Aguinaldo Shrine Pagsanjan Falls Taal Lake Antipolo Church Lucban Pahiyas Feast

Dispatch for October 22 , 2013 ( Tuesday) , 2 PIA Calabarzon PRs , 12 Weather Watch,

7 Reg’l. Watch , 2 OFW Watch, 2 PNOY Speech , 18 Online News , 4 Photonews

1. Weather Watch

24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST

Issued At: 5:00 a.m., 22 October 2013

Valid

Beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow

Predicted Mean Sea Level

Pressure

Analysis for 8 a.m., 22 October

2013

Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind

Analysis for 8 a.m., 22 October

2013

Satellite Image

for 5:32 a.m., 22 October 2013

Synopsis:

At 4:00 am today, the eye of typhoon "URDUJA" was located based on all available data at 1,200 km East Northeast of

Itbayat, Batanes (21.8°N, 135.0°E) with maximum sustained winds of 160 kph and gustiness of up to 195 kph. It is

forecast to move north northwest at 13 kph.

Forecast:

Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with scattered light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro

Manila and the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Bicol Region will be parlty cloudy to

cloudy with isolated light rains. The rest of Luzon and Visayas will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated

rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate

to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast to northwest with slight to moderate

seas.

2. Weather Watch

Typhoon "URDUJA"

PAGASA Track as of 2 a.m., 22 October 2013

Satellite Picture at 5:32 a.m., 22 October 2013

Weather Bulletin Number ONE

Tropical Cyclone Alert: Typhoon "URDUJA" (FRANCISCO)

Issued at 5:00 a.m., Tuesday, 22 October 2013

The Typhoon East of Extreme Northern Luzon has entered the Philippine Area Of Responsibility (PAR)

and was named "URDUJA" .

Location of Center:

(as of 4:00 a.m.) 1,200 km East Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes

Coordinates: 21.8°N, 135.0°E

Strength: Maximum sustained winds of 160 kph near the center

and gustiness of up to 195 kph

Movement: Forecast to move North NorthWest at 13 kph

Forecast Positions/Outlook:

Wednesday morning:

910 km East Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes

Thursday morning:

930 km Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes

or 270 km East of Okinawa, Japan

or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

No Public Storm Warning Signals Raised

Estimated rainfall amount is from 10 - 25 mm per hour (heavy - intense) within the 900 km diameter of the Typhoon.

Typhoon "URDUJA" is not expected to affect any part of the country.

Sea travel is risky over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon.

The public and the disaster risk reduction and management council concerned are advised to take appropriate

actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 11 AM today.

3. Weather Watch

GALE WARNING GALE WARNING NO. 3

For: Strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of northeast monsoon enhanced by

Typhoon "URDUJA" .

Issued at 5:00 a.m. today, 22 October 2013

Strong to gale force winds is expected to affect the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the

eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon.

SEABOARD WEATHER WIND FORCE

(KPH)/(KNOTS)

SEA

CONDITION

WAVE

HEIGHTS

(meters)

The seaboards of

Northern Luzon

(Batanes,

Calayan,

Babuyan,

Cagayan, Ilocos

Norte, Ilocos Sur

and Isabela)

Partly cloudy to

cloudy skies with

light rains

(52 - 71) / (28 -

38)

Rough to very

rough

3.4 to 5.5

The eastern

seaboards of

Central and

Southern Luzon

(Aurora,

Camarines

Provinces,

Catanduanes,

Eastern coast of

Albay, Eastern

coast of Sorsogon

and Eastern coast

of Quezon

including Polillo

Island)

Partly cloudy to

cloudy skies with

light rains

(52 - 68) / (28 -

36)

Rough to very

rough

3.4 to 5.0

Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while

larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.

The next update will be issued at 5:00 PM today.

4. Weather Watch

4 hours ago

NewsEarthquake: 4.5 earthquake, 18km WSW of Tayaman, Philippines. Oct 22 05:44 at epicenter (28m ago, depth

100km).

5. Weather Watch

15 hours ago

GMA: Iniinspeksyon na ng mga eksperto mula sa DENR at UP-NIGS ang lawak ng pinsala ng mga pagguho sa Bohol.

Patuloy naman sa paghingi ng tulong ang mga biktima ng lindol sa bayan ng Calape. Ilang mga sinkhole naman ang

nagsulputan sa nasabing bayan matapos ang lindol.

6. Weather Watch

15 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Iginiit ng PHIVOLCS na hindi sila naglabas ng babala na magkakaroon muli ng malakas na lindol sa Bohol.

Sinabi ni PHIVOLCS Director Renato Solidum na imposibleng mangyari ang bali-balitang magnitude 8 na lindol sa Bohol

dahil katatapos lamang ng magnitude 7.2 na lindol doon. Nilinaw rin nila na hindi totoo na may umuusbong na bulkan

doon at ang kumukulong tubig na nakita sa lugar ay dulot ng liquefaction.

7. Weather Watch

17 hours ago

DZMM: Nakapagtala ang PHIVOLCS ng mahigit sa 2,000 aftershocks sa Visayas mula sa magnitude 7.2 na lindol na

tumama roon noong nakaraang linggo. Ayon kay Dir. Renato Solidum, 50 aftershocks lamang ang naramdaman at

magnitude 5.4 ang pinakamalakas na naitala sa Tagbilaran kaninang umaga. Binaggit din ni Solidum na kumakaunti na

ang aftershocks pero patuloy pa rin itong mararanasan sa mga sususnod na linggo.

8. Weather Watch

17 hours ago

DZMM: Pinawi ni PNoy ang mga pangamba na nauubos na ang pondo para sa mga biktima ng kalamidad. Sinabi nito

na hindi dapat magalala dahil mayroon pang P20B savings ang pamahalaan na maaring gamitin kung hindi sasapat ang

natitirang pondo mula sa calamity at contingency fund. Inihayag naman ni NDRRMC Exec. Dir. Eduardo del Rosario,

sisimulan na bukas ang pamamahagi ng financial assistance para sa mga naapektuhan ng malakas na lindol sa Bohol.

9. Weather Watch

17 hours ago

DZMM: Kumpiyansa si PHIVOLCS Dir. Renato Solidum na malaki ang posibilidad na hindi sa East Bohol fault line

nagmula ang 7.2 magnitude na lindol na tumama sa Central Visayas. Base sa pagtataya ng PHIVOLCS, sa isang fault line

na kung tawagin nilang north offshore ay posibleng nagmula ang lindol. Dahil dito, limang monitoring station ang

ikinalat ng PHIVOLCS ngayon sa Bohol para makunan ng scanner ang ilalim ng lupa para malaman kung saan

nakaposisyon ang tinatawag nilang offshore fault.

10. Weather Watch

17 hours ago

DZRH: Nagpaabot pa ng tulong ang mga bansang Amerika, Malaysia at China sa mga biktima ng lindol sa Central

Visayas. Nasa Bohol pa rin ang team ng UN at mga kinatawan ng UN Defense Program at ang UNICEF para mag-assess

kung ano pang tulong ang maaaring ipagkaloob sa mga biktima. Samantala, dalawang bangkay pa ang na-recover ng

rescue team na ipinadala ni VP Binay at isa pang team ng engineer nito ang nagsasagawa ng inspeksyon sa Bohol.

11. Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's photo.

18 hours ago

DZBB: Wala pa ring ipinararating na apela para sa tulong ng ibang bansa ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas para sa mga biktima

ng lindol sa Central Visayas. Ayon kay DFA Asec. Raul Hernandez, hindi pa sila nagpapadala ng anumang international

appeal sa ibang bansa. Aniya, ipinapaubaya na lang nila sa desisyon ng NDRRMC ang hakbangin at sa ngayon ay wala

pa namang abiso ang konseho hinggil dito.

12. Weather Watch

18 hours ago

DZBB: May paghuhugutan pa rin ang gobyerno sakaling maubos ang calamity at contingency funds. Ayon kay PNoy,

nasa P20B pa rin ang savings ng gobyerno na maaaring paghugutan ng dadag na pondo para sa mga biktima ng lindol

sa Central Visayas.

Weather Watch

October 22 , 2013 ( Tuesday ) as of 6:00-7:00 AM

CAVITE : Sunny LAGUNA : Sunny BATANGAS : Fair Weather RIZAL : Fair Weather QUEZON : Partly CLoudy

PIA Regional Watch

1. PIA Regional Watch

16 minutes ago near Quezon City

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Bilang pagpapatuloy ng adbokasiya ng CDRRMO sa lungsod ng Batangas,isang

pagsasanay sa basic water survival ang isinagawa sa mga mag-aaral mula sa Westmead International

School.Layon nitong maituro ang tamang pamamaraan upang maisalba ang sarili kapag nakaranas ng

aksidente sa tubig.

2. PIA Regional Watch

17 hours ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: Chuckie Rivera, communications manager of Quezon Power Ltd Co. which operates the

Mauban power plant told members of the sangguniang panlalawigan of Quezon on Monday that the new

power plant will rise inside the 460 megawatt power plant in Mauban, Quezon. Rivera claimed that the new

power plant is the newest and most efficient coal-fired power plant which has higher energy output of steam

process compared to other similar plants in the country.

3. PIA Regional Watch

20 hours ago near Quezon City

PIA-4A/QUEZON: A state of calamity has been declared in Quezon province about the outbreak of coconut

insect infestation that hit the province' coconut trees in the first and second districts. Provincial agriculturist

Roberto Gajo presented to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Quezon on Monday's regular session the extent

of the insect infestation that hit not only coconut trees but also other fruit bearing trees such as lanzones,

mangosteen, rambutan and others. The provincial agriculture office also intensified their campaign against

infestation through implementation of different programs in the province.

4. PIA Regional Watch

20 hours ago near Quezon City

PIA-4A/CAVITE: The provincial government has allocated Php500,000.00 for the procurement of Closed- Circuit-

Television (CCTV) cameras and other equipment in a bid to further improved its peace and order programs in the

province. The half a million pesos budget for the CCTVs and other modern gadgets was the biggest so far that was

earmarked for the province's peace and order program.

5. PIA Regional Watch

20 hours ago near Quezon City

PIA-4A/CAVITE: The installation of Water Level Monitoring Station at Bacoor, Cavite covers, among

others, the provision of equipment and appropriate technical assistance to the city government which will

benefit residents when it comes to awareness on disaster-related bulletins, farming and fishing updates,

community announcements and generation of visual representation of real-time weather parameters of the

region.

6. PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago near Quezon City

PIA-4A/CAVITE: The Department of Science and Technology CALABARZON recently signed MoA with

the city government of Bacoor that will benefit the city residents. Said agreement is the installation of Water

Level Monitoring Station from DOST-ASTI at Zapote Bridge and Molino Dam and the other is for

Development and Installation of the city's Information Dissemination System (LGU-IDS).

7. PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago near Quezon City

PIA-4A/CAVITE: Members of Tagaytay City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 2013-007 or the Privilege

Card to the bonafide residents of the city. Said ordinance was proposed by City Mayor Agnes D. Tolentino and

penned by Councilor Eliseo Javier and will be called Tagaytay Card. It will be implemented at the soonest possible

time for additional financial assistance and benefits to the city residents.

1. PIA OFW Watch

4 hours ago near Quezon City

GMA: Pasado 11:00 kagabi nang dumating sa bansa ang 51 OFW mula sa Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Karamihan sa kanila

ay emosyonal na ibinahagi ang kanilang hirap na sinapit sa naturang bansa.

2. PIA OFW Watch

October 17

ABS-CBN: Bumisita si PNoy sa South Korea at nagbigay ng pagpupugay sa mga Filipino sa South Korea.

Pinaabot naman ng mga Filipino sa South Korea na tutulong sila sa mga biktima ng lindol sa Visayas.

Bukas ay makikipagpulong si PNoy sa mga Filipino businessmen sa S. Korea.

A. QUEZON

1. Comprehensive action program to control scale

insect infestation, to be implemented in Quezon

BY: RUEL M. ORINDAY

Monday 21st of October 2013

LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Oct. 21 (PIA) –The provincial agriculture office (PAO) and the

Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Quezon I is jointly implementing a scale insect

comprehensive action program to control the further spread of the coconut scale insect

infestation in Quezon province.

In a recent meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council

(PDRRMC), provincial agriculturist Roberto Gajo said the program is in line with the

provincial government’s response to control immediately the widespread infestation of

coconut trees in the province.

Gajo reported that about 41,000 coconut trees in the municipalities of Sampaloc, Polilio,

Mauban, Tiaong and San Antonio have been affected by the infestation.

Part of the program, according to Gajo, is the establishment of a bio control laboratory in

barangay Talipan, Pagbilao for the propagation of coccinelid beetle which is known to be

effective in countering coconut scale insects.

A provincial Task Force (TF) Kontra Scale Insects is now being organized by the provincial

agriculturist and the PCA-Quezon I, Gajo added.

He said that he requested the provincial government through the PDRRMC to allocate funds

for the programs and activities.

In addition, the PDRRMC unanimously approved Gajo’s appeal to the Sangguniang

Panlalawigan to pass a resolution declaring Quezon province under the state of calamity due

to the widespread infestation.

The PAO is encouraging the community particularly the coconut farmers to remove and burn

affected plant parts at early sighting of signs of infestation and report the case to help in

preventing the infestation from spreading out. (RMO, PIA-Quezon)

2. Tagalog news: Quezon, panalo sa individual at group

category ng regional Gawad Saka 2013

Sunday 20th of October 2013

LUNGSOD NG LUCENA, Quezon, Oktubre 20 (PIA) --Nagwagi sa dalawang kategorya

mula sa siyam na kategoryang sinalihan sa regional Gawad Saka 2013 ang mga kinatawan ng

lalawigan ng Quezon sa ginanap na awarding kamakailan sa provincial auditorium ng

lalawigan ng Batangas.

Sa individual category, wagi sina Jerson Cabriga ng barangay Lawigue, Tayabas bilang

Outstanding Young Farmer at Romulo Ayag ng barangay Pili, Sariaya bilang Outstanding

High Value Crops Development Program Farmer.

Tumanggap ng parangal sa group category ang Cawayan I 4H Club ng barangay Cawayan I,

San Francisco bilang Outstanding Farmers Organization at Del Rosario Rural Improvement

Club (RIC) ng barangay Del Rosario, Tiaong bilang Outstanding Rural Improvement Club.

Ang Gawad Saka ay isa sa mga programa ng Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka na naglalayong

bigyan ng pagkilala ang natatanging magsasaka at mangingisda na nakatulong ng malaki sa

pagpapaunlad ng agrikultura sa mga lawigan at sa buong bansa.

Sa pamamagitan ng tanggapan ng panlalawigang agrikultor, ang pamahalaang panlalawigan

ng Quezon sa pangunguna ni Gov. David Suarez ay patuloy na sumusuporta sa mga

magsasaka at mangingisda sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatupad ng iba’t-ibang programa at

pagkakaloob ng mga serbisyo na makakatulong sa pagtaas ng produksyon sa agrikultura at

pag-aangat ng kanilang kabuhayan. (OPA-Info. & Training Unit, Quezon PIO/ RMO-PIA-

Quezon)

B. CAVITE

C. LAGUNA

D. BATANGAS

E. RIZAL

21 OCTOBER 2013.

Aquino cites semiconductor and electronics industry for contribution to country's economic growth

President Aquino says Electronics Product Development Center will boost semiconductor and

electronic industry

President Aquino hopes to reach agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on power

sharing annex

President Aquino says electricity restored in over 76 percent of municipalities in Bohol

Aquino cites semiconductor and electronics industry for contribution to country's economic growth

President Benigno S. Aquino III has cited the Philippine semiconductor and electronics industry for its contribution in helping the government to revolutionize the country's economic growth amid the global crisis. In his message keynoting the 12th Chief Executive Officer Forum and 114th General Membership Meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI) held at the Solaire Resort and Casino Manila in Paranaque City on Monday, the Chief Executive said the semiconductor and electronics industry continues to be a massive contributor to the country's economic progress. The event which has for its theme "Advancing Manufacturing Technology for Inclusive Development" aims at helping the government to make the country a competitive business environment for semiconductor and electronics technology. "Despite a year-on-year decline in the electronic industry’s share in total exports, I’m told an additional 31,000 Filipinos found employment with you in 2012," the President said. The President commended the semiconductor and electronics industry for its impressive performance in the past years for bringing in more investments to the country. "There is also the ten-percent increase in the investments your industry recorded, from 2.45 billion dollars in 2011 to 2.7 billion dollars in 2012. And I am told that there was also an increase in the importation of materials for the manufacture of electrical equipment in May and July this year—maybe in anticipation of a higher demand for electronics in the world market," President Aquino said. "All signs point to your confidence—to your determination to move forward, despite the setbacks you may have encountered. So, allow me to once again thank you for your faith and optimism in our people and our country," he said. Also in attendance were Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas, Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director-General Joel Villanueva, SEIPI President Dr. Dan Lachica, among others. Electronics is acknowledged as the main driver of the Philippine economy as it accounts for US$22.56B of the country’s total exports for 2012. With the organization’s member companies responsible for over 40% of total electronics exports, this unequivocally makes SEIPI a major economic force in the country. The SEIPI is the leading and largest organization of foreign and local semiconductor and electronics companies in the Philippines. PND (js)

TOP

President Aquino says Electronics Product Development Center will boost semiconductor and electronic industry

President Benigno S. Aquino III said the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is putting up a modern and world-class Electronics Product Development Center (EPDC) to boost the country's semiconductor and electronics industry. In his message keynoting the 12th Chief Executive Officer Forum and 114th General Membership Meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI) held at the Solaire Resort and Casino Manila in Paranaque City on Monday, the Chief Executive indicated the said center designed to improve the industry’s testing and prototyping capabilities, will open next year.

"On top of this, we have an international initiative that establishes relationships with renowned institutions: the Philippine-California Advanced Research Institutes or PCARI Project," the President said. "Under PCARI, the Institute for Information Infrastructure Development, or IIID, will focus on research and development for increased competitiveness of the Information and Communications Technology, and the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries. This is a project that will serve both the needs of the academe and of industries like yours—ultimately redounding to the benefit of our countrymen," he said. Last May, the President inaugurated the Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory (ADMATEL) at the DOST compound in Bicutan, Taguig. "You are likely already familiar with the Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory, or ADMATEL, established by our Department of Science and Technology. Failure analysis and other tests can be conducted here as opposed to sending products to other countries—potentially cutting down on your expenses and the time it takes between the production of and actual export of products," he said. There are 19 companies and institutions from your industry—16 from SEIPI—that have already benefit from its services. The SEIPI has 254 member companies, so perhaps I can take this opportunity to invite the remaining 238 to come see and test our facilities. We could use your business, and I am sure that we will be able to contribute to greater efficiency in your businesses as well," he said. President Aquino pledged government’s full support to the country’s semiconductor industry, hoping that ADMATEL facility would help the country gain a bigger slice of the world market for semiconductors. "So I do not doubt that we will be able to achieve our goals, as long as we continue to view each other as true partners. Today, more and more, your work is complemented by both government and society’s efforts. I know that we will weather all adversity so long as we keep the faith in each other," he said. PND (js)

TOP

President Aquino hopes to reach agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on power sharing annex

President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed optimism that both the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels can finish the power sharing annex of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) this year. "Tuluy-tuloy ang ating mga dialogues with the MILF on the annexes, maganda naman ang developments on the talks on the last two remaining annexes. I was assured na we are still on track," the Chief Executive said in an interview after attending the 12th Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Forum and 114th General Membership Meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI) held at the Solaire Resort and Casino Manila in Paranaque City on Monday. President Aquino said that government peace negotiators are working to reach an agreement with the MILF on the power-sharing annex. During the resumption of the 41st formal exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia both parties stressed the need to ensure just and acceptable solutions to address the decades-old conflict in Mindanao. The President also noted that the government peace negotiators are also holding dialogues with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) for the full implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement. "Maganda rin, supposed to be, ang talks with the other factions of the MNLF – they condemned di ba, the Zamboanga City incident; at pati na rin iyong mga others na nominally associated with Misuari, some of whom are disassociating themselves from the Misuari faction," he said. Malacanang earlier reiterated that the 1996 Final Peace Agreement that was signed between the government and the MNLF has not been terminated. PND (js)

TOP

President Aquino says electricity restored in over 76 percent of municipalities in Bohol

President Benigno S. Aquino III announced the restoration of electricity in over 76 percent of all municipalities in Bohol which was severely affected by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake last October 15. In an interview after attending the 12th Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Forum and 114th General Membership Meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI) held at the Solaire Resort and Casino Manila in Paranaque City on Monday, the Chief Executive said restoration works in areas affected by the earthquake have almost been completed. "Ang report nung Bohol Electric Cooperative, as of October 20, ang transformer count ng energized is 76.65 percent in

all municipalities, 77.74 percent of all barangays are energized," he said. The Department of Energy (DOE) continues to monitor and address the power and fuel situation in Central Visayas, especially in Bohol and Cebu. Officials from the DOE, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, National Electrification Administration, National Power Corp. and the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. earlier discussed the measures to restore power and fuel supply in the disaster-stricken provinces at the soonest possible time. The DOE is also studying how to deploy small generator sets to temporarily provide power to critical facilities and communication services while assessment of the safety of the buildings and other structures are still being undertaken, the President said. PND (js)

TOP

21 OKTUBRE 2013

Kinilala ni Aquino ang malaking ambag sa ekonomya ng Pilipinas ng Semiconductor and Electronics Industry

Kinilala ni Aquino ang malaking ambag sa ekonomya ng Pilipinas ng Semiconductor and Electronics Industry

Kinilala ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang malaking ambag ng Semiconductor and Electronmics Industry sa ekonomya ng Pilipinas sa gitna ng krisis na pandaigdig. Sa mensahe sa 12th Chief Executive Officer Forum and 114th General Membership Meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI na idinaos sa Solaire Resort and Casino Manila sa Lungsod ng Paranaque Lunes, binigyang diin ng Pangulo na patuloy ang mga industriya ng semiconductor and electronics sa napakalaking tulong sa kaunlaran ng bansa. Ang pagtitipong ito na may paksang-diwang Advancing Manufacturing Technooogy for Inclusive Development ay naglalayong ang bansa ay lalo pang makaangat sa larangan ng negosyong may kinalaman sa teknolohiya ng semiconductor at electronics. ―Sa kabila ng pagbaba taun-taon ng bahagi ng industriya ng electronic sa bansa sa kabuuang eksport, napag-alaman kong 31,000 Pilipino ang naghahanap-buhay sa mga industriyang ito sapul noong 2012,‖ wika ng Pangulo. Pinapurihan ng Pangulo ang semiconductor and electronics industry sa napakalaking nagawa sa nakalipas na mga taon upang makapagpasok ng karagdagang pamumuhunan sa bansa. ―Naragdagan din ng sampung porsiyento ang pamumuhunan sa inyong industriya na naging 2.7 bilyong dolyar mula sa 2.45 bilyong dolyar noong 2012. Napag-alaman ko ring lumaki ang angkat ng materyales para sa paggawa ng electrical equipment noong Mayo at Hulyo ng taong kasalukuyan—marahil dahil sa inaasahang mataas na pangangailangan sa electronics sa pandaigdigang pamilihan,‖ wika pa ng Pangulong Aquino. ―Malinaw ang kahulugan nito ay ang inyong tiwala—sa inyong determinasyong lumakad nang pasulong sa kabila ng ilang sagabal na maaaring kinaharap. Kaya itulot ninyong minsan pa, pasalamatan ko kayo sa inyong pagtitiwala at pag-asa sa aming mga mamamayan at sa aming bansa,‖ dugtong pa ng Pangulo. Dumalo rin sa pagtitipong ito sina Kalihim Manuel Roxas ng Interyor at Lokal na Pamahalaan, Kalihim Mario Montejo ng Agham at Teknolohiya, Kalihim Herminio Coloma, Jr. ng Presidential Communications Operations Office, Direktor Heneral Joel Villanueva ng Technical Education and Skills Development at Dr. Dan Lachica, pangulo ng SEIPI. Ang electronics ang kinikilalang pangunahing nagsusulong ng ekonomya ng Pilipinas at kabuuang US $22.56 bilyon ito ng kabuuang eksport ng bansa para sa 2012. Ang mga kompanyang kasapi ng organisasyong ito ang gumagawa ng mahigit na 40% ng kabuuang iniluwas na electronics ng bansa kaya ang SEIPI ay pangunahing lakas na sandigan ng ekonomya ng bansa. Ang SEIPI ang nangunguna at pinakamalaking samahan ng dayuhan at lokal na mga kompanyang nasa larangan ng semiconductor at electronics sa Pilipinas. PND (js/zaf)

TOP

President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the 12th CEO Forum and 114th General Membership Meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines

Ballroom 1, Solaire Resort and Casino Manila, No. 1 Solaire Blvd., Entertainment City, Parañaque City 21 Oct 2013

Thank you. Good afternoon. Please sit down. Secretaries Mar Roxas, Mario Montejo, Sonny Coloma, and of course the oldest of the bunch, Joel Villanueva [laughter]; Dr. Danny Lachica; board of trustees; members and staff of Semiconductor and Electronic Industries in the Philippines Inc.; honored guests; ladies and gentlemen: Good afternoon once again. I have noticed that these get-togethers are turning into regular occurrences for us. So allow me to say once again how pleased I am to be meeting the senior officials of one of the most formidable industries in the Philippines. Today, more than ever, I believe that ―formidable‖ is an apt description. Despite less than favorable conditions in the global economy, the semiconductor and electronics industry continues to be a massive contributor to our exports and our economy. You have felt firsthand how the shaky conditions of some industrialized countries have affected your industry. But I am hopeful that you will rebound sooner rather than later. In fact, I am quite optimistic, and here’s why: Despite a year-on-year decline in the electronic industry’s share in total exports, I’m told an additional 31,000 Filipinos found employment with you in 2012. There is also the ten-percent increase in the investments your industry recorded, from 2.45 billion dollars in 2011 to 2.7 billion dollars in 2012. And I am told that there was also an increase in the importation of materials for the manufacture of electrical equipment in May and July this year—maybe in anticipation of a higher demand for electronics in the world market. All signs point to your confidence—to your determination to move forward, despite the setbacks you may have encountered. So, allow me to once again thank you for your faith and optimism in our people and our country. If I may say so: there is even more reason for you to be optimistic today, with a government that is truly committed to working with you. I am not just talking about our efforts to improve infrastructure and boost competitiveness, and also to clean up systems and streamline processes, and to invest in our people so that you can rest easy in entrusting your operations to healthy, skilled, and talented workers. I am talking about our government doing its part for sectors whose economic contributions are truly remarkable—sectors like yours. We will not just stand by and wait to reap the benefits of your growth. The same confidence that you have shown the Philippines, we are now in a position to repay. For instance, you are likely already familiar with the Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory, or ADMATEL, established by our Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Failure analysis and other tests can be conducted here as opposed to sending products to other countries—potentially cutting down on your expenses and the time it takes between the production of and actual export of products. I’m also told that this facility will help you gain more contracts as it shortens the time from conceptualization to actual exports. In the nine months that ADMATEL has been operational, I am told that 19 companies and institutions from your industry—16 from SEIPI—have already benefited from its services. As I understand it, SEIPI has 254 member companies. So perhaps I can take this opportunity to invite the remaining 238 to come see and test our facilities. We could use your business, and I am sure that we will be able to contribute to greater efficiency in your businesses as well. This is only the first step. The goal in our sights: to not only have the capability of building and testing products, but to design them as well. For instance, this is why DOST has been busy with the Electronics Product Development Center, opening next year, which will provide testing services for compliance with international standards, and will also serve your prototyping needs.

On top of this, we have an international initiative that establishes relationships with renowned institutions: the Philippine-California Advanced Research Institutes or PCARI Project. Under PCARI, the Institute for Information Infrastructure Development, or IIID, will focus on research and development for increased competitiveness of the Information and Communications Technology, and the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries. This is a project that will serve both the needs of the academe and of industries like yours—ultimately redounding to the benefit of our countrymen. These may seem like lofty ambitions, especially for a country that can be considered to be behind its neighbors in terms of innovation, science, and technological research, and even in electronics. But let me remind you: Wasn’t it just a few years ago when everyone thought that the Philippines would always be the laggard in regional economic growth? Today, we are constantly one of the fastest growers, if not, at times, the fastest grower. Wasn’t it just a few years ago when everyone thought that we could never gain the confidence of the world? Today, all three major credit ratings agencies have reached a consensus: we are at investment grade. And so, I can say proudly: Today, the Philippines is indeed formidable. Let me be clear: My task as President goes far beyond ensuring our success today. As we attend to present issues and concerns, the reforms we implement must also be building blocks for our nation’s future. So, just as we are looking to expand our avenues of growth and move up the value chain in this industry, we must also expand and build on our relationships with others. This is why I am here today, and this was also the reason for our recent visit to South Korea—where some of your member companies originated. In a little over three years, I have seen that working together—that cooperation—is key in nation building. We have already experienced this with SEIPI—from the thousands of workers who were retrained and found employment through your cooperation with TESDA’s Training for Work Scholarship Program, to the updating of the electronics roadmap through productive discussions with our Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). So I do not doubt that we will be able to achieve our goals, as long as we continue to view each other as true partners. Today, more and more, your work is complemented by both government and society’s efforts. I know that we will weather all adversity so long as we keep the faith in each other. We pledge our rightful support to you, and together, let us continue to find ways to spur the development not only of your industry and your businesses, but also of our country and our people. Thank you and good day.

[HOME]

President Benigno S. Aquino III's Arrival Statement after his State Visit to the Republic of Korea Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Terminal 2, Pasay City

18 Oct 2013 Maupo ho tayong lahat. Senate President Frank Drilon; Secretary Albert del Rosario; Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa; Secretary Leila de Lima; Brother Armin; Secretary Joel; Secretary Ike; Secretary Linda; Secretary Babes; all the members of the Cabinet present; Mayor Edwin Olivares; Vice Chief of Staff Lt. General Alan Luga; Lt. General Noel Coballes; Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano; Police Director General Alan Purisima; General Manager Jose Angel Honrado; fellow workers in government; mga minamahal ko pong kababayan: Magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat. Bago tayo tumulak pa-Korea, nabanggit ko sa inyo: Inaasikaso natin ang lahat ng ating pangangailangan sa kasalukuyan; masusi pong nakatutok ang ating mga kalihim sa pagsisigurong ang mga nasira ng lindol ay maipapagawa o mapapalitan, maibabalik sa kaayusan ang mga apektado, at ang kailangan ng lingap ay maaaksyunan ng estado. Ngayon po, sa aking pag-uwi, masasabi ko namang matagumpay ang sadya nating asikasuhin ang ating kinabukasan. Lalo pong napagtibay ang malalim nang ugnayan sa pagitan ng ating bansa at ng South Korea. Nakaukit po sa kasaysayan ng pakikipagkapwa-tao natin sa South Korea. Sa pagpasok ng dekada singkuwenta, nagsisimula pa lang pong bumangon ang Pilipinas mula sa pagkasirang dala ng Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig. At wala pa po tayong masyadong maibibigay, wala pa tayong masyadong kakayahan, ngunit nang tumawag ang Korea, tumugon agad tayo, handang iabot ang anumang tulong na ating maiaabot. Mahigit pitong libong sundalong Pilipino po ang ipinadala natin sa

bansa nila noong Korean War; sunod sa Amerika at Inglatera, Pilipinas ang ikatlong bansang nagpadala ng tropa. Sa Korean War Memorial nga po na ating binisita, nakita kong nakaukit sa pader ang katagang, ―Our nation honors the sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met.‖ Ipinakita po ng mga nakasalamuha nating Koreano ang nararamdaman nilang utang ng loob sa Pilipino; pagkakaibigan po itong hindi salita lamang, kundi may kasamang gawa. Damang-dama po natin ang pagkasinsero sa pakikitungo sa atin ng kanilang Pangulong Park Geun-Hye. Sa aming paghaharap, nagpahayag po ng suporta si Pangulong Park sa prosesong isinusulong natin upang mapanatili ang stabilidad, at maresolba ang mga di pagkakaunawaan; gaya natin, naniniwala sila sa halaga ng pagsunod sa batas at tamang patakaran, na sumasaklaw sa lahat ng bayan, gaano man ito kalaki o kalakas. Masigla rin po naming tinalakay ang mga plano upang mapalakas ang ating ugnayan sa tanggulan, pagtugon sa kalamidad, kalakalan, gayundin sa mga isyung pandagat na may direktang epekto sa buong rehiyon. Pati na po sa sports, nakita natin ang matibay na ugnayan ng Pilipinas at Korea. At hindi pa po diyan nagtatapos: Nang mangyari po ang gulo sa Zamboanga, nagpanata na po ng tulong-pinansyal ang Korea. Nang nagkita po kami, si Pangulong Park po mismo ang nagparating ng pakikiramay sa mga napinsala ng lindol sa Kabisayaan—kaakibat po nito ang dagdag pang panata ng tulong pinansyal na ipaabot ng kanyang pamahalaan sa atin pong mga mamamayan. Patunay rin po ng malalim nating ugnayan sa mga Koreano ang uwi nating magagandang balita mula sa mga kumpanyang ating mga nakapulong. Patuloy daw pong palalawakin ng Hanjin ang kanilang operasyon sa ating bansa, upang lalo nating kayaning makipagsabayan sa pandaigdigang industriya ng shipbuilding. Talagang bilib daw po sila sa husay at pagkamalikhain ng ating mga manggagawa; mas mabilis pa raw po tayong magtrabaho kaysa sa kanilang inasahan nang una silang namuhunan sa ating bansa. Ang Korea Electric Power Corporation o KEPCO naman po, sa ngayon, sampung porsyento na ng ating kuryente ang nagge-generate. Gusto raw po nilang lakihan ang ambag sa ating tuluyang pag-angat; nagpaplano pa raw po silang magtayo ng ilan pang power plant sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa. At hindi po ito baryang ambag—lilikha ito ng daan-daan ding megawatts na makapagpapalaki sa ating baseload capacity. Malinaw na rin po ang proyekto ng kumpanyang Lotte para sa isang hotel project sa Kabisayaan, at masinsin din ang interes nilang magdagdag ng iba pang proyekto sa Kamaynilaan at iba pang bahagi ng bansa tulad ng hotel, theme park, office space, at iba pa. Ang National Pension Service naman po ng South Korea, mayroon daw 50 bilyong dolyares na pondong puwedeng i-invest kada taon; dalawampung porsyento nito, handa silang dalhin sa ibang bansa na maliban sa dati nilang pinagdadalhan. At dahil sa ganda ng takbo ng ating ekonomiya, kabilang na tayo sa mga pinag-iisipan nilang pamuhunanan. Nagkaroon din po tayo ng pagkakataong magtalumpati sa harap ng apat na pinakamalalaking business group sa buong Korea; hindi po biro ang karangalan na napagtipon natin sila sa iisang bubong, upang ihayag sa kanila ang pagbabagong nangyayari sa ating bansa, at ang patuloy pang lalawak na mga oportunidad para mamuhunan. Nagpasalamat nga po tayo kay Pangulong Park Geun-Hye sa tumataas na kumpiyansa ng kanyang mga kababayang negosyante sa ating ekonomiya, pati na rin sa malaking ambag ng kanyang mga kababayan sa ating sektor ng turismo. Siyempre, hindi rin maaaring pumunta tayo sa Korea nang hindi nakakasama ang ating Filipino community. Habang kinakasalamuha natin sila’t kinakamusta ang kanilang kalagayan, talaga namang nakikita nating nagtatagumpay sila sa kanikanilang trabaho’t larangan. Ibinalita rin natin sa kanila ang kaliwa’t kanang good news sa bansa, at muling idiniin ang ating panata: Ang interes ng ating mga Boss lamang ang tumitimon sa ating bawat kilos at desisyon. Tumulak po tayo tungong Korea na may baong lungkot dala ng pinsalang dulot ng lindol sa Kabisayaan. Patuloy po tayong nakatutok sa balita rito, sa gitna ng ating State Visit sa Korea. Umuwi naman po tayong dala ang mas maigting na determinasyon upang ituloy ang transpormasyong dinaranas ng ating bansa ngayon. Nakita po natin ang isang bansang dumaan din sa napakatinding pinsala, at ngayo’y talagang tumatamasa na ng kahanga-hangang kaunlaran. Ang matibay ko pong paniniwala: Kung kaya nilang maabot iyon, tiyak ko po, kaya rin itong maabot ng Pilipino. Sama-sama nating isulong ang Pilipinas tungo sa katuparan ng ating kolektibong pangarap. Nakakataba po talaga ng puso ang pagkakataong maging kinatawan ng aking mga Boss sa ating mga karatig-bansa—dahil talaga nga pong ibang-iba na ang mukhang maihaharap natin sa mundo ngayon. Hindi po ako magsasawang sabihin: Talagang napakasarap maging Pilipino sa mga panahong ito. Maraming salamat po. Magandang gabi po sa lahat.

[HOME]

ONLINE NEWS

21 OCTOBER 2013

NHMFC offers 6-month moratorium for quake victims

October 2013 Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination results released in six (6) working days

GSIS raises emergency loan credit limit to 40K, waives renewal req't for quake-hit victims in Bohol, Cebu

Secretaries Soliman, Roxas meet with interagency disaster team in Bohol

87,157 food packs distributed to quake victims in Bohol

TBs, RBs and Coop banks post 7.77 percent NPL ratio in Q1 2013

Philippines and South Korea ink US$80 million loan for a Disaster Risk Reduction Project in Pampanga

Conduct job fairs in quake-stricken areas, Baldoz tells POEA Region VII

NEDA consults civil society orgs on midterm PDP update: Balisacan highlights employment generation as key update to the Plan

DOST to meg “Smarter Philippines” as world zooms in on emerging economies

Malaysia turns over Rm100,000 assistance for children affected by Visayas quake

Phl Consulate General in Guangzhou holds seminar on China’s New Exit and Entry Administration Law

SSS enhances satellite offices in Cebu and Bohol, cites calamity relief package

Aliens told: Always have your ACR I-Card

FAO honors Filipina farmer, three others

OVP relief team hands out 8K bags of relief goods to Bohol quake victims

VP rescue team recovers 2 bodies in Bohol

Megawide embarks on second phase of school building project

NHMFC offers 6-month moratorium for quake victims

Source: http://www.nhmfc.gov.ph

Borrowers of the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) in Cebu and Bohol may now avail of a 6-month moratorium on payment amortization, said Vice President Jejomar C. Binay. ―Earthquake-hit residents in Cebu and Bohol may avail of the program. Their accounts must be in current status or 0-3 months in arrears as of September 30, 2013,‖ Binay said. ―This program is NHMFC’s way of helping our countrymen cope with the tragedy,‖ the housing czar added. Binay said applications for the moratorium should be filed on or before December 31, 2013. Interest and penalty charges will not be imposed within the 6-month period, which takes effect upon the approval of the application. Meanwhile, those who are no longer interested to return to their respective homes may choose dacion en pago to surrender their properties voluntarily. Dacion en pago is a special mode of payment wherein the debtor offers another thing to the creditor who accepts it as equivalent of payment of an outstanding obligation. Binay, who also chairs the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, instructed housing agencies to provide assistance to earthquake victims. In his visit to Cebu and Bohol, Binay said the Pag-IBIG Fund has allocated P4.5 billion for calamity loans at 5.95 percent annual interest payable in two years. The Fund also implemented a 3-month moratorium on the payment of housing loan amortizations. Borrowers must file their application for moratorium within 90 days after their area was declared under state of calamity. Binay also reminded Pag-IBIG borrowers that the Fund could help them get insurance if the unit subject of their respective loans is covered by earthquake, typhoon and allied peril insurance. Earlier, the National Housing Authority Board approved the increase of the P5,000 home materials assistance to P10,000 for earthquake survivors in Cebu and Bohol, and those in war-torn Zamboanga.

|TOP|

October 2013 Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination results released in six (6) working days

Source: http://www.prc.gov.ph

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 4,246 out of 10,396 passed the Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination given by the Board of Accountancy in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi this October 2013. The results were released in six (6) working days after the last day of examination. The Board of Accountancy is composed of Atty. Eugene T. Mateo, Chairman; Dr. Rufo R. Mendoza, Vice Chairman; Luis A. Cañete and Jose S. Tayag, Jr., Members. Registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will be on November 4, 5 & 6, 2013. Those who will register are required to bring the following: duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, current Community Tax Certificate (cedula), 1 piece passport size picture (colored with white background and complete nametag), 2 sets of metered documentary stamps and 1 short brown envelope with name and profession and to pay the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2013-2016. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals. The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees in the said examination WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.

|TOP|

GSIS raises emergency loan credit limit to 40K, waives renewal req't for quake-hit victims in Bohol, Cebu

Source: http://www.gsis.gov.ph

State pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) announced today that more than 35,000 active members affected by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Bohol and Cebu will benefit from the increased emergency loan credit limit and the waiver of the requirement to pay 12 monthly amortizations before renewing their emergency loan. Under the new policy, approved by the Board of Trustees on Friday, members who are either residing or working in Bohol and Cebu and who have a balance in their existing emergency loan may borrow up to Php40,000. "This will enable our members to take home a bigger loan amount even if they have to deduct the balance in their previous emergency loan from the renewal proceeds," President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara said. In addition, members residing or working in Bohol and Cebu who have no balance in their previous emergency loan accounts may avail themselves of the regular Php20,000 loan. The pension fund will accept loan applications until November 24, 2013 in any GSIS branch office either through its file anywhere policy or through the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosk using their GSIS eCard or their unified multipurpose identification (UMID)-compliant eCard. Out of the 910 GWAPS kiosks nationwide, 35 automated kiosks are deployed in Cebu and 12 in Bohol. "GSIS further deployed portable kiosks in both provinces so we can reach our members more quickly," Vergara said. Loan application forms are also available at GSIS offices or downloadable at www.gsis.gov.ph. Members may submit their loan applications over the counter at the nearest GSIS office. The pension fund's branch offices in Bohol and Cebu will remain open during weekends to serve its members. The emergency loan is payable in 36 equal monthly installments with a reduced interest rate of six percent. Qualified members are those not on leave of absence without pay; have no arrears in the payment of mandatory monthly contributions; and have no loans declared in default. For more information on the emergency loan program, members may visit the nearest GSIS office or call the GSIS contact center at 847-47-47.

|TOP|

Secretaries Soliman, Roxas meet with interagency disaster team in Bohol

Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas met with the interagency disaster management team in Bohol to discuss right approaches to address the needs of quake victims.

Secretary Soliman recognized the presence of the humanitarian team of the United Nations headed by Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the Philippines Luisa Carvalho during the meeting and acknowledged that their inputs are appreciated at this point since interventions are slowly moving towards early recovery and rehabilitation. DSWD Assistant Secretary Camilo Gudmalin who presented updates on relief operations in the quake-stricken areas said that the Department is currently validating the number of families with damaged houses together with the humanitarian groups. ―We need to think about shelter at this time. We are gathering data on the number of totally and partially damaged houses from the field and the humanitarian groups can help us both in gathering data and in building temporary and permanent shelters for those who have no means to rebuild,‖ Assistant Secretary Gudmalin said. Assistant Secretary Gudmalin explained that the Department and the local government of Bohol have already reached thirty-two (32) municipalities in Bohol, catering to over 95,497 families focusing on the hardest hit municipalities of Loon, Maribojoc, Tubigon, Antequera, Calape, Inabanga, Catigbian, Carmen and Tagbilaran. Assistant Secretary Gudmalin added that the total number of damaged houses in Bohol is now 33,730 with 8,665 totally damaged and 25,065 partially damaged. On the other hand, Bohol Governor Edgardo Chatto reported that the provincial government has also maximized the assistance of private individuals and groups that donated goods, volunteered their services, and shared their vehicles to transfer goods to affected areas. Relief distribution Aside from meeting with the interagency disaster team, Secretaries Soliman and Roxas joined by Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda led the distribution of food packs in Loon and Carmen, Bohol. Secretary Soliman said that the DSWD has provided a total of 5,324 food packs in Loon and 1,500 in Carmen. Based on reports, a total of 42,800 persons were affected in Loon and 23,150 persons in Carmen by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake. A community-based evacuation camp was put up in Barangay Katipunan in Carmen sheltering seventy-nine (79) families coming from 3 sitios located at the foot of the mountain. Residents here are afraid to go back to their houses for fear of getting hit by falling debris. Rosalina Donato, 41, said she and her family have not returned to their house since the earthquake occurred, as they are afraid the mountain would entirely collapse. ―Hadlok na mi mubalik pa sa balay sa pagkaron kay sigey pa ug linog basin unya maglandslide matabunan mi sa sulod sa among mga balay. (We are afraid to go back to our house for now because the aftershocks might cause landslide and we might get buried in our house),‖ she said. After the relief goods distribution, the three Secretaries visited the families in the makeshift tents set-up by the local government units.

|TOP|

87,157 food packs distributed to quake victims in Bohol

Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

Some 87,157 family food packs have been distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Provincial Government of Bohol to families affected by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in the province, according to Secretary Dinky Soliman during a press conference yesterday. Secretary Soliman was in the province yesterday to lead in the distribution of relief packs in isolated areas in the province. She added that relief distribution in Bohol is now on its second cycle with affected families from quake-hit municipalities receiving initial aid from concerned local government units. Secretary Soliman also said that Habitat for Humanity’s Mobile Emergency Response vehicle will be deployed in Bohol to help in disaster relief efforts. ―Habitat for Humanity will build nine (9) tents to serve as temporary hospital facility in municipalities where hospitals were partially damaged,‖ Secretary Soliman said. A DSWD Team from Central Office has already conducted rapid assessment of the extent of damage in 27 municipalities affected by the earthquake. The Bohol provincial hotlines are 09173246600 and 09109455146 are open to receive inquiries and requests for assistance. To date, Bohol maintains 64 evacuation centers with 21,250 families or 104,953 persons. A total of 51,614 families or 236,509 persons stay in open spaces or in their friends’ and relatives’ houses.

|TOP|

TBs, RBs and Coop banks post 7.77 percent NPL ratio in Q1 2013

Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph

The combined non-performing loans (NPLs) of thrift (TBs), rural (RBs) and cooperative banks represented 7.77 percent of their total loan portfolio (TLP) of Php 568.71 billion at the end of the first quarter this year. The figure rose slightly from the 7.61 percent NPL ratio in March 2012 as the banks’ NPLs grew by above ten percent year-on-year vis-à-vis an eight percent rise in TLP during the period. The banks’ loan loss reserves for said soured loans, meanwhile, stood at 66.52 percent of NPLs in March, up from the 64.60 percent figure posted a year earlier. Provisioning for NPLs is a prudential measure for mitigating potential credit losses. Thrift, rural and cooperative bank loans represented 10.47 percent, 2.89 percent and 0.20 percent, respectively, of the Philippine banking system’s TLP in March this year. TBs posted a 6.13 percent gross NPL ratio in March, lower than the 6.48 percent registered a year ago. The drop in gross NPL ratio was matched by a slight rise in TBs’ loan loss reserves, which grew to 70.43 in March from 69.64 percent last year. RBs’ gross NPL ratio, meanwhile, stood at 13.26 percent in March, higher than the 11.37 percent posted a year ago. RBs’ loan loss reserves for NPLs, however, increased to 59.80 percent in March from 52.74 percent a year earlier. Cooperative banks’ gross NPL ratio rose to 14.22 in March from 10.36 percent a year ago, while their loan loss provisioning dropped to 68.66 percent of NPLs from 77.69 percent during the same period. The monitoring of banks’ loan quality is part of measures to ensure that said financial intermediaries continue to adhere to high credit standards. This is essential to maintaining financial stability, which is a primary objective of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

|TOP|

Philippines and South Korea ink US$80 million loan for a Disaster Risk Reduction Project in Pampanga

Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph

His Excellency President Benigno Aquino III of the Republic of the Philippines, together with Her Excellency President Park Geun-hye of the Republic of Korea, witnessed today, the signing of a Loan Agreement to support the implementation of the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Measures in the Low Lying Areas of Pampanga Bay Project. Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima signed the Loan Agreement on behalf of the Philippine Government while Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) Chairman and President Yong Hwan Kim signed on behalf of the Republic of Korea. Under the Agreement, the Republic of Korea, through KEXIM-Economic Development Cooperation Fund, will provide an ODA loan amounting to US$80.483 million to primarily support the excavation and dredging of the Third River, Caduang Tete River and Sapang Maragul River in Pampanga by the Department of Public Works and Highways. Through this, the project is envisioned to mitigate flooding in the low-lying areas of Macabebe, Masantol, Minalin and Sto. Tomas along the Pampanga delta. Further, the loan will support the Department of Education’s reconstruction of 232 classrooms in 47 schools, embankment heightening of 26 schools, and construction of deep well pumps in 11 schools in the area. ―With the project, the extent, level and duration of flooding in the surrounding areas of the Pampanga delta will be reduced, and the capacity of educational facilities in the area in coping with disasters will be enhanced‖, Secretary Purisima said. The Korean Government has continually extended assistance in various development projects, most especially in rural areas in the Philippines including: a) the construction and development of the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental, which has recently began commercial operations last June 2013; b) the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II in Iloilo Province; and c) the recently signed Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project, that traverses towns in Northern and Eastern Samar.

|TOP|

Conduct job fairs in quake-stricken areas, Baldoz tells POEA Region VII

Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday ordered POEA Administrator Hans Leo J.

Cacdac to mobilize its resources, partners, and allies and conduct overseas job fairs for workers in earthquake-stricken Bohol and Cebu. "Better that it's the POEA, in cooperation with DOLE Regional Office No. 7, Public Employment Service Offices, that will be the first on the ground in facilitating the employment of workers in Cebu and Bohol who may have been displaced by the earthquake, than illegal recruiters who may take advantage of the situation and victimize those who are already victims of this tragedy," said Baldoz during a meeting with Cacdac in Intramuros. Baldoz said the POEA should mobilize licensed recruitment agencies, particularly those in the Visayas, to participate in the job fairs. "Also invite employers posting their job vacancies in the PhilJobnet, particularly those from the Visayas, to participate in the job fairs," she said, noting that as of yesterday, there are 111,336 job vacancies posted in the government's job search and job-skill matching online facility. She said the job fairs should be held simultaneous with government's rehabilitation efforts in Cebu and Bohol, particularly in areas where workplaces were hit the hardest and where there could be large concentration of displaced workers. Last Tuesday, Baldoz had ordered the DOLE regional office in Cebu to mobilize its quick reaction team (QRT) and fast-track the profiling of displaced workers so that appropriate intervention--be it employment facilitation or livelihood restoration--can be immediately implemented. She also ordered the DOLE's Financial Management Service to look for available funds for emergency employment. Earlier, Administrator Cacdac warned victims of the recent earthquake and other calamities in the country to be wary of illegal recruiters who may take advantage of their condition. He said residents of areas hit hard by the earthquake in Bohol and Cebu, and by the armed infighting in Zamboanga City between a renegade faction of the Moro National Liberaton Front and government soldiers, especially those who lost their jobs and other sources of livelihood, would be the likely victims of these criminal illegal recruiters. ―These illegal recruiters are like vultures that hover in the air over potential prey‖, he said. Cacdac said the illegal recruiters would target women often promising them jobs as household service workers. The POEA chief requested local government units, law enforcement agencies, and civic organizations--the POEA’s partners in the anti-illegal recruitment campaign in the regions--to be on the lookout for suspicious recruitment and trafficking activities in their respective localities. He also asked applicants from the calamity areas to verify with the POEA or the provincial office of Department of Labor and Employment if the recruiter has a valid license or authorization to recruit OFWs before accepting any job offer.

|TOP|

NEDA consults civil society orgs on midterm PDP update: Balisacan highlights employment generation as key update to the Plan

Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph

MANILA – The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on October 18 conducted a consultative meeting with civil society organizations (CSOs) to get inputs and comments on the midterm update of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP). NEDA presented updates on macroeconomic policy, financial sector, good governance and the rule of law, industry and services, agriculture and fisheries, infrastructure, environment and natural resources, social development, and peace and security. ―The midterm update was envisioned as a consultative process and was implemented pursuant to the vision of inclusive growth. We sought inputs and comments from the CSOs on the draft chapters of the Plan to improve the coherence and soundness of the goals and strategies,‖ said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan. Balisacan, in his remarks, also encouraged the CSOs to consider the updated contents of the Plan in the shaping of their respective programs and projects. ―While we have put a lot of effort into improving the PDP, it is not by any means exhaustive and we recognize the important role of CSOs in addressing the gaps,‖ he said. Last April, NEDA also conducted consultations with CSOs in the regions to address regional gaps in the Plan and bring in wider participation in the planning process. ―Aside from strengthening the document’s regional dimension, a key update to the PDP is highlighting the importance of employment generation to achieve inclusive growth. The update also aimed to mainstream employment concerns and make these concerns more prominent in the chapters where they are relevant,‖ Balisacan said. He emphasized employment as a powerful means by which growth and poverty reduction can be bridged, thus making

it a priority in the updated PDP. ―We recognize that the recent rapid economic growth has yet to translate into rapid employment generation and poverty reduction,‖ the NEDA Director General said. ―This is what has occupied us the most in recent months,‖ he added.

|TOP|

DOST to meg “Smarter Philippines” as world zooms in on emerging economies

Source: http://www.dost.gov.ph

Smarter technologies and capabilities made possible by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), are out to bolster the Philippines’ global competitiveness amid forecasts that the country will rise as the world’s 16th largest economy, leaping 27 places from its current position. In his presentation during the recent opening of the North Luzon leg of the Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) at the Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet, Alejandro Melchor III, executive director of DOST’s Information Communication Technology Office (DOST-ICTO), revealed that the world is now looking at the Philippines and other Asian countries as the fastest growing economies. ―Who will deliver the fastest growth in 2050? Number one, China, traditional; second, India, and surprisingly, the Philippines,‖ exclaimed Melchor. Smarter Philippines DOST leverages these projections to prepare the country towards this global economic shift as it directs the journey toward a ―Smarter Philippines,‖ a program which will enable the country to achieve global competitiveness by developing and deploying smarter technologies. In particular, Smarter Philippines aims to enhance capabilities and thus give local and global investors more options to invest in agriculture, industries, governance, climate change adaptation, human capability, jobs creation, healthcare, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). For smarter farming, the program will address perennial problems in rice sufficiency, mango productivity, livestock and fish productions, and improvement of coconut yield via enhancement of the fruit’s genetic makeup. Coconut is one of the country’s most promising crops, generating $1.45B in annual revenues. Smarter MSMEs will strengthen the sector by providing innovative, cost-effective and appropriate technologies that enable MSMEs to develop and produce competitive products that meet world-class standards. Meanwhile, Smarter Industries will provide state-of-the-art facilities and capabilities which will enable local industries to move up the value chain and attain global competitiveness. For the electronics and semiconductor sectors, DOST unveiled the Advanced Device Materials and Testing Laboratory earlier this year to enhance their productivity. Furthermore, Smarter Industries will also help widen the global market share of the local business process outsourcing (BPO) industry which is poised to attain world leadership in four more fast-growing BPO services namely healthcare information management, finance and accounting, human resources and creative process outsourcing. Further strengthening the capabilities of the BPO industry is DOST’s Next Wave Cities Program which will ensure that BPO employment will be spread throughout the country. To achieve good governance and transparency, Smarter Government will provide an ICT-based transformation of governance and the delivery of government services and information. Projects such as IGov Philippines, a secured online government payment services and TV white space, and an internet connectivity using untapped UHF and VHF TV channels, will provide innovative government services to people, even in the countryside. To address the absence of public doctors especially in far-flung areas of the country, technologies such as the RXBox, a portable medical device that could check the patient’s electrocardiogram or ECG, heart rate, blood, pulse rate and blood oxygenation, can provide immediate diagnosis by transmitting the test results to affiliated medical doctors through the internet or mobile phones.

Global seismic shift According to Dir. Melchor, an Asian Development Bank survey showed that the combined gross domestic products of ASEAN, China and India could quadruple and exceed the combined US and European economies in the coming years. Meanwhile, the region’s share in world investments is projected to reach 40%. ―Every $100B of world investments, $40B will go to the Asian region,‖ Dir. Melchor said. The DOST-ICTO official also mentioned a global research by the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation indicating that by 2050, world attention will turn to ―new emergers‖ as the world economy undergoes a seismic shift. Seismic shift refers to a global economic transformation from the economic superpower countries to new and emerging economies.

|TOP|

Malaysia turns over Rm100,000 assistance for children affected by Visayas quake

Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph

21 October 2013 – On behalf of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur received a 100,000 Malaysian ringgit (around PhP1.4 million) donation from the World Children Welfare Fund for the children affected by the earthquake which struck the Visayas last October 15. Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, the wife of Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, handed the donation to Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya in ceremonies held last October 18 at the Seri Perdana, the official residence of the Malaysian Prime Minister. ―I wish to convey terima kasih banyak banyak (thank you very much) to the World Children Welfare Fund and to Datin Rosmah, on behalf of the PNRC and the Filipino people for its donation. This timely and generous gesture of solidarity is deeply appreciated. It is a soothing balm to the hardship felt by many children. It is true that tragedies bring pain and loss, but often, it brings people closer together,‖ Ambassador Malaya said. Under the patronage of Datin Rosmah, The World Children’s Welfare Fund was established to assist in improving the welfare of children whose lives are affected by misfortunes and calamities due to war, natural disasters and conflict. Also receiving donations on behalf of their governments were the embassies in Kuala Lumpur of countries which recently suffered similar calamities, namely the Embassies of Cambodia (typhoon Wutip in September 2013), Mexico (hurricane Ingrid and tropical storm Manuel in September 2013), Japan (typhoon Wipha in September 2013), and India (cyclone Phailin in October 2013). It also handed over donations to the charitable organizations Perdana Global Peace Fund and the Mercy Malaysia. Mercy Malaysia is also deploying a five-man medical team to Cebu and Bohol today, October 21. Two more batches of medical teams from the organization are expected to proceed to these areas. Earlier, Prime Minister Najib expressed his condolences to those affected by the earthquake. In his Twitter account on Wednesday, he said ―We join the people of the Philippines in mourning those killed in the earthquake last Tuesday.‖ Datin Rosmah has close ties with the Philippines. She is an alumna of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), and accompanied Prime Minister Najib during the latter’s official visit in October 2012 on the occasion of the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

|TOP|

Phl Consulate General in Guangzhou holds seminar on China’s New Exit and Entry Administration Law

Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph

21 October 2013 – The Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou conducted a seminar on October 13 about the New Entry and Exit Administration Law and the Supplementary Regulations of the People’s Republic of China. The seminar was attended by members of the Filipino community, and the Consulate’s officers and staff. It was in response to the call of the Foreign Affairs Office of Guangdong Province and the Provincial Public Security Department of Guangdong to educate the nationals of each Consulate in Guangzhou about the implications of the new law to the entry, stay and exit of foreigners. The important provisions of the new law were discussed during the seminar, particularly the new visa categories, processes for renewal of visa, registration of residence, mandatory periods for renewal of visas and registration of residence, among others. The Filipino community was informed about the services of the Consulate to address the stringent regulation and other assistance it can provide to ensure compliance. The concerned officers and staff of the Consulate were on hand to respond to the inquiries and provided additional information about its various services. The Consulate distributed copies of the law and guidelines on the requirements of visa applications per category obtained from the following websites of the Ministry of Public Security: http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/ and http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/wgrzh/lhqz/sblhqz/t1070373.htm

|TOP|

SSS enhances satellite offices in Cebu and Bohol, cites calamity relief package

Source: https://www.sss.gov.ph

The Social Security System (SSS) has expanded the network and services of its satellite offices in Central Visayas to serve members affected by ongoing structural evaluations of the SSS Cebu and Bohol branches, which eased down their regular operations for safety reasons following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that devastated the region on

October 15. SSS Officer-in-Charge Edgar Solilapsi said Cebu-based members can transact at temporary SSS satellite offices at the Gaisano Fiesta Mall in Tabunok, Talisay City; Gaisano Island Mall in Lapu-Lapu City; Talisay City Hall; and the DTI-National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) in Cebu City. The SSS Service Office at Robinsons Fuente Mall along Osmeña Boulevard will extend its regular business hours during the weekend to accommodate members on October 19 and 20. Solilapsi advised members in Bohol, whose SSS servicing branch in Tagbilaran City is closed for business, to proceed to the agency's temporary satellite offices at the Agricultural Promotional Center (APC) near the City Hall, and at the Governor's Mansion along CPG Avenue. The SSS deployed its Cebu and Tagbilaran branch personnel to the satellite offices to enable them to accept a wide range of SSS transactions. ―While the SSS Cebu branch is partially open for limited services such as answering queries and forms issuance, it would be best for members in the affected areas to instead visit the satellite offices for their SSS concerns,‖ he said. ―Despite the calamity that has hit the region, the SSS is doing its best to provide uninterrupted service delivery, especially in this time of great need.‖ Neighboring SSS branches in Cebu province at the cities of Toledo, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Bogo remain in normal operation. To help meet the expected surge in transactions with the announcement of the calamity relief package for earthquake-hit members and pensioners, the SSS Mandaue Branch will remain open for business on Saturday, October 19. Deployed SSS Cebu Branch personnel will assist the Mandaue Branch in handling the expected influx of transacting members. Solilapsi called on affected members and pensioners in declared calamity areas to avail themselves of the SSS calamity relief package, which offers relaxed terms for salary and house repair loans, and advance release of three months' worth of pensions. To qualify, they must be residing or employed in places officially declared as calamity areas by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The relief package offers the Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP) that allows current borrowers to renew their salary loans ahead of the prescribed schedule, which is one year after the start of loan payment. The SLERP also suspends the sanction on loan renewal imposed on affected members who had earlier availed themselves of the SSS Loan Penalty Condonation Program. ―SSS will waive the one percent loan service fee of SLERP applicants. As for members without existing loans, their salary loan application will likewise be exempted from the service fee if the loan is processed under the calamity relief package,‖ Solilapsi said. ―The deadline for affected members is November 29, 2013 for both SLERP and new salary loan applications.‖ The SSS also lowered the annual interest rate of its House Repair and Improvement Loan Program to six percent and waived the regular application fee of up to P3,000 as part of the SSS relief package. Interested borrowers from declared calamity areas have one year to file their applications for the special house repair loans. Solilapsi said the last component of the package is the advance release of pensions to SSS pensioners for retirement, disabililty and survivorship. Pensioners must file their applications for the relief package, along with a barangay-issued certification of their residence in a declared calamity area, on or before November 29, 2013.

|TOP|

Aliens told: Always have your ACR I-Card

Source: http://immigration.gov.ph

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) advised foreigners to always have their Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card) in their possession as it is the best proof of their legal status and stay in the Philippines. BI Officer-in-Charge Siegfred Mison said having the ACR I-Card helps a foreigner avoid inconvenience whenever he transacts business in the country. The ACR I-Card is a microchip-based identification card issued to a registered alien which replaced the previous paper-based ACR. It has an embedded computer chip with biometric security features capable of data management and can be updated electronically. The card also serves as the Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC), Re-entry Permit (RP) and Special Return Certificate (SRC) of the holder upon payment of the required fees. Mison, however, warned foreigners to guard against forged and spurious ACR I-Cards. He said it has come to the Bureau’s attention that some of these cards have been fabricated or fraudulently issued by unscrupulous elements. The BI Chief advised foreigners to only engage the services of BI Accredited Private Entities (APE) in applying for their

ACR I-Cards. He described the ACR I-Card as an important identity and visa status document that should not be desecrated. Mison disclosed that the unlawful reproduction, replication, sale, manufacture, and distribution of ACR I-Card is a criminal offense punishable with imprisonment and fine under the Philippine Immigration Act.

|TOP|

FAO honors Filipina farmer, three others

Source: http://www.da.gov.ph

A Filipina farmer and three others were honored for their outstanding achievements in agriculture and food production, during a celebration of the World Food Day for the Asia-Pacific region, in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 16, 2013. Myrna Conmigo Asor of Goa, Camarines Sur, who was one of the country’s ―Outstanding Rural Women‖ in 2011, received a Food and Agriculture (FAO) award from Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, in ceremonies held at FAO’s regional office for Asia and the Pacific, in Bangkok. The other awardees are Sithar Dendup from Bhutan, Jarun Jaroensab from Thailand, and Malia Sosefo Guttenbeil from Tonga. Asor is an advocate of organic farming, keeping her farm free from chemical fertilizers and pesticides. She makes use of traditional rice varieties, and keeps 50 varieties in her own ―seed bank.‖ Aside from rice, the 56-year old lady farmer also grows vegetables, fruits, and root crops, and raises animals and fish for her family's consumption. She also grows other crops like coconuts, abaca, pineapple, pili, and gabi leaves as source of additional income. Even though she did not finish high school, Myrna shares her experiences and technologies on sustainable agriculture with fellow farmers. She is often invited as a resource person in farmers’ trainings, seminars and workshops, not only in Camarines Sur, but in other provinces. Dignitaries present during the World Food Day celebration in Bangkok included: UN Undersecretary-General Noeleen Heyzer, who is also the concurrent Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific; Thailand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Yukol Limlamthong’ other senior Thai government officials; Bangkok-based members of the diplomatic corps; representatives of UN agencies and civil society organizations. This year’s World Food Day theme is ―Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition,‖ reflecting the FAO concept that healthy people depend on healthy food systems. A food system is composed of the environment, people, institutions and processes by which agricultural products are produced, processed and delivered to consumers. Every aspect of the food system affects the final availability and accessibility of diverse, nutritious food and the ability of consumers to choose healthy diets. World Food Day 2013 marks the 68th anniversary of the founding of FAO in Quebec City, Canada on 16 October 1945. (FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, DA-Information Service)

|TOP|

OVP relief team hands out 8K bags of relief goods to Bohol quake victims

Source: http://ovp.gov.ph

The Office of the Vice President, in its efforts to give aid to the victims of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Bohol last week, handed out 8,000 bags of relief goods to families in affected towns of the island province. A team was sent by the Vice President to Bohol to aid in relief operations after he visited the province to inspect the damage wrought by the quake. In its latest relief operations, the OVP relief team distributed 1,000 bags of relief goods in Buenavista; 1,000 in Getafe; 500 in Dagohoy; and another 500 in San Miguel. The team previously handed out 1,900 ready-to-eat food packs in Maribojoc as well as 1,000 relief bags for each of the towns of Sagbayan, San Isidro, and Baclayon. ―We are prioritizing relief operations at the moment, but a staff told me they have also been able to extend burial assistance to the families of 30 victims. Once we have finished distributing all relief goods, we will concentrate on burial assistance,‖ the Vice President said. ―I was told that most of those who died are in secluded towns and because roads leading to the towns have been

destroyed by the quake, it takes a while to get there,‖ Binay added. Binay said the OVP relief team will continue to conduct relief operations in other affected areas in Bohol. ―We still have another 4,000 bags to hand out. It’s our way of letting our kababayans know that they are not alone and that they can rely on the government in times like these,‖ he said. The Vice President Rescue Volunteer Team had previously recovered two bodies in a retrieval operation in Brgy. Villaflor, Loboc, Bohol. Along with the OVP relief and rescue team, the Vice President said Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay has also deployed the Makati Rescue and K-9 teams in Bohol to assist in search and retrieval operations. Moreover, during his visit to Bohol, Binay also pledged to Bishop Leonardo Medroso of the Archdiocese of Tagbilaran that he would help in his personal capacity in the rehabilitation of the heritage churches in Bohol and Cebu. Binay personally visited the Dauis and Baclayon churches to inspect the extent of the damaged wrought by the quake.

|TOP|

VP rescue team recovers 2 bodies in Bohol

Source: http://ovp.gov.ph

The Vice President Rescue Volunteer Team has recovered two bodies in a retrieval operation in Brgy. Villaflor, Loboc, Bohol, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said. The team, together with members of the Coastguard, the Philippine Army and some locals, split into two groups. One stayed in Brgy. Villaflor to recover a third missing person and another went to a nearby town. The second group, along with an engineer and members of the Philippine National Police, checked a dam that cracked due to the 7.2 magnitude earthquake. ―The rescue team will assess the integrity of the dam and see if people living within its vicinity need to evacuate. We don’t want to take chances. We want to ensure they are safe,‖ Binay said. Another rescue group from Makati City has also been deployed to help in the rescue/retrieval operations in Bohol. A team from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) also went to Bohol to distribute relief bags and bottles of water to the affected families. It handed out 1,900 ready to eat food packs in Maribojoc on the first day of its relief operations. The team also went to Sagbayan, San Isidro and Baclayon to deliver 1,000 relief bags for each municipality. ―We also distributed 1,000 relief bags in Maribojoc yesterday. A staff told me they had to deliver the goods in three installments because the boat they used was small and could not carry all the relief bags in one trip,‖ Binay said. The OVP team continues to repack 8,000 relief goods for distribution to other affected areas in Bohol. ―We intend to help ease the pain of our kababayans. We want them to know that they are not alone in this and they can rely on our government in times of need,‖ he added. Meanwhile, a team from Makati City, together with personnel from the Manila Water and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, is now producing 2000 liters of potable water per hour through the use of Makati’s water filtration system. The team is currently situated in Brgy. Basak, Loon, Bohol beside the collapsed Moalong Bridge. Loon Mayor Lloyd Peter Lopez urged his constituents to go to Brgy. Basak to fetch water.

|TOP|

Megawide embarks on second phase of school building project

Source: http://ppp.gov.ph

MANILA – Megawide Construction Corporation has signed a build-lease-transfer agreement with the Department of Education (DepEd) for the second phase of the School Infrastructure Project. Louie Ferrer, Megawide corporate information officer, said the agreement covers contract package A for Regions I, III and IV, comprising 985 schools or 2,500 classrooms. ―The next step is to appoint an independent consultant who will assess the project. Once that’s finished, the only time we can start working on the project,‖ Ferrer said.

A year ago, Megawide and DepEd inked the same agreement for contract packages B and C for Regions III and IV-A, respectively. In August, the Megawide-Citicore Holdings Investment Inc consortium won the contract for the government’s classroom project, the second of the Aquino administration’s public-private partnership (PPP) ventures to take off. The project is a 10-year contract for the design, construction and maintenance of 9,301 classrooms – complete with toilets and furniture – in Regions I, III and IV-A. Megawide and Citicore, a company owned by major shareholders of the construction firm, formed a joint venture that will undertake the classroom project. Megawide is one of the most active participants of the government’s PPP projects. It teamed up with India-based GMR Infrastructure Limited for the Mactan Cebu International Airport and joined the Suyen-Eurolink Consortium for the Automated Fare Collection System Project. Megawide was also part of Metro Pacific Investment Corporation’s failed bid for the LRT 1 Extension Project as a subcontractor of French firm Bouygues. Megawide is shortlisting a number of partners in preparation for its bid for the P35.6-billion Cavite-Laguna (CALA) Expressway Project.

|TOP|

Last Updated: 21 OCTOBER 2013

President Benigno S. Aquino III deliver his message during 12th CEO Forum and 114th

General Membership Meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the

Philippines held at Solaire Resort and Casino Manila in Paranaque City on Monday (October

21). Also in Photo are DILG Secretary Mar Roxas II and SEIPI President Danilo Lachica.

(Photo by Ryan Lim/ Malacanang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the 12th CEO Forum and 114th General

Membership Meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines held

at Solaire Resort and Casino Manila in Paranaque City on Monday (October 21). Also in

Photo are DILG Secretary Mar Roxas II and SEIPI President Danilo Lachica. (Photo by

Benhur Arcayan/ Malacanang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message at the 12th CEO Forum and 114th

General Membership Meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the

Philippines held at Solaire Resort and Casino Manila in Paranaque City on Monday (October

21). Also in Photo are DILG Secretary Mar Roxas II and SEIPI President Danilo Lachica.

(Photo by Benhur Arcayan/ Malacanang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the 12th CEO Forum and 114th General Membership

Meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines held at Solaire

Resort and Casino Manila in Paranaque City on Monday (October 21). Also in Photo are

TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva, DOST Secretary Mario Montejo and SEIPI

President Danilo Lachica. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan/ Malacanang Photo Bureau)

Thank You and God Bless !!!!