DAILY WEATHER FORECAST
Issued at: 5:00 AM today, 29 July 2015
Valid Beginning: 5:00 AM today until 5:00 AM tomorrow Synopsis:
Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Southern Mindanao.
 Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis 8 AM 29 July 2015 |
 Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind Analysis 8 AM 29 July 2015 |
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Forecast:
Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will prevail over Zamboanga Peninsula, SOCCSKSARGEN, the Provinces of Maguindanao, Davao Del Sur and Davao Occidental. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.
Light to moderate winds blowing from the east will prevail over Northern Luzon and coming from the northeast to east over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate.
JULY 29, 2015 ( Wednesday
) as of 10:00 AM
PIA4A / PIA QUEZON : Partly Cloudy in Lucena City
NORTHERN
SOUTHERN
WESTERN
PIA-4A/Laguna:
The Board of Investments (BOI) and the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to expedite the
appand would-be corporations and partnerships with the government,
specifically firms availing of BOI incentives, according to the DTI.
ABS-CBN
News: DFA and DOJ officials will meet today Indonesian officials of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Law and Human Rights, and the
Attorney General's Office to discuss development in the cases filed in
the Philippines against the recruiters of Mary Jane Veloso.
| President Aquino trumpets achievements of 4Ps in his 6th State of the Nation Address |
| President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the gains of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), also known as the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program, in his 6th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.One of the major achievements President Aquino highlighted in his last SONA, delivered at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives, is the positive impact of the Pantawid Pamilya on the lives of its beneficiaries. President Aquino said the government has expanded the program’s coverage to include poor families with high school-aged children. “Pinalawak natin nang husto ang saklaw nito. Ngayon, nasa mahigit 4.4 million na ang kabahayang nakikinabang sa programa. Malayong-malayo ito sa dinatnan nating 786,523 lamang na kabahayan,” he said. The President said 333,673 student-beneficiaries of the expanded Pantawid Pamilya completed high school this year. Of the figure, 13,469 graduated with honors and a variety of awards. “Ang lahat po ng benepisyaryong ito, tataas ang antas ng kaalaman; sa halip na menial jobs ang pasukan ay malamang makakuha sila ng mga trabahong maayos ang mga suweldo,” he said. “Income tax pa lang nila, bawi na ang puhunan ng estado, at maitutuloy natin ang siklo ng pagbibigay-lakas sa mga nangangailangan. Bonus pa po ang lalong magandang kinabukasang nag-aabang para sa mga honor students na pinagtapos ng programa,” he added. Pantawid Pamilya is the government’s primary program in assisting the poor. Under the expanded CCT program, children of the beneficiaries get cash grants until they finish high school. “Sa Pantawid Pamilya, kapalit ng tulong sa mga benepisyaryo, pangunahin nilang dapat tutukan ang pag-aaral ng mga anak,” President Aquino said. The President said the program has already begun bearing fruit. “Ayon sa pag-aaral ng Philippine Institute for Development Studies, noong 2008, mayroong 2.9 million na out-of-school children sa ating bansa. Lumaki ang ating populasyon, pero noong 2013, ang natirang out-of-school children, 1.2 million na lang po. Idiin po natin ang diperensiya: 1.7 million,” he said. “Para po nating pinuno ng estudyante ang humigit-kumulang 42,500 na bakanteng classroom. Siyempre, bukod sa Pantawid Pamilya, may kontribusyon din ang Alternative Learning System para masigurong pati ang mga katutubo at street children ay hindi napapag-iwanan,” he added. In his SONA, President Aquino also defended the Pantawid Pamilya from critics, saying the program is not a magic pill. “May mga nagtatanong pa nga rin po: Nasaan ang resulta ng Pantawid Pamilya? Sagot po natin diyan, ‘Naman.’ Ang akala kaya nila, itong Pantawid Pamilya ay parang mahiwagang tabletang kapag ininom ng kinder, pagkatapos ng ilang oras ay college graduate na? Baka po kulang sila ng pagkakataong mag-aral kaya tululungan natin silang magbilang: 13 taon ang K to 12, samantalang 6 na taon lang ang aking termino. Nahahalata tuloy kung sino ang medyo matinding mambobola,” he said. The Pantawid Pamilya is a human development program of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to underprivileged families to improve the health, nutrition, and education of children aged 0 to 18. PND (co) |
| President Aquino: Long-term solutions to Metro Rail Transit woes are underway |
| President Benigno S. Aquino III said in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday that the administration’s numerous achievements in the transportation sector have been eclipsed by the problems of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT). The President noted that although Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya’s efforts have led to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) lifting of the significant safety concerns it had imposed on the Philippines in 2009, the European Union’s lifting of the ban on the country’s airlines, the US Federal Aviation Administration’s upgrading the Philippines to Category 1, and the banning of boats from setting out to sea during typhoons, these accomplishments have been cast aside.“Lahat ng ito, naisasantabi dahil sa masalimuot na hamong hinaharap natin sa pampublikong transportasyon. Pinakamalaking halimbawa na nga po ang MRT,” he said. He pointed out that the government has partners from the private sector in managing the MRT, who remember their entitlements, but seem to have forgotten their obligations. “Ang katuwang na ito, sagot ang maintenance. Dapat, noong 2008, nagkaroon ng general overhaul ang MRT, pero nang suriin ng DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications), halos pagpipintura lang ang pinagawang overhaul. Sa pagwawalang-bahalang ito, parang ginarantiyang masisira ang tren,” he said. “Di po ba maski sinong kumpanya, dapat sinisigurong masusulit ang kanilang investment? Pero hinayaan lang nilang lumala nang lumala ang sitwasyon hanggang umabot sa puntong ipinasa na sa atin nang ora-orada ang pagsasaayos ng MRT.” However, when the government moved to undertake improvements, suddenly, they wanted to take back the responsibility of maintenance, the President said, adding that their proposal was more expensive than the government’s, translating to more burden for the people. “Hindi tayo pumayag, at kumilos na nga para makakuha ng mga bagong bagon. Ang problema, mapilit ang korporasyon, kaya’t pina-TRO (temporary restraining order) nila ang pagbili nito. Kaya umabot sa ganitong sitwasyon ang MRT,” he explained. “Malinaw nang hindi magtatagpo ang agenda natin at ng MRTC. Ngayon na humahakbang na tayo para i-buy-out ang korporasyon, pag naayos ito, ang estado na lang ang tanging magdedesisyon,” he said. The President assured that the government is already implementing immediate maintenance work, as bigger and more long-term solutions are set to arrive. Next month, he said, the prototype for new coaches will be delivered, and once this passes scrutiny, three coaches will be delivered every month beginning January until the order of 48 coaches is completed. The process to obtain new rails is underway, together with the upgrading of the signaling and automatic fare collecting systems, while the trains’ power supply will be upgraded before the end of 2016, he added. Twelve escalators will be fixed before the end of the year, while the procurement for the rehabilitation of 34 more escalators and 32 elevators is ongoing, the Chief Executive said. He however cautioned against shortcuts in these processes. “Hindi puwedeng laktawan ang proseso sa mga bagay na ito; ayaw na nating maantala ng kaliwa’t kanang demandahan ang ating pong mga hakbang,” he said. PND (ag) |
| President Aquino reports unemployment rate is lowest in a decade |
| President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday took pride in his administration’s success in bringing the unemployment rate down to 6.8 percent last year. "Ito ang pinakamababa sa loob ng isang dekada. Linawin ko rin po: Permanenteng trabaho ang nalikha natin; hindi tayo nag-hire ng magwawalis ng kalsada tuwing survey period lang para kargahan ang resulta," he said in his 6th State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered before legislators at the Session Hall of Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. He noted that the figure was achieved despite the entry of 800,000 people to the labor force each year, and the return of Overseas Filipino Workers. Together with creating real jobs, he said, the government is also fostering a good relationship between labor and management throughout the country.“Ikumpara po natin. Noong siyam at kalahating taon ng nakaraang administrasyon, ang natuloy na labor strike: 199, o halos 21 kada taon. Sa limang taon po natin, ang suma-total ng nag-strike: 15 lamang po. Noon nga pong 2013, ang nag-strike sa buong bansa: isa. Ito ang pinakamababa sa kasaysayan ng DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment),” he said, giving credit to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and the country’s labor and management sector. The President further noted that the government has worked to address the so-called job-skills mismatch. “Dati, maraming nagsasabing wala silang trabaho, kahit napakarami namang bakanteng posisyong nakatala sa PhilJobNet na hindi napupunuan. Ang simpleng dahilan: Hindi tugma ang kakayahan ng ating mga kababayan sa hinahanap ng merkado,” he explained. The solution, he added, is equally simple -- talk to prospective employers and ask them what skills are demanded by the positions they are opening. “Dito naman tayo nagsasanay ng trainees, upang masagad nila ang oportunidad,” he said. PND (ag) |
| President Aquino cites continued efforts to improve education in State of Nation Address |
| President Benigno S. Aquino III said his administration has implemented significant reforms to address problems in the education sector, such as the lack of classrooms and teachers. In his 6th and last State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, President Aquino reported the government’s accomplishments and continuing efforts to improve the state of education in the country. “Sa sektor naman po ng edukasyon: Sinisiguro nating napupunuan ang mga pagkukulang ng nakaraan, natutugunan ang mga pangangailangang dumarating sa kasalukuyan, at napapaghandaan pati ang para sa kinabukasan,” he said. He said the backlog of 61.7 million textbooks and 2.5 million classroom chairs that he inherited from the past administration had been addressed as early as 2012. In 2013, he added, the backlog of 66,800 classrooms was eliminated and the backlog of 145,827 teachers was resolved, with the help of local government partners. President Aquino said the Department of Education has estimated that 4.7 million new students would enroll until 2017. “Bunsod po ito ng pagdami ng enrollees at pagpapatupad natin ng K to 12. Para matugunan ito, kailangan nating magdagdag ng tinatayang 118,000 classrooms. 33,608 dito, naipatayo na. Ngayong taon, nakasalang na ang pagpapagawa ng mahigit 41,000 pa. Ang natitirang 43,000, nakapaloob na sa inaasahan naming ipapasa ninyong 2016 budget,” he said. An estimated 130,000 teachers are needed, the President said, adding that last year, the government hired 29,444 teachers, and this year, it aims to hire 39,000 more. “Ang natitira pang 60,000, nakapaloob na sa panukalang 2016 budget na sana po’y aprubahan ninyo,” the President said, addressing the legislators. President Aquino said the government has already turned over 73.9 million textbooks that will be followed by an additional 88.7 million this year. This year, 1.6 million classroom chairs were delivered to schools, and another 1.6 million will be delivered before the end of the year. “Sa budget na isusumite natin para sa 2016; nakalagay na ang pondo para sa dagdag pang 103.2 million textbooks, at 4.4 million na upuan. Malinaw po: Hindi na tayo mag-iiwan ng sakit ng ulo sa susunod sa atin,” he said. In his SONA, President Aquino also underscored the importance of the K to 12 Basic Education Program, saying it is not practical to cram learning in a 10-year basic education cycle. “Linawin ko lang po: Nagpatupad tayo ng K to 12 dahil hindi praktikal ang pagsisiksik ng kaalaman sa 10-year basic education cycle. Tandaan lang po ninyo noong tayo’y nag-umpisa, tatatlo na lang tayong bansa na may 10-year basic education sa buong mundo,” he said. “Kinukuwestiyon na ang credentials ng ating mga kababayan sa ibang bansa; mayroon na ring na-demote, dahil hindi raw sapat na patunay ng kakayahan ang diplomang tangan niya. Kung ang lumang kalakaran sa edukasyon ay maihahalintulad sa manggang kinalburo, ngayon, sinisiguro nating hinog ang kakayahan ng mga estudyante na magpanday ng sariling kinabukasan,” he explained. The President further noted that 7.8 million students have graduated from various technical and vocational education and training courses offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Under the Training for Work Scholarship Program alone, 821,962 students have already graduated, the President said. “Ano na kaya ang sitwasyon nila? Ayon sa pag-aaral, 71.9 percent na ang agad nakahanap ng trabaho, kumpara sa 28.5 percent dati. Ang ilang industriya pa nga, talagang pumapalo na dahil 91.26 percent po ang employment rate ng mga nasa semiconductors and electronics industry—konti na lang po, 100 percent na,” he said. PND (co) |
| President Aquino commends women leading government reforms |
| President Benigno S. Aquino III paid tribute to the “honest and fearless leaders” in his Cabinet – among them women – when he delivered his final State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday. He thanked Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Grace Pulido-Tan, and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares for their no-nonsense approach in implementing government reforms. Carpio-Morales, De Lima, and Pulido-Tan have been leading the administration’s efforts toward the prosecution of ranking public officials tagged in various allegations of corruption. Henares, on the other hand, has helped improve the BIR’s collection by relentlessly filing cases against tax evaders, while Sereno bears the unenviable task of instituting changes in the Supreme Court, following the impeachment of her predecessor. “Wala silang inatrasan sa pagtupad ng kanilang tungkulin,” President Aquino said of his female government officials. “Sa inyong lahat, isang taos-pusong pasasalamat.” President Aquino said their efforts have helped the government regain public trust in the justice system, manifested by the number of influential people whom they have put behind bars, among them three senators and a former president in hospital arrest. “Sa itaas, gitna, o ibaba ng burukrasya, napakarami nang sinuspinde, tinanggal sa puwesto, sinampahan ng kaso, o di kaya’y nasa piitan. Kung may nagdududa pang tunay nang nakapiring ang katarungan, maganda po sigurong ituon nila ang pansin sa tatlong senador na kasalukuyang naka-detain, at sa dating pangulong naka-hospital arrest,” the President said. As he approached the final year of his term, President Aquino reiterated his vow to pursue justice until those who had abused public funds during the previous administration atone for their sins, no matter how hard they try to project themselves as victims of political persecution. “May mga magsasabi: mag-move on na raw tayo. Ako naman po ay naniniwala sa sinabi ni George Santayana: ‘Ang makalimot sa mali ng nakaraan, garantisadong uulitin ito… Natutuhan ko nga po sa aking mga magulang, sa simbahan, at sa mga proseso ng batas: “Anumang paghihilom ay nagsisimula sa pag-amin at pagsisisi ng nagkasala. May naalala ba kayong nagsabing, ‘Sorry sa pagnanakaw at pang-aabuso, handa na akong magbago’? Ang sa akin lang po: Makaka-move on lang tayo kapag nakamtan ang katarungan,’” President Aquino said. PND (hdc) |
| Passage of Pension Reform Law to improve uniformed personnel’s welfare |
| An inter-agency committee has completed the important provisions of the Unified Uniformed Personnel Pension Reform Bill, a Palace official said on Tuesday. President Benigno S. Aquino III, in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, said he is seeking the urgent passage of the Unified Uniformed Personnel Pension Reform Bill, so that a sustainable and just pension system for the country’s uniformed services could be set up. “Ang binanggit po ng Pangulo na Unified Uniformed Personnel Pension Reform, may kadugtong po ito dahil ito 'yung hinihintay na batas na kung mabuo, puwede na ring tukuyin ang matagal ng hinahangad na mapatupad na pagkonsidera na magbigay ng dagdag na pasahod sa burukrasya. Kaya po naantala ito ay dahil hinihintay ang pagbubuo nitong Unified Uniformed Personnel Pension Reform,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. told reporters during a press briefing. "Nabuo na po ng inter-agency committee ang mga mahahalagang probisyon ng batas. Natalakay na po ito kasama ang Pangulo. Nagkaisa na po ng posisyon ang pamahalaan kaya meron na pong handang ihain na draft bill sa Kamara at sa Senado," he added. "Ito rin po ang dahilan kung bakit nagkaroon ng balakid sa pagdadagdag ng tao sa AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) at sa kapulisan, dahil nga hindi pa nare-resolve itong issue ng pension," Coloma said. The 1997 financial crisis affected the pension funds of the country's uniformed personnel, prompting the government to source their pensions from the national budget. PND (as) |
| Palace says President Aquino has sufficiently explained MRT problem, rehabilitation to public |
| President Benigno S. Aquino III was able to adequately explain the problems concerning the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), along with their solutions, during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, a Palace official has said. “Kung mapapansin natin, mahalagang bahagi ng kanyang pagtatalumpati, bukod sa paglalahad ng mga accomplishments, ay 'yung pagtalakay kung ano ang inabutang sitwasyon, dahil importanteng mabatid natin kung ano ba talaga ang pinanggalingan ng mga problema,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said during a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday. He said the President believes that "correct analysis leads to correct solutions", thus the administration has studied the problems of the MRT and has come up with appropriate solutions. "Hindi natin mauunawaan kung bakit o paano nangyari ang mga kaganapang nasaksihan natin patungkol sa MRT kung hindi natin batid ang nakaraang pinagdaanan nito," he said. “At iyon ang pinagtuunan ng pansin ng ating Pangulo, na naging masalimuot ang pamamahala dati dahil ito naman ay under private sector ownership. Mayroong naging kakulangan na 'yung mandatory maintenance or general overhaul na dapat ay isinagawa noong 2008 ay hindi natuloy at hindi rin nagkasundo hinggil sa terms ng maintenance contract, dahil nga pabago-bago ito at mataas 'yung pagturing 'nung private party,” Secretary Coloma explained. He said the President, in his SONA, also detailed the solutions to the MRT’s problems, citing for instance the expected delivery of the prototype trains next month. Once the prototype trains’ technical specifications are approved, the government will start purchasing the necessary coaches, he said. "Ipinaliwanag din po ng Pangulo na sa ating sistema ng pamamahala, talagang merong lag time o lead time for procurement—at least four months po ito. Hindi naman off-the-shelf items ang ating ino-order," Coloma said. "Kaya sa aking palagay ay nagkaroon naman ng sapat na pagpapaliwanag at mahalagang aspeto nito ay 'yung pagpapaunawa kung paano at kung bakit naganap ang kasalukuyang sitwasyon.” PND (as) |
| Palace hopes Congress would pass proposed budget on time, despite Senator’s resignation from finance committee |
| The Palace on Tuesday expressed optimism that the Senate and the House of Representatives would pass the proposed national budget for 2016 on time, despite Senator Francis Escudero’s resignation from his position as chairman of the Senate committee on finance. “Nananalig po kami na ang Senado at ang Kamara ay gagawin ang lahat ng nararapat para maipasa po ang panukalang General Appropriations Act sa takdang panahon,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said during the daily press briefing in Malacañang. He noted that previous General Appropriation Acts were passed by the Congress on time. “Maganda po ang naging karanasan natin noong nakaraang mga taon. Masinsin ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng ehekutibo sa lehislatibo. Maayos po ang daloy ng mga committee hearings. Iyong mga hindi malinaw na punto ay natatalakay ng maayos at nakita naman po natin na ang Kongreso at ang ehekutibo ay nakapagpasa sa takdang panahon ng national budget. Inaasahan po natin na ito ay magaganap muli para sa proposed 2016 budget,” Secretary Coloma added. Senator Escudero also resigned as co-chairman of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Public Expenditure. In his resignation letter addressed to Senate President Franklin Drilon, Escudero said his resignation is related to his plan to run for higher office in 2016. “Given my public pronouncements regarding a possible candidacy for higher office in 2016, I believe that it behooves me to step down at this juncture to ensure that deliberations on the General Appropriation Bill—considered the single most important piece of legislation passed by Congress each year—are untainted by suspicions or perceptions of partisan politics,” he said in his letter. PND (ag) |
| Malacañang assures President Aquino is in good health |
| The Palace on Tuesday assured the public that President Benigno S. Aquino III’s overall health condition is good. “Sa pagkabatid ko naman po ang kanya lang naging concern kahapon ay ‘yung vertigo at ito lang ang dahilan kung bakit dumiretso siya doon sa podium ng House of Representatives. Maayos naman po ang kanyang overall health condition,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. told reporters during a press briefing in Malacañang. Secretary Coloma also noted that the President might have coughed a few times while delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday but this was no cause for concern. “Siguro po, naalala ko noong mga nakaraang SONA ay nagkaroon din naman ng ganoong incidents, pero hindi naman po seryoso ito,” he added. Before delivering his SONA, President Aquino apologized, saying, “Bago po ako magsimula, hihingi ako ng paumanhin, dahil hindi natin nagawa ang tradisyonal na processional walk. Hindi na rin po natin nakamayan ang lahat ng nag-abang. Medyo masama po kasi ang ating pakiramdam sa kasalukuyan.” The President’s final SONA lasted for more than two hours. PND (ag) |
| Palace submits P3-trillion 2016 National Budget to Congress |
| President Benigno S. Aquino III, through the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), on Tuesday submitted the proposed P3.002-trillion 2016 National Budget to Congress, geared towards expanding the economy and sustaining governance as well as the budget reforms instituted over the past five years. The proposed 2016 National Budget doubles the budget of the past six years, from P1.541 trillion of the 2010 General Appropriations Act (GAA) to the P3.002 trillion planned for next year. This is also 15.2 percent higher than the 2015 enacted budget. On the other hand, the gross domestic product (GDP) share of 19.5 percent in 2016 will take up a larger share of the economy as compared to 18.7 percent of the GDP in 2015 and 16.4 percent of the GDP (actual obligations) in 2010. “The National Budget is one of our major instruments in creating truly inclusive growth. Our spending blueprint for 2016 will therefore be integral in the administration’s continuing journey on Daang Matuwid," Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said. "With this budget, the National Government will try to widen its reach so that the benefits of our economic development will truly be felt by as many of our countrymen as possible,” Abad added. He also said that the proposed spending program will also help the government consolidate and sustain the reforms instituted in the past five years. Social services will have the biggest budget allocation of P1.1059 trillion, which is 36.8 percent of the proposed budget. Covering education, health care, housing, and social welfare and employment, this allocation received a 16.1-percent expansion from the 2015 allocation of P952.7 billion. The proposed allocation also supports the implementation of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) K to 12 program, as well as housing programs and health care projects for poor Filipinos. Economic services took the second largest budget allocation with P829.6 billion—27.64 percent of the proposed budget—which had increased by 17.3 percent from its 2015 allocation of 27.13 percent. Transport and communications infrastructure will get the bulk of the budget and bring expenditures to infrastructure to 5 percent of the GDP. As such, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will receive P391.2 billion to enable the agency to complete the pavement of all national arterial and secondary roads. National defense received P129.1 billion, which increased by 11.5 percent as compared to last year’s allocation. This allocation will fund the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in light of the country’s territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea. PND (as) |
| President Aquino urges Congress to pass Freedom of Information Act |
| President Benigno S. Aquino III has urged Congress to pass the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. “To ensure the permanency of transparency policies, we urge Congress to pass the Freedom of Information Act,” the President said in his message to Congress when the proposed P3.002-trillion 2016 National Budget was submitted to the legislative body on Tuesday afternoon. The Department of Budget and Management submitted the proposed budget to Congress on behalf of President Aquino. After delivering his State of the Nation Address on Monday, the President was criticized for failing to mention anything regarding the FOI. During the press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said President Aquino has long advocated the passage of the FOI. “Matagal na pong ipinahayag ng ating pamahalaan ‘yung paniniwala nito at ang pagtalima nito sa freedom of information. Makatuwiran lang po na kilalanin din na sa aksyon na po ipinakita ng ating pamahalaan ito at hindi po umaasa lamang sa kung ito ay ire-require po o iuutos ng isang batas. Palagay ko ay makatuwiran namang sabihin na marami na po ang kongkretong manipestasyon na mas matimbang pa sa salita,” Secretary Coloma said. PND (ag) |
| President Aquino says 2016 Budget prepares next admin, urges lawmakers to pass FOI bill |
| President Aquino urged legislatures Tuesday to prepare the way for the next administration as he submits the P3 trillion 2016 national budget to Congress. In his budget message, the President encouraged lawmakers to remain faithful to the Social Contract with the Filipino People to ensure an honest and effective governance especially on how public money is spent. "Ladies and gentlemen of the 16th Congress: today, I submit a proposed National Budget that is designed to consolidate the reforms that we have introduced since 2010 and provide a strong foundation for Inclusive Development," the President said. Through the Budget, the administration can set the pace and tone of governance reform: from establishing tighter controls against corruption, to improving the capability of public institutions to deliver services while being held accountable for their performance. It can also use the budget to empower citizens in statecraft through greater transparency, accountability, and public engagement. The P3-trillion Budget is anchored on four principles that define public financial management under the present administration. This is in line with the following principles: spending within government means, investing in right priorities, delivering measurable results, and empowering citizens through the budget. Among the government's major thrust in spending the 2016 budget include ensuring good governance and continuing fight against corruption, making growth inclusive, sustaining the growth momentum, pushing for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and forging just and lasting peace especially in Mindanao. The administration also firmly believe that greater fiscal transparency leads to a more responsive government, according to the President. "To ensure the permanency of transparency policies, we urge Congress to pass the Freedom of Information Act," the President said. The President also said that through innovations, such as the Transparency Seal, Open Data Philippines, and the People’s Budget, Filipinos could understand the budget better and easily access government information on finances and operations. PND (as) |
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| Promoting productivity and competitiveness of enterprises: Under P-Noy, DOLE assists MSMEs to optimize growth through ladderized Productivity Toolbox | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have experienced unprecedented government attention under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III in terms of assistance to enhance their productivity and competitiveness. Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said this yesterday as she cited a major component of the Two-Tier Wage System (TTWS) reform, the second tier which is the performance- or productivity-based pay component. “Under the second component of the TTWS reform, which is voluntary, we encourage business enterprises to establish their own productivity improvement programs, in agreement with the workers, which could be used ad basis to grant or award their workers extra or additional pay based on their productivity or work performance,” said Baldoz. “And to help them set-up their PIPs, the DOLE, through the NWPC implements its Productivity Toolbox, a free package of developmental assistance and interventions, particularly to MSMEs, designed to assist and capacitate workers and enterprises on productivity improvements so that they can expand and grow,” Baldoz added. Since the NWPC started intensified the implementation of the Productivity Toolbox in 2014 in convergence with the National Conciliation Mediation Board (NCMB), another DOLE-attached agency, it has assisted 52,844 MSMEs. In the first semester of 2015 alone, a total of 5,665 enterprises have already been provided with the free productivity orientation and training program. In 2014, the NWPC, through its Regional Wages and Tripartite Productivity Boards, provided the free Productivity Toolbox to 11,849 MSMEs; to 20,532 MSMEs in 2013; to 9,569 MSMEs in 2012; to 8,538 MSMEs in 2011; and to 4,859 in 2010. The integrated, needs-based, and ladderized productivity toolbox consists of five (5) basic training courses, six (6) intermediate training courses, and three (3) advanced training courses—a total of 14 courses, that provides a menu of productivity tools and technology which MSMEs can adopt depending on their capacity-building needs. It is being implemented to instil positive values among the workforce; introduce cost-cutting/saving measures and process improvements; and mainstream a culture of quality and productivity. “The overall goal is to enable our MSMEs to transition to more viable and competitive enterprises and eventually, comply with labor laws, including safety and health standards,” Baldoz said, who added that the Productivity Toolbox includes a training program on innovation and enterprise development, which is also free. “Greater productivity and enhanced competitiveness can only be realized if workers and employers are equipped with requisite knowledge, skills, and understanding and appreciation of innovation and enterprise development,” said Baldoz in drumming up public awareness on the productivity toolbox. Also under the P-Noy administration, the DOLE has multiplied its productivity and innovation advocates, or productivity specialists, through intensive training in partnership with the Temasek Foundation and Nanyang Polytechnic of Singapore. In 2013, a total of 120 participants joined Phase 1 of the training while 240 participants in five batches joined Phase 2 in 2014, including participants from the Department’s social partners and other government agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Department of Transportation (DOT). Baldoz said the DOLE continues to encourage enterprises, particularly MSMEs that are just starting, to avail of the basic training courses under the ladderized productivity program to improve their labor and human relations; improve working conditions, including safety and health; enhance their processes; instil positive work values; and apply basic productivity concepts in their workplaces. Touted as the backbone of the Philippine economy, MSMEs account for 99 percent of total establishments and 61 percent of total employment in the country. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DA’s P1.02-B agri-infra in Mindanao to boost rural productivity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.da.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A government development project boosts rural production areas in Mindanao with more agriculture-support infrastructures. According to the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) in its mid-July report, Mindanao is picking up on its implementation of infrastructure subprojects particularly on road networks across Mindanao. A total of 27 concreting of farm-to-market road (FMR) subprojects are in its various stages of implementation covering a total of 102.19 kilometers with a total cost of P1.02 billion. These subprojects are implemented under PRDP’s infrastructure development arm IBUILD or the Intensive Building of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development Component. “With the IBUILD component, the Project aims to put in place strategic and climate-resilient rural infrastructure facilities along the value-chain of the champion commodities in each province in the country,” said PRDP Mindanao Cluster Project Director Lealyn A. Ramos. “In this manner we elevate the productivity of the countryside and uplift rural lives particularly the farmers and fisherfolk,” she added. Of the figure, Region 9 is implementing a total of 25.67 kilometer road networks amounting to P271.86 million in the towns of Buug, RT Lim, Tungawan and Si-ay in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay. The projects in Buug and RT Lim have above 50% accomplishment rate. Region 10 is implementing a total of P398.71 million worth of farm-to-market roads with a total length of 38 kilometers. Now on its various stages of implementation, the projects are located in the towns of Salay and Initao in the province of Misamis Oreintal; Tudela, Calamba and Pana-on in Misamis Occidental; Lala and Kapatagan in Lanao del Norte and Malitbog in Bukidnon Province. The report also noted that Davao region is implementing a 2-kilometer FMR subproject with bridge component measuring 45 linear meters amounting P52.28 million in the town of Baganga, Davao Oriental. Region 12 is the first region to have completed PRDP infra projects with its one Potable Water System project in the town of Tampakan, South Cotabato amounting to P4.3 million. Meantime, the region also is implementing some 25.43 kilometer FMR subprojects in the towns of Isulan in Sultan Kudarat; Tupi and Banga in South Cotabato; Tulunan, North Cotabato and Maitum in Sarangani Province. Further, Talacogon town in Caraga Region is implementing a 2.48-kilometer farm-to-market road amounting to P29.3 million. While Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has three on-going FMR Subprojects including the 3.06 kilometer FMR in Balindong, Lanao del Sur; and two projects in Parang, Maguindanao with a total length of 5.55 kilometers. All these projects totaled to P88.77 million. PRDP is a six-year development project that aims to increase farmers' income and develop a more market-oriented, climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries sector. It is jointly implemented by DA, the World Bank and local government units. (Sherwin B. Manual/PRDP Mindanao) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DA-PRDP strengthens document tracking through technology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.da.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) has recently launched an online document tracking system (DTS) to enhance the management and tracking of pertinent documents within its offices, thus improving efficiency of the project implementation. The web-based DTS was developed by the PRDP’s National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) to facilitate updating of documents’ status online. The system will record the status of processing of various documents routed within the PRDP from the regional to cluster and national offices. PRDP National Deputy Project Director Arnel V. De Mesa said that this system will help the management and concerned offices to trace documents easily. “Considering a vast project scope along with a wide range of implementers, the operation of the Project involves voluminous critical documents that needs to be processed promptly in order not to hamper the delivery of interventions, thus this system will help us achieve PRDP’s objectives efficiently,” added De Mesa. Known for promoting technology in government project management—such as the geotagging and expanded vulnerability and suitability assessment tools—both used in determining feasibility of proposed sub-projects under the PRDP, the DTS is another milestone in the PRDP implementation. Prior to this, the Project has developed a web-based management information system (MIS) for the concerned offices and agencies within the DA family. The system, which records and maintains information on the updates of various DA projects, was commenced last year. To further capacitate PRDP personnel on the use of the DTS, the NPCO has conducted trainings to cluster offices mainly involving Project Development Associates who will handle the encoding of information in the system. De Mesa added that the DTS will provide access to the real time status of processing of the document or responding with the action required from it. “It will also provide feedback on the magnitude of documents still in circulation that are already exceeding timelines as well as those that are nearing the prescribed processing or service timeline standard, helping us identify specific bottlenecks in processing various documents. “Most importantly, the DTS will provide the management a more transparent basis in drawing out decisions to improve, over time, the handling of Project documents,” added De Mesa. PRDP is a six-year national project that aims to establish a modern, inclusive, value-chain oriented, and climate resilient agriculture and fisheries sector. It is implemented through the partnership of the DA, World Bank and Local Government Units. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DBM to social watch: Yolanda gov't priority; Abad; 'Building-back-better' crucial in typhoon-affected areas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) today said that the rehabilitation of Yolanda-affected areas remains an Administration priority—both in the execution of key Yolanda projects and in the allocation of funds to support all rehabilitation initiatives—with a double emphasis on “building-back-better” and rapid post-disaster aid.
The budget agency also stressed that the National Government’s rehabilitation program for Yolanda-stricken areas is supposed to be independent of political influence or affiliation, adding that the Aquino administration’s post-disaster aid is focused entirely on assisting Yolanda victims.
The DBM made the statement after Social Watch alleged that funding sources for Yolanda aid were “insecure,” with the group suggesting that “political pressure” was necessary to get Yolanda funds moving.
“Independent of media coverage and the approaching 2016 elections, the Aquino Administration continues the vigorous work of restoring normalcy in Yolanda-affected areas. Our biggest concern lies in protecting the welfare of Yolanda victims, both in the immediate and long term. That is in fact reflected in the National Budget, which provides several funding sources for Yolanda aid. These fund sources are far from uncertain; they are at once generous and reliable,” Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said.
“Political pressure is also not necessary for this Administration to exert all efforts for Yolanda victims. We understand the urgency of the problem, as Social Watch itself clearly does. But we need to balance the need for rapid aid with our long-term disaster management goals. Of course, we welcome criticism by concerned groups, but that criticism should not mislead, and neither should it be supported by erroneous data,” Abad added.
As of June 30, 2015, the total amount of P88.96 billion has been released for the Yolanda relief and rehabilitation operations. (See table below for the breakdown of the amount.) The clearly defined sources for these funds include the FY 2012 Calamity Fund, the FY 2013 Regular Budget of agencies, the FY 2013 Calamity Fund, and the FY 2013 Unprogrammed Funds.
Besides these, Yolanda rehabilitation and reconstruction activities are likewise supported by the FY 2014 Supplemental Appropriations, the FY 2014 National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF), the FY 2014 Regular Budget of agencies, and the FY 2014 Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program.
In addition, the FY 2015 NDRRMF, the FY 2015 Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Fund, and the FY 2015 Unprogrammed Fund can also fund the post-Yolanda work.
Unprogrammed Funds were also tapped to fund various housing initiatives under the Yolanda rehabilitation program since there were excess revenue collections certified by the Bureau of Treasury (BTr), as provided for in the Special Provisions of the Unprogrammed Funds in the 2015 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
While some funds for Yolanda aid also support rehabilitation efforts in other disaster-affected areas—such as those stricken by the Bohol earthquake and other typhoons—the government continues to prioritize the needs of Yolanda victims.
Citizen participation was also a factor in the Yolanda rehabilitation program with a Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB) project in Lemery, Iloilo for an evacuation center funded by the FY 2015 GAA.
“There’s a lot more work to be done to rehabilitate all affected communities. But we are proceeding at the pace that will benefit the victims in the long-term. That takes a bit more time than band-aid solutions. We need to build back better with structures and communities that are better-protected against future disasters. That’s exactly what we are doing,” Abad said.
RELEASES FOR TYPHOON YOLANDA BY IMPLEMENTING AGENCY (As of June 30, 2015)
*Includes requirements for Bohol earthquake
**Typhoons Isang, Quinta, Juaning, and Emong
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| Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Empowers MSMEs in the Province of Nueva Ecija | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Nueva Ecija, will launch the Nueva Ecija Credit Surety Fund (Nueva Ecija CSF) on 29 July 2015, 9:00 AM, at the Harvest Hotel, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. This is the 40th CSF to be established in the country. This event will be highlighted by the signing of Memorandum of Agreement among stakeholders, headed by BSP’s Monetary Board Member Felipe M. Medalla, Nueva Ecija Provincial Governor Aurelio M. Umali, and representatives of participating cooperatives and partner institutions. The CSF is a program designed to increase the creditworthiness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that find difficulty in getting access to bank credit due to lack of acceptable collaterals, credit knowledge and credit track records. As of 31 May 2015, total accumulated loans approved by lending banks under the CSF Program amounted to P1.74 billion of which P1.47 billion have already been released to around 15,000 MSMEs/cooperatives. The Nueva Ecija CSF is created by pooling the contributions of well-managed and well-capitalized cooperatives in the province, the Provincial Government of Nueva Ecija and partner institutions such as the Industrial Guarantee and Loan Fund, Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines. Through the Nueva Ecija CSF, the participating cooperatives and their MSME members with viable business models may obtain loans from banks even without hard collaterals as the surety agreement issued by the Fund will serve as alternative collateral of their loans. The CSF program is a credit enhancement scheme which has received wide acceptance from various stakeholders since its inception in 2008 and is expected to help underserved and unserved MSMEs gain access to bank credit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aquino admin remains resolute in bringing peace to Mindanao | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MANILA – The government peace panel in talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) reiterated today the firm resolve of the Aquino administration to bring peace and development to Mindanao despite the controversies and political issues. "We have seen this strong commitment as early as President Aquino’s inauguration in 2010,” government peace panel chair Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said. During his inauguration in June 30, 2010, Aquino declared his government “will be sincere in dealing with all the peoples of Mindanao,” adding “we are committed to a peaceful and just settlement of conflict, inclusive of the interests of all—may they be Lumads, Bangsamoro, or Christian.” "There have been so many challenges along the way, but President Aquino remains determined to bring peace to Mindanao, and with the people's support, we have gone this far in the process," said Ferrer. Ferrer cited the +23 public rating on the administration's efforts in “Restoring peace to Mindanao,” up from +12 in March, with majority of Filipinos (52%) expressing satisfaction as shown in the Second Quarter 2015 survey of the Social Weather Stations. Chair of the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro and Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez echoed Ferrer’s statement, saying that “President Aquino’s commitment to bring peace and development to our fellow Filipinos in Mindanao is unparalleled by previous administrations.” “We can see that in how he is doing all he can to move the peace process forward,” Rodriguez noted. “We have achieved so much in this peace process because the president continued pushing for it. Some are using the peace process to attack the president for the sake of their own political ambitions, yet President Aquino continues to stand his ground,” said Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN) Among the unprecedented and historic peace milestones achieved under the Aquino administration are the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, a preliminary peace agreement, last October 15, 2012; the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which successfully concludes the more than 17 long years of negotiations, last March 27, 2014; the submission of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law last September 10, 2014; and the beginning of the decommissioning process with the ceremonial turnover and decommissioning of MILF weapons and forces last June 16, 2015. “We had Al-Barka in 2011, the Sabah standoff and the Zamboanga siege in 2013, and the tragedy in Mamasapano early this year. While the peace process did not cause these events, we cannot deny that they are related,” Ferrer said. “Some sectors have called for an end to the peace talks and even for all-out war in the aftermath of these tragedies. And yet the President stood his ground. He knew the stakes, and he knew what a united Filipino nation can achieve through dialogue and principled compromise," Ferrer said. Ferrer said President Aquino has been equally firm in his conviction that the peace talks and ensuing agreements are all within the 1987 Constitution. “If we recall the Memorandum of Instruction issued by the President to the government peace panel in 2010, we can see that the first of his instructions is to ensure that negotiations will be guided by the Constitution,” Ferrer pointed out. The Memorandum of Instruction, dated October 7, 2010, was addressed to then-peace panel chair and now Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen. In sum, the President instructed the government panel that negotiations should be guided by the Philippine Constitution, inclusive of the flexibilities therein; the lessons learned from past negotiations; the government’s ability to deliver its commitments; and inclusiveness and transparency in order to restore public trust and confidence in the peace process. Proof of this, according to Ferrer, is the historic August 2011 meeting between Aquino and MILF Chair Al Haj Murad, which was welcomed by the armed group as “a great leap forward for both leaders,” raising hopes for a much-needed “closure to the conflict in Mindanao.” Ferrer explained that “the fact that the MILF dropped its earlier advocacy of secession and instead pursued greater political autonomy for Mindanao—which is mandated by the 1987 Constitution—is a big factor in the President’s decision to meet Chairman Murad.” “President Aquino continues to work to push the peace process forward, not because he seeks fame or personal gain, but because he knows the people, the children of Mindanao badly need peace and development,” Ferrer said.” | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roxas tests DOST's Hybrid Road Train | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Secretary of Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas joined Secretary of Science and Technology Mario Montejo for a test ride of the Hybrid Road Train during the opening ceremonies of the Department of Science of Technology’s (DOST) National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) last Friday, July 24. The Hybrid Road Train has five coaches, four of which can accommodate 60 passengers each. It features all Filipino-made materials and is environmentally friendly, as it runs on a diesel and electric-powered generator and battery. “Higit sa pangkaraniwan, higit sa laman ng pangkaraniwang bus ang masasakay dito,” he said about the trains. “Ang kagandahan nito ay articulated siya, so ibig sabihin ay isang operator, halos pito ang mga nakakabit na mga bagon o mga bus.” Roxas added that the Hybrid Road Train’s automotive parts were taken from bus parts rather than from train parts, which would make repairs easier. “’Yung pangkaraniwang automotive technician ay makakapag-repair nitong mga ito at hindi kinakailangan ng mga special parts na magmumula pa sa ibang bansa para lamang magkarooon nang pagsasaayos,” he said. Roxas also revealed that in his talks with Montejo, they discussed the possible deployment of the Hybrid Road Trains in Metro Manila’s major thoroughfares, such as EDSA, Roxas Boulevard, Taft, and Quezon Boulevard. The DILG chief expressed his excitement for the project, but admitted that it could use a few more improvements. “Malaki future nito,” he said. “Sa ngayon ito yung pangalawang prototype, medyo pulido na. Siguro isa pang prototype ay talagang perfect na ito at mako-commercialize na.” “Ang pinakamahalaga ay makarating sa paroroonan ang ating mga kababayan,” he concluded. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roxas to City Mayors: Your Success is the National Government's Success | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three days before President Aquino's final State of the Nation Address (SONA), Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas recognized the crucial role that local government units (LGUs) have played in realizing all the groundbreaking achievements of the Aquino administration over the past five years. "Kayo, bilang mga punong lungsod sa iba't ibang bahagi ng bansa, mismo ang makakapagbigay-testigo kung ano ang pagbabago, kung ano ang kabutihan na naisakatuparan natin nitong nakaraang limang taon," Roxas reminded the over 100 city mayors who attended the 62nd Annual General Assembly of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) on July 24 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. He then enumerated a number of the Aquino administration's key achievements, such as the almost threefold increase in capital outlay spending from P180 billion in 2009 up to P580 billion for the year 2015. The number of families covered by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also increased significantly, from 500,000 in 2010 to four and a half million today. This roughly translates to P65 billion now going directly into the economies of local areas where these beneficiaries live. Health insurance has also become more accessible for constituents, allowing them to avail of PhilHealth's services automatically upon entering local health facilities. This accounts for around P50 billion spent annually for universal healthcare for all Filipinos, including reimbursements for local health expenses. "We can say quite convincingly that indeed, much improvement, much progress has come into our country," Roxas declared. "And it is mainly because you have kept faith in the president, kept faith with our principle of Daang Matuwid," he added. Roxas also noted that it might be his last chance to address the LCP in assembly as DILG chief given that next year, most, if not all of the local chief executives, will be "facing the people with a fresh mandate." "All of us will once again be weighed, looked upon, and examined by our people," he said, pertaining to the 2016 general elections. But Roxas insisted that the people will do so by looking at what public officials have done and what more they can offer the public. "I believe that you, as city mayors, can look your people in the eye and say that life has improved greatly over the last five years and this is the result of our being together and cooperating together," he stressed. The DILG chief also noted that the Aquino administration encountered several difficulties, including calamities, disasters, and tragedies. "Subalit naitawid natin ito, nalampasan natin ito, dahil tayo ay tumotoo sa ating mandato, tumotoo sa tiwala na ipinagkaloob sa atin ng ating mga kababayan," he emphasized. "If you succeed, then we (in the national government) succeed, and if you fail, it is our failure," he added. Roxas has been an advocate of the empowerment of LGUs as seen in his policies as DILG secretary, inspired by his predecessor Jesse Robredo, who believed that the national government should act like a "big brother" to all LGUs in the country. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Speech of Secretary Balisacan on the Philippine economic growth and the growth in the property sector at TOPS-LRA Summit 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KEYNOTE SPEECH SECRETARY ARSENIO M. BALISACAN Economic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director-General The Philippine Economic Growth and the Growth in the Property Sector TOPS-LRA: Measuring our Gains and Meeting the Challenges Ahead TOPS-LRA Summit 2015 Ballroom 2, Fairmont Hotel, Makati City 28 July 2015 Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. It gives me great pleasure to be invited to the TOPS-LRA Summit 2015 to talk about recent Philippine economic growth and the crucial role that the property sector plays in such growth. This year’s summit— with the theme “Measuring Our Gains and Meeting the Challenges Ahead”—provides an opportune and timely moment to critically assess our gains and milestones in sustaining the growth of the Philippine property industry amid the country’s robust economic performance. I would like to commend The Organization of Property Stakeholders Inc. (or TOPS), in partnership with the Land Registration Authority (or LRA), for organizing this activity that brings together major property stakeholders in the country to discuss various topics and developments in the real estate industry and to put in place action plans aimed at preserving our gains and meeting future challenges in the property sector. The shape of real estate industry in the Philippines has changed dramatically over the years. In particular, the property market has grown robustly over the last 20 years as increasing demand for residential and commercial properties in the country became ever more evident against the backdrop of our changing economic landscape. As you know, the Philippines has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the region in recent years. With an average growth rate of 6.2% per year from 2010 to 2014—even reaching 7.1% in 2013—we can proudly say that the Philippine economy is now traversing a higher growth trajectory path. The average growth in the past five years was, in fact, the highest in nearly four decades. This growth has been supported by sound and stable macroeconomic fundamentals, characterized by low and stable inflation, a robust financial sector, prudent fiscal ratios, and a healthy external position that has made our economy much more robust and less vulnerable to global volatilities. For example, our current account surplus has been accompanied by resilient remittances from Filipinos overseas, strong business process outsourcing (or BPO) earnings, and rising tourism receipts. More importantly, the fundamental sources and drivers of our recent economic growth are changing. In particular, we are observing the growing importance of investment spending (capital formation) on the demand side and the resurgence of industry, especially local manufacturing, on the supply side. The manufacturing exports has grown despite recent global economic slowdown. We have also diversified beyond electronics and semiconductors. About 10 years ago, electronics and semiconductors comprised about 70 percent of our exports, today, it only accounts for about 43.3 percent. The overall optimism in the Philippine economy in recent times is also at an all-time high. The country’s strong macroeconomic indicators, stable political landscape, and timely governance reforms restored the confidence of the people. This has, in turn, been reflected in remarkable improvements in our Global Competitiveness and Ease of Doing Business rankings as well as our investment grade ratings. Indeed, our economic gains serve as evidence that the Philippines is finally catching up with its neighbors, and that we are heading towards the right direction. These encouraging developments in our economy bode well for our real estate industry, with the property market across all its sectors (including office, residential, logistics, retail, and hospitality segments) poised for continued growth. While the property industry has already been doing very well in the past few years—owing to a solid economic backdrop, stronger demand for BPO services, heavy consumer spending, and healthy inflow of remittances from OFWs—the sector is seen to grow even more robustly, driven by the continued positive outlook on the economy and the projected expansion of outsourcing industry within the next five years. A key source of growth in the Philippine property market is rapid urbanization and the accompanying rise of the residential sector. As of 2010, a little under half of the Philippine population lived in urban areas (48.6%), but this is projected to rise to 56.3% by 2030 and 66% by 2050. Condominiums are becoming particularly attractive in Metro Manila, with an estimated increase in supply of 14,000 units from 2012 to 2018, mostly coming from the mid-end segment of the market. Demand for residential properties is mainly driven by our middle class, and particularly the 11 million Filipinos overseas who in 2014 repatriated about USD 24.3 billion, allocating about USD 7 billion of which into property investments. The growth of “townships”—or self-contained districts that fuse together homes, offices, shops, and schools in linked communities—are particularly attractive not only to affluent buyers but also young professionals who choose to live near their workplaces. The country’s growing services sector is also another key driver of property market growth. As of 2014, more than half of the country’s output—or about 57% of GDP—was accounted for by the services sector which comprises not only real estate activities but also information and communication; financial and insurance activities; education, health, and social work. Among these sectors, the country’s BPO industry is proving to be particularly important for the growth of the country’s property sector. Fueled by increased new investments from large and mid-sized foreign investors, our BPO sector has remained among Asia’s brightest spots over the years. BPO services in the country started to emerge following the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, when global companies began to outsource business processes that could be done outside the company with greater efficiency and at less cost. From a USD 3.4 billion industry in 2006, the outsourcing industry is estimated to have reached USD 18 billion in 2014, and is forecast to accelerate further to about USD 22 billion in revenue for this year . This excellent performance of the sector has translated to higher demand for office requirements and, with rising investments from BPO companies in the coming years, we expect developers to bring to market more property developments across the country’s central business districts (or CBDs), both in and out of Metro Manila. Another promising area of real estate growth borne by the services sector can be found in the retail and hotel property markets. For years there has been a significant growth in the number of retail shopping malls (again, borne by consumption of the rising middle class), and in the future projections point to a growing expansion and market share of malls located in the provinces. In fact, some studies suggest that by 2018 more than half of total retail property supplies will be found in the provinces. Growing tourism arrivals and receipts are also incentivizing the increase in supply of hotel developments in and out of Metro Manila. In the next few years a significant number of these new hotel properties will be constructed particularly in the southern part of Metro Manila including Visayas and Mindanao. Moreover, the emergence of new hotel brands and budget hotel chains in the provinces are also expected to grow further in response to robust tourism growth. The ASEAN integration, which is set to culminate in a few months’ time, is also expected to boost the Philippine real estate industry as the country continues to attract foreign investors, especially given its increasing attractiveness as an investment destination in the region. The demand for residential and commercial infrastructure, retail complexes, as well as tourism and hospitality services is likely to increase as the ASEAN Economic Community or AEC comes into full swing by December 2015. For the Philippines, this entails numerous opportunities for further expansion, particularly in filling the gaps for accommodation and office space requirements and needed facilities and services, among others. Without a doubt, this is a great time for the Philippine property market. However, while opportunities abound and growth prospects in the industry are very encouraging, there remains a number of major challenges that we need to aggressively address in order to maximize the industry’s full potential. To be sure, we must continue pursuing relevant market reforms to remain competitive and reap the benefits of the booming property sector in the region. Some of the critical constraints that need immediate action are the country’s weak public infrastructure and low property market transparency and restrictive ownership rules. For one, while infrastructure spending as a percent of GDP has been increasing in recent years, there is a constant need for the infrastructure system to keep up with rising demands in our fast-growing economy, especially these days as new property investments flood the market. Poor public transportation and congestion in our roads, ports, airports, and seaports threaten to hamper the pace of economic activity and cap the growth of many major cities if left unaddressed. For this reason, the government is already devoting greater focus on infrastructure investment and putting into place comprehensive transport roadmaps and critical logistics infrastructure roadmaps to keep up with the significant growth of the country’s primary business hubs. Another critical area of policy reform in the country concerns low property market transparency and restrictive ownership rules. Market transparency has a general correlation with investment volume, and—more often than not—property developers and investors generally look for a stable law and regulation surrounding investment. In some cases, however, the legislation is weak or not even in place to support the property industry. As a result, property buyers face high transaction costs, petty corruption and red tape, and substandard building practices. At the same time, strict restrictions on foreign ownership could also hamper the growth of foreign direct investments in the country. Towards this end, the government is striving to improve transaction processes as well as legal and regulatory environments. These include, for example, liberalization of contractors’ licensing and registration, promotion and development of domestic and overseas construction, and the efficient implementation of dispute resolution mechanisms. We also need to pursue a number of other important legislative measures that will further reduce the cost of doing business in the country. For instance, the passage of the Competition Law last July 21 will undoubtedly help diffuse market power and concentration in a spectrum of key industries, including manufacturing and logistics. Reforming the tax system and raising tax efforts to levels at par with our regional peers is also crucial to sustaining fast-paced growth and public infrastructure development. Some areas that need further institutional reform include: improving the tax effort among the self-employed and corporations; curbing smuggling; improving the current regime for SMEs and PPP Projects; and rationalizing fiscal incentives. Access to financing also plays a crucial role in the real estate industry. Unfortunately, the Philippines remains among the countries in South East Asia that have relatively underdeveloped financial markets. We continue to face limited access to finance via commercial bank loans and capital markets, especially those for business set-ups and expansion. Therefore, the challenging task is to ensure the availability of more avenues for accessible financing not just among property buyers but also among small and medium-sized enterprises or SMEs. Finally, efforts to improve human capital formation and to foster technological growth and innovation should be intensified. The Philippines’ large population of educated, skilled, and competitive young workers and professionals serve an important role in the booming property industry, specifically in the BPO sector, and stand to benefit the most from the increasing regional economic landscape brought about by the upcoming ASEAN integration. Furthermore, the country’s growing population of young professionals proves to be a source of future demand for residential properties, as population projections point to an increasing share of the population aged 30-49 in the next couple of decades. With these prospects, there is a need to continuously identify and implement comprehensive reforms to support this critical demographic by enhancing the country’s educational system and abating the skills mismatch in the labor market. Given the foregoing challenges and the needed reforms to further boost the Philippine property market, an all-important question to ask is: What do all these mean for investors? In sum, it is clear that the enabling factors that are shaping and supporting the growth of the property industry in the Philippines is already in place. Particularly, good macroeconomic fundamentals, low interest rates, the thriving services and BPO sector, and the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community are all key drivers that everyone should look out for. We should all capitalize on these growth drivers while continuously addressing the key challenges and barriers to the acceleration of the property sector in the country. Truly, the property sector in the Philippines is at the forefront of Philippine growth in the medium and long term. Let us all work together so that the benefits from the country’s recent economic progress could translate to even more vibrant and sustainable growth in the Philippine property sector. On that note, I end my speech. Thank you for your time and good day! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brother of fallen SAF 44 is now a TESDA specialist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.tesda.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turning grief into strength, the brother of one of the fallen Special Action Force (SAF) men availed of the scholarship assistance offered by the government and is now a certified technical-vocational (tech-voc) training graduate. Joel Inocencio, brother of the late SPO1 Lover Inocencio, recently received the National Certificate after completing the training and passing the assessment on Heavy Equipment Operator-Wheel Loader NC II. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) offered scholarships for any qualified dependents of the troops based on the government's Social Services Program for the Families of Killed in Action (KIA) Soldiers and Police Personnel. The scholarships were part of the package of assistance given by the government to the families of the 44 SAF men killed in battle in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao last January 25. "It feels good to see how tech-voc helped families of the fallen SAF 44 pick up the pieces and carry on," TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva said. "The skills learned as a specialista will take him to places of employment," he added. Inocencio is presently working as a foreman at the Ruin Construction in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. Interviewed by TESDA-Caraga, Inocencio said he would use the skills acquired from his tech-voc course to have a steady source of income to help his family and that of his brother. Inocencio said that when he learned about the TESDA scholarship for the dependents of the SAF men, he went to the regional office to inquire. After completing the requirements, TESDA-Caraga regional director Florencio Sunico awarded the scholarship commitment to him and scheduled his training at the Butuan Manpower Training Center. He received a scholarship slot under the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World-class Pinoy fashion in DOsT Science Week | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dost.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Filipino ingenuity and creative talent are shown in the uniquely designed Barong Tagalong and blouse using indigenous materials like banana fibers which went through rigid research and testing by the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Textile Research Industry (DOST-PTRI). PTRI is involved in the research of alternative textile materials and natural dyes using technologies that produce eco-friendly and suitable clothing materials ideal for the tropical climate of the Philippines and for possible export. Other clothing and textile technologies are featured in DOST’s National Science and Technology Week ongoing until July 28, 2015 at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. It is open from 9:00am to 6:00pm and admission is free. (S&T Media Service) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PhilHealth and the Press: Moving Towards Universal Coverage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.philhealth.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently conducted the Social Health Insurance Education Series (SHInES) with various print and broadcast media organizations from the provinces of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur at the Villa Caceres Hotel in Naga City, to better educate the media on how best to write about the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). Dubbed “National Health Insurance Act of 2013: Moving towards Universal Coverage,” the SHInES aims to deepen the media members’ understanding and appreciation of the concept of SHI and of the NHIP, with the end in view of making them 'force multipliers' of PhilHealth. The SHInES for Media was jointly organized by PhilHealth’s Corporate Communication Department and the Social Health Insurance Academy. (Emy Retuta) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DFA and DOJ to meet with Indonesian officials to discuss developments in Mary Jane Veloso’s Case | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 27 July 2015 – Officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Justice (DOJ) will be meeting with Indonesian officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Law and Human Rights, and the Attorney General’s Office on July 29 to discuss developments in the cases filed in the Philippines against the recruiters of Mary Jane Veloso. They will also discuss the assistance available under the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Among Like-Minded ASEAN Member Countries (ASEAN MLAT). This is part of the DFA’s continuous commitment to provide assistance to Mary Jane Veloso. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DFA, PIA Engages Dumaguete City on West Philippine Sea Issue | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 27 July 2015 - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) conducted a multi-sectoral advocacy campaign on the West Philippine Sea issue in Dumaguete City from July 22 to July 24. DFA Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Charles C. Jose, in cooperation with the PIA Regional Office in Cebu represented by Deputy Regional Director Fayette Rinen and PIA-Negros Oriental Manager Jennifer Catan-Tilos, presented the West Philippine Sea issue to various audiences in Dumaguete City through a multi-sectoral forum, a campus tour, and several live media appearances. The talks highlighted the core issues of the dispute, the principles guiding Philippine official policy, and the Government initiatives and efforts in addressing the issue. Assistant Secretary Jose extensively discussed the West Philippine Sea issue before an audience composed of local government officials, uniformed personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other local law enforcement agencies, businesses, students and youth, representatives from the religious sector, and members of the media on July 23 at the multi-sectoral forum held at the Bethel Guest House. The lecture was followed by a lively exchange of questions and ideas. In view of the concerns raised by the audience on the long term effect of the dispute on the Philippines-China relations, the DFA Spokesperson stressed the need for an in-depth understanding and balanced view of the dispute. “The West Philippine Sea issue is not the sum total of our relations with China,” he stated. “Our differences lie in the official policies, not socio-cultural.” The multi-sectoral forum was followed by a campus tour in Silliman University on the same day, where the DFA Spokesperson delivered his lecture before an audience composed students and faculty members from various colleges and universities in Dumaguete City. He expressed appreciation to Silliman University for hosting the forum and thanked the representatives from other academic institutions for their support. He entertained plenty of questions from the students and addressed their concerns, particularly on the resolution of the issue. “Due to its complexity and significance, this issue will not be instantly resolved. It will need the sustained commitment of this generation, as well as future generations. That is why it is important for you to understand it fully and to keep yourselves informed,” the DFA Spokesperson stated. He encouraged the audience to share the knowledge and insights they have obtained in the lecture to their families, friends, and their online communities. The DFA Spokesperson also took the opportunity to engage the local media through a radio interview with Radio DYMD 93.7 on July 22 and with Radio DYGB Tug-anan sa Power 91 on July 24, a press conference on July 23, and a live TV guesting with host Dr. Cecilia Genove at Channel 6 at the Fil-Products cable TV studio on July 23. He thanked the reporters for their continued interest in the West Philippine Sea issue and also answered questions on other DFA-related concerns. The DFA and PIA will continue to conduct multi-sectoral forums on the West Philippine Sea in other major regions throughout the country within the year. Since the campaign was launched in 2015, forums were already held in Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro City, Subic, Olongapo, Laoag City, and Vigan City, Puerto Princesa City and Tuguegarao City. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Under the P-Noy administraton: More than 8.6 million disadvantaged Filipinos hired under DOLE-monitored CBEP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said the convergent Community-Based Employment Program (CBEP), which the DOLE is tasked to monitor, had benefited 8,603,993 disadvantaged persons, including disaster victims, across the country in terms of short-term jobs from 2011 to 2014.“When the administration came into office in 2010, it knew the need for quality infrastructure like roads and bridges, housing, and telecommunication facilities to attract investors, move fast the flow of commerce, and create jobs, particularly in the remote communities. So, the President revived the emergency employment program which her mother, former President Corazon C. Aquino started to energize local economies and to provide workers with social protection. We called it the Community-Based Employment Program, or CBEP,” said Baldoz. The CBEP is a priority convergence programs aimed to contribute to the national goal of inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and job creation, particularly in the countryside, or the local community. Of the total short-term CBEP jobs, 3,528,577 million jobs were generated by infrastructure projects of the government, while 5,075,416 million jobs were created by 74 non-infrastructure projects and programs of 21 government agencies. Baldoz said the aggregate total of CBEP short-term jobs is not complete yet, because the government expects more CBEP beneficiaries until the end of President Aquino III’s term in 2016. The CBEP, through the last five years, has shown significant rise in terms of jobs it generated for disadvantaged workers. For 2011, which is the year it was revived, it generated 1,238,225 short-term jobs; 2012, the CBEP created 2,324,311; in 2013, it created 1,987,337 jobs; and in 2014, it 3,054,120 short-term jobs, mainly for displaced persons, especially in the rural areas. The DOLE as chairman of the CBEP Steering Committee leads in coordinating and monitoring jobs generated by various agencies with enrolled infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects through the CBEP Online Monitoring and Reporting System. "The convergent, inter-agency Community-Based Employment Program is an effective avenue by which all major agencies of the Philippine government could respond, and in effect, help disadvantaged people stand back on their own feet," said Baldoz. The 24 participating agencies are the Departments of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Agriculture (DA), Education (DepEd), Foreign Affairs (DFA), Energy (DOE), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Health (DOH), Labor and Employment (DOLE), Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Trade and Industry (DTI), Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Tourism (DOT); Intramuros Administration (IA); Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA); Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA); Office Transportation Security; Philippine National Railways (PNR); Philippine Ports Authority (PPA); Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO); Landbank of the Philippines (LBP); Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA); National Housing Authority (NHA), National Youth Commission (NYC). The CBEP is consistent with the overarching goal enunciated by President Benigno S. Aquino III, in his 22-point labor and employment agenda, to “invest in our country’s top resource, our human resource, to make us more competitive and employable while promoting industrial peace based on social justice,” by working “with relevant government agencies in enhancing social protection programs . . . while strengthening the Emergency Community Employment Program (ECEP) to create jobs immediately so people can still have income to spend for their basic needs.” The CBEP has three components, namely: (a) Infrastructure projects that generate jobs through the construction of roads, bridges, flood control structures, school buildings, and water systems; (b) non-infrastructure projects covering social infrastructure like reforestation, coastal resource management, livelihood and self-employment undertakings/projects; and (c) emergency employment projects or income support endeavors that create short-term wage employment or self-employment in distressed/remote areas, especially those affected by calamities/contingencies. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preemptive, quick disaster response makes PH agri resilient | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.da.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department of Agriculture (DA) is confident that aside from its regular programs on boosting productivity, the agency’s preemptive and quick disaster response mechanisms have enabled the agriculture sector become resilient from the adverse effects of calamities. Agriculture Secretary Alcala said that for instance, despite considerable damage caused by typhoons on the industry, the country was able to attain in 2013 the highest rice harvest in history at 18.4 million metric tons. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) also reported that in 2013, the agriculture sector still managed to grow by 1.15 percent in terms of volume and 3.51 percent in terms of value. “Likewise, from the PSA data, agricultural growth in terms of value in 2013 has actually tripled from the growth recorded in 2012 at 1.17 percent,” Alcala said. Seed buffer stocking The Secretary said that one measure that has helped the sector cope up with the challenges of calamities and still register growth is seed buffer stocking. He recalled that when Typhoon Santi struck Central Luzon in October 2013, affected farmers received seeds from the DA’s buffer stocks not only from their region but also from the stocks of other regions. The availability of seeds ensured that no cropping season was missed. “With seed buffer stocking, we have pre-positioned 10 percent of rice seed requirements of every region to enable quick replanting by farmers after calamities,” Alcala said. Alcala stressed that as calamities have become more frequent and severe, the DA has strived to craft innovative measures to ensure that crops are immediately replaced and livelihoods are restored after these calamities. The Secretary cited its experience with Yolanda, when the super typhoon-hit areas in Eastern Visayas were able to produce 201,722 metric tons of rice from 53,168 hectares land. Their farms yielded 8.6% more as the farmers, who previously did not have access to quality seeds, received certified seeds from the DA’s buffer stocks. The Department has similarly provided quality seeds and other inputs for disaster-hit farmers planting other crops such as corn, root crops, fruits and vegetables. “Bangkang Pinoy” for fisherfolk DA’s response efforts to Yolanda, as well as other calamities, have not only focused on crops as a significant portion of the devastated communities depends on fishing. Secretary Alcala explained that the DA has given special attention to fishers as they are the most disaster-vulnerable sectors, given their poverty incidence level and geographic location. With the AHON! Rehabilitation Initiative of the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), the agency has been able to help at least 31,465 fisherfolk families and 103 fisherfolk associations to rebuild their boats or acquire new ones, enabling them to resume their fishing activities after the typhoon. At least 5,000 Bangkang Pinoy fiberglass fishing boats have already been distributed to affected fisherfolk communities, enabling them to recover from their losses and contribute to the country’s fisheries production anew. A component of the AHON! Rehabilitation Initiative, the Bangkang Pinoy project targets the distribution of at least 30,000 fishing boats for Yolanda-hit smallholder fisherfolk in the MIMAROPA, Central and Eastern Visayas regions. These fiberglass fishing boats are sturdier and more durable, thus are cost-efficient than the traditional wooden boats. The distribution of these boats has helped realize the administration’s “build back better” rehabilitation approach. Aside from boats, the DA-BFAR has provided motor engines and fishing gears as well for the Bangkang Pinoy beneficiaries. During the Typhoon Ruby in 2014, the DA-BFAR has also deployed its pre-positioned multi-mission boats for quick response and relief operations in typhoon affected areas. DA Undersecretary for Fisheries Asis Perez said that since after the onslaught of Yolanda, the DA-BFAR has pre-positioned multi-mission boats in strategic areas along expected typhoon corridors as a proactive measure to quickly respond to emergencies. Insurance for farmers, fishers Aside from providing material assistance to disaster-affected communities, the DA has likewise enhanced its existing insurance program for crops, livestock and fisheries. “We are working within the context of changing climate and worsening disasters; hence, we want our existing programs such as insurance to be more responsive to the situations that confront our farmers and fishers,” Secretary Alcala said. Through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), a government-owned and controlled corporation under the DA, the department has intensified insurance coverage of agricultural producers against losses of crops and non-crop agricultural assets due to natural calamities, pests and diseases, and other risk factors. Insurance has become a necessary component of the DA’s banner commodity programs. Alcala stressed that in these times of unpredictable and extreme weather events, insurance for agricultural assets is indispensable to help farmers and fisherfolk recover faster from post-disaster losses. Resiliency is sustainability Secretary Alcala said that enabling agricultural producers become more resilient means making the agriculture sector as whole more sustainable. “As our farmers and fishers recover more quickly from disasters, the overall agricultural growth is not compromised. This ensures the sector’s stable contribution to the country’s economy,” Alcala said, adding that livelihoods and food security are likewise protected. The Secretary however stressed that response is not a stand alone strategy. He noted that a more resilient—and productive—agriculture industry also requires sustainable management and utilization of natural resources through practices such as multi-cropping, ecological agriculture and integrated pest management, among others. The DA has been promoting all these sustainable and climate-adaptive practices to complement disaster response programs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PHL, Vietnam to collaborate on high value crops, strengthen fisheries cooperation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.da.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department of Agriculture said today the Philippines and Vietnam have agreed to collaborate on integrated pest management and exchange information on post-harvest technologies and processing in high-value crops, and also strengthen cooperation in the fisheries sector. Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said both parties agreed that their respective plant protection experts will meet and identify specific fruits and vegetables for export and determine the phytosanitary requirements. The agreement was made during the recent First Meeting of the Joint Agriculture Working Group between the two countries. The meeting was co-chaired by Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning Orlan Calayag and Agriculture and Rural Development Vice Minister Vu Van Tam of Vietnam. According to the Secretary, the Philippines expressed interest in knowing more about the technologies on the control of the black pepper disease. He added, the Philippines and Vietnam agreed to effectively carry out the Memorandum of Agreement on Fisheries Cooperation signed by both counties in 2009. We aim to bolster a united effort in aquaculture, fisheries, processing and marketing, including but not limited to advanced technology transfer, training and capacity building, culinary or processing practices, post-harvest technologies and exchange of visits, Alcala said. A hotline to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and to support humanitarian search and rescue operations at sea is also aimed to be established. “The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Philippines and the Directorate of Fisheries of Vietnam will work on specific details to report to their respective Department and Ministry, respectively, so that the hotline can be permanently established by the end of 2015,” Alcala said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5M IDG project to put up a PGR lab and training center | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.da.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), through its director, Dr. Nicomedes P. Eleazar, officially sealed its support to the project “Establishment of Plant Genetic Research (PGR) Laboratory and Training Center” at the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA). Signing the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the PhP 5M-project opposite Dir. Eleazar was CBSUA Vice President for Research and Development, Prof. Josephine F. Cruz. Funded under the bureau’s Institutional Development Grant (IDG) Program, the project is set to be instrumental in promoting sustainable use of PGR and to capacitate the Bicolano researchers, scientists, students, farmers, and other stakeholders on PGR research and development (R&D). CBSUA, known to be the center of excellence in agriculture in the Bicol region, is one of the bureau’s partners in promoting PGR specifically its initiative on biodiversity conservation. The facility, which will house science laboratories, a museum, and a training center, will serve as CBSUA and the entire Bicol region’s center in the conduct of planning, development, and implementation of regional programs on PGR as well as the region’s germplasm bank of economically-important plants in the locality. It will be open to farmers, researchers, and the general public who wish to be trained and be capacitated on PGR practices and other relevant information. The MoA covers the construction of a two-storey building composed science laboratories on Phytochemical Screening, Clinical Plant Science, DNA Testing, Tissue Culture, and Seed Testing and Planting Materials, National Science Museum, and Training Center as well as the procurement of facilities and equipment. With attaining food sufficiency and food security at the forefront of the goals and priorities of DA, PGR R&D has become one of BAR’s major strategies toward strengthening the conservation of plant genetic diversity. With this, the bureau has placed great emphasis on PGR R&D as it focuses on exploring, collecting, regenerating, characterizing, evaluating, and conserving traditional crops, which are crucial in ensuring food sources. In doing this, the bureau coordinates two international projects on PGR. These are: 1) “Strengthening PGR (Plant Genetic Resources) Management System: Conserving the Diversity of Priority Vegetables (Solanaceous Crops) Germplasm of the Philippines,” in collaboration with the Asian Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (AFACI); and 2) “Integrating the Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Into Decentralized Landscape Management for Food Security and Biodiversity Conservation in Critical Eco-Geographic Regions of the Philippines (ITPGRFA project)”, funded through the United Nations Development Plan Philippines. While both projects seek to enhance and capacitate the Philippine farmers’ capacity for conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, they both have target or priority crops. Implemented in 16 regions and selected state universities and colleges (SUCs) of the country including CBSUA, the AFACI-PGR project gives priority to traditional tomato, eggplant, and pepper germplasm, while ITPGRFA project has rice, yam, taro, and sweet potato as its target crops. University of the Philippine Los Baños (UPLB) implements this project. One of the major programs of DA-BAR, IDG provides support to the rehabilitation and construction of various R&D infrastructures and facilities that could enable our researchers and scientists to generate, develop, improve, and up-scale technologies that address the department’s goal of attaining food security while ensuring productivity and competitiveness of the agriculture sector. As part of the visit to CBSUA, the bureau director also looked into the status of some BAR-funded projects in the university and provided recommendations for further collaboration between the two agencies. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Philippines’ education investment scores top marks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| While the Philippines has had robust economic growth since 2010, even despite a weak global economy, it has had little progress in reducing income poverty. Recognising that some segments of society are left out in growth processes, the Philippine government has made inclusive growth the cornerstone of its most recent Philippine Development Plan. The inclusive growth strategy includes more public investments in the social sector. In particular, bigger budgets have been given to both education and health. For 2015 alone, the education budget totals 361.7 billion pesos (US$8 billion), representing an increase of 18.6 per cent from the previous year. The government has also invested heavily in a conditional cash transfer (CCT) program referred to as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Primarily a social protection program, Pantawid was originally aimed at providing social assistance for poor households on the condition that these households invest in education and health, particularly of children, and access maternal health services. Grants for education amount to 300 pesos (US$8) per child per month for 10 months of the school year (for a maximum of three children per household). For health and nutrition, cash grants per household were 500 pesos (about US$12) per month per family. Starting in 2014, the government extended assistance to child beneficiaries to enable them to finish their high school education. Monthly cash assistance for high school students were increased to 500 pesos. This CCT has become the largest social welfare intervention that the government has ever implemented. Since its inception, the CCT budget has continued to increase, as has the number of beneficiaries. During its pilot stage, the CCT had a budget of 50 million pesos to assist 6000 households. A year later, the budget grew to 299 million pesos to assist 300,000 households. The government has continued to scale up the program toward the official estimates of the number of poor households in the country. The 2014 budget for Pantawid was 62.6 billion pesos with over four million households being assisted. This has coincided with the extension of assistance to child beneficiaries to complete high school. According to World Bank staff, Pantawid has also become the third largest CCT program globally, next only to those of Brazil (with 8.8 million households) and Mexico (6.5 million households). Recent official poverty data suggests that poverty incidence in the Philippines remains practically unchanged. Research shows that out of those in poverty in 2006, about a third (8 per cent of the population) had managed to exit poverty by 2009. But a tenth of the non-poor (also 8 per cent of the population) fell into poverty by 2009. Although only a 20 per cent of households in 2012 were poor, more than 30 per cent of households are strongly at risk of falling into poverty, with incomes hovering between the poverty line and twice the poverty threshold. Critics suggest that the huge budget could have been better spent in other pro-poor programs for livelihood and employment. But the lack of poverty reduction is not necessarily the fault of the CCT. All things have not been equal. Climate disasters and other factors put nearly-poor households at strong risk of falling into poverty. World Bank staff also suggest that poverty would have further worsened without Pantawid: the official poverty rate (25 per cent in the first half of 2013) could have been 1.4 percentage points higher without the CCT. With the peso cash grant, the poverty gap index (representing the average amount of income required by the poor to reach the poverty line) has been reduced by 61 centavos. Some think that giving money to the poor is not the best way to help since the poor may become dependent on that assistance. But studies show many positive outcomes from the CCT. Some suggest that the CCT has actually increased the desire for work of adult members of CCT beneficiaries. The same papers also show that the CCT has significantly reduced the hours worked by primary school-aged children, although it did not significantly affect the incidence of child labour. An examination of education indicators show that the proportion of five-to-fifteen year old children in school had gone up to about 95 per cent by 2013 from 90 per cent during 2007–10. In 2008, there were an estimated 2.9 million out-of-school children, of which 1.2 million were of primary school age. By 2013, the number of out-of-school children had fallen to 1.2 million, of which 440,000 are of primary school age. So while there are still a considerable number of children who are not in school, there is clear evidence that the government’s investments in Pantawid and in higher education budgets have started to pay off. The CCT was premised on the poor having opportunity costs in sending their children to school, and that people respond to incentives. Investing in education is not only right in itself, but it is also yielding returns. All else being equal, we can expect less income inequality and lower poverty rates in the years to come, with better income prospects for these households given the improved education attainments of children. Can we ever do wrong when we invest in the education of children? Dr Jose Ramon G. Albert is a senior research fellow at government think tank the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, and the president of the Philippine Statistical Association, 2014–2015. From October 2012 to February 2014, he was secretary-general of the now defunct National Statistical Coordination Board. Author: Jose Ramon G. Albert, Philippine Institute for Development Studies Reposted from: http://www.eastasiaforum.org | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DSWD reiterates: “Bawal ang Epal!” | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reiterated that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is insulated from partisan politics and strongly opposes any act that would use it to advance the political agenda or interest of certain groups or individuals. This came following reports about incidents that occurred during the pay-out activities of cash grants this month. In some regions, the beneficiaries were made to believe that the cash grants they were receiving were bonuses from a politician who has announced his plan to run for an elective position in the 2016 national elections. “The DSWD always ensures that the Pantawid Pamilya is protected from undue politicking and must remain free of political influence and manipulation, and that the rights of the program-beneficiaries are safeguarded,” DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said. The DSWD also learned that the beneficiaries were allegedly threatened that the implementation of the program will not be continued if they will not vote for the politician. “This is not true and is just a desperate move of some political personalities who are attempting to use the program for their political advancement,” Sec. Soliman said. DSWD emphasized that it is steadfast in safeguarding the non-partisan stand of Pantawid Pamilya and its beneficiaries, and that it supports free and honest elections. “Also, through our Family Development Sessions and previous campaigns, our beneficiaries are aware that the grants they received came from the national government, and even the process of their selection into the program was based solely from the targeting system called Listahanan and therefore is not subject to any political influence or decision,” Sec. Soliman further explained. DSWD encourages the public to be more vigilant and we also enjoin the general public to report politicians claiming credit from the program or such activities that aims to discredit the integrity of Pantawid Pamilya. The public may file their complaints through the Grievance Text Hotline 09189122813or via social media (facebook/ twitter: Tanggapan ng Reklamo), or they can visit the nearest DSWD Regional Office or their Municipal Links. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
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DZRB / Balita at Panayam by Alan Allanique
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28 July 2015
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| ALAN: Kahapon po ay inihayag nang Pangulong Noy ang kanyang ika-anim at huling State of the Nation Address, at may kasama po itong panawagan sa ating mga mambabatas, sir, na ipasa iyong ilang mga measures na mahalaga para sa kapakanan ng ating bansa - BBL and the other measures, Secretary Coloma, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Kabilang din diyan iyong panukala niya hinggil sa pagpasa ng isang Anti-Dynasty Law, na marami pong sumusuporta batay sa natunghayan po nating mga pahayag. Meron din pong iyong tungkol naman sa fiscal incentive po yata iyon. ALAN: Yes, sir. And of course, nabanggit ng Pangulo, Secretary Coloma, sir, iyong maliwanag na economic outlook para sa ating bansa at sinasabi nga pong sa malapit na hinaharap eh naroon iyong mga projections na patuloy na gaganda ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas, Secretary Coloma, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Dalawang mahalagang punto, Alan. Una, iyong pagiging optimistiko ng ating mga kababayan. Ayon doon sa binanggit ng Pangulo na SWS survey 8 out of 10 Filipino ang naniniwala po na darating tayo doon sa estado ng pagiging isang developed country. Eh napakagandang senyales po ito na malakas ang loob at matibay ang paniniwala ng ating mga kababayan sa ganda ng ating kinabukasan. At sila ay nagkakaroon nitong aspirasyong ito na matamo natin iyong pagiging developed country. At pangalawa, Alan, doon sa panghuling bahagi ng talumpati ng Pangulo, ipinakita niya yung resulta ng Daang Matuwid sa pamamagitan ng isang graph kung saan iyong linya ay pataas, iyong growth rate po natin. Binanggit nga niya na sa nakaraang limang taon, 2010 hanggang 2014, natamo natin iyong pinakamataas na five-year average growth rate na 6.2%. Pinakamataas po ito sa loob ng nakaraang apat na dekada at kung magpapatuloy ito sa loob ng isang henerasyon ay matatamo natin iyong tinatawag natin na first world status, ga-graduate na po tayo sa pagiging third world, magiging second world at first world pa rin, katulad ng minimithi at inaasam ng ating mga mamamayan. Sa makatuwid, Alan, nagtatagpo iyong aspirasyon at iyong reyalidad dahil nga sa mga naipatupad nang mga reporma at ang pinakamahalaga dito iyong patuloy na pagtahak sa Daang Matuwid. ALAN: Opo. Nabanggit din ng Pangulong Noy, Secretary Coloma, sir, iyong kanyang panawagan para sa approval nitong tinatawag na Unified Uniformed Personnel Pension Reform Bill. So ito ho’y para sa lahat ng mga unipormadong tauhan: Armed Forces, PNP and others, Secretary Coloma, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Tama iyan, Alan. Dahil nga may problema tayong malaki doon sa pagbabayad ng pension dahil doon sa probisyon sa umiiral na batas na binabago iyong batayan sa pension benefit index doon sa latest po na standard of living. Paano po iyong mga matagal nang nagretiro, napakarami po nito. Iba naman iyong naging batayan ng kanilang benepisyo, iyong kanilang sahod dati no. Eh dumating na po kasi sa punto na hindi na kayang bayaran ng ating pamahalaan, iyong kagyat na pagpapatupad dito ay nasa antas na ng trillion. Kaya pinag-aralan po ito ng isang inter-agency committee at nakapagbuo na po ng mahalagang probisyon ng isang draft bill na tinatawag na Unified Pension Reform for Uniformed Personnel, sakop po ang Armed Forces, kapulisan at iba pa pong uniformed personnel ng ating pamahalaan; at may urgency po ito dahil nga po kailangang maisa-ayos iyong sistema ng pagbabayad ng mga pension. At mahalaga din ito, Alan. dahil iyong minimithi din na pagtaas ng suweldo ng mga kawani ng gobyerno, mga lingkod-bayan, naantala din ito dahil nga kung magpapatupad ng ganoon lalong hindi makaka-adjust o hindi tayo makakatugon doon sa probisyon ng kasalukuyang pension system natin. Kaya magkakabit ang dalawang mahalagang bagay na iyan: iyong pagpapasa ng Unified Uniformed Personnel Pension Reformed Bill at iyong minimithi pong pagpapataas ng suweldo ng mga kawani sa gobyerno. ALAN: Ayon. Okay, Sec, ito hong isa rin sa mga hinaylight ng Pangulo ay ang tagumpay nitong 4Ps o Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program. Meron nga pong mga anak ng mga beneficiary na naka-graduate na with flying colors at papasok na rin sa kolehiyo. So, ibig sabihin po talagang successful at papaano - mas lalawak pa po ang coverage nitong 4Ps natin in the near future, Sec. Sonny, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga ang direksyon, Alan. Ang mahalaga diyan ay nakikita po natin ano na pumasok na sa tinatawag na virtuous cycle, nabago na po iyong istorya ng buhay ng ating mga kapatid at kababayang maralita. Dati po ay vicious cycle, kung ikaw ay mahirap nakasadlak ka sa kahirapan. Wala kang tatanawing magandang kinabukasan. Dahil iyong kahirapan mo sagabal iyan sa pagkumpleto ng pag-aaral. Kung mababa o wala kang pinag-aralan, hindi ka makakahanap ng trabaho, Kung walang kang trabaho ay lalo kang magiging mahirap, hindi ka makakatugon sa mga pangangailangan ng iyong kabuhayan, di mo mapapaganda ang iyong kinabukasan. Pero na-reverse na iyon, Alan. Dahil nga doon sa new paradigm na ating tinatahak ngayon, hindi na iyong baka sakali o tsamba o trickle-down effect. Tinutukoy po natin mismo, nasaan ba ang ating mga kapatid na mahirap. Inihahatid po sa sarili nilang ATM account iyong tulong ng gobyerno. Hindi na inaasa doon sa baka sakaling maambunan kayo, iyong ganoong klaseng approach na dati na hindi naman epektibo. Kaya iyan ang tugon natin doon sa mga nagsasabi hindi naman daw nararamdaman. Dahil napaka-konkreto naman iyong manipestasyon na napapabuti na ang kabuhayan ng mga tumatanggap ng benepisyo sa 4Ps. Nabago na po iyong istorya ng kanilang buhay, na-reverse po natin iyong vicious cycle at ito ay nasa virtuous cycle at puwede na po silang mangarap. Dahil abot-kamay na iyong mas magandang kinabukasan. ALAN: At kaalinsabay naman po nitong tulong na ipinagkakaloob na ito ng pamahalaan doon sa mga pamilya na napili base sa pangangailangan. Eh meron din naman pong karampatang obligasyon o kondisyon na kinakailangang i-fulfill iyong mga beneficiaries. Kasi iyong iba nga po ang sinasabi nila parang ito ay isang dole-out at parang hindi nila pinapansin iyong aspeto na bago mag-qualify ang isang pamilya, eh meron din siyang mga kondisyon na dapat matugunan, bago maging beneficiary, Sec. hindi po ba? SEC. COLOMA: Kaya nga tinawag na Conditional Cash Transfer, Alan, iyong mga kondisyon doon sa patuloy na pag-transfer o pagbigay ng sa iyo ng pondo. Kaya kung tutuusin, ito ay pamumuhunan, para din pong pagpapahiram ng pera sa bangko. Di ba nangungutang tayo, ginagamit iyon na puhunan, dahil meron namang magandang kahihinatnan iyong pagpapautang. Parang ganundin iyon, namumuhunan ang pamahalaan, binibigyan ng ayuda at kalinga ang ating mga kababayang maralita, dahil nananalig na sa pagbabago ng kanilang buhay makikinabang din iyong buong bansa at iyong buong ekonomiya natin. Nakita nga natin iyon doon sa halimbawa, si Alyannah Terite, iyong valedictorian ng Pasay City Science High School, na isa sa mga itinampok sa SONA kagabi doon sa isang video clip. Siya ay nagdikhay at nagsumikap, nagpunyagi, nagtagumpay bilang valedictorian at dahil po diyan ay nagkaroon siya ng susi sa isang magandang edukasyon, nag-qualify po siya doon sa civil engineering program ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, at kapag natapos po niya ito talagang mai-aangat niya ang kabuhayan niya at kabuhayan ng kanyang pamilya. Hindi po ba pamumuhunan ito. Taliwas doon sa sinasabi ng mga kritiko na ito ay dole-out. Papaano na lang po kung hindi tayo nag-reach out. Siguro po mas tama iyong salitang reach out, kaysa dole-out. ALAN: Well, pagkatapos po nang SONA ng Pangulo at itong pagbubukas ng session ng dalawang Kapulungan ng Kongreso, ang national budget po na aabot sa P3 trillion para sa 2016, we understand is, isusumite na rin officially ng Malacañang itong panukala diyan po sa ating House of Representatives, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Nakatakdang isumite ni Budget Secretary Butch Abad sa Kamara de Representantes ang panukalang General Appropriations Act para sa papasok na taon 2016, Alan. At gaya ng mga nakaraang pagkakataon, umaasa ang Pangulo na aaksyunan ito kaagad dahil ito ang number one priority sa legislative agenda. At mabubuo po ito, maipapasa at maipapatupad sa unang araw ng Enero 2016. Katulad noong nakaraang 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. Dahil ito pong napapanahong pagbuo ng General Appropriations Act ay mahalagang bagay sa maayos na pagdaloy ng pondo ng bayan para sa mahalagang programa. Mahalaga din po itong reporma tungo sa isang open, transparent and accountable government. ALAN: Well, Secretary Coloma. Muli Salamat po ng marami for the updates from the Palace, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Maraming Salamat at magandang umaga, Alan. | |
| SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center | |
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Last Updated: 27 JULY 2015
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| Alternative photo archive with high resolutions | |
| Please click on thumbnails to magnify | |
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III is shown with House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. and Senate President Franklin Drilon during the Joint Session of the 16th Congress at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives Complex in Constitution Hills, Quezon City on Monday (July 27). The delivered his 6th and last State of the Nation Address (SONA). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Gil Nartea / Rey Baniquet / Joseph Vidal / Robert Vinas / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his 6th and last State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the Joint Session of the 16th Congress at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives Complex in Constitution Hills, Quezon City on Monday (July 27). (Photo by Robert Vinas / Rey Baniquet / Gil Nartea / Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Valerie Jude Escalera / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his sixth and last State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the Joint Session of the 16th Congress at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives Complex in Constitution Hills, Quezon City on Monday (July 27). Also in photo are House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. and Senate President Franklin Drilon. (Photos by Benhur Arcayan / Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his sixth and last State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the Joint Session of the 16th Congress at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives Complex in Constitution Hills, Quezon City on Monday (July 27, 2015). (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III greets the legislators upon arrival for his sixth and last State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the Joint Session of the 16th Congress at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives Complex in Constitution Hills, Quezon City on Monday (July 27). (Photo by Robert Vinas / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III reviews the Honor Guards upon arrival for his 6th and last State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the Joint Session of the 16th Congress at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday (July 27). (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Robert Vinas / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. and Senate President Franklin Drilon upon arrival for his sixth and last State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the Joint Session of the 16th Congress at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday (July 27). (Photo by Robert Vinas / Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III poses for a photo opportunity with project partners and stakeholders including DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, former senator Manny Villar, Representatives Rodolfo Biazon, Marc Villar, and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala during the inauguration of the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expresswayin Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives for the inauguration of the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III gets a toll card to open the toll boom barrier to signal the official opening of the completed Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway during the inauguration ceremony in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24, 2015). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. Also in photo is Ayala Corporation chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. (Photo by Marcelino Pascua / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the inaugural drive-through at the completed Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway during the inauguration ceremony in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. Also in photo is Ayala Corporation chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Lauro Montellano, Jr. /Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III gets a toll card to open the toll boom barrier to signal the official opening of the completed Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway during the inauguration ceremony in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24i). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Ayala Corporation’s chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and president and chief operating officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala during the inauguration of the Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX) at the MCX Toll Plaza in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the inaugural drive-through at the completed Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX) during the inauguration ceremony in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24, 2015). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. Also in photo are Ayala Corporation chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the inaugural drive-through at the completed Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX) during the inauguration ceremony in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. ÿu(Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III gets a toll card to open the toll boom barrier to signal the official opening of the completed Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway during the inauguration ceremony in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. Also in photo are Ayala Corporation chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the structures of the completed Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway during the inauguration ceremony at the MCX Toll Plaza in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. Also in photo are Ayala Corporation chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the structures of the completed Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway during the inauguration ceremony at the MCX Toll Plaza in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership ProBenignly Also in photo are Ayala Corporation’s chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, president and chief operating officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by Ayala Corporation chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala upon arrival for the inauguration of the Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway at the MCX Toll Plaza in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan /Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III after delivering his speech at the Angat Dam and Dyke Strengthening Project Inspection ceremony at the Angat Hydroelectric Power Plant Hilltop in Norzagaray, Bulacan Wednesday (July 22). The Project involves the strengthening of the Angat Dam and Dyke in order to ensure its stability and safety to withstand the potential risk posed by possible seismic activity associated with the West Valley Fault. Also in photo are San Miguel Corporation president Ramon Ang, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson and MWSS Administrator Gerardo A.I. Esquivel. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
[INFOGRAPHIC] Want to know the key priorities of the 2016 proposed #budget? http://t.co/pAPLeQfmQk http://t.co/OsxYNe4p2Q | @DBMph
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Ang #Bangsamoro Basic Law ba ang simula ng paghihiwalay ng Mindanao sa Pilipinas?
Panuorin dito:
https://t.co/X4USZ9wKkb
Panuorin dito:
https://t.co/X4USZ9wKkb
Ang Bangsamoro Basic Law ba ang simula ng paghihiwalay ng Mindanao sa Pilipinas? --- Ang...
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Huwag palampasin ang oportunidad na maging POLICE, FIRE o JAIL INSPECTOR! Subukan ang ENTRANCE EXAM ng #PNPA! http://t.co/OzWv1uhq5h
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Mga Kabataan! Ipahayag ang inyong karapatang bumoto. #Magprehistro! #RocktheVote! http://t.co/d2nUoQYSLA
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NOTICE FOR ALL PASSENGERS ARRIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES #MERSCOV https://t.co/gfap6xfU7N | via @officialdohgov
NOTICE
TO TRAVELERS ARRIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES MERSCOV and EBOLA are DEADLY
infectious disease cause by viruses that may affect passengers like you.
HOW YOU...
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"Noong 2014, pumalo ng $6.20 bilyon ang net foreign direct investments—ang pinakamataas sa kasaysayan." - PNoy http://t.co/shoYrrv4mn
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Mula sa Project #NOAH ng DOST: Ano ang #Habagat at paano ito napaghahandaan? Alamin: http://t.co/3tBKRMmh8r http://t.co/CA53EjGNfz | @govph
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PAGLINGKURAN ang BAYAN bilang OFFICER ng AIR FORCE, ARMY, o NAVY. SUBUKAN ang ENTRANCE EXAM ng #PMA! http://t.co/jX7wwZ0xAB
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BBL101: Bakit kailangan palitan ang #ARMM ng Bangsamoro? | Panuorin dito: https://t.co/Lme6TZDhMn | via @OPAPP_peace
Bakit
kailangan palitan ang ARMM ng Bangsamoro? Hindi ba pwedeng i-improve na
lang ang ARMM? Anong mangyayari sa mga tao at empleyado ng ARMM? ---
Ang inyong...
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ReplyDeletePAGSUSULIT NG LOAN:
Humihiling ka ba para sa isang kagyat na ligtas na pautang?
Nahihirapan ka bang makakuha ng pautang para sa kapital ng nagtatrabaho mula sa lokal
mga bangko at iba pang institusyong pampinansyal?
Ang serbisyong ito ay magbigay ng suportang pinansyal sa mga indibidwal,
negosyante at kababaihan sa negosyo.
Kung interesado ka, mangyaring makipag-ugnay sa amin ngayon sa pamamagitan ng email:
potterscredit@yahoo.com: Kami ay nasa iyong serbisyo.
https://potterscredit.wixsite.com/potterscredit
Mag-email sa amin ngayon sa: potterscredit@yahoo.com
upang makuha ang form ng aplikasyon sa pautang.
Pinakamagandang Regards,
James Potter
Tagapamahala sa Co-Operation