Aguinaldo Shrine

Pagsanjan Falls

Taal Lake

Antipolo Church

Lucban Pahiyas Feast

PIA Calabarzon 6 PRs ( March 7 , 2013),Dispatch for March 8 , 2013 (Friday),

PCOO 15 Photonews , One PNOY Speech , 7 Weather Watch, 9 Regl.Watch / 6 OFW Watch , 15 Online News

Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's photo.

4 hours ago

PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST

Issued At: 5:00 p.m., 07 March 2013 SYNOPSIS: Northeast Monsoon affecting Luzon. FORECAST: Eastern Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy with scattered light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon will have cloudy skies with light rains.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over the eastern section of Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast to north with slight to moderate seas. GALE WARNING: Strong to gale force wind is expected to affect the eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas. Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.

Weather Watch
3 hours ago

GMA: -resident weather forecaster Nathaniel Cruz:

Inaasahan muli ang pagbabalik ng hanging amihan na iiral sa Luzon, lalo na sa hilagang bahagi. -Posibleng hindi pa matuloy ang pagpasok ng panahon ng tag-init dahil maaaring magpatuloy ang epekto ng amihan hanggang sa susunod na linggo. -Ang Eastern Visayas at Mindanao ay makakaranas ng maulap na may kalat-kalat na mahina hanggang sa katamtamang pagulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog. -Ang Cagayan Valley, Kabikulan at ang mga lalawigan ng Aurora at Quezon ay magkakaroon ng maulap na papawirin na may mahinang pag-ulan. -Ang Metro Manila at ang natitirang bahagi ng bansa ay magiging bahagyang maulap na may pulu-pulong pag-ulan o pagkidlat-pagkulog. -Naglabas ang PAGASA ng gale warning sa eastern seaboards ng Luzon at Visayas.

Weather Watch
14 hours ago

GMA-7 resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz on 24 Oras:

- Patuloy na makakaapekto sa panahon ng bansa ang pagsasanib ng Hanging Amihan at easterlies. Partikular na maapektuhan nito ang silangang bahagi ng Luzon na makakaranas ng maulap na panahon na may mahinang pag-ulan. Kabilang dito ang Cagayan Valley, Bicol region pati na rin ang mga lalawigan ng Aurora at Quezon. - Mababa naman ang tsansang umulan sa Metro Manila. - Magiging maulap naman ang panahon sa Visayas na may mahina hanggang sa katamtamang pag-ulan dahil naman sa epekto ng amihan at easterlies. - Makakaranas naman ng makulimlim na kalangitan at pag-ulan ang Mindanao dahil sa easterlies.

Weather Watch
14 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Naitala ang temperaturang 29.9 degrees Celsius sa Metro Manila ngayong araw na mas malamig kumpara
kahapon. Gayunman, sa weekend ay tinatayang hihina na ang Hanging Amihan at papasok na ang easterlies kaya asahan na ang mas mainit pang panahon. Samantala, magiging maaraw naman ang panahon bukas sa Boracay.

Weather Watch
15 hours ago

ANC:

Weather Watch
13 hours ago

DZBB: PAGASA weather forecaster Fernando Cada on DZBB:

- Ang Silangang Visayas at Mindanao ay makakaranas ng maulap na kalangitan na may mahina hanggang sa katamtamang pag-ulan na may kasamang pagkidlat at pagkulog. - Ang Cagayan Valley, Bicol region at mga lalawigan ng Aurora at Quezon ay makakaranas ng maulap na kalangitan na may mahinang pag-ulan. - Ang Metro Manila at ang natitirang bahagi ng bansa may makakaranas ng bahagyang maaliwalas na panahon na may pulupulong pag-ulan.

Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's status.

23 hours ago

THUNDERSTORM INFORMATION:
Issued at 10:00 AM, 07 March 2013 Thunderstorm is less likely to develop in Metro Manila within 12 hours. However, all are still advised to continue monitoring updates.

Weather Watch
20 hours ago

NDRRMC OPCEN: ((07MAR2013-03) SPECIAL WEATHER FORECAST FOR COMPOSTELA VALLEY AND DAVAO ORIENTAL
issued at 10AM today. Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley will be cloudy with light to moderate rains (1.0-7.5 mm/hr) today and tomorrow. Winds will be moderate to strong northeasterlies with moderate to rough seas. EXTENDED WEATHER OUTLOOK: Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental will be partly cloudy to at times cloudy with isolated rainshowers on Saturday (March 09) and Sunday (March 10).

3 hours ago BATANGAS : CAVITE : LAGUNA : QUEZON : RIZAL :

Mostly Cloudy Fair Weather

PIA Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: 1.
Isa sa bahagi ng plano ng DOST ang paghikayat sa mga negosyante na maisaayos ang pagpapapaganda ng produkto sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng makabagong teknolohiya.Tiniyak din ng ahensya na mura lamang ito bukod pa sa mas nagiging maganda ang kita kapag sumailalim sa ganitong pamamaraan. 21 hours ago

PIA Regional Watch

18 hours ago

PIA-4A/LAGUNA:
1. In a meeting held at the Provincial Veterinarian's Office (PVO), Dr. Michael Cortez, provincial asst. veterinarian, stated that their Office has been conducting anti-rabies advocacy campaign throughout the province. So far, Dr. Cortez said, his Office has already conducted 70 orientations with 11, 807 participants for the year 2012. 15 hours ago

PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago

PIA 4A/RIZAL .: DTI Rizal, BFAR-NIFTC and the Rizal provincial government is currently holding the Rizal Agri Pangasius
Cooking Challenge at the Multipurpose Hall, Rizal Provincial Capitol, Antipolo City. Women contestants from the province's towns and city will be cooking meals made from pangasius and kalabasa to help promote the products and as an activity held in line with International Women's Day.

PIA Regional Watch

18 hours ago

PIA-4A/CAVITE:
1. A first successful surveillance audit on several offices was recently carried out at the provincial government by the Anglo Japanese American Registrar to ensure the latter is adhering to relevant ISO standards and requirements given to the province last year. It was the first surveillance audit of the provincial government since its certification on the third of May last year and the first ISO certified provincial government in the Philippines. 18 hours ago

2. The municipal government of Carmona was adjudged by DILG (CALABARZON Region IV-A) as the Regional and the National Winner for the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi - Municipal level category. Said achievement indicates the local government's high degree of commitment and dedication in achieving the goal to become one of the best municipalities not only in Region IV-A, but also in the whole country. 18 hours ago

PIA Regional Watch

PIA-4A/QUEZON:
1. The local governments of Macalelon and Padre Burgos called the attention of maritime police to intensify campaign to control illegal fishing in the said towns. Many fishermen from other towns are engage illegal fishing in the sea waters of the said towns. 17 hours ago 2. The municipal government of Pagbilao will require all residents in this town to plant a tree before they avail or get any legal clearances from the local offices. This will help to reforest the idle lots in this town. 17 hours ago 3. Quezon governor David Suarez led the inauguration of the first ever computer laboratory in Padre Burgos central elementary school, Padre Burgos,Quezon last March 1. Said computer laboratory is part of the serbisyong Suarez for education program in the province which aims to help elementary students of Padre Burgos town to become computer literate. 21 hours ago 4. The Lucena city library offers free internet access through its city cybrary to elementary, high school or college students in Lucena City. Said library with 14 computer units accommodates more than 200 students daily to assist the students in their research work. 22 hours ago

PIA OFW Watch

PIA OFW Watch

3 hours ago

DZBB: Ikinatuwa ngayon ng isang grupo ng mga OFW sa Gitnang Silangan ang napaulat na pagpapalabas ng COMELEC ng
bagong resolusyon na makabobotong muli ang 238,000 overseas absentee voters.

PIA OFW Watch

14 hours ago

GMA-7: Batay sa ulat na nakarating sa pamahalaan kaugnay sa nangyaring pagdukot sa 21 Pinoy peacekeepers sa Golan
Heights, nahuli ang mga ito makaraang dumaan sa ikalawang checkpoint ng mga rebeldeng Syrian. Dalawang beses umanong dumaan sa checkpoint ng mga rebelde ang mga Pinoy subalit pinakawalan naman sila sa unang checkpoint. Nagtungo umano sa Golan Heights ang mga Pinoy bilang bahagi ng logistics run at bagaman nakasuot sila ng protective gear ay hindi naman sila armado. Samantala, ayon sa impormasyong nakarating Pangulo, maganda umano ang tinatakbo ng negosasyon para mapalaya ang mga ito.

PIA OFW Watch

18 hours ago

DFA Press Conference live on GMA News TV

DFA spokesman Asec. Raul Hernandez: Re: 21 Pinoy peacekeepers abducted by Syrian rebels -The apprehension and illegal detention of Filipino peacekeepers are a gross violation of international law. -The Philippines is working very closely with the UN, US, UK, France and Germany for the early release of the Filipino peacekeepers. -DFA Sec. Albert del Rosario spoke with UN Sec. Gen. Ban Ki Moon to express deep concern for illegal detention of 21 Pinoy peacekeepers. -The information that we have gathered is that this armed group detained the Pinoy peacekeepers because of their demand re: positioning of Syrian forces. -No demands as far as monetary compensation is concerned. -We have been informed that the Filipinos are unharmed, and are being treated as visitors and guests. -The whole negotiation is being done by the UN peacekeeping force. -This incident happened in Al-Jamal, part of Golan Heights. -I am not sure if the families were already informed. This will be done by AFP. -We are trying to exhaust all possible avenues for us to be assisted and supported for the immediate release of our peacekeepers. -We are hoping that their release will be very soon. -No deadline was set for the negotiation. -We don't know what exactly happened in that area in Al-Jamal.

PIA OFW Watch

17 hours ago

DZRH:

PIA OFW Watch

14 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Hawak ngayon ng mga Syrian rebel ang may 21 Pilipinong peacekeepers sa Golan Heights. Kapalit umano ng
pagpapalaya sa mga peacekeeper ay ang pag-alis ng Syrian Army sa border ng Al Jamlah. Siniguro naman ng Palasyo na wala sa panganib ang mga Pinoy peacekeeper.

PIA OFW Watch

16 hours ago

ANC: OFWs in Malaysia have expressed mix reactions regarding the ongoing conflict between the members of Sultanate of
Sulu and the Malaysian security forces in Sabah. Some OFWs said that they are not directly affected by the conflict while

other OFWs also express their worries.

PIA OFW Watch

18 hours ago

DFA spokesman Asec. Raul Hernandez:

Re: Pinoy in Saudi death row -We will send deed of donation to Saudi Arabia for release of Dondon Lanuza. -The government has contributed about 247,000 Saudi Rial for the blood money of Lanuza. We need to send our contribution very soon to Saudi Arabia. -From the very beginning, we have been assisting Mr. Lanuza.

PIA Calabarzon 6 PRs ( March 7 ,2013),Dispatch for March 8 , 2013 (Friday),

PCOO 15 Photonews , One PNOY Speech , 7 Weather Watch, 9 Regl.Watch / 6 OFW Watch , 15 Online News

A. QUEZON
1. Tagalog news: Kagamitan para sa pagpapanatili ng kalinisan sa bundok Banahaw, ipinagkaloob sa 2 barangay sa Dolores
By Ruel M. Orinday Thursday 7th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis
DOLORES, Lungsod ng ng Quezon, Marso 7 (PIA) -- Ipinagkaloob ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Quezon noong Marso 4 ang ibat ibang kagamitan na makatutulong sa Brgy, Sta. Lucia at Kinabuhayan sa pagpapanatili ng kalinisan sa Bundok Banahaw sa Brgy. Pinagdanlayan sa bayang ito. Sinabi ni Gov. David Suarez na tuwing sasapit ang Mahal na Araw ay dinarayo ng mga deboto at mga turista ang Bundok Banahaw sa bahagi ng bayan ng Dolores. At sa pagdami aniya ng tao, hindi din naiiwasan ang pagdami ng mga basura na naiiwan sa naturang bundok. Ito aniya ang naging dahilan sa pagkakaloob ng pamahalaang panlalawigan sa pamamagitan ng Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office sa pamumuno ni Manny Calayag ng ibat ibang kagamitan na maaaring gamitin upang mapanatili ang kalinisan sa naturang bundok at maging maayos ang pamamahala ng basura dito. Kabilang sa mga kagamitang ipinagkaloob ay shredding machine, mga garden tools tulad ng wheelbarrow, crowbar, shovel, pick mattock, tongs at pati na rin mga basurahan na gagamitin upang mapaghi-hiwalay ang mga basura. Gayundin, ipinagkaloob ang 1,000 mga pananim na punong kahoy para sa bundok.

Nakiisa din sa nasabing aktibidad sina Bokal Romano Talaga, Bokal Bong Talabong, dating Bokal Liza Alvarez, dating punong lungsod ng Lucena Barbara Ruby Talaga, Punong Bayan Renato Alilio kasama ang mga miyembro ng Sangguniang Bayan ng Dolores at mga punong barangay, (RMO, PIA-Quezon at ulat mula sa Quezon PIO)

B. CAVITE
1. Carmona, 1st municipality to receive 'Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award' - DILG
Thursday 7th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis
CARMONA, Cavite, March 7 (PIA) --Carmona is the best performing municipality in the entire Philippines, the first municipality in the country to receive the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award, regional director Josefina Castilla Go of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 4A said. This was the opening statement of Go, during the Sectoral Committee on Macroeconomy and Development Administration (SCMDA) 1st quarterly meeting held recently at the municipal hall of this municipality. Said award is the generations most prestigious local government performance award that was achieved due to the best practices in promoting good governance relative to the implementation of government programs, projects, and services in the locality. The one-stop-shop program for instance can be replicated in all local government units in the region, according to Go. The Gawad is a total award concept conferred to provinces, cities and municipalities that have exhibited exemplary performance in administrative, social, economic and environmental governance. Exemplary performance information is drawn from the database of the on-line Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS), Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH), International Organization or National Government Agency-bestowed Award(s), and acknowledged innovation/s. During the meeting, Mayor Dahlia A. Loyola presented their best practices in the implementation of various programs in line with health, environment, social services, housing, investment, education, livelihood, employment, and others that eventually made the town a recipient of numerous awards and citations. Awards such as 2011 Gawad Pamana ng Lahi; Hall of Fame-Most Business-Friendly Municipality (2009,2010 &2011); Outstanding Healthy Lifestyle Advocacy Award (National Level) 2009-2011; e-gov for Municipal Development Award; Hall of Fame-Regional Best Performer in External Quality assessment in Sputum M icrospy (2008, 2009 &2010); Outstanding Cooperative Development Council (2009, 2010 &2011); 2009 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award; 2008 Apolinario Mabini National Award-Local Government Unit of the year and others were received. Meanwhile, the SCMDA meeting tackled topics that included Human Rights Policy Updates; Briefing on EO 608 and IRR; Innovation on Budgeting System; Statistical Development Updates; Local Governance Updates; SCMDA 2013 Priority Activities; Peace and Order, and Security Updates; and Regional Government Center Updates. Priority programs, projects and activities related to macroeconomy and goverance were also discussed by heads or representative of member agencies in the committee. Private Sector Representative (PSR) Andrew O. Nocon together with DILG-4A Director Josefina Castilla-Go as SCMDA chairperson and cochairperson respectively thanked the Carmona Municipal Government for hosting the 1st Quarter 2013 SCMDA meeting and the participants comprising heads and representatives of national government agencies, local government units and the private sector for their presence and active participation. (Norito A. Cabotaje, PIA4A)

2. Carmona rated 'excellent' in reducing bureaucratic red tape

By Ruel B. Francisco

Thursday 7th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis

CARMONA, Cavite, Mar 7 (PIA) --The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cavite Cluster B rated this premier municipality excellent in reducing the bureaucratic red tape in its Anti-Red Tape Act-Report Card Survey (ARTC-RCS). The excellent rate given by the DILG-Cavite Cluster B was imparted to Mayor Dahlia Loyola and the department heads during the recent exit conference held at the Penthouse of the municipal hall. Carmona scored 90.75 percent which is equivalent to Excellent in the 2012 Anti-Red Tape Act-Report Card Survey. This is 29.6 percent higher than the cut-off of 70 percent. Based on ARTA report, the said survey is part of the selection of recipients of the Seal of Good Housekeeping-Silver Level. DILG Memorandum Circular 2012-124 states the ARTA Report is a crucial criterion in the selection of recipients of the 2012 Seal of Good Housekeeping Silver Level. Initially, the report Card Survey scored the LGU in five areas: compliance with ARTA provisions, frontline service, provider, service quality, physical working condition, and overall satisfaction. Others to be surveyed by the DILG are the performances as indicated in the CSC Report Card Survey on the ARTA implementation, functionality of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), and compliance to the full disclosure policy of the local government. The ARTA-RCS score is the sum of the questionnaire or survey (80 percent) and the inspection checklist which is 20 percent; a feedback generated from a number of customer-respondents. (RF-PIA 4A, Cavite/Carmona PIO)

C. LAGUNA
1. DPWH 4A rated outstanding in quality control
By Carlo P. Gonzaga Wednesday 6th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Mar. 6 (PIA) --The regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Calabarzon was rated outstanding in the recent combined regional and district annual ratings of quality control in project implementation for calendar year 2012. Based on the findings of the audit teams of the DPWH quality assurance unit (QAU) and an outsourced quality consultant, DPWH Region 4-Calabarzon garnered 92.45 overall points for outstanding rating in the 310 assessed projects. On the other hand, the district engineering offices of Quezon 2, 3 & 4, Batangas 1 & 2, and Rizal 1 placed 2nd in the district annual ratings of quality control in project implementation. According to the DPWH, the rating of quality control performance is based on the following criteria: effectiveness of quality control implementation which covers timeliness of materials testing, compliance to quality control policies, and quality of completed; project supervision where project/resident/materials engineers and laboratory personnel are rated; and adequacy and reliability of laboratory equipment and adherence to standard sampling and testing procedures. The DPWH conducts assessment of ongoing and completed projects implemented by the department to ensure compliance to specification requirements. Last year, about 4,179 projects underwent project assessment with roads accounting for 61 percent of the total number representing 1,689 concreting and 870 asphalting works. The most common defects and deficiencies noted in the assessment of projects includes bridges, flood control, school/public buildings,

and others are concrete pavement cracking, graveling on asphalt pavements, no/insufficient mortar grout, potholes/pockmarks on asphalt pavement, no/insufficient/excessive asphalt sealant, cracking on concrete structures, cracking on asphalt pavement, and oversized/undersized boulders. The Bureau of Research and Standards of the DPWH has come up with a frequency analysis of defects/deficiencies by district office, by project engineer to address implementing office/project engineers weaknesses. (DPWH 4A/PIA 4A)

2.

Project HaNDA lifts local disaster prevention to state awareness

By Carlo P. Gonzaga Wednesday 6th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis

LOS BANOS, Laguna, Mar. 6 (PIA) --Project HaNDA, a local, wide-area coverage information system for disaster notification, has caught the attention of developers of Project NOAH. Developed by DOST IV-A in 2010 as an infosys in support of RA 10121, known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System, Project HaNDA boasts of wide-area information dissemination and feedback functionalities. The moniker translates to Hazard Notification, Dissemination, and Awareness. HaNDA can disseminate disaster-related announcements within minutes of receipt of notice from concerned agencies or from its set of weather monitoring facilities. Bulletins or advisories on earthquake, volcanic eruption, tsunami, and weather disturbance are channeled to local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officers (DRRMOs). NOAH Project Leader Dr. Mahar Lagmay noticed the potential of implementing Project HaNDA on a national scale. In addition, the NOAH team expressed their interest in integrating the system into the NOAH Program. The HaNDA infosys is backed up by Internet-based modules on dissemination, feedback, public inquiry, data storage, and education from a created knowledgebase. This year, it will be adding new features to include an Android application for feedback for reporting disaster-related incidents and weather monitoring; and Early Warning System to alert potential areas of impact of floods and landslides. Interested parties can access HaNDA at http://drrm.region4a.dost.gov.ph. To date, it has been used to disseminate a total of 269 weather bulletins to 278 recipients since Tropical Storm Chedeng last June 2011. In addition, it has received and processed 1,833 weather-related public inquiries including 3,264 requests for weather bulletins via SMS. (AMGuevarra\DOST IV-A S&T Media Service/PIA4A)

3. DOST website, most visited government site

By Carlo P. Gonzaga Wednesday 6th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis
LOS BANOS, Laguna, Mar. 6 (PIA) --The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) website, dost.gov.ph, is among the most popular government websites in the country, claiming the number two spot in terms of number of hits as of February 13. In a statement, DOST said this data was revealed by alexa.com, a leading provider of free global metrics for websites and which ranks 30 million sites all over the world. The sites overall ranking in the country as of February 13 is 288. Traffic rank per country is calculated by combining the number of average daily visitors to dost.gov.ph and number of page views on the site from Internet users in the country over a certain month. Based on statistics summary in alexa.com, visitors to the site spend approximately more than one minute per page view and a total of three minutes per site visit. The site is especially popular among Internet users in Cagayan de Oro City where it ranks number 20 and in Sucat.

Among the leading search queries for the DOST site in the past month are PAGASA, weather forecast, PAGASA weather forecast, Philippine weather, and Project NOAH, which refers to Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards. Project NOAH is one of DOSTs big-ticket projects for timely and accurate disaster prevention and mitigation. Project Noahs web portal, noah.dost.gov.ph, is among the DOST sites most visited subdomains which also include phivolcs.dost.gov.ph, pagasa.dost.gov.ph, and pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, one of DOSTs sectoral councils. DOST is the countrys main hub of science and technology activities including research, policy formulation, and program formulation to support national development via technological self-reliance and greater private sector participation in research and development. Aside from Project NOAH, the agencys other flagship projects include TeWS or Establishment of a Cost-effective Local Tsunami Early Warning System for Selected High-risk Coastal Communities of the Philippines, Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), Automated Guideway Transit, and the Balik Scientist Program. (AADLeon, DOST IV-A S&T Media Service/PIA4A)

D. BATANGAS
1. Tagalog news: Tubuan FMR sa bayan ng Lemery, binuksan sa publiko
By Mamerta P. De Castro Thursday 7th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis
LEMERY, Batangas, Marso 7 (PIA) -- Pinasinayaan kamakailan bilang hudyat ng pagbubukas sa publiko ang bagong gawang farm-to-market road (FMR) sa Barangay Tubuan sa bayang ito. Ang naturang proyekto na ipinatupad ng Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) Batangas First Engineering Office ay kombinasyon ng dalawang magkahiwalay na proyekto. Ang isa ay mula sa Various Infra Including Local Projects Upper House (VILPUH) fund na nagkakahalaga ng P1 milyon (M) at may habang 149 na metro. Ang isa naman ay mula sa Department of Agriculture projects fund na nagkakahalaga ng P10 M at may habang 736 na metro. Pinangunahan naman nina Governor Vilma Santos Recto at First District Congressman Tomas Apacible ang pagbubukas ng naturang kalsada. Kaugnay nito, nagpahayag naman ng pasasalamat ang mga residente ng barangay na kinatawan ni Barangay Captain Jaime Mortel. Aniya, ang pagsasakatuparan ng proyektong ito ay pagbibigay katuparan din sa matagal ng naisin ng mga mamamayan na mas mapadali ang kanilang biyahe sa pagpunta sa kabayanan gayundin ang pagbababa nila ng kanilang mga kalakal. Bukod pa dito, pakikinabangan din ito ng iba pang mga barangay na malapit dito. Ayon naman kay Governor Recto, upang maisulong ang mga proyektong tulad nito ang kooperasyon ay kinakailangan. Nararapat din aniyang ibigay sa mga mamamayan ang karapat dapat na paglilingkod at serbisyo. Sinabi naman ni Engr. Rosauro Adapon ng DPWH 1st DEO na patuloy ang kanilang pagseserbisyo at pagpapatupad ng mga proyekto mula sa iba't ibang pondong ibinibigay sa kanilang tanggapan para sa kapakinabangan ng mga Batangueno. Dagdag pa nito, na hangad ng kanilang tanggapan na matupad ang nakatakdang mga proyekto sa unang distrito sapagkat malaki ang magiging tulong nito sa pamumuhay at kabuhayan ng mga mamamayan. (CPG/MPDC-PIA4A Batangas)

2. Tagalog news: Produktong yari sa dahon ng tubo, tampok sa "Gawang Tuy" product expo
By Mamerta P. De Castro Thursday 7th of March 2013

TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis
LUNGOSD NG LIPA, Batangas, Marso 7 (PIA) -- Buong pagmamalaki na inilunsad ng bayan ng Tuy ang kanilang bagong produktong gawa sa pangunahing materyal na matatagpuan sa nasabing bayan. Sa pamamagitan ng paglulunsad ng Gawang Tuy product expo, ipinakita ng mga kooperatiba sa bayang ito sa Robinsons Place Lipa City sa pangunguna ni Tuy Mayor Jay Cerrado ang mga naggagandahang produkto mula sa dahon ng tubo noong ika 4 ng Marso. Mula dahon ng tubo, ipinakita rito ang mga produktong maaring gawin mula sa indigenous material na ito tulad ng table mats, lamp shades, key chains, tsinelas, basket, handbags at ibat iba pang dekorasyon sa bahay na maaring makapasok sa mga pangunahing merkado at establisimyento. Humanga sa kalidad at kakaibang gawa ng mga produkto si Batangas Governor Vilma Santos Recto na siyang naging pangunahing panauhin sa paglulunsad ng okasyon. Ipinagbigay alam nito sa mga nasa likod ng inisyatibong pagbibigay ng kabuhayan sa mga mamayan ng Tuy na buong puso ang suporta nito sa mga ganitong uri ng proyekto at nagpahayag na personal niyang tatangkilikin ang mga produktong ito. Pinasalamatan ng gobernadora ang mga ahensyang tumulong at nagbigay ng suporta, partikular ang Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Office at Provincial Cooperative and Development Office (PCDO) na siyang naging kabalikat sa inisyatibong ito ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Tuy. Binigyang diin ni Governor Santos-Recto sa mga dumalo sa okasyon ang pagbibigay ng suporta sa mga katulad na proyektong Gawang Tuy na makakatulong na magbigay ng karagdagang kabuhayan sa komunidad sa pamamagitan ng pagtangkilik sa mga gawang Batangueo. Sa pakikipagtulungan ng mga malalaking establisiyemento, tulad ng Robinsons Mall, maipapakita sa masmaraming uri ng mga mamimili ang kalidad at kagandan ng mga produkto daan upang mapasok nito ang tinatawag na mainstream market na karaniwang dinadagsa ng mga konsyumer. (CPG/Edwin V. Zabarte, Batangas PIO/PIA4A Batangas)

3. Tagalog news: Malvar, prayoridad ang kalusugan, pangangalaga sa kapaligiran at edukasyon

By Mamerta P. De Castro Thursday 7th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis
MALVAR, Batangas, Marso 7 (PIA) -- Isa sa binibigyang prayoridad sa bayang ito ang pagsusulong ng maayos na kalusugan at edukasyon ng mga mamamayan. Bunsod nito, ang kanilang health center ay 24 oras na bukas lalo na sa mga mamamayang nangangailangan ng atensyong medikal tulad ng mga emergency cases at mga buntis na manganganak. Ayon sa tala ng municipal health unit (MHU) hindi bababa sa 1,000 pataas ang bilang ng mga nagpapakonsulta kada buwan. Sinabi naman ni Mayor Carlito Reyes sa isang panayam sa kanya na may nakatalagang doktor sa kanilang health center upang siguruhin na may titingin sa mga pasyente maging ito man ay araw ng Sabado at Linggo kabilang na ang holiday. Pribilehiyo din para sa mga mamamayan dito na walang anumang binabayaran kapag nagpakonsulta o nagpagamot sa health center lalo na ang mga PhilHealth members. Para naman sa mga hindi pa miyembro ng PhilHealth, tanging ang mga gagamitin lamang na gamot at iba pang kagamitan ang kanilang bibilhin at walang anumang babayadang professional fee ng mga doktor, nars at midwife na magtitingin sa kanila. Samantala, sinabi rin ni Reyes na bukod sa kalusugan, ang edukasyon ay isa din sa kanilang prayoridad. Aniya, sa kasalukuyan ay may 93 mga iskolar ang naturang bayan kung saan may nakatalagang mga criteria para sa pagpili ng mga karapat dapat na mag-aaral. Kasama din nila sa pagpili ang mga guro, principal, district supervisor at maging isa sa mga konsehal ng bayan upang mapili ang akma sa panuntunan ng lokal na pamahalaan. Binigyang-diin niya na walang puwang ang anumang favoritism o palakasan sa programang ito sapagkat malinaw ang kanilang mga basehan sa pagpili ng nararapat na mag-aaral. Samantala, isa din sa binibigyang pansin ang pangangalaga sa kapaligiran kung saan istrikto ang lokal na pamahalaan sa pagbibigay ng permiso sa sinumang magtatayo ng negosyong tulad ng pagbababuyan kung saan isa sa nagiging apektado ay ang mga ilog dito. Isa din ang bayan ng Malvar sa mga bayang apektado ng coconut scale insects kung kaya't nakikipag-ugnayan sila sa pamunuan ng Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) para sa mga karampatang aksyon tulad ng pagpuputol ng mga niyog at pagtatanim ng panibagong

mga puno upang maiwasan ang mga peste ng niyog. (CPG/MPDC-PIA4A Batangas)

E. RIZAL
1. Tagalog news: Serbisyong panlipunan uunahin sa ika-apat na anibersaryo ng paglipat ng Kapitolyo
By Gideon Gapayao Tuesday 5th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis
LUNGSOD NG ANTIPOLO, Rizal, Marso 5 (PIA) -- Nagpalabas ng direktiba si Rizal Gob. Jun Ynares III sa mga tanggapan ng pamahalaang lalawigan na sa halip na magkaroon ng malaking pagdiriwang hinggil sa ika-apat na selebrasyon sa paglipat ng Kapitolyo ay unahin ang pagsasagawa ng mga serbisyo publiko sa buong probinsya. Sa mismong araw ng paglilipat ng pamahalaang lalawigan ng Rizal noong Marso 4, 2009, sinabi ni Provincial Health Officer Iluminado Victoria na may bagong narating o milestone ang probinsya sa pagbabasbas at pagpapasinaya ng pangpitong bagong ayos na Rizal Provincial Hospital System Antipolo Annex. Nakikita itong isang malaking tulong sa pagsusulong ng mga serbisyong medikal sa lugar. Kasabay ng inagurasyon ng ospital, ang pagsasagawa ng ibat ibang medical services tulad ng cataract screening, digital rectal exam, breast exam, ECG examination, prostate screening, breast ultrasound, pap smear, anti-pneumonia vaccination for senior citizens, free eyeglasses distribution at iba pang serbisyo ay ipinagkaloob sa mga mamamayan nang libre. Bukod sa mga serbisyong ito, ang Provincial Social and Welfare Development office ay nagsagawa din ng supplementary feeding programs sa mga daycare children na may 6-17 buwang taon. Ang mga Barangay Health Workers at Nutrition Action Officers ay tumulong sa mga gawaing ito upang magbigay ng technical assistance. (CPG/Rizal PIO)

07 MARCH 2013.

President Aquino cites support of Davaoeos in making government reforms possible President Aquino signs Common Carriers Tax Act into law President Aquino kicks off 2013 Meetings, Incentives Travel Conventions and Exhibitions/Events Convention in Davao City President Aquino announces two new members of COMELEC President Aquino orders AFP to 'reassess' sending of troops abroad President Aquino cites role of telecommunications in facilitating free flow of information

President Aquino cites support of Davaoeos in making government reforms possible (DAVAO CITY) President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the people of Davao for supporting his administrations reform program saying that with their help, his agenda of ridding government of graft and corruption is now bearing fruit. In his speech during a meeting with local leaders and the community at the Rizal Park here on Wednesday, the President said that after a little over two years in office, the benefits of an efficient and effective government that is made for the people is nearing realization. He said that through the implementation of infrastructure, education, and business programs in the province, more prosperity has been coming to the people and the province of Davao. Mula po sa ipinagkaloob ninyong tiwala noong nakaraang halalan, hanggang sa patuloy ninyong pakikiisa sa tuwid na daan, lagi po tayong makakaasa sa suportat pakikiisa ng mga Davaoeo. Daghang salamat sa mga kabag-uhan na inyong gihimo ug padayon pa nga ginahimo, the President said to delight, loud applause and cheer of the residents of Davao. Mulat po ang mga Davaoeo sa mga tagumpay na nakamit natin dahil sa pagtitiwala ninyo sa ating agenda ng mabuting pamamahala, he added. For infrastructure, the President said that since July 2011 to April 2012, the Department of Public Works and Highways has been able to repair and upgrade the five-and-a-half kilometer Digos-Makar Road, the Davao-Cotabato Road and the FatimaMalabog Road that has helped make travel time to and from the province faster and more efficient. The President, also mentioned the construction of the Davao River Flood Control project, Patitibayin natin ang mga river bank upang maiwasan ang pagragasa ng baha sa mga mababang lugar na nakapaligid sa Davao river. Kasalukuyan pong umaarangkada ang proyektong ito upang matapos ito sa Hunyo, he said. For education, the President said that the Department of Education has already constructed 220 kindergarten and elementary school classrooms to augment the existing 150 classrooms for the secondary level that forms part of the 66,800 classrooms backlog that the President expects to be completed by the end of this year. Malinaw ang hangad natin: bigyan ng sapat na kakayahan ang ating mga kabataan upang handa silang punan ang mga pagkakataong inilalatag natin para sa kanila, the President said. On the business front, the President said that the passage of the Common Carriers Tax and Tax on Gross Philippine Billings would pave the way for more positive economic activity and entice more investors to invest in the province and the country in the fields of aviation and tourism. Sa paglagda natin sa batas na ito, inaasahan nating magdudulot ito ng paglago sa ating ekonomiya, at makakahikayat ng mas marami pang namumuhunan, partikular na sa larangan ng aviation at turismo, the President said. Patunay lang po ang magagandang balitang dala natin ngayon na walang espasyo ang panlalamang at kapabayaan sa tuwid na daan. Sa mabuting pamamahala, tinatapalan natin ang mga tagas sa pondo, at idinidiretso sa mga serbisyong panlipunan na taumbayan ang nakikinabang. Sinisiguro nating bawat estatistikang pahiwatig ng kaunlaran, ay may katumbas na pagkakataong umasenso si Juan dela Cruz, he concluded. PND (rck)
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President Aquino signs Common Carriers Tax Act into law DAVAO CITY) President Benigno S. Aquino III signed on Thursday Republic Act No. 10374, otherwise known as the Common Carriers Tax Act, which rationalizes the taxes paid by international carriers in the country. In ceremonies held at the SMX Convention Center of the SM Lanang Premiere shopping mall here, President Aquino signed the consolidated versions of House Bill No. 6022 and Senate Bill No. 3343 now known as An Act Recognizing the Principle of Reciprocity as Basis for the Grant of Income Tax Exemptions to International Carriers and Rationalizing Other Taxes Imposed Thereon by Amending Sections 28(A)(3)(a), 109, 11 and 236 of the National Internal Revenue Code, as Amended, and For Other Purposes. Under the new legislation, foreign carriers both air and shipping are exempted from paying the three percent Common Carriers Tax (CCT) imposed on passenger traffic only. Carriers will also be VAT (value added tax) exempt for the transport of passengers.

The removal of CCT takes away the primary constraint on foreign carriers capacity growth and places the Philippines on an almost level playing field with that of other countries. In his speech, the President said that the passage of this law will only bring in more traffic, and facilitate connectivity among our countries. Today, you also witnessed the signing into law of Senate Bill No. 3343 or House Bill No. 6022. Once it takes effect, this law will exempt all international and shipping carriers from paying the three percent common carriers tax on receipts and income derived from transporting passengers. The carriers are also exempted from paying tax on the gross revenue derived from the carriage of passengers, cargo, or mailprovided that the same exemption is granted by the carriers home country to the Philippines, the President said. With this bill, everybody wins from our aviation industries, to our tourism industries, to the millions of our peoples who will have greater freedom in planning their trips, he added. PND (rck)
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President Aquino kicks off 2013 Meetings, Incentives Travel Conventions and Exhibitions/Events Convention in Davao City DAVAO CITY) President Benigno S. Aquino III led the opening ceremonies for the 2013 Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions/Events Convention (MICECON) held at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premiere here on Thursday. Joining the President for the ceremonial kickoff were Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and members of the House and Senate led by House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and Senator Franklin Drilon. In his speech, the President urged the participants to set aside competing with other industry players and come up with better products and services which can attract more tourists and domestic visitors in the coming years. The good news is that opportunities for success in tourism abound for all of us in the Asia-Pacific. In recent years, the rest of the world has increasingly turned to usnot only for the relative stability that makes our countries conducive to investments, but also because of our unique tourism offerings, the President said, as he noted the Philippines vast coastline provides more than enough beachesor mountains, or lakesto accommodate the millions in search of a getaway. This is why I believe that there is no place for rivalry in the industry: rather, it should stimulate friendly competition, encouraging all of us to find ways to reinvent the business of fun. And this is precisely what we are doing here today: coming together and helping each other make the most of our countries potentials, he added. The MICECON brings together participants from resorts, hotels, travel and tour companies, airlines, professional congress organizers, academe, local and national tourism government offices and other industry suppliers and provides a platform for comprehensive educational program on improving the goods and services in their selected industry. PND (rck)
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President Aquino announces two new members of COMELEC DAVAO CITY) Two new members of the Commission on Election (COMELEC) were appointed by President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday to fill in the vacant positions left by two of its commissioners last month. Former ambassador Macabangkit Lanto and election lawyer Bernadette Sardillo will replace Rene Sarmiento and Armando Velasco who both retired as commissioners on February 2. Lanto and Sardillo were chosen by the President out of the three nominees he interviewed recently. The President said he already signed their appointment papers and these will be sent to Congress for their official confirmation. Besides serving as the countrys top diplomat in Egypt and some of the countries in the Middle East, Lanto held several portfolios in government including a stint at the Department of Justice as undersecretary. He has proven his worth, I believe, during times that he performed or tried to perform his function when the higher ups were preventing him from doing what should have been done, President Aquino said of Lanto.

Sardillo, on the other hand, is an experienced election law practitioner who has demonstrated her mettle in defending the rights of the citizenry in several particular election contests, especially in the last electoral exercise, the President said. PND (hdc)
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President Aquino orders AFP to 'reassess' sending of troops abroad DAVAO CITY) President Benigno S. Aquino III has tasked the Armed Forces of the Philippines to reassess the viability of sending Filipino troops to assist in humanitarian missions vis--vis the need to uphold the peace and security at the home front, saying a delicate balance between the two had to be reached. In an interview here, the President said he wanted the vital function of Filipino contingents sent to the Middle East, Haiti, East Timor, Cambodia and the Golan Heights. Ngayon, yung lahat itong deployment nga na ito, may vital function. We are part of the global community. Syempre, kung may katahimikan sa Gitnang Silangan ay nakakatulong rin sa ating sarili ito na, for instance, basta nagkaroon ng giyera diyan nagkakaroon ng the upward spiral ng price of oil; napapataas ang lahat ng bilihin, etc, the President said. So tina-task ko ang ating AFP, in particular, toparang to reassess, matagal na, na can we afford to send this number of people? I am told the number is about a thousand for all of the deployments everywhere when we also have our needs here in the country, he added. So Im still awaiting the results of that study. Ang balancing is meron naman tayong obligasyon na makatulong magenhance ng world peace, ano, pero meron rin naman tayong pansariling interes. Kailangan rin sigurong pagtugmain... yung hindi napapabayaan ang alin man ditong obligasyon, the President said. PND (rck)
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President Aquino cites role of telecommunications in facilitating free flow of information President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the role of the telecommunications sector in facilitating the free flow of information to our countrymen. "Knowledge empowers our people and sustains the momentum of our nations ongoing revitalization. As part of the telecommunications sector, you act as conduits that facilitate the free flow of information to our countrymen," the Chief Executive said in his message to the Federation of International Cable TV and Telecommunications Association of the Philippines (FICTAP) on Thursday. The FICTAP opened its 14th International Cable Congress and Exhibit on Thursday at the Manila Hotel. The event would end on Friday. "It is necessary that we remain attentive to the advances in technology in your industry, that we may keep our countrymen informed and educated, bringing us closer to our goal of equitable progress," the President said. President Aquino also lauded the FICTAP for undertaking initiatives that will promote healthy competition in the telecommunications sector. The President said the initiatives likewise aim to improve the sector's service levels, thereby contributing to an aware and engaged populace. "The nation is one with you in welcoming a new chapter in your history, with your organizations recent change of name to encompass the new possibilities emerging in your field," he stressed. "This move is both apt and timely, as it recognizes the potential of cable television not only in bringing news, current events, and entertainment, but also in transmitting communications and elevating the level of public discourse," the President said. PND (js)
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ARCHIVE 2013 07 MARSO 2013 Pinuri ni Aquino ang tulong ng mga taga-Davao para maisagawa ng gobyerno ang mga reporma Nilagdaan ng Pangulong Aquino ang 'Common Carriers Tax Act' Inilunsad ng Pangulong Aquino ang 2013 meetings, Incentives Travel Conventions and Xxhibition/ Events Convention sa Lungsod ng Davao Inihayag ng Pangulong Aquino ang 2 bagong komisyoner ng COMELEC Inatasan ng Pangulong Aquino ang AFP na 'suriing muli' ang mga may kinalaman sa pagpapadala ng kawal sa ibang bansa Binigyang diin ng Pangulong Aquino ang halaga ng telekomunikasyon sa malayang daloy ng impormasyon

Pinuri ni Aquino ang tulong ng mga taga-Davao para maisagawa ng gobyerno ang mga reporma

LUNGSOD NG DAVAO) Pinuri ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang mga mamamayan ng lungsod na ito sa puspusang pagtulong kaya nagbubunga na ang mga repormang ginagawa ng administrasyon niya upang sugpuin ang katiwalian. Sa talumpati sa pagtitipong idinaos Miyerkoles sa Rizal Park dito, binanggit ng Pangulo na sa mahigit nang dalawang taon niya sa tungkulin, ang mga biyaya ng isang mahusay at masigasig na pamahalaan ay malapit nang matupad. Sinabi ng Pangulo na sa paggawa ng mga imprastraktura, edukasyon at programa sa negosyo sa lalawigan, dagdag na kasaganaan ang matatamo ng mamamayan at lalawigan ng Davao. Mula sa ipinagkaloob ninyong tiwala noong nakaraang halalan hanggang sa patuloy ninyong pakikiisa sa tuwid na daan, lagi po tayong makaaasa sa suporta at pakikiisa ng mga taga-Davao. Daghang salamat sa mga kabag-uhan na inyong gihimo ug padayon pa nga ginahimo, sabi ng Pangulo na tinugon ng masigabong palakpakan ng mga mamamayan. Mulat po ang mga taga-Davao sa mga tagumpay na nakamit natin dahil sa pagtitiwala ninyo sa ating adyenda ng mabuting pamamahala,dugtong ng Pangulo. Sa imprastraktura, sinabi ng Pangulo na mula noong Hulyo 2011 hanggang Abril 2012, nakumpuni ng Kagawaran ng Pagawaing Bayan at Pambansang Lansangan ang 5 kilometrong Digos-Makar Road, Davao-Cotabato Road at FatimaMalabog Road kaya naging higit na mabilis at maginhawa ang biyahe sa naturang mga lansangan. Binanggit din ng Pangulo ang ginagawa nang Davao Flood Control project para maiwasan ang pagbaha sa mabababang pook na nakapaligid sa Ilog ng Davao na mayayari na sa Hunyo. Idinagdag ng Pangulo na nakapagpagawa na ang Kagawaran ng Edukasyon ng 220 silid-aralan para sa kindergarten at mababang paaralan para idagdag sa 150 sllid-aralan para mataas na paaralan. Sinabi ng Pangulo na bahagi ito ng pinupunuang kabuuang 66,800 silid-aralang tatapusin sa loob ng taong ito. Malinaw ang hangad natin: bigyan nang sapat na kakayahan ang ating mga kabataan upang maging handa silang punan ang mga pagkakataong inilalatag natin para sa kanila, sabi pa ng Pangulo. Sa larangan ng negosyo, sinabi ng Pangulo na ang pagpapatibay sa Common Carriers Tax at Buwis sa Gross Philippine Billings ang magiging daan ng ibayong pagsulong ng ekonomya at aakit pa ng karagdagang imbestor sa lalawigan at sa bansa sa larangan ng turismo at aviation . Sa paglagda natin sa batas na ito, inaasahan nating magdudulot ito ng paglago ng ekonomya at makahihikayat pa ng higit na maraming mamumuhunan, lalo na sa larangan ng turismo at aviation, dagdag ng Pangulo. Ang magagandang balitang dala natin ngayon ay patunay lamang na walang puwang ang panlalamang at kapabayaan sa tuwid na daan. Sa mabuting pamamahala, tinatapatan natin ang mga tagas sa pondo at idinidiretso sa mga serbisyong panlipunan na taong bayan ang makikinabang. Sinisiguro nating bawat estadistikang pahiwatig ng kaunlaran ay may katumbas na pagkakataong umasenso si Juan dela Cruz, wika pa ng Pangulo. PND TOP Nilagdaan ng Pangulong Aquino ang 'Common Carriers Tax Act'

LUNGSOD NG DAVAO) Nilagdaan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III Huwebes ang Batas ng Republika Blg. 10374 o ang Common Carriers Tax Act na naglagay sa ayos ng mga buwis na ibinabayad ng mga international carriers sa bansa. Sa seremonyang ginanap sa SMX Convention Center ng SM Lanang Premier shopping mall dito Huwebes, nilagdaan ng Pangulo ang pinagsanib na bersiyon ng House Bill No. 6022 at Senate Bill No. 3343 na kilala ngayon bilang An Act Recognizing the Principle of Reciprocity as Basis for the Grant of Income Tax Exemptions to Interational Carriers and Rationalizing Other Taxes na ipinapataw dito sa pamamagitan ng Pagsususog sa mga Seksiyon 28(A)(3)(a), 109, 11 at 236 ng National Internal Revenue Code, as Amended and For Other Purposes. Sa ilalim ng bagong batas, ang mga bapor at eroplanong dayuhan ay hindi magbabayad ng tatlong porsiyentong Common

Tax (CCT) na ipinapataw lamang sa passenger traffic. Ang mga bapor at eroplano ay hindi rin magbabayad ng value added tax sa paghahatid ng pasahero. Ang pag-aalis ng CCT ang naging daan upang mawala ang supil sa kakayahang umunlad ng mga foreign carriers. Dahil dito ang Pilipinas ay magkakaroon ng level playing field na tulad sa ibang bansa. Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na ang pagpapatibay ng batas na ito ang magiging daan upang maragdagan ang mga eroplano at bapor na dumadaong sa Pilipinas at magiging parehas ang playing field sa ibang mga bansa. Nasaksihan ninyo ngayon ang paglagda sa Senate Bill No. 3343 o House Bill No. 6022. Kapag nagkabisa na ang batas na ito ang international and shipping carriers ay hindi na magbabayad ng tatlong porsiyentong common carriers tax sa mga kinita at resibong buhat sa pagbibiyahe ng mga pasahero. Hindi rin magbabayad ang mga carriers ng mga buwis sa gross revenue na buhat sa paghahatid ng pasahero, kargamento o mga sulat, kung hindi rin pinagbabayad ng ganitong buwis ang Pilipinas sa bansang pinanggalingan ng eroplano o bapor, paliwanag pa ng Pangulo. Makikinabang sa batas na ito ang ating industriya ng aviation, industriya ng turismo, at ang milyun-milyong taong magkakaroon nang higit na laya sa pagpaplano ng biyahe nila, dugtong pa ng Pangulo. PND (rck/zaf) TOP Inilunsad ng Pangulong Aquino ang 2013 meetings, Incentives Travel Conventions and Xxhibition/ Events Convention sa Lungsod ng Davao LUNGSOD NG DAVAO) Pinangunahan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang seremonyang nagsimula ng 2013 Meetings, Incentive Travel, Coventions and Exhibitions/Events Convention na ginanap sa SMX Center ng SM Lanang Premiere dito Huwebes. Kasama ng Pangulo sa pagbubukas ng kapulungan sina Kalihim Ramon Jimenez ng Turismo, Bise Alkalde Rodrigo Duterte ng lungsod na ito at ang mga kagawad ng Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan at Senado sa pangunguna nina Speaker Feliciano Belmonte at Senador Franklin Drilon. Nanawagan ang Pangulong Aquino sa mga kalahok sa pagtitipong ito na ilagay sa isang tabi ang kanilang kompetisyon sa ibang kasama nila sa industriya at sa halip, sikaping makalikha nang higit na maiinam na produkto at serbisyong makaaakit nang higit na maraming turistang kababayan at dayuhan man sa mga darating na taon. Ang magandang balita ay ang pagkakataon para magtagumpay ang turismo para sa ating lahat sa Asya-Pasipiko. Sa nakaraang ilang taon, ang mga bansa sa daigdig ay patuloy na nais magtungo sa atin, hindi lamang dahil sa kapanatagan ng ating bansa, kundi dahil sa mainam na pagkakataong ibinibigay natin sa mamumuhunan, at lalo na ang pambihirang mga pook nating umaakit ng mga turista, sabi ng Pangulo at binanggit ang kahali-halina nating mga dalampasigan, mga kabundukan at mga lawa na nagbibigay ng pagkakataong makapamahinga ang milyun-milyong naghahangad malibang at magbakasyon. Ito ang dahilan kaya naniniwala akong walang puwang ang ano mang labanan sa industriyang ito. Sa halip, ang kailangan dito ay magandang pagsasamahang magiging daan upang matuklasan natin ang mga paraan kung paano magkatuwang na mapasisigla ang industriya. Ito ang dahilan kaya narito kami ngayon. Magkakasama at nagtutulungan ang pinakamalaking puhunan natin tungo sa pag-unlad, wika ng Pangulo. Ang MICECON ay pulong ng mga nasa kompanya ng resorts, travel and tours, eroplano, mga tanggapang ukol sa turismo ng lokal at pambansang pamahalaan, mga iba pang industriyang nasa larangan ng turismo at kaugnay nito, gayundin ang malawakang programa kung paano pa mapauunlad at mapabubuti ang serbisyo sa piling industriyang ito. PND TOP Inihayag ng Pangulong Aquino ang 2 bagong komisyoner ng COMELEC

LUNGSOD NG DAVAO) Nagtalaga na ang Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ng dalawang bagong Komisyoner ng Komisyon sa Halalan upang palitan ang dalawang nagretiro noong nakaraang buwan. Si dating Embahador Macabangkit Lanto at ang election lawyer na si Bernadette Sardillo ang papalit kina Rene Sarmiento at Armando Velasco na kapuwa nagretirong komisyoner noong Pebrero 2. Sina Lanto at Sardillo ang pinili ng Pangulo sa tatlong kinapanayam niya kamakailan. Sinabi ng Pangulo na nilagdaan na niya ang kasulatan ng paghirang sa dalawa at ipadadala na ito sa Kongreso para sa opisyal na kumpirmasyon o pagpapatibay ng paghirang. Bukod sa pagiging mataas na diplomata sa Ehipto at ilang bansa sa Gitnang Silangan, humawak din si Lanto ng iba-ibang mahalagang tungkulin sa pamahalaan, kabilang ang pagiging pangalawang kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Katarungan. Pinatunayan niya ang kanyang kakayahan at palagay ko, kanyang ginampanan sa abot ng lahat ng makakaya niya ang tungkulin sa panahong ang mga nakatataas sa kanya ay sinasagkaan siyang gawin ang talagang dapat na isagawa, wika ng Pangulo tungkol kay Lanto.

Sa kabilang dako, si Sardillo naman ay isang makaranasang election law practitioner na nag-pamalas ng kanyang kakayahang ipagtanggol ang karapatan ng sambayanan sa maraming mga usapin ukol sa halalan, lalo na sa nakaraang halalan, sabi ng Pangulo. PND TOP Inatasan ng Pangulong Aquino ang AFP na 'suriing muli' ang mga may kinalaman sa pagpapadala ng kawal sa ibang bansa LUNGSOD NG DAVAOInatasan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas na suriing muli kung ang mga bagay na may kaugnayan sa pagpapadala ng mga kawal-Pilipino sa ibang bansa para tumulong sa humanitarian missions sa halip na ang gampanan ay ang pangangalaga ng katahimikan at kaayusang pambayan sa sariling bansa at ipinagbilin na masusing pag-aaral ang dapat gawin sa bagay na ito. Sa interbyu rito, binigyang diin ng Pangulo na ibig niyang malaman ang mahalagang tungkulin ng mga kawal-Pilipino na ipinadadala sa Gitnang Silangan, Haiti, East Timor, Cambodia at Golan Heights. Ngayon, ang lahat ng deployment ngang ito ay may mahalagang tungkulin. Bahagi tayo ng pandaigdig na komunidad. Siyempre, kung may katahimikan sa Gitnang Silangan ay makatutulong din ito sa atin. Halimbawa, basta nagkaroon ng giyera diyan, nagkakaroon ng pagsirit ng halaga ng langis pataas. At ang bunga nito, tumataas din ang halaga ng lahat ng bilihin, paliwanag pa ng Pangulo. Kaya nga, inatasan ko ang ating AFP, lalo na, na pag-aralang muli ang bagay na ito. Kaya ba nating magpadala ng ganito karaming tao? Ang pagkakasabi sa akin, umaabot sa isang libo ang ating ipinadadala sa lahat ng mga padadalhan natin gayong kailangan din natin sila sa ating bansa, dugtong pa ng Pangulo. Kaya hinihintay ko pa ang resulta ng nasabing pag-aaral. Kung sabagay, mayron naman tayong obligasyong makatulong para isulong ang kapayapaan ng daigdig. Ngunit, mayroon din naman tayong pansariling kapakanan. Kailangan din marahil pagtugmain. Kailangang hindi napapabayaan ang alinmang obligasyon dito, mariing wika ng Pangulo. PND TOP Binigyang diin ng Pangulong Aquino ang halaga ng telekomunikasyon sa malayang daloy ng impormasyon

Binigyang diin ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang mahalagang saguting ginagampanan ng sektor ng telekomunikasyon sa pagpapabilis ng malayang daloy ng impormasyon sa ating mga kababayan. Ang kaalaman ang nagbibigay ng kapangyarihan sa ating mga kababayan at patuloy na mapananatili ang sigla ng kasalukuyang lakas ng ating bansa. Bilang bahagi ng sektor ng telekomunikasyon, kayo ang nagpapabilis ng daloy ng impormasyon sa ating mga kababayan, wika ng Pangulo sa mensahe sa Federation of International Cable TV and Telecommunications Association ng Pilipinas Huwebes. Sinimulan ng FICTAP ang 14th International Cable Congress and Exhibit nito Huwebes sa Manila Hotel. Ang pagtitipong ito ay magtatapos sa Biyernes, Marso 8. Mahalagang manatili tayong nakatuon sa mga pag-unlad ng teknolohiya sa inyong industriya upang maagap nating maipaalam ito sa ating mga kababayan sapagkat ang pagkakaroon ng kaalaman ang mabilis na maglalapit sa atin sa mithiing magkaroon ng pantay na kasaganaan, wika pa ng Pangulo. Pinuri ng Pangulo ang FICTAP sa pagsisikap na mapalaganap ang masiglang kompetisyon sa sektor ng telekomunikasyon. Sinabi ng Pangulo na ang mga pagsisikap na ito ay naglalayong mapabuti pang lalo ang serbisyo sa larangang ito na makatutulong upang laging malaman ng sambayanan ang mga impormasyong dapat nilang mabatid. Kaisa ninyo ang bansa sa pagsalubong sa bagong kabanata ng inyong kasaysayan. Sa pagbabago ng kamakailan ng pangalan ng inyong samahan ay lalong lumawak at nasaklaw nito ang pagpapahatid ng komunikasyon at pagtataas pa ng kaalaman ng madla tungkol dito, dugtong ng Pangulo. PND TOP

President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the Philippine Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions/Events Conference 2013 , SMX Convention Center, Davao City , 07 March 2013

Thank you. Good morning. Please sit down. Speaker Sonny Belmonte; Secretary Mon Jimenez; Senator Frank Drilon; Vice Mayor Manong [Rodrigo] Duterte; MinDa Chair Lou Antonino; honorable members of the House of Representatives present: Representative Sid Ungab, Representative Jerry Treas, Representative Milen Garcia-Albano; Representative Maricar Zamora, Representative Anthony del Rosario, Representative Mel Senen Sarmiento, Representative Wesley Gatchalian; 2013 MICE Con experts and delegates; fellow workers in government; honored guests; ladies and gentlemen: Good morning. Of course, when I was reading the briefer, You are to attend the MICE activity, and I wondered what we are gonna do with mice. Be that as it may, I really found the briefer truly educational. If I consider myself the head salesman of the country, then Tourism Secretary Mon Jimenez would have to be one of my most active salespeople. In such a short time, he has found resounding success in improving our tourism sector. Back in 2011, we exceeded by two million our original 2016 target of 35.5 million domestic travelers. This means that, in just a year and a half, we already exceeded the target for our whole six-year term. Fortunately, I could not allow Secretary Jimenezand he would probably not allow himselfany breathing space, so we have revised our 2016 target to what we believe is a reasonable 56.1 million domestic travelers. And if he wants to revise it again by the middle of this year or next year, I will not object. While many of our neighbors in the region may be ahead of us in terms of international tourist arrivals, I am also pleased to say that, through hard work and creativity, we are quickly catching up. Back In 2001, our country recorded 1.8 million tourist arrivals. That number had only grown to around 3.1 million by the end of 2009, before we stepped into office in July 2010. As of 2012, we have increased that number to almost 4.3 million tourists [applause]the first time we have breached the four million mark. And may I just add, that achievement happened in a situation where there is a global economic downturn and there are less than immaculate relations with one of our potential major tourism markets. This computes to a 1.2 million increase in tourist arrivals, meaning that in just two years, we have nearly matched the growth our predecessors managed in nine and a half years. We shouldve surpassed it but then again thats in the past. We can surpass it in the future. I, for one, am not surprised. After all, the simple idea behind our new tourism campaign is a basic truth: that it is more fun in the Philippines, and definitely with Mon Jimenez at the helm, it is more fun to oversee our tourism sector. Based on their own experiences, so many have believed have agreed. Gone are the days when we were low in the hierarchy of countries to visit and invest in. Today, foreigners and Filipinos both are discovering, and rediscovering, what we have to offer. The good news is that opportunities for success in tourism abound for all of us in the Asia-Pacific region. In recent years, the rest of the world has increasingly turned to usnot only for the relative stability that makes our countries conducive to investments, but also because of our unique tourism offerings. Here in Davao, we have the Kadayawan Festival, which is different from the Tanabata Festival in Japan, which is different from the Diwali Festival in India. Our countries have more than enough beachesor mountains, or lakesto accommodate the millions in search of a getaway. This is why I believe that there is no place for rivalry in the industry: rather, it should stimulate friendly competition, encouraging all of us to find ways to reinvent the business of fun. And this is precisely what we are doing here today: coming together and helping each other make the most of our countries potentials. We in the Philippines have long wanted to explore other avenues for growth. In fact, my administration has been actively campaigning to host some events in the next few yearsevents that typically involve the participation of top global leaders in both industry and government. Take, for instance, the East Asia Summit of the World Economic Forum, which will be held here in 2014. In the same year, we will also host the Joint Session of the UNWTO Regional Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and Regional Commission for South Asia. And in 2015, we will be hosting the APEC Leaders Summit. Some of you may ask: what gives us the confidence to be so aggressive in making these bids? It is because we know that we have the facilities, the skills, and the competence to get things done. Just as our front-end campaign states that it is more fun in the Philippines, our back-end success is based on another basic truth: the Philippines works. As part of the Meetings, Incentive

Travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions/Events or MICE Industry, these events give us the opportunity to show travelers that we can meet both their professional and their leisure needs. In fact, the MICE industry allows us to amplify our respective strengths. For example, events that attract up to thousands of participants give us Filipinos a larger stage on which to showcase our famed hospitality and quality of service. These thousands of visitors will be able to enjoy both work and play in our countryfrom world-class convention centers like this, to modern hotels and shopping centers, to the beauty of our beaches and other destinations. If they enjoy our countries, these visitors could decide to extend their stay, return for a vacation, recommend us to others, or even set up shop here. Conferences like this go a long way towards enhancing our abilities to handle such eventsfrom sharing expertise on topics such as the successful branding of countries, to straightforward discussions on how to make meetings and conferences memorable. Personally speaking, this will be very helpful since the Philippines is positioning itself to become a player, again, in the MICE industry. We in government have been doing our part to develop our own tourism industry. From the onset, our administration has identified tourism as a what we call a low-lying fruit, waiting to be picked. It is the perfect industry to focus on since it does not only give us the chance to show off our country, it also allows us to further foster inclusive growth: Tourism booms benefit not just those at the top. It benefits local restaurant owners, food producers, transport organizations, souvenir craftsmen, schools that produce tourism professionals, and the list goes on and on and on. In fact, I am told that each tourist that sets foot on our country directly translates to the creation of a jobto one more empowered Filipino, ready to contribute to the economy. Ultimately, tourism brings us closer to our goal of a Philippines that leaves no one behind, where everybody gets an equal opportunityan equal chanceto carve out their own success stories and create better lives for themselves and their families. To any hoteliers out there: the Philippines will need an additional 37,000 rooms by 2016 to cope with the influx of arrivals, so perhaps youd consider setting up shop or expanding here, and giving our countrymen even more chances to show that they are indeed world class. After all, we are offering competitive fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to tourism enterprises. And we are working on developing and improving tourism infrastructure, from roads, to airports, ports, and terminals. Just last month, the International Civil Aviation Organization [ICAO] sent a Coordinated Validation Mission to our country to review the efforts of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines [CAAP] to comply with international safety standards and address previously identified safety concerns. I am pleased to relate that the members of the ICAO team expressed great satisfaction with our work. In fact, ICAO has already lifted the Significant Safety Concerns previously issued to the Philippines. [Applause] This gives all of us great confidence that, as we continue to improve our aviation industry, we may soon see our removal from the watch lists of the European Union and the United States. So, perhaps before I step down from office, we will see our own airlines flying to Rome, Paris, and other cities in Europe and North Americagiving us greater access to these markets, and vice versa. Today, you also witnessed the signing into law of Senate Bill No. 3343 or House Bill No. 6022. Once it takes effect, this law will exempt all international and shipping carriers from paying the three percent common carriers tax on receipts and income derived from transporting passengers. The carriers are also exempted from paying tax on the gross revenue derived from the carriage of passengers, cargo, or mailprovided that the same exemption is granted by the carriers home country to the Philippines. This will actually mean an initial loss in revenue for us; but it is ultimately a strategic move. Airlines have long asked for this measure, since it will only bring in more traffic, and facilitate connectivity among our countries. With this bill, everybody wins: from our aviation industries, to our tourism industries, to the millions of our peoples who will have greater freedom in planning their trips. So I would like to thank our legislators who worked on this. In light of all this good news, maybe Secretary Jimenez will consider revising his targets again. [Laughter and applause] We believe that would make his work in the Department of Tourism even more fun. [Laughter] As you continue your discussions these next few days, I am hopeful that they lead to a genuine and fruitful exchange of best practices; because while some might believe that our countries are always in competition for tourists, I think another, more progressive view is that we are engaged in friendly competition. After all, if a tourist that visits the Philippines, for example, decides to stay in the region, chances are they will also end up visiting Thailand or Malaysia or other points in our region. Is it not true then, that we can all benefit from fostering the positive image of our region? And that instability in one of our countries doesnt enhance the attractiveness of neighboring states? Opportunities like the one we are presented with today present the friendly portion of friendly competition. The more cooperative we get, the more prosperous the industry becomes. This drives home the importance, therefore, of your discussions here today, as the success of your talks will help shape the landscape of global tourism, and definitely will influence the growth of our respective tourism sectors. I encourage all of you to actively go around, share your ideas, and, most importantly, listen to one another, so that, as friends and neighbors, we can truly propel each other to heights we have never before reached. Again, I wish you a productive conference and an enjoyable stay in Davao City. Thank you, and good day. [HOME]

ONLINE NEWS
Ex-PAGCOR chairman/officers ordered indicted for malversation and graft PH recognized as a top destination by TripAdvisor, Lonely Planet

7 MARCH 2013

End-February 2013 GIR stands at US$83.8 billion DSWD condemns the killing of Cristina Jose National Government full year 2012 deficit at 2.3% of GDP lower than 2.6% program DPWH offers assistance this Holy Week Statement on the illegal detention of UN Filipino Peacekeepers in the Golan Heights PHL Embassy in Rome joins Commemoration of National Year of Rice BI defends biometrics project MB places Rural Bank of Buenavista (Agusan del Norte), Inc. under PDIC receivership DBM OKs P10-B for classroom construction; Abad: Fund release to help close classroom gap by 2013 End-2012 spending jumps 14.1% Y-0-Y; Abad: Budget, governance reforms critical in fast-tracking disbursements Public consultations on 2013 IPP in 4 key cities start Learn the basics of water-refilling station and more at the BMSMED entrep sessions Secretary Coloma Speaks in World Summit on Information Society in UNESCO, Paris Ex-PAGCOR chairman/officers ordered indicted for malversation and graft Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph

In a 43-page Joint Review Resolution signed on February 25, 2013, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the indictment for multiple counts of malversation and graft charges against Efraim Genuino, former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman, along with several other PAGCOR officials. Aside from Genuino, PAGCOR officers Rafael Francisco, Jose Benedicto, Rene Figueroa, Edward King, Ester Hernandez and Valente Custodio shall be facing charges of malversation and violations of Section 3(e) in relation to Section 3(g) of Republic Act (RA) No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act). Genuinos son, Erwin, was also ordered indicted for violation of Section 7(b)(2) of RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officers and Employees). The Office, upon review of the Resolutions submitted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) which conducted the preliminary investigation, denied at the outset the respondents motions to conduct another preliminary investigation, since all respondents were afforded by the DOJ the opportunity to submit controverting evidence. PAGCORs purchase of Baler movie tickets Ombudsman Morales found probable cause to indict Genuino, Francisco, Benedicto, Figueroa, King, Hernandez and Custodio for one (1) count of malversation and another count for violation of Sec. 3(e) in relation to 3(g) of RA 3019 arising from the promotion of the film Baler, a movie production deal between Viva Communications and Batas Iwas Droga Foundation (BIDA). The Office found that business losses were effectively shouldered by government funds when PAGCOR advanced the cost for 89,000 movie tickets at P300 each or a total of P26,700,000, which was contrary to the scheme approved by the PAGCOR to merely offer Baler movie tickets to casino patrons through the Player Tracking System (PTS) points. Records showed that only 7,791 tickets were bought by casino patrons, while 6,253 tickets were sold by PAGCOR branches to the public, and 2,806 tickets were sold to employees through salary deduction, thus leaving 72,150 unused tickets in the amount of P21,645,000 plus the transmitted sales commission of P474,510, which amounts totaled P22,119,510 representing marketing expenses that was charged to PAGCORs operating expense fund, on top of the advertising expense of P2,064,989.30. The Office observed that the relevant documents were processed in just one day while the check-payment was released the following day. It also discovered that BIDA and PAGCOR had interlocking officers, viz.: Cendana was BIDAs corporate secretary while Genuino, Benedicto, Francisco and King were incorporators of BIDA. The Office also found conflict of interest on the part of Erwin Genuino, PAGCOR Executive Assistant and Executive Producer of Baler. It noted that PAGCOR facilities and resources were used in the post-production and promotion of the movie, making him liable for violation of Section 7(b)(2) of RA 6713. Donations and Disbursements to Favored Organizations In the same ruling, Ombudsman Morales found probable cause to indict Genuino, King, Francisco, Figueroa, Hernandez and Custodio for seventeen (17) counts of malversation and seventeen (17) counts of violation of Sec. 3(e) in relation to 3(g) of RA 3019 for unlawful donations and payments.

The Office found irregular the indiscriminate grant of cash advances or disbursements totaling more than P44M from PAGCORs intelligence funds and upon reaching the allowable ceiling, charging the amount to the operating expenses realigned as intelligence funds in favor of private entities like BIDA Foundation, BIDA Production, Wildformat Inc., and Pencil First, without any public purpose and without complying with legal and regulatory requirements. The Office noted that the public funds were released even before the documents requesting for such release were accomplished. The Office also traced the favored-son treatment in the transactions worth more than P50M used by BIDA to procure goods and services such as tarpaulin, shirts, caps, promotional items, stage production and sponsorship expenses taken from PAGCOR funds. Ombudsman Morales ruled that PAGCOR funds are in the nature of public funds, and that the power of the PAGCORs Board of Directors to prepare and approve the annual budget does not operate to exempt it from the constitutional requirement that public funds may only be disbursed in pursuance of an appropriation made by law. She stated that the power does not carry with it the power to donate public funds from intelligence in order to facilitate liquidation through mere certification, and upon depletion of said funds to realign funds from the operating expenses to intelligence funds. An additional count of malversation and of violation of Sec. 3(e) in relation to 3(g) of RA 3019 were found against the six respondents for the tri-media advertising placements amounting to more than P63M used by BIDA out of PAGCOR largesse which funded BIDAs various activities in its bid to become a party-list. The Joint Review Resolution noted that among those funded by PAGCOR were the holding of the Grand Bida March, the showing of a 13-episode animation series, and the distribution of comic books, which activities, conducted in 2008 and 2009, were enumerated in BIDAs petition for accreditation before the Commission on Elections. Storage and Distribution of Donated Rice Still in the same ruling, Ombudsman Morales ordered the filing of Information for one (1) count of malversation against Genuino and King in connection with PAGCORs shouldering of the forwarding, storage and brokerage of 300-metric tons of donated rice that were already packed into 10,000 bags at 30kg/bag. A Japanese firm donated the rice to the Philippine government through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the victims of typhoon Frank in 2008. The Office found that the re-milling of the remaining stored bags to prevent deterioration did not materialize because of a barter agreement between PAGCOR and KDL Rice Mill wherein the 70,425 kgs. of donated Thai rice were exchanged for 64,858.5 kgs. of angelica rice valued at P1,409,400, which were eventually repacked into smaller bags bearing the images and political slogans of brothers Erwin and Anthony Genuino in 2010 and subsequently released to, among others, Trace Computer College owned by the Genuinos. The Joint Review Resolution, in finding that the good faith doctrine in the Arias case is inapplicable to the case, discussed that the glaring circumstances evincing irregularities should have put the public officers on alert and prompted them to inquire into the transactions, but they did not. The charges against some impleaded respondents were dismissed for insufficiency of evidence, while those against some others were subjected to further fact-finding investigation. |TOP| PH recognized as a top destination by TripAdvisor, Lonely Planet Source: http://www.tourism.gov.ph The beauty of the Philippines keeps shining through as White Beach, Boracay tops the list of TripAdvisor.coms Travelers Choice 2013 - Best Beaches in Asia 2013, holding on to this crown for the third year in a row. TripAdvisor, one of the worlds popular online travel guides, conducts regular polls of favorite vacation places and properties through its Travelers Choice Awards. White Beach was described as a stunningly beautiful white powder sand beach [with] crystal clear, warm water that you can laze on for days on end. Also making it to the list of 25 great beaches in Asia are the Secret Lagoon of El Nido, Palawan at number 9 and Boracays Yapak Beach at number 10. Secret Lagoon Beach was tagged for its wonderful view, while Yapak Beach (Puka Shell Beach) was acclaimed for its big waves.

Boracay has consistently made it to the poll results of the travel website, the previous one as second in the 2012 Best Beaches in the World Awards. In 2012, Boracay was also cited by Travel + Leisure Magazine in its Worlds Best Awards as the Best Island Destination and one of the Top 10 Best Beach Party Destinations by Cheapflights.com. Boracays protection and preservation is a main concern that is now being addressed by both national and local authorities and stakeholders. In order for us to continue reaping the benefits of development and great publicity, we ought to seriously address the environment challenges. We call on all stakeholders to come as one in preserving our countrys jewels, Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez enthused. The Philippines also recently made it to the Lonely Planet Travellers Choice 2013 and rated as one of the Top 10 popular destinations to go to for meeting locals (ranked 6th) and value for money (ranked 8th). We are so thrilled that these accolades keep coming, proof positive that our marketing efforts are paying off, and more and more satisfied travelers are proudly spreading the word about their many fun experiences in our beautiful country, Tourism Secretary Jimenez, Jr. added. |TOP| End-February 2013 GIR stands at US$83.8 billion Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph Preliminary data showed that the countrys gross international reserves (GIR) stood at US$83.8 billion as of end-February 2013, lower by US$1.5 billion than the end-January 2013 GIR of US$85.3 billion, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. announced today.1 At this level, reserves remain adequate to cover 12 months worth of imports of goods and payments of services and income. It was also equivalent to 10.5 times the countrys short-term external debt based on original maturity and 6.6 times based on residual maturity.2 The decline in the reserves level was due mainly to payments for maturing foreign exchange obligations of the National Government (NG) and net foreign currency withdrawals by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM). Revaluation adjustments on the BSPs foreign currency-denominated reserves and gold holdings also contributed to the lower reserves level. These outflows were partially offset, however, by inflows from the foreign exchange operations and income from investments abroad of the BSP and foreign currency deposits by the NG. Net international reserves (NIR), which include revaluation of reserve assets, decreased by US$1.5 billion to reach US$83.8 billion as of end-February 2013, compared to the end-January 2013 NIR of US$85.3 billion. NIR refers to the difference between the BSPs GIR and total short-term liabilities. -----------1 The final data on GIR are released to the public every 19th day of the month in the Statistics section of the BSPs website under the Special Data Dissemination Standards (SDDS). If the 19th day of the month falls on a weekend or is a non-working holiday, the release date shall be the working day nearest to the 19th. 2 Short-term debt based on residual maturity refers to outstanding external debt with original maturity of one year or less, plus principal payments on medium- and long-term loans of the public and private sectors falling due within the next 12 months. |TOP| DSWD condemns the killing of Cristina Jose Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

DAVAO City -The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) expresses outrage over the killing of Cristina Morales Jose who was shot dead Monday evening in Barangay Binondo, Baganga, Davao Oriental. Jose served as Barangay Kagawad and a local leader of Barug Katawhan and Bayan Muna. We condemn this act of violence committed against Kagawad Cristina Jose as we denounce other forms of violence instigated by anybody in a supposedly peaceful community, stressed DSWD OIC Director Priscilla N. Razon. The DSWD is sincere in its commitment and we will abide with the agreement reached and signed last February 28 to really assist the affected families of Typhoon Pablo who were allegedly not provided sufficient relief assistance or those allegedly

unreached communities, Director Razon said. Underscored in the Agreement signed last Thursday, There is a need for validation in every Purok/Sitio in the concerned barangay to determine inadequacy/insufficiency of relief goods received. This will be a coordinated effort of Barug Katawhan, Balsa Mindanao, PLGU-Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, MLGU-Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, and DSWD Region XI. Further, Item 6 in the Agreement states, It was sworn and duly agreed by Barug Katawhan, PNP-Davao City, and DSWD XI that there will be no action for retaliation against each one including fostering other means to cause break down to what have been agreed. Razon said, the department in coordination with the local government units, national agencies, non-government organizations, private sector, and international humanitarian agencies will intensify the more, provision of relief assistance to all affected families of Typhoon Pablo. To fast track validation of disaster-affected families, the Department through its National Household Targeting Unit (NHTU) will deploy 531 enumerators to run the Rapid Assessment using the Household Needs Assessment Form (HNAF) from March 7 until March 29, 2013. Through this, DSWD will be able to best address the needs of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) or disaster affected persons. This will be conducted in coordination with Barug Katawhan, DSWD Region XI, PLGU-PSWDO, MLGU-MSWDO, BLGU, and Balsa Mindanao. |TOP| National Government full year 2012 deficit at 2.3% of GDP lower than 2.6% program Source: http://www.treasury.gov.ph 5 March 2013, Manila, Philippines The fiscal deficit of the National Government for 2012 stood at P242.827 billion, registering an overperformance of P36.279 billion compared with the program of P279.106 billion. It is equivalent to 2.3 percent of GDP and better than the 2.6 percent program. The National Government incurred a deficit in December amounting to P115.745 billion. Revenue Performance For the full year of 2012, revenue collections reached P1,534.932 billion or a 12.9% growth compared to last years P1,359.942 billion. Collections of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) were recorded at P1,057.916 billion and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at P289.866 billion, or a growth of 14% and 9%, respectively, for the year 2012 compared to 2011. For the whole year 2012, cash collections of BIR amounted to P1.027.322 billion or 14.1% higher than previous year, while cash collections of BOC reached P282.382 billion or 10% higher than 2011. The Bureau of the Treasury registered an income of P84.080 billion while other offices posted an income of P103.070 billion. Total revenue collections for 2012 which reached P1,534.932 billion was P25.690 billion lower than program. The lower-thanprogrammed revenue collections was due to shortfall in collections of the BIR by P8.202 billion and BOC by P57.207 billion. This was partially offset by higher-than-program collections of Bureau of the Treasury by P22.330 billion and other offices by P17.389 billion. Of the total revenues for the year, P1,361.456 billion or 89% were tax collections while non-tax sources contributed the balance of P173.476 billion. Expenditures National Government expenditures reached P1,777.759 billion for the year or 61.969 billion below program. This level however reflects a growth of 14% over actual expenditures in 2011. Interest payments registered a savings of P4.854 billion or the year. Actual disbursements in December amounted to P211.7 billion. Primary Surplus/ (Deficit) Netting out the interest payments in the expenditures, the National Government recorded a primary surplus for the year amounting to P69.972 billion. |TOP| DPWH offers assistance this Holy Week Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will once again activate this coming Holy Week the Lakbay Alalay Program, a service tradition for motorists during special occasion. Secretary Rogelio L. Singson has ordered all the 16

Regional Directors and 182 District Engineers nationwide to provide prompt and reliable assistance from March 24 to April 1, 2013 to motorists including local and foreign tourists who will take opportunity of the Lenten break for their summer trip. DPWH offices will deploy their respective District Motorists Assistance Team at strategic locations along national highway with assigned personnel on a round-the-clock shift to provide assistance on normal and emergency situation. The assistance teams are directed to coordinate with concerned government entities such as Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Police, and Local Government Units head in order to provide the necessary assistance to motoring public. With about two (2) full weeks to prepare, the DPWH will also direct contractors with on-going projects to properly install informative and warnings signs including posting of traffic advisory for alternate routes specifying entry and exit point with corresponding distances to bypass traffic congested area. Contractors are also directed to provide safety devices or barricades in their construction sites to ensure safety of the motoring public. Gravel and sand should not be scattered in the construction sites. DPWH through the maintenance unit will also conduct checking of informational and directional signs along national highways whether they are clearly marked and visible including the kilometer posts reference. Maintenance personnel are instructed to conduct Operation Potholes to reseal damaged pavement and ensure provision for reflectorized pavement markings which is an important road safety feature for night travel. Singson also reiterated enforcement of the Department policy on the removal of permanent or otherwise movable obstructions, along national roads and bridges such as presence of unauthorized vendors and traders like vulcanizing shops and stores encroaching road boundaries, and illegal parking/terminals to improve the flow of traffic. |TOP| Statement on the illegal detention of UN Filipino Peacekeepers in the Golan Heights Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph

The Philippine Government strongly condemns the illegal detention of twenty-one (21) Filipino peacekeepers under the United Nations (UN) command in the Golan Heights. The apprehension and illegal detention of the Filipino peacekeepers are gross violations of international law, said Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario. The Filipino peacekeepers are operating under the UN flag. Accordingly, these Filipinos are international personnel clothed with immunity and mantle of protection similar to diplomatic agents and personnel. These rights are inviolable and their transgression is punishable under international law. Article 8 of the UN Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel provides that if United Nations or associated personnel are captured or detained in the course of the performance of their duties and their identification has been established, they shall not be subjected to interrogation and they shall be promptly released and returned to United Nations or other appropriate authorities. Pending their release such personnel shall be treated in accordance with universally recognized standards of human rights and the principles and spirit of the Geneva Conventions of 1949. The Philippines is working very closely with the United Nations, United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), France and Germany for the early and safe release of the Filipino peacekeepers. |TOP| PHL Embassy in Rome joins Commemoration of National Year of Rice Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph

7 March 2013 - As part of the year-long commemoration of the National Year of Rice (NYR), Philippine Ambassador to Italy Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr. led on March 01 the recitation of Panatang Makapalay, a consumers pledge to reduce food wastage and achieve rice self-sufficiency. The importance of the pledge, recited during the weekly flag raising ceremony at the Philippine Embassy Social Hall, was acknowledged by Embassy officers and staff when they stated in unison, among others, the following: Aking isasapuso ang panatang ito dahil sa bawat butil ng bigas o kanin na aking matitipid ay may buhay na masasagip. President Benigno S. Aquino III, by virtue of Proclamation No. 494 dated October 18, 2012, declared 2013 as National Year of Rice, an advocacy campaign to increase rice production and farmers incomes, and lessen rice wastage, towards attaining national rice sufficiency by the end of 2013. The Philippine Embassy, which also serves as the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) based in Rome, joins the year-long NYR advocacy campaign, led by the Department of Agriculture, by devoting the commemoration of the forthcoming 115th anniversary of the proclamation of the Philippine Independence through

activities highlighting Philippine agriculture and agricultural heritage. On June 14 to 22, a high-level Philippine delegation shall be in Rome to attend the 38th Session of the FAO Conference during which the Philippine Room at the FAO Headquarters as well as the Exhibit on the Twinning Programme of Exchange and Cooperation between the World Heritage Sites of the Rice Terraces of Philippine Cordilleras and the Cinque Terre of Italy will be inaugurated. In collaboration with the Office of the Agriculture Attach, an Agribusiness Investment Forum is also being planned for June 16 to encourage and drum-up interest among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in investing in agribusiness enterprises (farm and home-based family agribusiness ventures) that will continually uplift the plight of OFWs households and empower them when they decide to eventually return home. For the market-matching meetings, Filipino food and agribusiness exporters as well as Italian importers of agricultural and food products will also be invited. |TOP| BI defends biometrics project Source: http://immigration.gov.ph

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) defended its plan to implement a biometrics program for documenting the arrival and departure of international travelers, saying the scheme will enhance the countrys border security and boost the agencys capability to thwart the entry of foreign terrorists and other illegal aliens. In a statement, BI Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. belied allegations that the P50-million project will waste government funds because its benefits to the country outweigh its financial cost. David explained that aside from improving border security, the project will also expedite the processing of travelers in the ports of entry, ensure the integrity of the immigration system and even safeguard the privacy of travelers. It will also help us prevent foreigners from using fraudulent documents to enter the country and enable us to identify departing aliens who have overstayed, he added. Basically, the biometrics scheme involves the use of an ink-less device and digital camera in capturing the fingerprints and photographs of international travelers. BI Associate Commissioner Abdullah Mangotara, who chairs the committee that is bidding the project, assured travelers that biometrics information collected from them will be kept in the strictest confidentiality and used only for law enforcement and official purposes. Mangotara stressed that the scheme is necessary to achieve the BIs goal to modernize its facilities and provide its immigration officers with an effective tool to identify arriving and departing travelers and detect spurious travel documents. He also cited the need to obtain biometrics data for persons who are presently included in the BI watchlist, hold departure list, lookout bulletin, and blacklist so they can easily be detected if they attempt to enter or leave the country. According to Dino Visconde, Congress has appropriated this year P94 million for the project which is expected to be completed in 2018. Vizconde said a pre-bidding conference for data capturing machines that will be procured was held last Feb. 28 and that three internationally-renowned computer firms from Germany, Korea and US took part in the bidding. Mangotara thus described as premature a graft complaint that allegedly was filed recently against BI officials before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the biometrics project. How could there be anomalies when we have not even awarded the project yet to a competent bidder? Mangotara asked. |TOP| MB places Rural Bank of Buenavista (Agusan del Norte), Inc. under PDIC receivership Source: http://www.pdic.gov.ph

The Monetary Board (MB) placed the Rural Bank of Buenavista (Agusan del Norte), Inc. under the receivership of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) by virtue of MB Resolution No. 377 dated March 4, 2013. As Receiver, PDIC

took over the bank on March 4, 2013. Rural Bank of Buenavista is a two-unit bank with Head Office located in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. Its lone branch is located in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. Latest available records show that as of December 31, 2012, Rural Bank of Buenavista had 2,883 accounts with total deposit liabilities of P44.97 million. According to the latest Bank Information Sheet (BIS) as of June 30, 2012 filed by the Rural Bank of Buenavista with the PDIC, the bank is majority-owned by Alfredo T. Bonpin (37.21%), Leonardo G. Yu (12.02%), Francisco Y. Chan, Jr. (11.61%) and Shelita L. Yu (8.94%). Its Chairman and President is Leonardo G. Yu. PDIC said that upon takeover, all bank records shall be gathered, verified and validated. The state deposit insurer assured depositors that all valid deposits shall be paid up to the maximum deposit insurance coverage of P500,000. PDIC also announced that it will conduct a Depositors-Borrowers Forum on March 11, 2013 to inform depositors of the requirements and procedures for filing deposit insurance claims. Claim forms will be distributed during the Depositors Forum. The schedule and venue of the Depositors Forum will be posted in the bank premises and in the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph. Depositors may update their addresses with PDIC representatives at the bank premises or during the Depositors Forum using the Mailing Address Update Forms to be furnished by PDIC representatives. Duly accomplished Mailing Address Update Forms should be submitted to PDIC representatives accompanied by a photo-bearing ID of the depositor with signature. Depositors may update their addresses until March 12, 2013. Depositors with valid deposit accounts with balances of P15,000 and below, who have no outstanding obligations with the Rural Bank of Buenavista and have complete and updated addresses with the bank, need not file deposit insurance claims. PDIC targets to start mailing payments to these depositors to their addresses recorded in the bank by third week of March. Depositors whose accounts have balances of more than P15,000 and all those who have outstanding obligations with Rural Bank of Buenavista should file their deposit insurance claims. The PDIC targets to start claims settlement operations for these accounts by fourth week of March. The schedule of the claims settlement operations will be announced through notices to be posted in the bank premises and other public places as well as through the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph. For more information, depositors may communicate with PDIC Public Assistance personnel stationed at the bank premises. They may also call the PDIC Public Assistance Hotlines at (02) 841-4630 to (02) 841-4631, or e-mail pad@pdic.gov.ph. |TOP| DBM OKs P10-B for classroom construction; Abad: Fund release to help close classroom gap by 2013 Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the release of P10 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the construction of basic education facilities nationwide, supporting the Aquino administrations commitment to close the longstanding classroom gap by 2013. DBM Secretary Florencio B. Abad said that the release will be used for the construction, replacement and completion of kindergarten, elementary and secondary school buildings and educational facilities in areas experiencing acute classroom shortage. This release is in line with the Aquino administrations goal to close the nationwide classroom gap this year. By building enough classrooms and facilities that meet our students requirements, we can further enhance the learning environment in our public schools and give Filipino schoolchildren better leverage for academic excellence, Abad said. Of the P10 billion, schools in NCR will receive the highest share amounting to P1.7 billon. This is followed by schools in Region IV-A, with an allocation amounting to P1.2 billion and schools in Region VIII with a total allocation of P827.7 million. The fund release also includes P683.8 million for schools in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). As we continue to work toward greater peace and security in the country, there is a real need to improve social services in communities where armed conflict has continually undermined growth. Schoolchildren in ARMM should most certainly benefit from the Administrations education initiatives, and this fund release ensures that they will have enough well-built classrooms to accommodate them, Abad said. The release was sourced from DepEds fund for Basic Education Facilities under the 2013 General Appropriations Act. DPWH, for its part, will administer the construction of the educational facilities based on a list of recipient schools identified by DepEd.

The DBM also confirmed that another P4.06 billion will be for the construction of more classrooms and educational facilities, pending the submission of a list of school recipients by DepEd. |TOP| End-2012 spending jumps 14.1% Y-0-Y; Abad: Budget, governance reforms critical in fast-tracking disbursements Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph

Citing the implementation of key budget reforms to boost the efficiency and quality of public spending, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad today announced that expenditures in 2012 reached P1.778 trillion, a 14.1-percent increase from P1.558 trillion in 2011. While disbursements for the whole 2012 were 3.4 percent below the programmed level, it was nonetheless a notable improvement from the 9-percent shortfall in 2011. Moreover, Abad pointed out that spending in the last quarter of 2012 surpassed the program by 14 percent or P68.3 billion. Abad was also pleased to note that the budget deficit levelled off at P242.8 billion or 2.3 percent of the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP), outperforming the 2.6-percent programmed for 2012. Along with the focused acceleration of disbursements in the fourth quarter, the budget reforms we instituted over the last twelve months helped bring expenditures to a strong finish in 2012. For instance, agencies were urged to obligate their releases or risk the realignment of their funds to faster-moving projects. We also established dedicated Account Management Teams (AMTs) in key departments and agencies to help drive the pace of their disbursements, Abad said. Besides the year-on-year increase in government expenditures, were seeing a significant expansion in our capacity to drive actual disbursements closer to our programmed levels. This year, were intent on deepening the engagement between our AMTs and their respective agencies so our departments can make the most of their allocations and, consequently, facilitate the faster implementation of programs and projects, Abad said. Abad further noted that departments and agencies were able to ramp up their absorption of funds, with the utilization rate for Notices of Cash Allocation (NCA) climbing to 96.7 percent in 2012, up by the 91.9 percent NCA utilization level in 2011. This was driven by the faster use of cash allocations in the fourth quarter, which leaped by 107.6 percent year-on-year. With the enforcement of the one-year lapse period for all appropriations, we expect to see more vigorous and strategic spending from our departments and agencies. The momentum we set in 2012 sends us on a clear trajectory towards improved expenditures this year, where the Administrations socio-economic development strategy is fully supported and priority programs and projects are implemented in a timely and efficient manner, he said. This year, were investing more in infrastructure development, the agri-fisheries sector, as well as other infrastructure activities for our education and health programs. This will help shore up job generation in the country and ensure that the Administrations reform efforts translate to rapid, sustainable, and inclusive growth for all Filipinos, Abad said. As of end-January this year, the Department of Budget and Management has comprehensively released 91.9 percent of the P977.7 billion in appropriations to departments and agencies for 2013, in line with the Administrations goal of ramping up expenditure to support inclusive growth. |TOP| Public consultations on 2013 IPP in 4 key cities start Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph

The Board of Investments (BOI) will hold simultaneous public consultations on the Proposed 2013 Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) in Angeles City on March 5 and in the cities of Manila, Cebu, and Davao on March 6. The nationwide public consultations are part of the process of crafting the 2013 IPP. The IPP is the country's blueprint for investment promotions and a platform to attract strategic investments with impact, particularly in countryside development as well as in generating employment. These four cities were chosen based on their strategic locations in the three island groups of the country and where the bulk of investments are generated. The consultations will be held in the following venues:

Angeles Angeles Business Center 2nd Floor Conference Room, DTI Region III Teresa Avenue, Angeles City Pampanga Manila Makati Palace Hotel, 3rd Floor, King & Queen Hall, 5011 P. Burgos cor. Caceres St., Makati City Cebu Sarrosa International Hotel & Residential Suites, 2nd Floor, Garnett Hall, F. Cabahug St., Ayala Access Rd., Kasambagan, Cebu City Davao The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases, Ground Floor, GOCC 1 Function Room, Porras St., Bo. Obrero, Davao City

During the consultations, members of various chambers of commerce, the academe, LGU officials, members of the interagency committees, NGOs, and consumer organizations are expected to attend to air their views and concerns on the proposed guidelines. The 2013 IPP shall be discussed in terms of value for incentives their contribution to employment, sectoral value added, value chain, and other aspects of industry development and social goals. The IPP will be the basis for the policy reforms that the government needs to implement to achieve economic development. |TOP| Learn the basics of water-refilling station and more at the BMSMED entrep sessions Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Bureau of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BMSMED) will conduct free entrepreneurship session on setting up a water-refilling station and a laundry shop this month. This session is scheduled on March 8 from 1:30-4:00PM at the BMSMED Training Room, 5/F Trade and Industry Building, 361 Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City. Other free entrepreneurship sessions lined up for March include: financing programs for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and sustainable livelihood program (March 12); orientation on shelf-life testing and nutrition labelling (March 15); franchising as a business alternative (March 19); and perfume and soap-making for business (March 22). BMSMED Director Rhodora M. Leao said these lectures aim to provide existing and would-be entrepreneurs with information on how to properly run their businesses. These lectures will be conducted by Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), Franz Avian Import Export Co., Good Morning Blessing, Association of Filipino Franchisers, and Ultima Entrepinoy. Interested participants may contact with the BMSMED at telephone numbers 897.1693, 751.5076, 890.4968, and 897.7596. |TOP| Secretary Coloma Speaks in World Summit on Information Society in UNESCO, Paris Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph

4 March 2013 - Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma, Jr. was one of the lead speakers in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) + 10 Review event held from February 25 to 27 at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Headquarters in Paris. Speaking in the High Level Panel: Towards Knowledge Societies for Sustainable Development, the Secretary highlighted President Aquinos vision of a digitally empowered, innovative, globally competitive and prosperous society where everyone

has reliable, affordable and secure information access in the Philippines. The Secretary then proceeded to elaborate on a five-year strategy that is being implemented to attain this vision. The WSIS + 10 Review is a high-level global event that brought together UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, the Tunisian Minister of Information and Communications Technology, the Latvian Minister of Environmental Protection and other eminent persons from government, international organizations civil society, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In Paris, Secretary Coloma also participated in the Information for All (IFAP) Special Event and IFAP Bureau meeting held on February 27 and 28. IFAP is one of the core programs of UNESCO. It is an inter-governmental programme created in 2000 in response to the challenges and opportunities of the Information Society with special commitment to propagate the concept of media and information literacy, information ethics, information for development and multi-lingualism. Through IFAP, governments of the world have pledged to harness the new opportunities of the information age to create equitable societies through better access to information. Secretary Coloma serves as the UNESCO National Commission (UNACOM) Vice-Chair and UNACOM Communication & Information Committee Chair. The Philippines has been a member of the IFAP Bureau since 2009 and Secretary Coloma has been Vice-Chair of the IFAP Bureau since 2010. |TOP|