Aguinaldo Shrine

Pagsanjan Falls

Taal Lake

Antipolo Church

Lucban Pahiyas Feast

PIA Calabarzon 1 PR ( March 13 ,2013),Dispatch for March 14 , 2013 (Thursday),

PNOY 4 Photonews Mar. 13 , 2013 , 4 Weather Watch, 3 Regl.Watch / 2 OFW Watch , Presl. visit , 15 Online News

Weather Watch
22 hours ago

PAGASA weather forecaster Jun Galang on DZBB:

-Easterly ang nakakaapekto sa eastern section ng ating bansa kaya generally maganda ang panahon maliban sa mga pulopulong pag-ulan, pagkidlat at pagkulog sa halos buong bansa. -Hindi pa talaga makapag-declare ng termination ng northeast monsoon kasi may paparating pang northeast monsoon. -Usually kapag summer umaabot tayo ng 37 degrees Celsius.

-Baka next week makapag-terminate na ng northeast monsoon.

Weather Watch
17 hours ago

GMA News TV:

Pitong bata sa Bangued, Abra ang tinamaan ng gastroenteritis. Ayon sa isang doktor, maaaring

nakuha ng mga bata ang sakit mula sa marumi o panis na pagkain na karaniwang nangyayari tuwing mainit ang panahon. Samantala, sampung bata naman sa Vigan, Ilocos Sur ang nagkaroon ng upper respiratory tract infection dahil sa pabagubagong panahon.

Weather Watch
17 hours ago

GMA News TV: Posibleng muling bumugso ang Hanging Amihan bukas hanggang sa Biyernes. Sa ngayon ay patuloy na
nakakaapekto sa bansa ang easterlies na siyang nagdadala ng mainit na panahon sa bansa.

Weather Watch
18 hours ago

DZMM: Tiniyak ng OCD region 1 na matatapos na ang paglilinis sa oil spill na nakaapekto sa limang bayan sa La Union.
Gayunman, nagpapatuloy pa rin ang paglilinis ng oil spill sa may coastal towns ng Ilocos Sur. Umaabot naman sa 850 na sako ng langis ang nakuha ng mga awtoridad sa Ilocos Sur. Humihingi na rin ng ulat ang OCD sa DoT Region 1 para alamin kung ano ang naging epekto ng oil spill sa nasabing rehiyon.

4 hours ago

CAVITE : LAGUNA : BATANGAS : RIZAL : QUEZON :

Sunny Sunny Fair weather Sunny Partly cloudy

PIA Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

13 hours ago

PIA-4A: Sa isang panayam kaugnay sa pag-obserba ng Fire Prevention Month na may Tema: "Sunog at Sakuna Paghandaan,
Kalikasan ay Pangalagaan Nang Matamasa ang Pag-unlad ng Bayan" sinabi ni Supt. Carlito Encinas, provincial director ng Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP-Laguna) na umabot sa 20,793.00 na establishments ang kanilang na inspeksyon sa kanilang nasasakupan kung saan 262 ang rekomendado for correction of violation, umabot din sa 780 ang naisagawang fire drills at seminars.

PIA Regional Watch

PIA-4A/QUEZON:
1. ( 18 hours ago ) Twelve fishermen engaged in illegal fishing activity using 'taksay' were caught in the territorial sea waters of Brgy. Sta. Rosa, Mulanay, Quezon. The suspects are now in the custody of Mulanay Police Station. The apprehension is part of the intensive campaign of police authorities on anti-illegal fishing.

PIA Regional Watch

20 hours ago

PIA 4A/BATANGAS : Isang pagpupulong kaugnay ng Baklas Billboard Operations ng COMELEC at DPWH ang isinagawa
na layong maalis ang mga nagkalat na billboard at tarpaulin ng mga kandidatong hindi sumusunod sa tamang sukat na dapat ipaskil sa mga common poster area.

PIA OFW Watch

PIA OFW Watch

29 minutes ago

GMA News : At least 41 OFWs who availed of the government's repatriation program from strife-torn Syria, are
scheduled to arrive in Manila today. Expected to welcome the returning OFWs in NAIA at 3:45 p.m. are officials of OWWA and DFA.

PIA OFW Watch

16 hours ago

DZMM: Kinumpirma ng DFA na may isang tripulanteng Pinoy ang patay matapos itong pagtatagain ng kapwa Pinoy sa Sri
Lanka. Ayon kay DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez, mayroong siyam na Pinoy ang nasa kustodiya ng mga awtoridad sa Sri Lanka kung saan walo sa mga ito ang testigo habang isa naman ang itinuturing na suspek sa krimen. Pinakilos na rin ng DFA ang mga tauhan ng Embahada ng Pilipinas sa Dhaka, Bangladesh at Colombo, Sri Lanka para ayudahan ang mga naturang Pinoy. Hindi naman idinitalye ni Hernandez ang pagkakalilanlan ng namatay na Pinoy hangga't hindi pa nila nakakausap ang pamilya nito.

PIA Calabarzon 1 PR ( March 13 ,2013),Dispatch for March 14 , 2013 (Thursday),

PNOY 4 Photonews Mar. 13 , 2013 , 4 Weather Watch, 3 Regl.Watch / 2 OFW Watch , Presl. visit , 15 Online News

A. QUEZON
Mount Banahaw, still close to trekkers
By Joselito M. Giron Wednesday 13th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis
LUCENA CITY, Quezon, March 13 (PIA) -- Mount Banahaw and Mount Cristobal in Dolores, Quezon is still closed to trekkers and pilgrims this coming Lenten season. This was announced by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO). The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) has decided to enforce closure of the two mountains to restore its bio-diversity and its natural features, Sally Pangan, Protected Area Superintendent (PASU) coordinator, said. The Mount Banahaw and Mount Cristobal was closed to trekkers last 2004 because of its deteriorating condition. Its vegetation, trails and biodiversity were destroyed by thousands of people that climbed in the mountains during Holy week, Pangan said. Pangan added that by year 2015, the closure order will be lifted but the PAMB, local officials and some environmentalists are thinking that closure should be permanently imposed to ensure that the two mountains will restore it biodiversity. Pangan also said that there are only designated places in the foot of Mount Banahaw that the people can visit particularly the pilgrims. Almost 2 million people from Dolores, Lucban, Sariaya, Lucena City and part of Laguna province are using water from Mount Banahaw, Pangan said. Mount Banahaw is a frequently visited mountain during Lenten season because of its mystical characteristics. (PIA-Quezon)

B. CAVITE

C. LAGUNA

D. BATANGAS

E. RIZAL

12 MARCH 2013.

President Aquino vows to develop countrys coconut industry; rolls out infrastructure and irrigation projects in Quezon province President Aquino opens Philippine Investment Forum 2013 President Aquino pitches Filipino labor to potential investors President Aquino encourages all government agencies and instrumentalities to support and participate in KABISIG Philippine Government Expo and Trade Fair 2013
President Aquino vows to develop countrys coconut industry; rolls out infrastructure and irrigation projects in Quezon province CATANAUAN, Quezon) President Benigno S. Aquino III vowed to further develop the countrys coconut industry now that it has become one of our best economic assets given the great demand by other countries of its various byproducts. In his speech during his meeting with local leaders and the community here Monday, President Aquino said his administration will continue to look for more economic opportunities for the province of Quezon especially on its thriving coconut industry. Kung dati sadyang binabalewala ang potensyal ng inyong probinsya, ngayon talagang binibigyang-lakas natin ang inyong mga industriya upang ang bawat taga-Quezon ay kayang makamit anuman ang kanyang mga pangarap sa buhay, he said. Prior to his visit in Catanauan Central Elementary School where Team PNoy also held one of its campaign sorties in Quezon Province, President Aquino toured a coconut water plantation operated by Peter Paul Philippine Corporations (PPPC) in Candelaria. According to the President, PPPC at present does not only provide jobs for more than 2,000 people but also gives tremendous support to the livelihood of about 2,500 coconut farmers which only underscores the great economic potential behind the coconut industry. President Aquino noted that in 2009, only 484,000 liters were being exported by our country whereas, in 2010, it increased to as much 1.81 million liters and was even pegged at 16 million liters as of 2011. Ano po ang naging susi dito? Pinag-aralan natin kung ano ang lakas ng inyong lalawigan at wala tayong sinayang na panahon upang ang pakinabang ng industriya ng pagniniyog ay umabot sa mga taga-Quezon, the President added. President Aquino also mentioned that the demand was also great for coco coir fiber especially from countries like Japan, China, Germany, and the United States, among others, since it is now being used to prevent soil erosion. Tayo na po mismo ang naubusan ng coco coir. Baka gusto niyo hong paramihin pa ang ating puno ng niyog para matakpan ang kakulangan nito. Hudyat po itong dapat pa talaga nating palaguin ang ating industriya ng niyog, President Aquino said. President Aquino also rolled out several infrastructure and irrigation projects in Quezon including an 82-million peso budget already earmarked to supply water for some 1,100 hectares of rice fields in the towns of Burdeos, Polillo, Infanta, Tiaong, Pagbilao, Tayabas, Mauban, Perez, San Francisco, Ginayangan, and Lucena. The President told the residents of Quezon Province that the almost P15-billion saved by the Department of Public Works and Highways from its budget will be used to fund more road projects in their locality. These include the eight-kilometer Lucena diversion Talao-Talao port road project, the 16 farm-to-market road projects in Calauag, Gumaca, and Tagkawayan, and the 60-kilometer South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) extension project from Batangas to Lucena, that aim to cut travel time for motorists, tourists, and delivery of goods. President Aquino, however, said that the SLEX extension project will take up to 2019 for it to be completed. Turista na po ako pagdating ng panahon na yan. Pero dahil halos lahat po ng biyahe kong sa kalsada dumaan patungo ng Quezon ay napakahaba, talaga hong nanamnamin ko ang biyahe sa SLEX na yan, he stressed. Lahat po ng ito ay alay natin sa buong lalawigan ng Quezon. Patunay ang mga ito na ang linyang kung walang kurap, walang mahirap ay hindi lamang salita kundi may kaakibat na gawa, the President concluded. PND (hdc) TOP President Aquino opens Philippine Investment Forum 2013 President Benigno S. Aquino III invited potential investors to consider expanding their respective businesses in the Philippines saying the country is now in a better position to offer more and readily meet their requirements in order for their investments to prosper.

The President offered his invitation during his speech formally opening the Philippine Investment Forum 2013 held at the Peninsula Manila in Makati City on Tuesday. He pointed out that potential investors could partner with the government in investing in three priority sectors: agriculture, which is the source of income for some 12.1-million Filipinos; tourism, which expects some 56-million visitors by 2016; and infrastructure, which will support agriculture and tourism through the development of road networks, ports, and airports that will ensure the safety and efficient passage of tourists and goods all over the country. At the end of the day, we are inviting you to come to the Philippines whether in these three sectors, or in others, because we know that, here, hard work, innovation, and creativity are rewarded with success, the President said. This is not an empty promise --- you will have the Filipino people and our administration as committed partners he added. The President noted that since he assumed Office in 2010, he had spent the last two years and eight months on weeding out graft and corruption in order to provide a level playing field for all as well as to ensure that integrity, transparency, and accountability characterize our actions. Over the past years, we have been doing everything we can to level the playing fieldfrom reforming the judiciary, to streamlining the process of setting up business in the Philippines, to following the proper bidding and procurement processes. We are also investing heavily in our countrymenempowering them to take stock of their lives and to realize their potential, the President said. Joining the President were Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Euromoney Institutional Investor Asia CEO Tony Shale. The Philippine Investment Forum 2013 brings together policymakers, business leaders, economists and key overseas investors in painting an overview of the Philippine economy including analysis into all its key sectors. PND (rck) TOP President Aquino pitches Filipino labor to potential investors President Benigno S. Aquino III highlighted to potential investors the creativity, dedication, and loyalty of Filipino labor, saying these are the characteristics that firms want in their work force. In his speech keynoting the opening rites of the Philippine Investment Forum 2013 held at the Peninsula Manila on Tuesday, the President cited the business process outsourcing industry in which the Filipino has excelled and has brought to great heights in such a short time. Given the opportunity, they will do the same for you, whatever industry you may be involved in, the President said. He also called on potential investors to partner with the government in expanding their businesses in the country. The investments that you will bring into our country will redound to tens of thousands of jobs for our countrymenmen and women who will be able to put food on their tables, send their children to school, and meet the needs and wants of their families, the President said. Together, we will be empowering them: giving them greater power to contribute to economic growth and opportunities to uplift their lives and even the lives of their fellow Filipinos. All together, we will be building the success of the industry, the Philippines and the Filipino people, he added. Even if you have come here only with a mind to invest in the Philippines and ride on the resurgence of our economywith your decision to bet on our country, you will be doing so much more --- you will be giving thousands of Filipinos gainful employment that will empower them as consumers thus spurring the growth of both your businesses and the Philippines. And we hope you will take this chance and join us on the straight path to progress, the President said. PND (rck) TOP President Aquino encourages all government agencies and instrumentalities to support and participate in KABISIG Philippine Government Expo and Trade Fair 2013 President Benigno S. Aquino III encouraged all government agencies and instrumentalities to extend their support and participate in the KABISIG Philippine Government Expo and Trade Fair 2013. The directive was issued by virtue of Memorandum Circular No. 45 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on February 22. The KABISIG Peoples Movement (KABISIG) Program was created by virtue of Proclamation No. 650 (s. 1990) in order to facilitate, coordinate and monitor the implementation of government programs and projects, as well as to provide linkages between and among the private sector groups and the government agencies. In pursuit of the mandate, KABISIG is conducting the KABISIG Philippine Government Expo and Trade Fair 2013 which has for its theme Kaalaman ng Mamamayan: Kabalikat sa Matuwid na Daan.

The project aims to bring together in one venue all government agencies and instrumentalities, including Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) and Local Government Units (LGUs), to feature their profiles, service facilities, programs, projects, products and accomplishments. It is also an opportunity that will allow the government to promote public awareness and participation in national development. "In this regard, all heads of departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including GOCCs and LGUs, are hereby encouraged to extend support and participate in the said expo and trade fair, subject to the availability of funds and usual accounting and auditing rules," the President said. The Memorandum Circular shall take effect immediately. PND (js) TOP

ARCHIVE 2013 13 MARSO 2013 Ginawaran ng Pangulong Aquino ng Order of Sikatuna, Ranggong Datu ang paalis na Pangulo ng Asian Development Bank Pinapanumpa ng Pangulo ang mga bagong pinuno ng pamahalaan at bagong pamunuan ng Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas Binibigyan ng gobyerno nang sapat na pagkain at tulong ang mga lumikas buhat sa Sabah, sabi ng Malacanang May mga tuntuning sapat ang pamahalaan para hindi masamantala ng mga pulitiko ang conditional cash transfer Ginawaran ng Pangulong Aquino ng Order of Sikatuna, Ranggong Datu ang paalis na Pangulo ng Asian Development Bank Ginawaran ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ng Order of Sikatuna na may Ranggong Datu Katangiang Ginto si Haruhiko Kuroda, paalis nang pangulo ng Asian Development Bank sa simpleng seremonya sa Music Room ng Malacanang Miyerkoles. Ibinigay ng Pangulo ang gawad kay Kuroda bilang pagkilala sa mahalagang nagawa nito para ang ADB ay maging tunay na kabalikat ng administrasyong Aquino sa pagsasagawa ng Millennium Development Goals (MDG) sa pamamagitan ng mga proyektong tulad ng Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), technical assistance projects na gaya ng Social Protection Reform at iba-ibang pautang upang pabilisin ang mga repormang kailangan ng Pilipinas. Ang gawad ay pagkilala pa rin sa mahusay na pamumuno ni Kuroda sa Asian Development Bank na nakatulong nang malaki upang isagawa ang mga proyektong pangkaunlaran ng Pilipinas at ng iba pang bansa sa Asya. Kinilala rin ang nagawa ni Kuroda kaya natriple ang kapital ng ADB sa US$165 bilyon buhat sa dating US$55 bilyon kaya natulungan ng ADB ang mga programang pangkaunlaran, pag-ahon sa kahirapan, imprastraktura, pagbabago ng klima, pagsasaka, serbisyong panlipunan at maging ang edukasyon. Nakatulong din siya nang malaki upang suportahan ng ADB ang mga proyektong pangkaunlaran ng Pilipinas tungo sa ikaunlarang pambansa. Pinahalagahan din ng Pangulo ang malaking nagawa ni Kuroda upang mabuklod ng kapatiran at pagtutulungan ang mga bansa at mamamayan ng daigdig at sa pagiging tunay na kaibigan ng sambayanang Pilipino. Si Kuroda ay inirekomenda ng Punong Ministro Shinzo Abe ng Hapon para maging susunod na gobernador ng Bank of Japan

na mahalagang tungkulin upang mapaunlad pa ang ekonomya ng Hapon. Kasama ni Kuroda ang kanyang maybahay, Kumiko Kuroda sa pagtanggap ng gawad ng Malakanyang. Dumalo rin dito sina Kalihim Cesar V. Purisima ng Pananalapi, Tomoyuki Saisu, Punong Tagapayo ng Pangulo ng ADB at Kunio Senga, DirektorHeneral ng Southeast Asia Department. Itinatag ang Order of Sikatuna noong 1953 at ibinibigay ng Pangulo ng Pilipinas bilang pagkilala sa mga taong katangi-tangi ang paglilingkod sa Pilipinas, gayundin sa mga diplomata, mga pinuno at mamamayan ng ibang bansa na nakatulong nang malaki upang mapabuti pang lalo ang samahan ng bansa nila at ng Pilipinas, sa mga tauhan ng Kagawaran ng Ugnayang Panlabas sa loob man ng bansa o sa Ibayong Dagat. PND TOP Pinapanumpa ng Pangulo ang mga bagong pinuno ng pamahalaan at bagong pamunuan ng Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas Pinapanumpa ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa simpleng seremonya sa Malacanang Miyerkoles ang mga bagong talagang pinuno ng pamahalaan at ang pamunuan ng Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP). Kabilang sa mga pinunong nanumpa sa Pangulo sina: Undersecretary Erlinda F. Basilio ng Ugnayang Panlabas; Embahador na Katangi-tangi at May Lubos na Kapangyarihan ng Pilipinas sa Peoples Republic ng Tsina; Pangalawang Kalihim Mario A. Deriquito ng Edukasyon; Pangalawang Kalihim Angelita Gregorio Medel ng Kagalingang Panlipunan at Kaunlaran; Pangalawang Kalihim Jose Z. Grageda ng Repormang Agraryo; Pangalawang Kalihim Catherine Jennifer Francis P. Gonzales ng Trasportasyon at Komunikasyon; Pangalawang Kalihim Amelia P. Guevara ng Agham at Teknolohiya at Pangalawang Kalihim Tomasito S. Villarin ng Tanggapan ng Political Affairs, Tanggapan ng Pangulo. Gayundin sina: Assistant Secretary Ardeliza R. Medenilla ng Pagawaing Bayan at Pambansang Lansangan; Assistant Secretary Lorna D. Dino ng Edukasyon; Assistant SecretaryDaniel A. Ariaso, Sr. ng Eneryhiya; Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Jess Anthony Q. Yu; Assistant Secretary Janice F. Santos ng Tanggapan ng Kalihim ng Gabinete; Tagapangulong Eugenio H. Villareal ng Movie and Television Review and Classification Board; Komisyoner Vicente L. Gengos, Jr. ng Presidential Commission on Good Government; Tagapamahalang Grace J. Cenas ng National Diary Authority; panel chair for Talks with Moro Islamic Liberation Front Miriam Coronel-Ferrer; Parole and Probation Administration Deputy Administrator Arturo O. Gabrieles at Pangalawang Direktor Heneral Allan B. Gepty ng Intellectual Property Office. Ang nanumpang 2013 KBP Board of Trustees at mga pinuno ay sina: Ruperto S. Nicdao, Jr. ng Manila Broadcasting Company, tagapangulo; Butch S, Canoy ng Radio Mindanao Network, vice chairman; Herman Z. Basbao ng Bombo Radyo Philippines, pangulo; Rosrio S. Bartolome ng ABS-CBN, pangalawang pangulong tagapaganap; Francisco L. Cardona ng Radio Corporation ot the Philippines, pangalawang pangulo para sa radyo; Joselito G. Yabut ng Primax Broadcasting Network, Corporate Secretary; Padre Manuel Bongayen, SVD ng Radio Veritas Global Broadcasting System, ingat-yaman; Inhinyero Erwin V. Galang ng GV Broadcasting System/Mediascape Inc., Direktor; Jose M. Locsin, Jr, ng Philippine Broadcast Network,Direktor at Albert Sikat ng Tamaraw Broadcasting Corporation, Direktor. Pinapanumpa rin ng Pangulong Aquino sina Wilhelm D. Soriano, legal counsel ng Progressive Broadcasting Corporation na Deputy Chairperson; Jose Alberto Ante ng Trans-radio Broadcasting Corp.; Atty. Nicolas Bondoc ng ABC-5; Ric D. Climaco ng Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation; Manolito Cruz ng Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation; Noel C. Galvez ng Vanguard Radio Network Co.; Reb. Ephraim Guerrero ng Intermedia Philippines; Orly Pangcog ng Peoples Broadcasting Service at George M. Salabao ng St. Jude Thaddeus Institute of Technology. PND TOP Binibigyan ng gobyerno nang sapat na pagkain at tulong ang mga lumikas buhat sa Sabah, sabi ng Malacanang

Tiniyak ng Malacanang na binibigyan ng pamahalaan nang sapat na tulong ang mga Pilipinong apektado ng nangyayaring kaguluhan sa Sabah sa pamamagitan ng pag-alalay sa kanila para makauwi sa bansa at pagbibigay ng pagkain pagdating sa Mindanao. Sa pulong-balitaan sa Malacanang Miyerkoles, sinabi ni Kalihim Dinky Soliman ng Kagalingang Panlipunan at Kaunlaran na may 500 katao na ang nakauwi sa TawiTawi buhat sa Sandakan sa Malaysia sa tulong ng Lakas na Pandagat ng Pilipinas. Sinabi ni Soliman na ang mga lumikas ay bahagi ng 1,500 Pilipino na sinasabing nag-uwian sa bansa noong Martes. Ang mga lumikas ay tutuloy sa Sulu at Basilan kung saan ang karamihan sa kanila ay naninirahan. Idinugtong ni Soliman na may 600 katao ang dumating sa Jolo at Tanduao Martes ng gabi naagad namang binigyan ng pagkain at iba pang tulong ng tanggapan ng DSWD sa lalawigan. Karamihan sa kanila ay nakabalik na sa Basilan at Zamboanga Peninsula pagkaraang makatanggap ng tulong buhat sa pamahalaan. May sapat na pagkain, sabi ni Soliman, para sa mga nag-uuwian buhat sa Sabah, lalo na ang bigas at pangunahing pangangailangan. Nais ko lamang tiyakin sa ating mga kababayan na tulad ng napagpulungan namin kahapon, noong Lunes, nagpadala na ng 1,000 kabang bigas sa Jolo at Bungao, wika ni Soliman.

Inihayag ni Soliman na bukod sa 1,000 kabang bigas at mga de latang ipinamigay at may mga repacking stations sa Jolo at Bungao, at idinugtong na may karagdagang 2,000 kabang bigas na manggagaling sa Lungsod ng Pagadian at Lungsod ng Zamboanga para sa gamit-komersiyal ng National Food Authority. Binigyang diin ni Soliman na inaasahan ng pamahalaan na bababa pa ang halaga ng bigas kapag dumating na ang bigas ng NFA at may sapat na pangunahing bilihin, lalo na ang bigas dahil masagana ang ani sa Luzon. Ayon kay Soliman, may Rapid Response Team sa Sabah na nagtungo kamakailan sa Lahad Datu, ang pook ng labanan, kung saan nagkuta ang mga tauhan ng Sultan ng Sulu. Ito ay binubuo ng mga tauhan ng Kagawaran ng Ugnayang Panlabas, DSWD at ng Police Attache sa Malaysia. Ipinaliwanag ni Soliman na may tatlo nang evacuation centers kung saan kinukupkop ang mga Pilipino, Indonesyan, Timuris at mga naninirahan sa nasabing pook. Ayon sa ulat, aabot sa 500 ang Pilipinong nasa evacuation centers sa Felda. May 451 Pilipino na nagtatrabaho sa Felda na wala namang problema sa nangyayari sa Sabah, wika pa ni Soliman. Inaasahan na itong Rapid Response Team at Humahnitarian Welfare Desk ang tutulong sa mga gustong umuwi. Sa gusto namang manatili, tutulungan silang magkaroon ng dokumento kung wala silang dokumento para malaya silang makapagtrabaho sa lugar na kanilang pinag-tatrabahuhan, sabi pa ni Soliman. Pebrero 12 nagsimula ang gulo sa Sabah at sinasabing 60 Pilipino at siyam na taga-Malaysia ang nasawi ayon sa mga ulat. PND TOP May mga tuntuning sapat ang pamahalaan para hindi masamantala ng mga pulitiko ang conditional cash transfer

Hindi magagamit ng mga pulitiko ang conditional cash transfer (CCT) para sa pamumulitka dahil sa mahihigpit na tuntuning ipinatutupad ng pamahalaan. Ito ang tiniyak ni Kalihim Dinky Soliman ng Kagalingang Panlipunan sa pulong-balitaan sa Malacanang Miyerkoles at inihayag na inilunsad na ng kagawaran niya ang Anti-Epal Campaign tatlong linggo na ang nakalilipas para nga maiwasang magamit ng mga pulitiko ang CCT dahil sisimulan na ang kampanyahan sa buwang ito. Idinugtong ni Soliman na ilalatag ng Kagawaran ng Kagalingang Panlipunan at Kaunlaran ang information dissemination campaign sa mga radyo para ipabatid sa madla na hindi nababago ang listahan ng mga benepisiyaryo na karapat-dapat tumanggap ng tulong. Walang makapag-aalis sa pangalan mohindi si mayor, hindi si gobernador, hindi si congressman o congresswoman. Ang makapag-aalis lamang ng pangalan mo sa Pantawid ay ikaw, dugtong pa ni Soliman, kung hindi ka sumunod sa kasunduan, hindi ka gumagamit ng pera nang tama, ang magbubura ng pangalan mo ay DSWD. Niliwanag ni Soliman na walang pulitikong makapagdaragdag ng pangalan sa listahan dahil sinusuri ito ng DSWD at sila ang nagpapasiya kung karapat-dapat masama ang sino man sa nasabing loistahan. Naging isyu ang pagbibigay ng DSWD ng CCT dahil sa nalalapit na halalan sa Mayo kaya nag-karoon ng pagdinig sa Komisyon sa Halalan noong Martes. Ang CCT ay programang naglalayong tiyaking makapag-aaral at malusog ang mga batang anak ng mahihirap na pamilya. Sinabi ni Soliman na naibigay na nila noong Pebrero ang para sa buwan ng Enero-Pebrero na dapat sanang Marso 15 ipinamigay. Idinugtong niyang itinigil ng DSWD ang tulong para sa buwan ng Mayo ng mga hindi nakasunod sa tuntunin. Ang nais ng pamahalaan ay maibigay ang tulong na ito sa 3.9 milyhong pamilya sa Marso 27 salig sa iskedyul ng gobyerno, dagdag pa ni Soliman. PND TOP

President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the Euromoney Philippine Investment Forum 2013 Manila Peninsula Hotel, Makati City 12 March 2013

Thank you. Good morning. Please sit down. Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps; secretaries Cesar Purisima, Ricky Carandang; Mr. Tony Shale; Governor Amado Tetangco; Chairperson Tess Herbosa; President and General Manager Roberto Vergara; former Prime Minister Cesar Virata; distinguished business leaders and members of the business sector; fellow workers in government; honored guests; ladies and gentlemen: Again, good morning. The last time we met, I shared with you a biblical verse that I believed to be the most apt description of both our countrys condition and our determination to propel it forward: Physician, Heal Thyself. Then, I shared with you the story of the Philippinesa country both patient and physician, one that succeeded in reversing its backwards slide simply through a commitment to good governance. What you see today is a country on the rise, propelled by our determination to change the way things were done in the Philippines and ensure that integrity, transparency, and accountability characterize our actions. From day one, we have been making good on this promise. We are making sure that neither power nor money gives anyone an undue advantage, whether in justice or in business. We are making sure that public funds are used to help our countrymen, and that information on expenditures is made available to the public, to help in guarding against corruption. We are giving our bosses, the Filipino people, a government they can trust. This commitment has allowed us to turn the country around in less than three years: if last year, I spoke to you of this turnaroundtoday, allow me to share with you the continuing journey of a country that has even more achievements under its belt. 2012 was an outstanding year for our economy, besting all expectationsincluding our own analystsby growing 6.6 percentone of the highest growth rates in ASEAN. Last year was also a historic year for our stock market, with record highs sometimes coming every day in the trading week. At last count, in the two years and eight months of our administration, we are at 84 record highsand close to breaking 7,000, when last year, we were astounded with breaching 5,000, and not too long ago, 4,000 seemed an impossibility. The performance of our economy, brought about by our prudent fiscal policies, strong external position, macroeconomic stability, and our dedication to reform, has allowed us to reverse a decades worth of decline in our credit ratings. Right now, Standard and Poors, Moodys, and Fitch Ratings have all placed the Philippines at one level below investment grade, even as bond markets are already pricing us at investment grade. The confidence in our economy likewise resonates within the businesses and institutions you lead. After all, the Japan External Trade Organization, or JETROs 2012 Survey of Japanese-Affiliated Companies in Asia and Oceania states that the proportion of profitable firms for the countries in the ASEAN 5 declinedexcept for the Philippines, which, in fact, increased. This places us squarely in the middle, with 71.9 percent of surveyed firms expected a profit. In just a year, we have overtaken Singapore and Malaysia in this regard. As your businesses progress, and as we remain committed to growing the Philippines, there is plenty of reason to believe this upward trend will continue. All of these only set the stage for the next chapterone that we envision will bring us even closer to our goal of lasting, inclusive growth, and I am here to invite you to play an even bigger role in the years to come. There are many opportunities available in our country, but, in particular, I would like to give you an update on the three sectors that remain our priority: agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure. Agriculture remains one of our priorities precisely because it is the source of livelihood and employment for so many Filipinos 12.1 million individuals, as of last year. This is why, for this year, we have increased our agriculture budget by 22 percent from 61.4 to 75 billion pesos. This will fund the construction and rehabilitation of farm to market roads, enhance irrigation systems, and provide support services, among others. Weather permitting, we hope to strengthen our position as regards rice self-sufficiency, and regain our footing in the export markets by exporting 100 metric tons of high quality rice in 2013. If there is anyone interested out there in being a part of the rise of the Philippine agricultural sector, our Agribusiness Lands Investment Center (ABLIC) will be more than happy to conduct briefings for you. Tourism is another sector in which we are heavily invested, and for good reasonone only need visit Boracay or the beautiful islands of Palawan, attend Cebus Sinulog Festival, or walk around the walled city of Intramuros to understand the attraction that has kept visitors flocking to the country. From the 4.3 million international tourists who visited the Philippines in 2012, to the 37.5 million Filipinos who traveled around our country in 2011 alone, so many agree: it is indeed more fun in the Philippines. May I also add that 37 broke the original 35-million target for 2016. The new target for domestic tourism is now at 56 million. We want you to join in on the fun. Right now, for example, we expect the number of travelers to the Philippines to spike over the next few years. So, despite the great number of hotel inaugurations Ive attended as President, it appears that we will need an estimated additional 37,000 rooms by 2016. This presents a good opportunity to anyone in the hotel or real estate industryor even for entrepreneurs wanting to try their luck, especially since were offering competitive fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for tourism enterprises. In support of tourism, agriculture, and in fact, the overall viability of the Philippines as an investment destination, we have also been working on constructing, rehabilitating, and enhancing the quality of our infrastructure. Both public and private construction activities expanded in 2012, contributing to the growth of industry and our GDP. To sustain this, we increased the infrastructure budget by 18 percent, from 205.33 billion pesos in 2012, to 242.3 billion in 2013. This will fund the development

of our road network, ports, and airports, among others. Even as we are working on this, we also know that harnessing the expertise and resources of the private sector can complement government efforts to get big-ticket projects done. This is why we continue to open some of our biggest infrastructure projects to the participation of the private sector. Again, those of you interested in partnering with us will be happy to know that there are two other major projects that will be rolled out namely: the Cavite-Laguna Expressway, and the NLEXSLEX link connector roadboth of which are meant to cut travel time and enhance connectivity among our cities in Luzon. At the end of the day, we are inviting you to come to the Philippines whether in these three sectors, or in others, because we know that, here, hard work, innovation, and creativity are rewarded with success. This is not an empty promise: you will have the Filipino people and our administration as committed partners. Over the past years, we have been doing everything we can to level the playing fieldfrom reforming the judiciary, to streamlining the process of setting up business in the Philippines, to following the proper bidding and procurement processes. We are also investing heavily in our countrymenempowering them to take stock of their lives and to realize their potential. Among our governments achievements in the past year include the Sin Tax Reform Act and the Responsible Parenthood Law, both of which will help us in our quest to achieve universal healthcare, even as the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro will foster peace and stability in the Philippines. Training programs that meet the need of industries and a roadmap for the development of our state universities and colleges will ensure that our workforce is well-educated and capable of holding gainful employment, as greater access to quality healthcare ensures that they are healthy enough for the physical demands of work. We are determined to see our people succeed. We hope that, in considering our country for your businesses, you share this goal with us as well. Those of you who have long had businesses in the Philippines will understand why I say this. If its simply a matter of how much you pay for labor, perhaps it is true that there are others in the region who may cost lessbut you chose to come here anyway. You know, as well as we do, that, pound for pound, the Filipino worker delivers: he adapts well to any environment, he is creative and hard working, adept in communicating in Englishwhich is especially important as we strive to be even more competitive globally, and he is loyal. To give you just one example: Filipino workers have already brought our BPO industry to great heights, in such a short time. Given the opportunity, they will do the same for you, whatever industry you may be involved in. The investments that you will bring into our country will redound to tens of thousands of jobs for our countrymenmen and women who will be able to put food on their tables, send their children to school, and meet the needs and wants of their families. Together, we will be empowering them: giving them greater power to contribute to economic growth and opportunities to uplift their lives and even the lives of their fellow Filipinos. All together, we will be building the success of industry, the Philippines, and the Filipino people. This is what we mean when we speak about inclusive growth. We will never settle for numbers that look good only on paper; for our administration, growth is a narrative that has always depended on the success of its peopleincluding you leaders, who have the capacity and the resources to empower others. This is, in essence, the opportunity you are all given today. Even if you have come here only with a mind to invest in the Philippines and ride on the resurgence of our economywith your decision to bet on our country, you will be doing so much more: you will be giving thousands of Filipinos gainful employment, that will empower them as consumersthus spurring the growth of both your businesses and the Philippines. And we hope you will take this chance and join us on the straight path to progress. Thank you, and good day. [HOME]

ONLINE NEWS
13 MARCH 2013 Roxas, Kirams open talks to resolve Sabah standoff - priority is "disengagement" of sultanate forces says SILG Improvement in exports of semiconductors to be seen despite decline in January 2013 - NEDA Barug katawhan DSWD list of Pablo Victims: The Same Deposit insurance Financial Modeling Experts meet with the Secretary of Finance Police warns public against counterfeit money DA gives P41 M rehab assistance to ComVal farmers DSWD institutes measures to protect programs from politics Another syndicated estafa case filed in relation to Aman scam; Pagadian City Mayor and 11 others charged in Iligan City Court DOF, AIM launch customized Masteral Program for gov't employees PHL Embassy in Warsaw offers support to PHL tour operators German Labour market will open to Filipino nurses BI deports 'chop chop lady' killer Searching for the Next Philippine Art Maestro Q & A on the Lahad Datu situation PCOO wins Anvil Award of Excellence

Roxas, Kirams open talks to resolve Sabah standoff - priority is "disengagement" of sultanate forces says SILG Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph

Manila, Philippines The brother of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III today met with Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas to discuss ways to resolve the crisis in Sabah a move both the government and the Kirams believe could help end the deadly standoff in Lahad Datu. Roxas said the governments main concern remains the safety and welfare of the Filipinos in Sabah, estimated to number around 800,000. Napakahalaga na tugunan muna natin ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan, he said. Roxas said todays meeting in Camp Crame is actually a follow up to the preliminary talks he had with Esmails representatives last week in Zamboanga City, and said he made sure that Esmail has the blessings of his brother so that further talks could prosper. Ang sinabi ko lang nung sine-setup ang meeting na ito ay siguraduhing mayroong basbas mula sa pinuno nila na si Jamalul. Hindi naman natin gusto na iba-iba ang mensahe. Siniguro naman nila na may basbas ito, Roxas said. The secretary also clarified that, contrary to claims by some parties, talks with the Kirams have been on-going in different levels since the crisis erupted in early February. Pabubulaanan ko ang sabi na walang pag-uusap. Maraming pag-uusap on so many levels sa ibat ibang paraan, he said. Talk is better than no talk. While both parties agreed not to make public yet the details of their discussions, Roxas said they generally centered on the disengagement of Jamaluls armed followers in Lahad Datu. Sabihin na lang natin na nakapaloob sa disengagement. Lahat naman kasi tayo ay nababahala sa nagaganap sa Lahad Datu at sa Sabah. Binigyan ko din sila ng updates kung ano ang mga isinasagawa ng pamahalaan, Roxas said. Esmail, who was joined by at least a dozen other members of the Kiram royal family, concurred: Ang pag-uusap namin is only to find ways and means para ma-resolve ang problema natin doon sa Sabah. Esmail said what he discussed with Roxas would not be made public until the DILG chief has reported them to President Aquino. Roxas said the closed door meeting with the Kiram family, which lasted nearly two hours, covered many aspects of the Sabah issue. "Malawak ang aming pag-uusap tungo sa paglutas sa kasalukuyang masalimuot na problema. May mga mensahe na gusto niyang paratingin sa ating Pangulo at iyon naman po ang ating ipinangakong gagawin, Roxas told the media after the meeting. Roxas said that from the start, Esmail has been active in pursuing a peaceful resolution to the Sabah standoff. Roxas said Esmail has also been talking directly to Sabah authorities to prevent further bloodshed in Lahad Datu. Sa pagpunta po ni Esmail Kiram, itinutuloy lang po niya ang mga ganitong simulain upang maresolba ang kaganapan sa Sabah, Roxas said. |TOP| Improvement in exports of semiconductors to be seen despite decline in January 2013 - NEDA Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph

MANILAImprovement is expected for the growth of semiconductor exports despite its 23.2 percent contraction in January 2013, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The annual gain of worldwide chip sales recorded suggests an improvement for the industry for the year, said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.

Based on the report of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), worldwide chip sales recorded an annual gain of 3.8 percent. Moreover, more orders for semiconductor equipment may be expected as indicated by the upward trend of book-to-bill ratios in major electronics production hubs like the United States (US) and Japan, the Cabinet official added. The Philippines lower overseas sales of semiconductors (-23.2%), electronic data processing (-72.7%), copper metal (-78.9%), communication radar (-63.7%), consumer electronics (-53.4%) and machinery and transport equipment (-3.4%) mainly accounted for the contraction of manufactures (-5.8%), which eventually declined total export performance by 2.7 percent during the period. The decline in semiconductors exports may be partly attributed to lower value of outward shipments to Singapore, the People Republic of China (PRC), the US and Japan, which accounted for more than half (51.6%) of the countrys semiconductor revenues, said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General. Other manufactured exports that also declined year-on-year during the period were garments (-41.7%), machinery and transport equipment (-3.4%), miscellaneous manufactures (-13.9%), textile yarns/fabrics (-9.2%), iron and steel (-6.1%) and baby carriage and toys (-6.1%). However, total agro-based exports were up by 33.3 percent (US$388.9 million) in January 2013 from US$291.7 million and 12.4 percent contraction in the same month last year. This was driven by higher exports of bananas (151.7%), coconut oil (27.3%), copra meal/cake (380.8%), centrifugal and refined sugar (28.9%), natural rubber (222.3%), molasses (83.1%), pineapple concentrates (181.8%), pineapple juice (26.2%), fish products (1.9%) and ramie fibers (100.0%). It should be noted that despite the damage caused by Typhoon Pablo in major banana plantations during the latter part of 2012, exports of bananas sustained robust growth in January 2013, he said. Also, petroleum exports grew by 53.9 percent in January 2013 to US$72.8 million from US$47.3 million in the same period in 2012 as volume of petroleum shipments registered a 70.4 percent year-on-year growth. In terms of destination of Philippine exports, Japan was the top market accounting for 19.2 percent of total receipts. Following Japan were the Republic of Korea with a 14.1 percent share, the US (13.0%), the PRC (10.5%), and Hong Kong (8.2%). |TOP| Barug katawhan DSWD list of Pablo Victims: The Same Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

Barug Katawhan members yesterday confirmed that there were no typhoon affected families that were not given relief aids by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in barangays San Miguel, San Jose, and Gabi, all in Compostela, Compostela Valley. In an interview with Barug Katawhan member Sylvia Lumiquid who witnessed the continuing cycle of relief distribution in Barangay Gabi in Compostela stressed that the list that their group has provided for validation in the DSWD master list of typhoon were the same. All of the Pablo victims from the area received relief goods already. the validation list has no difference or discrepancy considering that all were served with relief packs, said Lumiquid. It was recalled during the rally of Barug Katawhan members who blocked the national highway of Compostela Valley on January 15, 2013 claimed to have been deprived of government service. However, upon negotiations with their leaders, Barug Katawhan agreed to provide DSWD with the list of beneficiaries, the places where they come from, the distribution plan and focal persons from them with whom the DSWD will coordinate. In barangay San Jose, Compostela, Barug Katawhan member Mirasol Delamaza revealed that in this barangay all affected families were able to receive relief assistance from the DSWD. We are happy that DSWD is here again to regularly provide us with immediate relief assistance to augment our basic needs in this trying times of our lives, pointed out Delamaza. According to Delamaza the list that they have is the same list to that of the DSWD, which therefore have already been given regular relief assistance by the government. A total of 2,269 affected families in Barangays San Jose and Gabi yesterday were able to receive relief goods worth P3,403,500 million. Each relief pack contains 10 kilos of rice, 4 pieces of instant noodles, 12 cans of sardines and beef loaf,

and 12 pieces instant coffee. |TOP| Deposit insurance Financial Modeling Experts meet with the Secretary of Finance Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph

Officials from the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) and the World Bank met with Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Cesar V. Purisima recently for a briefing on the Financial Modeling Project For Deposit Insurance being undertaken with the PDIC. The project aims to strengthen the PDICs capability for targeting and managing the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF). The DIF is the fund that the PDIC draws on for paying out the insured deposit claims for closed banks and for financial support of joint bank strengthening programs of the regulators such as the Strengthening program for Rural Banks Plus (SPRB Plus) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and PDIC. The World Bank, through the Financial Sector Reform and Strengthening (FIRST) Initiative, has engaged deposit insurance experts to design customized stress-testing and failure prediction models to better gauge the possible impact of bank failures to the DIF and to the financial system. FIRST Initiative is a multi-donor grant facility that offers technical assistance to promote financial sector strengthening. Secretary Purisima expressed support for the project which he said will be very useful in enhancing PDICs monitoring and surveillance capabilities and thus in helping to maintain financial stability. He also expressed optimism that studying other deposit insurance-related issues, such as governance, and risk-based assessments of deposit insurance premiums will be supported by multilateral organizations like the World Bank. World Bank Country Director Motoo Konishi is hopeful that once the project is implemented, the PDIC will have the enhanced capability to assess the financial condition of banks. A stress-testing model would be an effective tool to simulate the effects of severe and disruptive market scenarios on banks. On the other hand, the customized failure prediction model is a useful technique to estimate the probabilities of failure of a bank and its corresponding impact on the financial system. This financial modeling project for deposit insurance improves PDICs tool kit in pursuit of its mandates, in addition to the examination and off-site monitoring and surveillance of banks. The World Bank Team and PDIC will give a briefing on this financial modeling project to other Deposit Insurance Agencies as one of the activities during the Executive Council meeting of the International Association of Deposit Insurers on June 17 to 19 hosted by PDIC in Manila. This will be followed by an International Conference on Financial Inclusion: Challenges and Issues for the Deposit Insurer on June 20. |TOP| Police warns public against counterfeit money Source: http://pnp.gov.ph Philippine National Police warns the public against proliferation of counterfeit 1,000 peso bills. The PNPs advisory was lifted prior to the arrest of seven persons who were caught in the act of selling counterfeit money on March 4, 2013 in the morning by the operatives of Pasay City Police Station during a buy bust operation conducted along Taft Avenue, Pasay City which resulted to the recovery of 80 pieces one thousand peso bills counterfeit money. Arrested individuals were caught in the act of selling counterfeit money to the elements of Pasay CPS who acted as poseurbuyers in. Moreover, some counterfeit money were already distributed to the National Capital Region, Ilocos Region and Southern Tagalog Region for the past three months. Accordingly, counterfeit money were believed to be in Maharlika Area, Taguig City and were sold to the group of a certain JR and Roy, both residents of Daang Hari, Taguig City, in the amount of 300 pesos per 1,000 peso bill (counterfeit money) which were used as payments for items they buy. The apprehension of these people is a clear manifestation of our earnest battle against illegal activities and crimes in support to the operational imperatives of PNP Chief, Police Director General Alan LM Purisima by enhancing our competence and excellence in the conduct of our duty, Police Senio Superintendent Rodolfo A Llorca said. Meanwhile, PNP Spokesperson, PCSupt Generoso Cerbo Jr., urged the public to be watchful in receiving money especially those one thousand peso bills in their financial transactions. As well, the PNP urge to report the activities of common criminal groups or individuals to the PNP Public Information Office thru tel.nos. 7255115 or 7253179, by email at pio@pnp.gov.ph, or thru PNP Hotline I-TEXT MO KAY TSIP 0917-8475757 and PNP TXT 2920.

|TOP| DA gives P41 M rehab assistance to ComVal farmers Source: http://www.da.gov.ph

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is providing P41 million-rehabilitation assistance to high-value crops farmers in Compostela Valley province. DA regional director for Davao Region Remelyn Recoter said the assistance is part of the commitment of Secretary Proceso Alcala through the agencys Task Force Alayon (cooperation) and High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) to immediately provide assistance to farmers and their families who were greatly affected by last years Typhoon Pablo. Most of the affected farmers in the province are those tending high-value crops such as cacao, banana, coffee, and rubber. We have to immediately provide them assistance so they can recover from such huge losses, Recoter said. We also need to fast track our rehabilitation efforts to ensure that there will be no shortage in production, she added. During last weeks Bulawan Festival, the DA turned over the funding support and to the provincial government. A tripartite memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the DA, provincial government and private sectors was also forged to fast track various agri-interventions. Under the cacao rehabilitation program, the DA turned over a total of P13.125 million funds to the provincial government for both agencies including the Kennemer Foods Inc., a private company to establish 1,500 hectares of cacao plantations. Cacao farmers covered by the program can avail themselves of free seedlings, fertilizers, and technical trainings. Another intervention is the cash-for-work scheme of which farmers are now given alternative income while the rehabilitation efforts are on going. We are also considering cacao to replace abandoned banana plantations infected by the Fusarium wilt or Panama disease Recoter said. To ensure a ready market for cacao farmers, DA also facilitated the forging of marketing agreement between the farmers and Kennemer Foods Inc., one of the major buyers of cacao beans in the region. DA also turned over P3.2 million to the provincial government to cover the rehabilitation of 200 hectares coffee plantation. The DA and provincial government in partnership with Nestle Philippines will also provide seedlings, fertilizer, training, and cash for work incentives to farmers. In February this year, DA has initially released P10 million for the rehabilitation of 4,373 hectares banana plantations. These supported the immediate clearing operations for small growers. The second tranche amounting to P11.85 million was also released last week to continue the rehabilitation efforts such as cash-for-work scheme including giving of fertilizer and farm tools. This makes our support to banana rehabilitation in Comval to reach almost P22 million and the biggest thus far considering that the commodity is a major dollar earner not only of the region but of the country, Recoter said. The town of Laak, one of the regions largest areas planted to rubber also received P3 million funding support as rubber plantations in this area had been severely affected by Typhoon Pablo. Meanwhile, DA-HVCDP is also being providing the same interventions to Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte where production areas were also damaged by last years super typhoon. (Noel T. Provido) |TOP| DSWD institutes measures to protect programs from politics Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

The Department of Social Welfare and Development instituted several measures to safeguard its programs and activities from partisan politics during the synchronized national, local, and ARMM regional elections in May. Foremost of these measures is the Anti-Epal Campaign for the Departments major anti-poverty initiative, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. The Anti-Epal Campaign is an information campaign that aims to insulate the Pantawid Pamilya

during the election period. It also aims to intensify communication efforts ensuring that beneficiaries are accurately informed of the selection and delisting processes. The DSWD developed this campaign after receiving feedback from beneficiaries that there are electoral candidates who threaten to delist them from the program if they will not give their support. The campaign focuses on the message that only the DSWD can delist a beneficiary if he or she is not meeting the conditionalities of the program. Reinforcing the Anti-Epal Campaign is the memorandum of Secretary Dinky Soliman on banning images or pictures of government officials from billboards or tarpaulins used during Pantawid Pamilya and the guidelines on the conduct of activities on Pantawid Pamilya during the 2013 campaign and national and local election period. Secretary Soliman also issued a directive prohibiting the participation of all field personnel in any partisan political activity and mandating the immediate suspension of violators even pending investigation. The prohibited partisan political activities include, but are not limited to: threatening, intimidating or inducing any beneficiary to attend a political activity, endorsement of a political candidate to the beneficiaries, distribution of partisan political literature, and promoting any political candidate while in the performance of official duties. Compliance to COMELEC Resolution In compliance to the Omnibus Election Code and Comelec Resolution No. 9585 on rules and regulations governing ban on public works and release, disbursement and expenditures of public funds, construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works and issuance of treasury warrants and similar devises, Secretary Soliman recently issued the Operational Guidelines during Election Period. The guidelines highlight the prohibited activities during the election period and the safeguards adopted by the Department such as: conduct of activities shall be in accordance with guidelines; non-participation of the DSWD in medical missions, forums, and political gatherings organized by a candidate; and not holding trainings for personnel of candidates. The guidelines also list the activities that are not allowed during Department events such as: display of election paraphernalia; featuring names, pictures or logos of candidates in programmes and handouts; distribution of flyers, leaflets and sample ballots; playing of campaign jingles; and political campaigning. Exempted from COMELEC ban The DSWD clarified that its on-going public works, routine and normal expenses, as well as foreign assisted projects (FAPs) are being disclosed in compliance with the regulations although these are exempted from the COMELEC ban. The DSWD explained that the prohibition against the release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds for public works during the election period does not apply to ongoing pubic work projects that commenced before the campaign period. The Departments on-going public works are: construction of bunkhouses and temporary shelters in Davao Oriental for typhoon Pablo victims; shelter assistance project in regions X,XI and XII for the victims of recent disasters and areas affected by armed conflict; construction of daycare centers and permanent shelters under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) project; construction of permanent shelters, day care centers and livelihood centers in conflict-affected areas in ARMM; and Core Shelter Project and Livelihoood Assistance Program in support of the Mindanao Framework Agreement in Mindanao. On the other hand, the COMELEC ruled that foreign-funded projects fall within the exemption contemplated under Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code. The DSWDs major FAPs include the Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), Poder Y Prosperidad para del Comunidad, and Emergency Operations Philippines-Assistance to Conflict Affected Areas in Mindanao. Authorization to release funds Meanwhile, the DSWD is requesting authorization from COMELEC to release and disburse public funds for the PAMANA project; the on-going disaster relief, early recovery, and rehabilitation efforts; and possible disaster operations should calamities occur during the election period. The DSWD said that the continuation of the PAMANA project is essential to sustain the peace process in Mindanao as well as to realize the peace and development roadmap of the President. On the release of funds for disaster relief efforts, the DSWD said that given the sheer magnitude of the DSWDs Relief, Early Recovery, and Rehabilitation effort, it would not be cost efficient to transfer its implementation and the funds to the Philippine Red Cross during the election period which may delay project implementation. It added that the Chairman of Red Cross is a candidate in the coming elections. Support

The DSWD supports the COMELEC and the general public in ensuring the conduct of free, orderly and honest elections in 2013 and we express our commitment to comply with the regulations in our delivery of much needed social services to the public, Secretary Soliman concluded. |TOP| Another syndicated estafa case filed in relation to Aman scam; Pagadian City Mayor and 11 others charged in Iligan City Court Source: http://www.doj.gov.ph

The National Prosecution Service (NPS) today filed an Information before the Regional Trial Court in Iligan City (RTC-Iligan City) charging twelve individuals, including Pagadian City Mayor SAMUEL S. CO, for their alleged participation in the financial fraud scheme perpetrated by Aman Futures Group Phil. Inc. ("AMAN"). The charge arose from a complaint filed by JULIUS M. LABUNOG, on behalf of several other complainants, who claim that they had pooled their money and invested a total of P29,633,000 in Aman between August 22 to September 17, 2010. The Special Panel of Prosecutors - which was created pursuant to Department Order No. 963, precisely to conduct preliminary investigation into the complaints that arose from the alleged widespread financial scam that is believed to have caused damage to thousands of victims in amounts that reportedly have reached hundreds of millions of pesos in total -'found probable cause to charge twelve (12) out of the original thirteen (13) respondents with "swindling or estafa by means of false pretenses or fraudulent acts" (as punished and defined under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code), in relation to Presidential Decree No. 1689, or syndicated estafa. Seven of them, namely, MANUEL K. AMALILIO, FERNANDO R. LUNA, LELIAN LIM GAN, EDUARD L. LIM, WIALNIE L. FUENTES, NAEZELLE M. RODRIGUEZ and LURIX B. LOPEZ are being charged for their acts as incorporators, directors and officers of Aman, which engaged in commodity futures trading, management of funds or investments of any kind knowing that it was not authorized to do so. In their capacity, they knew that they have not obtained authorization from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to engage in such transactions, yet they proceeded to solicit and receive investments from the public, whom they enticed and convinced to part with their money because of their repeated assurances of the legitimacy of their business, their alleged investments in oil trade, and their possession of legal authority to engage in such transactions, including the necessary license, authority and special permit from the government to engage in the trading of future commodities. In the Resolution, the Special Panel emphasized that corporations operate through natural persons - namely, their incorporators, members of the board of directors and officers - and it is the latters' acts and omissions that serve as bases for their own criminal liability. The Panel took special note of the background of the respondents, one of whom was a former "casino runner" of one of the casino financiers at the Waterfront Casino in Cebu City, a former "Wet Market Specialist" for Century Pacific Group-Pacific Meat Company, Inc, and, even respondent Luna, who claimed to be merely the driver and otherwise lackey of Amalilio, admitted that he became learned in the running of an investment business, and that it was he who established the Pagadian City office. Four others, including the wife of Amalilio, ABIGAIL PENDULAS, were also charged in their capacity and for their acts as agents of Aman. The Special Panel found that they represented Aman in transacting with investors and potential investors, introducing them to the company and the whole "investment process" and, most importantly, assuring them of its legitimacy. Pendulas, in particular, was noted to have spoken to unpaid investors and assured them of the legitimacy of Aman as a business entity even at the time when doubts arose and investors were demanding their unpaid investments. As to Respondent Mayor Co, complainants claimed that his act of entering into an agreement with Aman Futures Trading, whereby each investment in Aman will be taxed at 4% by the City of Pagadian, further made it appear to the public that Aman was a legitimate business. In his defense, Mayor Co denied the existence of any such agreement. He claimed that AMan was only charged the amount of P39,790.00, whichwas paid by Aman when it opened its Pagadian City branch, headed by Respondent Luna. Upon such payment, Aman was issued a Certificate of Payment of Business Tax, which Mayor Co claimed "automatically served as a temporary business permit." Notably, such temporary business permit was issued even before Aman completed the submission of all documents required from it by the local government. Aman, in fact, never completed the submission of all necessary documents as it had promised, considering that one of those documents was the secondary license it never obtained from the SEC. Mayor Co denied any irregularity in such procedure, claiming that Pagadian City only followed the example of Cebu City, which earlier issued a similar temporary permit to the office of Aman Futures in said city. He also denied that 4% business tax was ever levied on each and every investment paid by the complainants. He claimed'that he was also a victim of the scam, just like

the complainants. In resolving to charge Mayor Co, the Special Panel held that his bare denial cannot overcome the positive assertions of the complainants, and, thus, the question of whether or not he or the City of Pagaidan benefited from the alleged 4% tax is a question that can be best threshed out in a full-blown trial. For the purposes of determining probable cause, in the meantime, such is found to exist, as it appears that, by his acts, third persons acting in good faith (i.e., complainants herein) relied on the representations about the existence of the agreement as further proof of the legitimacy of Aman's business, and, thus, induced them to part with their money, to their damage and prejudice. Furthermore, the Special Panel also found indications that he acted, not merely as an investor, but also as an agent of Aman, such as the assertion in the Sworn Statement of his one of his co-Respondent, Lelian Gan, that Aman issued a certification dated 25 August 2012, declaring respondent Samuel Co as an "authorized agent" of Athan in online futures trading, as well as his act, using his public office, of offering C3, a public building owned by the Pagadian City government, for rent in favor of Arnan for its operations. Finally, no probable cause was found to exist to charge respondent JORINO LEDESMA for the crime of syndicated estafa, along with the rest, as his only participation, based on the records, is his being a relative of Respondent Dequito and a known "private pilot of respondent Amalilio, who had direct access with Aman..." Complainants admitted that they never met or talked to Ledesma about Aman or any investment. Several of the Respondents, including Mayor Co, have previously been charged with syndicated estafa arising from the alleged fraudulent investment scheme of Aman. The complainants in this case are claiming a total of P44,035,690.00 (i.e., ctual investment plus interest computed at the rate of return promised to them) in damages. |TOP| DOF, AIM launch customized Masteral Program for gov't employees Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph

The Department of Finance, in partnership with the Asian Institute Management, launched today the first ever masteral program customized for its employees. The initiative responds to the Philippines various development challenges by cultivating technical and management skill in government officials. The Executive Masters in Development Management Public Finance program is a rigorous 20-month modularized program that combines managerial economics, public finance and budgeting, and statistics for strategic management that graduate students will relate to their official work in the government. We dont want government jobs to be dead-end jobs. We want to make government agencies into learning organizations that are also true meritocracies, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said. AIM president Dr. Steven Dekrey for his part said, The program is designed to enhance skills and capabilities necessary for public finance employees to develop a world view of Asia and beyond. The program will build on concentration courses in budgeting and program analysis, public debt and capital markets, revenue policy and administration, benefit-cost analysis, governmental accounting and financial reporting, and public program evaluation. As compared with other career development opportunities within and for government workers, the program will be renewed every academic year and the curriculum continuously modified to address current challenges. In the past, we have not invested enough to build growth capacity within our institutions. With programs such as this partnership with AIM, we want to align the interests of our people with the interests of the government and the interests of the country. This is a great way to promote good governance and a sure antidote to corruption. added the finance chief. The program will run from April 2013 to December 2014 and is also open to DOFs attached bureaus and agencies, as well as to GFIs or government financial institutions. |TOP| PHL Embassy in Warsaw offers support to PHL tour operators

Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 12 March 2013 Philippine Ambassador to Poland Patricia Ann V. Paez told Manila-based Philippine tour operators on March 06 that they can tap and rely on the Philippine Embassy in Warsaw as their sales and marketing field agent in Poland. The Ambassador offered help in providing information regarding the Polish travel market, in following up with potential partners, and in translating promotional materials into Polish. They also discussed plans to increase awareness about the Philippines in Poland, including through media campaigns and participation in travel fairs, and in organizing several familiarization tours for Polish tour operators to the Philippines. Recognizing that Poland is an emerging source market for the Philippines, the tour operators welcomed the Embassys initiatives and cited concrete ways by which they can work together with the Embassy. The tour operators and sales and marketing officers which Ambassador Paez met with were the following: Ms. Serafina S. Joven, President of Annset Holidays, Inc.; Ms. Marilen P. Sandejas-Yaptangco, President and CEO of Baron Travel Corporation; Mr. Victor Emmanuel P. Ote, General Manager of Constellation Travels, Inc.; Ms. Sonia Lazo, Managing Director of INTAS Destination Travels, Inc.; Mr. Edwin Villanueva, General Manager of Light Miles Travel, Inc.; Ms. Lourdes T. Banzon, Executive Vice President and COO of Sharp Travel Services, Inc.; Mr. Cesar R. Cruz, General Manager of T.R.I.P.S. Travel, Inc.; Mr. Ian Mayer R. Varona of Misibis Bay; Mr. Joey Bernardino, Director for Sales and Marketing of El Nido Resorts; and Ms. Joy Anne C. Denaga, Director of Sales and Marketing of Discovery Shores. |TOP| German Labour market will open to Filipino nurses Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 12 March 2013 Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe Natividad met with officials of the Federal Employment Agency, International Placement Services (ZAV) in Bonn on March 08 to discuss the deployment of Filipino nurses to Germany and the upcoming visit of German Minister for Labour and Social Affairs Ursula von der Leyen to the Philippines. Minister von der Leyen will witness the signing of an agreement between the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and ZAV to formalize the arrangement for the deployment. In Bonn, Ambassador Natividad was received by Ms. Monika Varnhagen, Director for the ZAV, and Ms. Annette Tigges-Thies, Head of Division for Labour Migration and Work Permits also at the ZAV. Ms. Varnhagen briefed Ambassador Natividad on Germanys plans to ensure the success of the effort. Through partner agencies like the GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH) and CIM (Centrum fr Internationale Migration und Entwicklung), the ZAV will ensure that Filipino nurses will have adequate linguistic and professional preparation, free of charge, prior to entry to Germany. Under the triple win formula, the agencies are responsible for the successful integration of the nurses into the German labour market and in their social environment. Minister von der Leyen will go to Manila for the purpose of witnessing the signing of the agreement and meeting key Philippine officials. Minister von der Leyen supervises the ZAV. Since 2009, she has served as the Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs in Chancellor Angela Merkels cabinet. Prior to that, she also served as Federal Minister of Family Affairs of Chancellor Merkel. The visit of the high-ranking official marks the commitment of the German side to ensure the successful implementation of the agreement. The deployment of Filipino nurses is expected to address the current shortages experienced by German hospitals. Ambassador Natividad also informed the ZAV officials of the readiness of the Philippines to sign the agreement, particularly the POEA which will be responsible for the implementation. It is all systems go for the Triple Win Project. When the agreement is signed, then we have a cooperation framework that enables Filipino nurses to work in Germany, Ambassador Natividad said. She further emphasized that the agreement protects Filipino workers rights. Under the agreement, Filipino workers may not be employed under working conditions less favorable than those comparable for German workers, Ambassador Natividad stated. The deployment of nurses is part of enhanced labour cooperation discussed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario

and German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle during the latters official visit to Manila in February this year. The two ministers called for cooperation across the board between the Philippines and Germany as the two countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations. |TOP| BI deports 'chop chop lady' killer Source: http://immigration.gov.ph The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has deported Stephen Mark Whisenhunt, convicted killer of chop chop lady Elsa Castillo, whose body was mutilated after being stabbed to death by her American lover. BI Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. disclosed that Whisenhunt boarded a Philippine Airlines flight to Los Angeles, California last Feb. 28, or two months after he was released from the National Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa where he spent 19 years behind bars. We have placed him in our Blacklist so he could no longer return to the Philippines. His involvement in a gruesome crime makes him a very undesirable alien who should not be allowed to re-enter our country, David said. It was learned that although the Pasig City regional trial court had sentenced Whisenhunt to reclusion perpetua in 1993, his jail term was commuted for good conduct while in prison. He was released from the Bilibid prisons last Dec. 27 and was turned over to the BI to facilitate his deportation to the United States. Under the law, foreigners convicted of crimes shall, after service of sentence, be deported to their country of origin and banned from re-entering the Philippines. On Sept. 24, 1993, Castillo was stabbed to death by Whisenhunt inside a condominium in Greenhills, San Juan. Demetrio Ravelo, Whisenhunts driver, testified that the victims body was mutilated after she was stabbed and her body parts were dumped hours later along a road in Bagac, Bataan. Castillo met Whisenhunt when she worked as assistant personnel manager of the Apex Motor Corporation which was managed by the latter. Both were married but were estranged from their spouses. Whisenhunts lawyers have long sought his release from detention, citing alleged errors committed by the Board of Pardons and Parole in computing the exact time he served in prison. The law allows prisoners sentenced to reclusion perpetua to be eligible for commutation of sentence and their release from detention is computed using a formula called good conduct time allowance (GCTA). |TOP| Searching for the Next Philippine Art Maestro

Are you ready to become the future of Philippine Art? The much-awaited art and design competition in the country, the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE), once again opens doors of opportunities for the future for young artist and designers this 2013! Who are eligible? For the painting competition, MADE invites Filipino artists ages 18-35 years old who have not held a solo exhibition and professional/practicing Filipino sculptors who have staged at least one solo exhibition for the sculpture competition. Painting Competition: A participant may choose to join one of the two categories: oil based medium on canvas or watermedia on paper. Painting entry should not be smaller than 18 x 24 inches and should not exceed 36 x 48 inches, excluding the frame. Sculpture Competition:

For the artpiece: a minimum volumetric size of 1,728 cubic inches and a maximum volumetric size of 13,824 cubic inches excluding the base. The height of the base should not exceed 2 inches. Medium can be one or a combination of: resin, fiberglass, glass, metal, wood, stone (concrete), or fired clay. All artworks should be original and must be left unsigned by the artist for the purpose of anonymity. The competition remains to have an open theme. The deadline of entries for Painting and Sculpture participants in Metro Manila and nearby provinces is April 26-27, 2013. Interested participants in provincial areas may drop off their entry forms in the nearest Metrobank branch in their area on April 23, 2013. MADE will award three artists with a grand prize of P300,000 and one sculptor with a grand prize of P300,000. Winners are also entitled to be recipients of a separate grant for their first solo exhibition, opening more opportunities for the winner. The Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) competition is an art and design competition that has been strengthening Philippine art and design for 29 years by discovering excellence in art and design. Through MADE, the winners were able to launch their artistic careers and become future masters in their field. Some of the past winners who have succeeded in the contemporary art scene are: Jan Leeroy New, Lynard Paras, Mark Andy Garcia, Ronald Ventura, Anton del Castillo, Elmer Borlongan, Boby Feleo, and Noell El Farol to name a few. Entry forms with full competition and requirement details may be downloaded from the Metrobank Foundation website,www.mbfoundation.org.ph. Interested participants may also contact the MADE Secretariat at (02) 898-8856 or like the MADE (Metrobank Art and Design Excellence) Competition fanpage in Facebook for more details. |TOP| Q & A on the Lahad Datu situation Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph

1.What transpired in the discussions between Secretary del Rosario and the Malaysian officials? The Secretary, in pursuing a peaceful resolution, has been in contact on a daily basis with the Foreign Minister and other officials of Malaysia. The trip to Malaysia is consistent with that effort. During this particular trip, the Secretary continued seeking the exercise of maximum tolerance to avert further loss of lives. The Secretary also followed up on the Philippines requests for a full briefing on the situation, for clearance for the Philippine Navy ship to proceed to Lahad Datu and for humanitarian and consular services to be made available to the Filipinos in Lahad Datu. While in Malaysia, the Secretary likewise sought the consideration for women and other civilians not involved in the hostilities to be able to exit the area of conflict. The Secretary was also specifically tasked by the President to explore avenues to end the standoff that is acceptable to all parties. 2.Was the Secretary able to achieve his objectives? The abovementioned requests are still being considered in light of the security environment. 3.What avenues did the Philippine Government explore domestically for a peaceful resolution to save lives? From the outset of this conflict, the Philippine Government has been pursuing options which could lead to a peaceful resolution where no lives would be lost. Sultan Jamalul Kirams group was well aware of this as they were directly involved. These options, which involve the peaceful withdrawal of the Kiram group from Lahad Datu in order to ensure that lives are not compromised, were relentlessly pursued on a 24/7 basis. Unfortunately, some of these plans did not merit acceptance by all parties and those that did could not be implemented in time. The Philippine Governments constructive efforts were overtaken by events that were beyond its control. With the peaceful withdrawal, the President initially offered that no charges would be filed and that an avenue for discussion would be made available. 4.What avenues did the Secretary explore with the Malaysian officials? The Secretary worked with the Malaysian officials in ensuring that maximum restraint was exercised for the first two weeks. Until hostilities erupted, Malaysia agreed on a peaceful withdrawal where no charges would be filed. Even as hostilities had begun, the Secretary was still exploring the option of peaceful withdrawal.

5.What avenues did the Secretary explore with the Malaysians during this trip to end the standoff? In meeting with the Foreign and Defense Ministers, the Secretary again pursued the possibility of allowing for an unconditional surrender of the group to avert further loss of lives and allow them to return to their respective homes and families. Negotiations for this remain in progress. 6.Despite our request for maximum tolerance, why were airstrikes and ground operations still conducted? This is a question that can best be answered by the Malaysians. 7.Is it true that the Secretary agreed with the Malaysian authorities labelling the Filipino group as terrorist? According to Ambassador Malaya who was present at the meeting, the report is out of context and the Secretary did not label the Filipino group as terrorist. In Semporna, there were alleged acts of terrorism. As reported by the Malaysian Foreign Minister, after the police forces were lured into an ambush and killed, their bodies were brutally mutilated and desecrated. If indeed these atrocities were committed as reported to him, the Secretary and the Foreign Minister both agreed that these were, at the very least, terroristic acts. 8.Will this affect the GPH-MILF Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro? It should not affect the peace process with the MILF. 9.How many casualties were there from the latest assault? We do not have information on the number of casualties from the latest assault. 10. Is the standoff over? According to the Malaysian Foreign Minister, as of noontime of 5 March, actions by the Malaysian security forces are ongoing. 11. What is the Philippine Governments plan to avert further loss of lives? The Philippine Government will continue to explore all possible channels in an effort to achieve the objective of minimizing the loss of life and bringing the matter to an expeditious conclusion. 12. If the members of the Kiram group are criminally charged by the Malaysian authorities, would the Philippine Government assist them and how? Consistent with the Presidents policy of caring for the Filipino people wherever they are, the Philippine Government will provide the necessary assistance. 13. What is the Secretarys comment on the news that thousands of Tausugs are now sailing to Sabah? There is a close cooperation between the Philippine and Malaysian navies to jointly enforce a blockade for such an eventuality. 14. What is the DFAs position on the Sabah claim? The DFA has been named a member of the team tasked to undertake the necessary study on the Sabah claim. 15. On the issue of the missing letter, what does the DFA know about it? On the issue of the missing letter written by Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram to the President days before the President took his oath in June 2010, that letter has been found with the DFA. The Secretary is taking full responsibility for the oversight. 16. What is the Secretarys opinion on Sultan Jamalul Kirams letter to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee? It is Sultan Jamalul Kirams right to appeal to the UN Human Rights Committee. 17. What is the Secretarys opinion on Misuaris suggestion to involve the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)? It is a domestic issue and is therefore outside the purview of the OIC.

18. Is the Philippine Government reinforcing the security of the Malaysian Embassy in Manila and the Malaysian Consulate-General in Davao City? Yes. The Philippine Government has provided appropriate security to these diplomatic establishments in accordance with the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and on Consular Relations. 19. In light of the advisory issued by the Malaysian Embassy in Manila for Malaysian citizens in the Philippines to exercise additional precaution, is the DFA planning on issuing a similar advisory for Filipinos in Malaysia? For now, the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has issued an appeal to Filipinos in Sabah to remain calm and abide by the guidelines issued by local authorities. 20. With everything that has happened, how would the Secretary describe Philippines-Malaysia relations? The relationship remains strong and both countries continue to exert efforts for enhancement of their bilateral relations. The Secretary believes that a close cooperation between the two countries is necessary for dealing with the challenges presented by the current issue. 21. How does the situation in Lahad Datu affect the 800,000 Filipinos in Sabah? All concerned agencies of the Philippine Government are taking proactive steps to assist Filipinos in Sabah who are being negatively affected by the violence there. The Philippine mission in Malaysia, composed of representatives from the DFA, DOLE and DSWD, is closely coordinating with the Malaysian Government in order to ensure that the rights and welfare of Filipino migrant workers and communities are protected. The DFA, particularly our Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, has a contingency plan in place to quickly extend consular and humanitarian assistance to the affected Filipinos. Meanwhile, DOLE has activated an inter-agency Task Force Malaysia to coordinate and monitor the assistance to returnees at the one-stop centers in Zamboanga City and Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. 22. What is the DFAs view on the statement issued by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon? The DFA welcomes the statement. This is consistent with our call for a peaceful resolution of the situation. 23. What is the DFAs view on Sultan Jamalul Kirams call for a unilateral ceasefire? A ceasefire will only work if it is accepted by the other party. In this case, Malaysia has not accepted it. |TOP| PCOO wins Anvil Award of Excellence Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph

QUEZON CITY, March 11 (PIA) -- The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) was awarded the Anvil Award of Excellence at the 48th Anvil Awards held last March 6 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. PCOO Undersecretary George Syliangco received the award together with other PTV officials, namely: Atty. Jennifer JimenoAtienza, head ot PTV Corporate Communications, News Overseeing Officer Ed Finlan, Public Affairs Overseeing Officer Maria Cristina Mariano and New Media Head Dina Libunao. The program, entitled: Pagmumulat ng lingkod-bayan sa mga mamamayan, which covered the events leading up to the death of the late Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, won the Anvil Award of Excellence in the Public Relations Programs category. The award is presented to an outstanding program or tool that surpasses the standards set in a specific category. This year, the Anvil Awards received 387 entries, surpassing their target of 300 entries. The Public Relations Society of the Philippines conducts the Anvil Awards annually. It is a symbol of excellence in public relations in the country, awarded by a distinguished multi-sectoral panel of judges to outstanding public relations programs and tools designed and implemented during the previous year. Vishnu Moran, chief executive officer of Havas Media Asia Pacific, led the board of jurors coming from the public and private sector, academe and the media. (JJOA,PIACentral)

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