DAILY WEATHER FORECAST
Issued at: 5:00 AM today, 07 August 2015
Valid Beginning: 5:00 AM today until 5:00 AM tomorrow
Synopsis:
Southwest monsoon affecting Visayas, Mindanao and Southern Luzon. Meanwhile, at 4:00 am today, the eye of Typhoon “HANNA†was located based on all available data at 485 km east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes (21.7N, 126.4E) with maximum sustained winds of 165 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 200 kph. It is forecast to move west northwest at 20 kph.
 Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis 8 AM 07 August 2015 |
 Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind Analysis 8 AM 07 August 2015 |
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Forecast:
Stormy weather with rough to very rough seas will prevail over Batanes group of islands. Monsoon rains which may trigger flashfloods and landslides will be experienced over Western Visayas and the provinces of Mindoro and Palawan. Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms are expected over Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, SOCCKSARGEN, ARMM, Bicol Region, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos, Cordillera, rest of Visayas and the provinces of Marinduque and Romblon. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.
Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northwest to west will prevail over Northern and Central Luzon and coming from the southwest over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough.
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SEVERE WEATHER BULLETIN No. 7
FOR: TYPHOON “#HannaPH” (SOUDELOR)
TROPICAL CYCLONE: WARNING
ISSUED AT 5:00 AM, 07 AUGUST 2015
FOR: TYPHOON “#HannaPH” (SOUDELOR)
TROPICAL CYCLONE: WARNING
ISSUED AT 5:00 AM, 07 AUGUST 2015
TYPHOON “HANNA” CONTINUES TO MOVE CLOSER TOWARDS BATANES-TAIWAN AREA.
• Estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 700 km diameter of the typhoon.
• Fisher folk are advised not to venture out over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon, southern seaboard of Southern Luzon and the seaboards of Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao.
• Southwest Monsoon is affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Residents in low lying and mountainous areas are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.
Location of eye/center: At 4:00 AM today, the eye of Typhoon “HANNA” was located based on all available data at 485 km East Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes (21.7°N, 126.4°E).
Strength: Maximum sustained winds of 165 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 200 kph.
Forecast Movement: Forecast to move West Northwest at 20 kph.
Forecast Positions:
• 24 hour (Tomorrow morning): 325 km North Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes
• 48 hour (Sunday morning): Outside PAR or at 710 km Northwest of Itbayat, Batanes
• 72 hour (Monday morning): 1245 km Northwest of Itbayat, Batanes (Outside PAR)
Public Storm Warning Signal No. 2 (61-120 kph Expected in 24hrs.): Batanes Province including Itbayat. Wave Height: 4.1-14.0m Storm surge possible at coastal areas.
Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 (30-60 kph Expected in 36hrs.): Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands and Northern Cagayan. Wave Height: (Open Sea) 1.25-4.0 meters
The public and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 11 AM today.
• Estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 700 km diameter of the typhoon.
• Fisher folk are advised not to venture out over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon, southern seaboard of Southern Luzon and the seaboards of Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao.
• Southwest Monsoon is affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Residents in low lying and mountainous areas are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.
Location of eye/center: At 4:00 AM today, the eye of Typhoon “HANNA” was located based on all available data at 485 km East Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes (21.7°N, 126.4°E).
Strength: Maximum sustained winds of 165 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 200 kph.
Forecast Movement: Forecast to move West Northwest at 20 kph.
Forecast Positions:
• 24 hour (Tomorrow morning): 325 km North Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes
• 48 hour (Sunday morning): Outside PAR or at 710 km Northwest of Itbayat, Batanes
• 72 hour (Monday morning): 1245 km Northwest of Itbayat, Batanes (Outside PAR)
Public Storm Warning Signal No. 2 (61-120 kph Expected in 24hrs.): Batanes Province including Itbayat. Wave Height: 4.1-14.0m Storm surge possible at coastal areas.
Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 (30-60 kph Expected in 36hrs.): Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands and Northern Cagayan. Wave Height: (Open Sea) 1.25-4.0 meters
The public and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 11 AM today.
PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio on DZBB:
Re: Typhoon Hanna
-Ang Bagyon Hanna, papalapit na sa Batanes-Taiwan area. Naapektuhan na po ang Batanes.
-Huling namataan ito sa layong 365km silangang hilagang-silangan ng Itbayat, Batanes kaninang 10AM.
-Signal No. 2: Batanes, Itbayat; Signal No. 1: Babuyan at Calayan Grp. of Islands, Northern Cagayan
-Sa Metro Manila, maulap tayo at asahan ang mga isolated na pag-ulan.
-Magkakaroon naman ng storm surge sa Batanes dahil sa Bagyong Hanna.
-Bukas hanggang Linggo asahan ang pag-ulan dito sa Metro Manila dahil sa Habagat.
-Kapag nasa labas na ng PAR ang bagyo, ang Northern Luzon naman ang maaapektuhan ng Habagat.
Re: Typhoon Hanna
-Ang Bagyon Hanna, papalapit na sa Batanes-Taiwan area. Naapektuhan na po ang Batanes.
-Huling namataan ito sa layong 365km silangang hilagang-silangan ng Itbayat, Batanes kaninang 10AM.
-Signal No. 2: Batanes, Itbayat; Signal No. 1: Babuyan at Calayan Grp. of Islands, Northern Cagayan
-Sa Metro Manila, maulap tayo at asahan ang mga isolated na pag-ulan.
-Magkakaroon naman ng storm surge sa Batanes dahil sa Bagyong Hanna.
-Bukas hanggang Linggo asahan ang pag-ulan dito sa Metro Manila dahil sa Habagat.
-Kapag nasa labas na ng PAR ang bagyo, ang Northern Luzon naman ang maaapektuhan ng Habagat.
August 7 ,
2015 ( Friday
) as of 9:00 AM
PIA4A / PIA QUEZON : Partly Cloudy in Lucena City
NORTHERN
SOUTHERN
WESTERN
EASTERN
DZBB:
Nakauwi na sa bansa sa ilalim ng amnesty program ang may 29 na
undocumented at distressed OFWs mula sa bansang Oman. Tuloy-tuloy pa rin
ang panghihikayat ng ng POLO sa mga undocumented OFWs na samantalahin
ang pinalawig na amnesty program ng sultanato ng Oman hanggang October
28.
Marikina Watershed local community learns more about
Climate Change
August 07, 2015
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ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal,
August 7 (PIA) --Local community leaders joined business and civic leaders,
NGOs, and various faith-based organizations in the Interfaith Dialogue on
Climate Change (IFD) Follow-through forum for Marikina Watershed to help the
residents understand the impacts of climate change and prepare for possible
disasters at Cristina Villas, Taktak Road, Antipolo City on Thursday, August 6,
2015.
Speakers from the local
government of Marikina, experts on the environment presented updates and
disaster preparedness to help the community. Among the speakers were Dr.
Esteban C. Godilano, resident scientist of Climate Change Congress of the
Philippines, Climate Change Commissioner Heherson T. Alvarez, and Cagayan de
Oro Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, who discussed Pope Francis’ encyclical on
climate change, Laudato Si.
The program’s highlight
was the memorandum of agreement signing among the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources, the indigenous peoples, and the peoples organizations.
The Department of Agriculture also gave 10 sacks of palay and five sacks of
corn together with agricultural implements and animals to the local farmers
from the community.
In the later part of the
program, representatives from the academe, government agencies, NGOs and the
private sector stated their commitments to help the Marikina community.
Studies show that more
than 70% of the upper Marikina watershed is highly vulnerable to landslides and
soil erosion because of denuded forests. This condition periodically
contributes to widespread flooding in Metro Manila.
“We must keep the Marikina
Watershed safe in the entire NCR for the headwaters of its river meet the
Manggahan Floodway that controls the overflowing deluges of Metro Manila,” says
former Senator Alvarez.
In 2012, the Marikina
Watershed was declared a protected area by the virtue of President Benigno
Aquino III’s Proclamation 296, which is pursuant to Republic Act 7658 or the
National I
ntegrated Protected Area
System.
“With its proclamation as
a protected area, the Marikina watershed will now be placed under a regime of
management where all native species of plants and animals, including its unique
features, are protected for perpetuity,” Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said.
The IFD, first convened by
Alvarez in 2010, already conducted three national conferences and seven
regional dialogues were already conducted before this event. It is co-sponsored
by the Climate Change Congress of the Philippines, the Philippine Council of
Evangelical Churches, and the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy in
partnership with the Climate Change Commission and the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources. It aims to develop interfaith unity and
action on both local and national climate change challenges. (Kat Manapat,
Climate Change Commission/PIA 4A)
- See more at:
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/631438925526/marikina-watershed-local-community-learns-more-about-climate-change#sthash.SbN49ZPq.dpuf
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| Palace defends initiatives to attain inclusive growth, long-term reforms |
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The government must sustain a high growth trajectory in the coming years to
realize the goals of the righteous path being championed by the
administration, a Palace official said on Thursday. Commenting on observations made during the Ateneo Eagle Watch Mid-Year Briefing 2015 that the Aquino government's weakness is its lack of long-term vision, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said that President Benigno S. Aquino III has described his concrete vision for the country in his previous addresses. Citing an example, Secretary Coloma said that in the President's recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), he presented a graph showing the trajectory of the Philippines’ economic growth under the "daang matuwid". The President highlighted the need for a sustained economic growth in the coming years to achieve the goals of his reform initiatives, Coloma told reporters during the daily press briefing in Malacañang. From 2010 to 2014, the five-year average gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6.2 percent is the highest the country has achieved in the past four decades and if the Philippines posts a GDP growth of 6.8 percent this year, it will be the country's highest growth in six decades, Coloma said, citing the figures mentioned by the President. The President however pointed out in his SONA that five or six years of successive excellent growth will not be enough to have a long-term impact, he said. "Kinakailangan ay 'yung sustained high growth trajectory na tinatawag na pwedeng matamo kung maipagpapatuloy at magiging permanente ang mga reporma na alinsunod sa tuwid na daan," Coloma said. "Kaya nga ang pinupunto natin dito, mahalaga na maipagpatuloy ang mga reporma na sinimulan na sa kasalukuyang administrasyon." To achieve this goal, he said, one of the major thrusts of the government is to invest in its people, as the President has stated many times. The Philippines is also in a "demographic sweet spot", in which a huge percentage of its population belongs to the productive age of 15 years old to 64 years old as a result of its high population growth. “Kaya kapag pinagsabay ‘yung demographic sweet spot na ito sa sustained high growth ng ating ekonomiya ay matatamo natin ang inaasam na long-term inclusive growth na mapapakinabangan ng maraming mamamayan,” he said. Fighting corruption is not just a slogan for the government, Coloma said, emphasizing that it is one of the pillars of the Philippine Development Plan, along with sustained inclusive growth, climate change adaptation, peace and order and security, social development and poverty reduction, and good governance. "Kaya po pinapalakas natin ang ating mga pampublikong institusyon sa pambansa at sa lokal na antas sa pamamagitan ng mga iba't ibang programa katulad ng seal of transparency, citizen's charter, performance-based bonus, at iba pa," he explained. "Iyan po ang pagpapatunay na hindi lang slogan ang paglaban sa korupsyon. Pinapalakas po natin ang ating mga pampublikong institusyon." PND (as) |
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| Palace says lawmakers to discuss Bangsamoro draft Law after proposed national budget |
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The House of Representatives is set to deliberate on
the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) after discussing the General Appropriations
Act, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said on Thursday. “Doon sa schedule ng Kamara, uunahin nila ang deliberasyon at pagdinig hinggil sa proposed national budget dahil kailangang manggaling sa kanila ito bago ito maiakyat sa Senado. Kaya susundin nila ang kanilang timetable... at ‘pag natapos na sa takdang panahon, ipagpapatuloy nila ang tungkol sa BBL,” he said during a press briefing in Malacañang. Meanwhile, the Senate is awaiting the report of the Committee on Local Government, chaired by Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., based on its hearings on the BBL. “Ayon sa pahayag ni Senate President (Franklin) Drilon, sisimulan na ang pagtalakay nito sa Senado kapag naisumite na sa darating na linggo ang committee report hinggil dito,” Secretary Coloma said. “Kami naman ay nananalig sa ibinigay na deklarasyon ng liderato ng Kongreso na patuloy pa rin ang pagtrabaho hinggil sa napapanahong pagpasa ng BBL,” he added. PND (ag) |
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| Philippines’ position on South China Sea issue gaining support, says Palace official |
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The Philippines is pleased that its position in the
South China Sea issue is already gaining support from members of the
international community with stakes in the maritime dispute, a Palace
official said on Thursday. Countries calling on China to stop its reclamation work in the South China Sea are beginning to understand the current realities and they are responding in the most appropriate manner, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said. "Kung dati nga ay hindi nagpapahayag ng ganyang posisyon ang karamihan, kapansin-pansin na sa ngayon ay nagkaroon na ng pangkalahatang pagtanggap sa realidad na noon pa natin ipinapahayag," he said during a press briefing in Malacañang. "At ito ay magandang follow-up doon din sa naging statement at the end of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit in Kuala Lumpur last April, in which the member nations of the ASEAN already called attention sa mga nagaganap sa South China Sea at pinunto na noon na dapat ay pairalin ang Declaration on the Conduct of Parties." The Philippines, he said, must continue sending this message to the members of the international community for them to grasp these realities and prevent powerful countries from coercing smaller ones. Asked how the Philippines could call on the international community to react to China's activities, Secretary Coloma said he believes recent calls for China to halt reclamation work in the disputed territory will gain considerable momentum. For instance, apart from ASEAN members, the United States, the G7 countries as well as the European community are also asking China to stop, he said. He further said that the world has economic interdependence and the ASEAN, being an economic group, is vital to international trade and commerce. Strong economic relations among countries could not exist if there is no freedom of navigation and if regional peace and stability are compromised because of China's aggressive behavior, he explained. "Kaya sa ating palagay ay mapaparating naman ang mensaheng ito sa kinauukulan at mapapatunayan natin ang kapangyarihan ng prinsipyo na 'right is might' sa halip na 'might is right'," he said. Members of the ASEAN participating in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur have called on China to halt its reclamation activities in the South China Sea. The Philippines has filed a case in the international arbitration tribunal, hoping to stop China's intrusion in its territory. PND (as) |
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| Malacañang welcomes $2 billion pledge from Japan for elevated railway |
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The Palace on Thursday welcomed the pledge of the
government of Japan for a $2 billion (240 billion Japanese yen) Official
Development Assistance (ODA) package for Phase I of the North-South Commuter
Rail (NCSR) project. “The ODA package would be a boon to our ongoing efforts to improve and modernize our public transport system,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a statement. The pledge is for the construction of a 36.7-kilometer narrow-gauge elevated commuter railway from Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban in Manila. “According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the pledge follows the commitment of the Japanese government in firming up its cooperation with the Philippines under the Philippine-Japan Cooperation Roadmap for Quality Infrastructure Development in the Transport Sector in Metropolitan Manila Area,” Secretary Coloma added. This is one of the agreements signed during President Benigno S. Aquino III’s state visit to Japan last June 2 to 5. “This ODA package is a firm testament to the robust bilateral relations between the Philippines and Japan and affirms the confidence and support of the Japanese government to the reforms undertaken by the Aquino administration,” Coloma said. “Japan has been a valuable partner of the Philippine government in promoting lasting peace in Mindanao through the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiative for Reconstruction Development (J-BIRD II) project. The Aquino administration shall continue to work closely with Japan to advance initiatives on the areas of maritime security.” The NSCR Project Phase I is said to be the single-biggest Official Development Assistance loan package Japan has given to any development partner to date. PND (ag) |
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| Palace believes Vice President Binay's tirades will not affect public perception of the administration |
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The Palace is confident that Vice President Jejomar
Binay’s attacks on the administration will not affect the latter's
popularity in future surveys, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr.
said on Thursday. "Naniniwala kami na ang ating mga Boss ay makatuwiran. Naniniwala kami na ang kanilang papanigan ay ang katotohanan. Naniniwala kami na sila ay fair o patas sa kanilang pagpapasya," Secretary Coloma said. "Kaya ito ang aming pinaninindigan. Kaya’t sa lahat ng aming ginagawa at ipinapahayag, tumatalima kami sa mga prinsipyo ng katotohanan, katuwiran at katarungan," he told reporters during a press briefing in Malacañang. Vice President Binay, in his “True State of the Nation Address”, had alleged shortcomings of the administration. Coloma said that to address the issues being raised by the Vice President, the administration should focus on its platform of good governance through its advocacy of "daang matuwid". The administration, he said, is countering the claims made by the Vice President with concrete data and evidence. "Mayroong datos diyan, may kongkretong katibayan, pwedeng tunghayan ng lahat ng mamamayan at pagpasyahan kung ito ay katanggap-tanggap sa kanila," he said. PND (as) |
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| Mayor Cayetano indicted for preventing Sanggunian to hold sessions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For padlocking the session hall and preventing members of the
Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) to hold regular sessions, Mayor
Laarni Cayetano and Officer-in-Charge City Administrator Jose
Montales were charged by the Office of the Ombudsman for
violation of Article 143 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). Article 143 of the RPC penalizes persons who, by force or fraud, prevent or tend to prevent the meetings of local legislative bodies. The case arose from the eviction of the SP from its traditional venue and its transfer to a small room at the city auditorium in August 2010. Due to limited space, the SP was constrained to hold its proceedings on the staircase of the city hall on its maiden session and in various venues inside and outside the city hall for the next 14 sessions. The SP members underscored that the padlocking of the session hall was an act of hostility, premeditated and executed with undue haste, affording no prior consultation and no prior notice. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales junked respondents’ explanation that the move was part of the city’s reengineering and reorganizational plan, noting that there was no plan nor a semblance of a project study that would validate the necessity of effecting immediate change in the layout of the city hall offices. The Resolution stated that “the documentary evidence, as well as respondents’ own admissions, belied their claim that any ‘reorganizational or reengineering plan’ with respect to city hall offices actually existed.” The Ombudsman also established that respondents failed to comply with Section 45(b), Article I, Chapter III of the Local Government Code which requires that the power bestowed upon the local chief executive to assign and allocate office spaces must be exercised for the purpose of promoting efficient and economical governance, for “the exercise of any power, whether express or implied, must be rational. The exercise necessarily precludes any arbitrariness or abuse.” |
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| DBM: Yolanda rehab funds were released quickly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) today stressed
that releases for Yolanda rehabilitation were made as urgently
as possible—and in line with fund release processes—adding that
former senator Panfilo Lacson’s allegations on slow Yolanda
releases were untrue and based on incorrect data. Lacson formerly headed the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR). He resigned from the post in December 2014. “Lacson’s points do not give an accurate picture of the government’s efforts to help the Yolanda survivors. Not only that—his claims are based on erroneous information. The DBM acted with great urgency in releasing the funds, but we also had to follow the release process to ensure full transparency and accountability. As former head of OPARR, Lacson should, of all people, understand that we cannot skirt the fund release process for post-Yolanda projects,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said. Lacson previously alleged that the P80-billion requirement for the Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program (CRRP) was not included in the 2014 budget. But DBM records show that the CRRP’s rehabilitation plan—which would also form the basis for its budget in FY 2015—was only submitted by Lacson’s office in October 2014, months after the proposed 2015 Budget was submitted to Congress. Lacson also claimed that with P350 billion in savings in 2014, the DBM did not have to look far to fund the P80-billion Yolanda rehabilitation requirement. “Lacson’s figure for 2014 savings is incorrect. We didn’t generate P350 billion in savings. Instead, we posted only P11 billion in savings last fiscal year, P2.5 billion of which was already realigned to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF). He may be referring to the P303-billion spending shortfall in 2014. This cannot be considered as savings because the amount was already allocated for specific programs and projects in the 2014 national budget.” Finally, the budget agency has already released P88.96 billion for Yolanda relief and rehabilitation operations, contrary to figures earlier cited by Lacson and Social Watch. The total amount covers the releases from the end of 2013 to the first semester of 2015. For the second half of 2015, the DBM plans to release P14.05 billion more for post-Yolanda rehabilitation work. The release will be tapped from available 2015 fund sources, such as the Rehabilitation and Recovery Program, the Unprogrammed Fund, and savings from various agencies. “We always welcome criticism, and the DBM is receptive to requests for clarification and information on government spending. At the same time, however, I cannot overemphasize this: public service demands that we remain truthful. You do the public no good if you feed them incorrect data. Whose interests do you serve if you insist on misinforming our citizens? Clearly not the Filipino people’s,” Abad said. |
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| Disadvantaged youth in DSWD center complete skills training | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fifty six residents of Nayon ng Kabataan (NK) recently graduated
from various skills training courses provided by the Department
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with
the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA). Nayon ng Kabataan is a residential care facility managed by the DSWD for abused, orphaned, abandoned, neglected, and exploited children aged 7-17 years old, both male and female. At the recently held graduation ceremony, with the theme, “Be faithful, Be responsible, Be truthful in fulfilling your dreams,” the youth received certificates for the various skills training courses of their choice. The livelihood courses which are recognized internationally include baking, beauty care, basic sewing, dress making, hair dressing, carpentry, and information communication and technology (ICT). The graduates were thankful for the new skills they have gained, saying that these could be their ticket to a brighter future. Jhomar Dolong said, “Kung anuman ang nakaraan natin, huwag na nating balikan. Tulad ko na isang street child, nakipagsapalaran sa kalsada, tambay, akala ko hanggang doon na lang ako. Nang mapunta ako dito sa Nayon ng Kabataan, nagbago ang lahat. Nakilala ko ang Panginoon. Kaya dapat lahat ng mga problema natin, ipag-pray lang natin. Isuko natin sa Kanya, at maniwala tayo na magiging ayos din ang lahat (Whatever happened in our past, let us put it behind us. Take me as an example. I was a street child and I thought that I would be living on the streets for the rest of my life. When I was brought here in Nayon ng Kabataan, everything changed. I came to know about God. We should surrender all our problems to Him and have faith that everything will be alright).” He also gave a message for his parents saying, “Sa mga magulang ko, patawad po kung sa nakaraan ko ay hindi ako naging magandang ehemplo sa mga kabataan, kaya nagsusumikap ako ngayon para maipagmalaki niyo na ako bilang anak ninyo (To my parents, I apologize for what I did in the past. I was not a good model to the youth, that is why I am trying my best now to make you proud of me).” Jhomar and his family were reunited on his graduation day. His parents, Jun and Marilou, are very proud of his achievement. DSWD-National Capital Region Regional Director Alicia Bonoan, who attended the graduation on behalf of Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, commended the hard work of the graduates in enhancing their skills and pursuing their dreams. She added, “Pinupuri namin kayo sa tagumpay na inyong nakamit. Ito ang simula ng pagbabago ng inyong buhay. Maari kayong magkaroon ng mataas na posisyon sa isang kompanya, o di kaya maging may-ari ng sarili ninyong negosyo gamit ang inyong natamong kaalaman at kakayahan. Anuman ang inyong tahakin sa pagtamo ng inyong pangarap, hangad namin ang inyong magandang kinabukasan (We commend you for this achievement. This is the start of a life-changing opportunity for you. It is now possible for you to get employed using your skills, and you can even put up your own small business using what you have learned. DSWD wishes you success in whatever you want to achieve.)” |
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| DSWD upholds culture-sensitive program implementation through Kalahi-CIDSS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)
recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to ensure the
protection of the rights and welfare of the Indigenous Peoples
(IPs) in the implementation of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa
Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social
Services (Kalahi-CIDSS). The MOA signing was held at the Asian
Institute of Management (AIM) last July 14. Kalahi-CIDSS is a poverty alleviation program that provides citizens the opportunity to identify and implement sub-projects that would address their basic needs. In most cases, the chosen sub-projects of communities come in the form of small-scale infrastructures such as school buildings, day care centers, health stations, pathways, and irrigation systems. The scale-up of Kalahi-CIDSS led to changes in the design of the program. Part of these changes is the development of a comprehensive Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), which also covers the engagement of IPs. Under the ESMF, the program commits to ensure the informed participation of IPs so that they are in a position to receive culturally compatible social and economic benefits, and guarantee that they will not be adversely affected throughout the process. DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said, “Napakahalaga na kilalanin [natin] ang karapatan at dignidad ng ating mga katutubo [It is very important for us to recognize the rights and dignity of the Indigenous Peoples]”. She added that the MOA is intended to bring out the “power of peace, people, and time”, as it symbolizes the bringing together of the national government, the local government, and the IP and non-IP citizens together. For her part, Atty. Leonor Oralde-Quintayo, the Chairperson of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, said, “We salute each commitment for community-driven development to be implemented in a way that the Indigenous Peoples are protected”, referring to the development strategy employed by Kalahi-CIDSS. She also thanked the DSWD for the continuous support it provides the Commission. As a program that promotes social inclusion, Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS)pays close attention to the inclusion of the Indigenous Peoples’ (IPs) and their improvement of well-being. Protection of IP rights As early as now, IPs feel that they are included in Kalahi-CIDSS activities, such as the case of the Bago tribe of Quirino, Ilocos Sur. The municipality, which consists almost exclusively of IPs, is a first-time implementer of Kalahi-CIDSS. According to the residents, the program has helped strengthen their cultural practices, which was in danger of dying down. “Ang proseso ng Kalahi-CIDSS ay lalong nagpatatag sa aming mga IPs dito sa Quirino dahil ibinalik nito ang maganda naming kaugalian (The Kalahi-CIDSS processes strengthened the IPs in Quirino because the Program has reinstated our old traditions)”, Hon. Artemio Marvil, Quirino Municipal Council Indigenous People’s Representative said. Aside from the restoration of their culture, unity, and participation, the program has become a venue for the residents to connect with each other again and work hand in hand towards progress. “Hangga’t nananalaytay sa ugat namin ang pagiging IP, pananatilihin namin ang kulturang aming kinalakihan. Nagpapasalamat ako sa Kalahi-CIDSS sa pagpapaalala sa aking mga kapwa IP sa kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa at ng aming kultura (As long as being an IP flows in our blood, we shall keep this culture that we grew up with. I am thankful to Kalahi-CIDSS for reminding us on the importance of unity among IPs and and culture)”, Hon. Marvil said. |
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| Stand-alone banks' capital adequacy ratio exceed the 10 percent threshold | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of stand-alone thrift banks
(TBs), and rural and cooperative banks (RCBs) under the Basel
1.5 capital framework stood at 22.31 percent and 18.17 percent
at end-December 2014, respectively, exceeding the 10 percent
minimum regulatory ratio. This indicates banks’ continued
efforts to set aside sufficient buffer against unexpected losses
that may arise in times of stress. The Basel 1.5 capital framework, which took effect on 1 January 2012, is a simplified version of Basel 2 in view of the simple operations of stand-alone banks. The CAR of stand-alone TBs of 22.31 percent improved by 4.24 percentage points from the 18.07 percent registered at end-December 2013. This was due to the significant decline in risk weighted assets (RWAs) of P26.7 billion coupled with P0.8 billion increase in capital. The decrease in RWA was primarily driven by the merger/acquisition of two large TBs by universal banks whereas the increase in capital was on account of robust net profits and additional capital infusion of a number of TBs. On the other hand, the overall CAR of stand-alone RCBs of 18.17 percent slightly slid by 0.98 percentage point from 19.15 percent at end-December 2013 attributable to the faster growth rate of RWAs versus that of total qualifying capital. Under the broader banking reform agenda, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas continues to monitor the capital position of banks against their risk-taking activities. This is essential to fostering financial stability, which is a key policy objective of the BSP. |
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| BSP conducts learning outreach activities in Dipolog City | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will conduct the fourth
leg of its Economic and Financial Learning Program (EFLP) for
2015 in Dipolog City on 10 to 13 August 2015. The EFLP
consolidates the learning outreach activities of the BSP under
one flagship program. It includes a series of learning
sessions that aim to promote greater public awareness and
understanding of key economic and financial issues. The EFLP
also embodies the goal of the BSP to promote economic and
financial education among its stakeholders, who can then become
more effective partners of the BSP in safeguarding price
stability and in ensuring a stronger and safer banking and
payments system.
The following programs will be conducted:
“Project BRO (BSP Reaches Out)” is a savings campaign for kids
and teens from Grade 1 to Grade 10 across the country, both from
public and private schools. This new learning session,
which was launched in Davao City on 6 July 2015, forms
part of the BSP’s efforts to foster the habit of saving early in
the lives of Filipinos. It features interactive lectures
and discussions about the value of spending wisely, saving
early, and saving in banks. After the session, the BSP
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. This
learning activity is in partnership with the Department of
Education (DepEd) and the Bank Marketing Association of the
Philippines (BMAP).
The “Be up to SPeed on BSP” information campaign will cover
recent economic developments and the role of the BSP in the
economy, with emphasis on the three pillars of central banking,
i.e., price stability, financial stability and efficient
payments and settlements system. Two sessions will be
conducted: one for professionals (including representatives from
government agencies, business sector, and banking community),
and another for students and members of the academe.
The “Paghahanda sa Kinabukasan” Financial Learning Campaign for
Overseas Filipinos and their Beneficiaries (FLC-OF) aims to
educate participants on the importance of using remittances to
build up savings and directing these into investments in
financial products and business ventures. Through this learning
advocacy, the BSP hopes to help overseas Filipinos and their
beneficiaries achieve financial security, bring them into the
fold of the formal financial system, and enable them to
participate more meaningfully in the country’s economic
development. Officials from the BSP, as well as from the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), will give briefings on
topics such as financial planning, investment, and business
opportunities.
Meanwhile, the Financial Education Expo offers various financial
education activities for students, professionals and others from
the public and private sectors. It features learning booths with
audio-visual presentations, graphic displays and interactive
activities that will help participants become self-reliant in
promoting their financial welfare. Two separate sessions
of the Financial Empowerment Course, which is an integral part
of the Expo, will also be conducted for students and members of
the workforce. The learning sessions will present the importance
of financial education, the Philippine financial system, basics
of budgeting, saving, investing and borrowing, financial
planning for life-cycle events, and credit card awareness.
Interested parties may contact Ms.
Michelle N. Andres at telephone number (+632)708.7275 or email
address aandres@bsp.gov.ph.
|
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| Wang Bo's immediate deportation ordered | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.doj.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The deportation of controversial Chinese fugitive, Wang Bo, now
looms. This, after Secretary of Justice Leila M. De Lima, in a Resolution dated 04 August 2015, and released today, DENIED Wang Bo's Motion for Reconsideration of the earlier Resolution of 08 June 2015 which reversed and set aside the Bureau of Immigration Board of Commissioner's (BOC) 21 May 2015 Resolution, and accordingly reinstated the BOC's 05 March 2015 Summary Deportation Order (SDO). It will be recalled that the BOC initially ordered the summary deportation of Wang Bo who is wanted in the People's Republic of China for gambling crimes and whose passport has been cancelled by the Chinese government. But, on a motion for reconsideration filed by Wang Bo through counsel, Atty. Dennis Manalo, more than a month after the issuance of the SDO, the BOC, voting unanimously, reversed itself. Subsequently, however, upon the protestations of the Chinese Embassy thru its Police Attaché, BI Commissioner Siegfred B. Mison prodded his colleagues in the BOC to reconsider their reversal of the SDO, but to no avail, prompting Commissioner Mison to elevate the matter to the Secretary of Justice via his 26 May 2015 Indorsement with accompanying Memorandum fromthe BI's Legal Division. In her Resolution dated 08 June 2015, the Secretary of Justice reversed the BOC's 21 May 2015 Resolution and reinstated the 05 March 2015 SDO. In disposing of the procedural grounds raised by Wang Bo in his Motion for Reconsideration, Secretary De Lima ruled that: (a) the Secretary of Justice possesses review powers or appellate jurisdiction over deportation cases pursuant to the SOJ's power of control and supervision over DOJ's constituent and attached agencies; (2) the BI's Legal Division, as the prosecutor in the deportation case vs. Wang Bo, has the personality and authority to question via appeal the BOC's 21 May 2015 Resolution; and (3) contrary to his assertion, Wang Bo has been amply heard in the deportation and appeal proceedings thru his pleadings filed with the BI, the Court of Appeals (in connection with the petition for habeas corpus) and his present Motion for Reconsideration with attachments. On the substantive aspect of the case, the SOJ found no reason to reverse her 08 June 2015 Resolution, ruling that "the documents presented by the Chinese Embassy are sufficient basis to order the deportation of [Wang Bo]." The circumstance cited by Wang Bo that he has been travelling to and from China without being arrested is deemed "irrelevant to the case for being a matter internal to the People's Republic of China." According to the Resolution: "What was considered here is the fact that the People's Republic of China had cancelled [Wang Bo's] passport and that he was, as well, declared a fugitive from the said country." (at p.8) As a concluding statement, the SOJ's Resolution reads: "The basic question that this Office had to contend with from the very beginning was this: between the official embassy representations of a foreign state such as China, on the one hand, and the mostly barefaced allegations of a wanted criminal evading capture from his country of nationality, on the other, what version of the narrative is to be believed?" "Under no circumstances of the present case and under no provision of the Rules of Evidence can the answer to this question ever be favorable to [Wang Bo]." In light of the denial of Wang Bo's MR, the SOJ also directed the immediate implementation of the BOC's Summary Deportation Order. The SOJ is of the view that the investigation being undertaken by the NBI into the alleged bribery and corrupt activities involving Wang Bo can no longer serve as an obstacle to immediate deportation. The SOJ noted the NBI's findings in its Initial Report dated 13 July 2015, to wit: "The team did not find any direct or indirect pieces of evidence pointing to pay-offs between the party of Bo Wang and any official/employee of the Bureau of Immigration. Neither did the team find any evidence to substantiate the allegations that BO WANG financed the passage of the Bangsa Moro Basic Law in the House of Repreentatives; nor was there any lead found to suggest the monetary contribution from the camp of BO WANG favoring the Liberal Party or any political party for that matter. Further, no iota of evidence was discovered that would give credence to the malicious allegation that BO WANG's camp contributed money for the senatorial campaign of the Honorable Secretary of Justice or any official for that matter. Nonetheless, few individuals interviewed insisted, without going on-record, that money indeed exchanged hands within the Immigration Bureau. Besides, according to them, the figures (ranging from a low of PHP 5M to a high of PHP 10M) are all hearsay." The NBI is set to submit any day now its Final Report on the subject investigation. To view or download the Resolution, click on this link /files/2015/Reso-Wang%20Bo%20Deportation.pdf |
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| Food supplement trading company charged with tax evasion | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) today filed a criminal
complaint with the Department of Justice against ABS GEN HERBS
INTERNATIONAL (ABS GEN) for Willful Attempt to Evade or Defeat
Tax, Deliberate Failure to File Value Added Tax Returns (VATR)
for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters of taxable year 2009, and
Deliberate Failure to Supply Correct and Accurate Information in
its VATR for the 4th quarter of taxable year 2009; 1st, 2nd, and
4th quarters of taxable year 2011; and four (4) quarters of
taxable years 2010, 2012, and 2013, in violation of Sections 254
and 255 of the NationalInternal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended
(Tax Code). Likewise charged for the same violations were its responsible corporate officers – Chairman/President PAUL R. GUPANA, and Treasurer GRACE G. GUPANA. Respondent ABS GEN is a domestic corporation primarily engaged in the business of trading and/or direct selling of goods such as processed foods, general merchandise on wholesale and retail basis, including exportation and importation. Its office address is at PG Tower, 115 Malakas St., Diliman, Quezon City. In order to ascertain the true sales/receipts of ABS GEN, access letters were sent to its clients, MERCURY DRUG CORPORATION (MERCURY) and GETZ BROS PHILIPPINES, INC. (GETZ BROS), who both issued certifications as to the amount of income payments and taxes withheld they made for the account of ABS GEN for taxable years 2009 to 2013. Investigators likewise discovered that ABS GEN failed to file its VATRs for the first three (3) quarters of taxable year 2009 and failed to declare its true and correct income in its VATRs for sixteen (16) quarters from the 4th quarter of 2009 to the 4th quarter of 2013, except the 3rd quarter of taxable year 2011. A comparison of the income payments ABS GEN received from MERCURY and GETZ BROS with its VATR sales declarations with the BIR disclosed that the respondent corporation substantially underdeclared its correct taxable sales by P37.72 million in 2009, P11.82 million in 2010, P3.58 million in 2011, P4.08 million in 2012, and P5.11 million in 2013. As a consequence of their acts and omissions, ABS GEN and its responsible corporate officers were likewise sued for an aggregate deficiency VAT liability amounting to P18.88 million, inclusive of surcharges and interests, broken down into: 2009 – P12.26 million; 2010 – P3.47 million; 2011 – P0.99 million; 2012 – P1.01 million; and 2013 – P1.15 million. The case against ABS GEN HERBS INTERNATIONAL, together with its responsible corporate officers, is the 383rd filed under the RATE program of the BIR under the leadership of Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares. It is likewise a RATE case of the National Investigation Division. (reytdlc) |
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| National government budget balance at surplus of P13.7 billion for H1 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 2015 registers deficit of P72.7 billion as expenditures
accelerate The National Government registered a P72.7 billion deficit for June 2015, surpassing the year-ago deficit of P62.5 billion. For the first half of 2015, a surplus of P13.7 billion was recorded, P67.7 billion higher than the P54 billion deficit posted at the same time last year. Year-to-date, the primary balance was recorded at a surplus of P169.9 billion, 61% higher than the P105.8 billion posted last year.Revenues up across the board Total revenues for the month amounted to P163.6 billion in June 2015, up 18% year-on-year. Meanwhile, total revenues for the first half of the year breached the trillion-peso mark at P1,085.7 billion, growing by 16% compared to year-ago figures. Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said, “As we close out the first half of the year, we continue to see robust growth trends across the board–be it from the revenue generating agencies or the expenditure side. June shaped up to be a good month for our fiscal story as performance at the BIR and the BOC jumped by double digits.” Year-to date collections of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) reached P705.9 billion, growing 10% from comparable figures in 2014. The BIR collected P109.6 billion for the month, jumping 16% year-on-year. For June 2015, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) collected P31.5 billion as it registers its second positive growth for the year despite sagging oil prices, higher by 15% compared to June 2014, and exceeding its P29.9 billion target by 5.2%. Non-oil revenues continue to perform well, up by P6.2 billion or 30% this June. Both volume and value of non-oil imports grew by 26% and 8%, respectively. The BOC’s total haul for the first semester amounted to P178.6 billion, 3% higher year-on-year. Meanwhile, income from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) amounted to P6.6 billion for June, lower by 6% year-on-year. First semester income amounted to P67.0 billion, 7% higher than year-ago figures. Expenditure uptick a high water mark “We are seeing a strong showing on the expenditure side as well, with the 17% growth posted this month a high water mark for the year. This reflects the government’s continued commitment to accelerate the use our ample fiscal space for critical investments to our economy and people.” Purisima noted. National Government disbursements for the month totaled P236.2 billion, expanding by 17% compared to June 2014, 24% above program. For the first semester, expenditures breached the trillion-peso mark at P1,072.0 billion, reflecting an increase of 9% from year-ago levels. Year-to-date, interest payments amounted to P156.1 billion, 2% lower from a year-ago levels and 9% below program. June 2015 interest payments totaled P19.2 billion. Interest payments for January-June 2015 accounted for 15% of expenditures, improving on the 16% share recorded last year. “The Philippines will continue to keep its fiscal house in excellent health as it weathers the turbulence in the global economy caused by a number of recent developments. Pumping productive spending with adequate fiscal space is expected to help propel even higher broad-based growth. We are confident that improving revenue collections and the highly liquid tone of the market can respond to our funding requirements.Wider fiscal latitude and strong macroeconomic fundamentals make the Philippines a picture of stability and a stand-out in the league of emerging markets. We vow to protect the enviable position we have secured for our people,” Purisima added. |
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| DOLE’s legal service starts 3rd Quarter with 100 percent assistance to 272 walk-in clients | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Public Assistance and Complaints Unit (PACU) of the
Department of Labor and Employment’s Legal Services recorded a
100 percent service mileage in July by providing assistance to
all of 272 walk-in clients. DOLE Legal Service Director Atty. Romeo M. Montefalco, in a report to Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, said the legal assistance services on various labor and employment-related issues and concerns were for the period 1-30 July 2015. “The top three issues brought to us by the 272 PACU clients on (1) termination of employment, with 123 clients; (2) money claims, with 57 clients; and (3) social welfare benefits, 42 clients,” he said. Apart from providing legal advice to external clients, the Legal Service also renders support service and assistance to the Department and its employees through informative and clarificatory opinion on labor laws and rules and regulations. The PACU, which is under the Legal Research and Assistance Division (LRAD) of the Legal Service, has committed to provide prompt and efficient service to the public. “The PACU welcomes employers and employees alike for assistance with respect to issues concerning all aspects of labor matters,” Montefalco explained. The PACU is located at the Ground Floor of the DOLE Executive Building, San Jose St., Intramuros, Manila and is open from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. (Mondays to Fridays). |
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| POLO Oman is first to have zero ward, as Omani government extends amnesty program | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz
yesterday said the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in
Muscat, Oman is the first POLO to have “emptied” its Migrant
Workers and Other Filipinos Resource Center (MWOFRC) of
distressed OFW by repatriating the last sheltered OFW back to
the Philippines. “The last of the 29 distressed OFWs sheltered at the MWOFRC has been sent home by the POLO and it has, as of date, maintained zero ward,” said Baldoz, citing a report of POLO head Labor Attache Nasser Mustafa. “We have no more OFW sheltered at the MWOFRC as of date. This is the first time in our history that a POLO has no sheltered OFW,” Baldoz said, commending Labor Attache Nasser Mustafa and his staff for the achievement and for heeding the call of President Benigno S. Aquino III to “transform all POLOs into centers of care and excellence.” She also urged other POLOs to redouble their efforts to repatriate distressed OFWs sheltered at their respective MWOFRCs. In his report, Mustafa said 161 of the 268 OFWs who have availed of the Oman amnesty program have been repatriated and the last batch of 29 OFWs sheltered at the MWOFRC had left Oman last Wednesday. “We will do our best to maintain zero ward at the shelter,” he said. Mustafa also reported to Secretary Baldoz that the Philippine Embassy in Muscat, headed by Ambassador Narciso Castaneda, has been informed by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman that the Sultanate has extended the amnesty program for foreign undocumented workers until October 28. “The amnesty program, which originally began on 3 May this year was supposed to end on 31 July, but with this good news, the POLO, in coordination with our Philippine Embassy, will step up its efforts to encourage undocumented overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Oman to avail of the amnesty to avoid paying overstay penalties and other fines,” Baldoz said. Undocumented OFWs in Oman who may wish to avail of the amnesty under the extended period have been advised to contact the POLO-Muscat hotline, +968) 9355-7931. Notices and a guide on how to avail of the program have been posted in the Philippine Embassy in Muscat website (www.muscatpe.dfa.gov.ph) and its Facebook page. |
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| Roxas on 2016: This is a fight worth fighting | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| “I have absolutely no doubt: This is a fight worth fighting.” This was the message of Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and administration bet Mar Roxas during a gathering of friends and allies from local government units (LGUs) nationwide held in San Juan City yesterday. “Sinabi ko na noong Biyernes: Ibubuhos ko ang lahat para sa Daang Matuwid; wala akong ititira para sa sarili ko," he told more 1,200 local leaders from the legislative and executive branches who attended. "Sa tulong ninyo—sa tulong ng mga Boss natin—walang kaduda-duda, maipapanalo natin ang Daang Matuwid,” he added. For Roxas, the 2016 elections is not just like any elections for a typical politician. "Hindi na ito sa akin. Tungkol ito ay isang misyon, misyon nating lahat na ipagpaloob natin sa ating mga anak, sa ating mga kababayan, ang pinakamaganda, ang pinakamahusay na Pilipinas na magagawa natin para sa kanila,” Roxas explained. He also invited everyone to personally talk to him about apprehensions supporters may have against him. “Hindi magiging madali ang laban natin. Alam ko, may mga alinlangan ang ilan sa atin. Gusto kong pag-usapan nang diretsahan ang mga alinlangang ito, dahil kung hindi, baka maging marupok ang paninindigan at tiwala natin sa isa’t isa,” he said. Roxas then assured local officials that in the coming months, they would get to know him the way those he works closely with. President Aquino also joined the event and stressed the importance of continuity regarding the administration’s reforms. “’Yung kaya natin, iniisip nating kayang gawin ngayon, ‘yung pagpupursigi natin, ‘yung disiplina natin. Baka kung naisip natin 1-10, nasa 10 na kami. Baka hanapin natin ‘yung 10.5, ‘yung 11,” Aquino said. The president also highlighted the real and tangible changes that the administration has made. “Mahirap ‘yung nagbebenta tayo ng produktong abstrakto. Ano ba ibig sabihin n’on? ‘Pag kami naupo, sabi ng iba gaganda ‘yung buhay n’yo. Hanggang ngayon, hinihintay ko pa ho ‘yung paano. Madali naman mangako eh, pero ‘yung pangako eh, pasunod eh,” he stressed. Members of the administration coalition led by the Liberal Party shared the excitement with the crowd as soon as Roxas stepped into the room. Albay Governor Joey Salceda said that all of the province's mayors were present at the gathering to support Roxas. "I want to show that Albay ang may pinakamalaking delegation dito. Wala ho kaming absent. Naniniwala ako sa kakayahan ni Mar Roxas para ipagpatuloy ang Tuwid na Daan," he said. “Our candidate should not be based on popularity, but integrity,” said A-Teacher party-list Rep. Juliet Fortun, who pledged the support of a coalition of party lists in the House of Representatives. “Pag nagtulungan tayo, imposibleng hindi manalo si Mar!” she added. The event, organized by leaders of the different leagues of government officials, was dubbed as “Ituloy ang Tuwid na Daan" as was widely seen as a "show of force" in support of sustained reforms and good governance. |
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| Roxas lauds DILG family for excellent service to the Filipino people | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As part of the conclusion to his two-year and ten-month stint as
head of the department, Secretary of the Interior and Local
Government Mar Roxas lauded members of the Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG) family for showing their
deep sense of duty and obligation in delivering world-class
services to the Filipino people. “Hindi madali ang napagdaanan natin. Nais kong paratingin sa inyo ‘yung aking paghanga; ‘yung aking pagkakilala; at ang aking lubos na pagpapasalamat sa napakagandang trabaho na ipinakita ninyo nitong nakaraang dalawang taon, sampung buwan,” Roxas said during a special General Assembly held at the Jesse M. Robredo Hall of the DILG–National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Center in Quezon City on Monday, August 3. In the event, the DILG Chief thanked his staff and other officials for their invaluable support to his advocacy and principles under Daang Matuwid. President Aquino appointed Roxas to the position after Secretary Jesse Robredo died in a plane crash in 2012. “Very quickly na-feel ko na tinanggap n’yo ko. Isa ‘yun sa nagbigay ng inspirasyon sa akin na pangatawanan ang tungkuling ito,” Roxas said. In less than three years of being DILG secretary, Roxas delivered significant results through projects under the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB) and the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig para sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG) programs. “Para ito sa mga kababayan natin lalong lalo na yung nasa laylayan—wala silang maasahang iba kundi tayo,” Roxas said. He also spearheaded the modernization of the public safety sector including the Philippine National Police (PNP), starting from the distribution of 1,490 police patrol vehicles, the procurement of fire trucks for the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and plans to improve the systems of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). Of all the accomplishments of the DILG, Roxas was most proud of OPLAN Listo: a disaster preparedness and response manual for all LGUs, which serves as the guide to early and critical preparations in times of disasters. OPLAN Listo has been adopted by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to closely monitor disaster response nationwide. “Hindi natin mabibilang ang mga pamilya at mga taong nailayo natin sa sakuna dahil sa masinop na trabaho. Nakita natin na kung maayos ang paghahanda—hindi bara bara, hindi patsamba, hindi ningas-cogon ay makakaasa ang ating mga kababayan ng maayos na serbisyo mula sa ating lahat,” Roxas said. In turn, DILG officials said that they were proud to have worked with Roxas who effectively managed the department despite the challenges they are facing. "Tunay na mabilis ang pagbabago sa mga LGUs at sa ating institusyon. Maraming natutunan ang iyong mga kasamahan sa iyong mga patakaran. Ang lahat ng ito ay inyong maaasahan na aming gagamitin upang ipagpatuloy ang inyong nasimulan," Undersecretary Austere Panadero on behalf of the DILG. "Isang taong marangal, isang taong marunong, isang leader na marapat,” he added, referring to Roxas. Roxas also expressed how honored he was to work as the person whose responsibility is to ensure development in all LGUs across the country. “Wherever I go, saan mang bahagi ng bansa natin, anuman ang trabaho ay parating nasa isip ko na dala-dala ko ang bandila ng DILG at ang bandila ng ating pamahalaan," Roxas said. "Sa pamamagitan ng aking trabaho, pakikitungo, at mga gawain ay nararamdaman at nakikita ng mga kababayan natin ang serbisyo at kaunlaran,” he added. |
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| Decommissioning does not have to be in BBL, legal team reiterates | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manila – Responding to statements that one reason for the delay
in the submission of his committee report on the Bangsamoro
Basic Law (BBL) is the difficulty in incorporating provisions on
the decommissioning of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
weapons and combatants, a lawyer of the government peace panel
today said that decommissioning actually need not be included in
the law. “We have explained many times before that decommissioning as well as the broader normalization process need not be in the BBL,” Atty. Sittie Amirah Pendatun explained. According to Pendatun, the primary reason why decommissioning and the normalization process are not in the proposed BBL is because the Constitution prohibits the creation of a bill with more than one subject, citing Art. VI, Sec. 26(1) of the 1987 Constitution which says “every bill passed by the Congress shall embrace only one subject which shall be expressed in the title thereof.” “The BBL is really about the establishment of an autonomous region. It’s about the creation of a political entity which seeks to establish an inclusive system of governance for a multicultural segment of the Philippine population, and not about the MILF per se,” Pendatun stressed. “For this reason, the normalization program is not a pertinent subject of the proposed BBL,” she explained. “In fact, if we include two subjects, there’s a possibility that this will be challenged in court for non-compliance with the constitutional requirement.” In addition, Pendatun said that decommissioning does not need new legislation as it is within the power of the president to conduct peace talks and ensure the wellbeing of the country. “We believe that the current legal framework empowers the President to enter into and implement the peace agreement, including decommissioning,” she said. “Thus there is no need for a new law.” “The Supreme Court decided in a case that the President is the one in power to conduct peace negotiations. That is implicitly included in his powers as Chief Executive and as Commander-in-Chief,” Pendatun explained. Pendatun reiterated that the President as Chief Executive “has general responsibility to promote public peace,” and as Commander-in-Chief has the “specific duty to prevent and suppress rebellion and lawless violence," while noting that "normalization, which includes decommissioning, is a measure to promote public peace and to prevent or suppress rebellion." Citing jurisprudence, Pendatun also noted that “the President must be given leeway to explore solutions for the implementation and to end hostilities, because the President is in a singular best position to know the grievances and also know the measures to address these grievances. Finally, according to Pendatun, the Constitution already provides a guideline for the content of an organic act such as the proposed BBL. “The Constitution itself provides the guidelines for it. We have two sections: Article X, Sec. 18 and Article X, Sec. 20,” Pendatun explained. “According to the Constitution, an organic act should contain the basic structure of government, [both] executive and legislative, the creation of special courts, provisions on the conduct of a plebiscite, and the legislative powers of the proposed entity. And all of these matters are already included in the proposed BBL" The decommissioning process has already formally begun on June 16, 2015 with the ceremonial turnover and decommissioning of MILF weapons and combatants, despite delays in the passage of the BBL in Congress. Further developments in the decommissioning process are expected with progress in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which includes the passage of the BBL, conduct of a plebiscite in the envisioned core territory and the establishment of the Bangsamoro region. |
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| Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary meets with Vietnamese counterpart in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 05 August 2015 – At the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 04, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario met with his counterpart, His Excellency Pham Binh Minh, Vietnam’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. The two Ministers discussed enhancing cooperative activities to further expand bilateral relations, as well as the Philippines’ hosting of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November 2015. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario holds maiden talks with Turkish Foreign Minister at ASEAN Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 06 August 2015 - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario
held bilateral talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt
Cavuşoğlu on the margins of the 48th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting
(AMM) – Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) on August 04 in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia. Secretary Del Rosario said bilateral relations with Turkey had significantly moved forward since the official visit of Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglo in November 2014. He cited the upcoming Philippines-Turkey Joint Economic Committee Meeting and the 3rd Philippines-Turkey Political Consultations, to be held in September and October 2015, respectively, as indicators of this positive trend Secretary del Rosario also lauded the signing of the Air Services Agreement between the Philippines and Turkey in 2014 that had since paved the way for direct flights between Manila and Istanbul by Turkish Airlines. The Secretary conveyed the Philippines’ deep appreciation for Turkey’s assistance for the Mindanao peace process, particularly through the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) and the International Contact Group (ICG). Turkey offered US$500,000 to cover the operational costs of the decommissioning body. The Secretary informed FM Cavuşoğlu of the Philippines’ position on the South China Sea, as well as developments in the arbitration case filed before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, the Netherlands. FM Cavuşoğlu, in turn, called for increased use of bilateral mechanisms, such as dialogues and high-level visits, to improve bilateral ties. He cited defense cooperation as one area where the two countries could work closely together. FM Cavuşoğlu confirmed that Turkish International Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) is keen on increasing development with the Philippines as well as Turkey’s continuing contributions to the Mindanao peace process. FM Cavuşoğlu conveyed Turkey’s desire for a Dialogue Partnership cooperation status in ASEAN. |
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| Up to 45 MRT-3 coaches now running during peak hours | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.dotc.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
One month after the start of the multi-discipline approach to
maintaining the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) system initiated by
the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the
transport agency reports that the MRT-3 is now able to deploy up
to forty-five (45) coaches during peak hours.
This belies earlier claims by various individuals that the railway system is now down to only four (4) to seven (7) trains. The DOTC is also dispelling other lies being perpetuated about the MRT-3:
This betrays an utter lack
of understanding of the problem. The root cause is the onerous
Build-Lease-and-Transfer (BLT) contract which provides for
grossly disadvantageous terms against government. These include
the requirement to pay billions of pesos per year to the private
owner, regardless of whether the latter performs its obligations
such as adding coaches.
Clearly, the lack of
trains is the fault of the private owner, which should have done
so as early as the mid-2000s.
A blatant lie purports
that the DOTC had P 5-Billion in its 2014 budget for overhauling
MRT-3’s trains. It is clear that there is no such entry. There
was only a P 4.5-Billion appropriation, which was for the
addition of trains.
Thus, the DOTC procured 48
new coaches in 2014. However, private owner MRT Holdings II had
the temerity to obtain a temporary restraining order (TRO)
against the addition of trains, which in the first place, was
its obligation to the public which it did not perform. The
prototype of these coaches is set to arrive within the month.
The fact is that MRTC gave
DOTC extremely short notice that it could no longer procure a
maintenance provider, passing the responsibility of procuring a
new maintenance provider to the DOTC. This was only around 2
weeks before the contract’s expiration, which period left DOTC
with no choice but to resort to emergency procurement in order
to ensure the continued safe operation of the train system.
Section 3.3 of the BLT
contract clearly states that MRTC is responsible for providing
maintenance works.
A malicious attempt to
mislead the public alleges that procurement laws were violated
in order to award the emergency maintenance contract to an
undercapitalized and newly-incorporated company, PH Trams, which
had no track record to speak of.
This is a complete lie. The emergency mode of procurement
resorted to is explicitly permitted by the procurement law,
Republic Act No. 9184. In fact, while the law allowed the DOTC
to negotiate directly with only 1 contract, the agency even
invited three (3) groups to submit proposals in order to dispel
any appearance of favoritism. All these groups had sufficient
track record: Sumitomo, Comm Builders & Technology (CB&T), and
Miescorrail.
Moreover, no contract was
awarded to PH Trams. It was awarded to a joint venture formed by
CB&T, which is an entirely different legal entity. CB&T has a
long history of performing maintenance works for the Light Rail
Transit Line 1 system, and as such, provided the financial and
track record requirements for the joint venture to satisfy
procurement criteria. Section 23.1(b) of RA 9184’s implementing
rules explicitly allows this.
This is another blatant
lie, easily-verifiable from records, which supposes that the
6-month building maintenance contract has the highest amount
from the 7 disciplines awarded in the past two months.
But at P 23.35-Million, it
is only the fourth highest contract, since the following
obviously bear a larger price: (a) rolling stock maintenance at
P 131.28-Million, (b) power system maintenance at P
43.23-Million, and (c) rail track maintenance at P23.9-Million.
These allegations are
under investigation or prosecution by various agencies of
government, which are charged with the duty to fight graft and
corruption and ensure transparency in government. The fact of
the matter is that the DOTC has never shirked away from any of
these investigations and its officials have fully cooperated
with the same.
The reason for this is
that DOTC’s officials are able to explain the truth that its
actions are aboveboard to any institution of government and have
nothing to hide. Further, the DOTC is committed to fighting
corrupt practices, and is itself interested to uncover any
possible irregularities which, to this day, remain allegations
without proof.
With a multitude of
attempts to discredit and foist lies against the MRT-3, the DOTC
remains consistent in its foregoing position as to each of these
issues hurled against it, as these malicious claims cannot
withstand the test of truth.
|
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| SSS opens Tondo branch | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: https://www.sss.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Social Security System (SSS) formally opened a new branch in
Tondo, Manila (inset) located at ST. Condominium, Masangkay cor.
Bambang, Tondo, Manila on July 28, 2015. SSS Tondo Branch will
serve 27,099 members and 4,080 employers. The branch offers issuance of SS number, employer ID number, employer Certificate of Registration, receiving and processing of salary loan, educational loan, and funeral claim benefits, receiving of applications for sickness, maternity, retirement and death claims. Information Kiosks are also available wherein members can make verification on the number of contributions and salary loan balance. Photo shows SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio S. de Quiros Jr. (above photo, middle), Congressman Benjamin Asilo, (left) of District 1 of Manila City and Congressman Carlo V. Lopez (right) of District 2 of Manila during the ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Also present during the blessing of the SSS Tondo Branch were Senior Vice President for NCR Group Jose B. Bautista (back row, right) and Branch Head of the SSS Tondo Branch Josephine D. Ang (partly hidden, back row). |
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| Solemnizing Officers all over the country to convene this August at SMX | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: https://psa.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Priests, pastors, imams, and other solemnizing officers from
various religious sects and denominations; city/municipal
mayors, members of the judiciary; and local civil registrars
from all over the country, among others, will converge on August
25 to 27, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia for
the 9th National Convention of Solemnizing Officers (9NCSO). Organized by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the 9NCSO will have for its theme “Get Every Solemnizing Officer in the Picture” in line with the global celebration of the decade of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, 2015 to 2024. Participants to the biennial convention will be welcomed by Pasay City Mayor Antonino G. Calixto. Public Attorney’s Office Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta, has been invited to deliver the keynote address. The three-day event includes paper presentations on updates on marriage laws and registration procedures; roles and responsibilities of solemnizing officers; and, the sharing of experiences and best practices in the solemnization of marriages. An open forum will be held after every session for questions and clarifications. National Statistician and Civil Registrar General Lisa Grace S. Bersales will cap the convention with the PSA’s future directions. Entertainment numbers during the convention will be rendered by the Philippine Tourism Chorale and Indak Turismo. Registration for the convention is ongoing. Interested parties are requested to contact Ms. Editha R. Orcilla, Chairperson of the 9NCSO Program and Invitation Committee, at telephone numbers (02) 926-1075 or via e-mail at E.Orcilla@psa.gov.ph. They may also visit the PSA website (psa.gov.ph) or any of its nearest regional or provincial office in their areas. (Sgd) LISA GRACE S. BERSALES, Ph. D. National Statistician and Civil Registrar General |
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| TESDA to train PH team for 2016 Abilympics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://www.tesda.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disability did not prove to be a hindrance to some individuals
from engaging in different crafts and skills. Taking this to greater heights, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will train them to be the cream of the crop and battle-ready for the 9th International Abilympics in France next year. Signing a memorandum of agreement with the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) on August 3, TESDA vowed to train the competitors and assess them in preparation for the international competition. "TESDA is committed to respect, protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities, and we will do this by means of what we do best — skills training," TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva said. "The abilympics is a good venue to display the vocational skills of persons with disabilities, which could translate to opportunities for employment and livelihood for them," he added. Abilympics, coined from olympics of abilities of persons with disabilities (PWDs), is a global work skills competition held every four years in various host countries. It aims to promote social awareness in the field of skills development and employment both locally and internationally, and foster friendship among the competing nations. Under the agreement, TESDA will administer the competency assessment among the competitors for the international competition. Villanueva said that intensive training was expected, which would include mock competitions. The agency will provide four coaches for the contestants, who were chosen as winners from regional and national skills competitions. It will also make available the needed supplies and materials to be used during the training. The International Abilympics is slated in March 2016 in Bordeauz, France. For the 9th International Abilympics, the Philippine team will compete in the following areas: Cake Decoration, Photography, Floral Arrangement, Painting, Waste Reuse, Cooking, Word Processing, Desktop Publishing, Creating Web Pages, Restaurant Service, Pottery, Poster Design and Basket Weaving. "To prepare the competitors well for this competition, we will tap companies, industry associations and non-government organizations to give them intensive training right in the shop floors and workplaces," Villaniueva said. "We are therefore inviting sponsors to support us in this endeavor," he added. NCDA is the lead agency in convening an inter-agency committee composed of government agencies, non-government organizations and disabled people’s organizations to develop plans and mobilize resources and support for the delegates to the International Abilympics. The Philippines took part in the competition held in Seoul, South Korea in 2011. Prior to this, it also fielded PWD contestants to compete in various fields that were held in Hongkong in 1991; Perth, Australia in 1995; Prague, Czech Republic in 2000; New Delhi, India in 2003; and in Shizuoko, Japan in 2007 in previous international Abilympics competitions, according to NCDA. The participation of Filipinos with disabilities in these international skills competitions have brought prestige and honor to the country especially when the Philippine team ranked eight and sixth in the 2000 and 2003 International Abilympics, respectively, the NCDA said. |
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| Former Partnerships Victoria head shares AUS PPP experience | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: http://ppp.gov.ph | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mr. Glenn Maguire, former head of Partnerships Victoria, shares
Australian PPP experience, processes, and lessons during the
jointly-organized Knowledge Sharing Session (KSS) of the
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center and Department of
Finance (DOF) under the Asian Development Bank- Capacity
Development Technical Assistance (ADB-CDTA) last August 5, 2015
at the PPP Center Board Room. Representatives from various implementing agencies participated in the activity, including those from the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of National Defense (DND), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), and Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC). Mr. Maguire has held several senior government positions in Australia, culminated by his leadership in the Victorian Government’s expert advisory group for PPPs. He now serves as International Consultant of the DOF through the ADB-CDTA. |
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[Adm-02] President Aquino at the 114th Police Service Anniversary of the Philippine National
Police.
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