diskwento Caravan regionwide, generating total
sales of P2.4M with some 7,844 beneficiaries. DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo deems this department initiative, undertaken all over the country in partnership with local government units and the private business sectors, as one measure to provide relief to consumers from the rising prices of goods. This program endeavours to encourage manufacturers, distributors and retailers to offer basic and prime commodities including school supplies at prices discounted from 10- to 50% of the prevailing prices. There was an enthusiastic response from the companies in the area that counted the following: Grupo Marilen Inc., Isabela Bags, Isabela Prime Distribution, Laicom Sales and Promotion Inc., P&G/U-Profit Sales and Distribution, Pandayan Bookshop, Savemore Market, Market Strategic Firm/SM Store, Lighthouse Cooperative, Zenco Footsteps, Marikina Shoe Exchange, JM Quality Store, Baker’s Percent Bakeshop, Happy Boutique, National Food Authority, Vita’s Trading, Golden AG Merchandize, Ideal Bazaar, Fe Lumaban Leathercraft, Precious Wynner RTW, 3PM Enterprises and Two Kings RTW, among others. Likewise, other government agencies were ready program collaborations with TESDA offering free massage, pedicure, manicure and haircut; DENR and DA providing free seeds and seedlings; not to mention NFA selling rice at the popular discounted prices. For the last quarter of 2014, DTI-Region 2 has scheduled Diskwento Caravans focusing on Noche Buena products. |
| Security guards man posts in Camp Crame gates |
| Source: http://pnp.gov.ph |
| Seventy-three (73) security guards of Right Eight Security
Agency (RESA) Inc. were deployed in the four (4) gates of the
PNP National Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Saturday
(November 8) in line with the earlier pronouncements of the
Chief PNP, Director General Alan La Madrid Purisima, to deploy
desk-bound police officers in the field. According to Police Chief Superintendent Albert C Supapo, Acting Director of PNP Headquarters Support Service, said guards were also directed to man other Camp facilities in particular to Officer’s Row Gate (1SG), Transformation Oval Parking (1SG), NHQ Lobby (1SG and 1Lady Guard), NHQ Back Parking (1SG), NHQ North Wing (1SG), and NHQ South Wing (1SG); while four (4) other security guards will serve as roving guards. PCSupt Supapo added that a 3-day Briefing was conducted 2-days before the official deployment of security guards to orient them on their duties and responsibilities, location and familiarization of different areas inside camp, procedures at the gates, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during different alert status. The deployment of guards is rotated in three (3) eight-hour shifts to make sure that the security inside the camp is continuous day and night. PNP Director for Operations, Police Director Ricardo C Marquez said that the hiring of security guards is part of the pace to further increasing police presence in the communities by maximizing the deployment of personnel for preventive patrol and visibility operations. (PNP-PIO) |
| Educators increase access to schools; donate bikes to students living in far-flung areas in Cebu |
| Source: http://www.deped.gov.ph |
| Cebu City—The Philippine Educators Association of CESOs and
Eligibles, Inc. (PEACE) handed over 18 bicycles to students of
Lusaran National High School in support of the Department of
Education’s (DepEd) Pedals and Paddles Project, a campaign to
bring boats and bikes to schoolchildren in far-flung areas
aiming to boost access to education. Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC underscored that the department remains committed to the delivery of quality basic education to Filipino learners—especially to those who live in areas where transportation remains a challenge. He said, “We want to let every student know that we have not forgotten them and that they are not alone.” The aim of the Pedals and Paddles Project is to ease the travel time of students through the distribution of boats and bicycles in communities that need them the most. DepEd Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali, who also is the President of PEACE, emphasized that no learners should be left behind in education. “Through Pedals and Paddles, we hope to help students who live far from their schools, and in turn, improve their performance in school by reducing their travel time.” He added, “Through Pedals and Paddles, we want to encourage students to attend school and perform better. We aim to bring the school to Filipino children.” The Pedals and Paddles Project is a partnership campaign between DepEd, Bike for the Philippines, and Yellow Boat of Hope. Umali said that the Department together with its partners from the non-government organizations, private sector, and other government agencies remains committed in the delivery of education to the Filipino learners. The turnover ceremony was attended by DepEd Region VII Director Carmelita Dulangon, DepEd Cebu Schools Division Superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud, and Bike for the Philippines Founder Joel Uichico. |
| PH’s 15.7 percent exports growth in September 2014 leads East, Southeast Asian economies anew |
| Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph |
| MANILA— Philippine merchandise exports grew by 15.7 percent in
September 2014, once again topping trade-oriented economies in
East and Southeast Asia since June, according to the National
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). “The country’s export performance for the last two quarters of 2014 culminated remarkably despite slower growth in July (12.4%) and in August (10.5%). From a peak of 21.3 percent in June 2014, the latest merchandise export growth outturn signals the rebound of the exports sector, even surpassing most economies in the region during the period,” said Deputy Director-General and currently NEDA Officer in Charge Rolando G. Tungpalan. The Philippines outperformed People’s Republic of China (15.3%), Vietnam (14.4%), Republic of Korea (6.9%), Taiwan (4.7%), Indonesia (3.9%), Thailand (3.2%), Malaysia (3.0%), and Hong Kong (1.0%). Meanwhile, Japan and Singapore posted negative growth at -1.2 percent and -1.6 percent, respectively. Total revenues from exports rose to US$5.8 billion during the period from US$5.1 billion in September 2013, due to increased overseas sales of manufactures, petroleum, and forest products. To date, total export revenues increased by 9.9 percent from US$42.4 billion in the same period last year to US$46.6 billion. Revenues from manufactured products registered its highest year-on-year growth thus far in 2014 at 19.7 percent to reach US$5.0 billion from US$4.2 billion in September 2013. “Supporting this growth are the strong gains from machinery and transport products, as well as the continued solid expansion of electronics exports especially in semiconductors and electronic data processing. Worth noting are the higher outward shipments of chemical products and the resurgence of coconut oil exports,” said Tungpalan. Seen as an emerging important revenue earner, chemical products posted a 94.6 percent increase in export volume to Japan, PR China, India, Malaysia, Taiwan and Hong Kong, which accounted for more than 90 percent of the country’s total export volume of chemicals during the period. “Exports of chemical products has increased market share from 3.0 percent share to total exports in 2010 to 5.0 percent in 2013. For the month of September 2014, chemical products contributed 7.2 percentage points to exports growth alone,” said Tungpalan. “These developments largely reflect the upbeat condition of global manufacturing activity,” he added. Meanwhile, outward shipments for petroleum products was higher by 53.2 percent to US$83.8 million in September 2014 from $54.7 million in the same month in 2013. Similarly, higher external demand for logs and lumber increased revenues from forest products at 21.4 percent, amounting to US$8.22 million in September 2014 from S$6.77 million in the same period last year. Tungpalan noted that despite the slower pace of recovery in the global economy, the September 2014 merchandise exports performance hints of a positive mood across some markets, at least for the country’s top trading partners such as China, Singapore, Germany, South Korea, Thailand, and the Netherlands. “Overall, total exports is expected to continue to post positive gains during the remaining months of the year owing to the holiday season. The Japanese and the US markets will likely boost Philippine exports for the remaining months given the recent optimism building up in the Japanese manufacturing sector and the broad-based expansion in industrial production in the US,” he said. Japan remains as the country’s top export market accounting for 29.6 percent of our total revenue from merchandise exports during the period. The USA came second with a 13.6 percent share, followed by PR China with 10.5 percent. In terms of regional destination, outward shipments to East Asia (PR China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Macau, Mongolia, and North Korea) comprised 56.3 percent of the country’s total exports. This is followed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-countries with 13.9 percent share, and the European Union (EU) with 10.4 percent. DDG Tungpalan is the OIC of the NEDA Secretariat while Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan is on official business abroad. |
| Philippines, Bangladesh sign MOU on Sports Cooperation |
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph |
| 10 November 2014 – The Philippine Sports Commission, represented
by its Chairman, Mr. Ricardo Garcia, and Ambassador John Gomes,
representing the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bangladesh,
signed the “Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the
Philippine Sports Commission of the Republic of the Philippines
and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the People’s Republic of
Bangladesh on Sports Cooperation” on November 05 at the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The MOU provides a framework for cooperation between the Philippines and Bangladesh in the field of sports. The two countries agreed to work together in sports education, sports science, including sports medicine and anti-doping measures, sports training, and other areas of sports as may be mutually decided. Areas of cooperation will include exchange of officials-in-charge of sports policy-making, sports experts, coaches; participation in conferences, symposia, seminars and exhibitions; exchange of printed materials and date, and organization and convening of joint sporting events between the two countries. The MOU aims to strengthen and develop bilateral relations between the Philippines and Bangladesh through the promotion of cooperation in sports as well as to secure benefits from mutual cooperation in this area. |
| PHL Embassy in Doha participates in Asean Committee in Doha’s Table Tennis Tournament 2014 |
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph |
| 10 November 2014 - The Philippine Embassy in Doha, State of
Qatar participated in the Table Tennis Tournament 2014 of the
ASEAN Committee in Doha (ACD) on October 18 held at the Brunei
Embassy in Doha. Ms. Sorhaya Dilabakun and Ms. Liza Dean bagged the championship of the Women’s Double category. Mme. Naomi Relacion was the runner-up in the Wives of the Ambassadors division. Vice Consul Melvin Almonguera and Mr. John Dan Elijah Fajardo were the runner-up in the Men’s Double category. And, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin and Fay dela Paz were the runner-up in the Mixed Double division. Since its establishment on 12 December 2011, ACD has organized activities to foster camaraderie among the ASEAN Missions in Doha. Currently, there are seven ASEAN resident embassies in Doha, namely, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. |
| CPWASH to improve the living conditions of farmers in the rural community of Quezon |
| Source: http://dar.gov.ph |
| The local government of San Antonio in the province of Quezon
has allotted P500,000.00 fund for 2015 to implement Community
Managed Potable Water Sanitation and Hygiene Project (CPWASH) in
20 barangays of the said province to provide them with potable
drinking water and protect them from water-borne diseases. San Antonio Mayor Erick Wagan of San Antonio has expressed his full support to the project because of its dependability, especially during rainy season. “The project would benefit more than 1000 households in the municipality, around 900 of which are agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs),” he said. After typhoons Glenda and Mario devastated the town this year, Bulihan-Arawan cluster and Briones, Callejon, Del Valle agrarian reform communities’ (ARCs) only sources of clean water are the two CPWASH projects in their area, which are not enough to supply their water requirements, thus, the need to add more units. Del Valle MPC Coop Chairperson Nenita dela Vega said they never expected the impact of the project at so short a time after its installation in the area. “Thanks to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for being persistent in putting up that project in partnership with our local government,” she added. “The project made us realize the importance of CPWASH in the rural areas. We are glad that more ARCS will receive this project,” dela Vega said. |
| BI launches "Sa Immigration Magsumbong" reward and incentive program |
| Source: http://www.immigration.gov.ph |
| MANILA, Philippines – Anchored on the “Bad Guys Out, Good Guys
In” program of Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Siegfred
B. Mison, the BI launched a Reward and Incentive Program
granting monetary reward to any person who shall report to the
BI any overstaying foreign national that will result to
apprehension. Under Immigration Memorandum Circular No. SBM-2014-017 signed on October 27, 2014, “Sa Immigration Magsumbong” aims to identify all temporary visitors or tourists who have stayed in the country beyond their authorized stay or commonly known as “overstaying aliens”. Individuals or groups with personal and qualified information on overstaying foreign nationals may report such fact to the BI’s National Operations Center (BINOC) through text message (SMS) to the following mobile phone numbers: Globe:  +63917-573-3871 ;
Smart: +63908-894-6644 ; Sun: +63932-894-6644.Reports containing the pertinent information must specifically be sent in the following format: SIM <space> Full Name of Foreigner <space> Complete Address <space> Name of Informant. Upon sending of the message, the informant will receive a reply from the BI acknowledging receipt with a statement that such information will be verified and validated. Once validated, the informant will be advised of the results of the verification and investigation. A financial incentive of Php 2,000.00 shall be given to the informant upon successful apprehension of the overstaying alien. Any information received by the BI will be treated with utmost confidentiality. |
| Clemente is new Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas |
| Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph |
| President Benigno Aquino III has appointed Atty. Paul Elmer
Clemente as the new Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas. Atty. Clemente first joined the Office of the Ombudsman in 1995 as Graft Investigation Officer I in the Office of the Chief Legal Counsel (OCLC). He served as OCLC Director and Acting Assistant Ombudsman until his resignation in 2006. In 2012, he rejoined the office and was appointed as Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II assigned at the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science in Economics degrees from the University of the Philippines. Clemente succeeded Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol who retired in August 2014. He formally took his oath of office before Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on 06 November 2014. |
| PH PPP roadshow in Australia set this Nov |
| Source: http://ppp.gov.ph |
| Following the success of the recent investment roadshows in
North America, Europe, Japan and Singapore, the Philippine
Government is now set to promote to Australian investors various
opportunities under the country’s Public-Private Partnership
(PPP) Program this November. To drum up investor interest, the PPP Center will hold the Philippine PPP Investment Forum in Melbourne and Sydney Australia this November 25 and 27 respectively. This event is organized in collaboration with the Philippine Embassy in Canberra and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Sydney, and with support from the Australian Trade Commission and the Asian Development Bank TA 7796-PHI. The PPP Investment Forum will feature the robust pipeline of over 50 projects with estimated value of over USD20 billion under the PPP Program highlighting those that will be rolled-out in the coming months which include roads, railways, airports, water and healthcare projects. Australian-based investors, operators, contractors, developers, lenders and fund managers are expected to attend the said activity. PPP Center Executive Director Cosette V. Canilao and Deputy Executive Director Sherry Ann N. Austria will lead the Australian roadshow, and will be joined by officials from the Philippine Embassy in Canberra and the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney. The Australia Investment Roadshow is part of the government’s efforts to encourage more foreign players to invest in the country’s PPPs especially that there is now a steady deal flow of investment opportunities and the country’s credit ratings are at an all-time high, as evidenced by major international rating agencies’ successive upgrades. |
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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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