Aguinaldo Shrine Pagsanjan Falls Taal Lake Antipolo Church Lucban Pahiyas Feast

PIA Calabarzon 3 PRs ( April 2 , 2013),Dispatch for April 3 , 2013 (Wednesday)

PCOO 20 Photonews for April 2 , 2013 , 15 Weather Watch, 3 Regl.Watch , 4 OFW Watch, 14 Online News

Weather Watch

about an hour ago

DZRH: Matinding inti ang naranasan ng mga residente sa Tuguegarao kaahpon na umabot ng 37 degrees centigrade.

Pinakamalinit na temperatura sa Tuguegarao ay naitala noong 1969 sa 42.2 degrees Celsius. Samantala, sa Ilagan Isabela

pumalo naman sa 35.3 degrees Celsius. Dahilan sa matinding init ng panahon unti-unting bumababa ang antas ng tubig

sa maraming dam sa Luzon.

Weather Watch

about an hour ago

DZMM: Apektado na ng nararanasang mainit na temperature ang mga pananim sa Benguet. Pumapalo na sa 27

degree Celcius ang temperature doon kaya’t natutuyo ang mga balon na pinagkukunan ng tubig na pandilig sa mga

gulay. Sa Isabela naman sa 35.3 degree Celcius ang temperature habang sa Tuguegarao ay 37 degree Celcius.

Weather Watch

2 hours ago

DZRH: Natunaw na ang namumuong LPA sa timog silangan ng Gen.Santos City. Gayunpaman, asahan daw ang mainit

na papawirin na may kasamang pulo-pulong pagulan sa kanlurang bahagi ng Visayas maging sa Mindanao, epekto

naman ng easterlies na nakakaapekto namn sa silangang bahagi ng bansa. Mananatili namang mainit ang panahon sa

Metro Manila at malaking bahagi ng Luzon ngunit mayroong isolated rain showers lalo na sa dakong hapon at gabi. Ang

araw ay nagpakita kaninang 5:49 ng umaga at lulubog mamayang 6:08 ng gabi.

Weather Watch

3 hours ago

DZRH: Nagsimula ng bumaba ang lebel ng tubig sa limang pangunahing dam sa Luzon bunga ng nararanasang init ng

panahon. Ngunit sa kabila nito ay tiniyak naman ng PAGASA na hindi pa naman sumaspait sa critical level o

nakakaalarmang sitwasyon ang pagbaba ng water level.

Weather Watch

3 hours ago

(03APRIL2013-01) 24-HR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST issued at 5AM today.

SYNOPSIS: Easterlies affecting the Eastern section of the country. FORECAST: The whole country will have partly cloudy

skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening. Moderate to occasionally strong

winds blowing from the East will prevail over Northern Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to occasionally

rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the East to Northeast with slight to moderate seas.>>

NDRRMC OPCEN

Weather Watch

14 hours ago

GMA-7 resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz on 24 Oras:

- Patuloy na magdadala ng mainit na panahon ang easterlies at mahinang pag-ulan lalo na sa silangang bahagi ng bansa.

- Nananatili pa rin ang trough ng isang low pressure area sa timog na bahagi ng Mindanao.

- Ayon sa PAGASA, asahan ang makulimlim na panahon na may kasamang pag-ulan sa malaking bahagi ng Mindanao.

- Magiging maaliwalas naman ang panahon sa malaking bahagi ng Visayas.

- May tsansa namang umulan sa may Hilaga at Gitnang Luzon habang ang natitirang bahagi ng Luzon ay magiging

maganda ang panahon kasama na ang Metro Manila.

Weather Watch

14 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Asahan ang magandang panahon sa malaking bahagi ng bansa bukas kahit may LPA malapit sa Mindanao.

Asahan ang magandang panahon sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon habang ang Metro Manila ay may 10% chance of rain

bukas, 10% din sa Huwebes habang 20% naman pagdating ng Biyernes. Asahan naman ang maulap na panahon na may

kaunting pag-ulan bukas sa Samar at Leyte habang maganda naman ang panahon sa Bohol, Cebu, iloilo at Boracay.

Asahan naman ang maulap na panahon sa Surigao, Davao, Gensan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Dipolog at Zamboanga.

Weather Watch

14 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Apektado na ng mainit na panahon ang mga magsasaka sa Benguet. Nabatid kasi na dahil sa pagkukulang

ng suplay ng tubig ay kaunti at maliit lang ang mga nagiging bunga ng kanilang mga pananim. Kaugnay nito ay humihiling

ang mga magsasaka na magtayo ng water reservoir sa kanilang lugar para may mapagkunan sila ng tubig tuwing tag-init.

Weather Watch

14 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Nagbabala ang DoH sa publiko ngayong summer laban sa heat stroke at heat exhaustion na kung hindi

maagapan ay pwedeng ikamatay.

Weather Watch

14 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Umabot na sa 37 degrees Celsius ang temperatura ngayong araw sa Tuguegarao. Dahil naman sa mainit

na temperatura ay natuyo na ang ilang panamin doon at bumaba rin ang lebel ng tubig sa Magat Dam.

Weather Watch

16 hours ago

(02APRIL2013-02) 24-HR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST issued at 5PM today.

SYNOPSIS: Trough of a Low Pressure Area (LPA) affecting Mindanao

FORECAST: Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro

Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in

the afternoon or evening.

Light to moderate winds blowing from the East will prevail over Northern and Central Luzon and coming from the East

to Northeast over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate.>>

NDRRMC OPCEN

Weather Watch

22 hours ago

THUNDERSTORM WATCH:

Issued at 10:00 AM, 02 April 2013

Thunderstorm is more likely to develop over Metro Manila within 12 hours. All are advised to monitor updates.

Weather Watch

22 hours ago

PAGASA weather forecaster Alvin Pura on DZBB:

Re: Weather system update

-Mayroon tayong LPA pero nasa labas naman po ito ng PAR. Nasa southeastern portion ng Mindanao, pero yung track

po niya ay nakakaapekto sa Mindanao at Western Visayas na nagdadala ng kaulapan, light to moderate rains.

-Maliit po ang tsansa na maging bagyo po ito (LPA), pero may mga dalang light to moderate rains sa mga area na

nabanggit.

-Pagpasok po ng Wednesday at Thursday makakaranas tayo ng pag-ulan sa area ng Zamboaga.

-Dito sa Luzon at Visayas medyo nakakaranas tayo ng medyo mainit na temperatura dahil sa Easterlies. May mga

localize thunderstorm sa hapon o gabi.

-Kahapon umabot ng 36.7 Degree Celsius ang naitalang temperatura sa Subic Bay.

-33.5 Degree Celsius kahapon ang Metro Manila.

Weather Watch

22 hours ago

GMA News TV: Ayon sa PAGASA, normal lang pagbaba ng lebel ng tubig sa ilang dam sa Luzon ngayong tag-init

dahil bihira ang ulan.

Weather Watch

23 hours ago

DZMM: Posibleng tumagal pa hanggang una o kalagitnaan ng buwan ng Mayo ang nararamdamang mainit na

panahon lalo na sa dakong hapon. Sinabi PAGASA weather forecaster Alvin Pura na kalimitang umiiral sa ganitong mga

buwan ang ridge of high pressure na nagdadala ng maalinsangang panahon.

Weather Watch

April 3 , 2013 3 hours ago

CAVITE : Sunny

LAGUNA : Sunny

BATANGAS : Fair weather

RIZAL : Sunny

QUEZON : Sunny

PIA Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

15 hours ago

PIA-4A: The National Nutrition Council (NNC)-4A has created today the regional Bantay Asin task force composed of

representatives from the DOH-CHD including agencies under its supervision like the Food and Drug Administration,

Health Operations Service and NNC; other regional line agencies including the DTI; DOST; DepEd; Philippine Ports

Authority; Bureau of Customs; DILG; and the PIA.

PIA Regional Watch

17 hours ago

PIA-4A/CAVITE: The Philippine Postal Corporation in Carmona recently launched their Bayad Center services in

partnership with the CIS Bayad Center Incorporated. Said services aimed to make payment of bills convenient to the

paying public.

PIA Regional Watch

17 hours ago

PIA-4A/CAVITE: The city government of Bacoor together with the Bureau of Fire Protection and the local PNP

launched the Junior Police and Junior Fire Marshal program to further encouraged the involvement and awareness of

various sectors especially the youths in safety and fire prevention in the city. The program is open to all youth ages 14 to

20, including out-of- school who are willing to do voluntary work and provide assistance to the BFP and PNP appropriate

to their age and capacity.

PIA OFW Watch

Highlights

1.

PIA OFW Watch

about an hour ago

POEA Administrator Hanz Cacdac on DZMM:

Re: Job opportunities sa Saudi Arabia sa mga female Muslim nurses

-Yong Ministry of Health ng Saudi Arabia ay nag-announce ng kanilang desire to hire female Muslim nurses.

-Dumulog lang sila sa central office namin, regional centers sa Mindanao.

-Mayroon sa ating website, www.poea.gov.ph . E –website

-Dapat certified na muslim kayo. Dapat 4 year work experience.

-The Saudi side is willing to consider iyong experiences ng ating Muslim nurses at volunteers at other experience

sa government employment programs.

-Puwedeng i-credit yon as work experience.

-When it comes to Muslim hiring it is a gov’t. to gov’t. arrangement. Walang gastos sa recruitment.

-Bukod sa pagiging Muslim dapat sila ay nursing graduate, with masteral degree, board passer, not more than

40 years old. Minimum 2 years experience sa may masters degree.

-Sa Saudi side sabi nila mga 4,000 Saudi Riyals sa peso mga P40-45,000.00

-In-announce ko na rin na ang requirement dito sa mga Muslim nurses na mag- submit na ng resume sa aming

main office sa POEA, sa nasa Mindanao doon sila sa Mindanao offices.

-Puntahan nila ang website natin para malaman nila ang mga requirements & informations.

-Ang deadline po ng registration ay April 7 na lang. Linggo.

-Sa online registry haggang April 7.

PIA OFW Watch

19 hours ago

PIA-2/ISABELA: The provincial government's Migrants Desk is gathering data from POEA on how many Isabelinos

are there working in South Korea even as it assured it will extend help to them once the tension at the Korean Peninsula

worsens.

PIA OFW Watch

Monday

PIA-6/ILOILO: Bombo Radyo Correspondent in Hong Kong Merly Bunda reported that two Filipina domestic

helpers in Hong Kong were accused of killing their employer's son who was under their care. The Filipina domestic

helpers were reportedly Em Domasing and Lyn Banaag Tampadong. According to Bunda, the employer has also offered

to post bail for the accused domestic helpers. Domasing was with the family since 1986 while Tampadong in 2008.

PIA OFW Watch

Monday

DZBB: Pinag-iingat ng DFA ang publiko ukol sa mga nag-aalok ng trabaho sa bansang Portugal na idinaraan sa email o

internet. Kasunod ito ng abiso ng Philippine Embassy sa Lisbon na marami nang Pilipinong nabiktima ang isang

nagpapakilalang malaking kumpanya at law firm sa bansang Portugal. Ginagamit umano ng naturang kumpanya ang

pangalan ng mga lehitimong kumpanya at law firm sa Portugal para mag-alok ng visa facilitation at trabaho kapalit ng

bayad na idinaraan sa money transfer. Paalala ng Philippine embassy, hindi umuubra sa Portugal ang basta résumé

lamang para sa mga kumpanya doon na may international transactions at ang kailangan umano roon ay personal

interview para sa mga aplikante.

A. QUEZON

1. Tagalog news: Produkto sa bunot ng niyog, makapagbibigay trabaho sa

may 20 libong katao

By Ruel M. Orinday Tuesday 2nd of April 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis

LUNGSOD NG LUCENA, Quezon, Abril 2 (PIA) - May 20,000 katao sa bansa, kasama ang lalawigan ng Quezon, ang

matutulungang magkaroon ng trabaho bago man sumapit o pagsapit ng taong 2016 sa pamamagitan ng paggawa

ng mga produkto mula sa bunot ng niyog.

Sinabi ni Merly M. Cruz, undersecretary for regional operations and development group ng Department of Trade

and Industry (DTI) sa ginanap na press conference sa Queen Margarette Hotel kamakailan na malaking tulong ito

sa mga bayan sa lalawigan na maraming tanim ng niyog.

Kabilang sa mga produkto mula sa bunot ng niyog ay ang coco coir na ginagamit sa upuan ng mga sasakyan habang

ang geonets ay ginagamit naman upang mahadlangan ang pagguho ng lupa. Ang mga ito ay pawang iniluluwas sa

ibang bansa at nagbibigay ng karagdagang pagkakakitaan sa mga magsasaka ng niyog.

Ang geonet ay ginagamit din ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) sa kanilang mga programa,

ayon pa kay Cruz.

Sinabi naman ni Pablito Budoy ng DTI-Quezon na ang mga pinatuyong bunot ay nagiging coco coir at coconet sa

pamamagitan ng decorticating machines na inilagay sa mga bayan ng Sariaya, Gumaca, Calauag, Tagkawayan,

Mulanay at Buenavista.

Ang mga makinang ito ay ipinagkaloob ng Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) sa mga coconut farmers association

sa mga nasabing bayan upang madagdagan ang kanilang pagkakakitaan.

Ang press conference ay isinagawa kaugnay ng pagdaraos ng 2nd National Coco Coir Summit noong Marso 21-22.

Ang pagtitipon ay naglalayong mapaunlad ang coco coir industry sa lalawigan ng Quezon at iba pang lalawigan sa

bansa. (CPG/RMO/PIA4A)

B. CAVITE

1. Junior police, junior fire marshal program launched

By Ruel B. Francisco Tuesday 2nd of April 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis

CITY OF BACOOR, CAVITE, APRIL 2 (PIA) – The city government together with the Bureau of Fire Protection and the

local Philippine National police here has launched the Junior Police and Junior Fire Marshall Program to further

encouraged the involvement and awareness of various sectors especially the youths in safety and fire prevention

in the city.

Held at Barangay Molino 3 covered court (for District 2 participants) and at the ABC Hall in Barangay Talaba 7 (for

District 1 participants), the program is open to all youth in the city, ages 14 to 20, including the Out-of-School who

are willing to do voluntary work and provide assistance to the BFP and PNP appropriate to their age and capacity.

According to Ms. Khei Sanchez, chief of the City Information Office and currently president of the Cavite

Communicators Network (CCN), members are to undergo proper training and seminar during summer break so

they (the youth) can develop their skills (as volunteers) and perform their duties through proper supervision from

the BFP and PNP as well.

On the other hand, BFP Senior Chief Inspector Aldwin Salazar explained that the activity for the junior police and

junior fire marshal is meant to instill social responsibility even at a young age among its members and to train

them into becoming more productive citizens.

The Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Bacoor, under SK Federation President Councilwoman Eliza ‘Miles’

Bautista, is throwing its full support to the project, and has in fact encouraged SK officials and members to take

part in this program of the city government.

The launching of the program was spearheaded by Mayor Strike Revilla, S/Chief Inspector Salazar, PNP P/Supt

Ronaldo Mendoza, Sangguniang Kabataan president Miles Bautista and members of the city council. (Ruel

Francisco, PIA-Cavite/Bacoor PIO)

2. DENR leads clean-up and mangrove planting activities

By Ruel B. Francisco Tuesday 2nd of April 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, April 2 (PIA) - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Cavite spearheaded clean-up drive and mangrove planting activities in two coastal towns and one city in the province recently. In cooperation with the local government units of Cavite City, Noveleta and Rosario including Maynilad Water Services, Incorporated DENR-Cavite entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with all parties to jointly protect and maintain approximately 4.5 hectares of mangrove areas planted with almost 21 thousand bakawan propagules. Said agreement signed by all parties stipulates that continuous protection and maintenance will be extended in the established mangrove rehabilitation projects so that mangrove planting will be fruitful. In Cavite City, DENR-Cavite and Maynilad in collaboration with the city government hosted the mangrove planting in Barangay 5 last February 16 this year. Five thousand (5,000) mangrove propagules were planted in the mudflats with an approximate area of one hectare with almost 60 volunteers joined the activity. Almost one thousand students from the De La Salle University-Dasmariñas conducted mangrove planting in Barangay San Rafael IV in Noveleta last March 4. About four thousand (4,000) bakawan were planted in the approximate are of nine thousand square meters. Mangrove planting and clean-up were undertaken in Barangay Ligtong 2 in Rosario last March 13, with 120 Philippine Coastguard, Municipal and Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) staff members led by Engr. Marconi Austria, and DENR-Cavite as volunteers. Roughly 80 sacks of wastes were collected mostly plastics. Two thousand mangrove species were planted in an approximate area of 5,000 square meters. On March 20, DENR-Cavite, Maynilad and LGU of Noveleta conducted mangrove planting in the same barangay. Five thousand (5,000) mangrove propagules were planted in more or less one hectare area. Fifty volunteers consist of representatives from Maynilad, residents and municipal employees joined the activity. Finally, another mangrove planting was set out last March 21, 2013 with Maynilad and local government of Rosario led by Hon. Mayor Jose M. Ricafrente, Jr. Five thousand mangrove propagules were planted in the approximate area of one hectare. Roughly 65 volunteers participated in the activity (representatives from residents, LGU of Rosario, PNP, Rosario and Phil Coastguard in Tanza, Maynilad and DENR-Cavite). According to Ms. Judaline A. Fabro, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Information Officer, DENR-Cavite is fortunate to have Maynilad as one of their partners and the latter is more than willing to extend their assistance in all other environmental protection activities. (PENRO-JAF/CPG/RBF/PIA4A)

02 APRIL 2013.

President Aquino assures Manileños of continued support

Aquino leads the nation in commemorating the 225th birth anniversary of poet Francisco

Baltazar

Palace: Enough measures in place to fight oil products smuggling

Malacanang expresses elation over latest Social Weather Stations survey indicating 81% of

Filipinos are satisfied with their lives

President Aquino assures Manileños of continued support

President Benigno S. Aquino III assured the local government of Manila of his government‘s utmost and continued support as the LGU, under the helm of Mayor Alfredo Lim, works to provide the basic needs and livelihood of its constituents.

The President gave the assurance in his speech during the proclamation rally of Liberal Party candidates held at the Bonifacio Shrine in Manila on Monday.

He said it was a fitting tribute to Lim who, since his time as Chief of Police in Manila in 1986, has been a strong and long-standing ally and leader to the people of Manila, whose welfare has been his topmost priority.

―Malinaw po, noong EDSA, at pagkatapos man ng EDSA, tapat na lingkod-bayan si Mayor Lim, lalong-lalo na para sa Maynila. Biruin ninyo, ang pinaplano pa lang natin noong universal healthcare, matagal na po niyang isinasakatuparan sa Maynila. Hindi lang po siya nagpatayo ng mga ospital, barangay health centers at mga klinika, ginawa pa niyang libre ang pagpapagamot ng mga maralita nating kababayan,‖ the President said.

―Dagdag pa sa serbisyong-medikal, pursigido rin si Mayor Lim sa pagpapagawa ng mga silid-aralan, at tinitiyak din niyang nakakatamasa ng libreng edukasyon mula elementarya hanggang kolehiyo ang mga mahihirap na kabataan. Bukod pa sa libreng pagpapagamot at edukasyon, doble kayod din po si Mayor Lim sa pagsisiguro ng kaligtasan at maginhawang pamumuhay ng mga Manileño,‖ he addded.

The President lauded Lim for joining government efforts to provide homes for the marginalized sector and keep residents safe from harm through the launch of the centralized disaster evacuation center ―upang ilayo sila sa mga lugar na malapit sa kapahamakan.‖

―Nito ring Pebrero, pinasinayaan ang bagong tayong centralized disaster evacuation center sa Tondo na malilikasan ng tatlong libo nating kababayang naninirahan sa mga peligrosong lugar tulad ng Parola 1 at 2, Smokey Mountain, Isla Puting Bato, at Happyland. Kaugnay nito, bilang bahagi ng master plan natin para sa epektibong pagkontrol ng baha, isinasaayos na natin ang daluyan ng tubig sa iba‘t ibang lugar sa Maynila gaya ng sa Tondo, Sta. Ana, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Mesa, Ermita, Sampaloc, at Pandacan,‖ he said. ―Sa lahat po ng nabanggit na proyekto, makakaasa kayong hindi nag-iisa si Mayor Lim sa pagsasakatuparan nito. Sa lahat ng mga tagumpay na ito, talagang napapaisip tayo ---sulit po talagang magpaseminar tayo kay Mayor Lim dahil sa husay niyang mamuno,‖ he said.

―Kaya nga po, basta‘t sinabi po ni Mayor Lim, hindi po tayo mag-aatubiling suportahan, dahil tiwala tayong makakabuti ito sa mas nakakarami. Kaya nga po, dahil tiwala ako kay Mayor Lim, anuman ang hindi niya kayanin, ako na po mismo ang gagawa ng paraan para isakatuparan ang hindi niya makakaya. Kasangga natin si Mayor Lim sa bawat hakbang; kasangga tayo ng Maynila sa tuwid na daan,‖ the President said.

―…sa pamumuno ni Mayor Lim sa Maynila, hindi po tayo kailanman nahirapan na makipag-ugnayan sa kanya, at nangunguna po siya sa paglilingkod sa ating mga kababayan. Anuman pong oras, basta‘t nariyan si Mayor Lim, makakaasa tayo sa mabilis na pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng mga Manileño, at sulit na sulit po ang sebisyo‘t benepisyong naihahatid sa Maynila,‖ he concluded. PND (rck)

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Aquino leads the nation in commemorating the 225th birth anniversary of poet Francisco Baltazar

President Benigno S. Aquino III led on Tuesday the Filipino nation in commemorating the 225th birth anniversary of prominent poet and orator Francisco "Balagtas" Baltazar. "Sa paggunita sa kaarawan at buhay ng dakilang makata at bayaning si Francisco Balagtas Baltazar, nagbibigay-pugay tayo sa naratibo ng ating pagka-Pilipino. Nakapaloob sa kanyang mga talinghaga ang diwang makabayan, na siyang nagpaalab ng pambansang pagkakakilanlan, at nagpunla ng damdaming nagbunga ng kasarinlan," the Chief Executive said in his message to the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino on the celebration of the 225th birth anniversary of Balagtas. President Aquino urged Filipinos to emulate the good qualities and hard work of Balagtas in helping the government to transform the country into a progressive nation. "Sa kanyang mga nilikhang tauhan, higit pa nating nakikilala ang ating mga sarili, at ang kahulugan ng pagiging makatao. Nawa‘y manatili tayong handang tumugon sa tawag ng pagkabayani sa ating sariling paraan, nang mapabilis pa ang ating pagtunton sa daang matuwid," the President said.

"Nagsisimula na tayong makalaya sa mapanglaw na gubat ng karukhaan at kamangmangan. Gamit ang mga bagong patnubay ng katotohanan at katarungan, sumasaibayo na tayo sa kurapsyon ng kahapon, at pumapanday na tayo ng bayang kinikilala ng buong mundo," he noted. He also called on Filipinos to work with his administration in pushing reforms for the country's development and progress. "Sama-sama nating ipagpatuloy ang pagsulong ng Pilipinas, tungo sa lalo pang maliwanag, lalo pang masagana, at lalo pang makatarungang lipunan," he said. Known by his pen name Balagtas, Baltazar has been described as the ―Prince of Tagalog Poets." Baltazar was born in Panginay, Bigaa (now Balagtas), Bulacan on April 2, 1788. He was the youngest of the four children of Juan Baltazar, a blacksmith, and Juana de la Cruz. Baltazar is widely considered as the Tagalog equivalent of William Shakespeare for his impact on Filipino literature. The famous epic, Florante at Laura, is regarded as his defining work. In 1840, he moved to Bataan where he met Juana Tiambeng who eventually became his wife. He died on February 20, 1862. PND (js)

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Palace: Enough measures in place to fight oil products smuggling

Malacanang made an assurance on Tuesday that there are sufficient measures to curb oil smuggling in the country.

In a press conference in Malacanang on Tuesday, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that among the measures in place include a tax regulation that ensures ecozone locators get the tax exemption.

This in addition to the visits and inspections being done by the Department of Finance (DOF), the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), he said.

Lacierda was referring to the Revenue Regulation 2-2012 that would have made sure that the ecozone locators would get tax exemptions from the government.

Unfortunately, the court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) and it was only last February when an injunction was issued declaring it to be in error, Lacierda explained.

Following the Court of Appeals decision, the Bureau of Customs has begun full implementation of RR 2-2012, he added.

―As I mentioned, apart from this Revenue Regulation 2-2012, we have stepped up on major physical visitation on those ports—ports which are considered as the ports where the oil imports are being done,‖ Lacierda said.

―We‘re making sure that all these ports are visited and that efforts are made to curb smuggling.‖

Curbing oil smuggling will improve the country‘s tax collection, according to the Palace official.

One of the seven major ports already visited by the DOF, BOC, and the BIR last February include the Port of Limay, Lacierda said.

Beginning this month, the DOF, BOC and the BIR will be visiting the Manila International Container Port, the Port of Manila, Port of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and the Port of Batangas, and other major oil importers.

Ramon Ang, the chair and chief executive officer of the Petron Corp. said at least a third of the total volume of oil products sold in the market came from smuggling based on studies from 2007 to 2011.

Ang said the government is losing P30 to P40 billion annually due to oil products smuggling. PND (as)

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Malacanang expresses elation over latest Social Weather Stations survey indicating 81% of Filipinos are satisfied with their lives

Malacanang expressed elation over the latest Social Weather Stations' survey showing that 4 out of 5 Filipinos or 81 percent are satisfied with their lives, a Palace official said on Tuesday. The Aquino administration thanks the Filipinos for their overwhelming trust, confidence, and support in the government, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday.

Ninety-five percent of those surveyed among the Class ABC on the income scale were satisfied with their lives, according to the survey. The survey also indicated that the rates of life satisfaction were quite high at 82 percent (Class D) and 74 percent (Class E). The fourth quarter 2012 survey conducted among 1,200 adults nationwide on Dec. 8 to 11 showed that of the 81 percent, 33 percent were "very satisfied" and 48 percent "fairly satisfied," the SWS said. Lacierda assured the people that the government would continue to undertake reforms and anti-poverty initiatives to provide for better lives. "As you know, we continue to improve our efforts in good governance as well as to serve our countrymen," Lacierda said. Lacierda said the sound macroeconomic fundamentals could be one of the factors for the survey's positive outcome. "Kasama po rito ang pagganda ng ekonomiya kahit paano, lumalago ang mga negosyo, nagkakaroon po ng pagkakataon ang mga negosyante at ang ating mga taumbayan na magkaroon ng livelihood. ‗Yun po ang ating nakikita —on a macro-situation," he said. Lacierda noted that the government has already taken significant steps to achieve its goal to further improve the country's business climate. The Philippines has finally won its much-coveted investment grade status from the Fitch Group, one of three major international credit rating agencies that assess the government‘s ability to pay back its debt and the chance of non-payment. "The recent investment grade upgrade was something that is very positive for us and we expect more in direct investments. With the formal announcement of the investment grade status, we expect more foreign direct investments, as well as for our local businessmen to take advantage of low interest rates," he said. PND (js)

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ARCHIVE 2013

02 ABRIL 2013

Tiniyak ng Pangulong Aquino ang patuloy na suporta sa Manilenyo

Pinangunahan ni Aquino ang pagdiriwang ng ika-225 kaarawan ni Balagtas

May sapat na hakbang para sugpuin ang smuggling ng langis—Palasyo

Nagpahayag ng kasiyahan ang Malacanang sa pinakahuling survey ng Social Weather Stations na 81% ng Pilipino, nasisiyahan na sa buhay nila

Tiniyak ng Pangulong Aquino ang patuloy na suporta sa Manilenyo

Tiniyak ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa lokal na pamahalaan ng Maynila ang patuloy na suporta dahil ang lokal na pamahalaan sa ilalim ni Alkalde Alfredo S. Lim ay patuloy sa pagkakaloob ng pangunahing

pangangailangan at kabuhayan para sa mamamayan ng lungsod. Ito ang binigyang diin ng Pangulo sa talumpati niya sa proklamasyon ng mga kandidato ng Lapiang Liberal na idinaos sa Bonifacio Shrine sa Maynila Lunes. Sinabi ng Pangulo na angkop na parangal kay Lim na sapul nang maging Puno ng Pulisya ng Maynila noong 1986, ay lagi nang matatag at walang pasubali nang kapanalig at lider ng mga mamamayan ng Maynila na ang kapakanan ay lagi nang unang-una niyang inaalagata. ―Malinaw po noong EDSA at pagkatapos man ng EDSA, tapat na lingkod-bayan si Mayor Lim, lalung-lalo na para sa Maynila. Biruin ninyo, ang pinaplano pa lamang natin noon na universal healthcare, matagal na po pala niyang isinasakatuparan sa Maynila. Hindi lamang po siya nagpatayo ng mga ospital, barangay health centers at mga klinika, ginawa pa niyang libre ang pagpapagamot ng mga maralita nating kababayan,‖ paliwanag pa ng Pangulo. ―Dagdag pa sa serbisyong medikal, pursigido rin si Mayor Lim sa pagpapagawa ng mga silid-aralan at tinitiyak din niyang nakatatamasa ng libreng edukasyon mula sa elementarya hanggang kolehiyo ang mga mahihirap na kabataan. Bukod pa sa libreng pagpapagamot at edukasyon, doble kayod din po si Mayor Lim sa pagsiguro sa kaligtasan at maginhawang pamumuhay ng mga Manilenyo,‖ dagdag pa ng Pangulong Aquino. Pinapurihan din ng Pangulo si Lim sa pakikiisa sa pagsisikap ng pamahalaan na mabigyan ng tahanan ang mga maralita at tiyaking ligtas ang taong bayan sa ano mang pinsala sa pamamagitan ng ipinagawa niyang centralized disaster evacuation center upang ilayo sila sa mga lugar na malapit sa kapahamakan. ―Nito ring Pebrero, pinasinayaan ang bagong tayong centralized disaster evacuation center sa Tundo para malikasan ng tatlong libong kababayan nating naninirahan sa mga peligrosong lugar tulad ng Parola 1 at 2, Smokey Mountain, Isla Puting Bato at Happy Land. Kaugnay nito, bilang bahagi ng master plan natin para sa epektibong pagkontrol ng baha, isinasaayos na natin ang daluyan ng tubig sa iba‘t ibang lugar sa Maynila gaya ng Tundo, Sta. Ana, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Mesa, Ermita, Sampaloc at Pandacan,‖ wika pa ng Pangulo. ―Sa lahat po ng nabanggit na proyekto, makaaasa kayong hindi nag-iisa si Mayor Lim sa pag-sasakatuparan nito. Sa lahat ng mga tagumpay na ito, talagang naiisip natin—sulit po talagang magpaseminar tayo kay Mayor Lim dahil sa husay niyang mamuno,‖ pagbibigay-diin pa ng Pangulong Aquino. ―Kaya nga po, basta may sinabi si Mayor Lim, hindi po tayo mag-aatubiling suportahan dahil tiwala tayong makabubuti ito sa mas nakararami. Kaya nga po, dahil tiwala ako kay Mayor Lim, ano man ang hindi niya kayanin, ako po mismo ang gagawa ng paraan para isakatuparan ang hindi niya makakaya. Kasangga natin si Mayor Lim sa bawa‘t hakbang, kasangga tayo ng Maynila sa tuwid na daan,‖ sabi pa ng Pangulo. ―Sa pamumuno ni Mayor Lim sa Maynila, hindi po tayo kailanman nahirapang makipag-ugnayan sa kanya. Nangunguna po siya sa paglilingkod sa ating mga kababayan. Ano man pong oras, basta‘t nariyan si Mayor Lim, makaaasa tayo sa mabilis na pagtugon sa panganga-ilangan ng mga Manilenyo at sulit na sulit po ang serbisyo at benepisyong naihahatid sa Maynila,‖ dagdag pa ng Pangulo. PND

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Pinangunahan ni Aquino ang pagdiriwang ng ika-225 kaarawan ni Balagtas

Pinangunahan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III Martes ang pagdiriwang ng sambayanang Pilipino sa ika-225 karawan ng Ama ng Panitikang Pilipino Gat Francisco ―Balagtas‖ Baltazar. ―Sa paggunita sa kaarawan at buhay ng dakilang makata at bayaning Francisco ‗Balagtas‘ Baltazar, nagbibigay-pugay tayo sa naratibo ng ating pagka-Pilipino. Nakapaloob sa kanyang mga talinhaga ang diwang makabayan na siyang nagpaalab ng pambansang pagkakakilanlan at nagpunla ng damdaming nagbunga ng kasarinlan,‖ sabi ng Pangulong Aquino sa kanyang mensahe sa Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino sa pagdiriwang ng ika-225 kaarawan ni Balagtas. Hiniling ng Pangulong Aquino sa mga Pilipino na tularan ang magagandang katangian at mga puspusang pagsisikap ni Balagtas na tulungan ang pamahalaan na maitatag ang isang masaganang bansa. ―Sa kanyang mga nilikhang tauhan, higit pa nating nakikilala ang ating mga sarili at ang kahulugan ng pagiging makatao. Nawa‘y manatili tayong handang tumugon sa tawag ng pagka-bayani sa ating sariling paraan nang mapabilis pa ang ating pagtunton sa daang matuwid,‖ wika pa ng Pangulo. ―Nagsisimula na tayong makalaya sa mapanglaw na gubat ng karukhaan at kamangmangan. Gamit ang mga bagong patnubay ng katotohanan at katarungan, sumasaibayo na tayo sa kurapsiyon ng kahapon at pumapanday na tayo ng bayang kinikilala ng buong mundo,‖ dagdag pa ng Pangulo. Nanawagan ang Pangulo sa lahat ng Pilipino na makibalikat sa administrasyon niya sa pagsusulong ng mga reporma tungo sa kaunlaran at kasaganaan ng bansa. ―Sama-sama nating ipagpatuloy ang pagsulong ng Pilipinas tungo sa lalo pang maliwanag, lalo pang masagana, at lalo pang makatarungang lipunan,‖ sabi pa ng Pangulo. Si Balagtas ang kinikilalang Ama ng Panitikang Pilipimo at Prinsipe ng Makatang Tagalog. Ang sinulat niyang ―Florante at Laura‖ ay kathang nasalin sa iba-ibang wika, kabilang na sa Ingles at ang mga aral na nilalaman ay hindi niluluma ng panahon.

Isinilang si Balagtas sa Panginay, Bigaa (Balagtas na ngayon), Bulacan noong Abril 2, 1788. Bunso siya sa apat na anak ng panday na si Juan Baltazar at Juana de la Cruz. Lumuwas siya sa Maynila at nanilbihan sa isang tahanan sa Tundo. Lumipat siya sa Beata, Pandacan na noon ay sentro ng sining, panitikan, dula at kalinangan sa bansa. Kinilala si Balagtas bilang kahanay ng manunulat sa Ingles na si William Shakespeare. Noong 1840, lumipat siya sa Bataan kung saan naging kabiyak ng puso niya si Juana Tiambeng. Binawian ng buhay si Balagtas sa Bataan noong Pebrero 28, 1862. PND (js/zaf)

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May sapat na hakbang para sugpuin ang smuggling ng langis—Palasyo

Tiniyak ng Malacanang Martes na may sapat na paraan na magagamit upang sugpuin ang pagpupuslit ng langis sa bansa. Sinabi ng Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo Edwin Lacierda sa pulong-balitaan sa Malacanang Martes na sa mga magagawa ng pamahalaan ay kabilang ang regulasyon sa buwis na titiyak na ang ecozone locators ay makakakuha ng tax exemption. Ito ay karagdagan pa sa pagpunta at ispeksiyong ginagawa ng Kawanihan ng Pananalapi, Kawanihan ng Aduwana at Kawanihan ng Rentas Internas, ayon kay Lacierda. Ang tinutukoy ni Lacierda ay ang Revenue Regulation 2.2012 na titiyak na makakukuha ng tax exemption ang ecozone locators buhat sa pamahalaan. Ipinaliwanag ni Lacierda na sa kasawiang palad, naglabas ang hukuman ng temporary restraining order. Noong Pebrero lamang nagkaroon ng injunction. Dahil sa pasiya ng Hukuman sa paghahabol ay pinasimulan na ng Kawanihan ng Aduwana ang pagpapatupad ng RR 2-2012. Idinugtong ni Lacierda na bukod sa Revenue Regulation 2-2012, pinag-ibayo pa rin ang pagdalaw sa mga daungang ito kung saan ginagawa ang pag-angkat ng langis. Idinagdag ni Lacierda na lahat ng daungan ay tinitiyak na napupuntahan at ito ay kaugnay ng layuning sugpuin ang pagpupuslit. Sinabi pa ni Lacierda na kapag nasugpo ang smuggling, tataas ang buwis na malilikom. Isa sa pitong pangunahing daungang pinuntahan na ng DOF, BOC at BIR noon pang Pebrero ay kabilang ang Daungan sa Limay, wika pa ni Lacierda. Simula sa buwang ito, ang DOF, BOC at BIR ay nagsimula nang magtungo sa Manila International Container Port, Port of Manila, Ninoy Aquino Internatioal Airport at Port of Batangas, bukod pa sa mga pangunahing umaangkat ng langis. Sinabi ni Ramon Ang, tagapangulo at chief executive officer ng Petron Corp. na halos isang-katlo ng kabuuang produktong langis na ipinagbibili sa merkado ay galing sa pagpupuslit salig sa pag-aaral mula 2007 hanggang 2011. Ayon pa kay Ang, taun-taon, nasa pagitan ng P30 hanggang P40 bilyon ang nawawala sa pamahalaan dahil sa pagpupuslit ng produktong langis. PND

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Nagpahayag ng kasiyahan ang Malacanang sa pinakahuling survey ng Social Weather Stations na 81% ng Pilipino, nasisiyahan na sa buhay nila

Nagpahayag ng kasiyahan ang Malacanang sa pinakahuling survey ng Social Weather Stations na nagsabing apat sa bawa‘t limang Pilipino o 81 porsiyento ang nasisiyahan na sa kanilang mga buhay, sang-ayon sa Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo Edwin Lacierda Martes. Nagpasalamat ang administrasyong Aquino sa walang katulad na pagtitiwala at suporta ng mga Pilipino sa pamahalaan, sabi pa ni Lacierda sa pulong-balitaan. Siyamnapu‘t limang porsiyento ng mga tinanong sa ―Class ABC‖ salig sa kanilang mga kita ang nasisiyahan sa kanilang mga buhay, ayon sa survey na nagpahiwatig din na ang mga nasisiyahan sa kanilang buhay ay mataas o 82 porsiyento (Class D) at 74 porsiyento (Class E). Sa ikaapat na kuwarter ng ginawang survey noong 2012 sa 1,200 may sapat na gulang sa buong bansa noong Disyembre 8-11 ay lumitaw na 81 porsiyento ang ―very satisfied‖ at 48 porsiyeto naman ang ―fairly satisfied, ayon sa SWS. Tiniyak ni Lacierda na ipagpapatuloy ng pamahalaan ang pagsasagawa ng mga reporma at programa upang

maging higit na mainam ang buhay sa bansa. ―Alam naman ninyo na patuloy kami sa pagsisikap na lalo pang mapabuti ang pamamahala at paglilingkod sa mga kababayan natin,‖ sabi ni Lacierda. ―Kasama po rito ang pagganda ng ekonomya. Kahit paano lumalago ang mga negosyo, nagkakaroon po ng pagkakataon ang mga negosyante at ang ating taong bayan ay nagkakaroon ng ikabubuhay. Iyon po ang ating nakikita—on a macro-situation,‖ dagdag ni Lacierda. Binigyang diin ni Lacierda na ginawa na ng pamahalaan ang mahalagang mga hakbang upang matamo ang hangaring mapabuti ang kalagayan ng pagnenegosyo sa bansa. Sa wakas ay natamo ng Pilipinas ang matagal nang inaasam na investment grade status buhat sa ―Fitch Group,‖ isa sa tatlong pangunahing international credit rating agencies na tumataya sa kakayahan ng pamahalaan na bayaran ang utang at ang chance of non-payment. ―Ang investment grade upgrade ay isang bagay na napakainam para sa atin at inaasahan natin ang dagdag na tuwirang pamumuhunan. Sa pormal na pagpapahayag tungkol sa investment grade status, makaaasa tayo ng ibayong tuwirang pamumuhunan ng mga dayuhan, gayundin naman ang mga lokal nating mangangalakal na makikinabang sa mababang interest rates,‖ dugtong pa ng Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo. PND (js/zaf)

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ONLINE NEWS April 2 , 2013

1. POLO reports normal situation in South Korea, advises OFWs to stay alert

2. Baldoz outlines job search reminders for grads, jobseekers

3. Ombudsman orders filing of charges against "Euro Generals"

4. Roxas: Dinagat Islands development a priority

5. PH observes World Autism Awareness Day

6. Gov’t fortifies collaborative efforts to meet coco coir industry targets

7. SSF for coco coir producers launched in Davao

8. Statement of Sec. Balisacan at the Asia Pacific Agriculture Policy (APAP) roundtable

9. Secretary Del Rosario presses United Nations for more measures to ensure safety and security of UNDOF Peacekeepers

10. PHL praised by international community for playing major role in Historic Global Agreement on Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls

11. Sweet guilt-free options for unhealthy sugar

12. SC OBC starts processing clearance for the 2012 Bar Exam Passers

13. BI cracks down on aliens with fake VISA

14. 3rd International Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge to boost tourism and environmental protection

POLO reports normal situation in South Korea, advises OFWs to stay alert

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

POLO reports normal situation in South Korea, advises OFWs to stay alert Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday urged OFWs in South Korea to remain calm and alert after the North Korea declared a state of war against South Korea. ―The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Seoul, which is constantly monitoring the conditions in the region, reports a calm and normal situation in South Korea. There is no reason to panic since the POLO is closely coordinating with the Filipino community in the region

and is prepared for any possible events,‖ Baldoz said. In her report to the Secretary, Labor Attache‘ to Korea Felicitas Q. Bay said that the Philippine Embassy released an advisory last 07 March for the Filipino community to stay vigilant and maintain its observance of Alert Level 1 or heightened awareness. It also constantly updates the Filcom of the security situation in the country through its website, electronic mail blast, community gathering and Filcom Leaders‘ Forum. Aside from these, POLO constantly reminded OFWs, especially those who recently arrived in the country, to always monitor the situation and to keep a handy emergency kit and money for any eventuality. Baldoz also called on the families of OFWs deployed in South Korea to also remain calm, as the security and safety of OFWs is the topmost priority, as ordered by no less than the President himself. ―Amidst the reports of a normal situation in South Korea, our POLO in the region work closely with the Embassy under one-country-team approach and would never let its guards down. It will continuously and constantly monitor the developments in the region and will always be prepared to ensure that our OFWs will stay safe and away from danger,‖ Baldoz said. As of 28 February 2013, there are 42,057 Filipino residents in Korea.

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Baldoz outlines job search reminders for grads, jobseekers

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

As the Department of Labor and Employment revs up its preparation for its nationwide job fairs to accommodate the influx of graduates and jobseekers, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday reminded the future workforce entrants to be armed and ready for their job search. She said jobseekers must prepare their ‗things to bring‘ list for the job fairs this summer. "When you are going to the DOLE job fairs in your city or province, have your application documents ready as thousands of job opportunities will be available. This basic," Baldoz said following her recent call to graduates to participate in the region-wide DOLE job fairs in April. Among the documents required by employers at the job fair are resume or curriculum vitae; 2 x 2 ID pictures (bring extra copies for multiple job applications); certificate of employment, for those formerly employed; diploma and/or transcript of records; NBI/police clearance; authenticated birth certificate, and other pertinent documents such as TIN and SSS. ―Being prepared will give our jobseekers higher chances of finding a job suited to their qualifications as employers can already pre-screen their documents and interview those qualified,‖ Baldoz said as she emphasized that having all pre-employment documents readily available shall allow a employers faster and easier job selection and processing. ―This will increase the chances of applicants to be hired-on-the-spot (HOTS),‖ Baldoz explained. The job fairs are open to all unemployed, skilled and unskilled workers, fresh college graduates, graduates of training institutions, displaced workers, and employees seeking advancement to rise in the career ladder. The DOLE's year-round job fair schedules and venues are posted for online accessibility in the government‘s job and skills matching portal, www.phil-job.net. Aside from preparing the ‗things to bring‘ to the job fairs, Baldoz also said jobseekers must be on guard against illegal recruiters and placement agencies which may even offer fake or bogus job offers in job fair venues. ―At this time of the year when recruitment scams proliferate, jobseekers, particulalry new graduates, should be watchful and should guard themselves against too-good-to-be-true offers that might merely lead them to the path of those who have been victimized by scammers," Baldoz said The labor chief encouraged students and jobseekers to visit or contact the DOLE‘s regional and field offices in their area to check the list of licensed private recruitment and placement agencies (PRPAs) and their authorized branch offices and representatives before applying for a job,. ―Our DOLE front liners, in partnership with our PESO officers, will assist jobseekers in verifying the authenticity and legitimacy of local recruitment agencies so they will not be duped," she assured, adding that a visit to the local Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) is helpful if they wish to avail of other employment facilitation assistance and services. "For example, they should know the schedule of our job fairs, training, and career counseling which could help them get into ‗skills-fit‘ employment opportunities," the labor and employment chief said. An updated directory of PESO offices across the regions can be accessed at the DOLE‘s Bureau of Local Employment website at http://ble.dole.gov.ph/pesodir.asp.

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Ombudsman orders filing of charges against "Euro Generals"

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

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the filing of criminal charges against the so-called ―Euro Generals‖ for the anomalous disbursement of Philippine National Police (PNP) intelligence/confidential funds for their travel expenses to Russia in 2008. In an 86-page Resolution signed by the Ombudsman on 26 March 2013, ordered charged before the Sandiganbayan were retired P/Dir. Gen. Eliseo dela Paz, P/Dep. Dir. Gen. Emmanuel Carta, P/Dep. Dir. Gen. Ismael Rafanan, P/Dir. Romeo Ricardo, P/Dir. German Doria, P/Dir. Jaime Caringal, P/Chief Supt. Orlando Pestaño, P/ Sr. Supt. Tomas Rentoy III and P/Sr. Supt. Samuel Rodriguez.

Rentoy, Pestaño, and Rodriguez were ordered charged with three counts of violation of Art. 220 of the Revised Penal Code (Technical Malversation), three counts of violation of Sec. 3(e), and one count of violation of Sec. 3 (a) of Republic Act (RA) No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act); Dela Paz was ordered indicted for three counts of violation of Art. 220 of the RPC, four counts of Violation of Sec. 3(e), and one count of Sec. 3 (a) of RA 3019; while Carta, Rafanan, Doria, Caringal were ordered charged with violation of Sec. 3(e) of RA 3019. Ricardo, on the other hand, was ordered charged with violation of two counts of Sec. 3(e) of RA 3019. He was also ordered to be included as additional accused in the case filed in 2011 against dela Paz before the Sandiganbayan, for violation of Art. 237 of the RPC (Prolonging the Performance of Duties and Powers). The Resolution stated that there is probable cause arising from the release, disbursement and use of a total of P10M of intelligence/confidential fund of the PNP as travel expenses of the PNP delegates to the 77th Interpol General Assembly in St. Petersburg, Russia. It added that ―the manifest partiality and evident bad faith of respondent Ricardo can be easily gleaned from his act of recommending himself and his co-respondents Carta, Rafanan, Doria, Caringal, and Dela Paz, as participants to the Interpol General Assembly, despite that he and his co-respondents were not qualified to attend said assembly because they were due to retire within one (1) year from the date thereof.‖ It also explained that Ricardo should be included as additional accused in the Information filed against dela Paz for Violation of Art 237 of the RPC because it was ―Ricardo who recommended that respondent dela Paz be included in the trip to Russia‖ which enabled dela Paz to prolong the performance of his duties as an officer of the PNP. On 06 July 2011 then Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro approved a Joint Resolution indicting dela Paz for violation of Art. 237 of the RPC; and dela Paz and his wife, Marie Fe, for violation of Circular No. 507, in relation to Sec. 36 of RA 7653 (New Central Bank Act). On 19 July 2011, spouses dela Paz filed a Motion for Reconsideration questioning the finding of probable cause. Thus, the 5th Division of the Sandiganbayan ordered the prosecution to resolve the motion within 30 days. After the prosecution submitted its recommendations to Ombudsman Morales, the Ombudsman ordered the conduct of further preliminary investigation and created another Special Panel of Investigators/ Prosecutors for the said purpose. The prosecution then informed the anti-graft court of the denial of the motion filed by the spouses dela Paz, and requested a suspension of the proceedings in view of the re-investigation ordered by the Ombudsman, which was granted by the court. In reversing its earlier finding on the case, the Resolution explained that ―the Ombudsman is not barred from revoking, repealing or overturning the earlier ruling of a predecessor in office.‖ The Ombudsman, meanwhile, dismissed the charges against former Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, retired P/Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr., P/Chief Supt. Joel Ma. Alvarez, retired P/Dep. Dir. Gen. Edgardo Acuña, P/Supt. Elmer Pelobello, retired P/Dir. Silverio Alarcio, Jr. and private respondents Evita Caringal and Cynthia Versoza for lack of probable cause.

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Roxas: Dinagat Islands development a priority

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

San Jose, Dinagat Islands In his first visit to Dinagat Islands as DILG chief, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas has stressed to local officials and residents that the socio-economic development of the province, one of the country‘s poorest, remains a priority of the national government. ―Lifting the lives of our poorest people is one of the priority goals of our government,‖ Roxas said after he and Transportation and Communication Secretary Jun Abaya on Wednesday, March 27 distributed 77 ―multicabs‖ units to different barangays and LGUs under the program ―Bangon Dinagat, Para sa Bag-ong Kaugmaon.‖ Abaya also distributed ceremonially checks for five barangay ports. Roxas said that since President Aquino assumed office in June 2010, it has been the long-standing policy of the national government to ―bring the government closer to the people.‖ ―Ang 77 units ng multicabs ay ipinamamahagi ngayong araw sa ibat-ibang barangays at local government units upang lalo pang mailapit ang pamahalaang nasyonal at lokal sa mga mamamayan ng Dinagat Islands. Ang mga multicabs na ito ay gagamitin ng mga LGUs bilang service vehicles sa pagganap ng kanilang mga tungkulin at pagbibigay or pagdedeliver ng serbisyo publiko,‖ Roxas said. ―Dala po naming dalawa ni Secretary (Emilio) Abaya ang pagbati at panalangin ng Pangulong Benigno Aquino III sa lahat ng mga mamayan ng Dinagat Islands na harinawa‘y magpatuloy ang ating pagtutulungan para sa ikauunlad ng lugar na ito,‖ Roxas said. One of the barometers to measure the country‘s progress under the President‘s leadership, Roxas said, is to see the number of people living under the poverty line go down in a province historically poor compared to the national average.

He said that the country‘s economic surge should lift all boats, emphasizing, ―magiging ganap lamang ang pag-asenso ng Pilipinas kung kaakibat nito ang pag-unlad ng Dinagat Islands.‖ Roxas added, ―Walang ibig sabihin ang pamumuno ninuman kung walang laman ang tiyan ng mamamayan. Hindi masasabing maunlad ang bansang Pilipinas, kapag hindi maunlad ang Dinagat Islands.‖ ―In our vision of national development, no province, no locality, should be left behind; and for economic growth to be meaningful, it must embrace all Filipinos. We‘ve made modest progress towards this goal,‖ Roxas said. He said the turnover of the 77 units of multicabs ―signals the beginning‖ of a more vigorous cooperation between the LGUs in the province and the national government agencies to spur socio-economic development. ―When I assumed the post of DILG secretary, I said I will strive to give ordinary people the respect and dignity they deserve and, more importantly, ensure their safety and protection through the rule of law and responsive local government units. Our priorities have not changed. Under the President‘s ―Daang Matuwid‖ advocacy, which has made good governance and honest public service its pillars, you, our people, are our true bosses,‖ Roxas said.

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PH observes World Autism Awareness Day

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

In celebration of the World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) today, April 2, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman exhorts the public to support the event by attending the ―Light It Up Blue‖ ceremony at SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City at 5:30 pm. Secretary Soliman will lead the activity together with some 200 participants from government agencies, non-government organizations, and civil society groups. With the theme, ―Make the Rights of Persons with Autism Real,‖ the Light It Up Blue campaign is a unique global initiative to help raise awareness and shine a bright light on autism as a growing public health crisis in support of WAAD. Iconic landmarks around the globe will simultaneously light up in bright blue on April 2. Prior to the lighting ceremony, participants will attend a lecture forum entitled, ―Understanding Autism and Its Medical Aspect‖ at the 2nd floor of Southwing Pavilion of SM MOA (near Music Hall), to be followed by opening of art and photo exhibit. Secretary Soliman emphasized that there is really a need to take measures to raise awareness on autism throughout the society and to encourage early diagnosis and intervention. ‖To date, the DSWD, in collaboration with the Autism Hearts Philippines, Inc., has enhanced its case management system for children with autism in two centers – the Elsie Gaches Villages in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Amor Village in Region III,‖ Secretary Soliman said. Likewise, the Department of Health (DOH) has organized a multi-agency technical working group for the conduct of a prevalence study on autism which can be the basis for a national strategy to address autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

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Gov’t fortifies collaborative efforts to meet coco coir industry targets

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

Through the recent National Coco Coir Summit, the government led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) works to strengthen national and local collaborative efforts to promote, develop, and sustain the growth of the Philippine coco coir industry and achieve its targets. ―We really need a very strong convergence. We will be needing support industries such as the transport, machineries and ancillaries; small coconut farmers, cooperatives, associations, processors, exporters, and traders; government agencies and units such as the DTI, Department of Agriculture-Philippine Coconut Authority (DA-PCA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Coconut Industry Investment Fund (CIIF), and local government units (LGUs); and the Philippine coconut industry cluster team for the coconut coir and peat,‖ DTI Undersecretary Merly M. Cruz said during the 2nd National Coco Coir Summit in Lucena City. Dubbed as ―May pera sa bunot,‖ this summit was held from March 21 to 22 in Lucena City. It aims to gather the industry‘s stakeholders and key players nationwide to assess their performance status, update on the results of government interventions, share best practices for replication, and resolve their concerns. ―By 2016, we intend to place the country‘s coco coir industry in the world‘s top 3 exporter of coco coir,‖ Cruz said. To achieve this objective, the following goals are set by 2016: USD 50M in exports, Php1.7B in domestic sales, P2B in investments, 200,000 farmers and 450 SMEs assisted, and 10,000 jobs created. According to data from the PCA, the Philippines lags behind in terms of coconut production and volume of coir product exports compared coconut producing countries like Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and Indonesia in 2011. For instance, the Philippines produces only 6,037 metric tons (MT) of coco coir products for export from the 15.245B nuts harvested from its 3.562M hectares of land. On the other hand, Sri Lanka produces 120,616 MT

of coco coir export products out of 0.395M hectares of land that produces 2.707B nuts. From 2010 to 2012, the contribution per coco coir commodity to the country‘s export include: raw or baled fiber (62%), coco peat or dust (25%), coco twines or cordage (11%), and other products (2%), Cruz said. Cruz noted that our major export markets for coco coir and peat products are China, Japan, Taiwan, USA for the raw or baled fiber; China, Korea, Singapore, Japan for peat and dust; China, EU, UAE, US, and Asian countries like India, Indonesia, Vietnam for coco twines or cordage; and Malaysia and US for other products such as carpets. She also mentioned two new government programs supporting the industry. These are the Shared Service Facilities (SSF) of the DTI and Coco Tufting Facility of the PCA. Currently, there are 30 identified SSFs in regions 3, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. Cruz also mentioned three objectives in achieving the industry‘s targets: to develop and expand domestic supply-base for coco coir; to strengthen access to domestic and export market information; to strengthen market linkage among actors within the value chain. In addition, she discussed market prospects for the coco coir and peat. These include: coir geotextile, coconets, coco fascines for domestic market in DPWH projects and mining sites and for export in China, US, and Asia; coir mattresses and rubberized coir for export and domestic markets; coir tufted mats for the domestic market and export market in US, EU and Asia; coir twines and yarns for the domestic market as input to coco net weaving and tufting and for the export market in China, Asia, Europe and USA; and coco peat as a multi-purpose soil conditioner and growing medium for the European market and local nurseries, and landscaping. To cap it all, Cruz presented four business models for coir process: community-based integrated processing; big-brother integrator (with decorticating plant and outsources twining to communities and serves as integrator); tufting facility as market consolidator of coco twines, and triple-armor application of coir in mining sites. She also mentioned a potential business model on the coco peat as high quality growing media produced through a completely controlled process. ―We have to be ambitious in coming up with business models for the coco coir industry to boost local production, and be competitive in the international market,‖ DTI Assistant Secretary Romulo V. Manlapig said in an interview during the project visit of the summit.

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SSF for coco coir producers launched in Davao

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

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently launched the shared service facility (SSF) for the coco coir twine producers in Calinan, Davao City. ―This initiative is in line with the administration‘s inclusive growth advocacy. Our economy remains strong, and we want you to benefit from the country‘s economic growth,‖ DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo said during the awarding ceremony of the coco coir twining facility to Talomo Riverside Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TARIMCO). This facility is one of the 1,000 shared service facilities (SSFs) that the DTI intends to set up nationwide within the year. SSF is DTI‘s flagship program for SME development that provides facilities shared by a number of beneficiaries, such as cooperatives, institutions and communities, to help micro and small enterprises be competitive in the local and global markets. This coco coir twining facility is expected to benefit more than fifty (50) coco coir twine producers, mostly housewives and members of the TARIMCO. Domingo said if this SSF will run well, we can add more facilities. TARIMCO Project Manager Prime Aranjuez said that their group is very grateful for this assistance from the DTI, and TARIMCO has been a recipient of various programs of the Department as an assisted agrarian reform community. Aranjuez also said with this new technology introduced through the SSF, workers, who are commonly housewives will now earn P180 from P120 daily. These earnings are a great help to their daily household requirements. An average of 100 coco twine hanks per day can be produced by a person. The coco coir twining facility was awarded to TARIMCO last March 22, 2013. This awarding ceremony was led by Domingo, with DTI 11 Regional Director Marizon S. Loreto, DTI Davao City Director Teolulo T. Pasawa, and partner agency representatives of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), barangay officials and the more than 100 members of the cooperative. Barangay Captain Corsino Anabeso had expressed his gratitude to the DTI for this assistance which will definitely improve the social conditions in Calinan, Davao. Domingo said that this project is a partnership, and every member has the responsibility to take care of the equipment and maximize its utilization.

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Statement of Sec. Balisacan at the Asia Pacific Agriculture Policy (APAP) roundtable

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

It is quite timely that I stand here before you today to give the keynote speech on the challenges of public-private partnership (PPP) in agriculture and the rural sector in developing countries. I say it is "timely" because at this point, the Philippines, a developing country, has had adequate experience in PPP, starting from the enactment of our ―Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law‖ in 1990, which enables me to speak significantly about the issues and challenges that need to be addressed to ensure the success of a PPP program, especially in agriculture. It is also "timely" because developing countries of diverse institutional and technological capabilities have been moving toward deeper economic integration despite the long stalemate in the multilateral trade negotiations under the auspices of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Indeed bilateral and mini-lateral free trade agreements (FTAs), such as the ASEAN-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), have been increasingly becoming ubiquitous. In Southeast Asia, the ASEAN-member countries are in various stages of preparation for the dawn of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015. The question to ask is, what strategies should developing countries in the region, such as the Philippines, Myanmar, and Indonesia, pursue to realize the full benefits from regional integration? At present, despite recent advances in the agriculture sector, productivity and competitiveness remain a major challenge in each of these countries. Perhaps the most binding constraint to productivity growth of agriculture in the developing world is the absence or inadequacy of efficient infrastructure system, particularly transport, power supply, and communication infrastructure. The immediate consequence is the high transaction costs of doing business in rural areas, effectively inhibiting farmers from taking advantage of opportunities in rapidly growing areas and urbanizing centers, including foreign markets for exports. In addition, with the more prevalent changes in average weather conditions nowadays, and given the sector‘s vulnerability to climate-related risks, the need for infrastructure that would help farmers cope with the effects of climate change is more urgent now than ever before. The second set of binding constraints relates to the regulatory and policy regime for agriculture. High tariffs and quantitative restrictions set up to achieve, say, food self-sufficiency goals induce inefficiency in production and consumption choices, dampen competitiveness and productivity, encourage rent-seeking behavior, and ultimately hurt the poor who are usually net buyers of food. Partly because of high transaction costs and the high co-variance of production risks in agriculture, access to finance is far more limited for small and medium farmers, especially in developing countries, compared to their counterparts in manufacturing sector or urban areas. The inadequacy of working capital holds back the adoption of modern technologies embodied in new plant varieties, farm equipment, post-harvest facilities, etc. Even in cases where productivity-enhancing technologies are available, farmers too remote and too poor to purchase the inputs to use the technologies do not benefit from these innovations. Considering the numerous development priorities and programs that governments of developing countries attend to in order to address the binding constraints to economic growth and poverty reduction, including those for agriculture, investment partnership with stakeholders, particularly the private sector, is deemed crucial. It is in this context that PPP schemes are increasingly being utilized to implement certain public sector programs and projects. In a PPP arrangement, it is recognized that the public sector and the private sector have strengths and advantages that they could bring together to deliver a project and/or service of mutual interest, through the sharing of funds, technologies, skills, and other assets. Often, the chief rationale for entering into PPPs is the need for the public sector to augment its resources. By getting the private sector to invest in facilities (including the provision of associated services), which are traditionally provided by the government, a significant amount of public resources can be freed up for the provision of other needs and social protection, which are not financially feasible nor bankable to enable private sector participation. Other important considerations of the government in partnering with the private sector are the need to tap new technology and innovation and to harness the private sector‘s operational efficiency under contractually-set performance standards and its drive to maximize return on total invested capital and equity. This operational efficiency can drive down the life-cycle or whole-of-life costs of a project, enhancing its value-for-money and net economic benefits. In general, PPPs are undertaken within the context of broad reform objectives as it reallocates roles in service delivery, capital mobilization, and in attaining operational efficiency, among others. In embarking on a PPP program, it is important to realize at the outset that a PPP arrangement is a procurement option that involves a long-term commitment, often defined by the life of a project, between the government and the private partner. It is important to realize, as well, that while the private sector may finance, construct, operate and maintain, or manage the PPP project, the government retains the ultimate responsibility and accountability to society for achieving developmental outcomes, such as meeting basic needs, at the very least. The private sector‘s responsibility is limited to its obligations under the PPP contract. In undertaking a PPP program, the public sector needs to establish the policy, legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks to start with. The policy framework would provide the rationale for entering into PPPs, including the process for entering into such arrangements. It should be noted that the private sector goes only where commercial incentives abound to generate returns to their efforts on product development and deployment. Then, the government needs to establish at the outset the viability of a project and its attendant risks, in order to guide its implementation structure. This will be whether as a PPP project or otherwise, including the proportion of ownership that the public sector would assume, as it would have implications on the role of the government vis-à-vis that of the private partner. For example, if the government chooses to fully privatize a

specific asset and related services, its participation would be limited to regulation and establishment of an enabling environment. On the other hand, if it chooses to retain 100 percent ownership, it would assume the role of provider and would bear all risks attendant to the project. Aside from the policy framework, a legal framework is also needed to ensure that long-term PPP contracts are effective and enforceable. Moreover, a regulatory framework needs to be put in place to provide the necessary technical, safety, and economic safeguards in the enforcement of a PPP contract. However, the public sector can choose to undertake regulation through the PPP contract itself or through an independent regulator for a given sector. In a PPP arrangement, the government can transfer some of the risks of a project to the private partner. The risk allocation is based on the principle that the party taking on the risk is the one that is best able to manage the risk to ensure the success of the project, particularly the value-for-money aspect. As compensation for its investment and for taking on some of the risks, an appropriate return is given to the private partner, which is recovered through third party/users in the form of user charges, fares, etc. Broadly, PPPs can be categorized into two types: (1) those which have a high potential of being both economically and financially viable such as toll roads; and (2) those that are economically viable but are inherently not financially viable such as hospitals, correctional facilities, and agriculture-related projects (e.g., irrigation). In these two broad categories of PPPs, the risk profiles and allocation are different. In the first type where demand is potentially robust, notwithstanding optimism bias that is usually present in forecasting, the market or demand risk is borne by the private partner. In the second category of PPPs, which are considered ‗social‘ in nature, the government usually bears the demand risk. The transaction is often through an availability-based payment mechanism where the government‘s payment to the private partner is based upon the availability of the facility. In the agriculture sector, programs and projects have a risk profile that is dominated by seasonality issues and force majeure risks in the form of natural disasters (e.g., typhoons and droughts) and climate change-related effects, among others. Also, poor connectivity often aggravates the situation. Accordingly, potential PPP projects in the agriculture sector lean towards the second PPP category, where the government may have to provide subsidies, incentives, or availability payments to attract private sector participation. Given the nature of agriculture projects and the inherent risks in the sector, the government needs to find ways to make agriculture projects commercially viable. This is either through an optimal sharing of risks or through a transaction structure that would strike a balance between safeguarding public interest by ensuring that a project has a net economic benefit and making the project attractive to the private sector. The government and the private partner could also explore other factors that would achieve such balance through new technologies and innovations that would drive down whole-of-life costs, thus making a program or project economically and financial viable. Despite the progress made so far with PPP implementation by a number of countries worldwide, it is recognized that a number of challenges still need to be addressed. First is the need to capacitate implementing agencies or entities in packaging PPP projects, particularly agriculture projects, to ensure that they are bankable and attractive for private investment, while ensuring that they provide net economic returns. As mentioned earlier, while so many projects are viable economically, a number of them are not financially feasible, thus necessitating incentives such as subsidies, in the form of viability gap funding (VGF), from the public sector. Also, where there is uncertainty in the market demand, the private sector sometimes asks for guarantees to enable them to realize their expected return, such as ‗take-or-pay‘ provisions. In all cases, the government needs to strengthen its capacity for risk management so as not to expose the public sector to significant fiscal risks and contingent liabilities under the PPP contracts. This avoids projects becoming economically unviable in the long run should such fiscal risks become real liabilities. While PPPs are good vehicles for mobilizing capital and tapping private sector efficiency, they are also very complex arrangements that necessitate capacity development of the public sector in the areas of finance (investment, valuation, etc.), risk management (including management of contingent liabilities), and contract management, among others. It is important to realize that capacity development need be institutionalized given that PPP contracts are long-term in nature. Moreover, in view of the fiscal implications (e.g., VGF, guarantee arrangements, etc.) of some PPP projects, setting the policy framework, along with the legal and regulatory frameworks, needs to be established at the outset, with due consideration to attaining the best value-for-money. In closing, let me reiterate that PPPs have the potential of augmenting the public sector‘s fiscal resources and for efficiently managing facilities. However, if structured poorly, PPPs can also lead to significant fiscal liabilities. Therefore, there is a need to establish the guiding frameworks at the outset and ensure that concerned agencies and agents of government that would be involved in PPPs are capacitated in the areas I have previously mentioned. In the agriculture sector, private sector partnership has the potential of expanding the provision of needed facilities and services in the sector. However, sustainable PPP transaction structures or models need to be established first to take into consideration the distinct characteristics of the sector, particularly the attendant risks. It is seen that new innovations and technology, as well as adaptive measures, will play an important role in mitigating the inherent risks in the sector to make agriculture projects more attractive for private sector participation. Lastly, let me remind everyone that PPP is not automatically the right scheme or the default procurement mode to venture into. However, as Marco Ferroni and Paul Castle (2011) noted, when ―the right partners come together in the right way, the synergies they achieve can lead to results well beyond the reach of any one organization or institution alone.‖ PPPs have considerable scope for expansion, especially in the agriculture sector.

Best wishes to your own PPP endeavors. Thank you all.

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Secretary Del Rosario presses United Nations for more measures to ensure safety and security of UNDOF Peacekeepers

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

2 April 2013 –Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario pressed United Nations (UN) anew for ―additional and stronger‖ measures to ensure the safety and security of UN peacekeepers, particularly those in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights. In his meeting with UN Under Secretary-General Hervé Ladsous at the UN Headquarters on April 01, Secretary del Rosario commended ―the UN and all those in the international community‖ who contributed to the safe release of 21 Filipino peacekeepers in UNDOF and said that the experience brought to bear the reality that lessons learned from the incident should be used to make sure that UN peacekeepers are able to fulfill their mandate with greater safety and security through improved measures and procedures. In a statement following the meeting, Secretary del Rosario underscored the important contributions of UN Peacekeeping Missions to international security and stability and pointed out that appropriate measures should be continuously put in place to ensure the freedom of movement and the safety and security of UN peacekeepers. ―Our peacekeepers operate under the ambit of the United Nations with a mandate from the Security Council. These peacekeepers in all Missions including UNDOF deserve the full support of the international community, consistent with obligations and commitments under international law,‖ Secretary del Rosario said. ―By the very nature of peacekeeping operations, our peacekeepers already serve under risky situations. They therefore deserve the full backing of the United Nations through the implementation of measures and procedures that will respond to existing and perceived threats,‖ Secretary del Rosario added. ―I am pleased to note that in my meeting today, this particular call of the Philippines has been met with positive action within the Department of Peacekeeping Operations under Under Secretary-General Ladsous,‖ Secretary del Rosario said. The Philippines currently contributes to eight (8) UN Peacekeeping Missions, with a total deployment of close to 800 personnel. The Philippines currently has 343 personnel at UNDOF in the Golan Heights and ranks as the 30th top contributor of police and troops to United Nations Peacekeeping.

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PHL praised by international community for playing major role in Historic Global Agreement on Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls

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

2 April 2013 - The United Nations‘ Commission on Status of Women (CSW) successfully concluded its 57th session with the priority theme of ―Violence against Women and Girls." The annual event, which was held from March 04 to 15 at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, had a record high attendance of 133 States delivering statements. More than 6,000 civil society organizations pre-registered for the two-week duration of the conference which had more than 120 side events by member states, 300 civil society events and unprecedented global media attention. The 57th CSW session concluded with the adoption of Agreed Conclusions on the elimination of violence against women and girls, which was widely hailed by governments, UN officials and civil society as a historic global agreement, especially given the Jack of Agreed Conclusions in 2003, when the issue was last discussed at the Commission, and the lack of an agreement last year when the priority theme focused on the non-controversial issue of rural women. The Agreed Conclusions strongly emphasize that violence against women is a human rights violation and underlines that it is the duty of all States, regardless of their political, economic and cultural systems, to promote and protect all human rights, which are universal and indivisible. The UN Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Wdmen (UN WOMEN), working closely with UN Member States, UN country teams and civil society will be guided by the Agreed Conclusions to protect the right of women and girls to live free of fear and violence. The agreement constitutes a roadmap for prevention and response, with a total of 69 clear and concrete actions that should be taken by Governments and other stakeholders. The Philippines was widely praised by the international community for playing a major role in facilitating the negotiations for the agreed conclusions. The Philippine delegation to the 57th CSW session was headed by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita-Quintos Deles and Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations. The delegation also included representatives from the Philippine Commission on Women, Department of Justice, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Anti-Poverty Commission, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Commission on Human Rights, Department of Health

and civil society organizations. The Philippine delegation actively engaged other delegations in constructive discussions during the more than two weeks of intensive negotiations on the draft agreed conclusions which was facilitated by CSW Vice Chairperson Ana Marie Hernando of the Philippine Permanent Mission, representing the Asia Pacific Region. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet welcomed the adoption of the historic agreement and called for its speedy implementation.

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Sweet guilt-free options for unhealthy sugar

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

Filipinos love sweets, and this is proven by our love for sweet delicacies ranging from rice cakes to preserved fruits and jams. However, Pinoys have large risk of contracting diabetes, with about 1.4 million Filipinos suffering from diabetes mellitus. As such, artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes can be very appealing to people looking to cut their calories or control blood sugar. Studies have shown that artificial sweeteners can be bad for the health. But nature has provided more alternatives that can give us guilt- and worry-free indulgence to our favorite sweet treats. Palm sugars: the next big thing Coconut palm sugar has garnered attention not only in the international scene but locally as well for reportedly being a low-carb sugar substitute and more nutritious than typical table sugar. Pure coconut palm sugar is a natural product made from nectar or sap of the coconut palm tree. According to studies, coco sugars has a naturally low glycemic index (GI) which has led some to claim that it is a valuable sugar substitute for people with diabetes or those looking to control blood sugar. GI is a measure of how sugar-based food impacts blood sugar, wherein high GI foods causes rapid rise in blood glucose levels in humans. Aside from the low-GI content, palm sugars also offers health benefits as it contains other elements needed by the body such as potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, magnesium, among others. Kaong Palm Sugars As the demand for alternative sugars increases, a team of researchers led by Dr. Lydia Manguiat of DOST-Calabarzon, has found another healthy substitute in kaong palms (Arenga pinnata). Kaong palms or sugar palms are best known for its fruit processed into salad ingredient and the popular kaong vinegar. A recent study under the ―Development of Low GI Palm Sugar‖ Program, researchers found out that kaong sap contains a GI value of 40 which is five points higher than coco sap sugar. ―While a tad higher compared to coconut sap sugar, kaong sap sugar is still categorized as low GI foods,‖ said Dr. Manguiat. According to Dr. Manguiat, kaong sap sugar has been in existence ever since, especially in Cavite and Quezon are. It is served as a local delicacy in the form of pakaskas. ―With its distinct caramel taste, the local palm sugar can be developed into a high-value commodity, as well as its by products,‖ she added. According to Dr. Lorenzo Lapitan of Cavite State University, ―Kaong palms have a high potential for sugar production due to the abundance of palms in the country coupled with its high sugar conversion ratio.‖ According to CavSU‘s studies, a single kaong plant can produce 2500 liters of sap which totals roughly to about 1000 kg of sugar per hectare. Similar with the coco sap sugar, kaong palm sugar is also a very good source of many key minerals and vitamins including potassium, magnesium, protein, calcium, and iron in beneficial quantities not present in refined sugars ―The program will greatly enhance the palm industry, which can help our local farmers augment their income as well as providing healthy options to sweet lovers,‖ Dr. Manguiat claimed. Aside from kaong, other local palms such as nipa and buri are being studied for their sugar production potential and other by products such as syrups and vinegars.

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SC OBC starts processing clearance for the 2012 Bar Exam Passers

Source: http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph

On April 1, 2013, the Office of the Bar Confidant processed the bar clearance of the 85 out of 949 law graduates who passed the 2012 Bar Examinations. The clearance is a necessary step before a successful bar examinee can attend the Oath-Taking Ceremonies on April 24, 2013. The OBC will process the clearance of the 2012 bar passers until April 23, 2013 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (M-F.) Bar passers who have not yet secured their clearance should take note of the following reminders:

OBC requires each bar passer to show two (2) valid IDs at the start of the clearance. It is recommended that each bar passer bring at least three (3) valid IDs since SC visitors are required to leave one (1) valid ID with the SC security guards stationed at the main gate.

Successful examinees must secure their clearances personally. Processing of clearance via proxy is not allowed.

Each successful bar examinee is required to pay a total of Php 4,300 before the Oath-Taking Ceremonies. The clearance from the OBC is required to be presented to the SC Cashier for the payment of Php 3,100 (Php 3,000 bar admission fee plus Php 100 certification fee.) The same clearance is to be presented to the IBP representative (stationed at the OBC) for the payment of Php 1,200 (Php 1,000 IBP annual membership dues plus Php 200 building fund fee.)

During the Oath-Taking ceremonies, only those in toga (gown only) will be allowed to enter the Plenary Hall of the PICC. Bar passers who will be attending the Oath-Taking may rent gowns for Php 250 from the toga rental service stationed near the main gate of the Supreme Court.

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BI cracks down on aliens with fake VISA

Source: http://immigration.gov.ph

Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel in all the airports and seaports nationwide have been ordered to arrest all foreigners caught trying to leave the country with spurious immigration stamps and fake reentry and exit permits. In a memorandum issued last week, Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. instructed BI employees assigned in the ports to apprehend any departing foreigner with a fake visa or fake visa extension stamp on his passport. Departing aliens caught in possession of spurious immigration documents such as ACR I-Card, emigration clearance certificate (ECC) and re-entry permits should also be arrested, David said. David also ordered the imposition of administrative penalties on any BI employee responsible for providing the spurious immigration stamps and fraudulent travel documents to foreigners. He said BI employees suspected of involvement in the scheme shall be referred to the bureau‘s board of discipline for investigation of their possible criminal and administrative liability. Atty. Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, BI spokesperson and acting intelligence chief, said David‘s memorandum was an offshoot of the recent apprehensions at the airports of foreigners with fake visa stamps and other fake BI documents. Mangrobang said David wants the aliens subjected to deportation proceedings, blacklisted and banned from re-entering the country. She described the offense committed by said foreigners as ―very serious because aside causing disrespect to the integrity of the BI, they also deprived the government of much needed revenues.‖ David‘s memorandum spelled out the guidelines that immigration officers should observed when encountering immigration documents suspected of being fake or fraudulent. The said documents shall immediately be referred to the anti-fraud section for examination and if found to be fake or fraudulent, the foreign passenger involved shall be turned over to BI intelligence agents who will then commit him to the BI Detention Center pending deportation proceeding.

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3rd International Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge to boost tourism and environmental protection

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

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Municipal Government of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur will hold the International Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge on 27 – 28 April 2013 to further raise tourism activity and awareness on environmental protection for the Philippines‘ highest peak. ―The protection of the environment is a major thrust of tourism. Our 21st century tourists are more discerning and tend to patronize destinations with sustainable practices. The Davao region boasts of many unique offerings and attractions: the durian, waling-waling, Philippine Eagle, and the Mt. Apo. Top that with the community‘s active advocacy for protection, and we will have more desirable tourists appreciating these natural assets,‖ Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. enthused. The third international installment of the race and its sixth overall spans 113.3 kilometers: 47.8 km of biking, 50 km of trekking, 3.5 km of water tubing, and 12 km of road running. Any team of three, composed of two racers and one logistics crew, all above 18 years old, are allowed to join the race. ―For regular climbers, it takes two days to climb the peak of Mt. Apo and one day to descend. This competition invites participants to do a 24-hour climb of Mt. Apo and back,‖ DOT Region XI Director Arturo Boncato said. Forty teams participated in last year‘s Boulder Face Challenge with 11 foreign teams from Singapore,

Indonesia, Australia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. The race‘s winners were Corporal Cresenciano Sabal and PCF Gerald Sabal, brothers and members of the Philippine Army, who clocked a record of 15 hours and 38 minutes. They are hoping to defend their title this year. Sta. Cruz Municipal Councilor Fernando Ugdoracion said the organizers gave equal footing in terms of distance covered in the road running and mountain biking parts of the race. ―Last year, there were only 20 km required for mountain climbing and then almost 80 km were allotted for trekking,‖ he added. The race is also part of the municipal fiesta, Pista sa Kinaiyahan (Festival for Nature), which was first organized in 2001 during a heightened call for the protection of Mt. Apo. The event has been espousing environmental protection awareness through tree and mangrove growing, clean-up climbs, recycled material art exhibits, and fashion show activities. ―One of the municipalities with best practices is Sta. Cruz because it trains its community members to be vanguards of the forest. That is why we made this as the entry point of the competition because it is a model local government unit,‖ DOT Regional Director Boncato said.

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Last Updated: 02 APRIL 2013

Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy

Please click on thumbnails to magnify

President Benigno S. Aquino III distributes baller bands to members and supporters of

the Liberal Party (LP) in Manila after attending the Proclamation Rally of the LP

candidates at the Bonifacio Shrine in Natividad Lopez cor. Arroceros Street in Manila on

Monday (April 1). LP was founded on January 19, 1946 by Manuel Roxas, the first

President of the Third Philippine Republic. (Photo by: Benhur Arcayan/ Malacañang

Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the Proclamation Rally of the candidates of the

Liberal Party (LP) – Manila Chapter at the Bonifacio Shrine in Natividad Lopez cor.

Arroceros Street in Manila on Monday (April 1). LP was founded on January 19, 1946

by Manuel Roxas, the first President of the Third Philippine Republic. (Photo by: Benhur

Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by Liberal Party (LP) reelectionist Manila

City Mayor Alfredo Lim, Vice Mayoralty candidate Lou Veloso, reelectionists Manila

1st District Representative Benjamin Asilo, 2nd Dist. Rep. Carlo Lopez and 6thDist. Rep.

Sandy Ocampo, upon arrival for the Proclamation Rally of the candidates of the Liberal

Party – Manila Chapter at the Bonifacio Shrine in Natividad Lopez cor. Arroceros Street

in Manila on Monday (April 1). LP was founded on January 19, 1946 by Manuel Roxas,

the first President of the Third Philippine Republic. (Photo by: Benhur Arcayan/

Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III endorses the Liberal Party (LP) candidates in Manila

namely reelectionist LP Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim Vice Mayoralty candidate Lou

Veloso during the Proclamation Rally of the candidates of the Liberal Party – Manila

Chapter at the Bonifacio Shrine in Natividad Lopez cor. Arroceros Street in Manila City

on Monday (April 1). LP was founded on January 19, 1946 by Manuel Roxas, the first

President of the Third Philippine Republic. (Photo by: Gil Nartea/ Benhur Arcayan/

Rodolfo Manabat/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the Proclamation Rally of

the candidates of the Liberal Party (LP) – Manila Chapter at the Bonifacio Shrine in

Natividad Lopez cor. Arroceros Street in Manila City on Monday (April 1). The

candidates of the Team PNoy include Aurora Lone District Representative Juan Edgardo

“Sonny” Angara, former National Youth Commission (NYC) chairperson Paolo Benigno

“Bam” Aquino IV, former Akbayan Partylist Representative Ana Theresia “Risa”

Hontiveros-Baraquel, Senators Alan Peter “Compañero” Cayetano and Francis Joseph

“Chiz” Escudero, former Movie and Television Review and Classification Board

(MTRCB) chairperson Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Senator Loren Legarda, former

Senators Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal and Ramon Magsaysay, Jr., Senators

Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel III and Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, and former Las

Piñas Representative Cynthia Villar. (Photo by: Gil Nartea/ Benhur Arcayan/

Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III acknowledges the Liberal Party (LP) supporters upon

arrival for the Proclamation Rally of the candidates of the Liberal Party – Manila Chapter

at the Bonifacio Shrine in Natividad Lopez cor. Arroceros Street in Manila on Monday

(April 1). LP was founded on January 19, 1946 by Manuel Roxas, the first President of

the Third Philippine Republic. (Photo by: Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III listens to the briefing on the status of operations and

arrangements made in line with the Lenten Season byMetropolitan Manila Development

Authority chairman Francis Tolentino during the inspection of major passenger

terminals in Metro Manila at the Victory Liner Bus Terminal in EDSA, Pasay City on

Tuesday (March 26). The President wants to make sure that all security preparations are

in place to ensure safe travel during the Holy Week. (Photo by Rolando Mailo /

Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

President Benigno S. Aquino III greets passengers during the inspection of major

passenger terminals in Metro Manila at the Departure Lobby, Ninoy Aquino International

Airport Terminal 4 in Pasay City on Tuesday (March 26). The President wants to make

sure that all security preparations are in place to ensure safe travel during the Holy Week.

(Photo by: Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the ticketing and pre-boarding facilities at the

Departure Lobby, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 4 in Pasay City

on Tuesday (March 26) during the inspection of major passenger terminals in Metro

Manila. The President wants to make sure that all security preparations are in place to

ensure safe travel during the Holy Week. In photo are Manila International Airport

Authority general manager Jose Angel Honrado and Transportation and Communications

Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. (Photo by Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau /

PCOO)

President Benigno S. Aquino III distributes baller bands to passengers during the

inspection of major passenger terminals in Metro Manila at the Victory Liner Bus

Terminal in EDSA, Pasay City on Tuesday (March 26) during the Inspection of Major

Passenger Terminals in Metro Manila. The President wants to make sure that all security

preparations are in place to ensure safe travel during the Holy Week. (Photo by Robert

Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the ticketing and pre-boarding facilities at the

Victory Liner Bus Terminal in EDSA, Pasay City on Tuesday (March 26) during the

inspection of major passenger terminals in Metro Manila. The President wants to make

sure that all security preparations are in place to ensure safe travel during the Holy Week.

(Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III is briefed on the status of passenger volume, traffic,

airport security and assistance measures by Manila International Airport Authority

general manager Jose Angel Honrado during the inspection of major passenger

terminals in Metro Manila at the Departure Area, 2nd Floor, Ninoy Aquino International

Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Tuesday (March 26). The President wants to

make sure that all security preparations are in place to ensure safe travel during the Holy

Week. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau / Rolando Mailo /

Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the facilities of The Princess of the South

passenger vessel at Pier 12, North Harbor in Arten Road, Tondo, Manila City on

Tuesday (March 26) during the inspection of major passenger terminals in Metro Manila.

The President wants to make sure that all security preparations are in place to ensure safe

travel during the Holy Week. Also in photo is Transportation and Communications

Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau/

Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

President Benigno S. Aquino III buys a snack during the inspection of major passenger

terminals in Metro Manila at the Departure Lobby, Ninoy Aquino International Airport

(NAIA) Terminal 4 in Pasay City on Tuesday (March 26). The President wants to make

sure that all security preparations are in place to ensure safe travel during the Holy Week.

(Courtesy of RTVM)

President Benigno S. Aquino III distributes baller bands to the passengers during the

inspection of major passenger terminals in Metro Manila at the Victory Liner Bus

Terminal in EDSA, Pasay City on Tuesday (March 26) during the Inspection of Major

Passenger Terminals in Metro Manila. The President wants to make sure that all security

preparations are in place to ensure safe travel during the Holy Week. (Photo by Gil

Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III interacts with the passengers during the inspection of

major passenger terminals in Metro Manila at the Victory Liner Bus Terminal in EDSA,

Pasay City on Tuesday (March 26) during the Inspection of Major Passenger Terminals

in Metro Manila. The President wants to make sure that all security preparations are in

place to ensure safe travel during the Holy Week. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang

Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the ticketing and pre-boarding facilities at the

Victory Liner Bus Terminal in EDSA, Pasay City on Tuesday (March 26) during the

inspection of major passenger terminals in Metro Manila. The President wants to make

sure that all security preparations are in place to ensure safe travel during the Holy Week.

(Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the ticketing and pre-boarding facilities at the

Departure Lobby, Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 4 in Pasay City on

Tuesday (March 26) during the inspection of major passenger terminals in Metro Manila.

The President wants to make sure that all security preparations are in place to ensure safe

travel during the Holy Week. In photo are Manila International Airport Authority

general manager Jose Angel Honrado and Transportation and Communications

Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. (Photo by: Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III distributes baller bands to the passengers during the

Inspection of Major Passenger Terminals in Metro Manila at the Departure Area, 2nd

Floor, Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Tuesday (March

26). The President wants to make sure that all security preparations are in place to ensure

safe travel during the Holy Week. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III listens to the briefing on the status of passenger volume,

traffic, airport security and assistance measures by Manila International Airport Authority

general manager Jose Angel Honrado during the inspection of major passenger

terminals in Metro Manila at the Departure Area, 2nd Floor, Ninoy Aquino International

Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Tuesday (March 26). The President wants to make

sure that all security preparations are in place to ensure safe travel during the Holy Week.

(Photo by: Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

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