Aguinaldo Shrine

Pagsanjan Falls

Taal Lake

Antipolo Church

Lucban Pahiyas Feast

PIA Calabarzon 4 PRs ( April 8-9 , 2013), Dispatch for April 10 , 2013 (Wednesday),
11 Photonews , 10 Weather Watch, 8 Regl.Watch , 1 OFWV Watch , 1 PNOY Speech , 15 Online News

Weather Watch shared a link.

3 hours ago

24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST

Issued at: 5:00 AM 10 April 2013 SYNOPSIS: Easterlies affecting the eastern section of the country. FORECAST: Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Administrative Region will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over extreme northern luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the east to northeast with slight to moderate seas. Over METRO MANILA: Maximum Temperature: 1:50 PM Yesterday --- 33.4 C Minimum Temperature: 6:00 AM Yesterday --- 25.8 C Maximum Relative Humidity: 6:00 AM Yesterday --- 88 % Minimum Relative Humidity : 2:00 PM Yesterday --- 51 % High Tide Today : 10:07 AM ........ 0.76 meter Low Tide Today : 4:36 PM ..... 0.07 meter High Tide Today : 11:00 PM ........ 0.61 meter Low Tide Tomorrow : 4:08 AM ..... 0.28 meter

Sunrise Today : 5:45 AM Sunset Today : 6:09 PM Moonset Today : 6:05 PM Moonrise Tomorrow : 6:05 AM Illumination Tomorrow : 0 % For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.

Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's status.

6 minutes ago

THUNDERSTORM INFORMATION:
Issued at 10:00 AM, 10 April 2013 Thunderstorm is less likely to develop over Metro Manila within 12 hours. However, all are still advised to continue monitoring updates.

Weather Watch
37 minutes ago

PIA-NCR: The entire country will continue to experience a mixture of sunny and rainy weather due to localized
thunderstorms, according to PAGASA. Metro Manila will be partly cloudy with isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms.

Weather Watch

2 hours ago

NDRRMC OPCEN: (10APRIL2013-01) 24-HR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST issued at 5AM today. SYNOPSIS: Easterlies affecting the Eastern section of the country. FORECAST: Cagayan Valley and Cordillera
Administrative region will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northeast will prevail over extreme Northern Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the East to Northeast with slight to moderate seas.

Weather Watch
12 hours ago

(09APRIL2013-08) 24-HR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST issued at 5PM today.

SYNOPSIS: Easterlies affecting the Eastern section of the country. FORECAST: Mindanao will have cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. Cagayan Valley and Palawan will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northeast will prevail over extreme Northern Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the East to Northeast with slight to moderate seas. >> NDRRMC OPCEN

Weather Watch
14 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Patay ang isang tumatakbong konsehal sa Camarines Sur matapos ma-heat stroke habang
nangangampanya. Umabot sa 37 degrees Celsius ang temperatura nitong weekend sa lugar kaya naman iwas na rin ang mga kandidato roon na mangampanya sa gitna ng matinding sikat ng araw. Samantala, isang bilanggo naman sa CDO ang hinimatay dahil din sa matinding init.

Weather Watch
14 hours ago

GMA- 7 resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz on 24 Oras:

-Umulan kanina kabilang na sa Malolos [Bulacan]. Local rainshowers lang po ito at hindi naman nagtagal kaya imbes na maibsan ang alinsangan ay mas pinapataas pa ang init factor o nadaramang init. -Ayon sa PAGASA, itong pag-ulan ay dulot pa rin ng umiiral na easterlies. Mas malakas ang pag-iral nito sa bahagi ng Mindanao kaya sa Kidapawan, North Cotabato umulan kanina bago magtanghali at naging maulap din ang papawirin. -Base sa datos ng Weather Central, uulanin pa rin bukas ang kalakhang Mindanao lalo na ang silangang bahagi. -Magiging maulan sa silangan at timog na bahagi ng Visayas pero maaliwalas po ang panahon sa may bandang kanluran. -Sa Luzon, posibleng ulanin at maging maulap ang hilagang bahagi nito pero bahagyang maaraw naman sa ibang bahagi tulad sa may Bicol Region at sa Metro Manila kung saan mababa lamang ang tsansa ng pag-ulan lalo na pagsapit ng 2:00 ng hapon ay 10% at halos wala pagdating ng gabi, pero ang ating init factor 36 degrees Celsius pagdating ng 2;00 ng hapon.

Weather Watch
14 hours ago

DZMM: Pinag-iingat ni PHAP president Rustico Jimenez ang publiko laban sa heat stroke matapos kumpirmahin na
umaabot na sa 5 hanggang 10 biktima ng matinding init ang isinusugod sa ospital kada araw.

Weather Watch
14 hours ago GMA: Maraming bata na ang tinamaan ng sore eyes ngayong panahon ng tag-init. Ayon sa DoH, isa ang sore eyes sa mga usong sakit tuwing summer. Mga bata umano ang karaniwang biktima nito dahil madalas silang naghahawakan gamit ang maruming kamay.

Weather Watch
14 hours ago

DZMM: Umabot sa 33.4C ang pinakamainit na temperatura na naitala ng PAGASA ngayong araw sa Metro Manila.
Bagama't bumaba ito ay asahan pa rin umano na tataas pa ito dahil dry season ngayon. Nagbabala rin ang PAGASA sa publiko na manatili sa loob ng tahanan kung wala namang lakad upang maiwasan ang heat stroke.

Weather Watch
19 hours ago

(09APRIL2013-05) SPECIAL WEATHER FORECAST FOR COMPOSTELA VALLEY AND DAVAO ORIENTAL 24-HR FORECAST: Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley will be cloudy with heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms
today and becoming partly cloudy with isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms tomorrow. Winds will be light to moderate East to Northeast with slight to moderate seas. EXTENDED WEATHER OUTLOOK: Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental will have generally good weather aside from isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon on Thursday (April 11) and on Friday (April 12) .>> NDRRMC OPCEN

Weather Watch

April 10 , 2013 CAVITE : LAGUNA : BATANGAS : RIZAL : QUEZON :

4 hours ago

Cloudy Sunny Fair weather Sunny

Mostly Cloudy

PIA Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

Monday

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Umabot sa may 1,000 pamilya mula sa 21 barangay sa bayan ng Cuenca ang nabenipisyuhan
ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Patuloy naman ang paalala ng MSWDO sa mga benepisaryo na ito ay dapat ilaan sa edukasyon, kalusugan at gamot ng mga batang sakop ng naturang programa.

PIA Regional Watch

Monday

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The provincial government of Quezon will help the corn farmers in the province by enrolling
them in Farmer's Enhancement Productivity Program. The provincial government will buy the produced corn of the farmers.

PIA Regional Watch

Monday

PIA-4A/CAVITE: Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla appealed to the Department of the Department of Interior and
Local Government (DILG) to resolve the standoff between Mayor Homer Saquilayan and Emmanuel Maliksi, who both claim to be the mayor of Imus City despite a Supreme Court ruling declaring Saquilayan as the winner in the 2010 elections. Voting 8-7, the high court upheld the decision the poll body issued on Augist 15,2012 that nullified a ruling of a Cavite regional trial court favoring Maliksi.

PIA Regional Watch

Monday

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: May 186 kabataan sa lungsod ng Lipa ang mabebenipisyuhan ng special program for the
employment of students. Ang mga ito ay itinalaga sa iba't ibang tanggapan ng pamahalaang lungsod at mga pribadong tanggapan sa siyudad.

PIA Regional Watch

Monday

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA)
distributed 220 sacks of certified palay seeds to the farmers in San Antonio, Quezon. The Del Valle Multi-Purpose Cooperative also received farm equipments from DAR.

PIA Regional Watch

Monday

PIA-4A/CAVITE: The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office of Carmona in partnership with the
Philippine Army Reserve Command recently conducted a six-day Community Disaster Emergency Response Training aimed to give immediate mobilization of the community disaster during the occurrence of any calamities and disasters

in the locality. A total of 46 were given certificate of completion and nine graduates were given certificate of participation after the training of different disaster response.

PIA Regional Watch

Monday

PIA-4A/RIZAL: The Angono Municipal Government urges local solo parents to sign up with the Municipal Social
Welfare and Development Office for its Solo Parent Empowerment Program Launch at the Municipal Gymnasium this April 13, 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. Solo parents will be oriented on the Solo Parent Act RA 8792 and application for solo parent card, job application, free legal consultation, free counseling and free beauty makeover.

PIA Regional Watch

Monday

PIA-4A/QUEZON: Nagbigay babala ngayon ang DTI-Quezon sa mga mamimili na huwag mag-refill ng liquefied
petroleum gas o LPG sa butani canisters sapagkat ito ay delikado. Ayon kay Pablito Budoy ng DTI, ang butani canisters ay yari sa lata at hindi ito refillable. Ang maaari lamang ay butani gas at hindi LPG. Sinabi pa ni Budoy na maaari itong sumabog sapagkat ang butani canister ay hindi ginawa para kayanin ang pressure ng LPG.

PIA OFW Watch

PIA OFW Watch

3 hours ago

GMA-7: Posibleng maharap sa parusang bitay ang 3 Pinoy sa Indonesia matapos na mahulihan ng mahigit sa 15 kilo ng
shabu sa kanilang bagahe. Hindi muna pinangalanan ang mga ito.

A. QUEZON
Tagalog news: NGCP nagpa-alala na iwasang magpalipad ng saranggola malapit sa transmission lines at tore
1.
By Ruel M. Orinday Tuesday 9th of April 2013

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LUNGSOD NG LUCENA, Abril 9 (PIA) -- Nagbabala ang National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) sa pamamagitan ni Nelson Bautista, Regional Communications officer ng NGCP, south Luzon region sa mga taga Quezon at karatig lalawigan nito partikular yaong malapit sa transmission lines na maging maingat ngayong bakasyon. Sa panayam ng mga mamamahayag ng Quezon, sinabi ni Bautista na kapag bakasyon, maraming kabataan ang nagpapalipad ng saranggola malapit sa mga tower at transmission lines ng NGCP. Aniya, delikado at maaaring makuryente ang isang taong nagpapalipad ng saranggola kapag sumabit ang saranggola sa matataas na boltahe ng transmission lines. Sa lakas ng boltahe, maaring makuryente, masunog at ikamatay ng isang taong nagpalipad ng saranggola na sumabit sa transmission line. Ayon pa kay Bautista, hindi lang ang mga saranggola ang maaaring pagsimulan ng pagkakakuryente at pagkakasunog kundi ang iba pang bagay na napadikit sa malalakas na boltahe ng transmission lines. Ang pagkakabit ng mga banderitas sa mga linya ng kuryente ay hindi rin aniya makabubuti sapagkat maaaring makuryente ang magkakabit ng banderitas, dagdag pa ni Bautista. Samantala, nagbabala din ang NGCP sa mga taong nagsasagawa ng pagnanakaw ng mga bahagi ng tore at transmission line na huwag sirain o nakawin ang mga ito sapagkat maaaring pagsimulan ito ng pagkawala ng daloy ng kuryente o brownout sa ilang mga lugar sa Quezon. Aniya, mapapatawan ng kaukulang parusa kagaya ng pagkabilanggo at pagmumulta ang sinumang nagsagawa ng pagnanakaw ng mga kable at tore ng NGCP. (R. Orinday / PIAQuezon)

Tagalog news: Babala ng DTI, pag re-fill ng LPG sa butane canister, delikado
2..

By Ruel M. Orinday Tuesday 9th of April 2013

TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis LUNGSOD NG LUCENA, Quezon, April 9 (PIA) --Nagbigay babala kahapon ang Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Quezon provincial office sa lahat ng mga mamimili sa lalawigan ng Quezon na huwag mag refill ng liquefied pertroleum gas (LPG) sa butane canisters sapagkat ito ay delikado. Sinabi ni Pablito Budoy ng DTI-Quezon na ang butane canisters ay yari sa lata at hindi ito refillable. "Ang maaari lamang ilagay sa canister ay butane gas, hindi LPG. Kapag LPG ang inilagay ay maaari itong sumabog dahil ang butane canister ay hindi kakayanin ang pressure ng LPG," sabi ni Budoy. Bukod dito, mayroong ding paglabag ito sa Consumer Act of the Philippines sapagkat nagkakaroon ng maling paliwanag sa mga etiketa nito, dagdag pa ni Budoy. Mayroon nang mabibili na mini-LPG cylinder na yari sa stainless steel at ito ay refillable ng LPG din. Ang mini-LPG cylinder ay ginawa sa pamamagitan ng welding ng stainless steel plates samantalang ang butane canister ay ginagawa sa pamamagitan ng crimping o folding ng lata. Ito ang kaibahan kung bakit ang butane canister ay hindi dapat nilalagyan ng LPG, pagtatapos ni Budoy. (R. Orinday-PIA-Quezon)

3. Quezon picks outstanding agricultural achievers for 'Gawad Saka 2013'

y Ruel M. Orinday Monday 8th of April 2013

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LUCENA CITY, Quezon, April 8 (PIA) -- The Office of the provincial agriculturist (OPA), Quezon has recently selected outstanding agricultural achievers in the province of Quezon for the "Gawad Saka 2013". Cristy Lucila of the provincial agriculture office said "Gawad Saka" is a yearly undertaking of the Department of Agriculture in cooperation with other government institutions, non government offices and the private sector. Outstanding agricultural achievers include Jerson G. Cabriga of Lawigue, Tayabas Cityoutstanding young farmer; Benedicto M. Malaluan of Sta. Catalina Norte, Candelaria, Quezonoutstanding rice farmer; Romulo B. Ayag of Pili, Sariaya, Quezon- outstanding high value crops development program farmer and Geovanie H. Magpantay of Catanauan, Quezonoutstanding corn farmer. Other Gawad saka winners in the province are Cabatang farmers organization of Tiaong, Quezon- outstanding small farmers organization; Cawayan 14H club of San Franciscooutstanding young farmers organization; Real Municipal Agricultural and Fisheries Council of Real, Quezon- outstanding Municipal and agriculture and fishery council and Del Rosario Rural Improvement Club of Tiaong, Quezon- outstanding rural improvement club. Started in 1970, the project aims to give due recognition and pay tribute to dedicated individuals, organizations and institutions whose exemplary accomplishments in their respective fields of endeavor and contribution in the countrys agricultural development are deemed worthy of emulation. This is also a tribute to farmers, fisherfolks and institutions in recognition of their agricultural contributions towards a modernized and equitable agriculture. The provincial government of Quezon headed by Gov. David Suarez through the provincial agriculture office headed by provincial agriculturist Roberto Gajo has been an active partner of the Department of Agriculture in this endeavor. The OPA recognizes hardworking farmers who excel in their chosen agricultural activity, giving inspiration to others to follow their good

farming practices. The selected outstanding agricultural achievers will represent the province in the 2013 regional gawad saka 2013. They will be awarded also on August 2013 agri-aqua fair of the province which is also part of the week-long celebration of Quezon day (Aug.19).(CPG/RMO/PIA4A)

B. CAVITE

C. LAGUNA
1. Pnoy leads launching of flood control and river protection convergence project
By Alan C. Ortillano Monday 8th of April 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis STA. CRUZ, Laguna, April 8 (PIA) --President Benigno S. Aquino III led Friday, April 5, the launching of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) Flood Control and River Protection Convergence Project as per the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the

Agency and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). This project is part of DPWHs Master Plan for Flood Management in Metro Manila and the Laguna Lake Region. Using the P780 million budget for the project, the LLDA, together with the DPWH, will implement the construction and rehabilitation of river control structures on various rivers flowing into Laguna Lake such as Mabitac, Sta. Maria, Sta. Cruz, Binan and San Pedro Rivers in the province of Laguna, as the governments response to the damage and devastation caused by floods due to typhoon and heavy rains. The P780 million is part of the P5 billion fund approved by the National Economic Development Administration (NEDA) Board, chaired by Pres. Aquino. The amount is allocated for the Metro Manila Flood Management Master Plan that establishes the road map and provides the vision for sustainable and effective Flood Risk Management prepared by the DPWH in order to enable LLDA to undertake public works and other projects related to its mandate and within its jurisdiction. Sec. J.R. Nereus O. Acosta, presidential adviser for environmental protection and LLDA general manager, said that LLDA is not merely a regulatory agency. He added, Through sustainable and long tern projects like these, we envision LLDA as a major developmental agency that can create positive impacts in addressing flooding and other perennial natural disasters exacerbated by man-made causes like uncontrolled logging and improper garbage disposal. (ACO with reports from LLDA)

D. BATANGAS
1.

E. RIZAL
1.

09 APRIL 2013.

President Aquino vows effective implementation of the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Law under his helm President Aquino to groundbreak Roxas City Airport Development Project Wednesday

President Aquino vows effective implementation of the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Law under his helm

PILAR, Bataan) President Benigno S. Aquino III announced on Tuesday the government's effective implementation of the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Law. In his speech keynoting the commemoration of the 71th Araw ng Kagitingan rites at Mt. Samat Shrine here, the Chief Executive said that some 18,700 Filipino veterans were already given their compensation totaling to US$ 224 million as of January this year. "Nakatutok din po tayo sa pagpapatupad ng Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Law kung saan sinisigurong nabibigyan ng buong kompensasyon ang non-US citizens, na aabot po sa siyam na libong dolyar, at labinlimang libong dolyar naman para sa mga US citizens," the President said. "Nito pong Enero, umabot na sa dalawandaan at dalawamput apat na milyong dolyar ang naibahaging kompensasyon para sa mahigit labingwalong libot pitongdaang aplikasyong naaprubahan sa ilalim ng batas na ito," he said.

The President, likewise, noted that the government continues to push more initiatives for additional pension benefits and compensations and medical services to veterans who fought during the Second World War. "Mula pa po noon, nakatutok na sa kapakanan ng ating mga beterano ang Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO). Kabilang po rito ang pagsusulong sa pagbabahagi ng kabuuang bayad ng ating Total Administrative Disability (TAD) pensions, kung saan bukod sa iba pang benepisyo, ay makatatanggap ng isanlibot pitongdaang piso kada buwan ang mga beteranong nakaabot na sa edad na pitumpung taong gulang," he stressed. "Pagdating naman po sa serbisyong medikal, taon-taon din nating pinapaigting ang pagtuon sa kalusugan ng ating mga kawal. Patuloy pong nagsisilbi ang limandaan at siyamnaput siyam na pampublikong ospital sa buong bansa na accredited ng Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) bilang regional or provincial extension," he added. The President exhorted the Filipinos to adopt the principles, ideals and deeds of the country's war veterans and keep peace at all times. "Anumang banta sa kapayapaan at kabuhayan sa alinmang bansa ay maaring magpalundo sa kalakhang estabilidad ng buong mundo. Sa madaling salita, nakasalalay sa masusing ugnayan, sa pagkakaisa, at sa iisang direksyong pagsagwan ang kolektibo nating kinabukasan," he said. He also honored the veterans who sacrificed their lives during the World War II for the Filipino nation to gain freedom. "Ngayon pong Araw ng Kagitingan, isang bansa muli tayong nagtitipon sa makasaysayang pook na ito, upang magbalik-tanaw at bigyang-pugay ang kabayanihan ng mga beteranong Pilipino at Amerikano ng Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig. Sila po ang libo-libong kawal na buong-loob na hinaharang ang katawan sa bala alangalang sa bayan," the President said. The President was joined by Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe, United States Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chair Dr. Maria Serena Diokno, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, among others during the ceremonies which has for its theme "Ang Beterano: Sigla at Inspirasyon ng Kabataan Tungo sa Tuwid na Daan." The Day of Valor, also known as Araw ng Kagitingan, commemorates the heroism of Filipinos and American Soldiers when the Japanese occupied the Philippines during World War II. On April 9, 1942, the troops of Bataan led by their commander, Maj. Gen. Edward P. King, Jr. surrendered to the Japanese. The Filipino and American soldiers were forced to march 90 miles under the heat of the sun from Bataan to Camp O Donell in Tarlac. Many died even before they could reach the Camp. PND (js) TOP

President Aquino to groundbreak Roxas City Airport Development Project Wednesday

President Benigno S. Aquino III will visit the province of Capiz on Wednesday to lead the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Roxas City Airport Development Project which is part of the administrations efforts to boost tourism and economic development in the said area and its neighboring towns. Joining the President in the event are Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) director general William Hotchkiss and Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya whose respective agencies are on top of the project. According to reports the DOTC recently released its invitation for interested bidders in the P24.24-million Roxas City Airport Development Project which covers the asphalt overlay of the 460-meter long and 30-meter wide runway. The DOTC said this project aims to shore up the governments goal to have at least 10 million tourists before President Aquino steps down in 2016, in recognition of Roxas City as the countrys seafood capital w here an increasing number of local and foreign tourists are expected to visit. Shortly after the groundbreaking ceremony, President Aquino will proceed to Mambusao where he will meet with local leaders and the community in support of the Liberal Party coa litions senatorial slate. He will then go to Iloilo to also attend to some of his scheduled activities there. PND (hdc) TOP

08 APRIL 2013.

Aquino says World Health Organization-Philippines citation of his achievements in providing quality healthcare for all Filipinos is testament to the strength of a people working towards change Malacanang says Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia surveys showing President Aquinos continued high satisfaction, trust, performance and approval ratings reflect the Filipino peoples abiding confidence in his administration Malacanang says Aquino government continues its mopping-up operations for returning Filipinos affected by standoff in Sabah
Aquino says World Health Organization-Philippines citation of his achievements in providing quality healthcare for all Filipinos is testament to the strength of a people working towards change

President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Monday that the honor bestowed by the World Health Organizations Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WHO-ROWP) citing his achievements in attaining the highest level of health for all Filipinos was a testament to the strength of a people willing and eager and fervently working towards change. In his speech keynoting the World Health Day 2013 held at the WHO-ROWP office in Manila on Monday, the President said that this distinction accorded him is an appreciation of the shifting cultur e of governance in the Philippines. Today, I accept this honor with deep gratitude, knowing full well that it recognizes not the triumph of a single entity against seemingly insurmountable odds, but the strength of a people willing and eager and fervently working towards change, the President said. It is an affirmation of an entire philosophy; an appreciation of the shifting culture of governance in the Philippines. The laws we were able to pass, the reforms we are seeing in the healthcare sector all of these emanate from our staunch resolve to reinstitute integrity in government service, he added. The President was cited by WHO-ROWP for his untiring efforts towards making the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right for all through the raising of taxes on tobacco and alcohol, and giving vulnerable Filipinos access to health insurance and reproductive health care. He told WHO officials and employees led by its Regional Director Dr Shin Young-soo, members of the diplomatic corps and other government officials in attendance of the underlying reason he has focused so much attention in providing universal healthcare for all: that every human life, every Filipino life regardless of circumstances of their birth, holds value. This is what I believe in: I believe that every Filipino life, every human life, holds equal value. I believe that there is something inherently unjust when a child growing up in Baseco cannot enjoy the same opportunity to live a productive, healthy life, as those of us here in this conference hall. I believe that four out of ten Filipinos who die without ever encountering a healthcare professional in their lifetime is a number that is simply too high. Proper nutrition, proper access to healthcare, and an opportunity to build a dignified lifethese should not be reserved only for those who have the means to pay for it, the President said. If we are to build a true regime of opportunities, then the most fundamental freedomsthe freedom from hunger, as my father said; the freedom from unease afforded us by a secure nation; and the freedom to actively participate in our democracythese must all be extended to every citizen, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, he added. And so we set to work. With the help of allies and advocates, we pushed for legislation that would ensure that the status quo of unequal access to resources and knowledge would change. It might have taken a grueling political battle against entrenched interests, but in December of last year, finally, after languishing in congress for so long, both the Responsible Parenthood and the Sin Tax Reform Acts were signed into law, he noted. The President pointed out that aside from pouring considerable resources to provide healthcare to all Filipi nos, it is also a strategy to ensure that a strong and healthy citizenry is a productive citizenry. A healthy citizenry is a productive citizenry: The people whose health we are investing heavily in are the same people who will man workstations, till the fields, power our industries and fuel further economic growth. Children who are inoculated from disease and who get proper nutrition in their formative years will go to school more capable of learning the skills necessary for higher-value jobs as they enter the professional world, the President said. Spending less money on medicines and check -ups means more money towards savings, or books for their children, or even investments that can drive the business sector and generate jobs for more of our countrymen sparking a virtuous cycle of opportunity and inclusive growth, he stressed.

He said that universal healthcare is now within sight as 86 percent of the populace is already enrolled in the countrys health care program, Philhealth, with the lowest quintile of our population already benefiting from our No Balance Billing policy which allows them to get treated in government hospitals without shelling out a single peso. The President expressed confidence that with the changes instigated under his Administration, Filipinos will come together and work together to continue on with this philosophy. I have no doubt that in the future we will be seeing as an everyday reality the fruits of the change we are striving to achieve today. As early as now, we can see it sprouting in the undergrowth. We see it in the chef who, after spending 24 years in America, decided to come home permanently to the Motherland, the President said. We see it in the graduate, who, despite a family that sourced its entire income from gathering palm wine, can now look forward to a distinguished military career after finishing at the top of his class at our Military Academy, he said. And we see it in every mother grateful that her child can now look forward to a healthy, dignifi ed life of opportunity, because now, she has an entire nation on her side, the President said. PND (rck) TOP Malacanang says Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia surv eys showing President Aquinos continued high satisfaction, trust, performance and approval ratings reflect the Filipino peoples abiding confidence in his administration The Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia surveys showing that President Benigno S. Aquino III continues to enjoy high satisfaction, trust and performance approval ratings are indication of the Filipino peoples support for his reforms towards equitable progress, a Palace official said. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang following the release of the SWS First Quarter and Pulse Asia Ulat ng Bayan surveys on Monday. "Almost three years into his term, public support for President Aquinos leadership remains at unprecedented highs. Both the Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia Ulat ng Bayan surveys, released this Monday, consistently demonstrate sustained levels of satisfaction (SWS, 74), trust (Pulse, 72), and performance approval (Pulse, 72) ratings for the President," Lacierda said. Lacierda said the results of surveys reflect the Filipino peoples abiding confidence in President Aquino, and their support for the reforms that the Chief Executive continues to institute throughout the country. "Massive investments in the people through social services, health, and education; strategic focusing of resources in key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure; and the establishment of a culture of integrity in governance have all redounded to the renewal of the peoples trust in their leaders," the Palace official said. "All these have also led to the affirmation of the international community in our countrys progress, the latest evidence of which is the credit ratings upgrade from Fitch Ratings, placing our country at investment grade for the first time in its history," he stressed. Lacierda noted that the widespread support from both local and international communities will be integral in the Aquino administration's pursuit for more reforms that will allow the Filipino nation to take greater strides along the straight path towards equitable progress. "As always, these results only strengthen our resolve as we move towards the next half of the term. The Filipino people remain this administrations strength; the mandate they entrusted us when we took office remains our

guide," Lacierda said "Encouraged by the support of the public and guided by the knowledge that the Philippines is beginning to reap the fruits of positive, meaningful change, we continue our steady march towards the realization of our collective aspirations," he said. PND (js) TOP Malacanang says Aquino government continues its mopping-up operations for returning Filipinos affected by standoff in Sabah The Aquino government continues its mopping-up operations for returning Filipinos who are affected by the standoff in Lahad Datu in Sabah, a Palace official said. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday that the government is ready to help Filipinos who are returning from Sabah. "As far as were concerned, our concern is primarily those Filipinos returning from Sabah and we we continue to provide them assistance," Lacierda said. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other concerned government agencies had already mobilized teams that will help Filipinos in need in Sabah. Based on the April 5 report of the DSWD-Disaster Risk Reduction and Response Operations Office (DRRRO), some 5,349 persons have returned from Sabah. In a statement, the DSWD said 50 representatives of government agencies in Region IX and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) met recently in Lantaka Hotel, Zamboanga City to draft an action plan in an effort to track and ensure that services are provided families returning from Sabah. "One action plan is to issue a Family Access Card to displaced persons from Sabah upon disembarkation to any point in Mindanao. The Provincial Social Welfare Officers (PSWOs) of the three provinces of ARMM Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Basilan, will provide color-coded cards to displaced families to entitle them to services being provided by the national and local governments and to prevent duplication in the availment of the services," DSWD Undersecretary Parisya Hashim-Taradji said. Taradji explained that the access cards will systematize provision of relief, transportation, shelter assistance and cash-for-work to displaced families. She said the DSWD will also deploy twelve social workers to Sabah on Monday to reinforce the efforts of staff currently assisting the affected Filipinos. Undersecretary Taradji also disclosed that the DSWD will deploy a four-man team to Tawi-Tawi and Sulu on April 9-13 to undertake needs assessment and contingency planning for the continued arrival of displaced Filipinos from Sabah. To date, a total of P10.4 million worth of humanitarian aid has been provided affected families through the combined resources of DSWD (P10.4 million) and NGOs (P4,100). The aid includes relief packs, hygiene kits, and transportation assistance. PND (js) TOP

ARCHIVE 2013 09 ABRIL 2013 Ipinangako ng Pangulong Aquino ang maayos na pagpapatupad ng Equity Compensation Law para sa mga Beteranong Pilipino Mangunguna ang Pangulong Aquino Miyerkoles sa groundbreaking ng aayusing Roxas City Airport Ipinangako ng Pangulong Aquino ang maayos na pagpapatupad ng Equity Compensation Law para sa mga Beteranong Pilipino PILAR, Bataan) Puspusan at maayos na ipatutupad ng pamahalaan ang Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Law. Ito ang binigyang diin ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa paggunita sa Ika-71 Araw ng Kagitingan sa Mt. Samat Shrine dito Martes. Sinabi ng Pangulo na may 18,700 beteranong Pilipino na ang nabigyan ng karampatang halagang aabot sa US$224 milyon ang kabuuang halaga hanggang noong Enero ng taong ito. Nakatutok din po tayo sa pagpapatupad ng Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Law kung saan sinisigurong nabibigyan ng buong kompensasyon ang hindi US citizens na aabot sa US$9,000 at US$15,000 naman para sa US citizens, sabi ng Pangulo. Nito pong Enero, umabot sa US$224 milyon ang ipinamahaging kumpensasyon para sa mahigit na 18,700 aplikasyong naaprubahan sa ilalim ng batas na ito, dagdag pa ng Pangulo. Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na patuloy ang pagsusulong ng pamahalaan para sa dagdag na pensiyong benepisyo gayundin ang kabayaran at serbisyong medikal sa mga beteranong nakipaglaban noong Ika-2 Digmaang Pandaigdig. Mula pa po noon, nakatutok na sa kapakanan ng ating mga beterano ang Philippine Veterans Affairs Office. Kabilang po rito ang pagsusulong sa pagbabahagi ng kabuuang bayad ng pensiyon sa ating Total Administrative Disability (TAD) kung saan bukod pa sa ibang benepisyo ay makatatanggap ng P1,700 buwan-buwan ang bawat beteranong umabot na sa edad na 70 taong gulang, dugtong ng Pangulo. Pagdating naman po sa serbisyong medikal, taun-taon di nating pinaiigting ang pagtuon sa kalusugan ng ating mga kawal. Patuloy pong nagsisilbi ang 590 na pampublikong ospital sa buong bansa na accredited ng Veterans Memorial Medical Center bilang panrehiyon o panlalawigang sangay, sabi pa ng Pangulo. Nanawagan ang Pangulo sa sambayanang Pilipino sa pagkakataong ito na umalinsunod sa mga simulain, adhikain at

ginawa ng mga beterano ng digmaan at sikaping mamayani sa lahat ng saglit ang kapayapaan. Ano mang banta sa kapayapaan at kabuhayan sa alinmang bansa ay maaaring magpalundo sa kalakhang estabilidad ng buong mundo. Sa madaling salita, nakasalalay sa masusing ugnayan, sa pagkakaisa at sa iisang direksiyon ng pagsagwan ang kolektibo nating kinabukasan, wika ng Pangulo. Pinapurihan din ng Pangulo ang mga beteranong nag-alay ng mga buhay nila noong Ika-2 Digmaang Pandaigdig upang matamo ng sambayanang Pilipino ang kasarinlan. Ngayon pong Araw ng Kagitingan, isang bansa muli tayong nagtitipon sa makasaysayang pook na ito upa ng magbalik-tanaw at bigyang-pugay ang kabayanihan ng mga beteranong Pilipino at Amerikano ng Ika-2 Digmaang Pandaigdig. Sila po ang libu-libong kawal na kusang-loob na inihaharang ang katawan sa bala alang-alang sa bayan, pahayag pa ng Pangulo. Kasama ng Pangulo na dumalo sa Araw ng Kagitingan dito sina Embahador Harry K. Thomas ng Estados Unidos, Embahador Toshinao Urabe ng Hapon, Tagapangulong Dr. Maria Serena Diokno ng Pambansang Komisyong Pangkasaysayan ng Pilipinas, Kalihim Voltaire Gazmin ng Tanggulang Bansa at ang mga buhay pang beterano ng digmaan. Ang Araw ng Kagitingan ay may paksang-diwang "Ang Beterano: Sigla at Ispirasyon ng Kabataan Tungo sa Tuwid na Daan." Sa araw na ito ay itinampok ang giting at tapang ng mga kawal-Pilipino at Amerikano na walang takot na sumagupa sa mga kalabang Hapones. Noong Abril 9, 1942, ang mga kawal-Pilipino at Amerikano sa Bataan ay isinuko sa mga Hapones ng kanilang pinuno, Komandante Heneral Edward P. King. Nakaalis na noon si Heneral Douglas McArthur ng Hukbong Amerikano patungong Australia, kasama ang noon ay Pangulong Manuel Luis Quezon. Pagkatapos ng pagsuko, ang mga kawal-Pilipino at Amerikano ay pinahilera sa lansangan at inutusang lumakad sa gitna ng nagngangalit na sikat ng araw mula sa Bataan hanggang sa Kampo ODonnell sa Capas, Tarlac na ang layo ay 90 kilometro. Gutom, lupaypay sa hirap at sugatan pa ang ibang mga kawal. Maraming kawal-Pilipino at Amerikano ang nasawi sa bayoneta ng mga kawal-Hapones bago nakarating ang pangkat sa Kampo ODonnell. An g walang katulad na kalupitang dinanas ng mga kawal-Pilipino ang lalong nagpaalab ng kanilang hangaring labanan ang mga manlulupig na Hapones na nagapi noong Ika-2 Digmaang Pandaigdig at tinupad naman ni Heneral Douglas McArthur ang kanyang pangakong I shall return nang lisanin ang Pilipinas noong 1942. PND TOP Mangunguna ang Pangulong Aquino Miyerkoles sa groundbreaking ng aayusing Roxas City Airport

Nakatakdang magtungo ang Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa lalawigan ng Capiz upang pangunahan ang ceremonial groundbreaking Miyerkoles ng Roxas City Airport Development Project na bahagi ng pagsisikap ng administrasyon na mapasigla ang turismo at ekonomya ng naturang pook at ng mga kalapit-bayan. Kasama ng Pangulo sa pagtungo sa Lungsod ng Roxas sina Kalihim Joseph Emilio Abaya ng Trasportasyon at Komunikasyon at si Direktor Heneral William Hotchkiss ng Civil Aviation Authority ng Pilipinas na ang mga ahensiya ang tuwirang nakaaalam sa naturang proyekto. Sang-ayon sa mga ulat, naglabas na ang Kagawaran ng Trasportasyon at Komunikasyon ng paanyaya sa mga nais lumahok sa subasta ng P24.24 milyong proyektong Paliparan ng Lungsod ng Roxas na paglalagay ng asphalt overlay sa 460 metrong haba at 30 metrong lapad na runway. Sinabi ng DOTC na ang proyektong ito ay naglalayong makatulong sa pakay ng pamahalaan na magkaroon man lamang ng 10 milyong turista sa bansa bago bumaba sa kapangyarihan ang Pangulong Aquino sa 2016.

Ang Lungsod ng Roxas ay kinikilala bilang seafood capital ng bansa at parami nang parami ang mga turistang lokal at dayuhan man na inaasahang dadalaw rito. Pagkatapos ng groundbreaking ceremony ay tutuloy ang Pangulong Aquino sa Mambusao upang makipagpulong sa mga lokal na lider at sa mga mamamayan ng nasabing bayan kaugnay ng kampanya ng mga kandidatong senador ng Lapiang Liberal sa darating na halalan sa Mayo. Tutuloy pagkatapos ang Pangulo sa Iloilo upang mag-ispeksiyon ng mga proyekto at dumalo sa mga pagtitipon sa nabanggit na lalawigan. PND TOP

President Benigno S. Aquino IIIs Speech during the 71st Commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat Shrine, Pilar, Bataan 09 April 2013 Salamat po. Maupo ho tayo lahat. Secretary Albert del Rosario; His Excellency Harry K. Thomas; His Excellency Toshinao Urabe; Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps; Secretary Voltaire Gazmin; Secretary Mon Jimenez; Congressman Abet Garcia; Congresswoman Herminia Roman; Mayors of the province of Bataan; Dr. Maria Serena Diokno; Post Master Josefina dela Cruz; Administrator Ernesto Carolina; General Emmanuel Bautista; Police Director General Alan Purisima; Lt. General Lauro Catalino dela Cruz; Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano; Lt. General Noel Coballes; Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena, Veterans of World War II, members of World War II Veterans organizations, fellow workers in government, honoured guests, mga minamahal ko pong kababayan: Muli magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. Sa pagpasok po ng ika-dalawampung siglo, humarap ang mundo sa dalawang digmaang pandagdaig na naghatid ng malawakang pinsala at paghihirap sa maraming bansa. Milyun-milyon ang namatay; hindi mabilang ang mga nawasak na imprastraktura, ari-arian, at kabuhayan. Sa Pilipinas pa lamang, nasa isang milyong katao ang bilang ng nasawi, kabilang na ang ang mga walang kalaban-laban, at mga nasa laylayan ng lipunan. Dahil dito, nanindigan ang mundo: kailanman, hindi na dapat pang maulit ang mga trahedyang tulad nito. Katuwang ang iba pang mga bansa sa mundo, naging kaisa tayo sa paglalatag ng resolusyong naka-angkla sa batayang prinsipyo ng United Nations. Hindi nga po natin maiwasang isipin: Paano kaya kung hindi natuloy ang mga giyerang ito? Paano kung sa likod ng mga nagbabanggaang interes, ay pinili ng bawat isang bansa na ibaba ang kanilang mga armas, at sa mapayapang negosasyon ay iangat ang kanilang kapwa? Ano kaya ang mga tagumpay na maaaring naabot ng mga sundalo at sibilyang binawian ng buhay, at ng mga bansang lubhang naapektuhan ng digmaan? Matapos ang halos isang siglo, nanatiling matingkad ang itinuro sa atin ng kasaysayan: Gaano man kalawak ang mundo; ilang dagat man ang pumapagitan sa mga lupain at lalawigan tayong lahat ay nasa iisang bangka lamang. Anumang banta sa kapayapaan at kabuhayan sa alinmang bansa ay maaring magpalundo sa kalakhang estabilidad ng buong mundo. Sa madaling salita, nakasalalay sa masusing ugnayan, sa pagkakaisa, at sa iisang direksyong pagsagwan ang kolektibo nating kinabukasan.

Ngayon pong Araw ng Kagitingan, isang bansa muli tayong nagtitipon sa makasaysayang pook na ito, upang magbalik-tanaw at bigyang-pugay ang kabayanihan ng mga beteranong Pilipino at Amerikano ng Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig. Sila po ang libo-libong kawal na buong-loob na hinaharang ang katawan sa bala alang-alang sa bayan. Sila ang nakikipagtuos, hindi lamang sa mga kalaban, kundi maging sa gutom at iba pang karamdaman. Sila ang mga magigiting na sundalong nakuhang kumapit sa pag-asa, sa gitna ng sitwasyong nababalot ng peligro at kawalang-katiyakan. Noon, hanggang ngayon, nananatiling simbolo ang Dambana ng Kagitingan, di lamang sa tayog ng kadakilaang inihandog ng ating mga kawal, kundi sa lalim at lawak ng kanilang sakripisyo sa ngalan ng kanilang kapwa at bayan. Batid nating hindi kailanman matutumbasan ng magagarbong seremonya o mga pag-aalay ng bulaklak ang tunay na halaga ng ginawa ng ating mga beterano. Kaya naman kasabay ng pagbabalik-tanaw sa kabayanihan ng mga Pilipinong nagmalasakit at patuloy na nagmamalasakit sa bansa, ay ang pangangalaga sa kanilang kapakanan, kasama na ang kanilang pamilya; Na silang mga hindi nakalimot na unahin ang Inang Bayan kaysa sarili, ay hindi kailanman pababayaan ng estado at sambayanan. Mula pa po noon, nakatutok na sa kapakanan ng ating mga beterano ang Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO). Kabilang po rito ang pagsusulong sa pagbabahagi ng kabuuang bayad ng ating Total Administrative Disability (TAD) pensions, kung saan bukod sa iba pang benepisyo, ay makakatanggap ng isanlibot pitongdaang piso kada buwan ang mga beteranong nakaabot na sa edad na pitumpung taong gulang. Nakatutok din po tayo sa pagpapatupad ng Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Law, kung saan sinisigurong nabibigyan ng buong kompensasyon ang non-US citizens, na aabot po sa siyam na libong dolyar, at labinlimang libong dolyar naman para sa mga US citizens. Nito pong Enero, umabot na sa dalawandaan at dalawamput apat na milyong dolyar ang naibahaging kompensasyon para sa mahigit labingwalong libot pitongdaang aplikasyong naaprubahan sa ilalim ng batas na ito. Pagdating naman po sa serbisyong medikal, taon-taon din nating pinapaigting ang pagtuon sa kalusugan ng ating mga kawal. Patuloy pong nagsisilbi ang limandaan at siyamnaput siyam na pampublikong ospital sa buong bansa na accredited ng Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) bilang regional or provincial extension. At ang mabuti pa pong balita: Mula nitong Enero, ang subsidy sa mga pasyenteng magpapagamot sa mga pampublikong pasilidad ay itinaas na natin mula walongdaang piso, paakyat ng isanlibo at dalawandaang piso kada araw. Muli po, ang lahat po ng mga inisyatibang ito ay nakakabit sa pagtanaw natin ng utang na loob sa di matatawarang pag-aalay ng sarili ng ating mga beterano. Sa huli po, tayong lahat ay nabubuhay sa isang mundong hindi perpekto. Mayroong mga pagkakataong hindi maiiwasan ang paggamit ng puwersa bilang kalasag o depensa ng isang bansa. Sa kabila nito, hindi ito dapat maging hadlang sa pagsusulong sa kapakanan ng buong mundo at ng sangkatauhan. Kailangan nating iangat ang bawat isa, imbes na hilahin pababa ang ating kapwa. Nalulugod nga po tayo na ang mga nasyon na dating magkakatunggali ay magkakatuwang nat magkakakampi sa pagtataguyod ng malawakang kapayapaan, estabilidad, at kaunlaran. Kasama po ang Amerika at Japan, napatunayan natin na ang pinakamabisang kalasag laban sa di-pagkakaunawaan ay ang matibay na kooperasyon, ugnayan, at pagtupad sa mga pandaigdigang batas. Muli po tayong nagpapasalamat sa pakikiisa ng kanilang mga bansa sa ating pamahalaan. Kasabay po nating ipinagdiriwang ngayon ang Philippine Veterans Week. Kaya naman, sa gabay ng mabuting halimbawa ng ating mga beterano, ialay po natin ang pagbabagong hatid ng tuwid na landas sa mga kapatid nating Pilipinong hindi nakuhang matamasa ang bunga ng kapayapaan at kasaganahan ng kasalukuyan. Bilang bagong henerasyon ng mga Pilipino, ipamalas natin ang kahandaan nating mag-alay ng sarili para sa malawakan at makabuluhang pagbabago. Maligayang Araw po ng Kagitingan! Mabuhay po ang sambayanang Pilipino! Maraming salamat po. [HOME]

ONLINE NEWS
08 APRIL 2013
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 1st Quarter 2013 industrial peace situation remains peaceful and stable Mindanao CSOs call for ceasefire between gov't, reds Govt maps out action plan as more Pinoys return from Sabah OWWA-CAR partners with DOST for Techno Training for OFWs POEA cancels license of 3 recruiters for misrepresentation March inflation lower at 3.2 percent DILG R3 assesses CBDRRM capacity of LGUs US Navy turns over Digital Navigation Maps and other documents to PHL Investigating Team 2nd Phl-Brunei Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation successfully concluded in Bandar Seri Begawan GSIS memorial planholders may file for refund Paje: Enough water supply for Metro Manilans this summer, but don't waste it CARP beneficiaries enjoy legal enterprise services Consul-General dismissed from the service for falsification of PDS MMDA grants "Heat Stroke Break" to traffic constables, street sweepers VP Binay lauds 3-month reprieve for illegal workers in Saudi MB places Rural Bank of Kinogitan (Misamis Oriental), Inc. under PDIC receivership, All valid insured deposit claims will be paid

1st Quarter 2013 industrial peace situation remains peaceful and stable Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph NCMB Executive Director Reynaldo R. Ubaldo has reported that the entire country was strike-free for the first three months of 2013. In his report to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, Director Ubaldo said that it was the second year in a rowthat no strike occurred during the first quarter. We did this through the provision of timely, efficient, and effective conciliation-mediation services to parties involved in potential or brewing labor disputes, he said. Our time tested strategies of 24/7 conciliation and team/buddy conciliation have been effective in diffusing tensions between labor and management, preventing what could have been debilitating strikes in many companies, Ubaldo said further. Team conciliation and 24/7 scheme in attending to conciliation-mediation cases are being implemented by the NCMB to effectively manage labor disputes and minimize, if not prevent losses to the workers, to the company, and to the economy.

Under the 24/7 scheme, conciliator-mediators are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure quick response to clients requests for assistance and to make sure th at labor disputes are attended to, with the purpose of bringing about early and amicable settlement. Team, or buddy, conciliation is a scheme or strategy anchored on the principle Two heads are better than one. It involves partnering of two to three conciliators whose combined efforts and expertise are expected to facilitate settlement of critical and difficult cases. Threats of a strike also declined considerably, as notices of strike filed by unions continue to follow a downward trend, Director Ubaldodisclosed further. He said that NCMB regional branches received 36 notices of strike during the quarter, 14% fewer than the 42 cases docketed during the same period last year. There is a slight increase in workers involved in new notices of strike, though, hinting that bigger companies are the targets of fresh strike threats. Some 5,334 workers are involved in the 36 NS cases received during the first quarter of 2013, 2% more than the 5,230 workers involved in the 42 cases docketed in similar period in 2012. Independent unions account for close to half 17 cases or 47% of the 36 new notices filed during the quarter. Others were filed by affiliated unions and federations. In 2012, all the three strikeswere declared by unions allied with NAFLU-KMU. Of the 33 notices of strike pending as of 31 March 2013, ten cases were filed by unions allied with either KMU or NAFLU. We continue to exert efforts to maintain the current state of labor relations in the country, so disruptions in the industrial front do not get in the way of the administrations efforts tosecure a better lifefor our people, most especially the private sector workers who comprise a large segment of our population,Ubaldosaid. Secretary Baldoz commended NCMB for its efforts and said that " win- win" strategy through conciliation and settlement is the best. WILLIAM E. CALINA, labor communications officer, NCMB |TOP| Mindanao CSOs call for ceasefire between gov't, reds Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph Civil society organizations from Mindanao urged the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF) to arrive at a ceasefire agreement as more and more communities have been suffering from the brunt of armed clashes. Jimid Mansayagan of Lumad Mindanaw stressed that the two parties should pursue a truce first. Bakit huli ang cessation of hostilities? Sana una iyan to spare us from the brunt of conflict na wala mi kalabutan . (Why should the cessation of hostilities come in last? That should come first to spare us from the brunt of the conflict, which we are not really part of), he said during a recent public consultation on the GPH -CPP/NPA/NDF peace process in Davao City. Present at the forum were GPH peace panel chair Alexander Padilla; panel members Jurgette Honculada, Lourdes Tizon and Ednar Dayanghirang; and Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Undersecretary Maria Cleofe Gettie Sandoval. Lucy Rico of Pagtukusan-Agusan, one of the forum participants, expressed alarm over the killings of indigenous peoples (IP) allegedly by the NPA.

Sa ganitong situasyon na unti-unting nawawala ang mga leaders namin, hindi ko alam (kung) bukas o sa abot ng panahon ay mawawala na rin ako dahil nagsasalita ako ng totoo (In this situation where we are losing our leaders, Im not sure if tomorrow or some day I too will be gone, because I speak the truth), Rico said. New ways to move forward Given the impasse in the negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF, Honculada said it is crucial to find new ways to move forward and start on the peace path anew. Similarly, Dayanghirang remarked that this is a start of a new frontier in reaching peace. On the other hand, Sandoval recognized that it is more difficult to attain peace than make war but venues of engagement such as public dialogues, prove the governments sincerity in pursuing peace. Padilla said that in spite of the negativity of some stakeholders of the GPH-CPP/NPA/NDF peace process, peace is is still possible with the support of all. Marami ngang nag-iisip na hindi naman mangyayari ang peace agreement with CPP/NPA/NDF, hindi tulad ng sa MILF Sa CPP/NPA/NDF, baka nga walang mangyari. Well, maybe, ganun nga ang magiging sitwasyon, pero nasa pangaginip ko pa rin para sa ating bansa na darating at darating ang panahong may tunay na kapayapaan, but we just really have to work for it (Many people think that a peace agreement with the CPP/NPA/NDF may never happen, unlike with the MILF. With the CPP/NPA/NDF, we might end up with nothing. Well, maybe, thats how it will turn out, but it is still part of my dream that this country achieves genuine peace. We just really have to work for it). |TOP| Govt maps out action plan as more Pinoys return from Sabah Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph In an effort to track and ensure that services are provided to families returning from Sabah, 50 representatives of government agencies in Region IX and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) met recently in Lantaka Hotel, Zamboanga City to draft an action plan which will include all contributions and possible programs from the different line agencies that could be implemented and provided to the returnees. Based on the April 5 report of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Disaster Risk Reduction and Response Operations Office (DSWD-DRRRO), some 5,349 persons have returned from Sabah. The need to converge and pool our resources as we ll as synchronize our activities is a demand that we need to address, DSWD Undersecretary Parisya Hashim -Taradji, who presided over the meeting, stated. One action plan is to issue a Family Access Card to displaced persons from Sabah upon disembarkation to any point in Mindanao. The Provincial Social Welfare Officers (PSWOs) of the three provinces of ARMM Tawi-Tawi, Sulu and Basilan, will provide color-coded cards to displaced families to entitle them to services being provided by the national and local governments and to prevent duplication in the availment of the services. Undersecretary Taradji explained that the access cards will systematize provision of relief, transportation, and shelter assistance and cash-for-work to the displaced families. She added that the DSWD will also deploy twelve social workers to Sabah today, April 8 to reinforce the efforts of staff currently assisting the affected Filipinos. Undersecretary Taradji also disclosed that the DSWD will deploy a four-man team to Tawi-Tawi and Sulu on April 9-13 to undertake needs assessment and contingency planning for the continued arrival of displaced Filipinos from Sabah.

To date, a total of P10.4 million worth of humanitarian aid was provided to the affected families through the combined resources of DSWD (P10.4 million) and NGOs (P4,100). The aid includes relief packs, hygiene kits and transportation assistance. One-Stop Processing Center continues The One-Stop Processing Center (OSPC) in Taganak, Tawi-Tawi is another mechanism set-up by the government to facilitate long-term interventions. The process flow involves two phases Phase I which DSWD is tasked to handle and Phase II where the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) comes in. Phase I includes the arrival of displaced families to the Philippines, where they are immediately attended to as well as interviewed and assessed for appropriate intervention. Phase II highlights the provision of needed assistance to the displaced families which covers three options such as the processing of papers for return to employers in Malaysia, the reintegration process for wage employment, and the provision of livelihood assistance (self-employment). The OSPC mechanism was implemented in 1997 when the Federal Government of Malaysia strictly enforced its Immigration Act. Thousands of Filipinos were deported due to expired work papers, lack of documents and illegal residency status. |TOP| OWWA-CAR partners with DOST for Techno Training for OFWs Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Cordillera Administrative Region (OWWA-CAR) partnered with the Department of Science and Technology-Benguet (DOST-Benguet) conducted skills training on fruit preservation for former OFWs of Sablan, Benguet last March 26-27, 2013 at the Sablan Municipal Function Hall. Thirty (30) members of Sablan OFW and Migrant Workers Family Association (SOMFA) participated in the skills training that taught them to preserve bananas, pineapples, purple yam, kamias and ginger. Sablan is a municipality in Benguet where these fruits grow in abundance. Dr. Arnold Inumpa, DOST Provincial Director for Benguet, lectured on Basic Food Hygiene and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) that include handwashing, personal hygiene, cross-contaminations, proper way of cleaning and sanitizing, storage and handling of raw materials, proper storage of hazardous chemicals and substances and pest control. After the lectures on GMP, hands-on training on the various products that can be produced on banana followed. Cipriano Alvarado, DOST Trainer, demonstrated how to make banana catsup, banana pastillas, banana peeling burger, and purple yam products such as ube jam and ube fritters. On the second day of the training, the participants were taught how to make pineapple juice utilizing pineapple peelings and cores, pineapple-sayote jelly, fruit cocktail and ginger tea. A bonus training on how to make mayonnaise was done after the awarding of certificates when the trainer saw that there were excess eggs, milk and cooking oil among the leftover ingredients. After the skills training, the participants were given an orientation by Lourdes Estocapio, OWWA-CAR Family Welfare Officer (FWO), on how to start a business in order to know the next steps they will take if they decided to go into business in line with their learned-skill. Another FWO, Remedios Caceres, talked about Organizational Development for OFW Family Circles (OFCs) to further strengthened SOMFA. Ms. Agnes Olarte, President of Irisan Overseas Workers and Families Organization-Multi Purpose Cooperative (IOWFO-MPC), also shared the birth pains that IOWFO-MPC went through as a start-up cooperative. She gave some tips on how to deal with issues that may beset SOMFA. As a culminating activity, OWWA-CAR Regional Director Manuela Pea expounded on Organizational Development by citing the experience of the Thanksgiving Multi-Purpose Cooperative, winner of the 2012 Best

OFC Award, which a starting OFC like SOMFA could emulate. Regional Director Pea said OWWA may not be able to give all the members all their need, but she said OWWACAR teaching them and providing them the skills and knowledge they need in starting up a business. DOST and OWWA-CAR have mutually agreed to continue the partnership for community-based technology trainings for the benefit of OFWs and their families. |TOP| POEA cancels license of 3 recruiters for misrepresentation Source: http://www.poea.gov.ph The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) recently canceled the license of Greenback International Manpower, Realworld Corporation, and Al Miladi Manpower Services, Inc. for violating Section 2e of Rule I, Part VI of the POEA Rules and Regulations, which prohibits furnishing or publishing any false notice, information or document in relation to recruitment and employment of OFWs. Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac said the penalty of cancellation of license is meted against a licensed recruitment agency after three violations of the regulation on misrepresentation. Cacdac said that in two instances, Greenback International Manpower deceived the POEA by submitting documents of workers for processing as food and room attendants, instead of domestic helpers as indicated in their individual work visas. Greenback, by providing information to the POEA different from what they contracted the workers for, has tried to avoid the stricter regulations on the deployment of Filipino household service workers, Cacdac said. In another case, Greenback recruited an applicant to work as beautician but without the applicants knowledge, her documents were processed as cleaner by Realworld Corporation. Cacdac said it is evident that Greenback connived with Realworld in falsely documenting the complainants employment abroad and submitting fabricated information to POEA contrary to the real intention and work application made by the complainant. This is a clear case of re-processing which is prohibited under the POEA rules. The fact that the applicant was transferred and therefore deployed by another agency is proof enough of the absence of an available job opening for the position she applied for with Greenback, Cacdac added. Greenback International Manpower was also found to have processed the documents of and deployed an unsuspecting applicant of Al Miladi Manpower Services, Inc.to work with an employer registered to its name. Cacdac said Greenback International Manpower has engaged in a duplicitous scheme to circumvent POEA rules and regulations, and must therefore be stopped from further deceiving OFWs. |TOP| March inflation lower at 3.2 percent Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph Headline inflation decelerated to 3.2 percent in March from 3.4 percent in February, and was within the BSPs forecast of 2.8-3.7 percent for the month. The resulting year-to-date average inflation rate of 3.2 percent was also within the Governments inflation target range of 4.0 percent 1.0 percent for 2013. Core inflation, which excludes certain food and energy items to measure generalized price pressures, was steady at 3.8 percent. Month-onmonth headline inflation was lower at 0.1 percent in March from 0.3 percent in February.

Moderate food inflation due to ample domestic supply of key food items, particularly vegetables, fruits, corn, fish, sugar, and oils, led to moderate headline inflation in March. Likewise, slower price increases for non-food items, due largely to the reduction in the prices of domestic petroleum products, helped push down inflation for the month. Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. noted that the lower inflation reading in March is consistent with the BSPs assessment of a manageable inflation outlook over the policy horizon, with average inflation expected to settle within the 4.0 percent 1.0 percent target range based on latest forecasts. He assured the public that the BSP will continue its close watch on emerging price and output conditions to ensure that monetary policy settings remain consistent with the price stability objective while being supportive of non-inflationary growth. |TOP| DILG R3 assesses CBDRRM capacity of LGUs Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph Angeles City - In line with its mandate as Vice-Chair for Disaster Preparedness, the Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 3 (DILG R3) conducted an Exit Conference on the result of the recently administered Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Management (CBDRM) survey at the Oxford Hotel here. Participated in by the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officers (LDRRMO) of the seven provinces and two Highly Urbanized Cities together with the DILG Provincial Directors and Point Persons, the activity aims to assess performance gaps, links gaps to policy or program interventions and monitor improvements on disaster preparedness of LGUs. Invited to deliver a message for the activity was Assistant Director Dennis D. Villaseor of the Bureau of Local Government Development (BLGD), DILG Central Office. In his message, AD Villaseor stressed the urgency of the LGUs preparedness in terms of the adverse effects of clim ate change such as extreme weather like intense drought or flooding. The result of the Seal of Disaster Preparedness (SDP) Assessment for the 94 priority LGUs were presented giving emphasis on the gaps identified. Likewise, the Consolidated Findings of the CBDRRM Profile and Checklist of the 3,102 barangays were presented. The result of the inventory of identified evacuation center was also discussed and it was agreed that said list will be validated by the Local DRRMOs to ensure the existence of evacuation centers reflected in the list. The presentations were followed by a workshop which was aimed at identifying interventions and strategies that will address the gaps. RD Florida M. Dijan and ARD Abraham Pascua, in their messages before the group, emphasized the importance of LGUs, readiness against natural calamities and building alliances among LGUs in terms of preparedness. |TOP| US Navy turns over Digital Navigation Maps and other documents to PHL Investigating Team Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 8 April 2013 The Philippine Maritime Casualty Investigating Team (MCIT) received on April 04 data and other materials relevant to its investigation of the grounding of the USS Guardian. Turned over by the US Navy to the MCIT were Digital Navigation Charts and other relevant documents. These maps and documents are important to our own independent investigation of what caused the grounding of the USS Guardian, according to Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Gilberto Asuque. Aside from determining what happened, these materials will also help us identify measures that should be taken to prevent similar incidents, Assistant Secretary Asuque added.

Aside from turning over these materials, US Navy officials also responded to specific queries raised by the MCIT. The MCIT, as part of its investigation posed technical and substantive queries relevant to our independent investigation. US Navy officials have cooperated and the MCIT will process and assess the materials turned over to us and other information we obtained, Assistant Secretary Asuque said. The safety inquiry aims to establish the cause of the grounding of the USS Guardian, an Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship, on the North side of the South Shoal of the Tubbataha Reefs at 2:22 a.m. of 17 January 2013. The inquiry also aims to identify new measures that may be undertaken by the Philippines and the US to prevent such grounding from happening again on the Tubbataha Reefs. |TOP| 2nd Phl-Brunei Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation successfully concluded in Bandar Seri Begawan Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 08 April 2013 - The 2ndJoint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam was held in Bandar Seri Begawan on April 07. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Policy Evan P. Garcia headed the Philippine delegation while Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Permanent Secretary Pengiran Kasmirhan Pengiran Haji Mohd Tahir led the delegation of Brunei Darussalam. The meeting noted that while the 1st JCBC was held in 2004, the Philippines and Brunei have always maintained close contact and cooperation given the warm relations between the Governments and peoples of the two countries. The meeting discussed the wide spectrum of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam and identified key areas to further enhance their cooperation, such as in defense, agriculture, energy, trade, investments, business process outsourcing, education, labor, and health, including possible increased recruitment of medical professionals from the Philippines. Undersecretary Garcia conveyed the support of the Philippines for Bruneis current Chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The meeting welcomed the forthcoming visit of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam to the Philippines. The Philippines and Brunei shared information on political and economic developments in their respective countries, and exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest. Undersecretary Garcia briefed the meeting on the progress of the peace process in the Philippines, especially the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB). In this context, he expressed the sincere gratitude of the Philippines for the active participation of Brunei Darussalam in the International Monitoring Team and in the peaceful development of the Southern Philippines. Undersecretary Garcia also expressed the Philippines commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes in the West Philippine Sea in accordance with international law. He updated Brunei on the arbitral proceedings initiated by the Philippines under Part XV of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Both sides agreed on the importance of the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and the negotiation of a regional Code of Conduct. The Philippine delegation included Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Nestor Z. Ochoa, DFA Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Minister and Consul of the Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat, DFA Director for Southeast Asia I Atty. Maria Angela Ponce, DFA Special Assistant in the Office of the Undersecretary for Policy Hendrik Garcia, Defense and Armed Forces

Attach Col. Carlos B. Cepe, and Labor Attach Atty. Ana C. Dione. |TOP| GSIS memorial planholders may file for refund Source: http://www.gsis.gov.ph The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has announced that its memorial planholders may request to convert their plans to cash not lower than the contract price until August 31, 2013. Dubbed GSIS Enhanced Optional Exit Mechanism (EOEM), the program allows planholders to refund their cash payments depending on the type of their memorial plan. The GSIS said EOEM is being implemented to protect the planholders from memorial servicing problems that may arise in the future, adding that the cash refund will enable the planholders to pay for their other expenses. Holders of the GSIS Genesis Flexi Plan may refund 150 percent of the plans contract price; those of Genesis Plus Plan may refund 125 percent; and Genesis Plan and Genesis Special Plan, 100 percent. Interested planholders must bring to the nearest GSIS branch office the fully accomplished application form; original and photocopy of the memorial plan agreement or affidavit of loss; original and photocopy of the planholders two valid government-issued IDs; and certificate of full payment, if any. According to GSIS, once planholders avail of EOEM, their memorial plans will be automatically terminated. Application forms are available at any GSIS branch office or may be downloaded here. For further clarifications on the exit mechanism, planholders may call the GSIS Contact Center at 847-4747. |TOP| Paje: Enough water supply for Metro Manilans this summer, but don't waste it Source: http://www.denr.gov.ph Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has assured Metro Manila residents of sufficient water supply this summer, but nonetheless urged them to continue to conserve this precious natural resource. Paje made the assurance after the latest monitoring of Angat Dam, Metro Manilas main reservoir, showed that its water level remains generally above normal, allaying fears of a reported looming water crisis. As of 6 a.m. of April 4, the water level at Angat Dam was at 206.42 meters, which is still above the minimum operational level of 180 meters. This would mean that Metro Manila will have ample water supply during summer, said Paje, who chairs the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), the lead government agency for the countrys water sector. NWRB is regularly monitoring the water level in Angat Dam, which supplies 97 percent of Metro Manilas water needs, mostly for domestic consumption, and irrigation of farmlands in nearby provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga in Luzon. Paje likewise assured that the water supply in the metropolis would not be affected by the recent decision of the NWRB to release an additional 10 cubic meters per second of water from the dam for one week to supply the hydroelectric energy needs of the National Power Corp.

Despite this, Paje still asked the public to reduce the amount of water they use at home and elsewhere. Let us treat water as a valuable natural resource and a shared commodity that we should all protect for everyone elses benefit, especially during the summer months when there is more danger of the supply not being enough to meet our demands, he stressed. With appropriate conservation measures, he said, residents of Metro Manila and in other parts of the country could enjoy adequate water supply to last for the rest of the year despite the increasing summer heat and the absence of any forecast of possible El Nio phenomenon. Paje gave the following water saving tips that the public may do at home: Check for plumbing leaks and report pipe leaks to the water concessionaires;

Use water sparingly such as when brushing teeth and washing hands; Use a pail and dipper instead of the shower when bathing or the hose when washing
vehicles and gardening during cooler times of the day;

Reduce the frequency of doing the laundry, as well as hanging clothes to dry
instead of prolonging the washing machines spin cycle; and

Utilize used water for other purposes such as dousing garden plants with water
used in food preparation, and use soapy laundry water for vehicles. Paje also called on building administrators to limit water supply on certain hours of the day when there are less occupants. For industries, the environment chief proposed improvement of wastewater treatment facilities and use of recycled water for gardening, cleaning floors, flushing toilets, among others. |TOP| CARP beneficiaries enjoy legal enterprise services Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph CARP beneficiaries and their organizations need not go to private lawyers for their legal services relating to their farm enterprises. The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has recently conceptualized and trained in-house legal and support services teams to undertake enterprise lawyering for them. These teams can assist the beneficiaries and their organizations in securing production credit, ensuring the legal requirements for market agreements, acquiring better understanding of agri-insurance contracts and other legal requirements for starting and maintaining an enterprise. DAR Secretary Virgilio De Los Reyes said that where before, this task was shouldered by the support services staff of the DAR, this is now shared by the legal officers of the Department in order to tie in the legal documents required for securing support services. This is a form of legal assistance directed at strengthening the ARB organizations and making them entrepreneurially-viable and therefore, more bankable.

The pilot project of providing enterprise legal assistance to CARP beneficiaries was done with the assistance of the Securities and Exchange Commission on registration of CARP corporations (for profit or non-profit organizations), the Cooperative Development Authority for the registration, re-registration, and training of ARB cooperatives, the Bureau of Internal Revenue for the tax exemptions of ARB associations and cooperatives as well as the requirements on tax compliance, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation for the orientation on DAR-PCIC agri-insurance program. Aside from these agencies, select CARP beneficiary organizations and social entrepreneurs shared their expertise and experiences with the teams on business ideation and innovation and on financial management so that they will have a better understanding of the legal enterprise requirements of CARP beneficiaries. |TOP| Consul-General dismissed from the service for falsification of PDS Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed from the service Consul-General Ma. Lourdes Ramiro-Lopez for making false entries in her 1971 and 2005 Personal Data Sheets (PDS). In an 11-page Decision signed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on 22 March 2013, Lopez was held administratively liable for Dishonesty, Falsification of Official Document, Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Interest of the Service, and imposed upon her the penalty of dismissal from the service as well as the accessory penalties of cancellation of civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from holding public office. The Ombudsmans Field Investigation Office (FIO), in its Complaint-Affidavit accused Lopez of falsely declaring in her 1971 and 2005 PDS that she obtained a bachelors degree in Broadcast Communication from Maryknoll or U.P., when in fact, she did not. The FIO submitted a Certification issued by the U.P. College of Mass Communications, which states that [t]he College certifies that the student records in our custody indicate that Ms. Ramiro is not a graduate of either the old Institute of Mass Communication (the original name of the College) or the College of Mass Communication of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. Further, the FIO pointed out that based on respondents True Copy of Grades (TCG) issued by the U.P. College of Mass Communications and her Official Tran of Records (OTR) issued by the U.P. Registrars Office, Lopez was not able to complete the 140 units required to obtain a bachelors degree in Broadcast Communication from U.P. The Decision also found that Lopez indicated in her 1971 PDS that she was single, but stated in her 2005 PDS that she was separated. In her Counter-Affidavit, Lopez admitted that she got married during her sophomore year in college and way before she was hired by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in 1971. The Decision stated that this notwithstanding, respondent claimed to be single in her 1971 PDS. She only disclosed that she was separated from her husband in her 2005 PDS, despite her claim that they had been estranged before she moved to New York in 1970. In finding respondents actions as highly improper, the Decision ruled that under civil service regulations, the accomplishment of the PDS is a requirement for employment in the government. The declarations made by every government personnel in their respective PDS are not empty statements. Rather, the PDS is an official, public document. Lopez began her career with the DFA as a Foreign Service Staff Employee (FSEE) I at the Philippine Consulate in New York City. She then rose through the ranks and served as Foreign Service Officer (FSO) IV, FSO III, FSO II, FSO I, Counsellor and Chief of Mission (CM) II, CM I, DFA Assistant Secretary and Philippine Consul-General in Osaka, Japan.

|TOP| MMDA grants "Heat Stroke Break" to traffic constables, street sweepers Source: http://www.mmda.gov.ph To protect the health of its outdoor workers this summer, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is now implementing a daily one-hour "heat stroke break" for on-duty traffic constables and street sweepers. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the heat stroke break is from 1:30 pm to 2 pm and 2:30 pm to 3 pm, which health agencies and weather experts said is the hottest part of the day this season. "This is the least we can do to prevent heat illnesses from inflicting our employees who work in the streets. We cannot risk the health and lives of our personnel. Their safety is our paramount concern," Tolentino said. The special break is available for traffic constables and street sweepers who are on duty at daytime. Under the policy, they are allowed to rest and take a break from 1:30 pm to 2pm and 2:30 pm to 3 pm. The heat stroke break will be implemented through rotation so a skeletal force of one to two personnel will remain at their posts at any given time. Moreover, Tolentino ordered the transfer to night shift duty of outdoor employees who are not in perfect physical condition and those who have records of past illnesses. The MMDA will be giving out special allowances and free bottled water to those in afternoon shift. The heat stroke break will be in effect until May 31. "We should try to understand the plight of these traffic constables and street sweepers who brave the heat everyday to fulfill their duties," the MMDA chief said. Tolentino added he is hoping that local government units in Metro Manila will follow suit and give their traffic enforcers such privilege, at least during this summer. In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Labour is requiring companies to provide midday break from 12:30 pm to 3 pm to laborers who work in open areas during summer, according to Tolentino. The US Army and Marine Corps warn of heat exhaustion and heat stroke that put officers at risk of degraded performance. To address this, they enforce mandatory drinking schedules for their troops on location. Officers are advised to take frequent drinks since rather than drinking the same amount of water all at once regularly stop work, get into shade and rehydrate. These breaks range from 20 to 40 minutes. Early this year, six South African traffic enforcers died in KwaZulu-Natal Traffic Department, South Africa due to dehydration and consequent heat stroke. In South Africa, summer temperatures are above 30 degrees Celsius, similar to the temperature in Metro Manila. Last year, an MMDA traffic constable died on duty due to heat stroke. The Department of Health (DoH) has earlier raised a warning to the public, especially senior citizens, against possible heat stroke brought about by the summer season's searing heat. Those who are most susceptible to heat stroke are infants, elderly, athletes, and individuals who work outside and physically exert themselves under the sun, DOH said. State weather forecasters recorded the hottest day this year on April 3, Wednesday, when temperature reached 35.2 degrees Celsius.

Citing a study from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the US government, Tolentino said workers who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. "Exposure to extreme heat can result in occupational illnesses and injuries. Heat stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes," the MMDA chief pointed out, adding that employers should also provide training to workers so they understand what heat stress is. |TOP| VP Binay lauds 3-month reprieve for illegal workers in Saudi Source: http://ovp.gov.ph Vice President Jejomar C. Binay welcomed the decision of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to grant a 3-month reprieve for foreign workers to correct their status. We are grateful to King Abdullah for giving our overseas workers a chance to fix the discrepancies i n their working documents. This brings great relief to us all, especially to the families of the affected Filipino workers, Binay said in a statement Sunday before leaving for Paris to represent President Benigno S. Aquino III in an exhibition featuring Philippine arts and culture at the Muse du Quai Branly. I call on our kababayans in Saudi to grab this opportunity to correct your status. Follow the labor laws of your host country and resolve any work violations you might have committed, he added. Meanwhile, the Vice President also urged the Philippine diplomatic posts in Saudi to expedite the processing of the working documents and extend all assistance they could give. We have around 1.5 million Filipino workers in Saudi and some 20,000 of them are said to be undocumented. Given this number, it is important for our diplomatic offices to double-time to make the most of the 3-month grace period, Binay said. To those planning to work overseas, please make sure to go through the legal channels and f ile your proper documents to avoid any untoward incidents, he added. The Vice President serves as the Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers concerns. The Saudi government recently ordered the crackdown of erring employers and illegal workers who violated iqama and visa laws. Workers without proper documents may be fined, imprisoned, deported or banned from entering the kingdom again. |TOP| MB places Rural Bank of Kinogitan (Misamis Oriental), Inc. under PDIC receivership, All valid insured deposit claims will be paid Source: http://www.pdic.gov.ph The Monetary Board (MB) placed the Rural Bank of Kinogitan (Misamis Oriental), Inc. under the receivership of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) by virtue of MB Resolution No. 508.B dated March 26, 2013. As Receiver, PDIC took over the bank on March 27, 2013. Rural Bank of Kinogitan is a single-unit bank with Head Office located in Kinogitan, Misamis Oriental. Latest available records show that as of December 31, 2012, Rural Bank of Kinogitan had 1,492 accounts with total deposit liabilities of P17.22 million. According to the latest Bank Information Sheet (BIS) as of December 31, 2012 filed by the Rural Bank of Kinogitan with the PDIC, the bank is majority-owned by Rizaflor D. Sarraga (36%), Geronimo G. Reyes (18%) and Maria Teresa F. Sarraga (13%). Its Chairman is Gigi C. Roa and its President is

Rizaflor D. Sarraga. PDIC said that upon takeover, all bank records shall be gathered, verified and validated. The state deposit insurer assured depositors that all valid deposits shall be paid up to the maximum deposit insurance coverage of P500,000. PDIC also announced that it will conduct a Depositors-Borrowers Forum on Thursday, April 4, 2013 to inform depositors of the requirements and procedures for filing deposit insurance claims. Claim forms will be distributed during the Forum. The schedule and venue of the Forum will be posted in the bank premises and in the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph. Depositors may update their addresses with the PDIC representatives at the bank premises or during the Forum using the Mailing Address Update Forms to be furnished by PDIC representatives. Duly accomplished Mailing Address Update Forms should be submitted to PDIC representatives accompanied by a photo-bearing ID of the depositor with signature. Depositors may update their addresses until Thursday, April 4, 2013. Depositors with valid deposit accounts with balances of P15,000 and below need not file deposit insurance claims. But those who have outstanding obligations with the Rural Bank of Kinogitan and have incomplete and not updated their addresses with the bank should file deposit insurance claims. PDIC targets to start mailing payments to these depositors to their addresses recorded in the bank by the second week of April. Depositors whose accounts have balances of more than P15,000 should file their deposit insurance claims. The PDIC targets to start claims settlement operations for these accounts by the third week of April. The schedule of the claims settlement operations will be announced through notices to be posted in the bank premises and other public places as well as through the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph. For more information, depositors may communicate with PDIC Public Assistance personnel stationed at the bank premises. They may also call the PDIC Public Assistance Hotlines at (02) 841-4630 to (02) 841-4631, or e-mail pad@pdic.gov.ph. |TOP|

Last Updated:

09 APRIL 2013

Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy

President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, troops the line upon arrival for the 71st Commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan on Tuesday (April 09). This years theme is Ang Beterano: Sigla at Inspirasyon ng Kabataan Tungo sa Tuwid na Daan. In 1987, then President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order No. 23 declaring April 09 of every year as a regular holiday for the observance of Araw ng Kagitingan. In 1989, Proclamation No. 466 designated the period from April 05 to 11 of every year as Philippine Veterans Week to promote, preserve and memorialize the principles, ideals and heroic deeds of the Filipino war veterans. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacaang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the 71st Commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan on Tuesday (April 09). This years theme is Ang Beterano: Sigla at Inspirasyon ng Kabataan Tungo sa Tuwid na Daan. In 1987, then President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order No. 23 declaring April 09 of every year as a regular holiday for the observance of Araw ng Kagitingan. In 1989, Proclamation No. 466 designated the period from April 05 to 11 of every year as Philippine Veterans Week to promote, preserve and memorialize the principles, ideals and heroic deeds of the Filipino war veterans. (Photo by Ryan Lim/ Malacaang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the 71st Commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan on Tuesday (April 09). This years theme is Ang Beterano: Sigla at Inspirasyon ng Kabataan Tungo sa Tuwid na Daan. In 1987, then President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order No. 23 declaring April 09 of every year as a regular holiday for the observance of Araw ng Kagitingan. In 1989, Proclamation No. 466 designated the period from April 05 to 11 of every year as Philippine Veterans Week to promote, preserve and memorialize the principles, ideals and heroic deeds of the Filipino war veterans. (Photo by: Gil Nartea / Malacaang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III offers a wreath in front of the stained glass mural at the Colonnade during the 71st Commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan on Tuesday (April 09, 2013). This years theme is Ang Beterano: Sigla at Inspirasyon ng Kabataan Tungo sa Tuwid na Daan. In 1987, then President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order No. 23 declaring April 09 of every year as a regular holiday for the observance of Araw ng Kagitingan. In 1989, Proclamation No. 466 designated the period from April 05 to 11 of every year as Philippine Veterans Week to promote, preserve and memorialize the principles, ideals and heroic deeds of the Filipino war veterans. In photo Japan Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Toshinao Urabe US Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Harry Thomas, Jr. (Photo by Ryan Lim/ Malacaang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a warm reception upon arrival for the 71st Commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan on Tuesday (April 09). This years theme is Ang Beterano: Sigla at Inspirasyon ng Kabataan Tungo sa Tuwid na Daan. In 1987, then President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order No. 23 declaring April 09 of every year as a regular holiday for the observance of Araw ng Kagitingan. In 1989, Proclamation No. 466 designated the period from April 05 to 11 of every year as Philippine Veterans Week to promote, preserve and memorialize the principles, ideals and heroic deeds of the Filipino war veterans. (Photo by Ryan Lim/ Malacaang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III honors the Philippine colors while singing the National Anthem during the 71st Commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan on Tuesday (April 09). This years theme is Ang Beterano: Sigla at Inspirasyon ng Kabataan Tungo sa Tuwid na Daan. In 1987, then President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order No. 23 declaring April 09 of every year as a regular holiday for the observance of Araw ng Kagitingan. In 1989, Proclamation No. 466 designated the period from April 05 to 11 of every year as Philippine Veterans Week to promote, preserve and memorialize the principles, ideals and heroic deeds of the Filipino war veterans. (Photo by Marcelino Pascua/ Malacaang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III honors the Philippine colors while singing the National Anthem during the 71st Commemoration of the "Araw ng Kagitingan" (Day of Valor) at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan on Tuesday (April 9). This years theme is Ang Beterano: Sigla at Inspirasyon ng Kabataan Tungo sa Tuwid na Daan. In 1987, then President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order No. 23 declaring April 9 of every

year as a regular holiday for the observance of Araw ng Kagitingan. In 1989, Proclamation No. 466 designated the period from April 5 to 11 of every year as Philippine Veterans Week to promote, preserve and memorialize the principles, ideals and heroic deeds of the Filipino war veterans. In photo Japan Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Toshinao Urabe US Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Harry Thomas, Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista (Photo by: Ryan Lim/ Malacaang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the World Health Day 2013 at the Conference Hall of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific in U.N. Avenue corner Taft Avenue in Manila on Monday (April 08). WHO is the trusted authority in directing and coordinating health issues within the United Nations structure. (Photo by: Ryan Lim / Robert Vias / Rey Baniquet / Malacaang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the World Health Day 2013 at the Conference Hall of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific in U.N. Avenue corner Taft Avenue in Manila on Monday (April 08). WHO is the trusted authority in directing and coordinating health issues within the United Nations structure. In photo is WHOWestern Pacific Regional Director Dr. Shin Young-soo. (Photo by: Robert Vias / Malacaang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by Health Secretary Enrique Ona upon his arrival for the World Health Day 2013 at the Conference Hall of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific in U.N. Avenue corner Taft Avenue in Manila on Monday (April 08). WHO is the trusted authority in directing and coordinating health issues within the United Nations structure. (Photo by: Ryan Lim / Malacaang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III greets World Health Organization-Western Pacific Regional Director Dr. Shin Young-soo upon his arrival for the World Health Day 2013 at the Conference Hall of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific in U.N. Avenue corner Taft Avenue in Manila on Monday (April 08). WHO is the trusted authority in directing and coordinating health issues within the United Nations structure. In photo is Health Secretary Enrique Ona. (Photo by: Robert Vias / Malacaang Photo Bureau).