Aguinaldo Shrine

Pagsanjan Falls

Taal Lake

Antipolo Church

Lucban Pahiyas Feast

PIA Calabarzon 5 PRs ( April 1 , 2013),Dispatch for April 2 , 2013 (Tuesday)

, 8 Weather Watch, 8 Regl.Watch , 1 OFW Watch, 32 Online News

Weather Watch
3 hours ago

(02APRIL2013-01) 24-HR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST issued at 5AM today. SYNOPSIS: Trough
of a Low Pressure Area (LPA) affecting Mindanao. FORECAST: Mindanao and western Visayas will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening. Light to moderate winds blowing from the East to Southeast will prevail over Northern Luzon and coming from the East to Northeast over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate.>> NDRRMC OPCEN

Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's status.

12 hours ago

THUNDERSTORM INFORMATION:
Issued at 10:00 PM, 01 APRIL 2013 Thunderstorm is less likely to develop over Metro Manila within 12 hours. However, all are still advised to continue monitoring updates.

Weather Watch
13 hours ago

GMA 7 resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz on 24 Oras

- Magiging mas mainit pa ang panahon sa malaking bahagi ng bansa ngayong linggo at iyan ay dahil sa easterlies o 'yung hanging nanggagaling sa silangan na siyang magdadala ng mainit na panahon. - Sa Metro Manila, asahan na ang mainit na panahon at base sa data ng Weather Central, bukas po 37 degrees Celsius ang ating init factor pagdating ng 2:00 ng hapon at hanggang sa gabi 30 degrees Celsius pa rin ang ating init factor. - Lalo pang tataas ang temperatura sa mga susunod na araw hanggang Huwebes po 'yan. - Nito ngang Sabado de Gloria, naitala ang pinakamainit na temperatura sa Metro Manila na umabot ng 34.9 degrees Celsius. - Ramdam din ang init sa mga karating probinsya, tulad sa Batangas, Zambales at Pampanga at magiging maalinsangan rin sa ilang lugar sa Hilagang Luzon tulad sa Laoag at Tuguegarao. - Asahan din ang mataas na temperatura sa Kanlurang bahagi ng Visayas, gaya po ng Bacolod at Iloilo hanggang sa eastern section diyan sa Tacloban. - Posible namang umulan sa malaking bahagi ng Mindanao lalong lalo na sa southern section at ayon sa PAGASA sanhi ito ng trough ng isang LPA na namataan sa may Katimugang bahagi ng Mindanao.

Weather Watch
13 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Inaasahan na magdadala ng maulap na panahon at pag-ulan, partikular na sa Mindanao ang LPA sa may
southeast ng Mindanao. Hindi naman inaasahan na papasok ng Philippine area of responsibility ang nasabing LPA. Samantala, asahan bukas ang magandang panahon sa buong Luzon habang ang Metro Manila naman ay may 40% chance of rain bukas, 20% pagdating ng Wednesday at 30% naman pagdating ng Thursday. Asahan naman ang maulap na panahon sa Samar at Leyte habang maganda naman ang panahon sa Bacolod, Iloilo at Boracay. Asahan ang maulap na panahon na may pag-ulan sa Surigao at Davao habang tinatayang uulan din sa Cotabato at Gensan.

Weather Watch
13 hours ago

GMA: Nagbabala ang mga health expert hinggil sa nauusong pagpapa-henna tattoo ngayong summer. Ayon sa FDA,
may lumabas na ilang ulat mula sa US FDA hinggil sa skin irritation matapos magpa-henna tattoo. Dahil dito, ipinapayo ng FDA na dapat ay aprubado na nila ang cosmetic ingredients na gagamitin para gawin ang nasabing paraan ng pagtatattoo.

Weather Watch
16 hours ago

PAGASA weather forecaster Samuel Duran DZRH:

Re: Kalagayan ng panahon - Ang LPA ay nasa labas ng PAR ay nakakaapekto sa kabuuang Mindanao kaya't ang buong Mindanao ay makakaranas ng maulap na kalangitan na may mahina hanggang sa katamtamang pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog. - Ang Metro Manila at ang natitirang bahagi ng bnasa ay magkakaroon ng bahagyang maulap na papawirin na may mahinang pulu-pulong pag-ulan, pagkidlat, pagkulog, lalo na sa dakong hapon o gabi. - Sa SOCCSKSARGEN, kasama ang Cotabato, CARAGA Region at Davao ay nakakaranas ng light to moderate rainshowers at thunderstorms. - Sa Davao Region at South Cotabato ay may mga pag-ulan pa rin. Itong extension ng LPA, bagama't nasa labas ng PAR ay nagbibigay ng pag-ulan - Hanggang kinabukasan ng hapon ay mararanasan ang pag-ulan sa Mindanao, dulot pa rin ng LPA. - Ang pinakamainit na temperatura na naitala kaninang tanghali ay 33.5.

Weather Watch
16 hours ago

(01APRIL2013-04) 24-HR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST issued at 5PM today.

SYNOPSIS: Trough of a Low Pressure Area (LPA) affecting Mindanao. FORECAST: Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening. Light to moderate winds blowing from the East to Southeast will prevail over Northern and Central Luzon and coming from the East to Northeast over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate.>> NDRRMC OPCEN

Weather Watch
22 hours ago

PAGASA weather forecaster Lenny Ruiz on DZBB:

-Wala naman tayong nakikitang LPA o sama ng panahon na namumuo sa loob ng ating Philipine area of responsibility. -Ang easterlies pa rin ang nakakaapekto sa eastern section ng bansa. -Ang CARAGA, Davao region, SOCCKSARGEN at Eastern Visayas ay magkakaroon ng maulap na kalangitan na may mahina hanggang katamtamang-pag-ulan na may pagkulog at pagkidlat. -Ang Cagayan Valley at Bicol region kasama ang mga lalawigan ng Aurora at Quezon ay magiging maulap na may

mahinang pag-ulan. -Ang Metro Manila at iba pang bahagi ng bansa ay makakaranas ng bahagyang maulap na papawirin na may pulu-pulong pag-ulan sa dakong hapon o gabi.

Weather Watch
April 2 , 2013 3 hours ago

CAVITE : LAGUNA : BATANGAS : RIZAL : QUEZON :

Sunny Sunny Fair weather Sunny Sunny

PIA Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

Friday

PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The Center for Agricultural and Rural Development-Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD-MRI),
through the CARD Business Dev't Service Foundation, Inc., recently sponsored a fashion show featuring garment crafts by the rural women members of CARD MRI in observance of the Women's Month celebration this month of March.

PIA Regional Watch

Friday

PIA4A/LAGUNA: Inilunsad kamakailan ng Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources
Research and Dev't. (PCAARRD) ang kanyang Industry Strategic Science and Technology Plan (ISSTP). Ang paglulunsad ay bahagi ng adhikain ng ahensya na makamit ang isang patuloy at makabuluhang pangunguna sa mga pagbabago sa agham at teknolohiya na may kinalaman sa agrikultura, pangisdaan at likas na yaman sa bansa

PIA Regional Watch

March 28

PIA-4A/RIZAL: Devotee influx in Antipolo as of 6:00 PM: Devotees started coming in to Antipolo from different entry
points: Ortigas Avenue Extension, Cainta still has a 2-way traffic flow. All stakeholders are in full alert.

PIA Regional Watch

March 28

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Isang capsized motorized boat ang tumaob kanina sa Sitio Bakasyunan,Simlong,Batangas City.
Ito ay papuntang San Agustin, Isla Verde at naglalaman ng siyam katao kabilang ang apat na bata. Dahilan sa maagap na pagsaklolo ng Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council at mga bantay dagat,nasagip ang lahat ng sakay sa bangka at nasa maayos ng kalagayan.

PIA Regional Watch

March 27

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) urged the local candidates not to pay "permit to
campaign" fees to rebel group as campaign period starts. Col. Neil Anthony Estrella, SOLCOM deputy community relations officer said that the candidates should seek the support of military or police authorities instead.

PIA Regional Watch

March 27

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Quezon Provincial Police Office, Deparment of Public Works and Highways, Kabalikat radio
communication group and other volunteer groups will install 'oplan sumvac' center along Maharlika Highway from Tiaong, Quezon to Tagkawayan, Quezon. This will assist motorists and travelers plying Quezon Province this Lenten season.

PIA Regional Watch

March 27

PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The Bayani Challenge 2013 has already culminated with a simple ceremony held today at the
Toyota-GK Village in Brgy. Pulong Sta. Cruz, Santa Rosa City with Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas as guest speaker. Mayor Arcillas thanked all the volunteers and enjoined them to again join next year's Bayani Challenge which, she said with certainty, will be held in the city. The ceremony was capped by a boodle fight.

PIA Regional Watch

March 27

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: May dalawang motorist assistance center ang itinalaga ng Startolway Corp. Sa Km.78 at Km 98
ng naturang highway.Ito ay upang makapagbigay ng serbisyo sa mga motoristang dumadaan dito ngayong Semana Santa.

PIA OFW Watch

PIA OFW Watch

15 hours ago

DZBB: Pinag-iingat ng DFA ang publiko ukol sa mga nag-aalok ng trabaho sa bansang Portugal na idinaraan sa email o
internet. Kasunod ito ng abiso ng Philippine Embassy sa Lisbon na marami nang Pilipinong nabiktima ang isang nagpapakilalang malaking kumpanya at law firm sa bansang Portugal. Ginagamit umano ng naturang kumpanya ang pangalan ng mga lehitimong kumpanya at law firm sa Portugal para mag-alok ng visa facilitation at trabaho kapalit ng bayad na idinaraan sa money transfer. Paalala ng Philippine embassy, hindi umuubra sa Portugal ang basta rsum

lamang para sa mga kumpanya doon na may international transactions at ang kailangan umano roon ay personal interview para sa mga aplikante.

A. QUEZON
1. Tagalog news: Lingap Kalusugan sa Barangay, kinilala ng Galing Pook Award
By Joselito M. Giron Monday 1st of April 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis

LUNGSOD NG LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Abril 1 (PIA) --Ipinagmalaki ng pamahalaang panglalawigan ng Quezon ang pagiging finalist nito sa Galing Pook award na proyekto ng Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) at Galing Pook Foundation. Pormal na tinanggap ni Quezon Gov. David Suarez mula kina DILG Secretary Mar Roxas III, Galing Pook Foundation Vice-Chairperson Ma. Lourdes Fernando, at Land Bank of the Philippines president Gilda Pico ang tropeo ng pagkilala sa programang Lingap Kalusugan sa Barangay o LKB health coupons program ng pamahalaang panglalawigan ng Quezon. Ayon kay Gov. Suarez, itinuturing na malaking karangalan para sa lalawigan dahilan sa mula sa 160 na kalahok na local government units buhat sa ibat ibang lugar sa Pilipinas ay nakapasok ang Quezon bilang finalist sa top 16 isa sa tatlong probinsya na nakasama dito. Hindi tulad ng ibang nagwaging programa na ilang taon o dekada nang ipinapatupad, ang LKB program ay kinilala kahit mahigit na iisang taon pa lamang ang implementasyon nito. Matatandaan na sinimulan ipatupad ng kasalukuyang administrasyon ang programa noong 2011 upang ilapit ang abot-kamay na tulong medikal sa 1,242 barangay sa lalawigan. Katuwang ng pamahalaang panlalawigan dito ang Quezon Medical Center, 16 na municipal at district hospitals, at maging ilang mga botika na nasa lalawigan na nakikiisa sa programang ito. Ipinagmamalaki ni Gov. Suarez na ito ang kauna-unahang at nag-iisang health coupon/voucher system sa buong bansa na sa ilalim ng sistema ng LKB program ay ipinagkakatiwala sa bawat punong barangay ang pag-iingat at pamamahagi ng mga health coupons sa kanilang mga ka-barangay sa panahon ng karamdaman at kagipitan. Dahil sa mahusay na pagpapatupad, umabot sa 112, 863 ang bilang ng mamamayan na nabiyayaan mula nang simulan ang LKB program. At upang patuloy na pakinabangan ng mas madami ang programa, ipinasa ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ang

Health Coupon Ordinance o Provincial Ordinance No. 15 Series of 201 2 (Resolution No. 1525). Ang Galing Pook Awards ay kabilang sa mga parangal na iginagawad ng DILG sa mga LGUs na sa malikhaing paraan ay nagawang maging bayani ang mga ordinaryong mamamayan patungo sa tuloy-tuloy at sama-samang pag-unlad ng mga pamayanan. Sa ilalim ng Innovation and Excellence in Local Governance, kabilang pa sa mga iginawad na pagkilala ang Lupong Tagapagmana Incentives Awards, Gawad Pamana ng Lahi, at ang bagong talaga na Jesse Robredo Leadership Award. Ang iba pa sa 16 LGUs na pasok sa Galing Pook Awards bukod sa Quezon ay ang mga lalawigan ng Sarangani at South Cotabato; mga bayan ng Loboc, Teresa, at San Francisco, Cebu; mga lungsod ng Valenzuela, Mandaluyong, Dumaguete, Muntinlupa, San Jose, Masbate at Tagum; at ang Barangay Poblacion, Tupi ng South Cotabato. Masusi ang pinagdaanang proseso sa pagpili sa labing-anim na LGU mula sa pagsumite ng mga requirements, validation, hanggang sa oral presentation ng mga kinatawan ng mga napiling LGU programs. Kabilang sa mga naging selection criteria ang positive results and impact (30%), promotion of peoples participation at empowerment (30%), innovation (15%), transferability at sustainability (15%) at efficiency of program service delivery (10%). (PIA-Quezon/Quezon PIO)

2. Agriculture office holds awareness on scale insects infesting coconuts

By Ruel M. Orinday Monday 1st of April 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis

LUCENA CITY, Quezon, April 1 (PIA) --The office of the provincial agriculturist (OPA) in Quezon held a technical awareness on scale insects infesting coconut here last March 26. Redempta Querubin, chief of OPA-coconut division said the awareness campaign aims to fight scale insects infesting coconut in the province of Quezon particularly in the municipalities of Sampaloc, Mauban and Dolores with reported cases of scale insect infestation. During the activity, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)-Quezon I officer-in-charge provincial manager Ronaldo H. Rosales presented the status of scale insect infestation in Quezon province specifically in the 1st and 2nd districts while Orlando A. Calcetas of the regional crop protection center under the Department of Agriculture (DA) presented the classification, life cycle and management of coconut scale, aspidiotus destructor. Calcetas also tackled the bio-control and management of coconut scale insect. He reported that the provinces of Batangas, Laguna and Cavite have been affected also by said infestation in coconut, one of the reasons the technical awareness was intensified. Coconut farmers, municipal agriculturists and association of barangay captains (ABC) presidents from the city/municipalities from the 1st and 2nd districts of Quezon attended the awareness campaign. (Ruel M. Orinday, PIA-Quezon)

3.

B. CAVITE

C. LAGUNA

D. BATANGAS
1. Tagalog news: Agriculture Office, nagkaloob ng makinang

pambukid sa limang bayan sa Batangas

By Mamerta P. De Castro Monday 1st of April 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Abril 1 (PIA) --Nagkaloob ang pamahalaang panlalawigan sa pamamagitan ng Provincial Agricultures Office (PAO) ng mga makinang pambukid sa limang bayan noong Marso 26. May limang organisasyon ng mga magsasaka mula sa limang bayan sa lalawigan ang napagkalooban ng mga makina. Kabilang dito ang Sangguniang Barangay ng Bagong Pook, Rosario - 1 unit ng hand tractor at 1 unit ng rice thresher; Sangguniang Barangay ng Sampiro, San Juan -1 unit ng hand tractor; Municipal Agriculture Office ng Agoncillo - mobile flash dryer; Sangguniang Barangay ng Sala, Balete -1 unit ng rice thresher; at ang Barangay Agricultural and Fishery Council ng Cawongan, Padre Garcia -isang unit ng rice reaper. Ang mga ipinamahaging makinang pambukid ay inaasahang magpapataas pang lalo ng antas ng pamumuhay ng mga magsasaka sa lalawigan. Isa ang agrikultura sa mga programang isinusulong ng pamahalaang panlalawigan sa ilalim ng Health, Education/Environment, Agriculture, Roads/Infrastructure, Tourism at Security (HEARTS) program. Binigyang-diin ni Governor Vilma Santos Recto na sa taong ito ay ang sektor ng agrikultura ang mas lalong tututukan ng pamahalaang panlalawigan alinsabay ng turismo sapagkat dito mas kilala ang probinsya ng Batangas. (PIA Batangas)

2.

Tagalog news: DAR nagkaloob ng common service facilities sa

Padre Garcia
By Mamerta P. De Castro Monday 1st of April 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis PADRE GARCIA, Batangas, Abril 1 (PIA) --Nagkaloob ng iba't ibang common service facilities para sa mga magsasaka ng Barangay Quilo Quilo South ng bayang ito ang Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). Ang mga kagamitang tulad ng rice tresher, hand tractor at ang itatayong flatbed dryer ay ipinagkaloob sa pagdiriwang kamakailan ng Farmers Day na may temang "Magsasaka...Buhay na Bayani at Kaagapay sa Patuloy na Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura." Sinabi ni provincial agrarian reform officer Felixberto Kagahastian na ito ay isang patunay na ang agrarian reform ay matagumpay sa lalawigan. Isang patunay dito ang milyong halaga ng farm-to-market road (FMR) sa ilalim ng Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Program (ARISP) II at sinundan naman ng common service facilities na magagamit ng Quilo Quilo Irrigators Association sa paglago ng kanilang aanihing palay. Sinabi pa nito na dahilan sa ang bayan ng Padre Garcia ay kabilang sa agrarian reform community connectivity economic and support services (ARCCESS) kaya't ipinagkakaloob ng pamahalaan ang lahat ng pangangailangan ng mga magsasaka upang mapaangat ang sektor na ito. Sa mensahe ni Mayor Dacio Gutierrez, sinabi nito na ang kanilang bayan ay mula sa 4th class municipality at ngayon ay patungo sa 1st class kung saan ang ikinabubuhay ay ang pagsasaka. Ayon pa sa kanya, dapat ay taas noong ipagmalaki ng lahat ng magsasaka na marangal at maipagmamalaki ang kanilang hanapbuhay sapagkat sila ang nagpapakain sa mga Pilipino. Dapat ding iwaksi ang kaisipan na mababang uri lamang ng hanapbuhay ang pagsasaka sapagkat walang mga doktor,inhinyero,abogado at iba pang propesyon kung walang magsasaka na nagpapakain sa sambayanan. Kinatawan naman ni Director Joaquin Adejar si Kalihim Proceso Alcala,kung saan nagpaalala ito na huwag mag-aksaya ng bigas sapagkat bawat butil ay may halagang katumbas. Ang bansa sa kasalukuyan ay inaasahang hindi na mag-iimport ng bigas sa taong 2016 sapagkat sa tamang pamamaraan at teknolohiya,magiging sapat na ang ani. Sa ngayon ay paunti ng paunti ang importasyon ng bigas mula sa tone toneladang bilang noong mga nakaraang taon. (Bhaby P. De Castro-PIA Batangas at ulat mula kay Ruel Santos-DAR Batangas)

E. RIZAL
1. PNP-Rizal celebrates womens month
By Gideon Gapayao Monday 1st of April 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal, April 1 (PIA)The Philippine National Police Rizal Provincial Police Office recently held a series of activities to commemorate the celebration of Womens Month themed Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan. PNP-Rizal launched the month-long celebration through a flag ceremony early wherein Provincial Police

Director PSSUPT Rolando Anduyan, RPPO Personnel and all policewomen from the 14 city and municipal police stations and Rizal Public Safety Company attended. A boodle fight lunch was prepared for local policewomen at the RPPO covered court, Taytay, Rizal last March 4 followed by a seminar and workshop for personality development, skin-care and make-up application. A Gender Awareness and Development (GAD) and Human Rights Law seminar was also conducted March 8 at the RPPO Multi-Purpose Hall highlighting the Human Rights Law, Gender and Awareness Development and Gender Bias and Gender Equality. Around sixty (60) PNP Personnel from City/ Municipal Police Stations of this PPO held at RPPO Multi-Purpose Hall participated in the event. The provincial police office also held a sports fest from March 18-20 with 200 participants and a team building activity last March 21 both to develop camaraderie of Rizal provinces policewomen. According to Rizal PPO Deputy Chief for Police Community Relations PINSP Ana Lisa Reyes, police stations throughout the province also held independent programs in line with Womens Month such as feeding programs. (GG-PIA4A)

01 APRIL 2013.

National Economic and Development Authority reports on countrys lower imports Aquino vetoes consolidated bill that aims to remove height requirement for applicants to the police, fire and jail bureaus Vacant positions in COMELEC shall be filled soon, palace assures Palace on the Korean peninsula tensions
National Economic and Development Authority reports on countrys lower imports

The lower overseas purchases of mineral fuels and lubricants, coupled with the drop in purchases of semiprocessed raw materials, led to the decrease in imports by 8.0 percent in January 2013. In its five-page Memorandum for President Benigno S. Aquino III, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) reported that the countrys total merchandise imports declined by 8.0 percent from US$5.1 billion in January 2012 to US$4.7 billion in January 2013. "The lower payments for mineral fuels and lubricants and raw materials and intermediate goods reduced total import bill in January 2013," the NEDA said. The NEDA noted that higher imports of consumer and capital goods partially moderated the import drop during the period. Petroleum crude payments also declined by 45.3 percent during the period on account of lower import volume and international price of Dubai crude. In particular, the volume of petroleum shipments fell by 45.5 percent while the price of Dubai crude registered a 2.0 percent year-on-year decrease in January 2013. "These made the value of overseas purchases of mineral fuels and lubricants drop by 30.0 percent (US$924.9 million) for the period from US$1.3 billion in January 2012," the report said. Likewise, the report pointed out that semi-processed raw inputs decreased by 10.3 percent that pushed down imports of raw materials and intermediate goods by 7.8 percent from US$1.9 billion in January 2012 to US$1.8

billion in January 2013. These inputs include materials/accessories for the manufacture of electrical equipment, which declined by 29.8 percent in January 2013. The trade-in goods deficit narrowed to US$713.9 million from US$1.0 billion in January 2012. Imports for consumer goods grew by 19.5 percent year-on-year to US$622.4 million while capital goods reached US$1.4 billion (3.0%) in January 2013. Higher inward shipments of passenger cars and motorized cycle (21.1%), home appliances (99.6%) and miscellaneous manufactures (7.8%) supported the growth in payments for durable consumer goods (22.3%). The increase in the payments for imported non-durable consumer products (16.8%) was mainly attributed to the increased inward shipments of beverages and tobacco manufactures (115.9%), articles of apparel (40.0%), fruits and vegetables (18.7%) and, fish and fish preparations (29.8%). Furthermore, the increase in import payments for power generating and specialized machines (12.2%), aircraft, ships and boats (50.6%) and land transportation equipment excluding passenger cars and motorized cycle (11.6%) buoyed the growth of payments for imported capital goods in January 2013. The NEDA stressed that the increase in payments for imported capital goods was supported by the continuously upbeat outlook on the macroeconomy, with the percentage of businesses with expansion plans increasing to 29.6% in the first quarter of 2013 from 28.8% in the same period in 2012. As for the source of the countrys imports, NEDA said the Peoples Republic of China had the highest share of 13.1 percent of the total value of inward shipments in January 2013. The United States of America came next with a 10.8 percent share, followed by Japan (8.9%), the Republic of Korea (8.5%) and Taiwan (7.1%). PND (js) TOP Aquino vetoes consolidated bill that aims to remove height requirement for applicants to the police, fire and jail bureaus President Benigno S. Aquino III has vetoed the bill that aims to remove the height requirement for applicants to the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), a Palace official announced on Monday. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing in Malacanang on Monday that the Chief Executive vetoed the consolidated enrolled Senate Bill 3217/House Bill 6203 entitled "An Act Repealing the Minimum Height Requirement for Applicants to the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology." Under existing laws, particularly the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998 (RA 8551), the BFP and BJMP Professionalization Act of 2004 (RA 9263 as amended by RA 9592) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990 (RA 6975), applicants to the PNP, BJMP and BFP must comply with certain general qualifications for appointment to the service. Whereas height is among these qualifications (1.62 m or 54" for male and 1.57 m or 52" for female), a waiver of this qualification is allowed under certain conditions. Hence, the total repeal of the height requirement among these service bureaus is unnecessary, the President said in his veto message. The veto message was transmitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives last February 25. "While I recognize the noble intent of this measure to address height equality among these bureaus, I am also seriously apprehensive of the concerns propounded by the PNP and BJMP in the safety of their personnel in the performance of their duties, as well as public safety in general," President Aquino said. "As raised by the BJMP, jail officers, by the nature of their work in guarding detainees or escorting criminals, must possess the necessary physical attributes to perform their functions effectively. Likewise, public safety is paramount in law enforcement by the PNP, as well as in fire-fighting by the BFP," the President noted. PND (js) TOP Vacant positions in COMELEC shall be filled soon, palace assures Given the urgency of the situation now that the country only has a little over a month to prepare for the upcoming midterm elections, Malacaang assured that President Benigno Aquino III will soon appoint two new commissioners for the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte told reporters on Monday that the Office of the President (OP) through the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) already wrote COMELEC to seek an exemption for its would-be members from the appointments ban. I understand that we are waiting for a reply from the COMELEC but weve already been told, as we were given advanced information, that the COMELEC does concur with the position of the OP that it is not covered by the March 29 appointments ban due to the urgency and brought upon by the upcoming elections in May, Valte said.

It would be recalled that President Aquino already named former ambassador Macabangkit Lanto and election lawyer Bernadette Sardillo to replace the retired COMELEC commissioners, Rene Sarmiento and Armando Velasco, last March 7 in Davao. However, both Lanto and Sardillo withdrew their applications thus leaving the two COMELEC commissioner posts empty anew. Asked when the public can expect the appointments to be made, Valte replied: I dont want to give a timetable but rest assured that we are very cognizant of the urgency of the appointments. Valte relayed that President Aquino signed a number of appointment papers Tuesday and Wednesday last week but none of these include new members for the COMELEC. She said she was told by the OES that majority of these appointments are under the judiciary and are now being processed for their transmittal. PND (hdc) TOP Palace on the Korean peninsula tensions Contingency plans are in place in the event that the recurring tensions on the Korean Peninsula escalate further in light of North Koreas recent declaration of a "state of war" with Sout h Korea, Malacaang said on Monday. Quoting the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said Filipino community leaders in South Korea have already been contacted and put on Alert Level 1 for heightened awareness of the situation. If you remember, when the tensions increasedI think sometime in early 2011we had the opportunity to give the contingency plan a second look so that the preparations now are benefiting from that look in 2011, Valte told reporters in a press briefing. Malacaang expressed readiness to evacuate the estimated 40,000 Filipinos living and working in South Korea to the extent of tapping commercial vessels if and when the need arises. We were able to do it in several other countries. Hopefully, we will also be able to do it (again) but we hope that it will not be necessary. And we are one with everybody in hoping that the tensions decrease in that particular area, she said. Valte, however, added that shes unaware whether additional funds and personnel will be provided for the Philippine Embassy in Seoul since they were told that "life seems to be normal" still in that particular area. I did not hear any discussions as to augmented funding and as to augmented manpower of our post ther e in South Korea. But, if and when necessary, we will be able to provide what is needed, she said. Our post reports that normal naman po yung situation on the ground and wala naman po daw silang nakukuhang impormasyon na tumataas yung tensyon. Life seems to be normal on that particular end. However, we deemed it more prudent to still activate the contingency plan that we have. Malacaang is leaving the finer details of the governments contingency plans to the DFA but the important thing, Valte said, is that "we consider all options." I do know that the plan involves moving, alerting our people at a certain time, reminding them of the particular convergence points that have been identified, and then eventually moving to the point where they will be taken out of that particular area. Na-identify na naman po lahat diyan. In fact, I was told this morning that the contingency plan is up on our embassys website there (in South Korea). So you can check, if youre curious about the details of it, nandoon po yan sa website nung embassy natin doon. We consider all options. One of the options will be to employ commercial vessels. Youve seen that in the case of our evacuations in Libya, also in Syria, and also earlier in Lebanon, Valte explained. PND (hd c) TOP

30 MARCH 2013.

Country reaping the fruits of government reforms, says Aquino in Easter message
Country reaping the fruits of government reforms, says Aquino in Easter message The country has progressed a lot when the true power of government was given back to the people, President Benigno S. Aquino III said in his Easter message Saturday. In his message, the President said the resurrection of Jesus Christ mirrors the hope of the Filipino people to rise from the ill effects of corruption and despair.

Mula nang naibalik sa mga Pilipino ang tunay na lakas ng pamahalaan, at naiwaksi ang kultura nang pagkakanya-kanya at panlalamang, nagawa nating buhatin sa landas ng kaunlaran ang ating bansa, the
President said. For the past several years ago, many Filipinos left the country to find better opportunities elsewhere, but today, the President said there is a renewed interest for them to return to the Philippines because of an improving economy. Also, millions of marginalized and poor people are being prioritized by government to improve their living condition through the Pantawad Pamilyang Pilipino Program, he said. More than three million households are receiving assistance from the government under the program. The government also has made strides to remedy the shortage in classrooms in the country, the President said. The government has been expecting to eliminate the 66,800 classroom backlog before the end of this year. There is also sufficient food supply for Filipinos today, he said. In the past, the country was importing millions of metric tons of rice that eventually rot in government storage facilities, he said.

Kung dati, ilang milyong metrikong toneladang bigas ang inaangkat at binubulok lang sa mga bodega,
ngayon, natatanaw na natin, hindi lang ang pagiging self-sufficient sa bigas kundi ang pagiging exporter nito, he said. The government is now truly a government by the people that selflessly focuses on their welfare, the chief executive said. With the ongoing initiatives, the government was able to save the country from chaos and hopelessness and in the future will start to reap the fruits of its labor. The President also highlighted in his message the spirit of volunteerism that strengthened the countrys unity.

Ang pagtulong ay nagbibigay-lakas at kalayaan hindi lamang sa natulungan, kundi maging sa nag-abot ng
tulong. Mulit muli nating pinatutunayan: wala tayong hindi makakamit kung imbes na magkakanya-kanya ay magsimula tayong magbigayan. Sa ating kolektibong pagtutulungan, tiyak na magdudulot ito ng pag-asa at kaunlaran para sa lahat ng mamamayan, he said. PND (as) TOP

27 MARCH 2013.

Palace announces appointment of COA chair as Food and Agriculture Organization auditor of UN Government renews commitment to finalize peace discussion with MILF Aquino calls on people to emulate the example set forth by our Savior Jesus Christ Aquino welcomes the move of Fitch Group granting the Philippines investment grade status
Palace announces appointment of COA chair as Food and Agriculture Organization auditor of UN Commission on Audit Chairman Grace Pulido-Tan has been appointed to a six-year term as the external auditor of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Malacanang announced on Wednesday. We [Philippines] were elected to a six-year term and I would like to congratulate Chairman Grace Tan who is the only female external auditor in the entire UN system, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing on Wednesday in Malacanang. Tan and other Filipino embassy staffs as well as the agriculture attach were in Rome and were instrumental in laying the groundwork for the presentation of the Philippines as one of the candidates for external auditor of FAO, he said. Lacierda also congratulated the countrys embassy officials and agriculture attach in Rome, Italy, for helping in the presentation of the Philippiness candidacy. The Food and Agriculture Organization under the UN ensures global food security so that people have regular access to enough high-quality food and lead active, healthy lives. Its mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy. PND (as) TOP Government renews commitment to finalize peace discussion with MILF Malacanang made an assurance on Wednesday that both the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) could finish all the remaining issues in the peace talks as soon as possible. In a press conference in Malacanang on Wednesday, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda explained President Aquinos requests for time extension in discussing certain issues asking to move th e exploratory talks to April instead of March. There are certain issues in the annexes that have to be addressed so we needed time the President wanted more time to discuss the annexes, the remaining issues in the annexes, Lacierda said. There are remaining issues in these annexes and by no means are we stopping. We just wanted to clear all the issues before we move to the next exploratory talks so we decided to ask for a resetting of the talks to April. Currently, there are two annexes that are in discussion, he said. Theres a draft annex already on wealth sharing, power-sharing, as well as the normalization, he added. The Palace official also made it clear that the Sabah conflict isnt an issue in the ongoing peace discussion. The governments primary concern is ironing out all the remaining issues in the annexes.

Those things are going to be discussed on our end. And, as soon as we send them over by April, hopefully there will be further discussions, but its one of the reasons why wed like to make sure that we try to finish the annexes at the soonest possible time. In a briefer released by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), the 37th Formal Exploratory Talks was postponed from March to April after the President requested for more time for the formal talks It was originally scheduled to begin March 25, but the President requested the schedule to be reset to April next month. OPAPP said the Philippine government panel conveyed the Presidents request to the MIL F and the Malaysian facilitators. After a meeting on the Presidents request, both sides issued a firm commitment of the two parties to continue the talks in an expeditious manner, OPAPP said. PND (as) TOP Aquino calls on people to emulate the example set forth by our Savior Jesus Christ President Benigno S. Aquino III joins the Filipino nation in the observance of the Holy Week and called on the people to emulate the example set forth by our Savior Jesus Christ. "Bilang mga tagasunod ni Kristo, nararapat lamang na tayoy tumulad sa Kanyang mabuting ehemplo," the Chief Executive said in his Lenten message issued on Wednesday. President Aquino asked his fellow Catholics and Christians to remember the great atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of mankind. "Ngayong panahon ng Kuwaresma, ginugunita po natin ang natatanging halimbawa ni Hesukristo sa sangkatauhan. Nagkatawang-tao siya, nagpakumbaba, at iniligtas tayo sa kasalanan; naging huwaran Siya sa landas ng pagbubukas-palad, at wagas na pagmamahal sa kapwa," he said. The Chief Executive emphasized that one of the great messages of the Holy Week celebration is sacrifice. "Wala na nga pong tutumbas sa sakripisyong ipinamalas ni Hesukristo. At kung tutuusin, dahil sa dakilang pag-aalay Niya ng buhay para sa kaligtasan natin, kakarampot na lamang ang kanyang hinihiling ang mahalin at arugain ang ating kapwa. Makukuha pa ba nating ipagkait ito sa Kanya?." the President noted. President Aquino said the Filipino nation is now succeeding in pushing for reforms in a bid to attain unity and progress. He also noted that the Filipinos continue to manifest God's love and compassion through their charitable works. "Bilang isang bansa, marami na po tayong napatunayan sa landas ng pagkakaisa, pagkakawanggawa, at pagmamalasakit sa kapwa: hindi imposibleng bumangon mula sa halos isang dekadang pagkadapa; hindi suntok sa buwan ang muling maaninag ang kaunlaran, lalo na para sa mga kababayan nating higit na nangangailangan," he said. "Sa gabay at patnubay ni Kristo, naipamalas natin ang bisa ng pagtuonhindi sa pansariling intereskundi sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan," he stressed. He also called on the Catholic faithful and Christians to stand firm on our Christian faith to be able to attain our goal to transform the country into a progressive nation. "Ngayon pong Mahal na Araw, muling ipinapaalala sa atin ang halaga ng pagiging tanglaw sa isat isa, at ang liwanag na hatid nito sa buong bansa. Napakaganda na po ng mga nasimulan nating hakbang; at ngayong Semana Santa, patuloy nawa tayong makapagnilay kung paano pa mapapayabong ang mga butil ng pakikipagkapwa na ibinahagi sa atin ng Poong Maykapal.," he said. The President also wished all Filipinos a peaceful and blessed celebration of Lent. PND (js) TOP Aquino welcomes the move of Fitch Group granting the Philippines investment grade status President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed elation over the move of the credit ratings agency Fitch Group granting the Philippines its first investment grade status. "We are pleased to hear that this afternoon, the Fitch group announced that they upgraded the status of the Philippines from BB+ to BBB-. This marks the first time in history that our nation has been granted investment grade status by a major credit ratings agency," the Chief Executive said in a statement released on Wednesday. The Philippines has finally won its much-coveted investment grade status from Fitch Group, one of the three major international credit rating agencies that assesses the governments ability to pay back its debt and the

chance of non-payment. "This means much more than lower interest rates on our debt and more investors buying our securities. Greater access to low-cost funds gives us more fiscal space to sustain and further improve on social protection, defense, and economic stimulus, among others," the President said. President Aquino said more companies in the real economy can now consider the Philippines an investment destination after the Philippines got the investment grade status. "Investment grade for sovereign debt should also lead to lower borrowing costs for Philippine companies in the international markets, consequently allowing for higher valuations for their securities. This in turn enables industries to expand and generate more jobs for our countrymen-- fostering a virtuous cycle of growth, empowerment, and inclusiveness that will redound to the benefit of Filipinos across all sectors of society," the President stressed. The President said the Philippine's investment grade rating from Fitch represents the perception of lessening risk in the country's markets. "It formalizes the investment grade level at which the Philippines has already been securing credit. This is an institutional affirmation of our good governance agenda Sound fiscal management and integrity-based leadership has led to a resurgent economy in the face of uncertainties in the global arena. It serves to encourage even greater interest and investments in our country," he said. "It is one among many other positive developments that demonstrates the reclamation of our national pride. Truly, what was once known as the perennial laggard of Asia is taking off, and is accelerating towards its goal of an equitably progressive society," he noted. The Philippines economic growth, as measured by its gross domestic product (GDP), h as been progressively growing despite the economic downturn in the global environment, expanding by 6.6 percent in 2012. "The task now is to ensure that expected inflows will be used to maximum effect towards a sustainable, progressively empowering economy. We are determined to build on our economic gains to usher in a society wherein every Filipino, today and for generations to come, may be given the wherewithal to realize their full potential," President Aquino concluded. PND (js) TOP

ARCHIVE 2013 01 ABRIL 2013 Iniulat ng National Economic and Development Authority ang pagbaba ng mga panindang inaangkat ng bansa Bineto ni Aquino ang panukalang batas na naglalayong alisin ang height requirement sa mga ibig maging pulis, bumbero at tanod-piitan Tiniyak ng Palasyo na magtatalaga sa bakanteng puwesto sa COMELEC

Iniulat ng National Economic and Development Authority ang pagbaba ng mga panindang inaangkat ng bansa

Ang mababang binibiling mineral fuels at lubricants na tinambalan ng pagbagsak din ng binibiling semi-processed raw materials ang naging dahilan kaya bumaba ng 8.0 porsiyento ang inangkat ng bansa nitong Enero 2013. Sa limang pahinang Memorandum sa Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III, iniulat ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) na bumaba ng 8.0 porsiyento ang kabuuang inangkat na paninda ng bansa sa US$4.7 bilyon nitong Enero mula sa dating US$5.1 bilyon noong Enero 2012.

Ang higit na mababang halagang ginugol sa mineral fuels at lubricants at raw materials at intermediate goods ang dahilan kaya bumaba ang kabuuang halaga ng inangkat na mga paninda noong Enero, ayon sa NEDA. Idinugtong ng NEDA na ang tumaas nang bahagyang inangkat na consumer at capital goods ang dahilan kaya hindi gaanong nabigla ang pagbaba ng inaangkat na paninda sa binanggit na panahon. Bumaba ng 45.3 porsiyento ang kabayaran sa krudo sa nasabing panahon dahil maliit nga ang inangkat at bumaba rin ang pandaigdig na halaga ng krudo ng Dubai. Sa kabuuan ay 45.5 porsiyento ang ibinaba ng petroleong inangkat, samantalang ang halaga naman ng krudo ng Dubai ay umabot sa 2.0 porsiyento ang taun-taong ibinaba nitong Enero 2013. Dahil dito kaya bumaba ng 30.0 porsiyento (US$924.9 milyon) ang halaga ng binili sa ibayong dagat na mineral fuels at lubricants buhat sa US$1.3 bilyon noong Enero 2012, sabi ng ulat. Binanggit din ng ulat na ang semi-processed fuels ay nabawasan ng 10.3 porsiyento kaya bumaba ng 7.8 porsiyento (US$1.8 bilyon) noong Enero 2013 ang inangkat na raw materials at intermediate goods sa US$1.9 bilyon noong Enero 2012. Kasama na rito ang mga materyales/aksesorya na gamit sa paggawa ng electrical equipment, na nabawasan ng 29.8 porsiyento noong Enero. Ang depisit sa trade-in goods ay bumaba sa US$713.9 milyon buhat sa US$1.0 bilyon noong Enero 2012. Tumaas ng 19.5 porsiyento year-on-year sa US$622.4 milyon ang consumer goods samantalang ang capital goods ay umabot sa US$1.4 bilyon (3.0%) noong Enero. Lumaki rin ang pasok ng bilang ng mga kotse at motorsiklo (21.1%); home appliances (99.6%) at miscellaneous manufactures (7.8%) na nakatulong para mabayaran ang lumaking halaga ng durable consumer goods (22.3%). Ang paglaki naman ng bayad sa imported non-durable consumer products (16.8%) ay dahil sa palaking pasok ng beverages and tobacco manufactures (115.9%), articles of apparel (40.0%); mga prutas at gulay (19.7%) at isda at fish preparations (29.8%). Bukod pa rito ang dagdag sa inangkat na power generating and specialized machines (12%), eroplano, mga bapor at bangka (50%); at mga kagamitan ng trasportasyong panlupa, kasama na ang mga kotse at motorsiklo (11.6%) na nagpalaki ng pambayad sa mga ianngkat na capital goods noong Enero. Binigyang diin ng NEDA na ang dagdag na kabayaran sa mga inangkat na capital goods na sinuportahan ang patuloy na magandang pananaw sa macroeconomy, na ang porsieynto ng mga negosyong may panukalang magpalawak pa ay naragdagan ng 29.6% sa unang kuwarter ng 2013 buhat sa 28.8% sa naturang panahon noong 2012. Sa pinagmumulan ng inaangkat ng bansa, sinabi ng NEDA na ang Peoples Republic o f China ang may pinakamalaking bahagi ng 13.1 porsiyento ng kabuuang halaga ng mga inangkat na paninda ng Pilipinas noong Enero. Kasunod naman ang Estados Unidos ng Amerika na ang naging bahagi ay 10.8 porsiyento, pangatlo ang Hapon (8.9%), Republika ng Korea (8.5%) at Taiwan (7.1%). PND TOP Bineto ni Aquino ang panukalang batas na naglalayong alisin ang height requirement sa mga ibig maging pulis, bumbero at tanod-piitan Bineto (o hindi pinagtibay) ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang panukalang batas na naglalayong alisin na ang height requirement ng mga aplikante sa Pambansang Pulisya (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) at Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). Sinabi ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte sa pulong-balitaan Lunes sa Malacanang na bineto (hindi pinagtibay) ng Pangulo ang pinagsanib na panukalang batas ng Senado 3217/Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan 6203 na pinamagatang An Act Repealing the Minimum Height Requirement for Applicants to the Pilippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection at Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. Sa ilalim ng mga umiiral na batas, lalo na ang PNP Reform Reorganization Act of 1998 (RA 8551), at BFP and BJMP Professionalization Act ng 2004 (RA 9263, na sinusugan ng RA 9592) at ang Batas ng Kagawaran ng Interyor at Lokal na Pamahalaan ng 1990 (RA 6975), lahat ng mga aplikante sa PNP, BJMP at BFP ay dapat umalinsunod sa ilang pangkalahatang kuwalipikasyon para matalaga sa serbisyo. Yamang ang taas ay kabilang sa mga kuwalipikasyon (1.62 metro o 54 para sa lalaki at 1.57 metro o 52 para sa mga babae), pinapayagan sa ilalim ng ilang kondisyon ang waiver sa tuntuning ito. Dahil dito, hindi na kailangan pang pawalang bisang ganap ang height requirement sa mga kukuning tauhan ng nabanggit na mga tanggapan, sabi ng Pangulo sa kanyang veto message. Ang nasabing veto message ay ipinadala sa Senado at sa Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan noong ika-25 ng Pebrero. Bagaman kinikilala ko ang dakilang hangarin ng panukalang batas na ito para tugunan nang magkakatulad ang height equality sa mga kawanihang ito, nabahala rin akong lubha sa mga binanggit ng PNP at BJMP hinggil sa kaligtasan ng kanilang mga tauhan kaugnay sa pagtupad ng kani-kanilang mga tungkulin, gayundin ang kaligtasan ng sambayanan sa kabuuan, wika ng Pangulong Aquino sa kanyang veto message. Tulad nang binanggit ng BJMP na ang mga pinuno sa piitan, kaugnay ng sagutin nilang bantayan ang mga nakapiit o samahan ang mga kriminal, ay kailangang magtaglay ng karampatang kaanyuang pisikal para magampanang mabuti ang

kanilang mga tungkulin. Bukod dito, ang kaligtasan ng madla ay pangunahing sagutin ng PNP sa pagpapatupad ng batas, gayundin sa pagbaka sa sunog ng BFP, dagdag pa ng Pangulo. PND (js/zaf) TOP Tiniyak ng Palasyo na magtatalaga sa bakanteng puwesto sa COMELEC

Tiniyak ng Malacanang na magtatalaga ang Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa madaling panahon sa dalawang bakanteng puwesto ng komisyoner ng Komisyon sa Halalan (Comelec) yamang mahigit na isang buwan na lamang bago maghalalan. Sinabi ni Deputy Preside4tial Spokesperson Abigail Valte sa mga reporter Lunes na ang Tanggapan ng Pangulo sa pamamagitan ng Tanggapan ng Kalihim Tagapagpaganap ay nagpadala na ng sulat sa Comelec upang hingin ang exemption para sa mga itatalagang komisyoner sa appointment ban. Sa pagkaalam ko, hinihintay lamang namin ang sagot ng Comelec, bagaman napag-alaman naming kaisa namin ang Comelec sa paninindigang ng Tanggapan ng Pangulo na hindi saklaw ng March 29 appointment ban ang mga itatalagang komisyoner sapagkat kailangang-kailangang magtalaga ng mga tao sa nasabing tanggapan dahil sa nalalapit na halalan sa Mayo, dugtong pa ni Valte. Magugunitang hinirang na ng Pangulong Aquino noong Marso 7 nang nasa Davao siya sina dating Embahador Macabangkit Lanto at ang election lawyer Bernadette Sardillo upang pumalit sa mga nagretirong Komisyoner Rene Sarmiento at Komisyoner Armando Velasco. Subalit, iniurong nina Lanto at Sardillo ang kanilang aplikasyon kaya bakante pa rin ang puwesto ng dalawang komisyoner ng Comelec. Sinabi ni Valte na ayaw niyang tumukoy ng petsa kung kailan magtatalaga ng dalawang bagong komisyoner ang Pangulo, ngunit idinugtong niyang batid ng Pangulong Aquino na dapat itong humirang ng ilalagay na dalawang komisyoner ng Comelec. Idinugtong pa ni Valte na may mga nilagdaang appointment ang Pangulo noong Martes at Miyerkoles nang nakaraang linggo, hindi kasama rito ang mga bagong komisyoner ng Comelec. Sinabi pa ni Valte na ipinaalam sa kanya ng Kalihim Tagapagpaganap na karamihan sa mga bagong talaga sa tungkulin ay sa ilalim ng hudikatura at inihahanda ang karampatang mga hakbang upang maipadala ito sa mga kinauukulan. PND TOP

ARCHIVE 2013 27 MARSO 2013 Inihayag ng Palasyo ang paghirang sa tagapangulo ng COA bilang awditor ng Food and Agricultural Organization ng UN Matatag ang paninindigan ng gobyerno na ipagpapatuloy ang usapan tungkol sa kapayapaan sa MILF Nanawagan si Aquino sa sambayanan na gawing huwaran ang halimbawa ng ating Manunubos na si Hesukristo Ikinalugod ni Aquino ang hakbang ng Fitch Group na pagkalooban ang Pilipinas ng investment grade status

Inihayag ng Palasyo ang paghirang sa tagapangulo ng COA bilang awditor ng Food and Agricultural Organization ng UN Hinirang si Chairman Grace Pulido-Tan ng Komisyon ng Awdit sa anim na taong panunungkulan bilang external auditor ng Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) ng United Nations (UN), sang-ayon sa pahayag ng Malacanang Miyerkoles. Tayo (Pilipinas) ay nahalal sa anim na taong panunugkulan kaya binabati ko ang Tagapangulong Grace Tan na siyang tanging babaing external auditor ng buong United Nation, sabi ng Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo Edwin Lacierda sa pulong-balitaan Miyerkoles sa Malacanang. Si Tan at ang mga tauhan ng Embahada. Gayundin ang agriculture attache ay nasa Roma at siyang nangasiwa upang makabilang ang Pilipinas sa isa sa mga kandidato sa tungkuling external auditor ng FAO, paliwanag ni Lacierda.

Binati ni Lacierda ang mga pinuno at ang agriculture attach sa Roma, Italya sa ginawang tulong kaugnay ng kandidatura ng Pilipinas. Ang Food and Agriculture Organization nasa ilalim ng UN na ang sagutin ay tiyaking may masaganang pagkain ang daigdig upang ang mga tao ay laging may makunan nang sapat at mataas na uring pagkain nang maging malusog, gayundin ang pagtiyak na sapat na nutrisyon ang nasa pagkain, bukod pa sa pagpapabuti ng ani sa mga kabukiran nang bumuti ang buhay ng mga tao at makapag-ambag sa paglago ng ekonomya ng daigdig. PND TOP Matatag ang paninindigan ng gobyerno na ipagpapatuloy ang usapan tungkol sa kapayapaan sa MILF Tiniyak ng Malacanang Miyerkoles na malulutas ng pamahalaan at ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ang nalalabi pang mga isyu sa usapang pangkapayapaan sa lalong madaling panahon. Sa pulong-balitaan sa Malacanang Miyerkoles, sinabi ng Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo Edwin Lacierda na hiniling ng Pangulong Benigno S Aquino III na ipagpaliban ang pag-uusap tungkol sa ilang isyu sa Abril sa halip ng Marso. May mga isyu sa mga annexes na dapat munang tugunan kaya ibig ng Pangulo ang kaunti pang palugit na panahon para pag-usapan ang mga isyung may kaugnayan sa annexes, sabi pa ni Lacierda. May mga nalalabing isyu sa mga annexes na pag-uusapan pa at hindi namin itinitigil ang usapan. Ibig lamang naming maging malinaw ang lahat ng isyu bago tayo gumawa ng susunod na exploratory talks kaya hiniling naming itakda sa Abril ang pag-uusap, dagdag ni Lacierda. Sa kasalukuyan, ayon kay Lacierda, dalawang annexes ang pinag-uusapan. Mayroon nang draft annex tungkol sa hatian ng kayamanan, hatian ng kapangyarihan, gayundin sa normalisasyon. Niliwanag din ni Lacierda na hindi isyu ang sigalot sa Sabah sa kasalukuyang pag-uusap tungkol sa kapayapaan. Ang pangunahing pakay ng pamahalaan ay malutas na lahat ang mga nalalabing isyu sa annexes. Ang mga bagay na ito ay pag-uusapan. Kapag naipadala na namin sa Abril, malamang na matatalakay na rin, ngunit ang isa sa mga dahilan ay ibig naming matiyak ay matapos sa lalong madaling panahon ang tungkol sa mga annexes. Sa patalastas na buhat sa Tanggapan ng Tagapayo ng Pangulo ukol sa Prosesong Pangkapayapaan (OPPAP), ipinagpaliban sa Abril buhat sa dating Marso ang pag-uusap dahil ibig ng Pangulo na magkaroon nang sapat na panahon para sa pormal na pag-uusap. Dapat sanang Marso 25 gawin ang pag-uusap, ngunit hinilin\g ng Pangulo na sa Abril na ito idaos. Ayon sa OPAPP, ipinaalam ng Philippine government panel ang kahilingan ng Pangulo sa MILF at sa mga Malaysian facilitators. Pagkatapos pagpulungan ang kahilingan ng Pangulo, naglabas ang dalawang panig ng matatag na paninindigang ipagpapatuloy ang pag-uusap sa mabilis na paraan. PND TOP Nanawagan si Aquino sa sambayanan na gawing huwaran ang halimbawa ng ating Manunubos na si Hesukristo Kaisa ng sambayanang Pilipino ang Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa taimtim na paggunita sa Mahal na Araw at nanawagan sa sambayanan na gawing huwaran ang ginawa ng ating Manunubos na Panginoong Hesukristo. Bilang mga tagasunod ni Kristo, nararapat lamang na tayo ay tumulad sa Kanyang mabuting ehemplo, sabi ng Punong Tagapagpaganap sa mensahe ukol sa Mahal na Araw. Hiniling ng Pangulong Aquino sa mga kapuwa Katoliko at Kristiyano na alalahanin ang dakilang pagpapakasakit ni Hesukristo dahil sa sala ng sangkatauhan. Nagkatawang tao Siya, Nagpakumbaba, at iniligtas tayo sa kasalanan. Naging huwaran Siya sa landas ng pagbubukas-palad at sa wagas na pagmamahal sa kapuwa, wika ng Pangulo. Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na isa sa mga dakilang mensahe ng Mahal na Araw ay ang pagpapakasakit.

Wala na nga pong tutumbas sa sakripisyong ipinamalas ni Hesukristo. At kung tutuusin, dahil sa dakilang pagaalay Niya ng buhay para sa kaligtasan natin. Kakarampot na lamang ang Kanyang hinihilingang mahalin at arugain ang ating kapuwa. Makukuha pa ba nating ipagkait ito sa Kanya? sabi ng Pangulo. Sinabi ng Pangulo na ang lahing Pilipino ay nagtatagumpay na ngayon sa isinusulong na mga reporma sa hangaring matamo ang pagkakaisa at kaunlaran. Idinugtong niya na patuloy ang mga Pilipino sa pagpapamalas ng pag-ibig ng Diyos at kagandahang-loob sa pamamagitan ng mga pagkakawanggawa. Bilang isang bansa, marami na po tayong napatunayan sa landas ng pagkakaisa, pagkaka-wanggawa, at pagmamalasakit sa kapuwa. Hindi imposibleng bumangon mula sa halos isang dekadang pagkadapa. Hindi suntok sa buwan ang muling maaninag ang kaunlaran, lalo na para sa mga kababayan nating higit na nangangailangan, dugtong ng Pangulo. Sa gabay at patnubay ni Kristo, naipamalas natin ang bisa ng pagtuonhindi sa pansariling intereskundi sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan, dagdag pa ng Pangulo. Nanawagan din ang Pangulo sa mga Katoliko at iba pang Kristiyano na manindigan sa ating pananalig na Kristiyanismo upang makamtan ang ating mithiing makamtan ng bansa ang hangaring maging masagana. Ngayon pong Mahal na Araw, muling ipinaaalaala sa atin ang halaga ng pagiging tanglaw sa isat isa at ang liwanag na hatid nito sa buong bansa. Napakaganda na po ng mga nasimulan nating hakbang at ngayong Semana Santa, patuloy nawa tayong makapagnilay kung paano pa mapayayabong ang mga butil ng pakikipagkapuwa na ibinahagi sa atin ng Poong Maykapal, pahayag pa ng Pangulo. Ipinahayag din ng Pangulo ang hangarin niyang ang lahat ng Pilipino ay magkaroon ng isang mapayapa at pinagpalang paggunita sa Mahal na Araw. PND TOP Ikinalugod ni Aquino ang hakbang ng Fitch Group na pagkalooban ang Pilipinas ng investment grade status Nagpahayag ng kasiyahan ang Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa ginawa ng Fitch Group credit ratings agency na pagkakaloob sa Pilipinas ng kaunang-unahang investment grade status sa Pilipinas. Ikinagagalak naming malaman ngayong hapon ang pahayag ng Fitch Group na itinaas nila ang status ng Pilipinas sa BBB- buhat sa dating BB+. Ang markang ito ay kauna-unahan sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa na nabigyan ng investment grade status ng isang pangunahing credit ratings agency , ayon sa pahayag ng Pangulo na inilabas Miyerkoles. Sa wakas ay nakamtan din ng Pilipinas ang malaon na nitong hangaring matamong investment grade status buhat sa Fitch Group, isa sa tatlong pangunahing international credit rating agencies na tumataya sa kakayahan ng pamahalaan na bayaran ang mga utang nito at ang pagkakataon sa non-payment. Ang ibig sabihin nito, higit na mababa ang interes o tubo ng ating mga utang at higit na maraming imbestor ang bibili ng ating mga securities..Ang higit na malaking pagkakataon sa higit na murang mga pondo ang magbibigay sa atin ng pagkakataong mapantili at lalo pang mapabuti ang pangangalagang panlipunan, pagtatanggol at pagpapasigla ng ekonomya higit sa lahat, dugtong pa ng Pangulo. Sinabi ng Pangulo na higit na maraming kompanya sa tunay na ekonomya ang maaaring maglagay ng puhunan sa Pilipinas matapos makuha ng bansa ang investment grade status. Ang grado sa pamumuhunan para sa sovereign debt ay magiging daan din para bumaba ang pangungutang ng mga kompanyang Pilipino sa pandaigdig na merkado na magiging dahilan upang magkaroon nang higit na mataas na halaga ang kanilang securities. Magiging daan naman ito upang ang mga industriya ay makapagpalawak at makalikha ng karagdagang mga trabaho para sa ating mga kababayanpagsibol ng makabuluhang pagsulong, kaunlaran at mga bagay na pakikinabangan ng mga Pilipino sa lahat ng antas ng lipunan, pagbibigay-diin pa ng Pangulo. Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na ang investment grade rating buhat sa Fitch Group ay kumakatawan sa paniniwalang higit na maliit ang panganib sa mga merkado ng bansa. Ito ang nagpapatunay ng investment grade level na ang Pilipinas ay mayroon nang ligtas na kredito. Pagpapatunay ito ng pagkatig sa ating adyenda ng mabuting pamamahala na nilakipan ng mahusay na pangangasiwa sa pananalapi at marangal na pamumunong humantong sa masiglang ekonomya sa harap ng mga kawalang katiyakan sa pandaigdig na larangan. Ito ay dahilan upang lalong sumigla pa ang interes at

pamumuhunan sa bansa natin, dugtong ng Pangulo. isa ito sa maraming maiinam na pangyayaring nagpapakita ng pagkabawi natin ng ating pambansng dangal. Ang totoo, ang dati-rating palagi nang napag-iiwang bansa sa Asya ay umaangat na at mabilis na patungo sa hangaring magkaroon ng lipunang pantay ang kaunlaran, pagbibigay-diin pa ng Pangulo. Ang pagsulong ng ekonomya ng Pilipinas ay sinusukat ng gross domestic product nito ay patuloy ang pagsulong at umabot ng 6.6% ang itinaas noong 2012 sa kabila ng paghina ng ekonomya sa daigdig. Ang tungkulin natin ngayon ay tiyakang magpapatuloy ang ibayong pagsisikap upang matamo ang laganap at maunlad na ekonomya. Matatag ang paninindigan naming sa mga natamong pagsulong ng ekonomya ay itatag ang isang lipunang kung saan ang bawat Pilipino sa kasalukuyan at sa mga susunod pang saling-lahi ay mabigyan ng pagkakaaong matupad ang kanilang mga pangarap at hangarin sa buhay nang gamit ang buong potensiyal nila, sabi pa ng Pangulo. PND TOP

President Benigno S. Aquino III's Easter Message Malacaan Palace 31 March 2013 Ngayong Pasko ng Pagkabuhay, kaisa ko ang sambayanang Pilipino na nagdiriwang para sa muling pagbangon ni Hesukristo mula sa kamatayan, dahil sa kanyang wagas na pagmamahal sa kapwa inialay niya ang kanyang sarili upang tubusin ang sanlibutan mula sa kasalanan. Ang pagbangon ni Hesukristo ay sumasalamin sa pag-asang pinanghawakan ng bawat Pilipinong makailang beses nalugmok sa kalbaryo ng korupsyon at katiwalian. At batid ng sinumang may malinaw na kaisipan na tulad ng pagbangon ni Hesukristo, bumabangon na rin ang ating bayan. Mula nang naibalik sa mga Pilipino ang tunay na lakas ng pamahalaan at naiwaksi ang kultura ng pagkakanya-kanya at panlalamang. Nagawa nating buhatin sa landas ng kaunlaran ang ating bansa. Kung dati, napipilitang mag-ibang bayan ang maraming Pilipino, ngayon ay nagsisibalikan na sila dito dahil ramdam nila ang pagdagsa ng pagkakataon at ang kakaibang kumpyansa sa ating ekonomiya. Kung dati, hinahayaang maiwan sa laylayan ng lipunan ang milyun-milyon nating kababayanngayon, tinutulungan natin ang mahigit tatlong milyon walong daang libong kabahayang benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Kung dati, nagtitiis sa silong ng puno ang mga estudyante-- ngayon inaasahan ng mabura ang animnaput anim na libot walong daang backlog sa silid aralan bago matapos ang 2013. Kung dati, ilang milyong metrikong toneladang bigas ang inaangkat at binubulok lang sa mga bodega-- ngayon, natatanaw na natin hindi lang ang pagiging self-sufficient sa bigas kundi ang pagiging exporter nito. Wala pong duda, sa pagpanig natin sa tama at sa pagbuhos natin ng malasakit sa kapwa sinusundan din natin ang mga yapak ni Hesukristo. Ngayong hindi na pansarili ang tutok ng pamahalaan at nakatuon na lamang tayo sa kapakanan ng taumbayan, naisalba rin natin ang bansa mula sa tiyak na pagsadsad at napipitas na natin ang maraming tagumpay. Nang nagkatawang tao ang Bugtong na Anak ng Diyos, alam niya ang mga pagsubok na parating. Tinanggap niya ang pagpapakasakit sa Hardin ng Gethsemani at batid niya ang bigat ng papasanin niyang krus. Subalit hinarap niya ang mga ito dahil alam niyang nakasalalay sa kanya ang kaligtasan ng sangkatauhan. Sa patnubay ni Kristong Tagapagligtas, alam kong bawat kilos natin para kumalinga, sa halip na manlamang; bawat minutong ibinabahagi natin para iangat ang mga nangangailangan ay sakripisyong nagpapagaan sa anumang pasanin ng ating bayan. Ang pagtulong ay nagbibigay-lakas at kalayaan, hindi lamang sa natulungan, kundi maging sa nag-abot ng tulong. Mulit muli nating pinatutunayan, wala tayong hindi makakamit kung imbes na magkakanya -kanya ay magsimula tayong magbigayan. Sa ating kolektibong pagtutulungan, tiyak na magdudulot ito ng pag-asat kaunlaran para sa lahat ng mamamayan.

Sa lahat ng Boss ko, Maligayang Pasko ng Pagkabuhay sa inyo! [HOME]

President Benigno S. Aquino III's Lenten Message Malacaan Palace 27 March 2013 Ngayong panahon ng Kuwaresma, ginugunita po natin ang natatanging halimbawa ni Hesukristo sa sangkatauhan. Nagkatawang-tao siya, nagpakumbaba, at iniligtas tayo sa kasalanan; naging huwaran siya sa landas ng pagbubukas-palad, at wagas na pagmamahal sa kapwa. Bilang mga tagasunod ni Kristo, nararapat lamang na tayoy tumulad sa kanyang mabuting ehemplo. Wala na nga pong tutumbas sa sakripisyong ipinamalas ni Hesukristo at kung tutuusin dahil sa dakilang pag-aalay niya ng buhay, para sa kaligtasan natin, kakarampot na lamang ang kanyang hinihiling: Ang mahalin at arugain ang ating kapwa. Makukuha pa ba nating ipagkait ito sa kanya? Bilang isang bansa, marami na po tayong napatunayan sa landas ng pagkakaisa, pagkakawanggawa at pagmamalasakit sa kapwa. Hindi imposibleng bumangon mula sa halos isang dekadang pagkadapa. Hindi suntok sa buwan ang muling maaninag ang kaunlaran, lalo na para sa mga kababayan nating higit na nangangailangan. Sa gabay at patnubay ni Kristo naipamalas natin ang bisa ng pagtuon hindi sa pansariling interes kungdi sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan. Ngayon pong Mahal na Araw, muling ipinapaalala sa atin ang halaga ng pagiging tanglaw sa isat isa, at ang liwanag na hatid nito sa buong bansa. Napakaganda na po ng mga nasimulan nating hakbang; at ngayong Semana Santa, patuloy nawa tayong makapagnilay kung paano pa mapapayabong ang mga butil ng pakikipagkapwa na ibinahagi sa atin ng Poong Maykapal. Isa pong makabuluhan at mapayapang Mahal na Araw sa sambayanang Pilipino. [HOME]

ONLINE NEWS
April 1 , 2013
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. It is more fun in the new GSIS DOLE's PACU assists 459 walk-in clients in March At Western Visayas State U, Burger Blossom funded by DOLE's YES Program stirs enterprising students 6 OWWA Region X scholars graduate from college OWWA 10 joins team monitoring vocational-technical institutions for HSWs GPH-MILF peace process moves forward as TransCom holds first en banc meet Malaysia requires passports, Seamans Books for barter traders in Sabah DFA-OAVS joins ABS-CBNs Bayan Mo, Ipatrol Mo Fisheries sector faces bright prospects DENR sets standards for fine particle pollutants DBP to partner with schools for student Loans TESDA mulls nationwide jobs fairs DepEd's PSIP-I Lone ASEAN entry to Partnerships Awards 2013 DA allots P15M for mango farmers PH Tourism achieves back-to-back record growth

It is more fun in the new GSIS

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

This was the statement of Government Service Insurance System Chairman Daniel Lacson Junior during the stakeholders' dialogue held today which was attended by about 400 members and pensioners. In November 2010, just a few months into office,Lacson and GSIS President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara hit the ground running and held nationwide dialogues with their stakeholders to listen to their issues and concerns. Negros was the first province visited by the GSIS executives. "We made three promises to our stakeholders from the very beginning... to be more consultative, transparent and service-focused," Lacson said. "Your inputs will guide the Board in revisiting our policies and programs to provide you accessible and responsive service," the Chairman said. In his report, PGM Vergara informed the audience that among the reforms the new leadership has implemented,include the cancellation of the annual renewal of status for pensioners, relaxing the eligibility requirement for survivorship pension, renewed partnership with LANDBANK as an additional service partner, and deployment of 500 kiosks in all provincial capitols, city and municipal offices and large government agencies such as the Department of Education. Vergara said that beginning this year, the pension fund is implementing the new minimum basic pension of Php5,000 for more than 57,000 old-age and disability pensioners, as announced by the President in his SONA last July. "We have also released Php286 million in refund as of February this year covering more than 45,000 pensioners, under the new policy on payment of proportionate pension." Vergara assured the body that the System is doing everything possible to update the records of its more than 1.3 million active members. One of the initiatives toward this goal, is the Statement of Loan Account (SOLA) project which aims to update the loan accounts of retiring members aged 59 years old and above to ensure the early release of their retirement benefit. He also said that the pension fund continues to engage suspended agencies and local government units to restore the full benefits of their employees. "As of last month, GSIS has signed agreements with 111 agencies and LGUs which reinstated the loan privileges of more than 800,000 state workers. PGM Vergara assured that the System's actuarial life is until 2046 "which means that GSIS can pay out the benefits of its members and pensioners as and when they fall due." GSIS is also working closely with both Houses of Congress to amend its charter, Republic Act 8291, to institutionalize responsive service. The proposed amendments include a members' bill of rights, designation of beneficiary by single members before age 50, increase in funeral benefit to P30,000 and the removal of the fouryear prescription for claims. Lacson said that under a new GSIS which puts the member at the center of its operations, "it is indeed more fun in GSIS." |TOP|

DOLE's PACU assists 459 walk-in clients in March Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph

"The Department of Labor and Employment's Legal Service is more than doing its share so that the DOLE can continue to live up to its commitment of delivering fast, efficient, and up-to-date services to the people." Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said this yesterday after Atty. Sherilyn G. Malonzo, OIC Director of the Legal Service, reported that its Public Assistance and Complaints Unit (PACU) has assisted 459 walk-in clients from 26 February to 22 March. "The Legal Service is now in step with other DOLE bureaus, services, and attached agencies in ensuring that it does its share in the prompt and efficient delivery of vital services to the people," said Baldoz. Director Malonzo reported that 86 of the 459 walk-in clients were assisted in three days alone, or from 26-28 February, while the remaining 373 were assisted from 1-22 March.

Of the 373 clients, 335 received free legal advice; nine were referred to DOLE regional offices; 18 were assisted and referred to the NCMB for filing of request for assistance under the Single Entry Approach conciliationmediation mechanism; and seven were referred to other government offices. "Only four walk-in applicants were referred to the National Labor Relations Commission for arbitration," Malonzo said. She also reported that the Legal Service promptly answered 593, or 100 percent, of queries lodged through its Online Legal Queries and 58, or 100 percent, of phone-in queries. "I am happy that the Legal Service's public assistance delivery system is functioning smoothly as it should. Now, our people with questions on matters related to labor and employment can be assured of a fast, reliable, and efficient responses<" Baldoz said. The PACU, which is under the Legal Service's Legal Research and Assistance Division, is located at the ground floor of the DOLE Executive Building, San Jose St., Intramuros, Manila. It is open from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Mondays to Fridays. On the other hand, the DOLE's Online Legal Query is accessible 24/7 via the website, www.dole.gov.ph, while the DOLE-Legal Service's phone-in query can be reached through 527-3000 local 607, from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Mondays to Fridays. |TOP|

At Western Visayas State U, Burger Blossom funded by DOLE's YES Program stirs enterprising students Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph

At Western Visayas State U, Burger Blossom funded by DOLE's YES Program stirs enterprising students When DOLE Office No. 6 Regional Director Ponciano M. Ligutom released P196,215.01 to the Western Visayas State University (WVSU) in December 2012 for various livelihood projects of some selected students, it stirred into life the entrepreneurial spirit of Sweet Love Galve and friends. Galve, together with her friends, are all in third year, taking up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the Iloilo City campus of the WVSU. They proposed to put up a burger stand inside the campus, and got the nod of the DOLE which granted them a P38,000 in cash assistance under the DOLE's Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES) Program. This amount jumpstarted Burger Blossom. Galve could not contain her happiness when she learned their proposal was approved for funding. She said that she and her friends have already learned many lessons from being 'real' entrepreneurs. "While our profit is not yet so big, operating Burger Blossom enables us to apply the business theories we have learned inside the classroom," Galve said. "Getting into a real business set-up taught us how to market our product; how to deal with customers; how to target the market; and how to prepare financial statements. We now know some real product pricing strategies," she shared. The YES Program is one of the DOLE's initiatives to mobilize college and technical vocational students and graduates to entrepreneurship as an alternative to wage employment. It aims to promote entrepreneurial development through partnership and cooperation with educational institutions and to help young people for business undertakings. "The YES Program is one of our strategies to address youth unemployment. It prepares young college and tech-voc students and graduates for their transition to becoming members of the labor force by making them productive, resourceful, and self-reliant," explained Secretary Baldoz. Director Ligutom reported that Galve's classmates comprise the first batch of 73 YES Program cash assistance grantees from the Iloilo City, Calinog, and Lambunao campuses of the WVSU. The 73 student-entrepreneurs received a total cash grant of P196,215.01 in December 2012 for their various livelihood projects inside the WVSU campuses. Eight of the students were from the WVSU-Calinog Campus who engaged in tilapia production. They received a YES grant of P126,137.26. Ten students from the WVSU-Lambunao Campus received P32,077.75 for their quail egg production and vegetable farming, while 55 students of WVSU-Iloilo City Campus, including Galve and friends, who engaged in food and drink preparation, received P38,000. "We are very thankful to the government, particularly to the DOLE, for the financial assistance we received under the YES program. Aside from the cash, the technical support the DOLE provided helped us to be more responsible as young entrepreneurs," said Galve. The experiences that we gained will greatly help us when we become entrepreneurs someday, she added. Ligutom reported that Galve's and company's Burger Blossom is now going full-blast. "The DOLE assistance enabled the students to maximize their time by engaging in productive activities. Although they have been engaged in some entrepreneurial undertaking before, the capital they could raise through individual contribution was not enough, thus, limiting their activities," said Lourdes F. Espresor, Entrepreneurship teacher and in-charge of the program at the WVSU. END Reported by AMALIA N. JUDICPA |TOP|

6 OWWA Region X scholars graduate from college

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

Over the years, OWWA has actively pursued its goal of providing quality education among dependents of qualified Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Region 10. Recently, 6 OWWA scholars finished various degree courses in different schools. Five of them are grantees under the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) while another graduate belongs to the first batch of scholars under the OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (ODSP). Leading this year`s batch of graduates are Melvin Pioc Lacia who graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Janine Ross Aragon Juanico who finished Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, Cum Laude. Both honorees studied for five years at the Mindanao State University Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT). The other graduates include Floralice Hope Serveno, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy , MSU-IIT; Kristoffer Flores, BS Electronics and Communications Engineering , Xavier University and Geni Rose Payales, BS Medical Technology from Silliman University in Dumaguete City. Meanwhile, Darlene Joeshery Pacaldo, a grantee under the first batch of the ODSP graduated with a degree in BS Information Technology. OWWA offers various degree-granting and non-degree granting scholarship programs to active OFW-members and their dependents. For degree courses, interested parties may apply under the EDSP which offers financial assistance of P30, 000.00 per semester for a maximum of 5 years of study for baccalaureate degrees provided qualifiers pass the competitive examinations administered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Meanwhile, the ODSP grants financial assistance to children of active OWWA members receiving US$400.00 monthly salary provided they enroll in State Colleges and Universities or a CHED-accredited school in the place of residency. OWWA Region 10 will start accepting applications for scholarships upon opening of classes on June 2013. |TOP|

OWWA 10 joins team monitoring vocational-technical institutions for HSWs Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) joined a team led by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in monitoring Assessment Centers and Technical-Vocational Institutions with Household Services and National Certification II Programs in Region 10. Five (5) teams composed of OWWA and TESDA representatives, conducted monitoring visits to 20 institutions in Region 10 from March 14 22, 2013. These schools include the San Isidro College in Malaybalay, Bukindon and the Camiguin School of Arts and Trades in Mambajao, Camiguin. The other teams visited 9 institutions in Misamis Oriental that include the Cagayan de Oro (Bugo) School of Arts and Trades, Christian Samaritan Health Services and Technical Schools, International Labor Force Mastery, Kinoguitan National Agricultural School, Lipunan Family Center, Inc., MMS Development Training Center Corp., Pro-Link Educational and Training Specialist, Inc., St. Andrew Learning and Technology, Inc. and The New El Salvador Colleges, Inc. Meanwhile, 5 schools were visited in Lanao del Norte province which include the Iligan Access Institute of Technology, Inc., Iligan International Institute of Technology, Inc., Lanao Norte National Agr0-Industrial School, Lanao School of Sciene and Technology, Inc. and North Central Mindanao Colleges. In Misamis Occidental, visits were made in four schools namely, the North Central Mindanao College-Ozamis, Northwestern Mindanao School of Technology, Inc., Oroquieta Agro-Industrial School and Our Lady of Triumph Institute of Technology. During the orientation conducted by TESDA on March 13, it was learned that the monitoring comes after the signing of the new agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Philippines where DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz announced the resumption of verification and authentication of employment contracts of first-time Household Service Workers (HSWs) in October 2012. The new standard employment contract contains stronger guarantees for the welfare and protection for HSWs. The training, assessment and certification programs of TESDA hand-in-hand with the language and culture familiarization programs of OWWA seek to prepare departing HSWs to ensure that their abuse and exploitation are stopped. The whole activity aimed to check if Technical Vocational Education institutions and assessment centers with HSW programs are continuously complying with TESDA`s prescribed minimum standards and requirements as contained in the procedures manuals on program registration and assessment. |TOP|

GPH-MILF peace process moves forward as TransCom holds first en banc meet Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph

The peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) continues to gain headway as the Transition Commission (TransCom), the body tasked to draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law, is set to hold its first en banc session on April 3. We welcome the holding of the first en banc meeting of the Transition Commission on April 3, GPH peace panel chair Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said. The Government Panel will work closely with the Transition Commission in continuing to reach out to the public and coming up with a draft law that will embody the just aspirations of the peace negotiations, she added. Composed of 15 members, seven of which were nominated by the GPH while eight were recommended by the MILF, the TransCom will begin its work on drafting the Basic Law following its first meeting. The draft Basic Law will be certified as urgent by the President, submitted to Congress for passage, and subjected to a plebiscite in the proposed core territory of the Bangsamoro. Once the law is ratified, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will be abolished and the new Bangsamoro region will be established. Re-scheduling of talks no effect on process' momentum The parties agreed to meet in the second week of April 2013 for the 37th round of formal exploratory talks in view of President Benigno Aquinos request to reschedule the talks to have more time for review and consultations on the draft annexes. Coronel-Ferrer expressed the panels gratitude to the MILF for their consent. In behalf of the Government Negotiating Panel, I thank our counterparts in the MILF for acceding to the Government's request to reset the next round of talks to April." Amid calls of civil society groups for both parties to resume formal talks, she assured stakeholde rs that the twoweek postponement does not in any way derail a process that has already gained momentum and wide support, locally and internationally. The Government Panel affirms its belief in peaceful negotiations and the wisdom of the multidimension al approach that it has taken in partnership with the MILF toward building sustainable peace, Coronel -Ferrer added. She said that the Government's request to be given more time to review the draft documents and the remaining issues only indicate the kind of due diligence it has always exercised in the process. The fruits of the negotiations must be able to respond to the interests and welfare of all stakeholders. It must bring about a new Bangsamoro political entity that will enable meaningful, inclusive and responsive governance in the region. Any agreement must be viable and deliverable on the part of the Government, especially on the part of the President whose political will and capital would be immensely important to its implementation, stress ed CoronelFerrer. Meanwhile, peace panel member Yasmin Busran-Lao reiterated the government's call for all sectors to continue supporting the GPH-MILF peace process. Lets help one another under the daang matuwid (straight path) and Islamic teaching of siraat al mustaqim (straight path) that we can collectively realize sustainable peace. Lets partake in this momentous opportunity that the political leadership of P-Noy is sincere in peace negotiations to resolve the Bangsamoro Question and achieve just and lasting peace," she said. The GPH and the MILF panels are set to finalize three out of four annexes, which together with the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) will constitute the Comprehensive Agreement. The Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities (TAM), which lays out the road map for the establishment of Bangsamoro, was signed by the parties on February 27. Almost to its completion are the annexes on Power-sharing, Wealthsharing, and Normalization. |TOP|

Malaysia requires passports, Seamans Books for barter traders in Sabah Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph

1 April 2013--The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said today that Malaysia has imposed new guidelines for barter traders in Sabah and Labuan, notably requiring Filipinos and other foreigners to have passports or seamans books in order to enter these areas. With effect from 15 April 2013, all crews of barter trade ships or vessels will be required to produce valid travel documents, i.e international passport or seaman book at all entry ports in Sabah. Seaman identification card (SIC) will no longer be issued to crews of barter trade ships or vessels without valid travel documentation, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said in a note verbale to all diplomatic missions in the country. Effective from 2 April 2013, permanent Custom and Immigration Quarantine (CIQ) complexes will be operating at Ports of Kudat and Lahad Datu as well as an Immigration Control office at Karakit, Pulau Banggi where all immigration and customs procedures will be enforced at the said entry points, the note verbale added. The Embassy wishes to call the attention of all barter traders and other concerned parties to the new regulation, otherwise they may be significantly inconvenienced if they are found by Malaysian authorities to be in violation, Consul General Medardo Macaraig said. Under the new measure, barter traders will only be allowed to be in Sabah and Labuan for a maximum of seven days, with no extension. Crew members are also not allowed to move to another boat until they return to their country of origin. Previously, SICs are issued to individuals, as long as they satisfied the requirements, including a valid medical examination certificate and a payment of 50 Malaysian ringgit (RM). In Sabah, there are three ports allowed to engage in barter trade, namely Sandakan, Tawau, Kudat and one in the Federal Territory of Labuan. The number of barter traders issued with SICs last year was 18,388 and the number of vessels involved was 1,768. Ship captains in violation of the said measure will be charged under the Malaysian Immigration Act 1959/63, Section 55 A (conveying a person to Malaysia illegally), which is punishable of up to five years in prison or up to RM50,000 in fines or six strokes of a cane. They can also be charged under the new Immigration Act Anti-Trafficking in Person and Smuggling of Migrants, where the penalty is a maximum period of 20 years imprisonment or fine of RM500,000 and blacklisting. The ships crew would also be charged under the Immigration Acts Section 6 (1) (c) or lack of valid documents in entering the country, which provides for up to five years in prison or a fine of up to RM10,000 or up to six strokes of a cane. The Department of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with concerned government agencies to support affected sectors in Mindanao in meeting the challenges of this new regulation. |TOP|

DFA-OAVS joins ABS-CBNs Bayan Mo, Ipatrol Mo Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph

1 April 2013 - The Department of Foreign Affairs-Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (DFA-OAVS) finished recording a video appeal to encourage Filipinos here and abroad to do their part in in ensuring clean and honest elections in May 2013, in furtherance of last years signed agreement between DFA -OAVS and ABS-CBN Corporation to promote overseas absentee voting in support of the networks campaign Bayan Mo, iPatrol Mo: Tayo Na! The video-shoot took place at the DFA Grounds in Pasay City. It will be aired nationwide on ABS-CBN Channel 2 until May 13. Overseas voting for qualified Filipinos will commence on 13 April 2013 until 13 May 2013 (7:00 p.m. Philippine time). |TOP|

Fisheries sector faces bright prospects Source: http://www.da.gov.ph

Rebounding from a two-year slump, the countrys fisheries sector expects brighter prospects starting this year, as tuna catch is picking up, and domestic fish supply is increasing as a result of conservation efforts. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said with the lifting of a ban on tuna fishing at Pocket 1 of the Pacific Ocean, Filipino fishermen have resumed their operations in 2012 in said area, resulting in more catch. Pocket 1 of the Pacific Ocean is bounded by Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. As a result, commercial catch of bigeye and yellowfin tuna in 2012 totaled 7,912 metric tons (MT) and 77,730 MT, respectively, according to the DAs Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS). These were 31 and 13 per cent more compared to the total catch in 2011 of bigeye tuna (6,021 MT) and yellowfin tuna (68,625 MT), respectively. Consequently, exports of fresh and processed tuna in 2012 rose by 41% to $411 million (M) versus $292 M in 2011, said Director Asis Perez, of the DAs Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Secretary Alcala said another bright spot is the increase of domestic supply, particularly of Indian sardines or tamban, mainly due to conservation efforts and imposition of a no fishing season in waters off Mindanao and Visayas. The DA-BFAR in partnership with commercial and municipal fishermen, local government units, and other concerned agencies has initially imposed a closed fishing season in Zamboanga Peninsula from December 2011 to February 2012, coinciding with the sardines spawning season. The closed fishing season covered East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait and Sibuguey Bay. As a result, Dir. Perez said catch of sardines has initially increased by six percent to 156,150 MT in 2012 versus 146,835 MT in 2011, based on estimates by the DA-BAS. The three-month no fishing season was again imposed this year in Zamboanga, from Decembe r 1, 2012 to February 28, 2013. We have also imposed a similar closed fishing season in the Visayan Seas, said Secretary Alcala. The ban started in November 15, 2012 and ended March 15, 2013. BFAR assistant director Drucila Esther Bayate said a no fishing season on said months in the Visayan Sea has been in existence since 1989, but it was only this year that the policy was vigorously implemented with the full cooperation of all commercial fishing operators, local government units, Philippine Coast Guard and other stakeholders. She said the Visayan Seas is a major source of sardines, herrings and mackerels. As a positive consequence, Secretary Alcala said the DA-BFAR has reported that tamban is now caught abundantly caught in Ragay Gulf, in Camarines Sur. With the initial success in Zamboanga and Visayan Seas, Secretary Alcala said the DA-BFAR is considering other major fishing grounds like Palawan, where a no fishing season could be imposed. (DA Information Service) |TOP|

DENR sets standards for fine particle pollutants Source: http://www.denr.gov.ph

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) took an important step to protect the health of Filipinos from particle pollution by setting the air quality standard for particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller, or commonly known as PM2.5. PM2.5 is a fine particle found in smoke and haze, and can be directly emitted from sources such as forest fires or they can form when gases emitted from power plants, industries and vehicles react in the air. Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and cause serious health problems.

DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje recently issued Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2013-13 setting the National Ambient Air Quality Guideline Value (NAAQGV) for PM2.5 at 75 micrograms per normal cubic meter (g/Ncm) for an average of 24 hours or short term, and 35 g/Ncm for an average of one year or long term, starting from the DAOs effectivity until Dec. 31, 2015.

The DAO also provides tougher standards after 2015. Effective Jan. 1, 2016, the NAAQGV for the short and long terms will be at 50 and 25 g/Ncm, respectively. Paje said the standards for PM2.5 were issued in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 8749, or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999. This administrative order was anchored on the basic right of Filipinos to a balanced and healthy ecology, as well as the governments policy to maintain a balance between development and environmental protection, Paje explained. He, however, clarified that the DAO was not for compliance purposes, but to set standard values in evaluating the quality of outdoor air in a surrounding environment, also known as ambient air. These values are established in the same way that we have established standards for total suspended particulates (TSP) and PM10. These will help us determine which actions to take vis--vis the impact of air pollution on our health, he explained. Technical personnel of the DENRs Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) will conduct sampling periodically using manual methods, or continuously using automatic real-time ambient monitors. Compared to TSP and PM10, PM2.5 pollutants are of finer particles usually emitted by vehicles and burning plants. Their small size allows them to stay in the air longer and travel farther, and can pass through the bodys smaller airways deeper into the lungs, leading to respiratory and circulatory diseases, cancers and brain damage. |TOP|

DBP to partner with schools for student Loans Source: http://www.dbp.ph

State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has launched a P2-billion special lending program available to schools and other educational institutions for re-lending to poor but deserving students. The DBP Higher Education Loan Program for Students, or DBP HELPS, is a wholesale loan facility using qualified educational institutions as conduits for student loans. The program support s the National Governments commitment to education and poverty alleviation in the Millennium Development Goals, and the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plans Education for All by 2015. Educational institutions with transparency and good governance practices, proven level of excellence, track record of performance, and tie-ups with employers/ manning companies are eligible to borrow under the DBP HELPS. Under the program, educational institutions and their accredited partner companies/ employers shall conduct the prequalification and selection of student borrowers. A tripartite contract with the educational institution and student borrowers commits partner companies/ employers to provide on-the-job training, subsequent employment, and automatic payroll deductions to enable student borrowers to repay their loans. Educational institutions may borrow up to 90% of the total cost, but not to exceed P150-million, based on the total cost of eligible expenditures and the number of student-borrower applicants. Qualified expenditures include the cost of tuition, board and lodging, books, uniform, school materials, review and licensure fees, travel documentation, travel fees, airfare and other training fees. Eligible student borrowers should be at least high school graduates, of good moral character, with excellent academic performance, and the mental and physical fitness to undergo and complete the program. Eligible courses include maritime, education, skills training certification on technical/ vocational courses, culinary arts, information technology or business process outsourcing-related courses, hospitality management, graduate and post-graduate courses, and other bridging courses. DBP HELPS is an extension of the DBP Endowment for Education Program (DEEP), a corporate social responsibility project of DBP. DEEP provides scholarships to bright and promising youth (including persons with disabilities) from low-income families who wish to pursue a degree or non-degree course in the fields of maritime education, agriculture, technical/ vocational courses, entrepreneurship, forestry, education, and hotel and restaurant management |TOP|

TESDA mulls nationwide jobs fairs Source: http://www.tesda.gov.ph

After a series of successful jobs fairs for technical vocational graduates in Metro Manila, Secretary Joel Villanueva announced plans for the possible expansion of the program to the entire country. Villanueva, director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), said the plan is still in the drawing board, but added he is upbeat about realizing it to get graduates into the workforce soon. "After completing their tech-voc courses and being assessed and certified, TESDA helps its Specialistas connect with the right job that will enable them reach their full potentials and help uplift the condition of their families," he said. TESDA together with the Department of Labor and Employment, local government units and partner institutions recently organized a series of jobs fair that drew thousands of applicants all over Metro Manila. "We will tap our offices in the provinces to organize similar jobs fairs for TESDA Specialistas. The goal is to fill the void from graduation to employment so as not to waste time and opportunity," Villanueva said. Of the 18,207 applicants who trooped to various venues from March 11 to 25, a total of 1,441 were hired on the spot either for local or overseas employment. Another 10,642 individuals were lined up for further interview. Dubbed Hanapbuhay para sa mga TESDA Specialistas: A Jobs Bridging Program, the event gathered 265 companies and agencies in search of local employees, and another 78 firms looking for workers for deployment overseas. Among the in-demand jobs include those in business process outsourcing; information and communication technology; tourism, hotels and restaurant; construction; and manufacturing; Villanueva said. The jobs bridging events were held on separate dates and venues that were organized by TESDA District Offices in Quezon City; MUNTIPLARLAS-TAPAT (Muntinlupa, Paranaque, Las Pinas, Taguig and Pateros); CAMANAVA (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela); Manila; PASMAK (Pasay and Makati); and PAMAMARISAN (Pasig, Mandaluyong, Marikina and San Juan). The events also served as a one-stop shop where jobseekers availed themselves of documentation services from the National Statistics Office, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Professional Regulation Commission, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and Pag-ibig Fund. "We will continue to step up our efforts in providing relevant and quality training to our labor force. But in between, we will also do our duty in matching skills with the right job, and this is what the jobs bridging program hopes to accomplish," Villanueva said. |TOP|

DepEd's PSIP-I Lone ASEAN entry to Partnerships Awards 2013 Source: http://ppp.gov.ph

The Department of Educations Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for School Infrastructure Project (PSIP) Phase I is the lone entry from the ASEAN to the internationally acclaimed Partnerships Awards 2013. The project has been shortlisted for the Best Pathfinder Project category. Partnership Awards is an annual event organized by the Partnerships Bulletin and PPP Bulletin International to recognize and reward outstanding achievements in PPP worldwide. In recent years, most awardees are entries from Europe and the Americas. PPP Center Executive Director Cosette Canilao said that, The shortlisting of DepEds PSIP -I to the Partnerships Awards 2013 is a recognition from the global PPP community that we are on the right path. The Best Pathfinder category is a recognition given to public infrastructure projects that demonstrate the best first of its kind in a sector or region. For this year, only entries and nominations for deals signed between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2012 were accepted. Industry professionals representing both the public and private sector will judge the entries. The

awarding ceremony will take place at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London on 23 May 2013. DepEds PSIP I is the Philippines first PPP social infrastructure project. It aims to supplement the current initiatives and program of the government to address the current shortage of public school buildings nationwide. The project was awarded to Citicore-Megawide Consortium and Bright Future Educational Facilities, Inc., who will construct 9,301 one-storey and two-storey classrooms with provisions for fixtures and furniture. The school buildings will be built in in various sites in Regions I, III and IV-A. Structured under a Build-Lease-Transfer (BLT) modality, government shall issue annual lease payments to the private proponents for a period of 10 years. As of 27 February 2013, DepEd has issued Notices to Proceed (NTP) to cover 713 schools out of the total 2,496. It is expected that the construction of school buildings will be completed by January 2014. To further supplement efforts to address classroom backlogs in the country, DepEd is now bidding the second phase of PSIP. With PSIP II, 10, 679 classrooms, including furniture and toilets, will be constructed in 5,033 public schools in 14 regions nationwide. Both the PSIP I and II projects are recipient of the Project Development and Monitoring Facility (PDMF) managed by the PPP Center. Under the PDMF, the DepEd was given funding support used to procure in terms of procuring transaction advisors who provided technical assistance in the bid process management including the preparation of bid documents and contracts and assistance until financial close. Aside from managing PDMF, the PPP Center also provides technical advisory, project facilitation services, and capacity building support to implementing agencies and local government units in ensuring that all PPP projects are developed and implemented effectively. Partnerships Bulletin and PPP Bulletin International are UK-based organizations involved in magazine publication and websites that provide in-depth updates on partnership working between the public and private sector. Both are sources of information on international PPPs particularly on legislation, regulation, working procedure and market potential. With more than 15 years of exposure in the industry, they have been recognized as credible institutions in terms of private finance initiative (PFI) and PPPs. The full shortlist in the various categories of the Partnerships Awards 2013 is posted at the Partnerships Bulletin website: www.partnershipsbulletin.com/awards/. |TOP|

DA allots P15M for mango farmers Source: http://www.da.gov.ph

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allotted an initial P10 million (M) this year to support the initiatives of a national mango farmers group, and provided P5-million worth of farm equipment and inputs during a recent mango congress. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the P10 M will fund the major projects of the Philippine Mango Industry Foundation, Inc. (PMIFI) that include planting of recommended mango seedlings, provision of postharvest equipment and facilities, marketing assistance, and capacity-building of PMIFI members, particularly provincial mango growers associations and cooperatives. The DA through its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) provided the amount to PMIFI President Virginia de la Fuente, through a memorandum of agreement, signed during the 15th National Mango Congress, March 20, 2013, at the Ramon Magsaysay Technological University Gym in Iba, Zambales. Formed in 2001, the PMIFI is composed of more than 1,000 farmer-members nationwide, belonging to 15 mango growers associations and federations. During the congress, Secretary Alcala also raffled off to participants P5-million worth of farm equipment and inputs that included 50 power sprayers, 10 knapsack sprayers, 200 bags of flower-inducers, 10,000 mango seedlings, and 10 draft carabao with implements. The DA-HVCDP also provided Zambales farmers with 50,000 mango seedlings. Secretary Alcala urged mango farmers to consider integrating other income-generating projects with their orchard like apiculture or honey bee production, and raising poultry, goats and sheep. They may also consider transforming their mango farm into an agro-tourism site, particularly during harvest season. For her part, HVCDP national program coordinator Jennifer Remoquillo said the DA aims to help prop up the countrys mango industry by providing needed interventions to attain major targets under the mango commodity road map, that include increasing production and exports of fresh and processed mangoes by five percent (%) annually, and per capita consumption from 8.5 kilograms (kg) to 11.5 kg.

Last year, the country produced 767,851 metric tons (MT) of mangoes. Of these, $58-million worth of fresh (17,908 MT valued at $14M) and dried (4,855 MT valued at $44M) mangoes were exported to various countries, from January to October 2012, according to NSO foreign trade statistics. The DA-HVCDP under its four-year road map targets to increase mango production to 955,823 MT this year, and 5% more annually, up to 1.1 million MT by 2016, Remoquillo said. To further improve the quality of Philippine mangoes for both domestic and export markets, the DA-HVCDP is funding several researches through the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), which include cultivar development, improvement of peel thickness, color, sweetness, and resistance to pests and diseases like anthracnose and mango seed and pulp weevils. The three-day 15th national mango congress was attended by more than 500 mango growers and industry stakeholders, local government officials led by Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane, and mango experts and resource persons, who discussed updates on sustainable and profitable mango production, raising organic mangoes, and trends in post harvest technologies, processing and marketing. (Catherine N. Nanta, DA-AFIS) |TOP|

PH Tourism achieves back-to-back record growth Source: http://www.tourism.gov.ph

International visitors to the Philippines for the first two months of the year closed at another record high of 854,187 or a double-digit growth of 10.5% from 772,989 of the same period in 2012. The country extended its record-breaking run by surpassing the 400,000 arrival mark for both January (436,079 arrivals) and February, making it three months in a row since December 2012 with 442,088 arrivals an uptrend that is expected to continue until the summer months. Visitor arrivals for February 2013 soared 15.52% with 418,108 arrivals, marking the first time that this month achieved more than 400,000 visitors. The Chinese New Year stimulated the growth during the month, with Hong Kong posting a 93.80% growth rate, China registering 69.87%, Macau at 44.05%, and Taiwan at 20.67%. Countries from the ASEAN region likewise registered double-digit gains. For the period January to February 2013, Korea remained the top contributor with 241,116 visitors, growing by 25.6% and cornering slightly more than a quarter of the total inbound traffic. The second largest yield came from the United States with 120,868 or 14.2% of the visitor count. Arrivals from Japan comprised the third biggest arrivals of 73,621 visitors. The list is followed by China with 69,610; Taiwan with 37,921; Australia with 34,095; Singapore with 25,800; Canada with 25,338; Hongkong with 23,097; Malaysia with 18,947; United Kingdom with 18,563; and Germany with 13,774. Double-digit gains were also experienced in significant source markets such as India (24.99%), Russian Federation (23.97%), Malaysia (23.42%), Hongkong (18.92%), Singapore (14.47%), and Australia (11.43%) from January to February 2013. By regional grouping, the ASEAN market posted an 18.5% overall growth with the East Asian region recording a 14.57% increase. Our tourism numbers are now reaching unprecedented heights. We have a target of 5.5 million this year and 10 million by 2016. Our efforts are in full swing to raise greater demand, facilitate entry and access to the different destinations, and for our suppliers and host communities to come together and create fun-filled experiences. We need to seize this momentum of rising global attention to reach more markets and bring about conversion, said Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. At the same time, front-loading infrastructure projects should address connectivity and multi-modal access. Market development will also work to punch deeper into the segments of traditional markets while creating interest in high-potential emerging markets, the tourism chief added. With the recent lifting of the Significant Safety Concerns (SSCs) by the United Nations - International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Philippines can look forward to regaining Category I status from the US Federal Aviation Administration and the subsequent lifting of the European Union (EU) ban. The rationalization of the Common Carriers Tax (RA 10376), which was signed into law by President Benigno S. Aquino III earlier this month, is also seen to aid in improving and enhancing the countrys competitiveness in the international t ravel arena. With these two major milestones, we shall see greater traffic to and from more destinations, stimulating more business for both foreign and local carriers. With the upward trend in visitor arrivals and recent surge in real estate development, airline companies will begin to see the viability to fill our capacities and make the Philippines a part of their primary route offering. It will be an interesting four years in the run up to our 2016 goal, Secretary Jimenez added. |TOP|

ONLINE NEWS
March 31 , 2013
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Domestic liquidity continues to grow in February Bank lending continues to expand in February Gov't secures first conviction under the securities regulation code Mapapaaga ang Ayuda para sa Pantawid Pamilya-DSWD Repatriated OFWs from Syria receives relief assistance In Sultan Kudarat, former SPES beneficiary spells servanthood as PESO manager Purisima touts Philippines as 'Northern Gateway' to integrated ASEAN Announcement: 2012 Zero-Based Budgeting studies Phl imports decline as purchases of oil, raw materials drop in January 2013 GPH-MC to orient local human rights monitors in Bohol Always outnumbered but never outfought Philippines energizes bilateral relations with pacific neighbors Philippines, Brazil sign MOU on sports cooperation DOST teams up with major cable providers for 24/7 weather channel American pedophile nabbed in Davao DA allots P15M for mango farmers PH Tourism achieves back-to-back record growth

Domestic liquidity continues to grow in February Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph

Domestic liquidity (M3) grew by 9.9 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) in February to reach P5.0 trillion. This growth was slightly slower than the 10.2 percent (revised) expansion recorded in the previous month. On a monthly basis, seasonally-adjusted M3 expanded at a slower pace of 0.6 percent compared to the 0.8 percent (revised) month-onmonth growth in January. The growth in money supply was driven largely by the expansion in net domestic assets (NDA). NDA grew by 19.7 percent y-o-y in February from 21.9 percent (revised) in the previous month following the sustained increase in credits to the private sector, buoyed by the robust lending activity of commercial banks. Claims on the private sector increased by 14.9 percent in February. By contrast, claims on the public sector contracted at a slower pace of 4.3 percent in February compared to the decline of 4.6 percent (revised) in the previous month, as the growth of National Government deposits continued to slow down. Meanwhile, net foreign assets (NFA) decreased further by 1.7 percent y-o-y in February following a decline of 0.9 percent (revised) in January. The BSPs NFA position increased by 3.4 percent, supported by steady foreign exchange inflows from overseas remittances, portfolio investments, and BPO receipts. However, the NFA of banks declined further as banks foreign liabilities continued to increase due in part to higher placements and deposits made by foreign banks with their local branches, while their foreign assets continued to contract due to the decline in their loan receivables. The continued expansion in domestic liquidity reflects in part the impact of previous policy actions of the BSP to support the economys growth requirements. Going forward, the BSP will monitor monetary conditions closely to ensure that liquidity in the financial system remains supportive of economic activity while ensuring low and stable inflation.

|TOP|

Bank lending continues to expand in February Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph

Total outstanding loans of commercial banks, net of banks reverse repurchase (RRP) placements with the BSP, continued to expand in February but at a slower pace of 15.1 percent relative to the growth of 15.8 percent (revised) in January. Likewise, bank lending inclusive of RRPs in the same month grew by 14.5 percent from 16.9 percent (revised) in the previous month, to reach P3.4 trillion. On a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, commercial bank lending in February increased by 0.5 percent for loans net of RRPs while loans inclusive of RRPs declined by 0.3 percent. Loans for production activitieswhich comprised more than four-fifths of banks aggregate loan portfoliogrew at a slower pace of 15.2 percent in February from 16.0 percent (revised) in January. Similarly, the growth in consumer loans eased slightly to 12.0 percent in February from 12.4 percent (revised) in January due mainly to the slowdown in credit card receivables and other household loans. The expansion in production loans was driven primarily by increased lending to the following sectors: real estate, renting, and business services (25.1 percent); financial intermediation (27.2 percent); wholesale and retail trade (14.2 percent); manufacturing (7.3 percent); and, electricity, gas and water (12.7 percent). Meanwhile, declines were observed in lending to agriculture, hunting, and forestry (-13.3 percent) and in other community, social and personal services (-3.9 percent). The continued expansion in bank lending suggests that the momentum of domestic economic activity remains strong. Going forward, the BSP will continue to be watchful of the domestic financial environment to ensure that liquidity and credit conditions are appropriate to support economic growth while remaining consistent with its price stability objective. |TOP|

Gov't secures first conviction under the securities regulation code Source: http://www.doj.gov.ph

The People of the Philippines, represented by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor PETER L. ONG of the National Prosecution Service ("NPS"), in cooperation with the Enforcement and Prosecution Division of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), secured its first conviction under the Securities Regulation Code ("SRC") since its enactment on 19 July 2000. In a Decision promulgated on 19 March 2013, Presiding Judge SELMA PALACIO ALARAS of Branch 62 of the Regional Trial Court of Makati City ("RTC-Makati") found FRANCISO O. BORROMEO guilty beyond reasonable doubt of committing seven (7) counts of violation of the SRC, based on Informations filed by the NPS for acts committed between August 1993 to November 2003. After the Prosecution offered the testimonies of three (3) witnesses, Borromeo, assisted by counsel, withdrew his previous plea of not guilty and, in lieu thereof; pleaded guilty to all seven (7) counts of violation of the SRC, namely: five (5) counts of violation of Section 26 ("Fraudulent Transactions"); one (1) count of violation of Section 49.1 ("Net Capital Rule; Restrictions on Borrowing by Members, Brokers and Dealers"); and one (1) count of violation of Section 52.1 ("Maintaining 2 Sets of Books of Accounts and Records"). The charges filed against Borromeo were in connection with acts and transactions, including the sale and purchase of securities, through the instrumentality of ASIAN CAPITAL EQUITY, INC. ("ACEI"), of which he was the President. The five (5) counts , of "Fraudulent Transactions" (violation of Section 26) pertained to his acts of employing "a device, scheme or artifice to defraud clients and the investing public by using ... fictitiousand dummy account[s]... in the buying transactions of securities, to the damage and prejudice of ACEI's clients and the investing public," and fraudulent and deceitful acts of selling and trading shares belonging to clients without the knowledge and consent of, or without delivering the proceeds of the sale to, said clients, to their damage and prejudice. The one (1) count of violation of Section 49.1 pertained to his act of using his personal loan to augment the reported assets of the ACEI in order to make it appear that ACEI is compliant with net capital requirement (of P5,000,000.00 or 5% of the aggregate indebtedness) under the law when, in truth, it only had P3.5M in assets, to the damage and

prejudice of its clients and the investing public. The one (1) count of violation of Section 52.1 pertained to his act of maintaining two (2) sets of books, one that. contains actual database showing ACEI's negative position, and another containing altered database to project ACEI's positive position, created purposely to comply with the audit requirement of the Philippine Stock Exchange ("PSE") and of the SEC, to the damage and prejudice of ACET and the investing public. Borromeo was sentenced to pay a total fine of TWO MILLION and ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P2,100,000.00). |TOP|

Mapapaaga ang Ayuda para sa Pantawid Pamilya-DSWD Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

Bilang paghahanda sa nalalapit na halalan at upang matiyak na hindi masasakop ng election ban and pagbibigay ng ayuda, mas maagang matatanggap ng mga benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program ang kanilang mga cash grants, ito ang tiniyak ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development). Alam natin na ang mga benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilya ay kabilang sa mga mahihirap na sambah ayan at ang nakukuha nilang tulong sa programa ay ginagamit nila upang matiyak na sila ay maging malusog at makakapasok sa paaralan ang mga bata, mas maaga nating ibigay ang kanilang cash grant para siguraduhin na hindi sila maantala sa pagsunod sa mga kondisyon ng programa saad ni DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman. Ibibigay ng DSWD nang mas maaga ang cash grant ng mga benepisyaryo para sa buwan ng Enero at Pebrero ngunit ito ay hindi nangangahulugan na hindi na kailangang sumunod ng mga benepisyaryo sa mga itinakdang kondisyon para sa programa. Gagamitin pa ring batayan ang pagsunod sa mga kondisyon para sa mga susunod na cash grant. Para sa mga hindi tutupad sa mga koondisyon, ang kanilang sobrang natanggap na cash grant ay ibabawas sa mga susunod na pagbabayad dagdag ni Soliman. Ang Pantawid Pamilya ay programa ng pambansang pamahalaan na namumuhunan sa kalusugan at edukasyon ng mga mahihirap na sambahayan pangaunahin sa mga batang may edad 0-14. Upang makatanggap ng tulong, ang mga benepisyaryo ay kailangang sumunod sa mga kondisyon na itinakda ng programa. Kabilang sa mga kondisyon na ito ay ang pagdalo ng mga magulang sa buwanang Family Development Session (FDS); regular na pagpapakosulta ng mga buntis at mga batang may edad 0-5 taon gulang; pagpasok sa paaralan ng mga batang may edad mula 3-14 taon gulang ng hindi bababa sa 85% ng kabuuang pasok kada buwan; pagpapapurga sa mga batang may edad 6-14 taon gulang. Ayon sa talaan ng DSWD, mayroon ng 3,954,836 na naitalang benepisyaryo ang Pantawid Pamilya base sa March 13, 2013 na datos. |TOP|

Repatriated OFWs from Syria receives relief assistance Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph

KORONADAL CITY Filipino repatriates from the strife-torn country, Syria, received their financial assistance amounting to ten thousand pesos (10,000.00) each from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Regional Welfare Office XII on January 2, 2013. The said assistance is one of the agencys special program which aims to provide relief to all displaced and dis tressed Overseas Filipino Workers around the world. Qualified beneficiaries of the special program include active and inactive members only of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. Otherwise, the migrant worker will be referred to a separate progra m called Balik-Pinay/Pinoy Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH) program of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), according to Ms. Marilou M. Sumalinog, OWWO IV - Chief of the Programs and Services Division. Kahit hindi obliged yong mga repatriates natin from Syria na magsubmit ng business proposals or magtayo ng sarili

nilang negosyo, I usually advise them to consider the financial assistance as livelihood startup capital, said Ms. Sumalinog. As of this writing, twelve (12) repatriates from all over Region 12 were able to claim the assistance from OWWA Regional Welfare Office XII. |TOP|

In Sultan Kudarat, former SPES beneficiary spells servanthood as PESO manager Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph

Through the Department of Labor and Employments Special Program f or the Employment of Students (SPES), the countrys underprivileged youth have been provided short-term employment and work experience to equip them as part of the future workforce. Conceptualized as a bridging employment program to enhance the employab ility of young student-workers, SPES has brought education and employment closer to poor, but deserving, student-beneficiaries in the country. For one pioneer SPES beneficiary in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, the SPES did not only bridged him towards a better life. Instead, it even provided him a greater calling to empower more underprivileged youth in the south as a Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager. The harsh realities of life already stared at Rusty Kebs Vilo, when his parents died while he was at 3rd year highschool. Tough luck pushed Kebs and his 7 siblings to work for them to sustain their schooling. Unyielding in reaching for his dreams, Kebs worked as a houseboy in Kalamansig where his employer helped him in supporting his college education. Balancing his time as a working student, Kebs knew he needed to earn more to help his other siblings and his familys subsistence. And so his prayer was answered when he was chosen as one of the SPES beneficiaries in Sultan Kudarat. From 2003 to 2005, Kebs worked at the Kalamansig Municipal Treasury Office as a student-worker under SPES. Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa SPES. Sa mga taong iyon, ako ay nakabigay ng tulong sa iba kong kapatid, nakapag aral ng maayos at makapagsabing may laman ang sikmura, Kebs shared. Sa pagtatrabahong yun, natutunan ko ang tinatawag na tiyaga, maayos na pamamahala sa aking oras, pakikisama at higit sa lahat ang hindi mawalan ng pag-asa, he added. Reaping the fruits of his labor, Kebs finished with flying colors as a scholar at Notre Dame of Salaman College in 2006 with a bachelors degree in Secondary Education. After his service as a teacher at Notre Dame of Salaman College for six years, Kebs felt the need to expand his profession to a higher purpose. Fulfilling a greater duty, he was assigned as the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager of Lebak in 2012. Serving the communities of the remote town in Sultan Kudarat, the 28-year-old manager has been more of a servant. His daily responsibilities have given him a deep sense of pride and fulfillment as he brings back to the people what the SPES has done in his life. Now a SPES partner, PESO Manager Rusty Vilo continues to perform his role in delivering employment services to provide opportunities to poor, yet deserving, students like him who have no means but have the ability to pursue college education. Sobra ang aking pasasalamat sa programa ng DOLE na nagbigay daan para mabuo ang aking pangarap. Ngayon, bilang PESO manager, naipapaabot ko sa mga kliyente ng Department of Labor and Employment na totoong may kahihinatnan ang maliit na tulong kung may kaakibat na pagsisikap, Kebs enthused. In 2012, the DOLE Regional Offices have successfully benefitted a total of 138,635 SPES babies, or 99.03 percent, out of the 140,000 target beneficiaries. The leading gainers in terms of student-beneficiaries reached are ranked as follows: Region 7, 1st, with 16,135 students; NCR, 2nd, with 15, 441 students; Region 2, 3rd, with 10,337 students; Region 10, 4th, with 9,841 students; Region 3, 5th, with 9,574 students; Region 9, 6th, with 9,429 students; Region 8, 7th, with 9,143 students; Region 6, 8th, with 8,688 students; Region 4A, 9th, with 7,898 students; CARAGA, 10th, with 7,802 students; Region 12, 11th,

with 7,213 students; Region 4B, 12th, with 6,320 students; Region 11, 13th, with 5,904 students; Region 5, 14th, with 5,127 students; CAR, 15th, with 4,914 students; and Region 1, 16th, with 4,869 students. The SPES has definitely made a difference in the lives of m illions of Filipino students who have no means but have the ability to pursue college education, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis -Baldoz said, adding that the DOLE has targeted 180,000 student-beneficiaries for 2013. |TOP|

Purisima touts Philippines as 'Northern Gateway' to integrated ASEAN Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima highlighted the increasing prominence of the Philippine economy in ASEAN at Standard Chartereds Singapore Forum 2013 last March 20. Purisima was invited as a panelist during the panel discussion Spotlight on ASEAN, which was attended by executives from leading corporations and institutional investors throughout Southeast Asia. We in the Philippines look forward to ASEAN Integration in 2015. Our hope is that t he Philippines will be the Northern and Pacific Gateway to ASEAN. The Aquino Administration is committed to ensuring that we continue to invest in infrastructure, our people, and address the constraints to growth to ensure that our people are ready to take full advantage and be part of an integrated ASEAN., Purisima said. The ASEAN is currently pursuing regional market integration through the progress of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) inititatives, which are targeted to be accomplished by the year 2015. The AEC covers areas such as lowering of trade barriers, mutual recognition of professional standards, and capital market integrations. The ASEAN countries include the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar. ASEAN as a region collectively makes up the worlds third largest population, behind only China and India. The regions population is also one of the youngest in the world, with an average age of 27, which Purisima said put the region at an advantage versus the rest of the world. The ASEAN demographic places the region in a very strong position for growth. It is important that ASEAN integrates because our collective strengths are more formidable than our individual competencies. Purisima said. Secretary Purisima further underlined the importance of ASEANs initiatives in connectivity, We have to be connected with each other, not just through infrastructure, but also connectivity through common standards for trade and investments. Secretary Purisima was joined by co-panelists Mahendra Siregar, Vice Minister of Finance of Indonesia and David Mann, head of Asian Regional Research of Standard Chartered Bank. The panel was moderated by Nicholas Fang, the Executive Director of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs. |TOP|

Announcement: 2012 Zero-Based Budgeting studies Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph

We are pleased to announce that the 2012 Zero-Based Budgeting Studies are now available for downloading from our official website. To view and download the files, please click here and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Launched in 2010 by the Aquino administration, the Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) approach is a key reform measure that helps establish improved transparency, accountability, and openness in budget preparations. Through the ZBB, existing programs that are no longer delivering the intended results/outcomes are either terminated or scaled-down, while effective and efficient programs that need expansionparticularly those that will directly affect the poorare provided additional budget support to enhance the delivery of welfare services to the poor. The 2012 ZBB Study results will be instrumental in shaping major budgetary decisions, especially in the allocation of resources to national government agencies. The DBM contracted the services of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) to conduct ZBB studies

on the following major ongoing programs: A. Assessment of the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Cadastral Survey Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); B. Assessment of Philippine Foreign Service Posts (FSPs) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Various Departments (DOLE, DND, DA, DSWD, DTI); C. Assessment of the Efficiency and Effectiveness of the Reforestation Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); D. Cost Efficiency and Effectiveness of the Sitio or Household Electrification Program; E. Efficiency and Effectiveness Review of the Resettlement Program of the National Housing Authority (NHA); F. Impact Assessment of the Agricultural Production Support Services of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on the Income of Poor Farmers/Fisherfolk; and G. Review and Assessment of the Programs Offered by State Universities and Colleges Again, you may download these studies from our website. Thank you, and please let us know if you have questions or comments. |TOP|

Phl imports decline as purchases of oil, raw materials drop in January 2013 Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph

MANILALower volume and international prices for oil coupled with the drop in purchases of semi-processed raw materials resulted in a decline in imports in January 2013, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). These caused the lower payments for mineral fuels and lubricants and raw materials and intermediate goods that reduced total import bill in January 2013, said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan. Merchandise imports went down by 8.0 percent to US$4.7 billion in January 2013 from the US$5.1 billion recorded during the same month last year. Petroleum crude payments declined by 45.3 percent during the period on account of lower import volume and international price of Dubai crude, which fell by 45.5 percent and 2.0 percent year-on-year, respectively. These made the value of overseas purchases of mineral fuels and lubricants drop by 30.0 percent (US$924.9 million) for the period from US$1.3 billion in January 2012. Likewise, semi-processed raw inputs decreased by 10.3 percent that pushed down imports of raw materials and intermediate goods by 7.8 percent to US$1.8 billion in January 2013 from US$1.9 billion in the same period last year. These inputs include materials/accessories for the manufacture of electrical equipment, which declined by 29.8 percent in January 2013. The drop in overseas purchases of materials/accessories for the manufacture of electrical equipment seems to indicate a possible sluggish export performance of electronic products in the first quarter of 2013, said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General. With the imports performance, the trade-in goods deficit narrowed to US$713.9 million from US$1.0 billion in January 2012. However, higher imports of consumer goods and capital goods partially moderated the drop in imports during the period, the Cabinet official said. Imports for consumer goods grew by 19.5 percent year-on-year to US$622.4 million while capital goods reached US$1.4 billion (3.0%) in January 2013. Higher inward shipments of passenger cars and motorized cycle (21.1%), home appliances (99.6%) and miscellaneous manufactures (7.8%) supported the growth in payments for durable consumer goods (22.3%).

Also, increased inward shipments of beverages and tobacco manufactures (115.9%), articles of apparel (40.0%), fruits and vegetables (18.7%) and, fish and fish preparations (29.8%), increased the payments for imported non-durable consumer products (16.8%). The higher spending for imported consumer products partly ref lects the generally optimistic expectations of consumers, on the back of macroeconomic improvements recorded in the previous year, said Balisacan. Furthermore, the increase in import payments for power generating and specialized machines (12.2%), aircraft, ships and boats (50.6%) and land transportation equipment excluding passenger cars and motorized cycle (11.6%) buoyed the growth of payments for imported capital goods in January 2013. The increase in payments for imported capital goods was supported by continuously upbeat outlook on the macroeconomy, with the percentage of businesses with expansion plans increasing to 29.6% in the first quarter of 2013 from 28.8% in the same period in 2012, he said. As for the source of the countrys imports, the Peoples Republic of China had the highest share of 13.1 percent of the total value in January 2013. The United States of America came next with a 10.8 percent share, followed by Japan (8.9%), the Republic of Korea (8.5%) and Taiwan (7.1%). |TOP|

GPH-MC to orient local human rights monitors in Bohol Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph

The Government of the Philippines Monitoring Committee (GPH-MC) for the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) will conduct two-day refresher courses on human rights (HR) and international humanitarian law (IHL) principles for eight municipalities that have been added to the network of the Local Monitoring Board (LMB) of Bohol. This (refresher training) is a continuing effort of Bohol to make people aware of human rights and their observance, said Romeo S. Teruel, former coordinator of the Bohol LMB and current member of its fact-finding team. The training will be held today and tomorrow. Conceived as a mechanism to implement the HR agenda of the peace process in the provincial and municipal level, the Bohol LMB was established in 2005 covering six municipalities. The LMB is composed of local government and civil society representatives who are tasked to educate stakeholders on HR-IHL principles, monitor HR violations, and conduct fact-finding missions jointly with the Bohol Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC). According to Teruel, since the establishment of the Bohol LMB, violations of hum an rights have been substantially reduced so much so that no report has been received for more than a year now. Apart from the CARHRIHL orientation, the GPH-MC will train Bohols municipal local government operations officers (MLGOOs), social welfare development officers (MSWDOs), and public information officers (MPIOs) on the AntiTorture Act (R.A. 9745), the law punishing war crimes, genocide and other crimes against humanity (R.A. 9851), and the Anti-Enforced/Involuntary Disappearance law (R.A. 10353). The Bohol Provincial Police Office will train the LMB officers on fact-finding and investigation. The objective of this training is to enable the LMB members to relate the various violations of CARHRIHL with the provisions of the relevant HR laws, said GPH-MC Secretariat Head Atty. Jaime C.N. Arroyo. It also opens the possibility of submitting any reported violations to law enforcement agencies for investigation and prosecution and thereby improving overall accountability for any and all human rights violations,whether committed by state or nonstate agents, added Atty. Arroyo. The GPH-MC conducts trainings, meetings and fora in its advocacy for respect for HR and IHL principles. Its other initiatives include a Complaints Monitoring Working Group that enhances validation, investigation and further actions on HR-IHL violation complaints submitted to the GPH-MC.The working group is composed of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Armed Forces of the Philippines Human Rights Office (AFP HRO) and the Philippine National Police Human Rights Affairs Office (PNP HRAO). Additionally, the GPH-MC represents the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in the Inter-Agency Council (IAC), formed by President Aquino in November 22, 2012 (Administrative Order 35) to re-open and prosecute cold cases on extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture. The CARHRIHL was signed by both the government (GPH) and the National Democratic Front (NDF), the latter

representing the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New Peoples Army in 1998 as part of the process to end the armed conflict. CARHRIHL seeks to uphold principles of human rights and international humanitarian law in the context of armed conflict. |TOP|

Always outnumbered but never outfought Source: http://pnp.gov.ph

This is the great motto of the defunct Philippine Constabulary, the forerunner of what is now the Philippine National Police. A brave policeman lived up to the motto of his forerunners when he showed that despite being outnumbered by the enemy, he was never outfought. Police Officer 1 Roel Obud Armecin, 28 years old, single, BS Education graduate and a 2010 PNP recruit displayed this indomitable courage as he singlehandedly fought a group of at least fifteen members of the communist New Peoples Army which raided and ransacked his Community Police Assistance Center or COMPAC in Tboli, South Cotabato yesterday, March 20, 2012, at 11:45 in the morning. The raiders are believed to be members of Front Committee 73 led by Antonio ALBOTRA alias Warren and Southern Alip Regional Guerilla Unit-Far South or SARGU-FS led by Ronie NAYRE alias Joy Joy. They raided the COMPAC of T'boli Municipal Police Station located at Brgy. Sinolon, T'boli, South Cotabato. They were all armed with AK 47 and other assorted firearms and arrived on board a white Isuzu Elf truck. They lobbed a grenade and fired inside the COMPAC then forcibly destroyed the cabinets and carted away the cal 45 pistol issued to PO3 German L Golingay, three sets of PNP uniforms, wallet and mobile phone of PO1 Roel O Armecin, personal money amounting to one thousand pesos, identification cards, ATM cards and personal items owned by PO3 Golingay and PO1 Armecin. Both were the COMPAC duty personnel during the incident. They are not active combatants against the communist New Peoples Army but are merely assigned in the barangay to attend to residents seeking police assistance. The COMPACs base radio was damaged by gunfire. The shotguns issued to the two policemen were likewise damaged and rendered useless after being hit by enemy fire. Golingay and Armecin were able to seek cover and were unhurt. Armecin, despite the numerically superior enemy strength and firepower, exchanged fire with the raiders using his personally owned licensed cal. 45 pistol. I saw two of the raiders fall down after I hit them with my cal 45 pistol, Armecin told Police Chief Superintendent Charles T Calima Jr., the Regional Director of Police Regional Office 12 based in General Santos City. Calima immediately proceeded to the COMPAC upon learning of the incident. He was at the headquarters of the South Cotabato Provincial Police Office in Koronadal City, the capital of South Cotabato, to install Police Senior Superintendent Romeo C Ver as the new South Cotabato Police Provincial Director vice Police Senior Superintendent Randolf R Delfin who was promoted in position as Regional Chief of the Directorial Staff of Police Regional Office 12 which has jurisdiction over General Santos City, Cotabato City and the provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato. Very quickly, Col Romeo Ver was formally installed. I ordered the immediate reinforcement of the COMPAC and the blocking of all possible exit points of the NPA raiders. We then cut short our speeches, organized our movement very swiftly and proceeded to the COMPAC to check on our troops and personally direct hot pursuit operations, Calima said. After robbing the policemen of their personal belongings, the NPA raiders lobbed three more fragmentation hand grenades then withdrew on board the same white Isuzu elf truck that they used in getting to the COMPAC. Fortunately, all the three grenades failed to explode. The raiders later sh outed, Mabuhay ang NPA. Witnesses saw at least two of the raiders lying wounded on the floor of the getaway truck. Witnesses also reported seeing at least ten other NPA members who were positioned several hundred meters away, waiting in ambush for the arrival of reinforcing government forces. Aurelio Dao, a 40-year old innocent civilian, sustained gunshot wound on his left foot. Local residents brought him to the nearest hospital for medical treatment. Pursuing policemen from South Cotabato Provincial Police Office and the Regional Public Safety Battalion conducted hot pursuit operations and recovered one dead body confirmed by Armecin to be one of the NPA raiders that he shot. Found from his clothes were live rounds for AK 47 and a mobile phone that contained video footages of NPAs undergoing tactical training. The cadaver, which is currently at Saint Peter Funeral Homes at Surallah, South Cotabato, remains unidentified. The Explosives and Ordnance Team of South Cotabato PNP who were recently trained and equipped by the United States Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program rendered safe procedure by blasting in place the three unexploded fragmentation hand grenades. Other items recovered were 370 fired cartridges for AK 47 and 2 loaded magazines for AK 47 rifle. I will be recommending Armecin for meritorious promotion. He is a source of pride and inspiration for all of us in the Philippine National Police, Ver, the newly installed Provincial Director of South Cotabato Provincial Police Office, said. Delfin, the outgoing Provincial Director, said that he is extremely happy that the PNP Handgun Marksmanship Training that he has consistently conducted monthly to hone the shooting skills of his personnel is bearing fruit. Armecin just

graduated from our Handgun Marksmanship Training. His training surely increased his confidence level, that was why he was able to maintain his cool and perform well under great pressure, Delfin said. Truly, Armecin makes the PNP organization proud. Always outnumbered, but never outfought. He truly lived to our old motto and he deserves to be called a police hero: undaunted in the face of mortal danger, so that the community that he serves will be a safer place to live, work, visit and do business Calima added. Calima further said that they will be filing criminal charges for robbery in band and other charges against the NPA raiders. He also ordered all the Chiefs of Police in South Central Mindanao to be on alert and be prepared for any NPA atrocities that may be committed in line with the celebration of the NPA Anniversary on March 29. |TOP|

Philippines energizes bilateral relations with pacific neighbors Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph

27 March 2013 - Officers from the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs (ASPAC) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) embarked on an official visit to the Federated States of Micronesia from March 04 to 06 and to the Republic of the Marshall Islands from March 07 to 09. The visit aimed to energize bilateral relations and explore new areas of cooperation between the Philippines and the abovementioned countries. The ASPAC team, led by Executive Director Bernardita L. Catalla, met with top-ranking government officials of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. The team met with Micronesias Foreign Secretary Lorin Robert on March 05 and paid a courtesy call on Marshall Islands President Christopher Loeak and Foreign Minister Phillip Muller on March 07. Among the important bilateral matters discussed during the meetings were the possibility of pursuing cooperation on fisheries and providing assistance in capacity-building on technical areas between the Philippines and the two countries. They also discussed the prospect of establishing a bilateral mechanism that will regularize and strengthen engagement between the DFA and the foreign ministries of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. More specifically, the ASPAC team offered the Philippines excellent, yet affordable, services and faci lities for health and wellness services and encouraged the two governments to send their scholars/students to the Philippines for higher learning, especially in teacher education and training. For their part, the top officials of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands lauded the Filipinos contribution to their respective countries. President Loeak described Filipinos as the builders of Marshall Islands while Secretary Robert noted that Filipinos, are not merely spectators but players in Micronesian development. There are around 600 Filipinos in the Marshall Islands. Filipinos are credited for building the Marshall Islands vital infrastructure such as the airport, seaports, roads, government offices and buildings, among others. Filipino doctors and nurses are employed in Marshall Islands government hospital. Filipinos can also be found in government and private offices working as accountants and production and technical staff. There are also seafarers, fisheries technicians and fishermen, Marshall Islands having the third largest open registry of sea vessels in the world. Filipino workers in Micronesia, numbering to about 1400, are professionals and highly-skilled, such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical technologists, educators, accountants, engineers, mechanics and construction technicians, and some are highly-placed officials in government. During the official visit, Executive Director Catalla also met with Micronesias Acting Justice Secretary Leonito Bacalando, Jr., Social Security Deputy Administrator Dernista Capelle and MiCare Administrator Nena Nena, and the Marshall Islands Bilateral Affairs Director Anjanette Katill. The topics discussed in these meetings were labor and immigration matters, social security concerns of Filipinos and the improvement of the medical referral system. The visit to Micronesia and the Marshall Islands completed ASPACs initial mission to invigorate the Philippines bilateral relations with its Pacific neighbors. Earlier, ASPAC Assistant Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro led an official visit to Palau from February 27 to March 01. Since the closure of the Philippine Embassy in Koror, Palau on 31 July 2012, the DFA, through ASPAC, has taken over direct management of the Philippines bilateral relations with Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. |TOP|

Philippines, Brazil sign MOU on sports cooperation Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph

27 March 2013 - Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Ricardo Garcia and the National Secretary of Brazil's Ministry of Sports, Toninho Nascimento, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Sports Cooperation at the Ministry of Sport in Brasilia, Brazil on March 22. Chairman Garcia said, "The MOU between the PSC and Brazil's Ministry of Sport will open doors to cooperation between both countries in the area of sports." The MOU will provide the Philippines and Brazil with a framework for sports cooperation through the exchange of expertise in areas such as institutional cooperation; science and technology applied to sports; sports medicine; combating doping; using sports as a tool for social inclusion; and training of sports specialists and practitioners. The signing of the MOU was preceded by a meeting between the Philippine delegation and Brazil's Ministry of Sports and Ministry of External Relations. During the meeting both sides discussed ways by which the MOU can be implemented. A key aspect of the cooperation program will be in the form of technical support from Brazil, particularly in the areas of football and beach volleyball. The initial step will involve assessment and consultations by both sides in order to identify needs and requirements. "We need to know first what needs to be done so that we can develop a specific project or program in that area. Once we have developed a specific proposal or program, we then proceed to implementation in partnership with our Brazilian counterparts." Chairman Garcia said. "Our collaboration with Brazil will focus in two areas, high performance training and using sports as a tool for social inclusion. We would like to concentrate these efforts at the youth levels and the grassroots. Brazil and the Philippines both share the view that sports is a powerful tool in nation-building and an effective mechanism in addressing social issues such as criminality, drugs, gangs, homelessness and out of school youths." Chairman Garcia added. These activities are part of the PSC's Technical Mission to South America. The Philippine delegation to Brazil is headed by Chairman Garcia, and includes PSC Executive Director Atty. Gillermo Iroy, Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Eva Betita, Director Gines Gallaga of the Department of Foreign Affairs' South America Division and Vice Consul Carlyn Monastrial of the Philippine Embassy in Brasilia. After Brazil, the PSC Technical Mission will be proceeding to Buenos Aires, Argentina. |TOP|

DOST teams up with major cable providers for 24/7 weather channel Source: http://www.dost.gov.ph

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has sealed an agreement with the countrys biggest cable provider alliance, the Philippine Cable Television Associati on, Inc. (PCTA), to create DOSTv, a 24/7 cable weather information channel to complement the services of DOSTs main weather agency, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). DOSTv shall broadcast accurate and up-to-date weather information of PAGASA, along with hourly satellite and Doppler images and weather sensors data from the Program NOAH website. NOAH, or the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards, is DOSTs flagship program for disaster prepar edness under the directive of President Benigno Aquino III. The partnership between DOST and PCTA was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) recently during the PCTA 2013 Convention at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. This partnership significantly contributes to our ongoing efforts to mitigate the destructive effects of natural calamities such as typhoons and monsoon rains under the backdrop of climate change, said DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo. DOSTv will be administered by the Departments information arm, the Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII) and is scheduled to debut this May 2013, to be carried by around 90 percent of PCTAs cable

franchisers. PCTA has more than 300 cable provider members all over the archipelago, according to PCTA Chairman Engr. Elpidio M. Paras. Apart from DOSTv, PCTA members in the MOA also agree to host stations weather data gathering sensors, servers, and equipment to be provided by PAGASA, especially for its regional offices unreached areas and to improve the weather agencys forecast capabilities. This is an important milestone for the cable industry as it is for the economy. Our lives are greatly affected by weather and climate, especially those in the regions whose primary source of income is agriculture, PCTA Chairman Paras. DOST-STII Director Raymund E. Liboro meanwhile stressed that now is the time to look for means to increase the risk perception, mitigate the hazard, and prepare communities as unprecede nted meteorological events have recently struck the country. Program NOAH Executive Director Dr. Mahar Lagmay presented during said convention a brief shocking footage of people being swept away to their deaths by even a knee-level flashflood. Had these people known the danger of an impending flashflood, they would have run in time for safety, he said. It is what were trying to avoidthe surprisefor it is what causes disasters and loss of lives. We simply cannot stress enough the importance of inform ation. PCTA Chairman Paras also cited the importance of collaboration with weather and disaster experts, noting Cagayan de Oros recent linkage with PAGASA and Program NOAH. According to him, the linkage spurred by Cagayan de Oros devastating experience with typhoon Sendong enabled a two-hour warning before typhoon Pablo of last year hit the city, and resulted in zero casualties. An unprepared neighbor, Compostela Valley, unfortunately, was left with a many fatalities, he said. |TOP|

American pedophile nabbed in Davao Source: http://immigration.gov.ph

Agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested an overstaying American pedophile who has been the object of complaints by his neighbors in Davao for inflicting harm and abuse on minors. BI Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. identified the American as Leslie Allen Hardy, 55, who is now detained at the immigration jail in Bicutan, Taguig following his arrest in Malita, Davao Occidental last March 1. David said he ordered the Hardys arrest at the request of residents in his barrio who complained about his indecent behavior and sexual advances towards minors. It was also alleged that the American sexually molested his own minor son and refused to have the child treated for the urinary tract infection he suffered. We will deport for being an undesirable alien and for overstaying in the country for more than three years, David said. Investigation revealed that Hardy last arrived in the country on February 2010 and did not bother to extend his visa since his authorized stay expired in April that year. Atty. Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, BI acting intelligence chief, said the American recently managed to convince the parents of a 14-year-old girl to have the latter legally adopted by him in the guise of helping the child who was suffering from sleep apnea and malnutrition. They were already processing the adoption papers when the parents decided to cancel their agreement upon learning that the man who would adopt their child was a pe dophile, Mangrobang said. The BI official urged the public to report to the bureau the presence and activities of undesirable aliens in their communities. We encourage the public to help us enforce our immigration laws on aliens who violate them. Repo rt them to us and we will act, Mangrobang said. |TOP|

DA allots P15M for mango farmers Source: http://www.da.gov.ph

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allotted an initial P10 million (M) this year to support the initiatives of a national mango farmers group, and provided P5-million worth of farm equipment and inputs during a recent mango congress. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the P10 M will fund the major projects of the Philippine Mango Industry Foundation, Inc. (PMIFI) that include planting of recommended mango seedlings, provision of postharvest equipment and facilities, marketing assistance, and capacity-building of PMIFI members, particularly provincial mango growers associations and cooperatives. The DA through its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) provided the amount to PMIFI President Virginia de la Fuente, through a memorandum of agreement, signed during the 15th National Mango Congress, March 20, 2013, at the Ramon Magsaysay Technological University Gym in Iba, Zambales. Formed in 2001, the PMIFI is composed of more than 1,000 farmer-members nationwide, belonging to 15 mango growers associations and federations. During the congress, Secretary Alcala also raffled off to participants P5-million worth of farm equipment and inputs that included 50 power sprayers, 10 knapsack sprayers, 200 bags of flower-inducers, 10,000 mango seedlings, and 10 draft carabao with implements. The DA-HVCDP also provided Zambales farmers with 50,000 mango seedlings. Secretary Alcala urged mango farmers to consider integrating other income-generating projects with their orchard like apiculture or honey bee production, and raising poultry, goats and sheep. They may also consider transforming their mango farm into an agro-tourism site, particularly during harvest season. For her part, HVCDP national program coordinator Jennifer Remoquillo said the DA aims to help prop up the countrys mango industry by providing needed interventions to attain major targets under the mango commodity road map, that include increasing production and exports of fresh and processed mangoes by five percent (%) annually, and per capita consumption from 8.5 kilograms (kg) to 11.5 kg. Last year, the country produced 767,851 metric tons (MT) of mangoes. Of these, $58-million worth of fresh (17,908 MT valued at $14M) and dried (4,855 MT valued at $44M) mangoes were exported to various countries, from January to October 2012, according to NSO foreign trade statistics. The DA-HVCDP under its four-year road map targets to increase mango production to 955,823 MT this year, and 5% more annually, up to 1.1 million MT by 2016, Remoquillo said. To further improve the quality of Philippine mangoes for both domestic and export markets, the DA-HVCDP is funding several researches through the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), which include cultivar development, improvement of peel thickness, color, sweetness, and resistance to pests and diseases like anthracnose and mango seed and pulp weevils.

The three-day 15th national mango congress was attended by more than 500 mango growers and industry stakeholders, local government officials led by Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane, and mango experts and resource persons, who discussed updates on sustainable and profitable mango production, raising organic mangoes, and trends in post harvest technologies, processing and marketing. (Catherine N. Nanta, DA-AFIS) |TOP|

PH Tourism achieves back-to-back record growth Source: http://www.tourism.gov.ph

International visitors to the Philippines for the first two months of the year closed at another record high of 854,187 or a double-digit growth of 10.5% from 772,989 of the same period in 2012. The country extended its record-breaking run by surpassing the 400,000 arrival mark for both January (436,079 arrivals) and February, making it three months in a row since December 2012 with 442,088 arrivals an uptrend that is expected to continue until the summer months.

Visitor arrivals for February 2013 soared 15.52% with 418,108 arrivals, marking the first time that this month achieved more than 400,000 visitors. The Chinese New Year stimulated the growth during the month, with Hong Kong posting a 93.80% growth rate, China registering 69.87%, Macau at 44.05%, and Taiwan at 20.67%. Countries from the ASEAN region likewise registered double-digit gains. For the period January to February 2013, Korea remained the top contributor with 241,116 visitors, growing by 25.6% and cornering slightly more than a quarter of the total inbound traffic. The second largest yield came from the United States with 120,868 or 14.2% of the visitor count. Arrivals from Japan comprised the third biggest arrivals of 73,621 visitors. The list is followed by China with 69,610; Taiwan with 37,921; Australia with 34,095; Singapore with 25,800; Canada with 25,338; Hongkong with 23,097; Malaysia with 18,947; United Kingdom with 18,563; and Germany with 13,774. Double-digit gains were also experienced in significant source markets such as India (24.99%), Russian Federation (23.97%), Malaysia (23.42%), Hongkong (18.92%), Singapore (14.47%), and Australia (11.43%) from January to February 2013. By regional grouping, the ASEAN market posted an 18.5% overall growth with the East Asian region recording a 14.57% increase. Our tourism numbers are now reaching unprecedented heights. We have a target of 5.5 million this year and 10 million by 2016. Our efforts are in full swing to raise greater demand, facilitate entry and access to the different destinations, and for our suppliers and host communities to come together and create fun-filled experiences. We need to seize this momentum of rising global attention to reach more markets and bring about conv ersion, said Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. At the same time, front-loading infrastructure projects should address connectivity and multi-modal access. Market development will also work to punch deeper into the segments of traditional markets while creating interest in highpotential emerging markets, the tourism chief added. With the recent lifting of the Significant Safety Concerns (SSCs) by the United Nations - International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Philippines can look forward to regaining Category I status from the US Federal Aviation Administration and the subsequent lifting of the European Union (EU) ban. The rationalization of the Common Carriers Tax (RA 10376), which was signed into law by President Benigno S. Aquino III earlier this month, is also seen to aid in improving and enhancing the countrys competitiveness in the international travel arena. With these two major milestones, we shall see greater traffic to and from more destinations, stimulating more business for both foreign and local carriers. With the upward trend in visitor arrivals and recent surge in real estate development, airline companies will begin to see the viability to fill our capacities and make the Philippines a part of their primary route offering. It will be an interesting four years in the run up to our 2016 goal, Secretary Jimenez added. |TOP|