Aguinaldo Shrine Pagsanjan Falls Taal Lake Antipolo Church Lucban Pahiyas Feast

Dispatch for June 28 , 2013 Fri day , 5 PIA Calabarzon PRs ,5 Weather Watch,

10 Regional Watch , 5 OFW Watch , 2 PNOY Speech , 20 Online News , 8 Photonews

Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's photo.

4 hours ago

1. WEATHER BULLETIN No. 2

Tropical Cyclone Warning: Tropical Depression “#GorioPH”

Issued at 5:00 AM, 28 June 2013

Tropical Depression “GORIO” remains almost stationary as it slightly change its direction.

Location of eye/center:At 4:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression “GORIO” was estimated based on all

available data at 500 km East of Surigao City (9.5°N, 130.4°E).

Strength: Maximum winds of 45 kph near the center.

Movement: Forecast to move Northwest at 7 kph.

Forecast Positions:

Tropical Depression “GORIO” is expected to be at 360 km East of Guiuan, Eastern Samar by tomorrow morning. By

Sunday morning, it will be at 340 km East of Legaspi City and at 340 km East of Baler, Aurora by Monday morning.

Public Storm Warning Signal # 1: Northern Samar, Western Samar, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Island and Siargao

Island.

• Estimated rainfall amount is from 5 – 15 mm per hour (moderate - heavy) within the 500 km diameter of the

Tropical Depression.

• Tropical Depression “GORIO” will enhance the Southwest Monsoon which will bring moderate to occasionally

heavy rains and thunderstorms over Visayas and Mindanao.

• Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under signal # 1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and

landslides.

• The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch

for the next

bulletin to be issued at 11 AM today.

For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to

www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.

Weather Watch

18 minutes ago

2. PAGASA Weather Forecaster Aldzar Aurelio on ANC

Re: TD Gorio updates

-Sa ngayon wala pang epekto ang bagyong Gorio pero nakataas ang signal number 1 sa Samar Provinces, Dinagat

Island at Siargao Island.

-Posible pong mag-landfall siya. Hindi pa natin masabi sa ngayon, nasa dagat pa ito.

Weather Watch

27 minutes ago

3. DZMM: Ipinagbabawal na ng PCG ang paglalayag ng anumang sasakyang pandagat sa mga lugar na nakataas

ang signal number 1 dahil sa bagyong Gorio. Inabisuhan na rin ng PCG ang mga operator ng barko sa Manila na

iwasan ang nasabing mga lugar upang makaiwas sa malalakas na alon at hangin na maaaring magdala sa kanila ng

panganib.

Weather Watch

3 hours ago

4. PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio on DZIQ:

-Ang TD Gorio ay may possibility na mag-landfall sa Visayas at maaari ring tumama sa Aurora.

-Although malayo ang bagyo, ang Habagat ay magiging dahilan ng pag-ulan sa Mindanao.

-Kung hindi mababago ang direksyon at kilos, July 2 or 3 ay nasa Aurora ang bagyong Gorio at mararamdan ang

epekto ng Habagat sa Metro Manila.

Weather Watch

3 hours ago

5. PAGASA weather forecaster Jun Galang on DZMM

Re: Update sa bagyo

-Ang layo po nito ngayong ay 500km dito sa silangan ng Surigao City.

-May lakas ng hangin ito na 45kph malapit sa gitna.

-Kumikilos ito pahilagang kanluran sa bilis na 7kph.

-Nakataas ang signal number 1 sa Northern Samar, Eastern Samar at Samar.

-Signal number 1 din sa Dinagat Island at Siargao Island.

-Inaasahan natin na kapag nagtuloy-tuloy sa kanyang kinikilos kung walang pagbabago maaari niyang tumbukin

ang Aurora area pero lalapit muna siya sa Bicol region by Saturday ng gabi at Sunday ng umaga.

-Ito pong weekend by Saturday or Sunday mararamdaman natin dito sa Metro Manila.

-Ang Visayas at Mindanao ngayon ay makakaranas ng katamtaman hanggang sa malakas na pag-ulan.

-Itong Luzon bahagyang maulap po at pulo-pulong pag-ulan po ang mararanasan.

Weather Watch

June 28 , 2013 ( Friday ) as of 8 :00 AM

CAVITE : Sunny LAGUNA : Fair Weather

BATANGAS : Fair Weather RIZAL : Sunny

QUEZON : Sunny

PIA Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

17 hours ago

1. PIA-4A/LAGUNA: PSSUPT Rolando Opena, Chief, Police Regional Human Resource Division, Police Regional

Office CALABARZON (PRO-4A) said that PRO4A is now accepting applicants for Police Officer 1 with the

qualifications and standards set by the National Police Commission.

PIA Regional Watch

18 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines

2. PIA-4A/QUEZON: The municipal health office of Mauban, Quezon conducted massive indoor and outdoor

spraying against chikungunya, a viral disease transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes in Sitios Talisay,

Habagat, Sta. Cruz and Centro in Barangay Cagbalete, Mauban, Quezon. This will control the spread out of the

said viral disease.

PIA Regional Watch

18 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines

3. PIA-4A/QUEZON: The provincial tourism office will be holding a meeting with municipal tourism officers on

July 3 in Lucena City to finalize the guidelines and criteria for 'niyogyugan festival' and grand parade float

competition, dance competition and festival queen competition slated on August 14. Provincial tourism officer

Alberto Bay said the festival is part of the weeklong celebration of Quezon day which aims to promote

agriculture and tourism in the province.

PIA Regional Watch

19 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines

4. PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Itatampok ng Batangas city social welfare and development office ang mga gawaing likha

ng mga Batanguenong PWDs sa darating na Hulyo 17-26 bilang bahagi ng National Disability Prevention and

Rehabilitation Week.

PIA Regional Watch

19 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines

5. PIA-4A/RIZAL: 7 outstanding Rizalenos were recently conferred Gawad Rizal Awards for achievements in

their respective fields in line with the 152nd birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal. Awardees include Angono Mayor

Gerry Calderon (public management), Liwayway Sanvictores (education), Juan Barredo (business), Teresa Mayor

Rodel Dela Cruz (environment), Nickson Nimeno (sports) and Dr. Rodolfo Rabanal (medicine).

PIA Regional Watch

19 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines

6. PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Luce City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (LCDRRMC) announced that

the they will buy three additional garbage trucks to fast track garbage collection in the city. They will also buy

rescue vehicle and other declogging equipment to declog the rivers of Iyam and Dumacaa in the city.

PIA Regional Watch

20 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines

7. PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Unit lV-A reported that Calabarzon is

the major producer of Coconut with 1.4 Million Metric Tons of production, the 5th largest in the Philippines.

Quezon province is the top producing province contributing 7% to the national.

PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines

8. PIA-4A/RIZAL: Department of Agrarian Reform - Rizal has distributed a total of 77.6195 hectares of land to

local beneficiaries surpassing their target of 45 hectares for the 1st quarter of 2013. The agency was tasked to

distribute 259 hectares for the year 2013 and will continue distributing land on the 2nd semester of the year .

PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines

9. PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Nakatakdang manumpa ngayong araw si Lipa City Mayor Meynard Sabili kay Justice Jose

Perez sa Manila Hotel.Ito ang ikalawang termino ng punumbayan.

PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines

10. PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Mapapakinabangan na ng mga Batangueno ang bagong gawang Batangas city track oval

and football stadium na may sukat na 19,429.4896 sq.m.Ang proyekto ay nagkakahalaga ng P70m na sinimulan

noong Disyembre 2012 at natapos Mayo 2013.

PIA OFW Watch

3 hours ago

1. ABS-CBN: Hanggang sa July 3 na lang ang palugit ng Saudi government para sa sa mga undocumented workers

sa kanilang bansa na mag-ayos ng papeles. Aminado naman ang DFA na hindi nito mapapauwi ang lahat ng

undocumented OFW sa Saudi bago ang deadline kaya naman aapela ito na i-extend ang nasabing deadline.

PIA OFW Watch

4 hours ago

2. ABS-CBN: Bibitayin na anumang araw ngayon ang isang Pinay drug mule sa China. Ayon sa report, sindikatong

Nigerian ang sinasabing nasa likod ng drug trafficking. Sumulat na ng apela si PNoy sa China para mapababa sa

habangbuhay na pagkakabilanggo ang parusa sa naturang Pinay. Sa kasalukuyan ay mahigit 200 ang drug related

case sa China na Pinoy ang sangkot.

PIA OFW Watch

4 hours ago

3. ABS-CBN: Bumuo na ng task force ang PHL Embassy sa Kuwait para tutukan ang mga Pinoy doon na walang

kaukulang dokumento at matulungan sila na maiayos ang kanilang papeles. Ngayon kasi ay pinaigting ng Kuwait

ang kanilang crackdown sa mga illegal migrant sa kanilang bansa. Ilang Pinoy naman ang nagsabi na nakaranas ng

trauma matapos i-raid ng Kuwaiti authorities ang kanilang tahanan.

PIA OFW Watch

4 hours ago near Quezon City

4. DZBB: Dalawang batch pa ng mga distressed OFWs galing Jeddah, Saudi Arabia ang darating sa NAIA Terminal 1

mamayang 4:35pm at 5:30pm.

PIA OFW Watch

5 hours ago near Quezon City

5. VP Jejomar Binay on GMA News TV:

Re: Execution of Pinay drug mule in China

-Sa nakarating na impormasyon sa amin at kumpirmado ito ay sa isang linggo ie-execute ito.

-Mahirap pangunahan si PNoy pero titignan natin kung personal tayong aapela.

-Kung maaari ay ma-commute o mapatawad ang ating kababayang Pinay.

A. QUEZON

DTI, SM-Lucena launch handicrafts exhibit

By Joselito M. Giron

Thursday 27th of June 2013

LUCENA CITY, Quezon, June 27 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and SM City Lucena

launched on June 24 a handicrafts exhibit to promote livelihood and economic development among

entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs in the province.

Dubbed as "My SM, My City, My Crafts," the activity is an exhibition of uniqueness and artistry of local

handicrafts of Quezon Province.

Maricel Alquiros, SM City mall manager, said the event will run for five days to create enthusiasm to people

who want to engage in handicraft production.

The activity showcases 10 great craft manufacturers of pots, wood carvings, buri bags, decorated soap,

indigenous gown, kiping (rice wafers), coconut decors, candles, and other house decors.

“The exhibit is part of SM malls contribution to help the community prosper,” Alquiros said.

Meanwhile, Leila Cabreros, Consumer Welfare Division Chief of DTI-Quezon, said their office offers skills

training like product packaging, marketing, and product processing to organizations and individuals

interested.

Cabreros cited buri bag making in the towns of Mauban and Sariaya which have benefited the women in the

said areas as well as provided income for the Gat-Uban Weavers Association and Sariayanas Weavers Group.

Quezon provincial tourism officer Alberto Bay Jr. said the exhibit is also part of the promotion of artistry and

modern designs of handicrafts of the province.

Some of the famous exhibitors are Ugo Bigyan pottery, Sa’tin craft, Banglos wood craft, Martha’s handicraft,

Soap farm, Cocos Nucifera Pacific Enterprise and Lucban Kiping. (CPG/JMG-PIA4A, Quezon)

B. CAVITE

C. LAGUNA

D. BATANGAS

1. Tagalog news: 12 pulis, pinarangalan sa agarang paglutas ng kaso

By Mamerta P. De Castro

Thursday 27th of June 2013

LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Hunyo 27 (PIA) -- Pinarangalan ng Batangas Police Provincial Office (BPPO) ang 12

pulis na naging bahagi sa agarang paglutas ng kaso sa pagpatay kay Assistant Prosecutor Alexander

Sandoval.

Sa isinagawang simpleng seremonya, pinarangalan sina PSSupt. Isagani Fetizanan, Deputy Provincial Director

for Operation (DPDO);PSUPT Christopher Birung, Chief Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB); PSupt. Dennis

Esguerra, Commanding Officer Provincial Public Safety Company; PSupt. Elpidio Ramirez, Chief Provincial

Investigation Detective Management Branch (PIDMB); PCInsp Christopher Guste, Chief Crime Investigation

and Detection Team-Batangas; PSInsp. Alfie Salang, Hepe ng Sta Teresita Municipal Police Station (MPS);

PSInsp. Dwight Fonte, Hepe ng San Luis MPS; PSInsp Norman Cas-oy, Hepe ng Taal MPS; PSInsp. Ernesto

Chavez, Hepe ng San Nicolas MPS; PInsp. Joey Dañas, RIU-4A; SPO3 Herbert Mendoza, Crime Investigation

and Detection Team-Batangas at PO1 Sonny Quijano ng Sta Teresita MPS.

Sa mensahe naman ni Atty. Edwin Aguirre, pangulo ng Integrated Bar of the Phils.(IBP)-Batangas at

panauhing pandangal, nagpasalamat ito sa agarang pagbigay linaw at hustisya sa pagkamatay ng kanilang

kasamahan.

Aniya, nararapat na ang lahat ng mga abogado sa lalawigan ng Batangas ay magsama sama at magkaisa sa

pagkilos tungo sa anumang banta sa buhay, kalayaan at kasiyahan sa tulong na din ng pamahalaan at mga

kapwa Batangueno.

Matatandaang kamakailan ay inambush si Sandoval sa Brgy. Mozon, San Luis,Batangas ng dalawang hindi

nakikilalang suspek. Ito ang nagtulak sa mga pulis na magsagawa ng "dragnet operation" kung saan nahuli

ang suspek at sinabi nito ang ulo ng pagpatay.

Bunsod nito, iba't-ibang matataas na kalibre ng baril pa ang nakumpiska gayundin ang sasakyang ginamit sa

"surveillance" sa biktima. Sinampahan na din ng karampatang kaso ang mga suspek.(CPG/MPDC/PIA4A-

Batangas)

2. Tagalog news: Paglinis ng kanal at kapaligiran, tinututukan ng

Batangas engineer office

By Mamerta P. De Castro

Thursday 27th of June 2013

LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS CITY, Hunyo 27 (PIA) -- Patuloy ang mga tauhan ng city engineers office (CEO) sa

paglilinis ng mga kanal sa iba't ibang bahagi ng lungsod upang maiwasan ang pagbaha tuwing malakas ang

ulan at panahon ng bagyo.

Sinabi ni Gemma Nuñez, inhinyero ng CEO, na ang paglilinis ng mga kanal ay isang regular na gawain ng

kanilang tanggapan kung saan may eskedyul sa paglilinis kasama ang mga barangay na may kahilingan nang

paglinis ng mga kanal.

Lagi rin silang nakahanda kung sakaling may mga hindi inaasahang pangyayari sa panahon ng kalamidad.

Aniya pa, sapat ang kanilang mga kagamitan tulad ng pala, kalaykay at garbage trailers na siyang ginagamit

upang maalis ang mga basurang bumara sa mga kanal.

Isa sa mga lugar na matinding bahain ay ang kahabaan ng P. Burgos St. kung saan halos dalawang bangka ng

basura ang nakukuha dito.

Bagamat mahigpit na ipinatutupad ang Batangas City environment code, hindi pa rin maiwasan na

magkaroon ng mga basura ngunit malaking porsiyento na nito ang nabawas buhat ng ipatupad ang naturang

batas.

Malaking bulto rin ng basura ang mga nabubulok na isda at gulay sa bahagi ng bagong palengke kung kaya't

nagpaalala ang CEO na huwag bastang itambak ang mga basurang tulad nito na nagiging sanhi ng pagbara sa

mga kanal at hindi magandang amoy sa kapaligiran.

Sinabi pa ni Nunez na ang kanilang pagkilos ay upang maiwasan na ang lungsod ay matulad sa Maynila na

kaunting ulan lamang ay lampas tuhod na ang baha.

Muli din nitong ipinaalala sa mga Batangueno na ang basurang ikinakalat sa mga lansangan at kanal ay

maaaring magbigay ng kapahamakan sa mga susunod na panahon kung kaya't patuloy ang paghikayat nila

na mag-segregate ng basura at maglinis ng kapaligiran. (Ulat mula kay Bounvurt Macaraig-

PIO/CPG/MPDC/PIA4A-Batangas)

3. Tagalog news: Agrikultura at turismo, tututukan ng pamahalaang

panlalawigan

By Mamerta P. De Castro

Thursday 27th of June 2013

LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Hunyo 27 (PIA) --Bibigyang pansin ng pamahalaang panlalawigan katuwang ang

mga miyembro ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan ang agrikultura at turismo sa probinsiya.

Sinabi ni Vice Governor Mark Leviste na nananatiling nakatutok ang pamahalaang panlalawigan sa HEARTS

(health, education/environment, agriculture, roads/infrastructure, tourism at security) program ngunit sa

taong ito ay mas bibigyan ng pansin ang sektor ng agrikultura at turismo.

Aniya, noong nakaraang mga taon ay unang tinutukan ang kalusugan at edukasyon kung saan isinaayos ang

mga serbisyo ng mga ospital,health centers,paaralan at pinondohan ang mga pangangailangan ng parehong

sektor upang makasapat sa serbisyong para sa mga Batangueno.

Natapos na din ang pagpopondo sa mga kalsada at pagawing pang-imprastraktura at inaasahang sa mga

susunod na taon ay ang lalawigan ang unang probinsya na nakumpleto ang pagsasaayos ng mga provincial

roads.

Sinabi pa ni Leviste na karamihan sa mga investor sa lalawigan ay ang pagkakaroon ng maganda at maayos

na daan ang hinahanap kung kaya't inuna ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ang mga proyekto kaugnay nito.

Ito ay upang mas lalo pang maraming nagnanais magnegosyo ang pumasok sa probinsya at magbibigay ito

ng karagdagang trabaho,hanapbuhay at pagkikitaan sa mga Batangueno.

Samantala, patuloy ang magandang koordinasyon at pakikipag-ugnayan ng pamahalaang panlalawigan sa

AGAP (Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Phils.) upang mas maraming mga programa para sa sektor ng

agrikultura ang maitaguyod sa lalawigan.

Bukod pa dito, patuloy ang pagpapakilala ng mga pangunahing tourist destinations sa probinsya. Nais din ng

Bise gobernador na buhayin at isulong ang interes ng mga kabataan sa mayamang sining at kultura ng

lalawigan na karaniwan ay nakakalimutan na dala ng modernong panahon.(PIA Batangas)

E. RIZAL

Tagalog news: Gawad Rizal inihandog sa 7 Rizalenyo

By Gideon Gapayao

Thursday 27th of June 2013

TAYTAY, Rizal, Hunyo 27 (PIA) -- Iginawad sa pitong natatanging Rizalenyo ang Gawad Rizal kamakailan kasabay ng

selebrasyon ng ika-152 kaarawan ng ating pambansang bayaning si Gat Jose P. Rizal.

Pinarangalan ng Gawad Rizal ngayong taon sina Angono Mayor Gerardo “Gerry” Calderon para sa Public

Management;ang direktor ng Juan Sumulong Memorial School Systems na si Liwayway Sanvictores para sa Education;

Juan M. Barredo sa Business; Teresa Mayor Rodel N. Dela Cruz sa Environment; Nickson L. Nimeno sa Sports and Youth;

Dr. Rodelfo C. Rabanal sa Medicine; at Mr. Martiniano F. Tambongco sa Cooperative.

Layunin ng Gawad Rizal itampok ang iba’t ibang katangian ni Gat Rizal upang bigyang inspirasyon ang kabataan at

mamamayan para sa pagtataguyod ng bansa.

Ang parangal ay iginawad ni Gobernador Rebecca “Nini” Ynares kasama ang editorial board ng Rizaleño Sulo, isang lokal

na pahayagan at magasin sa probinsiya. Si Dr.William S. Co, Chairman ng ICCT Colleges at Honorable Consul to the

Republic of Namibia ay nagbigay ng kanyang mensahe ng pag-asa at aksyon.

“Ikinalulugod natin ang ginagawa ng organisasyong ito na kumikilala sa mga nagawa ng mga taong nagtagumpay sa

kanilang napiling larangan. Ang mga pinarangalang ito ay tunay na inspirasyon nating lahat,” pahayag ni Gob. Ynares

Samantala, itinampok din sa pagdiriwang ang paglulunsad ng Rizal Binhi Awards na nakadirekta sa kabataang Rizalenyo

na magiging mga susunod na pinuno.(PIO/CPG/GG/PIA4A-Rizal)

27 JUNE 2013.

1. President Aquino cites the Development Academy of the Philippines as agent of permanent

change in country’s governance

2. President Aquino declares July 1, as special non-working day in Maramag, Bukidnon in

celebration of its 57th Foundation Day

3. President Aquino urges mechanical engineers to sustain their excellence, competitiveness,

contribution to country’s economic growth

4. President Aquino leads oath-taking rites of adminisration lawmakers in Malacanang

President Aquino cites the Development Academy of the Philippines as agent of permanent change in country’s governance

President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the Development Academy of the Philippines for its innovative, technical and relative programs to support the bureaucracy, saying the agency was a partner of government in effecting permanent change in the way it conducts its business of governance. In his speech keynoting the 40th Founding Anniversary of the DAP, the President said that these programs have empowered public servants to be effective, dedicated and trustworthy deliverers of genuine service to the people. ―While I may be Chief Executive of the country, it is certainly not within my abilities to personally oversee each and every office in the country. So I must rely on good managers—men and women in all levels of government—who take pride in their jobs and are able to fulfill their demands, towards serving our 'Bosses,' the Filipino people. This is where the DAP comes in ---through empowering public servants with the added learning, training, and competencies they need to meet their responsibilities,‖ the President said. ―From diploma courses for intelligence officers, to programs for senior managers and executives, to graduate degrees with specializations in rural development, security, and local governance—the DAP has a wide variety of programs that support the bureaucracy,‖ he added. The President lauded the DAP for being an ―instrument for others to contribute to sustainable development‖ and advocacy of his Administration that includes inclusive growth. ―In addition to this, you have also provided technical expertise for a number of government‘s efforts, including the Results-Based Performance Management System and the Performance Based Incentive System, and the crafting of Citizens‘ Charters for government agencies and LGUs. Over the years, the DAP has truly become an instrument for others to contribute to sustainable development. On this occasion, allow me to extend my congratulations, and thanks, for your contributions,‖ he said. He challenged the men and women of the DAP to not become complacent and continually update and upgrade themselves in order to keep up with the times and changing environment. ―This is an issue we must all be concerned with, especially now that things have changed in the Philippines. The world has already acknowledged the sea change in governance—our commitment to fighting corruption, instituting good governance, and rendering true service,‖ the President said. ―The DAP can help to ensure the permanence of these changes, spurring a virtuous cycle of true public service in each level of the government. After all, the people you educate are involved in the daily operations of government offices, in implementing important projects, and in dealing directly with the public. They are the face of the government; they are the ones who will show their countrymen that things have truly changed in the Philippines,‖ he said. ―Through your programs, you can foster in them a deep sense of responsibility and service. In this way, long after I step down, government will continue to serve with integrity and pride, and keep us all from backsliding into the corruption and impunity of the past. Never forget that you are an agency of empowerment. Never forget the role you play in strengthening governance—and in so doing, strengthening the Philippines,‖ the President further noted. The DAP, a government owned and controlled corporation which was created by Presidential Decree No. 205 on June 7, 1973, is mandated to: 1) generate pioneering, value-adding, synergistic ideas, concepts, principles, techniques and technologies addressing development problems of local, national and international significance; 2) capacitating individuals and development stakeholder organizations in government, the private sector, civil society, academe, and international organizations to perform their respective roles and mandates in development more efficiently and effectively; and 3) promote partnerships and facilitate the integration of policies, plans, programs, and systems towards a holistic perspective, through the conduct of training, education, policy/action-oriented researches, consulting/technical assistance, and publications in good governance and productivity improvement. Joining the President were DAP president Antonio Kalaw and National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. PND (rck)

TOP

President Aquino declares July 1, as special non-working day in Maramag, Bukidnon in celebration of its 57th Foundation Day

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared July 1, which falls on a Monday, as a special (non-working) day in the municipality of Maramag in the province of Bukidnon in celebration of its 57th Foundation Day. The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation 605 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on June 18 to give the people of Maramag the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies. On July 1, 1956, Maramag was formally created as a municipality through Executive Order 272 issued by Malacanang. PND (js)

TOP

President Aquino urges mechanical engineers to sustain their excellence, competitiveness, contribution to country’s economic growth

President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the country's mechanical engineers to sustain their excellence and competitiveness and contribute to the economic growth of the country in this era of revitalization.

"The time for our long-sought rise towards inclusive growth has come, and the momentum of our transformation rests on the commitment of every sector ---Push the frontiers of your profession; sustain the level of excellence and competitiveness; and let the spirit of innovation guide you towards success," the Chief Executive said in his message to the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) on the occasion of the 2nd Mindanao Regional Conference. The PSME opened on Thursday the 2nd Mindanao Regional Conference which has for its theme "Mechanical Engineers Unite in Pursuit of Global Competitiveness" at the Grand Caprice Restaurant and Convention Center, Limketkai Drive, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental. The three-day event, sponsored by the PSME Iligan Bay Chapter, will end on June 29. "May this conference pave the way to critical linkages and the development of new ideas, thus galvanizing your collective into one solid force in our task of nation-building," President Aquino said. "May you serve as agents of development, and may you further foster solidarity among our people. Together, we shall forge the equitably progressive Philippines that our citizens rightfully deserve," he said. The conference aims to update PSME members on the advancement of engineering science and technology. PND (js)

TOP

President Aquino leads oath-taking rites of adminisration lawmakers in Malacanang

President Benigno S. Aquino III led in Malacanang on Thursday the oathtaking of 82 administration lawmakers who won during the May 13 midterm election. The four senators-elect who took their oath include Alan Peter Cayetano, Antonio Trillanes IV, Benigno ―Bam‖ Aquino IV and Cynthia Villar. The Liberal Party representatives who took their oath of offices before the President were Rep. Francis Gerald Abaya, First District Cavite; Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa, 2nd District, Cebu City; Ma. Lourdes Acosta, 1st District, Bukidnon; Rep. Alex Advincula, 3rd District, Cavite; Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr., 4th District, Laguna; Rep. Manuel Agyao, Lone District, Kalinga; Rep. Vicente Alcala, 2nd District, Quezon; Rep. Jorge Almonte, 1st District, Misamis Occidental; Rep. Isagani Amatong, 3rd District, Zamboanga del Norte; Rep. Sergio Antonio Apostol, 2ndDistrict, Leyte; Rep. Maryam Arbison, 2nd District, Sulu; Rep. Rose Marie Arenas, 3rd District, Pangasinan; Rep. Benjamin Asilo, 1st District, Manila; Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr., Lone District, Ifugao; Rep. Pangalian Balindong, 2nd District, Lanao del Sur; Rep. Jorge John Banal, 3rd District, Quezon City; Rep. Jose Christopher Belmonte, 6th District, Quezon City; Rep. Maria Jocelyn Bernos, Lone District, Abra; Rep. Francisco Calalay Jr., 1st District, Quezon City; Rep. Imelda Calixto Rubiano, Lone District, Pasay City; Rep. Wilfredo Casimero, 2nd District, Cebu; Rep. Winston Castelo, 2nd District, Quezon City; Rep. Arnel Cerafica, Lone District, Taguig-Pateros; Rep. Nelson Collantes, 3rd District, Batangas; Rep. Ronald Cosalan, Lone District, Benguet; Rep. Maximo Dalog, Lone District, Mt. Province; Rep. Arthur Defensor Jr., 3rd District, Iloilo; Rep. Raul del Mar, 1st District, Cebu City; Rep. Antonio del Rosario, 1st District, Capiz; Rep. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, 2nd District, Zambales; Rep. Ma. Georgina de Venecia, 4th District, Pangasinan; Rep. Enrico Echiverri, 1st District, Caloocan City; Rep. Edgar Erice, 2nd District, Caloocan City; Rep. Rogelio Espina, Lone District, Biliran; Rep. Lawrence Lemuel Fortun, 1st District, Agusan del Norte; Rep. Salvio Fortuno, 5th District, Camarines Sur; Rep. Mylene Garcia, 2nd District, Davao City; Rep. Oscar Garin Jr., 1st District, Iloilo City; Rep. Lucy Marie Gomez, 4th District, Leyte; Rep. Joseller Guiao, 1st District, Pampanga; Rep. Dulce Ann Hofer, 2nd District, Zamboanga Sibugay; Rep. Manuel Iway, 1st District, Negros Occidental; Rep. Edcel Lagman Jr., 1st District, Albay; Rep. Paulino Salvador Leachon, 1st District, Oriental Mindoro; Rep. Roy Loyola, 5th District, Cavite; Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, 2nd District, Maguindanao; Rep. Joselito Andrew Mendoza, 3rd District, Bulacan; Rep. Joaquin Carlos Rahman Nava, Lone District, Guimaras; Rep. Eric Olivarez, 1st District, Paranaque City; Rep. Romero Federico Quimbo, 2nd District, Marikina City; Rep. Aileen Radaza, Lone District, Lapu-Lapu City; Rep. Deogracias Ramos Jr., 2ndDistrict, Sorsogon; Rep. Regina Reyes, Lone District, Marinduque; Rep. Arturo Robes, Lone District, San Jose del Monte; Rep. Ma. Leonor Robredo, 3rd District, Camarines Sur; Rep. Oscar Rodriguez, 3rd District, Pampanga; Rep. Herminia Roman, 1st District, Bataan; Rep. Roman Romulo, Lone District, Pasig City; Rep. Jesus Sacdalan,1st District, North Cotabato; Rep. Ruby Sahali, Lone District, Tawi-Tawi; Rep. Hadjiman Salliman, Lone District, Basilan; Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, Lone District, Catanduanes; Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento, 1st District, Samar; Rep. Josephine Sato, Lone District, Occidental Mindoro; Rep. Bai Sandra Sema, 1st District, Maguindanao and Cotabato City; Rep. Eric Singson, 2nd District, Ilocos Sur; Rep. Marcelino Teodoro, 1st District, Marikina City; Rep. Abraham Tolentino, 7th District, Cavite; Rep. Jerry Trenas, Lone District, Iloilo City; Rep. Reynaldo Umali, 2nd District, Oriental Mindoro; Rep. Isidro Ungab, 3rd District, Davao City; Rep. Alfredo Paolo Vargas III, 5th District, Quezon City; Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica, 4th District, Bulacan; Rep. Neil Tupas Jr., 5th District, Iloilo and Rep. Carlos Lopez, 2nd District, Manila. PND (as)

TOP

27 HUNYO 2013

1. Kinilala ng Pangulong Aquino ang Development Academy of the Philippines bilang ahente ng tunay na

pagbabago sa pamamahala sa bansa

2. Hulyo 1, special non-working day sa Maramag, Bukidnon ayon sa deklarasyon ni Aquino dahil sa Foundation

Day

3. Hiniling ng Pangulong Aquino sa mga mechanical engiineers na gamitin ang kanilang kaalaman para sa pag-

unlad ng ekonomya

4. Mga mambabatas ng administrasyon, pinapanumpa ni Aquino sa Malacanang

Kinilala ng Pangulong Aquino ang Development Academy of the Philippines bilang ahente ng tunay na

pagbabago sa pamamahala sa bansa

Kinilala ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) sa mga

programa tungo sa pagbabago, teknikal at mahalagang hakbang upang suportahan ang burukrasya kaya ito ay

tunay na kabalikat ng pamahalaan para magawa ang palagiang pababago sa pamamagitan ng mabuting

pamamahala.

Sa talumpati kaugnay ng ika-40 taon ng pagkatatag ng DAP, sinabi ng Pangulo na ang mga programang ito ang

naging daan para ang mga lingkod ng bayan ay maging masigasig, matapat at mapagkakatiwalaang tunay na

maglingkod sa sambayanan.

―Bagaman ako ang Punong Tagapagpaganap ng bansa, hindi ko naman makakayang tuwirang pangasiwaan ang

bawa‘t isang opisina sa bansa. Kaya sa mahuhusay na tagapamahala ako umaasa—mga lalaki at babae sa

buong pamahalaan na marangal na tumutupad ng kanilang mga tungkulin at tugunan ang kailangan para

paglingkuran ang ating mga 'Boss,' walang iba kundi ang sambayanang Pilipino. At dito pumapasok ang DAP—sa

pagbibigay sa mga lingkod ng bayan ng karagdagang kaalaman, pagsasanay at kakayahang kanilang kailangan

upang gampanan ang kanilang mga pananagutan,‖ wika ng Pangulo.

―Mula sa mga diploma courses para sa mga intelligence officers hanggang sa mga matataas na mga

tagapamahala para makatapos bilang mga dalubhasa sa kaunlaran ng kanayunan, kapanatagan at lokal na

pamamahala—ang DAP ay may malawak na programang umaagapay sa burukrasya,‖ dugtong pa ng Pangulo.

Pinuri ng Pangulo ang DAP sa ―pagiging istrumento upang ang iba ay patuloy na makapag-ambag sa kaunlaran‖

at sa pagtataguyod ng isinusulong niya na laganap na kasaganaan.

Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na ang DAP ay naging mabisang kasangkapan upang magpatuloy ang pag-unlad,

bukod pa sa pagkakaloob ng kasanayang teknikal para sa ginagawa ng pamahalaan na Results-Based

Performance Management System at Performance Based Incentive System, bukod sa paglikha ng Citizens‘

Charters para sa mga ahensiya ng gobyerno at mga lokal na pamahalaan.

Hiningi ng Pangulo sa mga tauhan ng DAP na huwag tantanan ang pagsisikap na lalo pang maihanda ang

kanilang sarili upang tugunan ang mga kailangan ng nagbabagong kapaligiran, lalo na ang puspusang pagbaka

sa katiwalian at ang hangaring magpatuloy ang mabuting pamamahala at tunay na paglilingkod sa taong bayan.

Sinabi ng Pangulo na ang DAP ang makatitiyak para manatili ang mga pagbabagong ito ukol sa tapat na

paglilingkod sa bayan ng lahat ng nasa pamahalaan.

Ipinahayag ng Pangulo ang pananalig niyang sa pamamagitan ng mga programa ng DAP ay mahahasik ang diwa

ng pananagutan at paglilingkod upang kahit matagal na siyang wala sa tungkulin, magpapatuloy pa rin ang

gobyerno sa paglilingkod nang marangal at matapat at hindi na babalik sa nakagawian nang nakalipas na

panahon ng katiwalian at pagsasamantala.

―Huwag ninyong kalilimutan ang inyong ginagampanan para mapatatag ang pamamahala—at sa inyong

ginagawang ito ay kasabay ring tumatatag ang Pilipinas,‖ dagdag ng Pangulo.

Ang DAP ay korporasyon ng pamahalaan na nilikha ng Presidential Decree 205 noong Hunyo 7, 1973 upang

hasain at ihasik sa isip ng lahat ng lingkod ng bayan ang katapatan at puspusang pag-aalay ng sarili sa higit na

mabisa, matapat at marangal na pagtupad sa tungkuling sinumpaan.

Kasama ng Pangulong dumalo sa anibersaryo ng Development Academy of the Philippines ang pangulo nito na si

Antonio Kalaw at si Kalihim Arsenio Balisacan ng National Economic and Development Autthority (NEDA). PND

(rck/zaf)

TOP

Hulyo 1, special non-working day sa Maramag, Bukidnon ayon sa deklarasyon ni Aquino dahil sa

Foundation Day

Idineklara ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang Hulyo 1, natapat sa araw ng Lunes, bilang special non-working

day sa bayan ng Maramag sa lalawigan ng Bukidnon dahil sa pagsapit ng ika-57 Araw ng Pagkatatag ng lungsod.

Inilagda ng Pangulo ang kautusan sa pamamagitan ng Proklamasyon Blg. 605 na nilagdaan ni Kalihim

Tagapagpaganap Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. noong Hunyo 18 upang bigyan nang lubos na pagkakataon ang mga

mamamayan ng Maramag na makalahok sa mga seremonya at madaluhan ang mga kasayahang idaraos upang

ipagsaya ang anibersaryo ng kanilang bayan.

Hulyo 1, 1956 pormal na nilikha bilang bayan ang Maramag sa pamamagitan ng Kautusang Tagapagpaganap 272

na inilabas ng Malacanang. PND (js/zaf)

TOP

Hiniling ng Pangulong Aquino sa mga mechanical engiineers na gamitin ang kanilang kaalaman para sa

pag-unlad ng ekonomya

Hiniling ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa mga inhinyero mekaniko sa bansa na patuloy na gamitin ang

kanilang talino at kakayahan tungo sa kaunlaran ng ekonomya ng bansa sa panahong ito ng pagbabagong sigla.

―Sa panahong ito nang malaon na nating hangad na makamtan ang kasaganaan at pagbabagong nakasalalay sa

paninindigan ng bawa‘t sektor, gamitin ninyo ang inyong propesyon, panatilihin ang pambihirang husay at

kakayahan at pabayaang ang diwa ng pagbabago ang maging gabay ninyo tungo sa tagumpay,‖ sabi ng Pangulo

sa mensahe niya sa Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) sa kanilang 2nd Mindanao Regional

Conference.

Sinimulan Huwebes ang 2nd Mindanao Regional Conference ng PSME sa Grand Caprice Restaurant and

Convention Center, Limketkai Drive, Lungsod ng Cagayan de Oro sa Misamis Oriental. Ang tatlong araw na

kapulungang ito ay magtatapos sa Hunyo 29 at ang punung-abala ay ang PSME Iligan Bay Chapter. Paksang-

diwa ng kapulungan ang ―Mechanical Engineers Unite in Pursuit of Global Competitiveness.‖

―Ang kapulungan ninyo nawa ay humawan ng daan tungo sa pag-uugnay at paglinang ng mga bagong ideyang

lalong hihinang sa inyo upang maging matatag na nagkakaisang lakas sa ating saguting magtatag ng bansa,‖ sabi

pa ng Pangulo sa kanyang mensahe.

Layunin ng kapulungan na ipabatid sa mga kasapi ng PSME ang mga pagsulong sa larangan ng agham ng

inhinyerya at teknolohiya. PND (js/zaf)

TOP

Mga mambabatas ng administrasyon, pinapanumpa ni Aquino sa Malacanang

Pinapanumpa ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa Malacanang Huwebes ang 82 mambabatas na kapanalig ng

administrasyon na nagwagi sa halalan noong Mayo 13.

Ang mga halal na Senador na nanumpa ay sina Alan Peter Cayetano, Antonio Trillanes IV, Benigno ―Bam‖ Aquino

IV at Cynthia Villar.

Ang mga Kinatawan ng Lapiang Liberal na nanumpa rin sa Pangulo ay ang mga sumusunod: Rep. Francis Gerald

Abaya, First District Cavite; Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa, 2nd District, Cebu City; Ma. Lourdes Acosta, 1st District,

Bukidnon; Rep. Alex Advincula, 3rd District, Cavite; Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr., 4th District, Laguna; Rep. Manuel

Agyao, Lone District, Kalinga; Rep. Vicente Alcala, 2nd District, Quezon;

Rep. Jorge Almonte, 1st District, Misamis Occidental; Rep. Isagani Amatong, 3rd District, Zamboanga del Norte;

Rep. Sergio Antonio Apostol, 2ndDistrict, Leyte; Rep. Maryam Arbison, 2nd District, Sulu; Rep. Rose Marie

Arenas, 3rd District, Pangasinan; Rep. Benjamin Asilo, 1st District, Manila; Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr., Lone

District, Ifugao; Rep. Pangalian Balindong, 2nd District, Lanao del Sur; Rep. Jorge John Banal, 3rd District,

Quezon City;

Rep. Jose Christopher Belmonte, 6th District, Quezon City; Rep. Maria Jocelyn Bernos, Lone District, Abra; Rep.

Francisco Calalay Jr., 1st District, Quezon City; Rep. Imelda Calixto Rubiano, Lone District, Pasay City; Rep.

Wilfredo Casimero, 2nd District, Cebu; Rep. Winston Castelo, 2nd District, Quezon City; Rep. Arnel Cerafica, Lone

District, Taguig-Pateros; Rep. Nelson Collantes, 3rd District, Batangas; Rep. Ronald Cosalan, Lone District,

Benguet; Rep. Maximo Dalog, Lone District, Mt. Province;

Rep. Arthur Defensor Jr., 3rd District, Iloilo; Rep. Raul del Mar, 1st District, Cebu City; Rep. Antonio del Rosario,

1st District, Capiz; Rep. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, 2nd District, Zambales; Rep. Ma. Georgina de Venecia, 4th

District, Pangasinan; Rep. Enrico Echiverri, 1st District, Caloocan City; Rep. Edgar Erice, 2nd District, Caloocan

City; Rep. Rogelio Espina, Lone District, Biliran; Rep. Lawrence Lemuel Fortun, 1st District, Agusan del Norte;

Rep. Salvio Fortuno, 5th District, Camarines Sur; Rep. Mylene Garcia, 2nd District, Davao City; Rep. Oscar Garin

Jr., 1st District, Iloilo City;

Rep. Lucy Marie Gomez, 4th District, Leyte; Rep. Joseller Guiao, 1st District, Pampanga; Rep. Dulce Ann Hofer,

2nd District, Zamboanga Sibugay; Rep. Manuel Iway, 1st District, Negros Occidental; Rep. Edcel Lagman Jr., 1st

District, Albay; Rep. Paulino Salvador Leachon, 1st District, Oriental Mindoro; Rep. Roy Loyola, 5th District,

Cavite; Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, 2nd District, Maguindanao; Rep. Joselito Andrew Mendoza, 3rd District,

Bulacan; Rep. Joaquin Carlos Rahman Nava, Lone District, Guimaras; Rep. Eric Olivarez, 1st District, Paranaque

City;

Rep. Romero Federico Quimbo, 2nd District, Marikina City; Rep. Aileen Radaza, Lone District, Lapu-Lapu City;

Rep. Deogracias Ramos Jr., 2ndDistrict, Sorsogon; Rep. Regina Reyes, Lone District, Marinduque; Rep. Arturo

Robes, Lone District, San Jose del Monte; Rep. Ma. Leonor Robredo, 3rd District, Camarines Sur; Rep. Oscar

Rodriguez, 3rd District, Pampanga; Rep. Herminia Roman, 1st District, Bataan; Rep. Roman Romulo, Lone

District, Pasig City;

Rep. Jesus Sacdalan,1st District, North Cotabato; Rep. Ruby Sahali, Lone District, Tawi-Tawi; Rep. Hadjiman

Salliman, Lone District, Basilan; Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, Lone District, Catanduanes; Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento,

1st District, Samar; Rep. Josephine Sato, Lone District, Occidental Mindoro; Rep. Bai Sandra Sema, 1st District,

Maguindanao and Cotabato City; Rep. Eric Singson, 2nd District, Ilocos Sur;

Rep. Marcelino Teodoro, 1st District, Marikina City; Rep. Abraham Tolentino, 7th District, Cavite; Rep. Jerry

Trenas, Lone District, Iloilo City; Rep. Reynaldo Umali, 2nd District, Oriental Mindoro; Rep. Isidro Ungab, 3rd

District, Davao City; Rep. Alfredo Paolo Vargas III, 5th District, Quezon City; Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica, 4th

District, Bulacan; Rep. Neil Tupas Jr., 5th District, Iloilo and Rep. Carlos Lopez, 2nd District, Manila. PND (as)

TOP

President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the 40th Founding Anniversary of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP)

Assembly Hall, DAP Bldg., San Miguel Ave., Pasig City

27 June 2013 Maupo ho tayong lahat. Magandang umaga po. Secretary Arci Balisacan; members of the Cabinet present; Mr. Antonio Kalaw, President of DAP; former chairmen, board of trustees, officials, staff of the Development Academy of the Philippines; fellow workers in government; honored guests; ladies and gentlemen: Muli, magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) traces its roots to Martial Law—a time when the organizing principle was to concentrate all agencies, instrumentalities, and powers of government in the hands of the dictatorship. Today, a little over 27 years after our nation reclaimed its democracy, the governing principle is the reverse: to place the powers of government squarely in the hands of the people. Today, instead of working towards absolute power, we work for inclusive growth, peace, and stability, on the bedrock of accountability. While I may be Chief Executive of the country, it is certainly not within my abilities to personally oversee each and every office in the country. So I must rely on good managers—men and women in all levels of government—who take pride in their jobs and are able to fulfill their demands, towards serving our Bosses, the Filipino people. This is where the DAP comes in: through empowering public servants with the added learning, training, and competencies they need to meet their responsibilities. From diploma courses for intelligence officers, to programs for senior managers and executives, to graduate degrees with specializations in rural development, security, and local governance—the DAP has a wide variety of programs that support the bureaucracy. In addition to this, you have also provided technical expertise for a number of government‘s efforts, including the Results-Based Performance Management System and the Performance Based Incentive System of which I intend to follow up with Secretary Abad [laughter] as to goal implementation, and the crafting of Citizens‘ Charters for government agencies and LGUs. Over the years, the DAP has truly become an instrument to others to contribute to sustainable development. On this occasion, allow me to extend my congratulations, and thanks, for all your contributions. At the same time, your 40th anniversary also gives us a chance for reflection. Your institution is founded on the basic truth that one must never be complacent and that there are always ways to better our service to our countrymen. In the same vein, the DAP can never be complacent. As Mr. Kalaw said earlier, your institution was formed to be one that looks at development issues and problems with global, futuristic, and non-traditional perspectives. Modules that may have been applicable ten, twenty, or forty years ago may not be as effective today. And while the basic requirements of integrity and hard work remain unchanged, there are other, newer demands now being made of government workers. Today, I challenge each and every one of you to ask these questions of yourselves: Am I training managers to perfect the art of red tape? Or am I empowering them to genuinely challenge convention towards improving our systems? Am I reinforcing complacency and years of routine, or helping government workers find different ways of solving problems and contribute to the efficiency of their institutions? There is something I always remind my managers: the danger for any bureaucrat is to put red tape ahead of public service. This is an issue we must all be concerned with, especially now that things have changed in the Philippines. The world has already acknowledged the sea change in governance—our commitment to fighting corruption, instituting good governance, and rendering true service. The DAP can help to ensure the permanence of these changes, spurring a virtuous cycle of true public service in each level of government. After all, the people you educate are involved in the daily operations of government offices, in implementing important projects, and in dealing directly with the public. They are the face of the government; they are the ones who will show their countrymen that things have truly changed in the Philippines. Through your programs, you can foster in them a deep sense of responsibility and service. In this way, long after I step down, government will continue to serve with integrity and pride, and keep us all from backsliding into the corruption and impunity of the past. Never forget that you are an agency of empowerment. Never forget the role you play in strengthening governance—and in so doing, strengthening the Philippines. Once again, my congratulations on your 40th anniversary. Before I end, may I‘ll just share a couple of thoughts. When I was looking at all of the programs that you are assisting with, I think once again we were all deluged with a lot of acronyms. [Laughter] So much so that it has become its own language. [Laughter] And if we are supposed to use language to communicate, I wonder how many of us really have memorized all of these acronyms so that we continue to communicate. I‘m reminded of a commercial when I was younger—you‘re 40 years now, you know 73‘ marked an important year in my life. Of course, that was the first year after the imposition of Martial Law. It was the time I graduated from grade school. There was a sea change in my life. Bottom line was there was a commercial that used to go like this, and to those of you who are roughly my generation, I think you‘ll remember this. It went, ―F-U-R-N-I-T-U-R-E.‖ . All the people who are nodding have admitted they are part of my generation. I would like to inform you that Domus, the fine furniture company, seems to be still operating. I saw a store with that name in Greenbelt. To those of you who are younger, I was also as perplexed when I first heard that commercial because we were studying English and it said, ―F-U-R-N-I-T-U-R-E,‖ and I couldn‘t understand it. So Secretary Julia Abad of the PMS is tasked with providing me with a glossary of all of these acronyms. [Laughter] So I ask you, perhaps it‘s time that we studied all of these things, and try to come up with some system that even if it‘s the first time you‘ve heard

about it, somehow, the acronym will endeavor to encourage you to perform whatever is necessary, that much better. And last point, I‘m sure you‘ve seen all these new digital watches, which are called now wrist computers. And why are they called wrist computers? Because in addition being a watch function, it also has instruments for reading barometric pressure, or altitude, or a whole host of other things. Even with time—you have timers, you have stopwatches, you have world time, you have multizone times. Bottom line is, when you get the watch, you get about a half-inch worth of instructions. So you will probably be wearing the watch for one month before you understand how to utilize 90% [laughter] of the functions of the watch you were so impressed with. So, each of these watch companies in turn provides both the manual and a quick guide, or a startup guide, so that you can utilize the watch right away. So my request to all of you is this: You have the time and the capacity to study all of the problems besetting the country to the minutest detail, but if it is left in a thesis presentation, locked up in some library, it does not help anybody. Perhaps we should focus that those who are responsible for running this country on a day-to-day basis need a quick guide at the soonest possible time, and in their free times, can endeavor to more fully understand the concepts that were illustrated in the quick guide. So together with a more thorough understanding of all of our projects, programs, and policies, and agencies and the quick guide perhaps we truly will be more effective to our people. Thank you. Good day.

[HOME]

President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the 50th Anniversary of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)

NIA open grounds, NIA Bldg. complex, EDSA, Diliman, Quezon City 25 June 2013

Okey, maupo ho tayo lahat. Secretary Proceso Alcala, Engineer Antonio Nangel, awardees of the National Irrigation Administration, farmers from the different regions present, officials and employees of the National Irrigation Administration, fellow workers in government, honoured guests, mga minamahal ko pong kababayan: Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat. Sana ho‘y ikatutuwa pa niyo yung presensiya ko dito dahil alam naman niyo ako, di ako pabola-bola, hindi ako patumpik-tumpik, hindi ako paligoy-ligoy. Pag meron akong nakitang kailangang aksiyonan, ituturo ko sa inyo kaagad. Pasensiyahan na ho tayo muna. Batid po niyo na ako‗y naging kinatawan ng ikalawang distrito ng Tarlac at bilang kinatawan po, siyempre, pangkaraniwang hanapbuhay po sa Tarlac eh nagsasaka. At ngayon, merong mga ulap na tila nagbabadya na uulan dito, naalala ko po ang mga kababayan ko sa Tarlac na talaga naman hong umaasa sa sahod-ulan. Napinsala po nung earthquake nung 1990 ang kanilang taniman, lalo na yung irrigation facilities, na yung natira po ay tinapos naman ng Pinatubo pagputok kaya karamihan ho ng ating mga kababayan doon ay sahod-ulan umaasa. So, naalala ko po yung isang pagkakataon na matagal na bago nagkaroon ng ulan, biglang umulan, yung akin pong barangay ay per se eh nagsasaka, ang laki po ng tuwa na nakita sa kanyang mukha na tila nabuhayan sila sa pagdating nung ulan at ng tubig na kanyang dinadala. Nang simulan po nating tahakin ang tuwid na landas, dinatnan natin ang isang Pilipinas na mistulang nagdaan sa isang mahabang unos. Dahil sa pagbuhos ng kaliwa‘t kanang korupsyon sa gobyerno, marami sa ating mga institusyon ang nasira‘t naiwang lubog sa kultura ng baluktot na pamamahala. Unti-unti nitong inagos palayo ang serbisyong dapat sana‘y umaabot at natatamasa ng sambayanang Pilipino. Tuloy, ang naikahong kaisipan ng mamamayan: Mahirap, kung hindi man imposible na iahon ang kalunos-lunos na kalagayan ng ating lipunan. Nang pumasok tayo sa pamahalaan, malinaw sa atin ang atas ng taumbayan: bungkalin ang pinaka-ugat ng problema, puksain ang korupsyong kumakain sa bawat butil ng pagkakataon sa kaunlaran ng bansa, at itaguyod ang pundasyon para sa tapat at mabuting pamamahala. Ang tanong po ngayon: Ano na nga ba ang sitwasyon natin sa kasalukuyan? Sa kabila po ng mga pagbabagong naganap sa maraming kawanihan, mayroon pa rin pong hindi natututo, at nananatiling lugmok sa lumang sistema ng katiwalian at kawalang-pananagutan. Habang dumarami ang hanay ng mga lingkod-bayang tapat sa kanilang sinumpaang tungkulin, mayroon pa ring mga kawani‘t pinunong matitigas ang ulo, at itinuturing na libreng tiket sa panlalamang ang pagiging bahagi ng pamahalaan. Sa tuwing dadalo po tayo sa anibersaryo ng mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan, itinuturing natin itong pagkakataon upang magbalik-tanaw sa kalagayan ng kanilang kawanihan. Saan ba tayo nanggaling; at nasaan na ba tayo sa ating misyon bilang isang institusyon? Ngayong araw, habang ipinagdiriwang natin ang ika-limampung taon ng National Irrigation Administration, angkop din lang sigurong balikan at alalahanin ang mandato ng NIA sa taumbayan. Limang dekada na po ang ahensya, at baka po may ilan ditong nakalimutan na ang tunay nilang tungkulin na pangasiwaan at paunlarin ang sistemang pang-irigasyon ng bansa, at maghatid-serbisyo sa mga magsasaka. Simulan po natin sa accomplishment rate ng NIA sa mga pinangakong bagong lupain na mapapatubigan or new areas for irrigation.Unang sipat pa lang po, kapansin-pansin na agad ang problema: mula 2001 hanggang 2009, ni isang beses, ulitin ko po, ni isang beses ayon sa datos na binigay niyo sa amin, hindi naabot ng NIA ang nailatag na taunang target. May mga taon, tulad noong 2005, na sa target ninyong 18,883 hectares, nasa 56 percent o 10,539 hectares lamang ang mga bagong lupaing napatubigan. Noong 2006, nasa 40 percent naman, 8,989 hectares

lamang ang napatubigan mula sa target na 22,639 hectares ng bagong lupain. Suma-total po: sa aspektong ito, nasa 66 percent lang ang accomplishment rate ng NIA, hanggang katapusan ng 2009. Di po ba‘t nakakapagtaka, na sa hinaba-haba ng panahon ng kanilang panunungkulan ay parang hindi nagawan ng kongkretong aksyon ang taun-taong kapalpakang ito? Baka naman po naging bisyo nang mangako at mapako ang pangako. Tumungo naman po tayo sa kasalukuyan. Sa ilalim ng inyong Irrigation Services Development Program, sa target ninyong 37,759 hectares ng bagong lupain na mapatubigan noong 2011 ay 87 percent ang inyo nang natapos o 32,824 hectares. Kung huminto ho yung istorya doon, ako po‘y nakangiti na sana. Ang problema, noong 2012 naman, sa target na 81,170 hectares, 52,372 hectares lang ng bagong lupain o 65 percent ang inyong napatubigan. Bumabalik naman tayo sa line of 6, baka naman bumalik pa tayo sa line of 3. Di po ba, kayo ang nagbigay ng sarili ninyong target? At malinaw na hindi ninyo naabot ang mga ito. Siyempre, ang tanong —bakit? Halos tatlong taon na po tayong magkakasama sa administrasyong ito, at malamang ay kilala na ninyo ako, wala po tayong panahon sa pambobola. Tatapatin ko po kayo: dismayado po… dismayado popa rin ako, dahil hanggang ngayon, lumalabas na kakarampot pa rin ang pagbabagong nangyayari sa National Irrigation Administration. Nasa kalahati na po tayo ng ating termino, at mahirap naman po kung hanggang ngayon hindi mo pa rin alam ang gusto mong gawin. Paano tayo aabot sa gusto nating paroonan. Iniluklok ako ng sambayanan upang bantayan ang kalagayan ng bawat institusyon ng pamahalaan. Pero tao lang din po ako; hindi ako CCTV camera na beinte-kuwatro oras ay kayang magmanman sa kilos ng bawat institusyon ng gobyerno. Pero sa nangyayari ngayon sa NIA, ang pakiramdam ko, kayo pa mismo ang nag-iimbita sa aking bantayan kayo nang maigi. (loud response from the crowd)Sa mga higit na nakakakilala sa akin, alam nilang walang talab sa akin ang anumang pagdadahilan o pagpapalusot. Kaya kung nag-usap tayo, at may ipinangako ka, inaasahan kong tutuparin mo ang binitawan mong salita. Isa pa pong halimbawa, o isang halimbawa, itong matagal nang nakabinbing Balog-Balog Dam Project sa Tarlac, (some reaction from the crowd) na popondohan po sana ng gobyernong Italy noong panahon pa ng aking ina. Noong 1990, nagkaroon ng lindol na sumira nga—nasabi ko sa inyo ulit—sa mga kanal ng irigasyon sa Tarlac. Noong 1991 naman, sumabog ang Pinatubo at nasira ang natitirang bahagi ng sistemang pang-irigasyon. Dagdag pa dito, nagpapalit-palit ng liderato ang Italy, kaya naman naantala ang proyekto. Alam po niyo, panahon po ni Presidente Ramos, sabi niya, hindi economically feasible. Pumasok si Presidente Erap, itinuloy ng bahagya. Pumasok ho si Ginang Arroyo, tinanong sa akin, ―Anong kailangan ng Tarlac?‖ Sabi ko, ―Ipaaral po niyo ‗tong Balog-Balog.‖ Ang sabi niya sa akin, kung hindi ako nagkakamali, ―consider it done.‖ Done na yung project, wala ng aral. Ako na po nakaupo, hindi pa tayo nagga-groundbreaking dito. Sahod-ulan na lang ang inaasahan po ng mga kababayan ko sa Tarlac. Kaya naman napakahalaga ng irigasyon sa Balog-Balog.Tanong po, ngayon na po ay dalawampu‘t isang taon na ang nakalipas mula nang planuhin ang proyekto sa Balog-Balog. Ilang administrasyon na po ang nagdaan? Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ito umuusad. Sa ngayon nga po, pagka-intindi ko, may private proponent na gusto tayong tulungan sa proyektong ito. May flood control na, may irigasyon, at mayroon pang kuryente, at halos wala pong gastosang gobyerno rito. Tatlong taon na po tayo sa termino natin, pero hanggang ngayon, parang wala pa rin hong nangyayari. Ang hirap naman ho ang papamana ko sa mga kababayan ko sa Tarlac pagkatapos ng tatlong taong natitira sa aking termino. Pasensiya na kayo, hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa naintindihan kung bakit walang nangyari diyan. Simple lang naman ho, sulit ba ‗to na pondohan ng gobyerno? Ito ba‘y kapaki-pakinabang sa mamamayan? Kung ang sagot ay ―oo‖, aba‘y dapat gawin na natin. Tama ho ba? (crowd response: ―Tama‖/applause) Kung hindi naman pasado sa mga specification at qualifications para maging government project, eh di ihinto na natin at huwag na nating paasahin ang mga kababayan natin sa hindi darating. Tama po ba? Pero ngayon, nasaan ho ba tayo? Hindi pa maliwanag ‗yun. Ano po ba dapat ang pakinabang nito? Kung sa sahod-ulan, alam po natin, isang harvest cycle lamang ang magagawa ng magsasaka kada taon kung nagtatanim ng palay. Pag may irigasyon, sa loob ng dalawang taon, maiaangat ang harvest cycle sa lima. Ngayon, kung may maayos na irigasyon, sa tatlong taon ng ating panunungkulan, seven and a half harvest cycles ang magagawa ng ating mga magsasaka. Subalit ngayon, tatlong harvest cycles lang ang nagawa. Malinaw namang may 4.5 harvest cycles na naantala na sana‘y napapakinabangan na ng ating mga magsasaka. Bigas na, naging bato pa, sakit nga lang ho dito, pati yung batowala pa ho yata diyan sa Balog-Balog. Ano po ba ang gusto nating isagot sa taumbayan kapag tinanong nilang ―Nasaan na ang mga ipinangako ninyo?‖ Kaya Administrator Nangel, tulungan naman po ninyo akong patunayang kaya itong magawa. Kailangan ko po… Kailan po kaya magiging realidad ang proyekto sa Balog-Balog? Pag-uwi ko po ba sa Tarlac, lalo na pagretiro ko, nakatapos na kaya tayo ng groundbreaking? Malinaw naman po: Kapag gusto, walang imposible. Pero kapag ayaw, lahat imposible. Mahalaga sigurong ipaalala: Itong mga target sa irigasyon ay hindi mga palamuting ikinakabit lamang sa dingding. Bawat target na hindi umuusad ay may kaakibat na mga magsasakang naiiwang nakatingala sa langit, at nauuwi na lamang sa pagdadasal na bumagsak ang tubig-ulan sa kanilang mga nauuhaw na pananim. Sa madaling salita: sa inyo nakasalalay ang katuparan ng mga inisyatibang pang-agrikultura tulad ng pangarap ng bansang maging rice self-sufficient at nakaatang din sa inyong balikat ang pagpapaunlad sa kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka. Itinuturing ko pong magandang pagkakataon itongika-limampung anibersaryo ng National Irrigation Administration upang diligan at payabungin pa ang ating paninindigang isulong ang makabuluhang pagbabago sa inyong institusyon. May tatlong taon pa ang ating administrasyon. Hinihikayat ko kayo, lalo na ang inyong mga pinuno: simulan na ninyo ngayon ang pagbabago sa kawanihang ito. Itaguyod ninyo ang kultura ng kahusayan at serbisyong may pananagutan; diligan ninyo ng mabuting pamamahala‘t katapatan ang bawat proyekto‘t inisyatiba. Ang hangad natin: magtanim ng permanenteng pagbabago sa NIA, at sa bawat institusyon ng gobyerno, di lamang sa loob ng aking termino bilang Pangulo, hindi lamang sa susunod pang limampung taon ng inyong institusyon kung hindi pang-habang panahon. Hindi pa po huli ang lahat. Sa inyong anibersaryo, nawa‘y sumibol ang panibagong pagkakataon upang sama-sama nating mapalago ang kultura ng pagbabagong ating isinusulong sa tuwid na daan. Ulitin ko po, kung medyo tumataas ang presyon ko, tatandaan na natin, bawat proyektong hindi nakumpuni, hindi nagawa, bawat pangakong napako, may magsasakang tuloy ang paghihirap. At ‗yun ay mali, iwasto po niyo.

Magandang hapon po. Maraming salamat sa lahat.

[HOME]

ONLINE NEWS

27 JUNE 2013 1. Statement by DBM Sec. Florencio B. Abad on Jan-May spending performance

2. Ombudsman releases list of govt agencies with the most number of cases filed in 2012

3. 2nd Batch of the Financial Management Seminar in Region 1

4. OFW recruiter in HK offers bogus Canada jobs

5. Approved Foreign Investments increase by 86.7 percent in Q1 2013

6. Purisima: Russia-Asean's untapped potential can be new global growth driver

7. Deadline of CSC exams application set on Aug. 30

8. DOST’s technique for skeletonized leaves colors PH handicraft industry

9. RCOA commercial implementation starts today

10. GPH, CFPD build new peace milestones with ex-rebels’ army integration, firearms disposition

11. PDDCP and CFIP call for submissions to Philippine Green+Design Furniture Competition 2013

12. GSIS memorial planholders may file for refund until August 31

13. DENR asks for public's help to reduce flooding

14. DBP launches 40th reforestation project

15. No missing 900 hectares DAR: Only roads, common areas excluded from distribution in Hacienda

Luisita

16. BSP issues 50-peso commemorative bills to commemorate PDIC’s 50th year

17. Solemnizing officers, other civil registration advocates to convene for 8NCSO

18. Alexander A. Padilla is new PhilHealth President and CEO

19. Indonesian Development Planning Agency visits the PPP center

20. PASCN to hold 17th General Assembly and Annual Symposium in Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City

Statement by DBM Sec. Florencio B. Abad on Jan-May spending performance

Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph

―It‘s clear to us that government spending continues to be robust, backed by improved obligation rates

among key agencies and a stronger fiscal base to support critical expenditures.

―Our performance for the first five months of the year is a strong indicator of the direction we intend to

take for the second semester. We‘re looking at accelerating disbursements further and, more crucially,

ensuring high-impact spending that will translate to direct, immediate, and sustainable benefits to

Filipinos.

―It must also be noted that program budgeting has allowed us to approach expenditures in a strategic

convergent fashion, where projects are no longer funded as standalone initiatives or without any apparent

design. Instead, the budget supports programs comprehensively, and in accordance to the development

priorities set by President Aquino.‖

|TOP|

Ombudsman releases list of govt agencies with the most number of cases filed in 2012

Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph

Local Government Units (LGUs) topped anew the list of government agencies with the most number of

cases that were filed or initiated in 2012 before the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB).

In a report made by the OMB‘s Finance and Management Information Office (OMB-FMIO), a total of

2,669 cases were filed against local government officials in 2012. Of the number, 1,426 were filed with

the OMB-Central; 681 with OMB-Luzon; 207 with OMB-Visayas; 353 with OMB-Mindanao; and two with

the OMB‘s Military and Other Local Enforcement Offices (OMB-Moleo).

In 2011, there were a total of 3,852 cases filed against local government officials, making it also the

number one agency with the most number of cases filed that year.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) also retained its number 2 slot in the list, with 1,415 cases filed in

2012 as opposed to 1,128 cases filed in 2011.

Below is the list of top 20 government agencies with the most number of cases filed in 2012:

1. LGUs 2,669 2. Philippine National Police (PNP) 1,415 3. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 332 4. Dept. of Education (DepEd) 276 5. Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) 197 6. Commission on Higher Education (CHED) 141 7. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 139 8. Dept. of Agrarian Reform (DAR) 121 9. Dept. of Justice (DOJ) 90 10. Bureau of Customs (BOC) 81 11. Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) 77 12. Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) 74 13. Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 73 14. Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) 73 15. Dept. of Health (DOH) 69 16. Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC) 58 17. Land Transportation Office (LTO) 57 18. Dept. of Agriculture (DA) 55 19. Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) 49 20. National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) 39 21. Dept. of Finance (DOF) 38 22 Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) 38

On the other hand, 35 agencies have the least number of cases filed in 2012, namely: West Visayas

State University (WVSU), Tiburcio Tancino Memorial Institute of Science and Technology (TTMIST),

Social Security System (SSS), Siquijor State University (SSU), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation

(Philhealth), Parole and Probation Administration (PPA), Nueva Ecija University of Science and

Technology (NEUST), Negros Oriental State University (NOSU), Naval Water District (NWD), National

Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), Mindanao University of Science and Technology

(MUST), Mindanao State Univeristy Lanao del Norte College of Arts and Trades (MSU-LNCAT), Mindanao

State University – Marawi City (MSU- Marawi City), Midsayap Water District (MWD), Maritime Industry

Authority (MARINA), Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), Koronadal Water District

(KWD), Duty Free Philippine (DFP), Dumangas-Barotac Nuevo Water District (DBNWD), Cultural Center

of the Philippines (CCP), and Bacolod City College (BCC). Only one case was filed against officials of

these agencies in 2012.

There were only two cases filed in 2012 against officials of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center

(VMMC), University of Antique (UA), Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College (TRAC), Philippine State

College of Aeronautics – Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu (PhilSCA - Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu), National Police

Commission (Napolcom), National Food Authority (NFA), National Economic Development Authority

(NEDA), Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD), Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), and Calbayog City

Water District (CCWD).

Meantime, only three cases were filed in 2012 against officers of the Sugar Regulatory Administration

(SRA), Quedancor, Land Registration Authority (LRA), and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

Significantly, certain agencies with only one case filed against their officers in 2011 moved up in the

2012 list. They are: Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), with 36 cases filed against its

officers; Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), 29; Government Service Insurance System

(GSIS), 18; Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), 17; Philippine National Oil Company

(PNOC), 17; Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), 8; Department of

Foreign Affairs (DFA), 7; Senate of the Philippines, 6; and CHR, 3.

The Supreme Court had 27 cases, while the House of Representatives had 17.

|TOP|

2nd Batch of the Financial Management Seminar in Region 1

Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph

The Central and Western Pangasinan likewise the province of La Union‘s OFW Family Circles attended

the Capability Building on Financial Management (Bookkeeping and Accounting) and Strategic Planning

to Key Officers of the Association/Organization on June 10-11, 2013 at the El Jardin Hotel, Lingayen,

Pangasinan and June 13-14, 2013 at the ORT Coop Training Center, City of San Fernando, La Union,

respectively.

As part of the Reintegration Program of the agency, through community organizing, this training was

designed to equip the OFW leaders with the essential knowledge and skills in Financial Management

which is important in handling group and individual projects to augment their group and individual/family

income.

The training is also a way to signify OWWA‘s thrust in empowering the OFW associations as a sector and

as partners in development.

A total of 89 key officers attended the two-day training seminar from the 32 OFW organizations

composing of 41 (26 Females and 15 Males) officers from Central & Western Pangasinan and 48 (43

Females and 5 Males) officers from La Union. Training team from the Department of Trade and Industry

Pangasinan and La Union facilitated the said undertaking, to wit:

Mrs. Ofelia S. Castillo, Trade and Industry Specialist and Consultant for Small-Medium Enterprise,

Province of Pangasinan

Ms. Victoria A. Ordoño, Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist, Province of La Union

Ms. Imelda A. Galano, Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist, Province of La Union

Mr. Joey C. Dela Cruz, Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist and Comprehensive Agrarian

Reform Program Officer, Province of La Union

Mr. Alex F. Ferrer, PESO Manager and Mr. Elizardo Laureta, Migrant Desk Officer of the Province of

Pangasinan graced the activity in Lingayen, Pangasinan and shared words of wisdom to the participants.

On the other hand, OIC Gerardo C. Rimorin and Ms. Rhoda Nilda Placida R. Lee, Chief PSD advised all

the Key Officers to continue doing their best practices as an organization and in providing public service

to their community by joining activities and info-dissemination drive of all government units for the welfare

of their fellow OFWs and their families...their challenge is to become a nominee of Region I and grab the

national title of the Best OFC in the Philippines.

|TOP|

OFW recruiter in HK offers bogus Canada jobs

Source: http://www.poea.gov.ph

A warning to all overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong: The Canada jobs offered by Yamsuan and

Associates Overseas Employment Services Ltd./Pacific Management Services Ltd. are non-existent!

Citing a report from DFA‘s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers‘ Affairs (OUMWA), POEA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac said Yamsuan and Associates has been posting ads in English newspapers in Hong Kong specifically targeting household service workers for supposed jobs in Canada.

―The advertisement says the agency can help them find work in Canada and invites them to an orientation in its office,‖ according to OUMWA.

According to the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, Yamsuan and Associates is owned and operated by a Filipino known only as Mr. Yamsuan and had Filipinos in its staff. Yamsuan has listed its Hong Kong address as 9th Floor, 4-6 Morrison Hill Road, Wanchai.

The OUMWA said at least 44 of the alleged victims of Yamsuan and Associates have filed complaints at the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong. The complainants said Yamsuan charged them placement fees ranging from approximately US$100 to US$300 for ―a job in Canada‖. When the promised jobs did not materialize, the applicants trooped to Yamsuan‘s office, only to find it vacated and non-operational.

The Consulate General urged other victims of Yamsuan and Associates Ltd./Pacific Management Services Ltd. to come forward and file their statements with the Hong Kong police.

Cacdac advised applicants to be more vigilant and discerning in dealing with recruitment firms.

“Scammers with tempting job offers are out there, waiting to pound on unsuspecting applicants who are willing to part with their hard-earned money for a chance to work overseas,” Cacdac said.

|TOP|

Approved Foreign Investments increase by 86.7 percent in Q1 2013

Source: http://www.nscb.gov.ph

Total foreign investments (FI) approved by the seven major investment promotion agencies (IPAs) in the

first quarter of 2013 went up by 86.7 percent to PhP 34.6 billion from PhP 18.5 billion in Q1 2012.

Among the IPAs namely: Board of Investments (BOI), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Philippine

Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) as well as Authority of

the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), BOI-Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BOI-ARMM), and

Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), PEZA registered the highest increase at 157.1 percent,

reaching PhP 32.9 billion in Q1 2013 from PhP 12.8 billion in Q1 2012.

The top three prospective investing countries for the first quarter of 2013 include the British Virgin

Islands, Japan and the Netherlands. The British Virgin Islands topped the list, committing PhP 19.6 billion

or 56.6 percent of the total FI applications for the quarter. Japan and the Netherlands accounted for PhP

5.2 billion or 15.1 percent, and PhP 2.2 billion or 6.3 percent or, respectively.

Accommodation and food service activities became the top industry for the quarter in the amount of PhP

19.5 billion or 56.5 percent of the total FI approvals. Manufacturing sector came in second at PhP 7.6

billion or 22.1 percent, followed by real estate activities with a committed amount of PhP 2.7 billion or 7.7

percent share.

Approved investments of Filipino and foreign nationals increased by 103.0 percent, reaching a total of

PhP 89.4 billion in the first quarter of 2013 from PhP 44.0 billion committed in the same period in 2012.

About 61.3 percent of this amount would be supplied by ventures from Filipino investors. Investment

pledges from Filipino nationals was at PhP 54.8 billion, up by 114.8 percent from PhP 25.5 billion in the

same period in 2012.

Projects from foreign and Filipino investors approved in the first quarter of 2013 are seen to generate

33,746 jobs. Out of these anticipated jobs, 81.8 percent or 27,620 jobs would come from projects with

foreign interest.

LINA V. CASTRO

Officer-in-Charge

Office of the Secretary General

|TOP|

Purisima: Russia-Asean's untapped potential can be new global growth driver

Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph

During the Russia-ASEAN Business Forum held during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum,

Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima urged the Russia-ASEAN Business Council to work towards

maximizing the untapped potential in Russia-ASEAN economic relations.

―I believe that there is substantial potential between ASEAN and Russia that has not yet been tapped.

Our trade between each other, from the ASEAN standpoint, represents less than one per cent, and from

the Russian standpoint, represents just a little over 1.5 per cent‖, Purisima said.

―Our respective traditional markets, US and Europe, are slowing down. We need to start looking to each

other – Russia and ASEAN – as new global growth drivers‖.

Organized by the Russia-ASEAN Business Council with support from the Chamber of Commerce and

Industry of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russia-ASEAN Business

Forum brought together key business leaders from Russia and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council to

discuss opportunities for closer economic and business relations between Russia and ASEAN.

―ASEAN presents a huge potential for Russia. With its young population, expanding middle class, rising

consumer spending, and increased investments in infrastructure, ASEAN will be growing in the next

couple of years and Russian business would be wise to take part of this amazing growth story‖, added

Purisima.

Joining Secretary Purisima in the forum were Mr. Georgy Petrov, Vice President of the Chamber of

Commerce and Industry of Russia, Dr. Nam Viyketh, Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr. Alexey

Repik, Co-Chairman of Business Russia Association, Ms. Fauziah Talib, Chair of the ASEAN Business

Advisory Council and Mr. Aleksandr Ruchyov, President of Morton Group, one of Russia‘s largest

infrastructure companies.

|TOP|

Deadline of CSC exams application set on Aug. 30

Source: http://excell.csc.gov.ph

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is currently accepting applications for the second Career Service

Examinations Paper-and-Pencil Test (CSE-PPT) of this year in both the Professional and Sub-

Professional levels slated October 13.

Applicants should file their applications at any of the CSC regional or field office. Deadline for the

submission of applications is Aug. 30. However, acceptance of applications may be closed once target

number of applicants has already been reached.

The Career Service Examination is a general ability test designed to measure an individual‘s

preparedness to enter government service. The examinations cover the subject areas of English, Filipino,

and General Information, which includes items on the Philippine Constitution, Code of Conduct and

Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act No. 6713), Peace and Human Rights

Issues and Concepts, and Environment Management and Protection. To pass, examinees should get a

general rating of at least 80 percent.

Applicant must (a) be a Filipino citizen; (b) must be at least 18 years on the date of the filing of the

application; (c) must be of good moral character; (d) must have not been convicted by final judgment of

an offense or crime involving moral turpitude, or disgraceful or immoral conduct, dishonesty, examination

irregularity, drunkenness, or addiction to drugs; (e) must not have been dishonorably discharged from

military service, or dismissed for cause from any civilian positions in the government; and (f) must not

have taken the same level of CSC Examination in less than three months.

Examinees should submit the following: (a) a fully-accomplished application form with the spaces for

―Signature of Applicant‖ and ―Right Thumb Mark‖ left blank; (b) four copies of identical ID pictures in

accordance with the specifications on the CSC‘s website; (c) original and photocopy of any valid ID

containing applicant‘s clear picture, date of birth, signature, and signature of the authorized head of the

issuing agency (ex. driver‘s license, SSS ID, etc.); and examination fee of P500. Application forms are

available in the CSC‘s regional and field offices and in the CSC‘s website (www.csc.gov.ph).

For further questions and inquiries on the CSE-PPT, call the CSC at (02) 931-7939, (02) 931-7935, and

(02) 931-8092, or the Contact Center ng Bayan at 1-6565, or send an e-mail to

webmaster@webmail.csc.gov.ph, or text 0917-TEXTCSC (0917-8398272). Examinees may also inquire

at any CSC regional or field office nearest them or visit the Central Office at Batasang Pambansa

Complex, Diliman, Quezon City.

|TOP|

DOST’s technique for skeletonized leaves colors PH handicraft industry

Source: http://www.dost.gov.ph

Starting in the late 1990s, the arresting beauty of skeletonized leaves has captured the imagination of

local handicraft artists and clients. The items have become a popular material for accenting stationery,

packaging, lighting fixtures, furniture and all sorts of decorative and novelty products.

The efforts of the Department of Science and Technology‘s Forest Products Research and Development

Institute (DOST-FPRDI) have been a big help in popularizing skeletonized leaves. Over the last decade,

the Institute has trained around 1,500 people nationwide on a new method of leaf skeletonizing.

Up close, the leaf skeleton is made up of a complex of very fine veins, the intricate patterns of which rival

those of expensive laces.

Says Mr. Cesar O. Austria, Senior Science Research Specialist of DOST-FPRDI‘s Technical Services

Division, ―Using the old technique, heavily-veined leaves are skeletonized by soaking them in cold water

for three to five weeks or burying them in mud until their fleshy pulp has dissolved and only the veins

remain.‖

―FPRDI modified this procedure and came up with a faster, easier version. One simply boils fresh leaves

in caustic soda solution until the soft tissues are dissolved and only the skeletons remain. These are then

bleached to remove their natural color and prepare them for dyeing.‖

Salay Handmade Paper Industries, Inc. (SHAPII), one of the country‘s top exporters of handmade paper

products, uses leaf skeletons to decorate their greeting cards, fans, frames, notebooks and boxes.

SHAPII is a multi-awarded company that ships its products to major markets in the US and Europe. It is

known for its eco-friendly practices and for providing jobs to many men and women in the town of Salay

in Misamis Oriental, according to Austria.

―Skeletonized leaves are certainly a welcome addition to the raw material stock of the handicraft industry

and DOST-FPRDI is happy to have helped the many small and very small shops all over the country

which now make them using the newer technique,‖ observes Austria.

Worldwide, the country continues to be a leader in handicraft production. According to Mr. Dennis Orlina

of the Philippine Chamber of Handicraft Industries, Inc. (PCHI), our exporters plan to tap new markets in

South America, Africa, Russia and Vietnam as they aim for a 10-percent growth in shipments this year.

Last year, Philippine handicraft exports were estimated to have reached US$130 million.

For those interested in the new technique of producing skeletonized leaves may contact DOST-FPRDI at

63 495362360 (telephone) or 63 495363630 (telefax) or email fprdi@dost.gov.ph.

Skeletonized leaves and other handicrafts that have improved quality due to DOST‘s technology

intervention will be on exhibit during the National Science and Technology Week, 23-27 July 2013 at the

SMX Convention Center. Also called the ―ExpoScience 2013‖, the NSTW will feature various fora,

technology demonstrations, quiz shows and other exciting events for everyone. Entrance is free and most

of the events are open to the general public.

|TOP|

RCOA commercial implementation starts today

Source: http://www.doe.gov.ph

(Taguig City) – End-users with electricity demand of one megawatt (1000 kW) or more may now opt to

avail power from their chosen supplier of electricity as the commercial implementation of the Retail

Competition and Open Access (RCOA) takes effect today.

RCOA was declared last 26 December 2012 after all the preconditions contained in Republic Act 9136 or

the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) have been met. EPIRA provides for the

restructuring framework of the electric power industry towards RCOA and aims to ensure transparent and

reasonable prices of electricity in a regime of free and fair competition. Since then, a transition period for

all stakeholders has been set in place to prepare the industry for the changes brought about by RCOA.

With RCOA, ―contestable customers‖ or those consuming one MW and up with a duly issued Certificate

of Contestability by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) now have several options in securing

power supply for their needs: directly contract power either through Retail Electricity Supplier (RES) or

the Local RES. The RES are entities licensed by the ERC to sell electricity to the Contestable Customers.

To provide adequate time for Contestable Customers who failed to negotiate for a Retail Supply Contract

with a RES or Local RES, the Department of Energy (DOE) and ERC jointly issued the policy for the

existing distribution utilities to continue service these customers. Moreover, both the DOE and ERC have

collaborated to avoid the disconnection of Contestable Customers or be served by the Supplier of Last

Resort (SOLR). The SOLR may source electricity to be supplied to the Contestable Customers through

the WESM or any available source of energy supply.

Electricity end-users consuming 750 kW and below will remain to be the ―Captive Customers‖ of their

respective distribution utilities. However, based on EPIRA, two years after the implementation of RCOA,

the threshold level will be reduced to 750 kW. Further reductions on the threshold of contestability will be

based on the market assessment of the ERC with the goal in the coming years that the required power

consumption level thresholds reaches the household level.

―We would like to thank all the energy stakeholders for their utmost support in making RCOA a reality.

We hope that with this mechanism, people will feel more empowered in terms of access to electricity so

they can make better energy choices,‖ DOE Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said.

The DOE assures the public of its continuous monitoring of the developments in the RCOA

implementation and will issue the necessary policies to ensure greater benefits to all stakeholders and to

the industry as whole.

|TOP|

GPH, CFPD build new peace milestones with ex-rebels’ army integration, firearms disposition

Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph

Gamu, Isabela – Honoring the commitments they forged two years ago, the government and the

Cordillera Forum on Peace and Development (CFPD), formerly known as Cordillera People‘s Liberation

Army (CPLA), have created new peace milestones with the integration into the army of former CPLA

members and their next of kin as well as the turnover of their firearms to the government.

―We take this commitment very seriously. We see the event today as government demonstrating its

fidelity to the promises it has made under the Closure Agreement and its capacity to honor lives and

futures lost in past struggles,‖ said Undersecretary Maria Cleofe Gettie Sandoval of the Office of the

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

The ceremonial opening of the CFPD candidate soldiers‘ army training was complemented with the

symbolic disposition of firearms turned in by the former combatants on Wednesday at the 5th Infantry

Division (ID) Grandstand in Camp Melchor Dela Cruz. Joining Sandoval were CFPD Chair Arsenio

Humiding, Philippine Army (PA) Chief Lieutenant General Noel Coballes, and 5th ID Commander Major

Gen. Joel Ibanez.

―We hope it will spur increased confidence among all stakeholders in government‘s serious intent and

capacity not only in concluding peace agreements but, as important, in fully implementing whatever it

signs,‖ Sandoval added.

The Undersecretary explained that the integration of former CPLA members and their next of kin into the

army forms part of the livelihood component of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between

the government and the CPLA, together with its political wing Cordillera Bodong Administration, in July

2011. Also provided in the MOA is the disposition of arms and forces as part of the CBA-CPLA‘s

transformation into a socio-economic, unarmed organization.

Humiding described these milestones as the fruits of their commitment to the government.

―It is a commitment we pledged to the government in the agreement,‖ he said. ―Nakikita ng CPLA, lalong

lalo na ng kolektibong liderato ng high command ng CPLA, na kapag napausad natin itong programa,

yung mga susunod na di pa natin naipatupad ay maipapatupad na natin (The CPLA, especially the

collective leadership of its high command, sees that if we can move this program forward, those that have

not yet been implemented will already be implemented).‖

A total of 168 candidate soldiers were accepted as trainees. They are set to begin their orientation and

internalization process in the Division Training School.

Jordan Iwangga, one of the candidates, said it has always been his dream to become a soldier. ―Gusto

kong makatulong para sa kapayapaan ng bansa natin (I want to help promote peace in our country),‖ he

stated.

The 25-year-old son of former CPLA rebels from Kalinga related how hard it was to grow up with both of

his parents rarely at home. ―One year old pa lang po ako nang nag-CPLA ang mga magulang ko.

Mahirap na palaging wala ang mga magulang. Andun yung parang napapabayaan na kayo (I was only

one year old when my parents joined the CPLA. It is difficult when parents are always gone. There were

those times of feeling neglected).‖

With the signing of the MOA in 2011, however, Iwangga felt proud as he considered this historic

breakthrough a result of his parents' and other CPLA rebels‘ struggles to achieve the peace and

development that Cordillerans have been aspiring for. ―Noong nagkapirmahan na ng MOA, nag-desisyon

na ako na sumali sa integration program (When the MOA was signed, I decided to join the integration

program),‖ he said.

PA Chief Lt. Gen. Coballes congratulated in his speech the new candidate soldiers. ―Today marks the

next chapter of your lives as you begin your training as army soldiers and become an instrument to win

peace for yourselves, for your families, for the Filipino people, and for our great nation.‖

Coballes said that their entrance into the service goes beyond than just having a job and getting paid. ―It

is a commitment for your honorable service to the Filipino nation. Ito ay hindi lamang tingnan bilang isang

trabaho na magbibigay sa atin ng sweldo (Don't look at it as just a job that will provide a salary).‖

The 168 trainees are composed of 147 males and 21 females. Thirty-three are college degree holders,

including a registered nurse.

|TOP|

PDDCP and CFIP call for submissions to Philippine Green+Design Furniture Competition 2013

Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph

To recognize the exceptional skills of Filipino designers and design students in creating excellent

furniture eco-design concepts, the Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines (PDDCP)

and the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines (CFIP) have officially launched ―2013

Philippine Green+Design Furniture Competition". The contest is now open for both professional and

student categories.

The competition has four objectives: (1) promote green design to Filipino furniture manufacturers,

designers, and design students; (2) promote utilization of sustainable materials as components or in

combination with other materials for the furniture; (3) develop green furniture standards that will suit the

domestic and international markets; and (4) create consumer awareness and interest on green furniture.

The electronic copy of the official entry form is now ready for download at the PDDCP and CFIP

websites. The deadline for submission of entries is on July 25, 2013. You may visit PDDCP for more

information about the competition.

|TOP|

GSIS memorial planholders may file for refund until August 31

Source: http://www.gsis.gov.ph

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) memorial planholders have until August 31, 2013 to

request to convert their plans to cash not lower than the contract price.

Dubbed GSIS Enhanced Optional Exit Mechanism (EOEM), the program allows planholders to refund

their cash payments depending on the type of their memorial plan.

The GSIS said EOEM is being implemented to protect the planholders from memorial servicing problems

that may arise in the future, adding that the cash refund will enable the planholders to pay for their other

expenses.

Holders of the GSIS Genesis Flexi Plan may refund 150 percent of the plan's contract price; those of

Genesis Plus Plan may refund 125 percent; and Genesis Plan and Genesis Special Plan, 100 percent.

Interested planholders must bring to the nearest GSIS branch office the fully accomplished application

form; original and photocopy of the memorial plan agreement or affidavit of loss; original and photocopy

of the planholder's two valid government-issued IDs; and certificate of full payment, if any.

According to GSIS, once planholders avail of EOEM, their memorial plans will be automatically

terminated.

Application forms are available at any GSIS branch office or may be downloaded here.

For further clarifications on the exit mechanism, planholders may call the GSIS Contact Center at 847-

4747.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Enhanced Optional Exit Mechanism for GSIS Memorial

Planholders

|TOP|

DENR asks for public's help to reduce flooding

Source: http://www.denr.gov.ph

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) appealed to the public anew to help

reduce flooding by avoiding indiscriminate throwing or dumping of waste along streets and waterways.

The appeal came days after several parts of Metro Manila submerged in flood which, aside from heavy

rains, was also due to garbage clogging the drainage systems of the metropolis.

DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje said this could only mean that many residents are still in the habit of

haphazardly disposing waste that blocks water courses causing flooding.

―While there are many contributory factors to these floods, we should also remember that each of us who

contributes to the garbage that ends up in our streets and waterways are equally guilty of contributing to

these floods,‖ Paje said.

Despite such observation, Paje said the DENR will never get tired of reminding the public of the

importance of proper solid waste management, particularly waste segregation at source.

He pointed out that by segregating their waste at home people will help reduce not only the waste sent to

landfills, but also the uncollected trash that ends up clogging drainage systems and waterways.

The environment chief lamented that a lot of people still practice the old bad way of mixing together all

types of waste and just leave the segregation to garbage collectors.

"With the 'no segregation, no collection' policy of many local government units, the uncollected trash bags

filled with mixed waste are often left out on the streets, and their contents are scattered by scavengers,

stray animals and the wind," Paje explained.

"These eventually end up in waterways, gutters or drains, aggravating floods that often come with heavy,

prolonged rains," he added.

Paje urged the public to always follow the basic principles of good solid waste management, which is to

reuse, reduce and recycle, and segregate waste according to biodegradable and non-biodegradable.

―It may seem like such a small thing to know where you throw your trash, but this requires a conscious

effort for each individual, a change in lifestyle that collectively redounds to a greater good,‖ Paje stressed.

He also called on local government leaders, particularly barangay officials, to regularly conduct cleanup

drives within their communities as required by Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste

Management Act of 2000.

"More than being an eyesore, waste that clogs the waterways can also cause them to be stagnant,

thereby becoming breeding grounds for disease-carrying vectors. Let us also remember the old adage

that cleanliness is next to godliness," he said.

For its part, the DENR has been working in partnership with the private sector in reviving major creeks

and rivers through its "Adopt-an-Estero" program.

"While the main purpose of the program is to prevent garbage in tributaries from ending up in major water

bodies like the Manila Bay, other activities such as desiltation and surface cleanup also help minimize

flash floods in surrounding communities,‖ Paje pointed out.

As of May this year, more than 200 water bodies and waterways nationwide have already been adopted

by private companies under the DENR program.

|TOP|

DBP launches 40th reforestation project

Source: https://www.dbp.ph

State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) recently launched its 40th DBP Forest project in

Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro as part of efforts to protect the environment.

The project covers 200 hectares of upland reforestation that will rehabilitate areas within the Bongabong

watershed. The project will also translate to reduced soil erosion, water conservation, increased

biodiversity, habitat protection and livelihood opportunities for people in the community. Half of the forest

area will be planted with fruit trees like mango, durian, lanzones and rambutan while the other half will be

planted with forest trees like yemane, narra, acacia mangium and bamboo.

The project was launched recently with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DBP

and the Forsihama Community Based Forest Management Association (CBFM), the people‘s

organization which has 165 members/ families that will be directly benefited by the project. Under the

MOA, DBP will shoulder the cost of planting materials as well as maintenance and operating expenses

while CBFM will be in charge of the continuous planting and monitoring of the project.

Other partners in the project are the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the

local government of Bongabong. DENR will contribute in terms of site identification, survey and mapping

as well as conduct of training and seminars to the people‘s organization, while LGU Bongabong will help

through validation and monitoring of the project.

The DBP Forest program is a non-credit program that aims to stop denudation and restore the country‘s

forest cover through organized collaboration with government and non-government organizations, state

universities and colleges, people‘s organizations and other qualified forest partners. Some of the DBP

Forest projects are located in Cagayan, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, Bulacan, Bataan, Palawan,

Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, Iloilo, Leyte, Northern Samar, Leyte, Agusan del Norte, and Sarangani.

|TOP|

No missing 900 hectares DAR: Only roads, common areas excluded from distribution in Hacienda

Luisita

Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph

All farm lots covered by the Supreme Court‘s directive on the Hacienda Luisita case will be distributed to

qualified beneficiaries.

This was the assurance given by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), which disputed the charge

from a farmers‘ organization that the total area of farm lots to be distributed is 900 hectares less than

what the Supreme Court ordered.

―There are no missing 900 hectares as alleged by AMBALA (Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa

Asyenda Luisita),‖ said DAR Undersecretary for Operations Joe Grageda.

Grageda surmised that AMBALA may have based its computation on the Notices of Land Valuation and

Acquisition (NLVAs) that were posted by DAR in all barangays of Hacienda Luisita as required by law.

The NLVAs posted so far, he said, represent only the initial landholdings valued by Land Bank covering

around 3,300 hectares.

―The documentation for the remaining area will be completed as soon as the segregation plans prepared

by the private survey firm hired by DAR are approved by LRA (Land Registration Authority). Land Bank

will then finish the valuation of the remaining lots as a matter of course, after which DAR will also post the

NLVAs for these landholdings,‖ the DAR Undersecretary explained.

Grageda further noted that the private survey firm had conducted the consolidation and subdivision

survey on a total of 5,149 hectares in Hacienda Luisita.

Of the area surveyed, the 500 hectares of the converted area and 80.51 hectares covered by SCTEX

were not subject to distribution based on the Supreme Court‘s final decision in the Hacienda Luisita case.

Furthermore, roughly 468.49 hectares were excluded from distribution to qualified beneficiaries. These

areas cannot be distributed to individual beneficiaries because of their current use. Excluded from

distribution are residential areas, canals, roads, firebreaks, cemetery, buffer zones, lagoons, fishponds,

eroded areas, and legal easements.

―While non-farm lots such as roads, firebreaks, fishponds, lagoons, and canals were excluded from

distribution, they will still be covered under CARP for common use of qualified beneficiaries,‖ Grageda

pointed out.

―These areas will remain under RP title and will serve as common areas for beneficiaries,‖ he added.

Minus the common areas, Grageda noted that a total of 4,099 hectares of farm lots would be distributed

to more than 6,000 qualified beneficiaries in Hacienda Luisita.

The DAR, he also noted, had just finished finalizing the mechanics of allocating farm lots for those who

qualified as beneficiaries in the country‘s biggest sugar estate.

Prior to this, the DAR had wrapped up the most contentious stages in land distribution process, which

include the identification of qualified beneficiaries, segregation survey, and subdivision survey.

Grageda stressed that the DAR has finished almost 90 percent of its job as far as land distribution is

concerned, noting that what remains to be completed are technical matters such as lot allocation,

generation of land titles and Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs), and the actual distribution of

land.

Grageda said the DAR remains confident of being able to distribute the land to qualified beneficiaries by

the middle of the year.

Earlier, the DAR also belied AMBALA‘S accusation that the land distribution in Hacienda Luisita will be

delayed due to the deadlock in selecting the accounting firm that will conduct the special audit on

pertinent financial records of Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) and the Centenary Holdings Inc. (CHI).

DAR Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Anthony Parungao, for his part, appealed to AMBALA to refrain

from making false accusations based on unfounded fears, baseless rumors, or incomplete information,

saying these statements only lead to confusion among farmworkers in Hacienda Luisita.

―The DAR will distribute the land to qualified beneficiaries in Hacienda Luisita in accordance with law and

based on the Supreme Court directive. There is no need to create artificial issues such as so-called

missing hectares, or the delay in the land distribution schedule supposedly due to the current impasse on

the special audit,‖ Parungao said.

Parungao explained that the process of land distribution in Hacienda Luisita is distinct and separate from

the special purpose audit of pertinent financial records of Hacienda Luisita, Inc. and Centennary

Holdings, Inc.

Parungao stressed that the DAR, through the Office of the Solicitor General, filed last May 27 the Urgent

Motion with the Supreme Court to clarify various issues arising from the special purpose audit ordered by

the latter of the pertinent financial records of Hacienda Luisita, Inc. (HLI) and Centennary Holdings, Inc.

(CHI).

The DAR‘s move was prompted by the recent impasse in the process to select a reputable accounting

firm to conduct the said special audit, and the disagreement among the parties in the Hacienda Luisita

case on which firm should be selected, after a vote on 17 May 2013 was conducted on a motion to

disqualify two of the three interested accounting firms.

DAR officials maintained that the special audit on HLI and CHI, with respect to the gross proceeds arising

from the conversion of two lots with an area of 500 hectares and the expropriation of a portion for

SCTEX, cannot proceed unless all the parties involved in the case have agreed on the accounting firm

that will undertake this task. They also rued the missed opportunity arising from the schedule and

process for the special audit that was previously agreed by the parties, as following this would have

already resulted in an accounting firm having been selected on May 31, 2013.

―We went to the Supreme Court with the aim of moving the process of special audit forward,‖ Parungao

stressed.

|TOP|

BSP issues 50-peso commemorative bills to commemorate PDIC’s 50th year

Source: http://www.pdic.gov.ph

P50 COMMEMORATIVE BILL. As a fitting tribute to 50 years of providing protection to the depositing

public and helping maintain financial stability, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has circulated P50

commemorative bills highlighting the golden anniversary of state deposit insurer Philippine Deposit

Insurance Corporation (PDIC) and its customer philosophy, ―Committed to Serve‖.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has issued for public circulation P50 commemorative bills bearing

the logo of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) and its 50th anniversary theme,

―Committed to Serve‖, to commemorate PDIC‘s golden anniversary.

The PDIC is the government entity mandated to provide depositor protection and help maintain stability in

the financial system.

The P50-commemorative bill was launched during the PDIC-hosted International Conference on

―Financial Inclusion: Challenges and Issues for the Deposit Insurer‖ on June 20, 2013, a gathering of

deposit insurance experts from various deposit insurance jurisdictions and multilateral organizations

worldwide. Department of Finance Secretary and Chairman of the PDIC Board of Directors Cesar V.

Purisima was the Conference's keynote speaker.

The BSP issues commemorative bills to observe significant events of national interest. The P50-

commemorative bills aim to raise public awareness on the PDIC and deposit insurance.

|TOP|

Solemnizing officers, other civil registration advocates to convene for 8NCSO

Source: http://www.census.gov.ph

The National Statistics Office (NSO) calls on all solemnizing officers and other civil registration advocates

and stakeholders to participate in the 8th National Convention of Solemnizing Officers (8NCSO) on

August 6-8, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City.

Anchored on the theme ―Civil Registration: Bringing Public Service Closer to the People‖, this year‘s

convention aims to be a venue for exchange of ideas and sharing of experiences among solemnizing

officers, mayors, members of the judiciary, civil registrars and other stakeholders.

Among the topics to be discussed are updates on marriage laws, recent jurisprudence affecting

marriages, updates on marriage registration procedures, and updates on the registration of the authority

of solemnizing officers.

The NCSO is a biennial convention spearheaded by the NSO. The last NCSO was held in August 2011 in

Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

Those who are interested to attend the 8NCSO may contact Ms. Editha R. Orcilla, Chairperson, Program

and Invitation Committee at telephone number 926-1075 or via email at E.Orcilla@census.gov.ph. Other

details may be obtained from the NSO Regional and Provincial Offices.

|TOP|

Alexander A. Padilla is new PhilHealth President and CEO

Source: http://www.philhealth.gov.ph

THE Board of Directors of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has unanimously

elected Alexander A. Padilla as PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

In its recent meeting, the Board elected Padilla who was earlier given a seat as representative of the

Employer Sector and at the same time nominated by President Benigno S. Aquino III to the highest

executive position of the state-run health insurance agency.

Under the new rules set by the Governance Commission for Government Owned or Controlled

Corporations, heads of government-run corporations are chosen from among and by the members of

their respective boards.

Since 2010, Padilla served as PhilHealth's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and at

the same time the Government‘s Chief Peace Negotiator with the National Democratic Front. He

assumes the post held by Health Secretary and PhilHealth Board Chair Dr. Enrique T. Ona who acted as

Officer-in-charge of the Corporation.

The move was seen to further boost the implementation of Universal Health Care or Kalusugang

Pangkalahatan wherein PhilHealth plays an active role as provider of financial risk protection through

social health insurance. The UHC aims to provide all Filipinos, regardless of creed and station in life, with

access to quality health care.

"With Alex Padilla at the helm of PhilHealth, we are assured of continued reforms to make sure that the

Corporation achieves its mandate, that all Filipinos are provided with affordable, adequate, available and

accessible health care financed through a sustainable National Health Insurance Program" said Ona of

Padilla's election.

Padilla graduated Cum Laude from De La Salle University with Bachelor of Arts in History major in

Political Science and minor in Philosophy. He was President of the Law Student Government and Chair

of the UP Law Students Rights and Welfare Party (STRAW) during his post-graduate studies where he

also finished eighth of Batch 1981 and subsequently passed and accepted in the Rolls and the Bar on the

same year.

Before joining PhilHealth, he also served in different capacities such as Undersecretary at the

Department of Health, Senior State Prosecutor at the Department of Justice, Special Prosecutor at the

Office of the Ombudsman, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Interior and Local Government,

Commissioner at the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs,

among others.

|TOP|

Indonesian Development Planning Agency visits the PPP center

Source: http://ppp.gov.ph

A delegation from the Indonesian Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS), headed by Dir. Tuti

Riyati of the Planning and Enhancing Development Funding, visited the Public-Private Partnership Center

of the Philippines on June 25, 2013.

Currently in the process of reviewing its approach to PPP project development, including the structure of

its Project Development Facility, the BAPPENAS recognized the achievements of the Philippine PPP

Program, particularly the PPP Center-managed Project Development and Monitoring Facility (PDMF).

―If we look at the timelines, the Philippines has started the PPP Program a little later (than Indonesia), but

you are (now) far ahead in terms of project development and milestones‖, said Mr. Edimon Ginting,

Deputy Country Director of the ADB-Indonesia Resident Mission. He added that such may be attributed

to the legal frameworks and institutional arrangements that are currently working to ensure smooth PPP

processes.

The delegation‘s visit is part of the Indonesian Government‘s efforts to enhance its capacity in project

management in line with the Asian Development Bank‘s technical assistance in ―Strengthening Capacity

and Knowledge Management in the National Development Planning Agency to Enhance Projects‘

Effectiveness‖.

The Philippines is likewise a recipient of an ADB Capacity Development and Technical Assistance to

strengthen PPPs in the country.

―We at the PPP Center are committed to sharing our knowledge and achievements… This is our way of

giving back to our development partners who have been very supportive to us and the Philippine PPP

Program from the very beginning,‖ said PPP Center Executive Director Cosette Canilao.

The Ministry of National Development Planning is the ministry in charge of the Government of Indonesia‘s

national development planning matters. This is equivalent to the Philippines‘ National Economic and

Development Authority (NEDA).

|TOP|

PASCN to hold 17th General Assembly and Annual Symposium in Xavier University, Cagayan de

Oro City

Source: http://www.pids.gov.ph

The Philippine APEC Study Center Network`s 17th General Assembly and Annual Symposium are set to

kick-off on June 28 at the Little Theatre, Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City.

The symposium, which has the theme `Resiliency of Local Economies to Natural Disasters`, is being

organized by Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan in partnership with PASCN and will be held from 8:00

am to 12 noon. It intends to highlight the capacities and initiatives of local governments and the economic

sector in reducing the risks associated with natural disasters and in improving their adaptation and

recovery. The passage of Republic Act 9729, also known as the Climate Change Act of 2009, established

the legal and institutional framework for climate change governance and mainstreaming climate resilience

into government mandates across sectors.

In a broader regional perspective, emergency preparedness is one of the key elements of the human

security agenda of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). In 2009, APEC Leaders reaffirmed

the importance of enhancing human security and reducing the threat of disruptions to business and trade

in the Asia-Pacific region. APEC`s Emergency Preparedness Working Group was formed to address this

issue and to play a constructive role in enabling the region to better prepare for and respond to

emergencies and disasters. Climate change and disaster risk management is also one of five proposed

areas of priority for the Philippines for the 2015 APEC Summit.

The PASCN was established in 1996 through an administrative order as the Philippines` response to the

APEC Leaders Education Initiative which aims to develop regional cooperation in higher education and

research. It is composed of 10 member institutions, namely, the Asian Institute of Management, Ateneo

De Manila University, Central Luzon State University, De La Salle University, Mindanao State University,

Silliman University, University of Asia and the Pacific, University of San Carlos, University of the

Philippines, Xavier University, Department of Foreign Affairs-Foreign Service Institute, and the Philippine

Institute for Development Studies, which serves as PASCN`s lead agency and secretariat.

|TOP|

Last Updated: 27 JUNE 2013

Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy

Please click on thumbnails to magnify

President Benigno S. Aquino III administers the oath of office to newly-elected officials (LP) Congressional Representatives during the oathtaking ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (June 27). (Photo by: Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with newly sworn in officials Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Atty. Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo and daughters Patricia, Jillian Therese and Jessica Marie “Aika” and Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II for a group photo souvenir during the oathtaking ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (June 27). (Photo by: Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau/ (Photo by: Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulates newly sworn in officials Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Atty. Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo during the oathtaking ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (June 27). In photo is Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II. (Photo by: Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with newly sworn in Senators Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Cynthia Villar, Alan Peter “Compañero” Cayetano and Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, for a group photo souvenir during the oathtaking ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (June 27). (Photo by: Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III administers the oath of office to newly-elected Senators (from left), Alan Peter “Compañero” Cayetano, Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV and Cynthia Villar, during the oathtaking ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (June 27). (Photo by: Ryan Lim / Lauro Montellano, Jr. /

Malacañang Photo Bureau/ Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the 40th Founding Anniversary of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) at the Assembly Hall of the DAP Building in San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City on Thursday (June 27). The President extolled DAP’s role in providing necessary skills and experience for Filipino public managers whom he considers as his partners in managing the development process of his administration. He also challenged DAP to continue refocusing its programs in creating conditions in empowering the people and the public executives. In photo are National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and DAP president Antonio Kalaw, Jr. (Photo by: Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau/ Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) president Antonio Kalaw, Jr. during the 40th Founding Anniversary of the DAP at the Assembly Hall of the DAP Building in San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City on Thursday (June 27). The President extolled DAP’s role in providing necessary skills and experience for Filipino public managers whom he considers as his partners in managing the development process of his administration. He also challenged DAP to continue refocusing its programs in creating conditions in empowering the people and the public executives. (Photo by: Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the 40th Founding Anniversary of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) at the Assembly Hall of the DAP Building in San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City on Thursday (June 27). The President extolled DAP’s role in providing the necessary skills and experience for Filipino public managers whom he considers as his partners in managing the development process of his administration. He also challenged DAP to continue refocusing its programs in creating conditions in empowering the people and the public executives. In photo are National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and DAP president Antonio Kalaw, Jr. (Photo by: Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau/ Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

Thank You and God Bless !!!!