Dispatch For August 28, 2013 Wednesday, 0 PIA Calabarzon PRS, 10 Weather Watch

Aguinaldo Shrine
Pagsanjan Falls
Taal Lake
Antipolo Church
Lucban Pahiyas Feast
Dispatch for August 28 , 2013 Wednesday , 0 PIA Calabarzon PRs , 10 Weather Watch,
6 OFW Watch, 13 Regl. Watch 2 PNOY Speech , 15 Online News , 9 Photonews
1. Weather Watch
about an hour ago near Quezon City DZMM: Ayon sa NDRRMC, may isa nang naitalang namatay habang isa pa ang sugatan sa pananalasa ng bagyong Nando sa bansa. Aabot naman na ngayon sa 2,700 indibidwal o 50 pamilya ang apektado ng bagyo.
2. Weather Watch
2 hours ago near Quezon City
ANC: Tropical Storm Nando continues to bring rains in Cagayan de Oro City causing more than 30 passenger vessels stranded in some ports there. PDRRMC so far have not recorded flooded areas in the province and Cagayan River remains in normal level.
3. Weather Watch
4 hours ago near Quezon City ABS-CBN: Ipinagpaliban ng DepEd ang NCAE exam ngayong araw sa mga lugar na sinalanta ng bagyong Maring at habagat. Itinakda na lang ng DepEd sa September 11 ang NCAE exam sa Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Cordillera at Metro Manila.
4. Weather Watch
4 hours ago near Quezon City PAGASA Thunderstorm Advisory No. 08 #NCR_PRSD 6:00 AM 28 August 2013 Thunderstorm is affecting portions of #Bataan and #Zambales within 2 hours. All are advised to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, strong winds, lightning and possible flashfloods. Keep monitoring for updates. For more information and queries, log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph or please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877.
5. Weather Watch
12 hours ago CDRRMC OIC Dr. Medel Manuel on DZRH: -As of now, ang reported na apektado ng tubig baha sa Laoag City ay 2 Barangay. -Hindi naman kritikal ang kalagayan ng mga inilikas na pamilya na apektado ng tubig baha. -Ang tinututukan ng CDRRMC ay 37 Brgy. -Ang isang ilog ay medyo umapaw na, kaya apektado ang Brgy. Casili at Brgy. Pila. -Kung tuluy-tuloy ang pagbuhos ng malakas na ulan ay siguro maapektuhan ang 16-20 barangays especially sa mga low-lying area.
6. Weather Watch
4 hours ago Weather Bulletin No. 10 TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING: TROPICAL STORM #NandoPH (KONG-REY) Issued at 5:00 AM, 28 AUGUST 2013 (Valid for broadcast until the next bulletin to be issued at 5 PM today) Tropical Storm Nando continues to move in a north northwest direction away from the country. for more details, click the link http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/wb/tc_up.html
Weather Watch 4 hours ago

h PAGASA weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar on DZMM: -Napanatili ng Bagyong Nando ang lakas nito habang binabagtas ang ruta palabas ng PAR. -Taglay pa rin nito ang lakas ng hanging aabot sa 85kph at pagbugsong 100kph. -Huling namataan ang bagyo kaninang 4AM sa layong 120km silangan ng Itbayat, Batanes. -Signal No. 2 pa rin sa Batanes Group of Islands kung saan asahan ang pagsusungit ng panahon na may maalon hanggang sa napakaalong karagatan. -Signal No. 1 naman sa Babuyan at Calayan Islands kung saan may pag-ulan at may pagbugso ng hangin. -Nakataas pa rin ang gale warning sa eastern at western seaboards ng Northern Luzon. -Ang Ilocos Region at CAR ay magiging cloudy na may light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Posible itong magdulot ng pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa. -Ang Metro Manila at nalalabing bahagi ng Luzon ay magiging makulimlim pa rin na may mahina hanggang katamtamang pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog. -Maaliwalas naman ang panahon sa Visayas at Mindanao bukod sa pulo-pulong pag-ulan. -Kung hindi magbabago ng direksyon, inaasahang lalabas ng PAR ang bagyo sa Huwebes.
7. Weather Watch
12 hours ago GMA: Huling namataan ang sentro ng bagyong Nando sa layong 220 km hilagang-silangan ng Aparri, Cagayan kung saan taglay nito ang lakas ng hangin na 75 kph malapit sa gitna at pagbugso na aabot sa 90 kph. Nakataas naman ang Signal No. 2 sa Batanes Group of Islands habang Signal No. 1 naman sa Cagayan kasama ang Calayan at Babuyan Group of Islands, Apayao at Isabela. Kumikilos ang nasabing bagyo ng pa-North Northwest sa bilis na 15 kph at inaasahang sa Huwebes ng gabi ay posible nang lumabas ng PAR. Hindi na rin inaasahang tatama ang sentro ng bagyo sa isla ng Batanes. Samantala, bukas ay asahan ang katamtaman hanggang sa kung minsan ay malakas na pag-ulan sa Hilagang Luzon habang katamtamang pag-ulan naman ang inaasahan sa natitirang bahagi ng Luzon. Magiging maulap na may pag-ulan naman ang panahon sa Metro Manila pero mahihinang pag-ulan na lang ang inaasahan lalo na pagdating ng gabi. Mahihinang pag-ulan ang inaasahan din sa malaking bahagi ng Visayas habang magiging maayos ang panahon sa malaking bahagi ng Mindanao.
8. Weather Watch
13 hours ago ABS-CBN: Apektado ang biyahe ng CESSNA plane sa Isabela dahil sa bagyong Nando. Sa Laoag, Ilocos Norte naman ay lumikas ang ilang residente dahil sa sama ng panahon.
9. Weather Watch
14 hours ago PAGASA,Glaiza Escullar on DZMM: Re: Weather Update -Huling namataan ang bagyong si Nando sa layong 220 km. hilagang silangan ng Aparri Cagayan. -Taglay pa rin ang lakas ng hangin na 75 kph malapit sa gitna at pagbugso ng 90 kph. -Inaasahang kikilos na ito ng pa hilaga, hilagang kanluran sa bilis na 15 kph. -Kung hindi magbabago sa kasalukuyang galaw ay inaasahang lalabas na ito bago makapatanghali ng Huwebes sa PAR. - Nakataas ang signal no.2 sa Batanes Group of Islands. -Signal no.1 naman sa Cagayan kasama na ang Calayan at Babuyan Group of Island, Apayao at Isabela. -Sa Ilocos region at Zambales, Bataan katamtamang pag-ulan hanggang sa malakas na pagkulog at pagkidlat. -Sa Metro Manila at nalalabing bahagi ng Luzon ay mahina hanggang sa katamtaman pag-ulan. -Sa Visayas at Mindanao magiging maaliwalas ang lagay ng panahon maliban sa mga localized thunder storms pagdating ng hapon o gabi. -Nakapagpaibayo ito ng southwest monsoon kaya may nakataas na gail warning sa eastern at western seaboard ng Luzon. -Sa ating mga kababayang mangingisda sa mga laugar naito huwag munang pumalaot dahil delikado pa ang paglalayag. -Hindi kalakasang pag-ulan ang maasahan sa Metro Manila at by Thursday maganda na ang panahon sa Metro Manila.
10. Weather Watch

21 hours ago near Quezon City PIA-NCR: Tropical Storm Nando may enhance the southwest monsoon which will bring heavy rains to Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon, PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. advisory. As of 10 a.m., Nando was estimated at 210 km east of Aparri, Cagayan, with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. TS Nando is expected to be at 460 km north of Basco, Batanes by Thursday morning. By Friday morning it is expected to be 740 km north of Basco, Batanes.
Weather Watch
August 2 , 2013 ( Wednesday )
as of 6:00-7:00 AM
CAVITE LAGUNA BATANGAS RIZAL QUEZON
: : : : :
Cloudy and drizzling Cloudy Fair Weather Partly Cloudy Mostly Cloudy
PIA
Regional Watch
1. PIA Regional Watch

17 hours ago PIA4-A/CAVITE: All Tagaytay bound vehicles: expect heavy traffic along Aguinaldo Highway due to an on-going road asphalting in the City of Imus - Bacoor Traffic Management Office.

17 hours ago PIA-4A/BATANGA: Nagsagawa kamakailan ng pagpupulong ang pamahalaang lunsod ng Tanauan kasama ang mga resort owners upang maisulong ang turismo sa lungsod.

17 hours ago PIA-4A/QUEZON: Isinusulong ngayon ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Quezon at dating Congressman Danilo Suarez ang pagiging 'aqua culture operator' ng Quezon sa buong bansa. Naniniwala ang dating mambabatas na sa pamamagitan nito ay liliit ang bilang ng mga taong nagugutom, naghihirap at walang hanapbuhay sa lalawigan.

17 hours ago PIA4-A/QUEZON: The provincial government of Quezon thru the environment and natural resources office (ENRO) gave recognition to the top 3 best performing barangays that participated in the Quezon's 2in-1 mangrove planting project. These are Brgy. Calutcot, Burdeos, Quezon; Brgy. Binulasan, Infanta, Quezon; and Brgy. Talisoy, Jomalig, Quezon that won P300,000 worth of project-1st prize, P200,000 worth of project-2nd prize and P100,000 worth of project-3rd prize respectively.

21 hours ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/QUEZON: 60 different cases from the Regional Trial Court (RTC)-Quezon were resolved under the Department of Justice (DOJ) program 'Justice on Wheels' which was held last week in Lucena City. According to Judge Eloisa de Leon-Diaz the program speed up the release of many inmates who spent more than10 years in prison.

21 hours ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/CAVITE: A total of 44 participants from gay communities and tuberculosis patients completed the recent HIV counseling and testing conducted by the Carmona Municipal Health Office in coordination with the Cavite STI/HIV/AIDS Task Force. All participants were found to be non-reactive but they were asked to have a pre-screening after 6 months at the General Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital in Trece Martires City.

22 hours ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/QUEZON: The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is working to restore power transmission services to parts of QUEZELCO 2 franchise area. Nelson Bautista of NGCP said that Gumaca-Hondagua 69 kv line
tripped at 7:55 A.M.

22 hours ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/CAVITE: Bacoor City Mayor Strike B. Revilla recently conferred as National Awardee of TESDA Kabalikat LGU Partner (City Category), for providing thousands of trainees with technical training programs, given opportunities for gainful employment in local and overseas companies to be successful entrepreneurs through the provisions of livelihood starter kits to the city residents.

Yesterday near Quezon City PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The Provincial Public Employment Service Office recently facilitated Career and Employment Coaching in various towns in Laguna. The activity caters to graduating high school students aimed to assist them with proper career choice.

Yesterday near Quezon City PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The Toyota Motor Phil. Corp. recently opened the Toyota Motor Phils. School of Technology in an inauguration held at the Toyota Special Economic Zone in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. TMP Tech aims to provide Filipino youth with quality education and better future.

Yesterday near Quezon City PIA-4A/RIZAL: According to PAG-IBIG Antipolo Branch OIC Christian Chua, the agency is now receiving calamity loan applications for members who are residents of declared calamity areas.

August 26
PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Sama-samang nagsagawa ng pagtatanim ng mga puno ang mga kandidata ng Bb. Lobo kamakailan. Layon nitong mapanatili ang pagiging luntian at berde ng kanilang bayan upang maiwasan ang anumang sakuna tulad ng landslide at soil erosion kapag bumabagyo at malakas ang ulan.

August 26 PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Nagsagawa ng pagbisita sa paligid ng Taal Lake ang mga miyembro ng komitiba para sa ikalawang Marian Regatta sa Setyembre 8. Layon nitong masiguro na walang anumang peligro at magiging ligtas ang mga makikilahok sa pagdiriwang na ito.
1. PIA OFW Watch

4 hours ago near Quezon City GMA: Pasado 11:00 kagabi nang dumating sa bansa mula sa Syria ang nasa 43 OFW na sumailalim sa mandatory repatriation program ng gobyerno. Sinalubong sila ng mga opisyal ng OWWA. Samantala, pinag-uusapan na umano ng US at mga kaalyado nitong bansa ang posibelng paglulunsad ng military intervention sa Syria matapos ang napaulat na chemical attck doon kung saan mahigit 300 katao ang namatay.
2. PIA OFW Watch

15 hours ago DZBB: Nakauwi na sa bansa ang isang Pinay OFW na minaltrato ng kanyang amo sa Kuwait. Sa kuwento ng biktima, bukod sa panggugulpi ay madalas din siyang sabunutan at iuntog sa pader ng kanyang employer na babae. Nakakulong na ngayon ang employer ng nasabing OFW at nag-alok na ng P2-M bilang settlement fee para sa pag-atras ng kaso. Tinanggap naman ng biktima ang alok na P2M at nakuha na niya ito kaninang umaga.
3. PIA OFW Watch

15 hours ago DZBB: Tiniyak ni DoLE Sec. Rosalinda Baldoz na mapaparusahan ang mapapatunayang nagkasala hinggil sa sex for fly scheme. Aniya, wala silang ituturing na sacred cows sakaling may mapatunayang guilty. Kasabay nito ay pinayuhan ni Baldoz ang mga opisyal ng DoLE na nakakaladkad sa isyu na patunayan ang kanilang pagiging
inosente.
4. PIA OFW Watch

15 hours ago DZMM: Sinabi ni DOLE Sec. Rosalinda Baldoz na ang kanilang ipinataw na parusa kina Riyadh Labor Attache Adam Musa, Jordan Labor Attache Mario Antonio at Riyadh Asst. Labor Attache Antonio Villafuerte ay batay lang sa mga ebidensiyang nakuha ng kanilang ahensiya at hindi pa tungkol sa sex for flight scheme. Gayonman sinabi ni Baldoz na wala silang ituturing na sacred cow kapag napatunayang guilty ang mga ito sa nasabing issue.
5. PIA OFW Watch

15 hours ago DZRH: Tahasang sinabi ng samahan ng mga OFWs sa iba't ibang bansa na United Filipinos in Hong Kong na niloloko lamang umano ni PNoy ang taumbayan kaugnay sa ipinagmamalaking pagbuwag sa pork barrel system. Ayon sa kanila, nadismaya at nagagalit sila sa Pangulo dahil sa halip na tuluyang buwagin ang pork barrel system ay niloloko lamang ang mamamayan sa pag-anunsyo ng mga reporma na hindi naman talaga magdudulot ng totohanang pagbabago sa sistema na naging breeding grounds ng mga katiwalian na tinatawag na patronage at politics.
6. PIA OFW Watch

16 hours ago DZMM: Hustisya ang nakamit ng 20 anyos na Pinay domestic helper na biktima ng pagmamaltrato ng kanyang employer mula sa Kuwait, may mga tahi sa ulo, kalbo at peklat sa likod bunga ng pambubuhos ng mainit na tubig na tubong Cotabato nang humarap kay OWWA administrator Carmelita Dimzon. Nakulong ang employer ng biktima na misis ng isang police officer sa Kuwait at nag-alok ng P2M bilang danyos sa biktima.
A. QUEZON
B. CAVITE
C. LAGUNA
D. BATANGAS
E. RIZAL
27 AUGUST 2013.
1. President Aquino receives credentials of new ambassadors of Iraq and Sovereign Military Order of Malta 2. President Aquino welcomes Vietnamese Defense Minister in Malacanang 3. Palace monitoring typhoon Nando 4. President Aquino declares September 2 as special non-working day in Ifugao in commemoration of the 68th anniversary of the surrender of General Yamashita 5. Palace says Presidents Social Fund being used with utmost transparency
1. President Aquino receives credentials of new ambassadors of Iraq and Sovereign Military Order of Malta
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed the new ambassadors to the Philippines of the Republic of Iraq and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, who presented their respective letters of credentials to him in Malacaang Palace on Tuesday. First to meet with the Chief Executive at 10 a.m. at the Music Room of the Malacaang Palace was His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Kamal Hasan Al-Kamaly, who presented his credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Iraq. Accompanying the new Iraqi Ambassador were his spouse Sameera Al-Aril and Iraqi diplomats. Joining the President in welcoming the new Iraqi Ambassador and his party was Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario. The Iraqi envoy thanked President Aquino for welcoming him to the country and assured the President of his country's commitment to further enhance the bilateral ties between the Philippines and Iraq. He then introduced the members of his delegation to President Aquino. The President, together with Del Rosario, then ushered the Ambassador and his party to the adjoining room for a closed-door meeting. The President also received the credentials of Her Excellency Odelia Gregorio Arroyo as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Philippines of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta during a simple ceremony at the Music Room at 11 a.m. Ambassador Arroyo was accompanied by her family and other diplomats from Malta. In presenting the credentials, she also thanked the President for the warm welcome and wished him good health and peace and prosperity for the Philippines and the Filipino people. Then she met with President Aquino in a close-door meeting. PND (js) TOP
2. President Aquino welcomes Vietnamese Defense Minister in Malacanang

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phung Quang Thanh in a bid to enhance cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam on maritime security in Malacanang Palace on Tuesday. The Chief Executive welcomed General Thanh and his party at the President's Hall receiving area at 11:30 a.m.Tuesday. Thanh is here in the Philippines for an official visit from August 25-27, upon the invitation of Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin. "The visit of General Thanh to the Philippines clearly reflects the commitment of both countries to enhance cooperation in jointly developing their defense capabilities and in contributing to regional peace and stability," the Department of National Defense said in a statement. Thanh earlier held talks with Gazmin regarding issues of mutual concern, including future cooperation aligned with a memorandum of understanding on national defense agreed between the two countries. The bilateral talks Monday included cooperation for humanitarian assistance and relief cooperation, the DND said. The Philippines and Vietnam signed a defense cooperation agreement in 2010. Since the signing of the defense cooperation agreement between the Philippines and Vietnam in 2010, "defense relations between the two countries have progressed through high-level visits, personnel exchanges and information-sharing," reads the DND statement. Joining the President in welcoming the Vietnamese Defense Minister were Gazmin, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano, among others. Joining General Thanh were His Excellency Nguyen Vu Tu, Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines, and Major General Vu Chien Thang, Chief of International Relation Department. PND (js) TOP
3. Palace monitoring typhoon Nando

Malacanang said it is on heightened alert as tropical storm Nando enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility. In a press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said there are
547 families in Samar that have been displaced from 11 barangays because of flashfloods. The affected families took temporary shelter at the schools but some of them went home when the floodwaters subsided. But again we continue to be on alert for the effects of the tropical storm, Valte said. Also the Palace official reported that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has so far spent a total of P78.6 million to assist the victims of Typhoon Maring and habagat. There are only seven evacuation centers remaining in the affected areas sheltering 178 families or some 736 individuals as of Tuesday morning, she added. The DSWD distributed 1,884 family kits worth P20.68 million in evacuation centers as of Tuesday morning. The DSWD also released P30.17 million worth of food and non-food items. PND (as) TOP
4. President Aquino declares September 2 as special non-working day in Ifugao in commemoration of the 68th anniversary of the surrender of General Yamashita
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared September 2, which falls on a Monday, as a special (nonworking) day in the province of Ifugao to mark the 68th anniversary of the surrender of General Tomoyuki Yamashita of the Japanese Imperial Army to combined Filipino and American troops in Kiangan, Ifugao Province. The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 636 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on August 22, to give the people of Ifugao the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies. Yamashita's surrender to the combined Filipino and American troops on September 2, 1945 led to the end of the Second World War in the Pacific. "The Province of Ifugao has been commemorating said event as Victory Day since September 2, 1991, to honor the courage and sacrifices of Filipino and American World War II soldiers and veterans, including Ifugaos own guerrillas and women who served in the Womens Auxiliary Service," the President said. "The celebration of Victory Day in the Province of Ifugao also promotes interest and pride in our history as a people, forges closer bonds of unity and renews our resolve to secure true and lasting peace," he stressed. PND (js) TOP
5. Palace says Presidents Social Fund being used with utmost transparency
Malacanang assured the public on Tuesday that the Presidents Social Fund is being used with utmost accountability and transparency. Klaro naman ang pinagkakagastusan niyan at taun-taon na-au-audit din naman yan at nakikita ng COA (Commission on Audit), Deputy presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing in Malacanang. Everything is accounted for with regards to the use of the Presidents Social Fund, Valte said adding that all the receipts, vouchers, and disbursement requests are submitted to the Commission on Audit. At the end of the calendar year, COA summarizes all its observations in the annual audit report or AAR. The agency would post and upload it for the public to see, she said. We invite everybody to look at these COA reports to familiarize yourselves with its contents para makita kung saan napupunta ang mga ibinabayad nating buwis, Valte said. The Department of Budget and Management also have posted in its website all the expenses made using the Presidents Social Fund through the Statement of Allocations, Obligations and Balances, she noted. The public can view the amounts as of the first quarter this year and whatever allocated by the offices as well as the balances that have to be paid. Ina-update natin ito every quarter. Makikita doon for the Office of the President, magkano ang allocated na pera, magkano ang balanse, magkano na yung na-obligate, and this is also the same for the other line departments, she said. Unspent money is rolled over to next year, Valte added. The Palace official also explained that the Presidents Social Fund is a trust fund and not funded by the
General Appropriations Act (GAA), the Internal Revenue Collections or Customs Duties. Valte pointed out that the Executive department does not propose an amount for the Presidential Social Fund every year. The money is supported and replenished by a percentage of the profits from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). The public can see the percentages by looking at the laws that created the charter of PAGCOR and PCSO, which contain the amount remitted by the two bodies to the Presidential Social Fund, Valte said. PND (as) TOP
27 AGOSTO 2013 1. Tinanggap ng Pangulong Aquino ang katibayan ng mga bagong embahador ng Iraq at ng Sovereign Military Order of Malta 2. Naging panauhin ng Pangulo sa Malacanang ang Ministro ng Tanggulang Bansa ng Vietnam 3. Masusing nakasubaybay ang Palasyo sa bagyong Nando 4. Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino na pista opisyal ang Setyembre 2 sa Ifugao bilang paggunita sa ika-68 taon ng pagsuko ni Hen. Yamashita 1. Tinanggap ng Pangulong Aquino ang katibayan ng mga bagong embahador ng Iraq at ng Sovereign Military Order of Malta Tinanggap ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang mga bagong Embahador sa Pilipinas ng Republika ng Iraq at ng Sovereign Military Order of Malta na nagharap ng mga katibayan sa seremonya sa Malacanang Martes. Ika-10:00 ng umaga nang makipagkita sa Pangulo sa Music Room ng Malacanang ang Kanyang Kabunyian Dr. Ahmed Kamal Hasan Al-Kamaly upang iharap ang katibayan na siya ang Embahador na Katangitangi at May Lubos na Kapangyarihan ng Republika ng Iraq sa Pilipinas. Kasama ng bagong Embahador ng Iraq ang kanyang maybahay na si Sameera Al-Aril at ilang diplomatang Iraqi. Si Kalihim Albert F. Del Roswrio ng Ugnayang Panlabas ang kaagapay ng Pangulo sa pagtanggap sa bagong Embahador ng Iraq. Pinasalamatan ng Embahador ng Iraq ang Pangulong Aquino sa masiglang pagtanggap sa kanya at tiniyak sa Pangulo na ipagpapatuloy ng bansa niya ang magandang pakikisama sa Pilipinas. Pagkatapos ay isa-isa niyang ipinakilala sa Pangulo ang kanyang delegasyon. Pagkatapos, kasama pa rin si Kalihim Del Rosrio, isinama ng Pangulo ang Embahador at delegasyon nito sa kalapit na kuwarto at doon sila nagpulong. Ika-11:00 ng umaga naman tinanggap ng Pangulo ang katibayan ng Kanyang Kabunyian Odelia Gregorio Arroyo bilang Embahador na Katangi-tangi at May Lubos na Kapangyarihan ng Pilipinas sa Sovereign Military Order of Malta sa simpleng seremonya sa Music Room. Kasama ni Embahador Arroyo ang kanyang pamilya at iba pang diplomata buhat sa Malta. Sa paghaharap ng kanyang katibayan, pinasalamatan din ni Embahador Arroyo ang Pangulo sa pagtanggap sa kanya at ipinahayag ang dalangin niyang lumawig ang buhay ng Pangulo at mamayani ang kapayapaan at kasaganaan sa Pilipinas at sa sambayanang Pilipino. Sinundan din ito ng closed-door meeting ng Pangulo at ng Embahador. PND (js/zaf) TOP 2. Naging panauhin ng Pangulo sa Malacanang ang Ministro ng Tanggulang Bansa ng Vietnam
Naging panauhin ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa Malacanang Martes si Ministro Heneral Phung Quang Thanh ng Tanggulang Bansa ng Vietnam tungo sa layuning mapag-ibayo pa ang pagtutulungan ng Pilipinas at Vietnam tungkol sa kapanatagan sa karagatan. Ika-11:30 ng umaga nang tanggapin ng Pangulo si Heneral Thanh at mga kasama nito sa Presidents Hall. Nasa Pilipinas si Thanh para sa opisyal na pagdalaw Agosto 25-27 sa anyaya ni Kalihim Voltaire T. Gazmin ng Tanggulang Bansa ng Pilipinas. Ang pagdalaw ni Heneral Thanh sa Pilipinas ay malinaw na pagpapatunay ng pangako ng dalawang bansa na ibayo pang magtulungan sa magkasanib na paglinang sa kanilang mga kakayahang pantanggulan at pag-aambag sa pampurok na kapayapaan at kapanatagan, wika sa opisyal na pahayag ng Kagawaran ng Tanggulang Bansa. Bago nagsadya sa Malacanang, sina Thanh at Gazmin ay masinsinang nag-usap tungkol sa mga isyung may kaugnayan sa dalawang bansa tulad ng pagtutulungan pa sa hinaharap na panahon alinsunod sa memorandum of agreement ukol sa tanggulang bansa na napagkasunduan ng dalawang bansa. Sa talakayan Lunes ay napag-usapan ang ang tungkol sa pagtutulungan para sa humanitarian assistance at relief cooperation, ayon sa pahayag ng DND. Noong 2010 nilagdaan ng Pilipinas at Vietnam ang kasunduan ukol sa pagtutulungang may kaugnayan sa tanggulang bansa. Sapul nang lagdaan ang kasunduan sa pagtutulungan ng Pilipinas at Vietnam noong 2010, sinabi ng Kagawaran ng Tanggulang Bansa na nag-ibayo ang magandang samahan ng dalawang bansa at naging malimit ang pagdadalawan ng mga pinunong may kinalaman sa exchanges and information-sharing. Kasama ng Pangulo sa pagtanggap sa Ministro ng Tanggulang Bansa ng Biyetnam sina Gazmin, Kalihim ng Gabinete Jose Rene Almendras, Vice Admiral at Puno ng Lakas na Pandagat ng Pilipinas Jose Luis Alano. Nang makipagkita sa Pangulong Aquino, kasama naman ni Heneral Thanh ang Kanyang Kabunyian Nguyen Vu Tu, Embahador ng Vietnam sa Pilipinas at Komandante Heneral Vu Chien Thang, Puno ng International Relation Department. PND (js/zaf) TOP 3. Masusing nakasubaybay ang Palasyo sa bagyong Nando
Masusing nakasubaybay ang Malacanang tungkol sa bagyong Nando na pumasok na sa pook na saklaw ng pananagutan ng Pilipinas. Sa pulong-balitaan sa Malacanang Martes, binigyang diin ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte na may 547 pamilya na sa 11 baranggay ng Samar ang kinailangang lumikas dahil sa biglaang pagbaha sa kanilang pook. Pansamantalang tumuloy ang mga pamilyang naturan sa mga paaralan at ang ilan naman ay nag-uwian na nang kumati ang tubig. Magkagayon man, patuloy pa rin kaming nakasubaybay sa bagyong ito upang tulungan at saklolohan ang mga magiging biktima, dugtong pa ni Valte. Sinabi rin ni Valte na nakaguguol na ng kabuuang P78.6 milyon ang Kagawaran ng Kagalingang Panlipunan (DSWD) sa tulong na ipinamahagi sa mga biktima ng Bagyong Maring at ng habagat na nagpaulan nang matagal at malakas sa maraming dako ng bansa, lalo na sa Luzon. Sa kabuuan, pitong evacuation centers na lamang ang nalalabi sa mga pook na sinalanta ng baha kung saan 178 pamilya o kabuuang 736 katao ang nananatili pa hanggang Martes ng umaga, sabi pa ni Valte. Hanggang ngayong Martes ng umaga, ang DSWD ay nakapamigay na ng 1,884 family kits na nagkakahalaga ng P20.68 milyon sa mga evacuation centers. Naglabas na rin ang DSWD ng P30.17 milyong halaga ng pagkain at non-food items bilang tulong sa mga biktima ng malalim at malawakang pagbaha sa maraming dako dahil sa bagyo at habagat, dugtong ni Valte. PND (as/zaf) TOP 4. Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino na pista opisyal ang Setyembre 2 sa Ifugao bilang paggunita sa ika-68 taon ng pagsuko ni Hen. Yamashita Idineklara ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang Setyembre, natapat sa araw ng Lunes, bilang pista opisyal sa lalawigan ng Ifugao bilang paggunita sa ika-68 taon ng anibersaryo ng pagsuko ni Heneral Tomoyuki Yamashita ng Hukbong Hapones sa magkasamang mga kawal-Pilipino at Amerikano sa Kiangan, Lalawigan ng Ifugao. Inilagda ng Pangulo ang deklarasyon sa pamamagitan ng Proklamasyon Blg. 636 na nilagdaan ni Kalihim Tagapagpaganap Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. noong Agosto 22, upang bigyan ng lahat ng pagkakataon ang mga mamamayan ng Ifugao na maipagdiwang nang angkop at makalahok sa mga seremonyang kaugnay ng makasaysayang araw na ito na naganap noong Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig.
Ang pagsuko ni Yamashita sa pinagsanib na lakas ng mga Pilipino at Amerikano noong Setyembre 2. 1945 sa kabundukan ng Ifugao ang naging daan para mawakasan ang walang kasing lupit na Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig sa Pasipiko. Ang Lalawigan ng Ifugao ay nagsimulang magdiwang sa Araw ng Tagumpay na ito noon pang Setyembre 2, 1991 upang kilalanin at parangalan ang tapang at pagpapakasakit ng mga Pilipino at Amerikanong kawal at mga beterano ng Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig, kasama na ang magigiting at walang takot na mga gerilya at kababaihan ng Ifugao na naglingkod bilang Womens Auxiliary Service, sabi ng Pangulong Aquino. Ang pagdiriwang ng Araw ng Tagumpay sa Lalawigan ng Ifugao ay nagsusulong din ng malasakit at pagpupugay natin sa ating kasaysayan bilang lahi, bumibigkis nang mahigpit tungo sa pagkakaisa at pagsariwa sa ating panatang pangalagaan ang tunay at walang hanggang kapayapaan, dugtong pa ng Pangulong Aquino. PND (js/zaf) TOP
President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech during the National Heroes Day Libingan ng mga Bayani, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City 26 Aug 2013 Hitik ang ating kasaysayan sa mga Pilipinong handang manindigan at lumaban para sa kapwa at bayan, anumang unos at pagsubok ang kanilang daanan. Sila nga po ang ginugunita at binibigyang-pugay natin taun-taon; sila ang mga indibidwal na bumubuhay sa dugong-bayani ng ating lahi. Maituturing nga pong bayani ang mga karaniwang taong humarap sa mga pagsubok ng isang di-pangkaraniwang panahon. Tinimbang ang kanilang pananagutan, sinukat ang paninindigan, at hindi po sila nagkulang. Bantog man o hindi naisulat ang pangalan sa pahina ng kasaysayan, ginawa nilang posible ang ating kalayaan, at ang repormang tinutupad natin sa kasalukuyan. Isang matingkad na halimbawa po nito si Commodore Ramon Alcaraz na talaga naman pong pambihira ang ipinamalas na katapangan noong Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig. Nakipaglaban siya sa mga dayuhang mananakop gamit lamang ang isang Q-boat na yari sa kahoy, kumpara sa sinagupang Zero na fighters ng bansang Hapon na isa sa mga pinakamodernong eroplano sa panahong iyon. Puwede namang sa simula pa lang ng bakbakan, nagwagayway na siya ng puting bandera, at umurong sa napaka-imposibleng matalong puwersa ng katunggali. Pero dehado man sa laban, ipinakita pa rin ni Commodore Alcaraz ang tapang at pananagutan ng pagiging sundalo; ipinamalas niyang hindi basta-basta magagapi ang Pilipino. Dahil dito, nakapagpabagsak pa siya ng tatlo sa siyam na zero fighter jets. Nakahanda pa sana siyang ituloy ang sagupaan, kung hindi lang siya inatasan ng kanyang mga pinunong sumuko. Hindi rito natapos ang kanyang ambag sa kasaysayan. Kinilala siyang ama ng Philippine Marines; at noong napipinto nang ideklara ang Batas Militar hanggang sa pag-iral nito, nanindigan siya laban sa diktadurya. Ganitong prinsipyo rin po ang itinataguyod ng mga sundalong kagaya ni Commodore Alcaraz na handang suungin ang anumang peligro alang-alang sa kapakanan ng kapwa-Pilipino. Napatunayan din natin ang giting ng ating unipormadong hanay sa kasagsagan man ng malalakas na bagyo, o sa paglaban sa masasamang elemento, lalo na sa kanayunan. Hindi man kakilala o hindi man kaanu-ano ang tinulungan, handang isugal ng ating mga kawal ng bayan ang kanilang buhay upang sagipin at itaguyod ang interes ng mas nangangailangan. Ang mga kababayan nating OFW bayani rin pong maituturing. Hindi nila inaalintana ang mga sakripisyo at layo sa pamilya, para lamang makapagpundar ng magandang kinabukasan sa kani-kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. Sa ipinupunla nilang sipag at dedikasyon sa hanapbuhay, hindi lang naihahayag ang mabubuting katangian ng Pilipino sa buong mundoinihahatid din nila ang buong bansa sa landas ng malawakang kaunlaran at pag-asenso. Lahat naman po tayo, sa ibat ibang paraan, ay natulungan at nakinabang sa pagmamalasakit ng mga nauna sa atin. Kaya naman makatuwiran lang pong isiping panahon na para tayo naman ang magpatuloy sa kanilang sinimulan. Makilahok tayo, makiisa at makiambag sa pagsusulong ng ating kolektibong adhikain bilang bansa. Nito nga pong Biyernes nang ihayag natin ang pag-abolish ng PDAF. Bahagi ito ng paghahanap at pagbuo ng mekanismo upangsiguruhing ang pera ng taumbayan ay mapupunta sa taumbayan lamang. Gagawin natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya, upang tukuyin at panagutin ang mga nagkuntsabahan para dungisan ang dapat sanay marangal na layunin ng dating PDAF. Hindi natin hahayaang maging kasangkapan ang sinuman upang magpatuloy ang kababuyan ng iilan; sisikapin nating hindi na maulit pa ang kamalian ng nakaraan, upang lalo pang patibayin ang matuwid na paggugol ng kabang bayan. Ngunit upang tuluyang maging epektibo ang bagong sistemang ating ilalatag, kailangan ang pakikiisa ng mamamayan sa masusing pagbabantay ng bawat proyektong ating pinopondohan. Ang hamon po sa atin: Huwag sana tayong makuntento na mag-abang o tumanggap lamang ng tulong at biyaya mula sa
kabutihan ng iba; sa halip, gawin natin ang lahat ng makakaya sa bawat pagkakataon upang gampanan ang tungkulin sa kapwa at lipunan. Ang tanong nga po: Kaya ba nating harapin ang ating sarili kung tinanggihan natin ang pagkakataong makiambag sa pagbabago? Di bat kaysarap na maging karapat-dapat na tagapagmana ng kalayaang ipinaglaban ng ating mga bayani? Nagsisimula po ang kabayanihan mula sa ating mga sarili; sa pagtukoy at pagpanig sa kung ano ang tama, at hindi sa mali. Dito nagbubukal ang pananagutan nating magmalasakit sa nangangailangan at ipagtanggol ang niyuyurakan ang karapatan. Bilang pagrespeto at pagpapahalaga sa mabuting halimbawa ng ating mga bayani, naway araw -araw nating isabuhay ang kanilang aral at paninindigan. Kung nagawa nga nilang patunayang ang Pilipino ay may malasakit sa kapwa Pilipino, wala pong makakapigil sa atin upang sundan ang tinahak nilang landas. Bawat isa sa atin, anuman ang katungkulan o kalagayan, kayang maging mabuting Pilipino sa bawat sandali; bawat isa sa atin, gaano man kaliit o kalaki ang iambag, kayang maging bayani. Bawat hakbang pasulong ng Pilipino, bastat sama-sama, makakapagdulot ng dambuhalang pagbabago. Taas noo tayong humaharap sa mundopatutunayan nating sulit ang sakripisyo ng ating mga bayani, at itutuloy natin ang kanilang laban para sa ikabubuti ng bagong salinlahi. Maraming salamat po. Magandang araw po sa lahat. [HOME]
Pahayag ng Kagalang-galang Benigno S. Aquino III Pangulo ng Pilipinas ukol sa abolisyon ng PDAF at mga reporma sa pagbabadyet Bulwagang Kalayaan, Palasyo ng Malacaan Noong ika-23 ng Agosto 2013 Taong 1990 nang binuo ang tinatawag na nating PDAF ngayon para sa isang marangal na layunin: Ang bigyang-lakas ang inyong mga Kinatawan sa Kongreso, upang tumukoy ng mga proyektong hindi kayang pondohan ng mga local government units. Wala pong mali o masama sa polisiyang ito. Ang mali, ang masama, at ang siya ngang ikinagagalit ng taumbayan, ay ang pagsasabwatan sa pagitan ng isang pangulong handang makipagtransaksyon para manatili sa kapangyarihan; mga mambabatas handang makipagkuntsabahan; at kung nariyan ang kooperasyon ng burukrasya; at mga mamamayang tila namanhid na sa panlalapastangang ginagawa sa kanilakung nagsama-sama po ang mga sangkap na ito, maaaring maabuso ang PDAF. Kailangan nating maniguradong hindi na maaabuso ang sistema. Akala po ng iba, pera nila ang PDAF, na puwedeng gastusin kung paano nila gusto. Pero mali po ito: Pera ng bayan ang pinag-uusapan dito, at sa bayan dapatat hindi sa ilang gahaman lamang ang pakinabang nito. Nakakagimbal nga po ang mga rebelasyon tulad ng mga nakapaloob sa COA Special Audit Report ukol sa paggamit ng PDAF noong 2007 hanggang 2009, na inilabas nitong nakaraang linggo. Dalawang bagay po ang malinaw na kailangan nating gawin sa panahong ito. Una, ang panagutin ang mga umabuso sa sistema. Kahapon, iniulat ko sa inyo: Inatasan ko ang DOJ, sampu ng lahat ng ahensya ng ehekutibo sa ilalim ng Inter-Agency Anti-Graft Coordinating Council, o IAAGCC, na mag-ambagan at magtutulungan upang mapabilis ang proseso, mula sa imbestigasyon, hanggang sa pag-usig, hanggang sa pagpapakulong, at pati na ang pagbawi ng ilegal na yaman. Malinaw ang aking direktiba sa lahat ng ahensya at kawani ng gobyerno: Ibigay ang inyong buong tulong at kooperasyon upang mahanap ang katotohanan, at nang mapanagot ang dapat managot. Buong-buo po ang kumpiyansa ko sa integridad nina Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, Kalihim Leila M. de Lima, at Chairperson Grace Pulido-Tan; alam kong wala silang kikilingan. Kinakatawan nila ang panunumbalik ng tiwala ng publiko sa mga institusyong kanilang pinamumunuan. Iyan po ang balangkas ng ating unang layunin. Ang ikalawa: maghanap ng mas mainam na paraan upang siguruhing ang pera ng taumbayan ay mapunta sa taumbayan lamang. Lilinawin ko po: Simula pa lamang, pilit na tayong nagpapasok ng reporma upang bawasan ang diskresyon, na siyang ugat ng labis at maling paggamit ng PDAF. Naniniwala tayo: kung hayag ang proseso, mababawasan din ang pang-aabuso sa sistema. Inatas po nating itala sa Pambansang Budget kung magkano ang PDAF na natatanggap ng bawat mambabatas, at ipinagbawal na rin natin ang congressional insertions. Partikular na lamang ang menu na puwedeng paglagyan ng PDAF, hindi katulad dati kung kailan inilalagay lamang ito sa kung saan-saan. Hinihingi na rin natin ang mga detalye ng proyekto, di gaya ng nakaraan kung kailan kahit malawak ang depinisyon ay naaaprubahan ito. Real time na ring ina-upload sa website ng DBM ang listahan ng proyektong napopondohan ng PDAF, kayat malaya itong mabusisi ng madla. Pagdating naman sa bidding, lahat ng bid notices at awards ay nakapaskil na rin sa Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System o PhilGEPS. Naalala ko nga po noong Senador ako. Ang budget, nakalaan para sa January 1 hanggang December 31. Noong 2007, naaprubahan ito, Abril na. Ibig sabihin, mula Enero hanggang Abril, carry over ang budget mula sa nakaraang taon. Di ba makatuwiran na dahil na-reenact ang budget, tanggalin na rin sa budget ang pondo para sa mga buwan na nakalipas at nagastusan na? Natalo po ang mungkahi kokaya bumoto ako ng No sa budget ng 2007. Tinatayang 36 billion pesos ang biglang naging savings noong taong ito. Ang tanong po: Saan naman po kaya napunta itong 36 billion na ito? Kaya nga po, mula nang maupo tayo, maaga na ring isinusumite at inaaprubahan ang budget, upang hindi na ito paulit-ulit na ma-reenact, na maaari ring magamit bilang instrumento ng pang-aabuso. Sa araw matapos ang SONA, isinusumite na namin ito sa Kongreso; naaaprubahan po nila ito bago matapos ang taon, kayat nabawasan na rin ang pagkakataong makakalikot ito at mapagkakitaan. Sa kabila po ng mga repormang ito, nakita natin sa mga ulat na lumabas nitong mga nakaraang linggo: kailangan pa ng mas malaking pagbabago upang labanan ang mga talagang pursigidong abusuhin ang sistema. Panahon na po upang i-abolish
ang PDAF. Ngayon, bubuo tayo ng bagong mekanismo upang matugunan ang pangangailangan ng inyong mga mamamayan at sektor sa paraang tapat, gamit ang tama at makatuwirang proseso, at nang may sapat na mga kalasag laban sa pang-aabuso at katiwalian. Katuwang nina Senate President Frank Drilon at Speaker Sonny Belmonte, sisiguruhin kong bawat mamamayan at sektor ay makakakuha ng patas na bahagi ng pambansang budget para sa serbisyong pangkalusugan, scholarship, proyektong lumilikha ng kabuhayan, at lokal na imprastruktura. Makakapagmungkahi ng proyekto ang inyong mga mambabatas, ngunit kailangan itong idaan sa proseso ng pagbubuo ng budget. Kung maaprubahan, itatalang mga ito bilang mga line item, alinsunod sa mga programa ng Pambansang Pamahalaan. Mapapaloob ito sa batas bilang Pambansang Budget hihimayin ang bawat linya, bawat piso, bawat proyekto, gaya ng lahat ng iba pang mga programa ng inyong pamahalaan. Dagdag pa rito, ang mga proyekto, at ang pag-release ng budget para sa mga ito, ay magkakaroon ng mga sumusunod na patakaran laban sa katiwalian: 1. Itutuloy natin: Kailangang manggaling sa isang limitadong menu ang mga proyektong popondohan. 2. Ngayon, bawal na ang mga consumable na soft project tulad ng fertilizers, punla, gamot, medical kits, pustiso, paliga, training materials, at iba pang mga bagay na hindi masusuri kung totoo ngang may kinahihinatnan, o kung nagmumulto at pinagkakakitaan lamang. 3. Ngayon, bawal na rin ang mga panandaliang imprastruktura, tulad ng mga dredging, desilting, regravelling, o asphalt overlay project. 4. Ngayon, bawal na ring padaanin ang pondo sa mga NGO at piling GOCC tulad ng ZREC at NABCOR. Bubuwagin na po ang mga GOCC na ito at iba pang tulad nila, na paulit-ulit na ginamit sa kuntsabahan, at parang wala namang ibang silbi kundi ang maging instrumento ng katiwalian. 5. Ngayon, limitado na sa distrito o sektor ng mambabatas na nag-sponsor ang kanyang panukalang proyekto. 6. Ipagpapatuloy natin ang tapat at bukas na bidding para sa bawat proyekto; kailangang ipaskil sa Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System o PhilGEPS ang lahat ng mga bid notices at awards. 7. Patuloy din pong masubaybayan ng taumbayan ang implementasyon ng mga proyekto, ihahayag ito nang buo sa website ng DBM at kaukulang ahensya, pati na sa National Data Portal ng gobyerno (www.data.gov.ph). Inatasan ko na si Secretary Abad ng DBM na kumonsulta kina Speaker Belmonte at Senate President Drilon upang pandayin ang mekanismo, at isumite ito kaagad sa akin. Ilalatag natin ito upang ang mga alokasyon sa bawat distrito ay mapabilang na sa ating Pambansang Budget simula sa panukalang budget ng 2014. Gagana lamang po ang sistemang ito kung makikiisa at makikilahok kayo. Ihahayag po nang buo ang impormasyon; suyurin at kilitasin po natin ito. Nananawagan akong makiambag at magsikap ang bawat isa, gaya ng pakikiambag at pagsisikap ng inyong gobyerno. Sama-sama nating pagtibayin ang pananagutan at katapatan, upang masigurong ang pera ng bayan ay ginugugol sa paraang makatarungan at tunay ninyong napapakinabangan. Maraming salamat po, at magandang araw po. [HOME]
ONLINE NEWS
26 AUGUST 2013
27 AUGUST 2013 1. NHMFC offers 6 month moratorium to victims of typhoon Maring 2. Stakeholders' commitment to ensure compliance in law and practice marks MLC, 2006 entry into force 3. In Zambales, DOLE to provide emergency employment to 2,378 TUPAD 4. Press Con on National Accounts Slated on August 29 5. Typhoon damage to have minimal impact DoF chief economist 6. 3 road sections in Benguet still close 7. Price, supply of goods in disaster-hit areas remains steady 8. GPH, MILF achieve substantial progress in power sharing, normalization annexes 9. Next steps for LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project bidding known next week DOTC 10. Hacked govt. websites highlight need for secure web hosting 11. TESDA turns over 500 chairs to QC school 12. PDIC to continue processing claims of Quezon Traders Rural Bank of Candelaria depositors 13. Statement of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay on the decision of the President abolishing PDAF
14. VP Binay - DBM should say if P200M OVP Social Services Fund is PDAF or not 15. Study launch highlights convergence of efforts in building resilience to disasters and economic crises 1. NHMFC offers 6 month moratorium to victims of typhoon Maring Source: http://www.nhmfc.gov.ph Vice President Jejomar C. Binay. Binay said borrowers of the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) who were recently affected by typhoon Maring may reschedule payment of their housing loan for six months. Binay, who also heads the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the NHMFC Board of Directors said the six-month moratorium will be effective starting August 31, 2013 until February 28, 2014. This program is for our fellow countrymen who lost their homes during the recent typhoon, he added. Binay said interest and penalty charges shall not be imposed within the said period. Borrowers who are interested in availing the program should also apply not later than September 15, 2013. He added applicants must present barangay certification that they are bonafide residents and that their area was flooded or was under state of calamity. Dacion en pago will be available to NHMFC borrowers who are no longer interested in returning to their respective homes. Dacion en pago is a special mode of payment wherein the debtor offers another thing to the creditor who accepts it as equivalent of payment of an outstanding obligation. Borrowers may voluntarily surrender their properties as a mode of settlement of their loan obligations. Aside from the NHMFC, other housing agencies under the HUDCC like the Home Development Mutual Fund (PagIBIG), National Housing Authority, and Home Guaranty Corporation have each declared a three-month moratorium on housing loan mortgages. NHMFC is the governments premiere Secondary Mortgage Institution tasked to operate a viable secondary home mortgage market. It is also mandated to monitor the performance and implementation of the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) by its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC). |TOP| 2. Stakeholders' commitment to ensure compliance in law and practice marks MLC, 2006 entry into force Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said the Philippines marked the entry into force of the Maritime Labor Convention, 2006 with expressed solid commitments from all the maritime stakeholders to ensure compliance with the important Convention in law and practice. Acknowledging the role of ship owners, manning agencies, international organizations, such as the International Labor Organization (ILO), Recognized Organizations (ROs), local seafarers' unions, such as the Associated Maritime Officers and Seafarers Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), and seafarers themselves, in the realization of the MLC, 2006, Secretary Baldoz called for unity to ensure that the country and its more than 400,000 Filipino seafarers deployed overseas and almost 60,000 domestic seafarers benefits from the Convention. The MLC, 2006 entered into force on 20 August 2013, one year after the Philippines deposited its instrument of ratification in the ILO in Geneva on 20 August 2012. Baldoz cited as backdrop of her call for unity behind the MLC, 2006 the recent tragic accident in Cebu City involving the passenger vessel, St. Thomas Aquinas, and a cargo ship of Sulpicio Lines that resulted to 75 deaths and 45 persons still missing as of last count. About 750 passengers had been rescued from the ill-fated ship. In her keynote speech at an event organized by the DOLE and the ILO and hosted by the AMOSUP in Intramuros yesterday to mark the entry into force of the MLC, 2006, Baldoz said: "We mark the entry into force of the MLC, 2006 even as we continue to grieve for the victims of the sea tragedy in Cebu City. Initial investigation by the DOLE Regional Office No. 7 showed that both ships have no health and safety committee or safety officers. We have yet to ascertain the extent of compliance or non-compliance with labor standards and occupational health and safety by the two ships," Baldoz said. "This accident, coming at the heels of the entry into force of the MLC, 2006, emphasizes the need for all stakeholders and the government to move fast and stop loss of lives at sea by observing the right balance between ensuring decent work for seafarers and securing fair competition; and ensuring a level playing field for quality ship owners by offering them protection from being undercut by ship owners operating substandard ships or substandard
working conditions for seafarers," she explained. Baldoz said she will meet again with Transportation and Communication Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, MARINA Administrator Maximo Mejia Jr. to discuss the governments track on the matter just as they met on 4 June 2013 on the concern on competent authority in implementing the MLC, 2006. In that meeting, Baldoz said the DOLEs role in seafarers working co ndition and welfare is dictated by the explicit authority vested by the Labor Code upon the Secretary of Labor and Employment to administer and enforce workers, including seafarers, labor rights. Baldoz recalled that the Philippines's ratification of the MLC, 2006 was not only a big step for the global maritime industry, but also of tremendous importance to the country as a maritime nation. "Dubbed as the seafarers international bill of rights, the MLC, 2006 is expected to provide protection to the approximately 400,000 Filipino seafarers deployed overseas, who comprise roughly 30 percent of the global maritime fleet, and to the almost 60,000 domestic seafarers," Baldoz said. The MLC, 2006 is a single, coherent international instrument that consolidates and updates fundamental principles and labor standards for seafarers, replacing 68 existing ILO maritime conventions and related recommendations and protocol adopted since 1920. |TOP| 3. In Zambales, DOLE to provide emergency employment to 2,378 TUPAD Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said that 2,378 worker-heads of families in Zambales affected by Typhoon Labuyo will be hired for short-term jobs under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged workers, or (TUPAD) Program to be implemented by the DOLE Regional Office No. 3. The affected families in Masinloc, Candelaria, and Sta. Cruz in Zambales have reached 2,378, or a total of 9,562 persons. We will extend appropriate interventions to the 2,378 heads of the families who were affected by Typhoon Labuyo as well as by the recent floods induced by Typhoon Maring and the southwest monsoon, or habagat, through emergency employment and our livelihood assistance program, said Baldoz. The implementat ion of the TUPAD will be in cooperation with the Office of Representative Cheryl Deloso of the 2nd District of Zambales, who had sought the assistance of the DOLE, and the local government units of the three municipalities and their respective Public Employment Service Offices. Earlier, Rep. Deloso led the distribution of relief goods to victims of the calamity in the three towns in her district, but realized the need to also provide them with income relief, particularly the displaced workers. Baldoz said that 835 of the of the 2,378 displaced workers will come from Masinloc; 657 from Candelaria; and 886 from Sta. Cruz. Their ages range from 18 to 65 years old. "The 2,378 displaced workers will work for ten days each at the rate of P336 per day. That would be about P3,360 per worker. They will clear and de-clog canals, clear roads of debris, and plant trees to prevent soil erosion in 50 affected barangays in the three municipalities," Baldoz explained. The total cost of the emergency employment is P9,987,600, but the DOLEs share will only be P7,990,080. The three local government units will share 20 percent of the cost, with Masinloc spending P701,400; Candelaria, P551,880; and Sta Cruz allocating P744,240, or a total of P1,887,520. Part of the LGU counterpart for the emergency employment program is the provision of uniforms or t-shirts, brooms and other tools to be used by the workers in the clean-up operations. The seedlings will be provided by free by the Department of Agriculture. The TUPAD, under the Workers Income Augmentation Program, is a DOLE support program which provides short-term and immediate employment for victims of natural calamities. To ensure effective and efficient implementation of the TUPAD, DOLE Regional Office No. 3 Director Raymundo Agravante created a project management composed of representatives of the DOLE, the LGUs' Municipal Engineering Office, Department of Agriculture, Provincial PESO, and the Office of Rep. Deloso. Baldoz has directed Director Agravante to post in the DOLE website the names of the beneficiaries for public information and transparency purposes. |TOP| 4. Press Con on National Accounts Slated on August 29 Source: http://www.nscb.gov.ph The National Statistical Coordination Board announces the holding of a Press Conference on the Performance of the Philippine Economy for Second Quarter of 2013 with NEDA Director General and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan. as resource person on August 29, 2013 (Thursday) at 10:00 a.m. at the NSCB Operations Room, 5th Floor Midland Buendia, Bldg., 403 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City. The press conference will be streamed live on the Internet through the NSCB USTREAM channel http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nscb Highlights of the press conference will also be tweeted live all throughout the duration of the press conference through the NSCB Twitter account @NSCBPhilippines. The hashtag to be used is #PHgdp. |TOP| 5. Typhoon damage to have minimal impact DoF chief economist Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph
Recent calamities will not have much impact to economic growth for the third quarter, the Finance departments newly appointed chief economist said on Friday. It will only have minimal impact, Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said. The Philippine economy grew 7.8 percent in the first quarter, beating market expectations to become Asias fastest growing economy. Second quarter growth will be reported next week. According to the Department of Agriculture, combined damage to agriculture by typhoon Labuyo and the southwest monsoon as enhanced by tropical storm Maring amounted to P2.6 billion, equivalent to 0.09 percent of projected third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP). The agriculture sector accounts for a tenth of economic output. Losses from the two major typhoons that hit the country in the third quarter can be recovered, Beltran said. In addition, Beltran said damage could also have been limited since the Agriculture department launched a replanting program for the adversely affected farms. This, he said, would allow some farmers to harvest by November, instead of the usual September. Many of the farms, particularly in Region III (Central Luzon) are covered by crop insurance as well, he added. As for other sectors such as manufacturing, Beltran said losses are still being estimated but supp osed earnings from two-day work suspension can be recovered in the next few weeks. Manufacturers can schedule additional work time to fill orders, Beltran pointed out. As for damage to infrastructure, the official said ample fiscal space will enable the National Government through the Department of Public Works and Highways to do repairs without bloating the budget deficit. The Aquino administration incurred a deficit of P51.29 billion as of the first semester, much below the P84.656-billion cap for the period, latest DoF figures showed. Replanting, rebuilding and reconstruction can make up for the expected losses in GDP, Beltran said. The economy has surplus savings from which to draw to make up for the damage, he added. |TOP| 6. 3 road sections in Benguet still close Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) advises the motoring public to avoid three (3) road sections in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), specifically Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road and Acop-KapanganKibungan-Bakun Road in the Province of Benguet, which were affected by the Typhoons that hit the country recently. Per latest situational report as of 8:00AM of 27 August 2013 from DPWH CAR maintenance and clearing works are still ongoing due to recurring slides, at Km 271+800, Guesset Section and Km 282+000, Shilan Beckel Road, Km 282+000) of Benguet Nueva Vizcaya Road; and Km 287+200 Taba-oa Section, Kapangan, Benguet of Acop-Kabayan-Kibungan-Bakun Road in Kapangan, Benguet. DPWH CAR maintenance personnel are deployed with the necessary equipment to clear the affected roads from storm debris, fallen trees and other road obstructions. The needed traffic signs were also installed to pre-warn the motoring public. The DPWH is also monitoring conditions of other national roads for possible effect of the prevailing weather. |TOP| 7. Price, supply of goods in disaster-hit areas remains steady Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph The Department of Trade and Industry reported that the price and supply of basic necessities remains generally stable, except for some slight price increase in some agricultural products during a market visit in Pasay City. DTI Secretary Gregory Domingo said that the price and supply of basic goods, such as bread, sardines, and noodles in the market, remains steady. There was no movement in the price of dry goods such as canned goods, bread, and noodles. The manufacturers of dry goods guaranteed us that they will not increase their prices and ensure adequate supply of goods in the market." Secretary Domingo said. Department of Agriculture Director Leandro Gazmin meanwhile reported that prices of chicken and pork, and farmharvested fish products such as bangus and tilapia remain steady. However, some agricultural products reported slight price increase such as cabbage, baguio pechay, and onions due to reduced deliveries. Truck deliveries from Benguet were affected by the flooding brought by intense monsoon rains and typhoon Maring.
We see temporary price increase in fish and vegetables, the problem is not in the supply but in the distribution. Once the flooding subsided the prices will normalize in the next coming days." Director Gazmin said. Gazmin added that the price of sea-harvested fish products such as alumahan also increased due to the difficulty in catching fish during the typhoon Maring. According to price list provided by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, the cost of one kilo alumahan increased this week by P40 to P160 from last weeks P120. During the market visit, the monitoring team found out that the price of premium commercial rice rose by P2, while the price of regular and premium NFA rice remains at P27 and P32, respectively. Director Gazmin said the Department of Agriculture will look on the causes of price hike in premium commercial rice. Secretary Domingo also announced that there will be Diskwento Caravans to be organized in calamity-stricken areas to provide cheaper source of basic goods to affected communities. Secretary Domingo added that monitoring of prices is conducted in a daily basis in areas under state of calamity and urged the public to report vendors who overprice their basic items to a nearest DTI office or contact DTI hotline (7513330). Violators will be penalized with administrative fine up to P1M and /or imprisonment of 10 years. |TOP| 8. GPH, MILF achieve substantial progress in power sharing, normalization annexes Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph Kuala Lumpur The Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Sunday ended the 39th round of formal exploratory talks on a positive note, resolving several issues on the two remaining annexes on power sharing and normalization. In a joint statement, the parties said they have achieved substantial progress in the discussions towards finalizing the Annexes on Power Sharing and Normalization to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB). During the four-day meeting, the Parties worked towards the resolution of some of the most crucial issues. Despite the sensitivity of these issues, the Parties remain committed to the problem-solving approach in order to reach consensus, they stated. In the spirit of partnership and mutual understanding, they are confident that an agreement will be reached soon. They agreed to meet again in September 2013. The parties also discussed the composition of the Independent Commission on Policing (ICP) and the possibility of convening it in the next round of formal talks. The ICP will be tasked to submit recommendations to the peace panels on the appropriate form, structures and relationships of the police force for the envisioned Bangsamoro region that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. GPH peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer described this round of talks as difficult to conclude since the agenda covered two annexes. We knew that negotiating on the power sharing annex will be as hard as that on the w ealth sharing annex so we feel relieved having come to better understanding on the principles of intergovernmental relations, she said. "Because we have settled fiscal matters in the Wealthsharing Annex, it was easier for us to agree on related items in the Powersharing Annex." On the normalization annex, Coronel-Ferrer related that the parties are now working on finalizing the text. We discussed the texts on the table in order to consolidate consensus, and clarify and reconcile the contending positions, she added. The GPH and the MILF peace panels already signed two of the four annexes, which are the Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities, and Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing. Together with the FAB, the annexes will form part of the Comprehensive Agreement which both parties hope to sign within the year. Coronel-Ferrer also reiterated the governments commitment to ensure a viable and genuine autonomy for the Bangsamoro region. In their statement, the panels welcomed the attendance of observers from Congress, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), and civil society. They also said that the meeting provided an opportunity for an informal discussion between the members of Congress and the BTC. The parties also thanked President Benigno Aquino III for his commitment to a just and lasting peace in Mindanao and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak for his continued support in the facilitation of the GPH -MILF Peace Talks. They likewise conveyed their gratitude to the members of the International Contact Group (ICG), namely the governments of Japan, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Turkey, and the United Kingdom; and to the international non-government organizations namely the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Conciliation Resources, and Muhammadiyah. The ICG is mandated to exert proper leverage and sustain the interest of the parties in the negotiations. Malaysian third-party facilitator Tengku Datu Abdul Ghafar Tengku bin Mohamed, who was not able to attend the closing ceremony due to an illness, was represented by Che Kashna, head of the Malaysian secretariat. |TOP|
9. Next steps for LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project bidding known next week DOTC Source: http://www.dotc.gov.ph Manila, Philippines The Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) will submit its recommendation on the bidding of the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project to Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya next week. In order to formalize its recommendation, the SBAC needs to convene and pass a resolution prior to submitting the same to the Transport chief. Procedural requirements for setting an SBAC meeting this week were prevented by work cancellations stemming from the inclement weather and flooding brought about by Typhoon Maring. An option to move the project forward under the Build-Operate-and-Transfer Law is to re-bid it. In case of a rebidding, a single-stage process is possible in order to meet the projects original deadlines. Once the SBACs recommendation is approved, the DOTC will announce the next steps for the bidding of the pr oject to the public. |TOP| 10. Hacked govt. websites highlight need for secure web hosting Source: http://icto.dost.gov.ph/ The hacking of at least thirty government websites of suppose dly local hacker groups sympathetic to todays pork barrel protest action highlights the need for secure web hosting for government agencies and services. DOST - Information and Communications Technology Office Executive Director Louis Casambre mentioned that: This recent spate of website defacements goes to shows the serious need for the Government Web Hosting Service (GWHS ) especially since gov't websites will more and more be leveraged to deliver public services. Administrative Order 39 (AO39) was enacted on 12 July 2013 mandating all national government agencies, government financial institutions, and government-owned and controlled corporations to have their websites hosted under the new GWHS which will be provided by the DOST ICT Office. GWHS development is progressing and will be online as scheduled as per AO39. Usec. Casambre Added. The webpage defacements are deemed to be a protest action supporting the Million People March in Luneta. No critical online services were affected and it seems that it wasnt the intention of the community to cripple critical information dissemination websites and services of the government. We would like to request our hacking community not to target such sites. said Casambre. About DOST-ICTO The Information and Communications Technology Office of the Department of Science and Technology is the Philippine Governments lead agency on ICT related matters. Its primary thrusts are in the ICT Industry Development, eGovernment, ICT policy development, Internet for all and Cybersecurity. |TOP| 11. TESDA turns over 500 chairs to QC school Source: http://www.tesda.gov.ph A public elementary school in Quezon City became the latest beneficiary of armchairs that trainees of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) produced from confiscated lumber. San Antonio Elementary School in San Francisco Del Monte received the 500 units of school chairs on August 27 to help assure children of a better learning environment. "Some students squat on the floor or sit on slab of benches while in classroom. How can they concentrate on their lessons and perform better in school?" Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA director general, said. "This is our own small way of helping eradicate the shortage in classroom chairs, so that soon, there will be one for each student," Villanueva, who led the turnover of the furniture, together with other government executives, to school officials. The TESDA chief was joined by Secretary Armin Luistro of the Department of Education (DepED), Secretary Ramon Paje of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Cristino Naguiat Jr., chairman of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). Actress and television host Anne Curtis Smith was also present during the event. Wilma Manio, principal of San Antonio Elementary School, received the school chairs in behalf of the school. The project is under the PNoy Bayanihan project, a collaboration of TESDA, DENR, DEpEd, PAGCOR, which aims to turn confiscated lumber into school armchairs and turn over them to needy public schools in selected areas of the country to help ease the shortage.
With funding from PAGCOR, TESDA has established production centers in CARAGA and National Capital Region to manufacture the chairs through the training-cum-production scheme. "We are actually achieving two things under the training cum-production scheme. While on training, we teach our trainees some carpentry skills and at the same time produce the armchairs," Villanueva said. Since last year, thousands of school chairs have been distributed to public schools, including those in Mindanao, as identified by the DepEd. At the TESDA production site at its complex in Taguig City as of July 31 this year, a total of 5,000 armchairs have been produced and are ready for distribution. These came from a total of 353,368 board feet of confiscated lumber delivered to the site by the Bureau of Customs. The turnover of the chairs also coincided with the DepED's launch of a new building in San Antonio Elementary School to accommodate more students. San Antonio was identified last year by the city government as one of the flood-prone public schools in Quezon City. |TOP| 12. PDIC to continue processing claims of Quezon Traders Rural Bank of Candelaria depositors Source: http://www.pdic.gov.ph The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) announced that it will continue to receive and process deposit insurance claims from depositors of the closed Quezon Traders Rural Bank of Candelaria (QTRBCI) at the PDIC Claims Counter, 4th Floor, SSS Bldg., 6782 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City. Claims may also be filed through mail. The state deposit insurer has already concluded the onsite claims settlement operations for QTRBCI at the b anks premises last July 25, 2013. As of July 25, 2013, PDIC has yet to receive deposit insurance claims for 52 accounts, or 28% out of 187 accounts that require the filing of claims. The total amount of deposits covered by these claims is P16.38 million. Depositors who are below 18 years old should submit either a photocopy of their Birth Certificate issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or a duly certified copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar as an additional requirement. Claimants who are not the signatories in the bank records are required to submit an original copy of a notarized Special Power of Attorney of the depositor or parent in the case of a minor depositor. The procedures and requirements for filing deposit insurance claims are posted in the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph. The Claim Form and format of the Special Power of Attorney may also be downloaded from the PDIC website. In accordance with the provisions of the PDIC Charter, the last day for filing deposit insurance claims in the closed QTRBCI is on July 13, 2015. After the said date, PDIC, as Deposit Insurer, shall no longer accept any deposit insurance claim. For more information, depositors may contact the Public Assistance Department at telephone numbers (02) 8414630 to 31, or e-mail at pad@pdic.gov.ph. Depositors outside Metro Manila may call the PDIC Toll Free Hotline at 1800-1-888-PDIC (7342). |TOP| 13. Statement of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay on the decision of the President abolishing PDAF Source: http://ovp.gov.ph Let us all unite to ensure that the decision of the President is implemented with greater transparency, accountability and impartiality. The disbursements by the executive departments must be based on the real needs of the people in the localities. It should not be based on political considerations. Ang ikabubuti ng mamamayan ang dapat maging tanging basehan, at hindi pulitika. Otherwise, we will be reverting to the discredited practice of the past administration where the executive had total control in deciding who gets funding from the national government. I am certain that this is not what the President wants to happen. I would also want a full accounting of PDAF disbursements during the previous administration and under the present administration if only to assure our people that the sins we assigned to the previous regime are no longer with us. |TOP| 14. VP Binay - DBM should say if P200M OVP Social Services Fund is PDAF or not Source: http://ovp.gov.ph Vice President Jejomar C. Binay today said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) should clarify if the
P200 million social services budget for his office is considered Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). The amount is included in the regular budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP). "The DBM should say if the amount is considered PDAF. If it is PDAF, then abolish it in keeping with the Presidents directive," he said. Binay said the OVPs social services budget has been audited by the Commission on Audit (COA) and the agency has praised the OVP on how it disburses the funds. "Our disbursements for social services have not only been audited by COA but also praised by the agency. The disbursements have passed the agencys scrutiny," he said. Congress gave OVP P200 million in the 2011 budget sourced from the unused PDAF of President Aquino during his term as senator. On Monday, Binay urged Filipinos to be more vigilant in making government officials accountable for the use of government funds. Binay went around Binmaley, Pangasinan to assess the damage caused by the recent typhoons. Binay said that the people should unite and make sure that the funds are used in a transparent and impartial manner. "Kasi alam ho ninyo ang isa pang naging problema dito ginagamit ho kasi sa pulitika. Merong mga budget ng mga agencies ng gobyerno ginagamit sa eleksiyon. Pero talagang bawal naman yon," the Vice President said. He added that the root cause of the peoples disgruntlement was graft and corruption, and not the issue of the PDAF itself. "Ang ikinagagalit ng tao doon yung dahil sa yung pera hindi napunta para sa ikabubuti ng mga kababayan natin," he said. The Vice President also said that the peoples discontent can be traced back to the Presidents State of the Nation Address when he berated officials of the Bureau of Customs. From there, he said, the issue of graft and corruption snowballed. "Nangyari ito noong sinabihan ni Pangulo na ang kakapal ng mukha ninyo. Thats the start of the upheaval here. And then in the process lumabas po yong P10 bilyon (Napoles scam) na naging subject of graft and corruption," said Binay. Binay added that the perpetrators of the crime should be prosecuted and punished. |TOP| 15. Study launch highlights convergence of efforts in building resilience to disasters and economic crises Source: http://www.pids.gov.ph Manila - The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) launched its 2013 theme study "Building Resilience to Natural Disasters and Major Economic Crises" in Manila on August 14, with think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) co-organizing the event. The launch of the study, part of ongoing efforts by ESCAP to raise awareness on the importance of resilience-building, featured prominent experts from the Philippines and international organizations. Policymakers discussed strategies on how organizations and policymakers can address the twin threats of natural disasters and economic crises in an increasingly interconnected world. The study is particularly relevant to the Philippines, a country noted for its commitment to community-based disaster risk reduction. Policymakers have taken to heart the mantra that prevention and preparedness is far more effective, and less costly, than relief and recovery efforts. On average, from 2009 to 2011, 70 percent of the annual disaster risk reduction (DRR) budget was set aside for projects and programs that reduced the exposure of population and assets, compared to only 27 percent that was allocated to disaster response and recovery. Programs such as BRACE (Building Resilience and Awareness of Metro Manila Communities to Natural Disasters and Climate Change Impacts) strengthen community-based disaster risk management and support vulnerable families living in hazardprone areas. Welcoming the participants, PIDS President Gilbert Llanto underscored the importance of resistance building to inclusive growth. "Resilience or the capacity to withstand, adapt to, and recover from crises is particularly important for the poor and the marginalized. When these shocks occur, they are hurt disproportionately, making them fall into poverty or slide back to poverty, overturning past efforts to make their lives better. Lack of resilience contributes to the worsening of poverty levels. It makes economic growth all the more less inclusive and makes the disparity between the rich and the poor wider." The keynote address was delivered by the Honorable Corazon Juliano Soliman, Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, who highlighted that, "resiliency is not only the work of an individual or of just a single agency. In reality, resiliency comes from and nurtured by the convergence of efforts of the people, government, civil society groups, and other sectors. This is because the shocks that we experience are not just
typical shocks, they have adverse impacts on the economic, social, and psychological aspects of people's lives." Secretary Soliman also remarked that, "regional integration against climate change is important as it will build synergy for a regional social protection fund. For example, ASEAN provided additional assistance and relief when the country was hit by typhoon Pablo." Dr. Shamika Sirimanne, Director of the ICT and Disaster Risk Reduction Division of ESCAP, and team leader of the study, presented the main findings. "Multiple shocks in Asia and the Pacific are converging in new ways that demand more comprehensive and systemic approaches to building resilience. A single incident, which might once have been localized and managed in isolation, now has multiple and interrelated regional and global consequences. This calls for new economic frameworks. Policy solutions must balance short-term economic stability with long-term development," she noted. Dr. Sirimanne added that disaster risk reduction is extremely important for inclusive and sustainable development, and is a key component of strengthening regional resilience. She reminded audience members and journalists in attendance: "First and foremost, governments must invest in prevention and preparedness.and do more to protect the poor and vulnerable groups. Local communities need to be empowered because they are at the forefront of recovery efforts." All the panelists highlighted the importance of protecting the poor and vulnerable groups during natural disasters and economic crises. "Geo-hazard maps are useful, but they should be incorporated with socioeconomic information to identify sectors and people affected by the calamity. This will help determine how many children and women need to be relocated and how many senior citizens and persons with disabilities need to be assisted," Dr. Celia Reyes, Senior Research Fellow at PIDS. Dr. Vinod Thomas, Director-General of Independent Evaluation at the Asian Development Bank, emphasized a critical point: "Prevention is critically important and, therefore, preparedness and investments in disaster risk reduction must be prioritized." He noted that in the Philippines, "disaster preparedness is underemphasized compared to disaster response." In recent years, however, efforts have increased to correct this imbalance, yielding good results. "Effective prevention and evacuation did help lessen the number of deaths of typhoon Pablo in Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao, last year, which accounted for one death case and conspicuously much lower than the 674 deaths of typhoon Sendong in 2011," Dr. Thomas said. Meanwhile, Mr. Jose Luis Oquinena, Executive Director of the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, highlighted the important role of local communities and local governments. "Preparedness is all about having an organized community, and organizing a community is essential to get people prepared when a disaster occurs." Based on his long experience working with poor communities in the Philippines, he noted that, "it is a big challenge to convince evacuees to be relocated. Their usual response is it is not needed because their life lies in God's hands." Forced relocation disrupts the continuity of people's lives. "To convince them, relocation sites must be made more productive wherein people are not only provided with shelter but also a source of sustainable livelihood or income," Mr. Oquinena said. Undersecretary Jude Esguerra III of the National Anti-Poverty Commission added that, "the challenge of the Department of Interior and Local Government is to help localities come up with action plans for disaster risk reduction." He identified 20 provinces in the country with the highest number of poor households exposed to high risk of flooding and landslides. In her concluding remarks, Dr. Luiza Carvalho, United Nations Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative for the Philippines, noted the important role of regional cooperation in building resilience to multiples shocks: "The coordinated planning, convergence, and synergy of efforts with our partners at the local, national, regional, and even global levels is needed to promote exchange cooperation and to develop resilience collectively. By working together, we can produce solutions that are far greater than the sum of individual country responses," she emphasized. |TOP|
Last Updated:
27 AUGUST 2013
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President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with General Phung Quang Thanh, Defense Minister of Vietnam, during the courtesy call at the Presidents Hall Receiving Area of the Malacaan Palace on Tuesday (August 27). (Photo by: Ryan Lim / Rey Baniquet / Malacaang Photo Bureau / PCOO) President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Sovereign Military Order of Malta Ambassador to the Philippines Her Excellency Odelia Gregorio Arroyo during the Presentation of Credentials at the Music Room of the Malacaan Palace on Tuesday (August 27). In photo is Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario. (Photo by: Ryan Lim / Rey Baniquet / Malacaang Photo Bureau / PCOO) President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Sovereign Military Order of Malta Ambassador to the Philippines Her Excellency Odelia Gregorio Arroyo during the Presentation of Credentials at the Music Room of the Malacaan Palace on Tuesday (August 27). (Photo by: Ryan Lim / Malacaang Photo Bureau) Sovereign Military Order of Malta Ambassador to the Philippines Her Excellency Odelia Gregorio Arroyo signs the Palace Guest Book at the Reception Hall of the Malacaan Palace for the presentation of credentials on Tuesday (August 27). (Photo by: Ryan Lim / Malacaang Photo Bureau) Sovereign Military Order of Malta Ambassador to the Philippines Her Excellency Odelia Gregorio Arroyo reviews the honor guards upon arrival at the Malacaan Palace Grounds for the presentation of credentials on Tuesday (August 27). (Photo by: Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Republic of Iraq Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Ahmed Kamal Hasan Al-Kamaly during the Presentation of Credentials at the Music Room of the Malacaan Palace on Tuesday (August 27). (Photo by: Rey Baniquet / Malacaang Photo Bureau / PCOO) President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes Republic of Iraq Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Ahmed Kamal Hasan Al-Kamaly during the Presentation of Credentials at the Music Room of the Malacaan Palace on Tuesday (August 27). In photo is Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario. (Photo by: Ryan Lim / Malacaang Photo Bureau) Republic of Iraq Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Ahmed Kamal Hasan AlKamaly reviews the honor guards upon arrival at the Malacaan Palace Grounds for the presentation of credentials on Tuesday (August 27).(Photo by: Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacaang Photo Bureau) Republic of Iraq Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Ahmed Kamal Hasan AlKamaly signs the Palace Guest Book at the Reception Hall of the Malacaan Palace for the presentation of credentials on Tuesday (August 27). (Photo by: Ryan Lim / Malacaang Photo Bureau
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Dispatch For August 28, 2013 Wednesday, 0 PIA Calabarzon PRS, 10 Weather Watch

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August 2 , 2013 ( Wednesday )

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2. President Aquino welcomes Vietnamese Defense Minister in Malacanang

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