Aguinaldo Shrine

Pagsanjan Falls

Taal Lake

Antipolo Church

Lucban Pahiyas Feast

PIA Calabarzon 2 PRs ( April 22 , 2013), Dispatch for April 23 , 2013 (Tuesday),
9 Weather Watch, 1 Regl.Watch , 5 OFW Watch , 18 Online News

Weather Watch
31 minutes ago near Quezon City

PIA-NCR: Asahang magiging maliwalas ang lagay ng panahon ngayong araw ayon sa PAGASA, subalit mayroon pa ring
aasahang pulo-pulong pag-ulan, pagkulog at pagkidlat lalo na sa hapon at gabi. Maglalaro pa rin sa 25 hanggang 36 degrees Celsius ang temperatura sa Metro Manila ngayong araw.

Weather Watch
2 hours ago near Quezon City

PAGASA weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar on DZMM:

-Asahang magiging maaliwalas ang lagay ng panahon sa buong bansa ngayong araw. -'Yung diffused tail-end of a cold front, malayo na po sa ating bansa kaya naman po wala na itong apektadong lugar sa atin. Easterlies ang umiiral ngayon lalo na sa eastern section ng ating bansa kaya asahan na magiging maaliwalas ang panahon, the whole country po 'yan. -Pero mayroon pa ring aasahang pulo-pulong pag-ulan, pagkulog-pagkidlat lalo na pagdating ng hapon at gabi. -Sa ngayon, wala pa namang nakikitang anumang sama ng panahon na nagbabanta sa bansa. -Maglalaro pa rin sa 25 hanggang 36 degrees Celsius ang temperatura sa Metro Manila ngayong araw.

Weather Watch
2 hours ago near Quezon City

ABS-CBN: Matapos umabot sa 36.6C ang naitalang pinakamainit na temperatura ng PAGASA sa Metro Manila noong
Biyernes, nagbabala ang PAGASA na asahan pa ang matinding init sa susunod na mga taon. Tataas pa umano ng 1C ang temperatura sa Pilipinas sa 2020 at 2C naman sa 2050. Sinabi ng Climate Change Commission na senyales ito ng global warming at paglakas ng mga bagyo. Una umanong maaapektuhan nito ang agrikultura, likas yaman ng mundo at kalusugan ng mga tao.

Weather Watch
3 hours ago

(23APRIL2013-01) 24-HR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST issued at 5AM today. SYNOPSIS:

Easterlies affecting eastern sections of the country. FORECAST: The whole counrty will have partly cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly over the eastern section. Moderate to occasionally strong winds blowing from the Northeast will prevail over extreme northern Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to occasionally rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the east to northeast with slight to moderate seas.>> NDRRMC OPCEN

Weather Watch shared a link.

3 hours ago

24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST

Issued at: 5:00 AM 23 April 2013 SYNOPSIS: Easterlies affecting the eastern section of the country. FORECAST:The whole country will have partly cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly over the eastern section. Moderate to occasionally strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over extreme Northern Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to occasionally rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the east to northeast with slight to moderate seas. Over METRO MANILA: Maximum Temperature: 1:00 PM Yesterday --- 35.7 C Minimum Temperature: 5:00 AM Yesterday --- 24.5 C Maximum Relative Humidity: 5:00 AM Yesterday --- 92 % Minimum Relative Humidity : 1:00 PM Yesterday --- 50 % High Tide Today : 8:52 AM ........ 0.64 meter Low Tide Today : 2:41 PM ........ 0.26 meter High Tide Today : 8:45 PM ........ 0.64 meter Low Tide Tomorrow : 2:37 AM ..... 0.20 meter

Sunrise Today : 5:37 AM Sunset Today : 6:11 PM Moonrise Today : 3:49 PM Moonset Tomorrow : 4:02 AM Illumination Today : 90 % For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.

Weather Watch
14 hours ago near Quezon City

ABS-CBN: Asahan bukas ang makapal na kaulapan sa Tuguegarao at Baguio habang maganda naman ang panahon sa
Quezon, Marinduque at Legazpi. Ang Metro Manila naman ay may 20% chance of rain bukas, 20% din pagdating ng Miyerkules habang 30% naman pagdating ng Huwebes. Tinataya namang magiging maulap bukas sa Samar at Leyte habang maganda naman ang panahon sa natitirang bahagi ng Visayas. Asahan naman ang maulap na panahon sa Surigao, Davao, Gensan at Cotabato.

Weather Watch
14 hours ago near Quezon City

GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz on GMA-7

-Asahan na magiging makulimlim sa malaking bahagi ng ng bansa bukas dahil sa diffused tail-end of a cold front Luzon at easterlies naman sa Visayas at Mindanao. - Mataaas ang tiyansa ng pag-ulan bukas sa Metro Manila lalo na sa hapon pero magiging mataas pa rin ang temperatura. - Sa Visayas ay magiging maayos ang panahon pero may bahagyang pag-ulan. - Sa Mindanao, partikular sa Cagayan de Oro City at GenSan ay asahan ang maaliwalas na pahaon. - Mamayang gabi ay masasaksihan ang Lyrid meteor shower at pinakamaganda itong abangan mamayang 11:30pm.

Weather Watch shared a link.

16 hours ago

24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST

Issued at: 5:00 PM 22 April 2013 SYNOPSIS: Diffused Tail-end of a Cold Front affecting northern Luzon. Easterlies affecting the eastern sections of southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. FORECAST: Cagayan Valley and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. 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 extreme northern luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the east to northeast with slight to moderate seas. Over METRO MANILA: Maximum Temperature: 1:00 PM Today --- 35.7 C Minimum Temperature: 5:00 AM Today --- 24.5 C Maximum Relative Humidity: 5:00 AM Today --- 92 % Minimum Relative Humidity : 1:00 PM Today --- 50 % High Tide Today : 7:24 PM ......... 0.68 meter Low Tide Tomorrow : 2:14 AM ..... 0.14 meter High Tide Tomorrow : 8:52 AM ........ 0.64 meter Low Tide Tomorrow : 2:41 PM ..... 0.26 meter Sunset Today : 6:11 PM Sunrise Tomorrow : 5:37 AM Sunset Tomorrow : 6:11 PM Moonset Tomorrow : 2:36 AM Moonrise Tomorrow : 3:49 PM Illumination Tomorrow : 90 % For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.

Weather Watch
17 hours ago near Quezon City

GTV: Anim na kalabaw ang sunud-sunod na namatay dahil sa dehydration dulot ng mainit na panahon. Payo ng DA sa
mga may alagang hayop ay ilagay sa lilim ang mga ito para di mainitan at madalas painumin ng tubig.

Weather Watch

April 23 , 2013 (Tuesday) CAVITE : LAGUNA : BATANGAS : RIZAL : QUEZON :

6 hours ago

Sunny Sunny Fair weather Sunny Partly cloudy

PIA

Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

14 hours ago PIA 4A/BATANGAS: Nagsagawa ng public consultation ang Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. Hinggil sa environmental impact ng liquefied natural gas import terminal project na nakatakdang itayo sa Batangas City sa taong 2016.Ito ay upang mabigyang linaw ang naturang proyekto at maipaabot sa konsernadong sektor ang kasagutan sa mga katanungan at rekomendasyon ukol dito.

PIA OFW Watch

2 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez on GMA:

Re: OFWs in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia -Ang last count ng ating konsulado doon sa Jeddah, more than 1,000 ang Pinoys doon at lahat sila may problema either sa Saudi law or sa Immigration law. -May proseso at kailangan nilang makakuha ng no objection certificate mula sa employer para makakuha naman ng exit visa at makumpleto ang travel documents. -Ang ginagawa ng ating embahada sa Riyadh at konsulado sa Jeddah ay nakikiusap sa Saudi gov't na i-waive na ang mga multa, huwag ng bayaran, maging 'yung no objection certificate kasi minsan hindi na mahanap 'yung employers at kung mahanap naman, hindi nagko-cooperate. -Kinuha na ang mga detalye tungkol sa mga kababayan natin para ito ay ibigay sa Saudi gov't at maayos ang kanilang mga exit visa at later on ay ma-repatriate sila. -Yung deadline na sinasabi within 3 months, sa Saudization policy ito.

PIA OFW Watch

2 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines

DZIQ: Nagsagawa ng mapayapang kilos protesta sa harap ng embahada ng Pilipinas sa Aman, Jordan ang ilang babaeng
OFWs. Hiling nila ang agarang pagpapauwi sa kani- kanilang pamilya sa Pilipinas.

PIA OFW Watch

16 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines

DZRH: Darating sa bansa mamayang pasado ng 11:00 ng gabi ang 34 na OFWs matapos na makatakas sa kaguluhan sa
bansang Syria. May 35 iba pang batch na lilipad pabalik ng Pilipinas. Itong 35 na OFWs ay nakatakdang dumating bukas. Tinatayang 3,951 OFWs na ang naiuwi sa Pilipinas, habang nakataas pa rin ang alert level 4 sa Syria.

PIA OFW Watch

17 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines

DZMM: Binanggit ng Palasyo na pormal ng hiniling ng DFA sa pamahalaan ng Saudi Arabia na luwagan ang nilatag na
kondisyones sa may 1,000 undocumented na mga Pinoy para sa agarang pagpapauwi sa mga ito sa bansa. Hiniling din ng DFA na mabigyan ang mga ito ng temporary shelter habang sinasaproseso ang kanilang exit visa.

A. QUEZON

B. CAVITE
1. Senior citizens get much needed care
Monday 22nd of April 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis CITY OF IMUS, Cavite, April 22 (PIA) Senior citizens will receive quarterly financial aid from the city government effective January of this year. Previously, senior citizens received twice-a-year financial aid from the city government. This comprises food, maintenance medicines and other needs of their families. Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi said the city government is planning to create an employment program for the senior citizens as many of them are professionals and can contribute further for the development of the city. The city council is drafting an ordinance to make sure that the senior citizens will be given special attention in of terms of hospitalization and other needs. (CPG/RBF/PIA4A-Cavite)

2. Christian group to conduct fun run

Monday 22nd of April 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis

TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, April 22 (PIA) The Kawit Christian Fellowship KCF) in Cooperation with the

Municipality of Kawit and Conservative Baptist Association of the Philippines (CBAP-Cavite Ministries) will be holding a Run 4 JESUS fun run this coming April 27 at the Aguinaldo Shrine Freedom Park in Kawit, Cavite. KCF, which is the organizer of the event revealed that the fun run will not only feature the traditional 3km, 5km and km run categories, but will also showcase the historical heritage of Kawit where the Philippine Independence was immortalized. Participants must be at the Aguinaldo Shrine Freedom Park before 4:30 am Likewise, participants will be given a free tour after the event on the historical house of General Emilio Aguinaldo and the proceeds will be for the construction of the newly planted church of KCF Ministry Outreach in Binakayan. KCF added that aside from free tour to Aguinaldo Shrine, participants will surely enjoy the bonding of family and friends, the importance of physical fitness and most importantly an act of planting a church together. Registration fees in all categories is Php 350.00 which includes singlet and race bib. Venues for registration are on the following: Philippine Christian Bookstore at Robinsons Place Imus, Tobys Sports and Hobbies at SM City Rosario and Kawit Christian Fellowship located at Barangay Gahak in Kawit, Cavite. Participants can also register via online, email their registration form to kcfrun4jesus@gmail.com or visit the Facebook account: www.facebook/kawitfunrun 2013. They can also contact the following person for more details: Sister Irene 0917-982-3556 and Sister Nikka -0932-641-4936. (Ruel Francisco, PIA-Cavite/ www.siguecorrer.com)

C. LAGUNA

D. BATANGAS

E. RIZAL

22 APRIL 2013.

President Aquino leads groundbreaking of Mindanao State University Information Technology building in Marawi City Aquino government commends chairman of the Commission on Elections for staying in his post Aquino government appeals to election candidates to reject reported 'permit-to-campaign' fees of CPP-NPA-NDF Aquino administration welcomes reports the Philippine Stock Exchange index broke 7,000 mark President Aquinos attendance to 22nd ASEAN Summit in Brunei Darussalam make Filipinos feel the government is taking care of them
President Aquino leads groundbreaking of Mindanao State University Information Technology building in Marawi City

MARAWI CITY, President Benigno S. Aquino III led the groundbreaking ceremony of the P45-million Information Technology building of the Mindanao State University (MSU) as he expressed hope that the project would empower the youth in Mindanao for the benefit of the entire region. Oras na matapos ang proyekto, makikinabang ang mga estudyante at komunidad ng pamantasan sa mas modernong computer training center, bagong teleconferencing at multimedia room, at mas maraming silidaralan at laboratoryo para sa pagtuturo ng information technology, the President said in his message during the groundbreaking rites here on Monday. The President underscored the importance of information age noting that the new facility will improve the quality of training in the field of technology and modern communication. This will eventually pave the way for

bigger opportunities for the people of Mindanao, he said. The construction of the new MSU facility is part of the governments thrust to strengthen the strategy to invest in people through education, the President said. Part of this initiative is the launching of the K to 12 Program of the government that will prepare Filipino graduates to become competitive with their foreign counterparts. Also, the government is carrying out the Industry-based Training for Work Scholarship Program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority having more than 76,300 scholars undergoing training for IT. This is in addition to the Public Higher Education Roadmap of the Commission on Higher Education aimed at enhancing the facility and teaching methods in the countrys state universities and colleges, the President said. The President pointed out that the Department of Education was able to eliminate the textbook backlog last year and adding that it is working to address the 66,800 shortage in classrooms before the end of 2013. Malinaw po na walang ibang hangarin ang ating administrasyon kundi gawing abot -kamay ang mga pangarap na datiy hindi man lang natin matanaw. Hindi natin masisikmurang isugal ang kinabukasan ng ating kabataan, lalo pat alam nating sila ang susunod na magtitimon sa ating bansa, he stressed. Ang gusaling ito ay tagumpay hindi lamang ng MSU, kundi ng buong bayan. Buhat ito ng ating pagbabayanihan at pagkakaisa para isulong ang magandang bukas para sa susunod na henerasyon. Ang pundasyon nito ay simbolo ng ating paninindigan na isulong ang kapakanan at interes ng kabataang Pilipino, the President said. The President expressed his gratitude to the MSU administration for honing skillful and talented graduates, which he said, made the state university a major academic institution. According to the President, the MSU has posted a high average of board-passers in medicine and mechanical engineering and has been leading in chemistry, nursing, and other science-related courses. With the current development in Mindanao, the President expressed confidence that the region will soon have lasting peace and continuing progress. He also foresees Mindanao to experience an influx of tourists and investors in the near future and eventually become a hub for commerce and trade. Among those who joined the President during the event were Transportation and Communication Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, Senator Franklin Drilon, and ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman. PND (as) TOP Aquino government commends chairman of the Commission on Elections for staying in his post

The Aquino administration commended the decision of Commission on Elections (COMELEC) chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. to stay in his post during this crucial election period, a Palace official said on Monday. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday following the decision of Brillantes not to resign for the sake of national interest and the Filipino people. "We certainly commend chairman Brillantes in putting the countrys interest ahead and ensuring that he will oversee the elections this 2013," Lacierda said. Last Friday, President Benigno S. Aquino III said in an interview that he would ask Brillantes to stay in his post because the country needs a Comelec chairman in this crucial election period.

Siyempre, papakiusapan ko naman ang ating chair. Medyo less than a month na lang ang eleksiyon. Ang hirap namang magtalaga pa ng bagong chair," the President said in an interview during his visit to Cebu. However, Lacierda said Malacanag has yet to receive information if President Aquino had already talked with the Chairman Brillantes regarding the matter. "We have no information if they spoke. But certainly Chairman Brillantes heard the President speak when he was interviewed by media. Maybe he realized and considered the words spoken by the President," Lacierda noted. Brillantes earlier said that he might resign from his post after the Supreme Court issued decisions against the poll body's resolutions. He expressed disappointment over the latest High Tribunal's decision stopping the COMELEC rules limiting the airtime of the political advertisements for the May polls. The SC also ruled against the poll body's Team Patay/Team Buhay tarpaulin in Bacolod City, the disqualification cases of 52 party-list groups, and the mayoral dispute in Imus City. PND (js) TOP Aquino government appeals to election candidates to reject reported 'permit-to-campaign' fees of CPP-NPA-NDF

The Aquino administration appealed to politicians who are campaigning for the May 13 elections to reject the reported demand of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) to pay "permit-to-campaign" fees, a Palace official said. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday following reports that the CPP-NPA-NDF is demanding from candidates substantial fees for permission to campaign in the areas where the movement operates. "Again, we have already mentioned to our PNP (Philippine National Police) and also to our politicians who are campaigning not to give in to the demands of the CPP-NPA-NDF. This scheme is not tolerated under our system of government," Lacierda said. The Aquino administration has ordered the deputation of law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the government, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible conduct of the May 13 automated national and local elections, Lacierda said. "The AFP is fully aware and they have taken steps to ensure that the politicians are spared from all this permit to campaign," Lacierda said. "Now, we would like to ask the local candidates to inform us of such demands, and we will let AFP units go and make sure that there are no NPA checkpoints. This is not tolerated under this system of government," he stressed. Malacanang on Sunday strongly condemned the attack on Gingoog City Mayor Ruthie Guingona in a village in Misamis Oriental on Saturday night. Reports showed that unidentified gunmen ambushed Guingona's convoy past 11 p.m. Saturday, killing a bodyguard and a driver, and wounding Guingona. Mayor Guingona, wife of former vice president Teofisto Guingona, Jr. and mother of Senator Teofisto Guingona III, suffered a gunshot wound on her foot, bruises and contusions when NPA rebels fired at her Toyota Hilux pickup. The mayor is now in stable condition. Lacierda said law enforcers are now pursuing the group responsible for the attack.

"We have already been told that the armys 58th Infantry Battalion will be spearheading the investigation," Lacierda said.PND (js) TOP Aquino administration welcomes reports the Philippine Stock Exchange index broke 7,000 mark

The Aquino administration welcomed reports that the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) broke the 7,000 mark on Monday for the first time in history, a Palace official said. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement after the PSEi closed on Monday at 7,120.48 points. "This marks the 88th record high in 34 months of the Aquino administration, and the 27th record high this year. This stands as a manifestation of continued confidence in the prospects of our economy, not only from the international community, but also from Filipinos who are raising their stake in our countrys success," Lacierda said. Reports showed that the PSEi surged 2.35% or 163.38 points to settle at 7,120.48, a fresh record close and intraday peak. "This is but one among many indicators of a resurgent Philippines. We must now ensure that our progress is sustained, and even accelerated," Lacierda said. Lacierda stresses that the Aquino government continues to focus its efforts in making sure that the economic revitalization embodied by the PSEi numbers impacts the widest possible segment of society. "Empowering our people remains among the priorities of our government; we are committed to the vision of a truly dynamic citizenry that can take full advantage of the opportunities opening up in this era of national renewal," he said. PND (js) TOP President Aquinos attendance to 22nd ASEAN Summit in Brunei Darussalam make Filipinos feel the government is taking care of them

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM) Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) here are upbeat and excited over the attendance of President Benigno S. Aquino III to the 22nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit that will be held from April 24 to 25, 2013. A well-known and respected Filipina manager of a Singapore-based helideck (short for helicopter decks installed on high rise buildings and off-shore oil rigs) manufacturer with a regional office here said on Monday that the Presidents visit shows his genuine concern for his kababayans working outside the Philippines. Josephine Jasa, a 17-year resident of Brunei Darussalam, is one of two Filipinos working at Aluminium Technologies, a company that designs and manufactures heavy-duty aluminium structures for the oil and gas industry as well as other clients all over the world. A certified public accountant by profession, Jasa said Filipinos here are eagerly awaiting the Presidents arrival on Wednesday. Of course every time our President visits us, it elevates the Filipinos once again. His visit shows the President cares for us and that he is looking after our welfare. So we feel so proud, Jasa said. She added that the Presidents visit gives the OFWs an edge over other nationalities working and living here as it shows that there is a personal bond between the Chief Executive and the simple hardworking Filipinos.

Even if there are a multitude of people from different nationalities working in Brunei there are Malaysians, Bangladeshis, Singaporeans, and Europeans, you dont see their President visiting them, Jasa said. That shows that OFWs and Filipinos are taken cared of by their government, she added. She called on all Filipinos to instill within themselves the desire to excel and be the best that they can be in any and all their fields of endeavor as this is what it takes to succeed in life. You always have to go the extra mile. You have to work more than what is expected of you so that your employer can see how good you are, how dedicated you are and they will continue to trust you and continue to employ you," Jasa said. She said the Filipinos are world class and should work hard at maintaining this distinction in order to remain ahead in the global competition. There are an estimated 21,028 Filipinos in Brunei Darussalam as of December 2012, with temporary migrants comprising the bulk of these OFWs (19,501 out of the total). Semi-skilled workers comprise 31 percent of the total number of OFWs, followed by household workers (23 percent), unskilled workers (15 percent), and skilled workers (12 percent). Full diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam were established in January 1984. PND (rck) TOP

ARCHIVE 2013 22 ABRIL 2013 Pinangunahan ng Pangulong Aquino ang groundbreaking ng gusali ng Mindanao State University Information Technology sa Marawi City Pinangunahan ng Pangulong Aquino ang groundbreaking ng gusali ng Mindanao State University Information Technology sa Marawi City

LUNGSOD NG MARAWI) Pinanguahan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang ground-breaking ceremony ng P45 milyong gusali ng Information Technology ng Mindanao State University dito at binigyang diin na ang proyekto ay inaasahan niyang makatutulong sa kabataan ng Mindanao para makinabang ang buong bansa. Oras na matapos ang proyekto, matutulungan ang mga estudyante at komunidad ng pamantasan sa mas modernong computer training center, bagong teleconferencing at multi-media room at mas maraming silid-aralan at laboratoryo para sa psgtuturo ng information technology, sabi ng Pangulo sa naturang seremonya dito Lunes. Binigyang diin ng Pangulo ang halaga ng panahon ng impormasyon at ang bagong pasilidad na magiging daan para tumaas ang uri ng pagsasanay sa larangan ng teknolohiya at makabagong komunikasyon. Ito, wika ng Pangulo, ang magiging daan para magkaroon nang higit na pagkakataon ang mga taga-Mindanao. Ang pagtatayo ng bagong pasilidad ng MSU ay bahagi ng hangarin ng pamahalaan na mapalakas pa ang istratehiya sa pamumuhunan sa tao sa pamamagitan ng edukasyon, wika ng Pangulo. Bahagi ito nang inilunsad ng pamahalaan na K to 12 Program para maihanda ang mga nagtapos na Pilipino upang magtaglay nang higit na kakayahang katulad ng nasa ibang bansa. Ginagawa rin ng pamahalaan ang Training for Work Scholarship Program ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority na nakasalig sa industriya at mayroon nang mahigit na 76,300 iskolar na nagsasanay sa Information Technology. Sinabi ng Pangulo na bukod sa Public Higher Education Roadmap ng Commission on Higher Education na ang pakay ay ayusin ang mga pasilidad at paraan ng pagtuturo sa mga pamantasan at kolehiyo ng pamahalaan. Ibinalita rin ng Pangulo na noon pang isang taon ay nalunasan na ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon ang problema sa kakulangan sa aklat-aralin at sinisikap na magawa ang 66,800 kulang na mga silid-aralan bago magtapos ang 2013. Malinaw po na walang ibang hangarin ang ating administrasyon kundi gawing abot-kamay ang mga pangarap na datiy ni hindi man lamang natin matanaw. Hindi natin masisikmurang isugal ang kinabukasan ng ating kabataan lalo pat alam nating sila ang susunod na magtitimon ng ating bansa," wika n g Pangulo. Ang gusaling ito ay tagumpay hindi lamang ng MSU, kundi ng buong bayan. Buhat ito sa ating pagbabayanihan at pagkakaisa para isulong ang magandang bukas para sa susunod na henerasyon. Ang pundasyon nito ay simbulo ng ating paninindigan na isulong ang kapakanan at interes ng kabataang Pilipino, dugtong pa ng Pangulo. Nagpasalamat ang Pangulo sa pangasiwaan ng MSU sa paghasa ng talino ng mga may kasanayan at marurunong na nagtapos kaya ang pamantasang ito ay isang tunay na major academic institution. Binanggit din ng Pangulo na maraming nagtapos sa MSU ang nakapasa sa pagsusulit ng mga duktor at inhinyero mekaniko at nangunguna rin sa nursing, chemistry at kursong may kinalaman sa agham kaya nagtitiwala siyang ang Mindanao ay patuloy na magiging payapa at maunlad at magiging sentro ng kalakalan. Kasama ng Pangulo rito sina Kalihim Joseph Emilio Abaya ng Trasportasyon, Kalihim Jericho Petilla ng Enerhiya, Senador Franklin Drilon at Gob. Mujiv Hataman ng ARMM. PND (as/zaf) TOP

ONLINE NEWS
2 2 APRIL 2013 BSP conducts financial learning campaign for OFs and their beneficiaries Anti-red tape survey rates 50 govt offices as Excellent 69 Filipinos to be Repatriated from Syria Korea-Based Filipino professors elect new head Gains in agro-based products growth seen in Phl exports - NEDA DTI reminds retailers No to separate Cash and Card Prices DTI lauded for levelling playing field of exporters DSWD holds CSO meeting in Zambo DOJ comments on the case of a Prosecutor Who died with unpaid retirement benefits OWWA RWO XI recognized by USEP during their 34th Commencement Exercise Govt on diligent review of GPH-MILF annexes; urges public to be patient DOE gets policy support from EU SWITCH-Asia Programme DOST experts develop green packaging thru nanotech 2 Pinays who hid VISAs in tissue paper held at Cebu DOTC shortlists 5 firms for P350-M LRT2 East extension engineering works Strong environmental governance marks first half of Aquino administration PhilHealth: Now showing in DLTB buses PSIP II pre-qualified bidders to construct 8 scale models of PPP school buildings BSP conducts financial learning campaign for OFs and their beneficiaries Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph The BSP will conduct a Financial Learning Campaign (FLC) at the Assembly Hall of the BSP main office in Manila on 24 April 2013. Dubbed Paghahanda sa Kinabukasan, this will be the sixth FLC to be conducted in Manila since 2007. After a session in Manila, FLCs are also held in different provinces around the country. The FLC aims to educate participants on the importance of using remittances to build up savings and directing these into investments in financial products and business ventures. Through this learning advocacy, the BSP hopes to help overseas Filipinos (OFs) and their beneficiaries achieve financial independence and security, bring them into the fold of the formal financial system, and enable them to participate more meaningfully in the countrys economic development. The FLC is one of the BSPs initiatives aimed at improving the remittance environment for OFs and at encouraging the flow of remittances into productive activities. Included in the FLC program are lectures on remittances, financial planning, presentations on investment/business options, including talks on various business opportunities. Information and tips will also be provided to help OFs avoid financial fraud and scams. Resource persons from various agencies will also discuss various investment instruments available and possible sources of financing. An open forum will culminate the discussions where participants will have the opportunity to engage with the resource persons on issues of interest to them. The BSPs FLC has reached out to more than 10,000 participants since it was launched in 2006. To date, a total of 62 local and 15 international campaigns have been conducted. The local FLCs are conducted in close coordination with

the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Trade and Industry, and other institutions as well as business groups. In the past, international roadshows were also held in cities abroad where there are large concentrations of OFs. |TOP| Anti-red tape survey rates 50 govt offices as Excellent Source: http://excell.csc.gov.ph Results of the frontline service checks made by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) through the Report Card Survey (RCS) in 2012 show that of the 599 government offices surveyed, 50 offices obtained an Excellent rating, the highest in the scale with scores from 90 to 100, while 150 offices failed or scored below 70. A total of 309 offices got a rating of Good, with numerical scores between 80 to 89.99, while 90 offices received an Acceptable rating with a score of 7079.99. As lead implementer of Republic Act No. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007, the CSC conducts a survey among government offices to gather feedback on the effectiveness of and compliance with the anti-red tape measures of government agencies. The RCS checks on the agencys compliance with ARTA provisions, physical working condition, frontline service provider, service quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Compliance with ARTA provisions, which is the area where most agencies failed, include posting of Citizens Charter in conspicuous areas, posting of anti-fixer signs, a manned public assistance desk, observance of no noon break policy, no hidden fees in frontline transactions, and wearing of IDs of frontline personnel. We are serious in doing our job as required by law. The CSC does the rounds in all agencies and offices. This means that all branches, field offices, and/or satellite offices of one agency are subjected to the RCS, said CSC Chairman Francisco T. Duque III. Of the 50 offices that rated Excellent, 33 are branches or service offices of national government agencies, namely, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry, Land Registration Authority, and Land Transportation Office, while 17 offices are branches or service offices of government-owned and controlled corporations, namely, Home Development Mutual Fund, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Social Security System. Rule V of the implementing rules and regulations of RA No. 9485 states that the heads of offices and agencies are the ones primarily responsible for the implementation of the Anti-Red Tape Act. Chairman Duque disclosed that the CSC continues to conduct the RCS. As of March 2013, the Commission has conducted 209 surveys. Full list of the 2012 ARTA RCS results are posted in the CSC website www.csc.gov.ph. |TOP| 69 Filipinos to be Repatriated from Syria Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 22 April 2013 The Philippine Embassy in Damascus reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that 69 Filipinos safely crossed the Syrian-Lebanese border yesterday, April 21. The group, which is now under the care of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut, will take two separate flights for Manila today. The first batch composed of 34 repatriates will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal I today at 11:10 p.m. aboard Etihad Airways flight EY 0428 while the second batch of 35 repatriates will arrive tomorrow, April 23 at 3:20 p.m. via Etihad Airways flight EY 0424. Upon the groups arrival, the total number of repatriates will reach 3,951. The DFA continues to urge all Filipinos who are still in Syria to seek immediate repatriation as the violence in the country continue to worsen. For assistance they may call the Embassy at 963-11-6132626.

The families of Filipinos in Syria may also provide the DFA with up-to-date information regarding their next-of-kins present location and contact details in Syria. Those who wish to do so may call the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) at (02) 834-3240 or 834-4583 or the DFAs 24-hour Action Center at (02) 834-3333 |TOP| Korea-Based Filipino professors elect new head Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 22 April 2013 The Philippine Embassy in Seoul reported to the Department of Foreign Affiars (DFA) that a dozen Filipino professors teaching at various universities and institutions of higher learning in South Korea met on April 21 at the Embassy premises to elect their new chairperson and agree on their mission focus for the year. Dr. Emely Dicolen-Abagat, a professor at the Social Welfare Department of the Catholic University of Daegu, was chosen to lead the Philippine Resource Persons Group (PRPG) in a meeting attended by Philippine Ambassador to Korea Luis Cruz and Philippine-bom South Korean parliamentarian Jasmine Lee, who has advocated various causes and interests important to Filipinos at the National Assembly. The PRPG decided to focus this year on extending assistance to children bom of Filipino-Korean unions and publicizing issues of concern to the Filipino community in Korea. There are around 70 such professors around South Korea, teaching in such institutions as Gyeongju, Jeonju, Suwon, Inha (Incheon), Kyung Hee (Seoul), and Woosung (Daegu) universities. The group also decided to establish a Philippine chapter in Manila, to be led by the outgoing president, Prof. Bangy Dioquino. Congresswoman Lee, who was voted into the 300-member National Assembly of Korea as a proportional representative, is pushing for standardized benefits for international students in Korean universities as one of her advocacies. Lee is the first non-ethnic Korean and naturalized Korean to become a lawmaker. |TOP| Gains in agro-based products growth seen in Phl exports - NEDA Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph MANILAThe growth of agro-based exports may be sustained with the opening up of new markets for sugar and bananas, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). In addition to South Korea and India, Indonesia and the Middle East, were also identified as potential market for sugar, said NEDA officer-in-charge (OIC) and Deputy Director-General Emmanuel F. Esguerra. The Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration identified these markets. But the PITC is still coordinating with the buyers in these countries on their specific requirements. The United States (US), Russia, China, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India are among the major importers of raw (cane) sugar, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Statistics of the United Nations. For exports of bananas, an initial shipment of 3,000 metric tons to the US is targeted for April 2013, according to the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). The records from FAO tag the US as one of the top 20 importers of bananas. This is also in line with US Department of Agricultures announcement that allows Philippine highland Cavendish bananas to be shipped to their country, said Esguerra. Recently, the National Statistics Office reported that exports of centrifugal and refined sugar and bananas grew by 27,094.6 percent and 95.5 percent year-on-year in February 2013, respectively. This made total agro-based exports rise by 43.7 percent, amounting to US$343.9 million in February 2013. The NEDA official stressed that to be able to take advantage of increasing regional and global integration, there is a need to expedite the implementation of necessary programs and policies to improve the competitiveness of Philippine exports.

No doubt the exporters have been affected negatively by the strong peso, but this can be overcome by the positive impact resulting from better infrastructure, efficient logistics, lower power costs, and other measures to reduce the cost of doing business, said Esguerra. Esguerra, who is Deputy Director-General for Planning and Policy, is OIC of NEDA from April 18 to 22, 2013, while Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director-General Arsenio M. Balisacan is on official business abroad. |TOP| DTI reminds retailers No to separate Cash and Card Prices Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph The DTI stands firm against retailers that take unfair advantage of consumers and reminds them that having separate prices for cash and credit card payment is strictly prohibited. In 2006, DTI issued Department Administrative Order No. 10, Series of 2006 (DAO No. 10, S 2006) which prohibits the imposition of a surcharge in the use of Credit/Automated Teller Machine (ATM) or Debit Cards for payment of purchases of consumer products and services. The said order indicates that when a consumer pays in cash or credit/ATM/debit card, s/he shall only pay the price indicated in the price tag. Having separate cash, regular and card prices on consumer products and services are strictly prohibited. Moreover, Section 5 of the same DAO states that, All retailers who honor/accept credit/ATM/debit card for payment shall not require the cardholders to pay a surcharge, extra charge, or additional charge over and above the price tag on the consumer goods and services. DAO No. 10, Series of 2006 shall apply to all retailers and retail sales to consumers. Therefore, all business establishments are expected to comply with the provisions of this order. Any person who violates this shall be subject to a fine of up to Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) and/or imprisonment from one (1) month to six (6) months. A second conviction carries with it the penalty of revocation of LGUs business permit. Conversely, on offer of a 5% discount if you pay in cash, the DTI reminds business establishments that this must be covered by an In-store promotion subject to rules on Sales Promotion Permit and a readable and visible notice. Absence of such promo should not discriminate against those who cannot pay in cash upon purchase. An In-store promotion is a promotional campaign conducted within the retailers store in which no advertisement or public announcement is made on such activity. To report complaints or ask questions about credit card surcharge and in-store promotion, visit the nearest DTI Office or call DTI Direct 751.3330. |TOP| DTI lauded for levelling playing field of exporters Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph/ Hancole Industries Ltd. lauded the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for levelling the playing field for exporters through the free trade agreements (FTAs). "The FTAs have levelled the playing field when we export HanCole products to as the other countries with FTAs," said Marco Reyes, CEO of Hancole Group of Companies. FTAs are agreements between two or more countries to eliminate or reduce tariffs and other requirements of commerce that restrict trade between them. "The Philippines is participating in these FTAs to maintain competitiveness, promote cross- border complementation, sustain inflow of investments, mutual support on issues of common interest and for the benefit of consumers," Bureau

of Export Trade Promotion director Senen M. Perlada said. Through these FTAs, the Philippines targets to double its exports to USD 120B by 2016 from its USD 89-B export target in 2013. Hancole is a global exporter of oils and fats, food raw materials, oleochemicals, surfactants and petrochemicals. Hancole exports refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) coconut oil, coconut acid oil, coconut fatty acid distillate, coconut fatty acid, fatty alcohols, refined glycerine, crude glycerine, sodium lauryl sulfate, cocodiethanolamide, cocomonoethanolamide, coconut methyl ester and isopropyl myristate. Reyes said that to further increase coconut oil exports, the Philippines needs a bilateral free trade agreement with Pakistan. "Right now, Malaysia is the leading exporter of coconut oil to Pakistan. It used to be the Philippines. A few years ago, Malaysia signed a bilateral FTA with Pakistan, reducing the import duties of their vegetable oil exports. Since the Philippines does not have the same bilateral FTA, our coconut oil has become uncompetitive. The importers in Pakistan are paying less import duty when they import from Malaysia compared to the Philippines," said Reyes. To date, there are seven existing FTAs namely the ASEAN Free Trade Area, Asean-China Free Trade Area ASEANKorea Free Trade Area, ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area, ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and ASEAN-India Free Trade Area. |TOP| DSWD holds CSO meeting in Zambo Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph The Department of Social Welfare and Development IX (DSWD) conducted a Mindanao Civil Society Organizations (CSO) meeting which started last Wednesday at a local hotel, this city. More than 100 CSO participants coming from Regions 9, 12 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao attended the meeting. The topics discussed during the meeting were updates on Public and Private Partnership, DSWD, CSO partnership, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and others. DSWD National Office Executive Assistant and CSO Focal Person, Roy Calfoforo, who was the guest speaker for the program said in an interview, We are talking about public private partnership. Paano sila makakatulong sa mga core programs ng DSWD like KALAHI-CIDSS, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, and livelihood program. Sila yung ating bantay, gabay, tulay, at kaagapay sa ground. They help in the monitoring of the pantawid pamilya, they help in the facilitation of family development session and implementation of modified CCT for the disadvantaged and vulnerable sector dito sa region na ito. According to Calfoforo, this is important so these CSOs can help on the ground to implement DSWD programs especially in terms of transparency and accountability. Para effectively maimplement natin ng maayos at maganda at makinabang ang tunay na mahihirap sa ating mga programa dito sa DSWD. Paano magtutulungan ang CSO, private sectors, LGU at DSWD down to municipal level na maimplement ng maayos itong programa ng gobyerno natin. This meeting is also line with the instruction of Secretary Dinky Soliman that the office should really communicate, coordinate and collaborate with their partners. The activity will also strengthen the partnership between the DSWD and the CSO in Zamboanga Peninsula. A workshop was also given to the participants where the participants went on a planning session. The KALAHI-CIDSS, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, and the SEA-K, are just some of the flagship programs of the department for poverty alleviation. |TOP|

DOJ comments on the case of a Prosecutor Who died with unpaid retirement benefits Source: http://www.doj.gov.ph The Department has clarified the circumstances attendant to the issue of a former prosecutor who died without receiving his retirement pay. Undersecretary Leah Armamento, the Chairperson of the Technical Working Group (TWG), Retirement Committee created pursuant to RA 10071, stressed that the Department was not amiss in attending to the application for retirement pay of former Acting Cadiz City Prosecutor Marcelo del Pilar, who died of heart attack last April 4, 2013. "His situation represents an area of concern and the Department is doing everything to convince the DBM and GSIS to release the retirement benefits of retired Prosecutors," Usec Armamento said. As she expressed utmost condolences to the bereaved family of Prosecutor Del Pilar, she also urged for the immediate signing by the DBM and GSIS of the Joint Circular that will address the issue on the retirement benefits of prosecutors under RA 10071. Armamento disclosed that on 3 April 2013, DBM Dir. Tina Rose Marie Canda informed the Department that the Joint Circular between DBM and GSIS is set to be signed on April 15, 2013. Canda added that DBM's Request for Issuance of Special Allotment Release Order in the amount of Php397,384,560.0O to cover payment of the retirement gratuity for prosecutor's covering the year 2010 to 2012 was resubmitted to the DBM. On April 4, the Department sent a letter to Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Laierda regarding the query of former Prosecutor Del Pilar regarding his lump sum pension. However, he passed away on the same day Malacanang was updated of his benefits. On April 5, an on-line and a broadsheet ran a story of retired Prosecutor Del Pilar who "dies without his pension" after serving the government for 36 years. Reports had it that he bowed out of service after reaching the mandatory retirement age on July 15, 2011 and had undergone several heart attacks in 2007 and 2010, the last seizure was on last March 16, 2013. Members of his family claimed his condition may have been aggravated by stress because their property was up for foreclosure and he had been delayed in paying his auto loan due to mounting hospital bills. In March, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda wrote the Office of Usec Armamento about Del Pilar's retirement pay. In behalf of Usec Armamento, SASP Aileen Marie Gutierrez, member of the Technical Working Group of RA 10071, Retirement Committee, in her memorandum through Secretary Leila De Lima on April 4, also sent a letter to the Office of Lacierda On the status of the prosecutor's retirement pay. The said letter belied insinuation of a newspaper that made a follow up with the staff of Lacierda that Usec Armamento has not acted on the query over Del Pilar's retirement pension. RA 10071 (An Act Strengthening and Rationalizing the National Prosecution Service) is a special law for prosecutors enacted on April 8, 2010. Section 21 of the said law provides updated schemes in terms of retirement benefits for prosecutors. |TOP| OWWA RWO XI recognized by USEP during their 34th Commencement Exercise Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph OWWA Regional Welfare Office XI received a plaque of appreciation from the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) during their 34th Commencement Exercises at USEP Sports and Cultural Center last April 15, 2013. OWWA RWO XI Regional Director Ms. Ma. Elvira A. Ador, accepted the plaque in behalf of the agency. With the theme: USEP Reaching the Frontier of Global Excellence, eleven (11) scholarship benefactors were awarded by the institution. The event started with their baccalaureate mass and followed by the recognition rites which were attended by students, faculty, school officials, partners and donors. The recognition rite is a ceremonial activity to acknowledge the significant role of partners and donors of the institutions mission of providing quality education. OWWA was recognized by the University on its pursuit to provide scholarships to deserving dependents of OWWA-member OFW studying in the institution. USEP officials present during the awarding were Dr. Perfecto A. Alibin University President, Dr. Rodulfo C. Sumugat Vice President for Administration and Dr. Sophremiano B. Antipolo Vice President for RDE.

The institution has been a partner of OWWA RWO XI in the implementation of the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) and OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP). |TOP| Govt on diligent review of GPH-MILF annexes; urges public to be patient Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles on Saturday said that the government is working hard by exercising due diligence review of the three remaining annexes that will be included in the comprehensive agreement to be forged with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). While we move forward in this final stretch, we need to remain cautious of the intricacies involved in the crafting of the annexes, she said in a message read on her behalf by Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Undersecretary Jose Lorena to hundreds of members of the Rotary International District 3870 during their conference held at the Elena Tower Inn in Iligan City. The three remaining annexes on power-sharing, wealth-sharing and normalization are now going through due diligence review because our President wants to make sure that the whole government, not just the peace panel, has the full grasp of all the implications of what we are going to sign, she stated. Our President has reiterated time and again that this government will not sign any agreement that it cannot implement. The GPH and the MILF in February already signed the annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities that details the road map towards the creation of the Bangsamoro region that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao by 2016. The four annexes and the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro will constitute the comprehensive agreement. Deles stressed the importance of learning from history particularly the consequences of the botched Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) in 2008. The lessons of MOA-AD continue to remind us to practice due diligence by carefully studying the repercussions and examining the viability while making certain that that the voices of the people are heeded in the process. We will never allow another hastily forged agreement to waste the gains achieved in the 14-year negotiations. We will never allow our people to suffer again. It is for this motivation that we want to settle on an agreement that is based on solid foundation and can withstand scrutiny and cynicism, sh e said. We are almost there. Peace is already at hand and we cannot allow it to slip out of our grasp. Patience and support The peace adviser related that the last remaining issues on the three annexes are the most contentious and the most difficult, but the documents are almost at its completion. At this crucial stage of the peace process, Deles asked for the peoples support and patience. . For this reason, we need the help of more and more groups and sectors. For a peace process to succeed, we will need the patience and support of the vast majority of our people, she said. At this point in our peace process, I would like to call on your further help and assistance as the challenges continue to abound. I know that there will be no shortage of options for your involvement as you begin to know more and more about the unfolding possibilities for peace in our country, Deles told Rotarians. As well, your help will be needed in building bridges of understanding and in developing constituencies for peace especially in the professional and the business sectors. It is certainly welcome news to have you join and accompany us in this difficult but worthwhile journey. She expressed optimism that the challenges confronting the peace process are not insurmountable. We have a limited window of time to pursue our dreams, but we can create unlimited opportunities if we help one another in bringing about creative solutions in bringing about a future of peace for our children. |TOP|

DOE gets policy support from EU SWITCH-Asia Programme Source: http://www.doe.gov.ph (Taguig City) In pursuit of its thrust of promoting clean energy and energy-efficiency projects in the country, the Department of Energy (DOE), as one of the key players in the European Union (EU)-funded SWITCH-Asia Programme, participated in the 1st Project Steering Committee Meeting held recently at the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel in Quezon City. Undersecretary Loreta G. Ayson, CESO I, who represents DOE in the Steering Committee, welcomed the assistance of EU through its SWITCH-Asia Programme to facilitate the implementation of laws that promote renewable energy, such as, Republic Act 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 and the Biofuels Act. Likewise, it will aid DOE and those from the private sector in developing and further improving energy efficiency standards in the transportation and industrial sectors. Under SWITCH-Asia, technical assistance and training will be provided to concerned government agencies for the effective enforcement of relevant Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP)-based laws. A total of 3.5 million (P186 million) has been allocated to the Philippine government to support its policy priorities in the fields of Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Biofuels, Green Procurement and Eco-labeling, and Clean Air, among others. The Philippines received the biggest out of the four Asian countries benefitting from the financial assistance, said Maria Eloida Balamiento, Senior Energy Advisor of the SWITCH Policy Support Programme. The other three countries are Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) chairs the Steering Committee, with the DOE, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Climate Change Commission (CCC), and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) as members. The group is responsible for the evaluation and approval of the projects to be funded by the programme. Results of the project will be regularly monitored and evaluated by the EU, which will then make the necessary adjustments in the implementation. |TOP| DOST experts develop green packaging thru nanotech Source: http://www.dost.gov.ph A team of scientists at the Department of Science and Technology-Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) led by Dr. Blessie A. Basilia has come up with a biodegradable food packaging material that protects food and extends its shelf while being kind to the environment. This is made possible, according to Dr. Basilia, via the science called nanotechnology in which things are structured at the atomic and molecular levels. The biodegradable film is made from starch and clay, both locally available materials, said Basilia who is chief of ITDIs Material Sciences Division. Clay comes in layers tightly held together, so it is processed first so that it can blend effectively with starch. In Basilia s work, clay is treated with ions in a process called ion exchange which results in wider spaces between the layers of the clay. This treated clay is called organoclay or nanoclay, its commercial name. Nanoclay is blended with thermoplastic starch made from cornstarch to help increase the latters strength. The clayplastic blend goes through the same process and equipment in making petroleum-based plastics. The resulting product passed the migration test required for packaging films which means that the materials in the product will not contaminate the food it is in contact with. Plastic food packaging protects and extends shelf life of food and offers convenience to consumers. However, plastics are not biodegradable and pose harm to the environment. When disposed of indiscriminately, plastics clog waterways and contribute to flooding. Plastics that find their way to oceans cause serious harm to marine wildlife which mistake them for food. Thus this DOST-developed green packaging technology will not only help address the disposal of food packaging

wastes but will also benefit the packaging and plastic industries in the country. Nanotechnology is one of DOSTs priority among emerging technologies through its sectoral council Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development which funded and monitored the project. |TOP| 2 Pinays who hid VISAs in tissue paper held at Cebu Source: http://immigration.gov.ph Immigration officers at the international airport in Cebu intercepted two suspected human trafficking victims as they attempted to leave with their visas and tickets hidden inside a tissue paper. Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. disclosed that the two female passengers were apprehended last April 3 before they could board a Philipine Airlines Express flight to Hongkong. David said the passengers initially claimed they would be vacationing in Hongkong but later admitted that they are undocumented overseas workers bound for Korea and Jordan. He added that both women did not have the required permits to work abroad from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. It was during the interview that the passengers reportedly produced their visas and plane tickets to Korea and Jordan which were hidden in the middle of a ten-pull tissue paper. One of them said she was hired to work as a singer in Korea while the other said she was employed as a domestic helper in Jordan. Meanwhile, David announced that he has designated Atty. Brandon Enad as chief immigration supervisor of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA). Enad replaced immigration officer Nelson Gallentes who was reassigned to the bureaus border crossing station in Balabac, Palawan. David said he intends to reshuffle the bureaus personnel assigned in the other airports as part of the bureaus program to energize its bureaucracy and deter corruption among its personnel. He explained that the periodic reshuffle of the employees partly aims to prevent fraternization which is oftentimes a major source of corruption. The BI chief also reported that since last year more than 300 new immigration officers were already hired by the bureau and deployed to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other ports of entry. He said the new BI personnel will surely bolster the bureaus capability in thwarting human trafficking and i llegal recruitment. |TOP| DOTC shortlists 5 firms for P350-M LRT2 East extension engineering works Source: http://www.dotc.gov.ph Manila, Philippines The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has shortlisted five (5) firms to perform consulting and engineering works for the 4.2-kilometer eastward extension of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 2 System to the Masinag area in Cainta, Rizal. In a Notice of Eligibility and Shortlisting issued last week, the transportation agency informed the following groups that they had qualified to bid for the P350-Million project: Foresight Development and Surveying Company, in association with Soosung Engineering Co. Ltd. and Korea Rail Network Authority Consortium

J.F. Cancio & Associates, in association with Development Engineering & Management Corporation, Engineering & Development Corporation of the Philippines, Filipinas Dravo Corporation, TCGI Engineers, Urban Integrated Consultants, Inc., and Oriental Consultants Co., Ltd. Schema Konsult, Inc., in association with Pertconsult International, KE Asia, Inc., DCCD Engineering Corporation, Key Engineers Co., and Proconsult, Inc. Systra Philippines, in association with Philipps Technical Consultants Corporation Science and Vision for Technology, Inc., in association with Yooshin Engineering Corporation

The shortlisted firms will vie to provide the DOTC with a Detailed Engineering Design for the rail extension, as well as Construction Supervision services for the civil works phase. This project was originally offered earlier this year, but the Transport Department was forced to declare a failure of bidding in February when only one of the interested parties was able to meet the eligibility requirements of Republic Act No. 9184, or the Procurement Law. We wish to remind bidders to be mindful of meeting all requirements in the law and in our bid parameters. The DOTC works hard to offer the best opportunities to the private sector, and it expects bidders to likewise give their best proposals to government. We will continue to follow what procurement laws and rules require for our bids, because that is our responsibility to the public, the Transport Department stress ed. The LRT2 East (Masinag) Extension Project entails the extension of the existing 13.8-kilometer system from Santolan, Pasig City to the intersection of the Marcos and Sumulong Highways in Rizal. It will serve an additional 130,000 train commuters from the current number of 240,000. |TOP| Strong environmental governance marks first half of Aquino administration Source: http://www.denr.gov.ph The Aquino administrations groundbreaking environmental policies have made headway to cushion the impacts of climate change, improve disaster mitigation, preserve the remaining forests and biodiversity, and secure the countrys food supply. Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje made this assessment as the country joins the rest of the world in celebrating Earth Day on April 22 under the local theme, Earth Day Everyday, Everywhere, for Everyone. The first three years of the Aquino administration was highlighte d by strong environmental governance with focus on reversing environmental degradation and enable sustainable living, Paje said. The environment chief cited in particular President Benigno Aquino IIIs total log ban and reforestation policies initiatives that pushed the ranking of the Philippines up in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) of the World last year. Paje said that through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the administration will pursue programs to preserve the countrys environmental gains and further protect the environment. He said the government will continue to give emphasis on balancing economic and social development with environmental protection. Paje said the implementation by the DENR of the log ban in natural forests pursuant to Executive Order (EO) No. 23 had substantially reduced to 31 the illegal logging hotspots from a high of 197 before the law took effect. EO 23, which was signed by President Aquino in February 2011, has also halted all authorized logging operations in natural forests nationwide, virtually stopping timber extraction of about 300 million board feet a year. Also in February 2011, the President issued EO 26 establishing the National Greening Program, which seeks to plant 1.5 billion trees covering 1.5 million hectares in six years ending in 2016.

These two presidential directives each received a perfect score of 100 percent in the EPI, improving the Philippine ranking by eight notches to No. 42 in 2012 from No. 50 in 2010 among the 132 countries evaluated by four respected international institutions. The Philippines outranked countries like South Korea (43rd), Australia (48th), the United States (49th), Singapore (52nd) and Israel (61st). EPI is an evaluation of the sustainability of the environmental programs and policies of the countries concerned. The evaluation was made by the Yale University, Columbia University, the World Economic Forum and the Joint Research Center of the European Commission. The DENR has also distributed to local government units (LGUs), down to the 42,000 barangays nationwide, close to 70,000 copies of the geohazard maps with a scale of 1:50,000 to help LGUs mitigate the effects of flashfloods and landslides. The geohazard maps prepared by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau would help LGUs pinpoint barangays in their areas of jurisdiction that are prone to landslides and floods. The Aquino governments mining policy reforms under E0 79, which seeks to balance development and environmental protection, ban mining in prime agricultural and fishing areas as well as in 78 designated ecotourism sites, including almost the whole province of Palawan. It also disallows the issuance of new mining permits until Congress passes a measure increasing the royalty tax imposed on the gross earnings of mining companies to five percent from the current two percent. The presidential directive also calls for a thorough review of existing mining operations to ensure compliance with mining and environmental laws. It likewise underscores the need for national laws and local ordinances to be harmonized to ensure the proper management and regulation of the lucrative industry. Meanwhile, the Quezon City government is hosting this years Earth Day celebration at the Quezon City Me morial Circle. The whole-day activity will begin with the Lakad Para sa Kalikasan, a 2.5-kilometer walk around the memorial park, and an ecumenical service to be officiated by representatives from major religious organizations. The highlight of the event is the State of the Philippine Environment Address, which will be delivered by DENR Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio. This will be followed by a response from the civil society, represented by Roberto Guevarra, country director of Earth Day Network Philippines Inc. (EDNPI). The DENR, through the Climate Change Office, will launch the Mini-Carbon Olympics that aims to shore up climate change awareness among students and equip them with actionable knowledge on how they can lower their carbon footprint. Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista will also present the award to five Quezon City barangays that made it to the list of Metro Manilas model barangays for eco-waste management. Other activities include a mini-concert led by the University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors, cultural presentations and medical mission. Earth Day is the single biggest environmental celebration in the world participated in by more than 150 countries and over a billion people worldwide. |TOP| PhilHealth: Now showing in DLTB buses Source: http://www.philhealth.gov.ph PhilHealth Regional Office (PRO) IVA recently launched its bus advertisement campaign starting with the Del Monte Land Transport Bus Company (DLTBCo) that has 250 bus units plying the Southern Tagalog and Visayas routes. Mr. James Olayvar, General Manager of DLTBCo, has approved the partnership with PRO IVA Regional Vice

President Alberto C. Manduriao to allow PhilHealth audio-visual materials to be featured/included initially with their 96 bus units plying the Manila to Lucena, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte. The AV materials will be shown once along the bus route. The partnership is expected to increase the awareness and knowledge of commuting public about the importance of financial protection against prohibitive hospitalization through PhilHealth. PRO IVA is also set to conduct orientation seminars with DLTB drivers and conductors about their PhilHealth coverage. |TOP| PSIP II pre-qualified bidders to construct 8 scale models of PPP school buildings Source: http://ppp.gov.ph Constructions companies Megawide, BF Corporation, DM Wenceslao & Associates and the Vicente T. Lao Constructors/BSP & Co. Inc. will build 2 scale models each of the school buildings under DepEds PPP for School building Project (PSIP II). The four companies were asked to draw lots to determine their assigned construction locations in Pampanga. DepEd chose the site for its proximity to Manila. Megawide will construct one school building in Mexico National High School and another one in San Nicholas Elementary School. BF Corporation will build in Mabalacat Central School and Dr. Adelaido Bernardo National High School. DM Wenceslao and Associates will construct one school building in Cuayan Elementary School and another in Rafael Lazatin Memorial High School. Vicente Lao Constructors/BSP & Co. Inc will construct one each in Ayala High School and Manibuag Libutad Elementary School. The four construction firms should turn over the completed school buildings for evaluation on or before June 17, the deadline for the submission of their technical and financial proposals. The construction of the scale models is part of the requirements stated in the invitation documents for prospective bidders. The PSIP II will be awarded through competitive public bidding as a PPP project using the Build- Transfer scheme under the BOT Law. The PSIP Phase II involves the design, financing, and construction of around 10,679 one-storey and two-storey classrooms, including furniture, fixtures and toilets, in 5,033 public schools in 14 regions nationwide. |TOP|

Thank You and God Bless !!!!