Aguinaldo Shrine Pagsanjan Falls Taal Lake Antipolo Church Lucban Pahiyas Feast

Dispatch for October 17 , 2013 Thursday , 2 PIA Calabarzon PRs , 11 Weather Watch,

10 Reg’l. Watch , 3 OFW Watch, 1 PNOY Speech , 15 Online News , 5 Photonews

1. Weather Watch

24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST

Issued At: 5:00 a.m., 17 October 2013

Valid

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

Predicted Mean Sea Level

Pressure

Analysis for 8 a.m., 17 October

2013

Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind

Analysis for 8 a.m., 17 October

2013

Satellite Image

for 5:32 a.m., 17 October 2013

Synopsis:

Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao.

Forecast:

CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Caraga will experience cloudy

skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly

cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate

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

(in Filipino)

2. Weather Watch

20 minutes ago

INTERAKSYON: As of 9AM, PHIVOLCS recorded 1,291 aftershocks on magnitude 7.2 quake in Visayas;

26 felt near epicenter.

3. Weather Watch

26 minutes ago

At the Port of Manila on Wednesday, October 16, Philippine Coast Guard personnel load relief goods for the

victims of the magnitude-7.2 earthquake in Central Visayas. Many towns in the affected provinces are still

without electricity and are not easily reached by land vehicles due to damaged roads and bridges. Photo by

Danny Pata.

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4. Weather Watch

about an hour ago

UP, National Institute of Geological Science Dr. Mahar Lagmay on DZMM

Re: Pag-aaral ng Jaica, MMDA at DPWH sakaling yanigin ng 7.2 magnitude na lindol ang Metro Manila

-Ang mga figures po diyan pinag-aralan po ang mga siwang sa lupa.

-Ang pinakamalapit ay ang Marikina Valley Fault at iyan pong fault na iyan ay gumalaw ay maaaring

magdulot ng magnitude 7.2 na lindol.

-„Yun pong paggalaw ng Marikina Valley Fault ay may basehan din po iyon, pinag-aralan ang mga siwang

sa lupa.

-Mayroon pong relasyon ang paggalaw ng siwang sa lupa sa current ng earthquake.

-Maganda po na alam ng tao ang diperensya ng magnitude at intensity.

-Ang mga gusali po na naitayo na hindi sumunod sa building code at structural code ay mas mahina po iyon.

-Sa mga nakaraang mga lindol all over the world, ang kanilang napapansin ay maraming gusali ang

bumabagsak nandoon sa malapit o nasa taas ng fault mismo.

-Gumagalaw po ang ating gobyerno. Gumagalaw po ang Phivolcs, tuloy-tuloy ang kanilang pag-aaral,

humuhusay po ang Phivolcs, napakahusay po ang ginagawa ng mga ahensya laban sa mga disasters.

-Ang state of the art of science wala pa pong nakapagsasabi nun (kung kelan magkakalindol).

-Hindi lang po dapat tayo naka-concentrate sa lokal na pamahalaan ito po ay responsibilidad ng lahat ng tao.

5. Weather Watch

about an hour ago

PIA-7/BOHOL: Pres. Aquino assured Boholanos that power in Bohol will return to 100% within 2-3 days.

6. Weather Watch

about an hour ago

PIA-7/BOHOL: DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson said all structural engineers in the province have been tapped

to help with the assessment of infrastructure in Bohol.

7. Weather Watch

2 hours ago

PIA-10: OCD10 WeatherForecast (5AM 17Oct13): INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONE (ITCZ)

AFFECTING PALAWAN, VISAYAS AND MINDANAO. Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and

Caraga will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of

Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Winds will be light to

moderate coming from the Northeast with slight to moderate seas. PAGASA-DOST_Mindanao

8. Weather Watch

3 hours ago

DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman on DZMM

Re: Update sa Cebu at Bohol

-Ang instruction ay siguraduhing ang mga hindi pa naaabot ay maabot at ang pangangailangan ng pagkain at

tent ay matugunan.

-Narating na po ng mga kasamahan namin iyan kahapon (Loon) subalit wala pong goods na nadala dahil

hirap po silang makaabot. Kailangan po kung goods ang dala via bangka.

-Habang nag-uusap po tayo ngayon may dumating mula sa Cebu na mga food packs na nilo-load sa bangka

para sa Loon.

-„Yung Maribojoc, Bohol naabot po namin kahapon kasama ang Provincial Social Welfare and Development

Office mga 1,400 food packs ang nadala.

-May mga nagmumungkahi na chopper drop, gagawin po namin iyan kaya lang umuulan at maulap.

-Hindi po kami makapagdala ng ready-to-eat kasi „yung handling nga ng pagkain papunta doon.

-Tubig po ang isang mabigat na dala.

-Isa pang mabigat na ita-transport ay ang mga tent at mga trapal.

-Kailangang mano-mano ang pagbuhat (goods) dahil nagkaroon din po ng sira ang mismong port ng

Tagbilaran.

-Hindi po tayo nauubusan ngayon ng pera hindi po natin kinakailangang humingi ng tulong pero „yung mga

gustong tumulong po ay mas magandang magdala po sila ng goods doon sa Cebu.

-Damit, kumot at banig dahil iyon po ang kakailanganin ngayon at mga may kakayanang magbigay ng trapal

at tubig.

9. Weather Watch

4 hours ago

DZMM: Umakyat na sa P75.15-M ang halaga ng napinsalang mga kalsada, tulay at mga flood control system

sa Cebu at Bohol dahil sa lindol base sa ulat ng DPWH at NDRRMC. Sa nasabing halaga P57.5-M ang

pinsala sa Bohol habang P17.65-M naman sa Cebu. Ayon sa PCG, nagagamit na ng mga fastcraft ang

Tagbilaran Port.

10. Weather Watch

14 hours ago

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino on DZBB:

Re: MMDA sent 3rd batch of MMDA rescue team to quake stricken area

-(3rd batch or rescuer) Ito 'yung may dalang K9 tsaka meron tayong chainsaw.

-Kaya nitong mag cut ng mga concrete rubble, kaya mag-cut ng mga poste kasi 'yung ordinaryong chainsaw

pang puno lang 'yun.

-Kaya nito 'yung malalaking concrete chainsaw, nandoon na sila kanina pang umaga.

-Three teams na po tayo roon, siguro ito mga 32-35 na. (Persons)

-Sa Maribojoc kanina tsaka sa Loon, mga namatay na rin 'yung na-rescue.

-Sila 'yung nag-rescue sa La Libertad, Negros Oriental dati.

-Bukas iti-turn over sa akin ng Australia 'yung bagong hazard map para sa lindol sa Metro Manila.

11. Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's photo.

14 hours ago

GMA: Posibleng may bagong fault line na hindi pa nailalagay sa mapa ang PHIVOLCS at ito ang maaring

pinagmulan ng magnitude 7.2 na lindol kahapon. Ayon sa PHIVOLCS, nasa pagitan ng Sagbayan at

Katigbiin ang epicentre ng lindol taliwas sa una nilang tala na ito ay nasa Carmen. Hinala nila may

panibagong fault line na siyang gumalaw doon na naging sanhi ng pagyanig. Ayon sa PHIVOLCS simula,

kahapon nasa 941 aftershocks ang kanilang naitala habang 21 sa mga ito ang aktuwal na naramdaman ang

pagyanig.

Weather Watch

October 17 , 2013 ( Thursday ) as of 6:00-7:00 AM

CAVITE : Cloudy LAGUNA : Cloudy BATANGAS : Partly Cloudy RIZAL : Partly Cloudy with Scattered Rainshowers

QUEZON : Mostly Cloudy with Isolated Light Rainshowers

PIA Regional Watch

1. PIA Regional Watch

17 hours ago

PIA-4A/LAGUNA: As per report from Laguna Police Provincial Office and COMELEC, as of today, there

has not been any identified hotspot barangay in connection to the forthcoming barangay election this October

28 2013.

2. PIA Regional Watch

17 hours ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The COMELEC-Quezon has warned lost candidates of May 13 elections who will run

for barangay election should file to COMELEC their expenditures of the last election to avoid

inconveniences and disqualification.

3. PIA Regional Watch

17 hours ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The COMELEC- Quezon urged the candidates for barangay election to follow the

scheduled campaign period from Oct. 18-26 and should strictlyobserve the prescribed expenses of P5 pesos

for every voter. According to assistant provincial election officer, the candidates should use election

propaganda like pamplets, leaflets, cards, sticker and other written printed materials that not exceed to 14" by

8 1/2 inches; poster size is 2 by 3 feet and should be posted in common poster area.

4. PIA Regional Watch

17 hours ago

PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The Laguna Police Provincial personnel will intensify monitoring of the filing of

candidates' COC in each repective municipal COMELEC to ensure orderliness and security.

5. PIA Regional Watch

17 hours ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The COMELEC-Quezon will conduct training with Board of Election Tellers (BETs) on

proper handling of barangay elections. A total of 1,289 BETs will attend the training to know the general

instructions on election.

6. PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago near Quezon City

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Isang joint Provincial Peace and Order Council at Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction

Management Council meeting ang isinasagawa ngayon sa Bulwagang Batangan.Layon nitong makapag

update ng kasalukuyang kalagayan ng peace and order sa lalawigan at mga posibleng ginagawa ng mga

konseho upang maiwasan ang mga sakuna sa lalawigan.

7. PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago near Quezon City

PIA-4A/CAVITE: The DPWH Cavite I District Engineering Office revealed the completed preventive

maintenance ( asphalt overlay) of Zapote-Salawag-Salitran road aimed to improve the existing road section

to cope up with the increasing volume of traffic brought by the rapid inustrialization and to further boost the

exchange of trade and commerce in the province. Said project started last May 28, 2013 and was completed

last July 16, 2013.

8. PIA Regional Watch

23 hours ago near Quezon City

PIA-4A/LAGUNA: As per report secured from Laguna Police Provincial Office, PO1 Agnes Pascasio stated

that there is no reported private army in the province which can be used in the forthcoming barangay

election.

9. PIA Regional Watch

23 hours ago near Quezon City

PIA-4A/LAGUNA: As per coordination with Laguna Police Provincial Office, following activities are being

conducted to ensure peaceful and orderly barangay election: setting up of checkpoint; conduct of Oplan

Katok- visitation of households for loose and unregistered firearms.

10. PIA Regional Watch

Yesterday near Quezon City

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Pormal na inilunsad ng Malampaya Foundation sa lungsod ng Batangas ang

KALSADA or Kaligtasan sa Daan program na layong magbigay ng pagsasanay sa mga nagmamaneho ng

sasakyan at gumagamit ng pampublikong lansangan upang maging ligtas.

1. PIA OFW Watch

15 hours ago

PIA-3/PAMPANGA: Capt. Danilo Cruz and family from Norzagaray, Bulacan bagged the 2013 Regional

Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) for sea-based category. Cruz has been a seafarer for 33

years and has helped families of OFWs earn a living through the "Bayong Making" project.

2. PIA OFW Watch

15 hours ago

PIA-3/PAMPANGA: Saturnino "Ninoy" Lumboy and family from Bamban, Tarlac bagged the 2013

Regional Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) for land-based category. Lumboy worked in

the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 12 years as a graphic artist in Saudi Aramco where he helped organized

the Our Lady of Fatima Parish and Dhahran Community Day.

3. PIA OFW Watch

October 14

DZBB: Patay ang isang Pinay OFW matapos umanong bumagsak sa hindi pa mabatid na palapag ng bahay ng kanyang

amo sa Kuwait. Sinabi naman ng asawa ng OFW na naikuwento ng kanyang misis ang hindi umano pagpapasuweldo

ng kanyang among Egyptian. Kaugnay nito ay nananawagan ang asawa ng biktima sa embahada ng Pilipinas sa

Kuwait na imbestigahan ang tunay na nangyari sa pagkamatay ng kanyang asawa.

A. QUEZON

B. CAVITE

1. 2,000 coop members, celebrates Cooperative

Month in Cavite

BY: RUEL B. FRANCISCO

Wednesday 16th of October 2013

TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, Oct. 16 (PIA) --More than 2,000 cooperative

members from the different cities and municipalities in the province flocked to the

provincial gymnasium recently to join the 2013 Cavite cooperative month

celebration.

Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region IV regional director Salvador

V. Valeroso, in his message, cited CDA‟s strategies that include membership

expansion, increase in capital to generate employment, and livelihood trainings,

among others.

Gov. Jonvic Remulla emphasized the need to boost the cooperative movement not

only in cities and municipalities but down to every barangay especially in light of

the rapidly growing population in the province.

The governor expressed gratitude to cooperative members‟ attendance to the event

and reiterated his support to cooperative development programs as a primary

contributor to Cavite‟s progress.

Organized by the provincial government thru the Provincial Cooperative,

Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development Office (PCLEDO) in cooperation

with CDA IV, this year‟s theme “Cooperative Paves the Way for Inclusive Growth”

puts emphasis on people‟s active participation in the cooperative movement to

achieve genuine progress.

The celebration included trade fair and exhibit showcasing different Cavite

products, a bloodletting activity which collected a total of 44 bags of blood, raffle

draws, CO-OPlympics with various fun games and contests.

The event also gave recognition to outstanding cooperatives in the province as well

as the cooperative council with the most number of members present in uniform

which was won by the City of Imus.

There are 299 registered cooperatives in Cavite with total assets of P2.15 billion,

P0.985 billion values of products sold, and employs 1,682 workers. (Ruel

Francisco, PIA-Cavite/PICAD)

C. LAGUNA

D. BATANGAS

1. Tagalog news: Outstanding educators sa

lalawigan ng Batangas, pinarangalan

Wednesday 16th of October 2013

LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Oktubre 16 (PIA) --Binigyang pagkilala ng

Department of Education (DepEd) ang mga natatanging educators sa lalawigan

noong ika-3 ng Oktubre sa Freedom Hall ng Lyceum of the Philippines University-

Batangas.

Layon nitong mabigyang pagkilala ang natatanging paglilingkod ng mga guro at

pagbibigay halaga sa edukasyon ng mga kabataan para sa kanilang kinabukasan.

Ang paggawad ng pagkilala ay isinabay sa pagdiriwang ng Teachers Day na may

temang "My Teacher, My Hero".

Bukod sa best educator, nagbigay pagkilala din sa best school-based management

implementor, Brigada Eskwela best implementor, modern day heroes at outstanding

teachers mula sa elementarya at sekondaryang paaralan sa iba't-ibang bayan at

lungsod sa lalawigan.

Sinabi ni provincial school Superintendent Dr. Donato Bueno,na ang mga guro ay

mahalagang bahagi ng kabuuan ng sinumang tao sapagkat marami sa mga turo at

aral ng mga ito ang isinasabuhay ng mga kabataan upang magtagumpay.

Sinabi naman ni Governor Vilma Santos Recto na maihahalintulad sa isang bayani

ang kontribusyon ng mga guro sa lipunan. Aniya, hindi biro ang araw araw na

paghahanda ng mga ito upang makapagturo sa mga mag-aaral, ang pagpupuyat sa

paggawa ng lesson plans at visual aids, ang pagtatapos ng mga report cards

atmarami pang iba.

Nagpahayag din ang opisyal ng patuloy na pagsuporta sa larangan ng edukasyon na

kabilang sa kanyang prayoridad na programa sa ilalim ng HEARTS

(health,education/environment,agriculture,roads/infrastructure,tourism,security)prog

ram. (PIA Batangas)

E. RIZAL

16 OCTOBER 2013.

Ambassador Luis Cruz cites significance of President Aquino’s state visit to South Korea

Overseas Filipino workers in South Korea excited to meet President Aquino

Philippine Ambassador to Korea cites reasons why Koreans tourists go to the Philippines

South Korean government to roll out red carpet for President Aquino's State Visit

Aquino checks out Bohol, leads distribution of relief assistance

Congress has to decide on postponement of Bohol barangay election, says Aquino

DSWD transports food packs to Bohol through the air force

Agencies working hard to restore infrastructure in Bohol

President Aquino inspects places hit by quake in Cebu

Aquino directs officials to speed up rehabilitation efforts for Bohol, Cebu communities

President Aquino directs assessment of structural integrity of buildings following the earthquake

Ambassador Luis Cruz cites significance of President Aquino’s state visit to South Korea

(SEOUL, South Korea) Philippine Ambassador to Korea Luis Cruz cited the significance of the two-day State Visit of President Benigno S. Aquino III to Seoul, South Korea from October 17 to 18. "So i'd say that it's highly about time that we have another visit here to reciprocate the visit made in 2011 by former President Myung Bak of Korea. I'm saying this because Korea is one of our major partners when it comes to various areas not only in political, economics, even security arrangements, and people-to-people contacts where we are very strong. As a matter of fact, Korea is now the number one tourists in the Philippines for the last seven years." Ambassador Cruz said in an interview here. He noted that practically, the Koreans "treat us as blood brothers because of the tremendous help we have given to them especially during the Korean war and the rehabilitation of Korea immediately after the war." " The visit of the President would be highly significant in the sense that the two Presidents will be exchanging this renewal of commitment to mutually help each other and believe that from hereon, especially considering the fact that now the Philippines is taking off, we will have more interaction," Ambassador Cruz said. The other point that the Ambassador mentioned was that " there is a new President here in Korea who begun her term of office in February of this year, President Park Geun-Hye. And one of the highlights of her foreign policy in as far as Asia is concerned, he added "is that she has identified three countries as the target of intensified cooperatiom especially in the area of economic cooperation and Korea terms this as the VIPs–V for Vietnam, I for Indonesia and P for the Philippines. "That is why the first few countries visited by President Park Geun-Hye was Vietnam and Indonesia, and now President Aquino is making a State Visit here," Ambassador Cruz said, Ambassador Cruz stressed that this is "a testament to the fact that Korea has noticed the vast improvements and great economic developments in the three countries." "And I‘d say that it is not only limited in the Economic area but most especially in the people-to-people in the Aid program in military cooperation, especially for the Philippines because this is one of the things that will be signed during the visit," he said adding that this will also be a testament to long, lasting friendship between the Philippines and Korea. PND (rda)

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Overseas Filipino workers in South Korea excited to meet President Aquino

(SEOUL, South Korea) Overseas filipino workers in South Korea are all "very excited to meet President Benigno S. Aquino III during his two-day State Visit here from October 17 to 18." Philippine Ambassador to Korea Luis Cruz said in an interview here that many of the filipino overseas workers "are very excited because it is very seldom that they get to meet the highest official of the land." He said that with the President's visit, preparations were made and "we targetted a certain number of people, who could come, so since we have this social networking facility here through Facebook and e-mail we asked them (referring to the Filipino community) to register. He added that after they had reached a critical number of Filipinos who registered, they closed the registratiion. Those who registered their named will have the pleasure of personally meeting with the President. The President, who will be arriving here on Thursday October 17, is expected to meet the Filipino community on Friday at the Lotte Hotel. His visit to South Korea will be his first since he assumed office.

Shortly after his arrival, there will be a short program where the President will personally confer the Oder of Lakandula to Rep. Jasmine Lee. After the conferment ceremony, the President is expected to deliver his meaage about the positive developments that are going on in the Philippines since he assumed office in June 2010. Ambassador Cruz pointed out that during the President's meeting with the Filipino community, he will be likewise presenting to President Aquino the five-year accomplishment report of the Filipino community in Korea. He noted that there are 45,000 Filipinos who are working in Korea half of them are employed in factories and other Filipinos include entertainers, professionals, students, and spouses of Korean nationals. PND (rda)

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Philippine Ambassador to Korea cites reasons why Koreans tourists go to the Philippines

(SEOUL, South Korea) More Korean tourists are visiting the Philippines due to its tourist attractions and the great local food, Philippine Ambassador to Korea Luis Cruz said. During an interview with Radio-TV Malacanang here in Seoul, Ambassador Cruz indicated that Korea has become the top source of tourists for the Philippines for the past few years. Just last year, the Department of Tourism recorded more than a million visitors from Korea or nearly a quarter of total tourist arrivals to the Philippines. ―There is something that they found in the Philippines that keeps them coming back,‖ he said. Aside from learning the English language, the Ambassador noted that Koreans enjoy spending their vacations by going to the Philippines. Ambassador Cruz added that a lot of Korean visitors go to the Philippines for shopping, spa and other leisure activities. ―So there are so many things that they like in the Philippines, that‘s why they keep on coming back,‖ he said. He also credited the Department of Tourism for the increasing number of Koreans visiting the country. Cruz said that it has implemented various programs based on the survey conducted by the Gallup Company to attract more tourists from Korea. He mentioned one survey where respondents from Korea cited Filipino seafood as a particular favorite. Cruz also cited the historical ties between the Philippines and Korea that took root during the Korean War. ―We helped them during the rehabilitation of their country,‖ he said, adding that Koreans ―have very high regard for Filipinos.‖ During the Korean War in 1950, the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea joined the UN-led coalition in defending the freedom of the Korean people. Until today, both countries recognize this as the bedrock of Philippine-Korean relations. PND (co)

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South Korean government to roll out red carpet for President Aquino's State Visit

(SEOUL, South Korea) President Benigno S. Aquino III will receive a warm welcome when he arrives here on Thursday for a two-day State VIsit, October 17 to 18. The President will lead the wreath-laying ceremonies at the Memorial Tower in Seoul National Cemetery before he proceeds for the official welcome ceremonies at the Blue House, the Executive Office of the Head of State of the Republic of Korea, where he will be officially received by President Park Geun-Hye followed by the arrival honors. There will be the firing of the 21 gun salute, followed by the singing of the two national anthems of both the Republic of Korea and the Philippines. After the arrival honors, the President will be ushered in to the lobby of the Blue House for the Signing of the Guest Book. This will be followed by the Summit talks between the President and President Park at the Jiphyeon Room of the Blue House. Then the President will also attend a State Dinner hosted by President Park in his honor at the Banquet Hall of the State Guest House. He will likewise lead a Wreath-laying Ceremony and Awarding of Recognition in honor of the former Senator Benigno Ninoy Aquino Jr. The President will also deliver his speech before the Korean Business community at the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Hotel. He will then proceed to have an interview by CNN-Korea correspondent Paula Hancocks, also at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

Before the Farewell Ceremony at the Seoul Airbase, the President will meet with the Filipino community at the Lotte Hotel where he will brief them on the good and positive developments of the country since he assumed office in June 2010. He will then depart for Manila via Philippine Airlines Chartered Flight PR 001. PND (rda)

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Aquino checks out Bohol, leads distribution of relief assistance

(TAGBILARAN CITY: President Benigno S. Aquino III visited Bohol Wednesday to assess the damage of the earthquake that hit the province Tuesday asking the people of Bohol to help one another to overcome the crisis. The President had an aerial tour of devastated areas after arriving in Bohol and after that he proceeded to the Tagbilaran Sports Complex to distribute relief goods to quake victims. The Department of Public Works and Highways reported that there are several bridges that were damaged by the quake and it said that it will create temporary bridges in the next few weeks so that relief goods could be transported to devastated areas. The Department of Social Welfare and Development on the other hand said there are more than 5,000 families affected by the disaster and it is sending food packs and tents for victims staying at temporary shelters. Secretary Dinky Soliman said her department is moving in tents not usable in Zamboanga City so people in Bohol could use them. At the Tagbilaran Sports Complex, the President led the distribution of relief assistance to around 800 individuals who waited for him there. In his message, the President asked for people‘s volunteerism and cooperation telling them to work together to overcome the disaster that hit Bohol. He made an assurance that his administration will always be ready to assist communities affected by calamities and the government has the resources to do so. Among those who joined the President during his visit here include Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ramon Carandang. After leading the distribution of relief assistance, the President visited the Tagbilaran port, which according to authorities needed P500 million for rehabilitation. The port is partially operational but could not handle large cargoes, according to them. The President proceeded to Cebu after visiting Bohol to also assess the quake damage there. Bohol and Cebu were hit by a quake with a magnitude of 7.2 in the Richter scale, causing massive damage to infrastructure as well as loss of human lives. PND (as)

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Congress has to decide on postponement of Bohol barangay election, says Aquino

(TAGBILARAN CITY) Congress must come up with a resolution postponing barangay elections in Bohol as what local officials want, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Wednesday. The President arrived here Wednesday to assess the damage of the quake that hit the province. He also led the distribution of relief goods to affected individuals. ―The Congress has to come up with a resolution doing that,‖ the President told Bohol officials during a briefing at the Governor‘s mansion here. Local officials in Bohol said they want the postponement of the barangay elections in the province so people and the local government could focus their attention to address the challenges brought about by Tuesday‘s earthquake. Rep. Rene Relampagos said they will do their part and they hope the Aquino leadership supports them. Bohol officials said the provincial government will pass a resolution on the barangay election issue. Also, after making an assessment of the whole damage in the province, the provincial board has called and convened for the declaration of state of calamity for the whole province.

The declaration of state of calamity allows the release of calamity funds in the province to address immediate needs of the local government. PND (as)

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DSWD transports food packs to Bohol through the air force

TAGBILARAN CITY: The Department of Social Welfare and Development delivered Wednesday 2,000 food packs through a C-130 cargo plane of the Philippine Air Force in coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman said during a disaster response meeting presided by President Benigno S. Aquino III here. Aside from the food packs, the DSWD has also delivered 38 pieces of trapal that can be used for tents by the affected residents. Soliman reported that more than 5,000 families were affected by the quake. ―The next round of C-130 delivery will complete 100 more, and we are negotiating with shelter box to deliver from Zamboanga City 500 shelter box tents, because we already are able to provide bunkhouses for some and the shelter box is not able to withstand the floods. So we‘ll be moving that—the shelter box tents and the trapals—it‘s a roll of 1,000 meters that can be temporarily used,‖ she said. With the help of Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, Soliman said they will be supplying the goods to Bohol from Cebu given the shorter travel time involved. The logistics run and the repacking area will be in the University of Cebu, she said. Student volunteers will help in the initiative, she said, adding they are also consulting with the office of the governor. Soliman said that in one week, they expect affected families to return to their own places. The DSWD can also work with the governor and the mayors on the emergency shelter assistance. But the LGU must comply with the requirement: first they must identify areas where the DSWD could develop the core shelter community, and it has to be approved by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. To address the health needs of the people of Bohol, Soliman said the Department of Health is bringing in not only medicines but equipment that will take care of injuries that can‘t be addressed by the existing hospitals. PND (as)

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Agencies working hard to restore infrastructure in Bohol

(TAGBILARAN CITY) With three out of 14 bridges in Bohol heavily damaged, the Department of Public Works and Highways said it will provide temporary bridging materials to connect isolated areas in the province.

In a briefing with President Benigno S. Aquino III at the Governor‘s mansion here, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson said the building materials will come from Bacolod and Aklan and will take the department maximum of four weeks to build.

―We hope we‘ll be able to do it in less than four weeks. All the others are minor—‗yung mga approach lang, settlements—which means that out of the 14, the 11 remaining should be passable within a week‘s time,‖ Singson told the President. The private sector is also helping the government assess the province‘s structures, he said.

The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers is bringing in 10 structural engineers, together with the DPWH‘s bridge and structural engineers. The experts will be assessing hospitals, school buildings, municipal halls, and public markets, he explained.

Although there are damages to roads, Singson said they believe they could make most of the roads passable soon.

With regards to the condition of the Tagbilaran Airport, Transportation and Communication Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said the facility has opened since 10:30 a.m. yesterday. While there are limitation the facility is structurally sound, he said.

As to the Tagbilaran Port, Abaya said it is partially open. It could actually accommodate two non-RORO vessels and two RORO vessels. The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) engineers are coming over to assess the expansion of the cargo area to allow forklifts and trucks to move containers.

Based on the initial assessment of the PPA, the Tagbilaran port would need P500 million for repairs, Abaya said.

The Philippine Coast Guard has two vessels assisting DSWD in its relief operations, he said. One is loading up in Manila and another vessel in Cebu is also loading cargo to help the victims. PND (as)

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President Aquino inspects places hit by quake in Cebu

(CEBU CITY) President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday inspected the Provincial Capitol, Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino and a public market that were damaged by the powerful earthquake that hit several areas in Visayas and Mindanao Tuesday. The President arrived at the Central Command Headquarters in Lahug City at 1:40 p.m. on board the Presidential chopper along with several Cabinet secretaries including Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Transportation and Communications Secretary Jun Abaya, Secretary Ramon Carandang and Secretary to the Cabinet Rene Almendras. Upon arrival, President Aquino was welcomed by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale and Representative Raul del Mar. The President came here from a two-hour inspection in Bohol, which was the worst affected by the 7.2 magnitude quake. President Aquino first visited the Provincial Capitol, checked the building interiors where he saw huge cracks on the walls and inspected some rooms. He also inspected a nearby Legislative Building where he saw cracked walls and floors. The office of Vice Governor Magpale was also not spared from the damage of the quake as some portions of the room collapsed. The President then proceeded to the Sto. Nino Basilica Church, which was also damaged in the tremors. The limestone bell tower of the historical church fell while other parts of church crumbled. The right portion of the main entrance of the Philippine's oldest church collapsed, its gate heavily damaged. The President stayed outside the Basilica for about 15 minutes talking to some priests and local officials and inspecting debris from the church. He then went inside the church and inspected the area where the century-old image of the Sto. Nino is found. Around 4 p.m., the President then visited a public market in Mandaue where one person was killed after a portion of the market collapsed. Some schools, shopping malls, buildings and other establishments also sustained damages due to the strong quake that recorded hundreds of aftershocks until Wednesday morning. The President met with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council and several local officials here and was briefed regarding the extent of the damage of the quake in the province. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that at least 107 people were killed due the quake: 97 people died in Bohol, nine in Cebu and one in Siquijor. At least 276 people, meanwhile, were injured: 166 from Bohol, 106 from Cebu, three from Siquijor and one from Negros Oriental. Authorities still expect the death toll to rise as some affected areas remained inaccessible to vehicles. Malacanang earlier assured that assistance will be provided to those affected and displaced by the quake. PND (jb)

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Aquino directs officials to speed up rehabilitation efforts for Bohol, Cebu communities

(CEBU CITY) President Benigno. S. Aquino III directed on Wednesday officials of concerned government agencies to devise strategies to speed up rehabilitation efforts for the affected communities in Cebu and Bohol provinces following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake. The Chief Executive flew to Cebu province to assess the situation in areas affected by the earthquake. He then toured the Cebu Capitol, Sto. Nino Basilica, Mandaue Market among other areas. A state of calamity has been declared by the government in Cebu and Bohol provinces. During his visit to Cebu province, the President met officials of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), concerned government agencies and local government units in devising strategies to minimize the impact of the earthquake and immediately restore the living conditions of affected residents. Operations of all sea vessels in Cebu City, Negros Island, Bohol, Iloilo, Aklan and other nearby Visayas provinces were suspended on Tuesday. In Cebu City, several national and local government teams continue to conduct assessment and rescue efforts in the affected areas while government medical teams attended to those who were injured.

Many areas were hit by power cuts, stopping some transport links and forcing hospitals to evacuate patients to open spaces as aftershocks rocked the province. The NDRRMC said a total of 558,390 families (some 2,841,956 persons) were affected in seven cities, 27 municipalities, 879 barangays all in Bohol, Cebu and, Siquijor as of Wednesday. A total of 2,533 families (12,665 persons) were displaced and currently stayed in 13 evacuation centers in the affected areas. The Disaster Response Team (DRT) in Naval Forces Central Visayas were deployed at the Sto. Nino Basilica to assist in the clearing operations of the collapsed bell tower while the Department of Health was initially placed on code red alert status. According to the DOH, six hospitals/health facilities in Bohol sustained cracks but were found to be functional and operational. DPWH-V coordinated with its District Engineering Offices regarding the effects of earthquake in their area of responsibility, while the Department of Education activated its disaster risk reduction and management office and announced the suspension of classes in Cebu City and the whole of Bohol. PND (js)

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President Aquino directs assessment of structural integrity of buildings following the earthquake

(CEBU CITY) President Benigno S. Aquino III issued a directive on Wednesday for the assessment of the structural integrity of the buildings to start after a strong quake hit Cebu, Bohol and other provinces. In a briefing with Cabinet secretaries and other local government officials on Wednesday in Mactan, Cebu, the Chief Executive instructed the officials to check the buildings to make sure that they are still safe following the 7.2 huge earthquake on Tuesday. "I'm not an engineer or an architect --- but there seems to be questions in the quality of the workmanship in some of these places. There has be a review of the systems, " he said. The President also expressed concern over the structural integrity of the school buildings, saying he was worried for the safety of the students. The President lauded the government agencies and local officials for their immediate response to the needs of the affected communities. The government also activated regional offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to ensure immediate response once LGUs would request for assistance. Interior and Local government Secretary Manuel Roxas, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, continue to coordinate with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council office to speed up rescue and rehabilitation efforts for the affected provinces. Residents fled their homes during the powerful earthquake but some returned home soon after the quake. "Anyway, at the end of the day, we just like to assure the governor and other local government officials present that the national government is ready to assist and we have the necessary funds available," he said. "Just make sure that all the mayors have their geohazard maps and you review and see if there are potential issues with the communities residing in areas that might have hazards," he said. PND (js)

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ARCHIVE 2013

16 OKTUBRE 2013

Mahalaga ang State Visit ng Pangulo sa Timog Korea—Embahador Cruz

Sabik ang mga OFW sa Timog Korea na makita ang Pangulong Aquino

Mga dahilan ng turistang Koreano sa pagtungo sa Pilipinas, tinukoy ni Embahador Cruz

Maringal na pagsalubong ng gobyerno ng Timog Korea sa State Visit ng Pangulong Aquino Oktubre 17-18

Pinangunahan ni Aquino ang pamamahagi ng tulong sa Bohol

Kongreso ang magpapasiya kung ipagpapaliban ang halalan ng Baranggay sa Bohol, sabi ni Aquino

Tulong sa Bohol, isinakay ng DSWD sa eroplano ng Air Force

Pinagtutulungan ng mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan ang pag-aayos ng mga imprastraktura sa Bohol

Mahalaga ang State Visit ng Pangulo sa Timog Korea—Embahador Cruz

(SEOUL, Timog Korea) Napakahalaga ng dalawang araw na State Visit ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa Seoul, Timog Korea Oktubre 17-18, sabi ni Embahador Luis Cruz ng Pilipinas sa Timog Korea. ―Talagang napapanahong magkaroon ng isa pang State Visit dito dahil noong 2011 ay dumalaw ang dating Pangulong Myung Bak ng Korea sa Pilipinas. Sapagka‘t ang Timog Korea ay isa sa ating pangunahing kabalikat sa iba-ibang larangan, hindi lamang sa pulitika, ekonomya, kundi lalo na sa seguridad at ugnayang tao-sa-tao. Ang totoo, ang Korea ang nangunguna ngayon sa dami ng turistang dumadalaw sa Pilipinas sa nakalipas na pitong taon,‖ sabi ni Embahador Cruz sa isang panayam dito. Binanggit niya na itinuturing ng mga Koreano ―na tayo ay blood brothers dahil sa malaking tulong natin sa kanila, lalo na noong panahon ng Digmaan sa Korea at sa rehabilitasyon ng Korea nang matapos ang digmaan.‖ ―Mahalaga ang pagdalaw ng Pangulo sapagka‘t magiging daan ito ng panibagong sigla ng magandang pagsasama at pagtulong sa isa‘t isa at sa paniniwalang buhat ngayon ay lalo lamang mag-iibayo ang ugnayan natin lalo pa nga sa panahong ito na umaangat na ang Pilipinas,‖ wikai ni Embahador Cruz. Ayon kay Embahador Cruz, may bagong Pangulo ang Korea na nagpasimulang manungkulan noong Pebrero ng taong ito, si Pangulong Park Geun-Hye. Isa sa mga pangunahing tampok ng kanyang patakarang panlabas tungkol sa Asya, dagdag ni Cruz, ay ―tinukoy niya ang tatlong bansang nais niyang pag-ibayuhin pa ang pakikipagtulu-ngan, lalo na sa larangan ng ekonomya at ito ayon sa Korea ay ang VIP—"V" para sa Vietnam, "I" sa Indonesya at "P" sa Pilipinas. ―Ito ang dahilan kaya sa ilang una sa bansang dinalaw ng Pangulong Park Geun-Hye ay ang Vietnam, Indonesya at ngayon ay ang Pangulong Aquino naman ang magsasagawa rito ng State Visit,‖ pahayag pa ni Cruz. Binigyang diin ni Embahador Cruz na ang bagay na ito ay ―isang katibayan ng katotohanan na napuna ng Korea ang mabilis na pagbabago at malaking kaunlarang pangkabuhayang nagawa na sa tatlong bansang nabanggit.‖ ―Masasabi kong hindi lamang sa larangan ng Ekonomya, kundi higit sa lahat, sa tao-sa-tao na aid program ng tulungang military, lalo na para sa Pilipinas sapagka‘t isa ito sa mga bagay na lalagdaan sa pagdalaw na ito,‖ paliwanag pa ni Cruz at idinugtong na ito ay magiging katibayan ng matagal nang mabuting pagkakaibigan ng Pilipinas at Korea. PND (rda/zaf)

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Sabik ang mga OFW sa Timog Korea na makita ang Pangulong Aquino

(SEOUL, Timog Korea) ―Sabik at tuwang-tuwa ang mga Overseas Filipino Workers dito na makita ang Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa State Visit niya rito Oktubre 17-18." ―Tuwang-tuwa at nasasabik‖ ang maraming Overseas Filipino Workers dito na makusap ang Pangulong Aquino sapagka‘t pambihirang magkaroon sila ng pagkakataong makaharap ang pinakamataas na Pinuno ng bansa,‖ sabi ni Embahador Luis Cruz ng Pilipinas sa Korea. Idinugtong ng Embahador na ang paghahanda sa pagdalaw rito ng Pangulo ay ginawa na ang ―pinagtutuunan ng pansin ay ang ilang taong makapupunta kaya ginamit namin ang social networking facility rito sa pamamagitan ng Facebook at e-mail nila (mga Pilipino rito ang tinutukoy niya) kung saan sila nagrehistro.‖ Huwebes, Oktubre 17, nakatakdang dumating dito ang Pangulo. Biyernes naman nakatakda niyang kausapin ang komunidad ng Pilipino sa pagtitipon sa Lotte Hotel. Ang pagdalaw rito ng Pangulong Aquino ay kauna-unahan sapul nang manungkulan siyang Pangulo. Sa programang ito ay pararangalan ng Pangulo sa pamamagitan ng paggagawad ng Order of Lakandula kay Kinatawan Jasmine Lee ng Timog Korea. Magkakaroon ng palatuntunan kung saan inaasahang magbibitiw ng maikling pangungusap ang Panguoong Aquino upang ipabatid sa mga Pilipino rito ang mga maiinam na pangyayaring kasalukuyang nagaganap sa Pilipinas sapul noong Hunyo 30, 2010.

Ayon kay Embahador Cruz, sa pulong na ito ng Pangulo sa mga Pilipino rito, ibibigay niya sa Pangulong Aquino ang five year accomplishment report ng mga Pilipino sa Korea. Sinabi ni Cruz na may 45,000 Pilipino ang nagtatrabaho sa Korea. Kalahati ng mga ito ay namamasukan sa mga pabrika at ang iba naman ay mga entertainers, propesyonal, mag-aaral at kabiyak ng puso ng mga mamamayang Koreano. PND (rda/zaf)

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Mga dahilan ng turistang Koreano sa pagtungo sa Pilipinas, tinukoy ni Embahador Cruz

(SEOUL, Timog Korea) Parami nang parami ang mga turistang buhat sa Timog Korea dahil sa magagandang tanawin at pook na pasyalan, gayundin dahil sa katangi-tanging pagkaing lokal, sabi ni Embahador Luis Cruz ng Pilipinas sa Korea. Sa panayam ng Radio-TV Malacanang dito, sinabi ni Embahador Cruz na sa Korea nanggagaling ang pinakamalaking bilang ng mga turistang nagtutungo sa Pilipinas sa loob ng nakalipas na mga taon. Noon lamang isang taon, ang mahigit na isang milyon ang naitala ng Kagawaran ng Turismo na bilang ng mga turistang buhat sa Korea ay halos isang kuwarter ng kabuuang bilang ng mga turistang nagsadya sa Pilipinas. ―May isang bagay silang natuklasan sa Pilipinas na naging dahilan kung bakit pabalik-balik sila rito,‖ wika ni Embahador Cruz. Bukod sa natututo sila ng wikang Ingles, natutuwa ang mga Koreano na sa Pilipinas sila mamalagi kung bakasyon nila. Idinugtong ni Embahador Cruz na ang maraming panauhing Koreano ay nagtutungo sa Pilipinas para sa shopping, spa at iba pang libangan. ―Napakaraming bagay silang naiibigan sa Pilipinas kaya nga pabalik-balik sila rito,‖ wika pa ni Cruz. Sinabi rin ni Cruz na dahil sa pagsisikap ng Kagawaran ng Turismo kaya lumalaki ang bilang ng mga Koreanong dumadalaw sa bansa, gayundin sa iba-ibang programang ipinatutupad salig sa survey na ginawa ng Gallup Company na nakaakit ng dagdag na turista buhat sa Korea. Binanggit niya ang isang survey kung saan ang mga tinanong buhat sa Korea ay nagsabing paborito nilang pagkain ang seafood ng Pilipino. Binanggit din ni Cruz ang makasaysayang ugnayan ng Pilipinas at ng Korea na nag-ugat noong digmaan sa Korea. ―Tinulungan natin sila sa rehabilitasyon ng kanilang bansa,‖ wika pa niya at idinagdag na ―napakainam ng pagpapahalaga ng mga Koreano sa mga Pilipino.‖ Sa digmaan sa Korea noong 1950, nakiisa ang Philippine Expeditionary Forces sa Korea sa kowalisyong pinangunahan ng Bansang Magkakaanib upang ipagsanggalang ang kalayaan ng mamamayan ng Korea. Hanggang sa kasalukuyan, kinikilala ng dalawang bansa ang bagay na ito bilang panulukang bato ng mahusay na relasyong Pilipinas-Korea. PND (co/zaf)

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Maringal na pagsalubong ng gobyerno ng Timog Korea sa State Visit ng Pangulong Aquino Oktubre 17-18

(SEOUL, Timog Korea) Maringal na pagsalubong ang naghihintay sa Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III pagdating niya rito para sa dalawang araw na State Visit na gagawin Oktubre 17-18. Pangungunahan ng Pangulo ang pag-aalay ng bulaklak sa Memorial Tower sa Pambansang Libingan ng Seoul bago siya magtungo para sa seremonya ng opisyal na pagsalubong na gagawin sa Blue House, ang Executive Office ng Puno ng Pamahalaan ng Republika ng Korea kung saan siya opisyal na tatanggapin ng Pangulong Park Geun-Hye pagkaraang ukulan ng arrival honors. Magkakaroon ng 21 putok ng kanyon na susundan ng pag-kanta ng mga Pambansang Awit ng Republika ng Korea at ng Pilipinas. Pagkatapos ng pasalubong na parangal, ihahatid ang Pangulo sa lobby ng Blue House para sa Paglagda sa Guest Book. Susundan naman ito ng Summit talks ng Pangulong Aquino at ng Pangulong Park na gaganapin sa Jiphyeon Room ng Blue House. Ang Summit talks ay susundan naman ng State Dinner na handog ng Pangulong Park sa karangalan ng Pangulong Aquino na idaraos sa Banquet Hall ng State Guest House. Mangunguna rin ang Pangulong Aquino sa Wreath-laying Ceremony at Awarding of Recognition of Honor sa dating Senador Benigno ―Ninoy‖ Aquino, Jr. Nakatakdang magtalumpati ang Pangulo sa harap ng mga negosyanteng Koreano sa Grand Ballroom ng Grand Hyatt Hotel. Tutuloy pagkatapos nito ang Pangulo sa Grand Hyatt Hotel para sa interbyu sa kanya ni Paula Hancocks, CNN-Korea

correspondent. Bago ganapin ang Farewell Ceremony sa Seoul Airbase, makikipagkita ang Pangulo sa mga Pilipino sa Lotte Hotel kung saan ipaaalam niya sa mga kababayan ang maiinam at positibong pangyayari sa bansa sapul nang manungkulan siya noong Hunyo 2010. Pagkaraan ng pulong sa mga Pilipino sa Korea, uuwi na ang Pangulo sakay ng Philippine Air Lines Chartered Flight PR001. PND (rda/zaf)

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Pinangunahan ni Aquino ang pamamahagi ng tulong sa Bohol

(LUNGSOD NG TAGBILARAN) Nagsadya ang Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa Bohol Miyerkoles upang tayahin ang pinsalang ibinunga ng malakas na lindol na yumanig sa lalawigan umaga ng Martes at nanawagan sa mga mamamayan ng Bohol na magtulungan upang matawid ang krisis. Dumating dito ang Pangulo matapos gawin ang aerial tour upang makita ang mga pook na pininsala ng malakas na lindol. Tumuloy siya sa Tagbilaran Sports Complex upang mamahagi ng tulong sa mga biktima ng lindol. Iniulat ng Kagawaran ng Pagawaing Bayan at Pambansang Lansangan na ilang tulay ang nasira ng lindol kaya gagawa sila ng pansamantalang tulay sa susunod na ilang linggo upang ang mga relief goods ay maihatid sa mga napinsalang pook. Sa kabilang dako, iniulat ng Kagawaran ng Kagalingang Panlipunan at Kaunlaran na mahigit na 5,000 pamilya ang naapektuhan ng lindol at nagpapadala na sila ng pagkain at mga tolda para pansamantalang matuluyan ng mga biktima. Sinabi ni Kalihim Dinky Soliman na dadalhin ng kanyang kagawaran ang mga hindi na ginagamit na tolda sa Lungsod ng Zamboanga upang magamit ng mga taga-Bohol. Sa Tagbilaran Sports Complex, nanguna ang Pangulo sa pamimigay ng mga tulong sa may 500 kataong naghintay sa kanya roon. Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na higit kailanman, ngayon kailangan ang pagtutulungan at pagdadamayan nang lahat upang matawid ang mga suliraning iniwan ng kalamidad sa Bohol. Tiniyak ng Pangulo na ang kanyang administrasyon ay laging magiging handa upang tulungan ang mga pook na sinalanta ng mga kalamidad at mayroon namang magugugol ang pamahalaan para rito. Kasama ng Pangulo sa pagtungo rito sina Kalihim Rogelio Singson ng Pagawaing Bayan at Pambansang Lansangan, Kalihim ng Gabinete Jose Rene Almendras, Kalihim Voltaire Gazmin ng Tanggulang Bansa, Kalihim Dinky Soliman ng Kagalingang Panlipunan at Kaunlaran, Kalihim Joseph Emilio Abaya ng Trasportasyon at Komunikasyon, at Kalihim Ramon Carandang ng Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office. Pagkatapos mamahagi ng tulong sa mga biktima ng lindol, nagtungo ang Pangulo sa Daungan ng Tagbilaran na alinsunod sa mga kinauukulan ay kailangan ang P500 milyon upang makumpuni. Ang daungan ay nagagamit naman, subali‘t hindi maaari sa malalaking cargo, ayon sa kanila. Buhat sa Bohol, tumuloy ang Pangulo sa Cebu upang alamin naman ang pinsalang iniwan ng lindol doon. Ang Bohol at Cebu ang napinsala nang malubha sa 7.2 magnitude na lindol. Malaki ang pinsalang iniwan ng lindol sa imprastraktura at marami rin ang taong namatay. PND (as/zaf)

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Kongreso ang magpapasiya kung ipagpapaliban ang halalan ng Baranggay sa Bohol, sabi ni Aquino

(LUNGSOD NG TAGBILARAN) Dapat magpatibay ang Kongreso ng resolusyong nagpapaliban ng halalan ng baranggay sa Bohol na siyang nais ng mga lokal na pamahalaan, sabi ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III. Dumating dito ang Pangulong Aquino Miyerkoles upang tayahin ang pinsalang idinulot ng malakas na lindol na yumanig sa lalawigan. Nanguna rin siya sa pamamahagi ng tulong sa mga naging biktima ng pinsalang iniwan ng lindol. ―Ang Kongreso ang dapat magpatibay ng resoluyon para magawa iyan,‖ sabi ng Pangulo sa mga pinunong bayan ng Bohol sa briefing sa Governor‘s Mansion dito. Sinabi ng mga lokal na pinuno ng Bohol na ibig nilang ipagpaliban ang halalan ng baranggay sa lalawigan upang mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga mamamayan at ang lokal na pamahalaan na maituon ang lahat ng panahon at pagsisikap nila upang tugunan ang mga suliraning iniwan ng malakas na lindol Martes. Ayon kay Kinatawan Rene Relampagos na gagawin nila ang kanilang sagutin at umaasa silang susuportahan sila ng lideratong Aquino.

Ang panlalawigang pamahalaan, sabi ng mga pinuno ng Bohol ay magpapatibay ng isang resolusyon tungkol sa isyu ng halalan ng Barangay. Matapos tayahin ang kabuuang pinsala sa lalawigan, ang Sangguniang Panlalawigan ay nanawagan at nagpulong para sa deklarasyon ng state of calamity ng buong lalawigan. Ang deklarasyon ng state of calamity ay nagpapahintulot ng paglalabas ng calamity funds ng lalawigan upang matugunan ang madaliang pangangailangan ng lokal na pamahalaan. PND (as/zaf)

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Tulong sa Bohol, isinakay ng DSWD sa eroplano ng Air Force

(LUNGSOD NG TAGBILARAN) Isang C-130 cargo plane ng Lakas na Panghimpapawid ng Pilipinas ang ginamit para maihatid ang 2,000 food packs ng Kagawaran ng Kagalingang Panlipunan at Kaunlaran sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, sabi ni Kalihim Dinky Soliman ng DSWD sa disaster response meeting dito na pinamunuan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III. Bukod sa food packs, naghatid din ang DSWD ng 38 trapal para gamiting toldang masisilungan ng mga biktima ng lindol. Iniulat ni Soliman na mahigit na 5,000 pamilya ang apektado ng lindol. ―Ang susunod na ihahatid ng C-130 ay 100 pa at nakikipag-usap na kami sa shelter box buhat sa Lungsod ng Zamboanga para sa 500 shelter box tents dahil nakapagbigay na kami ng mga bunkhouses dahil hindi maaari sa baha ang shelter box. Kaya ang dadalhin namin ay shelter box tents at mga trapal na ang rolyo ay 1,000 metro,‖ wika ni Soliman. Sinabi ni Soliman na sa tulong ni Kalihim ng Gabinete Jose Rene Almendras, makapaghahatid sila ng mga kailangan ng Bohol buhat sa Cebu para malapit-lapit ang biyahe. ―Ang logistics run at repacking area ay sa University of Cebu,‖ wika ni Soliman at ang mga mag-aaral ay tumutulong sa pag-aayos ng mga ipamamahagi sa mga biktima. Nakikipag-ugnayan din ang DSWD sa gobernador at mga alkalde tungkol sa emergency shelter assistance o pansamantalang matutuluyan ng mga tao. Dapat umalinsunod ang LGU sa mga tuntuning tulad ng: una, tukuyin muna nila ang pook kung saan maaaring maglagay ang DSWD ng core shelter community na dapat munang pagtibayin ng Mines and Geosciences Bureau. Upang tugunan naman ang mga kailangang pangkalusugan ng mga taga-Bohol, sinabi ni Soliman na ang Kagawaran ng Kalusugan ang magdadala, hindi lamang ng mga gamot, kundi pati ng kaukulang kagamitang kailangan upang malunasan ang mga nasaktan na hindi matugunan ng mga ospital sa lalawigan. PND (as/zaf)

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Pinagtutulungan ng mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan ang pag-aayos ng mga imprastraktura sa Bohol

(LUNGSOD NG TAGBILARAN) Pansamantalang tulay muna ang ilalagay ng Kagawaran ng Pagawaing Bayan at Pambansang Lansangan para mapuntahan ang mga ilang at malalayong pook ng Bohol dahil tatlo sa 14 na tulay dito ang napinsala nang malaki ng malakas na lindol Martes. Sa briefing na dinaluhan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa Governor‘s Mansion dito Miyerkoles, sinabi ni Kalihim Rogelio Singson ng Pagawaing Bayan at Pambansang Lansangan na ang mga materyales na gagamitin ay manggagaling sa Bacolod at Aklan. Apat na linggo ang itatagal ng paggawa ng mga pansamantalang tulay. ―Umaasa kaming matatapos ito nang maaga sa apat na linggo. Mga approach lamang, settlements—na ang ibig sabihin sa 14, ang 11 na nalalabi ay maaari nang daanan pagkaraan ng isang linggo,‖ sabi ni Singson sa Pangulo. ―Tumutulong din ang pribadong sektor sa pamahalaan sa pagtaya ng mga istraktr\ura ng lalawigan,,‖ dugtong ni Singson. Sinabi ni Singson na magdadala ang Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers ng 10 structural engineers at kasama ng mga bridge and structural engineers ng DPWH para magtululung-tulong. Susuriin din ng mga dalubhasa ang mga ospital, mga gusali ng paaralan, mga munisipyo, at pati mga pamilihang bayan, ayon kay Singson. ―Ang Tagbilaran Airport naman ay binuksan sapul ng ika-10:30 ng umaga Martes. Bagaman may limitasyon, ang pasilidad ay structurally sound,‖ paliwanag ni Kalihim Joseph Emilio Abaya ng Trasportasyon at Komunikasyon. Idinugtong ni Abaya na ang Tagbilaran Port (Daungan) ay bahagi lamang ang bukas at dalawang non-RORO vessels at dalawang RORO lamang ang makagagamit dito. Parating na, ayon kay Abaya ang mga inhinyero ng Philippine Ports Authority upang mapag-aralan ang pagpapalawak ng cargo area nang maipasok ang mga forklift at trak para alisin ang mga containers. Batay sa paunang pagtaya ng PPA, wika pa ni Abaya, kakailanganin ang P500 milyon upang makumpuni ang Daungan ng Tagbilaran.

―Dalawang sasakyan ng Philippine Coast Guard naman ang katuwang ng DSWD sa kanilang relief operations,‖ dugtong ni Abaya. ―Ang isa ay nagkakarga sa Maynila at ang isa pang sasakyan ay sa Cebu naman tumutulong sa mga biktima. PND (as/zaf)

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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Statement at the APEC CEO Summit: “Why inclusive growth matters” Bali International Convention Center, Bali, Indonesia

06 Oct 2013 Inclusive growth has become an increasingly attractive development paradigm for the modern global economy. Across the globe, aided by information flowing at broadband speed, the poor, the marginalized, the disenfranchised, have organized themselves and clamored for change—sometimes toppling regimes, or at the very least forcing those in power to take a closer look at the way our respective milieus have previously distributed wealth and opportunities. Their message: While high rates of economic growth and increased trade and investment remain necessary, these are no longer the sole measure of success for a progressive society. The challenge for governments has deepened: When in the past we gravitated towards metrics that reflect merely the wealth collectively amassed by an economy, more and more the task of governments has become ensuring that this wealth is not concentrated in the hands of the few, but rather that it is equitably utilized to raise levels of human development. In this manner, we engender a situation wherein the broader base of society can benefit from opportunities opening up through economic growth. Without these factors, a nation may perhaps experience periods of cyclical growth; any progress, however, will be prone to disruption. Because so long as a society has reason to clamor for change—whether due to a pervading sense of inequality, injustice, unfairness, or lack of opportunity—it will find ways to do so. This, perhaps, offers some insight into the question posed to us today: ―Why does inclusive growth matter?‖ First: Inclusiveness matters because it ensures the stability of societies, and consequently, the sustainability of growth. The equation for sustainability is also integral to a second, perhaps, more important aspect. On top of fostering stability, social inclusiveness also empowers citizens to become bona fide economic actors that can productively contribute to nation building. It allows them to buy into the system, from which they can reap benefits. Perhaps a few examples arising from my country and our ongoing strategy can help concretize this idea. For the past three years, we have increasingly focused our national budget on social services, such as education, health, and poverty alleviation. Our flagship conditional cash transfer program now benefits close to four million families, and we have further expanded this so it may cover families with a child in high school. The condition of this conditional cash transfer program for the family is to keep your child in school. A recent research conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, there is a forty percent increase in income for those who finished high school versus those who were elementary graduates. Furthermore, we seek to educate students even from far-flung and even nomadic communities through our Alternative Learning Systems, wherein our public school teachers are embedded in these communities to provide basic education services. Add to this, we are well on our way to closing resource gaps in terms of classrooms, even as we have already eliminated backlogs for textbooks and armchairs in our public education system. This, on top of a recent law expanding our basic education cycle from ten to twelve years, which we foresee will increase the competitiveness of our graduates in the global arena. I also signed into law two bills that have languished in Congress for many years, not least because of intense lobbying from entrenched interests: The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act, which mandates access to information on family planning, and the Sin Tax Reform Act, which earmarks increased revenue from tobacco and alcohol into health services. This will certainly accelerate our Universal Health Care agenda, which we continue to aggressively pursue. These are direct government interventions that we are pursuing as a proactive way of encouraging the equitable distribution of wealth—part of a concerted plan to ensure that all sectors take part in economic growth and partake in

prosperity that it brings. Our task: To ensure that our people have the wherewithal to utilize, and indeed maximize, the opportunities opening up with newfound revitalization of our economy. In the Philippines, where urban development and industrialization have historically happened in pockets even as the greater segment of the poor remain in rural areas, we have also exerted much effort in empowering sectors that will have the greatest impact as regards inclusiveness, namely, agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure. We have continued to pour funds into agriculture—streamlining the supply chain and providing much-needed support for our farmers. When in the past our leaders have imported more rice than we needed, and at exorbitant prices, today because of good and prudent governance the Philippines is well on its way to achieving rice self-sufficiency. You have also perhaps heard of our flagship campaign for our tourism industry. I invite you all to witness for yourself that, indeed, ―It‘s more fun in the Philippines.‖ You will see that the entire population is living out this slogan with pride, bolstering both foreign and domestic tourist arrivals towards unprecedented highs. Our infrastructure agenda has likewise been a boon to both the agriculture and tourism sectors. Farm-to-market roads have begun to make previously isolated areas in the hinterlands accessible. A convergent strategy among national agencies has provided a framework for the construction and repair of airports, roads, and other necessary infrastructure; once completed, this will connect different hubs in the country in the most impactful way possible. On top of creating jobs through construction, these new infrastructure projects build an environment that is highly conducive to investments, all of which, coupled with our efforts in education, health, and poverty alleviation, spur a virtuous cycle of growth, empowerment, and equitable prosperity. In all cases, the integrity of public finances and resources from which government intervention is sourced must be protected. The Philippines has had an unfortunate history of corruption and non-transparent governance that had stunted the influx of opportunities and stifled the government‘s ability to execute anti-poverty strategies. In the last three years, significant gains have been achieved in weeding out corrupt officials, instituting more open governance, and participative at that, and eliminating leakages in the system. In many ways, however, this task will continue to be a challenge in the years to come. I believe that such challenges need not only a whole-of-government, but rather a whole-of-society approach. We have already impressed our commitment onto partners in the legislature, the judiciary, and the subnational or local governments; they now realize that the people will settle for nothing less than honest, accountable, service-oriented governance—and that we in the Executive are squarely on the side of the people. The private sector and international business community likewise have important roles to play in making economic growth more inclusive. On top of responsible practices, businesses must also actively engage with their community base, exploring new pathways to create opportunity and benefit for all. Practices that sacrifice long-term sustainability for short-term gain—through an untenable extractive approach to resources, or through creating tension between industries and communities—must be revisited and changed. In sum, the question of inclusiveness is one that strikes at the very essence of growth. Do we define growth as the mere amassing of wealth, the mere swelling of the gross national product, regardless of who benefits? Or do we decide and abide by the principle that the strength of nations lies in the people—that the fair and just way forward, indeed the only way forward, is for government to ensure that the system allows for equitability, where every citizen, regardless of status of birth or personal network, or circumstances, is allowed the opportunity to shape his destiny through his own ability and hard work? This is the crossroads that every economy—indeed, the entire global economy as a collective—has come to face, and I am confident that, collectively too, as humanity always has, we will rise to this challenge. Thank you.

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ONLINE NEWS

16 OCTOBER 2013

P1.59-B ready for military vets' persions; Abad: Beneficiary list clear of invalid, duplicate, ghost entries

OWWA Administrator visits comatose OFW, extends livelihood assistance to her family

August 2013 personal remittances up by 7.4 percent, exceed US$2 billion

DOLE's NCMB settles labor dispute at National Book Store

Roads and bridges damaged by Central Visayas quake

DSWD opens 21 more evacuation centers for victims of earthquake in Central Visayas

DOE officials to meet with energy investors in Japan

Philippines, India to hold 2nd Meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation

Philippines participates in Global Conference against Child Labor

IRPEP completes rehab of 109 communal irrigation systems; serves 8,531 hectares

DSWD releases P10M for victims of Central Visayas earthquake

DSWD assures help to victims of stampede in Visayas Region after 7.2 earthquake

DSWD activates Quick Response Teams in earthquake hit areas

Message of Sec. Teresita Quintos Deles on the celebration of Eid ul-Adha

Message of GPH Panel Chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer on the observance of Eid’l Adha

P1.59-B ready for military vets' persions; Abad: Beneficiary list clear of invalid, duplicate, ghost entries

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

In fulfillment of the Aquino Administration‘s commitment to the timely delivery of pension benefits, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced the release of P1.59 billion for the regular pension requirements of military veterans for the months of October to December. A total of 206,154 pensioners—whose identities have been certified and validated by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO)—will benefit from this latest release charged against the Pension and Gratuity Fund (PGF). ―Aside from the P7.94 billion we have released so far this year, this latest release supports the well-being of our military veterans and their families, ensuring that their pensions are well-provided for in the last quarter of the year. This is in line with the President‘s continuing support to our veterans and their families who have demonstrated great bravery and loyalty to the country,‖ DBM Secretary Florencio ―Butch‖ Abad said. The Budget chief added that the pensioner list submitted by PVAO was compared against the records of Government Servicing Banks/Loan Associations, which maintain the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) individual accounts of pensioners as part of the validation and cleansing process. Out of the 211,913 cleansed list of pensioners as of June 30, 2012, 174,279 matched with names both appearing in the PVAO and bank lists, while 37,634 accounts were classified ―doubtful‖ because of the duplication of names and discrepancies in the account numbers assigned to some names. Thereafter, 31,875 additional pensioners were validated by PVAO as active and valid, making the total number of validated pensioners to 206,154. ―Our dedication to deliver the pension benefits of our veterans in a timely fashion goes hand in hand with our commitment to ensure that public funds are well-accounted for. Through our evaluation and validation process and the subsequent enrollment of all eligible pensioners to ATM accounts, we have successfully cleansed our beneficiary list of invalid, duplicate and ghost entries. In addition, the implementation of electronic payments in the delivery of pensions has ensured the timely and transparent release of benefits straight to our pensioners‘ individual accounts,‖ Abad added.

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OWWA Administrator visits comatose OFW, extends livelihood assistance to her family

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

OWWA Administrator Carmelita S. Dimzon paid a late morning visit to OFW Solaya Dabpagan on October 10, 2013 at the Philippine General Hospital to check on her condition and to extend livelihood assistance to her family. A non-active OWWA member. Solaya‘s family will be given starter-kits under the Balik-Pinay, Balik-Hanapbuhay. According to Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, OFW Solaya suffered from acute renal failure and acute respiratory failure. Her medical records say she is hypertensive, in Stage 3 chronic kidney disease, and with history of compression of the brain, gastrostomy tube and intracranial hemorrhage. She was found unconscious on a sidewalk on September 9, 2011 and was brought to the charity ward of Sheikh Medical City.

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August 2013 personal remittances up by 7.4 percent, exceed US$2 billion

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

Personal remittances from overseas Filipinos (OFs) for the month of August rose year-on-year by 7.4 percent to US$2.1 billion, the fifth consecutive month in 2013 that personal remittances exceeded the US$2 billion mark, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Officer-In-Charge Diwa C. Guinigundo announced today.1 For the period January-August 2013, personal remittances from OFs posted a growth of 6.6 percent from the year-ago level to reach US$16 billion. Growth in remittances was sustained by the 5.5 percent growth in transfers from land-based OF workers with work contracts of one year or more, whose remittances comprised more than three-fourths (75.3 percent) of the total.

Meanwhile, remittance flows from sea-based workers and land-based workers with short-term contracts grew by 7.4 percent. Meanwhile, cash remittances from OFs coursed through banks increased by 6.8 percent to US$1.9 billion in August. For the first eight months of 2013, cash remittances reached US$14.5 billion or a 5.9 percent increase compared to the level registered in the same period last year. A sustained influx of remittances was observed from both land-based (US$11.1 billion) and sea-based workers (US$3.4 billion) which grew by 5.5 percent and 7.4 percent, respectively. The major sources of cash remittances were the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Canada, and Japan. The steady deployment of OF workers remained one of the key drivers of the growth in remittance flows. Preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) showed that in January-August 2013, approved job orders totaled 542,367, of which about 39 percent were processed job orders mainly for services, production, professional, technical, and related workers. The job orders were primarily intended for the manpower requirements in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Qatar. The POEA also reported that workers with processed contracts reached 1,164,390 for the first semester of 2013. Likewise, the continued expansion of bank and non-bank service providers‘ international market coverage through tie-ups and establishment of remittance centers abroad to capture a larger share of the global remittance market provided support to the sustained flow of remittances. ------------------ 1 As defined in Balance of Payments Manual, 6th Edition (BPM6), personal remittances represent the sum of net compensation of employees (i.e., gross earnings of overseas Filipino (OF) workers with work contracts of less than one year, including all sea-based workers, less taxes, social contributions, and transportation and travel expenditures in their host countries), personal transfers (i.e., all current transfers in cash or in kind by OF workers with work contracts of one year or more as well as other household-to-household transfers between Filipinos who have migrated abroad and their families in the Philippines), and capital transfers between households (i.e., the provision of resources of capital purposes, such as for construction of residential houses, between resident and non-resident households without anything of economic value being supplied in return).

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DOLE's NCMB settles labor dispute at National Book Store

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

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday praised the management of the country's largest book seller, National Bookstore, Inc., (NBS) and its union, the Alliance of Concerned Employees of National Bookstore, for their openness and maturity which had led them to successfully settle a labor dispute among themselves with the assistance of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB). Citing a report of NCMB Executive Director Reynaldo R. Ubaldo submitted through Labor Undersecretary Rebecca C. Chato, head of the DOLE‘s Labor Relations Cluster, Baldoz said it took only the NCMB two conciliation-mediation conferences in less than a month to resolve the dispute. "The willingness of the disputing parties to go into a constructive engagement to settle their differences, with the facilitative assistance of the NCMB, resulted to the amicable settlement. This restored the harmonious labor-management relationship in the company which is good for both sides," said Baldoz. The NBS union, Alliance of Concerned Employees of National Bookstore, affiliated with the National Federation of Labor Unions (NAFLU) and headed by union president Arnulfo Pardo, is the sole and exclusive bargaining agent of NBS's 900 rank-and-file employees. It filed a Notice of Strike against the company on 11 September for unfair labor practice, specifically, the dismissal of 20 union members and 10 union officers and misinterpretation of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) provision on retirement. The NCMB speedily acted on the dispute and, following two conciliation-mediation conferences, both management and union mutually agreed on 30 September to settle by adopting the proposal of NCMB Board‘s NCMB-National Capital Region conciliator-mediator Jay Jasper B. Javines, to wit: ―(a) The employees who are 60 years of age with 35 years of service shall be retired in accordance with the law and granted the benefits provided for in the CBA. Further, service award shall also be given to qualified employees, and the Christmas bonus shall be computed on a pro-rata basis up to 2 October 2013, which is the efffectivity of the retirement; and, ―(b) Those not covered [by item (a)] shall be subject to continuing consultations and discussions between the union and the management at plant level.‖ The National Bookstore, the largest bookstore chain in the Philippines, is headed President Alfredo Ramos and employs about 1,000 employees in all its branches. Baldoz also commended conciliator-mediator Javines for facilitating the speedy settlement of the dispute.

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Roads and bridges damaged by Central Visayas quake

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

Several roads and bridges were damaged by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Central Visayas Region Tuesday morning, October 15, 2013. In his report to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio L. Singson, DPWH Region 7 Director Ador G. Canlas identified the unpassable road sections in the Province of Bohol either due to massive landslide and damaged roadway such as cracks, settlement of asphalt/concrete pavement, and road slips as follows: Cortes-Balilihan-Catigbian-Macaas Road; Tagbilaran East Road Laya Baclayon; Tagbilaran North Road (Km 89.869-Km 89.950); and Loay Interior Road Loboc Section. As a result of the earthquake‘s destructive force, the following bridges were damaged and unpassable: Abatan Bridge along Tagbilaran North Road, bridge collapse; Camayaan Bridge along Tagbilaran North Road in Cortes, bridge approach damage; Tultogan Bridge along Tagbilaran North Road in Calape, bridge approach collapse; Tagbuane Bridge along Tagbilaran East Road in Albur, bridge collapse; Moalong Bridge along Tagbilaran North Road, bridge collapse; Hunan Bridge along Tagbilaran North Road, settlement of bridge approach; Taguimtim, Damiao and Daet Bridges along Tagbilaran North Road in Buenavista, settlement of bridge approach; Palo, Hinawanan, Bonkokan, Banban, and Panangatan Bridges along Tagbilaran East Road, bridge approaches with cracks/settlement; and Agape Bridge along Loay Interior Road, bridge approaches with cracks. Two (2) other bridges were damaged but passable namely Suarez Bridge along Dawis Panglao Road and Salog Bridge along Tagbilaran North Road while the Panangatan River Control, a flood control structure along Tagbilaran East Road was totally damaged. Historical churches in Bohol received the earthquake brunt namely Cortes, Baclayon (collapsed bell tower), Maribooc, Loon, Dawis, and Loboc. In Cebu, there was apparently pavement cracks sustained by the Carcar-Barili Road (Sta. 45+00), Sibonga-Dumanjug Road (km 57), and occurrence of landslide at Cebu Toledo Wharf Road (km 20) but these highway are passable to vehicular traffic following the DPWH clearing operation. DPWH Region 7 is also conducting walk-through inspections in assessing possible damages at Cansaga Bay, Mandaue-Mactan, and Marcelo Fernan Bridges including Subangdaku Flyover and other structures in Cebu but these are passable to vehicular traffic. Other than the century old Basilica Minore del Santo Nino in Cebu City and those reported by DPWH Cebu 4th District Engineering Office which includes multiple cracks at Dalaguete Church and Dalaguete Provincial Highschool, no major damage has been reported to date on national buildings in the Province of Cebu.

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DSWD opens 21 more evacuation centers for victims of earthquake in Central Visayas

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

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) today said that as of 6 am, 21 more evacuation centers have been opened in addition to last night‘s report of 13, bringing in the current number of operational evacuation centers to 34 serving 5,620 families with 28,100 persons. All 34 evacuation centers are in Bohol and are located in the following areas: one in Tagbilaran City serving 600 families; two in Alicia providing temporary shelter to 150 families; six in Calape with 1,150 families; seven in Bilar with 765; two in Buenavista with 900, two in Correla with 400; four in Loboc with 405, one in Sierra Bullones with 50 families; four in Tubigon with 600 families,; and five in Ubay with 600 families. Initial accounting of damaged houses indicated nine totally and 284 partially destroyed houses. The DSWD-FO VII is closely coordinating with affected LGUs to determine the exact number of damaged houses. An initial P898,800.00 worth of food and non-food items support was provided by the Rotary Club of Cebu City, the local government units of Cebu City and Mandaue City. Most of the concerned LGUs could still address the relief requirement of its affected constituents using its local calamity fund. According to DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, DSWD-FO VII shall be mobilizing its resources today in areas beyond the capacity of the LGUs to respond, specifically in the hardest hit cities and towns in the province of Bohol. DSWD has also prepositioned P2,943,368.00 emergency relief resources at the Villamor Air Base and Manila port for transport at the the soonest possible time to Cebu City and/or Tagbilaran City. Meanwhile, the DSWD-Field Office-7 is now accepting in-kind and cash donations for the earthquake victims. Private citizens and non-government organizations (NGOs) can donate goods such as rice, canned goods, noodles, biscuits, coffee, sugar, bottled water, clothes, blankets, mats, toiletries, and medicines, among others. Donations can be brought to the DSWD-7 Regional Office located at corner M.J Cuenco and General Maxilom Avenues, Cebu City or the DSWD Social Welfare and Development Team Office (SWAD) in Bohol located at the Circumferential Road, Dampas District, Tagbilaran City. Donations can also be brought to the DSWD National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City and in all DSWD regional offices outside the National Capital Region.

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DOE officials to meet with energy investors in Japan

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

(Taguig City) In an effort to boost foreign investments in the energy sector, officials of the Department of Energy (DOE), lead by Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, will attend a dialogue-symposium on energy in Tokyo, Japan from October 16 to 18, 2013. The DOE delegation will present investment opportunities to around a hundred potential investors from different Japanese firms expected to participate in the meeting. Other DOE officials who are part of the delegation are Usec. Loreta Ayson, Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Zenaida Monsada, and Renewable Energy Management Bureau Director Mario Marasigan. The event is the culminating activity of the project entitled ―Study on the Energy Sector Reform in the Philippines‖, a collective undertaking of the DOE, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ). Organized and funded by JICA, it will tackle issues on energy policy and energy-related investment opportunities in the country. JICA is the government of Japan‘s independent governmental agency to countries such as the Philippines and is responsible for coordinating official development assistance (ODA), cooperation in economic growth, and development issues.

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Philippines, India to hold 2nd Meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation

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

16 October 2013 - Indian Minister for External Affairs Salman Khurshid will undertake an official visit to Manila on 21-22 October 2013 for the 2nd Meeting of the Philippines-India Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC). Minister Khurshid will pay a courtesy call on President Benigno S. Aquino III and on Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario, who is the Chairperson of the Philippine delegation to the JCBC. During the JCBC, Secretary Del Rosario and Minister Khurshid are expected to discuss areas of bilateral cooperation, particularly in security, defense and trade. They will also take stock of the progress of the Joint Working Groups on Trade and Investment, Tourism, Renewable Energy, Agriculture and Health. They are likewise expected to exchange views and share experiences on international and regional issues such as maritime security cooperation. On October 22, Minister Khurshid will also deliver the inaugural lecture of the Rizal-Nehru Memorial Lectures at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI). In the lecture entitled, ―The Shaping of Indian Foreign Policy,‖ the Minister will talk on the foreign policy of India, including the Look East Policy and Philippine-Indian relations. After the lecture, Minister Khurshid will turn-over to FSI Director Ma. Angelina Sta. Catalina a donation of 200 books from the Government of India. This is the first official visit to the Philippines of Minister Khurshid, and his first bilateral meeting with Secretary Del Rosario since he assumed his post as External Affairs Minister. The first JCBC meeting was hosted by India in New Delhi on 15 March 2011.

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Philippines participates in Global Conference against Child Labor

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

14 October 2013 - The Philippines, represented by the Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Eva G. Betita, and Vice Consul Eric P. Valenzuela, participated in the 3rd Global Conference against Child Labor held in Brasilia, Brazil from October 08 to 10. The Conference brings together all the stakeholders in the fight against child labor to come up with measures that will accelerate the eradication of child labor, particularly its worst forms. More than 1,300 participants from the government, including 37 ministers, employer organizations, trade unions and non-governmental organizations from 152 countries attended the conference. In her opening remarks, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff emphasized that child labor is truly a global challenge as there is no region in the world that is totally free from it and therefore, it can only be solved through collective effort. She added that "we owe all children a future without violence, without fear and without exploitation."

Mr. Guy Rider, Director-General of the International Labor Organization (ILO) which organized the event, reported that there are currently 168 million children in child labor across the world, 47 million fewer than in 2008. The Philippines` best practices in eliminating child labor were prominently featured in the conference as Ms. Daphne G. Culanag, Project Director of World Vision Philippines, and Ms. Dayana Divevar Ingga, National President of Samahan at Ugnayan ng mga Manggagawang Pantahanan sa Pilipinas (SUMAPI), gave presentations as panelists in separate semi-plenary sessions. The outcome document, called ―The Brasilia Declaration,‖ which was adopted by the participants at the end of the conference, renews the commitments from governments, employers' and employees' organizations, and civil society and sets outs the measures to eliminate the worst forms of child labor by 2016. The fourth global conference, called the Global Conference on the Sustained Eradication of Child Labour, will be held in 2017 in Argentina.

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IRPEP completes rehab of 109 communal irrigation systems; serves 8,531 hectares

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

The Irrigated Rice Production Enhancement Project (IRPEP) under the Department of Agriculture (DA) completed rehabilitation of 109 communal irrigation systems in three regions and six provinces (Region VI-Antique; Region VIII-Northern Leyte, Northern Samar and Western Samar; and Region X-Bukidnon and LanaodelNorte). Through the rehabilitation project, the 109 communal irrigation systems (CISs) serving around 8,531 hectares of farmlands were improved. This includes restoration of irrigation services to 5,007 hectares of paddy farms that was cut off prior to project implementation due to poor condition of said systems. This benefits 14,235 farmers in the CIS, wherein 82 percent are already members of Irrigators‘ Associations (IAs) in the CISs. The project campaigns the membership of these farmer-beneficiaries to the IAs. The total area rehabilitated and restored under the project even exceeded its target because of additional 212 hectares generated during implementation. The irrigation systems are targeted to increase cropping intensity that will enable the farmers to plant and harvest at least two times a year. This will largely contribute in the achievement of the DA‘s Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP) target to increase production especially on rice as primary staple of the country. IRPEP is jointly funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the European Union, and the Government of the Philippines. The concerned local government units (LGUs) and IA beneficiaries also provided counterparts to fund the construction works. Cost-sharing in the rural infrastructure component is to build a sense of ownership among the farmers and the LGUs. Total fund for rural infrastructure component of IRPEP is approximately PHP 900 million. In the recent midterm review of IFAD on IRPEP, the rural infrastructure component was rated satisfactory not just because of the 100 percent accomplishment of works but also the CISs were of ‗good quality and meet acceptable engineering standards and specifications.‘ An additional funding was also provided by IFAD through IRPEP to rehabilitate two national river irrigation systems in Bukidnon that were devastated by typhoon Sendong in 2012 and strengthen the IAs in the said systems. Said top-up funding is an estimated PHP 190 million and is being implemented for the period 2013-2015.

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DSWD releases P10M for victims of Central Visayas earthquake

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

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) released today P10 million to DSWD-Field Office 7 to purchase relief goods for the families affected by the 7.2 earthquake that struck Central Visayas today, October 15 that killed at least 20 people in Cebu and damaging property including historic structures in Bohol. DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman said that the Department has prepositioned 2,000 family food packs and 100 laminated sacks which will be airlifted today to Cebu City using a C-130 plane of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Secretary Soliman added that she has instructed the mobilization of all personnel of DSWD-Region VII and the staff from the Central Office to assist in disaster operations. DSWD reports revealed that based on available information extracted on the population count of the National Statistics Office in 2010 of the initially affected areas, some 342,549 families coming from 316 barangays in Bohol

and Cebu are projected to be affected by the earthquake. According to Soliman, DSWD social workers were immediately dispatched to monitor and assess the extent of the disaster around Central Visayas.

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DSWD assures help to victims of stampede in Visayas Region after 7.2 earthquake

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

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assures assistance to the victims of a stampede that occurred in Toledo City and Pinamungahan town in the Visayas Region, during the 7.2 earthquake this morning. The DSWD said that the stampede happened during the pay-out of cash grants to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in the areas. Nineteen individuals were injured in the Toledo City stampede while a 4-year old child died and 16 were injured in the Pinamungahan incident. The DSWD in Cebu City also reported that its Crisis Intervention Unit building and the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) have damages. The babies under the custody of the RSCC were already transferred to a safer building. Secretary DInky Soliman said she has instructed DSWD regional offices in the earthquake-hit regions to check on all the DSWD centers and institutions to ensure the safety of the residents. Meanwhile, the DSWD is now processing the release of additional P10 million standby funds for DSWD-Region VII for the projected relief needs of the affected families. There is also on-going repacking of relief goods at the DSWD-National Resource Operations Center (NROC) and at the DSWD-regional office in Cebu. Secretary Soliman said that the DSWD has prepositioned P89.731 million composed of standby funds, family packs, other food and non-food items for Regions V (Bicol), VI (Western Visayas), VII (Central Visayas), and XI (Davao).

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DSWD activates Quick Response Teams in earthquake hit areas

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

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman said that the DSWD regional offices in areas hit by the 7.2 earrthquake have activated and dispatched the members of their Quick Response Teams to coordinate with local government units in assessing the impact of the 7.2 earthquake in the Visayas region. Secretary Soliman said that DSWD in Iloilo has P1.97 million standby funds and P5.9 million worth of family food packs, other food and non-food items for distribution to affected local government units. Likewise, the DSWD in Cebu City has P315,069.20 standby funds and P2.84 million worth of other food and non-food items for distribution to earthquake victims in the region. A replenishment of standby funds amounting to P200,000 is currently in process to purchase additional emergency relief resources when necessary. ―We are awaiting reports from our QRT teams. Rest assured that DSWD has enough resources to address the needs of affected families, if any,‖ Secretary Soliman said.

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Message of Sec. Teresita Quintos Deles on the celebration of Eid ul-Adha

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

OPAPP extends its greetings for peace, happiness and prosperity to Muslim Filipino communities on this blessed day of Eid ul-Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice. The concept of sacrifice, as demonstrated in Prophet Abraham‘s life of humility and selflessness in pursuit of a greater good, is known to us all, both Muslims and Christians alike. Beyond the religious aspect, the story speaks to us of encountering trials, and overcoming these with strong faith. The story inspires us that through hard work, perseverance and sacrifice, we will be able to overcome challenges and build lasting peace for generations to come. Today‘s festivity commemorates and honors Prophet Abraham whose obedience to and love for God above all were tested and proven when he willingly undertook to sacrifice his son Ismael upon faith to a divine command. For this, God blessed Abraham with a long and fruitful life. Eid ul-Adha comes this year at the same time as the first anniversary of the signing of the Framework Agreement on

the Bangsamoro last 15 October 2012, at the Malacanang Palace. The FAB is a historic milestone, a collective feat of the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The most important things come at a high price. FAB was borne out of decades of hard work, of sacrifices, and a leap of faith of a people, and its worth constitutes the beginning of peace and progress not just in Mindanao but of the whole country. Through our unity and commitment towards inclusive peace, we can achieve our aspirations without the need for sacrifices that will further wound our communities, our country. We reiterate our call to the Filipino people to continue accompanying the peace process. May God guide us in our collective endeavors for just and lasting peace. In ShaAllah. Salaam and Eid Mubarak!

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Message of GPH Panel Chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer on the observance of Eid’l Adha

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

The Government Negotiating Panel for Talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front joins our Muslim brothers and sisters in celebrating one of their most important festivals, Eid‘l Adha or the Feast of the Sacrifice. Eid‘l Adha reminds us of the proof of faith through sacrifice that is demanded of all the faithful. It recalls the story of Ibrahim (Abraham), whose complete trust in Allah led him to accept sacrificing his own son. Faithfully, the son likewise consented to be sacrificed. Eid‘l Adha also marks the culmination of the Hajj to the Plain of Arafat. As a feast among Muslims, it is a wondrous occasion for giving and sharing meat and food. It must be serendipity that we mark the first anniversary of the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) last 15 October 2012 on this day of the Feast of the Sacrifice in the Islamic calendar. Perhaps we are being told that the delays and roadblocks are all part of the pilgrimage that we must endure in order to complete our tasks. We must therefore willingly offer more sacrifices as proof of our faith in the peace process and in each other. We need to share selflessly and wholeheartedly our strength and wisdom in order to reach common ground. Then shall we pass the test and together reach our destination. Eid Mubarak! Hari raya Haji! Happy first anniversary of the FAB!

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Last Updated: 15 OCTOBER 2013 Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy

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President Benigno S. Aquino III listens as Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and DILG

Secretary Manuel Roxas give their briefing on the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit

Bohol and Cebu Tuesday (October 15) that reportedly claimed 28 lives and left some 159

persons injured. The President is expected to visit the affected areas tomorrow,

Wednesday. (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Malacanang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III takes up reports on the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit

Bohol and Cebu during the Executive briefing at the NDRRMC office in Camp Aguinaldo

Queson City on Tuesday (October 15.) The President is expected to visit the affected areas

tomorrow, Wednesday. (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Rey Baniquet/Malacanang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III meets Miss World 2013 Megan Young during a courtesy

call at the Reception Hall of the Malacañang Palace on Monday (October 14, 2013). She

was crowned in Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center in Bali, Indonesia on September 28,

2013, to make history as the first Filipina to win the title of Miss World since its

foundation in 1951. Young bested 126 contestants from around the world. (Photo by Rey

Baniquet/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

Miss World 2013 Megan Young poses for a picture during her courtesy call at the

Reception Hall of the Malacañang Palace on Monday (October 14). She was crowned in

Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center in Bali, Indonesia on September 28, 2013 making

history as the first Filipina to win the title of Miss World since its foundation in 1951.

Young bested 126 contestants from around the world. (Photo by Rey Baniquet/

Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulates Miss World 2013 Megan Young during a

courtesy call at the Reception Hall of the Malacañang Palace on Monday (October 14).

She was crowned in Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center in Bali, Indonesia on September

28, 2013 making history as the first Filipina to win the title of Miss World since its

foundation in 1951. Young bested 126 contestants from around the world. (Photo by Gil

Nartea / Quiel Supera/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

Thank You and God Bless !!!!