Aguinaldo Shrine Pagsanjan Falls Taal Lake Antipolo Church Lucban Pahiyas Feast

Dispatch for November 14 , 2013 (Thursday) , 1 PIA Calabarzon PRs , 24 Weather Watch,

4 Reg’l. Watch , 1 OFW Watch, 1 PNOY Speech , 15 Online News , 8 Photonews

24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST

Issued At: 5:00 a.m., 14 November 2013

Valid Beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow

Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure

Analysis for 8 a.m., 14 November 2013

Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind

Analysis for 8 a.m., 14 November 2013

Satellite Image

for 5:30 a.m., 14 November 2013

Synopsis:

At 4:00 a.m. today, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 380 km Northwest of

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (11.6°N, 115.3°E). Easterlies affecting the Eastern section of Luzon and Visayas.

Forecast:

The regions of Cagayan Valley, Bicol and Eastern Visayas and the province of Aurora will experience cloudy skies with

light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy

to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the east will prevail over Luzon and Eastern Visayas and the coastal waters

along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast

to east with slight to moderate seas.

Tropical Cyclone Update

As of today, there is no tropical cyclone existing within the Philippine Area of Responsibility

(PAR).

WEATHER ADVISORY Weather Advisory No. 1

For: Low Pressure Area (LPA)

Issued at: 11:00 AM, 13 November 2013

The Low Pressure Area (LPA) estimated at 158 km Northeast of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (10.8°N 119.7°E) will

bring moderate to heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms over Palawan. Residents in this area are advised to be

alert against possible flashfloods and landslides.

The next update on this weather disturbance will be incorporated on the regular issuance of public weather

forecast at 5:00 pm today.

GALE WARNING GALE WARNING NO. 15

For: Strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of Northeast Monsoon.

Issued at 5:00 a.m. today, 14 November 2013

Strong to gale force winds is expected to affect the Northern seaboard of Northern Luzon.

SEABOARD WEATHER WIND FORCE

(KPH)/(KNOTS)

SEA

CONDITION

WAVE

HEIGHTS

(meters)

The Northern seaboard of Northern

Luzon

(Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan,

Northern coast of Ilocos Norte and

Northern coast of Cagayan )

Mostly cloudy

skies with light

rains

(52 - 63) / (28 - 34) Rough to very

rough

3.4 to 4.5

Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted

against big waves.

The next update will be issued at 5:00 p.m. today.

1. Weather Watch

Philippine Information Agency's list of survivors from Yolanda-hit areas

November 12, 2013 at 3:46pm

(As of 3:51 p.m., Nov. 12) The following list of survivors came from our men on the ground. We will update

this note as soon as new details come in. For updates, please refresh this note.

1. Antonio Abayon 2. Manet Capoquian 3. Nonoy Magampo 4. Pablo Magampo 5. Pablo Magampo 6. Elpedio Cabile 7. Monito Pestano 8. Lydia Godo 9. Nimfa Paciencia 10. Gendy Paciencia 11. Globel Paciencia 12. Elaiza Paciencia 13. Nina Gane Paciencia 14. Lizette Nimfa Paciencia 15. Christian Paciencia 16. Genvel Paciencia 17. Gabrielle Paciencia 18. Zenona Sudio 19. Lourdes Sudio 20. Melody Paloma 21. Diana Mae Paloma 22. Ana Besarino 23. Stanley Jones

26. Jay an Carlo Dalag 27. Grace Mercado 28. Teresita Mercado 29. Rachel Antipolo 30. Ma. Jasmin Insigne 31. Anthony Varila 32. Erwin Varila 33. Judith Varila 34. Christine Varila (7 years old) 35. Angel Joy Varila (3 years old) 36. Angel Rebadulla 37. Leopoldo Tacmo 38. Francisco Tacmo 39. Jose Infante, Jr. 40. Jose Infante, Sr. 41. Aileen Nebreda 42. Narciso Corong 43. Tara Calistro 44. Goldy Miranda 45. Marilyn Sabong 46. Claudine Sabong 47. Leo Sabong 48. Alphon Aibar

51. Reniel Acibar 52. Angelo Acibar 53. Alen Jay Acibar 54. Alexis Acibar 55. Bella Acibar 56. Danny Acibar 57. Ulyses Acibar (2 years old) 58. Aaron Aciba 59. Lynlyn Villanueva 60. Eday Lim 61. Dodoy Diego 62. Ana Concita Lucim 63. Arvin France 64. Analiza France 65. Angel Mae France (2 years old) 66. Eden Diaz 67. Rica Porcadilla 68. Leo Napao 69. Sanny Cuanico 70. Betty Calixtro and her mother 71. Gerald Doria 72. Gary Porcadilla

24. Francesca Diaz 25. Corazon Tan

49. Rosevel Acibar 50. Reniel Acibar

73. Edmund Culo 74. Ruben Mercado 75. Leny Mercado

2. Weather Watch

16 minutes ago

Canadian Disaster response team arrive in Iloilo City to assist relief efforts in Panay island.

| via @TeamAFP

3. Weather Watch

18 minutes ago

My name is Geraldine Uy Wong and I am a private citizen who had just arrived from Tacloban after I

successfully pulled out my relatives. Now safely back in Manila, I read and hear comments criticizing the

DSWD and I feel that this is quite unfair. We are all guilty of judging the government, but I was there in

Tacloban to see for myself how the people of DSWD work. Beside her in the command post, I witnessed how

Sec. Dinky Soliman marshalled her task force to address the enormous job ahead that even my mind cannot

grasp. Tirelessly, she champions everyone to keep going even as the morale is evidently low, as she herself

goes through her never-ending list of to-do's, 24 hours being not enough for the enormous task that still lies

ahead. Yet she is gracious, her presence is reassuring, and she has the steady look and smile that tells you one

thing : we will not stop working because many people need our help. I ask everyone to please give the

government a chance. If you receive a message, an email, or a post criticizing this government agency or even

other departments, please think twice before you share or like. Instead, I ask you to go to the nearest DSWD

relief center to deliver your donations. While you are there, you might as well volunteer to do even just an hour

of volunteer repacking work. The government is really doing its best. It will be even more efficient if the

private sector pools its resources to support the entire national operation - that of helping our fellow

countrymen in this worst calamity ever imaginable. I hope you can share this message, even by word of mouth,

so that people are not discouraged to help. I am afraid that others will tend to believe the false things that they

hear and will be disheartened to help because they think it is useless.

4. Weather Watch

22 minutes ago

PIA-6/ILOILO: The DOH here said that government hospitals in typhoon-hit areas remain functional despite

damages, as the available facilities are transferred to municipal buildings or where the staff can be

accommodated.

5. Weather Watch

22 minutes ago near Quezon City

DZMM: Naglayag na rin patungong Tacloban ang BRP Corregidor ng PCG upang magdala ng ayuda doon.

Ayon kay PCG spokesperson Arman Balilo, tinatayang 2 ½ araw bago makarating sa Tacloban ang barko na

may dalang 164 tons na relief goods mula sa DSWD at iba pang NGOs.

The BRP Corregidor (891) is a modern Marine Accident Response(MAR) and Buoy Tender ship. It doubles in PCG service

as a short-range Search and Rescue(SAR) ship.

6. Weather Watch

38 minutes ago

PIA-6: RDRRMC 6 reported that as of 6PM, Nov. 13, a total of 495,464 families composed of 2,245,054

persons were affected by typhoon 'Yolanda' in Western Visayas. The number of houses totally damage reached

130,183 and 161, 741 were partially damaged. Estimated cost of damage in infrastructure & agriculture is now

at P151,237,161.13 and P182,231,190 respectively. Number of casualties recorded consists of 114 dead, 165

injured & 10 missing persons.

7. Weather Watch

about an hour ago

@govph: DSWD Sec. Dinky: Trucks needed to distribute relief goods. If you have trucks to lend, call Maan,

09205116459.

8. Weather Watch

2 hours ago near Quezon City

NDRRMC update, as of 6AMm:

2,357 dead

3,853 injured

77 missing

4B worth of damages

#YolandaPH

9. Weather Watch

3 hours ago near Quezon City

DSWD Sec. Soliman on ABS-CBN:

-Magmula Sabado narito na ako sa Tacloban.

-As of yesterday, 66,541 food packs ang naibigay na sa Tacloban.

-Inuuna po namin yung mga nasa barangay kaysa magbigay kami sa city hall para hindi lakad ng lakad ang tao.

-Maliban sa paghahatid, yung mga barangay captains ay kagawad po, sila na ang nagpupunta sa warehouse para

kumuha.

-Out of 137 barangay dito ay mahigit 60 barangays na ang na-cover namin.

-Mabagal dahil ang unang 3 araw, yung mga daan ay hindi pwedeng daanan, ang aming sasakyan ay hindi ganun

karami.

-May 4 na truck na ang gagawin ay magpick-up ng namatay. 250 bangkay ang nakuha kahapon dito at ililibing ngayon.

-Yung Guiuan hub ay para sa Eastern Samar. Sa Western Leyte side ay sa Ormoc hub sila kukuha (ng relief goods).

-May 8 trucks tayo na mag-iikot.

- Magpapahatid tayo ng pagkain sa mga naroon sa airport.

-Maaaring ang nakakausap ng inyong mga interviewer ay nakatanggap na pero hindi sapat dahil yung kanilang

pakiramdam na walang natatanggap ay maaring may natanggap na sila pero hindi sapat.

-Ngayong ayaw mamimigay kami ng mga tent.

-Palagay ko ang mga hindi namin napupuntahan pa na barangay ay yung maliliit pero tuloy-tuloy naming ibinibigay

itong mga pagkain.

-Hindi na namin hinihingi ang listahan basta sinabi ng barangay captains na ito ang may kailangan ay binibigay na

namin.

-Kumukuha pa kami ng maraming truck para matulungan kami. By tonight, may 60 trucks kami.

-May 53,000 food packs mula sa Navy na darating pa sa Ormoc mamaya.

10. Weather Watch

3 hours ago near Quezon City

DZBB: Mas naghigpit ng seguridad ang Ormoc kasunod ng mga ulat ng kaguluhan sa ibang bayan ng Leyte gaya ng sa

Tacloban matapos ang hagupit ng bagyong Yolanda. Sa direktiba ni DND Sec. Gazmin sa kanyang pagbisita sa lugar

kahapon, pinababantayan nito ang lahat ng boundaries papasok at papalabas ng lungsod ng Ormoc. Maraming pulis at

militar ngayon sa Ormoc ang rumoronda kung saan binabantayan ang maraming establisyimento at pantalan. Sa

ngayon ay itinuturing na maayos ang peace and order sa Ormoc.

11. Weather Watch

3 hours ago near Quezon City

LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez on DZBB:

Re: Kaugnay sa ginagawang pagtulong ng ahensya sa mga nasalanta ng bagyong Yolanda

-Mga galing Davao, Cebu regular ng nakakabiyahe sa Tacloban at regular na may mga bayad pa rin.

-Marami ng bus mula sa Davao at Cebu ang nakakabiyahe.

-Mga bus na galing Maynila, marami na rin ang bumibiyahe patungong Tacloban.

-‘Yung mga boluntaryong bus na manggagaling sa Maynila, libre (sakay) po pero po ‘yung mga may regular trips, ito po

ang may bayad.

-Ito ay nasa pamamahala ng NDRRMC at DOTC.

-May mga nakalagay sa bus na galing Maynila na libre ang sakay patungong Tacloban.

12. Weather Watch

3 hours ago near Quezon City

ABS-CBN: Bukas na ng bahagya ang mga linya ng komunikasyon sa Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo at Negros Occidental.

100% naman na naibalik ang linya ng komunikasyon sa Guimaras.

13. Weather Watch

3 hours ago near Quezon City

ABS-CBN: Dumating na sa Ormoc City ang isang C-130 na nagdala ng relief goods doon. Dumating na rin sa Ormoc ang

ilang miyembro ng Gabinete ni PNoy.

14. Weather Watch

4 hours ago near Quezon City

DILG Sec. Mar Roxas on GMA:

-Isang linggo na ako dito at kasama ko sina Sec. Dinky Soliman at Sec. Voltaire Gazmin.

-Kung ang standard ng pagsasabi na mabagal ang kilos ng gobyerno ay frustration, lahat naman tayo ay frustrated.

-Ilagay natin sa konteksto na unang-una barado ang mga kalye kaya 'yan ang una nating inasikaso na mabuksan upang

maipadala ang relief sa iba't ibang lugar.

-By day 1, inuna natin ang pagbukas sa mga kalye, ports.

-By day 2, Saturday ay bukas na ang karamihan sa mga kalye at airport.

-By day 3, nakakapagpapasok na tayo ng tropa ng PNP at AFP.

-By day 4, libo-libo na ang nakakapasok at nakakalabas na food packs.

-One week na tayo ngayon, day 7. Tuloy-tuloy naman tayo.

-Ang distribution ay sa kada barangay. Ang sistema ng DSWD, dinadala nila sa bawat barangay hall na nakatayo kasi

'yun ang kilala ng mga tao na sentro ng kanilang lugar.

-Kung walang barangay hall, kung saan ang kinatatayuan noon, doon nagpupunta ang truck para mamahagi ng relief

goods.

-Sa mga lugar na wala pa tayong contact, either may problema pa sa mga daan papunta roon, communication lines.

Pero ang DSWD naman ay nakapagpadala na ng tao nila roon.

-Ngayong araw ay meron tayong "Bigas Brigade" kung saan lahat ng NFA branches sa 40 bayan sa Leyte ay magbibigay

ng kanilang supply.

-Wala pong katotohanan ang naiulat na 3 attack sa Tacloban, sa San Juanico Bridge at NFA warehouse. Gayunpaman,

patuloy na bineberipika ng ating mga otoridad.

-Kaya rin nahihirapan ang relief operations ay dahil mismong mga lokal na opisyal ng mga apektadong bayan at

lalawigan ay ansalanta rin ng bagyo.

15. Weather Watch shared a link.

4 hours ago near Quezon City

DOH spokesman Asec. Eric Tayag on GMA:

-Mag-iikot at magba-bahay-bahay din ang aming mga health workers at volunteers sa mga lugar na sinalanta ng bagyo

kasi napakahirap na hihintayin pa namin ang mga tao na magpatingin. Baka hindi nila nararamdaman na may sakit na

sila.

-Inirerekomenda rin namin na kasabay ng pag-iikot namin ay isasabay na ang pamamahagi ng relief para sabay na.

-Ang mobile clinic po, ipinupuwesto malapit sa mga namimigay ng relief goods.

-Sa mga nais pong mag-volunteer na mga doktor, nurses, makipag-ugnayan lamang po sa amin sa DOH para organisado

tayo. Huwag na po tayong dumagdag sa gulo.

-Hindi rin naman po maaaring ipalibing agad ang mga biktima dahil may mga sinusunod na proseso, tulad ng pagkuha

ng identity at iba pang mahahalagang detalye.

16. Weather Watch

4 hours ago near Quezon City

Low Pressure Area is expected to exit PAR this morning, between 6-8AM | via Dost_pagasa

17. Weather Watch

9 hours ago

Bags containing typhoon victims' bodies lined up in Tacloban. #YolandaPH

(Photo via Reuters)

Tacloban homes wiped out due to Typhoon Yolanda.

#YolandaPH

18 Weather Watch

9 hours ago

Tacloban homes wiped out due to Typhoon Yolanda. #YolandaPH

(Photo via Reuters)

19. Weather Watch

9 hours ago

PIA-NCR: The Metro Manila Council (MMC) unanimously approved earlier today the sending of immediate aid to the

areas devastated by typhoon Yolanda. MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said that the 17 mayors approved the

proposed "adopt a city/town" program wherein the Metro Manila mayors cast lots to determine which area they will

send their respective 10-man search and rescue team and relief goods. The first batch of joint search and rescue team

leaves tonight.

20 Weather Watch

13 hours ago

DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman on DZMM:

-(Reaksyon sa kritisismo ng foreign media) Baka kasi nung pumunta sila dito, lalo na iyong CNN at BBC,

gusto nila kaming interviewhin pero ang aming unang ginagawa kasi ay maglingkod.

-Kung ang kanilang pagbabatayan ay ang Tacloban, talagang marami pang debris at sinisimulan naming

linisin.

-Nakapagbigay na tayo ng 125,000 food packs sa ating mga kababayan.

-Mayroon na po tayong na-reach na mga bayan na noon ay hindi pa rin nare-reach tulad ng Basey (sa Samar).

-Talagang tinutugunan pati ang cadaver retrieval. Nag-mass burial na tayo sa Leyte. Nag-mass burial na tayo

kanina sa Tacloban.

-Iyong Dulag (sa Leyte), kumuha na rito ng sacks of rice kanina. Kami ay nagbibilang pa muli ng ilalabas

namin bukas.

-Sinabi ko na sa aking sarili na hindi talaga mangyayari na wala talagang magbabatikos sa aming lahat. Pagod

na ako, magmula ng Sabado nandito na ako, walang ilaw, walang tubig. Emosyonal (ako) kasi nakikita ako ang

paghihirap ng tao araw-araw.

-Nagdo-double-time kaming lahat, triple-time pa nga para matugunan ang pangangailangan.

-Humuhupa na nga. Wala na nga hong reports ng looting, magmula ng two nights ago.

21. Weather Watch

13 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Iniutos na ni PNoy ang maagang pagbibigay ng yearend bonus ng lahat ng empleyado ng

gobyerno. Kasunod na rin ito ng trahedyang idinulot sa iba't ibang lugar sa Visayas ng bagyong Yolanda. Ayon

kay DBM Sec. Butch Abad, ang maagang bonus at cash gift ay makakatulong sa mga empleyado ng gobyerno,

apektado man o hindi ng trahedya.

22. Weather Watch

15 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Magbibigay ng donasyon ang NBA, PBA at si Top Rank Promoter Bob Arum para sa mga biktima ng bagyong

Yolanda. Nanawagan naman ng tulong si Miami Heat Fil-Am Coach Erik Spoelstra para sa mga binagyo habang

magsasagawa naman ang fans ng Philippine Azkals ng fund raising. Nangako rin si Filipino Boxer Nonito Donaire ng

tulong para sa mga nasalanta.

23. Weather Watch

15 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Nabura ng bagyong Yolanda ang mala-paraisong ganda ng Brgy. Victory sa Dulag, Leyte. Marami bangkay pa

ang hindi naililibing sa nasabing barangay ang inilagay muna sa barangay hall. Galit na umano ang ilang mga taga-Dulag

dahil hindi pa rin sila naaabutan ng tulong ng gobyerno hanggang ngayon.

24. Weather Watch

15 hours ago

GMA-7: Nasa kanlurang bahagi na ng bansa ang low pressure area o sa 170km northwest ng Puerto Princesa City sa

Palawan. Ayon sa datus ng Weather Central, bukas ay lalabas na ito ng PAR. Sa pagtaya naman ng PAGASA,

makakaranas ng katamtamang pag-ulan ang Metro Manila, Mimaropa, Central Luzon, Calabarzon at iba pang bahagi ng

bansa. Dahil naman sa Hanging Amihan, magiging mahangin sa eastern seaboard ng Central and Southern Luzon kaya

nakataas ang gale warning doon.

Weather Watch

November 14 , 2013 ( Thursday ) as of 6:00-7:00 AM

CAVITE : Sunny LAGUNA : Sunny

BATANGAS : Fair Weather RIZAL : Fair Weather QUEZON : Fair Weather

PIA Regional Watch

1. PIA Regional Watch

2 hours ago

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Nagsagawa ng tree planting ang mga kapulisan ng Batangas Police Provincial

Office(BPPO) sa loob ng Camp Miguel Malvar sa lungsod ng Batangas. Layon nitong maipagpatuloy na

maisulong ang Pulis Makakalikasan project na isa sa prayoridad ng administrasyong Aquino upang

mapangalagaan ang kalikasan.

2. PIA Regional Watch

0 hours ago

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Iminungkahi sa Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Lipa ang pagbibigay ng insentibo sa mga

opisyal ng barangay na magtatapos ang paglilingkod ng tatlong magkakasunod na termino upang kilalanin

ang natatanging pagsisilbi ng mga ito sa kanilang barangay.

3. PIA Regional Watch

0 hours ago

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Iminungkahi sa Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Lipa ang pagbibigay ng insentibo sa mga

opisyal ng barangay na magtatapos ang paglilingkod ng tatlong magkakasunod na termino upang kilalanin

ang natatanging pagsisilbi ng mga ito sa kanilang barangay.

4. PIA Regional Watch

23 hours ago

PIA-4A/LAGUNA: As per coordination with Philippine Red Cross-Laguna chapter as of today, the office is

receiving donations both in kinds and in cash for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. Cash donations can be

deposited to their BPI and BDO accounts, Santa Cruz branch with account numbers 3425-0430-98 and 4940-

0987-05 respectively.

A. QUEZON

B. CAVITE

C. LAGUNA

D. BATANGAS

1. Tagalog news: Complementary food production

facility, pinasinayaan sa Calatagan

BY: MAMERTA P. DE CASTRO

Wednesday 13th of November 2013

CALATAGAN, Batangas, Nob 13 (PIA) --Pormal na binasbasan at pinasinayaan

kahapon, Nob. 12, ang complementary food production facility sa Enrique Zobel

Elementary School sa barangay Real sa bayang ito.

Ang pasilidad na magkatuwang na itinataguyod ng Department of Science and

Technology (DOST), Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), Enrique

Zobel Foundation Inc., lokal na pamahalaan ng Calatagan at pamahalaang

panlalawigan ng Batangas ay naglalayong makapagbigay ng tulong pangkabuhayan sa

mga kababaihan ng barangay.

Tinawag na Sigla complementary food at Sigla crunchies, ang mga produkto na gawa

mula sa bigas, munggo at sesame seeds ay dumadaan sa isang proseso upang

mapanatili ang natural na sustansiya ng pagkain.

Nagkaloob ng P1M halaga ng mga kagamitan at makinarya ang DOST na

kinabibilangan ng steamer, drier, mechanical roaster, cold, extruder, octagonal mixer,

disc grinder, dough mixer at flour mill, habang ang DOST-FNRI ay nagbigay naman

ng pagsasanay ukol sa sa tamang pangangasiwa at kalinisan ng produkto sa may 16 na

kababaihang miyembo ng Calatagan Womens Circle (CWC).

Sinabi ni DOST IVA regional director Alexander Madrigal, na layon din

nitong maisulong ang tama at sapat na pagkain at nutrisyon para sa mga kabataan

upang masugpo ang malnutrisyon at makamit ang Millenium Development Goal

(MDG) dahil base sa pag-aaral, 30 sa bawat 100 bata ang nakararanas ng malnutrisyon

o mababang timbang.

“Tututukan namin ang programang ito upang matiyak na bukod sa malaking tulong

nito sa samahan ng mga kababaihan ay mababantayan din ng maayos ang kalusugan ng

mga kabataang malnourished ditto,” wika ni Madrigal.

Nangako din si Madrigal na magkakaloob ang kanilang tanggapan ng karagdagang

pondo para sa mas magandang packaging ng mga produktong ito upang mas lalong

makilala sa ibang mga lugar.

"Ito ay isang magandang halimbawa ng public-private partnership kung saan

nagtutulong tulong ang lahat para sa kaunlaran ng bawat isa. Ito rin ay malinaw na isa

sa adbokasiya ng administrasyong Aquino upang maiwaksi ang kahirapan at gutom sa

mga Pilipino,"dagdag pa Madrigal.

Maliban sa pagbubuo ng CWC, ang E. Zobel Foundation Inc., ang tumutulong sa

marketing ng mga produkto sa loob at labas ng bayan ng Calatagan at maging sa

Maynila at iba pang lugar.

Sinabi ni Leovina Aying, presidente ng CWC, isang napalaki at napakahalagang tulong

ito ng mga konsernadong ahensiya at organisasyon sa mga kababaihan sa kanilang

lugar. “Bukod sa pagkakaroon ng dagdag kita, nasisiguro din ng produkto ang tamang

nutrisyon na naiibigay nito sa mga kabataan.”

Sa kasalukuyan, magkakatulong sa paggawa ng food package at crunchies ang mga

miyembro ng CWC tatlong beses kada isang linggo at inaasahang madaragdagan pa ito

kapag mas lalong nakilala ang produkto. (PIA Batangas)

E. RIZAL

Palace to rebel groups: now is the time for solidarity, not

ambushing government forces engaged in Yolanda relief

work

Palace appeals for vigilance vs those repacking relief goods

13 NOVEMBER 2013.

President Aquino cites country’s neurologists for their dedication to the pursuit of exellence

Preparations reduced typhoon Yolanda’s death toll, President Aquino says

Aquino government steps up efforts to rebuild the lives of Yolanda typhoon victims

Aquino eyes ecological engineering to minimize impact of climate change

Aquino government working hard with international humanitarian partners to bring emergency

assistance to Yolanda typhoon victims

President Aquino thanks international community and fellow Filipinos for donations and swift

response in the aftermath of Yolanda

President Aquino cites country‟s neurologists for their dedication to the pursuit of exellence

President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the country's neurologists for their dedication to the pursuit of excellence in the delivery of neurological care to secure public health and improve quality of life of the Filipino citizens. "The brain remains one of the greatest frontiers in medicine; for too long, it has been a mystery, and we are only now beginning to unravel it with the help of the latest advances in science and technology," the Chief Executive said in his message to the Philippine Neurological Association (PNA) on the occasion of 35th Annual Convention. The PNA opened on Wednesday its convention, which has for its theme "Issues and Controversies in Neurology,‖ at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City. The 4-day event would end on Saturday.

"Your government looks forward to the wealth of knowledge that will come out of this gathering, especially for their possible applications in securing public health and improving the overall quality of life of our citizens," the President said. The President hopes that the holding of the convention will allow the country's neurologists to improve their medical practice and advance neurology in the country. "As our nation continues its journey along the straight and righteous path, we bear witness to how our reforms are moving our nation closer towards the bright future that we envision for the Filipino people," he said. "We hope you will lend your expertise in furtherance of our national agenda; may you continue to pursue your profession with utmost commitment and passion, and contribute to the ongoing revitalization of our country," the President said. PND (js)

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Preparations reduced typhoon Yolanda‟s death toll, President Aquino says

Preemptive evacuation prior to the onslaught of typhoon ―Yolanda‖ drastically reduced the number of casualties in the affected communities except for parts of Leyte and Samar, President Benigno S. Aquino III said in an interview with CNN Tuesday. The President told CNN‘s Christiane Amanpour that the Philippines is used to typhoons being hit by at least 20 storms every year. He said however that 2013 is exceptionally a bad year for the country. ―We have been able to demonstrate as a government and as a people, collectively, that we take care of each other and the government‘s immediate response, I think, has been reassuring to the vast majority of our people,‖ the President said. But the foundation of the nation‘s efforts to deal with disasters relies on the local government units, which he said was overwhelmed by the severity of typhoon Yolanda‘s fury. ―The catastrophic death toll estimate was pegged at 10,000 in the worst-hit areas in Tacloban alone, is too much,‖ he said, adding that local officials, suffering from emotional trauma may have made wrong assessments of the actual death figure. ―They were too close to the incident. They didn‘t have basis for it,‖ he added. The present government figure is 2,000 but the President admitted that it might get higher as personnel on the ground account for everyone. He said the government hopes to be able to contact 29 municipalities in order for the authorities to establish the numbers especially for the missing. ―But so far, 2,000 to about 2,500 is the figure we are working on as far as deaths are concerned,‖ the President said. PND (as)

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Aquino government steps up efforts to rebuild the lives of Yolanda typhoon victims

The Aquino government is stepping up its efforts to rebuild the lives of the typhoon victims following the devastation wrought by super typhoon ―Yolanda‖ (internationally known as Haiyan) in the central Philippines, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio ―Sonny‖ Coloma Jr. said. "On this fifth day since the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda, the government is conducting intensified operations to address the urgent needs of our people in the calamity areas," Coloma said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday. The government is ensuring the immediate delivery of food, water, medicines, and medical assistance to disaster victims, Coloma said. Coloma said the government is now stepping up its efforts to immediately provide temporary shelters for displaced residents. He said the administration is also prioritizing the restoration of power and communication, and land, sea, and air transportation services. The government is also beefing up efforts for the restoration to normalcy of essential government services in hardest-hit calamity areas where government employees and their families were also displaced. Coloma acknowledged the fact that government‘s initial efforts were hampered by the massive scale of destruction

brought about by what is now being regarded as ―the strongest cyclone in recorded history.‖ "Communication and power lines were cut-off. Tacloban Airport was destroyed. Access to seaports in calamity areas was also made difficult by the debris left by the storm surge. Roads and bridges were also destroyed. Power and communication services have been restored in many areas," he said. "C-130 planes are now doing sunrise to sunset operations. The Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard have deployed all available naval assets and are tapping civilian auxiliary units to provide additional assistance," Coloma stressed. To facilitate delivery of aid, Coloma said the Natural Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has established a one-stop shop, which will integrate the flow of assistance to the calamity areas from government and private organizations. Coloma appealed to the public to remain calm during this most difficult times. "Beinte-kuwatro oras po ang operasyon ng pambansang network ng PTV-4, Telebisyon ng Bayan, at Radyo ng Bayan 738khz para tanggapin ang mga panawagan ng mga mamamayan sa hindi pa ma-contact na mga kamag-anak at upang tumugon sa mga mahahalagang pangangailangan," he said. "Maaari rin pong gamitin ang mga Facebook, Twitter, at iba pang social media accounts ng PTV-4, Gov@Work, at Philippine Information Agency (PIA). Nagtayo na rin ang pamahalaan ng mga assistance desk sa NDRRMC sa Camp Aguinaldo at sa lugar mismo ng kalamidad sa Tacloban at Ormoc, Leyte; Borongan, Eastern Samar; at Catarman, Northern Samar. Ito ay pinapangasiwaan ng NDRRMC sa pakikipag-tulungan ng PIA at Philippine National Red Cross," he said. "May mga roving teams ang Philippine Information Agency at Red Cross sa mga lugar na ito upang mangalap ng impormasyon mula sa mga nakaligtas tulad ng pangalan at larawan ng mga hinahanap upang maihatid sa kani-kanilang mga kamag-anak sa labas ng lugar," Coloma . As of the last update from NDRRMC, Coloma said the total number of casualties has reached 1,833, while 2,623 have been reported injured. Cost of damage is estimated at P761.4-million. PND (js)

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Aquino eyes ecological engineering to minimize impact of climate change

The country is adopting ecological re-engineering to minimize the effects of climate change, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Tuesday. The President told CNN‘s Christiane Amanpour in an interview that it is an accepted reality for the Filipino community that global climate change is indeed happening and it need not be debated. The Chief Executive said ecological re-engineering is one of the best scientific methods available for vulnerable countries to cope with the climate change. It is an emerging study of integrating ecology and engineering, concerned with the design, monitoring, and construction of ecosystems. ―For instance, climate change has changed the season in the Philippines,‖ he said, noting that seasons that are supposed to be dry experience rains and vice versa. Before, the country never had typhoons in December, but today, strong storms hit the country at the tail end of the year, he said. Climate change wreaks havoc on agriculture affecting the farmers‘ planting season and many couldn‘t adjust to these changes, he added. As the Philippines grapples to rebuild in the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda, the President told CNN that his administration will have to plan its communities to make them more resilient to all the ravages of nature in the future. "There will be ecological reengineering like planting mangroves as a defense against tsunamis, and investments in the sciences, particularly the way the country‘s weather bureau gather and analyze data," he said. One of the major components is the ongoing geohazard mapping being done by the government to make communities safe. The President also acknowledged that the real challenge after the relief efforts is rebuilding the houses of tens of thousands of families affected by the typhoon. The construction of these new houses has to be better to withstand the ravages of nature, he said. The government will also later map areas prone to storm surges to protect the people, the President said That I think is the next phase of the studies that we have to do to make our country more resilient to all of these natural

disasters,‖ he noted. PND (as/js)

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Aquino government working hard with international humanitarian partners to bring emergency assistance to Yolanda typhoon victims

The Aquino government is working hard with its international humanitarian partners to bring emergency assistance to the typhoon victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (internationally known as Haiyan), particularly in Tacloban, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said on Wednesday. President Benigno S. Aquino III directed concerned government agencies to come out with a mechanism that coordinates humanitarian action with the international community to speed up relief and rehabilitation efforts for the disaster victims, Almendras said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang Almendras said the Chief Executive convened on Tuesday some of his Cabinet members to discuss the logistic and relief operation for the communities devastated by the super-typhoon. "This will come out to be one of the largest logistic and relief operation that the Philippine government has ever done in history and the President wanted to make sure that we have aligned everything," Almendras said "We need to coordinate how we are going to work with the international community. The past two or three days, quite a number of head of states have been calling the President, have talked to him, offering the aid that they want to do and asking how and in what best way they can help," the Cabinet Secretary said. The President wants to ensure that the assistance from the international community will be used to rebuild the lives of disaster victims. "What we have agreed on is for all international aid coordination must be coursed through Department of Foreig Affairs. The process will require that once DFA gets the information, DFA will have to determine kung ano po ‗yung klase ng tulong na ibibigay nila. For example, the German government sent us a team, which is a self-contained team that can do search, rescue, health, and medical services. As we speak, that team is now landing in Guiuan in Samar," he said. "Ang napagkasunduan, the minute the DFA gets the information they will transmit to the appropriate agency. If it has to do with medical aid—either hospitals, medicines, or whatever related to medical—it will be simultaneously referred to both the Department of Health and to Natural Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council —being the central point," Almendras said. "So if it were a donation of goods, simultaneously, the DFA will coordinate directly with the DSWD to determine kung ano itong mga contents na ipinamimigay nila at saan dapat dadalhin, and also with NDRRMC," he said. PND (js)

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President Aquino thanks international community and fellow Filipinos for donations and swift response in the aftermath of Yolanda

President Benigno S. Aquino III thanked the international community and the Filipino people here and abroad for their donations and swift response in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (internationally known as Haiyan). "In the aftermath of supertyphoon Haiyan (Yolanda) there are many reasons to grieve. Over the past few days, however, the Filipino people have seen many reasons to be grateful as well. Filipinos at home and abroad have, once more, come together to render aid and assistance to hard-hit areas," the Chief Executive said in his message issued on Wednesday. Several international donors have already pledged assistance either in monetary form or in-kind to help the Philippine government to speed up relief and rehabilitation efforts for the disaster victims. "The thought that the community of nations stands in solidarity with our nation has also greatly eased our burdens. On behalf of the Filipino people, I thank the governments and peoples of so many nations-- 28 as of last count-- as well as the donor organizations, who have pledged or already provided assistance, whether technical, financial, or in kind, for the relief and rebuilding efforts that we are undertaking in Leyte, Samar, and other provinces devastated by typhoon Yolanda," he said. President Aquino also reiterated his gratitude to every Filipino who has extended help to fellow countrymen in their time of need. "The companies who have offered their services for free or at a great discount, the groups and institutions who have mobilized their members for relief drives, individuals who have volunteered time, knowledge, and resources: You have my deepest thanks." he said. "The well of strength and compassion that characterizes us as a nation has time and again proven to be bottomless. Solidarity born of faith and prayer, combined with a steadfast resolve, is showing the world that nothing can make the

Filipino spirit yield. The Almighty has granted us the resilience to withstand such tragedies, secure in our belief that God will continue to guide us as we provide care for our countrymen, rebuild our nation, and prepare for the future," the President said. PND (js)

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May sapat na mga pulis, sabi ng Malacanang

para sugpuin ang mga magnanakaw sa pook na

sinalanta ng „Yolanda‟

ARCHIVE 2013

13 NOBYEMBRE 2013

Pinapurihan ng Pangulong Aquino ang mga „neurologists‟ sa pagsisikap na mapabuti ang uri ng buhay ng mga Pilipino

Dahil sa maagap na paghahanda kaya nabawasan ang mga nasawi sa bagyong Yolanda, sabi ni Aquino

Ibayong pagsisikap ang ginagawa ng gobyernong Aquino para sa pagbabagong buhay ng mga biktima ng bagyong Yolanda

Pinag-aaralan ni Aquino ang paggamit ng „ecological engineering‟ upang mabawasan ang pinsalang bunga ng „climate change‟

Puspusang nakikipag-ugnayan ang gobyernong Aquino sa mga kabalikat na „international humanitarians‟ para sa tulong sa biktima ng Yolanda

Pinapurihan ng Pangulong Aquino ang mga „neurologists‟ sa pagsisikap na mapabuti ang uri ng buhay ng mga Pilipino

Pinapurihan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang mga neurologists ng bansa sa masigasig na pagsisikap na lalo pang mapahusay ang neurological care upang pangalagaan ang kalusugang pambayan at mapabuti pa ang pamumuhay ng mga Pilipino. ―Ang utak ang nananatiling isa sa pinakadakilang larangan ng medisina at nanatiling mahiwaga at ngayon pa lamang natin ito sinisimulang tuklasin sa tulong ng mga pinakahuling kaalaman sa larangan ng agham at teknolohiya,‖ sabi ng Pangulong Aquino sa pagbati sa ―Philippine Neurological Association (PNA) kaugnay ng ika-35 taunang kumbensiyon nito. Nagsimula ang kumbensiyon Miyerkoles sa Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Ortigas Avenue, Lungsod ng Quezon na

magtatapos sa Sabado, Nobyembre 16. ―Umaasa ang inyong pamahalaan na malawak na palitan ng kaalaman ang magaganap sa pag-titipon ninyong ito, lalo na sa mga bagay na may kinalaman sa pangangalaga sa kalusugang pambayan at pagpapabuti pa ng pangkalahatang uri ng pamumuhay ng mga kababayan natin,‖ dagdag ng Pangulo. Inaasahan ng Pangulo na ang pagdaraos ng kumhensiyong ito ay magiging daan din upang lalong mapagbuti ang panggagamot na may kaugnayan sa advance neurology sa bansa. ―Habang tinatahak ng bansa natin patungo sa tuwid at tamang daan, saksi tayo kung paanong ang mga repormang naghahatid sa ating bansa patungo sa higit na aliwalas na kinabukasang pangarap ng sambayanang Pilipino,‖ sabi ng Pangulo sa mensahe niya. ―Umaasa kaming ang inyong pagkadalubhasa ay gagamitin ninyo para lalong isulong ang ating adyendang pambansa. Ipagpatuloy nawa ninyo ang pagsasakatuparan ng inyong propesyon ng ibayo ang sigasig at nang makatulong sa ginagawang pagpapalakas ng ating bansa,‖ wika ng Pangulong Aquino. PND(js/zaf)

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Dahil sa maagap na paghahanda kaya nabawasan ang mga nasawi sa bagyong Yolanda, sabi ni Aquino

Ang maagap na paglilikas bago nanalasa ang napakalakas na bagyong Yolanda ang nakatulong nang malaki para mabawasan ang bilang ng mga nasawi sa mga apektadong pook, maliban sa ilang bahagi ng Leyte at Samar. Ito ang binigyang diin ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa panayam ni Christiane Amanpour ng CNN Martes. Sinabi ng Pangulo na ang Pilipinas ay karaniwang dinaraanan ng hindi bababa sa 20 bagyo taun-taon. Gayunman, idinagdag niya na naging pambihirang hindi mabuting taon ang 2013 para sa bansa. ―Naipakita namin bilang pamahalaan at bilang mamamayan, sama-sama, na maaari naming pangalagaan ang isa‘t isa. Ang maagap na pagkilos ng pamahalaan, palagay ko, ay nagpapanatag ng kalooban ng malaking bahagi ng ating mga mamamayan ,‖ wika ng Pangulo. Idinugtong niya na ang panulukang bato ng pagsisikap ng pamahalaan na kaharapin ang mga kalamidad ay nakasalig sa mga lokal na pamahalaan na ayon sa Pangulo ay nabigla sa pambihirang lakas ng bagyong Yolanda. ―Una nang naitayang aabot sa 10,000 ang masasawi sa pinakamalubhang pinsalain ng bagyo, sa Tacloban lamang ay napakalaki naman nito,‖ dugtong ng Pangulo at sinabing ang mga lokal na pinunong labis na nabigla at namighati ay maaaring nagkamali ng pagtaya sa talagang bilang ng mga buhay na nakitil ng bagyong Yolanda. ―Naroon sila sa kinaganapan ng mga pangyayari. Wala silang batayan sa tayang sinabi nila,‖ wika pa ng Pangulo. Sa kasalukuyan, 2,000 ang bilang na hawak ng pamahalaan, subali‘t inamin ng Pangulo na ito ay maaari pang maragdagan sapagka‘t patuloy sa pagbibilang ang mga tauhang nasa pook na malubhang sinalanta ng bagyo. Inaasahan ng pamahalaan, dugtong ng Pangulo, na makakaugnay nila ang 29 na munisipyo para mausisa ang mga pinuno roon kung ilan ang bilang ng mga nawawala pang mga tao. ―Sa kasalukuyan, ang 2,000 hanggang 2,500 na bilang ang ipinalalagay namin tungkol sa mga nasawing tao,‖ pahayag pa ng Pangulong Aquino. PND (as/zaf)

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Ibayong pagsisikap ang ginagawa ng gobyernong Aquino para sa pagbabagong buhay ng mga biktima ng bagyong Yolanda

Ibayong pagsisikap ang ginagawa ng gobyernong Aquino tungo sa pagbabagong buhay ng mga biktima ng bagyo matapos manalasa at mag-iwan ng malaki at malubhang pinsala ang napakalakas na bagyong Yolanda (Haiyan) sa Gitnang Pilipinas, sang-ayon kay Kalihim Herminio ―Sonny‖ Coloma, Jr. ng Presidential Communications Operations Office. ―Ngayon na ika-5 araw ng pananalasa ng napakalakas na bagyong Yolanda, puspusan at ibayo ang ginagawa ng pamahalaan na pagtugon sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan sa pook ng kalamidad,‖ dugtong ni Coloma sa pulong balitaan sa Malacanang Miyerkoles. Binigyang diin ni Coloma na tinitiyak ng pamahalaan ang maagap na pagpapadala ng tubig, pagkain, mga gamot at tulong medikal sa mga biktima ng kalamidad,‖ wika pa ng Kalihim. Idinagdag ni Coloma na pinag-iibayo na rin ng pamahalaan ang pagsisikap na mabigyan ng maayos na matutuluyang pansamantala ang mga mamamayan doon na nawalan ng tahanan. Bukod dito, sabi ni Coloma, inuuna rin ng administrasyon na mabalik agad ang koryente at komunikasyon, gayundin ang

serbisyo ng trasportasyon sa lupa, karagatan at himpapawid. Idinugtong pa ni Coloma na dagdag na pagsisikap din ang ginagawa ng pamahalaan para maibalik ang mga mahahalagang serbisyo ng pamahalaan sa mga pook na pinakamalubhang napinsala ng kalamidad na pati ang mga kawani ng pamahalaan at mga pamilya nila ay kabilang din sa mga biktima. Ayon kay Coloma, totoo ngang ang paunang pagsisikap ng pamahalaan ay nahadlangan ng napakalawak na malubhang pinsalang nilikha ng itinuturing na ―pinakamalakas na bagyong natala sa kasaysayan.‖ ―Naputol ang mga linya ng komunikasyon at koryente. Nawasak ang paliparan ng Tacloban. Hindi makapunta sa mga daungan sa pook ng kalamidad dahil sa nagkalat na mga nabuwal na punungkahoy at iba pang iginiba ng malakas na bagyo at ng daluyong na ibinunga nito. Nawasak din ang mga lansangan at tulay. Ngayon naman ay naibalik na ang koryente at serbisyo ng komunikasyon sa maraming pook,‖ sabi ni Coloma. ―Ang mga eroplanong C-130 ay nagbibiyahe bukang-liwayway hanggang dapit-hapon. Itinalaga naman ng Lakas na Pandagat at ng Philippine Coast Guard ang lahat ng mga bapor nila at ang civilian auxiliary units naman ay nagbibigay ng dagdag na tulong,‖ pahayag pa ni Coloma. Sinabi ni Coloma na para mapabilis ang paghahatid ng mga tulong, naglagay ng one-stop shop ang National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council na siyang mangangasiwa sa pag-uugnay ng daloy ng mga tulong ng pamahalaan at mga pribadong organisasyon patungo sa lahat ng pook ng kalamidad. Kaalinsabay nito, nanawagan si Coloma sa madla na maging mahinahon sana sa panahong ito ng pinakamahirap na yugto sa ating kasaysayan. ―Bente kuwatro oras po ang operasyon ng pambansang network na PTV-4, ang Telebisyon ng Bayan at Radyo ng Bayan, 738khz para tanggapin ang mga panawagan ng mga mamamayan sa hindi pa makaugnayang mga kamag-anakan nila at upang tumugon din sa mahahalagang pangangailangan,‖ ayon kay Kalihim Coloma. ―Maaari rin pong gamitin ang mga Facebook, Twitter, at iba pang social media accounts ng PTV-4, Gov@Work at Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Nagtayo rin po ang pamahalaan ng mga assistance desk sa NDRRMC sa Kampo Aguinaldo at sa lugar mismo ng kalamidad na Tacloban at Ormoc, Leyte, gayundin sa Borongan, Silangang Samar at Catarman sa Hilagang Samar. Ito ay pinangangasiwaan ng NDRRMC sa pakikipagtulungan ng PIA at ng Pambansang Krus na Pula,‖ paliwanag pa ni Coloma. ―May mga roving teams ang Philippine Information Agency at Red Cross sa mga lugar na ito upang mangalap ng impormasyon mula sa mga nakaligtas, tulad ng pangalan at larawan ng mga hinahanap upang maihatid sa kani-kanilang kamag-anak sa labas ng lugar,‖ sabi pa ni Coloma. Salig sa pinakahuling ulat ng NDRRMC, sinabi ni Coloma na ang kabuuang bilang ng mga nasawi ay umabot na sa 1,833, samantalang 2,623 naman ang sugatan. Tinatayang aabot na sa P741.4 milyon na ang halaga ng pinsalang iniwan ng malakas na bagyong Yolanda. PND(js/zaf)

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Pinag-aaralan ni Aquino ang paggamit ng „ecological engineering‟ upang mabawasan ang pinsalang bunga ng „climate change‟

Gagamitin ng bansa ang ecological re-engineering upang mabawasan ang epekto ng pagbabago ng klima, sang-ayon kay Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III Martes. Sinabi ng Pangulo sa panayam ni Christiane Amanpour ng CNN na tanggap na ng mga Pilipino na ang pagbabago ng pandaigdig na klima ay nangyayari na at hindi ito kailangan pang pagtalunan. Ayon sa Pangulo, ang ecological engineering ay isa sa pinakamabuting maagham na paraang angkop sa mga bansang daranas ng bunga ng pagbabago ng klima. Ito ay sumisibol na pag-aaral para pagsanibin ang ecology at engineering na may kinalaman sa desenyo, monitoring at kostruksiyon ng ecosystems. ―Halimbawa, nabago ng pagbabago ng klima ang lagay ng panahon sa Pilipinas,‖ sabi ng Pangulo kaya ang dating panahon ng tag-araw ay nagiging maulan at mainit naman ang dapat ay tag-ulan. ―Dati-rati, ang bansa ay hindi nagkakabagyo kung Disyembre, nguni‘t ngayon, malalakas na bagyo ang dumaraan sa bansa kung magtatapos na ang taon,‖ paliwanag ng Pangulo. ―Malaking pinsala ang idinudulot ng pagbabago ng klima sa pagsasaka kaya apektado ang panahon ng taniman at maraming magsasaka ang hindi pa makasabay sa mga pagbagong ito,‖ dagdag ng Pangulo. ―Habang sinisikap ng Pilipinas na makabangon dahil sa malubhang pinsalang iniwan ng bagyong Yolanda,‖ wika ng Pangulo sa CNN, dapat ayusin ng administrasyon niya ang mga komunidad upang hindi maging biktima ang mga ito ng pagngangalit ng kalikasan sa hinaharap na mga panahon. ―Magkakaroon ng ecological reengineering na tulad ng pagtatanim ng mga bakawan bilang panangga sa tsunami at pamumuhunan sa agham, lalo na sa paraan ng pagtitipon ng ulat ng Kawanihan ng Panahon ng bansa at pagsusuri sa

mga data,‖ paliwanag ng Pangulo. Isa sa mahalagang bahagi ng ginagawa ng pamahalaan na geohazard mapping upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng mga komunidad. Inamin ng Pangulo na ang pinakamalaking kakaharapin pagkatapos ng pagtulong sa mga biktima ng bagyong Yolanda ay ang pagtatayo ng bahay para sa libu-libong pamilyang ang mga bahay ay winasak ng bagyo. ―Ang mga bagong bahay na ipatatayo ay dapat higit na matatag upang hindi magiba ng ngitngit ng kalikasan,‖ pahayag pa ng Pangulo. ―Gagawin ng pamahalaan ang mapa ng mga pook na maaaring hampasin ng naglalakihang daluyong (storm surge) upang pangalagaan ang mga tao,‖ mariing wika ng Pangulo. ―Palagay ko, iyon ang ikalawang yugto ng mga pag-aaral na dapat gawin upang ang bansa ay maging higit na matatag sa lahat ng uri ng lakas na kalamidad,‖ dugtong ng Pangulong Aquino. PND(as/js)

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Puspusang nakikipag-ugnayan ang gobyernong Aquino sa mga kabalikat na „international humanitarians‟ para sa tulong sa biktima ng Yolanda

Puspusan ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng administrasyong Aquino sa mga pandaigdig na humanitarian partners sa pagpapadala ng mga pangkagipitang tulong sa mga biktima ng napakalakas na bagyong Yolanda (Haiyan), lalo na sa Lungsod ng Tacloban, sabi ni Kalihim Jose Rene Almendras Miyerkoles. Sa pulong-balitaan sa Malacanang, sinabi ni Almendras na inatasan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang mga kinauukulang ahensiya ng pamahalaan na maghanda ng mekanismo ukol sa humanitarian action ng pandaigdig na komunidad para mapabilis ang pagtulong at rehabilitasyon ng mga biktima ng kalamidad. Sinabi ni Almendras na pinulong ng Pangulo Martes ang ilan sa kagawad ng Gabinete niya para pag-usapan ang logistic and relief operation para sa mga komunidad na winasak ng napakalakas na bagyo. ―Ito ang magiging pinakamalaking logistic and relief operation sa kasaysayan na ginawa ng pamahalaang Pilipino kaya ibig ng Pangulo na tiyaking maayos ang lahat,‖ sabi ni Almendras. ―Dapat kaming makipag-ugnayan sa pandaigdig na komunidad. Sa nakaraang dalawa o tatlong araw, maraming mga puno ng pamahalaan ang tumawag sa Pangulo. Nakipag-usap sa kanya para mag-alok ng tulong na nais nilang ibigay at sa paanong paraan sila higit na makatutulong,‖ wika pa ni Almendras. Ibig ng Pangulo na tiyaking ang tulong na magmumula sa pandaigdig na komunidad ay gagamitin sa pagbabagong tatag ng mga biktima ng kalamidad. ―Napagkasunduan namin na lahat ng international aid coordination ay dapat padaanin sa Kagawaran ng Ugnayang Panlabas. Sa sandaling makuha ng DFA ang impormasyon, aalamin ng DFA kung anong klaseng tulong ang ibibigay nila. Halimbawa, ang pamahalaang Aleman. Nagpadala sa atin ng isang pangkat na maaaring gumawa ng pananaliksik, pagliligtas, mga bagay ukol sa kalusugan at serbisyong medikal. Ang naturang pangkat ay lumalapag na ngayon sa Guiuan,Samar,‖ sabi ni Almendras. ―Ang napagkasunduan, sa sandaling makuha ng DFA ang impormasyon, ipadadala nila agad sa kinauukulang ahensiya. Kung may kinalaman sa tulong medikal, sa ospital, mga gamot o ano mang tungkol sa medikal, agad itong ipadadala sa Kagawaran ng Kalusugan at sa National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council para siyang mangasiwa rito,‖ paliwanag pa ni Almendras. ―Sakali namang donasyong mga pangangailangan, mabilis na makikipag-ugnayan ang DFA sa DSWD para malaman kung ano ang nilalaman ng mga ito at nang maipamigay nila at kung saan dapat dalhin, gayundin sa NDRRMC,‖ dagdag ni Almendras. PND(js/zaf)

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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Statement on Typhoon Yolanda Malacañang Palace 11 November 2013

Nitong Biyernes, humagupit sa malaking bahagi ng Kabisayaan ang Bagyong Yolanda. Isa ito sa pinakamalakas na bagyo sa kasaysayan ng bansa, kung di man ng buong mundo. Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa mga dalubhasa mula sa PAGASA, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Phivolcs, at DOST, na kumalap at nagbigay ng tama at detalyadong impormasyon na naging dahilan upang makapaghanda nang maayos ang ating mga kababayan. Ito ang nagbigay-daan para sa iniuulat na mababang casualty count mula sa ilang mga probinsyang dinaanan din ng bagyo, tulad ng Oriental at Occidental Mindoro, Negros Occidental, Palawan, Aklan, at Romblon, kung saan maagang nakapaghanda ang lokal na pamahalaan. Sa kabila po nito, personal din nating nasaksihan ang matinding pinsalang idinulot ng bagyong ito sa Leyte at Samar. Dito sa kung saan tila naembudo ang mga storm surge ni Yolanda nakita ang pinakamabigat na pinsala, at dito nakatutok ang ating pagbibigay lingap sa mga sandaling ito. Humihingi rin po tayo ng pang-unawa sa lahat. Sa paghahagupit ni Yolanda, nawalan ng kuryente at komunikasyon sa maraming lugar. Apektado po nito, hindi lamang ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng mga nais makasigurong ligtas ang kanilang mga kaanak, kundi pati na rin ang koordinasyon ng ating relief efforts. Para mapadala ang pangangailangan, kailangan nating malaman ang kakulangan ng bawat lugar; nahirapan po tayong makuha ang mga datos na ito. May ilang lokal na pamahalaan, sa lakas ng delubyo, na bumigay din po dahil kabilang sa mga nasalanta ang kanilang mga tauhan at opisyal. Isipin po ninyo, bumalik tayo sa situwasyon kung saan pasa-pasa ang impormasyon—walang TV, cellphone, o internet; sarado ang mga tindahan; hindi naging madali ang pag-oorganisa ng relief efforts. Naging ugat po ito ng kaguluhan sa ilang mga lugar. Dito po‘y papasok ang pambansang pamahalaan. Imbis na dumagdag lamang tayo sa lakas ng mga komunidad, kinailangang manguna ng pambansang gobyerno. Nilinis ng DPWH ang mga kalsadang binagsakan ng malalaking puno at mga poste ng kuryente ; lahat ng naireport na bara ay nabuksan na. Ayon na rin sa kahilingan ng mga lokal na opisyal, nagpadala tayo ng karagdagang 800 mga sundalo at pulis sa Tacloban upang ibalik ang kaayusan. May tatlong repacking center po tayong naglalabas ng di baba sa 55,000 mga family food pack kada araw; inatasan na po natin si Secretary Abaya ng DOTC upang imando ang pagdadala ng mga relief goods kung saan ito pinakakailangan. Inuna natin ang pagdadala ng pagkain, tubig, at gamot sa mga pinakaapektadong lugar. Dadaanin po natin sa mga barangay ang pagpapamigay ng mga pangunahing pangangailangang ito; 24,000 family food packs na po ang napamudmod sa Tacloban kahapon, at nakasentro ang pagpapamigay sa walong pinakamalaking barangay doon. Mayroon tayong dalawang water purification facilities, at marami pa ang darating, upang masigurong may maiinom ang ating mga kababayan. Inaayos na natin ang mekanismo para mapalawak ang saklaw ng social housing program ng pamahalaan. Mula po sa ating mga calamity funds, contingency funds, at savings, mayroong 18.7 billion pesos na maaaring gamitin upang ibangon ang mga lugar na pininsala ni Yolanda. Dumarating na rin po ang tulong mula sa ibang bansa; 22 bansa na po ang nagpanata o nagbigay na ng tulong, kabilang na ang Indonesia, Amerika, Inglatera, bansang Hapon, Singapore, New Zealand, pati na rin po ang Hungary. Tumutulong na rin po sa iba‘t ibang paraan ang pribadong sektor upang ibangon ang mga nasalanta, gaya ng sa pagbabalik ng daloy ng komunikasyon at pati ang pagmimintena ng krudo sa mga apektadong lugar. Kasabay nito, idinedeklara po natin ang State of national calamity upang mapabilis ang mga pagkilos ng pamahalaan para sa pagsagip, paghahatid ng tulong, at rehabilitasyon ng mga probinsyang sinalanta ni Yolanda. Mahalaga rin ito, hindi lamang para panatilihing kontrolado ang mga presyo ng mga pangunahing produkto at serbisyo na kakailanganin ng ating mga kakabayan, kundi upang maiwasan din ang overpricing at hoarding ng mga mahahalagang bilihin. Inaprubahan din natin ang kabuuang P1.1 billion para pandagdag sa Quick Response Funds ng DSWD at DPWH, para sa agarang pagpapatupad ng mga kinakailangang suporta para sa muling pagbangon ng mga kababayan nating hinagupit nitong trahedya. Bagaman nakapagtala ng mababang casualty count sa maraming mga probinsyang dinaanan ni Yolanda, sa mga lugar naman na tila naembudo ang bagyong ito, talaga naman pong malaki ang pinsalang nasaksihan natin. Tulad ninyo, gusto ko ring malaman kung paanong maiibsan ang situwasyon sa mga lugar na tulad nito.

Sa mga darating na araw, maaasahan ninyo, lalo pang papaspas ang ayuda. Ang panawagan ko lang po: Ang pagiging kalmado, pagdarasal, pakikisama, at pakikipagtulungan. Siya ang magpapabangon sa atin mula sa sakunang ito. Maraming salamat po at magandang gabi sa inyong lahat.

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ONLINE NEWS

12 NOVEMBER 2013

13 NOVEMBER 2013

POEA suspends companies involved in oil platform accident

Another recruiter rapped for rules violation

OWWA La Union trains 42 repatriated OFWs on meat processing

10th Tree Planting at upper Marikina river basin and protected landscape: The last Tree Planting activity as NSCB technical staff

Ph exports growth sustainded in September - NEDA

GSIS offers moratorium for Yolanda-hit members and pensioners

EU increases support to Mindanao peace process

The coming of age of Philippine chocolate

Batang Idol 2013 contestants Carol in the Phl Embassy in Paris

Solid demand pushes issue upsize of DBP‟s basel 3-compliant notes

MB places Rural Bank of Catubig (Northern Samar), Inc. under PDIC receivership, PDIC to pay 77% of deposit accounts in cash

MMDA to send additional rescue teams to Samar

Labor Advisory No. 10 series of 2013 - Payment of wages for private sector employees due to inclement weather or natural calamities

GSIS offers aid package for Yolanda-hit members, pensioners

Baldoz identifies industries deemed indispensable to national interest

POEA suspends companies involved in oil platform accident

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

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has issued an order preventively suspending the companies involved in an oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico last year, which claimed the lives of three Filipino workers and seriously injured three others. Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac ordered the preventive suspension of DNR Offshore and Crewing Services, Inc-- the manning agency in the Philippines which deployed the oil platform workers -- pending investigation of the recruitment violation case filed against it. Also preventively suspended are three entities involved in employment of the workers and are subject of a docketed disciplinary action case -- Black Elk Energy Off shore Operations, D&R Resources, and Grand Isle Shipyard.

The preventive suspensions pending investigation are based on express findings of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) of the United States Department of Interior, as relayed by Labor Attache Luzviminda Padilla of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Washington, D.C. The BSEE reported that the explosion was primarily caused by the failure of Black Elk Energy Offshore Operations and all its contractors, including Grand Isle Shipyard, to adhere to established safety procedures in oil platform operations.

The purpose of the preventive suspensions is to ensure that no further death, injury, abuse or exploitation of Filipino workers will occur. Cacdac said the manning agency, employers, and contractors have the obligation to provide workers with orientations on recruitment policies and procedures, and to ensure decent and safe employment and living conditions.

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Another recruiter rapped for rules violation

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

Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac has ordered the preventive suspension of a recruitment agency which deployed Filipino household service workers to United Arab Emirates but ended up working in Oman. The case stemmed from the report of the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs to Secretary of Labor Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz citing the situation of seven Filipino household service workers who took shelter at the Philippine Embassy‘s Migrant Workers and Other Filipinos Resource Center in Muscat after they ran away from their Omani employers. The workerswere all deployed by Saveway International Manpower Services for 2 years employment in the United Arab Emirates either as domestic helpers, cook or babysitter. However, prior to the expiration of their contracts— with some barely staying for two months in UAE – they were sent to Oman. The workers said they suffered various forms of abuse from their employers such as sexual and verbal harassment, maltreatment, low or unpaid salaries, insufficiency of food supply, and over work. In his order, Cacdac said there is strong evidence indicating that Saveway International committed serious violations relative to the recruitment and placement of the subject workers and the continued operation of the agency will result to further violation or exploitation of workers being recruited and deployed. Cacdac said the name of Saveway International will be included in the POEA‘s list of agencies temporarily disqualified to participate in the employment of Filipinos overseas pending investigation of the case.

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OWWA La Union trains 42 repatriated OFWs on meat processing

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

Forty-two repatriated OFWs of La Union and San Fernando City participated in the three-day skills training on meat processing organized by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-Regional Welfare Office 3 (OWWA-RWO3). The livelihood skills training under the Balik-Pinas, Balik-Hanapbuhay project of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) was conducted on November 5-7, 2013 at Sea and Sky Hotel and Restaurant, Pagdaraoan, San Fernando City, La Union. Believing that the training will serve as a stepping stone for business and livelihood opportunities for OFW returnees in the province, OWWA-RWO 3 Director Ma. Luisa Reyes tapped the expertise of Leonila F. Munar, a retired professor of DMMMSU-MLUC and accredited trainer of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region I on meat processing to conduct the seminar. The training consisted of lecture-demo on the preparation and proper packaging of finished products. The participants learned the importance of food safety and sanitation, use of standard measuring devices/instruments, use of meat processing tools, equipment and utensils, salting and curing, sugar concentration and other related tasks on meat processing. Among the meat products featured during the training were premium ham, skinless longganisa, tocino, tapa and embutido. The participants, consisting of 34 females and 8 males, received demo kits, starter kits and Certificate of Participation with Competencies.

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10th Tree Planting at upper Marikina river basin and protected landscape: The last Tree Planting activity as NSCB technical staff

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

In order to lessen the impact of flooding in Marikina and nearby cities and municipalities brought about by overflowing of Marikina River during typhoons, 179 participants from 15 government agencies including Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office-Rizal (PENRO-Rizal) trekked the mountainous and hilly trail to reach the Upper Marikina River Basin and Protected Landscape situated at Barangay Pintong Bukawe, San Mateo, Rizal on 25 October 2013. The activity coordinated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is in line with the conduct of the

10th Tree Planting, an inter-agency activities in celebration of the 24th National Statistics Month (NSM). The annual tree planting activity, spearheaded by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is aimed at promoting social relevance and environmental awareness as well as foster cooperative spirit and camaraderie among members of the Philippine Statistical System (PSS). It serves as its contribution to the crusade to protect the environment, and to care for Mother Earth, towards sustainable development. Forester Grace Malabanan and Forester Leonida Mendaros both from PENRO-Rizal, delivered a message and provided a briefing on the tree planting. The Welcome Remarks was delivered by NSCB Secretary General Dr. Jose Ramon G. Albert. To ensure that participants will have an orderly tree planting, one PENRO-Rizal staff was assigned to guide each agency. Each agency was requested to collect and count the number of plastic bags containing the saplings. More than seven hundred varieties of coffee, fruit and forest saplings were planted on the designated area. An additional 100 saplings were planted by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in an area designated by Forester Mendaros. Since, this will probably be the last time that the NSCB will be coordinating this inter-agency activity due to the creation of Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA), certificates of appreciation and goodies were given: The Early Bird Award and the Most Number of Trees Planted. The Early Bird award was won by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), an attached agency under DENR while the Most Number of Trees Planted was awarded to the Statistical Research and Training Center (SRTC) for the category of 5 participants per agency, and the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) for the category of more than 5 participants per agency. For this year, no untoward incident happened except for one participant from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) who had nose bleeding due to the hot weather. In conclusion, although the number of participants was lesser in number compared to last year (179 from 263) coming from 15 agencies, the 10th tree planting activity was again a successful event for the PSS.

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Ph exports growth sustainded in September - NEDA

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

MANILA – The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the country‘s merchandise exports sustained its growth in September this year, following a report from the National Statistics Office (NSO) that the sector expanded by 4.9 percent to US$5.0 billion from US$4.8 billion in September 2012. ―The increase in overseas shipments of mineral products, coconut products, garments and electronic products helped sustain the country‘s exports growth. The growth in exports of mineral products, in particular, more than offset the decline in shipments of manufactures, petroleum products, total agro-based products and forest products,‖ Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said. Coming from a contraction of 4.6 percent in September last year, the receipts from mineral products significantly increased to 65.3 percent in the same period this year. These products, such as copper metal (36.3%), copper concentrates (75.1%), gold (322.6%), and iron ore agglomerates (214.3%) compensated for the lower value of outward shipments of manufactures (-4.3%), petroleum products (-41.4%), total agro-based products (-6.5%) and forest products (-43.9%). Agro-based coconut products (13.7%), particularly desiccated coconut (22.8%) and copra meal/cake (78.3%), also supported exports growth, together with garments (12.1%) and electronic products 12.8%). The earnings from electronics recovered from a 0.4 percent contraction in August 2013 and increased by 12.8% year-on-year in September 2013. This was attributed to increased overseas sales of EDP (165.6%), control and instrumentation (27.7%), office equipment (11.9%), and communication radar (10.3%). This countered the year-on-year contractions posted by semiconductors (-3.9%), automotive electronics (-94.7%), telecommunications (-43.8%), consumer electronics (-15.9%) and medical/industrial instrumentation (-7.8%). ―The increase in export earnings of EDP was buoyed largely by business purchases of personal computers in the third quarter of 2013 while the decline in exports of semiconductors was possibly due to the less buoyant market in Japan, which recorded a 12.9-percent decline in domestic sales in September 2013,‖ the NEDA Director General said, adding that during the period, the country‘s exports of semiconductor to Japan fell by 3.9 percent relative to the previous year. Meanwhile, the Philippines trailed behind Vietnam and Singapore in terms of growth in the value of exports. Vietnam led the export growth with 18.8 percent while Singapore placed second with 6.5%. ―The country posted a positive export performance amid the sluggishness of the sector in some of its neighboring countries like Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Korea, China, Malaysia and Hong Kong. This is notwithstanding the fact that we trailed behind Vietnam and Singapore,‖ Balisacan said. Japan recorded the deepest decline of 12.2 percent in the total value of exports due to the depreciation of the Yen

against the US dollar as the total value of Japan‘s exports valued in Yen increased by 11.5 percent. The exports performance of Thailand (-7.1%), Taiwan (-7.0%), Indonesia (-6.8%), Korea (-1.6%), China (-0.3%), Malaysia (0.1%) and Hong Kong (3.4%) also lagged behind the Philippines. Japan remained as the top destination of Philippine exports in September 2013, accounting for 22.4 percent of the country‘s total export receipts. The United States of America (USA) was the second largest export destination, with 15.0-percent share. Other major markets for Philippine exports during the period were China (13.0%), Hong Kong (10.1%) and Singapore (6.9%).

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GSIS offers moratorium for Yolanda-hit members and pensioners

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

State pension fund Government Service Insurance System today bared its assistance package for more than 300,000 members and pensioners adversely affected by typhoon Yolanda. The pension fund is granting a six-month loan moratorium on all outstanding loans of its hardest-hit members to enable them to use the deferred payments on their GSIS loans for rebuilding their homes and other urgent needs. Loans covered under the moratorium include consolidated loans, housing loans, policy loans, and eCash Advances. The loan moratorium will be extended from November 2013 to April 2014. The payment for existing loans of members will thus resume in May next year. In addition, GSIS members residing or working within the declared calamity areas may also apply for the Php20,000 emergency loan in GSIS branch offices and through the GWAPS kiosks until December 31, 2013. GSIS will waive the requirement to pay 12 monthly amortizations before loan renewal for members with existing emergency loans. For old-age pensioners living in calamity-declared areas, GSIS is opening a new pension emergency loan (PEL) window of Php20,000 with terms similar to the emergency loan for active members. As with the existing pension loan, a loan redemption insurance will be included. Likewise, pensioners in hardest-hit areas will benefit from a six-month moratorium on their existing loans. For more information on the emergency assistance program, members and pensioners may go to the nearest GSIS office, call the GSIS contact center at 847.4747 or visit the GSIS website, www.gsis.gov.ph.

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EU increases support to Mindanao peace process

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

Manila - The European Union (EU) on Monday signed a Contribution Agreement with the World Bank extending an additional € 8 million (P467 million) to boost development in conflict-affected communities in Mindanao. EU Head of Delegation to the Philippines Guy Ledoux and World Bank Philippines Country Director Motoo Konishi signed the agreement which formalized the expansion of EU‘s contribution. Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles and Bangsamoro Development Agency Chair Dr. Saffrulah Dipatuan signed as witnesses in the ceremony held at the headquarters of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in Pasig City. The additional funds will be downloaded to the Mindanao Trust Fund – Reconstruction and Development Programme (MTF-RDP), a multi-donor facility that aims ―to improve social and economic recovery in conflict-affected communities of Mindanao through activities which promote confidence-building, peace and demand-driven governance.‖ According to EU Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs in his statement during the signing ceremony, ―the additional funds are a concrete manifestation of the EU's long-time commitment for the Mindanao peace process both at the political level and through development assistance.‖ Piebalgs also noted that this extended assistance, when added to past contributions to the MTF brings the EU‘s total contribution to the trust fund to € 12 million (P695 million), thereby making the EU the MTF‘s biggest donor. He also commented on the progress of the peace talks between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) saying, ―As the Philippines economy grows rapidly and the peace talks in Mindanao progress well, the EU continues to support the Philippine Government in the pursuit of inclusive peace and sustainable development in this important region of the country.‖

Welcoming the support of the EU, Deles, extended her thanks. ―We are thankful and look forward to a strengthened and sustained partnership that will make this Administration‘s vision of a just and lasting peace for a progressive Mindanao a reality.‖ Deles noted that the additional funds will be used to support the Sajahatra Bangsamoro, a joint development program of the government and the MILF as well as the Bangsamoro Development Planning. She said that the additional funds will support this phase of the GPH-MILF peace process. ―Both the GPH and the MILF have begun to work more earnestly together on matters directly related to development efforts, which shows the commitment of both sides to make sure that the benefits of the agreements forged on the negotiating table will be immediately felt by the communities on the ground,‖ said Deles. In light of the recent tragedies that have battered the country, Deles reassured the EU of their positive contribution to the Philippines. ―The Filipinos continue to be a hopeful and resilient people with you, the European Union and its member countries, as friends on our side,‖ she said. For his part, Konishi also expressed his gratitude to the EU for their ―timely contribution‖ to the MTF. He acknowledged the Aquino administration‘s efforts towards sustainable peace and development in Mindanao. ―The World Bank is fully behind you in this process,‖ he stressed. ―With the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the courage and foresight of the government, the MILF and the donors to establish and support the BDA is now paying dividends,‖ he said in pointing out the government‘s capacity to bring the development aspects of the peace process to the ground. Dipatuan, on the same note, thanked the EU for their increased support. He stressed on the ways in which the MTF has helped increase their capacity in delivering development programs to conflict affected communities. He said that the MTF has helped transform the BDA into ―an experienced organization that possess the capability to engage in dialogue on development needs and priorities as we position ourselves towards the transition to the Bangsamoro.‖ The BDA determines, leads and manages relief, rehabilitation and development projects in the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao. Dipatuan reported that through the MTF program, the BDA was able to deliver 254 sub-projects benefitting over 320,000 people in 215 villages across 79 municipalities in Mindanao. In closing, he also thanked OPAPP ―for its serious commitment towards the conclusion of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement with the MILF, which we believe will finally bring a just and lasting peace, not only in the Bangsamoro, but in the whole of Mindanao and the entire country as well.‖

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The coming of age of Philippine chocolate

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

13 November 2013 - The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Office of the Undersecretary for International Economic Relations, will be holding an event to launch Philippine artisan chocolates on November 14. Chocolates have always been part of Philippine cuisine. The Philippines also produces cacao, a vital ingredient in the production of chocolate.

According to “Historia de Filipinas,” by P. Fr. Gaspar de S. Augustin, cacao plants were first brought here in the year 1670 by a pilot named Pedro Brabo, of Laguna Province, who gave them to a priest of the Camarines named Bartolome Brabo. Since then, chocolate has been part of the Philippine culinary tradition.

The Philippines currently produces 10,000 metric tons (MT) of cacao beans per year. Seventy-five (75%) percent of these come from Southern Mindanao, which has over 13,000 hectares planted with cacao. The country exports $6 million-worth of raw cacao beans, but it imports $100 million-worth of fermented beans from other cocoa producers. Fermented cacao beans give the real chocolate taste and texture needed to produce chocolate.

The national government is endorsing a target set by key stakeholders to increase the cacao crop to 100,000 MT per year by 2020 and has included the cacao as part of its National Greening Program, an initiative to reforest the country. According to Euromonitor International, the Philippines chocolate market is forecast to grow 13% by 2017 to $306.3m.

In holding this event, OUIER aims to reintroduce the artistry behind the production of handmade Philippine gourmet chocolates, wherein a huge industry will be positively affected, from the agricultural industry (sugar, mango, peanuts, cashews, and coconut) and the handicraft industries (weaving, buri making) for the packaging. Our partner in the event, Ralfe Artisan Chocolates is headed by Ms. Raquel Choa, a Tablea Connoisseur. She brings with her a long tradition of preparing tablea, from planting, picking, roasting, to grinding. While the Philippines was once only an exporter of cacao beans, we are breaking new ground by exporting Philippine gourmet chocolates to foreign markets. Ralfe has already exported 1 ton of its gourmet chocolates to China. It has also been providing Tablea to Vancouver‟s gourmet stores and are in talks with Singapore and Germany. The future looks bright.

Tsokolate has always been a part of Philippine life, from tsokolate eh, tsokolate ah and champorado. In elevating the Philippine chocolate, we know that we can compete with the finest gourmet chocolates and that the connoisseurs will take notice that the Philippine chocolate has come of age.

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Batang Idol 2013 contestants Carol in the Phl Embassy in Paris

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

13 November 2013 – Over a dozen participants in the first edition of the Batang Idol 2013 search charmed Embassy personnel when they sang Filipino Christmas carols. ―It is always moving to hear Filipino Christmas carols when one is away from the Philippines,‖ said Third Secretary and Vice Consul Rapunzel Acop. ―It is also cute to hear them sing in Filipino since most of them speak it with a French accent,‖ she added. Aged six to 17 years old, the children are part of a talent search organized by Filinvest France in order to encourage Filipino children in France to showcase their talents. The preliminary rounds will take place on October 27 and November 9. The finals will take place on November 16 with the winner bringing home a cash prize of EUR 500.00 and a trophy. The first and second runners-up will each be bringing home EUR 300.00 and EUR 100.00 and trophies.

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Solid demand pushes issue upsize of DBP‟s basel 3-compliant notes

Source: https://www.dbp.ph

State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) rides on the back of strong investor demand as it moves to raise the issue size of its first Basel III compliant Tier 2 Fixed Rate Unsecured Subordinated Notes to P10-billion from P5-billion. Sole global coordinator for the issue Standard Chartered Bank has earlier announced the early close of offering on November 8, ahead of the closing of the offer period to the general public originally set on November 13. DBP president and chief executive officer Gil A. Buenaventura said: ―DBP‘s successful foray into Basel III-compliant Tier 2 bonds was driven by consistently strong investor support, an indication of their trust and faith in the bank and its current management and board. The favorable reception by the market of our issue and strong overall performance of the bank are due in no small measure to the good governance program we‘ve implemented in all aspects of the bank‘s operations.‖ DBP‘s Tier 2 Notes will mature 10 years from issuance on November 20, 2013. DBP has an option to redeem the Tier 2 unsecured subordinated notes after 5 years from issue date, subject to prior approval by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. DBP also has the option to redeem the notes on any other date prior to maturity but not prior to the 5th anniversary of the issue date, subject to redemption conditions and the required regulatory approval. The minimum investment size for the notes is P500,000, and additional investments shall further be available in integral multiples of P10,000. The proceeds replace DBP‘s lower Tier 2 Note which was redeemed last September 2, strengthening the bank‘s capital base and supporting its various developmental initiatives. DBP remains a top-rated Philippine bank, with a BBB- rating from Standard and Poor‘s and a BB+ rating from Fitch Ratings. It registered a 40% increase in its net income for the first nine months of 2013, amounting to P4.04-billion, compared to P2.89-billion for the same period last year. Standard Chartered Bank was appointed as the sole global coordinator and bookrunner. DBP has appointed as joint lead arrangers BPI Capital Corporation, Deutsche Bank AG Manila Branch, and PNB Capital and Investment

Corporation. SB Capital Investment Corporation is the co-lead manager and selling agent while Multinational Investment Corporation is the market maker and selling agent. Registry and paying agent is Deutsche Bank AG, Manila Branch-Direct Securities Services while Land Bank of the Philippines-Trust Banking Group is public trustee.

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MB places Rural Bank of Catubig (Northern Samar), Inc. under PDIC receivership, PDIC to pay 77% of deposit accounts in cash

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

The Monetary Board (MB) placed the Rural Bank of Catubig (Northern Samar), Inc. under the receivership of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) by virtue of MB Resolution No. 1838 dated November 7, 2013. As Receiver, PDIC took over the bank on November 11, 2013. Rural Bank of Catubig is a single-unit bank located at B. Tafalla St., Barangay 7, Poblacion, Catubig, Northern Samar. Latest available records show that as of September 30, 2013, Rural Bank of Catubig had 156 accounts with total deposit liabilities of P2.8 million. All 156 deposit accounts have balances of P500,000 or less and fully covered by deposit insurance. A total of 120 accounts have balances of P5,000 and below.

The PDIC said it will pay valid accounts with balances of P5,000 and below in cash during the claim settlement operations to be scheduled as soon as possible. Under PDIC‟s policy on payment of deposit insurance, the Corporation is authorized to pay in cash under special circumstances such as calamity. Samar is one of the provinces that was devastated by super typhoon Yolanda.

In order to be paid in cash, depositors must present their evidence of deposit such as savings passbook, certificate of time deposit, latest bank statements, unused checks, or ATM card; and a valid identification document (ID) or barangay certificate.

The PDIC said that upon takeover, all bank records shall be gathered, verified and validated. It assured depositors that all valid deposits shall be paid up to the maximum deposit insurance coverage of P500,000.00.

The PDIC also announced that it will conduct a Depositors-Borrowers Forum on November 14, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at the Catubig Multipurpose Cooperative Function Hall, Catubig, Northern Samar, to inform depositors of the requirements and procedures for filing deposit insurance claims. Claim forms will be distributed during the Forum. The claim forms and the requirements and procedures for filing are likewise available for downloading from the PDIC website.

Depositors may update their addresses with the PDIC representatives at the bank premises or during the Forum using the Mailing Address Update Forms to be furnished by PDIC representatives. Duly accomplished Mailing Address Update Forms should be submitted to PDIC representatives accompanied by a photo-bearing ID with signature of the depositor. Depositors may update their addresses until November 14, 2013.

Depositors with valid deposit accounts with balances of more than P5,000 but below P15,000 need not file deposit insurance claims. Depositors with valid accounts will be paid in check during the claims settlement operations. However, depositors who have outstanding obligations with the Rural Bank of Catubig, including co-makers of the obligations, and have incomplete and/or have not updated their addresses with the bank, regardless of amount, should file deposit insurance claims.

For depositors that are required to file deposit insurance claims, the PDIC targets to start claims settlement operations for these accounts by the third week of November. The schedule of the claims settlement operations will be announced through notices to be posted in the bank premises and other public places as well as through the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph.

According to the latest Bank Information Sheet (BIS) as of June 30, 2013 filed by the Rural Bank of Catubig with the PDIC, the bank is majority-owned by Jaime B. Jamer (26.34%), Nelida J. Uy (25.74%), Fe B. Jamer (10.68%) and Jihan U. Tamares (6.39%). Its President and Chairman is Nelida J. Uy.

For more information, depositors may communicate with PDIC Public Assistance personnel stationed at the bank premises. They may also call the PDIC Toll Free Hotline at 1-800-1-888-PDIC(7342), the PDIC Public Assistance Hotlines at (02) 841-4630 to (02) 841-4631, or send their e-mail to pad@pdic.gov.ph.

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MMDA to send additional rescue teams to Samar

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

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will deploy two additional teams of rescuers to the towns of

Basey and Guiuan in the province of Samar today. According to MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, the 6th and 7th teams are composed of trained rescuers. "These additional teams will concentrate on the towns of Guiuan in Eastern Samar and Basey, which also suffered extensive damage during the onslaught of ‘Yolanda'," Tolentino said. Aside from additional tools and equipment, the additional teams to Eastern Samar also brought more generator sets as the entire province still has no power since last week. On November 8, ‘Yolanda' made its first landfall at the town of Guiuan, which is 154 kilometers away from Tacloban City. Meanwhile, Basey is located across the waters from hard-hit Tacloban City. The total number of MMDA personnel now deployed to Leyte and Eastern Samar now stands at 275, sufficient enough to help in the ongoing rescue and clearing operations.

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Labor Advisory No. 10 series of 2013 - Payment of wages for private sector employees due to inclement weather or natural calamities

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

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GSIS offers aid package for Yolanda-hit members, pensioners

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

State pension fund Government Service Insurance System today bared its assistance package for more than 300,000 members and pensioners adversely affected by typhoon Yolanda. GSIS members residing or working within the declared calamity areas may now apply for the Php20,000 emergency loan in GSIS branch offices and through the GWAPS kiosks until December 31, 2013. For members with existing emergency loan, GSIS will waive the requirement to pay 12 monthly amortizations before loan renewal. In addition, the pension fund is granting a six-month loan moratorium on outstanding loans to enable its hardest-hit members to use the deferred payments on their GSIS loans for rebuilding their homes and other urgent needs. Loans covered under the moratorium include consolidated loans, housing loans, policy loans, and eCash Advances. The loan moratorium will be extended from November 2013 to April 2014. The payment for existing loans of members will thus resume in May next year. For old-age pensioners living in calamity-declared areas, GSIS is opening a new pension emergency loan (PEL) window of Php20,000 with terms similar to the emergency loan for active members. As with the existing pension loan, a loan redemption insurance will be included. Likewise, pensioners in hardest-hit areas will benefit from a six-month moratorium on their existing loans. GSIS allocated a total of Php4.5 billion for the emergency loan package. For more information on the emergency assistance program, members and pensioners may go to the nearest GSIS office, call the GSIS contact center at 847.4747.

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Baldoz identifies industries deemed indispensable to national interest

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

To guide workers and employers filing for Assumption of Jurisdiction petitions Baldoz identifies industries deemed indispensable to national interest Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz has issued a department order amending the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Labor Code of the Philippines that identify industries indispensable to the national interest. ―This essential amendment is in pursuit of clear-cut rules to govern assumption of jurisdiction (AJ) petitions before the

Office of the DOLE Secretary in those situations that this mechanism is resorted to," said Baldoz after she signed Department Order No. 40-11-13, Series of 2013. The department order amends Rule XXII of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Book V of the Labor Code of the Philippines, by adding a new section, Section 16. The amendment reads: ―Section 16. Industries indispensable to the National Interest. -- For the guidance of the workers and employers in the filing of Petition for Assumption of Jurisdiction, the following industries/services are hereby recognized as deemed indispensable to the national interest: (a) Hospital Sector; (b) Electric Power Industry; (c) Water Supply Services, to exclude small water supply services, such as bottling and refilling stations; (d) Air Traffic Control; and (e) such other industries as may be recommended by the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (NTIPC).‖ Baldoz's new order re-numbered Section 16 of D.O. No. 40-G-03 S. 2010 to Section 17, and re-numbered Section 17 to Section 18 and amended accordingly, and which now reads as follows: "Section 18. Decision on the assumed labor dispute; finality. - Within five (5) days from the issuance of the assumption or certification order, a preliminary conference or hearing shall immediately be conducted by the Office of the Secretary of Labor and Employment, the NLRC, or the Voluntary Arbitrator or Panel of Voluntary Arbitrators as the case maybe. "The decision of the Secretary of Labor and Employment, the NLRC, or the Voluntary Arbitrator or Panel of Voluntary Arbitrators shall be rendered within thirty (30) days from submission of the case for resolution and shall be final and executory ten (10) calendar days after receipt thereof by the parties." Baldoz said Article 263 of the Labor Code does not preclude the President of the Philippines from determining industries that, in his opinion, are indispensable to the national interest, and from intervening at any time and assuming jurisdiction over such labor dispute in order to settle or terminate the same. The amendment, Baldoz said, finds basis in President Benigno S. Aquino III's 22-point labor and employment agenda whose overarching goal is "to promote industrial peace based on social justice by strengthening tripartite cooperation and reforming labor arbitration and adjudication by streamlining procedures, removing red tape, and at the same time, restoring integrity and fairness in the system." As labor and employment chief, Baldozhas been very judicious and sparing in the application of assumption of jurisdiction (AJ). Based DOLE records, no AJ has been resorted to on any actual strikes since she took the post as Secretary. On the other hand, the record shows that in settling actual strike/lockout notices, Baldoz only resorted to AJ twice in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2010; four (4) times in 2012; and none at all during the first semester of 2013, for a total of only six (6) AJs in the past three years. Baldoz said this has contributed to the newfound reputation of the Philippines as Asia‘s hub of industrial peace. "Through sustained promotion of industrial peace, social dialogue, and cooperation., we have shown that inclusive social dialogue and cooperation between labor and management could lead to industrial peace," she said. ―In fact, the DOLE provides a host of other mechanisms by which parties in dispute in any industry or workplace, short of AJ, have resorted to with the active assistance and intervention of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board," she added. These avenues of mutual settlement include preventive mediation, voluntary or compulsory arbitration, and other modes of disposition, such as the mandatory 30-day Single Entry Approach (SEnA) which has produced very significant results.

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Last Updated: 12 NOVEMBER 2013

Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy

Please click on thumbnails to magnify

President Benigno S. Aquino III, on a televised nationwide broadcast Monday night,

(November 11) declares a state of national calamity in the country a day after visited to the

devastated areas of Tacloban and Capiz caused by super typhoon Yolanda.

President Benigno S. Aquino III distributes relief goods to families displaced by Super Typhoon

Yolanda (Hainan) at the evacuation center during his visit to the Roxas City to personally assess

the extent of the damage in the area on Sunday (November 10). Typhoon Yolanda is the world's

most powerful typhoon in 2013. (Photo by:Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau)

Aerial shot of the province of which was heavily damaged by super typhoon yolanda (Photo

by:Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III personally distributes water to the families displaced by Super

Typhoon Yolanda (Hainan) at the evacuation center during his visit to the province of Leyte to

assess the extent of damage in the area on Sunday (November 10). Typhoon Yolanda is the

world's most poerful typhoon in 2013. (Photo by:Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III personally check the condition of the families displaced by

Super Typhoon Yolanda (Hainan) at the evacuation center during his visit to the province of

Leyte to assess the extent of damage in the area on Sunday (November 10). Typhoon Yolanda,

the world's most poerful typhoon in 2013. (Photo by:Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III and Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas

personally inspect the extent of damage wrought by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Hainan) during

his visit to Tacloban City, Leyte on Sunday (November 10). Typhoon Yolanda is the world's

most powerful typhoon in 2013. (Photo by:Ryan Lim/ Malacanang Photo Bureau)

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. answers

questions from the media in a press briefing on Malacanang Friday when he advised people to

remain vigilant until the exit of Typhoon Yolanda from the Philippine area of responsibility. He

also commended the people along the typhoon path for heeding the call of the government to

evacuate and take the necessary precautions as the typhoon approached. (Photo by Robert

Viñas/Rodolfo Manabat/Malacanang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III in a statement , asks Filipinos to cooperate with authorities and

exercise "bayanihan" amid the threat of Super Typhoon Yolanda as all government agencies

were placed on heightened alert and classes suspended. Yolanda is expected to landfall on

Friday which is touted to be the strongest storm to hit the Philippines this year. In photo are

Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo and Executive Sec. Paquito Ochoa Jr. (Photo

By: Robert Vinas/Malacanang Photo Bureau)

Thank You and God Bless !!!!