Aguinaldo Shrine

Pagsanjan Falls

Taal Lake

Antipolo Church

Lucban Pahiyas Feast

Dispatch for July 12 , 2013 Friday , 3 PIA Calabarzon PRs , 10 Weather Watch,
12 Regional Watch , 5 OFW Watch , 1 PNOY Speech , 17 Online News , 3 Photonews

Weather Watch
2 hours ago 1. DZRH: Patuloy na makakaranas ng maulap na papawirin na may kalat-kalat na pagulan ang MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula maging Caraga region epekto pa rin ng bagyong Huaning..Dahil sa bagyong Huaning nakartaas pa rin sa signal no.1 sa lalawigan ng Batanes . Sa Metro Manila at kalapit na mga lalawigan, patuloy na makakaranas ng maalinsangang lagay ng panahon subalit may kasamang pag-uulap ng papawirin at may kasamang pagambon lalo na sa hapon o gabi. Ang araw ay nagpakita kaninang 5:34 ng umaga at lulubog mamayang 6:29 ng gabi.

Weather Watch

3 hours ago 2. PAGASA weather forecaster Buddy Javier on DZMM Re: Update sa bagyong Huaning -Bahagyang humina ang bagyong Huaning habang patuloy na tinatahak ang direksyon patungo sa Taiwan-Batanes area. -Naitala na lamang sa 165kph ang lakas ng hangin nito at may pagbugso pa ring umaabot sa 200kph. -Kumikilos pa rin ito pa-kanluran hilagang kanluran sa bilis na 20kph. -Huling namataan ang bagyo sa layong 480 silangan hilagang-silangan ng Itbayat, Batanes. -Itong paghina pansamantala lamang ito, posibleng lalakas pa ito kasi nasa dagat pa ito. -Nakataas pa rin ang Signal No. 1 sa Batanes Group of Islands, gayundin ang gale warning o babala sa malalaking alon at malalakas na hangin sa Northern at Eastern seaboard ng Northern Luzon at Eastern seaboard ng Central Luzon. -Malakas pa rin ang bagyo na pasok pa rin sa typhoon category, bagamat posibleng sa Taiwan na ito maminsala. -Bahagyang maulap ang magiging kalangitan sa Metro Manila ngayong Biyernes at pulo-pulong pag-ulan pagkulogpagkidlat sa hapon o gabi. -Sabado ng hapon, inaasahang lalabas ng PAR si Huaning.

Weather Watch
13 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines 3. PAGASA weather forecaster Ricky Fabregas on DZBB: Re: Update on Typhoon Juaning - Kaninang 7:00 ng gabi, ito (bagyong Huaning) ay namataan natin sa layong 640 km sa may silangan hilagangsilangan ng Itbayat, Batanes. - Taglay pa rin niya ang hangin na 185 kph malapit sa gitna at ang kanyang pagbugso ay umaabot sa 220 kph. - Ito po ay tinatayang kikilos ng pa-kanluran hilagang-kanluran sa bilis na 20 kph. - Bukas ng hapon, ang bagyong Huaning ay nasa layong 410 km hilagang-silangan ng Itbayat, Batanes. - Sa Sabado ng hapon ay ito ay nasa labas na ng ating PAR. - Ang signal no. 1 ay nakataas pa rin po sa Batanes Group of Islands.

Weather Watch
13 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines 4. PAGASA weather forecaster Ricky Fabregas on DZBB: Re: Update on Typhoon Juaning - Kaninang 7:00 ng gabi, ito (bagyong Huaning) ay namataan natin sa layong 640 km sa may silangan hilagangsilangan ng Itbayat, Batanes. - Taglay pa rin niya ang hangin na 185 kph malapit sa gitna at ang kanyang pagbugso ay umaabot sa 220 kph. - Ito po ay tinatayang kikilos ng pa-kanluran hilagang-kanluran sa bilis na 20 kph. - Bukas ng hapon, ang bagyong Huaning ay nasa layong 410 km hilagang-silangan ng Itbayat, Batanes. - Sa Sabado ng hapon ay ito ay nasa labas na ng ating PAR. - Ang signal no. 1 ay nakataas pa rin po sa Batanes Group of Islands.

Weather Watch

14 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines 5. GMA: Huling namataan ang bagyong Huaning sa layong 690 km silangan hilagang-silangan ng Itbayat, Batanes na may lakas ng hangin na 185 kph malapit sa gitna at pagbugso na aabot sa 220 kph. Nakataas pa rin ang Signal No. 1 sa Batanes Group of Islands pero nananatili namang mababa ang tsansa na mag-landfall ang bagyong Huaning. Kumikilos naman ang nasabing bagyo ng pa-kanluran hilagang-kanluran sa bilis na 20 kph at kung hindi magbabago ang direksyon at bilis nito ay inaasahang lalabas ito ng PAR sa Sabado. Samantala, asahan naman bukas ang mahina hanggang sa katamtamang pag-ulan sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon habang may tsansa naman ng mahinang pag-ulan sa Metro Manila, lalo na sa hapon o gabi. Tinatayang magiging maulap at maulan din sa malaking bahagi ng Visayas habang posible ring makaranas ng pag-ulan ang Mindanao, lalo na sa Zamboanga Peninsula, SOCCSKSARGEN, Davao at Northern Mindanao.

Weather Watch
14 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines 6. ABS-CBN reporter Kim Atienza on TV Patrol: Re: Typhoon Huaning - Lumakas pa ang bagyong 'Huaning' na ngayon ay may dalang lakas ng hangin na 185kph malapit sa gitna at pagbugso na aabot ng 220kph. - Nasa dagat pa rin ito sa layong 690km silangan hilagang silangan ng Itbayat, Batanes. - Sa kanyang direksyon na pa-kanluran hilagang kanluran sa bilis na 20kph, inaasahang tatama ito sa Taiwan at hindi pa rin tatama sa lupa ng bansa pero papalakasin nito ang habagat na magpapaulan sa Palawan at iba pang bahagi ng Luzon. - Nakataas pa rin sa Signal Number 1 sa Batanes Group of Islands. - Asahan bukas ang pag-ulan sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon. - Sa Visayas, asahan ang magandang panahon at maliit ang posibilidad ng pag-ulan. - Asahan ang magandang panahon sa Mindanao maliban sa western section dahil sa epekto ng bagyong Huaning.

Weather Watch
16 hours ago 7. PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office will be conducting an earthquake drill on July 24, 2013 at Quezon Medical Center, Lucena City. This activity is part of the National Disaster Consciousness Month and disaster preparedness plan for employees of Quezon medical center.

Weather Watch
16 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines 8. PAGASA: At 4:00pm today, the eye of Typhoon Huaning was located based on available data at 690km east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes (22.5N, 129.2E) with maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 220kph. It is forecast to move west northwest at 20 kph. Batanes Group of Islands will experience rains with gusty winds. Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and Northern Mindanao will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's photo.

17 hours ago 9. Thunderstorm Advisory No. 06 #NCR_PRSD 4:40 PM 11 July 2013 Thunderstorm is affecting #Rizal (Rodriguez), #Laguna (San Pablo, Sampaloc and San Antonio), portions of #Bulacan, #Zambales and #NuevaEcija and nearby areas within 2hrs. Expect thunderstorm over #MetroManila in the next 2 hours. All are advised to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, strong winds, lightning and possible flashfloods. Keep monitoring for updates.

Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's photo.

23 hours ago 10. WEATHER BULLETIN No. 5 Tropical Cyclone Warning: Typhoon #HuaningPH(SOULIK) Issued at 11:00 am, Thursday 11 July 2013 (valid for broadcast until the next bulletin to be issued at 5 pm today) TYPHOON HUANING intensified as it maintain...See More

Weather Watch

July 12 , 2013 ( Friday )

as of 8 :00 AM

CAVITE LAGUNA BATANGAS RIZAL QUEZON

: : : : :

Sunny Cloudy Fair Weather Fair Weather Cloudy

PIA

Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

20 minutes ago 1. PIA-4A/QUEZON: May 51 guro at 39 na mag-aaral ng Quezon National High School ang nagsanay sa first aid at rescue operation kamakailan sa nasabing paaralan. Ang pagsasanay ay pinangunahan ni Dr.Henry Buzar ng Quezon DRRMC. Ito ay kaugnay sa national disaster conciousness month na naglalayon din na maturuanang mga guro at mag-aaral ng tamang paraan at pagtulong at pagliligtas sa mga bibtima sa panahon ng kalimidad kagaya ng lindol.

PIA Regional Watch

about an hour ago 2. PIA-4A/QUEZON: The provincial agriculture office launched 'Gulayan sa paaralan season 4' which is also called developing agriculture thru vegetable production integration drive in school. This is in line with nutrition month celebration which also aims to decrease malnutrition cases in the province.

PIA Regional Watch

14 hours ago 3. PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Nakapagtala ang Batangas City Health Office ng 20 kaso ng pinaghihinalaang dengue sa Brgy. Banaba para sa buwan ng Hunyo. Muli namang nagpaalala ang barangay na panatilihin ang kalinisan ng kapaligiran.

PIA Regional Watch

16 hours ago 4. PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Patuloy na isinusulong ng Provincial Health Office ang pagtataguyod ng breastfeeding para sa mga sanggol. Layon nitong maipaunawa ang kahalagahan ng gatas mula sa ina na siyang nagbibigay ng malusog na pangangatawan at malakas na resistensya laban sa anumang sakit.

PIA Regional Watch

16 hours ago 5. PIA-4A/CAVITE: The officers and members of the Magallanes Women's Club Multipurpose Cooperative were thankful to the DTI's Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Program for providing them additional equipment (Automatic Granular Packaging Machine) to further increase the Muscovado market (pure organic sugar) and improve the quality of the goods and productivity.

PIA Regional Watch

16 hours ago 6. PIA-4A/RIZAL: DOLE-Rizal and the National Housing Authority is set to distribute livelihood starter kits to selected beneficiaries at Brgy. Plaza Aldea, Tanay, Rizal this July 19. The starter kits will contain hair coloring, nail care, make up and foot spa equipment for locals to use in earning money through services.

PIA Regional Watch

16 hours ago 7. PIA-4A/LAGUNA: 47 indigent senior citizen from 19 barangays in Cavinti, Laguna received on July 9, 2013 their 2nd quarter financial assistance amounting to P1,500 each. The assistance is under the National Program for senior

citizens through the DSWD.

PIA Regional Watch

18 hours ago 8. PIA-4A/RIZAL: DOLE-Rizal provided 30 livelihood starter kits to Pinugay, Baras residents identified by the NHA Bagong Nayon, Antipolo City Project Office. Aside from the awarding of kits, DOLE brought HBC Cosmetics staff to help train locals in nail care, make up, hair coloring and foot spa services in order for them to earn money with their newly acquired kits.

PIA Regional Watch

18 hours ago 9. PIA-4A/LAGUNA: DTI Asec. Blesila Lantayona explained in simple term the inclusive growth of economy the Aquino administration has achieved by saying "walang iwanan." The reason why we are partnering with private entity to bring livelihood and employment to the folks in the countryside." she added. Lantayona graced the launching of Shared Service Facilities Program of DTI-Laguna held recently in Brgy. Poblacion, Cavinti, Laguna.

PIA Regional Watch

19 hours ago 10. PIA-4A/LAGUNA: DTI-Laguna recently launched and awarded a shared service facility to 'Lingap sa Nayon ng Brgy. Anglas Multi-Purpose Cooperative (coconut farmers' coop) in Cavinti, Laguna. The facility is capable of processing coconut husks into various products like coir, peat, ropes and geonets that will be sold in the local market.

PIA Regional Watch

19 hours ago 11. PIA-4A/QUEZON: The National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCAA) through DepEd has conducted 'multiarts activity' dubbed as 'Bonifacio para sa Kabataan' at SM City-Lucena. The activity was participated in by selected grade 5 and 6 pupils from public elementary schools of Quezon Province. The activity was focused on the works and life of Andres Bonifacio.

PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago 12. PIA-4A/QUEZON: The provincial agriculture office conducts a meeting with 41 municipal/city agriculturists of Quezon at audio visual room, Lucena City to finalize the criteria and guidelines for 'Niyogyugan festival' on August 2013. Said festival is part of the weeklong celebration of Quezon day which aims to promote agriculture and tourism in the province.

PIA OFW Watch

14 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines 1. GMA: Isang Pinay ang ginahasa at ninakawan pa umano ng dalawang Arabo sa Kuwait.

PIA OFW Watch

14 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines 2. DZMM: May iminumungkahing solusyon ang DOLE sa mga OFW na apektado ng freeze hiring sa Taiwan. Ayon sa DOLE, ang mga bumabalik na OFW mula sa Taiwan ay maaaring mag-apply ng trabaho sa siyam pang bansa na nagangailangan ng mga manggagawa na ipinadadala rin ng Pilipinas. Kabilang dito ang Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain,Jordan,Oman, Malaysia.

PIA OFW Watch

15 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines 3. GMA: Ipina-deport na ng Japan pabalik ng Pilipinas ang 75 Pinoy na nag-overstay roon. Inirereklamo naman ng Migrante Japan Chapter ang paraan ng pagche-check ng Immigration Police sa mga dayuhan sa Japan.

PIA OFW Watch

15 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines 4. ABS-CBN: Ginahasa umano ng dalawang Arabo na nagpanggap na pulis ang isang Pinay sa Kuwait. Pinagnakawan pa ng dalawa ang biktima. Nabatid naman na undocumented OFW ang nagahasang Pinay. Nakikipag-ugnayan na ang embahada sa Ministry of Interior sa Kuwait kaugnay sa sunud-sunod na kaso ng panggagahasa sa mga Pinay sa Kuwait.

PIA OFW Watch

18 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines

5. DZMM: Nakatutok pa rin ang Philippine Consulate ng Amerika sa kondisyon ng limang Pinoy na nadamay sa pagbagsak ng Asiana Airlines.

A. QUEZON

B. CAVITE

C. LAGUNA
1. Tagalog news: DSWD, nagkaloob ng P5.9M pondo para sa supplemental
feeding

Wednesday 10th of July 2013

SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna, Hulyo 10 (PIA) -- Nagkaloob kamakailan ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)Calabarzon sa pangunguna ni Regional Director Leticia T. Diokno ng P5,903,040 milyong pondo para sa supplemental feeding program ng pamahalaang lungsod. Ang supplemental feeding program na target ang mga barangay na mayroong maraming payat at kulang sa sustansiyang mga bata ay nagpasimula sa unang araw ng Hulyo bilang sa pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Nutrisyon kung saan ang tema ay Gutom at malnutrisyon,

sama-sama nating wakasan. Simula pa noong 1993, ang tanggapan ng Presidente at iba pang institusyon ay kinikilala na ang mga programang pang-kalusugan at nutrisyon ng pamahalaang lungsod tulad ng supplemental feeding projects para sa mga bata. Ang programang pangkalusugan at nutrisyon ng pamahalaang lungsod ng San Pablo ay ipinapatupad alinsunod sa integrated at comprehensive approach ng mga national line agencies sa pakikipagtulungan sa lokal na pamahalaan. Kabilang sa ahensiya ng gobyerno na nagpapatupad ng mga programang pangkalusugan at nutrisyon ang Kagawaran ng Kalusugan, DSWD, Interior at Local Government, Agriculture, at National Nutrition Council. (CPG, PIA4A at ulat mula sa CIO-San Pablo)

2. Tagalog news: Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Laguna, nanguna sa 2013 LGPMS

By Alan C. Ortillano Thursday 11th of July 2013

SANTA CRUZ, Laguna, Hulyo 11 (PIA) -- Nanguna ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Laguna sa Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS) ng Department of the Interior and Local Government at ng Civil Service Commission (CSC) sa buong rehiyon. Base sa resulta ng Regional Summary Report para sa LGPMS, ang Laguna ay nakakuha ng 4.95 porsiyento, habang ang Batangas ay 4.85 porsiyento, 4.84 porsiyento naman sa Quezon at ang Rizal ay 4.82 porsiyento. Sinabi ni Provincial Administrator Atty. Leonardo Ragaza Jr., ang karangalang ito na nakamit ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ay maituturing na magandang pasalubong para sa second termer na Punong Lalawigan na siyang ugat ng karangalang nakamit. Pinaniniwalaang bunga ito ng magaganda at pinalawig na programa ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan, ukol sa edukasyon, pabahay, agrikultura, kapayapaan at kaayusan, seguridad, disaster risk reduction management, pagne-negosyo, pagtataguyod ng kalakalan at industriya, kalusugan at nutrisyon. Noong nakaraang taon, ang Laguna ay nasa ikalimang puwesto lamang. Nauna rito, nakuha na rin ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ang karangalang "Excellent Seal of Good Housekeeping" ng DILG. (PIO-Vic Pambuan CPG/ ACO-PIA4A Laguna)

3. DTI awards P960k worth of SSF to coconut farmers cooperative in Laguna

By Alan C. Ortillano Thursday 11th of July 2013 CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, July 11 (PIA) -- DTI Laguna awarded and launched yesterday a shared service facility (SSF) to a cooperative in Cavinti, Laguna. The "Lingap sa Nayon ng Barangay Anglas Multi-Purpose Cooperative (or Lingap)" in Cavinti, Laguna, is Calabarzons second to be awarded this year. First was a dry powder packing equipment worth P353,000 awarded to Pinagdanlayan Rural Improvement Club in Dolores, Quezon, for its instant salabat production. The service facility consisted of a gas engine-powered decorticating machine, a baling machine (box baler), a gas engine-driven winnowing/peat screening machine, a 300-kg digital weighing scale, 40 sets of wooden twining machine, 5 units of twin twisting machine, 10 sets of loom all costing around P960,000. Lingap is a group of coconut farmers organized in 1994 with 34 members engaged in coconut production and is registered with the Cooperative Development Authority. Through DTIs coco coir cluster development approach, a huge potential for alternative livelihood has been identified with the coconut husks that instead of being wasted away after harvesting, a certain/required process/processing could convert these into usable products. The facility is capable of processing coconut husks into various products: coir, peat, ropes and geo-nets that will be sold in the local market. The shared-service facility project under DTIs Big Push for Enterprise Development program would provide entrepreneurs a common service area with advanced and better production equipment and machinery to improve productivity and quality of products, thus increasing competitiveness of enterprises to access a better and wider market. The SSF project is expected to directly impact on the generation of jobs, exports and investments consequently increasing the chances of achieving inclusive growth and poverty alleviation particularly in the countryside. Noel Florido of Cocos Nucifera Pacific Enterprises an anchor firm for Calabarzons coco coir industry said that at least 108 jobs will be generated given the quantity and specifications of the machines that make up the facility. Florido added that there is high domestic demand for geo-nets as they are extensively used for mining sites, roadside slope protection, riverbank lining, watershed protection, erosion control, and many others. Among the guests present during the ceremonial launch at a covered court across the Municipal Hall is Cavintis new chief executive, Mayor Milbert Oliveros, who welcomed

guests and expressed gratitude to DTI and other enablers for awarding the SSF to Lingap. Also, DTI Regional Director for Calabarzon Marilou Quinco-Toledo briefed on the overview of the SSF program and underscored the role and significance of the micro and other community-based enterprises in driving the local economy. Blesila Lantayona, DTIs assistant secretary for regional operations said the SSF is one among the compendium of integrated government services for SME development. She elaborated on the role of DTIs SSF program to the achievement of inclusive growth. Noel Florido enumerated various market prospects for coco coir products. In accepting the facility, Lingap acting chairman Nicanor Tinea thanked all individuals and organizations involved in the SSF project. Halos hindi kami makapaniwala na ganito kabilis dumating ang pinakamimithi naming ayuda mula sa pamahalaan upang kami ay magkaroon ng alternatibong pangkabuhayan at negosyo. Maraming salamat po, said Mr. Tinea. (We almost cant believe that we can have the assistance from the government this fast. Now, we have an alternative livelihood and business endeavor we have been longing for. Thank you very much, said Mr. Tinea). Also present were representatives of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) led by Eduardo Nicolas, vice governor for Southern Luzon; Virgilio Lorenzo (Laguna CCI); Romeo Race and Reymundo De Leon, both from the San Pablo City CCI. The DTI provincial office in Laguna has approved 12 SSF proposals for the following industry clusters: food, engineered bamboo, coconut coir, gifts & home decors, wearables (footwear, bayong, embroidery), all of which shall be awarded within the year. (DTI/Charlie Dajao/ACO/PIA-Laguna)

D. BATANGAS

E. RIZAL

11 JULY 2013.

1.

Aquino welcomes delegates of 8th Ambassadors, Consul Generals and Tourism Directors tour in 1. Malacanang 2. 2. Aquino cites efforts of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to improve Philippine air safety compliance 3. 3. President Aquino declares August 1 as special non-working day in Kawit, Cavite in celebration of Kawit Day
1. Aquino welcomes delegates of 8th Ambassadors, Consul Generals and Tourism Directors tour in Malacanang President Benigno S. Aquino III took time from his stressful work activities and welcomed delegates of the 8th Ambassadors, Consul Generals and Tourism Directors (ACGTD) who called on him in Malacanang on Thursday. In his speech, the President said the presence of the delegates provided a welcome breather from the gargantuan task of finalizing the national budget for next year and even beyond. Recently, I have been busy finalizing the national budget, where we are laying out the priorities for next year, and even beyond. Every line must be thoroughly scrutinized before the entire document is submitted to congress, and so finalizing the budget, as you can imagine, it is a somewhat stressful task, the President said. You thus have my gratitude: Welcoming you all today offers me a fulfilling break from my other dutiesand it gives me a special happiness as I am receiving balikbayans here in Malacaan, the home of every Filipino, h e added. A joint project of all Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States and Canada in cooperation with the Department of Tourism and the Department of Trade and Industry, the ACGTD tour aims to promote the Philippines as a top tourist destination by encouraging Filipino Americans, their family and friends, particularly those who have not been to the Philippines to visit and discover the beauty of the country. The President then invited the delegates 392 from the United States of America (Los Angeles, Hawaii, Washington DC, New York, San Francisco and Chicago) and 105 from Canada (Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver) to join government efforts to spur tourism in the country by inviting their family and friends to experience why it is more fun in the Philippines. As I welcome and thank you today, I likewise invite you to join usto do whatever part you can in building a Philippines that truly lives up to its potentiallike being informal Philippine ambassadors by telling your friends back home just how much fun it is here, the President said. The spirit of bayanihanthe spirit of coming together to lift each other upburns bright in every Filipino, and far though you may be, I know that it resides in you. Our country is in an upswing, and I invite you, and every Filipino out there, to help keep our momentum goingto help us bequeath to future generations a Philippines they can be truly proud of, he said. PND (rck) TOP 2. Aquino cites efforts of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to improve Philippine air safety compliance

President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) for its untiring efforts to improve the country's compliance to international air safety levels which has resulted in the lifting of a European Union ban prohibiting Philippine carriers from traveling to Europe. The President congratulated the CAAP, led by head Director General William Hotchkiss, for a job well-done in his speech keynoting the 8th Ambassadors, Consul Generals and Tourism Directors Tour held at Malacanang on Thursday. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines or CAAP has also been working long nights to allow carriers t o offer direct flights from the Philippines to Europe and to more destinations in the United States. Today, I am pleased to announce that they have made stunning progress. It began back in March with the International Civil Aviation Organization lifting the Significant Safety Concerns that they had previously identified in our country, the President said. This led to the very good news we received just yesterday: that the Air Safety Committee of the European Commission has allowed our flag carrierPhilippine Airlinesto resume direct flights to Europe. CAAP has achieved one of its major goals, and I extend my full gratitude and congratulations to its head General Hotchkiss and all who worked to make this possible. Hopefully, this development will give them the extra energy they need to pursue all our other goals in the aviation sector, he added. In 2008, the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), acting on a recommendation from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), downgraded the countrys air safety rating to Category 2 from Category 1 after the CAAP failed to comply with safety standards for the oversight of air carrier operations. Two years later, in March 21, 2010, the EU followed suit in downgrading Philippine carriers to the same category. Category 2 means the civil aviation authority of a country does not provide safety oversight of its air carrier operators in accordance with the minimum safety oversight standards established by the ICAO. PND (rck) TOP 3. President Aquino declares August 1 as special non-working day in Kawit, Cavite in celebration of Kawit Day

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared August 1, which falls on a Thursday, as a special (non-working) day in the municipality of Kawit in the province of Cavite in celebration of the Kawit Day. The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 613 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on June 28 to give the people of Kawit the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies. On June 12, 1898, General Emilio F. Aguinaldo proclaimed at the balcony of his ancestral home on Calle Real in Kawit, Cavite, the independence of the Republic of the Philippines, and the Philippine flag was hoisted as the national anthem called Marcha Filipina was played in the presence of a huge crowd. The proclamation of Philippine independence was, however, promulgated on August 1, 1898, when many towns had already been organized under the rules laid down by the dictatorial government of General Aguinaldo. PND (js) TOP

11 HULYO 2013 1. Tinanggap ng Pangulo sa Malacanang ang mga delegado ng 8th Ambassadors, Consul Generals and Tourism Directors 2. Pinuri ni Aquino ang pagsisikap ng Civil Aviation Authority ng Pilipinas para mapaangat ang air safety compliance ng bansa 3. Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino na pista opisyal ang Agosto 1 sa Kawit, Cavite dahil sa 'Araw ng Kawit' 1. Tinanggap ng Pangulo sa Malacanang ang mga delegado ng 8th Ambassadors, Consul Generals and Tourism Directors Tinanggap ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang mga delegado ng 8th Ambassadors, Consul Generals and Tourism Directors (ACGTD) na nagsadya sa kanya sa Malacanang Huwebes. Binigyang diin ng Pangulo sa kanyang talumpati na ang pakikipagkita niya sa mga delegado ay nagbigay sa kanya ng pagkakataong mapahinga sa napakabigat na saguting masusing suriin ang pambansang budget para sa susunod na taon at sa darating pang panahon. Nitong nagdaang mga araw ay abalang-abala ako sa masusing pagsusuri sa pambansang budget kung alin-alin ang dapat unahin sa taong darating, at sa darating pang taon. Bawat linya ay kailangang pakasuriin bago iharap ang buong dokumento sa Kongreso. Napakabigat na trabaho ang pagsusuri para pinal nang maihanda ang budget, wika ng Pangulo. Nagpapasalamat ako sa inyong lahat. Ang pagtanggap ko sa inyo ngayon ang nagbigay sa akin ng pagkakataong gampanan ang iba ko pang mga sagutinat nagbibigay ito sa akin ng pambihirang kaligayahan sapagkat ang mga tinatanggap ko ay mga balikbayan dito sa Malacanang, ang tahanan ng bawat Pilipino, sabi ng Pangulo. Inanyayahan ng Pangulo ang 392 delegadong buhat sa Los Angeles, Haway, Washington D.C., Nuweba York, San Francisco at Chicago sa Estados Unidos at 105 na buhat naman sa Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton at Vancouver, Canada na tumulong sa sinisikap ng gobyerno na mapasigla ang turismo sa bansa sa pamamagitan ng pag-aanyaya sa kanilang mga pamilya at kaibigan upang madama kung bakit higit na masaya sa Pilipinas. Ito ay proyekto ng lahat ng Philippine Foreign Service Posts sa Estados Unidos at Canada sa pakikipagtulungan ng Kagawaran ng Turismo at Kagawaran ng Kalakal at Industriya upang ang Pilipinas ay maging top tourist destination sa pamamagitan ng paghimok sa mga Pilipino-Amerikano, mga pamilya at kaibigan nila, lalo na ang hindi pa nakadadalaw sa Pilipinas, na magsadya rito at nang masilayan ang kagandahan ng bansa. Sa pagtanggap at pasasalamat ko sa inyo, inaanyayahan ko rin kayong makiisa sa amin sa pamamagitan ng pagaalay ng inyong makakaya upang maitatag natin ang isang Pilipinas na tunay na makatutugon sa ating inaasahan. Bilang mga impormal na embahador ng Pilipinas, sana ibalita ninyo sa mga kaibigan kapag umuwi na kayo, kung gaano kasaya dito sa bayan natin, sabi pa ng Pangulo. Ang diwa ng bayanihanang diwa ng pagkakaisa upang iangat ang bawat isaay maalab na maglagablab sa bawat Pilipino, at gaano man kayo kalayo sa amin, alam naming ito ay nananatiling nasa inyong mga puso. Ang ating bansa ay paangat na at inaanyayahan ko kayo, at ang bawat Pilipino na nasa ibayong dagat, na tumulong upang magpatuloy ang ating pag- angattulungan kaming maipamana sa mga susunod na saling-lahi ang isang Pilipinas na tunay nilang maipagmamalaki at maipagkakapuri, pagbibigay-diin pa ng Pangulo. PND (rck/zaf) TOP 2. Pinuri ni Aquino ang pagsisikap ng Civil Aviation Authority ng Pilipinas para mapaangat ang air safety compliance ng bansa Pinuri ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) sa walang puknat nitong pagsisikap para makaalinsunod sa international sir safety levels na naging daan upang alisin ng European Union ang pagbabawal sa mga eroplano ng Pilipinas na makapagbiyahe sa Europa. Binati ng Pangulo ang CAAP na pinamumunuan ni Direktor Heneral William Hotchkiss sa napakahusay na nagawa nito sa talumpati sa 8th Ambassadors, Consul Generals and Tourism Directors tour na idinaos sa Malacanang Huwebes. . Walang pagod din ang Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines o CAAP sa pagsisikap na mapahintulutan ang mga eroplano mula sa Pilipinas na makapunta sa Europa at iba pang panig ng Estados Unidos. Ngayong araw na ito, buong kasiyahan kong ipinababatid na nagtagumpay ang kanilang walang katulad na pagsisikap. Nagsimula ito noong Marso nang alisin ng International Civil Aviation Organization ang Significant Safety Concerns na kanilang dating itinatak sa ating bansa, sabi pa ng Pangulo. Humantong ito sa napakagandang balita na aming tinanggap kahapon na pinapayagan na ng Air Safety Committee ng European Commission ang ating flag carrier na Philippine Air Lines na magbiyaheng muli sa Europa. Nagawa ng

CAAP ang isa sa mga pinakamahalagang pakay kaya naman lubos ang aking pasasalamat at pagbati sa kanilang puno na si Heneral Hotchkiss at sa lahat ng nagtulung-tulong upang matamo ang bagay na ito. Umaasa ako na ang bagay na ito ay nagbigay sa kanila ng kailangang-kailangang lakas upang itaguyod ang lahat ng ating hangarin sa aviation sector, dagdag pa ng Pangulo. Noong 2008, sa mungkahi ng International Civil Action Organization (ICAO), ibinaba ng US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) sa Category 2 buhat sa Category 1 ang air safety rating matapos mabigo ang CAAP na umalinsunod sa mga pamantayan ng kaligtasan para sa oversight ng air carrier operation. Makalipas ang dalawang taon, noong Marso 21, 2010, sumunod naman ang EU sa pagbababa sa naturan ding kategorya ng mga eroplano ng Pilipinas Ang ibig sabihin ng Category 2 ang civil aviation authority ng isang bansa ay hindi makapagkaloob nang sapat na kaligtasan ang mga air carrier operators alinsunod sa minimum safety oversight standards na itinakda ng ICAO. PND (rck/zaf) TOP 3. Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino na pista opisyal ang Agosto 1 sa Kawit, Cavite dahil sa 'Araw ng Kawit'

Idineklara ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang Agosto 1, natapat sa araw ng Huwebes, bilang pista opisyal (special non-working day) sa bayan ng Kawit sa lalawigan ng Cavite upang ipagdiwang ang Araw ng Kawit. Sa pamamagitan ng Proklamasyon Blg. 613 ng Pangulo, na nilagdaan ni Kalihim Tagapagpaganap Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. noong Hunyo 28 ay itinakda ang pista opisyal upang mabigyan ng lahat ng pagkakataon ang mga mamamayan ng Kawit na ipagdiwang at lahukan ang mga kasayahan, seremonya at palatuntun ang kaugnay ng Araw ng Kawit. Noong Hunyo 12, 1898, idineklara ni Heneral Emilio F. Aguinaldo sa balkonahe ng kanyang bahay sa Kalye Real, Kawit, Cavite ang Kasarinlan ng Republika ng Pilipinas at iwinagayway ang watawat ng Pilipinas sa saliw ng pagtugtog ng Pambansang Awit na tinaguriang Marcha Filipina na sinaksihan ng maraming tao. Subalit ang Proklamasyon ng Kasarinlan ng Pilipinas ay isinagawa noong Agosto 1, 1898 nang maitatag na ang maraming bayan sa ilalim ng mga tuntuning itinakda ng pamahalaang diktadurya ni Heneral Aguinaldo. PND (js/zaf) TOP

President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the 8th Ambassadors, Consul Generals and Tourism Directors Tour of the Philippines , Rizal Hall, Malacaang, Manila , 11 July 2013
Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. While looking at your faces, I was wondering if youre all still victimize by jetlag. [Laughter] I wonder if I look like you. We finished at about midnightlast nightgoing over the budget, and some details about our ongoing negotiations on the annexes on the Framework Peace Agreement with the Bangsamoro. So, it took us quite a long while, and I had to admit the energy level was a bit down this morning until I read the papers which surprisingly had tremendous good news, left and right. Thats kind of unique. I think I will preserve my copy of todays paper f or posterity, just in case they never repeat it again. [Laughter] But, Im told that the reason that you might be a little tired is that you have been experiencing firsthand what it really means to be, or what it means to say when we talk about more fun in the Philippines. I hope that you really had fun and that the energy was well spent. Recently, I have been busy finalizing the national budget, where we are laying out the priorities for next year, and even beyond. Every line must be thoroughly scrutinized before the entire document is submitted to congress, and so finalizing the budget, as you can imagine, is a somewhat stressful task. Undersecretary Edmond Garcia, I think, is a little bit paler today. [Laughter] It was our second session of itemizing each and every line of the budget. You thus have my gratitude: Welcoming you all today offers me a fulfilling break from my other duties and it gives me a special happiness as I am receiving balikbayans here in Malacaan, the home of every Filipino.

As I understand, these past few days, you have been to a number of tourist destinations in our country. I hear, for instance, that you were in Tagaytay, in which case I hope you enjoyed the brisk weather, the excellent buko pie, and the magnificent view of the Taal Volcano. True, the sheer number of natural gifts in this country can take your breath away. Moreover, our fellowshipespecially around the table, where Filipinos always make a point to share laughs and stories over adobo and lechoncannot be found anywhere else. But I also hope that in the few days you have spent here, you have seen the can-do attitude and the renewed confidence that have revitalized the Philippines. We are once again an up-and-coming place, respected in the community of nations, where families are moving forward as we strive for inclusive growth. I would like you to consider how we turned things around: from a place of unfulfilled potential, to a nation and people not just exceeding expectations, but creating even more potentialities for Filipinos and other people of good will. Remember when many who visited the Philippines always wondered: Why isnt the Philippines a more prominent global tourist destination? And some of you may be too young, but perhaps some of your parents thought, at one point or another: If only tourism could create even more jobs for our people; if only tourism could be a lynchpin for our economy. From the beginning, we in this administration decided that not only could it be done, but that it could be done sooner rather than later. We identified tourism as a low-lying fruit that needed to be picked; from day one, we have worked to grow tourism in the Philippines to the industry that it could become. To begin with, we worked to liberalize aviation, and to open ourselves up to new local and foreign airlines operating heremany of whom have already responded to our initiatives, such as AirAsia and Jin Air. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines or CAAP has also been working long nights to allow carriers to offer direct flights from the Philippines to Europe and to more destinations in the United States. Today, I am pleased to announce that they have made stunning progress. It began back in March with the International Civil Aviation Organization lifting the Significant Safety Concerns that they had previously identified in our country. This led to the very good news we received just yesterday: that the Air Safety Committee of the European Commission has allowed our flag carrier Philippine Airlinesto resume direct flights to Europe. CAAP has achieved one of its major goals, and I extend my full gratitude and congratulations to its head General Hotchkiss and all who worked to make this possible. [Applause] Hopefully, this development will give them the extra energy they need to pursue all our other goals in the aviation sector. And of course, you have probably already heard of the highly successful tourism campaign led by our own Department of Tourism, under the leadership of Secretary Mon Jimenez. In fact, [applause] after the tours you have gone on, you can probably attest that it really is truly more fun in the Philippines. That is the secret of our campaign: we are not mouthing a marketing slogan. We are simply repeating a basic truth. The good news is youand the millions of other tourists who have passed through our countryare not the only ones who have noticed. In their 2013 report, the World Economic Forum Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index ranked us number one in the world in terms of government spending on tourism as a percentage of GDP, which shows just how focused we are on our tourism sector. This also helped us jump twelve spots in their index from 94th to 82nd. According to some publications, we are among the worlds best diving and beach dest inations; and Travel+Leisure magazine has even recently called Palawan The Worlds Best Island. All these factors have helped us boost the number of tourists visiting the country. In fact, last year, we breached the four million mark for the first time in our history, recording 4.3 million international touristsa nine percent increase from the 3.9 million international tourists of 2011. Not to mention, in 2011, we recorded 37.5 million domestic travelers, which surpassed our target for 2016. Might I repeat that: We have already surpassed the 2016 target as early as 2011. [Applause] Of course, we are always looking to improve on our performance, and so we have decided to put just a little bit more pressure on Secretary Jimenez [laughter]: so from 35 million, the domestic tourism target for 2016 has been adjusted to 56.1 million travellers by 2016 [applause] and, of course, 6.8 million foreign tourists by next year. Just a slight increase in pressure. I am glad to say that this is a challenge that he has graciously accepted. This unprecedented boom in tourism, together with our efforts to stamp out corruption in the bureaucracy and institute a government that actually works for the people, has vastly altered our economic landscape. The numbers might surprise you. The last time I welcomed visitors on this tour, I was already very happy to announce that our economy grew by 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 2012. Well, this year, I am even happier to share our growth numbers with you. The Philippines GDP ended up growing by 6.8 percent in 2012, and in the first quarter of 2013, we have recorded the fastest growth rate in East and Southeast Asia at 7.8 percent. [Applause] Rest assured, however, that this success will only make our administration work harder. We know full well the challenges that remain. We must make certain that this growth becomes even more inclusive that the economic benefits do not merely trickle down to our people, but that every Filipino is able to ride the rising tide of progress. If what we have achieved in the past three years tells us anything, it is that nothing is impossible to a united Filipino people. As I welcome and thank you today, I likewise invite you to join us to do whatever part you can in building a Philippines that truly lives up to its potentiallike being informal Philippine ambassadors by telling your friends back home just how fun it is here. The spirit of bayanihan the spirit of coming together to lift each other upburns bright in every Filipino, and far though you may be, I know that it resides in you. Our country is in an upswing, and I invite you, and every Filipino out there, to help keep our momentum goingto help us bequeath to future generations a Philippines they can be truly proud of. Thank you, good day, and may you enjoy the rest of your stay here. [HOME]

ONLINE NEWS
11 JULY 2013

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

17.

Abra Mayor, Treasurer indicted for failure to remit GSIS and Pag-ibig contributions Baldoz issues advisory on requirements for compliance with MLC, 2006 Baldoz reiterates call to undocumented workers in Saudi to correct their status DSWD explores expanding CCT to help children-beneficiaries finish high school OWWA RWO3 conducts Pre-departure Education Program for KSA-bound HSWS beginning July 8 Abdulghani K. Umag, Al-Haj retires from Government Service after 26 years Foreign Direct Investments reach US$202 million in April 2013 BIR sues Estate Administrator and her lawyer for estate tax evasion BIR charges internet company with tax evasion BGC unit owners to do self-assessment of gas systems, says BFP Phl Ambassador calls on Deputy Prime Minister of Bahrain Philippine Embassy in Bangkok ramps up tourism campaign with unveiling of the gallery @ 760 Sukhumvit road David relieves NAIA immigration officer Stakeholders gather for Clean Air Forum Total number of OFWs is estimated at 2.2 million (Results from the 2012 Survey on Overseas Filipinos) DAR turns over P53.6-M project to Quezon farmers VP Binay says govt building over 1,000 housing units for indigenous people

1.

Abra Mayor, Treasurer indicted for failure to remit GSIS and Pag-ibig contributions

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

THE Office of the Ombudsman ordered the filing of criminal charges against a former mayor in Abra province and a treasurer in connection with the alleged underpayment/ non-payment of municipal employees contributions to the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-ibig and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). In a 15-page resolution, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales found probable cause to indict former municipal mayor Lovelyn P. Domes-ag and municipal treasurer Dorinda B. Bumogas, both of the municipality of Pearrubia, Abra for 15 counts of Violation of Section 5, in relation to Section 23, of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1752, as amended by Republic Act No. 7742, for failure to remit the employers and the employees contributions to Pag -ibig from October 2002 to December 2003. For failure to remit the exact or correct amount of contributions to the GSIS from July 1998 to June 2002, Domes-ag and Bumogas were also indicted for 48 counts of Violation of Section 5(c), in relation to Section 52(c), of Republic Act No. 8291 (GSIS Act of 1997). Ombudsman Morales also found enough evidence to indict Domes-ag and Bumogas for 18 counts of Violation of Section 5(c) in relation to Section 52 (g) of RA No. 8291 for failure to pay and remit to the GSIS the employers and the employees contributions from January 2003 to June 2004. The Resolution found that from July 1998 to June 2006, only the period from July 2002 to December 2002 was accounted for. The case stemmed from the criminal complaint filed by Ruben M. Amboni and several others stating that the GSIS and Pag-ibig premium contributions and loan amortizations due the Philippine National Bank (PNP) and the Rural

Bank of Villaviciosa (RBV) were regularly deducted from their respective salaries, but the same were not fully or not at all remitted to the respective agencies and institutions. Complainants averred that they received demand letters from PNB and statement of accounts from GSIS and Pagibig, but when they brought these matters to Domes-ag and Bumogas, the two officials refused to explain where the collected funds were spent. It was revealed that during the terms of Domes-ag as municipal mayor (1998-2004), with Bumogas as then municipal treasurer, the GSIS contributions which were due worth P4,075,251.19 had not been fully paid or remitted at all, as reflected in the Summary of Social Insurance Contributions Collectibles. With respect to loan payments for Pag-ibig, however, the Office held that there is a dearth of evidence on record to support the allegation that deductions for loan payments were made but were not remitted an d misappropriated. |TOP| 2. Baldoz issues advisory on requirements for compliance with MLC, 2006 Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph

In compliance with the International Labor Organization's Maritime Labor Convention, 2006, which will come into force on 20 August 2013, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday signed another issuance, Labor Advisory No. 2, Series of 2013, outlining the requirements for compliance with the MLC, 2006. On 5 July, Baldoz signed and issued D.O. No. 130-A, Series of 2013 containing the Guidelines on the Authorization of Recognized Organizations to Conduct Inspection and Certification of Philippine Registered Ships Engaged in International Voyages Pursuant to the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC), 2006. Earlier, or on 7 June, she signed and issued D.O. No. 129, Series of 2013, providing the Rules and Regulations Governing the Employment and Working Conditions of Seafarers Onboard Ships Engaged in Domestic Shipping, also in compliance with the MLC, 2006. Baldoz issued the labor advisory immediately after she signed memorandums of agreement with five Recognized Organizations (ROs) which have been authorized to perform inspection and certification functions on behalf of the DOLE with regards the implementation of the provisions of the MLC, 2006. In the advisory, Baldoz gave notice that the Declaration of Maritime Labor Compliance, or DMLC, consists of two parts. "The first part is the DMLC Part I, which contains the national requirements. It shall be issued by the Secretary of Labor and Employment upon application by the shipowner," said Baldoz in the advisory. "The second part is the DMLC Part II, which shall be prepared by the shipowner. It shall contain measures to ensure compliance with the national requirements detailed in the DMLC Part I," she added. Covered by the DMLC are shipowners and seafarers onboard Philippine-registered ships engaged in international voyage where employer-employee relationship, or other forms of engagement, exists pursuant to D.O. No. 130 Series of 2013 issued pursuant to Article 128 of the Labor Code of the Philippines. The advisory provides that a shipowner's application for DMLC Part I shall be at the Office of the Regional Director of the DOLE National Capital Region. "The DMLC Part I shall be issued at no cost to the shipowner," the advisory says. The shipowner shall submit the DMLC Part I, together with the DMLC Part II which the shipowner shall prepare, to the Recognized Organization for inspection and certification to commence. The five ROs authorized to perform inspection and certification on behalf of the DOLE are Bureau Veritas; Det Norske Veritas; Germanischer Lloyd; Korean Register of Shipping; and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK). "The list of ROs is not exclusive. Any interested member of a reputable international classification organization presently performing classifications of ships in international trade may apply with the DOLE, through the Bureau of Working Conditions for authorization to perform inspection and certification in accordance with the MLC, 2006," Baldoz explained. The DOLE requires all covered shipowners, as defined under D.O. 130, Series of 2013, to comply with the MLC, 2006.

To facilitate compliance, the DOLE has uploaded in its website, www.dole.gov.ph, the following documents which shipowners can download: (1) copy of DMLC Part I; (2) template for the DMLC Part II; and (3) application form and procedures for the issuance of a Maritime Labor Certificate. Any question on this release, or queries regarding the DOLE issuances on the MLC, 2006 and the Advisory, should be directed to Eric Igual through ppdd.bwc@gmail.com or at 527-3000 local 307. |TOP| 3. Baldoz reiterates call to undocumented workers in Saudi to correct their status

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

'The process is fast and easy' Baldoz reiterates call to undocumented workers in Saudi to correct their status Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday issued anew her call to undocumented, or illegal, workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to take advantage of the extended deadline offered by Saudi Arabia authorities for them to correct and legalize their status, saying the process to do so is fast and easy. "The government of Saudi Arabia, through the King, has generously extended to 3 November the deadline for illegal migrant workers of all nationalities to correct their status. There is ample time. I urge all Filipinos staying in Saudi Arabia illegally to heed our call. This is for your own good," Baldoz appealed. She warned that relevant Saudi government agencies will start the inspection campaigns and apply the labor and immigration laws on both employers and migrants upon the expiry of the correction period. Violators face the prospect of either heavy fines or imprisonment. In May this year, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Labor had published and disseminated the rules and regulations for correcting and legalizing the work and stay of illegal migrant workers in the Kingdom in English and Filipino. Baldoz said the rules, Additional facilitation and exemptions for correction of violations of residence and labor laws and is translated into Filipino as Mga Regulasyon at Probisyon ng Kampanya sa Pagwawasto, are fairly simple to understand and the process is fast and easy to follow. To encourage illegal Filipino migrants to correct their stay, Secretary Baldoz last week directed the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) in Jeddah and Riyadh to disseminate the rules and regulations as widely as possible. She also directed the Labor Communications Office to post the rules in the DOLE website and distribute copies to DOLE regional offices for reference and information purposes of families who have members in Saudi Arabia, but are there illegally. Expressing her appreciation of the effort of Saudi Arabia to issue the rules in English and Filipino, the labor and employment chief said this is an indication of Saudi Arabia's seriousness to encourage illegally staying migrant workers in the Kingdom to correct their illegal status. One of the salient features of the rules is the exemption of violators who wish to correct their status from the penalties and fines associated with their violations, provided these violations occurred before 6 April 2013. The rules also provide that if the illegal migrant wishes to leave Saudi Arabia between now and 3 November, the illegal migrant will be exempted from paying fees for residence permit, work permit, and penalties and fines associated with past violations. However, the illegal migrant will be required a fingerprint for data update. Those who will leave can apply to return to Saudi Arabia again. This process is done at the Passport Directorate, or Jawazat, of the Ministry of Interior. According to the rules, a migrant worker who has abandoned, or escaped from, his employer, and against whom an escape report was filed, and a migrant worker whose residence and work permit has expired, can correct his status either by returning to his employer or sponsor, or transfer to another employer without the need for approval of his original employer. Any dispute between the migrant and his original employer will be settled in the labor court. This procedure is done at the Ministry of Labor. Also, a household service worker (HSW) who has abandoned, or escaped from, her employer, and against whom an escape report was filed, and a HSW whose residence and work permit has expired, can correct their status either by returning to their employer or sponsor (if acceptable to both), or transfer to another employer or sponsor still as HSWs. They may also transfer to a private sector company, not as HSWs, but as a skilled worker. This process is carried out at the Passport Directorate. The rules also provide that those who came to Saudi Arabia for Hajj or Umrah and illegally stayed in the Kingdom before 3 July are allowed to correct their status as HSW for individuals the Passport Directorate, or as private sector employees, first at the Passport Directorate to record the expatriate data and then at the Ministry of Labor for approval on the eligibility of entry. The rules and regulations also allow companies to modify the professions of their migrant employees, regardless of the Nitaqat class of the companies during the specified correction period according to relevant rules of the Ministry of Labor. The modification, which can be done electronically, shall be without any charges. Quoting an announcement of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Secretary Baldoz said undocumented OFWs are assured of continuous assistance in the processing of their documents, such as exit clearances, by visiting the Philippine Embassy-Riyadh Field Office at Villa 24, Umm al Hammam District for pre-processing procedures from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 P.M., Sunday to Thursday. The DFA has announced that the schedule of the Jawazat Wafideen for the processing of exit visas for Filipino nationals is every Wednesday, from 8:30 P.M. to 2:30 A.M. Included in this schedule are nationals of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, and other Asian countries, except India and Pakistan. During this process, Philippine embassy representatives will be present. It said the Jawasat Wafideen will accept during the scheduled date any Filipino who has an original Iqama or residence permit; original passport used to enter Saudi Arabia; or fingerprint records with the Saudi Immigration database. |TOP| 4. DSWD explores expanding CCT to help children-beneficiaries finish high school

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

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that it is studying the possibility to expand the coverage of the educational grant of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the Philippines conditional cash transfer (CCT), from 14 to 18 years old, to give the children-beneficiaries the chance to finish high school. To date, the program only supports children aged 0-14 or up to second year high school. The DSWD said that it agrees with the recommendation of Dr. Celia Reyes of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) that the program should not stop supporting at the elementary level. This will ensure that beneficiaries are qualified to have jobs, an essential requirement to overcome poverty. In fact, in the study, Dr. Reyes cited that the earning potential of high school graduates is higher with a 40% increase compared to a 10% increase for elementary graduates. Dr. Reyes presented the results of her study on Pantawid Pamilya during the July 8 National Consultation on Strengthening Social Protection in the Philippines organized by the United Nations and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and PIDS at the NEDA Building in Makati City. The call to expand the program to cover complete high school education is also evident in numerous consultations with parent beneficiaries. Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman pointed out that by supporting our beneficiaries up to secondary level the program tries to avoid negative effects on the labor market by producing more educated and more skilled labor force. We recognize the contention of a lot of mothers and beneficiaries on the additional school expenses under the K -12 program. The expansion of the program through high school would help poor families continue sending their children to school even with the additional levels, Secretary Soliman said. Lastly, it should be made clear that the CCT is not the only government program directed towards poverty reduction. Pantawid Pamilya is converged with other government programs that are anchored on job generation, livelihood, shelter, education, health, and agriculture. The cash grant under the Pantawid Pamilya is like a life buoy (salbabida) to stabilize the situation of the poor, while investment on health and education is being done Secretary S oliman said Government agencies especially those under the Human Development Cluster are intensifying convergence of programs and services to ensure a wholistic development of poor families, Secretary Soliman concluded. |TOP| 5. OWWA RWO3 conducts Pre-departure Education Program for KSA-bound HSWS beginning July 8

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

San Fernando City -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)-RWO III will conduct classes under the Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP) for household service workers (HSWs) bound for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia starting July 8, 2013. The Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) under the CPDEP will be held in two days. The module includes discussions on migration realities, employment contact, language training, culture familiarization and stress management to prepare the HSWs on the situation of working in households in the KSA. Participants will also be oriented on the Agencys programs and services, such as the scholarship and r eintegration programs. Language instruction on Arabic is given to HSWs to familiarize them with simple words used in everyday conversation and to help them interact responsively with their foreign employers in performing their jobs. The training will aid OFWs in the foreign country to transact properly in markets, malls, police and embassies. Language classes and Arabic culture are conducted every Monday-Tuesday and Wednesday-Thursday at the regional welfare office in San Fernando City, Pampanga. Interested applicants may inquire at the OWWA RWO3. OWWA REGIONAL WELFARE OFFICE 3 4F ASCORP Bldg., McArthur Hi-way, Dolores, City of San Fernando, Pampanga (045) 860 6029 (045)861 0931 0928 217 1472 0933 341 0573

0917 437 9429 |TOP| 6.

0917 510 0098

Abdulghani K. Umag, Al-Haj retires from Government Service after 26 years

Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph Koronadal City Dir. Abdulghani K. Umag, Al-Haj, Officer-in-Charge of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)-Regional Welfare Office XII has decided to bow out of government service after 26 years. Umag first served as Welfare Fund Service Staff Officer Rank III Class Is in September 1987. He started as a one man army representing OWWA in Region XII. Two years later, he was appointed head of the unit office established by OWWA. He also organized another unit in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. After nine consecutive years, he became concurrent head of both Regional OWWA Units. In September 2004, following Umags promotion as Director II, he was directed to head Region V. In September 2006, he was deployed to Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as Welfare Officer. During his stint in Riyadh, Umag was able to repatriate approximately three thousand (3,000) Overseas Filipino Workers. Umag returned in October 2008 as OIC of OWWA RWO XII. During his administration, the Regional Welfare Office received award from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for having the most number of OFWs trained on financial literacy. It was during his leadership that the OWWA RWO XII became the 1st RWO to convene local officials region-wide to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement prompting the creation of Public OFW Desk Officer (PODO) in the entire Philippines. The tribute ceremony/party for Umag was held on June 28, 2013, 6:00 p.m. Prominent personalities from South Cotabato Province graced the event, among them Board Member Vicente R. De Jesus, heads of the members of Regional Coordinating Council, Dir. Zeus P. Ampuyas of TESDA XII, Feliciano R. Orihuela, Jr. of NCMB, and Assistant Regional Director Yahya Centi of DOLE XII. Emerita Germo of POEA also showed their support. Furthermore, friends from OWWA private partners, Alfonso O. Jerez of Philam Life and Rose Carmen Sustiguer of Green Valley College Foundation, to name a few, expressed best wishes through gifts and tokens. Director Ma. Luz L. Talento of OWWA Regional Operations Coordinating Services emotionally recounted her remarkable experiences with the celebrator with fervour and words of thanksgiving. Videos of goodwill messages from RWO XI head Dir. Zenobia L. Caro, Dir. Manuela N. Pea of RWO Cordillera Administrative Region, RWO X head Dir. Petrona M. Bergado, Dir. Andrelyn Gregorio, Dir. Vivian F. Tornea, Mr. Nestor Burayag, and Ms. Rosario Burayag were shown during the party and ecstatically surprised Umag. Dir. Abdulghani K. Umag, Al-Haj was awarded the Philhealth Lifetime Membership, one of the highlights of the event. Dr. Miriam Grace G. Pamonag, Chief of the Field Operations Division of PhilHealth 12 personally handed him the Philhealth Lifetime Membership ID along with other presents. Umag could hardly express his gratitude to all the people who supported him all the way. He said, No gifts or material things could make me happier than the great respect you all bestowed upon me., as he bade farewell to his colleagues and officemates. Truly, Dir. Abdulghani K. Umag, Al-Haj will be missed by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration family. |TOP| 7. Foreign Direct Investments reach US$202 million in April 2013

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

Net inflows of foreign direct investments (FDI) amounted to US$202 million in April 2013, higher by 61.6 percent relative to its year-ago-level of US$125 million.1 ,2 By FDI component, gross equity capital placements rose to US$189 million during the month, more than sevenfold the US$26 million registered in April 2012. The bulk of these equity capital investmentswhich came mainly from the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore and a multilateral organizationwere directed to financial and insurance activities, real estate activities, manufacturing, and mining and quarrying sectors. These gross equity capital placements were partly offset, however, by the US$58 million withdrawal of investments, resulting in net equity capital inflows of US$131 million during the month. The continued FDI inflows reflected the favorable investment climate on the back of the countrys sound

macroeconomic fundamentals. Reinvestment of earnings totaled US$64 million in April 2013 as foreign investors opted to retain their earnings locally on expectations of sustained strong corporate performance. Non-residents net placements in debt instruments issued by local affiliates (or intercompany borrowings between foreign direct investors and their subsidiaries/affiliates in the Philippines) in the form of loans and debt securities amounted to US$7 million in April 2013, the same level recorded in April last year. Parent companies abroad continued to lend funds to their local subsidiaries/affiliates to sustain existing operations or expand their businesses in the country. As a result of these developments, cumulative FDI for the first four months of 2013 totaled US$1.5 billion. This was slightly lower, however, by 2.8 percent relative to the level recorded in the same period last year. In particular, cumulative net inflows of equity capital declined to US$860 million from the US$950 million posted in the same period in 2012. This came about as gross equity capital placements of US$1.7 billion (compared to US$1.0 billion in January-April 2012) were offset by equity withdrawals of US$857 million (compared to US$99 million a year ago). Gross equity capital placementssourced mostly from Mexico, Japan, the United States, Malaysia, and a multilateral organizationwere channeled mainly to water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities, manufacturing, financial and insurance activities, and arts, entertainment and recreation sectors. Meanwhile, reinvestment of earnings summed up to US$260 million, lower by 29.9 percent than the year-ago level of US$371 million. By contrast, non-residents placements in debt instruments issued by local affiliates reached US$385 million, markedly higher by 68.9 percent than the US$228 million registered in the comparable period a year ago. -------------------------1 BSP statistics on FDI covers actual investment inflows, which could be in the form of equity capital, reinvestment of earnings, and borrowings between affiliates. In contrast to investment data from other government sources, the BSPs FDI data include investments where ownership by the foreign enterprise is at least 10 percent. Meanwhile, FDI data of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) do not make use of the 10 percent threshold and include borrowings from foreign sources that are non-affiliates of the domestic company. Furthermore, the BSPs FDI data are presented in net terms (i.e., equity capital placements less withdrawals), while the IPAs FDI do not account for equity withdrawals. 2 The BSP adopted the Balance of Payments, 6th edition (BPM6) compilation framework effective 22 March 2013 with the release of the full-year 2012 and revised 2011 BOP statistics. The major change in FDI compilation is the adoption of the asset and liability principle, where claims of non-resident direct investment enterprises from resident direct investors are now presented as reverse investment under net incurrence of liabilities/non-residents investments in the Philippines (previously presented in the Balance of Payments Manual, 5th edition (BPM5) as negative entry under assets/residents investments abroad). Conversely, claims of resident direct investment enterprises from foreign direct investors are now presented as reverse investment under net acquisition of financial assets/residents investments abroad (previously presented as negative entry under liabilities/non -residents investments in the Philippines).

|TOP| 8. BIR sues Estate Administrator and her lawyer for estate tax evasion

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

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) today filed a criminal complaint with the Department of Justice against MARY ANNE A. ABAD (MARY ANNE) for one (1) count of willful attempt to evade or defeat the payment of Estate Tax and for one (1) count of deliberate failure to file the Estate Tax Return of the Estate of Martiniano G. Abad, in violation of Sections 254 and 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended (Tax Code). Likewise charged was ATTY. ANTOLIN V. OLIVA (ATTY. OLIVA) for for one (1) count of willful attempt to evade or defeat the payment of Estate Tax of the Estate of Martiniano G. Abad, in violation of Section 254 in relation to Section 253 (b) of the Tax Code. MARY ANNE is a resident of #63 Gilmore Street, New Manila, Quezon City while ATTY. OLIVA holds office at M/F Diamond Theater Bldg., Mary Street cor. Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City. The investigation of the Estate of Martiniano G. Abad was prompted by a denunciation letter received by the Office of the Regional Director on February 10, 2010 with the information that a certain Martiniano G. Abad died on December 21, 2008 without a will and left several residential and commercial real properties with improvements. Investigation showed that Remedios, wife of Martiniano, died in 1986 without any estate tax return being filed by the legal heirs Martiniano and Myrna Abad. Nevertheless, Martiniano settled the Estate of Remedios in 1997 under the Voluntary Assessment Program (VAP) of the BIR. Despite the death of Remedios in 1986, five (5) Special Powers of Attorney (SPAs) were executed on June 2006 appointing MARY ANNE as Attorney-in-Fact of Spouses Martiniano and Remedios to exercise control and supervision over all the spouses properties located in Manila, Quezon City, Makati, Nueva Ecija and Laguna valued at P382.67 million. ATTY. OLIVA notarized the said SPAs wherein he acknowledged the execution of the documents by, among others, Remedios who was already dead at that time. ATTY. OLIVA was not a commissioned Notary Public in 2006.

Martiniano died in December 2008 without any estate tax return being filed by Myrna, the sole legal heir of both spouses. On October 2009, notwithstanding the death of Spouses Martiniano and Remedios, MARY ANNE executed five (5) Deeds of Assignment conveying their properties in favor of Abad Royale Estate, Inc. (AREI) as payment for the subscription of stocks of the latter. The said conveyance was exempted from the payment of the corresponding taxes by BIR Certification Ruling SN No. 391-2009 dated December 29, 2009. AREI was incorporated in 2010 with the properties so conveyed forming part of the total assets of the corporation. With both majority shareholders Martiniano and Remedios dead, MARY ANNE had the controlling shares and exercised effective owner-like rights over the real properties of AREI. On June 2011, Myrna Abad died intestate. On July 10, 2013, the BIR revoked the Certification Ruling issued to AREI in view of factual misrepresentation made in the application for exemption, in particular, at the time of the execution of the Deeds of Assignment, Spouse Martiniano and Remedios were already dead making the transfers invalid. Since no estate tax returns were filed by MARY ANNE for Martiniano and Myrna and with her collective series of acts of executing the SPAs when one of the principal, Remedios, was already dead, the transfer of the properties of Martiniano and Remedios Abad to AREI by virtue of the Deeds of Assignment, and the subsequent incorporation of AREI, MARY ANNE is liable for the payment of estate tax since she is the person in actual and constructive possession of the properties of the decedent. MARY ANNE was sued for the payment of the estate tax on the Estate of Martiniano G. Abad amounting to P129.70 million, inclusive of surcharges and interests, and ATTY. OLIVA for willfully aiding or abetting in the commission of the crime of attempting to evade or defeat payment of estate tax. The case against MARY ANNE A. ABAD and ATTY. ANTOLIN V. OLIVA is the 175th filed under the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program of the BIR under the leadership of Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares. It is likewise a RATE case of Revenue Region No. 7, Quezon City. (reytdlc) |TOP| 9. BIR charges internet company with tax evasion

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

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) today filed a criminal complaint with the Department of Justice against DOMAIN MERCHANDISING SERVICES, INC. (DMSI) and its responsible corporate officers MA. MILAGROS M. CASAS, President for the years 2009 to 2012, ESTELITA G. ARADA, Treasurer for the years 2009 to 2011 and JONALYN S. QUESADA, Treasurer for the year 2012 for four (4) counts of willful attempt to evade or defeat payment of income tax for the years 2009 to 2012 and four (4) counts of deliberate failure to supply correct and accurate information in its Annual Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for taxable years 2009 to 2012, in violation of Sections 254 and 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended (Tax Code). DMSI is a domestic corporation primarily engaged in the promotion, marketing, customer support, technical support and research and development for internet domain name registration services with business address at 27th floor, Jollibee Plaza Building, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, Pasig City. Investigation showed that per certification issued by the Withholding Tax Division (WTD) of the BIR, DMSI received P138.24 million (P35.35 million 2009; P51.75 million 2010; P51.14 million 2011) from various clients. Another certification validating the information given by the WTD of BIR revealed that DMSI received P154.51 million (P7.09 million 2009;P50.94 million 2010; P49.96 million 2011; P46.52 million 2012) from Banco De Oro Universal Bank, Inc. (BDO). ITRs filed by DMSI with the BIR disclosed gross income of P9.59 million in 2009; P11.0 million in 2010; P9.81 million in 2011; and P10.07 million in 2012. A comparison of the documents and information gathered revealed that DMSI deliberately underdeclared its taxable income by P25.75 million or 268% in 2009; P40.74 million or 370% in 2010; P41.33 million or 421% in 2011; and P36.45 million or 362% in 2012. Under Sec. 248 (B) of the Tax Code, an under-declaration of taxable income by more than 30% is considered substantial underdeclaration and constitutes a prima facie case of fraud tantamount to tax evasion. DMSI was sued for a total tax liability of P77.58 million, inclusive of surcharges and interests, broken down as follows: P16.16 million- 2009;P23.26 million 2010; P21.09 million 2011; and P17.07 million 2012. The case against DOMAIN MERCHANDISING SERVICES, INC., its responsible corporate officers MA. MILAGROS M. CASAS, ESTELITA G. ARADA, and JONALYN S. QUESADA is the 176th filed under the Run After Tax Evaders

(RATE) program of the BIR under the leadership of Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares. (reytdlc) |TOP| 10. BGC unit owners to do self-assessment of gas systems, says BFP

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

Manila, Philippines Unit owners at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig will have to do a self-inspection and assessment of the gas systems in their respective buildings under their mutually-agreed timeline with the Bureau of Fire Protection in the aftermath of the tragic Serendra Two blast that killed four people last May 31. In the first of a series of consultation with unit owners Wednesday/July 10, building owners and the Bonifacio Gas Corp. which supplies piped-in LPG to the area, the BFP said a checklist of self-safety assessment and evaluation will be distributed starting today until Friday. The checklist questions are designed so that only one yes answer could mean that there is something wrong with the system, according to BFP Office-in-Charge Carlito C. Romero who presided over the consultation. Unit owners, according to Romero, will have to report their findings to their respective building administrators. He urged them not to use mobile phones in such an event. Safety is a shared responsibility and interest, Romero said by way of explaining the self-assesment aspect of the consultation. Were on the same boat. This is a consultation, so we welcome comments. Take advantage of this period, after which we will issue directives with or without comments. The series of consultations was initiated by the Department of Interior and Local Government under Secretary Mar Roxas who has been on top of the exhaustive probe after it was earlier determined that a gas leak, not a terrorist bomb, was the cause of the fatal explosion. Foreign experts are now conducting deeper inquiry to determine where the leak could have occurred. After the distribution of the checklist, unit owners and building owners will have until July 19 to write down their comments . The submission period will be from July 20-26 after which the BFP will issue appropriate guidelines based on the comments. For this to work, we need 100 percent compliance, Taguig City administrator Joel Montrales told those who attended the consultation. Thereafter, after the issuance of directives in August, there will be inspection of the units and the buildings every three months. Romero said that during their respective inspection of their units, owners or tenants should be accompanied by technical people who will then issue a declaration that the unit has been inspected and that the system is safe. Romero, accompanied by Taguig City administrator Joel Montales, said, all requirements for safety are provided by law and set by the industry. In the end, all units must be compliant with all laws and regulations, he said. |TOP| 11. Phl Ambassador calls on Deputy Prime Minister of Bahrain

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

11 July 2013 - Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Sahid S. Glang called on HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF), and First Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain on July 03 at the Office of the Royal Court in Riffa. During the call, Ambassador Glang discussed bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Bahrain, including the conditions of the overseas Filipino workers in the Kingdom and Bahrains measures to protect and promote the rights of expatriate workers in the Kingdom, including OFWs. |TOP| 12. Philippine Embassy in Bangkok ramps up tourism campaign with unveiling of the gallery @ 760 Sukhumvit road Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph

11 July 2013 - On the heels of increasing foreign tourist arrivals in the Philippines, the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok is ramping up its tourism campaign among Thais and other foreign visitors by unveiling the Its More Fun in the Philippines (IMFP) exhibition at the gallery @ 760 sukhumvit road, on June 27. The exhibition consists of 15 colorful photos featuring top Philippine sites, IMFP logo, and its Thai translation printed on tarpaulins. The tarpaulins are mounted on steel frames that were attached to the Embassys perimeter wall along Sukhumvit Road. Five (5) of the tarpaulins contain a quick response (QR) code that directs a smart phone user to the IMFP website. The exhibition is visible to thousands of pedestrians and motorists daily. It is the first time that the Embassys perimeter fence is being used as a gallery. Present during the unveiling were representatives from Thai and Philippine media, including Bangkok Post, Lonely Planet Magazine Thailand, Bangkok Shuho International, Traversing the Orient, Big Chilli Magazine, UNTV Thailand, Thai Travel Channel, In Channel, Cable TV Operators Association, Radio Thailand, and Orchestra Group Thailand. Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia opened the exhibit with brief remarks reiterating why Its More Fun in the Philippines. the gallery @ 760 sukhumvit road is a joint project of the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok and the Philippine Department of Tourism Marketing Director for Thailand and Malaysia Datin Melissa Ong. |TOP| 13. David relieves NAIA immigration officer

Source: http://immigration.gov.ph

An immigration officer at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was relieved of her post for allegedly facilitating the departure of 19 suspected human trafficking and illegal recruitment victims. Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. also ordered Ronna Mae Villanueva to explain in 72 hours why she should not be administratively charged for allowing the passengers to leave. Villanueva, a member of the bureaus travel control and enforcement unit (TCEU) at the NAIA, was recalled to her mother unit at the BI main office pending investigation of her case by the bureaus board of discipline. She was asked to explain why she cleared the passengers for departure despite their failure to present proper documents required by existing BI guidelines for departing Filipino tourists and overseas workers. According to David, Villanueva faces suspension or dismissal from the service if investigation finds that she knowingly allowed the passengerss departure although they did not comply with the BIs guidelines and requirements. The 19 passengers allegedly left the NAIA on eight separate occasions last June based on Villanuevas assessment that they were compliant with BIs regulations. It was learned that all of them were previously stopped from leaving the NAIA after they were profiled as suspected tourist workers, or illegal recruitment and human trafficking victims disguised as tourists. The passengers were mostly bound for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates while some were destined for Singapore. As a member of the BI-TCEU, one of Villanuevas tasks is to double-check travel documents and conduct secondary inspection of departing Filipino tourists and OFWs. An initial investigation report submitted by Bienvenido Castillo III, TCEU head, stated that the 19 passengers were cleared by Villanueva despite insufficient documents, non-compliance with requirements or being advised to secure proper work documents due to their admission that their purpose is to work abroad. Castillos report also showed that last June 25 alone, Villanueva cleared fo r departure seven passengers who boarded separate flights to Dubai. |TOP| 14. Stakeholders gather for Clean Air Forum

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

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will once again gather influential stakeholders from government, pro-environment groups and the private sector to explore new ways to further improve the countrys air quality. The DENR, together with the Partnership for Clean Air, is organizing the 5th Annual Clean Air Forum slated for July 11-12 at the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel in Quezon City. The forum is supported by Pilipinas Shell Corp. and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). This years forum, which falls under the theme, Clean Air Act: Looking Back, Moving Forward, focuses on the accomplishments, challenges and future strategies in implementing the 14-year-old Philippine Clean Air Act. DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said the campaign for clean air through the yearly forum is paying off as shown by the downtrend in pollution levels in the country, particularly in Metro Manila. He attributed the diminished level of air pollutants in the metropolis to the successful collaboration of the DENR with other government agencies, pro-environment groups and the private sector. The DENR recognizes the importance of sustaining efforts to further improve air quality, Paje said. We believe that with continued collaboration and cooperation between both government and non-government organizations, clean air can be achieved. Based on the annual trend, both the amount of total suspended particulates (TSP) and the level of particulate matter 10 microns in diameter or smaller (PM10) in Metro Manila had decreased. Records showed that the TSP levels in the National Capital Region declined by almost 30 per cent from as high as 166ug/Ncm (micrograms per normal cubic meter) in the first semester of 2010 to 117ug/Ncm by the end of 2011. This rose again, however, to 134ug/Ncm at the end of 2012 until March 2013. TSP refers to the amount of solid pollutants such as dust and soot in the air, with the annual guideline level at 90ug/Ncm. On the other hand, monitoring results for PM10 in 2012 also registered values below the guideline value of 60ug/Ncm for long-term monitoring. PM10 is considered more harmful to human health as its finer particles when inhaled can penetrate the lungs, leading to more severe pulmonary or respiratory illnesses. Enacted in 1999, Republic Act No. 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act establishes a comprehensive approach to reduce air pollution and integrate environmental protection into plans for sustainable development. The goal is to mitigate the causes and impacts of air pollution while simultaneously building development practices that do not contribute further to air pollution. The government has already set several plans in motion to help meet the standards and regulations set by the Clean Air Act. As part of the initiative to regulate carbon emissions of motor vehicles, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has deployed motor vehicle inspection centers to assess large transportation groups and authorized the needed registration where it is applicable. Private emissions testing centers (PETCs) have been put in place in various locations across the country to provide the same service for privately owned and public transportation vehicles. Aside from regulation, several government officials are supporting operations to reduce smoke belching caused by vehicle emissions, particularly along EDSA. President Benigno Aquino III himself supports a reporting system where the public can notify the LTO about smoke belching buses through text messaging. Support for alternative modes of transportation was also critical to reducing vehicle emissions. Electric-powered jeepneys and tricycles have become more popular, while many motorcycles are being converted to four-stroke engines, which pollute far less than their two-stroke models. Likewise, the Department of Energy has been pushing for cleaner fuels and cutting down pollutants previously present in diesel. |TOP| 15. Total number of OFWs is estimated at 2.2 million (Results from the 2012 Survey on Overseas Filipinos)

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

The number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who worked abroad at anytime during the period April to September 2012 was estimated at 2.2 million. The Overseas Contract Workers (OCWs) or those with existing work contract abroad comprised 95.0 percent (2.1 million) of the total OFWs during the period April to September 2012 (Table 1). There were more males than females among the OFWs, with the male OFWs comprising 51.7 percent of the total OFWs. The largest proportion of OFWs belonged to age group 25 to 29 years comprising 24.1 percent of all OFWs, followed by those aged 30 to 34 years with 22.3 percent. Female OFWs were younger compared to male OFWs. About ten percent of female OFWs were in the age group 15 to 24 years, 28.2 percent were in the age group 25 to 29 years and 23.7 percent in the age group 30 to 34 years. The percentages for male OFWs in these age groups were 7.0 percent, 20.3 percent and 20.9 percent, respectively. More than half (51,8%) of the male OFWs were aged 35 years and over. By comparison, 38.6 percent of the total female OFWs were in this age group (Table 1). Among occupation groups, laborers and unskilled workers (31.3%) comprised the largest group followed by those who worked as service workers and shop and market sales workers (16.2%), plant and machine operators and assemblers (12.9%), professionals (12.4%) and trade and related workers (12.2%) (Table1). CALABARZON had sent the largest number of OFWs, with 18.1 percent of the total OFWs in the country, followed by Central Luzon with 14.1 percent and the National Capital Region with 12.6 percent. Forty-five percent of the total OFWs came from these three regions. The smallest number of OFWs came from Caraga, with 1.2 percent (Table 2). Saudi Arabia continued to be the most preferred destination of OFWs. One out of five (20.6%) OFWs worked in this country during the period April to September 2012. The other popular destinations were United Arab Emirates (14.9%); Singapore (7.5%); and Qatar (6.5%) (Table 2). The total remittance sent by OFWs during the period April to September 2012 was estimated at 165.6 billion pesos. This amount is higher compared to the previous years reported remittances (156.3 billion pesos). The amount of the total remittances covered cash sent home (120.1 billion pesos), cash brought home (36.5 billion pesos) and remittances in kind (9.0 billion pesos). The majority of OFWs sent their remittance through banks (70.8%). Other cash remittances were sent through door-to-door (3.7%), agencies or local offices (2.5%), friends or co-workers (0.4%) or through other means (22.6%). The remittances sent by OFWs to their respective families may just be a part of the total salary received by the OFWs (Table 3). Data on remittances in this report are based on the answers given by the survey respondents to the questions on how much cash remittance was received by the family during the period April to September 2012 from its member who is an OFW, how much cash did this member bring home during the reference period, if any. Further, if the family received during the reference period goods and products sent by this OFW, the imputed value of such goods was included in his/her total remittance. Of the total cash remittance sent by OFWs, the remittance sent by professionals comprised the biggest share with 24.8 billion pesos. Their average remittance was 109 thousand pesos per OFW. The laborers and unskilled workers who comprised the bulk of the OFWs had remitted, on average, 35 thousand pesos per OFW. Seventy percent of the total cash remittance came from OFWs working in Asia, who comprised 80 percent of all OFWs. The proportions coming from other countries were as follows: Europe (12.8%), North and South America (10.6%), Australia (3.2%) and Africa (3.1%) (Tables 3 and 3A) (Sgd) CARMELITA N. ERICTA Administrator TECHNICAL NOTES The data presented in this press release were taken from the 2012 Survey on Overseas Filipinos (SOF). The SOF aims to derive national estimates on the number of Overseas Filipino Workers, their socio-economic characteristics and the amount and mode of remittances, in cash and in kind, received by their families. The OFWs covered in this report were those aged 15 years old and over and working abroad during the period April 1, 2012 to September 30, 2012. OFWs include overseas contract workers (OCWs) who were presently and temporarily out of the country during the reference period to fulfill an overseas contract for a specific length of time or who were presently at home on vacation during the reference period but still had an existing contract to work abroad, and other Filipino workers abroad with valid working visa or work permits. Those who had no working visa or work permits (tourist, visitor, student, medical, and other types of non-immigrant visas) but were presently employed and working full time in other countries were also included. The SOF did not ask for the total salary received by the OFWs. Hence, the remittances presented in this report may just be a part of the total salary received by the OFWs. Starting July 2003 round of the Labor Force Survey (LFS), the 2003 Master Sample (MS) Design has been adopted.

Using this master sample design, the number of samples increased from 41,000 to around 50,000 sample households. The SOF, being a rider of the LFS, has also adopted the new master sample design starting October 2003. Careful evaluation must be made in comparing the results of the 2012 SOF with the SOF data prior to the implementation of the new MS design. Attachment: TABLE 1 Distribution of Overseas Filipino Workers by Selected Characteristics 2011 and 2012.pdf TABLE 2 Distribution of Overseas Filipino Workers by Region of Origin and Place of Work Abroad 2011 and 2012.pdf TABLE 3 Total and Average Remittance of Overseas Filipino Workers by Selected Characteristics, Philippines 2011 and 2012.pdf TABLE 3A Total and Percentage Distribution of Remittance of Overseas Filipino Workers by Selected Characteristics Philippines 2011 and 2012.pdf |TOP| 16. DAR turns over P53.6-M project to Quezon farmers

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

The Department of Agrarian Reform has turned over some P53.6 million worth of basic infrastructure projects to farmers of the MSS Agrarian Reform Community in Quezon. DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Jerry Pacturan said the projects include the 5.4-kilometer CogorinMabanban farm-to-market road with bridge, six units of potable water supply systems. Pacturan also led the groundbreaking of a pump irrigation project in Barangay Sto. Nino Ilaya in Lopez, Quezon. According to Pacturan, the P40.6-million Cogorin-Mabanban road now connects the MSS ARC to the adjoining barangays of Lopez. It is expected to boost business activities in Lopez, Quezon. This road with bridge will pave the way for the provision of other basic services like health, technology, transportation and education assistance to the rural communities along the farm-to-market road. The residents and farmers of MSS ARC could now easily avail of those services now that the community is accessible, he added. Farmer beneficiary Felixberto Arellano of Sto. Nino said that the road makes travelling and transportation of farm goods from their upland barangays a lot easier and faster, much unlike before when they haveused horses and carabaos to bring their goods to the market and go down from the mountain on foot. It was very hard especially during rainy season when the roads are thick with mud and some parts are flooded. Thank God for this road with bridge. Now we dont have to wait for the flood to recede. We can also do our business faster and easier, said Arellano. Sto. Nino Barangay Captain Melix Pasta echoed: with this road and bridge my children are now spared from trekking at least 45 minutes of rolling terrain just to attend their classes. Public utility vehicles now ply the route regularly at an affordable fare. Likewise, the six potable water systems worth P513,374.00 were extended to 150 households in barangays Sto. Nino and Ilaya to provide them with safe and clean drinking water. DAR Regional Project Manager Erlinda Pearl Armada said that the residents lac k potable drinking water. The water that they get from their wells was not fit for drinking. During the summer these wells become dry. They have to go to the lowlands to buy drinking water which adds up to their daily expenses, said Armada. A pump irrigation project worth P12.5 million has already started construction. Armada said that the pump irrigation project can irrigate around 46 hectares of rice land. This irrigation system will greatly help farmers double their income as they can maximize rice production to three cropping seasons, unlike before when they relied heavily on rainwater, said Armada. In his speech, Lopez Mayor Isaias Ubana urged his constituents to take good care of the basic infrastructure projects that were turned over to them. He pledged to allot funds for the maintenance of the farm-to-market road. These infrastructure projects were jointly sponsored by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and DAR and implemented under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (ARISP).

These projects are significant in achieving progress in rural communities. These [facilities] are not only implemented to make life easier for Quezon farmers but also to sustain the development of their communities, said Pacturan. |TOP| 17. VP Binay says govt building over 1,000 housing units for indigenous people Source: http://ovp.gov.ph

Government has started construction on housing units that will benefit various indigenous groups throughout the country, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said. Binay said the National Housing Authority (NHA) is currently constructing 1,365 housing units for the Aetas in Pampanga, Mangyans in Occidental Mindoro and Badjaos in Tawi-Tawi. This particular housing project is intended to help improve the living co nditions and ensure the well-being of our indigenous brothers and sisters, Binay said. Binay said 208 units have already been completed, with Occidental Mindoro having the most number of units constructed so far at 100, followed by Tawi-Tawi with 92 and Pampanga, 16. The completed housing units are expected to be awarded to the target beneficiaries soon. Another 400 units are expected to be built for the indigenous people in the Municipalities of Banguingui and Panglima Estimo and Barangays Tulay and Pitogo, all in Sulu. We are working double time to finalize the Memorandum of Agreement with these LGUs so we can start construction of the balance units this month, Binay stressed. The IP housing program, a pet project of the Vice President, is being implemented through the cooperation and coordination of the NHA and the local government units (LGUs). |TOP|

Last Updated:

11 JULY 2013

Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy

Please click on thumbnails to magnify

President Benigno S. Aquino III receives the participants to the 8th Ambassadors, Consuls General, and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) during their courtesy call at the Rizal Hall of the Malacaan Palace on Thursday (July 11). The ACGTDT, an annual project of Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States (US) and Canada, offers a unique opportunity for participants from these two countries to visit the Philippines and experience its rich culture and heritage as they tour various destinations and take part in different activities. In photo are Philippine Ambassador to the United States His Excellency Jose Cuisia, Jr., Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr., and Philippine Ambassador to Canada His Excellency Leslie Gatan. (Photo by: Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III receives the participants to the 8th Ambassadors, Consuls General, and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) during their courtesy call at the Rizal Hall of the Malacaan Palace on Thursday (July 11). The ACGTDT, an annual project of Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States (US) and Canada, offers a unique opportunity for participants from these two countries to visit the Philippines and experience its rich culture and heritage as they tour various destinations and take part in different activities. In photo are Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr., Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan Garcia and Philippine Ambassador to Canada His Excellency Leslie Gatan. (Photo by: Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III poses with the participants to the 8th Ambassadors, Consuls General, and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) for a group photo souvenir during the courtesy call at the Rizal Hall of the Malacaan Palace on Thursday (July 11). The ACGTDT, an annual project of Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States (US) and Canada, offers a unique opportunity for participants from these two countries to visit the Philippines and experience its rich culture and heritage as they tour various destinations and take part in different activities. (Photo by: Benhur Arcayan / Malacaang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III greets participants to the 8th Ambassadors, Consuls General, and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) during the courtesy call at the Rizal Hall of the Malacaan Palace on Thursday (July 11). The ACGTDT, an annual project of Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States (US) and Canada, offers a unique opportunity for participants from these two countries to visit the Philippines and experience its rich culture and heritage as they tour various destinations and take part in different activities. (Photo by: Ryan Lim / Benhur Arcayan / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the courtesy call of the participants to the 8th Ambassadors, Consuls General, and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) at the Rizal Hall of the Malac aan Palace on Thursday (July 11). The ACGTDT, an annual project of Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States (US) and Canada, offers a unique opportunity for participants from these two countries to visit the Philippines and experience its rich culture and heritage as they tour various destinations and take part in different activities. In photo are Philippine Ambassador to the United States His Excellency Jose Cuisia, Jr., Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr., Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan Garcia and Philippine Ambassador to Canada His Excellency Leslie Gatan. (Photo by: Benhur Arcayan / Ryan Lim / Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the singing of the Philippine National Anthem during the courtesy call of the participants to the 8th Ambassadors, Consuls General, and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) at the Rizal Hall of the Malacaan Palace on Thursday (July 11). The ACGTDT, an annual project of Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States (US) and Canada, offers a unique opportunity for participants from these two countries to visit the Philippines and experience its rich culture and heritage as they tour various destinations and take part in different activities. In photo are Philippine Ambassador to the United States His Excellency Jose Cuisia, Jr. and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan Garcia. (Photo by: Ryan Lim / Malacaang Photo Bureau)

Thank You and God Bless !!!!