Aguinaldo Shrine

Pagsanjan Falls

Taal Lake

Antipolo Church

Lucban Pahiyas Feast

Dispatch for June 17 , 2013 Monday, 4 PIA Calabarzon PRs , 2 Photonews, 6 Weather Watch,
2 Regional Watch , 5 OFW Watch , 17 Online News

Weather Watch
about an hour ago near Quezon City, Philippines 1. DZMM: Dalawang domestic flight ng Cebu Pacific ang kanselado dahil sa sama ng panahong dala ng bagyong Emong. Inabisuhan ng MIAA ang mga apektadong pasahero na makipag-ugnayan sa Cebu Pacific.

Weather Watch

2 hours ago 2. PAGASA-DOST: As of 8:40AM, light-moderate at times heavy rains and thunderstorms over Bicol region and Palawan which may persist for several hours. All are advised to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, strong winds, lightning, flashfloods and landslides.

Weather Watch
4 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines 3. DZMM: Lubog pa rin sa baha ang mga paaralan sa 8 bayan sa Maguindanao at Cotabato dahil sa walang tigil na pag-ulan. 20 paaralan sa elementarya at high school ang apektado ng baha. Aabot sa 15,000 pamilya ang apektado ng pagbaha habang tinatayang milyon-milyong pananim at ari-arian na ang napinsala. Patuloy naman ang pagbabantay ng mga lokal na opisyal sa sitwasyon.

Weather Watch
4 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines 4. PAGASA weather forecaster Manny Mendoza on DZMM: -Taglay na ngayon ng bagyong Emong ang lakas ng hangin na 55kph malapit sa gitna. Bahagya itong mas malakas kumpara sa 45kph na lakas sa huling weather bulletin ng PAGASA Linggo ng gabi. -Alas-4:00 ngayong madaling araw, huling namataan si Emong sa layong 300km silangan ng Virac, Catanduanes. -Tinatahak pa rin ng bagyo ang direksyon pa-hilaga hilagang kanluran sa bilis na 13kph. -Hindi naman direktang nakakaapekto ang bagyo sa anumang bahagi ng bansa. Patuloy lamang aniyang hahatakin at pagiibayuhin ni Emong ang southwest monsoon o Habagat. -Ang MIMAROPA, Kabikulan, Kabisayaan, Hilagang Mindanao at CARAGA ay makakanas ng maulap na papawirin na may katamtaman hanggang sa kung minsa'y malakas na pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog. -Ang Metro Manila at mga rehiyon ng Ilocos, CALABARZON, mga lalawigan ng Zambales at Bataan at natitirang bahagi ng Mindanao ay magiging maulap na may mahina hanggang katamtamang pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog. -Magbabanta lamang ng malakas na pag-ulan sa Metro Manila at mga karatig-lugar si Emong oras na lumakas at umangat ito sa hilaga ng Luzon na siyang tiyak na maghahatak ng kaulapan at Habagat.

Weather Watch
5 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines 5. DZIQ: As of 4AM, Tropical Depression Emong was last spotted at 300km east of Virac, Catanduanes with maximum sustained winds of 55kph near the center. It is forecast to move north northwest at 13kph. PAGASA weather forecaster Connie Dadivas said TD Emong won't hit the country directly and there is no possibility of landfall.

Weather Watch
5 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines 6. PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST Issued At: 5:00 a.m., 17 June 2013 SYNOPSIS: At 4:00 a.m. Today, the center of Tropical Depression "EMONG" was estimated based on all available data at 300 km East of Virac, Catanduanes (13.7N, 127.3E) with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center. It is forecast to move North Northwest at 13 kph.

FORECAST: MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Visayas, Northern Mindanao and CARAGA will experience cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. Metro Manila and the regions of Ilocos, CALABARZON, the provinces of Zambales and Bataan and the rest of Mindanao will be cloudy with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest to southeast will prevail over Luzon and coming from the southwest to west over Visayas and Mindanao. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough.

Weather Watch

June 17 , 2013 (Monday)

as of 8 :00 AM

CAVITE LAGUNA BATANGAS RIZAL QUEZON

: : : : :

Partly Cloudy Cloudy Partly Cloudy Partly Cloudy Mostly Cloudy

PIA

Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

about an hour ago 1. PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Isang medical at dental mission ang isinagawa ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Batangas sa mga mamamayan ng Isla Verde.Bukod dito,may mga kinatawan din mula sa ibat ibang departamento na nagdala ng serbisyo upang mailapit ang paglilingkod ng lokal na pamahalaan sa mga tao.

PIA Regional Watch

about an hour ago 2. PIA-4A/BATANGAS: May 3,000 katao ang kakailanganin sa pagbubukas ng AG and P sa PHIL Ports Authority sa darating na Setyembre.Nangangahulugan ito ng karagdagang trabaho para sa mga Batangueno.

PIA OFW Watch

3 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines 1. GMA News: Philippine officials will help repatriate this coming week the remains of a Filipina-American who was shot dead in a wholesale store in Virginia last May. According to Philippine Embassy in Washington Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr. assured the family of Mylene de Leon-Scott that they were facilitating the repatriation of her remains. Cuisia had himself paid his final respects Saturday night (US time) to de Leon-Scott, who police fatally shot at a Costco store in Sterling, Virginia. He also extended his condolences to de Leon-Scott's former husband, two daughters and uncle.

PIA OFW Watch

3 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines 2. ABS-CBN: No Filipino was killed or injured when two passenger trains collided in Buenos Aires, Argentina last Thursday. DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said the Philippine Embassy reports no Filipino casualties amid Filipinos in Argentina are concentrated in the capital city of Buenos Aires.

PIA OFW Watch

3 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines 3. DZMM: Pinaiimbestigahan ni PNoy sa OWWA ang sinasabing sex for tickets scam. Ayon sa report, bubuo ang OWWA ng inter-agency committee na mag-iimbestiga sa reklamo ng mga OFW sa Middle East.

PIA OFW Watch

3 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines 4. DFA Asec Raul Hernandez on DZMM:

Re: Mga OFW sa Saudi -Since last May na nangyari itong crackdown, mayroon na tayong 400 plus na na-repatriate na OWs. -Baka mahirapan tayo na mapauwi ang lahat ng Pilipinong undocumented na nais ng umuwi. -Marami pa ang gustong umuwi at hindi nila (Saudi govt) makakayanan sa kanilang sistema na ibinigay sa expatriate. -Ang pag-camp out doon sa Riyadh sa labas ng embahada ay ipinagbabawal ng Saudi govt. -Hindi namin tinatanggal ang mga tent. -Nakikiusap po kami sa ating mga kababayan na lumipat. -mali po ang sinasabi na kapag nandoon na sila sa ating temporary shelter at bahay kalinga ay hindi na sila maaasikaso. -Ang mga Saudi govt official ang preferred nila na may yun muna ang aasikasuhin (nasa shelter) kasi sila po ang tumutugon sa batas ng Saudi Arabia. -Mayroong mga grupo doon na nagka-camp out na hinaharang nila ang mga Pilipinong gusto ng pumasok sa ating temporary shelters. -Yung iba may mga kaso (nahihirapang makauwi ng Pilipinas). -Hindi lang tayong mga Pilipino may iba pang expatriate na foreign nationals doon sa Saudi Arabia. -Ang pakiusap natin doon sa kanila na makipag-cooperate sa ating embahada.

PIA OFW Watch

Friday 5. DZBB: May bagong batch ng 14 na OFWs na inilikas mula sa Saudi Arabia ang parating ng bansa bukas ng hapon. Sa kanilang pagdating ay aabot na sa 440 na OFWs ang na-repatriate ng gobyero mula sa Saudi Arabia. Tutulungan sila ng OWWA sa kanilang pagdating.

A. QUEZON
1. Tagalog news: P16M pondo, inilaan para sa corn farmers productivity enhancement program
By Carlo P. Gonzaga
Monday 17th of June 2013

LUNGSOD NG LUCENA, Quezon, Hunyo 17 (PIA) -- Naglaan ng P16 milyong pondo ang pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Quezon para sa pagpapatupad ng corn farmers productivity enhancement program sa anim na bayan. Sinabi ni provincial agriculturist Roberto Gajo na ang programa ay inaasahang makikinabang dito ang libo-libong mga magsasaka sa mga bayan ng San Francisco, San Narciso, San Andres, Catanuan, Buenavista at Mulanay. Sa ilalim ng programa, ang mga magsasaka ay pagkakalooban ng tulong-pangkabuhayan, kinakailangan pagsasanay at teknolohiyang kailangan sa produksiyon ng mais tulad ng pagtatanim at pag-aani nito.

Dagdag pa rito, ang pamahalaang panlalawigan ang siyang mamamahala sa pagdadala sa merkado ng mais na ani ng mga magsasaka. Ang produksiyon ng mais ay bahagi ng programang Serbisyong Suarez sa Agrikultura na isinusulong ng pamahalaang panlalawigan na naglalayong mai-angat ang kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka. (CPG-PIA4A)

2. Tagalog news: Pamimigay ng school supplies, tampok sa pagdiriwang ng Araw ng Kalayaan

By Ruel M. Orinday
Friday 14th of June 2013

CALAUAG, Quezon, Hunyo 14 (PIA) -- Mahigit sa 600 piraso ng mga school bag at ibat ibang uri ng mga school supplies ang ipinagkaloob ng panlalawigang tanggapan ng Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) sa mga kaanak o kapatid ng mga batang manggagawa o child laborers sa bayang ito noong Hunyo 12. Ang pagbibigay ng nasabing mga kagamitan sa paaralan na ginawa sa Bulwagang Manuel Luis M. Quezon ay kasabay sa pagdiriwang ika-115 taong araw ng kalayaan ay kaugnay din sa pandaigdigang araw ng pagpapalaya sa mga batang manggagawa na may tema na bawal ang bata na maging alila. Sinabi na provincial labor officer Virgilio Magsino na layunin ng kanilang programa na matulungang makabalik sa mga paaralan ang mga batang napatigil sa pag-aaral lalo na ang may mga kapatid ng batang manggagawa o child laborers. Bukod dito, nakatakda ding tulungan ng nasabing tanggapan ang mga magulang ng mga child laborers sa bayan ng San Andres, San Narciso, San Francisco at Buenavista, Quezon sa susunod na buwan sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng mga proyektong pangkabuhayan na naglalayon ding maiiwas ang mga bata na magtrabaho sa murang edad. Sa ngayon ay inaalam pa ng DOLE- Quezon ang mga angkop o kinakailangang programang pangkabuhayan sa mga magulang ng mga child laborers kung saan ay aabot sa 450 katao ang magiging benepisyaryo ng programa. Bukod sa DOLE, ang panlalawigang tanggapan ng Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education at iba pang mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan na may mga programa ding ipinatutupad na naglalayong malutas ang mga kaso ng child labor sa lalawigan ng Quezon. Bukod kay Magsino, dumalo din sa nasabing okasyon sina Cecile B. Colarina, provincial coordinator ng International Labour Organization- International Program for Elimination of Child labor sa lalawigan ng Quezon; Pam C. Palma ng DOLE-Quezon at Mayor Luisito S. Visorde ng Calauag. (RMO/PIA-Quezon)

B. CAVITE

C. LAGUNA
Products from recycled waste materials, showcased at World Environment Day
By Alan C. Ortillano
Friday 14th of June 2013

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, June 14 (PIA) -- Products fashioned out of recycled waste materials was featured in an eco-waste product exhibit celebrating World Environment Day last June 5. The exhibit was held at the manufacturing plant of the Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp., Inc. (PMFTC) located inside the sprawling First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. The artists were womenmembers of the Epektibo at Responsableng Kilusan ng Kababaihan sa Bagong Laguna (ERK2SBL) from Pila, Laguna. On display were paper flowers, paper picture frames, pot holders, household products, straw bags, bricks, and throw pillows with residual stuffing, all made from recycled waste materials. These are the results of ERK2SBLs eco-waste reform program, ERK2SBL executive director Gina C. Tiu said, while also expressing gratitude to Mr. Rey Corona of PMFTC for funding the program. According to Tiu, ERK2SBL was able to get anew the commitment of PMFTC in extending whatever support to the organization in sustaining the program in Laguna. Think,Eat, Save, is the theme for this celebration of World Environment Day. (PIO/CPG/ACO/PIA4A -Laguna)

D. BATANGAS
Tagalog news: 30 estudyante, tumatanggap ng educational assistance mula sa Alay Lakad

Monday 17th of June 2013

LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Hunyo 17 (PIA) -- May 30 mag-aaral mula sa high school at kolehiyo ang pinagkakalooban ng P1,000 educational allowance bawat buwan ng "Alay Lakad" sa lungsod na ito. Ito ang pahayag kamakailan ni Allan De La Torre, tagapatnugot ng Alay Lakad executive committee sa ginanap na pagpupulong kamakailan kaugnay ng paghahanda sa pagdiriwang ng ika-40 taong pagkakatatag ng Alay Lakad sa Setyembre 2013. Binigyang diin ni De La Torre na marami pa ring nagtapos sa high school ang nangangailangan ng pantustos upang makapag-aral sa kolehiyo. Sa pulong, tinalakay ang pagkakaroon ng educational program para sa mga kukuha sa kolehiyo ng kursong Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED). Ang kwalipikasyon sa scholarship grant ng isang aplikante ay dapat financially handicapped at may average grade na 85 porsyento. Tuwing buwan ng Setyembre ipinagdiriwang ang Alay Lakad. Tampok dito ang pagpili ng Ms. Alay Lakad at ang pagkalap ng karagdagang pondo para sa mga proyektong pangkabataan. (Ginamaey I. GlindoPIO, Batangas City/PIA-Batangas)

E. RIZAL

16 JUNE 2013.

Malacanang says three annexes of peace pact undergoing intensive scrutiny to 'pass muster'
Malacanang says three annexes of peace pact undergoing intensive scrutiny to 'pass muster'

Malacanang said on Sunday that the reason for the alleged slow progress of the peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was due to the intensive scrutiny being done on the three remaining annexes of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement in order to pass muster. In a press briefing aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government did not want a repeat of the earlier memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain that also detailed the Bangsamoro homeland but was met with strong public opposition. Given that the last three remaining annexes contain some heavy issues so to speak, the government is really taking a close

look atgiven the experience sa mga nakaraan tulad ng MOA-AD, ayaw po natin maulit yoon at gusto po natin siguraduhin na yung mga nilalaman ng mga annexes, that the contents of the annexes will pass muster, Valte said. naiintindihan naman po natin yung nagiging agam-agam doon sa pagtagal but rest assured that both panels are working with each other on these issues, she added. Once passed into law, the Framework of Agreement on the Bangsamoro will pave the way for the establishment of the new autonomous political entity, the Bangsamoro, to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The agreement was signed on the afternoon of October 15, 2012, in ceremonies held at Malacaan Palace, witnessed by President Benigno S. Aquino III, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, and other dignitaries. PND (rck) TOP

15 JUNE 2013.

1. Palace hopes govt, MILF panels resolve remaining issues in peace talks 2. Palace welcomes improving global peace rating 3. Govt still targets zero-casualty against disasters
1. Palace hopes govt, MILF panels resolve remaining issues in peace talks

Malacanang hopes that the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels could soon resolve the three remaining annexes in the peace talks for the eventual signing of a peace agreement with Muslim separatists. The MILF, particularly its ground commanders, reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the recent pace of the talks as both sides miss the target date for the signing of a final peace pact. But Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said both sides have been spending longer time in threshing out the three remaining annexes which negotiators considered delicate. Ang tatlo kasing annexes na natira, medyo mabigat ang mga nilalalaman, and of course, it is in everybodys interest na upuan nang mabuti at suriin kung ano ang mga ilalaman ng mga annexes na ito, Valte said in a radio interview Saturday over government-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan. Again, were hoping to see a resolution to this and were hoping for a way forward from the three annexes that are left. Asked about the governments position on wealth-sharing, Valte decline to answer saying shes leaving some details of the discussions to be announced the panels. Siguro mas mabuting hintayin natin ang magiging final resolution bago tayo magbigay ng komento dito. But, rest assured that the government panel is working with their counterpart on this, she said. The Philippine government and the MILF signed in October 15 last year the Framework Agreement for Mindanao peace aimed at ending decades-old separatist struggle of Muslims in the South. Then government peace panel chairman Marvic Leonen and his MILF counterpart Mohagher Iqbal signed the historic roadmap to peace in a ceremony witnessed by President Benigno S. Aquino III, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Murad and members of the negotiating panels of both sides. The President said at the time, that he hopes that signing would lead to positive changes while acknowledging that there are many things that have to be done to fully reap the fruits of the Framework Agreement. Last years signing comes after 15 years of negotiations between the government and the MILF, and 40 years o f conflict in Mindanao with a casualty figure of more than 150,000. PND (as) TOP 2. Palace welcomes improving global peace rating

Malacanang welcomed the improvement of the countrys global peace rating, although slightly, noting the administration has been addressing the domestic peace and security concerns.

When it comes to that, maganda naman na tumaas ang ranking natin because weve been taking concrete steps to address peace-related issues that have been confronting the administration, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview Saturday over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan. Moving forward siyempre, hindi naman dahil tumaas lang nang kaunti ang ranking ay ititigil na natin ang mga efforts. Of course, these efforts and these actions will continue, she added. According to the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2013 released this week by the Institute for Economics and Peace, the Philippines remains among the least peaceful countries in the world and the Asia Pacific, improving only slightly in its global ranking. The GPI said its recent ranking showed the Philippines placing 129th among 162 countries surveyed, a six-notch improvement over its ranking of 133 in 2012 and 135 a year before that. The GPI said it saw improved prospects for peace between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front following the signing of a framework deal last year for a potential peace agreement. Despite this development however, the Philippines remained among the least peaceful countries in Asia Pacific, along with Thailand and Myanmar, that face domestic civil conflict. Listed as the least peaceful countries are Afghanistan (162), Somalia (161), Syria (160), Iraq (159), Sudan (158), Pakistan (157), Democratic Republic of Congo (156), Russia (155), North Korea (154) and Central African Republic (153). Iceland was the most peaceful country based on GPIs ranking. This is largely because of Icelands poli tical stability, low homicide rate and small prison population. The other top peaceful countries include Denmark, New Zealand, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, Finland, Canada, Sweden and Belgium. PND (as) TOP 3. Govt still targets zero-casualty against disasters

The government still adheres to its zero-casualty policy as the typhoons start to enter the country, a Palace official said on Saturday. The target remains the same, yung zero casualty natin, at sana po wala namang matinding bagyo na pumasok ngunit lahat naman tayo ay naghahanda para sa onset of the rainy season, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan. Valte said the President has instructed government agencies to prioritize the welfare of the most vulnerable during times of calamities. "Ang DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development], ang NDRRMC [National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council], ang DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government] at ang mga kaakibat na agencies, lahat naman nag-a-anticipate na dahil papasok na ang typhoon season, Valte said. These agencies have been working together for pro-active measures or protocol that will be followed whenever a typhoon enters the Philippine area of responsibility, she added. Meanwhile, with regards to the sea mishap involving a roll-on, roll-off vessel in Masbate, Valte said the immediate concern of the President is the ongoing rescue operations for the remaining passengers lost at sea. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) augmented its search and rescue personnel to find the passengers that have to be accounted for. I understand that the AFP also sent its own search and rescue units to help. Ngayong umaga, I was updated by the PCG at sinabi nila na itinutuloy nila ang search and rescue with the help of the AFP and Bantay-dagat, she said. PND (as) TOP 14 JUNE 2013.

OP, Ombudsman forge MOA to intensify government's drive vs corruption Govt, Bantay Kita form tie up to advance transparency, accountability in extractive industries Palace says economic fundamentals remain very strong despite stock market movement Govt already implementing master plan to address Metro flooding Palace: PAGASA has enough forecasters
OP, Ombudsman forge MOA to intensify government's drive vs corruption

The Office of the President (OP) and the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) on Friday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that aims to strengthen and rationalize governments initiatives against corruption. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales signed the MOA on the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and the Integrity Management Program (IMP) during a simple ceremony held at the Kalayaan Hall in the Malacanang Complex. In behalf of the Office of the President, we would like to congratulate the people and organization behind this major initia tive for successfully bringing together two important offices in order to strengthen and rationalize government initiatives against corruption to concretize the Presidents vision for a government that treads the straight path, or Tuwid na Daan, Ochoa said during the event. He said the signing of the MOA is one of the many steps the Aquino administration has taken and will continue to take, to make good on the governments commitment to institutionalize good governance. For her part, Morales described the partnership between the OP and the Ombudsman as historic saying that it further exudes inspiring hope for the Philippines to foster a culture that rejects corruption and embraces the values of integrity, rule of law, sustainable development and inclusive growth. Under the MOA, the OP and the OMB shall constitute a Joint Technical Working Group to draft a multi-stakeholder mechanism for implementation and review of the UNCAC as well as a Project Management Committee (PMC) that will provide overall direction and technical support to the agency implementers to attain a viable integrity management program. The Philippines is a signatory to the UNCAC as ratified by the Philippine Senate on November 8, 2006, which stipulates State Obligations to comply with the UN Standards in the areas of prevention, criminalization, international cooperation, asset recovery, and technical assistance and information exchange. Last December 2012, the OP and the OMB jointly conducted the National Dialogue and planning of the UNCAC that resulted in the crafting of the 21-Point UNCAC Agenda with a multi-sectoral Declaration of the Commitments for full institutional cooperation to serve the noble objective of the same. On the other hand, the Integrity Management Program is the first joint anti-corruption program of the OP and the OMB replacing the Integrity Development Action Plan and the Integrity Development Review. Supported by the World Bank, this program is envisioned to be the primary national anti-corruption prevention framework of the government. The IMP further aims to achieve outputs such as delivery of capacity building interventions on integrity management for implementing agencies; provision of technical assistance to agencies; establishment of a monitoring and evaluation system for the IMP; institutionalization of rewards and incentives system; and implementation of integrity management advocacy strategies. It likewise focuses on the formulation of integrity policies; development of integrity management plans; mobilization of integrity management committees; and implementation of integrity management instruments. Through these outputs, the Integrity Management Program is expected to produce outcomes including agencies that are less vulnerable to corruption; more transparent, accountable, and participatory governance; reduction of level of corruption and practice of integrity in the public sector. The MOA shall take effect 15 days after the signing by the parties. The MOA signing was also attended by Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, representatives from the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme, and other development partners, civil society and business groups and other oversight agencies on anti-corruption and officials of the OP and OMB. PND (ib) TOP Govt, Bantay Kita form tie up to advance transparency, accountability in extractive industries

The Philippine government and Bantay Kita, a nongovernment organization, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Friday formalizing their tie ups to carry out activities aimed at ensu ring transparency and accountability in the countrys extractive industries. Secretary Elisea Gozun, the Presidential Adviser on Climate Change, signed for the Philippine government and Dr. Cielo Magno, the national coordinator of Bantay Kita, represented the NGO. The British government and Bantay Kita also separately signed an agreement extending P11.2 million grant to the NGO to be used in carrying out different programs and activities in the mining and exploration sectors. The money comes from the British Governments Prosperity Program. The Philippine and British governments as well as Bantay Kita have been working together to push the Philippine agenda on strengthening transparency and accountability in the local extractive industries. The initiative is expected to help the country fulfill its thrust as a candidate country to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) by working together with Bantay Kita, a civil society representative in the PH-EITI multi-stakeholder group, with support from the British government. EITI aims to strengthen governance by improving transparency and accountability in extractive industries.

Among the projects is to develop the first Philippine EITI report, required for each candidate country, demonstrating compliance with globally developed standards that promote revenue transparency at the local level. It will also push for legislation institutionalizing EITI in the Philippines within the 16th Congress. The project will also mobilize civil society, industry players and local governments to work on the implementation of EITI in the national and sub-national level. Gozun thanked the British government for its support in institutionalizing and facilitating EITI implementation in the Philippines. The money will be used to assist activities in the sub-national implementation of EITI and capacity building of different stakeholders needed to implement EITI in the country. This is in line with President Aquinos daang matuwid commitment to the people to promote good governance and fight corruption. Joining EITI will benefit the country economically because it will improve the Philippine investment climate by providing clear signals to investor and global financial institutions about the governments increased accountabi lity and transparency. Companies and investors also benefit from it as EITI membership mitigates risks to businesses as more transparent governance reduces political instability. Being in EITI also makes information available to the public, which in turn helps civil society effectively monitor payments made by businesses as well as track revenues remitted to the government. President Aquino recently announced his administrations commitment to join EITI through Executive Order No. 79 on Institutionalizing and Implementing Reforms in the Philippine Mining Sector. The Philippines was accepted as an EITI candidate country at the EITIs global meeting in Sydney, Australia, on May 22 this year. EITI is an international multi-stakeholder initiative that seeks to establish a global standard for transparency in the revenues collected by governments from extractive industries such as mining and oil. It was launched by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2002 at the World Summit for Sustainable Development. The first EITI international board was established in October 2006. Currently, there are 37 countries participating in the EITI, 20 of which are already compliant. PND (as) TOP Palace says economic fundamentals remain very strong despite stock market movement

Malacanang said it is not worried about the recent drop in the stock market saying the dramatic developments were due to external factors that has not affected the countrys economic fundamentals. In a press briefing in Malacanang on Friday, Secretary Ramon Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO), said the indiscriminate sell-off of stocks by global fund managers in Asia and Europe is triggered by concerns that Central Banks around the world will taper off on the easy monetary policy. Carandang said it means fund managers are worried that interest rates will go up prompting them to sell their stocks. Theyre guessing, they speculated to some extent and that has led them to sell stocks around the world, including the Philippines, he said. Others said that fund managers have certain allocations for stocks and bonds. For example, 50 percent for stocks, 50 percent for bonds. If your stocks go up, and your bonds go down, your 50-50 starts becoming 60-40 and you have to start unloading in order to rebalance your portfolio, Carandang explained. So for those reasons, rather technical reasons, people began to sell stocks around the world, including the Philippines. But the Palace official assured that whatever the ongoing developments in the stock market, these have not impacted on the countrys economy as a whole. Speculations on rising interest rates isnt much of a concerns about what the Central Bank will do, but it concerns about what the United States Federal Reserve will do, and to some extent, what the European Central Bank will do, he said. If the Federal and European Central Bank raise interest rates, that will create pressure on smaller central banks like ours to do the same, and thats what stock markets are worried about right now, he said. The Monetary Board had a meeting Thursday but it didnt signal either way so its really mostly of external factors, the Palace official said. PND (as) TOP Govt already implementing master plan to address Metro flooding

The master plan on flood control for Metro Manila is underway, a Palace official said, asking the public for patience because the plan may take some time to be felt. Secretary Ramon Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, said he has just discussed the flood control master plan with Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, who said the flood control is already underway. But the public has to be patient since seeing the outcome of the master plan takes several years to implement, and it is also a matter of inter-agency implementation. There are responsibilities that belong to MMDA, DPWH, DILG, and theyre all doing their part and one of the components of that is the cleaning of the esteros. Thats happening already, he said. While the clean up drive is ongoing, the DPWH creates containment basins, and both initiatives are happening simultaneously, Carandang said adding the results cant be seen overnight. The work, as we announced last year, will take a few years to complete and you will see the improve ment, vast improvements, only in a few years. But the public can rest assured na patuloy yung flood control program. The DPWH, DILG, and MMDA have been working together to carry out the plan, he said noting there are some improvements already. Should those agencies have not acted, the flooding might have been worse in Metro Manila, he said. For her part, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the MMDA continues to clean up esteros in preparation for the rainy season. PND (as) TOP Palace: PAGASA has enough forecasters

Malacanang assured Friday that the country has enough forecasters to monitor the weather condition as the rainy season approaches. Asked if the government remains confident about the number of forecasters working at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) or the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing in Malacanang on Friday that the government recently hired new forecasters. Confident naman tayo doon sa mga kakayahan ng mga forecasters natin. We, in the government, have always said that our forecasters can stand up to the test at nakikita naman natin yan kapag nagkakaroon ng kalamidad, nagkakaroon tayo ng unos, nandyan naman lagi ang mga PAGASA forecasters. They bear the brunt of the stress whenever there is any calamity that we go through, Valte said. With regards to comments saying Filipino forecasters leave the country because they are not getting the respect they want from the government, Valte said there is no single factor that compels people to migrate. But she said the general rule is: people move to other countries to find greener pastures and provide better lives to their families. Discussing the allowances being given to the forecasters, Valte said the government was able to address the monetary concerns of PAGASA employees. The forecasters subsistence and laundry allowances (SALA) issue was already resolved according to the DOST and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), she said. The SALA has not been deducted from the savings as of the 2013 General Appropriations Act, she said. May item na yun doon at ngayon, what is under review is the hazard pay at yung longevity pay nila. And we hope to see some resolution to that this year, Valte said. PND (as) TOP

14 HUNYO 2013 Lumagda sa kasunduan ang Tanggapan ng Pangulo at Ombudsman upang lalong pag-ibayuhin ang digma laban sa katiwalian Nagkaisa ang gobyerno at ang Bantay Kita na magtulungan para isulong ang pananagutan sa extractive industries Nananatiling matatag ang pundasyon ng ekonomya sa kabila ng stock market movement, ayon sa Palasyo Ginagawa na ng pamahalaan ang master plan para maiwasan ang pagbaha sa Metro Manila May sapat na forecaster ang PAGASAMalacanang

Lumagda sa kasunduan ang Tanggapan ng Pangulo at Ombudsman upang lalong pag-ibayuhin ang digma laban sa katiwalian

Lumagda sa Memorandum of Agreement ang Tanggapan ng Pangulo at ang Tanggapan ng Ombudsman upang pag-ibayuhin pang lalo at gawing puspusan ang digma ng pamahalaaan laban sa katiwalian. Sina Kalihim Tagapagpaganap Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. at Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ang lumagda sa MOA tungo sa pagpapatupad ng United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) at ang Integrity Management Program (IMP) sa simpleng seremonyang idinaos sa Kalayaan ng Malacanang Complex. Sa ngalan ng Tanggapan ng Pangulo, binabati namin ang mga tao at samahang nasa likuran ng masigasig na pagsisikap na matagumpay na magkaisa ang dalawang tanggapang ito para mapalakas pang lalo ang digma ng pamahalaan laban sa katiwalian tungo sa hangaring maisakatuparan ang mithiin ng Pangulo na tahakin ng gobyerno ang Tuwid na Daan, sabi ng Kalihim Tagapagpaganap. Idinugtong niya na ang paglagda sa MOA ay isasa maraming hakbang na ginawa ng adminis-trasyong Aquino sa pagsasakatuparan ng mabuting pamamahala sa bayan. Sa kabilang dako, binigyang diin ni Morales na ang pagkakaisa ng OP at ng Ombudsman ay makasaysayan at sagisag ng nag-aalab na pag-asang ang Pilipinas ay magtataguyod ng kulturang tutol sa katiwalian at yayakapin ang halaga ng karangalan, pag-iral ng batas, patuloy na kaunlaran at malawakang kasganaan. Sa ilalim ng MOA, ang OP at OMB ay lilikha ng Joint Technical Working Group na babalangkas ng multi-stockholder mechanism ukol sa pagpapatupad ng UNCAC, gayundin ang isang Project Management Committee (PMC) na ,magtatakda ng pangkalahatang direksiyon at suportang teknikal sa ahensiyang magpapatupad nito upang magkaroon ng maaasahang integrity management program. Ang Pilipinas ay kabilang sa lumagda sa UNCAC na pinagtibay ng Senado ng Pilipinas noong Nobyembre 8, 2006 na nagtatadhana ng Pananagutan ng Estado na umalinsunod sa mga Pamantayan ng UN sa mga larangan ng pag-iwas, kriminalisasyon, pandaigdig na pagtutulungan, asset recovery (pagbawi sa yaman) at tulong teknikal at palitan ng impormasyon. Noong Disyembre 2012, ang OP at OMB ay magkasanib na nagsagawa ng National Dialogue at pagpapanukala ng UNCAC na naging daan para mabalangkas ang 21-Point UNCAC Agenda na may multi-sektoral na Declaration of Commitments ukol sa puspusang pagtutulungang tungo sa dakilang layunin nito. Sa kabilang dako, ang Integrity Management Program ang kauna-unahang pinagsanib na programa ng OP at OMB laban sa katiwalian na kapalit ng Integrity Development Action Plan at ng Integrity Development Review. Itinatraguyod ng World Bank ang programang ito na nag-lalayong maging primary national anti-corruption framework ng pamahalaan. Layunin din ng IMP na maisagawa ang tunay na kakayahang marangal na pamamahala ng mga tagapagpatupad na ahensiya, pakilusin ang integrity management committees at isakatu-paran ang integrity management instruments. Sa pamamagitan nito, inaasahang magagawa ng Integrity Management Program na makalikha ng mga ahensiyang hindi madaling matukso ng katiwalian, higit na lantaran, may pananagutan at mahusay na pamamahalang magbubunga ng pagupo

sa katiwalian at pamamayani ng marangal na palingkurang pambayan. Magkakabisa ang MOA 15 araw matapos itong malagdaan ng dalawang panig. Ang paglagda sa MOA ay dinaluhan din nina Kalihim Dinky Soliman ng Kagalingang Panlipunan at Kaunlaran, gayundin ng mga kinatawan ng World Bank, United Nations Development Programme, at iba pang kabalikat sa kaunlaran, mga grupo ng civil society at mga manga-ngalakal at ang iba-ibang ahensiyang laban sa katiwalian at ng mga pinuno ng OP at OMB. PND (jb/zaf) TOP

Nagkaisa ang gobyerno at ang Bantay Kita na magtulungan para isulong ang pananagutan sa extractive industries

Upang itaguyod ang simulaing titiyak ng transparency at pananagutan sa extractive industries sa bansa sa pamamagitan ng paglagda sa memorandum of agreement ng pamahalaan at ng Bantay Kita, isang non-government organization. Sa ngalan ng pamahalaang Pilipino, lumagda si Kalihim Elisea Gozun, Tagapayo ng Pangulo tungkol sa Pagbabago ng Klima, at si Dr. Cielo Magno, pambansang tagapag-ugnay ng Bantay Kita, ang kumatawan sa NGO.. Lumagda rin sa hiwalay na kasunduan ang pamahalaan ng Bretanya at ang Bantay Kita para sa P11.2 milyong ipagkakaloob sa NGO upang magamit sa pagsasagawa ng iba-ibang prog-rama at gawaing may kinalaman sa pagsusulong ng adyenda ng Pilipinas para mapag-ibayo ang transparency and accountability sa larangan ng pagmimina at eksplorasyon. Ang nasa-bing halaga ay magmumula sa Prosperity Program ng Pamahalaan ng Bretanya. Ang mga pamahalaan ng Pilipinas at Bretanya, gayundin ang Bantay Kita ay nagtutulungan upang isulong ang adyenda ng Pilipinas na mapag-ibayo ang transparency at accountability sa larangan ng pagmimina o extractive industries. Palay nito na tulungan ang bansa para maging kandidato sa Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) sa pakikiisa ng Bantay Kita, isang kinatawan ng civil society sa PH-EITI multi-stakeholder group na tinutulungan ng pamahalaan ng Bretanya. Kabilang sa mga proyekto nito ay maghanda ng unang Philippine EITI report na kailangan ng isang kandidatong bansa na nagpapakita kung paano sinusunod ang mga pandaigdig na pamantayang inihanda upang isulong ang revenue transparency sa lokal na lebel. Isusulong din nito ang isang batas sa Ika-16 na Kongreso upang maging istitusyon ang EITI sa Pilipinas. Pakikilusin din nito ang civil society, industry players at mga lokal na pamahalaan para maipatupad ang EITI sa lebel na pambansa at subnational man. Pinasalamatan ni Gozun ang pamahalaam ng Bretany6a sa pagtulong para mapabilis ang pagpaptupad ng EITi sa Pilipinas. Ang salapi ay gagamitin upang itulong sa mga gawain sa sub-national implementation paglinang ng kakayahan ng mga kinauukulan upang ipatupad sa bansa ang EITI. Ito ay naaayon sa pangako ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa sambayanan na isusulong ang mabuting pamamahala at dirigmain ang katiwalian sa pagtahak sa tuwid na landas. Malaking pakinabang ang ibubunga ng paglahok sa EITI sapagkat ito ay mangangahulugang gaganda ang pamumuhunan sa bansa sapagkat walang ikukubli ang gobyerno at magiging lantad ang mga hakbang nito. Makikinabang din dito ang mga kompanya at imbestor dahil mababawasn ang panganib sa paglalagay ng negosyo sa bansa dahil lalong magiging matatag ang kalagayang pampulitika. Kamakailan lamang ay inihayag ng Pangulong Aquino na ang pangako ng administrasyon niya na lumahok sa EITI sa pamamagitan ng Kautusang Tagapagpaganap Blg. 79 na nagpapatupad ng mga Reporma sa Sektor ng Pagmimina sa Pilipinas. Tinanggap ang Pilipinas na kandidatong bansa sa EITI sa idinaos na pandaigdig na pulong ng EITI sa Sydney, Awstralya noong Mayo 22. Ang EITI ay inilunsad ng dating Punong Ministro Tony Blair ng Bretanya noong 2002 sa World Summit for Sustainable Development at natatag noong Oktubre 2006. PND (as/zaf) TOP

Nananatiling matatag ang pundasyon ng ekonomya sa kabila ng stock market movement, ayon sa Palasyo

Hindi nababahala ang Malacanang sa pagbagsak kamakailan ng stock market sapagkat ito, ayon sa Palasyo, ay bunga ng external factors na hindi naman nakaapekto sa panulukang bato ng ekonomya. Sinabi ni Kalihim Ramon Carandang ng Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDPSPO) sa pulong-balitaan sa Malacanang Biyernes na ang walang habas na pagbibili ng stocks ng global fund managers ng Asya at Europa ay bunsod ng pag-aalala ng mga Banko Sentral sa buong daigdig na may kaugnayan sa patakaran sa pananalapi. Idinugtong ni Carandang na nag-aalala ang mga tagapamahala ng pondo na tumaas ang interes kaya ipinagbili nila ang kanilang mga sapi o stocks. Nanghuhula sila, nag-iispekulasyon din kaya ipinagbili nila ang kanilang stocks sa buong mundo, kasama na ang Pilipinas, wika ni Carandang. May nagsabing ang mga tagapamahala ng pondo ay may mga alokasyon sa kanilang mga stocks at bonds. Halimbawa, ang 50 porsiyento sa stocks, 50 porsiyento sa bonds Kapag tumaas ang inyong stocks, baba naman ang inyong bonds at ang 50-50 ay magiging 60-40 na lamang kaya kaila-ngang magbili para maayos ang balanse, wika ni Carandang. Ito ang dahilan, hindi teknikal, kaya sinimulan ng mga tao ang pagbibili ng kanilang stocks sa buong daigdig, kabilang ang Pilipinas, sabi pa ni Carandang. Tiniyak ni Carandang na ano man ang nagaganap ngayon sa stock market, wala naman itong epekto sa ekonomya ng bansa sa kabuuan. Ang ispekulasyon sa tumataas na interes ay hindi gaanong dapat ikabahala kung ano ang gagawin ng Banko Sentral, ngunit ang dapat alamin ay kung ano ang gagawin ng United States Federal Reserve at maging ng European Central Bank, paliwanag ni Carandang. Nagpulong noong Huwebes ang Monetary Board Wala itong inihudyat na ano mang paraan dahil karamihan dito ay panlabas na kalagayan, sabi ng Pinuno ng Palasyo. PND (as/zaf) TOP

Ginagawa na ng pamahalaan ang master plan para maiwasan ang pagbaha sa Metro Manila

Ginagawa nang kasalukuyan ang master plan on flood control ng Metro Manila at hinihiling sa madla na dagdagan pa ang pasensiya dahil hindi matatapos agad. Binigyang diin ito ni Kalihim Ramon Carandang ng Presidential Communications Develop-ment and Strategic Planning Office na masinsinan nilang pinag-usapan ni Kalihim Rogelio Singson ng Pagawaing Bayan at Pambansang Lansangan ang tungkol sa ginagawa nang mga hakbang tungkol sa flood control. Idinugtong niya na hindi na gaanong magtatagal at maaayos na rin ang malaking suliraning ito na matagal nang suliranin at ito ay isinasagawa nang tulung-tulong ang iba-ibang ahensiya ng pamahalaan. Magkakatulong sa bagay na ito ang MMDA, DPWH, DILG at nagsisikap sila ng lahat na lunasan ang problemang ito at inuuna nga ang paglilinis ng mga estero. Sabi ni Carandang. Sinabi niya na habang nililinis ang mga estero, ang DPWH naman ay gumagawa ng containment basins at hindi ito magagawa sa isang iglap lamang. Tulad nang ipinahayag noong isang taon, ang sinimulang gawaing ito ay ilang taon din ang itatagal bago matapos, ngunit magdrama natin ang mga pagbabago. Kung hindi kumilos ang mga ahensiyang ito, higit na magiging malubha ang bahang magiging suliranin natin. Makatitiyak kayo na patuloy ang flood control program, dugtong ni Carandang. Samantala, sinabi naman ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte na patuloy rin ang MMDA sa paglilinis ng mga estero dahil nga sa panahon na ng tag-ulan. PND (as/zaf) TOP May sapat na forecaster ang PAGASAMalacanang

Tiniyak ng Malacanang na ang bansa ay may sapat na forecasfers o tagataya ng kalagayan ng panahon ngayong nagsimula

na ang tag-ulan. Ito ang maagap na tugon ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte sa tanong ng mga reporter kung sapat pa ang bilang ng tagataya ng panahon na nagtatrabaho sa Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical SErvikces Administration (PAGASA) dahil sa sinasabing pag-aalisan na ng mga forecaster sa naturang kawanihang nasa ilalim ng Kagawaran ng Agham at Teknolohiya (DOST). Sinabi ni Valte na kumuha na kamakailan ng bagong mga tagataya ng panahon ang PAGASA. Nagtitiwala tayo sa kakayahan ng mga forecasters natin. Naniniwala kami na may sapat na kakayahan ang forecasters natin at nakikita naman natin iyan kapag nagkakaroon ng kalamidad. Kung may mga unos, nariyang lagi ang tagataya ng panahon ng PAGASA. Nagiging tunay silang abala kapag may sama ng panahon at alam namin iyon, wika ni Valte. Binigyang diin ni Valte na umaalis ang ilang tagataya ng panahon dahil may higit na malalaking suweldong alok ang ibang bansa at natural lamang na hangad ng sino mang tao ang higit na mainam na kita para na rin sa pamilya nila. Idinugtong ni Valte na tinugunan na ng pamahalaan ang tungkol sa mga bagay na may kaugnayan sa allowances ng mga tauhan ng PAGASA. Ayon kay Valte, nalunasan na ang tungkol sa isyu ng subsistence and laundry allowances (SALA) ng mga tagataya ng panahon salig sa pahayag ng Kagawaran ng Agham atTeknolohiya (DOST) at Kagawaran ng Budget. Hindi inalis ang SALA, wika ni Valte, sa natipid buhat sa 2013 General Appropriations Act. May item na iyon doon at ngayon, ang sinusuri na lamang ay ang hazard pay at ang longevity pay nila. Umaasa kaming malulutas ang mga bagay na ito sa kasalukuyang taon, dugtong pa ni Valte. PND (as/zaf) TOP

ONLINE NEWS
15 JUNE 2013

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

FSI Offers Basic Foreign Service Staff Officers Course Foreign Portfolio Investments in May grow year-on year BI launches Long-Stay Visa Sandiganbayan finds private lawyer guilty of graft POEA goes after recruiters collecting placement fees from household service workers DSWD intensifies campaign vs Human Trafficking Celebrating investment grade ratings Monetary Board holds policy rates steady DOLE welcomes 550 Juans to Filipino workforce; anticipates more with 4,964 near-hires PNoy admin pours P4.5-B into classrooms, school facilities; Abad: Timely budget support for public education Flood drills, early warning system set as part of disaster preparedness, says Roxas SSS bares new terms for retirees to qualify for pensions New distribution areas for Philippine eagle identified DA chief urges rural banks to lend more to farmers, fishers PDIC spearheads 11th DPAW celebration VP Binay to Sadui OFWs: Submit passports to embassy DOST launches apps for smarter govt services

FSI Offers Basic Foreign Service Staff Officers Course Source: http://www.dfa.mil.ph

14 June 2013 - To equip Foreign Service Staff Officers (FSSOs) with the technical knowledge and skills required by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) offered a month-long BasicFSI Basic Foreign Service Staff Officer Course2 Foreign Service Staff Officers Course (BFSSOC) to 26 selected FSSOs I-IV and Foreign Service Staff Employees (FSSEs I), from May 6 to June 6. Dubbed as the Technical Foreign Service Staff Officers Course (TFSSOC) in its previous series of implementation until 1986, this 75-hour basic training remained consistent in dealing with the theoretical, technical and practical aspects of the Officers tasks in the Home Office (HO) and abroad. These include: (1) Human Relations and Management; (2) State of the Philippine Society; (3) The Philippine Foreign Service; (4) Basic Duties and Responsibilities of the Foreign Service Staff Officers; and a (5) Workshop on Basic Foreign Policy Analysis and Reporting. FSI Director, Ambassador Ma. Angelina M. Sta. Catalina, on her closing remarks last June 6, underscored the significant roles played by the FSSOs in propelling the Department to achieve its goals; thus, the revival of this essential program. END |TOP| Foreign Portfolio Investments in May grow year-on year Source: http://www.bsp.mil.ph Registered investments for the month of May amounted to US$2.0 billion, rising by 31.6 percent from last years US$1.5 billion level, due to higher-than-expected first quarter corporate earnings and optimism over the peaceful and successful conduct of the midterm national and local elections. The figure, however, was 42.8 percent lower than the US$3.5 billion recorded for April which included subscriptions under the LT (Lucio Tan) Group Inc.s re - IPO transactions. Investments during the month were in PSE-listed securities (US$1.8 billion or 92.0 percent), Peso GS (US$150 million or 7.5 percent) and Peso time deposits (US$10 million or 0.5 percent). The main beneficiaries of investments in PSE-listed securities were: holding firms (US$664 million), banks (US$297 million), property firms (US$205 million), transportation services companies (US$136 million), and food, beverage and tobacco firms (US$135 million). Outflows rose to US$2.6 billion from the US$2.4 billion figure last month due to announcement of a possible scaling down of quantitative easing in the United States. This resulted in net outflows of US$641 million, a reversal from the net inflows of US$1.1 billion in April and US$106 million a year ago. Transactions in PSE-listed securities and Peso GS resulted in outflows of US$326 million and US$325 million, respectively, while peso time deposits netted inflows of US$10 million. The United Kingdom, United States, Luxembourg, Singapore and Hong Kong were the top five (5) investor countries for the month with combined share of 85.5 percent. The United States continued to be the main beneficiary of outflows from investments receiving US$2.0 billion. Registration of inward foreign investments with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is voluntary. It entitles the investor or his representative to buy foreign exchange from authorized agent banks and/or their subsidiary/affiliate foreign exchange corporations for repatriation of capital and remittance of dividends/profits/earnings that accrue on the registered investment. View Table |TOP| BI launches Long-Stay Visa Source: http://www.immigration.mil.ph

Foreigners intending to stay longer in the country may now avail of a six-month, long-stay tourist visa that will be launched next week by the Bureau of Immigration (BI). BI Commissioner Ricardo A. David, Jr. also announced the introduction of a new visa sticker that will replace the wet stamp used by the Bureau in implementing extensions of stay in the passports of foreign tourists. David said the Long Stay Visitor Visa Extension (LSVVE) project was launched to spur tourist arrivals in the country by giving foreigners the privilege to prolong their stay here without the need to frequent the BI office. Presently, the BI grants foreign tourists a maximum stay of two months each time they apply for visa extensions.

Through this long stay visa, we expect lesser crowding in our offices due to the decreased volume of visa extension applicants, David said. As for the new visa sticker, the BI chief said it will prevent the proliferation of fake visa extension stamps that has victimized many foreigners. He disclosed that the sticker has security and tracking features that cannot be copied. It will also speed up transaction in our visa section, allow more efficient tracking of records and faster detection of forged and tampered stamps, The BI chief added. According to David, the projects were initiated after meetings were meetings between the BI and Department of Tourism and Department of Foreign Affairs were held on what policy reforms can be initiated to further attract more foreign visitors to the country. The tourist department had said it is aiming to increase volume of tourist arrival to 10 million by 2016.### |TOP| Sandiganbayan finds private lawyer guilty of graft Source: http://www.ombudsman.mil.ph

THE Sandiganbayan convicted a private lawyer for graft after he conspired with a judge and two court employees in giving unwarranted benefits to his client in 1991. In a 30-page Decision, the Sandiganbayans Fifth Division denied Atty. Demetrio Bolantes Demurrer to Evidence for lack of merit and proceeded in finding him guilty of violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act). Bolante was meted the penalty of imprisonment of six years and one month, as minimum, to 10 years, as maximum, and was also perpetually disqualified from holding public office. Judge Luis Dictado, Clerk of Court Perfecto Loria and Sheriff III Edgardo Delos Reyes, all assigned at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 39 in Daet, Camarines Norte, were criminally charged along with Bolante and his client-litigant Reynaldo Tolentino, Sr., after Judge Dictado issued in December 1991 an O rder granting Tolentinos motion for the issuance of a writ of execution, which motion was filed by his counsel Bolante in a case filed before said RTC. In his Order, Dictado commanded Camarines Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CANORECO) to award the sum of P427,650 to Tolentino despite the fact that no such award was mentioned in the dispositive portion of the decision and, moreover, the case is no longer within his jurisdiction since an appeal is pending before the Court of Appeals. The anti-graft court issued an arrest order for Bolante on August 5, 1996, but he went into hiding. He surrendered only on March 30, 2011 or almost 15 years after the issuance of the order of arrest. Meanwhile, on March 30, 2004, the Sandiganbayan provisionally dismissed the case as against the accused/public officers. In the Decision penned by Associate Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and concurred in by Associate Justices Roland Jurado and Alexander Gesmundo, the Court held that the confluence of events from Bolantes filing of Tolentinos baseless motion, Dictados baseless grant of the motion, Lorias issuance of the writ of execution, to Delos Reyes implementation of the writ, thereby eventually resulting in the garnishment of P427,650 in CANORECOs bank account unmistakably shows that they were animated by a single criminal purpose. Citing People v. Dumlao, the Decision explained that the dismissal of the case against Bolantes co -accused did not remove the basis of the charge against them considering that the evidence presented by the prosecution clearly established the existence of a criminal conspiracy among them. The Court stated that Bolante, as a lawyer, cannot feign ignorance of the fundamental legal precept that a trial judge loses jurisdiction to issue a writ of execution after an appeal has been perfected, and such blatant disregard of such an elementary rule of procedure does not simply import bad judgment but betrays a malevolent intention. It also noted that Bolantes act of eluding arrest for such a long period of time, without any justification whatsoever, is a clear indication of his guilt. Court proceedings show that after the court denied his Motion for Leave to File Demurrer, Bolante filed a Demurrer to Evidence without leave of court, thereby waiving his right to present evidence and consequently submitting the case for judgment on the basis of the prosecution evidence.

|TOP| POEA goes after recruiters collecting placement fees from household service workers Source: http://www.poea.mil.ph

Heeding the instructions of DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis Baldoz to make recruiters observe the reform package for Filipino household service workers (HSW), Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac said the POEA is asking placement agencies to stop collecting placement fees from HSW applicants or risk losing their license. Cacdac said there is total prohibition on charging placement fees from Filipino household service workers (HSWs), whether done prior to their departure or on-site through salary deduction, as provided by POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 6, Series of 2006. The administrator also warned recruiters not to circumvent the no-placement fee policy by collecting excessive fees supposedly for medical examination, training, video bio-data, and pre departure orientation seminar. Violation of the prohibition on placement fee collection is considered a grave offense whereby the imposable penalty is cancellation of license, regardless of the number of complainants. Cacdac said that consistent with most host country regulations, employers shall pay a service fee to shoulder all the cost of hiring and deploying HSWs. Very clearly, licensed agencies can still collect placement fee or service fee, provided that it should not be shouldered by the worker but by the foreign principal Cacdac added . It can be done, Cacdac said, citing the case of a group of licensed recruitment agencies deploying HSWs to Hong Kong which has decided to scrap collection of placement fees from its workers . I urge other recruiter associations to follow the lead of the 52 members of the Society of Hong Kong Accredited Recruiters of the Philippines (SHARP), which have committed to support the governments campaign to improve the welfare of Filipino household workers in other countries, Cacdac said. |TOP| DSWD intensifies campaign vs Human Trafficking Source: http://www.dswd.mil.ph

In a bid to strengthen the fight against human trafficking, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will kick-off its information campaign through the airing of the Iligtas Mo Ako cinema plug today, June 14, during a block -off screening of the Man of Steel movie at Trinoma. The cinema plug will be aired for 6 months in various theaters nationwide. The Iligtas Mo Ako cinema plug features two modes of trafficking, namely sexual and labor trafficking. It aims to visually present to the moviegoers the dire effects of human trafficking. The plug also strongly appeals to the audience to help stop human trafficking. DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman shares that human trafficking is truly a rampant problem in many municipalities, with complex roots in poverty and in human greed. The deception, illegal transfer, and abuse of Filipinos simply looking for better opportunities in the city and abroad are realities that we cannot ignore. We have to find more ways to combat and prevent it from recurring, Secretary Soliman said. The plugs aim to reiterate the message that the public should understand that trafficking is a nationwide threat and that Filipinos must act and report any information on human trafficking through the DSWD hotline number (02) 9319141 or the IACAT Action Line 1343. All Filipinos can be a victim of this societal problem, thus, the general public mu st be vigilant and united against the fight against human trafficking, Secretary Soliman further stated. The DSWD partners with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) in the campaign against human trafficking. Led by the Department of Justice (DOJ), around 300 IACAT members from national government agencies, nongovernment organizations, media partners, and civil society will be attending the screening. Anti-Human Trafficking advocates from Local Government Units in Metro Manila will also watch the special screening of the plug. Based on the DSWD 2012 data, there were 1,376 individual-victims of various kinds of trafficking nationwide. The victims were provided with adequate recovery and reintegration services under the DSWDs Recovery and R eintegration Programs for Trafficked persons. Similarly, in a report by IACAT, there were 1,519 human trafficking cases filed in 2011 and 100 convictions were rendered in 2012. The latest major conviction was handed down this March by Judge Roberto P. Quiroz of Manila Regional Trial

Court, sentencing Sonny Francisco to life imprisonment for qualified trafficking. Last year, Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act was enacted for a stronger anti-human trafficking measure, amending Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Human Trafficking in Persons Act. One of the new provisions under RA 10364 is the disclosure of the identities and circumstances of human trafficking offenders. |TOP| Celebrating investment grade ratings Source: http://www.bsp.mil.ph

Department of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima (fourth from left) and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. (fifth from left) present a plaque of appreciation to credit rating advisors and officials of Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) following the upgrade of the Philippines to investment grade sovereign credit rating status from Fitch and Standard and Poors (S&P). SCB is the Republics sovereign credit ratings advisor for Fitch and S&P. The SCB officials in the photo are, from left: Tom Lu, Associate in Sovereigns and Supranationals Debt Capital Markets; Philippe Sachs, Global Head of Public Sector; Neeraj Swaroop, Regional CEO, South East Asia; Karby Leggett, Regional Head of Capital Markets, North East Asia; Scott Wong, Director, Sovereigns and Supranationals Debt Capital Markets; Lynette Ortiz, Head of Global Markets, SCB Philippines; and Mahendra Gursahani, CEO, SCB Philippines. |TOP| Monetary Board holds policy rates steady Source: http://www.bsp.mil.ph

At its meeting today, the Monetary Board decided to keep the BSP's key policy rates at 3.50 percent for the overnight borrowing or reverse repurchase (RRP) facility and 5.50 percent for the overnight lending or repurchase (RP) facility. The interest rates on term RRPs, RPs and special deposit accounts (SDAs) were also maintained. The reserve requirement ratios were held steady as well. The Monetary Boards decision is based on its assessment that the inflation environment remains benign. Latest baseline forecasts indicate that inflation will remain within target for 2013 until 2015. Inflation expectations also remain well supported. At the same time, domestic economic growth remains firm, driven by strong internal demand. Ample liquidity and strong bank lending should also continue to support economic activity in the months ahead. The Monetary Board noted that the risks to the inflation outlook appear evenly balanced. The modest pace of global economic activity could continue to temper the broad outlook for inflation. Meanwhile, potential upside pressures on inflation could arise from power rate adjustments and the upward impact of sustained capital inflows on domestic liquidity. Keeping policy settings steady also allows time to assess the impact of recent fine-tuning in monetary operations. Recent global financial market developments also support an unchanged policy stance. On balance therefore the Monetary Board is of the view that the manageable inflation outlook and robust domestic growth provide scope to keep policy settings steady for the time being. Going forward, the BSP will continue to pay close attention to evolving price and output conditions as well as asset market developments to ensure that policy settings remain consistent with safeguarding price and financial stability while being supportive of sustained and balanced economic growth. |TOP| DOLE welcomes 550 Juans to Filipino workforce; anticipates more with 4,964 near -hires Source: http://www.dole.mil.ph

2013 Kalayaan Jobs Fair Update: DOLE welcomes 550 Juans to Filipino workforce; anticipates more with 4,964 near-hires Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday expressed satisfaction over the successful conduct of the DOLEs 2013 Kalayaan Job Fairs in connection with the 115th Independenc e Day celebration. Citing the report of Bureau of Local Employment, Baldoz said the DOLE 2013 Kalayaan Job Fairs registered a total of 11,795 job applicants as of 3:00 P.M. on Wednesday. "There were 550 applicants who were hired-on-the-spot (HOTS) at the nationwide job fairs," Baldoz said. She reported that 8,109 of those who went to the job fairs were interviewed; and 4,964 were qualified and 3,875 vied for further interviews. She explained that the number of applicants interviewed may not tally as against the number of registered applicants because some applicants had multiple interviews.

Meanwhile, 85 applicants were referred to Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for skills training; and another 43 applicants for livelihood assistance. The labor and employment chief emphasized that the report is preliminary and that the numbers will most likely increase after the DOLE issues its final report following the collation of regional reports in the next few days. "Like in the past, we will monitor the developments on the 2013 Kalayaan job fairs for a month to give employers enough time to process the volume of job applications. So, jobseekers should not worry about not getting hired-on-the-spot (HOTS) by companies because the employers will continue to process their applications despite the job fairs being only a one-day event," she said, reiterating: Selecting job applicants can be a tough challenge for employers. They may need more time to review job applications, to go over details of their credentials, and to interview candidates, Baldoz said. The nationwide Job and Livelihood Fairs across the 16 regions has been the DOLEs yearly major activity on Independence in line with its vision of full, decent, and productive employment for every Filipino--giving the unemployed opportunity to find a job, and those with entrepreneurial bent an opportunity to earn income. "The event held at the South Drive, Luneta Park, Manila, on 12 June, is DOLE's biggest job fair in June. It is our participatory activity in the nationwide celebration of 115th Independence Day which has for a theme, Kalayaan: Ambagan Tungo sa Malawakang Kaunlaran, Baldoz finally said, expressing gratitude to DOLE partners, namely: local employers group; private employment agencies; Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII); Smart Communications; Banco de Oro (BDO); Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI); Philippine Association of Local Service Contractors (PALSCON); and various media groups. Any questions about this release? Kindly call the Bureau of Local Employment at (02) 527-24-53. |TOP| PNoy admin pours P4.5-B into classrooms, school facilities; Abad: Timely budget support for public education Source: http://www.dbm.mil.ph

In a move that coincides with the opening of classes, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P4.5 billion to the Department of Education (DepEd) for the maintenance of classrooms and the construction of sanitation facilities, in line with the Aquino administrations commitment to improve the quality of public education nationwide. This latest release will be used to cover the repair and rehabilitation of our classrooms, including the necessary construction of water sanitation facilities in elementary and secondary public schools all over the country. As we start the academic year this month, we are also moving closer to our goal of closing all educational resource gaps boosting our public education system in the process, said Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Butch Abad. Abad reported that the P4.5 billionof which P1.1 billion has been allotted to classroom maintenance and P3.4 billion to sanitation facilitieswas charged against DepEds fund for the Requirement of Basic Education Fa cilities under the 2013 General Appropriations Act. The P1.1 billion under the total release includes funding for classrooms in Region III (P122 million), Region IV-A (P117 million), and Region VI (P110 million). The release also includes P3.4 billion for developing sanitation facilities in public schools nationwide, including those in Region III (P417 million), Region V (P397 million), and Region VI (P304 million). Besides our commitment to build more classrooms and provide enough equipment and teacher s in public schools, we are also making crucial investments in the health and well-being of our students. After all, better access to clean water facilities can help ensure better hygiene and disease prevention in our campuses, he added. Supporting the Administrations goal of shoring up the countrys school system, the Budget department earlier approved 61,510 new teaching positions to keep pace with the increasing demand for teachers in public elementary and secondary schools nationwide. |TOP| Flood drills, early warning system set as part of disaster preparedness, says Roxas Source: http://www.dilg.mil.ph

Manila, Philippines Flood drills in several high-risk barangays along six major waterways in Metro Manila are scheduled starting tomorrow as part of the Disaster Preparedness Week organized by the Department of Interior and Local Government. Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, who led the command conference that launched the special week dedicated to ensure a casualty-free rainy season, said the DILG has summoned various government agencies to unify efforts and ease the effect of relocating thousands of families living along esteros with the onset of the wet season.

At least 60,000 informal settler families (ISFs) are living on banks of six major waterways and are subject for relocation by the government. Of these, more than 15,000 are of in immediate need of either on-site, near-site or in-city relocation. The flood drills, according to Roxas, will involve entire households of informal settlers families which will serve as the chief facilitators of every activity. It is expected that in every action team, there will be specific attention to the elderly, t he sick and the handicapped. Evacuation will be simulated including where they are supposed to go. Activities will also be simulated from within the evacuation center, he said. Site inspection of identified areas or barangays where early warning systems will be put in place are also scheduled, according to Roxas. The six major waterways include the San Juan River, Pasig river, Maricaban Creek, Manggahan Floodway, Tullahan River and Estero Tripa de Galina. Ang disaster preparedness na paghahanda natin ngayon ay isa lamang pansamantalang solusyon dahil may tinatrabaho tayo na mas permanenteng solution. Dahil di nga natin maiiwasan yung ulan, di natin maiiwasan yung malakas na hangin, di natin maiiwasan ang bagyo, pero maiiwasan natin na meron tayong mga kababayan na nakatira sa taas o sa gilid ng mga daluyan nadadaanan na maaring madisgrasya dahil malakas nadaloy ng tubig. That is the long term solution at hangang dumating yun andito tayo para sa pansamantalang disasters preparedness, Roxas explained. |TOP| SSS bares new terms for retirees to qualify for pensions Source: http://www.sss.mil.ph

The Social Security System (SSS) announced its new guidelines on contribution payments of voluntary members aged 65 and above who lack the required 120 monthly SSS contributions mandated by law to qualify for retirement pensions. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. made the announcement and called on members who are 65 years old or over prior to April 1, 2013, but have not reached the required member contributions of 120 months to qualify for retirement pension, to continue paying the remaining months but they must first file an application on or before July 1, 2013. "Members affected by the new policy must file an Application for Voluntary Payment of Contributions for Members Aged 65 and Over within the prescribed period so they can complete their 120 contributions and be eligible for retirement pension," de Quiros said. "Otherwise, they can only receive a lump sum benefit instead of the lifetime SSS pension." Under the Social Security Law, members aged 60 and above must have at least 120 months contributions to qualify for retirement pension. Those with less than 120 will be entitled to a lump sum retirement benefit equal to the total amount of paid SSS contributions plus interest. "With these new rules, members facing technical retirement can continue to pay contributions to be eligibile for pension benefits. At the same time, this allows SSS to keep the fund viable by ensuring that retirement pensions are funded by the requisite contributions," de Quiros said. The new guidelines also state that members who will turn 65 years old on or after April 1, 2013, shall be allowed to continue paying contributions to qualify for retirement pension, provided that the member must have been covered by SSS at age 55 or earlier, and must have at least 80 monthly contributions by age 65. De Quiros said those who have not been covered before age 55 cannot complete the 120 contributions. Also, they must file the same application form within the month following their 65th birthday if they intend to complete the required 120 contributions before filing their retirement claim. "As an example, the deadline of application for a member who turns 65 on May 1, 2013 will fall on June 30, 2013. We want to emphasize that failure to file the application form on or before the deadline will bar the member from completing the 120 contributions," de Quiros said. "In effect, their retirement benefit will be in lump sum instead of a monthly SSS pension." Upon approval of their application, members must pay the contributions continuously every month or quarter based on their last monthly salary credit (MSC) bracket until they reach the required 120 contributions. A decrease in MSC bracket will mean stoppage of the contribution payments, while those who pay above the approved MSC will get a refund for their excess payments. "No contributions shall be applied retroactively nor shall payments be accepted beyond completion of the 120 months. As for members who are currently getting SSS pensions for partial permanent disability, they can start paying contributions in the month after their disability pension has ended," de Quiros said. Application forms for voluntary payment of SSS contributions may be downloaded from the SSS website (www.sss.gov.ph). For inquiries, members can contact the SSS Call Center at 920-6446 to 55, which is open from 7:00 am on Mondays all the way to 7:00 am on Saturdays.

|TOP| New distribution areas for Philippine eagle identified Source: http://www.denr.mil.ph

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has identified the Cordillera Mountains and Iligan City in Lanao del Norte province as new distribution and conservation areas, with Leyte as re-discovery site, for the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) as part of the ongoing efforts to improve the chances for survival of the critically endangered bird. DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje said the decision came after sightings of the majestic eagle in Apayao and Leyte provinces were reported earlier this year by the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and the University of the Philippines (UP), respectively. Saying these sightings offered new beacons of hope for the Philippine Eagle, Paje called for a more conscious effort among Filipinos to ensure the continued existence of the so-called Haring Ibon or King of Birds. The citizenry should manifest its stance to uphold what this charismatic and magnificent bird depicts the Filipinos insatiable desire and aspiration to rise and soar against the challenges they are faced with, Paje said. The recent sightings of the rare eagle were the focus of the celebrations marking the Philippine Eagle Week, which is held every June 4-10 of each year. The Philippine Eagle, the countrys national bird since 1995 and once called as the worlds noblest flier by American aviator Charles Lindbergh, is considered critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Birdlife International for its diminishing numbers in the wild, which is mostly caused by habitat destruction and poaching. Through the Philippine Raptors Conservation Program of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), the DENR has partnered with organizations such as PEF, UP and Haribon Foundation in informing the public about the Philippine Eagle, particularly in identified eagle habitats. Under the conservation program, which is implemented in 10 regions nationwide, survey and monitoring activities are done to document the location of breeding pairs and nests in the wild. These activities have also yielded data on new distribution areas or rediscoveries, just like in Leyte where the last documented sighting was 30 years ago. The Philippine eagle sighting was first documented in 1896 in Paranas Island off Samar province. Its natural habitats such as Northern Sierra Madre, Mt. Kitanglad and Mt. Apo have been declared as protected areas. PAWB Director Theresa Mundita Lim said the discovery of eagles in the wild calls for the preservation of the remaining forest habitats. The Philippine eagles presence in the forest speaks of a healthy and sustainable environment, she said. Lim explained that the eagle, as a natural predator, upholds the ecological balance in the forests by regulating the population of smaller animals like rodents and snakes that can destroy agricultural crops and pose danger to humans. Other raptors also serve as natural garbage disposers when they scavenge on dead animal carcasses to preven t disease outbreaks, thus maintaining a balanced and robust ecosystem. Lim said awareness programs include correcting misconceptions on the eagle being a nuisance or pest. Habitats that are conserved and protected by communities therefore contribute to environmental stability and security of human well-being, especially in the face of climate change, she pointed out. In February 1999, Presidential Proclamation No. 79 declared June 4-10 of every year as Philippine Eagle Week to commemorate efforts in environmental conservation and seek support to strengthen attempts to save the Philippine Eagle from extinction through collaboration among various sectors. |TOP| DA chief urges rural banks to lend more to farmers, fishers Source: http://www.da.mil.ph Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala urged the countrys rural banks to implement innovative financing programs to serve more small farmers, fishers and rural entrepreneurs.

Kailangan nating seguraduhin na walang maiiwan at lahat ng ating kababayan, lalong-lalo na ang mayoryang nasa kanayunan, ay makakatikim ng biyaya ng paglago, Secretary Alcala said during the recent 60th annual convention of the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP). He urged the RBAP to partner with the DA to successfully implement the Agro-Industry Modernization Credit and Financing Program (AMCFP). Last year, loan releases under the AMCFP through cooperative rural banks totaled P1.12 billion, more than double the P446 million lent in 2011. This year, the DA has allotted an additional P1B under the AMCFP to be lent to small farmers, fishers and rural entrepreneurs. Its high time that we consolidate efforts to further enhance growth and d evelopment for the benefit of our poor and small farmers, and I am optimistic that you will be part of it, the DA chief urged the RBAP, led by its president, lawyer Leandro Z. Garcia, Jr. The amount of agricultural production loans has been increasing through the years, expanding by more than five-fold from P41 billion in 1990 to P231.8 billion in 2011, according to the DAs Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC). Secretary Alcala said the DA aims to further increase the formal borrowing among small farmers and fisherfolk, from 52% in 2007 to 61% by the year 2016. Ito po ang dahilan kung bakit kailangan nating palakasin pa ang pagtutulungan ng DA at ng mga rural banks, he noted. He also commended the RBAP for participating in the Agricultural Guarantee Fund Pool (AGFP), which was created in 2008 to encourage banks to lend to the agriculture sector. The AGFP provides guarantee coverage to unsecured loans extended by financial institutions and other lending conduits such as rural and cooperative banks to small farmers engaged in rice, corn and food production projects. To date, 118 rural banks have joined the AGFP. |TOP| PDIC spearheads 11th DPAW celebration Source: http://www.pdic.mil.ph

The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) will lead the observance of the 11th Depositor Protection and Awareness Week (DPAW) on June 16 to 22 with the theme, PDIC: Committed to Serve. This will culminate on June 22, the 50th founding anniver sary of the Corporation, which ushers five decades of providing depositor protection and financial stability in the banking system. To highlight this years DPAW commemoration, the PDIC will launch its guidebook on basic banking and financial transactions, aptly titled, Usapang Pera: Mga Dapat Alamin. The guidebook is a collaboration of PDIC and best-selling author, Efren Ll. Cruz. It will be a resource material for PDICs public awareness campaigns for the use of every Filipino including professionals, o verseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families, senior citizens, and even parishes and schools. It will contain information that will help the reader to understand better the nature and handling of bank deposits. The DPAW is a yearly campaign spearheaded by the PDIC aimed at strengthening the countrys bank ing system through enhanced depositor confidence to complement the governments thrust of sustaining economic growth through savings mobilization. Presidential Proclamation No. 358 declared June 16 to 22 every year as Depositor Protection and Awareness Week. The Proclamation was issued on April 4, 2003. The PDIC has ongoing initiatives on financial literacy aimed at heightening awareness on deposit insurance, responsible banking and wise-saving. Among these are the secondary school curriculum integration in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Be A Wise Saver targeted at students enrolled in colleges and universities and employees of local government units nationwide. The Be A Wise Saver campaign is being jointly undertaken with t he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the major groups, Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), Chamber of Thrift Banks (CTB), Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP) and Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines (BMAP). |TOP| VP Binay to Sadui OFWs: Submit passports to embassy Source: http://www.ovp.mil.ph

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay called on Filipino workers in Saudi to submit their passports to the Philippine embassy, citing the looming deadline for the correction of their work status. Around 10,461 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in Riyadh and Jeddah have yet to surrender their passports for correction as of 8 June, according to the Philippine embassy in Riyadh.

Our OFWs need to submit their passports immediately so our embassy could update their work status or process their papers for repatriation, said Binay, presidential adviser on OFW affairs. They have been given enough time. They should grab this opportunity if they want to continue working there or come home to the Philippines, he added. King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud granted a 3-month reprieve for foreigners illegally working in the Kingdom to sort out their documents and abide by Saudi labor laws. The grace period will end in July 8, 2013. OFWs who prefer to continue working in Saudi must secure an updated passport and an employer who can issue them their iqama or working permit. Meanwhile, those who want to be repatriated need to go to the Saudi deportation and submit their passport and iqama. In the absence of a passport, OFWs may secure travel documents from the Philippine embassy or consulate for free. The Philippine embassy in Riyadh has retrieved and released 1,541 passports in Riyadh, 925 in Jeddah, and 119 in the Easter Region. The embassy has also helped buy the tickets of 113 repatriates, including 22 males, 22 females and five minors. It is in the process of booking tickets for 332 OFWs. Saudi is home to around 1.5 million Filipino workers, 20,000 of whom are said to be undocumented. |TOP| DOST launches apps for smarter govt services Source: http://www.dost.mil.ph

In celebration of the Information and Communication Technology or ICT Month this June, the Department of Science and Technology launched major Information and Communications Technology (ICT) applications and services that will make government services more efficient and effective. The apps, components of the DOST flagship project titled Integrated Government Philippines (iGovPhil), were the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), government-wide email system (GovMail), government cloud (GovCloud), Agency Records Inventory System (AgRIS), and Government Website Template. According to DOST Secretary Mario Montejo, the ICT applications were designed to enable more efficient government operations that will benefit the citizens through faster delivery of goods and services. According to Engr. Denis F. Villorente, iGovPhil project director, the PKI will provide added security to government online transactions and communications with the use of dual keys for sealing and opening documents online. It also uses digital certificates for authentication and verification. The technology is useful not only in government services but also in other transactions with the public, such as the delivery of services and online payment. He added that with GovMail, the government will have a uniform email and online identity. The email, including data and other records, will be stored in a remote and secure facility, he said, refering to GovCloud. The cloud is a server and storage facility usually offered by private third -party providers to free their clients of the worries of backing up and safeguarding their data. The GovCloud is owned and operated by the government and data is hosted at a government data center. Part of the effort to give the government a unique corporate identity is the creation of the Government Website Template. Government agencies are urged to adopt the template to give their websites a common look and feel. With one look, the user will be able to say that this is a Philippine government website, Villorente said. The agencies, o f course, still control content on their sites. They will have features that show their line of service, like content and presentation. AgRIS is an inventory of files, documents and records kept by each government agency. Its role is to keep track and provide a list of all these records and store them in a government data center in preparation for the eventual implementaton of the National Archives and Records Management (NARM) program. NARM aims to optimize the use of government resources by integrating existing assets and improve public service by speeding up document research, access and processing. The iGovPhil project aims to enhance government efficiency and effectiveness by using and putting relevant mechanisms to implement interactive, interconnected and interoperable government applications. Some of the components of the

project include a Government Email system, Public Key Infrastructure to enhance the security of transactions and communications, the National Records Management Information System (NARMIS), a secure payment gateway, secure data centers and integrated fiber optic network to interconnect the various agencies of government. As part of the Smarter Philippines umbrella program, iGovPhils is envisioned to advance the countrys economy through better delivery of government services. The June 10-14 celebration is being held at the Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) at C.P. Garcia Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. An executive briefing and consultations with government agencies were held on the first day. Other ongoing events include job fair, IT solutions fair, policy stakeholders consultations, cyber security meeting, series of training on government website, signing of memoranda of agreement and videos and demonstrations of iGovPhil products and services.

Last Updated:

14 JUNE 2013

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Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. (second from right) and Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales (second from left) sign the Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the Integrity Management Program on Friday at Kalayaan Hall of the Malacaan Palace. Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro (extreme left) and Undersecretary Ronaldo Geron (extreme right), of the Office of the President-Discipline Office, witness the signing of the MOA aimed at fighting corruption. (Robert Vias/Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III meets with concerned department heads of the government on Friday (June 14) on the proposed interem transport terminals in Manila for the use of provincial buses. The long stretch of EDSA will be clear of provincial bus terminals before President Aquino III's term ends in 2016. (Photo by Gil Nartea/Malacanang Photo Bureau)

Thank You and God Bless !!!!