Aguinaldo Shrine

Pagsanjan Falls

Taal Lake

Antipolo Church

Lucban Pahiyas Feast

PIA Calabarzon 3 PR May 28 , 2013, Dispatch for May 29 , 2013 Wednesday,

3 Photonews , 16 Weather Watch, 2 Regional Watch , 2 OFW Watch , 15 Online News

Weather Watch

2 hours ago DZRH: Maulap na may kasamang kalat-kalat na pag-ulan ang mararanasan sa Palawan, Eastern Visayas at Mindanao dahil sa epekto ng ITCZ. Maalinsangan namang panahon ang iiral sa Metro Manila at mga kalapit na mga lalawigan na may paminsanminsang pag-uulap ng papawirin na may kasamang pagkulog at pagkidlat lalo na sa dakong hapon at gabi. Ang araw ay nagpakita kaninang 5:26 ng umaga at lulubog mamayang 6:21 ng gabi.

Weather Watch
3 hours ago PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio on DZMM: -Inaasahan pa rin natin iyan (pag-ulan) lalo na sa Metro Manila. -Para sa araw na ito, mainit na panahon pa rin ang inaasahan natin sa buong bansa. -Wala po tayong inaasahan na LPA sa loob ng ating PAR. -Kahapon po ay mababa sa Metro Manila, 33.2 degrees Celsius. -ITCZ pa rin ang nakakaapekto sa Mindanao.

Weather Watch
13 hours ago PAGASA weather forecaster Gener Quitlong on DZBB: - Ang buong Kabisayaan at buong Mindanao ay makakaranas ng maulap na kalangitan na may mahina hanggang sa katamtamang pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog. Ito ay sanhi ng ITCZ. - Ang buong Luzon ay magkakaroon lamang ng bahagyang maulap na may pulu-pulong pag-ulan o pagkidlat-pagkulog lalo na sa kanlurang bahagi.

Weather Watch
13 hours ago DZMM: Nagbabala ang BFAR sa nagbabadyang fish kill sa tatlong bayan na nakakasakop sa Taal Lake sa Batangas dahil sa pagbaba ng dissolve oxygen level ng lawa. Ayon sa BFAR, dahil sa pagpasopk ng tag-ulan ay posible na namang magkaroon ng

overturn o ang pag-ahon ng nabubulok na feed at bacteria mula sa ilalim ng lawa na siyang kumukunsumo ng oxygen.

Weather Watch
13 hours ago DZMM: Siyam na bahay ang nawasak matapos manalasa ang ipo-ipo sa Brgy. Bitoon, Jaro, Iloilo, 1:00 ng hapon kanina. Maliban sa siyam na bahay na totally damage, 20 bahay naman ang partially damage. Apat na pump boat din ang nasira dahil sa ipo-ipo.

Weather Watch
13 hours ago GMA: Mababa ang tsansang umulan bukas sa Metro Manila at inaasahang magiging maalisangan ang panahon doon lalo na sa hapon. Ang iba namang bahagi ng Luzon ay posibleng magkaroon ng thunderstorm, partikular na sa kanlurang bahagi. Inaasahan naman ang kalat-kalat na pag-ulan sa Visayas. Apektado naman ng ITCZ ang Mindanao kaya asahan ang pag-ulan sa malaking bahagi nito kung saan mas magiging maulap sa Gensan at Zamboanga.

Weather Watch
13 hours ago GMA: Matatapos na raw ang problema sa baha ng mga mag-aaral ng Panghulo Elementary School Annex, Malabon dahil sa mga bagong itinayong school building doon. Tinatambakan na rin ang ilang mga major highway sa Malabon bilang paghahanda sa panahon ng tag-ulan at pasukan. Samantala, pinangangambahan pa rin ang posibleng pagbaha sa Maysilo Elementary School, Malabon.

Weather Watch

15 hours ago ABS-CBN: Magiging katamtaman ang panahon sa Luzon bukas. Magiging maganda ang panahon sa Tuguegarao, Aurora at Baguio. Maulap na panahon naman ang dapat asahan sa Samar at Leyte habang may pag-ulan sa Dumaguete. Magiging maulap naman ang panahon sa buong Mindanao dahil sa ITCZ.

Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's status.

15 hours ago Thunderstorm Advisory No. 11 Issued at 6:20PM 28 May 2013 Thunderstorms over #Tarlac (Concepcion), #Pampanga (Clark, Mabalacat, Magalang, Floridablanca, Lubao, Masantol, Sasmuan, Guagua and nearby areas) & #Bataan ((Dinalupihan, Orani, Samal & Hermosa) which may persist for 1-2hrs and expected to affect #Bataan (Abucay & Olongapo) & #Pampanga (Arayat). All are advised to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, gusty winds, lightning strikes and possible flash flood. Keep monitoring updates.

Weather Watch
15 hours ago DZBB: Winasak ng storm surge ang tinatayang 20 bangka na nakadaong sa puerto ng Estancia, Iloilo. Sinabi naman ni PRO-6 director Agrimero Cruz na walang nasaktan sa nasabing insidente. Samantala, naganap din kaninang bago mag-1:00 ng hapon ang isang flashflood sa Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo kung saan nasa 100 bahay ang apektado nito. Wala ring nasaktan o nasawi sa flashflood.

Weather Watch
17 hours ago DZMM: Isang flash flood ang naranasan kaninang 1:00 ng tanghali sa Brgy. Talisay sa Sitio Lamintao at Brgy. Lanas sa Sitio Baybay sa Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo kung saan mahigit 100 ang binaha. Wala namang inulat na nasaktan sa nasabing flash flood.

Patuloy namang nagsasagawa ng search and rescue operation ang lokal na pamahalan ng bayan ng Nuevo.

Weather Watch
17 hours ago DZMM: Nakaranas ngayong araw ang storm surge o biglaang paglaki ng alon ang dagat na sumasakop sa bayan ng Estancia sa Iloilo. Ayon kay Western Visayas Reg. Dir. Agrimero Cruz, 20 maliliit na bangka na nakadaong sa port ng naturang bayan ang sinira ng malakas na alon. Pinawi naman ng opisyal ang pangamba na may nasaktan sa pangyayari.

Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's status.

19 hours ago Thunderstorm Advisory No. 5 Issued at 2:10PM 28 May 2013 Thunderstorms over #Cavite (Talisay, Tanauan, Tagaytay, Mendez, Indang) which may persist for 1-2 hrs and expected to affect #Cavite (Laurel, Silang, Gen Emilio, Amadeo & Trece Martires). All are advised to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, gusty winds, lightning strikes and possible flash flood. Keep monitoring for the next updates.

Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's status.

19 hours ago Thunderstorm Advisory No. 4 Issued at 1:50PM 28 May 2013 Thunderstorms over portions of Manila, CAMANAVA and Q.C. which may persist for 1-2 hrs and expected to affect nearby areas w/in the hour. All are advised to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, gusty winds, lightning strikes and possible flash flood. Keep monitoring for the next updates.

Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's status.

20 hours ago Thunderstorm Advisory No. 3 Issued at 1:30PM 28 May 2013 Thunderstorms over Novaliches, North Caloocan, #Metro Manila; Sta. Maria, Bocaue, Marilao, Meycauayan, #Bulacan; Gen. E. Aguinaldo, Magallanes, Mendez #Cavite which may persist for 1-2 hrs and expected to affect nearby areas w/in the hour. All are advised to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, gusty winds, lightning strikes and possible flash flood. Keep monitoring for the next updates.

Weather Watch
22 hours ago PAGASA weather forecaster Alvin Pura on DZBB: -Kahapon naranasan natin ang mga localized thunderstorm na pinag-ibayo ng diffused tail-end of a cold front. -Sa ibang mgq lugar gaya ng Visayas, wala naman pong gaanong pag-ulan o kakaunti lang ang mga nararanasan nating pagulan. Nag-concentrate po ito sa Central Luzon at Northern Luzon at noong Linggo may mga pag-ulan tayo dito sa Metro Manila at ibang parte ng Batangas at Bulacan. -Asahan na po natin ang madalas na pag-ulan dahil papasok na po ang panahon ng tag-ulan. -Inaasahan po natin 'yan sa pagpasok ng 1st week ng June (panahon ng tag-ulan).

Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's status.

20 hours ago ============================= Thunderstorm Advisory No. 2 Issued at 1:10PM 28 May 2013 Thunderstorms over Sto. Tomas, Tanauan, Talisay, Malvar, #Batangas which may persist for 1-2 hrs and expected to affect

nearby areas w/in the hour. All are advised to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, gusty winds, lightning strikes and possible flash flood. Keep monitoring for the next updates.

Weather Watch

May 29 , 2013 (Wednesday) CAVITE LAGUNA BATANGAS RIZAL QUEZON : : : : :

as of 10:05 AM

Partly Cloudy in Lucena City

PIA

Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

15 hours ago PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Lucena city police station has deployed police officers in primary streets in Lucena City proper to ensure peace and to assist people who will be watching the Pasayahan sa Lucena grand parade this afternoon. Pasayahan is held annually as part of the city fiesta celebration.

PIA Regional Watch

15 hours ago PIA 4A/BATANGAS...Isinagawa ng DENR at Pilipinas Shell Foundation ang Linis Bahura project sisid sa karagatan 2013.Layon nitong mapanatili ang kalinisan ng karagatan upang manatiling maging malusog ang mga bahura at iba pang yamang dagat

PIA OFW Watch

18 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines PIA-13: "There was no autopsy or forensic study that was conducted in Bahrain," said Mrs. Helena Virginia Viray, mother of the late Kathleen Ann Ilagan, an OFW who allegedly committed suicide inside the premise of the Philippine Embassy-Bahrain on April 8, 2013. She added that when her daughter's remains arrived in Manila, they were the ones who insisted to have Kathleen undergo autopsy at their own expense.

PIA OFW Watch

18 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines PIA-13: During this afternoon's press conference at the PIA-Caraga regl office in Butuan City with Mrs. Helena Virginia Viray & other family members of the late Kathleen Ann Ilagan, an OFW who allegedly committed suicide inside the premise of the Phil. Embassy-Bahrain on April 8, 2013, expressed their grievances & dissatisfaction on the reports/documentation on the death of Kathleen, which they found inconsistent & misaligned to each other statements. "Until this present, the Embassy has remained mouth-shut from our questions, aggravating us from asking more..," cited Mrs. Viray.

A. QUEZON

B. CAVITE

C. LAGUNA
Agricultural extension workers train on geo-tagging tools
By Alan C. Ortillano Tuesday 28th of May 2013 SANTA CRUZ, Laguna, May 28 (PIA) -- Eighty agricultural extension workers (AEWs) from the different parts of the province underwent a two-day training on geo-tagging tools held at the agricultural program coordinating office recently. Organized by the Department of Agriculture(DA) Regional Field Unit IVA, the training introduced the participants to basic Global Position System (GPS) principles and how to maximize the potential of consumer hand-held Garmin GPS receivers. Garmin 78s were examined in detail and used during a field mapping exercise. All participants were provided a Garmin GPS receiver for use during the workshop. The DA created the Unified and Enterprise Geospatial Information Systems (UEGIS) to enhance the planning and implementing capability of the department and local government units (LGUs) in Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zones or SAFDZs. The project aims to utilize high resolution satellite imageries in order to establish a geospatial database of agricultural and fisheries resources; improve the institutional capacity and capability of the various stakeholders; and formulate an Integrated Development Plan for the agriculture sector. It is envisioned that the UEGIS will help the department and LGUs enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the

allocation and/or use of resources of the Department of Agriculture, including its partner institutions, especially the LGUs; ensure equitable and timely distribution of goods and services; respond to the challenges of climate change; improve response time and effectiveness of emergency assistance to farmers and fisherfolk; provide more accurate Agriculture and Fisheries production forecasting and markets; and improve governance. (Joy M. Siaga/Edward C. Aquino, DA/CPG/ACO/PIA4A-Laguna)

D. BATANGAS
1. Tagalog news: Bahay Pag-asa, tutulong sa mga nangangailangan ng kalinga
By Mamerta P. De Castro Tuesday 28th of May 2013 LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Mayo 28 (PIA) -- Mula sa babaeng biktima ng pang-aabuso, batang nasangkot sa krimen at mga bata sa kalye o matandang inabandona at napabayaan ng pamilya, lahat ng mga ito ay aalagaan at bibigyan ng kalinga sa ginagawang Bahay Pag-asa. Ang Bahay Pag-asa na kasalukuyang itinatayo sa isang 550 metro kwadradong lote na matatagpuan sa kanto ng P. Dandan at M.H. del Pilar at nakaharap sa Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, ay inaasahang bubuksan sa darating na Hunyo. Sinabi ni city social welfare and development officer Mila Espaola, na bagamat ang mga mamamayan ng lungsod lamang ang pwedeng mabigyan ng serbisyo ng Bahay Pag-asa, pwede rin itong pansamantalang tumanggap ng sinumang nangangailangan ng kanlungan at kalinga mula sa ibang lugar hanggang sa sila ay matunton at makuha ng kanilang mga pamilya. Maging ang isang may problema sa pag-iisip ay pwede ring tanggapan dito kaya mangangailangan ng serbisyo ng isang psychologist at psychiatrist ang Bahay Pag-asa, dagdag pa ni Espaola Ang mga tatanggapin dito ay sasailalim sa interview upang malaman ang kanilang background at ang kanilang pamilya. Sasailaim din sa medical check-up at kung sila ay may karamdaman, sila ay ipapagamot sa anumang ospital. Mayroon ding pakikipag-uganayan sa Philippine National Police (PNP) para sa "blotter" o "spot report" ng isang kliyente bilang bahagi ng proseso ng pagtanggap sa institusyon.

Ayon pa kay Espaola, hindi lamang magsisilbing pansamantalang tahanan ang Bahay Pag-asa kundi magiging isa ring rehabilitation center kung saan tuturuan upang maging produktibo ang kanilang buhay. Magkakaroon din ito ng mga physical devices para sa mga may kapansanan at mga matatandang nangangailangan nito. Bukod sa mga social workers at health care givers kung saan ang iba ay kukunin sa mga tauhan ng pamahalaang lungsod, magkakaroon din ng hiring ng iba pang kakailanganing tauhan ng Bahay Pag-asa na nasa pangangasiwa ng pamahalaang lungsod sa pamamagitan ng CSWDO. Sinabi rin ni Espaola na pwedeng magbigay ng tulong ang mga civic organizations at mga indibidwal bilang suporta sa proyektong ito. Hindi lamang materyal na bagay kundi ang kanilang mga talento at resources ang pwede nilang ibigay na suporta sa mga kakalingain dito, dagdag pa ni Espaola. (Angela J. Banuelos, PIO-Batangas City/CPG/MPDC/PIA4ABatangas)

2. Tagalog news: Mga magsasaka, nagsanay sa makabagong pamamaraan at teknolohiya

By Mamerta P. De Castro Tuesday 28th of May 2013 LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Mayo 28 (PIA) -- Mahigit 100 magsasaka na tinatawag na "marginalized" mula sa lungsod at karatig bayan ang nagtapos kamakailan ng pagsasanay sa makabagong pamamaraan at teknolohiya sa pagsasaka sa ilalim ng Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers Training Program. Ang pagsasanay na itinaguyod ng SM Foundation, Inc.at ng pamahalaang lungsod ay naglalayong maituro sa mga magsasaka ang makabagong pamamaraan at teknolohiya sa pagsasaka upang lumaki ang produksiyon at madagdagan ang kanilang kita. Ilan sa mga high-value commercial crops na kanilang itinanim isang beses sa loob ng 14 na linggo ng pagsasanay na sinimulan noong Pebrero at nagtapos ngayong Mayo ay ang pakwan, melon, honeydew, talong, kangkong, upo, sitaw, kamatis, sili at iba pa. Ang pagsasanay na pinondohan ng SM Foundation ay isinasagawa ng Harbest Agri-business Corp. sa pakikipagtulungan sa Department of Agriculture (DA) at ng Office of the City Veterinarian and Agricultural Services (OCVAS). Sa pagtatapos ng pagsasanay, sinabi ni SM Foundation assistant vice president for livelihood and outreach Cristie Angeles na mahalaga ang kooperasyon ng mga magsasaka sa tagumpay ng proyekto. Sa pitong taon pagsasakatuparan nito, may 6,000 magsasaka na ang natulungan bilang pagtupad na rin sa adbokasiya ng SM Foundation na people helping people, wika ni Angeles. Aniya, katulong nila ang DA sa pagmomonitor at paggabay sa mga benepisaryo na nagnanais maging supplier sa mga palengke at supermarkets ng SM. Sa testimonya ng ilang magsasaka, sinabi ng mga ito na magandang pagkunan ng pagkakitaan ang pagtatanim na itinuro sa pagsasanay kung kayat balak nila na bago matapos ang taon ay makapagtanim at makapag-ani na rin sila ng honeydew at melon sa kanilang barangay. (Ronna Endaya Contreras-PIO Batangas City/CPG/MPDC-PIA4A Batangas)

E. RIZAL

28 MAY 2013.

Govt addressing classroom shortage Malacanang says President Aquino declares June 17 as special non-working day in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu in celebration of its cityhood anniversary President Aquino appoints Mejia as administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority President Aquino appoints new officials to various position in government President aquino visits wake of marine soldiers slain in Sulu encounter with Abu Sayyaf Group President Aquino vetoes consolidated bill that grants 75 percent discount to centenarians
Govt addressing classroom shortage Malacanang says

In order to meet President Benigno S. Aquino IIIs directive to address the 66,800 classroom shortage by this year, the Departments of Education (DepEd) and Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are on top of and are addressing the situation, a Malacanang official said on Tuesday. In a press briefing, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government is cognizant of the need to close the classroom gap in order to advance the learning of Filipino students by providing a conducive study atmosphere for all. Of course, tinutugunan natin (ang classroom shortage). We are very well aware of the classroom shortage that we have apart from the year-on-year requirements that need to be met. Thats why meron na nga pong ongoing project ang

DepEd at ang DPWH to address the classroom shortage, Valte said. She pointed out that the DepEd and DPWH are acting towards constructing more two-storey classrooms in the province and in Metro Manila. So, yes, that is being addressed and were looking to cut that backlog (of classrooms) significantly, Valte said. She noted of the headway gained by the government under the Presidents instructions to address the text book and school furniture shortage. As you have seen, nabanggit po ng Pangulo yung shortage doon sa mga textbooks, that has already been addressed. Yung shortage doon sa mga upuan at sa mga furniture, that has already also been addressed, Valte said. And even in typhoon-hit areas, if I may mention,yung doon saDavao at sa Compostela Valley, ina -address na rin po natin ang kanilang mga pangangailangan, kasi meron po yatang mga structures that cannot be used because of the damage caused by the typhoon, she added. PND (rck) TOP President Aquino declares June 17 as special non-working day in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu in celebration of its cityhood anniversary

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared June 17, which falls on a Monday, as a special (non-working) day in the city of Lapu-Lapu in the province of Cebu in celebration of its 52nd cityhood anniversary. The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 582 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on May 21 to give the people of Lapu Lapu City the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies. Then Sixth District of Cebu Representative Manuel A. Zosa sponsored the bill converting the former municipality of Opon into the present day city of Lapu-Lapu. On June 17, 1961, Lapu-lapu became a city by virtue of the Republic Act 3134 signed by then Philippine President Carlos P. Garcia. Formerly called Opon, the city was renamed after Chief Lapu-Lapu, a Muslim king who defeated Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. PND (js) TOP President Aquino appoints Mejia as administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority

President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed World Maritime University (WMU) professor Maximo Q. Mejia Jr. as the new administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), a Palace official said. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte announced during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday that the Chief Executive signed the appointment letter on May 22. Valte said Mejia will replace Emerson M. Lorenzo for a term expiring on July 11, 2016. The 48-year-old Mejia earned his Bachelor of Science at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, USA and majored in International Security Studies while pursuing a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy at the Fletcher School (Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA). He also has a Master of Science in Maritime Safety Administration from the WMU in Malm, Sweden and a Licentiate of Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy from Lund University in Lund, Sweden. His PhD thesis is entitled Law and Ergonomics in Maritime Security.

Mejia is a professor in Maritime Law and Policy at the World Maritime University (WMU), where he has been a member of the resident faculty since 1998. Aside from teaching maritime policy, law, human factors, and security-related courses, Assoc. Prof. Mejia is Secretary of Doctoral Programmes at WMU and an Assistant Editor of the WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs. He has led and participated in ISPS Code workshops and maritime law and policy seminars in a number of different countries. He is the editor/co-editor of three books on maritime security, the author/co-author of book chapters as well as articles published in international peer-reviewed journals. Before joining WMU, he saw duty on board various Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard vessels as well as in shore-based facilities in the Philippines from 1988 up to 1998. His assignments included Commanding Officer of Port State Control Office Manila, Commander of Coast Guard Station Iligan, Deputy Executive Director of the Presidential Task Force on Maritime Development, and Assistant Chief of Staff for Navigational Safety. PND (js) TOP President Aquino appoints new officials to various position in government

President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed new government officials for various positions, a Palace official said on Tuesday. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte announced during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday that the Chief Executive signed the appointment letters on May 22. President Aquino appointed Arell F. Baez and Ruel B. Paclipan as Directors II (Provincial Director) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Baez obtained his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Saint Louis University in 1990, Master of Management from the University of the Philippines in 2000 and Bachelor of Laws from the Abra Valley Colleges in 2009. Since joining the DTI, Baez was intrumental for the successful implementation and wider participation to the Padaya 2012 Provincial Trade Fair in Abra. He also initiated the development of the Loomweaving Village in Bulbulala, La Paz in Abra and Coffee Industry Development Project and contributed to the peace-keeping efforts of the government. Paclipan earned his Bachelor of Business Management from the University of the Philippines in Cebu City in 1985, Master in Public Administration from the Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan in Cagayan de Oro in 1993, and Doctor in Management from the Liceo de Cagayan University in Cagayan de Oro in 2001. While working in the government, he spearheaded the barangay-based enterprise development program dubbed as One Barangay One Product and initiated network with Iligan Chamber and Lanao de Norte Chamber in mounting projects and events geared towards enhancing business confidence in Lanao del Norte. Through the active advocacy of the DTI in the province, the Local Price Coordinating Council of Iligan has been mobilized during the the typhoon Sendong. The President, likewise, appointed Ralph Pastor A. Salazar as member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine National Oil Company-Renewables Corporation (PNOC-RC), to serve the unexpired term of office ending June 30, 2013. He will replace Carlo L. Cruz. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Divine Word University in Tacloban City in 1986 and had served in various private corporations and civic organizations. President Aquino also appointed Blesila A. Lantayona as Assistant Secretary of the DTI, replacing Ma.Theresa L. Pelayo-Ty. Lantayona graduated Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Major in Economics (Cum Laude) from the Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City in 1979, Master in Agribusiness (Certificate) from the University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City in 1986 and MBA in International Business European School of Management in Paris, France in 1994. She had served as DTI Regional Director (Director IV) in Region III since August 13, 1999 until her appointment. PND (js)

TOP President aquino visits wake of marine soldiers slain in Sulu encounter with Abu Sayyaf Group

President Benigno S. Aquino III visited the wake Tuesday of the seven Marines who died in Sulu on Saturday following an encounter with the members of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). During his visit at the Philippine Marines Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, the President also extended financial assistance to the families of the soldiers by handing them P250,000 check each. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said soldiers from the 2nd Marine Brigade, while pursuing Abu Sayyaf group believed to be holding captive the wife of a marine soldier, encountered a large group of its members at about 6:30 a.m. Saturday at Tugay, Patikul town in Sulu. Ensuing gun-fight lasted more than one hour killing seven Marine soldiers, including a lieutenant and nine Abu Sayyaf terrorists. Nine marines and 10 Abu Sayyaf members were also wounded. The AFP said the terrorists fled after the fighting and the military has launched a pursuit operation against the group. The military reported that helicopters were dispatched to evacuate the wounded soldiers who were brought to the trauma hospital in Jolo, Sulu. The soldiers involved in the incident were on route security when the encounter occurred contrary to police initial report saying they were ambushed. The Abu Sayyaf, founded in the 1990s, has carried out a number of high-profile attacks including kidnapping particularly of foreign nationals. The group is also involved in bombing attacks. The military estimates Abu Sayyafs membership at around 300, mostly based in southern Philippine provinces of Sulu and Basilan. PND (as) TOP President Aquino vetoes consolidated bill that grants 75 percent discount to centenarians

President Benigno S. Aquino III has vetoed a consolidated bill that will grant 75 percent discounts to centenarians, saying the amount will obliterate profit margins and result in capital loss, a Palace official said on Tuesday. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte announced during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday that the Chief Executive vetoed last May 15 "The Act Honoring and Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Filipino Centenarians In his veto message, President Aquino acknowledged the intent of the measure but said that, the 75% discount exceeds the usual mark-up rate of most businesses and will obliterate profit margins and result in capital loss because the proposed measure does not provide for a tax deduction to recover the said discount. "The intent of the law is certainly very laudable and it was stated also in the veto message of the President when it was given to both Houses. Ang sinentruhan lang po nung veto, just to give you an idea, 75 percent po kasi in the enrolled bill, the proposal was 75 percent po yung magiging discount on sales of goods and services in favor of centenarians," Valte said. "They should assess this in case the proponents of the bill want it refilled kasi maganda naman po yung pinupunto nung batas. According to (Internal Revenue) Commissioner Kim Henares, the BIR was present even at the committee level, at the hearings for this particular one, and they have consistently made their position that the 75 percent may be too heavy without a tax deduction on the part of the establishment," Valte said.

The Centenarian bill was among measures vetoed by the President. The President earlier vetoed the Magna Carta for the Poor and the bill removing the height requirement for policemen. PND (js) TOP

28 MAY 2013 Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino ang Hunyo 17 na special non-woking day sa Lungsod ng Lapu-Lapu sa Cebu dahil sa anibersaryo ng lungsod Itinalaga ni Aquino si Mejia sa Maritime Industry Authority Humirang ang Pangulong Aquino ng mga bagong pinuno sa pamahalaan Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino ang Hunyo 17 na special non-woking day sa Lungsod ng Lapu-Lapu sa Cebu dahil sa anibersaryo ng lungsod Idineklara ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang Hunyo 17, natapat sa araw ng Lunes, bilang special non-working day sa Lungsod ng Lapulapu sa lalawigan ng Sebu upang ipagdiwang ang ika-52 taon ng pagkalungsod nito. Ang deklarasyon ay inilagda ng Pangulo sa pamamagitan ng Proklamasyon Blg. 582 na nilagdaan ni Kalihim Tagapagpaganap Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. noong Mayo 21 upang bigyan ng lahat ng pagkakataon ang mga mamamayan ng Lungsod ng Lapulapu na ipagdiwang at lahukan ang mga kasayahan at seremonyang kaugnay ng nasabing anibersaryo. Ang noon ay Kinatawan Manuel A. Zosa ng Ika-6 na Purok ng Cebu ang nagharap ng panukalang batas upang ang dating bayan ng Opon ay gawing Lungsod ng Lapu-Lapu. Hunyo 17, 1961 naging Lungsod ang Lapu-Lapu sa pamamagitan ng Batas ng Republika 3134 na nilagdaan ng noon ay Pangulong Carlos P. Garcia. Ang dating bayan ng Opon ay pinangalanang Lungsod ng Lapu-Lapu bilang pagkilala sa magiting at matapang na puno ng Mactan sa Cebu na tumutol sa pananakop at walang takot na sumagupa at nakapatay sa mga banyagang

pinamumunuan ng kinatawan noon ng Espanya na si Ferdinand Magellan, isang Portuges, noong 1521. PND (js/zaf) TOP Itinalaga ni Aquino si Mejia sa Maritime Industry Authority

Itinalaga ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III si propesor Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr. ng World Maritime Academy bilang bagong tagapangasiwa ng Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA). Inihayag ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte sa pulong-balitaan sa Malacanang Martes na Mayo 22 nilagdaan ng Pangulo ang pagtatalaga kay Mejia bilang kapalit ni Emerson M. Lorenzo para sa terminong magtatapos sa Hulyo 11, 2016. Nagtapos ang 48 taong gulang na si Mejia ng Bachelor of Science sa United States Naval Academy sa Annapolis, Maryland, Estados Unidos at sa International Security Studies habang nag-aaral ng Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy sa Fletcher School (Tufts University) sa Massachusetts, Estados Unidos. Si Mejia ay tapos din ng Master of Science in Maritime Safety Administration sa WMU Malmo, at Licentiate of Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy sa Lund University sa Lund, Sweden. Propesor si Mejia ng Maritime Law and Policy sa World Maritime University sapul noong 1998. Bukod pa sa pagtuturo ng Maritime policy, law, human factors and security related courses, si Mejia ay Kalihim ng Doctoral Programmes sa WMU at Katulong na Editor ng WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs. Nakasulat na rin siya ng maraming aklat sa larangan ng maritima. Bago siya naglingkod sa WMU, natalaga siya sa iba-ibang bapor ng Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas at sa Philippine Coast Guard, gayundin bilang Commanding Officer ng Port State Control Office Manila, Commander ng Coast Guard Station Iligan, Deputy Executive Director ng Presidential Task Force on Maritime Development at Assistant Chief of Staff for Navigational Safety. PND (js/zaf) TOP Humirang ang Pangulong Aquino ng mga bagong pinuno sa pamahalaan

Humirang pa ang Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino ng mga bagong pinuno sa iba-ibang tanggapan ng pamahalaan. Sinabi ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte sa pulong-balitaan sa Malacanang Martes na Mayo 22 nilagdaan ng Pangulo ang pagtatalaga sa mga bagong pinuno. Sa bagong pinunong itinalaga ng Pangulo ay kabilang sina Arell F. Banez at Ruel B. Paclipan bilang mga Direktor II (Panlalawigang Direktor) ng Kagawaran ng Kalakal at Industriya. Si Banez ay isang Inhinyero Sibil na nagtapos sa Saint Louis University; Master of Manage-ment sa Pamantasan ng Pilipinas noong 2000 at Bachelor of Laws sa Abra Valley Colleges noong 2009. Siya ang nanguna sa matagumpay na pagpapatupad at malawakang paglahok sa Padaya 2012 Provincial Trade Fair sa Abra. Nanguna siya sa pagpapaunlad ng Loomweaving Village sa Bulbulala, La Paz, Abra at Proyekto sa Kaunlaran ng Industriya ng Kape at nakatulong sa pagpapairal ng katahimikan. Si Paclipan ay tapos naman ng Bachelor of Business Management sa Pamantasan ng Pilipinas sa Lungsod ng Cebu noong 1985 at Master in Public Administration sa Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan sa Cagayan de Oro noong 1993 at Doctor in Management sa Liceo de Cagayan University sa Cagayan de Oro noong 2001. Samantala, hinirang din ng Pangulo si Ralph Pastor A. Salazar bilang kagawad ng Lupon ng mga Direktor ng Philippine National Oil Company-Renewables Corporation para gampanan ang nalalabing termino ni Carlo L. Cruz hanggang Hunyo 30, 2013. Tapos siya ng Inhinyerya Sibil sa Divine Word University sa Lungsod ng Takloban noong 1986 at nakapaglingikod na sa iba-ibang pribadong korporasyon at samahang pambayan.

Itinalaga naman ng Pangulong Aquino si Blesila A. Lantayona bilang Assistant Secretary sa Kagawaran ng Kalakal at Industriya kapalit ni Ma. Theresa L. Pelayo-Ty. Si Lantayona ay nagtapos ng Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Cum Laude) sa Xavier University sa Lungsod ng Cagayan de Oro noong 1979, Master of Agribusiness sa University of Southeastern Philppines sa Lungsod ng Dabaw at MBA sa International Business European School of Management sa Paris noong 1994. Naglingkod siya bilang DTI Regional Director (Director IV) sa Rehiyon IIII sapul noong Agosto 13 1999. PND (js/zaf) TOP

ONLINE NEWS
28 MAY 2013
1. DOE, EU to hold talk on energy efficiency to boost Ph economy 2. Joint Statement on the implementation of Retail Competition and Open Access
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. DOLE-OWWA converge OSPC major players to address plight of displaced persons A thank you letter from our OFWDSP scholar Immigration consultants, travel agencies offering overseas jobs are illegal recruiters -- POEA Php 30M smuggled cigarettes and food items seized by BOC DOLE pushes for social protection floor to provide minimum protection for informal sector workers DOLE regions high-profile campaign on career guidance and employment coaching produce results, nets 88.12 percent increase for 2012 Project NOAH

10. Maritime policy expert Maximo Mejia sworn in as new Marina Administrator 11. Sweeping mining reforms earn Ph ranking in Global Resource Management Index 12. DAR to boost Batanes agricultural production 13. Gov't disbursements increase by 25% in April; Abad: New budget regimes enable focused, faster spending for inclusive growth 14. Bank lending standards remain generally steady in Q1 2013 15. Baldoz cites POLO-Syria on repatriation of 4,178 OFWs

DOE, EU to hold talk on energy efficiency to boost Ph economy Source: http://www.doe.gov.ph

(Taguig City) The Department of Energy, in partnership with the European Union (EU), will be holding the second EU Philippines Meeting on Energy tomorrow, May 29 to discuss the initiatives on energy efficiency in the country and in the EU. With the theme Energy Efficiency to Boost Economic Growth, the event will be held at the New World Hotel, Makati City. EU Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Guy Ledoux, Chair of the Congress Committee on Energy Representative Henedina Abad, and DOE Undersecretary Loreta G. Ayson, will open the event. Ambassadors from the EU Member States to the Philippines, officials from different government agencies, leaders and heads from the academe, industry, private sector, and civil society in the country are expected to participate in this highlevel meeting. This event is part of the EUs SWITCH Policy Support Component that promotes energy efficiency and conservation programs as well as clean energy and green growth policies in the Philippines through a P180 million grant to the government. The first EU-Philippines Meeting on Energy last year focused on the issue of Renewable Energy in the country and set the scene for future cooperation on Energy between the Philippines and the EU. |TOP| Joint Statement on the implementation of Retail Competition and Open Access Source: http://www.doe.gov.ph

The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) have taken steps to address the growing concerns of many Contestable Customers of possible disconnection due to the inability to sign a retail supply contract with a supplier on or before the prescribed deadline of May 20, 2013, in preparation for the full RCOA commercial operations on June 26, 2013. Under a draft Resolution, Contestable Customers who have not yet signed a contract with a Supplier shall continue to be served by their franchised Distribution Utilities until they are able to negotiate a more competitive retail supply contract. The intent is to ease pressure on the Contestable Customers in securing a retail supply contract and to avoid being disconnected from service or be served by a Supplier of Last Resort which have higher rates. The step undertaken was in response to the feedback received by the DOE and ERC during a joint conduct of information and education campaign, and the turn-out of registration in the Central Registration Body. As a result, both agencies looked into how RCOA will better operate to achieve the intent of EPIRA in terms of promoting customer choice, better services and competition in the power supply sector. |TOP|

DOLE-OWWA converge OSPC major players to address plight of displaced persons Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph ZAMBOANGA CITYA Special Orientation on the governments program for Displaced Persons (DPs) and Deportees from Sabah was recently conducted at the Dan Mar Beach Resort in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Zampen Region. The orientation gave all major players of the One-Stop Processing Center (OSPC) for Sabah repatriates, a broader understanding on the Sabah standoff, overall national framework, vis--vis agency mandate and roles to better address the needs of the deportees and the DPs in accordance with Administrative Order No. 116, Series of 2005. OWWA9 Regional Director Hassan Gabra T. Jumdain, head of the OSPC Special Operations in Sulu &Tawi-Tawi said that the orientation aimed to provide a holistic understanding of roles of the duty bearers in meeting a recurring problem like the Sabah displaced persons. Director Jumdain also noted that per A.O. No. 116, the OSPC should be led by DOLE-ARMM with the support of DOLEIX, working in accordance with the parameters of the agency mandate. Member-agencies such as the local government unit, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development , National Statistics Office, Local Civil Registrar, Philippine Red Cross, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Philippine National Police, Task Force 62 and other concerned agencies attended the orientation. The orientation targeted to fast track assistance to DPs and deportees needing passports and workers assistance. Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman, chairman of the Crisis Management Committee, along with Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul A. Sahali of the provincial CMC thanked the Region IX and ARMM agencies for coming up with the orientation and recognized their role in addressing the problem. In attendance were Sharifa Pearlsia A. Dans, Assistant Secretary of DILG-ARMM and chair of the CMC-Coordination Center, DOLE-9 Assistant Regional Director Virginia L. Bonbon representing Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano, and DOLE-ARMM Secretary Muslimin Jann A. Jakilan, who enjoined all the member-agencies to harmonize efforts to provide assistance to our Filipino workers from Sabah. Also present were Provincial Social Welfare Office representative Ms. Carmen U. Colinares, Naval Task Force Deputy Commander Col. Enrico Ramones, Department of Foreign Affairs Director Ricky Aragon, who came all the way from Manila and explained DFAs plan to send a seven-member team to Bongao for passport issuance in coordination with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) for transmittal of collections. An open forum was held tackling the nuances on passport, immigration, travel and certification requirements. Highlighting the activity was the signing of memorandum of agreement by member-agencies and duty-bearers with the commitment to perform their respective duties by extending necessary systematic welfare assistance to the Sabah deportees and DPs at the OSPC in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. |TOP| A thank you letter from our OFWDSP scholar Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph

To the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, A prayerful greeting to you! Never give up! The thing that you want the most may not be given to you today but surely you will have it sooner than expected if you never quit. As the abovementioned saying says never give up, this is one of my motivations to continue fighting and strive hard in my chosen field of career. I am proud and happy to tell you that I already finished my five-year course, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. As a Civil Engineering student, it was very hard for me to face all the obstacles that came along my five years of study. There were times that I already lost hope and almost gave up due to some circumstances that cannot be avoided, yet with Gods help and guidance, I made up to the end. At last, after five long years of toil and tears, I received my diploma last April 2, 2013, which also happened to be my mothers birthday. My mother worked as a household service worker in Bahrain, and it is my utmost dream for her to be present during my graduation. I handed my diploma to her as her most rewarding birthday present. Another step, another achievement towards my dream of becoming a licensed Civil Engineer. I still have six months left to prepare myself for the board examination. It is my fervent personal prayer to pass the exam, but I am also humbly asking you to include me in your supplication. The OFWDSP Scholarship Program molded me to become a good individual and taught me to fight, to pray, and to believe in the power of my dreams. That is why OWWA will always be the best ever family that I have, aside from my real family. Without the scholarship, I will never have acquired a Bachelors Degree. Here, I met new fri ends and peers and even served as a role model to younger scholars. I offer my deepest and heartfelt gratitude to all the staff for helping me finish my studies. My journey in school had just ended but my lifes journey will continue and I will fight eve ry challenge that will come. I may cease to be an OFWDSP scholar, but I promise to be a loyal Alumnus of the program. Thank you once again and may all the OFWs, through OWWA, continue to help and give hope to those OFW children who are less fortunate. I offer God all the glory may He guide me towards the right path. God bless us all. Very truly yours, JERALD A. ISTURIS OFWDSP Scholar 2013 Graduate |TOP| Immigration consultants, travel agencies offering overseas jobs are illegal recruiters -- POEA Source: http://www.poea.gov.ph

Immigration consultants, travel agencies offering overseas jobs are illegal recruiters -- POEA The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration yesterday warned anew immigration consultants and travel agencies about the illegal practice of luring clients to avail of their services by promising them overseas employment. Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac said that under Republic Act No. 8042 as amended by Republic Act No. 10022, offering overseas employment in the guise of visa assistance without the necessary license or authority from the POEA constitutes illegal recruitment. POEA Memorandum Circular No. 10, Series of 2003 regulates the participation of foreign and local immigration consultancy agencies in the recruitment and placement of overseas Filipino workers. Immigration consultants are required to obtain a license from the POEA before they may engage in recruitment and placement activities, regardless of the visa under which deployment shall be made eventually. Cacdac said job seekers need not risk their hard-earned money by engaging the services of an immigration consultant that charges thousands of dollars for supposed working visas in countries such as the United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. By having an agent, they would be paying for information and counsel that are free and readily available in the said countries' respective websites. Also, the documents required by the immigration offices of these countries could only be produced by the applicant and not by the consultant, Cacdac said. For information on working or migration to Canada, USA, Australia, and UK, Administrator Cacdac has listed the following websites : www.cic.gc.ca/english/index-can.asp; www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/; www.immi.gov.au/skilled/; and www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/working/. Cacdac said travel agencies are also not allowed to engage in the recruitment and placement of Filipino workers. Some travel agencies include in their tour packages the opportunity to hunt for jobs in the course of their travel abroad. Others are more blatant, directly offering overseas jobs to clients. Cacdac said travel and immigration consultancy agencies, if found illegally recruiting overseas Filipino workers, would be closed down and the owners prosecuted. Just recently, the POEA padlocked the offices of Firststep Consultancy and Career Development, and LJP Travel Assistance Agency for their illegal recruitment activities. |TOP| Php 30M smuggled cigarettes and food items seized by BOC Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph

In just less than two (2) weeks, the Bureau of Customs Intelligence Group (BOC-IG) under Deputy Commissioner Danilo Lim, through its Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD), scored its fourth haul of illegally imported goods from China worth PhP 30 million. This time, smuggled Marlboro, Winston and Fortune cigarettes, together with Knorr and Maggi food seasoning items and Nescafe products were seized from a warehouse in Manila, by virtue of a Letter of Authority issued by Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon. In explaining the circumstances behind the latest IG apprehension, Biazon said during the inspection of the seized goods today (May 28, 2013), the raid on the Manila warehouse was the result of the BOCs heightened anti-smuggling campaign and IGs enhanced intelligence network and growing support for its cause from the public. The raid was partly prompted by a tip from one of IGs assets from the private sector.

The BOC did it again. Through the help of its assets from the private sector, the Bureaus Intelligence Group has once again caused the seizure of these illegally imported goods. This definitely is a big boost to the local business industry. Otherwise, had these illegally imported goods been able to get to the local market, it could have affected the local tobacco industry and business. Biazon said, even as he congratulated the IPRD operatives under lawyer Zsae Carrie de Guzman for their latest seizure. For his part, Lim expressed satisfaction over the latest IG achievement in general and the IPRD, in particular, saying the stronger operational ties between his operatives and its assets will certainly result in more seizures for the BOC in the days to come. The seizure of these smuggled goods, particularly the cigarettes, will not only impact on the local tobacco industry, but more importantly, it will also a big help to the governments healthy lifestyle campaign through cigarette free living. Lim said. We are aware of this development and this is the reason why the BOC is closely monitoring all ports for cigarette smuggling attempts. Biazon said.*** |TOP| DOLE pushes for social protection floor to provide minimum protection for informal sector workers Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph

DOLE pushes for social protection floor to provide minimum protection for informal sector workers Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said the Department of Labor and Employment is converging with other government agencies in pushing for the establishment of a Social Protection Floor (SPF) which will provide minimum protection for informal sector workers including the underemployed, self-employed, and unpaid family workers in five (5) identified priority occupational groups. Social protection is integral to achieving a better and improved quality of life for the workers in the informal sectors by equalizing access to development opportunities and by reducing vulnerabilities of these workers and their families against risks, particularly in times of crisis, that can push them down to poverty, said Baldoz. She added that the establishment of a social protection floor which provides a set of guarantees, either universal or targeted and contributory or non-contributory, is essential to building minimum protection for informal sector workers and their families. Baldoz explained that the Department is planning to conduct a Strategic Planning Workshop on June 2013 to develop a results-based project monitoring evaluation system for the SPF system for workers in the informal sector. The workshop will be attended by representatives from various government agencies and informal sector groups. The strategic workshop is part of the Labor Day Celebration for Informal Sector Workers which will be held at the Ichikawa Hall of the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon City on 30 May 2013, Baldoz announced. During the 101st Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2011, the member-states of the International Labor Organization tripartite constituents, including the Philippines, adopted the ILO Recommendation on National Floors of Social Protection that sets out nationally-defined sets of basic social security guarantees, which are aimed at preventing or alleviating poverty, vulnerability, and social exclusion. The social protection floor system will be composed of guarantees of access to essential health services; income

support for children for education, health, and nutrition; income assistance for economically active groups who do not have sufficient earnings in case of contingencies; and financial support for elderly population. The DOLE, in convergence with other agencies, is looking at the under -employed, self-employed, and unpaid family workers who are a big part of the inform al sector and who constitute workers in vulnerable employment, said Baldoz. The labor chief added that the Department has identified five (5) occupational groups which, by virtue of their nature of work, are more vulnerable than others. These occupational groups are (1) farmers, forestry workers, and fishermen constituting 4.786 million workers; (2) laborers and unskilled workers totaling some 4.388 million workers; (3) service workers and shop market sales workers constituting 1.071 million workers; (4) trade and related workers which has 608,000 workers; and (5) drivers which has 396,000 workers. Baldoz added that the social protection floor system is part of the objectives of the Enhanced Social Protection Operational Framework and Strategy of the Philippines which identified four core programs where interventions are categorized into social insurance, labor market interventions, social safety nets, and social welfare. The social protection floor system is anchored on the 22-point Labor and Employment Agenda of President Benigno S. Aquino III and the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan 20112016 on decent and productive work resulting to increased social protection coverage; expanded benefits; improved access to social protection mechanisms; and safe work for all, said Baldoz. |TOP| DOLE regions high-profile campaign on career guidance and employment coaching produce results, nets 88.12 percent increase for 2012 Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph With the right knowledge about the labor market, we make our studentsour future workforcearmed and ready. This was the statement of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday as she commended DOLE Regional Offices for their deliberate efforts in the conduct of a high profile, nationwide campaign on career guidance and employment coaching. The intensified conduct of career guidance seminars ensured that students, especially high school students, who will eventually decide on what college course to take, are being prepared prior to their graduation, Baldoz said, as she rallied the DOLE regions around the main purpose of the activity, which is to establish a jobs-fit and productive labor force through the proactive measure of guiding young students in identifying college courses, skills, and competencies towards the right careers. According to the 2012 final report of the Bureau of Local Employment, the DOLE-Regional Offices have conducted a total of 4,116 career guidance advocacy activities, or 88.12 percent increase from the 2,188 activities, in 2011. These activities reached a total of 552,357 students and parentsa recordwhich is 48.22 percent higher than the 372,659 participants of the reference year. For 2013, the BLE targets that at least 4,528 advocacy activities to be conducted. The top performing regions in terms of the number of career guidance advocacy activities conducted are as follows: Region 11 with 815; Region 12 with 690; Region 3 with 407; NCR with 343; Region 2 with 337; Region 4-A with 228; CAR with 196; Region 4-B with 183; Region 7 with 182; Region 5 with 140; Region 1 with 125; Region 12 with 124; CARAGA with 108; Region 10 with 97; Region 8 with 90; and Region 9 with 51. In terms of the number of participants reached, NCR with 104,681 tops the list, followed by Region 12 with 76,692; Region 3 with 61,990; Region 4-A with 50,006; Region 2 with 44,591; Region 7 with 30,840; Region 6 with 27,771; Region 11 with 27,154; Region 9 with 24,485; Region 5 with 20,786; Region 4-B with 18,620; Region 8 with 14,349; Region 1 with 14,083; CAR with 13,947; CARAGA with 11,742; and Region 10 with 10,620. Baldoz said that through these career guidance activities, she expects that the participants and the hundreds of thousands of students trooping to colleges and universities this coming school year will already have a fair idea of the labor market and will steer them towards right career choices. "Right courses, coupled with other relevant labor market information, will eventually make skills-fit and 'job-ready graduates," she said. The regional conduct of career guidance advocacy seminars is now even more strengthened with the implementation of Regional Career Advocacy Congress

(RCAC), which is an offshoot of the National Career Advocacy Congress (NCAC) held in Manila last 24-25 May 2012. The RCAC, like the NCAC, is a two-day event that aims to provide a venue for the members of the networks of registered guidance counselors and various career guidance advocates to be involved in forming the minds of the youth and give them the needed support that will enable them to prepare for the world of work. As part of the Career Guidance Advocacy Program (CGAP)one of the convergent programs set out by the government to address job-and-skills mismatch, the RCAC shall be conducted by the DOLE Regional Offices, Public Employment Service Offices, industries and other stakeholders. Eight regions have already submitted their scheduled date for the conduct of RCAC this year, to wit: Region 2 on 6-8 May; Region 3 on 2 May; Region 4-B on 28-29 May; Region 10 on 24 May; Region 11 on 30 May; Region 12 on 7-8 May; and CARAGA on 1 May. Towards this end, the labor and employment chief said she anticipates sustained pro-activity from the government and tripartite partners, saying that by working together, inclusive economic growth and sustainable development can be fast achieved. The efforts of DOLE in addressing jobs and skills mismatch is in-line with President Benigno S. Aquino IIIs 22-point labor and employment agenda, whose overarching goal is to invest in the countrys human resource to make them more competitive and employable. |TOP| Project NOAH Source: http://www.dost.gov.ph

Dr. Mahar A. Lagmay, executive director of Project NOAH, stresses the importance of technology in mitigating hazards during times of disasters during a press briefing at the Oracle Hotel in Quezon City recently. By utilizing android technology, computer applications like flood maps, weather conditions and other critical information relative to disaster management can now be easily uploaded, downloaded and disseminated even by using cellular phones from the national level down to the communities, anytime, anywhere. (Text by Rodolfo P. de Guzman / Photo by Henry A. de Leon, S&T Media Service, DOST-STII) |TOP| Maritime policy expert Maximo Mejia sworn in as new Marina Administrator Source: http://www.dotc.gov.ph Manila, Philippines An expert in maritime law and policy who spent fifteen (15) years teaching graduate studies at the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malm, Sweden has been appointed as the new Administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) announced on Tuesday, May 28. Taking his oath before DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya on Monday (27 May 2013), Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr. formally assumed leadership of the agency tasked with the modernization of the cou ntrys merchant fleet and the regulation of its shipping industry. I have tasked Professor Mejia to bring MARINA up to par with international standards in all aspects of the Philippine maritime sector, Abaya remarked. His credentials and mastery of the industry give me full faith in his ability to do just that. At the same time, I wish to thank Atty. Nic Conti for his steady stewardship of MARINA as Officer -in-Charge. added Abaya. Conti acted as OIC of MARINA since the former Administrator, Emerson Lorenzo, resigned. For his part, Mejia expressed gratitude for the appointment and his readiness to serve. I am grateful for the confidence bestowed upon me by President Aquino and Secretary Abaya. I wish to acknowledge

the men and women of MARINA for their dedication in promoting the safety, security, productivity, and economic viability of shipping. I know of their tremendous efforts in preparing for the EMSA [European Maritime Safety Agency] audit on our country's STCW [Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping] compliance. I look forward to joining their ranks in providing the Filipino people with the service they truly deserve, he said. From 1998 to 2013, Mejia taught post-graduate studies in maritime transport safety, security, and environmental protection at WMU, where he was also Head of Maritime Law and Policy. Prior to this, he served in the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy in various capacities from 1988 up to 1998, when he was seconded to the Office of the President to act as Deputy Executive Director for the Secretariat of the Multi-Sectoral Task Force on Maritime Development. Mejia also has extensive academic achievements in the field of maritime studies. He graduated with merit from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in 1988. Afterwards, he went on to earn a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree from Tufts University in Massachusetts, USA in 1990. He then obtained his Master of Science in Maritime Safety Administration degree from WMU in 1994. In 2005, Mejia was awarded the qualification of Licentiate of Engineering from Lund University in Sweden. The same University conferred upon him a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) degree in Law and Ergonomics in Maritime Security in 2008. |TOP| Sweeping mining reforms earn Ph ranking in Global Resource Management Index Source: http://www.denr.gov.ph The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has welcomed the Philip pines ranking in the recent global report issued by the Revenue Watch Institute (RWI), indicating that the government has made meaningful progress toward better management of mineral resources in the country. In its 2013 Resource Governance Index, the New York-based policy institute gave the Philippines a score of 63 out of 100 under the "institutional and legal setting," its highest on any component, as a result of its "comprehensive mining legislation." The country also ranked 23rd overall among 58 resource-rich countries surveyed on the quality of governance in the oil, gas and mineral sectors. According to DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje, such good showing for the country in the institutional and legal setting category was due to the Aquino governm ents initiatives to reform the mining sector. He cited President Benigno Aquino IIIs Executive Order (EO) No. 79, which seeks to balance important concerns on mining development in reinforcing environmental protection measures, promoting responsible mining, providing a more equitable revenue-sharing scheme and providing coordinative mechanisms among stakeholders including local government units (LGUs). The international community has noted the comprehensiveness of our mining laws and how they facilitat e transparency, accountability and open or fair competition, Paje said. He added: This is indirectly a recognition that the issuance of EO 79 by President Aquino was indeed the perfect vehicle to reform the mining industry and improve government royalty rates while at the same time ensuring intergenerational equity.

EO 79 bans mining in prime agricultural and fishing areas as well as in 78 designated ecotourism sites, including almost the entire 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 5 percent from the current 2 percent. The presidential directive 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. Based on the RWI study, the Philippines ranked in the top half of countries surveyed on all four components, suggesting that the government has made meaningful progress toward improved resource governance. Norway, United States and United Kingdom topped this year's survey. Aside from institutional and legal setting, other index components are reporting practices, safeguards and quality controls, and enabling environment. RWI said the Aquino administration provides more information than its predecessors, noting that maps of licensing areas are posted online and copies of contracts can be requested from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), an attached agency of the DENR. The policy institute also said that the MGB regularly publishes information on mineral reserves, production, investments, approved operations and disaggregated revenues. The Bureau of Internal Revenue reports annual tax data, and the DENR publishes royalty receipts, it added. RWI aims to promote effective, transparent and accountable resource management through the resource governance index, which measures the quality of governance in the oil, gas and mining sectors of 58 selected countries. The Philippines was particularly measured for its mineral resources, having produced 11 percent of the worlds nickel in 2010. The countrys rich natural resources also include major copper deposits, chromium, gold, and silver; minerals made up 8 percent of merchandise exports in 2011. |TOP| DAR to boost Batanes agricultural production Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph

AGRARIAN REFORM beneficiaries (ARBs) in the province of Batanes have every reason to be happy as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) plowed into various support services to improve their economic lives. Under the DARs Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) Program, the Vudiao-Tukon multi-purpose cooperative (MPC) received (2) units of water pumps amounting to P115,874.00, and San Joaquin ARB-MPC, one (1) unit of power tiller cultivator in the amount of P149,937.00. Both cooperatives are from Basco, Batanes. ARCCESS is an alternative rural development approach wherein support services provided by the DAR are delivered directly to selected agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs). DAR Assistant Secretary Jim Coleto said the 2 units of water pump will service 26 hectares of land for the goat production at Caparian Estate at Itabayat agrarian reform community (ARC).

The DAR is supporting the goat raising production at Caparian Estate in Itbayat ARC by helping them improve their facilities such as paddocks, perimeter fence, and goat houses among others. The facilities for 50 heads of goats shall be expanded as the stock increases, Coleto said. The power tiller cultivator, on the other hand, will be used for the organic vegetable production of San Joaquin ARBMPC. It will be used for the 1,447-sq.m.of land at Tuva-Valay in the town of San Joaquin. Coleto said the development of the area shall include provision of facilities like drip irrigation, perimeter fence, seed bank and introduction of vermiculture. The farm equipments also serve as additional source of income of the farmers cooperatives. The rental fee of the equipments will be collected by the cooperatives as an added earning as well as expenses for the operation and maintenance. Governor Vicente Gato said these support services would be of great help to sustain the food supply in the province. He said that they while they preserve the old Ivatan tradition of farming they would incorporate new farming technologies to increase production. Coinciding with the event, the DAR also distributed a total of 13.4 hectares of agricultural lands to 61 ARBs from the municipalities of Sumnanga, Ivana, Basco and Itbayat. Regional Director Marjorie Ayson said the distributed parcels of land are government-owned land covered under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). These lands are awarded to the farmers as an additional resource to sustain their agricultural products, she added. Farmer-beneficiary Joaquin Castano III said that he will do everything to make his newly-acquired land productive and told his fellow recipients to do the same. |TOP| Gov't disbursements increase by 25% in April; Abad: New budget regimes enable focused, faster spending for inclusive growth Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph

Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad today reported that national government spending in the month of April reached P153.2 billion, a 25.3-percent increase from the P122.2-billion disbursement level in April last year. This brings the disbursement level in the first four months of 2013 to P584.0 billion, which is P66.9 billion or 12.9 percent year-on-year. Abad also initially reports that public spending on infrastructure and other capital outlays have increased by more than 40 percent year-on-year in the last four months. Maintenance and other operating expenditures (MOOE) also grew by more than 30 percent over the same period. The reforms that the Aquino government embedded in the 2013 National Budget helped us ensure faster and more focused government spending. This allows us to accelerate the delivery of priority programs and projects for inclusive growth, particularly infrastructure and social services, he said. The new budgeting regimes introduced so farthe one-year validity of all appropriations, the policy against lump sum funds, procurement innovations that enable the early tender of projects, and tighter focus on the administrations priority deliverables, among othersbolster the governments capacity to deliver the peoples development priorities, he added.

Of the total amount spent from January to April, non-interest expenses accounted for P462.0 billion or a 14.8-percent increase year-on-year. Meanwhile, interest payments grew by a slower rate of 6.4 percent year-on-year to P122.0 billion. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will release within this week a more detailed assessment of government disbursements as of April. The Government reported that it achieved a P36.8-billion budget surplus in April, a record-high for the traditionally surplus month. Better revenue collections, which reached P190.0 billion in April or 24 percent higher year-on-year, contributed to the surplus. The cumulative deficit in the first four months of this year has reached P29.7 billion. In contrast, the deficit in the same period of last year was only P2.9 billion. |TOP| Bank lending standards remain generally steady in Q1 2013 Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph Results of the Q1 2013 Senior Bank Loan Officers Survey showed that overall credit standards were generally steady as most of the respondent banks maintained their credit standards for loans to both enterprises and households during the quarter. Most banks indicated generally unchanged bank credit standards for the sixteenth consecutive quarter starting Q2 2009, based on the percentage of responding banks indicating whether they tightened, loosened, or maintained their credit standards. Based on the diffusion index (DI) approach, a minimal net easing of overall credit standards for loans to both enterprises and households relative to the previous quarter was noted with a DI of -9.7 percent and -4.2 percent, respectively. 1,2 The details of the DI computation are found in Table 1. In the previous quarter, credit standards for both business and household loans also showed a minimal net easing following the DI approach. The survey consists of questions on perceptions relating to the overall credit standards of universal/ commercial banks (U/KBs) in the Philippines, as well as factors affecting the supply of and demand for loans by both enterprises and households.3 All of the 35 U/KBs included in the survey4 responded to the Q1 2013 survey, representing a 100-percent response rate.5 The analysis in the survey is based on comparisons with data for the immediately preceding quarter. The BSP has been conducting this survey since Q1 2009 to enhance its understanding of banks lending behavior, which is an important indicator of the strength of credit activity in the country. The survey also helps the BSP assess the robustness of demand conditions, potential risks in the asset markets, and possible strains in the bank lending channel as a transmission channel of its monetary policy. Lending to Enterprises Most banks continue to indicate generally unchanged credit standards for enterprises.6 However, a few banks eased their credit standards for enterprises citing an improved profile of borrowers and profitability of banks asset portfoli o, a more favorable outlook on the domestic economy, and an increased deposit base of banks as important factors that contributed to the easing. In particular, some banks reported less strict loan covenants and longer loan maturities across all types of business loans. Banks responses also indicated narrower loan margins, increased credit line sizes, and less strict collateral requirements, except in the case of micro enterprises. Meanwhile, some banks appeared to have reduced the use of interest rate floors, particularly for top corporations and micro enterprises.7 In terms of borrower firm size, the percentage of respondent banks that reported easing credit standards for top corporations and large middle-market enterprises remained low but was higher than those indicating the opposite for the fourth and third consecutive quarter, respectively. Overall credit standards for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)

also showed a slight net easing after being unchanged in the previous quarter. Meanwhile, credit standards for micro enterprises continued to show a slight net tightening, consistent with the expected net tightening indicated by banks responses in the previous quarter. Over the next quarter, most of the respondent banks expected credit standards for loans to enterprises to remain unchanged. However, the percentage of banks foreseeing a slight easing of credit standards for loans across all firm sizes was higher compared to those expecting otherwise. Those responding banks cited expectations of an improvement in the profitability and liquidity of banks asset portfolio as factors behind the potential easing of standards. Lending to Households The survey results likewise showed most of the respondent banks reporting unchanged credit standards for loans extended to households.8 However, some banks indicated a slight easing of credit standards for household loans in Q1 2013 for the third consecutive quarter on the back of improved profitability of banks asset portfolios, more aggressive competition from banks and non-bank lenders, increased tolerance for risk, and improved profile of borrowers. In particular, a few banks reported increased credit line sizes for the fourth consecutive quarter. Some of the respondent banks also indicated longer maturities and reduced use of interest rate floors for housing loans, while collateral requirements and loan covenants were unchanged, except for auto loans. Banks responses also reflected a net widening of loan margins for all types of household loans. With regard to specific types of household loans,9 banks responses indicated a slight net easing of standards for housing and personal/salary loans, but unchanged credit standards for credit card and auto loans based on the DI approach. Most of the respondent banks foresee maintaining their credit standards over the next quarter. However, some banks expect credit standards across all types of household loans to ease further given expectations of improved profitability in the asset portfolio of banks, more favorable economic outlook, and increased tolerance for risk. Loan Demand The survey results also showed a net increase in overall demand10 for loans from both enterprises and households. For loans to businesses, the net increase in loan demand was attributed by banks to increased accounts receivable financing and working capital needs. Meanwhile, the net increase in demand for household loans reflected higher housing investment and household consumption, lower interest rates, and banks more attractive financing ter ms. The positive net change in demand for both business and household loans was consistent with monthly data showing robust bank lending growth during the quarter. Looking ahead, a large fraction of respondent banks expect demand for credit from both firms and households to increase further in the next quarter owing largely to expectations of increased accounts receivable financing and working capital needs of borrowers in the following quarter amid the sustained low interest rate environment. Similarly, the expected net increase in households demand for credit was due largely to the continued increase in household consumption and housing investment as well as low interest rates and banks more attractive financing terms. Special Questions on Commercial Real Estate Loans Most of the respondent banks also indicated unchanged overall credit standards for commercial real estate loans.11 However, banks reporting tighter overall credit standards for commercial real estate loans outnumbered those indicating the opposite for the third consecutive quarter in Q1 2013. The net tightening of overall credit standards for commercial real estate loans reflected a deterioration in the liquidity and profitability of banks asset portfolio as well as in the pr ofile of borrowers along with reduced tolerance for risk. In particular, a few banks reported wider loan margins, stricter collateral requirements and loan covenants, and increased use of interest rate floors for commercial real estate loans

was higher compared to the proportion of banks indicating otherwise. Some of the respondent banks also reported increased credit line sizes and longer loan maturities for this type of loan. Meanwhile, respondent banks loan -to-value ratios remained steady during the quarter. At the same time, demand for commercial real estate loans in Q1 2013 showed a net increase given clients improved economic outlook, increased accounts receivable financing needs, lower interest rates, and banks more attractive financing terms. For the next quarter, most of the respondent banks are expected to maintain their credit standards for commercial real estate loans. Meanwhile, banks that expected easing of credit standards outnumbered those expecting the opposite. In terms of demand for this type of loan, while most of the respondent banks foresee generally steady loan demand, a number of banks expect demand for commercial real estate loan to continue to increase in the next quarter. ------1 In the diffusion index approach, a positive diffusion index (DI) for credit standards indicates that the proportion of banks that have tightened their credit standards are greater compared to those that eased (net tightening), whereas a negative DI for credit standards indicates that more banks have eased their credit standards compared to those that tightened (net easing). 2 From Q1 2010 to Q4 2012 survey rounds, the BSP used largely the DI approach in the analysis of survey results. 3 This is consistent with the surveys of bank lending standards of other central banks, namely, the US Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of England, the Bank of Canada, and the Bank of Japan. 4 Out of the 36 universal/commercial banks, only 35 banks are included in the survey because one bank requested not to be included in the survey given a loan portfolio that is dominated by loans to its own employees. 5 As of June 2012, commercial banks loans accounted for around 85.9 percent of the banking systems total outstanding loans. 6 Of the banks that responded to the question on the change in overall credit standards for loans to enterprises, 90.3 percent reported that they maintained their credit standards during the quarter. 7 The survey questionnaire identified six specific credit standards: (1) loan margins (price-based); (2) collateral requirements; (3) loan covenants; (4) size of credit lines; (5) length of loan maturities; and (6) interest rate floors. A loan covenant is an agreement or stipulation laid down in loan contracts, particularly contracts with enterprises, under which the borrower pledges either to take certain action (an affirmative covenant), or to refrain from taking certain action (a negative covenant); this is consequently part of the terms and conditions of the loan. Meanwhile, an interest rate floor refers to a minimum interest rate for loans. Greater use of interest rate floor implies tightening while less use indicates otherwise. 8 Of the banks that responded to the question on the change in overall credit standards for loans to households, 87.5 percent reported unchanged credit standards during the quarter. 9 Loans extended to households include: (1) housing loans; (2) credit card loans; (3) auto loans; and (4) personal/salary loans. 10 Diffusion index (DI) for loan demand refers to the percentage difference between banks reporting an increase in loan demand and banks reporting a decrease. A positive DI for loan demand indicates that more banks reported an increase in loan demand compared to those stating the opposite, whereas a negative DI for loan demand implies that more banks reported a decrease in loan demand compared to those reporting an increase. 11 Of the banks that responded to the question on the change in overall credit standards for commercial real estate loans, 85.7 percent reported that they maintained their credit standards during the quarter. |TOP| Baldoz cites POLO-Syria on repatriation of 4,178 OFWs Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday renewed her call to remaining overseas Filipino workers in Syria to leave and return home to the Philippines, even as he cited the Philippine Overseas Labor Office for the repatriation of 4,178 OFWs from the war-torn country. "A majority of the OFWs in Syria have already been evacuated safely back to the Philippines, thanks to the mandatory repatriation program of the government through the Philippine Embassy in Damascus in coordination with the POLO," said Baldoz. The latest POLO update as of 20 May 2013 showed that 864 of the 4,178 OFWs have been repatriated in the first five months of this year, Baldoz said, adding to the 2,756 migrants who responded to the call and returned to the Philippines in 2012 and the 548 OFWs who were repatriated when the crisis started in 2011. In view of the worsening Syrian civil war, Baldoz reiterated her warning to OFWs that a total deployment ban remains in effect on Syria. The highest Crisis Alert Level imposed by the Philippine government since December 2011 continues to be maintained, she said. Based on the POLO-Syrias report, the greater majority of the repatriated OFWs are undocumented migrants, while only 310 were documented overseas Filipino workers. POLO-Syria added that to-date, there are only 129 migrants left at the Philippine Embassy shelter and refuge facility who are being assisted for repatriation and reintegration to the Philippines under the joint DOLE-DFA One Country Approach. Baldoz explained that repatriated workers from Syria will be assisted by the DOLE in reintegrating themselves productively into the economic mainstream through the reemployment, skills upgrading, livelihood and other appropriate programs of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs. |TOP|

Last Updated:

28 MAY 2013

Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy

Please click on thumbnails to magnify

President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with the relatives of the slain soldiers at the Jurado Hall of the Philippine Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio on Tuesday (May 28). The fallen Marines identified as 2Lt. Alfredo, Corporal Jay Alasain, Private First Class Andres Bogwana, PFC Rene Gare, PFC Jayson Durante, PFC Dominador Sabejon, and PFC Roxas Pizarro, were killed during a fire fight with members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) while tracking them down due to the latest kidnappings in Patikul, Sulu. (Photo by: Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III offers prayers before the remains of the slain soldiers at the Jurado Hall of the Philippine Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio on Tuesday (May 28). The fallen Marines identified as 2Lt. Alfredo, Corporal Jay Alasain, Private First Class Andres Bogwana, PFC Rene Gare, PFC Jayson Durante, PFC Dominador Sabejon, and PFC Roxas Pizarro, were killed during a firefight with members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) while tracking them down due to the latest kidnappings in Patikul, Sulu. (Photo by: Ryan Lim / Lauro Montellano, Jr. / Exequel Supera/ Malacaang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the Cabinet Clusters meeting at the Presidents Hall in Malacanang Palace Monday (May 27) for an update on economic development. The Cabinet Cluster serves as a venue and mechanism for coordination, complementation, and synergy among the Departments and other Government instrumentalities with the main purpose of attaining national development goals. (Photo by Gil Nartea/Malacanang Photo Bureau)

Thank You and God Bless !!!!