24-Hour Public Weather Forecast
Valid beginning: 5:00 p.m. today until 5:00 p.m. tomorrow
 Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis for 8 p.m., 15 December 2014 |  Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind Analysis for 8 p.m., 15 December 2014 |  |
Synopsis:
Forecast:
Bicol Region, CARAGA, Davao and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna,the rest of Central Luzon and the Regions of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos will have cloudy with 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 coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the east to northeast with slight to moderate seas.
GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz:
-Namataan ang isang bagong LPA sa layong 780 km sa silangan ng Mindanao.
-Mababa ang tsansang maging bagyo ito. Gayunman, magdadala ito ng katamtamang ulan sa Mindanao bukas.
-Sa Visayas, eastern at central sections ang makararanas ng pag-ulan sa hapon.
-Maghapong uulanin ang Northern Luzon bukas at sa hapon ay uulanin na rin ang Central Luzon.
-Sa Metro Manila, magiging maaliwalas sa umaga, pero sa hapon at gabi ay asahan ang ulan.
-Namataan ang isang bagong LPA sa layong 780 km sa silangan ng Mindanao.
-Mababa ang tsansang maging bagyo ito. Gayunman, magdadala ito ng katamtamang ulan sa Mindanao bukas.
-Sa Visayas, eastern at central sections ang makararanas ng pag-ulan sa hapon.
-Maghapong uulanin ang Northern Luzon bukas at sa hapon ay uulanin na rin ang Central Luzon.
-Sa Metro Manila, magiging maaliwalas sa umaga, pero sa hapon at gabi ay asahan ang ulan.
PAGASA weather forecaster Buddy Javier on DZBB:
-Ang binabantayan nating cloud cluster ay naging LPA.
-As of 4:00pm, ito ay nasa layong 780 km east of Mindanao.
-Sa loob ng 24 oras, slim ang chance na maging ganap na bagyo ito.
-Kung sakaling maging bagyo ito, ang magiging pangalan niya ay "Seniang."
-Ang binabantayan nating cloud cluster ay naging LPA.
-As of 4:00pm, ito ay nasa layong 780 km east of Mindanao.
-Sa loob ng 24 oras, slim ang chance na maging ganap na bagyo ito.
-Kung sakaling maging bagyo ito, ang magiging pangalan niya ay "Seniang."
December 16, 2014 (Tuesday) as of 6:00-7:00 A.M.
PIA4A / PIA QUEZON : Partly Cloudy in Lucena City
PIA-4A/QUEZON:
More than 1,000 residents of Atimonan benefited from the medical/dental
mission conducted recently by the Bankers Institute of the Philippines
Inc. (BAIPHIL) and SM foundation at Our Lady of Holy Angel Parish
Church, in Atimonan. BAIPHIL president Tess Galvadores said this
activity is part of their corporate social responsibility for poor
families affected by typhoon "Glenda."
DZBB:
Kinumpirma ng DFA na walang Pilipinong nadamay sa madugong
hostage-taking sa Sydney, Australia. Tumagal ng 16 na oras ang nasabing
hostage-taking at nasa 3 ang patay kabilang ang hostage-taker.
ABS-CBN:
Tanggap ng pamilya ng OFW sa Saudi Arabia na si Carlito Lana ang
pagkakalagay rito sa death row matapos na masagasaan at mabaril ang
kanyang amo. Giniit ni Lana na self-defense ang ginawa niya dahil nais
siyang patayin ng kanyang amo noong malaman na pupunta siya sa
Philippine embassy. Humiling din daw ang pamilya Lana sa Hari ng Saudi
pero hindi ito pumayag na alisin sa death row si Carlito. Sinabi ni DFA
spokesperson Charles Jose na hindi pumayag ang pamilya ng Arabo kaya
natuloy ang bitay kay Carlito. Dagdag pa nito na nagpa-convert si
Carlito sa Islam kaya inilibing din kaagad ang bangkay nito. Bukod kay
Lana, nasa death row rin ang isang Joven Esteban.
GMA:
October cash remittances grew by 7% to a record-high $2.224B from
$2.062B a year earlier, driven by steady demand for OFWs. January to
October remittances reached $19.869B, up 6.2% from $18.716B in the same
period last year. The year-to-date growth rate is above the BSP's 5.5%
forecast for 2014. The major sources of money transfers in October were
US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and Canada.
PIA-CAR/IFUGAO:
Governor Denis Habawel enjoined the 10 OFW beneficiaries of the
P27,000 Pamaskong Handog Para sa Pamilyang OFW to spend wisely the
amount given by the OWWA-CAR.
PIA-CAR/IFUGAO:
The OWWA-CAR has turned-over a total of P27,000 to ten Ifugao OFWs from
the municipalities of Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Asipulo, Hingyon,
Hungduan, Kiangan, Lagawe, Lamut and Tinoc. The said amount is funded
under the OWWA's 2014 Pamaskong Handog Para sa Pamilyang OFW program.
The 11 municipalities were allotted one slot each, however Lagawe
recommended two recipients while Banaue and Mayoyao had no recommendees.
PIA-4A/BATANGAS:
Ipinagdiriwang ngayon ang 2nd Provincial Migrants Day sa lalawigan ng
Batangas na dinaluhan ng mga pamilya ng mga OFW mula sa apat na distrito
ng lalawigan. May 22 OFW help desk na ang naitatag sa iba't ibang bayan
at lungsod na kumakalinga sa mga migrante at pamilya nito.
GMA
News TV: Ayon kay Philippine Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis sa
Sydney, Australia, base sa inisyal na ulat ng mga otoridad ay tinatayang
nasa 13 katao ang bihag ngayon ng hostage-takers sa isang cafe doon. Sa
ngayon ay wala pa silang makuhang impormasyon kung may Pinoy na
nakasama sa insidente.
Re: Beheading of Filipino in Saudi Arabia
-Kami po mismo sa DFA ay nasorpresa rin po sa 'pag-carry out ng execution ng ating kababayan na si Carlito (Lana).
-Kahit ang ating Philippine Embassy doon sa Riyadh ay hindi alam ito at nalaman na lamang matapos may ma-contact sa kanila mula sa prison.
-Dumaan siya sa isang fair trial at nag-extend tayo ng consular assistance, nag-hire tayo ng local lawyer at nakipag-negotiate din ito para sa blood money subalit hindi pumayag ang pamilya ng biktima.
-Tinulungan din ng consular affairs ang pamilya ng OFW na makapunta doon.
-May kanya-kanya po kasing customs and practice at batas ang bawat bansa.
-Ayon sa isang balita na nabasa natin, may 80 foreigners sa Saudi na nasa death row pero hindi natin alam kung ilan ang Pinoy dito.
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President Aquino to new Armed Forces officers: Follow the straight path | ||
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Palace extends condolences to family of Overseas Filipino Worker executed in Saudi Arabia | ||
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Palace hopeful that the trend in 'emergency preparedness' will continue | ||
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| Ex-Iloilo gov, 3 others sued for graft | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales found probable cause to charge
former Iloilo Governor Neil Tupas, Sr., Provincial Accountant
Lyd Tupas, Assistant Department Head Sandra Bionat, and General
Services Department Head Ramie Salcedo for violation of Section
3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act
No. 3019) in connection with the overpayment of unconsumed
electricity worth P4 million to Green Core Geothermal, Inc.
(Green Core) The complaint involves the contract entered into on 26 September 2007 by Tupas Sr. and the National Power Corporation (later assumed by NPC’s successor, Green Core) for the bulk supply of electric energy for a period of a little over four years from 26 September 2007 to 25 December 2011. Anticipating the completion of the proposed construction of the Iloilo Multi-Purpose Convention Center, the supply contract provided for an increase in the contracted energy from 185,000kWh/month to 400,000kWh/month. Due to the non-construction of the convention center in December 2009, Tupas requested the adjustment and reduction of the contract energy from 400,000kWh/month to 17,000kWh/month. In reply, Green Core applied the adjustment only for the period covering 26 June 2010 to 25 December 2011. As a result, Green Core was paid the amount representing the contracted energy of 1,084,814.50 kWh although the actual energy consumption of Iloilo was only 515,180.50kWh. A total of P5.88 million was paid to Green Core although the actual consumption of the province amounted to only P1.88 million, resulting to an overpayment of almost P4 million covering the billing period for December 2009 to April 2010. Due to the payments made, the Commission on Audit issued a Notice of Disallowance dated 11 January 2011. Meanwhile, in the related administrative case, Lyd Tupas, Bionat and Salcedo were found guilty of Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service and Neglect of Duty and were meted out the penalty of suspension from the service for one year. In the Joint Resolution, Ombudsman Morales stated that “respondents cannot sweepingly claim that they merely certified the disbursement documents to be valid, proper and legal, because if they really perused those documents they would have found the questionable nature of an electric billing that was unconsumed.” Section 3(e) of RA 3019 punishes a public officer who, in the discharge of his official functions, acts with manifest partiality, evident bad faith, or gross inexcusable negligence causing undue injury to any party, including the government, or giving any private party unwarranted benefits, advantage, or preference. |
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| BSP reports Maiden Report on Capital Ratios of Stand-Alone Banks under Basel 1.5 Framework | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The BSP Monetary Board in its meeting on 4 December 2014 noted
the maiden report on the implementation of the BSP capital
framework for the stand-alone banks, thrift banks (TBs) and
rural/cooperative banks (R/CBs) that are not subsidiaries of
universal/commercial banks (U/KBs), covered under the Basel 1.5
capital framework as provided under Circular No. 688 dated 26
May 2010, which took effect on 1 January 2012. In summary, the maiden report showed general compliance with capital adequacy ratio (CAR) under the Basel 1.5 Framework of stand-alone banks over the 2-year reporting period covering March 2012 to December 2013. The Basel 1.5 framework is a simplified version of Basel II in view of the simple operations of stand-alone banks. Basel 1.5 framework involves only a few key changes to the then existing Basel I framework. This include, among others, the increase in risk weight on foreign currency-denominated exposures to the Philippine National Government based on the country’s sovereign rating (from 0 percent to 50 percent), Real and Other Properties Acquired (from 100 percent to 150 percent) and the inclusion of capital requirement for operational risk using the Basic Indicator Approach. The stand-alone TBs’ capital position over the 2-year period remained stable with CARs (solo basis) range from 17.69 percent to 22.02 percent. Similarly, the net tier 1 ratios remained solid at 15.12 percent to 19.20 percent. On a year-on-year analysis, the overall CAR of stand-alone TBs improved to 18.07 percent in end-2013 from 17.69 percent in end-2012. The stand-alone R/CB industry over the 2-year period similarly showed stability based on their reported CARs (solo basis) ranged from 17.98 percent to 20.67 percent. On a year-on year basis, the overall CAR of stand-alone R/CBs slightly slid to 19.15 percent in end-December 2013 from 20.67 percent in end-December 2012. The combined assets of these stand-alone TBs and R/CBs accounted for 5.30 percent and 4.30 percent of the total resources of the Philippine banking system as of end-2012 and end-2013, respectively. However, in terms of operating network, the total number of offices of these banks consistently make up the bulk of the total banking industry’s structure which is 92.82 percent in 2012 and 92.57 percent in 2013. In addition, the Monetary Board also noted the Philippine banking system CARs over the 2-year reporting period of 2012 and 2013, computed by combining the CARs of stand-alone banks with the previously reported and confirmed CARs of U/KBs and its TB subsidiaries. The banking system’s CAR, which was strongly influenced by the CARs of the U/KBs, was highest at 18.01 percent (as of end-June 2013) while the lowest CAR at 16.58 percent was posted in December 2013. The CARs of the banking system as a whole, which composed of the CARs of different bank categories indicate the industry continued efforts to maintain robust capitalization. A strong capital position promotes Financial Stability by providing individual banks and the industry with an adequate buffer against unexpected losses that may arise during times of stress. |
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| PHL's GSP+ application moves forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Philippines’ application to qualify for the European Union’s
General System of Preferences Plus (GSP plus) is one step closer
to final approval by the EU Parliament with the recent favorable
endorsement of the Parliament’s Committee on International Trade
(INTA). There was an attempt to block the grant of GSP Plus
status to the Philippines at the Committee level, but was voted
down. INTA’s action paves the way for the European Parliament to
decide on the Philippines’ application in Plenary on 18 December
2014. The decision of the Committee came on the heels of a final push from a high level Philippine delegation to present the country’s case to the INTA and the GSP Monitoring Group in a joint committee hearing at the EU Parliament in Strasbourgh, France. The delegation was led by Department of Trade and Industry-Industry Development Group (DTI-IDG) Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. and composed of Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Segfredo Serrano, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE_ Undersecretary Rebecca Chato, and other officials from the Philippine Missions in Brussels and Geneva. The Meeting in Strasbourg was chaired by Member of European Parliament (MEP) Christofer Fjellner from Sweden, the Principal Rapporteur of the GSP Monitoring Group in the European Parliament. During the meeting, Cristobal presented the importance of GSP+ to the Philippines, citing the country’s impressive economic gains, good governance and anti-corruption reforms. “We have the momentum for sustained economic growth that can substantially reduce poverty in the country. A critical element for sustained growth is boosting trade with the rest of the world, and the GSP+ can create over 200,000 new jobs in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors in its early years of implementation. Most of these jobs will be in rural areas outside the major cities where they are needed the most,” Cristobal said. Serrano stressed the importance of the Fisheries sector, which could benefit immensely from GSP Plus, to the Philippine economy while Chato assured the Committee that the Philippines abides by its commitments in the various conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO). The Philippines is currently a beneficiary of the EU GSP where 2,442 products from the Philippines are exported at zero duty while 3,767 are subject to reduced tariffs. With the inclusion of the Philippines in the EU GSP+ scheme, the Philippines will get to enjoy zero duty for all 6,274 covered products, translating to increase in the country’s exports to the EU, resulting to more employment opportunities. Recalling the devastation wrought by typhoon Haiyan in the Eastern and Western Visayas and thanking the EU for their generous assistance, Undersecretary Cristobal concluded that “the EU GSP+ privilege is really a game changer for us, where hundreds of thousands of jobs in the countryside and in disaster stricken areas will be created in the short and medium term. It complements our growth strategy as well as our rehabilitation efforts in areas hard hit by typhoon Haiyan last year.” Early this year, the European Commission (EC) formally accepted the GSP+ application of the Philippines. The Commission reviewed the Philippine application, and favorably endorsed it to the two legislative bodies of the EU, namely, the Council of Ministers of the European Union (The Council) and the European Parliament (EP). Within two months, the Council issued a formal notice of “No Objection” to the proposal. The European Parliament however, requested for an additional two months to review the recommendation of the Commission. With the extension, the European Parliament must decide on the proposal not later than 18 December this year. To date, 13 countries have been granted GSP+ privileges by the European Union. If approved by the European Parliament, the Philippines would be the 14th beneficiary country of the EU GSP+ and the only GSP+ beneficiary in ASEAN, Cristobal concluded. EU is the Philippines’ 4th largest trading partner in 2013, with total bilateral trade registered at USD 12.8B. It ranks fourth as an export market for the Philippine products, accounting for 11.56% of total Philippine exports. |
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| DTI to conduct an E-Commerce Forum | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will be holding an
e-commerce forum today, 15 December 2014, to serve as a kickoff
activity for the formulation of the first Philippine E-Commerce
Roadmap. The growth of e-commerce has been remarkable, compelling many businesses worldwide to draw on the new marketplace which is known to be more convenient and efficient. The DTI, with its commitment to catalyze and facilitate growth, and enable Philippine industries, will bring together e-commerce practitioners, and other key stakeholders to discuss and benchmark the limitless growth of Philippine e-commerce. DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo said that the forum will be a good opportunity to take plan for the future of e-commerce in the country. DTI considers the holding of the forum as timely in view of the economic growth where every business can maximize the opportunities provided through the current business and economic environment. “E-commerce has enabled the development of our ICT services sector, where we were able to establish our niche in the global market. It is about time that we harness the potentials that e-commerce brings until e-commerce becomes a way of life of every Filipino,” the Trade Secretary said. The forum will be attended by various business leaders and key government officials led by Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, who will deliver the keynote message, as well as industry leaders, movers and shakers, and other stakeholders. Supervising Undersecretary for E-Commerce, Dr. Prudencio M. Reyes, Jr. noted that the forum will serve as the first of a series of fora and meetings to come up with the first e-commerce roadmap for the country. The e-commerce roadmap will cover the industry vision, goals and targets from 2015 to 2020 and will serve as the country’s blueprint in gaining the mutual commitment among the private and public sectors, academe and other stakeholders to bring forth a prolific e-commerce industry, Undersecretary Reyes reported. |
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| Do not intervene in project biddings - DPWH | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio
L. Singson appealed to politicians and other influential
personalities not to meddle or intervene in the on-going
procurement activities for DPWH infrastructure projects for CY
2015. Singson said that competitive and transparent biddings of about 9,278 projects valued at P269.7 Billion under the CY 2015 Infrastructure Program are on-going nationwide. We want to be able to award most of these contracts by 1st Quarter of 2015. “We hope to start implementation of projects in the first quarter of the coming year for us to be able to take advantage of the good weather condition”, added Singson. He also requested all contractors to abide by the public bidding rules and regulations and report any DPWH officials or employees deliberately involved in collusion and favoritism to preferred contractors. “Compete fair and square. Abide by bidding rules and regulations,” Singson told the contractors. “If any contractor observes that DPWH Bids and Awards Committee official and employees are involved in bid rigging, they can file their complaints directly to the Office of the Secretary,” added Singson. In response to allegations that some DPWH Bids and Awards Committee officials are controlling the procurement process in the past, Singson directed the elimination of the submission of Letter of Intent to encourage participation of more bidders. Contrary to past practice that bidding documents are available at the office of procuring implementing entity, and prospective bidders can download bidding documents through the DPWH website and pay at any DPWH Office nationwide. Computation of Net Financial Contracting Capacity (NFCC) is now solely based on a contractors net worth to minimize subcontracting as a business. Civil Society Organizations and other concerned external stakeholders are also invited as observer in the conduct of biddings. As part of DPWH participatory and good governance program, about 52 accredited CSO partners nationwide are now engaged to monitor and participate in project identification, budgeting process, pre-construction activities, construction and post evaluation of projects. |
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| DepEd reiterates “No Collection Policy” in public schools | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.deped.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department of Education (DepEd) reminded all public school
authorities that collection of any fees for school activities
and celebrations is strictly prohibited. Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said that contributions in public schools should be voluntary. He added that while Parents-Teachers Association may be authorized to collect financial contributions from its members to enable it to implement programs and projects (such as Christmas parties) for the benefit of the students, the fees should be voluntary and agreed upon by the members in a general assembly. Luistro urged the PTAs to minimize the amount of contributions for ceremonies and extra-curricular activities in consideration of the many expenses that parents incur in sending their children to school. He said, “The payment of such contributions shall not be made a requirement. Non-payment of voluntary school contributions shall not be made as a basis for non-admission, non-promotion, or non-issuance of clearance to a student—including the withholding of school cards.” Luistro urged all schools to keep celebrations such as Christmas parties simple yet meaningful. |
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| DOLE-Caraga gathers partners to bring Christmas cheer to 70 child laborers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz the other day joined the officials and staff of the DOLE Caraga Regional Office in bringing Christmas cheer to some 70 child laborers in Barangay Dumalagan in Butuan City, an activity which formed part of the DOLE’s 81st Foundation Anniversary celebration. The event, a gift-giving to child laborers under the DOLE’s Project Angel Tree, was hosted by Barangay Chairman Laudina J. Torrevillas. Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, in his welcome remarks delivered by City Councilor Ferdinand Nalcot, thanked Secretary Baldoz and the DOLE for the visit to the barangay. “I congratulate the DOLE family on the occasion of your 81st anniversary. This anniversary celebration is made more meaningful because for the second time, in the Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor of the US DOL, the Philippines has been listed among the 13 countries—and the only one in Asia—which has made significant advancement rating in the fight against child labor. This is made possible through the anti-child labor efforts of the DOLE under the leadership of Secretary Baldoz,” Mayor Amante said. Mayor Amante said the City of Butuan is helping address child labor by focusing on the root cause of the problem which is poverty. “Our anti-poverty measures include the adoption of the performance Governance System under the mentorship of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia. Under this system, we have redefined our vision into becoming a model for sustainable forest-based economy with the highest per capita income growth in Mindanao by the year 2020,” he said. DOLE Undersecretary Rebecca Chato and DOLE Caraga Regional Director Johnson Canete accompanied the Secretary in her visit to the remote barangay, home to some 800 families whose main livelihood is farming and—in the case of the children—bamboo barbecue stick-making. “Ours is a poor barangay. Our Internal Revenue Allotment is only P1.9 million a year and almost 50 percent of that goes to personal services. We lack potable water. To eke out a living, almost half of our residents are into this occupation. That’s why even children, although they are in school, are into barbecue stick-making,” said Barangay Captain Torrevillas. The lady barangay chief bared that families who make barbecue sticks for sale in supermarkets located as far as Manila earn at least P1,000 a week. “Barangay Dumalagan is known for its barbecue sticks,” she said with pride. The presence of child laborers in the barangay prompted the DOLE Caraga Regional Office to categorize Barangay Dumalagan as a “new frontier” under the DOLE-led convergence program on child labor, H.E.L.P. M.E. H.E.L.P. M.E., a community-based approach against child labor which has a budget of P9 billion to be implemented in four years, or from 2013 to 2016, stands for health, education, livelihood, and prevention, protection, and prosecution, while M.E. stands for monitoring and evaluation. Its goal is to free, by 2016, at least 75 percent of the 2.9 million child laborers in the country. Under H.E.L.P. M. E., a "new frontier" barangay is one that has child laborers in hazardous situation, but where initiatives have not yet been undertaken. “As a “new frontier” barangay, we have identified in Barangay Dumalagan some 70 child laborers and we are taking this initial step to remove them from child labor,” said Director Johnson, who had cobbled together a group of corporate sponsors to bring Christmas gifts to the child laborers. These companies are Richmond Plywood, United Wood, Therma Marine, Inc., Equi Parco Construction Co., Adfil Corporation, and Almont Inland Hotel. Secretary Baldoz, in her message to the children and their parents, said the DOLE-led convergence program on child labor employs the strategy of bringing down the government’s child labor programs and services in the barangay level, the lowest echelon of governance. "H.E.L.P. M.E. will contribute to the realization of the country's ultimate Millennium Development Goal of eradicating poverty through decent work," said Baldoz. The Christmas gift-giving in Barangay Dumalagan under the Angel Tree Project involved the sponsors who brought the 70 children to the mall and asked them what their Christmas wishes were, and then bought and wrapped them for the children, most of whom wished for new shoes and clothes. Some wished for slip-ons, school supplies, toys, and even a guitar and a bicycle. “We have a policy of not accepting gifts from our clients, but this Angel Tree Project is an exemption, where we ask sponsors to exercise their corporate social responsibilities and give gifts to child laborers directly,” said Baldoz who was elated to know that despite doing child work, the children remain in school. “You have to finish your studies, so you will have a brighter future,” she said. The 70 children who received their Christmas wishes in the form of gifts were Danilo Agoncillo; Jerelyn Adlawon; Jandell Alvares; MJ Clerk Amoncio; MarkJhon Ayuban; Raymond Baiwas; Mary Jane Betonio; Lanie Rose Bucio; Princess BUlanon; Bernard Canoy; James Canyas; David Casquijo; Jaynard Castillo; Januershane Comonsad; Jeson Dapal; Marygen Econar; Raven Elesarez; Jennymae Elodan; Ruby Jean Enting; Eladio Escobio III; Danilo Felicelda; Erwin Jhun Gamolo; Joshua Gardo; Ryan Gonzalvo; Jethro Gordo; Aireen Gultiano; Saramae Gutliano; Keith Jamero; Aljay Juntarcego; Jeniel Lagquerda; Mark Lapis; Lory Latonio; Niño Lumagod; Jessa Mae; Lumagod; Diane Mag-aso; Roxanne Martisano; Daisy Mata; Ladyjhean Mata; Claire Mae Mata; Mary Ann Mataganas; Ernecito Matilos; Izy Matilos; Fienna Jane Mendez; Julie Jane Palaran; Shanes Palaran; Ryan Pangandayon; Reymark Pangandayon; Gener Pelorina; Melchor Jhon Pequit; Gwendell Pequit; Jhekie Pequit; Jander Perez; Dave Perez; Jerse Pitogo; Ladyjhean Plumos; Jhnyman Plumos; Ailyn Quinaqun; Tumi Ramirez; Kevin Revalden; Merly Saang; Angie Mae Simbran; Sherwin Sombilon; John Kenneth Talibong; Ghia Talibong; Shery Mae Talibong; James Mark Villadores; Shandy Mae Villadores; Louiejay Villamor; and Jerwin Vitor. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roxas: Suspect in Belmonte ambush arrested | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interior and Local Government Sec. Mar Roxas has confirmed that
the Philippine National Police (PNP) now has custody of one of
the gunmen who ambushed the convoy of Iligan Rep. Vicente
Belmonte Jr. Dominador Sumanduran Tumala was arrested by authorities this morning at 5:20 AM at Zone 1, Lower Gasi, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental. The sixty-two year old Tumala is a resident of Purok Intramuros, Poblacion Alto, Centro Ozmina, Zamboanga Del Norte and was formerly part of a rebel group. According to Region 10 Police Director Genabe, Tumala has already been positively identified by one of Belmonte's aides and is set to be brought before Rep. Belmonte for identification. The police are now waiting for the formal report from the regional office, following tactical interrogation of the suspect. The secretary yesterday ordered the PNP to intensify investigative efforts to ensure that Iligan City is free from any security threat. Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Gen. Benjamin Magalong said that preliminary investigations have already begun as early as Thursday and initial findings state that high-power firearms such as M16s were used by the suspects against the congressman's convoy. |
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| Roxas orders creation of PNP protocol for disasters | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| During his weekly briefing on Friday, Interior and Local
Government Secretary Mar Roxas ordered the Philippine National
Police (PNP) to take the lead in creating a protocol for police
response in times of disasters. "In times of disaster, police presence also means government presence. A protocol in times of disaster can help ensure this," Roxas told General Danilo Constantino, Director for Police Community Relations of the PNP. During the meeting, Gen. Constantino reported that the PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) was deployed in Eastern Samar while other units were put on standby for immediate response in the aftermath of typhoon Ruby. Although Roxas previously reported that there were no reported incidents of looting in Eastern Samar, he still stressed the need for a deliberate, programmatic and sustained approach in enforcing law and order in disaster-stricken areas. “There should be an institutional approach, whether it’s me who is here or whoever is here as DILG secretary,” Roxas added. There were 132 units from SAF deployed in Eastern Samar, 62 of whom were positioned in major supply routes while 70 assisted in relief operations. Offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the seaport in Allen and Borongan City airport were also put under the PNP's watch. The strategic deployment of these personnel helped in preventing bad elements from committing crimes against the typhoon victims. "We could not have done this without the support of the local government units (LGUs)," said Gen. Constantino. Roxas also suggested that Gen. Constantino can work with the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) and the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) in formulating the protocol for disaster preparedness and immediate response. The protocol is set to include not only plans to deploy police personnel in typhoon areas but also the composition of critical managers and incident committees, and the technical and logistical needs of Search, Rescue and Retrieval (SRR) Teams. The DILG is also studying the inclusion of satellite phones as part of the PNP's minimum preparation in times of disaster. "This should be the protocol in hard-hit areas not only because I was there (in Eastern Samar) but because that ought to be the case,” Roxas remarked. |
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| PNP mounts Yuletide security operations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://pnp.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PNP Officer-In-Charge Deputy Director General Leonardo A Espina
today reminded all police commanders of the operational
guidelines and procedures to be undertaken in maintaining order,
law enforcement, and in providing public safety services during
the Yuletide season which starts today with the traditional
9-day Misa de Gallo. Espina reiterated earlier orders for enhanced security operations before, during and after the observance of the traditional Yuletide Holiday Season (Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) as expected to cause influx of people in shopping mall, churches, transport terminals and other public places. The Operational Guidelines for “Ligtas Paskuhan 2014” involve police presence, focused law enforcement operations, target hardening, police community partnership and information operations. Espina said police presence will be intensified through increased foot and mobile patrol operations and deployment of Route Safety Marshalls in areas and times where and when they are most needed. Police Assistance Hubs will also be established in places of convergence. Even as preemptive security operations are underway, the PNP will continue to intensify the campaign against loose firearms, illegal discharge of firearms, and campaign against criminal gangs and personalities supported by the aggressive implementation of OPLAN “Bakal” and OPLAN “Sita”, and Strict implementation of RA No 7183 (Illegal Manufacture and Sale of Firecrackers and Pyrotechnics). (PNP-PIO) |
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| Phl Statement on the US State Department Study on Maritime Claims in the South China Sea | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Philippine government welcomes the publication by the US
government of the study on China’s Maritime Claims in the South
China Sea (SCS), particularly the conclusion that China’s
nine-dash-line ‘does not accord with the international law of
the sea. The study’s factual account and analyses support the Philippines position on the need for peaceful clarification of maritime entitlements in the SCS, which the Philippines is seeking through third-party arbitration under UNCLOS. The Philippines continues to advocate for a peaceful and rules-based settlement of disputes in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law. Studies such as the one produced by US Department of State contribute to the substantive literature that supports the primacy and utility of the UNCLOS for the determination of maritime entitlements, and the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes. |
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| Philippines hosts ASEAN Forum on PPPs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15 December 2014 - The Philippine Government is set to host the
first ASEAN Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Networking Forum
from December 16 to 17 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel
which will gather members of the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating
Committee (ACCC), national coordinators, PPP focal points and
officials responsible for infrastructure projects from the ten
ASEAN Member States (AMS). The Forum will provide ASEAN member countries the opportunity to exchange information and share experiences about their PPP programs, establish a network of PPP units among ASEAN member countries and pitch their PPP projects to prospective investors, financing institutions, and development partners. It will also tackle the proposed ASEAN Guidelines/Principles on PPP that will harmonize policy, institutional, and regulatory frameworks of the AMS and enhance the economic integration competitiveness of the region. Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso of the Philippine Permanent Mission to ASEAN shared that, “Among the ASEAN member countries, the Philippines is said to be the one with the most advanced PPP legal and administrative structure.” The Philippines has been ranked highest in terms of PPP readiness in the ASEAN Region in the Infrascope 2011 Study of the Economist Intelligence Unit commissioned by the Asian Development Bank. “There is room for improvement and we, together with our colleagues in ASEAN, would like to learn the best practices and guidelines of PPP in this workshop, as well as share our experience with our ASEAN neighbors,” added Ambassador Buensuceso. The Forum is being organized by the Philippine Permanent Mission to ASEAN, with support from the ACCC, the Office of ASEAN Affairs of the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the PPP Center of the Philippines. The Forum is supported by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and ASEAN Regional Integration Support from the EU (EU ARISE). |
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| DAR issues new Guidelines on Identification, Screening and Selection of farmers for Haciendas | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has issued new rules and
procedures governing the identification, screening and selection
of farmworker beneficiaries (FWB) for haciendas, commercial
farms or plantations through Administrative Order No. 10, Series
of 2014. Secretary Virgilio R. de los Reyes said the new A.O. seeks to address issues and bottlenecks encountered by field implementers in finalizing the list of the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) in commercial farms/plantation. Failure to do so results in the delay in the completion of the land acquisition and distribution (LAD) process. De los Reyes said the new administrative order applies to all landholdings where master list of ARBs is not yet finalized and those with pending inclusion/exclusion case/s filed at any DAR offices. He cited the LAD process in agricultural landholdings which were issued with notices of coverage (NOC) and with Letters of Acceptance in the case of voluntary offer to sell (VOS) on or before 30 June 2014, and, those with pending petition/s for coverage and/or exemption/exclusion as of 30 June 2014. He said the process in both instances shall continue even after this date until the same have been awarded to qualified beneficiaries. He added that the LAD process for hacienda/commercial farm/plantation which may consist of one or several titles shall be undertaken as a whole and not by title or parcel. De los Reyes further said that all farmworkers who worked on the land on or after 15 June 1988, whether under the landowner or a civil law lessee (arriendador), shall be considered as potential beneficiaries in the Preliminary List of Potential ARBs. He clarified, however, that dismissed, terminated or retired farmworkers at the time of FWB identification, screening, and selection process can still be considered as potential beneficiary provided they are farmworkers on or after 15 June 1988, meet all the qualifications provided in Section 22 of R.A. No. 6657, as amended, and are willing and able to do farming. Those farmworkers with pending labor-related cases will be considered employed for purposes of identification and screening of qualified farmer beneficiaries. |
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| Two PhilMech cassava technologies show promise | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.da.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and
Mechanization (PhilMech) sees promise in two major equipment
that will help cassava farmers lessen the drudgery of their farm
operations and improve the quality of their products. “So far, the development and testing by PhilMech of the Cassava Digger attachment and the Commercial Cassava Belt Dryer are showing very promising results, and we believe these two technologies can revolutionize the domestic cassava industry,” said PhilMech Executive Director Rex L. Bingabing. PhilMech is testing on-field the Cassava Digger, which is attached to a four-wheel tractor. Under the current practice of hand harvesting, it takes 30 laborers to harvest cassava from one hectare of land, which can be costly because this usually costs P7,500 per day. Based on interviews conducted by PhilMech from cassava farmers, 65 percent to 70 percent of cassava production is spent for harvesting. In contrast, the Cassava Digger can harvest cassava from 1.8 to 3.0 hectares per day. It only takes one laborer to operate the Cassava Digger attached to a four-wheel tractor, while the number of laborers gathering the uprooted cassava can number between two to three. “Farmer cooperatives will have a choice to make their operations more efficient once the Cassava Digger is commercialized. The cost benefit of using a four-wheel tractor with a Cassava Digger is enormous, because cassava can be harvested in a shorter period at a lesser cost,” Bingabing said. Meanwhile, the Commercial Cassava Belt Dryer will solve the drying problem usually encountered by cassava farmers, especially during the rainy season. According to a research conducted by Michael A. Gragasin Ph. D., Romualdo C. Martinez Ph.D. and Engineer Lynet R. Cruzat of PhilMech, the traditional drying method for granulated cassava, which is done under the sun over a concrete or tarpaulin flooring, results to only 38 percent product recovery. Tests done with the Commercial Belt Dryer that PhilMech developed resulted to a product recovery of at least 46 percent. During the rainy season, the product recovery from drying cassava goes down to 30 percent. Also, the Commercial Cassava Belt Dryer resulted to granulated cassava attaining a moisture content of 14 percent, which is what major companies require. The Commercial Cassava Belt Dryer uses biomass for its furnace to produce heat, and has an input capacity of 1,158 kilograms per hour. It usually takes three to four days to dry granulated cassava under the sun. “The full-scale PhilMech Commercial Cassava Belt Dryer with biomass furnace showed great potential for drying granulated cassava to address the requirements of the cassava industry in the Philippines,” the PhilMech researchers said. Bingabing said that because of climate change issues like drought, many farmers in the northern part of the Luzon are starting to shift to cassava farming. Also, there is a market for dried granulated cassava which are large food processing firms. In Isabela province for example, 3,000 hectares of corn plantations were converted to cassava farms, and another 1,000 hectares of idle lands were developed for cassava planting by the Villa Luna Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC). The cooperative currently has a supply agreement with San Miguel Corp. for 20 million kilograms of dried granulated cassava for this year alone. The Villa Luna MPC is currently testing the Commercial Cassava Belt Dryer of PhilMech and found it to be viable. |
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| MMDA Airport Christmas free shuttle service to start on Monday | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.mmda.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will
dispatch shuttle services going to the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 2, 3, and 4 (formerly
Domestic Airport) starting Monday (December 15) as part of its
12 Christmas traffic mitigating measures. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said that aside from providing convenience to passengers, this measure is aimed at reducing the number of vehicles going to the airports which is expected to increase as Christmas approaches. "Instead of these passengers utilizing their own private cars or cabs to bring them to the airport, they can go as a group by availing of the free airport shuttle service we are providing." Six public utility buses, including electric buses, identifiable by stickers bearing the words "MMDA’s Airport Christmas Shuttle", will be dispatched to Baclaran and SM Mall of Asia as pick-up points. "The airport shuttle service will be free of charge for passengers only. They just need to show their airline tickets to avail of the service," Tolentino said. "We are targeting the travelers expected to go to the provinces to spend the holidays." Last week, the MMDA, with the cooperation of public utility bus operators, dispatched similar shuttle services to six major malls along EDSA to provide hassle-free and safe transportation to mall employees and late-night shoppers. The airport shuttle service will last until December 23. |
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| Manila hosts ASEAN Forum on PPPs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://ppp.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Philippine Government is set to host the first ASEAN
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Networking Forum which will
gather members of the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee
(ACCC), national coordinators, PPP focal points and officials
responsible for infrastructure projects from the ten ASEAN
Member States (AMS). The Forum will provide ASEAN member countries the opportunity to exchange information and share experiences about their PPP programs, establish a network of PPP units among ASEAN member countries and pitch their PPP projects to prospective investors, financing institutions, and development partners. It will also tackle the proposed ASEAN Guidelines/Principles on PPP that will harmonize policy, institutional, and regulatory frameworks of the AMS and enhance the economic integration competitiveness of the region. Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso of the Philippine Permanent Mission to ASEAN shared that, “Among the ASEAN member countries, the Philippines is said to be the one with the most advanced PPP legal and administrative structure.” The Philippines has been ranked highest in terms of PPP readiness in the ASEAN Region in the Infrascope 2011 Study of the Economist Intelligence Unit commissioned by the Asian Development Bank. “There is room for improvement and we, together with our colleagues in ASEAN, would like to learn the best practices and guidelines of PPP in this workshop, as well as share our experience with our ASEAN neighbors,” added Ambassador Buensuceso. The Forum will be held from December 16-17 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Manila and is being organized by the Philippine Permanent Mission to ASEAN, with support from the ACCC, the Office of ASEAN Affairs of the Philippines’Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the PPP Center of the Philippines. The Forum is supported by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and ASEAN Regional Integration Support from the EU (EU ARISE). |
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