Aguinaldo Shrine

Pagsanjan Falls

Taal Lake

Antipolo Church

Lucban Pahiyas Feast

PIA Calabarzon 2 PRs ( March 4 ,2013),Dispatch for March 5 , 2013 (Tuesday),

PNOY 13 Photonews , PNOY Speeches , 5 Weather Watch , 15 Regl.Watch / One OFW Watch , 15 Online News

Weather Watch
15 minutes ago

NDRRMC OPCEN: (5MAR2013-02) GALE WARNING #7 issued at 5am today.

FORECAST: Strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of Northeast Monsoon.Strong to gale force wind is expected to affect the seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas. SEABOARDS: The northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon. WEATHER: Cloudy skies with light rains. WIND FORCE (KPH/KNOTS): (52-63)/(28-34). SEA CONDITION: Rough to very rough. WAVE HEIGHT(meters): 3.4 to 4.5.

SEABOARDS: The western seaboards of Luzon . WEATHER: Partly cloudy skies with isolated light rains. WIND FORCE (KPH/KNOTS): (52-63)/(28-34). SEA CONDITION: Rough to very rough. WAVE HEIGHT(meters): 3.4 to 4.5. SEABOARDS: The eastern seaboard of Visayas (Samar and Leyte). WEATHER: Cloudy skies with light rains. WIND FORCE (KPH/KNOTS): (52-63)/(28-34). SEA CONDITION: Rough to very rough. WAVE HEIGHT(meters): 3.4 to 4.5

Weather Watch
2 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Nananatili pa rin ang mababang temperature sa Baguio City. Huli naitala sa 15 degrees
celsius hanggang 22 degrees celcius ang temperatura sa naturang lugar. Dahil dito ay inaasahan na mas dadami ang pupuntang turista roon kasabay na rin ng nalalapit na summer season.

Weather Watch
13 hours ago

DZMM: Tinatayang 700 kabahayan ang nawasak sa magnitude 5.5 na lindol na yumanig sa Southwest China
Linggo ng hapon. Ayon sa report ng Xinhuan News Agency, bukod pa ito sa 2,500 na mga bahay na napinsala sa lindol na tumama sa lalawigan ng Yunnan. Mayroon namang 30 iniulat na nasugatan sa pagyanig. Agad namang nakapagpadala ng mga tent, kumot at jackets ang mga awtoridad sa mga residenteng nawalan ng tahanan.

Weather Watch
13 hours ago

GMA: Muling pinaalalahanan ng DoH ang publiko na mag-ingat sa kagat ng mga hayop, partikular ng mga aso
sapagkat tumataas ang posibilidad ang magka-rabies ang mga ito kapag summer. Gayunman, nilinaw ni DoH Asec. Eric Tayag, hindi naman kinakailangan na patayin ang aso kundi bakunahan lamang para makaiwas sa rabies.

Weather Watch
13 hours ago (4MAR2013-04) 24-HR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST issued at 5PM today.

SYNOPSIS: Northeast Monsoon affecting Luzon.

FORECAST: The regions of CARAGA and Davao will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Cagayan valley, Bicol Region and the Provinces of Aurora, Quezon, Mindoro, Marinduque and Romblon will experience cloudy skies with light rains. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northeast will prevail over Luzon and the Eastern sections of Visayas and Mindanao. The coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast with slight to moderate seas.>> NDRRMC OPCEN

about an hour ago

BATANGAS : CAVITE : LAGUNA : QUEZON : RIZAL :

Fair weather Cloudy Sunny Partly cloudy Partly cloudy

PIA Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

17 hours ago

PIA-4A/CAVITE: The Cavite police recently rescued 12 minors in the town of Tanza believed to be part of a
larger human trafficking syndicate recruiting young men into the cyber sex business. Police arrested Loyd dela Cruz by virtue of warrant of arrest and confiscated eight laptops and two computer tablets. He was brought to the Cavite police headquarters for investigation on charges of trafficking in persons.

PIA Regional Watch

17 hours ago PIA-4A/CAVITE: The Provincial Health Office revealed that for the whole year of 2012, there were 19 deaths out of

5,080 dengue cases reported. PHO Technical office Sanitary Inspector Anabelle R. Dilig said that the number of dengue cases in the province has increased as compared with the same period last 2011. But there were no reports of dengue outbreak in the six cities and 17 municipalities amid the number of cases reported in 2012.

PIA Regional Watch

19 hours ago

PIA-4A/LAGUNA: At a kick off ceremony in connection with the observance of Fire Prevention Month this
month of March held at the Cultural Center of Laguna in Santa Cruz, Bureau of Fire Protection IV-A Regional Dir., Supt. Nimfa D. Cuartel stated that fire prevention should start in every home adding that it's everybody's responsibilty to prevent fire to avoid loss of lives and properties. RD Cuartel gives her assurance of her continuous support to the community to prevent occurence of fire. This year's theme is " Sunog at Sakuna Paghandaan, Kalikasan ay Pangalagaan nang Matamasa ang Pag-unlad ng Bayan".

PIA Regional Watch

23 hours ago

PIA-4A/LAGUNA: Officials and personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Laguna headed by Provincial Director, Supt. Carlito C. Encinas, in coordination with the provincial government of Laguna conducted a motorcade all the way from San Pedro Town Center in San Pedro, Laguna to the Cultural Center of Laguna in Santa Cruz as part of its kick off ceremony of the Fire Prevention Month this March themed "Sunog at Sakuna Paghandaan, Kalikasan ay Pangalagaan nang Matamasa ang Pag-unlad ng Bayan." A simple program immediately will follow.

PIA Regional Watch

about an hours ago

PIA 4A/BATANGAS: Nagpaalaala ang DepEd na mariing ipinagbabawal ang paniningil ng anumang uri ng
graduation fee sa mga pampublikong paaralan upang maiwasan ang karagdagang gastos ng mga magulang sa pagpapaaral ng kanilang mga anak.

PIA Regional Watch

Saturday

PIA 4A/BATANGAS.:Bilang hudyat ng pagsisimula ng Fire Prevention Month,isang motorcade ang

pinangunahan ng Bureau of Fire Protection sa lungsod ng Batangas kung saan namigay din ng mga fliers upang makaiwas sa sunog lalo na sa panahon ng tag-init

PIA Regional Watch

17 hours ago

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Pormal na inilunsad sa Robinsons Lipa Activity Center ang Gawang Tuy kung saan
itinampok ang mga produkto ng bayan ng Tuy.Ang proyektong ito ay layong maipakita ang mga produktong maaaring gawin mula sa dahon ng tubo na isa sa pinagkikitaan ng mga mamamayan dito.

PIA Regional Watch

22 hours ago

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Pormal na binasbasan ang Palanca Bridge na sakop ng Brgy.Taysan at Brgy.Palanca sa bayan ng San Jose.Ang naturang pagawaing pang-imprastraktura ay isa sa proyekto ng lokal na pamahalaan at layong mas mapadali ang pagbiyahe ng mga residente sa barangay na ito.

PIA Regional Watch

22 hours ago

PIA/4A/BATANGAS: Patuloy ang isinasagawang information drive campaign ng Bureau of Fire Protection sa lungsod ng Batangas na naglalayong makapagbigay ng sapat na kaalaman upang maiwasan ang sunog lalo na ngayong buwan ng Marso na ipinagdiriwang ang Fire Prevention Month.

PIA Regional Watch

17 hours ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The office of the provincial agriculturist conducts 'Gawad-Saka' or search for
outstanding farmers/fisherfolks in the province.Cristy Lucila of agriculture office said 'gawad saka' is a yearly undertaking of the Department of Agriculture which aims to give due recognition to farmers/fisherfolks and intitutions whose exemplary accomplishments in the country's agricultural development are deemed worthy of emulation.

PIA Regional Watch

19 hours ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The city government of Lucena last week announced that the collection of ten percent amusement tax on two big cockpits in Lucena city has increased to almost double compared to those collected in the past three years. City PIO Daniel Maano said the sudden increase was attributed to the directive of city mayor Roderick Alcala to strictly implement city ordinance no.2285 of the local revenue code which mandates the collection of ten percent amusement tax to Quezon cockpit arena and new Lucena coliseum.

PIA Regional Watch

19 hours ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The city agriculture office of Lucena strengthened the implementation of rice subsidy program to the small farmers in this city. Aside from this, technical support on organic fertilizer preparation is being provided by the agriculture office to improve palay production.

PIA Regional Watch

19 hours ago

PIA-4A/RIZAL: Kasalukuyang ipinagdiriwang ng Rizal Provincial Government ang ika-apat na taong

anibersaryo ng paglipat ng kapitolyo mula Pasig City sa Antipolo City.

PIA Regional Watch

19 hours ago

PIA-4A/RIZAL: Ginanap ngayong araw ang blessing at Inauguration ng Rizal Provincial Hospital-Antipolo Annex. Kasabay ng programa ay nagsasagawa ng medical mission, supplemental feeding program, cataract screening at eyeglass distribution ang pamahalaang panlalawigan sa naturang ospital.

PIA Regional Watch

20 hours ago

PIA-4A/RIZAL: A ground breaking ceremony was held at the Pantay National High School, Teresa, Rizal today for the construction of a two storey- four classroom building as a public-private partnership. Present during the activity were representatives for the Public Private Partnership Center of the Philippines and Department of Education- Rizal.

PIA OFW Watch

PIA OFW Watch

19 hours ago PIA-6/NEGROS OCC OFW Watch:Some seventy applicants were hired on the spots at the employer's interview for Americana Kuwait Food Corp.at the Govt.Center in Bacolod,Moises de la Cruz,manager of the city's PESO,said.Dela Cruz said the company is represented by Shaerif Moussa and they hired cooks,cashiers,and supervisors.Dela Cruz said he is glad that many were hired on the spot because it means that Bacolenos have the skills and the potentials that meet international standards.

PIA Calabarzon 2 PRs ( March 4 ,2013),Dispatch for March 5 , 2013 (Tuesday),

PNOY 13 Photonews , PNOY Speeches , 5 Weather Watch , 15 Regl.Watch / One OFW Watch , 15 Online News

A. QUEZON
Tagalog news: Rice subsidy program, magpapaunlad sa produksyon ng mga magsasaka sa Lucena
By Joselito M. Giron Monday 4th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis
LUNGSOD NG LUCENA, Quezon, Marso 4 (PIA) -- Patuloy na isinusulong ng City Agriculturist Office ang pagpapayabong ng palayan sa lungsod sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng masmurang binhi ng palay sa mga magsasaka dito sa ilalim ng "rice subsidy program." Ayon kay Jose Canlas, city agriculturist officer, prayoridad na programa ni lungsod ng Lucena Mayor Roderick Dondon Alcala na bigyan ng sapat na suporta ang mga magsasaka sa pamamagitan ng rice subsidy program na kung saan ay nakapaloob din dito ang pagbibigay ng supportang teknikal upang mapayabong ang kondisyon ng lupa at maiwasan ang paggamit ng mga synthetic fertilizers na lubhang masama sa kalusugan ng mga tao at sa kalikasan. Ipinaliwanag ni Canlas, ang sistema ng pagkakaroon ng organikong pataba, na kahit ang dayami ay hindi na umano dapat na alisin sa mga tubigan at hayaan na lamang na doon mabulok upang magsisilbing pataba sa lupa. Mayroon nang pamamaraan na sa loob lamang ng 15 days ay mabubulok na ang mga dayami at ito ay magiging organic fertilizer, sinabi pa rin ni Canlas. Ang lungsod ng Lucena ay isa sa itinuturing na may pinakamalawak na palayan sa buong segunda distrito ng lalawigan. (CPG/JMG-PIA4A Quezon/PIO-Lucena)

B. CAVITE
Hundreds of volunteers support PHO bloodletting activities
By Ruel B. Francisco Friday 1st of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis
TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, Mar. 1 (PIA) -- Almost 900 bags of blood, 450 cc each, were collected by the Provincial Health Office-Cavite Blood Council (PHO-CBC) from volunteers around the province for the month of February. The mobile blood donation carried out the PHO-CBC aimed to ensure that enough blood supply will be available for the people in times of emergency most especially for the indigent patients. During the 13th anniversary of the Cavite Blood Council last February 27 held at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, Dr. George Repique, Jr., Provincial Health Officer 1 and Vice Chairman of the CBC acknowledged all the donors and the support given by the Local Government Units for the CBCs voluntary blood services program. During the program, PHO likewise steered the Provincial Sandugo Award during which, certificates, plaques and special citation awards were given to the donors. These are Galloner, Kabalikat, and Local Chief Executives Awards. Mr. Arnulfo Creencia of the Provincial

Information and Community Affairs Department was one of the Galloner awardee. A total of twelve mobile blood donation activities were accomplished for the month of February including yesterday, at Tanza Rural Health Unit (RHU). The dates and venue were as follows: Cavite Christ Centered Crusade in Barangay Maitim in Tagaytay City last February 1, Tagaytay Highlands, also in Tagaytay last February 6, Saint Joseph College in Tanza last February 7, Lyceum Cabrini in Laguna last February 19, and in Silang Rural Health Unit last February 21. On the other hand, 5 in-house voluntary blood donations were also done at the General Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital (GEAMH) last February 5, 8, 12, 20, and 20, 2013. (PICAD/CPG/RBF/PIA-4A)

C. LAGUNA

DILG forms Pasig-Laguna De Bay Riverbasin TWG

By Carlo P. Gonzaga Monday 4th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Mar 4 (PIA) -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regions 4A and National Capital Region (NCR) recently spearheaded the creation of the technical working group (TWG) for the Pasig-Laguna De Bay Riverbasin. The newly created TWG is composed of 24 members both from the DILG Regions IV-A and NCR, national govt agencies (NGAs) and nongovt organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and the academe. Further, an executive committee was also formed composed of members from both DILG regions 4A and NCr, Laguna Lake Devt Authority (LLDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), regional devt councils (RDC), the local govt units (LGUs) chairs from the Riverbasin clusters, the Metro Manila Devt Authority (MMDA), and Tanggol Kalikasan with DILG IV-A and NCR serving as secretariat. The composition for the TWG was determined during the mapping of DILG personnel, other NGAs, NGOs, and POs. Prior to the formation of the TWG, DILG IV-A technical staff gave a walk through of the activity which include the overview, and the highlights of the previous collaboration workshop. DILG NCR on the other gave the highlights of activities within their region. The creation of the TWG is in line with RA 10121 otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. Furthermore, this is also in reference to Senate Bill No. 3105 sponsored by Sen. Loren Legarda wherein the DILG has adopted the river basin approach as a pro-active measure to mitigate the effects of disasters since one of the thrusts of the department is to build climateadaptive and disaster-resilient local government units (LGUs). This goal utilizes a cycle framework that includes assessment, capacity enhancement and enabling access to financing in order to achieve adaptive and disaster resilient LGUs. Regional director Josefina E. Castilla-Go and assistant regional director Ariel O. Iglesia of DILG IV-A; ARD Ma. Lourdes Agustin and local govt capability devt division chief Helen Versoza of DILG NCR; Dir. Hardinado Patnugot, Jr. of DENR-Riverbasin Coordinating Office; Rita Petralba of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Resilience Project; and Doris Amandy of Tanggol Kalikasan attended the meeting that created the TWG. (Riel John Urruquia/DILG-4A/CPG/PIA-4A)

D. BATANGAS
Tagalog news: Rehistrasyon ng mga Muslim sa lungsod ng Batangas,tinutukan

Sunday 3rd of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis

LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Marso 3 (PIA) --Tinututukan ngayon ng City Civil Registrars Office ang isasagawang pagrerehistro ng Muslim community sa Batangas City. Kaugnay nito sumailaim ang lahat ng kawani ng nasabing opisina sa Seminar Workshop on Civil Registration of Muslim Filipinos sa Teachers Conference Center kamakailan. Tinalakay dito ang Administrative Order No. 2 tungkol sa Rules and Regulations Governing Acts and Events Concerning Civil Status of Muslim Filipinos. Ilan sa mga paksang tinalakay sa seminar workshop ang registration of birth, death at marriage ng Muslim Filipinos gayundin ang divorce at revocation of divorce. Nagbigay ng lecture si Dr Alim Patani Abdul Malik hinggil sa Muslim Customs and Traditions, at Muslim Mariage Rites. Dumalo sa nabanggit na okasyon sina Provincial Statistics Officer Charito Armonia at NSO Regional Director Rosalinda Bautista. Nakatakdang magkaroon ng malakihang pagpupulong para sa mga Muslim Filipinos sa Batangas City sa buwan ng Abril upang talakayin ang isasagawang pagrerehistro sa kanila. Samantala, sinabi ni Charity Mojares,Assistant Civil Registrar na bilang pagdiriwang sa Civil Registration Month noong nakaraang Pebrero, libre ang pagkuha ng birth, marriage at death certificate sa kanilang tanggapan . (Ronna Endaya Contreras-PIO Batangas City/CPG)

E. RIZAL
DILG awards silver grade seal of good housekeeping to Rizal govt
By Carlo P. Gonzaga Friday 1st of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis
ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal, March 1 (PIA) -- The Rizal provincial government was awarded again the silver grade seal of good housekeeping, one grade lower than the highest recognition under the provincial category. It was awarded the seal of good housekeeping for the first time in 2011. Rizal province was chosen to receive the Silver Grade Seal for its outstanding audit report by the Commission on Audit (COA) and for improving its performance based on fiscal management, transparency and accountability DILG has devised the Seal as a gauge to measure LGUs performance based on fiscal management and transparency and accountability which refers to the full disclosure of local budget and finances, bids and public offerings. Last year, the province received a Local Government Support Fund amounting to P30 million for being awarded the bronze grade seal of good housekeeping.

LGUs that passed the Seal of Good Housekeeping qualify to be recipients of the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF). This fund shall be utilized as capital expenditures to augment the LGUs approved annual investment program (AIP) for implementation of any or combination of the following projects only rural electrification, local roads, farm-to-market roads and bridges, local economic enterprises, flood control and drainage. Also, the LGSF is intended to support the following projects of the national government millennium development goals (MDGs), Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, and the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. We will continue to improve, not for recognition but for our constituents who will benefit from our good housekeeping ways, Rizal Gov. Jun Ynares said. (PIO/CPG/PIA-4A)

04 MARCH 2013.

President Aquino leads 27th anniversary of the Presidential Security Group President Aquino cites officers and men of the Presidential Security Group for their dignity and courage Malacanang says Aquino government welcomes move of the International Civil Aviation Organization team to recommend lifting of significant safety concerns issued against the country President Aquino tells Kirams, 'reasonable dialogue can only begin when we exercise calm, restraint and have an open mind'
President Aquino leads 27th anniversary of the Presidential Security Group President Benigno S. Aquino III led the awarding ceremonies marking the 27th founding anniversary of the Presidential Security Group at its headquarters in Malacaang Park, Manila on Monday. Joining the President were Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, PSG Commander Brigadier General Ramon Mateo Dizon, and other national and local government officials led by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. Upon his arrival at the PSG Grandstand, President Aquino was accorded military honors by PSG troops. The President led the presentation of plaques of recognition to the PSG personnel awardees for 2012 as well as citations to public and private individuals for their unwavering support and assistance to the PSG. The Best PSG Personnel for 2012 are: Major Ian Noel P. Ignes, Organic Officer of the Year (Field Grade Category); Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) John C. Lobaton, Organic Officer of the Year (Company Grade Category);Lieutenant Colonel Ray Claudio R. Abaya, Operational Control (OPCON) Officer of the Year (Field Grade Category); Lieutenant Crisanto A. Anas, OPCON Officer of the Year (Company Grade Category): Master Sergeant Jonard M. Delima, Organic Enlisted Personnel of the Year (Senior NCO Category); Staff Sergeant Ricky J. Gonzales, Organic Enlisted Personnel of the Year (Junior NCO Category); Technical Sergeant Roland G. Macalma, OPCON Officer of the Year (Senior NCO Category), Sgt. Michael C. Cabanes, OPCON Enlisted Personnel of the Year (Junior (NCO Category) and Registered Nurse Myra G. Rocio, Civilian Employee of the Year. The PSG also presented the Plaque of Recognition to Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Phividec Industrial Authority Administrator Leo Magno, Development Academy of the Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Antonio D. Kalaw Jr. Tanduay Distillers Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Wilson Young and Sonny Guevarra, of the Alcatel Philippines. To signify their profound thanks to President Aquino, the PSG presented to the Chief Executive a memento which symbolizes the PSG's commitment to protect the President of the Republic of the Philippines. After the ceremonies, the Chief Executive inspected the PSG War Room and C2 Situation Room.

The PSG traces its roots to March 1897 when it was created to protect General Emilio Aguinaldo, then President of the revolutionary government. Since then, it has gone through several name changes under succeeding Presidents such as: Malacaang Guards (President Quezon), Presidential Guards (President Osmea), Malacaang Secret Agents (President Quirino), Presidential Security Force (President Garcia), and Presidential Security Agency (President Diosdado Macapagal). In 1986, the late President Corazon Aquino disbanded the Presidential Security Command that served under former President Ferdinand Marcos, and replaced it with a leaner Presidential Security Group with then Army Colonel Voltaire Gazmin as its chief. PND (js) TOP President Aquino cites officers and men of the Presidential Security Group for their dignity and courage President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the officers and members of the elite Presidential Security Group (PSG) for their dignity and courage in carrying out their mandate to protect the Chief Executive and the seat of government. In his speech keynoting the 27th Founding Anniversary of the PSG in Malacanang Park, Manila on Monday, the President thanked the PSG for providing him the security that allows him to pursue his administration's advocacy to implement reforms. "Sa paglilibot ko sa kalakhang bansa upang alamin at pabilisin pa ang pagsulong natin sa tuwid na daan, at sa pakikisalamuha sa ating mga kababayansa loob man o labas ng bansalagi kong kasama ang mga bumubuo sa Presidential Security Group," President Aquino said. "Sa ilalim man ng nagbabagang araw, o sa biglaang buhos ng ulan; sa harap man ng pulutong ng tao, o maski sa kakaunting pribadong oras na nakakahalubilo ko kayobuong-lakas at buong-sigasig kayong nagsisilbipara samahan akong tuparin ang mga sinumpaan kong tungkulin sa bayan," he said. The President acknowledged the continuous efforts of the PSG to professionalize its members in carrying out its tasks of providing protection for the Chief Executive, the First Family and the institution. The PSG also provides protective security to visiting Heads of States and Diplomats "Matapos ang dalawamput pitong taon, ibang-iba na talaga ang PSG ngayon. Nasisiguro kong higit kailanman, nalulugod din kayo sa kompiyansa at tiwala ng sambayanan sa ating pamahalaan, lalo pat binabantayan ninyo hindi lamang ang seguridad ko at ng aking pamilya, kundi maging ng buong institusyon na ating pinaglilingkuran," he said. Despite the tough challenges, the President said, the PSG succeeded in bringing back the honor to the elite group through the reforms implemented by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. "Sa likod ng kaliwat kanang problema na ipinamana ng diktadurya, sa kabila ng mga tangkang muling panaigin ang karahasan at pagkakanya-kanya, itinindig ni Secretary Volts (Gazmin) at ng PSG nang may buong dangal at tapang upang maitaguyod ang seguridad at kapayapaan sa bansa, at maipagtanggol ang nabawi nating demokrasya," he said. The President also lauded PSG Commander Brigadier General Ramon Mateo Dizon for leading the elite group to effectively carry out the tasks. "Kaya naman, sa pangunguna ni Brigadier General Chito Dizon, muli ko kayong pinapasalamatan sa isa na namang makabuluhan at matagumpay na taon ng inyong hanay. Saludo at tinitingala ko kayo sa inyong tibay at walang-kapagurang dedikasyong maglingkod," he said. PND (js) TOP Malacanang says Aquino government welcomes move of the International Civil Aviation Organization team to recommend lifting of significant safety concerns issued against the country The Aquino administration welcomed the move of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) team to recommend the lifting of Significant Safety Concerns (SSCs) issued against the country, a Palace official said on Monday. "Last month, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sent a Coordinated Validation Mission to inspect the efforts of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to comply with international aviation safety standards, and address significant safety concerns identified by the ICAO," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday. Valte said the ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission Team had informed the government that it will recommend to the ICAO Headquarters in Montreal, Canada the lifting of the SSCs. "Before they left, the ICAO team expressed great satisfaction with what they found, and said they would make a recommendation to the ICAO headquarters in Montreal, Canada, that the significant safety concerns previously issued to the Philippines be lifted," she said. In a letter to the CAAP dated March 1, the ICAO stated that the SSC Validation Committee has determined that the corrective actions taken by the Philippines have successfully addressed and resolved the SSCs." "With this positive development, the CAAP will continue to coordinate with the European Union and the Federal Aviation Administration about upgrading the countrys aviation status," Valte said. PND (js) TOP

President Aquino tells Kirams, 'reasonable dialogue can only begin when we exercise calm, restraint and have an open mind' President Benigno S. Aquino III reiterated his administrations position that the only way to end the Sabah crisis is for all parties concerned to sit down and dialogue towards attaining a peaceful and fruitful resolution that is fair to all. In a message delivered in Malacanang on Monday, the President said that all stakeholders should exercise calm, restraint, and come to the table together with open minds for reasonable dialogue to commence. Hindi pa rin nagbabago ang panawagan ko sa angkan ni Sultan Jamalul Kiram III: hindi risonableng humingi ng pang-unawa kung nakatutok ang iyong armas sa mukha ng iyong kausap, the President said. Magsisimula lamang ang risonableng usapan oras na maging handa kayong huminahon at magtimpi, at humarap sa mesa nang may bukas na pag-iisip, he added. He pointed out that he was aware that there were forces behind Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram IIIs actions of sending some 200 of his followers to Lahad Datu town in Northern Sabah to press their claim on the territory, saying these forces, who have put in danger some 800,000 Filipinos living and working in Sabah, would not prosper in their plans. Mulat tayong may mga taong nagkuntsabahan upang humantong tayo sa sitwasyong itoisang sitwasyong walang agarang solusyon. Ilan po sa kanila ay nakikita natin, habang ang iba naman ay nagkukubli pa rin sa dilim, the President said. Hindi po kakayanin ng angkan ni Sultan Jamalul Kiram III na gawing mag-isa ang ganitong uri ng pagkilos. Kapansin-pansin din ang nag-iisang linya ng mga kritiko para gatungan ang malubha na ngang sitwasyon. Pinalubha nila ang isyung ito, at ginagawa nila ito habang inilalagay sa peligro ang daan-daang libong Pilipino, he added. Sa mga taong nasa likod nito, ngayon pa lang, sinasabi ko sa inyo: Hindi kayo magtatagumpay. Pananagutin natin ang mga nagkasala sa bansa, the President said. He vowed to do all he and his government could do to end this crisis peacefully. Gayumpaman, hindi tayo mauubusan ng lakas para piliting tapusin ang kaguluhang ito sa lalong madaling panahon. Simple lamang po: matatapos ang kaguluhang ito kung maging risonable ang mga personalidad na sangkot dito, lalo na ang mga taong ang tingin nila sa kanilang sarili ay tunay na pinuno, the President said. Joining the President for the press briefing were Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu, Sulu Governor Abdusakur Sakur Tan, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanano Governor Mujiv Hataman, Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul Sahali, Basilan Governor Jum Akbar, and Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong, Jr. Also present were Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, and Communication Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ramon Carandang, and Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda. PND (rck) TOP

ARCHIVE 2013 04 MARSO 2013 Pinangunahan ng Pangulong Aquino ang pagdiriwang ng ika-27 anibersaryo ng Presidential Security Group Pinapurihan ng Pangulong Aquino ang tapang at giting ng mga pinuno at tauhan ng Presidential Security Group Ikinagalak ng Malacanang ang hakbang ng International Civil Aviation Organization na alisin ang Pilipinas sa significant safety concerns Pinangunahan ng Pangulong Aquino ang pagdiriwang ng ika-27 anibersaryo ng Presidential Security Group

Pinangunahan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang pagdiriwng sa ika-27 taon ng Presidential Security Group sa punong tanggapan nito sa Malacanang Park, Maynila Lunes.

Kasama ng Pangulo na dumalo sa pagdiriwang sina Kalihim Voltaire Gazmin ng Tanggulang Bansa, Brigadier General Ramon Mateo Dzon, Kumader ng PSG, at ang iba pang pinunong pambansa at lokal sa pangunguna ni Alkalde Alfredo S. Lim ng Maynila. Inukalan ng karampatang parangal-panghukbo ng PSG ang Pangulong Aquino nang dumating siya sa PSG Grandstand. Iniabot ng Pangulo ang mga plake ng pagkilala sa mga tauhan ng PSG para sa 2012, gayundin ang pagkilala sa mga lingkod ng pamahalaan at pribadong taong walang pasubali at puspusang nagtataguyod at tumutulong sa PSG. Ang tumanggap ng Gawad Best PSG Personnel para sa 2012 ay sina: Major Ian Noel P. Ignes, Organic Officer ng Taon (Field Grade Category); Lieutenant Junior Grade John C. Lobaton, Organic Officer of the Year (Field Grade Category); Lt. Colonel Ray Claudio R. Abaya, Opera-tional Control (OPCON) Officer of the Year (Field Grade Category) Lieutenant Crisanto A. Anas, OPCON Officer of the Year (Company Grade Categoru); Master Sargeant Jonard M. Delima, Organic Enlisted Personnel of the Year (Senior NCO Category). Staff Sargeant Ricky J. Gonzales, Organic Enlisted Personnel of the Year (Junior NCO Cate-gory); Technical Sargeant Roland G. Macalma, OPCON Officer of the Year (Senior NCO Cate-gory); Sgt. Michael C. Cabanes, OPCON Enlisted Personnel of the Year (Junior NCO Category) at Registered Nurse Myrna G. Rocio, Civilian Employee of the Year. Pinagkalooban din ng PSG ng Plake ng Pagpapahalaga sina Kalihim Jose Rene Almendras ng Gabinete, Tagapangasiwang Leo Magno ng Phividec Industrial Authority; Antonio D. Kalaw, Jr., pangulo at Chief Executive Officer ng Development Academy ng Pilipinas; Wilson Young ng Tanduay Distillers Inc. at Chief Executive Officer at Sonny Guevarra ng Alcatel Philippines. Ibinigay ma,am mg PSG ang alaala nila sa Pangulong Aquino na sagisag ng panata ng PSG na pangalagaan ang Punong Tagapagpaganap. Pagkatapos ng seremonya, inispeksiyon ng Pangulo ang PSG War Room at C2 Situation Room. Marso 1897 nang itatag ang PSG upang pangalagaan si Heneral Emilio Aguinaldo na noon ay Panguloo ng pamahalaan ng Himagsikang Pilipino. Mula noon, nagkaroon ng iba-ibang pangalan ang PSG sa ilalim ng mga nagig Pangulo: Malacanang Guards sa ilalim ng Pangulong Manuel Luis Quezon; Presidential Guards nsng panahon ng Pangulong Sergio Osmena, Sr.; Malakanyang Secret Agents sa ilalim ng Psngulong Elpidio Quirino; Presidehtial Security Force, sa ilalim ng Pangulong Carlos P. Garcia; at Presidential Secuirty Agency sa panahon ng Pangulong Diosdado Macapagal. Noong 1986, nilansag ng noon ay Pangulong Corazon C. Aquino ang Presidential Security Command na naglingkod noong panaon ng Pangulong Ferdinand E. Marcos at binawasan ang bilang ng mga bumubuo rito na tinawag na Presidential Security Group na ang puno ay si Koronel Voltaire Gaxmin ng Hukbong Katihan. PND TOP Pinapurihan ng Pangulong Aquino ang tapang at giting ng mga pinuno at tauhan ng Presidential Security Group

Pinuri ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang giting at tapang ng mga pinuno at tauhan ng Presidential Security Group (PSG) sa pagtupad sa kanilang tungkuling pangalagaan ang Punong Tagapagpaganap at ang luklukan ng pamahalaan. Sa talumpati sa pagdiriwang ng ika-27 anibersaryo ng PSG sa Malacanang Park, Maynila Lunes, pinasalamatan ng Pangulo ang PSG sa lubusang pangangalaga sa kanya kaya nagagampanan niya ang mga tungkuling tungo sa katuparan ng repormang kanyang pinasimulan. Sa paglilibot ko sa kalakhang bansa upang alamin at pabilisin pa ang pagsulong natin sa tuwid na daan at sa pakikisalamuha sa ating mga kababayan, sa loob o labas man ng bansa, lagi kong kasama ang mga bumubuo sa Presidential Security Group, sabi ng Pangulo. Sa ilalim man ng nagbabagang araw o sa biglaang buhos ng ulan, sa harap man ng pulutong ng tao, o maski sa kakaunting pribadong oras na nakakahalubilo ko kayo, buong lakas at buong sigasig kayong nagsisilbi, para samahan akong tuparin ang mga sinumpaan kong tungkulin sa bayan, dagdag pa ng Pangulo. Binigyang diin ng Pangulo ang patuloy na pagsisikap ng PSG na maging propesyonal ang mga tauhan nitong gampanan ang saguting pangalagaan ang kaligtasan ng Punong Tagapagpaganap, ang Unang Pamilya at ang istitusyon. Ang PSG rin ang nangangalaga sa kaligtasan ng mga panauhing Puno ng Estado at mga Diplomata. Matapos ang dalawamput pitong taon, ibang-iba nang talaga ang PSG ngayon. Nasisiguro kong higit kailanman, nalulugod din kayo sa kumpiyansa at tiwala ng sambayanan sa ating pamahalaan, lalo pat binabantayan ninyo hindi lamang ang seguridad ko at ng aking pamilya, kundi maging ang buong istitusyon na aking pinaglilingkuran, pahayag pa ng Pangulo. Sa kabila ng matitinding pagsubok, sabi ng Pangulo, nagtagumpay ang PSG na ibalik ang dangal sa piling pangkat na ito sa pamamagitan ng mga repormang ipinatupad ni Kalihim Voltaire Gazmin ng Tanggulang Bansa. Sa likod ng kaliwa at kanang problemang ipinamana ng diktadurya, sa kabila ng mga tangkang muling panaigin ang karahasan at pagkakanya-kanya, itinindig ni Secretary Volts (Gazmin) at ng PSG nang may buong dangal at tapang upang maitaguyod ang seguridad at kapayapaan sa bansa, at maipagtanggol ang nabawi nating demokrasya, sabi ng Pangulo. Pinapurihan din ng Pangulo si Brigadyer Heneral Ramon Mateo Dizon, kumander ng PSG, sa pangunguna sa piling pangkat na ito para gampanang mabisa ang kanilang mga tungkulin.

Kaya naman, sa pangunguna ni Brigadyer Heneral Chito Dizon, muli ko kayong pinasasalamatan sa isa na namang makabuluhan at matagumpay na taon ng inyong hanay. Saludo at tinitingala ko kayo sa inyong tibay at walang kapagurang dedikasyong maglingkod, wika pa ng Pangulo. PND TOP Ikinagalak ng Malacanang ang hakbang ng International Civil Aviation Organization na alisin ang Pilipinas sa significant safety concerns Ikinagalak ng administrasyong Aquino ang hakbang ng International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) alisin sa listahan ng mga paliparan sa daigdig na hindi gaanong maayos ang kaligtasan. Noong isang buwan, nagpadala ng Coordinated Validation Mission ang International Civil Aviation Organization para ispeksiyunin ang ginawang mga hakbang ng Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) upang makaalinsunod sa mga pandaigdig na pamantayan ng kaligtasan sa aviation at ayusin ang mga bagay na tinukoy ng ICAO tungo sa ganap na pangangalaga sa kaligtasan, sabi ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte sa isang pahayag sa pulong-balitaan sa Malacanang Lunes. Sinabi ni Valte na ipinaalam sa pamahalaang Pilipino ng ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission Team na iminungkahi na nila sa Tanggapan ng ICAO sa Montreal, Canada ang pagbawi ng ipinataw na significant safety concerns. Bago sila umalis, nagpahayag sila nang lubos na kasiyahan sa natuklasan nila, at idinugtong na imumungkahi na nila sa tanggapan ng ICAO sa Montreal, Canada na bawiin na ang ipinataw sa Pilipinas na significant safety concerns, sabi pa ni Valte. Sa sulat sa CAAP na may petsang Marso 1, sinabi ng ICAO na napag-alaman ng SSC Validation Committee na nagawa na ang karampatang pag-aayos sapagkat matagumpay nang naituwid na ng Pilipinas ang dapat ayusin. Dahil sa magandang pangyayaring ito, ipagpapatuloy ng CAAP ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa European Union at sa Federal Aviation Administration tungkol sa pag-aayos sa aviation status ng bansa ay nagawa na, dagdag pa ni Valte. PND TOP

Pahayag ni Pangulong Aquino ukol sa mga kaganapan sa Sabah Presidents Hall, Malacaan Palace 04 March 2013 Magandang hapon po. Kasagsagan ng kudeta noong 1987 nang in-ambush ako, kasama ang apat sa aking security detail. Tatlo sa mga inatasang mangalaga sa aking buhay ang namatay. Dalawa sa mga biktima ng naganap na ambush ay nagpaplano nang magpakasal at natural hindi na po natuloy. Ang isa namay hindi na inabutan ang pagsilang ng kaniyang huling anak. Mula sa burol hanggang sa ngayon, hindi ko maiwasang pag-isipan at sisihin ang aking sarili: na baka kung hindi kami lumabas noon, baka buhay pa sila ngayon; na kung wala kaming kailangang puntahan noon, baka kasama pa nila hanggang ngayon ang kanilang anak, asawa, at pamilya. Dahil sa pangyayaring ito, mas naging importante sa akin ang halaga ng buhay ng aking kapwa, lalo na kung itoy apektado ng aking mga desisyon at pagkilos. Ganito mismo ang kinakaharap ko ngayon sa gitna ng mga nangyayari sa Sabah. Bilang Pangulo, nakaatang sa aking balikat ang buhay, hindi lang ng grupo ni Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, kundi maging ang kapakanan at kaligtasan ng tinatayang walondaang libong Pilipinong nasa Sabah. Bawat buhay ay mahalaga, at wala tayong ibang pakay kundi ang mangibabaw ang kaligtasan ng mga kababayan natin, nasaang panig man sila ng mundo. Magprangkahan nga po tayo: kung baliktad ang sitwasyon, at sarili nating komunidad ang pinasok ng sino mang armadong grupo, puwede bang magwalang-kibo na lang tayo? Hindi rin ba tayo magpapasaklolo sa pamahalaan? Kahit naman po anong lahi, basta may banta sa kanilang kaligtasan, papalag at gagawa ng paraan upang mailayo ang kanilang mamamayan sa banta ng karahasan. Paano ka naman makakaasa ng risonableng usapan kung tinututukan mo ng baril sa mukha ang kabilang panig? Kung gusto mo talagang umusad ang usapan, tanggalin mo muna ang banta sa kaligtasan ng iyong kausap. Pinipilit nating paghandaan maski ano ang kahinatnan ng mga pangyayari. Bawat ahensya ng gobyernong may kaugnayan at responsibilidad sa ibat ibang aspeto na maaaring ibunga ng kaguluhan ay matagal na nating inatasan na, una, pag-aralan at, pangalawa, paghandaan ang implikasyon.

Saksi tayong lahat sa kakayahan at dedikasyon ng ating mga kapatid na Muslim, handa silang makipagtulungan tungo sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan. Hindi pa rin nagbabago ang panawagan ko sa angkan ni Sultan Jamalul Kiram III: hindi risonableng humingi ng pang-unawa kung nakatutok ang iyong armas sa mukha ng iyong kausap. Magsisimula lamang ang risonableng usapan oras na maging handa kayong huminahon at magtimpi, at humarap sa mesa nang may bukas na pag-iisip. Mulat tayong may mga taong nagkuntsabahan upang humantong tayo sa sitwasyong itoisang sitwasyong walang agarang solusyon. Ilan po sa kanila ay nakikita natin, habang ang iba naman ay nagkukubli pa rin sa dilim. Hindi po kakayanin ng angkan ni Sultan Jamalul Kiram III na gawing mag-isa ang ganitong uri ng pagkilos. Kapansin-pansin din ang nag-iisang linya ng mga kritiko para gatungan ang malubha na ngang sitwasyon. Pinalubha nila ang isyung ito, at ginagawa nila ito habang inilalagay sa peligro ang daan-daang libong Pilipino. Sa mga taong nasa likod nito, ngayon pa lang, sinasabi ko sa inyo: Hindi kayo magtatagumpay. Pananagutin natin ang mga nagkasala sa bansa. Nagpapasalamat ako sa napakaraming kababayan nating risonable, at tumutulong tungo sa resolusyon ng pangyayaring ito. Maliwanag sa ating lahat na puwede pang lumala ang sitwasyon, pero puwede ring matapos na ang kaguluhang ito. Alam naman po natin kung alin ang delubyong tadhana ang may gawa, at kung alin ang talagang sinadya. Ang masakit ngayon, pinili ng ilang tao na mangyari ito, at sadyang inilagay sa panganib ang napakaraming Pilipino. Gayumpaman, hindi tayo mauubusan ng lakas para piliting tapusin ang kaguluhang ito sa lalong madaling panahon. Simple lamang po: matatapos ang kaguluhang ito kung maging risonable ang mga personalidad na sangkot dito, lalo na ang mga taong ang tingin nila sa kanilang sarili ay tunay na pinuno. Maraming salamat po. [HOME]

President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the 27th Founding Anniversary Celebration of the Presidential Security Group (PSG), PSG Grandstand, Malacaang Park, Manila 04 March 2013 Secretary Voltaire Gazmin; Secretary Rene Almendras; Mayor Alfredo Lim; Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano, FOIC; Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes, Commanding General of the Philippine Army; PSG Group Commander Brig. Gen. Ramon Mateo Dizon; retire Major General Jose Angel Honrado; Mr. Richard Dy; 2013 PSG awardees; officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian employees of the Presidential Security Group; fellow workers in government; honored guests; mga minamahal ko pong kababayan: Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. Sa paglilibot ko sa kalakhang bansa upang alamin at pabilisin pa ang pagsulong natin sa tuwid na daan, at sa pakikisalamuha sa ating mga kababayansa loob man o labas ng bansalagi kong kasama ang mga bumubuo sa Presidential Security Group. Sa ilalim man ng nagbabagang araw, o sa biglaang buhos ng ulan; sa harap man ng pulutong ng tao, o miski sa kakaunting pribadong oras na nakakahalubilo ko kayobuong-lakas at buong-sigasig kayong nagsisilbipara samahan akong tuparin ang mga sinumpaan kong tungkulin sa bayan. Subalit hindi natin maikakaila: hindi pa rin ganap na nawawala ang masasamang loob na naghahanap ng butas sa bawat kilos natin; nariyan pa rin ang ilang nagnanais na maghasik ng kaguluhan at pagdududa upang idiskaril tayo sa landas na ating binabagtas. Sa kabila nito, kasama kong bumabangon araw-araw ang inyong hanay upang harapin ang bawat hamon na kaakibat ng ating trabaho. At hindi lamang sa loob ng mahigit dalawang taon at walong buwan nagsimula ang matibay nating samahan. Taong 1986 nang itatag ang Presidential Security Group sa ilalim ng panunungkulan ng aking ina at sa pamumuno ni Kalihim Voltaire Gazmin. Sa likod ng kaliwat kanang problema na ipinamana ng diktadurya, sa kabila ng mga tangkang muling panaigin ang karahasan at pagkakanya-kanya, itinindig ni Secretary Volts at ng PSG nang may buong dangal at tapang upang maitaguyod ang seguridad at kapayapaan sa bansa, at maipagtanggol ang nabawi nating demokrasya. Matapos ang dalawamput pitong taon, ibang-iba na talaga ang PSG ngayon. Nasisiguro kong higit kailanman, nalulugod din kayo sa kompiyansa at tiwala ng sambayanan sa ating pamahalaan, lalo pat binabantayan ninyo hindi lamang ang seguridad ko at ng aking pamilya, kundi maging ng buong institusyon na ating pinaglilingkuran. Sa tagal na nating magkakasama, maaaring nasabi ko na lahat ng puwede kong sabihin sa PSG. Gayumpaman, hindi ako mauubusan ng dahilan upang pasalamatan kayo sa pagtataya ng inyong mga sarili sa ngalan ng serbisyo sa bandila. Kaya naman, sa pangunguna ni Brigadier General Chito Dizon, muli ko kayong pinapasalamatan sa isa na namang makabuluhan at matagumpay na taon ng inyong hanay. Saludo at tinitingala ko kayo sa inyong tibay at walang-kapagurang dedikasyong maglingkod. Hindi na nga po ako magtataka kung marami sa inyo ay kabisado na ang laman ng aking mga talumpati at baka ginagaya na nyo ang aking pagbigkas nito. Kasama ko kayo sa tuwing ibinabandila ko sa mga salu-salo ang paulit-ulit nating pagbasag sa record-high ng Philippine Stock Exchange Index. Marahil, memoryado na rin ninyo ang datos tungkol sa mahigit 3.8 milyong kabahayang benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Nariyan kayo nang maisabatas ang Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act, kung saan pitumput limang bilyong piso ang inilaang pondo sa pagpapatibay ng ating Hukbong Sandatahan. At tulad ko, alam kong nagalak rin kayo nang malagdaan ng MILF at ng pamahalaan ang Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, na magbibigay-daan sa malawakang kapayapaan sa Mindanao. Totoo po: Hindi tayo aabot sa puntong ito kung wala ang bawat isa sa inyo. Sa bawat sandali ng tagumpay natin sa tuwid na daan, nandiyan kayo; kasama kayo sa gumawa ng pagbabagong tinatamasa ngayon ng sambayanang Pilipino.

Ngayon, mayroon pa tayong tatlong taon at higit kumulang apat na buwan sa administrasyon. At bilang Pangulo, mahaba pa ang listahan ng mga imbitasyon sa ating dumalo sa kaliwat kanang anibersaryot salo-salo. Hindi po nagbabago ang hangad ko sa nalalabi pa nating panahon sa gobyerno: na sa tuwing tutungo tayo sa anumang pagtitipon, buo ang loob nating dumalo rito dahil alam nating papasok tayo ng pintohindi para makipagbolahan o makipag-Kodakan sa mga taokundi dahil totoong may ilalahad tayong mabuting balita para sa bansa, totoong may ihahatid tayong serbisyo sa Pilipino, na totoong umuunlad na ang Pilipinas. At muli, kasama ko kayo sa bawat pagkakataong ito. Patuloy lang ninyong paghusayan ang inyong trabaho; patuloy rin akong kakayod sa paglilingkod, at tiwala ako: tuloy-tuloy na ang pag-arangkada natin tungo sa malawakan at ganap na pagbabago. Bago po ako magtapos: Alam nyo talagang hindi ko maiwasan kundi magbalik-tanaw. Noong 1986, colonel ang ating butihing Kalihim ng Tanggulang Pambansa, maitim ang kanyang buhok; ngayon poy maputi na. Ako naman poy long hair noon; ngayon poy hair na lang ang naiwan. [Laughter] Si Col. Caparas yata noon ay tinyente o kapitan; ngayon po ay colonel na. Pero, talaga hong maraming pinagsubukan ang inyong command; talagang mahaba ang kasaysayan. Huwag po nating kakalimutan, simpleng simple lang po ang misyon. Ang ginagawa natin ngayon ay hindi pagpapalit lang sa puwesto kundi pagbabago ng ating lipunan, kung saan ipapamana natin sa salinlahi ang talagang kakaibang Pilipinas. Kayo ang kalasag natin laban sa mga taong nakinabang at gustong pabalikin ang panahon ng pansariling kapakanan, panahon ng puro panlalamang. Kayo po ang kalasag ng sambayanang Pilipino. Muli, maligayang anibersaryo sa lahat ng bumubuo ng Presidential Security Group. At sa ngalan ng sambayanan, maraming salamat po. [HOME]

ONLINE NEWS
04 MARCH 2013 Secretary Coloma Speaks in World Summit on Information Society in UNESCO, Paris NHMFC awarded for its innovative issuance of BahayBonds Secretary Del Rosario flies to Kuala Lumpur to appeal for maximum tolerance, discuss situation in Lahad Datu 92% of Dept. Budgets already rolled out; Abad: Swift budget releases key to quick project implementation OWWA 10 participates in the 27th National Migrants Sunday celebration Former OFW strengthens business with help from OWWA and NRCO Charges filed in connection with the death of botanist Leonardo Co Plaridel by-pass road inaugural drive-thru DOST hoists online dengue alert NEDA: Study shows Pantawid mothers, children perform better than non-beneficiaries DOF-RIPS files administrative and criminal charges against erring DOF, BIR and BOC employees GSIS taps MDi, SPI for Internet Protocol upgrade 'Lolong' succumbed to penumonia, multiple organ failure, says report Customs exec dismissed over unexplained wealth VP Binay: HUDCC to formulate position on Land Use Bill Secretary Coloma Speaks in World Summit on Information Society in UNESCO, Paris Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 4 March 2013 - Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma, Jr. was one of the lead speakers in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) + 10 Review event held from February 25 to 27 at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Headquarters in Paris. Speaking in the High Level Panel: Towards Knowledge Societies for Sustainable Development, the Secretary highlighted President Aquinos vision of a digitally empowered, innovative, globally competitive and prosperous society where everyone has reliable, affordable and secure information access in the Philippines. The Secretary then proceeded to elaborate on a five-year strategy that is being implemented to attain this vision. The WSIS + 10 Review is a high-level global event that brought together UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, the Tunisian Minister of Information and Communications Technology, the Latvian Minister of Environmental Protection and other eminent persons from government, international organizations civil society, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In Paris, Secretary Coloma also participated in the Information for All (IFAP) Special Event and IFAP Bureau meeting held on February 27 and 28. IFAP is one of the core programs of UNESCO. It is an inter-governmental programme created in 2000 in response to the challenges and opportunities of the Information Society with special commitment to propagate the concept of media and information literacy, information ethics, information for development and multi-lingualism. Through IFAP, governments of the world have pledged to harness the new opportunities of the information age to create

equitable societies through better access to information. Secretary Coloma serves as the UNESCO National Commission (UNACOM) Vice-Chair and UNACOM Communication & Information Committee Chair. The Philippines has been a member of the IFAP Bureau since 2009 and Secretary Coloma has been Vice-Chair of the IFAP Bureau since 2010. |TOP| NHMFC awarded for its innovative issuance of BahayBonds Source: http://www.nhmfc.gov.ph The National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) received the Innovative Listed Corporate Bond Issue of the Year (First Listed Asset-Backed Security) during the 8th Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corporation & Subsidiaries (PDS Group) Awards Night held at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel on February 28, 2013. The prestigious prize is for the pioneering issuance of the BahayBonds Series 2 (BB2) Special Purpose Trust. PDS Group President and CEO Vicente B. Castillo and Philippine Dealing & Exchange (PDEx) Corporation President and COO Cesar B. Crisol presented the award to Vice President Jejomar C. Binay who also chairs the NHMFC Board of Directors, NHMFC President Felixberto U. Bustos Jr. and Vice President for Securitization Group Daisy S. Dulay. Since 2006, the PDS Group has been recognizing top financial institutions for their remarkable contributions, outstanding performance and innovations in the domestic capital market. For this year, NHMFC, the only government agency awardee, seized the award for innovative listed corporate bond category. This award is given to the issuers for the innovativeness they have shown in diversifying the corporate issue market for the year. The BahayBonds2 issued in August of last year is the first-ever Retail Mortgage-Backed Securities in the Philippine market. BB2 targeted small investors and it successfully raised Php603.7 Million in its sale. The bond is designed to be safe, high-yielding and affordable savings instrument. With a guaranteed net return of 4.80% and a minimum denomination of P5,000, it is easily the most attractive investment for small investors today. In addition, investors enjoy the privilege of free ATM-accessible savings account and the convenience of balance inquiry through internet and phone banking facilities both with Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and current market value is readily available through the PDEX website. Investors are also allowed instant credit facility with LBP up to 80% of latest market value. Moreover, three house and lots are intended to be raffled for active accounts. And in December 2012, couple-investors Joel Llenos Cebedo and Maria Pacita Mendoza-Cebedo from Cebu City emerged as the first grand winner of the BahayBonds2 house and lot raffle program. In her keynote remarks during the awards night, Treasurer of the Philippines Rosalia V. de Leon also lauded NHMFC for this innovative transaction. We are also heartened that our colleagues from NHMFC initiated a pioneering issuance and listing of the BB2 five-year Retail Mortgage Backed Securities due 2017, the first securitized issue to be listed in PDEx, she said. |TOP| Secretary Del Rosario flies to Kuala Lumpur to appeal for maximum tolerance, discuss situation in Lahad Datu Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 04 March 2013 Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario leaves for Kuala Lumpur this afternoon to meet with Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman to continue discussions on how to avert further loss of lives and to appeal to the Malaysian authorities to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with the remaining members of Kirams group in Lahad Datu. Secretary del Rosario will also take this opportunity to personally convey the Philippine Governments requests for a full briefing by Malaysian authorities on the situation and for clearance for the Philippine Navy ship AT-296 Tagbanua to proceed to Lahad Datu to enable the Philippine medical personnel aboard to provide humanitarian and consular assistance and provide medical care to the wounded and ferry them and the remaining members of the group back to their respective homes and families. Ever since the Kiram group landed in Lahad Datu three weeks ago, Secretary del Rosario has been in touch with the Malaysian authorities on a daily basis in search for a peaceful resolution to the situation. |TOP| 92% of Dept. Budgets already rolled out; Abad: Swift budget releases key to quick project implementation Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) today announced that 91.9 percent or P898.3 billion of the P977.7 billion for departments specific budgets have already been released as of end-January 2013, in line with the Aquino administrations goal of accelerating fund releases to facilitate quicker project implementation and service delivery. DBM Secretary Florencio B. Abad also confirmed that total allotment levels as of January 31, 2013 registered at 62.8 percent or P1.26 trillion of the P2.006-trillion 2013 budget, 39.6 percent higher than budget release levels posted in the same period last year. Departments and agencies now have sufficient budgetary support for the immediate implementation of their programs and projects. With 92 percent of their budgets already released to them, departments can commence their procurement activities in the first quarter and, consequently, speed up project execution ahead of the election ban, Abad said. Furthermore, swift budget releases will allow departments and agencies to comply with the one-year validity policy for all

appropriations. We began enforcing this measure in 2013 to encourage agencies to jump-start their priority programs and projects and, consequently, ensure the faster provision of goods and services to the public, he added. |TOP| OWWA 10 participates in the 27th National Migrants Sunday celebration Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph As one of the partners of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro in promoting of the advocacy for the overseas migrant workers and their families, the officers and staff of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Region 10 participated in the celebration of the 27th National Migrants Sunday last February 10, 2013. The celebration started with an Alay Lakad starting from San Augustin Cathedral to the Misamis Oriental Capitol Grounds. With this years theme- Migration: Pilgrimage of Faith and Hope, the activity recognizes the OFWs integral role in evangelism overseas and sharing the good news of salvation as promised by Jesus Christ. A Eucharistic Mass was celebrated by Msgr. Tex Legitimas and Rev. Fr. Edman Pandero, a son of the Model OFW Family of the Year regional winner in 2011. It was followed by a program with messages from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippine Ecumenical Commission on Migrants and Itinerants (CBCP-ECMI) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Office 10. The one-day activity was attended by delegates from various Migrant Ministries and OFW groups in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental. It was spearheaded by the Pearl of the Sea, an association of seafarers` families. Congressman Rufus Rodriguez and officers from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) also joined the celebration. An important highlight was the sharing of experiences and testimonies of three OFW returnees namely: Juliet Dignos, a returnee from Syria, Mirasol Mulawan, who returned from Kuwait and Mary Ann Pamisa, a returnee from Dubai. Raffle draws and games enlivened the activity. Throughout the years, the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro has acknowledged the role of OWWA in protecting the interest of the Overseas Filipino Workers Region 10. Through the various Migrant Ministries, many OFWs were able to access the programs and services of OWWA such as scholarships, social benefits and livelihood assistance. |TOP| Former OFW strengthens business with help from OWWA and NRCO Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph Godofredo Aboyme Oring of Doyugan, El Savador City in Misamis Oriental decided to go abroad after working with a big brewery for seventeen years. He was hired as a millwright mechanic for the Arabian Fal Company in Rahima, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, he was not able to finish his two-year contract after the completion of the project where he was assigned. Since his company did not transfer him to another project, he had no other choice but go home. In April 2010, a cousin introduced Godofredo to the ice scramble business. He was granted a franchise with a starting capital of Php60,000.00. The franchise included a package of a weeks training in production and a starter kit composed of a pushcart, a high-speed ice crusher, containers, ice box and ingredients. The project contributed significantly to the family income. He positioned his cart in front of the school near their residence. Godofredo earned a net income of an average of P700.00 per day. After a year of operation, he was able to acquire another pushcart. His business however suffered as his earnings were diverted to the growing needs of his family. Late in 2012, Godofredo learned about the livelihood programs of the National Reintegration Program for OFWs (NRCO) for displaced migrant workers. With the help of OWWA Region 10, he developed a project proposal and submitted necessary documents to avail the assistance. On the first week of February this year, Mr. Oring received the amount of P10, 000.00 pesos as a financial assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment to be used as additional capital to open up his business once again. Now, the OFW is back in operation and Mr. Oring is optimistic that he will be able to achieve what he has been earning before or even surpass it. He said he has learned important lessons in managing his business and resolves to put into good use the assistance from the NRCO. |TOP| Charges filed in connection with the death of botanist Leonardo Co Source: http://www.doj.gov.ph In a Resolution dated 20 December 2012, but promulgated and released only yesterday, 28 February 2013, the Panel of Prosecutors tasked to conduct preliminary investigation into the death of one of the nation's foremost botanists, Dr. LEONARDO CO, has found probable cause to charge nine (9) members of the 19th Infantry "Commando" Battalion, 81D, Philippine Army (PA) for the crime of Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Multiple Homicide and Attempted Homicide and twenty-seven (27) others for Obstruction of Justice. Dr. Co, along with two others, namely, a farmer named JULIO L. BORROMEO and an employee of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) named SOFRONIO G. CORTEZ, on 15 November 2010 in Kananga, Leyte. Their two (2) other companions, licensed forester RONINO GIBE and a farmer named POLICARPIO BALUTE survived the incident. Dr. Co, who is also a faculty member of the University of the Philippines (UP), Diliman, was contracted as a consultant of the EDC, the country's largest geothermal power producer, in one of its projects. He and his four companions, who were assisting and/or acting as his guides, were in the vicinity of Sitio Mahiao, Brgy. Lim-ao in Kananga in order to conduct research, collection and procurement of seeds and seedlings of endangered species of trees for replanting in EDC sites. At the time of the incident, they were in the act of identifying and marking mother trees when they were suddenly fired upon, resulting in the death of Dr. Co, Borromeo and Cortez. The widow and surviving parents of Dr. Co filed a complaint for Murder against all thirty-six (36) members of the 19th Infantry

"Commando" Battalion, led by 1Lt RONALD G. ODCHIMAR. While said complaint was undergoing preliminary investigation, the Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit - Philippine National Police (RCIDU-PNP), Regional Office 8, Camp Kangleon, Palo, Leyte (RCIDU-PNP, Region 8) released the findings of their independent investigation recommending the filing of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and attempted homicide, based on the declarations of the two survivors of the incident, Gibe and Balute. According to the respondents, the victims were caught in a crossfire during an encounter with communist rebels during a legitimate military counter-insurgency operation called "Oplan X-mas Gift." They claimed that, sometime past 12 noon of 15 November 2010, they were fired upon first by three (3) armed men clad in black, who were at a distance of fifty (50) to seventyfive (75) meters from them, which prompted them to fire back and resulted in an exchange of gunfire that lasted from ten (i10) to fifteen (15) minutes. Thereafter, they scoured the area at around 1:00PM and found two (2) dead bodies, one (1) seriously wounded and one (1) unharmed survivor, whom they assisted after finding that they were not communist rebels. The widow of Dr. Co, Mrs. GLENDA F. CO, insisted that the crime committed was Murder because of Respondents' admission that the victims were their intended targets and that they, the Respondents, acted with the singular purpose of killing them. She also pointed out contradictions in the statements of Respondents as to who actually saw the suspected communist rebels, and the results of ballistics examination, which show that Respondents fired at the victims from a short distance at the lower ground. In the course of the preliminary investigation, the panel of prosecutors conducted an ocular inspection and clarificatory questioning at the scene of the crime in the presence of the parties and counsels. The evidence thus gathered led the panel to conclude and find probable cause to file charges of Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Multiple Homicide and Attempted Homicide against 1Lt. Odchimar and eight (8) others, who are members of the 1st squad of the 1st Platoon, and charges of violation of Section 1(c)3 of Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 1829 (commonly known as the "Obstruction of Justice Act") against the rest of the twenty-seven (27) respondents. In so resolving, the panel of prosecutors were not convinced by the respondents' claim of an actual encounter with alleged communist rebels, during which the victims were merely caught in the crossfire. According to the Panel, "[a]s it appears to us, such asservation is nothing more than an exculpatory defense, if not an outright fabrication" as it "did not find during ocular inspection any iota of proof of a volley of gunfire from the other end or opposite direction." The Panel observed that, aside from the fact that there were no other victims except the team of Dr. Co, "all the bullet marks were towards the lower ridge where the victims or the alleged suspected communist rebels purportedly were with nary any trace whatsoever of gunfire towards the direction of the respondents in the upper ridge," which were further supported by "the uniform declarations of survivors Gibe and Balute that the fire all came from behind them, both indicating one and the same source and/or direction of gun burst." In fact, even the uniform allegation of the respondents that they saw one of the alleged rebels quickly fleeing and disappearing dovetails with Balute's declaration that he immediately ran at the first opportunity upon hearing the gunfire. All these, according to the Panel, show that they were the real targets of the respondents and no other. However, the Panel did not find probable cause to charge Respondents with an intentional felony, i.e., Murder or Homicide, but merely of a culpable one, i.e., Reckless Imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and attempted homicide. In so resolving, the Panel found that the Respondents actedunder the influence of a mistake of fact, i.e., that due to "the remoteness and seclusion of the forested area where there is little or hardly any possibility of civilian presence, the earlier reported sightings of alleged communist rebels therein that induced the creation of the strategic plan, and the absence ... of any information or prior coordination with them [by EDC] regarding the victims' scheduled field work on that fateful day," respondents "would have only entertained the thought that, or would have been so convinced that only communist rebels could be in that place at that opportune moment." The Panel also took note of survivor Gibe's statement during the ocular inspection that their team was armed with sharp weapons, particularly "itak", which they used to carve and put marks on the trees for their research. The Panel believes that the sound made by such acts may have been mistaken as gun burst. On the other hand, Respondents could not be completely exculpated from any culpability for firing at the victims as "the inconsistency of [their] testimonies vis--vis the corpus delicti, their instinctive action and appreciation of circumstances then prevailing did not appear faultless or prudent." As to violation of the Obstruction of Justice Act, the Panel found probable cause to charge the rest of the Battalion when they "wilfully and knowingly impeded, frustrated or continuously delayed the prosecution of respondents-members of the 1st squad 1st platoon including its leader 1Lt Odchimar." Informations shall be filed with the appropriate court in Leyte. |TOP| Plaridel by-pass road inaugural drive-thru Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and DPWH Undersecretary Alfredo G. Tolentino representing Secretary Rogelio L. Singson, leads the ceremonial drive through at the Plaridel By-Pass Road Project in Bulacan. The new bypass road, constructed by the DPWH, is funded under a loan agreement between the Philippines and Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project is being implemented in two (2) phases with the completed first phase involving the construction of contract packages 1 and 2 composed of 14.65 kilometers road, 2.40 kilometers access road, and seven (7) bridges starting from North Luzon Expressway via a new interchange in Barangay Burol, Balagtas to the junction of Alejo Santos Road in Bustos, Bulacan with a realized travel time savings of 20-23 minutes and directly benefitting the towns of Balagtas, Plaridel, Pandi, Bustos, Baliuag, Angat and San Rafael. The project is part of the DPWH upgrading of the inter-urban highway system along the Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway that will ease the serious traffic congestion in the vicinity of core urban areas along the Maharlika Highway leading to the Cagayan Valley Road in Bulacan. |TOP| DOST hoists online dengue alert Source: http://www.dost.gov.ph

Before the onset of the rainy season, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) intensifies its dengue preventive measures by providing online information on dengue cases per community to serve as alert mechanism to concerned government offices and personnel. In the pipeline is a dengue alert website that will enable public health practitioners to check out high-risk areas for dengue outbreaks and come up with early intervention measures. Developed by DOST through its sectoral council, the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), the site is technically a vector surveillance tool containing data on population density and other information on Aedes aegypti mosquito which is the vector for dengue, or the organism that transmits the dengue virus to humans. The population of the vector, or the Aedes mosquito, is reflected in the Ovicidal-Larvicidal (OL) Trap Index Monitoring Map that shows the weekly surveillance results of communities installed with the OL Trap. The DOST-developed (OL) trap is a simple, affordable, and efficient tool for controlling mosquito population. An OL trap kit consists of a black container, a lawanit paddle where mosquitoes lay their eggs, and a pack of pellets used to make a solution that kills the eggs and larva of mosquitoes. Reports from dengue coordinators in schools installed with the OL trap are reflected in the monitoring map, which will then show areas where Aedes mosquitos settle, including the density of the mosquito population. Through the weekly updates from the communities, public health practitioners can check out trends and recommend actions to be taken by policy makers and community leaders. This function puts the country one step ahead of the dengue menace, the peak season of which occurs during the rainy months. A green balloon on the map would mean an index of less than 20 percent which calls for close monitoring of hygienic condition and conduct of weekly inspection to identify potential breeding sites. On the other hand, a yellow balloon signals an index of 20-39 percent, which means that local officials must conduct special operations to eliminate all breeding and potential breeding places. A red balloon marks an index of 40 percent or greater, signaling concerned officials and institutions to conduct pest control measures. DOST developed the monitoring map project in collaboration with the Department of Education, Department of Health, and Department of Interior and local government units. Red balloon marks the spot. Areas with an OL trap index greater than 40 percent, marked by red balloons, must be on alert. School authorities and other concerned officials must wage an all-out clean up of breeding places and potential breeding sites, and conduct pest control measures to prevent an imminent dengue outbreak. The website shows schools in Metro Manila where OL traps are installed. Clicking on the balloon will show the reported OL trap index and the corresponding recommended action. |TOP| NEDA: Study shows Pantawid mothers, children perform better than non-beneficiaries Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph MANILAThe governments major antipoverty program has made initial progress in terms of achieving the development outcomes for its beneficiaries in the short term, according to a report recently released by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). Citing the results of an impact evaluation, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said that households under the Pantawid Pamilya Program are more likely to perform better, particularly in the areas of education and health, compared to non-beneficiaries. As reported in the Socioeconomic Report (SER): 2010-2012, preliminary indicators suggest that the Pantawid Pamilya Program is gaining ground in achieving its desired long-term outcomes of poverty reduction, said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General. According to the SER, initial findings of the impact evaluation in 2011 revealed that compared to non-Pantawid households, program beneficiaries had higher insurance coverage through PhilHealth by 10 percent, while pregnant beneficiaries were more likely to avail themselves of routine healthcare also by 10 percent. As to children under the program, those aged 3-5 and 6-11 years old had higher enrolment rates in daycare (10%) and basic education (5%), respectively, compared to non-Pantawid children. Also, those aged 6-11 and 12-14 years old under the program were more likely to attend regular classes by 4 percent and 5 percent, respectively, compared to their non-Pantawid counterparts. By investing in education and health, future generations from these households would be able to get out of the vicious cycle of poverty that has disabled them from living to their fullest potential, such as getting employed in quality jobs. The Pantawid Pamilya Program is really a long-term investment, and the immediate progress we have initially seen affirms the programs success in the coming years, said Balisacan. The SER also noted that the beneficiaries spending patterns have shifted towards investing more in education and health. Compared to non-beneficiaries, Pantawid households are now spending 36 percent more for their childrens education and 33 percent more for basic medical costs. Utilizing the conditional cash transfer (CCT) mechanism, the Pantawid Pamilya Program provides cash incentives to identified poor households after they comply with certain criteria, such as childrens regular attendance in schools and mothers regular visit to health clinics, among others.

Beneficiaries were rigorously selected through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), which determines the socioeconomic category of the households by looking at certain proxy variables such as ownership of assets, type of housing, education of the household head, livelihood, and access to water and sanitation facilities. Eligible households are those categorized as poor by the NHTS-PR, have children 0-14 years old and/or have a pregnant woman at the time of assessment, and agree to meet conditions specified in the program. The SER reported that 3.01 million poor households were already covered by the program as of June 2012, exceeding the three million cumulative target by 2012 as set in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP): 2011-2016. The beneficiaries compliance with set conditions has been high at an average of 95.5 percent in 2011. The SER is an assessment of the first two years of the Aquino administration in relation to the targets and strategies set in the PDP 2011-2016. This can be viewed at http://www.neda.gov.ph/econreports_dbs/SER/SER2010-2012new.pdf. |TOP| DOF-RIPS files administrative and criminal charges against erring DOF, BIR and BOC employees Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph The Department of Finance, through its Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS), filed administrative and criminal cases with the Office of the Ombudsman against its own employee as well as employees from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC). DOF employee charged with committing Perjury in PDS declaration The accomplishment of Personal Data Sheet (PDS) is a requirement to be complied with by every government employee under the Civil Service Rules and Regulations. Legislative Liaison Specialist MARIA PAZ ABADEJOS JAVIER of the Departments Research and Information Officeappeared to have falsified her PDS as she answered NO to the question Have you ever been formally charged in Item #37 of her 1998 and 2012 PDS when in fact there are pending criminal cases against her for violation of Batas Pambansa Bilang 22 since 1995, making her possibly liable for falsification and Perjury under Article 171, paragraph 4 and Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code. Moreover, such untruthful declaration constitutes Dishonesty, Grave Misconduct and/or Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service under Section 46 of the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service. Javiers use of such falsified document as a requirement in her prior employment with the DOF as Economist III and later to facilitate her promotion to Legislative Liaison Specialist prejudiced the other applicants who were genuinely qualified for the position. Likewise, Javier in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN) from 1998 to 2011 consistently declared the following real properties; namely, a Residential house in Cavite acquired in 1985; Residential lot in Cavite acquired in 1985; and Townhouse in Paraaque/ Las Pias acquired in 1990. Unfortunately, inquiries with the respective City Assessors office where said properties are located revealed that there are no existing real property holdings and/or tax declarations and/or any property declared for taxation purposes under the name of Javier or any member of her immediate family. Javiers failure to declare said properties for tax purposes is constitutive of corrupt practice under Section 3(e) of RA 3019 as she caused undue injury and actual damage to the Government in terms of lost revenues. Lastly, Javier failed to obtain from the DOF the required Indorsements/Travel Authorities for nine (9) of her foreign trips in evident transgression of reasonable office rules and regulation and constitutes conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service as provided under Executive Order No. 6 and Section 46 of the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service. Top Officials of BIR failed the lifestyle check RIPS in its continued effort to eliminate corruption also filed administrative and criminal charges against prominent officials of the BIR, namely: Chief Revenue Officer RICARDO BATONGBAKAL ESPIRITU of the Revenue District Office (RDO) No. 50South Makati, Regional Director ALERT BENEDICTO ALOCILJA of Revenue Region no. 14, Tacloban City and Assistant Revenue District Officer FRITZ SARAD BUENDIA of RDO No. 24-Valenzuela City. In the case of Espiritu, RIPS investigators discovered that he omitted to declare several parcels of agricultural land, residential land and building located in Bulacan owned by him and his wife in his SALNs. Moreover, Espiritu did not declare his wifes business interest in a certain Esmont Realty Corporation where she is one of the incorporators owning half of the total shares of stock of the said corporation. Likewise, Espiritu declared the Jun Encarnacion Salon for Men & Women located at Iba, Meycauayan, Bulacan, owned by his wife in his SALNs up to 2011. However, said salon was issued its last Mayor Permit in 2007. Clearly, Espiritu manipulated his SALNs to make it appear that his wife was earning income of her own and has financial capacity. Espiritu also repeatedly declared a Palawan property in his SALNs, but verification with the Provincial and City Assessors of Palawan and Puerto Princesa City divulged that no real property has been declared in their office under the name of respondent or his wife and other family members. Finally, Espiritu failed to obtain from the DOF the required Indorsements/Travel Authorities for his seven (7) foreign trips. Moreover, his numerous travels abroad indicate that Espiritu and his family are living quite a luxurious lifestyle. In its Complaint, RIPS significantly illustrated Espiritus accumulation of wealth while he is in government service.

With respect to Alocilja, he failed to declare several properties in his SALNs, particularly, a residential lot in M. H. del Pilar St. which appears to have been donated in 1985 was not declared in his 1995 and 1996 SALNs. Another residential lot which he purchased in 1986 was not disclosed in his 1995 to 1998 SALNs. Lastly, a residential house in Tacloban City acquired in 1987 was not reflected in his SALNs prior to 2005. The same scheme was utilized by Alocilja with regard to his personal properties when he omitted to declare a second hand car and his ownership of several firearms. As to Buendia, in 1989, he was employed in the BIR as Clerk II with a gross salary of Seventeen Thousand Six Hundred Forty Pesos (P17,640.00) per annum. Considering his humble beginnings, he was able to purchase a house and lot in Pangasinan and numerous high-end vehicles like Nissan Cefiro, Honda CRV and Toyota Corolla, all of which were paid for in cash. The RIPS prayed for the imposition of a six-month preventive suspension on these BIR Officials during the pendency of the proceedings as well as the filing of criminal information for violations of Section 7 of RA 3019 and Section 8 of RA 6713, Article 171 (4) and Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code. The RIPS also sought their dismissal from service pursuant to Rule 10, Section 46 (A)(1), (A)(2) and (A)(3) of the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (RRACCS) and the forfeiture of their ill-gotten wealth. BOCs Deputy District Commander Violated the Full and Truthful SALN Disclosure Republic Act 6713, otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, specifically mandate the obligation for every government officer and employee to submit a yearly SALN. Failure to comply with such obligation may subject them to the gravest penalty of dismissal from office. ROGELIO ILAGA RABANAL, Deputy District Commander of Customs Police District, Enforcement and Security Service (CPDESS) at the Port of Batangas violated the aforementioned laws when he failed to file his 2009 SALN as confirmed by the Human Resource Management Division of the BOC as well as the Office of the Ombudsman. Furthermore, Rabanal did not declare a parcel of land in Ilocos Norte in his SALN prior to 2003 when the Deed of Absolute Sale revealed that as early as 1998, he was already the owner of the same. Rabanal never declared in any of his SALNs his ownership of several firearms which RIPS verified with the Firearms and Explosives Office of the Philippine National Police. In the complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman, RIPS was able to demonstrate Rabanals inconsistent and misleading declarations as he failed to be forthright about the true values of his real properties as well as his personal assets. Finally, Rabanal did not obtain from the DOF the mandatory Travel Authorities for most of his travels outside the country. For the aforesaid willful SALN violations, RIPS asked that Rabanal be dismissed for Serious Dishonesty, Gross Neglect of Duty and Grave Misconduct under Rule 10, Section 46 (A)(1), (A)(2) and (A)(3) of the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (RRACCS) and that the corresponding Informations be filed for violation of Section 7 of RA 3019 and Section 8 of RA 6713, as well as Article 171 (4) and Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code. |TOP| GSIS taps MDi, SPI for Internet Protocol upgrade Source: http://www.gsis.gov.ph The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) recently tapped the professional expertise of Micro-D International Incorporated (MDi) and Synetcom Philippines Incorporated (SPI) to upgrade its Internet Protocol (IP) to version six so that the pension fund can communicate with more users in the web. We are always on the leading edge of technology and we need strong and reliable partners to make the successful transition to the Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), said GSIS Chief Information Officer Juan Philip Evangelista. Micro-D International Inc., established in 1988, is a pioneering and trusted information and communications technology provider in the country. Meanwhile, Synetcom Philippines Inc. has over four decades of professional experience in the same field. Many organizations across the globe are now starting to use the Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). The new version was introduced to accommodate the demand for more IP addresses which are depleting fast under version 4. The IP is a mechanism through which data are transmitted from one computer to another while the IP addresses, like phone numbers, direct users to where they should transmit their message. IP addresses in the two versions are uniquely defined which poses a limitation for IPv4 users to communicate with that of IPv6 users. IPv6 offers a host of benefits from higher production efficiency, easier network management, vast address space, improved security features and greater interconnectivity. Seeing the trend towards IPv6, Malacanang issued Executive Order no. 893 in 2010 instructing all government offices to adapt the said protocol. GSIS is among the first government agencies to heed the call. |TOP| 'Lolong' succumbed to penumonia, multiple organ failure, says report Source: http://www.denr.gov.ph Lolong, the worlds largest saltwater crocodile in captivity, died of chronic pneumonia complicated by multiple organ failure, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced.

DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said the histopathology done on tissue samples taken from Lolongs lungs, heart, liver, kidney and gastrointestinal tract confirmed the initial findings that the giant reptile had died of pneumonia and cardiac arrest. Citing the histopathological report on the cause of death, Paje said that apart from chronic pneumonia, the 20-foot Lolong also had congestive heart failure, fatty liver and kidney failure. Paje added the post-mortem findings indicated that Lolongs massive size and captivity had both taken their toll on the crocodiles overall health. He pointed out that just like humans, animals have certain physiological and environmental needs that should be met so that they would be capable of adapting well to different types of stress brought about by any change in environment. Lolongs death would serve as an important reference as we review management and husbandry practices and ensure that we provide the appropriate environment for all animals in captivity, Paje said. Paje noted in particular that the ability of reptiles to thermoregulate or regulate body temperature would be a major consideration as this influences major body functions such as digestion, metabolism, excretion and immunity. This ability greatly influences how a crocodile adapts to stress which may be brought about by disease, inclement weather, or even exposure to public, he explained. The histopathology was done at the University of the Philippines-Los Baos College of Veterinary Medicine (UPLB-CVM), whose teaching staff, Dr. Emelia Lastica, was designated assistant head of the team of professionals sent by the DENR to conduct the necropsy. In the report, the official diagnosis was chronic interstitial mycotic pneumonia, congestive heart failure, hepatic lipidosis and chronic nephritis with tubular nephrosis indicative of kidney failure. The report confirmed the presence of fungus in Lolongs lungs, which is indicative of pneumonia that led to heart and kidney failure. Fat cells along with blood clots in its heart indicated that the animal died slowly as the organ worked overtime for the needed oxygen supply which decreased due to pneumonia, the report said. It said the loss of liver function was caused by hepatic lipidosis, more commonly known as fatty liver, which were attributed to the [reptiles] diet, management and age. Meanwhile, the report said that the gastrointestinal tract showed no lesions, although the colon showed signs of hemorrhage and congestion. Lolong, which the Guinness Book of World Records declared last year as the worlds largest saltwater crocodile in captivity, died on February 10 in its pen at the Bunawan Eco-Park and Research Center in Agusan del Sur. |TOP| Customs exec dismissed over unexplained wealth Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph THE Office of the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of a Bureau of Customs (BOC) collector assigned at the Mindanao Container Terminal Phividec in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental for alleged unexplained wealth and failure to disclose his residential lot in Davao City that he acquired in 1998 in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). In a nine-page Order approved by Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Gerard Mosquera on February 12, 2013, the anti-graft body found Customs Collector IV Lowell Lomuljo Medija, guilty of Gross Neglect of Duty and Serious Dishonesty and meted the penalty of dismissal from the service, with accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification for reemployment in the government service. The case stemmed from the complaint filed by Department of Finance-Revenue Integrity Protection Service (DOF-RIPS) Intelligence Officer Oscar Moratin and Intelligence Agent Crispin Velarde after Medija flunked a lifestyle check and was found to have amassed unexplained wealth and properties with his annual gross income of P511,668. The complaint averred that Medija did not include in his SALNs his house and lot in Talomo Bucana Moondland Subdivision in Davao, while his son, Brian Dexter, owns another lot yet he had no financial means to purchase the same. Investigators found out that Medijas wife, Evelyn, also owns another residential lot under her name. It was also revealed that Medija owns a piggery, a 5.5 hectare agricultural tract of land with various plantations of pomelos, bananas and mangoes, six poultry buildings, and a residential lot in Toril Eden Mountain Haven Subdivision in Davao. The Order held that the significant and unexplainable increases in Medijas networth for the years 2002, 2003 and 2008 [P1,930,000.00, P500,000.00 and P554,235.90, respectively]which translated into the acquisitions of real property and the buildings and improvementsare manifestly out of proportion to his lawful income. By law, these unexplainable acquisitions of wealth are deemed unlawfully acquired. Thus, for having increased his net worth by sourcing the fundsfrom illegitimate means, respondent is adjudged guilty of dishonesty, the Office held. From the evidence adduced, there are reasonable grounds to conclude that respondents wealth have not been legitimately acquired[and] there appears to be sufficient factual and legal bases for this Office to conduct forfeiture proceedings, it added. |TOP|

VP Binay: HUDCC to formulate position on Land Use Bill Source: http://ovp.gov.ph Vice President Jejomar C. Binay Thursday expressed support for the passage of the National Land Use Act guided by the principles of rationalized and equitable use of land, and revealed that he has instructed key shelter agencies of the housing sector to formulate a consolidated position on the Land Use Bill. The housing czar told members of the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Associations (CREBA) during a meeting that he directed the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) to enlist the assistance of concerned government agencies and local governments in conducting an inventory of non-irrigable lands. "The purpose is to prioritize the development of needed infrastructure that will fully utilize the potential of these lands," he said. Binay also urged CREBA to help in preparing a study of the viability of using this type of land for housing, as well as in conducting the inventory. According to Binay, if the study finds that the non-irrigable lands are still part of the public domain, the housing sector will recommend the issuance of a presidential proclamation declaring these areas as socialized and non-socialized housing sites. "This approach will save us from the long and tedious process of conversion and will reduce the cost of developing these sites for housing," the Vice President added. Binay also disclosed the other three major agenda for the housing industry for the last half of his term as HUDCC chair, which includes reforms in the implementation of tax incentives for socialized and mass housing developers. "Accordingly, we are engaging the Department of Finance and other stakeholders in the formulation of uniform and common guidelines for the full implementation of tax incentives," he told the members. He added that he instructed the HUDCC to pursue with the DOF the discussions on the proposed executive order that the CREBA submitted. Binay also said that the housing sector is working with the National Economic Development Authority to complete the evaluation of the proposal to include socialized housing condominium as part of the definition for socialized housing. He added that this was the response to President Aquinos call for a housing program for informal settlers in danger areas. As well, he said that the sectors new thrust is private sector-led on-site development through low- or medium-rise buildings in highly urbanized areas. The last part of the agenda is resolving concerns of developers regarding the non-uniformity of implementation of some housing regulations, guidelines and procedures in the issuance of housing permits and licenses. "To resolve this, the HLURB is working closely with the DILG to promote awareness and ensure compliance of local governments with the approved processes in subdivision approval." Binay further said that the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) had approved the establishment of one-stop shops that will process housing related permits in all HLURB regional offices. |TOP|