Manila, PHILIPPINES Nov. 7-14, 2011 Vol 1 No 22

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1st-APLUMA

SMC’s RSA is philanthropist of the year P3

Aquino transfersLWUA supervi-sion to DPWH P2

Stop ‘double-your-moneyscheme ofbanks P3

Now showingUS interest inMindanaoEDITORIAL

P4

Challenged bysurvey, DENRvows to im-prove perfor-mance P5

JOHN 3:16

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Malacanang says gov’t determinedto pursue lawless elements in Minda

Malacanang reiterated that the Aquino administration would continue to run after all thelawless elements in Mindanao, and warned that those who are coddling them would beheld liable.

In a phone patch interview on Tuesday in Malacanang Presidential Deputy Spokesper-

son Abigail Valte maintained that the government is determined to pursue lawless elementsbut not the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as “an entity.”

“We have made it clear from the start na ‘yung pagtugis sa mga lawless elements hindi

Makati businesses urgedto renew permits early

to avoid penaltiesThe city government of Makati urges business

establishments to apply for the annual renewal of theirpermits and licenses for 2012 to avoid the rush andpenalties.

The city’s Business Permits Office (BPO)said that theywere ready to process renewal and advance assessmentof businesses with fixed income starting next week, Nov.2, 2011.

Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay issued the call, sayingthat availing themselves of the advance renewal of theirbusiness permits for 2012 would save precious time andeffort for business owners, which would otherwise bespent queuing up in long lines, especially during deadlineperiod.

The mayor enjoined the cooperation of the businesssector in ensuring smooth and worry-free transactions,particularly in paying their taxes and permits, as the citycontinues to innovate ways to provide the public withefficient and excellent service.

Binay said the processing of both new applications andrenewal of business license and permit with completerequirements only takes one day at the city’s one-stop-shop business center located at the ground floor of MakatiCity Hall.

Starting Wednesday, Nov. 2, the BPO will startaccepting renewal applications and advance assessmentof those with fixed income or assets like dental/medicalclinics, sari-sari stores, real estate lessors, law offices &

other practice of profession, cooperatives, commoncarriers, representative offices or non-stock/non-profit, and regional and operating headquarters.

Makati BPO head Atty. Eleno Mendoza Jr. saidthey expect to process some 30,000 permits forrenewal, which is an increase of about 12 to 15percent from the current 25,928 businessesregistered this year. For the first half of this year,from January to June, the BPO registered 2,256new business applications, and the number isexpected to double by next year.

Deadline of payment for renewal and newbusiness permits and licenses is on January 20,2012. Late filing shall be meted with penalties andsurcharges as prescribed under the Revised MakatiRevenue Code and City Ordinance No. 2004-A-025.

Mendoza said through the campaign, they wantto motivate taxpayers to settle their dues promptlyinstead of rushing to beat the deadline, as the city isnot inclined to grant amnesty on late payments or toextend the deadline.

However, he said that weeks prior to thedeadline, service booths would set up at the cityhall grounds to accommodate the applicants, withrepresentatives from the 33 barangays on hand toprovide the necessary clearances, as well ascommunity tax certificates.

Schools havesafeguards onuse of asbestos-- DEPED

The Department of Education assuresthe public that there are enough safeguardsin schools to prevent exposure of studentsand teachers to asbestos.

In a statement from DepEd’s Health andNutrition Center (HNC), it said that even ifthere is no law that prohibits use of asbestosparticularly in schools, health officials inDepEd have put in place measures toprevent undue exposure. “We haveestablished certain regulations to ensurethat schools manage existing asbestoslevels and exposure,” HNC added.

METRO/NATION NEWSPH’s 1st & only WEEKLY Broadsheet Newsmagazine

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When God is goingto do something

wonderful, He oftenstarts it with difficul-

ties.Anonymous

po ito laban sa MILF as an entity butagainst the lawless elements,” Valte said.

“So dalawang bagay po ‘yan: either theMILF cooperates or stand aside and allowthe law enforcers do their jobs,” the DeputySpokesperson said.

Valte also noted that the MILF isprohibited to coddle fugitives, particularlyspeaking of Dan “Laksaw” Asnawi, thesecond highest rebel commander in Basilanprovince.

“It is strictly prohibited under theceasefire agreement to provide safe havensfor fugitives,” Valte said.

Asnawi is wanted for the beheading of 14Marine soldiers in Basilan in 2007.

“There is no other recourse but to defendhimself [Asnawi] in court. Kung mayroonpo silang depensa, then the proper venue toventilate that would be the courts,” Valteadded.

President Benigno S. Aquino III ordered

the pursuit operations against the lawlesselements following the Basilan encounteron October 18 that left at least 19 govern-ment soldiers dead and many otherswounded.

Off-loading policyMeanwhile, the Aquino administration

will be implementing strict measures tocurb abuses of the “offloading” policy atinternational airports.

Vice President Jejomar Binay onTuesday said that while the offloadingpolicy has contributed to a decline in theincidents of human trafficking and illegalrecruitment, “it has become controversialbecause of the complaints of abuse ofdiscretion and corruption.”

Binay, who is chair emeritus of the Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking(IACAT), said among the measures includethe installation of Close Circuit Television(CCTV) cameras to monitor all immigra-

tion counters at the airports, inclusion ofpersonnel from agencies such as thePhilippine Overseas Employment Adminis-tration (POEA) in the interviews ofdeparting passengers, and providing guidequestions for Bureau of Immigration (BI)personnel.

The Vice President said he expects aTechnical Working Group (TWG), orderedto review the implementation of the off-loading policy, to come up with othermeasures at the soonest.

The Vice President likewise urged the BIto expedite hearings of corruption com-plaints filed against 18 immigrationpersonnel who reportedly demanded moneyfrom departing passengers in exchange forclearance to leave the country.

“I am confident that the BI will fast trackthe hearings on these complaints toemphasize to our kababayans that corrup-tion will never be tolerated under the

Aquino administration,” he said.Binay also urged OFWs and other

passengers who have been victimized byunscrupulous BI personnel to come out inthe open and file complaints.

“I appeal to our kababayans to also dotheir share by coming out and filing casesagainst these employees so they can beheld accountable. As your Vice President, Iassure you that these complaints will beacted upon,” he said.

Offloading is the policy of preventing thedeparture of Filipinos who are bound forcertain destinations.

A total of 17 Filipinos were offloaded inOctober, with 13 persons classified asTourist Workers, and one person classifiedas an OFW with irregularities on docu-ments.

Two cases of attempted human traffick-ing were also filed with the Department ofJustice.

Tourist workersFrom October last year, a total of 491

passengers were offloaded, with 30 minorsand 287 tourist workers. Of the total, 171were classified as OFWs with irregularitieson their documents.

Tourist Workers are those who attempt totravel for the purpose of gaining employ-ment abroad without proper documentation,or go to countries where the Philippinescurrently has a deployment or travel ban.

Under the Immigration Act, an immigra-tion officer has the power to offload apassenger if the officer thinks the traveler isusing spurious travel documents, or is usinga tourist visa but intends to work abroad.

“I believe there is a need for BI to haveproper guidelines in the offloading ofpassengers. The basis for preventing aFilipino from leaving the country should beclearly spelled out to minimize the exerciseof discretion on the part of BI,” Binay said.

Malacanang says gov’t determined to pursue lawless elements... From page 1

Aquino transfers LWUA supervision to DPWHPresident Benigno S. Aquino III has transferred the supervision of the Local Water

Utilities Administration (LWUA) to the Department of Public Works and Highways(DPWH).

President Aquino ordered the transfer of LWUA’s supervision from the Department ofHealth (DOH) to DPWH through Executive Order (EO) No. 62, which he signed on Oct.26, 2011.

In issuing EO, the President cited the need for “a concerted and well-coordinated effortin formulating policies as well as planning and implementing programs and projects for thewater sector.”

The DPWH is “mandated to ensure that the planning, design, construction and mainte-nance of infrastructure facilities, such as national highways, flood control and waterresource development systems, are in accordance with the highest level of safety andefficiency and in line with the overall national development objectives.”

“LWUA is hereby transferred from DOH to DPWH,” President Aquino said.He also authorized the DPWH to exercise administrative supervision over LWUA and to

continue to implement reforms to ensure efficient flow of resources into the sector, therebyfacilitating the implementation of projects therein.

The President also tasked the Secretaries of Finance, Public Works and Highways, andHealth, serving in ex officio capacity, to sit as members of the LWUA Board of Trusteesrepresenting the national government.

“The foregoing ex-officio members may designate their respective alternates who shallbe officials next-in-rank, and whose acts shall be considered the acts of their principals,”the President said.

He also tasked the DPWH Secretary to convene the Inter-Agency Committee on theWater Sector “to design and recommend to the President a water sector master plan whichwill effectively address all the issues and concerns of the water sector.”

According to the President, the said Committee will also recommend the appropriate

organizational structure of all concerned agencies for the effective implementation of thewater sector master plan.

The National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Budget andManagement, Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Office of thePresident and such other concerned agencies will form part of the Committee on the WaterSector.

The DPWH, in consultation with the concerned agencies, will formulate the Implement-ing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the effective implementation of EO 62.

EO 62 will take effect immediately upon publication in a newspaper of general circula-tion.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has turned to Facebook, the largestsocial networking site, to raise awareness and gain support on ILO Convention 189 and‘Kasambahay’ bill.

“The use of the social networks, like Facebook, is part of our strategy under the ActionPlan for the ratification of Convention 189 and the passage of a national law on ourkasambahay,” said Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

She said the Facebook page is a venue to introduce and educate netizens about thekasambahay bill and ILO Convention 189.

“It also seeks to raise the level of knowledge of the general public on the salient featuresof the convention and the benefits that will accrue to the country once it is ratified,” shesaid.

Baldoz said the use of social media networks would allow for greater support for theratification of Convention 189 and the passage of the Kasambahay bill.

The “I Support Kasambahay” Facebook page also serves as a “Freedom Wall” wherethe public can freely post their views, comments, and suggestions on the Kasambahay bill.

DoLE turns to Facebook to gainsupport on ‘Kasambahay’ bill

Flatbed drierslessen farmerwoes aftertyphoon

The flatbed driers (FBDs) distributed bythe Department of Agriculture-PhilippineCenter for Postharvest Development andMechanization (DA-PhilMech) helped abig number of farmers hit by the two recenttyphoons to recover some of their palay(unmilled rice) harvests, which underscoredthe importance of deploying more of thedrying facilities in various parts of thecountry.

“While the percentage of palay that wasrecovered by the FBDs may not be that bigcompared to the total losses incurred byrice farmers from the two typhoons, theFBDs have demonstrated that palaysubmerged in water can still be dried andrecovered. Fortunately, 93.56 percent or2,048 of the 2,189 FBDs distributed from2007 to 2010 are functional but the mindset

Cont’d on page 5

President Benigno S. Aquino IIIreceives a copy of the book “Revolu-tionaries” from TAYO National Board ofJudges chairman Senator FrancisPangilinan and TAYO Awards Founda-tion, Inc. president Paolo BenignoAquino IV during the 9th Ten Accom-plished Youth Organizations (TAYO)awarding ceremonies at the Heroes Hallof the Malacañan Palace on Thursday(October 27). The search for TAYO aimsto recognize, reward, and encourageyouth organizations all over the countrywith programs and projects that helptheir communities.

Danica Mae Camacho, the Philippine’ssymbolic 7 billionth baby is coddled by hermother Camille as United Nations residentcoordinator Jacqui Badcock (L) hands agift and Philippine Health Secretary EnriqueOna (R) looks on, during a welcoming cer-emony after she was given birth at a gov-ernment-run maternity hospital in Manilaearly October 31, 2011. The Philippineswelcomed its’ symbolic seven billionthbaby October 31 with a celebratory cheerat a packed government-run maternal hos-pital. Weighing 2.5 kilos, Danica May wasdelivered just shortly before midnight Oc-tober 30 amid an explosion of flash bulbsfrom a media contingent that had waited forhours at Manila’s Jose Fabella MemorialHospital’s delivery room.

BUSINESSThe Philippines’s 1st & only Weekly Broadsheet Newsmagazine

3Nov. 7 - 14, 2011

BUSINESSLINE

Stop ‘double-your-money’scheme of banks -- Ty

A lawmaker is urging the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to put anend to the “double-your-money”, five-year term deposit products beingoffered by a number of lenders, mostly rural banks.

“These double-your-money offerings, which supposedly guarantee a netinterest rate of 15 percent per annum, compounded yearly, clearly consti-tute unsafe and unsound banking practice,” said LPG/MA party-list Rep.Arnel Ty.

“The promised effective yield is definitely excessive — at three timesthe average five percent interest rate being offered by reputable banks forfive-year deposit placements,” he said.

Ty, a member of the House committee on banks and financial intermedi-aries, said many of the rural banks that recently collapsed were foundtendering the double-your-money scheme.

“These now failed banks were likely already having serious liquidityproblems that drove them to offer such sky-high deposit interest rates.Unfortunately, the extremely high-yielding deposits also pushed them intoriskier lending activities that broke the bank,” he said.

The LPG/MA party-list solon also urged the state-run Philippine DepositInsurance Corp. (PDIC) to take forceful legal action against the officers ofbankrupted lenders found to have committed fraud or violated the country’sbanking laws.

“The fact that each depositor of an insolvent institution is insured up toP500,000 does not make bleeding a bank dry a victimless offense,” he said.

“Depositors of banks in receivership agonize over when they’ll get theirmoney back, and how much they will actually recover. Without access to

their funds, they struggle to cope with living expenses, and to pay obliga-tions such as the school fees of their children, a credit card bill, or a homeloan,” he said.

In a way, Ty said, taxpayers are also victims, since the PDIC is agovernment instrumentality attached to the Department of Finance (DoF).

On top of Banco Filipino Savings and Mortgage Bank and LBC, the BSPhas so far closed down 25 mostly rural banks this year. These are the RuralBank of Tarlac Inc.; Bank of Calape (Savings and Mortgage Bank); RuralBank of Garcia-Hernandez (Bohol) Inc.; Rural Bank of Matanao (Davaodel Sur) Inc.; Express Savings Bank Inc.; Rural Bank of Tampakan (SouthCotabato) Inc.; Rural Bank of President Roxas (North Cotabato) Inc.; RuralBank of Tagudin (Ilocos Sur) Inc.;

Rural Bank of Nabas (Aklan) Inc.; Mambajao Community Rural BankInc.; Rural Bank of Agno (Pangasinan) Inc.; Banco Agricola Inc.; RuralBank of Toledo Inc.; Advance Bank Inc; Growers Rural Bank (Angono,Rizal) Inc.; Rural Bank of Mapandan (Pangasinan) Inc.; Rural Bank ofNorzagaray (Bulacan) Inc.; Rural Bank of Manjuyod (Negros Oirental)Inc.;

Rural Bank of Bingawan (Iloilo) Inc.; Rural Bank of Zapote (Las Pinas)Inc.; GMA Rural Bank of Cavite Inc.; Ibalon Rural Bank (Tabaco, Albay)Inc.; Rural Bank of Sta. Rosa (Nueva Ecija) Inc.; Rural Bank of Baler(Aurora) Inc.; and First Country Rural Bank (Pasig City) Inc.

In 2010, the BSP has closed some 32 rural banks, including 13 that werelinked to the alleged investment scam of the Legacy Group of Companies.

Press Release

Petron nets P1.56-B incomeOil giant Petron Corp. posted P1.56 billion net income after realizing P67

billion revenues in the third quarter this year.“Our modernization and expansion programs are already yielding

tangible results and we expect more upside in terms of better yields, moreefficient production and optimized distribution once our other projects comeon-stream in the very near future,” Ramon S. Ang, Petron chairman andchief executive, said.

Overall, for the first nine months of 2011, Petron registered totalrevenues of nearly P 202 billion and net income of P7.6 billion, it said in adisclosure.

The company attributed the respectable year to date income to sales of

higher-margin petrochemicals which contributed about P2.5 billion inearnings.

Petrochemical and export volumes for the nine-month period grew 17percent over same period last year.

The company has also been successful in implementing its networkexpansion program over the past few years. Petron currently has almost1,800 service stations nationwide, the largest network in the oil industry byfar.

More and more Filipino entrepreneurs are partnering with the companyto establish Petron service stations mostly in far-flung areas in the country.

Press Release

Imports up 10.4% in AugPhilippine merchandise imports rose by double digits in August mostly

because of higher purchases of fuel products, the National Statistics Office(NSO) said.

NSO data showed that imports were up 10.4 percent to $ 4.93 billion inAugust from $ 4.46 billion in the same period last year.

On a month-on-month basis, imports fell by 1.5 percent from $ 4.99 billionrecorded in July last year.

In the first eight months, imports grew by 13.8 percent to $ 40.426 billion from$ 35.526 billion last year.

The country’s trade deficit in August stood at $ 804 million, bringing the deficitin the first eight months of $ 7.12 billion.

Electronics, which accounted for about 28.3 percent of the total importdropped by 15.2 percent to $ 1.39 billion in August from $ 1.65 billion last year.

Imports of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials grew by 55 percentto $ 985.21 million from $ 635.57 million last year.

Purchases of transport equipment reached $ 304.68 million in August, up 40.1percent from $ 217.52 million registered a year ago.

Industrial machinery and equipment recorded a total import of $ 269.41 millionin August from $ 192.20 million last year.

Imports of plastics in primary and non-primary forms amounted to $ 170.97million and organic and inorganic chemicals, $ 121.62 million.

Rounding up the list of the top 10 imports were iron and steel valued at $121.21 million; cereals and cereal preparations amounting to $ 107.65 million;telecommunication equipment and electrical machinery including telecommunica-tions and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment, t $ 95.84million and chemical materials and products, $ 75.37 million.

US renews GSPThe US government has renewed the Generalized System of Preference (GSP),

enabling the Philippines to continue exporting to the US market some productsduty-free or at preferential duty rates.

“The US is an important ally of the Philippines and we welcome the move of theUS Congress to renew the GSP privileges. The renewal of the GSP secures closeto US$ 1billion exports revenues,” said Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L.Domingo said.

US President Barack Obama signed the renewal or reauthorization of theGeneralized System of Preference this week, October 21.

Undersecretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy Adrian S. CristobalJr.said that “the renewed program provides retroactive claim for preferential dutyfree access starting January 1, 2011. Our exporters will be refunded for thedifference in tariffs paid after the GSP expired last December 2010. US Customsis now preparing guidelines for the refund process.”

In 2010, the Philippines ranked 7th among US’ top GSP beneficiary countries,accounting for 4.9 percent of total GSP exports to the US, data from Bureau ofInternational Trade Relations (BITR) showed. In 2010, Philippine GSP utilizationwas 72 percent - a strong indication that the GSP is a valuable market access toolof Filipino exporters in maintaining competitiveness in the US market.

The GSP is a program of the US government designed to promote economicgrowth in the developing world by providing preferential duty-free entry to 4,800products from 129 beneficiary countries. Some of the countries that benefit fromthe GSP include Thailand, India, Brazil, Africa, Turkey, and the Philippines.

Customers walk past a display of the biography of Steve Jobs, sold at a bookstore in Quezon City, Metro Manila October 24, 2011. Many across Asiaqueued up at bookstores on Monday when the authorized biography of Apple’s co-founder Steve Jobs went on sale globally. Biographer WalterIsaacson’s “Steve Jobs” reveals that Jobs refused potentially life-saving cancer surgery for nine months, was bullied in school, tried various quirkydiets as a teenager, and exhibited early strange behavior such as staring at others without blinking.

For his commitment to nation building, his civic leadership in socialdevelopment, and his efforts to promote the growth of Filipino industries,San Miguel Corporation (SMC) president and chief operating officerRamon S. Ang was named Philanthropist of the Year by one of thecountry’s leading business groups.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), whichgave the award to Ang at the recent Philippine Business Conference andExpo in Manila, highlighted the chief executive’s “stewardship inpromoting and preserving peace and order”, which is essential forbusinesses to prosper.

The group cited Ang’s contribution to the Foundation for CrimePrevention and Patrol 117, which operates the emergency hotline usedthroughout the country.

“We are investing to upgrade our hardware and software and makePatrol 117 at par with other emergency numbers in the developedeconomies. Once updated, Patrol 117 should be able to respond to fire-related incidents and deploy fire trucks, emergency medical services, as

PCCI picks SMC’s Ramon Ang philanthropist of yr

SMC President/COO RAMON S. ANG

well as search and rescue teams. We thank Mr. Ramon S. Ang for stronglysupporting Patrol 117,” said PCCI president Dr. Francis Chua.

On top of his contributions to PCCI’s efforts, Ang is also an activesupporter of various social development causes. Under him, the SanMiguel Foundation, SMC’s social development arm, has taken on manycorporate social responsibility projects related to education, communityand enterprise development, the environment, and disaster response.

Among the foundation’s noteworthy projects are its community clinicsin its areas of operation, where it provides free medical consultations andmedicines to needy families; its supplemental feeding program dubbed“Malusog na Katawan, Matalas na Isipan, and its barangay strengtheningprogram, where local leaders are given training on good governance.

It also has enterprise development programs, which provides livelihoodtraining and opportunities; education assistance in the form of scholarshipsand a “Books for the Barrios” drive, as well as environment programssuch as reforestation, coastal resource management, waste management,and the dredging of the Tullahan river.

In recent years, San Miguel, under Ang’s leadership, gained even moreprominence in the area of disaster relief. Aside from substantial donationsto calamity victims and pushing for employee volunteerism, the companyalso acquired flood rescue vehicles which proved invaluable during rescueefforts at the height of typhoons Pedring and Quiel.

Furthermore, the group said Ang’s efforts and contributions to PCCI alsohelped in uplifting the economic well-being of law enforcers andinstitutions, as well as institutionalized the public and private partnership incommunity peace building and crime prevention.

The group lauded him for his “dedicated advocacy in rendering socialprotection, social justice, and respect of human rights for the Filipinocitizenry.” (Jon Hernandez/SMC CorComm)

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4 Nov. 7 - 14, 2011

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CHANCES ARE

EDITOR’S NOTE: All commentaries and or opinions submitted bycolumnists and herein published shall remain as personal opinionof Metro Express’ column writers. As such, these cannot and neverbe construed nor considered as similar to that of this publication(Metro Express)’s stand on issues discussed. Be that as it may,Metro Express shall not be held liable legally, related/pertaining to,or any column/commentaries that may appear herein.

First, it was the unmistakable presence (observer status kuno)of then US Ambassador tothe Philippines KristiKenney during the botchedsigning of the flawedMOA-AD (Memorandum

of Agreement on Ancestral Domain) before in Malaysia.“Why is the US presence in there?” many asked then.Then, as if sympathetic enough for the cause of the MILF and

with P-Noy’s administration, Assistant Secretary for East Asianand Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell, conveyed it through ForeignAffairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, the US of A, that the US“fully supports the government of the Philippines’ effort to bringsecurity and stability to that southern Philippines including throughthe on-going peace process.”

Then, again, amid the conflict that is now raging between theMILF and government troops in Mindanao, US Secretary of StateHillary Rodham Clinton made her visit officially known.

Sec. del Rosario averred that the former US First Lady’s one-day visit on November 15, 2011 involves “bilateral andmultilateral issues.”

One plus one, plus one, plus one computes to, or equals tosomething, right? There must be something there in Minda thattickles the interest of Uncle Sam.

In a prepared statement released to national media, Campbellsaid that Washington “will not support a military solution to therenewed conflict in Mindanao amid violent attacks againstgovernment forces by Muslim rebels.”

Nice and easy. But we can smell something more. Read itagain and you will notice something more.

It has undertones of a cosy, cosy “Big Brother” ploy withintentions to winning both hearts and minds of the warring parties.

Well, that’s good news to the MILF. It remains the apple ofUncle Sam’s eyes compared to any other group the whole ofMindanao because if not, the US could have easily ordered thegovernment of President Noy to pulverize the MILF to kingdomcome now or never.

But alas, it did not up until this very moment.Instead, it is subtly telling P Noy’s Administration to go easy

with the armed group and go back instead to the negotiatingtable even as several lawmakers already signified their approvalfor an all-out war especially against rogue MILF groups beforeproceeding with the peacenegotiations. Campbell clearlystated in his press statementthat “a peaceful negotiationremains the best option forboth sides” and that bothparties should restrain andadhere to their ceasefireagreement.

Nice and easy and bloodlesstoo. Diplomacy 101.

But we wish to openly ask:What’s in there that really interests the Americans best? It isthe purported mineral riches that Mindanao possesses or is itthe strategic geopolitical position that Mindanao has in theinternational political map now or they simply want to closelymonitor Mindanao on emerging international terror cells?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Now showing: USinterest in Minda

One plus one, plusone, plus one

computes to, orequals to something,right? There must be

something there inMinda that tickles the

interest of Uncle Sam.

As we write this last week, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima was in adilemma.

She has simply found herself in a big quandary, a Shakespearianquandary that is.

Shakespeare’s famous line no less of “to be or not to be, that is thequestion!” is most appropriate to illustrate of the situation she’s in then andwe’re not too sure if at this point she has found a sound solution.

A situation that puts anybody into a “damned I don’t, damned if I do”kind of a balancing act she had been into.

In her media statement, the good Secretary from the region of Bicolwas simply referring to former PGMA’s plans of getting medical attentionabroad, in Spain, or somewhere else. Thus, the permission problem.

What confounded to this is the bric-a-brac that she got when she got theflak out of former FG Mike Arroyo’s HDO (hold-departure-order) beforethat was allegedly so damned well issued by the DOJ on FG and waseventually implemented by its line agency, the Bureau of Immigration,amidst the PNP helicopter agency.

Well, FG was supposedly scheduled for a routine check-up with hisphysician abroad then and she ably got a lot of negative criticisms fromdifferent quarters.

Now, it appears Sec. de Lima is again headed to another round of that.But this time Sec. de Lima may not be belting out our favourite tune of

“all by myself” because Health Secretary Enrique Ona has gotten into thepicture.

Malacanang said Health Secretary Enrique Ona “has yet to issue arecommendation on whether or not PGMA’s state of health warrants atreatment abroad and be issued an Allow Departure Order (ADO), theanathema of HDO.

Wise move by Malacanang, least it won’t be threatened anew by aresignation letter coming from Taft Avenue.

“TO BE OR NOT TO BE THAT IS THE QUESTION!”Indeed, things are edging closer

to boiling point in that part ofMendiola with its never-endingsaga down south.

Malacañang’s appeal to theMILF to “cooperate or standaside” seemingly went with thesouthern wind. So what will happennow to MILF commander DanLaksaw Asnawi, who has beendeclared a fugitive from justice.

MILF vice chairman for politicalaffairs Ghadzali Jaafar averredthat “they would not agree to thedemand (of the Aquinoadministration) to surrenderAsnawi unless the government

follows the mechanisms agreed upon by the two peace panels” accordingto reports.

Does it calls for intensified military ops just to get Asnawi by hook or bycrook or follow the line of Jaafar for the government’s end?

Who do you think will blink?Whatever. What’s certain at this point in time is for us to forget at the

moment the already shaky peace process.And certainly, for sure it’s not just Justice Sec. Leila de Lima who’s in a

quandary of Shakespeare’s famous line of “to be or not to be” but her“boss chief” as well.

To sternly demand the surrender of Asnawi or surrender that demand.Let’s wait and see.Email us through esns03@yahoo.com.

Photographer Jake Verzosa pastes a picture cut-out on the wall of an abandoned building in Manila. Local artists like photographers, graffiti artists and paintershave set up spontaneous makeshift "galleries" in unusual areas such as abandoned buildings and under bridges so they can share their artwork withaudiences that do not have the luxury of visiting formal galleries.

“You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want aburnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will notreject a broken and repentant heart, O God” (Psalm 51:16,17

Please pray for the people of Laos. Though it has been the poorest andleast populated country in Asia, its people and land are beautiful. God caresextremely for Laos. Pray that Laos would experience His great blessing.

Need reminding about how amazing Jesus is? This shows some of myfavorite qualities of Jesus.

So: God has saved you from Hell, freed you from judgment for all yoursins, given His wonderful Spirit to live inside of you, and is preparing aplace for you in Heaven. This probably makes you want to say “Thankyou!” However…

What do you get for the person who has everything? If you’ve ever triedto find a gift for someone who already has it all, you know how hard it canbe. Now what about for God? He said, “For all the animals of the forest aremine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10). All the cattleon a thousand hills—that’s hard to beat!

But this reminds me of when I was a little girl.There was nothing of anymaterial value I could give my dad to show my love; I didn’t have anymoney! So I gave what I could: cards telling him how much I love him;pictures I painted for him; “coupons” to spend time with me; and kindnessto my brother. These things meant more to him than anything I could everbuy. In fact, to this day, he still has some of the things I made him, andwhen asked what he wants for his birthday, he says, “Peace at home.”

God is the same way. King David said to God, “You do not desire asacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. Thesacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken andrepentant heart, O God” (Psalm 51:16,17). What He really wants isheartfelt love from you and care for others. Just like my handmade cardsand pictures, here are gifts that God loves:

Tell Him how much You Love and Appreciate Him: God said, “But

giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me” (Psalm 50:23). That’swhat I was doing when I drew my dad little cards expressing my love.

Spend Time with Him: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteous-ness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Godwants to spend time with you just like my dad loves to spend time with me!

Do What He Asks: Jesus said, “If you love Me, obey My command-ments” (John 14:15). Would you believe your friend loved you if youalways did things that he hated?

Care for Others: Jesus said, “The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth,whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did forMe'” (Matthew 25:40). When you do something kind for someone else, it’slike you’re doing it for Jesus.

Live in Peace with Others: “Then make me truly happy by agreeingwholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working togetherwith one mind and purpose” (Philippians 2:2). Just like my dad wants peaceat home, God wants peace amongst His children. Show Him your love bybeing kind and forgiving towards others.

These are just a few ways to show God how much you love andappreciate Him What’s your way? Just like my dad loved my little picturesand gifts, God loves the unique way you show Him your love. Let us knowhow you show your love to God!

So, this week, let’s pray that:We would truly realize how much God has done for usWe would show Him our love for Him and bring Him happinessGlobal Media Outreach would be full of gratitude for what God has done

for usTHANK YOU so much for your prayers. If we can pray for you, just hit

“reply” to this email and let us know your prayer requests. God loves you!

Your Friends at GodLife.com

Amazing Jesus

POLITICSThe Philippines’s 1st & only Weekly Broadsheet Newsmagazine

5Nov. 7 - 14, 2011

of more farmers have to bechanged so they can realize thebenefits of using the flatbed driers,”said DA-PhilMech ExecutiveDirector Ricardo L. Cachuela.

Based on latest field reports, thenumber of bags of palay dried byFBDs in areas hit by the twotyphoons reached 206,917:Cordillera Administrative Region5,029 bags; Region 1 (IlocosRegion), 40,358 bags; Region 3(Central Luzon), 34,907 bags;Region 4A, (Calabarzon) 2,407bags; Region 4B (Mimaropa),26,604 bags; Region 5 (BicolRegion), 68,619 bags; Region 6(Western Visayas), 23,743 bags;Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), 4,750bags; and Region 13 (Caraga), 500bags.

“The number of bags driedwould have easily doubled or tripledbut we received reports that manyFBDs were overwhelmed by thenumber of farmers and farmerorganizations wanting to have theirwet palay dried. There were manycases where the FBDs were‘booked’ up to 30 days, so manyFBDs could not service morefarmers who want their wet palaydried,” Cachuela said.

“For example, in Region 1, the103 functioning FBDs dried a totalof 40,358 bags in just a fewweeks,” he added.

With the proven worth of theFBDs, DA-PhilMech has set thedistribution 3,253 FBDs nationwidefrom 2011 to 2016: 166 units in2011; 958 in 2012; 1,054 in 2013;348 in 2014; 358 in 2015; and 369 in2016.

FBDs use rice hull to generateheat for drying purposes, and candry wet palay to 14 percentmoisture content in 10 to 12 hours.During the wet season, farmerswho use FBDs are able to sell theirpalay from P10 and above.

So far, 2,049 of the 2,189 FBDsdistributed from 2007 to 2010, or93.56 percent, are functioning. DA-PhilMech credited the highpercentage of functioning FBDsnationwide to the efforts of farmers’organizations in maintaining thefacilities.

Based on latest field data, theCordillera Autonomous Region ishas 33 functioning FBDs out of the35 installed or 94.30%; Region 1(Ilocos Region) 103 out of 108 or95.37%; Region 2 (Cagayan Valley)139 out of 188 or 74.00%; Region 3(Central Luzon) 302 out of 313 or96.48%; Region 4A (Calabarzon)66 out of 66 or 100%; Region 4B(Mimaropa) 91 out of 98 or 93.00%;Region 5 (Bicol Region) 223 out of227 or 98.23%; Region 6 (WesternVisayas) 182 out of 188 or 96.80%;Region 7 (Central Visayas) 32 outof 35 or 91.43%; Region 8 (EasternVisayas) 194 out of 215 or 90.23%;Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula)211 out of 228 or 92.54%; Region10 (Northern Mindanao) 90 out of96 or 93.75%; Region 11 (DavaoRegion ) 93 out of 93 or 100%;Region 12 (SOCCSKARGEN) 171out of 179 or 95.53%; Region 13(Caraga) 74 out 0f 76 or 97.37%;and Autonomous Region in MuslimMindanao (ARMM) 44 out of 44 or100%.

“The high percentage offunctioning FBDs clearly demon-strates that farmers’ organizationsare capable of operating andmaintaining the drying facilities ifthey are equipped with the skillsand knowledge on FBDs,”Cachuela said.

Flatbeddriers

lessen...From page 2

DENR challenged by positive survey,vows improved agency performance

Department of Environment andNatural Resources is challenged toperform even more on report thatthe administration of PresidentBenigno S. Aquino III has receivedpositive marks on environmentalissues in an opinion surveyconducted by the PhilippineInformation Agency (PIA) to assessthe third quarter performance of thePresident.

“We are happy with the positiverating given by the people on thegovernment’s performance in so faras environmental issues areconcerned. This could only meanthat our efforts in various fronts ofenvironmental protection andnatural resources management arebeing felt and appreciated by thepeople. But at the same time, weare challenged to perform evenmore,” Environment and NaturalResources Secretary Ramon J. P.Paje said.

The PIA study primarily intendedto assess the President’s perfor-mance as of the third quarter of thisyear on issues related to theeconomy, good governance, socialdevelopment, justice and security,and climate change and environ-mental protection. It was conductedfrom Sept. 23-25, 2011 via face-to-face interviews with 1,262 respon-dents, representing ten sectors from64 provinces nationwide.

Specifically on environment,study results showed that thePresident scored a net rating of +32on the issue of stopping abuse anddestruction of the environment; +55on improving the country’spreparedness for disasters; +42 onprotecting endangered species andtheir natural habitat; and +28 oncleaning and clearing naturalwaterways.

Earlier, the Social WeatherStation (SWS) also reported of a“very good” overall rating for PNoyadministration’s 3rd quarterperformance based on its surveyconducted Sept. 4-7, 2011, with1,200 respondents.

The DENR chief stressed,however, that even with the positiveresponse of the public, his depart-ment will continue to level up itsefforts to respond to publicexpectations. “While the series ofenvironmental disasters hassomehow made our people becomemore aware on what could happenif we neglect our environment, Iwould like to also give credits to theadvocacy that we have embarkedin partnership with various sectorsof our society,” Paje said.

These public-private partner-ships, which provided the catalyst toboost the department’s performanceand that made an imprint on thepeople’s consciousness, includeprogram and policy reforms inmining, forest management,pollution control and prevention,land management and climatechange mitigation and adaptation.

The environment chief particu-larly cited the total log ban imposedon natural and residual forests, theNational Greening Program and thecreation of the National Anti-IllegalLogging Task Force as importanthigh-impact measures that theAquino administration has beenspearheading. “These three, along

with our intensified actions againstforestry law violators, address theissue of environmental protection,disaster preparation, and habitatconservation,” he said.

He also mentioned the geohazardmaps made available by theDENR’s Mines and GeosciencesBureau to the different localgovernment units (LGUs) asimportant tools in planning for andavoiding disasters in localities.

As for clean waterways, theDENR secretary said that one ofthe agency’s initiatives with theprivate sector and other governmentpartners which is the “Adopt anEstero” program “has showntangible proof to our stakeholders

that cleaning up our waterways isindeed possible.” To date, theagency has a total of 231 partnersnationwide for the program, whichaims to clean up or rehabilitatecanals and other waterways toprevent possible flooding. Theprogram, which was launched inSeptember of 2010, also supportsthe massive cleanup of the ManilaBay area, as mandated by theSupreme Court.

At the same time, the DENR hasalso partnered with the PhilippinePlastics Industry, supermarketchains, and Metro Manila LGUs tolessen the volume of plasticsgenerated and disposed of in dumpfacilities or in waterways in the

SC upholds Ombudsman’s power to grant immunity from prosecutionThe Supreme Court (SC) has

upheld a ruling of the Office of theOmbudsman (Ombudsman) grantingimmunity from prosecution toseveral accused of criminal chargesbefore the Ombudsman inconnection with the vehicle repairanomaly at the Department of PublicWorks and Highways (DPWH).

In a decision penned byAssociate Justice Arturo Brion, theSC’s Second Division ruled that theOmbudsman was right when itgranted Luisito Tablan, Raul Borilloand Luis Gayya immunity fromprosecution.

The SC dismissed the petitionfiled by Erdito Quarto questioningOmbudsman’s Jan. 7, 2004resolution to drop the chargesagainst his co-respondents.

Quarto is the chief of the CentralEquipment and Spare Parts Division(CESPD), Bureau of Equipment(BOE), DPWH, in Port Area, Manila.

As CESPD chief, Quarto is alsothe head of the Special Inspectorate

A female protester uses an umbrella as she joins a rally at the entrance of the oil depot Friday, Oct. 28, 2011 in Manila, Philippines. The protesters opposedthe alleged unlawful increases in oil prices and accused President Benigno Aquino’s government of continued support for big oil corporations at theexpense of the people.

National Capital Region.Paje also remarked that its strong

partnership with local governmentunits for the enforcement ofenvironmental laws, particularly theEcological Solid Waste Manage-ment Act, and other environmentalprograms within their respectivepolitical jurisdictions has earnedpublic appreciation as shown in arecent survey on good localgovernance.

In said survey, also conducted bySWS in July 2011, the city/municipal government scored “verygood net satisfaction ratings” onprotecting the environment (+63)and collecting garbage (+55).

Press Release

Team (SIT) of the DPWH.Tablan and several others are SIT

members.The Ombudsman granted immunity to

the respondents resulting in their exclusionfrom the criminal charges filed before theanti-graft court Sandiganbayan.

“The (SC’s) policy of non-interferencewith the Ombudsman’s investigatory andprosecutory powers cautions a stay ofjudicial hand,” the SC decision said.

Earlier, Quarto asked the SC to voidthe immunity granted to Tablan and otherrespondents.

Quarto also asked the SC to compelthe Ombudsman to include them asaccused in the estafa charges throughfalsification of public documents and forviolation of Section 3(e), Republic Act3019, otherwise known as the “Anti-Graftand Corrupt Practices Act”.

Records of the case showed that onJan. 9, 2002, then DPWH SecretarySimeon Datumanong created a committeeto investigate alleged anomaloustransactions involving the repairs and/orpurchase of spare parts of DPWH service

vehicles in 2001.The DPWH Internal Audit Service (IAS)

was designated by the panel on Jan. 17,2002 as its Technical Working Group toconduct the probe.

Investigation showed that from Marchto December 2001, “several emergencyrepairs and/or purchase of spare parts ofhundreds of DPWH service vehicles,which were approved and paid by thegovernment, did not actually take place,resulting in government losses ofapproximately P143 million for this 10-month period alone.”

The DPWH-IAS, through Atty. IreneOfilada, filed before the Ombudsman acomplaint-affidavit charging several high-ranking DPWH officials and employees,including Quarto and other privateindividuals, who purportedly benefited fromthe anomalous transactions.

They were charged with plunder,money laundering, malversation andviolations of RA 3019 and the Administra-tive Code.

Quarto allegedly approved four joborders for the repairs and/or purchase of

spare parts of the vehicle assigned toOfilada.

Due to the accomplishment of the pre-repair and post-repair inspection reports,request for supplies and equipment wasprepared.

According to the records, the samewas the basis for the preparation of thedisbursement vouchers.

It finally authorized the payment of therepairs through reimbursement scheme tothe damage and prejudice of the DPWH.

But, Quarto claimed he just relied onhis subordinates when he signed the joborders and the reports.

In its ruling, the SC said that it deem “itneither appropriate nor advisable tointerfere with the Ombudsman’s grant ofimmunity to the respondents, particularlyin this case, where the petitioner has notclearly and convincingly shown the graveabuse of discretion that would call for ourintervention.”

However, the SC ruling said that “therule is based not only upon respect for theinvestigatory and prosecutory powersgranted by the Constitution to the Office

of the Ombudsman but uponpracticality as well.”

“Otherwise, the functions of thecourts will be grievously hampered byinnumerable petitions assailing thedismissal of investigatory proceedingsconducted by the Office of theOmbudsman with regard tocomplaints filed before it, in much thesame way that the courts would beextremely swamped if they could becompelled to review the exercise ofdiscretion on the part of the fiscals orprosecuting attorneys each time theydecide to file an information in court ordismiss a complaint by a privatecomplainant,” the SC said.

It also said that “the Constitutionand RA 6770 have endowed theOffice of the Ombudsman with a widelatitude of investigatory andprosecutory powers, freed, to theextent possible within our governmen-tal system and structure, fromlegislative, executive, or judicialintervention, and insulated frompressure and improper influence.”

SHOWBIZMETRO EXPRESS

6 Nov. 7 - 14, 2011

Actor Enchong Dee denied he and youngactress Julia Montes are already a couple,but he admitted that he is courting the“Mara Clara” star.

Dee revealed he has always had a crushon Montes. “Oo, definitely. Definitely mayadmiration. Hindi naman makakaila yun.Sino ba namang hindi ‘di ba?”

Dee, however, said he is happy with hissingle status and he does not want to rushthings between him and Montes.

“Huwag na muna. Basta ang masasabiko lang masaya ako na not necessarilyhaving a girlfriend or having a relationshipnaman yun eh. Basta yung inspiration lang para uuwi ka masaya ka, yung mga ganun,” hesaid.

“Bigyan niyo naman ako ng pagkakataon manligaw. Ha ha ha. Hindi ko masasabi kungsiya eh. Close kami. We’re happy. Hindi lang kami nagkikita for awhile. Siguro maspadalagahin pa natin siya, ganun. Hindi pa kami. Hindi pa naman. Siguro kapag 18 nasiguro siya,” the actor added.

Dee shared that if ever he and Montes become a couple, she would be his first showbizgirlfriend.

“If ever, sa showbiz siya yung magiging first girlfriend. Sana. I had one girlfriend saswimming, then one nung college pa,” he revealed.

Meanwhile, Dee, who will be celebrating his birthday on November 5, said it would be agreat gift if he would finally receive approval from the actress.

“Oo ba, kung sasagutin ako, ano na. Ha ha ha. Nung galing siya ng tour may binigay nasiya sa akin eh. Pabango. Okay na ako sa pabango,” he said in jest.

Robin: No kissing scenes for MarielAction star Robin Padilla admitted that he

has forbidden his wife Mariel Rodriguez totake on projects involving intimate scenes.

Padilla said that he had asked his wife toavoid kissing scenes because it makes himuncomfortable.

“Basta ayaw ko lang makipag-kissingscene siya. Personal sa akin ‘yon. OK saakin ‘yung magtrabaho, sabi ko nga sakanya dapat gumawa na siya. Gagawa naata sila ng parang series, kasama din siyasa mga drama. Sabi ko, ‘Okay lang bastawalang halikan, ‘yon lang.’ Personal ‘yon,”he explained.

Other than the said limitation, Padilla saidRodriguez has his full support.

Though their shows are pitted againsteach other on the same time slot, Padillasaid that they never let it be a personal issuebetween them.

Instead of looking at it as a competition,Padilla claimed that they look at it as a formof blessing.

He said, “Aba’y dapat kaming matuwa.Isipin mo kami ang magkalaban? Okay‘yon. Masaya ‘yon. Para sa akin, masaya‘yon. Ganon talaga. Dapat ito’yipagpasalamat sa Panginoon.” ROBIN

MARIELHowever, Padilla admitted that he feels a little disappointed that he barely spends quality

time with his wife now that she has started working again.“Medyo nabawasan ang romantic moments dahil pareho kaming busy. Hindi kagaya

nung hindi pa siya nagtratrabaho,” he said.

“Pinoy Big Brother Season 2” bigwinner Beatriz Saw said that until now,she is still waiting for her big break inshow business.

Saw said she understands that eventhough she won in the ABS-CBN realityshow, it does not necessarily mean thatshe will immediately be given starringroles.

“Nasa supporting roles pero character.It doesn’t mean that I won, I get to landthe bida role,” she said.

The actress, however, said she isenjoying her experience in the industryafter her “PBB” stint.

“Aside from nag-enjoy ako, ang damikong nakilala. Ang mga tao very encour-aging. Ang dami kong natutunan. Enjoylife,” she said.

Saw currently appears on ABS-CBNprime time series “My Binondo Girl.”

She has also been given numerousmovie and television projects includingStar Cinema’s “One More Chance” and“For the First Time.”

Bea Saw still waiting for big beak in showbiz Enchong admitscourting Julia Montes

House approves further amendments to Insurance Code on 2nd readingThe House of Representatives has approved on second reading a proposal to further

amend Presidential Decree 612, otherwise known as the “Insurance Code,” to strengthenthe insurance industry by accelerating its growth and development, and ensure consumersof fair and equitable treatment.

House Bill 4867 substituted HB 3797 authored by Batangas Rep. Hermilando Mandanas,HB 1502 by Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, HB 2672 by Ang Kasangga party-list Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr., and HB 2988 authored by San Juan Rep. Joseph Victor“JV” Ejercito.

The proposed measure expands the definition of “doing an insurance business” toinclude the practice of self-insurance by any person or entity, extending life insurance orsimilar protection to its borrowers, depositors, clients or third parties.

It also deems irrevocable the designation of a beneficiary in the event the insured doesnot change the beneficiary during his/her lifetime.

The bill also provides that the interest of a beneficiary in a life insurance policy shall beforfeited when the beneficiary is the principal, accomplice, or accessory in willfullybringing about the death of the insured.

In such case, the share forfeited shall pass on to other beneficiaries, unless otherwisedisqualified.

In the absence of other beneficiaries, the proceeds shall be paid in accordance with thepolicy contract, and if the policy contract is silent, the proceeds shall be paid to the estate ofthe insured.

HB 4867 also allows payment of insurance premiums and loan obligations by govern-ment employees through salary deduction.

It also provides for regulations on micro-insurance, which under the bill is defined as“any activity providing specific insurance that meets the needs of the low-income sectorfor risk protection and relief against distress, misfortune and other contingent events.”

The measure also increases the minimum paid-up capital stock requirements forinsurance companies.

It also provides that no new domestic life or non-life insurance company shall, in a stockcorporation, engage in business in the Philippines unless possessed of a paid-up capitalstock equal to at least P500 million.

It further provides that a domestic insurance company already doing business in thePhilippines shall have a paid-up capital by December 31, 2012, of P175 million for aninsurance company with less than 40 percent foreign equity; of P350 million for an

insurance company with 40 percent but less than 60 percent foreign equity; and P500million for an insurance company with at least 60 percent foreign equity.

The measure also adds new forms of admitted assets such as mutual funds, real estateinvestment trusts, salary loans, unit investment trust funds, special deposit accounts andother assets which are deemed by the Insurance Commissioner to be readily realizable andavailable for the payment of losses and claims at values to be determined by the insurancefirm.

It also grants the Insurance Commissioner the authority to register self-regulatoryorganizations whose operations are related to or connected to insurance.

Other salient features of the bill include the adoption of international standards onsolvency requirement; additional new title on “Banc assurance” which the measure definesas the presentation and sale to bank customers by an insurance company of its insuranceproducts within or outside the premises of the head office of such bank duly licensed by theBangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) or any of its branches under such rules and regulationsthat the Commissioner may promulgate; and giving authority to insurance companies toengage in trust business operations.

Lady solon proposes ‘MotorcycleSafety Act for Children’

A lady lawmaker has filed a measureseeking to prohibit motorists from carryinga child three years and below on motorcy-cles along national highways.

Manila Rep. Ma. Theresa Bonoan-Davidauthored House Bill 5345, which aims toprovide safety measures for all riders andpassengers to avoid injury or fatalityespecially for children on motorcycles.

However, the bill will not cover provinc-es where there are no considerable

vehicular traffic and where motorcycles arethe only means of transportation.

Bonoan-David said recent accidentshave occurred where children wereseverely injured while riding on a motorcy-cle because they lack the developmentskills to pay attention and properly securethemselves while riding.

“The State recognizes its role to maintainat all times the safety and protection ofchildren,” she said.

In invoking its power of parens patriae,Bonoan-David said the State may exerciseits authority to usurp the rights of the naturalparent or guardian and to act as parent ofany child or individual, or an incapacitatedand dependent person who is in need ofprotection against danger, risk to their livesand limbs.

She said during these times of rising oilprices and worsening traffic problems,many Filipinos are now using motorcyclesas their primary means of transport.

“These vehicles are easier to maneuverduring heavy traffic and are more fuel-efficient than cars. However, motorcyclesare considered high-risk vehicles, both withrespect to drivers and other motorists,” thelady solon said.

Under the measure to be known as the“Motorcycle Safety Act for Children,”violators will be slapped with a fine ofP5,000 for the first offense, P8,000 for thesecond offense, and P10,000 for the thirdand succeeding offenses.

The bill mandates the Land Transporta-tion Office (LTO) to formulate the pertinentrules and regulations for the effectiveimplementation of the proposed Act.

TRUST IN GOD.

NEWSTHE PHILIPPINES’s 1st & ONLY WEEKLY BROADSHEET NEWSMAGAZINE

7Nov. 7 - 14, 2011

Party-list lawmakers have called on the government to invest in solarpower to promote energy stability and attain energy independence from oilcompanies and traditional energy sources.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teodoro Casino, one of the authors of HouseBill No. 5405, said the objectives of the bill are to mitigate global warmingand air pollution, and encourage industry growth that will lead to more jobsand lower electricity bills.

“In an era of increasingly high prices and foreseeable decline of theglobal oil supply, government should at the soonest develop fuel alternativesand accelerate the exploration and utilization of renewable sources ofenergy,” he said.

In 2008, Casino said Congress enacted Republic Act No. 9513 or the“Renewable Energy Act” to encourage investments in renewable energy.

“To complement this measure, it is also necessary to encourage demandand provide incentives especially to purchasers of small renewable energysystems,” he said.

Gabriela party-list Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan, co-author of the measure,said the Philippines will greatly benefit from using renewable sources ofenergy because of its clean and sustainable character.

Ilagan said solar technology can be an immediate and sustainable way todeal with the country’s energy problems, especially with the abundance ofsolar energy nationwide and the modular nature of solar energy systems.

“Besides the country being the second in Southeast Asia in terms ofirradiation and insolation, we already have the foundation to become arenewable energy leader in the region owing to the strong semi-conductorindustry and the manpower base serving in the manufacturing and servicesectors, especially the installers’ sub-sector,” she said.

For his part, Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino, another co-author of the bill, said the measure provides for incentives and financingfacilities to encourage the use of solar energy by ordinary electricityconsumers like residences, offices and small and medium businessestablishments.

“It is hoped that through this, the demand for clean solar energy, as wellas the opportunities for local manufacturing and related solar energyproducts and services will increase,” he said.

Under the measure to be known as the “One Million Solar Roofs Act of2011,” the government, through the Department of Energy (DoE), theNational Renewable Energy Board (NREB), and the Housing and UrbanDevelopment Coordinating Council (HUDCC) shall encourage theinstallation of small solar energy systems in homes and business establish-ments all over the country, targeting a million rooftops in the next 10 years.

The bill also mandates the NREB, in consultation with stakeholders suchas homeowners, small businesses, factories and renewable energyproviders, to issue the necessary rules and regulation for the effectiveimplementation of the proposed Act.

The NREB is also tasked to formulate and implement the eligibilitycriteria for qualified participants who may avail of incentives and pro-grams, and determine the minimum standards for small solar powersystems, taking into account installed nameplate capacity as well as localcontent, which should be at least 50 percent.

The bill also mandates the NREB, Pag-IBIG Fund, Government ServiceInsurance System (GSIS), and the Social Security System (SSS) to providefor a solar rooftop credit and financing program accessible to theirmembers.

Incentives granted to renewable energy developers as provided for underR.A. 9513 include income tax holiday (ITH) for the first seven years of itscommercial operations; duty-free importation of RE machinery, equipmentand materials; special realty tax rates on equipment and machinery; netoperating loss carry-over (NOLCO); corporate tax rate and accelerateddepreciation shall be applied to eligible participants using small powersystems.

Under the bill, the necessary funds for this Act shall be taken from theproceeds of the Malampaya funds while the administrative expenses shallbe taken from the Renewable Energy Trust Fund under R.A. 9513.

Party-list lawmakers urge gov’t to invest in solar power

Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan called on Wednesday for drastic andurgent reforms of the present system for agricultural extension workers inorder to build global competitiveness.

Pangilinan reacted to the statements made by an official of the Ministryof Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, citing the Philippines’system for agriculture extension workers as a major stumbling block ingetting foreign investments.

“We can explore different options in making these drastic and urgentreforms,” Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate committee on agriculture andfood, pointed out.

“One is to review our current agricultural extension policy and institution-alize programs for agriculture and fisheries extension workers; anotherwould be to work closely with the private sector for capacity-building that isat par with private and global standards. We will exhaust all options andlook at the best possible solutions to this decades-old challenge,” thelawmaker added.

According to reports, Yasunori Araki, an official of the Ministry ofAgriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, said the Philippines had a“very poor government (agriculture) extension system,” pointing out thatonly private firms had good extension workers.

The Japanese official observed also that Filipino agriculture extensionworkers are “not so competent” and “take too much time” compared toagriculture extension workers from Thailand and Vietnam.

Pangilinan stressed the need to ‘overhaul’ the present system whileacknowledging Araki’s observations about the need to build and strengthenthe capacity of the agriculture and fisheries extension workers and of thepolicy itself.

Migrante says number of undocumentedOFWs to rise despite Saudization

A migrant workers’ rights group said the number of undocumentedoverseas Filipino workers is expected to rise to as much as 25 percent in2012 despite the Saudization policy.

Migrante-Middle east coordinator John Monterona said OFWs who havebeen given a final exit clearance still managed to secure part time jobs.

“They were given ‘final exit’ clearance but managed not to go throughwith their flight back home and instead tried to seek a part time job eventhough their work permits were already cancelled,” he said.

Monterona said there are about 1.2 million OFWs in oil-rich SaudiArabia. Of this number, there are around 8,000 to 10,000 undocumentedOFWs, Migrante figures show.

The Saudi labor ministry has implemented the Nitaqat system or theprioritization of hiring locals over expatriate workers.

The labor ministry also announced that it will be putting 20 percentceiling on the country’s expatriate workers.

“This would mean around 3M expatriate workers will be sent back torespective countries in the coming years on implementation of Saudi’sNitaqat,” Monterona said.

Senator calls for drastic reforms in agriculture sector”We also commit to turning this situation around as efficiently and as

effectively as possible so that we aren’t discounted out of the race by ourinvestor-neighbors. This statement from the Japanese government is aharsh wake-up call, but we needed to hear it,” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan also reiterated his call for the government to invest more inthe agriculture and fisheries sector “if it is to turn this nation around.”

”We are an agricultural country, first and foremost, and if we want toachieve developed-nation status in 15 years, we will need to make radicalchanges in the agricultural sector to ensure food security for ourselves andthe region. Instead of being a top importer of agricultural staples, we shouldturn the situation around to be one of the top exporters in the region, if not inthe world,” Pangilinan challenged.

Pangilinan also cited the gains by a public-private initiative calledAgriculture & Fisheries 2025 (AF 2025) as a “template” for reformingother areas of the sector.

“The combined efforts of AF 2025 stakeholders have made us effectivein increasing the agriculture budget by 54 percent in 2012, as well asincreasing crop insurance coverage and increasing the budget for thecoconut industry,” Pangilinan disclosed. “We can continue to tap AF 2025as a resource in strengthening the agricultural extension policy andprograms.”

A concrete next step, Pangilinan said, is to review a pending billstrengthening the national agriculture and fisheries extension system.

“The bill has already been heard and is now with the Technical WorkingGroup. We will review this piece of legislation while looking at otheralternatives so we can find the best possible course of action. This matter islong overdue and must be regarded with urgency,” he said.

Protesters, dressed in their Halloween costumes and makeup, display placards as they picket the World Bank office Thursday Oct.27, 2011 where visitingWorld Bank President Robert Zoellick is holding a news conference at suburban Mandaluyong, east of Manila, Philippines. Zoellick welcomed a deal clinchedby European leaders to address their two-year debt crisis, saying it may have helped avert the spread of the financial turmoil to emerging markets that providehalf of global economic growth.

A boy carries plastic bowls containingchocolate porridge as he walks pastfellow residents queuing at a localgovernment feeding program in Tondo,Manila October 29, 2011. The world’spopulation will reach seven billion onOctober 31, 2011, according to projec-tions by the United Nations, which saysthis global milestone presents both anopportunity and a challenge for theplanet. While more people are livinglonger and healthier lives, says the U.N. ,gaps between rich and poor are wideningand more people than ever are vulner-able to food insecurity and watershortages.

A worker drives past a Qantas airplane on the tarmac at the Ninoy AquinoInternational Airport in Manila October 31, 2011. Australian airline Qantasresumed flights on Monday after the government stepped in to help end thenation’s worst labour dispute in a decade. Nearly 70,000 passengers werestranded over the weekend, when the airline grounded its entire fleet.

Manila, PHILIPPINES Nov. 7 - Nov. 14, 2011 Vol. 1. No.22

www.metroexpressnews.yolasite.com

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A VALIANT STAND ON SPREADING THE GOOD SIDE OF PH

THE WEEKTHAT WAS

In Photos

Striking workers of the Philippine Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, picket the Qantas office at the financial district of Makati city, Philippines, Monday, Oct. 31, 2011 in support of the striking employees of Australia’sflag-carrier. Qantas Airways planes returned to the skies Monday after an Australian court ruled on a bitter labor dispute that had prompted the world’s 10th-largest airline to ground its entire fleet.

This trike driver finds himself fully loaded with balloons for sale in some select areasof Metro Manila.A girl carries a plastic bowl containing chocolate porridge as she walks past fellow residents queuing at a local government feeding

program in Tondo, Manila October 29, 2011. The world’s population will reach seven billion on October 31, 2011, according toprojections by the United Nations, which says this global milestone presents both an opportunity and a challenge for the planet. Whilemore people are living longer and healthier lives, says the U.N. , gaps between rich and poor are widening and more people than everare vulnerable to food insecurity and water shortages.

Muslims observes