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Quezon government to award QMK to outstanding Quezonians
August 18, 2015
LUCENA CITY, Quezon, August 18 (PIA) --The provincial government of Quezon through the 2015 Quezon Day Awards committee is set to award the Quezon Medalya ng Karangalan to nine outstanding Quezonians tomorrow, August 19 at Queen Margarette Hotel, barangay Domoit in this city.
The awardees to receive the Quezon Medalya ng Karangalan are: Doracie B. Zoleta-Nantes, Ph.D. - science and technology; Vitaliano N. Aguirre II - Law; Sonia S. Leyson, RSW - government service; Delia R. Roadilla, Ph.D - education, school administration ; Juanito Merle, Ed.D - education, research-based instruction; Maria Adeline A. Lee - education, school administration; Gloria L. Ching, Ed.D - school governance; and Ret. Brig. Gen. Abenina - military service while Ms. Levita G. Ilao will receive a special citation in the field of sports.
Awarding of Quezon Medalya ng Karangalan (QMK) to outstanding Quezonians is part of the 137th birth anniversary of the late and former President Manuel Luis Quezon.
Quezon Medalya ng Karangalan is the highest award given by the province of Quezon to its outstanding citizens for their exceptional and meritorious achievements which greatly contributed to the advancement of interest and welfare development of the province and its people by virtue of Provincial Board Resolution No. 612.
The award are in two categories: the Gintong Medalya ng Karangalan (life achievement award) and the Medalya ng Karangalan (special achievement award).
The first part of the Quezon day celebration is the traditional floral offering at Quezon monument at Perez park in Lucena City to be attended by employees from the local and national government agencies, NGOs and other civic groups. The second part is the awarding of Quezon Medalya ng Karangalan (QMK) to outstanding citizens of Quezon province.
Former DOE secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla is the guest of honor and speaker in the said occasion. (Ruel M. Orinday/PIA-Quezon)
BATANGAS
Tagalog news: "No Bio, No Boto"
campaign, patuloy na isinusulong ng COMELEC
August 18, 2015
LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Agosto 18 (PIA)
--Patuloy ang COMELEC-Batangas sa kampanyang "No Bio, No Boto" para
sa darating na 2016 national elections na naging daan upang umabot sa 52
porsyento ng mga Batangueñong botante ang nagpa-validate ng kanilang
biometrics.
Base sa tala ng Comelec-Batangas, may
108,701 o 52 porsyento pa lamang ng 209,867 botanteng hindi kumpleto o walang
biometrics data ang nagpa-validate sa mga tanggapan ng Comelec sa buong
lalawigan ng Batangas mula Mayo 2014 hanggang Hulyo 27, 2015.
Dahil dito, gumawa ng mga hakbang ang Comelec
Batangas kabilang ang pagkakaroon ng satellite registration sa malls, barangay
satellite registration at pagkakabit ng "No Bio, No Boto" poster
upang lalo pang maparami ang mga botanteng magpapavalidate ng kanilang
biometrics para makaboto sa susunod na eleksiyon.
Isinagawa din "Go Bio, Kapitolyo!"
at Validation iS Required (VSR) o satellite registration ng mga empleyado at
ilang residente ng Batangas City at Lipa City sa Comelec Batangas nag-resulta
sa 129 botante na dumulog upang magparehistro at magpa-validate ng kanilang
biometrics data.
Sinabi ni Batangas election supervisor Atty.
Gloria Ramos Petallo, na nakikipag-ugnayan siya kay Governor Vilma Santos at sa
Provincial Human Resource Management Office upang matulungan hindi lang ang mga
taga-Kapitolyo kung hindi maging ang ilang kababayan na mapadali ang kanilang
pagpapa-biometrics dahil sa kawalan ng oportunidad na pumunta sa kani-kanilang
Comelec offices.
Ang nasabing aksiyon ng Comelec Batangas ay alinsunod
sa nakasaad sa Republic Act 10367 na ipinasa noong 2013, na isinasaad na ang
bawat botante ay dapat magkaroon ng biometrics at kung hindi ay hindi sila
makakaboto sa 2016 presidential elections.
Hanggang October 31, 2015 lamang isasagawa
ang pagpapa biometrics kung saan kukuhanan ng litrato, lagda at finger prints
ang botante. Pakay ng biometrics na linisin ang voters lists upang maiwasan ang
mga patay na nakakaboto, at mga flying voters o double registrars.(Kristina
Marie Joy B. Andal-Batangas PIO Capitol/PIA-Batangas)
| ‘National cocktail’ being developed for APEC Leaders' Summit |
| The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council (ABAC) is in a quest to develop a ‘national cocktail’ or iconic drink that may be served at the APEC Leaders’ Summit in November, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Charles Jose said Wednesday.The ABAC launched the search last August 16 at the World Presidents’ Organization annual membership night at the Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila in Taguig City, Jose said during a media briefing in Malacañang. "Invited CEOs and guests tried five types of rum-based cocktails and have each rated its quality based on aroma, taste and balance," he said. The participants were asked to suggest a name for the cocktail that will be chosen. Among the proposed names were Manila Thrilla, Pacquiao’s Punch, Pinoy Colada, Mango Tango, Pinoy Punch, and Jeepney Juice. As for the result, Jose said he would update the press later. Present at the Ascott event were APEC National Organizing Committee officials Ambassador Marciano Paynor, Ambassador Angie Santa Catalina, and Ms. Doris Magsaysay-Ho. PND (as) |
| APEC delegates to meet in Cebu for 3rd Senior Officials’ Meeting |
| Senior officials and delegates of the 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) will gather in Cebu on August 22 to September 6 for the 3rd APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM-III) and Related Meetings, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Charles Jose announced on Wednesday.The meeting in Cebu will be the last comprehensive senior officials’ meeting before the APEC Leaders’ Summit in November in Manila, Jose told reporters during a press briefing at the Palace. He noted that SOM-III will have an intensive 16-day meeting schedule, which includes meetings to finalize the APEC 2015 deliverables, as well as a host of workshops and public-private dialogues. Organizers expect some 2,000 delegates under 20 APEC working-level policy groups, Jose said. The SOM-III discussion also follows the template of the previous SOM meetings that centered on three core areas -- continuing the mandate of APEC 2014 to strengthen regional economic integration, connectivity and innovation; advancing the APEC 2015 priorities in pursuit of inclusive growth; and shaping a post-2015 vision for the Asia Pacific. "In particular, SOM-III agenda follows from the outcomes of SOM-II last May in Boracay, where strengthening regional economic integration and fostering the participation of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in global markets were at the top of the agenda," he said. In the Cebu meeting, senior officials will discuss the implementation plan for the Boracay action agenda for globalizing MSMEs, which was successfully endorsed by APEC trade ministers during their meeting last May. At the same time, the SOM-III discussions will continue to monitor the first-year implementation of the APEC connectivity blueprint for improved physical, institutional, and people-to-people connectivity, as well as the next steps for the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP). Senior officials are also expected to finalize the Philippine-led APEC services cooperation framework proposal, Jose said, noting that it aims to develop a long-term strategy to increase the region’s competitiveness in services, trade, and investment. Jose also pointed out that SOM-III places special emphasis on the APEC 2015 priorities of investing in human capital development and building sustainable and resilient communities, particularly with regards to good governance, enhanced economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and health. As part of this thrust, Cebu will also host the inaugural meeting of the APEC Group of Friends on Disability, aimed at promoting mainstream participation of persons with disabilities in the economy, as well as the 5th APEC High-Level Meeting on Health and the Economy on August 30 and 31. The event, to be chaired by Health Secretary Janette Garin and to be attended by APEC health ministers, will tackle preventive health measures against the spread of diseases and pandemics, and the promotion of healthy working environments, according to Jose. "The high-level meeting directly contributes to the development of the healthy Asia Pacific 2020 roadmap to be endorsed to APEC leaders this November," he added. Immediately after SOM-III, the Philippines will host the Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting (SRMM) on September 7 and 8, and the Finance Ministerial Meeting (FMM) on September 10 and 11. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Finance will lead the SRMM and FMM, respectively. Both ministerial-level meetings will also be held in Cebu. The meeting venues for SOM-III and Related Meetings are Radisson Blu Cebu, Cebu City Marriott Hotel, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, and Waterfront Hotel Cebu. PND (as) |
| Foreign Affairs Spokesman clarifies hotel rates issue involving APEC delegates |
| The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) National Organizing Committee (NOC) has released a statement on the hotel rates in Cebu prior to the 3rd Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM III), for the information of APEC delegates, a foreign affairs official said.In a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Charles Jose said APEC NOC director general Marciano Paynor, Jr. issued a statement, saying that one month before every APEC meeting, delegates are already issued a copy of the administrative circular that contains the names of accredited hotels and their respective rates. Jose said the Department of Tourism accredits the hotels but it is the APEC NOC that negotiates with the hotels on special rates, and requests that APEC delegates be given priority. He said some hotels have caught the attention of the media because they have increased their rates. "Although we negotiated that they lower the rates for APEC delegates months before the event, we are also aware that their rate setting is market-driven and is aligned with rates charged by hotels that are part of their global networks," Jose explained. "In fact, these hotels are mostly fully booked as of this moment. Moreover, even if the APEC NOC laid out the accredited hotels for delegates, majority will stay in other hotels, like what happened in SOM-II in Boracay," he added. For SOM-III, the rates of hotel rooms in the list of accredited hotels start at P2,400 per night, Jose said, noting that the delegates themselves choose where to stay, while the NOC only gives them options. "In short, there are accredited hotels but the delegates are free to stay in hotels other than those accredited," he said. Asked if the government is preventing hotels from charging very high rates, Jose said if the accredited hotels’ rates are too high for the delegates, they are free to choose hotels that charge lower rates, even if these are not accredited. PND (as) |
| President Aquino graces opening of modernized 'Museo ni Manuel Quezon’ |
| President Benigno S. Aquino III joined officials of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the Quezon City government during the inauguration of the newly renovated 'Museo ni Manuel Quezon’ at the Quezon Memorial Shrine on Wednesday.The opening of the modernized museum coincided with the 137th birth anniversary of Quezon, who served as the president of the Commonwealth Republic from 1935 to 1944. Upon arrival, President Aquino and NHCP Chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno led the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at the shrine in front of the museum's entrance. After the wreath-laying rite, the President witnessed the presentation of a posthumous award to the family of Quezon in recognition of his implementation of the open-door policy that allowed 1,200 Jews to migrate to the Philippines to escape the horrors of the Holocaust. The posthumous award -- the Raoul Wallenberg Medal -- was presented by Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Effie Ben-Matityau to President Quezon's daughter, Zenaida Quezon Avancena, and grandson, Manuel Luis "Manolo" Quezon III. After the awarding ceremony, President Aquino returned in front of Quezon's bust to bang the gavel on the table, which marked Quezon's act of opening the Senate sessions from 1916 until he became president in 1935, to signal the formal opening of the newly refurbished museum. The President toured the museum, which features the life and political career of Quezon and explains the historical context in which he emerged as the leader of the country. The museum has a sizeable collection of the late president’s memorabilia, a hologram of Quezon delivering his inaugural address, and various interactive booths and terminals that show information about the Commonwealth period. It also offers other facilities, such as the audiovisual room, which presents a brief documentary about Quezon and the museum; a gallery dedicated to Aurora Quezon; and a recreation of Quezon's office. Also present during the museum opening were House of Representatives Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice Mayor Maria Josefina Belmonte, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Hernando Iriberri. PND (jm) |
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 | President Aquino attends commemoration of former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo’s 3rd death anniversary | ||
| President Aquino pays tribute to the late Interior Secretary Robredo | ||
| Transport Secretary hopes for immediate approval of project to redesign Naga City Airport | ||
| South rail to be operational by 2021, says transport secretary | ||
| President Aquino: People will decide on continuity of the conditional cash transfer program | ||
| Palace says it remains steadfast in fighting corruption | ||
| President Aquino attends commemoration of former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo’s 3rd death anniversary |
| (NAGA CITY, Camarines Sur) President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday morning attended the ceremony to commemorate the third death anniversary of former interior secretary, Jesse Robredo. President Aquino was welcomed by Robredo's wife Congresswoman Maria Leonor Robredo, their daughters Jillian Therese, Jessica Marie, and Janine Patricia, and Naga City Mayor John Bongat. The President lit a candle and offered a prayer at Robredo's tomb, shortly after arriving at the Eternal Garden in Balatas Road, Barangay Balatas here at 9:44 a.m. He then proceeded to the City Hall Grounds for the Jesse Robredo Day Multi-Sectoral Forum. A Mass was earlier celebrated in honor of Robredo, who served as Naga City's mayor for six terms. Present at the Mass were Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Health Secretary Janette Garin, and Albay Governor Joey Salceda. On August 18, 2012, Robredo was on his way back to Naga City from a conference in Cebu City, when the small aircraft he was riding in crashed in the sea near the coast of Masbate province. He was 54. PND (ag) |
| President Aquino pays tribute to the late Interior Secretary Robredo |
| (NAGA CITY, Camarines Sur) President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday paid tribute to former interior and local government secretary, Jesse Robredo, saying the best way to honor him is to continue his legacy. “Tunay nga po na ang pinakamagandang pasasalamat na maibibigay natin kay Jesse at sa iba pang dakilang taong nauna sa kanya ay ang pagpapatuloy at pagpapaunlad sa mga iniwan nila sa atin,” the President said in his speech during the Jesse Robredo Day Multi-Sectoral Forum, held at the City Hall Grounds here in commemoration of the third anniversary of his death.“Sa pamamagitan ng kanilang buhay, pagkamatay, at mga sakripisyo ay ipinakita nila sa atin kung ano ang posible. At sa pamamagitan ng paggawa ng mga posible ay nasisiguro nilang mas maganda ang pagsisimulan natin kaysa sa kanilang dinatnan. Nararapat lang na suklian natin ito ng sariling pagsisikap at pagmamalasakit sa mga susunod sa atin,” he said. President Aquino described Robredo as a true scion of Naga. “Nakita niya ang mga problema ng mga Nagueño at tinanong niya: Bakit kailangang maging ganito? Iniwan niya ang kanyang komportableng buhay sa pribadong sektor para simulan ang paglilingkod sa kanyang mga kababayan,” he said. He remembered Robredo as someone who would go wherever he was needed, and one who would speak to whoever he needed to speak to, without any hesitation. “Kung saan siya kailangan, doon siya nagpupunta. Kapag may bagyo, kahit gaano kataas ang baha, isusuot niya ang kanyang tsinelas at bibisita sa mga nasalanta. Kung sino ang dapat kausapin, sila ang kinakausap niya. Walang bola, walang pamumulitika. Kahit mga jueteng lord o drug lord, o sariling kamag-anak, hindi siya nagdalawang-isip na banggain dahil alam niyang siya ay nasa tama,” he said. President Aquino noted that Robredo’s political rivals did not deter him from practising good governance. “Nang makita ng kanyang mga kalaban na isa siyang malaking hadlang sa kanilang mga pansariling interes, nagbato sila ng kung anu-anong isyu. Pati nga ang pagka-Pilipino niya, kinukuwestiyon nila. Pero malinaw sa mga taga-Naga kung ano ang nararapat para sa kanila. Paulit-ulit nilang pinili ang matuwid na pamamahala. Napatunayan ni Jesse at ng mga mamamayan ng Naga na Hindi kinakailangang maging madumi ang pulitika na puwedeng makamit ang mga layunin nang hindi isinasakripisyo ang mga prinsipyo,” he said of the former Naga City mayor. Thanking Robredo, the President said, “Jesse, maraming salamat sa mga repormang nagawa at sinimulan mo, at sa patuloy na pagiging inspirasyon sa amin sa partido at sa ating mga kababayan.” Robredo, in his six terms as mayor, had turned Naga from being a third-class municipality into a first-class city. He was also the first Filipino mayor to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 2000. Robredo died in a plane crash off Masbate province on August 18, 2012. He was 54. PND (ag) |
| Transport Secretary hopes for immediate approval of project to redesign Naga City Airport |
| Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said Tuesday he is expecting the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board to approve the P3.5-billion project to redesign the Naga City Airport in Camarines Sur province, to reduce the airfares paid by travelers. The Naga Airport could not accommodate wide-bodied aircraft due to its short runway and its close proximity to Mount Isarog. The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) plans to build a two-kilometer runway to accommodate larger planes, such as the Airbus A320, Secretary Abaya said during the Jesse Robredo Day Multi-Sectoral Forum, held at the City Hall Grounds in Naga, in commemoration of former interior secretary Robredo’s third death anniversary. "Karamihan naman ng miyembro ng NEDA Board ay narito, so alam na natin kung anong boto nila," Abaya said during the forum, which was also attended by President Benigno S. Aquino III. "Kaya maipapasa at mailulunsad natin ito. Iyon lang, aabutin din ito ng mga two years of construction,” he said, noting that construction could start in 2017 once the detailed engineering design is done. He said the project is the DOTC’s contribution to the people of Naga City, which is part of the administration's Daang Matuwid agenda. Once the project is completed, wide-bodied airplanes could land in Naga City and this could cut airfares by half, Abaya said. PND (as) |
| South rail to be operational by 2021, says transport secretary |
| Bicolanos could expect an operational railway service by 2021, once the P170.7-billion South Line of the North-South Railway Project (NSRP) is completed, Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said on Tuesday. Secretary Abaya, who accompanied President Benigno S. Aquino III in Naga City, Camarines Sur province for the 3rd death anniversary of former Interior Secretary Jessie Robredo, said the pre-qualification process will be held this October for those interested to bid for the 600-kilometer South Rail project. He said he expects the project to be awarded in March next year. The North-South Railway Project extends from Bicol to Tuguegarao, Cagayan. "Tingin ko mas importante sa inyo ‘yung southern version," Abaya said during the Jesse Robredo Day Multi-Sectoral Forum. "Pero sa inyo pong mga taga-Bicol, ito ay magmumula sa Tutuban at dadaan ng Calamba, bababa ng Legazpi, may extension sa Matnog. May extension din po ito papuntang Batangas." Responding to criticisms regarding delays in the approval of major infrastructure projects, Abaya said the railway project is a huge project and will take time to implement. "These are strategic, very important and inclusive projects. Ang detailed engineering design lang po ay aabutin ng 15 to 18 months," he explained. "Kumplikadong proyekto at malaki po ito. But construction will start in 2017. It is a four-year period to construct. So by 2021, we are confident that this railway will be operational." The Department of Transportation and Communications has said that the winning bidder will operate, maintain, and upgrade the South Line for 34 years, including the construction period of four years. The NSRP’s South Line is the ninth transportation Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project offered under the Aquino administration. PND (as) |
| President Aquino: People will decide on continuity of the conditional cash transfer program |
| President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday reminded the public to choose a leader who will continue the government’s conditional cash transfer program, also known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), which has benefitted millions of families. Speaking at the Jesse Robredo Day Multi-Sectoral Forum held in Naga City, Camarines Sur province to commemorate the third death anniversary of the former interior secretary, President Aquino stressed the need to study the respective platforms of the candidates for next year’s elections. "Meron hong nagsasabing itutuloy, ang Pantawid Pamilya. Meron namang tumutuligsa sa Pantawid Pamilya. Kung gusto mong ipagpatuloy ‘yung 4Ps e, tulungan mo ‘yung tutulong na magpatuloy ang 4Ps kesa doon sa nagsasabing itigil ang 4Ps,” said the President, who was accompanied by some of his Cabinet members during the trip. "Lahat ng kandidatong haharap sa inyo sa susunod na taon may plataporma. Suriin niyo ‘yung plataporma. May kailangan kayo, mayroon kayong tama at lehitimong pangangailangan. Iparating niyo sa kanila at pakinggan niyo ang sagot. Kung hindi angkop ‘yung sagot, bakit ninyo iboboto? Kung tama ‘yung sagot, tulungan ninyo,” he said. President Aquino said the conditional cash transfer program began with 800,000 families as beneficiaries and has grown to cover 4.4 million families. He said that more than 300,000 make up the first batch of high school graduates, 13,000 of them with honors. "Malaki talaga ang ginastos na natin diyan sa programang ‘yan. In the five years that we have been in office, over 260 billion pesos has been spent on this program. Pero simpleng-simple lang ho ang paniwala ko. Ang sabi ng tatay ko sa akin noong araw, kapag pinag-aral ka at natuto ka, habang buhay ready ka na, mangyari na ang mangyayari. So, gusto kong ibigay ang pagkakataon sa lahat. ‘Yung ating bottom 20 percent ng population ang nakikinabang nito,” he added. “Hindi ba sulit ‘yon na ipagpatuloy ng gobyerno ito sa pahintulot ng taumbayan, benepisyong diretso sa taumbayan, tapos nakakabawi rin ang gobyerno dahil sa buwis na binabayad ng mga mas maganda na ang trabahong pinasukan, nabibigyan natin ang susunod na salinlahi naman ng pagkakataon,” said the President. In parting, the Chief Executive said, “Pagtulungan natin kung saan natin gustong pumunta at bibilis ang pagpunta natin doon.” PND (jm) |
| Palace says it remains steadfast in fighting corruption |
| Malacañang on Tuesday renewed its commitment to fight graft and corruption after the Supreme Court (SC) granted the bail petition of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. "Government is determined to pursue its anti-corruption campaign in a sustained manner. This steadfast commitment is not dependent on the outcome of any particular case," Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a statement. "We shall leave it up to the Office of the Ombudsman, as an independent and separate body of the government, to undertake the necessary action with regards to the High Court’s decision." Members of the SC voted 8-4 on Tuesday, granting Senator Enrile’s motion to reverse the Sandiganbayan Third Division’s ruling denying his bail plea. The high court set the bail at P1 million. In his petition, Enrile argued he is not a flight risk, and that the prosecution has not established strong evidence of guilt to deny him bail. The court should consider his advanced age and voluntary surrender, he said. Enrile, 91, is one of three senators accused of plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam. He has been under hospital arrest at the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital. PND (as) |
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| DFA offers extension of Passport validity free of charge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19 August 2015 - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) offers to applicants for passport renewals in the Philippines and abroad the extension of the validity of their passports (for 1 to 2 years) free of charge (gratis). Extensions shall be processed and released within the same day. Passport extensions for all shall be available only until the end of this year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Philippines updates meeting of experts on its Biological Weapons Convention Compliance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18 August 2015 - Dr. Fedelino F. Malbas, Jr. of the Department of Health (DOH) led the Philippine delegation to the Biological Weapons Convention Meeting of Experts from August 10 to 14, at the United Nations in Geneva. Dr. Malbas updated the body of the status of Philippine compliance with commitments under the Biological Weapons Convention (ratified by the Philippines in 1972), the Chemical Weapons Convention and UN Security Council Resolution No. 1540 (agreed in 2005). Specifically, Dr. Malbas mentioned the Strategic Trade Management Act (STMA) filed in the Senate as Senate Bill No. 2762 (approved as amended at the second reading in August 2015) and in the House as House Bill 5822 (approved by all Members in Congress present in June 2015) as a key development that, when signed into law, will help align domestic legislation with international commitments made by the Philippines. Outbreaks of diseases, whether through naturally occurring, accidental or intentional means was at the core of the discussions during the meeting. Presentations from various delegations on rapid emergency and humanitarian response, protection of front line workers, prevention/ curtailment of outbreaks, including recent outbreaks of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa, as an example, were extensively discussed. The Meeting of States Parties for the Biological Weapons Convention is scheduled on December 14 to 18, in Geneva. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit Surety Fund Program to be launched in Malaybalay and Valencia cities in Bukidnon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will be launching the Credit Surety Fund (CSF) Program in the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia, Bukidnon, on the 24th and 25th of August 2015, respectively. The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) formally creating the Malaybalay City Credit Surety Fund (Malaybalay CSF) will be held at Loiza’s Pavilion, Malaybalay City, while that of Valencia City Credit Surety Fund (Valencia CSF) will be held at Jocel’s Garden Venue, Valencia City. BSP’s Monetary Board Member Valentin A. Araneta will spearhead the MOA signing for both Malaybalay and Valencia CSFs, formally creating them as the 42nd and 43rd CSFs in the country, respectively. Malaybalay and Valencia CSFs are expected to stimulate more economic activities in their respective localities and will usher in job opportunities to increase household income. Initiated by BSP in August 2008, the CSF Program is a credit innovation designed to improve the creditworthiness of cooperatives and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that cannot access bank credit due to lack of acceptable collaterals and credit information. The CSF, through the issuance of a surety agreement, allows cooperatives and businessmen with viable business plans but have limited capital to obtain loans from banks even in the absence of hard collaterals. Nine cooperatives confirmed to join the Malaybalay CSF with pledges aggregating P2.2 million, while the Malaybalay City Government, headed by Mayor Ignacio W. Zubiri, pledged P5.0 million. On the other hand, Mayor Azucena P. Huervas of the Valencia City Government pledged P2.0 million to match the aggregate P2.2 million contributions of 12 cooperatives that signified their intention to join the Valencia CSF. As of 30 June 2015, the total accumulated loans approved by banks covered by the CSF amounted to P1.8 billion, of which P1.5 billion have already been released to 14,591 beneficiaries. Now on its 7th year, the CSF Program has been established in 30 provinces and 13 cities nationwide. The most recent that joined the growing CSF movement across the country was the Santiago City CSF, launched on 17 August 2015. One more is scheduled for launching in September 2015, the Cabanatuan City CSF. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IRR poised to enforce law in Cyberspace | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://icto.dost.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manila, PH – High-ranking officials from the Department of Justice, Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Science and Technology, signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the country’s Cybercrime Prevention Act at the New World Manila Bay Hotel last August 12, 2015. Among the signees were DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima, DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo, and DILG Undersecretary for Operations Edwin Enrile. Also known as RA 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act aims to extend the reach of the law in the digital space. “The imperative of having a legal framework that penalizes cybercrime and its many evolving forms provides for strong international cooperation, given the transnational nature of cybercrime, and lays out an effective implementation strategy anchored on the regime of electronic evidence,” said Secretary Leila M. de Lima. “It is our mandate to ensure that all crimes ought not to go unpunished; that wherever cyber-criminals may be found, the full force of the law must apply.” she added. Representing the outgoing DILG Secretary Mar Roxas was Atty. Edwin Enrile, Undersecretary for Operations who acknowledged the hard work of the composite Technical Working Group that conducted 4 public consultations involving more than 40 organizations and entities. He also assured netizens that their welfare is top priority in the creation of the IRR, “We would like to protect everyone against cybercrime offenses such as illegal access, computer-related forgery, identity theft and fraud, cybersex and online libel.” Undersecretary also expressed the DILG and PNP’s commitment and effective enforcement of the provisions of the Cybercrime Law and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo stated that as a shepherd of the country’s R&D agenda, the DOST also has the shared responsibility with the DILG and DOJ in keeping cyberspace safe for government, businesses, and the Filipino people may enjoy the benefits that ICT and Internet holds in store. Beginning with the development of the seminal Cybercrime Prevention Act that took 14 years to pass into law, the IRR went through a series of government and public consultations that included stakeholders from business, academe, non-governmental organizations, legal profession, media, ICT groups and internet service providers over a period of 17 months. Secretary De Lima stated that the IRR is a concrete manifestation of perseverance to see that the rule of law extends to cyberspace, and that law enforcement catches up with the emerging changes in technology and those who abuse it. ICTO Executive Director Undersecretary Louis Napoleon C. Casambre and DOJ Office of Cybercrime Head Assistant Secretary Geronimo L. Sy served as focal persons for the crafting and finalization of the IRR. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Philippine Life Insurance industry 2nd in ASEAN liberalisation index | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Philippine life insurance industry ranks second out of the 10 ASEAN economies in the Liberalisation Index. The study conducted by Millman, a global provider of actuarial and related products and services, attempts to measure the openness of the life insurance regulatory regimes of the ASEAN economies with regard to their alignment with international standards. Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said, “We are pleased to find our life insurance industry’s placement in the ASEAN rankings. This affirms that our rapidly growing sectors are underpinned by sound regulatory regimes and enabling environments.” The Millman ASEAN Liberalisation Index (MALI) is the outcome of the study, which reflects the stages of development of insurance markets in each member state. The MALI is published in a report entitled “Potential Implications of the ASEAN Economic Community for the Life Insurance Industry.” Each ASEAN economy is assessed based on their relative stage of development of the life industry. 8 features are covered namely product, development, distribution, investment, sophistication of capital regime, policyholder protection, foreign ownership, new licenses, and talent mobility. An economy with a high score signifies a perfectly liberal market while a low score indicates a more tightly controlled industry, with typically less exposure to foreign participation. The Philippines ranked second next to Singapore, with a score of 58 in terms of openness of life regulatory regimes in the region. “This is a clear indication that our life insurance industry regulatory regime is robust and that the industry is very much capable to go head to head with other life industries in ASEAN. We are better prepared than most of our neighbors and ready to face the challenges of the approaching ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) integration,” said Insurance Commissioner Emmanuel Dooc. Regulators in member economies are called to introduce minimum standards of operation for the life insurance industry in preparation for the AEC integration. The area of sales practices, key skills, and creating capital markets are aspects that could be further developed in achieving minimum standards for the life insurance industry, towards a smoother economic integration. “Once greater cooperation is shown to be beneficial to member countries, and with the introduction of common minimum standards in key areas, it would then be easier for the AEC to target more ambitious goals in the future,” Millman said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 25th National Statistics Month (NSM) awards, still open for nominations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) invites government agencies, private sector and youth organizations to send their entries to the following categories of the 25th NSM Awards until August 28, 2015 for their participation during last year’s NSM observance: Best Statistical Activity conducted by a GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION All agencies of the government, local government units, academic institutions, state universities and colleges, government-owned and controlled corporations with statistical activities undertaken in October 2014 are welcome to send entries for this category. Statistical forums, information dissemination activities and contests conducted in October 2014 by proponent agencies/units of the government are covered in this category, thus the following subcategories of this award: a. Best Statistical Forum b. Best Statistical Information Dissemination Activity c. Best Statistical Contest The criteria for judging for the entries in all the subcategories of the Best Statistical Activity are as follows:
Further details of the award, nomination form and documentation requirements are available at: Best Statistical Activity conducted by a government organization.docx Best Statistical Activity conducted by a PRIVATE (PROFIT/NON-PROFIT) ORGANIZATION All private firms and non-profit organizations are welcome to send entries for this category. Statistical activities in the form of forums, information dissemination activities and contests, which were conducted in October 2014 by private sector organizations/groups, are covered in this category. The criteria for judging for the entries in this category are as follows:
Further details of the award, nomination forms and documentation requirements are available at: Best Statistical Activity conducted by a private organization.docx. Best Youth Group Advocate for Statistics All YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS in the private and public universities and colleges, LGUs and other sectors of the society, which conducted statistical advocacy activities in January to December 2014, can send entries for this category. Entries for the Best Youth Group Advocate for Statistics category shall be reviewed using the following criteria:
Further details of the award, nomination forms and documentation requirements are available at: Best Youth Advocate for Statistics.docx This year, the 26th NSM/13th National Convention on Statistics (NCS) Steering Committee will confer the first awardees for the NSM Awards categories on Best Statistical Activity for the media, industry associations and non-profit organizations and Best Youth Group Advocate for Statistics. These new award categories are aimed at intensifying the awareness of youth and private sector participation in the annual celebration of the NSM. Cash prizes and plaques of recognition await winners, who will be given their respective awards during the 26th NSM Opening Ceremony to be held on 1 October 2015 and hosted by the Department of Health (DOH). As approved by the 26th NSM/13th NCS Steering Committee in its Second Meeting held on July 27, 2015, the deadline of submission of entries/nominations for the 25th NSM Awards was extended until August 28, 2015 to encourage submissions from the various stakeholders of the Philippine Statistical System (PSS). Organizations and individuals who wish to submit nominations/entries for the 25th NSM Awards are requested to forward the requirements to the following address: 26th National Statistics Month Secretariat c/o Statistical Policies and Programs Division Philippine Statistics Authority 17th Floor, Eton Cyberpod Centris 3 Bldg., EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City For questions and inquiries, the NSM Secretariat can be reached at (632) 376-1928, (632) 376-1931, or email addresses F.Talento@psa.gov.ph and P.Rivera@psa.gov.ph. Updates on the NSM Awards shall be posted on the NSM webpage, http://nap.psa.gov.ph/nsm/26thNSM/default.asp. Printed or CD formats of the submissions are accepted. 1 The theme for the 25th NSM celebration in October 2014 was “NSM at 25 and Beyond: Solid and Responsive Philippine Statistical System in Support of Globalization and Regional Economic Integration”. LISA GRACE S. BERSALES, Ph. D. National Statistician and Civil Registrar General | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Baldoz reiterates DOLE’s adherence to ‘one country team approach’ to better assist overseas Filipinos during crises | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday returned to the familiar, reiterating that the DOLE adheres closely to “one country team approach” policy to promptly and efficiently serve overseas Filipino workers and their families in case of war, rebellion, riots, natural disasters, pandemics and other public health emergencies. In her message during the signing of the Joint Manual of Operations in Providing Assistance to Migrant Workers and Other Filipinos Overseas, Baldoz said that as DOLE Secretary, she is very insistent and consistent that all DOLE officials and employees posted overseas hew and follow closely the “one country team approach”. “Under the ‘one country team approach’, all officials, representatives, and employees of government posted overseas must act and behave as one team with a mission, under the leadership of the head of the Post, who is either the Ambassador or the Consul General,” she said. She explained it is under this ‘one country team approach’ that the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Labor and Employment, Social Welfare and Development, and Health, as well as the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, have drawn up a unified contingency plan that will safeguard overseas Filipinos in case of crises and other imminent danger. The unified contingency plan is one of the basic features of the Joint Manual which Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario; Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman; represented by Undersecretary Parisya Taraji; Health Secretary Janette Loreto-Garin; represented by Dir. Maylene Beltran; OWWA chief Rebecca J. Calzado; POEA chief Hans Leo J. Cacdac; and Secretary Baldoz signed at the Blas F. Ople Hall of the DOLE in Intramuros, Manila. Under the Joint Manual, every Post shall have a contingency plan which it needs to update every six months, or as the need arises. The contingency plan shall answer the need for the evacuation of Filipinos to safety zones for temporary relocation, or until their repatriation to the Philippines. It shall contain, among others, a profile of the country; political and security situation; current political climate, including threats to political stability; data and profile of the Filipino community; area coordinators with contact information; implementation details of the plan; relocation and evacuation centers; exit points and alternate evacuation routes; composition of the Crisis Management and Security Committee, including contact information of Post’s officials and personnel; support network; registration system; resource inventory; and budget requirements. The Crisis Management and Security Committee (CMSC) shall be headed by the Ambassador or Consul General, or next highest ranking officer; and the Labor Attaché, Assistant Labor Attaché, Welfare Officer, SWATT/SSA, Police Attaché, Military Attaché, Political Officers and the Assistance to National Unit (ATNU) Head, as members. The CMSC, in times of emergencies, shall be augmented by a Rapid Response Team (RRT) from the Philippines which shall be composed of officers from the DFA, PNP, DND, DOLE, POEA, OWAA, DOH, and DSWD. The CMSC’s and RRT’s roles and functions are to update and maintain a Masterlist/Database of all Filipino nationals in the host country; gather intelligence and provide ground-based, independent, and credible assessment of the political and security situation in the host country; assist in the updating and implementation of evacuation plans for Filipino nationals; assist in the negotiations with employers and recruitment agencies for the release of OFWs; and assist the Post in locating Filipino nationals and relocating them to safer and more secure area. The Joint Manual reiterates the existing alert levels on which travel bans/advisories are based and in accordance with established protocols. It adopts the alert levels with their respective indicators and deployment status, as follows: • Alert Level 1 or precautionary phase. Issued when there are valid signs of internal disturbance, instability, and/or external threat to the host country. In this instance, Filipinos are alerted to take necessary precautions. • Alert Level 2 or restriction phase. Issued if there are threats to the life, security and property of Filipinos arising from internal disturbance, instability, and/external threat. Filipinos are instructed to restrict non-essential movements, avoid public places, and prepare for evacuation. In this instance, the DOLE only allows returning OFWs, with existing employment contracts, or a group of OFWs under special circumstances, to go back to their host country. • Alert Level 3 or voluntary repatriation. Issued when violent disturbances or external aggression occur in a limited area. In this instance, overseas Filipinos are enjoined to return to the Philippines upon employers’, or if not possible, government’s expense. The DOLE shall impose absolute deployment ban. • Alert Level 4, or mandatory repatriation. Issued when there is a large scale internal conflict or full blown external attack. During this event, the Philippine Government shall undertake mandatory evacuation procedures and the DFA in consultation with the DOH, may impose crisis alert level in times of pandemics and other medical hazards. “The repatriation of overseas Filipinos in times of civil unrest, war, natural disasters and pandemics, will be guided by the contingency plan developed by each Post. In cases of pandemics, the DFA shall consult with the DOH to ensure adherence to the International Health Regulation (IHR) protocol,” Baldoz said, adding: “One of the novel strategies adopted in the Joint Manual is that the official premises of the Post, including the official residence, may be used as a safe haven or relocation center during a crisis.” | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bangsamoro should be more self-sufficient, says ARMM guv | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cotabato City – The envisioned Bangsamoro parliamentary government should be more autonomous and better equipped for self-sufficiency than the current setup of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), according to the region’s incumbent governor Mujiv S. Hataman. “The ARMM has been riddled with problems in the past. But we’ve been doing what we can to provide our people with a government they deserve – a government that is responsive to their needs and allows them to develop their full potentials,” said Hataman. “Even President Benigno S. Aquino III acknowledged our efforts and the changes we’ve implemented in the ARMM, given the powers devolved to us,” he added. During his last State of the Nation Address (SONA), Hataman was one of those singled out by President Aquino III for having “done their part to help us progress along the Straight and Righteous Path.” “The Bangsamoro can do a lot more good if the structural defects within the ARMM will be corrected in the BBL (Bangsamoro Basic Law),” Hataman continued. “That’s why I am strongly calling on our legislators, especially those in the Senate, to continue building on the gains of the ARMM and to provide the Bangsamoro with as much powers as the 1987 Philippine Constitution allows.” Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong Marcos, Jr., as chair of the committee on local government, recently submitted Committee Report No. 200 that contains a revised version of the BBL. Known as the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR), the Senate version, however, contains significant differences compared to the original draft of the bill and to the House version. Special Development Fund, power to contract loans scrapped Among the numerous stipulations removed by Senator Marcos is the Bangsamoro provision for a Special Development Fund (SDF). According to the original version of the BBL drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), a total of P17 billion pesos will be released by the national government to the Bangsamoro “for rehabilitation and development purposes”. Of this amount, P7 billion will be released following the ratification of the law while the remaining P10 billion will be paid out over five years at the rate of P2 billion per year. Part of the SDF was supposed to finance a women’s peace fund “in support of gender as a cross-cutting concern.” The SDF demonstrates the Philippine government's commitment to fund the rehabilitation and development of the Bangsamoro and can be used as counterpart funds for grants coming from donor institutions or countries. This leveraging can result to 3 or 4 times more than the amount in the SDF thus maximizing the benefit to the country. Another provision deleted by Marcos was the Bangsamoro’s power to contract loans, credits, and other forms of indebtedness. According to Senen C. Bacani, member of the GPH negotiating panel, local governments already have the authority to contract domestic loans on their own, including foreign or non-peso denominated loans with the approval of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. He commented that should be clarified by the lawmakers as contracting loans is an essential part of fiscal management. “Contracting indebtedness is being done all over the world by all kinds of entities and enterprises. Loaning does not automatically mean you are losing money. For instance, the Philippines as a country is both a creditor and a debtor. It is just a means to manage fiscal responsibilities,” Bacani explained. The former agriculture secretary added that “the purpose of the SDF is for the immediate takeoff of the Bangsamoro, and the loans may come handy in generating economic activity especially during the autonomous government’s initial years.” In his sponsorship speech on the BLBAR filed as Senate Bill No. 2894, Senator Marcos failed to provide an explanation on why the aforementioned fiscal provisions have been deleted. Bangsamoro’s power on economic zones undermined Republic Act No. 9054, the implementing law of the ARMM, allows for the establishment of a Regional Economic Zone Authority (REZA) tasked to “encourage, promote, and support the establishment of economic zones, industrial centers, ports in strategic areas, and growth centers to attract local and foreign investments and business enterprises.” The ARMM implementing law also clearly stipulates that once the REZA is created, “the Philippine Export Zone Authority shall no longer authorize any other economic zone within the autonomous region” and that “any corporation, firm, or entity established within the autonomous region… be placed under the jurisdiction of the REZA.” However, Bacani noted that the Senate substitute bill now stipulated that the Bangsamoro government must apply with the PEZA before it is able to establish economic zones, industrial estates, and free ports. Economic zones have been previously cited as one of the driving forces behind the recent economic rebound of the ARMM. According to latest data, the regional government expects a 4.2% gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth by the end of 2015, a 1.2% increase in performance compared to last year. Economic provisions there for a reason “A lot of considerations went into the signed documents and even the original draft of the BBL. The economic provisions, for instance, were put there after careful deliberation and planning,” said Bacani. “We are of the belief that those provisions are all necessary for the Bangsamoro to begin enjoying the same quality of life being enjoyed by other Filipinos across the country,” he continued. During the March 2014 signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the peace accord between the GPH and the MILF that served as basis for the drafting of the basic law, President Benigno S. Aquino III announced that the Bangsamoro must be given “a significant boost up, so that they can catch up.” The 2014 report published by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on human development index (HDI), a metrics used for measuring life expectancy, years of schooling, and income among others, showed that the ARMM was still “lagging behind in many indicators and would need greater attention to catch up with the other regions.” A similar study conducted in 2009 pegged the HDI of ARMM at .35 or “low human development” while the Philippines, on average, has an HDI score of .609 or “medium human development”. This is comparable to the HDIs of poor African countries such as Niger and Congo. Simple and functional literacy rates in the country are also lowest within the ARMM. “If we are to truly address the root causes of conflict, we must close the gap between the region and the rest of Filipino society,” continued Aquino. “While I appreciate the lawmakers retaining some of the salient features of the Bangsamoro such as the parliamentary form of government as well as the block grant, I hope they don’t lose sight of the importance of devolution,” Hataman further explained. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate are on the deliberations phase on the Bangsamoro bill. Discussions in the House have been hampered by the lack of quorum while a number of Senators asked for one more week to review Marcos’ version. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PWDs are an integral part in our country's development - Garin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.doh.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department of Health (DOH) today reported that it has just released the revised National Policy on Strengthening the Health and Wellness of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in accordance with the thrusts and goals of Kalusugang Pangkalahatan (Universal Health Care) and the Global Disability Action Plan 2014-2021 released recently by the World Health Organization as the country observes National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week every third week of July. Health Secretary Janette P. Loreto-Garin revealed that PWDs need greater attention and considerations in terms of health needs without discrimination. She added that 80% of the world’s PWDs live in low-income countries, wherein majority are poor and cannot access basic services. In the Philippines, there are about 1.4 million Filipinos of the 92.1 million population (roughly 1.57%) having some form of disability. The national policy identified three major action areas. These are 1) removal of barriers and improve access to health services and programs 2) strengthening and expansion of rehabilitation, habilitation, assistive technology, and community-based rehabilitation and 3) strengthening collection of relevant and internationally comparable disability data and support disability researches. Removal of barriers and improving access to health services and programs shall be taken to ensure that PWDs have access to health facilities and services on an equal basis with others. These refer to physical and systemic barriers related to architectural design of healthcare facilities. Other barriers include attitudes of healthcare workers, cost and availability of services, etc. Strengthening and expansion of rehabilitation, assistive technology, and community-based rehabilitation refers to sets of measures to assist individuals achieve and maintain optimal functioning by making available as close as possible rehabilitation services where PWDs live. Strengthening collection of relevant and internationally comparable disability data and support researches should ensure that data collected would be internationally comparable and results of researches and studies done are used for informing policy and resources allocation. The use of the Philippine Registry for Persons with Disability is an intervention that shall be strengthened and made fully operational. Meanwhile, over 1 billion people or approximately 15% of the world’s population have some form of disability. About 110-190 million aged 15 years and older have significant difficulties in functioning. Moreover, the rapid spread of chronic diseases and ageing population also contribute to the increasing rates of disability. In the Philippines, the 2010 Census of Population and Housing show that the CALABARZON Region has the highest (193,000 individuals) number of PWDs among the 17 regions, while the Cordillera Administrative Region had the lowest number of PWDs (26,000). About 50.9% of the total PWDs in 2010 were males. The 2010 Report further stated that for every 5 PWDs, one was aged 0-14 years, three were in the working age of 15-64 years old, and one aged 65 years and above. “PWDs are an integral part in our country’s development. Let us provide them full and effective participation in our society,” Garin concluded. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PRC Lucena Regional Office observes “Quezon Day and Lucena Day” | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.prc.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manila, August 19, 2015 – The Professional Regulation Commission announces the temporary suspension of services of PRC Lucena Regional Office on August 19 (Wednesday) and August 20 (Thursday) 2015. Pursuant to R.A. No. 6741 (Quezon Day) or “An Act to Commemorate the Birth Anniversary of Former President Manuel L. Quezon”, August 19 of each year is declared as Special Working Holiday in the Philippines and a Special Non-Working Public Holiday in the province of Quezon, Aurora, and Quezon City. Further, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr., by authority of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III issued Proclamation No. 1084 which proclaims August 20 (Lucena Day) as a Special Non-Working Day in the City of Lucena. The PRC Lucena Regional Office will resume operations on August 24 (Monday), since August 21 (Friday), is “Ninoy Aquino Day”, a National Holiday. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PPP center wins “Agency of the Year” award | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://ppp.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines has earned another international recognition as The Asset’s Agency of the Year through its first Triple A Asia Infrastructure Awards 2015. According to The Asset website “the awards honor the institutions and the deals in Asia that made a difference”. The Asset recognized PPP Center for advancing the implementation of the Philippines’ PPP program and projects. It was also hailed for facilitating the approval and rolling out of several implementing agencies’ (IAs) PPP projects in 2014 and for awarding PPP contracts to the private sector. Last year, the Philippine Government has rolled out 12 PPP projects amounting to USD 6.36 billion. It has also awarded three PPP contracts for the following projects: LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension & Operation and Maintenance, Automatic Fare Collection System and Mactan-Cebu International Airport Passenger Terminal Building. The Tanauan City Public Market Redevelopment Project was also approved by the Investment Coordination Committee – Cabinet Committee (ICC-CC), which is the first local government unit’s (LGU) PPP project under the current PPP Program. This is the third international award received by the PPP Center. In 2014, it was the Gold Award winner for the Best Central Government PPP Promoter during the annual Partnerships Awards of the UK-Based Partnerships Bulletin held in London, England. Last March, the Center bagged its second international award as IJ Global “Asia-Pacific Grantor of the Year” in Singapore. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brewing coffee project in Ilocos taps Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with sixteen government agencies, set up the Piddig Organic Coffee Production Project in Ilocos Norte under the Convergence Area Development Project of the Regional Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development (RCI-SRD). The coffee production project initiated by Piddig Mayor Eddie Guillen serves as the pilot project of RCI-SRD, the convergence strategy of government which aims to effectively utilize untapped land and generate wide scale employment for the local residents. Among those who will benefit from this government convergence project are some 700 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program from Piddig town. The beneficiaries have been tapped to supply the fertilizer requirement of the coffee seedlings. With this, DSWD through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) provided P3.5 million to the families as a starting capital for their vermicomposting production. Vermicomposting is the breaking down of organic material through the use of worms, bacteria, and fungi. DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that this multi-agency project aims to sustain the economic well-being of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries by providing them an extra source of income. Pantawid Pamilya is a human development program that invests in the health and education of poor families, primarily those with children aged 0-18. It provides cash grants to beneficiaries who comply with the conditions of sending their children to school, bringing them to health centers for checkups, and attending the monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS). On the other hand, SLP is a community-based capacity building effort that seeks to improve the program participants’ socio-economic status. SLP is implemented through two tracks: Micro-enterprise Development and Employment Facilitation. The Micro-enterprise Development track supports micro-enterprises in becoming organizationally and economically viable, whereas the Employment Facilitation track assists participants to access appropriate employment opportunities. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BSP launches "Project BRO" in Iloilo City | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) steps up its efforts to foster the habit of saving early in the lives of Filipinos by carrying “Project BRO (BSP Reaches Out) – A Savings Campaign for Kids and Teens” in Iloilo City on 18 to 19 August. The BSP is carrying out the project in line with studies that underscore the importance of teaching kids about money matters early in life. Said studies reveal that those who began saving during their childhood display better attitudes toward savings than those who did not. The BSP’s Financial Consumer Protection Department (FCPD) developed the campaign for Grade 1 to 10 students (or their equivalent levels) from both public and private schools across the country. FCPD kicked off the project in Davao City on 6 July 2015. To encourage saving among Ilonggo kids, the Project BRO team from the FCPD will visit Iloilo Central Elementary School, Baluarte Elementary School, San Jose Parochial School and San Jose College. The team will engage the students in fun-filled activities and interactive talk about the value of spending wisely, saving, and the benefits of opening a bank account. After the learning session, the team will track the students’ saving habits by closely coordinating with teachers and school officials for the purpose of encouraging the youngsters to open and grow savings in a “Kiddie Savings” account. The Kiddie Savings program is a joint initiative of the BSP and the Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines (BMAP) that allows school children to open Kiddie Savings accounts with an initial deposit of as low as Php 100. Project BRO is implemented by BSP in partnership with BMAP and in collaboration with the Department of Education. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BSP Conducts "AlertoAko" in Iloilo City | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will conduct the 3rd “AlertoAko”, a BSP Proactive Exhibit on Financial Consumer Protection Advisories, on 17 to 19 August at the Activity Center of the Robinsons Mall in Iloilo City. The Exhibit features display panels showing the various financial scams, how to detect them and tips to avoid them and BSP’s key advisories thereon. To further engage the audience, the Exhibit offers interactive games and activities and audio visual presentations on Financial Products, Frauds and Scams and Consumer Protection. Atty. Prudence Angelita A. Kasala, Director of the BSP’s Financial Consumer Protection Department (FCPD), Ms. Joanne Marie Castelo, Acting Deputy Director of the BSP Iloilo Branch and Mr. Rafel John Parreno, Marketing Manager of Robinsons Land Corporation, will lead the ribbon cutting ceremony for the exhibit. Key officials from Iloilo City’s banking community, trade and industry sector, local government units, different government agencies and various universities will grace the opening ceremony. “AlertoAko”, is a project of the FCPD in partnership with Robinsons Land Corporation. The Exhibit is open to the public from 17-19 August 2015 during mall hours, from 10:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m. The Robinsons Mall is located at Quezon corner De Leon Streets in Iloilo City. BSP will put up the exhibit across the country to enable the BSP to cover more ground in teaching the citizenry to become smart financial consumers who are vigilant of financial scams and frauds. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DPWH reiterates warning against impostor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) warns the agency’s internal and external stakeholders of unscrupulous individual or individuals who they claim to be or directly connected to the DPWH Secretary and other Senior Officials. Secretary Rogelio L. Singson has received several reports from the field that unscrupulous individuals are calling Regional Directors and District Engineers to facilitate inclusion of projects in the DPWH Infrastructure Program, in particular a certain Baby Bueno Coady claiming she can secure contracts from DPWH. Be vigilant about these calls; they are resourceful and use the exact names and even imitate the voice of the officials they are soliciting and in turn, may convince the ones receiving the call that the call is legitimate, said Singson. DPWH reiterates that requests for fund appropriation of local infrastructure projects for and on behalf of local government units or elected officials have to be carefully evaluated by the Department’s Planning Service consistent with the development priorities. The DPWH includes the prioritized projects in its proposed annual budget, submitted to the Department of Budget and Management, for incorporation in the National Expenditure Program submitted by the President to the Congress for appropriation of funds under the General Appropriation Act for the following year. DPWH posts in its website the list of all infrastructure projects covered by the allocation and the municipality and barangay where they are located. With these occurrences, DPWH encourage everyone to report to the Stakeholders Relations Service with contact numbers 304-3370 or 304-3280 or Hotline Number 165-02 similar manner of communication from these individuals or any people calling or going to DPWH offices representing themselves as DPWH officials or their representatives. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DOLE to extend livelihood assistance to displaced workers of suspended bus company | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Workers of Valisno Bus Company who have found themselves displaced after the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) slapped a 30-day preventive suspension on its entire bus fleet over the road accident involving one of its buses that killed four passengers and injured 16 others will be provided livelihood assistance by the DOLE, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said yesterday. “DOLE Regional Director Anna Dione is sending her Quick Response Team today to the bus company to profile the displaced workers and to see what appropriate livelihood can be extended to them,” said Baldoz, saying this was what the DOLE has done in the case of the workers of the Don Mariano Transit Corporation one of whose buses had figured in a similar accident in 2014. “I have also directed the regional office to file a report if the bus company has been assessed and issued a Labor Standards Compliance Certificate (LSCC) under Department Order No. 118-12,” she added, referring to the Rules and Regulations Governing the Employment and Working Conditions of Drivers and Conductors in the Public Utility Bus Transport Industry. D.O. 118-12, whose objective is to contribute towards ensuring public road transport safety by improving the working conditions, compensation, and competence of public utility bus drivers and conductors, requires bus owners/operators to pay their drivers and conductors performance-based compensation on top of a fixed wage. “Bus drivers and conductors must be paid a part-fixed, part-performance-based wage under D.O. 118-12, with the fixed part not lower than the applicable minimum wage and the performance-based compensation based on a mutually-agreed upon formula based on safety and business performance, such as ridership, revenues, profitability, and other related parameters. D.O. 118-12 also mandates bus owners/operators to pay their drivers and conductors wage-related benefits, such as overtime pay, holiday pay, premium pay, 13th month pay, and service incentive leave pay; social security and welfare benefits; separation or retirement pay; and other benefits under existing laws. It also prescribes the hours of work of bus drivers and conductors; and the manner and procedures of terminating bus drivers and conductors. On the issue of hiring bus drivers, Baldoz said abides by the doctrine of management prerogative, where every employer has the inherent right to regulate, according to his own discretion and judgment, all aspects of employment, including hiring, work assignments, working methods, the time, place and manner of work, work supervision, transfer of employees, lay-off of workers, and discipline, dismissal, and recall of employees. “The only limitations to the exercise of this prerogative are those imposed by labor laws and the principles of equity and substantial justice,” she said. On the issue on whether or not bus drivers and conductors are entitled to their salaries and other benefits during the pendency of the suspension of operations, such as the case of Valisno Bus Company, she said the policy of “no work, no pay”. “There is no provision in the Labor Code that requires an employer to pay the wages/salaries of drivers and conductors during the pendency of the suspension of bus operations imposed by LTFRB due to accident,” she said. Finally, Baldoz said the DOLE shall coordinate with the LTFRB on the matter of appropriate sanction, such as | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Baldoz issues pay rules for Ninoy Aquino Day and National Heroes Day | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday urged the country’s private employers and businesses to abide by the pay rules for their employees in observance of the Ninoy Aquino Day and in celebration of the National Heroes Day on 21 and 31 August, respectively. President Benigno S. Aquino III’s Proclamation No. 831, Series of 2014 declared 21 and 31 August as special (non-working) day and regular holiday, respectively. “Proper observance of the pay rules on regular holidays and special non-working days will lead to more productive and competent employees. Voluntary compliance with labor laws, including payment of correct wages on holidays, is good for business,” Baldoz said. For 31 August, the following pay rules will apply: 1. If the employee did not work, he or she shall be paid 100 percent of his or her salary for that day [(Daily Rate + Cost of Living Allowance) x 100 percent]; 2. For work done during the regular holiday, an employee shall be paid 200 percent of his or her regular salary for that day for the first eight hours [(Daily Rate + Cost of Living Allowance) x 200 percent]; 3. For work done in excess of eight hours (overtime work), he or she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his or her hourly rate on said day [(Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 200 percent x 130 percent x number of hours worked]; 4. For work done during a regular holiday that also falls on his or her rest day, he or she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his her daily rate of 200 percent [(Daily Rate + Cost of Living Allowance) x 200 percent] + [30 percent (Daily Rate x 200 percent)]; and 5. For work done in excess of eight hours (overtime work) during a holiday that also falls on his or her rest day, he or she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his or her hourly rate on said day (Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 200 percent x 130 percent x 130 percent x number of hours worked). For 21 August, the labor and employment chief said a different set of pay rules apply, the day being a special non-working day. These pay rules are as follows: 1. If the employee did not work, the “no work, no pay” principle shall apply, unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on this special non-working day; 2. For work done during this special day, he or she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his or her daily rate on the first eight hours of work [(Daily Rate x 130 percent)+ Cost of Living Allowance] ; 3. For work done in excess of eight hours (overtime work), he or she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his or her hourly rate on said day (Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 130 percent x 130 percent x number of hours worked); 4. For work done during the special day that also falls on his or her rest day, he or she shall be paid an additional 50 percent of his or her daily rate on the first eight hours of work [(Daily Rate x 150 percent) + Cost of Living Allowance]; and 5. For work done in excess of eight hours (overtime work) during a special day that also falls on his or her rest day, he or she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his or her hourly rate on said day (Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 150 percent x 130 percent x number of hours worked). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Passing BBL now will benefit next administration, Ferrer says | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MANILA – Amid calls to let the next Congress pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) from some members of the House of Representatives and other sectors, chief government peace negotiator Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer remained firm that passing the law now would give the country the best shot at achieving peace in Mindanao. Ferrer said delaying the passage of the BBL and letting the next Congress under a new President consider it would be a big waste of all the time, resources and goodwill invested in securing the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and in coming up with the committee reports in both Houses. “(Congress) can either pass this law or they can choose to throw away all the time, money, and goodwill already spent by just passing it on to the next Congress,” she said. Ferrer, who was in the Senate anticipating the start of the deliberations on the Senate version of the Bangsamoro bill, noted that “if there’s a will, there’s a way. The power is in the hands of the legislators.” Some legislators argued that it would be best to pass the BBL during the next Congress since majority of the implementation and oversight would happen then. Ferrer, however, countered that leaving a legislation undone would be detrimental especially for the next administration. “I am certain that the next administration would be better off with a BBL in place. It will benefit from the enhanced political stability. The next president and Congress can then focus on other legislative measures and strengthening the reforms introduced in the region.” Ferrer noted that if not passed, another draft BBL would have to be filed again in both Houses, requiring another round of committee hearings before the bill gets any farther from where it is now. "That's a complete waste of millions of taxpayers' money," she said. When President Benigno S. Aquino III assumed office in 2010, he immediately made the Bangsamoro peace process a priority of his administration. In 2014, the GPH and the MILF signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangssamoro (CAB) which served as basis for the original BBL drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC). The signing is considered a historic milestone in the storied negotiations dating back to 1997. Continued delays The House of Representatives currently holds three plenary sessions per week, meaning there are only 17 session days left before the House sets aside BBL debates in favor of budget deliberations expected to commence on September 28. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In a class of their own: Kids prove science smarts in Clash of Class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dost.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It was a clash of science smarts alright, but it was no quiz bee inside an auditorium. Instead of contestants quietly sitting on chairs onstage, ready to answer science questions fielded to them by the quizmaster, competitors huddled around their tables excitedly to create and perform fun, science-based items and experiments amidst Manila Ocean Park’s amazing aquatic displays. Tinkering with everyday materials like sticks, nails, strings, pencils, straws, bond paper, tape, eggs, and others, each team raced against time to prove that their school is the best and that they’ve got the smarts. In the end, Baclaran Elementary School Unit II, composed of Princess Diane Daval Santos, Issa Marian Lazatin, Dave Paradela, Cris Miole, Sophia Anamarie Benitez, their teacher Vilma Dames and coach Martha Dealino of UP Diliman’s Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute, emerged as overall winner in the elementary division of “Clash of Class.” Organized by the Department of Science and Technology’s Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) and Philippine Science High School System (DOST-PSHS) in cooperation with Manila Ocean Park, “Clash of Class” was one of the activities during DOST’s National Science and Technology Week from July 24-28, 2015. “We want you to experience that science is not just a subject that is memorized, that science is not difficult, that it is fun. We want to excite you, put a spark in your eyes, and put a smile in your faces whenever you encounter science in your life,” SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo told the young participants in her message during the opening ceremony. Aside from Baclaran Elementary School Unit II, the other competing schools were Antonio Luna Elementary School, Magat Salamat Elementary School, Bagong Tanyag Elementary School, Almanza Elementary School, Bagong Silang Elementary School, Amado V. Hernandez Elementary School, and Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School. Each school or team also included one teacher and a DOST scholar who served as the team’s coach scientist. One of them was Robert Padrina, weather specialist 1 of PAGASA. “Today, we went out of the forecasting center to mingle with kids,” he shared. “This is a good opportunity for us to share with them what a scientist’s work is all about, instead of just being in the confines of our laboratories.” The games involved poking sharpened pencils into a bag of water without causing it to leak, solving puzzles using tangrams and popsicle sticks, creating a model jellyfish that will not readily sink, balancing 14 nails, pouring five different liquids in a glass to form a Density Tower, keeping an egg from breaking when dropped from a height of five meters, hitting a fixed target using mirrors and a prism, and many others. “The games were super amazing. They were very easy but super addictive,” enthused a participant from Bagong Tanyag Elementary School. “What I learned from “Clash of Class” is how to enjoy mathematics and science, that it does not have to be hard,” said another participant, a Grade 5 student from Almanza Elementary School. “Other kids should also learn math and science so they will understand its importance in our lives.” “It was fun and we learned a lot of things, like teamwork and cooperation within a group,” shared a Grade 6 student from Amado V. Hernandez Elementary School. Another participant from Bagong Tanyag also mentioned the value of creativity. “Each one was able to prove his ability to create. If we don’t use our creativity, we will not be able to finish each game,“ he said. After the elimination round, five teams advanced to the final round, namely Amado V. Hernandez, Magat Salamat, Manuel L. Quezon, Antonio Luna, and Baclaran Elementary School Unit II. In the end, Baclaran Elementary School Unit II stamped its class after 10 grueling games which enhanced the students’ skills, knowledge, and creativity and set them on the path toward becoming smart scientists which is the objective of “Clash of Class.” Gaining a strong second place finish was Magat Salamat while Amado V. Hernandez emerged as the third best team in the annual competition. Baclaran Elementary School Unit II teacher Vilma A. Dames revealed that prior to “Clash of Class,” their principal’s advice to them was simple: You have nothing to review, you just have to enjoy and do your best. The team members, who dream of becoming either doctors or engineers someday, did not expect to win, which made their victory even sweeter. “We are happy that we placed first and that we will also become DOST scholars someday,” remarked Issa Marian Lazatin who is in Grade 6. Coach scientist Martha Dealino summed it best however. “Our victory is just a bonus,” she claimed. “Our real victory is knowing that the kids enjoyed the experience and that it ignited their passion for science and technology.” In the high school division, “Clash of Class” was won by Pasay City East High School composed of Rachel R. Maculi, Mark Joshua Lorico, Rhicalline Pabro, Sean Troy Ros, Jesie Dhiocane Petalio, teacher Raquel Besmano and coach scientist Andrea Adorna, a chemist from DOST’s Philippine Textile Research Institute. In her message, Biyo expressed DOST’s hope that the youngsters will eventually be the next wave of DOST scholars and the next breed of scientists and engineers who will provide solutions to many of the country’s pressing problems. (S&T Media Service) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DFA, DOLE, DSWD, DOH, POEA, and OWWA Sign Joint Manual of Operations in providing assistance to Migrant Workers and other Filipinos Overseas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18 August 2015 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario; Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz; Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, represented by Undersecretary Parishya Taradji; Health Secretary Janette Loreto-Garin, represented by Assistant Secretary Gerardo V. Bayugo; Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Chief Hans Leo J. Cacdac; and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Head Rebecca Calzado yesterday signed the Joint Manual of Operations in Providing Assistance to Migrant Workers and Other Filipinos Overseas, the document that outlines the roles and responsibilities of their respective agencies and overseas offices to effect a cohesive, seamless, efficient, and effective delivery of government services to overseas Filipinos, particularly to those wo are in distress. In a ceremony at the Labor Governance and Learning Center of the Blas F. Ople Hall at the DOLE Executive Building in Intramuros, the aforementioned officials inked the Joint Manual in the presence of the media, witnessed by officials of the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs of the DFA, Bureau of International Health Cooperation of the DOH, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Operations and Programs Group of the DSWD, members of civil society organizations and non-government organizations, and members of the House of Representatives composing the House Committee on Overseas Workers’ Affairs (HCOWA) led by Committee Chairman Representative Nicanor Briones; Representative Roy Señeres; and Representative Leah Paquiz; and House Committee on Appropriations Vice Chairman Scott Davies Lanete. Above all, we are deeply grateful to our modern-day heroes, the overseas Filipinos. This Joint Manual is for you: to honor your heroism, your sacrifices, and your contributions. Thank you for putting your trust and faith in us. We will continue to do our best to assist you not only in addressing your needs but also, and more importantly, help achieve your dreams,” stated Foreign Affairs Secretary Del Rosario. “The challenge that lies before us now is to implement this Joint Manual with utmost consistency, efficiency, and professionalism. I am confident of the success of this Joint Manual as everyone here has the interests of our overseas Filipinos at heart. It will enhance the Philippines’ reputation as a model for migration governance. It is proof-positive of our collective commitment for our overseas Filipinos,” he added. “We at the Department of Labor and Employment are pleased to host this ceremony for the signing of the Joint Manual of Operations in Providing Assistance to Migrant Workers and Other Filipinos Overseas. The issuance of this Joint Manual is another important milestone in our continuing pursuit of program and service improvement for our overseas Filipinos,” said Secretary Baldoz after the signing. “Our migrant workers today are in a more complex situation. The ever-changing geopolitical conditions in many parts of the world and the pervasive cultural differences among societies continue to bring difficulties in the lives of Filipinos living and working overseas. It is, therefore, imperative for us in government and for our private sector partners to be more purposive and cohesive in our approach in dealing with work realities and problems of our overseas Filipinos. Thus, we expect that this Joint manual would lead us toward this direction and bring about a higher caliber of government service and program delivery to those Filipino migrants in need of government assistance,” she added. “We are glad that we are part of this initiative showcasing convergence of government services and resources for the protection of migrant workers and other Filipinos overseas. Ensuring the psycho-social well-being of our countrymen abroad is vital to ensure that they are capable of meeting the challenges of working or living in a foreign land,” DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said. Meanwhile, Secretary Garin said, “We, in the Department of Health, believe that there can be no “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan” if migrant workers and other Filipino overseas are excluded or left behind. Ensuring the health of our migrants and all Filipinos, whether in the country or abroad, has always been an intrinsic part of the Aquino Health Agenda to achieve Universal Health Care. She said Phil-Health’s Overseas Filipinos Program has been actively working towards the goal of expanding enrolment and improving benefits for overseas Filipinos. “However, addressing migrant health needs a collective effort, not just from the DOH, but from sectors involved in migration. Thus, this Joint Manual is an affirmation of the DOH’s position on taking the whole of government and whole of society approach in promoting the health of our migrants and overseas Filipinos, including their families,” she added. Two years in the making, the Joint Manual of Operations in Providing Assistance to Migrant Workers and Other Filipinos Overseas was developed consistent with the directive of President Aquino III to transform Philippine missions abroad into Centers of Care and Excellence for Overseas Filipinos. It is only under the present administration that the DFA, DOLE, DSWD, DOH, and other concerned government agencies dealing with overseas Filipinos worked together to put into a single document very clear and specific terms the sharing of responsibilities and resources in responding to various concerns of Filipino migrant workers. The Joint Manual, which has obtained the endorsement and approval of the House of Representatives through the Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, is comprehensive in its breadth and depth, and covers almost every conceivable situation migrant Filipinos may find themselves in while abroad. It provides clear and concise step-by-step proceses, lines of accountabilities, modes of reporting and coordination, and even specific timelines and sharing of resources and obligations. It can be recalled that the Joint Manual was drafted in response to the request of Rep. Señeres for the DFA and the DOLE to come up with a common or consolidated Work Plan and Manual of Operations, as well as to the request of Rep. Paquiz to develop a comprehensive standard protocol for assisting OFWs. The HCOWA, chaired by Representative Briones, approved the Joint Manual last June 10 after a series of consultations between the HCOWA and concerned executive departments. Civil society organizations and non-government organizations, such as the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, Center for Migrants Advocacy, Global Filipino Movement Foundation Inc., and the OFW Family Club of the HCOWA, also participated in the drafting of the Joint Manual and provided inputs. The Joint Manual, which immediately takes effect upon its signing, shall be jointly reviewed and revised after three years and every three years thereafter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Statement of the Secretary on the Bangkok Bombing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Philippines deplores the horrific bombing near a popular Hindu Temple in Bangkok where innocent lives have been lost. The bombing apparently has the intention to sow terror and we condemn this act in the strongest terms. The Philippine Embassy in Bangkok is in coordination with the hospitals in the area to verify if any Filipinos are among those who perished or have been injured and to provide assistance. The Philippines stands in solidarity with the government and people of Thailand at this trying moment. Our people in Bangkok have been advised by our Embassy to remain calm and to observe necessary precautions to ensure their personal safety. On the Filipino reportedly killed during the bombing The Philippine Embassy in Bangkok is closely coordinating with Thai authorities to verify the reported Filipino casualty. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 
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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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20 Aug 2015
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| ALAN: Secretary Coloma, sir, magandang umaga po. SEC. COLOMA: Good morning, Alan. ALAN: Yes, sir. Tayo po ay live nationwide sa Radyo ng Bayan. Sir, hingi po kami ng update dito po sa panukalang budget para sa 2016. We understand na kasama ho sa mga napag-uusapan dito at paglalaan dito ay ito isang merit-based na dagdag suweldo para sa mga government employees. Sir, bigyan n’yo kami ng mga updates sa usaping ito, Secretary Coloma, please. SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Alan. Ayon sa Pangulo, sa kaniyang pahayag sa Naga City noong makalawa, ang prinsipyong dapat gumabay sa pagbibigay nang mas mataas na sahod sa mga kawani at opisyal sa gobyerno ay iyong husay sa pagganap ng tungkulin, iyong tinatawag na performance-based compensation. Of course, Alan, ang batayan niyan ay iyon equal pay for equal work at kinakailangang bigyan ng tamang pagkilala iyong kontribusyon ng bawat government employee. Sa ibabaw naman noon, ang nais ng Pangulo ay iyong bigyan ng pagkilala iyong kahusayan ng mga masigasig, masisipag at mahuhusay na empleyado. Kaya nga’t sa ilalim ng kanyang pamumuno ay nagkaroon nitong Performance-Based Bonus at iyong Performance Enhancement Incentives. Iyan ang mga kasama sa konsiderasyon sa pagbubuo ng maaaring maging package ng susunod na pagtaas ng pasahod sa gobyerno. ALAN: Meron din pong mga napag-uusapan, Secretary Coloma, sir, na nandiyan iyong Salary Standardization Law na parang kahalintulad ho ng mga nakaraang naipatupad na para sa lahat din ng government employees po? SEC. COLOMA: Iyon nga, Alan, nais din makipag-ugnayan ng Ehekutibo sa ating mga mambabatas dahil lahat naman ng mga nakaraang ipinatupad na pagsasaayos ng pasuweldo ay sinakop ng isang Salary Standardization Law. Mainam na magkaroon ng batayan sa batas iyong pagsasaayos at pagpapabuti ng compensation system para sa ating mga government employees. ALAN: Opo. Secretary Coloma, sir, sa ibang usapin naman po ano ho. Itong ating Philippine Eagle na si Pamana ay—naku, iyon hong Philippine Eagle ay tinuturing ho na talagang endangered species, pagkatapos ay meron namang napabalitang iyong ating Philippine Eagle na si Pamana ay namatay dahil sa mga tama ng bala mula sa mga hunters. Meron ho bang opisyal na pahayag o reaksiyon ang Malacañang sa pangyayaring ito, Sec, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Batid natin, Alan, na iyong Mount Hamiguitan sa rehiyon ng Davao ay idineklarang isang heritage site dahil ito nga ay mainam na maging lugar para sa konserbasyon ng ating mga natural wealth, kasama na nga iyang flora and fauna. At itong Philippine Eagle ay isang mahalagang sagisag ng ating bansa kaya’t sinisikap ng pamahalaan na maparami pa itong lahi ng mga Philippine Eagles. Kaya kalungkut-lungkot iyong balita na natagpuang walang buhay itong si Pamana, at nangangahulugan lang niyan na dapat pang pag-ibayuhin ang pagsisikap ng pamahalaan at ng mga environment conservationists na kinakailangang pag-igihan pa iyong ating pagbibigay ng proteksyon sa ating mga endangered species. ALAN: Opo, opo. Sec, sa House of Representatives, tungkol po naman dito sa update sa BBL ano ho. Meron pong statement na binitiwan si Speaker Sonny Belmonte, confident siya na kayang maipasa sa Kamara ito hong BBL probably by next month, sa susunod na buwan. Ano pong reaksiyon ng Malacañang tungkol dito, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Patuloy po tayong nakikipag-ugnayan sa liderato ng Kongreso. At mainam po at positibo iyong signal na binibigay sa atin ni Speaker Belmonte dahil nasaksihan naman natin na tuluy-tuloy na iyong deliberasyon sa plenaryo, at kapag natapos ito ay puwede na nilang pagbotohan kung ano iyong version na kanilang ipapasa. At mainam din na nagaganap ito habang kasabay din iyong pagdinig sa ating pambansang budget dahil ito ngang dalawang batas na ito ang nasa taas ng prayoridad ng ating Lehislatura – iyong national budget at enactment ng Bangsamoro Basic Law. ALAN: Opo. And meron ding, kumbaga, panawagan, Secretary Coloma, sir, itong British Ambassador to the Philippines, si Ambassador Asif Ahmad. At binabanggit niya na mahalaga ang quorum sa pagpapasa ng mga importanteng batas. Dahil binabanggit niya nga sa United Kingdom, sabi niya, either you agree or oppose something pero it is your duty as an elected official to debate and vote. Parang meron siyang panawagan sa mga mambabatas natin na in the light of news na nitong nagdaang ilang araw ay hindi makakuha ng quorum para sa kaukulang mga deliberasyon, Sec. SEC. COLOMA: Ginagawa ng ating Speaker ang nararapat para bigyan ng pagkilala iyong kasipagan at pagiging maagap at mapagpunyagi ng mga mambabatas na dumadalo sa mga session. At ayon nga sa ating nabasa, ipapalathala niya iyong mga (unclear) ng mga ito para tularan at dumami din iyong kanilang hanay. ALAN: Opo, okay. Sir, sa ibang usapin pa po. Lumilitaw ho ngayon ang mga possibilities na among others, itong Subic base, dating US Base diyan sa Subic na ngayon ay SBMA na ano ho, posibleng maging tahanan daw nitong mga fighter jets natin, Sec. Sonny, sir? SEC. COLOMA: Iyan nga ang naging pahayag ng ating DND dahil hinihintay natin iyong pagdating ng mga FA-50 fighter jets na manggagaling sa South Korea. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, iyong unang unit nito ay darating na bago matapos ang taon. At kinakailangang magkaroon sila ng maayos na lugar, at iyon ngang Subic Bay na isa namang government property ay mainam para dito dahil meron naman silang sapat na pasilidad, katulad nga ng isang runway, may airport din doon. At kasama iyan sa plano ng ating Tanggulang Pambansa at ng Sandatahang Lakas na maging modern ang ating mga pasilidad para sa mas malakas at mas matatag na national security infrastructure, Alan. ALAN: So kung sakali pong mag-materialize ito, ibig sabihin iyong ilang bahagi po ng Subic ay mqaaring ibalik bilang military facility para sa ating mga eroplano at iba pa, Sec? SEC. COLOMA: Iyon nga ang naanunsyong plano, Alan. ALAN: Okay. Well, Secretary Coloma, sir, muli, salamat po nang 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: 19 AUGUST 2015
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| Alternative photo archive with high resolutions | |
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 | President Benigno S. Aquino III tours the facilities of the newly-renovated “Museo ni Manuel L Quezon” during the commemoration of the 137th Birth Anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon at the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Elliptical Road, Quezon City on Wednesday (August 19). Also in photo is National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III witnesses as Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Effie Ben Matityau turn over the Raoul Wallenberg Medal (posthumous) on President Manuel L. Quezon, represented by the late President's daughter Zenaida Quezon Avancena during the commemoration of the 137th Birth Anniversary of PMLQ and the inauguration of the “Museo ni Manuel L Quezon” at the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Elliptical Road, Quezon Cityon Wednesday (August 19). PMLQ was being cited for the decisive and courageous role he played in the absorption of approximately 1,200 European Jewish refugees into the country, between 1937-1941, thus extricating and saving them from the Nazi. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Hernando Iriberri, troops the line during the commemoration of the 137th Birth Anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon and the inauguration of the “Museo ni Manuel L Quezon” at the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Elliptical Road, Quezon City on Wednesday (August 19). (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III ushers the late President's daughter Zenaida Quezon Avancena during the commemoration of the 137th Birth Anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon and the inauguration of the “Museo ni Manuel Quezon” at the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Elliptical Road, Quezon City on Wednesday (August 19). Also in photo are National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III bangs the gavel to signal the formal opening of the newly-renovated “Museo ni Manuel Quezon” during the commemoration of the 137th Birth Anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon at the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Elliptical Road, Quezon City on Wednesday (August 19). Also in photo are National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno, Quezon's daughter Zenaida Quezon Avancena and Benjamin Avancena. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Ray Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III offers a wreath during the commemoration of the 137th Birth Anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon and the inauguration of the “Museo ni Manuel L Quezon” at the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Elliptical Road, Quezon City on Wednesday (August 19). Also in photo are AFP Chief of Staff General Hernando Iriberri; House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.; and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III offers a wreath during the commemoration of the 137th Birth Anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon and the inauguration of the “Museo ni Manuel L Quezon” at the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Elliptical Road, Quezon City on Wednesday (August 19). Also in photo is National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III offers a wreath during the commemoration of the 137th Birth Anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon and the inauguration of the “Museo ni Manuel L Quezon” at the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Elliptical Road, Quezon City on Wednesday (August 19). Also in photo are National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno and AFP Chief of Staff General Hernando Iriberri. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the commemoration of the 137th Birth Anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon (PMLQ) and the Inauguration of the “Museo ni Manuel L Quezon” that started with the flag raising ceremony at the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Elliptical Road, Quezon City on Wednesday (August 19, 2015). Also in photo are House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.; Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr.; and Quezon City Vice Mayor Ma. Josefina Belmonte. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the commemoration of the 137th Birth Anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon and the inauguration of the “Museo ni Manuel L Quezon” that started with the flag raising ceremony at the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Elliptical Road, Quezon City on Wednesday (August 19). Also in photo are House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.; Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista; Vice Mayor Ma. Josefina Belmonte; 3rd District Representative Jorge John Banal, Jr.; 2nd District Representative Winston Castelo; 6th District Representative Jose Christopher Belmonte; National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno; and Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Undersecretary Manuel Luis Quezon III. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the commemoration of the 137th Birth Anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon and the inauguration of the “Museo ni Manuel L Quezon” during the flag raising ceremony at the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Elliptical Road, Quezon City on Wednesday (August 19). Also in photo are House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.; Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr.; Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista; Vice Mayor Ma. Josefina Belmonte; and 3rd District Representative Jorge John Banal, Jr. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the commemoration of the 137th Birth Anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon and the inauguration of the “Museo ni Manuel L Quezon” during the flag raising ceremony at the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Elliptical Road, Quezon City on Wednesday (August 19). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Muthar Kent, Coca Cola Company chairman and chief executive officer, during a courtesy call at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (August 18). Also in photo is Carlos Salazar, a member of the Coca Cola Company Board of Directors. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the JMR Anniversary Commemorative Program and Multi-Sectoral Forum at the Naga City Hall on Tuesday (August 18). (Photo by Rolando MAilo/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III expresses his thoughts during the open forum of the JMR Anniversary Commemorative Program and Multi-Sectoral Forum at the Naga City Hall on Tuesday (August 18). (Photo by Rolando Mailo/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III prays before the grave of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo during his visit at the Eternal Gardens in Naga City on Tuesday (August 18) in commemoration of the third anniversary of his death. (Photo by Rolando Mailo/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III lights a candle at the grave of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo during his visit at the Eternal Gardens in Naga City on Tuesday (August 18) in commemoration of the third anniversary of his death. (Photo by Rolando MAilo / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III prays before the grave of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo during his visit at the Eternal Gardens in Naga City on Tuesday (August 18) in commemoration of the third anniversary of his death. (Photo by Joseph Vidal/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III visits the grave of the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo at the Eternal Gardens in Naga City on Tuesday in commemoration of the third anniversary of his death. Also in photo are his widow Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Leni Robredo and Interior Secreatry Manuel Roxas II (August 18). (Photo by Joseph Vidal/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III expresses his thoughts during the open forum of the JMR Anniversary Commemorative Program and Multi-Sectoral Forum at the Naga City Hall on Tuesday with Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Robredo’s widow Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Leni Robredo (August 18). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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 | President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the JMR Anniversary Commemorative Program and Multi-Sectoral Forum at the Naga City Hall on Tuesday (August 18, 2015). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III attends the JMR Anniversary Commemorative Program and Multi-Sectoral Forum at the Naga City Hall on Tuesday with Robredo’s widow Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Leni Robredo and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, (August 18). (Photo by Benhur Arcyan/ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo and daughters Jessica Marie “Aika”, Janine Patricia “Tricia” and Jillian Therese “Jill” upon arrival for his visit to the grave of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo at the Eternal Gardens in Naga City on Tuesday (August 18) in commemoration of the third anniversary of his death. Also in photo Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III visits the grave of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo at the Eternal Gardens in Naga City on Tuesday (August 18) in commemoration of the third anniversary of his death. Also in photo is Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Leni Robredo. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the Cabinet Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (August 17). With the President in the meeting are Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, NEDA Arsenio Balisacan, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, and DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, among others (Photo by Gil Nartea / Lauro Montillano / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III leads his official family in prayer before presiding over the Cabinet Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (August 17). (Photo by Lauro Montillano / Marcelino Pascua / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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APEC member-economies meet in first High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science and Technology in Higher Education as agents in "Developing 21st Century Innovators for Inclusive, Resilient and Sustained Growth". (First row, from left-right) Dir. Alex Rogers, APEC Secretariat; Usec. Ferdinand Cui, Jr., SOM Vice Chair; Sec. Mario G. Montejo, Department of Science and Technology; Sec. Patricia B. Licuanan, Commission on Higher Education; Hon. Malakai Tabar, Papua New Guinea Minister for Higher Education; Ms. Romy Tincopa, APEC Secretariat joined by member-economy senior officials and experts on S&T and Higher Education.
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 | President Benigno S. Aquino III poses with newly appointed Star-Ranked Philippine National Police (PNP) officials after their oath-taking ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on wednesday, August 12, 2015. (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III administers the oath of office to newly appointed Star-Ranked Philippine National Police (PNP) officials in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on wednesday, August 12, 2015. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Lauro Montillanol/ / Joseph Vidal / Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulates newly appointed Philippine National Police Chief Police Director General Ricardo C. Marquez during the oath-taking ceremony of star-ranked police officials Wednesday (August 12) at the Rizal Hall of Malacanang. Fifity other star-ranked police took their oath of office. (Photo by Lauro Montillano / Gil Nartea / Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III administers the oath of office to Philippine National Police Chief Police Director General Ricardo C. Marquez in ceremonies held Wednesday (August 12) at the Rizal Hall of Malacanang. Fifity other star-ranked police took their oath of office. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Rolando Mailo / Gil Nartea / Lauro Montillano / Joseph Vidal /Malacanang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino, accompanied by newly installed Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad, during the inspection at the Philippine Navy Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony at the Headquarters of the Philippine Navy, Naval Station Jose B. Andrada in Roxas Boulevard, Manila City on Monday (August 10). The Commander in Chief has appointed Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad as the 35th Flag Officer in Command, following the retirement of Vice-Admiral Jesus Millan from the military service. Taccad is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandigan” Class of 1982. (Photo by Rodolfo Manabat / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Philippine Navy Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony of Vice-Admiral Jesus Millan at the Headquarters of the Philippine Navy, Naval Station Jobe B. Andrada in Roxas Boulevard, Manila City on Monday (August 10). (Photo by Lauro Montellano Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III presents the Command Plaque, Plaque of Honorable Service, Plaque of Appreciation, Medal Frame and Philippine Flag to former Navy Chief Vice-Admiral Jesus Millan during the Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony at the Headquarters of the Philippine Navy, Naval Station Jobe B. Andrada in Roxas Boulevard, Manila City on Monday (August 10). The Commander in Chief has appointed Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad as the 35th Flag Officer in Command following the retirement of Vice-Admiral Jesus Millan from the military service. Taccad is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandigan” Class of 1982. (Photo by Lauro Montelano Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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President Benigno S. Aquino III presents the medal of the command symbol to the newly installed 35th Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad during the Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony at the Headquarters of the Philippine Navy, Naval Station Jose B. Andrada in Roxas Boulevard, Manila City on Monday (August 10). Taccad is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandigan” Class of 1982. (Photo by Rodolfo Manabat / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
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 | President Benigno S. Aquino III passes the Philippine Navy Flag to newly installed 35th Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad after it was ceded by former Navy Chief Vice-Admiral Jesus Millan during the Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony at the Headquarters of the Philippine Navy, Naval Station Jose B. Andrada in Roxas Boulevard, Manila City on Monday (August 10). Taccad is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandigan” Class of 1982. (Photo by Lauro Montellano Jr. / Rodolfo Manabat / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III with outgoing Navy Chief Vice-Admiral Jesus Millan salutes during the Philippine Navy Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony at the Headquarters of the Philippine Navy, Naval Station Jose B. Andrada in Roxas Boulevard, Manila City on Monday (August 10). The Commander in Chief has appointed Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad as the 35th Flag Officer in Command following the retirement of Vice-Admiral Jesus Millan from the military service. Taccad is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandigan” Class of 1982. (Photo by Lauro Montellano Jr./ Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | Newly installed 35th Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad and former Navy Chief Vice-Admiral Jesus Millan salute President Benigno S. Aquino III during the Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony at the Headquarters of the Philippine Navy, Naval Station Jose B. Andrada in Roxas Boulevard, Manila City on Monday (August 10). Taccad is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandigan” Class of 1982. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III confers the Philippine Legion of Honor with the degree of Commander to outgoing Navy Chief Vice-Admiral Jesus Millan during the Philippine Navy Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony at the Headquarters of the Philippine Navy, Naval Station Jose B. Andrada in Roxas Boulevard, Manila City on Monday (August 10). The Commander in Chief has appointed Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad as the 35th Flag Officer in Command following the retirement of Vice-Admiral Jesus Millan from the military service. Taccad is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandigan” Class of 1982. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino graces the Philippine Navy Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony at the Headquarters of the Philippine Navy, Naval Station Jose B. Andrada in Roxas Boulevard, Manila City on Monday (August 10). The Commander in Chief has appointed Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad as the 35th Flag Officer in Command (FOIC) following the retirement of Vice-Admiral Jesus Millan from the military service. Taccad is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandigan” Class of 1982. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Rodolfo Manabat / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino, accompanied by outgoing Navy Chief Vice-Admiral Jesus Millan, troops the line upon arrival for the Philippine Navy Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony at the Headquarters of the Philippine Navy, Naval Station Jose B. Andrada in Roxas Boulevard, Manila City on Monday (August 10). The Commander in Chief has appointed Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad as the 35th Flag Officer in Command, following the retirement of Vice Admiral Jesus Millan who from the military service. Taccad is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandigan” Class of 1982. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Lauro Montellano Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | Around 400 delegates and participants from APEC member economies attend the 6tH meeting on Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation to forge partnerships based on the theme, “science, technology and innovation for inclusive growth.” The meeting runs from August 10-12 and to be followed by the APEC High Level Policy Dialogue on Science and Technology in Higher Education on August 13-14, at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila. | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III, along with Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II and PNP Chief Director General Ricardo Marquez, honors the colors during the 114th Police Service Anniversary at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame in Quezon City on Friday, August 7 with the theme: “Pambansang Pulisya: Patuloy sa Makabuluhang Paglilingkod at Makatarungang Pagpapatupad ng Batas.” The Philippine National Police celebrates Police Service Anniversary in commemoration of the joint founding anniversaries of the Insular Constabulary established in 1901 and the Integrated National Police, organized in 1975, both forerunner organizations of the PNP. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III honors the colors during the 114th Police Service Anniversary at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame in Quezon City on Friday, August 7 with the theme: “Pambansang Pulisya: Patuloy sa Makabuluhang Paglilingkod at Makatarungang Pagpapatupad ng Batas.” The Philippine National Police celebrates the Police Service Anniversary in commemoration of the joint founding anniversaries of the Insular Constabulary established in 1901 and the Integrated National Police, organized in 1975, both forerunner organizations of the PNP. (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the 114th Police Service Anniversary at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame in Quezon City on Friday, August 7 with the theme: “Pambansang Pulisya: Patuloy sa Makabuluhang Paglilingkod at Makatarungang Pagpapatupad ng Batas.” The Philippine National Police celebrates the Police Service Anniversary in commemoration of the joint founding anniversaries of the Insular Constabulary established in 1901 and the Integrated National Police, organized in 1975, both forerunner organizations of the PNP. Also in photo are Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II and PNP Chief Director General Ricardo Marquez. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II during the 114th Police Service Anniversary at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame in Quezon City on Friday, August 7 with the theme: “Pambansang Pulisya: Patuloy sa Makabuluhang Paglilingkod at Makatarungang Pagpapatupad ng Batas.” The Philippine National Police celebrates the Police Service Anniversary in commemoration of the joint founding anniversaries of the Insular Constabulary established in 1901 and the Integrated National Police, organized in 1975, both forerunner organizations of the PNP. Also in photo are Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II and PNP Chief Director General Ricardo Marquez. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
 | President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a copy of the PNP coffee table book from PNP Chief Director General Ricardo Marquez during the 114th Police Service Anniversary at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame in Quezon City on Friday, August 7 with the theme: “Pambansang Pulisya: Patuloy sa Makabuluhang Paglilingkod at Makatarungang Pagpapatupad ng Batas.” The Philippine National Police celebrates the Police Service Anniversary in commemoration of the joint founding anniversaries of the Insular Constabulary established in 1901 and the Integrated National Police, organized in 1975, both forerunner organizations of the PNP. Also in photo are PDDG Danilo Constantino, PDDG Marcelo Garbo and P/Dir. Juanito Vaño. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) | ||
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