Aguinaldo Shrine Pagsanjan Falls Taal Lake Antipolo Church Lucban Pahiyas Feast

Dispatch for October 23 , 2013 ( Wednesday) , 3 PIA Calabarzon PRs , 7 Weather Watch,

9 Reg’l. Watch , 2 OFW Watch, 2 PNOY Speech , 15 Online News , 10 Photonews

1. Weather Watch

24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST

Issued At: 5:00 a.m., 23 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., 23 October

2013

Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind

Analysis for 8 a.m., 23 October

2013

Satellite Image

for 4:32 a.m., 23 October 2013

Synopsis:

At 4:00 a.m. today, the eye of Typhoon "URDUJA" was located based on all available data at 1,000 km East

Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes (23.8°N, 131.9°E) with maximum sustained winds of 160 kph and gustiness of up to

195 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 11 kph.

Forecast:

The regions of Ilocos, Cordillera and Cagayan Valley will be parlty cloudy to cloudy with isolated light rains. Metro

Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or

thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northeast to north will prevail over Luzon and coming from the North to

Northwest over the eastern section of Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the North to Northwest with slight to moderate seas.

2. Weather Watch

Typhoon "URDUJA"

PAGASA Track as of 8 a.m., 23 October

2013

Satellite Picture at 10:32 p.m., 23 October 2013

Weather Bulletin Number FOUR

Tropical Cyclone Alert: Typhoon "URDUJA" (FRANCISCO)

Issued at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, 23 October 2013

Typhoon "URDUJA" has sligthly weakened as it moves in a West Northwest direction.

Location of Center:

(as of 10:00 a.m.)

920 km East Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes

or 380 km Southeast of Okinawa, Japan

Coordinates: 24.2°N, 130.9°E

Strength: Maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center

and gustiness of up to 185 kph

Movement: Forecast to move West Northwest at 15 kph

Forecast Positions/Outlook:

Thursday morning:

960 km Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes or

190 km East Northeast of Okinawa, Japan or

outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR)

No Public Storm Warning Signals Raised

Estimated rainfall amount is from 10 - 25 mm per hour (heavy - intense) within the 700 km diameter

of the Typhoon.

Typhoon "URDUJA" is not expected to affect any part of the country.

Sea travel is risky over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central and

Southern Luzon.

The public and the disaster risk reduction and management council concerned are advised to take

appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 11 PM today.

3. Weather Watch

16 hours ago

DZMM: Inaprubahan na ng Senado ang resolusyon ni Senate President Franklin Drilon na naglalayong

ipagamit kay PNoy ang nalalabing pork barrel fund ng mga senador ngayong 2013 bilang calamity fund

partikular sa mga nasalanta ng lindol sa Visayas at sa Zamboanga crisis. Bagamat ilang senador ang

nagpahayag ng kanilang pag-aalala dahil may TRO mula sa SC ang pork barrel fund, sinabi ni Drilon na

lalabas na ito ay savings na maaring i-align ni PNoy na naayon naman sa konstitusyon.

4. Weather Watch

16 hours ago

GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz on 24 Oras:

-Pumasok na sa PAR ang bagyong Urduja kaninang umaga. Hindi inaasahang magtatagal sa loob ng PAR

ang bagyo at posibleng lumabas din bukas ng hapon.

-Sa datos ng Weather Central, maayos na panahon ang inaasahan sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon bukas.

-Sa Metro Manila ay posible ang mahinang pag-ulan, lalo na pagdating ng hapon hanggang gabi.

-Bahagyang makulimlim naman na may mahinang pag-ulan ang inaasahan sa malaking bahagi ng Visayas.

-Mahinang pag-ulan ang inaasahan sa malaking bahagi ng Mindanao.

5. Weather Watch

17 hours ago

GMA: Pinaiimbestigahan na ni DILG Sec. Mar Roxas ang mga balitang may ilang local executives umano

ang nagho-hoarding at nagtatago ng relief goods na para sa mga biktima ng lindol sa Bohol. Ayon kay

Roxas, sa oras na mapatunayan ito ay kailangan managot ng mga nasabing local official.

6. Weather Watch

17 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Magbibigay ang BSP ng temporary regulatory relief para sa mga bangkong apektado ng lindol.

7. Weather Watch

17 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Natunton ng PHIVOLCS ang bagong fault system na sinasabing sanhi ng magnitude 7.2 na

lindol sa Visayas. Namataan ito ng PHIVOLCS sa may sa area ng Sagbayan at Inabanga.

Weather Watch

October 23 , 2013 ( Wednesday ) as of 6:00-7:00 AM

CAVITE : Cloudy LAGUNA : Cloudy BATANGAS : Cloudy RIZAL : Cloudy

QUEZON : Mostly CLoudy

PIA Regional Watch

1. PIA Regional Watch

about an hour ago

PIA-4A/CAVITE: The provincial government will be conducting Cavite Children's Day on Friday, October

25 at the Convention center in General Trias. Objectives of the said activity is to promote the rights of

children and encouragement of the different stakeholders promoting children's rights.

16 minutes ago near Quezon City

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Bilang pagpapatuloy ng adbokasiya ng CDRRMO sa lungsod ng Batangas,isang

pagsasanay sa basic water survival ang isinagawa sa mga mag-aaral mula sa Westmead International

School.Layon nitong maituro ang tamang pamamaraan upang maisalba ang sarili kapag nakaranas ng

aksidente sa tubig.

2. PIA Regional Watch

about an hour ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The provincial child labor committee reported during their meeting this morning held at

the conference room of DOLE-Quezon provincial office that child labor cases in the province decreased due

to different programs that have been implemented by the committee in the province such as parents

effectiveness seminar, livelihood programs for parents of child laborers, organization of child labor

committee in the schools and alternative learning system program. Provincial child labor committee was

organized to eliminate child labor cases in the province particularly in towns of Catanauan and Calauag and

Lucena City.

3. PIA Regional Watch

about an hour ago

PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The Society of Filipino Foresters, Inc., a group of public and private foresters in the

country, will hold a three-day National Seminar-Workshop in celebration of its 65th anniversary with a

theme "The Filipino Forester: Facing Challenges Now....Gearing up for the Future" at DL Umali Hall,

UPLB, Laguna, October 23-25, 2013.

4. PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago

PIA-4A/RIZAL: Rizal agrarian beneficiaries attended the Embryo Cultured Macapuno seminar held through the

efforts of the Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture,

Department of Trade and Industry and Philippine Coconut Authority at the Sitio Panusugin, Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo

City. The seminar officiated by PCA and the University of Rizal System briefed farmers on macapuno as a source of

income.

5. PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago

PIA-4A/LAGUNA: Officials of Pagsanjan, Lumban Cavinti towns recently held a tripartite meeting to discuss the

significance and tourism value of Pagsanjan Falls to the Province of Laguna and to ensure its proper management

and preservation.

6. PIA Regional Watch

Yesterday near Quezon City

PIA-4A/LAGUNA: 562 inmates from San Pablo City District Jail recently underwent livelihood training in order for

them to develop their talents, skills and discipline which they can be used after their jail term.

7. PIA Regional Watch

Yesterday near Quezon City

PIA-4A/LAGUNA: Officials of Pagsanjan, Lumban Cavinti towns recently held a tripartite meeting to

discuss the significance and tourism value of Pagsanjan Falls to the Province of Laguna and to ensure its

proper management and preservatin.

8. PIA Regional Watch

Yesterday near Quezon City

PIA-4A/LAGUNA: 562 inmates from San Pablo City District Jail recently underwent livelihood training in order for

them to develop their talents, skills and discipline which they can be used after their jail term.

9. PIA Regional Watch

Yesterday near Quezon City

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The SM Foundation Inc. is holding an ' Operation: Tulong Express' from Oct. 22 to Nov. 5 for the

benefit of the victims of earthquake in Bohol and Cebu. Tulong Express booth is located at the ground floor of SM

City-Lucena. Other items such as used tarpaulins and carton boxes are accepted.

1. PIA OFW Watch

4 hours ago near Quezon City

GMA: Pasado 11:00 kagabi nang dumating sa bansa ang 51 OFW mula sa Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Karamihan sa kanila

ay emosyonal na ibinahagi ang kanilang hirap na sinapit sa naturang bansa.

2. PIA OFW Watch

October 17

ABS-CBN: Bumisita si PNoy sa South Korea at nagbigay ng pagpupugay sa mga Filipino sa South Korea.

Pinaabot naman ng mga Filipino sa South Korea na tutulong sila sa mga biktima ng lindol sa Visayas.

Bukas ay makikipagpulong si PNoy sa mga Filipino businessmen sa S. Korea.

A. QUEZON

1. Comprehensive action program to control scale

insect infestation, to be implemented in Quezon

BY: RUEL M. ORINDAY

Monday 21st of October 2013

LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Oct. 21 (PIA) –The provincial agriculture office (PAO) and the

Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Quezon I is jointly implementing a scale insect

comprehensive action program to control the further spread of the coconut scale insect

infestation in Quezon province.

In a recent meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council

(PDRRMC), provincial agriculturist Roberto Gajo said the program is in line with the

provincial government’s response to control immediately the widespread infestation of

coconut trees in the province.

Gajo reported that about 41,000 coconut trees in the municipalities of Sampaloc, Polilio,

Mauban, Tiaong and San Antonio have been affected by the infestation.

Part of the program, according to Gajo, is the establishment of a bio control laboratory in

barangay Talipan, Pagbilao for the propagation of coccinelid beetle which is known to be

effective in countering coconut scale insects.

A provincial Task Force (TF) Kontra Scale Insects is now being organized by the provincial

agriculturist and the PCA-Quezon I, Gajo added.

He said that he requested the provincial government through the PDRRMC to allocate funds

for the programs and activities.

In addition, the PDRRMC unanimously approved Gajo’s appeal to the Sangguniang

Panlalawigan to pass a resolution declaring Quezon province under the state of calamity due

to the widespread infestation.

The PAO is encouraging the community particularly the coconut farmers to remove and burn

affected plant parts at early sighting of signs of infestation and report the case to help in

preventing the infestation from spreading out. (RMO, PIA-Quezon)

2. Tagalog news: Quezon, panalo sa individual at group

category ng regional Gawad Saka 2013

Sunday 20th of October 2013

LUNGSOD NG LUCENA, Quezon, Oktubre 20 (PIA) --Nagwagi sa dalawang kategorya

mula sa siyam na kategoryang sinalihan sa regional Gawad Saka 2013 ang mga kinatawan ng

lalawigan ng Quezon sa ginanap na awarding kamakailan sa provincial auditorium ng

lalawigan ng Batangas.

Sa individual category, wagi sina Jerson Cabriga ng barangay Lawigue, Tayabas bilang

Outstanding Young Farmer at Romulo Ayag ng barangay Pili, Sariaya bilang Outstanding

High Value Crops Development Program Farmer.

Tumanggap ng parangal sa group category ang Cawayan I 4H Club ng barangay Cawayan I,

San Francisco bilang Outstanding Farmers Organization at Del Rosario Rural Improvement

Club (RIC) ng barangay Del Rosario, Tiaong bilang Outstanding Rural Improvement Club.

Ang Gawad Saka ay isa sa mga programa ng Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka na naglalayong

bigyan ng pagkilala ang natatanging magsasaka at mangingisda na nakatulong ng malaki sa

pagpapaunlad ng agrikultura sa mga lawigan at sa buong bansa.

Sa pamamagitan ng tanggapan ng panlalawigang agrikultor, ang pamahalaang panlalawigan

ng Quezon sa pangunguna ni Gov. David Suarez ay patuloy na sumusuporta sa mga

magsasaka at mangingisda sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatupad ng iba’t-ibang programa at

pagkakaloob ng mga serbisyo na makakatulong sa pagtaas ng produksyon sa agrikultura at

pag-aangat ng kanilang kabuhayan. (OPA-Info. & Training Unit, Quezon PIO/ RMO-PIA-

Quezon)

B. CAVITE

C. LAGUNA

D. BATANGAS

1. Tagalog news: Kahandaan sa kalamidad,

katahimikan at kaayusan, tampok sa joint meeting ng

PPOC at PDCC

Tuesday 22nd of October 2013

LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Okt. 22 (PIA) --Magkasamang nagpulong ang mga

kinatawan ng Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) at Provincial Disaster

Coordinating Council (PDCC) upang talakayin ang mga napapanahong isyu tungkol

sa kahandaan sa kalamidad at sitwasyong pangkapayapaan at seguridad ng lalawigan.

Nanguna sa joint PPOC/PDCC meeting si Batangas Governor Vilma Santos Recto

kasama ang iba pang mataas na opisyal ng konseho na kinabibilanagan ni Batangas

PNP provincial director Police S/Supt. Omega Jireh Fidel, Vice Governor

Mark Leviste, PDRRMC chairman, Pedrito Martin M. Dijan Jr., DILG provincial

director Noel Bartolabac at mga opisyal ng mga local government units (LGUs) na

kinatawan ng mga punong bayan.

Inilatag ng Batangas PNP sa harap ng lupon ang kanilang

programang pangkapayapaan sa ilalim ng bagong talagang Provincial PNP director

sa katauhan ni Police S/Supt. Fidel.

Kinapapalooban ito ng mga hakbang ukol sa mga operasyon laban sa

organized crime, drug dealers na kanilang minamatyagan ang operasyon sa

lalawigan, ganundin ang pinaigting na police visibility upang maiwasan ang

crime against person and properties.

Nakalatag na din ang kanilang operation guidelines sa pagpapatupad ng gun ban sa

panahon ng darating na barangay elections.

Sa hanay ng PDCC, inilatag ni PDRRMC chairman Dijan ang kasalukuyang

operational capabilities ng pamahalaang panlalawigan

Isinaad din sa presentasyon ang tala ng mga kagastusan ng PDRRMC at pag-

gamit nito ng calamity fund na inilaan sa pagpapalakas ng kakayahan ng

disaster responders, pag-angkat ng mga bagong rescue and communication

equipments at pag-agapay sa mga kinakailangan tulong ng mga local government

unit disaster counterparts.

Binuksan ni Governor Vi sa hanay ng disaster operations ang pagpapahayag ukol sa

pagpapalakas at pagpapabilis ng ugnayan ng komunikasyon sa pagitan ng operators

ng Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, media organizations,

municipal PDRRMC officials kasama ang kanilang barangay disaster responders .

Sa pag papalakas ng ugnayan ng mga nabanggit na disaster responders, inaasahang

mapapabilis ang paglalabas ng mga impormasyon at mga babala ukol sa darating na

mga kalamidad partikular sa bagyo na nagdudulot ng pagbaha at landslides sa ilang

bahagi ng lalawigan.

Inaasahan din na sa pagbuo ng mabilis na communication network,

epektibong mapapaganap ng PDRRMC ang kanilang rescue and relief operations

bunga ng reliable and accurate information mula sa mga ahensya. Maiiwasan na rin

ang paglikha ng kalituhan at panic bunga ng di inaasahang maling

impormasyon mula sa mga non-accredited PDRRMC members. (Edwin V.

Zabarte PIO Capitol/PIA-Batangas)

E. RIZAL

22 OCTOBER 2013.

President Aquino moves to preserve Busuanga Pasture Reserve

President Aquino receives credentials of British and Mexican envoys

President Aquino receives United Nations official in Malacanang

Palace: Relief groups must consider people’s welfare first

Work plan needed before release of Bohol reconstruction budget, says Coloma

Palace: Young workforce will be huge factor for sustained economic growth

Palace remains focused on ensuring accountability on use of public money

Malacanang to hold two-day open government budget data hackathon on November 9 & 10

President Aquino moves to preserve Busuanga Pasture Reserve

President Benigno Aquino III has taken protective action to preserve the Busuanga Pasture Reserve in Palawan province by revoking a presidential proclamation issued under the previous administration that would effectively allow the conversion of vast tracts of pasture land into some other use. In Proclamation No. 663 he signed on October 14, the President repealed Presidential Proclamation (PP) No. 2057 issued by former President Gloria Arroyo authorizing the state-run Philippine Forest Corp. (Philforest) to administer tourism-related developments in the Busuanga property. The Chief Executive also transferred the administration of the pasture reserve to the Forest Management Bureau (FMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources from Philforest, one of five state entities earlier recommended to be abolished by the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and–Controlled Corporations. PP 2057 was issued on May 7, 2010 and empowered Philforest to assess, evaluate and determine the possibility of redefining or modifying the use of the Busuanga land, and based on such assessment, to identify and implement other economic activities to develop the area. Under Arroyo‘s proclamation, Philforest was mandated to prioritize certain business and economic activities to boost the infrastructure development in Busuanga such as hotel, housing and accommodation, ports, airports, and other transport and communication components. Records showed that even before PP2057 was issued, the government had already awarded contracts to 10 firms to develop portions of the pasture and grazing land in Busuanga. However, in December 2011, the Philforest board terminated the contracts for failure of the awardees to submit their latest project development plans despite several notices. The board also discovered during periodic inspections that no activities and improvements were introduced by the firms, constituting abandonment of the project. In revoking PP 2057, President Aquino said its provisions run counter to Proclamation 1397, issued in 1975 by then President Ferdinand Marcos, declaring the Busuanga land as a pasture reserve ―withdrawn from any form of disposition, exploration or exploitation.‖ President Aquino stripped Philforest of control over the Busuanga reserve and placed it under the FMB, formerly the Bureau of Forestry, which has ―jurisdiction and authority over the administration, protection and management of pasture lands,‖ pursuant to Commonwealth Act No. 452.

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President Aquino receives credentials of British and Mexican envoys

President Benigno S. Aquino III accepted the credentials of the two new ambassadors to the Philippines from the countries of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Mexico during a simple ceremony at the Music Room of the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday.

At 10:30 a.m., the President first met with Asif Anwar Ahmad, who presented his credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The new United Kingdom envoy was accompanied by Trevor James Lewis, deputy head of mission; Stephen Lysaght, head of political section; Brendan Gill, British embassy consul; and April Gonzalez Cheng, local staff association of the British Embassy.

President Aquino, on the other hand, was joined by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario in welcoming the new ambassador and his party.

In presenting his credentials, Ambassador Ahmad thanked President Aquino for welcoming him to the country and assured of British commitment to further enhance the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and the United Kingdom.

The President and Secretary Del Rosario then ushered the Ambassador and his party to the adjoining room for a closed-door meeting.

Following the meeting, the President then welcomed His Excellency Julio Camarena Villaseñor as Ambassador

Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Mexican States also at the Music Room at 11 a.m.

Ambassador Villaseñor was accompanied by Mexico Deputy Chief of Mission Chris Clay Mendoza.

Secretary del Rosario, meanwhile, was joined by Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Carlos Sorreta and other DFA officials.

The new Mexican envoy also expressed his gratitude to the President for the warm welcome and also made a commitment to further strengthen his country‘s bilateral ties with the Philippines.

President Aquino also had a closed-door meeting with Ambassador Villaseñor. PND (jb)

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President Aquino receives United Nations official in Malacanang

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the Philippines Luiza Carvalho at a courtesy call in Malacanang‘s Music Room at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Joining the President in welcoming Carvalho were Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. Carvalho‘s UN Team in the Philippines was behind the P126-million funding from the United Nations released this month for the relief and rehabilitation efforts in Zamboanga City. At the height of the armed conflict, Carvalho was among those who joined the nation and international humanitarian communities in condemning the violence in Zamboanga and called for the protection of human rights especially women and children who suffered during the clashes. Carvalho is concurrently the resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines. She is also the UN Designated Official for Security. From 2008 to 2012, she was assigned as resident coordinator of UN in Costa Rica, and worked as representative for the UNDP in Venezuela and Brazil. PND (jb)

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Palace: Relief groups must consider people’s welfare first

Malacanang said it would try to help reconcile the positions of the Philippine Red Cross and the local government Maribojoc, Bohol, so relief goods could reach the needy and eliminate misunderstandings between relief groups. ―Pagsisikapan ng ating pamahalaan na mapaglapit ang pananaw ng mga taong nasa ground dahil nga hindi naman nakakatulong ang magkaroon pa ng iringan. Ang dapat po talagang manaig ay ang pakikipagtulungan ng lahat ng mga tumutulong,‖ Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday. It was reported that the Maribojoc mayor in Bohol attempted to stop the distribution of relief goods, telling Red Cross personnel he wanted relief goods turned over to the LGU, so that they can be the ones to do the distribution. Although the Red Cross and the local government have their own positions on how relief goods are distributed to the people, Coloma said the Palace would rather that they agree on a more efficient and faster distribution of relief items. ―Ang dapat pong makita natin ay ‗yung paghahatid ng kagyat na pagtugon sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayang nasalanta ng kalamidad, lalung-lalo na ‗yung patungkol sa pagkain at ‗yung sa sisilungan nila. ‗Yung pinaka-basic needs nila, in terms of food and shelter, should not be jeopardized by any disagreements on the manner of distribution of relief goods,‖ he said. Coloma acknowledged the realities on the ground particularly the challenges being faced by relief organizations that want to reach people in need. In a big disaster such as the Bohol quake, one of the challenges is logistics, Coloma said. Relief organizations have to deal with obstacles on the ground to immediate distribute relief goods. For this reason, he said President Aquino always asks for updates from officials to ensure that there‘s no hindrance for people getting the necessary support the soonest. With regards to restoring power in the affected areas, Coloma said the Department of Energy is working hard to fix destroyed lines so the supply of electricity could normalize. PND (as)

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Work plan needed before release of Bohol reconstruction budget, says Coloma

The budget department will release the P7 billion for the Department of Public Works and Highways for Bohol reconstruction once a work plan is crafted. Releasing the fund for Bohol rehabilitation needs urgency so the local economy as well as the people‘s lives could normalize, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday. ―Ito po ay isa sa mga dinudumog ng mga tourists at makakaapekto po ‗yon sa mobility ng ating mga domestic and foreign tourists kung hindi po maa-address ang damage to infrastructure,‖ he said. Asked where the government will source the P7 billion, Coloma said the government has many authorized sources of fund to be used for Bohol reconstruction. He made an assurance that whatever disbursement the government may have it will be based on the law. As to the use of the road user‘s tax, Coloma said the Palace will be awaiting an update on the disbursement being made on said special fund. On the support being extended by foreign donors, Coloma said the Palace welcomes the help coming from other countries. PND (as)

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Palace: Young workforce will be huge factor for sustained economic growth

The country‘s demographic sweet spot refers to its young, vibrant workforce that could be sustained for many decades if nurtured well, Malacanang said on Tuesday. Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said in a press briefing on Tuesday that based on several studies the country‘s young population in addition to the positive economic growth will become an asset for the country in the coming years. In terms of demographics the Philippines has a huge number of working age people because of its high growth rate in population, he said. ―Kapag tiningnan ang trajectory ng ating GDP per capita growth ay puwede itong pumalo ng lampas sa $6,000, in a space of four years between 2015 and 2019,‖ he added. The country‘s highly competent, English-speaking, globally competitive work force, if cared well, could be a major contributor to the economy for as long as 40 years, Coloma said. Asked about the kind of jobs that await these young people, Coloma said the Aquino government is moving from service-oriented jobs to manufacturing. In the 2014, national budget, the administration has concrete programs to widen the country‘s manufacturing base. Contained in the 2014 national budget are programs that focus on the agricultural sector that include food processing and coconut diversification, he said noting that these areas could create a stronger multiplier effect. ―Yun pong sa manufacturing, bukod doon sa ating inherent strength na sa kasalukuyan sa service sector where we are regarded as the BPO capital dahil nga po sa desirable characteristics ng ating workforce.‖ The government is also working hard to match the skills of young workers to the country‘s educational system, he said. ―Kaya nga ang kasabay doon sa ating economic development efforts ay ang pagsisikap sa educational sector na magkaroon ng closer match between the job opportunities at ang skill set na ipo-produce ng ating educational system,‖ Coloma said. ―Tuwing magkakaroon ng job fair, ‗yon pong sponsored ng DOLE, marami pa pong hard-to-fill jobs na tinuturing. Kaya ito po ay ina-address, hindi lamang doon sa aspeto ng higher education, pero doon din sa aspeto ng technical-vocational sector,‖ he said. The Technical Educations and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has programs to prepare the skills of young workers for the needs of the industries. PND (as)

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Palace remains focused on ensuring accountability on use of public money

Malacanang reiterated that the overall focus of the administration is accountability on the use of public funds particularly with regards to the issue of P10-billion pork barrel scam. ―Wala po kaming particular na focus sa mga specific events na ganyan dahil napakarami ng inaasikaso ngayon lalung-

lalo na iyong proseso ng pagto-to hold accountable iyong pong mga pinaghihinalaang lumustay ng pondo ng bayan,‖ Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing on Tuesday. The Senate issued a subpoena on Monday summoning alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles to testify before the chamber‘s blue ribbon committee on November 7. Coloma said the Palace has no special pre-occupation on any person or event and it‘s up to the lawmakers to deal with Napoles‘s in the Senate inquiry. Whatever the course of the investigation, he said the Palace will pursue the accountability process from the Ombudsman to the Sandiganbayan on those involved in the scam. Asked to comment on the Pulse Asia Survey showing 8 out of 10 respondents believe that 50 percent of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) has been stolen, Coloma said the Palace shares the public‘s view on the need to put a stop to the abuse of PDAF use. ―Nagkaisa kami na ang mga mamamayan na nagnanais na matigil ang anumang anyo ng paglulustay ng pondo ng bayan. Kailangan po talagang pagkaisahan natin ‗yan sapagkat mahalaga ang bawat piso sa pondo ng bayan sa pagpapasigla ng ating ekonomiya at sa pagpapaunlad ng ating bayan,‖ he said. The President removed PDAF, stressing the prudent use of public funds. PND (as)

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Malacanang to hold two-day open government budget data hackathon on November 9 & 10

The Aquino government has invited programmers and designers to participate during the two-day "open government budget data hackathon" to be held this November, a Palace official said. "We are pleased to announce that the Open Data Philippines Task Force will be holding a two-day open data hackathon this November. The event, called #KabantayNgBayan, will be open to IT developers and designers interested in creating innovative mobile or web-based applications utilizing government data," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement issued on Tuesday. The Open Data Philippines Task Force is composed of the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, Department of Budget and Management, and the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Office. Valte said the event will be held at the Sadoce, 12/F Smart Tower I, Ayala Avenue, Makati, on November 9-10. The registration for interested participants started on Monday. "The event is open to groups of three to four with a mix of developers and designers. The data to be used for this hackathon will center on the national government budget. The challenge will be to build applications that will present new ways to increase public awareness and track government spending," Valte said. Valte said #KabantayNgBayan is envisioned to produce apps that will not only aid government performance but also encourage the citizenry to participate in good governance, specifically in the areas of public financial management. "This event is one of several focused on open government data leading up to the November launch of data.gov.ph, a website that will serve as a portal to public national government datasets," she said. Valte invited interested programmers and designers to visit the website for more details and to register: data.gov.ph/hackathon. #KabantayNgBayan was organized in partnership with Microsoft, Smart Developers Network, Smart Bro, IdeaSpace Foundation, and the National Competitiveness Council, and is sponsored by Red Bull, Pepsi, Krispy Kreme, and Mozilla Philippines. PND (js)

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ARCHIVE 2013

21 OKTUBRE 2013

Pananatili ng “Busunga Pasture Reserve,” iniutos ng Pangulong Aquino

Tinanggap ng Pangulong Aquino ang mga katibayan ng embahador ng Britanya at ng Mexico

Mga pinuno ng bansang magkakaanib, naging panauhin ng Pangulong Aquino

Palasyo: Kapakanan muna ng mga tao ang dapat unahin ng mga tumutulong

Kailangan muna ang work plan bago ilabas ang badyet sa rekostruksiyon ng Bohol—Coloma

Malaking bagay sa pag-unlad ng ekonomya ang kabataang workforce, sabi ng Palasyo

Patuloy ang Palasyo sa pagtiyak sa tamang paggugol ng salapi ng bayan

Pananatili ng “Busunga Pasture Reserve,” iniutos ng Pangulong Aquino

Ginawa ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang karampatang hakbang para pangalagaang mabuti ang ―Busuanga Pasture Reserve‖ sa lalawigan ng Palawan nang pawalang bisa niya ang presidential proclamation ng nakalipas na administrasyon upang mabisang mapanga-lagaang mabuti ang malawak na lupaing pastulan at huwag itong gamitin sa ibang bagay. Sa Proklamaasyon Blg. 663 na nilagdaan niya Oktubre 14, pinawalang bisa ng Pangulo ang Proklamasyon Blg. 2057 ng dating Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo na pinayagan ang ―Philippine Forest Corp.‖ (Philforest) na pangasiwaan ang gagawing pagbabago sa lupain ng Busuanga para gamitin sa turismo Inilipat din ng Pangulo ang pamamahala sa pasture reserve (lupaing pastulan) sa Forest Management Bureau ng Kagawaran ng Kapaligiran at Likas na Kayamanan buhat sa Philforest, isa sa limang kompanya ng pamahalaan na una nang inirekomendang buwagin na ng Governance Commission for Government-Owned-and-Controlled Corporations (GCG). Mayo 7, 2010 nang ilabas ang Proklamasyon ng Pangulo na nagbigay ng kapangyarihan sa Philforest na tayahin, tayahin at tiyakin ang posibilidad na ayusin uli o baguhin ang gamit ng lupain sa Busuanga, at salig sa naturang pagtaya, tukuyin at ipatupad ang mga gawaing pang-ekonomya para linangin ang nasabing pook. Salig sa proklamasyon ni Arroyo, tungkulin ng Philforest na unahin ang ilang negosyo at mga gawaing pang-ekonomya para malinang ang imprastraktura sa Busuanga na gaya ng otel, pabahay at akomodasyon, mga daungan at iba pang kailangan ng trasportasyon at komunikasyon. Salig sa mga ulat bago inilagda ang PP2057, nakapagbigay na ang gobyerno ng mga kontrata sa 10 kompanya upang linangin ang ilang bahagi ng malawak na lupaing ito na pastulan sa Busuanga. Subali‘t noong Disyembre 2011, niwalang bisa ng lupon ng Philforest ang mga kontrata dahil sa pagkabigo ng mga ―awardees‖ na magharap ng kanilang pinakahuling mga planong pang-kaunlaran sa kabila ng mga paalaalang ipinadala sa kanila. Ntuklasan din ng lupon sa ginaw-wang mga ispeksiyon na walang ano mang giknagawang ukol sa kanlaran ang mga kompanya na kahalintulad na rin ng pagpapabaya sa proyekto. Sa pagpapawalang bisa sa PP2057, binigyang diin ng Pangulo na ang mga tadhanain nito ay taliwas sa Proklamasyon 1397 na inilagda 1975 ng noon ay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos na nadeklarang ang pulong lupaing Busuanga ay inilalaang pastula na ―hindi maaaring gawin ang ano mang uri ng disposisyon, exploration o exploitaion.‖ Inalisan ng Pangulong Aquino ang ―Philforest‖ ng ano mang kontrol sa Busuanga reserve at ito ay ipinailalim sa Forest Management Bureau, dating Kawanihan ng Paggugubatan, na siyang ―may kapangyarihan at hurisdiksiyon sa pangangasiwa, pangangalaga at pamamahala sa mga lupaing pastulan,‖ alinsunod sa Commonwealth Act No. 452.

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Tinanggap ng Pangulong Aquino ang mga katibayan ng embahador ng Britanya at ng Mexico

Tinanggap ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang mga katibayan ng dalawang bagong embahador sa Pilipinas buhat sa mga bansang United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland at ng Mexico sa simpleng seremonya sa Music Room ng Malacanang Martes. Ika-10:30 ng umaga nang iharap sa Pangulo si Asif Anwar Ahmed ang kanyang katibayan bilang Embahador na Katangi-tangi at May Lubos na Kapangyarihan ng United Kingdom ng Great Britain at Northern Ireland. Kasama ng bagong Embahador ng United Kingdom si Trevor James Lewis, pangalawang puno ng misyon; Stephen Lysaght, puno ng seksiyong pulitikal; Brendan Gill, Konsul ng Embahada ng Britanya, at April Gonzalez Cheng, tauhan ng ―local staff‖ ng Embahada ng Britanya. Kasama naman ng Pangulong Aquino sa pagtanggap ng bagong Embahador si Kalihim Albert F. del Rosario ng Ugnayang Panlabas. Pinasalamatan ni Embahador Ahmad ang Pangulong Aquino sa pagtanggap nito sa kanya at tiniyak na ipagpapatuloy

niya ang pagsisikap na lalo pang mapaganda ang pagsasamahan ng Pilipinas at ng United Kingdom. Pagkatapos ay isinama ng Pangulo at ni Kalihim Del Rosario ang Embahador at mga kasama nito sa kalapit na kuwarto para sa nakatakdang pagpupulong nila. Sumunod namang tinanggap ng Pangulo ang Kanyang Kabunyian Julio Camarena Villasenor na Embahador na Katangi-tangi at May Lubos na Kapangyarihan ng United Mexican States sa Music Room din ng Malacanang ika-11:00 ng umaga. Sinamahan ni Mexico Deputy Chief of Mission Chris Clay Mendoza si Embahador Villasenor. Bukod kay Kalihim Del Rosario, kasama rin ng Pangulo sina Katulong na Kalihim Carlos Sorreta at ang iba pang pinuno ng Kagawaran ng Ugnayang Panlabas sa pagtanggap sa bagong Embahador ng Mexico. Nagpasalamat si Embahador Villasenor sa Pangulo sa masiglang pagtanggap sa kanya at nangako ring puspusan niyang sisikaping lalo pang gumanda ang ugnayan ng Pilipinas at ng kanyang bansang Mexico. Nagpulong din ang Pangulo at si Embahador Villasenor pagkatapos ng seremonya. PND(jb/zaf)

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Mga pinuno ng bansang magkakaanib, naging panauhin ng Pangulong Aquino

Masiglang tinanggap ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa Music Room ng Malacanang ika-11:30 ng umaga ng Martes si United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator sa Pilipinas Luiza Carvalho. Kasama ng Pangulo sa pagtanggap kay Carvalho sina Kalihim Dinky Soliman ng Kagalingang Panlipunan at Kaunlaran at KalihimVoltaire Gazmin ng Tanggulang Pambansa. Ang UN Team ni Carvalho sa Pilipinas ang nasa likuran ng P126-milyong pondong buhat sa Bansang Magkakaanib ngayong buwang ito para magamit sa pagbabagong tatag ng Lungsod ng Zamboanga. Sa kasaksaan ng kaguluhan noon, si Carvalho ay kabilang sa nation and international humanitarian communities na nakiisa sa pagtuligsa sa kaguluhan sa Zamboanga at nanawagang pangalagaan ang karapatang pantao, lalo na ng kababaihan at mga batang dumanas ng matinding mga suliranin at takot. Si Carvalho ay resident representative ng United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) sa Pilipinas. Siya rin ang UN Designated Official for Security. Mula noong 2008 hanggang 2012, natalaga siyang resident coordinator ng UN sa Costa Rica at naglingkod din bilang kinatawan ng UNDP sa Venezuela at Brasil. PND(jb/zaf)

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Palasyo: Kapakanan muna ng mga tao ang dapat unahin ng mga tumutulong

Sisikapin ng Malacanang na magkasundo ang Philippine Red Cross at ang lokal na pamahalaan ng Maribojoc, Bohol upang mabilis na maihatid sa mga nangangailangan ang relief goods at maiwasan ang hindi pagkakaunawaan ng mga grupong tumutulong. ―Pagsisikapan ng ating pamahalaan na mapaglapit ang pananaw ng mga taong nasa ground dahil nga hindi naman nakatutulong ang magkaroon pa ng iringan. Ang dapat po talagang manaig ay ang pakikipagtulungan nang lahat ng mga tumutulong,‖ sabi ni Kalihim Herminio Coloma, Jr. ng Presidential Communications Operations Office sa pulong-balitaan Martes sa Malacanang. Ayon sa ulat, tinangka ng Alkalde ng Maribojoc sa Bohol na pigilin ang pamamahagi ng tulong at pinagsabihan ang mga tauhan ng Krus na Pula na ibig niyang ibigay ang ―relief goods‖ sa LGU upang sila ang mamigay nito. Bagaman ang Philippine Red Cross at ang lokal na pamahalaan ay may sariling paninindigan kung paano nila ipamamahagi ang tulong sa mga tao, sinabi ni Coloma na higit na mamarapatin ng Palasyo na magkasundo sila kung paanong higit na mabisa at mabilis ang pamamahagi ng mga tulong sa mga pininsala ng malakas na lindol. ―Ang dapat pong makita natin ay ang paghahatid ng kagyat na pagtugon sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayang nasalanta ng kalamidad, lalung-lalo na ang mga pagkain at sa sisilungan nila. Ang pangunahin nilang pangangailangan na tulad ng pagkain at matutuluyan, ay hindi dapat maantala dahil sa hindi pagkakasundo sa paraan ng pamamahagi ng relief goods,‖ wika ni Coloma. Sinabi ni Coloma na alam niya ang kalagayang kinakaharap ng mga relief organizations na ibig maibigay agad sa mga nangangailangan ang dala nilang tulong. Sa isang malaking kalamidad na tulad ng lindol sa Bohol, isa sa mga mabigat na suliranin ay ang logistics, ayon kay Coloma. Malaking suliranin ang kinakaharap ng relief organizations upang mabilis na makapamigay ng relief goods.

Dahil dito, sabi pa ni Coloma, kaya ang Pangulong Aquino ay laging humihingi sa mga opisyal ng ulat tungkol sa mga nagaganap upang hindi makasagabal sa pamimigay ng tulong sa mga tao sa pinakamadaling panahon. Tungkol naman sa pagbabalik ng koryente sa mga pook na nasalanta nang malaki dahil sa lindol, sinabi ni Coloma na puspusan ang pagsisikap ng Kagawaran ng Enerhiya para maayos ang mga linya ng koryente na iwinasak ng lindol upang maibalik ang koryente sa lalong madaling panahon. PND(as/zaf)

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Kailangan muna ang work plan bago ilabas ang badyet sa rekostruksiyon ng Bohol—Coloma

Ilalabas ng Kagawaran ng Badyet ang P7 bilyon para sa Kagawaran ng Pagawaing Bayan at Pambansang Lansangan para sa rekostruksiyon ng Bohol sa sandaling magawa na ang ―work plan.‖ Kailangang-kailangang mailabas ang pondo para sa rehabilitasyon ng Bohol upang manumbalik na ang lokal na ekonomya, gayundin ang pagiging normal ng buhay ng mga tao, wika ni Kalihim Herminio Coloma, Jr. ng Presidential Communications Operations Office sa pulong-balitaan sa Malacanang Martes ―Ito po ay isa sa mga dinurumog ng mga turista at makakaapekto po iyon sa mobility ng ating mga turistang lokal at dayuhan man kung hindi po natin agad maaayos ang mga pinsala sa imprastraktura,‖ dugtong ni Coloma. Nang itanong kung saan kukunin ng pamahalaan ang P7 bilyon, sinabi ni Coloma na ang pamahalaan ay maraming authorized sources of fund na gagamitin para sa rekostruksiyon ng Bohol. Tiniyak niya na ang ano mang gugugulin ng pamahalaan ay gagawin nang naaalinsunod sa mga batas. Tungkol sa paggamit ng road user‘s tax, sinabi ni Coloma na ang Palasyo ay mag-aantabay tungkol sa paggamit ng nasabing special fund. Ayon kay Coloma, malugod na tinatanggap ng Palasyo ang ano mang tulong na magmumula sa ibang bansa nang tanungin siya tungkol sa suportang iniaalok ng mga dayuhan. PND(as/zaf)

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Malaking bagay sa pag-unlad ng ekonomya ang kabataang workforce, sabi ng Palasyo

Ang demographic sweet spot ng bansa ay tumutukoy sa mga kabataan, masisiglang lakas-bisig (workforce) na kung mapangangalagaang mabuti ay tatagal nang maraming dekada, ayon sa Malakanyang Martes. Sinabi ni Kalihim Herminio Coloma, Jr. ng Presidential Communications Operations Office sa pulong-balitaan Martes salig sa maraming mga pag-aaral na ginawa tungkol sa kabaaang populasyon, bukod pa sa positibong pagsulong ng ekonomya na siyang magiging malaking yaman ng bansa sa darating na mga taon. Ang Pilipinas kung demographics ang pag-uusapan, ay may napakalaking bilang ng nasa hustong gulang para magtrabaho dahil sa mataas na growth rate ng populasyon, sabi pa ni Coloma. ―Kapag tiningnan ang trajectory ng ating GDP per capita growth ay puwede itong pumalo ng lampas sa $6,000, sa loob ng apat na taon o sa pagitan ng 2015 hanggang 2019,‖ wika niya. Ayon kay Coloma, ang kahusayan ng mga Pilipino sa wikang Ingles ay dahilan kaya ang ating lakas-bisig ay globally competitive na kung mapangangalagaang mabuti at napakalaki ang magiging ambag sa ekonomya hanggang sa loob ng 40 taon. Nang tanungin kung anong trabaho ang naghihintay sa mga kabataang ito, sinabi ni Coloma na inililipat ng gobyernong Aquino sa manufacturing buhat sa service oriented jobs na uri ng trabaho. Sa pambansang badyet ng 2014, may mga kongretong programa ng administrasyon para palawakin ang manufacturing base. Nakalagay sa pambansang badyet ng 2014 ang mga nakatuon sa sektor ng agrikultura na tulad ng food processing at coconut diversification na inaasahang magiging higit na kailangan. ―Iyon pong sa manufacturing, bukod doon sa ating katutubong lakas sa kasalukuyan na sektor ng serbisyo kung saan tayo itinuturing na BPO capital dahil nga sa magandang ugali n gating lakas-bisig,‖ dugtong ng Pangulo. Sinisikap din ng pamahalaan, sabi ni Coloma, na iangkop ang kasanayan ng ating kabataang manggagawa sa educational system ng bansa. ―Kaya nga ang kasabay doon sa ating pagsisikap na kaunlarang pang-ekonomya ay ang pagsisikap naman ng sektor ng edukasyon na magkaroon ng higit na pagkakaakma ng trabaho at kakayahan namang ituturo ng ating sistema ng edukasyon,‖ pahayag pa ng Kalihim. ―Tuwing magkakaroon ng job fair na itinataguyod ng DOLE, marami pang trabahong sabi nila ay hard-to-fill jobs. Ito po ang tinutugunan ngayon hindi lamang sa ating aspeto ng higher education, kundi pati sa technical-vocational sector,‖

wika ng Kalihim. Inihahanda ng Technical Ecucation and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) ang mga kabataan sa mga kakayahang kailangan ng kabataang manggagawa para tugunan ang mga trabahong nasa mga industriya. PND (as/zaf)

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Patuloy ang Palasyo sa pagtiyak sa tamang paggugol ng salapi ng bayan

Inulit ng Malacanang na pangkalahatang nakatuon ang administrasyon sa pagtiyak na wasto ang paggamit sa salapi ng bayan, lalo na ang tungkol sa isyu ng P10 bilyong pork barrel scam. ―Wala po kaming partikular na pokus sa mga specific events na ganyan dahil napakarami ng inaasikaso ngayon, lalo na ang proseso ng totohanang pagpapananagot sa mga pinaghihinalaang lumustay ng pondo ng bayan,‖ wika ni Kalihim Herminio Coloma, Jr. ng Presidential Communications Operations Office sa pulong-balitaan Martes. Ang Senado ay naglabas ng subpoena Lunes para paharapin sa Blue Ribbon Committee sa Nobyembre 7 si Janet Lim Napoles na di umanong utak ng pork barrel scam. Sinabi ni Coloma na hindi pinagtutuunan ng pansin ng Palasyo ang sino mang tao o ang ano mang bagay at bahala ang mga mambabatas kay Napoles pagharap nito sa pagdinig ng Senado. Ano man ang kalabasan ng pagsisiyasat, wika ni Coloma, ang haharapin ng Palasyo ay ituloy ang pagsisikap na mapanagot ang may kinalaman sa scam na nakaharap na sa Ombudsman at tutuloy sa Sandiganbayan. Tungkol sa Pulse Asia Survey kung saan lumitaw na 8 sa bawa‘t 10 na tinanong ang naniniwala na 50 porsiyento ng ―Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF)‖ ay nanakaw, sinabi ni Coloma na kaisa ng palagay ng sambayanan ang Palasyo na dapat tigilan ang pagmamalabis sa paggamit ng PDAF. ―Nagkakaisa kami ng mga mamamayan na nagnanais na matigil ang ano mang anyo ng pag-lulustay ng pondo ng bayan. Kailangan po talagang pagkaisahan natin iyan sapagka‘t mahalaga ang bawa‘t piso sa pondo ng bayan sa pagpapasigla ng ating ekonomya at sa pag-papaunlad ng ating bayan,‖ wika pa ng Kalihim. Tinanggal ng Pangulo ang PDAF at binigyang diin na dapat gamitin nang wasto ang pondo ng bayan. PND (as/zaf)

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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the 12th CEO Forum and 114th General Membership Meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines

Ballroom 1, Solaire Resort and Casino Manila, No. 1 Solaire Blvd., Entertainment City, Parañaque City 21 Oct 2013

Thank you. Good afternoon. Please sit down.

Secretaries Mar Roxas, Mario Montejo, Sonny Coloma, and of course the oldest of the bunch, Joel Villanueva [laughter]; Dr. Danny Lachica; board of trustees; members and staff of Semiconductor and Electronic Industries in the Philippines Inc.; honored guests; ladies and gentlemen: Good afternoon once again. I have noticed that these get-togethers are turning into regular occurrences for us. So allow me to say once again how pleased I am to be meeting the senior officials of one of the most formidable industries in the Philippines. Today, more than ever, I believe that ―formidable‖ is an apt description. Despite less than favorable conditions in the global economy, the semiconductor and electronics industry continues to be a massive contributor to our exports and our economy. You have felt firsthand how the shaky conditions of some industrialized countries have affected your industry. But I am hopeful that you will rebound sooner rather than later. In fact, I am quite optimistic, and here‘s why: Despite a year-on-year decline in the electronic industry‘s share in total exports, I‘m told an additional 31,000 Filipinos found employment with you in 2012. There is also the ten-percent increase in the investments your industry recorded, from 2.45 billion dollars in 2011 to 2.7 billion dollars in 2012. And I am told that there was also an increase in the importation of materials for the manufacture of electrical equipment in May and July this year—maybe in anticipation of a higher demand for electronics in the world market. All signs point to your confidence—to your determination to move forward, despite the setbacks you may have encountered. So, allow me to once again thank you for your faith and optimism in our people and our country. If I may say so: there is even more reason for you to be optimistic today, with a government that is truly committed to working with you. I am not just talking about our efforts to improve infrastructure and boost competitiveness, and also to clean up systems and streamline processes, and to invest in our people so that you can rest easy in entrusting your operations to healthy, skilled, and talented workers. I am talking about our government doing its part for sectors whose economic contributions are truly remarkable—sectors like yours. We will not just stand by and wait to reap the benefits of your growth. The same confidence that you have shown the Philippines, we are now in a position to repay. For instance, you are likely already familiar with the Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory, or ADMATEL, established by our Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Failure analysis and other tests can be conducted here as opposed to sending products to other countries—potentially cutting down on your expenses and the time it takes between the production of and actual export of products. I‘m also told that this facility will help you gain more contracts as it shortens the time from conceptualization to actual exports. In the nine months that ADMATEL has been operational, I am told that 19 companies and institutions from your industry—16 from SEIPI—have already benefited from its services. As I understand it, SEIPI has 254 member companies. So perhaps I can take this opportunity to invite the remaining 238 to come see and test our facilities. We could use your business, and I am sure that we will be able to contribute to greater efficiency in your businesses as well. This is only the first step. The goal in our sights: to not only have the capability of building and testing products, but to design them as well. For instance, this is why DOST has been busy with the Electronics Product Development Center, opening next year, which will provide testing services for compliance with international standards, and will also serve your prototyping needs. On top of this, we have an international initiative that establishes relationships with renowned institutions: the Philippine-California Advanced Research Institutes or PCARI Project. Under PCARI, the Institute for Information Infrastructure Development, or IIID, will focus on research and development for increased competitiveness of the Information and Communications Technology, and the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries. This is a project that will serve both the needs of the academe and of industries like yours—ultimately redounding to the benefit of our countrymen. These may seem like lofty ambitions, especially for a country that can be considered to be behind its neighbors in terms of innovation, science, and technological research, and even in electronics. But let me remind you: Wasn‘t it just a few years ago when everyone thought that the Philippines would always be the laggard in regional economic growth? Today, we are constantly one of the fastest growers, if not, at times, the fastest grower. Wasn‘t it just a few years ago when everyone thought that we could never gain the confidence of the world? Today, all three major credit ratings agencies have reached a consensus: we are at investment grade. And so, I can say proudly: Today, the Philippines is indeed formidable. Let me be clear: My task as President goes far beyond ensuring our success today. As we attend to present issues and concerns, the reforms we implement must also be building blocks for our nation‘s future. So, just as we are looking to expand our avenues of growth and move up the value chain in this industry, we must also expand and build on our relationships with others. This is why I am here today, and this was also the reason for our recent visit to South Korea—where some of your member companies originated. In a little over three years, I have seen that working together—that cooperation—is key in nation building. We have already experienced this with SEIPI—from the thousands of workers who were retrained and found employment through your cooperation with TESDA‘s Training for Work Scholarship Program, to the updating of the electronics roadmap through productive discussions with our Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). So I do not doubt that we will be able to achieve our goals, as long as we continue to view each other as true partners. Today, more and more, your work is complemented by both government and society‘s efforts. I know that we will weather all adversity so long as we keep the faith in each other. We pledge our rightful support to you, and together, let us continue to find ways to spur the development not only of your industry and your businesses, but also of our country and our people. Thank you and good day.

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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Arrival Statement after his State Visit to the Republic of Korea Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Terminal 2, Pasay City

18 Oct 2013 Maupo ho tayong lahat. Senate President Frank Drilon; Secretary Albert del Rosario; Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa; Secretary Leila de Lima; Brother Armin; Secretary Joel; Secretary Ike; Secretary Linda; Secretary Babes; all the members of the Cabinet present; Mayor Edwin Olivares; Vice Chief of Staff Lt. General Alan Luga; Lt. General Noel Coballes; Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano; Police Director General Alan Purisima; General Manager Jose Angel Honrado; fellow workers in government; mga minamahal ko pong kababayan: Magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat. Bago tayo tumulak pa-Korea, nabanggit ko sa inyo: Inaasikaso natin ang lahat ng ating pangangailangan sa kasalukuyan; masusi pong nakatutok ang ating mga kalihim sa pagsisigurong ang mga nasira ng lindol ay maipapagawa o mapapalitan, maibabalik sa kaayusan ang mga apektado, at ang kailangan ng lingap ay maaaksyunan ng estado. Ngayon po, sa aking pag-uwi, masasabi ko namang matagumpay ang sadya nating asikasuhin ang ating kinabukasan. Lalo pong napagtibay ang malalim nang ugnayan sa pagitan ng ating bansa at ng South Korea. Nakaukit po sa kasaysayan ng pakikipagkapwa-tao natin sa South Korea. Sa pagpasok ng dekada singkuwenta, nagsisimula pa lang pong bumangon ang Pilipinas mula sa pagkasirang dala ng Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig. At wala pa po tayong masyadong maibibigay, wala pa tayong masyadong kakayahan, ngunit nang tumawag ang Korea, tumugon agad tayo, handang iabot ang anumang tulong na ating maiaabot. Mahigit pitong libong sundalong Pilipino po ang ipinadala natin sa bansa nila noong Korean War; sunod sa Amerika at Inglatera, Pilipinas ang ikatlong bansang nagpadala ng tropa. Sa Korean War Memorial nga po na ating binisita, nakita kong nakaukit sa pader ang katagang, ―Our nation honors the sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met.‖ Ipinakita po ng mga nakasalamuha nating Koreano ang nararamdaman nilang utang ng loob sa Pilipino; pagkakaibigan po itong hindi salita lamang, kundi may kasamang gawa. Damang-dama po natin ang pagkasinsero sa pakikitungo sa atin ng kanilang Pangulong Park Geun-Hye. Sa aming paghaharap, nagpahayag po ng suporta si Pangulong Park sa prosesong isinusulong natin upang mapanatili ang stabilidad, at maresolba ang mga di pagkakaunawaan; gaya natin, naniniwala sila sa halaga ng pagsunod sa batas at tamang patakaran, na sumasaklaw sa lahat ng bayan, gaano man ito kalaki o kalakas. Masigla rin po naming tinalakay ang mga plano upang mapalakas ang ating ugnayan sa tanggulan, pagtugon sa kalamidad, kalakalan, gayundin sa mga isyung pandagat na may direktang epekto sa buong rehiyon. Pati na po sa sports, nakita natin ang matibay na ugnayan ng Pilipinas at Korea. At hindi pa po diyan nagtatapos: Nang mangyari po ang gulo sa Zamboanga, nagpanata na po ng tulong-pinansyal ang Korea. Nang nagkita po kami, si Pangulong Park po mismo ang nagparating ng pakikiramay sa mga napinsala ng lindol sa Kabisayaan—kaakibat po nito ang dagdag pang panata ng tulong pinansyal na ipaabot ng kanyang pamahalaan sa atin pong mga mamamayan. Patunay rin po ng malalim nating ugnayan sa mga Koreano ang uwi nating magagandang balita mula sa mga kumpanyang ating mga nakapulong. Patuloy daw pong palalawakin ng Hanjin ang kanilang operasyon sa ating bansa, upang lalo nating kayaning makipagsabayan sa pandaigdigang industriya ng shipbuilding. Talagang bilib daw po sila sa husay at pagkamalikhain ng ating mga manggagawa; mas mabilis pa raw po tayong magtrabaho kaysa sa kanilang inasahan nang una silang namuhunan sa ating bansa. Ang Korea Electric Power Corporation o KEPCO naman po, sa ngayon, sampung porsyento na ng ating kuryente ang nagge-generate. Gusto raw po nilang lakihan ang ambag sa ating tuluyang pag-angat; nagpaplano pa raw po silang magtayo ng ilan pang power plant sa iba‘t ibang panig ng bansa. At hindi po ito baryang ambag—lilikha ito ng daan-daan ding megawatts na makapagpapalaki sa ating baseload capacity. Malinaw na rin po ang proyekto ng kumpanyang Lotte para sa isang hotel project sa Kabisayaan, at masinsin din ang interes nilang magdagdag ng iba pang proyekto sa Kamaynilaan at iba pang bahagi ng bansa tulad ng hotel, theme park, office space, at iba pa. Ang National Pension Service naman po ng South Korea, mayroon daw 50 bilyong dolyares na pondong puwedeng i-invest kada taon; dalawampung porsyento nito, handa silang dalhin sa ibang bansa na maliban sa dati nilang pinagdadalhan. At dahil sa ganda ng takbo ng ating ekonomiya, kabilang na tayo sa mga pinag-iisipan nilang pamuhunanan. Nagkaroon din po tayo ng pagkakataong magtalumpati sa harap ng apat na pinakamalalaking business group sa buong Korea; hindi po biro ang karangalan na napagtipon natin sila sa iisang bubong, upang ihayag sa kanila ang pagbabagong

nangyayari sa ating bansa, at ang patuloy pang lalawak na mga oportunidad para mamuhunan. Nagpasalamat nga po tayo kay Pangulong Park Geun-Hye sa tumataas na kumpiyansa ng kanyang mga kababayang negosyante sa ating ekonomiya, pati na rin sa malaking ambag ng kanyang mga kababayan sa ating sektor ng turismo. Siyempre, hindi rin maaaring pumunta tayo sa Korea nang hindi nakakasama ang ating Filipino community. Habang kinakasalamuha natin sila‘t kinakamusta ang kanilang kalagayan, talaga namang nakikita nating nagtatagumpay sila sa kanikanilang trabaho‘t larangan. Ibinalita rin natin sa kanila ang kaliwa‘t kanang good news sa bansa, at muling idiniin ang ating panata: Ang interes ng ating mga Boss lamang ang tumitimon sa ating bawat kilos at desisyon. Tumulak po tayo tungong Korea na may baong lungkot dala ng pinsalang dulot ng lindol sa Kabisayaan. Patuloy po tayong nakatutok sa balita rito, sa gitna ng ating State Visit sa Korea. Umuwi naman po tayong dala ang mas maigting na determinasyon upang ituloy ang transpormasyong dinaranas ng ating bansa ngayon. Nakita po natin ang isang bansang dumaan din sa napakatinding pinsala, at ngayo‘y talagang tumatamasa na ng kahanga-hangang kaunlaran. Ang matibay ko pong paniniwala: Kung kaya nilang maabot iyon, tiyak ko po, kaya rin itong maabot ng Pilipino. Sama-sama nating isulong ang Pilipinas tungo sa katuparan ng ating kolektibong pangarap. Nakakataba po talaga ng puso ang pagkakataong maging kinatawan ng aking mga Boss sa ating mga karatig-bansa—dahil talaga nga pong ibang-iba na ang mukhang maihaharap natin sa mundo ngayon. Hindi po ako magsasawang sabihin: Talagang napakasarap maging Pilipino sa mga panahong ito. Maraming salamat po. Magandang gabi po sa lahat.

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ONLINE NEWS

22 OCTOBER 2013

On the wake of 7.2 magnitude quake in Bohol Baldoz orders OWWA to assist and care for families of OFWs

DOLE-led Convergence towards Social Protection Flow for informal sector workers

Baldoz urges workers displaced by Bohol quake to apply to 9,000 local and overseas job vacancies in PhilJobnet

DepEd, IP communities celebrate Indigenous Peoples month

DepEd signs deal for classroom construction under PPP Phase 2

Roxas to Bohol Mayors: Use powers to re-open stores

DSWD accepts donations for quake victims in Central Visayas

Sans court order, transferred BOC officials must now report to CPRO

BSP Grants Regulatory Relief to Banks Affected by Typhoon "Santi"

2nd Philippines-India Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation

Winning Philippine Team in Australian Solar Car Race Visits Philippine Consulate General in Sydney

DAR Completes Hacienda Luisita Distribution

DA leads 1st Philippine Organic and Natural Products Expo

DOTC: MCIAA donates P2-Million to earthquake victims

DTI-Cebu holds orientation on the Philippine Quality Awards

On the wake of 7.2 magnitude quake in Bohol Baldoz orders OWWA to assist and care for families of OFWs

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

Days after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake devastated large areas of Bohol and some parts of Cebu, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz reported that the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), working quickly to locate families of OFWs who were affected by the earthquake, had identified a total of 15,494 members who would need immediate assistance. On this note, Baldoz yesterday instructed OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon to care and provide them all forms of

appropriate help until such time their lives return to normal. Baldoz issued the directive as she visited Cebu to meet with DOLE regional officials, employers, and workers to direct DOLE interventions for victims of the tragedy and to get first-hand information on the progress of the DOLE's emergency employment program and the job fairs she instructed to be conducted by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Bureau of Local Employment. "The regional welfare offices of the OWWA in Bohol and Cebu have already identified 3,426 active and 12,078 inactive OWWA members in 28 Bohol towns classified by the Regional Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Management Council (RDRRMC) as badly-hit municipalities, so the OWWA is under instruction to already farm-out rehabilitation and relief assistance to these OWWA members," Baldoz said in a media release. The OWWA members are in the municipalities of Loon, 933; Tubigon, 1,256; San isidro, 95; Carmen, 711; Inabanga, 601; Tagbilaran City, 4,512; Antequerra, 346; Sagbayan, 387; Butuan, 267; Corela, 168; Maribojoc, 515; Cortez, 404; Calape, 664; Clarin, 501; Danao, 174; Dagohoy, 211; Sikatuna, 174; Trinidad, 371; Alicia, 385; Sevilla, 219; Sierra Bullones, 476; Balilihan, 249; Catigbian, 370; Buenavista, 247; Lila, 378; Loboc, 455; Getafe, 96; and Bilar, 329, or a total 15,494. "You should prioritize stabilizing the lives of these OFWs in coordination with local government units and regional disaster and relief management officials. You should provide care and assist members of families of OFWs who were dislocated and distressed by the earthquake," Baldoz ordered, adding: "There is no time to be wasted in the effort because Christmas is coming and we don't want our OFW families, or any Filipino worker for that matter, to be gloomy." The labor and employment chief said a fast response is needed at this hour, and explained that the OWWA might need to do emergency relief operation, just like what it did in the aftermath of Typhoons Pablo and Sendong. Also yesterday, Administrator Dimzon reported she had already relayed Secretary Baldoz's directive to the OWWA field offices in Cebu and Bohol which are now doing the necessary preparation for its intervention. "Initially, the OWWA can do a welfare mission to bring food, water, medicines, and other basic necessities. It should also provide counseling services," Baldoz said. She explained that if Dimzon needs to go to the OWWA Board of Trustees to get authority to disburse some funds for the OWWA members, she should do so at the earliest time. Baldoz is the chairman of the OWWA Board. Baldoz said the OWWA can also implement a livelihood restoration program, in coordination with the DOLE regional office and the National Reintegration Center for OFWs, to get devastated business of OFWs up and running again. "If necessary, we can look for ways on how to replace destroyed equipment, restore production facilities, or provide other implements for OFW businesses. We need to re-connect them to their markets," she said.

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DOLE-led Convergence towards Social Protection Flow for informal sector workers

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

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday commented that one of the core strategies to eradicate extreme poverty is convergence among all social actors to uplift the plight of informal sector workers. Baldoz made the comment as the Department of Labor and Employment joins the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) and other sectors in the ongoing observance of the National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty (NWOEP) from 17 to 23 October 2013. The week-long observance, on the theme, ―End Poverty Now: Towards a World Without Discrimination, Building on the Experience and Knowledge of People in Extreme Poverty,‖ is an occasion that dovetails with DOLE efforts to ensure substantial intervention to uplift the condition of the most disadvantaged sectors, including workers in the informal sector. "While the observance focuses the limelight on the role of the NAPC, the DOLE, together with the its tripartite partners, including the civil society, is mindful that all social actors need to converge their resources, expertise, and energy to lick poverty among rural workers, the fisher folk, laborers and migrants, women workers, and victims of child labor to achieve inclusive growth," Baldoz said. She recalled that at the Informal Sector (IS) Labor Day celebration on 15 May this year, the DOLE, NAPC and 19 other agencies of government joined the informal sector, organized labor, and employers in signing a ―Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the National Convergence Program for Establishing a Social Protection Floor for Workers in the Informal Sector‖. In support of the observance, Baldoz issued Administrative Order No. 413, Series of 2013, enjoining all DOLE bureaus, services, regional and provincial offices, and attached agencies to participate in the national observance ―in line with the NAPC‘s conduct of the national convergence activity."

She directed the DOLE‘s Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns to be the focal bureau for the DOLE‘s participation. She also directed the DOLE to recite the ―Universal Prayer‖ and ―Panalangin ng Bayan‖ in the Department‘s flag raising ceremony to mark the national observance. The ―Panalangin ng Bayan‖ was adopted from the ―Universal Prayer‖ led by Fr. Joseph Wresinski who launched the first World Day for Overcoming Poverty in Paris, France on 17 October 1987. Secretary Jose Eliseo M. Rocamora of the NAPC, voicing his agency‘s all-out support to the DOLE-led program said informal sector workers, while vulnerable, are too important to be left alone. "Itong programa ay napakahalaga dahil binibigyan ng realidad 'yung tinutulak ng President na convergence kung saan magtutulungan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno para sa informal sector," Rocamora said of the MOU. Citing the convergence program for the poor, especially informal workers, Baldoz said: ―It is a fitting occasion to congratulate the NAPC, which formally marks its 15th Anniversary this year, on the ongoing observance.‖ The observance of the National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty finds basis in the International Charter of the United Nations which proclaimed the ―World Day for Overcoming Poverty‖ on 17 October 1987. Subsequent Presidents of the Republic of the Philippines had issued Proclamation No. 269 Declaring October 17 of Every Year as the National Day for Overcoming Poverty on 13 October 1993, while Proclamation No. 717 dated 18 October 2004 likewise declared the weekly observance from 17 to 23 October each year. (For any questions about this good news, please call the BWSC at tel. no. 527-5857.)

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Baldoz urges workers displaced by Bohol quake to apply to 9,000 local and overseas job vacancies in PhilJobnet

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

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday urged workers in Cebu and Bohol who may have been displaced by the recent earthquake to consider and apply for any of the 5,193 local and 3,365 overseas job vacancies posted by employers in the PhilJobNet, the government's job search and job-skill matching online facility. "All of the local vacant jobs are in Cebu and Bohol, while the overseas jobs are offered by Cebu-based recruitment agencies licensed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration," said Baldoz who is in Cebu to meet with workers, employers, and DOLE regional officials to look into DOLE interventions for workers displaced by the quake. The other day, Baldoz had ordered the POEA, Bureau of Local Employment, and the DOLE Regional Office No. 7 to mobilize resources, partners, and allies and conduct overseas job fairs for workers in earthquake-stricken Bohol and Cebu. She also ordered the POEA to mobilize licensed recruitment agencies, and the BLE to enlist the participation of local employers, particularly those in the Visayas, for the job fairs. She said the job fairs should be held simultaneous with government's rehabilitation efforts in Cebu and Bohol, particularly in areas where workplaces were hit the hardest and where there could be large concentration of displaced workers. Baldoz said the local jobs with the most number of vacancies are positions for customer service assistants and technical assistants; counter clerks; driver-couriers; food servers; factory workers; service crew; accounting clerks; buyers; baggers; cashiers; auto service technicians; assistant store officers; department store sales personnel; rceiving clerks; maintenance crew; sales clerks; chemical process engineers; electricians; high speed sewers; human resource development assistants; merchandisers; quality control assistants; computer programmers; customer relations officers; documentation clerks; non-voice IT specialists; executive assistants; network administrators; outbound sales representatives; and sales officers. There are also plenty of vacancies for field auditors; test technicians; automotive mechanics; tally clerks or checkers; human resource management clerks; trade marketing specialists; mechanical engineering technicians; quality assurance staff; accounts developers; process engineers; production engineers; mold and dye designers; production technicians; industrial technicians; sales engineers; warehousemen; construction managers; construction engineers; food repackers; dealer salesmen; electronic assemblers; bookkeepers; copy writers; junior salesmen; medical assistants; sales managers; tele-marketers; forklift operators; and carpenters. For overseas, most vacancies are for Qatar, Bahrain, Canada, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia for positions of air condition technicians; cake decorators; general carpenters; civil engineers; cooks; crane operators; graphic designers; heavy equipment mechanics; metal and iron workers; receptionists; restaurant managers and supervisors; plasterers; factory workers; sales supervisors; steel fabricators; service crew; store managers and store assistants; pipe fitters; electrical technicians and electricians; office secretaries; company nurses; cleaners; Overseas vacancies are also for hospital attendants; laborers; medical equiment technicians; physical therapists; printing technicians; midwives; surveyors; safety engineers; safety officers; swimming instructors; medical gas technicians; waiters and waitresses; telecommunications technicians; material controllers; safety engineers; mechanics; hydraulics engineers; electronics technicians; chefs; chocolate makers; cleaners; and many other vacancies. Baldoz urged displaced workers in Bohol and Cebu to visit the nearest Public Employment Service Offices in their municipal hall and find out more information on the vacancies, particularly the companies that offer them.

They can also go to an internet café and browse the site www.dole.gov.ph, or www. poea.gov.ph, or www.ble.dole.gov.ph for more information on these job opportunities. They can also visit the PhliJobNet website at www.phil-job.net. "If they want to avail of the job opportunities, they should upload their personal data sheet or bio-data by registering to the PhilJobNet website because employers are visiting the site everyday to find qualified applicants for their vacancies," said Baldoz.

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DepEd, IP communities celebrate Indigenous Peoples month

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

PASIG CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) hosted a National Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) gathering at the DepEd Central Office, bringing together some 140 representatives from Indigenous Peoples Organizations/IP Communities, representatives from civil society/non-government organizations (NGOs) with IPEd Programs, IPEd advocates, and other government agencies that have a stake in strengthening mutli-sectoral support for DepEd‘s IPEd Program and K to 12. Organized by the Department‘s Indigenous Peoples Education Office (IPEO), the program included statements from representatives from DepEd, House of Representatives, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), civil society, and elders, leaders, and youth representing IP communities. A painting depicting elements and the education vision of IPEd was also symbolically unveiled by the participants at the start of the program. Assistant Secretary Jesus Mateo gave DepEd‘s message to the various IP representatives ―Tuloy-tuloy po ang ating pakikipag-usap sa mga katutubong pamayanan, para sa ganoong paraan, maging tama ang tugon ng DepEd sa usapin ng edukasyon at maging sensitibo tayo sa kanilang kult ura.‖ Also present were Rep. Nancy Catamco, Chair of the House Committee on Indigenous Peoples, Leonor Oralde-Quintayo, Chair of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Commissioner Alice Panares of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), ARMM Deputy Governor for Indigenous Peoples Timuay Hilario S. Tanzo, and Nemia Gareza of the Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples. The event intends to increase awareness on DepEd‘s IPEd Program and the educational vision of K to 12 and strengthen linkages among the various stakeholders towards the realization of a culture-responsive and contextualized education for IP communities. It was also a promotion of respect and appreciation for the cultural diversity of our communities and learners. The Department has been pursuing these advocacies in line with the National IPEd Policy Framework (DepEd Order No. 62, s. 2011)

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DepEd signs deal for classroom construction under PPP Phase 2

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

PASIG CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) represented by Secretary Br Armin Luistro FSC signed a Build-Transfer agreement with representatives of Megawide Construction Corp. and the BSP and Co. Inc. and Vicente T. Lao Construction Joint Venture. The agreement, which is under the second phase of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for School Infrastructure Project (PSIP 2) will make way for the construction of 4,730 new classrooms – with toilets, furniture and fixtures – in 1,735 schools in Regions I, II, III, CAR, X, and CARAGA. ―We are putting up structures where our students will be able to be in an ideal learning environment. It‘s not any ordinary building, it‘s about ensuring that these spaces will allow young people to flourish, learn in whatever school situation they find themselves,‖ Luistro said. He also reminded the two companies of two particular target dates: end of 2013 and the start of the new school year in 2014. ―"I will harass you no end because this is a commitment to our Filipino children, "Luistro said adding that ―It is important that these structures are strong because these buildings will be for young people and for children. It behooves us to give them the best.‖ Manuel Ferrer of Megawide Construction stated his company‘s commitment to deliver high quality classrooms for the learners.―We intend to complete with best quality possible because we know that we are making a difference in thousands of school children who are the future of our country,‖ Ferrer said. Ben-Azel Ponio of the BSP-VT Lao JV meanwhile stated that the project will not only benefit them but also the contractors, workers, and even local hardware stores in areas where the classrooms will be built. When asked about the recent earthquake, which affected around 30 schools in Central Visayas, Luistro said that future classrooms should have better ―structural integrity.‖ New buildings for learners, including the ones under this program, should meet the new specifications required and should be able to withstand earthquakes, floods, and typhoons.

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Roxas to Bohol Mayors: Use powers to re-open stores

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

MANILA, Philippines Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas has directed the mayors of Bohol province to exercise their executive powers in order to help normalize the flow of trade and commerce, particularly the retail selling of basic necessities, in areas devastated by the killer quake that struck Central Visayas last Oct. 15. Roxas explained that although the province has an ample supply of goods, the non-resumption of retail trading has prevented access of affected residents to basic necessities such as food, water and fuel. ―Inaatasan ko ang lahat ng mayors sa Bohol na gamitin ang lahat ng kapangyarihan na ibinigay sa kanila ng batas para siguruhin na magbubukas ang lahat ng tindahan na nagbebenta ng pagkain, tubig at gasolina,‖ Roxas said. ―Walang dahilan para manatiling sarado ang mga tindahan, partikular iyong mga istruktura na matitibay at hindi nagiba ng lindol,‖ he added. The DILG chief issued the order after the regional office of the Department of Trade and Commerce (DTI) reported to him that a big number of establishments engaged in retail trade have not resumed their operations in Bohol. The DTI office cited in particular the 12 gasoline stations in Bohol that remained close as of Sunday, Oct. 20, despite the availability of stock supply. ―Ayon sa report ng DTI, may 78 na gasoline stations sa Bohol pero 66 lamang dito ang nagdesisyong magbukas matapos ang malakas na lindol. Kailangang makumbinse ang mga nagosyanteng ito na magbukas na rin kung wala namang napinsala sa kanilang istruktura at may suplay pa silang natitira,‖ Roxas said. He stressed that the Bohol mayors should take the lead in convincing retail traders to resume business operations in order to ensure availability of food, water and other basic necessities to residents affected by the quake. ―Kung hindi sila magbubukas ng mga negosyo, maaaring gamitin ng mga mayors ang kapangyarihan para ipasara ang kanilang mga tindahan at bawiin ang kanilang permit sa pag-nenegosyo,‖ the DILG chief explained. Roxas noted that personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Provincial Engineering Office have been working almost 24 hours a day to ensure that all roads remain inter-connected and that no municipality is isolated from the major highways. ―Sa kasalukuyan, lahat ng munisipyo sa Bohol ay mararating ng mga sasakyan na may dalang pagkain, tubig at iba pang supply. Medyo dumoble nga lang ang oras ng biyahe dahil sa mga nasirang tulay pero nakahanap na ang probinsiya ng mga alternate routes para maabot ang mga munisipyong dati ay hindi marating ng mga sasakyan,‖ he said. Last Saturday, Roxas himself drove the lead vehicle of a convoy that visited the towns of Sagbayan, Clarin, Tubigon, Antiquera, Maribojoc, Catigbian, Balilihan and Corella to check the condition of the roads, bridges, and evacuation centers. The convoy, which included DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman, Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto, and other local officials, travelled 250 kilometers within six hours through reopened and alternate roads. ―Sinigurado namin na bukas lahat ang mga daan patungo sa lugar na grabe ang epekto ng lindol kaya walang dahilan para sabihin na hindi ito mararating ng mga pagkain, tubig at iba pang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan,‖ Roxas said.

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DSWD accepts donations for quake victims in Central Visayas

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

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)- Disaster Risk Reduction and Response Operations Director Restituto Macuto (center) accepts the P210,000 check donation from Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corporation (PMPC) President Nobuo Yasuhira (third from left) for earthquake victims in Central Visayas. Aside from the check donation, the company also donated 35 cases of Panasonic Portable LED light, six (6) cases Torchlight, three (3) cases Torchlight Krypton, 151 cases of D size Alkaline Batteries, and Size AA Panasonic Alkaline Torchlight, amounting to P 1 million. In accepting the donation, Director Macuto expressed his gratitude to PMPC saying that, ― this donation will go a long way in helping our countrymen in Central Visayas.‖ Witnessing the turn over of the check and goods donation at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City are (from left) DSWD-Cash Collecting Officer Fe Catalina Ea, DSWD-Warehouse Management and Donation Facilitation Division Chief Administrative Officer Roel Montesa, PMPC Director Miguel Castro, PMPC Team Leader Lorenz Magsingit and DSWD-

Knowledge Management Division Chief Elvira Nazaret.

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Sans court order, transferred BOC officials must now report to CPRO

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

Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon stated that officials of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) who had been transferred to the Customs Policy Research Office (CPRO) must immediately report to that office following the decision of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) denying a motion to block their transfer to the CPRO. As no court order prevents the implementation of Customs Personnel Order (CPO) No. B-189-2013, transferring 27 Collectors of the BOC to the CPRO, Biazon pointed out that the affected officials must comply with the agency‘s order, in accordance with existing policies for all civil servants. ―Just as we had upheld the rule of law in respecting and observing the Temporary Restraining Orders issued by the courts, it is proper for the petitioners to likewise respect and observe the order issued for them to report to the CPRO since the court has not hindered its implementation. By the statements issued by both sides, there is no doubt that we are all on the side of the Rule of Law. So at this point, it is clear that the Rule of Law calls for the implementation of the CPO on the assignment of Collectors to the CPRO,‖ said Biazon. In a four-page decision, Judge Felicitas Larion-Cacanindin of Manila RTC Branch 17 ruled that the petitioners‘ argument that their rights as tenured civil servants were violated was doubtful and that there was no clear damage done to them with their transfer to the CPRO. The Court furthered that it cannot prevent the BOC from performing an act within its authority. ―We welcome the decision of the Manila RTC to deny the application for the issuance of a Writ of Preliminary Injunction against the CPO assigning 27 BOC collectors to the CPRO. While this issue may have caused a temporary setback in the reform efforts of the Department of Finance and the BOC, it has also shown that the initiatives can withstand legal challenges. We hope that this resolution will compel all parties to move in the same direction towards reform in the BOC,‖ Biazon added. ―The CPRO is a crucial part of the reform initiative for the Bureau of Customs. It is necessary to ensure that we have sustainable, relevant and effective changes at the bureau to enhance trade facilitation, border security and public safety. As the Philippine economy continues to grow, we want and need a Bureau of Customs that serves as a vital agent for the continued progress of our country.‖ The Petition for Writ of Preliminary Injunction was filed before the lower court last September following the implementation of CPO No. B-189-2013. The latter directs 27 collectors of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to be transferred to CPRO, an office under the DOF created by virtue of Executive Order 140. Fifteen (15) of the 27 BOC officials filed the petition before the courts. However, of these 15 officials, four have withdrawn from the case; namely, BOC Collectors Carmelita Talusan, Arifeles Carreon, Edward Dela Cuesta and Imelda Cruz. Talusan, Arifeles and Dela Cuesta have since reported to the CPRO, along with 12 other BOC officials, including Cebu Port Collector Ricardo Belmonte, younger brother of House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., and have been dutifully attending to their work at the new office. On the other hand, Cruz, who holds the rank of Collector V at the Port of Manila, has tendered her irrevocable resignation last October 2, 2013.

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BSP Grants Regulatory Relief to Banks Affected by Typhoon "Santi"

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

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is granting regulatory relief measures to banks to enable them to similarly assist and ease the financial burden of bank customers adversely affected by Typhoon ―Santi‖ which devastated several parts of the country from 11 to 13 October 2013. Eligible for the relief measures are those in the following areas identified by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on 14 October 2013: Region I : Pangasinan Region II : Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino Region III : Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales Region IV-A : Laguna and Rizal Similar relief measures were extended by the BSP to thrift and rural/cooperative banks in cities/provinces that were affected by previous typhoons such as Sendong, Pedring, Mina and Juaning in 2011, and Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), typhoons Helen, Gener, Pablo, and tropical depression ―Quinta‖ in 2012, and typhoon ―Labuyo‖ and Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) enhanced by Tropical Strom ―Maring‖ in 2013. As approved on 17 October 2013 by the Monetary Board, the BSP‘s policy-making body, the temporary relief measures include:

For Thrift Banks/Rural Banks/Cooperative Banks a) Excluding existing loans of borrowers in affected areas from the computation of past due ratios provided these are restructured or given relief; b) Reducing the 5 percent general loan loss provision to 1 percent for restructured loans of borrowers in the affected areas; c) Non-imposition of penalties on legal reserves deficiencies with head office and/or branches in the affected areas; d) Moratorium on monthly payments due to BSP for banks with ongoing rehabilitation programs; e) Subject to BSP approval, booking of allowance for probable losses on a staggered basis over maximum of five (5) years for all types of credit extended to individual and businesses directly affected by the calamity; f) Non-imposition of monetary penalties for delays in the submission of supervisory reports; For All Banks a) Allowing banks to provide financial assistance to their officers and employees who were affected by the calamity including those assistance that may not be within the scope of the existing BSP-approved Fringe Benefit Program; For All Rediscounting Banks a) Granting of a 60-day grace period to settle the outstanding rediscounting obligations as of 13 October 2013 with the BSP of all rediscounting banks in the affected areas; and b) Allowing banks to restructure with the BSP, on a case-to-case basis, the outstanding rediscounted loans of borrowers affected by the calamity. These measures will be in effect for a defined period and covered by additional specific and other prudential conditions.

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2nd Philippines-India Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation

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

JOINT STATEMENT OF THE SECOND MEETING 1. The 2nd Meeting of the Philippines-India Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation was held on 21 October 2013, in Manila. The meeting was co-chaired by the Honorable Albert F. Del Rosario, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and His Excellency Salman Khurshid, Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India. 2. Secretary Del Rosario and Minister Khurshid held comprehensive discussions on political, defense, security, economic and cultural cooperation, and reviewed the progress of the Joint Working Groups on Trade and Investment, Tourism, Agriculture, Health and Medicine, Joint Committee on Renewable Energy and of the Joint Defense Cooperation Committee. They emphasized that the opportunity to meet regularly at high level is important, to reflect their growing and dynamic bilateral partnership. 3. Secretary Del Rosario reiterated the invitation of President Benigno S. Aquino to H.E. President Pranab Mukherjee and H.E. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to visit the Philippines. Minister Khurshid welcomed the invitations and conveyed that the President of India looked forward to his visit to the Philippines in 2014. 4. The Ministers agreed that the next meetings of the Policy Consultations and Strategic Dialogue will be held in Manila, in 2014. 5. Secretary Del Rosario briefed Minister Khurshid on the GPH-MILF Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and its Annexes. Minister Khurshid expressed India‘s support to the Philippine government‘s pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Mindanao. 6. Secretary Del Rosario also briefed Minister Khurshid on the developments in the West Philippine Sea. Minister Khurshid expressed support for a peaceful resolution of the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea dispute consistent with freedom of navigation and the rule of law. 7. The Ministers affirmed their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reiterated their commitment to expand and deepen cooperation in counter terrorism. In this regard, they agreed to convene the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism, in New Delhi, in 2014 to discuss all issues related to terrorism and other transnational crimes. 8. Aware that the rise of transnational crime necessitates increased international judicial cooperation, they agreed to commence negotiations on Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters (MLAT) in December 2013 and consider a Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement (TSP). Secretary Del Rosario also committed to push for the immediate

ratification of the PH-India Extradition Treaty. 9. On defense cooperation, the Ministers welcomed the convening of the 2nd Meeting of the PH-India Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) in November 2013, in New Delhi. They also committed to increase exchanges in military training and education. Secretary Del Rosario thanked Minister Khurshid for the naval ship visits which strengthened relations between Philippine and Indian navy and coast guard forces. Minister Khurshid thanked the Philippines side for assistance to the sailing ship INS Sudarshini, on its voyage to mark the India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit in December 2012. 10. The Ministers agreed to step up cooperation in combating non-traditional threats through exchange of experiences and capacity building in the areas of disaster management, food security and pandemics. The Philippines side welcomed the cash support of US$100,000 provided by the Indian side for disaster relief following the recent devastating earthquake in the Philippines. 11. The Ministers committed to increase bilateral trade and investments between their countries and to fully maximize the potential of the Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment to bring their bilateral trade to an even higher level. Minister Khurshid welcomed the encouragement provided by Secretary Del Rosario to facilitate the expansion of Indian investments in the Philippines to the sectors of textiles and garments, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, tourism, renewable energy and automotive parts. 12. They welcomed the results of the 2nd Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Tourism and agreed to review the 1949 Bilateral Air Services Agreement. 13. The Ministers agreed to convene the 2nd Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Agriculture and the 2nd Meeting of the Joint Working Group in Health and Medicine at an early date. 14. They welcomed the convening of the first meeting of the Joint Committee on New and Renewable Energy in July this year, and called for the adoption of its Action Plan. 15. Noting the phenomenal growth and symbiotic relationship of Philippine and Indian Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) companies, the Ministers committed to conclude at the earliest the proposed Memorandum of Understanding in Information and Communications Technology. They also agreed that the 1987 Agreement for Cooperation in Science and Technology must be tapped and implemented through a Program of Cooperation (PoC). 16. They also agreed to discuss a new Executive Program on Cultural Exchange, for the years 2014 to 2016. 17. The Ministers exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including the forthcoming 11th Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers‘ Meeting to be held in New Delhi, and the India-ASEAN Summit and East Asia Summit (EAS) in Brunei. 18. The Ministers agreed that the 3rd Meeting of the Joint Commission will be held in 2015, in New Delhi. 19. Minister Khurshid thanked Secretary Del Rosario for the excellent hosting and the hospitality extended to him and his delegation during his visit.

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Winning Philippine Team in Australian Solar Car Race Visits Philippine Consulate General in Sydney

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

22 October 2013 - The Philippine team in the 2013 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia that took the Bronze Medal in the Adventure Class Category of the race visited the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney on October 16. Composed of faculty and students of De La Salle University (DLSU), led by Director for External Relations and Internationalization Office Alvin Culaba and Chairman of Industrial Engineering Department Mr. Richard Li, the team called on Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis during their stay in Sydney en route to returning to Manila. The group was accompanied by Mr. Romy Cayabyab, a Filipino-Australian media practitioner in New South Wales who covered the competition. Having witnessed the competition, Mr. Cayabyab spoke well of the team‘s discipline and unity which contributed to their victory in the race. The team built and drove the solar car Sikat II-A which finished third place in the 3,000-kilometer race from Darwin to Adelaide from October 6 to 11. In the same category, Australia‘s Aurora Evolution took the gold medal in the Adventure Class, followed by Chile‘s Antakari which got the silver medal. A total of 42 teams from 24 countries took part in the race across three categories, Challenger Class, Cruiser Class and Adventure Class. According to the team, it took them seven months to build and refine the Sikat II-A. They said that the project was supported by Philippine companies such as Energy Development Corporation, First Gen, First Philippine Holdings, SunPower Corporation, Shell Philippines, and UFL. Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis congratulated the team for garnering the Bronze Medal in the Adventure Class

Category and urged the team members to continue working and innovating and to sustain their participation in the solar car challenge in Australia.

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DAR Completes Hacienda Luisita Distribution

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

The land in Luisita is now theirs,‖ DAR Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes declared last friday, as the Department successfully completed the distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) to farmer beneficiaries in Barangay Mapalacsiao in Hacienda Luisita.

It is the last of the ten barangays in the Luisita estate to receive their CLOAs in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling. This was done on schedule, and despite the damage caused by Typhoon Santi to the area, including many of the barangay covered courts where the CLOA distribution activities were previously held. Some 663 of 745 farmer beneficiaries (FWBs) received certified true copies of their CLOAs in simple proceedings held at grounds of the barangay hall of Barangay Mapalacsiao. Data from DAR show that a total of 5,718 CLOAs were distributed to FWBs out of a total of 6,189 ready for distribution, or 92.39% of the CLOAs registered to date. CLOAs of other FWBs are still being registered with the Registry of Deeds or are still not generated pending the signing by some FWBs of their Application to Purchase and Farmers Undertaking. De los Reyes said that the these figures are going up as FWBs who were not able to receive their CLOAs during the scheduled distribution activities in the barangays have actually been going to the DAR provincial office to get their certified true copies. He said that following the distribution of certified true copies of the CLOAs, the DAR is preparing to install the FWBs in their lots. ―We will be installing them in their lots as we progress with the ‗monumenting‘,‖ de los Reyes said. He explained that it is quite impossible to do this at this time when many of the lots are still planted with sugarcane, but assured the FWBs that this will be done when harvesting starts this month so that they will be able clear the area where the ‗mohons‘ will be placed. De los Reyes also assured the farmer-beneficiaries of the DAR‘s continuing support, saying that even now the Department is engaged in testing and determining soil samples to be used as the definitive reference in the customized interventions and menu of support services to be offered to the FWBs, in recognition of the kinds of crops the FWBs may want to plant. The DAR began the distribution of CLOAs on September 30 in Barangay. Pando. In the subsequent weeks, it distributed certified true copies of CLOAs to FWBs in Barangays Motrico, Lourdes, Parang, Mabilog, Bantug, Cutcut, Asturias, Balete, and Mapalacsiao.

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DA leads 1st Philippine Organic and Natural Products Expo

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

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (4th from left) and Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares (5th from left) cut a ceremonial ribbon to open the 1st Philippine Natural and Organic Products Expo, October 17 to 19, 2013, which was held in conjunction with the 10th National Organic Agriculture Congress, at the Philippine International Convention Center, in Pasay City. The three-day organic agri expo and congress—spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture through the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP) and Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries and Products Standards (BAFPS)—was attended by 1,000 farmers, organic agriculture advocates, resource persons, product exhibitors, DA family officials and foreign guests. Also shown (from left) are: BAFPS Director Leo Cañeda, Dutch Ambassador Ton Boon von Ochssee, DA Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, and DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service Director Leandro Gazmin. (Photo by Kathrino Resurreccion, DA Information Service)

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DOTC: MCIAA donates P2-Million to earthquake victims

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

Following the aftermath of Tuesday‘s temblor, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) has decided to donate P 2-Million to the victims of the earthquake in the provinces of Cebu and Bohol out of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budget. The MCIAA Board of Directors met yesterday, 17 October 2013, and approved the release of P 1-Million each to the Provincial Governments of Cebu and Bohol as financial assistance for use in their relief operations.

―I commend MCIAA for this generous act at this critical time, and I hope this inspires others to help out as well. I personally visited our kababayans in these areas over the past two days and saw the difficulties they are going through. It is good for them to be reassured that government is here to help them,‖ said Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya. The MCIAA also reported to the DOTC that the Cebu airport has been back to 100% 24-hour normal operations since the day after the earthquake hit, or on 16 October 2013. This confirmation dispels certain false and irresponsible text messages which have been circulated, claiming that the runway was badly damaged and that the airport was closed. According to the MCIAA, the runway was closed for only 20 minutes right after the temblor hit, in order to allow the Runway Inspection Team to conduct an immediate technical inspection of the runway and taxiway integrity. Having been found to be safe, the runway was reopened for flight operations. Meanwhile, the passenger terminal building (PTB) was evacuated and closed for around three-and-a-half hours on 15 October 2013 as structural integrity was assessed. No major damages were detected, as minor damages such as cracks were non-structural in nature. Passenger and cargo processing were returned to the PTB from separate buildings by around noon of the same day. The riding public is advised to remain on alert and to follow any public announcements that may be broadcast at the airport. Should there be a need to evacuate, they should follow the guidance of airport personnel and head to the nearest exits. The MCIAA is appealing for calm and sobriety as aftershocks occur. The MCIAA reaffirms its commitment to provide the highest level of airport services possible with safety first on its mind, in line with the DOTC‘s priority of ensuring passenger safety and convenience.

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DTI-Cebu holds orientation on the Philippine Quality Awards

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

Business organizations and industrial companies gathered last October 3, 2013 at the Quest Hotel in Cebu City for an orientation on the Philippine Quality Awards (PQA). The PQA is the highest national recognition for exemplary organizational performance of private and public organizations in the country. The orientation was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry-Center for Industrial Competitiveness (DTI-CIC) and in cooperation with the DTI-Cebu Provincial Office. Created under Republic Act 9013, PQA aims to encourage public and private organizations to attain performance excellence and to give recognition for their achievements, thus, contribute to the growth of the economy and improvement in the quality of life of Filipinos. The PQA serves as a roadmap towards global competitiveness for key sectors such as agriculture, industry/services, and the public sector. DTI underscored that the PQA sets the standards on organizational performance comparable to those of leading business organizations worldwide. "The PQA's ultimate goal will be to improve competitiveness of local companies and organizations including the public sector into global standards," DTI said. The PQA recognizes organizations that have achieved the highest level of quality and business excellence, thus as a benchmark, would help improve organizational performance practices, capabilities and results. Any organization may apply for the PQA and they will be judged according to their performances in the areas of leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus, measurement, analysis and knowledge management, workforce focus, process management and results.

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Last Updated: 22 OCTOBER 2013

President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with United Nations Development Programme

(UNDP) resident coordinator Luiza Carvalho during the courtesy call at the Music Room

of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (October 22). UNDP is the United Nations

development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge,

experience and resources to help people build a better life in some 177 countries. It

contributes to poverty reduction, promoting democratic governance, fostering

environmental sustainability, addressing climate change and natural disasters,

strengthening peace and conflict prevention to ensure a better life for the people in the

country. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Ambassador Julio Camarena Villaseñor of the

United Mexican States to the Philippines, during the presentation of credentials at the

Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (October 22, 2013). In photo is Foreign

Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang

Photo Bureau)

His Excellency Julio Camarena Villaseñor, Ambassador Extraordinary and

Plenipotentiary of the United Mexican States to the Philippines, reviews the honor guards

during the arrival honors accorded him at the Malacañang Grounds for the resentation of

credentials on Monday (October 22). (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang

Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Julio Camarena

Villaseñor of the United Mexican States to the Philippines, during the Presentation of

Credentials at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (October 22). (Photo

by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes His Excellency Julio Camarena Villaseñor,

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Mexican States to the

Philippines, during the presentation of credentials at the Music Room of the Malacañan

Palace on Monday (October 22 (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

His Excellency Julio Camarena Villaseñor, Ambassador Extraordinary and

Plenipotentiary of the United Mexican States to the Philippines, reviews the honor guards

during the arrival honors accorded him at the Malacañang Grounds for the Presentation of

Credentials on Monday (October 22). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of His Excellency Asif Amwar

Ahmad, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great

Britain and Northern Ireland to the Philippines, during the Presentation of Credentials at

the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (October 22). The Philippines and

the United Kingdom established formal diplomatic relations on July 04, 1946. The UK is

one of the country’s top European investors, the 23rd trading partner and the biggest

tourism market in Europe. Also in photo is Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

(Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Ambassador Asif Amwar Ahmad, of the

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Philippines, during the

Presentation of Credentials at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday

(October 22). The Philippines and the United Kingdom established formal diplomatic

relations on July 04, 1946. The UK is one of the country’s top European investors, the

23rd trading partner and the biggest tourism market in Europe. Also in photo is Foreign

Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario. (Photo by: Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang

Photo Bureau)

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Philippines, Asif Amwar

Ahmad, signs the Palace Guest Book at the Reception Hall, Malacañan Palace for the

Presentation of Credentials on Monday (October 22). The Philippines and the United

Kingdom established formal diplomatic relations on July 04, 1946. The UK is one of the

Philippines’ top European investors, the 23rd trading partner and the biggest tourism

market in Europe. (Photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

His Excellency Asif Amwar Ahmad, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of

the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Philippines, reviews the

honor guards during the arrival honors accorded him at the Malacañang grounds for the

Presentation of Credentials on Monday (October 22). The Philippines and the United

Kingdom established formal diplomatic relations on July 04, 1946. The UK is one of the

Philippines’ top European investors, the 23rd trading partner and the biggest tourism

market in Europe. (Photo by: Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

Thank You and God Bless !!!!